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COMMEMORATIVE
Biographical Encyclopedia
-OF-
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA,
CONTAINING
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens,
and Many of the Early Scotch-Irish
and German Settlers.
ILLUSTRATED.
1896.
CHAMBERSBURG, PA.
J. M. RUNK & COMPANY,
Publishers. , i
^=p=^^
K^Cfiil
Daily Telegraph Print,
Harrisburg, Pa.
.1,1 Ml '1^^^'
3)3
A. H. W.
L. E. c. m.
PREFATORY NOTE.
There is no more exalted feature in the history of any locality than that
which relates to the individual— whether he has passed from off the stage of action
a century ago, or whether we cross his path daily in the intercourse with our
fellow-men. It is unfortunately true that while we may delight in the record of
the lives of the former, and regret that there is not more known of what they
were and what they accomplished in their day and generation, the almost cynical
sneer comes as we glance over the meagre data which our fellow-citizens have
gathered up to send down the paths of futurity as their legacy to the biography
of the present. We M'ish it were otherwise, that just such a volume as the
Publisher has in this instance essayed to give us would be as thoroughly appreciated
as the descendants of those herein named will in the days to come. Sneer, as some
may, it is a noble undertaking — this preservation of the narrative of tlie life work
of the many, although humble and meagre they may perchance be. No two
persons reach the same mark, or accomplish identical work, and yet every one
has his mission to fill. To us who are living near the close of the nineteenth
century, and have learned to revel in the researches into the past, the facts herein
gathered should have a charm. The present will soon belong to the past, and
thus, as the years roll on apace, the very biographical sketches here contained will
be more highly treasured. We believe the Publisher has proven faithful to the
trust, and the people of Dauphin County will find a fair record of its people.
If the sketches of some who ought to have a place here are wanting, it is
certainly not the fault of the Publisher — it is that of the individual. The former
has sought to give a representative work; it is the neglect of the latter if this
is not the case.
iv PREFATORY NOTE.
As introductory to this volume, a brief resume of the history of the county
is given, with other data nowhere else to be found, and that feature is peculiar
to this work. The genealogical information, meagre in some respects, will be of
exceeding value to those in search of the records of their ancestry. And, although
some objections may be made to the orthography of many surnames, yet we give
all as we find them in official documents.
In conclusion, as most of the biographies were submitted to those interested,
errors of fact or date ought not to fall upon the Publisher, whom we firmly
believe has used his best endeavors to give his subscribers a perfectly reliable as
well as valuable book.
W. H. E.
In presenting the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County to its
patrons, the Publishers acknowledge, with gratitude, the encourngement and support
their enterprise has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them
to surmount the many unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of
a work of such magnitude. To procure the material for its compilation, official
records were carefully examined, newspaper files searched, manuscripts, letters and
memoranda were sought, and a corps of competent solicitors visited every portion
of the county and secured ^information direct from the parties concerned. Great
care was taken to have the sketches as free from error as possible, but we do not
hold ourselves responsible for mistakes, as we charge nothing for the insertion of
any printed matter contained in the book. In the compilation of the biographies
we were ably assisted by William H. Egle, M. D., State Librarian of Pennsylvania,
and who is the author of the introductory chapter headed " Historical Review of
Dauphin County;" Rev. A. S. Dudley, D. D., of Cincinnati, Ohio; Harry I.
Huber, of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., and Miss R. H. Schively, of Chambers-
burg, the latter being one of the most accomplished literary scholars of the
Cumberland Valley.
J. M. RUNK & CO.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Historical Review of Dauphin County, 1
The Scotch-Irish Immigration, 1
The Early German Settlers, 3
John Harris, Trader and Pioneer, 7
Early Assessment List :
North End of Paxtang, 1750, : 11
Narrows of Pax tang, 1751, 11
West Side of Paxtang, 1751, 11
South End of Paxtang, 1751, 11
Return of Paxtang, 1756, 12
Return of Paxtang, 1758, 13
Paxtang Continental Tax, 1779, , 14
Return of Middletown, 1779, 15
Return, Upper Paxtang, 1779, 15
Return, Upper District, Wiconisco, 1770, 16
Return, Located Tracts, Wiconisco, 1779, 16
Return, West End of Derry, 1756, 16
Return, East Side Derry, 1758, 19
Return, West Side Derry, 1758, 19
Return, Derry Township, 1769, 19
Return, Derry Township, 1770, 20
Return, Frederick Town, 1770, .... 20
Return, East End of Hanover, 1750, 20
Return, East End of Hanover, 1756, 21
Return, West End of Hanover, 1756, 21
Hanover Assessment, 1769, 21
Hanover Assessment, 1782, 22
Leading Events to War for Independence 24
The Paxtang Boys' Affair, 28
The Hanover Resolutions of 1774, 32
Historic Resume, 1785-1896, 33
The " Buckshot War," 37
The County Centennial, 40
Origin of Dauphin County Names of Places, 42
vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Early Settlers in the " Upper End :"
How the Early Settlers Lived, *. . 45
Settlement of Uniontown, 46
Settlement of Wiconisco, 46
Old Settlers of Lykens, ' 46
The Early History of Gratz,, 47
Early Families in the " Upper End," 48
The Lykens Valley Coal Development, 52
Andrew Lycans, 55
Genealogical Notes, 53
Some Early Dauphin County Families :
Family of the Founder of Harrisburg, 77
Allisons, of Derry, 85
Balsbaugh Family, 86
Baums, of Derry, 87
Brubaker and Meetch, 88
Clark, of Clark's Valley, ■ ■ • 93
Cochrans, of Paxtang, 94
Crawfords, of Hanover, 96
Enders Family, 98
Fahnestock Family, 99
Fetterhoff Family, ■ 106
Fox Family, of Derry, 106
Geddes, of Derry, ^ HO
Geiger Family, HI
Harris Family, of Derry, 112
Hayes, of Derry, 114
Hershey Family, 115
Hoffman, of Lykens Valley, Hg
Marcus Hulings and his Family, T18
Hummel Family, 121
Kelly, of Londonderry, 124
Landis Family, 128
LaRue Family, ". 128
Leebrick Family, 129
Lehman Family, 131
Lingle Family, 132
McClures, of Paxtang and Hanover, 133
Mitchell Family, 134
Nissley Family, 185
Renick, of Paxtang, 138
Sawyer Family, 138
Shelly, of Shelly's Island, 139
Simpsons, of Paxtang, 142
Sloans, of Hanover, 142
Stewart, of Paxtang, 145
Stewarts, of Hanover, 146
■■~^
TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii
Umholtz Family, 149
Weise Family, of Lykens Valley, ... 149
Wiggins Family, • • 151
Youngs, of Hanover, 152
Some Industries of Harrisburg :
Pennsylvania Steel Works, 153
Chesapeake Nail Works, 155
Central Iron Works, 155
Harrisburg Foundry and Machine Works, 156
W. 0. Hickok Manufacturing Company, 157
Lalance & Grosjean Manufacturing Company, 157
Harrisburg Manufacturing Company, 158
Paxton and Steelton Flouring Mills Company, 158
Woven Wire Mattress Company, 159
Lykens Valley Coal Trade, 159
Plummelstown Brownstone Company, 159
American Tube and Iron Company, 160
Paxton Furnaces, • 160
Shoe Industries, 161
Biographical Sketches, 165-1196
INDEX.
Abercombie, Wyman E 1051
Adams, Ricbard 492
Adajms, Thomais 538
Adams, William J 487
Aginiew, Samuel, M. D 361
Ailiiswarth, Samuel, 194
Albright, Mrs. Prances, 213
Aldilngieir, Frederick B 617
Aldimger, John, 616
Alditager, William C 616
Alexandeir, Benjamin, 620
Alexamdra, Thomas, 1100
AUemau, Henry 773, 816
Allemam, Jolhm C'hostian 446
Alleman, John Sylvaniia, . ..503, 446
AUemam, John 446
Allemam, Michael, 816
AUemam, Midbuael R 1018
Alleman, Samuel 446
Allen, George, 523
AUen^ Joihn. M. 1143
Alien, Waiiam F 1146
Allison, John, 85
Alricks, Hamilton, 426
Alricte, Hermiamis, 426
Alriebs, James 196
Alithouise, Reuben H 636
Allw-ine, John H 929
AUwlme, Jomais, 1 005
Allwime, Joseph, 1005
Altmaier, Peter A., 585
Alviaird, Jacob, 1180
Anderson, Rev. James 260
Ajfldieirson, Samuel .T., 325
Apip, Framois, 926
Armioir. WilliaTO C'rawford 1193
Armpriester, George W., 538
Arnold, Oalvin M., M. D 399
Arnts, .Jacob, 1130
Attick, Damdel J., 294
Attick, Daniel, 1015
Attick, Jacob A., 1014
Attick, OHwr 566
Auchmuty, Robert, M. D. 354
Auchmuty, Robert 354
Auchmuty, Dr. Robert, 49
Aumgst, Joim, 788
Awl, Franciis Asbuiry, 258
Awl, .Jacob, 174
Awl, .Jacob Michael, 214
Awl, John Wesley, 259
Ayres, .John, 185
Ayres, Samuel, 171
Ayires, William 171
Ayres, William, 17, 212
Babb, Charles H 1033
Bacajstow, Franklin P., 699
Bacastow, John 699
Bach, Henry A 615
Baclh, Tillmam, 615
Bachmam, Samuel S 661
Bacbenstoe, Olaytom H.,. . .665, 458
Bacom, Darnel, 543
Bailey, Ohiarles I>. Jr 460
Bailey, Oharies Lukens 527
Bailey, Edward 420
Bailey, Hamilton 567
Bailey, Joseph, 527
Bailey, Gen. Joel, 290
Baker, Cbairles H., 820
Baker, Charles P 1023
Baker, Frederick, 470
Baker, Geoi'ge W., D. 13. S., . . . 393
Baker, George W., 470
Baker Henry 874
Baker, Bemr J., 729
Baker, Jacob, 730
Baker, Jacob, Sr., 878
Baker, John J., 862
Baker, Jobo M., 929
Baker, Rev. Leroy Franklin, . . 280
Baker, Matthias, G., 578 •
Baker, W. C, M. D 376
Baker, W. C, M. D 671
Ball, Joseph , 413, 407
Ball. William, 407
Balsbaug-h, Christiam Hei-vey, . .1152
Balsbaugb, George 86
Balsbaugh, George, 1035
Bailsbaugh, HeuTy, 821
Balsbaugh, Hiram W., 681
Balsbaugb, John 821
Balsbaugh, John H., 681
Balsbaugh, Peter, 87 •
Balsbaugh, Solomon, 821
Balsbaugh, Uriah 691
Balsbaugh, Valentine, 86
Bamider, Augustus 822
Baimnan, George, 577
Barber. Spencer F 1004
Bare, Diller, 678
Barnes, .Tea-emSaih S 536
Bamiet, .John J 1028
Barnett, John, 186
Bairringer, Jacob P 577
Baee'hoire, Benjamin 699
Basehore. Geoirge R99
Baiskin, George B., 526
Balskin, Oliver P., 1036
B-aiskin. Wiiliam, 526
Bauer, Frank .7 1179
Baum, Daniel 87
Baum. Michiael 770
Baum^.' Michael S., 77 )
Bay. J. G. Mc 535
Bayard, Edward 861
Bayard, Henry M., 860
Bayard. .Ta.mes A 860
Bay.ard, .Tosenh S 861
Bealorr, David ^ ]104
Bealor, Max 1104
Beaird, Aramon W., "60
Beard. Charles P. 844
Beard, Robert 1089
Beard, Samuel 769
Bea/tes. Edward IC, 772
Beatty, George, 205
Beatty, James 1 ''S
Beaver, John L 974
Beck, Julius Augustus, 254
Beck, David 497
Beck, David M 497
Beck, John 640
Becker, Henry 531
Belbmi, Jacob, 681
Beinbower, Adam, 1035
Beinihower, J. S., 1036
Bell, David D 1149
Bell, George H., 645
BeU, John, 479
Bell, Thornton A., 579
Bell, Samuel M., 863, 877
Bell, William., 214
Bell, William 852
Bell, William A., . . . ; .849
Bellman, Samuel, 1140
Bender, Hamilton, 967
Bender, Jacob, 409
Bender, Jacob M., 409
Bend-eor, William, 1083
Bent, Luther Stedman, 253
Bent, Winslow B 1028
Bentley, George RoUand 549
Benton, Rev. Gilbert Liguori, . . 998
Bergner, Goorge, 447
Bergner, Charles Henry, 447
Bergstresser, Alexander W., . . 484
Bergstresser, William J 577
Bergner, George, 338
Bemheisel, Luther, 601
Bemheisel, Peter, 408
Bembeisel, Peter, 406
Berry, Robert, 962
Best, Austin, 380
Best, Martin 380
Bertram, William 168
Biekley, .John H., 524
Bickley, William H., Sr 524
Biekley, William H., Jr., 524
Bigelow, Luipiiis S., 521. 554
Bishler, Dr. H. C, 915
Bitting, John 940
Bixler, Cornelius, 741
Bixler, John, 741
Black, Alfred T 329
Black, Andrew Krause, 249
Black, Homer, 475
Black, John, 655
Slack, Rev. Samuel 260
Blair, William, M. D., 388
Blanning, William, 1191
Blessing, Absalom, 693
Blessing, Frank D 693
Blough, Bertram F., 559
Blough, Cyrus, 559
Blough, George, 930
Blough, Wilson R 559
Blust, Dr. Joseph 313
Blyer, Robert E., 524
Blyter. Simon 903
Boias, Daniel D., 89, 477
Boas, Frederick 207
Boas, Col. Frederick Krause,. 236
Boas, Henry D., 482
Boas, Jacob, 207
INDEX.
Boas, William Diok, 227
Bodmer, Edward, 818
Boiestoire, David H 1145
Boieshoffie, Thiomas, 1115
Bogimer, Riley, 885
Boll Uhas. S 5841/2, 563
Boll, Johin W 564
Bolton, Levi 1149
Boimbaugh, Aaroni, 226
Bomibaug'h, Abrajbam, 199
Bodniberger, John Cauff man, . . 239
Bamberger, Jacob M., 597
Bomgardner, Jerome, 944
Bomgardner, John, 706
Bond, S. Weidler, 772
Bonawitz, Jonathan 907
Bonawitz, Jonathan, 740
Bomawitz, W. E., M. D... .755, 740
Book, David N 930
Books, Joihn 764
Books, Jonas, 764
BoosM-, Bphraini, 780
Booser, Henry, 642
Booser, Henry, 780
Booseir, Henry 1033
Borland, Joim A 773, 804
Borland, William, 804
Bowiers, Abraham, 668
BoweiTB, Ghiarles E., M. D., 803
Bowers, Edwin, 565
Bowens, G-eorge Washington. .1059
Bowers, Jacob 1035
Bowers, Martin H 384
Bowers, Moses K., M. D 384
Bowman, Christian 592
Bowman, Christian, 966
Bowman, Prank S., 1055
Bowman, .Tohn, 592
Bowman, Tohn F. 199
Bowman, John P. 49
Bowman, JohIn J., 1053
Bowman, John K., 595
Bowman, Devi B 1055
Bowman, Samnel 592
Bowman, Simon Sallade 1052
Bowman, Snmraer S., 1186, 917
Bowman, William 966
Bowman, William H., 916
Boyd, Capt. Adam 183
Boyer, David A., 1 155
Boyer, .Tosiali 1113
Boyer, Jacob 1034
Boyer, Wesley, 1 1 30
Braokeniridge, Alfrpd 464
■Rrackenridge. Dr. -Tohn 464
Brandt, Abraham L 661
Brandt, T/evi 495
Brandt, B. P 806
Breckenmaker, Abram K., . . . 569
Breckenmaker. P. Dilik, 569
Brenneraan, Adam, 539
Brenneman, Henry 532
Brenneman, .Tncmb D 591
Brennemani. William H 532
Bressler. John S., 721
Bretz, Benjamin 48
Brice, Innis. M. D 352
BriefhftbiH, Davii'1 W 1147
Brighitbill, Henderson P 680
Brierhtbill, .Jacob > 457
RrightbiH, Oscar K., 457
Brightbill, Samuel 707
Briggs, John Hanna, 236
Brinser, P. 0 771
Brinser, .Tonas 0 772
Brinser, Rev. S. H 762
Brinser, Solomon C, 770
Brinser, Simon, 771
Brinton, Caleb, 543
Brinton. Harry A., R43
Brown, George D., A.M., M.D., 9.38
Brown, Gone H., 713
Brown. James Morrison, M.D., 373
Brown, John 713
Brown, John, 168
Brown, Mercer, M. D., 361
Broiwn, Rev. William B 373
Brown., Samuel S 1150
Brown, William 167
Brua, Peter, 199
Brabaker, Charles J., 329
Brubaker, Daniel 728
Brubaker, George M., 1095
Brubaker, Henry, 329
Brubaker, Jacob, 329
Brubaker, Jacob, 91
Brubaker, John, 88
Brubaker, John B., 728
Brubaker, Joniathan 728
Bi-ubaker, Joseph, 88
Brubaker, Seih 662
Buck, Elias B 703
Buck, Solomioini J., 1144
Buck, Solomon C, 1146
Bucher, John Conrad, 217
Bucher, John Jacob, 191
Budd, WUliam, 1189
Bu'dd, Capt Richard 1185, 917
Buehler, George, 202
BueUer, Henry 202
Buehler, Jacob, 570
Buehler, Martin H., 556
Buehler, William 231
Buffington, Benjamin 48
BuflBngton, Cyrus P. 905
Buffington, DamM 897
Bnffington, HJeniry Edwin, .1158, 899
Buiffington, Isaialh, T 1106, 1097
Buffinigiton, Solomon 1106
Buffington, William 906
' Buggy, Midnajei, 1186
Buggy, Johin P., 1186
Buntz, Rev. Sltephien 916
Burd, James 173
Burke, Miohael 218
Burkholder, Jacob, 632
Burkholder, Josialh, . . . 698
Burkholder, Michael K., 693
Burbholder, Williajm, 631
Burkhoder, William, Jr., 632
Buser, H. Wells, 328
Buser, Iraj, 822
Buser, Jacob, 328
Buser, John K., 821
Buser, Milton, 822
Buser, Otis S 822
Buser, Otis S., 497
Butler, James, 562
Butler, Wiilliam H., 644
Buttorff, Jonathan, 649
Bnttorff, Harvey Y 649
Oalder, A. Russell 995
Caldei-, Ool. Howaird L., . 512%, 459
Oalder, James, 266
CaJidieir, William 125, 245
Oalder, William, 208
CaWer, William James, 514
Caley, William E 705
Oaley, Winfield S 705
Oameron, Col. James, 225
Cameron, James Donald 417
Cameron, John, 217
Oamieron, Gen. Simon, . . . .611, 219
Oameron, William Bnia, 430
Oairapbell, Harry Huse, 995
Oarlile, Alexander W., 548
Oarmany, Chajrles Augu'stus, . . 823
Carter, William Justin 461
Caissiel, August, 1155
Cassiel, Otoristiani, 1153
OasBel, David, 1151
Oassel, David B., 671
OaBsel, Elias. 1143
Oassel, John B 1149
Cassel, Joihn W., 930
Oassel, Joseph^ 787
Oassel, Martini S 930
Oassel, Michael H., 788
Oassel, William 708
Cassel, Uriah, 931
GaJtrell, William 206
Oauim, Edward L., 502
Oaveny, Reuben, 320
Caveny, Samuel Brady, 320
Ohallis, Jones J. 883
Chandler, Greorge P 509
Ohamberiin, James I. 443
Chandler, .Jonathan, 536
Chandler, William G., 536
Chester, Thonaas Morris 256
Christman, Ohas. D., M. D 1173
Ohubb, Henry, 726
Chubb, Samnel H 726
dark, James, 500
Olairk, J. Nelson, M. D,. .557, 397
Clark, Williami, 93
Clark, William, 93
Clay, Daniel W., 950
Clemens, Peter H., 626
Clemens, Reirben, 952
Olemson, Amos 511
Olemson, Lloyd Colder 511
CllemBon, L. W 866
Olokey, Joseph, 139
Clyde, John Joseplh, 337
Coble, Abraham B 686
Coble, Amos G., ; 659
Ooble, Aaron C, M. D 847, 719
Coble, Andrew .• 775
Coble, Isaac H., 822
Coble, Jacob 822
Cochran, G-eorge, 95
Cochran, Joihn, 94
Cochran, Jotin, 95
Cochran, William, 205
Oocklin, Dr. O. C, 389
Cooldin, E. H., 389
Oocklin, Jacob, 389
Coder, John G., 411
Codei', Simon, 411
Oof rod, Waiiam R., 878
Coleman, Charles, 898
Coleman, John C, 897
Compton, Siamuel R., 582
Oonnely, James 772
OiMirad, Jacob 870
Cook, I. Elmer, M. D., 371
Cook, Thomas E. 371
Cooper, Adam, 49
Oooper, Adam, 1117
Oooper, Alford L 628
Cooper, Williami. 1117
Coover, Eli H., M. D 395, 365
Coover, Prederiok Welty, 379
Coovei-, Dr. H. Ross 386
Coover, Joseph Henry, M. D.,. 368
Coover, Jacob 365
Oorbett, Joseph P., 875
Comman, WUison S., 611, 610
Cordeis, Henffy, 1078, 737
Cotterel, .John W., 405
C^tterel, John 405
OoufEer, Samnel, 827, 978
Oowden, Prederick H., 541
C/owden, James, 178
Co'Wden, Col. Ja-mes, 542
Oowden, John Wallace, 238
Coiwden, Matthew 542
Cowtdan, Matthew B 503, 327
Cowden, William Kerr 246
Cox, Joihn Bowers 239
Cox, Col. Cornelius, 185
Cox, D. W., 480
Cox, John, 185
Craig, L. P 855
Crain, Richard Moore 203
Crane, Irvin J., 499
Crajwford', James, 97
Crawford. Robert 96
Cratzer. Prank B 732
Crist, Dr. JoBiaii B 691
INDEX.
Crouch, Ed-ward, 193
OoTic'li, James, 174
Oryder, Moses G., 766
Crook, Oabriel, 317
Crook, William', 317
Crook,- Oapt. William H., 317
Oroll, Atmer 811
CroU, Edward, 811
Oroll, G^or^e L 811
Oroll, John 811
CroH, William A., 811
Oram, Alfred, 967
Orum, Amos, 781
Criim, Daniel 1146
Orum, David, 1144
Oram, EdwaTd L 502
Cram, Edward M., 782
Orum, Sarah Jane, 798
OurtchaJl, Eichard, 861
Gulp, Jotm F., M. D . 978
Ouimbter, J. H 719, 730
Ourry, Joh-n B., 675
Cum'bler, Williajm, 730
DagneU, John Ridhard, 948
Daniels, Samders, 627
Diamiel, Uriaih H., 898
Darie, James M., 1144
Dasher, HiTam D., 813
Daslher, Peter, 813
Dajugherty, Daniel, 506
Daugherty, HJamlet, 506
Daffies, Neiwtou H., 417
Davidson, Johto H., 471
Davidson, William W., 471
DaiViis, Ohas. 0 35, 1192
Davis, Cbaa-les S 1024
Day, William Howard, 308
Day, Charles W., 1059
Douglass, William 601
Deckard, Henry 808
Deckard, Israel, 812
Deckard, Dr. I. K 812
DacfcaTd, Jacob B. 813
DeckaiTd, Levi L., 809, 808
DeHaveo, JehTi, 407
DeBaven, Natiban, 407
Deibler, Daniel J., 916
Dejbler, George 904
Deibler, George A 916
Deibler. John W., 904
Deiss, William, 399
Demming. Ool. Henry C, . . . . 314
Demmy. David 1141
Demy, Simon S. 765
Demiy, Jolhn,. 765
Deaison, George R., 878
Derr, Anthony, 498
Deshong, James B., 405
Deshiong. Rev. John W 405
Detter, David F 919
Detwedler, John Shelly 250
Detweiler, Meade D., 485, 451
Detwpiler, Samuel 451
DeVenney, J. 0., M. D., 387
DeWalt, Ferdinand, 879
DeWitt.Dr. William RaidclifEe, 358
DeWitt, William Radclifee, ... 262
DeToe, Rev. Du+iher, 285
Dickinson, Bayajid T 1036
DieWn, Henry, 769
Diffenderfer. Jonah G., 992
Dill, Irvin W., 567
Dill, Hiairy A., 585
Dimler. Philip 1004
Ditty, Henry, 732
Ditty, Joseph Franklin, 1057
Ditty, Jo^ua, . 732
Dock, George 364
Dock. William, 422
Domihieim, Prof. Henry G., 1096
Doirniheim, Rudolph H„ 1096
Douglhlerty, Joh,n W., 993
Do\Tgih«rty, Dennis, 229
Downey, John 194
Downs, John B 994
Douglierty, Philip 229
Drake, Henry, 510
Dressel, Christ A., 608
Dubendorf, Samuel D., 913
D'uey, Simon, 31]
Duff, Edmund, 368
Duff, William L., M. D., 368
Duff, Jonathan, 368
Duncan, Dauphin L., 622
Duncan, .Joseph, 1161 , 899
Dunoain, William, q29i, 021
Dunkle, J. A., 983
Dunikel, Samuel F., 559
Earle, Thomas, 1027
Early, Aaron Daniel Soth 826
Early, Christian 700
Early, George, 700
Early, John, 285
Early, Israel, 700
Eaa-ly, Thomas, 285
Early, William 286
Early, Zimanerman, 190
Earnest, Franklin 0 1037
Earnest, Simon F., M. D., 931
Ebersoie, Joihn P., • 775
Ebersole, Levi, 931
Eberie, William F 554
Eby, Christian, 689
Ehy, Bphraim C, 238
Eby, Henry B 662
Eby, Michael '. . . 689
Eby, Michael 688
Eby, Hon. Maurice 0 321
Eby, Jacob Ruipley 238
Edwards, Olivei-, 248
Bgle, Casper 173
Egle, WiUiam Heniry, 161, 338
Egle, Valentine, 187
Einstein, Edgar V 595
Einstein, Joseph V., 595
Einstein, M. G 595
Elder, David D., 1117
Elder, James 249
Elder, John, 169
Elder, Joshua 580
Elder, Matthew B 580
Elder, Robert, 182
Elder, Robert, 169
Elder, Robert 1118
Elder, ThomaiS 391
Ellenbergeir. J. Wesley M. D., . 381
EllMaker, Frank 516
Enders, A mos E., 642
Enders, Philip Christian, 98
Enders. Oo'Tneliu's, 759
Engle, Dnniel, 823
Enders, Charles W., 1114
Enders, Edward A 525
Bndiers, George W. D 737, 7.S5
End-ers, George W., 742
Enders, Henry 751
Enders, Isaaic F., 748
Enders, I. T., 636
Enders, .Tohn, 1131
Enders, .Tohn, 743
Enders, .ToTin Conrad, '7'i-^
Enders, L. .!.. M. D 1182, 1097
Enders, Philip 735
Enders, Philip C 734
Enders, Samuel 'i'52
Bnin(>y, George W., Jr 1032
Ensinger, F. W 584
Ensminger, John T., '^ff^
Ensminger. Philip 489
Ensinger, Samuel D 684
Enterlin'e, Solomon H 919
Epler, John 787
Epler, Jacob R., 767
Fypler, Peter 767
Eppley, Daniel 238
Erb, Jdhn, 823
Erb, Peter 739
Erb, Wm 0. 690
Ernest, Damiel, 1109
Etnest, George, 1109
Eshleman, Abraham 815
BshenauT, H. G., 985
Eshenower, Jacob J 1037
Bshilemam, Jrthn, 773, 815
Bspenshade, Christian 988
Espy, William 1002
Etter, Abram Landis 799
Btter, Benjamin F., 248
Etter, Calvin, 633
Etter, Rev. David, 713
Etter, David K., 698
Etter, Henry H., 633
Btzweiler, Daniel, 49
Etzweiler, Daniel, 760
Btzweiler, George 1139
Etzweiler, Jacob F., 760
Etzweiler, .Terome, 1069
BtzweiilPT, Joto' D., 1069
Etzweiler, Miobajel, 760
Etzweiler, Samuel, 1139
Etzweiler, William H. 760
Evanis, Daniel W 1189
Ewing, Rev. James, 332
Fackler, Adam 1150
Fackier. Ezra, 653
F'ager.ChiaJTles Buffin.gton.M.D., 370
Fager, Christiam. M., M. D.,. . . 403
Fager, Johin, 194
Eager, ,Tohn Jacob, 194
Fager, .John Hemry 194
Fager, Johin Henry, M. D 356
Fager, .Tohn H., M. D., 379
Fahniestock, Adam K., 105
Fahnestock, Conrad, 102
Fahnestock, Dredrick, 99
Faihnjestock, Obert 102
Fabniestock, W. E., 600
Eansler, Milton A. 928
Farver, Christiam, 657
Faraum. Henry, 1043. 348
Faunce, Jacob 589
Faunce, .Jacob, 650
Faunce, Lawrence A., 589
Feidt, Daniel S., 1094
Feidt, David E 1094
Feidt, George, 1086
Feidt, Simon 1086
Feidt, Geon-gp 1066
Feltv. John S 785
Felty, .Tohn S 789
Felty, John Solomon, 785
Feltv, John Solnmion .Jr.... 701, 785
Felty, Luther D., 786
Feltv. Philio D 939
Fendl, Nathaniel S 1038
Ferree, George Washington, . . . 888
Ferree, Framk P 888
Ferridav. A. Reeder, 561
Fertig, Elias, 851, 863
Fertig, John K., 879
Fertig. John Q., 880
Fetterhoff . Clarence 753
Fetterhoff. Frederick 106
FetterhofE, Philip 7.53
Fetterhoff, William 879
Findlav. Gov. Wi'.liam 53, 195
Fink, Henry, 827, 607
Finney. Isaiac S 256
Fish, Ben-iajnin, 491
Fisher, Charles Frederick Wm. 999
Fisher, Emory A., 579
Fisher, George 1194
Fishier, Heniry 579
Fisher. John G., 824
Fisher, John L 823
Fishier, Wesley 639
Fisher, William, 823
Fisher, William, 789
Xll
INDEX.
FiBhier, William H., 520
Fitrtinig, John, 748
FittiHig, Williiam H 748
Fitzgeraid, James R., 587
Fitzgeraid, Samuel W., 587
Fitzpaitrick, W. Righter, 549
Fleming, David, 107, 428
Fleming, David Jr., 551
Fleming, George R., 448
Flemiiing, James, 232
Fletch-ar, Josepto A 982
Fleming, Samuel 188
Fleming, Samuel W 573
Fleming, Robert, 187
Fleming, Robert Jackson 227
Flowers, George L., 685
FlowerB, Thiomas, 1000
Fochit, Joihn, 784
Foerstefl:, George, 641
Faltz, Cbiristiain M., 663
Foltz, Johm B., 402
Fodtz, J. B 663
Foltz, John E 766
Foltz, J. H 775
Foltz, William 402
Forney, Chiarles M., 404
Forney, Christian Harvey 572
Forney, Rev. Christian Heno^, . 277
Fomiey, Clayton C 572
Fomey, HeoiT J., 323, 537
Forney, John, 1118
Fomey, Jaoob H., 1091
Fomey, J. 0 287, 572
Forney, Wien, 341, 343
Fomiey, Johm Wilson, 572
For^ter, John, 203
Foneter, John Montgomery, . . . 213
Fouster, Thomas 189
FortenbaiUghi, Abraham 731
Fortenbaugh, Anidrew, 731
Fortenbauigh, Peter 731
Fortney, Sylvester T 641
Fosraanght, John R 501
Fox, Johm, 106
Fox, John, 204
Fox, John E., 467, 457
Fox, Johm E., 109
Fox, Milton, 942
Fox, Thomas G., M. D 674
Fox, William L., 787
Fox, William R., 692
FooBe, Jaeob A., 555
Foose, Lemuel Oliver, 471
Fi"aim, Benjamia 653
Fraim, Henry S., 653
Fraim, Jeremiajh S., 653
Fraley, Henry, 586
Frank, Aradrevc P., 753
Frank, Oharles, 571
Frank, David 749
Frank, George W., 749
Frank, James, 964
Frank, John 1110
Frank, Henry, 1063
Frank, William' D., 1110
Prantz, Henry, 858
Frantz, Michael A., 1038
Ftreck, Mathdas, 48
Freck, Newton C 1054
Free, Johm W 939
Freeland, George W. P., 1093
Pritcbey, John- A., M. D., 382
Pritchey, John P., 382
ProeMich, Johm 603
Punk, David S., M. D 377, 379
Funk, Michael, 379
GaistvT'hite, Joseph 1 142
Gallagher, Michael, 1031
Gardner, Adam Heniry 991
Garman, Charles B 946
Garman, George B., 946
G-arman, Isaac 868
G'airmaiu, John, 967
Garman, Jonas 1165
G-arman, Peter, 1165
Gairverick, James W., 987
Gaimier, Abraham , . 472
Garner, Johm B., 472
GajTver, OhiriBtian, 776
Gairver, C. L 776
Garver, Joseph L 776
Gastpock, Bajjnhard 3154
Gastrock, Barthol, 597
Gastrock, William, 600
Gastrock, William M 597
Cause, iDewis H 246
Gayman, Jacob, 849
Gayman, John P 849
Geary, Gov. Johm White,. . .53, 241
Geary, Richard 241
Geddes, James 110
Geddes, Boibert, 110
Geddes, William, 110
Geiger, Bernard Ill
Geiger, Christian 869
Geisel, Henry, 549
Geiger, Joseph Ill
Geety, William WaUace 254
Gerberick, Andrew T., 871
Gerdes, Henry, 1017
Gerhiard, Rev. Isaac, 739
Gerhard, Jerome Z 372
Gerberidi, Diandel, 707
Geriaok, Frank G 654
Gerlack, John M 688
German, Emanuel S 327
German, John W 327
Gemert, Henry, 706
Gemert, John, 706
George, William J., 971, 348
Geyer, MichaeJ, 776
GUhert, Rev. David McC, . . 275
Gilbart, Frederick R., 1090, 755
Gilbert, Isaac 732
Gilbert, Jacob, 733
Gilbert, Samuel E 1091
Gilmore, James A., 531
Gilmore, John 531
Gingrich, Cyrus, ; 682
Gingrich, Edwin G., 685
Gingrich, Jacob 777
Gipe, Jeremiah E 704
Gipe, Jeremiah E 704
Gipe, Peter, 704
Gfee, Joseph D 886
Gist, John L 681
Gish, John R., 681
Goldsmith, Joseph 492
Gorgas, George A 405
Gorgas, Hon. William R., ... 375
Gorgas, William L 419
Gorgas, Solomon R., M. D., . 375
Good, Christian, Jr., 824
Good, Christian, Sr 824
Good, Jacob 993
Good, George 642
Good, John 957
Good, Martin 824
Goodman, Benedict, 551
Goodman, Simon 551
Gough, Henry W., 493
Gould, George W 643
Goss, Jacob, 656
Goss, Jacob, Jr 657
Goss, Martin, 786
Gross, Abraham 206
Gross, Daniel Wiestling, .... 401
Gross Bd'ward Z 401
Gross, Joshua W.. 571
Grove, G-eorge H., 411
Grofve, John, 942
Grove, John Z., 411
Grove, Samuel, 785
Glover, John W 600
Graber, Leon K., M. D 385
Graham, Robert 591
Graupner, Robert H., 609
Graydon, Mrs. Rachel 167
Graydom, William, 188
Greenawalt, Charles P., 944
Greenawalt, Jacob, 300
Greenawalt, Jeremdali K., . . . 312
Greenawalt, Jaoob, 310
Greenawalt, John Philip, .... 300
Greenawalt, Philip B 880
Greenawalt Philip Lorentz, . . 300
GTeemawialt,Maj. Theo. D., 71, 300
Gregory, Gen. Edgar M., 474
Gregory, Frank H., 474
Green, Innis, 201
Green, Timothy, 177
Green, Robert, 177
Gross, Henry S., 1021
Grove, John W., 1039
Grubb, Benjamin, . . ; 663
Gmbb, Joseph G 664
Gruber, Peter, Jr. 658
Gruber, Peter, sr 658
Grubb, Henry A. 891
Grunden, Martin H., 1039
Haas, James A., 390
Hage, Hotihier, 224
Hain, George W 1190
Hain, George, , 459
Hain, Joseph 780
Hain, WiUdam M 459
Hain, Samuel, 729
Haldeman, Donald C 462
Haldeman, Jacob, 172
Haldeman, Jacob M., 172
Haldeman, John, 172
Hall, Louis William, 435
Hall, Samuel S 322
Hamiltom, Adam Boyd, . . 935, 335
Hamlin, Benjamin B., Jr 402
Hamlin, Rev. Benjamin, 402
Hamdltom, Hugh, 17, 207
Hamilton, Johm S., 415
Hamilton, John 184
Hamilton, Thomas Allen 239
Hamilton, Thomas H., 415
Hammelbaugh, D. Daniel, . . . 472
Hammelbaugh, Phdlip 472
Hammond, John Wesley, M.D., 362
Hammond, William B 466
Hanma, Bdwaird C, 1180
Hanna, Gen. John, 84
Hanna, Gen. John Andre, .... 189
Hanshuie, Bhner B., 1005
Hanshue, David 933
Hanshue, Jeremiah, 1006
Hiamshaw, Ohiarles E 483
Hanshaw, Henry, 532
Hanshue, John P., 932
Hargest, Jefferson S., 960
Hargest John Jamies 960
Hargest, Tlhomais S., . . 440%, 440
Harper, Oomelius 724
Hairris, David 81
Harris, David, 82
Harris, Esther, 78
Harris, Elizabeth. 78
Harris, George Washington, . . 83
Harris, James, of Derry, .... 114
Harris, John, 24,77
Harris, James, of Derry 114
Harris', John, ... 79
Harvie. John C, 560
Hartmian, Henry 1119
Hartman. Paul A., M. D., 374
Harris, Robert, of Derry 113
HaiTPiis, Roibert 17, 192
Harris, Robert, 82
Harris, Samuel H., 639
Harris, Samuel, 81
Harris, William Augustus, ... 81
Harris, William. Augustus, ... 83
Harris, William, of Derry, . . . 113
Harris, George Washington, . . 219
INDEX.
Xlll
Harris, Thomas Jefferson, ... 83
Hassler, Edwin 0 967
Haasler, Samuel F., M. D., . . 389
Hartman, Jacob, 921
Hartman, Maurice H., 825
Hartmaji, Rufus A., 643
Hatter, George W., 1068
Hatz, Jacob W., 824
Hautzman, Frederick H., .... 480
Hawkins, Jajnes D., . . . . 503, 651
HaYca'stick, Haarry W., 3157
Haitz, Jaooib W., iS24
Hawkins, James D., 651
Hay, Chara^els A., 89, 264
Hay, Jahm W., 377, 399
Hayes, Joshua Roiberts, M. D., 366
Hayes, Patrick, 114
Hays, Saimnel Wallace 214
Bays, Wdlliam Wallace, 258
Hay ward, Riobard W., Sr 319
Hay ward, Richard W., Jr.,... 319
Heard, Frank S 605
Heek, Dr. Louds, 880
Heekert, John E., 680
Heffieffinger, Edward A., 639
Beilkel Heniiy, 927
Hi«st©r, A. O., 89, 965
Hiester, G-abried, 943
Hiesiter, Gen. Gabriel, Jr., .... 204
Heister, William A., 510
Heist, Thomas H 613
Heisy, Jacob H., 707
Heisy, John, 707
Heller, John E 345
Hellermam, Isaac, 499
Hellerman, Hiram, 499
Helman, Jdhn, 661
Helt, David, 742
Helt, Ira M., -.. 742
Hielt, John F., 755, 742
Hemler, Hamilton D., 418
Hemperly, Lewis F., 826
Henderson, Dr. James 975
Henderson, Joihn W., 975
Henderson, James, M. D 367
Henderson, William B., M. D., 974
Headriokson, William D., 826
Henisel, Johin, 1165
Hensel, Thomas A., 1165
Hepf ord, David, 507
Hepford, David 951
Hepford, Samuel, 507
Hepler, Isaac, 894
Herman, Ohristian B., 444
Henniam, Edwin S., 624
Herman, Harry 1119
Herman, Jolhn Armstrong, .... 444
Hermam, John C., 624
HeiT, Andrew Jacksom, 253
Herr, Col. Daniel 217
HerShey, Andrew 115
Hershey, Ohiristian, 614
Hershey, Israel L., 686
Hershe^y, Henry E 614
Hershey, Rev. Joseph, 707
Hei-shey, Miartin, 682
Hersihey, Martin L., M. D 678
Hertz, William, 525
Hess, Ohristan, 1039
Hess, Edwin H 404
Hess, Hiram W 404
Hess, John 920
Hess, John 1040
Hess, Solomon, 1188
Hetrich, Eden, 710
Hetrick, Johm E 1147
Hickok, Williiam 0 143, 526
Hildrup, Thomas, 290
Hildrup, William Thomas 528
Hildrup, Williiam T., Jr., 559
Hill, Samuel, 166
Hills, Stepihem 165
Hite, Jerome, 1025, 980
Hite, J. 0 777
Hocker, Joseph 790
Hoak, George J 963
Hocker, Andrew C, 816
Hocker, George, 1040
Hocker, George M. 932
Hocker, Jacob, 816
Hocker, John P., 865
Hocker, Rev. M. P 1007, 1029
Hoemer, Albert, 1041
Hoerner, Isaiac R., 968
Hoerner, John^ 929
Hoerner, John, 711
Hoemer, Maijor John, 711
Hoerner, Lieut. Peter, 929
Hoffer, Ohristian 696
HofCer, Ohristian H., 825
Hoffer, Jacob, 1040
Hoffer, Samuel, 825
Hoffman, Amos, 1183
Hoffman, Ohiristiain^ 1132
HoffmiaHi, Christiajn, 1136
Hoffman, Comedius, . ~ ..737, 1132
Hoffman, David, 871
Hoffmian, Ephraim B., 767
Hoffman, Isaac W., 1070, 737
Hoffman, Jacob, 117
Hoffman, Jacob, 1183
Hoffman, Jacob D., 118
Hoffman, John 116
Hoffman, John B 48
Hoffmam, John H., 1182, 917
Hoffman, John Nicholas, 116
Hoffman, John Nicholas, 1182
Hoffman, John Peter 1182
Hoffman, John Peter, 116
Hoffman, Peter E 767
Hoffman, Jdhn W 889
Hoffmian, William, 920
Hogentogler, Ohalmiers 0., . . . . 583
Hogentogler, Harry Grant, . . 607
Hoke, Peter, 947
Holconube, Henry W., 628
Holcombe, Lewis P 628
Holland, Thomas H., 764
Holler, Oharies, 330
Holler, Oharies K., . 696
Holder, Henry F., 330
Hollinger, Eli, 534
Holman, Samuel 217
Holstein, Howard O., 520
Holstein, Harry M 520
Holtsman, B. W., 1088
Holtzman, David K., 1066
Holtzmain, George, 1066
Holtzman, George M., 628
Holtzman, Harry B., 962
Hoke, Aaron D 1120
Hoke, Jonathan 1120
Hooper, Rev. PhiMp S. 1177
Hoopes, Jacob B., 627
Hoover, Oharies F., 493
Hoover, Henry, 1135
Hoover, Jacob 50
Hoover, Joseph W., 490
Hoover, William H., 493
Hoover, William H., 562
Horning, James B., 761
Homing, Samuel S 761
Horst, David 932
Horst, Michael 932
Horting, George, 615
Houck, George A 959
Houck, Isaac, 986
Hoiaser, George W 942
Houser, John, 853
Houtz, William, 600
Houtz, William H 600
Howard, James H. W., 469
Howell, Rev. Oharies J., 283
Hoy, OhriBtiain, 1066
Hoy, Francis H., 320
Hoy, Robert M., 320
Hoy, Robert W., 321
Hoyer, Benneville, 911
Hoyer, B. Franklin 302
Hoyer, George, 311
Hoyer, Jacob, 311
Hubley, Alpheus T : 596
Huggins, Jacob, 961
Hughes, Washington R., 493
Hulings, David Watts, 121
Hulings, Frederick Watts, .... 121
Hulings, Marcus, 118
Hulings, Thomas 121
Hummer, Benjamin, 706
Hummel, Elwood E\, 689
Hummel, Frederick, 694
Hummel, Frederick, .• 121
Hummel, Frederick 695
Hummel, Jacob, 689
Hummel, Jacob, 950
Hummel, Joseph, 695
Hummel, Levi 978
Hummel, Richard T., 695
Hummel, Samuel Wesley, .... 961
Hummel, Rev. Solomon M 679
Hummel, Vialentine, 694
Hummel, Valentine, 694
Humner, Isaac N., 706
Hunter, Forrest 617
Hunlter, George Williaim, 611, 617
HunteT, William 0 655
Hursh, George R., M. D 367
Hutman, George A 587
Hutman, George Frederick, . . . 587
Hutmian, William E 587
Hutter, Frank L 574
Hutton, George J., 640
Hutton, Josei^h 371
Huitton, John 0., M. D., 371
Ingram, John Geiger 112
Ingram, Samnel D., 1153
Irwin, Daniel, 855
Irwin, Philip, 826
Irwin, Philip, 237
Jacks, Levi, 766
Jackson, George W., 322
Jennings, Harry 564
Jefferson, Joseph, 201
Jennings, William 564
Jennings, William Wesley, . . . 418
Johnson, Olement B., 608
Johnson, John Bucher, 256
.lohnso'u, John, Sr. 1067
Johnlson, Joseph M., 1067
Johnson, Ovid Frazer, 231
Johnson, William B 608
Johnson, Max P., . 609
Johnston, Andrew P. W 510
Johnston, Rev. John, 510
Jones, J. Ohaldis, 883
Jones, Nathan, 618
Jones, Samuel 422
■Tomes, Thomais McDowell 935, 349
Jones, Uriah James, 240
Jones, Uriah James 349
Jones, WUliam H., M. D. 387
Jones, William H 387
Jones, William McHeiiry, . . . .1042
Jones, Ool. William W.,1174, 1061
Jordan, Benjamin 204
Jordiam, Fraincis, 251, 429
Joirdian, Tlhos. Jefferson, . 35, 1194
Joyce, Thomas, 548
.Jury, Abraham 50
KalbaOh, Henry A 1164
Karmany, William, 676
Kaufman, Benjamin S., 829
Kauffiman, H^elix, 789
Kauffman, Henry K., 660
Kautz, Dr. A. J., 921
Kautz, Samuel H. 583
Kayler, Neri H., 659
Keagy, John M., M. D., 855
Kean, John, 17, 189
Keefer, John Brua, 255
Keen, W. H. Clay, 1167
Keener, Harry 0., 813
INDEX.
Keener, Josejxh. 0., 813
Keeney, Martin Ij 638
Kefeer, Henry B., 625
Keffer, John J 625
Kefter, Joseph, Sr 1077
Keffer, Peter B 625
Keiper, Jacob, 1107
Keiiper, Michael R 1107
Keisei', Heniry 1175
KeiSteT, WdlMiaim A 1042
Keiter, Sanrael 746
Kelker, Anthony 176
Kelker, Fredericlj, 205
Kelker, Frederick, 290
Kelker, Henry Auitfhioiny, . 197, 309
Kelker, Immanuel Meister, . . . 302
Kelker, John, 201
Kelker, Luther Reily 465
Kelker, Rudolph Frederick, . . 298
Keller, Christian Kunkle 397
Keller, Edward C, 996
Keller, Isaac B., 1041
Keller, John P., 392
Kellei-, Jolhn Peter, 202
Keller, Moses 707
Keller, Rev. Emanuel 263
Kelly, Col. John 127
Kelley, Henry M 479
Kelley, Harry S 483
Kelley, Patrick 939
Kelly, Patrick, 124
Kemible, Dr. George S., 357
Kemible, George S 357
Kemdig, Damiel, 876
Kendig, Rev. Danitl, 804
Kendig, John 803
ICendig, Mai-tin, 219
Kendig, Martin 803
Kendig, Walter Henry, . . 791, 803
Keniniedy, B'all'ey, 883
Kenimedy, George G 331
Kennedy, James L 331
Kepnei-, William H 232
Kepple, JohjQ, • 622
Kepple, John, Sr. 622
Kerns, John, 517
Kerns, WilUam H., 517
Kerr, William, 203
Kessler, Abraham, 891
Kessler, Reuibem^ 891
Kibler, Calvin M 590
Killer, John Peter, 202
KiUinger, Jacob, 739
Killinger, John G., 739
Kimmel, Amirew F 1181
King, Anthony 582
Kinsey, Jacob, 777
Kinsey, John P., 992
Kinsey, Samuel, 777
Kinter, Oharies H., 552
Kinter, George 501
Kinter, Isaac, 884
Kinter, Samiiel, 852
Ivfesliaiger, Jacob 886
Kister, Jacob, 458
Kister, William H 458
Kitzmiller, Dixon G., 516
Kitzmiller, Frank K. 406
Klauser, Jacob, 570
Kleinfelter, Joseph 675
Klemm, Ohiarles Augustus, . . 506
Kline, Daniel 582
Kline, George W 1057
Klinger Family 895
Kliinger, George, 895
Klingor, George, 1121
Kliniger, George S., 895
Klimger, Jomathan, 1 120
Klimger, Johjn A., 906
Klinger, William, 906
Klimger, William^ 895
Klopfer, Gottlieb, 949
Kluerh, Jacoh Frederick, . 809, 814
Klugh, O. R., M. D 806
Kaipe, Josiepih Farmer,. 35, 1195
Kniisely, Jdhin P., 992
KmouBe, Franklin, 585
Kniouse, Jacob, 403
KnouEe, Jacob H 403
Kmuipp, Beingamin F., 968
Kohlieir, Stephen S., 466
KoUer, WilUam H 466
Koemig, Frederick h., 610
Kohl, Rev. GeirmanuB, 283
Kohii-, Michael 829
KoppeinliaiiEer, iMichaed 1085
Koppenlhaffier, Moses, 1085
Koppemheffer, OoirneliuB, 733
Kramer, Charles F. 402
Kramer, George W IU64
Kramer, George W., 1147
Kramer, John, 402
Knimer, J'olhin H 1140
Kremer, Rev. Ellis N 279
Kryder, Jacob, ' 568
Kulp, James C., 509
Kuukel, Ohi-istian, 188
Kuinkel, George, 247
Kunkel, Gtwrge 503, 444
KuiiLkel, John Christian, 188
Kuinkel, Johm Christian, 237
Kuinbel, Paul A 463
Kumtzeilraan,, Amos, 1169
Kurtz, Bein(jaim*n W., . . . 809, 807
Kurtz, John, 807
Kuutz, John. B., .'.'.'." .1000
Kuirzemkmabe, J. H., 475
j-vutz, William C, 523
Lamberton, Robert Alexander, . 304
Lamey, HhiUip H., 1172
Liamidis, A. C 982
Lamidis, Aarom M .'. 322
Laiuidis, Banjamin,, 128
I/amdiB, C. B., 933
lianidis, Heiui-y B., 546
Lamdis, Joseph H., 830
Ija:ndis, M'ajor Jacob, 614
Landis, Robert F., 614
Landis, Samuel, 709
Laiudis, Samuel, 235
Lamdrain, George 474
Lanid'on, Samuiel G 474
I/ajnglotz, Martin^ 637
LaRoBS, David Hemiry Eaiiiest, 310
LaRosis, ProdC. David H. E., . . . 698
LaRuje, Joham George, 128
Latshia, Hemry 907
L(aits:ha, Johoa J., 907
Laraer, Jacob F 618
Laumian^ Henry 784
Lauman, Michael C, 830
Lautenbaucher, Irwin, 1185
Daverty, Dr. Theodore C, . . . . 831
Laverty, DeWitt C, M. D., . . . . 830
Lawrence, Johm 434
Lavwenoe, SamTiel M 258
Lawineinee, William Calder An-
derson, 434
Lebo, Joseph A., II37
LebOi, James M., 724
Lebo, William H 1137
Leebrick, George 130
Leebrick, George T., 715
Leebrick, Johm P., 716
Leebrick, John Philip, Jr.,. .. . 130
Leebrick, John Philip, Sr 129
Leedy, Daniel 564
Leedy, John W., 565
Leese, Elijah, . . . : 703
Lefever, Dr. Jioihn Russfl, . . . .1162
Lefever, Jacob, 1163
Lefever John, Russel, M. D., 1163
LeFevre, James Hasbrouch,. ..1022
Lehman, Benjamiin. 713
Lehman, Ohristiam, 829
Lebma/n, Hianiy, 131
Lelhmiain, Johm J., 829
Lehmam, Johin, Jr., 132
Lehnaam, John R., 658
Leibman, Martim, 131
Lehmiam, Simom C, 1042
Lehmami William, 92is
Leihr, Henry R., 1157
Lehr, Jacob 724
Lehr, Dr. M. D 1157, 899
Lemar, LeRue, 589
Lesmer, Milton M., 460
Leufcei-, Ohasples H., 927
Lenker, Damiel Y. 1072, 827
Lemfcer, George N., 1121
Lenikeir, Heniry, 1121
Lenker, John N 1174
Lenker, Valentinie> 922
Lenker, WiUiam E., 1073
Lentz, Auguistuis D., 1092
Lentz, Joilui, 596
Lenitz, Joseph F., 596
Leomaird, Joseph L 941
Leshier, Jacob 705
Lesher, Rev. Thomas, 705
Leshar, Samuel H., 704
Levam^ Peter Dressier 781
Levami, Peter K 781
Lewis, Eli, 185
Liesman, Frederick W.,. 953, 348
Liken, Thomais, 637
Lingle, John 710
Lingte, John C, M. D., 804
Lingle, Levi 704
Linigle, Paul, 182
Ljiigle, ThomiaB W 1144
Littchj, Jacob 541
Litch, John B., 541
Litcto, Johm B., 625
Livingston, Abrahajm, 988
Livingstoni Family 988
Livimgstomi, Jacob, 988
Lloyd, Chaj-les Howard, 416
Lloyd, Isaac 416
Loague, Hugh, 1187
Loague, Rev. H. A 1187
Lochmam, Rer. John (reorge,
D. D 261
Lodge, John 723
Lodge, William, . .. 723
LomiB, Albert Scott 721
Lomis, A. W 721
Long, Adam' C, 1166
Long, Irwin J 1178
Longanecker, Christian 318
Longenecker, Ohristiani R 778
Lomgeniecker, Isaac A., 831
Longemiecker, Johm S., 318
Look, Miomiroe M., 790
LoomDs, Anthony Wayne, 230
Loiudermilch, Hemiry, 708
Loudermiloh, Hemry, Sr., 708
Lucas, WiUiam D 955
Luidwig, Emammel 969
Lusk, Charles P., 598
Luther, John, 353
Lutz, H enry . H 623
Lutz, Richard L 655
Lycams, Andrew, 55
Lyons, Thomas, 673
Lyons, William H 608
LynA, .loliiu, ■ 1188
Lyter, Ohristiam, 722
Lyter, Hemry, 727
Lyter, Hiram 870
Lyter, Isaac, 719, 722
Lytter, Joseph E 733
Lyter, Samined, 790
Lyter, W. H 597
MacAvoy, James, 511
MacAvoy, Thomas D., 511
Maclay, William, 81
Maday, Williami, 178
INDEX.
XV
M'acQueen, James M., 412
Mader, Daniel E 959
Maeyer, David, 582
Magininds, Jiamies 423
MaJoney, Tlioinas Francis, . . . 259
Manning, Oharles J., M. D., . . 388
Marcet, Mrs. Dr. Alexander, . . 172
Mark, Adam Bllenberger 1086
Marks, Herman 596
Markley, George B., 367
Mai-kley, George H., M. D., . . 367
Marsh, Fred. H., 554
Marshall, Joihn L 581
Marshall, John S 581
Martin, Jeremiah 789
Mai-tin, Joseph B., 778
MarzoM, George 948
Mather, Edmund, 533
Matheson, George, 833
Mathiais, John 768
Miathdas, Peter, 768
Matter, Balthaser, 903
Matter, Daniel D 1122
Matfter, Midhiael, 1122
Mattis, Aaron 727
Mattis, Abraham, 727
Matftis, Charles T., 1112
Mattis, Isaac, 1112
Matzinger, Frank H., 969
Mauk, Ohtotes H 341, 652
Miauk, Samnel T., 995
Mau'Mair, Dr. Harvey E. 933
Manrer, Daniel, 318
Maurer, Daniel C, 318
May, Johm K., 633
McAlarney, M. Wilsoin, . . 179, 347
McAlis'ter, James, 387
McAlister, J. B.. M. D., . . 539, 387
McOaleb, John D., 519
McOaleb, William B., 518
MoCammon, Jaimes, 353
McCammoiii, John 201
McGarrell, S. J. M. 1133, 439
McOarty, Jesse, ^. 884
MoClintock, Ctoarles W., 512
MeOlintook, Dr. Joseph H., . . . 512
McOlure, Obarles B., M. D., . . 902
M'cOIure, Jonathan 421
McOlure, Richard, 133
McGonliey, Qiharles B., 460
McGomkey, Blbridge, 460
McOord, Joseph, 933
MoOormick, Henry, 254
McOorm'ick, James, 224
McGormick, James, 255
McOready, Duncan, 352
McOreaar, Etijah 812
McOreary, John 812
McOreati, Andrew S., 259
MoOreery, George J., 602
McDaniel, Dr. Henry M., 833
McEntee, Peter J 1021
McEntee, Thomas T 994
McFajdden, John B., 654
MoFadden, Thomas F 654
M.cFadden, William C, 500
McFarland, George G., 591
MoGamm, Ca>pit. Jotm K., 755, 749
McGann, Edward, 749
M'oGJnnos, Lemuel E., 981
McGowam, Hiraan, M. D., . . . . 372
McGoveiTO, Rev. T.,D. D., 269, 268
Mcllhenny, Samuel, 247
McKee, Edward G 581
McKee, Hai-iy D 872
McKee, James T., 581
McKelvey, Jacob J., 412
McKelvy, Jacob, 412
MoKlUips, Alexander, 573
McKlnney, Mordecai, 423
McLianghlin, Alexander, .... 1135
McDanghlin, James T. W., . . . 538
McDiran, Ezra, 619
M'CDinn, Thomas 619
McNaJir, Alvdn 834
McNamara, Michael 1190
McPherson, John Bayard 441
Meals, Ezra S., M. D., 374
Meals, Samuel, 374
Meals, Theodore S 646
Meashey, Peter 708
Meek, Charles S 574
M«ckley, Jacob 964
Meckley, Samuel Joseph, 946
Meetch, John, 91
Meily, George W., 571
Melick, John P .^21, 329
Melick, Rev. J. A 329
Melick, Rev. Justus A., 266
Mellln, Dustin Fletcher, 729
Mellin, Ezra 729
Mellin, John 729
M-easersmith, Edward, 1123
MeBsner, Jacob 1122
Metzger, Adam Till, 763
Metzger, David, 763
Metzger, Henry 763
Metzger, Jacob, 763
Meyer, Robert L., 610
Meyers, Benjamin, 867
xMeyers, Hon. B. F., 179, 344
Meyers, John, Jr 1045
Meyers, William K... ." 460
Middletou, Wm, John, M. D., . . 985
Middleton, WilMliaim, 330
Midddeton, William H., 330
Milleisen, G. Frank, 482
Millhouse, Augustus S., 1019
Miller, Aaron, 747
Miller, Abraham C, 578
Miller, Ohiaries A 935, 326
MiUer, Cliiarle R., M. D 1045
Millei-, Clayton C, M. D.,.719, 718
Miller, Daniel, 1103
Miller, Dajnded Newton 1087
Miller, David R 410
MiUer, David, Sr 945
Miller, D. W., 1022
Miller, Edmund J., 653
Miller, Francis X., 326
Miller, Hon. Jesse, 430
Miller, Isaac, 914
Miller, Jacob, 410
Millei-, Jaioab F., 1141
Millier, James, 1104
Miller, James, 744
Miller, John 793
Miller, John, 747
Milletr, John C, 902
MOler, John B., 768
Miller, ,Twhn, 1104
Miller, John Edmund, 500
Miller, John, Patterson, 852
Miller, Jonathan, 922
Miller, Joseph, 744
Miller, Michael 747
Miiller, Michael H '. . . 753
Miller, Major J. Frank, 914
Miller, Nathanliel, 1103, 827
Miller, Peter, 718
Miller, Samuel 1171
Miller, Samuel A 793
Miller, William H., 943
Miler, Samuel B., 718
Miller, William Henry, 430
Miller, William F., 634
Milliken, Thomas, 848
Milnor, George W., 599
Minnick, Michaeil E., 969
Minsker, Moses, 885
■Miah, George, • 800
Mish, George F., M. D., .. 791, 800
Missemer, J. R., 976
Mitichell, Andrew, 187
Mitchell, Andrew Dinsmore, . . 262
Mitchell, Bhrman B., 444
Mitchell, Joseph 134
Mitchell, William, 443
Moeslein, Edward, 545
Monroe, C. E., 1030
Montgomery, Joseph, 176
Montgomery, Mrs. Rachel, . . . 182
Moody, Washington 961
Moody, William H 948
Moore, Austin A., 605
Moore, James A., 511
Moore, W. Brooke 511
Moorehead, Gen. James K., . . 230
Moorehouse, George H., 509
Morris, Milton K 993
Morrow, John C, 818
Mo'ssop, Isaac, 1173
Mountz, Adam 1142
Mountz, Leonard, 1142
Mowry, Charles '. 334
Mowry, Morgan A 605
Moyer, Benjamin F., 793
Moyer, Blfcamaih D., 1046
Moyer, John 902
Moyer, John H., .". 678
Moyer, Rudolph, 1103
Moyer, Rev. C. C, '. ' ' 1123
Muench, Isaac S 508
Muench, Rev.Oharles Edward, 50
Muench, Robert L 435
Muller, John George, .... 171
Mumma, Christian, .'.,'. 832
Mumma, Christ Nissley 3045
Mumma, Edward L., ......' 832
Mumma, Ellis I/ewis, . . 179' 350
Mumma, Hon. David ' 433
Mumma, Isaac, 832
Mumma, Isaiah ,.,' 1142
Mumma, .Tohn, , . ,', II41
Mumma, Joseph J., • • ■ ■ • ^^^
Mumma, Martin N .'..'. 832
Murray, James, 174
Murray, John ' ' 696
Murray, John, ',\\ 1(59
Murray, John, 175
Murray, Dindley, ' ' 421
Murray, Patrick, 186
Murray, Samuel 696
Musser, Andrew J., 519
Musser, Frank B 521 519
Muisser, John S., ' 106O
Myers, Charles . , 604
Myers, J. R \ 833
Nace, Enoch 1138
Nace, Henry 724
Nace, John E., 717
Nace, William' Benjamin, .... 717
Nagle, Christian M., 550
Nagle, Emanuel, 550
Nagle, John H., 545
Nauss, Christian, 580
Naylor, Dr. Wilsom B., 1124
Nead, Benjamin, 441
Nead, Benj. Matthias, . . 575, 441
Neagley, Jacob 250
Neagley, Jdhn, 250
Neely, J. M 620
Nell, Levi H., 1046
NelBom, Arthur F., 1023
Neron, D. W., 679
Newbecker, John J., 1030, 701
Newcomer, Samuel S., 998
Newhard, Irvin C 391
Newhard, James D 391
Ney, Joel, 855
Nicholas, .Jacob M., 400
Nicholas, John, B., 400
Nissley, Christian, 669
Nissley, Frank, 1046
Nissley, Harmon L 447
Nissley, Isaac L 970
Nissley, Isaac O., 791, 799
Nisley, Jacob 1017
Nissley, Jacob, 778
Nissley, Jacob, 135
Nissley, .Tacob 448
Nissley, .Tohn C, 449, 448
Nissley, .Tohn H., 765
Nissley, John H., 834
INDEX.
Nissley, John J 669
Nissley, John L., 669
Nisstey, Joseph, 448
Nissley, Mairtin F 675
Nissley, Martin H., 969
Nissley, Samiiel E 447
Nisley, Samuel, 1016
Noblet, Newton E 326
Norris, Alex. Wilson, . . 494%, 462
Nunemaoher, Ambrose W 398
Nunemacher, John 398
Nye, Daniel Henry, 794
O'Conner, Mortimer, M. D., . . 366
Ogelsby, Jonalh 488
Ogelsby, Joseph J., 488
Olmsted, Marlin E 458%, 452
Olewine, George W., 941
Orr, D. A 179, 346
Orr, Joihn G 347
Orth, Charles, 819
Orth, Christian Henry, 200
Orth, Edward Laurence, .... 370
Orth, Edw. Laurence, M. D.,. 363
Orth, Fred J 638
Orth, Henry, 819
Orth, Henry C, 477
Orth, Henry L., M. D., ...359, 370
Ott, Leander N 297
Oves, Henry F., 482
Oyler, J. H 390
Page, S. S 1048
Painter, David, 794
Painter, Ebenezer Greenough, 331
Painter, Jacob, 370
Painter, John 331
Painter, Thomas, 331
Palmer, Lafayette, 640
Park, George, 380
Park, J. Walter, M. D., 380
Parke, Capt. Benjamin 715
Parthemore, E. Winfield Scott, 465
Patterson, John D., 819
Patton, J. HeTTey 552
Patton, John 552
Peacock, James, 334
Pearson, Judge J. J., , 425
Pearson, William, 444
Pease, Charles E., M. D., 803
Peck, Christian 779
Peck, Levi N., 779
Peters, Abraham, 955
Peters, Benjamin G. 469
Peters, D. Augustus, 997
Peters, Benjamin Snyder 835
Peters, Benjamin Snyder, 1047
Peters, Jacob M., M. D 976
Peters, Simon 0 1047
Peters, Thomas Sawyer, .... 469
Pflueger, Rev. O. B 1124
Pfoutz, Dr. George 1 400
Pfoutz, William C 400
Pf uhl. Rev. John George, 276
Phillips, Louis O., 482
Pitoaim, Hugh, M. D 358
Plambeck, J. H. W., 1078
Plunket, William H., M. D., . . 352
Poffenberger, Albert T.,. 863, 851
Poffenberger, Leonard, . . 850, 863
Poffenberger, T.M.L., D.D.S., 394
Poole, Washington I., 580
Porter, Gov. David R., . . 53, 210
Porter, George W., M. D 366
Potter, Ira O., 494
Potteiger, Jacob 632
Potter, Levi 494
Prowell. Dr. William R 1047
Pufe'h, A. Judson, 543
Pugh, William 543
Quickel, Henry F 599
Rahe, Henry J., 506
Rahter, Chas. A., M. D., . 377, 369
Rahter, Christian 369
Rakea-, Dr. WiUiam, 923
Rambler, Henry B., 386
Rambler, Leonard C 808
Rambleir, Michael Backenstoe, 807
Rambleir, Robert A., M. D., . . . . 386
Ramsey, Thomas, 206
Rapp, W. H., 934
Rauch, Bemaird 712
Ranch, James M., 1150
Rauich, John N 1140
Ranch, Samuel J., 1154
Rawn, Charles C, 940
Rawn, Charles Coatesworth, . . . 427
Raysor, John 955
Read, Capt. Adam 169
Ream, Abraham, 970
Redmonid, Andrew, '..... 567
Redmond, Thomas H., 567
Reed, Dr. J. J., . . , 923
Reed, Elijah, 795
Reed, George Engard, 622
Reed, George W. 620
Reed, John B., 1013
Reed, Philip, 623
Reed, Reuben S., 506
Reed, Robert, , 506
Reed, Robert L 795
Reed, Samuel B 620
Reed, William H. 687
Reel, Samuel 0 560
Rehrer, Henry L 836
Rehrer, Thomas Jeffierscm, .... 219
Reichtefrt, David J., 946
Reichert, Henry, .1 973
Reider, Abraham H., . . 791, 805
Reider, Jacob S., 765
Reiff, Jacob L., 779
Reigle, Amdrew, 48
Beily, Capt. John, 304
Reily, George Wolf, M. D., 367
Reily, John, 186
Reily, .John A 701, 303
Reily, John W 521, 938
ReUy, Luther, M. D., 355
Reimert, Hiram 795
Reimick, Thomas, 138
Reniuinger, Mairtin, 313
Rettinger, Charles 1191
Rewialt. Dr. J. W 885
Resroth, G. William, 562
Reynders, J. V. W., 994
Rhoadis, Dainiel, 547
Rhoads, James M., 547
Richardson, John T 585
Riclser, George T 1049
Ricker, Uriah 795
Rickert, Hartmam, 49
Rickert, John, 1082
Rider, John 682
Rider, Michael, 710
Riiegel, Jacob, 1003
Riiegel, Samuel, 1003
Riegle, Benjamin, 1074
Riegle, Harrisom, 890
Rife, J. N., 779
Rineard. Samuel W., 949
Ringland, Dr. John, 835
Ringland, John 838
Rihfcenbach, Edward L 588
Ritchie, Josiah, 376
Ritchie, Me'lancthon M., M. D., 376
Ritzman, Andrew, .• 1084
Ritzman, A. S 896
Ritzmam, A. S 896
Roam, Rev, John 260
Robea-ts, Alexander, H 550
Roberts, Alexander, Sr., . 30."), 307
Roberts, Col. John, 307
Rober'ts, Bdmumd WHfoti.M.D., 356
Roberts, George, 519
Roberts, James W 5S4
Robinson, Philip, 169
Robinson, Thomas Hastings, . . 267
Roekafellar, John M 470
Rockaf ellar, Thomas B., 470
Roe, Edward J., 404
Roe, Dr. Framcde M. 404
Romberger, BengohaiU, 910
Romberger, Boltaer 910
Romberger, B. W., 1108
Romberger, Cyrus 1125
Romberger, Daniel, 1101
Romberger, Edward 1126
Romberger, G. D., 898
Romberger, Henry A., 905
Romberger, Howaird H., 901
Romberger, Joseph F., 903
Roimberger, Johm A 1125
Romberger, Samuel B 1101, 917
Boop, Joihm 820
Roop, John S., 820
Rose, Harvey J. 515
Rose, William John, 513
Ross, Hari7 C 603
Roshom, Joiiin William 591
Boss, Joseph, 263
Ross, Robert James, 231
Roumfont, Augustus L 644
Boumf oirt, Charles E., 644
Row, Jacob, 758
Roiw, Jonas, 758
Rowland, James 1187
Royal, John Kedker, 553
Rudy, C. Lamdis 328
Ruby, Charles W., 635
Rudy, Joseph^ 298
Rudy, Joseph, 328
Rudy, Michael 957
Rummel, John L., 761
Rumpf, Charles C 505
Runk, Philip 48
Runk, Philip, 909
Runk, Rev. Jacob, 909
Rupp, Johm H., 1009
Rupp, Samuel 1009
Rupp, Samuel B 1014
Buss, James 618
Russ, Narcissus, 617
Russ, PatTick, 618
Russ, William 618
Ruithierford, Abner, 236
Rutherford, Abnieir 697
Rutherfoird, Abner, 1001
Rutherford, Capt. John 177
Rutherford, Francis W., 1048
Rutherford, John, 1011
Rutherfoird, John 1001
Rutherfoaid, John, 1048
Rutherford, John Brisben, .... 229
Rutherford, John Edmund,. . .1018
Rutherford, Jolm E. 1018
Riutherford, John M., 771
Rutherford, John P., 1013
Rutherford, John Parke 1012
Rutherfoird, John Parke 226
Rurtherfoi-d, Levi, M. D 365
Rutheford, S. A 1016
Rutherford, Samuel H., 1022
Rutherford, Samuel 771
Rutherfoird, Samuel S. B., 1011
Rutherford, W. F 1001
Rutherford, Wflliam, 1001
Rntheirford, William 1011
Rutherford, William W., M. D., 363
Ryam, Charles W., 718
Ryan, John 718
Sallade, John, 1056
Sallade, Simon, 51
Sajnple, Alexanidei', 598
Sample, John B., 598
Sanckey, Rev. Richarrt, 261
Sandierson, Alfred, 343
INDEX.
Sandensan, G-eoo-ge, 343
Samgree, Rev. Miltom H., 273
Sainkey, James W 567
Saul, Charles H., M. D 1050
Saul, Henry R., 839
Savage, Jamas, 247
Sawyor, Tihiomias, 881, 731
Sawyer, Thomas J 881, 731
Sawyer, William, Jr., 139
Sawyer, William, Sr 138
Schiaeffer, Dr. Uriah R G97
Sobaffer, Benjamie Franklin, . . 858
Sohaffner, Damiel 934
Schafeneir, D. W., M. D 985
Scbeffer, Theodore F., 573
Scheffeir, Thomas Jeffersoii, . . . 573
Scheib, Chairlies Monroe 901
Sdiieffler, Hemiry W., 1127
Schlayer, Andrew, 392
Schlayer, Jacob 408
ScMiayer, Jacob F., 408
Sdhlos'seiT, Andrew, 965
Schmenky, John M. D., 901
Schminky, Gurney M., M. D., .1184
Sohooley, William G 610
Schriver, Charles C, 590
Schriver, Oornelius, 590
Schultz, Leonard, 838
Sdhubauer, Jacob C, 1145
Seal, John Beeiaimin, 1064
Sebourn, Andrew 856
Sees, Maj. Oliver Washington, 257
Sees, Williaim, Edwards, 255
Seiber, Ohamles F., 538
Seibert, George, 975
Seibert, Wm. Henry, M. D., 989, 975
Seller, Christian, M. D 362
Seller, Jeremiah, M. D., 364
Seirtz, J. Dandis, M. D., 385
Seitz, Noiah H 385
Selser, Samuel S., 841
Scnsen'ig, Isaac, 372
Sensenjg, Isaac B., M. D., 372
Sergeant, William, 250
Seubert, Rev. Father, F. C, . . 284
Shadel, David F 797
Shiaefer, George 733
Sbaefer. Michael, 733
, Shaffer, Clinton E 566
; ShafCer, Blias, 566
• Shaffer, • George W., 938
Shaffer, Willam S., 484
Shiaffiaer, Aaron, 867
Shaffner, Francis W., 1020
Shaffiicr, Gabrie'l 615
Shaffner. George, 1020
, Shaffner, Henry C 615
. Shammo, W'il'liam, 241
Shan'ahan, Jeremiah F., D. D., 274
Shartle, John, 686
Sheaf er, Maj. Henry Jackson, . 249
Sheaf er, Mitfbael, 227
Shea,f er, Wood K., 469
Shearer, Joseph L., 603
Sheesley, Daniel, 237
Sheesley, John H., 956
Sbeesley, J<Am H., 479
Sheesley, William, 478
. Sheetz, Garson Asbury, 757
Siheetz, George, 1139
Sheetz, John 754
Sheetz, Samuel, 1139
Sheetz, Washington, 1138
, Sheetz, William^ H. 758
■ Sheetz, William J., . 754
Shelly, Daniel 139
Shelly, J. 0 664
Shenk, Adam R., 710
. S'henk, Ohrisitiajn, ' 664
Sbenk, Cyrus G., 667
Sbenk, Cyrus G., 664
Sbenk, Damiel 710
Sbenk, John M., 667
Sbenk, Samuel, 667
Shepler, Jacob H. 840
Sherer, Joseph 175
Sharer, Samuel, 175
Shertzer, Benjamin F., 715
Sbieilds, James D., 547
Shireman, Aaron 836
Sbireman, William, 836
Shirk, Jacob S., 714
Sihirk, Michael 714
Shirk, Simon, 783
Shiro, Jacob, 893
Shive, Edward L 1169
Sboeh, Michael, 423
Shoemaker, G«orge J., 296
Shoemaker, Homer, 461
Shoop, Daniel, 751
Shoop, Rev. James 924
Shoop, John, 779
Shope, Abra;ham W^^ 871
Shope, Rev. Adam J., 782
Shope, Andrew 357
Shope, A. L., M. D 984
Shope, C. B 984
Shape, David, 796
Sihope, David, M. D., 357
Shope, Elias L., M. D 973
Shope, George F 604
Sliope, George W., 857
Shope, Henry N 837
Shope, Jacob, 796
Shope, Dr. Jacob, 683, 673
Shope, Jacob W., 716
Shope, Nathaniel 1006
Shreiner, Aaron, 951
Shriver, John A., 711
Shriver, Henry 711
Shuey, Daniel, 956
Shull, Dr. William M 697
Shnltz, John, 761
Shu'ltz, Joshua, 761
Shumberger, J. C 476%, 473
Shimk, Gov. Francis Rawn,.53, 208
Shunk, James Findlay, 345
Shunk, Jobn, 208
Shutt, Henry Lawrence, 947
Sible, John S., 481
Sible, Peter, 481
Sieg, Williami H. H 979
Simms, Edwaird, 495
Sim'ms, Samnel 495
Simm'ons, George Washington, 236
Simmons, Col. O. B., 313
Simmons, Col. Seneca G., . . . . 291
Simon, Dr. Samuell H., 943
Simouton, Rev. Ashbel Green, . 274
Simonton, Hon. John W., 431, 433
Simonton, William, 210
Simonton, William, M. D 352
Simpson, John 142
Simpson, Murray, 182
Siple, W. H 671
Sitlinger, Isaac, 887
Sloan, Alexander, 226
Sloan, Robert 145
Sloan, William 145
Smeltzer, David M 1151
Smith, Andrew C 949
Smith, CharJes G., 625
Smith, Chnrlce H., M. D., 798_
Smith, David H., 958
Sniitli, D.'inie' M 411
Smith, Edwin B., D. D. S., . . . 393
Smith, Frederick E 997
Smith, George, 788
Smith, Henry, 1176
Smith, Jacob 780
Smith, John C 412
Smith, Michael, 411
Smith, Peter > 393
Smith, Peter A., 569
Smith, Simon, 762
Smith, Wellington J., M. D.,. .1166
Smith, William C, M. D., 797
Smith, William O., 634
SmoU, Jobn Augustus, 340
SmuJler, George 229
SmuUer, George, 839
Suavely, Jobn H., D. D. S.,... .1050
Suavely, Joseph, 672
Suavely, Joseph K., 934
Suavely, M. N., 986
Suavely, WfiUiam J., 996
Snodgrass, Benjamin, 438
SnodgrasB, Rev. James 438
Snodgrass, James 190
Snodgrass, Robert, 215, 438
Snyder, Charles Albright 224
Snyder, Emanuel, 1010
Snyder, George William 945
Snyder, John, 947
Snyder, John A., 711
Snyder, John Benj 1010
Snyder, John Christian,....'.. 745
Snyder, John D 925
Snyder, John D., 928
Snyder, Joseph, 745
Snyder, Josiah, 746
Snyder, Peter, 859
Snyder, Peter C, 406
Snyder, William, 714
Snyder, William, 835
Snyder, William H., 406
Soell, John, 643
Soell, Jobn, Sr 643
Sohn, Daniel W., 420
Soles, John 518
Soper, HaiTy A., 588
Soper, Lea-ndeir V. B., 586
SouUiard, John H 998
Sourbier, George H 650
So'urbier, George H., Jr., .... 651
Spabr, John, 496
Spahr, John H 496
Spahr, William. A., 497
Spayd, Clarence B 341, 351
Spayd, J. W., 349
Spieer, Oharles^ A., 552
Spicer, Henry 552
Spieer, J. Henry 552
Spatter, Adam G 10.50
Spracht, HaiTy W 1127
Sponsler, Albert L., 885
Spomsler, John, 876
Spomsler, Joseph D., 1131
Sponsler, Samuel B 885
Stackpole, E. J., . 935, 350
Stable, Noah L 709
Stamford, Bishop W. M., . . 89, 277
Stanford, Vincent W., 574
Stanley, Alfred G 1162
Stauffer David H 937
Stauffer, Rev. J. J., 1128
Stecher, Rev. Henry G., 839
Steckel, Rev. L. D., 1168, 899
Steckley, Rev. Matthew, 276
Stepbenson, John D., 1010
Stephenson, John L., 1010
Steele, Gen. .lames, 191
Steese, Alfred David, 873
Steese, Jasiab G 874
Steever, Aaron M., 401
Steever, James, 401
Stence, Ephriam. EHjah, 873
Stence, Benjamin F., 645
Stem, Emanuel, 572
Stevens, Rev. B. F., 388
Stevens, John C, M. D., 388
Stewart, Andrew, 184
Stewart, David, 214
Stewart, Rev. George B., 282
Stewart, Hug'b, 171
Stewart, John, 147
Stewart, Jobn M., 636
Stewart, Lazarus, Jr., 147
Stewart, Lazarus, Sr 146
Stewart, Robert Templeton, . . 200
Stewart, Samuel, 165
Still, Samnel G., 987
Stine, Daniel P., 892
Stine, Frederick A 391
Stine, George W 391
INDEX.
Stine, John P 892
Stine, Josiah, P 1129
Stine, Peter E., 908
Stdne, Peter L., 1128
Stine, Rev. Milton H., 281
Stites, George M., M. D., 1181
Stoey, John R., 488
Stoner, Milton J., 838
Storey, James B., 394
Storey, J. Wilbert 394
Stouffer, Blias E., 973
Stouffer, Jacob W 948
Stout, David Oberlin 838
Stranahan, James A., 439
Strauib, Amos, 924
Straub, William 912
Strayer, Abraham, 817
Stray er, Horace R 817
Strayer, Oliver, F 584
Strayer, Valentine 752
Strieker, Albert 859
Strickler, Adam 687
Striekler, Joseph S., 677
Strickler, Ulric'h, 687
Strite, Abraham, 415
Strine, Daniel H., 956
Strite, George W., 415
Strock, Jacob, 797
Stroek, John H 797
Stroh, Isaac F., 483
Stroh, Winfield Soott, 483
Strominger, Daniel 514
Strominger, Frank, 514
Stroup, Johm B., 1096
Stroup, John C, M. D., 1095, 1097
Stroup, J. HariT, 1191
Stroup, Peter 1095
Stroup, Samuel B., 1099
Stroup, N. W., M. D., 1099, 1097
Stuart, Andrew 145
Stuart, Rev. John, 146
Stueker, George B 416
Stueker, Peter 416
Studebaker, Clement 638
Stutsman, John P., 962
Swab, AaroHi, 1103
Swab, Daniel, 1102
Swab, Eli, 1111
Swab, Isaac 1106
Swab, Jacob, 1105
Swab, Jacob, 1111
Swab, Johm D., 112T
Swab, John G 1126
Swab, John Jacob, 1111
Swab, Jonas, 1102
Swallow, S. C, 345
Swartz, J. Ross, M. D 388
Swartz, Joshua W., . . ; 461
Swartz, Martin Nissley, 837
Swartz, Martin N., 461
Swartz, Robert H., 561
Swartz, Rev. Solomon L., .... 887
Sultzaberger, D. O., 983
Sweigard, Daniel, 840
Sweigart, Michaiel, 872
Taylor, William, 725
Taylor, William H. 470
Templar, Joseph E 644
Tenney, Prank 1020
Thomas, Harry H., 517
Thomas, Herbert 515
Thomas, James M 518
Thomas, Joseph L., 631
Thomas, Martin, 177
Thomas, Percy, 515
Thome, Charles V. M., M. D., 712
Thompson, Alex. F., . . 1160, 1115
Thompson, James Baxter, 593, 303
Thorley, Samuel 400
Thoriey, Thomas A., 400
Till, John 228
Tod, Hon. John, 84
Towsen. James A 534
Tracy, David E., 563
Traver, David B., M. D 1033
Trullihger, George L., 973
Trullinger, John E., 952
Turns, William, 940
Uhler, Frederick 463
Uhler, Frederick B., 584
Uhler, Henry, 463
Uhler, Jeiremiah, 584
Ulmer, Jacob, •. . . . 764
Ulrieh, Adam 841
Ulriidh, Isaac 973
Ulriioh, John L 842
Ulrich, Marion, M. D 1095
Ulrrioh, Sylvester, M. D 808
Ulrich, William H 670
Ulsh, Jaeoib M 918
Umberger, Dr. David 844
Umberger, Henry L. 634
Umberger, John 844
Umberger, John R., M. D., 845, 844
Um'hloltz, Emanuel, 890
Umholtz, Henry, 149
Unger, .John J., 798
Urich, John J., 700
Urioh, Samuel, 570
Urich, Solomon 570
VanCamp, William L., 641
VanHorn, William, 417
Vajniier, George P 1050
Vaughn, H. Patrick, 581
Venbeke, James C, M. D., . . . . 354
Verbeke, Marion 656
Verbeke, William K 317
Vollmer, Charles T 495
VoUmer, Harry A., 495
Wagner, Frederick R 843
Wagner, George, 937
Wagner, George W., 724
Wagner, Henry, 937
Wagner, John, . . . .' 843
Wagnier, John R 842
Wagner, Serell, 944
Walbom, Levi 1060
Walkemeyer, Henry, 649
WaJkemeyer, Frederick R 650
Walker, James, 1015
Walker, Jajnios Rutherford, . . . 1015
WaJl, Richard J 672
Wallace, John J 1170
Wallace, Joseph 208
Wallace, Robert, 507
Wallace, .Samrael T., 1171
Wallace, Thomas L., 507
Wallace, William L., 1171
Wallace, William, 193
Wallis, Frank J., 484
Wallis, Joseph 620
Wallis, Robert, 618
Wallis, WiUliam 619
Waiter, Charles P 380
Walmer, George W., 783
AV aimer, George, 568
Walmer, Henry G., 671
Walmer, John, 568
Walmer, Noah A., 568
Walter, Henry 830
Walter, Henry B., M. D., 377, 384
Walter, John S., 963
Walter William, 384
Walton, Allen, 669
Walton, Allen K 690
Walton, Roberit J., 672
Waltz, Daniel 947
Waltz, Benjamin, 952
Watson, Jackson, 484
Waugh, Beverly Roberts, 248
Weast, George B., 556
Weaver, Adam G., 1076
Weaver, David B 926
Weaver, Joseph, 870
Weaver, John S 646
Weaver, Philip, 1075
Weber, William 546
Webmer, Aaxoe, 1130
Weise, Adam, 149
Welker, Joslma, 869
WeJs, James B., 502
Wendel, Rev. Jacob Hugo R., . 284
Wenrieh, Framcls, 1051
•Wennick, Francis, 200
Weurick, Peter 200
Werner, Jacob 710
Westfall, John C, 927
Whiteside, George A 565
Whiteside, John B., 565
Whiteside, John Elton 519
Whitley, Capt. Michael 175
Whitman, Bartholomew, .... 753
Whitman, John, 754
Whitman, William, 753
Whitmer, Abralham U., 842
Whitmoyer, Simon 508
Whitney, Everett E., 1024
Whitney, James B., 1156
Wickersham, Frank B., 977
W'ier, James Wallace, 386
Wier, James Wallace, 228
Wier, John Andrew 225
Wierman, Thomas T., . . 647, 295
Wierman, Thomas T., Jr., .... 525
Wiestling, Benjamin J., M. D., 362
Wiestling, George P., 337
Wiestling, Joshua M., M. D.,. 355
Wiestling, Samuel C 631
Wiggins, Jdhn, 151
Wilbert, C. B., 743
Wilbert, I^evi, 743
Wild, John 649
Williams, Edward Charles, 35, 244
Williams, Evan, 494
Williams, Frank E., 494
Williams, Robert E., 502
Williams, Thomas M., . .1157, 1079
Willard, John Peter 52
Williaird, John Peter, 183
Wilson, Henry, M. D 390
Wilson, Thomas, 333
Wilson', Thomas Low, 335
Wilson, William G., 542
Wilt, Harry, 996
Wilveirt, Henry E 868
WUvert, Henry M 868
Wimer, L. Edmund, 941
Winebrenner, Rev. John, 611, 263
Winger, Henry C, M. D., 397
Wingert, Jesse, 312
Wirt, Charles L., 959
Withers, Samuel, 709
Withers, Samuel G., 709
Witman, Daniel, 950
Witman, Henry Orth, M. D., . . 358
Wititvan, John, 842
Witman, John A., 842
Witman, John Otto 356
Witman, R. E., 350
Witmer, Ohnistian, 660
Witmer, Daniel, 926
Witmer, Joseph B., 660
Witmer, Peter, 667
Witmer. Peter, 660
Wolf, Elias, 463
Wolf, Fa-anklin 773, 815
Wolf, George W 815
Wolf, Jaoob F 704
Wolf, William 463
Wodfie, Gov., 53
Wolfe, Leroy J., , . 447
Wolf ersberger, Levi, 1146
Worden, Henry M. F., 550
Wordcn, .Tames H., 547
Worley, Rev. Daniel A. M., . . 267
Worrfull, James, 166
WoiTall, John, 166
Wyeth, Francis, 336
Wyeth, John, 333
Wynn, Webster 862
INDEX.
Yotter, Samuel I^ 843
Yingst, Frederick W 490
Yingst, Samuel H., 938
Young, Harry P 802
Young, Col. James 801
Young, .Toihn G., 544
Young, John Wesley 440
Young, .fosiah Carothers, .... 245
Young, Richard, 544
Young, Robert 152
Young, Simon Cameron, 802
Young, Walter S 1156
Zarker, Andrew U 325
Zarker, Benjamin, 325
Zeigler, Francis, 523
ZiegkT, Col. George, 196
Zeigler, .Jonathan, 1051
Zeigler, Richard B 523
Zellers, Isaac W., D. V. S., . . 390
Zeirn, Charles, 754
Zerbe, Jonathain, 1114
Zimmerman, Amos 745
Zimmerman, Christian, 735
Zimmerman, C. O., 233, 560
Zimmerman, George, 240
Zimmerman, George Z., 560
Zimmerman, Harrison, 746
Zimmerman, Henry, 207
Zimmerman, Henry, 819
Zimmerman, Jacob, 746
Zimmerman, John Frederic, . .734
Zimmerman, Peter 190
Zimmerman, Philip, 235
Zimmerman, Samuel H., .... 462
Zimmerman, Solomon, 818
Zimmerman, Valentine 876
Zinn, Anson B., 646
Zinn, Edward P 646
Zollinger, Elias 595
Zollinger, George 498
Zollinger, George C, 498
Zollinger, John Harris, 498
Zollinger, W. A., 595
HISTORICAL REVIEW
-OF—
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
The Early Settlers— Scotch-Irish and German.
In a brief resume of the history of the
county of Dauphin it is out of place to treat
of the Aborigines and even of the early his-
tory of the State of Pennsylvania, save when
some allusion to either may be deemed nec-
essary. We proceed, therefore, to give an
account of the settlement of the pioneers on
the Susquehanna within the limits of our
own county domain. The Founder of Penn-
sylvania is certainly deserving of grateful
remembrance for his efforts to settle his
Province, to protect the pioneers and to fos-
der their industry and thrift. He was a re-
markable man in many respects, and his
"Frame of Government" is a model un-
equalled by the laws of any of the Colonies
or Provinces. The " concessions " agreed
upon in England for the encouragement of
emigration to his Province was an import-
ant factor in that great movement which so
materially assisted in building up this west-
ern empire, and gave to the world the great
State founded in peace. The inducements
by Penn to settlers were not confined to right
of soil or voice in government, but religious
tolerance was guaranteed by him. The law
of religious liberty as framed by him, and
passed by the first Assembly at Chester on
the 10th of December, 1682, was the first act
of toleration ever given to any people in the
history of nations.
Owing to this toleration on the part of the
Proprietary of Pennsylvania, that Province
became a refuge and home to the people of
all creeds and religious beliefs. It is true
that during the life time of the Founder lib-
erty of conscience was not questioned, but at
a later period, we regret to say, his religious
adherents would have throttled tolerance
had they not feared revolution.
The Scotch-Irish Immigration.
Following the advent of the Founder with
his adherents, the Welsh and English Qua-
kers, came the emigration of the German,
Swiss and the Scotch-Irish, and it is proper
in this place to give an account in brief of
both these migrations, illustrative of the
character of the people who first settled the
county of Dauphin, and to whom after the
lapse of over a century and a half it has
risen to be one of the most thrifty, produc-
tive, enterprising and populous counties of
the Commonwealth.
Of the coming of the Scotch-Irish, much
has been said and written, and as the ear-
liest settlers within the limits of the county
of Dauphin belonged to these people, some
account of this remarkable race is appropri-
ate here. The question naturally arises, who
were the Scotch-Irish ? At the first it was
used as a term of reproach, but to us it has
become a synonym of enterprise, intelligence,
patriotism and religious fervor.
It was during the reign of good Queen
Bess — the proud Elizabeth of all England —
that through treason, tyrannj' and rebellion,
the Province of Ulster, especially the coun-
ties of Down, Londonderry, and Antrim, Ire-
land was reduced to the lowest extreme of
poverty and wretchedness, while its moral
and religious state was scarcely less deplor-
able.
Soon after the accession of James I.,
O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone, and O'Donnell,
the Earl of Tyrconnel, were falsely accused
of having arranged a plot against the gov-
ernment. An accusation being at those
times tantamount to a conviction, compelled
those thus arraigned to fly the country, leav-
ing their extensive estates (about five hun-
dred thousand acres) at the mercy of the
king, who at once confiscated them. A sub-
sequent supposed threatened insurrection,
promptly suppi'essed, gave occasion for an-
other large forfeiture, and nearly six entire
counties in the Province of Ulster were se-
questrated and subjected to the disposal of
the crown. Any country passing through
such an ordeal of turbulence could not be
otherwise than almost depopulated, with re-
HISTORICAL REVIEW
sources wasted and the cultivation of the
soil in a great measure abandoned. And
such was the true condition of Ulster. To
repeople the country it was determined to in-
vite the settlement of Protestants from Eng-
land and Scotland, and hence liberal offers
of land were made for colonists to occupy
this wide and vacant country, the better to
preserve order, to establish more firmly the
British rule, and to secure loyalty. The
project was easily embraced, companies were
formed, and individuals withoutorganization
were tempted to partake of the advantageous
offers of the government. A London com-
pany— among the first to enter upon the
new acquisition — established itself at Derry,
and gave such character to the place as to
cause it to be known and called the city of
Londonderry.
The principal emigration, however, was
from Scotland. Its coast is within twenty
miles from the county of Antrim, Ireland,
and across this strait flowed from the north-
east a large population, distinguished for
thrift, industry and endurance', and bring-
ing with them their Presbyterianism and
rigid adherance to the Westminster stand-
ards. This was the first Protestant popula-
tion that was introduced into Ireland, and
the Presbyterians of Scotland who thus fur-
nished tlie largest element have maintained
their ascendancy to the present day against
all the persevering efforts of the govern-
ment church.
The Province of Ulster, in consequence of
this influx of population, greatly revived and
continued for some years to advance in pros-
perity. In time the throne of England was
controlled by bigotry and despotism. Per-
secutions of an oppressive nature began in
Ulster in 1661, and every expedient was
tried to break down tlie attachment of the
people to the faith of their fathers ; yet, as
is ever the case, persecution only attached
the people the stronger to Presbyterianism.
From Ireland the tide of persecution
rolled to Scotland. The latter Stuarts, —
Charles II. and James II. — blind to the dic-
tates of justice and humanity, pursued a
system of measures best calculated to wean
from their support their Presbyterian sub-
jects who were bound to them by national
prejudice and had been most devoted to
their kingly cause, and to whose assistance
Charles IL owed his restoration to the
throne. Sir James Grabame, better known
as Claverhouse, was sent to Scotland- with
his dragoons upon the mistaken mission of
compelling the Presbyterians to conform in
their religious worship to that of the estab-
lishment; and from 1670 until the accession
of William and Mary the Covenanters of
Scotland worshiped in hidden places and at
the peril of their lives.
The attempts of the Stuarts to destroy the
religious system so universally established
and so dearly cherished by that devoted
people was steadily pursued by persecution
as cruel and as savage as any which have
disgraced the annals of religious bigotry and
crime. Many were treacherously and ruth-
lessly butchered, and the ministers were pro-
hibited, under severe penalties, from preach-
ing, baptizing or ministering in any way to
their flocks.
There are some matters connected with
these persecutions which may not be unin-
teresting. From 1660 to 1688 no less than
eighteen thousand Scotch Presbyterians were
put to death in various ways in defense of
the solemn league and covenant and Christ's
headship over the Church. In looking over
the list of names one is forcibly struck with
the fact that among them are the very sur-
names of the Scotch-Irish emigrants to this
section of Pennsylvania — Allison, Stewart,
Gray, Thompson, Murray, Robinson, Ruth-
erford, McCorraick, Mitchell, Kerr, Todd,
Beatty, Johnston, Hamilton, Finley, Mc-
Cord, McEwen, Hall, Boyd, Clark, Sloan, El-
der, Forster, Montgomerj', Robertson and
others. It would thus seem that we have
here the lineal descendants of those who
loved not their lives unto the death, but
were drowned, hanged, shot, beheaded, and
their heads stuck upon poles, their bodies
chopped in pieces and scattered about, in the
days of that human monster, Claverhouse.
Through their blood shed in defense of reli-
gious liberty we enjoy many and great privi-
leges.
Worn out with the unequal contest, these
persistent and enduring Presbyterians took
refuge from persecution — abandoned the
land of their birth — and sought an asylum
among their countrymen who had preceded
them in the secure retreats of Ulster, and
thither they escaped as best they could, some
crossing the narrow sea in open boats. They
carried their household gods with them,
and their religious peculiarities became more
dear in their land of exile for the dangers
and sorrows through which they had borne
them.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
This is the race which furnished the popu-
lation in the north of Ireland, familiarly
known as the Scotch-Irish. This term —
American in its origin, and unknown in Ire-
land— does not denote an admixture of the
Scotch and Irish races. The one did not in-
termarry with the other. The Scotch were
principally Saxon in blood and Presbyterian
in religion ; the native Irish Celtic in blood
and Roman Catholic in religion ; and these
were elements which could not very readily
coalesce. Hence the races are as distinct in
Ireland at the present day as when the Scotch
first took up their abode in that island.
They were called Scotch-Irish simply from
the circumstances that they were the de-
scendants of Scots who had taken up their
residence in the north of Ireland.
Taxation and oppression, however, with
difficulties partly political, partly religious,
no doubt were the strong motives which one
hundred and eighty years ago induced the
Scotch-Irish to leave Ireland. It was not
the home of their ancestors, it was endeared
to them by no traditions, and they sought
and obtained in the wilds of Pennsylvania
a better home than they had in the Old
World.
Extensive emigration froni the northern
counties of Ireland were principally made
at two distinct periods of time. The first
from about the year 1717 to the middle of
the century, the second from about 1771 to
1773. They were Protestants, generally
Presbyterians — few or none of the Roman
Catholic Irish came until after the war of
the Revolution, and few then until after the
great political upheaval in 1798, since which
period, as we all know, the flow of the latter
class of immigrants has been one continuous
stream.
The Scotch-Irish emigrants landed prin-
cipally at New Castle and Philadelphia,
save a handful who had settled on the Ken-
nebec in Maine, and of these the greater por-
tion eventually came into Pennsylvania.
Settling on the frontiers from Easton to the
Susquehanna and the Potomac, the stream
of immigration continued south to Virginia
and the Carolinas.
The country north of the Swatara had not
been visited save by French traders prior
to the coming of ^illiam Penn. After his
first visit he seems to have been well in-
formed concerning this locality, and person-
ally visited it, and at or above the mouth
of "the Swatara decided to locate a city, and
proposals were consequently issued therefor
in 1690. It is easily understood why the
project was never carried out. The careful
reader of Pennsylvania history will readily
comprehend the peculiar conditions sur-
rounding the founder. The government of
his Province was giving him serious concern.
The material composing his Assembly was
of that stubborn, self-willed character that
little could be done, and he had as much as
he could do in the preservation and foster-
ing of those enterprises he had already be-
gun.
The Early German Settlers.
The origin of the German-Swiss popula-
tion in Pennsylvania dates back to the latter
part of the seventeenth century. As early
as 1684, Francis Daniel Pastorius, of whom
the poet Whittier has sung so sweetly, with
a colony of Germans settled and laid out
Germantown near to the Metropolis. These
came from Cresheim, Germany, and were in
religious opinions and proclivities allied to
the Quakers. Other colonists followed, set-
tling in different parts of the Province. It
was not, however, until the years 1709 and
1710 that the emigration of the Germans
was of any magnitude. For two or three
years previous Queen Anne, of England,
gave refuge to thousands of the Palatinates,
who, oppressed by the exactions of the French ,
were forced to flee from their homes. It is
stated that in the month of July, 1709, there
arrived at London six thousand five hun-
dred and twenty German Protestants. Trans-
portation was gratuitously given many to
America through the aid of the Queen and
the government of England. The vast ma-
jority were sent at first to New York, from
whence many reached the confines of Penn-
sylvania, a province the laws of which were
more tolerant than those of any of the new
colonies. Among these German emigrants
were Mennonites, Dunkards, German Re-
formed and Lutherans. Their number was
so great during the subsequent years that
James Logan, secretary to the Proprietary,
wrote, " We have of late great numbers of
Palatines poured in upon us without any re-
commendation or notice which gives the
country some uneasiness, for foreigners do
not so well among us as our own English
■ people." Two years afterwards Jonathan
Dickinson remarks, "We are daily expect-
ing ships from London which bring over
Palatines in number about six or seven
HISTORICAL REVIEW
thousand. We had a parcel who came out
about five years ago, who purchased land
about sixty miles from Philadelphia and
proved quiet and industrious. Some few
came from Ireland lately, and more are ex-
pected thence. This is besides our common
supply from Wales and England. Our friends
do increase mightily, and a great people there
is in the wilderness which is fast becoming a
fruitful field."
These emigrants settled principally in
Montgomery, Bucks and Lancastercounties,
the latter including the present counties of
Dauphin and Lebanon. They were well
educated, and brought with them their min-
isters and school-masters; the latter very
frequently, when there was a want of supply
of the former, read sermons and prayers.
Between the years 1720 and 1725 a large
number of Germans, who had previously
settled in Schoharie county, N. Y., descended
the Susquehanna river on rafts to the mouth
of the Swatara, ascending which stream, al-
ready settled b}^ the Scotch-Irish, they took
up their abode near the waters of the Tulpe-
hocken, partly in Berks county, some few
miles within the present limits of Lebanon
county. The celebrated Conrad Weiser
was of this party of colonists
From 1725, for a period of ten years, there
was another great influx of Germans of vari-
ous religious opinions — Reformed, Luther-
ans, Moravians, Swenkfelders and Roman
Catholics. By a letter of Secretary James
Logan, in 1725, it appears that many of
these settlers were not over-scrupulous in
their compliance with the regulations of the
land ofiice. He says, and perchance with
much truth, "They come in in crowds, and
as bold, indigent strangers from Germany,
where many of them have been soldiers.
All these go on the best, vacant tracts and
seize upon them as places of common spoil."
He again says, "They rarely approach me on
their arrival to propose to purchase;" and
and adds, " when they are sought out and
challenged for their riglit of occupancy they
allege it' was published in Europe that we
wanted and solicited for colonists, and had a
superabundance of land, and therefore th^ey
had come without the means to pay." In
fact, those who thus " squatted " without
titles acquired enough by their thrift in a
few years to pay for the land which they had
thus occupied, and so, generally, they were
left unmolested. Secretary Logan further
states, " Many of them are Papists — the men
well armed, and as a body a warlike, morose
race." In 1727 he writes, "About six thou-
sand Germans more are expected (and also
many from Ireland), and these emigrations"
he " hopes may be prevented in the future
by act of Parliament, else these Colonies will
in time he lost to the Crown." The italics in
the last sentence are our own. To us it
seems like a prophecy.
From 1735 to ^752 emigrants came into
the Province by thousands. In the autumn
of 1749 not less than twenty vessels with
German passengers to the number of twelve
thousand arrived at I'hiladelphia. In 1750,
1751 and 1752 the number was not much
less. Among those who emigrated during
these years were many who bitterly lamented
having forsaken their native land for the
Province of Pennsylvania. At that time
there was a class of Germans who had resided
some time in Pennsylvania, well known by
the name of Neulander, who, acting in the
capacity of agents for certain firms — promi-
nent Quakers of Philadelphia — went to Ger-
many and Switzerland, prevailing on their
countrymen to sacrifice their property and
emigrate to Pennsylvania. Many persons in
easy circumstances at home were induced to
embark for America. False representations
were made, lands were offered for the settling
thereon, a nominal charge was to be made
for the passage on ship-board, and every in-
centive employed by these nefarious agents
to beguile the unsuspecting.
Of the horrors and privations of that six
or eight weeks on ship-board we shall not
refer, the bare recital of which is terrible to
contemplate even at this late day. The
condition of these emigrants on their arrival
was absolutely wretched. The exactions of
the masters of the vessels, the plundering of
their baggage by these unscrupulous pirates,
placed them at the tender mercy of the
Quaker merchants who purchased the entire
cargo of living freight as a speculation, such
being the object in sending out their agents;
and men, women, and children were thus
sold at auction for a term of years to the
highes't and best bidder. It was white slav-
ery, and those concerned considered that it
paid them better than negro slavery. We
have recently examined some records which
tlirow additional light u^on this subject of
German emigration, and prove conclusively
that for years this nefarious traffic was car-
ried on. This statement is not flattering to
Pennsylvania and her history, it is true, but
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
the people at large or the government were
not wholly responsible for the acts of those
who insisted upon their " pound of flesh."
The persons thus disposed of were termed
redemptioners. They were usually sold at
ten pounds for from three to five years' servi-
tude; and in almost every instance the time
for which they were sold was honestly served
out, while many subsequently, by dint of
industry and frugality, rose to positions of
wealth and importance in the State and
Nation.
In later times, say from 1753 to 1756, the
Germans having become numerous and
therefore powerful as " make-weights " in
the political balance were much noticed in
the publications of the day, and were at that
period in general in very hearty co-operation
with the Quakers then in rule in the Assem-
bly. From that time onward, although not
so numerous, almost all the German emi-
grants to America located in Pennsylvania.
A manuscript pamphlet in the Fi-anklin
Library at Philadelphia, said to have been
written by Samuel Wharton in 1755, con-
tains certain facts which are worthy of repro-
duction in this connection, showing, as it
does, their influence in the Province, whether
fancied or actual we do not say. "The party
on the side of the Friends," says the writer,
" derived much of their influence over the
Germans, through the aid of Christopher
Sauer, who published a German paper in
Germantown as early as 1729, and which,
being much read by that people, influenced
them to the side of the Friends and hostile
to the Governor and Council. Through this
means they have persuaded them that there
was a design to enslave them, to enforce their
young men, by a contemplated militia law,
to become soldiers, and to load them down
with taxes, etc., from such causes," he adds,
" have they come down in shoals to vote,
and carrying all before them." " To this I
may add," says Watson, " that I have heard
from the Norris family that their ancestors
in the Assembly were warmly patronized by
the Germans in union with Friends. His
alarm at this German influence at the polls,
and his proposed remedies for the then
dreaded evils, as they show the prevalent
feelings of his associates in politics, may
serve to amuse the present generation. He
says the best effects of these successes of the
Germans will probably be felt through many
generations ! Instead of a peaceable, indus-
trious people as before, they are grown now
insolent, sullen and turbulent, in some
counties threatening even the lives of all
those who oppose their views, because they
are taught to regard government and slavery
as one and the same thing. All who are
not of their party they call 'Governor's
men,' and themselves they deem strong
enough to make the country their own !
Indeed, they come in such force, say up-
wards of five thousand in the last year, I see
not but they may soon be able to give us
law and language, too, or else, by joining
the French, eject all the English. That this
may be the case is too much to be feared, for
almost to a man they refused to bear arms
in the time of the late war. and they say it
is all one to them which king gets the coun-
try, as their estates will be equally secure.
Indeed it is clear that the French have
turned their hopes upon this great body of
Germans. They hope to allure them by
grants of Ohio lands. To this end they send
their Jesuitical emissaries among them to
persuade them over to the Popish religion.
In concert with this the French for so many
years have encroached on our Province,
and are now so near their scheme as to be
within two days' march of some of our back
settlements," alluding, of course, to the state
of the western country, overrun by French
and Indians just before the arrival of Brad-
dock's forces in Virginia in 1755.
The writer imputes their wrong bias in
general to their " stubborn genius and ignor-
ance," which he proposes to soften by educa-
tion; "a scheme still suggested as necessary
to give the general mass of the inland coun-
try Germans right views of public individual
interests. To this end he proposes that faith-
ful Protestant ministers and school-masters
should be supported among them ; that their
children should be taught the English tongue ;
the government in the mean time should sus-
pend their right of voting for members of
Assembly, and to incline them the sooner to
become English in education and feeling, we
should compel them to make all bonds and
other legal writings in English, and no news-
paper or almanac be circulated among them
unless also accompanied by the English
thereof" " Finally," he concludes, " without
some such measure I see nothing to prevent
this Province from falling into the hands of
the French." A scheme to educate the Ger-
mans as the one alluded to was put on foot in
1755, and carried on for several years, but
really with little good results. The Ger-
HISl^ORIGAL REVIEW
man settlers appreciated education, for they
brought their ministers and school-masters
with them, and there were few who could not
read or write. They could write their names,
and as great a proportion as their English
neighbors, the Quakers. The difficulty was
not alone to educate them in the English
tongue, but for the English Church. That
they did not talie kindly to, and after the
lapse of a century and a quarter in many
localities there is the same objection to the
"scheme of 1755." This matter has been
wrongly construed to the detriment of the
German settlers, they fostered education, but
they did not approve being taught the Eng-
lish vernacular.
While upon this subject of the early settle-
ment, it may as well be stated that the Penn-
sylvania Germans are not the descendants of
the Hessians, who were brought to America
by the British government to put down the
rebellion of 1776, as has repeatedly been
charged by New England historians. This
statement is as impudent as it is false. All
of the German " Mercenaries," as they are
called, who were prisoners of war and sta-
tioned in Pennsylvania, according to Baron
Reidesel, who was one of the commanders,
were properly accounted for, and were re-
turned to their own country upon the evacu-
ation of New York by the British. They did
not remain; as it was a condition entered into
by the English government with the Land-
grave of Brunswick, the Duke of Hesse-
Cassel, and the petty princes of Hanau and
Waldeck, that a certain price was to be paid
for every man killed, wounded or missing.
Before the official proclamation of peace the
Hessian prisoners were on their way to New
York, by direction of the Supreme Executive
Council of Pennsylvania. Some few de-
serted, and some eventually returned to
America after their transportation to Ger-
many, but the bold assertion that the origin
of the large German population of Pennsyl-
vania is due to the settlement of those hired
mercenaries of England cannot be supported,
and shows the profoundest historical ignor-
ance and audacious stupidity.
Pennsylvania took the lead of the Colonies
in agriculture because of the great number
of Germans settling in the Province; and
Governor Thomas, as early as 1738, wrote,
" This Province has been for some years the
asylum of the distressed Protestants of th0
Palatinate and other parts of Germany, and
I believe it may with truth be said that the
present flourishing condition of it is in a great
measure owing to the industry of those people —
it is not altogether the goodness of the soil,
but the number and industry of the people
that make a flourishing colony" (Col. Rec.
iv, p. SIS). The exportation of farm products
kept pace with the increase of the popula-
tion. In 1751 there were exported 86,000
bushels of wheat, 3 29,960 barrels of flour,
90,743 bushels of Indian corn. The total
exports of 1761 exceeded $1,000,000 in value.
This was a period when the entire population
did not exceed 180,000, whereof nearly one-
half were Germans.
That the Germans of Pennsylvania have
been so uniformly successful in acquiring
wealth is due to their industry, to their thrift
and to their knowledge of agricultural pur-
suits. If some portions of Pennsylvania are
the garden-spots of America they have been
made so by the Germans who have tilled
them — who have indeed "made the wilder-
ness to blossom as the rose."' Not anywhere
in the New England States, in New York nor
in the South are farms so well tilled, so
highly cultivated as in the sections of Penn-
sylvania where the descendants of the Ger-
mans predominate ; and we assert, with out
fear of contradiction, that more works on agri-
culture, more papers devoted to farming, are
taken and read by the so-called " Pennsylva-
nia Dutch " farmers than by the farmers of
any other section of the Union. That our Ger-
man citizens are not " content to live in huts"
is palpably certain, and whoever will go into
the homes of our farmers will find evidence
of both refinement and culture, their farms
being easily distinguished from those of
others by the great fences, the extent of the
orchard, the fertility of the soil, the produc-
tiveness of the fields, the luxuriance of the
meadows, the superiority of his horse, which
seems to feel with his owner the pleasure
of good living. And although their barns
are capacious, because their dwellings are not
castles, they should not be accused of indif-
ference to their own domiciles. At the pres-
ent time it is rare to find a farm-house in the
old German settlements that does not con-
tain a double parlor, sitting-room, dining-
room, kitchen and outkitchen, with six or
eight bed-rooms. This is more general in
the counties of Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon,
Dauphin and Cumberland than among the
New England settled counties of the North
and West — the Quaker counties of Chester
and Bucks in Pennsylvania — and to go to
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
New England, the latter are not to be men-
tioned in comparison.
Of the Pennsylvania German language
or idiom, which is the vernacular of the
greater portion of the people of this section
of the State, especially in the farming dis-
tricts, we will not speak, except to state that,
at the present time, there are few persons
speaking this patois who are unable also to
speak and read English. Those who are
not conversant with English are of recent
importation from the Fatherland. Because
the Dunkards and other religious bodies re-
tain the peculiar views of their ancestors
they are accused of being un progressive, of
preserving the customs and general character-
istics of the race, which is far from the truth.
Next to the Scotch-Irish no race has left such
a high and lofty impress upon this Nation as
has the German. There is less ignorance
and superstition in the German counties of
of Pennsylvania than will be found in
any agricultural region East, West, North or
South. Because some old plodding farmer,
who prefers remaining on his farm attend-
ing to his cattle and grain, caring little of
going beyond the county town in his visits,
his disinclination ought not to be reputed to
either his ignorance or to his being close-
fisted. In the German counties one rarely
meets with an individual who has never been
" to town," and we venture an opinion that
both in the New England States and in
New York are there many persons who have
never visited the county seat ; and as for visit-
ing Boston and New York City, where one
farmer has visited either metropolis, we as-
sert that two Pennsylvania German farmers
have seen their own city of Philadelphia.
German opposition to common schools
has been a terrible bugaboo to very many
outside of Pennsylvania, who never under-
stood the occasion of it. Foremost among
the opponents of the free-school system
were the Quakers, the opposition arising
from the fact that, having had schools estab-
lished for many years, supported by their
own contributions, they were opposed to be
ing taxed for the educational maintenance
of others. Precisely similar were the objec-
tions in the German districts. As has already
been accurately stated, the German emi-
grants brought their school-masters with
them, and schools were kept and supported
by them. More frequently the church pas-
tor served as teacher, and hence, when the
proposition came to establish the system
of public education, the people were not pre-
pared for it, for the free schools severed
education from positive religion. But that
was nearly sixty years ago, and, to the credit
and honor of the German element in Penn-
sylvania, Governor George Wolf, the father
of the free-school system, and .Governor
Joseph Ritner and William Audenreid, the
earnest advocates of the same, were of Ger-
man descent. The opposition died away in
a few years, and a glance at the school sta-
tistics of Pennsylvania would open the eyes
of our New England friends and astonish
the descendants of Diedrick Knickerbocker.
The present system and management of
public education in our State is in the lead
in the Union, and figures and facts will bear
us out in our assertion.
As a general thing the first settlers were
staid farmers. Their mutual wants produced
mutual dependence, hence they were kind
and friendly to each other — they were ever
hospitable tostrangers. Theirwantof money
in the early times made it necessary for them
to associate for the purpose of building houses,
cutting their grain, etc. This they did in turn
for each other without any other pay than
the pleasures which usuall}' attended a coun-
try frolic. Strictly speaking, what is attributed
to them as virtues might be called good quali-
ties, arising from necessity and the peculiar
state of society in which these people lived —
patience, industry and temperance.
CHAPTER II.
John Harris, Trader and Pioneer — Early Assess-
ment Lists.
As stated, the settlers began to pour in, and
warrants for land were taken up in various
townships, as soon as the land office, was
opened, it having been closed from the time
of the death of William Penn until 1732.
For a record of these warrantees our readers
are referred to the author's History of Dau-
phin County, published in 1883. Most of
these show who were the first settlers in the
various townships now forming Dauphin
county. It was not for twenty years after the
organization of the county of Lancaster that
we haveany assessment lists, giving thenames
of the people who inhabited the various town-
ships. Recentlythe earliest in existence, com-
mencing in 1751 and continuing down to the
tkne of the Revolution, came into our pos-
HISTORICAL REVIEW
session and copies made therefrom. For per-
manent reference these lists are of great value
and we include them in this sketch of the
history of our county as being of very great
import in locating the earliest settlers.
The first English trader we hear of within
the limits, of the county was John Harris.
The fears of the French, who were constantly
gaining ground in the northwestern part of
the Province, and especially of " Papists,"
which all at once seems to have filled our
Quaker friends with terror, it became abso-
lutely necessary to license only English
traders, and they of Protestant proclivities,
so as to prevent communication with the
French on the Ohio. Among the first was
John Harris, who perchance entered this
then lucrative field, the Indian trade, at
the suggestion of his most intimate friend,
Edward Shippen, Provincial Secretary.
Of the John Harris who thus located per-
manently at Harrisburg, and who gave name
to that city, it may not be inappropriate to
refer. " He was as honest a man as ever
broke bread " was the high eulogium pro-
nounced by Parson Elder, of blessed mem-
ory, as he spoke of the pioneer in after years.
Born in the county of Yorkshire, England,
although of Welsh descent, about the year
1673, he was brought up in the trade of his
father, that of a brewer. Leaving his home on
reaching his majority, he worked at his call-
ing some time in the city of London, where he
joined, a few years afterwards, a company
from his native district, who emigrated to
Pennsylvania two or three years prior to
Penn's second visit to his Province. Watson
states that John Harris' " entire capital
amounted to only sixteen guineas."
We first hear of him after his arrival in
Philadelphia as a contractor for clearing
and grading the streets of that ancient vil-
lage. In 1698 his name is appended to a
remonstrance to the Provincial Assembly
against the passage of an act disallowing the
franchise to all persons owning real estate
less in value than fifty pounds. The memo-
rial had its effect, and the objectionable law
was repealed. By letters of introduction to
Edward Shippen, the first mayor of Phila-
delphia, that distinguished gentleman be-
came his steadfast friend, and through his
influence, no doubt, were secured those
favors which induced him eventually to
become the first permanent settler in this
locality.
In January, 1705, John Harris receiv^
his license from the commissioners of prop-
erty authorizing and allowing him to "seat
himself on the Sasquahannah," and "to
erect such buildings as are necessary for his
trade, and to enclose and improve such
quantities of land as he shall think fit." At
once he set about building a log house near
the Ganawese (Conoy) settlement, but the
Indians made complaint to the government
that it made them " uneasie," desiring to
know if they encouraged it. As in numer-
ous instances when the provincial author-
ities were taken to task, they disavowed
their own acts. Nevertheless, the " trader "
continued his avocation, making frequent
visits to the Swawanese villages at the Cone-
wago and Swatara. It is doubtful if John
Harris came farther west until after the per-
manent removal of all the French traders.
It was during one of his expeditions that
Harris first beheld the beauty and advantages
of the location at Paxtang. It was the best
fording place on the Susquehanna, and then,
as now in these later days, on the great
highway between the North and South, the
East and West. Annually the chiefs of the
Five Nations went to the Carolinas, where
were located their vast hunting-grounds,
and these, returning with peltries, found
need of a trading-post. The ej'e of that
hardy pioneer, looking out over the vast ex-
panse of wood, and plain, and river, saw
and knew that it was the place for the reali-
zation of that fond dream of the founder of
Pennsylvania, the great and good Penn, " a
city on the Susquehanna." At the period
referred to, the lands lying between the Gone-
wago or Lechay Hills and Kittochtinny or
Blue Mountains had not been purchased
from the Indians. Of course, neither John
Harris nor the Scotch-Irish settlers could
locate except by the right of squatter sover-
eignty or as licensed traders. As a trader,
it could only be with the permission of the
Indians.
Harris' first move was the erection of a
store-house, which he surrounded by a stock-
ade. It was located on the lower bank of
the river, at about what is now the foot of
Paxtang street. A well dug by him still
exists, although covered over about thirty-
five years ago, the old pump stock having
become useless and the platform dangerous.
A mound or hillock about one hundred feet
southeast of the graveyard denotes the spot.
" For almost a century," in the language of
the late David Harris, " this well supplied a
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
large neighborhood with water, which was
exceedingly cool and pleasant to the taste."
Adjoining his cabin were sheds for the hous-
ing of peltries obtained by traffic, wliich at
stated periods were conveyed to Philadelphia
on pack-horses.
Some years prior to 1718 an incident took
place in the life of John Harris which has
received all sorts of versions, and even
doubts of truthfulness. We shall give it as
we believe it, and as traditionary and other
facts in our possession supply the material
therefor. All the French traders having
"gone over Sasquahannah," John Harris
monopolized the business at Paxtang. In
glancing over the rec(?rds of the Province of
Pennsylvania, frequent allusions are made
to the excursions of the northern Indians,
either to hunting-grounds in the South or to
a conflict with a deadly foe. At one time
the Onondagoes, on a predatory excursion
against the Talapoosas, in Virginia, descend-
ing the Susquehanna, left their canoes at
Harris', proceeding thence to the scene of
strife. Situated as he was, at the best ford
on the river, he commanded an extensive
trade. His Indian neighbors (ShawaneseJ
were very friendly, and of course would not
allow any strange or predatory bands to
molest him. The deadly foe of the red race
is rum, and although the selling of it was
expressly forbidden by the provincial au-
thorities, yet there was scarcely a treaty or
conference without this potion being a part
of the presents made by the refined white
man to his ignorant red brother. Of a con-
sequence liquor was sold, and we are told by
Conrad Weiser that on one occasion " on the
Sasquahannah," the Indians whom he was
conducting to Philadelphia became so drunk
that he was fearful of them and left them. At
the first period referred to, it seems a preda-
tory band of Indians, on returnmg from the
Carolinas, or the " Patowmack," naturally
halted at John Harris'. In exchanging
part of their goods, probably rum — for this
seems to have been the principal beverage
drunk at that period — was one of the articles
in barter. At least we have it by tradition
that the Indians became riotous in their
drunken revelry, and demanding more rum
were refused by Mr. Harris, who began to
fear harm from his visitors. Not to be de-
nied, they again demanded liquor, and seiz-
ing him, they took him to a tree near by,
binding him thereto. After helping them-
selves to whatever they wanted of his stores,
they danced around the unhappy captive,
who no doubt thouglit his death was nigh.
Prior to this the Indian village of Paxtang
had been deserted, and the inhabitants re-
moved to the west side of the Susquehanna.
On the bluff opposite John Harris', as also
at the mouth of the Yellow Breeches, there
were lodges of Shawanese, and these held our
Indian trader in high esteem. Information
was taken them by Mr. Harris' negro servant,
when at once were summoned the warriors,
who crossed the river, where after a slight
struggle with the drunken Indians they
rescued from a death of torture their white
friend.
Esther, a daughter of the first John Harris,
left three daughters: Elizabeth, married to
Samuel Maclay ; Isabella, married to Wil-
liam Bell, of New York, and Margaret, mar-
ried to Isaac Richardson, of Pennsylvania,
and then or subsequently living in York
county. All of these granddaughters made
statements in relation to the occurrence in
question.
In the year 1840 G. W. Harris had a con-
versation with Mrs. Bell on this subject.
She stated that she was born in 1760. That
in 1766 she was coming from Carlisle, where
she lived, to Harrisburg with her father and
some of her sisters. When they came to the
river opposite to Harrisburg, where William
Harris was then living, some of the children
pointed to an old man fishing in the river,
and they mentioned that he had saved the
life of his master, John Harris, from the In-
dians. She said that she understood it to be
when he was tied to the mulberry tree.
Robert Maclay, of Kishacoquillas Valley,
Mifilin county, wrote some years ago a state-
ment as to this matter, from information ob-
tained from his mother and her sisters, Mrs.
Bell and Mrs. Richardson. His statement is
to the effect that a party of Indians came to
trade, and after obtaining what Mr. Harris
had given to them, or traded for, they de-
manded rum, which he refused. They then
determined to burn him, and bound him
with hickory withes to a mulberry tree on
the bank of the river, and commenced gath-
ering and piling wood around him. While
they were gathering wood his negro man,
Hercules, slipped off and informed friendly
Indians on the opposite side of the river,
who at once came in sufficient force to rescue
and save his master. He added, as the state-
ment of these ladies, that Mr. Harris set Her-
cules free, and that afterwards he directed
10
HISTORICAL REVIEW
that he should be buried under the mulberry
tree. Hercules died a considerable time after
the death of John Harris, and is buried
there.
Mr. Maclay also furnished a statement,
which he had heard from his mother, to the
effect that some friends endeavored to dis-
suade the old gentleman, Mr. Harris, from
his determination to be buried under the
mulberry tree, alleging that the river bank
was being washed away and the grave might
be exposed and perhaps wasted away, and
that he ought to be buried in the Paxtang
church graveyard, but that he silenced all
argument by saying that if you bury me out
in Paxtang I'll get up and come back. One
of his daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Finley, is
also buried under the mulberry tree.
Here, then, is the statement, of Robert
Harris, a grandson of John Harris, and of
three of his granddaughters to the alleged
occurrence at the mulberry tree, and Mr.
Harris adds that Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Richard-
son were known to him, and were persons of
superior intellect.
Robert Maclay also mentioned an incident,
as derived from the same source, that an
Indian in a distressed condition, on a cold
night, came to the house of John Harris and
sought admission. He was received and
lay by the fire during the night. When the
Indians came to the relief of John Harris it
is said that this Indian was with them.
As to whether the alarm was given by
Hercules, in a conversation with Robert
Harris, about the year 1840, in which he
said that the alarm on the occasion in ques-
tion was not given by Hercules, but in some
other way, how he did not know; but that
Hercules had saved the life of his master on
another occasion, I think he said when he
was endangered from a steer in the flat on
the river. But Mr. Samuel Breck, of Phila-
delphia, previous to October, 1827, wrote an
account relative to Harrisburg, in which,
in reference to this alleged occurrence at the
mulberry tree, he states that the Indians
who came to the relief of John Harris were
led by Hercules, and he adds that the nar-
rative was submitted in substance to the in-
spection of Mr. Robert Harris, and declared
by him to be correct.
When the picture relative to that scene
(in possession of the State of Pennsylvania)
was painted by Reeder, who was in com-
munication with Robert Harris, the latter, it
would seem, was of opinion that the alarm
was not given by Hercules, and Hercules
did not appear in"it. His attention may not ■
have been directed especially to the state-
ment relative to Hercules in the narrative of
Mr. Breck, or his subsequent recollection
may have been at fault. The burden of
evidence seems to be that the alarm was
given by Hercules, and if it were, he is en-
titled to representation in the picture.
We have been thus explicit because the
incident has been stated as untrue, and
hence have given such traditionary evidence
as it has been possible to obtain.
Although no mention of these facts is
made in the provincial records, there may
possibly have been good reason therefor, and
it is well known that many incidents, well
authenticated in later years, have not been
noted in the documents referred to. By
tradition and private sources alone are they
preserved from oblivion. It was no myth,
this attempt to burn John Harris, and al-
though the pen and pencil have joined in
making therefrom a romance and height-
ened it with many a gaudy coloring, yet
accurate resources have furnished us with
the details here given.
The remains of this tree, which in the
memory of the oldest inhabitant bore
fruit, stood until 1865 within the enclosure —
a striking memento of that thrilling inci-
dent. The late George W. Harris furnished
the author with certain corrobatory tradi-
tional evidence, which is herewith given.
That it did occur was not only traditional in
the Harris family but also in others.
The writer's grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth
(Thomas) Egle, tarried when a child of fif-
teen at John Harris', her father then being
on his way from Philadelphia to his home
at his mill on the Yellow Breeches. John
Harris, the founder, in the course of conver-
sation with her father alluded to the mul-
berry tree and the rude inclosure of the
graves at its foot, and distinctly remembers
then hearing the story in detail which we
have given.
Robert Harris, a grandson of the Indian
trader, stated it as a fact in which he be-
lieved. According to a memorandum, made
in his lifetime, he stated that a band of In-
dians came to the house of his grandfather
and demanded rum. He saw that they were
intoxicated, and he feared mischief if he
gave them more rum. They became en-
raged and tied him to the tree for burning.
The alarm was given, and Indians from the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
11
opposite side of the river came and after a
struggle released him.
Early Assessment Lists.
North End of Paxtang—1750.
John Harris, 200 a.; James Mitchell, 50 a.;
Widow Forster, 100 a.; James Mc'Night,
Moses Dickey, 100 a.; Thomas McCarter
[McArthur], 100 a.; Samuel Martin, 100 a.;
Widow Kerr, 100 a.; Thos. Simpson, 100 a.;
Robert Montgomerj', 100 a.; Widow Farris,
25 a.; James Alcorn, 200 a.; James Pollock
[Polk], 40 a.; James Reed, 100 a.; James
Armstrong, 200 a.; Samuel Price, 100 a.;
Robert Potter, 100 a.; James Potter, 100 a.;
William Bell, 100 a.; John Lee, 100 a.;
Joseph Davis, 30 a,; John Carson, 300 a.;
Thomas Forster, Esq., 100 a.; Widow Whit-
ley, 50 a.; Samuel Simpson, 100 a.; Arthur
Forster, 100 a.; Thomas Elder, 100 a.; An-
drew Caldwell, 50 a.; William Chambers,
80 a.; William Cochran, 100 a.; William
Brown, 100 a.; Francis Johnston, 50 a.;
James Graham, 100 a.; Widow Armstrong,
100 a.; William Barnett, 50 a.; Robert
Curry, 40 a.; Stephen Gambel, 100 a.; John
Barnett, 50 a.; William Barnett, Jr., 40
a.; John Wiggins, 100 a.; David Patton,
1 00 a.; William McMuUen, 100 a.; Francis
Smith, 10 a.; John Cavet, 100 a.; James Gil-
christ, 100 a.; Samuel Hunter, 100 a.; Will-
iam Armstrong, Matthew Cowden, 100 a.;
John Bell, 100 a.; Richard Cavet, 100 a.;
John Thompson, 100 a.; James Wilson, 50
a.; John Caldwell, 100 a.; Andrew Cochran,
100 a.; James Toland, 20 a.; John Roop, 30
a.; John Montgomery, 50 a.; Joseph Roop,
100 a.; Robert Dougal, 100 a.; Thomas Stur-
geon, 100 a.; Andrew Stewart, 100 a.; George
Gillespy,50a.; William Hines, 100 a.; Andrew
Stephen, 200 a.; Alex. Johnston, 40 a.; Rob-
ert Chambers, 100 a.; John Dougherty (car-
penter), John Scott, 100 a.; John Cochran,
100 a.; Samuel Cunningham, 30 a.; Jeremiah
Sturgeon, 100 a.; Francis Loock, John Wiley,
20 a.; Widow Wiley, 100 a.; Robert Smith,
100 a.; John Smith, George Bell, 50 a.; Thos.
Larrimore, 40 a.; Noah Copley (blacksmith),
John Chambers, 50 a.; Hugh McCormick,
2uO a.; David Diney (taylor), William Thorn,
100 a.; John Johnston, 100 a.; James Eackin,
20 a.; Samuel Gambel, 100 a.; Thomas Arm-
strong, 50 a.; John Snoddy 30 a.; Alexander
McHarge, 50 a. Collectors for ye north end of
Paxtown 1750 — Thomas Simpson, William
Bell. Freemen — George Roop, James Means,
Adam Means, Robert Reed, Joseph Kelso,
John Steel, William Bell, Oliver Jeens, James
Micheltree, Robert Delap.
.Narrows of Paxtang — 1751.
Widow Murray, Robert Armstrong, John
Armstrong, Thomas Gaston, William Fors-
ter, Mr. Robert Armstrong, Thomas Clark,
John McKennedy, Robert Clark, Thomas
Adams, Albert Adams, John Watt, William*
Raskins, Geoge Wells, Francis Glass, George
Clark, John Mitcheltree, Francis Baskins
(trader), John Clark, James Reed, James
English, John Gevens, James Baskins,
Thomas McKee, John Kelton. Freemen —
Charles Williams, John Lee (trader). — John
Kelton, Collector.
West Side of Paxtang — 1751.
William Thorn, Hugh Montgomery, Rob-
ert Dugan, Thomas Sturgeon, John Johnson,
Widow Forster, James McKnight, John
Harris, James Reed, James Armstrong, Rob-
ert Chambers, John Davis, William Ta,
James Harris, David Carson, William Mc-
Calley, James Toland, Andrew Stephen,
John Cochran, Alexander Johnson, Thomas
Forster, Esq., James Eaken, James Allcorn,
Thomas Simpson, Widow Kerr, James Polke,
James Potts, George Gillespie, Alex. McCay,
John Cavet, Andrew Caldwell, Patrick Gil-
lespie, John Scott, Samuel Price, Jeremiah
Sturgeon, Robert Montgomery, John Cald-
well, Robert Smith, Joseph White, John
Neal, John Dougherty, George Gabriel, John
Carson, Samuel Hunter, Widow Armstrong,
John Daley, Samuel Simpson, Samuel Mar-
tin, Thomas McArthur, James Collier,
Thomas Larnard, Andrew Stuart, William
Barnet, Samuel Gamble, Alexander Sanders,
Robert Currey, Moses Wain, John Ross, Jo-
seph Ross, John Smith, James Thorn, Will-
iam Thorn, Widow Wiley, William Arm-
strong, William Calhoun, Thomas McCor-
mick, John Wiggins, John Wiley, John
Schultz, Andrew Cochran, Robert Potts,
James Gilchrist. — William Thorn, Col-
lector.
South End of Paxtang — 1751.
William Kirkpatrick, Thomas King,
Thomas Mayes, William Steel, Robert Tay-
lor, Hugh Stuart, Peter Fleming, John
Shields, Henry Renick, John Gray, William
Harris, Richard McClure, John Willson,
William Willson, Oliver Wiley, Thomas
King, Samuel Galbraith, Martin Shults,
12
HISTORICAL REVIEW
David Shields, Moses Dickey, Henry Mc-
Kinney, Hattman Seller, Valentine Starn,
Jonas Lerue, Thomas Dugan, WidowBrown,
Alex. Brown, James Lusk, John Means, An-
drew Hanna, George Sheets, Timethy Mc-
Knight, William Sharp, Henry McElroy,
John Johnston, Andrew Johnson, Charles
Gordan, John Montgomery, Timothy Shaw,
Robert Wright, Matthew Gordan, Andrew
•Husten, Samuel Woods, John Welsh, Alex-
ander White, John Murray, James Mc-
Knight, Francis Johnson, James Willson.
Freemen — William Dickey, Patrick McKin-
ney. — Jacob Sheets, Collector.
Return of Paxtatig — 1766.
William McCord, 100 a.; Patrick Mont-
gomery, 100 a.; Thomas Renick (smith), 200
a.; Samuel Galbraith (Hugh Davis' land),
400 a.; Robert Morrison, Andrew Lykens,
Robert Jones, Aaron Hine, Valentine Starn
(Peter Gardner's land), 400 a.; Michael Teph
(John Potts' land), 200 a.; Crisley Swarts,
200 a.; Jonas Lerue, 200 a.; Richard Fulton,
175 a.; John Kerr, William Cummens (ye
Secretary's land), 200 a.; Adam Torrance,
John Harris, 400 a.; Thomas Chambers, 70
a.; John Bell, 100 a.; William Steel, 100 a.;
James Smith, 100 a.; James Thorn, 100 a.;
Hugh McClay, 160 a.; James Collard, 200 a.;
George Alexander, 100 a.; George King (ye
land of Dr. Reker's), 400 a.; Fl'ederick Fogle,
John Shield, 200 a.; John Moore, Alexander
McClure, 200 a.; Richard McClure, 200 a.;
James Lusk, 150 a.; Robert Sterret, 100 a.;
James Fitzgerald (ye land of Joseph Randies),
200 a.; James Boyle, 150 a.; James William-
son, 60 a.; Thomas Dugal, 200 a.; William
Willson, 200 a.; Jacob Sheets (smith), 100 a.;
Stophel Monts (ye land Wil'm Kirkpatrick),
150 a.; William' McClintock, 100 a.; Joseph
Sherer, 120 a.; John Montgomery, 100 a.;
Michael Graham, 150 a.; Timothy Shaw, 100
a.; Edward Sharp, 100 a.; Henry Renick, 150
a.; Thomas McCord, John Willson, Jr., 200
a.; Thomas McCarter [McArthur], 100 a.;
William Sharp, 100 a.; David Sheilds, 120 a.;
Henry McKiney, 100 a.; Robert Gray, 50 a.;
Timothy McKnight, 100 a.; William Carson,
50 a.; Hugh Stuart, 200 a.; John Means, 50
a.; James Alexander, Thomas King, Sr., 100
a.; Andrew Hannah, 100 a.; William Kirk-
patrick, 200 a.; Edward King, 50 a.; Thomas
King, Jr., 100 a.; Philip Fisher, 50 a.; David
Walker, 50 a.; Frederick Foster, 80 a.; Will-
iam Hannah, 100 a.; Moses Dickey (mill-
wright), 200 a.; Thomas Rutherford, 150 a.;
Michael Whitley (shoemaker), William Kerr,
100 a.; James Pollock, 50 a.; Jeremiah Stur-
geon, 100 a.; James Armstrong (saddler), 50
a.; Jacob Roop, 199 a.; Thomas Armstrong,
50 a.; James Huston, 100 a.; Samuel Forgue,
James Reed, 60 a.; Samuel Simpson (black-
smith), 150 a.; John Johnston (shoemaker),
100 a.; Thomas Simpson (smith), 100 a.; Will-
iam Kelso, Step] en Gamble, 50 a.; William
McMullen, 50 a.; John Cashon, 50 a.; John
Gray, 100 a.; Walter Bell, John Wilson, Sr.,
200 a.; Jacob Lantz, 100 a.; George Sheets,
200 a.; Samuel Martin, 250 a.; James Kil-
creest, 50 a.; Andrew Huston, 100 a.; Alex-
ander Johnston (little), Thos. Forster, Esq.,
200 a.; Robt. Potts, 100 a.; George Gillespy,
100 a.; John Carson, 300 a.; To Edgel's Es-
tate, 300 a.; Rudy Herr's land, 160 a.; The
Proprietor's land, 1000 a.; Samuel Hunter,
100 a.; Arthur Simpson, Robert Armstrong,
100 a.; Denis Dougherty, Neal McGlaughlin,
James Wallace, 200 a.; Andrew Stephen, 100
a.; William Calhoon, 10 a.; James Thorn,
100 a.; John Cochran, 30 a.: Patrick Gillespy,
100 a.; Archibald McCollogh (ye land Jas.
Wilson's), 50 a.; Philip Kinder, Jacob Sider
(the land Henry Deyarmond's), 100 a.; John
Montgomery (youngest), 60 a.; William
Chambers, 100 a.; Joseph White, 50 a.; John
Smith, 100 a.; John Ross, 100 a.; James
MacKnight, 50 a.; Andrew Caldwell, 100 a.;
William Wallace, 60 a.; John Barnett, 50
a.; William Barnett (black), 50 a.; William
Barnett (white), 20 a.; David Patten, 200 a.;
Thomas McCormick, 200 a.; Robert Gilchrist,
222 a.; William Bell, 100 a.; Matthew Cow-
den, 200 a.; Robert Taylor, 400 a.; Matthew
Brown, 100 a.; Catherine Harris, 100 a.;
Thos. Mays, 100 a.; Thos. Alexander (school-
master), John Gilchrist (smith), 240 a.; James
Calhoun, 100 a.; William Woods, 40 a.;
Robert Carson, 30 a.; Henry Harley (ye land
Peter Miller's), 150 a.; Henry Sharp, 100 a.;
William McKnight, 100 a.; John McCollom
(ye land John Nives), 150 a.; David English,
100 a.; Thos. Sturgeon, 150 a.; Andrew
Stuart, 100 a.; Robert Stephen, 20 a.; John
Wiley, 100 a.; John Neil, 50 a.; Alex. John-
ston (big Alick), 100 a.; William Armstrong,
John Cavet, 100 a.; John Johnston, 100 a.;
James Gayly, 50 a.; Henry MacElroy, 100 a.;
John Johnston (whitelocks), 100 a.; John
Montgomery (Patrick's son), 50 a.; Robert
Heslat, 50 a.; John McKeever, 50 a.; John
Jameson, 100 a.; Robert Curry, 150 a.; Alex.
Meharg, 50 a.; Robert Wright, 100 a.; Will-
iam McClure, Joseph Wilson, 50 a.; Alex.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
]3
Mahon (ye land Thos. Forster's). Land
Holders — All these the time was so short, I
had not time to go to their houses, but
they're all land holders. John Wiggins,
James Thorn, Joseph Ross, James Potts,
Widow Cavet, Moses Swan, George Clark,
John Ross, Robt. Montgomery, Widow
Wiley, John Scott, Hugh McCormick.
Widows — Widow Cunningham, 50 a.; Widow
Calhoun, 100 a.; Widow Smith, 100 a.;
Widow McKnight, 50 a. Fled from ye In-
dians— Anthony Thompson, Barney Tolan,
Hugh Gibson, Michael Gibson, John Cham-
bers, Alexander Murray, John Young,
James Miller, James Murray. Freemen —
Joseph McCord, inmate to Patrick Mont-
gomery; Daniel Lindley, at Valentine Sturn's;
Alexander Caldwell, at Thomas Chambers' ;
John Sterling, Samuel Steel, at William
Steel's ; Thos. Mays, Jr., at Thos. Mays' ;
William Simpson, Robert Barkley, at John
Shields'; John Collier, ^t his father's; Jere-
miah Brandon, at George Ellis'; Charles
McKillip, at Richard McClure's; Phillip
Donnelly, at Valentine Sturn's ; James Black,
at Widow Boal's ; Patrick McGranahan, at
Jacob Awl's; Jacob Awl (tanner), Richard
Carson, at John Carson's; Patrick Hodgon,
John Patrick, at Andrew Stewart's; Jonathan
Cummins, at John Harris'; Charles McGran-
ahan, John Forster, at Justice Forster's;
James Eakins, Jr., William Cowden, at
Matt. Cowden's; John Sipapson, at Thos.
Simpson's ; Moses Dickey, Jr., John Mont-
gomery, at his father's; Robt. Montgomery,
at John his father's; Robert Fruit, at Andrew
Huston's ; Walter Clark, Geo. Clark's son ;
William McClure, at Oliver Wiley's ; Luke
McCool, an old man at Thos. Dugan's. Re-
fused to give their Return {Covenanters) —
Alexander Brown, James Brown, Ben.
Brown, William Brown, John Caldwell,
James Eakin, Peter Corbit, Geo. Fisher, one
nager. — Hugh Stuart, Collector.
Paztang—1758.
James Armstrong, Jacob Awl, James Arm-
strong (tenant), John Albright, Thomas
Alexander, William Armstrong, Thomas
Allen, James Alexander, Thomas Arm-
strong, George Alexander, Robert Britwell,
Widow Boyd, Benjamin Brown, Martin
Brown, James Brown, Alex. Brown, William
Brown, John Bell, John Bell (tenant), Wal-
ter Bell, Samuel Brice, William Bell, John
Barnett, William Barnett, Sr., William Bar-
nett, Jr., Richard Carson, James Collard,
James Calhoun, John Carson, William Car-
son, Michael Cassel and Michael Casel, Jr.,
John Chambers,William Chambers, Andrew
Chaeren (?), Peter Eaby, William Chambers,
John Caldwell, Martin Cowden,Widow Coch-
ran, John Cochran, George Clark, John Cavet,
John Chambers, Andrew Caldwell, William
Calhoun, James Cilley, John Carson, Moses
Dickey, Thomas Dockham, Rev. John Elder,
James Ekins, Jr., David English, Robert
Fruit, Thomas Forster, Esq., Richard Fulton,
Frederick Foster, George Fisher, Samuel
Galbraith, George Gross, Robert Gray,
Michael Graham, George Gray, John Gray,
Patrick Gillespy, George Gillespy, John
Harris, Andrew Huston, William Hannah,
Widow Hannah, Widow Harris, Samuel
Hunter, Robert Haslet, John Johnston,
Robert Jones, John Johnston, Alexander
Johnston, Philip Kinter, Edward Kiug,
Thomas King, Sr., Thomas King, William
Killpatrick, William Kerr, Robert Killcreese,
James Killcreese, John Killcreese, John Kis-
ler, (Landlord's Part), John Lukins, James
Lisk, Jonas Lerue, Samuel Laney, Henry
McSeney, Richard McClure, William Mc-
Clure, Thomas Mays, Widow McKnight,
Hugh McGillap, John Means, Samuel Mar-
tin, Tinnle McKnight, Stofel Man, John
Montgomery, William McMullen, John Mc-
Caver, John Montgomery, Sr., John Mc-
Chulen, William McKnight, Alexander Mc-
Clure, Alexander Maugham, Robert Mont-
gomery, John Montgomery, Thomas Mc-
Arthur, Hugh McCormick, Alex. Murry,
Patrick Montgomery, Robert Montgomery,
Alexander McHort, John Neal, William
Nicholson, Robert Potts, David Patten,
Thomas Rutherford, James Reed, Henry
Renick, Jacob Roop, John Ross, Joseph
Ross, Timothy Shaw, Thomas Simpson,
Samuel Simpson, William Steel, James
Smith, Robert Stuart, Nicholas Stugh, Hugh
Stuart, John Shield, David Shield, George
Sheets, Henry Sharp, Edward Sharp, Will-
iam Sharp, Joseph Sherer, Frederick
Swicker, Jeremiah Sturgeon, Andrew
Stuart, Andrew Stephen, James Sloan, John
Smith, Widow Smith, Christian Swartz, John
Steel, Valentine Starn, Thomas Sturgeon,
John Scott, Michael Tafer, Thomas James
and William James, Adam Torence, Will-
iam Thome, James Thorne, James Will-
iamson, William Willson, John Willson,
Jr., Joseph Willson, Joshua White, Robert
Wright, Robert Whitley, Thomas Willey,
James Wallace, John Wright, Widow Wil-
14
HISTORICAL REVIEW
ley, David Walker, James Woodside. Free-
men— William Boggs, Isaac Bell, James Bell,
John Bell, Robert Cochran, William Cow-
den, John Cowden, John Conrad, Arthur
Cuningha;m, Alexander Diver, William
Davis, Andrew Eakins, Robert Eakins, Will-
iam Gibbons, Joseph Gray, John Hannah,
Daniel Linwell, Thomas Little, Thomas
Mays, Charles McCannahan, William Mc-
Cardney, Andrew McCollum, Thomas Mc-
Arthur, Thomas McCord, William Mont-
gomery, Nathaniel Paul, Robert Renick,
John Rutherford, John Sterling, Samuel
Steel, George Sheets, William Smith, David
Sterrett, Robert Fruit, Thomas Kennedy.
Paxtang Continental Tax — 1779.
John Alleman, Stophel Alleman, Conrad
Alleman, Chrisley Alleman, John Arm-
strong, John Achia, Jacob All, Jacob B.
Brand, George Bennett, Conroad Burghough,
John Bowman, William Brown, John Bar-
nett, John Barnett, Sr., Andrew Berryhill,
Alexander Berryhill, William Boyd, Thomas
Bell, Peter Bobb, William Bell, Thomas Bra-
man, Henry Bolls, Peter Brener, John Boyer,
James Burd, John Bowman (weaver). Bear-
foot Brunson, Jacob Barkley, Casper Byerley,
Felty Beaker, Philip Brown, Conroad Bobb,
John Barris, Widow Boggs, John Buck, John
Boughman, Sam Byers, John Brand, Max'll
Chambers, Robert and Roland Chambers,
Hugh Crocket, George Consort, Robert Cald-
well, John Cavits, William Calhoon, John
Chambers, William Cochran, James Coch-
ran, Widow Caldwell, Hugh Cunningham,
John Clehdining, William Carson, Cornals
Cox, Samuel Clemins, John Cline, James
Cogley, John Cogley, James Crouch, Land
sold by Carson, James Collier, John Clark,
Frederick Cassel, Michael Cassel, George
Carson, Richard Carson, Daniel Cooper,
John Cassel, Matthew Calhoon, Samuel
Cochran and James Sherer, James Cow-
den, John Cambel, James Cavit, Archi-
bald Cambel, Philip Crinar, James Dun-
can, Robert Duglas, George Dickson,
William Dickey & Porter, Peter Duffey,
Christian Demmey, John Doneley, John Din-
sey, John Davis, Rev. John Elder, Robert
Elder, John Elder, Joshua Elder, Johii Elder,
Jr., Adam Eckert, Stophel Earnist, Abraham
Ea^le, Joseph Flora, Jr., George Facklan,
John Foster, John Fritz, Phillip Fisher, John
Flackameer, Joseph Fultain, Bernard Frid-
ley; George Fridley, Joseph Flora, Sr., Ven-
del Fachlar, Frederick Foster, Tames Fin-
ney, John Garber, John Gilcrist, Esq., John
Galiaher, George Gray & Joseph, John Gau-
day, William Gibbins, John Graham, John
Gilcrist, John Gray, Joseph Gregg, Robert
Gilcrist, Joseph Hutchinson, Samuel Hutch-
inson, Andrew Huston, John Hatfield, Jo-
seph Hufman, William Hetrick, Patrick
Heaney, Henry Humbarger, John Hilton,
Jacob Haldiman, John Harsha, John Harris,
James Harris, Martin Houser, Tice H oove
Patrick Hogan, Alexander Hetherton, John
Hersha, Alexander Johnson, John Jamison,
Peter Isonhaver, James Johnson, Joseph
Ervin, William Kerr, Thomas King, Will-
iam Keays, John Kinsley, William Kelso,
Jacob Kerr, Joseph Keller, John Kis-
nor, Adam Kitchmiller, Will'm Kirkpat-
rick, Edward King, .John Little, John
Larkey, Widow Lider, Patrick Lusk, Adam
Lampart, Michael Lyms, Francis and George
Lerue, Jacob Lymes, John Maxwell, John
Means, Alexander McHargue, William Mc-
Millen, George McMillen, William McRob-
erts, John McElhenney, Thomas McCormick,
Robert Montgomery, Jacob Miliar, Hugh
Montgomery, John Matthews, John Meader,
David Montgomery, James McKee, John
Moor, Thomas Miller, George Millar, James
McCoard, Jonathan McClure, Rowan Mc-
Clure, Alexander McClure, Richard Mc-
Clure, John Mumma, Thomas Murray,
James Mahan, William McClure, Jacob Mil-
lar, John McKeary, Rev. Joseph Montgom-
ery, William Montgomery, William McClan-
ahan, Joseph Mark, John and James Mc-
Kinney, Robert McWhorter, Thomas McAr-
thur, John Murray, Andrew McClure, Robert
Neel, Francis Nieckel (col.), Eliab Neagley,
Widow Nab, George Heviland, John Nooip,
Abraham Nidigh, Christian Paige, Michael
Peasinger, David Paton, Michael Pitner
(Bitner), John- Parthimar, Stephen Poor-
man, George Pancake, John Postlethwaite,
Jacob Poorman, Jacob Peck, George Page,
Peter Pancake, George Pile, Felty T -i.--
cake, Samuel Rutherford, Simeon Rear-
don, Hugh Robertson, Paul Randolph,
James Rutherford, George Reniear, John
Roop. Jacob Roop, Sr., Jacob Roop, Widow
Renick, Capt. John Rutherford, David
Ritchey, Michael Smith, Jacob Stricklar,
Jacob Springer, Henry Stoner, John Steel^
George Shanklin,William Simonton,Wi]liam
Swan, Richard Swan, Frederick Switser,
Matthew Smith, Esq., George Shoop, Lar-
rence Smith, Stophel Soop, Jeremiah Stur-
geon, George Sheets, Andrew Stewart and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
15
Charles, Samuel Simpson, Sr., Joseph Simp-
son,Samuel Simpson, Jr., William Smith, Sto-
phel Smith, Felty Snider, Andrew and Zach.
Stephen, Hugh Stephen, Felty Spangler,
Jacob Smith, Jacob Siders, Michael Sheaver,
Michael Smith, Widow Shell's place, Joseph
Shaw, Barnard Soop, Petter Smith, Elijah
Stewart, George Sheets, Hugh Stewart, Leon-
ard Sheets, John Shoemaker, Petter Shearer,
Andrew Smith, Mary and Joseph Smith,
Jacob Shafner, Robert Smith, David Toot,
George Tevibaugh, Christley Temey, John
Thompson, George W^illiams, Hugh Ray,
Robert Wiley, John Wiggins, Josiah White,
Leonard Wallower, Thomas Wiley, Joseph
Wilson, Jr., Robert Whitehill, Mathias Win-
agel, James Wallas, John Winderley, Samuel
Wiley, John Wilson, Sr., John Wilson, Jr.,
Jr., John Wilson, Jr., Alexander Wilson, Jo-
seph Wilson, Sr., Joseph Wilson, Jr., Abner
Wickersham, Hugh White, Widow Whitley,
Moses Vance, Conrad Yoance.
Middletown—1779.
Mark Snider, Christian King, Daniel
Con, Peter Shuster, John Snider, George
Lowman, Felty Welker, Abraham Tarr,
Henry Davis, Henry McCan, John Len-
ning,' Peter Richart, John Myers, Henry
Shaffner, Henry Harris, MartainHemperley,
Nicolas Castle, George Metsker, Philip Graft,
George Fry, Christian Spayd, Ludwick Hem-
perley, Abraham Gross, Daniel Huffman'
Dr. Robert Kenedy, Jacob Snider, Plenry
Millar, Frederick Zebernick, John Mitcher,
John Bacenstose, John Holaback, John De-
france, Michael Gross, Conrad Wolfley, Will-
iam Walls, Jacob King, Thomas and Will-
iam Crabb, Alexander Jamison, Philip
Shockey, Christian Shertz, Adam Means,
George Gross, Patrick Scott, Samuel Parks,
Thomas Minshall, David McClure, Daniel
Dowdle, Tliomas and Henry Moor, Peter
Millar, Adam Millar, George Aman, David
Atley, Philip Parthemore, Christian Hep-
peck, Paul Hemperley, Christopher Sea-
baugh, Henry Myers, Samuel Seratzy, Philip
Etley, Frederick Hubley, William Crabb.
Young Men — Conrad Toot, Joseph Barnett,
William Cowden, James Spence, Robert
Douglas, Anthoney Whikerel, John Miller
(weaver), William Wilson, John Fleming,
John Cochran, John Whitehill, Henry Bit-
ner, Richard Hughs, John Darby, John
Boyd, William Wright, Robert Elder,
Thomas Strahan, James Currey, John Baird,
Barnard Fridley, John Millar, George
Smith, William Lochery, Adam Ritter,
Frederick Overlander, William Witner, John
Millar (stonecutter), Emanuel Bollinger, Mi-
chael Gross, David Shaw, Matthew Gilchrist,
James Wiggins, Melhar Millar, Charles Mc-
Coy, Hugh McLay, Lodwick Dagon, Henry
Alleman, John Page, John Fisher, Mathias
Winagel (saddler), Stephen Poorman, Robert
Clark, William Murray, Mungo Linsey,
Abraham Brunson, William Stewart, Jacob
Sider, David Toot, John Parks, Robert Gray,
Thomas Murray, Peter Pancake, John Mc-
Knighton, John Shearer, John Stoner, Sam-
uel Smith, Robert Marshall, Jacob Fridley,
John McCaghan, Andrew Berreyhill, George
Woods, Nicholas Nagle.
JJpper Faxtang — 1779.
Robert Armstrong, Sr., Robt. Armstrong,
Jr., William Ayers, Richard Allison, Peter
Brown, William Bell, John Bell, Sr., John
Bell, Jr., Joseph Brown, John Brown, James
Birney, Felty Brough, Widow Baskin, Will-
iam Boyce, James Buchanan, James Bell,
Thomas Black, James Black, Dan Black,
Robert Boyd, Thos. Barnett, Robert Boyd
(stiller), Hugh Calhoon, Campbell,
George Clark, John Chambers, Peter Corbit,
John Cochran, William Campbell, Samuel
Cochran, Joseph Colligan, James Clark,
Robert Crawford, John Colligan, John Dun-
can, John Dice, David Davis, Jacob Eyraan,
John Elder, Adam Eckard, Stephen Forster,
William Forster, William Foulks, James
Forster, Conrad Fry, John Garber, Tlios.
Gallagher, Adam Gartner, Michael Garber,
John Gilmore, Thomas George, Alexander
George, Alexander Givins, William Gonow,
Larry Hatton, Michael Herman, Anthony
Hoone, George Holmes, Marcus Hulings, John
Hatfield, Isaiah Jones, Isaac Jones, David
Ireland, William Johnston, Widow Kess-
ler, John Kinter, Thomas Kearns, William
Kennedy, John Kays, William Linsey, James
Leonard, Patt LafFerty, Joseph Little, Henry
Little, Henry Leek, Henry McCloskey, Abra-
ham Monney, Robert McGill, Patrick Mc-
Elhare, John Mellan, Patt Martin, John
Meetch, Robert McCord, James McCall, John
McFadden, James Murray, John Mordock,
Joseph McElrath, Arch'd Murray, Widow
Minsker, Widow McComb, John Murray,
David McCracken, James McNamara, Mar-
tin Newbecker, Thos. Oarim, Sam'l Plough,
Malachi Powell, Aaron Pecker, James Pea-
cock, John Ryan, Sr., John Richmond, Alex-
ander Randels, John Ringler, John Ryan, Jr.
16
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Conrad Rhoads, William Smith, Joseph and
George Straw, Conrad Smith, Jacob Striker,
Ludwick Shellman, Patt Sufferin, Thos. Stur-
geon, Peter Snagerty, Michael Stiver, Robert
Smith, John Simpson, Alexander Spear,
James Sloane, George Simmons, John Taylor,
Samuel Taylor, George Taylor, Jacob Tin-
dorff, John Thomas, William Thompson,
Thos. Thompson, Henry Vanderbach, Robert
Walker, James Walker, Hugh Watt, Michael
Yanelet. Freemen — John Snagerty, John
Golden berry, George Simmers, Herman Leek,
Conrad Leek, Geo. Bell, Geo. Cochran, Peter
Sturgeon, Philip Newbecker, Philip Tinturff,
Cristley Eyman, Jacob Eyman, John Ayres,
John Boyce, James Spear, Henry Taylor,
Isaiah Winn. Non-Resident Land-owners —
Jacob Rizet, Peter Landish, Ruben Hains,
John Cline, James Tillman, John Leadick,
George Fry, John Cline, Bulls Land, Isaiah
Jones, Peter Pelley, Alexander Bartram,
Timothy Mattlack, John Flora, John
Mumma, Person Harshaw, Bertram Gal-
braith, Robert Neal, Mich'l Herman, Mc-
Clure's land, Dinnis Dougherty, John Meetch ,
Joseph Little, Widow Duncan, W^idow Scot,
Frederick Humble, Jacob Waggoner, Cris-
tian Hattocks.
Upper District, Wiconisco — 1779.
John Boashart, Benjamin Buffington, Lud-
wick Bretz, Stephen Bend, Charles Barger,Cut-
lip Cline, Widow Cline, Widow Cooper, Philip
Clinger, John Coleman, Michael Divler, Mat-
thias Divler, John Didde, Joel Free, Anthony
Fralick, George Fight, Peter Grubb, Peter
Huffman, Nicholas Huffman, John Huff-
man, Jacob Herman, David Herman, Henry
Haynes, Peter Heckart, Abraham Jury, Sam-
uel Jury, William Ingram, Adam King,
Stophel Lark, Daniel Leman, Jacob Mitz,
John Miller, John Motter, John Myers, George
Minnich, Nicholas Meek, Abram Neighbour,
Geo. Nigla, Henry Omholtz, Joseph Philips,
Richard Peters, John Powell, Jacob Bickel,
William Rider, John Rider, Philip Ros-
coulp, George Riddle, George Supe, Yost
Stiver, Michal Salady, Fitter Stonebreaker,
Stophel Sheesly, John Sheesly, Jacob
Sheesly, Jacob Shotts, Linord Snider, .Jacob
Smith, Lodwick Shotts, Michael Shadel,
George Seal, John Salady, Zacheus Sponing-
berry, Abraham Snider, Christian Snoak,
Michael Titrich, James Woodside, Martin
Weaver, Henrj' Wolf, Adam Wertz, Jacob
Weaver, Henry Werfel, Peter Woobery, An-
drew Yeager, The Rev. Mr. Enderline. Free-
men— Ludiwick Shotts, Jonathan Woodside,
John Philips, John Herman, William Arma-
gost, Jacob Easterly.
Located Tracts, Wiconisco — 1779.
George Free, James Baeham, Nicholas
Miller, Henry Winover, Abraham Riggey,
Andrew Boggs, Stophel Martin, Crawford's
land, Peter Isk, Abraham Reggey, John
Shough, Isaac Keller, Frederick Stone-
breaker, Martin Lowman, Thos. Car-
michael, Geo. Eakard, Simeon Snider,
Laudis Winger, Arthur Tikert, Patt
Work, Frederick Sleigh, Caleb Day, Simeon
Snider and Groff, Aaron Levi, Bertram Gal-
braith, Daniel Williams, Felty Overlady,
Michael Miller, Jacob Whitmore, William
Poor, George Fry, John Cline, John Meek-
land, Philip DeHaas, Martin Cryder, Michael
Groscolp, Simeon Brand, Frederick Deigh,
Henj'y Wails, Sam. Sleight, Levi Simeon,
Doctor Light, John Clendinin, George Free,
John Didde, George Hawk, Blacher's land,
Daniel Wolf, Simeon Snider, Daniel Mawer,
Geo. Shaddle, Cristley Snider, Phipil Reel,
Michal Welker, Henry Minsler, Jacob Shaver,
John Hackard, Jacob Covel, Andrew Rigla.
West End of Derry—1756.
Adam Baum, Matthew Laird, William
Spencer, Hugh Black, Thomas Black, James
Ireland, John Laird, Adam Walker, Robert
Taylor, William Breden, David Campbell,
James Russell, Moses Patterson, John Cook,
John Crockett, John Penelton, William
Thompson, Lawrence McGill, Isaac Penel-
ton, Moses Campbell, James Willey, William
Sterrett, Samuel Murray, Robert Ramsey,
James Walker, James Willson, William Mc-
Cobb, William Drennan, James Semple,
Thomas Park, Robert Bradshaw, Matthew
Willson, Joseph Candor, Moses Willson,
Stophel Shoop, Alexander Fleck, Adam
Waggoner, James Carothers, Peter Barsh,
John Singer, Jacob Couts, Dewalt Baker,
Simon Singer, George Bombaugh, Henry
Corber, Anthony Weirick, Peter Spengler,
Peter Grossglas, David Etley, Edward Mar-
tin, John Tice, John Fleming, George Beaver,
Francis Newcomer, Henry Hart, Jacob Al-
bright, Max Spidle, Peter Kinder, James
Chambers, Andrew Robinson, James Clark,
Thomas Hall, Robert Willson, John Carr,'
John Vanlear, James McCoye, Samuel Shaw|
Robert Carothers, John Weir, Hugh Caroth-
ers, Andrew Weir, George Wedaberger, Rob-
WILLIAM AY RES.
GEN. JOHN KEAN.
ROBERT HARRIS
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
19
ert Armstrong, Andrew Hershey, John Mul-
len, Martin Brand, Ulry Hipsher, James
Russell, Jacob Bromek. Freemen — James
Swaty, James Harris, Robert Brety, Thomas
Care, John Bowman, John Clark, Robert
McKee, James Vanleer, James Henry, James
McCormick, Mr. Hipsher's stepson, one Ken-
nedy at James Cander's, William Fomly.
East Side of Derry—17S8.
Robert Allison, Jacob Albright, Adam
Burckholder, John Bowman, Joseph Berry-
hill (weaver), Robert Boyd, William Boyd,
Wendel Bow, John Campbell (Duncan's es-
tate), John Campbell (McCord's land), James
Campbell, Vincent Cooper, Michael Cassell,
John Chestnut, Charles (Jlark, John Camp-
bell, Anthony Carman, John Duncan, Leon-
ard Deininger, Thomas Eakin, Nicholas
Ebert, John Early, John Espy, George Espy,
William Espy, Ludwick Elser, David Fos-
ter, Robert Foster, Widow Foster, James
Foster, Melchoir Flenckpow, Henry Freek,
Philip Fishburn, John Gourly, Jacob Grove,
Frederick Hummel, John Kay, Anthony
Hemperly, George Henry, Patrick Hay,
Robert Hay, Hugh Hay, Widow Hall, John
Hall, David Johnson, Adam Kettering, Felty
Kettering, John Keesemer, .Patrick Kelly,
George Kelly, Stophel Liverton, Jacob Long-
necker, Jacob Lemah, John Logan, Thomas
Logan, Felix Landis, Jr., Frederick Morral,
John Montgomery, David Mitchel, Wendel
Minick, Andrew Moor, William Moor, John
Moor, John Maybane, John Maybane, Jr.,
Jacob Martin, Robert Mordah, Samuel Moor,
Widow McCallen, Robert McCallen, John
McCullough, Robert McCleery, William Mc-
Cord, Neil McCallister, Thos. McCallen, John
McCallister, John McQueen, Josiah Mc-
Queen, John McQueen, Jr., Nathaniel Nes-
bit, John Over, Widow Binneogle, Moses
Potts, Jacob Brunk, Abraham Reamer,
Philip Reamer, Abraham Reigal, John
Roan, David Rea, Conrad Rash, Andrew
Roan, John Rea, William Robinson, Will-
iam Sawyer, Christly Snyder, John Sawyer,
Jacob Steely, Christly Stickley, George Bals-
bach, iLumbard Shellan, Widow Sloan,
Peter Dollenbough, Felty Dollen bough, John
Tanner, David Taylor, William Willson,
John Walker, Henry Walker, James Walter,
John Walker, Conrad Washhon, Archibald
Walker, James Willson, James Walker.
Freemen — Joseph Carmony, Thomas Mit-
chel, James Carson, James Morton, Robert
Kennedy, John Mordah, Robert Mordah, Jr.
[I have been Eleven Days taking the re-
turn of the within Township.
Robert Mordah.
December 20th, 1758?\
West Side of Derry—1758.
Jacob Albright, Robert Armstrong, Widow
Blackburn, Anthony Blessly, Michael Bach-
man, Thomas Bell (blacksmith), Will-
iam Bredan, Hugh Black, Martin Brand,
Adam Baum, Peter Barsh, George Bom-
baugh, George Beaver, Dewalt Baker,
Thomas Black, Arthur Chambers (for
James Chambers' land), William & John
Carson, Hugh Carothers, James Clark,
James Carothers, Jacob Couts, Joseph
Candor, Robert Cryder, Arthur Chambers,
Robert Chambers, Moses Campbell, John
Crocket, Adam Dalker, William Drennan,
David Etley, George Frey, John Fleming,
Michael Gensel, Michael Hoover, Jr., Ulry
Hipsher, Frederick Hummel, Adam Ham-
aker, Thomas Kail, Andrew Hershey, Jr.,
Michael Hoover, John Harris, Esq., James
Ireland, John Carr, Peter Kinder, John
Laird, Matthew Laird, Felix Landis, Samuel
Murray, Lewis Murray, John Newcomer,
Albert Nelson, James Nelson, Robert Nelson,
Francis Newcomer, Thomas Park, Moses
Patterson, John Porterfield, Samuel Reed,
James Russell, Sr., James Russell, Robert
Ramsey, Andrew Robinson,William Strieker,
StofFel Shoop, William Starrett, Daniel
Straw, Geo. Stevenson, Esq., William Spen-
cer, Mathias Stahl, Peter Spengler, Simon
Singer, John Singer, Philip Shuger, Widow
Semple, Max Spidle, James Shaw, Alexan-
der Sterrett, Jacob Stoufter, Robert Taylor,
John Tice, John Vanlear, John Vance, John
Willson (non-resident land), George West-
berry, Conrad Wolfley, Adam Waggoner,
Matthew Willson, Robert Walker, Moses
Willson, Samuel Walker, Anthony Weirick,
Lawrence McGill, Edward McConnal, Hec-
tor McClain, Samuel McCormick, William
McComb, Robert McKee, Widow McKee.
Freeman — James Harris, George Shinlin,
Lawrence Strieker, Frederick Cassler, John
McCollough, James Vanlear, James Henry,
James Snoddy, John Waugh, Andrew Lenny,
James Feuton, James Walker, John Bow-
man.
Derry Township — 1769.
Adam Slaymaker, Alexander Fleck, An-
drew Bayer, Abraham Strickler, Anna Ire-
land, Abraham Derr, Andrew Shredly, An-
20
HISTORICAL REVIEW
thony Blessly, Abraham Copa, Archy Mont-
gomery, Adam Thomas, Adam Baum, Bedy
Blackburn, Bernard Queen, Christy Stouffer,
Jennie Chambers, Cassel Beyers, Christly
Smith, Christlj'^ Brunner, Christly Alleman,
David McHorter, Galloway's land, David
Clinn, David From, Benjamin Hershey,
David Johnson, Felix Landis, Frederick
Hess, Frederick Zeller, Frederick Brands-
letter, Frederick Shott, George Balsbaugh,
George Pf ail, Henry Slaymaker, Henry Lan-
dis, Henry Fritz, Handel Wentz, Henry
Hoover, John Semple, John Kaufman, John
Brindel, John Hamaker, John Laird, Jacob
Haldeman, John Raysor, John Borrish, John
Singer, Jacob Smith, John Hershey, Jacob
Lime, Joseph Brinn, James Russel, Jacob
Metzger, John Abler, John Witmer, James
Shaw, Jacob Ross, Joseph Kinder, John
Carr, Jacob Nissly, Isabel Hall, Joseph Reif,
John Fleming, John Evans, John Parthe-
more, Moses Wilson, Martin Houser, Ma-
thias Young, Moses Campbell, Mathias
Bricket, Max Spidle & Son, Matthew Laird,
Martin Brand, Michael Hoover, Nicholas
Bass, Peter Berst, Peter Bucks, Peter Gros-
glass, Robert Crotter, Robert McKee, Robert
Walker, Robert Dollar, Robert Brickey,
Galloway's land, Robert Allison, Robert
Ramsey, David Ramsey, Stophel Alliman,
Oliver Ramsey, Samiiel Rich, Galloway's
land, Sarah Chambers, Samuel Clark, George
Bower, Christopher Bogner, Andrew Rid-
linger, Martin Reaf, Adam Dean, Michael
Kramer, Widow Wetherholt, Peter Spate,
Jacob Reigert, Christian King. Freemen —
Frederick Stahl, Daniel Staper.
Derry Township — 1770.
Robert Allison, Stophel Alliman, John
Abler, Christy Alliman, Jacob Albright,
George Balsbaugh, Elisha Blackburn, Peter
Bucks, Anthony Blessly, Martin Brand,
Peter Berst, Cassel Beyers, Adam Baum,
Martin Brand, Ludwick Brand, John Boor-
ish, Nicholas Bass, Joseph Brim, George
Bails, Mathias Bricker, Christley Braneer,
John Parthemore, Abraham Copa, Daniel
Clim, Moses Campbell, Sarah Chambers,
Samuel Clark, John Carr, Robert Crotter,
Isaac Chambers, Abraham Derr, William
Denn, Jacob Dudmilen, William Ears, John
Evans, Alexander Fleck, Henry Fretz, John
Fleming, David From, Peter Grosglas, Jos-
eph Galloway, Archy Montgomery, John
Gingrich, Adam Hamaker, Frederick Hess,
John Hamaker, Jacob Haldeman, Michael
Huber, Henry Hamaker, Andrew Hershey,
David McHorten, Isabell Hall, Anna Ireland,
David Johnson, John Kaufman, Jacob Kass,
Robert McKee, Joseph Kinder, Adam Lam-
bert, Henry Landis, Peter Landis, Mathew
Laird, William Laird, John Laird, Jacob
Linn, Wendel Minek, Jacob Max, Jacob
Metzger, Elias Nagly, Henry Nover, Jacob
Nissly, John Prentill, William Brinton, Bern-
hard Queen, John Raysor, James Russell,
Samuel Reith, Thomas Ramsey, Robert
Ramsey. Joseph Reif, Stophel Rernsway,
Max Spidle, Andrew Sherdly, Max Spidle
(inmate), Christly Stouffer, John Singer,
Christly Smith, Abraham Strickler, Fred-
erick Shott, Jacob Smith, James Shaw,
Daniel Sharrat, John Sampel, Ulry Sharr,
William Shaw, Stophel Shoop, Adam
Thomas, Henry Thomas, Moses Wilson,
Wendel Wentz, John Witmer, Robert
Walker, James Welsh, Matthew Young,
Frederick Zeller.
Frederick Town — 1770.
Peter Spare, Jacob Reigert, Sussanah
Wetherholt, Bastian Crawas, John Cramer,
Christian King, Frederick Hummel, Widow
Emerick, Ludwick Shad, Jacob Haman,
Andrew Ridlinger, Adam Deen, Bernard
Fridley, Jacob Myer, Christopher Bogner,
John Philips, Jacon Isaac, Henry Bessem,
Andrew Herauf, Henry Sheaffer. Freemen
— Henekel Ebert, Wm. Krap, Bernard Folk,
Samuel Hall, Jacob Fridley, George Shoop.
East End of Hanover Return — 1760.
Joseph Willson's land, 100 a.; John Dixon,
100 a.; Hugh McQown, 100 a.; John Ramsev,
100 a.; Edward McMurray, 100 a.; Jaco"b
Stuckey (upon a rented place), Mathias
Plouts, 100 a.; William Stover, 100 a.; Jacob
Stover, 100 a.; Thomas Strain, 50 a.; John
Myers, 100 a.; William Woods, 100 a.; Robert
Strain, 50 a.; Joseph Todd, 100 a.; John
Todd, 100 a.; Walter Bell, 140 a.; Jos. Mc-
Courtney, 50 a.; James Dixon, 100 a.; Will-
iam Thomson, 50 a.; .John Strain, 100 a.;
Robert Heslet & Porterfield (upon a rented
place), John Crawford, 100 a.; William Rob-
nison, 100 a.; Peter Stuart's land, 100 a.;
Humphrey. Cunningham, 100 a.; Stophel
Sees, 100 a.; Henry Hover, 100 a.; Samuel
Grevy, 50 a.; Thomas Shonla, 100 a.; John
Young, 200 a.; Adam Reed, 200 a.; John
Sloan, 100 a.; John Sloan, 100 a.; Samuel
Sloan, 100 a.; William Young, 200 a.; Joseph
Clark, 100 a.; Abraham Williams, 200 a.;
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
21
Jack Williams, 100 a.; William Clark, 100 a.;
George Titel, 100 a.; Jonathan Hide (free-
man), Robert Gibson (freeman), Joseph
Haupt, 100 a.; Hugh Giliiland, 150 a.; John
Foster, 100 a.; Widow Nidig, 100 a.; John
Andrew, 100 a. Durst Brightbill, 200 a.;
William Watson's land, 100 a.; Robert Ber-
ger (a poor man), Brice Innis, 200 a.; John
Morton, 50 a.; Thomas Prest, 200 a.; John
, 150 a.; Jos. Greenlee, 50 a.; John
Thomson, 40 a.; Andrew McMehon, 40 a.;
Anthony McCreight, 50 a.; George Shekley
(upon a rented place), John Creage, 160 a.;
Patrick Gillespie, 100 a.; John Grevy, 100 a.;
Alexander Thomson, 100 a.; Alexander
Sloan, 100 a.; Joseph Grevy, 100 a.;
Samuel , 100 a.; John Brown, 100
a.; Barnet McNitt, 50 a.; John McGloone,
50 a.; Jacob Ricar, 50 a.; Adam McNiley, 50
a.; John Henderson, 50 a.; John Andrews,
100 a.; Patrick Brown, 50 a.; Lazarus
Stuart, 100 a.; John Goningham, 100 a.;
William Goningham, 100 a.; Joseph Stuart,
200 a.; Leonard Longe, 100 a.; Walter Mc-
Farland's land, 150 a.; Peter Walmer, 100 a.;
Joseph Smiley, 80 a.; Jacob Moser, 50 a.;
Moses Vance, 100 a.; John Bruner, 100 a.;
Peter Hetrick, 100 a.; John Kechiler, 50 a.;
John Giliiland, 100 a.; Henry Bachman,
100 a.; Mathias P ,100 a.; Philip Maur,
100 a.; Mike H , 50 a.; George Shep-
ard, 100 a.; Paul Shepard, 50 a.; Joseph
Young, 50 a.; Martin Light, 50 a.;
, 100 a.; Young John Tike, 50 a.;
John Toops, 100 a.; Jacob Toops, 100 a.;
Roudey Hauk, 100 a.; Peter Bucher, 30 a.;
Philip Golpe, 50 a.; , 50 a.;
Benjamin Clark, 100 a.; Joseph Williams,
100 a.; Widow Tittle, 100 a.; Anthony Rosen-
bome, 200 a.; John Stuart, 100 a.; Jacob
Ricar, 30 a.; Robert Hinkroad, loO a.; Con-
rad Ick, 50 a.; Jonathan Hume (freeman),
Robert Gibson (freeman), Frederick
(freeman).
East End of Hanover — 1756.
Durst Brightbill, Andrew Karsnits, John
Foster, John Young, Martin Light, William
Young, James Williams, Joseph Hoof, Daniel
Angony, Samuel Sloan, John Sloan, Mathias
Door, James Clark, Isaac Williams, John
Stuart, James Young, John Andrew, Adam
Reed, Esq., Benjamin Clark, George Tittle,
John Forney, John Dubbs, John Weaver,
Rudy Houk, Jacob Dubbs, Anthony Rosen-
bom, John Tibbin, Jr., John Tibbin, Sr.,
George Sheflfer, Devolt Angony, William
Clark, Peter Hedrick, Nicholas Winter,
Adam Harper, James Stuart, Lazarus Stuart,
Patrick Brown, John Cunningham, Henrj'
Weaver, Stophel Sees, Adam McNelly, Jacob
Rigard, Thomas Price, John Crawford, Will-
iam Graham, Alexander Martin, William
Thomson, John Mire, James Dixon,' Walter
Bell, William Woods, James Todd, James
McCurry, Christopher Ploutz, Erice Innis,
George Miller, Isaac Sharp, Jacob Stover,
William Stover, John Jacob Stover, John
Thomson, John Dixon, William James,
Widow Cunningham, Leonard Miller, John
Anderson, Anthony McCreight, James Mc
Crory. Freemen — William Wootsen, John
Hume, Thomas Hume, John McClure, Sam-
uel Endsworth, John Compbler, John Egter-
son, Anthony McCreight.
West End of Hanover — 1766.
Mathew Snoddy, Joseph Willson, John
McCormick, Henry McCormick, Adam Ham-
aker, Widow Parks, Loracce Ralican, David
McClenaghen.Sr., David McClenaghen, John
McNeely, James Finney, Thomas Finney,
Robert Snodgrass, Robert Love, Samuel
Young, Daniel Shaw, John Woods, Charles
McClure, John Taylor, John Hutchinson,
Daniel Brown, Widow Rodgers, Seth Rodg-
ers, Samuel Stewart, Hugli Rogers, Wm. Rog-
ers, Joseph McKnight, James Baird, William
Thompson, William Truesdell, Matthew
Thornton, Francis McClure, William Rogers,
John Brown, Alexander McElheuny, Sam-
uel Robinson, ThomasFrench, James Finney,
James French, Thomas Sharp,John Sharp,
John Cooper, William Cooper, John Thomp-
son, David Furgison, William Allen, John
McClure, James Wright, Thomas Robinson
(miller), Michael McNeelj^, James Robinson,
John Stuart, Thomas McMullin, John Mil-
ler, Robert Martin, Samuel Stuart, Gyon
Strain, James Rippeth, Robert Wallace,
James Willson, Matthew Taylor, Hugh Will-
son, Autoney Ealor, William Galbraith, Ben-
jamin Wallace, Samuel Barnett, Robert Por-
terfield, Joseph Hutchinson, Robert Mont-
gomery, Philip Ambrister. — Francis Mc-
Clure, Collector.
Hanover Assessment — 1769.
Samuel Sterret, 150 a.; John Shergs, 100
a.; Archibald Sloan, 150 a.; Samuel Sloan,
150 a.; John Stuart, 200 a.; James Stuart,
200 a.; Lazarus Stuart, 200 a.; George
Shever, IcO a.; James Ripeth, 100 a.; Hugh
Ripeth, 100 a.; William Ripeth, 50 a.; James
22
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Robinson, 200 a.; E. Rosenbery, 100 a.;
Effey Robinson, 260 a.; James Riddel, 150
a.; James Riddel, Jr., 150 a.; Ketren Rogers,
100 a.; John Rogers, 100 a.; Adam Rogers,
100 a.; Adam Rogers, 80 a.; Philip Robin-
son, 190 a.; Joseph Ripeth, 80 a.; George
Rogers, 100 a.; James Rogers, 200 a.; Jacob
Richer, 100 a.; Thomas Robinson, 100 a.
Adam Reed, Esq., 290 a.; Christian Ramberey,
100 a.; Robert Huston, 150 a.; Joseph
Hutchison, 120 a.; Joseph Hutchison, 150 a.
John Hay, 100 a.; Robert Hume, 190 a.
Bartholmew Heans, 100 a.; John Hutchison
200 a.; Adam Harper, 320 a.; Peter Hetrick
150 a.; Joseph Huff, 150 a.; Ruddy Hooke,
100 a.; John Henderson, 100 a.; John Hill
200 a.; Thomas Hume, 100 a.; John Halo
back , James Beard, 100 a.; Robert Bell
255 a.; William Brown, 150 a.; William
Barnet, 150 a.; Andrew Brown, 100 a.; Will
iam Brandon, 100 a.; Daniel Brown, 100 a.
Thomas Bell, 100 a.; Thomas Bell, 180 a
Martha Barnet, 200 a.; Samuel Brown, 100
a.; John Brown, 200 a.; John Brown, 100 a.
William Brown, 100 a.; George Brightbill
218 a.; Barnet Besore, 100 a.; Mathias Besor,
100 a.; Jacob Besor, 100 a.; William Cooper,
100 a.; Adam Clemar, 50 a.; John McCol
lough, 150 a.; William Clark, 150 a.; Will
iam Clark; Benjamin Clark, 200 a.
James Clark , 90 a.; John Campbell, 200 a.
William McClure ; Mary Conyngham
100 a.; Elizabeth Conyngham, "200 a.
John Crawford, 100 a.; Frances McClure,
100 a.; James McClure, 100 a.; John Craw-
ford, Jr., 50 a.; Henry Counts, 80 a.; James
McClure, 150 a.; James Parke, 100 a.; Thomas
Price, 65 a.; Mary Price, 120 a.; Robert Por-
terfield, 100 a.; Matthew Snodey, 120 a.;
Robert Snodgrass, 120 a.; Joseph Snodgrass,
140 a.; John Stren, 100 a.; John Smiley, 100
a.; George Smiley, lOO a.; Daniel Shaw, 150
a.; Samuel Stuart, 150 a.; John Stuart, 100
a.; John Swan, 100 a.; John Tibney, Sr., 100
a.; John Tubs, 100 a.; Jacob Tubs, 200 a.;
George Tittel, 150 a.; William Thompson
(weaver), 100 a.; William Ferguson, 200 a.;
Thomas French, 100 a.; John Foster, 211 a.;
Walter McFarland, 200 a.; Ruddy Fray, 200
a.; John Fox, 200 a.; Thomas Finey, 50 a.;
James Finey, 100 a.; James Finey, Sr., 180
a.; Thomas Finey, 50 a.; James French,
50 a.; James Low ; Samuel Young, 50
a.; William Young, 230 a.; John Young,
295 a.; Robert Martin, 100 a.; Robert Mont-
gomery, 80 a.; John Montgomery, 250 a.;
Thomas McMuUen, 150 a. Freemen — John
Parke (weaver), James Petticrew (weaver),
George McMullen (weaver), William Clark,
John McClure (weaver), George Shanklen
(weaver), David Stren (shoemaker), William
Dermond (weaver), Samuel Robinson, Robert
Hill, John Wilken (schoolmaster), Hugh
Willson, James Andrew (blacksmith), James
Andrew, John McFarland (carpenter), Will-
iam Willson; William McElheney 200 a.;
Samuel Endsworth, 100 a.; Doctor John
Letes ; Sebastian Kinsner, 150 a.; Will-
iam Allen, 200 a.; Joseph McNutt, 100 a.;
Matthew Gelor, 100 a.; Robert Brown, 100
a.; Mary Dermond, 200 a.; James Wright,
100 a.; Matthias Poor, 100 a.; Patrick Brown,
90 a.; William Diver (tailor); John
Dixon, 250 a.; James Dixon, 200 a.; John
Andrew, 150 a.; John Andrew, 200 a.; Tim-
othy McGuire, 200 a.; James McQuown, 265
a.; John McQuown, 299 a.; Brice Innis, 229
a.; William James, 190 a.; John Gettey;
William Graham, 111 a.; Edward Mc-
Glanigen, 100 a.; William Graham, 180 a.;
John Gililand, 100 a.; James Greenlee, 100
a.; John Graham, 100 a.; Hugh Glenn, 50 a.;
James Todd, 200 a.; John Thompson, 200 a .•
James TaggCTt; John Thomson, 130'
a.; William Thornton, 100 a.; William
Thomson, 80 a.; William Trousdal, 200 a.;
John Thomson, 100 a.; John Tibens, 100 a.;
John Taylor, 150 a.; James Willson, 199 a.;
Hugh Willson, 199 a.; Robert Wallace, 200
a.; Joseph Willson, 100 a.; Samuel Walkers,
150 a.; John Woods, 100 a.; James Willson,
100 a.; Joseph Willson, 103 a.; Andrew
Woods, 190 a.; Thomas Willson (weaver);
Peter Walmei-, 130 a.; James Williams,
98 a.; John Weaver, 100 a.; James Willson,
200 a.; William Wattson, 100 a.; Henry Mc-
Cormick, 150 a.; John McCord, 100 a.; David
McClanochan, 150 a.; John McClanochan,
150 a.; John McCormick, 100 a.; Anten Mc-
Creight, 80 a.; William McClure, 90 a.;
Thomas McClure, 90 a.; John McClure, 100
a.; Eleanor McClure, 150 a.; William Mc-
Clintock, 390 a.; Alexander McColm, 100 a.;
John Cameron (one cow), William Gargin
(one cow), John Glenn (one cow).
Hanover Assessment — 1782.
Capt. William Allen, Joseph Allen, James
Andrew, Widow Andrew, Francis Alberthal,
Nicholas Alberthal, Michael Boughman, John
Brown, Sr., William Brown, Esq., Samuel
Bell, Widow Baird, William Brown, Samuel
Brown, Jr., Philip Brand, John Brown, Joseph
Barnet, William Branden, Jacob Bowen,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
23
Andrew Brown, George Brouse, Michael
Brown, Philip Bomgartner, Peter Bridbile,
John Bridbile, (Japt. Uaniel Bradley, Balzer
Bomgartner, John Bear, Robert Bell, John
Backer, John Bomgartner, David Caldwell,
Jacob Cook, Esq., Andrew Cooper, James Cal-
hoon, Richard Crawford, John Cooper, Widow
Crawford, Joseph Crain,- William Cathcart,
George Crain, Patrick Cunningham, Capt.
Ambrose Crain, Widow Campbell, Benjamin
Clark, Jr., Michael Cunkle, Andrew Carvery,
Henry Clover, John Craig, James Caldwell,
James Dixon's widow, Richard Dixon, Sankey
Dixon, Richard Dearmond, John Dolliuger,
Peter Ebersole, Robert Ewing, Christian
Earley, Josias Espy, John Entsworth, Eman-
uel Tuye, Samuel Ferguson, Michael Finlaw,
Adam Firebough, Thomas Finey, Robert
Fleoman, John Ferguson, Widow French,
Anthony Fox, Richard Finley, Samuel
Finey, Casper Freeman, Thomas Frederick,
Robert Folten, Timothy Green, Esq., Joseph
Green, John Graham, Hugh Glenn, James
Graham, Capt. William Graham, Henry
Graham, Plenry Graham in trust, Robert
Greenlee, Curtis Grubb & Co., Christian Hu-
ber, John Herring, Andrew Horner, Adam
Hamaker, John Hume, Leonard Humbarger,
Joseph Hutchison, AJaraham Host, James
Hamble, John Harper, Conrad Helm, Henry
Hess, William Hedrick, Peter Hedrick,
George Hedrick, Thomas Hume, Widow Hill,
Isaac Harrison, David Hoy, John Huber,
George Haynes, Joseph Hutchison, Sr., Rich-
ard Johnson, James Johnson, Israel Low,
Andrew Kerr, Robert Kenaday, Thomas Ken-
nedy, Andrew Killinger, Samuel Kearsley,
Ludwig Kleck, Peter Kingrey, Daniel King,
Maj. Abraham Latcha, Widow Leidy, Jacob
Lose, John Lose, Henry Lowmill^r, Widow
Low, John McClintock, William Montgom-
ery', Esq., William Montgomery, Capt. Will-
iam McCullough, William Miskimons, James
McMullen, John McCown, John McCown in
trust, William Michael, John McCormick's
widow, Robert Moody, Thomas McNear,
Widow McCormick, James McClure, Conrad
Moyer, George Mi nig, Jacob Moyer, Killian
Mark, George Mease, Jacob Millen, John Mc-
Cord, Daniel Musser, William McFarland,
Michael Moura, John McCallen, John Mc-
Callen in trust, Capt. James McCreight,
Thomas McCord, David McGuire, Martin
Miley, Barnard McNutt, Daniel Miller, James
Porter, James Parks, Robert Porterfield, Mi-
chael Poise, Josepli Pirkey, Nicholas Poor,
Frederick Peasore, Mathias Peasore, George
Peasore, George Peasore, John Bruner, John
Pickel, James Pet, Col. John Rogers, Jacob
Righard, William Robinson, Jacob Ram,
James Ripeth, James Robinson, William
Ripeth, James Rogers, Widow Ram, Jere-
miah Rogers, William Riddle, William Rog-
ers, John Robinson, John Rouck, Samuel
Robinson, George Rumberger, Peter Rambol,
Peter River, John Raver, David Ramsey,
William Ramsey, Philip Rank, Martin R ,
George Ramsey & Co., John Romatch, John
Righard, John Righard in trust, Jacob Road,
Adam Stone, Balzer Stone, John Snodgrass,
Samuel Sturgeon, Widow Swan, Samuel Stew-
art, John Snyder, Robert Sturgeon, Peter
Spelsbough, William Snodgrass, John Ster-
ritt, Henry Sharp, Jacob Sant, Jacob
Sprecher, John Sim merman, Ulrey Sach-
ery, William Snody, Henry Sigler, Widow
Stewart, John Shuby, Michael Seltzer, Arch-
ibald Sloan, Widow Stewart, William Stew-
art, Q. M., Philip Seidensticker, Nicholas
Snyder, Peter Smelzers, William Sloan,
Henry Shue, Abraham Stine, John Sy-
mon, Alexander Sloan, Widow Strean,
John Shue, Ludwig Seanng, Valentine
Shouffler, John Tod, David Tod, Robert
Templeton, James Tagart, William Trous,
John Thompson, John Thompson, Sr.,
George Title, William Thome, Jacob Tups,
John Tubbin, Jacob Tubbins, James Tod,
Capt. James Wilson, Thomas Walker, Widow
White, Andrew Waler, George Ward, James
Waller, Andrew Wilson, Hugh Wilson,
James Wilson, Sr., George Wallmore, John
Weaver, Jacob Wolf, Deobald Wentling,
Christian Wingard, Abraham Wingard, Peter
Walmore, Sr., Peter Wallmore, John Winter,
Bartholmew Wentle, William Young, Jr.,
James Young. Inmates — Benjamin Fulton,
Jacob Houck, John Martin, Robert Fulton,
Neal Matten, John Elder, Alexander Foster,
John Patterson, David Moffett, Francis Fer-
guson, David Kingrey, . William Clockey,
James Wilson, Robert Lues, Hugh Morris,
Valentine Spelsbough, George Bruner, Fred-
erick Bickel, John Stover, Micliael Moyer,
John Moore, Patrick Gallent,. James Bradden,
Robert McFarland, William Fleeman, John
Dunlay, Robert Strain, David Hays, Alex.
ander Mc , James Johnson, Alexander
Hechet, William Cunningham, Charles Mc-
Elroy, Hugh Jolly, Henrj' Menig, George
Maura, John Pitre, John McBride, John
Young (smith), Smith, Andrew Young,
Henry Bruner, John Wallmore, James Robin-
son, Jacob Creamor, Peter Weiry, John Arm-
24
HISTORICAL REVIEW
strong, George Espy, Adam Weaver, Eave
Huffnagle. Freemen — John Young, Nicholas
Bruner, John Bruner, Henrj'^ Stone, Henry
Peasore, Duncan Sinkler, Martine Miller,
William Hume, Hugh Rippelly, Edward
Striddle, John Morrison. People living over
the mountain — John Smiley, Jacob Graff,
Jacob Fealer, George Unger, Peter Bucher,
Casper Grasson, Christian Fox, Thomas
Smiley, David Petticrue, Conrad Smith, John
Shups, George Sider, Abraham AUes, John
Carverry, Peter Kling.
CHAPTER III.
Summary of Events up to the Struggle for Inde-
pendence.
Proceeding onward, with our brief history
of Dauphin county and the lists of its early
settlers, we find that about 1740 the influx
of emigration, especiall}' of the Scotch-Irish,
was so great that family after family re-
moved down the Cumberland Valley to the
Potomac and beyond, into Virginia and the
Carolinas. This tide of settlers was one con-
tinued stream until the thunders of the Revo-
lution checked emigration to America. They
can be traced from their resting place among
their relations and friends in the townships
of Paxtang, Derry and Hanover, to their de-
scendants of the present day, who are promi-
nent among the representative people of the
South and West. The assessment lists, of
which we have given, contain probably
double the number of names found later on,
showing how these people, pioneers of the
wilderness, like bees swarmed out from the
parent hive, and sought, perchance, more
congenial localities. Limited as we must be,
in this historical sketch, we find it impossi-
ble to dwell fully upon the important events
which transpired in the early days of the
hardy pioneers. Volumes could be written
upon their trials, upon their endurance, and
upon the remarkable events in which they
were prominent actors in Pennsylvania his-
tory. A summary of the most important
phases of that history is all that can be given
in this connection, reference being had to
other works which furnish not only a fuller,
but a better insight into the beginnings of
Dauphin county history.
Harris' trade with the Indians continued
to increase, and Harris' Ferry became known
far and wide, not only to the red men, but
to the white race in foreign countries.
During John Harris' frequent visits to
Philadelphia he met at the house of his
friend Shippen, Miss Esther Say, like him-
self not over young, from his native York-
shire, and in the latter part of the year 1720
married her. The wedding took place either
at the Swedes church, Wicaco, or at Christ
church, both being members of the Church
of England. Among the early colonists who
settled in Philadelphia were a number of the
name of Say, but to which family Esther
Harris was connected is not to be ascertained
with certainty. She was kinswomen to the
Shippens, and of course respectably con-
nected. A remarkable woman, she was also
well calculated to share the love, the trials,
the hardships and the cabin of the intrepid
pioneer.
In 1721-22 their first child, Elizabeth, was
born; in 1725 their second, Esther Harris,
and in October, 1727, their first son, John
Harris. This was the founder of Harris-
burg. The statement that he was the first
white child born west of the Conewago hills
is not correct. There were settlers beyond,
along the Swatara, as early as 1718 ; and it
is natural to suppose that in many a log
cabin the sunshine of babyhood gladdened
the hearts of the hardy pioneer, and who
also attained mature age. The parents car-
ried their child when nearly a year old to
Philadelphia, where he was baptized on the
22d of September, 1728, as they had pre-
viously done with their other children. That
of Esther Harris took place August 31, 1726,
according to the parish register of Christ
church, but we have not been able to ascer-
tain the date of the baptism of the eldest
child.
Until this period (1728) the country lying
between the Conewago hills and the Kittoch-
tinny mountains was owned, or rather
claimed, by the Five Nations. It is true,
the Scotch-Irish settlers had been pushed
within these bounds ten years previously by
the very Provincial authorities who destroyed
their cabins on land already purchased.
The treaty of 1728 opened up this vast and
rich valley to the venturesome. Filling up
rapidly, on May 10, 1729, the Assembly
passed " An act for the erecting the upper
part of the Province of Pennsylvania lying
towards the Susquehanna, Conestogoe, Don-
negal, etc., into a county," to be called Lan-
caster. At the first court in and for said
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
25
county, November 3, 1730, at Posthleth waite's,
a petition was presented by John Harris,
among others, "praying that he may be
recommended to the governor as a suitable
person to trade with the Indians," and was
allowed per curiam. This, of course, was
necessary in the change of counties ; hereto-
fore the application passed through the
court of Chester county, and in this connec-
tion we may remark that among the Chester
county records as early as 1722 is to be found
the name of John Harris, " on the Susqua-
hannah." Subsequently he made applica-
tion to the same authority to " sell rum by
the small," which was granted.
In 1732, with the desire of establishing an
additional trading post, Harris built a store-
house at the mouth of the Juniata. The last
purchase (1728) not extending this far, the
Indians objected to it, especially Sassonan
and Shickalamy, who wrote through their
interpreters to the governor, informing him
of the fact, and also to John Harris, com-
manding him to desist from making a plan-
tation at the point referred to. The author-
ities made no objection.
By virtue of a warrant from the Proprie-
taries of Pennsylvania, bearing date January
1, 1725-6, five hundred acres of land were
granted to John Harris, father of the founder
of Harrisburg; and subsequently, on the 17th
of December, 1783, by a patent, three hun-
dred acres of allowance land, upon which he
had commenced a clearing, on the pres-
ent site of the city, about the year 1707.
The land included in the latter patent ex-
tended from what is now the line of Cum-
berland street some distance south of the
present north boundary of the city, and in-
cluding also a part of the present site of the ,
city, with its several additions.
Until the year 1735-6 there was no regu-
larly constructed road to the Susquehanna,
but at a session of the Provincial Council
held in Philadelphia January 22, 1735-6, on
the petition of sundry inhabitants of Chester
and Lancaster counties, " setting forth the
Want of a High Road in the Remote parts
of the said Counties where the petitioners are
seated, and that a very commodious one may
be laid out from the Ferry of John Harris,
on Susquehannah, to fall in with the High
Road leading from Lancaster town at or near
the Plantation of Edward Kennison, in the
Great Valley in the County of Chester," it
was ordered that viewers be appointed who
shall make a. return of the same, "together
with a Draught of the said Road." Subse-
quently this was done, and the highway
opened from the Susquehanna to the Dela-
ware.
The most interesting of the early or pio-
neer roads, historically considered, is that
which was laid out through the territory
lying west of the Susquehanna river — from
" Harris' Ferry towards Potomac." It is the
most interesting, because for a period of
seventy years it was the great highway up
and down which passed the produce of that
large and fertile region ; because in the early
provincial wars to which the Paxtang,
Derry, and Hanover settlements gave many
of their fathers and sons, it was the way by
which they marched to meet the enemy and
by which they marched to receive greetings
from homes made safe by their valor ; and
because it has the unique distinction of hav-
ing been the first effort of our forefathers to
connect the wilderness with the civilization
which lay beyond. It swept by our borders
on the north and on the west ; and by reason
of its location became the pioneer road of
Western and Southern Pennsylvania. It was
laid out six years before Cumberland county
was created, and while all the territory west
of the Susquehanna was within the jurisdic-
tion of the courts at Lancaster. Hence in
the archives at Lancaster is the only record
now attainable of the various steps by which
this road came into being. It was in con-
troversy for nine years. The first trace of it
is in 1735. It was surveyed by courses and
distances and ordained as a lawful road in
1744. We have said that the first trace of
this pioneer road appears in 1735. It was
in November of that year when a petition
was presented to the " Worshipful the Jus-
tices of the Court of Quarter Session " at Lan-
caster, from inhabitants on the west side of
the Susquehanna river, opposite to Paxtang,
praying that a roadway be laid out " from
John Harris' Ferry towards Potomac." The
petition was favorably regarded, and Randle
Chambers, James Peat, James Silvers, Thomas
Eastland, John Lawrence and Abraham
Endless were appointed the viewers, with
power in four of them to act. They reported
a route for the road at the next sitting of the
court, but the view had developed the usual
result of great neighborhood agitation. In
the winter of 1735, it is recorded that there
met at the house of Widow Piper in Ship-
pensburg a number of persons from along
the Conedoguinet and Middle Spring to re-
26
HISTORICAL REVIEW
monstrate against the road passing through
" the barrens " and to ask that it be made
through the Oonedoguinet settlement as
more populous and more suitable. When,
therefore, the viewers made their report in
February, 1736, they were confronted with
the petitions of a " considerable number of
inhabitants in those parts," who set forth
that the said road, as it is laid, is hurtful to
many of the plantations, is " further about,
and is more difficult to clear " than if it was
laid more to the southward. They, there-
fore, prayed that a review of the same be
made by "persons living on the east side of
the Susquehanna." This conveys a delicate
suggestion that personal or other interests
had influenced the previous viewers, two of
whom lived on the line as laid out. The
court granted a review and appointed Will-
iam Rennick, Richard Hough, James Arm-
strong, Tbomas Mays, Samuel Montgomery
and Benjamin Chambers, to " make such
alterations in said road as may seem to them
necessary for the public good." Some of
these lived west of the Susquehanna — others
east of it. So the court did not fully share
the suspicion of the remonstrants, but con-
ceded something to the excitement of the
moment. Little change, however, in the
route was made, and to-day the turnpike
from Harrisburg to Chambersburg passes
over this very pioneer highway which a
century and a-half ago exercised the early
settlers. This was the opening of the high-
way to the undeveloped West.
Well advanced in life, at the age of about
seventy-five, after having for several years
intrusted his business to his eldest son, still
in his minority, in December, 1748, the first
pioneer quietly passed away from earth,
having previously made a request that his
remains be interred underneath the shade
of that tree so memorable to him. There
his dust lies at rest on the banks of our
beautiful river — within the hearing of its
thundering at flood-tide, and the musical
rippling of its pellucid waters in its subdued
majesty and bf^auty.
The oldestson, John Harris, who succeeded
to the greatest portion of his father's estate,
and who, in 1785, laid out the capital city of
Pennsylvania, married, first, Elizabeth Mc-
Clure, and, second, Mary Read, daughter of
Capt. Adam Read, of Hanover, an officer of
the Provincial service, was a prominent per-
sonage during the Indian wars, and the
principal militarj' storekeeperon the frontier.
His letters to the governors and the officials
of the Province and others are of intense
interest, and deserve to be collated by our
antiquarians. Not models of style, it is true,
but they give vivid descriptions of the peril-
ous times in which our ancestors dwelt who
made the then out-bounds of civilization
flourish and " blossom as a rose."
By a grant from Thomas Penn and Rich-
ard Penn, Esqs., proprietaries, to John Har-
ris, Jr., bearing date of record " 3'e 19th Feb-
ruary, 1753," that gentlemen was allowed
the right of running a ferry across the Sus-
quehanna, from which originated the former
name of the place, which previous to the or-
ganization of the county was. known far and
near as Harris' Ferry.
It appears from letters of John Harris,
written to Governor Morris, that an Indian
named Half King, also called Tanacharisson,
died at his house on the night of the 1st of
October, 1754. Rupp says that " he had his
residence at Logstown,on the Ohio, fourteen
miles below Pittsburgh, on the opposite side.
George Washington visited him in 1753, and
desired him to relate some of the particulars
of a journey he had shortly before made to
the French Commandant at Fort Duquesne."
We find this note among the votes of As-
sembly, 1754: "Dec. 17, Post Meridian,
1754. — The Committee of Accounts reported
a balance of £10 15s. 4d. due to the said
John Harris for his expenses, and £5 for his
trouble, &c., in burying the Half-King and
maintaining the sundry Indians that were
with him." It may be interesting to know
that the Half King was buried near the
first John Harris at the foot of the mulberry
tree.
They had considerable trouble at Harris'
Ferry during the French and Indian war,
which extended over the period from 1754
to 1765. A petition from the inhabitants of
the townships of Paxtang, Derry and Hano-
ver, Lancaster county, bearing date July 22,
1754, and setting forth their precarious con-
dition, was presented and read in the Coun-
cil on the 6th of August following. It bore
the signatures of Thomas Forster, James
Armstrong, John Harris, Thomas Simpson,
Samuel Simpson, John Carson, David
Shields, William M'Mullin, John Cuoit, Will-
iam Armstrong, William Bell, John Dough-
erty, James Atkin, Andrew Cochran, James
Reed, Thomas Rutherford, T. McArthur, Will-
iam Steel, Samuel Hunter, Thomas Mayes,
James Collier, Henry Rennicks, Richard Mc-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
27
Clure. Thomas Dugan, John Johnson, Peter
Fleming, Thomas Sturgeon, Matthew Tay-
lor, Jeremiah Sturgeon, Thomas King, Rob-
ert Smith, Adam Read, John Crawford,
Thomas Crawford, Jonathan McClure,
Thomas Hume, Thomas Steene, John Hume,
John Creige, Thomas McClure, William Mc-
Clure, John Rodgers, James Patterson, John
Young, Ez. Sankey, John Forster, Mitchel
Graham, James Toalen, James Galbraith,
James Campbell, Robert Boyd, James Cham-
bers, Robert Armstrong, Jno. Campbell,
Hugh;Black, Thomas Black.
At this period also we find an extensive
correspondence between John Harris, Con-
rad Weiser and others and Edward Shippen,
complaining of the insecurity of life and
property owing to the depredations of the
Indians; and their tenor is a continual and
just complaint of the outrages committed by
the savages, and urgent requests to the au-
thorities for protection and arms, etc.
On the 8th of January, 1756, a council
with the Indians was held at the house of
John Harris, at Paxtang, composed of Hon.
Robert Hunter Morris, governor; James
Hamilton and Richard Peters, secretaries ;
Joseph Fox, commissioner, and Conrad
Weiser, interpreter ; two. Indians of the Six
Nations, called " The Belt of Wampum," a
Seneca, and the " Broken Thigh," a Mohawk.
The meeting was of an amicable character,
and was only the preliminary step to a
larger and more important council held the
week following at Carlisle. One of the rea-
sons for holding the council at the latter
place was, " that there was but few con-
veniences ' for the proper entertainment' of
the Governor and his company at Harris
Ferry, and Mr. Weiser gave it as his opinion
that it would be better to adjourn to Car-
lisle." A second council was held here on
the 1st of April, 1757. Present, the Rev.
John Elder, Captain Thomas McKee, Messrs.
James Armstrong, Hugh Crawford, John
Harris, William Pentrup, interpreter, and
warriors from the' Mohawks, Oneidas, Tus-
caroras, Onondagoes, Nanticokes, Cayugas,
Delawares, Senecas and Conestogoes, with
their women and children. George Croghan,
Esq., deputy agent to the Hon. Sir W. John-
son, Bart., his majesty's sole agent and
superintendent of the Six Nations, etc., was
also present. This council was removed to
Lancaster, owing to the number of Indians
then encamped at Conestoga Manor where
the remainder of the business was concluded.
The most interesting event of this period
was the extermination of the so-called Cones-
toga Indians by the Paxtang Rangers. The
situation of the frontiers siicceeding the
Pontiacwar was truly deplorable, principally
owing to the supineness of the Provincial
authorities, for the Quakers, who controlled
the government, were, to use the language of
Capt. Lazarus Stewart, " more solicitous for
the welfare of the blood-thirsty Indian than
for the lives of the frontiersman." In their
blind partiality, bigotry and political preju-
dice, they would not readily accede to the
demands of those of a different religious
faith. Especially was this the case relative
to the Presbyterians and Roman Catholics,
both of whom w6re tolerated by mere suffer-
ance. To them, therefore, was greatly attri-
butable the reign of horror and devastation
in the border counties. The government
was deaf to all entreaties, and Gen. Amherst,
commander of the British forces in America,
did not hesitate to give his feelings an em-
phatic expression — " The conduct of the Penn-
sylvania Assembly" he wrote, " is altogether so
infatuated and stupidly obstinate, thai I want
ivords to express my indignation thereat."
Nevertheless, the sturdy Scotch-Irish and
Germans of this section rallied for their own
defense. The inhabitants of Paxtang and
Hanover immediatel}' enrolled themselves
into several companies, the Rev. John Elder
being their colonel.
Lazarus Stewart, Matthew Smith and Asher
Clayton, men of acknowledged military abil-
ity and prowess, commanded distinct com-
panies of Rangers. These brave men were
ever on the alert, watching with eagle eye the
Indian marauders who at this period swooped
down upon the defenseless frontiers. High
mountains, swollen rivers, or great distances
never deterred or appalled them. Their
courage and fortitude were equal to every
undertaking, and woe betide the red men
when their blood-stained tracks once met
their eyes. The Paxtang Rangers were the
terror of the Indians — they were swift on foot,
excellent horsemen, good *hots, skillful in
pursuit or escape, dexterous as scouts and
expert in manoeuvering.
The murders in and around Paxtang, not-
withstanding the vigilance of the Rangers, be-
came numerous, and many a family mourned
for some of their number shot by the secret
foe or carried away captive. The frontiers-
men took their rifles with them to the field
and to the sanctuary. Their colonel and
28
HISTORICAL REVIEW
pastor placed his trusty piece beside him in
the pulpit; and it is authoritatively stated
that on one occasion old Derry meeting
house was surrounded while he was preach-
ing; but their spies having counted the rifles
the Indians retired from their ambuscade
without making an attack.
Many were the murderous deeds perpe-
trated by the savages — but where these came
from was a mystery. Indians had been traced
by the scouts to the wigwams of the so-called
friendly Indians at Conestoga, and to those-
of the Moravian Indians in Northampton
county. Suspicion was awakened, the ques-
tions, "are these Christian Indians treacher-
ous ? are their wigwams the harbors of our
deadly foe? do they conceal the nightly
prowling assassin of the forest; the villain,
who with savage ferocity tore the innocent
babe from the bosom of its mother, where it
had been quietly reposing, and hurled it in
the fire? The mangled bodies of our friends
cry aloud for vengeance." Such were the
questions, surmises and expressions of the
exasperated people on the frontiers, arid well
warranted, for on one occasion when the As-
sembly were deaf to all entreaties and peti-
tion,-with the hope of arousing their sym-
pathy the murdered were taken to Philadel-
phia on wagons — when a prominent Quaker,
with a sneer, remarked they were "only
Irish." This unfeeling expression was re-
membered by the "Scotch-Irish of the fron-
tiers.
The Quakers who controlled the govern-
ment, as heretofore remarked, "seemed re-
solved," says Parkman, "that they would
neither defend the people of the frontier or
allow them to defend themselves, vehemently
inveighed against all expeditions to cut off
the Indian marauders. Their security was
owing to their local situation, being confined
to the eastern part of the Province." That
such was the case, rather than to the kind
feelings of the Indian toward them, is shown
by the fact that of the very few living in ex-
posed positions, several were killed.
The inhabitants declared openly that they
no longer confided in the professions of the
governor or his advisers in the Assembly.
Numbers of volunteers joined the Rangers of
Northampton, Berks, Lancaster, York and
Cumberland, who were engaged in tracing
the midnight assassins. On the Manor, a
portion of land surveyed for the Proprieta-
ries, situated in Lancaster county, near where
the borough of Columbia is now located, was
settled a band of squaHd, miserable Indians—
the refuse of sundry tribes. Time and again
they were suspected of murder and thievery,
and their movements at this crisis were closely
watched. Strange Indians were constantly
coming and going.
Colonel Elder under the date of September
13, 1763, thus wrote to Governor Hamilton,
" I suggest to you the propriety of an imme-
diate removal of the Indians from Conestoga
and placing a garrison in their room. In
case this is done, I pledge myself for the future
security of the frontiers."
Subsequently, on taking charge of the
executive affairs of the Province in October,
Governor John Penn replied as follows:
" The Indians of Conestoga have been rep-
resented as innocent, helpless and depend-
ent on this government for support. The
faith of this government is pledged for their
protection. I cannot remove them without
adequate cause. The contract made with
William Penn was a private agreement,
afterwards confirmed by several treaties.
Care has been taken by the Provincial com-
mittee that no Indians but our own visit
Conestoga. Whatever can be faithfully exe-
cuted under the laws shall be as faithfully
performed ;" and yet Governor Penn in
writing to Thomas Penn afterwards used
this language : " Many of them," referring
to the frontier inhabitants, " have had wives
and children murdered and scalped, their
houses burnt to the ground, their cattle
destroyed, and from an easy, plentiful life
are now become beggars. In short, not only
in this Province, but in the neighboring
governments is the spirit of the people in-
veterate against the Indians."
John Harris had previously made a simi-
lar request : " The Indians here, I hope yqur
honor will be pleased to be removed to some
other place, as I don't like their company."
The Rangers finding appeals to the au-
thorities useless, resolved on taking the law
into their own hands. Several Indian mur-
derers had been traced to Conestoga, and it
was determined to take them prisoners.
Captain Stewart, whose men ascertained this
fact, acquainted his colonel of the object,
who seemed rather to encourage his com-
mand to make the trial, as an example was
necessary to be made for the safety of the
frontier inhabitants. The destruction of the
Conestogas was not then projected. That
was the result of the attempted capture.
Parkman and Webster, following Rupp,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
29
state that Colonel Elder, learning of an in-
tent to destroy the entire tribe, as they were
about to set off rode after them command-
ing them to desist, and that Stewart threat-
ened to shoot his horse. Such was not the
case. From a letter dated Paxtang, Decem-
ber 16, 1763, written to Governor Penn, he
says: "On receiving intelligence the 13th
inst., that a number of persons were as-
sembled on purpose to go and cut off the
Conestoga Indians, in concert with Mr. Fors-
ter, the neighboring magistrate, I hurried
off an express with written message to that
party ' entreating them to desist from such
an undertaking, representing to them the
unlawfulness and barbarity of such an ac-
tion ; that it's cruel and unchristian in its
nature, and would be fatal in its conse-
quences to themselves and families; that
private persons have no right to take the
lives of any under the protection of the Leg-
islature ; that they must, if th«y proceeded
in that affair, lay their accounts to meet with
a severe prosecution, and become liable even
to capital punishment; that they need not
expect that the country would endeavor to
conceal or screen them from punishment,
but that they would be detected and given
up to the resentment of the government.'
These things I urged in the warmest terms
in order to prevail with them to drop the
enterprise, but to no purpose."
Not to be deterred, the Rangers reached
the Indian settlement before daylight. The
barking of some dogs discovered them and
a number of strange Indians rushed from
their wigwams, brandishing their toma-
hawks. This show of resistance was suffi-
cient inducement for the Rangers to make
use of their arms. In a few moments every
Indian present fell before the unerring fire
of the brave frontiersmen. The act accom-
plished, they mounted their horses and
returned severally to their homes. Unfortu-
nately a number of the Indians were absent
from Conestoga, prowling about the neigh-
boring settlements, doubtless on predatory
excursions. The destruction at the Manor
becoming known, they were placed in the
Lancaster work-house for protection. Among
these vagabonds were two well known to
Parson Elder's scouts.
An express being sent to Philadelphia
with the news, great excitement ensued, and
Governor Penn issued a proclamation rela-
tive thereto. Notwithstanding its fine array
of words it fell upon the Province harmless.
Outside of the Quaker settlements everyone
heartily approved of the measures taken by
the Paxtang Rangers. As the governor him-
self wrote to England : " If we had ten
thousand of the king's troops I don't believe
it would be possible to secure one of these
people. Though I took all the pains I could
even to get their names, I could not succeed,
for indeed no one would make the discovery,
though ever so well acquainted with them,
and there is not a magistrate in the country
would have touched one of them. The
people of this town are as inveterate against
the Indians as the frontier inhabitants. For
it is beyond a doubt that many of the In-
dians now in town [referring to the Mora-
vians confined in the barracks] have been
concerned in committing murders among
back settlers.
The presence of the remaining Indians at
Lancaster also became a cause of great un-
easiness to the magistrates and people, for as
previously remarked, two or three were no-
torious scoundrels. It may be here related
that several of the strange Indians harbored
at Conestoga, who were also absent at the
destruction of the village, made their escape
and reached Philadelphia, where they joined
the Moravian Indians from Nain andWech-
quetank, and there secreted.
The removal of the remaining Indians
from Lancaster was requested by the chief
magistrate, Edward Shippen. Governor ,
Penn proved very tardy, and we are of the
opinion he cared little about them, or he
would have acted promptly, as from his own
confession he was not ignorant of the exas-
peration of the people and the murderous
character of the refugees. Day after day
passed by, and the excitement throughout
the frontiers became greater. The Rangers,
who found that their work had been only
half done, consulted as to what measure
should be further proceeded with. Captain
Stewart proposed to capture the principal In-
dian outlaw, who was confined in the Lan-
caster work-house, and take him to Carlisle
jail, where he could be held' for trial. This
was heartily approved, and accordingly a
detachment of the Rangers, variously esti-
mated at from twenty to fifty, proceeded to
Lancaster on the 27th of December, broke
into the work-house, and but for the show
of resistance would have effected their pur-
pose. But the younger portion of the Rang-
ers, to whom was confided this work, were so
enraged at the defiance of the Indians that
30
HISTORICAL REVIEW
before their resentment could be repressed
by Captain Stewart, the unerring rifle was
employed, and the last of the so-called Con-
estogas had yielded up his life. In a few
minutes thereafter, mounting their horses,
the daring Rangers were safe from arrest.
George Gibson, who, from his acquaintance
with the principal frontiersmen of his time,
in a letter written some years after, gives the
most plausible account of this transaction,
which bore such an important part in the
early history of the Province. He says:
" No murder has been committed since the
removal of the friendly Indians and the de-
struction of the Conestogas — a strong proof
that the murders were committed under the
cloak of the Moravian Indians. A descrip-
tion of an Indian who had, with great bar-
barity, murdered a family on the Susque-
hanna, near Paxtang, was sent to Lazarus
Stewart at Lancaster. This Indian had
been traced to Conestoga. On the day of its
destruction he was on a hunting expedition.
When he heard that the Rangers were in
pursuit of him he fled to Philadelphia. The
three or four who entered the work-house at
Lancaster were directed by Stewart to seize
on the murderer and give him to his charge.
When those outside heard the report of the
guns within several of the Rangers alighted,
thinking their friends in danger, and has-
tened to the door. The more active of the
, Indians, endeavoring to make their escape,
were met by them and shot. No children
were killed by the Paxtang boys. No act
of savage butchery was committed."
If the excitement throughout the Prov-
ince was great after the affair at Conestoga,
this transaction set everything in a ferment.
" No language," says Rev. Dr. Wallace, " can
describe the outcry which arose from the
Quakers in Philadelphia, or the excitement
which swayed to and fro on the frontiers and
in the city. The Quakers blamed the gover-
nor, the governor the Assembly, and the
latter censured everybody except their own
inaction." Two proclamations were issued
by the Provincial authorities, offering re-
wards for the seizure of those concerned in
tlie destruction of the Indians ; but this was
impossible, owing to the exasperation of the
frontiersmen, who heartily approved of the
action of the Rangers.
On the 27th of December the Rev. Mr.
Elder hurriedly wrote to Governor Penn:
" The storm, which had been so long gather-
ing, has at length exploded. Had govern-
ment removed the Indians from Conestoga,
as was frequently urged without success, this
painful catastrophe might have been avoided.
What could I do with men heated to mad-
ness? All that I could do was done. lex-
postulated, but life and reason were set at
defiance, and yet the men in private life are
virtuous and respectable — not cruel, but
mild and merciful T}i.e time
will arrive when each 'palliating circumstance
will he calmly weighed. This deed, magnified
into the blackest of crimes, shall be considered
one of those youthful ebullitions of wrath
caused by momentary excitement, to which hu-
man infirmity is subjected."
To this extenuating and warm-hearted
letter came a reply, under date of December
29, 1763, from the governor, requesting the
commanders of the troops — Colonels Elder
and Seely — to return the Provincial arms,
etc., as their services were no longer required.
From this letter of Governor John Penn, it
is evident that the commissioners, or rather
the Provincial Council, intended to punish
both Colonel Elder and Esquire Seely, or
that with the destruction of the Conestogas,
there was little or no danger of Indian
atrocities. The latter proved to be the case,
but the authorities were cognizant of the
fact that the Paxtang boys were correct in
their surmisings, and that peace would fol-
low the removal of the friendly Indians. It
shows, also, that believing thus, the Provin-
cial government was culpable to a great de-
gree in allowing the Indians to remain on
the Manor, despite the representations of
Colonel Elder, John Harris and Edward
Shippen. The Rev. Mr. Elder quietly laid
by his sword, feeling confident that time
would vindicate his course, whatever that
may have been.
Of the marching of the Paxtang boys to-
ward Philadelphia, we shall briefly refer in
this connection, and the reason therefor is
best given by an extract from a letter of Gov-
ernor Penn: "The 14th of this month we
suspect a Thousand of the Rioters in Town
to insist upon the Assembly granting their
request with regard to the increase of Rep-
resentatives, to put them upon an equality
with the rest of the Counties. They have
from time to time presented several petitions
for the purpose, which have been always dis-
regarded by the House; for which reason
they intend to come in Person." Although
our Quaker historians have uniformly stated
that the object of the Paxtang boys was the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
31
massacre of the Moravian Indians in Phila-
delphia, yet the foregoing statement of the
Executiveof the Province proves conclusively
that their visit was not one of slaughter but
of petition for redress of grievances. The
narrative is one of interest to us in this sec-
tion and the true history remains to be
written.
Pamphlets, says Webster, without number,
truth or decency, poured like a torrent from
the press. The Quakers took the pen to hold
up the deed to execration ; and many others
seized the opportunity to defame the Irish
Presbyterians as ignorant bigots and lawless
marauders.
Violent and bitter as were the attacks of
the Quaker pamphleteers. Parson Elder was
only casually alluded to. With the excep-
tion of the following, written to Colonel Burd,
he made no attempt to reply to any of these,
leaving his cause with God and posterity :
" Lazarus Stewart is still threatened by the
Philadelphia party ; he and his friends talk
of leaving ; if they do, the Province will lose
some of its best friends, and that by the
faults of others, not their own ; for if any
cruelty was practiced on the Indians at Con-
estoga or at Lancaster, it was not by his or
their hands. There is great reason to be-
lieve that much injustice has been done to
all concerned. In the contrariness of ac-
counts, we must infer that much rests for
support on the imagination or interest of the
witnesses. The character of Stewart and his
friends was well established. Ruffians, nor
brutal, they were not; but humane, liberal
and moral, nay, religious. It is evidently
not the wish of the party to give Stewart a
fair hearing. All he desires is to be put on
trial at Lancaster, near the scenes of the hor-
rible butcheries committed by the Indians at
Tulpehocken, etc., where he can have the
testimony of the scouts and rangers, men
whose services can never be sufficiently re-
warded. The pamphlet has been sent by my
friends and enemies ; it failed to inflict a
wound ; it is at least a garbled statement; it
carries with it the seeds of its own dissolution.
That the hatchet was used is denied, and is
it not reasonable to suppose that men, accus-
tomed to the use of guns, would make use
of their favorite weapons ?
"The inference is plain that the bodies of
the Indians were thus mangled after death by
certain persons to excite a feeling against
the Paxtang boys. This fact Stewart says he
can and will establish in a fair trial at Lan-
caster, York or Carlisle. At any rate we are
all suffering at present by the secret influence
of a faction — a faction who have shown their
love to the Indians by not exposing them-
selves to its influence in the frontier settle-
ments."
The " pamphlet " alluded to in the forego-
ing was the notorious article written by Ben-
jamin Franklin for political effect. He
acknowledged, in a letter to Lord Karnes,
that his object was a political one. As such,
its tissue of falsehoods caused his defeat for
member of the Assembly, a position he had
held for fourteen years. Fortunately for him,
the Revolution brought him into prominence,
and the past was forgotten.
This transaction was subsequently "inves-
tigated " by the magistrate at Lancaster, but
so condemnatory of the Indians was the evi-
dence elicited that it was the Quaker policy to
suppress and destroy it. Nevertheless all ef-
forts to carry into effect the proclamation of
the governor were really suspended, so far as
his authority went, in regard to which grave
complaints were made by the Assembly, who
seemed to bend all their energies to -prose-
cute the offenders.
The names of many of those brave defend-
ers of their homes have been lost to us — but
the frequent statement in all our histories
that the participants in that transaction came
to an untimely end is false. With the ex-
ception of Lazarus Stewart, who fell on that
unfortunate day at the massacre of Wyom-
ing, these heroes of the frontiers lived to
hearty old age, and several reached almost
the hundred years of life. Their deeds were
those of desperation, it is true, but their acts
are to be honored and their names revered.
The discussions which ensued may truly
be said to have sown the seeds of the Revo-
lution, and in a letter of Governor John
Penn to his brother in England, written at
this time, he thus alludes to the inhabitants
of Paxtang, "their next move will be so sub-
vert the government and establish one of
their own."
No wonder then, when the first mutterings
of the storm was heard, that the people of
this entire section were ripe for revolution.
The love of liberty was a leading trait of the
people who settled in this delightful valley.
The tyranny and oppression of Europe
drove them to seek an asylum among the
primeval forests of America. Persecution
for conscience sake compelled alike the
Scotch-Irish and the German of the Palati-
32
HISTORICAL REVIEW
nate to come hither and rear their altars
dedicated to God and Freedom to man. With
them Independence was as much their
dream as the realization. Their isolated
position — placed on the frontiers — unpro-
tected by the Provincial authorities — early
instilled into their minds those incentives
to action, that when the opportune moment
arrived they were in the van. Two years
before the Declaration by Congress, the
people had assembled at their respective
places of rendezvous, and heralded forth
their opinions in plain and unmistakable
language, while the citizens of the large
towns were fearful and hesitating.
As early as the spring of 1774 meetings
were held in the different townships, the re-
solves of only two of which are preserved to
us. The earliest was that of an assembly of
the inhabitants of Hanover, Lancaster
county, held on Saturday, June 4, 1774,
Colonel Timothy Green, chairman, " to ex-
press their sentiments on the present critical
state of affairs." It was then and there
" Unanimously rpsolved :
"1st, That the recent action of the Par-
liament of Great Britain is iniquitous and
oppressive.
"2d. That it is the bounden duty of the
inhabitants of America to oppose every
measure which tends to deprive them of
their just prerogatives.
"3d. That in a closer union of the Colonies
lies the safeguard of the people.
"4th. That in the event of Great Britain
attempting to force unjust laws upon us by
the strength of arms, our cause we leave to
Heaven and our rifles.
"5th. That a committee of nine be ap-
pointed who shall act for us and in our be-
half as emergency may require.
"The committee consisted of Colonel Tim-
othy Green, James Caruthers, Josiah Espy,
Robert Dixon, Thomas Copenheffer, William
Clark, James Stewart, Joseph Barnett and
John Rogers."
So much for patriotic Hanover. Follow-
ing in the footsteps of these brave men, on
Friday following, June 10, 1774, a similar
meeting was held at Middletown, Colonel
James Burd, chairman, at which these stir-
ring resolves were concurred in, and which
served as the text of those passed at the
meeting at Lancaster subsequently :
"1st, That the acts of the Parliament of
Great Britain in divesting us of the right
to give and grant our money, and assuming
such power to themselves, are unconstitu-
tional, unjust and oppressive.
"2d. That it is an indispensable duty we
owe to ourselves and posterity to oppose with
decency and firmness every measure tending
to deprive us of our just rights and privi-
leges.
" 3d. That a close union of the Colonies
and their faithful adhering to such measures
as a general congress shall judge proper are
the most likely means to procure redress of
American grievances and settle the rights of
the Colonies on a permanent basis.
" 4th. That we will sincerely and heartily
agree to and abide by the measures which
shall be adopted by the members of the gen-
eral congress of the Colonies.
" 5th. That a committee be appointed to
confer with similar committees relative to
the present exigency of affairs."
Not to be behind their Scotch-Irish
neighbors, the German inhabitants located
in the east of the county met at Fredericks-
town (now Hummelstown), on Saturday, the
11th of June, at which Capt. Frederick Hum-
mel was chairman, resolving to stand by the
other townships in all their action.
We say they were ripe for revolution, and
when the stirring battle-drum aroused the
new-born nation, the inhabitants of Dauphin
valiantly armed for the strife. One of the
first companies raised in the Colonies was
that of. Capt. Matthew Smith, of Paxtang.
Within ten days after the receipt of the
news of the battle of Lexington, this com-
pany was armed and equipped, ready for
service. Composing this pioneer body of
patriots was the best blood of the county —
the Dixons, the Elders, the Simpsons, the
Boyds, the Harrises, the Reeds, the Tods and
others. Archibald Steele and Michael Simp-
son were the lieutenants. It was the second
company to arrive at Boston, coming south
of the Hudson river. It was subsequently
ordered to join General Arnold in his unfor-
tunate campaign against Quebec, and the
most reliable account of that expedition was
written by a member of this very Paxtang
company, John Joseph Henry, afterwards
president judge of Lancaster and Dauphin
counties. They were enlisted for one year.
The majority, however, were taken prisoners
at Quebec, while a large percentage died of
wounds and exposure.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
33
CHAPTER IV.
Historical Resume' from 1785 to 1896.
For the part taken by Dauphin county
(which was then a part of Lancaster county)
in the struggle for Independence, our readers
must refer to those volumes of the Second
Series of Pennsylvania Archives, which
comprise a history of the Pennsylvania
Line, the Associators and the militia, in the
war of the Revolution, from 1775 to 1783.
The rolls of many of the companies which
went out from this section and participated
in the sanguinary conflicts and which
achieved the independence of their country,
are, we are glad to say, nearly complete.
At that period the entire country was so
bare of men that the old men, women and
the lads of ten and twelve years, not only
did the planting and harvesting, but took
up arms to defend their homes in the
threatened invasion by Indians and Tories
after the massacre of Wyoming. A great
majority of those who served from Paxtang,
Derry, Hanover, Upper Paxtang and Lon-
derry were styled Associators, officered by
those of their own choosing, and serving
short terms of duty, as called upon by the
Supreme Executive Council. At Trenton,
at Princeton, at Brandywine, at German-
town, at the Crooked Billet and the Paoli,
the militia of Dauphin county fought and
bled and died. A glance at their names
even shows a long line of heroes, whose
brilliant achievements shed an undjnng
glory on the patriotism of this section of
Lancaster county in the war of the Revolu-
tion.
With the dawn of peace, the people of the
county returned to their usual avocations.
Civil affairs were taken cognizance of, and
movements were at once made to secure the
formation of a new county, with Harrisburg
as the seat of justice. By the act of Assem-
bly of March 4, 1785, the county of Dauphin
■ was separated from Lancaster, its name de-
rived from the eldest son of the then king of
the French — France at that period, in conse-
quence of its efficient aid to the Colonies,
being uppermost in the affection of the peo-
ple. The enthusiasm was unbounded, and,
as we shall refer to hereafter, carried to ex-
treme lengths. The name was suggested by
the prime movers for the formation of the
new county. The seat of justice was fixed
at Harris' Ferry, then a village of about one
hundred houses, although the town was not
actually laid out or surveyed until after the
passage of the ordinance referred to. In the
commissions of the officers of the new county,
the town was named Louisburgh, in honor
of Louis XVI., suggested by Chief Justice
Thomas M'Kean, not only on account of his
French leanings, but to show his petty spite
against Mr. Harris, to whom, somehow or
otlier, he held political opposition.
This act of injustice was subsequently
remedied, when, on the 13th of April, 1791,
the town was created a borough, by the
name of Harrisburg. It was undecided for
awhile whether to call the place Harris'
Ferry or Ii.&vvisburg. The latter, fortunately,
was adopted.
On the organization of the county, Mid-
dletown was the largest village in the
county, and strenuous efforts were made by
its_ citizens and the inhabitants of the town-
ships subsequently forming Lebanon county,
to make it the seat of justice; while similar
claims were made for the town of Lebanon,
on account of its central location.
The machinery of the new county was
soon put into motion, the earliest record of
whose courts reads thus :
" At a court of quarter sessions, holden
near Harris' Ferry, in and for the county of
Dauphin," &c., on the "third Tuesday of
May, in the year of our Lord 1785, before
"Timothy Green, Samuel Jones and Jona-
than M'Clure, Esqrs., justices of the same
court."
We may imagine the scene, in a small
room in a log house near the " lower ferry,"
at Front and Vine streets, with a jury par-
ticularly intelligent — an excellent set of
county officers, and such a bar as Ross, Kit-
tera, Chambers, Hubley, James Biddle,
Hanna, Andrew Dunlop, Reily, Collinson
Reed, Jasper Yeates, John Joseph Henry,
Thomas Duncan and Thomas Smith, most
of whom rose to occupy the highest positions
at the bar or in the Senate — quite a show of
famous men to start the judicial engine of
the new county, with the net result of con-
victing William Courtenay, a descendant of
one of the proudest houses of England, and
sentencing him to eighteen lashes, fifteen
shillings fine, and " to stand in the pillory."
This instrument of judicial vengeance stood
about sixty yards below the grave of John
Harris, the elder, or just above the ferry
house, at the junction of Front and Paxtang
streets. This, doubtless, was the exact posi-
tion, as two or three of the first courts were
34
HISTORICAL REVIEW
held in a building on what is now the south-
ern corner of Front street and Washington
avenue. There was no citizen of Harrisburg
on the first jury, except, perhaps, Alexander
Berryhill, but that is not certain. Col.
James Cowden, of Lower Paxtang township,
was the foreman of this grand jury.
The sheriff of Lancaster county exercised
the same office in Dauphin county. The
names of the jurymen were James Cowden
(foreman), Robert Montgomery, John Gil-
christ, Barefoot Brunson, John Clarke, Roan
McClure, John Carson, John Wilson, William
Crain, Archibald McAllister, Richard Dixon,
John Parthemore, James Crouch, Jacob Awl,
William Brown, Andrew Stewart, Jarnes
Rogers, Samuel Stewart, John Cooper, Alex-
ander Berryhill. Alexander Graydon was
the first prothonotary and Anthony Kelker
the first sheriff.
The minutes of the second court held in
the town are dated at "Harrisburgh," and on
the 3d of August, 1786, the following en-
dorsement appears on the docket : " The
name of the. county town, or seat of the
courts, is altered from ' Harrisburgh ' to
' Louisburgh,' in consequence of the Supreme
Executive Council of the Commonwealth so
styling it i-n the commissions of the justices
of said town."
The courts were held for several successive
years in the same locality, but subsequently
in the log house recently demolished on the
southeast corner of Market street and Dew-
berry alley. From here it was removed to
its present location, except during the ses-
sions of the Legislature from 1812 to 1822,
when the court occupied the brick building
built by the county commissioners on the
corner of Walnut street and Raspberry alley.
The present edifice was erected in 1860.
The act of Assembly erecting Harrisburg
into a borough defined its limits as follows:
" Beginning at low-water mark on the
eastern shore of the Susquehanna river;
thence by the pine-apple tree north 60^ de-
grees, east 79 perches, to an ash tree on the
west bank of Paxton creek ; thence by the
several corners thereof 323 perches to a white
hickory on William Maclay's line ; thence
by the same south 67| degrees, west 212
perches, to a marked cliestnut-oak on the
eastern bank of the Susquehanna ; thence by
the same course to low-water mark to the
place of beginning."
The borough limits were extended by the
act of the 16th of April, 1838, as follows :
"The northwestern boundary line of the
borough of Harrisburg shall be and the
same is hereby extended and enlarged as
follows : Extending it along the river line to
the upper line of the land of the late Will-
iam Maclay, on said river; thence to Pax-
ton creek, and thence along said creek to the
jiorthwestern corner to the present bound-
ary." Thus annexing Maclaysburg, or all
the territory included in the borough then
lying northwest of South street.
During the so-called Whiskey Insurrec-
tion, 1794, Harrisburg became quite promi-
nent, it being on the great thoroughfare to
the western counties. The court house was
then building, and some of the sympathizers
with the anti-excise men beyond the moun-
tains hoisted a French flag on that structure.
Of course this gave offense and it was quietly
removed. Several arrests were made of in-
dividuals who expressed sympathy for the
western insurgents — one of whom, Major
Swiney, was confined in prison for nearly a
year, when he was released without trial.
Governor Mifflin, who was an excellent
stump speaker, made one of his character-
istic addresses here, and in two days time no
less than three companies from the town
were on their march to Carlisle. When
Governor Howell, of New Jersey, and his
brilliant staff remained over night, they
were so hospitably entertained by the citi-
zens that he returned his thanks in special
orders. On Friday, the 3d of October, when
the President, the great and good Washing-
ton, approached the town, he was met by a
large concourse of the people and the enthu-
siasm was unbounded. The worthy bur-
gesses, Conrad Bombaugh and Alexander
Berryhill, presented the address of the town,
to winch the chief magistrate briefly replied,
bearing " testimony to the zealous and ef-
ficient exertions" they had made. That
evening he held a reception at his head-
quarters, where the principal citizens em-
braced the opportunity of paying their re-
spects to the venerated chieftain. On the
morning of the 4t.h he crossed the river at
the upper ferry, which was fifty yards above
the present Harrisburg bridge.
About this period came the fever of 1793-5
and the mill-dam troubles. For two years
previous a disease of a malignant type pre-
vailed during the summer season in" the bor-
ough. Its origin was proved beyond doubt
to be due to a mill-dam located in what is
now the first ward of the city, on Paxtang
GEN. JOSEPH F. KNIPE.
GEN. E. C. WILLIAMS.
1
^^^^^^^^K.;
1
m
MA J. C. C. DAVIS.
GEN. T. J. JORDAN.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
37
creek. In 1793, during the prevalence of
the yellow fever in Philadelphia, it was
thought and even pronounced such. Quite
a number of Irish emigrants died, and al-
though mainy of the inhabitants were at-
tacked there were no fatal cases among
them. This was proof positive that the
endemic was due to the damming up of the
Paxtang creek, which was always " dead
water " (its Indian significance), producing
malarial poisoning. The ancestors, reason-
ing rightly, their next move was to get rid
of the nuisance. Meetings were held, com-
mittees were appointed, funds raised and
tendered to the owners of the mill, Peter
and Abraham Landis, the amount demanded
by them the previous year for their property.
The impecunious millers now required a
greater sum, but the citizens positively refused,
and at a public meeting they resolved that a
further tender be made the Landises and
in case of refusal to "prostrate the dam and
pay, if necessary, the "porportionable parts
of all legal expenses and damages that
might accrue on any suits or indictments
which might be brought or prosecuted in
consequence of such acts." The forefathers
were not to be trifled with, and suiting the
action to the word, met at a given hour and
opened the dam. Eventually the parties
compromised — the Landises accepted a cer-
tain sum and the town secured the mill
right. The valuable papers relating to this
interesting epoch in the history of Harris-
burg are in the possession of the Dauphiq
County Historical Society. The entire trans-
action was creditable to the ancient Harris-
burger, and the decendants of the men who
then stood up for the rights of the people
are among the most prominent of our citi-
zens to-day.
In 1798, when a war with France M'as im-
minent and a call made by the General
Government on Pennsylvania for troops, an
unusual excitement was created, and several
companies tendered their services to the
governor. The storm blew over, and as in
1807, when a war was threatened with Great
Britain — no occasion for troops were re-
quired until five years later — when the sec-
ond struggle with England took place.
Among tlie prominent military organiza-
tions which armed for the conflict were the
companiesofCaptainsThomas Walker, Rich-
ard M. Grain, John Carothers, Jeremiah
Rees, Thomas MTlhenny, Peter Snyder, John
B. Moorhead, James Todd, Richard Knight,
John Elder, Isaac Smith, Philip FedderhofF
and Gawen Henry, quite a formidable array.
Some of these marched as far as Baltimore
at the time of the British attack on that
city, while others went no farther than
York. None of these companies had an op-
portunity to meet tlie enemy on the san-
guinary field — but Dauphin county men
composed the major portion of two com-
panies which joined the Canada expedition.
The heroes of this conflict are nearly all
passed from off the stage of life. Following
in the footsteps of the fathers of the Revolu-
tion, they emulated their heroism and de-
votion to the liberties of their country.
The removal of the seat of government to
Harrisburg, although suggested as early as
1787, and often moved in the Assembly, did
not prove successful until by the act of Feb-
ruary, 1810, when " the offices of the State
government were directed to be removed to
the borough of Harrisburg, in the county of
Dauphin," "within the month of October,
1812," and " the sessions of the Legislature
thereafter to be held." The first sessions of
the Assembly were held in the court house,
and that body continued to occupy the build-
ing until the completion of the capitol.
No historical resume of Dauphin county
can be called complete without some refer-
ence to the so-called "Buckshot War" of
1838. At the October election of that year.
David R. Porter, of Huntingdon, was chosen
governor, after a hotly contested political
canvass, over Governor Ritner. The defeated
party issued an ill-timed and ill-advised ad-
dress, advising their friends "to treat the
election as if it had not been held." It was
determined, therefore, to investigate the elec-
tion, and to do this the political complexion
of the Legislature would be decisive. The
majority of the Senate was Anti-Masonic, but
the control of the House of Representatives
hinged upon the admission of certain mem-
bers from Philadelphia whuse seats were con-
tested. The votes of one of the districts in
that city were thrown out by reason of fraud,
and the Democratic delegation returned.
The Anti-Masonic return judges refused to
sign the certificates, " and both parties made
out returns each for a different delegation,
and sent them to the Secretary of the Com-
' monwealth." The Democratic returns were
correct, and should have been promptly re-
ceived "without question."
When the Legislature met, the Senate or-
ganized by the choice of Anti-Masonic officers.
38
HISTORICAL REVIEW
In the House a fierce struggle ensued, both
delegations claiming seats. The consequence
was that each party went into an election for
speaker, each appointing tellers. Two
speakers were elected and took their seat
upon the platform — William Hopkins being
the choice of the Democrats and Thomas S.
Cunningham of the opposition. The Demo-
crats believing that they were in the right,
left out of view the rejection of the votes of
the Philadelphia district. However, when
the returns from the Secretary's office were
opened, the certificate of the minority had
been sent in, thus giving the advantage to
the Anti-Masons. It was then a question
which of the two Houses would be recognized
by the Senate and the Governor.
At this stage of the proceedings, a num-
ber of men (from Philadelphia especially)
collected in tlae lobby and when the Senate
after organization proceeded to business, in-
terrupted it by their disgraceful and menac-
ing conduct. The other branch of the Leg-
islature was in like manner disturbed, and
thus both Houses were compelled to dis-
perse. The crowd having taken possession
of the halls proceeded to the court house,
where impassioned harangues were indulged
in and a committee of safety appointed. For
several days all business was suspended and
the governor, alarmed for his own personal
.safety, ordered out the militia,, and fearing
this might prove insufficient, called on the
United States authorities for help. The latter
refused, but the militia under Major Generals
Patterson and Alexander came promptly in
response. For two or three days during this
contest, the danger of a collision was immi-
nent, but wiser counsels prevailed, and the
Senate having voted to recognize the section
of the House presided over by Mr. Hopkins,
the so-called " Insurrection at Harrisburg "
was virtually ended. This was what is com-
rnonly known as the " Buckshot War."
In the war with Mexico, consequent upon
the annexation of Texas, among the troops
which went out to that far-off land to vindi-
cate the honor of our country and preserve
its prestige, was. the Cameron Guards, under
command of Cap t. Edward C. Williams. They
made a good record, their heroic conduct at
Cerro Gordo, Chapultepec and theGarreta de
Belina, won for them high renown and the
commendation of their venerated com-
mander-in-chief. Scarce a corporal's guard
remains of that gallant band.
Coming down to later times, when the
perpetuity of the Union was threatened and
the great North rose up like a giant in its
strength to crush secession and rebellion, the
events are so fresh in the remembrance of
all that we shall only refer to them in brief.
The first public meeting held after the firing
upon Fort Sumter in the State of Pennsylva-
nia, and in fact the first in any northern city,
was in the court house at Harrisburg, Gen.
Simon Cameron being chairman thereof.
Dauphin county, foremost in tendering men
and means to the government for the bitter,
deadly strife, furnished her full quota of
volunteers. Twice Harrisburg was the ob-
jective point of the Confederate troops, and at
one time (June, 1863) the enemy's picket
was within two miles of the city. Active
preparations were made for its defense and
fortifications erected on the bluff opposite,
and named " Fort Washingtori." This was
the only fortification deserving a name
erected in any of the Northern States. Rifle
pits were dug along the banks of the river,
in front of Harris Park, and every prepara-
tion made to give the enemy a warm recep ■
tion. The Union victory at Gettysburg
checked the further advance of the Confed-
erates and with it the last attempts to invade
the North. It would take volumes to re-
hearse not only the heroism of the sons of
Dauphin county on the battlefield, but the
deeds of mercy and charity and love of the
noble-hearted women. We need not speak
of the gallantry of the lamented Simmons
and the six hundred brave dead — stricken
down on the field of battle, in the hospital or
in the loathsome prison, or yet of the heroes
only a few of whom are living — Knipe and
Jennings, the Awls, Porter, Williams and
Jordan, Witman and Davis, Detweiler, Mc-
Cormick and Alleman, Savage, Geety and
Hummel, and many others — a long line of
illustrious names — officers and privates of
that immense force which Dauphin county
sent out from her midst for the preservation
of the Union. The location of the first and
greatest military camp in the Northern
States was within the limits of Harrisburg —
named by Generals Knipe and Williams in
honor of the Chief Magistrate of Pennsyl-
vania, Camp Curtin, which with being the
central point of communication, especially
with the oft-beleagured Federal Capital made
it a prominent rendezvous. From the com-
mencement of the war, the charity of the
citizens was unbounded and without stint,
the doors of hospitality freely opened, and to
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
39
our honor be it said, two citizens, Messrs.
John B. Simon and Eby Byers, established
the Soldiers' Rest, where the sick and
wounded patriot, on his way homeward,
found rest, and refreshment and gentle care.
Thousands were kindly ministered to, and
until the "boys came marching home " the
good work went on unabated. In every
cemetery and graveyard within the borders
of Dauphin county lie the remains of her
brave and true sons, while in the cemetery
at Harrisburg the grass grows green over the
graves of Union and Confederate soldiers
from far-off States. In all the struggles for
life, for liberty, for right and for the Union,
Dauphin county has been in the van. But
these dark days of our country have passed
like " a dream that has been told." May
the lesson taught be heeded by those who
come after us — that the Union of States is
not a rope of sand which may be broken at
the will of any section.
The subject of international improvements
was one which early commanded the atten-
tion of the citizens of Pennsylvania, and one
hundred years ago, as now, communication
with the western country was the great aim
of the business men of Philadelphia. The
first effort was the removal of obstructions in
the various streams, and especially that of
the Susquehanna river; and although a con-
siderable amount of money was eventually
spent in improving the navigation thereof,
the result was far from satisfactory. Previ-
ous to the Revolution (1774), the attention of
the Provincial Assembly was called to this
matter, and as a preliminary it was proposed
to lay out a town or city on that stream.
John Harris, the founder of our city, imme-
diately gave notice of his intention of laying
out a town, which seemed to quiet the move-
ment of undoubted land speculators. The
Revolution coming on, such enterprises, if
ever seriously considered, were abandoned.
No sooner, however, came peace, than the
business activity of the people sought out new
channels — roads were made, attempts at
slackwater navigation ventured on — until
finally the Pennsylvania canal, from Colum-
bia to Pittsburgh, opened up an avenue to
trade, and brought prosperity to all the towns
on its route. On none had it better effect
than Middletown and Harrisburg, and the
former place at one period was destined to
retain a supremacy in population, enterprise,
wealth and influence. It was a great lum-
ber mart; the Union canal and its admira-
ble location always made it a rival to the
capital city.
Previous to-the opening of the Pennsylva-
nia canal the transportation facilities of the
town were confined to Troy coaches or stages
for passengers and Conestoga wagons, great
lumbering vehicles with semi-circular tops
of sail-cloth, drawn by six stalwart horses,
for goods of various descriptions. This was
expensive — and the completion of the public
improvements was an eventful era in the
progress and development of this locality.
Real estate advanced, commission and other
merchants established themselves on the line
of the canal, rope and boat manufactories
were erected and various enterprises inaugu-
rated, giving new life to the town and thrift
and prosperity to the people. Several lines
of passenger packets were established, and it
was considered a wonderful thing when four
packet boats arrived and departed in a single
day. The consuming of three days and a
half to go to Pittsburgh began to be deemed
slow, and the building of railroads opened
up another era in the development of the
country. In September, 1836, the first train
of cars entered the limits of Harrisburg over
the Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and
Lancaster railroad. Following this effort,
other rapid transit enterprises were carried
forward to completion until at the present
thne — when no less than one hundred trains
of passenger cars arrive and leave Harris-
burg daily for different points. We give
these facts to show not only how great the
travel, but the wonderful progress made in
transit.
In the 3'ear 1860 Harrisburg received its
highest corporate honors — that of a city.
Although at the time arousing much oppo-
sition, yet its subsequent growth and pros-
perity have fully realized the fondest expec-
tations of its earnest advocates. In popula-
tion it ranks the sixth in the State, and in
manufacturing interests it is the third — Pitts-
burgh and Philadelphia alone exceeding it —
while in the Union it ranks high among the
inland cities. Its citizens are proud of its
prosperity, of its importance and its high
social position, and look forward to the time
when the " Greater Harrisburg " will take
prominent place among the cities of the
American Union.
On the 19th of July, 1877, while the gov-
ernor and commander-in-chief of the forces
of Pennsylvania was on his way to visit the
Pacific Coast, a general strike was inaugu-
40
HISTORICAL REVIEW
rated by the employes of nearly all the rail-
roads in the United States. In many por-
tions of the Commonwealth the municipal
and county authorities failed to restore traffic,
and for several days the rioters, for such
many proved to be, had control of affairs. The
burning of the round-house depot, and cars
at Pittsburgh, and the attack of a reckless
and infuriated mob upon the soldiery at
that place, gave cause for great uneasiness
and alarm. Travel was suspended on all
the railroads centering at Harrisburg.
Sunday, the 22d, was one of great suspense.
The authorities, however, were quietly pre-
paring for the emergency. That evening,
one by one, the City Grays found their way
to the arsenal, which had been defenseless.
On Monday the Mexican trophy cannon
were duly spiked, but the mob, increased by
tramps, showed signs of disquiet, and affairs
were assuming such a situation that became
suddenly alarming. The sheriff. Colonel
Jennings, returned to Harrisburg on Mon-
day afternoon and found the city in the
power of the mob ; the proclamation of the
mayor of the day previous availing little.
The sheriff met the committee of citizens,
and when Mayor Patterson informed him
that his power to quiet affairs had been ex-
hausted, at once took measures to preserve
peace and quiet and restore order. A pro-
clamation was issued calling upon the law-
abiding citizens to aid him in the faithful
discharge of his duty. The city was placed
under military rule, and the sheriff sum-
moned all reputable citizens for the support
of " law and order."
In the afternoon quite a number of Phila-
delphia soldiers, who had reached' Fairview
on the west side of the Susquehanna, sur- '
rendered their arms to a handful of the
rioters, who, with increasing numbers,
brought the former to the city, marching
them through Market street to the depot.
It was a pitiable sight, and only proved
what was in store had not the prompt meas-
ures of Colonel Jennings checked this ebulli-
tion of outlawry.
On Monday night the rioters, several hun-
dred in number, began breaking into the
stores, ostensibly for guns, but in reality for
pillage. At this juncture the sheriff gath-
ered the citizens, and placing himself at their
head came upon the mob, who soon dis-
persed, while upwards of thirty were arrested
and placed in prison. On Tuesday twelve
hundred of the citizens organized into" law
and order " companies, paraded through the
city, and from that time, during the emer-
gency, the citizens patrolled the city, pre-
serving order, without calling to their assist-
ance the military. Governor Hartranft, in
the subsequent message to the Assembly,
highly complimented the example of theoffi-
cers and the citizens of the Capital City.
In the meantime the military gathered for
the defense of the different railroads so as to
insure peace and restore traffic, and when
this was accomplished the citizen-soldiery
returned to their homes.
One of the most important events con-
nected with the erection of the county of
Dauphin, and the founding of the city of
Harrisburg, was the celebration of their one
hundredth anniversary. As the act for
erecting part of the countj' of Lancaster into
a separate county, to be called the county of
Dauphin, was passed March 4, 1785, at noon
Wednesday, March 4, 1885, the bells and
whistles throughout the county announced
the completion of the first centennial of its
existence. On the 14th of April, 1885, the
founding of the city was celebrated by the
Dauphin County Historical Society. But
owing to circumstances, which it is not
necessary here to particularize, the time for
the general celebration was fixed for the
second week in September, 1885. On Sun-
day, September 13, 1885, commemorative
discourses were delivered in nearly all of
the churches of the city and county, while
interesting services suitable to the occasion
were held in the various Sunday-schools.
The first day's celebration on Monday, Sep-
tember 14, was called " Children's Day,"
when over five thousand pupils of the various
schools marched in procession to Harris
Park, where open exercises were held. At
noon of that day in the court house commem-
orative addresses were delivered by the Gov-
ernor of the Commonwealth, Robert E. Pat-
tison, the Hon. John W. Simonton, judge of
the District, Simon Cameron Wilson, mayor
of the city of Harrisburg, Judge Hiester,
Major Mumma and others. In the evening
at the same place, the historical address was
made by Judge McPherson, followed by the
centennial poem by Dr. Charles C. Bom-
baugh, a native of Harrisburg, with remarks
by General Cameron and Governor Ramsey,
of Minnesota. The second day, Tuesday,
was " Military and Civic Day." In display
and the number of men in line, in connection
with the magnificent weather and the large
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
41
attendance, the enthusiasm was exceedingly
great. The third day, Wednesday, was
" Industrial Day," and the county and city
covered themselves with glory ; proud, in-
deed, of their achievements, and grateful
that their people gave such evidence of the
respect of the world. The fourth day, Thurs-
day, was given to the firemen, who wound
up the celebration with real centennial
splendor. Over and above all, however,
was the antiquarian display, which had been
inaugurated by the Dauphin County Histor-
ical Society and which has been conceded to
have been the most unique, as it was the
most successful exhibition of the kind ever
held in this or any other country. The ex-
tent of the exhibition was of a marvelous
character and the wonder and surprise of
the citizens, as well as of the strangers within
the _ city's gates. The entire centennial
anniversary proved one of the greatest suc-
cesses in the history of modern times. Per-
chance no public manifestation or display of
any character did so much to benefit a city
as the celebration of 1885. Through its
industrial parade it showed to the world the
resources of the city and county, and the
grand successes of its varied industries.
Shortly after a board of trade was organized,
and tlirough it much has been done to make
Harrisburg one of the greatest manufacturing
cities in the Union.
The " Greater " Harrisburg is approaching.
The first clamor for admission to the mu-
nicipality was from the township on the
north — the site of that historic spot, "Camp
Curtin." Other sections will no doubt soon
follow. The ordinance of November 28, 1895,
extending the boundaries reads :
" That all that piece or parcel of land be-
ginning at a point in the center of Cameron
street, thirty-five feet (35) north of the south
side of Maclay street ; thence westwardly
along Maclay street and thirty-five (35) feet,
north of the south side of Maclay street, and
by this line continued across Susquehanna
river, to low water mark on the west shore
of the Susquehanna river, about nine thou-
sand, six hundred and seventy feet (9,670);
thence northwardly along the west shore of
the Susquehanna river, and the low water
line of the same, about six thousand, one
hundred and ten (6,110) feet to the center of
Park lane extended ; thence eastwardly by
the center of Park lane extended and the
center of Park lane' about nine thousand, six
hundred and fifty (9,650) feet to the center of
Cameron street, as laid out on the City Ofii-
cialPIat; thence southwardly through the
center of Cameron street, about three thou-
sand, four hundred and forty (3,440) feet, to
the place of beginning, containing one thou-
sand and sixty acres, more or less, and being
a part of the township of Susquehanna."
Before concluding this historical lesume
of Dauphin county it is eminently proper
that some allusion be made to the intellect-
ual and religious culture of our people. The
pioneer settlers who opened up this region
of country to civilization were not adven-
turers, but they came to America for reli-
gious liberty, and they planted a new gov-
ernment in this western world, resting upon
the immutable foundations of education and
Christianity. Whether Scotch-Irish or Ger-
man, they brought with them their Bible,
their minister and their school teacher, and
to-day, in referring to the educational history
of Dauphin county, the results must speak
for themselves. Although within the limits
of the county there are no extensive educa-
tional institutions, yet, from border to bor-
der, the public school system gives to every
one the advantages of a high education.
Over half a million of dollars is annually
expended for tuition and the erection of
school buildings. One-sixth of the popula-
tion is in attendance upon the schools, and
the facilities in the larger cities for educa-
tional advancement are such as to fit the
pupils either for the ordinary business walks
of life or for the advanced curriculum of the
leading colleges and universities of America.
As to the religious training of the early
settlers, one need only refer to the churches
as almost coeval with the coming of the first
pioneer. Prior to 1725 the Presbyterian
churches of Derry, Paxtang and Hanover
were in a state of organization. These have
had a remarkable history, but the limits of
this brief sketch will not allow more than
this allusion. Following these early land-
marks of the Scotch-Irish settlement came
the organization of the Reformed and Lu-
theran churches. With them in order came
others, until now within the limits of the
county, on every hillside and in every nook
and corner of its towns and townships, can
be recognized the achievements of the fath-
ers, who have bequeathed to us the blessings
of literary culture and religious freedom.
Keeping pace with these Christian move-
ments, benevolent institutions have sprung
up in all parts of the city and county. Few
42
HISTORICAL REVIEW
districts in any State of the Union are better
provided than our own county with the ad-
vantages the people of to-day possess and
enjoy.
Origin of Dauphin County Names of
Places.
Dauphin county was formed of part of
Lancaster, part of Berks, comprised all of
the present Lebanon county from 1785 to
1813. It was named after the oldest son of
Louis XVI., whose official title was " The
Dauphin." Its official population 1890, 96,-
977.
Harrisburg, from the owner of the site of
the town, the second John Harris. For
several years after 1785 the name in all of-
ficial documents is " Louisburg," in honor
of the King of Fratice. The French Revo-
lution came to aid public opinion and its
proper name was restored. It was incorpo-
rated as a borough in 1791, and as a city
in 1860. Its population in 1890, 39,385;
1896, nearly 55,000. It has been the seat of
government of Pennsylvania since 1812,
and the seat of justice since the formation of
the county.
Paxtang was one of the original town-
ships, formed August 17, 1729. The name
is derived from the Indian stream passing
through it. The township covered part of
the present county of Lebanon as far as Rac-
coon creek. Derry also trespassed on its ad-
joining neighbor, Lebanon township, but was
limited in 1813 to the present Derry, Lon-
donderry aud Conewago. In the ancient
surveys it appears to have comprised agreater
area, as far east as the Quitopahilla creek,
now in Lebanon county.
Derry. — One of the original townships
formed August 17, 1729, from the town of
that name, in the Province of Ulster, Ire-
land. Population, 2,288. It has several
post-offices, Swatara, Vain, Waltonville, and
Derry Church, the latter in the neighbor-
hood of the most ancient church in Dau-
phin county.
Hanover. — The three townships of this
name preserve the memory of the house of
Hanover, in the days when those who named
them were loyal subjects of the English
kings of that insignificant German Electo-
rate. The original Hanover was formed in
1737. Then as follows:
East Hanover was formed 1785 — popula-
tion, 1890, 1,428.
West Hanover formed 1785 — population,
1890, 1,013.
South Hanover formed 1842 — population,
1890, 1,062.
Union Deposit, in South Hanover, was
originally Unionvilleor Uniontown. Its pro-
prietors, Isaac Hershey and Philip Wolfers-
berger, when they laid it out in 1845, were
at a loss for a name. The post-office depart-
ment stepped in, deciding that it should be
"Union Deposit P. 0."
Hoernerstown, from the family of that
name, in South Hanover.
Manadaville, from Manada creek, where
it joins the Swatara in South Hanover.
Sandbeach is a post-office in South Han-
over.
Grantville, from U. S. Grant, President of
the United States. It is in East Hanover.
Earleysville, formerly Schell's " West Han-
over post-office," although the village is in
East Hanover township.
Manada Hill, in West Hanover, from
Manada creek. It is a post-office.
Hummelstown. — Laid out by Frederick
Hummel in 1762. He called it " Fredericks-
town," but the present name soon superseded
that. It was incorporated in 1874. The
population is 1,486.
Londonderry township, from the county
of that name in the north of Ireland ; formed
in February, 1768, originally bounded on
the west by Derry and south by Conewago
creek. This was changed in 1826, when
its present boundaries were fixed.
Geinburg in this township, from a Ger-
man family who came to Londonderry about
1762, and whose family burial ground is •
north of Middletown and Lancaster turn-
pike. The site of the graveyard is in culti-
vation of crops by the present owners; some
tombstones are yet scattered over its site.
Port Royal, in the same township, near
the confluence of the Susquehanna river
and the Swatara creek, was laid out in the
expectation of becoming a considerable
town. Hence the high-sounding name.
Conewago township, formed April 2, 1850,
from Londonderry, and named from the
creek which divides Dauphin from Lancas-
ter. Population, 872.
Bachmanville, named after a family of
that name, is the site of a post-office.
Deodate is also a post-office in this town-
ship.
Swatara township, named from the creek
on its southern border in 1799, when it was
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
43
formed. In 1840, upon the formation of
Lower Swatara, its boundaries were fixed
as they are now. Its total population in
1890 was 3,329', including Oberlin, formerly
Churchville, and Highland, now Enhaute
post-ofRce.
Steelton, from the great iron establish-
ment there. It was incorporated in 1878
and had a population of 9,250 in 1890 ; now,
1896, well nigh 14,000, including Ewington.
Lower Swatara was formed in 1840 from
Swatara proper. Middletown was a borough
long before its formation. Population of the
township, not including Highspire, in 1890,
was 793.
Highspire. — One tradition goes that this
striking name was given by Dautermann or
Barnes, who laid out the lots in 1818, from
Spires in Germany, the birthplace of Dau-
termann. A borough with a population in
1890 of 971, now, 1896, claiming nearly
1.500.
Middletown received its name on account
of its being nearly equi-distant from Lan-
caster and Carlisle, the great interior towns
of the Province, when John Fisher began to
survey lots in 1759. In 1761 he had sold
thirty lots to actual settlers. This is the
oldest town and second in population in the
county ; was formed into a borough in 1828.
Its population, 1890, 5,080.
The Paxtang of 1729 has now dwindled to
Lower Paxtang, which it became in 1767,
when Upper Paxtang was formed. Popula-
tion, including Linglestown, 1,517.
Linglestown was " St. Thomas post-office "
for a number of years. The land upon
which it is built was owned by Thomas
Lingle, who set off a village plot as early as
1765.
Susquehanna, a township named for the
river, its western boundary. It was formed
January 30, 1815. The population was in
1890, 3^653, reduced in 1896 by extending
the northern boundaries of the city of Har-
risburg.
Rockville, " Fort Hunter post-office," is a
village of perhaps 300 persons. It was laid
out in 1838.
Estherton [Coxestown], from one of the
wives of Col. Cornelius Cox, owner of the
land. It was laid out about 1765, and prior
to the Revolution was a more important
place than it has been since.
Progress, upon the supposition that it was
to be a progressive town, in a very rural lo-
cality. It is a post-office.
Upper Paxtang township was formed in
1765 and covered all of the county above,
north of theKittatinny mountain. It is now
of moderate area, with a population of 1,494
in 1890.
Killinger, a post-office named after Hon.
John W. Killinger, is in this township. Pax-
ton is also another post-office named after
an English family of that name in Bucks
county.
Millersburg, in Upper Paxtang, laid out
by Daniel Miller in 1807 and called for him.
It is a borough with a population of 1,527.
Halifax township, formed in 3 803, and
named for the old Provincial fort of 1756 of
that name. Its population is 1,208.
Matamoras, from the Mexican town of
that name on the Rio Grande. When the
town was laid out, General Taylor and Mata-
moras occupied the attention of the whole
country. Hence the name.
Powell's Valley is a post-office in Halifax
township.
Halifax borough contains a population of
515. It was laid out in 1794 on land of
George Winter by George Scheffer and Peter
Rice, but seems to have fallen into other
hands before its plot was recorded. It occu-
pies the site of the fort of 1756, named for
Lord Halifax by Colonels Clapham and Burd,
who superintended its erection.
Middle Paxtang township was formed in
1787. Its population is 1,327.
EUendale is a post-office in this township.
Dauphin was first Port Lyon, afterwards
Greensburg, after Judge Innis Green, who
owned the land and laid it into lots in 1824.
It was erected into a borough in 1854.
Population, 740.
Jackson township was formed August 23,
1828, and named for the then President,
Andrew Jackson. Its population is 1,137.
Jacksonville in this township, officially
"Enders"' post-office, was laid out about
1825 on land formerly of George Enders.
Fisherville, laid out in 1854, named for
the late Major George Fisher. A joke about
this locality long time ago was, that in time
of war it would be a safe place " for the loca-
tion of the Federal Government." At a
more modern date a distinguished member
of Congress from this district gravely pro-
posed that if Washington was a dangerous
locality, Fisherville, in Dauphin county, was
a safe one. As no one had ever heard of
the town, the suggestion was not seriously
considered by the alarmed strategists of
44
HISTORICAL REVIEW
1863. It is in Jackson township, and is a
post town.
Washington township, named for the
illustrious first President of the United
States, was formed September 3, 1845.
Its population is 1,698, including Elizabeth-
ville (named for the wife of the owner of the
land) village, a post-office.
Washington Square is its near neighbor
on the Ljkens Valley railroad.
Short Mountain is another village at which
there is a post-office named from the coal
mines in its immediate vicinit3^
Reed township, the smallest township in
Dauphin count}', named for William Reed,
who lived about midway between Clark's
Ferry and Halifax. His son, William Reed,
resides in the old homestead. Previous to
being called Reed township it was Penn
election district, formed of portions of Mid-
dle Paxtang and Halifax April 6, 1849.
When the township was erected the portion
of Middle Paxtang reverted to the original
township. Population in 1890, 267.
Benvenuc, a post-office with a fancy name,
probably from the Scotch for mountain, and
good entertainment therewith. "Choniata"
would be a better Americanism.
Wiconisco township, named for the stream
of that name, was formed in July 2, 1839.
Its population is 2,280.
Wiconisco village (laid out in 1848) and
post-office, named for the township.
Lykens.is a borough with a population of
2,450. It was laid out in 1848 by Edward
Gratz, and is the principal town of the Ly-
kens Valley coal district.
Lj'kens township was so named for one of
the earliest settlers of the locality, and was
formed in 1810. Erdman post-office is in this
township.
Williams township, formed February 7,
1869, named for an early settler. Its popu-
lation is 1,485.
Williamstown, a post-office and thriving
borough. Population, 2,324.
Rush township, formed October 23, 1819.
The least populous of the townships, con-
taining only 151 inhabitants, named for
Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence.
Mifflin township, named for Governor
Thomas Mifflin, and formed Octoher22, 1818.
Population, 546. Rife and Speeceville are
post-offices in this township.
Berrysburg, originally called Hellerstown,
a borough of 1871 in this township, named
for a family of that name. This village
has 426 inhabitants.
Uniontown, at first called Snydertown, of-
ficially Pillow P. 0., after Gen. Gideon J.
Pillow, a soldier of the Mexican war, formed
in 1864. Population, 333.
Curtin, for Governor Andrew G. Gurtin, is
a post-office. Mifflin township has therefore
five post-offices.
Jefferson township, named for Thomas
Jeff'erson and formed April 23, 1842. Popu-
lation, 317. Carsonville is a post-office in this
township.
Gratz borough was laid out in 1805 by
Simon Gratz, incorporated in 1852. Popu-
lation in 1890, 490.
Wayne township, named for the gallant
Gen. Anthony Wayne, is the youngest of the
townships, formed from the east and most
populous portion of Jeff'erson in May, 1878.
Population, 512.
Enterline, named for a family of that
name; also in this township. Waynesville
P. 0. is in Wayne.
Penbrook, the latest incorporated borough
in the county. It adjoins Harrisburg on the
east.
Having reviewed the various civil sub-di-
visions of the county, we turn to an expla-
nation and description of its valleys and
streams.
On the south are Conewago creek and val-
ley. The stream is found on all early charts,
spelled as at present.
Then we have the superb Swatara and its
fertile valley. It enters the county in East
Hanover and finishes its course at Middle-
town. The old Union canal was laid out on
its northern bank. Its tributaries are Bow,
Manada and Beaver creeks. All early sur-
veys give the same names.
The Paxtang has its source near Lingles-
town amd discharges itself into the Susque-
hanna at Harrisburg. It is so spelled in the
early surveys and should be so now, although
it is frequently written Paxton.
Fishing creek has its source in West Han-
over and discharges itself at Fort Hunter.
It is almost entirely in Middle Paxtang.
Stony creek, the origin of the name is
very patent. Its whole course is turbulent,
over a rocky bed, crowded into the narrow
valley between the Kittatinny and Sharp
mountains. It discharges itself at Dauphin.
Clark's creek and valley, named for the
Clark family who settled there about 1728.
Its source is in Schuylkill county, through
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
45
Rush and Middle Paxtang, to the Susque-
hanna above Dauphin. The valley is very
narrow.
Powell's creek and valley, named for a
family of that name who settled near its
mouth about 1760, perhaps at an earlier
date. Parts of the valley are quite fertile.
Its source is in Jefferson township.
Armstrong creek, named for the first settler
in that locality, takes source in .Jackson
township and discharges north of Halifax.
The valley is a very fine one.
Wiconisco creek takes its rise in Schuyl-
kill county, passing Williams, Washington
and Wiconisco townships, discharging at
Millersburg. The Lykens Valley railroad
is along its southern bank. It is an Indian
name, and is found spelled on earlier surveys
as at present, except occasionally with the
French Ouikonisko.
Lykens is a beautiful and fertile valley,
named for Andrew Lycans, who was the first
to make a settlement in it.
Mahantango creek is the north boundary
of the county. It is also an Indian name.
On the early maps it is called " Kind creet."
There is a finely cultivated valley on either
side of it.
This account would be incomplete without
mention of the mountainous region of the
northern portion of the county. Below
Harrisburg, depressed spurs of the South
mountain cross from east to west, none of
them of great elevation. Above that city
the Kittatinny range, known as First, Second,
Third and Peter's dividing ridges, covers a
great portion of Middle Paxtang, Eush, Hal-
ifax, Jefferson and Wayne townships ; then
the Broad, Thick, Sharp, Big Lick ridges;
then Berry's and Mahantango, occupying a
large proportion of the area of that section
of the county. Coal is found in the range
along the Wiconisco creek, principally in
the Thick or Big Lick mountain. The local
nomenclature difi^ers very much- from the
geographical.
Peter's mountain has borne the same
designation since 1729. Peter Allen came
into the neighborhood from Conestoga,
Chester, now Lancaster county. He was
upon the first tax rate of that part of Chester
county in 1717-18. His name is found after
that in West Conestoga, then in Donegal,
then in Paxtang; then in the present Middle
Paxtang; his house is yet standing. That
was the northeast boundary of Lancaster
county as formed in 1729. He probably
canie up the river in 1724, and made prepa-
ration for permanent location about the
time Chambers made his choice in 1725.
CHAPTER V. .
Early Settlers and Settlements In the "Upper
End."
Perchance no more interesting data can
be furnished by the gleaner in historic fields
than those of a reminiscential character; and
owing to this fact we have concluded to
give within the limits of this brief chapter
various facts relating to the settlement and
the early settlers of the " Upper End" of
Dauphin county. The information was
gathered twenty years ago [1876], which
may account for references to individuals
then living, but who have since passed off
the stage of life. This should be borne in
mind by the reader.
How the Early Settlers Lived.
Little we know, in this day of comfort and
luxury, how our ancestors fared. Although
the elder settlers had some sheep, yet their
increase was slow, owing to the depredations
of wolves and other animals. It was, there-
fore, a work of time to secure a crop of wool.
Deerskin was a substitute for men and boys,
and all generally wore leather breeches; and
occasionally women and girls were compelled
to resort to the use of the same materials.
The women did the spinning and generally
wove all the cloth for the family, the men
being engaged in clearing and cultivating
the soil, or with their trusty rifle went in
search of deer or other game for food. Our
early settlers, Scotch-Irish as well as Ger-
man, had large families, and it required
the continued labor of the wife and mother
to provide them with anything like com-
fortable clothing. The men were not in-
sensible to this devotedness on the part of
their wives, but assisted in whatever was
necessary, even in the cookery and the cases
were few where they could not do all the
work of the house. The patient endurance,
however, of the women we commend to the
ladies of the present. That endurance did
not arise from a slavish servility or insensi-
bility to their rights and comforts, but justly
appreciating their situation, they nobly en-
countered the difficulties which could not be
avoided. Possessing all the affections of the
46
HISTORICAL REVIEW
wife, the tenderness of the mother, and the
sympathies of the women, their tears flowed
freely for other's griefs, whilst they bore their
own with a fortitude which none but a woman
could exercise. The entire education of her
children devolved on the mother, and not-
withstanding the difficulties to be encoun-
tered, she did not allow them to grow up with-
out instruction, but amidst all her numerous
cares taught them to read and instructed them
in the principles of Christianity. Noble ma-
trons! Your achievements have come down
to us through a hundred years for our ad-
miration and example.
Settlement of TJniontown.
David Snyder, Esq., of Lykens, gave us
this statement of the early settlement of Sny-
dertown, now known as Uniontown :
The land upon which Uniontown is located
was bought from the Hepner heirs by John
Snyder, in 1818. The heirs were George,
Christian, Peter and Henry. The land was
sold by George Hepner and John Balthaser,
executors, the whole tract being 360 acres.
The principal street was laid out in 1818,
simultaneously with the laying out of the
town. The onlj' road prior was a wagon-
road leading from the stone mill, now owned
by Isaac Boyer, to the left, and continuing
eastward, north of Main street, to the old
mill now standing in the eastern part of the
town. Philip Derger built the first house,
which stands in a street leading from the old
cemetery northward to Main street. This
was in 1819. The first church was a Union
Reformed and Lutheran, built about 1834,
now used for a dwelling and stands on the
hill back of Boyer's hotel. The first school
house stood on the same street, built in the
year 1828. One hundred lots were first laid
out by John Snyder, and seventy-five of these
were sold by him for $30 each — the balance
for one-half price. No elections were held in
the town until it became a borough, the
people being compelled to go to Berrysburg
for the purpose of voting. The first physi-
cian was Dr.Ensweiler,who came there about
1838 and remained about four years. John
Snyder, the founder of Uniontown, died
about 1855, in Mercer county, at the age of
72 years. Philip Derger came from Berks
county and subsequently moved to the West.
Mr. Snyder paid |8,000 for the whole tract.
It was owned before Hepner by Peter Hain.
Settlement of Wiconisco.
The late Christian Seip, of Wiconisco, to
whom we were indebted for much informa-
tion relating to the history of Lykens Valley,
furnished this data :
The number of houses in and about Wico-
nisco in 1846 was probably not twenty. A
man by the name of Lance built the first
house in Wiconisco, where the Methodist
church now stands. He now lives in Potts-
ville. Another house stood in the swamp,
below the railroad, then occupied by a man
named Wagner. Michael Shaeffer built the
tavern now occupied by Neiffer. He never
lived to take possession of it — died before it
was completed and was buried in the old
graveyard near the company's stables. He
first kept tavern in an old frame house near
the dirt bank. Many of the first miners
boarded with him. Behind the old breaker
there were two houses — one occupied by Mr.
Couch, the company's superintendent. Mi-
chael Shaeffer, with his brother Henry, came
from Germany with their father when mere
boys. It is thought from Hesse Darmstadt.
An 'old block house near the company's
stables was the meeting house — Methodist.
Mr. Shaeffer took the coal trucks down to
Millersburg with horses. The track began
behind the old breaker. At that time " shin-
plasters" were in vogue. The miners re-
ceived no more than four dollars a week. Six
dollars was considered very high -wages. A
man by the name of Frederick Alvord then
received the highest wages, eight dollars per
week, for blacksmithing for the company. In
the beginning the trucks were only driven
once a week to Millersburg, in trains of eight
or ten. Drove only gangways then — no
breasts. Mr. Bordner drove the first gang-
way of the Short Mountian mines. During
the earlier mining period the men were paid
only every three or four months.
Old Settlers of Lykens.
Joshua Bowman, Esq., of Lykens, whose
memory of the early days of Lykens and
vicinity were quite vivid, gave us the follow-
ing:
Passed through what is now Lykens in
1840. Was then living with my parents on
the property adjoining the Forge. The first
house then in Lykens was Ferree's house,
now occupied by the brick buildings of
Charles Martz. The second, Zerbe's, oppo-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
47
site 'Squire Ferree's. Next the Conner
house, but lately demolished for the erection
of the brick house of William A. Wallace.
Stehley's stood in the woods near the creek.
Next Kissley's, owned by Jacob Bordner.
Next an old log house, built by the Fegley's,
now occupied by Isaac Derger. Next Pat-
rick Martin's, now Leah Martin's, bis wife.
Next John Sheean's, now occupied by Gor-
man & Hensel's foundry. There was a two-
story and a-half frame house near the creek,
back of the Valley House, on what is now
Water, street. This was built by Edward
Myers for a man by name of Fisher. No
store in Lykens at that time. Merchandise
of every sort was chiefly brought from the
store of Josiah Bowman, at the Forge. The
other store in all this part of the country
was that of Henry Shaeffer's, at the Lykelis
Valley colliery. Some few of the people
worked in the mines, others employed them-
selves in the manufacture of shingles, spokes,
posts and stays, which they traded for the
necessities of life. No church at that time ;
but a place of worship in an old school
house near the company's stable. The com-
pany then mined coal without preparation.
It was taken by horse railway to Millersburg,
then flatted across the Susquehanna to Mt.
Patrick, on the opposite side, and placed on
the canal boats of the North Branch for ship-
ment to Harrisburg. There was no public
house at that time. The company would
not tolerate any upon its own grounds, and
would not sell ground for hotel purposes.
Jacob Stehley, a gentleman at large, who
died at Harrisburg a few years ago, rather
eccentric, yet verj' entertaining and full of
wit and humor — in his latter days fond of
hunting and fishing — " botched " in the
woods at that time, supported by his son
John, at Harrisburg. Mr. Stehley was about
sixty years of age, and quite intelligent, full
of information and lively when in company,
which he tried to avoid, preferring the life
of a hermit. The mail was gotten at Thomas
Harper's, at the Forge. Isaac Ferree was
quite an old man then. Had sons running
a saw mill in " Greenland " — the only saw
miM then about. The mill in " Greenland "
was erected in 1840, by the Ferree's — Joel,
Jefferson, Washington, Uriah and Jacob.
Shortly afterwards the mill at Round Top
was erected by the same parties, and the one
at Greenland abandoned. The elections
were held at the tavern of Michael Shaeffer.
Deer were plenty — bear also — fish in abund-
ance— wild turkeys. The men employed in
the mines about twenty. The old Lykens
Valley breaker was erected in 1845-7. No
breaker in 1840. The mines were then a
mere drift. In 1853 there were about fifty
houses in Lykens. About the same number
in Wiconisco. The orders in 1853 were the
American Mechanics and Sons of Temper-
ance. No Odd Fellows at that time. They
organized shortly after. The orders men-
tioned met in John Hensel's building on
Main street, second story, steps on the out-
side leading up. No minister then resident
in Lykens. Preaching in the stone church,
Lykens, the only church then, by Watson,
it is thought. The first railroad consisted
of wrought-iron tacked on wooden rails —
called by the natives the " Slabtrack " road.
The Early History of Oratz.
To George Hoffman, Esq., of Gratz, are the
citizens of that locality indebted for the in-
formation which follows :
Ludwig Shoffstall, who came from Lancas-
ter county, built the first house in Gratz — a
two-story log, yet standing. JEd. Umholtz
(tavern) lives in it. Frey kept his store in it
for a long time — he then attached the tavern.
Conrad Fre}'^ built the tavern about 1820.
These buildings were followed in the succes-
sion named by the log dwellings of Matthias
Bellow, Faust, Rev. Handel, Daniel Fegley,
Anthony Matthias, Squire Reedy and John
Reichard. The first church was the brick,
built in 1832 — German Reformed and Lu-
theran. The first pastors. Revs. Isaac Ger-
hardt and John Peter Shindel. Before the
brick church was erected meetings were held
by the said pastors in an old log structure,
built for that purpose by Simon Gratz. The
first school house was built in 1822 by Eli
Buffington, the carpenter of the old Hoffman
church, which he erected about 1771. The
original Simon Gratz donated the ground.
Rev. Anthony Hautz was the first pastor of
the old Hoffman church. He came back
when he was seventy-five years of age — a
very small, gray-headed man, about five feet
in height. A grist mill was built quite early,
about a quarter of a mile from town, by one
John Salladay, and ran by a stream of water
from a spring — wheel over twenty feet high.
Mr. Salladay was one of the first settlers.
Jacob Loudenslager was also one of the old
settlers — lived about the present town, and
had patented 400 acres in one tract. Old
John Hoffman lived about a quarter of a
48
HISTORICAL REVIEW
mile south of the Hoffman church. Andrew
Hoffman lived east of Jacob Loudenslager a
quarter of a mile and had patented about
100 acres. Peter Stein, adjoining, had 300
acres. Peter Hoffman lived down the Wico-
nisco creek, a mile this side of the Forge, and
had 400 acres. The Pottsville road was made
about twenty years ago. The old Reading
road about 1800. Peter Hain owned the
Gap west of town. The Gap was named for
him. He originally owned the lands upon
which Uniontown is now situated, before
Hepner. Adam Heller laid out Berrysburg.
He lived where Daniel Romberger now lives,
which was formerly called Hellerstown. He
was a very lazy, indifferent man. The place
where the brick church is now located, near
Gratz, was formerly called Wild Cat Ridge,
on account of the great number of wild cats
congregating there. Conrad Frey came from
Reading, Pa. The Methodist church was
built in 1846.
Early Families in the " Upper End."
Benjamin Buffington, the fitst of the
name who located in Lykens Valley, was an
early settler there. He came from Berks
county, died in 1814, and was buried in the
graveyard at Short mountain by request.
His sons were Eli, George, Levi, and John.
Eli settled near Gratz, where his grandson
Jeremiah now resides. He married Eliza-
beth Kissinger and their sons were Abra-
ham and John E. The latter, b. 1799 ; d.
1867 ; m. Susanna Artz, and had sons Elias,
Jeremiah, and Daniel. The other sons of
the elder Benjamin Buffington intermarried
into the Hoffman family, lived to be old
men and had large families. Jacob Buffing-
ton, Sr., b. 1800 ; d. 1878 ; was by occupa-
tion a mechanic, and one of the most expert
hunters in his day. He married Mary Gfun-
tryman ; and his sons were Isaac, Jonas,
Jacob, Emanuel, and Levi. Solomon Buf-
fington, b. 1819; d. Jan. 1, 1878; was a
mechanic and farmer. He was a prominent
member of the U. B. Church for many years
and took an active part during the war of
the Rebellion. Two of his sons were in the
Union army. His wife was Margaret Mat-
ter, and their sons were Moses C, Edward,
and Uriah.
1770 Catharine Hoffman. Their oldest son,
John Reigle, was a justice of the peace many
years and followed farming. He married
Susan Sheetz, and of their .children Simon
resided at Harrisburg, and Obed J. in Will-
iamstown. Daniel, son of Andrew Reigle,
married Catharine Harm an. Their son
Daniel was a county commissioner in 1852,
serving three years. Jacob, son of Andrew,
married Nancy Hartman. Andrew, Jr., was
a farmer and served in the war of 1812-14.
He married a Miss Stine. Elizabeth Reigle,
a daughter of Andrew, Sr., married Daniel
Sheesly, and they were the grandparents of
Sheriff Sheesly, of Harrisburg.
Mathias Freck was a native of Baden,
Germany, from whence he emigrated in
1815. In 1821 he married Eliza Penrose,
daughter of Col. Joseph Penrose, of the Rev-
olutionary army, and the year after settled
in Lykens Valley, locating first at Gratz-
town. Of their children Joseph M. Freck
was a large coal operator, and resides at
Pottsville, this State. Roland Freck was re-
cently postmaster at Millersburg. John L.
and Newton C. Freck are heavily engaged
in the lumber business in Millersburg.
John B. Hoffman, b. in 1792 ; d. 1875.
He was a blacksmith by occupation ; had
been a military captain and promoted to a
lieutenant colonelcy, and served in the war
of 1812-14. He was a prominent member
of the German Reformed Church, holding
the ofiices of deacon, elder and trustee.
Politically he was a staunch Democrat. Col-
onel Hoffman married Margaret Bowman,
and his sons were George, John, Christian,
Josiah, James, and Peter A.
Andrew Reigle resided on and owned the
farm near the end of Short mountain, after-
wards owned by his son Jacob. He was a
soldier of the Revolution. He married in
Benjamin Bretz was born in Lykens Val-
ley in 1796 and died in 1878. He was
a grandson of Ludwig Bretz, who was
one of the first settlers in that region, a sol-
dier of the Revolution, and wounded at the
battle of Long Island in 1776. Benjamin
carried on farming ; filled the office of super-
visor several terms and was prominently
identified with the military. He was a iflem-
ber of the German Reformed Church and
much honored and respected. He married
Margaret Paul, and they had sons, John and
Anthony.
Philip Runk was born in Lykens Val-
ley, September 16, 1805, and died in Janu-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
49
ary, 1873. His father came to the valley
after the Revolution, and was one of the first
settlers in Jefferson township. The son was
a farmer, served in the military in early
life, and a prominent member of the U. B.
Church. He married Elizabeth Smith, and
their sons were Jacob, Michael, and Adam.
Jacob was at one time a presiding elder in
the U. B. Church.
Adam Cooper came to Lykens Valley
during the Revolutionary war, and was a
private in Capt. Martin Weaver's com-
pany of Upper Paxtang, which marched to
the relief of the settlers on the West Branch
in the spring of 1781. He was a farmer and
a great deer hunter. He married a daughter
of Ludwig Shott, an early settler, and they
had a large family. The late John Cooper,
who represented Dauphin county in the
Legislature in 1850,- and who recently de-
ceased, was a son. Connected by marriage
to the Cooper family are the descendants of
Jacob Schwab, or Swab, as now written. He
was a native of Berks county, and died in
1866, at the age of. seventy-five years. He
married Catharine Metz, and of their chil-
dren, Eli Swab filled the office of county
commissioner two terms.
Daniel Etzweiler, Sr., was born April 12,
1800, and died September 15, 1878. He was
a farmer, filled the ofiice of supervisor two
terms, served five years in a volunteer mili-
tia company, and was one of the founders of
St. James' Lutheran and Reformed church
near Carsonville. He was''a great hunter,
and excelled in deer shooting and the trap-
ping of bear on the mountains. Mr. Etz-
weiler married Christiana Smith, of North-
umberland county, and their sons were Jona-
than, Daniel, Michael, Elias, Peter, Adam,
and Henry.
Dr. Robert Auchmuty, the son of Samuel
Auchmuty, was born near Sunbury, North-
umberland county. Pa., in the year 1785.
He was descended from an old Celtic family
of Scotland. Robert Auchmuty, the first of
the American family of that name, an emi-
nent lawyer, was in practice at Boston,
Mass., as early as 1719. He died in 1750,
leaving several children. Among these,
Robert, who in 1767 became judge of the
Court of Admirality at Boston ; Samuel, who
was rector of Trinity church, New York
city, and Arthur Gates. The latter came to
Pennsylvania as early as 1765, and located
in then Lancaster county. In that 3'ear we
find him commissioned as an Indian trader,
with permission to trade with the natives at
Penn's creek, Shamokin and such other forts
as may by his majesty or the Provincial au-
thorities be established. He first settled at
the mouth of Penn's creek, on the Isle of
Que, and from thence removed to the oppo-
site side of the Susquehanna, a few miles
below Fort Augusta, in what is now Lower
Augusta township, Northumberland county.
During the war of the Revolution Samuel
Auchmuty, one of his sons, and father of the
doctor, entered the patriot army, and was in ,
service from the winter at Valley Forge
until the close of the war. The veteran's re-
mains rest in the old burial ground at Mil-
lersburg, unmarked and the spot unknown.
Dr. Robert Auchmuty received a good edu-
cation, studied medicine and began the
practice of his profession at Millersburg
about 1830-31. Apart from the duties 01
his profession he served many years as ejus
tice of the peace, being first commissione -
by Governor Ritner. He was an enterprid
ing, active citizen, and a warm advocate s-
the common school system when that nobof
measure was adopted, and was a gentlemale
beloved and respected by his fellow citizenn
He died at Millersburg in 1849, at the ags.
of 64, and is buried in the new cemetery ae
that place. He was the father of S. P. Aucht
muty, Esq., of Millersburg. .
Hartman Rickert, an emigrant from Ger-
many, settled near Short mountain at an
early date; he died at the age of eighty-six
years, leaving one son Hartman Rickert, Jr.,
who married Catharine Seebold. They were
upwards of eightj^ at their death. They had
children: Henry, m. Miss Romberger-
Martin, m. Elizabeth Yerges; Peter, m
MissKlinger; Jacob, m. Elizabeth Hoover
All left descendants.
John F. Bowman was born in Lancaster
county Pa., May 10, 1771. His father was a
farmer, residing on Pequea creek, not far
from Strasburg. John F. was brought up
as a millwright, but subsequently entered
mercantile pursuits. In 1809 he removed
to Halifax, where he was a merchant from
that period to 1830, when, believing a larger
sphere of trade was opened for him, he went
to Millersburg, where he successfully con-
tinued in business until his death, which oc-
50
HISTORICAL REVIEW
curred on the 6th of November, 1835. Mr.
Bowman first married in 1794 a daughter of
Isaac Ferree, whose farm adjoined that of
his father. By this marriage they had the
following children : Eliza, Maria, George,
Josiah, m. Elizabeth Rutter. Mr. Bowman
married, secondly, in, 1805, Frances Crossen,
daughter of John Crossen. They had issue
as follows: John J., m. Margaret Sallade;
Levi, Louisa, Isaac, Mary E., m. Rev. 0. W.
Jackson ; Lucinda,m. Dr. Hiram Rutherford ;
Jacob, Emeline, Benjamin. John F. Bow-
man was one of the representative men of
the " Upper End," enjoj'ed a reputation for
.uprightness and honesty, and highlj' es-
teemed by those who knew him. Genial,
yet quiet and unobtrusive, he never sought
or would accept any local or public office.
His second wife, Frances Crossen, b. August
13, 1786 ; d. September 30, 1846, and lies in-
terred beside her husband in the old Metho-
dist graveyard at Millersburg.
Jacob Hoover settled in the " Upper End"
in 1800; and built the mill now owned by
Daniel Buffington. Of his children : Jacob,
d. young; m. Miss Bellas; Christian, m.
Miss Feagley ; and their son Samuel was the
first superintendent of the Short Mountain
mines ; he removed to Minnesota many years
ago; John, m. Margaret Lebo; he owned
the mill erected by his father ; Mary, m. John
Shoffstall ; Katharine, m. George Kissinger;
Mary, m. Jacob Bordner; Susanna, m. Henry
Umholtz.
Abraham Jury. — Among the earliest settlers
on the Wiconisco was Abraham Jury, or, as
it is sometimes written, Shora. He was of
French Huguenot descent, and emigrated
from Switzerland about 1755. He located
within the valley not far from the town of
Millersburg. He was a farmer and took up
a large tract of land. In the Revolution he
served during the campaign in the Jerseys,
and subsequently on the frontiers, as did also
his eldest son, Samuel. He died in August,
1785,leavinga wife Catharine, and the follow-
ing children : Samuel, Abraham, Mary, Mag-
dalena, Margaret, Catharine, Susanna, and
Salome. Samuel, we presume, either removed
from the valley or died early,for Abraham, Jr.,
seems to have come into possession of the old
homestead. The latter died in November,
1805, leaving John, who was of age, and
Jacob, Hannah and Sallie, minors.
Rev. Charles Edward Muench. — Any his-
toric record of the Upper End would fail of
completeness without some mention of the dis-
tinguished "Dominie" of Hoffman church.
We refer to the Rev. Charles Edward Muench,
a native of Mettenheim, Wartenburg, in the
Palatinate of Chur Pfaltz on the Rhine, Ger-
many, born January 7, 1769. He was of
Huguenot-French descent, his grandfather,
Charles Frederick Beauvoir, fleeing France
during the religious persecutions, and pur-
chasing the " Muench 'Hofi"," took his sur-
name therefrom. Charles Frederick, the
younger, was early sent to Heidelberg, where
he completed his theological studies. It was
just at the commencement of the general
war in Europe, when on the occasion of his
home being invaded by the French army he
received and accepted a commission as cap-
tain of a company of huzzars in the Allied
armies, in which service he was severely
wounded by a pistol ball in the leg, and a
sabre cut on the left hand. He commanded
the guard that conducted Lafayette to the
prison at Olmutz. On the 8th of July, 1794,
he was promoted quartermaster under Sir
Francis of Wiedlungen. On the very day
of his promotion he married Margaretha
Bieser. In 1798 he came to America, where
he taught a German school successively at
Shaefferstown, Lebanon county, and Rehrers-
burg, Berks county. In 1804 he removed to
Lykens Valley, at the Hoffman church
school property ; but discouraged somewhat
at the wild appearance of the land, he went
to Union county. Subsequently, in 1806,
the congregation at Hoffman "church re-
quested his return, when yielding thereto,
he once more entered upon the duties of his
station. For a period of twenty-eight years
he was a faithful teacher, and. although not
the ordained minister, yet very frequently
conducted the religious services in Hoffman
church, and officiated on funeral occasions.
He was greatly beloved by the people, and
his death, which occurred on the 8th of Jan-
uary, 1833, occasioned sorrow in many a
household. His beloved wife, Margaretha,
died in the following year, 1834, and their
remains lie interred side by side in the
graveyard of old Hoffman church. The Rev.
Muench was exceedingly expert with the
pen — had a refined artistic taste as to draw-
ing and designing — and in the ornamenta-
tion of books and inlaying of furniture. He
was a musician of no ordinary abilitv, and
was an adept in all those essentials charac-
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
51
teristic of the home culture of the Germans
of the better class. Mr. Muench's children
were: Juliana, m. Jacob Wolf; William
Henry, m. Eliz. Reed, of Northumberland
county; Susanna Louisa, m. Jacob Riegel;
Charles Frederick, m. Grace Leyburn, of
Carlisle; Daniel Augustus, of Halifax, m.
Lydia Smith ; Jacob Dewalt, m. Salome
Moyer ; Margaret, m. Peter Miller of Halifax.
Simon Sallade. — There are few citizens of
the county of Dauphin who are not familiar
with the name and valuable services of
Simon Sallade, one of the representative men
of this district forty years ago, and concern-
ing whom we have been able to glean the
biographical data which herewith follows :
Simon Sallade was born near Gratz, Dau-
phin county, Pa., on the 7th of March, 1785.
His father, John Sallade, of French Hugue-
not descent, was a native of Bosel on the
Rhine, born in March, 1739, emigrated, with
other members of his family, to America at
an early period, and was among the first
settlers on the Wiconisco. He died at the age
of 88 years, in November, 1827, being blind
about ten years before his death. He mar-
ried on the 8th of February, 1771, Margaret
Everhart, daughter of George Everhart, born
in Berks county in 1747, and concerning
whom we have thefollowingincident. Upon
the Indian incursions on the east side of the
Susquehanna, subsequent to the defeat of
Braddock, in the fall of 1755, she was taken
captive by the savage marauders, near what
is now Pine Grove, Schuylkill count}'. She
was an unwilling witness to the scenes of
murder and atrocity, when the merciless In-
dians tomahawked and scalped her parents,
brothers and sisters, and beheld the home of
her birth illuminatingby its red glare the mid-
night sky, while only she of all her friends
was left — and she a prisoner with the cruel
and blood-thirst}"^ savage. Doubtless there
was some attractiveness of person or piteous-
ness of appeal which saved her life. Of the
wearisome years of her captivity among the
Indians, west of the Ohio, we have little
knowledge. It is not, however, until the
power of the French on the beautiful river
was broken by the courage and skill of Gen-
eral Forbes, that the little prisoner was rescued
and returned to her friends in Berks county.
She lived to a ripe old age. John Sallade
had five sons and two daughters, Simon be-
ing next to the youngest. Simon Sallade,
owing to the want of schools in those early
days in the valley, was obliged to depend
upon the educational instruction given by
his parents, but being an apt scholar, it
was not long before he mastered the main
branches in a good education. He was a
great reader, and, although books were few
in those days, he read and re-read those fall-
ing into his hands. Later in life, toward
manhood's years, he acquired considerable
knowledge by the aid of a teacher, whom he
and some of the young men of his neighbor-
hood employed for that purpose. He was
quite a performer on the violin and being of
a social nature, he was often the center and
life of many winter evening gatherings of
that time.
Mr. Sallade was a mill-wright by trade,
acquiring much of his proficiency in that
vocation from an apprenticeship to Jacob
Berkstresser, of Bellefonte. Many of the old
mills within 30 or 40 miles of his home, were
of his designing, and in fact the workman-
ship of his hand. A self-made man, ener-
getic, social and industrious, he became in
time one of the most popular men of the
Upper End.
His constant contact with the people of all
classes in social life or business relations re-
sulted in his taking warm interest in politi-
cal affairs. Although a politician, he was
such for the advancement of the public good.
He was a Democrat of the old school, and
when named for office, he appealed to the
people instead of the party for support. He
was four times elected to the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives. First, in the
years 1819 and 1820, at the age of 34; next
in 1836-7, at the age of 51 years; and again
in 1853, when he was in his 69th year.
Each time the Whigs were largely in the
majority in Dauphin county, yet always
when put in nomination by the Democratic
party, Mr. Sallade, save in one instance, was
elected. This defeat was due in part to a
letter written at the time to Charles C. Rawn,
Esq., chairman of the temperance committee,
in which he announced his opposition to the
passage of the Maine liquor law. His letter
was bold and outspoken. He did not con-
ceal his opinions for the purpose of sailing
into office under false colors. He might
have done as latter-day politicians do, as did
his opponents at that time — evaded the
question and deceived the voter. Simon
Sallade preferred defeat to deception — that
the honorable career that he had made and
sustained for political integrity and honesty
52
HISTORICAL REVIEW
should lose nothing of its lustre in his de-
clining years.
During his term in the Legislature he was
the author of what was generally known as the
" Wiconisco Feeder Bill." To his zeal and
tact, that important legislation for the Upper
End of Dauphin county, owes its passage.
Through this outlet the Lykens Valley coal
fields were first developed. He was the
superintendent for the construction of the
Wiconisco canal, and held the appointment
through the canal commissioners.
Simon Sallade died at the old liomestead,
near Elizabethville, on the 8th of November,
1854, and is interred in the village grave-
yard at that place. His wife was Jane Wood-
side, daughter of John Woodside, of Lykens
Valley. She died September 3, 1854, and
is buried in the sanje graveyard. They had
issue as follows: Margaret, m. John J. Bow-
man, of Millersburg; Ann, m. Edward
Bickel ; Jane, m. Daniel K. Smith; Simon,
Jacob, John, George, and Joseph.
There are many hearthstones, writes one
who knew Simon Sallade well, and to whom
we are greatly indebted for much of the in-
formation herewith given, in Lykens Valley,
where the story of his sociability, hospitality,
humor, honesty, and his many deeds of
charity, are rehearsed by those of the fathers
of the present generation who never saw or
knew him, except from the traditionary his-
tory which is part and parcel of every family
and community.
John Peter Willard, of Huguenot descent,
was a native of Switzerland, born in 1745.
He came to America as a soldier in the Brit-
ish service, but shortly after landing effected
his escape. He then volunteered in the
cause of the Colonies, and was with other de-
serters stationed on the Indian frontier or as
guard of prisoners of war. At the close of
the Revolution he took up a tract of land in
Lykens township,called "Amsterdam," where
he settled, began farming and subsequently
married. He died in 1821, at the age of sev-
enty-six. His wife died the following year
(1822) aged seventy-seven. They left the
following family : Adam, who came into pos-
session of the homestead ; his, children, Jo-
seph, John A., Henry B. and Adam, Jr., then
divided the farm ; part of it yet remains in
possession of the descendants; Samuel re-
mained in the valleyj a farmer, and. had a
large family ; Anna Maria married John
Philip Umholtz.
The Lykens Valley Coal Development.
The Wiconisco Coal Company, named for
Wiconisco creek in the northeastern portion
of the county, was organized in 1831, com-
posed of six members — Simon Gratz, Samuel
Richards, George H. Thompson, Charles
Rockland Thompson, all of Philadelphia,
and Henry Schriner and Kenry Sheafer,
both of Dauphin county. They began work
at opening their mines by drifts in the gap
at Bear Creek, and sold coal in the vicinity
in 1832. The first miners were three Eng-
lishmen— James Todoff, John Brown and
William Hall, who came from Schuylkill
county.
The Lykens Valley railroad was located
by Mr. Ashwin, an English civil engineer,
and extended from the mines in Bear Gap,
sixteen miles, to the Susquehanna river,
along the north foot of Berry's mountain.
This road was constructed under the direc-
tion of John Paul, civil engineer, Henry
Sheafer, superintendent, and Simon Sallade,
director. The road was completed and began
transporting coal in 1834 by horse power, on
a fiat strip rail. A number of ark loads of
coal were shipped from Millersburg in March
and April, 1834. Then the coal cars were
boated across the Susquehanna, from the
terminus of the railroad at Millersburg to
Mt. Patrick, on the opposite side of the
canal, in Perry county. This site was for-
merly owned by Peter Ritner, brother of
Governor Ritner. Here the Lykens Valley
company had a set of schutes on the Penn-
sylvania canal, where they shipped their
coal to market. The first boat load of Lykens
Valley coal was sent on Saturday, April 19,
1834, by boat " 76," forty-three tons, Capt. C.
France, consigned to Thomas Baldridge,
Columbia, Pa.
Shipments continued in this manner until
1845, when the railroad was worn out, and
abandoned until 1848. Then a portion of the
railroad was regraded, and all laid with new
" T " rail. The Wiconisco canal was built
and shipments resumed in 1848, and have
continued ever since. Up to and including
1858, the total shipment of coal from the
Lykens Valley mines, from the beginning,
■ amounted to eight hundred and forty-eight
thousand, seven hundred and eighty-one
tons, and the grand total shipments on the
Susquehanna were three millions, two Jiun-
dred and thirty-four thousand, seven hun-
dred and eighty-one tons, which included
Governor Wolfe.
Governor Shunk.
GOVERNOR porter.
Governor findlay.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
55
shipments of coal by the Union canal and
other avenues as follows :
The Shamokin railroad was opened in
1839.
The Dauphin and Susquehanna in 1854.
The Treverton railroad in 1855.
At this early day of the coal trade, this
portion of the country was wild and seemed
far removed in the woods. Lykens Valley is
the broad expanse, three to five miles in
width, of fertile red shale soil between the
Mahantango mountain on the north and
Berry's mountain on the south, with the Sus-
quehanna river as its boundary line on the
west. Its eastern portion is a distance of
twelve miles from the river, and is sub-di-
vided into two smaller valleys, the main or
northern one extending some ten miles east
to the valley of the Mahanoy creek. The
south portion is named after its early settler,
Williams, who built a grist mill near Will-
iamstown, also named after him.
Andrew Lyeans, the Pioneer of the Wiconisco
Valley.
In 1723 Andrew Lyeans (not Lycan)
settled on the Swatara creek, where he took
up two hundred and fifty acres of land ad-
joining lands of Robert Young and Lazarus
Stewart, and which was surveyed to him on
the 4th of April, 1737. About 1740 he seems
to have sold out, and removed with a num-
ber of others to the west side of the Susque-
hanna, where he settled and made some im-
provements on a tract of land between Shear-
man's creek and the Juniata, in then
Cumberland county. This not being in-
cluded in the then last Indian purchase, the
Shawanese, who had a few scattered villages
on the Juniata, complained of the encroach-
ments of these settlers and demanded their
removal. To pacify the Indians, the Pro-
vincial authorities sent, in 1748, the sheriff'
of Lancaster county, with three magistrates,
accompanied by Conrad Weiser, to warn the
people to leave"at once. But, notwithstand-
ing all this, the settlers remained, determined
not to be driven away at least by threats.
On the 22d of May, 1740, after more
decisive measures had been decided upon by
the Provincial government, a number of
high dignitaries who had been appointed
by the lieutenant governor, held a conference
at the house of George Croghan in Penns-
boro' township, Cumberland county. Sub-
sequently, accompanied by the under-sheriff
of that county, they went to the place where
Lyeans and others lived, and after taking
the settlers into custody burned their cabins
to the number of five or six.*
They were subsequently released by order
of the governor of the Province, when An-
drew Lyeans removed with his family to the
east side of the Susquehanna beyond the
Kittatinny mountains, and by permission
of the authorities, settled on a tract of about
two liundred acres, situated on the northerl}'
side of Whiconescong creek." Here he
made " considerable improvements," which
we learn from a document in our possession.
Until the spring of 1756 these pioneers on
the Wiconisco were not disturbed in their
homes, but following the defeat of Braddock,
everywhere along the frontier the savages
began their work of devastation and deatli.
Their implacable cruelty was stimulated by
the promise of reward for scalps on the part
of the French, beside the further one of be-
ing put into possession of their lands. On
the morning of the 7th of March, 1756, An-
drew Lyeans and John Rewalt went out
early to fodder their cattle, when two guns
were fired at them. Neither being harmed,
they ran into the house, and prepared them-
selves for defense in case of an attack. The
Indians then got under cover of a hog house
near the dwelling house, when John Lyeans,
a son of Andrew, John Rewalt and Ludwig
Shott, a neighbor, crept out of the house in
order to get a shot at them, but were fired
upon by the savages, and all wounded, the
latter (Shott) in the abdomen. At this
moment Andrew Lyeans saw one of the In-
dians over the hog house, and also two
white men running out of the same, and get
a little distance therefrom. Upon this, Ly-
eans and his party attempted to escape, but
were pursued b3' the Indians to the number
of sixteen or upwards. John Lyeans and
Rewalt, being badly wounded and not able
*NOTE. — ^We have before us the account of An-
drew Work, sheriff of Lancaster, for removal of
trespassers at Juniata," which is as follows :
" Dr. Province of Pennsylvania to Andrew Work,
Sheriff of the County of Lancaster and Cumberland.
" To ten days attendance on the Secretary Mag-
istrates of Cumberland, by his Hon'r, the Gover-
nor's command to remove sundry persons settled to
the northward of the Kichitania mountains :
" To paid the Messenger sent from Lancaster
at mv own expenses, • . • ■ 3:7:0
"To the" Under-sheriff's Attendance on the
like service, eight days,
"To his Expenses in taking down Andrew
Lyeans to Prison to Lancaster other Ex-
penses on the Journey, . • • ■ 2:10:0
"Augt., 1750. And. Work, Sher.
56
HISTORICAL REVIEW
to do anything, with a negro, who was with
them, made off, leaving Andrew Lycans,
Shott and a boy engaged with the Indians.
The savages pursued them so closely that
one of them coming up to the boy was going
to strike his tomahawk into him, when Lud-
wig Shott turned and shot him dead, while
Lycans killed two more and wounded sev-
eral in addition. At last, being exhausted
and wounded, they sat down on a log to
rest themselves ; but the Indians were some-
what cautious and stood some distance from
them, and subsequently returned to look
after their own wounded. Lycans and all
his party managed to get over the moun-
tain into Hanover township, where they
were properly cared for. Here Andrew Ly-
cans died, leaving a wife, Jane Lycans,
and children, John, Susanna, Rebecca,
Elizabeth, Mary, and Margaret. It is
not known when Lycans' family, with
the other settlers, returned to their homes
in the Wiconisco Valley — but not until
all danger was over; and although on
a subsequent occasion they were obliged to
leave all and flee before the marauding sav-
ages, yet the one alluded to was the only in-
stance where they so narrowly escaped with
their lives. Besides, the erection of the forts
at Shamokin (Sunbury) and at Armstrong's
(Halifax) and at McKee's, at the foot of
Berry's mountain, was perchance ample pro-
tection from the annual marauds of the In-
dians, which up to the year 1764 kept the
frontier inhabitants in a terrible state of ap- '
prehension and fear.
John Lycans, son' of Andrew, became an
officer of the Provincial service, commis-
sioned July 12, 1762. In June, 1764, he
was stationed at Manada Gap. It is prob-
able he removed from the valley prior to
the Revolution. His mother, Jane Lycans,
in February, 1765, had a patent issued to
her for the land on which her husband had
located. The Lycans cabin stood until
about twenty years ago on McClure's farm,
owned at present by H. L. Lark. Ludwig
Shott died about 1790, and left a large family ;
some of his descendants remain in the val-
ley. Rewalt subsequently removed to the
now thickly settled portion of the Province.
Andrew Lycans has given his name to
this beautiful valley of the AViconisco, owing
perchance to the terrible encounter with the
Indians as narrated. The orthography has
been changed within the last fifty years, but
we have not learned the reason therefore.
Whether Lykens, or Lycans, we trust that
no attempt may ever be made to deprive the
first pioneer of the name which has been
appropriately given to it.
CHAPTER VI.
Genealogical Notes.
In the absence of town records, much diffi-
culty is daily experienced by those in search
of the records of their ancestry. In Penn-
sylvania, save among the early Quakers, the
abstracts of wills, the assessment lists, the ad-
ministration accounts, with an occasional
deed, are the only fields for genealogical re-
search prior to the war of the Revolution.
Owing to this fact, and to preserve to the
people of Dauphin county, and to the de-
scendants of those who have gone out from
it and are scattered over many States of the
Federal Union, we have compiled the follow-
ing abstracts of wills pertaining to that sec-
tion of Lancaster county which, after 1785,
became the county of Dauphin. The history
of the family is becoming of far greater im-
portance than the general history of public
affairs or that of the individual. We feel
confident, that in the, preservation in this
volume of these beginnings of the early
family history of the pioneers and other set-
tlers, we do excellent service ; and, therefore,
tender them to those into whose hands this
Encyclopedia of Biography may fall, believ-
ing that no other chapter contained within
the covers of the volume will be more highly
appreciated. At the present time, when on
all sides efforts are being made to preserve
the history of the family, no better lexicon
of genealogy can be found i n any local his-
torical volume.
Ashton, Alexander, of Hanover, d. De-
cember, 1743, leaving a wife Isabella, and
children ■. James, John, and Henry. The ex-
ecutors were Walter Carruth and John Mc-
Queen.
Allison, William, of Derry, d. in August,
1739, leaving a wife, and several children.
Allison, James, Sr, of Cormack Plains, d.
in September, 1739, leaving a wife Jean, and
children : Isabella, James, and John.
Allison, John, of Derry, d. in May, 1747,
leaving a wife Jeanet, and child ren : Robert,
Jean, Isabel, Margaret, Jeanet, and James.
Allison, James, d. in September, 1762,
leaving a wife Rebecca, and children : James,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
57
Anna m. Defrance, Janet m. William
•Watt, Margaret m. Bowman, Sarah,
and Rebecca. Mrs. Rebecca Allison d. Sep-
tember, 1764.
Allison, Robert, of Derry, d. in February,
1765, leaving brothers William and John,
who were his executors. The legatees of his
estate were the trustees of the Philadelphia
Hospital, the Grammar School of Newark,
Del., Anabella McDowell and Mary Clark.
Allison, John, d. May, 1767, leaving a wife
Ann, and children : Patrick, Jane, m.
Clark, Margaret, John, James, Ann, William,
Robert, and Rose.
Allison, James, d. April, 1776, leaving his
estate to his sisters Sarah Allison, Rebecca,
m. Killwell, and Janet, m. William
Watt ; also to his nephews, James and John
Defrance.
Allen, William, of Hanover, d. in Feb-
ruary, 1744, leaving a wife Sarah, and chil-
dren : William, John, Benjamin, and James.
Allen, William, of Hanover, d. in March,
1782, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children :
John, Sarah, m. James Dixon, Jean, m. John
Sawyer, Elizabeth, m. Samuel Mann, Mary,
m. John Snodgrass, Samuel, and William.
He mentions grandchildren Sarah and Allen
Dixon, Mary and William Allen.
Armstrong, James, of Paxtang, d. Decem-
ber, 1758, leaving a wife Jean, brothers Will-
iam and John, sisters Margaret, Mary, Eliza-
beth, m. Thompson, and Frances.
Andrews, John, of Hanover, d. March,
1783, leaving a wife Rachel, and among
others, daughter Elizabeth.
Barnett, John, d. September, 1734, leaving
a wife Jennet, and children : Thomas, Joseph,
Robert, James, John, Rebecca, Mary, and
Jean.
Barnett, Samuel, of Hanover, d. July,
1758, leaving a wife Martha, and children :
Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Rebecca.
Barnett, William, of Hanover, d. Febru-
ary, 1762, leaving a wife Margaret, and chil-
dren: Joseph and Sarah. .John and Will-
iam Barnett were the executors.
Barnett, William, of Paxtang, d. Septem-
ber, 1764, leaving a wife Rebecca, and chil-
dren : John, William, Mary, Rebecca, Isabel,
and Jean.
Barnett, John E„ of Paxtang, d. January,
1785, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Andrew, John, and Janet.
Bartlett, John, d. prior to August, 1761,
leaving sisters as follows: Rachel, m. Will-
iam Mills, Mary, m. Matthew Chambers,
Bathsheba, m. John Bailey, Rebecca, Martha.
Barclay, William, d. prior to 1761, at that
time his widow Esther being the wife of
Mclntire. William Barclay's chil-
dren were: John, Hugh, Stephen, Joseph,
Mary, Margaret, Martha, Esther.
Brandon, William, of Hanover, d. April,
1753, leaving a wife Isabella, and children:
James, Catharine, Ann, and William.
Black, David, of Derry, d. November, 1753,
leaving a wife Jane, and his estate to his
nephews, William and Thomas Spencer, and
William Laird, and nieces, Eliza Laird and
Mary Maxwell.
Black, Hugh, of Derry, d. September, 1759,
leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Thomas, David, deceased, Jean, Agnes, m.
John Laird, and Mary, m. Maxwell.
Bowman, Thomas, of Derry, d. in 1763,
leaving a wife Mary, and children : Hugh,
Jean, Elizabeth, John, and Thomas.
Bowman, Stephen, of Paxtang, d. May,
1782, leaving a wife Anna, and children :
Chrisly, John, Stephen, Barbara, m. Elias
Neglee, Mar}', m. JohnRoop, Addy, m. .Jacob
Roop, Freney, m. Chrisly Stopher, Ann, ra.
Henry Landis, and Elizabeth, m. Melchoir
Poorman.
Brown, William, of Hanover, d. January,
1771, leaving children; Mary, Ann, Molly,
William, John, and James. John and An-
drew Brown, presumably brothers, were the
executors.
Brown, Daniel, d. April, 1782, leaving a
wife Agnes, and children : Philip, Margaret,
Elizabeth, Agnes, and John.
Boyd, Jane, of Paxtang, d. in December,
1772; ,she left children: Mary, Jane, and
Martha ; sons-in-law James Miller, James
Means, James Anderson, William McWhor-
ter, and Robert McWhorter ; also a grand-
child, Jane Means.
Boyd, Robert, of Paxtang, d. September,
1785, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children :
Sarah, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Catharine
— the first three then residing in Ireland.
Boyd, William, of Derry, d. May, 1800,
leaving a wife Jennett, and children : James,
John, who had a son William, Jennett, m.
Moore, Mary, m. Strawbridge,
Williams, and William,
Margaret, m.
who had a son WiUiain.
Brightbill, J. Dorst, of Hanover, d. in
December, 1773, leaving a wife Mary, and
children : Elizabeth, Mary, John, and Peter.
Balsbach, George, of Hanover, d. in Sep-
tember, 1773, leaving a wife Maria Eva, and
58
HISTORICAL REVIEW
children : Peter, Valentine, Margaret, Cath-
arine, Eva, and George; son-in-law George
Henry.
Boeshore, Jacob, of Hanover, d. December,
1778, leaving children: Henry, Catharine,
John, Jacob, Ann, Christina, and Margaret;
son-in-law Adam Baumgardner.
Boggs, William,, of Paxtang, d. March,
1782, leaving a wife Lydia, and children :
James, Catharine, Ann, Margaret, Elizabeth,
William, Lydia, and John.
Bishop, William, d. March, 1783, leaving
a wife Anna, and children : Christopher,
Peter, John, Philip, Godleib, and Susanna,
m. Bretz.
Bell, William, of Paxtang, d. in October,
1783, leaving children : John, George, Will-
iam, Thomas, Arthur, Andrew, Jean, Sarah,
Mary, Dorcas, and Margaret.
Bell, Thomas, b. 1787 ; d. June 23, 1815.
His wife Ann, b. September 18, 1740. They
had among other children : Rev. Samuel,
m. Mary Snodgrass; James, b. 1772, d.
March 6, 1841, m. Catharine , b. 1782,
d. October 4, 1826; Eliza, m. James Dale, of
Union county. Pa.
Brand, John, of Paxtang, d. in November,
1783, leaving his estate to brothers Chris-
topher, Jacob, and Peter ; to sisters Eliza-
beth, m. Allman, Nancy, and Mary,
m. Hemperly.
Bradley, Samuel, of Hanover, d. April,
1785, leaving a wife Agnes, and brother John,
whose children were Samuel, William, Mary,
and John, brother James and son Samuel,
brother Matthew; besides Mary and Will-
iam Shay, children of William Shay.
Boal, Peter, of Paxtang, d. April, 1791,
leaving his . estate to his brothers John,
Michael, Henry, and sisters not named.
Bordner, John, of Lykens, d. June, 1812,
leaving a wife Susanna, and children as fol-
lows : Peter, Anna, m. Adam Heller, Susanna,
Elizabeth.
Bucher, Casper, of Paxtang, d. September,
1800, leaving a wife Catharine, and children :
George, John, Casper, Catharine, m. Henry
Goetz, Elizabeth, m. Jacob Engel, Anna
Maria, m. Samuel Wiestling, Dorothea, m.
Godfrey Fritchey, Magdalena, m. Henry
Shiley, and Jacob.
Clark, William, d. in September, 1732,
leaving wife Esther, and children : William,
Sarah, Esther, and Priscilla. The executors
were Thomas Clark and Rev. Adam Boyd.
Clark, Sarah, d. October, 1752, leaving sis-
ters: Esther, m. Jonathan Jones, and Pris-
cilla, m. Joseph Cookson, and a brother Will-
iam Clark. ,
Clark, John, d. in January, 1753, leaving
a wife Elizabeth, and children: Thomas,
Robert, and James.
Clark, Thomas, d. in 1759, leaving a wdfe
and children named: James, John, Abraham,
William, Thomas, Eleanor, Ma,ry, and Mar-
garet.
Clark, William, d. in May, 1763, leaving
wife Margaret, and children :, Peter, John,
Thomas, Joseph, and Ann. He mentions
his son-in-law John Baldridge.
Clark, Robert, of Upper Paxtang, d. in
March, 1771, leaving a wife Jean, and chil-
dren: William, Jean, m. Thomas Renick,
Elizabeth, m. John Means, and Mary, m.
William Wallis.
Clark, Robert, of Paxtang, d. March, 1788,
leaving his estate to his nephew William
Duncan.
Clark, Benj., of Hanover, d. March, 1801,
leaving children: Thomas, Margaret, de-
ceased, m. John Gilichen, Mary, m. Richard
McCIay, grandson Benjamin Clark, and
granddaughter Elizabeth Clark, m. Balzer
Stein, children of his daughter Jane.
Cathey, John, of Paxtang, d. in February,
1742, leaving a wife Ann, and children:
Alexander and Eleanor.
Campbell, Samuel, of Derry, d. October,
1747, leaving a wife and children: William,
James, John, Hugh, and Thomas; also grand-
children Elizabeth and Samuel, children
of Hugh Campbell.
Campbell, William, d. in April, 1748,
leaving a wife Mary, and children : John,
William, Mary, Jane, Margaret, and Ann.
The executors were Samuel Reed and Samuel
Graham.
Campbell, Andrew, d. in June, 1752,
leaving children : John, Archibald, Andrew,
Sarah, and Margaret; besides grandchild
Jane, m. Robert McNeal.
Campbell, James, of Londonderry, d. in
May, 1771, leaving a wife Rosan'na, and
children : John and Patrick ; grandchild
James, son of John ; sister Martha Cary.
Campbell, Patrick, d. July, 1772, leaving
a wife Mary, son-in-law William Smith, and
grandchild Campbell Smith.
Campbell, Andrew, d. in July, 1797, leav-
ing his estate to his nephews Daniel, Archi-
bald, and John McNeal.
Campbell, John, of East Hanover, died in
1787, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
59
William, James, John, Mary, Jane, Isaac,
and Margery.
Craig, John, d. prior to September, 1760,
and left issue : Sarah, m. David Allen, Mary,
Isabel, and John.
Caldwell, Andrew, d. in December, 1752,
leaving a wife Ann, and children : Andrew,
Rachael, m. James Croswell, and Robert;
granddaughter Hannah, child of Rachael.
Caldwell, Robert, d. March, 1755, leaving
his estate to his mother Ann Caldwell, and
brother Andrew Caldwell, and sister Rachael,
m. James Croswell.
Caldwell, Andrew, d. in January, 1759,
leaving a wife Martha, and children : Alex-
ander, Andrew, John, and David.
Caldwell, Andrew, of Paxtang, d. in April,
1771, leaving children : Sarah, m. James
Carson, Rebecca, David, Ann, Andrew, and
James. The executors were James Carson,
Matthew Smith, and Andrew Caldwell.
Caldwell, John, of Paxtang, d. in March,
1782, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
David, James, John, Sarah, and Ann.
Caldwell, David, of Paxtang, d. in May,
1783, leaving mother, Mary Caldwbll,
brothers James and John, and sisters
Sarah and Ann.
Caldwell, James, d. in March, 1785, leaving
a wife Mary, and children : John, William,
Andrew, Oliver, James, Mary, m. William
Mooney, and Agnes, m. John Atchinson.
Caldwell, John, of Paxtang, d. April, 1786,
leaving a father John ; brothers James and
David, and sister Ann.
Crawford, John, or Christopher, a native
of Londonderry, Ireland, came to America
about 1803. He married, about 1805, Bar-
bara Radebaugh Berryhill, daughter of Peter
Radebaugh, of Hummelstown,and widow of
■ Berryhill. By her first marriage Mrs.
Crawford had : Mary, b. February 9, 1794,
m. Wise ; Justina, b. March 21,
1796, m. Deary; William, b. 1798,
d. December 11, 1867, m. Catharine Bran-
don, d. August 28, 1.863, at Harrisburg. The
children of Christopher or John Crawford
and Barbara Radebaugh Berryhill were :
John, b. November 6, 1808 ; Eliza, b. 1808 ;
m. Robert Wright, and removed to Miami
county, Ohio; Mrs. Wright resided near
Potsdam, that county ; Jane, b. June 9,
1810, m. John Daly, of Lewistown, Pa.; then
removed to Piedmont, W. Va., where their
descendants now reside ; Mrs. Daly died in
1880; Susan, b. 1812, m. Andrew Murray,
of Hanover ; removed to Harrisburg, Mont-
gomery county, Ohio, and subsequently to
Blue Ball, Butler county, that State ; Bar-
bara, b. January 18, 1814, m. John Delaney,
of Derry, Dauphin county, removed to Red
Lion, Lycoming county. Pa. Mr. and Mrs.
Crawford diedinSpringdale, and were buried
in the old church graveyard at Hummelstown.
Cochran, William, of Paxtang, d. in July,
1749, leaving a large famil}^ of children, only
two of whom are named in the will, Janet
and Martha.
Cochran, John, of Hanover, d. in July,
1750, leaving a wife Jean and son William.
Cochran, Andrew, of Paxtang, d. in No-
vember, 1775, leaving children : James, Jean,
Mary, Martha, Sarah, John, Andrew, and
William. The executors were Andrew and
William Cochran.
Calhoun, John, of Paxtang, d. in October,
1754, leaving a wife Janet and son George.
Calhoun, James, d. November, 1772, leav-
ing a wifeElizabeth, and children : William,
James, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Jane.
Calhoun, William, of Paxtang, d. Septem-
ber, 1786, leaving a wife Agnes and daugh-
ter Elizabeth, m. Henry McCormick, and
other children : Isabel and William, and
also a grandson William.
Cunningham, William, d. in December,
1751, leaving a wife Isabella, and children :
John, Thomas, James, Margaret, and Mary.
The executors were Anna Kyle and Samuel
Ramsey.
Cunningham, Samuel, d. in July, 1777,
leaving a wife Janet, and children : Robert,
Samuel, Sarah, Martha, and James, and
grandchild Hannah Campbell.
Chambers, James, of Derry, d. in Febru-
ary, 1758, leaving a wife Sarah, and chil-
dren : Ann, Sarah, James, Elizabeth, Benja-
min, and Joseph. The executors were Rob-
ert Boyd and Arthur Chambers.
Chambers, Arthur, of Derrj'^, d. in 1761,
leaving a wife Jean, and children : Max-
well, Robert, Rowland, Arthur, and John.
Jean Chambers and James Shaw were the
executors.
Chambers, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. in Feb-
ruary, 1768, leaving a wife Mary, and
daughter Catharine. James Patterson and
Samuel Hunter and Thomas Forster we're
the executors.
Chambers, William, of Paxtang, d. in Oc-
tober, 1765, leaving a wife Mary, and chil-
dren : Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah, James, and
Samuel. The executors were Mary and Sam-
uel Chambers.
60
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Chambers, Samuel, of Paxtang, died in
Jijly, 1766, leaving a wife Jean, and mother
Mary, brothers William, John, and James,
and sister Sarah. James Chambers and
Joshua White were the executors.
Chambers, John, of Paxtang, d. in March,
1770, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Samuel, Robert, Elizabeth, Isabel, Esther,
and Mary.
Chambers, Maxwell, of Paxtang, d. in
June, 1785, leaving children : Elizabeth, b.
April 14, 1792 ; Arthur, b. December 5, 1793 ;
Jeremiah, b. November 16, 1794; and Max-
well, b. September 7, 1799.
Crawford, William, d. in April, 1761,
leaving a wife Violet, and children : Isabella,
m. William Moore, Elizabeth, m. John
Crawford, Robert, and William.
Crawford, David, d. in April, 1779, leav-
ing a wife Mary, and children : Ann, Martha,
Betsy, and James; grandchildren Lillie
Hamilton, David and John Maybin, Mary
and Sarah Clark, David and William Craw-
ford.
Carson, William, of Paxtang, d. in Sep-
tember, 1761, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and
children : Sarah, Agnes, John, Jean, and
Eliza.
Carson, John, of Paxtang, d. in February,
1765, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children :
William, John, and Elizabeth ; and step-
children Sarah Willis and Tillie Gillespie.
The executors weie Jeremiah Warder, John
Ord, and John Pywell, all of Philadelphia.
Carson, James, of Paxtang, d. in July,
1773, leaving children : Jean and Andrew,
brother Alexander, and sister Mary Sloan
alias Thompson.
Carson, John, of Paxtang, d. January, 1778,
leaving children : Richard, John, George,
and Jean, and son-in-law James Wilson.
Sons Richard and George were the execu-
tors.
Curry, William, of Paxtang, d. in Feb-
ruary, 1746, leaving a wife Agnes, and child
Mary, and brothers Robert Curry and An-
drew Caldwell.
Curry, Robert, of Paxtang, d. in May,
1768, leaving a wife Mary Ann, and chil-
dren : William, Margaret, Jean, Agnes, John,
Daniel, and James.
Crocket, John, of Derry, d. in March, 1768,
leaving a wife Jean, and children : Thomas,
Robert, John, and James. There were others,
but not mentioned by name. Jean Cham-
bers and Robert Bradshaw were the execu-
tors.
Caruthers, Robert, of Derry, d. November,
1770, leaving a wife Eleanor, and a brother
James. Robert Chambers and Jacob Cook
were the executors.
Caruthers, Robert, of Derry, d. April, 1772,
leaving children : Mary, Eleanor, Dorcas,
Jane, and Sarah, son-in-law Henry Taylor,
and grandchild Robert McCartney. Jacob
Cook and David Montgomery were the ex-
ecutors.
Carr, John, of Derry, d. February, 1789,
leaving sisters Rosannah Campbell, Mary
McMichael, and her children : John, James,
Jean, and Mary ; Susannah, m. Coul-
ter ; and brother Joshua ; also a sister's son,
Robert Edmiston ; Susannah Caldwell, Mary
Caldwell, and Rosannah Green.
Cooper, William, of Hanover, d. April,
1785, leaving a wife Sarah, and children :
John, Robert, who had a son Robert, Mar-
garet, m. Alexander Mitchell and had a son
William, and Isabella, m. David Ramsey.
Corbett, Peter, of Upper Paxtang, d. 1785,
leaving his estate to his daughter Margaret,
m. Sturgeon, and other children :
Jean, Peter, Samuel, John, and Thomas.
Duncan, John, d. in 1746, leaving a wife
Ann.
Duncan, James, of Derry, d. in March,
1758, leaving a wife Jean, and children:
Mary, Elizabeth, Jean, Margaret, Anthony,
James, Andrew, and Joseph. The execu-
tors were Thomas Logan and Robert Boyd.
Duncan, James, of Martick, d. in Septem-
ber, 1765, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and chil-
dren : John, Robert, James, Andrew, Sarah,
m. Robert Martin. The executors were wife
Elizabeth and son John.
Duncan, Jean, of Derry, d. October, 1765,
leaving children: Joseph, Andrew, John,
James, Elizabeth, .Jean, and Margaret. John
Steel and Patrick Haj's were the execu-
tors.
Duncan, John, of Paxtang, d. October,
1788, leaving wife Ann, brothers James,
Robert, Andrew, sister m. John Hilton, and
their daughter Jean, grandson David
Ritchey, great-grandchildren John and Ann
Ritchey.
Dickey, George, d. in October, 1748, leav-
ing a wife and children: James, William,
John, Sarah, Susanna, Esther, Elizabeth,
and Moses. Moses Dickey was executor.
Dickey, Moses, of Paxtang; d. in May,
1766, leaving a wife Agnes, and children:
William, John, Catharine, m.John Forster,
Sarah, m. John Carson, Agnes, m. Robert
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
61
Dickey, and Moses. The executors were
John and Moses Dickey.
Deininger, Leonard, d. September, 1770,
leaving a wife Mary Margaret, and children :
Adam, Barbara, and Catharine, m.
Leitzer.
Dearmond, Mary, of Hanover, d. in March,
1780, leaving children: John, Sarah, Mar-
garet, and Richard; grandchildren James
Robertson and Mary Johnston. Richard
Johnston and Richard Dearmond were the
executors.
Ettelin, David, of Paxtang, d. in May, 1 781,
leaving a wife Anna Margaret, and children:
Christina, John, Philip, Catharine, Conrad,
David, and Anna. The executors were
Christopher Heppich and Conrad Wolfley.
Ellis, Ann, of Humm-elstown, d. 1788,
leaving children : Christiana, m. Samuel
Miller ; Ann, ra. Wolfkill ; and sister
m. Mathias Hoover, and their son Ma-
thias.
Enterline, John Michael, of Upper Pax-
tang, aged 74 years, d. March, 1800, leaving
a wife Anna Barbara, and children : John
Michael, John Paul, Daniel, Anna Mary,
m. Adam Lenker, and Elizabeth, m. Henry
Wirth.
Foster, David, of Derry, d. in November,
1745, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
David, William, James, and Robert. The
executors were Andrew Moore and John Mc-
Queen.
Foster, William, of Derry, d. March, 1764,
leaving brothers James, John, Robert, and
David.
Foster, David, of Londonderry, d. in April,
1778, leaving a wife Mary, and daughter
Elizabeth. Mary and James Foster were the
executors.
French, James, of Hanover^ d. in Septem-
ber, 1764, leaving a wife Margaret, and
children: Mary, Thomas, Isabel, James,
Agnes, Elizabeth, John, Sarah, Ruth, and
Margaret.
Fleming, George, of Paxtang, d. in June,
1768, leaving a wife Martha, and children :
Elizabeth and Margaret.
Fleming, John, of Derry, d. in April, 1777,
leaving a wife Jean, and children : John,
Margaret, Eleanor, and Ann. Jean Flem-
ing and Jacob Cook were the executors.
Finney, James, of Hanover, d. in April,
1774, leaving a wife Jane, and children :
Thomas, Mary, Jane, and Rebecca.
Finney, Thomas, of Hanover, d. Marcli,
1786, leaving a wife Isabella, and children :
Martha, Mary, Jane, Isabella, Margaret,
Effie, John, and Henry.
Flora, Joseph, Sr., of Paxtang, d. Septem-
ber, 1785, leaving a wife Katharine, and
children: David, deceased; Abraham, de-
ceased; John, deceased ; Katharine, m. .John
Bomberger; Mary, m. Michael Bomberger;
Joseph, and Peter. Executors Katharine
Flora and Conrad Wolfley.
Fertig, Michael, of Middle Paxtang, d. prior
to 1800, leaving a wife Mary, and children
as follows: Michael, John, Zachariah, Peter,
Adam, and Elizabeth, m. Jacob Bogner.
Flack, Alexander, of Derry, d. March,
1788, leaving by first wife Elizabeth, chil-
dren : Martha, Christina, Margaret, William,
Thomas, and Elizabeth ; by second wife
Dorothy, children : Dorothy and Sabina.
Fox, Peter, of Lower Paxtang, d. in May,
1814, leaving a wife Anna, and the follow-
ing children : Henry, Peter, and Anna.
Forster, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. in July,
1772, leaving brothers John and William;
sisters Elizabeth, Margaret, Isabella, and
Agnes.
Fisher, George, of Paxtang, d. October,
1781, leaving children: John, George; and
Hannah. The executors were Joshua and
Jonas Chamberlin.
Graham, John, d. January, 1743, leaving
a wife and children : William and John.
Richard Sankey and Brice Sankey were ex-
ecutors.
Graham, James, d. in October, 1745, leav-
ing a wife and children: James, John, and
Mary. Richard Sankey and Patrick Wat-
son were the executors.
Graham, John. d. in December, 1763, leav-
ing a wife Margaret, and brothers George
and Robert.
Graham, James, of Hanover, d. May, 1786,
leaving a wife Agnes, and his estate to his
brother John, deceased, and his children :
William, James, and John ; to sister Eliza-
beth Innis, and lier children : Elizabeth,
Ann, m. Irwin, Racliael, m. David
Sterrett, Mary, m. Timothy Green ; to sister
Martha Graham and her children : Mary,
m. Young, Jennie, m. Irwin,
William, Martha, m. Black, John,
Ann, and Samuel ; to sister Ann Hender-
son and her children : Mary, m.
Smith, Samuel, and John ; brother Alexan-
der Graham, and his daughter Ann, m.
Thomas Bell; sister Margaret and her chil-
dren : Jennie Bell and Ann Crawford.
Gilchrist, John, of Paxtang, d. in Feb-
62
HISTORICAL REVIEW
ruary, 1746, leaving a wife Jean, and chil-
dren : James, John, Elizabeth, and Robert.
Gilchrist, James, of Paxtang, d. April,
1777, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
Eleanor, Mary, Margaret, Jean, Elizabeth,
Martha, and John. Robert Gilchrist execu-
tor.
Gilchrist, James, d. May, 1782, leaving a
wife Sarah, and children : Margaret, m.
Charles Harrow, Sarah, m. James Robert-
son, and Robert; grandchildren James and
Alexander Harrow.
Gilchrist, Robert, of Paxtang, d. July,
1783, leaving a wife Sarah, and children :
Thomas, John, Robert, Elizabeth, Eleanor,
Agnes, and Sarah.
Gilchrist, William, d. in March, 1795,
leaving children: Sarah, Samuel, and a son-
in-law James Cummings.
Gilliland, Hugh, d. in November, 1750,
leaving a wife Ann, and children : Mary,
Eleanor, Ann, Elizabeth, Agnes, Robert, and
Hugh. Executors wife Ann and brother
John.
Gillespie, Patrick, of Paxtang, d. in
March, 1771, leaving a wife Mary, and chil-
dren : John, William, Catharine, and Mary.
Gallagher, John, of Paxtang, d. in April,
17.81, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children :
Sarah, Mary, Thomas, and William. The
wife, with David Montgomery and Andrew
Stewart, were the executprs.
Greenlee, James, of Hanover, d. March,
1785, leaving wife and children : William
and son James, James, Alexander, and
Robert.
Harper, Moses, of Paxtang, d. April, 1746,
leaving his estate to his brother Samuel, sis-
ter Jean, and nephew Moses Harper.
Harris, John, of Paxtang, d. in 1748, leav-
ing a wife Esther, and children : William,
Samuel, David, Elizabeth, John, and Esther.
John Harris and George Gibson were the
executors,
Hall, James, d. August, 1745, leaving a
wife Catharine, and children : John, Will-
iam, Jane, Mary, and Catharine.
Hall, Hugh, of Derry, d. in. February,
1758, leaving a wife Sarah, and children:
John,. George, Thomas, James, Hugh, Sam-
uel, Rose, and William. Sarah Hall and
Joseph Candour were the executors.
Hall, Thomas, d. in March, 1759, leaving
a wife Isabella, and children : Mary, Sarah,
Hugh, Elizabeth, and John. The executor
Isabella, his wife.
Hall, Sarah, of Londonderry, d. April,
1783, leaving children : Rose, m. Jacob Cook,
Samuel, and William ; grandchildren Sarah
Hall and Sarah Cook.
Hendricks, Tobias, of Pennsboro, d. No-
vember, 1789, leaving children : Henry, John,
Rebecca.Tobias, David, Peter, Abraham, and
Isaac. Executors were his wife and son
Tobias.
Hamilton, James, d. in December, 1748,
leaving a wife Mary, and son James. He
mentions his cousins Thomas and James
Hamilton, and brother Hance Hamilton.
Hamilton, Jean, of Londonderry, d. May,
1801, leaving children: Elizabeth, William,
and James.
Hamilton, William, d. in 1782, having
made his will September 17, 1778. In this
he mentions his wife Jean, and the following
children : Hugh, William, John, Robert,
Ann, m. James Wallace, James, now in the
army, Nancy, m. Thomas Wade. The ex-
ecutor of the estate was his son Hugh.
Hays, John, of Derry, d. May, 1766, leav-
ing a wife Margaret, and children : Jean and
William. The wife and Patrick Hays were
executors.
Hays, John, of Londonderry, d. in April,
1774, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
James, Jean, Mary, John, and Sybil. The
executors were wife Mary, and trusty friend
William Hays.
Hays, Hugh, of Londonderry, d. in April,
1779, leaving a wife Mary, and child : Mar-
garet. He speaks of his brother, Patrick
Hays, and sisters Buchanan and Morrison.
Hays, David, of Rapho, d. May, 1780,
leaving a wife Jean, and children : Robert,
John, Patrick ; son-in-law Alexander Scott.
Hays, Robert, of Derry, d. April, 1807,
leaving a wife Margaret, and children : Mar-
garet, John, Patrick, Robert, William, Sam-
uel, and Joseph.
Hough, Joseph, of Hanover, d. in July,
1768, leaving children : Ann, Elizabeth, and
Joseph. Executors were Joseph Stout and
Samuel .Jones.
Haney, Margaret, of Paxtang, d. February,
1771, leaving children: Jean, Margaret, m.
Patrick Heaney, and Mary, and grandchild
Howard Heaney, and brother John Scott.
Hill, John, of Hanover, d. in June, 1770,
leaving a wife Abigail, and children : Will-
iam, Jenny, Ann, and Abigail.
Hill, Robert, of Hanover, d. 1783, leaving
children: William, Abigail, and Robert,
and step-daughter Ann Morton.
Heart, Henry, of Derry, d. in June, 1771,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
63
leaving a wife Agnes, and a number of chil-
dren. Names not given.
Huston, Andrew, of Paxtang, d. in May,
1782, leaving a wife, whose maiden name
was Park. The legatees were : Brother
James and his sons Andrew, James,William,
and John, sister Margaret, wife of Thomas
Mayes, niece Jean Hilton, niece Mary Smith,
brother John and his son John, niece Mar-
garet Stewart, nephew Robert Thome, the
children of .John Rutherford, Thomas,
Samuel, John, William, Jean, Martha, and
Mary, sister-in-law Margaret Rutherford.
The executors were John Rutherford, Will-
iam Thome, and Samuel Hutchinson.
Hubler, Abraham, of Hanover, d. in Feb-
ruary, 1777, leaving children: Barbara, m.
Francis Alberdal, Jacob, Catharine, Salome,
and John.
Hutchison, John, of Hanover, d. in March,
1784, leaving a brother Robert and a sister
Lydia Scott.
Hutchison, Joseph, of Hanover, d. in Feb-
ruary, 1785, leaving children: Mary, m.
Robert Moody, Lydia, m. James Wilson,
step-daugh ter Margaret Robinson , and grand-
children Joseph Willson, Elizabeth Jami-
son, and Nancy Scott.
Henderson, John, of Swatara, d. Septem-
ber, 1801, leaving children: William, John,
James, Alexander, Francis, and Mary, m.
James Graham.
Harrison, Sarah, widow, of East Hanover,
d. August, 1806, leaving children: Elizabeth,
m. Martin, Mary, m. Ward,
Jane, Sarah, James, and Stephen.
Hume, Mary, of Hanover, d. April, 1791,
leaving brothers: John, William, and
Thomas, and sister Martha.
Hume, William, of Hanover, d. February,
1792, leaving a mother Ann Hume, brothers
James, Thomas, and John; sisters Isabel,
Eleanor, and Martha.
Irvine, William, of Pennsboro, d. in May,
1748, leaving a wife Eleanor, and children:
Mary, Francis, John,William, Robert, James,
Samuel, and Alexander.
Ireland, James, of Derry, d. September,
1767, leaving a wife Anna, and child: Mary.
The executors were Robert Wallace and
Matthew Laird.
Innis, Elizabeth, of Hanover, d. May. 1788,
leaving daughters: Ann Irwin, Rachael, wife
of David Sterrett, Elizabeth, wife of John
Gilchrist, and Mary, wife of Timothy Green,
son James Innis and grandson Brice Innis.
Isenhower, Peter, of Paxtang, d. May, 1801,
leaving a wife Ann, and children: Peter,
Frederick and son John, Samuel, Michael,
Elizabeth, Nicholas, Magdalena, Barbara,
John, Catharine, Christina, Ann, Margaret,
and Jacob.
Johnston, Francis, d. September, 1752,
leaving a wife Isabella and children: Mary,
George, and John.
Johnston, James, of Paxtang, d. Septem-
ber, 1783, leaving children: James, Jean, m.
John Foster; step-daughters Eleanor and
Mary McClain; and grandchildren Martha
Willson and Janet Means; son-in-law
Thomas Means.
Johnson, John, of Hanover, d. in January,
1763, leaving children : Robert, William, and
Mary.
Jones, Darick, of Paxtang, d. in July, 1777,
leaving a wife Jean, and children : William,
Benjamin, Miriam, and Jean. Executors
were wife Jean and brother Benjamin, resid-
ing at Kirkwood, Hunterdon county, N. J.
Jones, Isaac, of Halifax, d. January, 1816,
leaving children as follows : Jacob, John,
and George.
Jury (Sliora), Abraham, of Upper Paxtang
d. September, 1785, leaving a wife Catharine,
and children: Samuel, Abraham, Mary,
Magdalena, Margaret and her son Andrew,
Catharine, and Susannah. ,
Kerr, John, of Paxtang, d. in July, 1734,
leaving a brother William, and nephew
George, son of William.
Kerr, James, of Paxtang, d. in June, 1748,
leaving a wife and children : John, Joseph,
William, Mary, James, and Nathaniel. The
executors were James Morris and Thomas
Elder.
Kerr, John, of Derry, d. October, 1754, leav-
ing children: Sarah, m. Caruthers,and
James; grandchildren John, Robert, and
Esther Caruthers. The executors were James
Kerr and Seth Rogers.
Kerr, Joiin, d. in 1778, leaving brothers
Michael and Thomas, and sisters Janet and
Sarah.
Kirkpatrick, William, of Paxtang, d. Sep-
tember, 1760, leaving a wife Margaret, and
children : John, William, Margaret, Anna,
and Sarah.
Kapp, Michael, d. in May, 1764, leaving a
wife Margaret, and children: Christopher,
Barbara, George, Valentine, John, Andrew,
Michael, Anthony, Jacob, Peter, Susanna,
Catharine, and Christina.
Kapp, Margaret, widow, d. in December,
1785, leaving children : Christopher, George,
64
HISTORICAL REVIEW
John, Andrew, Michael, Anthony, Peter, Bar-
bara, Susanna, Catharine, and Christina. The
executors were George Kapp and son-in-law
Martin Frey.
Kelly, George, of Derry, d. in September,
1768, leaving wife Rosanna, and children :
Andrew, Thomas, and Rachel. The wife and
brother Patrick Kelly were executors.
Kelly, Patrick, of Londonderry, d. in July,
1770, leaving a wife Rachael, and children :
Patrick, Thomas, James, Rachael, Mary,
George, Anna, and John ; grandchild An-
drew, son of George.
Kii'kwood, Robert, of Hanover, d. Septem-
ber, 1771, leaving a son William and a
brother William. Robert Wallace and James
McCreight were the executors.
Kittering, Adam, of Londonderry, d. in
N( vember, 1775, leaving a wife Magdalena,
and children : Valentine, Jacob, Michael,
Lawrence, and Margaret, m. Mathew Stehley;
grandchildren Abraham and Barbara Steh-
ley.
Kennedy, David, of Paxtang, d. April,
1775, leaving a wife Sarah.
Kennedy, -James R., of Paxtang, d. in Sep-
tember, 1777, leaving a wife Mar}^ ; his widow
d. in September, 1777, leaving a brother
John Kerleton.
Kennedy, Thomas, of West Hanover, d.
January, 1803, leaving a wife Jean, and chil-
dren: Robert, Joseph, Mary, and Jean.
Kerper, Frederick, of Londonderry, d.
March, 1790, leaving a wife Margaret, and
children : John, Nicholas, Jacob, Philip,
Adam, Samuel, Catharine, m. Peter Becker,
and Magdalena.
Keiter, Peter, of Upper Paxtang, d. April,
1801, leaving a wife Gertrude, and children:
John, Peter, Gerhard, Benjamin, Margaret,
m. Jacob Frack, Elizabeth, m. John Frey,
Gertrude, m. Daniel Miller, Mary, Catha-
rine, and Veronica.
Koch, David, of Lower Paxtang, d. in No-
vember, 1813. He left his estate to his
mother, Eva Koch, and his sisters, as fol-
lows: Magdalena, Jane, Catharine, and Eva.
Kupper, John George, of Upper Paxtang,
d. in April, 1780, leaving a wife Elizabeth,
and children: Jacob, Elizabeth, Catharine,
Anna Maria, Magdalena, and Adam. Ex-
ecutors were Martin Weaver and John Mat-
ter.
Laird, James, of Derry, d. in November,
1731, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
David and Mary.
Laird, John, of Derry, d. in August, 1777,
leaving a wife Agnes, and children : James,
Hugh, John, Samuel, William, Elizabeth, m.
Mathew McKinney, Mary, m. Andrew Rei-
gart, and Jane. The executors were Hugh
and James Laird.
Laird, Agnes, dau. of Hugh Black and
widow of John Laird, of Derry, d. March
1779, leaving children : Hugh, Elizabeth, m.
Matthew McKinney, Mary, m. Andrew Big-
gar, James, John, Jean,m. Parkhill,
Samuel, and William. Executors were James
and John Laird.
Lusk, James, of Paxtang, d. in May, 1768,
leaving a wife and children : James, Patrick,
William, Margaret, Martha, Elizabeth, Mary,
Sarah, and Ann.
Lusk, James, of Paxtang, d. May, 1778,
leaving sisters Mary, m. John Bowman,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Ann, and Margaret, and
brother Patrick Lusk.
LeRue, George, of Paxtang, d. in. Decem-
ber, 1769, leaving brothers Isaac and Jonas
LeRue.
LeRew, Peter, d. December, 1744, leaving
a wife Elizabeth, and children : John,
George, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth, Catharine,
and Peter. Nathaniel Lightner and Joseph
Ferree were the executors.
Landis, John, d. July, 1756, leaving a wife
Margaret, and son John. There were other
children whose names are not given.
Landis, Henry, d. September, 1760, leav-
ing a wife Mary, and son Henry. Other
children not named.
Landis, Felix, of Derry, d. in April, 1770,
leaving a wife Mary, naming sons Peter and
Jacob. The writer of the will was twice
married, and there were minor children
whose names are not mentioned.
Landis, John, d. in November, 1771, leav-
ing a wife Anna, and children : Mary, m.
Christian Graybill, Rebecca, m. Martin Bear,
and Sarah, m. Michael Wenger ; grandchild
Jacob Grider.
Landis, Barbara, d. in March, 1776, leav-
ing a brother Henry. Executors were Rudy
and Daniel Bollinger.
Loss, Jacob, of Hanover, d. December,
1781, leaving a wife Anna Dorothea, and
children : John, Jacob, and George.
Low, James, of Hanover, d. in July, 1782,
leaving a wife Isabella, and children : James,
George, John, Margaret, m. John Willson,
Mary, and Isabella. Executors were John
French and David Ramsey.
Lecron, Daniel, d. prior to 1770, leaving a
wife Maria Margaret, and issue: John, Mat-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
65
thias, Andrew, Maria Susanna, Susanna, and
Dorothea.
Luther, Dr. John, of Harrisburg, d. Jan-
uary, 1811, leaving children : Catharine, Cor-
nelius, Martin, and John.
Logan, John, of Londonderry, d. February,
1788, leaving a wife Hannah, and children :
Thomas, William, John, Margaret, m.
Willson, Mary, m. Samuel McCleary. Ex-
ecutors were William Duncan and William
Logan.
Middleton, William, of Paxtang, d. in Jan-
uary, 1732, leaving a wife and children :
John, William, Thomas, and George.
Middleton, George, d. 1747, leaving a wife
Mary, and children : Thomas, Robert, and
William.
McCallen, James, d. September, 1744, leav-
ing a wife and children : John, James, Dolly,
and Esther.
McCallen, James, of Pennsboro, d. July,
1747, leaving a wife Anna, and children :
Alexander, William, James, and John.
Mordah, John, d. in December, 1744, leav-
ing a wife Agues, and children : James,
Henry, and Eleanor.
Murray, John, of Paxtang, d. in June,
1745, leaving his estate to James Armstrong
and Thomas Gallagher.
Mays, James, d. August, 1745, leaving a
wife Margaret, and children : Rebecca, Mar-
garet, James, and Andrew. Executors were
wife and brother Andrew.
Means, Samuel, of Paxtang, d. in Febru-
ary, 1746, leaving a wife Griselda, and chil-
dren : Nellie, Margaret, Andrew, Jean, Isa-
bella, .John, Mary, and Samuel.
McMeen, William, of Pennsboro, d. in
September, 1746, leaving a wife Jennie, and
children : John, William, James, Thomas,
andRachael. Executors were James Woods,
George Wright, and John McCormick.
Mitchell, James, d. October, 1746, leaving
children : James, Alexander, Thomas, Will-
iam, Jean, Rachel, Mary, and Margaret.
Mitchell, David, d. November, 1757, leav-
ing children : Samuel, Jean, Margaret, Sarah,
Abraham, George, and David.
Mitchell, David, of Londonderry, d. April,
1786, leaving children : Thomas, who had
Jean, Elizabeth, and David ; Jean, who had
a son David ; a daughter m. James Mc-
Cord, David, Elizabeth, Eleanor, a daughter
m. Thome, who had a son David.
McDowell, James, d. August, 1746, leav-
ing a wife Mary, and children : John, Mar-
garet, Mary, Jean, Elizabeth, Abigail, and
Sarah. Executors were Andrew Morrison
and John McDowell.
Montgomery, Robert, of Paxtang, d. in
October, 1748, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and
children : John, Jean, m. .James Tolan; son-
in-law George Clark, and grandchild Robert,
son of John.
McGee, John, of Derry, d. in 1748, leav-
ing brothers and sisters: James, Elizabeth,
Margaret, Jane, and Mary.
McCleary, Andrew, d. in May, 1748, leav-
ing a wife Isabella, and children : Samuel,
Robert, and Hannah. Executors were Will-
iam Maxwell and David Houston.
McQuown, John, d. in July, 1748, leav-
ing a wife Margaret, and children : Hugh,
Thomas, John, Richard, Elizabeth, and Mar-
garet.
McKinney, John, of Paxtang, d. in No-
vember, 1749, leaving a wife Jean, and
among other children, a son John; mother,
Martha McKinne}' ; brother Henry, and
brother-in-law Thomas Harris — the latter
three being executors.
McFarland, James, d. January, 1752, leav-
ing a wife Margaret, and brothers John
and Joseph. Executors were wife Margaret
and brother-in-law William Greer.
McFarland, Daniel, d. July, 1752, leaving
a wife and children : William and Marga-
ret ; grandson James Chestnut.
McFarland, Walter, of Hanover, d. July,
1790, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
John, dec'd, who left children, Margaret, m.
McBride, Catharine m. John-
ston, and had Walter, Mary m. Rid-
dle, Walter, Rachel, m.
Gibson, Ann,
m. McCullough, and William ; grand-
son James McFarland.
McFarland, Mary, of Derry, widow of John,
d. August, 1780, leaving children: Walter,
John, Mary, m. James Laird.
McCosh, John, of Derry, d. in November,
1754, leaving a wife Jannet. Executors were
wife and Robert and William Boyd.
McCosh, Jannet, of Derry, d. in October,
1757, leaving brothers William and John and
Alexander Boyd.
McAllister, Neal, of Derry, d. November,
1757, leaving children : John, James, and
Neal; grandchild Neal.
McKnight, James, of Paxtang, d. in No-
vember, 1753, leaving a wife Martha, and
children: Francis, Samuel, and John. Ex-
ecu tors were wife Marth a an d brother Will iam.
McNeely, John, of Hanover, d. in October,
1758, leaving a wife Martha, and child :
66
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Rachael, m.
Gamble ; grandchil-
dren John and Janet Gamble and Chrissa
Cooper.
McKibben, Josepli, d. October, 1761, leav-
ing a wife Elizabeth, and children: John,
Joseph, James, and Elizabeth.
McCord, William, d. March, 1761, leaving
a child Martha, and sons-in-law George Alex-
ander, Thomas McCord, John Means, and
John Montgomery. Executors were Patrick
Montgomery and George Alexander.
Mcllhenny, Alexander, of Hanover, d.
April, 1761, leaving children : Agnes, Mary,
Elizabeth, and Ann.
McKee, James, of Derry, d. October, 1762,
leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
Robert, James, and Samuel. Executors
were Margaret and Robert McKee.
Menelly, Martha, of Hanover, d. Novem-
ber, 1762, leaving her estate to Robert and
John Bell.
Mays, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. July, 1764,
leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
Thomas, Margaret, Rebecca, Andrew, Will-
iam, John, Mary, Dorcas, Samuel, and
Matthew. Executors were wife Margaret and
son Thomas.
Maybane, John, Jr., of Derry, d. January,
1765, leaving children: David and John,
father John Maybane, father-in-law David
Crawford, and brother William Maybane.
The executors were John Maybane, Sr., and
Andrew Roan.
Maybane, John, of Derry, d. November,
1769, leaving a wife Anna, and children :
Robert, William, Elizabeth, m. Lind-
say, Isabella, m. William Cusich, Jean, m.
Leister, Mary, m . Wiley, Janet,
m. Joseph White, and Anna, m. James Pat-
terson ; grandchildren Margaret and Anna
Patterson, and John and David Maybane,
children of son John.
Martin, Samuel, of Paxtang, d. in May,
1770, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children :
John, James, Jean, Elizabeth, Samuel, and
Joseph. Executors were John Gilchrist and
Matthew Smith.
Martin, Robert, of Hanover, d. October,
1773, leaving a wife Jane, and children : Ann,
Robert, Jean, and Margaret. Executors
were wife and son Robert.
Moore, Andrew, of Derry, d. October, 1767,
leaving children: Elizabeth, Mary, m. Joseph
Grain, John, and William ; grandsons An-
drew, son of William, and William, son of
John.
Montgomery, Archibald, of Derry, d. De-
cember, 1773, leaving children : Archibald
and Mary ; sons-in-law Samuel Hanna and
Robert Walker. Executor was Adam Woods.
Montgomery, Robert, of Paxtang, d. Feb-
ruary, 1776, leaving a wife Sarah, and chil-
dren : Mary, John, Hugh, David, and Eliza-
beth. Executors were wife Sarah, Hugh
Montgomery, and John Gallagher.
Mintzker, Ludwig, of Upper Paxtang, d.
February, 1777, leaving a wife and chil-
dren : John, George, Casper, Mary, and
Ludwig; sons-in-law Peter Hashouer and
Henry Albright.
Maurer, Philip, of Hanover, d. May, 1779,
leaving a wife Anna Catharine, and children :
Simon, Margaret, Catharine, Anna, m.
Christopher Brown, and George.
Myer, John, of Paxtang, d. April, 1782,
leaving a wife Christina, and children :
John, Elizabeth, Abraham, Solomon, Michael,
and Samuel. Executors were wife and son
John.
Minich, William, of Paxtang, d. April,
1784, leaving wife Gertraut, and children :
George and William.
Minich, George, of Hanover, d. April,
1784, leaving wife Catharine, and children :
Simon, Catharine, m. Jacob Kreamer, Mar-
garet, m. John Zimmerman, Susannah, m.
Jacob Sechily, Elizabeth, in. Adam Weaver,
Christina, Rosanna, and George.
Mills, William, of Derry, d. November,
1784, leaving a wife Susanna, and children :
Mary, Rebecca, Phoebe, and Susanna. Ex-
ecutors were Susanna Mills, Francis Wilkin-
son, and John Mills.
Minshall, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. Decem-
ber, 1784, leaving wife Mary, and children :
Hannah, Joshua, John, Robert, Thomas,
Jean, and Elizabeth ; son-in-law William
Crabb.
Maxwell, Robert, d. prior to March, 1761,
for at that date his widow Catharine was the
wife of James Porterfield. He left issue :
James, Samuel, Robert, Margaret, Joseph,
Thomas, Francis.
McNeeley, Michael, of Hanover, d. Decem-
ber, 1762, leaving wife Eleanor, and chil-
dren : Margaret, Agnes, Margery, Eleanor,
James, and Jean. Executors were wife and
William Trousdale.
McClure, David, d. in November, 1749,
leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, William, Alexander,
James, John, David, and Randal. Execu-
tors were wife Margaret and son William.
McClure, Thomas, of Hanover, d. April,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
67
1765, leaving a wife, and children: John,
Martha, William, and Thomas. There were
two other daughters.
McClure, Mary, of Hanover, d. April, 1773,
leaving children: John, William, Mary,
Martha, Jean, and Thomas. Executors we're
sons John and Thomas.
McClure, Richard, of Paxtang, d. Novem-
ber, 1774, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
Alexander, John, Jonathan, William, An-
drew, Roan, Margaret, m. John Steel, Mary,
m. Joseph Shearer, Catharine, m. Robert
Fruit, Jean, m. Joshua Russell, Susannah,
m. Hamilton Shaw, and David. Executors
were sons Jonathan and Andrew.
McClure, Thomas, of Hanover, d. January,
1778, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
William, Thomas, and four daughters.
Executors were William McClure and
Thomas Finney.
McClure, William, of Paxtang, d. April,
1785, leaving a wife and children : Robert,
Rebecca, Mary, Sarah, Margaret, and Jean.
The executors were brother Jonathan Mc-
Clure, son Robert, and son-in-law Samuel
Russell.
Montgomery, Sarah, of Paxtang, d. Novem-
ber, 1784, leaving children : William, Mary,
Elizabeth, David, and Hugh ; grandchild
Mary Gallagher. Executors were Hugh and
David Montgomery.
McKnight, Joseph, d. March, 1767, leaving
children : Bernard, Joseph, William, Mar-
tha, Jean, and Mary. Executors were Hugh
Ray and John Rogers.
McAllister, Rose, late of North Carolina,
d. in February, 1770, leaving children :
Jean, Grisel, Elizabeth, and Joseph ; and
step-daughter Mary McAllister. Executors
were James McAllister and John Walker.
McQueen, John, of Derry, d. prior to 1750.
His children were : David, d. prior and left
issue; Jane, m. John Bayley, of Donegal ;
Mary, m. James Anderson, of Donegal ; Jo-
siah, and Robert.
McQueen, John, of Derry, d. November,
1770, leaving children : John, Josias, Abra-
ham, Rachael, Margaret, and Sarah.
McQuown, Richard, d. November, 1778.
leaving a wife Jean, and children, not
named. Executors were Jean and John Mc-
Quown.
McFadden, James, d. March, 1775, leaving
a wife Elizabeth, and child Mary. Execu-
tors were Thomas Rutherford and Thomas
McArthur.
McMullen, William, of Paxtang, d. in
March, 1782, leaving children : Jean, Sarah,
Margaret, Eleanor, Mary, William, and
James. Executors were sons William and
James.
McCormick, John, of Hanover, d. Decem-
ber, 1784, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
Margaret, Sarah, Henry, Jane, and John.
Executors were Robert Moody and James
Wilson.
McCormick, William, of Hanover, d. March,
1809, leaving estate to his brothers Henry
and David, and sisters Isabella and Mary,
m. David Ritchey, and sister-in-law Jean
McCormick.
McArthur, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. Jan-
uary, 1785, leaving children : Catharine,
Barbara, Mary, m. Peacock, and
Thomas; grandchildren Thomas Peacock,
Margaret and Rebecca Kyle.
Moore, William, of Paxtang, d. June, 1776,
leaving a wife Agnes. The legatees were
William Gray and others.
Martin, Robert, of Hanover, d. April, 1777,
leaving mother Jean, and sisters Jean and
Margaret. Executors were James Wilson
and Isaac Hanna.
Moore, Agnes, of Paxtang, d. October,
1784, leaving her estate to her brother John
Forster.
McEwen, John, of Hanover, d. April, 1791,
leaving a wife Eleanor, and children : Mar-
garet, m. Samuel Ainsworth, Mary, Eliza-
beth, Jean, m. William Sturgeon, Eleanor,
m. Joseph Allen, John, James, Richard, and
Thomas.
Metzgar, Jacob, of Derry, d. July, 1786,
leaving children : Jacob, Jr., Margaret, Eve,
Barbara, and Susannah.
McCullough, Archibald, of West Hanover,
d. prior to 1792, leaving a wife Agnes, and
issue : Archibald, John, and William.
Miller, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. November,
1785, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
George, Mary, John, Thomas, and Margaret.
Executors were wife, son George, and Will-
iam Grain.
Miller, Daniel, of Londonderry, d. No-
vember, 1801, leaving a wife Susannah, d.
January, 1811, and children: Peter, Daniel,
Susannah, m. Frederick Hoover, Mary, and
Abraham.
Miller, William, of Upper Paxtang, d.
January, 1802, leaving a wife Catharine, and
children : William, Barbara, and Catharine.
Miller, Jacob, of Middle Paxtang, d. prior
to 1801, leaving a wife Susanna, and issue :
Jacob, m. Margaret , Daniel, m. Gert-
68
HISTORICAL REVIEW
root [Gertrude] , John, Adam, m.
Mary — • , resided in Harrisburg, Susanna,
m. Harvey Creek, Margaret, m. Joseph Cog-
ley, Elizabeth, m. Philip Ettinger.
Miller, Jacob, of Derry, d. January, 1802,
leaving a wife Christian, and children : Sam-
uel, John, Elizabeth, and Ann. Executors
were Christian Kaufman and Capt. William
Loner.
Matter, John, Jr., son of Michael Matter,
of Upper Paxtang township, d. in February,
1816, leaving a wife Anna Mary, and chil-
dren as follows: Simon, Anna" Mary, and
Elizabeth.
Moorhead, William, d. 1817, leaving a
wife Elizabeth, and children : Eliza, Adaline,
James Kennedy, William G., Joel B., and
Henry C.
McCall, James, of Upper Paxtang, d. Jan-
uary, 1788, leaving a wife Mary, and chil-
dren: Robert, James Plunket, Lydia, Ann
Jane, and Margaret.
McCallen, Robert, of Londonderry, d. Sep-
tember, 1800, leaving his estate to his
nephews and nieces, as follows: William,
Margaret, John, Andrew, and Jean Huston ;
James, Margaret, John, Robert, and Paul
Geddis; John, Sarah, Jean, Thomas, and
Mary McCallen ; Robert, Isabella, John, and
Thomas Donaldson.
Motter, John, of Upper Paxtang, d. May,
1802, leaving a wife Salome, and children :
John, Michael, Jacob, George, Adam, Anna.
Maria, and Christian.
Meek, Nicholas, of Harrisburg, d. April,
1803, leaving a wife Catharine, and children :
Philip, who had sons George, John, and
Jacob ; John, Jacob, Henry, Mary, m. Henry
Amend.
Meyrick, Samuel, " Doctor of Physick,"
of Middletown, d. June, 1811. He directed
his wife and son to continue " the apothe-
cary shop." The children were: Samuel,
Ruth, and Esther. ,
Neffer, Henry, of Derry, d. March, 1787,
leaving a wife Catharine, and children :
Christian, who had sons Henry, Christian,
and Peter; Ann, Elizabeth, Catharine, Juli-
ana, and Christine. Executors were sons-in-
law Martin Stahl, of Derry, and Peter
Blosser, of Donegal.
Neal, John, of Paxtang, d. October, 1791,
leaving a wife Margaret, arid children :
Margaret, m. Cochran, James, John,
Jean, m. Clark, Eleanor, m.
Simpson, William had son John, Agnes, m.
Fleming and had son James, Robert
had son John.
Null, George, of Derry, d. October, 1771,
leaving a wife Catharine, and children :
George, Mary, Christian, Catharine, John,
and Elizabeth. Executors were wife and
son George.
Ney, Adam, of Derry, d. in February,
1783, leaving a wife Veronica and children :
Peter, John, William, Nicholas, Elizabeth,
and Michael. Executors were sons William
and Peter.
Nafziger, Jacob, of Londonderry, d. Sep-
tember, 1782, leaving a wife Anna, and chil-
dren : Christian, Barbara, Jacob, and Joseph.
O'Neill, Charles, of Paxtang, d. in Sep-
tember, 1770, leaving children : William,
Elizabeth, and Prudence. The executors
were Alexander Johnson, William McClure,
and John Barnet.
Ober, Peter, of Londonderry, d. March,
1801, leaving wife Frany, who was a daugh-
ter of Joseph Forney, and children : John,
Elizabeth, Marv, Catharine, Barbara, and
Peter.
Porterfield, Robert, of Hanover, d. April,
1785, leaving a wife Ann, and children :
Robert, and a daughter m. David Work,
who had children : John and Ruth. He
mentions granddaughter Grizzle Porter-
field.
Porter, James, Sr., of West Hanover, d.
May, 1788, leaving a wife Jean, and chil-
dren : Grizel, m.. McCormick, Isabel,
David, Jam&, Robert, and Joshua. Execu-
tors were Robert Moody and James Will-
son.
Patterson, William, of Paxtang, d. Octo-
ber, 1745, leaving children : Samuel^ Francis,
Anna, Catrine, Jean, and Mary. Executors
were Robert Taylor and Robert Baker.
Patterson, Samuel, d. November, 1772,
leaving a wife Mary, and children : James,
Martha, Mary, Elizabeth, and Isabella. Ex-
ecutors were wife Mary and William Patter-
son.
Powell, John, of Paxtang, d. November,
1748, leaving a wife Margaret, and besides
other children, a daughter Nancy. Execu-
tors were wife Margaret and Thomas McKee
and John Allison.
Preece, Thomas, of Derry, d. 1759, leaving
a wife Mary, and children: Johanna, Thomas,
Joseph, David, Richard, Hannah, Mary, and
Elizabeth. Executors were wife and son
Thomas.
Preece, David, of Hanover, d. November,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
69
1774, leaving a wife Dorothea, and children:
Elizabeth and Anna.
Poh, Wendel, d. February, 1768, leaving a
daughter, m. — ; Haldeman, and a daugh-
ter, m. Christian Shaub ; grandchildren
Jacob, Christian, and Adam Haldeman. Ex-
ecutors were wife Mary and Christian Shaub.
Potts, Robert, of Paxtang, d. October, 1769,
leaving a wife Sarah, and children : Rachael,
Peggy, Jean, and Ann ; and sister Jean. Ex-
ecutor was wife Sarah.
Poorman, Stephen, of Paxtang, d. April,
1782, leaving a wife Ann, and children :
Chrisly, John, Stephen, Barbara, m. Elias
Neglee, Mary, m. John Roop, Addy, m. Jacob
Roop, Freny, m. Christly Stouffer, Ann, m.
Henry Landis, and Elizabeth, ra. Michael
Poorman. Executors were Conrad Wolfly
and Jacob Roop.
Poorman, Jacob, of Paxtang, d. January,
1784, leaving a wife Mary, and children, not
named.
Pettigrew, David, of Hanover, d. in July,
1784, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children:
John, James, Rosa, Margaret, Catharine, and
Elizabeth.
Patton, David, Sr., of Paxtang, d. Septem-
ber, 1784, leaving a wife Rebecca, and chil-
dren : David, John, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jane,
Joseph, and Sarah, m. John Hatfield. Ex-
ecutor was son David.
Reid, Thomas, d. July, 1734, leaving a wife
Mary, and children : John, Nathan, Eleanor,
Alexander, Thomas, Mary, and James. Ex-
ecutors were wife and son John.
Read, Adam, of Hanover, d. January, 1769,
leaving a wife Mary and children : Eleanor,
m. Robert Whitehill, and Mary, m. John
Harris.
Reed, John, of Upper Paxtang, d. April,
1777, leaving a wife Margaret, and children,
names not mentioned.
Rodgers, Robert, of Hanover, died Novem-
ber, 1745, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and
brothers George, Hugh, and Joseph Rodgers.
Executors were John Harris and Robert
Wallace.
Rodgers, Seth, of Hanover, d. May, 1758,
leaving a wife Katharine, and brothers
Hugh and George. Executors were wife
Katharine and brother Hugh.
Riddel, John, of Hanover, d. in 1747,
leaving a wife Sarah, father James, brother
James, and sister Katharine. Executors were
father and brother James.
Robinson, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. August,
1758, leaving a wife and a number of chil-
dren, names not mentioned. Executors were
James McKnight and Mathew Saylor.
Robinson, Richard, d. February, 1768, leav-
ing a wife Isabella, and children : Richard,
James, John, Thomas, and Eleanor. Execu-
tor was James Robinson.
Robinson, Philip, d. May, 1770, leaving
children: Samuel, Thomas, George, Agnes,
and Sarah. Executors were Thomas and
Samuel Robinson.
Robinson, Thomas, of Hanover, d. Decem-
ber, 1780, leaving wife Jean, and brothers
Samuel and George Robinson. Executors
were William Thome and James McCreight.
Riddle, Tristram, of Hanover, d. 1759, leav-
ing his estate to his father James Riddle, and
brother James Riddle, Jr. Executors were
William Young and Walter McFarlin.
Riddle, James, of Hanover, d. August,
1763, leaving a wife Janet, and children :
James and Catharine, son-in-law Joseph
Allen, grandson William Young. Execu-
tors were Robert Wallace and Hugh Wilson.
Russell, James, of Derry, d. June, 1761,
leaving a wife Jean, and daughter Mary,
brother .James and sister Mary Ann Russell.
Russell, Jean, of Derry, d. May, 1766, leav-
ing a child : Mary, m. Oliver Ramsey.
Rumberger, Christian, of Hanover, d. Jan.,
1776, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and chil-
dren : George and Mary, m. Christopher Ryn-
wine. Executors were Michael Brown and
Adam Weiss.
Roan, John, of Londonderry, d. February,
1776, leaving wife Annie, and children :
Flavel, Jean, Elizabeth, and Mary. Execu-
tors were wife Anne, Robert Robinson, and
Joseph Boyd.
Rennick, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. April,
1777, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
Mary, Jean, John, Margaret, and Ann.
Rennick, John, of Paxtang, d. May, 1782,
leaving children: Mary, Jean, John, Mar-
garet, and Ann. Executor was John Will-
son.
Rutherford, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. May,
1777, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
John, James, Samuel, Nell, Jean, Agnes,
Mary, and Elizabeth ; son-in-law Andrew
Mays. Executors were John and Samuel
Rutherford.
Robertson, James, of Hanover, d. in
March, 1792, leaving a wife Margaret, and
children : Robert, James, daughter, m. Alex-
ander McGee and had a son James, Hugh,
William, Jean, Rebecca, m. William Moffittj
John, Mary, and Elizabeth. Executors were
70
HISTORICAL REVIEW
wife and son Robert, and brother-in-law
Robert Moody.
Reel, Philip, of Paxtang, d. July, 1812,
leaving a wife Catharine, and children as,
follows: Peter, Mary, Jacob, Sarah, Catha-
rine, and Benjamin.
Stewart, George, of Donegal, d. January,
1732, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
Francis, Elizabeth, m. Samuel Fulton, John,
and Mary. Executors were wife and son
John.
Stewart, William, d. May, 1748, leaving a
wife Mary, daughter Isabel, and son Thomas.
Executors were wife Mary and Thomas
Wilson.
Stewart, John, of Donegal, d. 1749, leav-
ing a wife Ann, and children : George, Suit,
and Jean. Executors were wife and James
Anderson.
Stewart, Rebecca, of Donegal, d. January,
1749, leaving children : Charles, Robert,
William, and Frances. Executors were John
Galbraith and James Kerr.
Stewart, Andrew, of Paxtang, d. July,
1774, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
James, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Charles, and
Andrew. Executors were James and An-
drew Stewart and Dr. Thomas Wiggins.
Stewart, John, of Hanover, d. April, 1777,
leaving a wife Jennet, and children : Anna,
m. Smiley, Sarah, Jean, m. John Mc-
Callen, Margaret, Mary, m. Johnson,
James, John, and Samuel.
Stewart, James, of Hanover, d. November,
1783, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Charles, Lazarus, and James ; grandchil-
dren Lazarus Stewart, son of Lazarus, and
William Campbell.
Stewart, Frances, widow, of Hanover, d.
November, 1790, leaving children: William,
who had a daughter Frances, Lazarus, who
had a daughter Frances, John, Mary, m.
George Espy and had Mary, Jean, m.
Armstrong, George, and James.
Snoddy, William, of Derry, d. May, 1735,
leaving a wife, and a number of children.
Executors were John McQuown and James
Laird.
Snoddy, John, of Derry, d. May, 1736,
leavinganumber of children. Executor was
John McQuown.
Snoddy, Jane, of Hanover, d. November,
1746, leaving daughter Isabella, and step-
daughter Margaret Snoddy. Executor was
John McQuown.
Snoddy, Matthew, d. August, 1780, leaving
a wife Mabel, and children : John, Mary, Isa-
bella, Matthew, William, Elizabeth, and
Mabel. Executors were wife and son John.
Simpson, John, of Fishing Creek, d. Sep-
tember, 1738, leaving his estate to Thomas
Armstrong.
Simpson, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. May
1761, leaving a wife and children: John,
Thomas, Michael, Rebecca, William, Samuel,
Joseph, and Edward. Executors were wife
and son John.
Simpson, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. Novem-
ber, 1772, leaving a wife Jean, and children :
Samuel, Thomas, Nathaniel, and Sarah, m.
Forster, and son-in-law William
Harper, living in Ireland.
Simpson, Thomas, of Paxtang, d. Febru-
ary, 1777, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
Michael and Thomas. Executors were Mar-
garet and Michael Simpson and John Elder.
Simons, Michael, of Hanover, d. in May,
1775, leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
Peter, John, Mary, m. Thomas Hears, Eliza-
beth, m. William Weirick, a daughter m.
Henry Fensler, and Catharine, m. Peter
Weirick.
Sawyer, William, of Londonderry, d. in
October, 1784, leaving his estate to his " dear
auld woman Sophia," and children : William,
Benjamin, John, and Hannah.
Steckley, Christian, of Derry, d. in Octo-
ber, 1767, leaving a wife Catharine and
children : John, Barbara, Chrisly, Abraham,
Mary, and Catharine. The executors were
Jacob and .John Lehman, of Derry.
Sloan, John, d. in September, 1741, leaving
a wife Jean, and children : James, Robert,
William, John, Sarah, and Agnes. Execu-
tors were James Walker and George Espy.
Sloan, Samuel, d. September, 1777, leaving
brothers John, James, Archibald and Will-
iam ; sisters Mary, ra. James Michaels, and
Elizabeth ; nephew Archibald Sloan, son of
John, and niece Elizabeth, daughter of
William. Executors were Archibald Sloan,
David Allen and John Campbell.
Sloan, James, of Hanover, d. December,
1775, leaving a wife Mary, and children:
William, James, and Mary; son-in-law Peter
Hastings. Executors were William and
James Sloan.
Swan, James, of Hanover, d. December,
1741, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
James, Alexander, Margaret, and Jane. Ex-
ecutors were Alexander and Mary.
Swan, Alexander, of Hanover, d. Febru-
ary, 1778, leaving a wife Margaret, and be-
sides other children : Samuel, Alexander,
"^U-t^^r^^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
73
and Jean. Executors were Joseph Barnet
and John Gilchrist.
Swan, William, of Paxtang, d. October,
1782, leaving a wife Martha, and children :
Margaret, Sarah, and Moses, and brother
Richard. Executors were Richard Swan
and John Wilson.
Steele, Thomas, of Hanover, d. March,
1746, leaving a wife Agnes, and son David.
Executors were Richard McClure, John
Steeass, and Agnes Steele.
Sterrett, John, d. April, 1748, leaving a
wife Martha, and children: James, Joseph,
Mary, Ann, Rebecca, Elizabeth, ra. Edward
Crawford, Martha, m. Joseph Wilson, and
Sarah, m. Abraham Lowrey.
Sterrett, Martha, d. April, 1754, leaving
children : Anne, Rebecca, James, and Joseph ;
grandchild John, son of James. Executors
were Andrew Work and Andrew Sterrett.
Sterrett, Samuel, of Hanover, d. March,
1776, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Alexander, Benjamin, Samuel, Elizabeth,
John, and William; sonsin-law Moses Shaw
and William Hall; granddaughter Sarah
Shaw, child of Moses. Executors were John
and William Sterrett.
Sterrett, Robert, of Paxtang, d. March,
1777, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
Agnes, m. Hanna, Mary, m. John
Bowman, William, James, David, and Rob-
ert; grandchildren James and Robert Ster-
rett and Mary Bowman, daughter of Mary.
Semple, Hugh, d. May, 1749, leaving a
wife, and brother-in-law James Graham.
Executors were William Cunningham and
John McClure.
Semple, James, of Derry, d. October, 1758,
leaving a wife Ann, and children : John,
Isabella, Sarah, and Ann ; son-in-law James
Henry. Executors were wife Ann and
brother Robert.
Semple, John, d. January, 1758, leaving a
wife Hannah, and children: Robert Mc-
Coses, William, and James.
Smith, Robert, of Paxtang, d. March, 1757,
leaving a wife Mary, and children : Matthew,
m. Agnes , Rebecca, Robert, b. 1747,
and David, b. 1749.
Smith, James, of Paxtang, d. September,
1775, leaving a wife Mary, and children:
John, James, Williams, m. Mary and
had Thomas, who was a surveyor, Robert,
Samuel, Agnes, Joseph,- and Mary. In the
will he speaks of his " brother John Gate, of
Neelytown, in the county of Ulster, New
York."
Strain, John, d. August, 1752, leaving a
wife Mary, and children : David, William,
Gilbert, John, Mary, and Robert. Executors
were James Dixon and William Watson.
Granddaughter Elizabeth Strain.
Strain, Robert, of Hanover, d. September,
1753, leaving brothers John, David, William,
and Gilbert; sister Mary Thompson. Ex-
ecutors were James Dixon and William
Watson.
Strain, Thomas, of Hanover, d. February,
1780, leaving a wife Hannah, and children :
Sarah, m. Edwards, John, and
Thomas ; sons-in-law James Miliken and
William Thompson ; granddaughter Mar-
garet Miliken. Executors were sons John
and Thomas.
Strain, David, of Hanover, d. September,
1783, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and chil-
dren : John, Alexander, and William ; sons- •
in-law James McCreight and John Wilson. •
Snodgrass, James, d. May, 1750, leaving a
wife, and children : William, James, Ann,
Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary. Executors
were Andrew Caldwell and John Snodgrass.
Snodgrass, Alexander, d. May, 1750, leav-
ing a wife, and children : William, James,
and Robert. Executors were John Caldwell
and Patrick Johnson.
Snodgrass, Robert, of Hanover, d. March,
1777, leaving children: Joseph, James,
Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, Susannah, and
Isabella. Executors were George Sanderson
and John Snodgrass.
Smith, John, of Paxtang, d. May, 1777,
leaving children: Robert, Andrew, Marga-
ret, and Rebecca. Executors were Matthew
and Andrew Smith.
Smith, Jacob, of West Hanover, d. July,
1815, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Elizabeth, m. Ziegler, Hannah, m.
Henry Balsbaugh, Abraham, David, Daniel,
Jacob, deceased, and John, deceased, leaving
a son Samuel.
Sharp, Thomas, d. January, 1758, leaving
a wife Ketrine, and children : John, Ann,
Sarah, Thomas, and Mary. Executors were
Philip Robinson and John Sharp.
Sharp, Edward, of Paxtang, d. October,
1765, leaving a wife Sarah, and children:
Henry, Edward, and Eleanor. Executors
were William Sharp and Michael Graham.
Sharp, Dietrick, of Paxtang, d. April,
1765, leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
Sophia and Eva. Executors were Jacob
Loeser and John Backenstoes.
Stehley, Christian, of Derry, d. October,
74
HISTORICAL REVIEW
1767, leaving a wife Catharine, and children :
John, Barbara, Chrisley, Mary, Abraham,
and Catharine.
Stehley, John, d. October, 1776, leaving a
wife Elizabeth, and children : John, Eliza-
beth, Martin, Christian, Mary, and Jacob.
Executor was wife Elizabeth.
Stouffer, Jacob, of Derry, d. February,
1768, leaving a wife Magdalena, and chil-
dren : Christian, Anna, Mary, and Eva. Ex-
ecutors were Ulrich Burkholder and Yost
Brand.
Steele, William, of Paxtang, d. July, 1769,
leaving children : John, Samuel, Agnes, m.
John Boggs, Elizabeth, m. Thomas McNutt,
David, Mary, Jean, and William ; grand-
children William McNutt and William
Boggs.
Stephen, Andrew, of Paxtang, d. Febru-
ary, 1770, leaving a wife Ann, and children:
Hugh, Ann, Andrew, and Hezekiah. Ex-
ecutors were wife, John Gilchrist, and John
Forster.
Symons, Nicholas, of Hanover, d. May,
1775, leaving wife Margaret, and children :
Peter, John, and Elizabeth, m. William
Warick; son-in-law Henry Fensler. Ex-
ecutors were Peter Hedrick and Abraham
Hubley.
Schweigert, Peter, of Upper Paxtang, d.
August, 1775, leaving a wife Christina, and
children : Peter, John, Adam, Andrew, Jonas,
Elizabeth, and Ann. Executors were Peter
Schweigert and Valentine Branch.
Sherer, Joseph, of Paxtang, d. November,
1776, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
Samuel, John, William, Catharine, Mary, m.
Samuel Cochran, Jean, Richard, and Joseph.
Sturgeon, Samuel, d. March, 1750, leaving
children : Thomas, Jean, and Sarah. Ex-
ecutors were James Armstrong and Thomas
Sturgeon.
Sturgeon, Samuel, Sr., of West Hanover,
d. October, 1801, leaving a wife Margaret,
and children : William, Jeremiah, James,
Samuel, Andrew, Martha, John, and Allen.
Sturgeon, Jean, widow of Robert, d. Febru-
ary, 1809, leaving children : Jean, Effie, Jere-
miah, who had Jean, Thomas, who had Jean,
Timothy, who had Jean and Samuel.
Snyder, Leonard, of Upper Paxtang, d.
October, 1801, leaving children : Leonard,
Nicholas, Catharine, Jacob, Christopher, and
Samuel.
Snyder, John, of Hanover, d. July, 1791,
leaving a wife Veronica, and children : John,
Christian, Abraham, Barbara, and Peter.
Snug, Christian, of Upper Paxtang, d.
February, 1786, leaving a wife Catharine,
and children : Catharine, m. John Nicholas
Baer, Elizabeth, Eva, Catharine, m. Christo-
pher Yeager, Margaret, Ann, Mary, Char-
lotta, Susannah, Margaret, m. John Yeager,
Christine, Christian, Philip, Magdalena, and
John. Executors were John Motter, Sr., and
Leonard Snyder.
Sawyer, Sophia, widow of William Sawyer,
d. September, 1788, leaving children : John,
Sophia, Hannah, m. John Logan, Benjamin,
a daughter m. William Duncan and had
William, William and daughter Mary,
Thomas and son William.
Sawyer, William, of Derry, d. in October,
1784, leaving a wife Sophia, and children :
John, Hannah, William, and Benjamin.
Executors were William and Benjamin Saw-
yer.
Sawyer, Benjamin, of Londonderry, d.
January, 1792, leaving a wife Margaret, and
children : Thomas, William, James, and
Hannah.
Singer, Simon, d. in 1763, leaving a wife
Elizabeth, who afterwards married Henry
Eby, and children : John, Simon, Barbara,
Elizabeth, Jacob, Catharine, Henry, Anna,
and Mary.
Singer, John, of Derry, d. May, 1790, leav-
ing a wife Barbara, and among other chil-
dren : Conrad and David.
Singer, Jacob, of Derry, d. November, 1800,
leaving a wife Franey, and children : Jacob,
Daniel, Anna, and Ephraim.
Shope, Bernard, of Paxtang township, d.
August, 1813, leaving children: Barbara,
m. Henry Michael, Julianna, m. George Sil-
sel, Jacob, Margaret, Mary, Christiana, Mag-
dalena, Adam, Bernhart, and Eve, deceased.
Shearer, Michael, of Paxtang, d. January,
1777, leaving a wife Ann, and son Daniel.
Shaw, Daniel, of Hanover, d. in March,
1778, leaving a wife Phebe, and chil^^-en :
Samuel, Jean, m. William Haggerty, and
Robert. Executors were Joseph Brown and
William Hutchison.
Shaw, Samuel, of Hanover, d. in Novem-
ber, 1778, leaving a brother Robert and sis-
ter Jean, m. William Haggerty.
Shaw, Alexander, of Paxtang, d. in De-
cember, 1785, leaving his estate to James
Monteith. Executor- was Samuel Lyon.
Scott, Patrick, of Paxtang, d. in June,
1782, leaving a wife Ann, and children ;
Robert, Jane, m. Flannigan ; and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
75
grandchildren Alexander, Samuel, and
Violet Jackson.
Stoner, Catharine, of Paxtang, d. June,
1785, leaving children: Susanna, m.
Gowen, and John ; grandchild Catharine
Cowen.
Tait, William, of Derry, d. 1749, leaving
a wife Rebecca, and children: Mary, m.
Robert Stratford, and Robert ; grandchildren
Mary and Margaret Tait, children of Robert.
Executors were wife Rebecca and Alexander
McCane.
Teas, John, of Hanover, d. May, 1752,
leaving a wife Martha, and children : Mary
and Thomas. Executors were wife Martha
and James Karris.
Taylor, Robert, owned the farm at Pine
Ford, in Derry .township. In 1762 his widow
was the wife of Charles McCormick. The
farm of 150 acres was purchased by the
eldest son for £270. The children of Robert
Taylor then living were : Henry, Catharine,
m. John Sterling, William, Robert, Matthew,
Jane, John, Elizabeth and Ann. The son
of John was then a minor, and John Laird
was appointed guardian of his estate.
Taylor, David, of Derry, d. November,
1761, leaving a wife Agnes, and children :
John, Mary, Esther, Agnes, and Janet. Ex-
ecutors were wife Agnes, and John and Pat-
rick Hays.
Todd, Hugh, of Hanover, d. 1772. Records
of will missing.
Todd, James, of Hanover, d. November,
1783, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
John, James, David, and Isabella, m. John
Johnson.
Thompson, John, of Hanover, d. Septem-
ber, 1778, leaving children : William, Jean,
m. John Robinson, Jolin, and Andrew.
Trousdale, William, of Hanover, d. April,
1785, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and children :
Jean and Henry; also brothers Thomas
and John Trousdale.
Thornton, Matthew, of Hanover, d. April,
1786, leaving a wife Agnes, and children :
Mary, Nancy, m. Jamison, and had
Matthew, William, Martha, m. Thomp-
son and had Agnes, Margaret m.
■Butler.
Tifebaugh [Diffenbaugh], George, of Pax-
tang, d. November, 1788, leaving a wife,
Mary, and children : Elizabeth, m. John
Shoop, Catharine, m. Moore, George,
Mary, Adam, John, Jennie, and Daniel.
Executors were wife,son George, and brother
Michael.
Templeton, Robert, of Hanover, d. Octo-
ber, 1789, leaving a wife Agnes, who d. Feb-
ruary, 1790. Their children were : Jean, m.
Robert Henry, Mary, m. Charles McCoy,
Ruth, m. John Johnson, John, Agnes, m.
Samuel Stewart and had Agnea and Mary,
Sarah, m. William Clark, Barbara, m. Henry
McCormick, Susannah, m. James Hathorn,
Hannah, m. Duncan Sinclair, and Robert,
who had William and Richard.
Vance, Moses, of Paxtang, d. April, 1786,
leaving a wife Anna, and children : William,
Adam, Jane, m. Edward Ashcraft, Elizabeth,
and Sarah. Executors were wife and son
William.
Vance, John, of Hanover, d. July, 1734,
leaving a wife Mary, and children: Hugh,
George, and Jean. Executor was Jared
Graham.
Van Lear, Christopher, of Derry, d. Au-
gust, 1750, leaving children : John, William,
James, Mary, Michael, and Christopher.
Van Lear, Michael, of West Hanover, d.
April, 1801, leaving a wife Mary, and chil-
dren: John, Agnes, m. John Thompson, and
Sarah.
Wilson, John, of Paxtang, d. Sej)tember,
1738, leaving his estate to his father Alex-
ander and brother Joseph Wilson.
Wilson, David, of Hanover, d. August,
1739, leaving a wife Rebecca.
Wilson, George, of Paxtang, d. 1750, leav-
ing a brother John Wilson and sister Eliza-
beth Wilson, m. Thomas Lennox.
Wilson, John, of Paxtang, d. May, 1762,
leaving a wife Martha, and children : John,
Sarah, William, Martha, and Jean. His
wife and brother Joseph Wilson were execu-
tors.
Wilson, David, d. in March, 1766, leaving
a wife Margaret, and children : Samuel,
Robert, and Elizabeth, m. Samuel Woods
and had Nathan.
Wilson, Moses, of Derry, d. February, 1781,
leaving children: John, Catharine, Mary,
Martha, Susannah, and James; grandchil-
dren Moses ftnd William Wilson, Jane Kear,
and Elizabeth Wilson.
White, John, of Hanover, d. March, 1740,
leaving a wife Barbara, and children : Alex-
ander, Thomas, and Anna. Executors were
John Brandon and James Sturgeon.
White, Josiah, of Hanover, d. July, 1753,
leaving a wife Agnes, and children: Josiah,
Benjamin, Samuel, John, James, Daniel,
and Isabella. Executors were John Bar-
nett and Josiah White.
76
HISTORICAL REVIEW
White, William, of Derry, d. July, 1783,
leaving a sister Mary, m. Thomas Mont-
gomery, and nephew Thomas White. Ex-
ecutors were James Scott and John White.
Watson, William, of Hanover, d. in Octo-
ber, 1770, leaving a wife Sarah, and chil-
dren : Samuel, William, liugh, David, Pat-
rick, a daughter m. . Alexander Kennedy,
Sarah, Eleanor, Mary, Martha, Ann, and
Jean.
Welsh, James, of Paxtaug, d. April, 1754,
leaving a wife Mary and children : John,
Thomas, James, Robert, Joseph, Jean, Isa-
belle, and Mary. Executors were wife and
SO" John.
Welsh, James, of Derry, d. September,
1769, leaving a wife Jane, and children :
Elizabeth, m. -; McConnell, Mary, m.
— , Anna, Margaret, Martha, and
Samuel.
Woods, Adam, of Hanover, d. August,
1756, leaving a wife Sarah, and children :
Andrew, John, Margaret, m. — ^ Patton,
Janet, m. — r Calhouri, Jiles, m.
— Cochran, and
McAllister, Sarah, m.
Martha, m. James McClenaghan.
Woods, Andrew, of Hanover, d. April.
1769, leaving a wife Jean, and brother John.
Executors were wife and brother John.
Woods, John, of Hanover, d. December,
1769, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
George, Andrew, Samuel, Sarah, Anna,
Margaret, Janet, Mary, Elizabeth, and Mar-
tha. Executors were wife, Josiah Espy, and
James McClenaghan.
Woods, Rev. Matthew, of Hanover, d. Jan-
uary, 1785, leaving wife, and several chil-
dren, not named. Executors were Samuel
Kearsley and John Ainsworth.
Wylie, Oliver, of Paxtang, d. October,
1757, leaving a wife and children : Margaret,
Oliver, and William. Executors were John
Harris and Thomas.
Wiggins, John, of Paxtang, d. February
1762, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
John, Agnes, James, Jean, Martha and Mar-
garet. Executor was John Wiggins.
Wright, James, of Hanover, d. March,
1764, leaving a 'wife Margaret, and children :
William, Margaret, Ann, Agnes, Jean, and
Eleanor.
Wright, William, of Hanover, d. October,
1782, leaving a wife Margaret, and children :
Margaret and Mary, m. John Elder. Ex-
ecutors were Margaret Wright and James
McMillan.
Walker, James, of Derry, d. April, 1753,
leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
James, Agnes, Archibald, Sarah, m.
Caruthers, and Mary, m. Andrew Roan ;
grandchild James Caruthers.
Walker, James', of Paxtang, d. October,
1784, leaving a wife Barbara, and children :
William, Isabella, James, David, Robert,
Thomas, and John ; grandchildren Catharine
and Rachael Galbraith. Executors were
wife Barbara and John Forster.
Walker, James, of Londonderry, d. prior
to 1785. His widow Martha in 1787 was
the wife of Samuel Weir. The children
were: Archibald, William, Margaret, Mary,
and Lettice.
Whitley, Michael, who died in 1777 from
wounds received at Chestnut Hill, left a wife
Martha, and children : Michael, William,
Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, and Martha.
Walter, Jacob, of Paxtang, d. March, 1782,
leaving wife Juliana and son Michael.,
Wallace, Robert, of Hanover, d. April,
1783, leaving a wife Mary, and children :
Moses, James, Isabella, and Mary ; sons-in-
law Thomas McNair and Joseph Boyd ;
grandchildren Mary Boyd, Robert Wallace,
son of Moses, and Martha McNair.
Wallace, James, of Paxtang, d. March,
1784, leaving a wife Elizabeth, and step-
children: Robert and Rachael Elder; and
grandchild Thomas Elder.
Wetherhold, Susanna, widow, of Harris-
burg, d. July, 1812, leaving children as fol-
lows : Margaret, m. Barnett ; Eliza-
beth, m. Wingert, and had Charles
and John ; John, of Hummelstown, m., and
had Elizabeth, m. Peter Snyder, and had
Charles, and Susanna ; and George.
Willson, John, of Londonderry, d. July,
1812, leaving his estate to his brother Will-
iam Willson and wife Mary, and sister
Syble, nephews Moses, Hugh, and John Will-
son, and nieces Ann and Mary Willson.
Willson, John, Sr., d. October, 1801, leav-
ing his estate to his nieces Jean Robinson,
Martha Young, Sarah Willson, Martha
Smith, Jean Willson, wife of John ; Sarah
Galey, and Martha Caddow; to nephews
Samuel, John, Abraham, William, John,
and James Willson ; sister Jean Willson.
Willson, James, of West Hanover, d. Oc-
tober, 1806, leaving children : James, Eliza-
beth, m. Robert Sturgeon, Ann, m. James
Moorehead, Mary, John, Samuel, Rachel,
Thomas, Lucy, m. Thomas Bell, and Mar-
tha. Executors were Samuel Willson and
William Allen.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
77
Young, Alexander, of Paxtang, d. March,
1751, leaving a wife Mary, and a number of
children. Mentions father-in-law James
Willson.
Ziegler, Jacob, d. October, 1750, leaving a
wife Barbara, and children : Margaret, Mary,
Philip, and Ann.
Ziegler, George, d. September, 1769; leav-
ing children by first wife Mary : Jacob and
Mary; by second wife Catharine : Ann, Bar-
bara, George, and Frederick.
Zent, Jacob, of West Hanover, d. in 1809,
leaving children as follows: Elizabeth, m.
Valentine King and had a daughter Su-
sanna, John, Phoebe (Pevey), m. Christian
Kish, Mary, m. Abraham Houser, Catharine,
m. John Snyder, Susanna, m. Jacob Moyer,
and Jacob.
CHAPTER VII.
Some Early Dauphin County Families.
[It is not intended to give a complete
g:enealogical record of Dauphin county fami-
lies. Records of other families have ap-
peared in print or it has been proposed to
publish them in distinct publications. Taken
in connection with the C'liapter of Genealogi-
cal Records, this information, limited as it
may be, is of great value. There may be
errors here and there, but these will prob-
abty prove unimportant. The editor can-
not verify every statement given him. The
hope is that from this meager data many
may see the value thereof, and at once pro-
ceed to gather up the valuable records of
their own family, and preserve it for those
coming after.]
The Family of the Founder of Harris-
burg.
John Harris, the first, was a native of
Yorkshire, England, where he was born
about the year 1673. He was a brewer by
occupation, and at his majority came to
America with several of his brothers. Wat-
son, the annalist, states that John Plarris'
" entire capital amounted to only sixteen
guineas." Although spending a few years
in the new city of Philadelphia, at a time
when it was decided to license but English
born persons as Indian traders, he with one
or two of his brothers entered that lucrative
business. In January, 1705, the commis-
sioners of property authorized and allowed
him " to seat himself on the Sasquahannah
at Pextang, to erect such buildings as are
necessary for his trade, and to enclose and
improve such quantity of land as he shall
think fit." Mention is made of him in the
Colonial Records, and among the fac-similes
of Indian autographs is that of John Hans.
An examination of the original show this to
be a misprint for John Harris. The auto-
graph I. H. is especially amusing, placing
him among the Indian chiefs of the time.
By comparing this signature with one in our
possession we are perfectly satisfied that the
" big Indian " John Hans was our pioneer
John Harris. Of the incidents in the bor-
der life of this early settler it is not our in-
tention to say much at the present time.
That he was an adventurous spirit, hardy and
daring, his seating himself in the midst of
the perfidious and treacherous Shawanese is
sufficient evidence. " He was as honest a
man as ever broke bread," was the high
eulogium of the Rev. John Elder, who knew
him well in the early days of his ministry.
John Harris died at Harris' Ferry, in De-
cember, 1748, his will being probated at
Lancaster the latter part of that month. At
times we are inclined to the belief that John
Harris had been twice married. If not, his
first and only wife was Esther Say, whom
he married late in .life. She was many
years his junior, and concerning whom we
have much traditionary history. It is said
that Harris, on his frequent visits to Phila-
delphia, met her at the house of Edward
Shippen, the first mayor of Philadelphia, an
intimate friend of Harris. She was also a
relative of the family with whom she was
residing. They were married in old Christ
Church, but the exact j^ear we have no
record. Esther Say Harris survived her
husband, and four or five years thereafter
married William McChesney, who resided
on the west side of the Susquehanna, in what
is now Newberry township, York county.
She died there in 1757, and was probably
buried in Silvers Spring church graveyard.
The names of John Harris' children who
reached maturit}'^, and probable dates of
birth, are as follows:
i. Elizabeth, b. 1720; m. John Findley.
ii. Esther, b. 1722; m. William Plunket.
iii. John, b. 1726 ; m., 1st, Elizabeth Mc-
Clure; 2d, Mary Reed.
iv. William- Augustus, b. 1730; m. Mar-
garet^Simpson.
78
HISTORICAL REVIEW
V. Samuel, b. May 4, 1733 ; m. Elizabeth
Bonner.
TO. David, b. 1737 ; m. Miss Mahon.
At his death, it may be noted, the pioneer,
John Harris, was buried at the foot of a
large mulberry tree on the river bank, as
was also his first wife, and several of his
children who died in early life. The in-
closure in Harris Park and the fast decaying
stump of the old tree mark the site of the
last resting place of the first .John Harris.
Elizabeth Harris, the eldest child of
John Harris, married John Findley or Fin-
ley. She died in 1769 at the age of forty-
nine years; her husband in 1771 at the age
of almost fifty. Little is known of him, save
that he was the ancestor of the Findleys or
Finleys of Western Pennsylvania. The
cliildren of Elizabeth and John Findley were :
*. Esther, who married " William Pat-
terson, Esq., of Fermanagh." Pat-
terson had been previously married
to Isabella Galbraith, of Derry, and
their only son, Galbraith Patterson,
was a noted lawyer in the early
days of the Dauphin county courts.
The children of Esther and Will-
"iam Patterson were: John, Isabella,
William-Augustus, Margaret, and
James, all of whom married and
left issue.
n. John, m. Hannah ; in 1796 he
resided in Washington county. Pa.
Hi. Isabella,
iv. William- Augustus.
V. Margaret, she married William Wirtz,
of Lancaster; and their children
were: Margaret, Elizabeth, Esther,
Christian, Hannah, and William.
Otherwise concerning them we have
little knowledge.
vi. James.
As previously remarked, the Findleys
went to Western Pennsylvania, and from
thence their descendants have scattered over
the States of the Union beyond the Ohio,
where they are to-day a representative people.
Esther Harris, the second daughter of
the elder John Harris, born about 1724, died
in 1768. She married Dr. William Plunket,
a native of Ireland. At that time he was
practicing medicine in Carlisle. He was an
officer in the Provincial service ; subse-
quently located atSunbury, where he became
the leader in the so-called Pennamite War —
efforts made by the government of Pennsyl-
vania to drive off the Connecticut intruders
upon the Wyoming lands. During the war
of the Revolution he was suspected of dis-
loyalty, and was once placed under arrest.
Sabine, in his loyalists of America, tells some
fabulous stories of Colonel Plunket. We
doubt if he was ever a loyalist. As in the
recent civil conflict, however, it may be that
as he was not for, he certainly must be
against. All of his friends and family con-
nections were ardent for independence — and
he would have entered heartily into the
struggle, but with the other officers of the
French and Indian war, they found them-
selves supplanted by inexperienced men as
officers, and this rankled in their bosoms
and they stood aloof. At this distance from
that era it is difficult to inquire into the
causes why old and well-tried officers were
totally ignored in the organization of the
Pennsylvania Line, and the chief places
given to men who knew not the " art of war."
Plunket and his fellow officers of the Pro-
vincial war, at the outset of the Revolution,
hurriedly organized the militia of the
counties, but when the Continental Line was
formed they were left out in the organization.
And so the old hero quietly retired to do-
mestic life, only annoyed by repeated charges
of disloyalty to the cause of liberty. He died
at Sunbury in the month of April, 1791, and
is there buried. The children of Esther
Harris and William Plunket were :
i. Elizabeth, who married Samuel Ma-
clay, brother of William Maclay, a
member of the Senate of Pennsyl-
vania, speaker of that body, and
afterwards United States senator; an
influential man in public aff'airs,
and whose descendants have oc-
cupied and do occupy honorable
and prominent positions in Penn-
sylvania.
■a. Isabella, who married William Bell,
of Elizabethtown, N. J. She was a
remarkable woman, was principal
of a young ladies' seminary many
years, and died on the 10th of
March, 1843, at the good old age of
eighty-three years.
Hi. Margaret, married Isaac Richardson.
A descendant was recently a repre-
sentative in the United States Con-
gress from one of the New York dis-
tricts.
iv. Esther-Harris, married her cousin,
Col. Richard Baxter, of the British
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
79
service. She died young, leaving a
daughter, Margaret, who became
the wife of Dr. Samuel Maclay, of
Mifflin county, Pa.
Dr. Plunket had besides the foregoing, five
other children, all sons, who died in early
life.
John Harris, the eldest son of the first
John Harris, and the founder of Harrisburg,
was b( rn in 1726 at Harris' Ferry. He was
I. but twenty-three years old when his father
died. At that period Harris' Ferry was an
important place on the frontiers of Pennsyl-
vania; and that with the management of
his father's estate and the guardianship of
his younger brothers required care and good
judgment. Soon thereafter the French and
Indian war broke out. The ferry was the
entre-pot for the Provincial forces stationed on
the frontiers. The story of John Harris'
life through these exciting times, down to
its close, remains to be written, and we pro-
pose at some future day to venture upon the
subject. Much of it reads like a romance.
He lived in perilous times — and he was
equal to the emergency. He was an officer
in the Provincial service, and during all that
struggle for white supremacy against the
treacherous Delawaresand perfidious Shawa-
nese he was active and energetic. The Rec-
ords of Pennsylvania contain a great deal of
correspondence between John Harris and
the Provincial authorities, principally relat-
ing to the condition of the frontiers and ac-
counts of Indian forays. During the Pax-
tang Boys' affair of 1763 and 1764 he was
among those censured by the government,
but had that government taken his advice
and removed that viperous and blood-
stained band of Indians on the Conestoga,
there would never have resulted the neces-
sity in the Paxtang Boys taking summary
justice in their own hands. When the revo-
lutionary struggle came John Harris was
not behind his friends and neighbors in
taking sides with the Colonies. Not only
his influence, but his money was given to
the authorities to assist in the contest with
the mother country. One of his sons, his
eldest born, fell in front of Quebec in De-
cember, 1776; another, David, became an
officer in the war, and served with distinc-
tion. Prior to the Revolution, with a far-
seeing eye, John Harris proposed the laying
outof a town at the ferry — but that contest
put an end for the time to all projects. No
sooner had peace been declared than the
proposals for the new town were set forth.
In the newspapers of 1784 an advertisement
to that effect was published. The new
county project, however, changed the origi-
nal plans, and provided Harris' Ferry was
chosen as the county seat the proprietor of-
fered lands for the public use — town, county
and State — and agreed to appoint commis-
sioners who should value the lots of the
town of Harrisburg, and which were to be
sold at the sum fixed therefor. On the 4th
of March, 1785, the General Assembly of the
State passed the act for the erection of the
county of Dauphin, designating Harris'
Ferry as the county seat. Agreeable to John
Harris' plans the lots of the town were ap-
proved and valued, and report thereof made
on the 14th day of April, 1785. The town
grew rapidly, and the founder lived to see it
prosperous. He died on the 30th of July,
1791, and his remains were interred in the
graveyard of old Paxtang church. A marble
slab bearing the following inscription marks
the spot:
In memory of \ John Harris | Who died on
the 80th Day of July \ 1791 \ In the 66th year
of his age \ and gave name \ To the Toivn of
Harrishurgh. \ The remains of \ Elizabeth his
first I and Mary his second wife \ Lie in-
terred with him \ Under this Stone.
John Harris was in reality one of the
" men of mark " in the early history of Penn-
sylvania. During the French and Indian
war his services were invaluable, and so
down to the close of his active life he was
the same unflinching patriot — a generous
hearted and enterprising citizen. He had
strong faith in the advantageous position of
the town which he had laid oat, and some
years before his death, in his efforts to dis-
suade Matthias Hollenbach, of Hanover
township, who was then removing to Wilkes-
Barre, and who became quite prominent in
the history of that locality, said this place
[Harrisburg] would eventually become the
center of business in interior Pennsyvania
and in time be selected as the seat of govern-
ment of the State. He was far-seeing. At
his death he owned about 900 acres of land,
including most of what is now embraced in
the city of Harrisburg. Also 200 acres on
the Cumberland side of the river, including
the Ferry, as also a large tract of land at the
mouth of the Yellow Breeches, in Newberrj'-
township, York county, with 600 acres at
the mouth of Conedoguinet creek, where an
old Shawanese town once had been.
80
HISTORICAL REVIEW
John Harris, the founder, was twice mar-
ried. In the year 1749, b)' the Rev. John
Elder, to Elizabeth McClure, born 1729 in
Paxtang, and died January 20, 1764, at
Harris' Ferry. The following incidents,
credited to the wife of the first John Harris,
refer to this noted woman. "The log house
of Mr. Harris, situated on the river bank,
was surrounded by a stockade for security
against the Indians. An English officer was
one night at the house, when by accident the
gate of the stockade was left unfastened.
The officer, clothed in his regimentals, was
seated with Mr. Harris and his wife at the
table. An Indian entered the gate of the
stockade and thrust his rifle through one of
the port-holes of the house, and it is sup-
posed pointed it at the officer. The night
being damp, the gun simply flashed. In-
stantly Mrs. Harris blew out the candle to
prevent the Indian aiming a second time,
and he retreated." On another occasion a
servant girl was sent upstairs for some pur-
pose, and she took with her a piece of lighted
candle, without a candlestick. The girl
soon came down without the candle, and on
Mrs. H. asking what she had done with it,
she said she had stuck it into a barrel of
flaxseed. This, however, happened to be a
barrel of powder. Mrs. Harris instantly
rose, and without saying a word, for fear of
alarming the girl, went upstairs, and advanc-
ing to the barrel, cautiously placed her
hands under the candle and lifted it out, and
then coolly reproved the girl for her careless-
ness. These occurrences prove her to have
been well fitted for the life of a pioneer.
The children of John Harris and his wife
Elizabeth McClure were :
i. Mary, b. April 13, 1750 ; m. William
Maclay.
a. John, b. August 20, 1751. He is the
son of whom his father wrote on
the 4th of July, 1775, after speaking
of his son David, who was an ap-
plicant for a commission in the
patriot army : " I shall let my
other son Johnny go cheerfully in
the service, anywhere in America."
He joined at this time Capt. Mat-
thew Smith's company, and fell
mortally wounded in front of Que-
bec, on the 31st of December, 1775.
Hi. David, b. February 24, 1754, at
Harris' Ferry. He received a good
English and classical education
under the\^care of the celebrated
Dr. Alison. At the time of the
breaking out of the war for Inde-
pendence he was in Baltimore.
He accepted a commission in the
Pennsylvania Line and was ap-
pointed paymaster of Col. William
Thompson's battalion of riflemen.
He served in various positions
until the close of the Revolution,
when he returned to Baltimore
where he married. After the death
of his father, being one of the ex-
ecutors of the estate, he came to
Harrisburg, and was appointed by
his old friend and companion in
arms. Governor Mifflin, one of the
associate judges of Dauphin county,
August 17, 1791. This position he
resigned on the 20th of February,
1792, to accept an appointment in
the Bank of the United States.
Upon the establishment of the office
of discount and deposit, in Balti-
more, he accepted the cashiership
thereof. Major Harris died in that
city on the 16th of November, 1809, .
at the age of fifty-five years. His
wife was Sarah Crocket, of Baltimore,
and their children were : John, who
died in Europe, and Mary Crocket,
who married Joseph Sterritt.
iv. William, b. January 23, 1756 ; d. July
3, 1764.
V. Elizabeth, b. November 22, 1759 ;
d. s. p.
John Harris married, secondly, in Novem-
ber, 1764, by Rev. John Roan, Mary Read,
daughter of Adam and Mary Read, of Han-
over, b. 1730 ; d. November 1, 1787, at Har-
risburg, and buried in old Paxtang church
graveyard. Their children were :
TO. Adam, b. November 7, 1765 ; d. s. p.
vii. James (1st), b. February 15, 1767 ;
d. s. p.
via. Robert, b. September 5, 1768 ; m.
Elizabeth Ewing.
iz. Mary, b. October 1, 1770; m. John
Andre Hanna.
X. Jean, b. March 18, 1772; d. s. p.
xi. Joseph, b. October 23, 1774 ; d. s. p.
xii. William, b. September 1, 1776; d.
August 17, 1777.
xiii. Read, b. October 5, 1778 ; d. s. p.
xiv. Elizabeth, b. October, 1780 ; d. s. p.
XV. James (2d), b. 1782 ; d. May 17, 1806;
unm.; buried in Paxtang church
graveyard.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
81
William Augustus Harris, son of John
Harris, the elder, born about the year 1730,
at Harris' Ferry ; d. in 1760, near Elizabeth-
town, now Lancaster county. He married,
October 4, 1752, Margaret Simpson, daughter
of Samuel Simpson, of Paxtang. She sur-
vived her husband only a year or two. They
left children :
i. John, d. s. p.
a. Simpson, was a soldier of the Revolu-
tion, and died in the service at
Ashley Hill.
Samuel Harris, son of the first John
Harris, b. May 4, 1733, at Harris' Ferry. At
the beginning of the Revolution, he was a
settler in Northumberland county, and took
an active part in affairs there, asalso in the
so-called " Pennamite War." He afterwards
removed to near Cayuga Lake, New York,
where he died on the 19th of October, 1825.
At West Cayuga, or Bridgeport, on the shore
of the Cayuga Lake, in the town of Seneca
Falls, is a monument erected to Samuel
Harris. From it we take the following in-
scription, although the date of his birth is
seven years out of the way :
Samuel Harris \ Born at Harrisburg, Penn.,
I May 4-) l^Jfi I An active poMicipant in the
I Stirring scenes of the old French War \ was
present at surprise and defeat \ of Braddock
nea.r Fort Du Quesne \ He was the decided
friend of his | Country and her Cause, in the
War I of the Revolution, during which he was
I appointed Captain of Cavalry ]■ Emigrated
to and settled on the \ bank of the Cayuga Lake
in the year 1795 \ Where he died Aug. 19, 1825
I Aged 85 yrs S months 15 days.
On the same monument is this inscrip-
tion:
Elizabeth Harris wife of Samuel Harris |
born at Philadelphia March 17, 174-0 \ Died
Dec. 25, 1828 \ Aged 88 yrs 9 mo. 8 da. |
Blessed are the merciful for they shall ob- \ tain
mercy.
Samuel Harris married, in 1758, Eliza-
beth Bonner, of Philadelphia. Their chil-
dren, all born at Harris' Ferry, were:
i. John, b. September 26, 1760 ; m. Mary
Richardson.
ii. William, h. October 3, 1762; m. Miss
Mead, and left issue.
Hi. Ann, b. 1764; d. s. p.
iv. David, b. JApril 22, 1771; m. Ann
[; and "theirirchildren were
Alfred,[Samuel, andlElizabeth.
David Harris, the youngest son of the
first John Harris, born about 1737, received
a good education, settled at Sunbury, and
was prothonotary of Northumberland county
in 1777 and 1778. He died while on a voy-
age to Europe. He married a Miss Mahon,
of Baltimore, and they had one chUd, Esther,
concerning whom we have not been able to
secure information.
Mary Harris, the daughter of the second
John Harris, and his wife, Elizabeth McClure,
was born April 13, 1750, at Harris' Ferry ;
d. April 20, 1809, at Harrisburg, and is
buried in Paxtang church graveyard. She
married, April 16, 1769, William Maclay.
He was the son of Charles Maclay and Elea-
nor Query, and was born July 20, 1737, in
New Garden township, Chester county, Pa.
In 1742 his parents removed to Hopewell
township, Lancaster county, now Lurgan
township, Franklin county, where he grew
up to man's estate. He was at Rev. John
Blair's classical school, in Chester county,
when the French and Indian war broke out,
and desiring to enter the Provincial service,
Mr. Blair recommended him as a "judicious
young man and a scholar." He was ap-
pointed an ensign in the Pennsylvania bat-
talion, subsequently promoted to lieutenant,
and served under Forbes and Bouquet. He
afterwards studied law and was admitted to
the York county bar, April 28, 1760. He
was appointed one of the deputy surveyors
of the Province, and until the Revolution
was busily engaged as the assistant of Sur-
veyor General Lukens on the frontiers. By
direction of the Proprietaries he laid out the
town of Sunbury, where he erected a stone
house and resided until the close of the war.
During that struggle he marched with the
Northumberland county associators, partici-
pating in the battles of Trenton and Prince-
ton. He was afterwards appointed assistant
commissary of purchases. In 1781 he was
elected to the Assembly, and filled many
offices in the county and State, while in 1789
was chosen to the United States Senate, tak-
ing his seat there as the .first senator from
Pennsylvania. A diary of the proceedings
of these two years was kept by Mr. Maclay,
the original of which was in the possession of
his grandson, William Maclay Lyon. Upon
leaving the Senate he took up his permanent
residence in Harrisburg, where he built the
stone house yet standing at the corner of
Front and South streets. He represented the
82
HISTORICAL REVIEW
county of Dauphin in the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives in 1795 and, 1803,
and was a Presidential elector in 1796, and
from 1801 to 1803 one of the associatejudges
of the county. He died at Harrisburg on
the 15th of April, 1804. In the old Paxtang
churchyard is a flat marble stone with this
inscription :
Sacred \ to the memory of \ William Maclay>
Esq., I late of Harrishurgh, \ who departed this
life April 16, 180 i., \ Aged 68 years. \ In the
death of this valuable member of \ Society his
Country has lost an enlightened \ citizen and
his family their only support. | He held some of
the most honourable offices | in Pennsylvania
and the United States \ and discharged their
duties with firmness | and integrity. \ To an en-
larged and superior mind he added | the strictest
moralit'^ and served his God \ by improving
himself in virtue and knowledge. \ He has gone
to receive a glorious reward \ for a life spent in
honour and unsullied by crime. \ His afflicted
wife and children raise this stone | over his
grave and have no consolation but \ in the re-
membrance of his virtues.
O'er thy loved tomb shall angels bend, \ And
tr^ie affection tribute pay, \ To mourn the Father,
Husband, Friend, \ Untimely torn by Death
away. | T?i,o' power and honour could not save \
Thy mortal part from Death's abode, | Th'
ethereal spirit bursts the grave \ and seeks the
bosom of its God.
" Words of truth for once told on a tomb-
stone," said William Darby, the geographer,
who knew Mr. Maclay well. For further
notes concerning him see " History of Dau-
phin County." The children of Mary (Mc-
Clure) Harris and William Maclay were
(surname Maclay):
i. John-Harris, b. Feb. 5, 1770 ; d. s. p.
a. Elizabeth, h. Feb. 16, 1772 ; d. April
19, 1794. In Paxtang church burial
ground is a large marble slab with
this inscription :
Sacred \ to \ the Memory of | Eliza Maclay.
A lingering distemper \ borne vnth resignation
put a period to her life \ on the 19th of April
17 9 If. I in the 23d year of her age. \ The duties \
annexed to her station \ were dischargad with-
out a I blot. I Her weeping Parents \ have placed
over her this stone \ The monument \ Of her vir-
tues and of I their affection.
Hi. Eleanor, b. January 17, 1774 ; m. Will-
iam Wallace.
iv. Mary, b. March 19, 1776; m. Samuel
Awl.
V. Esther, b. September 19, 1778 ; m. Dr.
Henry Hall.
vi. Sarah, b. January 5, 1781; m. John
Irwin.
vii. Jean, b. March 19, 1783 ; m. John
Lyon.
via. William, b. 1784 ; d. 1785.
ix. William (2d), b. May 5, 1787 ; d. Mon-
day, March 22, 1812, at Harrisburg,
unm.
Robert Harris, son of the second John
Harris, and his wife Mary Read, was born
September 5, 1768, at Harris' Ferry. He re-
ceived a good education, and was brought up
as a farmer, residing during the early por-
tion of his life in the old log house which
stood where the Harris Park school building
is erected. He filled various positions of
honor, and during the war of 1812-14 served
as paymaster of the Penn'a troops. He was
elected to Congress two terms, 1823 to 1827.
Mr. Harris was one of the most active and
energetic men of his day. Possessed of great
public spirit, he aided in the establishment
of various enterprises, including the bridge
over the Susquehanna, Harrisburg Bank and
Harrisburg and Middletown turnpike. When
the Assembly of the State decided to remove
the seat of government to Harrisburg he was
selected as one of the commissioners for fix-
ing the location of the Capitol buildings be-
fore removal. Many of our old citizens re-
member well the last prominent act in his
long life, the address of welcome made by
him to President Taylor. Mr. Harris died
at Harrisburg on the 3d of September, 1851,
at almost the age of eighty-three years. He
married in Philadelphia, May 12, 1791, Eliza-
beth Ewing, daughter of Rev. John Ewing,
D. D., provost of the University of Pennsyl-
vania. She died at Harrisburg on the 27th
of April, 1835, in the 63d year of her age.
The children of Robert and Elizabeth Ewing
Harris were:
i. John, b. March 9, 1792 ; died June 22,
1846; unmarried.
ii. Hannah, b. December 21, 1793 ; d. s. p.
Hi. David, b. March 27, 1796, at Harris-
burg. He received his education in
the schools of the town and at the
academy there. At the age of eigh-
teen he went to Philadelphia, where
he was engaged in mercantile pur-
suits several j'ears, when he re-
turned to his native town and es-
tablished himself in the general
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
83
transportation business in connec-
tion with the canal, and subse-
quently in merchandizing. For
many years he was clerk of the
borough and city councils, was a jus-
tice of the peace under the borough
charter, and one of the first alder-
men elected under the city charter.
In 1814 Mr. Harris marched to Bal-
timore— one of the youngest-in that
band of brave defenders — with the
" Harrisburg volunteers," and was
among the last of its survivors.
Upon his retirement from councils
he lived in quiet retirement, his age
rendering it im{)Ossible for him to
participate in any active business.
He was a man of strict integrity,
and lived an honorable and correct
life, doing what he had to do faith-
fully, beloved and respected by his
friends and neighbors. He died at
Harrisburg on the 14th of March,
1880. Mr. Harris married Eliza-
beth Latimer, who survived to a
ripe old age. Their children were
Mary, Philip-Small, Henry-Latimer,
Louisa, m. Charles H. Wilson, and
Sallie-Latimer. Of these Mary is de-
ceased ; Philip-S. resides at St. Paul,
Minn.; Mrs. Wilson, a widow, at
Philadelphia, and the others at Har-
risburg.
iv. George- Washington, b. June 23, 1798,
at Harrisburg, where he died on
the 13th of August, 1882. He re-
ceived a preliminary education at
the old Harrisburg academy and
select schools of the town. Subse-
quently he went to Dickinson, Jeff-
erson and the University of Penn-
sylvania, graduating at the latter
institution. He studied law and
was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar at the December term,
1820. He remained at Harrisburg
several years, during a portion of
which period he served as deputy
attorney general for the county of
Dauphin. He afterwards removed
to Philadelphia and entered into
law partnership with Calvin Blythe,
at one time judge of this district.
He returned, however, in a short
time to Harrisburg, and resumed
his place at the Dauphin county
bar, and was appointed reporter of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylva-
nia, publishing a series of volumes
of reports. For a number of years
he filled the position of secretary to
the Library Committee of the Uni-
ted States Senate. Until the last
day of his long life he was very ac-
tive— physically and mentally. In
his address, appearance and man-
ners, he belonged to the old school.
He was a great reader, a man of
good information and of fine con-
versational powers. He was ex-
emplary and upright in his inter-
course with his fellow-citizens, and
was highly respected by all. Mr.
Harris married Elizabeth Mary
Hall, daughter of Dr. Henry Hall,
whose wife was Hester Maclay,
daughter of Senator William Ma-
clay. She died during the year
1884. Their children were Eliza-
beth- E.., m. J. Wallace Kerr ; Catha-
rine-Hall, m. William Morris;
Robert, William-H, and Julia-Todd.
Mrs. Kerr, a widow, resides at Har-
risburg, as does Julia T. Robert
and William H. were both physi-
cians, and died in the prime of life.
Mrs. Morris resides in Delaware.
V. Thomas-Jefferson, b. October 17, 1800.
He received a good education, and
was appointed a midshipman in
the U. S. Navy. He passed a few
years in the service, but having lit-
tle inclination for a man-of-war life,
he resigned and returned to Har-
risburg, where he lived in quiet re-
tirement until the close of his life,
which terminated on the 10th of
August, 1878. He was genial and
generous, affable and entertaining,
and a student his whole life long.
Mr. Harris married, in 1859, Eliza
Stine, of Harrisburg, but she died
within a year thereafter.
vi. Robert (1st), b. January 29, 1804 ; d.
March 8, 1804.
vii. Robert (2d), b. March 21, 1808. He was
a physician and practiced his pro-
fession at Harrisburg a number of
years. He died there on the 19th
of December, 1863, unmarried.
via. William-Augustus, b. August 21, 1810.
He was an Episcopalian minister,
resided at Washington, D. C, and
the last survivor of the children of
84
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Robert Harris. He married Cath-
arine Butcher, and their children
were James- Otey, Catharine, Will-
iam, and Robert.
Mary Harris, daughter of John Harris
and his wife Mary Read, was born October 1,
1770, at Harris' Ferry, She was an active
and energetic woman, and closed a life of
four score years on the 20th of August, 1851.
She married John Andre Hanna, a native
of Flemington, N. J., where he was born
about 1760. He was the son of Rev. John
Hanna and his wife Mary McOrea. He re-
ceived a good education under the direction
of his father, and was partly educated at the
College of New Jersey. It is probable that
he came to Pennsylvania as a tutor, after-
wards studying law with Stephen Chambers,
of Lancaster, a noted lawyer of his day, and
was admitted to the bar of that county in
1784. Upon the formation of the county of
Dauphin he located at Harrisburg, where his
marriage to a daughter of the founder of the
new town gave him a prestige and promi-
nence he would perchance not otherwise
have had. With this influence of family,
and his great natural abilities, he soon be-
came the leader at the bar. Probably an ac-
tive participant in the war of the Revolu-
tion, he had a decided taste for military af-
fairs. He commanded one of the first com-
panies raised in Harrisburg, and during
the so-called Whiskey Insurrection of 1794
was in command of the Second brigade of
the Pennsylvania forces. The same year he
was elected to Congress, and up to the time
of his death served in that illustrious body.
He died, somewhat suddenly, on the 18th of
July, 1805, and his remains repose in the
cemetery at Harrisburg. General Hanna
was a man of rich promise, was a leader of
the anti-federal party, and the colleague of
Gallatin, Snailie and other Pennsylvanians,
then quite prominent in the political affairs
of the Nation. He was a gentleman in man-
ners and deportment and eminent in his life
work. The children of General Hanna and
his wife Mary Harris were :
i. Esther-Harris, d. s. p.
a. Eleanor, d. s. p.
Hi. Sarah-Eaton ; she married in 1820
Richard Templin Jacobs, who died
November 25, 1842. He was a
prominent merchantof Harrisburg.
Their children were Samuel, Hen-
rietta, Jarnes, George- W., and Eliza.
The latter was twice married, first
to A. K. Cornyn, a lawyer, and sec-
ondly John J. Clyde, of Harrris-
burg.
iv. Henrietta, d. 1840 ; unm.
V. Caroline-Elizabeth, b. 1795 ; d. 1880 at
Harrisburg.- She married, in 1813,
Joseph Briggs, of Silvers Spring,
and they had John-Hanna, m. Julia
' Ann Todd, and Mary, m. Hon. John
J. Pearson.
vi. Frances-Harris, m. John Carson Mc-
Allister, and left issue.
vii. Juliana-C, m. John Fisher.
via. Mary-Read, m. Hon. John Tod. He
was the son of David Tod and Rachel
Kent, and born in Suffield, Hart-
ford countj^ Conn , in November,
1779. His father was a Scotchman
by birth and a man of an original
turn of mind, possessing much
shrewdness, and a dry kind of wit,
many of his sayings being familiarly
repeated years after his decease. His
mother was a native of the town of
Suffield. Young Tod received his
preliminary education at the public
schools of the village, but his class-
ical education was pursued under
the direction of the Rev. Mr. Gray,
pastor of the Presbyterian church
of that town. His rapid progress
in his studies enabled him on ex-
amination to enter the junior class
at Yale College, where he graduated
two years afterwards with great
credit and honor to himself. After
graduating he entered the office of
his brother, George Tod, then a
practicing lawyer in New Haven,
and it is said was also a short time
in the office of Gideon Granger,
Postmaster General under President
Adams. He was admitted to the
bar of Hartford in 1800. Shortly
after he went to Virginia, where he
filled the position of tutor in a
family in one of the southern coun-
ties of that State. In 1802 he lo-
cated at Bedford, Pa., where he did
some clerical labor in the prothono-
tary's office, and the same year ad-
mitted to the bar there. His prac-
tice rapidly increased, and such was
his standing and popularity in the
county that he was elected to the
House of Representatives of the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
85
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in
1808, serving in that branch until
1813 — the last two session's being
speaker of that body. In 1813 he
was elected member of the State
Senate, of which he served as pre-
siding officer from 1814 to 1816.
He was re-elected in 1816, but re-
signed the office December 20, 1816.
In 1820 Mr. Tod was elected a mem-
ber of Congress, and again in 1822.
The tariff question was the leading
measure of Congress during the
session of 1823-4. His speeches on
the subject — particularly his open-
ing speech, delivered on the 10th of
February, 1824, and that with
which he closed the debate on the
8th of April — are remarka:ble ; the
first for the data, facts, statistics and
other important information it con-
veys— the second for its powerful
and persuasive reasoning, fervid
eloquence, wit and satire, all ex-
pressed in chaste and elegant lan-
guage. Few subjects have elicited
more masterly and brilliant dis-
plays from American statesmen.
On the 8th of June, 1824, he was
appointed president judge of the
Fifteenth judicial district, and
thereupon resigned his seat in Con-
gress. In May, 1827, he was ap-
pointed by Governor Shulze a jus-
tice of the Supreme Court of Penn-
sylvania. He had been engaged
with two other judges in holding a
court at Lancaster, and becoming
ill, hastened to his home at Bed-
ford, where, after a brief illness, on
the 27th of March, 1830, in the
fifty-first year of his age, he breathed
his last. The character of Judge
Tod was that of a plain, practical
Republican — a downright honest
man. Without the least ostenta-
tion or disguise he remarkably ex-
emplified, in a Spartan simplicity
of manners, the truth of his own
sentiments — that there may be a
social equality in the intercourse of
men on all proper occasions without
at all interfering with the difference
conferred by intellect and educa-
tion. He was too humble to think
himself wiser than others, and too
honest to account himself better.
The children of Mary Read Hanna
and John Tod were Julia-Ann, m.
John H. Briggs ; Rachel, m. Samuel
A. Gilmore, of Butler; Isabella, m.
William M. Kerr, and Henrietta.
Mrs. Briggs and Mrs. Kerr, both
widows, reside at Harrisburg.
The Allisons op Derky.
I. John Allison, a native of Londonderry,
Ireland, emigrated with his family to Amer-
ica as early as 1725, and located on what
were termed the '' Barrens of Derry, then
Chester, afterwards Lancaster, now Dauphin
county, Pa. He took up two hundred acres
of land, which were warranted to him 15th
of April, 1734. He died in 1747, leaving a
wife Janet, and among other children, the
following :
i. Robert, d. March, 1766, unm.; by his
will he bequeathed " £100 to the
Trustees of the Philadelphia Hos-
pital," "£100 to the Grammar
School at Newark, ten miles from
New Castle," and the _ balance of
his estate to his brothers and sisters.
ii. William, d. August, 1739; m. Grizzle
Wray, and had Margaret, Patrick,
and Robert.
Hi. Hetiry, who had James.
2. iv. John, m. Ann .
3. V. James, m. Rebecca
vi. Jean, m. Smith.
- White.
vii. Margaret, m. —
II. John Allison (John), d. May, 1767,
in Donegal, leaving a wife Ann (who subse-
quently married John Stewart), and had
children as follows :
i. Patrick.
ii. Jean,!!!. George Clark, and had Mary.
Hi. Rose, m. James Crawford, and had
John,
iv. Margaret.
V. John.
vi. James, h. 1750.
vii. Ann, h. 1753.
viii. William, b. 1755.
iz. Robert, b. 1757.
III. James Allison (John), d. November,
1762, in Donegal, leaving a wife Rebecca,
who died in September, 1764, and the fol-
lowing issue :
i. James, m. a daughter of Gordon
Howard, of Donegal.
86
HISTORICAL REVIEW
ii. Anna, m.
Defrance, and had
James and John, who were, in 1776,
over fourteen years of age.
Hi. Jean, m. William Watt, and removed
to North Carolina.
iv. Margaret, m. Bowman, and
removed to North Carolina.
V. Sarah,
vi. Rebecca, m. Hugh Caldwell, and had
Jane.
The Balsbaugh Family.
Among the earliest of the German settlers
on Spring creek, in what is now Derry town-
ship, Dauphin county, was George Bals-
baugh, a native of Fahrenbach, in the Pfaltz,
Germany, where he was born in 1706. He
married Eva Minich, born in the same
neighborhood, in 1716. With their little
family thej' came to America in the year
1743, and located among their old neighbors
in the Fatherland, near Derry church, on the
farm now owned by the late venerable Wen-
del Henry. Mr. Balsbaugh subsequently
removed to Hanover township, six miles
further north, and purchased a tract of land
of two hundred acres — most of it hilly and
sterile — which has ever since been known
as the " Balsbaugh Place." Mr. Balsbaugh
died there in' 1775, his wife ten years later.
They had a large family, and their descend-
ants were quite numerous in Dauphin and
Lebanon counties sixty years ago, but
like their Scotch-Irish neighbors, they have
gone out from the old-homestead and sought
new locations south and west. The record
we have been able to make of them is mea-
ger, it is true, and that mainly of one branch
of the family. George Balsbaugh and Eva
his wife had among others the following
children :
i. George, b. 1736 ; d. March 10, 1802.
it. Peter, b. June 27, 1738; d. June 26,
1796 ; m. Mary , b. Decem-
ber 12, 1742 ; d.- June 19, 1798.
in. John,h. 1740; d. March 24, 1802.
iv. Catharine, b. 1743 ; d. at sea.
V. Elizabeth, b. 1745.
TO. Eva, b. 1749.
vii. Gertrude, h. 1752.
via. Valentine, b. February 14, 1755 ; m.
Elizabeth Miller.
Valentine Balsbaugh (George) was
born near old Derry church, February 15,
1755. He was, however, brought up on the
old Balsbaugh Place in Hanover, to which
his parents removed about 1760. Although
a practical farmer, he was a minister of the
German Baptist Church, and emphatically
a self-educated man. His knowledge of the
Holy Scriptures was wonderful, and his
grasp of revealed truths deep, spiritual and
far-reaching. He was what is termed a
" weeping " minister of the gospel, and was
never known, to preach without shedding
tears and causing others to weep. To the
close of his long and influential life, he never
used glasses. He died suddenly of apoplexy
at the homestead on the 26th of November,
1851, in the 97th year of his age. Mr. Bals-
baugh married August 3, 1777, Elizabeth
Miller, daughter of the saintly George Mil-
ler, the first bishop of the German Baptist
Church in Dauphin county. She was born
May 2, 1753, and died in September, 1821.
They had issue as follows :
i. George, h. May 5, 1778; was a black-
, smith by trade, and was noted
among his Scotch-Irish Presbyte-
rian neighbors as much for his
mental strength as for his leonine
physique ; he was well read, and
with his strong reasoning powers
was the leader in debate — a verita-
ble Elihu Burritt in knowledge.
He married late in life and died at
three score.
ii. Christian, b. 1779; d. s. p.
Hi. Daniel, b. 1781 ; d. s. p.
iv. Henry, b. February 8, 1783'; was a
farmer ; represented the county
of Dauphin in the Legislature of
1843 ; died September 1, 1848. He
married Hannah, daughter of Jacob
Smith who died at Forreston, 111.,
at the age of eighty-five. Dr. George
Balsbaugh, of Forreston, 111., is a
son.
V. Catharine, b. May 26, 1785 ; a woman
of fine personal appearance and
noble, self-sacrificing disposition ;
she accomplished great good in her
long life. She married Rev. Dan-
iel Reichard, of Ringgold Manor,
Md., a bishop of the German Bap-
tist Church. They had a large
family most of whom were promi-
nent in the church. The Rev.
Reichard was a profound theolo-
gian, and the professors of St.
James College said of him, " he is
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
87
as tough as a fiddle string and
genial as tough." He was born
May 1, 1.760; died January 28,
1856. Mrs. Reichard died Decem-
ber 22, 1870. They had twelve
children.
vi. Elizabeth, b. February 14, 1787 ; m.
the Rev. Lawrence Etter, " an elo-
quent man and mighty in the
scriptures," many years a minister
in the German Baptist Church.
He died November 9, 1853, in his
sixty -seventh year. Their son John
is now a bishop in that church.
Mrs. Etter died at the early age of
thirty-four.
vii. John, b. November 4, 1788 ; d. in his
ninety-first year, near Highspire ;
married a Miss Ziegler, sister of a
prominent minister of the church
in Lancaster county. Their son,
John, Jr., who died recently, repre-
sented Juniata county in the Leg-
islature.
via. Mary, b. October 7, 1790; d. February
27, 1882 ; married William Gibson,
of York county, near Dallastown,
Pa., where they resided all their
married life.
ix. Peter, b. June 4, 1793 ; d. November
21, 1871, at the old homestead ; was
for years a director of the poor ; in
the early days of common schools
he was one of the most strenuous
advocates of that noble plan of ed-
ucation, and all through his long
life he took the deepest interest
therein. A plain, practical farmer,
he was as influential as generous.
He married Elizabeth Longenecker,
who deceased on New Year's Day,
1874. Their children were Valen-
tine, b. March 19, 1827 ; m. Mary,
daughter of the Rev. Jacob Hol-
linger; Abraham, b. October 12,
1819 ; m. Susan Seltzer ; Benjamin,
b. November 14, 1821 ; m. Mary,
daughter of Rev. Miskey, of Berks
county ; Daniel, b. February 15,
1825, founder and first principal of
Lebanon Valley College, d. in 1860 ;
m. Laura, daughter of Andrew
Henry, of Palmyra ; Maria, b. Sep-
tember 18, 1828; m. John M. Zort-
man, a farmer near Palmyra;
Christian- Hervey, b. April 16, 1831,
now of Union Deposit, Dauphin
county ; Lizzie, b. July 3, 1834 ; d.
at the age of twenty-eight ; David,
h. November 23, 1836, died at six-
teen, and Samuel, b. July 30, 1839 ;
m. Sarah, daughter of Rev. Mr.
Keefer, of Dauphin county.
X. Christina, b. December 10, 1795; d.
May 23, 1863; married Michael
Friese. Their son Michael was a
leading homeopathic physician who
died in Harrisburg in 1880. An-
other son, Valentine, a graduate of
Dickinson College, died in 1875 at
Fort Wingate, New Mexico.
xi. Anna, b. July 26, 1798 ; d. December
23, 1868 ; married Peter Gingrich,
a substantial farmer. Their son
Aaron is a prominent physician in
Virginia.
The Baums of Derey.
I. Adam Baum, a native of the Palatinate;
emigrated to America about 1760, and set-
tled in Derry township, Lancaster now Dau-
phin count}'. Pa., where he died in Decem-
ber, 1785 ; m. Veronica ; both are
buried in the family graveyard, on the Horse-
shoe turnpike, two miles east of Hummels-
town. They had issue, among others :
2. i. Michael, b. 1757 ; m. Margaret Eber-
sole.
3. M. i)aTiieZ, b. January 30, 1759 ; m. Catha-
rine Fishburn.
Hi. John, b. 1761 ; d. and left a son John.
II. Michael Baum (Adam), b. 1757, in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa.; d. in
1796 ; m. Margaret Ebersole ; his widow sub-
sequently married John Miller. They had
issue :
4. i. Daniel, h. April 9, 1783; m. Mary
Hummel.
5. ii. Abraham, b. 1785; m. Elizabeth Esh-
leman.
Hi. John, b. 1787 ; d. April, 1839 ; m.
Nancy .
iv. Ann, b. 1789.
V. Freny, h. 1791 ; rn. Isaac Suavely.
vi. Mary, b. 1793; m. Felix Burkholder;
removed to Ohio.
III. Daniel Baum (Adam), b. January 30,
1759 ; d. December 30, 1839 ; was an ingen-
ious mechanic, learned gunsmithing with his
father, and during the war of the Revolution
was noted for the rifles which he manufac-
88
HISTORICAL REVIEW
tured for the patriot army. He m. Catharine
Fishburn. They had issue :
6. i. Michael, m. Nancy Sheller.
a. Barbara, m. Thomas Fox.
7. in. John, b. March 9,1794; m. Rebecca
Zimmerman.
IV. Daniel Baum (Michael, Adam), b-
April 7, 1783; d. December 4, 1857 ; m. Mary
Hummel, b. March 13,1/89; d. November
23, 1862 ; dau. of David Hummel and Mary
Toot. They had issue :
i. Mary-Ann, m. Samuel Murray.
M. Lena.
Hi. Sarah, d. unm.
iv. Susan, m. Levi Jones.
V. Catharine, m. Edward Magee, of New-
ark, N. J.
vi. Adam-Hummel.
vii. Caroline, m. John Yordy, of Lebanon.
viii. David-Hummel,
ix. Amanda, d. s. p.
V. Abraham Baum (Michael, Adam), m.
Elizabeth Eshleman. They had issue:
i. Jfari/, m., first, Abraham Fackler; sec-
ondly, John Gerhart.
ii. John, m. Elizabeth Metz.
Hi. Michael, m. a dau. of Philip Michael,
of Dauphin county.
iv. Catharine, m. Benjamin Miller.
V. Susan.
vi. Isaac, m. Barbara Bear.
vii. Elizabeth, m. John Baum.
viii. Abraham.
VI. Michael Baum (Daniel, Adam), d.
March, 1831 ; m. Nancy Shpller. They had
issue :
i. John, d. s. p.
• ii. Daniel, m. and removed to the West.
VII. John BAUM(Daniel, Adam), b. March
9, 1794 ; d. October 8, 1826 ; m. Rebecca Zim-
merman. They had issue :
i. Catharine, m. John Abel.
ii. Maria, m. Jacob Ha maker.
Hi. Eliza, d. s. p.
iv. Margaret, d. s. p.
V. Mary, m. Gill, of Lebanon
county.
vi. Louisa, m. Franklin Scott.
BrUBAKER AND MeETCH.
I. John Brubakkr, a native of Switzer-
land, emigrated to America about the year
1712, or perchance earlier, as it is stated he
built the first grist mill in what was after-
wards Lancaster county. Pa. He settled
near the present town of Lancaster. He had
a family of nine sons, of whom we have the
following :
i. John, m., 1st, Maria Newcomer; 2d,
a daughter of Michael Tanner, and
had issue.
2. ii. Daniel, m. and left issue.
Hi. Peter.
iv. Abraham, m. and left issue.
3. v. David.
vi. Christian.
vii. Henry,
viii, Jacob.
II. Daniel Brubaker (John), b. about
1715, in Lancaster county. Pa.; m. a daugh-
ter of Michael Tanner. They had issue,
among others (surname Brubaker) :
i. Joseph, h. 1741 ; m. Elizabeth Dow-
ner.
III. Abraham Brubaker (.John), resided
in what is now Clay township, formerly a
portion of Elizabeth township, Lancaster
county, Pa. He married and left issue,
among others (surname Brubaker):
i. Abraham, m. and had David, John,
Abraham, Jacob, and Peter,
ii. John, m. and had John, Jacob, and
Abraham.
Hi. Daniel, m. and had Daniel and John,
iv. Christian, m. and had Abraham and
John,
v. Jacob, m. and had Jacob and John.
IV. Joseph Brubaker (Daniel, John), b.
about 1741, in Lancaster county. Pa., d.
about the year 1808, in Halifax township,
Dauphin county, Pa. In 1785 he purchased^
a large tract of land in then Upper Paxtang
township, Dauphin county, Pa., and in 1790
with his family settled thereon. At that
early period the comforts of civilization were
few, schools, homes and churches being widely
scattered ; nevertheless he erected the altar
of his simple faith (Dunkard) and in that,
after the manner of his fathers, instructed his
sons and daughters. Mr. Brubaker m., 1764,
Elizabeth Downer. They had issue (sur-
name Brubaker) :
5. i. Daniel, b. June 6, 1765 ; m., 1st, Catha-
rine Singer; 2d, Barbara Brubaker.
6. ii. Elizabeth, h. 1770; m. John Meetch,
Jr.
7. Hi. Jacob, b. 1775 ; m. Barbara Bartle.
iv. Joseph, b. 1779.
8. V. Ann, b. May 1, 1781 ; m. John Boyer.
^a<^^
J.^J/icTZz:
^.^-ei-'i-^-t-o ««^/r?2<i— /
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
91
9. m. Catharine, b. 1790; m. Jacob Bru-
baker.
10. vii. John (twin), b. 1800 ; m. Julia Me-
haffey.
V. Daniel Brubaker (Joseph, Daniel,
John), b. June 6, 1765, in Lancaster county,
Pa.; d. February 19, 1843, in Halifax, Dau-
phin county. Pa.; was twice married; 1st,
Catherine Singer. They had issue (sur-
name Brubaker) :
i. Joseph.
a. Jonathan, m. Eliza Rutter, and had
John-Rutter, m. Louisa PofFenber-
ger.
Daniel Brubaker m., secondly, Barbara
Brubaker. They had issue :
in. Ann, m. S. W. Straw, and had Joseph.
iv. Maria, m. A. W. Loomis,' and had
Albert, Daniel, Barbara, and Will-
iam.
VI. Elizabeth Brubaker, (Joseph,
Daniel, John), b. about 1770; d. April 28,
1822; m. John Meetch, Jr.,* b. 1761; d.
1828, son of John Meetch, Sr. They had
issue (surname Meetch):
11. i. Joseph-B., b. September 3, 1792; m.
Alice A. Buchanan.
a. Rebecca, b. 1795 ; d. July 16, 1829 ; m.
Thomas Trump, and had Alfred-
Heaton, d. s. p., and Gyrus.
Hi. Benjamin, m. Sarah Hoffman, and
had Frank and Lizzie, m. Daniel
Chubb.
iv. Daniel.
V. John, h. 1803.
vi. Elizabeth, b.l805; d.l847; m. Michael
*Jolin Meetch, Sr., the son of an Irish magistrate,
was born in Enniskillen, county Fermanagh, Ire-
land, in 1724. He received a good education.
Marrying in opposition to his father, he came with
his wife to America about 1752, landing at New
York. Prom thence they went to the headwaters
of the Susquehanna, finally passing down that river,
locating on the northern side of Peter's mountain,
thus being one of the early pioneers of that locality.
In 1756 his family was driven off by the Indians —
but returned when the settlers had organized for
their own defence. In the French and Indian war,
Mr. Meetch took up arms in aid of the frontiers,
and when the storm of the Revolution burst upon
the country he was an active participant, being in
Capt. John Reed's company during the Jersey cam-
paign of 1776-7. Mr. Meetch died at his residence
in 1794, his wife surviving him only a few years.
They had five children who reached maturity:
Nancy, m. John Cavet, went to Knoxville, Tenn.,
where she died at the age of ninety ; Mary, m.
Brown, removed to Westmoreland county,
Pa.; Bebecca, m. Dunlap, settled in Erie
county. Pa.; Elizabeth, m. Robert Lyon, removed to
Northumberland county. Pa., and John, who mar-
ried and remained on the homestead, as- above.
Freeburn, and had John-M., m.
Susan Wickersham.
12. vii. Ann, b. 1807 ; m. Benjamin Hoon.
IS.viii. Mary, h. September 25, 1809; m.
George Carpenter.
14. ix. Catharine, b. June 7, 1811 ; m. John
Frederick.
X. Robert,
xi. Sarah, b. 1817 ; m. Joseph Brubaker.
Vn. Jacob Brubaker (Joseph, Daniel,
John), b. 1775; d. prior to 1808; m. Bar-
bara Bartle, b. 1766; died October 11, 1853,
in Middletown, Pa., and is buried in the M.
E. graveyard there. Concerning the wife
of Jacob Brubaker, we have the following :
She was of German parentage and born
in Cumberland county. Pa. Her mother,
Christiana Bartle, was a woman of strong,
practicable turn of mind, of good education,
and possessed of a firm reliance upon divine
Providence. Her father, Andrew Bartle, re-
moved to Harper's Ferry, where he remained
until the outset of the Revolution, when he
went to near Fort Licking, on the Holstein
river. A year after their settlement they
were taken captive by the Indians, and with
other prisoners marched toward Detroit.
On the journey the prisoners were separated,
each party consi.'sting of eight whites and
nine Indians. Barbara, with her mother
and sister Wilhelmina, continued together
until the latter, a delicate girl of fourteen,
fell by the way exhausted, when one of the
savages struck her with a tomahawk, and
scalping her proceeded onward. The an-
guish of the mother and sister cannot be de-
scribed. The march was rapid and provi-
sions scarce, the entire partj^ subsisting for
three days on a pair of pigeons caught by
one of 1 heir number. Barbara received from
her Indian captor kind treatment, and when
her little feet gave out he carried her upon
his back until she was rested. When they
gathered around the campfire after the day's
march, her mother would take her Bible,
which she carried with her, and read aloud
by the light of the blazing logs. Her heroic
endurance of the hardships of her situation
had won the admiration of the savages.
Her reading from " the book " had to them
an appearance of mystery that to their
untutored minds savored of the super-
natural, and when the time came for her to
read, they were her earnest and reverential
listeners, while as they expressed it, she
" made the book talk." When grown to wo-
92
HISTORICAL REVIEW
manhood Barbara was often heard to say
that the Indians treated her infinitely better
than did the British, into whose hands she
afterwards fell. Arriving at Detroit, they
were delivered to the British, starved and ill-
treated, and every indignity and abuse
heaped upon them by their white captors.
At the end of six weeks' captivity among
the Indians, and two years and a half among
the British, she and her mother were ex-
changed as prisoners of war. Barbara Bar-
tie had become a perfect mistress of the arts of
swimming, diving and skating, and was sub-
sequently instrumental in saving more than
one person from a watery grave. She grew
to be a lovely woman, and afterwards mar-
ried Jacob Brubaker. They left issue (sur-
name Brubaker):
15. i. Joseph, b. August 12, 1797 ; m., first,
Rachel Frederick ; secondly, Sarah
Meetch.
ii. Jacob, b. 1800 ; d. 1859.
VIII. Ann Brubaker (Joseph, Daniel,
John), b. Mav 1, 1781 ; d. January 1, 1857 ;
m. John Boyer, b. 1792 ; d. 1860. They had
issue (surname Boyer) :
i. Joseph, b. 1817; d. 1875; m. Mary
Syler, and had David, Joseph, Mary-
Jane, and Sarah,
ii. Elizabeth, b. 1819; d. 1844; m. Fred-
erick Fronk, and had Henry and
Rebecca. ,
Hi. John, b. 1822 ; m. Jane E. Keagle, and
had Rebecca, Elizabeth, Mary, Kate,
Margaret, John-Doivner, and Philip.
IX. Catharine Brubaker (Joseph, Dan-
iel, John), b. about 1790; m. Jacob Bru-
baker, b. December 22, ] 787 ; d. December
22. 1851. They had issue (surname Bru-
baker) :
i. John, m. Maria Clemson, and had
' William and Lydia.
ii. Hiram, m. Sarah Umberger, and had
Rebecca, Benjamin, and Millard.
Hi. Henry, m. Rebecca Shammo, and had
Jacob and Samuel,
iv. Benjamin, m. Barbara Loomis, and
had Mary-J., Earnest, and Myrtle.
V. Susanna,
vi. Mary,
vii. Isaac, m. Mary Geist, and had John-
H and Margaret,
via. Jacob.
X. John Brubaker (Joseph, Daniel,
John), b. about 1800 ; d. 1826 ; m. Julia Me-
haffey, and there was issue (surname Bru-
baker) :
i. Elizabeth, m. John Fullwood, and had
Sarah, Julia, Emma, Charles, John,
and William.
ii. Sarah, m. Ebron, and had
issue.
Hi. Henry- Mehaffey, m. Kate Guernsey,
and had Mary, John, and Stephen.
XI. Joseph B. Meetch (Elizabeth, Jos-
eph, Daniel, John), b. September 3, 1792;
d. December 25, 1875 ; m. Alice Ann Bu-
chanan. They had issue (surname Meetch):
i. Mary-R.
ii. Alice-Ann, m. Herman Chubb, and
had Ellen, Joseph, Myra, Myrtle,
Mary, and Harry.
Hi. William- Buchanan, xn. Mary Sheaffer,
and had issue Annie and Sarah,
iv. John.
XII. Ann Meetch (Elizabeth, Joseph,
Daniel, John), b. 1807; d. 1854; m. Benja-
min Hoon ; and had issue (surname Hoon):
i. John, m. Livingston, and had
John and Justina.
ii. Joseph-E, m. and had Clarence, John,
and Joseph.
Hi. Harriett-E., m. George English, and
had Emma, George, Clara, and
Lucy,
iv. Sarah.
V. Annie- Clara, m. John Metzger.
vi. Mary,
vii. Benjamin.
XIII. Mary Meetch (Elizabeth, Joseph,
Daniel, John), b. September 25, 1809 ; d. Jan-
uary 26, 1879; m. George Carpenter. They
had issue (surname Carpenter):
i. James-B., b. August 11, 1830 ; m.
Mary Garman, and had James,
America, and Allen.
ii. Lizzie-M., b. November 3, 1832 ; d.
September 25, 1857 ; m. Stiles Dun-
can, and had Mary and Harry.
ii. Charles-B.
iv. Thomas-B., b. April 16, 1838; m.
Emma F. Brubaker, and h&d. Sarah,
Benton and Duncan.
V. John-H.
vi. Oeorge-W., b. July 4, 1842; m. Sallie
Fyson, and had Bruce and Walter.
XIV. Catharine Meetch (Elizabeth,
Joseph, Daniel, John), b. June 7, 1811 ; m.,
April 8, 1830, John Frederick; b. May 6,
1806. They had issue (surname Frederick) :
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
93
i. Emma, m. William Wilson,
n. Marion.
Hi. Kate.
iv. Clara, m. Isaac Shivers.
V. John- W., m. Mary Powell, and had
Warjord.
vi. Ella.
vii. Annie.
via. Walton, m. Ziegler.
ix. Charles, in. Annie (Powell) Frederick.
XV. Joseph Brubaker (Jacob, Joseph,
Daniel, John), b. August 12, 1797 ; d. March
31, 1871 ; was a justice of the peace fiftf^en
years, and for a long period postmaster at
Halifax ; he was a gentlemen of integrity,
uprightness, and was liberal and liumane to
the poor and unfortunate. He was twice
married; first to Rachel Frederick, who
died in 1828, leaving no issue; secondly
August 16, 1835, Sarah Meetch, b. 1817; d.
November 27, 1880. They had issue (sur-
name Brubaker) :
i. Sarah-L., m. C. E. McFarland, and
had Virginia, Bruce, Mabel, Laura,
and Walter,
ii. John- Meetch.
Hi. Emma-F., m. Thomas B. Carpenter,
and had Sarah, Benton, and Duncan.
iv. Lillie-K., m. J. Wesley Straw, and
had John.
V. Joseph- W.
vi. James-H.
vii. Charles-E.
Clark, of Clark's Valley.
William Clark, the first of the name to
settle in this country, was of Scotch-Irish de-
scent, and came to America in 1728. He
settled in then Chester county, Province of
Pennsylvania, and died there. His son,
William, was born in Pennsylvania, and
after reaching manhood, with his family
settled in what was at first called the " Nar-
rows of Paxtang," then Upper Paxtang
township, Dauphin county, in a valley about
two miles from the Susquehanna river, giv-
ing to the valley and tlie creek the name of
Clark, which they still retain. The farm on
which they settled is yet known as the Clark
farm, although it has passed into other
hands. After residing there a number of
years he rented his farm and migrated to
Northumberland county, in this State, where
he bought a farm, and lived there until com
pelled to leave on account of the hostile at-
titude of the Indians, which caused the
" Great Runaway " of 1778-79. They buried
all their farming implements, lashed two
canoes together and taking some few clothes
with them, sailed down the Susquehanna
river, and thus escaped the savages. They
then returned to Middle Paxtang, where the
second William died. His children were as
follows :
i. Robert.
ii. John.
Hi. James,
iv. William.
V. Jane,
vi. Love,
vii. Sarah,
via. Elizabeth.
Robert, the eldest of the children, was
never married. He lived the greater part
of his life in Dauphin county, and finally
died in Perry county.
John, the second son, and Jane, the eldest
of the girls, lived on a farm about one mile
up Clark's Valley. Neither of them were
married ; they lived to a good age and died
on the farm where they had lived.
James, the third son, was never married,
and died when a young man.
Love, the second daughter, married James
Hines. They at one time resided at Erie,
Pa., and from there removed to Indianapolis,
Ind., or in that neighborhood.
Sarah, the third daughter, married Moses
Gladding and lived most of her life in
Clark's Valley.
Elizabeth, the youngest of the sisters, mar-
ried Richard Green, a son of Col. Timothy
Green. They had two children, Timothy
and Jane.
William Clark, the youngest son, was
born February 18, 1774. He left home after •
he became of age and went to the western
part of the State, and settled in Crawford
county, near what is now Meadville, Pa.
He there married Miss Sarah Patterson in
1802. He was elected associate judge of
Crawford county, and was in the war of 1812
and '14, when he was appointed brigade in-
spector of the Western district of Pennsyl-
vania. He rendered service in forwarding
men and supplies to Erie ; was on board the
flagship St. Lawrence in her first engage-
ment with the British fleet on Lake Erie.
He was appointed by Governor Findlay
secretary of the Land Office, which position
94
HISTORICAL REVIEW
he held from May 11, 1818, to May 11, 1821.
He was chosen by the Legislature to the
office of State treasurer and served from
1821 to 1827. He was elected to Congress
from the district composed of Dauphin and
Lebanon counties. Was appointed by the
President, Treasurer of the United States,
his commission signed by John Quincy
Adams, President, and Henry Clay, Secre-
tary of State, is dated June 4, 1828 ; and
held the office until the election of Andrew
Jackson as President. He spent the most of
his time in Dauphin county and died March
28, 1851, aged 77 years. His children were:
i. Pataline.
ii. William.
Hi. John.
iv. James.
V. Sarah.
vi. Margaret.
vii. Elizabeth, b. January 6, 1817.
via. Anna, b. April 29, 1819; d. December
4, 1888.
ix. Jane, b. October 7, 1821 ; d. young.
X. Ellen, b. November 15, 1823.
xi. Jefferson.
Pataline married David Steel, who lived
near New Buffalo, in Perry county. Mr.
Steel died shortly after they were married,
and left one daughter, Sarah-F., who mar-
ried Philip B. Greenawalt, with whom Mrs.
Steel lived until her death, which occurred
June 15, 1882. Her grandchildren were
(surname Greenawalt) :
i. William- Clarh.
ii. Bertha-May, d. s. p.
Hi. Philip-Herbert.
iv. Alice, d. s. p.
V. Mary-Ehrman.
William, Jr., was born March 3, 1805 ; he
never married; represented Dauphin county
in the State Legislature, and filled many
positions of trust; died at his home in Dau-
phin May 19, 1870.
John, born February 20, 1807, lived most
of his life in Crawford county ; was a major
in the State militia, and engaged in the tan-
ning business. He d. April 29, 1876. He
married Sophia Atkinson, and their children
were:
i. Sarah, m. F. H. Bern is.
ii. Anna, m. H. Sheppardson.
Hi. William, d. s. p.
iv. Thomas, killed in the battle of the
Wilderness.
V. James, d, s. p.
TO. Henry-Clay, living in the West.
Jairies, born October 21, 1809, graduated
from West Point and was a captain in the
regular army, which position he resigned to
study theology; he died in 1886 at George-
town, D. C, at the university of that name.
Sarah was born December 18, 1811, and
died at the age of 19 years.
Margaret, born May 3, 1814, married Will-
iam J. Robinson, of Dauphin. She died
February 21, 1874. Their children were :
i. Charles, d. s. p.
ii. Elizabeth, m. Preston Miller.
Hi. Sarah.
iv. Anna-Clark, ra. Capt. J. F. Wilson,
i;. William, d. s. p.
vi. Margaret,
vii. Rev. Edwin-P.
via. Ellen, d. s. p.
ix. Harry-Justice, d. s. p.
X. James-Weir.
Jefferson, the youngest of the family, was
born August 15, 1826 ; was engaged in the
mercantile business for years; was post-
master for a long time and one of the first
elders in the Presbyterian church at Dau-
phin. He married, in 1855, Miss Margaret
Kimmel, of Shippensburg, daughter of
George Kimmel, Esq. Their children were:
i. Dr. Charles-Henry, m. May Zacharias.
ii. Dr. William-Patterson, m. Kate S.
Bell.
Hi. Oeorge-Kimmel, d. s. p.
iv. Edwin-Robinson, d. s. p.
V. Horace-Moore,
vi. Thom,as- Cummin,
vii. Mabel.
The Cochrans of Paxtang.
I. John Cochran,* of the house of Dun-
donald, crossed over from Paisley in Scotland
to the Province of Ulster, Ireland, about.
1570 — perhaps a little earlier. From him
descended James Cochran*, whose second
son was Robert and fourth son John'.
Robert Cochran had a son Robert, called
" Deaf Robert." From John' we have
James^ and in the subsequent generation
Robert^ called "Honest Robert." He had
James, Stephen, and David of the sixth gen-
eration, who came to Pennsylvania and
settled on the Octoraro, in Chester county.
Concerning Stephen and David we have
meager information. James Cochran' mar-
ried his kinswoman, Isabella, daughter
of " Deaf Robert." James Cochran died in
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
95
1766 — his wife some years later. They had
issue :
i. Ann,h. 1724; m., 1st, Alex. Leckey;
2d, Rev. John Roan.
ii. Robert, b. 1726 ; left a daughter, Isa-
bella.
Hi. James, b. 1728 ; d. in April, 1768.
iv. John, b. September 1, 1730 ; was Dr.
Joiin Cochran, surgeon general of
the Revolution, and an intimate
friend of Washington; d. April 6,
1807; m., December 4, 1760, Ger-
trude Schuyler, sister to Gen. Philip
Schuyler, of the Revolution.
V. Stephen, b. 1732.
m. Jane, b. 1734 ; m. Rev. Alexander
Mitchell.
2. vii. George, b. 1736.
II. George Cochran (J^mes, Robert,
James, John, James, John), the youngest son
of James and Isabella Cochran, was born
about 1736, on the Octoraro, Chester county.
Pa. He settled on the Swatara, where he
died about 1770. He married Annie Henry,
daughter of Rev. James Henry, a Presbyte-
rian minister, who came from the north of
Ireland and settled at Pomoco, Md., about
1739. She died on the Swatara. They
had issue :
i. Israel, m. Isabel Hammel, and left one
daughter, Jean ; she married
Reaznor, of Erie county, in 1808,
and died a few years after her mar-
riage. Mr. Hammel, after his wife's
death, removed to Ohio, leaving his
daughter Jean with her uncle,
John Cochran.
ii. Sarah, m. William Robertson ; re-
moved to Danville, Montour county,
Pa., where they died, leaving issue :
John, Isabella, James, William,
Samuel, Jane, and Mary.
Hi. Jean, m. William Thompson, and re-
moved to Buffalo Valley, where
they lived until their death. They
had Nancy, James, and Ruth.
James became a Presbyterian clergy-
man, and was connected with the
Huntingdon Presbytery.
iv. John, h. 1761 ; spent his earliest years
in Chester county, among his fa-
ther's friends, where he received a
good education and studied survey-
ing. In 1792 he removed to North-
umberland county, now Union
county; from thence to Erie county
in 1796 as deputy surveyor under
Thomas Rees, who was the first
State surveyor appointed by the
Land Department of the Common-
wealth for that county. Mr. Coch-
ran surveyed and laid out the
Erie and Waterford Reservations
with tracts and farms in 1796-7.
He purchased tracts 30 and 70 of
the Erie reserve, and removed his
family there in 1799. In 1800 he
built a rude saw and grist mill on
Mill creek, where is Dinsmore's
mill, now Stewart's. Gov. McKean
appointed Mr. Cochran deputy sur-
veyor of Erie county, July 9, 1801,
and subsequently, July 5, 1803, one
of the associates judges of the
coun ty . He was appointed by Gov-
ernor Snyder secretary of the Land
Office in 1809 ; removed to Lancas-
ter with his family, and afterwards
to Harrisburg. He held the office
nine years, when he returned to his
home in Mill Creek, near Erie. He
lived on this farm until his death,
May 1, 1836. Judge Cochran's wife
was Sarah Lattimore ; she died about
1840. They had two sons: George,
who died in December, 1827, un-
married, and Robert, who married,
about 1820, Eliza Justice, by whom
he had nine children. RobertCoch-
ran was appointed by President
Jackson, postmaster of Erie, Feb-
ruary 26, 1833, filled it seven years ;
and was again appointed by Presi-
dent Polk, July 23, 1845, holding
the office four years. He died on
the old Cochran farm, in South Erie,
December 9, 1869, aged seventy
years.
V. Annie, b. August 16, 1763, in now
Dauphin county. Pa., d. April 12,
1857. at Winchester, Tenn.; mar-
ried in 1787, Sankey Dixon, son of
John and Arabella Dixon, born in
1762 in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county. Pa. ; died at Knox-
ville, Tenn., November 11, 1812, at
the age of fifty.
In the Paxtang assessment, north end, for
1749, the earliest we have, appear the names
of William, Andrew, George, and John Coch-
ran. Of George and his descendants we have
spoken. The others were probably children
of David or Stephen, previously referred to.
96
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Later we find the names of Samuel, James,
and William.
Andrew Cochran, of Paxtang, died at an
advanced age in November, 1775 ; his estate
was bequeathed to his children, his wife
having previously deceased :
i. Margaret, m., August 17, 1756,Thomas
Wiley.
ii. Jean, m. Campbell.
Hi. Mary, m., November, 1774, Robert
Whitehill.
iv. Sarah, m. — '■ Chambers.
V. John-.
vi. Andrew,
vii. William.
Samuel Cochran, b. in 1732 ; d. April 8,
1816, in Middle Paxtang. He was a private
in Captain Rutherford's company of asso-
ciators in 1776 and 1777. He left a wife
Margaret, and had issue as follows :
i. l_A dau.l, m. John Hatfield, and had
Margaret and John,
ii. Margaret.
Hi. Jane,
iv. Martha, m. William Forster, and had
Samuel.
V. Isabella, m. Philip Reichart.
vi. Rachel.
vii. William.
James Cochran was probably a son of
Andrew Cochran, b. in 1742; d. July 16,
1822, and is buried in, Paxtang. He was a
private in Captain Rutherford's company of
associators in 1776. He married, November
22, 1770, Mary Montgomery, of Paxtang, b.
in 1744 ; d. August 6, 1803, and is also in-
terred in Paxtang. They had issue, among
others :
i. John, b. 1773 ; d. November 16, 1845;
m. Hannah Cowden, b. 1778; d.
May 31, 1850.
ii. Andrew.
Hi. Jane, m. Henry Peffer.
John Cochran, a soldier of Captain Mur-
ray's company of the Revolution, died in
November, 1789; his wife Caroline died
in April, 1804. They had John, who had
issue : Lydia, Caroline, Ann, m. Jeremiah
Crain, and Jamison.
We have the following disconnected data:
William Cochran, b. 1780; d. April 26,
1840 ; m., January 11, 1810, Rachel, daughter
of Christian Gross.
Samuel Cochran, Jr., was a private in
Capt. John Rutherford's company of asso-
ciators in 1776. He married, December 11,
1770, Mary Sherer, of Paxtang. His daugh-
ter Margaret married, October 20, 1803,
David Mitchell, of Cumberland county.
Jacob Cochran, of Chester county, died
prior to 1785. His children, minors, Jacob,
David, John, and Mary, were then residing in
Dauphin county. David died January 21,
1809. John married, March 3, 1804, Mary
Hart, of Middle Paxtang.
Samuel Cochran, of Chester county,
was surveyor general of Pennsylvania from
1800 to 1809. He died at Cochranville,
Chester county. Pa., May 3, 1829. His son
Samuel, b. 1797; d. September 5, 1821, at
Harrisburg.
Among the Rev. John Roan's marriages
are the following :
Margaret Cochran and Thomas Wiley,
August 17, 1756.
Janet Cochran and Robert Whitely, April
24, 1759.
Martha Cochran and Andrew Caldwell,
October 1, 1771.
Martha Cochran and James Robinson,
September 12, 1769.
Mary Cochran and Robert Whitehill,
November 1, 1774.
The Crawpords, of Hanover.
I. Robert Crawford, of Scotch parent-
age, born in county Donegal, Ireland, emi-
grated to America prior to 1728, with sev-
eral of his sons :
i. James, who settled in Paxtang town-
ship, and had surveyed to him in
March, 1738, 258 acres of laud on
the bank of the Susquehanna river,
adjoining Robert and William
Renick's land. This location was
subsequently secured by Joseph
Chambers, James locating in Hano-
ver township.
ii. Robert, settled in Hanover.
Hi. Hugh, settled in Hanover.
2. iv. William, settled in Drumore town-
ship, Lancaster county.
3. V. John, settled in Hanover.
II. William Crawford (Robert), d. in
June, 1767, in Drumore township, Lancaster
county. Pa., leaving a wife Violet, and chil-
dren as follows :
i. John,
ii. Agnes, m. Robert Mcllhenny.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
97
Hi. Isabel, m. William Moore.
iv. Elizabeth, m. John Crawford.
V. Robert.
vi. Margaret.
III. John Crawford (Kobert), emigrated
to Pennsylvania with his family and friends
prior to 1728 ; he married, and had issue
among others :
4. i. James, b. 1730 ; m., 1st, Rosanna Alli-
son ; 2d, Agnes McDonald.
5. ii. John, b. 1736; m. Elizabeth Crawford.
6. Hi. Richard, b. 1740; m. Elizabeth .
IV. James Crawford (John, Robert), b-
1730, in Hanover, seems to have removed to
the West Branch in Northumberland county
about 1770. He was a member of the con-
vention of July, 1776, which framed the first
Constitution of the State, and on the 8th of
October following commissioned major of
Col. Wm. Cooke's regiment of the Pennsyl-
vania Line. He resigned October 12, 1777,
on account of being deprived of his rank,
but proposed to serve through the contest at
his own expense. He afterwards filled the
offices of sheriff, commissioner and justice of
the peace. He died about 1812 or 1813 and
was buried in the old Pine Creek burying
ground, near Jersey Shore.
Major Crawford was twice married, first, to
Rosanna Allison, daughter of John and
Ann Allison, of Lancaster county. She
was a superior woman. ' Her sister, Marga-
ret Allison, a notable woman in her day,
married Col. Hugh White, a soldier of the
Revolution, who lived near Chatham's Run,
Lycoming county, and from whom are de-
scended the Whites of Williamsport and
Wellsboro'. Through the first marriage of
Major Crawford comes the connection with
the Allisons of the Juniata Valley, one of
whom, Robert, was a distinguished lawyer, a
captain in the Black Hawk war of 1812, and
subsequently a member of Congress. The
children of James Crawford and Rosanna
Allison, all born in Hanover, were :
i. John, who served in the war of the
Revolution ; went to the lower
Mississippi, where he died, unmar-
ried.
ii. Robert, who married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Michael Quigley. Through
her comes the relationship with the
Quigleys, Cranes, Custards, Deis
and others. Robert was palsied
late in life, and died about 1836
aged seventy-six. He was buried
in the Pine Creek burying ground.
His children were: Ann, m. Levi
Packer ; Oeorge, m. Mrs. Elizabeth
Weitzel White; Nancy, m. Hugh
White; Frances, xn. Robert Shaw;
James- Allison; and Eliza, m.
Thomas Condon.
Hi. Thomas, removed to North East, Erie
county, Pa., where his descendants
reside.
iv. Ann, m. Benjamin Walker, whose de-
scendants live at Laporte, Ind.
Major Crawford married, secondly, Agnes
McDonald, daughter of Captain McDonald,
of Cumberland county. She survived her
husband several years and is buried in Pine
Creek graveyard. They had one daughter,
Elizabeth, who removed after the death of
her mother to Erie county, where she died
many years ago, unmarried.
V. John Crawford (John, Robert), b.
1736, in Hanover township; d. April 8, 1789,
in Hanover, and buried in the old Hanover
church graveyard ; m. his cousin, Elizabeth
Crawford, b. in Drumore township, Lancas-
ter county, Pa.; d. June, 1824, in Hanover,
and there buried. They had issue :
i. MiZm7^,d. November, 1829; m. Patty
Crain.
ii. Ann, m. Samuel Finney ; d. Decem-
ber, 1823.
Hi. Violet, d. April, 1844.
iv. Mattie (Martha), a character in her
day; d. 1842.
V. John, d. February 18, 1811.
VI. Richard Crawford (John, Robert),
b. about 1740 in Hanover; d. in 1813 at the
residence of his daughter, Ann Wilson, in
Anthony township, Columbia, now Montour
county, Pa., whither he removed upon the
death of his wife; was buried in Warrior
Run graveyard. He m., in 1765, Elizabeth
, b. in 1745 ; d. June 12, 1810, in Han-
over, and there buried. They had issue :
t. Paul, b. 1766.
it. James, b. 1768 ; m. Mary Finney.
Hi. Ann, b. 1772; m. Hugh Wilson.
iv. Elizabeth, b. 1776 ; m. Rev. John
Moody, who died at Shippensburg.
V. Mary, m. Robert Moody.
98
HISTORICAL REVIEW
The Endebs Family.
I. Philip Christian Enders, b. July 22,
1740, in Braunsigweiler, District of Zugen-
heim, Nassau, Germany ; d. February 26,
1809, in Halifax township, Dauphin county,
Pa. After completing his education he en-
tered the military service of his sovereign,
William Heinrich, Prince of Nassau, partici-
pating in numerous battles of the " Seven
Years' War." For gallantry and other sol-
dierly qualities he was promoted to a cap-
taincy in the Royal cavaliy. He subse-
quently resigned his commission, and on
May 13, 1764, married Anna Degen, daugh-
ter of Conrad Degen, of Sippertsfield, Nassau.
A few months later he came to America, ac-
companied by his bride. His first settle-
ment was in Philadelphia, and later in this
part of then Lancaster county. In 1788 he
purchased a tract of over 1,300 acres of land
in Upper Paxtang township. On this he
permanently located, and here his last years
peacefully passed away. He was one of the
founders of Fetterhoff church, erected the
first saw mill in the valley, taught the first
school, and bore a leading part in many
other enterprises. In 1796 his wife and eld-
est son, John Philip, died and were buried a
few rods from the cabin of the old settler.
Thirteen years later the husband and father
was laid by their side. He lived a long, use-
ful and honored life, and his descendants
have cause to thank God that their ancestor
deserves their reverence, respect and grati-
tude. His children were :
i. John-Henry, b. 1765 ; d. s. p.
2. ii. John-Philip, b. April 26, 1766 ; m.
Elizabeth .
Hi. Margaret, b. April 21, 1768 ; d. s. p.
3. iv. Ann- Elizabeth, b. December 15, 1769 ;
m., first, Adam Kreeger; secondly,
John Shoener.
V. \_A sonl, b. July, 1771 ; d. s. p.
4. vi. George-Michael, b. July 12, 1772 ; m.
Elizabeth Crum.
vii. John-George, b. March 11, 1774; d.
1825 in Dauphin county ; m. Cath-
arine Bowman, and left a large
family.
via. \^A son'\, b. April, 1776 ; d. s. p.
5. ix. Margaret- Martha (called Eva Margaret
in her father's will), b. January 24,
1778 ; m. Isaac Baughman.
X. Christiana, h. July 24,1779; m. John
Miller, and their numerous descend-
ants are scattered over many States.
xi. Susannah, b. February 12, 1781 ; d. s. p.
xii. Catharine, b. March 25, 1783 ; d. in.
1844 ; m. Peter Phillips ; a num-
ber of their children live in Bell-
ville, 0.; he was a soldier in the
war of 1812-14 ; removed to Ohio
in 1839, but after the death of his
wife returned to Pennsylvania,
where he died October 2, 1860.
xiii. l^A son^, b. January 11, 1785 ; d. s. p.
xiv. John-Conrad (twin), b. January 11,
1785 ; d. December 5, 1874; he in-
herited the old homestead which is
now in the possession of his young-
est son, Daniel.
II. John Philip Enders (Pliilip-Chris-
tian), b. April 26, 1766, in Philadelphia ; d.
October, 1794, in Dauphin county; m. Eliz-
abeth ; and had children :
6. i. Philip, b. August 15, 1790 ; m. Anna
Hummel.
il. Susanna, b. June 25, 1791 ; m. Leonard
Peters ; of their descendants, nearly
all reside in Pennsylvania.
Hi. John, b. August 25, 1792 ; went West
when young, and all trace of him
lost.
III. Anna Elizabeth Enders (Philip-
Christian), b. December 15, 1769, in Lan-
caster county. Pa.; d. in Crawford county,
Ohio, many years ago; m., first, Adam
Kreeger; a tailor by trade, who died in
Cumberland county. Pa.; and there was
issue (surname Kreeger):
i. John, d. in 1878, s. p.; was a minister
in the Church of God.
ii. Jacob, d. April 7, 1850, in Gallon,
Ohio ; m. Anna Campbell, and had
issue, besides four children d. in in-
fancy (surname Kreeger):
1. Sarah-Jane, b. January 22,
1828; m. John Hindman.
2. Elizabeth-F., b. September 7,
1829; m. Milton Fenders;
reside in Indiana.
3. Jacob-C, b. May 21, 1833; re-
sides in New Orleans.
4. Jeremiah- W., b. April 11, 1838 ;
m. Prudence Love ; reside in
Indiana.
5. Mary-A., h. April 7, 1842 ; m.
William Angle.
6. Benjamin-F., b. April 22, 1843;
m. Sarah A. Scott ; reside in
Gallon, Ohio.
7. Joseph-R, h. January 15,1845;
married.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
99
8. Amanda-J., b. January 11,
1847 ; m. John "Warden.
Hi. Margaret, m. Michael Watson.
iv. Elizabeth, m. John Rose.
Mrs. Kreeger afterwards m. John Shoener,
a clock maker; they emigrated to Ohio,
where they both deceased ; no children.
IV. George Michael Endees (Philip-
Christian), b. July 12, 1772 ; d. October, 1831,
in Dauphin county. Pa.; m. Elizabeth Crura,
and had issue :
i. Jacob, d. March 16, 1857, s. p.
a. Elizabeth, b. October 25, 1799 ; m.
Christian Zimmerman, and had
eleven children.
Hi. Catharine, m. Michael Hummel ; had
one son.
iv. Sarah, b. February 18, 1810 ; m. Fred-
erick Eberween ; resided in Winter-
set, Iowa.
V. William, b. April 28, 1812 ; m. and
resided in Harrisburg.
V. Margaret Martha Enders (Philip-
Christian), b. January 24, 1778 ; d. March
29, 1864, in Ohio ; m. Isaac Baughman, d.
July 25,1869, in Knox county, Ohio, whence
he emigrated with his family in 1848; was
a miller by trade. They had issue (surname
Baughman):
i. John, b. June 3, 1802 ; d. near Cham-
bersburg, Pa.; m. and had a large
family.
ii. Samuel, h. January 30, 1804 ; a son,
Jeremiah, resides at Fort Wayne,
Ind.
Hi. Elizabeth, b. January 28, 1807 ; m.
John Ventling, and had seven chil-
dren.
iv. Margaret, b. March 4, 1809 ; m.
Reed ; resided at Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
V. Sarah, b. February 5, 1811 ; m. Peter
Hoke.
vi. Mary, b. June 21, 1812; m. Rev. Sol-
omon McHenry; had seven chil-
dren.
vii. Catharine, b. March 29, 1814; m.
Wingert, and had six chil-
dren.
via. Isaac, b. July 5, 1817 ; d. January 15,
1883; m., and left three children.
ix. Rosanna, b. March 14, 1818 ; resided
at Chambersburg, Pa.
X. William-C, b. March 15, 1822; was a
miller ; m. Frances Wingert, and
had twelve children.
VI. Philip Enders (John-PhiHp, Philip-
Christian), b. August 15, 1790 ; d. 1874, in
Genesee county, Mich.; removed to Erie
county, N. Y., in 1827, and shortly after to
Genesee county, Mich.; m. Anna Hummel,
and there was issue :
i. Sarah, m. William Myers.
ii. Lucy, m. Benjamin Ineasly.
Hi. Samuel, m. Nancy Rhodes.
iv. Jeremiah, m., and resides in Australia.
V. George- W.,jn., and resides in Genesee
county,' Mich.
vi. Elizabeth, m. B. Brosius.
vii. Norman, a farmer living in Genesee
county, Mich.
via. Mary-A., m. Abraham Mastin.
ix. Harry-H., m., and resides in Michigan.
X. Martha, d. in infancy.
xi. Almeda, d. in infancy.
xii. Franklin, d. s. p.
Fahnestock Family.
I. DiEDRiCK Fahnestock, son of Laborius
Fahnestock was born February 2, 1696, in
Halten in the district of Hagen, Province of
Westphalia, Prussia, emigrated to America
in 1726, first settled on the Raritan, New
Jersey, but a few years later we find him
at Ephrata, now Lancaster count}'^. Pa.
He subsequently took up a tract of three
hundred and twenty-nine acres of land
which was surveyed to him October 12,
1735. He died in Cocalico township on the
10th of October, 1775, his will being proved
January 22, 1776. Diedrick Fahnestock
married prior to his emigration to America,
Anna Margaretta Hertz, b. July 23, 1702; d.
September 29, 1783. Of their children the
two eldest were born on the old homestead
at Halten on the Rhine. One sister accom-
panied the family, Elizabeth, who married
Henry Dierdorf at Amwell, N. J.; subse-
quently another sister, Armella, came to
America — she united with the Seventh Day
Baptist society at Ephrata. " It was not for
the comforts of this life," wrote Diedrick
Fahnestock, " but in the hope of finding
people of more congenial religious faith,"
that induced him to emigrate to Pennsyl-
vania, and he found them at Ephrata. His
family were:
2. i. Casper, b. April 11, 1724, m. Maria
Catharine Gleim.
H. Andrew, b. 1726, d. on ship-
board, near the American coast,
and buried in New York.
100
HISTORICAL REVIEW
3. in. Peter, b. March 3, 1730, m. Elizabeth
Bolthouser.
4. iv. Diedrick, h. December 25, 1733 ; m.
Esther Bauman.
5. V. John, b. 1735 ; m., first, Rebecca
Groff; secondly, Catharine Studa-
baker.
6. vi. Daniel, b. 1793 ; m., first, Ellen Lustin ;
secondly, Catharine Rider.
vii.Joseba, b. 1742; d. June 20, 1816;
m. John Urie.
7. via. Benjamin, b. May 2, 1747 ; m., first,
Catharine Garber ; secondly, Chris-
tiana Underwood.
8. ix. Borius, b. May 9, 1744; m. Elizabeth
Enders.
II. Casper Fahnestock (Diedrick), b.
April 1], 1724, in Halten-on-the-Rhine ; d.
August 17, 1808, in Lancaster county. Pa.;
m., about 1760, Maria Catharine Gleim, b.
1739; d. August 5, 1805, in Lancaster
county. Pa.; daughter of John Godfreid
Gleim, of Wiesbaden, Germany. They had
issue :
9. i. CAarZes,b. February 1,1761; m. Susan
Smith.
a. Daniel, b. January 11, 1763 ; d. May
30, 1830; unm.
Hi. Esther, b. 1766 ; d. 1844 ; m. Casper
Smith.
iv. Diedrick. b. March 14, 1771 ; d. Janu-
ary 18, 1821 ; unm.
V. Catharine, b. March 3, 1774; d. Au-
gust 9, 1853; m. Solomon Gorgas.
III. Peter Fahnestock (Diedrick), b.
March 3, 1730, in Cocalico township, Lan-
caster county. Pa.; d. September 15, 1805 ;
m. Elizabeth Bolthouser. They had issue :
i. Sarah, b. April 30, 1758; d. January
30, 1792; unm.
10. a. Samuel, b. March 27, 1761 ; m., first,
Hannah Studebaker ; secondly,
Eleanor Sweigart.
11. Hi. Conrad, h. July 19, 1763 ; m. Mary
Hallacker.
iv. Hannah, h. October 8, 1767 ; d. Janu-
ary 16, 1844 ; m. John Landis.
12. V. Obed, b. July 25, 1770 ; m. Anna
Maria Gessell.
vi. Margaretta, b. March 5, 1772; d. June
12, 1847 ; m. Benj. Konigmacher.
vii. Peter, b. 1776.
via. Elizabeth, b. March 24, 1779 ; d. May
20, 1837; m. Dr. Daniel Fahne-
stock.
ix. Andrew] b. November 29, 1781; d.
February 5, 1863; was a Seventh
Day Baptist preacher; m. Marga-
ret Graver, and had issue :
IV. Diedrick Fahnestock (Diedrick ), b.
December 25, 1733, in Cocalico township,
Lancaster county. Pa.; d. December 20, 1805;
m. Esther Bauman, b. May 27, 1740, at
Ephrata ; d. December 6, 1792. They had
issue :
i. Mary, b. October 2, 1762 ; m., first,
Rudisell ; secondly, George
Buehler.
13. ii. Samuel, b. March 16, 1764; m. Re-
becca Baker.
Hi. Anna, b. July 31, 1765.
iv. Esther, b. April 26, 1767; d. Decem-
ber 6, 1792 ; m. Jacob Kimmel.
V. Margaret, b. December 8, 1768; m.
John Bauman.
vi. Joseba, b. December 2, 1770; d. s. p.
vii. Peter, b. April 4, 1772 ; m. Susan
Bauman, and had issue.
via. Daniel, b. December 18, 1773 ; d. July
29, 1829; m. Elizabeth Fahnestock,
b. 1779 ; d. May 31, 1837, and had
issue.
ix. Joseba, b. July 18, 1775 ; m. John Hay.
X. Susanna, b. March 8, 1777 ; m., first,
Michael Pfoutz; secondly,
Brubaker.
xi. Christiana, b. September 11, 1780.
xii. John, b. September 21, 1781 ; d. 1827;
m. Mary Bush, b. 1799 ; d. March
10, 1840, and had issue.
xiii. Salome, b. December 30,1784; d.l803.
V. John Fahnestock (Diedrick), b. 1735,
in Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pa.;
d. May 22, 1812, at Pittsburgh; m., first, in
1766, Rebecca Groff, d. January 12, 1773.
They had issue :
i. Molly, b. 1767 ; m. C. Studebaker.
14. ii. Jacob, b. December 5, 1769 ; m. Sa-
lome Fahnestock.
15. Hi. Henry, b. March 6, 1772 ; m. Elizabeth
Brindle.
John Fahnestock (Diedrick) m., secondly,
Catharine Studebaker, b. 1745 ; d. May 13,
1822, at Pittsburgh. They had issue :
iv. Rebecca, b. July 7, 1775 ; d. Decem-
ber 3, 1832; m. Joseph Konig-
macher.
v.Hanna, b. 1780; d. 1866; m. Jacob
Bollinger.
VI. Daniel Fahnestock (Diedrick), b.
1739 in Cocalico township, Lancaster county.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
101
Pa.; m., first, in 1773, Ellen Lustin, and they
had issue:
16. i. Daniel, b. February 23, 1774; m.
Elizabeth Rider.
17. a. William, b. 1776 ; m. Esther Rider.
Hi. Mary, b. 1777; m. Joseph Hallopter.
iv. Sarah, b. 1778 ; m. Andrew Trummus.
V. Esther, h. April 13, 1779 ; d. April 18,
1855 ; m. Frederick Rider.
Daniel Fahnestock m., secondly, Catharine
Rider, and had issue :
vi. Margaret, m. Daniel Bollinger.
vii. Barbara,
via. Frederick,
ix. Eleanor, d. August 22, 1840; m. M.
Boyer.
z. Joseph, d. s. p.
VII. Benjamin Fahnestock (Diedrick),
b. May 2, 1747, in Cocalico township, Lan-
caster county, Pa.; d. February 27, 1820, in
Adams county. Pa.; m., 1st, October 9, 1770,
Catharine Garber, b. February 26, 1750; d.
July 17, 1793. They had issue :
18. i. George, b. September 7, 1772 ; m., 1st,
Mary Aughenbaugh ; 2d, Barbara
Fisher.
19. a. John, b. July 8, 1774; m. Catharine
Wallich.
Hi. Margaret, h. May 19, 1776.
20. iv. Henry, b. April 22, 1778; m. Catha-
rine Latshaw.
V. Esther, b. March 22, 1780.
vi. Christiana, b. June 7, 1782 ; m., De-
cember 19, 1802, Peter Aughen-
baugh, of Adams county. Pa.
21. vii. Peter, h. April 15, 1784; m. Mary
Fahnestock.
22. via. Benjamin, b. August 18, 1787; m.
Elizabeth L. Smith.
ix. Emanuel, b. May 4, 1790 ; d. July
14, 1791.
Benjamin Fahnestock m., secondly, Chris-
tiana Underwood ; and had issue :
X. Joseba, b. July 10, 1796; d. May 11,
1872 ; m. Dr. Bauman.
VIII. BoRius Fahnestock (Diedrick), b.
May 9, 1749, in Cocalico township, Lancaster
county, Pa.; d. January 9, 1820 ; m., Octo-
ber 17, 1772, Elizabeth Enders, b. December,
1752. They had issue:
i. Salome, h. November 4, 1773 ; ra.
Jacob Fahnestock.
23. a. Diedrick, b. October 20, 1775; m.
Sarah Deardorf.
Hi. Samuel, b. August 22, 1777.
iv. Joseba, b. January 14, 1780 ; m. Jacob
Gardner.
V. Elizabeth, b. April 3, 1782 ; m. Thomas
Reed.
vi. Mary, h. May 24, 1784 ; d. July 22,
1866; m. Peter Fahnestock.
vii. Diana, b. January 16, 1787; m. Jacob
Housel.
via. Benjamin, b. May 13, 1790 ; m. Ann
C. Clemens, and had Alexena-M.,
McAtee,&n6. Elizabeth, m. G. Aughin-
baugh.
ix. Jacob, b. January 7, 1792.
X. John, b. December 4, 1794.
24. xi. Daniel-Enders, b. January 6, 1800; m.
Mary Fahnestock.
IX. Charles Fahnestock (Casper, Died-
rick), b. February 1, 1761, in Cocalico town-
ship, Lancaster county. Pa. ; d. January 16,
1837, in Chester county, Pa. ; m. Susan
Smith, b. September 24, 1768 ; d. September
14, 1814, in Chester county. Pa. They had
issue :
i. Catharine, b. January 29, 1787; d.
April 23, 1867 ; m. Joseph Phillips.
a. John, b. August 23, 1788; d. Septem-
ber, 1849, unm.
Hi. Casper, b. November 12, 1789 ; d. March
4, 1871 ; m. Jemima P. Morgan,
and had issue: Charles-S., m. Jane
E. Bowman; Edwin-F., Josephine,
Casper- C, m. Mary Jean Dean, John,
Henry, Susan, Catharine, Jemima,
and George-Mayer, m. Philena S.
Thompson.
iv. Mary, b. April 13, 1791; m. J. F. Stein-
man.
V. Charles, b. December 23, 1793 ; d. July,
1820, unm.
vi. Susanna, b. October 13, 1795 ; d. July,
1832, unm.
vii. Rebecca, b. November 4, 1797 ; d.
March 14, 1827, unm.
via. Henry, b. October 18, 1798 ; d. Novem-
ber 19, 1822, unm.
ix. Esther, b. 1800 ; d. January 12, 1866 ;
m. Ernmer Elton.
X. Elizabeth, b. March 16, 1804 ; d. Au-
gust 14, 1807.
xi. Hannah, h. March 6, 1806 ; d. August
27, 1826, unm.
xii. William, h. March 21,1808; m. Ann
Elizabeth Earnest, and had issue.
xiii. Edwin, b. 1810, d. s. p.
xiv. Washington, b. 1812, d. s. p.
X. Samuel Fahnestock (Peter, Diedrick)
102
HISTORICAL REVIEW
b. March 27, 1761, in Cocalico township,
Lancaster county. Pa.; d. June 29, 1830; m.,
first, Hannah Studebaker, b. October 15,
1755 ; d. October 13, 1825. They had issue:
i. Elizabeth, b. July 6, 1785 ; d. Septem-
ber 18, 1812.
ii. Rebecca, b. January 12, 1787 ; m.
Daniel Fundenberg.
Hi. Peter, b. October 9, 1788 ; m., first, No-
vember 19, 1819, Mary Kunkel ;
secondly, Eliza C. Poe; thirdly,
Caroline C. Geakle.
iv. Samuel, b. March 11, 1791 ; d. s. p.
V. Catharine, b. December 11, 1792 ; d.
February 15, 1868 ; m. George
Reeser.
vi. Oeorge, b. November 26, 1795 ; d. Oc-
tober 27, 1804.
vii. Samuel, b. November 4, 1797; d. May
13, 1869; m., first, Eliza Heiser;
secondly, Mary Murray; and left
issue by both.
XI. CoNEAD Fahnestock (Peter, Died-
rick), b. July 19, 1763, near Ephrata, Pa.; d.
September 20, 1803, at Middletown, Dauphin
county, Pa.; received a fair education at the
German School, Ephrata, and learned the
art of printing with the Brethren ; came to
Harrisburg in 1791 and engaged with his
brother Obed in merchandising; subse-
quently he entered into partnership with
Benjamin Mayer in the publication of the
Morgenrothe or " Dutch Aurora," as it was
commonly called ; under the infamous alien
and sedition act of the administration of the
elder Adams, Messrs. Mayer & Fahnestock
were arrested • by Qnited States officers and
thrown into prison, but promptly released on
bail; they were never tried. Shortly after-
wards Mr. Fahnestock retired from the print-
ing business and entered the mercantile trade
at Middletown, where he died. The Oracle
speaks of him as " an industrious, honest and
valuable member of society." Mr. Fahne-
stock m. Mary Hallacker. They had issue :
i. Joseph, b. April 9, 1792 ; d. s. p.
ii. Peter, b. June 9, 1793 ; d, February 6,
1872, at Ephrata ; m. Salome Lan-
dis, and had Susan, Samuel, m.
Mary Bollinger, Conrad, John, m.
Maria Bollinger, Mary, m. Adam
Ream, and Reuben, m. Catharine
Keller.
Hi. Samuel, b. February 12, 1795 ; d. s. p.
iv. Anna, b. May 31, 1800; m. Christian
Bomberger.
XII. Obed Fahnestock (Peter, Diedrick);
b. February 25, 1770, near Ephrata, Pa.; d-
March 2, 1840, at Harrisburg, Pa.; was
brought up to mercantile pursuits, and re-
moved to Harrisburg about 1795, where he
entered into business ; he seems to have
been a man of considerable intelligence and
prominence, as almost thirty years of his
life were spent in office ; was coroner from
November 3, 1802, to November 3, 1805 ;
director of the poor from 1811 to 1813; one of
the associate judges of the countv from No-
vember 12,1813, to July 30, 1818" appointed
by Governor Snyder, when, owing to his dis-
like of Samuel D. Franks, who had been
appointed president judge of the courts, he
resigned ; was burgess of the borough 1820
and 1821, frequently a member of the coun-
cil, and served as prothonotary from Janu-
ary 17, 1824, to January 29, 1830. Judge
Fahnestock m., April 19, 1796, Anna Maria
Gessell, b. January 9, 1777, at Brickersville,
Lancaster county. Pa.; d. December 8, 1847,
at Harrisburg, Pa. They had issue :
i. Harris- Charles, b. April 26, 1797; d.
May 24, 1845.
ii. Hannah, h. December 21, 1799; d.
February 12, 1872 ; m., in 1824, 1st,
James A. Mahany ; 2d, in 1845,
James Wallace Weir.
Hi. William- Morr ell, b. April 10, 1802 ; d.
December 15, 1854 ; m. Sarah Ann
Magee, b. July 18, 1805 ; d. Decem-
ber 2, 1868; and had issue.
iv. Dorothy, b. July 12, 1806; d. s. p.
25. V. Adam-Konigmacher, b. July 12, 1806;
m., 1st, Sybil T. Holbrook; m., 2d,
Mrs. Mary Jacobs; 3d, Elizabeth
C. AfFner.
vi. Maria- Matilda, b. December 15, 1808 ;
m. John Andrew Weir.
vii. Amelia-Snyder, 'b.Apvi[15,1813; d.s.'p.
26. via. Walter-Franklin, b. September 13,
1815; m. Louisa C. Heisely.
ix. Simon-Snyder, b. September 11, 1819;
d. June 19, 1876; m. Caroline Jen-
nings, b. May 31, 1826; and had
Fanny.
XIII. Samuel Fahnestock (Diedrick,
Diedrick), b. March 16, 1764, near Ephrata,
Pa.; d. December 8, 1836, at Lancaster, Pa.;
m. Rebecca Baker, b. September 28, 1770 ;
d. October 25, 1862. They had issue:
*. Sarah,^ b. June 29, 1789.
ii. Diedrick, b. August 28, 1790; d. June
9, 1860.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
103
Hi. Mary, b. December 20, 1791 ; d. March
17, 1876; m. D. E. Fahnestock.
iv. Esther, b. July 3, 1793; d. February
20, 1877; m. James Hueston.
V. George, b. December 2, 1795; d. Feb-
ruary 21, 1870, at Philadelphia; m.
Catharine S. Cox, and had Arnold-
Baker; -BKza, m. Joseph Stoddard;
Mary- Ann, m. Henry Stoddard;
Return-E., Susan, m. F. Lasher;
Emma, m., first, Isaac EUmaker;
secondly, Dr. H. A. Fahnestock;
Catharine, George, Elizabeth-Bates,
Louisa, m. Joseph Juel, and Marga-
ret, m. Clarence Nouse.
m. William-B., b. October 13, 1801; m.
Maria Reigard, and had issue.
XIV. Jacob Fahnestock (John, Diedrick),
b. December 5, 1769, in Cocalico township,
Lancaster county. Pa. ; d. ]\Jay 31, 1812, at
Pittsburgh, Pa. ; m. Salome Fahnestock, b.
November 4, 1772. They had issue :
i. Elizabeth, b. July 29, 1793 ; m., first,
Thomas Tucker ; secondly, Sebas-
tian Hofer.
ii. Samuel, b. March 11, 1796 ; m. Susan
Baugher, b. December 10, 1795 ;
d. November, 1877, and had issue.
Hi. Borius, h. August 21, 1798 ; d. August
20, 1876; m. Sarah Wampler, b.
November 17, 1797 ; d. August 15,
1869, and had issue.
iv. Jacob, b. January 26, 1801 ; d. Sep-
tember 9, 1841, at Glasford, 111. ;
m., November 11, 1824, Maria Har-
mon, b. May 16, 1806, and had
issue.
V. William, b. December 21, 1803.
vi. John, h. August 21, 1806.
vii. Rebecca, b. July 8, 1809 ; m. Rev.
Frederick Vandersloot.
via. Salome, b. January 31, 1813 ; m.
James S. Fink.
XV. Harvey Fahnestock (John, Died-
rick), b. March 6, 1772, in Cocalico township,
Lancaster county, Pa.; d. November 22, 1831,
at Pittsburgh, Pa.; m. Elizabeth Brindle.
They had issue :
i. Abner-H., b. October 17, 1798 ; d. May
4, 1866, at Alton, 111.; m., first, La-
vinia McCarthy, b. February 6,
1802"; d. March 1, 1834; m., sec-
ondly, Matilda Brewer, and had
issue by both.
ii. Elizabeth, b. March 29,1803; m. Solo-
mon Brand.
Hi. Franklin-B., b. November 6, 1805; m.
Elizabeth Repore ; resided at Muncy,
Pa.
iv. Henry-W., b. March 8, 1813 ; m., first,
Mary DeHufF; secondly, Marie J.
Hall ; thirdly, Mary P. Bigley ;
fourthly, Margaret J.Matthew, and
had issue by first and second wives ;
resided at Salem, 0.
V. Rebecca-K., h. April 8, 1814 ; m. Jus-
tice A. Ward.
XVI. Daniel Fahnestock (Daniel, Died-
rick), b. February 23, 1774; ra. Elizabeth
Rider, b. 1780; d. October 25, 1829. They
had issue :
i. Margaret, h. December 16,1800; m.
Abraham Garrell.
ii. William, b. November 24, .1802 ; d.
November 22, 1877; m. Barbara
Hollopter, b. August 11, 1810, and
had issue.
Hi. Daniel, b. June 30, 1805 ; d. June 26,
1855; m. Mary McKaughton, and
left issue.
iv. Samuel, b. September 15, 1807 ; d.
September 10, 1843.
V. John, b. September 15, 1807.
vi. Elizabeth, b. May 15, 1810 ; m. Luke
McDowell.
vH. Ephraim, b. October 6, 1812 ; m. Eliza
Billingsley, b. 1816 ; d. 1872 ; and
had issue.
vHi. Christiana, b. March 18, 1815 ; m. Sam-
uel Hollopter.
ix. Ellen, h. July 6, 1817; d. August 20,
1869 ; m. John Gram.
X. Joseph, b. June 26, 1820 ; m. Mary
Hollopter, b. 1822 ; d. 1851, at Cov-
ington, Ky.; m., secondly, Lydia
Bigler.
xi. Benjamin, b. August 22, 1822 ; d. Jan-
uary 14, 1854.
XVII. William Fahnestock (Daniel,
Diedrick), b. 1776 ; d. 1840; m. Esther Rider,
b. 1770 ; d. 1848. They had issue :
i. Mary, b. 1794 ; m. George Tyne.
ii. Barbara, b. 1796 ; m. Joseph Latshaw.
Hi. Daniel, b. 1798.
iv. William, b. 1800 ; d. 1877, at Win-
chester, Va.; m. Mary A. Sydle, b.
1801 ; and had issue.
V. Eleanor, b. 1802; m. D. Mumper.
m John, h. 1804; d. 1875; m. Christiana
Kunkle, b.l809; d. 1873.
vii. Peter, b. August 20, 1807 ; d. Novem-
104
HISTORICAL REVIEW
ber 7, 1866 ; m. Rebecca Bender, b.
July 1, 1814 , and had issue.
viii. Sarah, h. 1810 ; d. s. p.
XVIII. George Fahnestock (Benjamin,
Diedrick), b. September 7, 1772, in Cocalico
township, Lancaster county. Pa.; d. Novem-
ber 17, 1851 ; m., first, Mary Aughenbaugh.
They had issue :
i. Elizabeth, b. April 20, 1797 ; d. July
26, 1862; m. A. Dewing.
ii. Benjamin, b. July 8, 1799 ; d. July 11,
1862, at Philadelphia ; m., August
9, 1822, Anna Mary Wolf, b. 1803,
and had issue.
Hi. John, b. August 1, 1801 ; d. s. p.
iv. Barnett, b. January 19, 1804 ; d. s. p.
v..Ephraim,h. December 2, 1805; d. s. p.
George Fahnestock m., secondly, April 19,
19, 1808; Mrs. Barbara Fisher, of Harris-
burg ; no issue.
XIX. John Fahnestock (Benjamin, Died-
rick), b. July 3, 1774 ; d. December 2, 1842 ;
m. Catharine "Wallich, b. February 28, 1774 ;
d. December 28, 1869. They had issue :
i. Samuel, h. December 20, 1804 ; d.
April 13, 1864; m. Elizabeth Hart-
zel, b. December 7, 1807.
ii. Benjamin- W., b. September 25, 1807 ;
m. Annetta S. Haynes, of Newton,
0.; and had issue.
Hi. Margaret, b. September 25, 1809 ; m.
J. Weidner.
iv. William-Linn, b. September 30, 1813;
m. Isabella Worley ; and had issue.
V. James, b. April 30, 1816 ; m. Rachel
A. Worley ; resided at Versailles, 0.
XX. Henry Fahnestock (Benjamin,
Diedrick), b. April 22, 1778, in Cocalico
township, Lancaster county. Pa. ; d. in
Indiana ; m. Catharine Latshaw. The}' had
issue: '
i. Christiana, b. June 17, 1802; m. Dr.
0. Holmes.
ii. Juliana, b. January 7, 1804 ; d. No-
vember 15, 1871 ; unm.
Hi. Jeremiah, b. May 11, 1806 ; m., first,
Mary Smith, b. July 7, 1805; d.
March 13, 1844 ; m., secondly, Eliza
Hamilton, b. March 3, 1813; re-
sided at Herrman, 111.
iv. Mary- Ann, b. September 6, 1808; m.
D. McArthur.
V. Benjamin- Latshaw, b. December 16,
1810; m., first, Elizabeth Houpt ;
secondly, Mary F. Fahnestock ; re-
sided at Pittsburgh.
m. Catharine-M., b. February 29, 1813.
vii. Henry-0., b. June 22, 1815.
viii. Avarilla, b. September 5, 1818 ; m. S.
Wickersham.
XXI. Peter Fahnestock (Benjamin,Died-
rick), b. April 15, 1784, near Ephrata, Pa. ;
d. November 17, 1864, at Baltimore, Md. ;
m. Mary Fahnestock, b. May 14, 1784 ; d.
July 23, 1866, at Baltimore, Md. They had
issue :
i. Levi, b. September 3, 1807 ; d. July
20, 1854 ; m. Sarah Fahnestock.
ii. Elizabeth, b. December 4, 1809 ; d.
December 3, 1869; unm.
Hi. Benjamin, b. December 5, 1811 ; d.
s. p.
iv. Mary-F., b. May 25, 1813.
V. Catharine, h. February 14, 1816.
vi. Joseba, b. December 7, 1817 ; d. Au-
gust 5, 1849 ; m. Frederick Haut.
vii. Derick, h*. July 25, 1821 ; m. Lucinda
Fahnestock.
viii. Joseph-D., b. November 25, 1824 ; d.
June 19, 1863.
XXII. Benjamin Fahnestock (Benjamin,
Diedrick), b. August 18, 1787 ; d. September
4, 1842, at Chambersburg, Pa.; m., January
11, 1815, Elizabeth L. Smith, b. June 19,
1792 ; d. August 8, 1868. They had issue :
i. Anna-Mary, b. October 25, 1815 ; m.
November 20, 1846.
ii. Alexander, b. May 26, 1817.
Hi. Daniel-Smith, b. October 22, 1818 ; d.
November 10, 1877, at Chambers-
burg, Pa. ; m. Rebecca M. Koons.
iv. Catharine-H., b. July 11, 1820; m. G.
W. Heagy.
V. Elizabeth, b. September 4, 1821.
vi. Augustus-B., b. July 3, 1823 ; m. Eliza
Nicholas, and had issue.
vii. Matilda-K, b. July 22, 1825 ; ra. John
Stoner.
mii. William-Henry, b. October 4, 1828.
ix. Sarah- Ann, b. October 13, 1831 ; d.s. p.
XXIII. Diedrick Fahnestock (Borius,
Diedrick), b. October 20, 1775, in Lancaster
county, Pa.; d. February 3, 1824; m. Sarah
Deardorf, b. February 1, 1777 ; d. September
9,1864. They had issue:
i. Elizabeth, h. December 15, 1799; m.
Lot Ensey.
ii. Jessie, b. November' 2, 1801 ; d. April
16, 1862.
Hi. Lewis, b. January 8, 1808 ; d. s. p.
iv. Matilda, b. February 7, 1805 ; m. Dan-
iel Kemp.
DAUPHIN COUNTY
105
V. Alfred, b. February 7, 1807; m., first.
Eleanor A. Strider, b. April 5, 1813;
d. September 20, 1869; m.,secondly[
Margaret D. Snyder, and had issue.
Resided at Toledo, 0.
iv. Christian- D., b. January 9, 1809; d.
December 6, 1834; m. Priscilla A.
Ayres.
vii. Sarah-Ann, b. December 29, 1810- d
August 16, 1866; unm.
viii. Joseph, b. October, 1812; d. s. p.
ix. Franklin, b. October 13, 1818; d. Au-
gust 20, 1869; m. Mary Ann Jacobs,
and had issue.
XXIV. Daniel Endees Fahnestock (Bo-
nus, Diedrick), b. January 6, 1800 ; d. Sep-
tember 29, 1851; m. Mary Fahnestock, b.
December 20, 1791 ; d. March 17, 1876. They
had issue.
i. Adam-Haughton, b. January 15, 1821 ;
d. s. p.
ii. Edward, b. January 1, 1822; m. Mar-
tha W. Davis.
Hi. Lucinda, b. December 31, 1823 ; m.
Derick Fahnestock.
iv. Elizabeth-Mary, b. January 28, 1826 ;
d. s. p.
V. Charles-Barber, b. April 28, 1828 ; m.,
July 29, 1851, Josephine Berkhart.
vi. Arthur-Augustus, b. January 30, ]830;
d. November 28, 1860 ; m. Susan
Davis, and had issue.
vii. George- Washington, b. September 27,
1832; m., December 14, 1858, Phoebe
A.Pierce; resides at Baltimore, Md.
XXV. Adam Konigmacher Fahnestock
(Obed, Peter, Diedrick), b. July 12, 1806, at
Harrisburg, Pa., where he d. in 1890 ;
was educated in the schools of that borough
and at the academy at Lititz ; was brought
up in mercantile pursuits, and for many
years carried on brick-making extensively ;
was also engaged in the hardware business
about fifteen years, and in 1833 established a
glue manufactory at Harrisburg, which he
successfully carried on for several years.
Mr. Fahnestock was thrice married ; m., first,
in 1834, Sybil T. Holbrook, b. December 11,
1811 ; d. January 18, 1851. They had issue :
i. Harris-C, b. February 27, 1835 ; a dis-
tinguished banker, residing in the
city of New York ; m., October 16,
1856, Margaret McKinley, daughter
of Isaac Gibson McKinley, and
they had issue :
1. William, b. September 2, 1857.
2. Gibson, b. February 21, 1859.
3. Margaret, b. April 13, 1867; d.
s.p.
4. Harris, b. September 21, 1869.
5. Helen, b. April 24, 1872.
6. Clarence, b. December 4, 1873.
7. Earnest, b. January 27, 1876.
ii. Holbrook, b. September 6, 1836 ; d.
December 31, 1838.
Hi. A.- Morris, b. January 28, 1838 ; m.,
first, February 18, 1866, Sallie
Webb, b. March 21, 1846; d. Oc-
tober 2, 1871, and had issue :
1. Harris- Webb, b. March 6, 1867.
2. Richie-Thomas,h. Apr. 15, 1868.
3. Edward-Morris, b. September
6, 1871.
He m., secondly, Rebecca B. Thomp-
son, b. January 19, 1848, and they
had issue:
4. Maria-Bland, b. November 28,
1873.
iv. James, h. October 3, 1839; d. March
17, 1858.
V. Sybil-Amelia, b. January 1, 1842 ; m.
T. H. Hubbard, of New York city,
and had issue.
vi. Charles-A., b. April 17, 1844.
vii. Wallace- Weir, b. January 18, 1846;
m., October 12, 1871, Mary K. Nut-
ting, and had Edith, Wallace, and
Arthur-Knight,
viii. Louis-F., h. August 26, 1848 ; m., Oc-
tober 21, 1878, Grace Zeigler, b.
November i, 1850, and had Louis
and Adam- Br lice.
Mr. Fahnestock m., secondly, 1855, Mrs.
Mary Jacobs, b. July 6, 1805 ; d". February 7
1857 ; m., thirdly, 1869, Elizabeth C. Affner,
b. June 6, 1821.
XXVI. Walter Franklin Fahnestock
(Obed, Peter, Diedrick), b. September 13,
1815 ; d. 1898 at Harrisburg, Pa.; m., March
19, 1839, Louisa C. Heisely, b. December 24,
1817, daughter of George J. Heisely, and
they had issue :
i. Hannah-Mahany,h. May 19, 1840 ; m.
John C. Harvey, anS they had
issue.
ii. Louisa-C, b. August 8, 1842.
Hi. Walter-Franklin, b. October 8, 1844 ;
d. May 19, 1879.
iv. George, b. October 3, 1846 ; d. July
19, 1869.
V. Harry-C, b. April 12, 1849; d. Janu-
ary 10, 1851.
106
HISTORICAL REVIEW
vi. William-M., b. February. 3, 1851 ; m.,
June 19, 1819, Carrie. Achenbach,
and had John-Harvey,
vii. Alice-E., b. November 18, 1852; d.
November 26, 1856.
via. Anna-M., b. November 19, 1855 ; d.
June 26, 1862.
ix. Frank-G., b. September 29, 1857.
X. James- Weir, b. September 29, 1859.
xi. Edward-E., b. May 5, 1862 ; d. May
23, 1862.
The Fetterhoff Family.
I. Frederick Fetterhoff, b. August. 6,
1765, in now Lancaster county. Pa., where
his parents were early settlers; d. July 16,
1837, in Jackson township, Dauphin county,
Pa. He removed with his family to then
Halifax township in 1803; m. Susanna
Heckerd, b. June 25, 1768; d. June 28, 1831,
in Jackson township, and with most of his
family buried in the Fetterhoff church grave-
yard. They had issue, besides three chil-
dren died young :
2. i. Philip, b. September 2, 1788 ; m. Eve
Boyer.
3. ii. John, b. October 12, 1790 ; m., first,
Elizabeth Snyder; secondly, Katha-
rine Harris.
4. Hi. George,}). May 3, 1795 ; m. Mary Zim-
merman.
II. Philip Fetterhoff (Frederick), b.
September 2, 1788, in Lancaster county. Pa.;
d. September 4, 1833, in Jackson township,
Dauphin county, Pa.; m. Eve Boyer, b. June
27, 1792; d. January 11, 1839. They had
issue :
i. John, h. July 19, 1812 ; resided at
Fisherville.
ii. Susanna, b. July 20, 1813; m. Henry
Will vert.
iii. Elizabeth, b. November 19, 1815 ; d.
June 7, 1860; m. John Faber.
iv. Polly, b. 1817 ; m. Henry Hoover.
III. John, Fetterhoff (Frederick), b.
October 12, 1790, in Lancaster county. Pa.;
d. June 27, 1829, in Jackson township, Dau-
phin county, Pa.; m., first, Elizabeth Snyder,
and there was issue :
i. Susanna, b. March , 23, 1814 ; m.
George Enders.
He m.. secondly, Katharine Haines, b. June
18,1791'; d. December 6, 1862; and there
was issue :
ii. H Elmira, b. January 15, 1817 ;
d. March 30, 1875 ; m., December
10, 1835, John Shepley.
IV. George Fetterhoff (Frederick), b;
May, 3, 1795, in Lancaster county. Pa.; d.
March 16, 1862, in Jackson township, Dau-
phin county. Pa.; m. Mary Zimmerman, b.
March 5, 1798; d. August 1, 1863; daughter
of Christian Zimmerman. They had issue :
i. Joseph, b. April, 1816.
ii. Catharine, b. October, 1819.
iii. Samuel, b. February 26, 1821 ; d. Feb-
ruary 26, 1866.
iv. Mary,h. April 7, 1828; d. October 14,
1877.
V. Philip, b. November 3, 1825.
vi. Susanna, b. 1827.
vii. Margaret, h. 1830.
via. Abby, b. April 28, 1833.
Fox Family of Derry.
I. John Fox, a native of the county Dev-
onshire, England, where he was born in the
year 1751, came to America when a young
man, and settled first at Germantown in the
Province of Pennsylvania. There he mar-
ried Anna Margaret Rupert, b. December
14, 1756, in Holland. Shortly after, in
1799, they settled in what was then London-
derry township, Lancaster county, in the
neighborhood of Hummelstown. Mr. Fox
died April 25, 1816, and his wife on the 21st
of October, 1838. Both were interred in the
Lutheran churchyard at Hummelstown.
They had issue :
2. i. John, b. June 10, 1780 ; m. Sarah
Shonberger.
3. ii. Margaret, b. 1782 ; m. John Phillips.
4. iii. Thomas, b. November 4, 1786 ; m.
Barbara Baum.
5. iv. George, b. December 17, 1788 ; m.
Elizabeth Eshenauer.
6. V. James, b. 1794 ; m. Sophia Bayle.
vi. Richard, h. February 9, 1799, in Lon-
donderry township, Dauphin
county. Pa.; d. July 1, 1827; m.
Rachel Hummel, b. November 24,
1799; d. September 27, 1867;
daughter of Frederick Hummel
and Rachel Eckert ; no issue.
IL John Fox (John), b. June 10, 1780, in
then Londonderry township, Lancaster
county. Pa.; d. July 19, 1853. He was edu-
cated in the country schools of the neigh-
/
%
^ t(y^-tj^'9'>y,.^^'t^^J
DAUPHIN COUNTY .
109
borhood, and a farmer by occupation. He
became quite prominent and influential in
the political affairs of the county, and served
as a member of the House of Representatives
of Pennsylvania from 1831 to 1833. He
filled the office of sheriff from October 14,
1833, to October 21, 1836, and again from
October 19, 1839, to October 24, 1842. Apart
from these positions of trust and honor, he
served his neighbors in the various town-
ship offices with fidelity. He was a repre-
sentative man, not only of his family but of
the county, a faithful officer, of strict integ-
rity, upright and conscientious in all his
relations with his fellow citizens. Mr. Fox
m., November 29, 1804, Sarah Shonberger,
b. November 4, 1785 ; d. October 8, 1866.
They had issue :
i. John, b. 1805.
ii. Liberty, b. 1807 ; m. Mary Ann Hag-
gerty, of Philadelphia, b. Novem-
ber 29, 1817 ; d. May 26, 1857, and
had one son.
in. Margaret, b. 1809; m. Henry Orth.
III. Margaret- Fox (John), b. 1782,
in then Londonderry township, Lancaster
county. Pa.; d. at Hummelstown, Pa. She
m., August 20, 1807, John Phillips, b. Feb-
ruary 19, 1786 ; d. July 11, 1855, at Hum-
melstown, Pa., and with his wife there
buried. He was a gentleman of erudition,
an eminent school teacher, and of consid-
erable prominence. They had issue (sur-
name Phillips):
i. Horace,
ii. Mary.
Hi. John,
iv. Harriet.
V. Margaret.
TV. Thomas Fox (John), b. November 4,
1786, near Hummelstown, Dauphin county,
Pa. ; d. there October 25, 1824. He m., Feb-
ruary 4, 1808, Barbara Baum, b. January 8,
1780, in then Londonderry township, Lan-
caster county. Pa.; d. January 3, 1833;
daughter of Daniel Baum and his wife
Catharine Fishburn. They had issue :
i. Catharine, d. s. p.
ii. Alfred, d. s. p.
Hi. Louisa, d. s. p.
iv. Margaret, b. 1814 ; m. Dr. Adam Shel-
lar, b. January, 1808 ; d. November,
1882 ; son of Christian and Margaret
Shellar, of Rapho township, Lan-
caster county. Pa. ; studied medi-
cine with Dr. Henderson, of Hum-
melstown, and graduated from the
Reform Medical College at New
York in 1830 ; located in Mt. Joy ;
was highly esteemed by the profes-
sion and secured an extensive prac-
tice.
V. Tho7nas-E»ans, b. July 2, 1816 ; d.
March 3, 1851 ; m. Mary L. Ricker;
adopted daughter of Frederick
Ricker, b. 1821 ; d. February 9,
1868, and had issue.
vi. John-Michael, b. 1818 ; m. Harriet
Carson, and had issue.
V. George Fox (John), b. December 17,
1788, in then Londonderry township, Dau-
phin county. Pa.; d. August 25, 1855. He m.
Elizabeth Eshenauer, b. December 3, 1794;
d. April 8, 1862 ; daughter of Caspar and
Mary Eshenauer. They had issue :
7. i. Richard, m., first, Anna Patten ;
secondly, Adelaide Hynicka.
8. ii. John-E., m., first, Mary Boggs; sec-
ondly, Caroline Boggs.
Hi. Qeorge, d. s. p.
iv. James, b. 1820; d. February 28,1858.
V. Abner, m. Louisa Shepherd.
9. vi. Thomas- George, m. Diana Hershey.
VI. James Fox (John), b. 1794, in
then Londonderry township, Dauphin
county, Pa.; d. September 25, 1843, in Hum-
melstown, Pa. He ni. Sophia Bayle, b.
1804; d. March 6, 1844, in Hummelstown,
Pa. They had issue :
i. William.
ii. Margaret, m. Michael Longenecker.
Hi. John-Thomas,
iv. Ann, m. John H. Hummel.
VII. Richard Fox (George, John). Mr.
Fox was twice married; m., first, Anna
Patton. They had issue :
i. William,
ii. George.
He m., secondly, Adelaide Hynicka,
daughter of Christopher Coal Hynicka and
Mary Ann Rohm. They had issue :
i. Anna.
ii. May.
Hi. Richard- V.
iv. Elizabeth.
VIII. John E. Fox (George, John), b.
in Hummelstown, Pa.; d. February 17, 1880,
in Philadelphia. He was a native of Hum-
melstown, Dauphin county. Pa., and was
educated at the Gettysburg College. He
went to Philadelphia when a young man.
110
HISTORICAL REVIEW
and was a clerk in the office of the Eagle
Transportation and Railroad Line, at Eighth
and Market streets. In 1843 he commenced
business as a stock broker on Third street,
below Market, and remained in the same
neighborhood until the time of his death.
A daughter became the wife of John H.
Weiss, of Harrisburg.
IX. Thomas George Fox (George, John),
m. and had issue :
i. Dr. L.- Webster, who graduated at Jef-
ferson Medical College, Philadel-
phia, and completed his medical
studies in Berlin, Vienna, and Lon-
don.
Elizabeth.
James- O., married Emma 8trickler.
John-E.
Ada.
Mary.
Caroline.
Oeorge-H.
Hi.
iv.
V.
vi.
vii.
via.
Geddes, op Derry.
I. James Geddes, born the year 1704,
near Randallstown, county Antrim, Ireland,
emigrated to America, landing in August,
1752, with his wife Margaret and three sons.
He died in 1764 ; and his wife, born in 1699,
died 1783 ; and with her husband lies buried
in old Derry church graveyard. They had
issue :
i. Paul, b. 1732, in Ireland ; d. May 25,
1814, in Northumberland Pa.; he
removed to what was subsequently
Turbut township, now Chillisqua-
que township, that county, about
1765 ; was quite active during the
Revolution, and a member of the
Committee of Safety for Northum-
berland.
2. a. William, h. 1735; m. Sarah McCallen.
Hi. Samuel, b. 1739, in Ireland; d. in 1788.
II. William Geddes (James), b. 1735 in
Ireland ; came to America with his father's
family in 1752 ; his farm was located six
miles west of Harrisburg in Cumberland
county, on which he died in 1789. He mar-
ried Sarah McCallen, daughter of John and
Sarah McCallen, b. in 1733; d. 1773, in Lon-
donderry township; both buried in Derry
churchyard. They had issue :
i. James, h. July ^22, 1763 ; d. August 19,
1838, in Onoudago county, N. Y.,
where he resided and left a family.
ii. MargAret, b. December 31, 1764; d.
in 1818, near Fannettsburg, Frank-
lin county. Pa.
Hi. John, b. August 16, 1766 ; d. Decem-
ber 5, 1840, near Newville, Cumber-
land county. Pa.
iv. Paid, b. June 9, 1768 ; d. October 22,
1832, in Path Valley, Franklin
county. Pa., where he resided and
left a family.
3. V. Robert, b. September 30, 1771 ; m.,
first, Jane Sawyer ; secondly, Mrs.
Martha McClure.
III. Robert Geddes (William, James), b.
September 30, 1771, in Londonderry town-
ship, then Lancaster county, Pa. He inher-
ited the farm of his mother's brother, Robert
McCallen, situated near Campbellstown,
Lebanon county. Pa. He died July 14,
1832, and is buried in the grave of his grand-
mother, Sarah McCallen, in Derry church-
yard. He m., first, March 2, 1797, by Rev.
James R. Sharon, Jane Sawyer, daughter of
John Sawyer, b. May 25, 1770 ; d. November
29, 1803. They had issue:
i. Robert, b. December 11, 1797 ; d.
March 11, 1866.
ii. Sarah, b. July 10, 1799 ; d. August
25, 1819.
4. Hi. John, b. March 19, 1801 ; resided in
Ypsilanti, Mich.
iv. William, b. December 28, 1802; d.
• May 21, 1877; removed in 1844
from Pennsylvania to Michigan,
where he died.
V. Jane, b. August, 1804 ; d. February 8,
1882.
vi. Isabella, b. September 17, 1806 ; d.
November 21, 1834.
Robert Geddes m., secondly, March 22,
1810, Mrs. Martha McClure, and they had
issue :
vii. James, h. December 12, 1810 ; m. and
resided near Decatur, Macon county,
111. ^
via. Thomas, b. September 10, 1812; d.
May 6, 1837.
ix. Agrippa, b. September 31, 1814 ; d.
December 25, 1849.
X. Anna, b. July, 1818.
IV. John Geddes (Robert, William,
James), b. March 19, 1801, in now London-
derry township, Lebanon county. Pa. In
company with his brother Robert, he left
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Ill
Pennsylvania April 19, 1825, arriving in
Ann Harbor, Mich., May 11, 1825. John
resided at Ypsilanti, Mich. He m., first,
April 6, 1837, Fanny Savage; b. February
19,1806, in Orange county, N. Y.; d. Decem-
ber 6, 1855, and there was issue :
i. John, d. s. p.
a. Sarah, m. and had two sons and three
daughters.
Hi. Rachel, m., but had no children.
John Geddes m., secondly, Julia Ettie
Savage, a sister 'to his first wife, b. July 22,
1800 ; d. August 18, 1883.
The Geiger Family.
I. Barnhart (or Bernard) Geiger, Sr.,
was born in 1748. His ancestors were
Brandenburgers and lived at Frankford on
Oder. His father and brothers were in the
military service, several of whom fell at
Zorndorf. Bernard was a conscript in King
Frederick's army and served seven years,
but ran away to escape the barbaritj^ of the
discipline of the Prussian service, and
reached America in 1773. He entered the
American army in 1776, and participated in
the battles of Monmouth, Brandywine, Ger-
mantown, and several minor skirmishes, be-
ing mustered out of service in 1779. At the
close of the Revolution he removed to Reams-
town, Lancaster county, Pa., from whence
he came to Harrisburg in April, 1788. There
he engaged in blacksmithing. He was one
of the founders of the Lutheran Church at
that place, and an enterprising citizen. He
died July 16, 1811. Mr. Geiger married, in
1779, Mary Smith, a native of Darmstadt, in
Hesse. She died at Harrisburg, July 19,
1840. They had issue, all save the youngest
born at Reamstown :
2. i. John, b. February 18, 1780 ; m. Mary
Shoch.
a. George, b. April 21, 1782; d. Septem-
ber 6, 1853, at Harrisburg ; learned
the trade of a blacksmith with his
father, and afterwards opened a
store in Market Square, second
door from the Harrisburg Bank,
which he continued in partnership
with his brothers Joseph and Ber-
nard for many years. He died un-
married.
3. Hi. Joseph, b. December 27, 1784; m.
Sarah Rupley.
iv.Mary.h. 1786; m. Michael Walters,
of Limestone, Clarion county. Pa.,
nothing further is known of them.
V.Susanna, b. December 3, 1787; d.
March 30, 1820, at Orangeville,
Columbia county. Pa.; m. Andrew
Crouse.
4. vi. Bernard, b. October 27, 1795; m.
Charlotte Lewis.
IL John Geiger (Bernard), b. February
18, 1780, at Reamstown, Lancaster county.
Pa.; d. July 11, 1864, at Harrisburg; he was
a prominent merchant there many years ; m.,
in 1807, Mary Shoch, b. April 1,' 1788; d.
August 4, 1855 ; daughter of John Shoch
and Salome Gilbert. They had issue:
5. i. Sarah, b. October 31, 1808 ; m. James
Wilson.
6. ii. George, b. January 27, 1811; m. Re-
becca McGrath.
Hi. John-Bernard, b. November 30, 1812 ;
d. July 24, 1825.
7 iv. Mary-R., b. October 21, 1814; m. Israel
Steel.
V. Amanda-E., b. August 1, 1816; d.
November 17, 1845, unm.
8. vi. Joseph-H.i b. November 11, 1817; m.,
first, Eliza Ingram ; m., secondly,
Mary Stewart ; thirdly, Sarah But-
terfield.
vii. Samuel-Shoch, b. June 7,1819 ; d. Octo-
ber 30, 1839.
9. via. Malvina-L., b. November 16, 1821 ;
m. Samuel D. Ingram.
III. Joseph Geiger (Bernard), b. Decem-
ber 27, 1784, at Reamstown, Lancaster
county. Pa.; d. January 4, 1872, at Halifax,
Pa. ; learned the trade of a blacksmith with
his father, and subsequently became a mer-
chant at Harrisburg. In 1821 removed to
his farm on the site of old Fort Halifax, and
in 1828 to the borough of Halifax, where he
resided until his death. He married, Feb-
ruary 15, 1819, Sarah Rupley, b. February
16, 1801, in East Pennsboro' township, Cum-
berland county. Pa. ; d. October 25, 1859, at
Halifax, Pa. ; daughter of Jacob Rupley and
Anna Maria Rupp. They had issue :
i. Bernard, b. March 21, 1820; d. Sep-
tember 3, 1820.
10. ii. Hiram-Rupley, b. January 24, 1822,
m. Elizabeth K. Blattenberger.
11. Hi. Sarah-Louisa, h. September 5, 1826 ;
m. Rev. William L. Gray.
, iv. Mary-Ellen, b. August 25, 1831 ; d.
January 3, 1833.
V. Rebecca- Emily, b. April 16, 1834 ; re-
112
HISTORICAL REVIEW
sided in the old homestead at Hali-
fax.
IV. Bernard Geiger (Bernard), b. Octo-
ber 27, .1795, at Harrisburg, Pa. ; d. May 30,
1841; was a merchant at Harrisburg ; m.
Charlotte Lewis, of Harrisburg, b. March 6,
1805; d. November 19, 1832. They had
ISSUG '
i. Louisa, b. 1828 ; d. March 2, 1849 ; ra.
Daniel Eppley, of Harrisburg, and
had Minnie, b. August, 1847 : d.
1867, at East Liberty, Pa. ; m. Wal-
ter Fahnestock, of Pittsburgh.
12. ii. Annie- Maria, b. 1830; m. Uavid J.
Unger.
13. m. Charlotte- Elizabeth, b. 1833; m. Alex-
ander Roberts.
V. Sarah Geiger (John, Bernard), b.
October 31, 1808, at Harrisburg, Pa.; d. Jan-
uary 27, 1842 ; m., December 22, 1831, James
Wilson, Jr., of Philadelphia. They had
issue :
■ i. John-Oeiger, resides in Philadelphia.
ii. James.
Hi. Sarah-E., resides in Harrisburg.
VI. George Geiger (John, Bernard), b.
January 27, 1811, at Harrisburg, Pa.; was a
merchant of Topeka, Kan.; m. Rebecca
McGrath, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio. They
had issue :
i. John, d. s. p.
ii. George, d. s. p.
Hi. Mary, m. Lee, of Kansas Citj'^,
Mo.
iv. Fannie, m. Thomson, of To-
peka.
V. Malvina,ra. ■
— Rodgers, of Topeka.
VII. Mary R. Geiger (John, Bernard), b.
October 21, 1814, at Harrisburg ; d. January
17, 1848; m., 1833, Israel Steel. They had
issue :
i. Annie-C, b. July 26, 1834; m. Elias
J. Unger ; reside at Pittsi)urgh, Pa.
VIII. Joseph H. Geiger (John, Bernard),
b. November 11, 1817, at Harrisburg, Pa.;
removed to Columbus, 0.; was attorney gen-
eral of that State, and then State librarian ;
was thrice married; first, Eliza Ingram, of
West Chester, Pa., and there was issue:
i. Eliza-Ingram, resides in Washington,
D. C.
He m., secondly, Mary Stewart, of Colum-
bus, 0., and had :
ii. Lydia-L, m. Milne, of West
Virginia.
Hi. Ruth.
He m., thirdly, Sarah Butterfield, a native
of New England.
IX. Malvina L. Geiger (John, Bernard),
b. November 16, 1821, at Harrisburg, Pa.; re-
sides at Harrisburg ; m., January 1, 1843,
Samuel D. Ingram, and had issue :
i. John-Geiger, b. October 21, 1843, at
Harrisburg, Pa.; d. October 8, 1877 ;
was for several years attached to
the reportorial staff at the capital of
the State, and local editor of the
Telegro^ph. "Affable in his manners,
gentlemanly in his bearing, scrupu-
lously truthful in his official ca-
pacitj% he won during his brief ca-
reer as a journalist the warm ad-
miration of a host of friends." Mr.
Ingram m. Clara V. Kosure, and left
one son.
X. Hiram Rupley Geiger (Joseph, Ber-
nard), b. January 24, 1822, near Halifax, Pa.;
drowned in the Juniata, near Lewistown, Pa.,
June 29, 1849 ; m., January 20, 1846, Eliza-
beth K. Blattenberger, b. September 4, 1826,
at Mt. Patrick, Perry county. Pa. They had
issue :
i. George, b. December 16, 1846, at Liver-
pool, Perry county, Pa.; entered the
United States army (regulars) dur-
ing the rebellion, and rose to the
rank of captain of infantry; was
killed in the charge on the fort at
Blakely Landing near Mobile, Ala.,
April 9, 1865.
XI. Sarah Louisa Geiger (Joseph, Ber-
nard), b. September 5, 1826, near Halifax-
Dauphin county, Pa.; m. Rev. William L
Gray, b. November 8, 1821, in Cumberland
county, N. J.; son of George Frederick Gray
and Martha Smith ; a member of the Phila-
delphia Conference of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, and now (1883) stationed at First
M. E. church, Norristown, Pa. They had
issue :
i. Hiram- Geiger, b. June 16, 1845, at
Fort Hunter, Dauphin county. Pa.;
d. December 16, 1865, at Philadel-
phia.
ii. William- Bowen, b. November 11, 1847,
at Georgetown X Roads (now Ga-
lena), Kent county, Md.; resides at
Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa.
Hi. Joseph-Downing, b. March 22, 1849, at
Galena, Kent county, Md.
iv. Charles-Brindle, b. February 15, 1851,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
113
at Fulton House, Lancaster county,
Pa.
V. Sarah-Martha, b. December 1, 1852, at
Philadelphia ; d. March 18, 1878, at
Easton, Pa.
m. Harriet- Rebecca, b. April 13, 1855, at
Milford, Pa.
vii. John-Milne, b. October 3, 1857, at
Pottsville, Pa.
viii. Robert- Chamberlain, b. October 18,
1859, at Mainayunk, Pa.
ix. George-Edward, b. April 28, 1868, at
Manayunk, Pa.; d. March 3, 1865,
at Eeading.
XII. Annie Maria Geiger (Bernard,
Bernard), b. 1830, at Harrisburg," Pa.; d.
December 12,1862; m., in 1848, David J.
Unger ; was a merchant at Harrisburg ; was
lieutenant of the Cameron Guards and
served in the war with Mexico. They had
issue :
i. Charlotte, d. s. p.
a. George, d. s. p.
Hi. John-Kunkel, d. s. p.
XIII. Charlotte Elizabeth Geiger
(Bernard, Bernard), b. November 19, 1832,
at Harrisburg; d. May 2, 1863; m. Alexan-
der Roberts, a civil engineer of Harrisburg ;
and they had issue :
i. John-Bernard,
ii. Alexander.
Hi. James,
iv. George.
The Harris Family of Derry.
Among the early settlers of this locality
was William Harris, a native of England,
and no doubt related to John Harris, the
pioneer of Harris' Ferry. He settled on the
Swatara one and one-half miles above Mid-
dletown. He was born in 1701 and died on
the 4th of April, 1754. His wife was Catha-
rine Douglass, of the family of Sir Robert
Douglass, of Scotland, born in 1709, dying
August 7, 1780, aged 71 years. William
Harris and his wife are buried in old Derry
graveyard; The record of the children of
these pioneers, as copied from an old Bible,
marked " James Harris, his Book," reads as
follows :
2. " James Harris wass born the 16th of
January, being Friday, 1739.
" Sarah Harris wass born the 20th day of
March, it being Saturday, 1741.
"John Harris wass born November the
20th, it being Friday, 1746.
" William Harris wass born November the
20th, it being Wednesday, 1749.
" Mary Harris wass born July the 22d, it
being Thursday, 1752."
There appears to have been another entry
in 1753, but it is illegible. As the youngest
son, Robert, was born that year it was evi-
dently his birth record.
William Harris died the year after (1754).
A distribution of his estate was not made,
however, until 1763, when, on the 6th of
September, the Orphans' Court, held at Lan-
caster, directed the following :
" To Catharine Harris, widow of the de-
ceased, the interest of one-third, in lieu of
her dower ; James, the eldest son, one-third
as the remainder, or two shares ; while the
other children — Sarah, John, Mary, and
Robert — were to receive one share ; the
dower to be divided among the same upon
the decease of the widow. The personal
property was also distributed in the same
proportion, and their uncle James Harris,
was appointed guardian of Robert, Mary,
and John.
Robert Harris, the j'oungest child, studied
medicine and served as a surgeon of the
Pennsylvania Line during the Revolution.
He was a valuable officer and highly es-
teemed by his confreres in that glorious
struggle. Dr. Harris died of quinsy at the
house of John Phillips, inn-keeper, the sign
of the Blue Ball, almost twenty miles west
of Philadelphia, in Tredyffrin township,
Chester county, on the night of the 4th of
March, 1785. His will was written by An-
drew Gordon, at his request, and is dated
March 3, 1785, " recorded May 3, 1785, and
remains in the register's office in Paxtang,
Dauphin county." Letters of administra-
tion with the will annexed were granted to
Mary Harris, the wife of his brother James.
Dr. Harris willed the interest of a part of
his personal estate to his brother John Har-
ris during his lifetime, and then the princi-
ple to fall to Robert, son of James. His
land (donation land), when surveyed, he
allowed to Laird Harris, son of James.
From a receipt still in existence, tombstones
were purchased in Philadelphia, and as
there are no records in the graveyard at
Derr}'^ or Paxtang, the presumption is that
he was interred at Tredyffrin. The papers
of Dr. Harris, which would be of undoubted
historic value, were burned by a member of
114
HISTORICAL REVIEW
the famil}^ some forty years ago, to prevent
their falling into the hands of strangers. His
medicine chest is in the possession of his
grand-nephew, William L. Harris, of East
Buffalo township, Union county.
Of Sarah and Mary Harris, daughters of
William, we have no record.
II. James Harris, the eldest child, mar-
ried, June 2, 1768, Mary Laird, daughter of
William Laird and Catharine Spencer. She
was born April 28, 1750 (O. S.), and died De-
cember 13, 1842, and interred in the ceme-
tery at Lewisburg. James Harris died April
30, 1 787, and is buried at Derry. The chil-
dren of James Harris and Mary Laird were
as follows :
i. William, b. Wednesday, April 28,
1769; d. February 2, 1785, and
buried at Derry.
ii. Elizabeth, b. Thursday, July 18, 1770;
d. May 20, 1842; m. Thomas
Howard, d. January 15, 1842.
Hi. Catharine, b. Thursday, April 2, 1772 ;
d. December 28, 1784, and buried
at Derry.
iv. Jean, h. January 6, 1774 ; d. Decem-
ber 5, 1839.
V. Laird, b. Tuesday, February 22, 1776 ;
d. June 30, 1804.
vi. Robert, b. Sunday, November 22,
1777 ; d. at Lewisburg.
vii. Sarah, b. Saturday, September 4, 1779 ;
d. December 30, 1827, unm.
S.viii. James, b. Wednesday, June 13, 1781;
m. Sarah Bell.
ix. Matthew, h. Fridav, August 13, 1784;
d. February 13," 1873.
X. William- Laird, b. Thursday, May 17,
1786; d. November 11, 1845; was
a member of the Pennsylvania As-
semby in 1833, and of the Constitu-
tional Convention 1837-8.
James Harris took and subscribed the
oath of allegiance and fidelity to the State
and Colonies on the 14th day of July, 1777,
before Joshua Elder, magistrate at Paxtang.
He served in the army and was at the battles
of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and
Germantown. During the year 1778 he was
in service with his wagon and team in the
Jerseys. After his death his widow removed
about 1792, to Buffalo Valley, then North-
umberland and now Union county.
III. James Harris (James, William), b.
June 13, 1781, in Derry township, Dauphin
county, Pa.; d. July 1, 1868, in Buffalo Val-
ley, Union county. Pa.; m., October, 1819)
Sarah Bell. They had issue :
i. William-Laird, b. 1821.
ii. James-Spencer, h. 1823.
m. Samuel-Bell, b. 1825.
iv. Mary-Laird, b. 1827.
V. Robert-Douglass, b. 1829.
vi. Ann- Berry hill, b. 1831.
vii. Sarah- Clementina, b. 1833.
via. Caroline-Douglass, h.l8S5; d.l864.
ix. Berryhill-Bell, b. 1837.
Of this family of Harris' none remain in
this locality. Like their neighbors of a
century and more ago, their descendants
have sought new homes, while only the brief
tombstone inscriptions in deserted grave-
yards, and the mere mention of a name here
and there on the old records, tell of the brave
and hardy ancestry.
The Hayes of Derry.
Patrick Hayes, born in county Donegal,
Ireland, in 1705, came to Pennsylvania in
company with his brothers, Hugh, William,
and James, about 1728, all of whom took up
land in what is now Derry township. On
the assessment list for 1751 the name of
James is wanting. He probably died prior
to that period, while Hugh and William
followed the Virginia and Carolina migra-
tion of the few years subsequent. Patrick
remained and died in Derry on the 31st of
January, 1790. His wife, Jean ,
whom he married in 1729, died October 15,
1792. Both are buried in old Derry church-
yard. They had children as follows :
i. David, b. 1731; m. Martha Wilson,
daughter of James Wilson ; he in-
herited what is now the Felty
farm.
ii. Robert,h. February 2, 1733 ; m., March
25, 1762, Margaret Wray, of Derry;
was an officer of the Revolution ;
he inherited what is now the Long-
necker farm ; he built his house iu
1762, and his stone barn in 1772;
the latter was torn down in 1850.
Robert and Margaret Hayes had —
Jean, b. 1763, d. 1817; John, b.
1765, m. Margaret Gray : Patrick,
b. 1767, m. Mickey, of Cum-
berland county; Margaret, b. 1769,
m. William Thome, of Hanover;
Robert, b. 1771, m., first, Jean
Hayes, daughter of Capt. Patrick
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
115
Hayes, and secondly,
— Hen-
derson, of Shippensburg; David, b.
1773, d. October 8, 1796 ; Samuel, b.
1775, d. unm.; James, b. 1777. d.
1798; William, b. 1779, removed
to Virginia; Solomon, b. 1781, d.
s. p.; Joseph, b. 1783, m. and went
to Equality, III. Robert Hayes d.
June 6, 1809; his wife Margaret,
January 6, 1820; aged 77 years.
Hi. Eleanor, b. 1735; m., February 6,
1755, Patrick Campbell, son of John
Campbell, of Derry ; their daughter
married the Rev. Joshua Williams.
iv. William, b. 1737 ; m., October 6, 1767,
Jean Taylor, and removed to Vir-
ginia.
V. Jean, b. 1739 ; m., October 31, 1765,
William Scott.
m. Samuel b. 1741 ; m. and removed to
Virginia.
vii. Patrick, b. 1743; m. McAl-
lister, sister of Capt. Archibald Mc-
Allister; was Capt. Patrick Hayes
of the Revolution ; removed to Ly-
coming county and died there about
1812; he inherited the farm in
Derry, now owned by Mr. Hershey.
The Hershey Family.
I. Andrew Hershey, b. 1702, in Switzer-
land ; removed early in life with his parents
to the Palatinate. In the year 1719 he and
his brother Benjamin sailed for America and
settled in Lancaster county. Pa. His brother
Ch ristian followed in 1739 ; and all three were
chosen ministers in the Mennonite Church.
Andrew Hershey died in 1792, aged ninety
years. There was issue :
i. Christian, b. 1734; d. January, 1783;
m. Elizabeth Hiestand, daughter of
Abraham Hiestand, of Hempfield,
Lancaster county. Pa.
2. ii. Andrew, h. 1736 ; m., first, Magdalena
Baughman; secondly, Maria Acker.
Hi. John.
iv. Benjamin, d. prior to 1780, and had
Elizabeth, m. Henry Landis, Benja-
min, and Mary.
V. Jacob, resided in Hempfield township ;
d. prior to 1767, at which time his
children, Maria and Ann, were
above fourteen years but not of age.
vi. Abraham,
vii. Isaac.
via. Henry.
ix. Catharine.
X. Maria,
xi. Odti.
II. Andrew Hershey (Andrew), b. 1736,
in Lancaster county. Pa.; d. July 16, 1806 ;
was twice married ; m. Magdalena Baugh-
man ; d. prior to 1763 ; daughter of Micliael
Baughman, and had issue :
i. Catharine, b. 1760.
He m., secondly, Maria Acker, b. Septem-
ber 26, 1743 ; d. September 13, 1831. They
had issue :
ii. Anna, b. February 28, 1762.
Hi. Jacob, b. October 2, 1765.
iv. Maria, b. May 23, 1768.
3. V.Andrew, b. September 14, 1770; m.
Esther Kauffman.
vi. Henry, b. December 19, 1772.
vii. Elizabeth, b. December 5, 1775.
via. John, h. March 31, 1783.
III. Andrew Hershey (Andrew, An-
drew), b. September 14, 1770 ; d. August 1,
1835 ; m. Esther Kauffman, b. May 31, 1770;
d. March 3, 1829. They had issue :
i. Christian, b. December 22, 1796; d.
September 5, 1834.
ii. Anna, b. July 15, 1799.
Hi. Andrew, h. January 15, 1802.
iv. Maria, b. December 9, 1804.
V. Catharine, b. January 15, 1809.
vi. Esther, b. September 11, 1811.
vii. Barbara, b. December 9, 1814.
via. Elizabeth (twin), b. December 9, 1814.
ix. John, b. March 14, 1815.
X. Magdalena, b. March 20, 1821.
In addition to the foregoing, which evi-
dently refers to one branch of the family, we
have the following :
Benedict Hershey died prior to 1763,
leaving a wife Judith, and children :
i. Jacob.
ii. Barbara.
Hi. Andrew,
iv. Peter.
V. John,
vi. Esther.
Andrew Hershey, of Londonderry town-
ship, Dauphin county, died in 1792, leaving
a wife, and children :
i. Benjamin.
ii. Henry.
Hi. Christian, of Manor township.
iv. Andrew, of Donegal township.
V. John, m. Magdalena .
116
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Hoffman Family of Lykens Valley.
I. Among the earliest settlers of the Wico-
nisco Valley was John Peter Hoffman, a na-
tive of Germany, born in 1709. With others
of his family and friends he came to Amer-
ica in 1739, in the ship Robert and Alice,
Capt. Walter Goodman, arriving at Phila-
delphia in Septeuiberof that year. He first
located in Berks county, where he worked at
his trade, that of a carpenter. During the
early Indian troubles on the frontiers he
served some time as a soldier in the Provin-
cial forces. About the year 1750 he came to
the end of Short mountain in Lyken's Val-
ley, where he built a small log house, just
across the road from the present residence
of Daniel Romberger. Sixty years ago this
was used as a blacksmith shop. John Peter
Hoffman was the contemporary of Andrew
and John Lycans or Lykens, Ludwig Shott,
John Rewalt, and others, and with them
driven off by the Indians in their marauds
of 1756. It was subsequent to this period
that he brought his family to the valley.
Here he followed farming, and died in 1798
at the age of eighty-nine years. His remains
with those of his wife who had deceased pre-
viously were interred in the field near the
present house on the old farm now owned by
Mr. Romberger, before named. He left issue,
among others :
i. Catherine, m. Andrew Reigle, the head
of a large family of that name in
the "Upper End." They both
reached the age of four score years.
a. Barbara, m. George BufBngton, a sol-
dier of the Revolution, and the
head of the family of that name.
Hi. Elizabeth, m. Ludwig Sheetz, the head
of the large family of that name.
2. iv. John, b. 1746 ; m. Miss Kauffman.
3. V. John- Nicholas, b. 1749 ; m. Margaret
Harm an.
4. vi. Christian, b. 1752 ; m. Miss Deibler.
II. John Hoffman (John-Peter), eldest
son of John Peter Hoffman, was a native of
Berks county, born in 1746. He served in
the war of the Revolution, and commanded
the Upper Paxtang company in its expe-
dition up the West Branch in 1778, and
participated in the battle at Muncy Hill.
He resided near Hoffman's church, on the
farm now owned by George Williard. He
was a farmer, and served as a justice of the
peace from 1771 until 1831, the year of his
death. He and his wife, a Miss Kauffman,
are buried in Hoffman's church graveyard.
They had issue :
i. Elizabeth, m. John Hoffman, a farmer.
They resided near Hoffman's
church, on the farm now owned by
George Row.
ii. Maria, m. Joseph Neagley, a farmer,
who resided in the lower part of the
valley. They had a large family,
and lived to advanced ages.
Hi. Magdalena, m. Thomas Koppenheffer.
He was a captain in Col. Timothy
Green's battalion, and was at the
battle of Long Island. Mrs. Kop-
penheffer lived to be over four
score years of age.
iv. Catharine, m. John Buffington, a
farmer, who resided on the farm
adjoining Robert Elder's, now
owned by Jacob Hartman. Mr.
Buffington was county commis-
sioner from 1822 to 1824.
V. Barbara, b. 1800 ; m. John N. Specht.
She d. in 1879.
5. vi. John, m. Miss Deibler.
vii. Jacob, married and removed to
Schuylkill county, where some of
his descendants yet reside.
6. via. Daniel, m. Miss Snyder.
III. John Nicholas Hoffman (John-
Peter), was born in Tulpehocken township,
Berks county, in the year 1749. He settled
on the farm now owned by Benjamin Rick-
ert, near Short mountain. He was the
owner of a large tract of land, at present
divided into a number of farms. He deeded
land to the congregation of Hoffman''s
church, for church, school and burial pur-
poses. He was a soldier of the Revolution,
and participated in the battles of Brandy-
wine and German town. His life was an
active, busy and useful one. He was mar-
ried, April 22, 1772, by Pastor Kurtz, of the
Lutheran church, to Margaret Harman, also
a native of Berks county. They had issue:
i. Catharine, b. 1775; m. Peter Shoff-
stall. They resided near Gratz-
town, and died at advanced ages,
leaving a large family.
ii. Susanna, m. Levi Buffington, a car-
penter. He built the Hoffman
church.
Hi. Sarah, m. Jonathan Snyder. They
moved to Wayne county, Ohio,
near Wooster, where they both
lived to upwards of ninetj^ years of
age ; their son Daniel resides there.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
117
7. V.
TO.
O. Vll.
9. TOM,
10. ix.
11. 3^
xi.
Margaret, m. Alexander Klinger, and
removed to Crawford county, Pa.
She died a few years ago at the age
of 98.
Peter, b. September 22, 1778 ; m. Miss
Lubold.
Elizabeth, b. 1780 ; d. in Sugar Valley,
over 91 years of age; m. Jacob
Hawk.
Jacob, b. 1782 ; m. Catharine Ferree.
Daniel, b. 1784; m. Hannah Ferree.
Nicholas, h. 1790; m.
John, h. 1794 ; m.
George,h. 1798; resided in Gratztown;
was appointed justice of the peace
in 1834.
IV. Christian Hoffman (John-Peter), b.
1752; resided on the old homestead at the
end of Short mountain. He died in Powell's
Valley. He was a soldier of the Revolution
and an active citizen in the " Upper End."
He married Susannah Deibler, daughter of
Albright Deibler, and died in Armstrong
Valley at the age of 87. They had issue:
i. Anna-Mary, m. John Pies, and left a
large family. They resided at Sand
Spring, in the upper end of Powell's
Valley.
ii. Susannah, m. Philip Shott, and had a
large family.
Hi. Catharine, m. Jonathan Novinger; re-
moved to Indiana. Cyrus Novinger,
of Millersburg, is their son.
12. iv. John-B., b. 1790 ; m. Margaret Bow-
man.
V. Jonas, was a farmer, and resided at
the foot of Peter's mountain, where
he died.
TO. Peter, was a farmer; m. and resided
near Fisherville, where he died,
leaving a large family.
vii. Christian, was a farmer; resided near
Snyder's mill, Lykens Valley.
viii. Daniel-Q., b. 1795, was a farmer and
resided near Fisherville; sixty
years ago m. Susannah Harman,
now 85 years of age; was a justice
of the peace a long time, and held
other offices.
ix. Philip, b. about 1800; was justice of
the peace for Jefferson township.
V. John Hoffman (John, John-Peter), re-
sided near his father; was a farmer, and
held the office of justice of the peace until he
received the appointment of steward of the
county almshouse in 1824, a position he held
until 1838 when he was elected register,
serving until 1841; was the first local
preacher in the valley, built the first fulling
and carding mill in the Upper End, where
Samuel Wolf now resides in Lykens town-
ship. He was married four times, his first
wife being a Miss Deibler, sister to Daniel
Deibler, Sr., and left a large family.
VI. Daniel Hoffman (John, John-Peter),
m. Miss Snyder, and had one son, Daniel, Jr.,
a distinguished civil engineer, residing in
Philadelphia. John R., a sou of the latter,
also a civil engineer in the employ of the
Summit Branch Railroad and Coai Com-
pany, resides at Pottsville. Daniel Hoflf-
man, Sr., died young, in Lykens Valley, and
his widow subsequently married John Hoke.
VII. Peter Hoffman (John-Nicholas,
John-Peter), was born on the 22d of Septem-
ber, 1778. He was a farmer and owned the
farm now in the occupancy of William
Hawk. He was a soldier of the war of 1812
and died in 1864, aged 86 years. He mar-
ried Mollie Lubold, sister of Frederick Lu-
bold. They are both buried in the Hoffman
church graveyard. They had issue:
i. Daniel, m. Miss Rissinger and re-
moved to Crawford county. Pa.,
where his son Joshua now resides.
Another son, Jonas, a carpenter, re-
sides at Lykens. Daniel died a few
years ago aged 73 years.
ii. Jacob-Peter, was quite a politician and
died a few years ago in Lykens,
where his widow and children now
reside.
Hi. John-Peter, b. in 1806 ; m. Elizabeth
Umholtz, daughter of J. Philip
Umholtz ; was a farmer residing
near Short mountain. Their son,
Henry-B., resided at Millersburg,
and John-P., in Powell's Valley.
iv. Catharine, m. Daniel Reigle. Mr.
Reigel was county commissioner,
1852-4.
V. Elizabeth, m. Philip Keiser. Their
son Daniel was a member of the
Legislature, 1863-4.
TO. Hannah, m. Samuel Thomas.
VIII. Jacob Hoffman (John-Nicholas,
John-Peter), b. in 1782, purchased his father's
farm. He was a well-informed farmer, and
was exceedingly popular. He filled several
local offices, and in 1833 and 1834 served in
the Legislature. He was quite prominent in
118
HISTORICAL REVIEW
the church, and a zealous Christian. He
married Catharine Ferree. They had issue:
i. Amos, b. 1809 ; m. Amanda, daughter
of the late Gen. Thomas Harper ;
was for a number of years steward
of the almshouse, and resided at
Berrysburg. At one time he had
five sous in the Union army, Col.
Thomas-W., Capt. Jacob-F., John-
H., Edwin-A., and Henry,
ii. Jacob-B., resided near Williamstbwn.
Hi. Hannah, m. John Romberger.
iv. Sarah, m. Michael Forney.
v. Catharine, m. Abram Hess.
IX. Daniel Hoffman ' (John-Nicholas,
John-Peter), was born in 1784 ; was a farmer,
and served in the war of 1812. He died in
1830 at the age of 46 years. He married
Hannah Ferree, and had issue :
i. David, was a merchant and justice of
the peace. He died and is buried
at Berrysburg. His son, Danel-C,
became superintendent of a Ken-
tucky and Tennessee railroad, and
died of yellow fever in 1878 at
Louisville, Ky.
ii. Jacob-B., was a county commissioner
and twice sheriff; resided at Har-
risburg ; of his family Isaac- W. is
agent of the Northern Central rail-
way at Millersburg ; Adam, United
States postal route agent; George-
E., d. 1888; Ada, m. M. Wilson
McAlarney, an attorney-at-law,
postmaster at Harrisburg 1874-
1886, now editor Daily Telegraph ;
Elmira, m. Joseph C. McAlarney, a
lawyer, of Harrisburg ; Rebecca, and
Sarah.
Hi. Daniel, is a miner and resides at Ly-
kens.
iv. Joseph, resided at Hummelstown.
V. Hannah, m. Isaac Uhler, a miller.
vi. Elmira, m. John S. Musser, who was
county commissioner 1860-62; re-
sided at Millersburg.
X. Nicholas Hoffman (John-Nicholas,
John-Peter), was born in 1790 — a farmer,
and served in the war of 1812. He died in
1874 at the age of eighty -four. He had
issue:
i. John-Nicholas, was director of the
poor; resided in Washington town-
ship.
ii. Isaac, was county commissioner
1867-70.
Hi. Sarah, m.
Sheaffer ; their
daughter Mary married William B.
Meetch, former register of the
county.
iv. Jam.es, resided on the old homestead.
XI. John Hoffman (John-Nicholas, John-
Peter), b. in 1794, was a soldier in the war
of 1812 ; a tailor by trade, and resided near
Berrysburg, where he died. He left a large
family. George, Daniel and Henry Katter-
man, severally, married daughters of John
Hoffman.
XII. John B. Hoffman (Christian, John-
Peter), b. in L790 ; was a blacksmith by
trade; served in the war of 1812, in which
he was promoted a lieutenant colonel. He
filled a number of responsible official posi-
tions, and died in 1875, aged eighty-five
years. He married Margaret Bowman and
left a large family, most of whom reside in
Powell's Valley.
Marcus Hulings and His Family.
From data in our possession we are able to
give the year of the location of an early
settler at the mouth of the Juniata, that of
Marcus Hulings in 1753. Day and Rupp,
relying upon tradition, give the time " possi-
bly as early as 1735." It is a matter of his-
tory that all the settlers on Shearman's
creek and the Juniata had been removed by
the sheriff, Andrew Work's posse in 1750,
and the houses of the settlers burned ; so
that it was not for two or three years at least
afterwards that the hardy frontiersman ven-
tured to build his rude cabin on the forbid-
den land. It is stated by Watson that
Marcus Hulings came from Marcus Hook on
the Delaware. Nevertheless, the Hulings
were among the earliest settlers on that
river, locating there long before the founder
came over and constituted the grand old
Commonwealth called for him. The name
is spelled Uhling, Hewlings and Hulings,
and is Swedish.
A few years after locating on the Juniata
came Braddock's defeat, and all the horrors
of an Indian war followed. In the spring
after (1756) the savages had reached the Sus-
quehanna: but the few scattered frontiers-
men were unequal for the conflict, and were
obliged to flee. Some lingered too long, for
the wily red man came down suddenly and
the tomahawk and scalping-knife were reek-
DAUPHIN COUNTY
119
ing with the life-blood of the hardy, but
unfortunate pioneers. Mr. Huhngs, on be-
ing apprised of the near approach of the
savages, hurriedly packed up a few valuables
and, placing his wife and youngest child
upon a large black horse (the other children
having previously been removed to a place
of safety) fled to the point of the island, ready
to cross over at the first alarm. Forgetting
something in the haste, and thinking the
Indians might not have arrived, Mr. Hulings
ventured to return alone to the house.
After carefull}'- reconnoitering, he entered,
and found, to his surprise, an Indian upstairs
"cooly picking his flint." Stopping some
time to parley with the savage, so that he
might retreat without being shot at; the de-
lay, to his wife, seemed , unaccountable and,
fearing he had been murdered, she whipped
up her horse and swam the Susquehanna.
The water was quite high, but, nowise
daunted, she succeeded in reaching the op-
posite shore in safety. Mr. Hulings soon
appeared, and finding the animal with his
wife and child had disappeared, in turn he
became alarmed, but a signal from the east-
ern shore of the stream relieved his anxiety,
and he himself, by means of a light canoe,
was safe from pursuit. The fugitives suc-
ceeded in reaching Fort Hunter, where the
Baskins and others of their neighbors had
congregated and the inhabitants of Paxtang
had rallied for a defense.
It was not until the fall of Fort Duquesne,
and the erection of Fort Pitt, that Marcus
Hulings returned to his farm with his family.
A year after, however, we find him at the
Forks of the Ohio, where he took up a quan-
tity of land. In the meantime, encroach-
ments were being made upon his lands on
the Juniata, and in 1762 we have the fojlow-
lowing letter, protesting against the same :
" Fort Pitt, May the 7th, 1762.
" To William Peters, Esq., Secretorey to the
Propriatorries in land office in Philadelphia,
Sec:
" The Petitioner hereof humbly showeth
his grievance in a piece of uncultivated
land, laying in Cumberland County, on the
Northwest side of Juneadey, laying in the
verry Forks and point between the two
rivers, Susquehanna and Juneadey, a place
that I Emprovedand lived on one Year and
a half on the said place till the enemeyes in
the beginning of the last Warrs drove me
away from it, and I have had no opertunity
yet to take out a Warrant for it; my next
neighbour wass one Joseph Greenwood, who
sold his emprovement to Mr. Neaves, a
merchant in Philadelphia, who took out a
warrant for the s'd place, and gave it into
the hands of Collonel John Armstrong, who
is Surveyor for Cumberland County ; and
while I was absent from them parts last
Summer, Mr. Armstrong runed out that
place Joyning me, for Mr. Neaves; and as
my place layes in the verry point, have en-
croached too much on me and Take away
part of Improvements ; the line Desided be-
tween me and Joseph Greenwood was up to
the first small short brook that empyed into
Susquehannah above the point, and if I
should have a strait line run'd from the one
river to the other with equal front on each
River from that brook, I shall not have 300
acres in that survey ; the land above my
house upon Juneadey is much broken and
stone}^ I have made a rough draft of the
place and lines, and if Your Honour will be
pleased to see me righted, the Petitioner
hereof is in Duty bound ever for you to
pray ; from verry humble serv't,
" Marcus Hulings."
With the foregoing he sent the following
note to Mr. Peters :
" May ye 17th, 1762.
" Sir : I have left orders for Mr. Mathias
Holston living in Upper Merrion of Phila-
delphia county, to take out two warrants for
me, one for the Point between the two Riv-
ers, and one for the Improvements I have in
the place called the Onion bottom on the
south side of Juneadey right aposite to the
other, where I lived six months before I
moved to the other place; from your hum-
ble servant, Marcus Hulings."
Directed to " William Peters, Esq., Secretorey
to the Propriatories land office In Philadel-
phia."
With these letters is the " rough draught"
of the land at the mouth of the Juniata,
which would be worth reproducing, as no
description we can give will convey an accu-
rate idea of it. Three islands are noted.
One now known as Duncan's Island is
marked " Island " and house as " Widdow
Baskins." The large island in the Susque-
hanna known as Haldeman's Island con-
taining three houses — the one to the south-
ern point " Francis Baskins " one-third
further up, on the Susquehanna side,
" George Clark," while about the center that
120
HISTORICAL REVIEW
of " Francis Ellis." Oa the north point is
the word " Island." Almost opposite, on the
east bank of the Susquehanna, is " James
Reed's" house ; while between the center of
the island and the western shore is a small
triangular " Island," so marked. On " the
point" between the " Susquehannah River "
and the " Juneadey River," near the bank of
the latter stream, is "Hulings' house."
Some distance from "the point " is a straight
line running from river to river on which is
written " this is the way I want my line ;"
while beyond on the West Branch of the
Susquehannah nearly opposite " James
Reed's " house is " Mr. Neave's house."
Farther up the river, opposite a small
island is " Francis Ellis' " house. A circuit-^
ous line denominated " Mr. Neave's line,"
crosses the straight line referred to which in-
cluded " Part of Hulings' Improvement."
On the south side of the Juniata below the
mouth thereof is "William Kerl's" house;
opposite the point of Duncan's Island,
" James Baskins' " house, while " Hulings'
house" (another improvement) is farther up
—in what is named the " Onion bottom."
Beyond this on the same side of the Juniata
is a house marked " Cornelius Acheson, who
has encroached upon Hulings' Improvement
in the Onion bottom — settled there last
Spring." Opposite the islands on the east
bank of the Susquehanna are " Peter's moun-
tain " and " narroughs." We suppose Mr.
Hulings was " righted," as he desired.
Becoming discontented with the situation
at Pittsburgh, Hulings sold his claim for
£200 and returned to his home at the mouth
of the Juniata, where he made considerable
improvements. He established a ferry, and
built, says Watson, a causeway at the upper
end of Duncan's Island for pack horses to
Marcus Hulings' home was lately in the
possession of Dr. George N. Reutter. He
originally owned all the land between the
Susquehanna and Juniata below New Buf-
falo, and had also a tract of land at the
mouth of Shearman's creek, then in Rye
township, Cumberland county, but now
Penn township. Perry county.
Mr. Hulings died in September, 1788, and
is buried in a graveyard near Losh's Run.
Mrs. Hulings, whose maiden name has not
come down to us, was a remarkable woman,
and on more than one occasion forded the
Susquehanna and wended her way to the
mill at Fort Hunter with a small bag of
grain — when waiting till it was ground, she
hastened homeward. This, however, was
only in the first years of their pioneer life,
for shortly after a grist mill was erected on
Shearman's creek. She was a brave and in-
trepid pioneer woman, and a noble wife for
the hardy frontiersman. She died prior to
the Revolution and is buried in the same
graveyard with her husband, but their
graves are unmarked. They had five chil-
dren who survived their parents :
I. Marcus, the eldest, born in 1747, pos-
sibly never returned with his father from
Fort Pitt. He erected a large stone tavern
and established a ferry on the south side of
the Monongahela river, opposite the foot of
Liberty street, Pittsburgh. It was afterwards,
says Mr. Isaac Craig, for half a century
known as Jones' ferry house, and as fre-
quently noted in the journals of travelers
abo.ut the commencement of the present cen-
tury. He seems to have been quite promi-
nent on the western frontiers and is fre-
quently made mention of. Gen. Richard
Butler, one of the commissioners appointed
to hold treaties with the Northern and
Western Indians, in his journal of October
1,1785, says: "I fortunately recommended
the employment of one Mr. Huling, who I
find to be a very useful, active and ingenious
man, he goes ahead with a small canoe to
search out the channel, which we find to be
very crooked." This was no doubt Marcus
Hulings. In the journal of Gen. Joseph
Buell, the arrival at Fort Harmar of
" Uhling, a trader on the river," is mentioned
three times, November 5 and December 3,
1786, and on the 4th of January, 1787. For
more than ten years subsequent to 1790,
Marcus Hulings was employed by Major
Isaac Craig, quartermaster at Pittsburgh, in
transporting military stores up the Alle-
gheny to Fort Franklin and to Presqu' Isle,
and down the Ohio and Mississippi to the
military posts on those streams. Major
Craig's letter-books and papers contain
ample evidence that Marcus Hulings was a
faithful and reliable man in all his under-
takings. We have no knowledge as to his
subsequent career, although we are informed
that he died in Tennessee. He left descend-
ants.
II. Mae^, b. in 1749; m., 1st, Thomas
Simpson ; 2d, on January 18, 1780, William
Stewart. They had four children. She d.
February 22, 1790. Mr. Stewart afterwards
m. Mrs. Martha Espy, widow of James Espy.
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
121
III. Samuel, b. in 1751, also located on
the Ohio. He owned an island in the Alle-
gheny called Hulings', and we presume is
yet known by that name. Samuel Hulings
married and left issue.
IV. James, b. in 1/53 ; we have no knowl-
edge whatever.
V. Thomas Hulings, youngest son of
Marcus Hulings, who succeeded to the pater-
nal estate, b. March 3, 1755; d. in Buffalo
township. Perry county, March, 1808. He
was a prominent man in the locality, and
served on several important State commis-
sions. He was twice married ; 1st, to Eliza-
beth, daughter of Gen. Frederick Watts, of
the Revolution, and Jane Murray, his wife,
b. July 7, 1749; d. July 15, 1801. They had
issue :
i. Rebecca, b. March 25, 1789 ; m., May
21, 1811, Robert Callender Duncan,
son of Judge Duncan, of Carlisle,
from whom Duncan's Island de-
rives the name. She died in April,
1850, leaving two children : Dr.
Thomas Duncan, who d. in 1879,
without issue; and Benjamin Styles
Duncan, who d. in 1870, leaving
four children now residing on Dun-
can's Island. It may be here re-
marked that Mrs. Duncan, in her
will, says, " of Isle Ben venue."
ii. Marcus, b. February 11, 1791 ; re-
moved to the South ; m. and left
issue.
Hi. Frederick- Watts, b. March 9, 1792 ; m.
and settled in Tennessee, where he
became quite prominent, being at
one time speaker of the House of
Representatives of that State. He
was a captain in the Confederate
army, and while attempting to get
on a train of cars during the Rebel-
lion was severely injured, from the
efferts of which he died at his then
residence. New Orleans. He left
issue.
vi. David- Watts, h. 1793; m. Maria Pat-
ton, of Lewistown. He studied law
and was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar April 21, 1823. He be-
came the possessor of the old home-
stead, but afterwards disposed of it
and purchased largely near Lewis-
town. He bought Hope Furnace,
which he greatly improved. He
represented Mifflin county in the
Legislature. Subsequently he re-
moved to Baltimore, where he died
leaving children, Thomas, Maria,
Ellen, Mary, and Lizzie. Thomas
married a daughter of General
Thomas, of Washington, D. C;
was a colonel in the Civil war,
and killed in the battle of the
Wilderness. Maria married Lloyd
Williams, a lawyer, of Baltimore.
Ellen married Charles Denison, of
Wilkes-Barre. Mary married Good-
win Williams, of Baltimore, and
Elizabeth married Chauncey Rey-
nolds, of Wilkes-Barre. The latter
are' both widows, residing at Balti-
more.
V. Mary, b. May 8, 1798 ; m. James S.
Espy, of Harrisburg, and had two
children, both of whom are de-
ceased.
Thomas Hulings married, secondly, Re-
becca, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca
Berryhill, of Harrisburg, and had issue :
vi. Eleanor, b. 1803 ; m. John Keagy, of
Harrisburg, and had issue: Thomas
and Rebecca, both residing at Balti-
more. After Mr. Keagy's death,
she married Dr. Joseph Ard, of
Lewistown, whom she survived.
She died at Baltimore in June,
1880.
vii. Elizabeth, b. 1805 ; m. James Dickson,
of Lewistown, and had issue : Annie
and William. The latter died in
Philadelphia in 1875, leaving
Annie, who resides at New Bloom-
field. Mrs. Dickson, the last surviv-
ing child of Thomas Hulings, died
at New Bloomfield on the 25th of
July, 1881.
via. Julia, m. William Bringhurst, of
Clarkesville, Tenn., and had issue,
three boys and three girls ; two of
the former are dead, the remaining
children married and are residing
in Tennessee.
The Hummel Family.
I. Frederick Hummel, the founder of
Hummelstown, was born April 14, 1726, in
Wurtemberg, Germany ; d. June 24, 1775, in
Derry township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county. Pa. He was twice married ; first,
Rosina , b. December 20, 1732, in the
122
HISTORICAL REVIEW
Pfalz, Germany; d. December 26, 1768. They
had issue:
2. i. Valentine, b. February 17, 1753; m.
Anna Eve .
3. ii. Frederick, b. October 4, 1758 ; m.
Rachel Rickert.
4. Hi. David, b. January 9, 1761 ; m. Mary
Toot.
iv. Rosina, b. August 9, 1768 ; d. s. p.
V. Eve, b. 1765 ; m. Peter Fridley.
Mr. Hummel m., secondly, in 1769, Bar-
bara Blessing, who d. December, 1797. They
had issue :
5. vi. Christian, b. March 24, 1770; m. Sus-
anna Reist.
vii. Catharine (twin), b. March 24, 1770 ;
m. John Wetherholt.
6. viii. Barbara, b. 1772 ; m. Nicholas Singer.
7. ix. John, b. September 11, 1774; m. Esther
Minsker.
z. Ludivig, b. 1775 ; d. inf.
II. Valentine Hummel (Frederick), b.
February 17, 1753 ; d. October 20, 1802. His
wife, Anna Eve , b. December 20, 1 750 ;
d. September 16, 1830 ; both buried in the Lu-
theran church graveyard at Hummelstown.
They had issue:
i. John, b. March, 1796; d. s. p.
III. Frederick Hummel (Frederick), b.
October 4, 1758 ; d. December 7, 1802 ; m.
Rachel Rickert, daughter of Jacob Rickert, b.
March 14, 1757; d. November 24, 1835.
They had issue :
8. i. Jacob, b. 1780; m. iSusanna Bine-
hower.
9. ii. Frederick, b. July 6, 1782 ; m. Susanna
Hamaker.
Hi. John, b. 1785 ; d. March 10, 1793.
10. iv. Valentine, b. February 7, 1787 ; m.
Elizabeth Walborn.
V.Hannah, h. September 18, 1789; d.
June 21, 1860; unm.
vi. David, b. October 29, 1792 ; d. Feb-
ruary 9, 1805.
vii. Rosina, h. May 4, 1795 ; d. March 24,
1876; unm.
viii. Christina, b. 1797 ; m. David Earnest.
ix. Rachel, b. November 24, 1799 ; d.
September 27, 1867; m. Richard
Fox.
X. Elizabeth, b. September 23, 1807 ; d.
March 24, 1836 ; unm.
IV. David Hummel (Frederick), b. Janu-
ary 9, 1761 ; d. October 3, 1793 ; m. Mary
Toot, b. January 11, 1764; d. December 29,
1858, daughter of David Toot, of Middle-
town. In the Lutheran church graveyard
at Hummelstown is a tombstone with the
following inscription : " Hier Ruhet \ David
Hummel, \ Er war Gebohren \ den 9ten Januar
I 1761 und Starb den | Sten October 179S ;
ist ait war den in | S^JahrSmo \ undH Tag
ich habe uber imnden, | zu guter nact 0 welt
Und zog durch Christi wunden \ ins reehti Sie-
geszelt." They had issue :
11. i. Frederick,}). December 24, 1782; m.
Barbara Metzgar.
12. ii. David, b. September 8, 1784 ; m. Su-
sanna Kunkel.
Hi. Leah, b. 1787 ; d. January 20, 1817 ;
m., December 10, 1811, Henry Lan-
dis.
iv. Mary, b. March 13, 1789 ; d. Novem-
ber 23, 1863; m. Daniel Baum, b.
April 19, 1783; d. December 21,
1857.
13. V. Anna, b. May 29, 1791 ; d. October 3,
1763 ; m. George Stoner.
14. iv. Joseph, b. August 11, 1793 ; m. Eliza-
beth Leebrick.
V. Christian Hummel (Frederick), b.
March 24, 1770 ; d. March 7, 1837 ; m. Su-
sanna Reist, b. February 28, 1772 ; d. Sep-
tember 28, 1854. They had issue ten sons
and four daughters, of whom we have the
following :
15. i. Jacob, b. March 24, 1791 ; m. Justina
Bower.
ii. David, b. 1792; accidently drowned
February 28, 1808.
Hi. Samuel, b. 1794; m. Kunkel-
man, and had issue.
iv. Joseph, b. 1796 ; d. June 19, 1844.
V. Mary, h. 1798 ; d. February 19, 1829 ;
m. William Barnett, b. 1793; d.
September 6, 1828.
vi. Christian, b. 1803 ; m. and left issue.
16. vii. David, b. May 16, 1806 ; m. Barbara
Shira.
17. mn. John, m. Catharine Weidle.
ix. Reist, d. s. p.
X. Michael, d. February, 1829 ; m. Catha-
rine .
VI. Barbara Hummel (Frederick), b.
1774 ; d. March 25, 1834 ; m. Nicholas Singer,
b. 1769 ; accidentally drowned March 4,
1815 ; had issue as follows (surname Singer) :
i. Jacob, m. Elizabeth Andrew.
ii. Elizabeth, d. s. p.
Hi. John, m. Binehower.
iv. David, d. s. p.
V. Frederick, d. s. p.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
123
m. George, b. July 19, 1808 ; ra. Nancy
Christley, b. October 31, 1811 ; d.
June 23, 1869, and had issue :
1. Elizabeth-Barbara, m. Herman
Garberich.
2. Sarah- Rebecca.
3. David- William, m. Jennie Sel-
lers.
4. Caroline-Margaret, m. John H.
Fisher.
5. Juliann, m. Ann Sellers.
vii. Samuel, m. and left issue.
VII. John Hummel (Frederick), b. Sep-
tember 11, 1774, d. September 11,1832; m.
Esther Minsker, b. March 12, 1778 ; d. May
23, 1832, and buried at Campbellstown.
They had issue:
i. Rebecca, b. March 19, 1805 ; d. August
13, 1868; m. John Blessing, b.
September 30, 1800 ; d. March 19,
1856.
ii. Frederick.
Hi. David, m. Catharine Herr, of Lancas-
ter county, Pa.
iv. Jesse-B., b. November 4, 1807 ; d. Au-
gust 11, 1867 ; m. Mary Ann Stoner,
b. April 22, 1815 ; d. June 14, 1849.
v. Sabina.
vi. Michael- Minsker, d. s. p.
vii. James,
viii. John, d. s. p.
VIII. Jacob Hummel (Frederick, Freder-
ick), b. 1780; d. Novembers, 1850; m.,June
11, 1805, Susanna Binehower, daughter of
Peter and Christina Binehower, b. 1783;
d. December 10, 1845, and left issue :
i. Peter, b. June 7, 1807 ; d. May 18,
1868 ; m. Sarah B. Stoner.
ii. Frederick-A., d. s. p.
m. Jacob- Binehower, m. and had issue.
iv. Catharine, m. George Balsbaugh, and
had issue.
V. John-H., b. July 18, 1817 ; m. Ann Fox.
vi. Solomon, d. s. p.
vii. Valentine-B., b. April 28, 1825 ; d. Oc-
tober 10, 1879 ; m. Lydia ,
b. November 27, 1827; d. April 20,
1876, and left issue.
IX. Frederick Hummel (Frederick, Fred-
erick), b. July 6, 1782; d. March 28,1831;
m. Susanna Hamaker, b. March 6, 1783; d.
April 6, 1855, and had issue :
i. Savilla, b. December 11, 1803 ; d. De-
cember 19, 1836.
ii. Cyrus, b. 1805; m.
Hi. Elizabeth, b. September 23, 1807 ; d.
March 24, 1836.
iv. Valentine, b. March 12, 1812 ; d. Au-
gust 26, 1880 ; m. Jane Nelson, and
left issue.
V. Anna, d. April, 1855 ; m. John Hum-
mel, of Ohio, and left issue.
vi. John-Frederick, d. May, 1890.
vii. George-Washington, m. Kill-
inger.
viii. Richard- Jackson, b. July 25, 1823 ; d.
August 7, 1845.
X. Valentine Hummel (Frederick, Fred-
erick), b. February 7, 1787,atHummelstown;
d. September 4, 1870; m., March 18, 1813, by
Rev. F. C. Schaeffer, Elizabeth Walborn, b.
1797 : d. October 25, 1867 ; daughter of Chris-
tian Walborn. They had issue :
i. 3Iary- Walborn, m. Charles L. Berg-
haus, and had issue.
ii. Elizabeth, m. William M. Kerr, and
had Elizabeth, m. Dr. George W.
Reily.
Hi. Franklin, d. s. p.
iv. Caroline, m. Jacob S. Haldeman, and
had issue.
V. Richard, b. 1826 ; d. October 6, 1880 ;
m. Eliza Bucher, and had issue.
XL Frederick Hummel (David, Freder-
ick), b. December 24, 1782 ; d. October 31,
1847 ; m., March 25, 1806, Barbara Metzgar,
b. September 1, 1779 ; d. November 22, 1861,
daughter of Jacob Metzgar, of Derry. They
had issue :
i. Martin, b. June 8, 1808 ; d. January
23, 1875 ; m. Barbara Keller, and
left issue.
ii. David, d. s. p.
Hi. Adam, h. June 16, 1810 ; m. Mary
Berger, of State of New York, and
had issue.
iv. George-Toot, b. September 2, 1812 ; d.
April 15, 1875 ; m. Margaret Earn-
est ; no issue.
V. Jacob-Metzgar, b. March 16, 1818 ; m.
Elizabeth Hertzler.
vi. Joseph- Frederick, h. January 31,1820;
m. Ellen Baum, and had issue.
XII. David Hummel (David, Frederick),
b. September 8, 1784, at Hummelstown ; d.
June 30, 1860, at Harrisburg ; m., October
13, 1807, Susanna Kunkel, b. May 31, 1790;
d. January 1, 1851, at Harrisburg, daughter
of Christian Kunkel, and had issue :
i. Catharine, m. Philip W. Seibert, and
left issue.
124
HISTORICAL REVIEW
a. David, m. Sarah Bombaugh, and left
issue.
Hi. Christian, d. s. p.
iv. Mary, in. Alexander Watson, son of
Jackson Watson.
V. Elizabeth, m. William R. Gorgas.
vi. Susanna, d. s. p.
vii. George.
via. Albert, m. Anna Plitt.
ix. Susan, m. James L. Reily.
X. Annie, m. Dr. Eli H. Coover.
xi. Emma.
XIII. Anna Hummel (David, Frederick),
b. May 29, 1791; d. October 3, 1863; m.
George Stoner. They had issue (surname
Stoner) :
i. Mary-Ann, ra. Jesse B. Hummel.
ii. Sarah-B., m. Peter Hummel.
Hi. Augustus, m. Hetrick.
iv. David.
V. Henrietta, m. Major Beinteman, of
Hamburg, Berks county. Pa.
vi. Rebecca, m. Dr. Witmer, of Philadel-
phia.
vii. Leah, m. Rev. Jeremiah Smith.
XIV. Joseph HuMMKL (David, Frederick))
b. August 11, 1793; d. April, 18, 1852 ; m.
Elizabeth Leebrick, b. 1799 ; d. September
12, 1890, at Hummelstown ; dau. of Philip
and Mary G. Leebrick. She was a woman
of great force of character, dignified, yet
tender, truthful and consistent in all her
walks through life. They had issue :
i. Henry-Leebrick, h. 1817 ; m. Adeline
Stecher.
ii. Elizabeth, m. Frederick Lauman.
Hi. Richard-Toot, b. March 23, 1821 ; m.
Mary Coover.
iv. Mary, m. Benjamin Givler ; resided in
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
V. Sarah, m. Martin Early ; resided in
Palmyra, Pa.
vi. David-S., m. Catharine Zinn.
vii. Susan.
■viii. Caroline, in 1882 was postmistress of
Hummelstown.
ix. Anna.
X. Charles, resided in New York City.
xi. Joseph-Augustus, d. s. p.
xii. Edwin, d. s. p.
xiii. Silas, d. s. p.
XV. Jacob Hummel (Christian, Freder-
ick), b. March 24, 1791 ; d. March 13, 3847;
m., in 1815, Justina Bower, b. September 15,
1793 ; d. April 15, 1845 ; and left issue :
i. Louisa- Anna, b. June 6, 1816 ; d. s. p.
ii. Caroline, b. December 17, 1817; d.
1852; m. David Dipner and left
issue.
Hi. Levi, b. July 19, 1820.
iv. Justina, b. December 28, 1822 ; m.
Benjamin F. Feaster.
V. Sarah-Elizabeth, b. October 4, 1825 ;
d. s. p.
vi. Abner, b. October 2, 1827 ; m. Eliza-
beth Alexander, b. March 4, 1852,
and had issue : Sarah-Elizabeth, m.
H. Wells Buser ; Charles-H.; d.s. p.;
Mary-C, Frederick-E., Carrie-E., and
Jacob- A.
vii. Harriet, b. February 3, 1831 ; m.
Christian Laley, both deceased and
left issue.
viii. Theodore, b. October 16, 1833 ; m. and
resides in Portsmouth, O.
ix. Mary, b. July 20, 1836.
XVI. David Hummel (Christian, Freder-
ick), b. May 16, 1809; d. July 27, 1870; m.
March 3, 1833, Barbara Shira (Shearer), and
had issue :
i. Alfred,
ii. George.
Hi. David,
iv. Henry,
v. Samuel- A.
vi. Christian,
vii. Joseph.
viii. John-M., d. s. p.
ix. Annie, m. Thomas Jack.
XVII. John Hummel (Christian, Freder-
ick), m. Catharine Weidle, of Jonestown.
They had issue :
i. Sarah, m. John Steckley.
ii. Matilda, m. Jacob Reigel.
Hi. Daniel, m. Anna, dau. of David Earn-
est.
iv. Alexander, m. Mary Moore.
V. John, d. s. p.
The Kellys of Londonderry.
I. Patrick Kelly, b. 1709, in the north
of Ireland; d. June 27, 1769, in London-
derry township, then Lancaster county, Pa.;
came to America in 1734, and took up a
large tract of land in the Swatara region,
where he lived and died ; his wife Rachel, b.
in 1708, in Province of Ulster, Ireland ; d.
August 5, 1782, in Londonderry, and with
her husband buried in old Derry church
graveyard. They had issue:
^^^^^^?i^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
127
i. Rachel, b. 1735 ; m. William Forster
2. %i. George, b. 1737 ; m. and had issue.
%^l. Anne, b. 1739; d. prior to 1806; in.
Patrick ; and left Mary, m.
Thomas Nicholson.
3. iv. John, b. February, 1741 ; m. Sarah
Polk.
V. Patrick, b. April 28, 1843 ; d. October
28, 1826, in Londonderry; unm.
m. Thomas, b. 1747 ; of whom we have
no further record.
4. vii. James, b. 1749 ; m. Elizabeth Forster.
5. via. Mary, b. 175] ; m. John Duncan.
II. George Kelly (Patrick), b. 1737, in
Londonderry township; d. prior to 1806,
and left issue :
i. Andrew,
a. Thomas.
Hi. Rachel, d. prior to 1806; m. James
Snodgrass; and left Sarah, Mary,
Margaret, Rosina, Rachel, Elizabeth,
William, George, James, SLud Thomas.
III. John Kelly (Patrick), b. February,
1741, in Londonderry township, Lancaster,
now Dauphin county. Pa.; d. February 8,
1832, in Buffalo Valley. After the Indian
purchase of 1768, he settled in the Buffalo
Valley, enduring all the hardships of pioneer
life. At the age of twenty-seven he was a
captain and major on the frontiers, and at
the outset of the Revolution was ready for
the conflict; he was a member of the con-
vention of July 15, 1776, and subsequently
entered the army, having previously assisted
inorganizingthe associators, being appointed
major in Col. James Potter's battalion. After
the battle of Princeton, when Cornwallis by
a forced march arrived at Stony Brook,
General Washington sent an order to Colonel
Potter to destroy the bridge at Worth's
Mills in sight of the advancing British.
Colonel Potter ordered Major Kelly to make
a detail for that purpose, but the latter said
he would not order another to do what some
might say he was afraid to do himself; he
took a detachment and went to work. The
enemy opened upon him a heavy fire of
round shot; before all the logs were cut off,
several balls struck the log on which he
stood, and it breaking down sooner than he
expected, he was precipitated into the stream ;
his party moved off, not expecting him to
escape. By great exertions he reached the
shore, through the high water and floating
timbers, end followed the troops. Encum-
bered as he was with his wet and frozen
clothes, he succeeded in making prisoner an
armed British scout, and took him into
camp. During the summer of 1777, Colonel
Kelly commanded on the frontier, and con-
tinued in that service almost to the close of
the Revolution. The record of his adven-
tures during those troublesome times reads
like a romance. Colonel Kelly was a"p-
pointed agent for confiscated estates May 6,
1778, and in 1780 was chosen to the
Assembly. He was one of the magistrates
of Northumberland county from August 2,
1783, for upwards of twenty years. He
married Sarah Polk, daughter of James
Polk, of the valley, d. January 2, 1831.
They had issue :
i. James, removed to Penn's Valley, and
died there ; was father of James K.
Kelly, U. S. senator from Oregon,
1872-1878.
ii. John, removed to Penn's Valley.
Hi. William, ra. a daughter of Archibald
Allison, of Centre county, and died
there January 27, 1830.
iv. Andrew, b. 1783; d. September 24,
1786; unm.
V. Samuel, removed to Armstrong county.
Pa.
vi. Elizabeth, m. Simeon Howe.
vii. Maria, d. January, 1861 ; m. John
Campbell, of Lewisburg.
via. Robert, b. 1798 ; d. April 12, 1865.
iz. Joseph, h. 1793 ; d. March 2, 1860.
X. David-H., b. 1803 ; d. February 11,
1875; was county commissioner of
Union county.
IV. James Kelly (Patrick), b. 1781, in Lon-
donderry township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county. Pa.; d. February 10, 1813; m.
Elizabeth Forster, daughter of James Forster
and Elizabeth Moore ; b. 1759, in London-
derry township; d. September 7, 1822, in
Londonderry, and with her husband buried
in old Derry church graveyard. They had
issue, but we have not been able to secure
their names.
V. Mary Kelly (Patrick), b. 1751; d.
prior to 1816 ; m. John Duncan. They had
issue (surname Duncan):
i. Samuel,
ii. William.
Hi. Battana.
iv. Mary.
V. Rachel, dec'd; m. William Smith, and
left Mary and Rachel,
vi. Margaret, m. Hugh Dempsey.
128
HISTORICAL REVIEW
vii. James, m., and left James, John,Andrew,
and Elizabeth,
via. Thomus.
ix. David.
X. Rebecca, m. William Elliott.
V. Abraham, b. 1780; d. 1861 ; m., and
had Hemry-N., Abraham, Jacob,
John, and Benjamin.
The Landis Family.
I. Benjamin Landis, a native of Switzer-
land, and a Mennonite preacher, came to
America in 1718, and took up a tract of two
hundred and forty acres of land in now East
Lampeter township, Lancaster county, Pa.,
where he lived and died. Of his children,
we have record of only one:
2. i. Benjamin, b. 1700.
II. Benjamin Landis (Benjamin), b. in
1700, in Switzerland ; came with his father
to America in 1718; m., and left issue :
3. i. Benjamin, b. 1728.
4. ii. Abraham, b. 1730.
5. Hi. Jacob, b. 1782.
6. iv. Henry, b. 1734.
III. Benjamin Landis (Benjamin, Benja-
min), b. 1728 ; removed to a farm near Lan-
caster in 1753 ; m., and had issue :
i. Benjamin, m., and had John, Benja-
min, and Jacob,
ii. Henry, m., and had Benjamin, Henry,
John, Isaac, and Jacob.
Hi. John, m., and had John, Benjamin,
and Henry.
IV. Abraham Landis (Benjamin, Benja-
min), m., and had issue:
i. Benjamin, m., and had John, Abra-
ham, Benjamin, and David,
ii. John, m., and had John, Abraham,
and Emanuel.
V. Jacob Landis (Benjamin, Benjamin),
m., and had issue:
i. John, m., and had Jacob, Jo)m, Abra-
ham, Benjamin, Christian, Martin,
David, and Daniel,
ii. Abraham, m.,and ha.d Jacob, Abraham,
Benjamin, John, and Adam.
VI. Henry Landis (Benjamin, Benjamin),
m., and had issue :
i. Benjamin, m., and had Daniel, Henry,
Benjamin, and John,
ii. John, m., and had Benjamin and John.
Hi. Henry, m., and had Daniel, Jacob,
Henry, and Isaac.
iv. Peter, m., and had David.
The Larue Family.
I. JoHAN George Larue, a native of
Switzerland, emigrated to America about
1740, and located in Lancaster county, Pa.
He left, among other children :
2. i. Jonas, b. August 4, 1709 ; m. Barbara
ii. George, d. January, 1770, and left
Isaac, Barbara, Elizabeth, and Mar-
garet.
Hi. Isaac, d. prior to 1770, leaving a son
Henry.
iv. Henry.
V. Peter, d. prior to 1762 ; his wife Eliza-
beth subsequently married John
Shertz. They had John, George,
and Catharine, who were under
fourteen in 1768.
II. Jonas Larue (Johan-George), b. Au-
gust 4, 1709, in Switzerland ; d. January 1,
1760, in Paxtang township, Lancaster, now
Dauphin county ; his wife Barbara ,
d. November 4,1785. They had issue :
i. Henry, b. September 24, 1739 ; d. Feb-
ruary 15, 1778.
ii. Catharina, b. December 31, 1740; m.
John Biisart ; removed to Hamil-
ton township, Franklin county. Pa.
Hi. Francis, b. March 2, 1744; d. Febru-
ary 18, 1795; unm.
3. iv. Anna-Maria (Mary), b. January 10,
1747 ; m. John Metzgar.
4. V. George, b. December 15, 1748; m.
Anna Maria Forshner.
vi. Elizabeth, b. February 19, 1754 ; m.
Rev. Frederick Illing, of Caernar-
von township, Lancaster county.
Pa.
5. vii. Margaretta, b. October 13, 1757 ; m.
Henry Boal, of Northumberland
county. Pa.
III. Anna Maria (Mary) Larue (Jonas,
Johan-George), b. January 10, 1747 ; d. No-
vember 20, 1826, at Middletown, Pa.; m.
John Metzgar, b. June 24, 1740 ; d. April 24,
1826, at Middletown, and with his wife
buried in the Lutheran graveyard. They
had issue (surname Metzgar):
i. John, b. September 13, 1766; d. May
10, 1820.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
129
ii. Elizabeth, b. October 14, 1767.
Hi. ^rma-Jlfana, b. September 20, 1768 ; d.
June 11, 1769.
iv. John-George, b. October 8, 1769.
V. Daniel, b. October 30, 1770 ; d. Au-
gust 28, 1807.
vl. Ludwig, b. March 21, 1772 ; d. Au-
gust 3, 1773.
vii. Anna-Maria, b. November 19, 1773 ;
d. April 19, 1850 ; m. Dr. Charles
Fisher, b. September 8, 1766; d.
May 8, 1808.
via. Jonas, b. September 29, 1775.
ix. Catharine, h. May 22, 1777 ; d. Decem-
ber 4, 1849 ;'m. Jacob Shertz, b.
February 20, 1772 ; d. May 27, 1 831.
X. Jacob, b. March 20, 1779 ; d. October
31, 1817.
xi. Rebecca, b. December 25, 1781.
xii. Charlotte, b. June 18, 1784.
xiii. Lydia, h. June 16, 1786.
xiv. Joseph, b. December 23, 1789 ; d. in
Harrisburg in 1854; the father of
Larue Metzgar, Esq., of this city.
IV. George Larue ( Jonas, Johan- George),
b. December 15,1748; d. April 11,1806; m„
March 27, 1778, Anna Maria Forshner, b.
May 16, 1757, in Switzerland ; arrived at
Philadelphia October 17, 1772 ; d. September
5,1789. They had issue:
i. Jnna,b. September 11,1779; m., first,
George F. Varnick ; secondly, John
Lemer.
ii. Barbara-Elizabeth, b. April 23, 1782 ;
m. Robert M. Dickey.
Hi. Anna-Maria, b. June 29, 1784.
iv. Anna-Catharine, b. July 5, 1789 ; d.
October 27, 1806, near Harrisburg.
V. Margaretta Larue (Jonas, Johan-
George), b. October 13, 1757; m. Henry
Boal, d. 1792, in Lower Paxtang township.
They had issue :
i. Michael, m. Anna .
ii. Catharine, m. Daniel Warrior.
Hi. Margaret, m. Michael Wolf, b. 1765;
d. November 25, 1847.
iv. John, d. 1819; m. Elizabeth ;
removed to Chillisquaque, North-
umberland county. Pa., where they
died. They had Elizabeth, m. Mat-
thew Laird ; Mary, m. John Resnor;
Sophia, m. Samuel Woods; Marga-
ret, and Nancy, m. J. Foster Wilson,
of Hartleton.
V. Henry, m. Rebecca ; removed
to West Buffalo, Northumberland
county, Pa.
vi. Medaline (Mary), m. Michael Gross, of
Middletown.
vii. Anna, m. Daniel Snyder; removed to
Botetourt county, Va.
via. Elizabeth, ra. Peter Snyder, of Wash-
ington county, Tenn.
ix. Veronica (Frany), m. Michael Kis-
singer.
X. John.
xi. Christiana.
The Leebrick Family.
I. John Philip Leebrick, b. in 1896 in
Manheim, Germany ; d. 1778, in Manheim,
Lancaster county. Pa. He emigrated to
America in the year 1750, locating in Lan-
caster county. Pa. His children were :
2. i. John-Philip-Nicholas, h. in 1748; m.
Catharine Franks.
ii. \_A dau.'], m. Daniel Bridigam.
Hi. Hannah, lu. Charles Wilsbach.
iv. \_A dau.'], m. John Newman.
II. John Philip Nicholas Leebrick
(John-Philip), b. 1748, in Manheim, Lan-
caster county. Pa.; d. February, 1788, in
Manheim. He m. Catharine Franks. They
had issue :
i. John, d. s. p.
ii. Catharine, d. s. p.
3. Hi. Philip, b. February 7, 1775 ; m. Mary
Gertrude Cassel.
iv. Elizabeth, m. Jacob Swentzell.
4. v. George, b. February 17, 1779; m.
Mary Mohr.
5. vi. Mary, m. Jacob Urben.
vii. Daniel, m. Elizabeth Peters.
6. via. Salome, b. December 14, 1787 ; m. Dr.
John Eberle.
III. Philip Leebrick (John-Philip-Nich-
olas, John-Philip), b. February 7, 1775, in
Manheim, Lancaster county. Pa.; d. Novem-
ber 30, 1827, at Hummelstown, Pa. He m.
Mary Gertrude Cassel, b. September 24, 1776,
in Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.;
d. March 23, 1860, at Hummelstown ; and
with her husband buried in the old Lutheran
church graveyard. They had issue :
{.Elizabeth, h. 1799; m. Joseph Hum-
mel.
ii. Rebecca, m., first, Daniel Byers; sec-
ondly. Gen. A. C. Harding; had
issue by both.
130
HISTORICAL REVIEW
in. Mary, untn.; resided at Hummels-
town.
iv. John, m. Matilda Fritchey ; removed
to Indiana.
V. George, m., first, Emily Goldsmith ;
secondly, Mrs. Elizabeth Woorall ;
resided at Quincy, 111.
TO. Ca^/ianne, m., first, Enoch Wade; sec-
ondly, Benjamin Woorall ; removed
to Burlington, Iowa.
vii. Samuel, m., first, Rachel Pierson ; sec-
ondly, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson.
via. Sarah, m. Elliott Scott; removed to
DeSoto, 111.
ix. Lucy-Ann, d. s. p.
IV. George LEEBRiCK(John-Philip-Nich-
olas, John-Philip), b. February 17, 1779, at
Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa.; d. March
12, 1847, at Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa.;
removed to Union county, where he was en-
gaged in tanning. In 1812 returned to Hal-
ifax, where he erected a tannery and built a
residence. He was engaged in this business
many years in connection with keeping a
general store. He was strictly upright and
conscientious in all his transactions and en-
joyed the confidence and respect of his neigh-
bors. Mr.Leebrick married, March 17, 1801,
by Rev. William Slyer, Mary Mohr, of
Youngwomanstown, now Mifflinburg, Union
county, Pa., b. December 17, 1777 ; d. March
12, 1849, at Halifax, and there buried. They
had issue:
7. i. Catharine, b. January 1, 1802 ; m.
William Parsons.
8. n. John-Philip, b. February 10, 1804 ;
m. Hannah Mary Parke.
Hi. Elizabeth, b. February 10, 1806 ; m.
Benjamin Parke.
iv. Sarah, b. April 26, 1808.
V. Mary, b. March 25, 1810.
vi. John, b. 1812; d. s. p.
vii. Hannah- Wilsbach, b. March 10, 1814.
via. George, h. March 24,1816; m. Henri-
etta Aston.
ix. William-Mohr, b. September 12, 1819 ;
d. at Davenport, Iowa.
V. Mary Leebrick (John-Philip-Nich-
olas, John-Philip), m. Jacob Urben. They
had issue (surname Urben) :
i. Catharine, d. February, 1879; m. John
Bowes.
ii. Ambrose, d. unm.
Hi. George- W., m. Mary Green ; resided at
Dauphin.
iv. Fanny, m. Colonel McFadden, of
Lewisburg, Pa.
V. Mary, m. Jacob Steel, of New Buffalo,
Perry county, Pa.
vi. John, m. Miss Wade.
VI. Salome Leebrick (John-Philip-Nich-
olas, John-Philip), b. December 14, 1787, at
Manheim, Lancaster county. Pa.; m., July 1,
1810, Dr. John Eberle. They hadissue(sur-
name Eberle) :
i. Richard, m. Miss Higbee.
ii. John, A. s. p.
Hi. Catharine, m. Mr. Bacon, of Dayton, 0.
iv. Augustus, m. Miss Taylor, of Kentucky.
V. Margaret, ra. 0. F. Mayonne.
TO. Lucretia, d. at' Halifax, Dauphin
county. Pa.; unm.
vii: Edward,
via. Charles.
VII. Catharine Leebrick (George, John-
Philip-Nicholas, John-Philip), b. January 1,
1802, at MifHinburg, Union county, Pa.; d.
June 24, 1871 ; m., October 26, 1826, William
Parsons, who d. March 23, 1842, at Halifax.
They had issue (surname Parsons) :
i. George- Leebrick.
ii. William-H., m. Ellen Singer.
Hi. John-Emery, m. Georgiana Parke, dau.
of Benjamin Parke and Elizabeth
Leebrick.
iv. James-Mohr, m. Mary Meek.
VIII. John Philip Leebrick (George,
John-Philip-Nicholas, John-Philip), b. Feb"
ruary 10, 1804, at MifHinburg, Union countv
Pa. ; d. April 24, 1862, at Halifax. Mr'"
Leebrick was an enterprising and leading
citizen of his adopted home. He built the
section of the Wiconisco canal at Halifax ;
was for many years director of the Harris-
burg Bank, and succeeded his father in the
mercantile trade. He m., February 17, 1831,
Hannah Mary Parke, b. July 25, 1804, in
Susquehanna county. Pa.; d. May 2, 1852, at
Halifax, Pa.; dau. of Thomas Parke and Eu-
nice Champlin. They had issue :
i. Ellen, d. s. p.
a. John-Eberle, d. s. p.
Hi. Louisa-Parke,
iv. Anna-Mary, d. s. p.
V. Henry- Clay, d. s. p.
vi. George-Thomm, m. Sarah Noblet, dau.
of Samuel Noblet and Susannah
Ettin.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
131
The Lehman Family.
I. Martin Lehman was born January 1,
1744, in Wiesbaden, Germany, coming to
America with his parents in 1746. The
latter located in Berks county. Pa., on a
tract of land north of Reading. Martin
learned the trade of a carpenter, and after
his marriage purchased some fifty acres near
where the town of Pinegrove, Schuylkill
county, is located. Here he built a log
cabin, cut out doors and windows and re-
moved there with his wife. The place was
surrounded by wild beasts, and during the
absence of Mr. Lehman, his wife would fre-
quently rise from her bed and shoot from a
rifle at the wolves to drive them away.
Deer and other game were plentiful and
supplied their table. Much of the time Mr.
Lehman was employed building cabins in
Lykens Valley.
The soil, however, not being very produc-
tive, in the year 1796 he removed to Lancas-
ter county on a farm belonging to James
Patterson who was then in his minority and
under the guardianship of his brother
Arthur. This farm lies on Little Chickies
creek one half a mile east of the town of
Mount Joy. Here he resided for a number
of years. Martin Lehman d. September 13,
1801. Frederica C, his wife, b. March 4,
1751 ; d. September 8, 1822 ; both buried in
Manheim, Lancaster county. Pa. Their chil-
dren were :
i. Catharine, h. November 23, 1773; d.
June 17, 1844; m. Jacob Hiestand,
b. November 12, 1767 ; d. June 27,
1 834 ; both buried in Mount Joy.
They had one daughter who be-
came the wife of Christian Heist-
and, whose farm lies adjoining
the village of Landisville, seven
miles west of the city of Lancaster,
on the pike to Harrisburg. Here
they resided long enough to raise a
family of ten children to mature
age. These children all remained
in that and the adjoining counties,
except John, the eldest, who went
to California and died there. Four
are dead, and six survive of the de-
scendants of Catharine.
n. Henry, b. December 19, 1775 ; d. June
13, 1847; m. Margaret Oberlin ;
both buried at Salem church, Salem
township, Wayne county, 0. They
had six children, to wit: Mary,
David, Catharine, Sarah, John, and
Elizabeth. Mary married George
Johns, and had two children, when
he died. Her second husband was
William Beck and they had four
children. She is now a widow.
Two of her sons are preachers of
the Gospel, and one lives in Ne-
vada. The second of Henry's chil-
dred, David, married Susan Bit-
ner, and their children were Sarah
Jacob, Christian, Elizabeth, Harriet,
Mary, David, Henry, Daniel, and
Simon. Henry's daughter Catha-
rine married Benjamin Brubaker,
and they had six sons and six
daughters, of whom only David
and Peter survive of the sons, and
of the daughters, Leah, Sarah, and
Fanny. Henry's daughter Sarah
married S. Zimmerman and they
had six sons and five daughters, of
whom only Jacob, David, Fanny,
Sarah, and Martha are living. The
fifth member of Henry's family
was John, who married Elizabeth
Storet. They had five sons and three
daughters, of whom John, Daniel,
and Catharine are dead — Joseph,
Henry, David, and Margaret surviv-
ing their parents. Henry's daughter
Elizabeth married David Switzer.
They raised a family of nine chil-
dren: Henry-R., Annie, John, Sarah,
Harriet, Mary-Ann, Elizabeth, Da-
vid, and Philena, all now living ex-
cept Mary-Ann.
Hi. Christian, b. May 28, 1778 ; d. August
9, 1847; m. Nancy ; buried
in Middletown, Dauphin county.
Pa. They had a large family, but
they nearly all died young, Henry-
R. and Martin only surviving their
parents.
iv. George, b. June 11, 1781 ; d. Septem-
ber 10, 1819; buried in Manheim,
Pa.; m. M. Stohler, b. August 19,
1787 ; d. December 19, 1881 ; buried
at Des Moines, Iowa. Their chil-
dren were : Henry, m. Miss Han-
nah ; removed to Philadelphia ; left
children : Louis, George, Alfred,
Caroline, Amanda, and Emma ;
Catharine, and Christianna.
V. Mary, b. March 25, 1784 ; d. Decem-
ber 16, 1860; buried at Salem
church ;2m. Adam Leister, d. April,
132
HISTORICAL REVIEW
1823; buried in old Lutheran grave-
yard, Middlelown, Pa. They had
issue (surname Leister) : Nancy, m.
Benjamin Leib, and they had issue
(surname Leib): Daniel, Adam,
"William, Samuel, Sarah, Eliza, and
Mary ; Christian, Martin, Henry,
and Fanny, m. Levi Strayer, and
they had (surname Strayer): Fanny,
Mary, Catharine, John, and Sam-
uel ; Abraham, and Catharine.
vi. Martin, b. August 8, 1787 ; d. April
14, 1863; m. Martin, b.
January 24, 1789 ; d. October 25,
1861 ; buried in Napiersville, Du-
page county. 111.; they had issue :
John, Henry, d. s. p., Daniel, Fanny,
resided in Clarion county. Pa.,
Catharine, Martha, resided in Lan-
caster county, Catharine, resided in
Progress, Dauphin county, and
Eliza, d. s. p.
vii. John, b. August 14, 1790 ; d. July 14,
1886; m., first, Christina Smith, b.
January 24, 1790; d. July 13,1823;
buried atWooster, 0.; m., secondly,
Nancy , b. May 25, 1802 ; d.
August 28, 1867 ; buried at Salem
church, Wayne county, 0. By his
first wife John Lehman had one
son and three daughters. By his
second marriage there were twelve
children. Of all this number the
following survived their father :
Benjamin, the eldest, in 1886 resid-
ing in Vendura county, Cal., aged
71 ; Cyrus-E., the youngest, residing
in San Bernardino, Cal., aged 40 ;
John-H, residing in St. Clair
county. 111.; Martin-B., residing in
St. Clair county. 111.; Ephraim,
George, Maria, m. Albert Miller —
these reside in Wayne county, 0. ;
Sarah, ra. Mr. Trome, lives in
Wooster, 0.; Caroline, m. Dr. Poltz,
resides in Akron, 0.
ii. Frederick, b. 1734.
iii. Jacob, b. 1736.
iv. Martin, b. 1738 ; m. Elizabeth -
The Lingle Family.
I. Paul Lingle, a native of Switzerland,
of Huguenot ancestry, was born about 1709 ;
emigrated to America, and settled in Tulpe-
hocken township, Berks county. Pa., where
he died about the first of June, 1786, leaving
a wife Catharine, and children as follows :
I'John, b. 1732.
resided in Paxtang in 1789.
V. Nicholas, h. 1740.
2. vi. Thomas, b. 1742 ; m. Anna Mary
vii. Mary, b. 1744 ; m. Jacob Sholl.
via. Conrad, b. 1746.
ix. Stephen, h. 1748.
3. X. Simon, b. 1750 ; m., and left issue.
xi. Casper, b. 1753.
II. Thomas Lingle (Paul), b. -1750, in
Tulpehocken township, Berks county, Pa.;
d. in November, 1811, at Linglestown ; m..
Anna Mary , b. about 1753, in Tulpe-
hocken township, Berks county. Pa.; d. at
Linglestown. They had issue:
4. i. Paul, b. January 24, 1775 ; m. Mary
Spohn.
5. ii. John, b. 1778 ; m. Barbara .
6. iii. David, b. December 29, 1781 ; m.
Sarah Light.
iv. Leonard, b. 1783.
V. Anna-Mary (Maria), b. 1785 ; m., No-
vember 29, 1813, Thomas Wenrick.
vi. Christina, b. 1787.
vii. Simon, b. 1789 ; m., March 7, 1811,
Susanna Steener.
via. Joseph, b. 1791.
7. ix. Thomas, h. 1793 ; m. Susanna Hinkel.
X. Elizabeth, b. 1795 ; m. John Smith.
III. Simon Lingle (Paul), b. about 1750
in Tulpehocken township, Berks county. Pa.;
d. in 1805 ; m., and had issue :
8. i. Jacob, b. 1788 ; m., and left issue.
a. Thomas, b. 1790.
iii. John, b. 1792.
iv. Samuel, b. 1794.
V. Daniel, b. 1796.
vi. Mary, b. 1798.
vii. Betsy, b. 1800.
via. Catharine, b. 1802.
ix. David, b. 1804.
IV. Paul Lingle (Thomas, Paul), b. Jan-
uary 24, 1775, in Dauphin county, Pa.; d.
February 1, 1856, in Centre county. Pa.; m.,
January 8, 1800, Mary Spohn, b. March 31,
1781, in Dauphin county, Pa.; d. October 14,
1863, in Centre county. Pa.; daughter of Got-
leib Spohn. They had issue :
i. Mary, b. November 26, 1800 ; m., in
1823, Samuel McNitt, of Mifflin
county, Pa.
a. John, b. May 16, 1802 ; m. Sarah Mil-
ler ; removed to Ohio.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
133
Hi. Catharine, b. March 28, 1804 ; d. No-
vember 16, 1804.
iv. Simon, b. December 22, 1805 ; m.
Susannah Kuhnes ; resided in Cen-
tre county, Pa.
V. Thomas, b. October 21, 1807 ; m., and
in 1832 removed to Ohio, where he
now resides.
vi. Jane, b. July 8, 1809 ; m. John Baker;
removed to Ohio.
vii. Joseph-J., h. March 2, 1811 ; m., and
removed to Centre county, Pa.,
where he was sheriff from 1851 to
1854 ; resided at Bellefonte.
viii. David, b. December 18, 1812 ; m., and
removed to Iowa.
V. John Lingle (Thomas, Paul), d. in
November, 1823 ; leaving a wife Barbara,
and issue as follows :
i. Sarah,
a. Daniel.
Hi. Levi,
iv. John.
VI. David Lingle (Thomas, Paul), b.
December 29, 1781, in Paxtang township;
d. March 13, 1849, at Harrisburg, Pa. ; m.
Sarah Light, b. May 13, 1792, in Paxtang
township ; d. March 1, 1869, at Rock Island,
111. ; daughter of John Light. They had
issue, all born at Harrisburg :
i. Sarah, m. Samuel Berry and left
issue.
a. Joseph, m., first, Ellen Horner, of
Philadelphia ; secondly,
Garverich ; thirdly, Sarah Steel.
Hi. Mary, d. unm.
iv. John-Light, m., first, Sarah Forney,
of Lancaster; secondly, Rebecca
Prowell.
V. Rebecca, d. s. p.
vi. David, d. 1878, at Chicago, 111. ; m.
Regina Bowman, daughter of Sam-
uel Bowman, of Cumberland.
VII. Thomas Lingle (Thomas, Paul), d.
November, 1821 ; m., May 24, 1814, Susanna
Hinkel (who in 1831 was the wife of Peter
Houies). They had issue :
i. John, residing in Philadelphia.
a. Thomas.
Hi. Mary, m. Joseph Light, of Swatara.
iv. Joseph, b. 1810, of Philadelphia.
V. William, b. 1812.
vi. Simon, b. 1814.
vii. Isaac, b. 1820; d. s. p.
VIII. Jacob Lingle (Simon, Thomas,
Paul), b. in 1788 ; d. July 20, 1847 ; m.,
and had issue :
i. Benjamin.
ii. Barbara, m. William Ewing.
Hi. Catharine.
iv. Eve.
V. Anna.
vi. David.
ix. Elizabeth, b. January 25, 1815 ; m.
Amos V. Patten ; settled in Mich-
igan.
X. WUliam, b. March 8, 1817 ; m. and
removed to Ohio, where he died
some twenty years ago.
xi. Ann-M., b. March 4, 1819; m. Will-
iam Williams, of Clinton county,
Pa.
xii. Alexander, b. February 29, 1821 ; m.,
and resided at Halifax.
xiii. George-W., b. April 6, 1823 ; m., and
resided near Beech Creek, Clinton
county. Pa.
xiv. James, b. November 9, 1825 ; - m., and
resided near Milesburg, Centre
county. Pa.
McCluees op Paxtang and Hanovee.
I. Richard McClure, an emigrant from
the north of Ireland, settled prior to 1730 in
Paxtang township, then Lancaster county,
Province of Pennsylvania, where he took up
a tract of six hundred acres of land. Of his
children, all born in Ireland, we have the
following :
2. i. Thomas.
3. ii. Charles.
4. Hi. John.
5. iv. Richard.
II. Thomas McClure, son of Richard
McClure, b. in north of Ireland ; d. in 1765,
in Paxtang, whence he emigrated ; m. Mary
-, who d. April, 1773, 'in Hanover.
They had issue :
i. John, m. Mary
, in 1773. They
resided in Mt. Pleasant township,
York county, Pa.
ii. William.
Hi. Mary, m., February 6, 1759, Joseph
Sherer.
iv. Martha, m. Andrew Wilson.
V. Jean, m. James Burney.
vi. Thomas, m. Mary Harvey.
III. Charles McClure (Richard), b. prior
to 1761, leaving a wife Eleanor, and chil-
dren as follows :
134
HISTORICAL REVIEW
i. Arthv/r.
ii. Rebecca,
ill. Jennett.
iv. William.
V. John,
vi. Martha,
vii. Eleanor,
via. Charles,
ix. Margaret.
IV. John McClure (Richard), b. in 1762,
in Hanover; m. Margery . They
had issue :
i. James, b. 1733 ; d. November 14, 1805,
in Hanover ; m. Mary Espy.
ii. William.
Hi. Jane, m. William Waugh.
iv. Ann.
v. Richard McClure (Richard), m., and
left issue :
i. Alexander, m. Martha .
7. ii. William, m. Margaret Wright.
8. Hi. Jonathan, m. Sarah Hays.
iv Andrew, m. Margaret .
V. Roan, removed to White Deer Valley,
Northumberland county; d. Octo-
ber 8, 1833 ; m. Hannah ,
d. August 20, 1828.
vi. Margaret, m., September 7, 1757, John
Steel.
vii. David, m. Margaret Lecky.
viii. Katharine, m. Robert Fruit.
VI. Thomas McClure (Thomas, Richard),
d. January, 1778, in Hanover ; m., in 1761,
Mary Harvey. They had issue :
i. William, m. Agnes Lewis.
ii. Thomas.
Hi. Martha, m. Andrew Wilson, and had
Martha,
iv. Mary, m. James George.
V. Sarah, m. Daniel McGuire.
vi. Jean, m. Samuel Moor.
VII. William McClure (Richard, Rich-
ard), d. April, 1785, in Paxtang ; m. Marga-
ret Wright, daughter of Robert Wright.
They had issue :
i. Robert, b. December 18, 1763 ; m-
Priscilla .
ii. Rebecca, m. Peter Sturgeon.
Hi. Mary, m. Samuel Russell.
iv. Sarah, m. David Riddle, of York
county, Pa.
V. Margaret, m. James Crain.
vi. Jean, b. 1788 ; d. December 21, 1876,
in Buffalo Valley.
VIII. Jonathan McClure (Richard,
Richard), b. 1745, in Paxtang ; d. December
11, 1799; m., November 10, 1768, Sarah
Hays, of Derry. They had issue :
i. Roan, removed to Buffalo Valley.
ii. Mary.
Hi. Matthew,
iv. Jonathan.
V. Sarah.
A Mitchell Family.
I. Joseph Mitchell, b. October 22, 1783 ;
d. February 12, 1832 ; m.. May 5, 1808, Eliza-
beth Zearing,* b. December 13, 1789, at Leba-
non ; d. June 4, 1859, at Harrisburg, and
with her husband there buried. They had
issue :
i. Joseph, b. April 10, 1809 ; d. s. p.
2. ii. Susan, b. September 5, 1810; m. Moses
Sullivan.
3. Hi. John, b. July 31, 1813 ; m. Julia Light-
ner.
4. iv. William, h. September 17, 1814; m.
Angelica Ehrman.
5. V. Henry- Zearing, b. November 30, 1816;
m. Elizabeth Cannon.
6. vi. Mary- Elizabeth, b. December 15, 1818 ;
m. Andrew Gams.
7. vii. Rev. James, b. February 18, 1822 ; m.
Mary A. Allen.
8. viii. Lewis- Zearing, b. December 12, 1824 ;
m. Anna McBride.
II. Susan Mitchell (Joseph), b. Septem-
* Elizabeth Zearing was the daughter of Henry
Zearing (1760-1798) and Maria Elizabeth Rupp
(1762-1836). They resided near Jonestown. They
had children :
i. Henry, b. September 26, 1783; d. February
21, 1830; m. Margaret Ely, b. March 1,
1781 ; d. July 28, 1865.
ii. Jonas, b. May 4, 1785 ; d. December 20, 1831 ;
m. Anna Barbara Evers, b. in 1795 ; d.
September 26, 1860.
Hi. Lewis, h. January 15, 1787 ; d. May 8, 1845 ;
m. Elizabeth Bobb, b. January 10, 1792 ;
d. March 24, 1809.
iv. Elizabeth, b. December 13, 1789 ; d. June 4,
1869 ; m. Joseph Mitchell, b. October 22,
1783 ; d. February 12, 1832.
V. Jacob, b. November 6, 1790 ; m. Susan Peter-
man, b. March 27, 1789 ; d. March 7, 1836.
vi. John, b. September 20. 1792 ; d. October 5,
1846 ; m. Margaret Herman, b. August 28,
1793 ; d. October 17, 1859.
vii. Martin, b. July 4, 1794 ; d. July 24, 1855 ; m.
Sarah Shafer, b. May 9, 1797 ; d. Febru-
ary 4, 1869.
viii. David, b. May 7, 1796 ; d. s. p.
ix. Anna-Maria (posthumous), b. March 17,
1798 ; d. s. p.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
135
ber 5, 1810, in Dauphin county, Pa.; m.
Moses Sullivan, b. October 9, 1786 ; d. May
29, 1839, at Butler; son of Charles Sullivan,
of Butler, Pa. Mr. Sullivan edited a news-
paper at Butler, was a member of the Penn-
sylvania House of Representatives three
years and of the Senate eight years; and
from 1835 to 1838 canal commissioner under
the administration of Governor Ritner. They
had issue (surname Sullivan):
i. Aaroi\ lieutenant of Ninth regiment,
Pennsylvania cavalry, and died
from wounds received in battle.
ii. Mary.
Hi. Moses, d. s. p.
III. John Mitchell (Joseph), b. July 31,
1813, in Dauphin county, Pa.; m. Julia
Lightner, b. September 3, 1826, daughter of
Isaac Lightner. They had issue :
i. William,
ii. Louisa, d. s. p.
Hi. Mary- A.
iv. Melvina, m. Carl L. Shulten.
V. Morrison.
IV. William Mitchell (Joseph), b. Sep-
tember 17, 1814, at Harrisburg, Pa.; d. De-
cember 16, 1884, at Harrisburg, Pa., and
there buried ; m. Angelica Ehrman, daughter
of Christian Ehrman and Mary F. Etzler.
They had issue :
i. Mary-Augusta, m. Rev. Solomon Hub-
bard Hoover.
ii. William-Sullivan, d. s. p.
Hi. Ehrman- Buckman, h. April 11, 1854 ;
graduated from Dickinson College
in 1874 ; admitted to the Dauphin
county bar in 1875 ; was elected
prothonotary of Dauphin county
in 1879 and re-elected in 1882 ; is
now in the active practice of his
profession.
iv. Samuel- Morton, d. s. p.
V. Henry Zearing Mitchell (Joseph),
b. November 30, 1816 ; m. Elizabeth Cannon,
of Pittsburgh, Pa. They had issue:
i. William-Bell,
ii. Mary- Cannon.
Hi. James-Swisshelm.
iv. Jenny-Gray.
V. Charles-Sumner.
VI. Mary Elizabeth Mitchell (Joseph),
b. December 15, 1818; m. Andrew Cams,
b. February 21, 1814; d. December 27, 1865,
in Mercer county. 111. They had issue (sur-
name Cams):
i. Henry-Mitchell, d. s. p.
ii. John-Crawford, d. s. p. ■
Hi. Andrew, m. Harriet Walker.
VII. James Mitchell (Joseph), b. Febru-
ary 18, 1822; a minister in the M. E.
Church; m. Mary A. Allen, daughter of
Seth Harding Allen and Elizabeth Vanhorn.
They had issue:
i. G.-W.-I/ybrand.
ii. Edwin- Waterman.
Hi. Ida- Allen,
iv. Laura-Reamy.
V. Sarah- Oeiger.
VIII. Lewis Zearing Mitchell (Joseph),
b. September 12, 1824 ; an attorney-at-law ;
member of the Constitutional Convention of
1873. from Butler county; m. Anna Mc-
Bride, of Butler. They had issue :
i. Mary- Elizabeth.
H. Sarah-Jane.
Hi. Joseph.
iv. Lewis-Heiner.
V. George, d. s. p.
, vi. Frank, d. s. p.
vii. Henry- Zearing, d. s. p.
viii. Paul.
ix. William, d. s. p.
X. Aaron, d. s. p.
Hi.
'A dau.\
iv.
'A dau.[
V.
[A dau.'
The Nissley Family.
I. Jacob Nissley, the original settler of
the family, emigrated to America from the
Palatinate, Germany, at an early date, locat-
ing in now Mt. Joy township, Lancaster
county. Pa. He had issue :
2. i. John, m. a Seegrist.
3. ii. Martin, ra., first, a Snyder; secondly,
a Stauffer.
m. a Buhrman.
m. a Ebersole.
m. a Stewart.
II. John Nissley (Jacob), m., and had
issue :
i. Michael, b. 1742.
ii. Abraham, b. 1744.
Hi. Rev. John, b. 1746 ; m. a Hertzler.
5. iv. Jacob, h. 1748.
V. Fanny, b. 1759 ; m., first, a Frantz ;
secondly, a Lang ; thirdly, a Hiest-
and ; d. 1813.
6. vi. Rev. Samuel, b. 1761 ; m., first, Bar-
bara Kreider ; secondly, Anna
(Mumma) Kreider ; thirdly, Maria
(Long) Hohn.
136
HISTORICAL REVIEW
vii. Martin, b. 1763 ; m. a Lehman.
III. Martin Nissley (Jacob), of Mt. Joy,
was twice married ; first, to a Snyder ;
secondly, to a Stauffer. There was issue:
7. i. Martin, b. 1747 ; d. 1799 ; m. Barbara
Reist.
a. John, b. 1750 ; d. 1819 ; m., first, Ger-
trude Shearer ; secondly, Eliza Neff.
Hi. Anna, b. 1752 ; d. 1817 ; m. Abraham
Stauffer, of Fayette county. Pa.
iv. Fanny, b. 1756; d. 1840; m. J. Shal-
lenberger, of Ohio.
V. Christian, b. 1759 ; d. 1822 ; m., first,
a Stauffer; secondly, Catharine
Bossier.
vi. Barbara, m. a Shelly.
vii. Maria, b. 1763 ; d. 1811 ; m. Christian
Musser.
IV. Rev. John Nissley (John, Jacob), b.
1746 in Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county,
Pa.; d. in 1825, in Paxtang, Dauphin county.
Pa. He m. Barbara Hertzler; and they had
issue :
i. John, m. an Ober.
8. a. Martin, b. 1786 ; d. 1868 ; m. Veronifea
Landis.
Hi. Maria, m., first, a Frantz; secondly,
Rudolph Martin.
9. iv. Jacob, m., first, a Nissley ; secondly,
Catharine Eagly.
V. Jacob Nissley (John, Jacob), b. 1748,
in Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county. Pa.;
d. February, 1804, in Dauphin county. Pa.;
m. Elizabeth . They had issue :
10. i. Martin, m. a Kreider.
a. Maria, b. 1784 ; m. a Bear.
Hi. Fanny, b. 1789 ; m., April 11, 1809,
Christian Mumma.
iv. Elizabeth, b. 1794; m., first, a Long;
secondly, a Hershey.
VI. Rev. Samuel Nissley (John, Jacob),
b. 1761 ; d. August, 1838 ; m., first, Barbara
Kreider. They had issue :
11. i. John, b. December 9, 1786, in Rapho
township, Lancaster county. Pa.;
m. Anna Hershey.
12. a. Ifortm, b. November 6, 1788 ; m. Anna
Bomberger.
13. Hi. Samuel, b. June 24, 1792 ; ra. Anna
Eby.
14. iv. Rev. Christian, b. October 20, 1794 ;
m. Magdalena Bomberger.
Rev. Samuel Nissley m., secondly, Anna
(Mumma) Kreider. They had issue :
V. Fanny (Veronica), b. in 1798 ; m.
Jonas Eby.
vi. Jacob, b. December 11, 1800, of Sport-
ing Hill, Lancaster county, Pa.; m.
Barbara Witmer.
vii. Henry, b. in 1805; d. May, 1841; m.
Mary Nissley.
Rev. Samuel Nissley m., thirdly, Maria
(Long) Hohn ; no issue.
VII. Martin Nissley, Jr. (Martin, Ja-
cob), of Mount Joy township, Lancaster
county. Pa.; b. 1747; d. 1799; m. Barbara
Reist. They had issue :
i. Anna, b. 1774 ; d. 1856 ; m. Jacob
Staufi'er.
15. ii. Rev. Christian, b. 1777 ; d. 1831 ; m.
Maria Kreybill.
Hi. Barbara, b. 1780; d. 1799.
m Rev. Martin, b. 1784; d. 1834; m.
Anna Witmer.
V. Peter, b. 1787 ; d. 1799.
vi. Veronica, b. 1792 ; d. 1799.
VIII. Martin Nissley (John, John, Ja-
cob), of Middletown, b. 1786; d. 1868; m.
Veronica Landis. They had issue :
i. Nancy, b. 1808 ; d. 1841.
ii. John, b. 1810 ; m. a Heiges.
Hi. Martin, b. 1812..
iv. Felix, h.lSlA; d. January, 1864; m.
Mary .
V. Mary, b. 1816 ; d. 1847.
vi. Fanny, b. 1820.
vii. Isaac, b. 1822.
via. Solomon, b. 1825.
ix. Jacob, h. 1828.
X. Joseph- Herman, b. 1831.
IX. Jacob Nissley (John, John, Jacob),
d. December, 1829, in Swatara township ;
was twice married ; m., secondly, Catharine
Eagly, daughter of Abraham and Susanna
Eagly. They had issue :
16. i. Jacob, m. Barbara Hoffman.
H. Barbara, m. a Suavely ; d. s. p.
Hi. Martin, m. Mary Hoffman.
iv. Susanna, m. Michael Barnhard.
v. Abraham., m., and removed to Indiana.
X. Martin Nissley (Jacob, John, Jacob),
of Paxtang; m. a Kreider. They had issue :
i. John, d. May, 1832 ; m. a Roop.
ii. Samuel, m. Nancy Wissler.
Hi. Maria, m. a Heiges.
iv. Catharine, m. an Overholt.
XL John Nissley (Samuel, John, Jacob),
of Rapho township, Lancaster county, b. De-
cember 9, 1786 ; m. Anna Hershey. They
had issue :
i. Elizabeth, b. 1808; m. C. Newcomer.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
137
ii. Nancy, b. 1810 ; d. 1866; m. Levi Eby.
in. Fanny, h. 1812 ; m. C. Nolt.
iv. John, b. 1819 ; m. Barbara Gerber.
V. Catharine, b. 1827 ; m. John Musser.
vi. Sarah, h. 1829 ; d. 1843.
XII. Martin Nissley (Samuel, John,
Jacob), of Rapho, b. November 6, 1788; m.,
in 1810, Anna Bomberger, b. February 28,
1791. They had issue :
i. Magdalena, b. June 25, 1814 ; m. Lem.
Brubaker.
ii. Barbara', b. February 11, 1818 ; d.
May 13, 1868 ; m. Joseph Witmer
Nissley.
Hi. Nancy (Anna), b. August 22, 1819 ; d.
1845; m. Emanuel Cassel.
iv.^Fanny, b. December 8, 1821 ; m. Jacob
Witmer Snyder.
V. Maria, b. June 17, 1824; m. Benjamin
Musser.
XIII. Samuel Nissley (Samuel, John,
Jacob), of Rapho, b. January 24, 1792 ; m.
Anna Eby. They had issue :
«'. -Hem-?/, b. 1814; d. 1851; m. Ann Hos-
tetter.
ii. Fanny, b. 1816 ; m. Samuel Snyder.
Hi. Christian, b. 1818 ; m. Fanny Brenne-
man.
iv. Samuel, h. 1818; m., first. Anna Long;
secondly, Maria Hershey.
V. Jonas, b. 1821 ; d. 1848.
vi. Benjamin, h. 1823 ; m. Susan Stauffer.
vii. Catharine,
via. David, m. a Rutt.
XIV. Rev. Christian Nissley (Samuel,
John, Jacob), of Chiques, b. October 20, 1794;
m. Magdalena Bomberger. They had issue:
i. Samuel, h. 1817:, d. 1824.
ii. Joseph, b. 1821 ; m. Martha Sherch.
Hi. Christian, b. 1825 ; d. 1844.
iv. Martin-B., b. 1829.
V. Martha, m. Andrew Gerber.
XV. Rev. Christian Nissley (Martin,
Jacob), b. 1777, in Mount Joy township, Lan-
caster county. Pa.; d. 1831; m. Maria Krey-
bill. They had issue :
17. i. John, b. 1800 ; m. Barbara Snyder.
18. ii. Rev. Peter, b. 1802; m., first, a Wit-
mer ; secondly, a Kreider ; thirdly,
a Sherch.
19. Hi. Jacob, b. 1808 ; d. 1862 ; m. Elizabeth
Kreybill.
iv. Barbara, b. 1812 ; d. s. p.
XVI. Jacob Nissley (Jacob, John, John, •
Jacob), m. Barbara Hoffman, and removed
to Crawford county, Pa. They had issue :
i. Mary-Ann, m. William Stough, of
Erie.
ii. Christian-Joseph.
Hi. Jacob-Hoffman, d. s. p.
iv. John-K., m. and removed to Iowa.
V. Frances, ni. George Spitler.
vi. Amanda-Elizabeth, m. Abraham
Henry.
vii. Clara, m. David Espy.
via. William- 0.
XVII. John Nissley (Christian, Martin,
Jacob), b. 1800 ; m. Barbara Snyder. They
had issue :
i. Henry-S., m. Anna B. Reist.
ii. Mary-S., m. Martin W. Nissley.
Hi. Fanny-S., m. C. K. Hostetter.
iv. Christian-S., m. Mary N. Eby.
V. Sarah-S.
vi. John-E., m. Sarah N. Eby.
vii. Barbara-8., m. Samuel S. Garver.
XVIII. Rev. Peter Nissley (Christian,
Martin, Jacob), b. 1802 ; was thrice married,
first, to a Witmer ; secondly, to a Kreider ;
thirdly, to a Sherch ; and there was issue :
i. Mary-K., m. Solomon L. Swartz.
ii. Esther-K., d. s. p.
Hi. John-K., m. Maria B. Reist.
iv. Leah-K., m. David L. Miller.
V. Christlan-K., d. s. p.
TO. Barbar'a-K., m. C. F. Hostetter.
vii. Catharine-K., d. s. p.
via. Anna-K., d. s. p.
XIX. Jacob Nissley (Christian, Martin,
Jacob), b. 1808; d. 1862, in Mount Joy town-
ship, Lancaster county, Pa.; m. Elizabeth
Kreybill. They had issue :
i. Christian, d. s. p.
ii. Jacob-K., m. Anna Rissor.
Hi. Martha, m. Elias Eby.
iv. Amos, d. s. p.
V. Barbara, m. Jonas E. Hostetter.
vi. Mary, d. s. p.
vH. Catharine, m. Michael H. Engle.
viii. Elizabeth, m. David Rutt.
ix. Anna, m. Jacob Good.
X. Samuel, d. s. p.
xi. Rebecca, m. Jacob Mumma.
xH. Simm-K.
Owing to the constant repetition of the
baptismal or christian names in this, as well
as other families, it is a difficult matter to
dovetail them. For instance, the following
138
HISTORICAL REVIEW
which is difficult to connect with the pre-
ceding :
Abraham Nissley, d. 1823 ; removed from
Conoy to Frankhn county, Pa., in 1800; m.,
and had issue :
i. Elizabeth, m. Samuel Ott.
ii. Jacob, m. Susan Rutt.
iii. Mary, m. Jacob Leidig.
iv. Herman, m. Eliza Witmer.
V. Joseph, m. Sarah Schwartz.
vi. Fanny, b. 1800 ; d. 1838 ; m. Abraham
Metz.
Renick of Paxtang.
I. Thomas Renick, a native of Ireland,
came with his family to America in 1733.
On the 27th of March, 1738, he took out a
warrant for 326 acres in Paxtang township,
where he had first settled. This land ad-
joined lands of William Ritchey and Thomas
Mayes. Of his family we have the record
only of one son.
II. William Renick (Thomas), b. about
1740 in Ireland ; d. prior to 1763, in Pax-
tang, for on the 5th of January that year his
estate was divided ; and the children sever-
ally released their claims against the estate
of their father to their brother Henry. The
family at that date were :
3. i. Henry, b. 1725 ; m. Martha Wilson.
4. ii. Thomas, b. 1730 ; m. Jean .
iii. Margaret, b. 1733 ; resided in Cum-
.berland county. Pa.
iv. Alexander, b. 1736; resided in Cum-
berland county. Pa.
V. Samuel, b. 1738 ; resided in Cumber-
land county, Pa.; m., and had a
son William.
vi. William, h. 1740 ; resided in Frederick
county, Md.; m., and had a son
William.
vii. James, b. 1742 ; resided in Trenton,
West Jersey.
III. Henry Renick (William, Thomas),
b. December 2, 1725, in the north of Ireland ;
m., in 1750, Martha Wilson. They had
issue:
i. William, b. Monday, October 6, 1749 ;
d. March, 1776.
ii. Sarah, b. Tuesday, October 15, 1751 ;
d. March 12, 1823 ; m. John Wil-
son, b. 1750; d. November 11, 1800.
iii. Mary, b. Saturday, August 24, 1754.
iv. Martha, b. Saturday, November 30,
1755; m. William Swan.
V. Esther, b. August 31, 1758 ; m., De-
cember 14, 1784, Robert Foster, b.
1758; d. January 20, 1834, in Buf-
falo Valley, and left issue.
vi. Margaret, b. September 12, 1760 ; d. s. p.
IV. Thomas Renick (William, Thomas),
b. about 1730 in the north of Ireland ; d. in
April, 1777, in Paxtang; m. Jean Clark,
daughter of Robert and Jean Clark, of Upper
Paxtang; d. in May, 1782. They had issue:
i. Mary, m. Hugh Miller.
ii. Jean, m. Thomas Brunson.
iii. John, d. May, 1784 ; unm.; directing
his estate to be divided between his
four sisters and his cousin, Esther
Renick.
iv. Margaret,
v. Ann, m. Robert Boyd.
The Sawyer Family.
I. William Sawyer, a native of Ireland,
settled on the Kennebec, in Maine, in the
fall of 1717. Whether his father ever came
to Pennsylvania is doubtful, but Will-
iam located in Lancaster county, Derry town-
ship, prior to 1735. He was born in 1703
and died October 18, 1784. In old Derry
church graveyard is this inscription :
In memory of \ William Saw- | yer, who
de- 1 parted this Life | Odo'r the 18 1784- \ in
the 81st year \ of his age.
His wife Sophia (maiden name not
known), b. in 1705 ; d. September 9, 1788,
and is buried by his side. They had issue,
all b. in Derry township, among others :
2. i. John, b. 1729; m. Jean Allen.
ii. Hannah, b. April 21, 1731 ; d. October
26, 1806 ; m. John Logan, b. 1729 ;
d. February 21, 1788; and there
was issue (surname Logan) :
1. Thomas.
2. William.
3. John.
4. Margaret,- m. a Willson.
5. Mary, m. Samuel McCleery.
iii. James, b. 1733.
3. iv. Benjamin, b. 1735 ; m. Margaret
V. Thomxis, b. 1737 ; m., March 30, 1762,
Margaret McCallen.
vi. \_A daw.], m. William Duncan and
had William,.
4. vii. William,, b. 1741 ; m. Jean Willson.
II. John Sawyer (William), b. 1729 ; d.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
139
1812 ; m., October 27, 1757, Jean Allen, b.
1736 ; dau. of William and Elizabeth Allen,
of Hanover. They had issue :
i. Joseph, b. 1758 ; m. Elizabeth ;
removed to Preble county, Ohio,
and died there.
ii. John, m. Mary Bell, of Hanover.
iii. William,
iv. Jane, b. 1764; d. November 29,1803;
m. Robert Geddes.
V. Elizabeth, m. John Boal.
vi. Sophia.
There were other daughters. One mar-
ried James Johnston, removed in 1727 to
Fountain county, Ind.,and died there. One
m. John McCord, and removed in 1827 to
Preble county, Ohio. One m. John Allen,
and another William Sawyer, a cousin.
Concerning the latter, we have the follow-
ing information :
Some years after their marriage William
Sawyer and his wife became thoroughly con-
vinced that their marriage was wrong and
agreed finally to separate. Accordingly their
farm was sold and the proceeds divided.
Both loved each other dearly, and when the
time came for separation the ordeal was a se-
vere one. After embracing his wife he would
go a short distance, then return, and so con-
tinued for some time, when at last, amid
tears, he passed out of view. William Saw-
yer went to the then far West, engaged in
boating on the Ohio, and was subsequently
drowned in the Kanawha river while taking
down a boat load of salt. The widow of
William Sawyer married Joseph Clokey, who
left Ireland at the time of the Rebellion of
'98, immediately after the battle of Belany-
Hinch. " I was quite a boy," wrote the late
Samuel Barnett, of Springfield, in 1867, " at
the time, but remember hearing all about
the case. He escaped almost by miracle to
this country." Mr. Clokey's daughter Eliza
came subsequently to this country. She mar-
ried a Mr. Hughes, near Canonsburg, Pa.,
and deceased there, leaving two or three chil-
dreu. Mrs. Clokey was a cousin of my
mother's. She had by this second marriage
two sons and one daughter. The daughter
married Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Canonsburg,
and died about 1866. Mr. Clokey removed
from where he lived, near Hanover church,
to Canonsburg, about 1813 or 1814. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Clokey deceased there a number
of years ago. Their son, John Clokey, mar-
ried and had a family. His widow resides
in Springfield, Ohio. Joseph Clokey, the
other son, took a college course at Canons-
burg, studied theology, joined the Associate
Reformed Church at the time the union was
consummated between the Associate and the
Associate Reformed Church, now the United
Presbyterian Church. He afterwards became
professor of pastoral theology in the United
Theological Seminary at Xenia, Ohio. He
has been twice married. His first wife was a
Patterson, by whom he had a son and daugh-
ter. The former died at Springfield, Ohio ;
the daughter married a Mr. Henry, and re-
moved to Illinois. Dr. Clokey married, sec-
ondly, a Mrs. Waddell, from near Wheeling,
by whom he had three sons and two daugh-
ters. One son is preaching at Steubenville,
Ohio ; another at Indianapolis, and the third
is a lawyer." The Rev. Dr. Clokey was the
oldest minister in Springfield at the time this
letter of Mr. Barnett's was written and con-
sidered an able divine.
III. Benjamin Sawyer (William), b-
about 1735 in Derry township, then Lancas^
ter, now Londonderry township, Dauphin
county. Pa.; d. February 5, 1792. He mar-
ried Margaret , b. 1737 ; d. 1796 ; and
they had issue :
i. Thomas, m., and had William, Jr., m.
Mary .
ii. William,
iii. James,
iv. Hannah.
IV. William Sawyer (William)>b. about
1741, in Derry township, Lancaster county,
now Londonderry township, Dauphin
county ; d. August 20, 1785. He m., Octo-
ber 1, 1761, by Rev. John Roan, Jean Will-
son. After Mr. Sawyer's death she married
David Miskimmins. They had issue :
- i. Mary, m. William Grain.
ii. Margaret, m. Archibald Boyd.
iii. Joseph, b. 1773 ; d. February 28, 1789;
buried in Derry churchyard.
iv. William, m. Esther Rogers.
V. Elizabeth, m. Alexander Weir.
Shellys of Shelly's Island.
I. Daniel Shelly, a native of Switzer-
land, emigrated to America prior to 1740,
and settled in Rapho township, Lancaster
county. Pa. We have the names of only
three of his children — of one of whom, the
principal proprietor of " Rich Island," known
140
HISTORICAL REVIEW
afterwards as Shelly's Island, only have we
data beyond the first generation. These
children were :
2. i. Christian, m., and left issue.
3. a. Daniel, m., and left issue.
4. Hi. Jacob, m., and left issue.
II. Christian Shelly (Daniel), b. about
1730, in Switzerland ; d. prior to 1785, in
Hapho township, Lancaster county, Pa.; left
a wife Magdalena, who d. iti 1796, and the
following issue :
i. Peter, d. about 1790, unm.
ii. Jacob, m. Barbara , of Mt. Joy
township, Lancaster county.
Hi. Abraham, m. Catharine
of
Rapho township, Lancaster county.
iv. Christian, m. Elizabeth , of Jilt.
Joy township, Lancaster county.
V. Magdalena, m. Christian Martin, of
Earl township, Lancaster county.
vi. Barbara, m. Peter Snevely, of Lebanon
township.
vii. Mary, m. Christian Wisler.
viii. Ann, m. Mark Martin.
ix. Elizabeth, m. Sanauel Myer, Jr., of
Rapho township.
III. Daniel Shelly (Daniel), b. about
1737; d. in June, 1802, on Shelly's Island,
in the Susquehanna ; was married three or
four times — in 1776, wife ^^lizabeth — in 1774,
wife Catharine — in 1794, wife Barbara. He
left the following children :
5. i. Jacob, b. 1762 ; m. Anne .
6. ii. Abraham, b. 1764 ; m; Rebecca
7. Hi. Daniel, b. 1766.
iv. Catharine, b. 1769; m. Joseph Rife.
8. V. John, b. 1774 ; m., and had issue.
vi. Nancy, b. 1776 ; m. Henry Etter, son
of Henry and Eve Etter, of Derry.
vii. Elizabeth, b. 1779 ; m. Jacob Bear.
9. viii. Wendle, b. 1781 ; m. Ann Rife.
10. ix. Susannah, b. 1783 ; m. Henry Rife.
X.Mary (Polly), b. 1785; m. Henry
Sharrer, of Paxtang.
xi. Rachel, b. 1787 ; m. Mr. Brenneman,
of Lebanon, Ohio.
IV. Jacob Shelly (Daniel), b. about
1740; d. prior to 1790; his widow Mary in
1790 was the wife of Peter Bowman, of
Hempfield township, Lancaster county, Pa.
The issue of Jacob and Mary Shelly were :
i. Jacob, m. Margaretta .
ii. Mary, m. John Grouss.
Hi. Barbara.
V. Jacob Shelly (Daniel, Daniel), b.
about 1762, in York county. Pa.; d. in De-
cember, 1801, in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county Pa.; m. Anne , b.
1766 ; d. January, 1828. They had issue :
i. Isaac, h. 1786 ; d. July, 1839 ; m., and
had Jacob, d. at York, Pa., Samuel, of
Adams county, Isaac, unm., Eliza-
beth, d. s. p., and Nancy (Ann), m.
S. H. Milligan.
ii. Elizabeth, b. 1788.
11. Hi. Danieljh. 1790 ; m., and had Ephraim
and Daniel,
iv. Nancy, b. 1792; d. prior to 1811.
V. Polly, b. 1794.
VI. Abraham Shelly (Daniel, Daniel),
b. about 1764; d. prior to June,, 1815, in
Londonderry township ; m., abovit 1790, Re-
becca . They had issue :
12. i. Elizabeth, b. 1790 ; m. William
Reeser.
13. ii. Catharine, b. 1792 ; m. Martin Crall.
14. Hi. Nancy, b. 1794 ; m. George Etter.
15. iv. Polly (Mary), b. 1796; m. Henry
Smith.
VII. Daniel Shelly (Daniel, Daniel), b.
about 1766; m. Elizabeth Shuman. They
had issue :
' i. John, m., and had Samuel, Elizabeth,
m. Mr. Bear, John, and Christian.
ii. Daniel, m., and had Ann, m. Mr. Mil-
ler, Henry, and Mary, d. s. p.
Hi. Elizabeth, m., John Sheaffer, of Lan-
caster, Pa., and had Bartram-A.,
Ella, and Susan.
iv. Jacob, m., and had Christian, Mary,
and Nancy.
V. Wendle, m., and had Danielaud Leah,
m. George Souders.
vi. Abraham, d. s. p.
vii. Mary, d. s. p.
viii. Christian, m., and had Lydia,- Adeline,
m. Mr. Hoke, of Harrisburg, Oliver,
Christian- W., Henrietta, m. George
R. Winger, Catharine, d. s. p., and
Daniel.
ix. Abraham, m., and had Elizabeth, m.
Mr. Kass, Catharine, m. Mr. Bear,
Bartram, Henry, Albert, Walter, Ed-
ward, Swiler, Latimer, Lewis, Mary,
m. Mr. Croft, Jane, m. Mr. Pray,
and Anna.
X. Lydia, m. John Croll, of York county,
•Pa., and had Martin, Abraham, d.s.
p., and Arabella, m. Mr. Miller.
VIII. John Shelly (Daniel), b. about
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
141
1774, in Londonderry township, Lancaster,
now Dauphin county, Pa.; d. August, 1827 ;
m. Lydia . They had issue :
i. John-M., d. May, 1835 ; m. Lydia Her-
man, and had Levi-Herman, d. 1846,
John, Moses, Benjamin, d. s. p., and
Anna, m. Jacob Miller.
a. Susanna, m., June 4, 1823, David Det-
weiler, and had (surname Det-
weiler): Lydia, m. David Mumma,
Esq., of Harrisburg, Ephraim, resid-
ing in Missouri, and John-Shelly.
Hi. Rachel, m., first, Abner CroU, of Mid-
dletown, and had John-Shelly, Will-
iam-A., Luther-H., and Lydia, m.
Jacob L. Nissley ; secondly, Martin
Kendig.
IX. Wendle Shelly (Daniel, Daniel), b.
about 1781, on Shelly's Island ; d. January
17, 1831, in Londonderry township, Dauphin
county, Pa.; m. Ann Rife, daughter of Joseph
and Barbara Rife; d. May, 1845. They had
issue:
i. David-R, b. 1806.
ii. Elizabeth, b. 1808 ; m. Abraham Gish,
of Lancaster county.
Hi. Susan, h. 1810 ; m. Daniel Kendig.
16. iv. Michael, b. 1812 ; m. Elizabeth Croll.
17. V. Lydia, b. 1814; m. John Wolfley.
vi. Leah, b. 185 6; m. Mr. Bossier, of
Lancaster county, Pa.
X. Susanna Shelly (Daniel, Daniel), b.
about 1783, on Shelly's Island ; m. Henry
Rife, of Donegal township, Lancaster county;
d. 1824. They had issue (surname Rife):
i. Jacob, b. 1813.
ii. Daniel, b. 1815.
Hi. Mary, b. 1817 ; m. John H. Achey, of
Dayton, 0., and had John and
Joanna, m. Dr. Neil.
iv. Abraham, b. 1819 ; m. Sarah Achey,
of Ohio.
V. John, b. 1821 ; m., and had John-
Ellinger, of Washington, D. C, and
George, of Baltimore, Md.
XL Daniel Shelly (Daniel, Daniel), b.
1790; m. Magdalena , who in 1839
was the wife of Abraham Smith. There was
issue :
i. Anna, m. John Glatfelter.
ii. Susanna, m. Joseph Shickel.
Hi. Benjamin, h. 1820.
iv. Ephraim, b. 1822.
V. Daniel, b. 1824.
XII. Elizabeth Shelly (Abraham, Dan-
iel, Daniel), b. about 1794; m. "William
Reeser, of York county. Pa.; and they had
issue (surname Reeser) :
i. John,
ii. William.
Hi. Eliza, m. Plenry Beard, of Spring-
field, 0.
iv. Sarah, m. Samuel Prowell.
V. Susan, m. Hiram Prowell.
vi. Alexander.
vH. Abraham, d. s. p.
via. Henry,
ix. George.
XIII. Catharine Shelly (Abraham, Dan-
iel, Daniel), b. about 1792 ; m. Martin Crall,
of York county. Pa.; and they had issue
(surname Crall) :
i. John.
ii. Elizabeth, m. Michael Shelly.
Hi. Henrietta, m. Christian Shelly.
iv. Rachel, m. Henry Still.
V. Susan, d. s. p.
XIV. Nancy Shelly (Abraham, Daniel,
Daniel), b. 1796, in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county. Pa.; d. 1826, at Middle-
town ; m., March 5, 1818, George Etter, of
Middletown, b. 1 783 ; d. 1850 ; and they had
issue (surname Etter) :
i. George-W.,h. 1814; d. February 13,
1882.
ii. Maria, m. John Josephus Walborn.
Hi. Ann-Eliza, m. Philip Irwin.
iv. Harriet, b. 1822 ; d. November 18,
1889; m. John Monaghan.
V. Benjamin-Franklin, b. September 29,
1824 ; m. Catharine A. Snyder.
XV. Mary Shelly (Abraham, Daniel,
Daniel), b. about 1798, in Londonderry town-
ship, Lancaster county. Pa.; m. Henry
Smith, of Middletown ; and they had issue
(surname Smith):
i. Sarah, m. Samuel Jenkins.
H. Elizabeth, d. s. p.
Hi. Anna-Mary, m. A. H. Shott.
iv. Catharine, m. Robert R. Church.
V. Henry, d. s. p.
vi. Margaret-E., m. John Ringland.
vH. Louisa-J, m. Christian W. Kunkel.
XVI. Michael Shelly (Wendle, Daniel,
Daniel), b. 1812 ; d. January, 1865 ; m. Eliza-
beth Croll. They had issue :
i. David, m., and had issue.
ii. Wendle.
Hi. Anna- Catharine, m. 0. T. Everhart, of
Hanover, Pa.
142
HISTORICAL REVIEW
iv. John-W.
V. Jacob.
vi. Clara-M., m.., and had issue.
vii. Elizabeth-Elmira.
viii. Mary-Louisa.
ix. Henry-Wingert.
XVII. Lydia Shelly (Wendle, Daniel,
Daniel), b. 1814; d. December 24, 1839; m.
John Wolfiey, b. AugKst 9, 1795 ; d. February
18, 1872, at Middletown. They had issue
(surname Wolfiey) :
i. John,
ii. Jacob.
Hi. Annice, m. Dr. James A. Lowe.
The Simpsons of Paxtang.
I. John Simpson, of Scotland, settled in
the north of Ireland after the battle of the
Boyne, where he died and was buried. Of his
family, we have the names of two of his
sons, who were early settlers in Paxtang,
coming to America in 1720. They were :
2. i. Thomas, h. 1683 ; m., and had issue.
ii. John, m., and had issue ; d. in Octo-
ber, 1738, in Paxtang ; in his will
is designated " of Fishing Creek."
II. Thomas Simpson (John), a native of
the north of Ireland, where he was born in
1683, emigrated to America in 1720, and
settled ih Paxtang, then Conestoga town-
ship, Chester county. Pa.; he died in Pax-
tang in June, 1761 ; was twice married ; by
first wife there was issue :
3. i. Samuel, b. 1706 ; m., and left issue.
ii. Joseph, b. 1708 ; m., and left issue.
Hi. William, b. 1710.
iv. Rebecca, b. 1712.
V. John, b. 1714.
By second wife, Sarah, there was issue :
vi. Mary, h. 1732 ; d. October 3, 1786 ;
m. Rev. John Elder.
vii. Jean, h. 1734 ; d. February 20, 1777 ;
m. William Kelso, b. 1737 ; d. No-
vember 26, 1788; both buried in
Paxtang church graveyard.
4. viii. Thomas, b. 1736; m., and had issue.
X. Michael, b. 1740 ; became quite promi-
nent in the Revolution.
III. Samuel Simpson (Thomas, John), b.
1708, in Paxtang; d. in December, 1791, in
Paxtang, leaving a wife, and the following
issue :
i. Jean, b. 1730.
ii. Margaret,h. 1732; m., October 4, 1752,
William Augustus Harris, b. 1730;
d. about 1760 ; leaving issue, John
and Simpson, hoth d. s. p.
Hi. Sarah, b. 1734; m. Col. William Cooke,
of the Revolution.
iv. Samuel, b. 1736.
V. Rebecca, b. 1738 ; m. Thomas Cavet.
vi. Nathaniel, b. 1740 ; m. Sarah .
vii. Mary, h. 1741 ; m. Robert Taggart, of
Northumberland county.
IV. Thomas Simpson (Thomas, John), b.
1736, in Paxtang ; d. February, 1777 ; m.
Mary . They had issue :
-, who after
i. Michael,
ii. Thomas, m. Mary —
being left a widow m. William
Stewart.
Hi. Rebecca.
The Sloans of Hanovek.
Several members of the Sloan family set-
tled in Hanover as early as 1730, but in the
absence of the assessment list it is difficult
to fix the exact date. John Sloan, who died
in September, 1741, left a wife Jean, and
children, James, Robert, William, John,
George, Sarah, and Cinquas. It was John
Sloan, the first, who was tile ancestor of the
Sloans of Hanover, but the connecting link
we have no knowledge of. Several of the
family followed the Rev. Mr. Sankey to
Virginia, and hence the prominence of the
name in the South.
On the tax and other lists for 1751, 1756
and 1759 we have only the names of John
and Samuel Sloan. In 1769, the next list,
John disappears, and Samuel, James, Archi-
bald, and Alexander come upon the stage.
Samuel died during the Revolutionarv era,
in October, 1777, leaving brothers John,
James, Archibald, and William. Archibald
Sloan, who married first in 1759, Margaret
Sloan, and secondly in 1766, Mary Craig, of
Hanover, died in 1793. Concerning Alex-
ander Sloan we have the following record :
Alexander Sloan, b. in 1744 ; d. in Jan-
uary, 1812 ; m. Jean Moor. They had issue :
i. John, b. 1767 ; m. Elizabeth French,
sister of Capt. James French ; re-
moved to Ohio in 1832, and died
there at an advanced age, leaving
a large family.
ii. Robert, b. 1769 ; m. Sarah McC'ormick.
Hi. Alexander, b. 1771 ; m. Jane French,
/
-^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
145
sister of John's wife; d. at Williams-
port, Pa., at an advanced age.
iv. Isabella, b. 1773; d. in 18 — , unm.
V. James, b. 1775 ; m. Nancy McCreight ;
d. December 1, 1820, in Hanover.
vi. William, b. 1777; unm.; d. in 1818,
in Hanover.
mi. Jean, b. 1781 ; m. Alexander Bell, of
Hanover; d. in 1832, in Ohio.
Robert Sloan, a native of Hanover town-
ship, born in 1769, was brought up on his
father's farm. He subsequently applied
himself to mechanical pursuits, and carried
on the business of cabinet-making. On the
30th of March, 1799, he was married by the
Rev. James. Snodgrass to Miss Sarah Mc-
Cormick, of Hanover, daughter of James
McCormick and Isabella Dixon. Shortly
after he removed to the city of New York,
but about 1812 permanently located at Har-
risburg, where he pursued his avocation.
He became one of the old borough's promi-
nent citizens — esteemed by all for his in-
dustry, energy and uprightness of character.
He was an elder in the First Presbyterian
church thirteen years, " possessing," says
Rev. Dr. Robinson, " the confidence of the
church as a man of God, noble and blame-
less in his uprightness." He died at Harris-
burg, December 4, 1833, aged 64 years. His
wife, Sarah McCormick, was one of the most
amiable of women, whose life was character-
ized by a faithful devotion to all the high-
born virtues of Christian womanhood, only
ending with her days on earth, which closed
on the 5th of April, 1843. The children of
Robert and Sarah Sloan, who reached matu-
rity, were as follows :
i. Eliza, m., first, Thomas Baird ; sec-
ondly, James Rutherford Boyd.
Mrs.Boyd survives and resides in
Harrisburg.
ii. A lexander, m. Mary Todd, of Hanover,
daughter of Capt. James Todd and
Sally Ainsworth. Mr. Alexander
Sloan survives and resides in Har-
risburg.
Hi. Isabella, m. Matthew P. Kennedy ; d.
in 1877, at New Brighton, Pa.
iv. John, d. at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1874.
V. William, b. 1815; studied medicine
with Dr. Luther Reily, graduated
at the University of Pennsylvania,
and in 1837 was appointed assistant
surgeon in the U.S. army. He served
through the Florida and Mexican
wars. During the war of the Re-
bellion he was medical director of
the Department of the East, with
headquarters in New York city.
After the war he was transferred to
the Department of the Northwest
and stationed at St. Paul, Minn.,
where he died on the 17th of March,
1880, aged 65, the oldest surgeon in
continued service in the army.
vi. Mary, m. D. Craighead; d. in 1866,
at Indianapolis, Ind.
Stewart of Paxtang.
In the graveyard at Paxtang church are
the following tombstone inscriptions :
In I memory of \ Andrew Stewart \ who de-
parted I this life March \ the 31st 1774. I -^ged
76 years.
In I memory of \ Mary Stewart \ who de-
parted I this life April | SOth 1772 \ aged 65
years.
Andrew Stewart and Mary his wife came
from Scotland prior to 1740. Owing to the
destruction of the assessment lists immedi-
ately subsequent to the formation of Lancas-
ter county, of which the townships of Pax-
tang, Derry and Hanover were an integral
part upon its organization, it is very difficult
to ascertain the precise year when the early
settlers located here. Of the family of Stew-
art there were at least three distinct heads.
The name is indifferently spelled Stuart and
Stewart, but rarely Stewart in the old records.
The origin of the patronymic — Stewart — is
from ward, to guard, to care for. The first
syllable ste is of doubtful origin, but is sup-
posed to mean a place, a corner, a quarter.
Stuart, Stewart and Steward have all the
same origin, although those who use the
Stuart claim to have bluer blood in their
veins, which, of course, is a fallacy. The u
was substituted for the w because of their be-
ing no w in the French alphabet, the Stew-
arts having retired to France, or perhaps
during the reign of Queen Mary Stuart, the
French courtiers having introduced or per-
sisted in the French mode of spelling the
name Stuart.
Andrew Stewart was a Covenanter of the
most rigid faith, and the earliest Presbyte-
rian minister in America, the Rev. John
Cuthbertson, frequently tarried at his house
while on his missionary tours. In his diary,
under date of 20th of August, 1751, he notes
146
HISTORICAL REVIEW
the baptism of Eliza (Elizabeth), daughter
of Andrew Stewart. On the organization of
the Covenanter church at Paxtang, Mr.
Stewart and his wife became members. But
little is known of this hardy pioneer, save
that in his day and generation he was ever
loyal to the " Solemn League and Covenant."
Of the family of Andrew Stewart, his
eldest son John, born in Paxtang, on the
24th of February, 1740, was educated for the
ministry. While in England he was or-
dained in the Established Church, returned
to Pennsylvania, where he was received with
aught but favor by his sirict old Covenanter
father. He went as a missionary among the
Indians in the Mohawk Valley, and made a
translation of the New Testament in the Mo-
hawk language. Refusing allegiance to the
Colonies, in 1781 he went to Canada, where
he became chaplain tp a provincial regiment,
and subsequently as a missionary traveled
through the upper province of Canada,
where he labored with energy and success.
In 1786 he settled at Kingston, and for some
time previous to his death was chaplain to
the Legislative Council. He died on the 15th
of August, 1811.
Of the children of the Rev. John Stewart,
or Stuart, as our Canadian friends prefer to
write it, we have been able to glean the fol-
lowing data, hoping, however, that some
member of the Literary and Historical So-
ciety of Quebec will furnish us with fuller,
if not more accurate information. James
Stewart, the eldest son, was born at Fort
Hunter, N. Y., March 2, 1780, became an
eminent Canadian jurist and' chief justice of
Lower Canada. He was called to the bar in
1801; appointed solicitor general, 1805-9;
attorney general, 1822-32 ; chief justice,
1838-53. He was created a baronet in 1840,
and died at Quebec July 14, 1853. His son,
Sir Charles Stuart, now resides in England
during the summer season, and in Italy
during the winter.
The second son, Andrew, was also a distin-
guished jurist and solicitor general of Lower
Canada — decidedly one of the most talented
men of Canada — many years president of the
Literary and Historical Society of Quebec;
was born at Kingston, U. C, in 1786, and
died at Quebec, February 21, 1840. He was
the author of a number of valuable historical
works. A son of Andrew Stuart is at present
a judge — a gentleman of ability and ardent
mind.
George O'Kill Stuart, another son, became
an arch deacon. He married a daughter of
Gen. John Brooks, a soldier of the Revolution
and governor of Massachusetts from 1816 to
1823. His son, of the same name, is judge
of the Vice Admirality Court at Quebec.
John Stewart, sheriff of Leeds and Green-
ville, who resided at Brockville, on the
British side of the St. Lawrence, was also a
son of the Rev. John first named.
We have given the foregoing to show the
connection between the St&Warts of Paxtang
and those of Canada.
The other children of Andrew Stewart,
the pioneer, were James, Mary, Elizabeth,
previously named, who died May 1, 1773,
aged twenty-three years; Charles, Andrew
and Eleanor. Of none of these do we know
the history save that of Eleanor, the others
probably removingfrom this locality after the
death of their father and mother. Eleanor
married Richard DeYarmond, second son
of James and Mary DeYarmond. She was
born May 4, 1753, and died February 19,
1830. Her husband, born in Hanover,'Sep-
tember 1, 1743, died November 17, 1802.
They are both interred in the old Hanover
church graveyard. Their children were :
James, born October 2, 1782, died January 7,
1812 ; Mary, born in 1784, who married
James McCreight, Jr.; Eleanor, born in 1788 ;
Andrew Stewart, born in 1791, and Marga-
ret, born March 1, 1793 ; died May 6, 1824.
The Stewarts of Hanover.
I. Lazarus Stewart, a native of the north
of Ireland, came to America in 1729, the
same year locating on a tract of land " situ-
ate on Swahatawro creek," in then Lancas-
ter county. This tract of three hundred
acres was directed to be surveyed for him by
the Proprietaries on the 6th of March, 1739.
With the aid of two Redemptioners, whose
passages were paid by him, he built within
that and the two years following a house and
barn, cleared twenty odd acres of arable land
and planted an orehard. He died about
1744. His farm was a long time in dispute,
owing to the fact that the warrant never
having been issued his son Lazarus took out
a warrant for the same land. After the
death of the first Lazarus' wife a suit was
brought by William Stewart, eldest son of
John Stewart, for the recovery of his share
in his grandfather's estate. A distribution
was made in 1785, from the record of which
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
147
in the Orphans' Court proceedings we have
the foundation of the genealogy herewith
given. There is no information as to the
name or the date of death of the first Laza-
rus Stewart's wife. They may have had
other children, but the following are the
names of all whoireached mature years:
2. i. John, b. 1712 ; m. Frances .
3. ii. Margaret, b. 1714 ; m. James Stewart.
4. Hi. Margery, b. 1716 ; m. John Young.
iv. Lazarus, b. 1718.
V. Peter, b. in 1720 ; took up one hun-
dred acres of land adjoining An-
drew Lykens and William Camp-
bell, in Hanover township, sur-
veyed to him on the 17th of Sep-
tember, 1743. Prior to 1760 he re-
moved to North Carolina ; m., and
left issue.
TO. James, b. 1722 ; took up one hundred
and fifty acres of land " adjoining
Lazarus Stewart and James Murray
on Swahawtawro creek, in Hano-
ver township," surveyed to him on
the 2d of December, 1738. He
married and removed to North
Carolina with his brother.
vii- David, b. 1724; m., and removed with
his brothers to North Carolina.
II. John Stewart (Lazarus), b. about
1712, in Ireland ; d. April 8, 1777, in Han-
over township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county, Pa., and is buried in the "New-Side"
graveyard in Lower Paxtang township. On
the 26th of May, 1744, one hundred and fifty
acres of land " adjoining James and Lazarus
Stewart in Hanover township" were surveyed
to him. Married, in 1736, Frances ,
of Donegal, b. in 1716; d. November 16,
1790, and is buried in old Hanover church-
yard. They had issue:
i. William., b. 1738 ; d. July 14, 1803 ;
m., first, Mary , b. 1736 ; d.
February 22, 1780; m., secondly,
Mary Stewart, b. 1743 ;.d. August
9, 1796.
ii. Lazarus, b. 1740 ; m. Dorcas Hopkins.
Hi. George, b. 1743 ; m. Rebecca Fleming.
iv. James, b. 1745 ; m. Margaret .
V. John, b. 1747 ; m. Margaret Stewart.
TO. Marv, b. 1749 ; m. George Espy.
vii. Jane, b. 1751 ; m. Armstrong.
III. Margaret Stewart (Lazarus), b. in
1714, in the north of Ireland ; d. in Hanover
township, Lancaster county. Pa. She m.
James Stewart, b. 1708, in the north of Ire-
land, and d. in Hanover, Lancaster county,
Pa. He had surveyed unto him, December
2, 1738, one hundred and fifty acres of land
" adjoining Lazarus Stewart and James Mur-
ray, on Swahatawro creek, in Hanover town-
ship." They had issue :
i. Charles, b. 1731 ; m., and had issue,
James, Lazarus, John, Margaret,
Charles, and George.
5. ii. Lazarus, b. May 16, 1733; m. Martha
Espy.
Hi. James, b.l737 ; m. Priscilla Espy, and
had Lazarus. Subsequently, when
a widow, she married Capt. An-
drew Lee, of the Eevolution.
6. iv. Jean, b. 1739 ; m. John Campbell.
IV. Margery Stewart (Lazarus), b. 1716,
in Ireland ; d. in Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, Pa.; m. John Young, b. in Ire-
land; d. in June, 1775, in Hanover town-
ship. They had issue (surname Young) :
i. David,
ii. Mary.
Hi. Margaret, m. Samuel Ainsworth, and
left issue.
iv. John.
V. Margery,
vi. George,
vii. James.
6. via. William.
V. Lazarus Stewart (Margaret, Lazarus),
b. May 16, 1733, in Hanover township, Lan-
caster county, Pa.; fell in the massacre of
Wyoming, July 3, 1778. He was the noted
Capt. Lazarus Stewart, an officer in the
Provincial service, and the captain of the
Paxtang Boys, who so completely settled the
question of the rights of Indian tramp ma-
rauders south of the Blue mountains. Cap-
tain Stewart m. Martha Espy, b. about 1740,
in Hanover; d. in the Wyoming Valley.
They had issue :
7. i. James, b. 1757 ; m. Hannah Jameson.
8. ii. Elizabeth, b. 1759; m. Alexander
Jameson.
Hi. Josiah, b. 1761 ; m. Nancy Chapman ;
removed to the State of New York
at an early day.
9. iv. Mary,h. 1763 ; m. Rev. Andrew Gray.
V. Priscilla, b. 1766 ; m. Joseph Avery
Rathburn, who settled in Western
New York. Their children were
John, Lazarus, and Joseph, all mar-
ried and left descendants.
10. vi. Margaret, b. 1767; m. James Camp-
bell.
148
HISTORICAL REVIEW
vii. Martha, b. 1769 ; d. unm.
VI. Jane Stewart (Margaret, Lazarus),
b. 1739, in Hanover township, Lancaster
county, where she died shortly after the war
of the Revolution. She m. John Campbell,
b. 1732 ; d. June 1, 1781. They had issue
(surname Campbell) :
i. William, d. July 3, 1804; left a wife
Margaret and a son James, h. Sep-
tember 14, 1789, and Martha, bap.
November 9, 1791.
VII. James Stewart (Lazarus, Margaret,
Lazarus), b. in 1757, in Hanover, Lancaster
county. Pa.; d. in 1823, in Hanover, Luzerne
county, Pa. He m. Hannah Jameson ; and
they had issue :
i. Martha, m. Abraham Tolles; and
they had issue (surname Tolles):
James, who m. and had Linda.
a. Frances, m. Benjamin A. Bidlack ; and
they had issue (surname Bidlack):
Frances-Stewart.
11. m. Abigail, m. Abraham Thomas.
iv. Caroline, m. Rev. Morgan Sherman;
and they had issue (surname Sher-
man): Mary, m. and left issue, and
Caroline, m. James Morrison, who
had Stewart and Irene.
V. Lazarus, d. unm.
m. Mary, d. unm.
James Stewart's widow, Hannah Jameson,
subsequently married Rev. Marmaduke
Pearce and had three children, Stewart,
Cromivell, and John Pearce. Stewart Pearce
was the author of the "Annals of Luzerne
County," a prominent man in his day. Crom-
well Pearce was distinguished as a military
officer.
VIII. Elizabeth Stewart (Lazarus, Mar-
garet, Lazarus), lived and died in Luzerne
county, Pa. She m. Alexander Jameson.
They had issue (surname Jameson):
i. William, m. Margaret Henry ; and
they had issue : John, d. inf., and
Mary, who m. and left descendants.
ii. Robert, d. unm.
Hi. Minerva, m. Dr. A. B. Wilson ; and
they had issue (surname Wilson):
Edward, Mary, m. Frank Stewart,
and Minerva, m. F. A. Macartney,
and they had Frank Macartney.
iv. Elizabeth, ra. Rev. Francis Macartney;
and they had issue (surname Ma-
cartney): Francis-A., m. his cousin
Minerva Wilson, Mary, d. unm., and
Elizabeth, m. Dr. James Wilson.
V. Martha, d. in 1880, unm.
IX. Mary Stewart (Lazarus, Margaret,
Lazarus), m. Rev. Andrew Gray. Mr. Gray
was born in county Down, Ireland, January
1, 1757 ; d. August 13, 1837. He resided in
Paxtang, but went to Wyoming, settling in
Hanover, where he preached. He was a
Presbyterian, and subsequently removed to
Western New York, where he missionated
several years among the Seneca Indians,
finally locating at Dansville, Livingston
county, in that State. They had issue (sur-
name Gray) :
*. James, m. Rebecca Roberts.
ii. Margaret, m. Richard Gillespie.
Hi. Jane, m. Daniel Gallatin.
iv. William,, d. unm.
V. Andrew, left home early in life, and
was never heard from.
vi. Maria, m. James Jack.
vii. Martha, d. unm.
via. Elizabeth, m. Robert Perine.
X. Margaret Stewart (Lazarus, Marga-
ret, Lazarus), d. in Hanover township, Lu-
zerne county. Pa.; m. James Campbell, who
lived and died in the same township. They
had issue (surname Campbell) :
i. Jarrves- Stewart, d. unm.
ii. Martha, m. James S. Lee, and they
had issue (surname Lee) : Andrew,
m. Sarah Buchhout, Priscilla, m.
Hon. Siba Bennett, Washington, m.
Emily Thomas, Margaret, m. Dr.
James Doolittle, Mary, m. Lewis
C. Payne, and William, d. unm.
Hi. Mary, m. Jameson Harvey, and they
had issue (surname Harvey) : Mar-
garet, m. Robert C. Pieman, Mary,
William-J., m. Jessie Wright, and
Harrison, m. Amanda Merritt.
iv. Margaret, m. James Dilley, and they
had issue, among others (surname
Dilley) : Mary, Margaret, and Har-
riet.
XL Abigail Stewart (James, Lazarus,
Margaret, Lazarus), b. in Hanover, Luzerne
county, Pa. ; d. there about 1830. She m.
Abraham Thomas, and they had issue (sur-
name Thomas):
i. Emily, m. Col. Washington Lee, and
they had issue (surname Lee):
Bessie- Campbell, m. Dr. William
Morton, James-Francis, m. Madge
Swetland, Mary-Josephine, m. Bruce
Price, Ella-Headley, d. inf., Emma-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
149
Thomas, m. Benjamin Barroll, and
Charles-William, m. Lilly Doolittle.
a. Martha, m. Joseph C. Rhodes, and
they had issue (surname Rhodes):
Clubine-Lee, Clementine-Thomas, and
Helen- Headley, m. Walter Meek.
Hi. Clementine, d. unm.
iv. Frances, d. unm.
V. Helen, m. John Boyd Headley, and
they had issue (surname Headley) :
Annie-Latona, d. in inf., William-
Thomas, m. Kate P. Freese, John-
Boyd, and Nellie-Boyd.
vi. Latona, d. unm.
The Umholtz Family.
We are not entirely satisfied as to the
orthography of this surname. Many of the
old records have it Imholtz, some Omholtz,
and others Umholtz. We are of the opinion
that the former is the correct orthography.
As the present members of the family adhere
to the latter it is this nomenclature we shall
also employ.
Henry Umholtz, with a younger brother,
came to this country from Switzerland prior
to the Revolution and located in what is now
Lykens township, Dauphin county, along
the base of Short mountain, about two miles
from Gratztown, where John Umholtz
now resides. Here they took up quite a
large tract of land and commenced farming.
The brother entered the army at the outset
of the war of the Revolution, in Capt. Will-
iam Hendrick's company, and fell in the as-
sault on Quebec. Henry was also in service
during the war, as appears by the rolls of
Captains Hoffman's and Weaver's com-
panies.
Henry Umholtz married about 1769 his
first wife, who was a Miss Rouch. Sometime
after her death he married Magdalena Sei-
densticker, daughter of Philip Seidensticker,
of Bethel township, now Lebanon county.
Mr. Umholtz died at an advanced age, and
with his two wives are buried at Hoffman's
church. His children were as follows :
i. John, b. August 11, 1770; was a farmer
and resided near Berrysburg. He
married Catharine Harman and
had a large family. Of these John-
Jacob was a major in the Pennsyl-
vania militia, and father of Joseph
and Jacob now living near Gratz.
The latter served as director of the
poor a few years ago.
a. Barnhart, b. October 22, 1772 ; d. Au-
gust, 1829; was a farmer and resided
above Gratztown. He married
Catharine Rissinger, and had Mi-
chael, Solomon, who resides on or
near his father's place, Philip,
Susan, m. Jacob Walborn, Anna-
Margaret, m. George Holloback,
Catharine, m. Michael Fisher, and
Esther, m. Daniel Emanuel.
Hi. Michael, b. August 31, 1776; removed
to what is now Perry county, where
he married and raised a family.
iv. John-Philip, b. September 14, 1779.
He purchased his father's farm, fol-
lowed farming and died April, 1838.
He married Anna Maria Willard,
daughter of Peter Willard, and had
Matthias, who settled in Stark
county, 0.; John, m. Mollie Shoff-
stall, resided on the old homestead ;
Samuel, resided near Gratz ; Chris-
tian, removed to Mercer county, Pa.;
Susan, m. Daniel Loudenslager ;
Catharine, m. Isaac Henninger, of
Stark county, 0., and Elizabeth, m.
John P. Hoffman.
V. Henry, h. September 17, 1783; d. De-
cember, 1829 ; was a soldier of the
war of 1812, followed farming and
owned a farm near Isaac Zitlinger's.
He married Susan Hoover, daugh-
ter of Jacob Hoover, of Hoover's
Mill. They had Rebecca, m. Benja-
min Gise, father of Capt. Joseph D.,
Leah, m. George W. Ferree, Polly,
m. John Henninger, and Henry, Jr.,
who for many years was a distin-
guished teacher in the " Upper
End."
vi. Anna-Maria, b. July 12, 1781 ; m.
Peter Yartz.
The family of Umholtz have all been sub-
stantial and representative farmers of the
vallev.
The Weise Family of Lykens Valley-
Adam Weise was born in New Goshen-
hoppen, Philadelphia county, Pa., Decem-
ber 23, 1751. His parents were John George
and Eve Weise. They moved from New
Goshenhoppen to Heidelberg township,
Berks county, Pa., where Adam was brought
150
HISTORICAL REVIEW
up in a Christian-like manner in the faith
and doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church.
The subject of this sketch was married on
the 2d of February, A. D. 1772, to Margaret
Elizabeth Wingard, who was born in Heidel-
berg township, Berks county, on the loth of
March A. D. 1749. Her parents were Lazarus
and Catharine Elizabeth Wingard. She be-
longed to the Evangelical Presbyterian (Ger-
man Reformed) Church. By this marriage
there were the following children :
i. Catharine- Elizabeth, h. November 21,
1772, in Heidelberg township,
Berks county ; m. George Gun-
drum, April 7, 1795, by Rev. Will-
iam Hendel.
a. Ann-Elizabeth, b. April 28, 1774, in
Hagerstown, Md. (the family hav-
ing removed to that place the pre-
vious year); m. Philip Shaffer,
April 5, 1795. He died March 23,
1814, in Upper Paxtang township,
Dauphin county.
iii. John, b. August 13, 1776, in Hagers-
town; m. Elizabeth Bordner,
daughter of Michael Bordner, of
Upper Paxtang township, Dauphin
county, on June 7, 1801.
iv. Anna-Mary, b. June 28, 1778, in
Hagerstown; m. Michael Shade!
November 7, 1797, in Upper Pax-
tang township, Dauphin county.
V. John-Adam, h. January 24, 1780, in
Hagerstown ; m. Eve Bordner,
of Upper Paxtang township,
Dauphin county, in the year 1801.
His wife died the first year of their
marriage, and he was married the
second time, to Elizabeth Lebo.
Adam Weise served as a sergeant in the
Maryland cavalrj' in the Revolutionary war,
enlisting at Hagerstown. He moved with
his family from Hagerstown to Upper Pax-
tang township, in Lykens Valley, Dauphin
county. Pa., in the year 1782. [He settled
at this time on the north or south side of
Wiconisco creek, on the road (as now known)
leading from Gross-Roads to Berrysburg,
formerly Hellerstown. According to the
best information obtainable, he settled on
the north of said creek, on what is generally
known as the' Elder farm, and very likely
he owned the land on both sides of the creek,
for he owned three hundred acres or over.
When I (his youngest son) was ten or twelve
years old, in passing along on that road in
company with old men of the valley, I was
shown the place where they said my father's
blacksmith shop had stood, which was a
little back in the field from the road, south-
west from the old residence, which is still
standing, but has been remodeled and re-
paired at different times. I was also shown
where he had his coal-pit or hearth, which
was about a hundred yards slightly north-
west from where the shop stood, in the woods.
Blacksmiths used nothing but charcoal in
those days, and most of them burnt or charred
their own coal. It should be remembered,
also, that nearly all of what is now Wash-
ington and Mifflin townships to the Susque-
hanna river was included in Upper Paxtang
township.]
vi. John-George, b. Jauuary 7, 1786, in
Upper Paxtang township, Dauphin
county ; m. Charlotte Moore, 1808.
The Indians were very troublesome, and
from this and other causes the family re-
moved to Bethel township, Berks county,
Pa., 1788.
vii. Anna-Margaret, b. February 14, 1789,
in Bethel township, Berks county ;
m. Michael Shoop, November 6,
1808, in Upper Paxtang township,
Dauphin county.
via. Anna-Maria, b. July 21, 1791, in
Bethel township, Berks county;
m. Abraham Jury, 1811, in Upper
Paxtang township, Dauphin county.
Mr. Weise moved back to Lykens Valley
to the old place in the year 1796, and in
1802 took up his residence in Millersburg,
erecting the third house in the town and a
blacksmith shop, on the southwest corner of
Union and Race streets (now owned bj' Levi
Bowman, Sr.). His anvil was the town clock
in the morning for a number of years, so the
old people of Millersburg used to say. He
was commissioned a justice of the peace by
Governor Mifflin February 1, 1799. Re-
mained in offlce over thirty-four years, or
until his death in 1833.
His wife died on Sunday, March 29, 1818,
and was buried on the following Tuesday,
in the David's (German Reformed) grave-
yard, about three miles northeast of Millers-
burg. The funeral attendance was exceed-
ingly large, and Revs. J. R. Reily and Nich-
olas Hem ping were present. A very appro-
priate sermon was preached by Rev. J. R.
Reily, from Psalms iv. 8. She reached the
age of 69 years and 14 days. They lived
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
151
together in matrimony 46 years, 1 month
and 26 days.
Adam Weise entered into matrimony the
second time August 23, 1818, with Mary
Kuehly (Keely), widow of George Kuehly,
of Swinefordstown, Union county. Pa. (now
Middleburg, Snyder county). Her parents
were Jacob and Mary Bitterman,from Mont-
gomery county, Pa. She was born March
20, 1765, in Montgomery county.
_ On Sunday evening, September 10, 1820,
his second wife died, and was buried the fol-
lowing Tuesday in the German Reformed
burial ground, alongside his former partner.
Her age was 55 years, 5 months and 15 days.
Rev. Isaac Gearheart preached on the occa-
sion, from the words recorded in Isaiah
xxxviii. 1.
Mr. Weise entered into matrimony the
third time December 10, 1820, with Catha-
rine Patton, widow of James Patton, of
Swinefordstown, Union county, Pa. (now
Middleburg, Snyder county). Her maiden
name was Catharine Neiman. She was born
November 10, 1785, in Montgomerry county.
Pa. Her parents were Conrad and Catharine
Neiman. This union was blessed with the
following issue:
ix. Abel, b. October 3, 1821, in Millers-
burg, Dauphin county. Pa. He is still
living, a resident of Lykens.
X. Hannah, b. February 13, 1823.
xi. Frederick- Neiman, b. August 25, 1825,
in Millersburg.
Adam Weise died October 5, 1833, in
Millersburg, after a long and useful life,
and was. buried by the side of his two de-
ceased wives in the graveyard of David's Re-
formed church. Upper Paxtang township.
Rev. Isaac Gearheart officiated at the funeral.
His age was 81 years, 9 months and 12 days.
Catharine Weise, surviving relict of Adam
Weise, died in Berrysburg, Dauphin county,
April 30, 1863, aged 77 years, 5 months
and 20 days. She was buried in the ceme-
tery of the Evangelical -Lutheran and Ger-
man Reformed church at Berrysburg. Fu-
neral services were held by Revs. Bosler and
I. Gearheart.
At the death of Adam Weise there were 11
children, 63 grandchildren and 133 great-
grandchildren. The descendants of the above
record (which is made from a correct trans-
lation of the original German by Rev. Mi-
chael Lenker) are now scattered in nearly
every State of the Union, especially in the
West. F. N. w.
The Family of Wiggins.
I. John Wiggins, son of James and Jean
Wiggins, was born about 1680 in the north
of Ireland. He came to America about
1738, locating in Paxtang. His name ap-
pears on the first assessment list of the North
End of Paxtang for 1749. He died in Feb-
ruary, 1762, his will being probated the
month following. He left a wife Mary
(probably a Barnett) and children as fol-
lows :
i. James, b. 1706.
a. Jean, b. 1708.
Hi. Martha, h. 1710.
iv Margaret, b. 1712.
2. V. John, b. 1714; m. Elizabeth .
vi. Agnes, b. 1716; m. Thomas Maguire
and had a daughter Sarah.
At this time it seems as if his youngest
children, John and Agnes, with his wife, were
the only members of his family in America,
for in the disposition of his estate he directs
that the other children were to have their
share " if they come to this country." It is
probable they came, and afterwards went
with the tide of Scotch-Irish immigration
southward, as the name appears in Virginia
and the Carolinas.
II. John Wiggins (John, James), born in
Ireland, in 1714; came to America with his
parents, and remained on the parental farm.
He d. June 12, 1794. He m. Elizabeth
, b. in 1716 ; d. June 5, 1784. They
are both interred in Paxtang graveyard.
Their children were :
i. Thomas, h. 1746; d. August, 1798.
He studied medicine, and served
in the war of the Revolution. Was
surgeon of the New Eleventh, Penn-
sylvania Line, Col. Thomas Hart-
ley, commissioned July 1, 1778.
Owing to ill health, due to the pre-
vious exposure in the service," he
resigned January 23, 1780.
a. John, b. 1748 ; d. October 21, 1830, in
Northumberland county. It is
said that when a young man he
was attacked by a panther on his
way home from Paxtang church,
and killed the animal with his
fists, although he bore the marks
of its claws all his life.
Hi. Elizabeth, b. 1750.
iv. James, b. 1782 ; d. June, 1805, unm.,
bequeathing his estate to his sur-
viving brother and sisters.
152
HISTORICAL REVIEW
V. Jean, b. 1754 ; m., in 1777, Dr. Will-
iam Simonton.
m. Margaret, b. 1756 ; m., March 20, 1787,
James Henderson.
vii. Mary, b. 1758 ; m. John, brother of
Dr. William Simonton, who had
deceased prior to 1805, leaving a
son Thomas.
via. Agnes, b. 1760; m. William, son of
William and Isabella Brandon, of
Hanover, who had deceased prior
to 1805, leaving sons, Thomas and
James, and daughter Ann, m. James,
son of David Pettigrew, who left
Hanover about 1792.
The Youngs of Hanover.
I. Robert Young, an early settler in
Hanover township, then Lancaster county,
d. about 1749, leaving a wife Kerstine, and
children :
2. i. James.
3. u. John, m. Margery Stewart.
II. James Young (Robert), of Hanover, d.
in 1772, leaving children :
4. i. William, m. Catharine .
5. a. James.
Hi. John, m. Agnes , and had
among others John,
iv. Andrew, m. Sarah , and had
among others Andrew and Josiah.
V. Alexander, d. s. p.
III. John Young (Robert), of Hanover, d.
in May, 1775, leaving a wife Margery
(Stewart), and children :
i. David.
a. Mary, m. James Dixon.
Hi. Margaret, m. Samuel Ainsworth.
iv. John.
V. Margery,
vi. George,
vii. James.
6. via. William, ra. Martha .
IV. William Young (James, Robert), of
Hanover, d. in January, 1785, leaving a wife
Catharine, and children :
i. Robert.
ii. John.
Hi. James.
iv. Andrew, m. Margery , and had
Margaret.
V. Esther.
vi. Martha,
vii. William.
V. James Young (James, Robert), of Han-
over, d. in May, 1787, leaving children :
i. \^A daw.], m. Samuel Johnson.
ii. Elizabeth.
Hi. Jane.
iv. [A dau.], m. William McCauley.
V. Margaret, m. James Robinson.
vi. Andrew.
vii. Sarah, m. John Watt.
via. John,
ix. James.
X. Alexander.
VI. William Young (John, Robert), of
East Hanover, d. March 15, 1796, leaving a
wife Martha, and children :
i. Catharine, b. 1779 ; m. James Bell, b.
1772 ; d. March 6, 1814.
ii. Eleanor, b. 1781.
Hi. William, b. 1783.
iv. John, b. 1785.
V. Jane, b. June 1, 1788.
vi. James, b. September 14, 1789.
vii. Esther, h. April 16, 1791.
via. Robert, b. 1793.
CHAPTER VIII.
Some of the Industries ol the City and County.
Apart from Harrisburg being the Capital
City of Pennsylvania, there is that which
exists within it, and the surrounding towns,
to make it of far greater importance — a city
of industry. From its earliest existence its
location has been such as to invite capital,
and it embraces within its industrial estab-
lishments, manufactories which in their
great success show the financial and com-
mercial progress of the city and county more
than anything else. The local situation has
always been favorable for healthfulness and
a desirable place for residence, while the
abundant water supply, the railroad facili-
ties, and whatever else is necessary for build-
ing up a large manufacturing metropolis is
found within the county of Dauphin. The
markets are unexcelled ; the fertile islands,
and plateau along the river, with the beau-
tiful and productive valley lying between
the 'North and South mountains, furnish sup-
plies more than would be needed for a popu-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
153
lation ten times greater than now within the
limits of the county. Of the character of
the manufacturing enterprises it is needless
to speak, and yet, at the same time it is
necessary to show what has been accom-
plished within a few brief decades.
Beginning with the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, which was organized in June,
1865, the plant of which now covers 160
acres, one stands in wonderment at the mar-
velous strides made in the mechanical world.
The construction of the steel plant at what
is now the city of Steelton (for city it ought
to be termed), was commenced in December,
1865, and was ready fur operation in May,
1867. On the 25th day of the same month,
the first steel ingots ever produced in
Pennsylvania by the Bessemer process
were made. The rail mill of the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company went into operation
May 15, 1868. The importance to the rail-
road interests of the country, and to all con-
sumers, of the successful commencement, at
these works, of the manufacture of steel rails
has been very great, and probably no one
can appreciate the value to the country of
the business which began at these works at
that date. During the first years of opera-
tion the steel ingots were hammered before
rolling in the Forge Department, where they
had what was at that time the largest steam
hammer in the country. The practice of
hammering was continued until December,
1876, when the present Blooming Mill No.
1 went into operation. Since that time the
steam hammers have been employed in the
production of forgings and other shapes of
special steel. In 1875 the company increased
its capacity for the production of steel by
erecting an open hearth furnace plant. The
original open hearth plant was later replaced
by one of greatly increased capacity', and the
capacity has been increased several times by
the addition of new furnaces. The original
Bessemer plant, known now as Bessemer No.
1, had two converters, the nominal capacity
of five tons each. In 1881 an additional
Bessemer plant, known as Bessemer No. 2,
was completed and put in operation. This
plant has three converters of ten tons ca-
pacity each, and was arranged and con-
structed on plans which secured great facili-
ties for handling material and products, and
enabled it to develop great capacity of pro-
duction. The company commenced the
erection of blast furnaces in 1872 to produce
pig iron for their own purposes, and com-
14
pleted No. 1 furnace in 1873, No. 2 fur-
nace in 1875, No. 3 furnace in 1883, and
No. 4 furnace in 1884. These furnaces are
of highly approved designs, with the Whit-
well patent hot blast stoves, and have pro-
duced outputs of iron comparing favorably
with any blast furnaces in the country.
Rolling mills for making steel bars of the
various sizes and shapes, known as " mer-
chant bars," were erected in 1882, the plant
taking the name of " merchant mill," the
product of the same consisting of merchant
bars, billets, rail splices, angles, and various
other shapes. This plant has been enlarged
by the billet mill building, with a large
amount of machinery used in finishing the
product. In 1885 there was added to the
Forge Department a train of rolls of the type
known as "universal," driven by a powerful
reversing engine, for rolling special qualities
of steel into slabs and blooms of dimensions
required by manufacturers of plates, etc., and
this branch of manufacture has been fully
employed. In 1886 an additional mill,
called Blooming Mill No. 2, was erected for
the preparation of special steel required by
manufacturers of nails, etc., and has also pro-
duced a great product. The manufacture
of switches, steel rail frogs, crossings, etc.,
commenced in 1872, and this branch having
met with great encouragement from railway
managers in various parts of the counti'y,
has been enlaiged from time to time.
A substantial and handsome brick build-
ing 478 feet long and 78 feet wide was
erected in 1882, replacing the building pre-
viously used for this business, and sti^
greater enlargement having become expedi-
ent there was erected a very large addition,
consisting principally of one building 210
feet long, 125 wide; another building 144
feet long and 35 feet wide. These buildings
have been fitted with the most approved ap-
pliances for the production of frogs, switches,
&c., and the business has grown to very large
proportions, conducted under the title of
Frog, Switch and Signal Department. In
1893 a slabbing mill for rolling slabs, plates
and other structural material was erected,
still further adding to the immensity of the
plant. The company next organized a de-
partment for the manufacture of bridges,
viaducts, roofs, buildings and other construc-
tions, under the title of Bridge and Construc-
tion Department. Several large buildings
have been erected for the purposes of this de-
partment, and it has entered upon a very
154
HISTORICAL REVIEW
busy career. Departments for the manufac-
ture and removal of various appliances were
found necessary at an early day in the his-
tory of the company, and a foundry, ma-
chine shop and smith shop went into opera-
tion in 1867. These were enlarged from
time to time with substantial buildings,
which at the present day rank among the
largest plants of this description in the State,
with building appliances in all manner of
machine tools and other appliances for the
reproduction and repairs of the heaviest class
of machinery used in the works. In 1867
the company's yearlv product of steel ingots
was 1,005 tons; in 1890 it was 304,488 tons.
This gives someidea ofthecompany'sgrowth.
In 1890 the product of one day was nearly
equal to the whole year's product of 1867.
The total product of steel ingots from 1867
to 1895 was four millions, twenty-six thou-
sand, eight hundred and four tons! ! Think
of this, if you can, and pause while you
think. There was a decrease in the output
of the years 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1894,
owing in part to the general business de-
pression and also to a change in the charac-
ter of the product. A great proportion of
the rails now manufactured are for electric
roads, and are much more difficult to make
than for steam roads. The immense acreage
of the company lies between the Pennsylva-
nia railroad and the Pennsylvania canal.
The length of the plot is over a mile and a
quarter, and the view presented to those pass-
ing in the trains of the Pennsylvania road is
one of decided and unusual interest. The
tremendous quantities of metal to be seen
from the train invariably attract attention,
and persons frequently imagine the metal to
be held for speculation, until they learn that
the monthly requirements are twenty-five to
thirty thousand tons. The movement of the
vast amount of material daily required in
the works is a matter requiring extensive
facilities, and the company has over twenty
locomotives of various sizes plying upon
tracks equal in extent to upwards of thirty
miles of single track railroad. The freight
cars received and dispatched in some weeks
exceed 2,500, or 400 per day. The pay roll
of the company embraces five thousand
names, and the annual disbursements for
labor is nearly two million dollars. There
are over 20,000 persons who have their sup-
port directly from this company's disburse-
ments for labor alone, and when we consider
the disbursements for materials, supplies,
&c., and for the freight paid to the railroad
companies carrying the materials, (fee, and
endeavor to estimate the extent to which the
material interests, of those in various ways
related to or in some manner dependent on
the successful prosecution of this immense
enterprise, we may safely estimate the im-
portance of this company's affairs affects a
population equal to that of many congres-
sional districts. It was computed by a re-
cognized statistician that the railroad ton-
nage due to the transportation of the mate-
rials and products of a similar and less im-
portant establishment for a year represented
more ton miles than the business of the great
State of Texas for a corresponding period.
The works are reached by the tracks of
the Pennsylvania railroad, also by the
tracks of the Philadelphia & Reading rail-
road. This industry has given birth to a
city. Steelton is the outgrowth of the Penn-
sylvania Steel Company. Twenty-one years
ago the site of the town was nothing but farm
lands, to-day it is a bustling community
that holds within her corporate limits
several other large industries that would
reflect credit upon any metropolis in the
country, and which are known from the
Atlantic to the Pacific on account of their
various products. Steelton is a well built
city, mostly of brick, it is also well paved
and is equipped with gas, water, electric
light and electric railway accommodations.
The Steelton high school is one of the best
structures in the State; there are palatial,
residences and comforts, and all the stores
and commercial interests are thriving.
Samuel Morse Felton founded the enter-
prise and organized the Pennsylvania Steel
Company. He was born July 17, 1809. At
the age of fourteen he was employed as a
clerk in a grocery store in Boston, and while
there fitted himself for Harvard College,
from which he graduated in 1834, begin-
ning the study of law. For the benefit of
his health he soon adopted the profession of
civil engineering, and in 1838 engaged in
railroad construction in New England. In
1845 he became superintendent, and in 1871
he became president of the Philadelphia,
Wilmington & Baltimore railroad, and re-
moved to Philadelphia. Paralysis com-
pelled him to retire in 1865 for a short
time. After several months of rest, in con-
nection with J. Edgar Thomson, president
of the Pennsylvania Eailroad Company,
and others, he took up the manufacture of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
155
steel rails, and the result was the organiza-
tion of the Pennsj'lvania Steel Company.
Mr. Felton was elected president, and held
that position during his life. He died Jan-
uary 24, 1889, aged nearly 80 years. He
was a man of marvelous executive ability,
and was deeply interested in the welfare of
the company. His genial presence and
wise counsel have been greatly missed by
former associates, and his memory is highly
honored by all who knew him' in pubhc
and private life. The Pennsylvania Steel
Company was fortunate in securing, in 1874,
the services of Maj. Luther S. Bent as super-
intendent. From the date of his engage-
ment by the company the history of the
same has been one of continual progress
and great prosperity. The devotion with
which he managed the multidinous affairs of
the company has never been exceeded in
any similar enterprise. By his grasp of its
affairs, and his foresight, he has been en-
abled to conduct it with a success, the fame
of which is world-wide. During the latter
years of Mr. Felton's life. Major Bent as-
sumed the position of general manager and
vice-president, and upon the death of Mr.
Felton was chosen president and continued
such until 1896 when Mr. Edgar C. Felton,
son of the first president, was elected. The
general superintendent of the company is Mr.
Harr}' H. Campbell, who has charge of the
practical affairs of the manufacturing depart-
ments, and upon his shoulders rests agreat re-
sponsibility, which he assumes with the
confidence born of success. The president
and general manager of the company, Mr.
Edgar C. Felton, is the guiding spirit
of the company's affairs, a born executive,
a master of intricate detail and is possessed
of that spirit of public progress so essential
to the commercial success of all communi-
ties.
The Chesapeake Nail Works, Central Iron
"Works, and the Universal Mill, under prac-
tically one management, come next in indus-
trial productiveness. The plant of the
Chesapeake Nail Works was erected on the
present site in the year 1866, by Mr. Charles
L. Bailey. Twice since the building was
erected misfortune has fallen upon it. In
1878 a terrible explosion occurred, partially
demolishing the machinery and buildings.
It was subsequently rebuilt, only to undergo
the same misfortune by fire in September,
1882. Mr. Bailey, not disheartened, deter-
mined to carry on the business, rebuilt the
plant on a larger scale. Under one immense
roof are now to be found a puddle mill, plate
mill, nail factory, blacksmith department,
etc. The various buildings of this plant
cover a space of about four acres. The com-
pany employs 400 men, skilled and experi-
enced in the manufacture of iron and steel
nails and tack plates. There are 103 nail
machines in operation, and an immense
warehouse, capable of storing 16,000 kegs of
nails.
The Central Iron Works has long enjoyed
a reputation for superior quality of iron and
steel boiler plates. Both are used all over
the country in the largest boiler shops,
bridge building and locomotive works, and
by consumers generally. Their plant is one
of the largest and most complete in the
United States. It consists of two three-higli
plate mills, with all the necessary adjuncts,
of the most modern construction, of large
capacity (25,000 tons annually) and capable
of rolling almost any sized plates required.
They have also added a new universal mill,
the largest and most complete of its kind,
capable of making plates 42 inches wide
and of any lengths and thickness required.
Capacity, about 50,000 tons annually. Their
business extends to all parts of the United
States, from Maine to California. The mills
cover several acres, the universal mill being
200 feet wide by 400 feet long, the entire
building being made of steel. The plant is
equipped throughout with machinery of the
latest modern construction, having its own
electric light and power plant for lighting
and running its large electric cranes. The
mill is second to none, and has the reputa-
tion of manufacturing the best of all kinds
of iron and steel used in the construction of
bridges, buildings, &c.
The Universal Mill was built in the year
1892, it being the largest and best equipped
mill of its kind in the country. The Uni-
versal Mill is engaged in the manufacture of
all kinds of bridge construction iron and
steel, which is shipped to all parts of the
United States from Maine to San Francisco.
Large shipments are made to the New Eng-
land States, where the demand for the pro-
duct of the mill is steadily increasing. This
concern has just completed an immense con-
tract for a firm in San Francisco, which will
go down in the annals of commercial history
as an example of progress in mechanical
skill seldom, if ever, equalled. The Uni-
versal Mill occupies a building 150 feet wide
156
HISTORICAL REVIEW
and 500 feet long, the roof of the same being
entirely of iron. The capacity of the mill
is 200 tons of finished steel per day. The
plant is equipped throughout with machinery
of the latest improved kind, capable of roll-
ing out plates 100 feet long, 42 inches wide,
in gauge from three-eighths of an inch to
one inch in thickness. The Universal Mill
has turned out 256 tons of finished steel iii
twenty-four hours. This is wonderfully quick
work, considering the immense weight. The
plant has its own electric motors and dyna-
mos, which furnish power for running large
electric cranes and manufacturing electric
light for themselves, the Central Iron Works
and the Chesapeake Nail Works. The mill
is also equipped with two immense cranes
having a capacity of lifting twenty tons and
carrying the same to any place in the mill —
to the distance of 500 feet if necessary. Be-
sides electric and hydraulic cranes used for
lifting and unloading steel slabs, ingots, cars,
etc., there are a number of overhead travel
cranes with 36 and 65 feet spans. In this
department are two large Todd reversing en-
gines 30x60, also pumps used for hydraulic
pressure, which can give 900 pounds pressure
to the square inch. In the electrical depart-
ment, besides test motors, there is a battery
of ten boilers of 100-horse power each. The
mill is second to none, and has the reputa-
tion of manufacturing the best and all kinds
of iron and steel used in the construction of
bridges, etc.
The Harrisburg Foundry and Machine
Works was incorporated in 1891, previous to
which time it was the Harrisburg Car Manu-
facturing Company. The main building,
the machine shop, pattern shop, yards, of-
fices, etc., cover between three and four
acres. The annual output of the concern
is large, and the pay roll presents a formid-
able array of figures. The number of the
employed varies from three hundred to
four hundred, all of whom are skilled me-
chanics, drawing salaries that are in keeping
with their skill. A large portion of the trade
of the company is handled by New York,
Philadelphia and Boston concerns. Among
the many large contracts on hand may be
mentioned one for two eight-hundred horse-
power engines at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. They
have just completed a large contract for the
Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Scotland, Pa., and
are also engaged upon a large contract for
the Phi]a*delphia, Castle Rock & West Ches-
ter Electric Railway. The company manu-
factures the Weitmeyer Patent Furnace,
which saves from 15 to 20 per cent, in fuel.
This furnace is to be seen under hun-
dreds of boilers. The scope of the work of
this concern is so great that a detailed list of
its many products would be too long for a
single perusal, and a few will be mentioned.
The company is prepared, with endless beau-
tifully executed cuts and engravings, to sup-
ply all information of whatsoever kind re-
garding their goods and correspondence is
solicited. A superb set of cuts, executed
upon the finest calendered card paper will be
sent upon application to consulting engineers,
architects, electricians and purchasers. They
are pleased to submit them as a suggestion
of the most advanced work in the line of au-
tomatic engines, simple and compound, and
especially their happy adaptation to direct-
connected electric generators. A large num-
ber of the Harrisburg Ide and Ideal engines,
direct-connected, are now in operation — a
method that will probably prevail in the
near future for all first-class installations.
Owing to the large variety of sizes of Ide and
Ideal, or side and center-crank engines, the
Harrisburg Foundry and Machine Works is
prepared to meet all requirements for elec-
tric light and railway work, direct-connected
or otherwise. In all the conventional • and
essential characteristics of automatic regu-
lation, stability, good workmanship and
economy, these engines are not excelled. In
addition to the positive and constant lubrica-
tion of the Ideal engine, it enjoys the unique
distinction of being the only self-oiling hori-
zontal steam engine in the world — self-oiling
without the parts being submerged in oil,
without waste or throwing oil either upon
the floor or belts, or if direct-connected, into
the generator, and its ability to do uninter-
mitted work, absolutely noiseless in opera-
tion and economy in oil are all features not
obtained in any other engine. In this respect
the Ideal has no peer and recognizes no com-
petitor. Over 1,500 Ide and Ideal engines
are in use, aggregating over 200,000 horse-
power! Catalogues will be furnished upon
application for simple and compound engines,
boilers, etc. The Harrisburg Foundry and
Machine Works has an endless variety of
beautifully })rinted, engraved and half-tone
matter, all of which is to enlighten the trade.
This concern has a printed list over twenty
feet long, in nonpareil type and unleaded,
which contains the names of the firms that
have purchased Ide and Ideal engines, and
DAUFHIN COUNTY
157
includes the West Indies, Brazil, France,
Sweden, Canada, British Columbia, Africa,
etc. It is a splendid enterprise, and we
are pleased to announce the fact to the
commercial world. The company does steam
engineering in all its branches and contracts
for complete steam power plants, boilers,
tanks, stacks, etc., and is the' sole manufac-
turer of the Harrisburg Double Engine Steam
Road Roller. Harrisburg may well be proud
of such an industry.
The oldest of the large industrial estab-
lishments is that of the W. 0. Hickok Man-
ufacturing Company. This company was
established in the year 1848 by the late W.
0. Hickok, and no other concern in Penn-
sylvania has given such a unique representa-
tion as this company, whose manufactures
are shipped to all parts of the civilized world.
The plant of this industry covers nearly two
acres of ground, requiring over 40,000 square
feet of floor space in order to meet all the re-
quirements of their increasing trade. The
company is engaged in the wholesale manu-
facture of paper ruling machines, Jones' sig-
nature presses, Hickok roller backers, Hickok
knife grinding niachine, Hickok book saw-
ing machine, Hickok gilding presses, Hickok
standing presses, Hickok table shears, Hickok
paging machine, Hickok numbering ma-
chine, Hickok round cover cutter, Hickok
rotary board cutter, etc., bookbinders' ma-
chinery, full bindery outfits and so on until
the list of the vastly useful and particularly
well-made products of the compan)'- seems
interminable. Durmg the past three years
the company had a large .number of orders
from the Old World. The trade in this coun-
try embraces every town and city of promi-
nence from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
from Maine to the Gulf. The machine de-
partment building, foundry, offices, etc., pre-
sent an impressive view of commercial sta-
bility and progress and, as was noted before,
cover one and a half acres of ground. The
machine department, on North street, is
50x150 feet in dimensions. The basement is
half used for roughing out the lumber used,
and half for the storage of iron pipe and bar
irons ; the first floor as the machine depart-
ment; second floor wood working depart-
ment; third lloor painting, varnishing and
storage. The first floor is used as a machine
works, and the second is a store room, etc.
The company employs over a hundred peo-
ple, all experienced in their various depart-
ments, who are engaged the year through.
The capital stock of the company is $250,000-
and the office is a scene of busy people trans-
acting the business of a large and particu-
larly successful company. W. 0. Hickok,
the founder of the concern, and later its pres-
ident after its incorporation, was for a long
time an invalid, died in 1891, at quite an ad-
vanced age, deeply mourned by the many
who had become acquainted with liis sym-
pathetic personality and his broad views of
humanity. Before he passed away he made
a stipulation in his will to the eff'ect that he
wanted the W. 0. Hickok Manufacturing
Company to maintain its present firm title
so long as the business shall exist. In the
machinery building all the works and ma-
chines are operated by electric power, which
gives better results than steam. The plant
is also lighted throughout by means of elec-
tricity.
The Lalance and Grosjean Manufacturing
Company erected the rolling mill depart-
ment of their giant enterprise in Harrisburg,
in 1892. With imposing ceremonies the
establishment was opened in February, 1893.
The Harrisburg plant covers over four acres
of ground. The first structure erected was
220 by 280 feet, but so grand -was the success
of the undertaking that an annex 80 by 160
feet was soon added, thus making the entire
plant 288 by 380 feet. All work is now ex-
ecuted under one roof, but in different de-
partments and under a splendidly systematic
method. A bar mill, sheet mill, tin mill
and appointments, a 5,000 pound steam
hammer, two run-out fires, four charcoal
fires, immense pair of bar shears, three
double shears, three large engines and a bat-
tery of ten boilers of 125,000 horse power
and which consumes 175 tons of coal per
week, are a few of the expensive equipments
of the plant. The concern gives employ-
ment to over 225 hands, which, using the
accepted average, makes 1,125 people who
derive their subsistence from the products
of the enterprise. Concerns of this character
are of great moment to the local retail trade
and are of paramount importance to the
local property owners. The company man-
ufactures tin plate and "black plate," which
is shipped to their immense plant at Wood-
haven, L. I., where they employ from 1,400
to 1,800 people, and where tin plate and
black steel iron sheets are converted into all
kinds of cooking utensils, and which are
sold all over the civilized world. The out-
put of the company is tremendous and the
158
HISTORICAL REVIEW
names of Lalauce and Grosjean are syno-
nyms of progress in every household where
order and neatness reign.
The Harrisburg Manufacturing Company
was organized in 1889 and incorporated
June 10, 1895, the capital stock being $100,-
000. The manufacture of boilers for steam
and hot water, heating and for power is the
business of the concern, the specialties being
star water tube, volcano water tube, star gas
burner, horizontal tubular and vertical
boilers. The company's boiler's are applied
to all manner and styles of engines, and
have man}'' points of vantage that can best
be understood by perusing its catalogue,
which gives in detail what must necessarily
be omitted in a comparatively brief article.
The Harrisburg Manufacturing and Boiler
Company has acquired a plant equipped
throughout with the most modern.. tools
and appliances of such general perfection
that they are unsurpassed either as to
facilities or the character of their pro-
duct. The companj^ is specially equipped
for the manufacture of complete and perfect
boilers of the styles mentioned before. The
boilers of this company have been brought
up to the very highest standard, both as to
workmanship and efficiency, and the com-
pany respectfully invites careful considera-
tion of all claims in this direction. Know-
ing that their efforts have been recognized
and appreciated in the past, it is the aim of the
company to maintain the highest standard,
and to excel, if possible, the well-established
character of their product, keeping, in all
respects, alive to the spirit and requirements
of the times. The trade of the company
extends throughout the length and breadth
of the land, and their boilers are in great
favor with all who have used them — the
rapidity with which they gather steam, their
safety and their tremendous powers of re-
sistance in the matter of pressure and their
almost indestructible qualities have made
them prime favorites in the manufactories of
America. The quality of boiler iron used
is tested by the latest recognized and ap-
proved methods, and when in the shape of
the finished product is as near perfection
as human skill, ingenuity and money can
bring it. The company employs sixty peo-
ple in the conduct of their business, and oc-
cupies a very large three-story brick struc-
ture, which contains the office, foundry and
general work rooms. The firm also makes
a specialty of general repairs, and in this
line probably do more than any similar con-
cern in this entire section of the State.
The Paxton and.Steelton Flouring Mill
Company was incorporated in February,
1891, for the manufacture of high grade
flour, assuming control at once, through a
leasei for a term of years, of the Paxton Flour
Mills, of Harrisburg, and the Steelton Flour-
ing Mills, of Steelton. The Paxton Mills,
owned by the estate of James McCormick,
dec'd, in' 1862 succeeded the Eagle Mills,
and increased its daily capacity from fifteen
barrels to one hundred barrels. In 1879 the
old frame building was torn down, and the
present large stone mill erected and fitted
out for the burr process, with a daily capacity
of 350 barrels, but in 1880 the mill was
changed from the old burr process to the
new roller process — being the first mill in
Pennsylvania to adopt the roller process —
with a daily capacity of 500 barrels ; since
then the capacity has been gradually in-
creased to meet the demands of its trade,
until it is now 750 barrels. The leading
brands of this mill are " Paxton " and
" Hoffer's Best," which have been on the
local markets since 1862 and 1880 respec-
tively, and " Castilla," which has been on
foreign markets since 1868. The entire
plant at the Paxton Mills consists of engine
and boiler house, 40x40, and mill proper,
64x85, five stories high, warehouse, 64x85,
one story high, all built of heavy limestone ;
elevator, six stories high, built of stone and
slated frame, with capacity of 80,000 bushels.
Also a cooper plant, consisting of a stock
house, 50x120, two stories high ; two barrel
houses with a storage capacity of 15,000
barrels ; a factory 30x120, fitted up with the
most improved machinery, with a daily
capacity of 1,500 barrels. The Steelton Mill
was built in 1882, by The Steelton Flouring
Mills Company, fitted up with a full roller
process, with a daily capacity of 500 barrels,
but has since been increased to 750 barrels.
The leading brands of this mill for local
trade are " Hercules," " Pearl," and " Stella,"
and for export, " Crystal," which have been
on the market since 1883. The entire plant
of the Steelton Mill consists of a brick engine
and boiler house, 54x62, brick mill building,
62x74, five stories high, one brick warehouse,
50x78, three stories high, and one warehouse
built of frame and corrugated iron, 34x120,
one-story high, one slated-frame elevator,
40x62, five stories high, and cooper building,
now used for barrel storage, with a capacity
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
159
for 10,000 barrels. In its various depart-
ments this company employs 150 men.
In 1885 the Boll Brothers Manufacturing
Company established its enterprise, and a
company incorporated in 1893. For eight
years it had been known as the Harrisburg
Woven Wire Mattress Compan3^ Its author-
ized capital was $100,000. The company
occupies a splendid five-story brick building
with dimensions 40x180 feet;, which is
equipped throughout with all the latest im-
proved machinery for the special manufac-
ture of their several grades of intricate and
beautiful workmanship. There are some
seventy people employed, and the represent-
atives on the road cover the New England
and Middle and Southern States. There are
few thoroughly first-class, completely stocked
furniture concerns in the country that do
not handle the splendid goods of Boll Broth-
ers Manufacturing Company. The goods
sell themselves ; their beauty, solidity and
intricate workmanship being silently elo-
quent of the merits of the same. Losses by
fire in no way impeded the progress of the
company, whose able president, Mr. Charles
Boll, seems fitted by nature to surmount
difficulties that would discourage most men
of his years — he is not yet thirty — and to
gather strength from his misfortunes. The
building and equipment are models in every
particular, the system that has been evolved
is perfection itself. The fifth floor of the
factory is devoted to a feather purifying de-
partment, which is unique and original,
being one of the latest and improved pro-
cesses. The model picking room, on the
fourth floor, has a granolithic floor, and is
lined with asbestos, thus avoiding any possi-
bility of fire. Here the material is carefully
sorted and picked. The latest irnproved
machinery is employed, notably Boll's cotton
curler, which gives the company the exclu-
sive franchise to manufacture curled cotton
mattresses. The first floor is devoted to the
elegant offices and immense sample room,
where a sample of every product of the com-
pany is kept to show customers. The nian-
agers are all practical men, educated in
every detail of the business and all work
and material are subjected t o their personal
inspection and direction. Every brass and
iron bedstead, spring mattress, etc., made by
the company meets every requirement of the
trade, which explains t he high appreciation
in which dealers and the public hold their
goods. The company manufactures only
for the wholesale trade.
Reference has already been made to the
early development of the Lykens Valley
coal regions, and in this connection it is im-
portant to refer again to these celebrated
mines in the upper end of Dauphin county.
The Lykens Valley coal is mined by two
coal companies, the Short Mountain of Wic-
onisco, and the Summit Branch of Williams-
town, both collieries now being controlled
by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
The two collieries employ over 2,000 men
and boys, who are paid on the third Satur-
day of each month for all work done during
the previous month. Thomas M. Williams
is superintendent of both collieries. The
following table shows the output for the
present year, 1896, up to August 15, together
with the amount shipped in 1895 to the
same day, giving increase and decrease of
.each colliery :
WEEK. . YEAR.
Short Mountain,
Last year, . .
Increase, . .
Williamstown, .
Last year,
Decrease, .
Total amount.
Last year, . .
The Hummelstown Brownstone Company
was established in 1867, and the quarries, lo-
cated about three miles from that enterprising
town, have been worked for thirty years past.
For the last eighteen years, however, they
have been more extensively operated, owing
to the change of ownership and the business
facilities and enterprise of the new manage-
ment. The plant consists of a railroad of
some three and a-half miles, with extensive
sidings, four locomotives and a number of
freight and passenger cars. There is a large
stone saw mill of thirteen gangs, with a large
stonecutter shop, thoroughly equipped with
rub wheels and ten stone planers, together
with all necessary appliances for doing first-
class cut stone work. There are four quarry
openings, with some thirty steam hoist der-
ricks, and in prosperous times the number
of men employed has amounted to about
600. The capacity of the quarries is prac-
tically unlimited, and in the summer season
as many as forty cars of stone have been
shipped in one day. Perchance no similar
4,794 17 . . .
4.497 08 ,
. 155,332 19
. 116,321 09
297 09
4,925 11 . . .
6,242 06 . . .
. . . 39,011 10
177,603 17
214,212 09
1,316 15 . . .
9,720 08 . . .
10,739 14 . . .
36,608 12
. . 332,936 16
. . . 330,533 18
160
HISTORICAL REVIEW
quarries in the United States are so thoroughly
equipped in every respect with machinery
and proper appliances, and these quarries
are recognized as amongst the largest in the
United States. The building stone taken
therefrom is of the most durable character,
and the climate does not seem to have any
effect upon it. It may be proper to state
that Professor Pond, who made an analysis
of the brownstone, says that in comparison
it is placed among the best, as far as the
chemical determination of the constituents
is capable of indicating, while Professor
Reber, in testing the stone for compression
states, that the crushing strain averaged
over seven hundred tons to the square foot,
showing that the stone is of excellent quality
for building purposes. It may be well said
that the Brownstone Company has been one
of the most successful in the State of Penn-
sylvania, due to the fact of its high grade
and excellence as building material.
In the month of May, 1880, there was es-
tablished at Middletown an industry which
advanced with such marvelous strides that it
has developed into the largest manufacturing
pipe and tube works in the United States, if
not in the world. The new plant started
with about seventy-five men, which rapidly
increased until with the supplemental plant
at Youngstown, Ohio, two thousand persons
are employed. The magnitude of the Ameri-
can Tube and Iron Company, a,t Middle-
town, must be seen to be properly estimated.
The mills are equipped to make all dimen-
sions of pipe. The sizes of pipe made in the
butt mills run from 1-16 inch diameter to
IJ inches diameter, whilst the sizes made in
the lap mill range from IJ inches diameter
to 20 inches diameter. A large galvanizing
works filled with three immense baths is in
constant operation galvanizing pipes. Three
car loads of spelter are used per week for this
purpose. This department is kept so busy
that it was found absolutely necessary to en-
large it, and it was only recently that changes
were made which increased its output fifty
per cent., thus giving employment to addi-
tional workmen. As it is not proposed to
bring within the scope of this notice' the
methods of manufacturing pipe, no mention
can be made of the many departments and
buildings wherein pipes, tubes and fittings
pass through the various stages of manufac-
ture before being ready for market. It is the
admirable equipment of these mills and their
mechanical departments that has ever distin-
guished the American Tube and Iron Com-
pany from other pipe concerns, and enables
it to undertake successfully special lines of
work requiring the highest engineering
knowledge and skill to develop and apply
the same with the greatest accuracy of de-
tail. This is one of the reasons why, during
the dullest business seasons when all trade
seems to flag, the mills are able to keep their
large army of workmen fully employed ; a
body of men keenly alive to the value of
steady employment, and for whose welfare
they have made ample assurance.
For the character of work the American
Tube & Iron Company could easily claim
supremacy. Several years ago, by way of
illustration, the mill was running day and
night for about one hundred miles of eight-
inch pipe to convey natural gas from the
Indiana fields to Chicago. Six of the largest
pipe concerns of the United States endeav-
ored to meet the rigorous requirements of
this company, but unsuccessfully. Every
gas and oil field has the pipe manufactured
by this company in use. Among its largest
customers is the Standard Oil Company, for
whom it has furnished hundreds of miles of
pipe. The Sandwich Islands and other
prominent countries have afforded promis-
ing fields for the production of this great in-
dustry. For the great success of these works
much is due to the enterprise and energy of
the Mathesons.
Apart from this mammoth industry there
are other enterprises at Middletown, which in
prosperous times have added very much to
the progress of that thriving town. It has
always been an important manufacturing
center, and contains within and around it all
the elements to make it a great industrial
point.
For a period of nearly forty years the Mc-
Cormick estate has had control and manage-
ment of the Paxton furnaces, which in the
flush times of the iron trade have been suc-
cessfully carried on, and the production of
iron profitable demonstrated. The capacity
of these furnaces is about twelve hundred
tons of pig iron per month. In connection
with these furnaces there is a rolling mill
which has been one of the most successful
enterprises in this locality. The main build-
ings cover an area of ground, 250 by 160
feet, while the puddle mill has a large num-
ber of double puddling fornaces and a ca-
pacity of about 150 tons per week.
The Jackson Manufacturing Company
WM. H. EGLE, M. D.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
163
was established in 1880 with a paid up capi-
tal of $50,000, but owing to the vast increase
of business, in 1889 the stock was increased
to $100,000. The company has a large and
substantial building which extends a whole
block, from New Fourth street to Fulton
street along Boyd avenue. The plant
throughout is equipped with all the latest ap-
pliances and improved machinery, including
heating furnaces, hydraulic presses, drills, etc.
The reputation of the Jackson Manufactur-
ing Company is not only confined to the
United States, but extends throughout North
and South America, and across the waters.
They construct the highest grade, scientifi-
cally, steel wheelbarrows for all purposes,
used by mills, large industries, miners, rail-
roads, public works, etc. At present twenty-
five experienced hands are employed at these
works. During the busy season this num-
ber is doubled. A few years ago this com-
pany received a medal and diploma from
the Exposition University at Barcelona,
Spain.
To show how the varied manufacturing
industries thrive and succeed at Harrisburg,
we need only refer, in conclusion, to the
manufacturing of shoes. The establishments
of Forney Brothers & Company, Bay Shoe
Company, and the Harrisburg Boot and
Shoe Manufacturing Company, with two.
others, incorporated, whose combined pro-
ducts are valued at nearly a half million of
dollars, go to show how successful these en-
terprises have proven to be in the Capital
City.
Although the foregoing industrial estab-
lishments are more prominent owing to their
extensive works and the large sum of money
invested therein, still there are other indus-
trial concerns intimately connected with tlie
prosperity of Harrisburg whose total value
of stock and machinery with the other pro-
ductiveness amounts in value to hundreds
of thousands of dollars. Limited as we must
necessarily be, only an epitome of the indus-
tries of a large manufacturing city, like Har-
risburg, can be given. Its unequalled ad-
vantages, its facilities for transportation, in
the midst of one of most productive regions
in America, give to Harrisburg a supremacj'
offered by no other city or town in the
American Union. Capital has been invited,
capital has located its establishments, and
capital has received its rich reward. Closely
allied to the various industries are the bank-
ing institutions of the city. The variou;^
financial institutions have always been of
conservative management. And the new
Harrisburg, and newer Steel ton, with ten
millions of dollars in their banks, show alike
to. capitalists, manufacturers, and skilled
labor that no better financial institutions
and greater manufacturing enterprises exist
anywhere.
15
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
— OF—
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Hills, Stephen, the architect of the State
Capitol of Pennsylvania, was the fifth child
of John and Sarah (Lewis) Hills, who were
married in December, 1755, and had a family
of seven sons and a daughter. Stephen, the
fourth son, was born at Ashford, Kent county,
England, August 10, 1771. According to the
custom of the times, he was " bound out for
seven years " and apprenticed to a local house-
wright, living in his "master's" family until
his twenty-first birthday. In 1794 he mar-
ried Margaret Ashby, of Pluckley, a parish
village about five miles from Ashford. He
was the first of five brothers who came to
America, arriving at Boston in either 1796
or 1797. His brothers* Richard and William
joined him in 1801, and subsequent to his
departure for this city, about 1802, his broth-
ers George and Joseph, and their widowed
mother, came to the United States and settled
in the capitol of New England.
While a resident of Boston he was actively
engaged in business and built several houses.
The building erected for his own home in
1799, in what was then the outskirts of the
town, still stands in what is now a very thickly
settled part of Boston. The city's geographi-
cal center has passed it, and is now nearly a
mile beyond its location. At how early a
date he became a resident of Harrisburg is
not known to his New England relatives, but
it is believed that he built many of the houses
of that city which were erected in the earlier
part of the present century. His plans for
the capitol of Pennsylvania were adopted,
and he was the builder as well as the archi-
tect of that edifice, the cornerstone of which
was laid May 31, 1819.
While on a visit to England his wife, Mar-
garet Hills, died at Harrisburg, on Sunday,
August 4, 1822, in the 51st year of her age,
leaving four children. Sarah, who married
November 26, 1821, Samuel White, and sub-
sequently removed to Indianapolis, where she
was living in 1845, and three sons, John,
Stephen, and Thomas. Before returning to
America Mr. Hills again married, and was
for a short time once more a resident of Har-
risburg. Aboub 1825 he went to England
for the last time and remained there about
eleven years, and in the winter of 1836-7 re-
turned to the United States. He is described
by those who knew him at this time as a
man of large frame, weighing about two hun-
dred and fifty pounds. In the spring of 1837
he went to Jefferson city to build the capitol
for the State of Missouri. The plans made
for the Pennsylvania structure were accepted
for this edifice, and so closely followed that
the building was practically a duplicate of
his earlier work. Immediately following
the completion of the capitol, he commenced
the erection of the university at Columbia,
in that State, and finished his contract in the
spring of 1843. He then retired from his
profession and went to his farm in the west-
ern part of Illinois (about twelve miles from
St. Louis). Here he died, October 17, 1844,
leaving a widow and her children, two daugh-
ters and a son ; and a son, daughter,' and six
grandchildren as descendants of himself and
Margaret Ashby, his first wife.
Stewart, Samuel, son of Samuel Stewart,
born in the county Down, Ireland, was
brought to Pennsylvania in the emigration
of his father's family in 1735, and on com-
ing of age settled as a farmer in Hanover
township, Lancaster county, now West Han-
■over, Dauphin county. Pa., about 1750. His
warrant for one hundred acres of laud was
dated May 17,1754, and in an "assessment
for the King's use, 1759, Samuel Stuart " is
taxed five shillings. This township, estab-
lished in 1737 and named in honor of the
reigning family of Great Britain, almost ex-
clusively settled by Scotch-Irish Presbyte-
rians, was on the then frontier and contigu-
ous to theKittatinny mountains. From the
date of his settlement therein, in 1754, until
1764, on account of its proximity to the wil-
derness, it was subject to Indian raids and
depredations from which the inhabitants suf-
fered fearfully in their persons and property.
166
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
often being compelled to abandon their
homes and fly for safety. This state of af-
fairs continued until the massacre in Lan-
caster of the Couestoga Indians, who were
the aiders and abettors of these outrages. ' A
public meeting of the citizens of Hanover
township, June 4, 1774, has gone into his-
tory, showing the earliest recorded movement
toward independence, and, when the Revo-
lutionary war began, the liberty-loving and
patriotic Scotch-Irish of Hanover were found
faithful and active participants. Samuel
Stewart entered as a private, serving in Col.
Timothy Green's battalion for the defense of
the frontier, and, in June 6, 1776, in Oapt.
James Rodgers' company of Lancaster county
associators, "destined for the camp in the
Jerseys." On the erection and organization
of the county of Dauphin, in 1785, we find
him upon the first grand jury, composed of
prominent citizens. A Presbyterian by birth
and a supporter of the old Hanover church,
founded in 1735, and situated eleven miles
east of Harrisburg, the records show that on
" November 2, 1788, Samuel Stewart and
Nanc3' Stewart, his wife, were admitted to the
Lord's table." Samuel Stewart died Septem-
ber 16, 1803, and was buried in Hanover
church graveyard. He was a large man,
weighing two hundred and thirty pounds,
six feet in height, eyes blue and complexion
fair. His surviving wife, Agnes Calhoun,
and his son, Samuel Elder Stewart, were the
executors named in his will. He married,
first, Nancy Templeton, daughter of Robert
and Agnes Templeton, of Hanover; died
1788, and buried in old Hanover church
graveyard. Samuel Stewart married, sec-
ondlv, in 1789, Agnes (Nancy) Calhoun, born
1763"; died August 29, 1823 ; buried in the
cemetery at Graysville, Huntingdon county.
Pa.; daughter of William and Hannah Cal-
houn, of Paxtang township, Dauphin county,
Pa. On the death of her husband in 1803,
she purchased a farm in West Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., adjoining the
farm of Robert Stewart, ten miles east of Har-
risburg, on the Jonestown road, where she
remained until the spring of 1813, when she
removed to Spruce Creek, Centre county. Pa.
Hill, Samuel, son of Arundel and Char-
lotte Hill, was born in 1765 in England.
His ancestors belonged to one of the repre-
sentative families of that country. He re-
ceived a good English and classical educa-
tion, and learned the trade of clock and
watchmaker in London. He came to Penn-
sylvania about 1785, and shortly afterwards
established himself in business at Harris-
burg, Pa. He was a skilled and ingenious
workman. He was quite prominent in the
early affairs of the new town, and was among
the first to jump into the water to tear down
the obnoxious mill-dam in the Paxtang
creek, in 1795. He was a volunteer in
Captain Reitzell's company on the expedi-
tion westward in 1794; and twice visited
England on matters connected with his
father's estate, then considered quite an
undertaking ; and what particularly dis-
tinguished his last visit was his reception
by his fellow-citizens of Harrisburg on his
return, which was an ovation showing what
a strong hold he had upon his friends in
America. He died very suddenly, while
sitting in his chair on Monday evening,
November 6, 1809, aged 44 years, and the
Oracle of Dauphin speaks of his loss to the
community as " irreparable." Mr. Hill mar-
ried at Harrisburg, February 3, 1790, Nancy
Beatty, daughter of James Beatty and his
wife Alice Ann Irwin. She was born May
2, 1771, at Bally Red-Ednagouud, county
Down, Ireland, and died May 7, 1839, at
Steubenville, 0.
* WoERALL, James, is a native of Limerick,
Ireland, the son of John Worrall,of that city,
merchant, who failed in business in conse-
quence of some decree of the first Napoleon.
He had cargoes of provisions on the ocean,
and when the continental ports were closed
against them they had to be sacrificed or rot
in the ships, a fate which bankrupted their
owner. He then emigrated to this country,
and being a man of education he began
teaching, in which occupation he successfully
continued until his death, at Philadelphia,
in 1845. He left a large family, of whom
James was the eldest. The latter entered
the establishment of Carey, Lea & Co., book-
sellers, where he remained several years,
when he secured a position on an engineer
corps under Judge F. W. Rawle. The first
rod Mr. Worrall ever held was on a railroad
in Northumberland county in 1881, and
strange to say, the road was only commenced
to be built in 1882, more than half a century
later than its preliminary survey. He con-
tinued with Judge Rawle into 1832. In
1833, under Judge Benjamin Wright, one of
the engineers of the Erie canal, he assisted
in making the surveys and maps of the great
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
167
St. Lawrence canal, between Prescott and
Cornwall. He then joined the engineer
corps on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal,
where he remained two years. In the fall
of 1835 he helped Colonel Schlatter on a
survey across New Jersey for a railroad from
Trenton to New Brunswick, which, through
the opposition of the Camden and Amboy
railroad, was never built. Mr. Worrall then
took service on the James river and Kanawha
canal, under Judge Wright, consulting engi-
neer, and Charles EUet, Jr., constructing
engineer. He was subsequently called back
to Pennsylvania by Hother Hage to make a
survey over the Alleghany mountains on a
line from the Cumberland Valley to Pitts-
burgh. He was given the division from
Bedford across the mountains as far as the
Laurel Hill, a reconnoissance from thence to
Greensburg, and again a survey from the
latter point to the Youghiougheny at the
mouth of the Sewickly. This was in 1838,
and here Mr. Worrall first showed his skill
and judgment, but the fact of their existence
was not to be discovered until some forty-
five years afterwards, when the highest en-
gineering ability of the year 1882 was called
upon for an opinion on the location then
made; they unanimously pronounced it the
true location for the road, the South Penn-
sylvania, and adopted it without hesitation.
There was some difficult engineering sug-
gested by Colonel Worrall east of Bedford
upon which the syndicate of engineers was
called upon to pronounce, which also they
unanimously approved. It is questionable
whether it would not have been hard to find,
in the early history of engineering, an engi-
neer, who, locating a road upon a single ex-
amination, so marked it as that the improved
science of forty years later adopted it as the
best without hesitation. He was afterwards
engaged with Milnor Roberts as principal
assistant engineer in the Erie extension of
the Pennsylvania canal ; in 1844 he became
interested with others in canal and railroad
contracts in the United States and Canada.
In 1850 he was chief engineer of the Union
canal, where he continued until the comple-
tion of its enlargement, when he became
principal engineer on the western division
of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad. Upon
the completion of this work he returned to
Harrisburg. After the year 1861 he acted
as clerk in the quartermaster's department
during the war. At the close of the Rebellion
he was agaiia engineering across the State for
projected routes to the West ; afterwards on a
canal survey in Illinois, returning to Penn-
sylvania in 1869, since which period he has
been prominently identified with the fishery
commission of the State, and to him much
that has been accomplished in that direction
is due.
Graydon, Mrs. Rachel (Marks), was a
native of the Island of Barbadoes, and the
eldest of four daughters. Her father, Mr.
Marks— engaged in the West India trade-
was of German birth ; her mother a native of
Glasgow, Scotland . At the age of seven years
her parents removed to Philadelphia, where
Rachel was educated. She formed the ac-
quaintance and married, about 1750, Alex-
ander Graydon, a native of Longford, Ire-
land, doing business at that time in the old
town of Bristol, Bucks county, Pa. At this
period the celebrated Dr. Baird wrote of her
that she was " the finest girl in Philladelphia,
having the manners of a lady bred at court."
At the opening of the war of the Revolu-
tion her oldest sons enlisted in the patriot
army — one of whom, Alexander, has re-
corded in the " Memoirs of a Life Passed in
Pennsylvania" much concerning the ma-
ternal aff'ection, the fortitude and patriotic
spirit of an American matron. Taken pris-
oner at the capture of Fort Washington, the
devoted mother, accomplished, by personal
appeals, the parole of Captain Graydon.
During the major part of the Revolution,
Mrs. Graydon resided at Reading, and while
there her house was " the seat of hospitality,
and the resort of numerous guests of dis-
tinction, including officers of the British
army who were there stationed as prisoners
of war." The Baron de Kalb was often
there; and between her own and General
Mifflin's family there was a strong intimacy
existing. When the county of Dauphin was
organized, the appointment of her son,
Alexander, as prothonotary, occasioned her
removal to Harrisburg. She was a lady
much devoted to her family, and yet, in the
early days of this city, she was prominent in
deeds of love and charity. She died at Har-
risburg at the residence of her son on the
23d of January, 1807, aged 73 years, and is
interred in the Harrisburg cemetery.
Brown, William, of Paxtang, thus desig-
nated in the act for the erection of the
county of Dauphin to distinguish him from
Capt. William Brown, of Hanover, a cousin.
168
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Of the ancestr}' of this prominent man and
citizen we have the following : John Brown,
"the pious carrier" of Muirkirk parish, Ayr-
shire, Scotland, was captured by Graham,
of Claverhouse, and his troops the first of
May, 1685, and ordered to take the oath of
conformity, which he refused to do. Claver-
house bid him go t«-4iis prayers, because he
had but a few minutes to live. He did pray
with such power that when Claverhouse
ordered his men to fire upon him they re-
fused,and with a pistol and an oath he blew
his brains out, and then turned to the widow
and said, "What thinkest thou of thy hus-
band now?" She answered, "I ever thought
meikle of him, but never so meikle as I do
this day." He said, " It were but justice to lay
thee beside him." She answered, "If you
were permitted, I doubt not but your cruelty
would go that length ; but how will you
answer for this morning's work?" "To man
I can be answerable, and as for God I will
take him into my own hand," he replied
and rode away. She laid down her child,
tied up her husband's head with her apron,
stretched out his limbs, covered him with
her plaid, and sat down and wept long and
bitterly. Without means, without a friend
to help, and liable to be persecuted, she was
at her wit's end. But God cared for her and
removed her to Ireland, where she found
friends, and where she married again. From
this second marriage sprung the Weir family
of our county. John Brown's sons were
James and John, both of whom came to
America about 1720, the former settling on
the Swatara, the latter in Paxtang. A son
of John, born 30th of June, 1720, was Will-
iam Brown, of Paxtang. He was a promi-
nent actor in Provincial and Revolutionary
times, a representative man on the frontier,
and as might be supposed a zealous Cove-
nanter. At his own expense he visited Ire-
land and Scotland on behalf of his religious
brethren to procure a supply of ministers,
and brought over the celebrated divines
Lind and Dobbins. He was a member of
the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1776, and
during its sessions proposed the gradual
emancipation of slaves within the Common-
wealth, a measure not very favorably re-
ceived at the time, but which four years
afterwards was enacted into a law. He
served again in the Assembly in 1784, and
was a member of the Board of Property De-
cember 5, 1785. He was afterwards, Octo-
ber 2, 1786, appointed one of the commis-
sioners to superintend the drawing of the
donation land lottery. Mr. Brown died on
the 10th of October, 1787, and is buried in
Paxtang church graveyard. He was not
only an active, earnest and public-spirited
Christian, of unquestioned piety of heart,
but as a neighbor and citizen generous and
kind-hearted, which insured respect and won
friendship. He had no children, but to his
paternal and loving care are we indebted
for the education of his distinguished
nephew. Rev. Matthew Brown, LL. D., presi-
dent of Washington and Jefferson College.
These were the men who a century ago
fulfilled the trust confided to them. They
were all Scotch-Irish Presbyterians — all save
one born in the Paxtang of old — and all
save one rest beneath the hallowed God's
acre which lies within the shadow of that
historic landmark, Paxtang church. The
founder and his friends (for they were his
warm personal friends) lie within the same
enclosure. They were but human, it is true,
3'-et they were men who never shrunk from
the fulfillment of duty, and we of to-day in
calling up their names and honoring their
memories will do well to follow their ex-
ample.
Bertram, William, was born February
2, 1674, in the city of Edinburg, Scotland.
He received his education in the university
of his native place, studied for the ministry,
and was licensed by the Presbytery of Ban-
gor, Ireland, who gave him "ample testi-
monials of his ordination, ministerial quali-
fications, and regular Christian conversa-
tion." He married, about 1706, Jane Gilles-
pie, the widow of Angus McClain, and their
children were, John, first, second and third,
who died in infancy ; Phebe, died at age of
seventeen, and Elizabeth, married James
Galbraith. During one of those periodical
political excitements in the British Isles, the
son disappeared, and his parents, under the
impression he had come to America, deter-
mined, if possible, to ascertain his where-
abouts, and came to Pennsylvania about the
year 1730. Failing in their search, they de-
cided to remain in this country, and the fol-
lowing year we find the Rev. Mr. Bertram
unanimously received by Donegal Presby-
tery, which he joined. At the same time
George Renick presented him an invitation
to settle at Paxtang and Derry, which he
accepted. He was installed November 17,
1732, at the meeting-house on Swatara. The
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
169
congregations then appointed representa-
tives, who executed to Bertram the right and
title to the "Indian town tract," situated in
Hanover township, on the north side of the
Swatara, containing three hundred and fifty
acres. On the settlement of Eev. Bertram
the congregation in Swatara took the name
of Derry, and the upper congregation, on
Spring creek, was styled Paxtang. In 1735,
Mr. Bertram complained »f the "intolerable
burden " he was under with the two congre-
gations, and September 13, 1736, he was re-
leased from the care of Paxtang. The Rev.
William Bertram died on the 2d of May,
1746, aged seventy-two, and his remains are
interred in Derry church graveyard, his wife
dying prior thert-to. He was a faithful min-
ister of tlie gospel. It may be stated that,
through his marriage with Miss Gillespie,
his descendants became heirs to a handsome
estate in Edinburg. Efforts were made to
secure this, but the difficulties inherent upon
proving descent, we presume, have been the
means of keeping the rightful parties from
enjoying this patrimony.
Murray, John, son of John Murray, was
born about 1691, in Scotland ; emigrated to
the Province of Pennsylvania in 1732 in
company with his brother and other friends.
On the 10th of January, 1737, he obtained a
land warrant from the proprietaries of Penn-
, sylvania,and on the "14th of ye 9th month,"
1739, had the same located upon two hun-
dred acres and twelve perches of land adjoin-
ing the northwest side of "Swahatawro"
(Swatara) creek, then in Hanover township,
Lancaster county. Pa. Adam Read, an early
settler and prominent in frontier times, held
an adjoining tract on the north by improve-
ment. On the 1st of March, 1744, John
Murray obtained another warrant, which
was located, about a year afterwards, east of
the other tract, and between it and land of
James Stewart. This latter tract is now
within the limits of Lebanon county, the
former, the homestead, being within the
present bounds of Dauphin county, a short
distance from Dixon's Ford on the Swatara.
The date of death or name of John Murray's
wife we have been unable to gather.
list of Hanover township, Lancaster county.
He settled with his family on Manada creek,
near the Gap. During the Indian war, 1755-
1763, there was a fort on his farm for defense
against the Indians and the safety of the
settlers. His sons were already grown men,
for in 1755 Governor Morris addressed a
letter to Samuel Robinson, sending with it
one hundred pounds of gunpowder to be
used by the inhabitants of Hanover in " de-
fense of themselves and their country." Be-
side their farm, the Robinsons were millers,
owning a mill on the Manada at the Gap, and
furnishing supplies to the Government dur-
ing that war. Philip Robinson died in May,
1770; his wife's name is unknown, and her
death preceded her husband's.
Read, Capt. Adam, was a native of the
Province of Ulster, Ireland, where he was
born in 1703. He located in Hanover on
the Swatara about 1725, and secured the
possession of large tracts of land. He was a
gentleman of education and became quite
prominent in Provincial days. He was for
many years one of His Majesty's justices, and
during the French and Indian wars held the
commission of captain, doing gallant service
on the frontiers. Considerable of his corres-
pondence is found among the archives of the
State, mostly relating to Indian forays and
earnest appeals for protection. Captain Read
was an elder in Hanover church, and in the
old grave^'ard on Bow creek rest his remains.
He died Februarv 2, 1769; and his wife
Mary, born in 1712, on the 11th of June, 1783.
Their two daughters married respectively —
Mary, John Harris, the founder of Harris-
burg, and Eleanor, Robert Whitehill, of
Cumberland county.
Robinson, Philip, son of Thomas Robin-
son, was born about the year 1698, in the
north of Ireland, came to the Province of
Pennsylvania with his father's family, prior
to 1730. His name appears on the first tax
Elder, John, son of Robert Elder, who
came from Lough Neagh, county Antrim,
Ireland, to Pennsylvania in 1730, was born
January 26, 1706, in the city of Edinburg,
Scotland; died July 17, 1792, in Paxtang
township, Dauphin county. Pa. He received
a classical education. and graduated from the
University at Edinburgh. He subsequently
studied divinity, and in 1732 was licensed
to preach the gospel. Four or five years
later, the son followed the footsteps of his
parents and friends, and came to America.
Coming as a regularly licensed minister, he
was received by New Castle Presbytery, hav-
ing brought credentials to that body, after-
wards to Donegal Presbytery, on the 5th of
170
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
October, 1737. Paxtang congregation having
separated from tliat of Derry in 1735, and
Rev. Mr. Bertram adhering to the latter, left
that of Paxtang vacant, and they were
unanimous in giving Rev. John Elder a call.
This he accepted on the 12th day of April,
1738, and on the 22d of November following
he was ordained and installed, the Rev.
Samuel Black presiding. The early years of
Mr. Elder's ministry were not those of ease ;
for in the second year the Whitfield excite-
ment took a wide spread over the Presby-
terian Church. He preached against this re-
ligious furore, or the "great revival," as it
was termed, and for this he was accused to
the Presbytery of propagating "false doc-
trine." That body cleared him, however,, in
December, 1740; "but a separation was
made," says Webster, "and the conjunct
Presbyters answered the supplications sent
to them the next summer by sending Camp-
bell and Rowland to those who forsook him.
He signed the protest. His support being
reduced, he took charge of the' 'Old Side'
portion of the Derry congregation." Follow-
ing closely upon these ecclesiastical troubles
came the French and Indian war. Associa-
tions were formed thrpughout the Province
of Pennsylvania for the defense of the fron-
tiers, and the congregations of Mr. Elder, were
prompt to embody themselves. Their min-
ister became their leader — their captain —
and they were trained as scouts. He super-
intended the discipline of his men, and his
mounted rangers became widely known as
the " Paxtang Boys." During two summers,
at least, every man who attended Paxtang
church carried his rifle with him, and their
minister took his. Subsequently, he was ad-
vanced to the dignity of colonel by the Pro-
vincial authorities, the date of his commis-
sion being July 11, 1763. He had command
of the block-houses and stockades from
Easton to the Susquehanna. The governor,
in tendering this appointment, expressly
stated that nothing more would be expected
of him than the general oversight. "His
justification," says Webster, "lies in the
crisis of affairs . . . Bay at York, Steele at
Couecocheague, and Griffith at New Castle,
with Burton and Thompson, the church
missionaries at Carlisle headed companies,
and were actively engaged." During the
latter part of the summer of 1763, many
murders were committed in Paxtang, cul-
minating in the destruction of the Indians
on Conestogg, Manor and at Lancaster. Al-
though the men composing the company of
Paxtang men who exterminated the murder-
ous savages referred to belonged to his
obedient and faithful rangers, it has never
been proven that the Rev. Mr. Elder had
previous knowledge of the. plot formed, al-
though the Quaker pa,mphieteers of the day
charged him with aiding and abetting the
^destruction of the Indians. When the deed
was done, and the Quaker authorities were
determined to proceed to extreme lengths
with the participants, and denounced the
frontiersmen as " riotous and murderous Irish
Presbyterians," he took sides with the border
inhabitants, and sought to condone the deed.
His letters published in connection with the
history of that transaction prove him to have
been a man judicious, firm and decided.
During the controversy which ensued, he
was the author of one' of the pamphlets :
"Letter from a Gentleman in one of the
Back Counties to a Friend ,in Philadelphia."
He was relieved from his command, by the
governor of the Province, who directed that
Major Asher Clayton take charge of the mil-
itary establishment. Peace, however, was
restored — not only in civil affairs, but in the
church. The union of the Synods brought
the Rev. John Elder into the same Presbytery
with Messrs. John Roan, Robert Smith and
George Duffield, they being at first in a mi-
nority, but rapidly settling the vacancies with
New Side men. By the leave of Synod, the
Rev. Mr. Elder joined the Second Philadel-
phia Presbytery May 19, 1768, and on the
formation of the General Assembly, became a
member of Carlisle Presbytery. At the time
the British army overran New Jersey, driv-
ing before them the fragrants of our discour-
aged, naked, and half-starved troops, and
without any previous arrangement, the Rev.
Mr. Elder went on Sunday as usual to Pax-
tang church. The hour arrived for church-
service, when, instead of a sermon, he began
a short and hasty prayer to the Throne of
Grace;! then called upon the patriotism of
all effective men present, and exhorted them
to aid in support of liberty's cause and the
defense of the country. In less than thirty
minutes ,a company of volunteers was formed.
Col. Robert Elder, the parson's eldest son,
was chosen captain. They, marched next
day, though in winter. His son John, at
sixteen years, was among the first. His son
Joshua, sub-lieutenant of Lancaster county,
could not quit the service he was employed
in, but sent a substitute. Until his death,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
171
for a period of fifty-six years, he continued
the faithful minister of the congregations
over which he had been placed in the prime
of his youthful vigor, passing the age not
generally allotted to man— that of fourscore
and six years. His death was deeply lamented
far and wide. Not one of all those who had
welcomed him to his early field of labor sur-
vived him. Charles Miner, the historian of
Wyoming, gives this opinion of Rev. John
Elder : " I am greatly struck with the evi-
dences of learning, talent and spirit displayed
by him. He was, beyond doubt, the most
extraordinary man of Eastern Pennsylvania.
I hope some one may draw up a full memoir
of his life, and a narrative, well digested, of
his times . . . He was a very extraordinary
man, of most extensive influence, full of
activity and enterprise, learned, pious, and a
ready writer. I take him to have been of
the old Cameronian blood. Had his lot been
cast in New England he would have been a
leader of the Puritans." He had, with one
who well remembered the old minister, " a
good and very handsome face. His features
were regular — no one prominent — good com-
plexion, with blue eyes . . . He was a portly,
long, straight man, over six feet in height,
large frame and body, with rather heavy legs
... He did not talk broad Scotch, but spoke
much as we do now, yet grammatically."
His remains quietly repose amid the scenes
of his earthly labors, in the burying-ground
of old Paxtang church, by the side of those
who loved and revered him. Over his dust
a marble slab bears the inscription dictated
by his friend and neighbor, William Maclay,
first United States senator from Pennsyl-
vania. The Rev. Mr. Elder was twice mar-
ried; married, first, in 1740, Mary Baker,
born 1715, in county Antrim, Ireland ; died
June 12, 1749, in Paxtang; daughter o.f
Joshua Baker, of Lancaster, Pa. He married,
secondly, Mary Simpson, born 1732, in Pax-
tang; died October 3, 1786; daughter of
Thomas and Sarah Simpson.
MuLLEK, John George, sou of Rudolph
Muller (more frequently written Miller), was
born September 21, 1715, in the Canton of
Zurich, Switzerland; emigrated with his
family to America in 1752, and settled in
Lebanon township, Lancaster county. Prov-
ince of Pennsylvania. He took the oath of
allegiance October 23, 1752. He had been
an officer in the Swiss service, and when the
French and Indian war broke out he was
commissioned a lieutenant in Col. James
Burd's regiment of Provincial forces. May 8,
1760 (see Fenn'a Arch., Sd ser.,vol. ii., p. 605),
promoted to a captaincy on the northern
frontiers, October 2, 1764 {ib. p. 616). Cap-
tain Muller died April 19, 1765, in Lebanon
township, leaving a wife Barbara Gloninger,
who survived her husband several years,
dying in 1783.
Stewart, Hugh, son of Robert Stewart,
was born near Glasgow, Scotland, June 11,
1719 ; died October 8., 1798 ; buried in the
graveyard of the old Covenanter church,
three miles east of Harrisburg, Pa., of which
church he was the main supporter. At the
age of sixteen years he accompanied his
elder brother, Samuel, and family, in their
migration to the Province of Pennsylvania
in 1735. He landed with a capital in coin
equivalent to one dollar and twenty-five
cents, and having learned the trade of weav-
ing followed it for many years ; settled
finally in Paxtang township, about six miles
from Harris' Ferry, where he acquired a
large estate, for the times. His name first
appears on the tax list of 1750. In 1780 he
was assessed for four hundred and five acres.
He was considered a very handsome man,
of more than ordinary height, and retained
through life his Scotch accent. Hugh Stew-
art was twice married ; married, first, in
1750-1, Hannah Dallas, born 1727, in Ire-
land ; died 1760, and buried with her hus-
band. He married, secondly,in 1764, Nancy
Moore, born 1735 ; died March 22, 1790.
Ayres, William, son of Samuel Ayres
and his wife Margaret Richmond, who came
to I^hiladelphia with his family in 1745, was
born in 1720 in the county of Antrim, Ire-
land, came to the Province of Pennsylvania
previous to 1745, in advance of his father's
family, and settled in the country contiguous
to the Pennepack, then Philadelphia county.
Pa. In the year 1773 William Ayres with
all his family, excepting Samuel and Charles,
who remained in the old locality, moved to
the west, then in Paxtang township, Lancas-
ter county, now Middle Paxtang, Dauphin
county. Pa., and purchased land on the east
side of Peter's mountain, where the turnpike
crosses, three miles above Dauphin. The
common road terminated at that point, and
when supervisor of roads, in 1781, he con-
structed the first road across the mountain.
In the map of purchase from the Indians,
172
BIO GRA PHIVAL ENCYGL 0 PEDIA
only twenty-four years previously (1749), the
country west of the mountain is entitled
" Saint Anthony's wilderness." He was sev-
eral times elected to township offices. Al-
though nearly sixty years old, we find him
doing Revolutionary service in Capt. Richard
Manning's company of the Fourth battalion
of Lancaster county, Col. James Burd, March
13, 1776. In the winter of 1784-5 he was acci-
dentally drowned in Fishing creek, near old
Fort Hunter, his wife having died previ-
ously, and both were buried in the old grave-
yard above Dauphiit, where sleep all the
oldest residents of that section of the county.
William Ayres married Mary Kean, daugh-
ter of Charles Kean, of the same locality.
Haldeman, Jacob M. — Honeste Gaspard
Haldimand (Caspar Haldeman), of Thun,
Switzerland, became a citizen of Yverdun,
Canton de Vaud, in 1671. His grandson,
Jacob, born October 7, 1722, in the Canton of
Neufchate],died December 31,1784,in Rapho
township, Lancaster county. Pa., where he
settled on first coming to this country, and
purchased a considerable tract of land. He
was a member of the Committee of Safety
for his adopted shire on the breaking out of
the war of the Revolution.
Jacob Haldeman's near relative was the
noted British general, Sir Frederick Haldi-
mand, K. B., who served with distinction in
the armies of Sardinia and Prussia, entered
the military service of King George II. in
1754, was appointed lieutenant colonel of the
Sixtieth regiment. Royal Americans, 1756.
In 1776 he was commissioned a general in
America, and subsequently commander-in-
chief of His Majesty's forces as governor of
the Province of Quebec, where he received
the honor of knighthood. May 19, 1778. A
tablet has been erected to the memory of
General Haldimand in Westminster Abbey,
in the chapel of Henry VII. A niece of Sir
Frederick was Jane Haldimand, Mrs. Dr.
Alexander Marcet, a distinguished woman,
and the first writer to attempt to popularize
science by the publication of her " Conversa-
tion on Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Bot-
any, Mineralogy, Language, and Political
Economy." Of this last work Macaulay said,
" Every girl who has read Mrs. Marcet's little
dialogues on political economy could teach
Montague or Walpole' ,many_, lessons in
finance," and Faraday gleaned his first
knowledge of science from the book which
heads the list.
Jacob Haldeman's son John (1753-1832)
settled at Locust Grove, Lancaster county.
Pa. John's fourth son, Henry Haldeman,
was the father of the distinguished Samuel
Stehman Haldeman, LL. D., professor of
comparative philology in the University of
Pennsylvania.
John Haldeman was an enterprising and
influential citizen. He was a large land-
owner and engaged largely in business pur-
suits, in partnership with Robert Ralston, of
Philadelphia, in the China trade, and he was
a member of the Bingham Court and first
General Assembly of Pennsylvania. He re-
sided at Locust Grove until late in life, when
he removed to Columbia, in the same county,
where both himself and wife died.
Jacob M. Haldeman, second son of John
and Mary (Breneman) Haldeman, obtained
a good English and German education un-
der the private instruction of an English
officer, and seemingly inherited practical
ideas from his father. At the age of nine-
teen he was sent on horseback by his father
to Pittsburgh, making his journey through
many Indian settlements, to purchase flour
to send down the river in flat-boats to New
Orleans.
About 1806, assisted by his father, he pur-
chased the water'power and forge at the
mouth of Yellow Breeches creek and estab-
lished himself in the iron business. He
added a rolling and slitting mill, and by his
energy and industry soon became one of the
foremost iron manufacturers in the State.
His .superior iron found steady market, and
upon the establishment of the arsenal at
Harper's Ferry he supplied the Government
with iron, especially during the war of
1812-14, which he forwarded across the South
mountain on muleback to the Ferry, where
it was manufactured into guns, many of
which may be seen to-day, stamped 1812.
At that time he founded Haldemanstown,
now called New Cumberland, at the junction
of the creek and river, and it may be here
remarked that it had been one of the points
in question in the Congress at New York as
the proposed site of the national capital, and
he also built a saw mill and gristmill at the
same place.
Following the war of 1812, during the de-
pression, he invested largely in farms and
real estate, and engaged in the management
of the same, a business so varied and so
large as to require his constant attention,
and he managed it all without the aid of an
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
173
assistant or clerk. In 1830 he removed to
Harrisburg and purchased a residence built
by Stephen A. Hills, architect of the capitol
building, on Front street, on the bank of
the Susquehanna, where he continued to re-
side until his death. His connection with
the Harrisburg Bank and the Harrisburg
Bridge Company as president, with the Har-
risburg Car Company as one of its founders,
and a director with the Dauphin Deposit
Bank, as one of its founders, made his
name familiar in business and financial
circles during his residence here, and made
him known to the community as a man of
sterling integrity, discretion and superior
business ability. He was never solicitous
of public place or the emoluments of office,
and led a strictly business life. As a citi-
zen, he was independent in his political
views, was an attendant of the Presbyterian
Church, and a contributor to all worthy local
enterprises.
His wife, Eliza E., daughter of Samuel
Jacobs and Sarah Templin, and grand-
daughter of Richard Jacobs, of Wales, was
born June 13, 1789, at Mount Hope Fur-
nace, Lancaster county. Pa. Mrs. Haldeman
is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Their children are Sara Jacobs, widow of
the late William W. Haly, of Cork, Ireland,
a distinguished lawyer of Philadelphia, and
author of " Troubat & Haly's Practice," re-
sided at the homestead in Harrisburg. Mary
Ewing was the wife of Kobert J. Ross, a
banker of Hari-isburg, and died in 1873.
Caroline Jacobs, Elizabeth Templin and
Anne died young. John, born September
19, 1821, died in Denver, Col., July 18, 1865.
Jacob S., born October 13, 1823, for many
years president of the State Agricultural So-
ciety, ex-member of the State Legislature,
and ex-Minister to Sweden, resided in Har-
risburg. Susan Frances, wife of Dr. Morti-
mer O'Connor, a graduate of the Dublin
schools of medicine, and formerly a surgeon
in the British service, and Richard Jacobs
Haldeman, born May 19, 1831, educated at
Yale, Heidelberg, Germany, and Berlin, was
editor and proprietor of the Harrisburg Pa-
triot for several years, and the founder of
the Harrisburg Daily Patriot, and member of
Congress for two terms.
Egle, Casper, born October 16, 1725, in
the city of Zurich, Switzerland ; died Septem-
ber 3, 1804, in Harrisburg, Pa. He was the
son of Marcus and Elizabeth Egle, who emi-
grated to Pennsylvania prior to 1740. His
father was the twelfth in descent from Ulric
Egle, or Egli, who was a citizen of Zurich
in 1386, coming down in direct line to Mar-
cus Egle, the emigrant. Casper Egle was
brought up on his father's farm, a wine-
grower; received a good education, and with
the other members of his family, came to
America prior to 1740. His father, as before
stated, located in Cocalico township, Lan-
caster county. Pa., but the son settled in Al-
sace township, Berks county. He was nat-
uralized in October, 1762, as appears by the
Pennsylvania Archives. In 1770, he was en-
gaged in merchandizing at Reading, while
in 1774 he established a brewery at Lancas-
ter. He took the oath of allegiance August
24, 1777, served as a private in Capt. John
Hubley's company, and performed several
tours in the militia during the struggle for
independence. He remained at Lancaster
until 1794, when he and his wife removed
to Harrisburg, Pa., where they both died at
the residence of his son Valentine. Casper
Egle was twice married. His first wife was
Elizabeth Mentges, born about 1730; died
January 3, 1/60 ; the daughter of Francis
Mentges, Sr., a Swiss-Huguenot. His second
wife was Catharine Bintling, b. 1738 ; d.
1811, at Harrisburg, Pa. There were chil-
dren by both marriages.
BuRD, James, a Scot, was born at Or mis-
ton, near Edinburgh, in 1726, son of Edward.
He came to Philadelphia in 1747 ; married,
1748, Sarah, daughter of Edward Shippen,
born 1730. Both died at Tinian, near Mid-
dletown, in Dauphin county, Pa. (Colonel
Burd in 1798, Mrs. Burd in 1784), and are
buried in the graveyard at Middletown.
Colonel Burd resided from 1750 to 1753 at
Shippensburg, as manager of the affairs of
Mr. Shippen. About 1755 he came to Tin-
ian, where he resided until his death. He
entered the Provincial service (1755) as a
commissioner with George Croghan, Will-
iam Buchanan and Adam Hoopes to lay
out a road from " Harris' Ferry to the
Ohio." He was then a captain; he is
soon heard of as major, then lieutenant
colonel, and colonel in 1760. As there were
but two regiments in service, his rank was a
very prominent one. He fulfilled with great
uprightness and punctuality all the public
duties with which he was intrusted for quite
twenty years. Then the stirring days of the
Revolution came, and with it disaster to
174
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Burd as a public man. He seemed to have
entered heartily into the contest, but just
when such experience as he had acquired
would have been of the highest benefit, an
unfortunate dispute about rank occurred ;
that, with insubordination in his command,
and some criticism in the Committee of
Safety, caused him to resign his civil and
military employments. His sons and son-
in-law were good patriots, and a pretty thor-
ough examination of the hasty conduct of
Burd convinces us that he was, notwith-
standing this aff'air, in accord with the lead-
ing patriots with whom he was surrounded.
He was a man of fine form, hardy and
healthy, an advanced and prosperous farmer,
hospitable in his intercourse with his neigh-
bors, and respected for his integrity as a
civil officer from 1785, when Dauphin county
was formed, until his death, in 1793. He
died holding position as one of the county
judges.
AwL, Jacob, was born August 6, 1727, in
the north of Ireland ; and died September
26, 1793, in Paxtang township, Dauphin
county, Pa. The name should properly be
spelled Auld, and the first settler wrote it
Aul, which the descendants have changed
into Awl. He learned the trade of a tanner;
was a man of means when he came to
America, and settled, at an early date, in
Paxtang, near his relative, John Harris, of
Harris' Ferry, where he took up a large tract
of land, which he improved, erected a tan-
nery, and on which he lived to the time of
his death. He became a prominent person-
age in Paxtang, was an ensign and lieuten-
ant in Col. John Elder's battalion of
rangers in the frontier wars from 1756 to
1764, and at the outset of the war for inde-
pendence, aided, by his counsel and his
purse, in organizing the associated bat-
talions of Lancaster county, which did
such effective service in the Revolution.
When the new county of Dauphin was
erected, Mr. Awl was appointed one of the
commissioners in the act relating thereto,
and John Plarris afterwards appointed him
one of the trustees or commissioners for the
public grounds ceded by him, at the laying
out of the town of Harrisburg, for public
uses. He was a representative man, influ-
ential and potential in the county, yet pre-
ferred domestic retirement to the struggle
for office, and when he was offered the nom-
ination for representative in the General
Assembly, he positively declined. Jacob
Awl married, July 26, 1759, by Rev. John
Elder, Sarah Sturgeon, born September 1,
1739 ; died June, 1809, in Paxtang, and with
her husband there buried. She was the
daughter of Jeremiah Sturgeon, one of the
first settlers.
Crouch, James, was born about 1728, in
Virginia. The Crouches were an old family,
who emigrated at an early day from Eng-
land and settled in King and Queen county,
near the court house. James Crouch re-
ceived a good education, came to Pennsyl-
vania prior to 1757, purchasing about three
thousand acres of land in York county,
where the town of Wrightsville now stands,
on which he settled for a few years, but
which he subsequently sold and removed to
then Paxtang township, Lancaster county.
Pa., where he bought one thousand acres of
land. He was a soldier of Quebec, being a
sergeant of Capt. Matthew Smith's company
of Paxtang volunteers. On his release from
captivity he became an officer of the associa-
tors, and subsequently paymaster of the bat-
talion. He served during the whole of the
Revolutionary war with honor and distinc-
tion. He died at his residence. Walnut Hill,
near Highspire, Pa., on the 24th of May,
1794, aged 66 years. Colonel Crouch mar-
ried, September 22, 1757, Hannah Brown,
born 1727; died May 24, 1787. Their chil-
dren were: Edward, Mary, married Col.
James Cowden, Elizalaeth, married Matthew
Gilchrist, removed to Washington county.
Pa., and Hannah, married Roan McClure.
Murray, James, son of William Murray,
was born about 1729, in Scotland ; died Feb-
ruary 15, 1804, on his farm adjoining the
borough of Dauphin, Dauphin county. Pa.
For this farm he entered an application in
the Land Office in 1768. In 1775 he was
chosen to represent Upper Paxtang township
in the Committee of Safety for Lancaster
county and attended the meetings of the
committee in Lancaster on the 8th, 9th and
10th of November. At this time he was a
captain of a " company of foot in the Fourth
battalion of associators in the county of Lan-
caster." On the fourth of July, 1776, at a
military convention representing the fifty-
three battalions of associators of Pennsylva-
nia, he was present as captain. With John
Rogers and John Harris, on the 8th of July,
1776, by appointment of the Provincial Con-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
175
ference, he superintended the election at Gar-
ber's Mill for the Sixth district of Lancaster
county, to choose delegates to the convention
that assembled on the 15th of the month,
and which framed the first Constitution of
the Commonwealth. During the remainder
of that and the following year he was almost
in constant active military service with his
compnay. His company, a roll of which ap-
pears in Dr. Egle's Notes and Queries, First
Series, p. 7, and in Pennsylvania Archive^
Second Series, vol. xiii., p. 310, went into the
Continental service in July or early in Au-
gust, 1776. In a return of the troops quar-
tered in and near Philadelphia, made Au-
gust 27 , of that year, it is reported sixty strong.
It participated in the battles of Trenton and
Princeton. He commanded one of the com-
panies of the Tenth battalion, Lancaster
county militia and was with the expedition
up the West Branch in 1779. The exposures
to which Captain Murray was subjected dur-
ing the Revolutionary struggle brought on an
attack of rheumatism, from which for many
years prior to his death he was a constant
sufferer. He married Rebecca McLean, a
native of Scotland, who died August 7,1795.
The remains of both rest, side by side, in the
old Dauphin cemetery.
Whitley, Capt. Michael, was born in
1730, in the north of Ireland. He came to
America when a young man, and settled in
what was then Paxtang township, Lancaster
county. He was a farmer by occupation
and was in good circumstances when the
war of the Revolution aroused the war-
eagles on the Susquehanna. He raised a
company of associatois for Col. Robert El-
der's battalion, and was in active service in
the Jersey campaign of 1776, and the battles
of Brandywine and Germantown. On the
6th of December, 1777, he was severely
wounded in a skirmish at. Chestnut Hill,
taken prisoner, and died a few days there-
after at Philadelphia. Captain Whitley was
a brave and gallant officer, and the com-
mendations of his superior officers show how
highly he was esteemed. He left a wife
Martha, who died in Paxtang, November
11, 1813, aged about ninety years.
Sherer, Joseph, was born in 1730 in Ire-
laud. His father, Samuel Sherer, was among
the earliest of the Scotch-Irish emigrants.
He came from near Londonderry, Ireland,
to the Province of Pennsylvania in the au-
tumn of 1734, and located in Paxtang town-
ship, Lancaster, now Dauphin county. He
was a man of means, was well educated, rnd
became quite prominent in the Scotch-Irish
settlement. The son was about 4 years old
when his parents came to America" He se-
cured a fair English education and was
brought up to the life of a frontiersman, that
of a farmer. During the French and Indian
war he served as a non-commissioned officer,
and was in active service as a scout or ranger
on the frontiers. When the thunders of the
Revolution reverberated along the valley of
the Susquehanna, with all his Scotch-Irish
and German neighbors, he entered into the
contest for liberty. In 1775 and 1776 he
was in command of one of the companies of
Col. James Burd's battalion of associators, a
roll of which is to be found in the recent
history of Dauphin county. Colonel Burd's
farm at Tinian joined the Sherer homestead,
and the two patriots were intimate friends.
Captain Sherer was a member of the Com-
mittee of Observation for the county of Lan-
caster, and was chosen by the vote of the
people a member of the first Constitutional
Convention of the State of Pennsylvania,
which met at Philadelphia on the 15th of
July, 1776. While in attendance on this
representative body of the Revolutionary
era he took ill, returned home, and died on
the 1st or 2d of December following. His
remains were interred in the burial ground
of old Paxtang church, of which he was a
consistent member. Captain Sherer mar-
ried, first, February 6, 1759, Mary McClure ;
subsequently married Mary McCracken, of
Northumberland county, Pa.
Murray, John, son of William Murray,
was born about 1731, in Scotland ; died Feb-
ruary 3, 1798, in Dauphin county, Pa. In
1766 he took up a tract of land called the
" Indian Burying Ground," lying on the
Susquehanna, immediately above his brother
James' farm, which adjoined the present town
of Dauphin. He commanded a rifle com-
pany, which in March, 1776, was attached to
Col. Samuel Miles' battalion, and participated
in the battles of Long Island, White Plains,
Trenton and Princeton. He was promoted
to major April 18, 1777, and lieutenant
colonel of the Second Pennsylvania regiment
in 1780, serving until the disbanding of the
array in 1783. He then returned to his
family and farm. Governor Mifflin ap-
pointed him a justice of the peace August
176
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
29, 1791, the only political office he ever
held. He was an ardent Whig of the Revo-
lution, and a brave officer. Colonel Murray
married, December 29, 1762, by Rev. John
Elder, Margaret Mayes, born 1733, in the
north of Ireland ; died June 22, 1807, in
Upper Paxtang township, Dauphin county.
Pa.; buried by the side of her husband in
the old cemetery near Dauphin bor&ugh ;
daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Mayes.
Montgomery, Joseph, son of John and
Martha Montgomery, emigrants from Ire-
land, was born September 23, 1733 (0. S.),
in Paxtang township, then Lancaster, now
Dauphin county. Pa. He was educated at
the College of New Jersey, from which he
graduated in 1755, and was afterwards ap-
pointed master of the grammar school con-
nected with the college. In 1760 the Col-
lege of Philadelphia and Yale College con-
ferred upon him the Master's degree. About
this time he was licensed to preach by the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, and soon after,
by request, entered the bounds of the Pres-
bytery of Lewes, from which he was trans-
ferred to that of New Castle, accepting a call
from the congregations at Georgetown, over
which he was settled from 1767 to 1769.
He was installed pastor of the congregations
at Christiana Bridge and New Castle, Del.,
on the 16th of August, 1769, remaining
there until the autumn of 1777. when he re-
signed, having been commissioned chaplain
of Colonel Small wood's (Maryland) regiment
of the Continental Line. During the war
his home was with his relatives in Paxtang.
On the 23d of November, 1780, he was
chosen by the General Assembly of Penn-
sylvania one of its delegates in Congress, and
re-elected the following year. He was elected
a member of the Assembly of the State in
1782, serving during that session. He was
chosen by that body, February 25, 1783, one
of the commissioners to settle the difficulty
between the State and the Connecticut set-
tlers at Wyoming. When the new county
of Dauphin was erected the Supreme Execu-
tive Council appointed him recorder of deeds
and register of wills for the county, which
office he, held from March 11, 1785, to Oc-
tober 14, 1794, the date of his death. " Mr.
Montgomery filled conspicuous and honora-
ble positions in church and State in the most
trying period of the early history of the
country. In the church he was the friend
and associate of men like Witherspoon, Rog-
ers and Spencer, and his bold utterances in
the cause of independence stamp him as a
man of no ordinary courage and decision.
. . . He enjoyed to an unusual degree the
respect and confidence of the men of his
generation." The Rev. Mr. Montgomery
was twice married ; married, first, in 1765,
Elizabeth Reed, died March, 1769, daughter
of Andrew and Sarah Reed, of Trenton, N.
1 Mr. Montgomery married, secondly, July
n, 1770, Rachel (Rush) Boyce, born 1741, in
Bybei'ry ; d. July 28, 1798, in Harrisburg,
Pa.; widow of Angus Boyce, and daughter
of Thomas and Rachel Rush.
Kelker, Anthony, son of Henry Kelker
and Regula Braetscher, was a native of
Herrleberg, near Zurich, Switzerland, born
on December 30, 1733. At the age of ten
years, in 1743, his parents emigrated to
America and located in Lebanon township,
Lancaster county, now Lebanon county. Pa.,
four miles north of the town of Lebanon.
Anthony was brought up on his father's
farm, receiving the meager advantages of the
schools of that period. He was commis-
sioned August 28, 1775, lieutenant in the
Second battalion of Lancaster county as-
sociators, and w as in active service during
the campaign of 1776. In 1777 he was an
officer in the militia at Brandywine and
Germantown. He was appointed January
19, 1778, wagon-master of Colonel Greena-
walt's battalion, and the same year was sent
on a secret expedition to Virginia and Mary-
land. Until the close of the war Captain
Kelker was an active participant. He was
deputy sheriff of Lancaster county in 1781-
82, and upon the formation of the county of
Dauphin was commissioned the first sheriff
in 1785, and subsequently elected, serving
until 1788. He was a member of the Penn-
sylvania House bf Representatives 1793-94.
He was a very active member and vestryman
of the German Reformed church, and treas-
urer of the same during the erection of the
old (First) Reformed church in 1794. Mr.
Kelker died at Lebanon March 10, 1812.
He married Mary Magdalene, daughter of
George Meister, a Moravian. She died at
Lebanon, December 30, 1818. Mr. Kelker
was a man of strict integrity, an unflinch-
ing patriot, and highly esteemed by his fel-
low-citizens.
DAUPHIN COUNTY
177
Green, Timothy, son of Eobei-t Green,
was born about 1733, on the "Monoday,"
Hanover township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county, Pa.; died February 27, 1812, at Dau-
phin, Pa., and is buried in the old graveyard
there. His father, of Scotch ancestry, came
from the north of Ireland about 1725, locat-
ing near the Kittochtinny mountains on
Manada creek. The first record we have of
the son is subsequent to Braddock's defeat,
when the frontier settlers were threatened
with extermination by the marauding sav-
ages. Timothj"^ Green assisted in organizing
a company, and for at least seven years was
chiefly in active service in protecting the
settlers from the fury of the blood-thirsty
Indians. In the Bouquet expedition he
commanded a company of Provincial troops.
For his services at this time, the Proprieta-
ries granted him large tracts of land in Buf-
falo Valley and on Bald Eagle creek. At
the outset of the Revolution, Captain Green
became an earnest advocate for independ-
ence, and the Hanover resolutions of June
4, 1774, passed unanimously by the meeting
of which he was chairman, show that he was
intensely patriotic. He was one of the Com-
mittee of Safety of the Province, which met
November 22, 1774, in Lancaster, and issued
hand-bills to the import that "agreeable to
the resolves and recommendations of the
American Continental Congress, that the
freeholders and others qualified to vote for
representatives in Assembly choose, by bal-
lot, sixty persons for a Committee of Obser-
vation, to observe the. conduct of all persons
toward the actions of the General Congress;
the committee, when elected, to divide the
country into districts and appoint members
of the committee to superintend each dis-
trict, and any six so appointed to be a quo-
rum, etc." Election was held on Thursday,
15th December, 1774, and, among others,
Timothy Green was elected from Hanover.
This body of men were in correspondence
with Joseph Reed, Charles Thompson, George
Clymer, John Benezet, Samuel Meredith,
Thomas MifHin, etc., of Philadelphia, and
others. They met at Lancaster again, April
27, 1775, when notice was taken of General
Gage's attack upon the inhabitants of Mas-
sachusetts Bay, and a general meeting called
for the 1st of May, at Lancaster. Upon the
erection of the county of Dauphin, Colonel
Green was the oldest justice of the peace in
commission, and, under the Constitution of
1776, he 'was presiding justice of the courts.
He continued therein until, under the Consti-
tution of 1790, which required the presiding
judge "to be learned in the law," Judge Atlee
was appointed. After his retirement. Judge
Green returned to his quiet farm at the
mouth of Stony creek, where he had erected
a mill and other improvements. He was
thrice married ; married, first, in 1760, Effy
Finney Robinson, daughter of James and
Jean Finney, and widow of Thomas Robin-
son. She died December 28, 1765, and is
buried in old Hanover church graveyard.
Rutherford, Capt. John, son of Thomas
Rutherford, the pioneer, was born February
16, 1737, in Donegal, Lancaster county. Pa.
He accompanied his father to Paxtang in
1755. In the year 1760, in connection with
the latter, he purchased the plantation, con-
taining nearly four hundred acres, on which
Rutherford station, on the Philadelphia &
Reading railroad, is now (1895) located. This
property, although divided into three tracts,
is still owned by the descendants; and his
mansion house, built before the Revolution,
is used as a dwelling by his great-grandchil-
dren. When the troubles with England
arose, which led to the struggle for independ-
ence, he was active in his opposition to British
tyranny. He was a member and officer,
throughout the war, of the " Liberty Associa-
tion of Pennsylvania," and served as captain
of a company in the campaigns of 1776 and
1777 in the Jerseys and Eastern Pennsylva-
nia. He afterwards commanded a detach-
ment from several companies against the In-
dians. Throughout his life we find Mr.
Rutherford's name connected with many en-
terprises, both civil and ecclesiastical, which
show him to have been a representative man
and trusted citizen. He died at his home in
Paxtang October 2, 1804. Captain Ruther-
ford married, February 4, 1762, Margaret
Parke, born 1737 ; died January 18, 1810.
Thomas, Martin, son of Martin Thomas
and grandson of Durst Thomas, an early
emigrant to Pennsylvania, was born March
15, 1737, in Heidelberg township, then Lan-
caster county. Pa., and died July 15, 1802,
in East Pennsboro' township, Cumberland
count}', Pa. He served, as a private, in the
French and Indian war in his father's com-
pany, and prior to the Revolution established
a furnace in the neighborhood of Shamukin,
Northumberland county, Pa. He served in
the struggle for independence as sergeant of
178
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Capt. John Simpson's company, First bat-
talion, Northumberland county associators,
March 25, 1776, and subsequently sergeant
in Third regiment, Pennsylvania Line.
During the " Great Runaway " of 1778, his
family fled from the locality, and settled on
the Yellow Breeches, in Cumberland county,
where he built a stone mill, yet standing,
and where he remained until his death. He
disposed of his Northumberland county
property, receiving a large sum in Conti-
nental currency therefor, which, before he
had the opportunity to re-invest, became
worthless. He was one of the founders of
Friedens Kirche, near the present Shire-
manstown. He married, in 1767, Ursula
MuUer, born 1740, in Lebanon township,
now Lebanon county, Pa. ; died 1807, in
East Pennsboro' township, Cumberland
county, Pa.; daughter of John and Barbara
Muller.
CowDEN, James, son of Matthew Cowden,
was born June 16, 1737, in Paxtang town-
ship, Lancaster, now Dauphin, county. Pa. ;
died October 10, 1810, in Paxtang. He was
brought up on his father's farm, enjoying,
however, the advantages of that early educa-
tion of those pioneer times, which, among
the Scotch-Irish settlers, was remarkably
comprehensive and ample. Apart from this,
he was well-grounded in the tenets of the
Westminster Confession, which among our
pious ancestry formed a part of the instruc-
tion given to all. Until the thunders of the
Revolution rolled toward the Susquehanna,
Mr. Cowden remained on the paternal acres,
busily engaged in farming. At the outset,
he was a strong advocate for active defensive
measures, and in favor of independence. Ke
was one of the leading spirits at the meeting
at Middletown, June 9, 1774, of which Col.
James Burd was chairman, and whose action,
in conjunction with those of Hanover, nerved
the people of Lancaster in their patriotic re-
solves. Suiting the action to the word, Mr.
Cowden and the young men of his neighbor-
hood tpok measures toward raising a battalion
( f associators, of which Col. James Burd was
in command, and a company of which was
intrusted to Captain Cowden. His company,
although not belonging to the Pennsylvania
Line, was, nevertheless, in several cam-
paigns, and did faithful service at Fort
Washington, in the Jerseys, at Brandywine,
and Germantown, and in the war on the
northern and western frontiers, defending:
them frora the attack of the savage Indian
and treacherous Tory. At the close of the
war Captain Cowden returned to his farm.
Under the Constitution of 1790, he was ap-
pointed the justice of the peace for the dis-
trict of Lower Paxtang, April 10, 1793, which
he held up to the time he was commissioned
by Governor Thomas MifHin one of the
associate judges of the county of Dauphin,
October 2, 1795, an office he filled acceptably
and creditably. In 1809 he was chosen
presidential elector, and was an ardent sup-
porter of Madison. Judge Cowden married,
March 20, 1777, by Rev. John Elder, Mary
Crouch, b. 1757, in Virginia ; died October
14, 1848, in Paxtang township, Dauphin
county. Pa., and buried in Paxtang church
graveyard ; daughter of James and Hannah
Crouch.
Maclay, William, son of (iharles Maclay,
was born July 20, 1737, in New Garden town-
ship, Chester county, Pa.; died Monday,
April 16, 1804, at Harrisburg, Pa.; buried in
Paxtang church graveyard. In 1742 his
father removed to now Lurgan township,
Franklin county, where his boyhood daj^s
were spent upon the paternal farm. When
the French and Indian war broke out he
was at Rev. John Blair's classical school, in
Chester county, and, desiring to enter the ser-
vice of the Province, his tutor gave him a
recommendation " as a judicious young man
and a scholar," which secured him the ap-
pointment of ensign in the Pennsylvania
battalion ; he was promoted lieutenant in the
Third battalion, Lieut. Col. Hugh Mercer,
May 7, 1758. Accompanied General Forbes'
expedition that year, and especially distin-
guished himself at the battle of Loyalhanna.
In Bouquet's expedition of 1763, he was in
the fight of Bushy Run ; while in the sub-
sequent campaign of that gallant officer, he
was stationed, with the great portion of the
Second Pennsylvania, on the line of the
stockade forts on the route to Fort Pitt as
lieutenant commanding the company. For
these services he participated in the Provin-
cial grant of land to the ofiicers connected
therewith, located on the West Branch of the
Susquehanna, and most of which he assisted
in surveying. He studied law and was ad-
mitted to the York county bar, April 28,
1760, but it is doubtful if he ever practiced
his profession at that court, the continued
Indian war, and his subsequent duties as
surveyor, engrossing.his entire time, although,
^^c2^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
181
from a letter of John Penn's, it would seem
that he was afterwards admitted to the Cum-
berland county bar, and had acted for the
prothonotary of that county. At the close of
the French and Indian war he visited Eng-
land and had an interview with Thomas
Penn, one of the Proprietaries, relative to the
surveys in the middle and northern parts of
the Province, and was the assistant of Sur-
veyor Lukens on the frontiers. In 1772 he
laid out the town of Sunbury and erected for
himself a stone house, which was standing
a few years since. Upon the organization of
the county of Northumberland he was ap-
pointed prothonotary and clerk of the courts.
He also acted as the representative of the
Penn family, and took a prominent part in
the so-called Pennamite war. In writing to
the secretary of the Province, in April, 1773,
he says, "If hell is justly considered as the
rendezvous of rascals, we cannot entertain a
doubt of Wioming being the place;" but,
much as he was prejudiced against the Con-
necticut settlers, he foresaw the future value
of the land in that valley, and advised Penn
not to sell his reservation there. At the out-
set of the Revolution, although an officer of
the Proprietary government, William Ma-
clay took a prominent and active part in favor
of independence, not only assisting in equip-
ping and forwarding toops to the Continen-
tal army, but marched with the associators,
participating in the battles of Trenton and
Princeton. During the Revolution he held
the position of assistant commissary of pur-
chases. In 1781 he was elected to the Assem-
bly, and from that time forward he filled the
various offices of the Supreme Executive
Council, judge of the Courts of Common
Pleas, deputy surveyor, and one of the com-
missioners for carrying into effect the act re-
specting the navigation of the Susquehanna
river. About this period he visited England
in the interest of the Penn family. In Janu-
ary, 1789, he was elected to the United States
Senate, taking his seat there as the first sena-
tor from Pennsylvania. He drew the short
term, and his position terminated March 3,
1791, his colleague, Robert Morris, securing
the long term. His election to this body
raised him upon a higher plane of political
activity, but contact with the Federal chiefs
of the Senate only strengthened his political
convictions, which, formed by long inter-
course with the people of Middle Pennsylva- '
nia, were intensely democratic. He began
to differ with the opinions of President
i6
"Washington very early in the session; he
did not approve of the state and ceremony
attendant upon the intercourse of the Presi-
dent with Congress — he flatly objected to the
presence of the President in the Senate while
business was being transacted, and in the
Senate boldly spoke against his policy in the
immediate presence of President Washing-
ton. The New England historians, Hildreth
and Goodrich, repute Thomas Jefferson as
the "efficient promoter at the beginning and
founderof the Democratic party." Contempo-
rary records, ho wever,show beyond theshadow
of a doubt that this responsibilit3'^or honor, in
whatever light it may be regarded, cannot
be shifted from the shoulders or taken from
the laurels of Pennsylvania statesmanship.
Before Mr. Jefferson's return from Europe,
William Maclay assumed an independent
position, and in his short career of two years
in the Senate propounded ideas and gath-
ered about him elements to form the oppo-
sition which developed with the meeting of
Congress at Philadelphia, on the 2'lth of Oc-
tober, 1791, in a division of the people into
two great parties, the Federalists and Demo-
crats, when, for the first time, appeared an
open and organized opposition to the admin-
istration. The funding of the public debt,
chartering the United States Bank, and
other measures championed necessarily by
the administration, whose duty it was to put
the wheels of government in motion, engen-
dered opposition. Mr. Maclay, to use his
own language, " no one else presenting him-
self," fearlessly took the initiative, and with
his blunt common sense (for he was not
much of a speaker) and Democratic ideas,
took issue with the ablest advocate of the
administration. Notwithstanding the pres-
tige of General Washington, and the ability
of the defenders of the administration
on the floor of the Senate, such was the
tact and resolution of Mr. Maclay, that
when, after his short service, he was retired
from the Senate and succeeded by James
Ross, a pronounced Federalist, their impress
was left in the distinctive lines of an oppo-
sition party, a party which, taking advantage
of the warm feeling of our people toward
the French upon the occasion of Jay's treaty
with Great Britain, in 1794, and of the un-
popularity of the alien and sedition laws,
passed under the administration of President
John Adams, in 1798, compassed the final
overthrow of the Federal party in 1800.
While in the Senate, Mr. Maclay preserved
182
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
notes of its discussions, both in open and
secret sessions, with observations upon the
social customs of the first statesmen of the
Republic, which have been published and
edited by George Washington Harris. Upon
his retirement, he resided permanently on
his farm adjoining Harrisburg, where he
erected the stone mansion for many years
occupied by the Harrisburg Academy. In
the year 1795 he was elected a member of
the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,
and again elected in 1803. He was a presi-
dential elector in 1796, and, from 1801 to
1803, one of the associate judges of the
county of Dauphin. Mr. Harris, who edited
his journal, gives us this summary of Mr.
Maclay's character : " He was a man of strict
integrity, of positive opinions, having im-
plicit confidence in his own honesty and
judgment; he was inclined to be suspicious
of the integrity of others whose sentiments
or action in matters of importance differed
from his own, and the journal, to which ref-
erence has been made, is evidence of the
strength of his intellect." " In personal ap-
pearance Mr. Maclay is said to have been
six feet three inches in height, and stout and
musclar ; his complexion was light, and his
hair, in middle age, appears to have been
brown, and was worn tied behind or
clubbed." Mr. Maclay married, April 11,
1769, Mary McClure Harris, daughter of
•John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, and
Elizabeth McClure, his wife; born April 13,
1750, at Harris' Ferry ; died April 20, 1809,
at Harrisburg, and buried in Paxtang church
graveyard.
Montgomery, Mrs. Rachel, the eldest
daughter of John and Rachel Rush, was
born at Byberry, in Philadelphia county. Pa.,
in 1741. She was full sister of the celebrated
Dr. Benjamin Rusii, a signer of the Declara-
tion of Independence. ^ Rachel received an
excellent education and was a woman of re-
fined taste and manners. She married, about
1761, Angus Boyce, a merchant of Philadel-
phia. He died a few years later, leaving one
child, Malcolm. Mrs. Boyce married, about
1769, the Rev. Joseph Mongomery, then pas-
tor of the Presbyterian congregation of New
Castle and Christiana Bridge, Del., and sub-
sequently member from Pennsylvania in
Congress, 1781 to 1783. In 1785 Mr. Mont-
gomery, having been appointed recorder and
register of the new county of Dauphin, re-
moved with his family to Harrisburg. Here
he died, in 1794, leaving his wife with three
children, one by his former marriage. Mrs.
Montgomery died on Saturday, July 28, 1798,
at Harrisburg.
Elder, Robert, son of Rev. John Elder,
was born June 11, 1742, in Paxtang ; died
September 29, 1818. He was educated at
the academy in Chester county, and was
destined by his father for the ministry. His
inclinations, and the breaking out of the
French and Indian war, when the boy en-
listed with his father as a ranger on the
frontiers, determined otherwise. With his
Scotch-Irish neighbors, he entered heartily
into the contest for independence, and
throughout the war of the Revolution was
in the field or engaged in organizing the
associators, of which he was colonel, suc-
ceeding Colonel Burd in the command of
the companies raised in Paxtang. At the
close of the conflict he continued his occu-
pation of farming, avoiding public office,
preferring the quiet of domestic life. Col-
onel Elder married Mary J. Thompson, of
Derry, born October 19, 1750 ; died Auglist
18, 1813.
Simpson, Murray, was born about 1744,
in Buckingham township, Bucks county,
Pa. ; died February 3, 1807, in Huntingdon,
Pa. His parents, John and Mary Simpson,
went South and were residing in North Caro-
lina in 1783 and in Georgia in 1791. The
son learned blacksmithing, and, in 1763,
settled on the Susquehanna, in what was
then Upper Paxtang township, Lancaster,
now Dauphin county. ,0n the 15th of Au-
gust, 1775, he was commissioned second
lieutenant of Capt. James Murray's company
in the Fourth battalion of associators, of
Lancaster county. On the 28th of January,
1777, Lieut. Col. Cornelius Cox, of the bat-
talion, ordered him to remain in the " Conti-
nental smith-shop " at Bristol. He served
during the greater part of the Revolution,
toward its close in command of a companj'
of militia, when he returned to his farm. In
the spring of 1793 he removed to Hunting-
don, where he passed the remainder of his
days. He married Margaret Murray ,daughter
of Capt. James Murray, of the Revolution.
She was born in 1756 in Paxtang township,
Lancaster county. Pa., and died April 27,
1826, at Huntingdon, Pa. They were the
grandparents of lion. J. Simpson Africa.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
183
Beatty, James, the fourth in descent from
John Beatty, who settled in the Province of
Ulster, Ireland, in 1690, was born 1746, in the
townland of Ballykeel-Ednagnnnel, parish of
Hillsborough, county Down, Ireland; died
December 1, 1794, at Harrisburg, Pa. From
the family record, in the possession of his
descendants, we have this entry: "That my
children may know the place of their nativity,
I, James Beatty, was born in the Kingdom
of Ireland, and county of Down, parish of
Hillsborough, and townland of Bally keel -
Ednagonnel, in the year of our Lord 1746,
and came to America in the year 1784. My
wife. Ally Ann Irwin, was born in said king-
dom, county and parish, and townland of
Tillynore, within two miles of Hillsborough,
three of Lisburn, and three miles of Dromore,
and six miles of Bally-nahinch, and ten of
Belfast, which last place we sailed from the
27th of June, 1784." In the fall of this year,
he settled at Harrisburg, Pa., and thus be-
came one of its first inhabitants. He subse-
quently was the purchaser of a number of
lots in the town, some of which remain in
possession of his descendants. He was quite
prominent in his adopted home, and held
several official positions under the borough
charter. He was buried in the Presbyterian
graveyard, of which church be held member-
ship. In personal appearance, Captain Beatty
was about five feet eight inches, thickset,
florid complexion, dark hair and blue eyes.
He was an active and energetic business man,
and his death was a great loss to the young
town. James Beatty married, in 1768, at
Tullynore, Alice Ann Irwin, born 1750, in
the townland of Tullynore, parish of Hills-
borough, county Down, Ireland, daughter of
Gawin Irwin and Mary Brereton ; died June,
1805, at Harrisburg, Pa., and there buried.
They had issue, all born in Ireland.
Wii.LAED, John Peter, was a native of
Switzerland, born in 1745. He came to
America as a soldier in the British service,
but shortly after landing effected his escape.
He then volunteered in the cause of the
Colonies, and was with other deserters sta-
tioned on the Indian frontier or as guard of
prisoners of war. At the close of the Revo-
lution he took up a tract of land in Lykens
township, called " Amsterdam," where he
settled, began farming, and subsequently
married. He died in 1821, at the age of 76.
His wife died the following year (1822), aged
77. They left the following family : Adam,
who came into possession of the homestead.
His children, Joseph, John A., Henry B.,
and Adam, Jr., then divided the farm. Part
of it yet remains in possession of the descend-
ants. Samuel remained in the valley, a
farmer, and had a large family. Anna Maria
married John Philip Umholtz.
Boyd, Capt. Adam, the son of John Boyd
and Elizabeth Young, was a native of North-
ampton county. Pa., born in 1746. He
learned the trade of a carpenter, and was
following that avocation when the war of
the Revolution called to arms. He was an
early associator, and when the State of Penn-
sylvania had formed its little navy for the
protection of the ports on the Delaware,
Lieutenant Boyd received a commission
therein. During the year 1776, and the
early part of 1777, he was most of the time
in command of the armed sloop " Burke,"
and rendered efficient service in the conflict
between the Pennsylvania navy and the
British ships " Roebuck " and " Liverpool "
in May, 1776. Growing tired of that branch
of the service. Lieutenant Boyd requested to
be discharged, that he might volunteer in
the land forces. Being honorably dismissed
from the navy, he at once entered the army
proper, holding the same rank therein. He
was at the battles of Brandywine and Ger-
mantown, with two of his brothers, one of
whom was killed in the latter engagement.
Subsequently, Lieutenant Boyd acted as
"master of wagons," aad as such remained
with the army until after the surrender at
Yorktown. Returning to the home of his
mother, near Newville, he married and set-
tled in Harrisburg. Upon the incorpora-
tion of the borough of Harrisburg, in 1791,
he was chosen a burgess, Dr. John Luther be-
ing the other. In 1792 he was elected ti'eas-
urer of the county, and held the office until
1806, when he declined a re-election. In
1809 Mr. Boyd was elected a director of the
poor, and during his term of office the county
poorhouse and mill were erected.
Mr. Boyd died on May 14, 1814; was in-
terred in the Presbyterian graveyard, but
subsequently his remains were removed to
the Harrisburg cemetery. Mr. Boyd mar-
ried, in 1784, Jeanuette Macfarlaue, of Big
Spring, Cumberland county, daughter of
Patrick and granddaughter of James Mac-
farlaue, who came from Ireland to Pennsyl-
184
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
vania in 1717. Mrs. Boyd died in early
life at Harrisburg, leaving one child, a
daughter Rosanna, who married Hugh Ham-
ilton in 1807. This estimable lady lived
until 1872, when she died, the oldest in-
habitant of Harrisburg, having been born
here in 1786.
Stewart, Andrew, was the son of Andrew
Stewart and Mary Din widdie, whose remains
lie in old Paxtang churchyard. The first
Andrew Stewart with his brother Archibald
Stewart came to America prior to 1733 and
settled in Paxtang township, then Lancaster
county, Pa. The former remained there,
while Arcliibald drifted down the Kittoch-
tinny Valley into the Valley of Virginia,
and settled in Augusta county, that State.
He was the head of a large family and whose
descendants have been represented in the
recent history of our country by the rebel
chieftain. Gen. James E. B. Stuart, " the
Murat of the Confederacy," and by the Hon.
A. H. H. Stuart, a prominent Virginia states-
man of the old regime. The youngest son
of Andrew Stewart, Sr., was the subject of
our sketch, also named Andrew. He was
born in Paxtang in 1748, and was a farmer
by occupation. He was one of the leaders
in the movement for the erection of the new
county of Dauphin, and hence was named
as one of the commissioners. In 1792 Mr.
Stewart sold his plantation in Paxtang, and
removed to Western Pennsylvania. He died
in Allegheny county about tl;e year 1827,
the date of his will being the 14th day of
June that year. Capt. John Rutherford and
Thomas Brown, of the county of Dauphin,
were the executors named in his will, but
the former passed away before the settlement
of the estate. We have no information as
to any descendants.
Hamilton, John, son of John Hamilton,
was born June 17, 1749, in New London,
Chester county. Pa.; died August 28, 1793, at
Harrisburg, Pa. Under the will of his father
he inherited a " plantation and fulling-mill,
bought of James Long, on Shearman creek,
in Cumberland county" (Perry count}'). He
was educated principally in the celebrated
academy of Rev. Mr. Alison, Chester county.
When upon a visit to his patrimony in the
Juniata region, he was attracted to the su-
perior excellence of a tract of land called
"Fermanagh," now in Juniata county. He
purchased it. On the Shearman's creek farm
Hugh Alexander was his adjoining neigh-
bor; he became attached to his daughter,
and at twenty-three years of age he married
her ; established himself at " Fermanagh,"
and erected a large stone mansion. This
house is standing. It has been occupied by
himself, his son John and a grandson, Hugh
Hamilton. He became, by successful indus-
try and in right of his mother, Jane Allen
Hamilton, of great fortune for his day. The
inventory of personal property at his death,
in 1793, makes his effects in money £7,500.
At that moment he had active enterprises of
various kinds in full operation — at Lost
creek, at Fermanagh, in Shearman's Vallej'
and at Harrisburg. He was one of the ori-
ginal lot holders at Harrisburg. One of his
largest houses was that at the southeast cor-
ner of Market square ; another on his lot.
Front street and Raspberry alley. In 1792
he employed at his warehouse and stores, on
what is now Mulberry street, between Second
and Third streets, " as many as fifteen mules
and a far greater number of horses, upon
which he sent nails and salt and other mer-
chandise to Pittsburgh." Sending nails to
Pittsburgh at this date would be reversing the
usual course of trade. He was one of the
last of those in the interior who held slaves,
a half dozen in all. All but one continued
in the family until the death of his widow,
not as slaves, but as free laborers on the
farms. Mr. Hamilton was a sergeant in
Capt. Gibson's company. Col. Wilson's bat-
talion of Cumberland county associators, in
1 776 ; captain of a company in Col. Samuel
Lyon's battalion in August, 1777 ; and also
captain in Col. Buchanan's battalion in
1778, and was out in two campaigns, 1776
and 1781. In the family records of the Mc-
Alisters, of Lost Creek, Juniata, one of whom
married a granddaughter of Capt. Hamil-
ton, we have the following narrative : " The
American army, December, 1776, shattered,
disheartened and decreasing daily, were mak-
ing precipitate retreat across Jersey into
Pennsylvania, before the victorious army of
Howe and Cornwallis. In this gloomy hour
a meeting of the people was called at the
farm of Mr. William Sharon within a couple
of miles of Mr. Hugh McAlister, near the
present town of Mexico, to consult and de-
vise measures to reinforce Washington and
the army. All the neighbors below the Nar-
rows met. John Hamilton, of Fermanagh,
was made chairman. It was unanimously
DAUFEIN COUNTY.
185
agreed to raise a company of mounted men.
All were young men, with 3'ounger families,
but they did not hesitate. They agreed to
march. Hamilton pledged himself to start
immediately, then McAlister and Sharon.
The former was chosen captain, the latter
lieutenants, and in two days they were off,
more than eighty strong, riding the first day
to the mouth of the Swatara, over snow many
inches in depth. They reached camp, on
the Pennsylvania side, below Trenton, the
day after the Hessians were captured." None
but men with their whole hearts in the cause
would have made such a dreary march in a
most inclement winter, unless thoroughly in
earnest. This was the sentiment that actu-
ated all the frontier settlers. In 1793 Har-
risburg was scourged by a pestilence resem-
bling yellow fever, an epidemic that then
prevailed at Philadelphia, Baltimore and
New York. One of its victims was Mr. Ham-
ilton. Hp married, in December, 1772, Mar-
garet Alexander, born March 17, 1754, in
Shearman's Valley, Cumberland, now Perry
county. Pa.; died August 22, 1835, at "Fer-
managh," Juniata county, Pa.; daughter of
Hugh Alexander and Martha Edmeston.
Lewis, Eli, was a native of York county.
Pa., born about 1750, and the first settler of
the town of Lewisberrj'. He was a printer
by profession, and had the honor of estab-
lishing the first newspaper in Harrisburg —
the Harrisburg Advertiser — in 1789. This
was purchased by Mr. Wyeth in 1792 and
clianged to The Oracle of Dauphin and Har-
risburg Advertiser. Major Lewis was a soldier
of the Revolution, and a gentleman of con-
siderable literary acquirements. He was
the author of a poem entitled " St. Clair's
Defeat," printed in a small 32mo. at his
office, copies of which are exceedingly rare.
He died at his residence at Lewisberry on
Sunday, February 2, 1807, aged 57 years.
He was the father of Chief Justice Ellis
Lewis of the Supreme Court of Pennsyl-
vania.
Cox, Col. Cornelius, son of John Cox and
Esther , was born about 1750 in the
city of Philadelphia. His father was a na-
tive of England, a physician of prominence
in Philadelphia, in which city he died.
He laid out Estherton, on the Susque-
hanna, in 1761, supposing at the time it
would become an important place. Dr. Cox
was twice married — first to Sarah, widow of
William Edgell, of Philadelphia ; second to
Esther , of the same place. We know
nothing further, save that their son was the
subject of this sketch. Cornelius Cox re-
ceived a good education in his native city.
Some time prior to the Revolution we find
him at Estherton in management of the
estate left him by his father. He early
espoused the cause of the Colonies, was pres-
ent at the meeting at Middletown which
passed the patriotic resolutions of June, 1774,
and when the people were called to arms was
commissioned major of Col. James Burd's
battalion of Lancaster county associators.
Was appointed assistant commissary of pur-
chases, and also issuing commissary July 7,
1780. Until the close of the Revolution he
was actively engaged, whether it was in the
collecting of flour for the French fleet, the
gathering of blankets for the half-clad army
at Valley Forge, or the superintending of the
erection of bateaux for the use of General
Sullivan in his expedition against the Six
Nations. In 1792 he was chosen one of the
State electors for president in favor of Gen-
eral Washington. Governor Mifflin ap-
pointed him one of the associate justices of
the courts of Dauphin county, but preferring
quiet, he declined the honor. He died Feb-
ruary 3, 1803, at Estherton, aged about 53
years. Colonel Cox married Mary Foster,
born 1767; died August 2, 1810; daughterof
John Foster and Catherine Dickey.
Ayres, John, son of William Ayres and
his wife, Mary Kean, was born February 9,
1754. At the age of twenty-one years, ac-
companied his father and family in their
movement to Paxtang township, Lancaster,
now Dauphin county. Pa. ; subsequently be-
came the owner of the homestead there
established, and added thereto a certain tract
of land called " Ayresburg." In 1775, on
the first call for volunteers for the Revolu-
tionary army, he enlisted in Capt. Matthew
Smith's company of riflemen, formed in
Lancaster county, and detailed on the expedi-
tion against Quebec under Arnold, but whilst
th^ army lay before Boston, he took sick and
was invalided. On March 13, 1776, he again
enlisted in Captain Manning's company
Fourth battalion of Lancaster county, com-
manded by Col, James Burd. His father
and several of his connections belonged to
the same company. The Oracle of Dauphin,
in announcing his death, August 17, 1825,
186
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
remarks that " he was the last of the Revolu-
tionary patriots in his neighborhood." John
Ayres was twice married; married, first, in
1781, Mary Montgomery, daughter of Gen.
William Montgomery, of Mahoning, now
Danville, Pa., who died at the age of twenty-
three years, without issue. He married,
secondly, in 1786, Jane Lytle, eldest daughter
of Joseph Lytle, of Lytle's Ferry, in Upper
Paxtang township, Dauphin count}'. Pa.
Jane Lytle was born near Anderson's Ferry,
March 1, 1767 ; died in Harrisburg, Pa., May
7, 1831. The old burying-ground, one mile
above Dauphin, contains the remains of this
branch of the Ayres famity.
Reily, John, was born at Leeds, England,
on the 12th of April, 1752. His father,
Benjamin Reil}', emigrated soon after, and
was a gentleman of some note in the Prov-
ince of Pennsylvania.- Receiving a classical
education, the former began the study of
law, and was admitted to the bar on the eve
of the Revolution. Accepting a commission
as captain in the Twelfth regiment of the
Pennsylvania Line, subsequently (1778)
transferred to the Third regiment, he served
with valor and distinction, and was severely
wounded at Bonhamton, N. J., being shot
through the body. Returning home he
slowly recovered, when he resumed the prac-
tice of his profession. He was present and
took part in the first term of the Dauphin
county court, in May, 1785. In 1795 he
published at Harrisburg "A Compendium
for Pennsylvania Justices of the Peace," the
first work of that character printed in Amer-
ica. Captain Reily died at Myerstown, Maiy
2, 1810. He married, at Lancaster, on May
20,_ 1773, by Rev. Thomas Barton, of the
Episcopal Church, Elizabeth Myer, the
daughter of Isaac Myer, the founder of
Myerstown, Lebanon county, born April 2,
1755; died April 2, 1800. They had a large
family. Captain Reily was not a brilliant
orator, but was perfectly reliable as a lawyer,
and had an extensive practice at the Lancas-
ter, Berks and Dauphin courts. He was a
tali, courtly gentleman, and an ardent Whig
of the Revolutionary era ; was a po!isl;ed
writer, and a manuscript book of literary
excerpts in the possession of his descendants
shows a refined and cultivated taste.
settled near the North mountain, then Han-
over township, Lancaster county, was born
August 18, 1752, in Hanover township. He
was a farmer by occupation. At the outset
of the Revolution he was appointed a lieu-
tenant in the Hanover battalion of associa-
tors, commanded by Col. Timothy Green.
He served with distinction at Long Island,
August 27, 1776, and through the campaign
of 1777 was in constant active service. Dur-
ing the remainder of the war he was in
command of a volunteer company, which
was formed for the protection of the frontiers
from the encroachments of the Tories and
their allies, the savage Indians of New York.
The sword which he carried through the
war is now in possession of William Barnett,
of Dayton, Ohio. Major Barnett died May
12, 1823. He married, April 29, 1784, Mary
McEwen, of Hanover, a very estimable lady.
She was born September 9, 1762 ; died March
10, 1806, and is interred by the side of her
husband.
Barnett, John, the fourth in descent from
John Barnett, who came from Londonderry,
Ireland, to Pennsylvania, prior to 1730, and
Murray, Patrick, was born March 17,
1755, in county Donegal, Ireland; died July
23, 1854, in Orange township, Ashland
county, 0. He came to America at the out-
set of the struggle for independence, and we
find that on the 3d of June, 1776, he enlisted
in Capt. James Parr's company, of the
First regiment of the Pennsylvania Line,
for three years or during the war. He was
discharged in 1782, and shortly after settled
at Harris' Ferry, on the Susquehanna, and
when, two years after, the town of Harrisburg
was laid out, established himself in business
as a " clothier and fashioner.'-' In the year
1800 he removed with his family to Greens-
burg, Westmoreland county. Pa., remaining
there until 1809, when he'located in Stark
county, Ohio. In 1812 he and his son James
volunteered in the brigade of Gen. Reasin
Beall, organized for the defense of the border
settlers in the Northwest. While quartered
at Fort Meigs the army became much dis-
tressed for want of provisions ; the roads to
the settlements were long, rough, and in poor
condition, passing mostly through dense
forests, and across marshes and bogs. The
quantity of forage consumed by the cavalry
as well as the supply of the quartermaster's
department for the troops made it difiicult to
furnish the necessary rations at the proper
time. On more than one occasion the troops
were on the point of starvation, and this, with
the inclemency of the weather, made their
DAUI'HIN COUNTY.
187
sufferings almost unbearable. Several remi-
niscences of this period, in Mr. Murray's his-
tory, have been preserved to us which show
that under the most adverse circumstances
his mother wit and his indomitable energy
never forsook him, while his patriotism was
none the less enthusiastic by his many depri-
vations. After General Beall returned, the
father and son served a second enlistment,
and were at the battle of Fort Meigs. In
that contest the elder Murray was separated
from his company, and the grass being very
tall it was presumed by his comrades tliat he
had been killed and scalped by the Indians.
After a few hours he appeared in the camp
amid the cheers of his companions at his
safe return. Upon the expiration of his term
of service he returned to his home in Stark
county, where he remained to 1812, when he
removed to what is now Orange township,
then Richland county, Ohio. It is said of him
that, although his education was defective,
he had a very retentive memory, and enjoyed
at the close of his long life the relation of
the exploits and border achievements of Jjim-
self and other early pioneers in that section
of Ohio. In many respects he was a reniark-
able man, and was all his life-time active,
energetic and industrious. On the 4th of
July the year he was ninety-nine years of age
he rode to Ashland in a buggy, waked about
one mile during the day and returned home
some three miles, in the evening. He voted
for ten different Presidents of the United
States. Mr. Murray married, September 2,
1786, at Harrisburg, Pa., by Rev. John Elder,
of Paxtang, Mary Brereton Beatty, born 1769,
in county Down, Ireland ; died March 2,1853,
in Ashland county, Ohio ; with her hus-
band buried in Orange graveyard ; daughter
of James Beatty and Alice Ann Irwin.
MiTCHEL, Andrew, a native of Dublin,
Ireland, born November 1, 1754, emigrated
to America in 1774, on the eve of the Revo-
lution. Espousing the cause of the Colonies,
he took position as an officer among the de-
fenders of his adopted country. He was a
gentleman of finished education and excel-
lent moral training, having been destined
for a clerical life, adopted teaching as an
avocation, and in the dearth of preceptors
after the peace of 1783 had gratifying suc-
cess as an educator. He came to Harrisburg
in 1791, and in June, 1795, married Mar-
garet, the widow of Capt. John Hamilton.
He was one of the burgesses of the borough
in 1799, and served a number of years in
the town council. Mr. Mitchel was an of-
ficer and early member of the Presbyterian
church, and greatly assisted in its first or-
ganization. He died December 21, 1825, at
his residence on Front street, now Mrs. Dr.
Rutherford's. His daughter, Jane Alexan-
der, wife of Dr. Thomas Whiteside, was the
only child who survived him.
Fleming, Robert, the fourth son of Robert
Fleming and Jane Jackson, was born in
Chester county, Pa., June 6, 1756. His
parents were natives of Argyleshire, Scot-
land, who subsequently removed to Ireland,
and from thence emigrated to America,
about 1746, settling near Flemington, Ches-
ter county. Prior to the Revolution they
located within the limits of the " New Pur-
chase," on the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna, but during the ''Great Runaway"
in 1778, they sought refuge among some
friends in now Dauphin county. About
1784 they removed to Hanover township,
Washington county. Pa., locating on Har-
mon's creek, where they resided at the time
of their death, Robert Fleming at ninety-six
and his wife at ninety-four. Robert Flem-
ing, the subject of this notice, remained in
Dauphin county; purchased land in Han-
over township, on which he resided during
his lifetime. On the 6th of February, 1783,
lie married Margaret, daughter of John
Wright. He was=one of the founders of the
Harrisburg Bank, and instrumental in the
erection of the Harrisburg bridge. He was
an officer in the volunteer force of 1812, and
filled acceptably various local offices. He
was an elder in the Hanover church during
the ministrations of Rev. James Snodgrass.
He died February 4, 1817, and his wife De-
cember 12, 1813, aged fifty-nine years.
Egle, Valentine, was born October 27,
1756, in Bern township, Berks county, Pa. ;
died November 23, 1820, at Harrisburg, Pa.
At the age of nineteen he enlisted in Captain
Ross' company. Col. William Thompson's
battalion of riflemen, subsequently enlisting.
for one year in the First regiment of the
Pennsylvania Line of the Revolution, and
subsequently was lieutenant in Eighth bat-
talion, Lancaster county militia. He learned
the trade of a hatter, and settled in Harris-
burg, Pa., where he established himself in
business and was a gentleman universally
respected and esteemed. He died suddenly
188
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
from nervous shock and over-exertion,
caused by the complete destruction of his
property by fire a few months prior. He
married, in 1796, by Eev. Anthony Hautz,
pastor of Frieden's Kirche, in Cumberland
county. Pa., Elizabeth Thomas, born May 2,
1772, in Londonderry township, Lancaster,
now Lebanon county, Pa. ; died August 5,
1867, at Harrisburg, Pa. She was the daugh-
ter of Martin Thomas and Ursula Muller.
Her father was a soldier of the Eevolution,
and her mother's father, John George Muller,
was a lieutenant, subsequently captain, in the
Provincial army, serving in the Forbes and
Bouquet expeditions to the westward. Said
a contemporary at the time of her decease:
" During her long and eventful life she was
highly esteemed by all who knew hec She
was an eye-witness of many interesting
scenes, not only in frontier times, at a period
when the red man was occasionally to be
seen revisiting his old hunting grounds, but
during the struggle for liberty — the war of
the Revolution." She was indeed a remark-
able woman, and the incidents of her life
were such as few persons have experienced.
She was a devoted Christian, and her good
deeds are the heritage of her descendants.
KuNKEL, Christian, son of John Christian
Kunkel, was born July 10, 1757, in the Palat-
inate, Germany ; died September 8, 1823, in
Harrisburg, Pa. His father arrived in Penn-
sylvania September 23, 1766, subsequently
locating at or near York. Christian was
brought up to mercantile pursuits. In the
war of the Revolution he was commissioned
an ensign in Colonel Slagle's battalion of
associators, and was in active service during
the campaign around Philadelphia in 1777
and 1778. In 1786, in company with his
brother-in-law, George Hoyer, he located at
Harrisburg. There ihe at once entered into
business, which, with his indomitable energy
and industry, proved highly successful. He
was one of the prime movers and contributed
toward the organization of the first German
church in Harrisburg. He was burgess of
.the borough in 1796, and frequently a mem-
ber of the council. He was elected, in 1809,
one of the directors of the branch bank of
Philadelphia at Harrisburg, and the same
year appointed by Governor Snyder one of
the commissioners for erecting a bridge over
the Susquehanna, and was interested in other
enterprises. His life was an active and busy
one. Mr. Kunkel was twice married ; mar-
ried, first, on May 4, 1779, at York, Pa.,
Catharine Hoyer, born October 31, 1758, in
the "Palatinate, Germany ; died August 27,
1796, at Harrisburg, Pa.
Graydon, William, the son of Alexander
Graydon and Rachel Marks, was born near
Bristol, Bucks county. Pa., September 4,
1759. He was educated in Philadelphia,
and studied law under Edward Biddle, of
that city. He came to Harrisburg upon the
organization of the county of Dauphin, and
began the practice of his profession, being
admitted at the May term, 1786. He was
the first notary public, commissioned Sep-
tember 2, 1791, and a leading man in the
borough during the " mill-dam troubles "
of 1794-95. He was many years a member
of the town council and president thereof,
and subsequently one of the burgesses. He
was the author of " Forms of Conveyancing "
(in two volumes), " The Justice's Assistant,"
and edited "An Abridgement of the Laws of.
the United States" in 1802. Mr. Graydon
was prominent in the organization of the
First Presbyterian church, and for many
years an elder thereof. He died at Har-
risburg, October 13, 1840, in the eighty-
second year of his age. "Mr. Graydon,"
says Rev. Dr. Robinson, " was a man of fine
literary tastes, was highly esteemed as a
gentleman of the old school, in his manners
refined, courteous, of unblemished integrity"
in the many trusts committed to him, of
high and honorable principles, and in the
church and walks of Christian life a man of
true piety and deep devotion." H. Murray
Graydon and Dr. William Graydon are his
sons.
Fleming, Samuel, was born October 30,
1761, in Cecil county, Md., died August 3,
1851, in Harrisburg, Dauphin county, Pa.
Removed with his father's family to West-
ern Pennsylvania, where he served as justice
of the peace and surveyor for Washington
county ; was captain of a ranging company
on the frontiers to protect them from the
Indian marauders from the Ohio ; was one
of the local committee to treat with the in-
surgents during the Whiskey Insurrection.
In 1812 he removed. to West Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county, where he resided
until a few years before his death. Mr.
Fleming married, September 24, 1789, Sarah
Becket, born 1771 ; d. January 21, 1831, in
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
189
Hanna, Gen. John Andre, son of Rev.
John Hanna and Mary McCrea, was born
about 1761, at Flemington, N. J. He re-
ceived a good dassical education under his
father, who was a most excellent tutor. He
served in the war of the Revolution. To-
ward its close came to Pennsylvania and
studied law with Stephen Chambers, of Lan-
caster, whose acquaintance he made in the
arm}', and was admitted to the bar of Lan-
caster county at November session, 1783.
He located at Harrisburg upon the forma-
tion of the county of Dauphin and was among
the first lawyers admitted there. He took a
deep interest in early municipal affairs, and
there was little transpiring looking to the
welfare and development of tlie new town
in which Mr. Hanna did not take part. His
marriage with a daughter of John Harris,
the founder, brought him into unusual
prominence. He represented the county in
the Legislature, and in 1795 elected to the
United States Congress, a position he filled
up to the time of his death by successive re-
election. During the Whiskey Insurrection
he was a brigadier general of the Pennsyl-
vania force in command of the Second brig-
ade, Second division. In 1800 Governor
McKean commissioned him a major general
of the Third division of the militia forces of
the State. He died at Harrisburg on the
13th of July, 1805, aged forty-four years, and
is buried in the cemetery there. General
Hanna married Mary Harris, daughter of
John Harris and Mary Read, who died Au-
gust 20, 1851, in the eighty-first year of her
age. They had nine children : Esther Har-
ris, d. s. p.; Eleanor (first), d. s. p.; Sarah
Eaton, married Richard T. Jacobs ; Henri-
etta, died unmarried; Caroline Elizabeth,
married Joseph Briggs; Frances Harris,
married John Carson McAllister; Julian C,
mai-ried John Fisher; Mary Read, married
Hon. John Tod ; and Eleanor (second), d. s. p.
FoRSTER, Thomas, son of John Forster,
was born May 16, 1762, in Paxtang town-
ship, Lancaster, now Dauphin county, Pa.;
died June 29, 1836, at Erie, Pa. He received
a good education, and was brought up as a
surveyor. In the Revolutionary struggle he
was a private in Capt. John Reed's company
in the summer of 1776, in active service dur-
ing the Jersey campaign of that year. In
1794, during the so-called Whiskey Insur-
rection, he served as colonel of one of the
volunteer regiments on that expedition. He
was one of the associate judges of Dauphin
county, appointed October 26, 1793, by Gov-
ernor Mifflin, resigning December 3, 1798,
having been elected one of the representa-
tives of the State Legislature that year. At
the close of 1799 or early in 1800, as the
agent of the Harrisburg and Presqu' Isle
Land Company, he permanently removed to
Erie. In the affairs incident to the early
settlement of that town and the organization
of that county, he took a prominent part.
He was one of the first street commissioners
of the town, president of the Erie and Water-
ford Turnpike Company, one of the directors
of the first library company and its librarian,
and captain of the first military company
formed at Erie, and which in 1812 was in
service, at Buffalo, Captain Forster being
promoted brigade inspector. In 1823 he was
appointed b}' Governor Shulze one of the
commissioners to explore the route for the
Erie extension of the Pennsylvania canal,
and in 1827 was chairman of the meeting
organizing St. Paul's Episcopal church. In
1799 he was appointed by President Adams
collector of the port at Erie, and successively
commissioned by Presidents Jefferson, Madi-
son, J. Q. Adams and Jackson, filling the
office until his death. Colonel Forster mar-
ried, October 5, 1786, Sarah Pettit Mont-
gomery, born July, 1766, at Georgetown,
Kent county, Md.; died July 27, 1808, at
Erie, Pa.; daughter of Rev. Joseph Mont-
gomery and Elizabeth Reed.
Kean, John, was born October 3, 1762, in
Philadelphia and died December 9, 1818, in
Harrisburg, Pa. He was the son of John
Kean [1728-1801 J and Mary Dunlop [1728-
1819]. His father removed to what is now
Dauphin county. Pa., in 1775. In 1780 he
entered the Revolutionary service, and was
with the army until after the capitulation of
Yorktown. Upon his discharge he was
placed with James Clunie, a merchant at
Hummelstown, second sheriff of Dauphin
county, at a salary of one hundred dollars a
year and boarding. In this period he taught
himself conveyancing and surveying. In
1785 he located at Harrisburg, in partnership
with Mr. Clunie. In 1788 he was one of the
members of the famous " Harrisburg Confer-
ence." He was one of the managers of the
first library company, established in 1787,
and the same year elected a commissioner of
the county ; one of the trustees of the Harris-
burg Academy, 1788; treasurer of the Pres-
190
BIO GRA PHI GAL ENGYGL OFEDIA
byterian congregation in 1790; chosen cap-
tain of the first volunteer compan}"^ upon the
resignation of General Hanna, and president
of the first fire company, and in 1792 ap-
pointed an associate judge. In 1796 Mr. Kean
purchased, with John Elder, Jr., New Mar-
ket forge, about three miles from Palmyra,
and removed thence. Was elected to the
State Senate, and. re-elected in 1798, serving
until 1802. In 1805 he was appointed by
Governor McKean register general, serving
for three years. He removed to Philadel-
phia in 1810, was a merchant there, returned
to Harrisburg in 1813, was again appointed
justice of the peace by Governor Snyder,
which office he filled until his death. Judge
Kean married, first, in 1786, Mary Whitehill,
daughter of Robert Whitehill, of Cumber-
land county. By her he had one daughter,
Eleanor, who married, first, March 24, 1808,
William Patton, M. D., son of Thomas Pat-
ton and Eleanor Fleming, born in 1775, in
Derry township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county, Pa.; died March 30, 1816. Mrs.
Patton married, secondly, Christian Spayd,
and left descendants. By his second wife,
Jean Hamilton, born June 1, 1774; died
March 20, 1847, at Harrisburg ; daughter of
John Hamilton, there were four children, all
deceased.
Early Zimmermans. — The early history
of the advent of the Zimmerman ancestors
in Dauphin county, which at that time com-
prised what is now known as Dauphin and
Lebanon counties, is very obscure. There
seem to be no records extant to give any in-
formation on this subject. About the only
knowledge that has so far come to light is
the fact that three brothers, John Michael,
Gottfried and Peter, and one sister, Isabella,
who was married to one Rodearmel, and who
died on the voyage without leaving any
issue, originally came over from Holland ;
and that some of them settled in Dauphin
count}', near Jonestown, which has since be-
come a part of Lebanon county. One of
these brothers, named Peter Zimmerman,
passed the humble life of the hardy pioneer
in what was then the frontier of Pennsyl-
vania. All records as to the dates of his
birth and marriage and death, and even the
place of his burial, seemed to have vanished
with the dim past. A son of this Peter Zim-
merman, also named Peter Zimmerman, was
born March 4, 1763, in Hanover township,
Lancaster county. Pa., as given on his bap-
tismal certificate, now in the possession of
.Jacob Shaeffer, Cumberland cpunty. Pa.
These early Zimmermans, to be sure, are
only slightly connected with the history of
Dauphin county, but they are given for the
purpose of more clearly showing the origin
of the subsequent generations bearing that
name, who have played an important part
in the realistic drama of Dauphin county's
history.
The last named Peter Zimmerman married
Miss Mary Magdelene Beane, of near Jones-
town, now Lebanon county. Pa., and moved
to a small unfertile farm in Cumberland
county, a few miles southwest of Fairview,
close to the mountains ; there were born to
them eight children, of whom we have any
record, five sons and three daughters, to-wit :
Henry was born December 30, 1786, died
March 12, 1839. Mary was born August 2,
1788, died August lO" 1873, and was the
second wife of Jacob ShaefFer, of Cumberland
county, Pa. Elizabeth Zimmerman, of whom
there is no record except that she married a
certain Peter Blawser, and moved to the
southern tier of counties of New York State.
John Zimmerman, of whom there is no
record, moved to Wooster, Ohio, where he
died. Catherine Zimmerman was born
November 9, 1795, married to Andrew Mona
Smith and died June 7, 1862. Peter Zim-
merman was born in 1796, the exact date is
not known ; he was married to Elizabeth
Mona Smith, and died at his home in
Wooster, Ohio, in 1880. Samuel Zimmer-
man was born March 11, 1798, in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
married Sarah Lehman, and moved to Wayne
township, Wayne county, Ohio, where he
died March 24, 1888, and lies buried near
MadisonburgjOhio. Jacob Zimmerman, the
youngest of whom we have any record, was
born January 26, 1805, and moved to Bed-
ford county. Pa., where he died August 26,
1867. The father of these children is said
to have died in 1810, and lies buried in the
old graveyard now almost obliterated by the
rough hand of time, along the river road, a
few miles southwest of West Fairview. It is
from this family, as well as from the line
of early ancestors above, that the Dauphin
county Zimmermans trace their origin.
Snodgrass, James, the son of Benjamin
Snodgrass, was born near Doylestown, Bucks
county, Pa., July 23, 1763. His grandfather
came from the north of Ireland about the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
191
year 1700, locating in Bucks county, Pa.
He graduated at the University of Pennsyl-
vania in 1783; and was for a brief time a
tutor therein. He studied theology under
direction of the Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, then
pastor of the church at Neshaminy, and was
licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby-
tery of Philadelphia in December, 1785. Af-
ter preaching about a year and a half in desti-
tute places in the central and northern part
of New York, on the 16th of October, 1787,
he accepted' the call of the Hanover congre-
gation of May previous, and until his ordina-
tion on the 13th of May, 1788, he gave his
attention to that church. A+. his installation
there were present of the Presbytery of Car-
lisle the revered and honored ministers
Revs. John Elder, John Hoge, John Linn,
John Craighead, Robert Cooper and Samuel
Waugh. His pastorate extended over a
period of fifty-eight years, and he was the
last who ministered at Hanover. His death
occurred July 2, 1846, and he lies interred
in old Hanover church graveyard. The
Rev. Snodgrass was twice married. His
first wife, Martha, born November 12, 1760 ;
died December 20, 1828 ; his second wife,
Nancy, born in 1770 ; died January 24,
1839, and are both interred in the same
graveyard.
Steele, Gen. James, the son of William
Steele, Jr., and Abigail, daughter of Francis
Baily, was born in Sadsbury township, Lan-
caster county, Pa., in 1763. He received a
good classical education. He represented
Chester county in the P'ennsylvania legisla-
tive sessions of 1809 and 1810, served in the
war of 1812-14 in the capacity of colonel,
and for meritorious conduct prdmoted to in-
spector general of the State troops with the
rank of brigadier. He was an enterprising
business man, and prior to the war erected
a paper mill on the east side of the Octoraro,
and in 1818 a cotton mill in the same neigh-
borhood. General Steele removed to Harris-
burg in 1839, dying there September 29,
1845, and was the first person interred in the
Harrisburg cemetery. His integrity and
zeal, whether as officer or private individual,
made him universally beloved and respected.
He was a Presbyterian, but -his wife and
some of his family were Methodists. His
son, Franklin B. Steele, was appointed
military storekeeper at the Falls of St. An-
thony in 1837, and from that period was
closely identified with the history and inter-
ests of the Upper Mississippi. He died Sep-
tember 10, 1880. General Steele's wife was
Miss Humes, of Lancaster county. After her
husband's death she removed to St. Paul,
where she died and is buried. Their chil-
dren were : Frank, who married a Miss Bar-
ney, of Baltimore, a granddaughter of Com-
modore Barney; Sarah, married Governor
Sibley, of Minnesota; Rachel, married Gen-
eral Johnson, of St. Paul ; John, a physician
of prominence, married Miss McClung, of
Lancaster county. Pa. ; Mary, unmarried, and
Abby, married Dr. Potts.
BucHER, John Jacob, son of the Rev. John
Conrad Bucher, a noted early divine as well
as an officer during the French and Indian
war, was born January 1, 1764, in Carlisle,
Pa. In 1790, located in Harrisburg as a
hatter and furrier ; in 1796, elected coroner
of Dauphin county ; in 1798, appointed jus-
tice of the peace by Governor Mifflin, and
represented Dauphin county in the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature, sitting at Lancaster, nine
successive terms from 1803. In 1810 he was
appointed by Governor Snyder one of the
commissioners for the erection of the public
buildings at Harrisburg. In 1818, appointed
by Governor Findlay an associate judge for
the county of Dauphin, filling the office,
honorably, until his death, October 16, 1827.
Endowed with great wisdom and sagacity,
and of unimpeachable integrity and honesty,
he was called upon to fill man}' public and
private trusts of honor and responsibility.
His remains now lie in the Harrisburg ceme-
ter}'. Judge Bucher married, March 27,
1792, Susanna Margaret Hortter, one of the
five daughters of John Valentine Hortter, of
Spires, Bavaria, who settled in Harrisburg
in 1785. She was born inGermantown Sep-
tember 24, 1774; died in Harrisburg, De-
cember 30, 1838. She was three years old
when the battle of Germantown was fought,
October 4, 1777, and remembered the ex-
perience of the family who were confined in
the cellar of their residence, which was on
the route of the battle.
Elder, Thomas, grandson of the Rev.
John Elder, born January 30, 1767; d.
April 29, 1853, in Harrisburg, Pa. He
received a good English and classical educa-
tion, especially under Joseph Hutchison, a
celebrated teacher in his day. He subse-
quently attended the academy at Philadel-
phia, where he graduated. Studied law
192,
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
with General John A. Hanna, and was ad-
mitted to the Dauphin county bar at the
August term, 1791. He at once began the
practice of a profession in which he became
distinguished, and which he followed with
great success for upwards of forty years, and
" was eminent as a safe and sagacious coun-
selor, a laborious and indefatigable lawyer."
During the Whiskey Insurrection, he volun-
teered as a private in Captain Dentzel's
company, which marched westward, prefer-
ring the ranks to that of a commissioned of-
fice, which his company offered hira. He
subsequently held the ofiice of lieuten-
ant colonel of the militia, and was fre-
quently designated by the title of colonel.
As a citizen in the early years of the borough
of Harrisburg, Mr. Elder possessed public
spirit and enterprise in advance of his con-
temporaries generally. He was the promi-
nent and leading spirit in organizing a com-
pany to erect the Harrisburg bridge, the
first constructed over the Susquehanna, and
for many years the longest in the Union.
Upon the permanent organization, he was
unanimously elected the president, which
ofiice he held by annual re-election of the
directors until his resignation in June, 1846.
He was chosen president of the Harrisburg
Bank in June, 1816, which office he held
until his death. Governor Hiester appointed
him attorney general of the Commonwealth,
a position he filled with marked abilitv from
December 20, 1820, to December IS," 1823,
but he ever after positively refused to accept
office, although he took deep and active in-
terest for many years in the political aff'airs
of the State and Nation. He was blessed
with a physical constitution which enabled
him to accomplish an extraordinary amount
of labor without diminishing the elasticity
of his spirits or the vigor of his mind. He
lived to the advanced age of over 86 years.
Mr. Elder was twice married ; married, first,
March 23, 1799, Catharine Cox, d. June 12,
1810 ; daughter of Col. Cornelius Cox, of
Estherton, Pa. Thomas Elder married,
secondly. May 30, 1813, Elizabeth Shippen
Jones, born December 13, 1787, in Burling-
ton, N. J.; died October 81, 1871, in Harris-
burg, Pa.; daughter of Robert Strettell Jones
and Ann Shippen.
Harris, Robert, son of the founder, John
Harris, and of Mary Read, daughter of Adam
Read, Esq., of Hanover, was born in Harris'
Ferry on the 5th of September, 1768. He
was brought up as a farmer, and resided in
the early part of his life in the log and frame
building on Paxtang street, now used as a
public school. His farm extended from the
dwelling-house down the river to about the
present location of Hanna street, and thence
out over the bluff, including the ground oc-
cupied by the Catholic cemetery, containing
about one hundred acres.
By the death of his father, in 1791, much
of the business affairs of the family was early
intrusted to him. He was possessed of con-
siderable public spirit, aiding in the establish-
ment of various enterprises, including the
bridge over the Susquehanna, the Harris-
burg Bank, and the Harrisburg and Middle-
town turnpike road, in the first two of which
he was a director and perhaps also in the
last. Mr. Harris was appointed to various
public trusts. He was one of the State com-
missioners to survey and lay off a route for
the turnpike from Chambersburg to Pitts-
burgh, also for improving the Susquehanna,
in the course of which the commissioners
descended the river below McCall's ferry.
When the Assembly of the State decided to
remove the seat of government to Harris-
burg, Mr. Harris was selected as one of the
commissioners for fixing the location of the
capitol buildings preparatory to the removal.
During the mill-dam troubles, in 1795,
Mr. Harris was one of the party of prominent
citizens who finally tore down the Landis
dam, the site of which was in the lower part
of the city, and to which was attributed much
of the sickness then prevailing here. He
was one of the first" to rush into the water,
and it was said that he was then laboring
under an ague chill, but never afterwards
had a return of it.
During the war of 1812-14, Mr. Harris was
appointed paymaster of the troops which
marched to Baltimore, and acted as such at
York, where the soldiers were discharged.
He was elected to Congress and took his
seat in 1823, and by a re-election served
therein until the 4th of March, 1827. On
one of the occasions he brought home with
him a picture, made before the days of
daguerreotyping, of the celebrated John
Randolph, of Virginia, representing him on
the floor of the House of Representatives en-
veloped in a large coat, extending his long,
lank arms and his bony finger as he pointed
it at Henry Clay and others in the course ot
his impassioned and sarcastic harangue.
Mr. Harris served in Congress during the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
193
Presidency of John Quincy Adams, and of
course knew him. When General Taylor,
as President, was in Harrisburg, Mr. Harris
was appointed to deliver the address of wel-
come on the part of the citizens. During the
subsequent intercourse with General Taylor
he observed to him that he had dined with
all of the preceding Presidents. He was
married in Philadelphia in the spring of
1791, during the Presidency of General
Washington, and diued at his table, and
there or elsewhere with Adams, Jefferson,
Madison, and probably Mr. Monroe. He
was intimately acquainted with General
Harrison when a lieutenant in the army, had
entertained him at his house in Harrisburg,
and was invited to dine with him during
his brief term as President. He was on
friendly terms with John G. Calhoun, and
was well acquainted with General Jackson.
After the State capital was removed to
Harrisburg, the residence of Mr. Harris, who
had in 1805 purchased the Harris mansion
from his brother David, and from that period
occupied it, was the center of attraction at
the seat of government. He entertained
many of the prominent men of the State and
of the Legislature. At his house might have
been seen Governor Findlay, Samuel D. In-
gram, Thomas Sergeant, William J. Duane,
Governor Wolf, and various other persons of
distinction, including Isaac Weaver, of
Greene county, speaker of the Senate from
1817 to 1821, a gentleman of marked pres-
ence, and who, Mr. Harris said, more resem-
bled General Washington than any other
man he had ever seen. During the Presi-
dency of General Washington, Mr. Harris,
then a young man, accompanied the party
on board the Clermont, the steamboat of
John Fitch, when that vessel made its trial
trip on the Delaware.
The first prothonotary of Dauphin county
was Alexander Graydon, and the first reg-
ister Andrew Forrest, both sent from Phila-
delphia by Governor MifHin, with whom
they had served as fellow-officers in the war
of the Revolution. Governor McKean for
some reason refused to reappoint Mr. Forrest,
and tendered the appointment to Mr. Harris.
He, however, recommended the retention of
Mr. Forrest, but Governor McKean informed
him that if he did not accept the office he
would appoint some one else. He accord-
ingly accepted it, but, it is said, divided the
fees with Mr. Forrest for some time, and
perhaps until his death.
Until the close of his long life Mr. Harris
was quite active in body and mind. He died
at Harrisburg September 3, 1851, being
within two days of fourscore and three years
of age. His remains repose in the beautiful
cemetery now within the bounds of our city
by the Susquehanna. His warm and life-
long friend. Rev. William R. DeWitt, D. D.,
delivered the funeral discourse, which we
recollect well of hearing, in which he paid
a most glowing tribute to the memory of
Robert Harris. He died not unwillingly in
the faith and hope of a Christian, and in the
respect and kind regard of his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Harris married in Philadelphia, May
12, 1791, Elizabeth Ewing, daughter of the
Rev. John Ewing, D. D., provost of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Harris was
born in Philadelphia December 2, 1772 ;
died at Harrisburg April 27, 1835, and is
there buried.
Wallace, William, was born October,
1768, in Hanover township, Dauphin county,
Pa.; died Tuesday, May 28, 1816, and with his
wife buried in Paxtang church graveyard.
He was the eldest son of Benjamin Wallace
and Elizabeth Culbertson ; received a class-
ical education ; graduated at Dickinson Col-
lege ; studied law at Harrisburg under Gal-
braith Patterson, and was admitted to the
bar at the June term, 1792. He became in-
terested in the Harrisburg and Presqu' Isle
Land Company, and about 1800 removed to
Erie, in the affairs of which place and in the
organization of the county he took an active
and leading part. About 1810 he returned
to Harrisburg and partly resumed his pro-
fession. Besides being a member of the bar
he was a partner of his brother-in-law, John
Lyon, at Pennsylvania Furnace. He was
nominated by the Federalists for Congress
in 1813, but defeated. He was elected the
first president of the old Harrisburg Bank
and was burgess of the borough at his death.
He was a polite, urbane man, of slight frame
and precise address. Mr. Wallace had pre-
viously married, in 1803, Rachel Forrest,
daughter of Dr. Andrew Forrest, of Harris-
burg, who died at Erie in 1804. Mr. Wallace
married, 1806, Eleanor Maclay, daughter of
Hon. William Maclay. She was born Janu-
ary 17, 1774, at Harris' Ferry; and died Jan-
uary 2, 1823, at Harrisburg.
Crouch, Edward, son of Col. James Crouch,
was born at Walnut Hill, in Paxtang, Novem-
194
BIO GRA PHICAL ENGYGL OPEDIA
ber 9, 1764. He was a merchant by cccupa-
tion. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in
the army of the Revolution, and commanded
a company in the Whiskey Insurrection in
1794. He served as a member of the House
of Representatives from 1804 to 1806, and
was a presidential elector in 1813. Gover-
nor Snyder appointed him one of the associ-
ate judges of the county of Dauphin April
16, 1813, but he resigned upon his election
to the Thirteenth United States Congress.
He died on the 2d day of February, 1827,
and is buried in Paxtang graveyard. " In
private life he was an able and an honest
man," wrote one of his contemporaries, and
the record of his life shows him to have been
a gentleman of uprightness of character, and
as honorable as he was influential. Mr. Crouch
married, first, Margaret Potter, born 1775 ;
died February 7, 1797; daughter of Gen.
James Potter, of the Revolution. Their only
daughter Mary, born October 23, 1791 ; died
October 27, 1846 ; married Benjamin Jordan,
who succeeded to the estate of Walnut Hill.
He married, secondly, Rachel Bailey, born
April 16, 1782 ; died March 2, 1857.
AiNswoRTH, Samuel, son of John Ains-
worth and his wife Margaret Mayes, who was
born November 11, 1765, in Hanover town-
ship. His grandfather, of the same name,
with his wife Margaret Young, were settlers
in Hanover in 1736. In 1756 the family
were driven out by the Indians and one of
the children captured. The latter was never
retaken. Samuel was brought up on his
father's farm in Hanover, receiving a year's
education in Philadelphia in addition to that
acquired in the schools of the neighborhood.
After the organization of the county he be-
came quite prominent, and twice elected to
the Legislature. He died while in attend-
ance on this body, in Philadelphia, in Febru-
ary, 1798. Mr. Ainsworth married, May 10,
1792, by Rev. James Snodgrass, Margaret
McEwen, daughter of Richard McEwen; born
1770, in Hanover; died October 29, 1867,
near Lancaster, Ohio.
Downey, John, the son of John and Sarah
Downey, was born at Germantown, Pa., in
the year 1765. The elder Downey was an
officer of the Revolution under Gen. John
Tracey and was inhumanly massacred at the
battle of Crooked Billet. The son received a
classical education in the old academy there,
and in 1795 located at Harrisburg, where he
opened a Latin and grammar school. At
this period, in a letter to Governor Thomas
MiflJin, he proposed a " plan of education,"
remarkably foreshadowing the present com-
mon-school system, and which has placed
him in the front rank of early American
educators. He was for maxiy years a justice
of the peace, and served as town clerk for a
long time. He was the first cashier of the
Harrisburg Bank, largely instrumental in
securing the erection of a bridge over the
Susquehanna, and one of the coiporators of
the Harrisburg and Middletown Turnpike
Company ; was a member of the Legislature
in 1817-18, and filled other positions of
honor and profit. He died at Harrisburg on
the 21st of July, 1827, and the Oracle speaks of
him as " a useful magistrate and pious man."
He wrote much for the press, and a series of
articles published in the Dauphin Guardian,
entitled " Simon Easy Papers," were from
his pen — sparkling with wit; they are worth
a permanent setting, as a valuable contribu-
tion to literature. Mr. Downey married, June
5, 1798, Alice Ann Beatty, daughter of James
Beatty, Esq., one of the first settlers at Harris-
burg. She died in Ashland county, Ohio,
May 14, 1841. Their daughter, Eleanor
Downey, born 1811, at Harrisburg; died
1869, at Springfield, Ohio; married April 5,
1851, Hon. Daniel Kilgore, of Ohio.
Fager, John, son of John Jacob Eager
and Rosanna Lutz, was born June 10, 1768,
in Oley township, Berks county. Pa. His
grandfather, John Henr}' Fager, born in
1714, in Germany, married Susanna M. Leu-
ter and emigrated to America, settling in
Oley township, Berks county, where he died
in 1778. His son, John Jacob, born 1788, in
the Palatinate; died in 1815, at Harrisburg;
married Rosanna Lutz, born 1739; died 1802.
Their son John learned the trade of a hatter
in Reading and came to Harrisburg about
1790, where for a number of years he carried
on the business. He was one of the founders
of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Har-
risburg in 1795 ; served as commissioner of
the county of Dauphin, and for a number of
years was a member of the town council.
After retiring from active business, late in
life, he was the collector of tolls at the east
end of the Harrisburg bridge. He died at
Harrisburg on May 10, 1848, lacking one
month of being eighty years of age. Mr.
Fager married Sarah Cleckner, born 1772-
died 1844, at Harrisburg ; daughter of Fred!
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
195
erick Cleckner, Sr., one of the first settlers at
Harrisburg. They had ten children, of whom
those reaching mature years were Sarah, mar-
ried George Adams, of Harrisburg ; Catha-
rine, married Frederick Kelker, of Harris-
burg ; Samuel, George C, and Dr. John H;
FiNDLAY, Gov. William, the second son
of Samuel Findlay and Jane Smith, was
born near Mercersburg, Franklin county,
Pa., June 20, 1768. His progenitor, beyond
whom he never traced his lineage, was Adju-
tant Brown, as he was called, who took part
in the famous siege of Derry, and afterwards
emigrated to America with his daughter
Elizabeth. The daughter married Samuel
Findlay, of Philadelphia. A son by this
marriage settled, about 1756, in Cumberland
(now Franklin) county, Pa. In the year
1765 he married Jane Smith, a daughter of
William Smith. She died in her thirty-fifth
year, the mother of eight boys, six of whom
survived her. The subject of this sketch was
the second of this family of sons. The
Scotch-Irish settlers appreciated the import-
ance of a good education. A knowledge of
the common English branches they deemed
indispensable for all their children, while
one son in a family at least, if it could be
accomplished by any reasonable sacrifice,
received a classical education. William, in
his boyhood, displayed that activity of mind
and thirst for knowledge which were the
characteristics of his manhood. His leisure
hours were devoted to. reading such books as
were accessible. His instruction was, how-
ever, such as could be obtained in the schools
of the neighborhood. The meager advan-
• tages afforded him were studiously improved,
and the natural activity of his mind and his
ambition to excel enabled him to make sub-
stantial acquirements.
On the 7th of December, 1791, he was
married to Nancy Irwin, daughter of Archi-
bald Irwin, of Franklin county, and com-
menced life as a farmer on a portion of his
father's estate which, at the death of his
father in 1799, he inherited.
Ke was a political disciple and a great ad-
mirer of Mr. Jefferson. The first office
which he ever held was a military one, that
of brigade inspector of militia, requiring
more of business capacity than knowledge of
tactics. To the veterans of the Revolution-
ary war it was given to become generals and
colonels. In the autumn of 1797, that im-
mediately succeeding the inauguration of
John Adams as President of the United
States, at a time when the only newspaper
published in Franklin county was the organ
of the Federalists, with its column strictly
closed against the Republicans, Mr. Find-
lay was elected a member of the House of
Representatives of the State Legislature, •
which then sat in Philadelphia. He was
again elected to the House in 1803. Mr.
Jefferson had succeeded Mr. Adams in the
Presidency, and the Republicans were in the
ascendant in both National and State gov-
ernments. The capital had, by the act of
April 3, 1799, been temporarily established
at Lancaster. Mr. Findlay, at this session,
proposed that it should be permanently es-
tablished at Harrisburg. The proposition
then failed ; but it was eventually carried, and
in 1812 the removal was eS'ected. He proved
himself a leading member, and one of the
most useful in the House, being placed in
the most responsible positions. When the
act to revise the judiciary system was before
the House, Mr. Findlay offered additional
sections, providing that a plaintiff might
file a statement of his cause of action, instead
of a declaration ; for reference of matters in
dispute to arbitration ; that proceedings
should not be set aside for informalitj'^ ; that
pleadings might be amended, and amicable
actions and judgments entered without the
agency of an attornej'.
These provisions were not then adopted,
but they afterwards became and still are a
part of the statute law. The object aimed
at by their mover was doubtless to enable
parties to conduct their own case in court
without professional assisiance. This the
enactments have failed to accomplish ; but
they have been of great advantage to attor-
neys themselves, enabling them to cure
their own errors and omissions, to which
they as well as the unlearned are liable.
On the 13th of January, 1807, Mr. Findlay
was elected State treasurer, whereupon he re-
signed his seat in the House. From that
date until the 2d of December, 1817, when
he resigned to assume the duties of chief
magistrate, a period of nearly eleven years,
he was annually re-elected by the Legislature
to that office, in several instances unani-
mously, and always by a strong majority, not
uncommonly being supported by members
politically opposed to him. During nearly
four years of this time the United States
were at war with England, and the resources
of the country were severely taxed.
196
BIO GRA PHICAL ENGYGL OPEDIA
In 1817, Mr. Findlay was nominated by
the Republicans as their candidate for gover-
nor. Gen. Joseph Hiester was selected by
a disaffected branch of the Republican party,
styled Old School men, to oppose him, who
was supported also by the Federalists. The
result was a triumph for Findlay, who was
elected by a majority of over seven thousand
votes.
In 1820, Governor Findlay again received
the unanimous nomination of the Republi-
cans for re-election, and Joseph Hiester was
nominated, as before, by the Republicans of
the Old School, and was supported by the
Federalists en masse. Under the Constitution
of 1790 the patronage of the Executive was
immense. To him was given the power of
appointing, with few exceptions, every State
and county officer. This power, considered
so dangerous that by the Constitution of
1838 and subsequent amendments the Ex-
ecutive has been stripped of it almost entirely,
was, in fact, dangerous only to the governor
himself. For while he might attach one per-
son to him by making an appointment, the
score or two who were disappointed became,
if not active political opponents, at least
lukewarm friends. Many trained and skill-
ful politicians had been alienated from the
support of Governor Findlay by their in-
ability to share or control patronage. The
result was the election of his opponant.
At the general election of 1821 the Repub-
licans regained ascendancy in the Legisla-
ture. At the session of 1821-22, while Gov-
ernor Findlay was quietly spending the winter
with a friend and relative in Franklin county,
he received notice that he had been elected
to the Senate of the United States for the full
term of six years from the preceding 4th of
March. He immediately set out for the capi-
tal, where he took his seat and served the en-
tire term with distinguished ability. While
he was in the Senate two of his brothers. Col.
John Findlay, of Chambersburg, and Gen.
James Findlay ,ofCincinnati,Ohio, were mem-
bers of the national House of Representatives.
After the expiration of his senatorial term he
was appointed by President Jackson treasurer
of the United States Mint at Philadelphia.
This office he held until the accession of Gen.
Harrison to the Presidency, when, unwilling,
at his advanced age, to be longer burdened
with its cares and responsibilities, he resigned.
The remainder of his life was spent in retire-
ment with the family of his son-in-law. Gov-
ernor Shunk, at whose residence, in Harris-
burg, he died on the 12th of November, 1846'
in the seventy-ninth year of his age.
In person Governor Findlay was tall, with
fair complexion and dark-brown hair. He
had a vigorous constitution and a cheerful
disposition. He was affable and courteous in
his address, fond of conversation, but did not
monopolize it. He understood and practiced
the habits of a good listener. He exhibited
great tact in drawing out the reserved and
taciturn, and enabling them to figure well
in conversation by giving rein to their hob-
bies. He. possessed a remarkably tenacious
memory of names and faces. After a long
separation he could recognize and call by
name a person with whom he had had but a
short and casual interview. His acquaintance
was probably more extensive and his perso-
nal friends more numerous than those of
almost any other public man of his day.
ZiEGLEE, CoL. George, the son of George
Ziegler, a native of the Palatinate, was born
in Lancaster county, Pa., July 3, 1768. He
was brought up to mercantile pursuits, came
to Harrisburg in 1795, and began merchan-
dising, in which he was quite successful. In
his early life he took an important part in
public affairs. He was frequently a member
of the borough council, was lieutenant
colonel of the Sixty-sixth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania militia, in 1807, and coroner from
January 12, 1809, to December 18, 1811.
Colonel. Ziegler died at Harrisburg, August
28, 1845, aged seventy-seven years. His wife,
Elizabeth, born December 6, 1777, died
January 2, 1853. They left three daughters,
Catharine, married George Kunkel ; Mary,
married Rev. John P. Hecht; and Elizabeth, •
married Rev. Frederick Rothrock. Colonel
Ziegler was an estimable citizen, a gentleman
of sterling integrity and worth.
Alriceis, James, was fourth in descent
from Pieter Alricks, who became very prom-
inent in the early settlement of the Dutch
on the Delaware, was a member of the first
Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania,
and from 1685 to 1689 served as one of
William Penn's counselors. James Alricks
was born December 2, 1769, at Carlisle, Pa.,
and died October 28, 1833, at Harrisburg,
Pa. He received a good education in the
schools of the day, and was brought up to a
mercantile life. In 1791-92, he was engaged
in business in May Town, Lancaster county,
and in 1814 he removed with his family
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
199
from Lost Creek Valley to Harrisburg. He
was a man of extensive reading, passionately
fond of books, and he regarded an honest
man, of fine education and refined manners,
as the most remarkable object on the face of
the earth. After his father's death, he was
raised on a farm in Donegal, Lancaster
county, and used to say at that period no
one could get an education for want of
teachers. While lamenting his own lack of
education, he was remarkably well ac-
quainted with history, ancient and modern,
and with geography. He was likewise quite
familiar with the writings of Shakespeare,
Goldsmith, Burns, Campbell, etc. While
living in the prime of life on the Juniata, he
was delighted to meet and converse with
such men as the Rev. Matthew Brown, the
first Dr. Watson, of Bedford, Judge Jonathan
Walker (the father of Robert J. Walker),
William R. Smith, etc. On March 10, 1821,
he was appointed clerk of the orphans' court
and quarter sessions, serving until January
17, 1824. He subsequently served as one of
the magistrates of the borough. Mr. Alricks,
married, July 21, 1796, at Harrisburg, by
Rev. N. R. Snowden, Martha Hamilton, born
August 5, 1776; died March 16, 1830;
daughter of John Hamilton and Margaret
Alexander.
BoMBAUGH, Abraham, son of Conrad Bom-
baugh and Esther Zell, was born in 1770 in
Paxtang township, Lancaster (now Dauphin)
county, Pa. He received a fair German edu-
cation and entered mercantile life, subse-
quently, however, turning his attention to
farming.. His father, being a man of con-
siderable influence in the young town, gave
Abraham prominence, and being a gentle-
man of energy and activity, apart from his
business tact, he was not long in winning his
way to popular favor. As early as 1808 he
was a member of the town council, and for a
period of twenty-five years thereafter held a
position therein. In 1809 he was chief bur-
gess of the borough, and later on in life,
from 1828 to 1831, elected to the same office.
He was one of the county commissioners
from 1882 to 1835, and for one or two terms
was a director of the poor. Mr. Bombaugh
died April 23, 1844, at Harrisburg. He mar-
ried, March 18, 1802, Catharine Reehm, born
July 14, 1770; died March 22, 1855. They
had Aaron, married Mira Lloyd, of Phila-
delphia ; Catharine, d. s. p., and Sarah, mar-
ried David Hummel.
1/
Bowman, John F., was born in Lancaster
county. Pa., May 10, 1771. His father was
a farmer, residing on Pequea creek, not far
from Strasburg. John F. was brought up
as a millwright, but subsequently entered
mercantile pursuits. In 1809 he removed to
Halifax, where he was a merchant from that
period to 1830, when, believing a larger
sphere of trade was opened for him, he went
to Millersburg, where he successfully con-
tinued in business until his death, which oc-
curred on the 6th of November, 1835. Mr.
Bowman first married, in 1794, a daughter
of Isaac Ferree, whose farm adjoined that of
his father. By this marriage they had the
following children : Eliza, Maria, George, and
Josiah, married Elizabeth Rutter. Mr. Bow-
man married, secondly, in 1805, Frances
Crossen, daughter of John Crossen. They
had issue as follows: John J., married Mar-
garet Sallade, Levi, Louisa, Isaac, Mary E.,
married Rev. C. W. Jackson, Lucinda, mar-
ried Dr. Hiram Rutherford, Jacob, Emeline,
and Benjamin.
John F. Bowman was one of the repre-
sentative men of the "Upper End," enjoyed
a reputation for uprightness and honesty,
and highly esteemed by those who knew
him. Genial, yet quiet and unobtrusive, he
never sought or would accept any local or
public office. His second wife, Frances
Crossen, was born August 13, 1786; died
September 30, 1846, and lies interred beside
her husband in the old, Methodist grave-
yard at Millersburg.
Brua, Peter, the son of John Peter Brua,
was a native of Berks county. Pa., where he
was born in 1771. He learned the trade of
a carpenter, and came to Harrisburg about
1792. He served as director of the poor from
1818 to 1821; was a member of the borough
council in 1824, 1826 and 1829; commis-
sioned county treasurer January 7, 1824, and
was one of the county commissioners from
1827 to 1829. While in the latter office he
was a prime mover in establishing the Lan-
casterian system of education, which pre-
ceded that of the common schools. Mr.
Brua was a gentleman of sound practical
sense, honest and upright, and highly
honored in the community. He died at
Harrisburg on the 1st of January, 1842, in
his seventy-first year. He married Catharine
Rupley, of Cumberland county. Pa., who
died on the 19th of January, 1833, aged sixty
years. They had six children : Margaret,
200
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
married Hon. Simon Cameron ; Lucetta,
married Jacob Hoyer ; Mary, married Isaac
McCord; Catharine, married Andrew Keefer;
Jacob, who went as a private in the Cameron
Guards to Mexico, and died at Tampico, a
few hours after receiving his commission as
a lieutenant in the United States army ; and
John Peter, wlio was a paymaster during
the late Civil war and now on the retired list
of the United States army.
Wbnrick, Peter, son of Francis and Eliza-
beth (Greiger) Wenrick, was born in 1773,
near Linglestown, Dauphin county, Pa. His
father's family came from Germany and
settled in what is now Lebanon county,
Francis Wenrick subsequently removing to
near Linglestown, where most of his family
were born. Francis Wenrick was a soldier
of the Revolution, had been at Brandywine
and Germantown, and on the frontiers against
the Indians subsequent to the massacre of
Wyoming. He died about 1785, and with
his wife was buried in Wenrich's church
graveyard. He had, besides his sons Peter
and Phillip, several daughters. Peter Wen-
rick received a comparatively limited educa-
tion, brought up on his father's farm, which
he continued to occupy until his election to
the sheriffalty, when he removed to Harris-
burg. He served in that office from October
19, 1818, to October 16, 1821, and was always
considered a faithful and efficient officer.
He died at Harri'sburg, February 27, 1825,
in the fifty-second year of his age. Mr. Wen-
rick married, February 2, 1796, Susannah,
daughter of John Umberger, and their
children were: John, Peter, Samuel, Francis,
David, Joseph, Mary, who married a Mr.
Sheafer; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Min-
shall ; Susannah, who married a Mr. Sloan;
Sarah, who married a Mr. Scott; and Re-
becca, who married a Mr. Umberger.
Orth, Christian Henry, son of Adam
Orth, was born March 24, 1773, in Lebanon
township, Lancaster, now Lebanon county.
Pa. ; died 1816 in the city of Baltimore, Md. ;
in life went by the name of Henry, dropping
Christian. He received a good English edu-
cation, and was brought up in the iron busi-
ness. Upon the death of his father he be-
came the owner of New Market forge, but
being elected sheriff of the county of
Dauphin, commissioned October 17, 1797,
like the vast majority who have followed
him in that office, he became financially
shipwrecked. In 1801 he was elected State
senator, serving until 1804, when he posi-
tively declined further continuance in office.
Governor Snyder appointed him flour in-
spector of the port of Philadelphia in Janu-
ary, 1809, but he resigned this oflSce in
April following, when he entered mercantile
pursuits in Philadelphia. He remained in
that city until about the commencement of
the last war with England, when he re-
moved to Baltimore, and had there estab-
lished a successful business as a merchant,
when he suddenly died, at the age of forty-
three. Mr. Orth married, in 1794, Rebecca
Rah m, born November 22, 1773; died Decem-
ber 31, 1843, at Harrisburg, Pa.; daughter
of Conrad Rahn and Catharine Weiser.
Stewart, Robert Templeton, was born
June 15, 1773, in Hanover, and died Octo-
ber, 1835, at Hoilidaysburg, Pa., while en
route to Pittsburgh ; buried at Saltsburg,
Indiana county, Pa. He settled in Belle-
fonte in the year 1800, and was admitted to
the bar of Centre county at the November
term. He was retained in the famous slander
suit of McKee vs. Gallagher, August term,
1801, in which there were fourteen lawyers
for the plaintiff and twenty-two for defend-
ant. In 1810 he was appointed postmaster,
and continued in office until 1819. In 1810
engaged in mercantile pursuits with his
brother, William C, and in 1819 entered
into partnership with John Lyon in the
manufacture of iron ; residence at Coleraine
■Forges, Huntingdon county. In 1828 Lyon
and Stewart sold Coleraine Forges to Joseph
and James Barnett and Anthony Shorb.
He moved to Pittsburgh in 1823, and built
Sligo Rolling Mill. Represented Allegheny
county in Pennsylvania Legislature in 1831-
32. Disposing of his interests in the iron
business, Mr. Stewart went to manufactur-
ing salt on the Kiskiminetas. He was
a man of genial disposition and social
habits, and of great practical humor. In
person, above the ordinary size, and of
very dark complexion, 'which he inherited
from his grandmother Stewart. He mar-
ried, in 1809, by Rev. Henry Wilson, Mary
Dunlop, daughter of James Dunlop, and
Jean, daughter of Andrew Boggs, of Done-
gal township, Lancaster county. Pa., who, in
connection with James Harris, in 1795, laid
out the town of Bellefonte. Mary Dunl< p
Stewart died in 1827, aged forty-five years
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
201
and was buried in the First Presbyterian
cliurcliyard, Pittsburgh. Robert T. Stewart
married, secondly, in 1831, Mrs. Mary E.
Hamilton, of Middlesex, Cumberland county.
Pa., who died in Pittsburgh in 1842.
Port Lyon and Greensburg) about the year
1826. He married, in 1804, Rebecca Mur-
ray, daughter of Col. John Murray, of the
Revolution.
McCammon, John, of Middletown, was born
in the county of Down, Ireland, about the
year 1774, and emigrated to the United States
when about seventeen years of age. He re-
sided a short time in Chester county, from
whence he came to Middletown, where he
followed his trade of stone-mason. He mar-
ried there and afterwards kept the principal
hotel and stage office on Main street, near
Center square. When General Lafayette, on
his visit to America, in 1824-25, passed
through Middletown on his way to Harris-
burg, he and his escort dined at the house of
Mr. McCammon. Mr. McCammon was ap-
pointed postmaster early in 1803, and con-
tinued to hold the office until December 24,
1829, a period of nearly twenty-seven years.
He died July 24, 1838, aged sixty-four years,
and was buried in the old Presbyterian grave-
yard in Middletown. Two of Mr. McCam-
mon's daughters served lengthened terms as
postmistresses, Mrs. Catharine A. Stouch and
Mrs. Rachel C. McKibbin, making in all a
period of about forty-seven years for the
family as postmasters. Mr. McCammon was
a consistent member of the Paxtang Presby-
terian church.
Green, Innis, the eldest son of Col. Tim-
othy Green and Mary Innis, was born in
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
March 25, 1776. His early years were spent
on his father's farm, but he received a toler-
ably fair English education, an essential in
the Scotch-Irish settlements. His father,
who built a mill at the mouth of Stony creek
about 1790, dying in 1812, Innis took charge
of it. He was appointed one of the associate
judges of Dauphin county by Governor
Findlay, August 10, 1818, resigning October
23, 1827, having been elected to the National
House of Representatives. He served dur-
ing the Twentieth and Twenty-first Con-
gresses. Governor Wolf, January 26, 1832,
re-appointed him associate judge, a position
he held at the time of his death, which oc-
curred on the 4th of August, 1839. His
remains lie interred in the cemeter}' at
Dauphin. Judge Green laid Out the town
(which for many years went by the names of
Kelker, John, fourth son of Anthony
Kelker and Mary Magdalena Meister, was
born at Annville, Pa., June 12, 1776. He re-
ceived a good education, or rather such as
the country afforded during the Revolution-
ary era, and was brought up to mercantile
pursuits, and learned the trade of a hatter.
In 1812 he was elected sheriff of Dauphin
county, and permanently removed to Harris-
burg April 29, 1813. He was appointed
deputy marshal for the county, and took the
census thereof in 1830, and served as county
treasurer from 1829 to 1832. Mr. Kelker was
an officer of the Reformed church, Harris-
burg, and one of the building committee
when the present church was erected. He
died at Harrisburg April 29, 1859, at the
age of eighty-three. " In social life," wrote
a contemporary, " he was an example of ur-
bane manners, of warm and genial friendship,
of generous hospitality, and was everywhere
welcomed as a man of courteous and kind
disposition." Mr. Kelker married, in 1798,
Sabina, daughter of Henry Shantz and Sabina
Meily, of Lebanon, who died at Harrisburg,
December 26, 1853, and had issue.
Jefferson, Joseph, was a native of Eng-
land, born in 1776. He was the son of a
distinguished actor, who was the contem-
porary of Garrick. It is well authenticated
that the English Jeffersons, from whom
Thomas Jefferson, the third President,
claimed descent, and the ancestry of Joseph
Jefferson the elder, were of the same county
of England. It is a fact, also, that Mr. Jef-
ferson, when President, sent for the come-
dian, then in Washington, and the interview
satisfied both parties that they were of the
same stock, and that conclusion was strength-
ened by a strong family resemblance. The
latter was asked to dine at the executive
mansion. He very courteously but firmly
declined, saying that his gratification and
pride in their possible connection was so
great that it would be marred if the matter
were known to the world, as any avowal of
it would be misconstrued. He was educated
for the stage, and in 1795 came to Bos-
ton, where and in New York he performed
until about 1803, when he located in Phila-
202
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
delphia. Here he was quite a favorite,
especially at the Chestnut street theater.
From 1825 to 1832 he made Harrisburg his
home, having a suite of apartments in the
old Shakspeare building. He died here on
the 4th of August, 1832, greatly lamented.
His remains were interred in the burying
ground attached to St. Stephen's Episcopal
church, and from thence removed to the
Harrisburg cemetery. The inscription on
his tomb was written by Chief Justice Gib-
son, and has often been quoted and admired
for its diction.
Of him the late John P. Kennedy wrote :
"He played everything that was comic, and
always made people laugh until the tears
came in their eyes. Laugh! Why I don't
believe he ever saw the world doing any-
thing else. Whomsoever he looked at
laughed. Before he came through the side
scenes, when he was about to enter he would
produce the first words of his part to herald
his appearance, and instantly the whole
audience set up a shout. It was only the
sound of his voice. He had a patent right
to shake the world's diaphragm which
seemed to be infallible. When he acted,
families all went together, young and old.
Smiles were on every face; the town was
happy. The chief actors were invited into
tlie best company, and I believe their per-
sonal merits entitled them to all the esteem
that was feit for them."
Mr. Jefferson possessed great taste and
skill in the construction of intricate stage
machinery, and was unrivalled in his pecu-
liar personations. His favorite characters
were Kit Cosey, Old D'Oiley and Admiral
Cop. He is known as the elder Jefferson.
His son and grandson were alike great actors
— the father of the second Joseph bequeath-
ing to him his genius and his aspirations,
with all that polish which rendered each so
popular in his day. And now comes a third
Joseph Jefferson, who, since the days of
Hackett, has made the character of Rip Van
Winkle his own.
BuEHLER, George, the son of Henry
Buehler, a soldier of the Revolution, and
Jane Trotter, was born near the town of
Lebanon, Pa., in July, 1776. His parents
were Moravians ; they lie buried in Mount
Hebron burying ground, and were life-long
members of the old Hebron church. George
received a good English and German educa-
tion at the celebrated Moravian school at
Lititz, and was subsequently brought up to
mercantile pursuits. He was commissioned
by Governor Mifflin justice of the peace for
Lebanon township December 3, 1799. The
year following, under the auspices of the
Harrisburg and Presqu' Isle Land Com-
pany, he removed to Erie, and was appointed
in August, 1801, by President Jefferson, col-
lector of the Eighteenth Collection District
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Buehler took a prom-
inent part in the affairs connected with the
early organization of Erie county. At his
residence, on the 2d of April, 1803, that
county was organized for judicial purposes.
He was a member of the first council of the
town of Erie in 1806, and in 1808 and 1809
was borough burgess. He was one of the first
to aid in developing the Lake Erie trade,
foreseeing at that early day the advantages
of that magnificent port of the lakes. In
1811-12 he was a member of the Erie Light
Infantry, Captain Forster, which was in active
service during a portion of that period. In
1812, owing probably to the war troubles on
the frontiers, he came to Harrisburg and
took charge of the " Golden Eagle." He died
at Harrisburg on the 5th of August, 1816,
aged forty years. Mr. Buehler married
previous to removing to Erie, Maria, daughter
of Peter Nagle, of Reading. She was born
December 25, 1779, and died at Plarrisburg
July 27, 1843 ; a lady of great amiability of
character. Mr. Buehler was a man of sterling
integrity, and his brief life was one of activity,
enterprise and industry. At Erie he stood
high in the esteem of its citizens, and at
Harrisburg his appreciation was none the
less.
Keller, John Peter, son of Charles An-
drew Keller and Judith Barbara Bigler, was
born at Lancaster, Pa., September 28, 1776.
His ancestor belonged to one of the oldest
families in Switzerland, and emigrated to
America in 1735. John Peter learned the
trade of a brass founder, coming to Harris-
burg in 1796. In 1801 he established him-
self in business as " brass founder and rope-
maker," which proved successful, and after-
wards in general merchandising. He was a
member of the borough council almost con-
tinuously from 1810 to 1824, and was quite
prominent and influential in the public
affairs of his day. He was identified with
nearly all the early enterprises of the town,
such as the Harrisburg Bridge Company,
Harrisburg and Middletown Turnpike Com-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
203
panjr, and at his death was the last survivor
of the original board of directors of the Har-
risburg Bank. He was a gentleman of
thrift, industry and indomitable energy, up-
right, honored and respected by liis fellow-
citizens. He was no less decided and influ-
ential as a Christian, being one of the found-
ers of the Lutheran church in Harrisburg.
He died at Harrisburg October 1, 1859, in the
eighty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Kel-
ler was twice married. His first wife was
Catharine Schaeffer, daughter of Kev. Fred-
erick Schaeffer, D. D., of Lancaster, born
November 6, 1774, died December 19, 1842,
and by whom he had the following children :
Frederick, George, Rev. Emanuel, Eliza, m.
James R. Boyd, Maria, m. Lewis L. Plitt,
Catharine, m. James Gilliard, John Peter,
Sophia, m. Thonoas Montgomery, William,
Frederick, George, Benjamin, Peter, Charles
and Charles Andrew. His second wife was
Mrs. Rachel Cochran, widow of William
Cochran, formerly sheriff of the county, who
survived him thirteen years.
Alricks, of Harrisburg ; William M., J. Wal-
lace, James Wilson, and Martha, married
Dr. Edward L. Orth, of Harrisburg. As a
minister there were few who stood higher in
the estimation of his brethren in the Presby-
terv than the Rev. William Kerr.
Kerr, William, was born in Bart town-
ship, Lancaster county. Pa., October 13, 1776.
His father dying early, he was left to the
tender care of a pious mother. After some
years spent in the schools of the neighbor-
hood, he was sent to Jefferson College, Can-
nonsburg, where he was graduated. For
some years thereafter he was principal of an
academy at Wilmington, Del. He subse-
quently placed himself under the care of the
Presbytery of New Castle, and was shortly
after ordained by that body. He preached
in Harrisburg about the years 1805-6, and
upon the resignation of the Rev. Mr. McFar-
quhar was sent to supply the pulpit of the
old Donegal church. In the fall of 1808 the
congregation at Columbia made application
to Mr. Kerr for part of his time. It was not,
however, until the year following that he
assented to give them a portion of his min-
isterial labors. He continued to be the
stated supply there until the first Sunday in
January, 1814, when he preached his fare-
well sermon. Mr. Kerr also preached at
Marietta in addition to his charge at Donegal.
He died September 22, 1821, aged forty-
five years, and is interred in old Donegal
church graveyard. The Rev. Mr. Kerr mar-
ried Mary Elder, daughter of .James Wilson
and Mary Elder, of Derry, born 1788 ; died
February 22, 1850, at Harrisburg ; and their
children were : Mary E., married Hermanus
FoRSTER, John, son of John Forster, was
born September 17, 1777, in Paxtang, Lan-
caster, now Dauphin county. Pa. ; died May
28, 1863, at Harrisburg, Pa. ; he received a
good education and was at Princeton when
a call was made by President Washington for
volunteers to march to Western Pennsyl-
vania to put down the so-called " Whiskey
Insurrection " of 1794, and was on that ex-
pedition as an aid to General Murray. He
subsequently read law with General Hanna,
but never applied for admission, turning his
attention to mercantile pursuits, in which he
was very successful. During the military
era of the Government prior to the war of
1812 he was colonel of the State militia, and
in 1814, when the troops from Pennsylvania
marched to the defense of the beleaguered
city of Baltimore, he was placed in command
of a brigade of volunteers. For his gallant
services in that campaign the thanks of the
general commanding were tendered in special
orders. He served in the State Senate from
1814 to 1818. General Forster was cashier
of the Harrisburg Bank for a period of at
least sixteen years, established the Bank of
Lewistown, and in 1837 was cashier of the
Exchange Bank of Pittsburgh. He subse-
quently became president of the Branch
Bank at Hollidaysburg, but in a few years re-
tired from all business pursuits and returned
to his home at Harrisburg. General Forster
was faithful, honest and upright in all his
business connections, and a good financier.
He was twice married ; first, September 25,
1798, Mary Elder, born 1779 ; died Decem-
ber 18, 1831, at Harrisburg, Pa. ; daughter
of John Elder and Elizabeth Awl. General
Forster married, secondly, Julj"^ 9, 1833,
Margaret Snodgrass Law, born March 6,
1804; died December 9, 1891; daughter of
Benjamin Law, of Mifflin county, Pa., and
widow of Rev. James H. Stuart, a Presby-
terian minister of the Kishacoquillas Valley.
There was issue by both marriages.
Grain, Richard Moore, was born in No-
vember, 1777, in Hanover township, Lancas-
er county. Pa.; died Friday, September 17,
1852, in Harrisburg, Pa. He received a fair
204
BIO GRA PHICAL ENCYCL OFEDIA
education and was brought up on his father's
farm. He became quite prominent in pub-
lic affairs the first decade of this century, and
during the incumbency of Gen. Andrew Por-
ter as surveyor general of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Grain received the appointment of deputy
secretary of the Land Office, a position he ac-
ceptably filled through all the changes of ad-
ministration for forty years, until the advent
of Governor Ritner, when he was displaced.
. He then retired to his farm in Cumberland
county, from which district he was sent a
delegate to the Constitutional Convention of
1837, in which he was a leading spirit. Dur-
ing the war of 1812-14 he commanded a com-
pany of volunteers from Harrisburg, and was
subsequently commissioned colonel of the
Pennsylvania militia. Colonel Crain mar-
ried, in 1802, Elizabeth Whitehill, born 1771;
died October 2, 1848; daughter of Robert
Whitehill and Eleanor Read.
Jordan, Benjamin, son of Thomas Jordan
and Rachel Steele, was born July 19, 1779,
on the ground where the town of Milton,
Northumberland county. Pa., is located.
Thomas Jordan, the first of his family, was
an emigrant from Scotland, coming to Amer-
ica prior to 1700, and settled in Cecil county,
Md. He and his family were rigid Presby-
terians, and attached themselves to Christi-
anna church, located just over the line in
the State of Delaware. In the yard of that
church the remains of four generations of
the Jordan family rest. Thomas Jordan,
father of Benjamin, was born near this old
church prior to 1752, from whence he re-
moved to Northumberland county, prior to
the war of the Revolution. When the son
was only a few weeks old the family were
driven from their home by the marauding
Indians, when they located in York county
where Thomas Jordan died. He married
Rachel Steele, the eldest sister of Gen. Archi-
bald and Gen. John 'Steele, of Revolution-
ary memory. In 1805 Benjamin Jordan
removed to Lancaster, where he engaged
himself in the business of bookseller with
William Dickson, at the same time assisted
in editing the Lancaster Intelligencer until
1808, when he was appointed weighmaster
of the port of Philadelphia. In 1816 he re-
signed and cam^e to Dauphin county, taking
up his residence at Walnut Hill. Mr. Jor-
dan represented the Dauphin District in the
State Senate 1846 to 1850. He died at his
residence May 24, 1861, in the eighty-second
year of his age. Mr. Jordan married, Octo-
ber 29, 1811, Mary Crouch, born October 23,
1791, at Walnut Hill, Dauphin county. Pa.;
died October 27, 1846, at the same place ;
daughter of Edward Crouch and Margaret
Potter. They are both interred in old Pax-
tang church graveyard.
HiESTER, Gen. Gabriel, Jr., son of Gabriel
Hiester and Elizabeth Bausman, was born in
Bern township, Berks county, Pa., January
5, 1779. He received a good English and
German education, and his early years were
spent on his father's farm. His father being
an active politician, the son was early imbued
with the same spirit. In 1809 he was ap-
pointed by Governor Snyder clerk of the
courts of Berks county, and in 1811 pro-
thonotary, holding these offices until 1817.
During the war of 1812-14 he was brigade
major and served under General Adams, of
Berks county, during the campaign at Wash-
ington and iBaltimore. Under appointment
by Governor Findlay, he held the office of
associate judge from 1819 to 1823. Gov-
ernor Shulze appointed Judge Hiester sur-
veyor general, when he removed to Harris-
burg. He held that position from May 11,
1824, to May 11, 1830. He was a presiden-
tial elector in 1817, and again in 1821, cast-
ing his vote for James Monroe. About 1833
he erected the first rolling-mill in this neigh-
borhood, at Fairview, on the Conedoguinet.
He died there suddenly, September 14, 1831,
in his fifty-sixth year, and is buried in the
Harrisburg cemetery. General Hiester mar-
ried. May 12, 1808, Mary, daughter of Dr.
John Otto, of Reading, who died at Esther-
ton, January 9, 1853. They had children :
Louisa Harriet, married C. B. Bioren ; Au-
gustus 0., Gabriel, and Catharine.
Fox, John, son of John Fox and Ann
Margaret Rupert, was born June 10, 1780,
near Hummelstown, Dauphin county. Pa.
He was educated in the country schools of
the neighborhood, and a farmer by occupa-
tion. He became quite prominent and in-
fluential in the political affairs of the county,
and served as a member of the House of
Representatives of Pennsylvania from 1831
to 1833. He filled the office of sheriff from
October 14, 1833, to October 21, 1836, and
again from October 19, 1839, to October 24,
1842. Apart from these positions of trust
and honor, he served his neighbors in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
205
various township offices with fidelity. He
died at his residence in Hummelstown, July
19, 1853, aged seventy-three years. He was
a representative man, not only of his family
but of the county, a faithful officer, of strict
integrity, upright and conscientious in all
his relations with his fellow-men.
Kelker, Frederick, son of Anthony
Kelker and Mary Magdalena Meister, was
born October 29, 1780. His early education
was extremely limited, and consisted of a
few months' attendance at the parochial
school in the churchyard of the Reformed
church at Lebanon. In May, 1801, he en-
tered the store pi Oves & Moore, and in
March, 1805, removed to Harrisburg, where,
in partnership with his former employers, he
established in that town the first exclusively
hardware store. In 1811 he purchased the
interest of his partners and became the sole
owner. In 1823, his health failing, he relin-
quished business and disposed of it to two of
the young men who had been in his employ.
He continued, however, to reside in the house
in which he first settled until his decease.
Through all that period he manifested great
interest in the welfare of his successors in
business, and there was perhaps no year in
which a portion of his capital was not to a
greater or less extent used by them whenever
they desired it. He was remarkable for
punctuality and integrity. A close observer
of human nature and a safe counselor, being
often appealed to by his fellow-citizens, calm
and modest in his demeanor, he was not to
be swerved from his purposes when he felt
that he was in the line of duty. His habits
of industry and economy led to the acquisi-
tion of a competency, and the latter half es-
peciallj' of his long life was devoted in his
own quiet and unobtrusive way to the
amelioration of the condition of the poor,
sick and friendless. In the vigor of man-
hood he filled many minor positions in
the community in which he lived, always
rejecting political preferment. For several
terms he was a member and president of the
borough council ; was a director of the
branch established by the Philadelphia
Bank in Harrisburg, a director of the Har-
risburg Bank, a director of the common
schools when they were first established in
Pennsylvania, and was ready at all times to
co-operate with his fellow-citizens in all the
benevolent enterprises of the day. In the
church of which he was a member (the Re-
formed), he was prominent ; presided at the
meeting on November 17, 1820, to establish
the first Sunday-school in connection witli the
church, and active in the measures adopted
for erecting the church building yet standing.
He died at Harrisburg on July 12, 1857, in the
seventy-seventh year of his age. Mr. Kelker
was twice married ; first to Lydia Chamber-
lain, daughter of Charles Chamberlain, of
Philadelphia ; secondly to Catharine Fager,
daughter of John and Sarah Fager, of Har-
risburg.
Cochran, William, was born in what is
now Middle Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., in 1780. He received a good
English education, and was brought up on
his father's farm. In 1814 he served as a
volunteer and marched to the defense of
Baltimore. He served as coroner of the
county from 1818 to 1821 ; member of the
House of Representatives from 1820 to 1824;
county commissioner from 1830 to 1833, and
sheriff from 1837 to 1839. He died at Har-
risburg on Sunday, 26th of April, 1840, aged
sixty years, and was interred in the family
burying ground in Middle Paxtang. The
Intelligencer pays this tribute to his memory:
" Mr. Cochran was a highly respected citi-
zen, a popular officer, and a kind and hos-
pitable neighbor."
Beatty, George, youngest son of Capt.
James Beatty, was born January 4, 1781, at
Ballykeel-Ednagonnel, county of Down, Ire-
land. He received a good early education
in the Latin school of John Downey, and
learned watch and clock-making with his
brother-in-law, Samuel Hill, whose clocks are
more or less celebrated to this day. In 1808
Mr. Beatty established himself in business,
which he continued uninterruptedly for up-
wards of forty years. He was an ingenious
mechanician and constructed several clocks
of peculiar and rare invention. In 1814 he
was orderly sergeant of Capt. Thomas Walker's
company, the Harrisburg Volunteers, which
marched to the defense of the city of Balti-
more. Mr. Beatty in early life took a promi-
nent part in local affairs, and, as a conse-
quence, was frequently solicited to become a
candidate for office, but he almost invariably
declined. He, nevertheless, served a term as
director of the poor, and also as county audi-
tor. He was elected burgess of the borough
on three several occasions and was a member
of the town council several years, and, while
206
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
serving in the latter capacity was one of the
prime movers in the effort to supply the
horough with water. Had his suggestions,
however, been carried out, the water-works
and reservoir would have been located above
the present city limits. Mr. Beatty retired
from a successful business life about 1850.
He died at Harrisburg on the 10th of March,
1862, aged eighty-one years, and is interred
in tiie Harrisburg cemetery. He was an
active, enterprising and upright Christian
gentleman. Mr. Beatty was thrice married;
married, first, May 18, 1815, by Rev. George
Lochraan, D. D., Eliza White, daughter of
William White, born Januarv 20, 1797 : died
September 10, 1817.
Mr. Beatty, married, secondly, November
22, 1820, by Rev. George Lochman, D. D.,
Sarah Smith Shrom, daughter of Casper
Shrom and Catharine Van Gundy, born Janu-
ary 15, 1796, at York, Pa; died August 25,
1828.
Mr. Beatty mariied, thirdly, September 21,
1830, by Rev. Eliphalet Reed," Catharine
Shrom, born December 26, 1807, at York,
Pa.; died August 11, 1891, at Harrisburg, Pa.
Gross, Abraham, was born December 24,
1781, in Montgomery county, Pa., and died
August 25, 1834, in Middle Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa. He was a son of John
Gross and Rachel Sahler. His father, John
Gross, was born in November, 1749, in Wes-
tern Massachusetts, not far from the Hudson
river, where his parents were early settlers
from the Palatinate, being of Huguenot de-
scent. On the eve of the Revolution John
Gross removed to now Montgomery county,
Pa. He entered into the spirit of that con-
test at the outset, and was commissioned
first lieutenant January 5, 1776, in Col. Ar-
thur St. Clair's (Second Pennsylvania) bat-
talion ; subsequently promoted a captain in
the Third Pennsylvania at its organization,
which was formed on the basis of the former,
but with several of his colleagues in St.
Clair's battalion seems never to have ac-
cepted the position, or, if thdy did, declined
it shortly after, especially upon the resigna-
tion of Col. Joseph Wood in July, 1777.
After the close of the war he removed with
his family to now Middle Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., where he lived the re-
mainder of his days, dying January 2, 1828.
Mr. Gross married, about 1778, Rachel Sah-
ler, born in 1756. in Ulster county. New
York; daughter of Abraham Sahler and
Elizabeth Du Bois, of Huguenot extraction.
She died August 16, 1828, and with her hus-
band buried in the old cemetery at Dauphin.
Ramsey, Thomas, was born near York,
Pa., on the 15th of June, 1784. With a
limited education acquired during his early
years, he learned the trade of blacksmithing,
at that period an important occupation.
About 1806 he located at Hummelstown,
Dauphin county, and there carried on busi-
ness. In 1814 he was a corporal of Captain
Moorhead's company of the First regiment.
Colonel Kennedy, which marched to the
defense of Baltimore. Mr. Ramsey died at
Hummelstown on the 4th of May, 1826, at
the age of forty-two years. He married
Elizabeth Kelker, daughter of Henry Kelker
and Elizabeth Greenawalt, of Lebanon, born
September 8, 1791, and died at Harrisburg
5th of February, 1858. Hon. Alexander
Ramsey, former Secretary of War, is their
son. Mr. Ramsey was an industrious, enter-
prising citizen, patriotic, generous, and held
in great esteem by his fellow-citizens.
Catrell (Ketterell), William, was a
native of the State of Maryland, where he
was born in 1784. He learned the trade of
shoemaker, and established himself in Har-
risburg about 1805. During the war of
1812-14 he served under General Pike in
the Western Department. Subsequently he
began merchandising, and successfully car-
ried on business until the close of his life.
March 23, 1835, he was appointed by Gov-
ernor Ritner inspector of flour at Harris-
burg, an office shortly after abolished. He
served several years as a member of the bor-
ough council of Harrisburg. He died at
Harrisburg, April 7, 1848. He married,
November 6, 1808, Letitia Wilson, sister of
McNair Wilson, of Harrisburg, who sur-
vived her husband only a few years.
They left no issue. By his will Mr. Ca-
trell left several bequests to the Zion
Lutheran church, of which he was long an
elder, one resulting in the founding of the
Catrell library. His pastor, the Rev. Charles
W. Schaeffer, D. D., late of Germantown,
bears this noble testimony : " He was a man
of very kindly, cheerful spirit, of pleasant
manners, of good sound sense, and gener-
ally well informed. As a business man he
had been distinguished for his habits of
order and diligence, and his sterling integ-
rity of principle. His confession and main-
DAUFEIN COUNTY.
207
tenance of his religious faith was modest,
though positive and earnest, and in the
highest^ degree sincere. He stood very high
in the regard of all who knew him, and was
deeply lamented in his death."
Hamilton, Hugh, the son of John Hamil-
ton and Margaret Alexander, was born at
" Fermanagh," now in Juniata county. Pa.,
on the 30th of June, 1785. He received a
careful preparatory education, and with his
brother John was sent to Dickinson College,
where he graduated. He studied law under
Thomas Elder, and was admitted to the
Dauphin county bar in 1805. At the time
of his admission to the bar Judge Henry had
ordered the prothonotary to issue commis-
sions on parchment. Accordingly the de-
scendants of the young lawyer have his com-
mission " on parchment," issued 21st of June,
1805, signed by " Joshua Elder, Pro'thy, by
order of the court," with the seal of the
county attached. In 1808 Mr. Hamilton
edited and published The Times at Lancaster,
and upon the removal of the seat of govern-
ment to Harrisburg, with William Gillmor,
The Harrisburg Chronicle, the leading and
influential newspaper at the State capital for
twenty years. The Chronicle was the first
paper in Pennsylvania which gave full and
systematic legislative reports. He died at
Harrisburg, on the 3d of September, 1836,
aged fifty-one years. Mr. Hamilton married,
January 6, 1807, Rosanna, daughter of Adam
Bovd and Jeannette MacFarlane, born De-
cember 1, 1789, died April 17, 1872. They
are both buried in the Harrisburg cemetery.
Mr. Hamilton was a vigorous and polished
writer, and his editorials were models of
elegant composition. For a quarter of a
century he wielded considerable political in-
fluence through his newspaper. He was an
active and enterprising citizen, twice chief
burgess of the corporation of Harrisburg,
frequently a member of council, and highly
esteemed in social intercourse.
Boas, Frederick, son of Rev. William
Boas, was born at Reading, Pa., July 3, 1785.
His parents were emigrants from Germany,
and came over with the Muhlenbergs.
Frederick learned the trade of a coppersmith
and tin-plate worker at Reading, but com-
menced business for himself at Kutztown.
He came to Harrisburg in 1811, where he
carried on his trade successfully. He was
an enterprising citizen, and although quiet
and unobtrusive, a representative man in
the community. He died at Harrisburg,
June 17, 1817, aged thirty-one years. Mr.
Boas married. May 17, 1811, Elizabeth,
daughter of David and Regina (Orth)
Krause, who survived her husband many
years, leaving two children: Frederick
Krause and Elmina, who married William
Jennings.
Boas, Jacob, son of the Rev. William Boas,
was born at Reading, Pa., in 1786. He was
brought up to mercantile pursuits and came
to I-Iarrisburg in 1805, where he established
himself in business. He served as a mem-
ber of the borough council, and was com-
missioned by Governor Snyder, February 6,
1809, prothonotary and clerk of the Court of
Quarter Sessions, and died while in office, on
the 8th of October, 1815. Mr. Boas married
Sarah, daughter of Jacob Dick, of Reading.
They had five sons: William D., Jacob D.,
John, Augustus F., and Daniel D.
Zimmerman, Henry, son of Peter and
Mary (Beane) Zimmerman, was born Decem-
ber 30, 1786, in Cumberland county. Pa.
His boyhood days were passed among the
scenes of farm life, familiar to the majority
of farmer sons during that early period.
Schools were then very little known of and
less attended. The subject of this sketch is
said to have spent only three months in all
in what was then known as " pay school " or
" select school." Upon reaching manhood
he married Miss Barbara Griner, daughter of
Philip and Barbara (Fishburn) Griner, who
then resided on what is now known as the
Newton Gray farm, in Lower Swatara town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa. Shortly after the
marriage he moved near the home of his
wife's parents, in Dauphin county, and set-
tled upon a forty acre tract, adjoining that
of her parents, which was given to her as
her patrimony. He learned the trade of
wagon making and pursued this business
together with the farmingof this small tract,
and while living here there were born to
them the following children: Rebecca, Julv
8,1810; Catherine, October 13,1811; Philip,
November 22, 1812; Elizabeth, September
14, 1814; Henry, May 16, 1816 ; 'George,
February 11, 1819 ; Simon, January 8, 1821 ;
Isaac, March 20, 1823 ; Mary, September 7,
1824. On June 10, 1824, he purchased the
farm known as the Kerr estate, adjoining
this forty acre tract, and moved thereon with
208
BIO GEA F HI GAL ENCYCL OF EDI A
his family in the spring of 1825, and lived
in the historic Old Spring House, still stand-
ing at the " fork " of two creeks. While liv-
ing here there were born to them the follow-
ing children : Solomon, October 7, 1827 ;
Valentine, May 19, 1829 ; and Maria, Janu-
arj' 19, 1831. Here he established himself
permanently and laid the foundation of the
estate that has remained in the Zimmerman
line of descent for nearly a century. He
was one of the sturdy Jacksonian Democrats
of that day, and was a highly esteemed citi-
zen in the community. He died March 12,
1839, and lies buried beside the remains of
his wife in the old graveyard on what is now
called the Newton Gray farm.
Calder, William, eldest child of John
Calder and Naomi Norris, was born in Belair,
Harford county, Md., July 24, 1788. The
father was a native of Scotland. William
remained on the farm of his parents in Har-
ford county until he was of age, when he
removed to Baltimore, and soon thereafter to
Lancaster, Pa. When the seat of govern-
ment was removed from Lancaster to Harris-
burg he came to the latter place, and resided
there up to the time of his death. In 1817
he married Mary Kirkwood, who was born
in Armagh, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parents,
and emigrated to this country when seven
years of age. Their children were John.
Mary, wife of Wells Coverly, William,
Matilda, wife of Charles A. Keller, and
James. His wife died in 1858, and in 1860
he married Margaret C. Walmer, of Dauphin
county, by whom he had no issue. He died
March 5, 1861, and of his children none now
survive. Immediately upon leaving Harford
county, Mr. Calder became interested in lines
of stage-coaches and the United States mail
service, and for fifty years this was his chief
business. Up to the time of the sale of the
public works of Pennsylvania he was asso-
ciated with Alexander Wilson, of Lewistown,
Jacob Peters, of Philadelphia, Silas Moore, of
Hollidavsburg, and other gentlemen in the
"Pioneer," "Good Intent," and "Express"
companies for the transportation of passen-
gers and mails by cars and canal packet-
boats. He never lost his fondness for farm-
ing and live-stock, and maintained several
of the most fertile farms in Dauphin county.
Enterprises for the development of the re-
sources of the country and particularly the
business of Harrisburg received his support.
He built many houses, favored the introduc-
tion of manufactures, and at the time of his
death possessed an ample fortune.
Wallace, Joseph, son of James Wallace
and his wife Rachel Elder, was born in Pax-
tang, March 29, 1786, and died February 22,
1867, at Harrisburg. His mother was a niece
of Rev. John Elder. Mr. Wallace received a
good English education, and about the year
1809 or 1810, we find him the manager of
New Market Forge, Lebanon county, for John
Elder, subsequently employed at Hope Fur-
nace, in Lancaster county. He removed to
Harrisburg prior to 1812, and with Joshua
Elder entered into mercantile life ; afterwards
in business alone for many years. In the
war of 1812-14 he volunteered with the Har-
risburg artillerists and marched as far as
York. He served in the Harrisburg borough
council and was treasurer a long term of
years. He was quite prominent as an Anti-
Mason, having been chairman of the State
committee during the Ritner campaign, and
afterwards appointed deputy secretary of the
Commonwealth under that administration.
For many years he was secretary and treas-
urer of the Harrisburg Bridge Company, of
the Middletown Turnpike Company and
Peter's Mountain Turnpike Company. He
was a gentleman of high moral character and
worth, greatly esteemed in the community,
and ever enjoyed their confidence and re-
spect. Mr. Wallace married, May 28, 1816,
Sarah Evans Cummins, born January 16,
1787, in Chester county. Pa.; died August 21,
1858, at Harrisburg, Pa., and with her hus-
band there buried.
Shunk, Gov. Francis Rawn, the son of
John Shunk and Elizabeth Rawn, was born
August 7, 1788, at the Trappe, Montgomery
county. Pa. His father was the son of Fran-
cis Shunk, who emigrated to America from
the Palatinate, on the Rhine, in Germany,
about the year 1715. His mother was the
daughter of Casper and Barbara Rawn, also
emigrants from the Palatinate. The mother
of Francis Rawn Shunk was a woman dis-
tinguished for her kindness and aflection,
and the son ever spoke of her in terms of the
most devoted attachment, and cherished her
memory with filial piety. Her influence no
doubt was greatly felt in the formation of
his early character and its subsequent de-
velopment. His father was a man of strong
and stern mind, yet naturally facetious, and
fond of indulging in this propensity.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
209
The parents of Francis R. were not able
to furnish the means or spare his time to se-
cure in the ordinary way even the rudi-
ments of an education. Much of his child-
hood and youth was devoted to manual
labor. At the early age of fifteen he became
a teacher, and soon after the instructor of
the school at the village where he was born.
From that time until 1812 he seems to have
been employed as a teacher during the few
months of the year the school continued,
and the rest of the time as a laborer in the
pursuits of agriculture. The intervals of
toil were devoted to the improvement of his
mind in every useful branch of study. In
1812 he was selected by An drew Porter, then
surveyor general under the administration
of Governor Snj'der, to fill a clerkship in his
department. While thus employed he com-
menced and prosecuted the study of the law
with Thomas Elder, of Harrisburg. In 1814
he marched as a private, with many of his
fellow-townsmen, to the defense of Baltimore.
Soon after he was chosen first assistant, and
then the principal clerk of the House of
Representatives, and for many years per-
formed with great fidelity the arduous duties
of that ofHce. He was subsequently elected
secretary of the board of canal commis-
sioners, and served in that capacity during
a period when the condition of our public
improvements called for the most constant
and strenuous efforts on the part of the com-
missioners, and rendered the situation of
their secretary anything but a sinecure. In
1838 he was chosen by Governor Porter sec-
retary of State. On retiring from that office
he removed to Pittsburg, and engaged in the
practice of the law. In 1844 he was called
from his retirement by the voice of the
people of the Commonwealth to fill the
highest office in their gift. He so conducted
his administration as their chief executive
that he received from them the highest ex-
pression of their confidence and regard by
being re-elected with an increased majority,
and that, too, against an opposing candidate
uf the most estimable character, whose ex-
alted virtues and worth were acknowledged
by all.
But he had scarcely entered upon the
duties of his second term before he became
the victim of a disease which in its early pro-
gress excited apprehensions in the minds of
his friends that it might prove fatal. The
Governor himself, though conscious that his
disease was deep-seated, yet seemed to cherish
with confidence the hope that the vigor of
his constitution and the skill of his physician
would eventually restore him to health. It
was not until the morning of the 9th of
July, 1848, when a severe and copious hemor-
rhage from the lungs took place, that he gave
up entirely the hope of life and felt that his
days were indeed numbered. Upon that
day, being Sunday, he wrote a letter of
resignation — the last public act of his life.
His professional attainments, especially in
the more abstract principles of law, were
large, and as a counselor he had few superiors.
But he shrunk from the personal collision
its practice in the courts involved, and re-
tired from the bar to engage in employments
and studies more congenial with his taste.
His administration as the chief magistrate
of this Commonwealth shows that he was no
novice in the great and fundamental princi-
ples of government. His state papers indi-
cate that he had deeply studied the ques-
tions of policy involving the great interests
of this Commonwealth and the country at
large, that he had looked at their remote as
well as immediate consequences, and con-
templated their influence on the progress
and advancement of the entire community
tmder the fostering care of our free institu-
tions as well as their adaptation to the mere
accumulation of gain. The opinions which
these papers contain commend themselves to
our attention, not only for the candor with
which they are expressed, but for the reasons
by which they are sustained.
Our common school system had a deep
hold on the affections of his heart. He
knew it had many imperfections, particu-
larly as it was carried into operation in some
of the rural districts ; he knew it was not
accomplishing all that was desirable, but he
believed it would yet work its way into the
confidence of the people, and be itself the
most efficient means of curing many of its
defects. He rejoiced in the good it had
effected, and with a generous enthusiasm
exulted in the good it would effect.
We should do signal injustice to the char-
acter of Governor Shunk and omit one of
the most important elements of his success
in life if we did not refer to his moral as
well as intellectual culture. He was a sin-
cere, honest, upright man, pure in his pri-
vate morals, and no less so in his public
character. The political principles and pol-
icy avowed in his state papers were sincerely
entertained. They were not set forth, as
210
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
some who knew him not and did not agree
with him may erroneously suppose, to please
the popular taste. He never courted popu-
lar favor at the expense of sincerity and
truth. The proverbial honesty of Governor
Shunk was one principal cause of his popu-
larity, both in public and private life. There
were multitudes who did not properly esti-
mate his intellectual worth, who did not
adopt many of his political views, or did not
belong to his political party, who yet be-
lieved him to be an honest, upright man in
whom they could confide, and on that ac-
count gave him their support.
SiMONTON, William, son of Dr. William
Simonton and his wife Jean Wiggins, was
born in 1788, in Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., and died May 17, 1846, in Han-
over. At the death of his father he was
only twelve years of age. His early educa-
tion was received under the direction of his
mother, and consisted of the branches usu-
ally taught in the country schools of that
period. As he was inclined to the medical
profession, he studied Latin under the tui-
tion of the Rev. James R. Sharon, pastor of
Derry and Paxtang churches. After the
usual preliminary instruction under a pri-
vate preceptor, he studied medicine with Dr.
Samuel Meyrick, of Middletown, afterwards
attending lectures of the Medical Depart-
ment, University of Pennsylvania, in Phila-
delphia, from which he received the degree
of M. D. In the distribution of property re-
sulting from his father's death, the farm
"Antigua " was equally divided between him
and his brother, John W. Simonton. The
latter occupied the homestead until his death
in 1824, which occurred a few days previous
to the death of his mother. After the erec-
tion of the necessary buildings in 1818, he
took possession of his new home, where the
remainder of his life was spent. While his
time was devoted to the practice of medicine,
the farming operations were carried on under
his superintendence. He always took an
interest in political affairs, and was accus-
tomed to act with the Whigs in opposition
to the Democrats, who had retained posses-
sion of the National Government from the
election of Andrew Jackson in 1824. He was
elected county auditor in 1823, serving three
years, and in 1838 he was nominated as a
candidate for (bngress from the district
then composed of the counties of Dauphin
and Lebanon, and was elected by a large ma-
jority. He was re-elected in 1840. During
the extra session of Congress, held in the
summer of 1841, Dr. Simonton's health
gave way. Having been accustomed to an
active life and to exercise on horseback,
strict attention to public business, with con-
finement to the atmosphere of Washington
during the heated term, so prostrated him
physically that he was unable to attend re-
gularly upon the sessions of 1842 and 1843.
He never fully recovered his health, though
he resumed his medical practice, which was
continued nearly three years after the close
of his congressional career. In person Dr.
Simonton was five feet eleven inches in
height, of good presence and proportions,
with regular features and very black hair,
which retained its color to the last. He was
a modest, diffident man, but of a genial and
friendly disposition. For some years pre-
vious to his death he was an elder of old
Derry church, and while in Washington a
member of the Congressional prayer-meet-
ing. He was a decided Presbyterian in his
faith, and ever took a deep interest in the
affairs of the denomination to which he be-
longed. He was a strict observer of the
Sabbath and of the services of the sanctuary.
He maintained family worship, and was
careful to give his children a religious train-
ing. He acquired a good reputation as a
physician, and for many years had an ex-
tensive country practice. Dr. Simonton mar-
ried Martha Davis Snodgrass, born 1790 ;
died April, 1862; daughter of Rev. James
Snodgrass, of Hanover.
Porter, Gov. David Rittenhouse, the
son of Andrew Porter, was born October 31,
1788, near Norristown, Montgomery county,
Pa. He received his early education at an
academy in Norristown, where the branches
of a good English education, mathematics
and the elementary classical studies, were
successfully taught. With his brothers
George and James, he was here pursuing a
course preparatory to entering Princeton
College, when the buildings of that institu-
tion were destroyed by fire, and the purpose
of a collegiate course was abandoned. When
the father was appointed surveyor general
he took his son David with him to the seat
of government as his assistant. While thus
employed the son also studied law, with the
intention of entering upon its practice at
Harrisburg, but the labor and confinement
of these double duties were too severe, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
211
his health was so much impaired, as was
thought, to preclude the possibility of his
pursuing any sedentary employment. He
decided, therefore, to seek more active occu-
pation, and removed to the county of Hunt-
ingdon, where he engaged in the manufac-
ture of iron.
The Messrs. Dorsey then owned that mag-
nificent estate known as the Barree Forges.
Mr. Porter was first employed by them for a
year as a clerk, and during the following
year was made manager of their works.
Having thus acquired an acquaintance with
the business, he embarked in it on his own
account, in partnership with Edward Patton,
on Spruce creek, but so great was the depres-
sion into which all branches of manufactures
fell for some years succeeding the war of
1812 that their enterprise was not successful.
He continued, however, through life to take
a deep interest in all that related to the
business.
He was in 1819 elected a member of the
Assembly from Huntingdon county, and was
returned for the following year, having as a
colleague John Scott, father of the present
senator of the United States.
On retiring from the "Legislature he was
appointed by the governor prothonotary and
clerk of the several courts of Huntingdon
county, and to these were afterwards added
the offices of recorder of deeds and register of
wills. There was then little business in these
offices, and the pecuniary returns were mea-
ger. He had in 1820 married Josephine,
daughter of William McDermott, who had
emigrated from Scotland for the purpose of
manufacturing steel bj' a new process and
who was one of the pioneers in that art.
In 18^6 he was elected a member of the
State Senate from the district then composed
of the counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juni-
ata, Perry and Union. The soundness of his
judgment and the readiness of his under-
standing made him an acknowledged leader.
In 1838 Mr. Porter was elected governor
of Pennsylvania, and in 1841 was re-elected
by a majority almost four times as great as
that given at his first election. His inaugu-
ration as governor occurred on the 15th of
January, 1839.
Governor Porter took much interest in the
success of the system of common schools then
in its infancy, and having appointed Francis
R. Shunk superintendent, devoted with him
much time in resolving the numerous and
difficult questions which theu came up from
the county officers for decision.
His efforts to sustain the credit of the State
and to secure the payment of interest on the
public debt drew upon him national atten-
tion, and were frequently noticed in Europe,
where many of the obligations of the State
were held. By his recommendation the act
of 1840 was passed, requiring the interest on
the State debt to be paid in specie or its
equivalent. One of his last acts as governor
was the suppression of the riots which occur-
red in Philadelphia in 1844, and the courage
and decision displayed on his taking com-
mand of the military in person were generally
commended and long remembered by men of
all parties. Both branches of the city coun-
cil, then opposed to his administration, hon-
ored him with an expression of their thanks,
and a resolution unanimously passed by
those bodies was presented to him in person,
accompanied with an address by the mayor
of the city.
Having completed, in 1845, the longest
term as governor allowed by the new Consti-
tution, he retired from public life and re-
turned to his favorite pursuit of making iron.
The adaptation of anthracite coal to the
manufacture of this metal was then almost
unknown, and having given much reflection
to the subject and made many practical
experiments, he erected at Harrisburg, at a
large cost, the first anthracite furnace built
in that portion of the State.
He was for many years the friend of the
late President Buchanan, and the correspon-
dence which they maintained for a long
period shows how frequently that statesman
consulted him on questions of national in-
terest and how greatly he relied upon his
judgment.
There was another public man with whom
his intimacy was even closer. Gen. Sam.
Houston, of Texas, whose career as a military
commander, an executive officer, and effective
orator is yet fresh in the public recollection.
Mr. Porter returned to his home in Harris-
burg and contributed his mfluence to sustain
the government in the fierce conflict which
had commenced. He scouted the doctrine
of secession. To encourage others he should-
ered his musket at the age of more than
seventy years, and with the young men of
the town joined in military drill. He re-
joiced greatly over the success of the Union
arms.
During the winter of 1867, while attend-
212
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ing at night a meeting of his church, he con-
tracted a severe cold. While others regarded
the attack as light, he believed that it would
prove fatal and began to prepare for the
approaching change. During the succeeding
summer he was able to walk out, but in the
beginning of August his strength declined.
With great composure and even cheerfulness
he arranged several matters of business and
conversed calmly of his approaching end.
On the 6th of August, surrounded by several
children and a devoted wife, his hands hav-
ing been folded on his breast, he thanked
those about him for their kindness and duti-
fulness and composed himself as if to fall
asleep. As one and another passage of
Scripture was repeated he expressed his as-
sent, until the pulse became still and the
aged heart ceased to beat. He had passed
away as gently as a child falls to sleep in its
mother's arms. The public business was, at
the request of the governor of the Common-
wealth, generally suspended. Large num-
bers of citizens came from every section of
the State to pay to his memory the last sad
tribute of their respect.
Ayrks, William, son of John Ayres and
Jane Lytle, of Scotch -Irish ancestry, was
born December 14, 1788, at the eastern base
of Peter's mountain, Dauphin county, where
his grandfather (whose name he bore) had
settled in October, 1773. The locality is
noted as the commencement of the old road
over the mountain. William was endowed
with rare native energy and unfailing per-
severance, but his opportunities for educa-
tional improvement were meager indeed ; he
was indeed self-educated. His first venture,
apart from the business of his father's farm,
was an engagement with James S. Espy,
merchant at Harrisburg, in 1816. During
his two years' residence there he married
Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Hon.
Jacob Bucher, May 6, 1817.
The next year he was induced to return
to Peter's mountain, where he kept* the hotel
at the crossing, assisted in conducting the
farm, and became justice of the peace Decem-
ber 13, 1819. He was elected major Second
battalion of the Sixteenth regiment, and com-
missioned February 22, 1822.
Looking forward, however, to making the
law his profession, he removed to Harrisburg
in 1824, and resided along the river, just
above the town. Here he acted as a justice
both for the borough of Harrisburg and for
Lower Paxtang and Susquehanna townships ;
while at the same time he pursued his legal
studies under Samuel Douglas, Esq., an
eminent member 'of the Dauphin bar.
He was admitted to practice May 3, 1826,
and his private docket shows him to have
been successful from the start. He had a
very large acquaintance in the "Upper End,"
was able to speak German, and otherwise
possessed many qualifications then valued
and essential to practice with profit. The
celebrated McElhenny murder case, in which
he saved his client from the gallows, gave
him a marked prominence.
He was also attorney for various officers
of the county, turnpike companies, etc.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1888-
34, and again for the session of 1834-35.
During this time he was the coadjutor of
Thaddeus Stevens in his great conflict against
the powers of darkness and ignorance for
the establishment of the common school
system of 1834. The friendship of Ayres
and Stevens here begun lasted through life.
In 1839 William Ayres was elected to the
town council, and the circumstance proved
a fortunate one for Harrisburg. He at once
brought his great energies to bear on a pro-
ject for the introduction of Susquehanna
water into the borough. The idea seemed
so premature that it was deemed fanciful and
impracticable. Nevertheless, he alone was
the means of its accomplishment, which he
did by borrowing funds from the United
States Bank, of which he was then a
director. Harrisburg received water in
seven months' time from breaking ground,
and this despite of much opposition from the
old fogies.
His directorship in the United States Bank
(at Philadelphia) was at the invitation of
the famous Nicholas Biddle, who presented
him with stock and had him elected ; hav-
ing selected him as " a country gentleman
to complete the board of directors."
Having thus embarked in pubic enter-
prise, even to the great sacrifice of his legal
practice, he next sought to obtain a free
bridge over the river, but he could not ob-
tain sufficient aid in subscriptions to buy
out the old company. He was mainly in-
strumental in getting up the new prison to
replace the old jail.
He was an active supporter of General
Harrison for President, and the Harrison
letters, still preserved, show that William
Ayres was his confidential friend at the cap-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
213
ital of Pennsylvania. He had been also the
advocate of Governor Ritner, whose confi-
dential correspondence is also preserved.
The successful introduction of water en-
couraged him to attempt the formation of a
gas company at Harrisburg, and having ob-
tained an act of incorporation he went vig-
orously to work, as was alwt^ys his way, and
Harrisburg was lighted with gas.
The incorporation of the Pennsylvania
railroad, about 1846, was a project in which
he was much interested, and he gave his
time and services on the " Hill " gratuitously.
By this time there was not a man in Cen-
tral Pennsylvania more widely known for
his spirit, energy and capacity in matters of
public improvement. As a result he was en-
gaged by the citizens of Huntingdon to lead
a project in their coal region — the Hunting-
don and Broad Top railroad. After securing
the necessary legislation lie was elected pres-
ident January 10, 1853. He was obliged to
spend so much of his time at Huntingdon
that he could only give the road a good start,
but he left his completion to others. He re-
linguished his position with honor, the com-
pany voluntarily presenting him two thou-
sand dollars in cash and stock.
He immediately took up a more convenient
enterprise, the Harrisburg and Hamburg
railroad, a rival line to the Lebanon Valley
railroad. He became president of the com-
pany, obtained subscriptions and had the
route surveyed, with the intention of begin-
ning active operations in the spring of 1856.
The winter of 1855-56 was devoted to office
work by the engineers at Jonestown.
But William Ayres' iron constitution was
crumbling by the insidious action of heart
disease. He was unable to give his own ac-
tive dutj'or instill his own energy into others,
and the railroad languished just when it
should have progressed.
Mr. Ayres died, after some months' illness.
May 26, 1856. His fellow-citizens united
with his associates of the bar in attesting the
loss of one in whom the capital of Pennsyl-
vania found her most enterprising citizen,
ever ready to sacrifice for the public good,
and one who, having many opportunities to
have made himself rich, could never be
tempted or bribed, proved unflinchingly
honest and died poor.
FoRSTER, John Montgomery, son of Col.
Thomas Forster and his wife Sarah Pettit
Montgomery, was born June 21, 1789, in
Paxtang ; d. September 21, 1858, at Harris-
burg, Pa. He passed his youth partly at
Harrisburg and partly at Erie, where his
father removed about 1799. He studied law
with his uncle, Samuel Laird, at Harrisburg,
and was admitted to the bar of Dauphin
county, at May term, 1814. He marched
with the volunteers from this section of the
State to Baltimore, in 1814, and was elected
or appointed brigade major of the brigade
commanded by his uncle. Gen. John Forster.
After his return, he practiced law at Harris-
burg, and was deputy attorney general for
the counties of Daupfiin and Lebanon, un-
der the administration of Governor Hiester,
Thomas Elder being attorney general. Upon
the occasion of General Lafayette's visit to
Harrisburg, he commanded tlie military. He
was president of the Branch Bank of Penn-
sylvania at Harrisburg, until it was discon-
tinued. He represented this judicial district
in the first Board of Revenue Commissioners,
convened in 1844, to equalize taxation be-
tween the several counties of the State, and
was elected secretary of the board at the
session of 1847 and 1850. In 1846 he was
commissioned by Governor Shunk as presi-
dent judge of the counties of Chester and
Delaware, and served for several months in
this capacity. Major Forster married Jen-
nette Wright, born 1790, in Paterson, N. J.;
died July 30, ]880, at Harrisburg, Pa.,
daughter of John Wright and Rose Cham-
bers.
Albright, Mrs. Frances, daughter of
Charles Gemberling, was born about 1789.
Her father came to Harrisburg about 1793
and established himself in business. Frances
received an excellent education and on July
20, 1809, married Lieut. Jacob W. Albright,
of the U. S. army, who was then in the re-
cruiting service at Harrisburg. Lieutenant
Albright was appointed from Pennsylvania
ensign of the First Infantry March 6, 1806 ;
promoted second lieutenant November, 1807 ;
first lieutenant August 26, 1812; district
paymaster September 4, 1813; disbanded
June 15, 1815 ; appointed paymaster Second
Infantry July 9, 1816; resigned May 13,
1823. He died at Erie about 1830. After
the death of her husband, Mrs. Albright
began teaching school, and until the estab-
lishment of the common school system was
quite successful. Subsequently she received
the appointment of teacher in one of the
public schools, where she remained until her
214
BIO GRA PHI GAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
advanced years compelled her to resign.
Mrs. Albright was a conscientious and faith-
ful teacher, and the writer of this brief
sketch holds her memory in reverence as
being his first tutor. Besides this, she was
a strict Presbyterian of the old school, .ex-
emplary in her faith and belief. She died
at Harrisburg, October 13, 1862, aged about
seventy-three years.
Hays, Samuel Wallace, was born Octo-
ber 30, 1790, at Newville, Cumberland
county. Pa.; died May 18, 1855, at Harris-
burg, Pa. He received the education so
freely given by the Scotch-Irish to their
children. He came to Harrisburg in 1821,
where he resided until 1825, when he went
to Philadelphia, returning to the former
place in 1828, which from that period be-
came his permanent home. Mr. Hays then
began business, which he successfully carried
on until a few years prior to his death. He
was an earnest, laborious worker in his
church (Presbyterian), of which he was one
of the ruling elders from 1840 to his decease.
For a period of twenty -seven years he was
superintendent of the first infant Sunday-
school, which he organized in 1828, in Har-
risburg, and only relinquished its care when
failing health compelled him to give up his
charge. The Rev. Dr. Robinson bears this
testimony of him : " I remember him as a
quiet, modest man and patient sufferer. The
little I knew of him endeared him to me.
. . . He was a warm friend and lover of
the young, kind and genial in his intercourse
with them, and an admirable teacher." Mr.
Hays married, September 2, 1834, Margaret
Rebecca Moore, born August 7, 1806 ; died
February 8, 1851, at Harrisburg, Pa.; daugh-
ter of Archibald Moore and Rebecca Junkin,
of Locust Grove, MifHin county. Pa.
Bell, William, was born at Jaysburg,
Pa., in 1790. His education was limited, and
was in early life, owing to the accidental
death of his father by drowning, apprenticed
to the trade of a carpenter. He came to
Harrisburg during the erection of the capitol,
and was employed by Mr. Hills until its com-
pletion. He carried on the business until
1829, when he established a grocery, which
he conducted until his death. He served
frequently as a member of the borough
council, and took a deep interest in the
prosperity of his adopted home. He died at
Harrisburg, on the 20th of May, 1847, aged
fifty-seven years. Mr. Bell married, in 1819,
Elizabeth Hutman,daughter of Matthias and
Catharine Hutman ; born in 1792 ; died Feb-
ruary 28, 1868, at Harrisburg. Their children
were Catharine, George, William, Maria,
married Edward Curzon, Ann, and Elizabeth.
Awl, Jacob Michael, son of Jacob Awl
and Sarah Stroh, was born February 24,
1792, in Paxtang. He was a grandson of
the preceding early settler. His father dying
in his infancy, he was raised on the farm of
his maternal grandfather, Michael Stroh. In
early life he settled in Harrisburg, where he
spent the remainder of his days, dying
there on the 5th of September 1849 ; was
long a leading member of the Methodist
church ; at the time of his death the Demo-
cratic Union said he was "a gentleman of
the purest piety and strictest integrity in all
his intercourse with his fellow men;" while
the Keystone stated that " no man enjoyed in
a higher degree the confidence and respect
of the community" — that " his life had been
a continual exemplification of what the walk
and conversation of a Christian should be."
Mr. Awl served as a solder in the war of
1812-14. He married, April 27, 1824, Fanny
Horning, born February 17, 1803; died July
12, 1869, at Harrisburg.
Stewart, David, born October 30, 1792, in
Hanover township, Dauphin county, and
died May 29, 1869, at Coleraine Forges, Hunt-
ingdon county. Pa.; buried in the Spruce
Creek cemetery at Graysville. He was twenty-
one years of age at the time of the exodus of
the family from Hanover to Centre county in
1813. He became the general manager at
Pennsylvania Furnace, and subsequently
entered the firm under the title of Shorb,
Stewart & Co., which was synonymous with
that of Lyon, Shorb & Co., Pittsburgh, manu-
facturers of the famed Juniata iron. Mr.
Stewart was, undoubtedly, the most promi-
nent and wealthy member of this large family ;
resided at Coleraine Forges, Huntingdon
county, from 1831 until his death. His
house was noted for its elegant and liberal
hospitality. In person he was large and im-
posing, showing traits of his Scotch ancestry,
and was the last of his father's family, a long
lived race, and it may be noted that from the
birth of .his eldest brother, Robert, to the date
of his own death, embraced a period of nearly
one hundred years. He married, May 22,
1822,Sarah Walker, daughter of John Walker
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
217
and Ann, bis wife, of Alexandria, Hunting-
don county. Pa., originally from county Stra-
bane in the nortb of Ireland. She was born
September 23, 1799, and died at Coleraine
Forges, April 24, 1874, having survived her
husband, by whose side she now lies buried.
BucHER, John Conrad, was born Decem-
ber 28, 1792; died October 26, 1851. In
early life was engaged in merchandising;
in 1830 elected to represent Dauphin and
Lebanon counties in the Twenty-second
Congress of the United States ; a[)pointed
by Governor Porter, in 1839, an associate
judge of the courts of Dauphin county,
which office he held for twelve years.
He was a man of enlarged views and of
public spirit, unsullied reputation and un-
impeachable integrity, engaged in all the
public enterprises of his day, and held
various positions of honor and responsi-
bility. Many years a school director and
president of the board of education of his
native city, Harrisburg. A member and an
officer of the German Reformed congregation
at home, he was one of the leading laymen
in the ecclesiastical councils of the church ;
treasurer of one of its boards and of its theo-
logical seminary. Judge Bucher married,
January 17, 1820, Ellen Isett, daughter of
Jacob Isett, of Huntingdon county, Pa. ;
born September 10, 1797 ; died March 6,
1881 ; both buried in Harrisburg cemetery,
of which he was one of the founders.
He was a man of much energy of char-
acter in whatever business he engaged. Dur-
ing the war of 1812-14 he went as fifer in
Captain Walker's company, which marched
to the defense of Baltimore, and in his old
age served as a volunteer for the defense of
Harrisburg when, in 1863, it was threatened
by General Lee. He frequently was a mem-
ber of the borough council, and took a deep
interest in the prosperity of his adopted
town. He died at Harrisburg September 28,
1863. Mr. Holraan married, in 1822, Sarah,
daughter of Daniel Hertz and Elizabeth Eis-
ner; born at Harrisburg, December 5, 1800,
and there died October 22, 1863. They had
five children living at the time of their death :
Ann Elizabeth, married Samuel Alleman,
Hev.Samuel Augustus, William Simon, Mary
Ellen, married Dr. A. L. Alstead, and Sarah
Frances, married George A. Klugh.
HoLMAN, Samuel, son of Conrad Holman,
Jr., and Rachel Guss, was born in Chester
county, Pa., January 11 , 1793. Conrad Hol-
man, Sr., the grandfather, was born in New
Castle county, Del., in 1738, and died at the
residence of his son in Perry county. Pa., in
1822. Conrad, Jr., born in Chester county in
1768, died in Perry county in 1841 ; he mar-
ried Rachel, daughter of Charles Guss and
Mary Shunk. Samuel learned the trade of
house carpenter, and came to Harrisburg
after his majority, where he successfully pur-
sued his business and was widely known as
a builder and architect. Among the public
works constructed under his supervision and
according to plans were bridges over the Sus-
quehanna at Clark's Ferry and Harrisburg,
and over the Schuylkill river at Schuylkill
Falls. He was the architect for the court
houses at Lewistown and Harrisburg. For
several years he was supervisor of the public
works between Columbia and Millerstown.
i8
Cameron, John, son of Charles Cameron
and Martha Pfoutz, was born February 8,
1797, in the village of Maytown, Lancaster
county, Pa. He received the ordinary edu-
cation of the public schools of the town, and
at an early age apprenticed to the trade of a
tailor. He came to Harrisburg in 1816,
where he started in business. Governor
Shulze appointed him register and recorder
of the county of Dauphin, January 17, 1824.
He was frequently chosen member of the
borough council of Harrisburg. He subse-
quently engaged in merchandizing, dealt
largely in cattle, and became interested in
the through stage lines. In 1837 he re-
moved to Lancaster, retired from business,
and died there May 7, 1841; buried at Har-
risburg. Mr. Cameron was twice married —
first, to Catharine Hutman, daughter of
Matthias Hutman, of Harrisburg, born Sep-
tember 1, 1796, died November 1, 1821 ; sec-
ondly, to Mary Shulze, of Myerstown, Leb-
anon county, a sister of Gov. John Andrew
Shulze. He left a son and a daughter; the
former died early, the latter became the wife
of Dr. Muhlenberg, of Lancaster. Mr. Cam-
eron was quiet and unobtrusive, an intelli-
gent and enterprising business-man.
Herr, Col. Daniel, was born on the 14th
of December, 1795, at Hagerstown, Md. His
ancestors were among the first settlers in
Lancaster county, Pa., from whence the
family name has become wide-spread.
Daniel learned the trade of a house carpenter,
218
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
an occupation he pursued several years.
During the last war with Great Britain he
was lieutenant colonel of a volunteer regi-
ment in active service. In later life he fol-
lowed hotelkeeping. He kept the Tremont
House at Philadelphia, the Mansion House
at Eeading, and that famous hostelry, Herr's
Hotel, now the Locliiel, at Harrisburg. He
was a prominent member of the Masonic
fraternity, and during the Anti-Masonic
crusade never swerved from his allegiance
to the fraternity, being master of his lodge
from 1835 to 1838, inclusive. He was a man
pure in purpose, amiable, kind, and generous
hearted, yet firm and decided as to opinions
and duty. He died at Harrisburg, sincerely
regretted, on the 11th of July, 1857, in his
sixty-second year. Colonel Herr married,
February 15, 1820, in Gettysburg, Pa., Sarah
Gilbert, daughter of Boise Gilbert and
Susanna Fox, born February 14, 1801, and
died April 13, 1880, at Harrisburg. Their
children were George Isaiah, d. s. p. ; John
Davenport, married Jane Nanc}^ Sutton ;
Margaret Ann, married, first, Peter Nagle
Coleman, second, George Leonard; Amelia
Matilda, married John Peter Hassler ; An-
drew Jackson ; Jacob Gilbert, married Mary
Taylor; Susanna, married Dr. Jacob G.
Witstling; Sarah Isabella, married George
Z. Kunkel ; Daniel B.; William Henrj^ Har-
rison, d. s. p.; Mary Elizabeth, married
Charles Lipps ; Louisa Irene, married Charles
A. Bannvart.
Burke, Michael, was born on the 29th of
September, 1797, in Templetrathen, county
Tipperary, Ireland. Having received a lib-
eral education, he left his native land in his
eighteenth year for Newfoundland, where an
uncle was extensively engaged in the fish-
eries off that coast. There he remained
only a brief period, being eager to reach the
United States. His first destination was Lock-
port, N. Y., where he secured a position as
bookkeeper for a prominent contractor. He
here gained his first idea of a business which
he subsequently successfully followed. In
1824 he secured a contract on the Erie canal,
and upon its completion went to Akron, 0.,
to construct a section of the canal at that
place. From thence he came to Pennsylva-
nia, that State being largely engaged in per-
fecting her system of internal improvements,
and a wide field for Mr. Burke's business
energies was open before him. Securing the
contract for that portion of the Juniata di-
vision of the Pennsylvania canal between
Mexico and Lewistown in 1829, he fixed his
permanent home at Harrisburg. Identify-
ing himself with the business and welfare of
the town of his adoption, he was chosen to
the borough council, and in the establish-
ment of the first system of water works took
an active and warm interest. During a por-
tion of this period he was president of the
legislative body of the town, and on several
occasions became personally responsible for
the payment of loans secured for the con-
struction of the water works. Upon the
completion of the through transportation to
Pittsburgh by the Pennsylvania canal, Mr.
Burke, with several others, commenced a
packet line from Philadelphia to the former
place, he having his ofiice at Harrisburg.
He also became interested in the Portable
line, in which enterprise, however, he sus-
tained a loss of thirty-five thousand dollars ;
but not discouraged, he continued in other
business ventures. The first or pioneer blast
furnace erected at Harrisburg was by Mr.
Burke and Governor Porter. It was erected
along the line of the Pennsylvania canal
above State street. While in successful
operation several years, Mr. Burke withdrew
from the firm, owing to his connection with
some contracts on the various railroads then
building in the State. He constructed por-
tions of the Pennsylvania road between Har-
risburg and Pittsburgh, and on the Northern
Central, between Harrisburg and York. He
had heavy contracts in Massachusetts and
New Hampshire, and was also engaged, in
the construction of reservoirs, building one
at Baltimore, Md., in 1860, and was engaged
in the erection of one in the city of Wash-
ington at the time of his death. He died at
Harrisburg on the 15th of August, 1864, in
his sixty-seventh year. Few men have ex-
hibited more public spirit than Mr. Burke,
and during his entire residence at Harris-
burg he was held in the highest esteem by
his fellow citizens, who admired his energy
and remarkable business capacity. To those
who knew him best he was kind, obliging,
genial, and noble-hearted. Mr. Burke mar-
ried, on April 6, 1824, Mary A. Finley, of
Lockport, N. Y. Their children among
others have been: William (deceased), John
Michael (deceased), George Washington, Jose-
phine, married James Brady, and Martina,
married Edward P. Kearns.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
219
Rehrer, Thomas Jefferson, only son of
Godfried Rehrer and Eva Leiss, was born
November 8, 1797, near Rehrersburg, Berks
county, Pa. His grandfather, Godfried Rehrer
or Roher, settled there at an early day. Dur-
ing the French and Indian war his residence
was on the direct road to the frontier settle-
ments. He married Magdalena Etchberger,
and their son, Godfried Rehrer, born 1769,
represented Berks county in the Legislature
in 1817, 1820 and 1823. ' Thomas J. received
a good education, was brought up to a mer-
cantile life, but subsequently retired to his
farm. While engaged in farming he was
elected a member of the Legislature, in which
he served two terms. At the close of the
last session be removed to Harrisburg, hav-
ing accepted a clerkship in the Land Office of
the Commonwealth. He remained in that
department, with the exception of two inter-
vals of three years each, until 1866, filling
the position of deputy or chief clerk under
the several organizations of the office. His
long service there made him unusually
familiar with the business, and its bearing*
on the land interests of the State, together
with his faithful attention to the duties, was
appreciated and recognized by ail who had
business to transact in the survevor general's
office. He died February 28, 18"72, al Phila-
delphia. Mr. Rehrer married Salome Weiser,
daughter of John Weiser and Elizabeth An-
spach, born January 3, 1799, on the Conrad
Weiser farm, about twelve miles west of
Reading. She died October 30, 1842, at Har-
risburg, and is there buried. The children
were: Clementine M., Clara S., married Dr.
George Dock, of Harrisburg, Miranda E.,
married Lewis G. Osbourn, of Philadelphia,
and Erasmus Godfrev.
Kendig, Martin, son of John Kendig,
was born December 31, 1797, in Suubury,
Northumberland county, Pa., died August
28, 1850, near Middletown, Pa. After receiv-
ing a fair education, he learned the trade of
saddle and harness making at Harrisburg,
and, upon attaining his majority, established
the business at Middletown, carrying on,
with his brother Daniel, the lumber trade.
Subsequently, in company with thelatter and
Judge Murray, erected a large saw mill at the
mouth of the Swatara, and established an
extensive business. He served as one of the
auditors of the county from 1826 to 1828,
and represented Dauphin county in the
Legislature from 1837 to 1839. Mr. Kendig
was an enterprising citizen, and a gentleman
of probity and worth, highly esteemed in
the community, and influential in public af-
fairs. He was thrice married ; married,
first, June 15, 1820, Rebecca McFarland, of
Lower Paxtang township, Dauphin county.
Pa.; b. June 28, 1800 ; died April 1, 1831.
Harris, George Washington, was born
June 23, 1798, in the old ferry house, now
the location of Harris Park school house.
He was a son of Robert Harris, who was a
son of John Harris, the founder of the city
of Harrisburg, and grandson of John Harris,
the first settler. His mother was Elizabeth
Ewing, daughter of the celebrated Rev. John
Ewing, D. D., provost of the University of
Pennsylvania. Mr. Harris' early education
was received at the old Harrisburg Academy
and the select schools of the day. Subse-
quently he went to Dickinson, Jefferson and
the University of Pennsylvania, graduating
at the latter institution. He studied law,
and was admitted to the Dauphin county
bar in 1820. He remained at Harrisburg
several years, during a portion of which
period he served as deputy attorney general
for the county of Dauphin. He afterwards
removed to Philadelphia and entered into
law partnership with Calvin Blythe. He
returned to Harrisburg and resumed his
place at the Dauphin county bar, and was
appointed reporter of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, publishing a series of volumes
of report. For a number of years he filled
the position of secretary to the library com-
mittee of the United States Senate. Mr.
Harris recently edited the journal of Mr.
Maclay, one of the first United States sen-
ators from Pennsylvania. He died at Har-
risburg Sunday morning, August 13, 1882.
Mr. Harris married Elizabeth Mary, daughter
of Dr. Henry Hall and Hester Maclay, daugh-
ter of Senator Maclay ; his wife surviving him
at near fourscore.
Cameron, Gen. Simon, son of Charles
Cameron and Martha Pfoutz, was born
March 8, 1799, at Maytown, Lancaster
county, Pa. On the paternal side he is de-
scended from the clan Cameron, of Scotland,
who shared their fortunes with the unfortu-
nate Charles Edward, whose star of hope
sunk on the field of Culloden. Donald Cam-
eron, his great-grandfather, was a partici-
pant in that memorable battle, and having
escaped the carnage made his way to Amer-
220
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ica, arriving about 1745^46. He afterwards
fought under the gallant Wolfe upon the
Heights of Abraham, and during the war
with France was in continuous service. His
grandfather, Simon Cameron, was an early
associator in the Revolution, and took the
oath of allegiance June 1, 1778 ; a brother
Jolin signed the same day. Of the latter
General Bingham, of Philadelphia, is a
grandson. On the maternal side he is de-
scended from Conrad Pfoutz, an emigrant
from the Palatinate, Germany. He settled
in Lancaster county, and Pfoutz's Valley, in
now Perry county, perpetuates the name of
a hero of the border warfare of Pennsylvania
in the days when the treacherous Delawares
and perfidious Shawanese sought to desolate
the homes of the earl^' pioneers of our State
— John Pfoutz. Charles Cameron and Mar-
tha Pfoutz had a large faniily, yet a remark-
able one, and the history of our country
gives but few instances of the successful
career of an entire family, among whom the
subject of this sketch is the most prominent.
When young Cameron was about the age
of nine years his parents removed to North-
umberland county, where his father shortly
afterwards dying, he was early cast upon
his own exertions. There were then few ad-
vantages afforded by public schools, and
his educational facilities were exceedingly
limited. Having an unquenchable fondness
for books, young Cameron was able to per-
ceive no other means so likely to satiate his
appetite as a printing office, it seeming to
him the chief center of thought in the com-
munity in which destiny had fixed his lot.
He therefore entered, in 1816, as an appren-
tice to the printing business with Andrew
Kennedy, editor of the Northumberland
County Gazette, at Northumberland, where
he continued one year, when his employer,
owing to financial reverses, was obliged to
close his establishment. Being thus thrown
out of employment, he made his way by
river boat and on foot to Harrisburg, where
he secured a situation in the printing office
of James Peacock, editor of the Republican,
with whom he remained until he had at-
tained his majority.
In January, 1821, he went to Doylestown,
Pa., at the solicitation of Samuel D. Ingham,
where he published the Bucks County Mes-
senger. As editor of this paper he evinced a
breadth of information which, in view of his
limited advantages, seemed astonishing. In
March of the same year he entered into part-
nership with the publisher of the Doylestown
Democrat, and the firm merged their papers
into the Bucks County Democrat, which pub-
lication was continued until the close of the
year 1821, when the establishment passed
into the hands by purchase of Gen. W. T.
Rodgers. The succeeding winter Mr. Cam-
eron spent in the office of Messrs. Gales &
Seaton, publishers of the National Intelli-
gencer, at Washington, as a journeyman
printer. He returned to Harrisburg in 1822,
and entered into partnership with Charles
Mowry in the management of the Pennsyl-
vania Intelligencer, then the organ of the
Democratic party at the State capital, and
enjoyed the official patronage of the State
administration, and was elected one of the
printers to the State, a position he held seven
years. Having been the early friend and
suppdrter of Governor Shulze, upon his ceas-
ing to be State printer, he was honored by
that executive with the appointment of ad-
jutant general of Pennsylvania, the duties
of which office he discharged with ability
"and to the satisfaction of the public.
General Cameron at an early period took
a deep interest in the development of inter-
nal improvements, and took extensive con-
tracts upon the Pennsylvania canal, then in
process of construction. Ih 1826 he began
building the section between Harrisburg and
Sunbury, and after this was well under way
he took one or two sections on the western
division of the canal. When Louisiana gran ted
a charter to the State Bank of that Common-
wealth,it provided that the bank should build
a canal from Lake Pontchartrain to New Or-
leans. General Cameron took the contract
for that great work, which was then regarded
by engineers as the greatest undertaking of
the time. In 1831 he started for New Or-
leans. He employed twelve hundred men in
Philadelphia, and sent them by sea to that
city. He, with his engineers and tools, went
down the Mississippi river, embarking at
Pittsburgh. He spent nearly half a year
upon the work, and demonstrated beyond a
doubt its entire feasibility. He was recalled
from his work on the Lake Pontchartrain
canal by a summons from Major Eaton, Sec-
retary of War under General Jackson, who
requested him to return to Pennsylvania and
organize a delegation to the National Con-
vention, which had been called to meet in
Baltimore. This was in the interest of Mar-
tin Van Buren for the Vice-Presidency. Cal-
houn had served eight years, had quarreled
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
221
with General Jackson during his second term,
and had otherwise put himself in antagonism
to the prevailing popularity of Jackson. Gen-
eral Cameron respected the summons, came
home and organized a delegation that went
to Baltimore in the interest of Mr. Van Buren
for the Vice-Presidency. This was the first
National Convention ever held in the United
States. Mr. Cameron was requested to accept
the permanent chairmanship of that conven-
tion, but declined, and a gentleman from
North Carolina was selected.
After the National Convention in Balti
more he was appointed a visitor to West
Point by General Jackson, and upon per-
forming his duties on the Hudson he made
his first trip to New England. He went with
a brother of Bishop Potter, of Pennsylvania,
and thoroughly inspected the paper mills
and other manufactures of that section.
In the winter of 1832 the Legislature char-
tered the bank at Middletown, and he be-
came its cashier. From the first the bank
was successful, but the duties of cashier were
so limited that General Cameron sought
other fields of labor and usefulness, although
he remained there twenty-five years. He
projected and created the railroads from Mid-
dletown to Lancaster, from Harrisburg to
Sunbury, from Harrisburg to Lebanon, and
at the same time gave large encouragement
to the Cumberland Valley railroad. And
in this connection it may be stated that the
Northern Central railroad from Harrisburg
to Baltimore was captured by him from Bal-
timore interests and made a Pennsylvania
institution; and he was atone time president
of not less than four corporations, all operat-
ing lines within a few miles of the spot where
he was born.
In 1838 President Van Buren tendered to
General Cameron the appointment of a com-
missioner with James Murraj'^, one of the
most respected citizens of Maryland, under a
treaty with the Winnebago Indians to settle
and adjust the claims made against the In-
dians by the traders. These claims were for
goods furnished the Indians during a long
period of years, and the sum appropriated
by the treaty was three hundred thousand
dollars. In many cases the commissioners
found the claims of the traders unjust, and
every account allowed by them met with the
approbation of the commissioner appointed
by the Indians. In the settlement of some
of the claims, the aggregate amount having
been reduced from over a million to about
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the
traders refused to accept the award and went
to Washington with charges against the com-
missioners. It had been the usual custom
to give the entire appropriation to the claim-
ants, but this course did not allow of any di-
vision. The charges were met by a demand
from the commissioners for re-examination,
which resulted in the appointment of a new
commission the next year, under whose di-
rection the Indians were assembled in coun-
cil, who approved by a united vote of their
council the entire acts of Messrs. Cameron
and Murray, and the account thus adjudged
was paid by the Government.
In 1845, when James K. Polk tendered the
State Department to James Buchanan, and
that gentleman resigned his seat in the Sen-
ate of the United States, an election to sup-
ply the vacancy became necessary. General
Cameron was at this time in recognized sym-
pathy with the Democratic party, and selected
as the representative of the wing of the party
which favored the policy of a protective
tariff. The regular caucus nominee of the
Democracy, however, was George W. Wood-
ward, which was regarded as a free trade tri-
umph, rendering it possible for some other
Democrat known to be honestly devoted to
the ever-cherished policy of the State to be
elected by a union of the Whigs, Americans,
and those Democrats in favor of the protec-
tive policy. The result was the election of
Simon Cameron to the United Stales Senate.
From March, 1845, to March 4, 1849, he
served his State faithfully in that body, and
proved himself true to the greatest interests
committed to ins charge, and he never wearied
in the support of the principles on which he
was elected. It may be here stated that Pres-
ident Polk at the first seemed inclined to ig-
nore Mr. Cameron, declaring his election to
the Senate as having been outside the party
organization, but this treatment he found to
his cost was not conducive to his own peace
of mind, sent for General Cameron, made a
truce with him, and there was never any
more trouble.
In the winter of 1857 the entire opposition
members of the Legislature, consisting of
Whigs, Native Americans, and Tariff-Men,
selected General Cameron as their candidate
to fill the place of Senator Brodhead, whose
term of service expired on the 4th of March
that year. The Democratic caucus nomi-
nated Col. John W. Forney, then the inti-
mate friend of President Buchanan, who had
222
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
written a letter to the Legislature naming
him as his choice for the senatorship, al-
though a large portion of the party were in
favor of Henry D. Foster, who was an out-
spoken tariff man. The united votes of the
opposition, with three Democratic votes, two
from Schuylkill and one from York, in which
counties General Cameron possessed great
strength and popularity on account of his
firm devotion to their industrial interests,
were cast in his favor, and he was elected for
the full term. He took his seat in the Senate
on the 4th of March, notwithstanding the
futile assault made by his colleague from
Pennsylvania, Mr. Bigler, upon his title to
the place, and which that body refused to
consider. General Cameron's return to the
United States Senate brought him again
prominently before the public, and in the
political movements which preceded the
campaign of 1860 he was named as the choice
of Pennsylvania for the Presidency; and his
name early associated with that of Mr. Lin-
coln in connection with the Republican na-
tional ticket.
General Cameron's national career began
at the Chicago convention in 1860, when the
Republican party, crystallized into a national
organization, made its open, clear, and stern
antagonism to slavery. With intuitive sa-
gacity the advocates of slavery recognized
in the Republican party the force which
would ultimately overthrow it, and men like
General Cameron were recognized as the
leaders of that force. There was no mistak-
ing the measure on which it entered on the
canvas in 1860. When Mr. Lincoln was
nominated General Camerom made himself
felt in such a manner as to win the confi-
dence of that illustrious statesman. After
the great political battle of that year, General
Cameron was the first of those to whom Mr.
Lincoln turned for counsel, and the offfer of
a cabinet office by the latter to the former
was a voluntar_y act, and that appointment
would have been made the first in the selec-
tion of his cabinet had not intrigues inter-
fered to defer it at the time. Mr. Lincoln
looked on General Cameron from first to
last not only as his political, but his warm
personal friend, and there were no such rela-
tions existing between the President and his
other constitutional advisers. This fact was
well known when the cabinet was organized.
While he was in the War Department his
counsel was not only potential in cabinet
meetings, but was sought by the President
in private, and heeded in such a marked
manner as to create a feeling of hostility,
which caused the President much unpleas-
antness. Then, too, believing that the Civil
war would require all the available resources
of the Nation to preserve the Union, doubt-
ing the speedy settlement of the trouble, he
began as Secretary of War a scale of prepa-
rations to combat it which puzzled the oldest
officers in the army and chagrined the leaders
of the Rebellion, who had calculated much
on the supineness and lethargy of the North-
ern people. General Cameron frustrated
this hope by his energy, but he had the cabi-
net to a man against him. When he sought
to furnish the necessary supplies for the
armj'^ he was met by sickly sentimentality
about settling the war in diplomacy. The
Confederates resorted to the ruse of diplo-
macy by means of commissioners for the
purpose of retarding this activity, but at
the same time General Cameron was filling
up the arsenals which had been dispoiled by
the former Secretary of War, thus supplying
the army with huge quantities of ordinance
and commissary and quartermasters' stores,
etc. Such work naturally attracted the at-
tention of the sordid, excited the timid,
aroused the jealous, and confounded the sus-
picious. The minister who thus labored to
equip his country for a struggle with trea-
son, the proportions of which he alone
seemed fully to appreciate, was assailed for
each and all of these acts. Mr. Lincoln had
the fullest confidence in his Secretar}' of
War ; he believed in his sagacity aiid relied
on his courage, but he could not wholly
withstand the clamor, the outgrowth of
cowardice on the one side and the cunning
greed of adventurers on the other, so that
General Cameron, to relieve Mr. Lincoln
from embarrassment, resolved to resign, and
on January 11, 1862, returned the portfolio
of the War Department to the President;
but in that act he commanded the renewed
confidence of Mr. Lincoln, who the day he
accepted his resignation nominated the re-
tiring minister for the most important diplo-
matic mission in his gift. Nor was this all ;
Mr. Lincoln insisted that General Cameron,
should name his own successor, an act which
no retiring cabinet officer ever did before or
since. The mission to Russia involved the
safe and sagacious handling of our relations
with the Czar's government at a moment
when it demanded the most prudent direc-
tion. The kindly relations which existed
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
223
between the colossal power of the North
and the great republic of the West dated
back in their amity when Catharine declined
to take part with England in the suppression
of American Colonial Revolution for inde-
pendence. General Cameron restored this feel-
ing, and thus frustrated English and French
intrigue to organize an alliance with Na-
poleon III. at its head in the interest of the
Southern Confederacy. The country never
fully appreciated this fact, because it was a
part of its diplomacy which admitted of no
correspondence. This object accomplished,
concluded General Cameron's mission to
Russia. There was in fact nothing more to
do in St. Petersburg but to maintain what
had been established, and he could with
safety ask for his credentials and retire.
The relations between Mr. Lincoln and
Mr. Cameron were always most cordial, and
immediately upon his reaching the United
States the latter was the accepted citizen-
counselor at the White House. At this time
efforts were being made looking to defeating
the renomination of Mr. Lincoln for a second
" term. It was- a period of great solicitude
to the President, who with characteristic
modesty declined to make any movement in
his own behalf In the winter of 1864 the
intrigue referred to was talked of in political
circles at Washington as a success. General
Cameron visited the national capital re-
peatedly at that time, and on reaching his
farm after a return from one of these visits
had a paper prepared, embodying the mei'its
of Mr. Lincoln as President, acknowledging
the fidelity and integrity of his first admin-
istration, and declaring that his renomina-
tion and re-election involved a necessity es-
sential to the success of the war for the
Union. That paper was submitted to the
Republican members of both branches of
the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania,
ever}' one of whom signed it, and in this
shape was presented to Mr. Lincoln, and
telegraphed to the country at large. Its
publication accomplished all that the fore-
thought of its originator anticipated. In
three weeks after the issuing of this letter, it
was a curious spectacle to watch the precipita-
tion with which the Republicans in all the
States hastened to declare in favor of Mr.
Lincoln's renomination ; so that when the
National Convention assembled to do that
act there was no opposition to him.
From 1864 to 1866 General Cameron took
a very active part in the politics of Pennsyl-
vania, giving to the organization of the Re"
publican party a prestige which enabled it
to bear down all opposition. He was the
one leader of that party who could rally it
in despondency and hold it in fidelity to its
pledges.
In 1866 he was re-elected to the United
States Senate, a position he held a longer
term of years than any man sent to the same
body from the State of Pensj'lvania. His
influence on national legislation was as great
as that of any man that ever served in the
Senate. The singularity of this influence is
revealed in greater force when it is remem-
bered that he seldom participated in debate.
He made no pretention to oratory, but his
talk was sound, his argument lucid, and his
statement of fact impregnable. What he
lacked in fervid, flashing speech he made up
in terse, solid common sense. From the
time he entered the Senate until he resigned
his seat in 1877 — a continuous service of
eleven years — he was recognized as one of
its most useful and reliable members, and at
the date of his resignation was chairman of
the committee on foreign relations, a posi-
tion only accorded to a senator of admitted
statesmanship. He was foremost always in
practical legislation. His opinions on ques-
tions of commerce, manufacturing, finance,
internal improvements, fortifications, and
the public domain were always accepted as
guiding counsel. He encouraged the build-
ing of the first Pacific railroad, was a warm
supporter of opening the public lands to
actual settlers, and no man in Congress be-
fore or after he left it did more, and few as
much as he, for the fostering, promotion and
protection of American industry. He lost
no opportunity to advocate and further the
organization of new States, and regarded the
expansion of the boundaries of the Union
as the only true course to preserve the equi-
librium of power between the sections. He
made history as few other statesmen in this
country created it, by producing results in
the practical walks of life, such as make
men prosperous and happy, that stimulate
the growth of communities, whereby the
country has been constantly rendered power-
ful abroad and a blessing to its people at
home. History in its broadest scope will
ever keep such individuals before the gen-
erations of men which are to live in this
country, for their models in public affairs.
224
BIO GRA PHI GAL ENCYCL OPED I A.
General Cameron died June, 1889, at the
ripe old age of ninety years, his faculties per-
fect until the last.
General Cameron married Margaret Brua,
daughter of Peter Brua, of Harrisburg, and
their children were Rachel, married Judge
Burnside, of Bellefonte, Brua, Margaret,
married Richard J. Haldeman, James Don-
ald, and Virginia, married Wayne MacVeagh.
Snydee, Charles Albright, son of Simon
Snyder and Catharine Michael, was born
May 29, 1799, at Selinsgrove, Pa. His grand-
father, Simon Snyder, was an emigrant from
Moravia, while his mother's father was Eber-
hart Michael, a prominent personage in the
early history of Lancaster county. Charles
A. was educated by private tutors, and early
in life began contracting. In 1837 he was
one of a partnership in the building of the
West Feliciana railroad in Mississippi and
Louisiana. For several years he was a clerk
in the prothonotary's office at Sunbury and
afterwards at Harrisburg. In the latter part
of his life he was a justice of the peace, alder-
man, United States commissioner, and a
notary public. He died at Harrisburg on
the 8th of November, 1868, aged sixty-nine
years. Mr. Snyder was a good land lawyer
and had a very extensive knowledge of land
titles in Pennsylvania, and was often sought
by prominent members of the bar in consul-
tation on such subjects. He owned consid-
erable bodies of coal land, which have now
become valuable, but which he was com-
pelled to part with because of the slowness
of internal improvements ; was interested in
the copper and nickel mines of Lancaster,
Pa., and Connecticut; developed the first
cannel coal mines in Missouri ; was pioneer
in such early enterprises, which always
turned out disastrous at the time, but as the
country improved and modern appliances
and new inventions came in vogue turned
out well. In fact, he was too far in advance
of the times. Mr. Snyder married, in 1828,
Barbara Keller, daughter of John Keller,
and their children were: Catharine, married
B. F. Etter, Edward, Eugene, Mary, Emma,
married Dr. George H. Markley, Charles,
Simon, and John Keller, the two latter de-
ceased.
Hage, HoTHER, son of Jens Fredrich and
Gertrude (Heitmann) Hage, was born April
9, 1800, in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark.
He was a graduate at the age of fourteen of
the Royal University of Copenhagen. In
1819 he came to the United States and set-
tled upon a tract of land known as " Galla-
gher's Improvement," on Clearfield creek,
Clearfield county, Pa., presented him by his
father. He built a log hut and remained
there about nine years, passing that time in
studying, clearing the land and hunting.
In 1832 he found employment in the con-
struction of the State canals in his chosen
profession, that of civil engineer. In 1835
he was employed as chief engineer on the
construction of the West Feliciana railroad,
of Louisiana, a short line of road running
from Bayou Sara to Woodville. During the
years 1836-38 he was chief engineer of the
Franklin railroad in Pennsylvania. May
30, 1838, he was appointed by the canal
commissioners of the State principal engi-
neer upon the survey of a route from the
town of Chambersburg to Pittsburgh, also on
the Raystown Branch of the Juniata, as con-
templated in the act of the Pennsylvania
State Legislature passed April 14, 1838.
April 19, 1847, he was appointed principal
assistant engineer of the eastern division of '
the Pennsylvania railroad, under William
B. Forster, Jr. In 1852 he was employed in
the construction of the Dauphin and Susque-
hanna Coal Company railroad. From
September 1, 1850, to July 19, 1859, he was
principal engineer on the enlargement of the
Union canal. July 10, 1859, he was ap-
pointed by Gov. William F. Packer a com-
missioner to examine that portion of the
line of the Sunbury and Erie railroad lying
between the harbor of Erie and the borough
of Warren. On April 24, 1860, he was
elected civil engineer to make survey and
plan of the city of Harrisburg. In 1866 he
was employed in the ofiice of the assessor of
the United States internal revenue, continu-
ing in the employ of the Government until
1872, in which year, on the 27tli day of June,
he departed this life. Mr. Hage was married,
December 18, 1849, by the Rev. J. Baker, of
Lancaster, to Mary A., daughter of Henry
and Salome Kendig, of Lancaster county.
McCoRMicK, James, son of William Mc-
Cormick, was born February 24, 1801, near
Silvers Spring, Cumberland county, Pa.;
died January 19, 1870, at Harrisburg, Pa.
When less than five years of age he lost his
father by a fatal accident. Paternal care
thus devolved upon his mother, a bright,
determined woman, and by her his prepara-
DA UFHIN CO UNTY.
225
tory studies were carefully made, fitting him
at an early age for Princeton College, where
he graduated with reputation, and began the
study of law with Andrew Carothers, Esq.,
of Carlisle. Me was admitted to the bar of
Cumberland county in 3823, and to that of
Dauphin county at the August term, 1825.
His most successful career never faltered as
long as he was able to give his professional
duties any attention, and, indeed, followed
him after his retirement from all active pur-
suits. He served in the borough council a
long time, and was president of that body,
also of the Dauphin Deposit Bank, of the
Harrisburg cemetery, of the Harrisburg
Bridge Company, and one of the trustees of
the Pine Street Presbyterian church. In all
these positions he was a cautious and able
adviser. He uniformly declined candidature
for office, as also offers of the highest honors
of his profession. Upon the retirement he
gave the powers of his active mind to the
management of a large estate, consisting of
furnaces, rolling mil]s,grist mills and farms.
All these interests were successful, and not-
withstanding his physical disability, con-
ducted in a masterly and systematic manner.
Mr. McCormick married, in 1830, Eliza
Buehler, born November 11, 1806, at Erie,
Pa.; died December 25, 1877, at Harrisburg,
Pa.; only daughter of George Buehler and
Maria Nagle. She was, indeed, a most esti-
mable woman. To each noble charity,
benevolent enterprise, philanthropic move-
ment. Christian endeavor, hospital or home
in the city of Harrisburg she was a friend,
promoter and benefactor. From no good
cause or charitable work or needy poor did
she withhold her hand or deny her
bounty.
Cameron, Col. James, youngest son of
Charles Cameron and Martha Pfoutz, was
born at Maytown, Lancaster county, Pa.,
March 1, 1801. He received his early edu-
cation at the village school, and at nineteen
entered the printing office of his brother.
General Cameron, at Harrisburg, where he
served a faithful apprenticeship. In 1827
he went to Lancaster, where he assumed tfie
editorship of the Political Sentinel, stud} ing
law in the meantime in the office of James
Buchanan, afterwards President of the United
States. He was duly admitted to the Lan-
caster bar, and in 1838 established himself
at Harrisburg. During the Mexican war he
served under General Scott, and upon its
close settled upon a farm near Milton, Pa.,
where he was living in retirement when the
war for the Union was inaugurated. At the
solicitation of the soldiers of the so-called
Highlander regiment (the Seventy-ninth
New York), he accepted the commission of
colonel of that organization.. At the battle
of the first Bull Run, June 21, 1861, he was
of Sherman's brigade, Tyler's division, and
at the crisis of the struggle bore himself with
the greatest gallantry. Again and again he
led his men with the cry, " Scots, follow
me ! " in the face of a withering fire of mus-
ketry and artillery, until stricken down mor-
tally wounded, expiring on the field of his
heroic exploits. " No mortal man," says an
e.ye witness, " could stand the fearful storm
that swept them." After repeated efforts the
body of the gallant Cameron was recovered,
brought to his home, and interred amid
many demonstrations of respect and affec-
tion.
Weir, John Andrew, son of Samuel Weir
and his wife Mary Wallace, born January 19,
1802, at Harrisburg, Pa. ; died October 10,
1881. He was educated in the private schools
of the town and at the Harrisburg Academy.
He learned coach-making, and, subsequently,
went into the hardware business, which he
continued a number of years, afterwards con-
necting with it the drug trade, taking into
partnership his nephew, D. W. Gross. Dur-
ing the administration of Governor Ritner
he served as a clerk in the office of the sec-
retary of the Commonwealth. In 1840 he
was elected prothonotary of Dauphin county,
a position he filled two terms (six years).
While serving in this office he was chosen a
director of the Harrisburg Bank, and after-
wards became teller in that institution, in
which capacity he continued until 1880.
While performing these duties he was treas-
urer of the State Lunatic Hospital, at Harris-
burg, from its first establishment in 1850 to
1880. For nearly fifty years he was an elder in
the first Presbyterian church of Harrisburg,
and took a warm interest in the promotion of
the Sunday-school system. He was one of the
first, firmest and influential friends of the
anti-slavery cause in Dauphin county. Mr.
Weir married twice; first, Catharine E. Wiest-
ling, born February 21, 1810, died May 18,
1845, daughter of John S. Wiestling ; and
secondly, Maria Matilda Fahnestock, born
December 15, 1808, died August 28, 1883, in
Harrisburg, daughter of Abed Fahnestock.
226
BIO GRAFHIGA L ENCYGL OPEDIA
Rutherford, John Parke, son of Will-
iam Rutherford and his wife Sarah Sjvan,
was born February 14, 1802, in Swatara
township, Dauphin county. Pa.; died May
12, 1871. He was a farmer, and brought up
in that pursuit. He held many places of
public trust in his life ; was superintendent
of the Wiconisco canal as early as 1837, an
auditor of the county, a jury commissioner,
and was vice-president and treasurer of the
Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society.
He was a strong anti-slavery advocate, as all
his family were, and many a weary pilgrim,
in the days of the fugitive slave act, sore of
foot and heart, found in Captain Rutherford
hospitable assistance, material aid and manly
encouragement. He hated slavery because
he considered it a moral sin and a political
blight upon the free institutions of America.
During the late Rebellion he served as quar-
termaster in the United States army, rank-
ing fourth on the list. While stationed at
Harper's Ferry he was captured in one of
the raids on that stronghold, but released on
parole. He was then ordered to Camp Doug-
las, and subsequently to Charleston, S. C.
In the latter city, about the close of the war,
he contracted a disease from the effects of
which he never fully recovered. Captain
Rutherford married Eliza Rutherford, born
October 30, 1801 ; died January 30, 1860 ;
daughter of Samuel Rutherford.
Sloan, Alexander, son of Robert and
Sarah (McCormick) Sloan, was born October
9, 1802, at Harrisburg, Dauphin county. Pa.
He was educated in the private and select
schools of Harrisburg, especially under that
eminent mathematician, James Maginnes.
He learned the trade of cabinet-maker with
his father, and after the latter's death con-
tinued the business alone up to 1864, after
that period for several years in connection
with Mr. Boyd. Mr. Sloan married, Septem-
ber 19, 1833, Mary, daughter of James and
Sarah Todd, of Hanover. She died at Har-
risburg December 2, 1871, in her sixty-third
year, and their children were: Robert, Sarah,
who married H. Murray Graydon, Margaret
A., who married Henry Shantz, and Isa-
bella D.
BoMBAUGH, Aaron, son of Abraham Bom-
baugh and Catharine Reehm, was born Feb-
ruary 12, 1803, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was
educated at the private schools of the town,
and at the old academy. He was placed
early in youth to the trade of a hatter with
Jacob Shoemaker, of Harrisburg, and at his
majority went to Philadelphia for instruc-
tions as a finisher, and while there became a
member of the "Association of Journeymen
Hatters," being entered March 2, 1824. He
returned to his native town and established
himself in business, which he followed several
years, until he was obliged to relinquish it,
owing to impaired health, which had been
affected by the dyes used in coloring the felt.
He then assumed charge of his father's ex-
tensive limestone quarry, conducting that
business with marked success. Like his
father and grandfather before him, Mr. Bom-
baugh took a prominent part in municipal
affairs, and frequently served in the borough
council. From 1838 to 1844 he ser^ved as
treasurer of the county of Dauphin, a posi-
tion he filled efficiently and acceptably. He
was one of the first advocates for the estab-
lishment of a lunatic hospital by the State
for the insane poor of the Commonwealth,
and greatly aided *Miss Dix in her efforts to
secure State assistance for the inauguration
of those noble charities which have so dis-
tinguished our Commonwealth. He was one
of the first trustees of the institution located
at Harrisburg. Having several farms near
the city, the latter years of his life were
passed in their management. He died at
Harrisburg on the 13th of December, 1877,
in the seventy- fifth year of his age. He was
an early Abolitionist, as the anti-slavery men
were denominated, a decided Anti-Mason in
the days of that crusade, and with well-de-
fined and positive convictions was ready to
encounter any amount of obloquy in their
defense. During the Rebellion he devoted
his time and means to the care and comfort
of the Pennsylvania soldiers in camp and
hospital. He was the last survivor of the
Unitarian Society established by the Rev.
Mr. Kay, and which, from successive deaths
and lack of fresh accessions, melted away
many years since.
Mr. Bombaugh was twice married — first,
on May 3, 1827, to Maria Lloyd, daughter of
Joseph Lloyd, an attorney-at-law, of Phila-
delphia, born there in 1809, and died Janu-
ary 1, 1853, at Harrisburg, and their chil-
dren were Dr. Charles Carroll, a noted phy-
sician and author, now of Baltimore, Md.;
Lavinia, married Gillard Dock, of Harris-
burg ; Alexander; d. s. p.; Catharine, married
Junius B. Kaufman, a lawyer, of Lancaster,
Pa.; and Julia, married Dr. Grafton, of Bal-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
227
timore. Of these only Dr. C. C. Bombaugh ried, in 1828, Martha Ingram, born Novem-
and Mrs. Kaufman aie living. Mr. Bom- ber 30, 1808 ; died August 23, 1850, and
baugh married, secondly, Julia Duncan, of their children were Margaret Ingram and
Duncan's Island, who survived him. Emma Elizabeth.
Jones, Andrew J., son of Robert Thomas
Jones and Margaret Williamson, was born,
1803, in county Donegal, Ireland. He re-
ceived a fine English education, and early
in life came to Harrisburg, where he learned
merchandizing with John Cameron. Sub-
sequently, in partnership with his brother
Samuel T., he entered into the mercantile
business, which they successfully carried on
for many years. Mr. Jones became quite
prominent in political affairs, and in 1848,
upon the election of Gen. Zachary Taylor to
the Presidency, was appointed postmaster at
Harrisburg, a position he acceptably filled
four years. He died at Harrisburg, January
13, 1867, aged sixty-four years. Mr. Jones
was thrice married ; first, to Mary Ann Jones,
daughter of Thomas Jones and Margery
Donnelly, of Perry county. Pa. She died in
March, 1843, and there was, issue: Robert
Thomas, d. s. p., John Cameron (1833-56),
and Samuel T. He married, secondly, Susan
B. Ayres, daughter of William Ayres and
his wife Mary Elizabeth Bucher, of Harris-
burg; their children all died in infancy. He
married, thirdly, Sarah A. Buckman, of Bur-
lington, N. J., and there was issue : Virginia
R. and Andrew J.
Boas, William Dick, son of Jacob Boas
and Sarah Dick, was born September 6, 1803,
at Harrisburg, Pa., and died there May 20,
1889. He learned the art of printing with
George Getz, of Reading, on the Berks and
Schuylkill Herald, and afterwards worked at
his profession in Philadelphia, Alleutown
and Harrisburg. In 1837 he purchased an
interest in the Reporter office at Harrisburg,
in partnership, first, with Samuel D. Patter-
son, and then with William F. Copeland, re-
tiring in 1842. During this period he was
printer of the journals and bills of the House
and Senate. He was cashier and clerk in
the State treasurer's department during the
administrations of Bickel, Bailey, Magraw
and McGrath, about nine years in all ; was
a clerk in the surveyor general's office, and
four years prothonotary of the count}' of
Dauphin. From 1866 to 1868 he was one of
the publishers of the Patriot. Mr. Boas mar-
Fleming, Robert Jackson, son of Samuel
Fleming and grandson of Robert Fleming,
was born November 16, 1803, in Hanover
township, Washington county. Pa.; died
December 2, 1874, at Harrisburg, Pa. He
received an academical education, and while
yet a young man became a teacher and lec-
turer on English grammar and' on music,
and took a trip to the then West, lecturing
on his favorite topic. In 1834 he established
the coach-making business on an extensive
scale at Harrisburg Pa., and continued it
with success until his entire establisliment
was destroyed by fire, June 15, 1865. He
did not resume it. He built at his shop the
first eight-wheel passenger car which ran on
the Pennsylvania railroad between Columbia
and Philadelphia, also the first on the Will-
iamsport and Elmira railroad, taking it up
the canal on a flat boat. He was appointed
notary public in 1861, and held the office
until his death, for years doing the business
of the Harrisburg National Bank in this
official capacity. He was deservedly honored
in his adopted city as an upright and enter-
prising citizen, a man of intelligence and
high moral character, and in the Presby-
terian church, of which he was a life-long
member, he was one of its elders for twenty
years. Mr. Fleming married, June 5, 1845,
at McConnellsville, Morgan county, Ohio,
Sarah Ann Poor, born January 30, 1814, at
York Haven, Pa.; daughter of Charles Mer-
rill Poor and Elizabeth (Karg) Roberts ; died
in Harrisburg, Pa., at the residence of her
son, Samuel W. Fleming, January 7, 1892.
Sheafer, Michael, son of George Sheafer,
was born December 1, 1803, at Halifax, Dau-
phin county, Pa. For some years he re-
sided in Harrisburg, Pa., and when quite a
young man he married Susan Cloud, of Lan-
caster county, and made his home in that
county a few years. They had issue: Ada-
line, married Rev. C. A. Wyeth ; Henry J.;
John M., a civil engineer, who died at Selma,
Alabama, August 11,1871; Mary L., mar-
ried Theodore D. Irish ; Harriet Matilda,
married Joseph Davidson ; Lucetta, died
June 9, 1837; Anne Eliza, married John
Thompson ; George T., died November 4,
228
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1867, at Ashland; and Benjamin Ingersoll.
In 1831-32 the Lykens Valley Coal Com-
pany was organized, and commenced opera-
tions at what was then called " Bear Gap "
(now Wiconisco). The company built a
large log frame house, and Michael Sheafer
moved into it for the purpose of boarding
the workmen and entertaining the members
of the company. At that time the Upper
End (now Lykens, Wiconisco and Williams-
town) was one vast wilderness, with a few
log huts scattered around. He resided in
this place up to the date of his death, No-
vember 30, 1849, taking an active part in
the development of the coal region. He was
one of the contractors in the building of the
Lykens Valley railroad, also in the building
of the aqueduct and other improvements at
the mouth of the Wiconisco canal feeder.
After the first railroad was built from the
Gap to Millersburg, he had the contract for
the delivery of the coal, floating it across the
river at Mount Patrick on the Pennsylvania
canal. His wife, Susan Sheafer, who was a
most estimable Christian woman, died at
Harrisburg, Pa., on the 17th of February,
1876. The remains of both rest in Kalmia
cemetery, Harrisburg, Pa.
Till, John, son of John and Catherine
(Miller) Till, was born April 13, 1804, in the
district of Kensington, Philadelphia. His
parents were natives of Philadelphia, and he
was the fourth child of ten sons and one
daughter. Like his father, grandfather and
most of his relatives, John was brought up
a ship builder, learning that trade with the
Messrs. Vaughan, of Kensington. In the
winter of 1834 he came to Harrisburg to
build a boat for W. P. Orrick, of Reading,
who was extensively engaged in transporta-
tion on the Pennsylvania and Union canals.
Returning to Philadelphia after finishing
his contract with Mr. Orrick, he entered into
partnership with James Main, a ship builder
of that city, and removed to Harrisburg in
August, 1835, establishing a boatyard at the
foot of North street oh the canal. At that
period boat building was the leading busi-
ness at Harrisburg. About 1840, owing to
want of proper facilities, the firm purchased
a location on the west side of the canal, be-
low Mulberry street, where they constructed
a large basin connected with the canal on
the towpath, over which they built a draw-
bridge. At this place they carried on the
building of boats for many years. A large
number of the packet boats were built by
them. During the winter the packet and
other boats of Leech & Co.'s extensive trans-
port,ation line were repaired, the number
filling the basin and the canal from Paxtang
street to now Herr street, from one winding
bridge to the other. It may be here stated
that Messrs. Till & Main constructed on the
river bank below Mulberry street, two boats
and one schooner for parties in New York
City, which were launched ' in the Susque-
hanna during the rise, and floated in the
bay. In 1852 the firm erected a saw mill
adjoining their boat yard, where they car-
ried on a large lumber business., In 1853
Mr. Main died, and for several years Mr.
Till conducted the enterprise alone, subse-
quently engaging in the coal trade a brief
period, when he retired from all business
pursuits. He served one term in the old
borough council, for sixteen years a mem-
ber of the school board, and was elected
county treasurer for one term. Mr. Till
married, November 6, 1825, Rebecca Rutter,
of Philadelphia, who died May 16, 1871, at
the age of sixty-five years. Their surviving
children are: William B., Rebecca, who
married G. L. Suttie, of New York, and
Mary E., who married David C. Burnite, of
Harrisburg.
Weir, James Wallace, youngest son of
Samuel and Mary (Wallace) Weir, was born
August 9, 1805, at Harrisburg, Pa. He re-
ceived a good education, excelled as a scholar
and his taste for study and reading drew
him toward the printing office. He learned
the art with John S. Wiestling, and after his
apprenticeship spent some time in the
printing-house of the Messrs. Johnson, of
Philadelphia. On November 26, 1833, hav-
ing been chosen teller of the Harrisburg
Bank, he accepted that position, holding it
until October 30, 1844, when he was chosen
cashier of the bank. When the institution
became a national bank in 1874, he was
unanimously elected its cashier, which office
he held until his death, which occurred at
Harrisburg, March 14, 1878, having been
connected with the bank for over forty -four
years. As a bank officer and financier he
gained an enviable distinction for his uni-
form courtesy and for ability of the highest
order. Few bankers in the Commonwealth
can present a record equal to his in years of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
229
service, in successful administration of affairs
through financial trouble, and for such rigid
honesty. He was gifted with rare social
qualities and a graceful wit, which made
him one of the most companionable of men.
To the poor and lowly he was always a kind
and true friend and his cliarities, though
not ostentatious, were made with a free and
open hand. His literary taste and ability
were of a high order, and he frequently
wrote for the press. He was the author of
several religious tracts, published by the
American Sunday-school Union. In 1838
appeared a small volume, " Manual of
Prayer," which was published with an in-
troduction by Rev. Albert Barnes, of Phila-
delphia. In 1854, " The Closet Companion "
appeared, and passed through several edi-
tions. In the Presbyterian church, of which
he was many years an elder, as in every
walk and pursuit in life, he was active, en-
ergetic, consistent, pure in character, and
lofty in purpose.
Smuller, George, son of John Smuller
(1780-1840) and Susanna Shirtz (1782-1864),
was born October 7, 1805, at Jonestown, Leb-
anon county. Pa. He acquired a fair Eng-
lish education in the schools of his day, and
in early life followed the occupation of a
tailor. He subsequently became extensively
engaged in the lumber business with the
Union Canal Company and a contractor in
the public works of the State. He was after-
wards appointed collector of tolls in a
Union canal at Middletown, a position he
filled many years, resigning in 1857, when he
was elected president of the Middletown
Bank. As first officer of that institution Mr.
Smuller won for himself the highest confi-
dence in the communitj^ which he retained
down to the close of his busy and active life.
He died at Middletown on August 19, 1882,
aged almost seventy-seven years. Few men
stood higher in the community than he. His
life was characterized by great goodness of
heart and true nobleness of soul, which won
for him the love and esteem of his fellow-
men and neighbors. Mr. Smuller married
Caroline Fisher, daughter of Dr. Karl and
Mary Fisher, of Middletown, born 1805 at
Middletown ; died January 5, 1870. Their
children were : Lehman, d. s. p., Mary, Eliz-
abeth, married George F. Mish, M. D., Annie
G., married Henry J. Meily, Ellen, married
David G. Swartz, of Chicago, and Caroline.
RuTHEEPOKD, JoHN Brisban, SOU of Sam-
uel Rutherford, was born on the 28th of Nov-
ember, 1805, in Swatara township, Dauphin
county, Pa.; died on the 10th of October,
1892, on the farm where he was born.
Being the only surviving son, he succeeded
to the farm property of his father upon his
death, November 26, 1833, and made farm-
ing his main business through life. In
early manhood, Mr. Rutherford was elected
captain of the Dauphin cavalry, hence his
military title. He was active in politics,
and was elected member of the Legislature
on the Whig ticket in 1848, and re-elected
in 1849. In 1857 he was elected to the
State Senate for three years, on the Republi-
can ticket. He was treasurer of the Penn-
sylvania State Agricultural Society for a long
time — elected in 1864 and served twenty-
five years. Mr. Rutherford was identified
with the various offices in his township, and
in old Paxtang church was a ruling elder.
He married, March 19, 1833, Keziah Parke,
died July 2, 1885 ; daughter of Col. James
Parke, of Parkesburg, Chester county. Pa.
Dougherty, Philip, son of Dennis and
Catherine (Maginty) Dougherty, was born
March 24, 1806, near Middletown, Dauphin
county. Pa. His father came to America
from Ireland about 1805, and settled in
Derry township, not far from Middletown,
where he died about 1824. His wife, whom
he married in Ireland, died about 1845, in
Harrisburg. Their children were Mary, who
married Hugh Dougherty, and -John, both
born in Ireland ; Philip, the subject of this
sketch, James, Catherine, who married
Edward Sweeny, Dennis, Charles, Hugh,
and Daniel. From the age of eighteen Philip
Dougherty was busily engaged as a contrac-
tor on canals and railroads, and was largely
engaged in the construction of important
public works, such as the Pennsylvania
canal, the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, Del-
aware and Raritan canal. Union canal,
Leliigh canal. Northern Central railroad.
New York and Erie railroad, Camden and
Amboy railroad, and the Dauphin and Sus-
quehanna railroad. He continued in the
business until February, 1853, when he was
chosen president of the Mechanics' Bank of
Harrisburg, organized at that time, a position
which he filled until his death, which
occurred at Harrisburg, February 3, 1865, in
his fifty-ninth year. He was also a director
of the Northern Central railroad, the Mid-
230
BIO GRA PHI GAL ENGYGL OP EDI A
dletown Bank and the Harrisburg Gas Com-
pany, of which he was one of the founders.
Mr. Dougherty was very successful in busi-
ness, combining great energy and force of
character with quick perception, sound judg-
ment and strict integrity. He dispensed a
liberal hospitality to his many friends, and
enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fel-
low-citizens. Of a warm and generous nature,
his feelings, impulses and actions were of an
elevated character, and his friendship per-
manent, strong and useful. He was ever
ready to aid the deserving and relieve the
unfortunate, and in all respects was a valued
member of the community. Mr. Dougherty
married, June 10, 1833, at New Brunswick,
N. J., Mary W., daughter of John and
Rebecca (Whiteside) Clark. Mrs. Dougherty
was born 1813. Their children who reached
maturity were James Dennis, who graduated
at Georgetown College, class of 1857, was a
lawyer by profession, and a captain of artil-
lery during the Rebellion, and colonel on
the staff of Governor Packer, of Pennsyl-
vania, and died April 2, 1878 ; William E.,
for many years engaged in the banking busi-
ness in Harrisburg, and later resident clerk
of the United States Senate, at Washington,
D. G, and Mary F., who married Bernard J.
McGrann, contractor and banker, of Lancas-
ter, Pa.
in its main features remained the tariff law
until the last revision. At the time of his
death General Moorehead was president of
the Chamber of Commerce and also of the
Monongahela Navigation Company.
Moorehead, Gen. James K., of Pittsburgh,
died March 6, 1884. He was born in Hali-
fax, Dauphin county, seventy-eight years
ago, and after obtaining a good business
education began a connection with the pub-
lic improvement of the State, which was
only severed by his death. When only
twenty-two years old he was appointed super-
intendent of the Juniata branch of the Penn-
sylvania canal. He afterwards established the
Pioneer Passenger Packet Line, running be-
tween Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In 1839
he was appointed adjutant general of the
State, but declined theofBce. In 1858 General
Moorehead was elected to Congress by the
Republicans of the Twenty-first Congres-
sional district, and retained that position
until 1869, when he refused to be again a
candidate. During the last three terms of
his service in Congress he was chairman of
the committee on manufactures, and a mem-
ber of the ways and means and on naval
affairs. The Moorehead tariff bill was for-
mulated and reported by a sub-committee of
whicli General Moorehead was chairman, and
LooMis, Anthony Wayne, eldest son of
Ashbel Loomis and Mary Scott, was born
April 11, 1806, at Alstead, N. H. The
Loomis family in America is descended
from Joseph Loomis, who emigrated from
Braintree, county Essex, England, in 1638,
and settled at Windsor, Conn. One of his
descendants was Eleazer Loomis, who mar-
ried Jemima Crandall and removed from
Tolland, Conn., to Alstead, N. H., in 1783.
He died March 17, 1822, and his wife in
April, 1838, at Alstead. Their son, Ashbel
Loomis, born September 16, 1779, married
Sarah Scott, daughter of Capt. William
Scott, one of the first settlers of Petersbor-
ough, N. H. Captain Scott was born, in
May, 1733, in Townsend, Mass.; served in
the French and Indian war from 1756 to
1758 in Canada ; was in the war of the Rev-
olution, and after the peace of 1783 was a
government surveyor on the Western lakes.
He died in Litchfield, September 19, 1796,
from sickness caused by exposure in his sur-
veying expeditions. Ashbel Loomis died
August 31, 1824, and his wife, Sarah Scott,
September 10, 1841. They had four chil-
dren : Anthony Wayne, William, Nancy,
married Horace Hamblit, and Mary, mar-
ried Lewis Slader. Anthony W. Loomis
came to Pennsylvania in 1827, and began
teaching. He first taught a writing school
at Liverpool, and next year at Harrisburg.
He subsequently engaged in the lumber
trade near the foot of Berry's mountain (now
the Wiconisco canal site), and afterwards
turned his attention to farming. In 1844
he established the Halifax Herald, which he
edited and published about two years, when
he began merchandising, lumbering and
farming until his death, which occurred at
Halifax, August 4, 1864. He was an expert
penman, having learned the art under the
best masters in Boston, and for a third of a
century was one of the leading business men
in the region of Halifax. Mr. Loomis was
twice married ; first, June 3, 1835, to Maria
Brubaker, of Halifax, born March 5, 1814,
died 'May 28, 1843, daughter of Joseph and
Barbara Brubaker, and there was issue :
Albert Scott, Daniel Brubaker, Barbara Ann,
and William Anthony; secondly, April 2,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
231
1844, to Mary Murray, of Middletown, born
March 14, 1818, daughter of Francis Murray
and Margaret Snyder, and there was issue :
Francis Murray, Charles Cass, George Otis,
Walter Jefferson, Sarah Margaret, and Mary
Agnes.
Ross, Robert James, son of Andrew Ross,
a native of Londonderry, Ireland, who came
to America about 1800, and his wife, Hannah
Templin, of Chester county Pa., was born at
Georgetown, D. C, in 1807. He received a
good English and classical education and
was appointed by President John Quincy
Adams midshipman in the United States
navy August, 1826, and subsequently pro-
moted for meritorious conduct and services.
Shortly after his marriage he resigned and
was appointed teller in the Branch Bank of
Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, then under the
cashiership of James Lesley. In 1839 he
was tendered the position of cashier in the
Harrisburg Savings Institution, which he ac-
cepted, and when this corporation became
the Dauphin Deposit Bank he remained its
cashier until his death. Mr. Ross died at
Harrisburg October 6, 1861. He was enter-
prising and successful in business and stood
high in financial circles. He married, in
1833, Mary E., daughter of Jacob M. Halde-
man and Eliza Ewing Jacobs, who died at
Harrisburg in 1873, aged fifty-nine years.
They had children : Jacob H., d. s. p., An-
drew, Jacob Haldemaii, Eliza, Hannah, mar-
ried Colonel Reno, United States army,
Roberta, married J. Wilson Orth, and Robert.
Johnson, Ovid Fkazer, was born in the
year 1807, in the Valley of Wyoming, near
the town of Wilkes-Barre ; died February,
1854, in Washington, D. C. He was de-
scended from some of the early settlers of
that historical locality. His paternal grand-
father, the Rev. Jacob Johnson, was a su-
perior linguist and man of rich education
and culture ; a graduate of Yale College, he
took his degree as early as 1740, with dis-
tinguished honor. In 1778 he was called
from his home in Connecticut to reside in
Wilkes-Barre. After that terrible event, the
massacre of Wyoming, he assisted Colonel
Dennison with his advice and influence, in
protecting the inhabitants that remained,
and the original articles of capitulation
were in the proper handwriting of Mr.
Johnson. In quite a lengthy biography,
written of him in the year 1836 by the
historian of Wyoming, Charles Miner, ap-
pears this : " When the Revolutionary war
broke out, Mr. Johnson took his stand early
and firmly in behalf of freedom. And
through the whole contest he rendered the
utmost service in his power, which, from
his learning, talents, and the respect he
commanded, was very considerable. A son,
born while the animated discussions preced-
ing the Revolution were going on and the
elder Pitt was thundering his anathemas
against ministers for their tyrannous con-
duct to the Colonies, Mr. Johnson named Je-
hoiada Pitt. . . . Jehoiada is sometime
since deceased, but a son of his with heredi-
tary genius is winning his way to enviable
distinction." The latter is the subject of
this sketch. At the close of his early educa-
tion, in which he had as school and class-
mates many who afterwards rose to posi-
tions of eminence and distinction, he com-
menced the study of law with John N.
Conyngham, of Wilkes-Barre, afterwards
Judge Conyngham. He was duly admitted
to the bar and entered into the practice of
the law at that place. In 1833 he removed
to Harrisburg, and there married. In 1839,
at the early age of thirty-two years, his
talent secured for him the appointment as
attorney general of Pennsylvania. In 1842,
his term of office having expired, he was re-
appointed and served through a second
term until 1845. As an orator, Mr. John-
son was brilliant; as a lawyer, he had su-
perior abilities, and somewhat of a wide-
known reputation, being frequently em-
ployed to try cases in different States of the
Union. It may be here remarked that, in
addition to Mr. Johnson's legal ability, he
had a high reputation as a political writer.
He was the author of the celebrated " Gov-
ernor's Letters," published during the admin-
istration of Governor Ritner, and which
purported to give the ludicrous side to the
political characters then figuring in the
politics of the State. Mr. Johnson married
Jane Alricks, daughter of James Alricks.
She was born in 1808 at Oakland Mills, in
Lost Creek Valley, now Juniata county, Pa.,
and died December 21, 1891, at Harrisburg,
Pa. Of their children, Ovid Frazer Johnson
is a prominent lawyer at the Philadelphia
bar.
BuEHLER, William, son of George Buehler
and Maria Nagle, was born in the year 1808,
at Erie, Pa. His father removed from Erie
232
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
to Harrisburg in 1813, and died at that
place in 1816. When a young man, the son
went to Ohambersburg, where he learned the
mercantile trade. He subsequentlj' removed
to Philadelphia, where he was engaged as a
merchant in the hardware business. He re-
turned to Harrisburg about December, 1848,
and took charge of the Buehler House which
had been conducted by the family since
1818. Here he remained several years when
he embarked in the insurance business, then
comparatively in its infancy, and became
State agent for the insurance company of
North America. The result wasthe establish-
ment of one of the largest insurance depart-
ments in the State, successfully and reliably
carried on until his death. It was not alone
in the business walks of life that Mr. Buehler
was widely known and esteemed. For many
years he was a prominent and active mem-
ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; was
warden of St. Stephen's church, and the
superintendent of its Sunday-school for a
long period. He represented his church in
different dioceses to which he belonged, and
took an earnest part in all questions that
arose therein relating to the extension and
prosperity of the church. From theorganiza-
tion of the diocese of Central Pennsylvania
until his decease, he had been the treasurer
thereof, a most responsible position, and by
his good judgment, liberality and kindness,
did much to advance the financial interests
of the new diocese. He was identified with
the Successful establishment of the Home of
the Friendless, the City Hospital, and a
member and officer of the Harrisburg Benev-
olent Society which has done so much to
relieve the poor and needy of the city. In
every organized effort for public charity he
took an active part, contributing and counsel-
ing, and working with his own hands to
promote good works in others. But his in-
dividual charities were the most character-
istic of the man, for it was by these that " he
established for himself a brotherhood with
men which made his name blessed among
them." He died suddenly at Harrisburg on
Sunday morning, June 12, 1881, aged seventy-
three years. Mr. Buehler married. May 17,
1831, at Chambersburg, Pa., Henrietta R.
Snyder. Their children were : Anna, mar-
ried Robert A. Lamberton,LL. D. ; Elizabeth,
married, first, Charles Hammond, secondly,
H. Stanly Goodwin ; Catharine, married Capt.
George Ramsey, U. S. A.; Dr. Henry B.,
William, and Edward.
Kepnee, William H., son of Samuel
Kepner and Sarah , was born in 1810,
in Bern township, Berks county. Pa. His
father was a millwright, came to Harrisburg
in 1823, and erected the first steam flour
mill in the neighborhood of Harrisburg.
William H. adopted the business and trade
of his father, and a't the death of the latter
continued the business, acquiring an exten-
sive reputation in this and adjoining States
for the superior quality of his millstones.
For a period of twenty years Mr. Kepner
filled various prominent positions in the
municipal affairs of the borough and the
city. He served several terms in the old
town council, and upon the amendment of
the borough charter was elected the council-
man-at-large. He was elected the first mayor
of the city of Harrisburg, an office he filled
with becoming dignity. He was at one time
the Democratic candidate for associate judge
of the county, and although his party were
greatly in the minority, came within a small
vote of an election. He was one of the or-
ganizers and president of the Harrisburg
Fire Association. In all public positions he
was fjiithful to his trust, and conscientiously
exercised the authority reposed in his hands.
In the city of his adoption he took a large
and liberal interest in its growth and general
prosperity. He died January 18, 1871, at
Harrisburg, aged sixty years. Mr. Kepner
married, in 1842, Cassandra Loucks, daughter
of George Loucks (1786-1849) and Susan
Weltzhofifer (1795-1842), of York county.
Pa., and their surviving children are George
L. and Ida J., married 0. P. Good, of Har-
risburg.
Fleming, James, son of Samuel Fleming
and grandson of Robert Fleming, was born
June 25, 1810, in Hanover township, Wash-
ington county. Pa.; died January 30, 1857,
in Harrisburg, Pa. In 1812 his parents re-
moved to Hanover township, Dauphin
county, Pa., where his early life was passed.
His boyhood was marked by a laudable am-
bition to excel in his studies, and the influ-
ence of his mother in this direction had its
good effect, not only during his youth, but
throughout his life. Thrown upon his own
resources at the age of eighteen, he resolved
to educate himself by alternately acting as
teacher and pupil, and pursued this course
for seven years, thereby becoming convers-
ant with the higher mathematics, the ancient
languages and French. Much of his time
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
235
was passed in the States of Kentucky and
Ohio. About 1835 he commenced the study
of medicine, and graduated at Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, in March,
1838. For four years he practiced his pro-
fession, but finding the duties too arduous for
his slender constitution, his attention was
drawn to the science of dental surgery, then
comparatively in its infancy. Observing the
necessit}' for good operators in this field, he
went to Philadelphia and acquired athorough
knowledge of that specialty. Returning to
Harrisburg, he met with deserved and well-
marked success. During the remainder of
his life he was a frequent contributor to both
medical and dental journals, and occasionally
to the newspaper press. lie was a member
of the Pennsylvania Association of Dental
Surgeons and of the American Society, and
one of the original advocates of the establish-
ment of a dental college at Philadelphia, in
which he was subsequently tendered a pro-
fessorship, but declined. He was twice the
recipient of the honorary degree of Doctor of
Dental Surgery. He was a director of the
Harrisburg National Bank, president of the
board of school directors and an elder of the
First Presbyterian church there. Dr. Flem-
ing married, June, 1852, Jennette Street,
daughter of Col. Thaddeus Street and Martha
Davenport Reynolds, of Cheshire, Conn., a
lineal descendant of Rev. John Davenport,
the founder of New Haven. Her maternal
grandmother, Martha Davenport, was a de-
scendant of Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence. She resided in
Germantown, Pa.
Zimmerman, Philip, son of Henry and
Barbara (Greiner) Zimmerman, was born No-
vember 22, 1812. He spent his early boy-
hood days amid the rural scenes of a quiet
farm life. His early school days were spent
both at Churchville and Highspire. He
early evinced an active disposition for busi-
ness. He resided for several years on the
farm near Middletown, now owned by Will-
iam H. Ulrich. He exchanged this farm
with David Brenneman, of Middletown, and
moved to that place into the house that is
now occupied by L. F. Hemperly. He first
ran the old saw mill on Race street, and soon
after sold this house to L. F. Hemperly and
built for himself the house which Mrs. Sey-
mour Raymond occupies. He engaged in
business with Dr. Mercer Brown as Brown
& Zimmerman, having a lumber yard and a
19
saw mill at the "Point." Dr. Brown having
retired, he associated himself with Joseph
Lescure in the same business as Zimmerman
& Lescure. The firm, after doing a large
trade for several years, was, owing to losses
and misfortune, compelled to make an as-
signment and relinquish business. He was
always active and energetic, and after this
failure he was engaged in a number of en-
terprises, but none of them proved to be very
successful. He was married to Mary Vogle,
daughter of the late Henry Vogle; she died
November 26, 1881 ; by whom he had three
daughters : Mrs. Kate Stofer, renowned as
being the first editress of Pennsylvania,
resided in Middletown ; Mrs. Ada Camp-
bell, of Reading, Pa., and Mary, who died in
infancy, and three sons, Joseph and William,
who died in infancy, and Simon, who was un-
fortunately drowned in the Swatara creek,
by the upsetting of a sail boat, when he was
about twenty years of age. At the time of
his death Mr. Zimmerman was living with
his daughter, Ada Campbell, in Reading, and
was interred by the side of his wife in tiie
Middletown cemetery. He was a man of
most amiable disposition, possessed a rather
philosophical mind and seemed to take little
interest in the political events that were tran-
spiring about him. He died July 6, 1889,
from the effects of a stroke of paralysis. His
death caused many a deep regret and sincere
sorrow on the part of all who ever had the
good fortune to live in the atmosphere of his
generous disposition and chivalric kindness.
Landis, Samuel, the son of Abraham
Landis and Susannah Reinoehl, was born at
Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa., June 22,
1813. His father was a native of Berks
county, and came to Dauphin county shortly
after his marriage. His father dying while
the son was only eleven years old, he was
taken from school and put to merchandising,
first at Halifax and afterwards at Harris-
burg. With a limited education he applied
himself to study, and when about twenty he
taught school during the winter. About
1835 he purchased a store at Halifax, and
was in continued mercantile business thirty
years. In 1851 he removed to his farm near
Halifax, but commissioned justice of the
peace April 10, 1855, he returned to the town.
In 1861 he was elected associate judge of the
county. From February, 1874, until his
death, March 8, 1876, he" was cashier of the
Real Estate Bank at Harrisburg. Judge
236
BIO GRA PHTCAL EJSrCYCL OPEDIA
Landis married, June 22, 1836, Margaret
JKinter, daughter of Isaac Kinter and Eliza-
beth Henry, of Rockville, who survived him.
In churcli matters he took a prominent part,
held the position of recording steward of the
Methodist Episcopal church thirty years, was
a. member of the first Sunday-school organ-
ized at Halifax, of which for many years he
was the superintendent. By his will he
donated $500 for the benefit of the library.
Judge Landis was a faithful and zealous
Christian gentleman. He was a vice-presi-
dent of the Dauphin County Historical So-
ciety at the time of his death.
Simmons, Geokgb Washington, son of
Robert and Sarah (Ward) Simmons, was
born February 17, 1814, in Lower Paxtang
township, Dauphin county, Pa. His father
was a native of Paxtang, of English ancestr}'-,
and died about 1859, aged seventy -five years.
He married Sarah, daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Whitley) Ward. She died at
Dauphin at the age of seventy-three. The
children of Robert Simmons and his |wife
Sarah Ward were, George Washington, John,
Jane, who married Samuel Fertig, Matilda,
who married a Mr. McCoUough, Robert, and
Mary, who married Revere Hetzel. George
W. passed his early years on his father's
farm, came to Harrisburg in 1831, and
learned chair-making with George W. Boyd.
After serving his apprenticeship, he began
business for himself, which he carried on
about ten years. He was for three years in
charge of a packet-boat on the Pennsylvania
canal, and from 1849 to 1862, a baggage-
master on the Pennsylvania railroad. He
was subsequently elected warden of the
Dauphin county prison, a position he filled
fourteen years, when he retired from active
life. Mr. Simmons married, in 1836, Eliza-
beth Bates, of Middle Paxtang, and their
children were : John, who died at Philadel-
phia in 1881, William Henry, Major Oliver,
Annie, Martha, who married Nelson Kilgore,
and Frank.
RuTHEEFOED, Abnbe, SOU of William
Rutherford, was born March 31, 1814, in
Swatara township, Dauphin county. Pa.;
died September 2, 1891, and was buried
at Paxtang. He received the education
afforded by the select schools of Paxtang
Valley, and was a farmer by occupation. The
last fifteen years of his life he was president
of the First National Bank of Hummelstown ;
was identified with other corporations, and
active in various local enterprises of his day.
He was one of the early members of the
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, and in
1835 was captain of the Tenth company.
Ninety-eighth regiment, Pennsylvania mili-
tia. For many years he was one of the vice-
presidents of the Pennsylvania State Agri-
cultural Society, in the founding of which he
took a prominent part. His energy and
ability, combined with his business habits,
produced that success which generally fol-
lows. Mr. Rutherford married, February
28, 1839, Ann Espy, youngest daughter of
William Espy, of Swatara.
Boas, Col. Feedeeick Keause, son of
Frederick Boas (1785-1817) and Elizabeth
Krause (1797-1847), was born April 5, 1815,
at Harrisburg, Pa., and died there February
15, 1891. He attended the schools of the
borough until his sixteenth year. From Au-
gust, 1832, to April, 1838, he was a clerk in
the Harrisburg postoffice, then assistant post-
master, as superintendent (not regularly) un-
til July, 1843. He studied law with the late
Judge Krause, and was admitted to the Dau-
phin county bar August 22, 1837, in which
profession he has been since engaged. He
was appointed by Governor Porter aid on his
staff, with the rank of colonel, which he held
from 1839 to 1845 ; was school director from
1839 to 1848, being treasurer of the board
from 1840 to 1842, and also served in the
borough council six years, from 1843 to 1849.
Colonel Boas married, in 1871, Sarah C.
Nolen, daughter of William and Maria Nolen,
of Harrisburg.
Beiggs, John Hanna, son of Joseph Briggs
and Caroline E. Hanna, was born in 1815, at
Silvers Spring, Cumberland county, Pa. His
ancestors were of English descent" and early
settlers in Pennsylvania. He received a
classical education and was a graduate of
Rutger's College, New Jersey. Returning to
Harrisburg, where his parents had made
their home, he began the study of law with
James McCormick, then one of the leading
lawyers at the capital, and was admitted to
the Dauphin county bar April 18, 1837, and
at once entered upon a successful practice of
his profession. Mr. Briggs took a prominent
interest in municipal affairs, was nine years
a member of borough council, of which body
he was eight years president. He was a di-
rector of the old Harrisburg Bank, of the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
237
Harrisburg Bridge Company, and president
of the First National Bank of Harrisburg at
the time of his death, which took place March
29, 1872, in the fifty-seventh year of his age.
" He had gained," says Rev. Dr. Robinson,
" th'e reputation of a wise and able counselor,
and an untarnished name. He was a most
upright citizen, useful, patriotic and public-
spirited. He was a true friend, generous and
forbearing. His social qualities and gentle-
manly bearing surrounding him with friends."
Mr. Briggs married Julian Tod, daughter of
Judge John Tod and Mary R. Hanna.
Irwin, Philip, son of Henry Irwin (died
1815) and Margaret Fisher (1777-1859), was
born August 30, 1815, in Lancaster county.
Pa. His educational advantages were com-
prised in one or two winters at a country
school. By self-application and industry,
however, he became well informed, and with
great activity and energy was generally suc-
cessful in his enterprises. For many years
he was engaged in building railroads, the
scene of his operations being the Northern
Central, Ohio and Mississippi, Erie, Lebanon
Valley, Lake Shor6, Michigan Southern, and
other railroads. Although an active politi-
cian he never sought or held office, his busi-
ness interests requiring all his time and at-
tention. He died at Middletown on the lltli
of December, 1878, aged sixty-three years.
Mr. Irwin married, November 24, 1840,
Anna Eliza Etter, daughter of George Etter
and Nancy Shelly, who survived him. Their
children were Margaret, Ann, Mary Ellen,
George Henry, Franklin Etter, Jenny Lind,
Philip Etter, and Lillian.
Sheesley, Daniel, son of Daniel Sheesley
and Mary Elizabeth Reigle, was born Sep-
tember 16, 1815, in Lykens township,
Dauphin county, Pa. His education was
quite limited. He came to Harrisburg at
the age of twelve, and in its vicinity his life
was passed. For many years he was en-
gaged in the milling business, was an auc-
tioneer and trucker. He served one term
as director of the poor, and was one of the
directors of schools for Swatara township for
a long period. He died at Harrisburg on
the 21st of June, 1880, in his sixty-fifth year.
He was a very pleasant and agreeable com-
panion, extremely sociable and kind. Mr.
Sheesley married, in 1837, Sarah Rissing,
daughter of Lewis and Mary Rissing, and
their children are William, former sheriff of
the county of Dauphin, Mary, married Peter
Reel, Sarah, Elizabeth, married John H.
Tattnall, Daniel, Louisa, married Joseph E.
Rhoads, Samuel, John, George, Lewis, Cath-
arine L., and Margaret J.
KuNKEL, John Christian, son of George
Kunkel, was born September 18, 1816, in
Harrisburg, Pa.; died October 14, 1870, in
Harrisburg, Pa. He received a liberal scien-
tific and classical education in the schools at
Gettysburg and at Jefferson College, Cannons-
burg, at which latter institution he gradu-
ated. After leaving college he entered the
Carlisle law school under Judge Read, subse-
quently reading law with James McCor-
mick, and admitted to the Dauphin countv
bar. After his admission to the bar he re-
mained several years in the office with Mr.
McCormick. He rapidly gained a large
practice and a reputation which few mem-
bers of the bar enjoy. He also became ac-
tive in politics, and, in the earnest and ex-
citing campaign of 1844, when the young
men of the Nation had made Henry Clay,
then in the zenith of his career, their stand-
ard-bearer, the best talent and most brilliant
eloquence that ever graced the American
rostrum was called into requisition. Amid
all the magnificentdisplay and power of logic,
that ofthe orator of Pennsylvania, as Mr. Kun-
kel was recognized, was conspigjous as well
for force of argument as for grace of delivery.
The same year he was elected to the Legis-
lature, re-elected in 1845, and again in 1850.
In 1851 he was elected to the State Senate,
and was chosen speaker of that body at the
close of the first session of his term. As a
legislator Mr. Kunkel was prominent for the
wisdom of his counsel as well as for the
power of his eloquence. His services at the
capital added greatly to his already wide
reputation as a pure statesman and accom-
plished scholar. In 1854 and again in 1856
he was elected to the United States Congress.
During the four years he spent in Washington
city, he was regarded throughout the country
as one of the ablest statesmen at the na-
tional capital. In 1858 he retired from public
life, and gave his exclusive attention to the
practice of his profession, varying the course
of his life by occasionally helping a friend
in a political canvass, and, wherever he went
he was always the favorite of the people. In
1868 he was stricken down with paralysis,
and never fully regained his health, dying
as previously stated. Perchance the loss of
238
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
no member of the Dauphin count}' bar was
so severely felt as that of Mr. Kunkel, if we
are to judge of the glowing, sincere and fra-
ternal tributes paid to his memory by his
brethren in the profession at the time of his
death. Mr. Kunkel married, October 20,
1857, Elizabeth Grain Rutherford, daughter
of Dr. William Wilson Rutherford and Elea-
nor Grain ; she resided at Harrisburg, Pa.
Eby, Jacob Rupley, the son of Ephraim G.
Eby (1783-1838) and Susanna Rupley (1784-
1844), was born November 18, 1816, at
Golumbia. Lancaster county, Pa. His father,
born near Lancaster, was a miller by occupa-
tion, and belonged to the Mennonites —
"never went to law and never voted." He
had seven children. Ephraim G. Eby died at
Middletown, owning at the time the mill
at Highspire. Jacob R. was brought up to
the business of his father until the age of
fifteen, in the meantime enjoying the advan-
tages of the education afforded by the pay-
schools of that day. He learned the trade of
a carpenter. After serving his apprentice-
ship he took a trip South, working at his
trade, returning, however, at the end of ten
months, when he entered mercantile life.
While thus engaged, Messrs. Cameron, Lau-
man & Glark, who were building the im-
provements at Wrightsville, known as the
Tide-water canal and Golumbia dam, offered
him a position which he accepted. This
gave him an insight into the building of
public works, when his industry, integrity
and capacity attracted the favorable notice
of a prominent lumber merchant of Middle-
town, who gave him an interest in his busi-
ness simply on account of his superior quali-
fications and without requiring the invest-
ment of capital. He retained this valuable
position for six years, when he disposed of
his interest to advantage, and with his
brother E. G. Eby purchased the stock and
good-will of the grocery and forwarding busi-
ness of John H. Brant, on one of the best
sites in that city. The business subsequently
was conducted by himself and sons. A fixed,
indestructible purpose, a determination to
excel, were the active agencies which led to
his prosperous career. He was eminently
the architect of his own fortune — a self-made
man. Mr. Eby was largely interested in
many of the industrial establishments of the
city, being a stockholder and director of the
Harrisburg car and machine and foundry
works. He was president for several years
of the First National Bank and likewise of the
State Agricultural Society. He was warmly
devoted to the interest of the young, and
among them was a particular fawrite for his
pleasing manners and kindness of heart.
For thirty years he had been connected with
the First Lutheran Sunday-school, either as
teacher or superintendent, at the time of his
death being in charge of the third depart- ,
ment. During all those years his walk in
life was eminently consistent. He was at the
time of his death a prison inspector, which
position he held for many years. He died
February 11, 1883, at Harrisburg, in his
sixt3'-seventh year. Mr. Eby was married in
1843 to Elizabeth Gross, who survived him.
They had three children, Maurice, William
Howard, and Fannie.
Eppley, Daniel, son of George and Susan
(Brookhart) Eppley, was born July 26, 1817,
in Fishing Creek Valley, Fairview township,
York county. Pa. He was educated in the
common schools of the neighborhood and
brought up on his father's farm. On October
6, 1834, he came to Harrisburg and entered
the dry goods store of George and Bernard
Geiger, where he remained six years, when
he made an engagement with Messrs. Elder
& Piper, in the same business. In April,
1847, he established himself in the mercan-
tile trade, which he successfully conducted
until in 1870 he retired from all business
pursuits. On the organization of the Far-
mers' Bank, of Harrisburg, in May, 1872,
Mr. Eppley was chosen a director of that in-
stitution. He served in the various munici-
pal offices of school director, city and county
auditor, and also one of the trustees of the
State Lunatic Hospital at Harrisburg. Mr.
Eppley married, June 2, 1845, Louisa, daugh-
ter of Bernard and Charlotte Geiger, of Har-
risburg. She died March 2, 1849, leaving a
daughter, Mary Lavina, who married Walter
B. Fahnestock, of Pittsburgh, both dead,
leaving two children. His second wife was
Anna Maria, daughter of George J. and Anna
Maria (Kurtz) Heisley, of Harrisburg, and
their children were : Edward Kurtz, Helen
Elizabeth, who married William H. Lyter,
and Annie Maria.
('OWDEN, John Wallace, son of Matthew
Benjamin and Mary (Wallace) Gowden, was
born on the 29th of August, 1817, in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa.
His father was long in public life, and for
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
239
years was an associate judge of the county.
John Wallace was brought up as a farmer,
but as he grew to maturer years his atten-
tion was turned to surveying, and he came
to Harrisburg, where his latter days were
passed as a practical surveyor, and where he
died July 22, 1872. " He was," writes a
contemporary, "an unobtrusive, modest
and estimable citizen, successful in his busi-
ness, trustworthy in all the relations of life,
and a sincere and earnest Christian." Mr.
Cowden married Mary E., daughter of
Frederick and Mary (Barnett) Hatton, of
Lower Paxton. They left a large family.
Cox, John Bowes, son of John Bowes Cox
(1780-1831) and Matilda Willis McAllister
(1787-1858), was born November 19, 1817,
at Estherton, Pa. He was descended from
Dr. John Cox, who laid out Estherton, whose
son was Col. Cornelius Cox, of the Eevolu-
tion, father of John B. Cox, Sr. The chil-
dren of the latter -were Catharine Mary, mar-
ried A. 0. Hiester, Elizabeth, married Adam
H. Orth, Matilda Willis, John B., George
Washington, d. s. p., Rachel, Esther Amelia,
married Joseph E. Piolett, Cornelius, and
George W., deceased.
Of the foregoing, John B. was educated
at the academies at Lititz, Burlington, N. J.,
West Chester, and York, Pa. He learned
the profession of civil engineer, which occu-
pation he pursued several years, subse-
quently engaging for a long period in flour
and saw-milling enterprises, when he retired
from active pursuits. Mr. Cox married, in
1844, Rebecca E. Lightner, daughter of John
and Rebecca Lightner, of Pequea, Lancaster
county. Pa., and their children were : Ma-
tilda Willis, deceased, Mary Richardson,
married Edward H. Buehler, John Bowes,
Rebecca Hopkins, Edward Buchanan, and
Catharine Hiester.
BoMBERGER, Jacob Cauppman, was bom
December 16, 1817, at Middletown, Pa. He
was the fifth in descent from Christian Bom-
berger and Maria, his wife, who emigrated to
America from Eshelbrun, Baden, Germany,
arriving in Pennsylvania in May, 1722.
Christian Bomberger took up and settled
upon a tract of land in Warwick township,
Lancaster county. Province of Pennsylvania,
a portion of which remains in possession of
his descendants to the present day. Jacob
Cauffman Bomberger was the youngest son
of John Bomberger and his wife Elizabeth
Cauffman. His education was received in
the schools of his native town, which at that
period was quite limited. When fourteen
years of age he learned merchandising at
Elizabethtown and at Shippensburg. In
1845 he was appointed to a clerkship in the
bank at Middletown, which position he held
until 1851 when, having been elected assist-
ant clerk to the Senate of Pennsylvania, he
entered upon the duties of that office, which
were faithfully and acceptably performed by
him. During that session being instrumen-
tal in procuring a charter for the Mechanics'
Bank at Harrisburg, which was organized in
May of that year; he was elected its cashier,
serving in that capacity until the expiration
of its charter in 1867 The success of the
bank, of which he was the leading spirit, was
unprecedented ; and at the close of its affairs
Mr. Bomberger became its sole owner, in
which he has continued until the present
time. It has been through his energy and
financial tact ahd ability that it has become
one of the most successful banking houses in
Pennsylvania. During the first year of the
Rebellion it was chiefly through the instru-
mentality of Mr. Bomberger that the Penn-
sylvania loan was at once taken up by the
banking institutions of the Commonwealth.
This subject has been specially treated of in
recent histories of the Rebellion. Mr. Bom-
berger was appointed by Governor Curtin
one of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hos-
pital, was reappointed by Governor Geary
and served about ten years in that honorable
capacity. He was a delegate to the National
Convention at Chicago which nominated
General Grant for the Presidency, and sup-
ported him at his first election. Mr. Bom-
berger has acquired by his great business
capacity and industry an ample competency.
His character for integrity is unimpeachable,
and he occupies in the community where he
is best known, a position that commands the
best respect of his fellow-citizens.
Hamilton, Thomas Allen, son of Hugh
Hamilton and his wife Rosanna Boyd, was
born in Harrisburg on the 14th of February,
1818 ; died on the 14th of December, ] 874.
He received a good education and learned the
trade of a printer in his father's office, at
which he worked until he received the ap-
pointment of an assistant engineer of the
State canals, under Col. James Worrall, but
soon abandoned both avocations, in order to
join a brother in a business which they sue-
240
BIOGRAPEIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
cessfuUy prosecuted until his death. He
served as a member of the city councils of
Harrisburg a longer continuous period than
any other citizen has ever done, being elected
for about twenty years in succession, gener-
ally without serious opposition, although
many epochs of great public excitement in-
tervened to produce fierce and close political
contests. His neighbors never failed to
ascertain his political opinions, yet, whether
voting for or against him, they rejoiced to
know that he was their representative and
leader of the municipal legislature. In the
language of a contemporary, "Mr. Hamilton,
in his intercourse with his fellow-citizens,
was courteous to all, liberal to the poor, pos-
itive in opinion, methodical in business, reti-
cent, deliberate, but prompt in judgment."
His integrity was never impeached in public
or private transactions. He died, unmarried,
at Harrisburg, in the same house in which
he was born.
Jones, Uriah James, was born at New
Berlin, Union county. Pa., in 1818. He
learned the art of printing at New Berlin,
Lewisburg and Harrisburg. While a jour-
neyman at the latter place he wrote and set
up the novel of '" Simon Girty, the Outlaw," a
book which is now very rare. In 1845 Mr.
Jones went to>Hollidaysburg, where he was
engaged with 0. A. Traugh in the publica-
tion of the Democratic Standard, and through
its columns secured a national reputation
for his witticisms. In 1850 he published
the Keystone at Pittsburgh, but the paper
proving unsuccessful he resumed his place
on the Standard the year following. During
1855-56 he wrote and published a " History
of the Juniata Valley," the first historical
work which gave a full record of the pioneer
life of that locality, much of which was
gathered from the lips of early settlers or
their children. In 1859 Mr. Jones went to
Lancaster as editor of the Express, and in
1860 removed to Harrisburg, where he took
a position on the Patriot and Union. At the
same time he was a regular correspondent
for New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
newspapers, and also a contributor of liter-
ary articles and sketches to the magazines.
It may be mentioned that in 1859 he pub-
lished a pamphlet, "Advice to Travelers,"
which has furnished the material for several
American guide-books. Mr. Jones was acci-
dentally killed by the cars at the railroad
depot, Harrisburg, November 19, 1864. He
married, in 1845, Margaret L. Traugh, of
Hollidaysburg, who survived him.
Zimmerman, George, son of Henry and
Barbara (Greiner) Zimmerman, born Febru-
ary 11, 1819, on the forty acre tract set apart
from the original Greiner estate in Lower
Swatara township, Dauphin county. He at-
tended the old Neidich meeting-house school
in Ghurchville as well as other schools in
Highspire, where the distillery now is, then
taught by Conrad Alleman. When he was
five years old, his father purchased the Kerr
estate, to which he removed with his family
in the spring of 1825. His father died when
he was but twenty years of age, and in
1842 he and his brother Henry farmed the
home place as partners ; but in December,
1843, he married Barbara Stoner, daughter
of Henry and Martha (Alleman) Stoner, and
in the spring of 1844 they dissolved partner-
ship, when he entered the lumber business in
Highspire with Jacob Nissley.
After the death of his father-in-law in
1847 he purchased the properties of the
Stoner estate in Highspire. In 1848 he sold
his interest to his partner and entered a
partnership with his brother Philip in
Middletown at the " point." His wife died
August 16, 1850, with whom he had four
children : Henry, born December 29, 1844 ;
Augustus and Joseph, twins, born July 29,
1846, the latter of whom died in infancy ;
and Mary, born August 14, 1848.
In 1852 he married Miss Elizabeth Meek,
of Perry county, with whom he had four
children, born in Dauphin county, as fol-
lows : Milton, March 18, 1853, Simon, Octo-
ber 18, 1853, Araminta, April 29, 1856, and
Alice, February 18, 1858. He continued
with his brother in the lumber business,
until the mill burned down, when in 1854
he began the brick business along the river
above Highspire. In this business he suf-
fered many reverses through the panic of
1857, but finally survived that great com-
mercial depression. In the spring of 1859,
attracted by the brilliant prospects of the
then unsettled West, and also by the fact
that his brothers Isaac and Simon, and his
sisters Elizabeth and Mary, had migrated
to Ohio, caused him to remove to that new
country to try his fortune there. We here
take leave of his various achievements by
the simple statement that he has collected
about him a beautiful tract of 320 acres of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
241
very fertile land, near Springfield, Ohio, and
has erected thereon a fine brick mansion,
large eastern style barns, and commodious
out-buildings. Having gotten his experience
by battling with the stern realities of life,
his nature partook of his surroundings, and
he was very naturally a matter-of-fact man;
life to him was a stern reality ; he viewed it
in the light of his real experience and was
devoid of anything that partook of the
nature of shams or conventionalism. He
was very generous, but when a kindness was
bestowed, he was the first to forget it. He
is a sincere Republican in politics, and a
consistent member of the U. B. Church.
Shammo, William, son of John and Sarah
(Reinoehl), Shammo was born March 13,
1819, at Halifax, Pa. He received the
limited education afforded by the village
school during the winter months, and from
his early years assisted by his father, who was
a merchant, thereby making himself familiar
with mercantile transactions. He was en-
gaged in business many years at Halifax and
was successful in a marked degree. He was
accepted as a safe counselor and sure finan-
cial guide, and from the time of its organi-
zation, in 1870, was cashier of the Halifax
Bank. He served as a member of the bor-
ough council and other positions of trust.
He died at Halifax, February 14, 1883, aged
almost sixty-four years. He was a valuable
citizen and highly esteemed in the commu-
nity in which he lived. Mr. Shammo mar-
ried, December 29, 1856, Catherine R., daugh-
ter of John and Mary Beam, of Halifax, and
their children were : Estelle, Byron A., Min-
nie L., Carrie M., Rosabelle, Myra A., and
Bertha A.
Geary, Gov. John White, the son of
Richard Geary and Margaret White, was
born December 30, 1819, near Mount Pleas-
ant, Westmoreland county, Pa. The father
was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a native of
Franklin county, and a man of education,
refined tastes and supeiior moral excellence.
His mother was born in Washington county,
Md. They removed to Westmoreland
county soon after their marriage, where
Richard Geary engaged at first in the man-
ufacture of iron, which, proving unsuccessful,
he resorted to teaching, a profession he pur-
sued the remainder of his life.
For a time his thoughts turned to com-
mercial pursuits, but convinced by a short
experience in a wholesale house in Pitts-
burgh that this would not prove to him a
satisfactory sphere of life, he yielded to his
natural predilections for mathematics, and
applied himself to the study of civil engi-
neering. Having mastered the principles of
that profession, he commenced the study of
law, in the belief that it would increase the
chances of a successful career, and was ad-
mitted to the bar, though intending to adopt
engineering as his fixed vocation. With
this end in view he went to Kentucky, where
he was engaged, partly in the employ of the
Commonwealth and partly in that of the
Green River Railroad Company, to make a
survey of several important lines of public
works.
His success in the Southwest opened the
way to advancement in his native State, and
he soon after became assistant superintendent
and engineer of the Allegheny Portage rail-
road. While occupied with the duties of
this position, in the month of May, 1846,
President Polk sent a message to Congress,
informing that body that " war existed with
this country by the act of Mexico," and ask-
ing for men and money to enable him to
maintain the rights and vindicate the honor
of the Government. The burst of enthusi-
asm was instantaneous and general, and
Geary was among the first who responded
to the call for volunteers, in a short time
raising a company in Cambria county, to
which he gave the name of American High-
landers. At Pittsburgh his command was
incorporated with the Second Pennsylvania
regiment, commanded by Colonel Roberts,
of which he was immediately elected lieuten-
ant colonel. The regiment joined the army
of General Scott at Vera Cruz, and served
with conspicuous gallantry in Quitman's
division during the memorable advance
upon the Mexican capital. Lieutenant Col-
onel Geary's first experience of actual war
was in tlie partial though spirited action of
the Pass of La Hoya. In the storming of
Chapultepec he was wounded, and in the
assault upon the immediate defenses of .the
city, at the Garita de Belen, he again led his
regiment with so much judgment, coolness,
and intrepidity that upon the capture he
was assigned to the command of the great
citadel, as a mark of Quitman's appreciation
of his services. From the time when the
army entered the valley of Mexico Colonel
Roberts was disqualified for duty by sick-
ness and the command of the regiment de-
242
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
volvedupon the lieutenant colonel. Shortly-
after the surrender of the capital Colonel
Roberts died and Lieutenant Colonel Geary-
was elected to succeed him.
On January 22, 1849, President Polk, in
grateful recognition of his services in the
Mexican war, appointed Colonel Geary post-
master of San Francisco and mail agent for
the Pacific Coast, with authority to create
post-offices, appoint postmasters, establish
mail routes, and make contracts for carrying
the mails throughout California. Having
received his commission on February 1, in
company with his wife and child, sailed from
New York for the Pacific Coast. On April
1 he landed safely at San Francisco, and
entered at once upon the discharge of his
duties. For a time he was obliged to content
himself with the rudest accommodations, and
to perform his work under many disadvan-
tages. But here, as in all previous situations,
his methodical turn and practical tact soon
enabled him to improvise all needful facili-
ties, and brought the labors of the office
under an easy and expeditious manage-
ment.
The intelligent and obliging dispatch with
which Colonel Geary had discharged his
duties as postmaster and mail agent so won
the confidence and esteem of the people of
San Francisco, that when the time arrived
for the election of town officers he was unan-
imously chosen first alcalde, though there
were ten different tickets submitted to the
choice of the voters. Shortly afterwards
this mark of appreciation on the part of the
citizens was followed by another equally
flattering on the part of the military gover-
nor of the Territory, Brigadier General
Riley, who appointed him judge of first in-
stance. These offices were of Mexican ori-
gin, and they imposed onerous and import-
ant duties. The alcalde was sheriff, probate
judge, recorder, notary public and coroner.
The court of first instance exercised both
civil and criminal jurisdiction throughout
the city, and besides this adjudicated all
those cases arising under the port regula-
tions which usually fall within the cogni-
zance of courts of admiralty. At the close
of his first term he was re-elected, receiving
all but four votes of the whole number
cast, and continued in office until the Mexi-
can institutions were superseded by the
American forms of municipal government.
In a vote upon the first city charter and
for officers to serve thereunder, May 1, 1850,
Judge Geary was elected first mayor of San
Francisco by a large majority. As mayor
he rendered valuable service in perfecting
the municipal organization, in restraining
the tendency to extravagant expenditure of
the public funds, sustaining the city's credit
by judicious management of its finances, and
by an honest disposal of the public property
saved to the corporation many millions of
dollars.
Owing to the failing health of his wife,
Colonel Geary, on February 1, 1852, sailed
from San Francisco, intending to go back
and remain permanently in California, but
the death of the former and other circum-
stances unforeseen caused him to change his
purpose, and gave a new directioia to his
whole course of life. After having spent
about three years in retirement, and had in
a measure brought the condition of his farm
into conformity with his own ideal of what
such an estate should be, President Pierce
invited him to Washington for the purpose
of tendering to him the governorship of
Utah, which, after due acknowledgement of
the compliment, he respectfully declined.
Not the government of Utah but of Kan-
sas was the great problem of Mr. Pierce's ad-
ministration. A bloody civil strife was being
waged in that Territory, and the political
state of the whole country was convulsed on
the subject of its affairs. One governor had
been removed for refusing to conform strictly
to the Federal policy in regard to slavery,
and another was preparing to flee from the
Territory through fear of assassination. In
view of the pressing exigency, the thoughts
of the President reverted to Colonel Geary,
and after consultation in July he was ap-
pointed governor of Kansas, and proceeded
immediately to his new field of labor, ar-
riving at Fort Leavenworth on September 9,
1856. His administration extended only
from that date to March, 1857.
Governor Geary was at his farm in West-
moreland when the sound of the Rebellion's
first gun broke upon the ear of the Nation.
Early on the morning following the event-
ful day he drove his farm wagon to the
neighboring village, and there first heard
the news of the assault upon Fort Sumter. In
less than an hour after reading the telegram
he had opened an office for the enlistment
of volunteers. As soon as he could com-
municate with the President he tendered
his services, and was immediately commis-
sioned colonel, with authority to raise a regi-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
243
ment for the defense of the Union. In the
course of a few weeks he received applica-
tions from sixt3'-six companies, soliciting
permission to join his command. On ac-
count of the numerous and urgent appeals
he was permitted to increase his regiment
to sixteen companies, with one battery of six
guns, making the full complement to con-
sist of fifteen hundred and fifty-one officers
and men. The artillery company was that
which subsequently became so celebrated as
Knapp's battery.
Colonel Geary, on the 8th of March, 1862,
captured Leesburg, and led the van of the
column which subsequently obliged the Con-
federate forces to evacuate all the towns
north of the Rappahannock, and abandon
their strongholds at Snicker's, Ashby's, Man-
assas and Chester Gaps, in the Blue moun-
tains. These operations were effected while
"Stonewall" Jackson was within striking
distance near Winchester ; and for his share
in them Colonel Geary was promoted to the
rank of biigadier general, his commission
bearing date of April 25, 1862. On the 9th
of August, Banks' troops had a severe en-
gagement with Stonewall Jackson's at Cedar
mountain. The day was oppressively hot,
and the Union troops suffered much from
exhaustion, but still more from the fierce
and well-directed assaults of that great com-
mander. General Geary was wounded
slightly in the left foot, and severely in the
right arm. The battle was gallantly con-
tested, but the results were adverse to the
Union arms. The wound in the arm proved
so serious that, to save the limb from ampu-
tation, he was ordered home for treatment.
Subsequently General Geary was promoted
to the command of the Second division
of the "Twelfth corps. At Chancellorsville
General Geary was wounded in the breast
by a fragment of shell. At the battle of
Gettysburg the troops of Geary's division
were among the first of the corps to arrive at
the scene of action. On the 1st, General
Geary suggesting the importance of possess-
ing Round Top, was directed to occupy it
with a portion of his command. Early on
the morning of the 2d he was ordered to
Gulp's Hill, the extreme right of the Union
line, with instructions to hold his position
at every hazard. During the afternoon of
that day he was remanded in the direction
of Round Top, with a part of his division, to
strengthen the left center of Meade's line,
which, being hard pressed, was in danger of
giving way. As soon as the relief he brought
could be spared, he hastened back to Culp's
Hill, and on his arrival, at about nine o'clock
at night, he found that in his absence the
enemy had carried a part of his line, and
flanked the position which he had received
orders to hold. Suitable dispositions were
made during the night to meet the emer-
gency, and at three o'clock on the morning
of the 3d, placing himself at the head of his
division, he charged the enemy, recovered
the ground that had been lost, hastily
strengthened his line of breastworks, and
waited the return of Swell's veterans. The
maintenance of the position was of the ut-
most moment, for it commanded the Balti-
more turnpike, on which the supply and
ammunition trains of the army were parked,
and had it been lost, these would have been
captured, the rear of Meade's center would
have been gained, and general defeat must
have inevitably followed. Hence the furious
assaults that were made upon it with the
hope of seizing the last chance of victory.
During seven hours the enemy shelled
Geary's lines almost incessantly, and under
cover of his batteries made repeated attempts
to carry the hill at the point of the bayonet.
After Gettysburg came Chickamauga. The
defeat of Rosecranz in that battle made it
necessar}"^ to reinforce the Army of the Cum-
berland, and for that purpose the Eleventh
and Twelfth Corps, under General Hooker,
were detached from the Army of the Poto-
mac. Geary's division went with the Twelfth
Corps. Besides these troops others were hur-
ried forward to tiie scene of the late disaster,
and Grant, having laid Vicksburg in the
dust and reopened the Mississippi, now, by
order of the President, hastened to the moun-
tains of the Tennessee and assumed com-
mand. He immediately initiated a series of
movements designed to dislodge Bragg from
the formidable position which he had gained.
In pursuance of his masterly plan a battle
was fought at Wauhatchie on October 28,
1863 ; another at Lookout mountain on No-
vember 24 ; one at Mission Ridge on Novem-
ber 25, and a fourth on November 27 at Ring-
gold, in the State of Georgia. These battles,
fought andwon in rapid succession, were the
principal achievements of Grant's Chatta-
nooga campaign, in the course of which the
disasters of Chickamauga were gloriously re-
trieved, and Bragg, hurled from heights
which he had deemed inaccessible, was driven
across the Tennessee line.
244
BIOGRAFHICAL ENCYCLOFEDIA
In the spring of 1864 the Army of the
Southwest was reorganized, and Grant hav-
ing been invested with the rank of lieuten-
ant general and af)pointed commander-in-
chief. Sherman assumed command of all the
forces designed to operate in the Southwest-
ern and Southern States. Among other
changes which lie ordered, the Eleventh
Corps (Howard's) and the Twelfth (Slocum's)
were consolidated, becoming in this form the
Twentieth Corps, with General Hooker in
command. General Geary was continued at
the head of his old division, with the addi-
tion of a brigade from the Eleventh Corps.
The two great campaigns of this memorable
year were opened on the same day. On May
4 Grant moved from the Rapidan to encoun-
ter Lee, and Sherman from Chattanooga to
encounter Johnston. Sherman's army was
complete in all its appointments, and about
seventy thousand strong. The events that
followed can but briefly be referred to here.
At the head of the division to which he was
endeared and which was endeared to him by
so long a companionship in perils, hardships,
sacrifices and sufferings, Geary participated
in the battles of Mill Creek, May 8 ; Resaca,
May 15 ; New Hope Church, commencing May
26 and continuing with but little intermis-
sion eight consecutive days ; Pine Hill, June
15; Muddy Creek, June 17; Noses Creek,
June 19 ; Kolb's Farm, June 22 ; Kenesaw,
June 27 ; Marietta, July 3 ; Peach-Tree
Creek, July 20, and the siege of Atlanta, last-
ing twenty-eight days and ending in the cap-
ture of the city on September 2. To use
General Geary's own language, " The cam-
paign from the opening till the fall of Atlanta
was really a hundred days' fight, and may be
termed a continuous battle, crowned with
constant victory."
When, in the spring of 1866, the Repub-
lican leaders began to consider the important
question of selecting a candidate for the chief
magistracy of the State, it soon became ap-
parent that the name of General Geary was
everywhere received with favor. His ripe
experience in the conduct of civil affairs and
his distinguished services in the field com-
mended him alike to the gratitude of the
popular heart and the sanction of the popular
judgment. After a very spirited canvass he
was elected over his competitor, Hiester Cly-
mer, by a majority of over seventeen thou-
sand votes, and was inaugurated on January
15, 1867.
Governor Geary was elected to a second
term, which he filled with acknowledged
ability. A few weeks after his successor in
ofiice was inaugurated he died suddenly
while sitting at the breakfast table. The
entire city and State were shocked by the
unexpected event. The Legislature, then in
session, at once adopted measures for the
funeral obsequies at the State's expense. To
no former executive had ever s\Jlv\\ a distinc-
tion been accorded, and every respect that
could be show a was paid to his memory.
He was buried at Harrisburg, and over his
grave the State he loved so well and served
so faithfully erected a monument of bronze
creditable to the grf*at Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Governor Geary married, on the 12th of
February, 1843, Margaret Ann Logan,
daughter of James R. Logan, of Westmore-
land county. Three sons were the issue of
this marriage, one of whom died in infancy,
another, Edward R., killed in the battle of
Wauhatchie, and the other, William, a
graduate of West Point and lieutenant in
the United States army. Mrs. Geary died
on the 28th of February, 1853, and in
November, 1858, Governor Geary was mar-
ried to Mrs. Mary C. Henderson, daughter of
Robert R. Church, of Cumberland county.
After Governor Geary's death his widow
married Dr. H. Earnest Goodman, of Phila-
delphia.
Williams, Edward Charles, son of
Charles and Rebecca (Adams) Williams, was
born February 10, 1820, in the city of Phila-
delphia. His father was a native of Philadel-
phia ; his mother, of Mount Holly, N. J., of
Scotch parentage. The son was educated in
the public schools of his native city, then or-
ganized under the old Lancasterian system.
He learned the trade of a bookbinder with
Jacob Snyder, completing it with Robert P.
Desilver. He shortly after came to Harris-
burg, where he established himself in busi-
ness, firm of Clyde & Williams, bookbinders
and stationers. For several years they did the
State binding and also published several im-
portant works. In December, 1846, upon
the call for volunteers for the war with Mex-
ico, Mr. Williams raised a company called
the Cameron Guards, which were accepted
and formed a part of the Second Pennsyl-
vania regiment. Previous to going to Mex-
ico he had been connected several years with
the old Dauphin Guards, one of the finest
military organizations in the State, and was
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
245
in service during the Philadelphia riots of
1844. Upon Captain Williams' return from
Mexico he was elected as an Independent, in
1850, totheofSce of sheriff of Dauphin county,
serving the full term. When the Rebellion
broke out and a demand was made for more
troops. Governor Curtin sent for General
Williams, who had been commissioned sev-
eral years prior brigadier general of the
Dauphin county militia, and at once' di-
rected the organization of Camp Curtin, full
particulars of which will be found in
" Dauphin County in the War for the Union."
General Williams had the honor of being the
first volunteer mustered into the service for
the defense of the Union. After organizing
Camp Curtin, he organized Camp Slifer, at
Chambersburg. He commanded a brigade
during the three months' service, was with
Patterson in the Shenandoah, and subse-
quently mustered out at Washington city.
He was then appointed by President Lin-
coln, through Secretary of War Cameron,
colonel of the Lochiel cavalry, directed to
raise twenty-four companies of that branch
of the service, which he accomplished in a
very short time. It was difficult to handle
three battalions of raw cavalry, but by hard
work General Williams got his command
into splendid discipline and drill. He went
into camp at Jeffersonville, Ind., where he
exchanged his Pennsylvania horses for good
Kentucky stock. After inspection by Gen-
eral Buford, he was ordered to the front un-
der General Buell. On reaching Green river,
and when ready to cross the stream, General
Williams was directed to take the advance,
but the same evening the news of the capture
of Fort Donelson obviating that movement,
he was ordered back, and his command cut
up and distributed over Kentucky and Ten-
nessee. His own regiment, the Ninth cavalry,
became very popular in that section with all
classes of people, owing to their good disci-
pline and behavior.
General Williams was at Henderson with
liis regiment when Buell and Bragg made
their march into Kentucky, was ordered to
Louisville without delay, and from thence to
Crab Orchard, where he prevented Kirby
Smith's cavalry from entering Kentucky at
that point. His services in that campaign
were indeed arduous. Owing, however, to a
question of rank, in which not only he but
the other officers in the volunteer service
were concerned, he pre-emptorily resigned
and returned to Pennsylvania. He was
twice married ; first, January 16, 1843, to
Selina, daqghter of John Heltzel, of Harris-
burg; second, June 5, 1873, at Chapman,
Pa., to Mrs. A. E. Hetzel.
Young, Josiah Cakothers, son of Daniel
H. Young and Sarah Duncan, was born
April 17, 1821, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was
educated in the common schools of the bor-
ough and learned the trade of a carpenter,
which occupation he followed several years.
He subsequently taught school, and at the
time of his death was a teacher in the public
schools of Harrisburg. For a long period he
was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Dau-
phin and Harrisburg. From 1860 to 1868
he was prothonotary and clerk of the courts
of Dauphin county, a position he filled with
great acceptability. He died at Harrisburg,
April 1, 1881, aged almost sixty years. He
wasa faithful and conscientious publicofficer,
an honored and respected citizen, while in
the Methodist Church, of which body he was
an ordained local preacher, highly esteemed
as a sincere and devout laborer. Mr. Young
married, September 21, 1843, Catharine Mary
Kinter, daughter of George and Elizabeth
Kinter, who survived him, and their children
were William N., John W., George C, Charles
W., Albert H., Charles C, and WiUiam L.
Calder William, son of William and
Mary (Kirkwood) Calder, was born in Har-
risburg July 31, 1821, and died July 19,
1880. His father was a native of Harford
county, Md., and was one of the pioneers of
that county. He came to Harrisburg and
became a member of the firm of Calder,
Wilson & Co., which conducted a stage line
business. After this enterprise was destroyed
by the opening of the canal, he established a
livery trade. Our subject had limited edu-
cation from books, being inducted into the
stage line business at the age of twelve years
as paymaster of the firm of Calder, Wilson
& Co. At the age of sixteen his father put
him in charge of the Philadelphia packet
line from Columbia to Pittsburgh, and at
the same time was interested in his father's
livery. In 1851 he assumed the manage-
ment of his father's business, and in 1857
undertook the completion of the Lebanon
Valley railroad. In 1858 he became a
member of the well-known banking firm of
Cameron, Calder, Eby & Co., which after-
wards became the First National Bank of
Harrisburg, of which Mr. Calder was chosen
246
BJO GRA PHICAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
president. The same year he was elected a
director of the Northern Centrfil railway,
and was active in preserving Pennsylvania's
interests in that corporation. At the break-
ing out of the Rebellion he rendered the
Government important service through his
large knowledge in the purchase of horses,
and supplied the Government with no less
than 42,000 mules, establishing the price so
low as to effect a very great saving to the
Government in this department. Mr. Calder
was always foremost in the promotion of
Harrisburg's industrial enterprises. He was
one of the founders of the Harrisburg Car
Works, the Lochiel Rolling Mills, the Har-
risburg Cotton Mills, Foundry and Machine
Works, the Fire Brick Works and the Penn-
sylvania Steel Works.
In 1873 he was commissioned by Governor
Hartranft a trustee of the Pennsylvania
State Lunatic Hospital, and reappointed in
1876. In 1876 he was appointed by the
same governor a member of the commission
to devise a plan for the government of cities,
and in 1880, just prior to his death, he was
elected director of the Pennsylvania Institute
for the Deaf and Dumb. For many years
he ably officiated in the management of city
affairs through its councils. He was among
the founders of the Harrisburg Hospital and
the Grace Methodist Episcopal church, of
which he was an attendant. He was for-
merly a Whig, latterly a Republican, and
influential in local and State politics, and
one of the Presidental electors from this State
in 1876.
Upon the occasion of President Lincoln's
visit to Harrisburg, when a plot was laid to
assassinate him on his return to Baltimore,
Mr. Calder was selected to escort him safely
to take another train from the one intended
at first, and thus his enemy's designs were
thwarted. His widow is Regina Camilla,
daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Krause)
Greenawalt. Their children were: Edmund
Kirkwood, who died December 31, 1862,
aged thirteen years ; William Jacob, Cathe-
rine Krause, Theodore Greenawalt, Regina,
and Mary Kirkwood.
After having taught school a good many
years, he graduated in 1861 from the State
Normal School of New Jersey, located at
Trenton. In earlj' life he commenced teach-
ing ; came to Harrisburg in 1843 as teacher
in the boys' high school of the South ward,
where he continued until 1851, when he be-
came teacher of the sciences in the agricul-
tural school at Mount Airy, conducted by
Prof. John Wilkinson, for one year. From
December, 1852, to the spring of 1855 he
taught at Treemount Seminary, Norristown,
when he took charge of the Olive Branch,
which he edited two years. In 1857 he went
to Springfield, Ohio, to engage in a news-
paper venture, but purchasing a farm, fol-
lowed farming two years, teaching during
the winter. In 1859 he returned East, took
charge of one of the public schools at Plain-
field, N. J., subsequently entering the State
Normal School as stated. During the Rebel-
lion he entered the United States service,
serving until the close of the war, and was
made clerk to Maj. E. L. Moore, paymaster
in the United States army. In October,
1865, he resigned, and established a select
school at Harrisburg, which he successfully
conducted ten years. In 1875 was elected
by the school board of the city of Harrisburg
supervisory principal of the Reily street
schools. Mr. Gause studied law while con-
ducting the Harrisburg Institute, under John
C. Kunkle, and was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar December, 1868. He married,
October 28, 1847, Sarah Fish Moore, daughter
of Levi Moore and Sarah Fish, of Amherst,
Mass., and their children were Leander M.,
Charles S., Helen, Frank L., Lucy G., and
Laura B.
Gause, Lewis H., son of Samuel Gause
(1781-1865) and Mary Bailey (1784^1868),
was born October 28, 1821, at Unionville,
Chester county. Pa. He was educated in
the country schools of Delaware and Chester
county, and at West Town boarding-school.
CowDEN, William Keer, son of Matthew
B. and Mary (Wallace) Cowden, was born
January 5, 1822, in Lower Paxtang town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa. He was brought
up a farmer, receiving such facilities of edu-
cation as the schools of the township afforded
prior to the adoption of the common school
system. He continued the occupation of a
farmer until 1868, when he removed to Har-
risburg and engaged in the coal and lumber
business, subsequently establishing a plan-
ing mill. For a decade of years he was one
of the inspectors of the Daupliin county
prison. Mr. Cowden married Elizabeth M.,
daughter of Joshua and Mary C. (Gillmor)
Elder.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
247
KuNKEL, George, son of Jacob Kunkel
and his wife Rebecca Stine, was born on
January 21, 1823, in Greencastle, Franklin
county. Pa.; died January 25, 1885. He be-
came a printer in Philadelphia, and while
earning fifteen dollars a week at the case, in
1844 he left it to get twenty-five dollars to
sing and play with the Virginia serena-
ders. When they disbanded he organized
Kunkel's Nightingale Minstrels, Mr. John
T. Ford becoming the manager of the troupe,
which was very successful. Mr. Kunkel
was a noted bass singer. Kunkel's Minstrels
were on the road eleven years, and dis-
banded in Washington in 1855. Mr. Kun-
kel was the original manager of the Jenny
Lind theater. Washington, which stood on
the site of the National theater. It was de-
stroyed by fire, by which Mr. Kunkel lost
eight thousand dollars.
After the disbanding of his troupe, with
Mr. Moxley he managed a theater in Rich-
mond up to the time of the beginning of the
war. In his company were J. Wilkes Booth
and Edwin Adams, and his stage manager
was Joseph Jefferson. Some time during
the first year of the war Mr. Kunkel returned
to Baltimore and became manager of the
museum at Baltimore and Calvert streets.
Afterwards he undertook the role of Uncle
Tom, in which character he first appeared
in Charleston, S. C, in 1861. The city
council of Charleston, on the occasion of his
first appearance, held a meeting and passed
a resolution forbidding any colored person
from entering the theater under pain of
punishment. Parson Brownlow published
an editorial in his paper advising the driv-
ing out of the troupe from the city.
•In 1864, when manager of the Front street
theater, he married Mrs. Ada Proctor, who
was leading lady at that place. Two chil-
dren, a son and a daughter, survived him.
In the character of Uncle Tom Mr. Kun-
kel perhaps pleased more children than any
other living actor. In 1883 Mr. Kunkel
starred through England in the character of
Uncle Tom under the management of Jar-
rett & Palmer. It was a most successful
tour. The last time he played Uncle Tom
was in New Haven, Conn., during New
Year's week, 1885. He died suddenly at
Baltimore, Md., January 25, 1885.
was superintending a mine for his brother,
Col. E. G. Savage. He emigrated to America
with his parents, who settled in Minersville,
where he learned the trade of a machinist.
In 1849 he came to Wiconisco to put up the
engine for the Lykens Valley breaker, which
he ran a year, and then went to California.
There he stayed two years, and returned in
1852 and accepted a position under the Short
Mountain Coal Company. He hoisted the
first car of coal ever taken out of the Wico-
nisco mines. In 1855 or 1856 he became su-
perintendent of the Lykens Coal Company
under George E. Hoffman. In 1861 he went
to California again, where he remained until
1865, when he returned and located at Gil-
berton, Schuylkill county, in charge of the
Gilberton Coal Company. In 1867, with Col.
E. G. Savage and Benjamin Kaufman, under
the firm name of Savage, Brother & Kauf-
man, he leased a tract of coal land of the
Philadelphia & Reading railroad, developed
what is now known i s " Brookside Colliery,"
and established the operation as a successful
one. Then they sold it to George S. Rep-
plier & Co. He was subsequently its super-
intendent, and afterwards in various enter-
prises in Tremont for ten years. He may
justly be regarded as the pioneer of the Wi-
conisco coal mines.
Savage, James, was born in North Wales,
February 25, 1823, and died in Cimmaron,
New Mexico, November 10, 1881, where he
McIlhbnny, Samuel, son of Samuel and
Mary (Carson) Mcllhenny, was born June 4,
1823, in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa. He was educated in the public
schools of Lower Paxtang township, and
was brought up a farmer. At the age of
seventeen he apprenticed himself to William
J. Kaul to learn the trade of a tanner, which
he followed many years. In 1849 he com-
menced business for himself at Linglestown,
and took an active part in the political af-
fairs of the country. Mr. Mcllhenny was
elected county auditor in 1869, serving three
years, and in 1873 elected one of the county
commissioners, and re-elected, filling that
responsible station six years. During his
term of office various needed reforms were
made in the administration of the public af-
fairs of the county, and much credit is due
Mr. Mcllhenny for his efforts in this direc-
tion. He has filled the various township
offices, and in 1879 was appointed one of
the inspectors of the Dauphin county pri-
son. Mr. Mcllhenny married, January 9,
1847, Catherine, daughter of Louisa and
Sarah Maria (Albert) Culp. Their children
248
BIO GRAPHIC A L ENCYCL OPEDIA
were : Sarah R., John H., Mary Ann, Kate
Ann, Lydia J., Elizabeth E., who married
Jacob Balthaser, Samuel C, Susan S., George
W., Emma E., William A., Anna Maria and
Minnie C.
Waugh, Beverly Roberts, the son of Rt.
Rev. Beverly Waugh, bishop of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, and his wife Catharine
Bushby, was born July 28, 1824, at Liberty,
Md. His grandfather, James Waugh, was an
officer in the Pennsylvania Line of the Revo-
lution, who settled in Virginia at the close of
the struggle for independence. Beverly re-
ceived a thorough English and classical edu-
cation and entered Dickinson College, where
he graduated. His alma mater subsequently
conferred upon him the degree of A. M. Mr.
Waugh was licensed to preach by the Balti-
more Conference, but accepted the position
of professor of mathematics and English
literature in the Baltimore Female College,
an institution then in the full tide of success.
In 1853 the trustees of the Pennsylvania
Female College at Harrisburg secured him
as principal of that institution, in which po-
sition he labored faithfully and successfully
to the day of his death. It was not alone in
the capacity of teacher that Mr. Waugh de-
voted his energies and talents, but his labors
were varied, incessant, faithful, in season and
out of season, for the good of humanity.
His devoted Christian life-work ended on
March 24, 1861, in his thirty-seventh year.
Mr. Waugh married Sarah Shrom Beatty,
eldest daughter of George Beatty and his
wife Catharine Shrom, who with one child,
Eliza B., married to Charles A. Kunkel, of
Harrisburg, survive.
Etter, Benjamin F., lawyer of Harris-^
burg, and ex-deputy attorney general of
Pennsylvania, was born at Middletown,
Dauphin county, September 29, 1824. He
obtained his early education at the Middle-
town Academy. At the age of twenty-two
began reading law with James Fox, a lawyer
of Harrisburg, and was admitted to practice
on November 24, 1851. He opened a law
office in Harrisburg thp same year, and has
been engaged in general practice in the civil
courts of the county and State since, a period
of thirty-one years. Mr. Etter was appointed
and served for six years as deputy attorney
general under Attorney General William M.
Meredith, and for a short time under At-
torney General Benjamin H. Brewster. His
safe and judicious opinions as a counselor,
his integrity and fidelity to his clients, and
his uncompromising desire to defend the
wrong and encourage the right have given
him a high reputation in the profession. He
married, in 1857, Catharine A., daughter of
Charles A. and Barbara A. (Keller) Snyder,
of Lancaster, Pa. Her father was a relative
of Governor Snyder. Their surviving chil-
dren were Charles F., clerk in the First
National Bank of Harrisburg ; Nannie E.,
and George E. Etter. His parents, George
and Nancy (Shelly) Etter,died at Middletown,
the former in 1850, aged sixty-seven ; the
latter in 1826, aged thirty. His grandfather,
Abraham Etter, settled in Dauphin county,
from Lancaster, about 1800, where he died,
and was of German origin. His maternal
grandfather was Abraham Shelly, of York
county, Pa.
Edwards, Oliver, third son of Abraham
Edwards and Martha Greenfield, was born
October 24, 1824. His parents were natives
of Baltimore, where they married, removed
to Pittsburgh, and subsequently to Harris-
burg about 1819. Oliver's education in the
schools was limited, but his mind being ac-
tive and inquiring, he read much and stud-
ied at night after the work of the day was
over, thus becoming very well self-educated,
and developed into a man of considerable
attainments. When young he learned the
trade of bootmaking with bis father ; later
in life he was selected as a school teacher
under the common school system, and
proved to be one of the most successful ever
employed in the Harrisburg schools, as
numbers of young men of the present day
can testify. ♦ "
Mr. Edwards was much afflicted with
asthma and unable to do military duty, but
in order to render some service during the
war he became the agent for the reception
and distribution of the Dauphin County Re-
lief Fund for the support of those whose
husbands, fathers and sons were in the
army. It was a very onerous duty, and he
performed it faithfully and well, declining
any remuneration whatever for his services.
In 1860 he was elected one of the first alder-
men of the city of Harrisburg. Upon the
election of Gen. A. S. Raumfort as mayor of
the city he appointed Mr. Edwards as com-
mitting magistrate and chief clerk in the
mayor's office. He was elected to succeed
Gen. Raumfort, and was inaugurated mayor
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
249
of the city in March, 1866. He was subse-
quently elected an alderman of the Fourth
ward in 1872, which position he occupied up
until the time of his death, which occurred
in Harrisburg on the 13th day of October,
1874. Mr. Edwards was an active man, of
quick perception, fine social qualities, and
possessed of much useful information. The
Rev. George P. Stelling, of the Fourth Street
Lutheran church, preached a very able
funeral sermon shortly after his death in re-
lation to Mr. Edwards' religious experience.
On the 7th of August, 1851, he married Ra-
chel Ann Chandler, daughter of Jonathan
Chandler and Mary Griffith. The marriage
took place in Harrisburg, where his wife was
born, on the 13th of August, 1830, and died
therein on the 5th of July, 1865. Two
daughters survived the parents, Mary Griffith
and Rachel Louisa, married Daniel A. Mus-
ser.
Black, Andrew Keause, son of Joseph
and Elizabeth (Krause) Black, was born
January 16, 1825, at Harrisburg, Pa. He
was educated in the public schools of the
borough, and learned the trade of bricklayer
and builder, in which occupation he engaged
until 1892. He served as a member of the
select and common councils of the city of
Harrisburg, and for several years was one of
the inspectors of the Dauphin county prison.
He represented the county in the Legislature
in 1871 and 1872, and under the Constitution
of 1874 represented the city of Harrisburg
in that body in 1877 and 1878. In Decem-
ber, 1891, was appointed by President Har-
rison postmaster of Harrisburg. Mr. Black
married, in 1849, Rebecca Irwin Clark,
daughter of William and Maria Clark, of
Clark's Ferry, and their children were:
Emma, Harriet, George Murray, Alfred T.,
Irene Elizabeth, who married J: C. Harlicker,
Maria Clark, and Amy Chaplin.
Sheafer, Maj. Henry Jackson, son of
Michael Sheafer and Susan Cloud, was born
May 21, 1826, in Lancaster county. Pa. When
about six years of age his father removed to
what was then called " Bear Gap," now Wi-
conisco, in the upper end of Dauphin county.
Here he resided with his parents, getting a
few months' schooling during the winter sea-
son, until the age of fifteen, when he went to
learn the drug business at Harrisburg. He
continued in this employment for four years,
when he went to South Carolina and resided
for some time in Columbia, the capital. Com-
ing North, he settled in the town of Milton,
Northumberland county, and engaged in the
drug trade. In 1848 he was married to
America 0. Wood, daughter of Nicholas B.
Wood. At the death of his father he re-
moved to the old home at Wiconisco, for the
purpose of settling his father's estate.
In 1856 he removed to Mendota, Dakota
county, Minn., where he engaged in the lum-
ber business in connection with Eli Pettijohn
and Franklin Steele, of Fort Snelling. Tliey
built a large mill at the mouth of the Min-
nesota river, and had extensive yards on the
Minnesota river. In the fall of 1858 he was
elected a member of the Minnesota Legisla-
ture from Dakota county, and for some time
took an active part in the politics of the young
State. After the breaking out of the war all
business was completely paralyzed, and in
the fall of 1861 he returned to Harrisburg.
During the winter of 1861-62 he recruited a
company for the One Hundred anct Seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
mustered into service as captain of Company
I. At the battle of Antietam his brigade
fought in the noted cornfield almost fronting
the Dunker church, and suffered terribly in
killed and wounded. At one time the line
being driven back, both color-bearers were
shot dead and left on the field. Captain
Sheafer, ascertaining the fact, returned alone
and rescued the colors and rejoined his com-
mand without injury. On December 21,
1862, he was commissioned major of the regi-
ment. In the Gettysburg campaign, on the
first day of the fight, shortly after Reynolds
was killed. Major Sheafer was severely-
wounded, but did not leave the field until
the afternoon of the third day's fight. Early
in the fall he rejoined his command and par-
ticipated with his regiment in the many bat-
tles they were engaged in up to March 8,
1865 (the expiration of his term of service),
and was mustered out. After the war he
made Harrisburg his permanent home and
engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1873 he
was elected sheriff of Dauphin county, serv-
ing his term of three years.
Elder, James, son of Robert R. and Sarah
(Sherer) Elder, was born August 18, 1826, in
Swatara township, Dauphin county. Pa.
His early years were spent on his father's
farm. At the age of twenty-four he removed
to New Castle, Pa., where he engaged in mer-
cantile business until the death of his father
250
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
in 1858, when he returned, and with his
brother Robert, purchased the homestead
farm. During the war for the Union Mr.
Elder raised a company for the emergency.
In 1867 he embarked in the coal trade with
a younger brother, withdrawing in 1869, and
entered into partnership in the lumber busi-
ness, in which he continued until failing
health compelled him to relinquish all active
pursuits. He left the farm and took up his
residence in the city of Harrisburg, where he
died January 12, 1877, in his- fifty -first year.
Mr. Elder married, March 2, 1854, Rebecca
0., daughter of John Whitehill, and their
children were: Catherine 0., Robert R., Mar-
tha K., and Ida.
Neagley, John, son of Daniel and Mar-
garet (Gable) Neagley, was born October 10,
1827, in Lykens Valley. His ancestor, Jacob
Neagley, an emigrant from Wurtemberg,
Germany, settled first in Berks county, sub-
sequently removing to Lykens Valley, where
he permanently located. He had two sons,
Joseph and George. Joseph, born Septem-
ber 15, 1766 ; died July 12, 1828 ; married
Maria Hoffman, born January 8, 1773 ; died
February 18, 1840. Their children were:
Daniel, George, Elizabeth, Magdalena, Cath-
erine, and Sarah. Daniel, the eldest, born
November 12, 1797 ; died February 2, 1873;
married Margaret Gable, and their children
were : George, John, Joseph, William, Daniel ,
Isaac, Mary, Catherine, Sarah, Margaret, and
Hannah. Of these, John Neagley received
a limited education, and learned the trade
of a cabinet maker at Liverpool, Perry
county. Upon his return home he estab-
lished himself in business, but at the expira-
tion of two years removed to Freeport, 111.,
subsequently coming back to Pennsylvania,
where, for a period of seventeen years, he
conducted cabinet making and undertaking
at Liverpool. In 1869 he established a
a planing mill at Millersburg, which he
now carries on. Mr. Neagley married, De-
cember 28, 1853, E. R., daughter of John and
Anna Murray.
Detweilee, John Shelly, was born on
the 18th of October, 1829, in Londonderry
township, Dauphin county, on a farm occu-
pied by his father, David Detweiler, near
what is' now known as the Buck Lock, Penn-
sylvania canal. His mother, Susan Det-
weiler, was a daughter of William Shelly,
of Shelly's Island. When ten years old he
attended the school in the neighborhood of
his birthplace, and continued there until he
was sixteen years old, when he came to Har-
risburg and entered the printing office of
Theophilus Fenn, where he remained but a
short time, and then went to Lancaster,
entering the office of the Lancaster Exam-
iner and Herald.
Leaving the Examiner office, Mr. Detweiler
entered Franklin and Marshall College, at
which institution he pursued a course of
regular studies and graduated with high
honor, after which he began the study of
the law with Gen. George B. Ford, of Lan-
caster city, and was admitted to the bar of
that county in 1850. He remained in Lan-
caster only a few months after his admission,
and came to Harrisburg in the winter of
that year, entering at once in the practice of
the law here, in which profession he con-
tinued until the breaking out of the Civil
war.
At the organization of the Ninth cavalry,
Mr. Detweiler took an active part in secur-
ing the necessary companies to makeup the
regiment, and as captain of Company E was
very prominent in securing a completed or-
ganization. He was commissioned captain
October 17, 1861. While on duty in Ten-
nessee he was appointed on the staff of
General DuMont. On the 19th of March,
1863, Captain Detweiler was appointed
major of the regiment, and on the 2d of
April of the same year he resigned his com-
mission and returned to Harrisburg, when
he was appointed United States recruiting
officer at this point, which post he held until
the close of the war. In 1864 Mr. Detweiler
was appointed deputy United States assessor
of internal revenue under Charles J. Bruner,
which office he held until it was abolished
in 1871. In 1872 he was appointed by
Judge Cadwalader register in bankruptcy,
which office he held at the time of his death.
In 1874 Mr. Detweiler was nominated and
elected by the Republicans county solicitor
for the term of three years. Major Detweiler
married Eunice Parke, daughter of Benjamin
Parke, of Harrisburg, and they had three
children who survived their father. He
died at Harrisburg, Pa., August 16, 1878.
Sergeant, William, son of Hon. John
Sergeant, a distinguished jurist of Pennsyl-
vania, was born 1829, in the city of Phila-
delphia. He graduated from Princeton Col-
lege in 1847 ; studied law under Benjamin
-<Sc^ V
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
253
Gerhard, and admitted to the Philadelphia
bar in 1850 ; he held a prominent position
at the bar, and was for a time a representa-
tive in the State Legislature. On the break-
ing out of the Rebellion he was commis-
sioned captain of the Twelfth infantry, U. S.
A.; afterwards colonel of the Two Hundred
and Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers ; on March 31, 1865, he was wounded
in his thigh by a ball while resisting an at-
tack of the enemy on the White Oak road,
near the Boynton plank-road, in front of
Petersburg, Va., from which he died on
board of the hospital boat, while on his way
home, April 11, 1865 ; he was a gentleman
of marked ability and a gallant officer.
Colonel Sergeant married, November 8, 1853,
Eliza Lawrence Espy, who survives, daugh-
ter of James Snodgrass Espy and his wife
Mary H. Pollard. Their children were Mary,
Margaretta, married Alexander James Dallas
Dixon, Louisa, married John C. Kunkel, Jr.,
John, died in infancy, Sarah Haly, and Eliza,
married William Heyward Me} ers.
Bent, Luther Stedman, son of Ebenezer
and Nancy (Stedman) Bent, was born De-
cember 6, 1829, at Quincy, Norfolk county,
Mass. His ancestors were early settlers at
Milton, that State. Luther S. attended the
public schools until the age of twelve years,
afterwards working on the farm until his fif-
teenth year, when he went to Boston, where
he served five years with the New England
Glass Company, situate in East Cambridge,
then one of the largest establishments of the
country. From that period until the com-
mencement of the Rebellion he was engaged
in the glassware and crockery business in
Boston. In May, 1861, he enlisted as a pri-
vate in company H, Fourth regiment, Massa-
chusetts volunteers, and participated in the
battle of Big Bethel. Being mustered out
at the end of his term of service at Boston,
he re-enlisted as a private in company K of
the Eighteenth regiment, Massachusetts vol-
unteers, for three years, and served in all the
grades of non-commissioned and commis-
sioned officers to that of captain. He served
through the various campaigns in which his
regiment was engaged in the Army of the
Potomac, and was wounded in the right hand
in the second battle of Bull Run. He re-
mained with his command until their muster
out, when he was detailed to take charge of
a battalion of veterans and recruits. For
meritorious services at Peebles' Farm he was
promoted brevet major, was afterwards, on
the recommendation of General Qriffin, com-
missioned by President Lincoln as major in
the United States army, at the same time by
the State of Massachusetts a lieutenant colo-
nel, on which commission he was never mus-
tered. His battalion having become deci-
mated in numbers it was consolidated with
the Twenty-second Massachusetts, when at
his request he was mustered out as a super-
numerary officer. He returned home, and
siiortly after made engagements with the
officers of the Union Pacific railroad, and re-
mained in their employ from the commence-
ment to the completion of that great enter-
prise, filling various positions. During the"
last two years he was one of the largest con-
tractors for grading that road, comprising
two hundred miles through Salt Lake Valley
and the Promontory. He subsequently be-
came engaged in cattle raising on the plains
and was one of the pioneers in the business,
being among the first to establish cattle
ranches along the line of the railroad in Ne-
braska. Here he remained three years. Re-
turning to th^ East he married a daughter
of S. M. Felton, Esq., of Philadelphia, which
relations brought him into connection with
the Pennsylvania Steel Company. In 1874
he took the superintendency of that immense
establishment.
Herr, Andrew Jackson, sou of Daniel
Herr (1795-1857) and Sarah Gilbert (1801-
1880), was born December 31, 1829, in
Greencastle, Franklin county. Pa. He was
educated at the Zane street grammar school
and the high school at Philadelphia, from
which latter institution he graduated in
1845. He shortly after commenced th,e
study of law with James McCormick, and
was admitted to the Dauj)hin county bar
August 20, 1750, locating at Harrisburg in
the practice of his profession. He served,
by election, as district attorney nine years ;
was counsel for county commissioners one
year, and represented the county of Dauphin
in the Legislature in 1868 and 1869 ; was
member of the State Senate in 1875 and
1876, and in the latter year re-elected for
full term of four years; elected president
pro tern, of the Senate at the close of the ses-
sion of 1878, and re-elected to that office in
the session of 1879. In November, 1880, he
was re-elected again for full term of four
years. He served in that body with distinc-
tive ability. After the close of his official
254
BIOGRA PHI GAL ENCYGL OPEDIA
term he returned to the duties of his profes-
sional life.* He died at Harrisburg March
16, 1894, and was there buried. Colonel
Herr married, first, Martha Linn Coyle,
daughter of Scott Coyle and Martha Linn ;
secondly, Nannie M. Coyle, and their chil-
dren were : Daniel Coyle, a member of the
Dauphin county bar, and Martha Coyle, d.s.p.;
married, thirdly, Nannie Gillmor, daughter
of James Gillmor and Eleanor McKinney,
and they had Eleanor Gillmor. It may be
here stated that in his early years he was a
frequent contributor to the Saturday Evening
Post and Neal's Gazette, of Philadelphia.
When fifteen years of age he published three
novels, entitled "Maid of the Valley,"
" Story founded on the Revolution," and
" The Corsair," founded on the revolt of St.
Domingo. These books were published in
England. A novel called " The Chain of
Destiny," also appeared from his pen. As a
criminal lawyer, however, Colonel Herr was
the most brilliant and his career successful.
He was highly respected by his professional
brethren and his opinions had great weight,
especially in that class of legal practice in
which he was unexceptionably the leader at
the Dauphin county bar. .
McCoEMicK, Hknry, son of James McCor-
mick and his wife Eliza Buehler, was born
March 10, 1831, in Harrisburg, Pa. He re-
ceived his education at the Harrisburg
Academy, Partridge's military institute, and
graduated from Yale College in 1852. He
commenced the study of law with his father,
but his taste being for a more stirring pur-
suit, he gave it up and learned the iron busi-
ness at Reading furnace, now Robesonia, at
the first opportunity purchasing an interest
in the Henry Clay and Eagle furnaces, near
Marietta, Lancaster county. In 1857 Paxtang
furnace came under his management, and,
in 1866, the nail-works at Fairview, Cumber-
land county, at the mouth of the Conedo-
guinet creek, which he conducted for twenty-
five j^ears. In 1865, before a railway spanned
the continent, he crossed the great plain and
mountain range to the Pacific coast, return-
ing by the Isthmus of Panama. In 1877 he
visited Europe. Long before these journeys
he had shown his devotion to his country.
At the opening of the Rebellion he offered
his life and services to the cause of patriot-
ism, gathering a company of volunteers,
company F, Lochiel Grays, of the Twenty-
fifth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in
the three months' service. In 1862 he was
chosen colonel of the First regiment, Penn-
sylvania militia, under Maj. Gen. John F.
Reynolds and assigned to the command of
the First brigade. The object of forming
this division being accomplished by the con-
test at Antietam, it was mustered out of ser-
vice. Under the act relative to a new geo-
logical survey of Pennsylvania, he was
appointed by Governor Hartranft a commis-
sioner, and by his colleagues its treasurer,
filling these positions until the work was
done. As a co-trustee of his father's estate,
he has shown tact and judgment, and, in the
pursuit of all the business in which he is
engaged, great energy and success. To all
benevolent objects he is a most generous
giver, without ostentation or publicity. As
an evidence of the esteem in which he is
held, it may be stated that when a candidate
for Congress in 1882, his majority in his
native county was one hundred and fifty-
nine, while his party was in a minority of
nearly fifteen hundred on the vote for other
offices. Colonel McCormick married, June
29, 1867, Annie Criswell, daughter of John
Vance Criswell and Hannah Dull.
Beck, Jdlius Augustus, son of John and
Joanna Beck, was born April 2, 1831, in
Lititz, Lancaster county. Pa., and was edu-
cated at the Lititz academ}', of which his
father, John Beck, was principal. In early
life he devoted himself to the art of sculp-
ture, and in 1855 visited Italy for the pur-
pose of perfecting himself in that branch of
the fine arts. _ In 1861 he turned his atten-
tion to portrait and landscape painting. He
married Miss Susan Maria Kepple, daughter
of Henry and Catherine Kepple, of Lancas-
ter, Pa., and their children are : Abraham
Rapliael, Catherine Augusta, Henry Kepple,
John, Martin Augustus, Marion, Edith, Isa-
bella, and Mary Alice.
Geety, William Wallace, was born in
Harrisburg, December 4, 1831, and died at
Dauphin, January 19, 1887. When he was
quite young the family moved to Middle-
town, but returned a few years later. Then
Wallace, a lad eight years of age, was sent to
the school of Jacob Eyster, who kept the
boys under strict military drill and discipline.
At twelve years of age he was put to Francis
\yyeth to learn the book business, and at
sixteen to Martin Lutz to acquire a knowledge
of pharmacy. He had also learned some-
DAUPHIN COUNTY
255
thing of dentistry with Dr.Stough, practicing
his profession and teaching school at inter-
vals until 1858, when he removed to Coxes-
town and taught school until the war broke
out. He first enlisted as a private in the
" Cameron Guards " for a term of three
months. This ended, he returned and
helped raise a company of forty men, which
was assigned to Colonel Good's regiment
(later Colonel Gobin's), with James Casey,
of Perry county, as captain and himself as
first lieutenant. He participated in the
battles of Gainsville, St. John's Bluff and
Pocotaligo, where he was severely wounded.
A grape shot struck him between the eyes
and passing to the left destroyed the eye,
shattered the bones of the face, injuring the
nerves and lodged near the carotic artery.
While lying upon, the field he was for a
while given up for dead. When able to
leave the hospital he returned to Harrisburg,
received the rank of captain and was ap-
pointed quartermaster, which position he
held until the expiration of his term of
service. After that he removed to Clark's
Valley, but failing health compelled him to
relinguish a small farm he had purchased,
and in 1879 he settled in Dauphin until his
death. Captain Geety was a member of the
Veteran Association of Dauphin, and of Post
58, G. A. E.., of Harrisburg, a staunch Re-
publican, and for some years a member of
the count}' committee. Captain Geety mar-
ried, in 1858, Henrietta Thompson, who
with four children survive.
Sees, William Edwards, eldest son of
David and Ann Fell (Edwards) Sees, was
born in Harrisburg, February 3, 1832. His
education was received in the common
schools of his native place, and early in life
commenced to learn the business of coach
trimming with his father, who was a skilled
workman, and became in time a good me-
chanic. He was a member and an officer of
the old Friendship Fire Company, of Har-
risburg, noted for his efficiency and daring,
and twice came very near losing his life in
endeavoring to save the property of others,
once at a fire in the United States Hotel, and
again at the cotton factory. When the war
for the Union broke out, he enlisted as a
private in the three months' service. In
1862 he was commissioned captain in the
new Eleventh Pennsylvania, three years'
service, but his health failing him, he was
discharged on surgeon's certificate of dis-
ability. On April 1 9, 1855, he married Mary
Catherine Kunkel, of Baltimore, Md. She
died on February 27, 1856, leaving one son,
David. On September 13, 1857, he married
Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and
Julia Ann (Mowrer) Chandler. Captain Sees
died October 5, 1865, of consumption con-
tracted in the army, and left one daughter
by the second marriage, Catherine. The
Rev. Charles A. Hay, D. D., pastor of Zion's
Lutheran church, published a memoir of
Captain Sees, detailing his religious life and
experience, which is quite interesting.
Keeper, John Brua, son of Andrew and
Catherine (Brua) Keefer, was born April 10,
1832, at Harrisburg, Pa. He received his
education at the public schools of the bor-
ough and at the Harrisburg Military Insti-
tute, established by Capt. Alden Partridge
in 1845. Subsequently he learned the trade
of a machinist in the shops of the Philadel-
phia & Reading Railroad Company, at
Reading. From 1853 to 1864 he carried on
a foundry and machine shop at Cressona,
Sclmylkill county. Pa. He then engaged
in the oil trade in Venango county, and
afterwards carried on the rolling-mill busi-
ness at Allentown. From 1870 to 1877 he
was engaged in the manufacture of fire-
bricks at Harrisburg. On the 18th of Feb-
ruary, 1877, he was commissioned by Presi-
dent Grant, major and paymaster in the
United States army, and at present in ac-
tive service. Major Keefer married, Novem-
ber 27, 1854, Catherine R. Boyer, of Read-
ing. Their childi'en were Horace A., Cath-
erine A., who married Lieut. J. W. Duncan,
U. S. A., Edith M., who married H. M.
Paxton, Mary F., Frank R., and Caroline R.
McCoRMiCK, James, second son of James
McCormick and his wife, Eliza Buehler, was
born October 31, 1832, in Harrisburg, Pa.
He was educated in the common schools,
Captain Partridge's military institute, the
Harrisburg Academy, graduating from Yale
College in 1853 ; studied law under his
father ; was admitted to the bars of Dauphin
and Cumberland counties, and practiced for
several years. Upon the death of his father,
he became one of the trustees of his estate,
a charge that absorbed his time and atten-
tion to such a degree that he abandoned his
profession. The magnitude of this estate
and the enterprises conducted under it re-
quire caution, prudence and judgment in its
256
BIO GRA PHICAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
management. Mr. McCormick has shown
all these qualities in the successful perform-
ance of his duties. He has never held polit-
ical oflBce, but in the religious and charitable
work of the day occupies a conspicuous posi-
tion. He had been an elder in the Pine
Street Presbyterian church from 1858 to
1894, a successful Sunday-scliool tutor, presi-
dent and trustee of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association ; in all the active work of
his denomination a most efficient and liberal
agent; a large contributor to the Home for
the Friendless, Harrisburg ; to all charitable
objects, and, from its opening, president of
the Harrisburg Hospital — one of its most
active, attentive and competent advisers.
He married, May 26, 1859, at Harrisburg,
Pa., Mary "Wilson Alricks, born November
24, 1833; died August 5, 1881, at Harris-
burg, Pa.; daughter of Herman Alricks and
Mary Wilson Kerr.
Johnson, John Buchee, son of David M.
Johnson and Susan Dorothy Bucher, daughter
of Judge Jacob Bucher, was born January 26,
1833, in Harrisburg, Pa. He was educated
in the public schools of the town and in Cap-
tain Partridge's military school, but com-
pleted his education at Washington College,
Pa., where he graduated in the class of 1852.
He adopted civil engineering as his profes-
sion, and until 1861 was engaged in several
of the public improvements in this State. At
the breaking out of the Rebellion he entered
the Eleventh Pennsylvania regiment, Colo-
nel Jarre tt, and was appointed captain of a
company from Pittston. On May 14, 1861,
he was appointed by the Secretary of War,
General Cameron, first lieutenant in the
Sixth cavalry of ihe regular army, and was
subsequently made brevet major and lieu-
tenant colonel for meritorious service. He
became captain by regular promotion Feb-
ruary 3, 1875. He served on the staff of
General Hancock at Baltimore and at New
Orleans, and was afterwards assigned to sev-
eral stations in Texas. In April, 1870, he
was obliged to leave Texas on account of
failing health, and returned to his home at
Harrisburg, where he died June 24, 1871.
Chester, Thomas Morris, son of George
and Jane Maria (Russell) Chester, was born
March 11, 1834, at Harrisburg, Pa. In Janu-
ary, 1851, he entered the preparatory depart-
ment of the Avery College, Allegheny City,
where he remained until January, 1853,when
he sailed for Liberia, West Africa, in the ship
" Banshee," arriving at Monrovia on the 3d
of June, of the same year. At Monrovia he
attended the Alexandria high school for one
year, then returned to America, and in De-
cember, 1854, entered thejunior class of Thet-
ford Academy, Vermont. He graduated from
that institution in 1856. In January, 1857,
he entered upon the duties of superintendent
of recaptured Africans from American slave
vessels at Cape Mount, Liberia, to instruct
them in civilized customs. He published
and edited the (Stor o/ itfterza, at Monrovia,
and was the correspondent of the New York
Herald at that point. In January, 1862, he
returned to America on account of the civil
strife, and assisted in recruiting the Fifty-
fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts regi-
ments, the first colored troops raised for the
war. In 1867 he went to England, entered
Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court at
London, for the study of law, and was
called to the English bar in 1870. While
in England he was appointed aide-de-camp
to President Payne, of Liberia, with the rAnk
of major, and was intrusted with important
missions to the courts of Russia and Belgium.
In July, 1870, Avery College conferred upon
him the degree of Master of Arts. On his
return to the United States in 1871, he went
to New Orleans, and received the appoint-
ment of storekeeper in the custom service.
In March, 1873, he was admitted to the prac-
tice of law in the courts of Louisiana, by
being admitted to the Supreme Court of the
State. Governor Kellogg the same year
appointed him brigadier general of the First
brigade of Louisiana militia. In 1875 he
was appointed district superintendent of
public education of the first division, com-
prising seven parishes, including the white
and colored schools, and in 1876 superin-
tendent of the fifth division, comprising
tliirteen parishes. In 1878 he was appointed
United States commisioner for the district of
Louisiana. On the 22d of June, 1881, he was
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, and at the November term,
1882, niade his first appearance at the bar of
his native city and county.
Finney, Isaac S., son of George Washing-
ton and Elspey (Smith) Finney, was born
September 6, 1835, at Halifax, Dauphin
county. Pa. He entered the navy as third
assistant engineer in 1859, and joined the
" Mystic," which was detailed for duty on the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
257
coast of Africa. On November 25, 1861, he
was promoted to the rank of second assistant
engineer. He afterwards joined the " Tus-
carora," and was present during the engage-
ment at Port Fisher and while engaged in
the pursuit of the "Alabama," and remained
on her until 1864, when he was promoted to
the rank of first assistant engineer and or-
dered to shore duty, but this lasted only for
a few days, for on June 23 he was ordered to
join the frigate "Susquehanna," belonging to
the North Atlantic squadron, and remained
on her until June 25, 1866, when he went on
shore duty at the Philadelphia and Ports-
mouth navy yards for a brief period of time.
On May 25, 1867, he joined the " Minnesota"
and remained on her until January 31, 1868.
On January 26, 1870, he joined the frigate
" Colorado," fitting out for the Asiatic squad-
ron, and remained on her until she went out
of commission March 25, 1873. Upon his
turn he received his promotion to chief en-
gineer. During the "Virginius" excitement,
and when a war with Spain appeared prob-
able, he voluntarily relinguished the agree-
able position he held of superintendent of
construction of government machinery at
Newburgh-on-the-Hudson, to join his old
ship, the " Colorado." From the evil effects
of his six months' sojourn on board that
vessel off the coast of Cuba and Key "West
he never recovered, and died at Brooklyn,
New York, November 19, 1874. He was in-
terred in the family burial lot in the Plarris-
burg cemetery.
Sees, Maj. Oliver Washington, was born
in the city of Philadelphia, on the 27th of
October, 1885. He was the second son of
David Sees and Ann Fell Edwards. His
parents had removed from Harrisburg to
Philadelphia in 1832, but returned to their
old home on the 1st daj"- of January, 1839.
Oliver Sees did not have the advantages of
a liberal education. When quite young,
about twelve years of age, he became a
messenger boy in the first magnetic telegraph
office that was opened in Harrisburg after
the wonderful discovery by Professor Morse,
the office being under the management of
David Brooks. The latter became ver}'
much interested in the bright-eyed, youth-
ful messenger, and under his special care
and teaching Oliver rapidly developed into
an operator, and finally became one of the
most expert and accomplished in the busi-
ness. He was one of the first to learn to read
messages by sound. His interest was so
great in the success of the laying of the At-
lantic cable that when the news reached
Harrisburg of its final accomplishment, he
was chiefly instrumental in getting up a
very enthusiastic demonstration to celebrate
that event. Mr. Sees' knowledge and special
fitness in his business were so marked that
on the 23d day of December, 1861, Governor
Curtin appointed him chief of telegraph, with
the rank of major, and shortly afterwards
added that of chief of transportation, two
very important positions during the war.
The duties of these combined offices he dis-
charged with signal ability and entire satis-
faction. In connection with this arduous
work the General Government intrusted
Major Sees with the key to the secret service
cipher, used in the transmission of the most
vital and important messages by the General
Government in relation to matters at that
critical period, and which could only be de-
ciphered through a knowledge of this key.
About this period he was appointed by Maj.
Gen. D.N. Couch, who was directing militarj'^
operations at this point, on his staff, and
mustered into the United States service. Im-
mediately after the battle of Gettysburg,
Governor Curtin ordered Major Sees to the
battlefield to assist in caring for the dead
and wounded Pennsylvania soldiers who
fell on that memorable occasion, a duty he
performed well. On his way back to Har-
risburg he was taken very sick at Carlisle,
and died in this city on the 30th day of
September, 1863, before he was twenty-eight.
The following is an extract from the re-
port of Col. M. S. Quay to Gov. Andrew G.
Curtin. Colonel Quay was the successor of
Major Sees as chief of transportation.
" The invasion of the State, in June, 1863,
by the armj'^ of General Lee, and your call
for the militia forces which immediately fol-
lowed, occasioned a large influx of business
of pressing importance, which occupied the
chief of the department, Major Sees, and his
clerical force for weeks.
"The United States having assumed the
payment of the expenses of the transporta-
tion of the rnilitia, Major Sees was placed
temporarily in their service, and assigned a
position on the staff of Major General Couch,
commanding the Department of the Susque-
hanna. He was relieved by General Couch,
at his own request, and was immediately
afterwards ordered to Gettysburg by you to
look after our dead and wounded.
258
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
" The extraordinary labors he found neces-
sary during this period, extending at times
through successive days and nights, with the
exposure and fatigue sustained at Gettys-
burg, undoubtedly produced illness through
which your administration lost a faithful
and competent officer, and his family a hus-
band and father who was their only sup-
port."
Major Sees was married to Caroline,
daughter of Charles Buehler and Sarah
Hoover, at Harrisburg, on the 22d day of
September, 1857 ; the widow and one daugh-
ter, Caroline, survived him.
Lawrence, Samuel M., son of Joseph and
Maria (Bucher) Lawrence, was born in Wash-
ington county. Pa., December 14, 1835. His
father's death occurring when he was six
years old his mother removed^ two years
later to Harrisburg, her former home, where
she continued to reside during the remainder
of her life, and here Samuel received his
principal education, although attending Jef-
ferson College for a time. From boyhood
he was a remarkable student, and had a
perfect hunger for knowledge. At an early
age he adopted the profession of civil en-
gineering, and was engaged in the survey of
the Sunbury & Erie (now Philadelphia &
Erie) railroad, and continued on it until
its completion in 1864. He was perfectly
familiar with every part of the road, and
had traveled it all on foot from Sunbury to
Erie. He was one of the four original con-
tractors who built the Oil Creek railroad,
and also chief engineer of it. He was also
engaged in the survey of the Warren and
Franklin road at the time of his death. He
was nominated by the Republican party in
the counties of Clearfield, McKean, Jefferson
and Elk for the Legislature, and represented
them in the session of 1860-61, thus spend-
ing the winter in Harrisburg, his old home.
He married, April 4, 1864, Hannah, daugh-
ter of Hon. John Green. He resided in
Warren the last three or four years of his
life and died there October 17, 1864, in his
twenty-ninth year. He is buried in Harris-
burg.
Hays, William Wallace, was born Octo-
ber 23, 1836 ; died March 31, 1870, at Har-
risburg, Pa. He received his prepara ory
education in the public schools and Harris-
burg Academy ; entered the sophomore
class of Jefferson College, Canonsburg, in
1853, graduating in 1856. He then went to
Texas, where he remained two years, teach-
ing in Victoria and Goliad. After returning
North, he began the study of law with
Robert A. Lamberton, Esq., and was ad-
mitted to the Dauphin county bar December
6, 1859. He began the practice of his pro-
fession at Harrisburg, continuing until his
appointment by Governor Curtin, in 1861,
as chief clerk in the office of the secretary of
the Commonwealth. On May 1, 1866, he
was appointed deputy secretary of the Com-
monwealth, discharging the duties of that
office until the close of Governor Curtin's
administration. He then resumed his pro-
fession of the law, and in connection with it
served as clerk to the Board of Claims from
January to June 1, 1868. In October fol-
lowing, having been nominated by the Re-
publicans of the city of Harrisburg, he was
elected mayor thereof, the duties of which
office he entered upon January 11, 1869.
His health, however, soon began to fail him,
and he died while in office, in his thirty-
fourth year. " Mr. Hays was a truly Chris-
tian gentleman, he thought more of right
than he did of life. His nature was of that
intensity which inspires men to die for the
truth, while his convictions on all subjects
relating to the ordinary and extraordinary
aflfairs of life, here and hereafter, were gov-
erned by the strongest principles of religion
and justice." Mr. Hays married, March 5,
1861, Mary Straughan Day, born September
13, 1837 ; daughter of Dr. Stephen F. Day
and Eliza Floyd Straughan, of Wooster, 0.
Awl, Francis Asbury, son of John Mi-
chael Awl, was born at Harrisburg, April 8,
1837, where he resides. At the beginning of
the Civil war in 1861 served in the three
months' service as adjutant of the Eleventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. In 1862
raised for the nine months' service company
A of the One Hundred and Twent3'-seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and par-
ticipated in the Fredericksburg campaign.
In 1864 he assisted in organizing the Two
Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, of which he was commissioned
colonel and served in that capacity until
mustered out at the close of the war. He
was a clerk in the Harrisburg National Bank
prior to the war; subsequently cashier of the
banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., in New
York, for a period of seven years ; was a trus-
tee for twelve years of the Pennsylvania State
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
259
Lunatic Hospital and secretary of the board;
and from 1891 to 1896 deputy superintend-
ent of banking. Colonel Awl married, June
5, 1872, Mary Elizabeth Thompson, born
August 9, 1847, in New York City. They
have two sons, Jay Wesley and Francis As-
bury.
Maloney, Thomas Francis, son of Daniel
and Mary (Houran) Maloney, was born
August 19, 1843, in county Tipperary, Ire-
land. His parents emigrated to America in
1847, and settled at Harrisburg. Thomas
F. was educated in the public schools of
Harrisburg, afterwards at St. Michael's Sem-
inary, near Pittsburgh, at St. Vincent's Col-
lege, at Latrobe, Pa. He learned the trade
of a machinist with W. 0. Hickok, at the
Eagle Works, Harrisburg. During the Re-
bellion he enlisted as a private in company
A, One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh regi-
ment, Pen nsyl vania volunteers, July 22, 1862 ;
appointed corporal of the company July 26,
1862 ; promoted sergeant August 1, 1862 ;
promoted first sergeant August 6, 1862, and
to adjutant of the independent battalion
November 4, 1862, and mustered out with
the regiment May 8, 1863. He was ap-
pointed conditionally by Governor Curtin
second lieutenant and mustering officer
United States volunteers August 4, 1861, and
upon the organization of the Two Hundred
and First regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
was commissioned captain of company P,
August 27, 1864, serving with the command
of the Army of the Potomac until his muster
out by reason of General Order No. 94, A.
G. 0. War Department series, June 21, 1865.
Upon the reorganization of the First City
Zouaves of Harrisburg, Captain Maloney,
in 1869, was elected first lieutenant, and De-
cember 16, 1870, commissioned captain of
company A of the Zouave battalion. When
the National Guard of Pennsylvania was
established the company became known as
the City Grays of Harrisburg, and on the
organization of the Eighth regiment, Penn-
sylvania National Guard, was attached to
that command and mustered in as company
D. He was re-commissioned December 14,
1875, and December 16, 1880 ; was one of the
senior members in the service, and re-
peatedly refused a field office, preferring to
remain with his company, which has no
superior in the National Guard. On the
first of February, 1883, he was appointed
arsenel keeper of the State arsenal at Harris-
burg. Captain Maloney married, in 1868,
Ellen, daughter of John Casey, of Harrisburg.
It may be stated in this connection that Cap-
tain Maloney was the author of a military
manual on " Guard Duty " which is consid-
ered an authority on the subject.
McCreath, Andrew S., son of William
McCreath (died 1878, aged seventy-five) and
Margaret Chrichton (died 1870, aged sixty-
three), was born March 8, 1849, in Ayr,
Scotland. He was educated at Ayr Acad-
emy and Glasgow University for classical
course. He took special chemical courses
at Andersonian University, Glasgow, under
Professors Penny and Dr. Clark, and subse-
quently at Gottingen, under Professors
Wochler and Filtig. He came to America
in 1870, and assumed charge of the chemi-
cal laboratory at the Pennsylvania steel
works, where he remained till August, 1874,
when he was appointed by the State geolo-
gist, chemist to the Second Geological Sur-
vey of Pennsylvania, which position he still
holds. He has prepared three reports for
the State geologist, and special reports on
the mineral resources along the lines of the
Shenandoah Valley, Norfolk and Western,
and New River railroads. He is actively
engaged in his profession. He was married
February 4, 1875, to Eliza, daughter of
Charles L. and Marv W. Hummel Berghaus.
Awl, John Wesley, was born at Harris-
burg, on the 21st of November, 1852,
and died there on the 2d of March, 18.94 ;
was educated at Dickinson College, read law
with F. K. Boas, Esq., and admitted to the
bar in 1856. During the war for the Union
he entered the service in 1862 as captain in
the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Upon the
organization of the Two Hundred and
First, Pennsylvania volunteers, he was com-
missioned lieutenant colonel ; in May, 1865,
was appointed commandant of the " Soldier's
Rest" at Alexandria, Va.; mustered out with
his regiment June 21, 1865. Upon the or-
ganization of the National Guard of Penn-
sylvania he was adjutant of the Fifth di-
vision, and subsequently adjutant of the
Third brigade; as an attorney he was care-
ful, methodical and trustworthy; as a mili-
tary officer he was highly regarded by his
260
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
fellow-officers and greatly loved by hisraen;
a life-long member of the church of his
father, he was a faithful official. He was
unmarried.
Anderson, Rev. James, was a native of
Scotland, born November 17, 1678, was edu-
cated under Principal Stirling, of Glasgow,
and ordained by Irvine Presbytery, Novem-
ber 17, 1708, with a view to his settlement in
Virginia. He sailed March 6, 1709, and ar-
rived in the Rappahannock on the 22d of
April following, but the state of things there
not warranting his stay, he came northward,
and was received by the Presbytery September
20. He settled at New Castle. In 1714, out
of regard to the desolate condition of the
people in Kent county, he was directed to
supply them monthly on a Sabbath, and
also to spend a Sabbath at Cedar creek, in
Sussex. He subsequently ministered in New
York, but owing to some difficulties in the
congregation there he desired a removal.
He was called September 24, 1726, to Done-
gal, on the Susquehanna, and accepted it.
He was installed the last Wednesday in
August, 1727. In September, 1729, he gave
every fifth Sabbath to the people on Swatara,
and joined the congregation of Derry, thus
becoming the first settled pastor over that
church, until the call of Rev. William Ber-
tram, 1732. He died July 16, 1740. In the
language of the Presbytery, "he was high in
esteem for circumspection, diligence and
faithfulness as a Christian minister." The
Rev. Mr. Anderson married, February, ] 712-
13, Suit Garland, daughter of Sylvester Gar-
land, of the Head of Apoquinimy. She
died December 24, 1736. He then married
Rachel Wilson, December 27, 1737. Plis son
Garland Anderson, married Jane, daughter
of Peter Chevalier, of Philadelphia, but died
early. His daughter Elizabeth married Sam-
uel Breeze, resided in New York, and was a
woman of great excellence. A brother of the
Rev. Mr. Anderson was John Anderson, of
Perth Amboy, who in 1712 was made one of
the council of the Province of New Jersey.
He died in March, 1736, aged seventy-three,
being then president of the council.
Black, Rev. Samuel, was a native of the
north of Ireland, born about 1700. He
studied theology prior to his emigrating to
America, and was subsequently licensed by
New Castle Presbytery. The forks of Brandy-
wine in Chester county was formed into a
separate congregation in 1735, and in Sep-
tember same year, Donegal Presbytery gave
them leave to invite Black to preach as a
candidate for settlement. He was called
October 7, and ordained November 18, 1735.
A portion of his people preferred complaints
against him September 2,1740. This was
just at the time of the extraordinary eft'ects
produced by the preaching of Whitfield.
Most of the allegations were sustained, but
after a rebuke and suspension for a season,
he was restored, and afterwards released
from the pastoral relation. The new con-
gregation of Conewago between Middletown
and Mount Joy called him in October, 1741,
and he was installed the second Wednesday
in May following. He made occasional
visits to Virginia as a missionary, and was
sent to Potomac in 1748. Difficulties arose
in his flock at Conewago and they asked to
have the Rev. John Steel, who was supply-
ing Conestoga, sent to them. North and
South Mountain in Virginia (the former six
miles west of Staunton) asked for him,
March 6, 1745. He was dismissed from
Conewago in April, but in the fall they
sought to regain him. A division took
place. Those who left him obtained one-
fifth of the time of the Rev. John Roan,
pastor of the New Side churches of Paxtang
and Derry. In 1747, he, with Revs. Thom-
son and Craig, was directed to take the over-
sight of the vacancies in Virginia. In 1751
he was directed to supply Buffalo settlement
and the adjacent places four Sabbaths. • He
took charge of the congregations of Rock-
port and Mountain Plain before 1752. He
died August 9, 1770.
Roan, Rev. John, was born April 30,
1717 (0. S.), in Grenshaw, Ireland , died
October 3, 1775, in Derry township, Lancas-
ter, now Dauphin county, Pa. Ke received
a good education, and emigrated to Penn-
sylvania about 1740. He entered the " Log
College," and taught school on the Nesha-
miny and in Chester county while pursuing
his theological studies. He was licensed by
the "New Side" Presbytery of New Castle,
and, in the winter of 1744, sent to Hanover,
Va. The following year (1745), he was set-
tled over the united congregations of Derry,
Paxtang and Conewago, the latter having
one-fifth of his time. The minutes of the
Synod placed Roan in Donegal Presbytery,
and '• points of difficulty," says Webster,
" continually arose." Toward the latter
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
261
days of his ministry Mr. Roan missionated
frequently on the south branch of the Poto-
mac. He lies interred in Derry church
graveyard. On his tombstone is this in-
scription :
Beneath this stone are deposited the Remains
of an able, faithful courageous & successful
minister of Jesus Christ The Rev'd John Roan
Pastor of Paxton, Derry & Mount Joy Congrega-
tions from the year 174-5 till Oct. 3, 1775 ivhen
he exchanged a Militant for a triumphant Life
in the 59 year of his Age.
The Rev. John Roan married, August 21,
1750, Mrs. Anne (Cochran) Leckey, born
March 25, 1724; died April 22, 1788, in
Chester county, Pa.; daughter of James
Cochran and Anne Rowan.
Sanckey, Rev. Richard, a native of the
north of Ireland, was born about 1712. He
studied theology at Glasgow under Principal
Stirling, and came to America in the sum-
mer of 1735. He was taken on trial by
Donegal Presbytery the 7th of October same
year, licensed October 13, 1736, and sent to
the church on Manada creek. This congre-
gation is first mentioned in October, 1735,
Lazarus Stewart appearing to supplicate in
its behalf the next year. The Rev. William
Bertram, of Derry, moderated the call which
was brought to the Presbytery for Mr.
Sanckey by John Cunningham and Robert
Green, June 22, 1737. From that time on-
ward the congregation is styled Hanover.
Mr. Sanckey accepted August 31, 1737, but
it appearing that his trial sermon was tran-
scribed out of books to give a false idea of
his ministerial powers, and contained most
dangerous errors, the Presbytery rebuked
him and delayed his ordination. The Rev.
George Gillespie remonstrated with the
Synod not to countenance such levity es-
pecially as Mr. Sanckey had sent the notes
to Henry Hunter, '• who had preached them
to his own overthrow." Hunter had passed
himself off as an ordained minister of the
New Light Presbytery of Antrim in the
bounds of Lewes Presbytery, and the Synod
finding his credentials of license genuine,
but that he had not been ordained, that he
had been guilty of prevarication, and also
that money had been given him to go to the
Bishop of London for orders, resolved, nem.
con., not to countenance him, especially as
there was " ground to suspect his principles,"
until he had gone through the ordinary
course of trials in some of their Presbyteries.
He acquiesed ; and coming before Newcastle
Presbytery with notes stolen from heretical
divines, he was rejected. The Synod blamed
the Presbytery of Donegal for not taking
notice in their minutes of Rev. Sanckey's
plagiarism, or censuring him on that ac-
count, but as he had been sharply rebuked,
and his ordination delayed a considerable
time, they declined to lay any other burden
on him. He was ordained August 31, 1738.
For a period of twenty-one years Mr. Sanckey
continued in the pastoral care of Hanover
church. On June 6, 1758, having received
a call to the congregation of Buffalo, iu
Virginia, and designing to remove there, he
applied for and received his credentials from
the Presbytery. Accompanied by many of
the Hanover people, he removed in 1760,
where he joined the Hanover Presbytery,
and served his congregation faithfully and
well. He presided at the opening of tlie
Synod of Virginia in 1785 ; lived to a good
old age, respected by his people and his
brethren in the ministr3^ We have en-
deavored to secure additional information in
regard to him, date of his death, etc., but
have failed.
LocHMAN, Rev. John George, D. D., son
of Nicholas and Maria (Schneider) Lochman,
was born at Philadelphia, Pa., December 2,
1773. After proper preparation he entered
the University of Pennsylvania, at whicli
he graduated, and from which institution lie
subsequently received the doctorate. He
studied theology under the direction of thu
celebrated Dr. Helmuth, a graduate of tlie
University of Halle, and for many years
professor of German and Oriental languages
in the University of Pennsylvania. He wus
licensed to preach in 1794, and soon after ac-
cepted a call to Lebanon, where he remained
twenty-one j'ears. In 1815 he was elected
pastor of the United Evangelical Lutheran
churches at Harrisburg, Middletown and
Shupp's, where he labored with great fidelil y
and the most satisfactory results. In 1817
he was president of the German Luthenin
Synod of the United States. Dr. Lochman's
useful life terminated at Harrisburg, July
10, 1825. The congregations in tiieir appre-
ciation of his services erected a handsome
monument over his remains, which are in-
terred on the southeast side of the church.
262
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
His wife, Susan Hoffman, died June 27,
1830, and is buried by his side. Their son,
the Rev. Augustus Loch man, D. D., who
succeeded his father at Harrisburg, is now
a venerable minister at York. Dr. Lochman
was an able and popular preacher, was held
in high estimation by the church, and exer-
cised an unbounded influence. He was the
author of "The History, Doctrine and Disci-
pline of the Evangelical Lutheran Church,"
published in 1817, and several other works.
Their children were: Rev. Dr. Augustus H.,
William H., Louisa, who married Rev. Roth-
rauff, Susan, Camilla B., who married Will-
iam Keller, Emma, who married John Heis,
of Illinois, and Annie, who married Fred-
erick V. Beisel.
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mitchell mar-
ried a daughter of Dr. Benjamin J. Wiest-
ling, of Middletown, Pa.
Mitchell, Andrew Dinsmorb, was born in
York county, Pa., February 2, 1824. He
graduated at Jefferson College in 1841, and
afterwards spent some time in teaching. In
1844 he matriculated at Princeton Theolog-
ical Seminary, where he prepared for the
ministry. He came under the care of the
Carlisle Presbytery in 1849 as a licentiate
from the Donegal Presbytery, and at the
same time calls were placed at his hands
from the united charges of Paxtang and
Derry. These he accepted, and in 1850 was
ordained and installed pastor of that people,
whom he acceptably served until 1874, when
at his own request the pastoral relation was
dissolved. Subsequently he declined certain
positions that were offered him, but in 1876
he accepted the appointment of chaplain in
the United States army by his friend, Hon.
J. D. Cameron, then Secretary of War. He
spent five years at the military prison of
Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and was transferred
in the fall of 1881 to Fort Grant, Ari., where
he died on the 26th of March, 1882, aged
fifty-eight years. Mr. Mitchell had also
been the very acceptable stated clerk of the
Carlisle Presbytery from 1857 to the year of
his appointment as chaplain, 1876, when he
resigned and received the special commenda-
tion of the Presbytery for his faithful ser-
vices. Pie had been repeatedly sent as a
commissioner to the General Assembly, and
in 1868 he was elected moderator of the Bal-
timore Synod, when the Carlisle Presbytery
formed a part of that body. He was very
decided in his convictions, yet tolerant of
the opinions of others and was a warm friend
of the union between the two branches of
DeWitt, William Radcliff, the son of
John DeWitt and Katharine Van Vliet. was
born at Paulding's Manor, Dutchess county,
N. Y., on the 25th of February, 1792. His
ancestors were among the first immigrants
from Holland to New Nethelands, in 1623.
His early years were spent in commercial
pursuits, but about 1810 he turned his atten-
tion to the sacred ministry. He studied with
Dr. Alexander Proudfit, of Salem, N. Y., and
entered Washington Academy. The war of
1812 interrupting his studies, he volunteered
in the regiment of Colonel Rice, and was in
service at Lake Champlain at the time of
McDonough's victory, September 11, 1814.
After the close of the war, in 1815, he entered
Nassau Hall, Princeton, as a sophomore, but
subsequently entered the senior class of
Union College, Schenectady, where he grad-
uated with distinction, completing his theolog-
ical studies under Rev. Dr. John M. Mason,
of New York. He was licensed to preach by
the Presbytery of New York April 23, 1818.
In the fall of that year he came to Harris-
burg by invitation, and was called to the
pastorate of the Presbyterian church October
5, 1818. He was received by the Presbytery
of Carlisle April 13, 1819, but not ordained
until the 26th of October, that year. Dr. De-
Witt received the degree of A. M. in course
from Union College, and in 1888 the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania conferred on him
the title of Doctor of Divinity. From 1854
to 1860 he held the office of State librarian,
appointed by Governors Bigler and Pollock.
In 1854felt the necessity of taking a colleague,
Rev. T. H. Robinson, D. D.. He died at Har-
risburg, December 23, 1867, in his seventy-
sixth year. Dr. DeWitt was twice married,
his first wife being Julia Woodhull, dauhgter
of Rev. Nathan Woodhull, of Newton, L. I.
His second wife was Mary Elizabeth Wal-
lace, daughter of William Wallace, of Har-
risburg, who survived her husband. During
H ministry of nearly fifty years in Harris-
burg, Dr. DeWitt enjoyed the confidence of
all his ministerial brethren. In the com-
munity he was greatly appreciated and re-
spected by all classes. As a theologian he
had few equals in the ministry, and although
firm and decided in his views, he was liberal
and catholic in spirit. His published writ-
ings were limited to twelve or thirteen pam-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
263
phlets, the most popular of which was a
small volume entitled " Her Price above
Rubies." He preached many powerful dis-
courses, a volume of which should certainly
be preserved in permanent form.
three. Over his remains, in the Harrisburg
cemetery, the denomination have erected a
handsome monument.
WiNEBRENNER, Rev. John, was born in
Frederick county, Md., March 24, 1797. He
was partly educated at the Glades school in
Frederick, and partly at Dickinson College,
Carlisle. He studied for the ministry under
the Rev. Mr. Helfenstein, in Philadelphia,
and was ordained by the Potomac Synod of
the Reformed Church in September, 1820,
at Hagerstown. That year he was called to
the Salem church at Harrisburg, at the same
time ministering to Shoop's, Wenrick's and
the Freiden's churches in the neighbor-
hood. It was during his pastorate that the
present church edifice. Third and Chestnut
streets, was erected. Mr. Winebrenner min-
istered here from October 22, 1820, to March
23, 1823, when, owing to his religious views
on revivals, Sunday-schools, anti-slavery and
the temperance movement, with the allow-
ing of non-ordained persons to preach in his
pulpit, becoming obnoxious to his congrega-
tion, a separation took place. In a number
of pamphlets he issued Mr. Winebrenner
vigorously defended his principles from the
attacks made right and left by his oppo-
nents; and he did not cease therefore "to
preach the word." Subsequently his ener-
gies were devoted to the establishment of a
new denomination, called hy him the
Church of God, but known in early years as
Winebrennarians. He met with remarkable
success, and although but fifty years have
passed since the Rev. John Winebrenner
promulgated the docti'ines of baptism by
immersion and the washing of feet, the min-
isters of that church number probably five
hundred, and the membership well on to
sixty thousand. Mr. Winebrenner was the
author of a number of religious and contro-
versial works, those on "Regeneration,"
"Brief Views of the Church of God," and a
volume of "Practical and Doctrinal Ser-
mons" being the more important. He
edited for several years the Oospel Publisher,
now the Church Advocate. In the early years
of his ministry he was an uncompromising
opponent of human slavery. The Rev. Mr.
Winebrenner died at Harrisburg, on the
12th of September, 1860, at the age of sixty-
Ross, Joseph, was born July 14, 1798, at
Elizabethtown, Pa.; died January 26, 1863,
at Middletown, Pa. At a proper age he
went to Harrisburg, Pa., to learn the mer-
cantile business. Afterwards he engaged in
said occupation in that place, and then
moved to Middletown, where he continued
keeping store till near the close of his life.
In the year 1824 he became acquainted with
Rev. John Winebrenner, who visited Mid-
dletown to preach the gospel, and under
him became converted. At the first oppor-
tunity he identified himself with the Church
of God, being one of the original members
of that denomination in Middletown, where
he continued to be among its most active
workers until his death. His name appears
as a ruling elder in the journal of the Fourth
Annual Eldership, held at Middletown, De-
cember 25, 1833. He was licensed to preach
at the Seventh Annual Eldership which
convened at Churchtown, Cumberland
county, November 5, 1836. At the time of
his death he was a member of the board of
publication and treasurer of the General
Eldership as well as treasurer of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership. He traveled and
labored in the ministry, at protracted and
other meetings, " without money and with-
out price," and was an eminently successful
revival preacher. His liberality and benev-
olence were all well known at home, and in
all the churches. His warmth of heart and
affection made him beloved by all his ac-
quaintances. He was a strict disciplinarian,
and a great lover of order. Besides, he car-
ried his religion into his business, being
scrupulously truthful and honest in all his
dealings, loving justice and hating sin in
every form. He was devotedly attached to
the doctrines of the Church of God, fearlessly
defended them, and worked actively to estab-
lish them. Mr. Ross married, in 1822, Cath-
arine Kunkel, daughter of Christian Kun-
kel,of Harrisburg. She was born December
22, 1803, and died in 1896 in the ninety-
third year of her age.
Keller, Rev. Emanuel, son of Peter and
Catherine (SchaefFer) Keller, was born Sep-
tember 30, 1801, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was
educated in thecommonschoolsand academy
264
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of the borough, and pursued his classical
studies under the direction of his uncle, the
Rev. Benjamin Keller. He subsequently
entered Dickinson College, where he re-
mained two years, when he began the study
of theology with the Rev. Dr. Lochman, of
Harrisburg. In 1826 he was licensed by
the Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania, and
the same year laegan his ministerial labors
at Manchester, Md. Thence he removed to
Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he continued in
the pastorate until a short period before liis
death, his enfeebled health obliging him to
resign his charge. He died at Mechanics-
burg, April 11, 1837, in the sixty-sixth year
of his age, and is buried in Trindle Spring
graveyard. The Rev. Mr. Keller married,
April 14, 1825, Sabine Seltzer, of Harrisburg,
and they have five children.
Hay, Charles A.— The following sketch
of Charles A. Hay, D. D., father of John W.,
was prepared by Prof. E. S. Breidenbaugh,
Sc. D., and is taken from the Lutheran Ob-
server of July 14, 1893 :
" Charles Augustus Hay was born at York,
Pa., February 11, 1821. He died suddenly
from heart disease, at his home. Seminary
Ridge, Gettysburg, June 26, 1893. He at-
tended the schools of his native town, and'
was also directed in his studies by his uncle,
Dr. J. G. Morris, so that he entered the
sophomore class of Pennsylvania College,
graduating in 1839. He pursued his theo-
logical studies at Gettysburg, and at Berlin
and Halle in Germany. These years spent
in Germany were peculiarly rich in benefits
and in memories to Dr. Hay. He enjoyed
close intimacy with Prof Tholuck and with
his fellow-pupil, afterwards Prof. Lincoln of
Brown University, who has spoken to me of
the manner in which his fellow-students
were attracted to Mr. Hay by reason of his
scholarship, his modest bearing, and amiable
disposition.
Dr. Hay was licensed in 1843, and was for
the greater portion of the following fifty
years connected with the East Pennsylvania
Synod, thus covering almost its whole history,
and was one of the most influential members
of the Synod.
The first pastorate of Dr. Hay was Middle-
town, Pa., in 1844, whence, the same year,
he was called to the combined professorships
of German in Pennsylvania College and in
the Theological Seminary, continuing till
1848, when he served ti:ie congregation at
Hanover, Pa., for one year, being now called
to the charge of Zion church, Harrisburg,
continuing to serve these people till 1865,
when he was again called to the institutions
at Gettysburg, to the Theological Seminary
as professor of Hebrew and Old Testament
theology, pastoral theology, and German
language and literature. During the re-
cent commencement he had tendered his
resignation, to take effect at the end of the
current year. During that period (1866-
1892) he served as pastor of Christ (College)
church, Gettysburg, in connection with his
professional duties.
We knew Dr. Hay thus as pastor, teacher
and also as author, curator of Historical So-
ciety, laborer in general church work, and
as citizen, but above all else as a man. In
a few words I will imperfectly but truthfully
refer to each.
As pastor, he rounded the half century of
labor; for while over half the time from
licensure in 1843 he was in professional
positions, during the much larger portion of
this period he was at the same time pastor
of a congregation. If one requires any testi-
mony to the character of the service of Dr.
Hay as pastor, let inquiries be made of the
people of Harrisburg or of Gettysburg — not
of Lutherans alone but of the whole commu-
nity, of the church attendance and of the
members of the Sunday-school. He fulfilled
the injunctions of Paul, he was " gentle to
all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness
instructing them that oppose," " a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di-
vining the word of truth ;" and he obeyed
the word of the Lord to Paul, " Be not afraid,
but speak, and hold not thy peace." The
result in the congregations was souls saved,
growth in Christian graces, and vigorous
religious life, and on the death of the pastor
tears that expressed but faintly the sense of
a friend, a counselor, a helper, a messenger
from God.
As professor, he possessed three great
qualifications: he knew his subjects, he was
deeply interested in his work, he was ready
at all times to give assistance to the in-
quirer. Speaking from personal knowledge,
lie quickened the interest of the student and
led him to further research. Many genera-
tions of students will bear testimony to the
value of his service in the theological sem-
inary, and the fruit of his teachings will
never be lost in the church.
As author, Dr. Hay has made conlribu-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
265
tions to reviews on Old Testament exegesis,
on codices of the Scriptures, and on histori-
cal and biographical topics, besides reviews.
He has also prepared several biographical
volumes, and has translated from German
several important volumes and review arti-
cles. As an author his style was clear and
definite and his discussion thorough. His
translations are highly commended for clear
and accurate expression of the thoughts of
the original. His last translation is Luther's
Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount.
With Dr. H. E. Jacobs he translated and
edited Schmid's Dogmatik.
In general church work Dr. Hay was
always active and influential. In his dis-
trict Synod, and in the General Synod, of
which he was frequently a member, secre-
tary in 1853, and president in 1881, he was
a prominent figure, and helped quietly but
decidedly to place the General Synod in its
very excellent doctrinal position. He was
for a number of years the chairman of the
beneficiary education committee of the East
Pennsylvania Synod, and a member of the
executive committee of the Parent Educa-
tion Society. The young men receiving aid
know how he was interested in their welfare
and sought the prompt payment of their
money, while at tfie same time guarding the
church against unworthy recipients of aid.
Dr. Hay M'as an efficient trustee of Pennsyl-
vania College from 1852, and served as sec-
retary of the board 1867-80. In many
other connections be was actively employed
in the benefit of his greatly beloved Lu-
theran Church.
In work outside of the Lutheran Church,
he was always ready to co-operate with other
Christian people in any good cause. In
local church and benevolent work, his assist-
ance was eagerly sought and promptly given.
He was from 1870 the president of the Penn-
sylvania Bible Society, and for many years
president, first, of the Harrisburg Bible So-
ciety and subsequently of the Bible Society
of the Theological Seminary and Pennsyl-
vania College.
Special attention is called to his very valu-
able, his inestimably valuable service to the
Lutheran Church as curator of the library of
the Historical Society of the Lutheran
Church. In 1869 he was elected to this
position, and with his co-laborer, Dr. J. G.
Morris, president of the society, he has col-
lected and arranged in an accessible shape
a great mass of manuscript and printed
documents concerning general and local
church history. This collection has excited
the admiration and surprise of many who
had, before consulting this collection,
searched in vain for important historical
data. If valuable now, time will only in a
rapid ratio increase the value of this work.
As a citizen, Dr. Hay was known as a con-
scientious, earnest supporter of all measures
which were calculated to advance the wel-
fare of the individual and of tiie community.
He was interested in the work of our public
school system, and served as a member of
the school board of the city of Harrisburg.
This known interest led Governor Hoyt to
offer him the position of State superintendent
of public schools.
Dr. Hay was an earnest advocate of the
cause of the poor, and of all who were op-
pressed or needy; his was a broad and wise
philanthropy, which while seeking large
results, labored for the individual and re-
membered that units make up the aggregate.
The Civil war called out all the Christian
patriotism of Dr. Hay. By voice and pen
and example he showed himself theadvocate
of the Union and the friend of the soldier.
Many examples occur to the writer, but
space forbid their recital — how he had his
congregation to help fortify Harrisburg in
1863, at Fort Washington; how he was im-
prisoned by General Wool for criticising the
General's leniency to rebel sympathizers ;
how he cared for the soldiers at Camp Curtin,
and carried relief and comfort to the hospitals.
Thus Dr. Hay has left behind him many
memorials, as pastor, reformer, author, la-
borer in the church, curator, citizen, friend ;
but the greatest memorial is that of his per-
sonal life, a legacy begond all others to his
children and to those privileged to call him
friend. He was pure in thought, guileless in
conduct, affectionate in manner, constant in
advocacy of truth, wise in counsel, helpful to
the stricken, by his very presence a dis-
courager of vice, earnest and faithful in labor
— a preacher who came with God's message
to man, a pastor who was careful of the fold,
a friend who sought the Christian advance-
ment of his friends. We will miss him
from the pulpit, from the altar, from the
Sunday-school, from the sick room, from the
social gathering, from the personal inter-
course. Multitudes will rise up now and in
the hereafter and call him blessed. We will
say for him what his modesty would have
forbidden him to appropriate for himself:
266
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
He has fought a good fight, he has finished
his course, he has kept the faith ; henceforth
there is laid up for him a crown of righteous-
ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give him.
Dr. Hay has left behind him a wife, three
sons — Dr. John W., of Harrisburg; Rev.
Charles E., of AUentown, Pa.; Rev. E.G., of
Red Hook, N. Y. — and two daughters, the
wives respectively of Rev. M. L. Heisler, of
Harrisburg, and Prof J. A. Himes, of Gettys-
burg."
Melick, Rev. Justus A., was born, of
pious Methodist parents, in Light Street,
Columbia county, Pa., March 7, 1823, and
thus at his death had completed by a few
weeks sixty-three years of earthly pilgrim-
age. From early childhood he gave evi-
dence of a devoutness of spirit in the daily
reading of the scriptures and in a fixed pur-
pose to lead a pure and upright life. It
was not, however, until he was student in
the academy at Harford, Pa., possibly in
his twentieth year, that he received the assur-
ance of his acceptance as a child of God.
This so changed the current of his thought
that he cheerfully surrendered his cherished
plan — to adopt the profession of law — and
gave himself to the ministrj', to which he
felt called of God. After graduation, with
honor as valedictorian of his class, he at-
tended, for a term of years, the Genessee
Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y., as pre-
parative to his life work.
In 1848, with twenty-four other young
men he was admitted on trial in the Balti-
more conference. In 1850, at Alexandria,
Va., he was received into full connection in
the conference and ordained a deacon by
Bishop Morris, and in 1852 was ordained
elder, at Cumberland, Md., by Bishop James.
His first appointment was Bellefonte circuit,
as junior preacher, being a colleague of Rev.
Thompson Mitchell. His subsequent fields
of labor were as follows: 1849, Clearfield ;
1850, Lycoming; 1851, Berwick; 1852-3,
Luzerne; 1854-5, Lock Haven; 1856-7,
Great Island; 1858, Manor Hill; 1859-60,
Birmingham; 1861-2, Woodberry ; 1863-4,
Williamsburg; 1865-7, Newberry; 1868-9,
Bloomsburg ; 1870-1, Jersey Shore ; 1872-4,
Hollidaysburg; 1875-6, St. Paul's, Harris-
burg. Here in the second year of his pastor-
ate his health began to fail, and at the Wil-
liamsport conference in 1877 he became
supernumerary, and a year later settled
down into the most sorrowful conviction of a
Methodist preacher — work done, supernum-
erated. The next eight years were spent in
Harrisburg, cheered by the loving associa-
tions of a bright and happy home, the esteem
of the church, the love of his brethren and
the confidence of the whole community, do-
ing such work as his strength would permit.
Rev. Jesse B. Young, his pastor during the
last year of his life, in a memoir read at the
memorial service held in the Grace church,
Harrisburg, reviewed the character and
achievements of Rev. Melick, paying an
eloquent tribute to his unselfish devotion
and loyalty to the cause of Christ.
Rev. Melick was twice married. The wife
of his early manhood was Miss Emeline E.
Patchin, of Clearfield county. Pa., to whom
he was united, October 28, 1851, and who
shared for eleven years the toils and depri-
vations of his early itinerancy. She died in
1862, leavipg him with three little children.
He was married, secondly, in 1867, to Miss
Emily Dunmire, who by her devotion to
him in the years of their wedded life, and
by her faithful and motherly care of the
children, now grown to a beautiful, active
Christian manhood and womanhood, has
shown her eminent fitness for the delicate
and responsible trust.
His end was calm and peaceful, and his
funeral was held in Grace Methodist Episco-
pal church, Harrisburg, March 25, 1886. A
deeply affected and sympathetic congrega-
tion filled the spacious edifice, and a large
number of ministers of his own and other
denominations by their presence expressed
their appreciation of his worth and work.
Calder, James, son of William and Mary
(Kirkwood) Calder, was born February 16,
1826, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was educated
in the public schools of the borough, the
Harrisburg Academy, Partridge's military
institute, and entered Wesleyan University,
Middletown, Conn., in 1845, from which he
graduated August 1, 1849. In September
following, he joined the Philadelphia con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and was stationed in Lancaster county, where
he remained until 1851, when he was ap-
pointed missionary to China, sailing from
New York in the spring of that year. He
reached Foo-Chow, his missionary station,
in July following. He remained at this
point until the year 1854, when having
changed his views on church polity, he
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
267
withdrew from the denomination, and re-
turned to the United States. Soon after he
became pastor of the Bethel church, Harris-
burg, until the year 1859, and in the mean-
time editor of the Church Advocate, the organ
of the Church of God. In 1857, while serv-
ing in this pastorate, he took charge of the
Shippensburg Collegiate Institute, contin-
uing there one year, until owing to the
death of his wife, he returned to Harrisburg.
In 1862 the larger part of the congregation
here, with their pastor, connected them-
selves with the Free Will Baptists denom-
ination, and erected a new church building
on State and Fourth streets. The Rev. Mr.
Calder ministered to that congregation until
1869, when he was elected president of
Hillsdale College, Michigan, a Free Will
Baptist institution. He continued at the
head of that institution two years; when, in
1871, the presidency of the Pennsylvania
State College having become vacant by the
death of Dr. Burrowes, Mr. Calder was in-
vited to succeed him. He accepted the po-
sition, returned to Pennsylvania, and until
June, 1880, remained in charge of that in-
stitution. He then resigned and came to
Harrisburg, where he remained until his
death, which occurred November 22, 1893.
From 1890 to 1893 he filled the position of
lecturer of the State Grange of Pennsyl-
vania, and at the same time assistant editor
of the Farmejrs' Friend, published in the
interest of the State Grange. Hillsdale Col-
lege, m 1866, conferred upon Mr. Calder the
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr.
Calder married first, in 1850, Ellen C,
daughter of the Rev. John Winebrenner,
who died in 1858. His second wife was Mrs.
Eliza D. Murphy, daughter of the late Nich-
olas Reamshart, of Harrisburg, who still
survives.
To the first union were born four children :
Frank R., Harrisburg; James K., Hagers-
town, Md.; Charles M., died August 18,
1880 ; A. Russell, S.teelton, Pa.
To the second union were born four chil-
dren : William Carey, missionary in Burma ;
Mary E., wife of Prof. John W. Heston;
Everett, Washington; Howard L., Harris-
burg ; Wallace R., Harrisburg.
Robinson, Thomas Hastings, son of Will-
iam Andrew Robinson and his wife Nancy
Cochran, was born January 30, 1828, in
North-East township, Erie county. Pa. He
entered Oberlin College, Lorain county,
Ohio, in 1846, having prepared in the pre-
paratory department of the same institution,
and graduated in 1850, pursuing the full
course. During his college vacations he
taught in public and select schools, and, for
a year or more after his graduation, he was
principal of the academy at Ashtabula, Ohio,
and, for six months, principal of the Normal
School at Farmington, in that State. He
entered the Western Theological Seminary,
Allegheny, Pa., in 1851, graduating in
April, 1854. He was licensed to preach by
the Presbytery of Ohio, June 13, 1854, and,
in July following, was called to the colleague
pastorate of what is now known as the
Market Square Presbyterian church, at Har-
risburg, Pa., as an associate with the Rev.
William R. DeWitt, D. D. He began his
ministration in October, 1854, and was
ordained and installed on the 21st of Jan-
uary, 1855, by the Presbystery of Harris-
burg. After the withdrawal of the Rev. Dr.
DeWitt, in 1864, and his decease, in 1867,
he continued in sole charge of the church
until his resignation, in 1884. He was
moderator of the Synod of Pennsylvania
(N. S.), in 1861 ; stated clerk of the Synod
of Harrisburg, 1870-82, and stated clerk of the
Synod of Pennsylvania, 1882-1883, when he
resigned, and also his thirty years' pastorate of
the Market Square church, Harrisburg, to
accept the professorship of sacred rhetoric,
church government, and pastoral theology,
in the Western Tlieologioal Seminary, at
Allegheny, into which office he was inducted
April 16, 1884. He was a director of the
seminary from 1874 to 1884, and was a
trustee of Princeton College from 1875 to
1885. Resides in Allegheny City. Rev.
Dr. Robinson married, in 1856, Mary Wolf
Buehler, daughter of Henry Buehler and
Anna Margaretta, only daughter of Governor
Wolf, of Pennsylvania.
WoRLEY, Rev. Daniel, A. M., was born
in Harrisburg, Pa., February 28, 1829, and
died Sunday, April 29, 1888, at Canton,
Stark county, Ohio. He was descended
from Francis Worley, an intelligent English
land surveyor, who in 1722 was one of the
three persons sent across the Susquehanna
by Sir William Keith, deputy governor of
the province, to survey Springettsbury
Manor. He first settled in Lancaster county,
at the mouth of the Conestoga, subsequently
disposing of this land, and purchased 750
acres one mile northwest of York. His wife
268
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was Ruth Collins, a Quakeress of Chester
county, and although he was a member
of the Episcopal Church, he adopted her
faith. His sons were Nathan, James, Jacob,
Francis, Daniel and George. Daniel's son,
Thomas, resided many years in Harrisburg,
where he died. Of his children, the subject
of this sketch was the eldest. Daniel Worley
received his early education in the public
schools and academy in Harrisburg. En-
tering Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg,
he completed a classical course, graduating
in 1850. Having the ministry in view, he
repaired to Capitol University, Columbus,
Ohio, where he began the study of theology.
While doing so he accepted and filled the
position of auditor two years, when he was
prevailed upon to accept the position of pro-
fessor of mathematics and natural sciences,
which chair he occupied eleven years. In
1852, having completed his theological
studies, he was licensed, and in 1855 ordained
a minister of the Lutheran Church. In 1863
Mr. Worley resigned his professorship and
took charge of an academy in Greensburg,
Pa. The following year he was elected
superintendent of the Canton, Ohio, public
schools, and since that period has resided in
Canton. In June, 1876, he retired from the
superintendency and opened a private acad-
emy in that city. In 1877 he represented
Stark county in the Ohio Legislature, dur-
ing which term he was chairman of the com-
mittee of public schools and on the codifica-
tion of school laws. He was recognized in
that legislative body as a strong advocate of
measures for the education of the masses and
for the development of the resources of his
adopted State. He filled quite a number of
local offices, was a justice of the peace, mem-
ber of council, school board and board of
water works trustees. At the time of his
death he held the office of deputy auditor
for Stark county and president of the Canton
council. During Mr. Worley's residence in
Columbus ofnineyearshe edited i\\& Lxdheran
Standard, the organ of the Synod of the
Lutheran Church. In his early life he fre-
quently filled pulpits in various parts of the
country, but several years since retired from
all active ministerial, work. Mr. Worley
married, in 1852, Henrietta Smith, daughter
of Professor William Smith, president of
Capitol University and clergyman of the
Lutheran Church. His widow and one son
survive him.
It is proper that in giving the preceding
record of one who has ceased from his life-
work, that some reference be made of the
characteristics of the very excellent Christian
gentleman, who was a native of our city,
and whose entire life reflected honor upon
it. The writer recollects him well as a
scholar in the old log church on Third street,
below Chestnut, and of his prominence in all
branches then taught in the then boys'
high school of the South ward. Two of the
teachers, who recognized the intellectual
acquirements of Daniel Worley, yet live —
one, Prof. L. H. Gause, of this city ; the other,
Dr. Samuel Nichols, of Bellows Falls, Ver-
mont. He was at the head of all his classes,
and so it was at the Pennsylvania College.
He was not only a marvel in mathematics,
but in other branches of study. Although
a fluent speaker, an able debater, an ex-
cellent sermonizer, Mr. Worley's forte was in
teaching. He was a profound scholar, and
shed light upon every subject he undertook
to expound. In his adopted State he was
greatly esteemed, and few men were more
potent for good. As an educator he had
few equals, and his influence in this field
will be felt in the years to come. His life
was a strong and useful one.
McGovERN, The Right Reverend
Thomas, D. D., second bishop of Harris-
burg, was born in the parish of Swanlibar,
county Cavan, Ireland, A. p. 1832. His
parents emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1833,
and his father became a partner with his
brother, John McGovern, of Lancaster, Pa.,
who came to America in 1813, served in the
war against Great Britain, and after its con-
clusion was engaged in contracting on canals
and railroads. After the suspension of such
improvements, consequent upon the collapse
of the United States Bank, Edward McGov-
ern purchased a large tract of land in Albany
township, Bradford county, Pa., and moved
his family there in the fall of 1842. Cease-
less toil, constant privations, and the hospi-
tality of a howling wilderness were then
some of the attractions of a pioneer life.
He had some money saved from his ventures
in contracting, but money is not bread,
where there is no supply, and in the first
stage of existence in the forest is of as little
use as it would have been to Adam and
Eve when they left the garden of Eden.
A house of round logs and four acres of
cleared land were the home and the hope of
the new settlers. The balance of the land
AtlaiTtir: prrrilisJim^ a-hinQranii^ CSi^I.Y
J-'-T^^^
,^-1^1-^^'
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
271
was the domain of deer, bears, panthers and
wolves. The maternal genius of the native
forest extends with royal magnificence un-
stinted hospitality to its sovereign; but, if he
wishes to levy contributions on his subject,
he must subdue the turbulent members of
his empire. Every member of the family was
from necessity a toiler. Little do the young of
this generation realize the hardships of pio-
neer life, even in their native county ; and
the prosperous of this day hardly ever ac-
knowledge the deep debt of gratitude they
owe to such heroic and unheralded man-
hood.
The family consisted of John, Patrick,
Bridget, Thomas, Bernard, Francis and
Annie, five of whom still survive, Bridget
and Francis having passed away, the latter
in childhood. John and Patrick received a
primary education in an academy in Leb-
anon, Pa., Patrick subsequently spending a
few terms in an academy at Catawissa, Colum-
bia county, Pa. Bridget was educated in a
convent school, at Pottsville, Pa. These
facts are given in order to explain how the
younger members of the family had any
means of learning the most rudimentar}'-
principles of education in the wild woods.
In the long winter evenings, when the mon-
arch pines were bending and moaning in
the storm, and the wood -chopper's day of toil
was over, the little school gathered around
the open hearth, as large as a lime-kiln, and
in the light of the big log fire, peered into
learning's shallow fountains, spelling, read-
ing, reciting, writing and figuring, till droop-
ing eyelids told that school was out. Then
followed night prayers, and the beads were
told, the father leading and the whole family
responding, then all went to rest, to renew
their strength for the toils of the coming day.
The education thus acquired was necessarily
limited. Yet the love they bore to learning
was not diminished. The system was prim-
itive, and made the work the more laborious.
Books were few and in consequence more
thoroughly mastered. The parents did not
occupy professor's chairs but they were the
perfects of discipline, and the motive powers
of the little university. As time rolled on,
the professional schoolmaster appeared upon
the stage. His confidence in himself and
assurance in his qualifications where none
were able to question his claim to superiority,
were usually of no mean proportions. Look-
ing back from this day, there was nothing
small about him except his salary and learn-
ing. His descriptions of the large towns he
had seen, the great academies in which he
had studied, and the wonders of science that
were taught therein were listened to with
astonishment. He was paid by subscription,
and boarded around among the subscribers.
This arrangement was regarded as an honor
by the parents, and a pleasure by the scholars.
It secured for the latter special favors during
that week from the teacher, and the love
their parents bore the learned one secured
for them during that time a more elaborate
bill of fare than usual.
The school term rarely lasted more than
three months in the year. In this primitive
state of society, there were no amusements
or distractions imported ready made from
without. Other diversions of a more useful
character, such as singing schools, debating
societies, spelling schools, etc., took their
place.
Thomas McGovern was not as quick and
bright in his studies as his brothers and
sisters. He developed very slowly. This
may have been owing to the defective sys-
tem, which then consisted too rnuch in dry
rules and formularies. He looked upon these
as exceedingly arbitrary, and would not sub-
mit to them without restraint till he saw the
reasons why they claimed his submission.
He was not, however, skeptical in the com-
mon sense of the term ; on the contrary, he
had a great veneration and confidence in
men who were able to write books. He was
particularly fond of physics, popularly called
natural philosophy; and the problems in
the department thereof denominated me-
chanics aff'orded an extensive field for the
exercise of a mind like his, which was
naturally rigid and logical rather than dis-
cursive and imaginative in its conclusions.
He was passionately fond of machinery, and
any hours he could steal from other em-
ployments were devoted to this pleasant
and favorite study. He was never regarded
as a speedy messenger to go to the mill for
grist, for the pleasure he enjoyed in examin-
ing the machinery was sure to extend his
stay long beyond the appointed time for his
return.
Theoretical knowledge will not long re-
main at rest within the lines of its own pro-
vince, but frets and chafes for freedom of
action in the domain of practical life. This
was particularly true in his case. He quickly
learned to use the tools of the artisan, and
his success in repairing, making and invent-
272
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ing such instruments as were needed in tbat.
primitive state of society soon acquired for
him the title of a genius. When enough of
the forest was cleared away to make a ferm,
and a house and other buildings erected to
constitute a home, he was sent to St. Joseph's
College, Susquehanna county, Pa., where he
pursued his studies for two years. In Sep-
tember, 1855, he went to Mt. St. Mary's
College, Emmitsburg, Md., and after con-
tinuing his studies there for four years, grad-
uated at the commencement of 1859 with
the degree of B. A. Among his classmates
were young men of a high order of talent,
particularly M. A. Corrigan, the present
Most Rev. Archbishop of New York.
In 1861, Thomas McGovern received the
degree of A. M. He made a portion of his
theological studies at Mt. St. Mary's Semi-
nary, after he had graduated from the col-
lege. His first rector then in the seminary
is now the Most Rev. William Henry Elder,
D. D., Archbishop of Cincinnati, a man of
holy life, and a model of saintly virtues.
Bishop McGovern always regarded Mt. St.
Mary's as his alma mater, not only because
she honored him with her collegiate diplomas,
but because she also called him to import-
ant ofBces of trust during his sojourn in the
college. " The Old Mountain," as the col-
lege is familiarly called by the students, re-
sides in the sanctuary of his dearest recol-
lections. He concluded his theological
course in the seminary of St. Charles Bor-
romeo. Eighteenth and Race streets, Phila-
delphia, since removed to the large and im-
posing buildings at Overbrook Station.
He was ordained priest December 27, 1861,
by the Rt. Rev. James F. Wood, D. D.,
afterwards Archbishop of Philadelphia. He
was assigned to the charge of Pottstown and
Douglasville after his ordination, and was
subsequently called as assistant in St.
Michael's church. Second and Master streets,
Philadelphia, and later to St. Philip's church,
Second and Queen streets, in the same city.
In June, 1864, Father McGovern was sent
to Bellefonte, Centre county. Pa., to at-
tend the station attached to it. His mission
embraced Centre, Juniata and Mifflin coun-
ties. He labored in this mission for six
years ; built a new church in Bellefonte, or-
ganized sodalities, beneficial and temperance
societies to arouse the zeal and fervor of
Catholic piety. In 1868 the Diocese of
Harrisburg was organized by the Holy See,
and on July 12, the Rt. Rev. F. Shana-
han, D. D., was consecrated its first bishop.
The Rev. Thomas McGovern 's spiritual al-
legiance was made to him. He remained in
Bellefonte until December, 1870, when he
was appointed to St. Patrick's church, at
York, York county. Pa. Here his energy
and zeal again found a large field of labor.
In July, 1873, he was transferred to Dan-
ville, Montour county. Pa. This had been
a large and flourishing parish while iron
rails carried the commerce of the country.
He at once set to work to make improve-
ments such as the growing demands of re-
ligion required, but the financial crisis of
that year frustrated many of his fondest
hopes. Yet he struggled faithfully during
the long years of depression in that town,
and if he did not accomplish all his soul
craved, he left after him monuments that
will make his memory enduring. To recre-
ate his body and mind, he made a very ex-
tensive tour through Europe, Africa and
Asia, in 1881-2. He traveled over twenty-
three thousand miles, made the tour of Pal-
estine and Syria on horseback, and lodged
under tents for thirty-eight nights.
Rt. Rev. J. F. Shanahan, D. D., passed
away September 24, 1886. Rev. Thomas
McGovern was appointed his successor by
Pope Leo XIII., January 15, 1888, and he
was consecrated in the pro-cathedral, in
Harrisburg, March 11, 1888, by the Rt. Rev.
William O'Hara, D. D., of Scranton, Pa., as-
sisted by Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour, D. D.,
of Cleveland, Ohio, and Rt. Rev. John A.
Watterson, of Columbus, Ohio. Other emi-
nent prelates and clergymen also honored
the occasion by their presence. Bishop Mc-
Govern is a gentleman of wide and generous
impulses. In religion he aims to be chari-
table, like his Divine Master. He is a Cath-
olic from deep convictions, and holds him-
self in honor bound to defend them. The
following character is given him by D. H.
Brower, Esq., in his history of Danville:
"Rev. Thomas McGovern is a man of
marked ability, energy and executive power.
As a controversialist he is a dangerous op-
ponent, and seems to be armed at every
point to battle for the church and defend
the faith he professes. Yet he is liberal and
generous, courteous and pleasant to all, and
holds an honorable place in the community
at large."
During the year 1895 he made a visit to
the Holy See, at Rome, and on his return to
Harrisburg, was accorded a hearty reception
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
273
by his parishioners, which showed their love
and respect for their bishop and the high
esteem in which he was held by them.
Sangree, Rev. Milton H., pastor of
Fourth Reformed church, Harrisburg, Pa.,
parsonage 1508 Market street, was born in
Washington county, Md., November 7, 1832,
son of Abraham B. and Margaret (Tritle)
Sangree. His grandparents on both sidescame
from Switzerland, and are supposed to have
been descendants of French Protestant refu-
gees. His grandfather, Michael Sangree, was
married about 1790, in York county. Pa., to
Miss Elizabeth Burkholder; they had nine
children: Jacob, John, Christian, Abraham
B., Joseph, Benjamin, Esther, Jane and
Elizabeth. Abraham B. Sangree, father of
Rev. M. H. Sangree, was born in York
county, Pa., February 15, 1799. He was a
miller, and continued in this occupation
during the greater part of his life; but a few
years before his death he bought a farm in
Huntingdon county, Pa., which is still called
the " Sangree Farm," and which he culti-
vated until his death, March 16, 1868. He
was married in 1830, at Smithburg, Md., to
Maria Margaret, daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Huyett) Tritle, who was born in
Washington county, Md., November 15, 1808.
Their children were: Rev. Milton H., Arietta,
wife of William Smith, a veteran soldier,
deceased, Amanda J., Melinda, wife of Dr.
William H. Aller, of New York, deceased,
Luther, enlisted in company C, Fifty-third
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, De-
cember 13, 1862. The life of the father was
shortened by grief for the death of this son.
He died March 16, 1868, aged seventy years.
He was an elder in the Reformed church at
McConnellstown, Pa.
Milton H. Sangree attended the public
schools of Huntingdon county, from which
he entered Tuscarora Academy for a short
time. He then became a teacher in the
public schools of Huntingdon county, and
continued in this service through eleven
years, during which time he also traveled
as far west as Topeka, Kan., and resided in
Missouri for a short time. After his return
from the West, Mr. Sangree enlisted, in Feb-
ruary, 1865, in company K, Seventy-eighth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
promoted to be second lieutenant and served
in Tennessee, and was discharged in Sep-
tember, 1865. He did not take part in
any battle, but was detailed for post duty
at Nashville, Tenn. He was afterwards
superintendent of oil interests in Venango
county. Pa., for two years. Esteeming it a
duty and a privilege to become a min-
ister of the gospel, Mr. Sangree pursued a
thorough course of study in the Theological
Seminary at Mercersburg for three years.
This course was completed in 1871, when he
was ordained to the ofBce of the holy min-
istry. He was financial agent of Mercer
College one year and was then called to be
pastor of the Reformed church at Bloody
Run, now Everett, Pa., which was a mis-
sionary field of large extent; here he re-
mained for seven years, and accomplished
valuable results in gathering the people and
organizing the work. His next charge was
the Water Street church, Huntingdon, Pa.
It was undertaken in 1879, held successfully
for almost five years, and relinquished for
that of Arendtville, Adams county. Pa., in
1884. In 1889 Rev. Mr. Sangree came to
Steelton, Dauphin count}', where he found a
wide and important field for mission work,
and where he was successful in building up
a large and flourishing congregation and
erecting a beautiful church. After four and
a-half years of service there he was sent by
the board of home missions of the Reformed
Church to East Harrisburg, to establish the
Fourth Reformed church, of Harrisburg,
which is his present charge. In all places
where he has labored Mr. Sangree has been
devoted, painstaking and successful. Mr.
Sangree was married, October 6, 1856, at
Three Springs, Huntingdon county. Pa., to
Miss Jane E., daughter of George and Re-
becca (Hubbell) Hudson. Their children
are : Rev. Henry H., pastor of the Reformed
church at Steelton, married Miss Helen
Hoke, of Hanover, Pa.; Francis N., wife of
Dr. Elmer C. Fahrney ; Ernest B., M. D.,
late of Philadelphia, well known as a phy-
sician and scientist, having been pathologist
in the Philadelphia hospital, assistant pro-
fessor of pathology in the Medico-Chirurgical
College, adjunct professor of pathology in the
Philadelphia Polyclinic, and member of the
Academy of Natural Sciences; was elected
in the spring of 1896 to the chair of pa-
thology and bacteriology in the Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, Tenn., by unanimous
vote of the board of trustees ; Margaret T.
resides at home, is a teacher of music ;
Thomas C, also a physician, now in practice
in New York, and, until recently, surgeon in
274
BIO GRA PHICAL ENGYCL OPEDIA
the employ of the Red Star line, between
New York and Antwerp; Hope M., wife of
Walter Kauffman, Steelton, Pa.; Allen L.,
graduate of Franklin and Marshall College,
resides in New York, is on the staff of the
New York Sun, and George, living at home.
Mrs. Sangree, wife of Rev. M. H. Sangree,
was born at Three Springs, Huntingdon
county. Pa., in 1833. Her father's ancestors
were from England on his father's side, and
Ireland on his mother's side. He was a
farmer, as well as the owner of a large mill.
He was married, in 1823, to Miss Rebecca
Hubbell, of the same nativity as himself.
He had eight children, of whom five are
living. Mr. Hudson died in 1856, aged
sixty years ; Mrs. Hudson died in 1881, aged
eighty years.
SiMONTON, Rkv. Ashbel Geeen, youugest
son of Dr. William and Martha (Snodgrass)
Simonton, was born January 20, 1833. His
classical education began in the Harrisburg
Academy, under the tuition of Rev. Mahlon
Long. After two years' preparatory study
he entered the College of New Jersey, from
which he graduated in 1852, his scholarship
and acquirements being of the first rank.
In the autumn of the same year he went to the
South with his brother James and took
charge of an academy for boys at Starkville,
Miss., where he taught with much success
for eighteen months. In July, 1854, he yb-
turned to Harrisburg and entered upon the
study of law. In the spring ot 1855 he
decided upon a theological course, and for
this purpose prepared himself for entering
the theological seminary at Princeton, which
he did in September of that year. He was
licensed to preach by the Carlisle Presbytery,
which met at Greencastle on the 14th of
April, 1858. He had decided upon a mis-
sionary life, and after consultation and appli-
cation to the Presbyterian Board of Foreign
Missions was ordered to Brazil. He was
ordained by the Presbytery of (-arlisle, at
Harrisburg, April 14, 1859, and on June 19,
following, he sailed from Baltimore in the
merchant ship " Banshee " for Rio Janeiro.
He arrived at the latter place August 12,
and at once entered upon his field of labor.
In November, 1864, he took the lead in the
establishment of the Impresna Evangelica, a
semi-monthly newspaper for the dissemi-
nation of religious information among the
people of Brazil. Educated Brazilians
acknowledged their surprise at the elegance
and force with which he wrote in their
native language and his leading articles in
the Impresna were characterized by great
ability, clearness and comprehension of the
subjects treated. In the spring of 1862 he
returned to the United States and married
Helen Murdock, daughter of William Mur-
dock, of Baltimore, Md., March 19, 1863, and
sailed for Brazil May 23, 1863, reaching the
harbor of Rio, July 16. His wife died
after a short illness, July 28, 1864, which to
a missionary in a foreign land was an incal-
culable loss. But there was a duty to per-
form and he labored zealously for the Master.
Toward the close of March, 1865, he made
a missionary tour into the Province of Sao
Paulo, returning to his post in Rio early in
May. The news of Lee's surrender, the
suppression of the great Rebellion and the
assassination of President Lincoln reached
that city in quick succession. When there
was no longer any doubt that the last-men-
tioned event had occurred, he was requested
to preach a sermon to the American residents
on the occasion, which was delivered at a
special service. May 21, 1865, to the largest
assembly of his countrymen ever convened
at Rio. Near the close of 1865 the Presby-
tery of Rio Janeiro was organized at Sao
Paulo, that being the mission station of his
brother-in-law, A. L. Blackford. It was soon
perceived that his overtaxed energies had
begun to give way under the gradual ap-
proaches of the disease which forever ended
his earthly activities. Unable to continue
his labors, he left Rio for the home of his
sister, at Sao Paulo, the last week of Novem-
ber, 1867, where after a brief illness, he died
December 9, following. He was buried on the
same day from the little church of Sao Paulo,
two Englishmen and two Americans officiat-
ing as pall-bearers, addresses being made in
Portugese by Rev. Mr. Blackford and Rev.
Emanuel Pires, singing the hymn, " We
Speak of the Land ever Blest." The Rev.
Mr. Simonton possessed a clear, penetrating
intellect, a sound and discriminating judg-
ment. His manner in public was quiet, un-
affected, dignified and self-possessed. In
relations of private life he was frank, genial,
social, affectionate and noble-hearted.
Shanahan, Jeremiah Francis, D. D.,
first bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., was born at
Silver Lake, Susquehanna county. Pa., July
13, 1834, son of John and Margaret (Dono
V an) Shanahan, both natives of Cork county
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
275
Ireland. His early Catholic education and
training were scrupulously attended to by
his pious parents, who also provided for him
a liberal course in the best schools. For
three years he attended an ordinary school at
Silver Lake, from which he went to St. Jos-
eph's Academy, near Binghampton, N. Y.,
and was graduated therefrom with honor at
eighteen years of age. His classical, philo-
sophical and theological courses were com-
pleted at the Theological Seminary of St.
Charles Borromeo, at Philadelphia. His or-
dination to the priesthood, by Bishop Neu-
mann, took place July 3, 1859, after which
he was appointed by the bishop, rector of
the new Preparatory Seminary at Glen Eid-
dle, Deleware county. Pa., and for nine years
discharged the duties of the place with rare
ability and gratifying success.
When the ne^ diocese of Harrisburg was
constituted in 1868, Father Shanahan was
appointed its bishop. His consecration took
place July 12, 1868, at the cathedral in
Philadelphia. His installation took place
on September 20, of the same year, at St.
Patrick's, in Harrisburg, which then became
the pro-cathedral. ' Here abundant and dif-
ficult labors awaited the young bishop. His
flock was sparsely scattered through eigh-
teen counties, and were only partly supplied
with under shepherds, each priest having a
triple charge. All church activities were to
be organized and set in motion. The good
bishop was equal to the demands of the sit-
uation, and the wonderful enlargement and
prosperity of the diocese demonstrated his
ability, faithfulness and consecration.
But the physical strength of Bishop Shan-
ahan proved inadequate to the strain of
labor so constant and consuming, and his
health gave way. He lived and labored
long enough to organize the diocese, to plant
schools and build churches, to win the ad-
miration and affection of his people, and to
gain the confidence and esteem of the entire
community. He was called to his rest and
reward September 24, 1886; and a hand-
some and enduring monument, erected by
his grateful and loving parishioners, marks
his resting place in the beautiful grounds of
St. Patrick's pro-cathedral.
This eminent servant of God has a worthy
successor in the bishoprick in the person of
Archbishop Thomas McGovern, who found
a happy and prosperous charge, and who is
successfully continuing and extending the
work so auspiciously begun by the first bishop.
Gilbert, Rev. David McConaghy, D. D.,
pastor of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran
church, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Gettys-
burg, Pa., February 4, 1836. He is a son of
the late Dr. David and Jane E. (Brown)
Gilbert. His father, David Gilbert, M. D.,
was born near Gettysburg, July 27, 1803 ;
was an eminent physician and surgeon ;
practiced in Gettysburg until 1852 ; after-
wards resided in Philadelphia, and was for
some years a professor in the medical de-
partment of Pennsylvania College in that
city; he died July 28, 1868. Mrs. Dr.
Gilbert died February 22, 1893, aged eighty-
six. Four of their family of eight children
are still living : Harriet B., wife of John M.
Adler, M. D., of Philadelphia ; Boyd Anna,
widow of the late Andrew Ross Potts, of
Washington, D. C. ; David McC, and Miss
Julia K. Their onlj- other son was Dr.
William Kent Gilbert, eldest of the family,
at the time of his death coroner of Phila-
delphia. Two of the children died in in-
fancy; the remaining one was Hannah M.,
wife of Jackson McAbee, of Philadelphia.
Rev. David McC. Gilbert pursued his
early studies in the preparatory department
of Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg ; he
was graduated from the college in 1857, and
from the theological seminary, of the same
place, in 1859. In October, 1859, he was
licensed to preach the gospel and administer
the sacraments by the West Pennsylvania
Synod. In the fall of 1860 he was ordained
by the Synod of Virginia as a minister of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In De-
cember, 1859, he was called to the pastorate
of the Central Evangelical Lutheran church
of Staunton, Va., where he labored with
fidelity and success until May, 1863. June
1, 1863, to July 1, 1871, he was pastor of
what is now known as the Church of Ascen-
sion, at Savannah, Ga. He then returned
to his former pastorate at Staunton, and re-
mained until April 1, 1873. He then took
charge of a parish at Winchester, Va., and
labored there until December, 1887, when he
was called to his present pastorate ; he began
his labors here on the first Sunday in De-
cember, 1887.
Rev. Dr. Gilbert was married, in New Or-
leans, October 29, 1866, to Miss Mary
Rutledge, daughter of the late John G. and
Catherine Fallingatt, of Savannah, Ga.
Their children are : John G., attorney-at-
law, Harrisburg, Pa., William Kent, Fred-
erick M., Catherine, David McC, Jr., Marion
276
BIO GRA PHIGAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
Rutledge, Henry D., and Jane. Dr. Gilbert
is at present president of the Evangelical
Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania.
Steckley, Rev. Matthew, was born in
Germany, September 15, 1836, son of the
late Ansulmes and Juliama (Fresse) Steckley.
The parents were both natives of Germany
and died in their native land. The father
was a cabinet maker by trade, and was three
times married. Matthew had but one brother.
He received his education in Germany, hav-
ing attended school until he was fourteen
years of age. He came with some of his
friends to this country, when he was eigh-
teen years of age, and when nineteen years
old began an apprenticeship at the trade of
shoemaker with a man by the narrie of
Bickel, on Walnut street in Harrisburg.
After completing his apprenticeship he
worked at his trade as a journeyman for Mr.
Desh on Market street, for many years. He
subsequently bought the property of Will-
iam Verbeke, No. 404 Broad street, now
Verbeke street, where he was engaged in
business for himself until the war broke
out. He enlisted in August, 1864, for ten
months, in the Two Hundred and First reg-
iment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in com-
pany A, and having served his full time
was discharged June 21, 1865. After his re-
turn from the army he resumed the shoe
business, in which he continued up to the
time of his death, July 14, 1892, at the age
of fifty-five years. His death was caused by
swallowing a fragment of bone, which caused
him four years of suffering — and which was
finally removed after treatment at the hos-
pital but not in time to save his life. Mr.
Steckley was a regularly ordained minister
of the United Evangelical Church, and
served in the sacred oSice in Harrisburg
for thirty-six years, where he was highly
honored as one of the leaders of God's
people. He had also been chaplain at the
Almshouse for about twenty years. He
served as school director in the city of Har-
risburg for one term of three years. In his
political veins he was an ardent Republican.
He was a member of the Golden Eagles for
four years, and was chaplain of his lodge.
Mr. Steckley was married, February 20,
1858, to Miss Elizabeth Baker, daughter of
George and Elizabeth (Sheets) Baker, to
whom were born nine children : Emma, wife
of Edwin Zeagler; Edwin; Maggie, wife of
John Lappley; Minnie, wife of William
Brummel ; Annie, wife of Charles Storer ; Ber-
tha, wife of Erwin Hershey ; William, Warren
and Paul. The parents of Mrs. Steckley were
both natives of Dauphin county, and both died
in the county. They had one child, Eliza-
beth, Mrs. Steckley. The grandparents were
also natives of Dauphin county. Her grand-
father was for many years engaged in the
hat business. Both grandparents died in
Dauphin county. William Steckley, son of
Rev. Matthew Steckley, was born September
3, 1870, and was educated in the public
schools. He is at present managing his
father's business and is recognized as one of
the leading young business men of the city.
Pfuhl, Rev. John George, pastor of St.
Michael's German Lutheran church, of Har-
risburg, Pa., was born in Treffurt, Province
of Saxony, Kingdom of Prjissia, March 30,
1838. He is a son of the late Christian
Pfuhl and his wife Charlotte Von Keudel.
The parents of Pastor Pfuhl were both na-
tives of Prussia. They were born in Tref-
furt, and lived there until 1866, when they
removed to the Province of West Prussia,
settling near the town of Culmsee, where
the father died October 18, 1881, and the
mother October 28, 1880. They had eight
children, five of whom are living : Chris-
tiana, widow of the late Wilhelm Boden-
stein ; Dorothea, wife of Julius Fiedler;
Caroline, wife of Hilmer Achilles; Augusta,
widow of the late Theodore Rausch ; and
John George. The last-named and his
nephew, Charles Bodenstein, of Philadel-
phia, are the only members of the family
residing iu America.
John George Pfuhl lived with his parents
until he reached the age of fourteen, receiv-
ing his primary education in the common
schools of his native town. He also had
instruction in Latin, Greek and French
under a private tutor. In 1852 he was sent
to a neighboring village pastor, who fully
instructed him in the classics. With this
preparation, he was sent to the college at
Muehlhausen, where he spent three years.
He afterwards entered the college at Halle,
and was graduated from this institution in
1859. _ In 1860 he left his native land for
America. Soon after his arrival in this
country, he entered the Theological Semi-
nary of Gettysburg, where he studied for
two years. In 1862 he was licensed to
preach the gospel and administer the sacra-
ments in the pastorate of Steuben ville, Ohio.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
277
In May, 1864, he was ordained a minister of
the German Lutheran Church, and installed
as pastor at Steubenville by the Pittsburg
Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
He was pastor of Zion Lutheran church in
that city for fourteen years. In 1876 he
was elected to the pastorate of St. Michael's
Lutheran church iu Harrisburg. For twenty
y^Yl^^^ has held this important pastorate,
and has faithfully discharged its sacred and
arduous duties.
His first wife was Miss Miranda, daughter
of John and Regina (Bauer) Miller, of
Bndgewater, Beaver county. Pa. Their
marriage took place May 10, 1864. They
had one son, Charles Augustus, now residing
in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Pfuhl died at Steuben-
ville, Ohio, January 22, 1866. In his second
marriage, which occurred at Baden, Beaver
county, September 22, 1868, he was united
to Sophia Marchand, a daughter of Fred-
erick and Caroline (Ehrman) Marchand,
born in Offenbach, near Frankfort-on-the-
Main. They have had seven children; four
died in infancy. Otto, George, Johanna and
Louisa. Their living children are Sophie
Augusta, born August 8, 1875; Marie Dor-
othy, July 7, 1878; and Paul Wilhelm,
July 27, 1882.
Pastor Pfuhl is a member of the Evangeli-
cal Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania,
the oldest Lutheran Synod in the United
States.
FoKNBY, Rev. Christian Henry, D. D.,
son of Christian T. Forney (1806-1860) and
Barbara Strohm, was born October 17, 1839,
in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa. He was educated in the com-
mon schools, St. Thomas Institute, Miles-
burg Normal School and Oberlin College,
where he completed the course preparatory
to the study of theology in 1860, and entered
upon the ministry at Mount Ivy, Lancaster
county. Pa., in November of that year, where
he remained until April, 1863. He also
preached at Chambersburg, Franklin countj'.
Pa., from April, 1863, to April, 1866; at
Harrisburg, Fourth street, from April, 1866,
to April, 1868 ; Lancaster city, from April,
1868, to April, 1870, since which time he
has been in charge of the editorial depart-
ment of the church paper of his denomina-
tion, preaching only on special occasions.
He was chaplain of the House of Represen-
tatives of Pennsylvania in 1868, and has
been twice speaker of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership of the Church of God ; once
speaker of the General Eldership; almost a
continuous member of the standing commit-
tee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership since
1869; member of Board of Missions and
Board of Incorporation of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership ; member of the Executive
Board of the General Eldership; continuous
member of Board of Education of the Gen-
eral Eldership until elected on the Execu-
tive Board ; a continuous member of the
Board of Education of East Pennsylvania
Eldership. In 1866 he was elected assistant
editor of the Church Advocate, and upon the
death of the editor, in 1869, became editor-
in-chief, which position he still occupies.
In June, 1881, Hillsdale College, Michigan,
conferred upon him the degree of D. D.
Stanford, Bishop W. M,, was born in
Rockland township, Venango county. Pa.,
March 15, 1846. Being a farmer's son he
was raised to hard work on the farm till he
was twenty years of age, and gotbut from three
to four months schooling in a year. When
he was eighteen years of age he began teaching
in the win ter season for but $23 a month , teach-
ing every winter thereafter till his twenty-
fifth year. He made his money in the winter
by teaching, and spent it in the summer at-
tending school, first at Greensburg Seminary,
Summit county. Ohio, from the spring of
1865 to the fall of 1866, and then at Mount
Union College, Stark county, Ohio, until the
spring of 1871, when he graduated in the
scientific and commercial courses. The
wages of his first winter's teaching not being
sufficient to venture away from home to
school, he worked for about three months on
a railroad, digging and shoveling, to secure
further funds. Having to furnish all his
own mone}', it took great frugality to get
through the summer's schooling on the
funds made by his winter's teaching. He
did his own cooking and house work in
order to make ends meet. Being ambitious
in his studies, he nearly always stood at the
head of his classes, and was a most formid-
able antagonist to meet in debate.
Nearly one year before his graduation, on
August 2, 1870, he was united in marriage
with Miss Rosa A. Weimer, of the southern
part of Stark county, Ohio, and then, with
his wife, taught a graded school of two de-
partments the following winter in Osnaburg,
Ohio, and with the money thus made fin-
ished his collegiate course the next summer,
278
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and came out free of all debt. In the spring
of 1872 he entered the Pittsburg Conference
of the Evangelical Association, and was sent
for his first year in the ministry as a mis-
sionary to Franklin, Venango -county, Pa.
Here he remained three years, having about
sixty conversions a year as the fruits of his
labors. ' His next two years were spent at
Homeworth, Ohio, where, in connection with
his pastorate, he pursued the study of Greek
and German again in his alma mater. He
next spent a most successful three years'
pastorate in Pittsburgh, Pa. ; thence for two
years in Johnstown, Pa., and was then called
to Cleveland, Ohio, as associate editor of the
official English church organ, the Evangelical
Messenger, his chief being Dr. H. B. Hartzler,
afterwards one of Mr. D. L. Moody's co-
workers in the great training schools at
Northfield, Mass. He remained on this
paper for over six years, during which time
said paper attained the highest circulation
it ever had, either before or since. In the
memorable General Conference of 1887, in
Buffalo, N. Y., which marked the beginning
of a schism in said church, he, with his
chief, being allied with the American spirited
element of the church, as opposed to an
ecclesiastical autocracy on the other side,
and being at that time a little in the minor-
ity, were of necessity defeated. The next
spring he again took a pastorate in Canton,
Ohio, under the direction of his old confer-
ence. In about eighteen months he had
gathered a harvest of over one hundred
souls, when he was elected as editor and
publisher of an independent church paper,
known as the Evangelical, printed at Harris-
burg, Pa., which paper he conducted most
successfully during the stormy years of 1890
and 1891, when, at the General Conference in
Philadelphia, in the fall of 1891, he was
elected to the Episcopacy, continuing until
the special General Conference in the fall of
1894, held in Naperville, III., when he was
re-elected to said office for a term of four
years. This was the first General Conference
of the American wing of the church, con-
stituting about one-half of the whole of this
country, and at which conference a new
discipline was made and adopted, and a new
name assumed, viz. : The United Evangel-
ical Church.
During the course of his pastoral and
editorial life, Bishop Stanford served six
years as the secretary of his conference, and
was sent for seven years as a delegate to the
General Board of Missions. He was also a
member of the General Conference of 1883,
1887, 1891 and 1894. When he once became
convinced that a certain course was right,
he never stopped to think of policy, but set
his course without hesitation, leaving all
results with God. And when he started out
to do a thing, he knew no such word as fail,
and this is largely the secret of whatever
success he has attained in life.
Bishop Stanford was one of four chil-
dren, two boys and two girls, the other three
all being married and following agricultural
pursuits in Northwestern Pennsylvania. His
father, Abraham Stanford, was born in 1817,
was an industrious farmer of Scotch descent,
and died in 1882. His mother was born of
German parentage in 1826, and died in
1893. His mother's maiden name was
Domer, being one of a family of nine chil-
dren, three girls and six boys. Four of the
boys were preachers; one, named Jacob, a
member of the Church of God, attained to
the assistant editorship of the official paper
of his denomination, overworked himself,
and died at the age of forty-one years. Two,
named respectively George and John, were
both leading men in the same church with
Bishop Stanford, having both of them served,
for four consecutive terms of four years each
as presiding elders, and having been mem-
bers of every successive General Conference
from 1875 to 1891. Abraham Domer, D. D.,
after graduating at Allegheny (college, Mead-
ville, early in his life, started out as a min-
ister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
attained also to the presiding eldership in
his church, and thus forged to the front rank
among his brethren. A little further out in
relationship on his mother's side were many
more preachers and men of prominence, one
of whom, the Rev. Samuel Domer, D. D.,
having been for many years pastor of the
leading Lutheran congregation of Washing-
ton, D. C. Bishop Stanford comes of a long-
lived race of people on both his father's and
his mother's side, some of them back in the
third generation living to the ripe ages of
from ninety to one hundred years.
Mrs. Rosa A. Stanford, wife of the bishop,
maiden name Weimer, was born in the
southern part of Stark county, Ohio, March
3, 1845, of German parentage. Being a
farmer's daughter, she, too, got but from three
to four months' schooling in a year, when,
in 1863, at the age of seventeen, she attended
a term of school at Greensburg Seminary,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
279
Summit county, Ohio, and in the following
winter taught lier first term. In 1864 she
attended the spring and fall terms of Roanuke
Academy, Huntington county, Ind., and
in the winter of the same year taught the
intermediate department of the same school.
In the fall of 1865 she again attended at
Greensburg, Ohio, and thereafter followed
teaching until her marriage in the summer
of 1870. She was one of a large family
of children, several of whom attained to
prominence in their specific vocations.
Oliver Weimer, a brother, was a musician
and vocalist, whose energy was greater than
his body could bear, and so died at an early
age, and ■ Miss Katie Weimer, a younger
sister, struggled with both health and other
difficulties until she became a leading artist,
and then died before she had time to reap
the returns of her sacrifice and toil. Prof.
Solomon Weimer, a younger brother, after a
common school training, began his collegiate
training at Mount Union College, Ohio, and
finished it at Otterbein University, Wester-
ville, Ohio. Afterwards, for some j-ears, he
taught in Navarre, Ohio, and then stepped
up to one of the highest positions in the
Central high schools of Cleveland, Ohio,
where he is still a much esteemed and suc-
cessful educator.
To Bishop and Mrs. Stanford there were
born six children, two sons and four daugh-
ters. The eldest, Orpha Blanche Stanford,
was born near Beach City, Ohio, April 26,
1871.. After receiving a good common school
education, she afterwards made a specialty of
art and music, until she became a teacher of
both, and on the 22d of May, 1895, was
united in marriage with Mr. Frank S.
Becker, teller of the leading bank in Lebanon,
Pa. Mr. Becker has also been president of
the school board of Lebanon for a number
of years. The next is Vincent W., of whom
a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
The next in age is Abraham LeRoy
Stanford, who was born in Hom'eworth,
Ohio, November 27, 1876. Aside from a
common school education, he attended sev-
eral terms at Schuylkill Seminary, at Fred-
ericksburg, Pa., where he showed marked
proficiency in the line of mathematics. He
afterwards went into training in Catasaqua,
Pa., to become a machinist, in which work
he shows marked adaptability. Being yet
young in years, his life work is not clearly
chosen, but he bids fair to be able to hoe his
own row. Next comes Zella Corine Stan-
ford, born in Pittsburgh, Pa., June 20, 1878 ;
then Laura Eva Stanford, born in Johns-
town, Pa., October 2, 1881, and lastly Mina
Grace Stanford, born in Cleveland, Ohio,
September 8, 1887. Zella and Laura have
already finished the ward schools, and are
both now attending the high scftool of Har-
risburg, and stand among the best in their
classes. Little Grace is fast on the same
track in her studies, has an ambition to be
at the head of her classes, and bids fair to
overtake her older sisters by and by.
This family is also quite a musical family.
Blanch uses the piano, Vincent the banjo,
Roytthe guitar and the mandolin, Zella the
mandolin, Laura the piano, and Grace is an
admirer of all. But of all the others, LeRoy
seems to show the most natural adaptability
for instrumental music.
Kremek, Rev. Ellis N., was born in
Cumberland county, Pa., October 27, 1846,
son of Rev. A. H. and Rebecca (Keiffer)
Kremer. Frederick, Kremer, the paternal
grandfather, was a cooper by trade, and
later in life was engaged in farming. The
maternal grandfather was also a farmer, and
was an elder in the Reformed church for
some years, which office he held at the time
of his death. Rev. A. H. Kremer, the father,
was born in November, 1814, and the mother
was born at Little Washington, Lancaster
county. Pa., in March, 1815. The father re-
moved with his parents to York county,
where he received his education in the high
school at York and in Mercersburg College,
and he was graduated from the Theological
Seminary at Mercersburg in 1839. His first
pastorate was at Shippensburg, in which he
served seven years. He was called to Car-
lisle in 1846, and remained there until the
spring of 1861. He was then called to the
First church at Lancaster, Pa., where he
served until the fall of 1877, when he was
recalled to his old church at Carlisle, where
he remained until his death in 1894. Mr.
Kremer was also president of the board of
trustees of the Theological Seminary for a
number of years. He was married to Miss
Rebecca Keiffer, by whom he had eight
children, one of whom, Stephen K., died in
the active ministry at Greencastle, Pa., in
1876. The father died at the age of seventy-
nine years; the mother is still living at the
age of eighty-one years, and resides at Green-
castle, Pa.
Ellis N. attended the schools of Cumber-
280
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
land county until he was thirteen years of
age, and then took the preparatory and col-
legiate course at Franklin and Marshall Col-
lege, from which he was graduatied in 1865.
After his graduation he was clerk in the
bookstore of John Shaeffer, at Lancaster «ity,
for three years, and in the fall of 1868 en-
tered the Theological Seminary at Mercers-
burg, from which he was graduated in J.87L
The same year he settled as pastor at Bed-
ford, Pa., being licensed to preach in the
spring, and ordained to the ministry No-
vember 11 following. This charge was com-
posed of three congregations: Bedford, St.
Paul's and Pleasant Hill. In 1881 the
charge was divided and Rev. Kremer re-
mained pastor of the Bedford congregation,
in which relation he continued for sixteen
years. During his pastorate there was great
growth and improvement, the parsonage
and the new church edifice having been
erected in that time. Rev. Kremer resigned
this pastorate to enter the wider field of use-
fulness in Harrisburg, which he has since
occupied with the same success that has at-
tended his labors in other fields. In recog-
nition of his scholarly attainments and
devoted labors, he was honored with the
degree of Doctor of Divinity by his alma
mater in 1895. Dr. Kremer was married,
November 23, 1871, at Lancaster, Pa., to
Miss Sallie E. Swan, daughter of H. B. and
Frances (Toby) Swan, to whom have been
born seven children, of whom five are living.
Dr. Kremer is now secretary of the board of
home missions of the Reformed Church.
Baker, Rev. Lk'roy Franklin, rector of
St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church, Har-
risburg, Pa., was born in Mount Pleasant,
Wayne county. Pa., November 26, 1848. His
father was a native of Orange county, N. Y.,
a descendant of one of the early settlers
of Rhode Island. His mother was the
daughter of Col. flarry Mumford, an
officer in the militia, and a descendant
of Thomas Mumford, who settled in
Rhode Island, and married Sarah Sher-
man, about the year 1650. From this
family sprang Haiinali Mumford, who be-
came the mother of Bishop Seabury, the
first bishop of the Anglican communion in
America; Paul Mumford, successively chief
justice and lieutenant governor of Rhode
Island, and Augustus Mumford, adjutant,
who was killed during the siege of Boston,
Mass., by a cannon shot, August 29, 1775,
being the first Rhode Island 'officer who fell
in -the war «f the Revolution ; also many
prominent citizens of Rhode Island and
Connecticut. There is evidence that the
Mumford family descended from Hugh de
Montfort ; the line can be traced to Arnulph,
bishop of Metz, who died A. D. 631.
Mr. Baker was graduated from the Ithaca
Academy, Ithaca, N. Y., June 25, 1869, and
spent two years-in Cornell University, being
president of his class during the sophomore
year. He spent two years in teaching in his
native place, and three years in study in the
Divinity School, Philadelphia, Pa., gradu-
ating therefrom June 21, 1876. He was or-
dained to the diaconate, in Reading, Pa.,
June 11, 1875, by the Rt. Rev. M. A. De
Wolfe Howe, bishop of Central Pennsyl-
vania; and to the priesthood in Scranton,
Pa., December 20, 1876, by the same bishop.
Immediately after graduation from the Di-
vinity School, Mr. Baker was sent to Great
Bend, Susquehanna county. Pa., to take
charge of Grace church in that place. He
remained there three years, serving also St.
Mark's church. New Milford, during the
same time. He was called to St. Paul's
church, Harrisburg, and took charge of that
parish on July 13, 1879. From that time
to the present writing (1896), he has re-
mained in charge of St. Paul's parish. With
a single exception he is the oldest resident
minister in the city of Harrisburg, and with
the same exception he is the oldest resident
in the Archdeaconry of Harrisburg. He
has been for several years examining chap-
lain in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania,
and a member of the committee on canons.
He was a deput3'^to the General Convention in
Baltimore in 1892, the convention that com-
pleted the revision of the Book of Common
Prayer; he was also deputy to the General
Convention in Minneapolis in 1895, the con-
vention that inaugurated the revision of the
constitution and canons of the Protestant
Episcopal Church.
On June 4, 1877, he was married to Sarah
E. Wortman, of Ithaca, N.. Y. On her
father's side Mrs. Baker is descended from
German stock, having Hesse Cassel as its
ancestral home. Some of her nearer paternal
ancestors in this country are named among
the Jerseymdn jn the Revolution ; some
were among the survivors of the Wyoming
massacre. On her mother's side Mrs. Baker
is a descendant of Dr. Comfort Starr, who
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
281
was born in Ashford, England, and died in
Boston, in 1659. Rev. and Mrs. Baker have
one child, Anna May, born February 12,
1882.
Stine, Rev. Milton H., Ph. D., pastor of
Christ's Lutheran church, Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born in York county. Pa., September 4,
1853, son of Adam and Barbara (Schoen-
berger) Stine.
Charles Stine, paternal grandfather of
Rev. M. H. Stine, was a native of Wurtem-
berg, Germany, and came to this country
early in the present century. He was a
musician and a teacher of music. He had
a family of six children. Adam Stine,
father of Rev. Milton H., was born in Ger-
many, near Wittenberg, and came to this
country when quite young. He learned the
business of tailoring in New York City, and
was engaged in that occupation until within
a few years of his death, when he retired
from active business. He was marriedDecem-
ber 5, 1841; his wife Barbara, daughter of
Henry Schoenberger, was also a native of
Germany. Their children are: Rebecca, not
married, resides at York, Pa. ; Rev. M. H.;
Henrietta, died October 23, 1851, aged nine
years ; Annie D., died October 24, 1857, aged
two years. Mr. Stine and his family were
members of the Lutheran Church. He died
in York county, January 18, 1896, aged
seventy-nine ; his wife died at the same
place, June 13, 1890, aged seventy-seven.
Milton H. Stine attended the public schools
of York county until he was thirteen years
of age, after which he was for three years a
pupil in the York County Academy. He
strongly desired a liberal education, in
order to enter one of the learned professions,
but having few resources to depend upon be-
sides his own efforts, was obliged to plan
and work to obtain it. He took a winter
school when he was sixteen, emploj'ing the
summer months in helping with the farm
work, and studying during his leisure hours.
After three terms of teaching, with inter-
vening periods of study, he was prepared to
enter college. In 1873 he began a classical
course at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg,
Pa., which he pursued for a short time,
when, an opportunity to become a teacher
in the academy being offered, he accepted,
and became professor where he had formerly
been a pupil, and for one year performed the
duties of the position very creditably ; after
wbich he re-entered college, and was gradu-
eted in 1877. He subsequently took the
regular course at the Theological Seminary
at Gettysburg, which he completed in 1880,
and in the same year was ordained to the
ministry.
Mr. Stine's first charge was the church at
Maytown, Lancaster county, Pa., where he
continued with good success for two and a
half years, during which time he received a
call to the pastorate of a large Methodist
congregation in New England, which he de-
clined. On May 1, 1883, he began his work
as pastor of the Seventh Street church,
Lebanon, Pa., in which his marked, ability
as preacher and pastor was manifest in the
enlargement and general prosperity of the
church. During the nine years of his con-
nection with this congregation, the mem-
bership was greatly increased, a new church
edifice with a seating capacity of seven hun-
dred was erected, and a commodious and
beautiful parsonage was built. While in
this pastorate, Rev. Mr. Stine made two trips
to foreign countries; during the first of
which he spent three months in visiting
Europe, Egypt and Palestine, and seeing
during the second the principal places of
interest in England. He is the author of
two interesting books, one published in 1888,
entitled " Studies on the Religious Problems
of Our Country," and the second, published
in 1890, entitled " A Winter Jaunt Through
Historic Lands;" both of which disclose a
high degree of literary talent. He is also
a correspondent of several periodicals, for
which his articles find ready acceptance.
In 1892 Rev. Mr. Stine took charge of the
First English Lutheran church, at Los An-
geles, Cal., but at the end of three years, his
pastorate in that beautiful city was termin-
ated by the declining health of his father,
which necessitated his return to the East. In
1895 he was called to his present pastorate,
that of Christ Lutheran church, Harrisburg,
at Thirteenth street and Thompson avenue,
with parsonage at 1311 Derry street. Here
he finds a promising field for the exercise of
his best powers, and here abundant fruits
begin to appear. In 1896 formal recognition
of the scholarship and literary attainments
of Mr. Stine was made by the bestowment
upon him of the honorary degree of Doctor
of Philosophy.
Rev. Dr. Stine was married, at Mechanics-
burg, Pa., .June 26, 1880, to Miss Mary, daugh-
ter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shaeffer) Altland
282
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
They have two sons ; Charles, born October
18, 1882, and' Walter, born March 18, 1888.
Dr. Stine is a member of the Junior Order
of United American Mechanics and of the
Knights of Malta.
Mrs. Stine, wife of Eev. Dr. Stine, was
born December 15, 1860. Her father, Daniel
Altland, was born August 19, 1834. In his
younger days he taught school, but the
greater part of his business life was spent in
mercantile pursuits. He was married, in
July, 1856, to Elizabeth, daughter of George
and Elizabeth Shaeffer. Besides Mary (Mrs.
Stine) they had two sons, Alfred D. and F.
M., both, in mercantile pursuits, in Dillsburg,
York county. Pa.
Rev. Daniel Altland, grandfather of Mrs.
Stine, was a native of York county, and
learned the trade of a carpenter. He lived
where his ancestors had lived for 165 years.
Some of the Altlands were soldiers in the
Revolutionary war.
Stewart, Rev. George B., D. D., pastor
of the Market Square Presbyterian church,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born at Columbus,
Ohio, February 28, 1854. His ancestoxs have
been in America since 1637. On his father's
side, they were Scotch-Irish; and on his
mother's side, this same strain was mingled
with that of the Holland-Dutch. Hence by
the law of heredity. Dr. Stewart is justly
entitled to the sterling and sturdy qualities
he has exhibited in his youth and maturity.
His primary education was received in
the'public and private schools of his native
city, which also afforded him his prepara-
tion for college. Other influences besides
those of careful domestic training and
thorough scholastic tuition and discipline
exerted a power over him. The most
active and receptive years of his youth were
those of the Civil war, and the capital of
Ohio at that time was the seat and scene of
the most intense and continuous activities
in the preparation for and the consequences
of the internecine struggle. The glorious
flag of the country, either in the fresh folds
of the colors of the regiments departing for
the seat of war, or on the tattered and
stained standards of returning troops, were
constantly before his youthful eyes, while
his ears were ever assaulted by the stirring
notes of the fife and drum, and the statt^ly
tramp of the marching soldiers. Press,
platform and pulpit were giving utterance
to patriotic sentiments, and sacrifices for
country and free institutions was the per-
sonal and public virtue he heard most fre-
quently and eloquently commended. His
ancestors had been in thi^ country for over
two hundred years, and hence by blood,
birth and training, be became an American
of Americans, his heart thrilling with senti-
ments of regard and reverence for the free
and full life which his native country begot
and fostered.
When in maturing growth and approach-
ing manhood, he was confronted by the need
of making choice of an occupation or profes-
sion he could see no calling which offered
employment to his gifts and satisfaction for
his longings so fully as the sacred office.
For this he proceeded to prepare himself by
the course of classical and theological study
which the Presbyterian Church require of all
who enter the ministry. With the class of
1876 he completed the curriculum of Prince-
ton College, after which he spent some time in
the study of theology at the young but con-
servative McCormick Seminary at Chicago,
111. For the completion of his theological
studies he resorted to the older and more lib-
eral seminary at Auburn, N. Y. The Calvary
church of the city of Auburn noted the
promise of the young student and offered
him the pastorate the year previous to the
completion of his course. He accepted the
charge and remained in the field for seven
years, in which his success was so marked
that he attracted the attention of the church
at large.
The Market Square Presbyterian church, of
Harrisburg, Pa., gave him a unanimous call
without knowing him and on the strength
solely of the representations - of persons
whom they deemed competent to judge of
his fitness for the pulpit and pastoral work.
After a visit of some days to the city, he
accepted the call and was installed as pastor,
January 2, 1885. The Market Square church
was one of the most prominent and impor-
tant charges in the central part of Pennsyl-
vania. It had in its membership many of
the descendants of the Scotch-Irish pioneers
who settled this part of the State, it had
been remarkably favored in the enjoyment
of the services of men of great talent and
marked devotion in the pastoral office, the
one preceding Dr. Stewart being Dr. Thos.
H. Robinson, whose scholarly tastes and
attainments, as well as his excellent character
had led to his transfer to a chair in the
Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
283
Dr. Stewart's labors in this important field
have been crowned with abundant and most
gratifying success. People and pastor are
most happily in accord as to the methods
and means of church activities, and their
harmonious work and worship are delight-
fully complete and satisfactory. The ofiicers
and members, while intensely Presbyterian
and iTQost cordially loyal to denominational
doctrine and order, are at the same time de-
cidedly of the liberal branch and type, and
in this feature are highly gratified with the
pastor who shares with them in their de-
nomination preference.
The dominant traits and characteristics of
Dr. Stewart are his naturalness, simplicity,
earnestness, and devotion in connection with
eminent talents as a preacher and as organ-
izer and leader. Even his scholarship par-
takes of a practical turn, for while his eager
search for truth takes him into all fields of
investigation, he gathers therefrom only the
fruits which nurture spirituality and practi-
cal evangelism.
The church under his leadership is thor-
oughly organized, and is as much a working
company as a factory, store or bank, in
which every employee has his place and
work, and all are united and co-operate to
reach a single result. But the organization
is not a creed, it is only a means by which
the good of humanity and the glory of God
are effectually promoted.
Dr. Stewart finds time for work outside of
the pastorate. He is a trustee of the College
at Princeton, N. J., and of the Wilson Col-
lege at Chambersburg, Pa. He has also
been the president of the Pennsylvania
Chatauqua, at Mt. Gretna, for the five years
of its existence. He is much interested in
the Y. P. S. C. E. and is the chairman of the
General Assembly's special committee on this
organization.
By his activitj', fidelity and good will in
his relationships of man, neighbor and citi-
zen. Dr. Stewart enjoys a popularity and in-
fluence equal to the regard and affection
rendered to him in his ministerial office.
Kohl, Rev. Germanus, was born March
17, 1855, in Berks county, Pa. His father,
Samuel Kohl, was born at Haycock, Bucks
county, Pa., and his mother in Berks county,
Pa. The forefathers of the parents were
among the first settlers of Bucks county and
came to this country in the year 1774. Nine
children were born to Samuel and Mary
Kohl, four sous and five daughters. One
daughter, Sarah, was married to George
Geible; she died fifteen years ago. Two
daughters, Agnes and Mary, joined the sis-
ters of St. Joseph's at Chestnut Hill, Pa.
Their names in religion are Sisters Gene-
vieve and Loretta.
Rev. Germanus Kohl taught in the pub-
lic schools for three years, and in 1877 he
entered Mt. St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg,
Md., from which he graduated June 23;
1883; received his degree of A. M. two years
after, and was ordained to the priesthood in
August 22, 1887, by Bishop O'Hara, of Scran-
ton, Pa. His first mission was Chambers-
burg, Pa., where he was assistant to Rev.
John J. Reilly for fourteen months. In
1889 he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's
church. Snow Shoe, Centre county, Pa.,
where he remained for twenty-seven months,
when he was transfered back to Chambers-
burg, where his pastorate was a most suc-
cessful one. On May 6, 1893, Bishop Mc-
Govern appointed him rector of the pro-
cathedral, Harrisburg, Pa., and also one of
his consultors, which positions he still holds.
Howell, Rev. Charles J., Harrisburg,
Pa., was born August 15, 1855, in Dutchess
county, N. Y., and is the son of Charles J.
and Mary M. (DuBois) Howell. The ma-
ternal grandfather was born in Dutchess
county and came of a Huguenot family. He
served as a trustee of Vassar College, was
president of the First National Bank of
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and also manager of
the Hudson River State Hospital. His wife
was born January 30, 1859, at Fleming, N.
Y. The father, Charles J., was in busi-
ness at home until twenty-two years of age,
when he began work on Wappinger's creek,
about three miles from New York City. He
married Miss Mary M. DuBois, daughter of
Cornelias and Julia A. (More) DuBois.
Their children are Charles J., Cornelias and
Lydia H. The father was an elder in the
Presbyterian church at the time of his death.
His wife survives him. Charles J., at the
age of fifteen, removed with his parents to
Lebanon, where he served as clerk with
Lobenstein & Co. for two years. His educa-
tion began in the private schools, and then
he attended the River View Military Acad-
emy for two years. In 1880 he entered An-
nistor's College, New Jersey, where he grad-
uated in 1884. One year later he took a
course in the Princeton Theological Semi-
284
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
nary and later a three years' course in a
similar seminary in New York, where he
graduated in 1888. Entering the ministry
in 1888, he took charge of a Presbyte-
rian church for three years, and in 1891
received a call from La Grange, a suburb of
Chicago, which he accepted and remained
several years. In December, 1894, having
a call from a congregation in Harrisburg,
he returned East, and now serves the Pine
Street Presbyterian church as its assistant
pastor and is meeting with much success.
Rev. Howell was married at Albany, N.
y., to Miss Cornelia N. Griggs. Before en-
tering the ministry he taught a district
school one term, and two years in the River
View Academy, N. Y.
Wjsndel, Rev. Jacob Hugo Rudolf, pas-
tor of Zion's (German) Lutheran church,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in the city of
Wildberg, Wurtemberg, Germany, April 13,
1857. He is a son of the late Christian and
Emilie (Martz) Wendel. His father was
born in Eltingen, Wurtemberg, July 30,
1820, and was a teacher ; he was principal
of a private institute for girls in Stuttgart.
Later, he was appointed state teacher in
various towns. His last position was that of
head teacher of the town school at Dettin-
gen, Wurtemberg, where he died Septem-
ber 8, 1885, after a useful life. He was
married , July 16, 1848, at Waiblingen, to Emi-
lie, born Martz, a native of Murrhardt, Wur-
temberg, born February 24, 1825, daughter
of Carl Ludwig Martz, a master of forests,
and Marie Sybilla (Sulzen) Martz. They
had thirteen children, of whom six are liv-
ing : Herman Ludwig, professor in Real
Gymnasium (College), Stuttgart, Germany;
Gustav Theodor, wholesale wine and liquor
dealer, Hamburg ; Rev. Jacob Hugo Rudolf;
Albert Ludwig, an Umgeld-Commissarius in
Freudenstadt, Germany; Christian Fried-
rich, sheriff of Urach county, Germany ;
Amelie Marie, a teacher in Stuttgart. The
mother is still living, and resides at Urach.
Rev. J. H. R. Wendel received his ele-
mentary education in the Latin school of
his native city. His academic course was
taken at the Lyceum of Nagold, from which
institution he received his literary degrees.
He then read law in Stuttgart, for two terms,
in the department of State Law Instruction ;
he passed the state examination in law in
1881. He had previously filled some court
offices in Freudenstadt, Nurtingen and
Reutlingen. In 1880 he began the practice
of law in Munsingen,and*continued it until
1882.
In February, 1882, in response to a call
from the Evangelical Lutheran General
Council, he came to America to study the-
ology, and to serve in the ministry of that
church in America. He was ordained at
Norristown, Pa., in May, 1883, by the Synod
of Pennsylvania. His first pastorate was
St. Thomas' church, Germantown, Philadel-
phia, where he faithfully and acceptably
ministered to the spiritual wants of the con-
gregation until March 30, 1886. His next
charge was at Port Jervis, N. Y., where he
served two years as pastor of St. Peter's
German Lutheran church. Since March,
1888, he has been the faithful, devoted and
beloved pastor of Ziou Lutheran church
(German) of Harrisburg.
He was married in Reading, Pa., May 29,
1883, to Miss Louisa, daughter of Martin
and Anna Maria (Etzel) Freudenberger, of
Schillingstadt, Baden, Germany. They have
five children : Christian Hugo Martin, Emi-
lie Louisa Amalie, Paulus Herman Albert,
Gustav Adolphus John Frederick, Esther
Barbara Ruth. Mr. Wendel is a member of
the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of
Pennsylvania and adjacent States, and of
the General Council of the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church of North America.
Seubert, Rev. Father F. C, rector of St.
Lawrence German Catholic church, Harris-
burg, Pa., was born at Lebanon, Pa., August
2, 1859. He is a son of F. Anton and Mar-
garet (Ganster) Seubert, both natives of
Aschafifenberg, Bavaria. They came to
America in 1857. They were united in
matrimony October 14, 1858, at St. Peter's
church, Reading, Pa. In the spring of 1859
they located at Lebanon, where they still
reside, honored and respected by their neigh-
bors. Fourteen children were born to them,
of whom eleven are living: Catherine, wife
of Jerome H. Youtz, residing at Lebanon;
Miss Emma, residing in Philadelphia ;
Joseph A., residing at Lebanon, Pa.; John
J., residing at Sayre, Pa. ; Mary, wife of
George S. Pence, residing at Lebanon ; Miss
Anna H., residing in Philadelphia; George
P., a student for the priesthood in St. Vin-
cent's, Westmoreland county. Pa. ; C. Aloy-
sius, a student in the Philadelphia College
of Pharmacy, Philadelphia; Margaret and
William H., attending St. Vincent's College,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
285
and the subject of this biography, who was
the eldest of the children.
Father Seubert received his early educa-
tion in the parochial schools of his native
town. In the fall of 1876 he went to Mon-
treal, Canada, where he spent seven years in
college. Five years of this time were spent
in classical studies, and two years in the
philosophical course. He was then called
to Sylvan Heights Seminary by Rt. Rev.
Bishop Shanahan, where he studied theology.
On June 26, 1886^ he was ordained to the
priesthood by Rt. Rev. Archbishop Ryan, of
Philadelphia, Rt. Rev. Bishop Shanahan
being too ill at the time to hold the ordina-
tion. His first appointment was at Cham-
bersburg, where he was assistant to Rev.
Father C. A. Schlueter until January, 1887.
On January 14, 1887, he took charge of St.
Agnes' church, Lock Haven, Pa., where he
remained for five years, during which time
he won the love and esteem of all classes by
his earnest and successful work. Under his
care the charge grew and prospered as it
had never done before. The church and
convent buildings were remodeled, a new
parochial residence erected, and many other
important improvements made. On Janu-
ary 14, 1892, he took charge of St. Lawrence
parish, and since that date has also been ap-
pointed secretary of the diocese. He is a
gentleman of pleasing address, with a genial
countenance and charming manners, and is
esteemed by all as a kindly, godly man.
De Yoe, Rev. J^uther, pastor of Messiah
Lutheran church, Harrisburg, Pa., was
born in Bergen county, N. J. He is the son
of Rev. E. and Anna (Crounse) De Yoe.
Hejreceived his academic education at Tren-
ton, N. J. There he completed his prepara-
tion for college. He spent seven years at
Gett3'sburg, Pa., pursuing for four years the
regular classical course at Pennsylvania Col-
lege, and taking the prescribed curriculum
of the Theological Seminary during the
next three years, graduating from the latter
in 1889. In the following year he received,
at Philadelphia, his license to preach, and in
1889 he was regularly ordained to the sacred
office at Martinsburg, Va.
The first pastorate of Mr. De Yoe was at
Emmitsburg, Md., where he had preached
one year while he was a student at the sem-
inary. He remained in the charge two and
a-half years, and was eminently successful
in his work, which he only relinquished in
order to occupy a wider field that opened to
him. In 1891 he accepted a call which was
extended to him from Messiah Lutheran
church, at Harrisburg. Messiah was a
prominent congregation and one that had
been ministered to by men of the highest
order of talent. Rev. De Yoe has devoted
his attention solely to this work, and his
labors of the last five years have demon-
strated his ability and his personal worth.
They have been years crowned with success.
Rev. De Yoe was married in Gettysburg,
November 19, 1889, to Margaret J., daughter
of Dr. H. W. and Mary ( Welty) McKnight.
He is a member of Capital City Lodge, No.
327, Jr. 0. U. A. M. Mrs. De Yoe, wife of
Rev. Luther De Yoe, was born at iSTewville,
Cumberland county, Pa., September 8, 1868.
Her father, Rev. H. W. McKnight, D. D., has
been for many years a prominent and suc-
cessful minister of the Lutheran Church.
He is at present president of Pennsylvania
College, Gettysburg, Pa.
Early (Oehrle), Thomas, was an active
member of the Evangelical Lutheran church
at Ensengen, in the Kingdom of Wurtem-
berg. His son, John Early, born January 9,
1724, came to America at the age of twenty-
four years. After he had received his di-
ploma as a carpenter, he traveled through
different parts of Germany to perfect his
trade. He was also a Master Free Mason.
He came to America in 1750, landing first
at Philadelphia, and subsequently walking to
Reading. He was here elected trustee and
building master for erecting the First Evan-
gelical Lutheran church there. This edifice
has been rebuilt and is one of the largest
churches in the place. He married Susan
Brombach and moved to Manada Gap, now
in Dauphin county. Pa. He built a grist
mill on the foundation of the present mill
which is still there. He also built the mill
at Bow creek, now owned by Israel Early.
Both of these mills have always been and
are now in the possession of the Earlys. He
had one son, Christian Earl}"^, when his first
wife died in 1753. From her spring all of
the mountain Earlys and those near or along
the Jonestown road. He married, secondly,
Regina Siechle, in 1755, daughter of John
Albrecht Siechle, and moved to Swatara
creek, near the mouth of the Quittapohilla
creek, where he joined Hafls B. Bendnaugle,
George Berger and others in -the building
of the First Evangelical Lutheran log
286
BIO GRA PHICAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
church, when the region was almost an un-
broken wilderness. The church is called
the Bendnaugle's Evangelical Lutheran
church to this day. By his second wife he
had three sons and two daughters, namely :
John, from whora all the valley Earlys
spring, from near Palmyra, now Lebanon
county; William, Thomas, Catharine and
Anna Margaretta. He was also one of the
principal and original subscribers, together
with his sons John, William and Thomas,
in 1803, to build the present beautiful sub-
stantial Bendnaugle's church, the pride of
the region. His son, William Early, moved
to Centre county. Pa., in the beginning of
the present century, where he and his father
took up a large tract of land, and laid out a
town in 1797, called Earlysburg, also Will-
iamsburg. He built a saw mill there and
donated a tract of land to the Evangelical
Lutheran church and the Reformed, called
Emanuel church, and aided in building a
log church. He was one of the first officers
of the church, which was rebuilt in 1837.
He was one of the first esquires and his
brother was the first constable of Centre
county. William Early, Esq., was also
on the first grand jury in Centre county.
From him spring the Southern and Western
Earlys. The second son- of the first John
Early was esquire of Londonderry town-
ship, as was his brother William in Centre
county, and the second son William of the
second son John, father of D. S. Early, was
also esquire of Londonderry township for
forty years. None of his suits were ever
settled in court. This William Early, the
father of Aaron Daniel Seth Early, was born
in Lancaster county, and married in Dau-
phin county, and died in Lebanon county,
and was never out of the county or London-
derr}' township. All of the Earlys were
Whigs until the Republican party was organ-
ized. The second John Early, son of Chris-
tian Early, the only son of the first John
Early, by his first wife, was also esquire in
West Hanover township, Manada Gap, Dau-
phin county, until he died.
The family of William, the second son of
John Early, were all born on the farm called
Beetime, in the present house which he built,
and consisted of fourteen children, eight
sons and six daughters. Jacob, the oldest
son of the second John and brother of Will-
iam, was one of the promoters of the Camp-
bellstown Lutheran and Reformed church,
and his descendants are buried there. Will-
iam, the second son, was one of the main
pillars and supporters of the Bendnaugle's
Evangelical Lutheran church, and deeded
a plat of ground to said church, and he and
his family are buried there. His son,
Joshua Heaster, stood in his place after his
death, and his son John supported the same
church. A. D. S. Early, the son of William
Early, assisted liberally with his means and
deeded a half acre of land to the same
church, for the sake of Christ, and for his
ancestors. He desired to beautify the church
and have a dwelling on the premises, and to
preserve them as memorials of the virtues of
his ancestors, and to have some one to dwell
there to keep the church and burial place
always in order. William Early and Mar-
tin G. Early, sons of William Early, were
among the founders and principal donators
of the first Evangelical Lutheran and Re-
formed church in Palmyra, Pa., and Martin
G. Early was also one of the movers and
supporters of the Second Lutheran church
in Palmyra. Rev. John William Early,
the son of William Early and brother of D.
S. Early, is a minister of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, and is a graduate of the
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.
Eakly, Aaron Daniel Seth, is of the
fourth generation in the line of descent
from Thomas Early. He was born May 14,
1828, in Lebanon county, on the farm known
as the Beetime farm, half way between Pal-
myra and Campbellstown. He is a son of
the late William Early, Esq., and Christiana
(Kreider) Early, daughter of Rev. Martin
Kreider. When seven years of age his father
moved to Bendnaugles in 1835. He worked
on the farm and went to the Bendnaugle's
parochial school until 1845, when he entered
the store of his brother, M. G. Early, and
went to Alexander Dasher's school at Pal-
myra, Pa., until 1847. He then studied at
the Lebanon Academy under John Gluge,
principal, until 1848, when he went to Ann-
ville Mills, now Shiner P. 0., one mile be-
low New Market Forge, to represent his
brother Martin's half interest in a store. In
1849 he bought the store and began business
for himself He erected a new building, the
largest and finest country store in Lebanon
county, and also bought a farm, built two
houses and two barns, and carried on his
business and improved his property until
1857, when he sold out the store, moved to
Annville, bought another store, Sertyer's old
DAUPMIN COUNTY.
289
stand, and carried on a large general mer-
cantile business, and also dealt in real estate.
He is a Republican in politics and was
elected judge of elections of North Annville
township in 1851, when he was twenty-three
years of age. He was elected one of the cor-
porators of the Annville Fire Insurance Com-
pany in 1858 or 1859, and one of the street
commissioners to grade the town in 1860.
On account of impaired health he freed him-
self from business for one year. In 1861, in
connection with John H. Balsbaugh, he
bought the half interest in a large warehouse
and entered the grain, milling and coal
business at Swatara Station. In 1861 he was
appointed postmaster by President Lincoln,
and ticket agent by the Reading Railroad
Company. He also built a large brick dwell-
ing house at Swatara Station. In 1864 he
sold his large business interests to Abraham
Brechbill, and moved to Huinmelstown,and
opened a large grain, coal and lime business.
By his ability and influence he was instru-
mental in locating the Denominational Col-
lege of the United Brethren in Chnst at
Annville, and was elected the first president
of the board of trustees of this college.
He was elected president of the board of
commissioners to grade the town of Hum-
melstown. He was the discoverer of the
Brown Hermetite ore mines near Swatara
Station, and the organizer of the Swatara
Iron Company, and was elected the general
superintendent of the same. He was elected
a director of the United Brethren Mutual
Aid Society of Pennsylvania in 1869, and
filled the place for twenty-seven years. In
1870 he was elected general superintendent
for ten and filled it for eleven years, when
he resigned on account of failing health.
While in the office he traveled over twenty
States and part of Canada. In 1872 he
moved to Harrisburg in order to afford his
children the advantages of education, im-
provement, culture and the enjoyment which
the city affords. His residence is on the
corner of Sixth and Kelker streets. He or-
ganized a Greenback Club in 1877 and was
made candidate for Congress by that party,
and ran far ahead even of the candidate for
governor on the same ticket. He was one
of the organizers of the Reily Hose Fire
Company No. 10, in Harrisburg, and was
the first "treasurer of the company. He was
one of the first subscribers and a stock-
holder and organizer of the Kelker Street
Market Company of Harrisburg. Is a
stockholder in the first Harrisburg Street
Railway Company. He is one of the organ-
izers of the German-American Union. He
was one of the first supporters and organizers
of the Committee of One Hundred of the city
of Harrisburg, and served as its chairman.
Mr. Early was a subscriber of funds to
build and aid four colleges, two Lutheran
churches, one Church of God, thirty-two
United Brethren in Christ churches, six par-
sonages, one printing house, four missionary
societies, two church erection societies, and
owner of forty-eight properties that were
deeded to him. He was farmer, merchant,
grain and coal dealer, mineralogist, inventor,
insurance manager, or general agent of
insurance, builder, lecturer and minister of
the gospel.
Mr. Early, January 1, 1859, received a
quarterly conference license of the United
Brethren Church, without his knowledge, by
a unanimous vote of said Quarter!}', to
preach the gospel at Annville, Lebanon
county. Pa., signed by the presiding elder.
Rev. A. Steigerwalt. On January 12, 1861,
at the annual conference of the same church
held at Pine Grove, Schuylkill county. Pa.,
after the examination on his character and
regular reading course, he also received a
conference license, of the East Pennsyl-
vania Conference, to preach the gospel,
signed by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner. Feb-
ruary 28, 1864, at the annual conference
held at Schuylkill Haven, Mr. Early was or-
dained an elder of the Church of the United
Brethren in Christ and received authority
to administer the ordinances, signed by
Bishop J. Markwood.
Mr. Early was married January 23, 1851,
to Miss Amanda A. Mark, daughter of Rev.
George A. and Christiana Runkel Mark. To
them have been born six children, four of
whom are living, namely : Clara S., wife of
E. W. S. Parthemore; Minerva J., single;
Ida E., wife of Albert Deitrich ; Nora J.,
wife of William Deitrich ; two sisters hav-
ing married two brothers on the same day.
WiUiam Early, the father of A. D. S.
Early, was one of the founders of the Theo-
logical Seminary at Gettysburg, an active
politician, a Whig until after Gen. William
Henry Harrison's presidential election, when
he turned Democrat, and all his sons Re-
publicans, except his son Joshua Heaster,
who was an independent voter. After 1865,
his oldest son, John, also became a Demo-
crat, and his son Daniel Seth turned to the
290
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Greenbacks, and was a leader of that party,
and ever since, he says he is " an Independ-
ent of the Independents." All the rest of
the Earlys are still Republicans.
HiLDEUP, Thomas, a native of England,
came to America and settled at Hartford,
Conn., in 1766, where he learned the trade
of a jeweler, and carried on that business
there during the remainder of his active
life. He was an influential citizen of the
place, and was appointed and served as post-
master of Hai'tford for several years. He
had five sons: John, Joslin, Thomas, William
and Jesse, and two daughters. Jesse Hil-
drup spent his life as a tanner and shoe-
maker in Middletown, and a farmer in Dan-
bury, Conn., and died in Belvidere, 111.
His wife was Sophia Turner, of Middlefield,
and their children were: William T., a
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
volume; Mary, who married Rev. S. C.
Howe, a Methodist clergyman; Jesse, a
lawyer of Chicago, 111.; Martha and John, a
machinist in the car works at Harrisburg.
Kelker, Frederick, son of Anthony and
Mary Magdalene Kelker, was born in Leb-
anon, Pa., October 29, 1780 ; was baptized No-
vember 26, 1780, in the German Reformed
church and confirmed and united with the
same in 1799. He entered the store of Oves
& Moore, at Lebanon, in 1801 for the pur-
pose of learning the hardware business.
After becoming a member of this firm, he
removed to Harrisburg in 1805 and em-
barked in the first exclusively hardware
business in this city, under the firm name of
F. Kelker & Co., at No. 5, now No. 9 South
Front street. This partnership continued
until 1811, when Mr. Kelker became sole
proprietor and conducted the business until
1823, when in July of that year he sold out
to George Oglesby and Jacob Poole. Mr.
Kelker died July 12, 1857. He was remark-
able for punctuality and integrity. His
habits for industry and economy led to the
acquisition of a competency, and the latter
half especially of his life was devoted to the
amelioration of the condition of the poor,
sick and friendless. He filled many minor
positions in the community in which he
lived, always rejecting political preferment.
For several terms he was member and pres-
ident of the borough council. He was a di-
rector of the branch established by the Phil-
ad-elphia Bank, in Harrisburg, and a direc-
tor of the Harrisburg Bank. When the
public schools were first established in Penn-
sylvania, he became a director and was
ready at all times to co-operate with his fel-
low-citizens in all of the benevolent enter-
prises of the day. Mr. Kelker was prom-
inent in the Reformed church and presided
at the meeting on November 17, 1820, to
establish the first Sunday-school in connec-
tion with the church, and was also active in
the measures adopted for erecting the church
building on the corner of Third and Chest-
nut streets. His wife, Lydia Genberhing
Chamberlin, born in Philadelphia, April 9,
1786, united with the German Reformed
church of Harrisburg, April 22, 1809, and
died May 2, 1812. Mr. Kelker was married
secondly to Catharine Fager, born in Har-
risburg, October 24, 1798, daughter of John
Fager ; baptized December 2, 1798, in the
Evangelical Lutheran Zion church and first
partook of communion of the Lord's Supper
March 26, 1815. After her marriage she
withdrew from the Lutheran and united
with the Reformed church.
Bailey, Gen. Joel, was born in Penn's
Manor, Bucks county, Pa., on September 26,
1789. His parents, Joseph and Lydia Bailey,
were Quakers. His ancestors were among
the original settlers of Pennsylvania, coming
from England in 1682.
He learned the trade of a blacksmith in
his native county, and in 1810 removed to
and settled in the then little village of Har-
risburg. He was an active, intelligent, en-
terprising young man, who started in the
world "on his own hook" and to make his
fortune. He established a blacksmith shop
on the site of the Hotel Columbus, opposite
the present postofBce building, at the corner
of Third and Walnut streets, Harrisburg,
more than eighty years ago, and for many
years did all the important work in his line
of business in this section. Much of the
iron work of the old State capitol was manu-
factured or done under his supervision.
Subsequently he was largely engaged in
contract work. He was one of the principal
men in the construction of the Chesapeake
and Delaware canal, the Wiconisco Feeder,
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the Cum-
berland Valley railroad, and the Gettysburg
or so-called " Tape Worm " railroad,' build-
ing many of its sections and culverts, the
latter of which stand to-day as monuments
of engineering skill and construction. These
BAVPHIN COUNTY.
291
are yet to be seen in the present Gettysburg
and Harrisburg railroad.
From his earliest youth Mr. Bailey was
much interested in military affairs. He was
first lieutenant in Capt. Richard M. Grain's
company, which served in the war of 1812-14,
and which marched to the defense of Balti-
more under the command of Gen. John
Forster, of Harrisburg, who had charge of
the Pennsylvania troops. In 1829 and 1830
he was keeper of the State arsenal under the
administration of Governor Wolf, and there
are, in the possession of his son, letters re-
ferring to orders for guns, ammunition, etc.,
from George B. Porter, adjutant general and
subsequently governor of Michigan Terri-
tory under General Jackson's administration,
and subsequently from Simon Cameron,
who also served as adjutant general under
Governor Wolf For several years General
Bailey served as brigade inspector of the
militia of Dauphin county, and was after-
wards brigadier general of the troops com-
prised in Dauphin, Lebanon and North-
umberland counties.
For many years General Bailey was prom-
inent in political affairs, having all his life
adhered to the principles of the Democratic
party. He was the warm, personal and
political friend of William Findlay, George
Wolf, James Buchanan, David R. Porter,
Francis R. Shunk, Daniel Sturgeon, Judge
Samuel D. Franks, James R. Snowden, Will-
iam Hopkins, Arnold Plumer, George
Sanderson and other worthies of the past.
In 1821 he was one of the commissioners to
fix the seat of justice of Juniata county,
Lewistown being chosen. He was chief
burgess of the borough of Harrisburg in
1832, and served several times as a member
of the borough council. While chief bur-
gess he approved an ordinance enacted June
25, 1832, which was also signed by N. B.
Wood, president of the council, "authoriz-
ing a loan to be applied in improving the
streets, lanes and alleys of the borough of
Harrisburg." The loan was to be for
$20,000, but whether it was ever accom-
plished there is no record. In 1833 he an-
nounced himself as a candidate for the Legis-
lature for Dauphin county, but was not
elected owing to the then condition of af-
fairs regarding the Anti-Masonic movement.
He was also prominent in Masonic circles,
having been for many years a member of
Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, A. Y. M., of
Harrisburg.
General Bailey was a remarkably fine-
looking man. He stood about five feet ten
inches in height, was straight as an arrow,
his shoulders were broad and square, and
these were surrounded by a splendid head of
brown hair. He wore side whiskers, which
gave a pleasant effect to his handsome, in-
telligent face. He was a superb horseman,
and when mounted looked the born soldier.
In his manner he was extremely pleasant,
and he was the life of every social circle in
which he moved. In his actions, public and
private, he was generous and benevolent,
and his fellow-citizens of all classes were
warmly attached to him.
His domestic life was a very happy one.
He was married March 10, 1814, to Elizabeth
Seidle, of Berks county. He was the father
of eight children, six boys and two girls, the
only survivor being the youngest, Mr.
George Bailey, who still resides at the old
homestead, No. 222 Locust street. General
Bailey died on the 16th of October, 1845, at
the comparatively early age of fifty -six years.
His wife survived him thirty years, dying,
on the 14th of August, 1875, aged eighty-
three years.
In all the relations of life, whether as
husband, father, citizen or soldier, he bore
himself as a man and Christian. His death
was a cause for sincere sorrow and mourning,
not only in Harrisburg, but throughout the
State of Pennsylvania. He was buried with
Masonic and civil services, and with the
honors of war by the military of Dauphin,
county. His remains are interred in the
Harrisburg cemetery.
Simmons, Col. Seneca G., was born on
December 27, 1808, in Windsor county, Vt.
the son of Alfred Simmons and his wife
Deborah Perkins. He was brought up on
his father's farm, receiving the limited edu-
cation obtained at the country school. At
the age of fourteen he entered the military
school of Capt. Alden Partridge, then lo-
cated at Middletown, Conn., subsequently
accompanying the school on its removal to
Georgetown, in the District of Columbia.
In July, 1829, he entered West Point, by the
appointment of President Jackson, from
which institution he graduated with dis-
tinction, in 1834, and was assigned to the
Seventh U. S. infantry, as brevet second
lieutenant, July 1, 1834; promoted to sec-
ond lieutenant on the 31st of December fol-
lowing.
292
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Previous to joining his regiment he was
assigned to topographical duty under Major
Wm. G. McNeil, and assisted in the survey
of the harbor of Apalachicola, Fla. During
the summers of 1835 and 1836 he was en-
gaged, under Col. Stephen H. Long, upon
surveys in the State of Maine; first on the
coast and then on a contemplated line of
railway between Belfast and Quebec, Canada.
He was promoted to first lieutenant Janu-
ary ]9, 1837, when he joined his regiment,
shortly after receiving his appointment as
aid to Gen. Matthew Arbuckle, then in com-
mand of the department of the Southwest.
He was also made assistant adjutant gen-
eral, which position he held for several years,
retaining it after General Taylor resumed
command, and until relieved by Colonel
Bliss, the General's son-in-law. His regi-
ment was then, the spring of 1842, serving
in Florida, and thither he immediately re-
paired. At the conclusion of the Florida
war his regiment was detailed for duty in
garrisoning posts on the Gulf of Mexico, and
he was stationed at Fort Pike, La., where he
remained during the years 1842 and 1843,
transacting, in addition to the duties of his
position in his company, those of commis-
sary and quartermaster to the post. When
his turn came for being detailed on recruit-
ing service, he was ordered to Syracuse, N.
Y., and was engaged in that duty until the
breaking out of the war with Mexico. On
his arrival in the field, he was immediately
assigned as assistant commissary and quar-
termaster at Matamoras. During the year
1847 he remained at that point, but on receiv-
ing his commission as captain, to date from
February 16, 1847, he rejoined his regiment,
then under Scott, on the way to the Mexican
capital, and distinguished himself at the
battle of Haumantla, on October 9, that
year.
At the close of the war he was stationed
at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., a portion of his
regiment, including his own company,
having been ordered to Fort Leavenworth,
Kan., on special duty. In 1849 and 1850
he was sent to Florida, owing to the hostile
attitude of the Seminole Indians. In 1850
he was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, and
while there received a severe injury, which
for a time placed his life in a critical con-
dition, and from the effects of which he
never fully recovered. Lame, and on
crutches, he was, in the year 1851, ordered
to Pottsville, Pa., on recruiting service.
While stationed there he so far recovered as
to attend to the duties of active service, and
was sent to the command of Fort Arbuckle
upon the frontier. His regiment was soon
afterwards ordered to Utah. Here he re-
mained four years. During the years 1858
and 1859 he was stationed at Jefferson Bar-
racks, Mo., and at Newport Barracks, Ky.,
but unable, through the disability referred
to, to perform the active duties required of
him, Captain Simmons sought and obtained
a furlough, and joined his family at Karris-
burg.
He was here when the slaveholders' rebel-
lion commenced ; and when the first call
was made for troops, Captain Simmons was
made mustering officer for the Pennsylvania
volunteers. To him more is due than he
has generally been given credit for — the
organization, the discipline and the efficiency
of that notable body of volunteers, the Penn-
sylvania reserves. From April to June,
1861, notwithstanding the physical infirmity
from which he suffered, he labored most
assiduously, and such was the high apprecia-
tion in which he was held by the men of
that brave organization, that he could have
had the command of any one regiment.
That of the Fifth was unanimously tendered
him, although personally unknown to any of
the officers of that body. His commission
as colonel bears date June 21, 1861.
Colonel Simmons' first service was to
march, in connection with the celebrated
" Bucktail " regiment and some artillery, to
the support of General Wallace in West
Virginia, and thence to Washington City,
where he drilled his command and prepared
it for service in the division (General Mc-
Call's.) During the remainder of 1861 he
continued at the National Capital, engaged
in covering its approaches.
On the 9th of September he was promoted
major of the Fourth infantry, but preferred
to remain with the volunteer troops. He
participated in the action at Drainesville,
December 20, 1861, and until May of the
year following his command was performing
guard duty on the Orange and Alexandria
railroad, the subsequent months on picket
near Fredericksburg, Va. In the Seven
Days' fight before Richmond he took a
decisive part, especially in the action at
Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill. At Charles
City X Roads, or as frequently termed, White
Oak Swamp, on the 30th of June, 1862,
while leading the First brigade with true
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
293
Spartan valor, he fell in the thickest of the
fight. General McCall, who was captured on
the evening of the battle just spoken of, while
reconnoitering, sent to Mrs. Simmons the
following account of her brave husband's
death:
Richmond, Virginia,
Tobacco Warehouse Prison,
July 15, 1862.
My Dear Madam : It is not to say that I
mourn the loss of a friend that I write to
you, although twenty years' knowledge of his
worth and very many most estimable qual-
ities, had truly endeared your husband to
me; nor is it to attempt to offer consolation
in your bereavement, whicli One above alone
can give you. I write to inform you that
after Colonel Simmons, who, on the 30th of
June, commanded the First brigade of my
division, was wounded, he was captured by
the enemy, carried to their hospital, and
laid by the side of Captain Biddle, of Phila-
delphia, my assistant adjutant general, who
was also severely wounded and a prisoner.
During the night of the 1st of July, as I am
informed, the colonel sank under the effects
of his wound, and calmly expired at Biddle's
side. This I have from Biddle himself, who
is here in the hospital.
I have only to add that the Colonel's body
has been brought to this city and is interred
here, where it may be conveyed to his friends
at the proper time.
Believe me, dear madam, very truly and
sincerely, j^our friend and obedient servant,
Geo. a. McCall,
Brigadier General, U. S. A.
To Mrs. Seneca G. Simmons, Harrishurg, Pa.
Twenty years after, in October, 1882. an
officer in the Confederate service, Capt. R. L.
Lewis, of Pickens county, S. C, wrote Mrs.
Simmons, giving her the following reminis-
cence :
" It was on the 30th of June, 1862, in oiie
of the fights around Richmond, that our
brigade was called on to make a charge on a
battery of twelve pieces, supported by a bri-
gade from Pennsylvania, commanded by Col-
onel Simmons, acting as brigadier general.
M. Jenkins was our colonel, of a South Caro-
lina regiment, and was also acting as briga-
dier general. Colonel Simmons' brigade was
stationed in a field to the right of the battery,
his right resting on or near a house. The
place was called Frazier's Farm, or Glendale.
Our brigade marched right across the field,
with fixed bayonets, against his. We did
not fire a gun until we were within twenty or
thirty paces. When Colonel Simmons' bri-
gade gave away or broke ranks, he sat on his
horse trying to rally them until he received
a fatal wound and fell from his horse. We
gained the field and took the battery, but
suffered severely. Our loss was heavy ; I had
twenty-five men wounded, six killed and one
lieutenant wounded. Some companies lost
more. After the fight I went to the battle-
field to look after my men. I found your
husband lying where he had fallen from
his horse. He told me who he was, that he
was badly wounded, and then asked me to
help him. I called some of our ambulance
corps, and had him carried to a vacant house
near by. I took off' his spurs and sword,
which he gave to me, placed him upon a bed,
and gave him all the help I could. He asked
me who was commanding the fight. I told
him Gen. Q,. U. Anderson. He said, " I
know him. I was with him in the Mexican
war." He then asked me to tell the General
that he would like to .see him. I conveyed
the message to General Anderson, but he said
he could not see him. The next day I called
to see how Mr. Simmons was doing, but found
him in a comatose state. He could not com-
municate anything. When I placed him
upon the bed, I noticed he had on a watch,
I think a guard or chain made of hair, but
it was gone. Some one had taken it. As I
had to go out to the Malvern Hill fight, I
saw no more of him, but made inquiries con-
cerning him, and was told that he was
carried to the field hospital, where he died.
Dr. Gaston, our brigade surgeon, took from-
his person three medals, one for services in
the Mexican war,one from the State of Penn-
sylvania, and one from the United States for
gallant services. Colonel Sims, our adjutant
general, said he took a pin from his shirt,
marked with the letter " G." I presume it
was a Masonic emblem. I gave the Colonel's
sword to Gen. M. .Jenkins. He was killed in
the battle of the Wilderness on the 6th of
May, 1864, with it on. I presume his family
have it."
On the 3d of May, 1882, Dr. 0. M. Doyle,
of Toccoa, Ga., in a letter to Mrs. Simmons,
gives the following interesting information :
... "At the time of the battle referred
294
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
to, I was regimental surgeon, and' with others
of the brigade, in charge of the field hospital.
I was told that Colonel Simmons fell in front
of our part of the line, and as our line ad-
vanced he was taken up and brought to the
field hospital by my ambulance corps. He
was wounded by a minie ball, through the
liver and lung, and died, I think, the second
day. I treated him in the best manner pos-
sible under the circumstances, and had him
buried as decently as could be done there at
such a time. He was reported by our officers
as acting conspicuously brave on that san-
guinary field, as being the cause, in their
opinion, of that part of the Federal line
standing as long as it did. That report did
much toward stimulating a greater desire
on our part to do all that was possible for a
brave but fallen foe. Before death he thanked
us sincerely for our attentions. He gave to
some one of our party (I do not recollect
in whose hand he placed them) a gold
watch, a picture of his wife, and I think $60
in gold coin, with the request that the watch
and picture (I do not think he included the
coin) be sent to his wife. I have one knowl-
edge or recollection of a Masonic pin or
badge. If I had seen one, I am sure I would
recollect it from my association with the
order. These articles were placed in posses-
sion of Dr. Gaston, our brigade surgeon (now
dead), with the lequest made by Colonel
Simmons (coin and all). A few days after
this occurrence there was a Federal surgeon
at our quarters, temporarily in our lines.
We were all together, this surgeon, Dr. Gas-
ton and myself. Dr. Gaston told me that he
had turned those articles of Colonel Simmons
over to this surgeon, to be sent to his widow.
I suppose I heard the name of the Federal
surgeon when I met him, but I have no
recollection of what it was. Such is a hasty
account of what I know of your husband's
death." ...
The foregoing is all the information gained
concerning that intrepid officer. No braver
man drew a sword in defense of the Union.
No nobler life was sacrificed in that fratricidal
strife. Strict in discipline, amounting to
sternness, he had a generous spirit. His face
presented ordinarily a calm and benevolent
expression, but when excited every feature
seemed to flash fire. He had a big heart,
and was as grandly lenient as he was severely
rigid. In person he was nearly six feet in
height, of strong and robust frame, florid
complexion, brown hair, heavy beard and
light blue eyes.
Colonel Simmons was married at Harris-
burg, Pa., in 1834, to Elraira A., daughter
of Caleb and Content (Le Barron) Simmons,
early residents of Harrisburg, whose earthly
remains are interred in the Harrisburg
cemetery. Colonel and Mrs. Simmons had
four children : Charles F., born in Augusta,
Me., December 21, 1835, he was a civil en-
gineer in the service of the Reading Rail-
road Company, and died at Pottsville, Pa.,
March 16,1856; Frederick Douglass, born
at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, also a civil
engineer in the service of the Reading Rail-
road Company, and died at Harrisburg,
Edward Courtney, born in Indian Territory,
and died at Governor's Island, Fort Colum-
bus, New York Harbor; Elmira Adelaide,
wife of Daniel J. Attick, born at Fort Pike,
La., December 27, 1842.
Mrs. Simmons was born January 2, 1808,
and died February 6, 1886. As wife and
mother, she had few superiors. Those who
know her best, appreciated her goodness and
nobleness of heart. She was a member of
St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal church.
Her funeral services were conducted by her
rector, Rev. R. J. Keeling, D. D., who paid a
loving tribute to her life and services. Her
remains were taken to Pottsville, Pa., for in-
terment, Post No. 116, G. A. R., acting as a
military escort, and many distinguished
citizens of Harrisburg attending as pall-
bearers and as mourners. At the grave the
impressive burial service of the Episcopal
Church was followed by that of the Grand
Army of the Republic ; and floral tributes
of affection and respect were laid upon tier
casket by the comrades, they delighting to
honor one who, among her many endearing
benevolent traits, had. always shown herself
the constant and devoted friend of the sol-
dier.
Daniel J. Attick, of the firm of Attick &
Bros., manufacturers and dealers in lime
and stone, was born in Swatara township,
Dauphin county. Pa., in May, 1856. He is
a son of Daniel and the late Mary A. (Mep-
ford) Attick. He grew up on his father's
farm, receiving a public school education in
his native township. He was a farmer, and
flour miller ; in April, 1895, he engaged in
his present business. Mr. Attick was mar-
ried in Harrisburg, December 23, 1886, to
Elmira A., daughter of Col. Seneca G, Sim-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
295
mons and his wife, Elmira A. (Simmons)
Simmons. He is a Democrat in politics.
Mrs. Attick is a member of St. Stephen's P.
E. church.
WiERMAN, Thomas Thornburg, son of
Isaac Wierman and Susannah (Comly) Wier-
man, was born in 1813, in Menallen town-
ship, Adams county, Pa., and died at Harris-
burg August 2, 1887. He was educated at
private schools, that of Judge McLean, at
Gettysburg, and Amos Gilbert, at Strasburg,
Lancaster county, and was employed subse-
quently on his father's farm at the home
place until twenty-three years of age, teach-
ing school in the neighborhood during the
winter months. In 1836, through favor of
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, canal commissioner,
Thomas T. Wierman received an appoint-
ment and began his professional career as
rodman on the survey for the North Branch
canal from Wilkes-Barre to State line, under
James D. Harris, chief engineer, remaining
there two years. In 1838 lae was employed
under Mr. Harris on surveys to avoid the
incline plane on the State railroad near
Philadelphia. In 1840 was assistant under
A. B. Warford, chief engineer on the repairs
and improvements of the State canals from
Harrisburg to Wilkes-Barre and stationed at
Northumberland, remaining there two years,
when the Legislature refused any appropri-
ation for the continued employment of en-
gineers. Mr. Wierman then repaired to his
father's farm in Adams county and engaged
in the business of raising and selling fruit
trees.
In 1846 he was employed as agent for the
State to stake out and superintend the con-
struction of the eastern reservoir of the
canal near Hollidaysburg. In 1847 he was
engaged on the construction of a section of
the Pennsylvania railroad passing Duncan-
non, and 'completed it in 1849, when he
moved to Lewistown, remaining for a period
in charge of the track laying of the section
extending to Huntingdon. In 1850 he re-
turned to employment under the State as
principal assistant engineer to complete the
construction of the North Branch canal,
under Wm. B. Foster, chief engineer, and
thereafter was employed on a topographical
survey of Long Island for the water supply
of the city of Brooklyn. Thence to the
Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad as
superintendent.
The following notice appeared in a Har-
risburg newspaper, August 7, 1887 : " Mr-
Thomas T. Wierman, chief engineer of the
Pennsylvania Canal Company, died on Tues-
day, in his seventy -fourth year, at his resi-
dence, 116 Pine street, this city. Deceased
had been suffering for several weeks from
an affection of the kidneys and his death
was not unexpected.
" Mr. Wierman was born near Gettysburg,
in Adams county, and learned the profession
of civil engineering. In that capacity he
became interested in many important public
improvements in this State and did much
toward their successful advancement. His
first service as civil engineer was on the
original construction of the Pennsylvania
railroad, and subsequently on the construc-
tion of the North Branch canal from Pitts-
ton to the State line of the State of New
York. He afterwards constructed, as chief
engineer, the Chemung canal, which con-
nected the water improvements of Pennsyl-
vania with the New York State canals.
After that he built the Barclay railroad,
running from Towanda, Bradford county, to
the vast bituminous coal fields in that
county. He also made the original survey
for the Brooklyn water works. Mr. Wier-
man took charge of the Pennsylvania canal
about the year 1857, being stationed at
Huntingdon. While engaged in the con-
struction of the North Branch canal he met
the esteemed lady who afterwards became
his wife, and who still survives him. She
is Emily, the sister of Hon. Victor E. PioUet
and Joseph Piollet, of Wysox, Bradford
county. In 1859 the headquarters of the
canal company was removed to this city,
and Mr. Wierman from that time until his
death continued in charge of the extensive
business. These children, five in number,
survive him: Thos. T. Wierman, Jr., Victor
P. Wierman, Mrs. S. S. Mitchell, of Buffalo,
Mrs. T. N. Ely, of Altoona, and Miss Sarah
Wierman. He was a member of the Society
of Friends, and adhered to that religious
belief throughout his life.
"The death of Thomas T. Wierman re-
moves from the field of action one who was
interested almost from their infancy in the
public improvements in this State, and by
his industry and efficiency as civil engineer,
together with his great executive ability,
had added largely to the development and
prosperity of his native State. He was a
man of the strictest probity, cultured and
companionable when among friends and
296
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
never harsh, and attached to the enjoyment
of his happy home life. He was affable to
his employes, though demanding of them
that honest attention to duty which so
markedly characterized him. By reason-
able frugality he amassed a considerable for-
tune, and was fond of recounting how, hav-
ing at an early age saved $100, it was stolen
from him by a thief while passing through
a crowd near the Jones House, in this city.
He had a kindly manner and a strong, yet
pleasing countenance, which is well repre-
sented in the accurate portrait presented in
this issue, and engraved for the Telegram."
Shoemaker, Gboege J., was born in Har-
risburg, Pa., March 20, 1813, son of Jacob
and Anna (Rhoads) Shoemaker. Samuel
Rhoads, his maternal grandfather, was born
in Dauphin county, February 25, 1738. He
kept a hotel in Harrisbyrg for a number of
years ; was sheriff of Dauphin county, and
was for several years a member of the Legis-
lature. His wife, Mrs. Rosanna Rhoads,
was born January 30, 1754. They resided
after marriage in the eastern part of the
State for a number of years and removed to
Harrisburg near 1800. Mr. Rhoads died
September 25, 1786, aged forty-eight years
and seven months. His wife died May 19,
1838, at the age of eighty-four years, three
months and twenty days. Their children
were John and Anna, the former born De-
cember 30, 1775, and the latter March 15,
1779. John Rhoads never married. For a
number of years he was manager of a fur-
nace in Huntingdon county. Some time
after 1800 he settled permanently in Harris-
burg, and in partnership with John Candor
conducted a dry goods and grocery store, in
which business he continued until his death,
April 12, 1859; his age at that time was
eighty-three years, three months and eigh-
teen days. His sister, Anna Rhoads, was
married to Jacob Shoemaker about the year
1807.
Jacob Shoemaker was born in New Jer-
sey and came to Dauphin county in 1800.
Jacob and Anna (Rhoads) Shoemaker had
three sons: Samuel R., born June 29, 1810,
George J. and John J., born April 19, 1816.
Samuel R. Shoemaker died in 1831, aged
nineteen, and John .J. in 1888, at the age of
seventy-two years. Mr. Jacob Shoemaker's
trade was that of a hatter, whicii he fol-
lowed for many years after his marriage.
He purchased a vacant lot of ground in
1808 and built a frame house at what is
now No. 30 North Second street. Mr. Shoe-
maker filled various city offices, and died in
June, 1847, his wife having departed before
him, on March 1, 1841.
George J. Shoemaker, only surviving son
of Jacob Shoemaker, attended the city
schools, and completed his education in the
Harrisburg Academy. At twelve years of
age he was employed as clerk in the store
of Mr. John Rhoads, and remained with
him five years; after which he was clerk for
Mr. John Candor for a short time. In 1832
he was employed as clerk for Mr. Moore, of
Hollidaysburg, Pa., for a few months ; from
that place he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., andre^
turned to Harrisburg in the same year.
In 1834 Mr. Shoemaker went to Phila-
delphia to buy goods, and on the return
trip, met with an accident on »this side of
the Schuylkill river which seriously disabled
him. He was in the hospital for four days,
after which he was removed to the Red Lion
Hotel, where he was confined ten weeks.
His recovery was so slow that it was about
a year before he was able to resume busi-
ness. In 1836 he was for one year clerk in
the works at Schuylkill Forge, and then
again returned to Harrisburg. During the
remainder of Mr. Shoemaker's business life,
thus far, he has been much of the time em-
ployed in clerical positions. In 1840 he-
was elected town clerk, and served five suc-
cessive years. He served one year as clerk
•of the county commissioners, and was at
one time connected in this capacity with the
Supreme Court. He was for a short time a
member of the city councils, and filled the
position of deputy sheriff for three years.
Mr. Shoemaker is one of the oldest members
of the Harrisburg Beneficial Society. In
the year 1860 Mr. Shoemaker became the
owner of all the lots of ground from his
father's original purchase up to Walnut
street, and built thereon four three-story
brick houses, in one of which he now resides.
Mr. Shoemaker was first married, in 1837,
to Elizabeth D. Allen, of Strasburg, Lancaster
county. Pa. They had five children. Anna
R., their first-born, was married to George
Evans, of Pottsville, Schuylkill county. Pa.,
and is now the only survivor, in her fifty-
ninth year. The deceased children are
Matilda, George, Ellen, and John; the last-
named died in 1860, aged tliirteen, while at-
tending college. Mr. Shoemaker's second
marriage took place in December, 1850 ; his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
297
wife was Catharine, daughter of George and
Catharine (Rahm) Eichholtz. They had
four children : Maria, wife of D. A. Weid-
mann, of New York ; Rose, wife of L. K.
Scheffer, of Harrisburg ; Louis C, 'book-
binder, Harrisburg ; George E., a prominent
physician at St. Louis, Mo., who traveled
through Panama, and returned by way of
New York; he died July 20, 1889, aged
thirty-four. Mr. Shoemaker is a sound con-
servative Democrat, and stands by President
Cleveland with loyal support. The family
are members of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Catharine Shoemaker was born De-
cember 1, 1821. Her father, George Eich-
holtz, was a native of Lancaster county, and
was a cabinetmaker. He came to Harris-
burg, and became clerk in the secretary's
office, spending the remainder of his life in
this city. His wife, Catharine, was the
daughter of Melchior and Mary (King) Rahm.
Melchior Rahm kept the Franklin House,
on Walnut street, for a number of years ; he
was elected sheriff, and was a member of the
Legislature for the county of Dauphin. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. George Eichholtz
are : Catharine (Mrs. Shoemaker) ; Cecilia,
died in April, 1896, aged thirty years, wife
of Sobieski Keen ; Edwin, died at the age of
four years; George, died in 1853. The
mother died in 1822, aged twenty-six. Mr.
Eichholtz married a second time in 1830,
Miss Maria Lebaron. Their children are:
Annie, wife of Augustus Moltz ; Maria, wife
of James McClintock; Lebaron, died in
childhood. Both parents are now deceased ;
Mr. Eichholtz died in 1858, at the age of
eighty-five.
Ott, Leander N., was born February 11,
1814, in Harrisburg. His grandfather, John
Nicholas Ott, came to Pennsylvania prior to
the war of the Revolution. During the
struggle for independence he was in active
service. After the town of Harrisburg was
laid out he removed there and entered into
business. He at one time kept the ferry.
His son John Nicholas married, August 13,
1805, Margaret Kissecker, of Cumberland
county. ' Nicholas Ott, the younger, died
suddenly November 5, 1832, near Womels-
dorf where he was buried, but subsequently
was disinterred and brought to Harrisburg.
His age was fifty years. His wife Margaret
died April, 1823, aged thirty-six years.
Leander N. Ott was the third child of his
parents, and was left an orphan at a very
early age. He received an ordinary school
education up to the time of his father's
death, when he learned the trade of saddlery.
He, however, took a partial course at Jef-
ferson College, beginning in the spring of
1834, where he remained two years, devoting
his time chiefly to mathematical studies.
In 1837 Mr. Ott entered the service of the
State, in the engineer corps under General
DeHaas, and was employed in the survey
from Lewistown to Pittsburgh, over the
Allegheny mountains, made with a view of
avoiding the inclined planes at HoUidaysT
burg, the then terminus to the eastern di-
vision of the Pennsylvania canal, and con-
necting with the internal improvements on
the western side of the mountain. He was
also employed upon a similar survey from
Philadelphia to Downiiigtown and along the
Brandywine under John T. Bailey, chief
engineer. Under him he was engaged on
the Wiconisco canal, and other public works,
until the beginning of Governor Porter's
administration, when he resigned. Mr. Ott
completed the study of the law which he had
been pursuing for some time under William
McClure, Esq., of Harrisburg, and was ad-
mitted to the bar of Dauphin county April
27, 1840. In 1846 he was compelled to
leave the practice of the law for an occupa-
tion which would give him more out-of-
door exercise. He then entered the saw-mill
business at Harrisburg with his brother-in-
law, Capt. Jacob Dock. They were chiefly
engaged in manufacturing ship building
lumber for the Philadelphia and Xew York
markets; and when in 1850 it was found
advisable to confine their business to the
Delaware, he removed to Camdem, N. J.,
where it was carried on until the latter part
of 1859. In 1860 Mr. Ott returned to Har-
risburg, in 1861 purchasing his present resi-
dence, situated in Susquehanna township.
For sometime during the earl}' portion of
the war he was connected with the military
department, and did good service for his
country. From that period until the pres-
ent time Colonel Ott has devoted most of his
attention to farming. Country life has
proved of great benefit tohim, and, although
in his eighty-third year, he frequently enjoys
horseback exercise. Mr. Ott married Caro-
line Heisely, daughter of the late George J.
Heisely, of Harrisburg. Of their cliildren,
the representative member of the family is
Capt. Frederick M. Ott, a prominent lawyer
of the Dauphin county bar.
298
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Rudy, Joseph, retired, residence at Derry
aud Nineteenth streets, Harrisburg, Pa., was
born in Susquehanna township, Dauphin
county, Pa., May 5, 1818. He is a son of
Frederick and Ehzabeth (Layman) Rudy.
The Rudy family are of German extraction ;
the grandfather Rudy settled in Lebanon
county, near the site of the borough of
Jonestown, at a very early date in the his-
tory of that county.
Frederick Rudy, the father of Joseph
Rudy, was born in Lebanon county. He
removed to Susquehanna township, Dauphin
county, where he was engaged in farming
and distilling. Here he spent the greater
part of his life; here he passed away, in
1855, and his body lies interred in the Shoop
church cemetery. Both Mr. Rudy and his
faithful partner through life attained to a
good old age; Frederick having reached the
age of eighty-two, and his wife, who died in
1857, that of eighty-four years. Of the ten
children who constituted their family, two
died in childhood; seven lived to mature
years, but Joseph Rudy is now the only sur-
vivor.
Mr. Joseph Rudy was married in Lebanon,
Fa., September 25, 1843, to Hettie, daughter
of Abram and Frances Landis, of Spring
Creek, Lebanon county. They had ten
children, two are deceased, one that died in
infancy, and Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin
Strickler. Those who survive are: John, a
farmer, residing in Lower Paxton township;
Frances, wife of Reuben Althouse, of Harris-
burg; Joseph, residing in Harrisburg;
Sarah, wife of S. W. Trullinger, a prom-
inent farmer of Susquehanna township;
Hettie, widow of David Hocker; C. Landis;
Mary, wife of George Hain, of Harrisburg,
and Abraham, residing in Philadelphia.
Mrs. Hettie Rudy died September 7, 1871.
On February 4, 1872, Mr. Rudy was again
united in marriage, at Harrisburg, to Bar-
bara Mumma, widow of John Mumma, and
daughterof Jolm and Susan (NissleyjMumma.
They had one son, Jonas M., born May 21,
1875 ; he is now a stenographer and type-
writer. Mr. Rudy is a good, staunch Re-
publican. The family attend the Reformed
church.
Kelkek, Rudolph Fredekick, son of
Frederick and Catharine (Fager) Kelker,
was born February 17, 1820, at Harrisburg,
Pa. In March, 1835, he entered the
hardware store of Oglesby & Hinckley,
successors of Oglesby & Pool, who were suc-
cessors to his father, to learn the business
and continued with them until May, 1838,
when,. owing to delicate health, he left the
establishment and gave attention to the im-
provement of his father's lands in the vicin-
ity of Harrisburg. On November 18, 1842,
he purchased the interest of Mr. Hinckley
and carried on the hardware business with
his partner, Mr. Oglesby, until the death of
the latter, March 21, 1846. He continued
the business alone until May following,
when he associated with him his two broth-
ers, and conducted the same under the firm
name of Kelker & Brothers, remaining in
business until May 14, 1851, when on account
of failing health he retired from mercantile
pursuits. In 1852 he was elected a director
of the Harrisburg Bank, in which institution
he has served for a number of triennial
terms. For several j-ears he was a director
of the First National Bank, and a manager
of the Harrisburg cemetery. In the corpo-
ration of Harrisburg as a city, he was ap-
pointed with seven other citizens, by the
Legislature, on the commission to lay out
the streets and avenues necessary in the
new territory included within its limits.
From 1854 until 1891 he served as a trustee
of the Harrisburg Academy, and was for a
long time its secretary and treasurer. From
1866 to 1872 Mr. Kelker was one of the di-
rectors of the poor for the county of Dau-
phin, and through his instrumentality proper
legislation was secured, new additional
buildings erected and such improvements
made in the general management of the
almshouse as greatly alleviated the condi-
tion of the unfortunate inmates. He was
one of the founders of the City Hospital, a
manager from its organization in 1873 until
1889; from March, 1878, until his resigna-
tion, its treasurer, and was on the committee
to superintend the construction of the new
building erected in 1883-4. In 1873 and
1874 he was one of tlie trustees of the Penn-
sylvania Lunatic Hospital at Harrisburg,
and at the organization of the Harrisburg
City Passenger Railway Company, in 1874,
was made a director, and was treasurer from
November 2, 1874, to May, 1891, when he
resigned because the company began to run
their cars on the Lord's Day. Apart from
these active duties of citizen life, Mr. Kel-
ker's labors in the Reformed church, of which
he is a prominent member, it is here deemed
proper to summarize. His parents were
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
299
also members of the Reformed church, and
on April 27, 1823, he was enrolled as .a
scholar in the Sunday school. December 27,
1835, he was confirmed by Rev. J. F. Berg,
D. D., as a member of the church ; a deacon
of the church from 1841 to 1849, an elder in
the same from 1849 to 1875, excepting the
year 1867, and since May, 1883, has filled
the same position. From October, 1836, un-
til April 29, 1850, he served as a teacher,
and from the latter date until January, 1870,
as superintendent of the Sunday-school,
when at the request of the consistory of the
church, he took charge of an adult Bible
class, which, during the first year increased
from twelve to ninety members and at the
close of December, 1874, it numbered one
hundred and sixty-one, when the class was
assigned by the consistory to the pastor of
the church on account of Mr. Kelker's anti-
ritualistic views. Being thus relieved of his
work in tlie Sabbath-school he accepted an
invitation to organize and take charge of an
adult Bible class of both sexes, to be com-
posed of persons of all denominations as
well as those who had no church relation,
which organization was effected under the
name of the "Salem Bible Class of Harris-
burg," which now has a large membership
and has had connected with it during its
existence more than nine hundred persons.
The class is incorporated, has a valuable
library and for the last twenty-three years
has been one of the established religious in-
stitutions of the city. For many years Mr.
Kelker was one of the vice-presidents of the
Pennsylvania State Sabbath-school Asso-
ciation and has been for a number of years
one of the vice-presidents of the board of
managers of the American Sunday-school
Union, and of the American Tract Societj'.
In 1845 Mr. Kelker was elected a trustee
of Marshall College, Mercersburg, and sub-
sequently, until 1869, a corporate trustee
after its union with Franklin College of
Lancaster, as Franklin and Marshall Col-
lege. The Eastern Synod of the Reformed
Church was incorporated in 1859, and he
was one of the five trustees named in the
charter and the first president of the board,
and subsequently for a number of years
treasurer of the same. Since 1863, with the
exception of three years, up to October, 1890,
he served as treasurer of the board of for-
eign missions of the General Synod of the
Reformed Church. He was a member of the
synodical committee to prepare the " Trig-
lott Tercentenary Heidelberg Catechism,"
published in 1863, but dissented from the
final action of that body, believing that
many changes made in the new English
translation were wholly unwarranted and
uncalled for. He repeatedly represented his
congregation in Classis, and the Classis as
delegate to the Synod. He was a member
of the Synod of York in 1866, and made
powerful opposition to the adoption and
reference of the " New Order of Worship "
to the General Synod. In 1867, with others,
he united in a call for a convention of two
hundred and twenty-five ministers and eld-
ers of the Eastern Synod, which assembled
at Myerstown, Pa., to protest against the
" Order of Worship," as being contrary to
the doctrines and cultus of the Reformed
Church. One of the results of this move-
ment was the establishment, in 1869, of
Ursinus College, at Freeland, Montgomery
county, Pa., under the presidency of Rev. J.
H. A. Bomberger, D. D., with a university
charter, thus enabling the institution to
teach theology as well as the classics. In
1879 Mr. Kelker served as a member of the
" Peace Commission," a body consisting of
twelve ministers. and twelve elders, chosen
by direction of the General Synod of the Re-
formed Church of the United States by the
several District Synods to assemble at Har-
risburg. Pa., and adjust the differences ex-
isting in the church in doctrine, cultus and
government. After eight days' discussion a
basis of union was unanimously adopted,
and a new era in the history of the church
was opened up, which brought peace and
harmony. The work of the commission
was unanimously approved by the General
Synod and the same persons were at once
appointed by it to prepare an " Order of
Worship " for the denomination suited to
its wants and evangelical in its character,
whicli work was accomplished in 1884, and
was constitutional]}' adopted as the Direc-
tory of Worship of the Reformed Church in
the United States.
In June, 1839, at his suggestion, the Sun-
day-school teachers of Harrisburg founded
the Harrisburg Sunday-school Union, of
which he was the first secretary, and upon
its reorganization, in 1854, was ciiosen presi-
dent thereof. He was one of the founders of
the Young Men's Christian Association, in
December, 1854, and president of the same
in 1856. Mr. Kelker has likewise been deeply
interested in the temperance work. In 1837
300
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
at the suggestion of, and in connection with
an intimate friend, James Cowden, they
started the first total abstinence society in
Harrisburg, as previous to this date the tem-
perance organizations allowed the use of malt
and vinous liquors. In 1840 be took a prom-
inent part in the Washington temperance
movement, and has often represented the
cause in State conventions. Since their or-
ganization he has been the chairman of the
executive committee appointed by the Chris-
tian citizens of Harrisburg a number of years
ago, to watch the applications for license, so
as to prevent improper persons from obtain-
ing the same, and to require all engaged in
the liquor traffic to conform to the provisions
of the license laws. As foreman of the grand
jury of the county in 1871, 1873 and 1879,
he made presentment of the license law as a
public nuisance, and gave valuable statistics
on the subject which attracted great atten-
tion. The report of 1873 was widely circu-
lated, more than fifty thousand copies being
printed by the friends of the temperance
cause. In accordance with the suggestions
of this report almost one-half of the applica-
tions for that year for hotel and saloon liquor
license were refused by the court. Mr. Kel-
ker married, June 17, 1844, Mary Anne,
daughter of Gen. William Reily, and their
children were Frederick, Luther Reily, Ru-
dolph Frederick, and William Anthony, of
wiiom the second and fourth are living.
Mrs. Kelker entered into rest August 27, 1890.
Greenawalt, Maj. Theodore D., was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., December 11, 1820.
He is a son of Jacob and Catherine ;_Krause)
Greenawalt. His great-grandfather, Philip
Lorentz Greenawalt, was born in Germany
in 1725, came to America in 1749, settled at
Ephrata, Lancaster county, Pa., and engaged
in farming and hotel keeping. He partici-
pated in the Revolutionary war, held the
commission of colonel, and was with Wash-
ington at Brandy wine, Germantown, Trenton,
Princeton, and in other engagements. He
was commissioned by Thomas Wharton, Jr.,
as colonel of the First battalion of Lancaster
county, of which he was placed in command.
He was appointed by Governor Mifflin, in
connection with Colonels Green, Burd and
Grubb, as a commission to devise ways and
means to bring the war to a successful
termination.
After the close of the war he settled at
Lancaster, and kept a hotel. He was identi-
fied with many successful business enterprises
and accumulated a large amount of property.
He died in Lebanon, Pa., in 1802. He was
a prominent member of the German Re-
formed Church. He first married a Miss
Uhland. His second wife was Miss Margaret
Foesser, of Lebanon, by whom he had eleven
children: John Philip, Christian, married
Elizabeth Kelker, John, Elizabeth, married
Henry Kelker, Margaret, married Philip
Stoehr, Matthias, married Annie Barbara
Hetrick, Jacob, of Hummelstown, Catherine,
married John Jacob Zinn, Leonard, a tan-
ner, of Lebanon county, married Catherine
Pool, and two, Michael and Maria M., who
died in infancy.
John Philip Greenawalt, grandfather of
Major Greenawalt, was a soldier in the wiir
of the Revolution, and was commissioned
first lieutenant. After the war he became a
hotel keeper at Lebanon. He was a mem-
ber of the German Reformed church. His
children were: John Philip, died at the age
of two years; Jacob; John Philip '(2), de-
ceased, a carpenter, worked on the State
capitol; Matthias, deceased; John, married
Ann Brown ; Charles, who conducted a hard-
ware business in Lebanon for several years,
married Mary Ann Shaff"ner ; Elizabeth, de-
ceased, married Daniel Fr^ntz, of Lebanon ;
Catharine, deceased, married Rev. Henry
Shaffer, of Marietta, Pa., and Lydia, married
Benjamin Stees and located in St. Paul,
Minn.
Jacob Greenawalt, father of Maj. Theodore
D., was born in Lebanon county in 1784.
He was educated, as usual, in the schools of
that period, both in German and in English.
He came to Harrisburg in 1811, and estab-
lished a tannerj'^, which he conducted until
his death in 1854. He learned his trade
from his uncle, Mr. Shaffner, in Hagerstown,
Md. He carried on a large business, and
had the reputation of making the best
leatlier shipped to the Philadelphia market.
He was a stockholder in the Harrisburg
Bank. He was drafted for service in the
war of 1812, but on account of sickness was
unable to serve, and sent a substitute. Mr.
Greenawalt took a pew in the Chestnut
street German Reformed churcli in 1821,
and retained it until his death. He took an
active interest in all church work. His wife,
Catherine Krause, was a daughter of David
Krause, associate judge of Lebanon count}',
and a sister of Judge Krause, of Norristown,
who, with his brother John, were members
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
301
of the Pennsylvania Legislature at the same
time. They had eight children: Louisa, de-
ceased, married Philip Fisher, of Jonestown,
Lebanon county, a tanner and ex-sheriff of
the county; Elizabeth, a maiden lady, of
Harrisburg; Theophilus, died in 1860, a
tanner and currier; Camilla, died at three
years of age;' Theodore D.; Regina C, mar-
ried William Calder, of Harrisburg; Jacob
and Jeremiah K., both of Harrisburg.
Theodore D. Greenawalt was educated in
the subscription schools, and remained with
his father until he was seventeen years of
age. At this time he was employed as clerk
by Philip Wolfersberger. He was to receive
a salary of one hundred dollars per annum,
and pay all his own expenses. He worked
under this contract for fifteen months, and
then found employment with Dock & Hum-
mel, with whom he remained one year. He
was clerk also for Van Horn & Meredith.
In 1844 he embarked in the dry goods and
grocery business for himself, which he con-
ducted for three years. He then acted as
clerk at the Coverly Hotel until 1849, when
he entered the ofRce of William Calder, in
the stage line and packet boat business, and
remained with him thirteen years. When
the Prince of Wales, on his tour through
America, visited Harrisburg, Mr. Greena-
walt, as manager of the transfer business,
had the honor of escorting Lord Lyons and
the Prince over the capital city. And when
Abraham Lincoln stopped in Harrisburg on
his way to Washington City to be inaugu-
rated President of the United States, Mr.
Greenawalt assisted Mr. Calder in conveying
the President-elect secretly from his hotel to
a train of cars which Hon. Thomas Scott
had on the track a mile south of the city.
During the day Mr. Calder received a tele-
gram from John S. Giddings, the banker, of
Baltimore, containing the words, "In no
wise permit President Lincoln to go to
Washington by way of York or Baltimore."
Acting on this advice Mr. Calder ordered
Mr. Greenawalt to bring out a trusty team,
which Mr. Calder himself drove with the
President to the train, so quietly that not
even Mr. Lincoln's family, left by him at
the supper table, knew of his departure
under fear of danger.
At the breaking out of the war, or in May,
1861, Mr. Greenawalt turned the key in the
office door, and enlisted as private for three
months under Capt. Henry McCormick.
(He already held the commission of brigade
major, with the rank of captain, for the
counties of Dauphin, Lebanon and Berks, in
the State militia.) At the end of the three
months' service, he was appointed by Gen.
Simon Cameron as assistant to Major Alli-
son, in the paymaster's office; and on No-
vember 26, 1862, he was appointed pay-
master. His first duties in this position
were with the Army of the Potomac, in and
around Washington. He was then trans-
ferred to the department of the Mississippi,
with headquarters at St. .Louis, Mo., and
with payments at Vicksburg, Miss. In this
assignment he served fifteen months. The
boat in which he made liis first trip down
the river was loaded at St. Louis with Gov-
ernment supplies, including $3,000,000,
which Major Greenawalt was to distribute
among the soldiers. On the arrival of the
boat at Cairo, 111., the Captain announced
that it would lie over for six hours. Major
Greenawalt concluded io take a walk through
the town. Passing along the street, he met
his next door neighbor, Tlieodore Adams,
who was waiting for a boat en route for St.
Louis. He and Mr. Adams enjoyed a long
chat. At last the Major, finding that it was
about time for his boat to leave, went to the
wharf, and was surprised to learn that it was
already gone, another boat having arrived.
Mr. Greenawalt took the next boat down the
river, and while on the way, passed the boat
which had left him behind, and which was
on fire. He did not know at the time that
it was the boat containing his effects, the
Government money, and his nephew and as-
sistant, Theodore Fisher, who, with fifty-two
other persons, lost his life by this fire, the
work of an incendiary. Major Greenawalt
was next assigned to the department of tlie
Gulf, with headquarters at New Orleans,
and payments at Brownsville, Natchez,
Baton Eouge and other points. In May,
1863, at Camp Gray, D. C, he was presented
with a silver cup by the officers of the Sixth
Michigan cavalry. He was mustered out of
service November 15, 1865. During Major
Greenawalt's service as paymaster he had
disbursed, with the assistance of his clerk
only, the sum of $3,564,289.42. He holds a
receipt from the paymaster general and the
Secretary of War, stating that the United
States had no claim against him. He re-
ceived the appointment after the war of
deputy U. S. marshal for the counties of
Dauphin, Union, Snyder, Juniata, North-
umberland, and part of Lancaster county.
302
BIOGRAPBICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
The war being ended, Major Greenawalt
returned to Harrisburg, where he has since
been connected with many important enter-
prises. He is president of the Harrisburg
Car Manufacturing Company and of the
Chestnut Street Market Company. Of the
former he is one of the heaviest stockholders,
and has been connected with the company
since 1866; of the latter company he was
among the organizers. He is vice-president
of the Harrisburg Foundry and Machine
Works, and of the East Harrisburg Passenger
Railway Company. He is a member of the
boards of directors of the following organiza-
tions: Lebanon Gas Company, First Na-
tional Bank of Harrisburg, Commonwealth
Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company,
People's Gas and Gaseous Fuel Company
of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Traction Com-
pany, Hari'isburg Steam Heat and Power
Company, Harrisburg Burial Case Company,
and Harrisburg Furniture Manufacturing
Company. In 1848 he became a stockholder
in the first telegraph company, called the
Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph Company.
For thirteen years he was a member, with
Jacob and Jeremiah K. Greenawalt, of the
firm of Greenawalt Bros., in the tannery
business. He has dealt largely in real estate,
and has been running two fine farms in
Dauphin county since 1870.
Major Greenawalt is a Republican, but is
not an active politician, and never aspires to
office. He is a member of Post No. 58, G.
A. R. He was treasurer of the Soldiers'
Monument subscription fund, and took an
active interest in that worthy tribute to the
memory of his comrades. He was also treas-
urer of the Dauphin County Centennial Cele-
bration fund, in 1885. Major Greenawalt
attends the Reformed church, retaining the
pew so long occupied by his father. He is a
genial gentlemen, and is held in the highest
esteem by his neighbors and acquaintances.
Kelker, Immanuel Meister, deceased,
was born May 21, 1822, in Harrisburg, Pa.,
son of Frederick and Catharine (Fager) Kel-
ker. He was educated in the schools of
Harrisburg and spent one year in the pre-
paratorj'- department of Marshall College,
after which he entered the dry goods store of
John C. Bucher & Co., of Harrisburg, to
learn the mercantile business. In May,
1846, he embarked in the hardware business
with his two brothers, Rudolph F. and
Henry A. Kelker, under the firm name of
Kelker & Bros., and remained actively en-
gaged in the business until his death, March
30, 1880. The business was done from May,
1846, to May, 1851, under the firm name of
Kelker & Bros., and from May, 1851, to
April, 1878, as Immanuel M. & Henry A.
Kelker, under the firm name of Kelker &
Bro. At the latter date George B. and Fred-
erick, sons of Immanuel Kelker, were asso-
ciated in the business under the firm name
of Kelker & Sons.
Mr. Kelker was a confirmed member of
the Reformed Salem church, of Harrisburg.
He entered the Sunday-school in early
childhood and continued through life a very
active and liberal supporter in the cause.
He taught for many years in the Sunday-
school of the Salem church and assisted by
personal labor and most liberal donations in
the establishment of the Mission Sunday-
school, from which sprang the Second Re-
formed church, of Harrisburg. In his own
church he served as deacon for many years,
and from the time of the organization of
the Second church, to which he subscribed
liberally, his efforts were mainly for its wel-
fare, having acted as superintendent of one
department of the Sunday-school. Mr. Kel-
ker was a firm and consistent advocate of
temperance reform. He was a director of
the Harrisburg National Bank for many
years. His marriage occurred September
21, 1847, with Mary Ann Jefferson, daughter
of George Beatty and Sarah Smith (Shrom)
Beatty, of Harrisburg. Their children are :
Catharine, born October 24, 1849 ; George
B., born January 9, 1852, married October 3,
1878, to Louisa, daughter of Daniel and
Catharine Dicker; Frederick, born Julv 28,
1858, married May 11, 1882, to Annie "Ma-
tilda, daughter of Thomas D. and Sarah
(Zimmerman) Mahan, and has two chil-
dren : Sarah V. and Thomas M.
HoYER, B. Franklin, was born in Hoges-
town, Cumberland county. Pa., September
14, 1823. He was educated in subscription
schools ; he came to Harrisburg in 1834,
and attended the private schools of William
Mitchell and Samuel Cross. In 1839 he
went to Clearspring, Washington county,
Md., and learned the tinning business.
In 1841 he married Miss Margaret Ann
Kershner, of Clearspring, Md., daughter of
Elias Kershner. He worked at his trade in
Clearspring and in Hagerstown for seven
years. In 1847 he returned to Dauphin
BAUPHIh COUNTY.
303
county, and located at Lock No. 9, where he
resided for sixteen years, attending lock in
the summer, and working at his trade in the
winter. He then removed his family to
Newmarket, York county. Pa., and estab-
lished himself in business in New Cumber-
land, Cumberland county. Pa.; in 1860 he
removed his family to that place.
In 1862 he enlisted in company H, One
Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, as private, and was promoted to
corporal of his company. Mr. Hoyer served
nine months, and was disabled at the battle
of Antietam; he took part in the battles
of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Salem and
Chancellorsville. He was honorably dis-
charged from the army, and afterwards em-
ployed for eighteen years by the Northern
Central Railroad Company as watchman at
the Yellow Breeches Creek bridge. In 1887
he removed to Harrisburg, where he has
since lived retired from active business.
His first wife died April 23, 1882. They
had four sons and two daughters : George,
of the firm of Hoyer & Milnor, of Harris-
burg, John, of Steelton, Charles, of Bridge-
port, Pa., Frank, Jr., of New Cumberland,
Mary E. (Mrs. David R. Hoffman), of Steel-
ton, Kate A. (Mrs. H. D. Eisenberger), of
New Cumberland.
In 1883 he married his second wife, Mrs.
Salome Snyder, daughter of John Shock, of
Harrisburg.
Mr. Hoyer is a Republican. He served as
chief burgess and in the borough council
and school board of New Cumberland. He
belongs to Post 462, G. A. R., New Cumber-
land. He and his wife are members of the
United Brethren church.
Thompson, James Baxter, was born in
Carlisle, Cumberland county. Pa., Septem-
ber 21, 1823. He is a son of Samuel and
Letitia (Brown) Thompson, the grandfather
Thompson and both parents having been
born in Carlisle. The father of Mr. Thomp-
son was a carpenter and spent the whole of
his life in Cumberland county, where he
died August 12, 1851, his wife surviving
him until 1863. Their family consisted of
eight children, of whom four survive:
Thomas B., born April 3, 1812, residing at
Carlisle, Pa., the oldest living settler
of that town; Amelia, widow of the late
Adam Crouse, born December 15, 1818, re-
siding at Carlisle; Joseph C, born August
18,1820, residing at Carlisle, and James
Baxter. The four other members of the
family who have died are : Samuel, died
aged nineteen ; William, aged seventy-six ;
Nancy, aged sixty-eight, and John, aged
seventy-six.
James Baxter was reared to manhood and
received a limited education in his native
town. He was apprenticed to the black-
smith trade for three years, six months and
eight days. Completing his apprenticeship,
he removed to Harrisburg and continued to
work at his trade until 1868, since which
date he has been only occasionally employed
at the business, of late years living a retired
life. He was twice married ; first at Harris-
burg, in 1852, to Emily J. Black, daughter
of Joseph and Elizabeth Black, a native of
Harrisburg. Two children were born of
this marriage, both of whom died in child-
hood. Mrs. (Reily) Thompson, the present
wife, was born in Myerstowu, Lebanon
county. Pa., March 7, 1829 (and first wife
died in July, 1855). Mrs. Thompson's father,
William Reily, died July 28, 1843; her
mother. May 23, 1866. They had a family
of sixteen children, three only of whom sur-
vive, namely : John A., born September 20,
1826; Mrs. Thompson, and Edward F., born
January 8, 1835. Mr. Thompson was mar-
ried the second time at Harrisburg, Novem-
ber 26, 1857, to Martha M. Reily, daughter
of William and Salome Reily. The Reily
family settled in Lebanon county at a very
early date, and removed to Harrisburg in
1836, where they lived the rest of their lives.
The father was a carpenter by trade, but
spent his latter years in agricultural pur-
suits. To this second marriage of Mr.
Thompson there have been born five chil-
dren, four of whom are living, namely: Edwin
C, Harrisburg, Emily R., Harrisburg, James
C, Harrisburg, William F., Philadelphia.
In political views Mr. Thompson is a Repub-
lican and an old-time abolitionist. The
family attend the Reformed church.
Reily, John A., retired, was born in
Myerstown, Lebanon county. Pa., Septem-
ber 20, 1826, and is a son of William and
Saloma (Valentine) Reily. Mr. Reily may
trace back his ancestral line with no appre-
hension of finding anything but that which
would be pleasant to discover, for in all his
preceding generations here appeared men
of character and mark. The fourth genera-
tion preceding his own was headed by Peter
Reily, of English ancestry, while next comes
304
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Capt. John Reily, son of Peter, a soldier in
the Revolution and a prominent lawyer, who
practiced at the first court held in Dauphin
county, followed in the next generation by
William Reily, his father. On his mother's
side Mr. Reily finds the record just as favor-
able and enviable, his great-grandfather,
Michael Valentine, having for many years
been a successful merchant and a prominent
and honored citizen of Myerstown, Lebanon
county. Fa. William Reily, the father of
John A. Reily, having lost his father in his
early childhood, found a good home with
his uncle. Governor Heister, who cared for
him and carefully looked after his training
and instruction. His uncle wisely judged
that, for a boy who had his own way to
make in the world, a good trade is one of
the best kind of preparations, hence he was
put to learn the trade of carpenter, and ac-
complished his apprenticeship in the usual
time, subsequently following the occupation
for some years. In the spring of 1836 Mr.
Reily removed to Harrisburg, and became
largely interested in agricultural pursuits,
to which he gave most of his time until a
short period before his death. Mr. Reily
was advanced by his fellow-citizens to many
prominent places of service and trust. He
represented Lebanon county in the State
Legislature and served with ability and
honor in several county offices. His prom-
inence in military circles was no less marked.
He served in the United States militia at
Baltimore in 1814. Later in life he was
made a brigade major, and at the time of
his death was holding the rank of brigadier
general. His career was an honorable and
useful one, beginning in humble obscurit}',
advancing by easy and certain steps of pre-
ferment and ending in prominence and dis-
tinction by death, July 28, 1843, his worthy
wife long surviving him, and dying May
23, 1866. They had sixteen children, and
of this large, family there are but three now
living, John A., Martha, wife of James B.
Thompson, and Frank, all of whom are re-
siding in Harrisburg.
John A., when he was ten years of age,
came with his parents to Harrisburg, and
was here given all the educational advan-
tages afforded by the city schools, of which
he availed himself with industrious applica-
tion. Although abundantly qualified for
any of the learned professions or active
branches of business, his inclinations and
surroundings led in the direction of agricul-
tural pursuits to which he has given his at-
tention for the greater part of his active life.
This city has been his residence for the whole
of his life, with the exception of five years^
spent at Minneapolis, Minn., and one year of
service in the U. S. army during the war of
the Rebellion. For a score or more of years
Mr. Reily has been retired from the engage-
ments and exacting requirements of active
business, and has enjoyed the full quiet and
comfort of home life. He was married in Har-
risburg September 25, 1852, to Miss Catha-
rine Olewine, daughter of George and Maria
(Pifer) Olewine, her father being of French
ancestry, and both parents natives of Berks
county. Pa. Mrs. Reily was born in Cumber-
land county. Pa., near Fairview, November
7, 1827, and when about seven years of age
came with her parents to Dauphin county,
where she spent her entire life. The children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Reily are: William
P., a printer now in Cincinnati, George E.,
now holding a position in the Pension De-
partment, Washington, Martha L., and John
Franklin, who both died in childhood. Mr.
Reily is a meniber of Cornplanter Tribe, I.
0. R. M. In politics he is a Democrat. Both
he and his wife are members of Christ Lu-
theran church, of Harrisburg.
Lambkrton, Robert Alexander, son of
Robert Lamberton, and Mary Harkness
Lamberton, his wife, was born December 6,
1824, at Carlisle, Pa. He graduated from
Dickinson College June, 1843, being vale-
dictorian of the class. After teaching school
two years he began the study of law in the
office of James McCormick of Harrisburg
and was admitted to the Dauphin county
bar in August, 1848. He soon acquired a
wide reputation as an able and conscientious
jurist. On the breaking out of the Civil
war Mr. Lamberton enlisted in the First
regiment, Pennsylvania militia, of which he
was commissioned lieutenant colonel. He
served on Governor Curtin's staff at the time
of Lee's invasion of the Cumberland Valley
and Gettysburg, in 1863. In 1873 he was
chosen a member of the Constitutional Con-
vention as a delegate at large. In that dis-
tinguished body his abilities had marked at-
tention in the various discussions therein.
He served on the committees on executive
department, counties, townships, and bor-
oughs. Mr. Lamberton took high rank in
the Masonic fraternity and was Grand
Master of the Grand Lod^e of Pennsylva-
t#'^
Enora^ea Dy J RRice & Sons Ph.iadd
DAUPBIN COUNTY.
307
nia from 1870 to 1871. He also served in
the highest offices in the Odd Fellows, of
which he was a very prominent member.
From 1871 for a period of twenty years, he
served as secretary of the Diocesan Conven-
tion of Central Pennsylvania. In 1880 the
board of trustees of Lehigh University recog-
nizing the executive ability and brilliant
attainments of Mr. Lamberton offered him
the presidency of that institution, which he
accepted. The same year the University of
Pennsylvania conferred upon him the degree
of Doctor of Laws. Dr. Lamberton's labors
as president of Lehigh University for the
period of thirteen years were crowned with
marked success — an everlasting monument
to his fidelity and ability as an educator.
Apart from his duties as president of the
University, Dr. Lamberton was a director of
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company
and trustee of estate of the late Asa Packer.
He was also a trustee of the State Lunatic
Hospital at Harrisburg, Pa., St. Tiuke's Hos-
pital at South Bethlehem, and the Bishop
Thorpe School for Young Ladies, and was a
member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons
of the Revolution. Dr. Lamberton died
suddenly in the midst of his usefulness, at
South Bethlehem, on the evening of the 1st
of September, 1893. His remains were in-
terred at Harrisburg. He married, September
14, 1852, Annie, daughter of the late Will-
iam Buehler, of Harrisburg. Theirchildren
who survived him were William E., a mem-
ber of the Dauphin county bar; James M.,
master at St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H.,
and Nannie, wife of Rollin H. Wilbur, of
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.
Roberts, Alexander, Sr., son of Col.
John and Mary H. (Chambers) Roberts, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa.
The Roberts family were among the very
earliest settlers of this State. They were
Welsh Quakers, and came to America with
William Penn. The grandfather of Alex-
ander Roberts settled in Dauphin count}'^,
where now stands the village of Rockville,
before the Revolution, and when he was
about thirty years of age. He was a worker
in steel and iron, and a manufacturer of
sickles; a most reputable man and a skillful
mechanic. Here was born and here grew
up his son John, father of Alexander. This
son, after the death of his father, removed
to Lancaster, Pa. ; after a residence of a few
years in that place he again removed to
24
Harrisburg, and practiced law there for
many years.
Col. John Roberts was admitted to the bar
at the age of twenty-four years, on February
5, 1812, and on November 14, 1812, was
commissioned by the secretary of the Com-
monwealth to notify the electors for Pres-
ident, in the different counties of the State,
at the re-election of President Madison. On
October 19, 1813, he became a private in
Capt. Thomas Walker's company, Harris-
burg volunteers, which was composed of
forty men. On August 1, 1814, he was
elected and commissioned by Gov. Simon
Snyder to be second lieutenant in the First
brigade, Sixth division, Pennsylvania militia,
from Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks and Schuyl-
kill counties, for seven years. Also, on the
same date, he was commissioned as first
lieutenant of company Ten, First battalion,
Ninety-eighth regiment. First brigade. Sixth
division, Pennsylvania militia; and on Au-
gust 1, 1814, was commissioned as first
lieutenant of the Ninety-eighth regiment,
Harrisburg volunteers, referred to above.
The foregoing commissions were under the
State organization. After the burning of
Washington by the British, August 23, 1814,
the President issued a requisition on Gov-
ernor Snyder for 10,000 militia. A number
of uniformed volunteer companies, among
which were the Harrisburg volunteers,
tendered their services to the governor, and
were accepted by him. The necessity of in-
creasing the number of men in each com-
pany, the dropping out of old members and
the addition of new, caused a reorganiza-
tion of the old volunteer companies, and in
the new company, now increased to ninety-
four men, John Roberts volunteered and was
enrolled as private, and was, with the com-
pany, mustered into the service of the United
States at York, Pa., August 29, 1814. A
few days after, John M. Forster, orderly
sergeant of the company, was appointed
brigade major by his uncle. Gen. John For-
ster, and John Roberts was appointed and
took his place as orderly, and served in that
capacity until the volunteers returned home,
after their honorable discharge at Baltimore,
December 3, 1814.
John Roberts was first sergeant of First
company, Captain Walker, of First battalion,
Maj. G. B. Porter, of First regiment. Col. M.
Kennedy, of First brigade, Gen. John For-
ster, and of First division. Major General
Watson, of Pennsylvania volunteers and
308
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTGLOPEDIA
militia. His regiment was composed of
uniformed volunteers, except two companies
of militia, one commanded by Captain Rose
and the other by Capt. John Elder, brother-
in-law to General Forster. At one time, the
adjutant being absent, John Roberts was ap-
pointed and acted temporarily as adjutant.
" After the war was over," and he returned
to the State, his services in a military ca-
pacity were as follows: On Augusts, 1821,
he was commissioned by Gov. Joseph Hies-
ter as major of First battalion, Ninety-
eighth regiment, Pennsylvania militia, until
August 3, 1828. But, on November 26,
1825, there was probably a vacancy, and
being duly elected and returned. Major
Roberts was commissioned, by Gov. John A.
Shulze, to be colonel of the Ninety-eighth
regiment, Pennsylvania militia, to continue
until August 3, 1828. That was probably
the end of his military career.
Among the men who went from Harris-
burg as volunteers in the company i^ere
two brothers, by the names of Ferdinand
and Charles Durang, who belonged to a the-
atrical company then here. They were
gentlemen, and were very popular. One of
them had a fine voice, and was a good
musician. While the regiment lay at Balti-
more, the Star Spangled Banner was written
by Key, but it was without music. Durang's
friends urged him to set it to music and sing
it. After looking over all the music he had
or knew, to find something suitable, he
adopted the tune now always used as most
appropriate. Having tried it, to the de-
light of his friends in the regiment, he in-
troduced it one evening unexpectedly on
the boards of the theatre, and the audience
fairly raised the roof with their applause.
Its popularity has neyer since been lost. In
a selection of the old tunes published in
" Blake's Evening Companion," by Blake,
of Philadelphia, many years ago, it is called
" Anacreon in Heaven, or the Battle of the
Wabash."
Col. John Roberts at the time of his death
was the oldest member of the Dauphin
county bar. He was a quiet, unassuming
man, and very popular with all classes. He
was a generous and earnest supporter of all
schemes for the elevation of his fellow-men.
His wife was Mary H. Chambers, a native
of Trenton, N. J. They had eight children,
of whom four are living : Alexander, Eliza,
widow of Dr. James Given, Annie, wife of
James Parvin, of Holton, Kan., and Cath-
erine, wife of James H. Lowell, also of Hol-
ton, Kan.
Alexander Roberts received his education
in the schools of Harrisburg, and began the
study of law in his father's office. During
the prosecution of his studies, he acted for a
part of the time as chief clerk in the regis-
ter's and recorder's office. He learned civil
engineering and occupied himself in this
business. He assisted in the survey of the
Pennsylvania railroad, and was connected
with the construction of the Middle divis-
ion and the Pittsburgh end of the Pittsburgh
division. A large portion of his life was
spent in the active work of this business,
but of late years he has comparatively re-
tired from it. He was married in Harris-
burg to Charlotte Geiger, a daughter of
Bernard Geiger, who was also among the
pioneers of Dauphin county. To them
were born four sons: -John, Alexander, Jr.,
James and George. Mrs. Roberts died in
1862. Mr. Roberts was an active promoter
of the Harrisburg street railway and still
holds the position of secretary of the com-
pany. He is also a director of the Harris-
burg Burial Case Company and Harrisburg
Furniture Company. He is identified
closely with other industries and enterprises.
He is a man of broad intelligence, sound
judgment, marked ability and genial tem-
perament. He is a connecting link between
the active .present and the historic past.
With pleasant memories of primitive strug-
gles he mingles the still more pleasing re-
alizations of resulting success, as displayed
in the growth of the community and the
building of a great city.
Day, William Howard, son of John Day
(1783-1828) and Eliza Dixon (1793-1869),
was born October 16, 1825, in the city of
New York. He was educated in the public
schools of his native city, in the private
school of Rev. Frederick Jones, and prepared
for college in the high school, Northampton,
Mass., then in charge of Rev. Rudolphus B.
Hubbard and Tutor Dwight, subsequently
of Yale College. In 1843 he entered Oberlin
College, graduating in 1847. He learned
the art of printing in the Hampshire Gazette
office at Northampton, and afterwards turned
his attention to teaching and lecturing. In
1850 he was elected by the colored citizens
of Ohio, at a State conference, to plead their
cause' before the Ohio Constitutional Con-
vention. From 1852 to 1855 he edited The
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
S09
Aliened American, at Cleveland, having pre-
viously been local editor of the Cleveland True
Democrat, now the Leader. In 1861 he was
invited to take the lecture platform in Great
Britain, and remained there particularly at
the request of the American residents from
the North to explain to the people of Eng-
land the issues at stake in the great civil con-
flict then transpiring in the United States.
Returning to his native country he resumed
his profession of teacher. In 1867 and 1868
he was superintendent of schools in the dis-
trict of Maryland and Delaware under the
United States Government. During the
incumbency of Gen. Harrison Allen as aud-
itor general of Pennsylvania, 1872-75, he
held a clerkship in the corporation depart-
ment of that office. In 1868 Mr. Day was
ordained an elder in the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion connection, and in 1875 and
1878 was secretary of the General Conference
of that body. He was the first person of
color elected to the board of school control
of the city of Harrisburg, serving from 1878
almost continuously to the present.
Kelker, Henry Anthony, youngest son
of Frederick and Catharine Kelker, was born
in Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 1825. He
was carefully trained and instructed at home,
and was afforded all the advantages of the
best primary schools in the borough. Later
he was for several years in the Harrisburg
Academy, then under the superintendence
of Prof. Alfred Armstrong, and in Novem-
ber, 1842, entered the preparatory depart-
ment of Marshall College at Mercersburg,
Pa. His careful instruction in the home
schools and his diligent application enabled
him to enter college in a short time, when
he took the regular course of study until
May, 1846. He then returned to Harris-
burg to arrange for a partnership with his
brothers in the hardware business at the old
stand established by his father in 1805.
After having consummated this object, he
returned to college with the view of com-
pleting the course and obtaining his degree,
but was unexpectedly summoned home by
the severe illness of his mother, which term-
inated fatally, August 15, 1846. He then
decided to abandon his college studies and
to remain in Harrisburg, where he could
give personal attention to his business.
The firm, composed of the three brothers,
Rudolph F., Immanuel M. and Henry A.,
under the name of Kelker & Bros., con-
tinued in business until May, 1851, when
Rudolph F. retired, and Henry A. continued
with his brother Immanuel under the firm
name of Kelker & Bro., at the old stand
No. 5, now No. 9, South Front street, until
September, 1857, when they removed to the
southeast corner of Market square. During
this partnership, which continued until
April 1, 1878, a large and profitable trade
was secured and the enviable reputation of
the house fully sustained. At this date
Henry A. withdrew and retired from busi-
ness, disposing of his stock partly to his
nephews, Luther R. and William A., and
partly to his brother, Immanuel M.
Mr. Kelker has always held the opinion
that it was better for the citizens to invest
their surplus capital in home enterprises,
since they can in this way more certainly
benefit their own private interest and more
effectually promote the growth and pros-
perity of the community. That he has
made this principle the foundation of his
own course, his prominent and wide con-
nection with important commercial and in-
dustrial local organizations will show. He
has served for many years as a director of ■
the Harrisburg National Bank, as well as of
the Chestnut Street Market Company, of the
Harrisburg Gas Company, of the Harris-
burg Steam Heat and Power Company, is
also a director of the Pennsylvania Tele-
phone Company and the Harrisburg Trac-
tion Company, president of the Harrisburg
City Passenger Railway Company since its
reorganization in 1874, and of the Harris-
burg Burial Case Company, and Harrisburg
Furniture Manufacturing Company. He
was one of the proprietors and founders of
the town of Baldwin, which subsequently
took the name of Steelton, and became the
seat of the magnificent plant of the Penn-
sylvania Steel Company. He has erected
some of the most substantial buildings in
Steelton, among which are the bank and
postoffice blocks.
In matters of a political nature, Mr.
Kelker has clear and decided views and
finds himself more nearly in harmony with
the Republican party, but is not in any
sense an active partisan. He has servedas
a member of the common council of the city
of Harrisburg, not however as a politician,
but in the fulfilment of duty as a conscien-
tious and patriotic citizen. Mr. Kelker is
now and has been for a number of years a
trustee of the Reformed Salem church of
310
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Harrisburg, with which church he united
April 6, 1845, by certificate from the Re-
formed church at Mercersburg, Pa., which
he had joined while at college.
On the 11th of October, 1855, he married
Ellen, daughter of Col. John Roberts and
sister of Alexander Roberts, of both of whom
biographical sketches appear in this volume.
The children of this union were : Frederick
A., John Roberts, Mary Anna, Anne Roberts,
Henry A., Rudolph F., Ellen, Edith V.,and
Katherine M. Of these, Frederick A., John
R. and Rudolph F. died in infancy ; the
others are residing in the homestead with
their father. Mrs. Kelker departed this life
on the 8th of February, 1893. She was a
most affectionate mother, faithful wife and
a worthy member of the Reformed Salem
church, and adorned her profession by a
godly life.
Greenawalt, Jacob, was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., August 10, 1826. He is a son of
Jacob and Catherine (Krause) Greenawalt ;
a sketch of his parents appears elsewhere in
this volume. He was educated in the sub-
scription schools, and learned the trade of
tanner and currier in his father's tannery,
where he worked for twelve years.
In 1852 he and his brother Jeremiah K.
engaged in the leather and shoe finding
business at the present site of King's hard-
ware store, on Market street. In 1854, at
the death of their father, these brothers took
his business at the appraisement, and con-
ducted it for some years. They finally sold
this interest to William Calder, and pur-
chased a site from General Cameron and Dr.
Robert Harris, on the corner of Eleventh and
Paxton streets. Here they erected buildings,
and equipped a tannery which they con-
ducted for about twenty years. They re-
moved to Seventeenth and Derry streets,
and started a tan yard. They were joined
by their brother, Major T. D. Greenawalt,
and under the firm name of Greenawalt
Bros, continued this business until 1888.
In 1863 they purchased a three-story
property on Market street, below Second
street, of Kelker Bros., added two stories to
the building, and removed to that location
their salesrooms and their finishing shops.
They continued their leather store until
1892. They manufactured harness, sole,
kip, upper and calfskin leathers, and found
market at home and in foreign countries.
The excellence of their manufactures was
such as to enable them to win medals in
various expositions, at home and abroad.
The increased cost of transportation of bark
from a distance reduced the profits of their
productions, and caused them to retire from
business.
Mr. Greenawalt is a stockholder in the
Harrisburg Gas (Company, the Harrisburg
Electric Light Company, and the Harrisburg
Traction Company. He is a member of
Perseverance Lodge, A. Y. M., and R,oyal
Arch Chapter. His politics are Republican.
He was -married in 1879 to Miss Julia,
daughter of John Pifer, a native of Prussia,
who served in the German army, came to
America and settled in Wormleysburg, and
from there moved to Harrisburg. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt are
Catherine, Theodore David, Julia Louisa,
deceased, Bertha May, Mary Elizabeth, and
Charles David. Mrs. Greenawalt is a mem-
ber of the German Catholic church.
LaRoss, David Henry Earnest, the son
of Rev. Joseph LaRoss and Elizabeth Earn-
est, was born January 9, 1827, at Bloomsburg,
Columbia county. Pa. His father died when
his son was an infant, and his mother, an
exemplary woman, when he was eleven years
of age. Thus early left an orphan he was
thrown upon his own resources for a liveli-
hood. After varied employments he returned
to Hummelstown with his maternal uncle,
and shortly after apprenticed himself to the
trade of cabinet-maker. After serving his
time he began clerking at Harrisburg, where
he remained several years, at the same time
closely applying himself to study. He sub-
sequently entered Lafayette College, Easton,
where lie remained two years, his limited
means not permitting him to remain for
graduation. He then began teaching as a
profession. In 1860 he was first elected
county superintendent of public schools, in
which position he served until his death,
except in 1872, when he was elected to a term
of office by a vote of sixty-five out of ninet}'
polled, yet, owing to some defect and objec-
tion by several boards of directors, the per-
son who received the next highest number
of votes was commissioned superintendent.
He was, however, re-elected in 1875 and in
1878, and again in 1881, when his vote was
almost unanimous. Professor LaRoss died
at Hummelstown, Sunday, October 22, 1882,
in the fifty-sixth year of his age. Professor
LaRoss married, in 1853, Sarah A. Coil, of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
311
Shaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa., who
died in January, 1867, and there was issue:
Joseph, John, Mary, Gertrude, married Eli
Kline, of AilentoWn, Carroll, Robert, Sarah,
and Eva. He next married Annie W. Bren-
neman, of Elizabethtown, Pa., who died two
years afterwards without issue. In 1872 he
married Fannie Hummel, of Hummelstown,
and there was issue: Fannie, Claude and
Edna.
HoYEK, George, retired, was born in
Hogestown, Cumberland county. Pa., August
3, 1828. He is a son of Jacob and Lucetta
(Brua) Hoyer. George, the father of Jacob
Hoyer, a native of York county, came to
Harrisburg about 1780. He purchased land
from the Harris' in what is now Market
square. He traded in general merchandise,
and built the "Popular Tavern," of which he
was proprietor for many years. After the
organization of the borough of Harrisburg,
he was elected its first chief burgess. He was
one of the organizers of the Harrisburg
Bank. In politics he was Democratic. He
was a member of the German Reformed
church, and helped to organize the church
on Chestnut street. He married Miss Cath-
erine Schultz, of York county. He died in
Harrisburg in 1841 ; his wife died in 1835.
They had one son and three daughters:
Jacob, Susan (Mrs. Philip Srayser, of York
county), Sarah and Eliza, maiden ladies ;
all are deceased.
Jacob Hoyer, father of George second, was
born in Harrisburg in 1793. He received
his education in the subscription schools.
He dealt in general merchandise, first in
Hogestown, and afterwards in Harrisburg ;
he also kept a hotel on Front street, between
Chestnut and Market streets. He was a
private in the army in the war of 1812. He
was a member of the German Reformed
church. His wife was a native of Harris-
burg, and amember of the Lutheran church.
He died May 21, 3834; his wife, in 1860.
Their eight children were: George P., de-
ceased ; B. Franklin, of Harrisburg ; Sarah
Ann, Catherine (Mrs. Ambrose Taylor),
Charles, teacher in a private school; George;
Jacob, a dentist, was lieutenant in the
Twelfth U. S. infantry during the Rebellion;
Joseph, a tinner, was first lieutenant of the
First U. S. cavalry, and was killed in the
Shenandoah Valley; all are dead except
George and B. Franklin.
George Hoyer was educated in the com-
mon schools. He learned tin and iron
working, and followed that trade for thirty
years, after which he retired from active
business.
In 1850 he married Miss Justina, daugh-
ter of William Hippey, of Columbia, Lan-
caster county. He has six children living
and two dead : Louisa, (Mrs. Frank With-
erau), of Harrisburg; Charles, died young;
Justina, died young; William, of Harris-
burg, printer; J. Brua, of Chambersburg,
private secretary to the president of the
Cumberland Valley railroad ; Elizabeth (Mrs.
Benjamin Boggs), of Harrisbuj-g; Josephine
and George R.
Mr. Hoyer is a Republican. He and his
family are prominent members of Zion
Lutheran church. Fourth street, Harrisburg.
DuEY, Simon, was born in Susquehanna
township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 1,
1829. He is a son of Frederick and Barbara
(Peiffer) Duey. His father was born in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county, March
24, 1796, and died in Susquehanna township,
December 4, 1855. His mother was born in
Lebanon county. Pa., June 14, 1804, and
died November 15, 1857. His grandparents,
Emanuel Duey, a soldier in the Revolution-
ary war, and wife, had nine children : John,
born February 15, 1783 ; Simon, born De-
cember 11,1784; Susanna, born November
29, lt86 ; John, born August 18, 1789 ; Cath-
erine, born November 11, 1791 ; Mary, born
December 14, 1793; Frederick, born March
24,1/96, Eva, born October 22, 1798; Eliza-
beth, born April 3, 1805; all long since de-
ceased. His father and mother, Frederick
and Barbara Duey, were married March 21 ,
1822.' They had twelve children : Caroline,
born November 8, 1823, widow of the late
Paul Barnhardt, of Harrisburg; Elizabeth,
born October 1, 1825, wife of Samuel Stober,
of Harrisburg; Mary Ann, born October 26,
1827, deceased; Simon; Susannah, born
February 19, 1832, deceased ; Jacob, born
December 5, 1834, killed while serving in
the defense of his country in the late war;
Ann Catherine, born April 11, 1837, wife of
Jesse Long, of Northumberland county ;
Fanny, born February 15, 1839, deceased;
Harriet, born March 12, 1842, wife of David
W. Miller, of Harrisburg ; Leah , born Novem-
ber 15, 1843, died April 1, 1851; Frederick,
born December 11, 1844, killed while serving
in defense of his country in the late war ; and
312
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Rebba, born Mav 4, 1844, died March 29,
1851.
Simon Duey was reared to manhood in
Susquehanna township, receiving his educa-
tion in the public schools. He worked on
the farm until he was twenty years of age,
and then learned carpentry which he fol-
lowed for ten years. The following twenty
years he spent in agricultural pursuits in
Susquehanna and Lower Paxton townships.
In 1870 he was elected register of wills,
which office he held for six years, meanwhile
remaining on the farm and superintending
its operation. In 1879 he was appointed
warden of the Dauphin count}' prison, and
filled the office for four and a-half years.
He also served as auditor of Dauphin county
from 1867 to 1870. Since 1884 he has not
been engaged in active business.
Mr. Duey was married in Lower Paxton
township, December 25, 1853, to Susan Zar-
ker, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine
(Faler) Zarker, both natives of Dauphin
county. Mrs. Duey was born in Susque-
hanna township, Dauphin county, Pa., May
9, 1832. They have two daughters, Mary A.,
born August 5, 1854, wife of John H. Smith,
of Harrisburg ; and Sarah E., wife of Andrew
R. Unger, a prominent farmer of Lower Pax-
ton township.
Mr. Duey is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. In political views
he is a staunch Republican. The family at-
tend the Lutheran church. Mr. Duey has
well discharged the public trusts committed
to his hands, and enjoys the confidence and
esteem of his neighbors.
Geeenawalt, Jeremiah K., was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., July 30, 1830. He is a son
of Jacob and Catherine (Krause) Greena-
walt, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in
this book. He was educated in the sub-
scription schools. He learned the trade of
tanner and currier with his father.
He engaged in the leather business with
his brothers, taking charge of the finishing
department. During the late war his firm
filled extensive orders from Lacy & Phillips,
of Philadelphia, who had large contracts
with the Government for supplying the army
with leather goods. He is a practical judge
of leather, and known as an expert. He
was importuned by many large leather
dealers in Philadelphia, Pa., to apply for the
position of leather inspector and tJhe posi-
tion was promised him by Governor Curtin,
but he failed to secure it on account of ad-
verse political infiuence.
Mr. Greeuawalt is a stockholder in the
Harrisburg Traction ('orapany and the
Chestnut Street Market Company.
He was married, November 18, 1858, to
Miss Annie Louisa, daughter of George
Wolfersberger, of Harrisburg, by whom he
had four children: Augustus William, died
in infancy, Edwin J., postal money order
clerk, Harrisburg P. 0., Regina C, and Jer-
emiah K., Jr., secretary and treasurer of the
Harrisburg Steam Heat and Power Com-
pany.
Mr. Greenawalt is a Republican. He is
a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal
church.
WiNGERT, Jesse, was born in Harrisburg,
Pa., March 4, 1833. He is a son of John
and Mary (Heckendorn) Wingert. The
Wingert family are of German ancestry.
John Wingert was born in Georgetown, D.
C, came to Harrisburg with his parents
when a boy, and resided here continuously
until his death. He served in the war of
1812. He was a weaver, and followed that
occupation. He died in 1837.
The Heckendorn family are of Swiss ex-
traction. They settled at Jonestown, Pa., at
an early date. On account of troubles with
the Indians, they abandoned their home
there, and located in York, Pa. Mary
Heckendorn, mother of Jesse Wingert, came
with her parents to Harrisburg in 1804, and
resided here until her death. John and
Mary Wingert had a family of eight chil-
dren ; a daughter, Mary, widow of Michael
Goodwin, residing in Philadelphia, and
their son Jesse are the only living mem-
bers of the family. Joseph, a son, was
killed at the battle of Vicksburg ; Charles
died in Harrisburg in September, 1889;
Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Martin, died in
Harrisburg in 1850. Three other children
died young.
Jesse Wingert has spent his whole life in
Harrisburg. He received his education in
the city schools. He learned bricklaying,
but followed that occupation for only one
year after his apprenticeship. For the next
seven years he was engaged in the sale of
building sand. Since that time he has been
in the real estate business. In August, 1864,
he enlisted in company L, Ninety-ninth
Pennsylvania volunteers, as a private. In
the same year his company was attached
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
313
to the One Hundred and Ninety-ninth regi-
ment, becoming company E of that regi-
ment, and Mr. Wingert was promoted to
be its second heutenant. He served in this
regiment until the close of the war, taking
part in the engagements around Peters-
burg, Va.
Jesse Wingert was married in East Penns-
boro' township, Cumberland county, Novem-
ber 20, 1865, to Barbara, daughter of Dr.
Joseph and Mary (Renninger) Blust. They
have no children.
Mr. Wingert has been assessor for one
year. He has represented the Sixth ward
for one term in common council. He is a
director in the Merchants' National Bank,
and in the Central Safe Deposit and Guar-
antee Company ; also in the Safe Deposit
Building and Loan Association. In politics
Mr. Wingert is an independent voter, aim-
ing always to support the most worthy men,
irrespective of party. Mr. Wingert is ex-
ecutor of the Downey estate, and is com-
mittee for George W. McKee, in the McKee
estate. He has also settled other estates to
the entire satisfaction of every one con-
cerned. He is a member of Grace M. E.
church. Mrs. Wingert is a member of St.
Lawrence's Roman Catholic church.
Dr. Joseph Blust, the father of Mrs. Win-
gert, is one of the oldest residents of Harris-
burg, and the oldest physician. He was
born in Baden, Germany, October 28, 1804,
received his education in his native land,
came to America with his parents in 1817,
and lived in Lebanon county. Pa. There he
read medicine under Dr. Mish and other
eminent phj-sicians. He began the practice
of his profession when he was twenty-nine
years old, in Cumberland county, and re-
mained there until 1865. In this year he
removed to Harrisburg, and practiced until
a few years ago. He was married, January
4, 1838, to Mary Renninger, who died in
Harrisburg, July 8, 1889. They had three
children : Margaret, born January 15, 1839,
died March 18, 1869 ; Barbara, wife of Jesse
Wingert, born June 4, 1840 ; Joseph, born
May 15, 1846, married Mary Webber, May
14, 1870, and resides in Hampton township,
Cumberland county.
Mary Renninger, mother of Mrs. Wingert,
was born in Cumberland county, March 18,
1808. She was the daughter of Martin and
Margaretta (Rupp) Renninger. Martin
Renninger was born in Lancaster county m
1764. He served in the State Legislature.
For many years he was an officer in the Lu-
theran church. He died October 29,184],
and is buried in Zion Lutheran church,
near West Fairview.
Simmons, Col. 0. B., was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., April 28, 1842. He is the third
son of George W. Simmons, who was one of
the oldest and most honored citizens of Har-
risburg. He died April 5, 1889. He was a
lineal descendant of Colonel Whitley and
Capt. Mike Ward of Paxtang Valley, who
were of Scotch-Irish origin, and were noted
officers in the war of 1812.
Colonel Simmons received his education
in the common schools of Harrisburg. At
the age of nineteen, he was one of the first
to respond to the call for troops at the break-
ing out of the Civil war. He enlisted April
18, 1861, as a private soldier, in the Lochiel
Grays. During his service in the a'rmy he
was promoted, at different times, for the only
qualities that entitle a soldier to promotion,
discipline and gallantry on the field of bat-
tle. His last promotion was to the rank of
brevet colonel. He served in the Eastern
and Western armies, until January 18, 1866,
when he received an honorable discharge,
having given to his country five of the best
years of his life.
After his return to Harrisburg he became
deputy warden of the county prison, which
position he held for ten years. Since that
time he has been engaged in various busi-
ness ventures. He finally located in the
eastern part of the city, and engaged in
plumbing and gas-fitting, being senior
partner of the firm of 0. B. Simmons & Son.
Colonel Simmons represented the Ninth
ward of the city in common council, and is
also president of the board of health, and
chairman of the joint sanitary committee.
He has always taken an active interest in
, city and State politics, and is a strong ad-
herent to Republican principles. He is a
charter member of Post 58, G. A. R. He
withdrew from the charter membership of
Knights of Pythias.
He was first married in Baton Rouge, La.,
in 1865, and had three children, George W.,
in business with his father; Charles K., and
Gertrude, a trained nurse of Philadelphia.
He was again married in 1895, to Miss Har-
riet Mahaney, a prominent teacher in the
city schools. Mrs. Simmons is a member of
Bethel church, and Colonel Simmons at-
tends the same church.
314
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Dbmming, Col. Henry C, was born in
Geneva, N. Y., September 28, 1842. He
is a direct descendant, on his father's side, of
John Damming, whose name appears in the
Liberal charter of 1662, granted by Charles
II. to the colony of Connecticut, and after-
wards concealed in the famous Charter Oak,
and who is mentioned in Savage's " Genea-
logical Dictionary of New England " as one
of the principal settlers of Wethersfield,
Conn. His mother, whose maiden name
was Sarah Vierna Carpenter, was a native
of Bennington, Vt, and the surnames most
familiar on the maternal side are Carpenter
and Hildreth. They seem to have been
among the earliest settlers of Vermont.
Before he was three j'ears of age young
Demming had been taught his letters by his
mother, and when about thirteen years old
he entered upon a classical course. During
his vacations he spent considerable time in
the printing office of his native village,
sometimes working as roller boy at the hand
press, and this led to his giving up his class
studies and becoming an apprentice in the
Geneva Gazette office. This apprenticeship,
however, was summarily cut short, and he
went to work on his uncle's fruit and horti-
culture farm, and helped to bring into pro-
fitable bearing the first vineyard of the many
now dotting the hill-ascending slopes sur-
rounding the charming Seneca Lake.
'< His advent into Pennsylvania occurred in
the summer of 1859, and, after many vicis-
situdes in search of employment, he entered
Harrisburg on a bleak November day as a
mule driver on the canal en route for the
Paxton furnace with a boat load of coal.
The canal suddenly freezing up, navigation
was declared closed for the season, and
young Demming sought employment in the
printing office of the Harrisburg Patriot and
Union, and contracted to complete his ap-
prenticeship in that establishment. Before
the apprenticeship agreement expired the
Rebellion broke out, and it was with great
reluctance that he was obliged to forego the
opportunity to enlist when the first call for
volunteers appeared. On September 10,
1861, however, he tendered his services as
private to Capt. (afterwards Maj.) Charles C.
Davis, of company I, Seventh Pennsylvania
cavalry, which regiment was then in Camp
Cameron, near Harrisburg, drilling and
awaiting orders to proceed to the front.
Unfortunately, in a short time, he became
involved in a hand-to-hand struggle with
some drunken Welshmen who had deserted
the regiment, and he was advised to retire,
as they threatened to take his life if he re-
mained.
A second call having been made for three
months' men, Mr. Demming immediately
enlisted as a private, and without personal
solicitation came within a few votes of being
elected second lieutenant of the company.
On the call for nine months' volunteers
the records show that young Demming was
the first man to enlist as a private, connect-
ing himself with company A, One Hundred
and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania volun-
teers. He was subsequently detailed to as-
sist the medical officers by keeping the rec-
ords of their examinations of volunteers,
and was subsequently detached for duty in
the mustering office of Capt. Richard I.
Dodge, of the regular army. During and
following his detached duty service he was
sent on important missions South, once in
charge of a large body of convalescent sol-
diers, being appointed a sergeant for the pur-
pose, and subsequently to the Army of the
Potomac, near Fredericksburg, about the
time of the battle of Chancellorsville.
After nearly a year's service as a private
soldier young Demming appears on the mil-
itary roll as a corporal of an independent
company, formed for the purpose of assisting
in the protection of Pennsylvania from in-
vasion in 1863. In this capacity he did
special service in the darkness of the early
morning of the memorable July 2, when
portions of the invading hosts were sweeping
down the Cumberland Valley to destroj'
Pennsylvania's capital and devastate the
neighboring country. Corporal Demming
was the principal in capturing in the Sus-
quehanna, opposite the late residence of
Hon. Simon Cameron, in Harrisburg, a Con-
federate captain and scout who had nearly
accomplished his mission, and with a map
of the fords of the Susquehanna from Marys-
ville to just below Harrisburg, was quite
prepared to return to the Confederate cav-
alry advance, under General Stuart, less
than five miles away, to report favorably
upon a plan to burn the public buildings,
destroy the railroad and levy heavy tribute
upon the citizens of the State capital. A
day or two afterwards he volunteered to help
convey four hundred thousand rounds of
ammunition to the Union army near Gettys-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
315
burg. A few months aUerwards Corporal
Demmiug re-enlisted as a private, and was
unanimously elected first lieutenant of the
company, and subsequently promoted to
quartermaster of his regiment, the One Hun-
dred and Ninety-fourth Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and afterwards acted as quarter-
master, commissary and ordnance officer,
under Gen. James Naglein Maryland, Third
separate brigade. Eighth army corps. He
then recruited a sufficient number of men
to be entitled to a captaincy, but the emer-
gency of the Government induced him to ac-
cept the first lieutenancy of the company,
which was subsequently assigned as com-
pany I, to the Seventy-seventh Pennsyl-
vania veteran volunteers. First brigade.
First division. Fourth army corps, in the
Army of the Cumberland, under Maj. Gen.
George H. Thomas. Here Lieutenant Dem-
ming participated in the last campaign of
Tennessee, and then in the memorable cam-
paign of Gen. P. H. Sheridan, in Texas, at
the close of the war. In one of these cam-
paigns Lieutenant Demming was assigned
to duty on the staff of the corps commander,
Maj. Gen. D. S. Stanley, and then as muster-
ing officer on the staff of the lamented Gen.
George A. Custer. While acting in this lat-
ter capacity he aided in mustering out Gen-
eral Grant's original regiment, the Twenty-
first Illinois volunteers, and in January,
1866, he mustered in the last two volunteers
of the war of the Rebellion, it having been
ascertained that while they had served faith-
fully as soldiers they had never been duly
mustered into service. Declining to accept
a commissioned office in the Freedman's
Bureau, he was honorably discharged and
returned to Harrisburg about April 1, 1866.
Lieutenant Demming was subsequently
elected to the captaincy ot a company of the
"Boys in Blue," and was then promoted to
major and judge advocate by Gov. John W.
Geary, serving in that capacity on the staff
of Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jordan, command-
ing the Fifth division of the National Guard of
Pennsylvania from October 12, 1870, until
honorably discharged, June 30, 1874. On
January 30, 1884, he was appointed by Gov.
Pattison an aide-de-camp on his staff, with
the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served
as such throughout that official's term. He
was recommissioned in January, 1887, as
lieutenant colonel by Governor Beaver, and
appointed on his staff, being the senior of
his rank thereon and served until June 11,
1887, when he resigned, and was honorably
discharged.
On September 11, 1887, Governor Scales,
of North Carolina, tendered him a place on
his staff as special aide, with the rank of
colonel, which he accepted in time to ap-
pear with the governor at the centennial
celebration of the Constitution of the United
States, held in Philadelphia the same
month. This position he held until Gov-
ernor Scales' term expired, about three years
afterwards. Several times during the war
he received injuries which required treat-
ment at the hospitals, but the most serious
ailment from which he suffered was a vio-
lent attack of typhoid fever contracted near
Nashville, Tenn., from which he would in
all probability have died had not the devo-
tion of his wife, a native of Middletown, Pa.,
impelled her to leave her home in Harris-
burg and go to him in the field, traveling a
part of the way through a country infested
with guerillas, and care for her husband
until he was sufficiently recovered to bear
removal home. During his terms of service
Colonel Demming received less than $100
in bounties of every description.
In civil life, since the war, he has usually
followed the occupations of journalist or
stenographer, although as far back as 1860
he excelled as a printer, his composition bill
for one week, while employed on the Har-
risburg Telegraph, exceeding ninety thou-
sand ems, much of the work being "solid
matter," a record that had not been equalled
in Harrisburg at that time. He was the
city editor of the Harrisburg Daily Telegraph
while still a minor. He has from time to
time been a contributor to a number of the
leading periodicals of the United States and
Canada, and until recently was a corres-
pondent of several of the great dailies. The
Farmer's Friend, printed at Mechanicsburg,
Pa., and enjoying perhajjs the largest farmer
patronage of any agricultural paper in
Pennsylvania, was started jointly by its
present proprietor and Colonel Demming.
He read law with Hon. A. J. Herr, ex-
State senator from the Dauphin district, and
devoted considerable attention to the study
of medicine and the physical sciences. As-
tronomy, geology and mineralogy have been
special studies, together with the acquire-
ment of some knowledge of modern languages.
Having devoted considerable time for many
years past to practical mining he has ac-
quired quite an amount of knowledge in
316
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
that direction, and has had numerous no-
tices in the public press relative to his work
and success in discovering and developing
valuable deposits of iron ore and other
minerals in Pennsylvania, Maryland and
the South.
During the past ten or twelve years he
has given a great deal of time and attention
to the development of several mines in
Western North Carolina, and has brought to
public notice at home and abroad a number
of valuable gem minerals found in the
South. His collection of gems and gem
materials, made principally through the
Marion Bullion Company and the Marion
Improvement Company, of North Carolina,
is now perhaps as large, varied and unique
as any other collection of American precious
and semi-precious stones. One selection of
five hundred gems was awarded the highest
prize at the World's Columbian Exposition,
Chicago, in 1893.
His activity in farming matters led to his
joining the Farmers' Alliance in the spring
of 1890, and forming the first organization
Ia Pennsylvania, Patriarch Farmers' Alli-
ance No. 1, of which he was made the first
president. He was made the first president
of the State organization, afterwards State
secretary, and subsequently member and
secretary of the "executive committee of the
National Farmers' Alliance and Industrial
Union.
Colonel Demming's specialty, however,
for a number of years was phonographic re-
porting. Beginning with a "Pitman's Man-
ual of Phonography" on a farm in 1862,
which he still had with him. on his final dis-
charge from the army in 1866, he continued
studying the art until the " Reporter's Man-
ual " was mastered. In the winter of 1866-
67 a position as amanuensis was secured on
the Pennsylvania Legislative Record. Dur-
ing eight sessions of the Legislature he was
employed, two years as an amanuensis, and
then as a verbatim reporter. Throughout
two of the annual sessions he did the entire
verbatim reporting of the House of Represen-
tatives. His professional engagements stead-
ily increased until he became the "official"
of five of the judicial districts of Pennsyl-
vania, and regularly did the reporting of all
civil cases in which the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania was a party, besides having
been special official stenographer of the de-
partment of justice of the United States, and
holding other equally important positions.
In addition to these official appointments he
was the stenographer of the Pennsylvania
Board of Agriculture from its organization
in 1877 until 1892.
After the organization of the International
Stenographers' Association Colonel Dem-
ming became an active member, being
honored wtth the first vice-presidency for
the United States in 1882, and elected presi-
dent at its session in Toronto, Canada, in
August, 1883. In 1887 Colonel Demming was
made a delegate to the International Con-
gress in London.
In political matters he has served the city
of Harrisburg in her council chambers, and
had the distinction of being named as a
candidate for delegate to the convention
which remodelled the constitution of Penn-
sylvania. He was once nominated by a
minority party for member of Congress, but
without hope of election, although he re-
ceived three times the vote of the regular
ticket.
At an early age he sought out and became
a member of the most reputable and promi-
nent organizations and societies of his com-
munity, and is a life-member of a number,
including the Masonic fraternity. The list
embraces forty-two, of which fifteen are
secret and twenty-seven non-secret, includ-
ing seven of a religious character. In a
number of them he has held official po-
sitions. He was president of the Association
of Survivors of the Seventy-seventh Penn-
sj'lvania veteran volunteers, and is a member
of and takes a deep interest in a number of
other military associations, especially the
Grand Army of Republic, the Loyal Legion,
the Society of the Army of the Potomac, the
Society of the Army of the Cumberland, and
the National Guard. Colonel Demming has
been very active in church and Sabbath-
school work, having been an officer in his
church for more than twenty-one years, and
a superintendent of one Sunday-school from
the time of its foundation until it was seven-
teen years old, besides holding other im-
portant official relations in the church of his
selection at home and elsewhere. He has
been secretary of the General Eldership of
the Church of God in North America, serv-
ing as president of the Sabbath-school Con-
vention of his church for that part of Penn-
sylvania east of the Allegheny mountains,
and vice-president of the Pennsjdvania
Sabbath-school Association.
On October 20, 1863, he married Miss
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
317
Kate E. Whitman, of Middletown, Dauphin
county, and the union has been blessed with
a family of five children.
Ckook, Capt. William H., was born at
Clark's Ferry, Dauphin county, Pa., Febru-
ary 29, 1844. He is a son of Gabriel and
Catherine (Dale) Crook. His grandfather,
William Crook, was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., and was one of the prominent
farmers of that county. He was the son of
James Crook, a native of England, who was
the first of the family to settle in this country.
Gabriel Crook, Captain Crook's father, was
born m Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county,
and came to Dauphin county in 1842. He
located on the Pennsylvania canal, in Eeed
township, and was lock tender at Clark's
Ferry until the breaking out of the war. He
enlisted in company C, One Hundred and
Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, for nine months; at the expiration
of that term he re-enlisted in the Fourth
regiment. United States regulars. He lost
an arm at North Ann river, immediately
after the battle of the Wilderness ; this was
the ground of his honorable discharge from
the service. He had been a soldier in the
Florida war and the Mexican war also, and
died at Steelton, Pa., December 29, 1892.
He was a member of the G. A. E., and of the
United Brethren church. His wife died in
1876. They had six children : William H.,
Samuel A., of Rockaway, N. J., served one
year in company H, Thirty-third regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers; David R., de-
ceased, enlisted in the Forty-seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, was trans-
ferred to the Twenty-seventh regiment, and
was ordered on the staff of General Miles;
Wesley, of Harrisburg ; Hannah (Mrs. Will-
iam Leplev), of Lewisburg, Pa., and Margaret
Ethel.
Capt. William H. Crook was brought up
in Reed township, and educated in the town-
ship schools, and was also at school six
months at Mechanicsburg, Pa. On August
27, 1861, he enlisted in company C, Seventy-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
as a private, and served three years. He
was wounded at the battle of Camp Nevin,
Kv. He re-enlisted in company K, Two
Hundred and Third regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, and was commissioned captain
of his company. He was finally discharged,
August 29, 1865. He participated in the
battles at Mill Springs, Ky., Shiloh, Chicka-
mauga. Deep Bottom, Va., Bentonville, N.
C, and many other important engagements.
He was wounded while on picket duty at
the New Market Road, Va., and again at
Folsom's Station, Va. He was confined in
the David Island Hospital. After the war
closed he engaged in contract work in Har-
risburg. He helped to build the Phoenix-
ville and West Chester railroad, the Schuyl-
kill Valley railroad, and the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad through Delaware. He has
also been engaged in the sand business for a
number of years.
He is a Republican, and was elected
supervisor of the Fourth , Fifth, Sixth , Seventh
and Eighth wards in 1889, and has filled
that position ever since, with the exception
of one year. He was re-elected in 1896. He
is a member of Post No. 58, G. A. R., and
was appointed on the staff' of General Adams,
commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic in 1894, which gave, him
the rank of post commander. In 1895 he
was delegate to the State convention of the
G. A. R., in Williamsport, Pa., and was
elected by the State convention a delegate
to the National convention, held in Louis-
ville, Ky., September, 1895. Captain Crook
is a member of the Mt. Vernon Hook and
Ladder Company, and the Firemen's Bene-
ficial Association of Harrisburg. He was
married, in 1890, to Miss Mary E., daughter
of Levi Whippo, of Huntingdon county. Pa.
The family are members of the Bethel
Lutheran church.
Vbkbbke, William K., city controller, was
born in Harrisburg over three score and ten
years ago, and has seen Pennsylvania's capi-
tal grow from a village to a most important
municipality. His parents came from Hol-
land and lived for some years in Philadel-
phia, subsequently moving to Harrisburg in
1817, when it was but a borough of about
2,000 inhabitants. Mr. Verbeke received a
liberal education, is a fine scholar and a
writer of much strength and elegance. His
people excelled in mathematics, an aptness
which he seems to have inherited. It is
doubtful if there is a. single individual in
Harrisburg who can calculate with the
rapidity and accuracy he does. This faculty
which he possesses makes him a valuable
officer to the financial department of the
city. In addition to this he is a thorough
financier, surveying with an eagle eye the
financial situation, and drawing conclusions
318
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
therefrom which seldom fail to be verified
and sustained. His efficiency in the office
of controller and the esteem in which he is
held by the citizens generally are clearly
shown in his having been elected to the
position of controller consecutively since
1883, though he was pitted against the
strongest candidates that could be found.
Almost from the time Harrisburg was
created a borough down to the present time,
he has represented the citizens of Harris-
burg either in council or on the school board,
and they regarded him with such favor as to
make him mayor of the city previous to his
election as controller. He is modest and un-
assuming in manner, and his personal worth
and ability to discharge his official duties,
the spirit in which he beautified the city in
various ways with his means, his charity
manifest in giving homes to many homeless,
his generous contribution to the cause of
humanity in the late war, have endeared
him to the people and they consider that
there is nothing too good to bestow upon
him. He is their beau ideal of a man, a
careful, prudent and efficient officer, loved
and esteemed by all, and it is predicted that
as long as Mr. Verbeke will consent he will
continue to fill the office of controller.
As a representative fireman, being tlie
oldest but one in point of Continuous service,
he is just as highly esteemed for the valuable
service he has rendered the city in that way.
He helped to organize the Good Will Fire
Company and has been its worthy president
ever since, except during the years he was .
filing the office of mayor and was compelled
to devote his entire attention to that office.
Nothing pleases him more than to relate
incidents of by-gone days or to participate in
public occasions with his brother firemen.
Maurer, Daniel C, alderman of Harris-
burg, Pa., was born at Mount Joy, Lancaster
county. Pa., December 19, 1823. He is a
son of Daniel and Catherine (Dyer) Maurer,
the former a native of Berks county, and
the latter of Lancaster county. Pa. His
father was a cabinet-maker, and settled at
an early day at Mount Joy, where he spent
the greater" part of his life, and where he
died in 1871 ; his wife died there forty years
before. He was three times married. Of
the five children of the first marriage,
Daniel C. Maurer is the only one living. To
the second marriage there were born t\yo
children, only one of whom is living, Anna
B., wife of Henry Arndt, of Manheim, Pa.
' Daniel C. Maurer was reared in his native
county, and received his education in the
Richmond Academy of that county. He
learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and fol-
lowed this occupation until 1860. In that
year he removed to Harrisburg, and became
a clerk in the auditor general's office. He
occupied this position for fifteen years, and
during six years of this time he was chief
clerk. In 1875 he was elected alderman
from the Fourth ward, which office he has
filled for twenty years with the utmost ac-
ceptance to his constituents. He is one of
the oldest living aldermen of the city. In
addition to this office, he was a member of
the common council for three years, and for
one year was the president of that body.
He was also for many years a school director
at Mount Joy, Pa.
Mr. Maurer was married at Lititz, Lancas-
ter county, March 25, 1845, to Sarah E.
Rauch, daughter of Christian H. Ranch,
who was born at Lititz, October 17, 1826.
Their children are : Charles W., of Philadel-
phia, and Annie E., wife of Gabriel Hiester,
of Esterton Farm, Coxestown, Dauphin
county. Pa.
Mr. Maurer is a charter member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. ; of Har-
risburg Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons,
and of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11,
Knights Templars. In political views he is
a staunch Republican, and was formerly a
Whig. The family attend the Pine Street
Presbyterian church.
On the 25th of March, 1895, occurred the
golden anniversary of his marriage, on
which occasion his numerous friends at-
tested their appreciation of his personal
worth and public services by valuable gifts
and hearty congratulations to him and his
estimable wife. Time has touched him
lightly, leaving him still active and able to
enjoy life.
LoNGENECKER, JoHN S., wardeu of prison,
was born in Londonderry township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 28, 1839; son
of Christian and Mary (Shank) Longenecker,
the former a native of Lebanon and the
latter of Dauphin county. His parents have
spent the greater part of their lives in Dau-
phin county. They had ten children, five
of whom are living : Fannie, wife of George
Ploffer, residing in Conewago township,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
319
Dauphin county; Benjamin, residing in
Derry township, Dauphin county; Mary,
wife of Josiah Fultz, residing in Middletown,
Pa.; John S., and Rebecca, wife of Samuel
Moyer, residing in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county.
John S. was reared on the farm and re-
ceived his education in the public schools
of his native township. He became a farmer
and followed that occupation for about
twenty-five years. He has served as treas-
urer of the county, and as school director
and in other minor township offices. In
January, 1894, he was appointed warden of
the county prison. In his political views
he is a Republican. He is a member of the
Royal Arcanum. Mr. Longenecker was mar-
ried, in Londonderry township, November
6, 1859, to Margaret Peck, daughter of
Nicholas and Esther (Engle) Peck, and to
them have been born six children : Simon,
residing in Middletown ; Christian P., re-
siding in Londonderry township; Albert,
residing in Hummelstown ; Harvey, resid-
ing at the homestead farm in Londonderry
township ; Mary, residing with parents ;
Fannie, with parents. The famih' attend
the church of the River Brethren.
Hayward, Richard W., Jr., of the Penn-
sylvania State arsenal, was born at Philadel-
phia, July 1, 1840. He is a son of Richard
W., Sr., and Frances (Fisher) Hayward, the
former a native England, the latter a native
of Philadelphia. His ancestors on his father's
side were English. His father came to Amer-
ica in his early life, and resided at Philadel-
phia for many years. In the early part of
1840 he went to Texas and purchased a tract
of land with the intention of removing his
family to that country, but was accidentally
drowned while bathing, about two weeks
previous to the birth of Richard W. His
mother died at Camden, N. J., in 1888.
Their family consisted of five children, three
of whom are living: Alice, widow of the late
William Weston ; Deborah, widow of the late
Thomas Murtha, both of whom reside in
Philadelphia ; and Richard W.
The latter spent his youth in his native
city and received his education in Girard
College. He learned the trade of fancy wood
turning, serving an apprenticeship of six
years at the business. He responded to the
call of his country for volunteers and enlisted
in the Twenty-eighth regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, which was commanded by the
late governor of Pennsylvania, John W.
Geary, and was assigned to company D.
After serving three months in this regiment
he was transferred to Independent Battery B,
Capt. Joseph M. Knapp, Pennsylvania artil-
lery, and served in this battery until October
29, 1863, when he was seriously wounded at
the battle of Wauhatchie Valley. He was
taken to the hospital and, on May 18, 1864,
he was discharged from the service on ac-
count of disability, and returned to Phila-
delphia. On August 4, 1866, he was ap-
pointed to the State arsenal by the late Gov-
ernor Geary, and smce that date has filled
this office. He was married in Philadelphia,
July 3, 1864, to Susan Funston. Ten chil-
dren were born to them, five of whom died
in infancy; those surviving are: Catherine,
wife of John Jones, Richard M., Margaret,
Albert S., and Mary A., all residing in Har-
risburg. Mr. Hayward is a member of the
Union Veteran Legion, No. 61, and Post No.
58, G. A. R. In political views he is a Re-
publican. The family attend the M. E.
church.
Patterson, John D., mayor of Harris-
burg, was born at Williamsburg, Blair
county, Pa., November 1,1842. His parents
were of that sturdy stock, Scotch-Irish, the
representatives of which are so numerous
and prominent in the leadership of Ameri-
can society. The education and training of
children are regarded by this worthy class
of citizens as ships of priority and promi-
nence in promoting the public intelligence
and virtue. The parents of Mayor Patter-
son gave their son the advantages which
the public schools afford, and supplemented
these by a course of study at the academy.
At the same time they were careful that
some systematic and continuous industrial
occupation should fill up the vacations and
intervals between school terms. The result
was a studious and industrious youth, with
some knowledge and training and a desire
for more. His first employment on his own
account was farm work, in the summer
months, and teaching school in the winter
months. Busied at these occupations, he
constantly grew and strengthened in body
and mind. The war came on and opened
to him a new field of action. He enlisted
in the army in August, 1862, and thus be-
came a soldier before he became a voter.
Before he had been a month in the service,
on September 17, 1862, he was baptized in
320
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the blood of battle, on the battlefield of An-
tietam, where he received serious injury.
For meritorious action, and conduct which
displayed the tactics and heroism of the true
soldier, he was promoted on the field, and
made orderly to General Kane, and also to
General Knipe. At the end of his term of
service he re-enlisted and served to the end
of the war. Upon his final discharge from
the army, July 1, 1865, he came immediately
to Harrisburg, and entered the service of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He
remained with that company until Decem-
ber 1, 1874, when he resigned his position
for the very best of reasons, narnely : His
elevation to the highest office within the gift
of his fellow-citizens of Harrisburg, the
mayoralty of the city. The acknowledg-
ment by the public of the success of his ad-
ministration as the chief executive of the
city was his re-election to the office in 1876,
and the repetition of this endorsement by
his election to a third term of the office, in
1878. In these elections Mr. Patterson was
the candidate' of the Republican party.
In 1881 he was elected resident clerk of the
House of Representatives. The compliment
in this election was the greater because the
majority in the House was Democratic, and
his successor in this office was a member of
that party, showing that he was chosen on
the grounds of personal worth and ability,
and not on party preference. He was
elected sergeant-at-arms of the House of
Representatives in 1885, 1887 and 1889. In
December, 1889, he was appointed auditing
clerk of the commissioners of the Soldiers'
Orphans' 'Schools. This position he was
called to give up because of the rare honor
conferred upon him of election in February,
1896, to a fourth term of the office of mayor.
For many years Mr. Patterson has been a
member of Post No. 58, G. A. R. He is also
a member of the Improved Order of Red
Men. The family are members of the Zion
Lutheran church, on Fourth street, Harris-
burg. Mr. Patterson was married in 1866,
to Clara Morris, daughter of Israel Morris,
of Reading, Pa. They had three children :
Mary Emily, Jennie E., and Alice D. Mrs.
Patterson died in 1889.
where the former still lives; the latter died
July 4, 1864. Reuben Caveny, the father, is
of Scotch-Irish extraction, and was engaged
in mercantile pursuits at McAllisterville,
Pa., for many years; there he now lives, re-
tired from business, at the advanced age of
seventy-five years. The parents had six
children, four of whom are living : Samuel
B.; Flora, wife of Winfield H. Knaus, re-
siding in Germantown, Philadelphia ; Han-
nah L., wife of Isaac Tustin, of Phoenixville,
Chester county, Pa. ; Mary R., wife of
Charles H. Halford, Germantown, Philadeh
phia.
Samuel B. Caveny grew to manhood and
was educated in his native township. He
was employed in his father's store for a time.
Later, he was engaged in mercantile pur-
suits at McAllisterville, Pa. In 1872 he
began the study of dentistry with Dr. Bur-
lin, at Port Royal. He practiced this pro-
fession until 1883, when he was elected re^
corder of Juniata county, and served three
years. In 1887 he removed to Harrisburg
and engaged in the insurance business. In
1895 he was elected alderman of the Sec-
ond ward, city of Harrisburg, for a term of
five years. .
Mr. Caveny was married, at McAllister-
ville, October 28, 1865, to Mary M. Cassell,
of Philadelphia, daughter of Franklin and
Eliza Cassell. Of their thirteen children
eight are living: Franklin R., Mary, Eliza-
beth, Myrtle C, Annie, Laura S., Samuel
Brady, Jr., Nellie 0. and Marguerite. Five
children died in infancy.
Mr. Caveny served as justice of the peace
of Patterson, Juniata county, for ten years.
He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 324, F.
& A. M. ; Improved Order of Red Men,
Cornplanter Tribe, No. 61; David H. Wilson
Post, G. A. R., No. 134, Mifflintown, Pa.
He is company clerk of the Governor's
Troop. He enlisted at McAllisterville, Sep-
tember 8, 1862, in company D, One Hun-
dred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania volunteers,
and was present at the battles of Chancel-
lorsville and Gettysburg. He was mustered
out of service and discharged July 27, 1863.
In political views Mr. Caveny is Republican.
The family attend the Lutheran church.
Caveny, Samuel Brady, alderman Sec-
ond ward, was born in Fayette township,
Juniata county,' Pa., September 29, 1843.
He is a son of Reuben and Mary R..(Crozier)
Caveny, both natives of Juniata count}',
Hoy, Francis H., was born in Manayunk,
Philadelphia county. Pa., June 30, 1845,
son of Robert M. and Mahola (Thomas)
Hoy. The father was a native of Belfast,
Ireland, and the mother, of Yorkshire, Eng-
DAUPHIN VOUNTY.
321
land. The father was superintendent of a
large cotton factory in Philadelphia county
for many years. Robert W. Hoy, the grand-
father, was .an instructor in one of the col-
leges in Ireland, and master of six languages.
W. H. Thomas, the maternal grandfather,
was professor of music and languages in his
native city. The father died in Phila-
delphia, January 6, 1854. His wife is still
living and resides at Portsmouth, Ohio.
Francis H. was the only child and was
reared in Philadelphia up to his thirteenth
year, when he removed to Schuylkill county,
and in 1860 came to Harrisburg. His edu-
cation was obtained in the public schools of
Philadelphia, and the Boys' grammar school
of Manayunk, from which he was transferred
to the high school after his removal to
Schuylkill county, after which he learned
the barber's trade. In 1862 he enlisted in
company A, One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
First City Zouaves of Harrisburg, and served
nine months; and re-enlisted in company
C, Two Hundred and First regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers. He was promoted to
corporal, then to sergeant, and then to color
sergeant of the regiment, and then to a field
position on January 21, 1865, and assigned
to detached duty. After the war he worked
at his trade for one year, and was then em-
ployed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany for several years, in various capacities
from brakeman to locomotive engineer.
After this he was with the Pennsylvania
Steel Works for a time, and then resumed
his trade at which he worked until 1891,
when he was elected to the office of coroner
of Dauphin county, in the administration of
which oflfice he proved to be one of the most
popular officers in the State. After the
death of Sheriff S. F. Keller, he served as
sheriff, until the assistant was named by the
governor. In his politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Hoy has been the commander of Post
No. 58, Gr. A. R., and is now aide-de-camp on
the staff of the chief commander of the
State. On July 5, 1866, Mr. Hoy was mar-
ried to Mary M. Kammerer, daughter of
George Kammerer, native of Germany,
resident of Harrisburg. His children are:
George K., Robert W., Francis H., Jr., and
Sarah F. The family are members of the
Presbyterian Church. The eldest son served
as president of the Society of Christian En-
deavor. The second son is foreman of the
Harrisburg Electric Light Works.
Eby, Hon. Maurice C, ex-mayor of Har-
risburg, was born upon the banks of the
picturesque and beautiful Susquehanna
river, in Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa.,
in May, 1846. His parents, Jacob Rupley
Eby and Elizabeth Gross Eby, introduced
their first-born into the city of his adoption,
Harrisburg, Pa., in 1847. His career is now
only to date from the age of maturity, hav-
ing passed through the trials, temptations
and vicissitudes of youth the same as any
other city individual in this memorial epoch.
Lafayette College claims him as one of its
alumni. The first to enter that institution
as a pupil of the scientific course, he parted
from the college to take a tour of three years
upon the continent. The greater part of the
time was spent at Geneva, Switzerland, and
Carlsruhe, Baden, acquiring the language,
with plenty of leisure to visit the principle
countries and cities of the Old World. His
knowledge gleaned from roving and strict
attention to objects and places of interest,
and associations with the people, have
furnished him with a storehouse of personal
reminiscences, places and old landmarks of
invaluable profit and immense benefit, as
well as a gem to his methods of intercourse
and business career, enabling him to make
a comparison between his own beloved
country and that of foreign dynasties. A
bachelor with fixed and determined routine
of daily life, merchant by profession, dating
from the year '1871, of a domestic and club
disposition, an admirer and patron of manly
sports, upon water and land — ^in fact to such
a degree that the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty {o Animals, together with the
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children, appointed him their agent in this
district, and many are the complimentary
notices accorded him for his valuable inter-
ference and rescue of the injured and dis-
tressed. He holds the honor gratuitously,
and prizes it more than the gift of the ancient
star and garter conferred by kings and
princesses. Mr. Eby is a charter member of
the City Board of Trade, likewise the Penn-
sylvania German Society, and an active
member of Dauphin County Historical
Society. In 1893 he permitted his name to
go before the public as a candidate for the
position of chief magistrate of the city, and
the result of the count proclaimed him
mayor, which office he held for a period of
three years, and we quote from his closing
address to the councils : " My purpose in the
322
Bl 0 GRA PHI GAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
future will be to live in our community as a
citizen, obeying all the laws of the Common-
wealth and ordinances of the city, deter-
mined to accomplish a good deed daily, and
make a blade of grass to grow where none
grew before."
Jackson, George W., alderman, was born
in Baltimore county, Md., July 18, 1846, son
of John and Rachel (Barton) Jackson. His
father was a farmer and died at Greenup, 111.
His mother died in Baltimore city about 1885.
They had five children : George W. ; Mary,
wife of Joseph Willoughb}^ residing in Bal-
timore ; Sarah; wife of William Arthur, of
Baltimore; Alexander, of Ell wood, Ind.;
Eliza, wife of Robert Mummert, Baltimore.
George W., when seven years old, removed
with his parents to Greenup, Cumberland
county. 111., when he attended school lor five
years. When twelve years old his father
died, and he returned with his mother to
Baltimore county, and completed his educa-
tion in the public schools. He learned the
trade of machinist and in 1867 removed to
Harrisburg, and followed his occupation for
five years. In 1872 he was elected alderman
for the Ninth ward, and was the youngest
man ever elected to the ofiice. Mr. Jackson
was married in Baltimore, Md., in 1868, to
Elmira Bond, daughter of Thomas and Sarah
Bond, natives of Baltimore. They have one
daughter, Elma L. Mr. Jackson is secretarj'
of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, 1. 0. 0. F., and
of Dauphin Encampment, No. 10. His poli-
tical views are Republican. The family at-
tend the Pine Street Presbyterian church.
Landis, Aaron M., alderman, Sixth ward,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Newville,
Cumberland county, Pa., July 19, 1848.
He is a son of Jacob and Margaret Ann
(Houer) Landis, both natives of Cumber-
land county. These parents had a family
of six children : Catherine, wife of Washing-
ton Parthemore ; Mary Ellen, wife of Will-
iam Snow ; George A., Aaron M., John E.,
and Maggie E., wife of Samuel Heberlig.
Aaron M. Landis received his education
in the public schools of Green Springs, New-
ton township, Cumberland county. . March
4, 1864, he enlisted in company I, One Hun-
dred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and served until Augusts, 1865, when
he was mustered out at Harrisburg, and re-
turned to his home. He learned carpentry
and worked at this business until 1875. In
that year he was appointed to a place on
the Harrisburg police force, and served
twelve years and three months ; two years
as patrolman, six years as sergeant, six
months as lieutenant, and three years and
nine months as chief. In 1887 he was ap-
pointed as special officer of the Pennsylvania
railroad. In May, 1894, he was elected
alderman for the Sixth ward.
He was married at Newville, January 6,
1868, to Margaret E. Diehl, daughter of
Elias and Eliza (Killian) Diehl, of Cumber-
land county. Four of their seven children
died in infancy; three are living, namel}' :
Charles E., reporter for the Evening Telegraph;
Carrie I., and Annie M., residing at home.
Mr. Landis is a member of Post No. 116, G.
A. R., also of the Knights of Honor. He is
a Republican. The family attend the Lu-
theran church.
Hall, Samuel S., alderman of the Seventh
ward, Ilarrisburg, was born in Middlesex
townsljip, Cumberland county. Pa., March
27, 1849. He is a son of Moses and Cath-
erine (Orris) Hall. He suffered the loss of
both his parents by death, when he was a
child, and was thrown among relatives and
strangers. His education in these conditions
was of necessity limited. He was obliged to
rely upon his own efforts for getting knowl-
edge and information to qualify him for the
duties of life. He became an apprentice to
the carpenter trade, and followed this occu-
pation for thirteen years, eleven of which
were spent in the Harrisburg car shops.
During the years 1880-1 he represented
the Seventh ward in the common council.
During the years 1885-6-7 he was school tax
collector for the Second, Seventh, Eighth and
Nintli wards. In April, 1887, he was ap-
pointed on the Harrisburg police force, and
served continuously on the force until May
I, 1895, when he was elected- alderman for
the Seventh ward, the office he now holds.
He was inarried, in Harrisburg, January
II, 1875, to Amanda Feass, daughter of
Henry and Dorothy Feass, natives of Ger-
many, but for many years residents of Har-
risburg. Of their eight children three died
in infancy. The living children are : Harry,
born December 19, 1876 ; Blanche E., born
April 18, 1879; Bertha M., born July 3,
1881 : John A. F., born July 8, 1890, and
Samuel Z., born December 31, 1893. Those
dead are : Lillie D., died September 26, 1875 ;
"^^ A/>.v^VVtpr>ra>\
DAurnm goukty.
325
Lulu W., died May 5, 1887 ; and Beulah J.,
died September 20, 1888.
Mr. Hall is a member of State Capitol
Lodge No. 70, L 0. 0. F., and Dauphin
(.astle No. 250, K. G. E. In politics he
affiliates with the Democratic party. The
family attend the M. E. church ; Mr. Hall
attends the Lutheran church.
Zarker, Andrew U., was born in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
January 13, 1850. He is a son of Benjamin
and Catherine (Fohler) Zarker. His father
was born in Derry township, Dauphin
county, and was a son of John Zarker, a
native of Germany, and one of the early
settlers of Derry township. Benjamin
Zarker was a lieutenant of cavalry in the war
of 1812. He was a farmer of Lower Paxton
township, and served as supervisor of his
township. He was an active member of the
Lutheran church. He had twelve children,
five of whom are living : David, of Harris-
burg; Henry, ofTopeka, Kan.; Andrew U.,
Susan (Mrs. Simon Duey), of Harrisburg;
Lucy (Mrs. David Mumma), of Harrisburg.
Andrew U. Zarker was reared on a farm
and educated in the township schools. He
learned carpentry in Harrisburg, became
foreman for Henry Shoop, and filled the
same position for Mr. Cowden in the planing
mill for five years. He then engaged for
himself in architecture, contracting and
building, which he continued for thirteen
years; he erected many of the best business
blocks in the city. He was, after this, en-
gaged for four years in the grocery business.
In 1891 Mr. Zarker was appointed high-
way commissioner of Harrisburg, and served
three years. In 1887 he organized the East
Harrisburg Building and Loan Association,
and is now its president. He was instru-
mental in the reorganization of the Farmers'
Market Company, and has been its president
since its organization. He has served two
terms as representative of the Ninth ward in
common council, and two terms as ward as-
sessor. He is vice-president of the Mt.
Pleasant Fire Companv. He is a member
of the K. of G. E., the" Knights of Brother-
hood, the Junior 0. U. A. M., and of Lodge
No. 708, I. 0. 0. F.
Andrew U. Zarker was married, in 1871, to
Miss Hannah, daughter of David Miller, of
Juniata county, Pa., by whom he has one
child, Tillie M" He is an active member of
Christ Lutheran church ; is superintendent
25
of the Sunday-school, and teaches a male
Sunday-school class of one hundred and
twenty-five members; has served as deacon,
and as president of the Young People's
Society of Christian Endeavor. He is a great
lover of music, and has an organized orches-
tra in the church.
Mr. Zarker is interested and prominent in
athletic sports, and is a good "wing shot."
He is a member of the West End Gun Club.
Zarker street in Harrisburg received its name
from him. He laid out the street, and has
built many houses on it. He has also
erected many houses in other parts of the
city. Mr. Zarker is a staunch Democrat ;
he organized the A. U. Zarker Democratic
Club in 1888, and carried it on successfully
through the campaigns of 1888 and 1892.
Anderson, Samuel J., ex-chief of the Har-
risburg police force, was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., April 16, 1850. He is a sou of
Jo'hn E. and Sarah W. (Malone) Anderson,
both natives of this State, the former of
Scotch and the latter of Irish ancestry.
His parents had born to them twelve chil-
dren, six of whom are living: William K.,
a general agent at Mechanicsburg, Pa. ; Bella
H, wife of Willis G. Kauffman, of Harris-
burg; Annie E., wife of Rev. Adam A. Wolfe,
residing at Keithburg, 111.; Samuel J.; Par-
ker D., residing at Harrisburg; and Ida M.,
wife of Joseph Gephart, residing at Philips-
burg, Kan.
Samuel J. received his education in the
schools of his native town. He learned the
trade of millwright, and followed this occu-
pation until 1870. In this year he came to
Harrisburg and became chief lumber in-
spector for the Harrisburg Car Manufactur-
ing Company, holding the position for three
years. For the next two years he was not
engaged in any special vocation. In 1875
he was appointed special police officer for
the city of Harrisburg, and occupied the
position for four years. In 1879 he was ap-
pointed county detective, under Eli Hul-
iinger, who was at that time district
attorney. He served in this capacity until
January 1, 1881, when he resigned this
position. For the following thirteen years
he conducted a private detective bureau.
On January 1,1894, he was appointed to the
position of chief of police.
Mr. Anderson has been twice married. His
first wife was Miss Zell, to whom he was
united in marriage at Holly, Pa. She died
326
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
at Harrisburg, April 11, 1872. The only
child of this marriage is, Charles E., born
August 13, 1871. He was married again in
August, 1875, to Catherine Lutz. There are
no children by this marriage.
Mr. Anderson has also served as marshal
of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania, with
headquarters at Philadelphia. He is a mem-
ber of City Lodge, No. 301, I. 0. 0. F., and
Encampment No. 301. In political views he
affiliates with the Democrats. The family
attend the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Anderson was careful, faithful and just
in his duties as an officer and popular
with the men on the force, as well as with
the citizens, who regarded him as a courage-
ous and courteous officer and a worthy man.
NoBLET, Newton E., clerk of county com-
missioners, was born in Halifax, then town-
ship, now borough. May 28, 1850, son of
Samuel and Susan (Ettien) Noblet. The
father was born in Halifax township. Four
brothers emigrated from the north of Ire-
land and settled in Delaware. One of them,
Joseph, separated from the others and came
to Dauphin county and entered a tract of
land in Halifax township, and reared a
family of seven sons, of whom the father of
Newton E. was the youngest, having been
born in 1813. He was a cabinet maker by
trade, and also an undertaker. He was a
member of the first council of the borough,
voting with the Democratic partj' until the
organization of the Republican party, when
he united with that political body. His
wife died February 22, 1894, and both were
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Their children were: Sarah, Mrs. Thomas
Leibrick, of Halifax; Newton E. ; John, of
New Buffalo, Perry county, Pa.; Elizabeth,
Mrs. J. J. Roust, of Halifax ; Samuel R., a
painter, of Halifax. Newton E. was edu-
cated in the schools of Halifax and was a
teacher in the borough and township for
seventeen years. In 1889 he was appointed
postmaster of Halifax, and served in the
office four years and four months. He was
one of the organizers of the Halifax Shoe
and Manufacturing Company, in which he
has been the treasurer since Mr. Lodge va-
cated the office. He served six years as a
member of the school board, and for four
years as the secretary of the board. In his
political views he is a Republican, and in
1895 was appointed clerk of the board of
county commissioners. Mr. Noblet is a
stockholder in the Halifax Bank, of which
his father was one of the organizers. He is
a member and trustee of the Halifax Lodge,
P. O. S. of A. Mr. Noblet was married
to Miss Mary E. Spiese, of Halifax, by whom
he has one child, Harry S. The family
attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of
Halifax.
Miller, Charles A., city clerk of Harris-
burg, and clerk of the common council, was
born at Harrisburg, June 28, 1850. He is a
son of Francis Xavier (more generally known
as X.) Miller and Elizabeth (McMillan)
Miller. His grandfather Miller was a na-
tive of Switzerland, and spent his life in his
native land. His father, Francis X., was
born in Tagerfelden, Canton Aargau, Switz-
erland. He came to America in 1842, and
located in New York City, where he worked
at his trade of shoemakiug for three years.
In 1845 he removed to Harrisburg, and en-
gaged in business on his own account. He
was well known as " X. Miller, the French
boot and shoe maker." He was an expert
at his business, having learned the trade in
Paris, and did an extensive business for
those days. Elizabeth A. (McMillan) Miller,
mother of Charles A., was born at Round
Top, Dauphin county, Pa., January 22, 1825.
His parents were married at Harrisburg, in
1847, and had fourteen children, four only of
whom lived to maturity : Charles A., Mar-
cellus I., Francis X. and Clotilda Regina,
wife of Capt. H. A. Perkins, late of the Gov-
ernor's Troop, and now residing in New York
City. She was born March 28, 1852, and
died September 17, 1892.
Charles A. Miller received his education
in the public schools and academy of Har-
isburg, and is a graduate of the latter. His
whole life has been spent in this city. He
learned printing with the late George Berg-
ner, and continued in this business for
twenty years. In 1881 he was appointed
foreman of the Harrisburg Telegraph, and
efficiently filled this position until 1885. In
that year he was elected to the State Legisla-
ture, and resigned his business position, that
he might be free to devote his time and
strength to the duties of his oflBce. In
March, 1887, Mr. Miller introduced the Star
carpet cleaning business in Harrisburg,
which was a new process for cleaning carpets.
He continued in that business for four years.
In 1891 he was appointed clerk of the com-
mon council, and shortly afterwards was
t)AtlPHTN COUNTY.
327
elected city clerk, in joint convention ; he is
the first and only person who has ever filled
that ofiice. In addition to these offices Mr.
Miller was also a member of the common
council from 1880 to 1883, and in 1882 was
chosen president of that body. He was a
member of the select council from April,
1883, to December, 1884, resigning this
office when elected to the Legislature. He
was the first chairman of the joint commit-
tee of councils for arranging fiar the centen-
nial celebration in 1885. He again served
in the common council during 1888-89.
Mr. Miller was married at Harrisburg,
October 16, 1879, to Rebecca Mauger, daugh-
ter of Henry and Mary (Hummel) Mauger,
born at Harrisburg, November 28, 1856.
They have two daughters : Anna M., born
December 28, 1880, and Mary Eegina, born
March 7, 1885. In political views Mr.
Miller is a good staunch Republican. The
family attend the Messiah Lutheran church.
German, John W., was born in Harris-
burg, October 27, 1851. He is the son of
Emanuel S. German, who was born in Har-
risburg in 1821, whose father, Philip Ger-
man, a native of Germany, came to Harris-
burg in 1800, and established a brewery,
celebrated for its " Cream Beer," and con-
ducted it for many years.
Emanuel German, father of the subject of
this sketch, established the first exclusively
religious bookstore in the United States, at
Harrisburg, in 1841 or 1842, and conducted
it till 1878, when he was succeeded by his
sons. He carried a stock of strictly church
and Sabbath-school literature and his store
was the headquarters of theological students.
He lives retired from active life. He was
first a Democrat, but upon the organization
of the Republican party he joined that po-
litical organization, and has remained with it
until the present time. He is a member of
the Lutheran church. He married Sarah
Jane Westfall, whose father came from Alle-
gheny, and who was the proprietor for many
years of the celebrated Black Tavern of
Harrisburg, and who died in this city.
They had seven children: Philip, of the
Harrisburg bookstore; Sarah E., wife of
Rev. J. S. Detweiler; John W.; Luther W.,
dentist, of Louisville; James W., auditor of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at
Pittsburgh ; Grace H., wife of Orville Cham-
berliu, of New Orleans, La. ; Charles H. H.,
of Louisville, Ky., book-keeper ; one daugh-
ter, Mary E., died in 1863.
John W. was reared in this city, and was
educated in the public schools. He learned
the trade of printer and subsequently en-
tered his father's store, and became book-
keeper. In 1878 he and his brother suc-
ceeded to their father's business, and con-
tinued it to 1882, when he went to Dakota.
Returning to Philadelphia in seven months,
he became agent for the Travellers' Insur-
ance Company, of Hartford, Conn. In 1884
he was appointed special agent of the Mu-
tual Life Insurance Company, of New York.
January 12, 1886, he became one of the or-
ganizers of the Harrisburg Board of Trade,
was elected the third secretary of the same,
and has served in that office uninterruptedly
since 1889. He was prominent in locating
the Lalance & Grosjean Manufacturing Com-
pany and other industries in this city. Mr.
German is prominently identified with the
P. 0. S. of A. He is active in the Republi-
can party. He was married in 1877 to Miss
Ida M.Wright, daughter of Theodore Wright,
editor-in-chief of the Philadelphia Record.
They had two children : Helen I., deceased,
December 7, 1895, and John W., Jr. They
are members of the Lutheran church.
CowDEN, Matthew B., city engineer, was
born in Susquehanna township, December
1, 1851. He is a son of John W. and Mary
E. (Hatton'l Cowden, both natives of Dauphin
county, where they spent their lives, and
where they died in 1872. The father was a
civil engineer, and served as city surveyor
of Harrisburg for a number of years. He
and his wife had nine children, eight of
whom are still living : Margaret, wife of
Samuel N. Hamilton, of Beaver county. Pa. ;
Frederick H., of Harrisburg; Sarah, wife of
Homer H. Cummins, of Harrisburg ; Eliza-
beth B., wife of Matthew Beck, of New Jersey ;
Matthew B.; Ellen J., wife of Stephen
Hubertis, of Harrisburg ; Josephine W., of
Harrisburg. and W. K.
Matthew B. Cowden came to Harrisburg
when he was five years old. He was edu-
cated in the citj^ schools, and also attended
the Polytechnic College of Pennsylvania,
from which he was graduated in 1872. He
engaged in the work of civil engineering,
serving for one year with the Texas Pacific
railroad, in Texas, since which he has been
employed in this occupation in Harrisburg.
He was elected city engineer in 1874, and
328
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
for twenty -one years he has performed the
work of this ofBce with skill and fidelity.
Mr. Cowden was married in Harrisburg, in
1875, to Mary H. Buehler, daughter of Charles
and Sarah Buehler, a native of Dauphin
county. Two children have been born to
them: Nellie E., deceased, and Edward C,
born in 1879. Mr. Cowden is a member of
State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F. In
political views he is a Republican. The
family attend Zion Lutheran church.
BusEK, H. Wells, ex-sheriff, was born in
Hummelstown, November 12, 1853. He is a
son of Jacob and Eliza (Gish) Buser. The
father was a native of Londonderry town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., the mother of
Hummelstown. The father was a butcher,
and carried on his business at Hummels-
town for forty-five years. He was a promi-
nent man, an active politician in the Demo-
cratic party, a member of the Odd Fellows,
and belonged to the Reformed church. He
died in September, 1891. His wife survives
him. They had twelve children : George,
of Harrisburg, butcher; Annie, wife of Harry
Crist, of Steelton ; Ellen, wife of David Yet-
ter, of Steelton; Martha, wife of Joseph
Fletcher, of Steelton; John, of Steelton;
Adeline, wife of James Geiger, of Harris-
burg; H. Wells; Ida, wife of H. W. Solo-
mon, of Harrisburg ; Jennie, wife of Jacob
Hummel; Alice, wife of Chris. Coalmer, of
Philadelphia; Curtiss, of Hummelstown, and
Margaret.
H. Wells Buser received his education in
his native town. He learned the moulder's
trade, but did not follow this occupation.
He was elected to the office of constable for
a term of six years. He served as post-
master for four years and two months dur-
ing Cleveland's administration. He was
clerk of the Democratic State Committee in
the Pattison campaign. He*was clerk in
the adjutant general's office, and served
until September 1, 1892. He was appointed
by the governor to fill the office of sheriff,
made vacant by the death of Sheriff Keller.
He was one of the organizers, and is a stock-
holder of the Water Company of Hummels-
town ; one of the organizers and a stock-
holder of the American F ublishing Associa-
tion, of Pittsburgh. Mr. Buser is a member
of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F. ;
past national representative in Junior Order
American Mechanics five years, and past
State officer for three years. In politics he
is a Democrat, and was secretary of the
county committee for thirteen years.
H. Wells Buser was married, in 1876, to
Miss Sarah E. Hummel, of Hummelstown.
They have six children : Frank D., Harry
W., Edith, Lulu, Grover C. and William
McC. He is a member of the Reformed
church of Hummelstown.
RuDY,C. LANDis,ice dealer and ex -president
of select council, was born near Harrisburg,
July 7, 1856. He is a son of Joseph and
Esther (Landis) Rudy. His grandfather
Rudy was a native of Zurich, Switzerland.
He was driven from his native land with
others by religious persecution. He settled
in Lebanon county. Pa., at a very early date
in the history of the county. The parents of
C. Landis were both born in Dauphin countv,
Pa. The mother died September 14, 1870 :
the father is still living, retired and resides
at East Mere. He was twice married. To
the first marriage there were born nine
children, namely : John, a prominent farmer
of Lower Paxton township; Frances, wife of
Reuben H. Althouse, residing in Harrisburg;
Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Strickler, of Pen-
brook, Pa., deceased ; Joseph Rudy, Jr., a
prominent farmer of Susquehanna township ;
Sarah A., wife of Walter Trullinger, residing
in Susquehanna township ; Nettie E., widow
of the late Dr. D. R. Hocker, residing at East
Mere ; C. Landis ; Mary A., wife of George
Hain, residing in Harrisburg; and Abraham
F., residing in Philadelphia. His second
wife, who still survives, was Barbara Mumma,
and to this second marriage there was
born one child, Jonas M., stenographer, of
Harrisburg.
C. Landis Rudy was educated in the pub-
lic schools and Professor Seller's academy, of
Harrisburg. He also attended the Dickinson
Business College, of which he is a graduate.
In 1874 he engaged in the ice business,
which he has conducted for over twenty
years. He is also extensively engaged in
buying and selling land, and ranks among
the most prosperous and progressive business
men of the city. He was married in Harris-
burg, October 22, 1879, to Miss Belle M.
Brittain, daughter of Samuel and Melinda
(Brittain) Brittain, of English and Scotch-
Irish ancestry, the former deceased, the latter
living and residing with Mr. Rudy. To
them have been born five children, only one
of whom is living, namely. Marguerite B.
born May, 1887. In political views Mr!
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
329
Rudy is a Republican, and has been an
active worker in the ranks of the party for
the past eighteen years. The family attend
the Salem Reformed church.
Black, Alfred T., ex-treasurer of the city
of Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Harrisburg,
October 26, 1856. He is a son of Abraham
K. and Rebecca (Clark) Black. He received
his education in the public schools and the
Harrisburg Academy. He learned brick-
laying of his father and uncle, and followed
this business from 1872 to 1885, when he
was elected to the office of city treasurer.
He was re-elected for four successive terms,
and performed the duties of the office with
great credit to himself and with the utmost
satisfaction to the public.
In 1877 Mr. Black joined the Hope Fire
Engine Company, and has since taken an
active interest in the fire department of the
city. In 1886 he was elected president of
the company. In 1890 he was elected presi-
dent of the State Firemen's Association of
Pennsylvania, and represented the State as-
sociation in the. National convention of fire-
men, at Louisville, Ky., in 1892. In politics
he is an active Republican, and takes a great
interest in all matters pertaining to the
party. He is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity. Chapter, Commandery, and Consis-
tory, and Lulu Temple of the Mystic
Shrine; of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of the Junior Order of United
American Mechanics, the Knights of Honor,
Red Men, etc.
Alfred T. Black was married in January,
1877, to Miss Mary E. Fager, daughter of
Albert J. Fager, of Harrisburg, by whom he
has three children : Andrew K., Alexander
Ramsey Speel, and Robert Fager.
Mr. Black is a member and one of the or-
ganizers of "The Club," and is on the gov-
erning committee of the same. He and his
wife attend the M. E. church.
Brubaker, Charles J:, chief clerk to the
county commissioners, was born in the bor-
ough of Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa.,
October 10, 1857. He is a son of Henry and
Mary R. (Shammo) Brubaker. Jacob Bru-
baker, the grandfather of Charles J., was a
native of Lancaster county, Pa. He settled
in Halifax township, Dauphin county, and
engaged in farming. He was a member of
theM. E. church. He had nine children:
Joseph, John, Jacob, Isaac, Henry, Hiram,
Benjamin, and two daughters, all of whom
are deceased, except Henry. Henry Bru-
baker, father of Charles J., was born in Hali-
fax township. He has been engaged
in farming and in boating on the Wi-
conisco canal. He and his six brothers
owned and conducted boats on that canal
for many years. He has served two terms
as supervisor of Halifax township, and is
now serving his third term in that office, in
the borough. He belongs to Charity Lodge,
I. 0. 0. F., and to Camp No. 576, Patriotic
Sons of America. He is one of the original
stockholders in the Halifax Shoe Company.
His wife is a member of the M. E. church.
They had five children : Samuel L., travel-
ing for the Pennsylvania Steel Works;
Amaza S., Ella F., Annie L. and Charles J.
Charles J. Brubaker is the eldest of his
father's children. He was educated in the
public schools. He read medicine with Dr.
H. R. Casslon, of Halifax, and was graduated
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Baltimore, Md., in 1882, but never practiced
medicine. He became paymaster and time-
keeper for the Phoenix Bridge Company,
Phoenixville, Pa., and remained with that
company four years. January 1, 1891, he
became assistant clerk to the county com-
missioners, and in 1892 was appointed chief
clerk to that body, which position he has
since filled with credit. He is a member of
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.,
the Harrisburg Consistory, and the Rajah
Temple of Reading, Pa. ; City Lodge, No.
301, L 0. 0. F.; A. 0. U. W., and Camp No.
576, P. 0. S. A., of Halifax. He is an active
Republican. In early life he served as page
in the United States House of Representatives.
Melick, John P., prothonotary, was born
in Petersburg, Huntingdon county, August
18, 1858. He is a son of Rev. J. A. and
Emeline (Patchin) Melick, the former born
in Light Street, Columbia county. Pa., the
latter in New York State. Rev. Melick had
three children by his first wife: Mary M.,
wife of G. Benson Dunmire, of Philadelphia;
John B., and Miss Emma, residing in Har-
risburg. He married, secondly, Miss Emily
Dunmire, who survives, and resides in Har-
risburg. Rev. Melick, who was a minister
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, died
March 22, 1886. A sketch of him appears
elsewhere in this volume.
John P received his primary education
in public and private schools, and from 1871
330
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
to 1874 attended Dickinson Seminary, of
Williamsport, Pa., and during 1875 and part
of 1876 he was a student at Dickinson Col-
lege, Carlisle, Pa. In 1881 he entered the
office of the prothonotary at Harrisburg,
under Ehrman B. Mitchell, and remained in
the office also during the term of office of
William H. Ulrich, who succeeded Mr. Mit-
chell. In November, 1891, he was nominated
and elected prothonotary on the Republican
ticket by a majority of 4,483, and in 1893
was re-elected by a majority of 6,067.
He was married in Harrisburg. October
20, 1887, to Miss Elizabeth K. Black, daugh-
ter of Joseph M. and Charlotte Black, of
Harrisburg, and to their union has been
born one child, Joseph B., who was born
December 15, 1888. Mr. Melick is a director
of the Harrisburg Preserving Company, and
he and Mrs. Melick are consistent members
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Holler, Henry F., deputy prothonotary
of Dauphin county, was born at New Mar-
ket, York county, Pa., September 10,1860,
son of Charles and Rebecca (Mathias) Holler.
His parents settled in Hummelstown in 1876,
and the father engaged in the coal, wood
and feed business,which he is still conducting.
Their children are : Sarah, Henry F., Charles
I., William H., and LeRoy 0. The father is
a Republican in politics and has been a
school director for three terms. The family
attend the U. B. church. Henry F. removed
with his parents, when he was ten years old,
to Dauphin county, and was educated in the
public schools of Hummelstown. He was
engaged with his father in business until
the spring of 1888, at which time he was ap-
pointed deputy prothonotary of Dauphin
county, and took up his duties at Harrisburg.
Mr. Holler is a member of Hummelstown
Lodge, No. 40, United American Mechanics.
He is a Republican in politics, and attends
the U. B. Church.
MiDDLETON, William H., city solicitor of
Harrisburg, was born in Newville, Cumber-
land county. Pa., January 25, 1861, son of
William and Mary E. Middleton, the former
a native of Cumberland county. Pa., the lat-
ter of Hagerstown, Md. The father was
born near Newville, in 1880, and removed
to Harrisburg, where he has since been en-
gaged in the manufacture of writing fluids.
For the past five years he has also conducted
the mineral springs and summer hotel at
Newville, Pa. His children are: William
H.; Margaret, wife of Charles P. Lusk, coal,
wood and ice dealer, of- Harrisburg; Mollie,
died in 1881, after reaching maturity, and
two children who died in infancy. The
The family attends the Lutheran church.
William H. when two years old removed
with his parents to Harrisburg, where he
has since been a continuous resident. He
was educated in the city schools, read law
with Ex-Judge Thomas S. Hargest,.was ad-
mitted to the Dauphin county bar, and was
later admitted to practice in the United
States Circuit Court, United States Court of
Appeals and United States Supreme Court,
and since his admission has been engaged
in a general practice at Harrisburg. In
1889 Mr. Middleton was elected a member
of the school board, in which he served as
chairman of the finance committee, and was
re-elected to the board in 1892 and resigned.
In 1892 he was elected to the office of citj"^
solicitor and was re-elected in 1894. He
also was a notary public from 1886 to 1894.
Mr. Middleton was married, November 22,
1888, .to Laura L. Sherk, a native of Dau-
phin county, by whom he has one son, Will-
iam S., born February 4, 1892. Mr. and
Mrs. Middleton attend the Presbyterian
church.
Walter, Charles P., alderman Eighth
ward, Harrisburg, was born near Milltown,
York county, Pa., May 8, 1863. He is a son
of Henry and Angeline '(Mosher) Walter.
His mother died in 1872 ; his father still
lives, and resides in Harrisburg. Their
family consists of five children, namely :
Henry G., Charles P., Jacob, Edgar, and
Elmer.
Charles P. came to Harrisburg with his
parents when he was three years of age, and
received his education in the public schools
of Harrisburg. After leaving school he en-
gaged in the butchering business and live
stock dealing. He is still conducting the
most extensive business of this kind in
CentralPennsylvania, under thefirm name of
Walter Bros: In 1889 Mr. Walter was elected
alderman by a majority of one hundred and
five votes, and was the first alderman ever
elected from the Eighth ward on the Demo-
cratic ticket. In 1894 he was re-elected by
a majority of four hundred and eighty-six
votes. In 1893 he was a candidate for
nomination for mayor of Harrisburg, but
was defeated by M, C. Eby by one hundred
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
331
and seventy-eight votes. He is a careful and
laithful officer, and has all the qualifica-
tions for a skillful and successful politician.
He owes much of his popularity to his genial
manners. He was married at Harrisburg, Oc-
tober 7, 1891, to Elizabeth Foley, the daughter
of Edmund and Ellen Foley. To them have
been born three children : Victor Ignatius,
Charles Patrichia, Jr., and Elenora Esther.
Mr. Walter is a member of Bayard Lodge, No.
150, K. of P. ; Peace and Plenty Lodge, No.
68, I. 0. 0. F.; St. John's Castle, No. 25,
K. M. C; Camp No. 25, P. 0. S. A.; Fulton
Council, 0. U. A. M. He is an active mem-
ber of the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment, and for ten years a member of the
State Firemen's Association and Firemen's
Union of Harrisburg. He is a member of the
Board of Trade. He is also one of the uni-
formed rank. Knights of Pythias. He is
an active and zealous worker in the Demo-
cratic party, and was nominated for the
office of mayor by his party in 1896, after
one of the hardest political battles ever
waged in the city. He was defeated for
election, being betrayed by those who owe
their political existence to his efforts.
Kennedy, George G., secretary of the
board of water commissioners, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., November 12, 1864. He is
a son of James L. and Martha (Barnard)
Kennedy. The ancestors were natives of
Juniata county, where the parents of George
G. were born, and resided in Mifflintown
until 1859, at which date they removed to
Harrisburg. James L. was educated in the
public schools of Juniata county and learned
the trade of a tailor in Mifflintown. When
about twenty-one years of age he entered
the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, with which he has since been
continuously connected, being at present a
passenger engineer. He is a member of the
select council from the Sixth ward. He mar-
ried Miss Martha Barnard, of Juniata county.
Pa., by whom he had three children.
George G.Kennedy, the eldest son of James
L., was born in Harrisburg, November 12,
1864. After completing his education, which
he acquired in the public schools, he became
an apprentice to the jewelry business with
George A. Hutman, and continued in this
business until he was twenty-seven years of
age, when he engaged in business several
years for himself in this city.
On May 2, 1892, he was appointed secre-
tary of the board of commissioners, water
and light department, which position he
still efficiently and faithfully fills. He is a
member of the B. P. 0. E., the L 0. R. M.,
and the Knights of Malta.
He was married in Harrisburg, June 6,
1894, to Miss Flora, daughter of Joseph and
Elizabeth Van Ormer, natives of Juniata
county, but at present honored residents of
Harrisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy attend
Messiah Lutheran church.
Mr. Kennedy is possessed of sound judg-
ment and unimpeachable integrity, has a
clear record and has given the taxpayers
conscientious service. Though the rapid
increase of the population of the city has
imposed additional labor upon him he
never complains. Since he was old enough
to know the difference between the various
political parties Mr. Kennedy has always
been with the Republicans. Long before he
was of age he was a worker for the older
members of the ward and precinct commit-
tees, and so valuable were his services that
he has been connected with the precinct
committee since he cast his first vote. He
has also served faithfully as secretary of tlie
city committee, and never held an office in
the gift of the people until elected to his
present position. Mr. Kennedy is com-
manding in appearance, popular in every
walk of life and he has a prosperous future
before him.
Painter, Ebenezer Greenough, was born
in Sunbury, Pa., September 26, 1826. He is
a son of Tliomas and Susan (Israel) Painter,
and grandson of John Painter, pioneer of
Northumberland county. His great-grand-
father, with two brothers, immigrated to
America from Germany before the Revolu-
tion, and the grandfather, John Painter,
served as a captain in that struggle for inde-
pendence. The grandfather, John Painter,
married Catherine Taggart, daughter of
David Taggart, of Northumberland, Pa., and
after living sometime in Philadelphia settled
in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland
county. Their children were: Thomas,
Mary, John, Elizabeth, William, Catherine,
Jacob, and Rebecca, all deceased. Thomas
was born in 1785 and after reaching his ma-
jority was for several years clerk in a store
in the town of Northumberland. In 1812-
15 he was sheriff' of the county, and served in
the Legislature in 1822-23. "in 1827, remov-
ing to Bloomsburg, he purchased theColum-
332
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOFEDIA
bia county Register, and conducted that
paper until 1843. He was justice of the
peace in Bloomsburg for about forty years.
His death occurred in February, 1862. In
1812 Mr. Thomas Painter married Susan,
daughter of Gen. Joseph Israel, of Newcastle,
Del., a veteran of the Revolution. The
mother died in Bloomsburg, Columbia
county, in July, 1845 ; her husband survived
until February, 1862, and died in Muncy,
Lycoming county, whither he had removed.
They had sixteen children, eight of whom
grew to maturity. They are Joseph Israel,
born in September, 1813, and died February
8, 1830 ; John, born in 1814, and died in
1890 ; AVilliam P. I., born in 1818, and died
in 1895; Mary Elizabeth, born in 1820;
George Latimer Israel, born September 11,
1822, and died in June, 1893 ; Abigail Green-
ough, born in 1825, and died August 10,
1869; Ebenezer Greenough, born September
26, 1826 ; and Susan Catharine, born Octo-
ber 26, 1831, wife of Eev. William Weaver,
No. 1605 South Broad street, Philadelphia.
Ebenezer G. Painter was educated in the
private schools of Bloomsburg. After leav-
ing school he learned chairmakingand paint-
ing, subsequently he worked for some time
as a carpenter. He left Bloomsburg, and
lived eleven years at Mauch Chunk ; in No-
vember, 1862, he removed to Harrisburg,
where he has resided for thirty-four years.
He was for several years a photographer.
In 1870 he was appointed to the Harrisburg
police force, and served two years as patrol-
man, and two years as lieutenant. At this
writing he is not in any active business.
He was married in Muncy, Lycoming
county. Pa., September 28, 1847, to Elizabeth,
daughter of the Rev. James and Justina
(Grove) Ewing. They had five children,
three of whom died in infancy : a son George,
born July, 1848, died in Boston, Mass., Sep-
tember 30, 1889, at the age of forty-one,
and their only living child is William
H., a prominent dentist, a sketch of whom
follows.
Mr. Painter is a past noble grand of Har-
risburg Lodge, No. 68, Harrisburg Encamp-
ment, and of Daughters of Rebecca, I. 0. 0.
F.; P. C. of K. of P. ; Ex-C. of 0. U. A. M. ;
past officer of Good Templars, Sons of F.
T. of H., and Druids. He has always shown
the deepest interest in the welfare and ad-
vancement of his adopted city. On the
police force he was a model officer, and was
popular, because he was faithful and impar-
tial, performing his duties without fear or
favor.
Dr. William H. Painter, only surviving
son of Ebenezer G. Painter, was born in
Mauch Chunk, Pa., July 4, 1853. When
seven years old, he came with his parents to
Harrisburg, and received his primary educa-
tion in the city schools. He took up the
study of dentistry, and attended the Penn-
sylvania Dental College in Philadelphia, re-
ceiving his degree of D. D. S. in the class of
1881. Including five years of practice pre-
vious to his college course, he has success-
fully practiced his profession for twenty-one
years. He has practiced at Steelton and at
New Cumberland, and since 1881 continu-
ously at Harrisburg. He was married in
Reading, December 23, 1882, to Miss Hattie
B., daughter of Conrad and Sarah (Copp)
Anthony, of Easton Pa. They have three
children: Marion E., Sarah Anthony, and
Eben G., who died December 22, 1894.
Dr. Painter is past noble grand of Peace
and Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. 0. 0. F. ; past
commander of CincinnatusCommandery, No.
96, K. of M. ; past national representative
and past national conductor of Junior 0. U.
A. M. He is an active member and a trustee
of Lady Alpha Lodge, No. 15, Daughters of
America ; and State representative of Junior
0. U. A. M., Capital City Council, No. 327,
since the council was organized, with the
exception of two years, when he was not a
candidate. He was elected State inside sen-
tinel at the Wilkes-Barre session, nineteen
candidates being in the field. He made the
final argument in behalf of the Garb Bill be-
fore the governor and his cabinet. In poli-
tics he is a Republican. The family attend
the Lutheran church.
Mrs. E. G. Painter's father, Rev. James
Ewing, was born in York county. Pa., De-
cember 15, 1786. He was married three
times and was the father of fifteen children.
For fifty years he was in the ministry in the
Methodist Church, and died in Juniata
county, September 22, 1861. His father,
Alexander Ewing, was also a Methodist min,
ister and died in York county, December 21-
1831. James married, first, Miss Prudence
Manifold, March 9, 1812, and they had these
children : Lydia, born December 11, and
died in January, 1813 ; Jane Willson, born
December 11, 1814, and died January, 1888,
was married to Anthony Witman ; Alice,
born November 26, 1816, and died January,
1817; Esther, born January 6, 1818, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
333
married in 1848. He married, secondly,
Miss Justina Grove, daughter of Jacob Grove,
of York county, Pa., in April, 1819, who died
October;i2, 1850. Their children were : John
Wesley, a Methodist minister, born March
25, 1820, and died August 26, 1886, leaving
two children: F. Byron and Elizabeth;
Prudence, wife of A. C. Smith, born August
16, 1821, and died August 26, 1886, leaving
two children : Nerrey and Alice, both mar-
ried; Elizabeth Redman, born November 5,
1822, and died November 2, 1877, wife of E.
G. Painter, whose children were : George Wil-
ber, born in July, 1848, and died September
30, 1889 ; Mary A., born in September, 1849,
and died in July, 1850 ; W. N., born in July,
1853; John B.,born in September, 1854, and
died in September, 1858 ; James Ewing,born
in June, 1856, and died in August, 1857;
Agnes A., born August 22, 1824, and died
September 14, 1851; Alexander Tidings,
minister in Methodist church, born April 25,
1826, and died October 8, 1850 ; James N.,
Methodist minister, born August 19, 1828,
and died in 1895, leaving three children :
Charles, Edward and Emily, all married;
Henry Whitfield, a Methodist minister, born
October 26, 1831, and died June 24, 1854;
Joseph Benson, lawyer, born August, 1834,
and died in February, 1891, married Mary
J. K. Speese and had three children: Helen
M., Joseph G., and one who died in infancy ;
Mary A. Holmes, Port Eoyal, Juniata county.
Pa., born April 3, 1836, wife of George E.
Hencli, deceased ; William McKindra, born
March 14, 1838, and died December 14, 1838 ;
and Wilber Fisk, born October 22, 1840, and
served in the Rebellion. Rev. Ewing mar-
ried, thirdly, in 1851, Miss Elizabeth Jen-
nings, who died May 20, 1873.
Wilson, Thomas, of Scotch-Irish parent-
age, was born in Philadelphia about 1768.
He learned the trade of a printer, was a
gentleman of considerable literary attain-
ments, and wrote freely on the subjects of
his time for the leading newspapers of his
native city. In 1811 he removed to Balti-
more, where he conducted a newspaper. In
defense of that city, when attacked by the
British in 1814, he enlisted as a private in
Capt. James McConkey's company of the
Twenty-seventh regiment of Maryland vol-
unteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Ken-
nedy Long. In 1816 Mr. Wilson returned
to Philadelphia, where he became foreman
on Mr. Duane's newspaper, The Aurora, con-
tributing also to its columns. He died at
Philadelphia about 1828. He married
Lydia Oakford, of English parentage, who
survived her husband several years. Mr.
Wilson was the author of a number of
works, the names of only two, however,
coming to our knowledge, " The Biography
of the Principal Military and Naval Heroes,
comprehending details of their achieve-
ments during the Revolutionary and late
wars," two volumes, published by John
Low, 130 Cherry street. New York, 1821,
and "The Picture of Philadelphia for 1824,"
published by Thomas Town, 38 Chestnut
street, Philadelphia.
Wyeth, John, son of Ebenezer Wyeth,
was born March 31, 1770, at Cambridge,
Mass., and died January 23, 1858, at Phila-
delphia, Pa. He was, at an early age, ap-
prenticed to the printing business, and, on
"reaching his majority, was induced to go to
San Domingo, to superintend a large print-
ing establishment. While there the insur-
rection of the blacks occurred, and all that
he had acquired was lost. It was with great
difficulty that he even succeeded in escaping
from the island, and then only by the con-
nivance of a friend, one of the officers who
assisted in searching the vessels about leav-
ing the port. Dressed as a common sailor
and working among them, he eluded their
vigilance, and subsequently reached Phila-
delphia. Arriving at Philadelphia, he
worked some time in the different printing
establishments there, and, in 1792, went to
Harrisburg, Pa., where, in connection with
John Allen, he purchased the paper started
the previous year by Maj. Eli Lewis, and
commenced the publication of the Oracle of
Dauphin, a newspaper he successfully car-
ried on until November, 1827. Mr. Wyeth's
paper supported the Federal views of that
great party during the whole course of its
existence. Its columns were open, never-
theless, to the communications of all. In
those days, before the principles of Republi-
can rule were fully digested, many a ner-
vous essay was put forth on either side of
the question by able men of both parties.
He was appointed postmaster of Harrisburg
in October, 1793, under the administration
of President Washington, of which he was a
strenuous advocate and admirer. He was
removed in July, 1798, by Mr. Adams' Post-
master General, on account of "the incom-
patability of the office of postmaster and the
334
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
editor of a newspaper." In connection with
his newspaper, Mr. Wyeth established a
bookstore and a publishing house, from
which he issued a large number of books,
the most notable of which were: Judge
Henry's " Narrative of the Quebec Expedi-
tion," Graydon's "Memoirs," and a music
book compiled by himself. The circulation
of the latter, for that early day, was wonder-
ful, its several editions aggregating one hun-
dred and t\yenty thousand copies. To this
he supplernented a second part, intended
especially for the Methodist Church, of
which there were published about twenty-
five thousand. He was one of H arrisburg's
most energetic citizens, and was deeply in-
terested in its prosperity and welfare. He
caused the construction of several valuable
improvements, which remain as evidence of
his enterprising spirit and good judgment.
He was one of the earliest friends of the
Harrisburg Academy, and served as a
trustee, of which body he was also president.
Upon his retirement from publisher, he re-
moved to Philadelphia, where he died at the
advanced age of eighty-eight years. His
life, thus prolonged, was marked by affa-
bility and cheerfulness, and his philosophy
was of practical character. He was exceed-
ingly industrious, and, whilst in business,
could always find something for his hands
to do, and in later life, when the concerns
of his printing office were transferred to
younger hands, he knew how to divide his
time between his reading and his social
pleasures. Mr. Wyeth was twice married ;
married, first, June 6, 1793, Louisa Weiss,
born April 29, 1775; died June 1, 1822, at
Harrisburg, Pa.; daughter of Lewis and
Mary Weiss, of Philadelphia.
MowEY, Charles, was born in Litchfield,
Providence county, R. I., in 1777. He re-
ceived a classical education, and came to
Pennsylvania about 1800, and engaged in
teaching. In 1808 he began the publication
of the Temperate Zone, at Downingtown,
Chester county. This was subsequently
changed to the American Republican, and
Mr. Mowry continued its publication until
1821, when he came to liarrisburg in the in-
terest of William Findlay, who was a candi-
date for governor of Pennsylvania for a
second term, and became editor of the Penn-
sylvania Intelligencer, previously the Harris-
burg Republican. This paper he eventually
disposed of to Gen. Simon Cameron, who
had been associated with him as co-partner
in its management, in order that he might
assume the duties of canal commissioner, to
which he had been appointed by Governor
Shulze. During his career as editor he ac-
quired considerable celebrity as a political
writer, and exercised a marked infiuence
upon the policy of his party. He died at
Harrisburg, July 29, 1838. He married,
March 31, 1812,' Mary Richmond, daughter
of George Richmond, of Sadsbury township.
Chester county. She died March 28, 1862,
aged seventy-six years.
Peacock, Jambs, the eldest son of Will-
iam Peacock and Mary McArthur, of Scotch-
Irish ancestry, was born in Paxtaug town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., April 8, 1788.
His education was in a great measure due to
his mother's care and tuition, with self-ap-
plication in after years. At the age of
fifteen he began to learn the printing busi-
ness with Mr. Edward Cole, of Lewistown,
where he remained until 1807, when he
went to Lancaster to work on the Intelli-
gencer. In 1809 he was employed by the
celebrated John Binns, of Philadelphia, on
book work, and subsequently by Mr. Dinnie
on the Port Folio. While in the latter es-
tablishment he became intimate with quite
a number of the literati of that period, and
concerning whom he has left some interest-
ing " Reminiscences." In 1811 Mr. Peacock
returned to Lancaster, and from thence
came to Harrisburg, where, in December of
that year, he started the Pennsylvania Repub-
lican, which he continued to publish for
about eight or nine years, in the meantime
being one of the printers to the Senate and
House. In December, 1821, he was em-
ployed as an assistant clerk of the Senate,
and in March, 1822, received the appoint-
ment of postmaster at Harrisburg in place
of Mrs. Wright, who had recently deceased,
an office he held under difi"erent national
administrations until the 15th of Novem-
ber, 1846. In December, 1847, he removed
to Philadelphia, where he became identified
with the publication of the Evening Bulle-
tin, Tlie Sun and Neal's Saturday Gazette,
which he managed with all the tact and
skill of his early years, relinquishing his
labors only a brief time prior to his death.
He died in the city of Philadelphia on the
23d of August, 1863, and is interred in the
Harrisburg cemetery. Mr. Peacock was
twice married — first to Frances C, daughter
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
335
of Matthias Slough and Mary Gibson, of
Lancaster, who died October 27, 1837; a-nd,
secondly, to Mrs. Louisa V. Sims, of Mount
Holly, N. J., who died in 1869. Mr. Pea-
cock was ever held in high esteem by the
citizens of Harrisburg, whether as journalist,
or his occupancy of the postoffice for a
quarter of a century. He always took an
active part in public afifairs, and was largely
instrumental in organizing St. Stephen's
Episcopal church, in which there has been
erected a tablet to his memory. He was a
gentleman of dignified manners, of refined
culture, and a sincere Christian.
Wilson, Thomas Low, the son of Thomas
Wilson and Lydia Oakford, was born in
Philadelphia, Pa., March 26, 1800. He
learned the art of printing with his father,
who was a prominent craftsman in his day.
In 1811 his parents removed to Baltimore,
where in the defense of that city both father
and son enlisted as privates in Capt. James
McConkey 's company. Twenty -seventh Mary-
land regiment. In 1816 the family returned
to Philadelphia, where both Wilsons worked
on Mr. Duane's Aurora. Subsequently the
son went to Washington City to work on the
National Intelligencer. In 1828 he published
the Intelligencer, Petersburg, Va., where in
connection he printed the Lynchburg Demo-
crat in 1837. In 1838, on the recommenda-
tion of the veteran editor, Ritchie, he came
to Harrisburg as editor of the Reporter, to
combat the errors of the Anti-Masonic party.
Upon the return of the Democracy to power
Mr. Wilson was chosen secretary to the
board of canal commissioners, a position he
occupied almost uninterruptedly until the
abolishment of the canal department in
1859. He served during this period one year
as collector of tolls at Middletown and one
year as deputy secretary of the Common-
wealth at the close of Governor Porter's ad-
ministration. He died at Harrisburg, Feb-
ruary 28, 1861. Mr. Wilson married, May
6, 1824, Juliana Margaretta Bender, of
Washington City. A gentleman prominent
in public affairs thus summarizes the char-
acter of Mr. Wilson : " He was an honest
man, one of that stern, inflexible, and un-
bending old school integrity, which made
him die a poor man rather than become a
party to unholy plunder from the coffers of
the Commonwealth."
Keause, David, son of David Krause and
Regina Orth, was born November 2, 1800, in
Lebanon, Pa.; died June 13, 1871, in Norris-
town, Pa. He was educated under Rev. Mr.
Ernst, of the Lutheran church of Lebanon,
and subsequently studied law with Hon.
Jonathan Walker, of Pittsburgh, and there
admitted to the bar. He returned to Leb-
anon and began practice. He went to Har-
risburg as the private secretary of Governor
Shulze, and was admitted to the Dauphin
courts, August 15, 1825. He was appointed
deputy attorney general in August, 1826,
and re appointed in 1829. From 1825 to
1826, with Gen. Simon Cameron, he pub-
lished and edited the Pennsylvania Intelli-
gencer. He was elected a member of the
House of Representatives in 1835 and 1836.
On the election of Governor Porter, in 1839,
he took editorial charge of the State Journal,
which he conducted with much ability. In
January, 1845, a vacancy occurring in the
Montgomery and Bucks county judicial dis-
trict, Mr. Krause was appointed to the bench.
He filled the position acceptably and honor-
ably, but in 1851, when the judiciary became
elective, he positively declined the office.
He then retired to private life. In 1862, and
again in 1863, upon the invasion of Pennsyl-
vania by the Confederates, he volunteered as
a private soldier in the Pennsylvania militia,
although then in the sixty-third year of his
age. Judge Krause married, in September,
1826, Catharine Orr, of Philadelphia, born
September, 1800 ; died December, 1875, at
Norristown, Pa.
Hamilton, Adam Boyd, was born in Har-
risburg, September 18, 1808, son of Hugh
Hamilton, who was a son of Capt. John
Hamilton and of Rosanna Boyd, only child
of Adam Boyd. Both these ancestors were
purchasers of property in 1785, both erected
substantial brick mansions, and both died
and are buried at Harrisburg. The subject
of this notice received his first school train-
ing under Misses Graham and Smith, at
Second and Mulberry streets, Charles Still,
Maginnes, Birkman, Hamilton, Tod, Davies.
Most of his time was devoted to picking up
the trade of printer in his father's establish-
ment, the Harrisburg Chronicle. At this
early period two late chief justices of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Messrs.
Lewis and Thompson, were employed there,
as well as many other gentlemen who rose
336
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
to social and political positions. Having
been carefully trained as a printer, after
leaving the Harrisburg Academy he was ap-
pointed to a position in the engineer corps
of the Juniata division of the State works,
under DeWitt Clinton, Jr., as chief. The
partner of his father having died, he re-
turned to Harrisburg and became partner in
the Chronicle, where he continued until that
paper was disposed of to other parties. He
was chosen, when scarcely of voting age,
one of the printers to the Legislature. After
spending a couple of years in an unsuccess-
ful business venture in the South, he re-
turned to Harrisburg, and shortly after ap-
pointed to a position at Washington City ;
resigned, taking control of the Pennsylvania
Reporter, at Harrisburg ; after a year or two
was unanimously chosen assistant clerk of
the Senate, resigning that, and becoming
joint partner in the Pennsylvanian at Phila-
delphia with Mifflin, Parry, Joseph Neal, J.
W. Forney and S. D. Patterson. When that
venture closed, became, under the contract
law, printer to both houses of Congress, and
at the repeal of that law, which carried his
contract with it, came to Pennsylvania.
Again became printer to the State until
1861, when he retired from that business and
became an agriculturist. He has held many
municipal oflBces — a school director for
twelve years ; president of the select council,
and one of the commissioners of 1860, and
of a subsequent one in 1870, to make a plot
of the city of Harrisburg ; president of the
Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, the
Dauphin County Society; at present a trustee
of the Harrisburg Academy, secretary of
the board of managers of the Harrisburg
Hospital from the first meeting on the sub-
ject in 1872, president of the board of trustees
of Derry Presbyterian church, and the only
president the Dauphin County Historical
Society has had since its formation.
Weir, James Wallace, son of Samuel
Weir, who served as an officer in the war of
the Revolution, was born August 9, 1805, at
Harrisburg, Pa.; died March 14, 1878. He
received a good education, excelled as a
scholar, and his taste for study and reading
drew him toward tlie printing office. He
learned the art with John S. Wiestling, and,
after his apprenticeship, spent some time in
the printing house of the Messrs. Johnson,
of Philadelphia. On November 26, 1833,
having been chosen teller of the Harrisburg
Bank, he accepted the position, holding it
until October 30, 1844, when he was chosen
cashier of the bank. When the institution
became a national bank in 1874, he was
unanimously elected its cashier, which office
he held until his death, a period of over forty-
four years. As a bank officer and a financier
he gained an enviable distinction for his
uniform courtesy, for unimpeachable integ-
rity, and for ability of the highest order.
Few bankers in the Commonwealth can pre-
sent a record equal to his in years of service,
in successful administration of affairs through
financial trouble, and for such rigid honesty.
But not alone as a banker was he distin-
guished. He . was gifted with rare social
qualities and a graceful wit, which made him
one of the most companionable of men. In
movements for the reformation of society he
was always foremost, not only giving his
time and labor, but contributing freely of his
means to the accomplishment of what he
thought a philanthropic purpose. To the
poor and lowly he was always a kind and
true friend, and his charities, though not os-
tentatious, were made with a free and open
hand. His literary taste and ability were of
high order, and lie frequently wrote for the
press; was the author of several religious
tracts published by the American Sunday-
school Union. In 1838 appeared a small
volume, " Manual of Prayer," which was pub-
lished with an introduction by Rev. Albert
Barnes, of Philadelphia. In 1854 "The
Closet Companion " appeared and passed
through several editions. After his death
" Home Worship," a book of prayer for the
family circle, was published. In the Presby-
terian church, of which he was nearly forty-
four years an elder, as superintendent of the
Sabbath-school for a similar period, and in
every walk and pursuit in life he was active,
energetic, consistent, pure in character and
lofty in purpose. Mr. Weir married Mrs.
Hanna A. (Fahnestock) Mahany, who died
February, 1872.
Wyeth, Francis, was born April 5, 1806,
at Harrisburg, Pa., and died there July 2,
1893. He was educated at the Harrisburg
Academy, ajid learned the art of printing in
his father's office, subsequently entering
Jefferson College, Canonsburg, from which
institution he graduated in November, 1827.
On his return home his father, who had con-
ducted the Oracle of Dauphin thirty-five
years, transferred that paper to his son, which
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
337
he edited and published several years. He
also entered into the business of bookseller
and publisher. At the time Mr. Wveth took
charge of the Oracle the Whig party had just
come into existence, of whose principles and
policy he was an entlmsiastic supporter.
Becoming, however, tired of an editor's life,
he sold out the newspaper establishment
about 1831, continuing his other business
until 1859, when he disposed of that. In
April, 1861, at the outbreak of the Rebellion,
he was placed in charge of the quarter-
master's department at Camp Curtin, where
he continued until the General Government
assumed control over all the military organ-
izations of the State. On the 20th of July,
1862, Governor Curtin appointed him one of
the commissioners from Pennsylvania to
visit all the hospitals in the Army of the
Potomac, in the interest of the volunteer
soldiers of the State, who were sick or
wounded, and, as the commission reads, " to
supply the wants of the suffering and needy
as far as lies in your power, without infring-
ing on any of the regulations or rights
of the army, and assure each and all that
their condition awakens the liveliest interest
and sympathy of the people and Governor
of Pennsylvania." Returning home, he re-
ported the condition of the wounded soldiers
with this recommendation, that where it is
possible " those from Pennsylvania be trans-
ferred to hospitals in their own State, that
they might be near to their friends and ac-
quaintances." This was, subsequently, car-
ried out during the continuance of the war.
On November 28, 1863, he was again directed
to visit the various hospitals. For a long
term of years he was one of the trustees of
the Harrisburg Academy, and president of
the same. Mr. Wyeth was twice married ;
married, first. May 29, 1829, Susan Huston
Maxwell, died December 24, 1841, daughter
of William and Ann Maxwell, of Franklin
county, Pa., and left three sons. Mr. Wyeth
married, secondly, Sarah C. Carson, who sur-
vives, daughter of Charles Carson, of Harris-
burg, Pa.; and left one son.
WiESTLiNG, George P., son of Dr. Samuel
Christopher, was born May 4, 1808, in Pax-
tang, now Susquehanna township, Dauphin
county, Pa., and died May 31, 1883, at Har-
risburg, Pa. He was educated in the schools
of the borough and the Harrisburg Academy.
He learned the art of printing with his
brother, John S. Wiestling, who edited and
published the Pennsylvania Intelligencer. He
afterwards worked as a compositor in the
different newspaper oflfices at the State capi-
tal. About the year 1842 he established
himself in the wood and coal trade, in which
he continued down through life, being one
of the first to engage in it. For a period of
fifty years he was leader of the Reformed
church choir. Having a love for music,
and being endowed with fine talents in that
direction, he took special delight in their
cultivation. He was an active member of
the church with which he so long identified
himself as its musical leader, and for forty-
four years an elder. He was faithful to
every trust, honest and upright in all his
dealings with the world, earnest and sincere
in every good work, and his memory will
remain green in the hearts of those who
honor him. Mr. Wiestling married Mar-
garet Berryhill, daughter of Samuel Berry-
hill.
Clyde, John Joseph, son of Thomas
Clyde (1788-1821) and Mary Dentzel (1789-
1845), was born December 14, 1813, in Me-
chanicsburg, Cumberland county. Pa. He
was educated in the schools of Harrisburg,
and learned the trade of bookbinder. In
1834 he established himself in business in
Brownsville, Fayette cpunty, Pa., and two
years after started the Fayette Journal, which
he continued for three years. In 1840 re-
turned to Harrisburg and purchased the
bindery of Samuel H. Clark, connecting a
bookstore therewith. In 1849 he was elected
treasurer of the county of Dauphin, and in
1851 started the Whig State Journal. The
year following purchased the Pennsylvania
Intelligencer, uniting it with the Journal. In
1853 sold the establishment to John J. Pat-
terson, and commenced the publication of
the Chrystal Fountain. The same year
bought one-third interest in the Pennsyl-
vania Telegraph, which in 1855 he sold to
Mr. Bergner. During the Presidential cam-
paign of 1856 he published the American.
The same year started the Daily Herald,
which was continued until 1858, when he
sold to 0. Barrett and entered the service of
the Lebanon Valley railroad as its agent.
Mr. Clyde married first, in 1884, Eraehne
Harvey, born 1811, in Perry county. Pa.,
died April, 1870, at Harrisburg, daughter of
John and Mary Harvey, and their children
were: Virginia D., Joanna H., Mary A.,
Thomas H., Olive L., John Joseph, Edward
338
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
W., Harvey E., and Annie C. He married,
secondly, Mrs. Eliza (Jacobs) Cornyn, of
Harrisburg, now deceased.
Bergner, George, was a native of the vil-
lage of Neunkirchen, a few miles distant
from the free city of Bremen, in the kingdom
of Hanover, where he was born on June 6,
1818. He came to America at the age of
twelve years, and reaching Reading, Pa., he
apprenticed himself to Engelman, a printer
and a well-known almanac-maker, with
whom he served his time. In 1834 he came
to Harrisburg and worked as a compositor
on the different German newspapers and
journals. In 1838 he was sent by the execu-
tive committee of the Anti-Masonic party to
Somerset, Pa., to publish a German campaign
paper, and during the Harrison campaign
was sent on a similar service to New Bloom-
field, Perry county. In 1841 he purchased
the Vaterland Waechter of his former em-
ployer, Mr. Ehrenfried. During the Know-
Nothing campaign of 1854 he published the
American, in opposition to the tenets of that
then dominant party. The following year
he purchased the Telegraph, which he soon
established on a successful and permanent
basis. From 1857 to his death he was the
publisher of the Legislative Record.. In 1861
Mr. Bergner was appointed by President
Lincoln postmaster at Harrisburg. He was
removed by President Johnson in 1866, but
upon the election of President Grant he was
reappointed to the position, an office he held
at the time of his death. During the Re-
bellion his pen and his purse were at the
service of the Union, while he himself went
out as a private soldier in the First regiment,
Pennsylvania militia, during the invasion of
the State in 1862. Mr. Bergner's life was an
active one, and yet apart from his own busi-
ness affairs and official position, much of his
time was given to the public. For many
years he was one of the inspectors of the
Dauphin county prison, was a trustee of the
State Lunatic Asylum, vice-president of the
Penns3dvania Agricultural Society, bank di-
rector, etc. His business career was a very
successful one. He died at Harrisburg, after
a very brief illness, August 5, 1874, aged fifty-
six years.
RiNGLAND, John, was born January 9,
1825, in Middletown, Pa., where he now re-
sides. He was educated in the common
schools of Middletown. At the age of fifteen
he entered the Examiner and Herald office at
Lancaster to learn the art of printing, with
R. White Middleton, who afterwards sold
the office and removed to Carlisle, where he
purchased the Carlisle Herald, John accom-
panying him, as also back again to Lan-
caster, when he sold out the Herald, and
purchased the Lancaster Union. Here he
remained until 1845. In 1846 Mr. Ring-
land commenced the study of medicine with
Dr. Benjamin J. Wiestling, of Middletown,
and graduated from the medical department
of the University of Pennsylvania in 1850.
He located at Portsmouth, now Middletown,
where he entered upon the practice of medi-
cine ; but was subsequently compelled to re-
linquish it, owing to impaired hearing. In
the fall of 1852 he engaged in the lumber
business at New Cumberland, in which he
continued until the spring of 1855, when he
returned to Middletown, and established
himself in the drug business. In 1860 he
was elected recorder of deeds and clerk of
the .orphans' court of Dauphin county, and
re-elected in 1863. While in Portsmouth,
in 1850, a postoffice was established there,
and Dr. Ringland appointed postmaster.
He has served as justice of the peace, was
census enumerator in 1870, and filled vari-
ous borough offices. Dr. Ringland married,
in 1850, Margaret E. Smith, daughter of
Henry Smith, of Middletown.
Egle, William Henry, was born Sep-
tember 17, 1830, in Harrisburg, Pa., and the
fifth in the line of descent from the original
emigrant, Marcus Egle. His ancestors set-
tled in Pennsylvania prior to 1740, coming
on the one side from the Canton of Zurich,
Switzerland, and on the other from Palati-
nate, Germany. A great-great-grandfather
served as an officer in the French and Indian
wars; his paternal grand and great-grand-
fathers served in the war of the Revolution,
while his materal grandfather served in the
war of 1812-14. His parents were John
Egle and Elizabeth von Treupel, both natives
of Pennsylvania. The father dying when
the son was four years of age, the latter made
his home with his paternal grandmother.
He was educated in the public and private
schools of Harrisburg, and at the Harrisburg
Military Institute, under the famed Capt.
Alden Partridge. In 1848 he was tendered
the appointment of midshipman in the
United States navy, but declined the honor.
At the close of his school life he spent three
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
339
years in the office of the Pennsylvania Tele-
graph, during most of which time he was
foreman of the establishment, subsequently
having charge of the State printing, which
was done in the office. In 1853 he under-
took the editorship of the Literary Companion
as well as the Daily Times ; the latter after-
wards merged into one of the newspaper
ventures of Harrisburg. In 1854 and the
following year he was an assistant teacher
in the boys' school, and part of the time
mailing clerk in the postoffice, which latter
position he held until the fall of 1857, when
he resigned to enter the medical department
of the University of Pennsylvania, from
which institution he was graduated in
March, 1859. The same year he established
himself at Harrisburg, and was in the prac-
tice of his profession there, when, in 1862,
after the battles of Chantilly and the second
Bull Run, he went to Washington in response
to a telegram from Adjutant General Russell,
of Pennsylvania, to assist in the care of the
wounded. In September of that year he
was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
Ninety-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, and arrived at his post on the eve of the
battle of Antietam. During the progress of
that battle he was ordered to the field hos-
pital for duty, where he remained several
days. In the summer of 1863, during the
Gettysburg campaign, he was appointed
surgeon of the Forty-seventh regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteer militia. At the
close of service with the latter command, he
resumed his profession, but, in August, 1864,
accepted the appointment by President Lin-
coln of surgeon of volunteers, and was
ordered to Camp Nelson, Ky., to examine
the colored regiments then being raised in
that State. He was subsequently detailed
with the battalion under Col. James S.
Brisbin and Col. James F. Wade in the
famous attempt by Gen. Burbridge to destroy
the salt works in Southwestern Virginia.
Upon his return from that ill-fated expedi-
tion, he was ordered to the department of
the James, under General Butler, as surgeon
of the One Hundred and Sixteenth United
States colored infantry. Subsequently as-
signed to the Twenty-fourth army corps as
executive medical officer. Gen. Wm. Birney's
division ; he accompanied th at division d uring
the Petersburg and Appomattox campaigns.
Upon the return from that duty he was or-
dered to Texas, with General Jackson's divis-
ion, as chief medical officer and stationed at
Roma, on the Rio Grande, until December,
1865, when he resigned the service and re-
turned home, partly resuming the practice
of his profession. In 1867 Dr. Egle was
appointed an examiner for pensions, a posi-
tion he retained four years. For twenty
years he was annually elected physician to
the Dauphin county prison, which he re-
signed in March, 1887, when Governor
Beaver appointed him State librarian, the
Senate promptly confirming the nomination.
Governor Pattison re-appointed him in 1891
and again in March, 1894, and he was con-
firmed by the Senate and coftimissioned by
Governor Hastings. The present effective-
ness of the Pennsylvania State Library, in
the front rank of the best libraries in Amer-
ica, is largely due to Dr. Egle's management
and has been greatly appreciated by students
at large.
Upon the organization of the National
Guard in 1870 Dr. Egle was appointed sur-
geon-in-chief of the Fifth division, with rank
of lieutenant colonel, and subsequently, in
the consolidation of the commands, was
transferred to the Eighth regiment. As a
medical officer he was on duty during the
so-called " Sawdust War " of 1871 and the
railroad riots of 1877, as well as the Home-
stead fiasco of 1892. In ] 885 Dr. Egle was
commissioned surgeon-in-chief of the Third
brigade, which militarj^ position he now
holds. He is the senior medical officer of
the National Guard of Pennsylvania, hav-
ing passed his twenty -sixth year of service
with the Guard.
Acquiring an early taste for historical re-
search, during the relaxation from profes-
sional duties, when he retured from the army
in December, 1865, he commenced the prep-
aration of his History of Pennsylvania, pub-
lished in 1876, a bi-centennial edition in
1883, and of which fifteen thousand copies
were sold. Principally among his historical
publications are the Historical Register, two
volumes (1883-1884); History of the County
of Dauphin (1883) ; History of the County
of Lebanon (1883); Centennial County of
Dauphin and City of Harrisburg (1886);
Pennsylvania Genealogies, chiefly Scotch-
Irish and German (1886, reprint 1896); Har-
risburg-on-the-Susquehanna (1892); Notes
and Queries, historical, biographical and
genealogical ; relating to the interior of Penn-
sylvania; first and second series, two vol-
umes (1878-1882, reprint two volumes
1894-1895); third series, two volumes (1887-
340
BIOGRAPBIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1891, reprint 1895-1896, three volumes);
fourth series, two volumes (1891-1895). He
has also written a large number of biographi-
cal sketches of prominent Pennsylvanians,
at least two hundred of which were furnished
Appleton's Encyclopedia of Biography, and
also biographical sketches of the members
of the Constitutional Convention of 1776,
and of the delegates to the Pennsylvania
convention to ratify the Constitution of the
United States, published in the Pennsyl-
vania Magazine of History. Dr. Egle was
co-editor of the Pennsylvania Archives,
second series, volumes I. to XII.; editor of
the same series, volumes XIII. to XIX., and
also of the third series, now passing through
the press. The most valuable' of these are
those relating to the services of the Pennsyl-
vania Line of the Revolution.
Lafayette College in 1878 conferred upon
Dr. Egle the honorary degree of A. M., ap-
preciative of his services in American his-
tory. He has also been honored by election
a corresponding member of a number of his-
torical societies of the United States as well
as of several learned societies in France and
England. He was one of the founders and
the first presiding officer of the Pennsyl-
vania-German Societ}-, and by virtue of his
services in the Rebellion is a member of the
military order of the Loyal Legion, the So-
ciety of the Army of the Potomac, and of
the Grand Army of the Republic. Through
his eligibility from an original member of
the Cincinnati, he is a member of the State
Society of Pennsylvania, is a member of the
Society of Colonial Wars, a member of the
Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolu-
tion, Society of the War of 1812-14, and of
the Society of Foreign Wars. In addition
Dr. Egle preserves his membership with the
Dauphin County Medical Society, State
Medical Society, is a member of the Academy
of Medicine at Harrisburg, and an active
member of the Association of Military Sur-
geons of the United States.
Smull, John Augustus, the second son of
John Smull and Harriet Pauli, was born at
Harrisburg, Pa., September 1, 1832. Mr.
SmuU's parents came to Harrisburg shortly
after their marriage, and there all their chil-
dren were born. The death of John's father,
in 1841, left his widowed mother dependent
upon her own exertions and those of the
eldest son, Le Van, who was then in his
fourteenth year. An acquaintance with a
number of members of the Legislature em-
boldened her to secure a position for him
which would, in some' measure, aid in her
maintenance. Le Van was appointed page
to the speaker, the first one known to the
legislative body. In the spring of 1848 John
was tendered the appointment of a midship-
man in the United States navy, and would
have accepted the position but for the op-
position of his mothar. Shortly after he
concluded to learn the art of printing, and
apprenticed himself at the Telegraph, then
under the editorial supervision of Theo.
Fenn, Esq., a noted journalist at that daj'.
On the 14th of April, 1849, Le Van Smull
died, and the vacant position of page was
secured for his brother John, then in his
seventeenth year. In 1861 the office of res-
ident clerk was created. The duties of this
position were multiform, not onl}' during the
session of the Legislature, but in the recess.
With an energy and industry most remark-
able, affairs in this department were so
systematically arranged that everything went
as clock work. He could tell everything
relating to legislation, the progress of each
bill, and to all inquiries would give the most
satisfactory replies, his memory being un-
usually retentive. During the closing days
of the session he was ready for all queries as
to the status of every species of legislation
before the House, so familiar did he make
himself with whatever appertained to the
business of the Assembly. For a number of
years Matthias' and Ziegler's Manuals were
the guide books of legislative practice. In
1867 Mr. Smull enlarged the ordinary Direc-
tory and Rules of the General Assembly by
the compilation of the " Legislative Hand-
Book," which has been published annually
since 1873 as a State document. A vade
mecum of information relative to the official
life of the Commonwealth, it is the book of
reference for all knowledge thereof. The
work has been imitated in other States, and
even by the National Government, but none
of them can be compared to "SmuU's Hand-
Book" in usefulness. The necessities of
legislation required the compilation of the
work, and it is this necessity which perpetu-
ates the labors of the lamented editor.
The duties of Mr. SmuU's official position
did by no means prevent him from taking
an active interest in every public enterprise,
and the citizens of his native town hold him
in grateful remembrance for the energy he
displayed in contributing to the advancement
WIEN FORNEY.
CLARENCE E. SPAYD
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
343
of its industrial and business enterprises.
He was largely instrumental in the erection
of the city passenger railwaj', of which he
was a director and secretary from the date of
its organization. He was secretary of the
Harrisburg Cemetery Association, and presi-
dent of the Harrisburg Brick and Tile Com-
pany. He was largely interested in several
land and building associations, the Harris-
burg car works, Farmers' Bank, and a mem-
ber of the Fort Hunter road commission.
He served many years as one of the inspec-
tors of tlie Dauphin county prison and was
the efficient secretary of the board ; was vice-
president of the Pennsylvania Agricultural
Society, in the management of which he took
an active part, being a working member of
committees at all annual exhibitions the past
fifteen years. The foregoing are only a few
of the enterprises and institutions in which
Mr. Smull was prominent. Others equally
as important found in him an able advocate
and friend.
On Wednesday, July 9, 1879, he left home
for Asbury Park, in the hope of recuperating
his lost energies, with the intention of stop-
ping over at Philadelphia until Thursday
noon. The day and night were exceedingly
warm, and whatever may have been the
cause, the next morning he was found dead
in his bed. The announcement of the death
of John A. Smull was received with sorrow
at Harrisburg and elsewhere, for, as Colonel
McClure fitly said in his editorial, "many a
good and prominent citizen of Pennsylvania
could have been better spared than John A.
Smull, and his sudden death will carry grief
to every part of the State." So widely known
was he that not a newspaper in the Common-
wealth but had some tender expression of re-
gret over his death. At the following session
of the Legislature memorial services were
held, and several eulogistic addresses were
delivered concerning the deceased parlia-
mentarian, and the House of Representatives
unanimously ordered a memorial volume to
be published comprising a biography of Mr.
Smull and the proceedings had in that body
relating thereto. Mr. Smull never married,
and at his death his estate went to a cousin,
who died shortly after, and to his brother,
William Pauli Smull.
Sanderson, Alfred, is a native of the
Cumberland Valley. His father, the late
George Sanderson, was the second owner and
editor of the Carlisle American Volunteer,
succeeding the late William B. Underwood
in 1836, and continuing with it until 1845.
In 1849 he removed to Lancaster, having
purchased the Intelligencer, of which journal
he was the owner and editor for fifteen years,
and for over ten years was mayor of Lan-
caster. His son Alfred was educated in the
public schools of Carlisle and Lancaster and
then learned the trade of a printer in the
office of his father. In the month of August,
1864, he assisted in the establishment of the
Daily Intelligencer, his associates being John
M. Cooper, Henry G. Smith and William A.
Morton. Subsequently he became associated
with the late Hon. J. Lawrence Getz in the
publication of the Reading Gazette and was
for a time editor of the Pottsville Standard.
In 1879 he assumed editorial control of the
Shippensburg. Chronicle, with which he re-
mained for nearly three years. Pie was also
connected with the Harrisburg Star and Star-
Independent for over seven years. He has
also written much for the Harrisburg Tele-
graph and other papers, and his nom deplume
of " The Old Fellow " is a familiar one to
the people of the Capital city. For some
time past he has been associated with the
Rev. Dr. Swallow in the editorial conduct of
the Pennsylvania Methodist, and his Rambler
sketches are very popular with the readers of
that paper. He is a strong, fiuent and versa-
tile writer, and there are few men better
known in the editorial profession of Penn-
sylvania than Alfred Sanderson.
Forney, Wien, was born in the city of
Lancaster, June 30, 1826, and began to learn
the trade of a printer in the office of the Lan-
caster Intelligencer when his cousin, the late
Col. John W. Forney, was its editor and pro-
prietor, and finished his apprenticeship on
the Lancaster Examiner, under the late Ed-
ward C. Darlington, a noted editor of the
past. Subsequently he worked at case in
Philadelphia, New York and other large
cities. Among his fellow-compositors were
Bayard Taylor and the famous " Mike "
Walsh, who was a member of Congress from
New York City more than forty years ago.
In 1845 Mr. Forney was employed on the
Washington Union, the organ of President
Polk's administration, and of which the late
Thomas Ritchie was the editor. "Father"
Ritchie was the founder of the Richmond En-
quirer and was the contemporary and per-
sonal friend of many of the eminent states-
men of a half and three-quarters of a century
26
344
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ago. Mr. Forney was the first to collate
news of a local nature for the Washington
papers. In those days the Union and the
old National Intelligencer were filled with
editorials frequently columns in length, and
with congressional proceedings and foreign
news. Mr. Forney subsequently went to
Philadelphia and became connected with the
Pennsylvanian when it was published by
Forney & Hamilton. In 1850 he went to
Towanda, Bradford county, M'here he estab-
lished and edited the North Pennsylvanian,
which he started in opposition to the views
of the late David Wilmot, who up to that
time had been a pronounced and leading
Democrat. This enterprise did not succeed
and in about a year he returned to Phila-
delphia.
For a short time he was associated with
William V. McKean in the editorship of the
Pennsylvanian, Colonel Forney having retired
when he was elected clerk of the House of
Representatives at Washington. Then for
two or three years he was a clerk in the Phil-
adelphia postoffice under the late John Mil-
ler, but still wrote for the press. In 1855, in
connection with Henry Hayes, he established
the Bellefonte -DemoCT'aiic Watchman, oi which
P. Gray Meek, the surveyor of the port of
Philadelphia, is the present editor and pro-
prietor. With this paper he remained until
1857, and the next year started the Central
Press in the same town. In 1859 he went to
Washington to accept a position in the
House Library, and at the same time did
considerable work for the 'New York Herald
and other papers. In 1860 he went to Har-
risburg at the earnest solicitation of General
Cameron to take charge of the editorial
columns of the Telegraph, and when Mr.
Lincoln was elected President he went back
to Washington and remained there during
the exciting winter of 1860-61 as a corres-
pondent for several papers, and was also
connected with the House Library. He re-
turned to Harrisburg after the inauguration
of Mr. Lincoln, and resumed the editorship
of the Telegraph, in which position he re-
mained for six years. Then he became one
of the editors and publishers of the State
Guard, the firm being Levi Kauffman, Wien
Forney and Isaac B. Gara.
When this paper suspended he became
editor of the State Guard, which was owned
by the late Benjamin Singerly, who was the
uncle of William M. Singerly, of the Record.
Under both administrations of Governor
Curtin he was State librarian, as well as dur-
ing the first term of Governor Geary. When
the Harrisburg Independent was founded by
E. Z. Wallower in 1876 he was its first editor.
On this paper he remained for a year or two
and then again resumed the editorship of the
Telegraph, with which he remained until it
passed into the hands of Thomas F. Wilson.
Then for a short time he edited a daily
paper at Steelton, but since 1883 has been
the editor of the Independent until its con-
solidation in 1891 with the Star by the Hon.
B. F. Meyers, and held the same position on
the Star-Independent until the spring of 1896
when he retired from newspaper work.
Mr. Forney was an indefatigable worker
and versatile writer. His style was bold and
fearless, he was always abreast the times, and
his editorials were read with avidity. Socially
he is a most delightful conversationalist, and
his reminiscences of the men and times of the
past are interesting, instructive and valuable.
At the age of three score and ten he retains
much of the vivacity and sprightliness of
youth, his eye is still bright, his step elastic
and his general health continues good.
Few of the Pennsylvania editors of the past
or present generation have had so varied, in-
teresting and eventful an experience as Wien
Forney.
Meybks, Hon. Benjamin F., lawyer and
journalist, was born July 6, 1833, in Somerset
county, Pa. He was educated at the Somerset
Academy and Jefferson College, Canonsburg,
Pa. In 1853 he was made principal of a select
school at Somerset. In 1854 he was married
to Miss Susan C.Koontz, of Somerset, and soon
after removed to Bloomington, 111., where he
engaged in journalism, one of his first ex-
periences there being the reporting of a
speech delivered at Bloomington by Stephen
A. Douglas, on the Kansas-Nebraska bill.
The climate did not agree with him, and in
one year he returned to his native county,
where he read law and was admitted to the
bar. He at once began the practice of his
profession, which he diligently pursued for a
number of years.
When the presidential canvass of 1856
opened Mr. Meyers determined to oppose
General Fremont and espoused the cause of
James Buchanan, taking the stump for that
candidate and casting his first vote for the
Democratic electors.
In 1857 he was unanimously elected chair-
man of the Anti-Know-Nothing committe
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
345
of Somerset county and did effective work.
In August of the same year Mr. Meyers be-
came one of the proprietors of the Bedford,
Pa.,G(Kef<eand later removed with his family
to the town of Bedford. Here he remained
as editor of that journal for a number of
years. In June, 1868, he purchased an in-
terest in the Harrisburg Patriot and was
made its editor-in-chief.
In 1863 Mr. Meyers was elected to the lower
house of the Legislature as a representative
of Bedford county. While a member of that
body he made a reputation as a debater and
speaker and his services were so satisfactory
to his constituents that while absent from
home he was unanimously renominated.
In 1870 he was the Democratic candidate
for Congress in the district composed of the
counties of Adams, Bedford, Fulton, Frank-
lin and Somerset, and was elected by a ma-
jority of fifteen votes, overcoming a Republi-
can majority of several hundred.
Mr. Meyers has always been a consistent
tariff reformer, and while in Congress voted
for the repeal of duties on coal and salt. He
was district delegate to the Democratic Na-
tional conventions of 1864 and 1880, and
was elected delegate-at-large to the conven-
tion which nominated Grover Cleveland in
1884. In 1875 he was elected president of
the Pennsylvania Editorial Association and
was re-elected in 1876. During the Cleve-
land-Harrison campaign of 1888 he was
designated by his party to represent it in
several joint discussions, and always emerged
from such contests with the respect of his
adversaries and the plaudits of his auditors.
Mr. Meyers was appointed postmaster at
Harrisburg March 9, 1887, and served one
term with much credit to himself and satis-
faction to all concerned.
In religion Mr. Meyers is an Episcopalian
and has been for years a vestryman of St.
Stephen's church, Harrisburg. He has five
children living : Mrs. Ellis L. Mumma, Ed-
win K., Harry S., Mrs. B. F. Africa, and W.
K. Mr. Meyers is now the editor and pro-
prietor of the Harrisburg Star-Independent.
Heller, John E., was born in 1834, in
Rush township, Dauphin county, Pa. His
early education was more or less limited, for
at the age of thirteen we find him an ap-
prentice to the art of printing in the oflSce of
the American, at Sunbury, Pa., where he re-
mained until he was twenty years of age.
Afterwards, for several years, he was foreman
in the office of the Miners' Journal, Potts-
ville. He then began the study of law, and
was admitted to the Dauphin county bar
August 30, 1865, and began the practice of his
profession at Harrisburg. His life of labor
was comparatively brief, however, for he died
rather suddenly at the residence of his father,
in Rush township, January 30, 1866, aged
thirty-two years. His remains were interred
in the Rush church graveyard. " Mr. Heller,"
wrote the editor of the Sunbury American,
who knew him well, " was a young man of
exemplary conduct and good character, and
with industry and good business habits he
had a bright future before him."
Shunk, James Findlay, the youngest son
of Gov. Francis R. Shunk, was born April
18, 1836. He was educated at Harrisburg
Academy, and at the University of Virginia,
at which latter institution he attended a
course of lectures on the science of law. Per-
chance the best education he received, and
that which fitted him peculiarly for the pro-
fession of journalism, which he adopted, was
the literary training he received by extensive
reading and close study of the best English
authors, and by a careful and rigid observ-
ance of language and style. He wrote the
raciest English that flowed from the pen of
any writer for the press in Pennsylvania.
His power of sarcasm was immense, though
he lacked that of invective. Many of his
articles which appeared in print were at-
tributed to some of the most eminent men
of the country, and others often obtained the
credit which of right belonged to him, so
modest, unobtrusive, and even sensitive
was he in regard to any publicity of his
name as that of the author of the articles
alluded to. He died quite young, being not
yet thirty-eight years of age, as brilliant a
journalist as ever held a pen, with intellect
fully ripened and a wide field before him for
the exercise of his peculiar talents. He died
at Harrisburg, January 20, 1874. Mr. Shunk
married a daughter of Judge Jeremiah S.
Black, of York.
Swallow, S. C, was born March 5, 1839,
near Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in the historic and
classic valley of Wyoming. He was of
English-Irish ancestry. Receiving his pre-
liminary education in the common schools
in the vicinity of his home, he afterwards
attended Wyoming Seminary, and com-
346
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
pleted his education at Susquehanna Uni-
versity. After his graduation, he at first
entered upon the business of teaching, in
which he continued engaged for five years,
of which one year was passed at the seminary
above named.
Having decided on adopting the law as a
profession, Mr. Swallow entered as a student
the office of that matchless counselor, Volney
L. Maxwell. Under such skilled direction
he would doubtless have obtained an exact
and extended acquaintance with legal lore
and practice, and been fitted to shine in this
profession, had not circumstances and native
inclination led him to give up the law and
adopt the ministry as his future calling.
Having passed through the essential course
of instruction in divinity, he entered the
pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and thus at length began what has since
continued the active and useful work of his
life. In recognition of his high standing in
the ministry, Taylor University, of Fort
Wayne, Ind., conferred on him in 1888 the
degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Swallow long continued active in the
pulpit, filling a number of important posts
in Central and Southern Pennsylvania. His
high standing in the church subsequently
brought him an elevation to the position of
presiding elder, and for four years he acted
in this capacity in the district of Altoona,
Pa., a field of labor that embraces five or six
counties. He has been twice elected a
delegate to the General Conference of his
church, the last time being during the meet-
ing of this body for the year 1896.
Within recent years Dr. Swallow has ex-
changed the active labors of the pulpit and
the supervising duties of presiding elder for
literary labor in connection with the interests
of the church. Four years ago he accepted
the editorship of the Pennsylvania Methodist,
an important organ of the denomination
published at Harrisburg, which he edits with
a judgment and literary skill that give its
columns much weight in the counsels of the
church. He also occupies the important
post of superintendent of the Methodist .pub-
lishing interests for Central Pennsylvania.
Aside from the more immediate duties of
the ministry and the editor's sanctum. Dr.
Swallow has taken a vital interest in the
great reform movements of recent times. In
his younger days, wiien human slavery was
the leading evil in this country, he ardently
entered the ranks of the Abolitionists, speak-
ing his sentiments with no uncertain voice.
Later, when slavery had plunged the country
into war, he ranked as an earnest patriot,
and a fearless supporter of the Government
against the rebellion. He subsequently be-
came equally active and earnest in another
labor of abolition, that of the legalized liquor
trafiic, of which he has long been and con-
tinues an uncompromising advocate. Re-
cognizing that intemperance is the most
active and dangerous vice in this land, and
the one that leads to an endless array of
crimes, diseases, and family and local evils,
Dr. Swallow is an outspoken champion of
the cause of prohibition of the sale of ardent
spirits. His standing in this direction is so
pronounced, and his services have been so
useful, that a few years' ago the Prohibition
party tendered him the nomination for gov-
ernor of the State.
Dr. Swallow is an able and fluent orator,
and wields the editorial pen with a trenchant
power which has given him a widespread
influence, not only in Harrisburg, where he
has resided during the past ten years, but
throughout the State. He is indeed favor-
ably known throughout the Nation as a
leading divine in this church, and an active
advocate of the various reforms which now
agitate the public mind.
Ore, D. a., editor and the principal owner
of the Patriot, daily and weekly, at Harris-
burg, Pa., was born at Orrstown, Franklin
county, a town founded by his father and
brothers, whose name it bears, and was edu-
cated at the schools of that borough. He
attended a higher school at Upper Stras-
burg, and later underwent private instruc-
tion. Having an early taste for newspaper
writing, before he was eighteen years old he
became the associate editor of the Sentinel, a
Democratic newspaper then published at
Shippensburg, and subsequently removed to
Carlisle. From Shippensburg he went, after
a somewhat protracted trip through the
western States and Territories, to Pittsburgh,
where he resided and was engaged in active
business until January, 1879 ; at that time
he purchased the Democratic Chronicle at
Shippensburg, which paper he sold six
months later, and, in October of the same
year, together with his brother, John G., pur-
chased and took charge of the daily and
weekly Valley Spirit at Chambersburg. He
continues as president of the Valley Spirit
Publishing Company, in which he is the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
347
principal shareholder. Although he has al-
ways taken an active interest in poli-
tics, Mr. Orr has never been a candidate
for any public oflSce of profit, and says he
" never will be." He is engaged in a num-
ber of private enterprises. In 1884 he was
appointed by Governor Pattison one of the
trustees of the Pennsylvania State Lunatic
Asylum at Harrisburg, which position he
resigned before his term expired. He was a
delegate from the Eighteenth Congressional
district to the National Convention in 1884,
which nominated Grover Cleveland for the
presidency the first time, and was again a
delegate to the National Democratic Conven-
tion in 1888 which renominated Mr. Cleve-
land. In 1891 he formed a company, of
which he was made president, and purchased
the Harrisburg Patriot, and has since been
connected with that influential journal, of
which he is editor and also the president of
the Patriot Company. Mr. Orr was mar-
ried in 1885 to Miss Lillian J. Black, of
Pittsburgh.
Okr, John G., was born at Willow Grove
Mills, Southampton township, Franklin
county, Pa. The year in which he was born
his parents made their home in Orrstown, a
town founded by his father, William Orr, and
and by his brother, John Orr, where he re-
sided until 1865. He received his education
in the public schools of that place, and his
business habits and training from his father
on the farm where his earlier years were
passed. He was a general clerk in one of
the stores of the village, and in that occupa-
tion he continued until he removed to Car-
lisle, Cumberland county, to accept a posi-
tion in the First National Bank of that place.
In 1874 he returned to his early home, and
in April of the following year he engaged in
merchandising until 1879, when, under the
firm name of John G. & D. A. Orr, he be-
came one of the editors and proprietors of the
Valley Spirit and removed to Chambersburg.
He is one of the founders of the Children's
Aid Society of Franklin county, and by his
active and earnest support has added greatly
to its success. For a number of years he was
the secretary, and is now the president of the
society. The founding of a hospital by the
society in Chambersburg, which is doing
good work for the suffering, is the result of
his efforts to that end. For several years
Mr. Orr was a ruling elder in the Presbyte-
rian church at Middle Springs, and has twice
represented the Presbytery of Carlisle in
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church. In September, 1885, he was chosen
a ruling elder in the Falling Spring Presby-
terian church, of Chambersburg. In 1891
he became interested in The Patriot, of Har-
risburg, and gives his personal attention to
the business of that influential paper. Mr.
Orr was married, in 1871, to Miss Martha M.
Hays, of Middle Spring, Franklin county. Pa.
McAlarney, Mathias Wilson, sou of
John (1802-1876) and Catharine Wilson
(1812-1892) McAlarney,was born June 7,1840,
in MifHinburg, Union county. Pa. He was
educated at Bucknell University. He' learned
the art of printing in the Chronicle office at
Lewisburg, and for a period of six years pub-
lished the Potter Journal, a weekly news-
paper at Coudersport. During the war he
was provost marshal of the Eighteenth
Pennsylvania district. He studied law with
Hon. Isaac Benson, of Potter county, and
was admitted to the bar February 27, 1867.
In May of the same year he removed to Har-
risburg and entered upon the practice of the
law. From 1874 until the close of 1882 he
was more or less actively engaged in edi-
torial work on the Harrisburg Telegraph, and
in the fall of 1883 he purchased a majority
of the stock of the Harrisburg Publishing
Company, publishers of the Daily and Semi-
Weekly Telegraph, and has continued from
that date as editor of the Telegraph and man-
ager of the publishing company. In 1868
he was appointed clerk to the commission
to settle the damages done by the border
raids during the Rebellion, and in 1871, by
appointment of Governor Geary, he was the
attorney for the Commonwealth in connec-
tion with the same work in the county of
Cumberland. In the fall of 1874 he was a
candidate for the Republican nomination
for district attorney, with every prospect of
success, when on the 23d of September he
was appointed postmaster at Harrisburg, and
continued in office under subsequent reap
pointments until April, 1887. He purchased
for the Government the land upon which
the United States post-office was erected. He
was appointed disbursing agent during the
construction of the building, and upon its
completion in 1882 was appointed custodian
of the building. He married, in 1867, Ada,
daughter of Jacob D. Hoffman, and they
have two children, Martha Worden and John
Hart. Three children died in infancy.
348
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
LiESMANN, Frederick W., editor of the
Pennsylvanische Staats[Zeitung und Dauphin
County Journal, of Harrisburg, was born in
the city of Coehi (Cologne) on the Rhine,
Germany, October 28, 1845. He received an
education in the State schools, and attended
college in his native city. Having a desire
to see America, he left his native land in
1864, and has since made his home in this
country. After a few years of hard labor
he was chosen by the German people of this
city to succeed his brother. Rev. Herman
Liesmann, as teacher of the German school
then held in the basement of St. Michael's
German Lutheran church. After instruct-
ing the German children for a number of
years, he was elected by the board of control
to take charge of a German and English
branch school. He accepted that position
and was teacher of that school for fourteen
years.
He was married. May 24, 1868, to Miss
Annie Mary Ripper, eldest daughter of the
late J. G. Ripper, a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this volume. They have seven
children : George W., Anna C, Ella M., wife
of Edward Shissler, Jennie McVeagh, Will-
iam F. C, Mary H., and Clara W. T.
Besides publishing the leading German
newspaper of Pennsylvania, Mr. Liesmann is
president of the Washington and the Teu-
tonia Building and Saving Associations. He
is secretary of the Germania and the Will-
iam Peun Building and Saving Associations.
He is also president of the German- American
Union. He has been a notary public for
twenty-one years. His political views are
Democratic. He attends St. Michael's Ger-
man Lutheran church.
George W. Liesmann, eldest son of Fred-
erick W. Liesmann, fire insurance agent and
county auditor, was born in Harrisburg De-
cember 8, 1868. He was educated in the
Harrisburg public schools, graduating from
the high school in 1888. Since that time he
has been connected with his father's busi-
ness. He is serving his third year as county
auditor, two years of that time as secretary
and one year as president. He is the young-
est auditor ever elected.
country and abroad. He passed several years
of his life on a farm in New York State
and also in Lancaster county, Pa. He was
a bookkeeper at Mount Hope furnace,
Lancaster county, for five years, and then
went to Philadelphia as clerk in the Phila-
delphia Bank. Later he was employed as
assistant to the manager of the Philadelphia
Bank Clearing House. In 1869 he drifted
to Kansas for his health and remained there
seven years. He was employed in the rail-
road business, during which time he was
eastern passenger agent of the Missouri,
Kansas and Texas railway in New York
City. He was also connected with the Mis-
souri Pacific railway and latterly with the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway,
with headquarters in Philadelphia. Three
years ago he took charge of the office of the
Harrisburg Real Estate Title Company
while they were completing their work in
this city. Last fall he formed a partnership
with W,-J. George in purchasing The News
and has since been actively engaged in the
management of that paper with his partner.
Mr. Farnum's excellent business qualities
have added largely to place The News where
it is to-day. Mr. Farnum is a cordial and
genial gentleman and well known all over
the United States, particularly in railroad
circles. In Masonic circles he is a veteran.
He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 121,
of Philadelphia, and of Weidle Chapter, of
Lebanon, Pa.
Farnum, Henry, was born in the city of
Philadelphia in the year 1845. He is the son
of Henry and Caroline Farnum, formerly of
P rovidence, R. I. His father was a prominent
wholesale dry goods merchant in that city.
Mr. Farnum received his education in this
George, William J., of the firm of George
& Farnum, sole proprietors and publishers
of The News, was born in Albany, N. Y.,
August 6, 1847. He was educated in the
public schools and private academies of that
city. At the age of sixteen years he entered
the Union army and served until the close
of the Civil war, being finally mustered out
in July, 1865.
During the war Captain George was cor-
respondent in the field for several news-
papers, among them being the well-known
Albany Journal. He took an active part in
the campaign of the Army of the Potomac,
although not a voter, in the memorable Lin-
coln-McClelland presidential contest in 1864.
He distributed thousands of pamphlets and
circulars on which were printed the plat-
forms of the parties. These circulars had as
much as any one other agency to do with
the large Lincoln vote, owing to the stand
taken by the Republicans on the war, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
349
the neglect of the Democrats to uphold the
Union, and their declaration that "the war
■was a failure."
At the close of hostilities the Captain set-
tled in the South and for many years was
located in Virginia, where he took an active
part in politics, being chairman of the Re-
publican city committee of Richmond when
he left there in 1877 for Harrisburg. In
Richmond he was connected with various
newspapers, and also acted as special corres-
pondent for a number of northern papers
during the reconstruction days. His letters
at that period were very interesting, owing to
the great effoj-ts made to make the South
solid for Democracy— no matter what the
means used.
Since Captain George resided in this city—
up to July 1 of this year — he was connected
with the Brainerd & Armstrong Company,
the celebrated silk manufacturers of New
London, Conn. His son, Thomas G. George,
took his place with the above company on
that date in order to allow Captain George
to give his undivided time and attention to
The News.
The Captain served the city as council-
man in both branches and is one of its most
active and progressive citizens. He has been
and is connected with a number of leading
enterprises and is an up-to-date business man.
He is a member of a number of organizations
and a leader in the Republican politics of the
State capital.
He was married at Albany, N. Y., Janu-
ary 20, 1867, to Miss Annie Henley, daugh-
ter of Robert and Jennie Henley, of Albany,
where Mrs. George was born. To their union
have been born two children, Thomas G. and
Jennie B., both residing in Harrisburg. He
also has two grandchildren residing with him,
Annie M. and Gertrude Goodwin. The
father of Mr. George is deceased ; his mother
still survives and resides in Binghampton.
Spayd, J. W., born December 10, 1847, be-
longs to one of the oldest and best known
families in Dauphin county, and is the only
son of Jonathan Spayd, a well-known busi-
ness man and retired farmer. He attended
an academy at Berrygburg and a college at
Selins Grove, Pa. After devoting more than
twenty years of his life to the teacher's pro-
fession, he entered the publishing business
with E. L. Kellogg & Co., New York and
Chicago, as manager of the firm's extensive
business in Pennsylvania. This firm pub-
lishes the Teacher's Institute, New York
School Journal, and Primary Education, as
well as a large list of teacher's educational
works. He is also connected with the S. M.
Hess & Bro. Fertilizer Company of Reading
and Philadelphia. He has two sons, Clarence
E., editor of the Harrisburg Star-Independent,
and Charles H., a student at Pennsylvania
College at Gettysburg, Pa. He lives at No.
45 North Thirteenth street, Harrisburg.
Before removing to the Capital city he was
for many years postmaster at Carsonville,
Dauphin county. His father succeeded him
as postmaster when he left that locality. Mr.
Spayd has always been a Republican, as has
also been his father, who for forty years or
more figured prominently in the county
politics. Father and son are Lutherans, the
latter being a member of Memorial Lutheran
church, Fifteenth and Shoop streets, Harris-
burg. Jonathan Spayd was born July 25,
1825, and spent fifty-seven years of his life
in this county, all but a few years having
been a resident on his fine farm in Powell's
Valley, near Carsonville. Recently he and
wife removed to Harrisburg, making their
home with their son John W., his health
having begun to fail. For more than forty
years he was an officer of the Lutheran
church near his home, and both gentlemen
are highly respected citizens.
JoNBS, Thomas MacDowbll, associate edi-
tor of the Harrisburg Daily Telegraph, was
born in Hollidaysburg, Blair county, August
31, 1850. His father was Uriah James Jones,
the historian, author and journalist, who
in 1860 removed to Harrisburg. Mr. Jones
was educated in the public schools of Har-
risburg, and in 1867 started to learn the
trade of printer. After finishing his trade
he secured a situation in the composing room
of the Telegraph under the late George Berg-
ner in 1872, and at various times from 1875
to 1877 acted as city editor. In July, 1877,
he succeeded John G. Ingram as the city
editor, and has been on the staff of thepaper
ever since. Mr. Jones is a correspondent
for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and
New York newspapers, and during the ses-
sion of the Legislature he is engaged as re-
porter in that body. His acquaintance with
public men is very large. When twelve
years old Mr. Jones enlisted in ^the army,
joining the unattached company of Capt.
DeWitt C. James, of Warren, which was
camped in Harrisburg at the time, serving
350
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
eighteen months. Unfortunately, while he
was enlisted he was not mustered, and as a
consequence his name does not appear on
the rolls. He married^ in June, 1890, Miss
Mabel Cronise, of Toledo, Ohio, and has one
daughter, Dorothea.
MuMMA, Ellis Lewis, is the youngest
child of the late Hon. David Mumma and
was born in Harrisburg in 1854. During
his early boyhood he attended the Harris-
burg Academy, then, as now, conducted by
Prof. Jacob Seller. At sixteen he was sent
to Bryant and Stratton's Business College, in
Philadelphia ; coinpleting the course he re-
turned to Harrisburg, where, at the age of
seventeen, he was given a clerkship in the
State Bank. One year later he entered the
Real Estate Savings Bank. So thoroughly
conversant did the young man become with
the business that at the death of the cashier,
Mr. Landis, he was, at the early age of
twenty-two years, made cashier of the bank.
There was thrilling experience ahead for the
young man on account of the financial panic
of 1877, which was then impending. As it
was impossible, with banks failing all around,
to make money, the directors concluded to
close out the concern, the young cashier
running affairs so smoothly that each de-
positor was paid to the last cent, in spite of
the stringency of the times. Until May,
1883, Mr. Mumma was manager of the Har-
burg Daily Patriot, when he was appointed
draughtsman in the department of Internal
Affairs, by Secretary J. Simpson Africa.
At the expiration of Mr. Africa's term Mr.
Mumma was again connected with the Pa-
triot, at the same time dealing in the real
estate business. During October, 1893, he
became publisher of the Morning CaH, which
built up a wide circulation through the pub-
lisher's philanthropic spirit. During the
business depression of 1893 and 1894 Mr.
Mumma appealed through the columns of
his journal to the public-spirited and chari-
tably inclined, and through these means fed
hundreds of starving people through that
disastrous time. Mr. Mumma is married to
a daughter of Hon. B. F. Meyers and has
two interesting children, Winifred and Ben-
jamin Meyers Mumma.
WiTMAN, R. E., publisher. No. 103 North
Second street, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in
the State of New York, February 3, 1858,
and is the son of D. S. and Margaret (Brewer)
Witman. The grandfather, Christopher, was
a tanner by trade and had a family of three
sons. The parents were both natives of New
York, the father being born there in 1823.
He was engaged in farming and in the lum-
ber business during his entire life. He was
married to Miss Margaret Putman, by whom
he had six children, of whom but two sur-
vive: Smith,in the lumber business, Gundan,
Pa., and R. E. He died April 13, 1895. R.
E. attended the public schools until seven-
teen years of age, when he went to New
York and taught school at Caneville for two
years. In 1881 he began selling books, and
soon received a good position with the Penn
Publishing Company. He was afterwards
taken in as a partner and continued in the
firm four j^ears, when he withdrew and es-
tablished the firm of R. E. Witman and
Company in 1891, at Harrisburg, in which
he is interested at the present time. He was
married, February 14, 1884, to Miss Mutam
Beecher, daughter of Lyman and Susan
(Kimble) Beecher, and a distant relative of
Henry Ward Beecher, of New York. Their
children are: Grace M., Fanny M., and
Harry E. Mrs. Witman's parents were
both natives of New York and had a family
of three children : Bertha, Mutam, and
Mabel. The mother still survives and re-
sides in New York. In politics Mr. Witman
is a Republican and he is a member of the
Grace Methodist church. The parents of
both Mr. and Mrs. Witman were members
of the Baptist church.
Stackpole, E. J., city editor of the Daily
Telegraph, was born in McVeytown, Mifflin
county, Pa.,- .January 18, 1861, son of the late
E. H. H. and Margaret (Glasgow) Stackpole.
His father successfully conducted a wagon
manufacturing establishment and black-
smith shop for several years. He served one
term in the Pennsylvania Legislature, and
died in 1890, in office, holding at that time
the position of superintendent of the public
buildings and grounds. E. J. Stackpole is
one of eight living children of a family of
eleven. He received a common school edu-
cation, and learned the trade of a printer in
the office of the McVeytown Journal. He
subsequently spent three years as editor and
publisher of the Orbisonia Dispatch, being
associated with B. F. Ripple. In 1883 Mr.
Stackpole became assistant foreman of the
Harrisburg Telegraph. Later he was em-
ployed as a reporter for this journal and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
351
eventually was promoted to the important
position of city editor. He has been for
several years, and is now a correspondent
for a number of newspapers in New York,
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Heisan active
Republican and has been commander of
several leading clubs, among which were the
Harrisburg Invincibles. He is also a veteran
of the famous " City Grays," National Guards
of Pennsylvania. He belongs to Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F.& A.M. Mr.Stackpole was
married to Miss Kate Hummel, a daughter
of the late Albert Hummel, for many years
a prominent shoe merchant of Harrisburg.
They have three children: Catherine H.,
Margaret and Edward J., Jr. Mr. and Mrs.
Stackpole are members of the Covenant
Presbyterian church, in which he is a
deacon.
Spayd, Clarence E., editor of the Harris-
burg Star-Independent, was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., December 9, 1869, and is a son
of John W. Spayd and a grandson of Jona-
than Spayd. Like so many young men of
ambition he has had a remarkably success-
ful experience in all his undertakings. At
five years of age he was sent to the district
school at Carsonville, in the upper end of
this county. In 1880 he entered the Millers-
ville (Pennsylvania) State Normal School,
and it was while at that institution that lie
became interested in penmanship, which re-
sulted in his being the recognized expert in
writing in the school. After spending several
years at that institution, during which time
he pursued a number of scientific studies,
and a special course marked out by his own
inclinations, he followed a line of reading
embracing all branches of science and litera-
ture. It was during his school days that he
made the acquaintance of Miss Edith A.
Mooney, a talented and ambitious young
lady, who eventually became his wife.
Mr. Spayd spent three years in teaching,
devoting the last year to the schools of Man-
heim, Lancaster county. Pa., as assistant
principal. Having gained considerable
prominence as a penman, he was tendered
several positions by leading schools of the
country to teach the art, but preferring
another field of work he accepted the posi-
tion as city editor of the Harrisburg Inde-
pendent. When the Star was consolidated
with that paper he continued to fill that
position. It was during the first years of
his newspaper career that the series of arti-
cles on penmanship which he had been con-
tributing for several years to the Popular
Educator, an educational magazine published
in Boston and Chicago, gained so much
popularity with teachers of the United States
that the publishers prevailed upon him to
write a book on the subject. Shortly after-
wards, by working during his leisure hours,
a book of several hundred pages, entitled
" Complete Manual of Commercial Penman-
ship," made its appearance. It sprung into
popularity at once, and Mr. Spayd became
well known as an author of pronounced
ability among the leading educators of the
country.
He has been a life-long Lutheran and is a
prominent member of Memorial Lutheran
church at Fifteenth and Shoop streets, Har-
risburg, where he is closel}' identified with
Sunday-school work, having a class of young
women. He is also business manager of the
Memorial Lutheran, a monthly journal pub-
lished in the interests of the above church.
Mr. Wien Forney, the venerable editor and
famous war correspondent, retiring from tlie
editorial chair of the daily and weekly Star-
Independent, which he filled for so many
years, Mr. Spayd succeeded him and now
holds that responsible position. This paper
has a very large circulation in Central Penn-
sylvania and is in a very prosperous condi-
tion. As the editor of this well-known news-
paper he has shown his capabilities as a
writer and made friends for the paper by his
fair manner in treating all classes, and hon-
estly advocating the best interests of the
people. Although but twenty-six years of
age he was elected to common council from
the Second ward in the spring of 1896. He
has always been a staunch Republican and
is identified with several local interests, one
of which is the Commonwealth Building and
Loan Association, of which he is a director.
He is known for his kind, generous disposi-
tion, and his lively nature, pleasing conver-
sation, and courteous and affable manner
make him a favorite with all who are brought
in contact with him. His residence at 1611
Swatara street is one of the cosiest in East
Harrisburg, being surrounded by a beautiful
lawn and attractively built. In his library,
surrounded by his books and with his wife
and daughter, he spends most of his time
after leaving the Star- Independent office. He
is a liberal contributor to many magazines as
well as some of the leading metropolitan
newspapers of the country. The Chicago
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Times-Herald is one of his leading western
papers. His acquaintance with well-known
educational as well as business and profes-
sional men has been of inestimable value to
him in his successful career.
McCkeady, Duncan, editor of the Tele-
gram, was born at Rajahmundry, India, De-
cember 24, 1870. His father was inspector
of ordnance in the British army, having
gone to India at the outbreak of the Sepoy
Mutiny of 1857. Mr. McCready came to'
this country in 1883, and received his edu-
cation at Thiel College, Greenville, Pa. He
commenced newspaper work on the Warren
Mirror, then he served for a year as night
editor of the Johnstown Democrat. In 1894
he became a member of the local staff of the
Pittsburgh Leader. He assumed editorial
charge of the Sunday Telegram under the
new management.
Plunket, William, M. D., frequently
called Lord Plunket, was a native of Ireland,
born about 1720. Little is accurately known
of his early life, save that he studied medi-
cine, graduating from the university at Dub-
lin, and emigrated to America. He first
settled at Carlisle, where he practiced his
profession until probably the breaking out
of the French and Indian war, into which
service he entered. He was commissioned
lieutenant in Capt. John Hambright's com-
pany in Col. William Clapham's battalion,
June 12, 1756. In the Bouquet campaign
of 1764 he was surgeon of the Second bat-
talion, commanded by Col. Arthur Clayton,
his commission bearing date September 7,
1763. For this service he participated in the
Provincial land grants on the West Branch,
receiving from the Proprietaries six hundred
acres of land in Buffalo Valley. About 1770
he removed to what was subsequently North-
umberland county, locating a little above
Chillisquaque creek, which he termed " The
Soldier's Retreat," and became possessed of
a large estate. He was one of the leaders in
the so-called Pennamite war at the outset of
the Revolution. A brief account of his ex-
pedition to Wyoming is found in " Annals
of Buffalo Valley," by Hon. John Blair Linn,
pp. 87-8. At the beginning of the war for
independence he entered heartily into the
contest, and was commissioned colonel of
the Second battalion of Northumberland
county associators in March, 1776, but for
some cause or another, possibly at the insti-
gation of his Wyoming enemies, he was ar-
rested as being inimical to the principles of
the Revolution. He was afterwards released
as nothing treasonable could be proved
against him. Sabine, in his "American
Loyalists," imputes crimes to Colonel Plun-
ket which he had neither fact or foundation
for. At the close of the war he removed to
Sunbury, where he died in the earlv part of
May, 1791.
Dr. Plunket married Esther Harris, daugh-
ter of John Harris, of Harris' Ferry, and sis-
ter of the founder of Harrisburg. Of a large
family of children only four daughters
reached maturity. Of these, Elizabeth mar-
ried Samuel Maclay, afterwards a senator in
Congress and a brother of William Maclay,
who married his cousin, Mary Harris. Isa-
bella Plunket married William Bell, of
Elizabeth, N. J. Margaret Plunket married
Isaac Richardson, of New York State, and
Esther Plunket married her cousin. Col.
Robert Baxter, of the British army. De-
scendants of the first named have been very
prominent in public affairs in Pennsylvania
for at least a century.
Brice, Innis, M. D., the son of Brice and
Elizabeth Innis, was a native of Hanover,
born in 1751. He received a good education,
studied medicine at Philadelphia, and was
in the beginning of a successful practice
when the war of the Revolution broke out.
He was commissioned a hospital surgeon
in the Continental service, took ill dur-
ing the cantonment at Valley Forge in De-
cember, 1777, returned home and died on
the 2d of January, 1778, aged twenty-six
years. He is buried in Hanover graveyard.
His father, Brice Innis, Sr., born in 1711,
an early settler in Hanover, was so shocked
by the sudden death of his son that he died
a few weeks afterwards, on February 18, 1778.
Mrs. Elizabeth Innis, born 1715, died Janu-
ary 3, 1788. Besides Dr. Brice Innis they
had: Ann, married Irwin; Rachel, mar-
ried David Sterrat ; Dr. James, who was a
surgeon of the Pennsylvania Line ; Elizabeth,
married John Gilchrist; and Mary, married
Col. Timothy Green.
SiMONTON, William, M. D., was born 1755>
in county Antrim, Ireland ; died April 24,
1800, in Hanover township, Dauphin county,
Pa. He was brought to this country at the
age of ten by his uncle, the Rev. John Simon-
ton, pastor of the Great Valley Presbyterian
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
353
church, in Chester county, Pa. Under the
direction of this uncle he received his aca-
demic and professional education. Soon
after completing his medical course he en-
tered upon the practice of his profession, but
at what place is unknown. In 1784 he pur-
chased a tract of land called "Antigua," con-
taining one hundred and eighty-two acres,
situated in West Hanover township, from
Joseph Hutchison. Upon this farm he re-
sided all his life. All the traditions which
have reached us concerning his standard as
a physician, a man, and a Christian, are
highly favorable. A fitting testimonial to
his life, labors and character was prepared
by the Rev. James Snodgrass, pastor of Han-
over church, and delivered on the occasion
of his funeral. His remains are interred in
old Hanover graveyard. Mr. Simonton
married, November 17, 1777, Jean Wiggins,
daugliter of Dr. John Wiggins, an officer of
the Revolution. She was born in 1756 in
Paxtang, Lancaster county, Pa., and died
October, 1824, and buried by the side of her
husband.
Luther, John, was a native of Freuhlin-
gen, Germany, born on the 1st of April,
1756. In his youth he came to America,
and with either his parents or friends located
in Virginia, me studied medicine, and
married in that State^ coming to Harrisburg
in 1785, the year it was laid out, purchasing
the lot now occupied by the Harrisburg Na-
tional Bank and the house adjoining, the
latter of which he erected. Here he at once
began his profession, which proved a suc-
cessful one. He was chosen at the first elec-
tion held under the charter given the bor-
ough, one of the burgesses, and subsequently
served as a member of the town council, of
which body he was at one time president.
From the " Reminiscences of an Octoge-
narian," we have this description of Dr.
Luther : " He was a man somewhat resem-
bling the great reformer, Martin Luther, if I
dare judge from the printed representation
I have seen of the latter. He was of medium
height and proportionately stout. He was a
very pleasant man and agreeably received
whenever he entered company. He carried
a snuff box and made frequent use of its
contents. He wore black cloth coat, vest
and breeches, with buckles on his shoes.
He was popular as a physician and esteemed
highly for his skill. He wore his hair in a
cue, as was common in the early times of
Harrisburg, but wherever he went there was
healing in the creak of his shoes. When he
felt your pulse, tol d you to put out your tongue,
and smelled the ivory on the top of his cane,
you might be sure he was hunting for a fever,
or something direful, that might require a
dose of calomel and jalap . . . Dr. Luther
was of a jovial disposition, and it was
said, as was the custom of those days
when anti-fogmatics was necessary to keep
off fever and ague, that he ' didn't object to
his patients taking a little tansy bitters in
the morning.' His practice was extensive."
Dr. Luther died at Harrisburg on Monday,
January 28, 1811, in his fifty-fourth year.
Dr. Luther married. May 21, 1779, Bar-
bara Weaver, of Philadelphia. She was
probably the mother of all his children.
The doctor subsequently married Eva His-
ser, born in 1766, died at Harrisburg, Wed-
nesday, August 15, 1 804. Dr. Luther had four
children : Catharine, Cornelius, Martin, and
John. All of his sons became physicians.
Drs. Cornelius and Martin remained at Har-
risburg, and succeeded, in a great measure,
to their father's practice. Cornelius died
quite young and Martin April 29, 1829,
aged forty-five years. Dr. John Luther set-
tled in New Holland, Lancaster county; mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Diller, and
raised a large family. Catharine Luther
married Dr. King, of Hummelstown, and on
becoming a widow married Judge William
Lyon, of Cumberland county. The remains
of Dr. Luther, his wife and two sons are in-
terred in the Harrisburg cemetery.
McCammon, James, of Scotch ancestry,
was a native of the county Down, Ireland,
born about 1778. He was educated at Edin-
burgh, and received his degree of doctor of
medicine at the university of that city. He
subsequently served two years in the London
Hospital, under that celebrated physician,
Dr. Fordyce. He came to the United States
about 1804, and located at Newville, in
Cumberland county, where he had a very
general and extensive practice. In Septem-
ber, 1811, he removed to Middletown, where
his brother John resided and was postmaster
— at that period a preferable field to the
Cumberland Valley — and was very success-
ful. He died at M^iddletown on the 7th of
November, 1815, and was buried in the old
Presbyterian graveyard on High street, in
that borough. He left a wife and three chil-
dren, who afterwards removed to Zanesville,
354
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Ohio. Dr. McCammoQ was a skillful sur-
geon, and ranked high in 'his profession.
Socially he was agreeable in conversation
and of refined manners.
Vekbeke, James C, M. D., was born in
Holland-, in the year 1785. His father was
a native of that countrj'-, and his mother
was born in Yorkshire, England. The son
was educated for the ministry, but afterwards
studied medicine at the university at Leyden,
where the two degrees of doctor of medicine
and of pharmacy were conferred upon him.
After finishing his course he entered the
French army as physician, and through the
efforts of his father was assigned to the
regiment commanded by Colonel Leh-
manowsky, a friend and acquaintance, with
the request that he should have a watchful
care over him. The doctor remained with
the regiment in all its memorable campaigns,
being always employed in the provisional
military hospitals, performing the duties of
the two branches of the profession only, as
persons were not allowed to practice more
than such as were inseparable from the
other, so that each might thoroughly under-
stand his calling, and be enabled to gain a
livelihood. In consequence of this condi-
tion of things he never was on the field of
battle, but was always engaged in administer-
ing to the sick. Even at the battle of
Waterloo, when the hospital was taken and
retaken six times in one day by the English
and French, he saw nothing of the fight.
After that sanguinary and decisive conflict,
when the star of Napoleon had set, he en-
tered the Dutch navy as a pliysician, on
board a man-of-war, where he remained two
years and then resigned. Afterwards, being
detected in a plot, in which Colonel Leh-
manowsky was also engaged, to carry off
Napoleon to St. Helena, they had to flee the
country, when he was helped by friends to
reach England, and was engaged by the
celebrated Scotch navigator, John Arrow-
smith, as physician on board of his vessel,
then about making a trip to America, which
landed at Philadelphia in 1817. The port
physician. Dr. Perkins, after examining his
letters of reference and his diploma, immedi-
ately gave him a situation as clerk in his
drugstore. Miss Gertrude Kemmelar, hav-
ing come to America to visit a brother, and
landing at Philadelphia, chanced to call at
the drugstore on Second street, near Callow-
hill, with a prescription, when both coming
from the same country, and the docter being
addressed in his own language, an acquaint-
ance was formed, and in 1818 they were
married at the house of John Dillinger, a
friend, with whose family Miss Kemmelar
stopped. In the year 1819 they removed to
Harrisburg, where the doctor opened a drug-
store on Market square in the house of John
Norton, and practiced medicine in the coun-
try and all the surrounding towns, traveling
as far as Halifax, Middletown, and other
places, on horseback, through which he be-
came universally known, some of the oldest
inhabitants still remembering him. After
a few years of practice he relinquished it, to
enter into other business, and was successful
in gaining a considerable estate. Mrs. Ver-
beke died in 1855, and Dr. Verbeke in 1856,
leaving two children, William K. and
Margaretta Dillinger, who married The-
ophilus Fenn.
AucHMUTY, Robert, M. D., the son of Sam-
uel Auchmuty, was born near Sunbury, North-
umberland county. Pa., in the year 1785.
He was descended from an old Celtic family
of Scotland. Robert Auchmuty, the first of
the American family of that name, an emi-
nent lawyer, was in practice at Boston, Mass.,
as early as 1719. He died in 1/50, leaving
several children. Among these, Robert, who
in 1767 became judge of the Court of Admi-
ralty at Boston; Samuel, who was rector of
Trinity church. New York City; and Arthur
Gates. The latter came to Pennsylvania as
early as 1765, and located in then Lancaster
county. In that year we find him commis-
sioned as an Indian trader, "with permission
to trade with the natives at Penn's creek,
Shamokin, and such other forts as may by
his Majesty or the Provincial authorities be
established." He first settled at the moutii
of Penn's creek, on the Isle of Que, and from
thence removed to the opposite side of the
Susquehanna, a few miles below Fort Augusta,
in what is now Lower Augusta township,
Northumberland county. During the war of
the Revolution, Samuel Auchmut}', one of
his sons and father of the doctor, entered the
patriot army and was in service from the
winter at Valley Forge until the close of the
war. The veteran's remains rest in the old
burial ground at Millersburg unmarked, and
the spot unknown. Dr. Robert Auchmuty re-
ceived a good education, studied medicine,
and began the practice of his profession at
Millersburg about 1830-31. Apart from the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
355
duties of his profession he served many years
as a justice of the peace, being first commis-
sioned by Governor Ritner. He was an en-
terprising, active citizen, and a warm advo-
cate of the common school system, when that
noble measure was adopted, and was a gen-
tleman beloved and respected by his fellow-
citizens. He died at Millersburg in 1849, at
the age of sixty-four, and is buried in the
new cemetery at that place. He was the
father of the late S. P. Auchmuty, of Millers-
burg.
Reily, Luther, M. D., the seventh son of
Capt. John Reily, of the Revolution, and
Elizabeth Myers, was born October 7, 1 794,
at Meyerstown, Dauphin, now Lebanon
county. Pa. On the death of his father he
came to Hiirrisburg, and shortly after began
the study of medicine with Dr. Martin Lu-
ther. In the war of 1812-14 he marched as
a private in Capt. Richard M. Grain's com-
pany of volunteers to Baltimore, subse-
quently being detailed as assistant surgeon.
At the close of the war he resumed the prac-
tice of medicine at Harrisburg, and subse-
quently was at the head of the profession
there. Although not taking an active part
in politics, he was more or less prominent
in public affairs. He was elected to and
served as member of the Twenty-fifth Con-
gress. Dr. Reily died at Harrisburg on
February 20, 1854, deeply lamented by the
community, who appreciated him as "the
good doctor." His wife Rebecca, daughter
of Henry Orth, survived her husband only
a few months. Their children were Eliza-
beth, died unmarried, Emilj', married Dr.
George W. Porter, John W., Dr. George W.,
and Caroline.
Keagy, John M., M. D., was born in Mar-
tic township, Lancaster county. Pa., about
the year 1795. He was of German descent
on the maternal side, the name of his
mother's family' being Litzenberg. He re-
ceived a classical education, studied medi-
cine and graduated in 1817. In 1819 he
published a series of educational articles in
the Baltimore Chronicle, which were reprinted
at Harrisburg in 1824, in an octavo pamph-
let of thirty-eight pages. In 1827 Dr. Keagy
became principal of the Harrisburg Academy,
and during the same year published his
"Pestallozian Primer," a work made up
largely of the more modern object-lessons,
but under the name of "Thinking- Lessons,
and Lessons in Generalization." By this
method, as soon as the child knows a vowel
and a consonant, he is taught to spell and
read the syllables which they form. In the
introduction the author advocated the teach-
ing of a child to read words, " as if they
were Chinese syllables," and without a pre-
vious knowledge of the letters, a practicable
mode which avoids the absurdity of telling
a child that see a tea (which should spell
seat) spells cat. He remained at Harrisburg
about two years, when he went to Philadel-
phia to take charge of the Friends' High
School. Shortly before his death, which oc-
curred at Philadelphia in the winter of 1836-
37, and is buried in Laurel Hill cemetery.
Dr. Keagy was elected professor of the lan-
guages in Dickinson College, but did not
live to act. Besides being a classical scholar,
the Doctor knew Hebrew, German and
French ; he knew the principles of me-
chanics, and insisted that steam boilers
should have more fire surface. Had he been
brought up as a machinist, he would have
invented tubular boilers, having constructed
a copper model composed partly of tubes.
WiESTLiNG, Joshua Martin, M. D., son of
Dr. Samuel Christopher Wiestling, was born
February 28, 1797, in now Susquehanna
township, Dauphin county. Pa. ; baptized at
Shoop's church by Rev. Christian H. Kurtz,
and died January 15, 1854, at Harrisburg,
Pa. In the year 1811, being then of the age
of fourteen years, he moved with his parents
into the town of Harrisburg, where he con-
tinued to reside until his death. Although
afforded but limited facilities of acquiring an
education by attending the schools of that
period, yet, having the advantage of the in-
structions of his father, who was a man of
thorough education and culture, tnd being
himself an indefatigable student, reading
and studying whenever and however the op-
portunity presented" hegrew to manhood with
his naturally fine mental endowments ad-
mirably cultivated and liberally developed.
Of studious habits and love of knowledge,
these characteristics adhered to him through-
out his life. A man of original thinking
powers, and possessed of mental capacity of
a high order, he gave, notwithstanding an
extensive and laborious medical practice,
diligent investigation to all the leading ques-
tions of the day, and careful study in the
wide and diversified field of general knowl-
edge. He was, consequently, upon all the
356
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTCLOPEDIA
leading subjects of information, a natural
scholar, and, throughout his whole life, was
recognized by his fellow-townsmen as in the
front rank of generous knowledge, and a man
of very general powers. His special field of
usefulness, however, was that of medicine.
In his preparation for his profession his pre-
ceptors were his father, Dr. Samuel C. Wiest-
ling, Sr., and an elder brother, Dr. Samuel C.
Wiestling, Jr., both thoroughly educated
physicians of skill and wide experience. He
attended the course of medical lectures of
the University of Pennsylvania. His father
becoming disabled to continue in active
practice by reason of a paralytic stroke in
the year 1817, he succeeded him in his pro-
fession, first in partnership with his brother.
Dr. Samuel C. Wiestling, Jr., which con-
tinued for a few years, and subsequently
alone. This was about the year 1821 or
1822. Acquiring a large and extensive
practice, both in town and country, he prose-
cuted the duties of his profession with a de-
gree of faithful devotion and judicious skill,
which won for him the admiration and high
regard of the medical fraternity and the un-
limited confidence of the whole community
until his death. In stature he was about six
feet in height, broad shouldered, of large
head, erect in carriage, full chested, rather
stout in figure and person, and dignified in
appearance. He was of a cheerful- disposi-
tion, affable in his manners, generous in his
impulses, of sympathetic and benevolent
habits, unselfish and forbearing, and, as a
consequence, he was popular throughout his
life. Dr. Wiestling married, January 22,
1824, Catharine Youse, born March 24, 1800 ;
d. March 4, 1854, at Harrisburg, Pa. ; daugh-
ter of George and Mary Youse.
WiTMAN, John OttoJ was born January
11, 1802, in Reading, Pa.; died April 12,
1884, in Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa.; son
of Benjamin Witman and Margaret Otto.
He was educated at private schools and the
Reading Academy. He was a clerk in the
surveyor general's office under Gabriel Hies-
ter, during Governor Shulze's administra-
tion; studied medicine under Dr. Luther
Reily, attended lectures at University of
Pennsylvania in 1826-27; was physician to
the Dauphin county almshouse in 1827-28;
received the honorary degree of M. D. from
the University of Maryland in 1843 ; com-
menced the practice of medicine in Harris-
burg in 1827, and continued till 1832, when
he removed to Gratz, Dauphin county, Pa.,
where he practiced till 1837, when he re-
turned to Harrisburg and associated himself
with Doctors Luther Reily and E. L. Orth,
which continued until 1840; then removed
to Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa., where he
continued in an active and extensive prac-
tice till the fall of 1870, when bodily in-
firmity compelled him to relinquish all ex-
cept office work. Dr. Witman married, April
17, 1828, Caroline Orth, daughter of Henry
Orth, born 1810, in Harrisburg, and died
there January 10, 1848. They left several
children.
Fager, John Henry, M. D., was born
March 31, 1806, at Harrisburg, Pa.; died Au-
gust 18, 1872, at Harrisburg, Pa., and there
buried. He received careful training and a
good education ; read medicine with Dr.
Martin Luther, one of the more prominent
of the early physicians at Harrisburg, and
attended medical lectures at the University
of Pennsylvania. In 1829 he began the prac-
tice of his profession at Harrisburg, which
he continued until his death, a period of
forty-three years. In 1840 his attention being
called to homoeopathy, the Doctor commenced
the study of that theory and afterwards
adopted it in his practice. /He was quite a
successful physician, and enjoyed the confis
dence of the community. Apart from hi-
professional life Dr. Fager was a valued citi-
zen. For thirty-three years he was a member
of the school board, during most of which
period he was secretary or treasurer ; for
several terms a member of the borough coun-
cil and for fifty years an active worker in tlie
Sunday-school of the First Lutheran church.
Dr. Fager was twice married. He married
Eliza Jones, born 1810 ; died October 17,
1834 ; daughter of James and Mary Jones,
and had Albert J., who served as first lieu-
tenant of company B, One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and now an alderman of the city of
Harrisburg. . He married, secondly, March
29, 1836, Mary Hayes Buffington, born No-
vember 3,1816, in Harrisburg, Pa., and died
there December 4, 1893. They had a large
family.
Roberts, Edmund Wilson, M. D., young-
est son of John Roberts, was born about 1806,
at Washington, Pa. He was a graduate of
Yale College. His brother. Dr. James
Roberts, born in 1780, at Washington, first
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
357
located at Harrisburg, subsequently remov-
ing to Peoria, 111., where he died about 1834.
While at Harrisburg, his younger brother,
Edmund W., came there and studied medi-
cine under his care, subsequently graduating
from the medical department of the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania. He afterwards located
at Harrisburg, and entered upon a succesful
career in the practice of his profession. He
died at Harrisburg, November 10, 1865, at
the age of fifty -eight years. Dr. Roberts mar-
ried Caroline Ross, daughter of Andrew Ross
and Hannah Templin, of Washington City,
and a sister of Robert J. Ross, of Harrisburg;
she died January 23, 1877, at Newburg, N.
Y.; buried at Harrisburg. They had two
children : Mary, died in 1867, at Harrisburg,
married Rev. B. B. Leacock, D. D., of the
Episcopal Church; Dr. Robert Ross, died
April 4, 1875, at Harrisburg, at the age of
thirty-seven, who rose to eminence in his pro-
fession, married Miss Foote, daughter of Judge
Foote, of the State of New York, and they
left two children.
Shope, David, M. D., son of Jacob Shope
and Hart, was born July 25, 1808, in
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa. His grandfather, Andrew Schopp (or
Shope), emigrated from the Palatinate, Ger-
many, to America, arriving at Philadelphia
October 22, 1754, on the ship "Halifax"
from Rotterdam. He settled in then Lan-
caster county, married, and was in service
during the French and Indian war, after-
wards permanently locating in what is now
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin count}'.
Pa., on a tract of land in possession of his
great-grandson. He had sons Bernhard,
Jacob, and Adam. The first married, re-
moved to Centre county. Pa., where his de-
scendants now reside. Jacob and Adam
divided the farm, the former of whom sub-
sequently disposed of his, the latter dying on
the old homestead at the age of ninety-one
years. Jacob Shope, who lived to the age of
eighty-seven, married a Miss Hart, and they
had issue: Abraham, Jacob, Bernhard, David,
Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, and Catharine.
David, the subject of our sketch, worked on
his father's farm until the age of sixteen, re-
ceiving such educational advantages as the
the country schools then afforded. He was
afterwards sent to a select school in Cumber-
land county, and also that taught by Mr.
Cummings at Brown's school house on the
Jonestown road. He taught school several
times, and at the age of nineteen began the
study of medicine with Dr. Markley, of Man-
heim, Lancaster county, Pa., and after the
latter's death with his successor, Dr. Veasy.
In October, 1832, he located in Hummels-
town, where he continued in the successful
practice of his profession until his decease,
which occurred December 2, 1842, at the age
of thirty-four years, and is buried in the
Hummelstown cemetery. Few practitioners
stood higher in the confidence and esteem of
the community in which he lived than Dr.
David Shope. He never married.
Kemble, De. George S., died at Mifflin-
burg. Union county. Pa., March 9, 1884. He
was the eldest son of George S. and Catha-
rine Kemble, born in this city about the
year 1825. His father was quite prominent
in public affairs during the period of the in-
troduction of the water supply, and was a
successful merchant tailor. He died during
the Rebellion, his widow surviving him un-
til a few years since. Their children were
Dr. George S., Capt. James R., of the United
States army, who died while in the service,
Henry B., also deceased, and Charles C, who
resides near Wheeling, W. Va. Dr. Kemble
was educated in the public schools and at
the old Harrisburg Academy. He studied
medicine and graduated at Jefferson ('ollege.
He practiced medicine at Philadelphia and
Harrisburg, and at one time had charge of
the Jewish Hospital in the former city. Dur-
ing the war for the Union Dr. Kemble served
in the medical department of the United
States army with distinguished credit. He
served as brigade surgeon on the staff of
Gen. Isaac I. Stevens and at the battle of
Chantilly the General fell mortally wounded
and died in the Doctor's arms. After the
battle of Antietam he was in charge of Pleas-
ant Valley Hospital, near Frederick, Md.,
and subsequently was on duty in the south-
ern department. At the close of the Rebel-
lion he returned to the active duties of his
profession, chiefly at MifHinburg, where he
was highly esteemed and appreciated. He
was a genial, generous and noble-hearted
man, and few there be in the home of his
adoption who had more friends and who will
be so severely missed. In his boyhood, early
manhood and mature years he was the same
delightful companion, and those of his con-
freres in early years will deeply regret his
passing away. Dr. Kemble left a wife and
several children.
358
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
DbWitt, Dr. William Radcliffe, son of
the Rev. William R. DeWitt, D. D., and his
wife Mary Elizabeth Wallace, was born De-
cember 5, 1827, at Harrisburg, Pa., and died
May 31, 1891,' at St. Augustine, Fla. He
was educated at the Harrisburg Academy,
and graduated in medicine from the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania. After graduating
he was immediately appointed assistant phy-
sician of the Pennsylvania State Lunatic
Asylum, which position he held for about
seven years. He then traveled in Europe
studying his profession. He returned to
Harrisburg with the intention of practicing
medicine, when he was appointed by Presi-
dent. Buchanan to the charge of the marine
hospital in the Sandwich Islands at Hono-
lulu, the capital, and here he remained a
number of years, when, upon the breaking
out of the Civil war, he tendered his services.
He held the rank of major, and was surgeon-
in-chief of the First division. Fifth army
corps, of the Army of the Potomac. Here
he became the intimate friend of many of
the most noted officers in the Northern
army. General Warren was one of his best
and most intimate friends. He was breveted
lieutenant colonel for meritorious services
and bravery on the field of battle. After the
war he was chief medical officer of Georgia,
Florida, and South Carolina, stationed at
Charleston. He afterwards held a similar
position at Louisville, Ky. In 1869 he re-
signed his commission and took up his resi-
dence in Harrisburg, and was engaged in
the successful practice of medicine, when in
1874 he was compelled to abandon his pro-
fession and go to Florida on account of his
ill health, caused by exposure in the army.
That year he traveled through the State and
returned in 1875, taking up, his residence at
San Mateo. In his new home he became
quite prominent, was at one time chairman
of the board of public instruction for Put-
nam county, and a Florida newspaper stated
at the time of his death that it was largely due
to his exertions that the school s^'stem was
what it then was. Dr. DeWitt was in poli-
tics a Democrat and always a strong sup-
porter of his party. In religious faith he
was an Episcopalian, and in later years was
a hard student of theology,in which he took
great pleasure. In 1889 he was a delegate
to the General Episcopal Convention. An
active member of his church, his views and
opinions in religious matters were always
■held in great esteem and of weight by all.
He was a man of high intellectuality, of
strong but just opinions, a strong and
faithful friend, a pure and devoted Chris-
tian, and having all those attributes to
make him honored, loved and respected.
Dr. DeWitt married, in 1865, Susan E.
Spangler, of York, who with one son sur-
vived him.
WiTMAN, Henry Orth, M. D., was born
January 22, 1830, in Harrisburg, Fa. He
was the oldest son of John Otto Witman and
his wife Caroline Orth. His father was a
native of Reading, and came to Harrisburg
as a clerk, under Surveyor General Hiester,
subsequently studying medicine under Dr.
Luther Reily, whose wife's sister he. married.
And he was for upwards of forty years a
successful practitioner, thirty years of which
were in Halifax, Dauphin county. The son
Henry Orth was educated in Harrisburg at
Partridge's military academy, studying med-
icine with his father and attending medical
lectures at Castleton, Vt., graduating after-
wards from the Jefferson Medical College,
of Philadelphia. Until the war for the
Union he practiced his profession at Halifax,
in connection with his father. During the
Rebellion he served as lieutenant of com-
pany E, Sixth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteer militia, and captain of company E,
Thirty-sixth volunteer militia. In 1866 he
removed to Harrisburg, where he continued
in the active practice of his profession, until
his appointment in 1890 as medical examiner
in the pension office at Washington. He
died in that city on the I3th of February,
1892. Dr. Witman was a learned and con-
scientious physician, was perfectly reliable —
could always be depended upon in any
emergency. His natural modesty and re-
serve operated somewhat against him as a
physician, but it can be said of him that, he
was perfectly free from charlatanism in what-
ever form it may appear. He married, Oc-
tober 11, 1866, Frederica Krause, daughter
of Judge David Krause, of Norristown, Pa.
They had four children.
PiTCAiRN, Hugh, M. D., son of John and
Agnes (McEwing)Pitcairn,was born in John-
ston, Scotland, in August, 1845. While in
his infancy his parents came to the United
States and settled in Allegheny City, Pa.
His early education was acquired in the
common and high schools of that f^iy. In
1859 he entered the office of the Pennsylva-
DA UPHIN CO UNTY.
361
nia railroad in Pittsburgh to learn telegraphy.
In less than six months he was directed to
take charge of the telegraph office situated at
the end of the double track, Mill Creek,
Huntingdon county, where he continued one
year, when he was appointed operator in the
general office at Altoona. In this place he
fulfilled the duties of clerk and operator until
1865, when he was called to Harrisburg as
assistant trainmaster, and two months later
received the appointment of acting assistant
superintendent and superintendent of the
Susquehanna division, while the directors at
their ensuing meeting confirmed him as as-
sistant general superintendent, and in this
capacity he served two years. He was offered
the position of superintendent of the Lehigh
Coal and Navigation Company, with the
office at Mauch Chunk, Carbon county. Pa.,
but later was sent by the president of the
Pennsylvania railroad to Kentucky for the
purpose of completing and taking charge of
the Evansville, Henderson and Nashville
roa'd. After the completion of this road he
was appointed general superintendent and
assisted in the purchase of the Edgefield and
Kentucky railroad, thus making a through
line from Nashville, Tenn., to Evansville,
Ind. He continued in charge of this road
until its sale to the St. Louis and Southeast-
ern railroad, when he.accepted the position as
superintendent of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
and St. Louis railroad (Pan-Handle route)
at Pittsburgh, where he continued until the
early part of 1875, when failing health com-
pelled him to resign. He then went to Eu-
rope, attending clinical lectures in the hos-
pitals of London, subsequently graduating
from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadel-
phia. In 1880 he located at Harrisburg in
the practice of his profession. Prior to leav-
ing for Europe he associated with H. C. Dean,
of Altoona, as proprietor and editor of the
Daily and Weekly Tribune, one of the largest
and best inland papers in the State, and has
continued to hold the same until the present
time, though taking very little part in its ac-
tive management since he entered the prac-
tice of medicine.
Agnew, Samuel, M. D., the son of James
Agnew and Mary Eamsey, was born in 1777,
near Millerstown, Adams county, Pa. His
parents were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. He
received a classical education and was des-
stined for the ministry, but on his gradua-
tion at Dickinson College in 1798, he chose
27
medicine for his life mission. He studied
with Dr. McClellan, of Greencastle, and
graduated at the University of Pennsylvania
in 1801. He first commenced the practice at
Gettysburg, but in 1804 came to Harrisburg,
where he remained until 1835. While at
Harrisburg he became quite distinguished
in his profession by his " Treatise on the Effi-
cacy of Kine Pock Innoculation as a Preventa-
tive of the Contagion of the Small-Pox." He
originated a plan for the general distribution
of Kine Pox by the establishment of a lottery,
and which proved successful. In the war of
1812 he was one of the first, perhaps the first
officer who offered his services and that of a
company comprising. the very best men of
Harrisburg, one hundred and twelve strong, to
Governor Snyder. As'therewasnocall for men
this company dissolved in 1813. In 1835 Dr.
Agnew went to Missouri, where he remained
a year. From thence to Pittsburgh, Phila-
delphia, and finally Butler, where he resided
with a daughter. In 1849, while on his way
to Temperanceville, near Pittsburgh, he was
violently thrown from a packet-boat into the
canal, from which injury or shock he did not
recover, dying November 25, 1849. Dr. Ag-
new was a ruling elder of the Presbyterian
church, Harrisburg, fifteen years, and Rev.
Dr. Robinson, thus summarizes his charac-
ter: "He was a man of notable qualities . .
both in social and professional life, as well as
in the church, he was promptly accorded a
place as a leader. Possessed of a sound, clear
and vigorous mind, well disciplined and pol-
ished by a thorough course of collegiate and
professional studies, a man of great activity,
of fine bearing and a cultivated gentleman,
who by his courtesy made his presence always
welcome, it was but natural that he should
stand at the head of his profession and exert
in every sphere where he moved a controll-
ing influence."
Brown, Mercer, M. D., was born near West-
chester, Chester county. Pa., April 22, 1795.
After receiving a thorough academic educa-
tion, he began the study of medicine under
Dr. King, of Columbia. He graduated in
1816, and located at McCall's Ferry, at which
point many persons at that time were being
employed in the erection of the bridge over
the Susquehanna, numbers of whom had
been attacked by severe sickness. He sub-
sequently removed to Wrightsville, where
he remained several years, when he located
in Middletown, and until his death, which
362
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
took place Februarj'^ 19, 1871, he was re-
garded as the head of the medical profession
there. Dr. Brown was long a prominent
actor in local and State politics. He was a
candidate for Congress at one time, but his
party being in the minority in the district,
he was defeated. As a citizen he was highly
respected and beloved. Dr. Brown married
Rebecca Wolfly, daughter of Jacob Wolfiy,
an early settler at Middletown. She died
April 2, 1861.
Hammond, John Wesley, M. D., son of
Rezin Hammond and Nancy Lee, was born
in Anne Arundel county, Md., in 1804. His
grandfather, Maj. Gen. John Hammond, of
the British army, came to Maryland in 1764
and purchased a large tract of land in Anne
Arundel, and there the father. Col. Kezin
Hammond, was born. Young Hammond
received his education mainly from private
tutors up to the time of studying medicine.
He graduated in medicine at the Universitv
of Maryland in 1825. In 1832 Dr. Ham"-
mond located in Somerset county. Pa., but in
1834 removed to Williamsport (now Mononga-
hela City) Washington county, Pa., where he
continued the practice of his profession. On
the election of Governor Ritner he was ap-
pointed, in 1836, chief clerk in the auditor
general's office, and removed to Harrisburg.
He held the position thrc ugh several admin-
istrations, and was afterwards for a number
of years cashier of the State treasury. In
1853 he removed to Philadelphia, where he
died in 1879, at the age of seventy-five. Dr.
Hammond married, in 1826, Sarah, daugh-
ter of Jonathan Pinkney, Esq., of Annapolis,
Md., and a niece of William Pinkney, the
distinguished lawyer, senator and "diplo-
matist. They had children: Rev. J. Pink-
ney, Dr. William A., formerly surgeon gen-
eral. United States army, now of New York
City; Elizabeth Pinkney, Charles Elliot, and
Nathaniel Hobart ; of these, the first two and
last named are living. Dr. Hammond is held
in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens
for his urbanity, integrity and intellectual
ability.
WiESTLiNG, Benjamin Joseph, M. D., son
of Samuel Christopher and Anna Maria
(Bucher) Wiestling, was born September 16,
1805, in Middle Paxtang, Dauphin county.
Pa. He was educated in the public schools
of Harrisburg, whither his father removed
in 1811, and also the old Harrisburg Aca-
demy. He began the study of .medicine
with his father, and subsequently continued
under the instruction of his elder brothers,
Drs. Samuel C. and Joshua M. He attended
lectures at the University of Pennsylvania,
graduating from the medical department of
that institution in March, 1827. He located
at Middletown, Pa., where for a period of
over fifty years he practiced his profession.
Dr. Wiestling married, June 23, 1831, Matilda
Eveline, daughter of Andrew and Hannah
(Templin) Ross, of Georgetown, D. C.
Sbilee, Christian, M. D., the second
son of Christian Seller and Elizabeth Wol-
farth, was born November 24, 1804, in South
Hanover township, within a few miles of
Hummelstown, Dauphin county. Pa. He
received the rudiments of education, princi-
pally German, at the village school in Hum-
melstown, the English language at that date
being spoken by few families of the neigh-
borhood. His father removing to Harris-
burg in 1821, the son was sent to the Harris-
burg Academy, while that institution was
under the care of Mr. Hamilton and Mr.
Todd. He was of an inquiring turn of mind,
an attentive student, and received not only
a good English education, but acquired a
knowledge of Latin and Greek. At an early
day he had a predilection for military life,
and in the year 1823 was elected captain of
of a juvenile infantry company in Harris-
burg. He commenced the study of medi-
cine with Dr. Cornelius Luther, a young
physician of great prominence, who died at
Harrisburg in 1827, afterwards completing
his studies with Dr. Samuel Agnew. He
then attended the lectures at Jefferson Medi-
cal College, Philadelphia, where he gradu-
ated in March, 1828. Shortly after he com-
menced the practice of his profession at Hali-
fax and vicinity, where his knowledge of the
German language gave him great advantage.
His practice extended through Upper Pax-
tang and Mifflin townships, in fact through
all that section of countrj'^ lying west of
Peter's mountain. He was succeeding well,
but having married about this time, he con-
cluded to remove to Williamsport, and for a
while abandoned his profession for the mer-
cantile business. The former had more
charms for him, and after practicing a year
or two at Williamsport he returned to Har-
risburg, where he soon secured an extensive
practice, which he retained until his death.
In 1844 he was elected brigadier general of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
363
the militia, after which he was more famil-
iarly addressed. At the outset of the war
with Mexico he offered his services, and was
within a few votes of obtaining the command
of a regiment of volunteers.
In politics Dr. Seller was a Democrat, and
was several times nominated for the Legisla-
ture, and thrice for Congress, but although
his party was in a hopeless minority, it was
only through strenuous exertions that he was
defeated. For nearly a quarter of a century
he served as a director of the public schools
of the borough of Harrisburg, and took a
warm interest in educational matters. Up
to about 1859 Dr. Seiler enjoyed excellent
healtli, but at that time symptoms of disease
of the heart manifested themselves, and he
was obliged to forego much of the fatigue in-
cident to his large country practice, in which
he was greatly relieved by his son, Robert
H., who had studied medicine under his
father, and graduated at Jefferson College in
1860. He was a man of uncommon endur-
ance, and too frequently he yielded to the
requests of his patients. In February, 1873,
after a long ride in the country, where he
was detained longer than perhaps prudent,
he was seized with a chill, and pneumonia
developed itself. From this attack he never
recovered, dying on the 11th of February,
]873, at the age of sixty-nine. Dr. Seller
married, on the 26th of March, 1833, Mary
Hayes, daughter of William Hayes, Esq., of
Lewisburg, Pa. She survived her husband
only five years, dying at Harrisburg in 1878.
They had two children who reached ma-
turity—Dr. Robert H., who died in 1876,
and Frank S., died December 20, 1879.
Rutherford, William Wilson, M. D.,
son of William Rutherford and his wife
Sarah Swan, was born November 23, 1805,
in Paxtang, now Swatara township, Dau-
phin county, Pa.; died March 13, 1873, at
Harrisburg, Pa. He commenced the study
of medicine with Dr. Whiteside, of Harris-
burg, then a prominent physician, in 1830;
and after the removal of Dr. Whiteside, con-
tinued under the instruction of Dr. Dean.
He attended the lectures of Jefferson Medical
College, 1830-32, graduating from that insti-
. tution on March 7 the latter year. He located
first at Mechanicsburg where he remained
nearly a year, when, entering into partner-
ship with his preceptor, Dr. Dean, he removed
to Harrisburg, where for forty years he prac-
ticed his profession, winning for himself an
honorable name not only at home but abroad.
Dr. Rutherford had what few physicians pos-
sessed— a most perfect knowledge of diseases
in general ; and it mattered little what case,
his diagnosis, when called in consultation,
was final as it was accurate. An extensive
practice of over forty years in every depart-
ment of medicine and surgery gave him such
a perfect knowledge of his profession that the
loss of his advice and assistance in difficult
cases was severely felt by his surviving
brethren. For eight years prior to his death
he had been the regular appointed surgeon
to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, al-
though he served it some ten years previous
when called upon. From the organization
of the old Harrisburg Gas Company he was
one of its directors, and, at his death, presi-
dent of the company. In numerous other
enterprises he took an active part, and was
always one of Harrisburg's public-spirited
citizens. His life was an eventful one, and
one fraught with many incidents of interest.
In season and out of season, in life and in
death, his good-natured face appeared upon
the stage, gladly, even tearfully, welcome.
Dr. Rutherford married Eleanor Crain,
daughter of Col. Richard M. Crain.
Orth, Edward Lawrence, M. D., son of
Henry Orth and his wife Rebecca Rohm,
was born January 4, 1814, in the city of
Baltimore, Md., and died April 15, 1861, in
Harrisburg, Pa. His father dying while the
son was in early life, the mother removed to
her former home, Harrisburg, where the boy
was carefully brought up. He received the
education of the borough schools and entered
the Harrisburg Acadeni}' where he pursued
the higher branches. He subsequently be-
gan the study of medicine with his brother-
in-law, Dr. Luther Reily, afterwards attend-
ing the lectures of Jefferson Medical College,
of Philadelphia, from which institution he
graduated March 12, 1834. Locating at
Harrisburg, he began the practice of his
profession in partnership with Dr. Reily,
which continued until the death of the
latter. Few practitioners became as suc-
cessful as these noted physicians were, and
none at the capital were ever so deservedlj'
popular. For seven years after the death of
his life-long friend. Dr. Orth continued his
professional life, enjoying not only a large
practice, but the confidence and love of his
numerous patients. As a physician- he was
learned, skillful, self-sacrificing, sympathetic
364
BIO GRA PHICAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
and faithful. In the communitj' he was
greatly beloved for his unassuming, gentle,
and gentlemanly demeanor. In the lan-
guage of a contemporary, " he was a man of
fine culture, an attentive and conscientious
physician, quiet and unobtrusive in man-
ner." For many years he was one of the
trustees of the Presbyterian church, was a
director of the Harrisburg Bank, and served
in the borough council. Dr. Orth married
Martha Cummins Kerr, daughter of Rev.
William Kerr, of Donegal, and Mary Wilson,
his wife.
Seiler, Jeremiah, M. D., son of Jacob
Seller and Christiana Fireabend, was born
June 27, 1818, in Middlesex township, Cum-
berland county. Pa. His early education
was that received in the public schools of the
country, but he applied himself closely to
study and soon fitted himself for entering
upon his life work. Pie entered the office of
Dr. Van Huff,- of Mechanicsburg, and sub-
sequently that of Dr. W. W. Dale, under
whose instructions he pursued the course of
study outlined as preparatory to his attend-
ing medical lectures, which he did at the
University of Maryland, from which institu-
tion he graduated in March, 1843. He im-
mediately began the practice of his profes-
sion, locating in West Hanover township,
Dauphin county, where he continued until
the year 1866, when he removed to Harris-
burg. He was the first in his profession to
administer chloroform in the practice of sur-
gery west of Philadelphia. He was also one
of the first of the interior physicians who in
1850, when typhoid fever made its appear-
ance in the rural sections, to comprehend its
nature and successfully control its fatal ef-
fects. He was elected to the Legislature as a
member of the House from Dauphin county
in 1866, serving for two years. The charac-
teristics which were peculiar to the man as a
physician marked his action as a legislator.
He was studious and deliberate in all that
he did and said, with a natural frankness
and unaffected modesty which never fail as
manifestations in the character of a truly
honest man. While a member he served on
the committees of divorce, accounts, pas-
senger railways and chairman of that of the
State Library. With the close of the last
session of his official position he resumed his
professional duties, and was actively engaged
therein at Harrisburg, where he died after a
brief illness on November 16, 1878, at the
age of sixty years. Dr. Seiler married,
March 19, 1842,' Anna Elizabeth Stigleman,
daughter of John and Rachel Stigleman, of
Cumberland county, and their children were
Rev. Galen W., at one time missionary in
India; Dr. John P., a bright young physi-
cian, now deceased, and Clara A.
Dock, George, second child of William
Dock and Margaret Gilliard, was born 23d
of May, 1823, at Harrisburg, Pa. Though
of very delicate constitution, he was sent to
school at an early age, and received a liberal
education. In September, 1840, he entered
the office of Prof. William E. Horner, of
the University of Pennsylvania, as a private
student. He matriculated at the medical
department of the university in the summer
of 1841, attended the course of lectures at the
medical institute,' and having pursued the
full course at the university, session of 1842,
he was elected resident student in Blockley
Hospital, entering upon his duties the 1st of
May, where he faithfully served one year,
gaining no little reputation as a thorough
anatomist. In the spring of 1844 he gradu-
ated from the University of Pennsylvania.
Returning to his home at Harrisburg, he
assumed the duties of his profession. In the
autumn of 1845, at the solicitation of Prof.
Horner, he removed to Philadelphia, and
the winter following was engaged by the
former as his. private dissector at the uni-
versity. During the war with Mexico he
was tendered the position of assistant surgeon.
Second regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
but his health prevented it's acceptance. In
January, 1847, he was elected physician to
the Dauphin county almshouse, where he
served one year. Advised to take a sea
voyage for the benefit of his health, in Octo-
ber, 1849, he sailed for Europe, and while
there visited the different hospitals of Paris
and London. On his return he resumed the
practice of his profession. For a period of
thirteen years he was a member of the board
of trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at
Harrisburg, in 1854 elected a member of the
Academyof Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
while in July following Pennsylvania Col-
lege conferred on him the honorary degree
of Master of Arts. On the 17th of March,
1856, he was appointed professor of surgery
in Philadelphia College of Medicine, which
he at first declined, but subsequently, by
great persuasion, he accepted the position.
During the winter following, his health be-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
365
coining seriously impaired, he was compelled
to withdraw from all professional duties.
In 1860 he made a second visit to Europe,
and upon his return quietly settled down in
his office, regaining a handsome practice in
his specialty— diseases of the eye. In 1861
he was commissioned surgeon of the Six-
teenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
subsequently placed on the board of medical
examiners to pass on the qualifications of
candidates for appointment on the medical
staff of the Pennsylvania forces in the army.
From this time forward until 1868 his
health was fair, but subsequently became
seriously impaired, until at ]as"t he was
obliged to relinquish entirely the duties of
his profession. On the 10th of August, 1874,
he was suddenly taken with a hemorrhage
of the lungs, but not until the 17th of Au-
gust, 1875, did the Messenger come, and the
spirit of George Dock pass from his frail
tenement. Had he possessed the physical
strength, most of the brilliant suggestions of
his gifted and active mind would have been
carried out to" a successful result. He had
by nature a strongly marked, bold, original,
positive and incisive mind. As it was, he
was never idle. He made his mark in the
profession he so dearly loved and highly
honored. Few men were more greatly
esteemed, for he was to all genial and kind
and courteous. Dr. Dock married, July 30,
1844, Clara S. Rehrer, daughter of Col.
Thomas J. Rehrer, of Harrisburg, who, with
one daughter, survived him.
Rutherford, Levi, M. D., eldest son of
John and Jane (Meader) Rutherford, was
born in Paxtang in the year 1826. After
the death of his father, in 1832, he was
taken by his uncle, William Rutherford, in
whose family he remained until he attained
his majority. He received his education and
read medicine under Dr. W. W. Rutherford,
of Harrisburg, graduating at the University
of Pennsylvania in March, 1849. He at
once began the practice of medicine at New
Cumberland, which promised bright, but his
health failing he was compelled to relinquish
the duties of his profession. He returned
home and undertook the superintendence of
the farm, hoping thereby to re-establish his
health. This proved futile, for he gradually
failed and died at Harrisburg on the 8th of
February, 1851. Intelligent, amiable and
upright. Dr. Levi Rutherford's young life left
a rose-tinted memory in many households.
CoovER, Eli H., M. D., was born in Lower
Allen township, Cumberland county. Pa.,
October 21, 1827. He is a son of Jacob and
Anna (Houser) Coover, natives of Cumber-
land county. The father was a farmer by
occupation, and prominent in his region.
He was an active member of the United
Brethren church, and prominently identified
with every branch of church work. The
parents reared a family of twelve children.
Eli H. was the seventh son and the ninth
child of the family. He was reared in Cum-
berland county, and received his education
in Mechanicsburg high school. He took up
the study of medicine under Dr. Augustus
Vanhoff and later under Dr. Andrew Miller,
of Harrisburg. He attended the Jefferson
Medical College, of Philadelphia, and was
graduated therefrom in 1850. He first be-
gan practice in New Cumberland, Cumber-
land county, and continued it there from
1850 to 1869. He then removed to Harris-
burg and continued the practice. In earlier
days he combined the practice of dentistry
with that of his profession, and is now one
of the oldest physicians in practice in the
city. He was one of the founders of the
Cumberland County Medical Society. He
is a member of the Dauphin County
Medical Society, the State Medical Society
and the National Medical Association.
He was one of the organizers of the Har-
risburg Academy of Medicine, being one
of a committee of five chosen from the
county medical society to select a suitable
place to hold its meetings. He was instru-
mental in securing the present building and
was chosen the first president of the academy,
which position he still retains. He was rail-
road surgeon of the Northern Central rail-
way for seventeen years, from Bridgeport to
Goldsboro. He served as United States pen-
sion examiner for twelve years, from 1872 to
1883, inclusive. He is a stockholder in the
Harrisburg Bank, Harrisburg Trust Com-
pany, Central Guarantee Trust and Safe De-
posit Company, Chestnut street and Broad
street market houses. He has large real
estate interests in Harrisburg. In politics
he is a Republican and was formerly an
active partisan. He was married, first, in
1851, to Miss Annie Hummell, daugliter of
David Hummell, Esq., of Harrisburg, who
died in 1889. She had two children, namely :
David H., of Denver, Col., occulist, and Harry
R., M. D., of this city. He was again mar-
ried, October 1, 1890, to Miss Elsie Coover,
366
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Johnstown, Pa. He is- not a member of
any fraternal society or club. He is a mem-
ber of the First Lutheran church of Harris-
burg. He is a liberal contributor to chari-
table institutions.
Hammond, of Harrisburg; Emma, wife of
Lieut. John M. Payer, of Navy Yard, Wash- '
ington, D. C, and Elizabeth Reily, unmar-
ried. Dr. Porter attends the Presbyterian
church and was formerly a trustee, and has
has retired from active church work.
Porter, George W., M. D., was born in
Huntingdon, Pa., March 9, 1825, son of
David R. and Josephine (McDermott) Por-
ter. He was reared and educated in his na-
tive place up to his fourteenth year, and
subsequently took a regular college course,
graduating from Lafayette College in the
class of 1846. His preceptor in the study of
medicine was Dr. Robb, then resident phy-
sician of the Eastern Penitentiary, and sub-
sequently he attended lectures of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, from which insti-
tution he was graduated in 1850. He at
once began the practice of medicine at Har-
risburg, in whicli he continued over twenty
years and then retired. James Buchanan
appointed him postmaster in 1857, and
Governor Pollock made him trustee of the
Hospital for the Insane, in which office he
served thirteen years. He was designated as
prison inspector in 1883, and in January,
1893, was made secretary of the board. Dr.
Porter is a Republican in politics, but up to
the, time of the war had been a Democrat.
He was a warm personal friend of General
Grant, and was active in promoting his elec-
tion to the Presidency. Dr. Porter was
drafted for service in the army, but was re-
jected on account of impaired health. He
took an active part in the freeing of the
slaves. Since 1877 he has been identified
with the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, being a prominent and
active representative of the Pennsylvania
branch of that society. The Doctor is largley
interested in farming. Before the incorpora-
tion of this city he served as school director.
He has been in the city since 1839 but has
held no city ofiice. The Grant and Har-
tranft Club made i)im president of the organ-
ization and in this and other ways he was
active in the work of the Republican party.
Dr. Porter was married in 1854 to Miss
Emily Reilj-, daughter of Dr. Luther Reily,
of Harrisburg. Slie died September 1, 1889.
They reared six children : George W., pay-
master of New York Central railroad, re-
sides at New York ; Rebecca R., wife of Dr.
W. Trout, of Spring Lake Beach, N. J.; Car-
oline Reily, wife of Melancthon S. Holwell,
Harrisburg; Josephine, wife of William B.
O'CoNNER, Mortimer, M. D., is a native of
county Kerry, Ireland. He received a classi-
cal education. He commenced the study of
medicine at Dublin, in October, 1846, and
graduated there Ma,y 6, 1851. For a period
of ten years he was connected with the Eng-
lish service as medical officer. He came to
America permanently in 1863, and on Feb-
ruary 13, 1864, married Susan Frances, daugh-
ter of Jacob M. and Elizabeth E. (Jacobs)
Haldeman, of Harrisburg. He resides in
this city partially in the practice of his pro-
fession.
Hayes, Joshua Roberts, M. D., son of
Nathaniel and Matilda (Barwick) Hayes,
was born in 1832, in New Castle county,
Del. He received his primary and aca-
demic education at New Castle Academy,
and entered the full course at the University
of Pennsylvania in October, 1852, graduat-
ing from the medical department of that in-
stitution in 1855, having pursued previously
the study of medicine under the late Dr.
John B. Brinton, of West Chester, and the
late Dr. George W. Norris, of J'hiladelphia.
After graduating, in 1855, he settled in the
practice of his profession at Rock Island, 111.,
and wliile there for a period of five years, at-
tended professionally Abraham Lincoln, Ste-
phen A. Douglas, and other celebrities in the
State when they attended the courts of that
county and district. When the war of the
Rebellion broke out Dr. Hayes returned to
Pennsylvania, and in 1861 was commissioned
surgeon of theSeventy-second regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and in this and other
commands served during four years. For a
period of nine months he was in medical
charge of Camp Cuitin, at Harrisburg, and
while there examined over ten thousand re-
cruits. He was in seventeen battles of the
late war, and performed or assisted in nearly
eight thousand capital operations. In 1879
he established at Harrisburg a weekly news-
paper. The Saturday Night, of which he was
editor and proprietor. He was the patentee
for several inventions for paving and devoted
much time to the production of artificial
stone, etc., and also for the utilizing of coal.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
367
and machinery to compress the dust of coal.
In addition to all these enterprises the Doctor
found time to practice his profession. He
married, in 1858, Elizabeth, daughter of John
and Maria Rutter, of West Chester, and their
children are: Areta V. and John Lawrence.
Henderson, James, M. D., son of Dr. Will-
iam Henderson, was born in the year 1827,
in Dauphin county, Pa. He received a good
academical education, studied medicine with
his father at Hummelstown and graduated
at the University of Pennsylvania in 1856.
He began the practice of medicine at Phila-
delphia, subsequently went to Plymouth,
Ohio, but his father dying in 1859 he re-
turned to Hummelstown. During the war
for the Union he was captain of company
C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was at
the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancel-
lorsville, being wounded at the latter. He
was a brave officer and held in high esteem
by his fellow-officers and the men of his
company. He afterwards went into service
as assistant surgeon of the Two Hundred
and First regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, and after the war resumed his profes-
sion at Hummelstown. His practice became
quite extensive, but his health subsequently
failed liim and he died of consumption on
Thursday, April 12, 1880, at Hummelstown.
Reily, George Wolf, M. D., the second
son of Dr. Luther Reily, and his wife Re-
becca Orth, was born in 1834, in Harrisburg.
His grandfather, Jolm Reily, was a captain
in the Pennsylvania Line of the Revolution,
in which serVice he was severely wounded,
and afterwards a lawyer of considerable
prominence at the Dauphin county bar. His
father. Dr. Luther Reily, was one of the most
prominent physicians in Central Pennsyl-
vania and was a member of the Twenty-fifth
Congress. The son, George Wolf, was edu-
cated at the Harrisburg Academy and at
Yale College, from which latter place he
graduated in 1854. He studied medicine
under his maternal uncle, Dr. Edward L.
Orth, and in 1857 graduated from the medi-
cal department of the University of Penn-
sylvania. He was in the active pra,ctice of
medicine for a number of years, but in 1870
upon being elected president of the Harris-
burg National Bank he relinquished his pro-
fession, holding this position until his death,
which occurred on the 8th of February, 1892.
He was a director in many of the leading
corporations of Harrisburg and of the Union
Trust Company of Philadelphia. He was
decidedly philanthropic in charitable work.
In politics Dr. Reily was a Democrat, and
in religious belief a Presbyterian, being for
many years a member of the Market Square
Presbyterian church. Dr. Reily married, in
February, 1861, Miss Elizabeth H. Kerr,
daughter of William M. Kerr, who with
three daughters and one son survived the
honored husband and father.
HuKSH, George R., M. D., third son of
Christian and Eliza Hursh, was born Febru-
ary 6, 1835, in Fairview township, York
county. Pa. He was brought up on his
father's farm. At tlie age of sixteen he was
sent to the Cumberland Valley Institute,
where he remained about eighteen months.
He then entered the office of Dr. A. J. Her-
man, of Carlisle, and began the study of
medicine and in due time attended lectures
in Jefferson Medical College, where he grad-
uated in March, 1857. He first located in
New Cumberland, where he practiced two
years, then removed to New Market, York
county. In September, 1864, he was ap-
pointed assistant surgeon in the army, and
was stationed in the United States hospital,
at York, Pa. Toward the close of the Re-
bellion he resigned his position, and resumed
the practice of medicine at New Market. In
1868 he was elected a member of the Penn-
sylvania House of Representatives, and the
following year re-elected. In 1871 he re-
moved to Harrisburg, and in 1876 he was
appointed on the medical staff of the City
Hospital, Harrisburg. Dr. Hursh married,
in 1859, Sarah A. Reiff.
Markley, George H., M. D., pharmacist
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Lancaster, Pa.,
March 28, 1833. He is a son of George B.
and Elizabeth (Hufnagle) Markley. George
B. Markley was born in Strasburg, Lancas-
ter county, and was of Hollandish extrac-
tion. He spent his life in that county. For
many years he carried on an extensive busi-
ness in merchandise. He was a prominent
man in his community. He died August
10, 1859. His wife,.Ehzabeth Hufnagle, was
a native of Lancatter, whose ancestors also
came from Holland. She was the last sur-
viving member of her family, and died Jan-
uary 27, 1864. They had six children :
Amos H., died in childhood, Elizabeth M.,
368
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wife of J. M. W. Geist. died November 8,
1893, Henry H., died September 21, 1868,
John B., living in Lancaster, Dr. George H.
and Samuel B., died September 17, 1868.
George H. Markley passed his youth in
his native city and received his elementary
education in her public schools. He took a
classical course at Franklin College, Lancas-
ter. In 1851, at the close of his collegiate
course, he went Philadelphia and became a
student in pharmacy. He was graduated
from the College of Pharmacy with the class
of 1854. While acquiring a theoretical
knowledge of his profession, from 1851 to
1855, he was applying his knowledge and
attaining to skill through practice by en-
gagement in the drug store of Peter Will-
iamson & Son. In 1855 he began the study
of medicine and graduated from the Penn-
sylvania Medical College in 1858. He prac
ticed medicine in Lancaster for a few years.
• He was engaged in the drug business for
himself in that city until 1866, when he re-
moved to Harrisburg and has since been in
business here.
In 1864 Dr. Markley enlisted as a private
in the Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers.
After a short term of service he was honor-
ably discharged. Smce the erection of the
opera house in 1873 he has been connected
in various ways with that enterprise. He is
now senior partner in the firm of Markley
& Co., managers of the opera house.
George H. Markley was married in Harris-
burg, December 2, 1862, to Emma, daughter
of Charles A. and Barbara (Keller) Snyder,
early settlers of Harrisburg. They have
three daughters living : Helen L., wife of
Simon B. Cameron, residing in Lancaster
county ; Elva G., wife of Ralph Shaw, Esq.,
residing at Little Falls, N. J.; Katherine E.,
residing with her parents.
Dr. Markley is a staunch Republican, of
the old Whig stock. He has represented
the Third ward of Harrisburg as school di-
rector for one term, and the Fourth ward as
councilman one term. He is a member of
Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, E\ & A. M., and
of Post No. 58, G; A. R.
torney-at-law, located in Illinois, and was
judge of the Livingston county court for
eight years ; died in 1881, a prominent man.
Edmund, another brother, graduated from
the Jefferson Medical College in 1861, lo-
cated in Huntingdon county, and died in
the fall of the same year. There were three
sisters : Mary A., who married Armstrong
Campbell, both died in Illinois, -where they
resided for more than thirty years ; Mrs. Dr.
Stewart, of Iowa, and Mrs. Black, of Hunting-
don county ; and Mordecai, farmer, of Stone
Valley, Huntingdon county. Pa. The father
died in 1894, at the age of eighty-six years,
and the mother died in 1884, aged seventy-
eight years. William L. was reared in his
native county. He received his education
in the Pine Grove Seminary, Centre county.
Pa., and the Stone Valley Academy. He
clerked in a store for one year. He read
medicine under Dr. Matthew Miller, and was
graduated from the University of Pennsyl-
vania in 1868. He began the practice of
medicine at Stone Valley. In 1874 he
graduated from the Ohio Medical College at
Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1880 he came to
Harrisburg, where he has since practiced.
He conducts a general practice, and is a
member of the Dauphin County Medical
Society. He has served as examining
physician for insurance companies. He is
Democratic in his political views and is a
member of the Masonic order. The doctoi
was married in February, 1868, to Miss
Tillie Miller, daughter of Dr. Matthew Miller,
of his native county. They have three chil-
dren, namely: Mabel E., wife of John P.
McPherran, son of Dr. McPherran, of Spruce
Creek, Huntingdon county. Pa.; Edmund
L., graduate from the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Baltimore; and Grace B.,
who lives with her father. Dr. Duff is a
member of the M. E. church. He is district
steward in this church, and also financial
steward.
Duff, William L., M. D., was born in
Huntingdon county, Pa., October 10, 1844.
He is a son of John and Barbara (Randolph]
Duff, of that county. They were farmers by
occupation, and of Scotch-Irish descent.
William L. was the youngest of their seven
children. Jonathan, the eldest, was an at-
CoovER, Joseph Henry, M. D., son of
Samuel and Sarah (Stay man) Coover, was
born June 15, 1838, in Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland county, Pa. He was educated
at the Cumberland Valley Institute, Mechan-
icsburg, where he was prepared for entering
the junior class of a college course, but de-
termining to lead a professional life, com-
menced the study of medicine with Dr. Eli
H. Coover, in the fall of 1860, and later with
Profi D. Hayes Agnew, of Philadelphia, at
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
369
tending Jefferson. College lecture course,
1861-62. In the spring of the latter year he
was appointed by Governor Curtin one of
the commissioners to investigate the sanitary
condition of the Pennsylvania soldiers in the
Army of the Potomac. Upon his refurn he
went before the United States Medical Board,
at Philadelphia, for examination, and was
placed in charge of the reserve of the Fifth
United States artillery, Armv of the Potomac.
In the fall of 1862 he retiarned to college
where he graduated in March, 1863. He was
afterwards sent as assistant surgeon to the
general hospital, Nashville, Tenn.; from
thence to the officers' hospital, at Annapolis,
Md., where he remained until the winter of
1864, performing, as Surgeon Baers, U. S. A.,
says, " some of the most difficult operations
in surgery, and discharging his professional
duties at all times in a highly scientific man-
ner, reflecting both credit to himself and honpr
to the medical fraternity." The winter of
1864-65 was spent in college and in the
wards of the different hospitals of the city of
Philadelphia. The following spring Dr.
Coover located at Harrisburg, in the prac-
tice of his profession. Desiring to lessen the
burden of his practice, he was led to devote
special attention to diseases of the eye, ear
and throat, and with this object in view he
went to Europe, where, during the years of
1878-79, he pursued his studies in these
specialties referred to in the hospitals of
Vienna and London, under the most emi-
nent and skillful surgeons and physicians in
the world.
Dr. Coover married, in 1865, Flora L.,
daughter of Col. John Wolford, of York
Springs, Adams county. Pa.
Rahtee, Charles A., M. D., Harrisburg,
Pa., born August 8, 1839, near Minden, ou
the Weser, Westphalia, Prussia, is the son
of Christian and Charlotte (Wehmeir) Rali-
ter. His father. Christian Rahter, the son
of a farmer, was born in Prussia, in the year
1805, and having an elder brother who in-
herited th§ paternal esta e, he. Christian,
learned the trade of coach-making, immi-
grated to Pennsylvania in 1842, and settled
at Conestoga Centre, and emoved to Littles-
town, Adams county, in the spring of 1847.
Here Charles A. attended the public schools ;
in 1858 he entered the classical institute at
Hanover, Pa., and afterwards took a partial
course at the Pennsylvania College at Gettys-
burg. In 1859 he taughtschool at Littles-
town, Pa., during one session, and then at-
tended the Littlestown Classical Institute
for one year. During the winter of 1860-61
he was engaged as principal of Carroll Acad-
emy, Union Mills, Md.
In the meantime his father had removed
to Woodsborough, Md., and Dr. Rahter com-
menced the study of medicine therein 1862,
under the direction of Dr. C. W. Benson ;
matriculated at the medical department of
the University of Maryland, 18ti3, and the
following year attended lectures at the Long
Island College Hospital, Brooklvn, N. Y.,
where he was graduated in 1864. Soon after
graduating, Dr. Rahter entered the Union
service as acting assistant surgeon, and for a
time was stationed at Fairfax Seminary,
United States General Hospital, near Alex-
andria, Va. Early in 1865 he was transferred
to Campbell United States Army General
Hospital, Washington, D. C, where he re-
mained until June 1 of the same year, when
he resigned and went to Harrisburg, Pa.,
and opened an office July 1, 1865. In Au-
gust, 1865, Dr. Rahter was appointed exam-
ining surgeon for pensions at Harrisburg,
and continued to discharge the duties of tliis
office until August 20, 1870, when he re-
signed to accept an appointment as acting
surgeon in the German army. Dr. Rahter
sailed for Liverpool on the steamship City
of Washington, Inman line, from New York,
in the latter part of August, 1870, with orders
to report to the German consul at Antwerp.
Upon arriving at that place he was ordered
to report to Surgeon General Scholler, Eighth
army corps, at Coblentz on the Rhine, and
was there assigned to f^uty as assistant sur-
geon in the Garrison Hospital of that city.
After serving for a period of four weeks. Dr.
Rahter was promoted to be staff surgeon, and
was ordered to St. Johann, Saarbincken, and
placed in charge of the Barracken Lazarett
of that city. In January, 1871, he was pro-
moted to be surgeon-in-chief to the Garrison
Lazaretto in addition to the Barracken Laza-
rett, continuing to serve in this capacity
until July 15, 1871, when he resigned from
the service. After leaving the German army
Dr. Rahter made a tour of Germany, France,
Switzerland, Italy, Austria, England and
Belgium, returning to Harrisburg, Pa.,?:iin
1872, and resumed the practice of medicine.
He was one of the founders, in January,
1866, ofthe Dauphin County (Pa.) xMedical
Society, president in 1876; is a member of
the American Medical Association; of the
370
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Medical Society of the State of Penns3'lvania
since 1868 ; of the Philadelphia Pathological
Society ; of the Harrisburg Pathological So-
ciety; charter member of the Harrisburg
Academy of Medicine; was president of tha
Harrisburg Board of Pension Examiners
1885-89 ; a member of the Harrisburg school
board for three years, and a member of Per-
severance Lodge,- No. 21, F. & A. M. The
Doctor married, November 11, 1875, Miss
Mary R. Keffer, of Harrisburg, an accom-
plished vocalist. They have one child liv-
ing, John Howard Rahter.
Fager, Charles Buppington, M. D., son
of Dr. John Henry and Mary (Buffington)
Fager, was born in the year 1841, at Harris-
burg, Pa. He was educated at the public
schools of Harrisburg, read medicine with
his father, and graduated from the University
of Pennsylvania, medical depai'tment, in
1864, and commenced the practice of his pro-
fession at Harrisburg. He was a medical
cadet in the United States army in 1862, and
contract assistant surgeon in 1864, vaccine
physician of Harrisburg, 1866-67, and one of
the founders of the Homeopathic Medical
Society, Dauphin county, in 1866. Dr. Fager
married Susan, daughter of Valentine Hum-
mel, of Harrisburg. He was a member of
the board of control of the city schools in
1884, and was president of same in 1887,
1888 and 1889.
Orth, Henry L., M. D., superintendent of
the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital at
Harrisburg, was born in Harrisburg, Pa.,
August 17, 1842, son of Edward Lawrence
and Martha Uummings (Kerr) Orth. His
grandfather, Henry Orth, settled in Balti-
more, where he died in 1816. Here Ed-
ward Lawrence Orth, father of Henry L.,
was born January 4, 1814. After the death
of his father Edward Lawrence removed with
his mother's family to Harrisburg, where the
son was educated in the borough schools and
tlie Harrisburg Academy. He began the
study of medicine with his brother-in-law.
Dr. Luther Reily, and subsequently pursued
his studies under the tuition of Dr. George
McClelland. He was graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College March 12, 1834, and
began practice in Harrisburg, where he had
eminent success. He died April 15, 1861.
He married Martha Cummings Kerr, daugh-
ter of Rev. James Kerr, a Presbyterian min-
ister, who married Mary, only daughter of
James Wilson and his wife Mary Elder,
daughter of Re'v. John Elder. They had
four children : Mary, who married Jacob F.
Seiler, superintendent of the Harrisburg
Academy, Henry L., James Wilson, who
married Miss Bertha E. Ross, and Rebecca
Reily.
Henry L. Orth entered Harrisburg Acad-
emy and from there went to Yale College
in 1859, remaining until 1861, when at the
outbreak of the Civil war he was appointed
acting medical cadet in the service, and in
1863 commissioned medical cadet in the regu-
lar army, in which he remained until 1865.
In May, 1866, he was graduated from the
medical department of the University of
Pennsylvania, and soon after located in his
native city. He was appointed in 1866 sur-
geon of the Northern Central Railway Com-
pany and in 1873 surgeon of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company. In August of the
latter year he was elected visiting surgeon of
the Harrisburg Hospital, and from 1873 to
1884 was president of the board of United
States pension surgeons at Harrisburg. In
1884, at the organization of the Harrisburg
Club, Dr. Orth was elected one of the gov-
erning committee. In 1889 he was ap-
pointed a trustee of the Pennsylvania State
Lunatic Hospital at Harrisburg, and on
August 28, 1891, was elected superintendent
and physician of the same.
Dr. Orth was married, June 30, 1868, to
Miss Elizabeth Bridgeman Dixon, daughter
of Joseph Shipley and Sarah Edwards
(Bridgeman) Dixon, of Wilmington, Del.,
and of English-Quaker origin. Dr. Orth
and his wife are members of the Market
Square Presbyterian church, of Harrisburg.
Dr. Orth was a member of the International
congresses held in 1876 and 1886 and a dele-
gate from the State of Pennsylvania, and
was president of the Medical Society of the
State of Pennsylvania in 1893.
Points in the genealogy of the Orth family
are interesting as part of the local history of
the Commonwealth. Balzer, or Balthaser,
Orth was born May 5, 1703, and emigrated
from his home in the Palatinate, Germany,
to Lebanon county. Pa., about 1730. He
came from a very old family, from whom was
derived the name of the village of Orth, sit-
uated on the right bank of the Danube, about
fifteen miles east of Vienna, and which was
settled about 1170 by Hartneid von Orthe,
who purchased the village and estates sur-
rounding it, founded a church and erected a
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
371
castle. The whole property remained in
possession of the family for several genera-
tions, when the proprietor, about the end of
the seventeenth century, sold out and re-
moved to Moravia and later to the Rhine.
Balzer Orth had warranted to him on No-
vember 25, 1 735, three hundred acres of land
in Lebanon township. He died October 20,
1788 ; his wife died March 29, 1773. Their
children were: Adam, John, and Balzer.
Adam, the eldest, was born March 10, 1733,
in Pennsylvania, and was brought up amid
the dangers and struggles of pioneer Jife.
During the French and Indian war he com-
manded a company, and in 1769 was one of
the commissioners of the county of Lancas-
ter. During the Revolution, although ad-
vanced in years, he was identified with the
struggle and appointed sub-lieutenant of
Lancaster county March 12, 1777. Upon tlie
formation of Dauphin count}' he served as a
representative in the General Assembly in
1779 and in 1780. He was opposed to the
adoption of the Federal Constitution and
was active in the Harrisburg conference in
1788. For a long time he owned and operated
New Market forge, which at his death he be-
queatlied to his son Henry. He was one of
tlie pioneers in the manufacture of iron in
Lebanon county. Oolonel Orth married,
May 24, 1757, Catharine Kucher, daughter
of Peter and Barbara Kucher, of Lebanon.
Their children were : Elizabeth, John, Ro-
sini, Joseph, Maria Elizabeth, Catharine, Re-
gina, Christian Henry, and Joanna. Of
these Christian Henry Orth died in Baltimore
in 1816. He received a good English educa-
tion and was brought up in the iron business.
At the death of his father he became tlje
owner of the New Market forge. In 1801 he
was elected State senator and served three
years. He was afterwards appointed flour
inspector of the port of Philadelphia, settled
in that city and engaged in business, remain-
ing there until the war of 1812, when he
removed to Baltimore. He was married in
1794 to Rebecca Rahm, daughter of Conrad
and Catharine (Weiser) Rahm. She died in
Harrisburg, December 31, 1843. Adam
Henry, a son born to them in 1798, was edu-
cated" as a lawyer, and was district attorney
for Dauphin county in 1827-28, and was
clerk of the House of Representatives. He
married Elizabeth Cox.
Hutton, a native of Cumberland county. Pa.
Joseph Hutton came to Dauphin county
when a young man, was a contractor, and
was afterwards appointed State commissioner
of canals. He died while holding that office,
in December, 1847. He was a public spirited
citizen, and belonged to the Guards,
of Harrisburg.
Dr. John C. Hutton was educated at Penn-
sylvania College, Gettysburg. His preceptor
in medicine was Dr. R. A.Martin, of Har-
risburg. He was graduated from tlie Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, medical depart-
ment, in 1867, and began practice at Port
Royal, Juniata county. Pa., where he con-
tinued for four years. He returned to Har-
risburg, and is now one of the oldest and
best known practitioners in the city. He is
a member of the Dauphin County Medical
Society ; is one of its board of managers,
and has served as president. Dr. Hutton is
also a member of the State Medical Society,
and was elected delegate to the Americin
Medical Association, but did not attend the
meeting. For a few years he was presi-
dent of the Harrisburg board of health,
and has done a grand work for the city.
He was on the first staff of physicians and
surgeons of the City Hospital, and has for
3' ears been physician to the hospital.
Dr. Hutton has served on the Harrisburg
school board — for the unexpired term of
Mayor John Detweiler, and during one full
term. In 1882-83-84 he was president of
common council. He is a Republican, and
active in politics. He belongs to several
secret fraternal orders. The Doctor was
inarried, in 1868, to Miss Carrie Mooney, of
Port Royal, Juniata county. Pa. She died
in 1882, leaving three children: James, of
Harrisburg, Carrie, and Grace. Dr. Hutton
was married again, in 1886, to Miss Jennie
C. Officer, of New Mexico. They have two
children : Margaret and Dorothy. The
Doctor isa member of Ziou Lutheran church.
Hutton, John C, M. D., was born in Har-
risburg, Pa., December 5, 1845, son of Joseph
Cook, I. Elmer, M. D., was born at Fiori-
dale, Adams county, Pa., .January 27, 1843.
He is a son of Thomas E. and Mary (Elden)
Cook, the former a native of York county,
the latter born in county Armagh, Ireland.
His father was an honored resident of Flori-
d ale all his life, and died -there in 1879, at
the advanced age of seventy-nine years.
His mother died at Floridale at the age of
eighty-nine years. They had five children,
four of whom are living, namely : Frank, of
372
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Cambridgeport, Mass., Charles, residing in
the homestead, Benjamin, residing in Cum-
berland county. Pa., and I. Elmer. A sister
Martha died at the age of fourteen years.
The father was engaged principally in agri-
cultural pursuits. I. Elmer received a pri-
mary education in the public schools of his
native town. In 1862 lie enlisted in com-
pany G, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth re-
giment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served
until the close of the war. He was mustered
out at Harrisburg in June, 1865. He par-
ticipated in all the principal battles fought
by the Army of the Potomac. He was
severely wounded in the right leg in the
battle of Fisher's Hill, Va., October 19, 1864,
and was taken to the hospital till convales-
cent. After his discharge from the army he
returned home and resumed his studies
under private tutorship in Philadelphia,
and completed a collegiate course. He be-
gan the reading of medicine with Dr. J. H.
Marsden, of York Sulphur Springs, Adams
county, and at the same time attended lec-
tures at the Hahnemann Medical College of
Philadelphia. He matriculated with the
class of 1866, and was graduated from the
same institution with the class of 1868.
He practiced medicine for three years in
Hanover, York county. At the expiration of
this time he removed to Harrisburg, and has
been continuously in the practice of his pro-
fession there for twenty-three years. He was
married at Harrisburg, September, 24, 1885,
to Sarah T. Matiiews, widow of the late Gen.
A. Mathews, of Lewistown, Pa., and daugh-
ter of William and Margaretta Shimp. They
have no children.
McGowAN, Hiram, M. D., was born on the
"Octorora," in Lancaster county, Pa., No-
vember 6, 1846, and is a son of John and
Catherine (Knott) McGowan. He received
his education at Uuionville, Cliester county,
and at Lewisburg, Union county, Pa. He
then went to Philadelphia and began the
study of medicine under Dr. C. P. Tutt, at-
tended the University of Pennsylvania, and
graduated from the medical department of
that institution in 1868. On May 21 of that
year he located in Harrisburg and began
the practice of his profession, and for many
years has been recognized as one of the most
learned, skillful and successful practitioners
of the city. He is a member of the county
and State medical societies, and of the
American Medical Association. In the or-
ganization of the Harrisburg Academy of
Medicine, he took an active part, being
chairman of the committee to formulate
plans, and one of the instigators of the same.
He is the first vice-president of that institu-
tion. During the Rebellion he served in the
Second Pennsylvania militia under Colonel
Wright, and in Captain Lambert's Indepen-
dent Cavalry company, of Harrisburg. He
is a staunch member of the Republican
party, and takes an active interest in the
welfare of the same.
Gerhard, Jerome Z., son of William T.
and Elizabeth (Seibert) Gerhard, was born
November 6, 1842, in Cherryville, North-
ampton county. Pa. He was prepared for
college in the high school at Lancaster, Pa ,
and the preparatory department of Franklin
and Marshall College, and graduated from
that institution in 1864. He entered the
office of Dr. John L. Atlee, of Lancaster, in
September of that year, and graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1868, and
at once opened an office in Lancaster, where
he remained nearly two years in active prac-
tice. During this time he was visiting phy-
sician to the Children's Home, and one of
the physicians to the Lancaster County Hos-
pital. February 1, 1870, he entered upon
the duties of first assistant physician of the
Harrisburg Hospital, and February 12, 1881
succeeded Dr. Curwen as superintendent,
which position he held until November 1,
1891. During the year 1877 he spent five
months on the continent, and thoroughly
inspected the methods of treatment practiced
in hospitals there.
Dr. Gerhard is a member of the Dauphin
County Medical Society, the State Medical
Society and the American Medical Associa-
tion ; also the Neurological Society of Phila-
delphia, and the American Academy of
Medicine. He was married in 1881 to' Miss
Mary Hill, daughter of George Hill, a promi-
nent attorney of Sunbury, Pa., and thev
have two children, Elizabeth Hill and Alice
Hill. The Doctor is an active member and
an elder in the German Reformed church.
He is independent in his political views.
Sensenig, Isaac B., M. D., was born in
Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa., Sep-
tember 9, 1847. He is a son of Isaac and
Eliza (Bowman) Sensenig.
The Sensenig family is of German an-
cestry, two brothers having come to America
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
373
late in the eighteenth century, and landed
at the port of Philadelphia." Here they
separated, one locating in the upper end of
Cumberland Valley, near Hagerstown, Md.,
the other, who was the ancestor of the
Lancaster county. Pa., bianch of the family,
settled in the Conestoga Valley, in Earl
township. Prior to the last three genera-
tions the members of this latter branch of
the family have all engaged exclusively in
quiet agricultural pursuits. They were mem-
bers of the Mennonite Church, where adher-
ents must agree not to participate in politics,
trade or commerce ; not to vote at any po-
litical election ; not to fill an office of trust or
public honor; not to go to law on the
offensive; not to take up arms to defend
life or property; a peaceable, law-abiding
people, promptly paying tax assessments, a
people peculiar to themselves, by themselves,
and for themselves; sober, industrious and
progressive, none ever being found in jail,
in the almshouse or on public charity. But
in the last three generations tlie children
are breaking away from those peculiar
domestic, economic and church tenets, and
are taking an active part in the affairs of the
world ; joining different church denomina-
tions, and engaging in politics, commerce,
trade, science and art. The father was a
prominent farmer of Earl township. He is
now retired. The mother was a daughter of
Samuel and Elizabetli Bowman, pioneer
settlers of Breakneck township, Lancaster
count}', from wliom the town of Bowmans-
ville in that county derives its name. The
mother is not living. They had four sons,
namely : Isaac B., Israel, residing on the
homestead, Peter, who died in infancy, and
Samuel, who died in 1892.
Isaac B. was reared to manhood in his
native township, receiving his primary edu-
cation in the public schools. When a little
over fifteen years old, in 1862, he enlisted in
the three months' militia. In the spring of
1864 he re-enlisted in the service of the Gov-
ernment, joining the One Hundred and
Ninety-fifth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers. He served until the close of the
war, and was mustered out at Washington, D.
C. He returned home, and began the study
of medicine with Dr. Isaac Winters, of
Hingletown, Earl township. He attended
Belleview Hospital Medical College, of New
York, graduating witli the class of 1869. He
beganthepracticeof his profession in Denver,
Lancaster county, at once, and continued
there for six years. In 1875 he removed to
Columbus, Ohio, and practiced there six
years. In 1881 he returned to Lancaster
county, and took up the practice of medicine
at Whitmore, and continued there till 1886.
During the two subsequent years, from April,
1886, to September, 1888, he was resident
physician and superintendent of Lancaster
County Insane Asylum. In September, 1888,
he located in Harrisburg. He was married
in Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa., in
July, 1868, to Mary Eby, daughter of Henry
and Mary (Resh) Eby, Mr. Eby being a
prominent farmer and stock dealer of Upper
Leacock township, Lancaster county. To
them have been born four children, one of
whom died in infancy. Tlieir living chil-
dren are: Naomi, Elizabeth and Oliver W.
Dr. Sensenig is a member of the Lancaster
County Medical Society. In politics he is a
staunch Republican. He attends the Re-
formed church. The Doctor was the first of
the family to enter the medical profession,
and well remembers the admonition of his
older relatives: "Do not engage in that
profession, it is not the proper calling for our
people;" and telling of the danger of being
enticed away from the good, pious church
and social relations.
Brown, James Morkison, M. D., medical
examiner of Pennsylvania Railroad Relief
Department, was born in Chattanooga, Tenn.,
January 16, 1849. He is a son of Rev. Will-
iam Beard and Mary Elizabeth (Bicknell)
Brown. Rev. William B. Brown was born
in Rockbridge county, Va. He was a gradu;
ate of Maryville College, Maryville, Tenn.-
was ordained to the ministry of the Presbj'-
terian Church in Tennessee, and spent his
life in the work of the ministry. He was
stated clerk of Kingston (Tenn.) Presbytery
for forty consecutive years. He died at Mary-
ville, Tenn., in March, 1879. He married
Mary Elizabeth Bicknell, who is still living
and resides at Maryville. They had nine
children, of whom eight are living : Dr.
James M.; Rev. W. B. Brown, a Presbyterian
minister at Hays City, Kans.; Mary Ella, de-
ceased, wife of Rev. R. H. Coulter; Emma
Edwina, wife of Rev. T. T. Alexander, mis-
sionary of the Presbyterian Church in Tokio,
Japan ; Hon. Thomas N., of Maryville, Tenn.,
a lawyer, and for many years member of the
Legislature; John Fielding, a prominent
farmer, Maryville, Tenn.; Elizabeth, wife of
H. H. Hewitt, Williamsburg, Pa.; Erie, wife
374
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Rev. M. N. Eankin, pastor of the Presby-
terian church, Mason, Warren county, Ohio;
Ethel, residing with her mother in Maryville.
James M. Brown, when he was a child, was
taken by his parents to Spring Place, Mur-
ray county, Ga., where he spent his early
life, and where, under the tutelage and in-
struction of his father, he received his pri-
mary education. He was prepared for col-
lege at Cleveland Academy, Cleveland, Tenn.;
was graduated from Maryville College in
1869, and then began reading medicin'e with
Dr. J. N. Lyle, of Danbridge, Tenn. In 1872
he was graduated from the medical depart-
ment of the University of Louisville, Ky.,
and returned at once to Maryville, where he
practiced medicine from that time until the
fall of 1876. In 18/7 he removed to Mines,
Blair county, Fa., where he practiced nine
years. Since February 8, 1886, he has been
in the service of the Pennsylvania railroad.
He was first employed by this company at
Derry, Westmoreland county, Pa., and in
March, 1890, was transferred to Harrisburg.
Dr. Brown was married at Maryville, Tenn.,
June 22, 1875, to Margaret, daughter of
George and Margaret Bell, of Rock Springs,
Centre county. Pa. They have no children.
During his residence in Blair county from
1877 to 1886, the Doctor was surgeon of the
Cambria Iron Company. He is an active
member of La Monte Lodge, No. 568, F. &
A. M., of Derry ; of Portage Chapter, No. 238,
of Johnstown, Pa.; of Pilgrim Commandery,
No. 11, Harrisburg; Harrisburg Consistory,
32° ; and of Orphans' Home Lodge, No. 315,
of Williamsport, Pa. He is an ex -president
of Blair County Medical Society, and ex-
member of the State Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. His political
views are Republican. Dr. and Mrs. Brown
attend Pine Street Presbyterian church.
•Hartman, Paul Augustus, M. D., was
born at Lebanon, Pa., December 24, 1850.
He is a sun of John Joseph and Wilhelmina
(Stoever) Hartman, who removed from Ly-
coming county. Pa., to Harrisburg, in 1864.
He obtained his literary education in the
public schools, at the State Normal School,
Kutztown, Berks county, and at Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pa. Having decided to study
medicine he entered the office of Dr. Robert H.
Seller, of Harrisburg, and pursued the study
of this science under his instruction. He
attended Jefferson Medical College and re-
ceived his diploma from that institution in
1874. The same year he began the practice
of medicine in Harrisburg, where he still
continues and enjoys an extensive and
lucrative business. The Doctor is a mem-
ber of the Dauphin County Medical Society,
the State Medical Society, the American Med-
ical Association, and was one of the organ-
izers and charter members of the Harris-
burg Academy of Medicine. He served as
secretary of the County Society for several
years, and in 1885 he was its president. He
was once a delegate to the American Medical
Association. He succeeded Dr. Egle in the
ofHce of prison physician, and still holds
that position. He is medical inspector for
the State Board of Health and also one of
the physicians to the City Hospital. Dr.
Hartman is a Republican in politics and is
active in local matters. He served two
terms in the common council of the city,
representing the Fourth ward, being elected
in 1876. He was a member of the police
and ordinance committee in this body. He
was elected a member of the school board
ivom. the Fourth ward in 1888 and is now
serving a third term in that board, being
president of the same. He is a stockholder
in the Trust Company. He is not a mem-
ber of any club and is unmarried.
Meals, Ezra S., M. D., was born at Ben-
dersville, Adams county, Pa., July 28, 1851.
He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth ^Rice)
Meals. Samuel Meals was born in Menallen
township, Adams county, and was of Scotch
and Welsh ancestry. He spent his entire
life in his native township, where he worked
at his trade of blacksmithing. From the
date of his marriage he resided at Benders-
ville, where he still lives, at the advanced
age of eighty-one years. He was for twenty-
five years a justice of the peace and also filled
acceptably many other offices in his native
county. He raised company G, One Hun-
dred and Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania volun-
teers, but did not go out with the men on
account of his age. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he
is a staunch Republican.
His wife, the mother of Dr. E. S. Meals,
was also born in Menallen township. She
was of German descent. They were married
in 1839. Mrs. Meals died in 1877, at the age
of fifty-five years. They had seven children,
one of whom died in infancy; Isaiah died at
the age of twenty-eight, and Mary Catherine,
wife of Elias Peters, died February, 1895.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
375
The children living at the date of this writ-
ing are : Lucy .A., wife of Hiram Yates, re-
siding at Bendersville ; Dr. Ezra S., William
W., a prominent merchant of Menallen, and
Ira J., a merchant of Roanoke, Va.
Dr. Ezra S. Meals received his primary
education in the public schools of his native
town. Later he attended the Normal School
at Gettysburg, and the Tyson Academy,
Flora Dale, Pa. He began the study of medi-
cine with Dr. E. W. Mauma, of Bendersville,
reading with him for a year ; he subsequently
studied for a year with his brother, I. J. Meals,
at Mill Creek, Huntingdon county. Pa. He
next spent one term in the study of medicine
and pharmacy in the University of Michigan.
Another year was passed under the instruc-
tion of Dr. R. B. Elderdice, of McKnights-
town, Adams county. He was graduated
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Cincinnati, Ohio, with the class of 1874, and
immediately afterwards began- the practice of
his chosen profession at McKnightstown, pur-
chasing the practice of his preceptor. After
practicing successfully in this town for a year
and a half he removed to Biglersville, Adams
county, where he continued practice for the
same length of time. August 16, 1877, he
located in Harrisburg, since which date he
has been in continuous practice in this city.
He ranks among the most skillful and suc-
cessful of his profession.
He was married in Biglersville, September
14, 1875, to Mary L., daughter of Henry G.
and Margaret Kosser. The}' have two chil-
dren, Ira Dale and Harry S.
. Dr. Meals is now serving on the board of
school directors. He was a member of the
Adams County Medical Society, and now be-
longs to the Dauphin County Medical Insti-
tute. He is a warm supporter of the Repub-
lican party. He belongs to the Knights of
Malta, and was formerly connected with other
societies.
GoRGAS, Solomon R., M. D., was born in
Cumberland county, Pa., September 11,1853.
He was the son of Hon. William R. Gorgas
a sketch of whom appears in another place
in this volume, and Elizabeth (Hummel)
Gorgas. He resided in his native county
until fifteen years of age. He received his
education ,at Columbia Valley Institute, at
Mechanicsburg, and Muhlenburg College, of
Meyerstown. He took up the study of medi-
cine with Dr. E. H. Coover, and attended the
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia,
from which institution he was graduated in
1874. He began the practice of medicine in
the Philadelphia almshouse, and continued,
it until January, 1876. He practiced in
Philadelphia for one year. In 1877 he came
to Harrisburg, where he conducted a gen-
eral practice, and also gave special attention
to surgery until his death, June 30, 1894.
He was a member of the Dauphin County
Medical Society, and served as its president,
vice-president, secretary, treasurer, etc. He
was a member of the State Medical Society
and served on some of its most important
committees. In 1887 he was appointed by
the board of governors to the position of
physician to the City Hospital, and for three
years served as assistant surgeon of the same.
He was a stockholder in the Harrisburg
Burial Case Company, in the Harrisburg
Furniture Factor}^ and in the City Passenger
Railway Company, and director of the same.
As one of the administrators of his father's
estate he was interested in various business
enterprises of the city. He was a member of
the Democratic party, but held no political
office. He was one of tlie phj^sicians to the
Children's Industrial Home, and was resi-
dent surgeon to the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company from January 1, 1894, until the
time of his death. He was not married.
Gorgas, Hon. William R., was born at
the Gorgas homestead in Lower Allen town-
ship, Cumberland county. Pa., May 8, 1806.
He was a son of Solomon Gorgas, who came
to Cumberland county from Ephrata, Lan-
caster county. Pa., in 1804. He grew to
manhood on the farm on which he was born,
and succeeded to his father's business, the
management of the farm and a general
country store. He did not have a regular
school education, but attended Mt. St. Mary's
College, Emmitsburg, Md., and then suc-
ceeded by experience in obtaining a prac-
tical and thorough business training. Early
in life he turned his attention to politics.
He was a Democrat, and in 1836 was elected
to the lower house of the State Legislature,
and was twice re-elected, serving through
the critical period known as the " Buck-shot
War." In 1841 he was nominated for State
senator on the Democratic ticket, in the
district comprising the counties of Cumber-
land, Franklin and Adams, and was elected"
Mr. Gorgas was not a debater, but a man of
good judgment and of strong common sense,
which, with his tireless industry, made him
376
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
an influential and valuable legislator. After
serving one term in the State Senate, he laid
aside politics and devoted himself to busi-
ness pursuits, in which he continued active
until very late in life. He was one of the
founders and first directors of the banking
firm of Merkle, Mumraa &, Co., of Mechan-
icsburg. This firm subsequently became a
State bank, which was afterwards made the
First National Bank of Mechanicsburg, of
which Mr. Gorgas was a director at the time
of his death. He was also a director of the
Harrisburg National Bank from 1845 till his
death. He was a director of the Harrisburg
Bridge Company, of the Harrisburg Market
Company, and of the Harrisburg City Pas-
senger Railway Company. He was presi-
dent of the Harrisburg Burial Case Com-
pany, and of the Allen and East Pennsboro'
Fire Insurance Company. He was a member
of the Reservoir Park Commission, and of
the advisory board of the Children's Indus-
trial Home. In 1877 he removed from the
Gorgas homstead to Harrisburg, where in
1882 he was the Democratic nominee for the
Legislature. The city was then Republican
by a majority of five hundred, but he came
within eight3'-eight votes of being elected.
On March 5, 1840, he married Miss Elizabeth
Hummel, of Harrisburg, by whom he had
eight children. His widow and four children
survive him. His children are: William L.,
cashier of the Harrisburg National Bank;
George A., druggist; Kate F. and Mary E.
He was a member of the Seventh Day Bap-
tist church, and was in every respect a most
conscientious and exemplary citizen. He
died December 7, 1892, and his remains were
interred in the family lot in the cemetery of
Camp Hill, Cumberland county. Pa.
Baker, W. C, M. D., was born in Chester
county. Pa., January 10, 1850; son of Samuel
and Mary (Rakestraw) Baker. He was reared
in his native county and received his literary
education in the public schools and in Mil-
lersville Normal School. Dr. Henry Car-
penter was his private preceptor in the study
of medicine. He took a course of lectures
in the University of Maryland and later
attended the University of Pennsylvania,
from which he was graduated in 1874. He
began the practice of medicine at Marietta,
Lancaster county, and in the fall of 1874
came to Hummelstown, where he has since
been in practice and enjoys the leading pa-
tronage of the place. Dr. Baker was formerly
a member of the Lancaster County Medical
Society. In fraternity relations he is asso-
ciated with Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F.
& A. M., at Harrisburg, and the Knights
of the Golden Eagle at Hummelstown. He
is a director of the Farmers' Bank and a
charter member and director of the Hum-
melstown Electric Light Company. The
Doctor is the physician and surgeon of the
Hummelstown Brown Stone Company and
of the railroad attached to the same. In
politics he is Republican and has served as
school director and also as member of the
council. .Dr. Baker was married, in 1875, to
Miss A. E. Bare, daughter of Diller Bare, of
Lancaster county, and granddaughter of
Adam Bare, one of the early sheriffs of that
county. They have three children : Mary
Maud, Gertrude Clair, and Zelma May. In
church matters the Doctor was reared in the
Society of the Friends and his wife in the
Lutheran Church.
Ritchie, Melancthon M., M. D., was
born in Bedford county, Pa., June 5, 1849;
son of Josiah and Jennie Ritchie, the former
a native of Bedford, the latter of Cumber-
land county, Pa. The father was one of the
prominent and successful business men of
that county for many years, and later in life
engaged in farming and is still residing
there. Melancthon M. was the oldest of ten
children, was reared in Bedford county, re-
ceived his education in the public school
and in the normal school, completing it by
a special course in Dickinson Seminary at
Williamsport, Pa. He read medicine under
Dr. Joseph D. Streble, of Bedford, and con-
tinued his reading and practice under Dr.
G. W. Smith, of Hollidaysburg. In 1874 he
was graduated from the Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia, after which he prac-
ticed two years at Saxton, Bedford county,
and then took a special course at Jefferson
College. After practicing at Carlisle. Pa.,
six years, in 1883 he came to Harrisburg,
locating on Market street, where he has since
been engaged in a general practice. Dr.
Ritchie is a member of the Dauphin County
Medical Society. While at Saxton he was
physician of the Huntingdon Railroad
Company. In 1865 he enlisted as a private
in company A, Fiftieth regiment. Ninth
army corps, and served until close of the
war, August, 1865. He was present at the
evacuation of Petersburg. In politics. Dr.
Ritchie is with the Democratic party and is
^M^i^uJ^^itii^iT^D
^^.^.:2^::^^^
t^^-yr^cw^l^ ^.<r
.nt/S^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
379
active in party measures. He was elected
member of the select council from the Ninth
ward and served two years, during which
he was chairman of the sanitary committee
and of the highway committee and a mem-
ber of the finance committee. He was also
elected assessor of the Ninth ward and served
one j^ear. Grand Army Post No. 58 carries
his name on its roll of members, and he has
served as surgeon of the Post. Dr. Ritchie
was married, in 1871, to Miss Maggie Gil-
brough, daughter of Jacob Gilbrough, of
Huntingdon, Pa. Their cliildren are Mar-
ion Delmar and Elsie N. The family are
members of the Reformed church, corner
Third and Chestnut streets.
CoovER, Frederick Welty, son of Jacob
and Lydia (Welty) Coover, was born Feb-
ruary 1, 1852, at Coover's Mill, on the banks
of the Yellow Breeches creek, in Upper Al-
len township, Cumberland county. Pa. He
received his education in the public schools
of the township in winter and in select pay
schools in summer. He began the study of
medicine in 1870 with Dr. W. W. Ruther-
ford, of Harrisburg, with whom he continued
six months, when being taken seriously ill
he removed to his home in Dillsburg. Upon
his recovery he continued his studies with
Drs. G. L. and J. M. Shearer of that place.
In October, 1872, he matriculated at the
University of Pennsylvania, medical depart-
ment, where he attended three full courses
of lectures and in addition the special spring
course of 1873. He graduated in March,
1875, and on the 12th of April entered
upon the duties of resident physician of the
City Hospital, Harrisburg, being the first
to fill that position. The year succeeding
he began the general practice of medicine
in Harrisburg, was elected one of the visit-
ing physicians to the hospital, in which posi-
tion he continues connected with that insti-
tution. In 1878 he- was elected physician
to the county almshouse and filled that posi-
tion until 1886. In 1889 he succeeded Dr.
Seller as visiting surgeon to the City Hos-
pital. He is one of the organizers of the
" Maternity ;" is a member of the Dauphin
County and State Medical Societies, and
American Medical Association. He has
been for several years senior surgeon of the
Harrisburg Hospital, was one of the organ-
izers of the Academy of Medicine and treas-
urer of the same. He is a Republican in
politics and past master of Perseverance
2S
Lodge, F. & A. M. Dr. Coover married
April 19, 1881, Elizabeth Faerster, only
daughter of George and Catherine Faerster,
of Harrisburg. They have two children :
Corson and Catherine Lydia. He and his
family are members of Pine Street Presby-
terian church.
Fager, John H., M. D., was born in Har-
risburg, Pa., September 7, 1854, son of John
H. and Mary (Buffington) Fager. He at-
tended the public schools and took the
regular course of the Harrisburg high school.
He had Dr. C. B. Fager for his private pre-
ceptor in the study of medicine, and was
graduated from the University of Pennsyl-
vania in 1876. He immediately entered
upon a general practice in Harrisburg, in
which he has continued with marked suc-
cess until the present time. He is a member
of the Dauphin County Homeopathic Society.
In his political views Dr. Fager is an Inde-
pendent, with Democratic proclivities. He
was married, in 1879, to Miss Olive West-
brook, of Harrisburg, by whom he has two
children, Lucy and Paul. Dr. Fager is an
active and prominent member of the Mes-
siah Lutheran church, being a member of
the church council and superintendent of
the second department of the Sunday-school.
He is also identified with other relegious
activities, being the district secretary of the
Christian Endeavor Society, and formerly
prominent in the work of the Young Men's
Christian Association.
Fdnk, David Siebek, M. D., was born and
reared on his father's farm in Juniata county.
Pa., two miles east of Mexico. He is the
second son of Samuel and Elizabeth Sieber
Funk, who had three children ; the eldest,
John Hudson, died of typhoid fever in the
autumn of 1872, and the youngest, Mary
Emma, is the wife of McCluney Radcliffe,
M. D., of Philadelphia.
The Funks were in Lancaster county. Pa.,
as early as 1718. Michael Funk, the great-
grandfather of David S., kept a noted hos-
telry on the old Paxtang road, in East Earl
township, and removed to Walker township,
Juniata county, Pa., in 1805, where he en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits. One of liis
sons, John Funk, grandfather of Dr. Funk,
cliose the avocation of his father. He took
an active interest in the afi'airs of his adopted
countv, and was elected to the Legislature of
1841-42.
380
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
David S. was born July 17, 1852, and after
attending the common schools was prepared
for Princeton College at Airyview Academy,
Port Royal, Pa., under the professorship of
David Wilson, Ph. D. He was admitted to
the sophomore class of Princeton in the au-
tumn of 1874, graduating in June, 1877. He
immediately began the study of medicine,
and entered the medical department of the
University of Peniisylvania in the autumn
of 1878, and took the degree of M. D. in the
spring of 1881. He located in Harrisburg
in June of the same year, where he has been
engaged in the general practice of his pro-
fession ever since.
Dr. Funk has been a member of the Har-
risburg Hospital staff for twelve years; was
a member of the United States Board of
Pension Examining Surgeons under Har-
rison's administration. He is vice-president
of the Dauphin County Medical Society, sec-
retary of the Harrisburg Academy of Medi-
cine; is a permanent member of the Medical
Society ofthe State of Pennsylvania, and of
the American Medical Association; was a
member of the Harrisburg Board of Control
in 1886-87. He is serving his second term
as president of the Harrisburg Y. M. C. A.,
and is an ex-officio member of the board of
directors.
In December, 1881, he married Matilda,
youngest daughter of John and Margaret
Tyson Motzer, Mr. Motzer at the time being
a retired farmer of Juniata county. The
Motzers were among the early settlers of
Perry county. The father of Mrs. Funk had
two brothers ; the elder, Martin, was for a
number of years associate judge of the courts
of Perry county; the younger, Daniel, was
a Presbyterian minister in Georgetown, D.
C, at the breaking out of the Eebellion. His
widow, who was a grand-niece of Gen.
George Washington, survives him, and is a
resident of Washington, D. C. Dr. and Mrs.
Funk have one child, John Clarence, now
twelve years of age.
Best, Austin, physician and pharmacist,
was born in Lower Allen township, Cumber-
land county, Pa., December 6, 1850. He is
a son of Martin and Catherine (Eberly) Best,
natives of Cumberland county. Both parents
still survive, and reside in Shiremanstown,
Cumberland county. The father has spent
his whole life in Cumberland county, and is
one of the most prominent agriculturalists of
the region, and a promoter of the growth and
welfare of the county. He has lived to be
seventy-five years of age, and is still actively
engaged in the superintendence of his farm.
His wife has also been spared to an ad-
vanced age. They had twelve children, of
whom nine are living : Sarah Jane, wife of
William H. Suavely, residing near Mechan-
icsburg, Cumberland county, a farmer ; Jo-
seph H., residing at Eberly's Mills, Cumber-
land county ; Elizabeth C., wife of Joseph
Stoner, a prominent farmer of York county ;
Dr. Austin ; Alice, "wife of John Bowman,
residing near Lisbon, York county. Pa. ;
Newton, a prominent farmer of York county ;
Martin, residing at home ; Catherine, resid-
ing with the parents, and Emma, wife of
Maurice Miller, grain merchant, residing at
Shiremanstown.
Austin was reared to manhood in his na-
tive township. He received his primary
education in the public schools. He took a
collegiate course at Lebanon Valley College,
Annville, Lebanon county, Pa. He subse-
quently taught school for three terms, one
term each in Cumberland, Dauphin and
York counties. At the expiration of this
time he began reading medicine with Dr.
Eli H. Coover, of Harrisburg. In 1876 he
entered Jefferson Medical College, and
graduated from that institution March 8,
1878. He began the practice of his profes-
sion in New Cumberland, Cumberland
county, 'and was engaged there about one
year. He practiced two years in Dover,
York county, and one year in Shiremans-
town, Cumberland county. In 1883 he en-
gaged in the drug business in Steelton, in
connection with an office practice, and con-
tinued to be thus employed until 1889. He
then removed to Harrisburg, and has since
been continuously in business in this city
at his present location. During the last five
years he has resumed the practice of his pro-
fession.
He was married in New Cumberland, De-
cember 25, 1880, to Miss Emma Thompson,
daughter of James and Malinda Thompson.
They have one daughter, Edna May, born
August 27, 1887. In political views Dr.
Best is a Democrat. He attends the M. E.
church.
Park, J. Walter, M. D., specialist in
diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, was
born in what is now Carsonville, Dauphin
county. Pa., October 22, 1855. He is a son
of George and Lucetta Park. His father
DA UPHIN GO UNTY.
381
was born in Jefferson township, and is a son
of Robert Park, a native- of England, who
was one of the first settlers of that township,
took up a tract of land, cleared a farm, and
lived and died there. He was a member of
the M. E. church. He reared a family of
five children, of whom George was the next
to the oldest, and was reared on the home-
stead, with the ordinary educational ad-
vantages of the situation. He started in on
farm work, and afterwards engaged in buy-
ing and shipping stock from the west to the
eastern markets. He afterwards had a store
at Carsonville for a few years. He subse-
quently engaged in the lumber business in
Clark's Valley, shipping lumber to the Har-
risburg Car Works and the Lykens Valley
Coal Company, and was a member of the
firm of the Fifth Wheel Works of Millers-
burg, Pa. He was also in the lumber busi-
ness in Centre county, furnishing props and
mining timber for the coal companies at
Shamokin and Lykens, Pa. Mr. Park be-
longed to the Democratic party, but for the
last few years of his life was identified with
the Prohibitionist party. He was an ac-
tive member of the M. E. church, and promi-
nent in Trinity church, Powell's Valley, Pa.,
filling all of the important church offices ;
he was a licensed exhorter. He was once
nominated for poor director, and served in
numerous township offices. He died August
17, 1892, and his wife died January 12, 1895.
They had a family of six children, namely:
Sarah J., wife of John Sheetz, of Carson-
ville ; Arthur, of Harrisburg, with the
Reading Railroad Company ; Dr. J. W.;
Thomas R., of Millersburg ; Alice and Har-
riet, who both died in infancy.
J. Walter was reared in his native town-
ship to the age of seventeen years, and was
educated in the public schools. He went to
Chester, Pa., to study the drug business, but
finding it too confining, he did not long re-
main there. He returned home and read
medicine with Dr. H. R. Caslow, of Halifax.
He attended the Jefferson Medical College
of Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1878.
In May, 1879, he was married to Miss Ida L.
Haverstick, daughter of Mrs. Susan Haver-
stick, of Millersburg, Pa. He practiced medi-
cine in Williamstown, Dauphin county, up to
1889. In this year he went to Europe.. He
was clinical assistant at the Royal London
Ophthalmic Hospital for six months. He
studied three months in Berlin, Germany,
and three months in Paris, in the various
eye, ear, nose and throat hospitals. He
returned the last of the year to New York
City, and was with Dr. Herman Knapp
in his institute up to March 1, 1890. Dur-
ing this course he perfected his studies of
the eye, ear, nose and throat. On March 1,
1890, he came to Harrisburg, where he has
since practiced, and is the leading specialist
in the city. In the fall of 1890 he was
elected a surgeon of the eye, ear, nose and
throat department of the City Hospital, and
to the same place in the Children's Indus-
trial Home. He is also special examiner for
the Pension Department of the Government.
He is a member and ex-president of the
Dauphin County Medical Society, a member
of the State Medical Society of JPennsylva-
nia, fellow of Harrisburg Academy of Medi-
cine, Pan-American Medical Congress, and
the American Medical Association. He is a
charter member and one of the directors of
the Harrisburg Real Estate and Improvement
Company, a stockholder in the Harrisburg
Trust Company, Harrisburg Electric Com-
pany and the Pennsylvania Steel Company,
Steelton, Pa. He is also a member of the
Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a
Democrat, and was formerly active in party
matters.
Ellenbbrger, J. Wesley, M. D., was born
in Harrisburg, February 3, 1858. He is a
son of Samuel B. and Margaret (Sheridan)
Ellenberger. He received his literary edu-
cation in the public schools of Harrisburg,
graduating from the high school in 1875.
While a student in the high school he was
a carrier of the Daily Telegraph. He read
medicine under Dr. George R. Hursh, of
Harrisburg, and entered Jefferson Medical
College of Philadelphia, from which he was
graduated in 1879. He at once began the
practice of medicine in Harrisburg, and has
been eminently successful. From the time
of his graduation until the present, he has
been connected with the Harrisburg Hos-
pital, first as resident physician and subse-
quently as visiting physician ; he is now the
senior visiting physician of the medical staff.
He served as county physician in 1886. The
Doctor has been honored by his professional
brethren, who have elected him president of
the Dauphin County Medical Society and of
the Harrisburg Pathological Society. He is
now a trustee of the Harrisburg Academy of
Medicine. He is a member of the State
382
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Medical Society and of the American Medi-
cal Association.
Dr. Ellenberger served on the city school
board for two terms, during a portion of
which time he was chairman of the commit-
tee on teachers, and did much to secure the
observance of civil service rules in the selec-
tion and promotion of teachers, the opera-
tion of which has abated the evils of influ-
ence and favoritism on the part of the board.
The Doctor is not politically ambitious, and
has not sought official preferment and promi-
nence. His preferences are decidedly with
the Republican party, but he has strong
Prohibition proclivities. In the independ-
ent citizens' movement for the reform of
municipal government, he was universally
recognized as the best exponent of the prin-
ciples upheld by those who sustained that
movement. Without his knowledge or con-
sent, and contrary to his desire, he was
nominated for mayor of Harrisburg. Con-
strained and animated solely by convictions
of duty, he accepted the nomination. His
letter of acceptance is the best possible reve-
lation of his character and conduct as a man
and a citizen, and is here partially quoted
for this purpose.
" When informed that I had been nom-
inated for the important oflBce of mayor of
this city, I experienced a sensation such as
is occasioned by the traditional clap of
thunder from a clear sky. My first impulse
was to decline the honor, gratefully acknowl-
edging the distinction which had been con-
ferred upon me. However, since hundreds
of voters of all parties have urged me to ac-
cept in the interest of good government, I
have concluded that it is my duty to ac-
quiesce in their desires.
" I, therefore, accept the nomination which
has been tendered to me, and make the fol-
lowing pledges :
"Should the people elect me mayor of this
city, I agree that I will faithfully perform
my duties, realizing my responsibility to
God, as well as to my fellow-citizens for the
manner in which I shall acquit myself.
" I will enforce the ordinances without
fear or favor.
" I will nominate as my subordinates the
cleanest and most efficient men that I can
secure, without regard to party affiliation.
" I will conduct the oflBce as a non-
partisan, acknowledging that my election
must be by the people.
" I will permit no black-mailing or bribery
on the part of those under my authority."
The Doctor is also identified with a num-
ber of the business interests of the city, and
has always been ready to promote move-
ments for the material welfare of the city.
He is a stockholder, and has been one of the
managers of the Harrisburg Boot and Shoe
Manufacturing Company since its organiza-
tion. He was one of the organizers of the
Harris Building and Loan Association, in
which he is deeply interested, and is one of
the managers.
From boyliood the Doctor has been a mem-
ber of Grace Methodist Episcopal church,
and is actively identified with all its in-
terests. He holds the office of steward in
the church, and is the general superin-
tendent of the large Sabbath-school con-
nected with the church. He served for a
number of years as one of the managers and
for two years as the president of the Young
Men's Christian Association. In all these
positions of responsibility and trust the
Doctor has proved himself faithful and
efficient.
He was married, in 1891, to Miss Annie
E. Baskin, daughter of Robert Baskin, of
Harrisburg, by whom he has one child,
Robert Baskin.
Fritchey, John A., M. D., was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., September 28, 1857. He is
a son of John F. Fritchey, a native of Cham-
bersburg, Franklin county. Pa., who came to
Dauphin county when a young man. He
married Miss Annie M. Hoon, of Coxestown,
Dauphin county, Pa. He engaged in con-
tracting, and afterwards was employed by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was
the engineer of the first locomotive on the
Northern Central railroad, and was then
transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, where he was employed for some
years. He is now retired from business, and
resides in Harrisburg.
John A. Fritchey is the eldest of six
children. He was educated in the Harris-
burg high school and Harrisburg Academy.
He read medicine under Dr. C. B. Eager,
graduated from the medical department of
the University of Pennsylvania in 1879, and
has since practiced in Harrisburg. He is a
member of the Dauphin County Medical So-
ciety, and has served as president of the
same. He is also a member of the State
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
383
Medical Society and of the. National Medical
Association.
Dr. Fritchey belongs to the Senior and
Junior Orders of American Mechanics, K. of
G. E., the Royal Arcanum, B. P. 0. E., etc.
Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the
active leaders in the party. He has repre-
sented the Second ward of Harrisburg in the
common council for one term, and for two
terms in the select council. In 1887 he was
elected to the office of mayor, and re-elected
in 1890. During his terqi of office as mayor,
Dr. Fritchey established the police patrol
system and the ambulance service, which
had been attempted by his predecessor. He
also kept alive the " Mayor's quick charity
fund," which was established by Mayor Wil-
son. He is assistant surgeon of the Gover-
nor's Troop, and was formerly assistant sur-
geon of the Pennsylvania and Northern Cen-
tral Railroad companies, before his election
to the office of mayor. He has real estate
interests in Harrisburg.
Dr. Fritchey is a stockholder in the Har-
risburg Electric Light Company, the Harris-
burg Casket Works, and theMonaghan &Bay
Shoe Factory, a stockholder and director in
the Harrisburg Implement Company, and a
stockholder in the Walnut Street Bridge
Company. He is a member of the Lutheran
church, and is unmarried.
SwARTZ, J. Ross, M. D. — The best repre-
sentatives of all the learned professions are
naturally and strongly drawn toward the
centers of dense population. This is not only
because life in large cities is more attractive,
but more for the reason that the intimate and
intricate relationshipsand associations created
b}' the close assemblage of large numbers of
human beings are the source and origin of
those human wants and needs which the
learned professions are designed to supply.
Hence there is a continuous contribution of
bright and aspiring young men from the
country and smaller towns to the city, by
which the professional ranks of the city are
kept full. In this way Harrisburg received
a valuable addition to its corps of physicians
and surgeons in the person of Dr. Swartz.
He was born in McVeytown, Mifflin county,
Pa., January 26, 1857. His father is Dr.
J. S. Swartz, a native of Pennsylvania, and
his mother is Matilda (Lewis) Swartz, a niece
of the distinguished statesman and diplomat,
Hon. John M. Clayton, of Maryland. He
pursued the usual course of studies in the
public schools, and afterwards was for some
time a pupil at the Airyville Academy in
Central Pennsylvania. By an extended course
of reading and study under his father he pre-
pared himself for the course of lectures at the
medical college. He entered the Hahnemann
College of Medicine at Philadelphia, and was
graduated from that institution in 1879. He
began the practice of- medicine in Washing-
ton, D. C, as the assistant to Dr. T. D. Verdie.
Here were many advantages for beginning
his professional work in connection with
an eminent and successful physician who had
a large city practice. Dr. Swartz fully appre-
ciated the opportunities thus offered him for
perfecting his knowledge of medicine, and
gaining an acquaintance with the chemical
and ethical demands of his profession by
actual experience and his close observation
of a successful physician. But these oppor-
tunities in their fullest privilege were speedily
reaped by Dr. Swartz. The desire for a foot-
ing of his own and a practice in which he
would be sole and supreme was formed and
strengthened and was finally gratified by his
removal to Harrisburg in 1880. Here he has
found an inviting field for the exercise of his
professional skill and is in the enjoyment of
a large and agreeable practice. Under the
administration of President Cleveland he was
appointed and commissioned a member of the
county board of Pension Examiners, and in
the organization of the board he was elected
the secretary and held the position for three
years. His appointment to this responsible
office was due not only to the fact that he is
identified with the political party in power
at the time of his appointment, but was more
owing to the recognition of his personal and
professional fitness for the place. Dr. Swartz
recognizes the benefit of close association with
the members of his profession and the ad-
herents of his school of medicine, and has
enrolled himself in the membership of the
county, State and National Medical Associa-
tions, and takes an interest in all the pro-
ceedings of these societies. He is also a par-
ticipant in social activities outside of his pro-
fession, being a member of the Harrisburg
Club and of the Masonic fraternity. Dr.
Swartz was married, in 1883, to Miss Margarie
Zinn, daughter of George and Annie Zinn,
of Harrisburg. To this marriage there is no
issue.
384
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Walter, Harry B., M. D., was born
about four miles southeast of Greencastle,
Franklin county, July 5, 1854, and is a sou
of William and Susan (Bushey) Walter.
The paternal ancestors were of Welsh and
the maternal of German origin. William,
the father of Harry B., was a son of Bernard
and Catherine Walter, both natives of
Franklin county. He was married to Miss
Susan, daughter of Henry and Margaret
Bushey, by whom he .had these children :
Catherine Virginia, died in December, 1893,
aged forty -two years, Edgar C, residing near
Greencastle, where he is engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits, Harry J., Ida B., who resides
with her father, and William A., a drug
manufacturer residing in Baltimore. Mrs.
Walter is deceased and her husband sur-
vives at an advanced age. In his earlier
years he was a prominent farmer and an ac-
tive worker in the ranks of the Republican
party, an ardent and enthusiastic admirer of
the Camerons.
Harry B. spent his boyhood days on the
farm, where he was early taught the duties
pertaining to this mode of livelihood. His
primary education was acquired in the pub-
lic schools, supplemented later in life by his
own efforts on wet days spent in the hay loft
of his father's barn, with an old arithmetic
and grammar for companions. In 1874 he
began teaching school at Pine Field, Antrim
township, Franklin county, and continued
there two years. During this period, by
frugality he saved enough money from his
salary to enter the Millersville State Normal
School, and one term during 1876 was spent
in that institution. This was followed by
two successive winter terms of teaching in
Lancaster county. In the spring of 1878 he
entered Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg,
where he spent one year. In 1879 he com-
menced the study of medicine, and in the fall
of the same year entered Jefferson Medical
College, of Philadelphia, from which institu-
tion he graduated in March, 1881. He at
once took up his residence in Harrisburg
and began the practice of his profession,
which he has continued here ever since.
Dr. Walter is an ardent Republican and
has always taken an active part in political
matters and the legislation of municipal
affairs. For three years he has served as a
member of the school board, in which posi-
tion he has given satisfaction to his con-
stituents. In 1893 he was a candidate for
the office of mayor but was defeated by M.
C. Eby.
He is prominent in fraternal circles, being
a past master of Robert Burns Lodge, No.
464, F. & A. M., a member of Perseverance
Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., member of Pil-
grim Commandery, No. 11, K. T., and Har-
risburg Consistory, 32°. He is also a past
noble grand of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No.
69, I. 0. 0. F., and a past noble grand of
Susannah Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, a
member and past councillor of American
Council, No. 3, 0. U. A. M., and has repre-
sented this body in the State Council.
The Doctor is at present the president of
the Dauphin County Medical Society, a
member of the Pennsylvania State Medical
Society, a member of the American Medical
Association, ex-president of Harrisburg
Pathological Society, a member of the Acad-
emy of Medicine, of Harrisburg, and a mem-
ber of the surgical staff of the Harrisburg
City Hospital. He is also vice-president of
the Harris Building and Loan Association.
He was married, in Philadelphia, on the
eve of December 24, 1884, to Miss Sarah
Chamberlin, a daughter of William and
Buelah Chamberlin, of Atlantic City, N. J.,
and to their union have been born three
sons : Harry Morris, Alfred Roscoe, and
Ralph Somers. The parents of Mrs. Walter
are both deceased, and she is their only sur-
viving child. He and his family attend the
Lutheran church, of which body both Dr.
and Mrs. Walter are consistent members.
Bowers, Mosbs K., M. D., of Harrisburg,
was born at Oakland Mills, Juniata county,
Pa., December 8, 1856. He is a son of Martin
H. and Christina (Kieffer) Bowers. Martin
H. Bowers was born at or near Martinsburgh,
Blair county. Pa., April 4, 1820. His life
was spent partly in Blair and partly in Ju-
niata county, but he passed his declining
years in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county.
His occupation was farming. He was a
prominent citizen and a conscientious Chris-
tian, a member of the German Baptist
church. He died June 15, 1893, aged sev-
enty-three. His memory will long be cher-
ished by those who knew him best. He was
married near Millersburg, Pa., to Christina
Kieffer, of Millersburg, Dauphin county.
They had four children : Joseph, deceased ;
Susan, wife of Jacob Pyle, of Abilene, Kan.;
Mary, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Moses K.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
385
Moses K. Bowers was a resident of Oakland
Mills until he was fifteen. He enjoyed such
educational advantages as were afforded by
the public schools of his native town, and
also attended the Normal School of Patterson,
Juniata county. About 1870 he removed to
Cumberland county with his parents and
located near New Kingston, where he worked
upon his father's farm until 1877. At this
date he went to Mechanicsburg and began
the study of medicine with Dr. George Ful-
mer. In the fall of 1878 he entered Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, and attended
a course of lectures for one year. Going
back to Mechanicsburg he continued his
medical studies there for two years. He re-
turned to Jefferson College in 1881 and re-
ceived his diploma from that institution in
March, 1882. He immediately began the
practice of medicine at Boiling Springs, Cum-
berland county, Pa., and continued there for
three years. In 1884 he removed to Harris-
burg and has since that time practiced with
success in that city.
He was married in Mechanicsburg, Pa.,
November 27, .1.879, to Miss Emma M., daugh-
ter of George and Susan (Long) Fulmer, a
native of Mechanicsburg, of German-Amer-
ican ancestry. They have had five children,
two of whom died in infancy. The surviv-
ing children are: Robert Ellerslie, born Au-
gust 24, 1880; George Fnlmer, born Decem-
ber 25, 1881, and Susan C, born March 15,
1884. Dr. Bowers is a Democrat. He has
filled the office of school director and been a
member of the board of control for the city
of Harrisburg. He has been an active mem-
ber of the Cumberland County Hedical So-
ciety. He belongs to Pilgrim Encampment,
No. 13, Knights of St. John and Malta, and
of Harrisburg Union, No. 683, E. A. U. of
America. Dr. Bowers and his family attend
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Gkabee, Leon K., M. D., was born in
Northumberland county. Pa., November 17,
1857, son of William K. and Pauline
(Martz) Graber, both natives of that county.
His father was a professor of music in Mora-
via Seminary, Northumberland county. Pa.
Leon K. received his academic education at
Bethlehem Academy, and read medicine
under Dr. D. D. Richardson, of Philadelphia,
after which he took the regular course of
study and lectures at the University of Penn-
sylvania, and was graduated from the medi-
cal department of that institution in 1882.
After serving as resident physician of the
hospital for one year and a half, he spent
the same length of time in the dispensary
department of the Belleview Hospital at New-
York. He then went into a general practice
at Bethlehem, Pa., in which he was very suc-
cessful, continuing until 1888, when he came
to Harrisburg, where he has since enjoyed
a large practice. The Doctor is a member of
both county and State medical societies. In
politics he is a Democrat. He was married,
in 1891, to Miss Frances C. Jauss, daughter
of D. L. Jauss, of Harrisburg, to whom has
been born one child, Mary. Dr. Graber is a
member of the Catholic church and his wife
of the Lutheran church.
Seitz, J. Landis, M. D., was born in Safe
Harbor, Lancaster county, Pa., August 11,
1856. He is a son of Noah H. and Elizabeth
(daughter of John Landis) Seitz, natives of
that county. His father was a practical
iron man ; he learned the business when
young, and was associated with C. L. Bailey
& Co. in the iron business for many years,
and came here with those men. He was
also largely interested in farming, and died
October 14, 1889. He was a Republican in
politics, but held no office. He was a mem-
ber of no church. His wife survives him.
They reared three children, namely : J.
Landis, David H., machinist, of Philadelphia,
and Daniel S., attorney, of this city. J.
Landis was reared in Cumberland county,
and was educated at Millersburg Normal
School, special course. He taught school in
Lancaster and Cumberland counties, and in
the city schools. In 1877 he began the
study of medicine, and in 1882|jwas asso-
ciated with Dr. George R. Hursh. He at-
tended the Jefferson Medical College, and
graduated in 1882, andvhasi'' since; been
practicing in this city. He conducts a gen-
eral practice, and is a specialist in the treat-
ment of catarrhal diseases of the throat, ear
and chest. He is a member of the County
Medical Society, and was vice-president of it.
He IS a member of the State Medical Associa-
tion, and was a delegate to that body. He
is a member of the Harrisburg Academy of
Medicine. He was elected county phj'sician
in 1898, and was formerly resident physician
of the City Hospital. He is a Republican in
politics. He is a member, and one of the
organizers, and present president of the Penn-
sylvania Building and Loan Association.
He was married, in 1885, to Miss Nettie L.
386
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Barnitz, daughter of George C. Barnitz, of
Harrisburg. They have one child, George
Howard. He is a member of the Messiah
Lutheran church, and was formerly a Sab-
bath-school teacher.
Rambler, Robert A., M. D., was born in
East Hanover township, Dauphin county.
Pa., April 15, 1858. He is a son of the late
Henry B. and Mary A. (Wallower) Rambler.
Leonard Rambler, Dr. Rambler's grand-
father, was a native of Dauphin county, and
a farmer. He married Miss Priscilla Bacas-
toe, of Dauphin county. They had these
children, three of whom are living: Mary,
wife of Moses Early ; Elias ; Priscilla, wife of
Benjamin Gingerede. Tlieir deceased chil-
dren were: John, Leonard, Michael B., and
their sister Jane, first wife of Benjamin Gin-
grich. The grandfather died August 17,
1870, aged seventy-six; the grandmother
died March 4, 1885, aged eighty, just fifteen
years later than her husband.
Henry B. Rambler was born in Dauphin
county, and was for many years a farmer.
His wife, Mary A. Wallower, daughter of
John and Catherine Wallower, was born
October 7, 1835, and was married in the
year 1855 to Mr. Rambler. They had two
sons, Dr. Robert A., of Harrisburg, Pa., and
Galen M., of Middletown, Pa. Late in life
Mr. Rambler engaged in the hotel business
at Palmyra, Pa. ; he died one year after, aged
fifty-two. His wife still lives, and resides
with her son, Dr. Rambler. He was a
member of the Lutheran church, at Shells-
■ ville, Dauphin county ; in his political views
was a Democrat.
Robert A. Rambler attended the public
schools of his native county. At the age of
eighteen he went to Philadelphia, in 1880
he entered Jefferson Medical College, from
which he received his degree of M. D. three
years later. He at once opened an office in
Harrisburg, on the same street where he now
resides, and where he has ever since been
engaged in the duties of his profession. By
his genial and affable manner, his superior
skill and devotion to his patients, he has
built up a large practice. His professional
services are much sought after. On May 4,
1889, he was appointed medical examiner
for the Baltimore Mutual Aid Society; in
1895 he received a similar appointment from
the Bay State Beneficiary Society, Boston,
Mass. In the same year he was appointed
medical examiner for the Mutual Life Insur-
ance Company of Philadelphia.
Dr. Rambler was married, in December,
1882, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Herman
and Mary (Reiger) Turby. They have no
children. He is a member of K. of P., No.
59. The Doctor and Mrs. Rambler are
members of Messiah Lutheran church, Har-
risburg. His politics are Democratic.
The grandparents of Mrs. Rambler were
farmers of Dauphin county. Six of their
family of seven children are living: William ;
Mary, Mrs. Herman Turby ; Rebecca, wife of
Aaron Shertzer; Eliza, wife of Jacob Rank;
Philip, and Louisa, wife of John Miller, of
Kansas. Samuel died, 1894, aged sixty-five
years. Both grandparents were members of
the Reformed church, at Palmyra. The
grandfather was a Republican. He died,
December 22, 1879, aged seventy-eight, and
his widow died September 27, 1887, aged
eighty-four years.
Herman Turby, Mrs. Rambler's father, was
a native of Germanj'. He came to this
country, May 29, 1868, at the age of twenty-
eight years, and after working for some years
among the farmers became a foreman in the
lime business. His wife. Miss Mary Reiger,
was the daughter of William and Elizabeth
Reiger. They had seven children, four of
whom are living: Lizzie A., Mrs. Dr. Ram-
bler; Emma, wife of Abraham Demuth ;
William, and Charles. Their deceased chil-
dren are Harry and Edy. The mother of
Mrs. Rambler was born in Dauphin county,
and now resides in Lebanon county.
CoovEE, Dr. H. Ross, was born in New
Cumberland, Cumberland countv, Pa., No-
vember 30, 1860, son of Dr. E. H. and
Anne (Hummel) Coover. He was reared in
Harrisburg and received his education at
Seller's Academy and the Pennsylvania
State (College of Centre county. Pa. He read
medicine with his father and took a two
years course in the Jeff"erson Medical Col-
lege at Philadelphia. In September, 1881,
he became a member of the firm of C. K.
Essington, Jr., & Co., and engaged in the
manufacture of axes and edge tools at Miles-
burg, Centre county. Pa., at which he con-
tinued about two years, when he abandoned
the enterprise and resumed his studies at
Jefferson Medical College, and after a two
years additional course was graduated from
that institution in 1885. He at once began
the practice of medicine at Harrisburg,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
387
where he has been professionally engaged
since that time. He is a member ot the
Dauphin County Medical Society, and has
served as the vice-president of the same.
He is a member and past commander of the
Knights of Malta. In his politics Dr. Coover
is a Republican, and is active in party in-
terests. He served as physician to the city
poor from 1890 to 1893. Dr. Coover was
married in 1881 to Miss Sarah R. Weekley,
daughter of Thompson Weekley, of Carlisle,
to whom has been born two children, E.
H., Jr., and Sarah. Mrs. Coover is a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church: the Doctor
was reared in the Lutheran church.
McAlister, John B., M. D., was born in
Carroll county, Md., January 31, J864. Pie
is a son of James and Jane (Barr) McAlister,
natives of Carroll and Adams counties re-
spectively. The father was a farmer and
business man; he died in Carroll county,
Md. He was an active member of the Piney
Creek Presbyterian church, and an elder in
the same, the mother is a resident of Get-
tysburg, Pa.
John B. McAlister is the only child of his
parents. He removed to Gettysburg, Pa., in
1868 and received his edupation in Pennsyl-
vania College, Gettysburg, from which lie
was graduated in 1884. He took up. the
study of medicine with Dr. J. Bion Scott, of
Gettysburg. He attended the University of
Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and gradu-
ated in 1887. Dr. McAlister came directly
to Harrisburg and from May, 1887, to May,
1888, served as resident physician in the City
Hospital, after which he engaged in* general
practice. He has since been visiting phy-
sician of the medical department of the hos-
pital. He is a member of the Dauphin
Count}' Medical Society, and has been its
vice-president. He is a member of the State
Medical Society and was delegate to the same
in 1893; he was elected to represent the
Dauphin County Medical Society in the
National Medical Association in 1893.
Dr. McAlister is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M.; Chapter No. 21 ;
Pilgrim Commandery ; and of Harrisburg
Consistory, 32°. He belongs also to the
Knights of Malta, and the Junior Order of
American Mechanics. He is a member of
the Republican party. In 1889 and 1890
he was city physician. He is a stockholder
in the Harrisburg Trust Company and in
Harrisburg Electric Light Company. Dr.
McAlister is not married. He is a member
of Market Square Presbyterian church and
of the Young Men's Christian Association.
Jones, William H., M. D., physician and
surgeon, was born in Snow Hill, Worcester
county, Md., August 10, 1860. He is a son
of William H. and Esther A. (Smith) Jones,
both of Worcester county, where the father
still resides and is engaged in contracting.
The mother died September, 1892. They
had five children: Mary Virginia, wife of
Henry Bailey, died in 1890; Georgiana.wife
of Charles H. Wilson, William H., Milcah
S., wife of John H. Bailey, John David. Of
a subsequent marriage of the father there
has been born one son, an infant.
William H. Jones passed his boyhood in
his native township. He received his pri-
mary education in the public schools and was
prepared for college under a private tutor.
He took the regular collegiate course at
Howard University, Washington, D. C. He
afterwards took a three years course in the
medical department of that institution, from
which he was graduated in 1887. He then
took a post-graduate course at the New York
Polyclinic Institute. He began the practice
of medicine in Knoxville, Tenn., but soon
returned to the North, and since September,
1887, has been a continuous resident of Har-
risburg, engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession.
The Doctor is unmarried. He is a mem-
ber of Brotherly Love Lodge, No. 896, Grand
United Order of Odd Fellows, of Harrisburg.
He belongs to the American Medical So-
ciety, the Pennsylvania State Medical So-
ciety, the Dauphin County Medical Society
and the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine.
He is president of the Baker Building and
Loan Association. The Doctor is a Repub-
lican. He attends the Protestant Episcopal
church.
De Venney, J. C, M. D., a prominent
physician of Harrisburg, was born near Car-
lisle, Cumberland count}', February 5, 1S57.
His parents, William and Harriet (Wolfe)
De Venney, are both natives of Cumberland
county, and are now residing in Monroe
township. The Doctor, when quite young,
removed with his parents to Monroe town-
ship where he spent his boyhood, receiving
his primary education in the public schools
of that township. In 1874-75 he entered
the State Normal School at Shippensburg.
388
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
He was graduated from that institution in
1882. During the next two years he taught
school, and read medicine in his spare time.
In 1885 and part of 1886 he was a student
of medicine in the office of Dr. Kieffer, of
Carlisle. In the latter part of 1886 he en-
tered Jefferson Medical College in Philadel-
phia, and took his diploma from that insti-
tution with the class of 1888. He at once
began the practice of medicine at Mt. Holly
Springs, Cumberland county, and continued
there until June 1, 1893. At this date he
removed to Harrislaurg, where he has been
engaged in his profession for over two years.
Dr. De Venney is a member of the Dauphin
County Medical Society. He is rapidly
building up a large and lucrative practice.
In both professional and social circles he
stands high in the estimation of the com-
munity, being esteemed as a gentleman of
the highest ability, culture and probity.
Dr. De Venney was married, -at Mechanics-
burg, Pa., September 23, 1883, to Lydia A.
Baker, daughter of George W. and Mary
Baker. They have no children living. In
political views the Doctor is a Democrat.
His wife is a member of the United Brethren
church.
of the Dauphin County Medical Society and
of the State Medical Society. His fraternal
membership is with the Nazareth Com-
mandery, K. of M. In political views he is a
Republican. He is not married, and is a
member of the M. E> church, and was a di-
rector of the Y.' M. C. A. in 1892 and 1893.
Stevens, John C, M. D., was born in
White Haven, Schuylkill county. Pa., Sep-
tember 17, 1864, son of Rev. B. F. and Han-
nah G. (Rhoads) Stevens. The father is a
native of Franklin county, Pa. The mother
was a daughter of Rev. John Rhoads, a de-
voted minister of the M. E. church, and a
native of Virginia. The father had charges
at White Haven, Asliland, Jersey Shore,
Northumberland, Williamsport, Clearfield,
Danville, Miffiinburg, Stevenstown,Mechan-
icsburg, Duncannon and Harrisburg, and is
no.w retired from the active work of the min-
istry. John C. was reared in the different
places of his father's pastorates, and was
educated at the Dickinson Seminary at Will-
iamsport, from which he was graduated in
1885. He read medicine under Dr. T. L.
Johnson, of Duncannon, and attended the
University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia,
from which he graduated in 1888, after which
he was appointed assistant surgeon at the
State Lunatic Asylum, and remained there
from May, 1888, to March, 1891, when he
went to the Philadelphia Polyclinical Hos-
pital, and took a full course. In 1892 he
located in Harrisburg, and entered upon a
general practice. Dr. Stevens is a member
Manning, Charles J., M. D., was born in
Little Washington, Lancaster county, Pa.,
January 9, 1860, son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Kendig) Manning, both natives of Lancas-
ter county. The father is still living and
resides at Newport, Perry county, and the
mother died at that place August 22, 1866.
Charles J. when a youth removed with his
parents to Newport, where he received his
education in the public schools, after which
he taught public school in Perry county five
years, reading medicine also during this
time. In 1884 he devoted himself solely to
preparation for the medical profession, hav-
ing for his preceptor Dr. J. D. Shaw, of Mar-
klesville. Perry county, Pa. He attended
the College of Physicians and Surgeons at
Baltimore one year, and in 1887 entered the
Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia,
from which he was graduated in the class of
1889. He returned to Marklesville and was
engaged in the practice of medicine there
until 1893, after which he removed to Har-
risburg.
Blair, William, M. D., was born in Car-
lisle, Cumberland county. Pa., November
13, 1869, son of Andrew and Mary (Stewart)
Blair, the former a native of Perry county,
the latter of Sewickley, Pa., both living and
residing in Chambersburg, Pa. William re-
ceived his literary education in the public
schools of Chambersburg, and in the high
school of that city. He then took a practi-
cal course in the Ann Arbor high school,
one year in the academic department of the
University of Michigan, and three years in
the medical department of the same univer-
sitj"^, graduating therefrom in the class of
1893. During his last year at college, and
a year following his graduation, he was a
teacher in the medical department of the
university. In June, 1893, he began the
practice of medicine at Ann Arbor, which
he pursued for one year and then removed
to Harrisburg, where he has been engaged
in the practice of his profession since June,
1894. Dr. Blair was married at Ann Arbor,
June 30, 1892, to Viola M.Williams, a grad-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
889
uate of the literary department of the Uni-
versity of Michigan, daughter of Jeremiah
D. and Jane L. Williams, the former a very
prominent citizen and one of the oldest liv-
ing settlers of Washtenaw county, Mich., and
an ex-member of the State Legislature. To
Doctor and Mrs. Blair has been born one
daughter, Viola Helen, born September 19,
1894. Dr. Blair is a member of the Dauphin
County Medical Society. In political views
he is a Republican. He and his wife attend
the Presbyterian church.
CocKLiN, Dr. C. C, oculist, was born in
York county. Pa., June 29, 1862. He is a
son of E. H. and Sarah Elizabeth (Oaley)
Cocklin. Jacob Cocklin, grandfather of Dr.
C. C. Cocklin, was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., January 30, 1797, and was for
many years a nurseryman. He was married
January 29, 1828, to Miss Catharine Hoover,
born in Lancaster county. Pa. They had
six children, two of whom are living, Sarah,
wife of Joseph Miller, of Frederick, Md., and
E. H., father of Dr. C. C. Their deceased
children were: Elizabeth, died November
14, 1835 ; Michael, March 12, 1851 ; Benja-
min, died April 16, 1859, and Jacob, died
January 24, 1871. Jacob Cocklin died De-
cembw 18, 1890, aged ninety-three years ;
his wife died at the age of seventy-one years.
The grandparents of Dr. Cocklin on his
mother's side were natives of England ; tlieir
occupation was farming. They came to
this country about the year 1840. They had
nine children, five of whom are living :
Docey,wife of James Herd, residing in Union
county,, Ohio ; George, Robert, Elizabeth
Sarah, wife of E. H. Cocklin, and Clark.
Their deceased children are: Ellen, wife of
John David, also deceased, and Peter, Anne
and John.
E. H. Cocklin, father of Dr. C. C. Cocklin,
was born in York county March 8, 1835.
He was a nurseryman, having learned the
business in boyhood from his father ; he
still carries it on in York county, where the
family reside. Miss Sarah Elizabeth Caley,
to whom he was married August 9, 1859,
was a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a
daughter of Chambers and Docey (Dunn)
Caley. Thevhave seven children, all living:
Ida M., Dr. C. C, R. T., B. F., justice of the
peace at Monaghan, York county. Pa., Alice
D., John A., Arthur B. Mr. E. H. Cocklin
is a Republican. The family are members
of the Reformed church.
Dr. C. C. Cocklin received a part of his
education in the public schools. He was
brought up in his native place. At the age
of twenty he engaged in the jewelry busi-
ness at Philipsburg, N. J., where he re-
mained four years. In 1888 he entered the
optical school, and pursued his studies in the
science of optics for four months. He then
opened an office at Harrisburg in connec-
tion with the firm then known as Cocklin
Bros., oculists. Desirous of making more
thorough preparation for his specialty he
went to Philadelphia in 1891, and after a
three years course of study was graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania, and
afterwards took a special course of three
months in the Philadelphia Polvclinic, at
the Wills Eye and Ear Hospital. " In 1894
he returned to Harrisburg and opened an
office at No. 28 North Third street. He is
known as one of the most eminent, skillful
and successful opticians in this region. Dr.
Cocklin is an active member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. &. A. M. He is
a Republican. He belongs to the Reformed
church.
Hassler, Samuel F., M. D., was born in
Harrisburg, September 28, 1868. He is a
son of Edward 0. and Mary (Felty) Hassler.
When a child he removed with his parents
to Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county,
where hereceived his primary education in
the public schools. To fit himself for teach-
ing he took a course in Lebanon Valley Col-
lege and the State Normal School at Blooms-
burg, Pa. He taught school for five years
in Dauphin county, and during the latter
years of this period he read medicine with
Dr. Eli Coover, of Harrisburg. In 1891 he
entered the Jefferson Medical College of
Philadelphia, and was graduated therefrom
in 1894. He spent fourteen months in the
Harrisburg City Hospital as resident physi-
cian. In July, 1895, he began the practice
of his profession in Harrisburg. In May,
1896, was elected member of the staff at
Harrisburg Hospital, medical department.
He is a member of the Junior Order of
American Mechanics. In political views he
is Republican. He is well equipped in
native talent and attainment for his work,
is popular, and his prospects for a brilliant
career are very flattering. His parents were
both natives of Dauphin county. His mother
died in 1873. His father still lives and re-
sides in Susquehanna township engaged in
390
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
dairy farming. His parents had born to
them three sons: Samuel F., J. Ehner, and
Edwin, who died in infancy. By a subse-
quent marriage of his father to Rebecca
Stober there has been born a family of seven
cliildren : Gertrude M., Collin, Lottie, Emery,
Blaine, Elizabeth, and Stanley.
Wilson, Henry, M. D., resident physician
of Harrisburg Hospital, was bornin Warrens-
ville, Lycoming county, Pa., December 23,
1869, son of Andrew F. and Ann (Casner)
Wilson. He received his primary education
in the public schools of Elder township, and
was graduated from the Lycoming County
Normal School at Muncy,in the class of 1888,
after which he studied one year at the State
Normal School at Millersville. For the next
four years he taught in the public schools of
Lycoming county, and then took a course in
the Business College at Williamsport, and
for one year served as accountant and clerk
in a general store at Ambler, Pa. October
1, 1892, he entered the medical department
of the University of Pennsylvania, at Phila-
delphia, from which he was graduated in
June, 1895. During his first vacation he was
a teacher in the Spencerian Business College
of Philadelphia. On June 10, 1895, he was
appointed resident physician of the hospital
and took charge on June 24. In his political
views Dr. Wilson is a Republican. He is a
member of Lodge No. 1045, I. 0. 0. F., at
Ambler, and was a member of the Good
Templars at Muncy up to the date of their
disbanding. He is a member of the Baptist
church at Ambler.
Zellers, Isaac W., D. V. S., was born in
Swatara township, Lebanon county, Pa.,
August 23, 1839. He is a son of Adam and
Hatty (Woods) Zellers, both natives of Leb-
anon county, and who both died when Isaac
was but a youth. His boyhood days were
spent in his native township, the advantages
of but a limited education being afforded
him in the schools of Lebanon and adjoining
counties. Whatever of success has attended
him through life must be accredited to his
personal exertions. When about eighteen
years of age he learned the trade of cigar
maker. While learning his trade he at the
same time read medicine with Dr. Cooper of
Jonestown, Swatara township, Lebanon
county. In 1860 he abandoned the study of
medicine for the human system, and also
cigar making, and engaged in the study and
practice of veterinary science. Since 1879
he has been exclusively and continuously
engaged in the practice of his profession in
Harrisburg. By his ability and skill, and
his faithful devotion to the duties of his
calling, he has placed himself at the head of
his profession. During the late Rebellion
he served three years as veterinary surgeon
in Maryland, but was never enlisted in tlie
United States army.
He was married in Lebanon City, October
9, 1878, to Elizabeth Berkheiser, daughter of
Jacob and Nancy Berkheiser, of Lebanon,
and widow of the late L. C. Fernsler, of Leb-
anon. One daughter has been born to them,
Susan. By Mrs. Zellers' first marriage there
were born two children : George and Sallie.
who still survive. Dr. Zellers is a past noble
grand of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I.
0. 0. F. He is past cliief patriarch of Har-
risburg Encampment, No. 301.
Oyler, J. H., doctor of veterinary science,
was born near Chambersburg, Franklin
county, Pa., December 16, 1852. He is a
son of Elias and Susanna (Harmony) Oyler.
He received his primary education in the
public schools of Chambersburg. He was
engaged as a traveling salesman for the
East Liverpool Granite Company, East
Liverpool, Ohio. In 1885 he attended the
Ontario Veterinary College of Toronto, Can-
ada, and was graduated from that institution
in the class of 1887. Since that date he has
been continuously engaged in the practice
of his profession in Harrisburg, where by
the skillful treatment of all cases entrusted
to his care he has built up a large and
rapidly increasing practice. His personal
integrity and his professional ability are
universally recognized. He was married at
Chambersburg, September 29, 1887, to Miss
Mary Jane Forbes, daughter of George and
Mary Ann Forbes, of Chambersburg. They
have no children. In political views the
Doctor is a staunch Republican. He and
his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Haas, James A., veterinary surgeon, was
born in Lowhill township, Lehigh county,
Pa., October 5, 1869 ; son of Solomon and
Sarah (Moore) Haas. His parents "were
both born in Lehigh county. The mother
died September 10, 1884, the father is still
living and resides near AUentown, Pa., where
he superintends the management of his farm
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
391
in connection with his practice as a veterin-
ary surgeon. They had a family of six boys
and six girls, all of whom are living: Chester,
Orville, Sarah, Amanda, George, M. D., of
Allen town, Mary, wife of George Worley,
Dr. James A., Rosa, wife of Owen Weiss,
Ida, wife of Chester Wallert, Ewin, Wilson,
Elsie. James A. spent his early life on the
home farm and received his primary educa-
tion in the district schools of his native town-
ship, and in the public schools of Allen town.
Pa. In preparation for his profession he
began the study of veterinary science with
his father, and in 1889 entered the American
Veterinary College of New York City, from
which he was graduated with honors in 1891.
He at once began the practice of his profes-
sion near Allentown, in which he was very
successful, and which he continued until
November 27,1895, when he removed to Har-
risburg, where his professional ability and
skill have been readily recognized and his
practice is extensive and profitable. Dr.
tiaas was married, in Foglesville, Lehigh
co'inty. Pa., April 16, 1892, to Miss Emma
HoUenbach, daughter of Moses and Ellen
(Seirer) HoUenbach. Their children are:
Paul S., Frederick M., and Howard P. Dr.
Haas is a member of Macungie Lodge, No.
231, I. O. 0. F., of Lehigh county, and of the
Trexlertown Mutual Aid Association of the
same county. In his political views he is a
Democrat, and is an attendant of the Re-
formed church.
Newhard, Irvin C, doctor of veterinary
science, was born at Allentown, Lehigh
county, Pa., March 14, 1872. He is a son of
James D. and Eliza (Bachman) Newhard, bolh
natives of Allentown, wheie they still reside.
His father, James D., was a carriage maker
by trade, but is at present in the livery busi-
ness. In his father's family there were four
children, of whom three survive: Irvin C,
Annie and Lillian. His grandparents were
also natives of Lehigh county, and were of
German ancestry.
Irvin C. Newhard grew to manhood in
his native town, where he received his edu-
cation in the public schools, in Muhlenberg
College and in a business college of Allen-
town. He then took a thorough course of
studies in preparation for his profession in
the New York Veterinary College, from
which institution he was graduated in 1893.
He entered at once upon the practice of his
profession in Harrisburg. His knowledge
and skill in his profession and his faithful
devotion to his practice are clearly demon-
strated, and his success is securing him a
rapidly growing business. His many good
qualities are recognized, and he is popular
in social circles. He is a loyal and active
member of the Alumni Association of the
New York Veterinary College. In his po-
litical views he is a Republican. He attends
Salem Reformed church.
Stine, George W., dentist, was born in
Harrisburg, Dauphin county. Pa., October
30, 1829, son of Frederick A. and Susan
(Montgomery) Stine. George Stine, the
grandfather, was a native of Lebanon
county and his wife was also born in the
same county. Frederick A. Stine, the
father, was born in Dauphin county in
1807. He married Susan Montgomery,
born in 1805, also a native of Dauphin
county. He was a shoemaker, and was
also engaged in boating on the canal. The
parents had nine children, three of whom"
are living: Anna Caroline, Mrs. Mont-
gomery ; George W. and Frederick Adol-
phus. Their deceased children are: Oscar,
William, Joseph, James and David. The
father died September 20, 1842, in Harris-
burg, and was the first member of the Odd
Fellows buried in Harrisburg. In his po-
litical views Mr. Stine was a l3emocrat, and
in his religious faith and worship he was a
Methodist, in which denomination he
served as a class leader for many years, and
was the superintendent of the Sunday-
school up to the time of his death. His
wife was a member of the same church, and
her death occurred in 1852, at the age of
forty-two years.
George W. attended the schools of Harris-
burg until he was thirteen years old, at
which time his father died, and he lived
with his uncle, John Stine, at Lebanon, Pa.,
for two years, after which he returned to
Harrisburg and attended the high school
for six months. He then was employed for
a year in a general supply store with his
cousin, at Havre de Grace, at the end of
which time he returned to Harrisburg and
learned the trade of carpentry, which . he
followed about seven years. At the age of
twenty-eight years he entered the Dental
College at Baltimore, from which he was
graduated in 1861. He began the practice
of dentistry in Harrisburg, in which he has
continued up to the present time. Dr. Stine
392
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was married first in December, 1850, to Miss
Anna Stauffer, daughter of John Stauffer,
to whom have been born two daughters,
Ellen, wife of Gilbert Waigle, and Matilda,
deceased. Mrs. Stine died in November,
1854. Dr. Stine was married, secondly,
July 11, 1861, to Miss Annie Neff, daughter
of Dr. John C. and Margaret (Stahl) Neff,
to whom were born three children, one of
whom is living : Henry M., who is also a
dentist; George W., died April 30, 1875,
aged eleven years ; and Margaret, died in
1871, aged two years. Dr. Stine is a mem-
ber of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F.,
with which he united in 1855, and of Dau-
phin Encampment, No. 11, and is also a
member of the United Workmen. In
his political views Dr. Stine is a Republican.
He and his wife are members of the Pres-
byterian church.
ScHLAYER, Andrew, Harrisburg,|was born
at Baden, Germany, February 21, 1830. His
parents were both na,tives of Germany and
came early to this country. They had eight
children, five of whom are living : Barbara,
wife of Leonard Orth, deceased ; William,
Caroline, wife of Henry Longenecker, Beverly,
0.; Margaret, wife of Vasler, and Jacob L.
Their deceased children are Andrew, Mary,
Mrs. Meyer, and Bernard. The parents were
members of the German Lutheran church,
and both died at Harrisburg, the mother
passing away May 3, 1876, aged eighty-one
years. Andrew came to America with his
parents when he was two years old. He at-
tended the public schools until he was twelve
years of age, and then learned the trade of
baker, which he followed some years. He
was employed in the planing mill for about
thirty-five years, and was for a number of
years in the place of foreman in the mill. In
March, 1881, he opened a grocery at No.
1002 North Third street, which he conducted
until his death, February 29, 1892. In his
political views Mr. Schlayer was a Democrat.
He served as member of the common coun-
cil, and at the time of his death was a mem-
ber of select council. He was a member of
the Bethlehem Lutheran church, and was
formerly a member of the Zion church. He
was prominent in fraternity circles, being a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, Persever-
ance Chapter, and Knights Templars, F.& A.
M., of Dauphin Lodge and Encampment. I.
0. 0. E., and Knights of Pythias. He was
also a member of Friendship Fire Company
No. 1. After his death his business was con-
d ucted by Miss Mary Elizabeth Schlayer. Mrs.
Schlayer was born September 19, 1836. Her
father was born in 1800, and was a printer.
He married Miss Julia Ring, born in 1814,
by whom he had five children, two of whom
are living. He died January 9, 1876, aged
seventy-four years, and his wife died Septem-
ber 2, 1877, aged sixty-three years. He was
an old line Whig. His wife was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church: The
grandfather of Mrs. Schlayer was a native of
Germany, and was a shoemaker' by trade.
He came in his youth to this country, and
died at Harrisburg. His wife died at Phila-
delphia, aged ninety-three years.
Keller, John P. — Among the profes-
sional men in Harrisburg who have passed
the period of activity and success in the
business life, and are quietly enjoying the
fruits of their labors in earlier years. Dr.
John P. Keller holds a prominent place. He
was born in Harrisburg, February 20, 1831,
and is a son of John Peter and Lydia
(Kunkle) Keller, natives of Harrisburg, born
February 25, 1808, and November 9, 1811,
respectively. The father was educated and
reared to manhood in his native city, and
here also were spent the brief and busy years
of his business career. He was a hardware
merchant, and his place of business was at
the corner of Second and Walnut streets,
where he carefully laid the. foundations of
a large and secure business, and where the
prospects of an increasing and profitable
trade appeared most fiattering, but were all
blasted by his early death, which occurred
December 13, 1837, in the twenty-ninth year
of his age. His wife survived him many
years, not having been called away from life
until February 10, 1860. There were born
to these worthy parents four children, of
whom John P. and Christian Kunkle are
the only survivors, two having died in child-
hood.
John Peter was a bright and diligent
pupil in the public schools and academy of
the city, and reached the end of their course
of studies with a very fair degree of intel-
lectual training, which abundantly qualified
him to take up professional preparation.
He made choice of dentistry as the profes-
sion most in accord with his tastes and
talents, and most promising as a field for
employment. He took up the study with
Dr. J. C, Stock, where he received the fullest
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
393
and most accurate instruction and training
in the science and art he had decided to
master. Dr. Stock was, at this time, in the
enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice,
from which he was called away by early
death, and to which his promising pupil
succeeded. Dr. Keller was devoted to his
chosen occupation, and was eminently suc-
cessful in professional work. He continued
in practice until 1875, at which time he re-
tired to the enjoyment of relief and rest from
the exacting engagements of professional
life. The marriage of Dr. Keller to Miss
Emeline H. Croll, daughter of John and
Eliza (Lanman) Croll, of Middletown, Pa.,
occurred at that place, June 20, 1861. There
have been born to them six children, of
whom one died in infancy, and the surviv-
ing are : John Peter, Croll, Helen Lydia,
Christian Kunkel and William Lanman.
Dr. Keller is a director of the Verbeke Street
market house. In political principles he is
in agreement with the Republican party.
The preferences of his family in matters of
religious doctrine and worship are expressed
in connection with their membership in the
Lutheran church.
Smith, Edwin B., D. D. S., was born at
Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa., March
28, 1855, son of Peterand Elizabeth (Thomp-
son) Smith. His father was born in Lan-
caster county, June 2, 1819, and was a
farmer by occupaliou. He married Miss
Elizabeth Thompson, born in Berks county.
Pa., April 23, 1832, daughter of Dr. Thomp-
son. They had seven children, of whom
five are living : John H., Dr. E. B., Amanda,
Charles, and Preston. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Fannie, died in February, 1873,
aged eighteen years, and Louisa, wife of J. F.
Brightbill. The father filled various town-
ship offices. He died in August, 1893, aged
seventy-three years. The mother is still
living at the age of sixty-four years and re-
sides in Canton, 0. Edwin B. received his
early education in tlie public schools at Lin-
glestown, which he attended until he was
fifteen years old, after which he attended the
St. Thomas Academy, at Linglestown, for
two terms. He began teaching when he
was seventeen years of age, and was em-
ployed in this occupation for seven succes-
sive terms. During the intervals and vaca-
tion between terms he attended a private
school at Allen town. Pa. He was graduated
from the College of Dental Surgery, at Bal-
timore, in 1881, and came to Linglestown
and opened an office for the practice of
dentistry. During the last seven years the
Doctor has had an office at Harrisburg, and
in 1895 removed his residence to this city,
locating at No. 931 North Third street. The
family are members of the Reformed church.
Dr. Smith was married at Linglestown, Feb-
ruary 12, 1878, to Miss Christina Hicks,
daughter of Jacob Hicks. They have no
children. The Doctor is a member of Lin-
glestown Lodge, No. 629, L 0. 0. F. In his
political views he is a Democrat. The father
of Mrs. Smith is a native of Dauphin county,
and a farmer by occupation. He married
Miss Christina Marberger, a native of
Schuylkill county, to whom were born seven
children. He filled the office of justice of
the peace in West Hanover township and
also that of school director. He died in 1875
aged sixty-three years. His wife died in
April, 1890, at the same age. They were
members of the Reformed church.
Baker, George W., D. D. S., was born in
Linglestown, Dauphin county, Pa., February
27, 1859, son of George W. and Rebecca
(Hicks) Baker. The parents were both natives
of Lower Paxton township, where the father
carried on the business of coach making for
thirty-five years, and died in 1892. His wife
survives and resides in Linglestown. They
had eight children, of whom five are living:
George W., Minnie C, John M., dentist of
Lykens, Pa., William, a student of dentistry,
Ella C, teacher in the public schools. George
W. received his primary education in the
pubhc schools of his native township, and
after completing his course was engaged for
five terms in teaching school in Dauphin
county. In 1883 he began the study of den-
tistry with Dr. E. B. Smith in Linglestown,
and prosecuted it during 1883 and 1884 and
also a part of 1884 and 1885. He took the
course of study and lectures in the College of
Dental Surgeons at Baltimore, and was gradu-
ated from that institution in 1886, after which
he at once entered upon the practice of den-
tistry in Harrisburg. Dr. Baker was married
in Linglestown, October 9, 1881, to Emma E.
'Harper, daughter of George W. and Sallie
Harper, of Linglestown, to whom has been
born one child, Harry H. The Doctor is a
394
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F.
& A. M.; Linglestown Lodge, No. 621, I. O.
0. F., and of Phoenix Lodge, K. of P., of
Harrisburg. He attends the Reformed
church.
POFFENBEKGER, ThOMAS M. L., D. D. S.,
was born in Linglestown, Dauphin county.
Pa., September 2, 1864, son of William and
Henrietta (McConnell) Poffenberger, both
deceased. The parents were born in Dau-
phin county, the father in Middle Paxton
and the mother in Halifax township. They
spent their entire life in the county, and
both died in Middle Paxton township. They
had seven children, of whom five are living:
Emma, widow of Mr. Sheaffer, who was
killed by the falling of the Harrisburg
bridge; Ella, widow of the late Joseph
Lingle, residing in Linglestown, Pa.; An-
drew, a prominent farmer in Lancaster
county ; William, residing in Columbus,
Ohio,"'and Dr. Thomas M. L. Thomas M.
L. was reared in his native township and
attended the public schools and later was
a pupil at the State Normal School at Mil-
lersville for two years. He then studied
dentistry four years with Dr. Christ, of Hum-
melstown. Pa. In 1876 he studied one term
in the Pennsylvania Dental College, of Phila-
delphia, after which he returned to Dauphin
county, and practiced his profession in Mid-
dle Paxton township for eleven years, one
year of which he spent in Syracuse attend-
ing to the practice of Dr. George Curtiss of
that city, who was for the time disabled by
ill health. In 1886 he resumed his studies
in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery,
from which he was graduated in the class of
1887, after which he re-opened his office in
Dauphin count}'. He also established a
branch office at Steelton, Pa., which he sub-
sequently abandoned and opened a branch
office in Harrisburg, to which, for the past
four years, he has devoted his whole time
and attention. Dr. Poffenberger was mar-
ried at Dauphin, Dauphin county, to Miss
Julia Steese, daughter of Alfred F. and
Mary Steese, of Dauphin county. They
have one daughter, Mary S., born in 1885.
The Doctor has efficiently filled the office of
burgess of Dauphin one year. He is a mem-
ber of Star of America Commandery, No.
113, Knights of Malta. In his political'
views he is a Republican. Mrs. Poffenber-
ger attends the Presbyterian church.
Storey, J. Wilbeht, dentist, was born in
Butler county, Pa., September 24, 1872. He
is a son of the late James B. and Ada E.
(Adams) Storey. James B. Storey was born
in Petrolia, Butler county. Pa., March 4,
1842. He was an active politician ; was
elected sheriff of Butler county and filled
various other offices. He enlisted, in 1861,
in company H, One Hundred and Second
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and
served three months. He re-enlisted Decem-
ber 19, 1862, and was wounded in the head
at Cold Harbor January 3, 1863 ; at Peters-
burg he was wounded in the left side and the
left hand at the same time. He was dis-
charged December 16, 1864, on account of
disability. He was afterwards captain of
compan}' A, Thirteenth regiment. National
Guards, and was commissioned major of the
Sixteenth regiment. National Guards, De-
cember 3, 1878, and promoted to lieutenant
colonel of the same regiment July 11, 1882.
Colonel Storey participated in the battles of
Williamsburg, siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks,
siege of Richmond, battle of White Oak
Swamp, Malvern Hill, Bull Run, Antietam,
and ,many other important engagements.
When Colonel Storey came to Harrisburg
he entered the auditor general's office as
bank clerk, which position he held with
credit until his death. He was also proprie-
tor of the Harrisburg Slate Mantle Works.
He belonged to the order of A. 0. U. W. and
attended the Westminster Presbyterian
church.
Colonel Storey was married, November 29,
1866, to Miss Ada V., daughter of W. C. and
Annie L. (David) Adams. Five children
were born to them, of whom three are liv-
ing: Charles A., Ada M., and J. Wilbert.
Colonel Storey died October 28, 1889, aged
forty-seven. His wife still survives and re-
sides with her son. Dr. Storey.
J. Wilbert Storey attended the public
schools of Butler county until he was nine
years old, when his parents removed to Har-
risburg, Pa. He attended the public schools
of tliat city for four years, and then was for
one year clerk in the drug store of Dr. B. B.
Hamlin, Jr. In 1890 he began a three years
course of study in the Pennsylvania Dental
College of Philadelphia, graduating in 1894.
Soon after he began the practice of his pro-
fession in Harrisburg, his present location
being No. 118 South Thirteenth street. Dr.
Storey is a member of Lodge No. 301, 1. 0. 0.
^ 26* E>— «^-C
^^"^ ^^y
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
39 7
F. He belongs to the Psi-Onega Dental fra-
ternity of Philadelphia and is a Republican
in political views.
Keller, Christian Kunkle, pharmacist,
was born in Harrisburg, October 1, 1S33, son
of John Peter and Lydia (Kuukle) Keller.
He was reared in this city and received his
education in the public schools. Later he
entered upon a course of study in the Penn-
sylvania College at Gettysburg, which he
was compelled by failing health to relinquish.
He was employed as clerk in a store, while
he was still a boy, and was engaged in va-
rious occupations, finally learning the drug
business, and since 1846 he has been contin-
ually engaged in this branch of trade for
himself, being now one of the oldest business
men of the city. _He is associated with the
Knights of Honor, and holds membership
in the Zion Lutheran church, of which or-
ganization he is' also a trustee.
Winger, Henry C, M. D., pharmacist,
was born at Hammer's Creek, Lancaster
county. Pa., March 8, 1837. His parents,
Moses and Henrietta (Yundt) Winger, were
both natives of Lancaster county, and were
of Swiss ancestry. In his early life the
father was engaged in agricultural pursuits,
but in later life was in the hotel business,
mercantile pursuits and distilling. For
twenty years previous to his death he lived
a retired life. He died in Philadelphia,
April 13, 1892, aged eighty-two years, his
wife having preceded him in death in 1869.
They had two children : Catherine A. and
Henry C.
When Henry C. Winger was seven years
old he removed with his parents to Lancas-
ter City, which was his home until he
reached the age of thirty years. His pri-
mary education was received in the public
schools of Lancaster, and was completed at
White Hall Academy, Cumberland county,
from which institution he was graduated in
1853. After completing his literary course
he began the study of medicine with Dr.
John L. Atlee, Sr., of Lancaster, and re-
mained under his instruction for five years.
In 1858 he enlisted as private in the regular
United States army, and was assigned to
company B, First regiment. He was sent to
the frontier of Texas, and was stationed at
the different forts there, until all the In-
dians were removed from Texas to Fort
Cobb in the Indian Territory, his company,
29
together with a company of United States
cavalry, acting as escorts in this removal.
He, with his company, also assisted in the
erection of this fort. While working on
the fort he had his foot so badly injured
that he was discharged from further duty
in 1860, on account of disability, with a
pension of $2 per month. In 1862 he
enlisted in the United States navy, and
served in this branch of the service until
1866, when he was discharged at Gosport
Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., and returned to
Lancaster. In 1868 he removed to Dela-
ware, and there engaged in the practice of
medicine for three years. In 1871 he re-
moved to Harrisburg, where, for the past
twenty-five years, he has been continuously
engaged in the practice of his profession ;
and for the past fourteen years he has, in
connection with his practice, been engaged
in the drug business.
Dr. Henry C. Winger was married in
Harrisburg, June 16, 1872, to Matilda Har-
per, a daughter of William and Elizabeth
(Clark) Harper, of Adams county. Pa. Mrs.
Harper, when a little girl, lived near Gettys-
burg, and well remembers the battle fought
there. During the three days' fighting, she
carried water to the famished soldiers of the
Union army, and had many narrow escapes
from death by the explosion of shells.
Her father was taken prisoner by the rebels
during this battle, and although an old
man and a cripple, they marched him to
Salisbury prison, where he died from the
effects of ill treatment, in the following
February. The brother of Mrs. Winger
was also taken prisoner by the rebels, and
was confined in Salisbury prison for two
years.
Nine children have been born to Dr. and
Mrs. Winger, namely: Harry C, Harriet
A., Russell C, George H., Ruth, Edgar,
Naomi, Charles W. and Bessie, who died in
infancy. In political views the Doctor is a
Democrat. The family attend the Pine
Street Presbyterian church.
t.
Clark, Joseph Nelson, M. D., physician
and pharmacist was born in Monaghan
township, near Dillsburg, York county. Pa.,
November 12, 1839. He is a son of James
and Margaret (Nelson) Clark, the former of
Cumberland, the latter of York county ; both
deceased. The grandfather Clark was one
of the original settlers of Cumberland county,
and the grandfather Nelson one of the orig-
398
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
inal settlers of York county, having come
with their parents to these counties when the
country was a wilderness inhabited by In-
dians. They received their lands from Will-
iam Penn. The Clark family were of Scotch,
and the Nelsons of English ancestry. The
father of Dr. Clark was a miller by trade,
and lived in Cumberland county all his life.
His later years were spent in agricultural
pursuits. He had a family of fourteen chil-
dren ; ten lived to maturity, four died in
infancy. Seven survive, namely : Francis
Elizabeth, wife of George C. Chambei'lin, of
Manly, Worth county, Iowa ; Mary A.,
widow of the late Col. Henry I. Zinn, of
Mechanicsburg, Pa. ; Joseph Nelson, subject
of this sketch ; Hannah H. (Mrs. Wilson), of
New Orleans, La. ; Elizabeth E., wife of John
J. Palmer, of Medical Lake, Wash. ; Calvin
M., Woonsocket, S. D. ; and Emma, wife of
John Moul, of Carlisle, Pa.
When but one year old, Joseph Nelson
Clark removed with his parents to Cumber-
land county, and was educated in the public
schools of Churchtown and the Normal
School of Newville, Pa., now the State Nor-
mal School of Shippensburg, receiving a
diploma from this institution with the class
of 1860. He studied in the medical depart-
ment of the University of Georgetown, at
Washington, D. C, and was graduated from
the institution with the class of 1867 ; he took
a post-graduate course in 1868. He practiced
medicine for one year at St. Louis, Mo., then
returned to Mechanicsburg and practiced
there. During 1870 and 1871 he was presi-
dent of the Female Collegiate Institute, at
York, Pa. In 1872 he removed to Harris-
burg, where he has resided continuously for
twenty-three years. Until 1887 he devoted
his attention solely to the practice of his pro-
fession. For the past eight years he has
given the greater part of his time to the drug
business. He is proprietor of McNeil's Pain
Exterminator, a popular remedy of wide
sale. In 1861 Dr. Clark volunteered for
service in the army, under the call for three
months' men, and was assigned to the
Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves. He en-
listed for three years but served four years,
on account of one year's imprisonment, par-
ticipating in the most important battles of
the war. He was taken prisoner at the bat-
tle of Gaines' Mill, and spent eight weeks in
Libby prison. Two years later he was again
captured with his entire regiment at the
battle of the Wilderness, and was confined
in Andersonville prison from May until Sep-
tember, 1864, and in Florence prison from Sep-
tember until December, 1864. On February
22, 1865, he was mustered out of service at
Philadelphia as sergeant major. After receiv-
iiighis discharge, he returned to his home in
Cumberland county, and from there went to
Washington, D. C, and was connected with
the war department until 1868.
Dr. Clark was married at Mechanicsburg,
Pa., February 28, 1871, to Miss Kate E. Gor-
gas, daughter of Soloman P. and Elizabeth
Gorgas, of Mechanicsburg. They have five
children : William Gorgas, residing in Phila-
delphia, Mary E., Joseph Nelson, Jr., Ray-
mond Perry, and Edgar George. Dr. Clark
is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No.
464, F. & A. M., and of Post No. 58, G. A. R.
In political views he is a Republican. He
was a member of the school board for ten
years and secretary of this body for one year.
Dr. Clark and his wife are members of the
Westminster Presbyterian church. He enjoys
the respect and esteem of the community.
On account of his recognized business ability
and personal worth, he is regarded as justly
entitled to his phenomenal success.
NuNEMACHER, AMBROSE W., pharmacist,
was born in Germantown, Pa., son of John
and Sarah Nunemacher, both natives of
Philadelphia county, and both of German
ancestry. The father was a prominent busi-
ness man of Harrisburg, engaged in the re-
tail shoe trade for many years. His wife
died in December, 1893, aged eighty-four
years. They reared seven children. One
son, William, was accidentally killed by a
horse falling on him; a daughter, Mary,
died at the age of twenty-five years. Their
living children are : Caroline, wife of Rev.
G. J. Martz; Amanda, Samuel, and Ambrose,
all living in Harrisburg; Harry, residing at
Columbus, Ohio. Ambrose W. received a part
of his education in the public schools of
Germantown, removing with his parents to
Morris, Montgomery county. Pa., and in
1859 to Harrisburg, where he completed
his education. In 1860 he began in the
drug business with Charles A. Vanworls, a
prominent druggist and chemist of Harris-
burg, with whom he continued for over five
years. In the early part of 1865 he enlisted
in company I, Seventy-seventh regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until
1866, being a part of this time with General
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
399
Stanley's Fourth corps, in Texas, and a part
of the time brigade hospital steward. He
was mustered out at Philadelphia, January
24, 1866, and returned to Harrisburg, and
was engaged in the drug business with Dr.
Markley for two years, after which he formed
a partnership in the same line of trade with
Rev. Charles A. Wyeth, with whom he con-
tinued in business at the corner of Second
and State streets until 1871, when he pur-
chased Mr. Wyeth's interest, and has con-
ducted the business on his own account
since that date. Mr. Nunemacher was mar-
ried, at Harrisburg in 1873, to America
Kamerer, daughter of Henry Kamerer, to
whom has been born one daughter, Viola
A. Mr. Nunemacher represented the Fourth
ward in common council one term. He is
a member of the State and Dauphin County
Pharmaceutical Societies, of which he is one
of the organizers. The family attend the
Lutheran church.
Arnold, Calvin M., M. D., pharmacist,
was born in Dillsburg, York county. Pa.,
October 11, 1843, son of Micah and Mary
(Miller) Arnold, both natives of Pennsylva-
nia. He was reared in his native town and
educated in the public schools and Millers-
ville Normal School. He was then for four
years a teacher in the public schools of York
and Lancaster counties, and in 1864 began
reading medicine with his brother, Dr.
George B. Arnold. After attending the
Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia
one term he entered the Homeopathic Medi-
cal College of New York in the fall of 1866,
from which he was graduated the ensuing
spring, and at once began the practice of
medicine at Gettysburg, in which he was en-
gaged one year, and then removed to .Leb-
anon, where he practiced eighteen months.
In 1879 he came to Harrisburg and entered
upon a general practice, in connection with
which, since 1882, he has conduc'ed a drug
business. Dr. Arnold was married at Lan-
caster city, Pa., December 25, 1874, to Miss
Annie B. Nophsker, daughter of Henry and
Ellen Nophsker, of Bainbridge, Lancaster
county, to whom has been born one daugh-
ter, Gertrude G. The Doctor is a member
of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 83, Knights of
St John and Malta ; is a Prohibitionist in
politics and attends the Fffth Street M. E.
church.
Deiss, William, pharmacist, was born in
the province of Waldeck, Germany, Feb-
ruary 16, 1844. He is a son of Andrew and
Elizabeth (Knipple) Deiss, both natives of
Germany and both now deceased. He was
reared to manhood in his native land. He
received the advantages of both a pub-
lic school and a collegiate education.
After leaving the schools he traveled ex-
tensively throughout Germany, Switzerland
and France. In 1870, at the beginning of
the Franco-Prussian war, he became attached
to the German army in the capacity of a
member of the Red Cross corps, and served
therein until the close of the war in March,
1871. He then returned to his home, where
he remained for two years. In 1872 he left
Germany and came to America, taking up
his residence with his brother, Daniel Deiss,
at Columbus, Ohio, and with him learned
the drug business. After the death of his
brother in 1876 he became manager of this
business until the business was sold out. In
February, 1877, he removed to Harrisburg
and engaged in the drug business with Will-
iam Keller, under the firm name of Keller
& Deiss. This partnership was dissolved in
October of the same year. In the following
December Mr. Deiss took charge of the hos-
pital dispensary, in the performance of the
duties of which position he rendered supreme
satisfaction until the close of his term of
office in 1890. On June 1, 1891, he pur-
chased his present business from Ira Lott.
He was married at Harrisburg, October 2,
1881, to Mary Bonacker, a native of Harris-
burg and of German ancestry. Two chil-
dren have been born to them: Anna E. and
Mina J. In political views Mr. Deiss is an
independent Democrat. The family attend
the Lutheran church.
Hay, John W., physician and pharmacist,
Harrisburg, was born at Gettysburg, Pa.,
April 15, 1847. He is a son of the late Rev.
Charles A. Hay, D. D., and Sarah R. (Bar-
nitz) Hay. He removed with his parents to
Harrisburg in 1849, and received his primary
education in the schools of this city. He
attended Pennsylvania College at Gettys-
burg, and was graduated from that institu-
tion with the class of 1868. He then en-
tered the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia,
graduating therefrom in 1871. He at once
entered upon the practice of medicine in
400
BIOGRAPHICAL EWGYGLOPEDIA
Harrisburg, and continued it for five years.
In 1876 he engaged in the drug business,
and has since given it his entire attention.
He was married at Gettysburg, August 7,
1871, to Sarah Jane Welty, daughter of Solo-
mon and Jane (Livingston) Welty. To
them have been born nine children, five of
whom are living. Their names are: Bessie
Barnitz, Charles Livingston, Martin Luther,
Nellie McKnight, and Mary. Those dead
were named : Rebecca Jane, William Welty,
Ruth Stevenson, and John Deyoe. Dr. Hay
is a member of Council No. 3, United Ameri-
can Mechanics. He served as United States
pension examiner for eighteen years. In
politics the Doctor is a staunch Republican.
The familv attend the Lutheran church.
Nicholas, John B., druggist, and alder-
man of the First ward, Harrisburg, was
born at Annville, Lebanon county. Pa., De-
cember 25, 1849. He is a son of Jacob M.
and Harriet (Berry) Nicholas. His parents
were very early settlers of Lebanon county,
but removed to Harrisburg in 1851, where
the father still resides, at the advanced age
ot seventy-three years. The mother died in
1858. They had a family of four children,
of whom John B. and Benjamin are the
only surviving members. When two years
of age, John B. was brought by his parents
to Harrisburg, where he has resided continu-
ously for forty-five years, taking an active
part in all measures tending to promote the
welfare of the citj^ He was educated in the
public and parochial schools of the city.
He learned the drug business and has been
engaged in this business during his whole
career as a business man ; for the past
twenty-five years he has done business for
himself and now commands a large trade.
Mr. Nicholas has been twice married. His
first wife was Miss Mary R. Dennison,
daughter of Horatio and Jane C. Dennison.
of Harrisburg. To this marriage no chil-
dren Were born. Mrs. Nicholas died in
1884. His present wife was Miss Mary R.
Ross, daughter of Adam and Sarah (West)
Ross, early settlers of Franklin county. Pa.
To them have been born three children :
one died in infancy ; Ruth died July 16,
1896, and John B., Jr., alone survives. Mr.
Nicholas has taken a very active part in
political matters. He has represented the
First ward as alderman for twenty-two years.
He and his family attend the Presbyterian
church.
Pfouts, William C, pharmacist, was born
at Black Creek, Clinton county. Pa., March
29, 1850, son of the late Dr. George I. and
Mary V. (Gouter) Pfouts, the former born at
Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, in 1822, and
the latter in Columbia, Lancaster county,
Pa. The father was a well-known physi-
cian, and was active in the practice of his
profession for thirty-eight years. He began
practice in the Nittany Valley, Lycoming
county, afterwards was for many years at
Jersey Shore, then a short time at McClures-
ville, in Lycoming county, and later returned
to Jersey Shore, where he died November 2,
1883. iais wife died April 1,1864. Will-
iam C. was the only child. He was but an
infant when taken by his parents to Jersey
Shore, where he was reared to manhood, re-
ceiving his education in the public schools
of that place and the West Branch high
school. After leaving school he read medi-
cine with his father for two years, and after-
wards learned the drug business. After
serving as manager for a few years he formed
a partnership with M. P. Hepburn, with
whom he continued in business until July,
1884, when he withdrew from the firm. On
January 25, 1885, he removed to Harris-
burg, where he has been in the drug busi-
ness since that date, having been in the trade
for twenty-three years. Mr. Pfouts was mar-
ried in Harrisburg, October 3, 1883, to Miss
Amy Sheafer, daughter of Maj. H. I. and
America Sheafer, to whom two children have
been born : Katrina Westbrook and Ruth
Wood. He is a member of La Belle Valer,
No. 232, of Jersey Shore ; Perseverance Chap-
ter, No. 21, of Harrisburg ; Hospitaller Com-
mandery. No. 146, of Lock Haven, Pa., and
F. & A. M. In his political views Mr.
Pfouts is a Democrat. The family attend
the Market Square Presbyterian church.
Thoeley, Thomas A., pharmacist, was
born in Fairview township, York county,
Pa., August 16, 1850, son of Samuel and
Susan (Hurst) Thorley. The parents were
both natives of York county and residents
of the county until the death of the father,
who was a farmer. His children by his first
marriage are: John D., Thomas A., Joseph
E., and Susan, wife of Jacob Neidig, all liv-
ing. By his second wife he had four chil-
dren, two of whom are living: Adam M. and
Rebecca, wife of Frank E. Taylor, of New
Cumberland, Pa. Thomas A. was reared in
his native township and received his primary
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
401
education in the public scliools, and after-
wards attended the State Normal School at
Millersville. He came to • Harrisburg and
studied pharmacy with J. A. Miller until
1877, since which date he has been in busi-
ness for himself. He was married in Pitts-
burgh, Pa., March 4, 1880, to Miss E.E.Early,
daughter of Samuel Early, of Jackson county,
Kan., to whom have been born two chil-
dren, one of whom died in infancy, and
Samuel J. He and his family attend the
Pine Street Presbyterian church. In poli-
tics Mr. Thorley is a Democrat.
Steevek, Aaron M., pharmacist, was born
at Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pa., Sep-
tember 17, 1850. He is a son of James and
Catherine (Swineford) Steever. His father
was born at the old Murray farm, about two
and one-half miles northeast of Millersburg,
July 28, 1806, and died January 11, 1868.
His mother died February 27, 1832. They
had a family of nine children, namely:
Wesley, born August 4, 1834, residing in
Ohio; John Jefferson, born June 30, 1837,
who was killed at the second battle of Bull
Run, while nobly serving in defense of
his country, August 30, 1862 ; William
Leonard, born August 22, 1839, died January
4, 1885 ; Henry Mitchell, born December 21,
1841, residing in Avoca, Luzerne county. Pa.;
Mary Jane, born February 25, 1844, wife of
Henry Morne, residing at Etter's Postoffice,
York county. Pa.; Edward Washington, born
March 10, 1846, residing in Millersburg, Pa.;
Charles C, born June 27, 1848, also residing
at Millersburg, Pa.; Aaron M., subject of this
sketch, and Emma Catherine, wife of Henry
Wagner, residing in Snyder county. Pa.
Aaron M. Steever spent his boyhood in his
native town and received the advantages of
a common school education. He began
business as a stationary engineer, and fol-
lowed this occupation for about four years.
On March 3, 1868, he entered the store of
his uncle, Benjamin G. Steever, and was em-
ployed there six years. September 1, 1874,
he removed to Harrisburg, where he has been
continuously employed in the drug business
for twenty-one years.
He was married, at Millersburg, January
1, 1874, to Miss Annie M. Shriber, daughter
of Seth and Mary A. Shriber. One daughter
has been born to them, named Jessie Lee.
■Mr. Steever is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. ; Dauphin Lodge,
No. 160, and Dauphin Encampment No. 10,
I. 0. 0. F. ; Nazareth Commandery, No.l25,
Knights of Malta, and Royal Arcanum,
Council No. 110. In political views he is a
Republican. The family attend the Ridge
Avenue M. E. church. Mr. Steever has suc-
ceeded in business, and is a reliable man and
an honored citizen.
Gross, Edward Z., pharmacist, was born
in Harrisburg, November 6, 1851. He is a
son of Daniel W. and Elizabeth Kunkel
Gross. He received his primary education
in the private schools of Harrisburg, and
later attended the academies taught by
Gause and Seiler. At the age of sixteen
years, his academic course being completed,
he entered the drug store of his father. In
the winter of 1871 he matriculated at the
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and
graduated from that institution in the
spring of 1873. He at once returned to
Harrisburg and continued in the employ of
his father and his brother, George A., until
1883. On January 1, of that year, he be-
came a partner in the business. His brother
retiring from the firm, the business was con-
ducted by the father and Edward Z. until
January 1, 1894. Since that date the store
has been under the management of Edward
Z. alone.
Edward Z. Gross was married in Harris-
burg, May 18, 1876, to Nancy J., daughter
of J. Vance and Hannah (Dull) Criswell.
They have two children : Hannah C. and
Henry McC.
Mr. Gross has served as school director
for one term. He is one of the managers
of the City Hospital, and a member of the
advisory board of the Children's Industrial
Home. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. ; Dauphin
Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., and Star of
America Commandery, No. 113, K. of M.
In political views Mr. Gross is a Republican.
He and his wife and daughter are members
of the Pine Street Presbyterian church, in
which he is an elder, the leader of the choir,
and the superintendent of the infant de-
partment of the Sabbath-school.
Gross, Daniel Wiestling, son of Abra-
ham and Maria (Wiestling) Gross, was born
in Middle Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., on March 11, 1810. He was
educated in the borough schools of Harris-
burg and the Harrisburg Academy. He
also prepared himself thoroughlj'^ as a phar-
402
Bl 0 GRAPHICAL ENGYCL OPEDIA
macist, and commenced business in this city
in 1830, and continued therein until a short
time before his death.
Mr. Gross was active and prominent in
public affairs. He was the first president of
the borough council in 1860-62, and was a
member of the school board for many years.
He was a trustee of the State Lunatic
Asylum at Harrisburg for a long period,
and was afterwards the treasurer of that in-
stitution. He was president of the board of
trustees of the Theological Seminary of the
Reformed Church ; vice-president of the
board of trustees of Franklin and Marshall
College, and was for many years president of
the board of publication of the Reformed
Church of the United States.
Mr. Gross was an elder of Salem Reformed
church and was prominent in all the affairs
of the denomination. He served on the
famous " Peace Commission," appointed to
allay the excitement over the liturgy. He
was the oldest member of the Salem church,
and was for a long time superintendent of
the Sunday-school and also of the infant de-
partment of the school. Daniel W. Gross
was married, in 1841, to Elizabeth, eldest
daughter of George Kunkel, of Harrisburg,
who died in 1882. Their children were:
George A., John K., Joshua W., Daniel
W., deceased, Edward Z., Henry S., Robert,
deceased, and Mary Elizabeth, deceased.
At the home of his son, Joshua W., sur-
rounded by his friends, having just reached
his eighty-sixth year, he quietly passed
away, after a lingering illness, March 11,
1896. His retrospect was an active and use-
ful life crowned with humble and honored
age, while before him lay the joy and glory
of eternal life.
FoLTZ, John B., pharmacist, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., August 26, 1853. He is a
son of William and Frances (Sproat) Foltz,
the former a native of Lancaster, Pa., the
latter of Elizabethtown, Lancaster county.
Both are living and reside in Harrisburg.
They had twelve children, five of whom are
living : William, residing at Lancaster, Pa.,
Joseph, residing at Manorville, Pa., Charles,
residing at Harrisburg, John B. and Frank,
residing at Seattle, Wash.
John B. Foltz was educated in the public
schools of Harrisburg. His first year after
leaving school was spent in the employ of
the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine Com-
pany. On April 15, 1871, he became clerk
in the drug store of D. W. Gross & Son, and
continued for fifteen years in their employ-
ment. Since 1886 he has been engaged suc-
cessfully in the drug business on his own
account. He was married in Harrisburg
November 1, 1883, to Sarah, daughter of
John and Louisa Emerich, of Harrisburg.
They have one child, named Mary Frances.
Mr. Foltz is an active member of Central
Lodge, No. 19, A. 0. U. W., and of the Royal
Arcanum. In his political views he is a
Liberal, casting his vote for the men of his
choice rather than of his party. He attends
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Hamlin, Benjamin B., Jr., pharmacist,
was born in Baltimore, Md., March 25, 1858.
He is a son of the Rev. Benjamin Hamlin,
D. D., and Rebecca B. (Manley) Hamlin.
His father was chaplain of the Senate of
Pennsylvania during the session of 1894.
Benjamin H., Jr., is a graduate of the Cham-
bersburg high school, and also attended the
Chambersburg Academy for two years. Dur-
ing 1876-77 he was engaged in the drug
business at Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio.
In 1878 he engaged in the same business
in Harrisburg, and has since been con-
tinuously in the business here. During 1880
and 1881 he attended the Philadelphia Col-
lege of Pharmacy, and was graduated from
that institution in 1881. He was married
in Philadelphia, May 11, 1881, to Miss Celia
D. Whiteman, daughter of William K. and
Victoria Whiteman, of Philadelphia. Mr.
and Mrs. Hamlin attend the Methodist Epis-
copal church. In his business Mr. Hamlin
is abreast of the times. His pharmacy is a
credit to the city. The prescription depart-
ment receives the personal and special at-
tention of Mr. Hamlin, and the results are
as accurate and reliable as skill and care can
produce.
Kramek, Charles F., druggist, was born
in Carlisle, Pa., May 14, 1859, son of Jolin
and Mary (Schlegelmilch) Kramer, both na-
tives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. The
parents came to America on the same vessel
in 1827, located in Carlisle, Pa., where two
years later they were married. The father
is a stone mason by trade, and is still en-
gaged in that occupation. He has lived in
the same house for thirty years. The mother
died in 1865. They had eight children, six
of whom are living : Mary A., George, Mar
garet, Adam, Annie and Charles F., twins
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
403
Charles F. spent his boyhood in Carlisle,
and received his education in the public
schools of that place. He began his business
career by a clerkship of three years with W.
F. Home. In 1880 he entered the Phila-
delphia College of Pharmacy, from which he
was graduated in 1882, after which he en-
tered the large drug store of H. C. Blair's
Sons, serving three j'^ears as prescription
clerk and seven years as manager. In 1891
he came to Harrisburg and embarked in the
drug business for himself, in which he has
continued successfully since that date. Mr.
Kramer was married in Harrisburg, Decem-
ber 29, 1884, to Henrietta Klucker, daugh-
ter of Bartholomew and Mary (Shaumbuch)
Klucker, the former a native of Germany,
the latter of Cumberland county, at that
time residents of Carlisle, and later of Har-
risburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Kramer have
been born three children: Hugh Reynolds,
died at the age of five years, Charles F., Jr.,
and Mildred. Mr. Kramer is a member of
America Lodge, No. 25, I. 0. 0. F.,of Phila-
delphia, and of Egyptian Commandery, No.
114, K. of M., of Harrisburg. In his poli-
tics he is a Republican. He attends Bethle-
hem Lutheran church.
the fraternities, being a member of Cincin-
natus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M. ; Har-
risburg Council, No. 328, Jr. 0. U. A. M.;
Harrisburg Conclave, No. 92, I. 0. H,, and
Warrior Eagle Tribe, No. 340, I. 0. R. M.
In politics he is a Democrat. The family
attend the Lutheran church.
Eager, Christian M., M. D., pharmacist,
was born in Harrisburg, May 6, 1860, son of
George C. and Frederica (Maeyer) Eager.
He received his primary education in . the
public schools, and also attended the Har-
risburg Academy. He began the study of
medicine with Dr. C. B. Eager, and in the
fall of 1877 entered the medical department
of the University of Pennsylvania, at Phila-
delphia, from which he was graduated in
the class of 1881, after which he served for
one year in the Harrisburg Hospital. He
engaged in a general practice in Harrisburg
for a short time, and in 1882 removed to
West Fairview, Cumberland county, and
practiced there until July, 1887. He then
returned to Harrisburg and again entered
upon the practice of medicine, in which he
has continued to the present time. In July
of tlie same year he opened a drug store, and
has conducted a general business in that
line since that date. Dr. Eager was married,
in Harrisburg, to Miss Sabina B. Marshall,
daughter of Dr. Robert E. Marshall, of West
Eairview, Cumberland county, and to them
have been born five children: Erederica,
Helen, Bessie, Margaret and Mary.
Dr. Eager is prominently connected with
Knouse, Jacob H., of the firm of Eorney &
Knouse, druggists, Harrisburg, is a son of John
and Rebecca (Krone) Knouse. He was born at
Goldsboro, York county, Pa., February 26,
1861. His grandfather, Jacob Knouse, was
born near Jonestown, Lebanon county. Pa.,
July 19, 1795, and was a resident of Lebanon
county all his life. He died at the advanced
age of eighty-four years, November 14, 1879.
The maiden name of Mrs. Jacob Knouse was
Catherine Boyle. She was born in Ireland
in 1793, and came to America in 1800. She
was a resident of both Franklin and Lebanon
counties. She died in 1875, aged eighty-two
years. John Knouse, father of Jacob H.,
was born near Lebanon, Pa., August 15,
1816, and came to Harrisburg in 1870. He
was a shoemaker, but during his declining
years has lived a retired life. He was twice
married. Of the first union there is one sur-
viving child, Catherine, wife of D.M. Shelley,
of Harrisburg. In the second marriage, he
was united, in Cumberland county. Pa., in
1858, to Rebecca Krone, who was born in
York county. Pa., near Lewisberry, in 1828.
To this marriage there were born four chil-
dren, three of whom are living: Ira P.,
Jacob H., and Edward S. A daughter, Mary,
wife of Lewis Klucker, died in 1888, leaving
her husband and one son, Albert.
Jacob H. Knouse came with his parents to
Harrisburg when he was nine years old, and
has resided here ever since. His education
was received in the public schools of York
county and in the public schools of Harris-
burg. He was graduated from the Harris-
burg. high school in 1877. He entered the
drug store of A. W. Nunemacher as an ap-
prentice to the drug business, and remained
in this employment three years. At the ex-
piration of this time he entered the College
of Pharmacy at Philadelphia, from which he
was graduated in 1882. During his course
at the college he spent the intervals between
terms as a clerk in a drug store in Atlantic
City, N. J. After graduating he spent one
year as a clerk in the drug business at Wil-
mington, N. C. In 1888 he returned to Har-
risburg and was employed in the drug store
404
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Dr. Raysor for nearly five years. In 1889
he engaged in business in connection with
Mr. C. M. Forney.
Mr. Knouse was married in Harrisburg,
April 24, 1883, to Miss Ella B. Mosey,
daughter of Daniel M. and Sarah Mosey, of
Harrisburg. They have two daughters,
Violet Claire and Evelyn May. Mr. Knouse
is a member of America Council, No. 3,
0. U. A. M., and of Capital City Council, No.
327, Jr. 0. U. A. M. He is a member of
Nazareth Commandery, No. 125, K. of M.;
of Fraternal Mystic Circle, and of Dauphin
County Pharmaceutical Association, and of
the Pennsylvania State Pharmaceutical As-
sociation. Politically he is a Republican.
He and his family attend the Fourth Street
Church of God. Mr. Knouse is a man of
high standing in business and in society.
Roe,- Edward J., proprietor of the Brook-
wood pharmacy, was born at Rohrsburg,
Columbia county. Pa., June 28, 1861. He
is a son of Dr. Francis M. and Sarah A. Roe.
His parents settled in Harrisburg in April,
1880. His father and grandfather were
medical practitioners. Dr. Francis M. Roe
practiced his profession at Rohrsburg, Pa.,
and also in Michigan and Indiana, during
his residence in those States. Upon taking
up his residence in Harrisburg he aban-
doned the practice of his profession, and on
June 10, 1880, embarked in the drug busi-
ness, to which he devoted his entire atten-
tion until his death, which occurred July 6,
1892. His wife and four of their children
are living: Edward J., Ada S., a teacher in
the public schools of Harrisburg, William,
a pharmacist of Washington, D. C., and Car-
rie A.
Edward J. Roe, when very young, was
taken by his parents to Michigan ; a year
later they removed to Indiana, locating in
Elkhart county. He was educated in the
public schools of Bristol, and also topk a
course in the Business College of Harrisburg.
In the fall of 1880 the family removed to
Harrisburg. Edward J. then became phar-
maceutical clerk in his father's store. For
the past twelve years he has been a member
of the firm, and since the death of his father
has conducted the business in his own and
his mother's interest. Mr. Roe was married
at Pottsville, Pa., November 26, 1891, to
Carrie De Frehn, daughter of .Joseph and
Abigail De Frehn, both old and honored
residents of Schuylkill county. To them
were born, August, 1894, twin boys, who
died when but a few weeks old. Mr. Roe is
a charter member of Steelton Lodge, No. 184,
I. 0. 0. F., and of the Fraternal Mystic Cir-
cle, Ruling No. 440, of Harrisburg. In
political views he is a Republican. He at-
tends the Episcopal church, of which Mrs.
Roe is a member.
FoKNEY, Charles M., of the firm of For-
ney & Knouse, wholesale and retail drug-
gists, was born in Harrisburg, December 12,
1861. He is a son of Henry Jacob and
Lydia (Walmer) Forney. He was educated
in the public schools of Harrisburg, in-
cluding the high school. He next became
a student in the pharmaceutical department
of the drug store of Dr. M. F. Raysor, and
studied with him for three years. The next
two years were spent in the Philadelphia
College of Pharmacy, from which he gradu-
ated in March, 1882. He went to Trenton,
N. J., where for the following four years he
was manager of the drug stores of W. S.
Taylor and C. H. Young. In June, 1886,
he returned to Harrisburg and purchased
the drug business of John B. Foltz, which
he conducted until July, 1887, at which date
he sold the business to Dr. C. M. Fager. In
October of the same year, he formed his
present co-partnership with Mr. J. H.
Knouse, under the firm name of Forney &
Knouse.
Charles M. Forney was married in Har-
risburg, September 22, 1885, to Miss Anna
L. Millard, daughter of Andrew B. and
Mary Millard, natives of York county. Pa.,
who were at that date residents of Steelton,
and who now reside in Lisburn, Cumber-
land county. Pa. One son, Henry A., was
born to them January 31, 1887. Mr. For-
ney is a member of Star of America Com-
mandery, No. 113, K. of M., and Capital
City Council, No. 327, Jr. 0. U. A. M. In
political views he is a Republican. He at-
tends the Presbyterian church at Paxtang,
where he resides. He is well and favorably
known as a reliable business man, and a citi-
zen of personal worth.
Hess, Edwin H., pharmacist, was born in
Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa., March
19, 1862, son of Hiram W. and Ella T.
(Famstermacher) Hess, both natives of Leb-
anon county and of German ancestry, the
former still living and residing in Harris-
burg, the latter died at Harrisbiirg, April 10,
DA UPHIN CO UNTY.
405
1890. The father is a locomotive engineer,
and has been in the employment of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company since 1868,
and has been a resident of Harrisburg for
twenty-eight years. Edwin H. is the only
child of his parents and came with them to
Harrisburg when he was six years old. He
received his primary education in the public
schools of Harrisburg and subsequently at-
tended the College of Pharmacy, at Phila-
delphia, from which he was graduated in
1885. He was then engaged as pharmaceuti-
cal clerk at Trenton and Burlington, N. J.,
for one year, and for the same length of
time at McVeytown, Mifflin county, in the
latter part of 1887 he embarked in the drug
business in Harrisburg. Mr. Hess was mar-
ried, at Harrisburg, November 22, 1885, to
Rebecca F. DePuy, daughter of Thomas
and Julia A. (Baker) DePuy, to whom there
has been born one son, Jay Baker. Mr. Hess
holds membership in Robert Burns Lodge,
No. 464, F. & A. M., and in the Society of
Alumni of Philadelphia College of Pharm"acy.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess are consistent members
of Messiah Lutheran church.
CoTTEREL, John W., pharmacist, was born
in Harrisburg, Pa., August 26, 1862. He is
a son of John and Emma (Wise) Cotterel.
John Cotterel was a native of England, and
came to America at the age of eleven. For
several years he was with his father at Read-
ing, Pa., in the green grocery business ; he
was afterwards in the same business in
Philadelphia, Pa. In 1860 he removed to
Harrisburg, where he was in the grocer}'
business until his death. He died, Septem-
ber 27, ] 865, from injuries and exposure in-
curred while serving in the army in defense
of his country during the war of the Rebel-
lion. His wife, Emma Wise, was born in
Reading; she survives him and resides in
Harrisburg. Their children are : James K.,
David W., John W. and Margaret M.
John W. Cotterel acquired his education
in the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Mount
Joy, Pa. After leaving this institution he
was employed as salesman in various
branches of business, and was also for some
time apprentice to the printing business. In
1885 he entered the Philadelphia College of
Pharmacy, and graduated from it in 1887.
He then returned to Harrisburg, and since
April, 1887, has been successfully engaged
in the drug business in this city.
Mr. Cotterel was married at Newport, Perry
county, Pa., July 18, 1888, to Margaret A.,
daughter of Daniel and Amelia lungerich,
of Newport. They have no children. Both
are consistent members of the Fifth Street
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cotterel
is an active member of Harrisburg Council,
No. 328, Jr. 0. U. A. M.,of Peace and Plenty
Lodge, No. 59, I. 0. 0. F., and of Egyptian
Commandery, No. 114, A. and I.O. K. of M.
His political creed is Republican.
Deshong, James B., pharmacist, was born
in Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa.,
May 3, 1867. He is the son of Rev. John
W. and Rebecca M. (Anderson) Deshong.
His father has been connected with the min-
istry for thirty-two years, and for six years
has been the pastor of the Bethel church in
Harrisburg. The parents had a family of
nine children, one of whom died in infancy.
Their living children are: ArvillaS., wife
of McClellan Ebright, Philadelphia; Mar-
garet A., wife of John B. Fisher, Harrisburg;
Harry E., Altoona ; James B. ; William,
Philadelphia; Carrie B., John C. and Ed-
ward A., Harrisburg. Rev. Mr. Deshong
was of French and his wife of Scotch an-
cestry.
James B. Deshong received his education
in the schools of Lancaster and Blair coun-
ties, and in the Mountain City Business
College, of Altoona. He engaged as phar-
maceutical clerk with Mr. George Schim-
minger, of Altoona, and continued with him
for five years; then with Hamlin & Hunter,
of Erie, and subsequently with D. G. Hur-
ley & Co., of Altoona, with a Mr. Hern, of
Du Bois, Clearfield county, Pa., and with
Dr. John W. Hay. On December 23, 1894,
he commenced business for himself. He
attends the Church of God.
GoRGAs, George A., pharmacist, was born
in Lower Allen township, Cumberland
county, Pa. He is a son of VVilliam R. and
Elizabeth (Hummel) Gorgas. William R.
Gorgas was born in Lower Allen township.
May 8, 1806, and was an honored resident
of that township for seventy-one years. He
held many important public positions. He
served in both branches of the Legislature,
and was for many years on the school board.
He removed to Harrisburg in the fall of
1877, where he lived a retired life until his
death, which occurred December 7, 1892.
The ancestors were natives of Holland. They
settled in Germautown, Pa., prior to 1730.
406
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
From that place they went to Ephrata, Lan-
caster county, Pa. About 1800 the grand-
father settled in Cumberland county. The
mother of George A. Gorgas was a daughter
of David Hummel, an early settler in Dau-
phin county. Eight children were born to
them; two died in infancy and David died
at the age of sixteen. Dr. S. E,., a prominent
physician, died June 30, 1893. Their living
children are: William L., cashier of the
Harrisburg Bank, Catherine F., Mary E.,
and George A.
George A. Gorgas passed his boyhood on
his father's farm, and received his education
in the public schools of his native township.
He afterwards attended Cumberland Valley
State Normal School at Shippensburg, also
Cumberland Valley Institute at Mechanics-
burg. After completing his education he
became a student of pharmacy with Daniel
H. Hamaker, of Harrisburg, for three years.
He then attended the College of Pharmacy
of Philadelphia for two years, graduating
from that institution in 1881. He afterwards
resided in Washington for two years. In
1883 he returned to Harrisburg and pur-
chased the drug business of I. D. Lutz. He
conducted this business until 1894, at which
date he removed to his present commodious
premises.
George A. Gorgas was married at Leb-
anon, Pa., April 23, 1891, to Miss Rachel
Grittinger, daughter of Henry C. and Agnes
C. Grittinger. Their children are : Elizabeth
Hummel, who died in infancy, and Cathe-
rine, who still survives. Mr. Gorgas is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464;
Perseverance Chapter, No. 21; Harrisburg
Council, No. 7, and Pilgrim Commandery,
No. 11, F. & A. M.; also of Lulu Temple, A.
A. 0. N. M. S. He is a member of the
American Pharmaceutical Society and of the
Dauphin County Pharmaceutical Society.
In political views he is Democratic. He at-
tends the German Reformed church.
KiTZMiLLEE, Fkank K., pharmacist, is the
youngest son of Daniel and Sarah A. (Gor-
gas) Kitzmiller, and was born at Pine Grove,
Schuylkill county. Pa. He came to Harris-
burg with his parents when he was three
years old. He was educated in the public
schools and the high school of this city. Mr.
Kitzmiller studied pharmacy for seven years
in the store of E. Z. Gross, of Harrisburg;
he subsequently attended the College of
Pharmacy at Philadelphia, and was gradu-
ated from that institution in 1890. He then
returned to the employment of Mr. Gross,
and has spent twelve years in his service.
He is a member of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160,
and of Dauphin Encampment, No. 10, I. 0.
0. F. He is also a member of the Pennsyl-
vania Pharmacists' Society, and of the Alumni
of the College of Pharmacy.
Snydek, William H., pharmacist, was
born in East Hanover township, September
24, 1871. He is the son of the late Peter
C. and Mary A. (Kaufman) Snyder. His
parents were both natives of Berks county.
Pa. The father was a prominent physician
and practiced his profession for man}' years
near Reading, Pa. He was also assistant
surgeon of the Two Hundredth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, during the late
war. In 1870 he removed to Dauphin
county, and for several years was foreman
of the Manada Furnaces, in East Hanover
township. About 1873 he removed to Rock-
ville, Susquehanna township, and there
practiced his profession until 1877, when he
removed to Ellendale Forge, Middle Paxton
township, where he took charge of the char-
coal forges until 1884, at which date he re-
moved to Harrisburg. From that time to
the date of his death, he was engaged in the
drug business. He died October 4, 1893.
His wife died March 6, 1893. To them
were born three children : Walter, residing
at Reading, Pa. ; William H. and Mary K.
By a previous marriage of the father there
was one daughter, Carrie M., wife of Charles
Bartz, residing at Reading, Pa. By a former
marriage of the mother there was one son,
John K. Geuger, who resides at Sheridan
Furnace, Lebanon county. Pa. William H.,
when but an infant, removed with his
parents to Rockville, and in 1877 again re-
moved to Ellendale Forge, where he re-
mained till 1884, receiving his education in
the district schools. In 1884 he came with
the family to Harrisburg. In 1886 he en-
tered his father's drug store as a clerk.
Since the death of his father, in 1893, he
has conducted the business in the interest of
the estate.
Bernheisel, Peter, son of John and
Catherine (Loy) Bernheisel, was born August
18, 1806, in Cumberland (now Perry) county.
Pa. His father was a native of Berks county.
Pa., where he was born May 12, 1765, settled
in Perry county about the year 1800, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
407
where he died on the 21st of September,
1825. His mother was also a native of
Berks county, born May 1, 1768, and died in
Perry county on the 31st of August, 1833.
Peter's early education was limited to the
schools of the county until 1822, when he
went to Carlisle, where he learned the trade
of a carpenter and builder. He came to Har-
aisburg from Carlisle in 1827, was married to
Margaret Uhler in 1828, went to Perry county
and returned and settled in Harrisburg in
1830, where he became a contract builder
until 1859. He was the builder of the county
jail and the Presbyterian church on Second
street. He served as a member of the old
borough council during the shin-plaster era,
and filled other municipal offices. In 1859
he relinquished the housebuilding and went
into the lime business. Mr. Bernheisel mar-
ried, first, on the 28th of August, 1828, Mar-
garet, daughter of John and Catherine Uhler,
and their children were : John Frederick,
Jeremiah, Peter, Augustus, George, William
Henry, and Jacob Houser, all deceased ex-
cept Peter and William H. His second
wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John and
Barbara Shott, and their children were :
Barbara Catherine, deceased, Valentine Hum-
mel, of Harrisburg, and Rebecca Shott, wife
of William Painter, of Harrisburg. His
third wife was Frances, daughter of Bernard
and Elizabeth Sigman.
DeHaven Jehu, retired builder of Harris-
burg, Pa., was born in Montgomery county.
Pa., April 15, 1814. He is a son of Nathan
and Diana (Waltz) DeHaven, both of French
descent. Mr. Nathan DeHaven was for many
years a stone mason. He had six children,
of whom John is the only survivor; the de-
ceased children are : William, Henry, Ulrich,
Henrietta, and Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. DeHaven
both died in Montgomery county.
Jehu DeHaven enjoyed only the educa.-
tional advantages of the private schools of
his native county. At the age of seventeen
he began to learn the stone mason's trade,
serving an apprenticeship of two years. He
worked for some time as a journeyman, and
was in this business altogether about thirty
years. After this, he came to Harrisburg,
and began taking large contracts. His work
in this line was done for the most part in
Pennsylvania. He built four miles of the
Union canal, and two miles of the Reading
railroad. He was also a contractor for bridge
work. He built the large Soldier's monu-
ment which stands at the foot of State street,
Harrisburg, and the postoffice in that city,
which he finished in 1873. In 1870 he
built the Presbyterian church on Third
street. About the same year, Mr. DeHaven
built his large and fine residence, which he
has occupied twenty-two years. After com-
pleting the postoffice building, he retired
from active business.
Jehu DeHaven was married, in Dauphin
county, October 3, 1837, to Esther, daughter
of John and Catherine (Conrad) Kline. Of
their ten children, seven are living : William,
Eliza, wife of Jacob Fackler, of New York
City, Jehu, Jr., Emily, widow of Edward
Jones, Esther, widow of Albert Bricker, Isa-
bella, Frederick, a prominent hardware mer-
chant, Harrisburg, Pa.; and the deceased
children are: Matilda, died at the age of
nine months,fand George. Mrs. DeHaven
died in 1885, at the age of seventy years.
Mr. DeHaven has been an active member of
Lodge No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., for forty years.
He is a Republican. He is a congregational
member of the Presbyterian church, of which
his wife was a consistent member.
Mrs. DeHaven was born in 1815. Her
parents were both natives of Montgomery
county. Mr. Kline was engaged in the shoe
business. They had six children: Esther,
Leah, Catherine, Frederick, and William.
The family belonged to the Presbyterian
church. Both parents died at their home in
Montgomery county.
Ball, Joseph, contractor, 127 Pine street,
Harrisburg, was born in Delaware, January
28, 1829, and is a son of Joseph and Lydia
(McCoombs) Ball. He has an honorable an-
cestry from whom he has doubtless inherited
the spirit which has animated him in his
business career in this city as well as the
qualities which have enabled him to achieve
his honorable success. His paternal grand-
father, William Ball, married Miss Springer,
and together they came from England in
1803, and were a part of that large number
of intelligent and virtuous people who felt
the limitations of old customs and dense
populations, and appreciated the fuller free-
dom and ampler opportunities which this
country, at the establishment of its inde-
pendence, offered to all who desired to enjoy
its rich resources. They landed at New Cas-
tle, and settled on the Christina river. His
maternal ancestors, the McCoombs, possessed
similar characteristics, only they were of
408
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
that still more sturdy and Stirling stock of
the north of Ireland, from which so many
men of worth and eminence have sprung.
They also came hither at an early date in
the century and settled in the State of Dela-
ware, on the Christina river. Mrs. Mc-
Goomhs' maiden name was Walker. In
early boyhood Mr. Ball appears to have de-
veloped somewhat of a restless and adven-
turous spirit, and proposed to himself to look
about in the world and see something of its
countries and customs before settling down
to the regular routine of life's duties. In
gratification of this spirit he shipped before
the mast as common sailor in the whaling
and naval service, and results and subse-
quent events show that the lessons and ex-
periences of this voyage were not lost, for on
his return he settled at once into the com-
monplace and unromantic position of an ap-
prenticeship to the carpenter trade. That
he was apt and in earnest in his trade learn-
ing is proved by the proficiency and skill he
acquired in his chosen occupation. He came
to Harrisburg in 1860 and found here, in
this prosperous and growing city, an ample
field for the business he desired to establish.
He diligently followed his occupation, and
finall}^ became well established and promi-
nent as a builder and contractor. The
marks and monuments of his successful
works are to be seen in the prominent struc-
tures which have been erected under his
able and faithful superintendence. Among
those may be named the first Paxton mills
and the additions thereto, the Paxton flour-
ing mills, the Reily street, Maclay street and
high school buildings, and the Trust Com-
pany building. He also remodeled the
Commonwealth Hotel, and has constructed
many of the fine residences of the city. He
is acceptable to both owners and architects,
because he is equally faithful to both, and
has the skill to construct the material reali-
zation of the wants of the one and the plans
of the other. Mr. Ball is further interested
in other substantial business enterprises of
the city, being a stockholder in the Chestnut
Street market house and in the Harrisburg
Trust Company. In political views he is in
harmony with the Republican party. His
only military service is his former connec-
tion with the State militia. He was married,
in 1861, to Miss Lucretia J. Lutz. Their
children are: William G., contractor of Har-
risburg, Pa., and Sarah J., the wife of Joseph
Weaver, of Harrisburg. Mrs. Ball has from
early youth been a merriber of the First Bap-
tist church. The wife of George Washing-
ton was a member of the Ball family.
Bernheisel, Peter, architect, was born
at Harrisburg, Pa., April 25,1833. He is a
son of Peter and Margaret (Uhler) Bern-
heisel. His father was a native of Perry
county, Pa., and was born near what is now
called Green Park, in 1806, and died in this
city, September 22, 1887, aged eighty-one
years. His mother was born in Harrisburg,
and died in 1848. Their family consisted
of seven children, of whom two survive:
Peter and William H., of Harrisburg, who
was injured by a fall while engaged at the
erection of the Friendship engine house,
and for thirty-seven years has not left his
bed. The father was married three times.
By the second marriage three children were
born; and by the third marriage pone were
born.
Peter received his education in the public
schools of the city. He learned the carpen-
ter trade, and at the same time studied
architecture. In 1856 he became manager
of TruUinger & Co.'s planing mill, and
filled the position for seven years. In 1863
he engaged in business for himself as a con-
tractor and builder, and continued in this
business for twenty-two years. In 1885 he
abandoned this occupation, and since that
date he has devoted his time to the business
of architect. He built the residences of Dr.
Reily and Dr. Porter, the addition to In-
ternal Affairs and House of Representatives,
Telegraph building, and others.
He was married in Harrisburg, Pa., No-
vember 9, 1856, to Hannah R. Webner,
daughter of Charles and Harriett (Salada)
Webner, a native of Lebanon. Six children
have been born to them, five of whom are
living, namely : Margaret, wife of H. H.
Lingle, Harrisburg; Amanda, deceased;
George, Harrisburg ; William, Harrisburg;
Charles H., a partner with his father; and
M. Frances. In politics Mr. Bernheisel is a
Republican. The family attend the Lu-
theran church.
ScHLAYEK (Schlehr), Jacob F., contractor,
was born in Harrisburg, Pa., January 17,
1837. He is a son of the late Jacob Freder-
ick and Elizabeth Maria (Beckley) Schlehr.
Jacob Frederick Schlehr was born in the
town of Ringlinge, Baden, Germany. For
many years he was engaged in farming. In
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
409
1832 he emigrated with his family to Amer-
ica. The passage across the ocean in a sail-
ing vessel occupied sixty-eight days. They
reached Baltimore, Md., September 4, 1832.
A few days later he procured a team and
wagon to transport his family and household
goods to Harrisburg. In two days they
reached York, Pa., where they rested one
day and procured another team. Harrisburg
was reached a day or two later, with no mis-
hap save the occasional upsetting of the
wagon. The remainder of their lives was
passed in Harrisburg. They were well-
known and honored residents. The father
died April 27, 1837. He was married in
Baden, Germany, to Elizabeth Maria Bick-
ley ; she died May 2, 1876. They had nine
children : Barbara, born in Ringlinge, Baden,
widow of the late Leonard Orth, residing in
Harrisburg ; William, born in Ringlinge
October 12, 1823, a continuous resident of
Harrisburg for sixty-two years, still actively
engaged, in his seventy-second year, at his
trade of shoemaking; he was married at
Linglestown, Dauphin county, February 5,
1855, to Catherine, daughter of the late
Frederick Lenhart, has five living children,
Mary, wife of John Murphy, Louisa, wife of
Robert Wallace, William H., Edward, and
Emma ; Caroline, deceased, born in Ring-
linge, Germany ; Bernhardt, whose present
residence is unknown ; Caroline, born in
Ringlinge, wife of Henry Langenberg, of
Beverley, Washington county, Ohio ; An-
drew, born in Ringlinge, died in 1893 ; Mary,
born at sea, deceased ; Margaret, born in
Harrisburg, wife of Rev. Henry Fossler, of
Brooklyn, N. Y.; and Jacob Frederick.
Jacob Frederick Schlehr received onlj'^ a
limited education in the schools of Harris-
burg. At the age of twelve he began the battle
of life for himself. For two years he was a
driver on the canal. The next year he was
clerk in the grocery store of Christ. Henry,
on Market street. At the age of fifteen he
was apprenticed to the house carpenter trade
with Colestock & Garverich. This firm
failed in business after two years and a half,
and he was compelled to seek other employ-
ers. He then served an apprenticeship of
two and a half years with Holman & Sim-
onds, making a completed apprenticeship of
four years. His pay during the entire period
was fifty cents a day, out of which he had to
pay all'his living expenses, including board
and clothing. He now removed to Beverly,
Ohio, and worked at carpentry for four
months, returning after that to Harrisburg.
Here he followed his trade and also con-
ducted a dairy business. In the spring of
1863 he abandoned the trade to devote his
entire attention to the dairy. In the spring
of 1865 he engaged in the sand business and
in 1866 sold the dair}' and has since been
interested in sand. Since 1886 he has also
been engaged in contracting. He was mar-
ried in Harrisburg, by Rev. Dr. Hay, Janu-
ary 16, 1859, to Anna Mary, daughter of
William and Hannah (Worrall) Willis, both
deceased. Their children are : William
Henry, in the plumbing business, Harris-
burg, and Hannah Elizabeth, wife of Henry
Boyer. Mr. Schlayer has been for twenty-
five years an active member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, and of Perseverance Chapter,
No. 21, F. & A. M. He also belongs to
Phoenix Lodge, K. of P., and of the United
Workmen. Since the war of the Rebellion
he has been a Republican ; he was previously
a Democrat. He and his family attend Zion
Evangelical Lutheran church, of which Mrs.
Schlayer is a consistent member.
Bender, Jacob M., retired carpenter and
contractor, was born near Mt. Joy, Lancas-
ter county. Pa., January 20, 1838, son of
Jacob and Maria (Moyer) Bender, natives of
Lancaster county. The father came to
Dauphin county and settled in Swatara
township, where he farmed for sixteen years
and then moved to Highland, between Ober-
lin and Steelton, where he was engaged in
raising fine horses. He was a Republican
in politics, having formerly been a Whig,
and served in township offices. He was a
member of the United Brethren church.
His death occurred in 1880, at the age of
eighty years, and his wife's death occurred
in 1863. They had eleven children, all of
whom reached maturity, and six of whom
are still living : Tobias, farmer, of Kansas ;
EHzabeth, Mrs. Samuel Rigbet, of Middle
Paxton; Jacob M.; Susan, Mrs. Adam Swartz,
of Texas; Mary, Mrs. Benjamin* Wright;
Daniel, of Parsons, Kan., deputy sheriff
and member of State Legislature and farmer
by occupation ; Henry, of ('herokee county,
Kan., postmaster of Galena, under Harri-
son. Jacob M. was reared in Dauphin
county and educated in the public schools.
He learned the trade of carpenter and fol-
lowed the occupation for nineteen years. On
August 8, 1862, he enlisted in company B,
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth regiment,
410
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Pennsylvania volunteers, as private and
served ten months, participating in the bat-
tles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and
other noted engagements. He settled at
Harrisburg permanently in 1866. He is
prominently connected with the fraternities,
being a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights
of Pythias, of the Mystic Chain and of Post
No. 58, G. A. R. His first vote was cast for
the People's party and he has since been a
Republican. From 1877 to 1879 he served
as a member of the common council and
was on the committee of ordinance and leg-
islation. Mr. Bender was married in 1866
to Susan Felty, daughter of John B. Felty,
of Susquehanna township. His children
are: Irving F., at the poor farm, Jacob Os-
car, bookkeeper, Elizabeth, Josiah, at home,
Daniel, drowned while skating, January 11,
1896. Mr. Bender is a member of the
Fourth Street Church of God.
Miller, David R., architect, was born in
Dauphin county, in au old log house in
Swatara township, situated where the steel
works now stand, September 21, 1838. He
is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (.Page) Miller.
His parents were also both natives of Dau-
phin county. The grandfather Miller fought
in the war of 1812, and in that year the
father of David R. Miller was born. He
was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
died when his son David was thirteen years
of age. His wife lived to a good old age,
and died in 1878. Their family consisted of
six children, of whom four are still living :
Henry, residing in Keisley, Edwards county,
Kan., David R., John, a retired blacksmith,
residing at Rockville, Dauphin county. Pa.,
and Mary, wife of William Rivers, residing at
Goshen, Tulare county, Cal. Those dead
are Jacob, who was killed by an accident at
Joliet, 111., in 1872, and George, who served
with distinction through the late war and
was a prisoner for eleven months. He died
at Goshen, Cal., in 1891.
The \^hole life of David R. Miller has
been spent in Dauphin county. He received
but a limited education in the public schools,
but compensated for this by industrious, en-
ergetic and persevering efforts at self-im-
provement. He was a clerk in a grocery
store on Market street for two years, during
which time he eagerly improved every op-
portunity to gain knowledge and to prepare
himself for business. He undertook to learn
car building, but subsequently concluded to
learn carpentry, and with this end in view
became an apprentice to Henry Shoop.
After his trade was learned he worked in
different cities in mills and factories, endeav-
oring to make himself familiar with the
use of newly introduced machinery. In
1860 he returned to Harrisburg and worked
at his trade for four years. During 1864
and 1865 he was foreman for George Trul-
linger & Co., who speak of his services in
the highest terms. In 1865 he engaged
with Daniel D. Boas, of the Harrisburg
planing mill, and had the management of
that mill for ten years. During this time
he did much work as an architect. From
1875 to 1880 he was engaged in contracting
and building on his own account. He
erected the Ridge Avenue Methodist Episco-
pal church, remodeled the Forster Street
Lutheran church, remodeled the Vine Street
Methodist Episcopal church, and erected
many other prominent buildings in the city.
In 1888 he abandoned other business, and
has since devoted his entire time to the pro-
fessional occupation of architect. He has
been employed in this capacity upon many
of the most prominent private and public
buildings which adorn the city. He has
also done much in the line of his profession
outside of Harrisburg. He was the architect
of a number of cold storage houses through-
out the South, the most noticeable among
these being the large building at Waldo,
Fla. He is also the architect of a number
of public school buildings in this city and
State, among which may be mentioned the
public school buildings at Lykens, Dauphin
county, and at Curwensville, Clearfield
county. Pa. Mr. Miller's work has also ex-
tended beyond the United States, even as
far as Japan. He prepared the plans for a
boys' and girls' school and chapel at Sendai,
Miyagi Ken.
He was married in Dauphin September
26, 1861, to Christiana L. Garvich, daughter
of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Garvich,
who was born in Susquehanna township,
January 20, 1842. Tliey have had four
daughters, two of whom died in infancy.
Those living are Catherine, wife of H. C.
McMichael, residing in Harrisburg, and
Alice, who resides with her parents.
Mr. Miller is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. He is a trustee
and was the first president of the Harris-
burg Beneficial Society. He represented the
First ward for seven and a half years in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
411
school board. He is a Democrat. The
family attend the Vine Street Methodist
Episcopal church.
Smith, Daniel M., lumber dealer, con-
tractor and builder, was born in Fairview ,
York county, Pa., June 24, 1843, son of
Michael and Catherine (Miller) Smith. The
father was a native of Perry and the mother of
Cumberland county. They became residents
of York county, where they died, the former
in August, 1863, the latter in March, 1865.
The father was twice married, and by his
first wife had four children, the only survivor
of whom is Michael, residing in Perry county.
Eight children were born to his second mar-
riage, of whom the youngest is Daniel M.,
and the others living are Nancy, wife of
Henry Mosey, of New Cumberland, Pa.;
George, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Mary Ann,
wife of William Sheely, of Plymouth, Ohio,
and David, residing in Fairview township,
York county. Daniel M. was reared on the
farm and received his education in the dis-
trict schools. He learned the carpenter trade
and in 1864 came to Harrisburg, where he
worked at his trade for two years, and
in 1866 engaged in business for himself.
For thirty years he has conducted a suc-
cessful trade in lumber and in contract-
ing and building, which has placed him
among the prominent and substantial busi-
ness men of the city. He was married in
Harrisburg, October, 1865, to Catherine S.
Kane, of Hummelstown, Pa., to whom have
been born two children : Bertha F., died Au-
gust 31, 1882, and Henry M. Mr. Smith is
a member of Fulton Council, No. 35, 0. U.
A. M., and Harmony Castle, No. 53, K. G. E.
In his politics he is with the Democrats. He
attends the Lutheran church. Mrs. Smith
died October 23, 1893.
Coder, John G., builder, was born in
Huntingdon county. Pa., July 6, 1843, son
of Simon and Nancy (Couch) Coder, the
former a native of Mifflin county, and the
latter of Huntingdon county. The father
was a carpenter by trade and one of the
workmen employed on the construction of
the State capital, in the carpenter work.
John G. was reared in Huntingdon county
and received his education in the public
schools, and afterwards learned the carpenter
trade with Henry Snare. In July, 1862, he
enlisted in company I, One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, was made corporal and served
nine months. He re-enlisted in May,
1864, as a sharpshooter, and served until
March 25, 1865, when he joined the Twenty-
first cavalry. During a part of the time of
service he was acting orderly, was wouuded
'March 25, and discharged July 1, 1865.
After his discharge he completed his appren-
ticeship at the carpenter trade. He was mar-
ried, February 22, 1866, to Mary J. Smith,
daughter of Elijah Smith of Huntingdon, for-
merly of Lancaster county. In 1870 he
moved to Watsonville, Northumberland
county, and from there to Milton, where
he engaged in contracting. In 1880 his
accumulations of previous years of hard
work were destroyed by fire, and he was left
$500 in debt. He aided in rebuilding Mil-
ton after the fire, and in 1883 came to Har-
risburg and took large contracts. Among
the many important pieces of work done by
him may be named the Steelton Flouring
Mill, two new wings of the State Lunatic
Asylum, the entire plant of the Sparrow's
Point Steel Works, in Maryland, the State
building of Pennsylvania at the Columbian
Exposition, Chicago, in which he also put up
their exhibit; the Iowa and Idaho State
buildings at the same exhibition ; the fitting
up of the New York State building, the Ex-
ecutive building at State Lunatic Asylum, the
Pennsylvania State building at the Atlanta
Exposition, and the residence of Mr. McCor-
mick, at Harrisburg. He was also the designer
and builder of the Workingmen's Model
House,! which was exhibited at the Columbian
Exposition, and 4,000 copies of the plans of
which were sold in Europe. Mr. Coder is a
stockholder in the Sparrows Point, Md., Steel
Company, and a member of Henry Wilson
Post, G. A. E., Milton, Pa. He is a Pepub-
lican in politics. His wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Grove, George H., architect and builder,
was born in Hummelstown, Dauphin county,
Pa., May 24, 1848. He is a son of John Z.
and Rebecca (Bowman) Grove, the former a
native of Dauphin and the latter of Lan-
caster county. John Z. Grove died April 10,
1891. He was a carpenter and builder, and
spent his life in Hummelstown. The par-
ents had twelve children, five of whom are
living : George H.; John 0., a carpenter of
Hummelstown ; Wells C, residing in Har-
risburg in the employ of the Pennsylvania
412
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Railroad Company ; James H., of Harris-
burg, also an employe on the Pennsylvania
railroad, affd Rebecca, wife of Alfred Sut-
cliffe, of Hummelstown.
George H. Grove was educated in the
schoels of his native town. He learned car-
pentery and was a builder and contractor
in his native town for twenty-five years. In
1887 he was elected county treasurer, and
filled this responsible oflice for three years.
In 1890 he organized the Harrisburg Casket
and Manufacturing Company, of which he
was superintendent for two years. In Feb-
ruary, 1892, he formed a co-partnership with
Mr. G. W. Strite, in the architectural busi-
ness. He is now in business for himself,
having dissolved partnership August 3,
1895. Mr. Grove was married in Hummels-
town, September 14, 1871, to Caroline L.
Balsbaugh, daughter of John and Katherine
Balsbaugh, natives of Dauphin county and
of German ancestry ; the former died May
10, 1882 ; the latter June 9, 1895, at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Grove
was born in Derry township, Dauphin
county. Pa.. August 11, 1854. They have
no children. In political views Mr. Grove
is a Republican. He and his wife are
members of the United Brethren church.
McKelvy, Jacob J., contractor and builder
No. 1311 North Front street, Harrisburg, was
born in New Buffalo, Perry county. Pa., Oc-
tober 26, 1849. He is a son of Jacob and
Rebecca (McElwee) McKelvy. When he was
about three years of age his father died and
his mother removed to Harrisburg. He was
educated in the public schools of that city.
He learned carpentry, which he has since
followed, of J. A. Slentz. He afterwards be-
came foreman for Mr. Slentz and about 1885
engaged in business for himself He makes
a specialty of stair work. He built the ad-
dition to St. Genevieve's Academy, on Maclay
street, the Mercy Home and many residences
in the city. In 1864 he enlisted in company
I, Seventy-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, and served until the close of the
war. He is a Republican and a member of
S. G. Simmons'sPost, No. 116, G. A. R. He
was married, in 1867, to Miss Mary E. Mc-
Elwee, daughter of David McElwee, of Perry
county, Pa. They have two cliildren : Jen-
nie S., and James Alfred. He attends Mes-
siah Lutheran church.
Smith, John C, architect, was born in the
the city of Manchester, England, December
11, 1855. Here he was educated and reared
to man's estate. Here he also studied archi-
tecture. He resided here till 1885, when he
left his native land and came to America.
After several years' residence in New York
City, Chicago, and other large cities of the
United States, he located at Harrisburg in
1885, where for the past ten years he has
successfully followed his profession. He was
married at Pottsville, Pa., in 1885, to H.
Laura Jenkins. To them has been born one
son, named Edward. Mr. Smith stands at
the head of his profession in Harrisburg,
This position he has won by the exertion of
his native ability, and by the exercise of his
skill attained by years of close study and
practical application of the principles of his
art. He has displayed marked originality
in dealing with the ever-varying problems
and requirements of architecture. He has
not only kept up with the advancement of
his art in this country, but has also contrib-
uted his full share to its development and
progress, as he has labored to emphasize and
harmonize its three cardinal elements of
beauty, utility and stability. He is not only
an artist, he is also a business man, and is a
good exponent of his art, which is the most
important of all the arts, since it seeks to
combine the beautiful and the useful in the
most practical way for the highest ends. His
style is pure, chaste and symmetrical, and
his methods of materializing his plans are
direct, accurate and practical. His aim is
always to secure the best results within the
limits of estimates; to this end his compu-
tations are accurate, his specifications are spe-
cific and complete, and his supervision of
contractors and builders is business-like and
close in all details. He is devoted to his pro-
fession and has been successful. He has de-
signed the plans and superintended the erec-
tion of some of the handsomest and most
substantial public and private edifices of the
city. His work as to both exterior appear-
ance and interior finish is found to meet the
demands of popular taste, and compel the
favorable judgment of experts and critics.
Hence as man and as architect he enjoys the
highest confidence of his fellow-citizens.
Macqueen, James M., architect, Harris-
burg, Pa., was born in Edinburgh, Scotland,
September 5, 1859, He is a son of James
^e// /^^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
415
and Eustacia Agnes (Ballantine) Macqueen,
the former born at East Linton, Hadding-
tonshire, and the latter at East Calder, Scot-
land. Mr. James Macqueen still survives
and resides in Edinburgh. Mrs. Macqueen
died at Edinburgh in 1883.
He received his jirimary education in the
Stockbridge free church school. He attended
the Edinburgh School of Designs and the
James Watt Institute (now the Watt Heriot
College of Edinburgh). He then became a
pupil of Alexander Rhind, a renowned sculp-
tor, and with him learned that art, in which
he was engaged for six years. He then be-
gan a course of study in architecture with
James G. Fairweather, architect, which he
prosecuted diligently and successfully. Later
he was engaged in the engineering depart-
ment of the city of Edinburgh. In 1883
he left his native land, went to the city of St.
John's, Newfoundland, and was employed at
the English Cathedral during the erection of
that edifice. In the latter part of 1884 he
returned to Edinburgh, spendings six months
in study and travel. In 1885 he went to the
Bermudas to assist in the building of a large
church edifice. In April, 1886, he came to
New York and after a short stay there to
Hummelstown, Pa., where he was employed
by the Hummelstown Brown Stone Company
as draughtsman and superintendent of their
stone-cutting department for two and a half
years. He was afterwards manager for the
Alderson Brown Stone Company, Alderson,
W. Va., and for a time held a similar posi-
tion at Rondout, N. Y. In May, 1892, he
removed to Harrisburg, Pa., and since that
date has been one of the most prominent
architects in the city. Among some of the
important buildings of which he is the archi-
tect may be mentioned the Hummelstown
Reformed church ; St. Andrew's church, St.
John's, Newfoundland ; the Berean Baptist
church, Reading, Pa.; the Fourth Reformed
church, corner Sixteenth and Market streets,
Harrisburg ; a large factory at Bedford, Pa.,
and others.
James M. Macqueen was married in New
York City, December 6, 1886, to Emma Ra-
chel Martin, of St. John's, Newfoundland,
daughter of the late J. P. and Elizabeth
Holmes (Hudson) Martin. They have had
four children : Emma Elizabeth Eustatia,
born August 7, 1889 ; James Ronald, born
April 9, 1892 ; Mary Virginia, born August
2, 1893 ; Margaret Elmira. born September
1, 1895.
3°
Mr. Macqueen is a member of the Lodge
of Journeymen Masons, No. 8, Edinburgh,
Scotland, of which he is a mark master, also
of Brownstone Castle, No. 456, K. G. E., of
Hummelstown. He is secretary of Chapter
57, of the Brotherjjiood of Andrew and
Philip. He is a total abstainer. He was,
while in Scotland, a member of the Queen's
Edinburgh rifle volunteer brigade and took
a keen interest in rifle shooting, winning
many valuable prizes. He was selected for
the team representing his native city, for the
last three years he was in Scotland, against
teams representing the cities of Perth, Dun-
dee and Glasgow, assisting to capture the
valuable challenge trophy permanently for
Edinburgh by winning it three times in suc-
cession. Mr. and Mrs. Macqueen are mem-
bers of the Reformed church.
Hamilton, Thomas H., architect, was born
in Fairview township, York county. Pa.,
January 8, 1860, son of John S. and Eliza-
beth (Feisinger) Hamilton, both natives of
York county, still living and residents of
Lower Allen township, Cumberland county.
Pa. The father is a carpenter, but of late
years has retired from active business. He
has eight children, four of whom are living:
Thomas H., Nulissa, wife of John Noel, re-
siding in New Cumberland, Pa. ; Cordelia,
wife of Eli Thorley, of Steelton, Pa.; Daniel
C, residing at Riverton, Pa., proprietor of
lumber yard and planing mill. Mr. Ham-
ilton has been justice of the peace for a
number of years, and has served as store-
keeper and gauger in the Internal Revenue
Department. Thomas H. received his pri-
mary education in the public schools of Fair-
view township, and subsequently pursued
the study of architect at Philadelphia. After
fully preparing himself for the profession he
returned to Harrisburg and began business
for himself. Mr. Hamilton was married, at
Steelton, May 5, 1884, to Mary A. Fiese,
daughter of Josiah K. and Sarah Fiese, to
whom have been born five children : Luther
J., Frances C, John F., and two who died in
infancy. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the
Jr. 0. U. A. M., of Harrisburg. In his po-
litical views he is a Democrat. The family
attend the Lutheran church.
Strite, George W., architect, Harris-
burg, Pa., was born in Lower Swatara town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., December 8,
1862. He is a son of Abraham and Eliza-
416
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
beth (Seibert) Strite, both born in Dauphin
county, Pa. Abraham Strite is a cooper,
and he and his wife are old and respected
residents of Dauphin county ; they now re-
side in Lower Swatara township. Four of
their seven children are living : Jacob, re-
siding in Lower Swatara township ; George
W., of Harrisburg; Mary, wife of George
Schriner, residing near Linglestown, Dau-
phin county. Pa., and Elizabeth, at home.
Mr. Abraham Strite's father is a prominent
Odd Fellow, and has been a member of
State Capital Lodge for thirty years. He is
a Democrat. He and his wife attend the
Lutheran church.
George W. Strite was reared to manhood
and attended the public schools of his na-
tive township. He was engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits for about ten years. In 1880
he abandoned farming, learned carpentry,
and made this his occupation for seven
years. In 1887 he began the study of archi-
tecture in Harrisburg, and has worked in
this profession ever since. In February,
1892, he formed a partnership with George
H. Grove, under the firm name of Grove &
Strite. On the third day of August, 1895,
he dissolved partnership and went into
business for himself; he is still occupied
with architecture. George W. Strite was
married in Harrisburg, December 27, 1888,
to Catherine D. Springer, daughter of Jacob
and Delilah Springer, born in York county.
They have one son, named Eugene P., born
January 19, 1891. Mr. Strite is a member
of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F.
In politics he is a Democrat. He attends
the First Baptist church.
Stuckek, Geokge B., of the firm of Ward
& Stucker, general contractors in street pav-
ing, sewers, grading, etc., was born in Har-
risburg, December 5, 1864, son of Peter and
Elizabeth (Koppenhoffer) Stucker, the former
born in Swatara, the latter in Washington
township, Dauphin county. The father was
born in 1821, son of Joseph Stucker, a native
of Germany, who came to America and set-
tled oh the present site of Steelton, where he
engaged in farming. The father was reared
on the farm and educated in the schools of
that time. In 1863 he came to Harrisburg
and was elected alderman of the Second
ward, in which office he served for twenty
years. He was one of the donators of the
ground on which Steelton was located and
laid out. In his political views he was a
Democrat. He died in 1884. His wife sur-
vives him. Their children are: George B.,
Charles D., supply agent Harrisburg Chair
Works; John A., city inspector; Robert,
stenographer. George B. was reared in the
city, and received his education in the pub-
lic schools. In 1889 he formed a partner-
ship with James F. Ward, under the firm
name of Ward & Stucker, and engaged in
contracting on city work, on pavements,
sewers, and street grading, in which they
have continued since that time. This firm
were the leading contractors in the Muench
street sewer in Harrisburg, and in the pav-
ing and building the street. At the present
time they are contractors for a large amount
of similar work at Williamsport, Pa. In
his political views Mr. Stucker is a Demo-
crat.
Lloyd, Charles Howard, of the firm of
Foose & Lloyd, architects, was born at Har-
risburg, Pa., October 12, 1873. He is a son
of Isaac and Anna (Mosser) Lloyd. Isaac
Lloyd, his father, has been a teacher in the
public schools of the city for forty years,
and to-day ranks among the oldest and
most efficient teachers in the city. To him
and his wife have been born four children,
three of whom are living : Ella, wife of
George A. Hutman, Fannie E. and Charles
Howard. The parents attend the Fourth
Street Church of God.
Charles Howard Lloyd has been a resi-
dent of the city since his birth. He received
his education in the Harrisburg schools, and
was graduated from the high school with the
class of 1891. He then went to Boston and
entered Cowles' Art School for the purpose of
prosecuting his studies in architecture. He
received also a great part of his instruction
from private teachers. He studied with
Ball & Dabney, well-known architects of
Boston. In 1894 he formed a partnership
at Harrisburg with Mr. Foose, under the
firm name of Foose & Lloyd. By skill, in-
dustry and honorable dealing in their busi-
ness they have met with substantial suc-
cess. Foose & Lloyd have been the archi-
tects of some very prominent public and pri-
vate buildings, among which are the Web-
ster school building, Thirteenth and Kitta-
tinny streets, public library, annex to Tres-
ler Orphans' Home, Loysville, Pa., a large
laundry, bath house and store house, Loys-
ville, Pa., the large "Simon Cameron"
school building, Harrisburg, the Wicker-
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
417
sham school building, Harrisburg, now in
course of erection, and many others. Mr.
Lloyd is unmarried. He attends the Epis-
copal church.
Cameron, James Donald, eldest son of
Simon Cameron and his wife Margaret Brua,
was born May 14, 1833, in Middletown, Dau-
phin county, Pa. He received the best edu-
cational advantages in early life, was pre-
pared for college, entering Princeton, from
which institution he graduated in 1852.
Soon after this he engaged as clerk in the
Middletown Bank, now the National Bank
of Middletown, of which he subsequently be-
came cashier and afterwards president, which
latter position he still retains. Mr. Cameron
was president of the Northern Central Rail-
way Company from 1863 to 1864, when the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company obtained
the controlling interest in it, when he was
succeeded by Col. Thomas A. Scott. As
president of the Northern Central during cer-
tain periods of the Civil war Mr. Cameron
rendered great service to the national cause.
The road, although several times cut by the
Confederates, was a valuable means of com-
munication between Pennsylvania and Wash-
ington. Under Mr. Cameron's administra-
tion after the war the Northern Central was
extended to Elmira, N. Y., so as to reach from
the great lakes to tide-water. Although tak-
ing a prominent part in Pennsylvania poli-
tics Mr. Cameron held no public office until
1876. He was a delegate to the National
Republican Convention at Chicago in 1868,
and was also a prominent member of the
Republican State Convention which met in
Harrisburg in 1876, and by it was chosen
chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation to
the National Republican Convention at Cin-
cinnati in June of that year. On the 22d of
May, 1876, President Grant nominated him
as Secretary of War, the Senate promptly
confirming him. He remained in the Cabi-
net during the balance of President Grant's
term. The Legislature of 1877 elected him
United States senator to fill the vacancy
caused by his father's resignation. He was
re-elected in 1879 for the term ending in
1885, he was again re-elected in 1885, and
also in 1891 ; his term ends March 3, 1897.
Mr. Cameron was a delegate to the National
Republican Convention in 1880, and was
that year chairman of the National Republi-
can Committee, succeeding the late Senator
Chandler. In the Fifty-second Congress Mr.
Cameron was chairman of the Senate com-
mittee on naval affairs, serving also on the
committee on military affairs, committee on
revolutionary claims and the select com-
mittee of quadro-centennial and five civil-
ized tribes of Indians. Mr. Cameron has
been actively identified with various coal,
iron, and manufacturing industries of Penn-
sylvania and is widely known and esteemed
as a public spirited citizen, of large and com-
manding influence as well as conspicuous
executive ability and usefulness.
Davies, Newton H., was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., January 22, 1835, son of John
and Mary B. (Hetzel) Davies, natives of
Harrisburg. His paternal grandparents
were natives of Wales. Newton H. Davies
first attended the public schools of Harris-
burg and his education was completed at
Annapolis, Md., at the age of sixteen. He at
once sought employment and was first en-
gaged as a clerk in the stationery store of a
Mr. Pollock, with whom he remained for
three years. He then entered the Dauphin
Deposit Bank, of Harrisburg, as first clerk,
afterwards he was promoted to the position
of chief teller, which he held during
the remainder of his life. He died May
5, 1895; aged sixty years. Mr. Davies was
a Democrat.
On October 27, 1862, Newton H. Davies
was married in Harrisburg, Pa., to Annie
E., daughter of William and Jane Van
Horn. Their children were : Mary, Emma,
wife of Harry C. Elston, of Norristown, Pa.,
Frank H., who married Miss Martha Mil-
lard, resides' at Steelton, Pa., Annie V., Rahn
v., Lorena S. and William V. H.
William Van Horn, the father of Mrs.
Davies, came from New Jersey. He was a
blacksmith and was afterwards for a num-
ber of years in the hardware business, with
a Mr. Fisher. At the time of his death he
had been for fifteen years in the employ of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He
was married to Miss Jane, daughter of James
Hutton ; they had four children : Annie V.,
Mrs. Davies, Emma, wife of Colonel Jen-
nings, deceased, William, married Miss Rosa
Reightmyer, John S., died aged six years.
Mrs. Van Horn died April 15, 1849, aged
thirty-five years.
Mr. Van Horn was married a second time,
in 1852, to Mrs. Caroline Gibbs, of Lancas-
ter county. They had three children : Sally,
Henry and Alfred, who died in infancy.
418
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mr. Van Horn died October 1, 1859, aged
forty-nine, and the second Mrs. Van Horn
died on February 21, 1891, at the age of
sixty-nine. He was a member of the Meth-
odist church, and Mrs. Caroline Van Horn
of the Lutheran church.
Hemler, Hamilton D., president of the
Merchant's National Bank and of the Cen-
tral Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Com-
pany, was born in Adams county, Pa., in 1837,
and was reared there, receiving his educa-
tion in the public schools. He was reared
on the farm and engaged in the butchering
business. After retiring from the farm he
removed to Oxford, Adams county, where he
engaged in the same business. He removed
to Harrisburg in 1866, where he conducted
the butchery business for four years, and
then formed a partnership in 1871 with
Louis Dellone, and embarked in the cattle
trade, shipping cattle from the West to the
Harrisburg market, and in the spring of the
year shipping to Philadelphia. In 1887 he
became one of the organizers of the bank,
and has since served as the president of
the same. In January, 1894, he organized
the Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of
which he has served as president from its
inception. In his political views he is a
Democrat. Mr. Hemler was married in 1862
to Miss Mary J. Dellone, daughter of John
Dellone, of East Berlin, Adams county, Pa.
She died July 24, 1892. Their children are :
Catherine, Alice, Jennie, in Ogden, Utah, in
convent ; Gertrude, married David E. Tracy,
of Harrisburg, native of Philadelphia ; Lo-
retta, and Edith. The family are members
of St. Patrick's Catholic church, of Harris-
burg, and take an active interest in church
work.
Jennings, William Wesley, late presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Harris-
burg, was born July 22, 1838, at Harrisburg,
Pa. He was a son of William and Elmina
Elizabeth (Boas) Jennings. His grand-
father, Capt. William Jennings, commanded
a company raised by himself for the war of
1812, in the Juniata Valley; but his sudden
death prevented any extended service with
the company. His father came to Harris-
burg about i824, established a foundry, and
was successful in business. Previous to his
marriage to Miss Elmina E. Boas he had
learned the carriage-maker's trade.
William Wesley was educated in the
public schools of Harrisburg. At the age
of fifteen years he went to work in his
father's foundry and learned the trade of
moulder, and was engaged in this occupa-
tion for a number of years. In 1860 he en-
gaged in the iron business, and conducted
it successfully for fifteen years. During the
war of the Eebellion he responded to the
call of the country for defenders. He raised
and commanded the One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, a nine months' regiment, and was
in severiil important battles, among which
were Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
In the Gettysburg campaign Colonel Jen-
nings commanded the Twenty-sixth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania militia. After he was
mustered out of service he was made lieuten-
ant of the Lochiel Grays. He served two
terms as sheriff of Dauphin countv, from 1864
to 1866 and from 1876 to 1879. 'He was ac-
tive in the organization of the first Board of
Trade, and was its first president. He was
the president of the Commonwealth Guar-
antee Trust and Safe Deposit Company. In
1880 he was elected president of the First
National Bank of Harrisburg, and filled the
position with credit until his death, which
occurred suddenly February 28, 1894. He
was also president of the Harrisburg Steam
Heating Company, a director of the Cum-
berland Valley railroad and several other
corporations. He was a member of Robert
Burns Lodge of Masons, of Pilgrim Com-
mandery. Knights Templars, and of the
Citizen Fire Company.
A man like William W. Jennings, from
his strong capabilities and force of character,
naturally occupies a foremost place among
men. Scarcely of age when he wore the
colonel's eagles as commander of the famous
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment,
Peniisylvania volunteers, and withstood the
shock of the rebel forces at the disastrous
battle of Fredericksburg, an occasion on
which his bravery was marked and his valor
the subject of special commendation on the
part of the general in command, he early
showed the characteristics of a leader, and
such he was to the day of his death. He
was a man among men — and men loved
him because he was broad-minded, liberal in
his views, a careful methodical man, a deep
thinker, and a friend at all times when a
friend was needed. Summed up in the
words of those who knew him, "We found
him a large-hearted, generous man, and a
BAUPRIN COUNTY.
419
staunch friend of his friends." He had no
petty traits of character that come from a
narrow mind — he was open-hearted and
open-handed, and many mourn the sudden
taking off of one whose entire life had been
parallel with that of the city's progress and
the prosperity of her citizens. In all that
went to make up the useful citizen he was
largely endowed. He assisted in the city's
development and worked to foster new en-
terprises and to push to completion his ideal
of the prosperous community. He never
lagged behind in the furtherance of that
which would benefit his fellow-man and his
city. His hand was ever open, and the
genial, cheery, loving and lovable man is
sadly missed in the various interests bene-
ficial to all in which he was concerned. A
hater of wrong and oppression, he was quick
to voice his sentiments, and he was brave to
back them up. On the memorable night of
July 23, 1877, when an armed mob had
taken possession of Harrisburg and the city
was demoralized. Colonel Jennings sum-
moned a posse and by his own personal dar-
ing and fearlessness set an example that
simply inspired men and led to a repression
of the riotous element and the restoration of
order. So was he brave in all things. He
was quick to resent a wrong on the weak,
and courageous in battling for the oppressed.
Colonel Jennings was foremost in giving
when a cry went up from the needy, and
while his public acts of charity were equal
to those of any of his fellow-citizens, no
man knows, nor will ever know, how fre-
quently his broad private charity was exer-
cised, nor how often he aided the distressed
— not only those who were poor, but those
who were threatened with ruin at critical
periods of business depression. As a finan-
cier he stood without a superior in the State;
as a soldier, he was brave and gallant ; as a
public oflicial, he did his duty with credit
and honor; as a citizen, he was for his city
in all that was good; as a man, he was one
to love and one whose acquaintance was a
pleasure and a joy; as a husband and father,
he was kind, loving and gentle; as a Chris-
tian and a believer in the faith, he went to
that reward oft promised to him who doeth
his Master's work.
His kindly, generous nature had a great
attraction for young men, and scarcely a
youth of the city but enjoyed his acquaint-
ance.. He took an interest in them, furthered
their plan.s, gave them wise advice, and as-
sisted them when business opportunity pre-
sented. Naturally the young men of the
city were his friends, and they looked upon
him as a benefactor. Many a man now
prosperous owes his start in life and his suc-
cess to Colonel Jennings. In his youth he
was a member of the Grace Methodist choir
and took a great interest in musical affairs,
assisting in organizing the Harmonic So-
ciety, of which he was a member until its
dissolution. A widow (who was Miss Emma
VanPIorn) and four children, Mary,William,
Fanny, and Harry, mourn the death of one
who was a fond husband and a loving, in-
dulgent father.
GoEGAS, William L., cashier of the Har-
risburg National Bank and secretary and
treasurer of the Harrisburg Trust Company,
is worthy of mention and an extended notice
along with the solid and able business men
of the city. The position he holds and the
aptitude he has displayed for its require-
ments no less than his personal worth en-
titles him to be classified with the leaders in
business. He was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., June 23, 1848. That there were
men of character preceding him in his an-
cestral line appears from a record made by
his father, William R. Gorgas, who was born
in Lower Allen township, Cumberland
county, Pa. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and was both proifiinent and popular,
taking an active part in public matters and
especially those of a political character.
That he was a man of more than ordinary
intelligence and ability is shown by the fact
of his repeated elevations to_ important
offices. As the candidate of the Democratic
party of Cumberland county he was elected
to both branches of the State Legislature, in
which he served several terms with honor
and distinction. He removed to Harrisburg
in 1877 and there made his residence until
his death, which occurred December 3, 1892.
Mr. Gorgas was a member of the Seventh
Day Baptist church, of Ephrata, Lancaster
county. Pa.
William L. Gorgas was educated in the
common schools and in the Cumberland
Valley Institute, Mechanicsburg, Pa., and as
the result of his educational course, was
qualified for teaching, which occupation he
followed for several years. Having some
decided tastes for mechanical pursuits he
became an apprentice to the machinist's
trade in the works at Mullen, Cumberland
420
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
county. But after a time he decided upon
another and different career, in 1869 accept-
ing the position of teller in the Second Na-
tional Bank, of Mechanicsburg, which place
he filled until 1873, when he was appointed
clerk in the Harrisburg National Bank. In
1892 he was elected cashier of the bank in
which he had so efficiently served as clerk
and he is still performing the duties of this
responsible position. When the Harrisburg
Trust Company was organized in 1893 he
participated in its organization and was
elected secretary and treasurer of the com-
pany. He is also director of the Harrisburg
Bridge Company and of the Harrisburg
and Mechanicsburg Electric Railway Com-
pany, as well as one of the organizers and
the president of the Capital City Shoe Man-
ufacturing Company, and is treasurer of the
Harrisburg City Railway Company, treas-
urer of the City Hospital and president of
the Camp Hill Cemetery Company. Mr.
Gorgas has been somewhat active and prom-
inent in political matters in connection with
the Democratic party. In 1890 he was the
candidate of his party for Congress and al-
though his opponent, John W. Rife, was a
popular man, he ran ahead of his ticket
over two thousand votes, though not quite
enough to secure his election. Mr. Gorgas
served five years as a member of select coun-
cil and for three years was the president of
that body. He is a' member of the Blue
Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the
Masonic fraternity and for the past eight
years has been district deputy grand master
for Dauphin and a part of Northumberland
counties, comprising eight lodges. He is
also a charter member of the Knights of
Honor. Mr. Gorgas is interested in histor-
ical matters and holds membership in the
Dauphin Countj' Historical Society and the
Pennsylvania German Society.
SoHN, Daniel W., cashier of Merchants'
National Bank and treasurer of the Central
Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Com-
pany, was born in Lancaster county. Pa.,
September 7, 1852; son of Francis S. and
Mary (Snyder) Sohn. He was reared in
Lancaster county, and received his educa-
tion in the public schools. After an appren-
ticeship of three years and eight months at
the printer's trade in the office of the Mt.
Joy Herald, he came to Harrisburg in 1871,
and was employed in the State printing
office for about twelve years. On August
12, 1883, he entered the Farmers' Bank as
messenger, where he remained until the or-
ganization of the Merchants' National Bank,
of which he became the teller, and served
until July, 1892, when he was elected
cashier of the bank, and has held the po-
sition since that date. When the Trust
Company was organized he became one of
the stockholders, and has been the treasurer
of the company since its inception. In his
political views Mr. Sohn is a Republican.
He is a member of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160,
I. 0. 0. F., and of Dauphin Encampment,
No. 10. Mr. Sohn was married, January
18, 1890, to Miss Kate J. Robison, daughter
of John J. Robison, of Lewistown, Pa., to
whom has been born one son, Walter R.
Mr. Sohn is a member of the Westminster
Presbvterian church.
Bailey, Edward, the son of Charles L.
and Emma H. Bailey, was born in Harris-
burg, October 19, 1861. He was educated at
the Hill school, Pottstown, Pa., Phillips
Academy, Andover, Mass., and the Sheffield
Scientific School of Yale College. He grad-
uated in 1881, returning to take a post-grad-
uate course in chemistry. In January, 1882,
he entered business as a clerk in the firm of
Charles L. Bailey & Co., owners of the Chesa-
peake Nail Works. In 1886 he was admitted
as a partner, and in 1889, when the business
was incorporated under the name of Charles
L. Bailey & Son, he became the vice-presi-
dent. In the same year he was elected vice-
president of the Central Iron Works. He
continued actively engaged in the business
of both companies until 1892, when he was
elected president of the Harrisburg National
Bank. Mr. Bailey, as president of this in-
stitution, was largely instrumental in organ-
izing the Harrisburg Trust Company and
became its president. Mr. Bailey has been
energetic in building up the industries of
Harrisburg and has taken an active part in
everything which would tend to improve his
native place.
Besides the positions of president of the
Harrisburg National Bank and Harrisburg
Trust Company he still retains his old con-
nection with Charles L. Bailey & Son and
the Central Iron Works, acting as vice-presi-
dent of both. He is president of the Har-
risburg Preserving Company, a partner in the
insurance firm of Hammond & Bailey, a
director. in the Harrisburg Traction Com-
pany, East Harrisburg Passenger Railway
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
421
Company, Harrisburg City Passenger Rail-
way Company, Harrisburg Boot and Shoe
Company, limited, Harrisburg Grocery & Pro-
duce Company, Union Trust Company of
Philadelphia and the Cumberland Steel
Plate Company of Cumberland, Md. Mr.
Bailey was instrumental in organizing the
Harrisburg Club, became its second treasurer
and for a number of years served on its board
of governors. He is an original member of
the Inglenook Club of Harrisburg, the Man-
ufacturers' Club of Philadelphia and the
American Institute of Mining Engineers.
In politics Mr. Bailey, while not taking any
active part, is an enthusiastic Republican.
In 1889 he married Elizabeth, eldest
daughter of Dr. George W. Reily. They have
one daughter. Mr. Bailey and his wife are
both Presbyterians and members of the Mar-
ket Square Presbyterian church.
McClure, Jonathan, was one of the firstjus-
tices of the county of Dauphin. He was the
son of Richard McCIure, born about 1745 in
Paxtang township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county. He was one of Joseph Hutchinson's
pupils, received a good English education,
and was brought up to mercantile pursuits.
When the war of the Revolution needed his
support he became a lieutenant in Capt. John
Rutherford's company and did valiant ser-
vice during the New Jersey campaign of
1776, and that around Philadelphia the year
following. Toward the close of the war he
commanded a company of militia raised in
Paxtang for the defense of the frontiers. He
was commissioned by the Supreme Execu-
tive Council a justice of the peace Septem-
ber 8, 1784, and on the 17th of November
following one of the judges of the Court of
Common Pleas. When the county of Dau-
phin was organized the Spring following he
came to be one of the first judges of the
courts. He died at Middletown on Wednes-
day, December 11, 1799, aged about fifty-
four years. Of the three persons who illu-
mined the judicial bench one hundred years
ago. Judge McClure was the most intelli-
gent. He was one of the men of mark
of this locality, and it is proper that
his memory, with those of the other two
worthies, his colleagues, be preserved.
Murray, Lindley, son of Robert Murray
and his wife Mary Lindley, was born in 1745
on the banks of the Swatara, in Lancaster,
now Dauphin county, Pa.; died February
16, 1826, at his residence near York, Eng-
land. He received a good education, but
having a dislike to mercantile pursuits,
studied law, and was admitted to the bar at
the age of twenty-one. The year after he
married. His limited practice was tempo-
rarily interrupted by a visit to England,
whither his father had preceded him in hope
of benefitting his health. He returned to
New York in 1771, and renewed the practice
of law with marked success ; tiring of it, how-
ever, when the Revolution broke out and New
York was occupied by the British army , or hav-
ing no sympathy with the cause of independ-
ence, he removed to Islip, on Long Island, and
entered a mercantile life. We have always
given Lindley Murray credit for his religious
principles as having precluded him from
taking part in the struggle between the Col-
onies and the mother country, but in a letter
in our possession, written by William Darby
to his friend, Mrs. Anna Dixon, the true in-
centive is, perhaps, given. Mr. Darby was
well acquainted with the men of his time —
he was intimate with the patriots of the Rev
olution, and learned much of the inward his-
tory of th6 people, concerning whom, it is to
be regretted, he did not give his reminis-
cences. William Darby was born in the same
neighborhood and was intimate with the
Dixons and Roans, to the former of whom
Murray was related, and through them
learned more of him than biographers choose
to tell. In the success and greatness of a
man, we too often lose sight of the grave
errors into which he may have fallen. But
we are loath to dispel the bright halo which
glimmers around the life of the celebrated
grammarian. Sabine classes him among the
Loyalists of the Revolution, and Darby, in
contrasting him with his cousin, Robert
Dixon, whose blood was the first Pennsylva-
nia offering to the cause of independence,
speaks of Murray's taking sides with the
enemies of his country. This we can easily
understand. Surrounded by his religious
friends whose peace principles would not
allow them to take up arms — although many
hundreds did, who were subsequently dis-
owned for it — and in a city occupied by the
king's troops, he himself says he had little
faith in the successful resistance of the Colo-
nies. It was thus'ihe beceam a Loyalist. His
father's business and his own thrived, and
the rule of England was sufficient for him.
We venture the opinion that there were really
few instances where religious principles made
422
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
men Tories. Mercenary motives were gen-
erally at the bottom of it. It is to be regretted
that Lindley Murray's silent influence should
have been on the side of British oppression
and tyranny. At the close of the war he
had amassed a fortune, and, when peace had
dawned, he sailed away from the land of liis
nativity and the home of liberty. His at-
tachment to the home of his fathers, he said,
"was founded on many pleasing associations.
In particular, I had strong prepossessions in
favor of a residence in England, because I
was ever partial to its political constitution
and the mildness and wisdom of its general
laws. . . . On leaving my native country,
there was not, therefore, any land in which
I could cast my eyes with so much pleasure,
nor is there any which could have afforded
me so much real satisfaction as I have found
in Great Britain. May its political fabric,
which has stood the test of ages and long
attracted the admiration of the world, be sup-
ported and perpetuated by Divine Provi-
dence." In 1784 he went to England, and,
after visiting several localities, purchased a
small estate at Holdgate, about a mile from
York, upon which he resided until-his death.
Living in ease and retirement, he entered
upon a literary life which proved a success-
ful one, and has inscribed his name high
upon fame's portals. In 1787 he published
a small work entitled " The Power of Relig-
ion on the Mind," which passed through
seventeen editions. His next work, and that
hy which he is principally known, was his
" English Grammar," first published in 1795,
and such was the unexpected demand for it
that several editions were published during
the same year. Following this appeared
" English Exercises," and a " Key," an
abridgement of which treatises were published
in one volume in 1797. His other writings
are " The English Reader," with an " Intro-
duction and Sequel," " The English Spelling
Book," a new edition of his Grammar, " Ex-
ercises and Key," in two octavo volumes, a
selection from Home's " Commentary on the
Psalms," and "The Duty and Benefit of
Reading the Scriptures." Lindley Murray's
educational publications were not alone con-
fined to his mother tongue. He prepared
two French works, "Introduction au Lecteur
Francois" and "Lecteur Francois," which
soon came into general use, were highly com-
mended, and passed through a large number
of editions. His life in England was a busy
one, as it was an eventful one. No Ameri-
can who made an European tour failed to visit
Holdgate. His personal appearance, his un-
assuming demeanor and his conversational
powers excited in the minds of all visitors
great admiration. Lindley Murray married,
June 22, 1767, Hannah Dobson, died in Eng-
land and buried by the side of her husband
at Holdgate.
Jones, Samuel, one of the first associate
justices of Dauphin county, was from Bethel
township, now in Lebanon county, where
he was born about the year 1750. His
father, William Jones, laid out Jonestown,
dying in November, 1771, the son coming into
possession of the greater portion of the estate.
He was in active service during the struggle
for independence, and November 8, 1777, was
appointed by the Supreme Executive Council
one of the commissioners to collect clothing,
blankets, etc., for the half-clad army at
Valley Forge. This service was well per-
formed. On August 15, 1784, he was ap-
pointed one of the justices of the peace for
Lancaster county, and judge of the Court of
Common Pleas January 3, 1785. He was
the next oldest in commission when the
new county of Dauphin was formed. Of
Judge Jones' subsequent life we have little
knowledge. It has been stated that he re-
moved to Pittsburgh toward the close of
the century, but even that is not certain.
Dock, William, son of Philip and Eliza-
beth (Killain) Dock, was born in East Earl
township, Lancaster county. Pa., February
3, 1793. In 1800 his parents removed to
Newville, Cumberland county, where ihey
resided until their death. His early educa-
tion was limited. At the age of seventeen
he went to Carlisle, where he was brouglit
up to merchandising. In 1813 he removed
to the Susquehanna opposite Harrisburg,
where he kept the public ferry one year.
The next spring he came to Harrisburg.
In 1814 he took charge of the Harrisburg
ferry, then controlled by the county of
Dauphin. In 1816he was appointed collector
of tolls, eastern end of Harrisburg bridge,
which position he filled five years. He en-
tered the mercantile chandlery trade in 1822,
which he successfully continued until 1845
when he entirely relinquished the business.
In March, 1842, lie was appointed one of the
associate judges of Dauphin county. In 1849
he received the nomination by the Democ-
racy for Congress in the Fourteenth district,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
423
then composed of Dauphin, Lebanon and
Schuylkill counties. The Judge made a good
canvass, but his party was in the minority.
In 1851 he was chairman of the State con-
vention which nominated William Bigler
for governor. He had repeatedly been a
delegate to the Lutheran Synod, and in 1856
appointed a trustee of the Pennsylvania
College. He served as trustee of the Harris-
burg Academy twenty years, and was actively
connected with several business enterprises.
Judge Dock died at Harrisburg, August 4,
1868. He married, in 1818, Margaret Gil-
liard, of Middletown, who died May 30,
1862, in her sixty-eighth year. They had
children: William Gilliard, Dr. George,
Gilliard, and William, of whom Gilliard
alone survives.
McKiNNEY, MoRDECAi, SOU of Mordscai
McKinney and Mary Chambers, daughter of
Col. William Chambers, was born near Car-
lisle, Cumberland county. Pa., in 1796. He
was educated at Dickinson College, where he
graduated quite young. He studied law
under Judge Duncan, of Carlisle, complet-
ing his instruction at Harrisburg, being ad-
mitted to the Dauphin county bar at the
May term, 1817. In 1821 he was appointed
district attorney of Union county, serving
three years. In 1824 he was chosen clerk
to the county commissioners of Dauphin
county, and October 23, 1827, Governor
Shulze appointed him one of the associate
judges of the same county. Subsequently
Judge McKinney turned his attention to
the compilation of law books, and published
" McKinney 's Digest," " Our Government,"
" Pennsylvania Tax Laws," and other works
of professional value. He died at Harris-
burg on the 17th day of December, 1867,
the result of injuries received from a street
car three days previous. Mr. McKinney
married Rachel Graydon, daughter of Will-
iam Gravdon, who died at Harrisburg,
April 12, 1856. The Rev. Dr. Robinson so
accurately summarizes the characteristics of
Judge McKinney's noble life that we cannot
refrain from quoting him largely : " His life
as a man and a citizen was completely
transfused by his religion, sanctified and
elevated by it. He was modest and unob-
trusive in manners, free from all guile, a
man of sterling honesty and conscientious-
ness. He was remarkably free from all taint
of selfishness and all pride. Spending all
his years in comparative poverty, no more
contented, happy, and trusting man walked
the streets of this city. As a citizen he was
faithful to all obligations, a friend of all that
was venerable and good, a defender of law,
and a supporter of all that tended to the
welfare of society. He was distinguished
as a philanthropist. There was a nobleness
about his loyalty to principle, to the cause
of the poor, the oppressed, and the despised
that might well command universal admira-
tion."
Maginnis, James, was a native of Ireland,
boi'n about 1780. He was educated at
Dublin, and at the age of twenty came to
America, locating in Philadelphia, where he
began the profession of teaching. In 1807
or 1808 he was invited to take charge of the
Harrisburg Academy, but in 1810 relin-
quished his position there and entered into
mercantile business with his brother-in-law,
Fred. W. Leopold. Subsequently, about
1814, he resumed school teaching, and all
his energies for a number of years were de-
voted to that calling. It was during this
period that he compiled his " System of
Bookkeeping " and the " New Arithmetic,"
both published at Harrisburg, which for
many years was extensively used as text
books in Central Pennsylvania. In 1821
Mr. Maginnis was appointed deputy sur-
veyor for Dauphin county. He had pre-
viously been surveyor for several State com-
missions autliorized to lay out certain roads,
as also county boundaries. He studied law
at Harrisburg and was admitted at the
March term, 1820. His wife, Ann Brandon,
a woman of rare accomplishments and
lovely disposition, to whom he was fondly de-
voted, dying March 18, 1828, so preyed upon
his mind that he sank under the affliction,
and died May 21, 1829. Mr. Maginnis was
a gentleman of undoubted integritj'^, an able
teacher and a good citizen.
Shoch, Michael, the grandfather of Col.
Samuel, was a native of Germany, and on
his emigration to America settled near Phila-
delphia. He had several children, among
whom was John, whose birth occurred at the
paternal home near Philadelphia. He re-
moved to Harrisburg in 1792 and remained
there until his death in 1842. He married
Miss Salome Gilbert, of Philadelphia, and
their children were: Mary, Sarah, Rebecca,
Eliza, Cassandra, Samuel, John, Jacob, and
one died in childhood. Samuel was born in
424
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Harrisburg May 28, 1797. His career covers
some of the most eventful periods in our
national history, and has been so closely
identified with local events that it forms an
inseparable part of them. His early educa-
tion was commenced at preparatory schools
before the establishment of the present school
system, and continued at the Nottingham
Academy, Cecil county, Md. His further
education and preparation for professional
life were the result of personal application
directed only by himself. As early as 1812
he was recorder of patents under John Coch-
ran, secretary of the land office and recorder
of surveys in the office of Andrew Porter,
then surveyor general. In September, 1814,
he joined the Harrisburg artillerists, a com-
pany formed within twenty-four hours after
the British had burned the capitol at Wash-
ington, and was the youngest man in the
four companies that volunteered from Har-
risburg on that occasion. The company
marched to York and thence to Baltimore,
and remained on duty there until the British
withdrew and abandoned their contemplated
attack on that city.
In May, 1817, he began the study of law
under Hon. Amos EUmaker, attornej'^ gen-
eral, and was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar in 1820. He was always aggres-
sive, and as a young lawyer displayed great
energy and fearlessness in prosecuting what
he believed to be wrong. He took an active
part in an unsuccessful attempt to impeach
Judge Frank, of the Lebanon and Dauphin
district, for alleged offenses. In 1835 he was
elected clerk of the House of Representatives
by a union of the Whig and Anti-Masonic
members, defeating Francis R. Shunk, the
Democratic candidate. In 1837 he was sec-
retary to the convention which gave us the
Constitution under which Pennsylvania
lived from 1838 to 1873, and at the adjourn-
ment of that body was unanimously thanked.
The Colonel finds special pleasure in recount-
ing his services with that body.
In 1839 he cast his fortunes with Colum-
bia and went there to live, having been
elected cashier of the Columbia Bank and
Bridge Company. The company had a
nominal capital of $150,000, but actually
not more than $80,000 to $100,000, as a
bridge costing more than $175,000 had been
swept away by an ice freshet in 1832 and
the loss had not been wholly made up. The
capital was afterwards increased first to
$250,000 and in 1837 to $322,500 with a
change of title to Columbia Bank. In 1865
the bank accepted the national bank law
and became the Columbia National Bank,
with a capital of $500,000, at which it still
remains, with a surplus fund of $150,000. He
has thus maintained official relations with
the corporation as its cashier and president
for forty-four years, during a period the
events of which are matters of local history.
Colonel Shoch was married, in 1832, to Mrs.
Hannah Evans, daughter of Amos Slay-
maker, of Lancaster county, who was the
leading manager of the line of stages between
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Her death
having occurred in March, 1860, he was mar-
ried a second time, August, 1865, to Miss
Anna E., daughter of Robert Barber, of Co-
lumbia, Pa.
In 1848 Colonel Shoch was appointed aide
to Gov. William Johnson, which by courtesy
conferred upon him the title of a colonel, a
title by which he is better known than by
his Christian name. In 1860 he was made
a member of the State committee of the Re-
publican party and a delegate to the Na-
tional Convention at Chicago which nomi-
nated Abraham Lincoln, the martyr Presi-
dent. During the war he was foremost in
deeds of charity and patriotism, and pre-
sented to the first company formed in Colum-
bia a beautiful and costly silk flag. He al-
ways took a warm interest in our public
schools, and through his active exertions
and liberal donations the Shoch library, in
honor of its patron, was established.
Colonel Shoch also took an active interest
in local enterprises, and was at one and the
same time president of the Columbia Gas
and Water companies, the Old Public
Ground Company, and the Marietta, Chest-
nut Hill and Washington Turnpike Road
companies. He was also treasurer of the
Reading and Columbia Railroad Company,
but resigned in 1862, before going abroad on
a continental tour. He was for ten years
president of the school board of the borough
of Columbia, during which period a spacious
edifice devoted to the use of the public
schools was erected. He served a term as
director of the poor of Lancaster county,
two terms as county auditor, was a trustee of
the Millersville Normal School, and a direc-
tor of the Wrightsville, York and Gettys-
burg railroad. If responsible official posi-
tions are a measure of public confidence,
then Colonel Shoch was surely favored by
his fellow-citizens.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
425
He was always an active worker in the
Sunday-school cause. In the early part of
his professional career he was both a teacher
and superintendent of the Sunday-school of
the Lutheran church in Harrisburg. His
zeal for the cause has been re-awakened, and
his active services as a teacher of a Bible
class in the Columbia Fifth Street Presby-
terian Sunday-school, together with the erec-
tion, furnishing and endowment of their
beautiful chapel, named " Salome," in honor
of his mother, attests the sincerity of his mo-
tives. In 1854, and for several years there-
after, he maintained at his own expense a
public night school, employed teachers and
furnished books, etc., for the benefit of ap-
prentices and other young persons who
could not attend school during the day, and
was happily rewarded by finding the school
well attended. Many of the pupils, since
grown up, have become prominent and well-
to-do citizens, who gratefully acknowledge
the advantages they derived from the enter-
prise. In politics he has been uniformly and
radically anti-Democratic, a great admirer of
Thaddeus Stevens, and is in full accord with
the Republican administration. His life
has been an eventful and busy one, and he
has the consciousness of knowing that he
has neglected no duty or shirked no respon-
sibility. Having faithfully performed the
duties of cashier of the Columbia National
Bank for a period of thirty-nine years he
was, in December, 1878, elected its president.
Pearson, Judge John James, was born
in Delaware county. Pa., October 25, 1800.
He was the son of Bevan Pearson and his
wife Anne Warner, the former of English and
Welsh decent, the latter of English descent
exclusively, their ancestors having come
from the counties of Derbyshire and York-
shire and from Glamorganshire in Wales.
They belonged to the Society of Friends and
were prominent in early colonial history.
The first members of the family who came
to this country were John Blunston, chosen
by William Penn as one of his council of
State, and William Warner, who was ap-
pointed judge by King Charles II. and pre-
sided over the first court ever held in Penn-
sylvania, at Upland (Chester), September 13,
1681.
In his fifth year John J. Pearson was
taken with his father's family to Mercer
county, this State, where he enjoyed the edu-
cational advantages of the best schools of the
county, and prosecuted his studies in the
classics and certain branches of science, but
not getting a regular college course and
graduation. His native tastes and talents
led him to choose the legal profession for his
occupation, and he was probably influenced
also by the example of his grandfather, John
Pearson, a prominent judge. He began his
preparation for his life work by a course of
reading and study under Hon. John Banks,
a lawyer of high standing in Mercer county
at that time, and subsequently a member of
Congress and a judge.
Mr. Pearson was admitted to the Mercer
county bar in August, 1822, and immediately
took up his residence at Franklin, Venango
county, where he began his practice. It was
the practice of attorneys of that day to travel
long circuits, and following this custom, Mr.
Pearson sought and obtained much business
in the counties of Venango, Mercer, ('rawford,
Warren, Erie, Beaver and Butler. Although
fully qualified and equipped for a general
practice and equally able in all departments
of professional service, he became most emi-
nent in the trial of land titles, in which he
was recognized as the highest authority.
In the spring of 1830 he removed his
residence to his former home in Mercer
county, and continued to travel his large
curcuit until 1849. During this period
his time was given almost entirely to his
profession, the only interruption he permitted
being his acceptance of the office of congress-
man from the Beaver-Mercer district, in
1835-36, and that of State senator for four
years, beginning in 1837. While in the
State Senate he served three years as chair-
man of the judiciary committee, one of the
most important and laborious positions in
that body.
On the 7th of April, 1849, Governor Will-
iam F. Johnson appointed Mr. Pearson to the
office of president judge of Twelfth judicial
district, comprising the counties of Dauphin
and Lebanon. His appointment was im-
mediately confirmed by the Senate, and in
the following summer he changed his resi-
dence to Harrisburg, where he spent the re-
mainder of his life. Owing to growing popu-
lation and consequent increase of State busi-
ness, the docket of this court had become
crowded, and business wns much in arrears,
but Judge Pearson's industrious and method-
ical methods and tireless and patient dili-
gence soon brought all cases to proper trial.
The oflSce filled by Judge Pearson became
426
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
elective under the changed Constitution of
the State, and its term was made of ten
years duration. In the autumn of 1851
Judge Pearson was elected and commissioned
judge of the same district, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1861, and for a third
term in 1871, and completed these three
terms of service with his characteristic fidelity
and ability. His election in every instance
was b}'' a unanimous vote of the district.
He decided many questions of great mag-
nitude and tried many noted criminal cases.
He evolved the principles upon which the
taxation of corporations by this State are
now decided, both by the courts of this State
and of the United States. As a lawyer and
judge he. attained prominence. Two volumes
of his decisions are published and are univer-
sally accepted as standard authority on the
points involved.
Judge Pearson having reached the age of
four score, declined to stand for re-election
in 1881. His letter of declination is a classic
in its language and sentiment, and showed
that he was a man as great in his views and
feelings in the ripeness of age as he had been
in the prime of his powers. Judge Pearson
was married, first, on the 12th of October,
1828, to Ellen, only daughter of Gen. Samuel
Hayes, of Venango county. She died in Feb-
ruary, 1840. On July 12, 1842, he married,
secondly, Mary Harris Briggs, only daughter
(^f Joseph and Caroline Briggs, grand-daugh-
ter of Gen. John Andre Hanna, and great-
granddaUghter of John Harris, the founder
of Harrisburg. In his personality Judge
Pearson was attractive and inspiring. Dig-
nity was never wanting, nor was it ever
prominent and oppressive. He was genial
and cordial in social life, always careful and
considerate to others, and genuine in his
sympathy with all classes. He could safely
be named as worthy of the closest imitation
in character and conduct. His death oc-
curred May 30, 1888, and was mourned as a
public bereavement. The memorj' of his
greatness and goodness remains and is im-
perishable.
Alricks, Hermanus, son of James and
Martha (Hamilton) Alricks, was born at
Lost Creek Mill, in Juniata county, in 1804.
His descent in the paternal line was from
Jacob Alricks, of Amsterdam, who was a di-
rector for the Dutch West India Company
on the Delaware in 1657, and in the mater-
nal line granddaughter of John Hamilton
and Jane Allen, who came to Pennsylvania
in 1745. In 1814 the family of Mr. Alricks
removed to Harrisburg and there the son
grew to man's estate, thereafter one of the
most respected citizens, receiving his educa-
tion in the Harrisburg Academy, reading
law in the office of Thomas Elder, Esq., mar-
rying a daughter of Rev. William Kerr, who
was a great-granddaughter of Rev. John
Elder, of Paxtang. He quickly obtained
a lucrative business before the courts, be-
came one of the prominent men at the bar,
and at his death the senior practitioner in
Dauphin county. He was averse to hold-
ing office. The only one of prominence
held by him was that of deputy attor-
ney general in 1829, by appointment of
Hon. Amos Ellmaker, an appointment
which made a great political uproar at the
moment and it is said caused the resignation
of Mr. Ellmaker and of his deputy. He
frequently served his fellow-citizens in mu-
nicipal office, was a popular man with them
and his counsel sought upon all questions of
importance. In addressing a jury his man-
ner was quiet, his statement clearly pre-
sented and his argument logical. His rule
was to undertake no cause unless his client
was able to demonstrate the justice of his
case. His early training in the practice of
the orphans' and registers' courts soon gave
him a lucrative business in that branch of
his profession, where clear, concise exposi-
tions are of far more weight than the stirring
elements of the quarter sessions. His per-
sonal acquaintance was extensive, and his
taste ran in acquiring the family traditions
of our earliest settlers. He died at Harris-
burg, February, 1874. His surviving family
are : Mar}' Wilson, who married James Mc-
Cormick, William Kerr, Hamilton, Clara B.
and Martha 0.
Alricks, Hamilton, was born on the
1st of June, 1806, at Oakland Mills, in
Lost Creek Valley, now Juniata county. Pa.,
and died July 16, 1893, at Harrisburg, Pa.
He was educated at the Harrisburg Academy
at such a period as tliose who passed
through it, from 1816 until 1826, know that
the whole land was stricken with poverty,
and collegiate education out of the question.
Indeed, out of the thirty students of the
classics at the academy, and among them
the son of Governor Findlay. but one is re-
membered who went, or could afford to go,
to college. With such an education as the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
427
school could afford, and the study of history
on top of it, Hamilton Alricks commenced
reading law with Samuel Douglas, Esq.,
afterwards attorney general, and was ad-
mitted to practice in 1828. During his pro-
fessional career of half a century Mr. Alricks
has been engaged at every term of the court
in the trial of many of the most important
civil and criminal cases, and in numerous
casesin the Supreme Court, as the reports will
show from 2d Watts to the last volume of
Outerbridge. In the outset of his practice
he was engaged as counsel by Mr. Gest, in
the case of Gest vs. Espy, 2d Watts, 266,
after Thomas Elder, Esq., a senior member
of the bar, had abandoned the case, upon a
verdict being found for defendant. Mr.
Alricks removed the case to the Supreme
Court, where he succeeded in reversing the
judgment. On one occasion, in arguing a
case in the Supreme Court, and while read-
ing an authority, he was abruptly inter-
rupted by Judge Huston, saying, " That is
not the law." "But," said Mr. Alricks, "I
am citing from the opinion of the court."
Judge Huston sharply responded : " I don't
care ; no Judge ever declared such to be the
law." To which Mr. Alricks further re-
plied : " I have been reading the opinion of
the court delivered by your Honor."
■' Then," said the Judge, " the reporter took
me down wrong; let me see the book."
After examining it for some time, the Judge
closed it with the remark, " After all, I don't
think this authority has any application to
the case in hearing." Proceedings were
commenced before the Legislature of Penn-
sylvania, about the year 1845, and testimony
taken for the purpose of framing articles of
impeachment against the Hon. William N.
Irvine, judge of the York and Adams ju-
dicial dis'trict, and the only counsel of the
respondent was Mr. Alricks, who conducted
the defense with such skill and ability that
the committee refused to report articles.
The then State treasurer and auditor general
on several occasions selected Mr. Alricks to
argue cases on the part of the Common-
wealth involving questions of constitutional
law. His argument before the Supreme
Court of the United States in Butler et al,
late canal commissioners of Pennsylvania,
vs. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
10th Howard, United States Supreme Court
Reports, 402, was not only well received by
the profession as a sound exposition of the
law as to what constitutes a contract within
the meaning of the Tenth section of the
First article of the Constitution of the
United States, prohibiting a State from pass-
ing any law impairing the obligation of con-
tracts, but also an able definition of tlie
power of the Legislature to create and
abolish offices, to impose taxes, &c. ; and
will remain a lasting memorial of his re-
search, industry, and ability as a lawyer.
He was one year a member of the Legisla-
ture ; was a member of the Chicago Con-
vention in 1864, which nominated General
McClelland for President, and the series of
resolutions drawn up and offered in the
convention by him abounded in patriotic
sentiments, evincing marked ability. He
was a member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion for the revision of the Constitution of
the State, in 1872-73, that held its sessions
first in Harrisburg and subsequently in
Philadelphia, and acted on the committees
on cities and charters, and on religious
and charitable corporations and societies.
Mr. Alricks married, December 28, 1837,
Caroline Bull, daughter of Rev. Levi Bull,
D. D., of Chester county. Pa., a son of Col.
Thomas Bull, of Revolutionary fame. She
was born Augusts, 1811, and died February
28, 1885, at Harrisburg, Pa.
Rawn, Charles Coateswoeth, the son of
David Rawn and Elizabeth Cheney, was
born in the city of Washington in 1801. His
grandparents, Caspar and Barbara Rahn (as
the name was originally spelled), were na-
tives of Germany, one of whose daughters,
Elizabeth, was mother of Gov. Francis R.
Shunk. Mr. Pawn's father dying when
Charles was seven years of age, at Stanton,
Va., his mother removed her family to her
farm in Thornbury, Delaware county, Pa.
He was educated at the West Chester Acad-
emy, then in charge of that distinguished
principal, Mr. Gause. In 1826 he came to
Harrisburg and began the study of law with
Francis R. Shunk, and was admitted to the
Dauphin county bar January 18, 1831. He
at once commenced his career as a success-
ful pleader, and up to the time of his death
was considered one of the leading criminal
lawyers at the Dauphin county bar. He
was an earnest antagonist of human slavery,
and during the days of the Fugitive Slave
Law was the eloquent pleader in behalf of
the poor black. He died at Harrisburg on
428
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
December 18, 1865. Mr. Rawn married
Frances, daughter of Joseph Clendennin
and Elizabeth Slough, of Harrisburg.
Fleming, David, deceased, lawyer, of Har-
risburg,Pa.,was born in Washington county.
Pa., July 17, 1812 ; was one of a family of
eleven children and son of Samuel and Sarah
(Beckett) Fleming. His paternal grand-
father was of Scotch ancestry and a native
of Ireland. He settled in Cecil county, Md.,
from Ireland, afterwards in Chester county.
Pa., and subsequently at Bald Eagle, from
which place, with his family, he was driven
away by the Indians. In the attack one son,
Samuel, father of our subject, was shot
through the arm. He afterwards settled in
Washington county and in 1812 removed to
Dauphin county, where he spent the re-
mainder of his active life, a farmer, in West
Hanover township. The family attended
and were members of the Presbyterian
church there under the well-known clergy-
man. Rev. James Snodgrass.
David Fleming spent his boyhood on the
farm, obtained his early education at the
common schools and Harrisburg Academy,
and for several years, alternating with at-
tending school, he was a successful teacher
here and in Baltimore county, Md., in the
latter place teaching classics and the higher
mathematics. On account of ill health he
turned his attention to business pursuits and
became a clerk for Dr. D. N. L. Reutter, a
contractor on the Baltimore and Port Deposit
railroad, and after a time took charge for
him of the shipment of pine timber for the
Navy yard at Washington, D. C, from North
Carolina, making several trips b}' sea and
greatly improving his health. In 1838 he
returned to Harrisburg and for several years
edited a local paper and reported the pro-
ceedings of the Legislature for four Philadel-
phia journals, including the United States Ga-
zette. In 1839 he entered the law office of
William McClure as a student, was admitted
to the bar at Harrisburg in November, 1841,
and was uninterruptedly engaged in the
practice of his profession until his death,
January 12, 1890. Mr. Fleming practiced
in the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth
since 1843, and the reported decisions of that
tribunal will show that he was concerned in
a large proportion of the cases removed from
Dauphin and other counties, many of them
involving principles of great importance.
During his late years he attended to bank-
ruptcy practice in the two Federal courts.
He closed his labors as newspaper corre-
spondent in 1847 and was elected chief clerk
of the House of Representatives and served
during that session. He was renominated
by the Whigs in 1848, but a tie in that body
and the absence of one of his friends gave
the place to the Democratic candidate by
one vote. In 1854 he was elected district
attorney, served three years and declined a
re-election. In 1863 he was elected to the
State Senate and served for three years in
that body, being chairman of the committee
on the judiciary during his second year and
speaker in the closing session of his term.
Outside his profession Mr. Fleming was
identified in various ways with most of the
leading interests of Harrisburg. He was
one of the founders of the Harrisburg Car
Works in 1853, subsequently obtained its
charter and succeeded William Calder upon
his death, in 1880, as president and also a
member of the board and stockholder of the
Foundry and Machine Company, which
originated from the same enterprise ; mem-
ber of the board and counsel for the Lochiel
Iron Company and assisted in the organiza-
tion of its successor, the Lochiel Rolling Mill
Company. He was counsel and one of the
directors of the Harrisburg National Bank
for many years and was one of the incorpor-
ators in organizing the First National Bank,
of Harrisburg, for which he was a director
and counsel. He was a director of the In-
land Telegraph Company and afterwards of
the United States Telegraph Company until
its consolidation with the Western Union
lines and has been counsel for the latter, as
well as for the Atlantic and Ohio and the
Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Companies,
the Columbian Oil Company and many
other large corporations in several important
suits, involving the taxation of these cor-
porations by the State. He was one of the
originators of the first Harrisburg Gas Com-
pany and was president of the People's Gas
and Gaseous Fuel Company, of Harrisburg.
Mr. Fleming was one of the founders and
secretary and treasurer of the Harrisburg
City Street railway and was a director. He
was a trustee for the Home of the Friendless,
of Harrisburg, and a member of the board of
trustees of the Market Square Presbyterian
church, of which he was president for many
years. He was one of the oldest Sunday-
school teachers in the city at the time of his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
429
death and always aided in any enterprise
tending to better educate the rising genera-
tion. He was patriotic and rendered sup-
port to the Union cause by hisinfluence and
means in the Civil war. Mr. Fleming's law
partner with whom he was associated since
1870 is Mr. S. J. M. McCarrell, who read law
with him and was admitted to practice in
1867.
He married, in 1852, Susan, daughter of
Charles and Mary (Richmond) Mowry, of
Harrisburg, who died October 19, 1895.
Her father publish'ed the first newspaper at
Downingtown, Pa., and after his removal to
Harrisburg he was appointed one of the
first canal commissioners in the State, and
conducted a newspaper in company with
Gen. Simon Cameron. Their children were
Charles M., a graduate of Princeton College
and a member of the Dauphin county bar,
recently deceased ; Sarah, graduate of Vassar
College, married Joshua W. Sharpe, of Cham-
bersburg, Pa., June 3, 1889 ; David, a grad-
uate of Princeton College, treasurer of the
Foundry and Machine Works; George E.,
attorney-at-law, and Mary, born 1869, died
in 1871.
Jordan, Francis, son of John and Jane
Jordan, was born in Bedford county, Pa.,
February 5, 1820. His father was of Eng-
lish and his mother of Irish parentage, both
highly esteemed for their intelligence and
Christian virtues. He was educated by the
maternal uncle, a Mississippi planter, at
Augusta College, Kentucky, and at Franklin
and Marshall College, Pennsylvania. He
studied law, was admitted to practice, and
soon after was appointed district attorney of
Bedford county, and subsequently elected to
the same position. At the outset his official
conduct was able, his indictments being so
accurately drawn that not one of them was
quashed for informality. In 1850 he became
the law partner of Alexander King, of Bed-
ford, subsequently president judge, which re-
lations continued until 1861. In 1855 Mr.
Jordan commenced his public career, and
was elected to the State Senate for a term of
three years. There he was made chairman
of the committee charged with drawing a
bill for the re-adjustment of legislative dis-
tricts under new apportionment, chairman
of thejudiciary committee, composed of some
of the best legal talent of the State, and a
prominent advocate of th e bill authorizing the
sale of the public works. He declined re-
election, and was soon after appointed one
of a commission of three to reVise the civil
code, which duty was postponed on account
of hostilities and finally passed into other
hands. He was also tendered the appoint-
ment of attorney general of the State, by the
governor, which he reluctantly declined by
reason of the complications attending it. A
pressing exigency called for a sudden con-
centration of troops upon the central border
and at Cumberland, Md., in the fall of 1861.
Upon the request of Governor Curtin, Mr.
Jordan accompanied the noted Reserve corps
as assistant quartermaster, and while thus
employedjWithout solicitation or even knowl-
edge, he was appointed by President Lincoln
paymaster in the army, and promptly con-
firmed, and served for two and a-half years
in Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Mississippi and Louisiana, during the last
four months of which time being chief pay-
master of the army of the Mississippi, and
disbursing during his entire term four mil-
lion dollars under a bond of only twenty
thousand dollars, rendering a satisfactory ac-
count. Urged by Governor Curtin he re-
signed his position, and was appointed by him
military agent of the State at Washington,
where the manifold interests of the State of
Pennsylvania were ably represented, and
under his management the claims of our
soldiers were promptly examined and paid.
The Legislature, recognizing his efficient
services, passed an act conferring upon him
the rank of colonel of infantry. In 1886
Colonel Jordan was chosen chairman of the
Republican State Central Committee, and
conducted the canvass with great ability and
discretion, resulting in the election of General
Geary, who appointed Colonel Jordan secre-
tary of the Commonwealth, in which capacity
he served with ability for six years. In 187i,
pending the agitation for the revision of the
State Constitution, he wrote and published a
paper advocating a revision and detailing his
reasons, which was well received, and on the
19th of February, 1872, upon invitation, he
delivered an address before the Social Science
Association, of Philadelphia, and afterwards
in Pittsburgh, advocating thirteen amend-
ments, covering the most vital defects of the
old instrument, twelve of which were adopted
by the State Convention. These papers
served to establish the reputation of Colonel
Jordan as a sound lawyer, and elicited strong
commendation from intelligent men both
within and without the Commonwealth.
430
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Colonel Jordan was prominently presented
in the nominating convention as the suc-
cessor of Governor Geary, but withdrawn to
harmonize conflicting interests, and in the
same convention his vote was next to the
successful candidate forjudge of the Supreme
Court, although he was not before the con-
vention for the office. Colonel Jordan took
up his residence in Harrisburg upon his ap-
pointment as secretary of the Commonwealth,
and in 1872 resumed the practice of law in
partnership with Hon. Louis W. Hall, since
which time he has acted as counsel for the
Pennsylvania railroad and various other
corporations. On November 4, 1882, follow-
ing the resignation of Secretary Quay, he
was appointed by Governor Hoyt secretary
of the Commonwealth. Colonel Jordan is an
esteemed citizen, recognized as an able ad-
vocate and judicious and safe counselor, and
possessed of sterling integrity in all business
relations. He was appointed by Governor
Beaver as member of the State board of
charities, but after serving thereon, and ac-
complishing certain distinct results, he re-
signed. He has been prevailed upon to ac-
cept the presidency of the Pennsylvania
Telephone Company. This is a new corpor-
ation, having half a million dollars paid up
capital, and its operations extending from
Easton, on the Delaware, to Chambersburg,
including Harrisburg, York, Columbia,
Reading, Pottsville, Mauch Chunk, and
other important points. His first wife,
Louisa Farquhar, was the adopted daughter
of Hon. Job Mann, ex-State treasurer and
ex-member of Congress, and their children
are William F. Jordan, publisher of the Era,
a daily newspaper of Bradford, Pa., and
Alice, who married Walter F. Moore, of Bed-
ford. His present wife, Mary, is a daughter
of Rev. William M. Hall, a Presbyterian
clergyman, and sister of Judge Hall, of Bed-
ford, and of Hon. Louis W. Hall, his law
partner.
Miller, William Henry, lawyer, was
born in Landisburg, Perry county, Pa., Feb-
ruary 28, 1829, and died in Harrisburg Sep-
tember 12, 1870. His father, Hon. Jesse
Miller, was one of the purest and wisest public
men who has ever helped to make for Penn-
svlvania an honest history. He held many
stations of trust, filled them with diligence
and ability, and came out of them all with
spotless hands. He was a member of Con-
gress during General Jackson's administra-
tion, first auditor of the United States treas-
ury under President Van Buren,^ and he
was appointed secretary of the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania under Governor
Francis R. Shunk, at which time he removed
from Washington, D. C, to Harnsburg,
where he died in August, 1850. William
Henry was graduated from Franklin and
Marshall College, and read law with Her-
manus Alricks, an eminent member of the
profession in Harrisburg, and was admitted
to practice November 18, 1846. Upon his
appointment as prothonotary of the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania, in 1854, he took up
his residence in Harrisburg and served with
ability in that canacity until 1863. He was
for one term clerk of the State Senate, and
for a number of years connected with the
Harrisburg Patriot. In 1862 he was elected
to the Thirty-eighth Congress of the United
States by the people of his district, in the
face of a heavy party majority, where he
served with high reputation. He died in
his forty-second year, in the prime of a busy
and useful life. He married Ellen, the eldest
daughter of the late'Christopher L. Ward, of
Towanda, Pa., who, with one son, Jesse, sur-
vives him. His father was born in Susque-
hanna county, Pa., in 1807. He resided
most of his life at Towanda. He possessed
the largest and most valuable private library
in the State, comprising some fifteen thousand
volumes, which has been, since his death,
donated by Mrs. Miller to Lafayette College.
Cameron, William Brua, son of Simon
Cameron and Margaret Brua, was born
August 1, 1826, at Harrisburg, Pa. He re-
ceived a classical education, and graduated
at Princeton College in 1847, studied law
with James McCormick, and was admitted
to the Dauphin county bar January 23,1849.
He located at Middletown, managing cer-
tain business enterprises of his father. He
was appointed major and paymaster in the
United States army May 1, 1861 ; retired the
4th of November, 1863, on account of im-
paired health. Major Cameron died at
Middletown, January 18, 1864, and is buried
in the cemetery at that place. He married,
October 18, 1852, Elizabeth Bastedo, daugh-
ter of Gilbert and Marian Bastedo, of Nel-
son, Province of Ontario, Canada. Mrs.
Cameron, while on a visit to her old Ijotue
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
433
in Canada, took ill, and died there in 1870.
They had issue: Marian Bastedo, married
David Watts, Simon Brua, and Janet, mar-
ried Tryon Hughes Edwards, a lawyer.
SiMONTON, Hon. John Wiggins, was born
in West Hanover township, Dauphin county,
in 1830 (the exact register of his birth is
missing from the record), son of Hon. Will-
iam Simonton, son of William and Eliza-
beth W., daughter of Rev. James Snodgrass.
His preparatory education was received at
the country school near Hanover Church,
continued at the Strasburg Academy, Lan-
caster county, and then at Lafayette Col-
lege, Easton, graduating at the College of
New Jersey in 1850. His choice of profes-
sion was the law, and he was entered as a stu-
dent with Hon. Hamilton Alricks, at Har-
risburg, admitted to practice at the April
term, 1853. With a very brief interval his
residence has since been at Harrisburg.
When the war broke out he was one of the
first to respond and served as a private in
company K, First regiment, Pennsylvania
militia, until discharged after the battle of
Antietam. He married, July 8, 1856, Sarah
H., daughter of George Kunkel, merchant,
and Catharine Ziegler. It may be safely
said of Judge Simonton that he never
sought an office, his ambition was to be a
thorough lawyer, and as such win success,
and before office sought him he was con-
sidered a safe counselor as well as a capable
one. He was chosen district attorney in
1866. As soon as another opportunity pre-
sented itself to honor him with a higher sta-
tion, his fellow-citizens chose him without
serious opposition, in 1881, president judge
of the Twelfth Judicial District of Pennsyl-
vania, to succeed Judge Pearson, and again
re-elected in 1891 for the term of ten years.
Every opinion handed down since he has
held this impoitant position has shown an
intimate knowledge of the laws of his native
State, of his literary ability, acute percep-
tion of such facts as are necessary in consid-
ering cases, and in nearly every instance
have been sustained by the higher court.
MuMMA, Hon. David, son , of David and
Esther Mumma, was born on the old Mumma
homestead in Susquehanna township, Dau-
phin county, July 28, 1816. He was
brought up "as other farmers' sons, knowing
hard work, long hours and the drudgery
that every farmer boy experiences. Adjoin-
31
ing the Mumma farm was the home of the
famous Revolutionary soldier, Col. Edward
Crouch, now owned by Col. John Motter,
and known as "Walnut Hill." Across the
hills toward Middletown, one mile south, was
another historic land mark, "Tinian," the
home of Col. James Burd, one of the most dis-
tinguished soldiers and pioneers of Central
Pennsylvania. Young Mumma early em-
bibed the love for the memory for those
brave men, and being surrounded by evi-
dences of what they had accomplished un-
der most trying difficulties, he resolved to
make his mark in the future. He attended
the private schools until the adoption of the
free school system, when he studied under
such teachers as the conditions of the neigh-
borhood could afford. Compared with the
advantages now enjoyed, the boy or girl of
that day desirous of getting an education
encountered difficulties that few of the pres-
ent age would dare contend with. His
father opposed his desire for learning, deny-
ing him means of study, but young Mumma
was not to be denied his tliirst for knowl-
edge. He hoarded every penny with which
he purchased his much cherished treasures,
the contents of which he devoured most
eagerly, and the influence of which largely
determined his after life. He engaged in
business pursuits which he followed for a
livelihood, ever keeping in view the star of
his young heart's ambition. Having re-
solved to study law, he entered himself as a
student with the elder James McCormick, at
that time one of the leaders of the bar of
Dauphin county. He was admitted to prac-
tice April 26, 1853. He soon acquired a
standing among the many able attorneys,
whose ability, eloquence and personal mag-
netism have made the bar of Dauphin world
famous. Mr. Mumma at once took more
than ordinary interest in the building up of
Harrisburg. He had confidence in its future
and willingly and readily embarked in
every enterprise that was legitimate or
worthy the interest required to make it a
success. In 1870 when Dauphin and Leba-
non counties composed one Senatorial dis-
trict, Mr. Mumma was elected senator on the
Republican ticket by an overwhelming ma-
jority, serving his full time with distin-
guished honor and for the welfare of his
constituents. He was a delegate to the
National Convention that nominated Abra-
ham Lincoln, and was national delegate on
several other occasions. Major Mumma's
434
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
influence with a jury was something re-
markable, being plain in speech and man-
ner, and possessing a fund of humor that
was always applied at the right time and
place, he was enabled to sway, move and
mold a verdict almost ad libitum. His
knowledge of both client and opponents,
their standing socially, morally and finan-
cially, made him a power when arrayed for
or against. No man knew his fellow-citizens
better nor understood their weakness for
flattery. He could judge in a moment the
tenderest spot in the heart of each man ;
could place his finger on the juror who may
have suff'ered the same imposition which his
client was then undergoing, and gathering
and concentrating these mighty influences
together would make one grand charge,
down upon the consciences of the men in the'
box, and carry off the wreath of victory.
The effect of Major Murama's speeches upon
the minds and feelings was always com-
mensurate with the object to be obtained;
when desiring to convince, he talked plain
words that any ordinary man could easily
understand, was calm and logical, no man
more so; but when he set his head to enlist
the sympathy of the jury he gave vent to
his imagination and was wonderfully elo-
quent. He seemed to comprehend the
character of every man and was an adept at
selecting a jury.
The mind is said to be composed of three
great attributes : imagination, memory and
judgment. This combination is rarely
found in any man, but when it is that man
is great intellectually. In his long legal
career Major Mumma was full of courtesy
toward his opponent or rival at the bar. He
was also brave, kind and generous, afi'able
and affectionate, devoted to his family and
his friends. Easy of approach, every boy
and girl of Dauphin county knew him and
honored him. He had a smile and cheery
greeting that was never mistaken for other
than what it was meant, viz- a plain, manly
and honorable cordiality that indicated the
man. In his later life he relapsed his grip
on the plodding labor of a lawyer's life,
dropped many or all of the cares that
weighed upon him in his younger days, and
in the companionship of his beloved wife,
determined to go quietly down the twilight
pathway to the gates of the unknown be-
yond. When speaking of his physical de-
cline, and the discouraging prospects for the
future, he said to his family: "I am satisfied
with what is being done. I am not afraid
to face death, but hope I shall retain my
faculties and know you all until it is over."
Few men looked upon the transition from
this life into that unknown borne with the
same logical reasoning and fixed assurance
and belief. Brought up under the influence
of Christian parents, his early life was im-
pressed with the beauties, the goodness and
moral advantages of Protestant teachings.
He died June 20, 1893, and his widow sur-
vives. He married Lydia Detwiler, daugh-
ter of Davi(J and Susan Detwiler, of Mid-
dletown, Pa., February 22, 1843. His family
consists of three children : Susan, wife of
J. M. Major, of Harrisburg ; Ellis L., pro-
prietor of the Morning Call, Harrisburg, and
David D.
Lawrence, William Caldwell Ander-
son, lawyer, son of Joseph and Maria
(Bucher) Lawrence, was born May 18, 1832,
in Washington county. Pa. His grand-
father, John Lawrence, of English birth,
emigrated to America at an early day, and
settled near Hunterstown, Adams county,
Pa. There he married Sarah Moffet, by
whom he had ten children. John Lawrence
died about 1786, and three years afterwards
his widow removed with her family to
Washington county, and settled on a farm
lying on the headwaters of Pigeon creek.
One of the sons of John Lawrence, John,
settled at Beaver, Pa. ; twice represented the
county in the Legislature, subsequently re-
moving to Delaware county, where he died.
Samuel followed his brother to Beaver
county, and located upon a farm. He was
nine years prothonotary of the county, and
twice elected to the State Assembly. He
died about 1828. Joseph Lawrence, the
youngest of the family, remained in Wash-
ington county. In 1818 he was chosen to
the Legislature, and served continuously
until 1826, being speaker of the House dur-
ing the sessions of 1820 and 1822. In 1826
he was elected to Congress; in 1834 and
1835 returned to the Legislature, and in
1836 elected State treasurer. In 1838 he
was a candidate for Congress, defeated by
seventeen votes, but elected in 1840. He
died in Washington, D. C, April 7, 1842.
He was twice married. By his first wife,
Rebecca Van Eman, he had four children :
Joseph, George V., Sarah and Samuel. By
his second wife, Sarah Bucher, who died in
1861, he had five children : John J., James
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
435
K., William C. A., Samuel and Susan.
William Caldwell Anderson Lawrence was
educated at Washington College, where he
graduated in 1850. He came to Harrisburg
and began the study of law with John C.
Kunkel. He was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar August 31, 1853, and entered
upon the practice of his profession at Har-
risburg as law partner with Mr. Kunkel.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1857,
1858 and 1859, and was speaker of the
House of Representatives, sessions of 1859
and 1860. He died at Harrisburg, April 21,
1860. ^ ^
Hall, Louis Williams, son of William
Maclay Hall, whose mother was a daughter
of Hon. William Maclay, first United States
senator from Pennsylvania, was born July
4, 1833, at Allegheny, Pa. He received a
good education ; studied law, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1854. He was soon
after appointed solicitor for the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company at Altoona. That road
was just opened over the Allegheny moun-
tains, and Altoona was the location of the
chief offices of the transportation of the com-
pany. Herman J. Lombaert was general
superintendent with all the powers of the
now general manager. The office of the
chief engineer was also at that point, and
the location was being made there for the
principal shops of the company. It being
the headquarters of these offices, the position
of solicitor there was an important and deli-
cate one, and the attorney had many ques-
tions before him of immense importance to
the company and its interests. Mr. Hall's
practice soon became large and lucrative,
not only in Blair, but the contiguous coun-
ties. In 1859, when little more than
eligible, he was elected to the State Senate
as the Republican candidate from the strong
Democratic district of Cambria, Blair and
Clearfield counties. He was appointed
chairman of the judiciary committee on his
first advent in the Senate, of a body com-
posed of such legal minds as Penny, of Alle-
gheny ; Clymer, of Berks ; Ketchum, of Lu-
zerne ; Welsh, of York ; Palmer, of Schuyl-
kill ; Finney, of Crawford ; McClure, of
Franklin, and others prominent in the pro-
fession of the State. The war of the Rebel-
lion breaking out, Governor Curtin called an
extra session of the Assembly, in April,
1861, when Mr. Hall was chosen speaker of
the Senate. It was at that extra session that
the famous three-million-dollar-loan bill to
arm the State, and other important war
measures were passed. Mr. Hall was again
chosen speaker at the beginning of the regu-
lar session in January, 1862. He was elected
for a new term, and for another district, in
which Blair county was placed in October,
1864, running largely ahead of his ticket.
He was again chosen speaker of the Senate
at the end of the session of 1866, and also at
the commencement of the regular session of
1867, having been chosen three times pre-
siding officer of that body, an honor never
before accorded to any one. At the close of
his term he declined a re-nomination, and
since then has devoted himself exclusively
to the practice of his profession. Having
been appointed solicitor and counsel of the
Pennsylvania railroad, at Harrisburg, on
the 1st of October, 1868, he took up his resi-
dence in that city. To-day he occupies the
same position, being connected with them
for over thirty years. He is yet in the
mental vigor and prime of life, although
sixty years of age, and has probably been
connected with as many matters of impor-
tance in his profession as any man of his
age. Among the numerous leading cases in
the courts he has argued within the last few
years may be mentioned those of the "Com-
monwealth vs. Credit Mobilier of America,"
twice tried before Judge Pearson, and twice
in the Supreme Court; " Commonwealth vs.
George 0. Evans," the claim of the State for
a very large amount; Mr. Evans being de-
fended by Mr. Hall and the late Judge
Black ; '' The Commonwealth vs. Pennsyl-
vania Canal Company," being an attempt of
the State by statute to compel the canal
company to alter their dams, feeders and
works, without compensation, so as to allow
the passage of fish, the case involved prob-
ably half a million of dollars, and was de-
cided by the Supreme Court in favor of the
canal company ; " James Freeland vs. Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company," an attempt to
hold the company responsible for consequen-
tial damages caused by raising the great
Clark's Ferry dam ; decided by the Supreme
Court in favor of the railroad company. Mr.
Hall married, November 26, 1867, Eliza War-
ford. They have two sons and two daughters.
MuENCH, Robert L., was a son of the late
Charles F. Muench. He was born in Har-
risburg, February 9, 1831. His education
.was begun in the schools of Harrisburg,
436
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
which he left to enter the printing office and
bindery of his father, where he remained for
a short time and then went to Tennant
School, Hartsville, Bucks county, to prepare
for Yale College, which he entered in ] 852 in
the class of 1856. He was a thorough Ger-
man, Latin and French scholar, having a
taste for the latter language, in which he be-
came proficient in reading and graceful in
speech.
He began the study of law with E. A.
Lamberton and was on his motion admitted
to the bar of Dauphin county January 22,
1856. His progress at the bar illustrated the
energy of the man. Ardent and zealous in
his profession and honestly devoted to his
clients he rose gradually but surely until he
secured a large practice and attained position
ranking him among the ablest of the at-
torneys with whom he practiced.
He was a prominent Mason of high stand-
ing, past master of Perseverance Lodge, No.
21, and many years district deputy grand
master for this district.
He was the first president of select council
when the old council was divided into two
branches — select and common. His ability
as a presiding officer was displayed to great
advantage, and to his sagacity may be attri-
buted legislation which proved highly bene-
ficial to the city, with the defeat, too, of
measures full of mischief. But he was not
an office seeker, though an ardent politician
of the Jacksonian school of Democrats.
Forced into the field as a Democratic candi-
date for district attorney against J. M. Wiest-
ling, one of the strongest men in the Repub-
lican party, Mr. Muench ran ahead of his
ticket and reduced the Republican majority
lower than it had been since the organization
of the party up to that time.
Robert Leyburn Muench was from early
boyhood, in his youth, his young manhood
and the prime of life one of the best known
citizens of Harrisburg and Dauphin county.
By organization fitted for active pursuits,
whatever he did in the printing office, the
bookbindery, at school, as a teacher, a colle-
giate, a student of law and a practitioner,
was with a spirit of resistless force. His men-
tal endowments were of a high order, and
personally he had qualities wliich com-
manded both admiration and respect. Where
he placed his friendship, it was held with
hooks of steel, and where his enmity was
provoked it remained until satisfied. Open-
hearted and frank of speech, courageous,
generous and faithful, the man had no con-
cealments to make in any direction and was
of the nature that delights in the daylight of
life, wherein what he said and did he could
be seen and heard of all men. Such a man
never lost a friend once made, and had the
faculty of unmaking enemies who were cap-
able of listening to reason. He was of use
in his day and generation, a good citizen, a
faithful husband, affectionate father, gener-
ous brother and a dutiful son. He leaves a
widow and three daughters, the eldest of
whom is the wife of Martin E. Hershey. He
was the last male descendant of Capt. Charles
F. Muench, a sister, Mrs. W. H. Snyder, be-
ing the only survivor.
The Dauphin County Bar Association met
in the court room at four o'clock on Satur-
day afternoon, April 4, 1885. H. Murray
Graj'don, Esq., was called to the chair and
J. M. Lamberton chosen secretary. A com-
mittee of five, consisting of Messrs. J. M.
Wiestling, Francis Jordan, W. B. Lamber-
ton, F. M. Ott and George Kunkel, was ap-
pointed to draft resolutions expressive of the '
sentiments of the- meeting relative to the
death of Robert L. Muench, late a member
of the association. The following is their
report, which was unanimously adopted :
The members of the Dauphin County Bar,
convened to testify to the affectionate regard
which the3'^ ever cherished for their departed
friend and brother, Robert L. Muench, Esq..
to give fitting expression to their sincere
sorrow for his death, and to pay a just and
friendly tribute to his memory, do resolve:
First. That by his death the Bar has lost
a member whose devotion to his profession
and long experience in its active practice
had won for him a prominence and reputa-
tion as a lawyer, distinguished for his in-
dustrious and painstaking preparation of
his cases, fidelity to his clients in counsel
and in trial, and conscientious regard for
the responsibilities involved.
Second. That in all our intercourse with
him, both in the practice of our profession
and in social life, we always found him to
be true to his honor, faithful to his friend-
ships, and mindful of all the obligations and
courtesies of both relations. His genial na-
ture and cheerful disposition, exhibited in
genuine humor and witty repartee, made
his companionship and conversation ever
agreeable and attractive.
Third. That in the world of literature Mr.
Muench was proficient, and for his general
DA UPHIN GO UNTY.
437
knowledge of choice standard authors we
justly render our tribute to his memory.
Fourth. As a native and life-long citizen
of this community he was esteemed for his
integrity, generosity, honesty of purpose and
general good qualities.
Fifth. While lamenting his death we yet
recognize it as the dispensation of an All-
wise Providence, who cannot err, and is too
beneficent to inflict but for good; and to his
wise decree we submissively and reveren-
tially bow, accepting the death of our late
associate as another evidence of man's mor-
tality and life's uncertainty. It is to all of
us a solemn admonition to be always ready
for that supreme summons, which, with
awful certainty, will call us all from time
into eternity.
Sixth. That to the sorrowing household
of our deceased brother — bereft by this their
great affliction of a loving husband and
father — to his distressed widow and chil-
dren, we extend our most profound and sin-
cere sympathy and regard. With unques-
tioning confidence we commend them to
him who is the husband to the widow, the
father to the fatherless.
Seventh. That this Bar will attend the
funeral in a body, and that a copy of these
resolutions be presented to his family, and
that the court be requested to order that
these proceedings be entered at length upon
the proceedings of the court.
Hon. A. J. Herr addressed the meeting as
follows :
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Bar:
Robert L. Muench was my friend and as
such I mourn his death. I come to bury
him, not to praise him. For the garland
of friendship which we lay on his grave
should have no artificial flower in it. Time
shall not wither its freshness nor steal away
its perfume so long as memory shall hold
within its golden cells the impress of his de-
votion and attachment to his friends. As a
friend rather than as a lawyer let him be
remembered ; for the friend whose adoption
has been tried should be grappled to your
soul with hooks of steel. And if there was
one trait in his character more pronounced
than another, it was his steady, sturdy, ro-
bust friendship. When he professed it j'ou
rnight be sure that its roots entwined them-
selves about the very fibres of his heart and,
like the oak fixed in its native soil, no storm
of detraction could overthrow it. Let that
be his epitaph, for it outsounds the clarion
voice of fame! With him the laws of friend-
ship wej-e great, austere, eternal, of one web
with the laws of nature and of morals. His
friendship was a solemn league and cove-
nant against time and want and slander and
persecution. It was a bond which death
could not destroy, only sanctify, while his
instincts taught him that the man who was
worthy of that title was crowned above his
fellows and bore the signet seal of uncom-
mon royalty. This nature was intense,
not being but strong, liking and dis-
liking with no negative force, but with
the energy of his own positive char-
acter. Bold, blunt and brave when he
thought he was right, he was so open
and straightforward that from the neces-
sity of his moral constitution he hated
hypocrisy and scorned sham, never fawning
upon power or cringing before wealth, be-
cause the hinges of his knees were not oily
enough to bend in sycophancy. There was
no difficulty in discovering on which side
of the question he was, for he would pro-
claim himself without stopping to count the
cost or waiting to see whether his views were
popular. What he felt was the right of the
matter that he would maintain and contend
for, and his word, when given, was as sacred
as his oath. He wore his heart upon his
sleeve and with the simplicity of a child he
would let you read his inmost thoughts with
no wish even to disguise them. These rare
and sterling traits of character won for him
and retained for him through life many
true friends, and now, as we pay the last
tribute of respect and esteem to him, is there
one here who cannot bear testimony, tender
and affectionate testimony, that he was
greatly loved as a staunch friend, a good
citizen and an honest man? In his pro-
fessional career he never aspired to be a
leader. He was modest in the judgment he
passed upon himself and never overrated
his own acquirements. No unseemly vanity
prevented him from seeking advice or so-
liciting counsel, and when doubt and per-
plexity encumbered his way he would not
hesitate to dismiss the natural pride of in-
tellect and lay under contribution the
larger knowledge of some of his fellow-mem-
bers, for he was always sensitively anxious
to leave nothing undone to protect, defend
and secure the rights of his clients. He was
a laborious worker in gathering his facts
and always came to the trial of the cause
with a thorough mastery of its history. In
438
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the presentation of his views he was plain,
logical, exact, with no rhetorical embellish-
ment or ornamentation of language, aiming
to convince the reason of the jury rather
than to excite their imagination. If he was
not a brilliant orator, he was an earnest ad-
vocate at least, and kept faithful watch and
word of his client's interests. He possessed
a fine literary taste and a discriminating
appreciation of art. While he was more or
less familiar with the ancient classics, Eng-
lish literature had special charms for him
and he took peculiar delight in wandering
through its rich and varied domain, gather-
ing here and there apt quotations and beau-
tiful thoughts from Shakespeare, Dryden,
Milton and other worthies with which he
would adorn his conversation in the inti-
mate intercourse of his friends and com-
panions. But the finger of God touched
him and he sleeps in that quiet haven to
which we are all drifting — drifting like
autumn leaves on the bosom of a flood.
Before man his days are as grass. As a
flower of the field, as he flourisheth ; the
wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the
place thereof shall know it no more! Never
again will his voice resound within these
walls. Never again will his well-known
form pass in and out among us, tall, stately
and dignified. He is gone! and silence
comes to give us praise! What does it all
mean ? What do our eager struggles, our
petty rivalries, our little jealousies, our hon-
orable ambition or our lawful contests for
fame or wealth or distinction — what do all
these end in? Silence — darkness — six feet
of mother earth and that is all. Yes! that
is all, unless one be wise and learn the
lesson, each for himself, that this earth is
but a nursery from which we may be trans-
planted to a garden where immorality shall
fill up and round out every faculty of the
soul so as to be in perfect and everlasting
harmony with the Divine will.
At the same meeting Mr. F. K. Boas
spoke as follows: "I have known our
friend and brother, Robert L. Muench, from
his childhood until his death yesterday. I was
his near neighbor for upwards of twenty
years. We were close friends. I rejoice in
the permission given me in saying that he
was an affectionate son, husband and father,
and in all the elements that make a gentle-
man the peer of either of us. In the pro-
fession I found him courteous and kind.
While true as steel to the interests of his
client, he ever regarded the rights of others.
He has gone with the great majority to the
untried realities of another and I trust a
better world, leaving the priceless legacy of
a blameless life and untarnished reputation
to those who were near and dear to him."
H. Murray Graydon, Esq., followed Mr.
Boas with an impressive and touching ad-
dress, after which the meeting adjourned.
Snodgrass, Robert, attorney-at-law, Har-
risburg, was born in East Hanover township,
Dauphin county. Pa., October 12, 1836. He
is a son of Benjamin and Ann Snodgrass.
His grandfather was Rev. James Snodgrass,
who was pastor of the old Hanover church
for many years. In- 1843 Mr. and Mrs.'
Benjamin Snodgrass removed to Shippens-
burg, Cumberland county. Pa. Robert re-
ceived his primary education there, and was
prepared for college at Milnwood Academy,
Shade Gap, Huntingdon county. Pa. He
entered Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in
September, 1854, was admitted to the sopho-
more class, and was graduated with honor
in the class of 1857.
Mr. Snodgrass taught in private families
in Maryland and Virginia for two years. In
the spring of 1859 he removed to Moorefield,
Va., now West Virginia. In the fall of 1860
he was appointed deputy clerk of the county
court of Hardy county, which position he
filled until the spring of 1862. In the mean-
time he read law under the direction of J.
W. F. Allen, then judge of the Circuit Court
of Hardy county. In consequence of the
war of the Rebellion he found it impossible
for him to remain in the South. He came
to Harrisburg in April, 1862, and immedi-
ately entered as student at law with J. W.
Simonton, now judge. He was admitted to
the bar of Dauphin county, May 5, 1863,
and has since been continuously in active
practice.
Robert Snodgrass was United States com-
missioner from January, 1867, to November,
1870; prothonotary of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, for the Middle district, from
November, 1870, to January, 1882; and
deputy attorney general from that date to
May, i887. Sirlce that time he has been en-
gaged exclusively in the practice of law.
Mr. Snodgrass was made president of the
Board of Trade of Harrisburg in February,
1893. He is one of the organizers, and tile
president of the Hickok Manufacturing Cout-
pany, and has served as attorney of the cor-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
439
poration. He is a member of the Masonic
order. In politics he is a Republican. He
is president of the board of trustees of the
Pine Street Presbyterian church.
Steanahan, James A., attorney-at-law,
was born in Philadelphia, March 7, 1839.
He is a son of Andrew and Eliza (HoUiday)
Stranahan, both natives of county Down,
Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They
came to America about 1820 and remained
in Philadelphia until 1851, when they re-
moved to Mercer county, where they made
their home. They were engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits, and were honored residents
of the county. The father died in 1869,
aged eighty years ; the mother still lives, at
the advanced age of ninety-six years, resid-
ing in Mercer county. They were married
in Philadelphia, and to them were born
four children, three sons and a daughter.
The daughter died in infancy. The sons
are: Andrew, James A. and Robert. An-
drew and Robert still live on the old home-
stead in Mercer county. James A. received
his primary education in the public schools
of Philadelphia. When twelve, years old he
removed with his parents to Mercer county,
where he completed his education in the
township common schools, Mercer Union
School and Westminster College, at New
Wilmington, Pa., and was graduated at the
latter institution. He began the study of
law with Hon. John Trunkey, late justice
of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and
was admitted to the Mercer county bar in
1864, where he practiced until 1891, when
he was appointed deputy attorney general
by Governor Pattison, and filled this office
for four years with much credit to himself
and the entire State. While acting as dep-
uty attorney general that department, from
1891 to 1895, was engaged in the settlement
of complicated legal questions arising under
the revenue laws of the Commonwealth, and
he had to contend with the leading lawyers
of the State, who were counsel for the cor-
porations. Since his retirement from active
practice at the Dauphin county bar he has
been consulted in many prominent cases.
The most noted was the mandamus proceed-
ings against the secretary of the Common-
wealth to test the constitutionality of the act
of Assembly of 1895, as applied to tlie ques-
tion of limited voting — whether a voter
could be restricted to voting for six judges
when seven were to be elected to the Supe-
rior Court. Although the decision was ad-
verse to him in the court below he carried
the case to the Supreme Court and had the
decision of the lower court reversed, and
thus established the principal of limited
voting under the Constitution in Pennsyl-
vania. From 1851 to 1864 he was engaged
in work on his father's farm, attending
school in the winter months. In 1864 he
enlisted as a private in company H, Second
battalion, six months' Pennsylvania volun-
teers, and was mustered in as second lieu-
tenant, and occupied the position of post ad-
jutant at Cumberland, Md., during his term
of service under Maj. Herman Kretz, now
superintendent of the mint at Philadelphia,
who was provost marshal at Cumberland at
that time. He was mustered out at the ex-
piration of his term of service, and finally
discharged at Pittsburgh, Pa. He returned
to Mercer and resumed the study of law.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1873,
and represented Mercer county one term.
He was chairman of the Democratic State
Central Committee in 1894. In political
views he is a Democrat,, and an active and
influential worker in the party. Mr. Strana-
han has been twice married. His first wife
was Miss Mary E. Robinson, to whom he
was married in Mercer county May 14, 1865.
She was a daughter of Rev. William M.
Robinson, pastor of the Second Presbyterian
church of Mercer, and Eliza (Robinson") Rob-
inson. To them was born one child, Charles,
who died in- infancy. Mrs. Stranahan died
March 81, 1868. In his second marriage,
which took place at Hartstown, Crawford
county. Pa., February 25, 1874, he was united
to Miss Elizabeth Ewing, daughter of Benoni
and Mary Ewing, a native of Crawford
county, Pa. They have one child, Mary E.,
born May 6, 1876. Mr. Stranahan, wife and
daughter are members of the Second Pres-
byterian church of Mercer. Mr. Stranahan
conducts a general law practice in Harris-
burg and enjoys a large, growing and lucra-
tive business.
McCarrell, Samuel J. M., attorney-at-
law, was born in Buffalo township, Wash-
ington county. Pa. When a lad he attended
the common schools during the winter
months, and worked on a farm in summer
time. When old enough he went to the
neighboring town of Claysville, to clerk in
his uncle's store. While thus engaged, he
prepared himself for a course in college, and
440
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
in 1860 entered Washington College, from
which institution he was graduated in 1864
as first honor man of his class. The follow-
ing nine months he taught school as as-
sistant principal of Linsley Institute, at
Wheeling, W'. Va. Being an ambitious
young man, he spent his spare hours read-
ing law with a Mr. McKennan, of Wheeling.
In August, of 1865, Mr. McCarrell moved to
Harrisburg, where he completed his study
of law with Hon. David Fleming. He was
admitted to practice at the Dauphin county
bar in November, 1866, and shortly there-
after entered into partnership with his pre-
ceptor under the firm name of Fleming &
McCarrell. At the death of Mr. Fleming,
the vast practice was continued by Mr. Mc-
Carrell, who to-day enjoys the lucrative re-
sults of his earnest labors. As a politician
he ranks high, having served the Republi-
can party in various ways. For two terms,
between the years 1881-1887, he ably dis-
charged the onerous duties of district attor-
ney for Dauphin county. In 1888 he was
elected and served as a delegate to the Re-
publican National Convention which nomi-
nated Benjamin Harrison for President of
the United States. Mr. McCarrell was nomi-
nated by acclamation for State senator in
1892, and was elected by an unusually large
majority. During his entire term lie has
figured on most of the important com-
mittees, and all of his speeches have been
accorded the deference due to the utterances
of a gentleman of highest attainments and
renown.
Young, John Wesley, lawyer, son of
Josiah Carothers and Mary (Kinter) Young,
was born October 11, 1846, at Rockville,
Dauphin count}'^. Pa. He was educated in
the public schools of Harrisburg, read law
in the office of David Fleming, and was ad-
mitted to the Dauphin county bar January
21, 1868. From 1871 to 1874 he was clerk
to the county commissioners, and from 1877
to 1883 solicitor of the county of Dauphin.
He was chosen as a member of the board of
school control in 1876; was president of that
body from 1877 to 1882 continuously, and
iu 1886 was elected secretary of the same.
He was a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No.
64, F. & A. M., of Harrisburg, in which he
was past master, and also a member of Lodge
No. 68, I. 0. 0. F. He was married, No-
vember 1, 1871, to Miss Carrie M. Peters,
daughter of Benjamin S. Peters, of Harris-
burg. Their children were: Clara P. and B-
Frank. In politics Mr. Young was a Repub-
lican, and attended the Zion Lutheran
church, in which he was formerly a deacon.
Hargest, Thomas S., attorney-at-law, was
born in Baltimore county, Md., November
24, 1846, son of William E. and Rachel
(Taylor) Hargest, both natives of Maryland,
and of English ancestry. His boyhood
days were spent in Baltimore city and Bal-
timore county, where he received but an
ordinary common school education. His
attendance at school stopped at the age of
fourteen years, when he was removed with
his parents to Wilmington, Del. From
thence forward he was put to work in the
market gardens of his father, raising and
preparing vegetables for the market. In the
winter of 1861-62 he was brought with his
parents to Harrisburg, and continued at
work in the truck patches on one of the
farms now embraced in the eastern portion
of the city, and on part of which his resi-
dence now stands. In the autumn of 1863,
after the retreat of General Milroy from
Winchester, Va., and the raid of the rebel
army into Pennsylvania, when but seven-
teen years old, having obtained military
transportation for thirty-two men, which he
mustered for the purpose, he took them to
Washington, and entered the army as a
wagon master. At Charleston, W. Va., he
was transportation clerk in the depot quar-
termaster's ofBce. The fall and winter of
1864 found him. at Martinsburg, W. Va., as
an assistant brigade wagon master, furnish-
ing supplies to Sheridan's army, then occu-
pying the Shenandoah Valley, as far up as
Strasburg, from the military depot at Mar-
tinsburg. After the end of open hostilities,
he was discharged from the service at Ste-
phenson's Station, Frederick county ,Va. He
then went to Winchester, Va., and there be-
gan the study of the law, the rudiments of
classics and general literature, investing all
his savings and earnings in books. He had
no preceptor. On August 6, 1867, after
a personal examination before two of the
circuit court judges, the venerable Richard
Parker, who presided at the trial of John
Brown and his compatriots and sentenced
them to be hung for their misguided treason
against the State in attempting the forcible
emancipation of the slaves, and Judge John
T. Harris, who afterwards, for several terms,
represented the Virginia Valley of the Shen-
^^^-^
^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
441
andoah in Congress, he began the practice
of his profession at "Winchester, Va.
In 1868 he was appointed Common-
wealth's attorney for the county of Shen-
andoah, in place of Hon. Mark Bird, who,
though elected bj' the people of his county,
was incapacitated by the fourteenth amend-
ment to the Constitution of the United
States. Mr. Hargest made him his deputy,
and gave him the fees and emoluments of
the office. After the retirement of Judge
John T. Harris, under the provisions of the
fourteenth amendment, he was appointed,
early in 1869, his successor as judge of the
Twelfth judicial circuit of Virginia, by tlie
then military governor of the State, the la-
mented Gen. E. R. S. Canby, who was lured
to a peace conference with the Indians, and
treacherously murdered by the notorious
Indian chief. Captain Jack. He served as
judge of the Twelfth judicial circuit of
Virginia, and on the District Court of Ap-
peals, until the admission of the State to
representation in Congress, when he, with
all the other judges of the State, was legis-
lated off the bench by the adoption of the
new Constitution. He resumed practice at
Winchester, remaining there until the death
of his father, which occurred in the fall of
1872, when he removed to Harrisburg. In
1876 he was elected city solicitor of the city
of Harrisburg, and continued in office by
re-election until 1890, when he retired from
office and returned to general practice.
After leaving office he was engaged as
special counsel for the city in the important
litigation with the passenger railway com-
panies, which embraced a number of suits in
equitj^, involving the rights of the city over
its streets as against the companies. These
he mainly conducted to a successful termina-
tion, when the city's sovereignty over the
streets was yielded. Judge Hargest was
married, at Winchester, Va., April 3, 1867,
to Virginia Dieffenderfer, a native of Vir-
ginia, daughter of William and Harriet
Dieffenderfer, both natives of that State,
and of German ancestry. To this union
were born two children : William M. and
lone Leila, wife of E. L. King, attorney-at-
law, of Harrisburg. Mrs. Hargest died at
Harrisburg, August 13, 1886. In politics
Judge Hargest has always been a consistent
Republican. The parents of Judge Hargest
had born to them seven children, but three
of whom are now living : Thomas S., John
J., residing in the northern part of the city,
and Jefferson S., of Susquehanna township,
a short distance above the city, both of whom
are agriculturalists.
McPherson, John Bayard, was born No-
vember 5, 1846, at Harrisburg, Pa. He re-
ceived his early education at the Harrisburg
Academy and in the schools of Sidney, Ohio,
where he resided from 1858 to 1862; he en-
tered Princeton College in August, 1862,
from which institution he graduated in 1866.
He studied law with John Hanna Briggs,
in Harrisburg, and with Scammon, McCagg
& Fuller, in Chicago, and was admitted to
the Dauphin county bar in January, 1870 ;
he was elected district attorney in 1874 and
served during the years 1875, 1876, 1877.
A portion of the time he was in law partner-
ship with Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, and af-
terwards with Lyman D. Gilbert. In Feb-
ruary, 1882, he was appointed by Governor
Hoyt to fill a vacancy in the office of addi-
tional law judge of the Twelfth judicial dis-
trict, caused by the resignation of Judge
Henderson, and the consequent promotion
of Judge Simonton to the president judge-
sliip, and, in November, 1882, he was elected
without opposition to the same place. Judge
McPherson married, December 30, 1879,
Annie Cochran Patterson, daughter of Judge
David W. Patterson and Mary Slaymaker,
of Lancaster, Pa.
Nead, Benjamin Matthias, comes of
good old Pennsylvania German stock. He
is the eldest son of Benjamin Franklin Nead
and Ellen Wunderlich Nead, and the grand-
son of Matthias Nead, who over half a cen-
tury ago was prominently identified with
the political and business history of Frank-
lin county. The father, Benjamin Franklin
Nead, was for upwards of forty years actively
engaged in business in tiie borough of Cham-
bersburg, for the major portion of the time
being one of the firm of Wunderlich & Nead,
which was among the pioneers in the old
time forwarding and commission business.
Franklin Nead, as he was commonly called,
and Daniel K. Wunderlich, the other mem-
ber of the firm and an uncle of Benjamin
M., were prominent among that little coterie
of enterprising and active business men, to
whom belong the credit of having built p
the little village of Chambersburg frorn an
ordinary country town into the enterprising
and thriving borough which it was when
the blight of the Civil war fell upon it.
442
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Benjamin Matthias Nead was born in An-
trim township, Franklin county, not far from
the town of Greencastle, on the 14th of July,
1847, and the following year was removed
to Chambersburg, where his father and
mother then took up their abode. His pre-
liminary education began in the Chambers-
burg Academy, continued during the last
year of the war under the private tutelage
of the Rev. James F. Kennedy, of Chambers-
burg. He then took a year at the New
Haven Hopkins' grammar school, followed
by a four years' course in Yale University,
from which institution he graduated in 1870.
After his graduation Mr. Nead returned
to Chambersburg and studied law in the
office of the Hon. Francis M. Kimmel, ex-
judge of that judicial district, and was ad-
mitted to practice in the several courts of
Franklin county on June 4, 1872. He con-
tinued the practice of his profession at the
bar of his native county until the year 1875,
when he was appointed to take charge of the
State tax desk in the office of the auditor
general of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
vania at Harrisburg. This position held
until 1881, when in May of that year he re-
tired to resume the practice of his profession
in the city of Harrisburg, where he has con-
tinued in active practice ever since.
The practical knowledge of State tax law
acquired by Mr. Nead, through his service
in the auditor general's department, led him,
upon his retirement from that service, to
make a specialty of practice in State tax and
corporation cases, before the departments of
government and in the State courts at Har-
risburg. In this practice he has been largely
successful and has made for himself a repu-
tation throughout the State in this line of
business. He is a local counsel at Harris-
burg for a number of corporations, and has
been employed in a number of important
cases, notably the cases in which the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania enjoined the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company from the
purchase of the South Pennsj'lvania and
Beech Creek railroads, and the suits insti-
tuted by the Commonwealth against the
counties of Philadelphia and Allegheny to re-
cover large amounts of fees claimed by the
State. In the former cases he was associated
with Attorney General Cassidy, and in the
other suits with Attorney Generals Hensel
and McCormick, on behalf of the Common-
wealth.
In addition to his services in the account-
ing departments, Mr. Nead has represented
the State in a number of other capacities.
Onthecommissionofwhich the Hon. Thomas
V.Cooper was chairman, appointed to revise
the revenue laws of the Commonwealth, and
report a new system of taxation to the Leg-
islature of 1883, Mr. Nead served by special
appointment and gave the commission the
benefit of his knowledge of the tax laws of
the State, and the experience acquired by
him in the practical work of their execution.
He was also a member and secretary of the
commission of six expert accountants ap-
pointed by Governor Pattison, under the act
of 1883, to devise a new system of keeping
the accounts of the State.
During the two terms of Governor Patti-
son's incumbency in office, Mr. Nead also
filled by his appointment the position of
State financial agent for Pennsylvania at
Washington.
In September, 1894, Mr. Nead was ap-
pointed by the comptroller of currency, at
Washington, to take charge as receiver of the
defunct National Bank of Middletown, Pa.,
and to settle up its affairs. In the adminis-
tration of this trust and the allied trusts
which accompanied it, and in the practice
of his increasing legal profession he is now
actively engaged.
Mr. Nead was twice married, 1875, to Lib-
bie J. Hayes, youngest daughter of David
Hayes, of Shippensburg, who died in 1883,
leaving to survive her, two sons : Benjamin
Frank Nead, born 1877, and Robert Hayes
Nead. born 1880. In 1892 Mr. Nead mar-
ried Annie E. Zollinger, the youngest daugh-
ter of the late Nicholas Zollinger, of Harris-
burg.
In the field of literature Mr. Nead has at-
tained no inconsiderable reputation. In
the earlier years of his residence in Harris-
burg he was the trusted political correspond-
ent of a number of leading Democratic
newspapers in the country. During the year
1887 he was the editor-in-chief of the Har-
risburg Daily Patriot, and subsequently,
1888-89, in connection with his brother, DV
Daniel W. Nead, owned and edited the Har-
risburg Ifornin^ Call. Endowed with a love
of historical research, his leisure time has
been much devoted to the preparation and
publication of a number of historical sketches,
monographs and compilations, the principal
of which are: " Historical Sketches of Frank-
lin County, Pennsylvania;" "Historical
Notes on the Early Government and Legisla-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
443
tive Councils of Pennsylvania (1628-1722),"
and "A Brief Review of the Financial History
of Pennsylvania, and of the Methods of Au-
diting Public Accounts (1682-1881 )." In ad-
dition to these he has written quite a number
of newspaper and magazine sketches of an
historical character, and has delivered inter-
esting addresses before the " Pennsylvania
German Society" and the "Scotch-Irish
Congress of America." He is a member of
the Pennsj'lvania State Historical Society,
and of the Dauphin County Historical So-
ciety. Also, of the Pennsylvania German
Society and of the Pennsylvania Sons of the
Revolution.
To the literature of his profession Mr.
Nead has also been a painstaking contribu-
tor. One of a commission of three, he as-
sisted in the compilation of the " Colonial
and Provincial Laws of Pennsylvania," prior
to that time unpublished, covering the yeais
1676 to 1700. This work was published by
the State. He is also the author and pub-
lisher of " Nead's Guide to County Officers,"
a compendium of general and special laws,
governing the assessment and collection of
State taxes.
In politics Mr. Nead has alwaj's been an
ardent Democrat, being descended from old
Democratic stock, and has taken an active
part in political work during the past twenty-
five years, either through his connection
with the organization of the party or upon
the stump. He was chairman of the Demo-
cratic committee of Franklin county during
the exciting Greely and Buckalew campaigns
in 1872. He was secretary,by appointment,
of the Democratic State Committee, under
chairman John Miller, in 1874, and when
the new rules for the party were adopted in
1887, and the office of permanent secretary
was created, Mr. Nead was elected to fill the
office which he did so acceptably, that he
held the office by re-election for seven suc-
cessive years, when under the rules of the
party lately adopted the office was made an
appointive one under the State chairman.
In 1894 Mr. Nead was tendered the unani-
mous nomination for Congress by the con-
ference representing the Democracy of the
Fourteenth Congressional district of Penn-
sylvania, consisting of the counties of Dau-
phin, Lebanon and Perry. Having just been
appointed a bank receiver, with exacting
duties, he was compelled to decline the
honor conferred upon him.
Chamberlin, James L, attorney-at-law,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Milton, North-
umberland county. Pa., November 13, 1847.
He is a son of Moses and Jane H. (Watson)
Chamberlin. He was reared in Milton and
educated in the Milton Academy ai¥d at Dick-
inson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. He took
a preparatory course at Tuscarora Academy,
Juniata county. Pa., and was graduated from
the academical department of Yale College
in the class of 1873. He read law with Hon.
Wayne MacVeagh, of Harrisburg, and was
admitted to the Dauphin county bar April
29, 1875. He at once entered upon the
practice of law in Harrisburg, and has se-
cured an extensive business.
Mr. Chamberlin's political views are Re-
publican. He served for five years in the
board of city schools and as president one
year. He is a stockholder in the Steelton
Flouring Mill Company, the First National
Bank of Harrisburg and the Common-
wealth Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit
Company. He is prominently identified
with the Jackson Manufacturing Company,
of which he was the president for twelve
years. He is also interested in many other
industries of the cit}'.
Mr. Chamberlin was first married to Miss
Eliza J., daughter of John and Maria Halde-
man, of Harrisburg. She died June 22,
1881, leaving one child, Maria Haldeman
Chamberlin. His second marriage, Decem-
ber 25, 1895, was to Miss Jean Bosler, daugh-
ter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Herman Bosler, of
Carlisle, Pa.
Mitchell, William, lawyer, son of Joseph
and Elizabeth (Zearing) Mitchell, was born
September 17, 1814, in Harrisburg, Pa. He
was educated in Dickinson College prepara-
tory school and took a partial course in
Dickinson College, where he studied civil
engineering. He was prothonotary of the
Court of Common Pleas and clerk of the Quar-
ter Sessions of Dauphin county two terms,
1855-61. He married, March 15, 1849, An-
gelica, daughter of Christian and Mary F.
Ehiman, and their children are: Mary
Augusta, who married Rev. S. Hubbard
Hoover, William Sullivan, Ehrman Burk-
man and Samuel Morton. Ehrman B.
Mitchell, son of the foregoing, was born
April 11, 1854, in Harrisburg, Pa. He was
graduated from Dickinson College in 1874,
and admitted to the Dauphin county bar in
444
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1875. He was elected prothonotary and
clerk of the Quarter Sessions of Dauphin
county in 1879, and re-elected in 1882.
MiTCHHLL, Ehrman B., attomey-at-Uiw,
was born April 11, 1854, in Harrisburg, Pa.,
son of William and Angelica (Ehrman)
Mitchell. He received his literary education
in the public schools of his native city and
at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., having
been graduated from the latter institution in
1874. After completing his law studies he
was admitted to the Dauphin county bar in
1875, and has since practiced his profession
in this city. Mr. Mitchell very successfully
and efficiently performed the duties of pro-
thonotary of the Court of Common Pleas
from 1879 to 1886, and also served as cl§rk
of the Quarter Sessions Court. Mr. Mitchell
was attorney for and one of the directors in
the organization of the Harrisburg Electric
Light Company, and is at present a director
in the Guarantee Safe Deposit Company, of
Harrisburg, and the Harrisburg Steam Heat
and Power Company. In politics he is a
Republican, and takes an active interest in
party matters. He is identified with the
Masonic order. His marriage occurred in
1892 with Regina Calder, daughter of Will-
iam Calder. He and his family belong to
Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
Pearson, William, attorney-at-law and
prothonotary of Middle district of Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania, and prothonotary of
the Harrisburg district of the Superior Court
of Pennsylvania, was born in Harrisburg,
August 9, 1854, son of John J. Pearson, late
judge of this judicial district, and of Mary
H. (Briggs) Pearson, the latter still living
and residing in Harrisburg. He received
his primary education and was prepared for
college in the city schools and the Harris-
burg Academy, and was afterwards grad-
uated from the college at Princeton, N. .J., in
the class of 1876. His professional studies
were pursued under the direction of his dis-
tinguished father, and he was admitted to
the bar of Dauphin county in 1876, and to
practice in the Superior Court of Pennsyl-
vania, May 17, 1880. His appointment to
the office of prothonotary was made January
1, 1882. Mr. Pearson is unmarried. In his
political views he is a Republican.
Herman, John Armstrong, attorney-at-
law, was born in Cumberland countj% Pa.,
November 28, 1853. He is a son of Chris-
tian B. and Mary (Armstrong) Herman, both
natives of Cumberland county, the former of
whom died in April, 1863 ; the latter still
survives and makes her home with her son
in Harrisburg. His great-grandfather on
his mother's side. Gen. John Armstrong, was
a major general in the Revolutionary war,
and the great-grandfather, Martin Herman,
was also a Revolutionary soldier. The par-
ents were earlj"^ settlers in Cumberland county.
The father in early life was engaged in
agricultural pursuits, but during his latter
days led a retired life on the old Herman
homestead near New Kingston, Cumberland
county. The parents had born to them
three children, of whom John A. is the only
one living, a brother and sister having died
in infancy. The father was a very popular
man in his region. John A. received his
primary education in the public schools of
his native county. He also attended the
Edgehill School at Princeton, N. J., and was
graduated from Princeton University with
the class of 1874. He entered the office of
Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, Hon. John D. Mc-
Pherson and Hon. Lyman D. Gilbert, of
Harrisburg, and read law for over two years.
In the spring of 1877 he was admitted to the
bar of Dauphin county and has practiced
here since that time. Mr. Herman is un-
married. In politics he is Republican. He
is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70,
I. 0. 0. F., the Society of Colonial Wars of
New York and Pennsylvania, Sons of the
Revolution of Pennsylvania, and of Dau-
phin County Historical Society. He attends
the Market Square Presbyterian church. He
is a popular and successful attorney and
is secretarj' and treasurer of the McKee
Water Company, secretary of the Cumber-
land Water Company, and also secretary of
the Hagerstown Railway Company.
KuNKEL, George, attorney-at-law, was
born at Harrisburg, Pa., March 11, 1855.
He was educated at the academies conducted
respectively by Professors Gauze and Seller,
of Harrisburg, and at Franklin and Mar-
shall College, Lancaster, from which latter
institution he was graduated in 1876 as sec-
ond honor man of his class, having been
designated to deliver tlie Franklin oration.
Choosing the law for his profession he pur-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
445
sued his studies in that science under the
tutorship of Hon. J. W. Simonton. In 1878,
two years after his graduation from college,
he was admitted to the bar of Dauphin
county, and forthwith entered upon the ac-
tive practice of his profession, and with suc-
cessful results that at once demonstrated his
fitness for his chosen calling. Engaging in
important cases his practice soon led him
from the lower courts into the Supreme
Court, where his comprehensive knowledge
of the law and his extraordinary faculty for
concise and forcible reasoning brought him
exceptional success.
Some years after his admission to the bar
Mr. Kunkel paid a visit to England and
availed himself of the opportunity to study
the conduct and methods of the English
courts. He attended the session of every
court from the Nisi Prius to the court of the
House of Lords. He familiarized himself
with the practice in all of them and gath-
ered knowledged that has stood him in good
stead in his home practice. In 1885, after
one of the most exciting contests ever
had in the county, he was made the can-
didate for district attorney by the Re-
publican party, and was elected by a
handsome majority. His administration of
the office exceeded the expectation of his
friends and won for him high commenda-
tions from his fellow-members of the bar. In
1888 he was unanimously renominated and
was re-elected by the unprecedented majority
of 3,700, receiving 1,600 majority in Harris-
burg, his home. He brought to the admin-
tration of his second term the experience
gathered in the first, conducting the business
with marked ability and retiring from the
office with the confidence and respect 'of his
fellow-citizens, which was shortly afterwards,
in 1892, manifested by his choice as the can-
didate of the Republican party to represent
the city of Harrisburg in the State Legisla-
ture. Although opposed bj' a most popular
Democrat for this office, and in the face of
the fact that he had been placed upon the
ticket to fill a vacancy caused by death only
a few days prior to the election, Mr. Kunkel
was elected by a majority of over seven hun-
dred.
In the House he at once attracted atten-
tion by his courtesy, ability and attention to
business, and soon won the esteem and con-
fidence of his associates. His committee
work has been of great service and his judg-
ment upon legislation generally accepted by
members with entire satisfaction. In 1894
he eclipsed all previous records by securing
a plurality of over 2,400 for re-election. This
more than anything else attested his high
standing both as a legislator and a man.
Mr. Kunkel was a formidable candidate for
speaker of the House of Representatives at
the last session. He gave way, however, to
his opponent for the sake of harmony. His
popularity was evidenced b}' his appointment
as chairman of the committee on insurance
and a member of the judiciary general, city
passenger railways, ways and means, and
railroad committees. At present writing
(1896) Mr. Kunkei's friends are rejoicing
over another political victory won by him
which gives him the Republican nomination
for a third term as representative for the city
of Harrisburg in the lower house of the Leg-
islature.
If Mr. Kunkei's success has been phe-
nomenal it is none the less permanent and
deserved. His sense of honor, his perse-
verance, his honest}^, his tenacity, all that
render him effective and reliable, he has
made the principal points of his life's work.
He is a steady and uniform friend of hu-
manity. Much of his success in public is
due to his quick and ready perception of
facts and a memory unusually tenacious
and retentive, and his remarkable power to
rapidly draw logical conclusions, which is
one of the strongest points of the lawyer.
With his strong voice and splendid ph}'-
sique, Mr. Kunkel is deservedly popular as
a public speaker. Naturally intelligent and
widely read, he is rich in illustration and
both pi'ofessionally and politically he is
classed among the first orators in the State.
In his conduct of criminal cases, and he has
been connected with those of the greatest
importance at this and neighboring bars,
his arguments show him to be a master in
marshalling facts, while powerful and con-
vincing in the presentation of the salient
points to a jury.
The law firm of Kunkel & Millar, of
which Mr. Kunkel is the senior and leading
member, is recognized as one of the foremost
at the Dauphin county bar. Politically,
Mr. Kunkel is a Republican and has always
advocated the principles of that party. He
has considered it a duty to study the leading
questions of the day, so as to be able to dis-
cuss them intelligently; thus, and through
his active participation in the contests of
his party, he has come to be recognized as
446
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
a leader both in local and State politics at
the present time.
In his home life Mr. Kunkel is most
happy. In the fall of 1891 he was married
to Miss Mae Minster, of West Philadelphia,
and their union has been blessed with three
children, three bright little boys : George, Jr.,
William Minster, and Daniel Herr.
Alleman, John Sylvanus, attorney-at-
law, son of Samuel and Ann Elizabeth
(Holman) Alleman, was born at Harrisburg,
Pa., May 22, 1855. He is a descendant of
distinguished paternal, as well as maternal,
German ancestry.
His great-great-grandfather, John Chris-
tian Alleman, came to America with two
brothers, Hiram (or Hermon) and John
Friederich Christian, from Hamburg, on the
ship Leathley, Captain John Lickley, and
took the oath of allegiance to the then gov-
ernment, on September 19, 1753. He settled
in what was then Swatara township, Lan-
caster county. Pa., and died, July 4, 1790.
His tombstone is still to be seen in the Lu-
theran churchyard at Middletown, Pa.
His son, John Alleman, great-grandfather
of John S., was a distinguished Revolution-
ary soldier, in the company of Capt. Joseph
Sherer, Fourth battalion, of Lancaster
county, commanded by Col. James Burd,
and in the New Jersey campaign of the
spring and summer of 1776 frequently met
the British, particularly in a severe cavalry
charge at Amboy. After the independence
of the United States had been secured, he
settled down to the peace and quiet of agri-
cultural pursuits, on a farm located about
three miles east of Middletown, having for
his neighbors the Crouches, Eshenours and
Jordans. He acquired prominence and in-
fluence among those sturdy early settlers,
and at his decease left an estate valued at
nearly $20,000, which, in those times, was
no insignificant sum. He was also pos-
sessed of lands in Ohio, receiving a patent
for the same from President James Madison.
He was married to Barbara Eshenour, and
died, October 16, 1811, leaving a numerous
family, among whom was his son, John Al-
leman, a farmer, born October 22, 1793, and
who died in 1865. The latter was married,
July 16, 1816, to Elizabeth Mockert.
From this marriage sprang Samuel Alle-
man, father of John S., who was born Feb-
ruary 2, 1818, and who, by close application
and assiduous industry, earned for himself a
liberal education at Pennsylvania College,
Gettysburg. He was admitted to the prac-
tice of law at the bar of Dauphin county,
August 19, 1845 ; to the Supreme Court, of
Pennsylvania, June 22, 1848 ; was deputy
secretary of the Commonwealth under Gov.
Francis Shunk; moved in 1856 with his
family to Snyder county, then newly organ-
ized; was superintendent of public schools
there in 1862; elected member of the Legis-
lature in 1864-65 ; was collector of internal
revenue of the Fourteenth district; and,
after enjoying the confidence and esteem of
his fellow-citizens for many long, years, his
life-work ended by ■ his death, February 28,
1881.
On May, 18, 1846, he married Ann Eliza-
beth Holman, whose ancestry in America
dates back to the very dawn of the eigh-
teenth centur3% when we find them embark-
ing for the New World from Amsterdam.
She was the oldest child of Samuel Holman,
architect and builder, of Harrisburg, Pa.,
and who was a soldier of the war of 1812, in
Capt. Thomas Walker's company. First regi-
ment. First brigade, Pennsylvania militia,
under command of (!!ol. Maxwell Kennedy,
and who, when Harrisburg was threatened
in the perilous times of 1863, marched out
with the " Old Defenders " for the protection
of his home and family. His son, William
S. Holman, was in the service of the Federal
Government on board the " Monitor," when
she foundered off Cape Hatteras, but es-
caped with the rest of the crew to the " Iron-
sides."
John S. Alleman, when but an infant,
was taken to Middleburg, the county seat of
Snyder county, spending his boyhood days
there, until Februaryyl865, when his father
removed to Selin's Grove, and purchased
the old Governor Snyder stone mansion,
built about 1817. There he received his
primary education at the Missionary Insti-
tute, preparing himself for Pennsylvania
College, at Gettysburg, which he entered in
the fall of 1872, and from which he gradu-
ated with honor in the class of '76, of which
he was the class historian, and received the
degree of B. A. Three years later the same
institution conferred upon him the degree
of M. A.
In the autumn of 1876 he began reading
law in the offices of his father, and in the
fall of 1877 entered the law department of
the University of Pennsylvania, at Phila-
delphia, having as his preceptor the late
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
447
E. Spencer Miller, He was graduated from
the University with the class of 1879, re-
ceiving the degree of LL. B. ; was admitted
to the bar of Philadelphia, June 14, 1879 ;
to the bar of Dauphin county, August 27,
1879 ; and to pi-actice before the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania, June 2, 1890.
By strict integrity, and manly indepen-
dence, he has built up an extensive practice,
frequently filling positions of great trust.
He began practice without financial assist-
ance, but by frugality and industry has
risen to a prominent position in his chosen
profession and in the community. He has
avoided politics.
October 11, 1882, he was married to Cor-
delia I. Domer, daughter of Rev. Samuel
Domer, D. D., of Washington, D. C. Mrs.
Alleman was born at Selin's Grove, and to
them have been born two sons: Coleridge
Domer, born October 9, 1883, died February
5,1894; and Roscoe Harold, born May 3,
1888.
Mr. Alleman is a staunch Republican in
politics, casting his first vote for President
Rutherford B. Hayes. The family are mem-
bers of the Fourth Street Lutheran church,
to which his paternal ancestors belonged at
its foundation, in 1785; and has represented
his church at various synodical conventions,
and being sent as a lay delegate from the
East Pennsylvania Synod to the General
Synod of the Lutheran Church, held at Ha-
gerstown, Md., June 5, 1895.
NissLEY, Harmon L., attorney-at-law, was
born at Landisville, Lancaster county. Pa.,
August 1, 1851. He is a son of Samuel E.
and Annie (Long) Nissley, the former of
Swiss origin, the latter of German. The
former died June 25, 1887, the latter No-
vember 15, 1863. , The father was a promi-
nent farmer of Lancaster county, where he
spent his life. The parents had ten chil-
dren. Those living are : Jonas L., Abra-
ham, Samuel, Harmon, Benjamin Franklin
and Lincoln, all of whom reside in Lancas-
ter excepting Harmon, who lives in Harris-
burg, and Lincoln, who lives in Los Angeles,
Cal. Harmon received his primary educa-
tion in the common schools of Lancaster
county, and also attended select schools at
Manheim and Lancaster and the Normal
School at Millersburg. He is a graduate of
the latter. He received his professional
training at the Columbia I^aw School, New
York City, graduating with the class of
1882. He read law with George H. Ervin.
He was admitted to the Dauphin county
bar December 26, 1882, and to Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania in 1885. lie was
married at Hagerstown, Md., February 10,
1892, to Clara J. Schindel, daughter of Louis
and Susan Schindel. Two children have
been born to them, namely, Dorothy S.,
born September 14, 1893, and Edwin S.,
born May 16, 1895. In political views Mr.
Nissley is a Republican. The family attend
the Lutheran church.
Wolfe, Leeoy J., attorney-at-law, was
born in Newberry township, York county.
Pa., September 18, 1858, and is a son of
Jacob B. and Anna E. (Landis) Wolfe, both
natives of Pennsylvania; the former de-
ceased, and the latter still surviving and re-
siding in Middletown, Pa. This family
consisted of four children, who lived to ma-
turity. Silas, who graduated from West
Point Military Academy in 1878, and is
now a captain in the regular army of the
United States, and Leroy J., are the only
surviving members. Those deceased are :
Addison L. and Catherine. Leroy J. was
educated in the public schools of York
county, the Academy, and graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1881.
He read law with John A. Burtin, Esq., of
Philadelphia, and was admitted to practice
at Dauphin county bar in 1882, to practice
in Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1885,
and to Supreme Court of United States in
1891.
He was married in New Cumberland, Pa.,
December 27, 1881, to Miss Tyrza B. Shoop,
daughter of Samuel J. and Sarah Shoop,
and to their union have been born two chil-
dren, Isabella S. and LeRoy S. In politi-
cal views Mr. Wolfe is a Republican, and
both he and Mrs. Wolfe are members of the
Presbyterian church.
Bergner, Charles Henry, attorney-at-
law, was born in Harrisburg, October 20,
1853, son of George and Catherine (Uhler)
Bergner. The father was born in Prussia
and came to Reading, Pa., where he learned
the trade of printing. He published a Ger-
man paper in Harrisburg, and was later con-
nected with the Telegraph, and was post-
master of Harrisburg for fifteen years. He
died August 5, 1874, and his wife died Jan-
uary 29, 1865. They had four children, two
of whom are living: Charles H. and Fred-
448
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
erick, both residing in Harrisburg. Charles
Henry received his education in public and
private schools, Harrisburg Academy, Edge-
hill Collegiate School and in Princeton Col-
lege. Having read law with Col. A. J. Herr,
at Harrisburg, he was admitted to the Dau-
phin county bar March 3, 1883, and to
practice in the Supreme Court the following
June, since which date he has conducted a
general practice in Harrisburg. He suc-
ceeded his father in the management of the
Harrisburg Telegraph in August, 1874, in
which he continued until 1881. Mr. Berg-
ner was married in New Bloomfield, Pa.,
April 26, 1877, to Annie V. Sponsler, daugh-
ter of William A. and Elizabeth Sponsler,
by whom he had four children : William S.,
Katherine, Elvina, and George. He is a
Republican in politics. The family attend
the Market Square Presbyterian church.
Fleming, George R., attorney-at-law, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., September 13, 1860.
He is a sou of David and Susan (Mowry)
Fleming. His early education was afforded
by the local schools, and he was prepared for
college at the Phillips Academy, Andover,
Mass. He was graduated from Princeton
College in the class of 1883. He read law
with his father and with Hon. S. J. M. McCar-
rell, and was admitted to the bar of Dau-
phin county in 1885. At the death of his
father he was made executor of the estate.
Mr. Fleming is connected with important
business interests of the city. He has served
as a director of the Harrisburg Foundry and
Machine Company, the Commonwealth Trust
and Safe Deposit Company, the Brelsford
Packing Company, the Steelton Electric
Light Company, and the Susquehanna Mu-
tual Fire Insurance Company ; vice-presi-
dent of the Harrisburg City Passenger Rail-
way Company, and treasurer of the Harris-
burg Grocery and Produce Company. Mr.
Fleming and his family are members of the
Market Square Presbyterian church ; he was
leader of the choir in that church for thir-
teen years. He is a Republican. Mr. Flem-
ing was married, October 10, 1890, to Miss
Eliza McCormick, daughter of Rev. T. H.
Robinson, D. D. They have two children :
Anna Margaretta and Susan Mowry. Dr.
Robinson, father of Mrs. Fleming, "was the
former able and honored pastor of the Mar-
ket Square Presbyterian church, Harrisburg.
For many years he filled the chair of sacred
rhetoric, church government and pastoral
theology in the Western Theological Semi-
nary at Pittsburgh, Pa.
NissLEY, John C, lawyer, was born near
Hummelstown, Pa., February 8, 1856. His
lineage is traced in the following history of
one branch of the Nissley family now re-
siding in Dauphin county :
Jacob Nissley was the pioneer of the Niss-
ley family who came to Lancaster county in
1719, when Lancaster county was composed
of Dauphin and Lebanon counties as one,
and was naturalized in 1729. His offspring
are as follows : Jacob, John (known as flans)
and Henry. John, or Hans, had the follow-
ing children: Michael, Abraham, Rev. John,
who was married to Miss flerzler, and was
born in 1746 and died in 1825 ; Jacob, Rev.
Samuel, Martin, Fannie. The Rev. John
Nissley. who resided in Paxtang, Dauphin
county, iiad the following children : Jacob,
whose wife was a Miss Nissley; John, whose
wife was a MissOber; Martin, whose wife
was a Miss Landis, and who was born in
1786 and died in 1868 ; Maria, her husbands
being Frantz and Rudy. John, whose wife,
as noted above, was a Miss Ober, had two
children: Christian, who was married to
Nancy Funk, of Lebanon, and who lived
and died in Derry township on the home-
stead now occupied by Edward Stover, whicli
is known as Stoverdale; Frances Nissley, who
was married to Samuel Neidig, whom she
survived with one child, Mary, who is now
the widow of Samuel Bowman, of Lebanon
county, and resides with her daughter, Mrs.
William H. Ulrich, of flnmmelstown, Dau-
phin county, Pa., her second husband being
Abraham Landis, of Derry township, with
whom she had four cbildren : Mrs. John
Carmany, Mrs. W. Etter and Mrs. Joseph
Rudy, of Harrisburg, Dauphin county, and
one son. Christian Landis, who was drowned
in the Swatara creek, near Middletown, Dau-
phin county. Pa. Christian Nissley, who
married Nancy Funk, had the following
children : Mary, widow of Isaac Mauma, of
Highspire, Joseph, residing near Hummels-
town, Dauphin county, John J., Christian,
now deceased, Martin, Samuel, a doctor, re-
siding in Elizabethtown, Lancaster county,
Levi and Annie, both residing in the bor-
ough of Middletown, and not married.
Joseph Nissley was married to Annie
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
451
Ober, of near Elizabethtown, Lancaster
county. They have the following children :
Agnes, wife of Joseph L. Brandt, Esq., cash-
ier of the Exchange Bank of Marietta, Pa.;
Isaac 0. Nissley, editor of the Middletown
Weekly Press, married to Emma Brunner,
daughter of William E. Brunner, of Camp-
bellstown, Lebanon county. Pa.; John C.
Nissley, an attorney-at-law of the bar of
Dauphin county; Annie 0., wife of Abraham
L. Etter, editor and publisher of the daily
Journal, of Middletown, Dauphin county,
Pa.; Christian G. Nissley, ex-editor of the
Tyrone Weekly Times in Blair county, Pa.,
now of Harrisburg, Pa., who is married to
Caroline Kunkel, daughter of George Z. and
Isabella Kunkel, of Harrisburg, Pa.
John C. Nissley was engaged in such oc-
cupations as usually fall to a boy's lot on
the farm until he had attained the age of
sixteen years. His primary education was
such as he could get in the public schools,
and prepared him to teach school. He
taught in the schools of Dauphin county for
four years. He then entered the State
Normal School at Shippensburg, where he
spent several terms, then entered Indiana
State Normal School, Indiana county, Pa.,
where he prepared himself for college. In
1879 he entered Bucknell University, and
was graduated in 1883. He also received
from this institution the honorary degree of
Bachelor of Philosophy in 1891. In the law
office of Mumma & Shoop, Harrisburg, Pa.,
where he was a student, he laid the founda-
tion for the success which has marked his
career at the bar. He was admitted to the
bar in 1886, and began his practice of law
with the late Elias Hollinger. During the
first years of his practice Mr. Nissley found
time to prepare a series of popular lectures.
Of his lecture on •' Great Men " Dr. Edward
Brooks, of Philadelphia, has said : "It is a
worthy effort, spicy, practical, interesting,
and executed in a pleasing manner, with un-
usual vigor and earnestness." Thoroughly
familiar with the intricacies of his profession
Mr. Nissley is well qualified to give advice
on matters of law. He is a clear thinker
and a forcible and graceful speaker. As a
criminal lawyer he has won many laurels.
He was associated with Mr. Backenstoe as
counsel for Undergus, the Powell's Valley
criminal, who was tried for murder, but
escaped the penalty of that crime, and was
found guilty, instead, of assault and battery.
He is widely known and deservedly popular.
32
With his father's political faith he has in-
herited also his father's independence.
Detweiler, Meade D., was born in Mid-
dletown, Dauphin county. Pa., October 15,
1863, and is descended from a Pennsylva-
nia German family. His paternal ancestors
are among the pioneers of Dauphin county,
his grandfather having settled here some
time in 1700. His father, Samuel Det-
weiler, is a native of Dauj)hin county. He
was a popular hotelkeeper at Middletown,
and subsequently came to Harrisburg, where
he was for many years in the same business,
from which he retired in 1880, and since
that date has had his residence in this city.
He married Elizabeth Matter, a native of
Lebanon county, by whom he had five chil-
dren, Meade D. being the fourth in the order
of their birth. Meade D. was scarcely ten
years 'of age when he was brought by his
parents to Harrisburg, where he has been
living for the past twenty-two years. He
attended the public schools of the city and
advanced to the junior year of the high
school, after which he entered Pennsylvania
College at Gettysburg and was graduated
with the first honors of his class in 1884.
Having received his diploma, conferring
upon him the degree of B. A., he returned
to Harrisburg and began the study of law
with Hall & Jordan, and within two years
was admitted to practice. Immediately upon
his admission to the bar in 1886, he began
his professional work with ardor and in-
dustry, and was soon busily occupied with
the duties of an active and successful prac-
tice in both the criminal and civil courts.
He is a member of the bar of the Supreme
Court and of the United States Court.
The phenomenal success of Mr. Detweiler
as an attorney is due to the high order of in-
tellectual powers with which he is endowed,
the thorough and generous culture he has
given to his native gifts, by liberal educa-
tion and deep research, the candor and im-
partiality of his disposition, his studious
and business-like habits, his pleasing per-
sonality, and his force and fluency and grace
of speech. While busily engaged in per-
sonal and professional work, he has found
time to enter the broader fields of social and
public activities, where his ability and devo-
tion have been widely bestowed and warmly
appreciated. In political views he found
himself in sympathj' with the Republican
party, and has loyally given to this great
452
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
organization his time and talents in un-
stinted measure. The value of his service
in this connection has been recognized and
rewarded. The Republican State Committee
have enjoyed his services in every campaign
for several years, and have requested him to
speak as often as possible. He was for five
years chairman of the city committee, and
is the youngest man ever placed in that re-
sponsible position. The young Republicans
honored him in 1 888 by adopting his name for
the strong and influential organization still in
existence. In 1892 he was elected district at-
torney, defeating George Kunkel, and is one
of the youngest men elected to this ofiBce for
thirty years. His extensive criminal prac-
tice prepared him for an able and success-
ful administration of this office. During his
first term of office he prosecuted six murder
cases, and was successful in all of them. He
also tried a very important case in 'York
county, Pa. — the Painton murder case — in
which he made one of the most effective ad-
dresses ever delivered in a court room. In
recognition of his fidelity and ability he was
re-elected to the office in 1895 by one of the
largest majorities ever given in Dauphin
county, having more majority than his op-
ponent had votes. Mr. Detweiler is a large
stockholder in the Chestnut Street Market
Company and various other corporations.
He has also large real estate interests in the
city. In social circles his popularity is wide
and his standing high. He is a member of
the Harrisburg Club, " The Club," Social
Club, and is secretary and treasurer of the
Harrisburg Fishing Club. He also belongs
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Golden
Eagle, Knights of Malta, Red Men, Junior Or-
der United American Mechanics,and has held
the highest office in the Order of the Elks.
He was elected at Cincinnati, July 10, 1896,
Grand Exalted Ruler of the B. P. 0. Elks.
Mr. Detweiler was married in 1891 to Miss
Bertha, daughter of John Hoffer, of Harris-
burg. He and his wife are members of the
Market Square Presbyterian church. Few
men and attorneys of his age have won the
success or enjoyed the honors attained by
Mr. Detweiler. So bright a morning be-
tokens a brilliant noontide.
Olmsted, Marlin E.— Among the con-
spicuously prominent lawyers of the United
States, who have won both wealth and fame
at the bar, there is not one whose career is
more of an inspiration to the youth of to-
day than that of Marlin E. Olmsted, of Har-
risburg. There is no member of the legal
profession in Pennsylvania whose opinion
commands more respect in the several
courts of the Commonwealth, nor any whose
profound attainments are more universally
acknowledged by his professional brethren.
As a consummate master of corporation law
in all its intricate details, as an expert on all
questions of corporate taxation and as an
erudite constitutional lawyer, Marlin E.
Olmsted has no superior in this or any other
State. He has raised and victoriously sus-
tained in the highest court of the land more
novel legal propositions than any other mem-
ber of the Pennsylvania bar, and this high
degree of success has come to him solely as
a result of his own efforts, unaided by any
fortuitous conditions or any other influence
than^ his own pre-eminent ability. The
story of his life is valuable not only as illus-
trating what can be accomplished under our
American institutions, but as well for the
stimulating effect it will have upon many
young men struggling amid discouraging
surroundings. It conclusively disproves the
theory that luck plays an important part in
shaping the destiny of man, and demon-
strates beyond a question of doubt that in
the race of life only those win who make the
fullest use of the faculties with which they
are endowed. High purpose, lofty ambi-
tion, unswerving integrity, unyielding per-
severance and complete devotion to duty are
the only elements that enter into the mould-
ing of a notable career, and to these qualities
alone can be attributed the striking profes-
sional success of the subject of this sketch.
M. E. Olmsted was born in Ulysses town-
ship. Potter county. Pa. He is the descen-
dant of a long line of distinguished ances-
tors, frbm whom he has inherited many of
the traits of character which have contrib-
uted to his success in life. Daniel Olmsted,
his grandfather, married Lucy Schofield,
daughter of Lewis Schofield, whose wife was
the daughter of Deacon Young, and sister
of Colonel Young, of Saratoga, who filled
many important positions in his native
State— senator, judge, canal commissioner,
secretary of State and lieutenant governor.
Henry J. Olmsted, father of Marlin E., is
one of the most prominent and respected
citizens of Potter county, who has served
for twenty-two years as prothonotary and
clerk of. the courts of that county, having
DA UPHIN GO XINTI .
453
been once appointed- by the governor, and
seven times elected by the people. In 1876
he was nominated for State senator, but de-
clined to avoid complications arising out of
the fact that his friend, Hon. Sobieski Ross,
of the same county, was desirous of a re-
election to Congress. He married Evalena
Theresa Gushing, daughter of Lucas Gush-
ing, a descendant in direct line from
Matthew Gushing, of Hingham, England,
who came to America in 1638.
Both father and mother of Marlin E.
Olmsted were born in New York State, the
former at Masonville, and the latter at Ithaca.
Their parents moved to Potter county. Pa.,
where they formed the acquaintance that
resulted in their marriage.
Arthur G. Olmsted, president judge of the
Forty-eighth judicial district of Pennsyl-
vania, is an uncle of Marlin E. He served
with honor in both branches of the Legisla-
ture, was speaker of the House in 1865, and
was nominated by the Republican State
Convention for lieutenant governor in 1874.
The subject of this sketch attended the
public schools and the academy at Couders
port, Potter county. This was the extent of
his early educational advantages. When
Mr. Olmsted was a boy his uncle, Authur G.
Olmsted, was a leading lawyer in his section
of the State. The parents of the young man
desired that he should go to the bar and ar-
ranged with his uncle for -his instruction.
But the boy did not take kindly to the propo-
sition and began to look in other directions
for his life work. Through the influence of
his uncle, as well as in recognition of his
fitness, he was appointed to a clerkship in
the treasury department of Pennsylvania
bj' Robert W. Mackey, then State treasurer.
At the same time the late Capt. William B.
Hart, afterwards State treasurer, was ap-
pointed to a clerkship in the auditor gen-
eral's office by the late Governor John F.
Hartranft, then auditor general. Before the
two young men entered upon their duties an
arrangement was made whereby they ex-
changed positions and Mr. Olmsted was made
assistant corporation clerk in the auditor
general's office, J. Montgomery Forster being
the head of the bureau. At the expiration
of one year the office of insurance commis-
sioner was created and Mr. Forster appointed
to fill it. Olmsted was then promoted to
tbfe. rank of corporation clerk in the auditor
general's office, with the entire charge of the
assessment and collection of the millions of
dollars of tax raised annually by direct tax-
ation of corporations, though at the time he
was the youngest employee in years and ser-
vice in the department. When Gen. Har-
rison Allen was elected to succeed General
Hartranft, Mr. Olmsted was reappointed and
continued to serve until May, 1875, when
the succession of Justus F. Temple, a Demo-
crat, resulted in the removal of all the Re-
publican subordinates and the appointment
of Democrats in their places. Mr. Olmsted's
conduct of the office was at once an evidence
of the character of his early training and a
promise of what his after lif6 would be. State
Treasurer Mackey, who from his long public
service was very familiar with the duties of
the corporation clerk, and who was very
anxious that Mr. Olmsted should be retained
by General Temple in the interest of the pub-
lic-service, said on one occasion that he con-
sidered him, young as he was, an expert in
all matters of State taxation, whose retention
would have been worth hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars a year in taxes to the Com-
monwealth, and that the State could better
afford to pay him fifteen thousand dollars
per year than to lose his services. The news-
papers of the State spoke of his removal as a
positive detriment to the public service and
to the business interests of the State, but the
clamor of the politicians prevailed and Mr.
Olmsted gave way to a Democrat.
At the- time of his retirement from office
-Mr. Olmsted was offered three different polit-
ical positions and the cashiership of one
of the largest national banks in the interior
of the State, the First National Bank of
Honesdale, of which the late Samuel E.
Dimmick, then attorney general, was presi-
dent. Subsequently his uncle and father
proposed to start a private bank at Coude'rs-
port and tendered him the management of
it. But he had changed his ideas regarding
the law and determining to enter that pro-
fession began the study in the office of Hon.
John W. Simonton, of Harrisburg, now
president judge of the Twelfth judicial
district. He was admitted to the bar No-
vember 25, 1878.
His six years experience in the auditor
general's office had made him thoroughly
familiar with the complicated system of cor-
poration taxation|whereby the State of Penn-
sylvania raises nearly all its revenues and it
was perfectly natural that he should drift
into that line of practice. During his in-
cumbency of the office of corporation clerk
454
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
he was brought into personal contact with
the officers of nearly all the corporations
doing business in the State and was recog-
nized by them as being more familiar with
the various tax laws than any other man in
or 'out of the legal profession. Accordingly,
as soon as he was released from the office, he
was regularly retained by them to adjust
their tax accounts with the Commonwealth
and at once upon his admission to the bar
foand himself in the enjoyment of a large
and lucrative practice. He became and has
since remained the resident attorney at the
State Capital for many of the leading cor-
porations of the country. He was admitted
to practice in the Supreme Court of Penn-
sylvania in May, 1881, and in the Supreme
Court of the United States November 12,
1884.
The first case which he argued in the
Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin county
was that of the Corning, Cowanesque and
Antrim Railway Company, a case of very
considerable difficulty, in which he won a
complete victory. The result was so grati-
fying to Gen. George J. Magee, president of
the company, that he caused Mr. Olmsted
to be regularly retained, and he has ever
since been the legal representative at Har-
risburg of all the numerous corporations
with which General Magee is connected.
His first case in the State Supreme Court
was that of the Commonwealth vs. National
Mutual Aid Association, reported in 94 Pa.,
481, in which the claim of the State was en-
tirely defeated. His participation in the
argument of this case before the Supreme
Court was only through the courtesy of the
court, as he had not at that time been a
raembei of the bar for two years as was re-
quired by the rules of admission to the bar
of the Supreme Court.
One of the most important among his
earlier cases was that of the Commonwealth
vs. Texas and Pacific Railroad Company,
reported in 98 Pa., 90. In this case the
State endeavored to collect from the com-
pany a license tax of twelve thousand five
hundred dollars a year for having an office
in Pennsylvania, upon the ground that it
was a foreign and not a domestic corpora-
tion. Mr. Olmsted raised the novel defense
that a corporation created by Congress could
not be regarded as a foreign corporation but
must be treated as a domestic corporation in
each State. This position was sustained by
the Dauphin county court and affirmed by
the Supreme Court. The case was widely
reported and is cited in- all text books as a
leading one on the subject.
Another of his early and important cases
was that of the Commonwealth vs. Standard
Oil Company, reported in 101 Pa., 119, in
which the Commonwealth sought to collect
from the company over three million dol-
lars. The case was bitterly- contested on
both sides, and the Dauphin county court,
sustaining nearly all of Mr. Olmsted's posi-
tions, gave a judgment against the company
for only thirty-three thousand dollars, from
which both sides appealed to the Supreme
Court. The company succeeded in defeating
the Commonwealth's appeal, and on the
company's appeal, which was taken by Mr.
Olmsted on his own motion and argued
by him alone, the Supreme Court struck off
the penalty and the interest on the ground
that the several laws under which the tax
was claimed having been repealed, with the
reservation only of the right to collect ac-
crued taxes, the penalties fell with the re-
peal of the laws, so that the Commonwealth
finally recovered only twenty -two thousand
dollars. This was considered the most im-
portant tax case ever tried in the State, in-
volving a larger amount than any other, and
is a leading case upon a number of points.
A still more important case, however, was
that of Commonwealth vs. Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company, reported in 104 Pa., 89,
which involved the right of the State to hold
corporations liable for a tax imposed upon
their bondholders by the revenue acts of
1879 and 1881. The litigation began in
1879 and lasted until 1883, resulting in a
complete victory for the company, the Su-
preme Court declaring both acts inoperative
and void, so far as they attempted to hold
corporations responsible for the collection of
the tax; it being the first time in the history
of the Commonwealth in which the Supreme
Court had rendered a decision nullifying a
general tax law. The amount involved to
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company in
that case was ninety-eight thousand dollars
per annum, and the amount involved for
the various clients for which Mr. Olmsted
was . concerned and which the decision af-
fected was about one million dollars per year.
This case furnishes a striking illustration
of Mr. Olmsted's keen legal acumen. At
the beginning of the litigation there was
not a lawyer in the State who agreed as to
the wisdom of testing the law. The Penn-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
455
sylvania Railroad Cpmpany had paid into
the treasury over two hundred thousand dol-
lars without question, and numerous other
corporations had submitted to the law with-
out an effort to contest its validity. Two
successive attorneys general and their depu-
ties, all men of profound learning, had con-
tended with great skill against Mr. Olmsted's
position, which was, however, finally sus-
tained by the Supreme Court.
Among the many important cases in
which Mr. Olmsted was concerned was the
suit brought by the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania against the city of Philadelphia
to recover a tax of eight hundred thousand
dollars on account of two hundred million
dollars of mortgages alleged to be held in
that city which had not been returned for
taxation. Mr. Olmsted took a prominent
part in the argument of this case, and the
claim of the State was entirely defeated.
In the case of the Commonwealth vs. West-
inghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com-
pany, reported in 151 Pa., 265, Mr. Olmsted
established a principle of constitutional law
of the widest reach and utmost importance,
namely, immunity from State taxation or
control of patents or patent rights granted
by the United States to inventors. This
question had never before been raised and
its determination has resulted in the saving
of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Mr.
Olmsted's clients.
The first opinion delivered by the present
chief justice of the United States Supreme
Court, reported in 128 U. S., 39, was in the
case of the Commonwealth against the West-
ern Union Telegraph Company for taxes
upon receipts for messages crossing the State
lines. In this case the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania decided against the company,
but Mr. Olmsted succeeded in reversing that
decision on appeal to the Supreme Court of
the United States, and established the prin-
ciple that such business was inter-State com-
merce, the right to regulate which was ex-
clusively vested in Congress.
Mr. Olmsted's earlier practice was confined
almost exclusively to corporation tax busi-
ness, but his reputation as a profound law-
yer of infinite resources became so general
throughout the State that it was impossible
for him to resist the importunities of clients
in other branches of the law, and he was
compelled to widen its scope until it em-
braced corporation business of all kinds.
Among the first of his successes in this
broader field was in the case of the Com-
monwealth vs. The Beech Creek Railroad
Company, where the State interfered by in-
junction to prevent the sale of the defendant
company's stock to the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. The injunction was dis-
solved as to Mr. Olmsted's clients, but con-
tinued as to the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, thus preventing the deal.
In the several suits brought by the attor-
ney general in 1886 to dissolve the Anthra-
cite Coal Combination and Trunk Line
Pool, in relation to which it was said at the
time that the attorney general was attempt-
ing to regulate two thousand million dollars
of capital, Mr. Olmsted appeared alone as
counsel for the New York Central Railroad
Company, the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad Company, Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern Railway Company,
Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Rail-
road Company, New York, Lake Erie an d
Western Railroad Company, the Pennsylva-
nia Coal Company, Delaware and Hudson
Canal Company, the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Company, and as associate counsel for most
of the other companies concerned in the
suit. These suits were without a doubt the
most important ever brought in the State.
The suit against the Trunk Line Pool was
abandoned because of the passage by Con-
gress of the inter-State commerce law. The
case against the Anthracite Coal Combina-
tion was decided in favor of Mr. Olmsted's
clients, the court refusing to grant the in-
junction asked for by the attorney general.
Mr. Olmsted was attorney for the several
defendants in the equity suit brought by the
attorney general in 1891 to compel the disso-
lution of what was known as the " Reading
Combine." He conducted the exarnination
of the witnesses with consummate skill, but
the case never reached the point of argument,
owing to the voluntary abrogation of the
leases by the parties themselves.
The length of this sketch forbids mention
of but a very few of the many highly im-
portant.cases in which Mr. Olmsted has been
concerned since his admission to the bar.
Among his more recent victories was that
achieved in establishing the constitutionality
of the act of 1893, providing for controllers
in place of auditors in counties having
150,000 population.
The county of Schuylkill had met with
great losses through the dishonesty of her
commissioners in the construction of a court
456
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
house, owing to the fact that the auditors did
not audit their accounts until the end of the
year, when it was too late to make adequate
recovery from the commissioners.
Luzerne county was about building a court
house. These were the only two counties
having 150,000 population which did not
already have controllers. The constitution-
ality of the act of 1893 was contested by the
auditors and commissioners of the : two
counties and was declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court. In 1895 the Legis-
lature passed another act in almost the same
language. The county .commissioners and
the county auditors refused to obey its pro-
visions. An action was again brought to
test its constitutionality, and Judge Lynch,
of Luzerne county, again declared it to be
unconstitutional. An appeal was taken to
the Supreme Court, and the two counties se-
cured the services of Mr.. Olmsted, who had
not been concerned in either of the other
cases. On argument the Supreme Court
sustained the constitutionality of the act aiid
ousted the county auditors from office.
While not involving as large an amount of
money as many of his other cases, this vic-
tory was regarded as one of the most notable
in Mr. Olmsted's remarkable career.
Among his services to the State may be
mentioned the fact that Mr. Olmsted framed
the revenue act of 1874 and also the revenue
act of 1877. Both of these acts passed in the
exact form in which they were prepared and
both withstood all attacks that were made
upon them, being sustained by the courts in
every particular. He devised the tax on the
franchises of coal mining companies in sec-
tion 7 of the act of 1874. Previous to that
time the State had taxed the anthracite coal
mined by the carrying companies, which tax
was believed to be rendered invalid by the
new Constitution. To avoid that the tax
upon the franchises of coal companies was
devised and its constitutionality was sus-
tained by the Supreme Court in the case of
the Commonwealth vs. Kittanning Coal
Company. The State derived an immense
revenue from this tax until so much being
found unnecessary it was repealed in 1879.
He also devised the tax on gross premiums
of insurance companies, found in the act of
1877, and which was sustained by the courts
after combined assaults by the insurance
companies, and under which the Common-
wealth has collected hundreds of thousands
of dollars.
Mr. Olmsted is president and general
counsel of the Beech Creek Railroad Com-
pany, of the Buffalo and Susquehanna
Railroad Company, and of the Coudersport
and Wellsboro' Railroad Company. He is a
director in the Pine Creek Railroad Com-
pany, the Coudersport and Pine Creek Rail-
road Company, the Clearfield Bituminous
Co^al Corporation, and the Commonwealth
Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company,
of Harrisburg, as well as being largely in-
terested in the various industrial enterprises
of the city of Harrisburg.
As a lawyer his fame extends beyond the
limits of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
vania, and as an expert on all questions of
constitutional corporate taxation he has,
perhaps, no equal in the United States.
His practice is as extensive as that of any
lawyer in the Commonwealth, and none are
consulted by as large a clientage among the
corporations of the Nation. His legal argu-
ments are marvels of clearness and erudi-
tion. It. is not too much to say that he
never goes into court without being fully
prepared to meet every possible point that
may be raised by his adversary. He is,
therefore, never surprised by any of the de-
velopments of a case, and it is to this fact,
as much as to any other, that he owes his
remarkable success. While a master of lan-
guage, he uses none of the arts of rhetoric
in his arguments. He relies upon none of
the tricks of the elocutionist, but depends
for his victories upon a plain, energetic ex-
position of the law and a skillful marshalling
of the facts.
Mr. Olmsted is unmarried, is fond of so-
ciety, and is a devotee of field and aquatic
sports. He is both a judge and lover of
good horses, rides and drives well, and his
stable contains some of the finest animals in
the country. He is a frequent visitor to
Europe, and has travelled extensively
throughout the United States.
He has never filled any political position
since his admission to the bar, except in
1879, when his party nominated him with-
out his consent to fill the vacancy in select
council caused by the election of C. L.
Bailey as a member of the Legislature, and
three successive Democratic nominees have
declined to run against' him ; he was elected
without opposition.
Mr. Olmsted has always been a Republi
can in politics, an earnest' worker and a
liberal contributor in the campaigns of his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
4:57
i)arty. On September 4, 1896, the Republi-
can County Convention, of Dauphin county,
nominated him by acclamation as its candi-
date for Congress in the district composed
of the counties of Dauphin, Lebanon and
Perry and upon August 11, 1896, he was
nominated by the district conference. He
will undoubtedly be elected, and probably
by the largest majority ever given to a can-
didate in the district. His qualifications for
the position are ideal, and he will at once
take rank among the foremost men in pub-
lic life.
Such in brief is the career of one of the
most remarkable members of the Pennsyl-
vania bar. If his success has been extra-
ordinary, it is because he brought to his
profession the ambition, energy, stability,
integrity and perseverance which character-
ize the highest type of the American citi-
zen.—W. C. F.
Fox, John E., attorney, Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born at Hummelstown, Dauphin county.
Pa., November 27, 1861. His paternal an-
cestors were English Quakers, born in'Devon-
shire, near Plymouth, who came to America
in 1760 and settled near Germantown, Pa.,
until 1800. His maternal ancestors were
German, and were from near Zurich, Switzer-
land. John Fox, great-grandfather of John
E. Fox, came to Dauphin county and settled
near Hummelstown. His children were:
John, afterwards sherifi' of the county,
George, grandfather of John E. Fox, James,
Richard, Thomas, and one daughter, who
married John Phillips, who about 1829
represented his district in Congress. George
Fox had five sons: Richard, who lived and
died at Hummelstown, John E., who lived
and died at Philadelphia, James, who was a
member of the Dauphin county bar and
died in 1858, Abner, of Missouri, and
Thomas G., of Hummelstown, who married
Diana Hershey. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas G.
Fox are the parents of John E.
John E. Fox was reared at Hummelstown
and received his primary education there.
He studied at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa.,
and was graduated with the class of 1885.
He also received from this institiition the
degree of A. M. After graduation he taught
the grammar school at Hummelstown for
two years. He read law under Weiss & Gil-
bert. He completed his education by a tour
of foreign travel, and returned to Harrisburg.
July 23, 1888, he was admitted to the Dau-
phin county bar, a;nd he has since that time
practiced law in the city, mainly in the
Court of Common Pleas and in the Orphans'
Court. He enjoys a large and lucrative prac-
tice. In the spring of 1889 he traveled over
the United States and made a personal obser-
vation of his own country, in order that he
might be able to intelligently compare and
contrast it with foreign countries. In 1891
he made a complete circuit of the globe, solely
for personal pleasure and improvement. He
visited Italy, Egypt, Arabia, India, Siam,
China and Japan, not overlooking other im-
portant regions. Mr. Fox has gratified his
literary and professional tastes by the collec-
tion of a library hardly excelled in its tech-
nical and literary treasures bj' any library in
the city.
He is- active in politics in connection with
the Republican party. He served as delegate
from his congressional district to the Repub-
lican National Convention at Minneapolis
in 1892. He is president of his college class
organization and prominent in the alumni
society of his college. He is interested as a
stockholder in the Harrisburg Trust Com-
pany, the Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Val-
ley Traction Company, Southwestern Mis-
souri Electric Company, Citizens Passenger
Railway Company of Harrisburg, People's
Bridge Company, Harrisburg and Cornwall
Turnpike Company, Mechanicsburg Electric
Railway Company, Brook wood Traction Com-
pany, Farmers Bank of Hummelstown, and
the Chestnut Street Market Company. He
has also large real estate interests in the city.
Mr. Fox is a member of the Harrisburg Club
and of the Benevolence Club. He is a sup-
porter of the city library and of the Y. M. C.
A. He is not married.
Brightbill, Oscar K., attorney-at-law, was
born at Harrisburg, December 9, 1865. He
is a son of Jacob A. and Catherine (Bender)
Brightbill. His father was born in Susque-
hanna township, and spent the greater part
of his life in Harrisburg, where for fifteen
years he held the position of register clerk
in the postoffice. During the latter years
of his life he was engaged as tester of steel
in the Bailey iron and steel works. He died
December 31, 1892, highly honored by those
who knew him best, and universally re-
garded as a man faithful and kind in all the
relations of life. His widow still resides in
Harrisburg.
Oscar K. Brightbill took the regular course
458
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of studies pursued in the city schools of Har-
risburg, and was graduated from the high
school in 1885. He was engaged for one
year in the capacity of accountant in the
office of H. B. Mitchell. In 1886 he began
the study of law in the office of C. H. Berg-
ner, Esq. He, was admitted to the bar of
Dauphin county, October 9, 1888, and to
practice in the Supreme Court in May, 1892.
He was a candidate for the office of county
solicitor in 1894, but was defeated by Albert
Millar. Esq. He is a member of the Junior
Order of United American Mechanics. In
politics he is a Republican. He attends the
Lutheran church.
KiSTER, William H., attorney-at-law, was
born at Loganton, Clinton county, Pa., July
15, 1855, son of Jacob and Mary 0. (Zellers)
Kister, both born in Pennsylvania and of
German ancestry. The father was born in
Lehigh county, July 4, 1830 ; removed with
his parents, when about five years old, to
Clinton county, and resided near Jersey
Shore about one year. He was a shoemaker
and had contracts for supplying the army
with sh.oes. Later he was engaged in the
lumber business, but has lived a retired life
for some years. The mother was born Sep-
tember, 1834. Of their five children, four
are living : William H. ; Sarah, wife of
Charles A. Weaver, residing at Osceola Mills,
Clearfield county. Pa. ; Emma F., wife of
Jacob 0. Berm, Osceola Mills ; James T.,
Pittsburgh, Pa. The father is a prominent
man in Clinton county, and has filled im-
portant offices and places of trust with effi-
ciency and credit.
William H. was reared to manhood in
Clinton county, and received his education
in the public schools of that county, complet-
ing it by a collegiate course in Franklin and
Marshall College, at Lancaster, from which
he was graduated in tbe class of 1875. He
opened a private school at Milton, Northum-
berland county, and was later professor of
Latin and rhetoric in the Collegiate Insti-
tute at Henry, 111., and while holding this
position was appointed to the superinten-
dency of the city and county schools, occupy-
ing both positions at the same time. In 1887
he was elected to represent a district com-
posed of Marshall and three other adjoining
counties in the Illinois Legislature for two
years. In 1889 he returned to Pennsylvania
and located at Harrisburg, where he was
shortly after admitted to the bar, and has
since that time been engaged in a general
practice. Mr. Kister was married, January
25, 1876, to Miriam Kling, daughter of Adam
S. and Lucinda Kling. They have no chil-
dren. Mr. Kister is a member of the Grand
Lodge of F. & A. M. of Illinois, of Marshall
Lodge, No. 63, of Henry, 111., and of a com-
mandery. In his political views Mr. Kister
is a Democrat. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the German Reformed church.
Backenstoe, Clayton H., attorney-at-law,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in West Hanover
township, Dauphin county, Pa. He is the
eldest son of ex-county commissioner John H.
Backenstoe and Mary E. Backenstoe. He
attended the district schools of West Han-
over township until he was nine years of
age, when his parents removed to Derry
township, near the village of Union Deposit,
where they now reside. He was a pupil in
the district school of this township until he
was fifteen, when he entered Lebanon Val-
ley College, where he studied for one year.
For the three years ensuing he taught in the
common schools, after which he re-entered
Lebanon Valley College, from which he was
graduated in the class of 1887. He was the
orator of his class and the chief editor of the
class journal.
After his graduation he at once registered
as a student of law with the distinguished
firm of Fleming & McCarrell, Harrisburg,
Pa. The senior member of the firm, Hon.
David Fleming, dying soon after this regis-
tration, Mr. Backenstoe continued his
studies under the direction of the junior
partner, Hon. Samuel J. M. McCarrell, whose
great ability and commanding position at
the bar assured him of thorough instruction
and skillful guidance. In October, 1889, Mr.
Backenstoe was admitted to practice in the
several courts of Dauphin county, and was
soon in the enjoyment of an extensive and
increasing legal business, an important part
of which is in the Court of Common Pleas
and Orphans' Court, in the settlement of
decendents' estates. He has also been con-
nected, as counsel for the accused, with a
number of important criminal cases ; a noted
instance is the case of Andrew Undergast,
charged with the murder of his wife; in
this case Mr. Backenstoe was associated with
J. C. Nissley, Esq., as counsel for the accused,
for whom they obtained a verdict of acquit-
tal on the capital charge, the Commonwealth
being forced to accept a plea of felonious
DAUFEIN COUNTY.
459
assault and battery. Mr. Backenstoe was
admitted in 1891 to practice before the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Backenstoe is among the most active
young members of the Republican party, his
voice being heard from the stump in every
campaign, not only in the county, but also
throughout the State. He has frequently
served his party ably as a delegate to county
and State conventions, and has been chosen
as a confrere in the various congressional
conferences of his district. He is financially
identified with various interests of the
county and State, being a stockholder in a
number of financial institutions of Harris-
burg. His growing practice is indubitably
the achievement of his exceptional energy
and untiring application to his work, dis-
played in the painstaking and skillful
preparation of his cases, and his watchful
fidelity to the interests confided to his hands.
Calder, Col. Howard L., attorn ey-at-law,
was born June 16, 1864, in the old Calder
homestead, 413 Market street, Harrisburg,
Pa. He is a descendant of William Calder,
who settled in this city in the early days of
the century and was extensively engaged as
a stage line proprietor and contractor. His
father, the Rev. James Calder, D. D., was well
known in the affairs of our city and was
prominent in educational circles, having
served as president of Hillsdale College,
Michigan, and the Pennsylvania State Col-
lege, respectivelj'. Howard L. received his
early education in the preparatory depart-
ment of the State College and the Harrisburg
high school, graduating from the latter as
valedictorian in the class of 1883. He at
once entered Bucknell College and graduated
as third honor man of a large class in 1887,
being awarded the prize for the senior ora-
tion. The Master's oration was assigned to
him by his alma mater as a recognition of
his ability and standing and was acceptably
delivered in 1890, the subject being "Ele-
mentary Law in the College Curriculum."
After completing his college course in 1887,
Mr. Calder registered as a student at law with
Hon. Robert Snodgrass and was admitted to
the Dauphin county bar in the fall of 1889.
Since his admission he has made rapid strides
in his profession. His ability as a public
speaker has given him great popularity
among all classes and his careful application
to matters entrusted to his care has estab-
lished for him a substantial and growing
clientage. At tlie present time, in connection
with A. Wilson Norris, Esq., his law partner,
he represents some of the largest estates
in the city, having made a marked success
in the Orphans' Court. He has served in the
Pennsylvania National Guard for twelve
years. Enlisting as a private he is now aide-
de-camp with the rank of captain on the staff
of Brig. Gen. J. P. S. Gobin. He is the pres-
ent (1896) Worshipful Master of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., and is connected
with other prominent civic and social orgaui
zations.
Hain, William M., attorney-at-law, was
born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., September 9, 1863. He is a son
of George and Sarah (Uhrich) Hain, the
former a. native of Dauphin county and still
residing in Lower Paxton township, the latter
a native of Lebanon county, died in Lower
Paxton township, February 20, 1895. The
Hain family were among the very earlies:j
settlers of Dauphin county and Lower Pax-
ton township, where the great-grandparents
located in the early history of the county.
The parents of William M. had born to them
twelve children, eight of whom are living,
namely: George, of Harrisburg; Jacob, John
and David, prominent farmers of Lower Pax-
ton township; William M., Edwin S.-, and
Henry F., of Harrisburg, and Galen, for-
merly attending and teaching school in Lower
Paxton township, and now studying den-
tistry. The grandfather, George Hain, was
county commissioner of Dauphin county for
many years. William M. was reared to man-
hood in his native township, and received
his primary education in the public schools
there. He attended Muhlenberg College of
Allentown, Pa., and also Lebanon Valley
College at Annville, Pa. He was graduated
from the latter institution with the class of
1888. He removed to Harrisburg and read
law with Weiss & Gilbert and John A. Her-
man. He was admitted to the bar of Dau-
phin county in 1890, and entered at once
upon the practice of his profession at this
bar. He has been a notary public since
1890. He is a member of the Junior Order
of American Mechanics. In politics he is a
Democrat. He is a member of the Reforrned
church. He is a popular young man with
a large clientage in both civil and criminal
causes, and his prospects for a prosperous
career are flattering.
460
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTCLOPEDIA
Meyees, "Wiltjam K„ attorney-at-law, was
born in Bedford,. Bedford county, Pa., Sep-
tember 27, 1867, and is the youngest son of
Benjamin F. and Susan C. (Koontz) Meyers.
In the spring of 1873 he removed to Harris-
burg with his parents. His primary educa-
tion was received in the public schools of
Harrisburg, supplemented by a thorough
course in the high school, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1886, with the
honor of valedictorian of the class. Imme-
diately after completing his education in the
high school he became connected with the
editorial department of the Harrisburg Pa-
triot. He subsequently studied law with the
firm of Mumma & Shoop and was admitted
to the Dauphin county bar in the spring of
1890. During the term of 1890 and 1891 he
attended the law department of Yale Col-
lege, New Haven, Conn., and was graduated
from that institution with the class of June,
1891, receivinjg the degree of LL. B., and in
July, 1891, began the practice of his chosen
profession in Harrisburg.
Mr. Meyers was married in Harrisburg,
November 14, 1893, to Miss Mary Hunter,
daughter of George W. and Mary Hunter,
both deceased, and to their union has been
born one child, Mary Elizabeth, born April
23, 1895.
Mr. Meyers has held the office of chairman
of the Democratic committee for five years,
and was a delegate to the Democratic Con-
vention in Chicago in 1896. He is a mem-
ber of the Episcopalian church and Mrs.
Meyers belongs to the Presbyterian church.
McCoNKEY, Chakles B., attorney-at-law,
was born at Harrisburg, Pa., December 29,
1869. He is a son of the lat§ Eldridge and
Fannie M. McConkey. His father, a native
of Chester county, Pa., studied at Yale Col-
lege for three , years and, was a graduate of
the Havard law school. He was the secre-
tary of the Harrisburg Gas Company for four-
teen years. In politips he was a Democrat,
and served in. the city council. He was twice
married, being' in the first united with Cath-
arine Jones, who was the mother of Charles
B. He died in 1887, and his second wife
survives him,
Charles B. received his primary education
in the Harrisbu;i'gi schools, and was gradu-
ated from Yale College with the class of 1888.
He also , studied Onei year in the Yale law
school. He read law in the office ■of Weiss
& Gilbert, at Harrisburg, and was adrnitted
to the Dauphin county bar in 1891, since
which time he has conducted a successful
practice. He is a member of the Harrisburg
Club. In politics he is a Democrat. John
McConkey, highway commissioner of Har-
risburg, is his brother, and his sisters are
Mary, wife of R. C. Mercer, residing in Hun-
tingdon, Pa., and Sarah B., who resides at
Harrisburg.
Lemek, Milton M., attorney-at-law, was
born at Harrisburg, January 21, 1865. He
is a son of La Rue and Rebecca (Marshall)
Lemer. His father is a native of Lisburn,
Cumberland county. Pa., and has been en-
gaged in the photographing business since
1860. His mother is a native of Philadel-
phia. Four children have been born to
them, of whom Milton M. is the eldest. The
other children are Mary A., May and La Rue,
Jr. Milton M. received his primary educa-
tion in the schools of Harrisburg. He was
graduated from the high school in 1882, and
from the Harrisburg Academy in 1884.
Later he attended Yale University and was
graduated from that institutibn in 1889. He
read law with James I. Chamberlin, of Har-
risburg, and was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar in March, 1892, and to practice
in the Supreme Court in 1894. He was mar-
ried in Harrisburg, October 18, 1894, to Lu-
cinda B. Black, daughter of the late Thomas
J. and Mary F. Black, of Harrisburg. His
son, Milton M. Lemer, Jr., was born August
22, 1895.
Bailey, Charles L., Jr., Harrisburg, at-
torney-at-law, a successful practitioner at the
Dauphin county bar, was born in Harris-
burg, June 26, 1864, and is a son of Charles
L. and Emma Harriet (Doll) Bailey.
His. primary education was acquired under
private tutors, his preparatory course for
college at St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H.,
and the Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.,
and his collegiate course in Yale College,
New Haven, Conn., from which institution
he graduated in 1886.
During this year he commenced reading
law with Messrs. Hall & Jordan, of Harris-
burg. In October, 1888, he was admitted to
the Dauphin county bar, and in 1892 to the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
He was married in Harrisburg, March 10,
1892, to Miss Mary Frances Seller, daughter
of Daniel W. and" Eliza (Clark) Seller, and
their union has been blessed with two chil-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
461
dren : Mary Emily and Frances. In politi-
cal views Mr. Bailey is a Republican and in
religious views an Episcopalian and attends
St. Stephen's church.
Shoemaker, Homek, attorney-at-law, 9
North Third street, Harrisburg, Pa. ; born
in Tioga county, Pa.; son of Rev. Elisha
Shoemaker; educated at Dickinson Semi-
nary, Williamsport, Pa., and Dickinson Col-
lege, Carlisle, Pa. ; read law with the late A.
B. Sharpe, Esq., Carlisle, Pa.; graduated
from the Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle,
Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Cumber-
land county in 1892 ; admitted to the bar of
Dauphin county in 1893.
Carter, William Justin, attorney-at-law,
Harrisburg, was born at Richmond, Va.,
May 28, 1866. He is a son of Edmund and
Elizabeth Carter, both natives of Virginia,
and both residing in Caroline county, Va.
He received his primary education in Rich-
mond, and in 1878, with his parents, re-
moved to Caroline county, and there at-
tended the district public school. In 1883
he entered the Virginia Normal and Colle-
giate Institute, at Petersburg, attending the
session of 1883-84. He then returned to
Caroline county, and was a teacher in the
public schools for two sessions. While en-
gaged in teaching he studied privately, and
in 1886 he entered Howard University, at
Washington, D. C, and remained there four
sessions, graduating with the class of 1890.
In October, 1890, he entered the law de-
partment of this university, and graduated
with the degree of Bachelor of Laws on the
30th of May, 1892, standing third in a class
of thirty. He was licensed as an attorney
and counselor-at-law by Chief Justice Lewis
and Justice Fauntelroy, of the Supreme
Court of Virginia, iii the fall of 1892.
Afterwards he removed to Anne Arundel
county, Md., and was admitted to practice
before the Circuit Court of that county, and
the Supreme Court of Baltimore city, in
1892. For the two following years he
practiced his profession at Annapolis, Md.
On March 21, 1894, he was admitted to the
Dauphin county bar, and began a general
practice in the city of Harrisburg, in June
of that year.
Mr. Carter was married at Annapolis,
Md., February 17, 1894, to Elizabeth M.
Allen, daughter of Rev. J. C. Allen, pastor
of the First Baptist church, of Baltimore,
Md., and Mary P. Allen. One child has
been born to them, Harlan A., born Novem-
ber 25, 1894.
In political views Mr. Carter is a RepubH-;
can. He is a member of Lincoln Memorial
Congregational church, of Washington, Dj
C, and Mrs. Carter is a member of the Capi-
tol Street Presbyterian church. Mr. Carter
is a member of the Golden Rule Lodge, No.
1415, G. U. 0. 0. F., of Annapolis, Md. He
is the first and only colored lawyer admitted
to the Dauphin county bar.
SwARTz, Joshua W., attorney and coun-
selor-at-law, was born in Lower Swatara
township, Dauphin county, Pa., June 9, 1867.
He is a son of Martin N. and Harriet (Wal-
lower) Swartz, the former a native of Lower
Swatara, the latter of Susquehanna town-
ship. Martin M. Swartz died September 5,
1878; his wife is still living and residing in
Lower Swatara township aforesaid. The
father was a farmer and a respected citizen
of Lower Swatara, where he spent his life.
They had nine children, five of whom are
still living : Christian L., residing on the home
farm; Oliver W., a merchant of Middletown,
Pa.; Joshua W.; I. B., and E. G., lawyers,
and partners in the business of their brother,
Joshua W.
The primary education of Joshua W.
Swartz was received in the schools at home.
He learned the trade of carpenter and stair-
builder, at which he worked in Middletown
four years. In 1887 he entered the Lebanon
Valley College, and in the meantime took a
commercial course in the Williamsport Busi-
ness College. In 1888 he again entered
Lebanon Valley College. He read law with
John A. Herman, of Harrisburg. He en-
tered the Dickinson law school, and gradu-
ated June 6, 1892. On the 7th of June,
1892, he was admitted to the Cumberland
county bar, and July 12, 1892, to Dauphin
county bar. He was admitted to practice in
the Supreme Court June 1, 1896. In Octo-
ber, 1892, he began practice in Harrisburg.
He was married in Indiana county. Pa.,
April 13, 1893, to Idella M. Goheen, daugh-
ter of John and Margaret (Gahagan) Goheen,
of Indiana county, Pa. They have one son,
Joshua G., born April 24, 1894. Mr. Swartz
is a staunch Republican. He attends the
Lutheran church.
462
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Zimmerman, Samuel H., attorney-at-law,
notary public, was born in Lower Swatara
township, near Highspire, November 23,
1869. He is a son of Valentine and Sabina
B. (Felty) Zimmerman, both natives of Dau-
phin county, and both residing in Lower
Swatara townsliip. His father is a promi-
nent farmer in this township, and has spent
his life there. He and his wife had born to
them a family of twelve children, nine of
whom are living: Philip A.; Mary A.; El-
len C, wife of John Bausman, of Middletown,
Pa.; Clara I., wife of Joseph M. Sauder, Mid-
dletown, Pa.; Martha M., wife of George A.
Wolffe, Highspire, Pa.; Samuel H.; John D.;
Lydia D., and Solomon A.
Samuel H. was reared to manhood and
received his primary education in the public
schools of his township. He completed his
education in the Steelton high school, grad-
uating from this institution in 1887. He
also spent two years at Bucknell University,
Lewisburg, Pa. He was graduated from the
classical course of Ohio Normal University,
Ada, Ohio, with the class of 1891. He at-
tended the law department of this same uni-
versity, and by taking the studies of two
years in one year, he received his diploma
in 1892, instead of 1893. He registered with
John C. Nissley, January 23, 1893, as a
student of law, and read with him for two
years. During this time he was elected and
served as principal of the Highspire public
schools, filling this position for the full term
of 1893. In the fall of 1894 he was elected
and served as principal of the Ebenezer high
school of Low^er Swatara township. On March
4, 1895, he was admitted to practice law in the
Dauphin county courts, and has practiced in
these courts since that date. Mr. Zimmer-
man is a member of Star of America Com-
mandery, No. 113, Knights of Malta, of Har-
risburg. He is a member of the Church of
God. He seems to inherit his father's inde-
pendent spirit in politics, and in the cam-
paign of 1895 he stood as the candidate of
the People's party for the office of district
attorney of his county.
NoRRis, Alexander Wilson, son of John
C. Norris, M. D., and Susan Matilda (Stine)
Norris, was born June 6, 1872, at Salona,
Clinton county. Pa. On his father's side he
is descended from an old Virginia family.
His great-grandfather, John Norris, left his
native State shortly after the war of the
Revolution, and settled in MifHin county,
Pa. On the maternal side his ancestors
were of German descent. His great-great-
grandfather, Abraham Stein, emigrated to
this country from Germany in 1748, and
settled in what is now Jonestown, Lebanon
county. Mr. Norris' father, Dr. John C.
Norris, a prominent physician of Clinton
county and an officer in the Union army
during the late war, died when his son was
less than a year old. Being thus deprived
of his father's care the boy was adopted and
raised by his uncle, the lat6 Col. A. Wilson
Norris, for years a prominent figure in
Pennsylvania politics and auditor general
of the State at the time of his death in 1888.
Mr. Norris was educated in the private
schools of Philadelphia and at the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania. He came to Harris-
burg in 1890 and began the study of law
with Weiss & Gilbert. He was admitted
to the bar in June, 1893, immediately upon
his coming of age. He is associated in the
practice of law with Col. Howard L. Calder
under the firm name of Calder & Norris.
He has been an active figure in politics ever
since settling in Dauphin county and is
looked upon as one of the younger leaders
in the Republican party. Mr. Norris has
an enviable reputation as a speaker, both on
the hustings and in court. He has been
twice elected vice-president of the Republi-
can League of Clubs in Pennsylvania. He
has been a member of the National Guard
of Pennsylvania for six or seven years and
at present an aide-de-camp on the staff of
Gen. J. P. S. Gobin, with the rank of cap-
tain. He has served as president of the
Friendship Fire Company, No. 1, the oldest
fire company in Harrisburg; is a member
of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A.
M., and of a number of other organizations.
Captain Norris is a member of the Penn-
sylvania Historical Society, the Dauphin
County Historical Society, and of several
other historical and genealogical societies.
He also holds membership in a number of
clubs in this city and in Philadelphia.
Haldeman, Donald C, attorney-at-law,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., July 29, 1871, son of Richard J.
and Margaretta (Cameron) Haldeman. Rich-
ard J. Haldeman was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., May 19, 1831 ; Mrs. Haldeman
also was a native of Dauphin county and a
daughter of Simon and Margaretta (Brua)
Cameron. Their children are : Donald C,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
463
Eliza E., and Richard 0. Mr. Haldeman
was a member of a Harrisburg lodge, F. &
A. M. He was a Democrat. He died Octo-
ber 1, 1886, aged fifty-five years. Mrs. Hal-
deman survives him, is in good health and
resides in Harrisburg. She is a consistent
member of the Presbyteriun church.
Donald C. Haldeman received his ele-
mentary education in private schools at Har-
risburg, which he attended until he was six-
teen years old. He then went to Andover,
Mass., for a two years' course in Phillips
Academy, which prepared him for college.
In 1889 he was admitted to Yale University,
pursued the regular classical course and was
graduated with the class of 1893. In the
same year he entered the office of John H.
Weiss, Esq., where he read law for two years,
and was admitted to the Dauphin county
bar in June, 1895. He at once opened an
office for the practice of his profession in
Harrisburg. Mr. Haldeman is a Republi-
can. He is a member of the Presbyterian
church.
KuNKEL, Paul A., attorney-at-law and
notary public, son of George Z. and Isabella
(Herr) Kunkel, of Harrisburg. In March,
1895, he was elected borough solicitor of
Middletown, Pa. He was married in Mid-
dletown, November, 1893, to Mary Isabella
King, daughter of Arthur and Annie King,
of York, now residing in Middletown. To
them has been born one child, Arthur.
Wolf, William, real estate and insurance
agent and notary public, was born in Hech-
ingen, Province of HohenzoUern, Prussia,
August 13, 1833. He is a son of Elias and
Clara (Einstein) Wolf, both natives of Prus-
sia. Elias Wolf was a merchant. He spent
his life in his native country, and died No-
vember 4, 1865. His widow came to Amer-
ica in 1866, and made her home with her
sou, William Wolf. She died December 19,
1873. Their family consisted of six children,
three of whom are living: William, Caroline,
wife of Isaac Meyer, residing in Brooklyn,
N. Y.; Eliza, wife of Abraham AUgaier, re-
siding at Mount Carmel, Northumberland
county. Pa.
William Wolf spent his youth in his native
land. .He received his primary education
in the public schools, and subsequently en-
joyed the advantages of a collegiate course.
He then became clerk in a mercantile and
banking house, and was so engaged until
1854, when he came to America. Two weeks
after reaching Philadelphia he proceeded to
Harrisburg, where he has resided for the
past forty-two years. Here he was first en-
gaged as salesman in a mercantile house
until 1864. In this year he opened a retail
dry goods store, which he continued to con-
duct for twelve years. In 1876 he was
obliged to abandon this business on account
of failing health. He took up first the real
estate, afterwards the insurance business.
He was appointed notary public in 1881.
He was married in Harrisburg, July 15,
1859, to Miss Matilda, daughter of Solomon
• and Amelia Wolf, born in the same province
as himself, and then residents of Gratz, Dau-
phin county. They have had five children,
two of whom are living: Emma, widow of
Theodore H. Speier, of Harrisburg, and
Helen, wife of Leon Simon, a prominent
cloak manufacturer of Baltimore, Md. The
deceased children are: Simon, died May 26,
1882, aged twenty, a bright, promising young
man, who had graduated at the Philadelphia
College of Pharmacy on March 10, 1882 ;
Elias, died December 30, 1879, at the age of
thirteen years, and Frederick, who died in
infancy. Mr. Wolf is a member of Perse-
verance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M.; Dauphin
Lodge, No. 160, and Dauphin Encampment,
No. 10, I. 0. 0. F.; Council No. 499, Royal
Arcanum; State Capital Lodge, No. 2,030,
Knights of Honor; Harris Lodge, No. 983,
Knights of Ladies of Honor ; Salem Lodge,
No. 26, Independent Order of Sons of Cove-
nant; Harrisburg Lodge, No. 103, Kesher
Shel Barsel. Mr. Wolf is independent in
his political views. He attends the Jewish
Tabernacle Ohev Sholem. Mr. Wolf was
president of the congregation for about
twenty-three years. He served with distin-
guished ability and success. Through his
zeal, energy, tact and devotion the congrega-
tion was enabled to purchase a building for
a house of worship, school and meeting
rooms. He was tendered a resolution of
thanks on his declining further election.
Uhler, Henry, real estate and insurance,
was born at Harrisburg, Pa., August 3, 1838.
He is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth
(Yeager) Uhler. His father was also a native
of Harrisburg and was born November 18,
1801. He was a merchant tailor. He spent
his life in Harrisburg, where he died No-
vember 14, 1869. His wife, Elizabeth Yeager,
was born in this city January 21, 1806. She
46 '4
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
died here March 19, 1885, at the age of eighty
yetlrs. They had a family of eight children,
of whom four are living : Elizabeth, widow
of the late George Bergner, of Harrisburg,
Jeremiah, of Harrisburg, Margaret,' and
Henry, all residing in Harrisburg.
Henry Uhler was reared in this city and
has spent his life here, being educated in the
public schools. He became a clerk in the
book and stationery store of George Bergner
and remained in this position until 1861.
On April 8, 1861, he was appointed assistant
postmaster and held this office for twenty-
two years. He was also treasurer of thfe
Harrisburg Gas Company from 1868 to 1874.
He was subsequently engaged in the broker-
age business for several years.- Since 1889
he has been continuously engaged in his
present business; '
Mr. Uhler was married in Harrisburg,
April 11, 1895, to Mary Elizabeth Sherk,
daughter' of Michael and Elizabeth Sherk;
who was born at Grantville, Dauphin county.
Pa., July 4, 1849. In political views Mr.
Uhler is a staunch Eepublican.
Brackeneidge, Alfred, real estate and
insurance and notary public,, was born in
Lisburn township, Cumberland county. Pa.,
March 19, 1845. He is a son of Dr. John
and Rebecca (Pague) Brackenridge. His
father was an eminent physician and prac-
ticed in Cumberland county the greater part
of his life. He died at Danville, Lycoming
county, Pa., in 1851, while comparatively a
young man. Themother of Alfred still sur-
vives, and lives at Joliet, 111., at the advanced
age of seventy-four years. - His parents had
a family of four children : Theodore, resid-
ing at Salem, Ky.; Alfred ; John E., who
died at Harrisburg, February, 1895, at the
age of forty-seven years ; Mary E., wife of
Thomas -Newbold, residing at Joliet, 111.
When Alfred was about four years old. he re-
moved with his parents to Shippensburg,and
a short time afterwards to Lycoming county,
then back to Shippensburg, and after that to
Newville. While the family were in Lycom-
ing county the father died. At Shippensburg
Alfred was reared to manhood and educated
by Mr. John Givler. He received a common
school education, and learned the saddler's
trade. In 1863 he enlisted in company F,
First battalion, Pennsylvania volunteers, and
served six months. ■ When discharged, he re-
turned to NeWville and worked at his trade
until another call was made for volunteerSj
when he re-enlisted iri company K, Twentieth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and ser-
ved until the close of the war. After being dis-
charged at Harrisburg, he took a position as
grocery clerk in this city, in which he con-
tinued three years, during which time he
took a course in the Business College. In
1868 he engaged in the grocery business for
himself, and conducted this business until
1890. In 1885 he was elected alderndan tor
the Second ward. Finding that the duties
of this office demanded his whole time and
attention, he closed out his grocerj'^ business
and devoted his entire time to his alder-
manic duties. In 1890 he was re-elected al-
derman. At the expiration of his second
term, in May, 1895, he engaged in his present
business. He was married at Harrisburg,
April 17, 1870, to' Carrie A. Hummel, who
was born at Wormle^sburg, , Cumberland
county, Pa., December 10, 1843, daughter of
John P. Hummel, of Clark county, Ohio,
and Ann Hummel, of Hummelstown, Pa.,.and
a granddaughter of the founder of Hummels-
town. To them have been born four children,
namely : John Frederick, born February 8,
1871, died July 11, 1871 ; Alfred, born June
8, 1872, died. July 3, 1872; Valentine Hum-
mel, born March 7, 1876, now a compositor
in -Harrisburg Telegraph office, and John
Givler, born December 24, 1880. Mr. Brack-
enridge is a member of Nazareth Com-
mandery. No. 125, K. of M., of A. 0. U. W.,
of Dauphin Conclave, No. 96, I. 0. of H., of
Robert Tippett Lodge, No. 736, Jr. 0. U. A. M.,
and of Post No. 58, G. A. R. Politically
he is a Republican. He and Mrs. Bracken-
ridge are members and active workers of
Fourth Street Zion Lutheran church.
Mr. Brackenridge has been connected with
the Sunday-school for thirty years, and sup-
erintendent of the school for eight years.
Mr. and Mrs. Brackenridge were also founders
of a branch church at Springdale.
The family from which- Mrs. Brackenridge
comes is one of note. Her great-grandfather
was one of the founders of Hummelstown. Her
father was a bridge builder and a prominent
man in the county. He had a family of
eight children : Frederick, who died in in-
fancy ; Calvin, who was drowned in the
Susquehanna river in 1846; Valentine B.,
residing in Wisconsin ; George Washington,
died in 1880 at the age of forty years ; Will-
iam Henry Harrison, residing at Auburn,
III.; Mrs. Brackenridge ; John, who died in
infancy; Savilla Elizabeth, wife of Fred-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
465
erick Garmhausen, residing at Harrisburg.
The two living brothers of Mrs. Bracken ridge,
and George W., deceased, enlisted in the
army as privates at the beginning, and
served with distinction to the close of the
war. When they were discharged, the three
brothers had the rank of captain in three
different branches of the service, infantry,
cavalry and artillery. The brothers of Mr.
Brackenridge also served in the war. John
E. served six months in company F, First
regiment,Pennsylvania volunteers, and after-
wards in company G, Fifty-fifth regiment,
Pennsylvanina volunteers; Theodore en-
listed in the One Hundred and Seventh reg-
iment and served with distinction during the
whole war, having enlisted twice in the same
regiment. He was in many engagements,
was twice taken prisoner, and suffered severe
hardships.
Kelker, Luther Reily, second son of
Rudolph Frederick Kelker and Mary Anne
Reily, his wife, was born February 29, 1848,
in Harrisburg, Pa. He was educated in the
public schools and at Prof. J. F. Seller's
academy, graduating from the latter insti-
tution in 1866. The following year he en-
tered the hardware store of Kelker & Bro.,
remaining with them until April 1, 1878;
one month later, in connection with his
brother, William A. Kelker, he opened a
hardware store under the firm name of Kel-
ker Bros. In 1883 his brother retired from
active business, and Mr. Kelker continued
in his own name until March, 1892, when
owing to long continued ill-health he was
compelled to retire. A year after he en-
gaged in the insurance business, and is now
prosecuting the same successfully. He mar-
ried, October 7, 1874, Miss Agnes Keys
Pearsol, second daughter of John H. Pear-
sol and Cecelia Ober^ his wife, of Lancaster,
Pa. They have three children : Rudolph
Frederick, Jr., John Pearsol and Mary Reily.
Mr. Kelker is a member and officer of Mar-
ket Square Presbyterian church ; a member
of the Society of the Sons of the Revolu-
tion ; in politics a Republican ; takes an
active interest in the institution of Free
Masonry, and is a past officer in all the
bodies from the Blue Lodge to the Consis-
tory, inclusive. ^
Parthemore, E. Winfield Scott, was
born in Highspire July 25, 1852. He was
the fifth in descent from John Frederick
Parthemore, who came to Pennsylvania
from Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, landing
in Philadelphia October 20, 1744. He set-
tled in Derry township, then Lancaster, now
Dauphin county, where he died in 1752.
His wife was Anna Maria Weinmann,
daughter of Philip Weinmann, also from
Sprendlingen, Germany. They had a large
family of children, the descendants of whom
are scattered in many States of the Union.
The parents of Mr.' E. W. S. Parthemore
were Daniel Parthemore and his wife,
Nancy Ebersole. The latter was the grand-
daughter of Ludwig Bretz, who was a soldier
of the Revolution. His father's grandfather
also served in the struggle for independence.
Through the Ebersoles and Bretzes Mr. Par-
themore is connected with many of the rep-
resentative families of Dauphin county. He
was educated in the public schools of his
native town and at the age of sixteen years
entered upon mercantile pursuits at High-
spire and subsequently in Harrisburg. In
the spring of 1873 he attended one session
of the Millersville State Normal School, and
in 1874 a select school at Middletown. Dur-
ing this period he also taught school, in the
winter in Powell's Valley and Lower Swatara
township, and afterwards the secondary
school in Highspire. In the winter of 1875
he was employed in the frog and switch de-
partment of the Pennsylvania Steel Works
as a machinist, which he followed; until
January of the year following. In July,
1878, Mr. Parthemore took up his residence
in Harrisburg, where he now resides. Be-
ing a prominent Republican he has always
taken an active part in the various local
campaigns. He has represented his ward
in select council for several years and is
now a member of the board of school con-
trol. He is an active member in the
United Brethren church and has represented
that denomination as a lay delegate in their
annual conference. He is one of the most
active business men in Harrisburg, and is
conspicuous in insurance and real estate
circles. Mr; Parthemore is one of the direc-
tors of the Harrisburg Traction Company,
the Manufacturing and Boiler Company and
on the board of managers of the Harrisburg
Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company,
and secretary of the Kelker Street Market
Company. For a iiuraber of years he has
been prominently identified with several
building and loan associations. For a period
of twelve years he has been an officer of the
466
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Dauphin County Historical Society and has
taken much interest in historic research.
He has prepared and published a genealogy
of the Parthemore family (1885), the Bretz
family (1890), the records of the Rev. Mr.
lUing (1891), " Records of Bindnagle Church "
and " Hill Church in Derry Township," be-
sides various valuable contributions to the
history, biography and genealogy of Dauphin
county. He was one of the founders of the
Pennsylvania-German Society and is on the
board of management of that organization.
Through his great-grandparents he is a
member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons
of the Revolution. Mr. Parthemore was
married June 20, 1878, by Bishop J. J. Gloss-
brenner to Clara Sarah Early, daughter of
Daniel Seth Early and his wife Amanda
A. Mark. They have seven children living.
KoHLER, William H., real estate and in-
surance agent, was born at Harrisburg,
April 20, 1856. He is a son of Stephen S.
and Mary E. Kohler, both natives of Con •
solodome, Switzerland. They came to Amer-
ica in 1833 and located in Harrisburg, where
they spent the rest of their lives. The father
died January 30, 1891 ; the mother March
10, 1886. The father was a wheelwright,
and followed that business for some years
after his settlement in this city, but during
. the greater part of his residence here he was
a contractor and builder. He served in the
United States army during the late rebellion
for one year as private in company C, Two
Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania volun-
teers. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ste-
phen S. Kohler are: Jacob C, ex -chief of
Harrisburg fire department, Annie, wife of
John W. Smith, a passenger engineer of the
Middle division, Pennsylvania railroad,
William H., Charles A., a track foreman of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Ed-
ward S., Laura A., wife of Edward J.
O'Leary, Emma, wife of John G. Marks, and
Rosa, wife of Frank S. Nutt.
William H. Kohler was educated in the
public schools of Harrisburg, and after leav-
ing school learned the trade of house car-
penter, and followed this occupation until
1887. From 1887 until 1891 he was con-
nected with the Harrisburg postofBce as
letter carrier. In 1891 he engaged in the
planing mill business in connection with
Henry Geizell, under the firm name of Gei-
zell & Kohler. This partnership continued
until December, 1894, at which date Mr.
Kohler retired from the firm and embarke<i
in his present business. He is a member
of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, Olive En-
campment, No. 56, Susquehanna Lodge, No.
69, Daughters of Rebecca, I. 0. 0. F. In
politics he is a Democrat. He attends the
German Reformed church.
Hammond, William B., was born in Phila-
delphia, Pa., November 25, 1857. He is a
son of Charles E., paymaster of the United
States navy, and Elizabeth F. (Buehler)
Hammond, of Philadelphia. He was reared
in Bethlehem and Harrisburg, and received
his education at St. Paul's School at Concord,
N. H., and Lehigh Universitj'^, class of 1879.
After leaving college he engaged with the
general car record departmentof the Lehigh
Valley railroad, and afterwards with the firm
of Albert, Lewis & Co., near White Haven,
Pa., in the lumber business. He was a clerk
for William Buehler & & n in the insurance
business. In September, 1884, he became
partner with Dr. H. B. Buehler, under the
firm name of Buehler & Hammond, and con-
tinued until February 1, 1886, when he
withdrew from the firm and formed a part-
nership with Edward Bailey, under the firm
name of Hammond & Bailey. This firm has
been successful, and now has the best class
of business in the city. They represent the
Pennsylvania Fire, Reliance, Delaware and
Spring Garden of Philadelphia, Connecti-
cut of Hartford, Merchants' of Newark,
American Central of St. Louis, British
America and Western of Toronto, Imperial,
Norwich, Union, Northern, Royal, Manches-
ter and Phoenix of England, Queen and
Pacific of New York, Mutual Benefit Life
of Newark, Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance
of Hartford, Conn., Employers' Liability of
England, Lloyd's Plate Glass Insurance
Company of New York.
Mr. Hammond is a stockholder in the
Foundry and Machine Works and the Har-
risburg Bridge Company. He is a member
of the Harrisburg Club and a member and
one of, the incorporators of the Inglenook
Club.
He is a member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M. He is a member of the
Art Club of Philadelphia. In politics he is
a Republican. He is a subscriber to the
Young Men's Christian Association.
He was married, June 7, 1883, to Miss Jo-
sephine Porter, daughter of Dr. George W.
Porter, of Harrisburg, and granddaughter of
DAUFBIN COUNTY.
469
Gov. David R. Porter. They have three chil-
dren : George Porter, Emily Elizabeth and
Helen Goodwin. He attends St. Stephen's
Protestant Episcopal church and is a mem-
ber of the vestry of the church.
Peters, Thomas Sawyer, real estate and
insurance agent, Harrisburg, Pa., was born
in Harrisburg, November 26, 1857. He is a
son of Benjamin George and Ann Berst
Peters. Benjamin G. Peters was born in
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., in
December, 1819. He was for thirty years in
the hotel business in Harrisburg, and was
also proprietor of the Highspire distillery.
He served the city as a member of council,
and thcscounty as its treasurer. His wife, a
daughter of John and Barbara Hoerner
Berst, was born October 6, 1819. Their
children are : William Henry, Benjamin
Franklin, Anna Mary, widow of John W.
Young, Esq., of the Dauphin county bar,
and for twenty years member and secretary
of the Harrisburg School Board ; Thomas
Sawyer, Charles Hay, and John David, who
died in his infancy. Mr. Peters' death,
which occurred November 10, 1876, was
caused by an accident at the Pennsylvania
railroad crossing, at Highspire, Pa. Mrs.
Peters is still living.
Thomas Sawyer Peters received his educa-
tion in the public schools of Harrisburg,
and then engaged on his own account in the
real estate and insurance business. He is
connected with the following societies:
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. ;
State Capital Lodge, No. 70, 1. 0. 0. F. ; Cin-
cinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M. ;
the Royal Arcanum, and B. P. 0. Elks. He
is one of the organizers of the Harrisburg
lodges of Elks and Ancient Order United
Workmen. He is a Republican, and has
served as county assessor and in the ;com-
mon council of Harrisburg. On November
23, 1893, in Zion Lutheran church, Harris-
burg, Pa., Thomas Sawyer Peters was mar-
ried to Mary Agnes, daughter of George and
Katherine (Koenig) Doehne, born May 28,
1870. Mr. Doehne was born in Germany
in 1830, and has been in the brewing busi-
ness in Harrisburg for forty years. Mrs.
Doehne was born in Harrisburg in 1848.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Peters are:
George Doehne, born September 12, 1894,
and Anna Katherine, born May 3, 1896.
Mr. Peters and wife are members of the Lu-
theran church.
33
Sheafek, Wood K., fire insurance agent,
was born in Mendota, Minn., November 7,
1858. He is a son of Maj. H. J. and America
(Wood) Sheafer, natives of Dauphin county,
Pa. He removed with his parents to Har^
risburg when two years of age. He resided
in this city and received his education in the
public schools and high school and Seller's
Academy, of Harrisburg.
When fifteen years of age he engaged in
the grocery business for one year. After
that he was in the State Capital Flouring
Mill as bookkeeper. He took up the study
of dentistry with Dr. Westbrook,and attended
the Pennsylvania Dental College, from which
he was graduated in 1879-80. He practiced
his profession for three years in St. Louis,
Mo., successfully ; but on account of poor
health was obliged to retire from the profes-
sion. He returned to Harrisburg in 1883,
and engaged in the fire insurance business.
He is a Republican, and active in the work
of his party. In April, 1890, he was elected
to the select council for a term of four years;
was made president in 1892, and has since
that time held the office.
He is a member of Perseverance Lodge,
Chapter and Pilgrim Commandery, Harris-
burg Consistory, and past master of Blue
Lodge. He is unmarried.
Howard, James H. W.. real estate agent,
notary public and secretary of the Inter-State
Fair, Harrisburg, Pa., is a native of Hamil-
ton, Canada, and was born March 9, 1859,
He is a son of Hamilton and Virginia (Mun-
roe) Howard, the former a native of Virginia,
now residing in Harrisburg, the latter a
native of Hamilton, Canada, who died in Buf-
falo, N. Y., in 1876.
He received his primary education in the
public schools of his native city, and when
fourteen years of age he removed to Buffalo,
N.Y.,and completed his education in thehigh
school. He was employed with Dr. Thomas
F. Rochester of that city for about five years.
For the two following years he was engaged
in the produce business in Chicago, and in
1878 he removed to Harrisburg. Here he
also engaged in the produce business until
1884, when he embarked in the newspaper
business as publisher of the State Journal.
In 1886 he published a work entitled " Bond
and Free," the story being based on an in-
cident in his father's life. In 1889 he began
the publication of Howard's Negro American
Monthly. In 1890 he published a book en-
470
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
titled " Color Struggles." In 1892 he entered
the State department as messenger for an
unexpired term, and in 1894 engaged in the
real estate business. In 1882 he was elected
a member of the Harrisburg city council,
representing the Eighth ward, and filled
this office for three years. He has been sec-
retarj' of the Inter-State Fair since its organ-
ization, in 1892.
Mr. Howard was married in Washington,
D.C., March 29, 1883, to Ella Dorem, daugh-
ter of Philip and Mary Dorem, of Westmin-
ster, Md. They have one child, Layton Le-
roy, born January 20, 1886. In political
views Mr. Howard is a Democrat. He and
his wife are members of the Capitol Street
Presbyterian church.
Mr. Howard is a publisher of some note.
He contemplates the publication of a history
of colored soldiers during the late Rebellion,
in the preparation of which he was ably
assisted by Gen. Simon Cameron during his
life. Mr. Howard is a director of the only
colored building and loan association in
Harrisburg. He is a member of the Chosen
Friends Lodge, No. 43, A. Y. M., and of
Susquehanna Lodge, No. 27, G. U. 0. 0. F.,
both meeting in Harrisburg.
RocKAFELLAR, Thomas B., real estate and
collection agent, was born at Harrisburg,
Pa., October 2, 1862. He is a son of John
M. and Sarah (Hoffman) Rockafellar, the
former a native of Cumberland county,
the latter of Lancaster county, Pa. The
father settled in Harrisburg about 1860,
where he had before resided for a time pre-
vious to his marriage. He had taught school
for some time in Hummelstown. After
coming to Harrisburg he worked for a few
years at his trade of printing, but in his later
years he was engaged in the real estate busi-
ness. His wife survives him and resides
in Harrisburg. They had eleven children,
five of whom are living : Edward, residing
in Erie, Pa.; Thomas B.; Nellie, wife of John
M. Holmes, residing in Philadelphia; Sarah,
residing in Philadelphia, and Daisy. The
father was a worthy citizen and an active
and prominent church member.
Thomas B. was educated in the public
schools of Harrisburg. After leaving school
he entered at once upon the real estate busi-
ness, and for a period of seventeen years has
been continuously occupied in this business.
For two years he was connected in business
with his father, and for fifteen years has
conducted the business soleW in his own in-
terest. He was married in Harrisburg to
Miss Catherine Bowers, daughter of George
and Mary Bowers, residents of Harrisburg.
No children have been born to them. In
political views Mr. Rockafellar is a Republi-
can. He attends the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Taylor, William H., was born in Shrews-
bury, York county, Pa., April 25, 1864. He
is a son of Henry F. and Annie (Keevy)
Taylor, natives of York county. His father
was for many years in the United States de-
tective service. He served as justice of the
peace in York county for several terms.
William H. Taylor was educated' in York
county. At fourteen years of age he left
home and learned the trade of miller, at
which he worked four years. He afterwards
worked as a moulder in York, Pa., for three
years. He then opened a bakery in York,
and for three years did an extensive busi-
ness. In 1889 he came to Harrisburg, and
engaged in the insurance business. In 1894
he became one of the organizers of the Capi-
tal City Flint Company. He was elected
the first secretary, treasurer and general
manager of the company, and was continued
in these offices until November 30, 1895,
since which time he has been secretary of
the company. He is also district agent for
" The Manufacturers' Industrial League," of
Carlisle, Pa. Mr. Taylor is a Republican.
He is a member of the Junior Order United
American Mechanics. He was married, in
1887, to Miss Laura E., daughter of Henry
Slusser. They have two children : Paul S.
and Eve Adna.
Baker, George W., real estate and in-
surance agent, was born in Washington,
D. C, September 22, 1868. He is a son of
the late Frederick and Sarah E. (Goodman)
Baker. Frederick Baker was born in Dan-
ville, Pa., in November, 1887. He was a
carpenter and pursued this calling through-
out his life. Sarah Goodman was born in
Williamsport, Pa., in 1845. She was mar-
ried to Mr. Baker in 1866 ; they had five
children, of whom the only surviving one is
George W. The father is deceased and the
rnother is still living, aged fifty-one; she re-
sides in Harrisburg and is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. George W.
Baker came to Harrisburg when a boy. He
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
471
attended the high school for about four
years. At twenty years of age he went to
Chicago, 111., and was for three years a stu-
dent at the Armour Institute. At the age
of twenty-three he went to California and
was employed : for one year by Mr. J. C.
Blout as private messenger. He was next
engaged for a year in St. Paul, Minn,, in
the collecting, real estate and insurance
business. He then came to Harrisburg and
was for six months traveling salesman for
bai-ber's supplies. In 1895 he opened a
coal, real estate and insurance office at 1742
North Fourth street. His residence is on
Cowden street. He was appointed secretary
of the Quay Union Central Club, which
office he still holds. Mr. Baker is a Re-
publican. He is a member of the Presby-
terian church.
Davidson, John H., real estate and insur-
ance agent, Harrisburg, is a xiative of Dau-
phin county, Pa. He was born in the city
of Harrisburg July 5, 1870. He is a son of
William W. and Susan E. (Zimmerman)
Davidson, the former a native of Schuylkill
county, the latter of Halifax township, Dau-
phin county. His father was a tanner by
trade, and during his residence in Schuyl-
kill county followed this occupation, together
with farming. The parents removed to
Harrisburg about 1860. The father was en-
gaged in various occupations for a few years.
For the past thirty years he has been in the
employrnent of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. The parents had born to them
three children, all of whom are living,
namely : Frank E., residing at White
Bear Lake, Minn., Clara May, wife of
Charles E. Shaffer, residing one mile north-
east of Dauphin, Dauphin county, along
Stony creek, and John H.
John H. Davidson was educated in the
public schools of his native city. For a
period of about seven years after leaving
school he was employed by the Pennsylva-
nia Railroad Company as messenger and
clerk. On April 1, 1895, he engaged in his
present business, and has met with an en-
couraging degree of success. He is a mem-
ber of Cincinnatus Commanderv, No. 96,
K. of M.; Paxtang Conclave, Na 131, I. 0.
of H. In political views he is a Republican.
He is a consistent member of Augsburg Lu-
theran church.
FoosE, Lemuel Oliver, superintendent
of city schools, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in
Juniata county, Pa., January 16, 1838. He
is a son of James and Catherine (Boyer)
Foose. His primary education was re-
ceived in the Markleville Academy, Perry
county, Pa. He also took the greater part
of the course at the Pennsylvania College,
Gettysburg, Pa. He left college at the close
of the junior year. He was subsequently
honored by this institution with the degree
of M. A. While obtaining his education he
was more or less engaged in teaching school.
He had charge of the academy at Aarons-
burg, Centre county. Pa., from 1864 to 1866,
and in 1866-67 he was superintendent of
schools at Lima, Ohio ; in 1868-69, superin-
tendent of schools at Miamisburg, Ohio,
and from 1869 to 1879, principal of the boys'
high school, Harrisburg, Pa. In 1879 he
was elected superintendent of the schools of
the city of Harrisburg. In this position
his services have accomplished much for the
improvement of the schools. The course of
study has been extended and reconstructed,
with closely graded scholarships for admis-
sion to successive grades; changes have been
made in the method of promotion, so that
classes complete the year's work earlier than
before, and new classes take up their work
at the time of year when there is less dispo-
sition to drop out. A change has been
effected by which pupils are promoted with-
out examination when their work is satis-
factory to the teachers. Competitive exam-
inations are now held for the appointment
of teachers. As applicants come to take the
examination, the one highest in grade is
appointed to the first vacancy, and the next
vacancy is filled by the next highest in
grade. This does away with favoritism or
influence on the part of the school board in
appointing teachers. As a result of Professor
Foose's able administration the standard of
scholarship and discipline has been raised,
and the general scope and mission of the
schools so extended and enlarged that they
hold a high grade among the schools of the
State.
Professor Foose was one of the founders of
the public library, and has since been secre-
tary and trustee of the same. He has been
at the head of the University Extension
work since its inception. He is chairman of
the city Bible Society, and is closely identi-
fied with the Dauphin County Sunday-
472
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
School Association, being its president and
secretary. He is a member of the Messiah
Lutheran church. He has been one of the
official board and the superintendent of the
Sunday-school for twenty years.
Lemuel 0. Foose was married, in 1868, to
Miss Elizabeth Eleanor Kuhn, daughter of
Rev. Samuel and Eleanor M. Kuhn. Their
children are : Albert Elliott, Charles James,
the architect of the public library building,
of Harrisburg, Ella Irene, Frank Charles
and Jessie Florence.
Garner, John E., principal of the Harris-
burg Business College, was born in Carroll
county, Md., May 28, 1846. He is a son of
Abraham and Mary A. (Appier) Garner.
His father was a prosperous farmer, and died
in his native State, August 2, 1879. His
mother is still living and resides in Mary-
land. Their family consists of three children,
namely: Elias Oliver, Rebecca C, wife of
Samuel Gait, who resides in Carroll county,
Md., and John E. John E. was reared to
manhood in his native county, receiving his
primary education in the public schools.
Until the fall of 1868 he was engaged in
teaching school and working on the farm.
In the fall of 1868 he entered the Normal
School of Millersville, Pa. Here he spent
five years and was graduated in 1873. He
then again engaged in teaching school in
Lancaster county. Pa., for about three years,
attending college also during the summer
for the purpose of perfecting himself in the
higher branches of education. In 1876 he
removed to Harrisburg and was engaged in
the city schools for eight years. In 1885 he
opened the Business College, now so well
known to the people of this and adjoining
counties. He was married in Harrisburg,
July 5, 1881, to Ettie S. White, daughter of
Rudolph and Elizabeth A. White. To them
have been born three children, namely:
John E., born October 28,1886; Elizabeth
May, born March 24, 1890; and Gilbert D.,
born June 17, 1893. Mr. Garner is an active
member of the Order of American Mechanics.
In political views he is a Republican, and
he attends the Church of God. Mrs. Garner
is a member of Pine Street Presbyteriaii
church. Mr. Garner has acquired distinction
in his profession. His college enjoys a large
and growing popularity, and has sent many
bright and promising young men to recruit
the ranks of business men. The institution
was organized in 1873, by Prof. John N.
Currey, as a night school and in 1880 day
sessions were added. In 1885 Prof. Garner,
then one of the popular teachers of the
school, assumed entire control. He reorgan-
ized and systematized the course of instruc-
tion. This same is eminently practical and
is under the direct personal charge of the
principal, who is assisted by a large corps of
able instructors. The course embraces prac-
tical arithmetic, bookkeeping, grammar,
spelling, commercial correspondence, rapid
calculations, shorthand, typewriting, com-
mercial law and business ethics. To all per-
sons who have been denied a thorough course
of common school education, and to those
who are deficient in any particular branch, a
great opportunitjas here afforded. Special de-
partments are open to young men and ladies
who wish to better fit themselves for a thor-
ough course of collegiate or commercial
studies. The college is handsomely ap-
pointed and is centrally located at No. 330
Market street. ,
Hammelbaugh, D. Daniel, secretary of
the Harrisburg School District, was born at
Harrisburg October 18, 1861. He is a son
of Philip and Elizabeth (Stabler) Hammel-
baugh, and has been a continuous resident
of this city since his birth. His father is a
native of Maryland, and settled in Harris-
burg about 1844 and since that time has
been a resident of the city. He is seventy-
two years of age and is highly esteemed.
His wife, the mother of the subject of this
sketch, is a native of Marysville, Pa. She
died when D. Daniel was in infancy. Both
she and her husband are of German ances-
try. They had six children, five of whom
are living: Elizabeth, widow of the late
William Miller; Julia, wife of George E.
Arnold; Margaret, wife of John W. White;
Josephine, wife of William B. Grissinger,
and D. Daniel. By a second union Philip
had a family of five children, four of whom
are living and are as follows: George B.,
Mary F., wife of James H. Collins, Cath-
erine G. and Charles F. All members of
both families reside in Harrisburg.
D. Daniel received his education in the
public and high schools of this city, having
been graduated from the high school in
1882. For a short time he was assistant
ticket agent in the office of the Northern
Central railroad. In September, 1883, he
engaged as messenger to the Board of Edu-
cation, and in June, 1895, after the death of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
473
the late John W. Young, was appointed to
the office he now so acceptably fills. He is
a member of Council 'No. 3, Order United
American Mechanics, and of Gen. John F.
Hartranft Camp, No. 15, Sons of Veterans.
In political views he is liberal. He attends
the Westminster Presbyterian church. He
is widely known and highly esteemed.
Shumberger, J. C. — A community gains
character and distinction from the leaders in
various branches of business who make it
the seat of their labors. Every original and
successful business venture is an advertise-
ment and an additional attraction to the
place. Certainly to Mr. Shumberger must
be accorded the praise of success in the
founding and conduct of his School of Com-
merce.
Mr. Shumberger was born in Good Hope,
Cumberland county. Pa. His father, Simon
Shumberger, was a native of the same
county, and was a prominent man there.
He was a contractor and builder, and also
conducted an undertaking establishment.
He served for nine months during the late
Rebellion in company F, One Hundred and
Thirtieth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.
He resided in Cumberland county until
1890, when he came to Harrisburg. Since
that time he has been engaged in contract-
ing. He married Sarah Eckert, and they
have two children : M. Ella, wife of Jacob
Souder, residing in Harrisburg, and J. C.
Mr. and Mrs. Simon Shumberger are worthy
peeple, modest and unassuming, and quietly
taking part in all movements promising
social good. Mr. Shumberger is one of the
incorporators of the Messiah Rescue and Be-
nevolent Home of Harrisburg, which was
chartered April 15, 1896.
J. C. Shumberger received his primary
education in the public schools of his native
county and of Harrisburg. This course was
supplemented by subsequent attendance at
the Keystone Business College of Harrisburg
and the head school of Acme Phonography
at Washington, D. C.
In the organization of the Lebanon Busi-
ness College in 1890 Mr. Shumberger dis-
played marked ability. When the failure of
others had left the ground cumbered with
difficulties he achieved success, placed the
institution on a good foundation and started
it upon a career of prosperity. He after-
wards disposed of the Lebanon Business
College to a company composed of the prin-
cipals of the different departments of the
school, and the institution is still success-
fully conducted by them. A remarkable
record of usefulness and success is that
which has been made by the institution
known as the School of Commerce, which is
located at 16 North Market Square.
Mr. J. C. Shumberger, who founded the
school in Harrisburg in April, 1894, is one
of the ablest, most courteous and most dis-
tinguished representatives of the scholastic
profession, and by his indefatigable efforts,
seconded by a stafi:' of competent assistants,
he has made it one of the most prosperous
schools of the kind in the State.
The following is a list of studies pursued
at this school : Double entry bookkeeping,
single entry bookkeeping, commercial law,
commercial arithmetic, rapid calculations,
civil government, correspondence, grammar
(Maxwell's Intro, and Swinton's advanced),
negotiable papers, penmanship, office prac-
tice, spelling, banking, practice of keeping
books for the different trades, shorthand,
letter copying, manifolding and typewriting.
In no school in the United States is better
work done than in this one. The proof is
found in the ease with which pupils secure
good paying positions in great business
houses.
There are accommodations for about 150
scholars at this school, and about 146 are at
present enrolled.
Mr. Shumberger gives to every depart-
ment his close personal supervision — and we
-all know what a powerful thing the eye of
the master is. The school has the finest
business college rooms in the State, fitted
with all the modern conveniences. The
rooms are elegantly lighted with nat-
ural and electric light and heated with
steam. The latest improved typewriters are
in use. Those desiring to prepare them-
selves for teaching penmanship in any or
all of the departments of the beautiful art
find superior facilities in this institution.
Students holding scholarsliips have the
privilege of attending both day and even-
ing sessions until they have the course com-
pleted, regardless of time. They also have
the privilege of reviewing their course in
the college years after, if they wish, without
extra charge.
In short, this is a thoroughly up-to-date
institution, having at its head one of the ac-
knowledged master minds of the profession.
On May 1,1896, Mr. Shumberger organized
474
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
a Commercial College at Carlisle, Cumber-
land county, Pa., which he is conducting
successfully at this date. In connection
with the School of Commerce Mr. Shum-
berger edits and publishes a newspaper
called the School of Commerce News, which is
issued monthly.
During the years 1892, '93 and '94 Prof.
Shumberger was principal of the commer-
cial department of the Pennsylvania Chau-
tauqua, and performed the duties incum-
bent upon him with zeal and efficiency. In
1893 he was elected a director of the Phila-
delphia Mutual Loan Association. In his
earlier life Mr. Shumberger was engaged in
mechanical pursuits. He learned both car-
pentry and undertaking, and when only
sixteen years of age was the overseer of
twelve men engaged in erecting important
structures, such as barns, dwelling houses
and churches.
Mr. Shumberger was married in Lebanon,
Pa., June 1, 1893, to Alberta K., daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Borden) Hepkins.
They have one child, named Sarah Eliza-
beth. Mr. and Mrs. Shumberger are con-
sistent and active members of Messiah Lu-
theran church, and are teachers in the Sun-
day-school connected with that church.
During the last eight months of Mr. Shum-
berger's residence in Lebanon he was the
faithful superintendent of the Sunday-
school of the Seventh Street Lutheran
church. He is a member of the Young
Men's Christian Association and takes a
lively interest in all activities tending to
benefit and improve his fellow-men. Mr.
Shumberger is an active member of the Pa-
triotic Order Sons of America, also of the
commandery of the same organization, and
a member and trustee of Dauphin Conclave,
No. 96, I. 0. of H.
Landon, Samuel G., principal of the Har-
risburg high school, was born in Herrick,
Bradford county. Pa., February 12, 1865,
son of George and Catherine (Smith) Lan-
don, both natives of Wyoming county, where
they now have their residence. The father,
a prominent and well-known citizen of Brad-
ford county, was a college graduate and in
earlier life was active in the ministry, which
he was compelled by failing health to relin-
quish ; subsequently he engaged in farming
and later became prominent in politics, serv-
ing two terms as the representative of his
district in the United States Congress. He
is now living retired from business in his
native town, at the advanced, age of seventy-,
nine years: He has been twice married,
having six children by his 'first marriage,
three of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of
E. Fuller, residing at Camptown, Pa.; George
K., residing at Avoca, N. Y.; and Annie,;
wife of R. J. Fuller, residing at Camptown,
Pa.; and by his second marriage, eight chil-
dren, seven living: Benson, at Chicago ; Mrs.
Rev. W. P. Buck, Provincetown, Mass.; Sam-'
uel G. ; Herbert, residing on the homestead ■
Carrie, wife of T. J. Reinhart, residing at
Black Walnut, Wyoming county. Pa. ; Jen-
nie, at home; and Robert, Avoca, Pa. Sam-
uel G. attended the public schools of his
native township, and was graduated from
Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., in
June, 1885. He completed his college course
at Wesle3'^an University, Middletown, Conn.,
in the class of 1889. For two years he was
superintendent of schools at California, Mo.,
and for one year professor of Latin and
Greek in Puget Sound University, Tacoma,
Wash., after which he was for two years sup-
erintendent of schools at Puyallup, Wash.,
and then came East to accept the positioii of
principal of the Harrisburg high school,
taking charge of the work in September,
1894. Professor Landon was married in
California, Mo., June 3, 1891, to Miss Minnie
E. Biggs, daughter of Thomas M. and Jose-
phine Y. (McGowan) Biggs, and to their
marriage there is no issue. Professor and
Mrs. Landon attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Gkegoey, Frank H., general secretary
Y. M. C. A., Pennsylvania Railroad Branch,
was born in Philadelphia October 9, 1861.
His grandfather, Gen. Edgar M. Gregorj'-,.
served with distinction during the war of
the Rebellion. He was wounded at the
battle of Chancellorsville May 8,. 1868. He
was promoted to brevet ' brigadier general
September 1, 1864, and to brevet major
general August 9, 1865. He was hbnorabl.y:
discharged by general orders November 3,
1867. He served as United States marshal
at Philadelphia from the date of his dis-
charge from the army until his death. Capt.
Frank H.Gregory, son of the. above-men-
tioned General Gregory and father of the
subject of this sketch, was a prominent con-
tractor and bridge builder in Philadelphia,
but during the latter years of his life he
was with the Globe Gas Light Company, of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
475
Philadelphia. In the late war between the
States he commanded company A, Ninety-
first regiment, Pennsylvania, volunteer
infantry,, and with his company took part
in many prominent engagements. He died
at Philadelphia March, 1877, after aji active
and successful career, leaving a good name
as an inheritance to his descendants. His
faithful and devoted wife, Mary A. (Fletcher)
Gregory, still survives and resides at Derry,
Pa. They had four children, three of whom,
are living: C. Augusta, Prank H. and W.,
Elbert, the eldest and youngest both resid-
ing at Derry, Pa.
Frank H. was educated in the public
schools of Philadelphia and of Danville, Pa.
For & short time he was salesman in a gen-
eral store in Philadelphia. Afterwards he
learned the wire-manufacturing business
and for about four months he was engaged
in this business in his own interest in Phila-
delphia. In 1886 he was appointed assist-
ant secretary of the P. R. R. depaj'tment of
the Y. M. 0. A. at Philadelphia. He effi-
ciently filled this position for nine months,
when he was appointed secretary of the
same institution at Derry, Pa.; there he re-
mained until 1893, when he was transferred
to his present position at Harrisburg. His
judicious, faithful and courteous manage-
ment of the affairs of the society have given
him. a large place in the esteem and affec-
tion of the members.
Mr. Gregory was married at West Chester
September 17^ 1895, to Miss Lula May Free-
man, daughter of W. H. M. and Mary Free-
man, of that city. Mr. Gregory is an active
member of Derry Lodge, No. 942, I. 0. 0. F.,
of Derry, Pa.; also of Nazareth Commandery,
No. 125, K. of M., of Harrisburg. In po-
litical views he is a Prohibitioiiist. He and
his wife attend the Presbyterian church.
: Black, Homer, general secretary Y. M.
C. A., Harrisburg, Pa., was born at Ports-
mouth, N. H., September 22, 1866. He is a
son of William and Mary E. (Shepard)
Black, natives of Portsmouth, who both
died at Boston, Mass., the former June 8,
1879, the latter July 25, 1891. These
parents had born to them three sons, namely :
William, born August 10, 1850, and died
June 10, 1894 ; James A., at present resid-
ing in New York City, and Homer.
When one year old. Homer Black was
taken by his parents to Boston, Mass., where
they made their home. He received his
education in the public schools of that city.:
He became accountant in a large furniture
store, which position he occupied for a long
period. During the years 1888-89, and part
of 1890, he was engaged as associate secre-
tary of the Y. M. C. A., at Rochester, N. Y.
In April, 1890, he removed to Bay City,
Mich., where he filled the position of general
secretary of the Y. M. C. A., until 1891, when
he removed to Harrisburg. Since that date,
he has, with ability and acceptance, dis-
charged the duties of his present engage-
ment.
He was married in Boston, Mass., Decem-
ber 25, 1889, to Eugenie Dagmar Peterson,
daughter of Theodore and Anne Peterson,
of Boston,. Mass., but at present residing at
Akron, Ohio. They have two children,
namely: Theodore Wesley, born June 7,
1891, and Dorothy Stearns, born April 19,
1894. Mr. Black is a member of the Royal
Arcanum, No. 499, of Harrisburg. In po-
litical views he is liberal. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Black are members of Grace Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Black has spent
most of his life in active and practical evan-
gelistic work ; a wise head, warm heart and
genial imanner are an attractive and force-
ful commendation of his religion.
KuRZENKNABE, J. H., music tcachcr and
author, was born in Moenchehof, near Cassel,
Kurhessen, Germany, June 18, 1840. He is
a son of John George and Anna Kurzen-
knabe. He was left an orphan in childhood.'
He attended the Industrial School at Cassel.
When he was fourteen years old he bade
farewell to friends and home, September 15,
1854, and set out to seek his fortune in the
New World, sailing from Bremerhaven for
America on the following day. By mistake
he was transferred to a ship on which all
were strangers to him, but he was buoyant
with hope and free as a bird. During the
voyage of forty-nine days, being a very clever
violinist, he made friends among the officers
and crew and became also a general favorite
with the, passengers, so that he was the pet
of the ship. His especial attention was at-
tracted to an old lady who was sick during
the whole voyage. Her children in America
had sent money to bring over their old
mother. To this helpless woman he minis-
tered in his boyish way as best he could.
The forty-nine days' voyage was tempestu-
ous, and minus mast, and storm-beaten, the
ship hove in sight of the eagerly looked-for
476
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
land. On her arrival at New York, the
children of the old lady were there to meet
her, to whom she told the story of the boy's
kindness. In this family he found a tem-
porary home, and in years to come he was
not forgotten by them. Arrangements were
made for him to go to a seminary in Penn-
sylvania, where under Christian training he
found a safe shelter and valuable instruction.
Having a talent for music he followed this
bent, and in that institution of learning he
prosecuted his musical studies and made for
himself a name as a teacher of the violin
and vocal music. He was afterwards placed
under the care and instruction of William
B. Bradbury, then the most prominent
teacher of music in the country. After a
thorough course under this master, Mr. Kur-
zenknabe started on his own responsibility.
His first and only attempt to teach singing
and a day-school together in a Maryland
town was a total failure, but the very next
engagement, which was at Sag Harbor, L.I.,
proved a complete success. After teaching
successfully in Baltimore and other Mary-
land towns, he visited the New England
States and taught conventions in a number
of important cities. He then returned to
Hagerstown, Md., where his lot fell in pleas-
ant places, and here, too, he found the wife
to cheer him through his busy life. He
taught successfully in Baltimore, York, Pa.,
Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York,
and last in Camden, N. J., where the first
child, a boy, greeted the parents and cheered
their hearts. His next place of residence
and teaching was Moorestown, N. J., and the
next Philadelphia, where a daughter was
born. The war coming on, the New Eng-
land States seemed safer than Pennsylvania,
heneeDedham, Mass., became the next home.
Fine classes in Yankee land, war songs and
teaching in most of the prominent towns
brought money to the purse, but sickness
claimed the boy for a victim. Repeated and
urgent invitations from Maryland friends to
make a change, for the boy's sake, induced
the Kurzenknabes to disregard the threaten-
ing perils of war and journey southward. An-
tietam and Gettysburg brought the armies of
both sides, and the great invasion left the
family destitute and helpless, with but five
dollars in money and a railroad ticket to Sun-
bury, Pa., whence the floods drove them back.
Mercersburg and study for the ministry were
quickly decided upon. But exciting debates
of the church involved theological gladia-
tors and their followers, and too free a tongue
was not the wisest thing to have in those
days of trial. Fairy visions vanished. The
advent of twin boys made an increase of in-
come imperative and teaching was the only
resource. A house was purchased at Mc-
Connellsburg, but sold after an occupancy of
two years. Mechanicsburg was home for a
short time,and finally Harrisburg became the
permanent residence, and a house was pur-
chased which is still home. Teaching for
twenty -seven years in many difierent States,
sometimes hundreds of miles from home,
always joyous, looking at the bright side of
life, active, with plenty of grit, yet with his
heart centered where the loved ones stay,
earnest, enthusiastic, this is J. H. Kurzen-
knabe as his friends and scholars know him.
Professor Kurzenl nabe is the author and
compiler of the following books : " Sweet
Silver Echoes," "Music at Sight," "Gospel
Trio," " Songs and Glees," " Wreath of Gems,"
"Song Treasury," "Peerless Praise," " Gates
Ajar," "Sowing and Reaping," " Theory of
Music," " Fair as the Morning," and "Kindly
Light." The sale of " Sowing and Reaping "
has reached over 280,000 copies, and over
190,000 copies of "Fair as the Morning"
have been sold. "Kindly Light" starts in
with 20,000 copies engaged in advance of
publication. All of these books are pub-
lished by his well-known house of J. H.
Kurzenknabe & Sons, Harrisburg, Pa. Mr.
Kurzenknabe was married in Greencastle,
Pa., November 13, 1859, to Susan Shafer,
daughter of George and Frederica Shafer,
residents of Hagerstown, Md. Their chil-
dren are : Harry J., bom in Camden, N. J.,
printer and stationer of Harrisburg; Anna
Rosina, born in Philadelphia and died June
24, 1877, in Harrisburg; Flora Fernandina,
born in Hagerstown, Md., a student at Mc-
Dowell's school. New York ; John Erasmus
and George Jacob, twins, born in Mercers-
burg, Pa.; John E., manager of his father's
music house ; George J., in the music busi-
ness in Chicago ; James William, born in
McConnellsburg, Pa., died October 29, 1869,
in Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Richard Louis, born
in Harrisburg, and connected with his
father's business; Gertrude Viola, born in
Harrisburg, wife of George Elias Shaffer, re-
siding in Harrisburg ; Lily Esther, born in
Harrisburg, bookkeeper in her father's music
store ; Norman Bruce, born in Harrisburg,
now in the music business in New York ;
Ellen Miriam, a student of elocution at Em-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
'^ll
erson's College, Boston, Mass. ; Susan May,
born in Harrisburg; Paul Edgar, born in
Harrisburg; Francis Earl Harter, born in
Harrisburg ; Myra Simmons, born in Har-
risburg, died in Harrisburg, August 17, 1886.
Professor Kurzenknabe is at present a mem-
ber of Salem Reformed church of Harrisburg.
He was formerly a member of the Second
church, which, as elder, he represented for
many years at Classis and in the Synod.
He belongs to Peace and Plenty Lodge, No.
69, 1. 0. 0. P., Harrisburg Encampment, No.
301, the I. 0. of H., and several other or-
ganizations. He is often for weeks from
home, attending conventions, gospel services
and children's gatherings. He eats and
sleeps well, is in perfect health, is five feet
nine inches in height, turning the scale at
two hundred pounds, and knowing nothing
by experience of sickness. You will find
him a hale-fellow-well-met. May his days of
usefulness be many and his talent ever be
active in the Master's cause, till the welcome
summons, "Well done, thou good and faith-
ful servant," calls him to the rest that
awaits the people of God. This sketch is
prepared by one of his loyal friends and
ardent admirers.
Oeth, Henry C, music dealer and insur-
ance agent, was born in Harrisburg, April
8, 1843.
On the right bank of the river Danube,
about fifteen miles east of Vienna, is the
village of- Orth. In the year 1170, Hartneid
Von Orth purchased the village and estate
surrounding it, founded a church and
erected a castle. The estate remained in
the family until the close of the seventeenth
century, when the proprietor sold the estate
and moved to Moravia, one of the northern
provinces of Austria. A portion of the Orth
family removed to the Palatinate, along the
river Rhine. In 1709 Karl Orth was born
in the town of Ramholtz, in the Palatinate,
died in 1789, was married, and had issue.
Karl Orth, 2d, was born in 1770, in Ram-
holtz, married in 1795, to Margaret Roth,
and died in Ramholt2; in 1854. He held
the position .of superintendent of forestry.
George Orth, second son of Karl Orth and
Margaret (Roth) Orth, was born December
5, 1808, in Ramholtz, Germany. He was a
shoemaker by trade, and a musician of no
mean ability. He is living a retired life in
Harrisburg, where he settled on coming to
America in 1842. His wife, Elizabeth M.
(Rufer) Orth, was born near Frankfort,
Germany, and is still living, at the age of
seventy-five years. They have had three
children, of whom Henry C. and Louisa,
wife of Charles A. Aughinbaugh, still sur-
vive. Henry C. has spent his life in Har-
risburg. He passed through the public
schools, and subsequently obtained a
thorough musical education and became a
teacher of the pianoforte. He embarked in
his present business in 1865, and has con-
ducted it with great success. He was mar-
ried at Grantville, Dauphin county, in April,
1875, to Miss Katherine G. Sherk, daughter
of Michael and Elizabeth Sherk, who were
among the early settlers of Lebanon county.
One child was born to them, namely,
Florence. Mr. Orth is a school director,
and chairman of the board of teachers. He
is an active member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M., and has been treasurer
of the lodge for the past fourteen years. In
his political affiliation he is a staunch Repub-
lican. He attends the Market Square Pres-
byterian church.
Boas, Daniel D., deceased, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa.,' February 19, 1819, a few
weeks after the death of his father, Jacob Boas,
who had four sons older than Daniel D.: John
P., William D., Jacob B. and Augustus F.
Jacob Boas, the father of Daniel D., Was the
son of Rev. William Boas and was born at
Reading, Pa., in 1786. He was brought up
to mercantile pursuits and came to Harris-
burg in 1805, where he established him-
self in business. He was d member of the
borough council and was commissioned by
Governor Snyder February 6, 1809, pro-
thonotary and clerk of the Court of Quarter
Sessions and died while in office, October
8, 1815. He married Sarah, daughter of
Jacob Dick, of Reading, Pa. The widowed
mother of Daniel D. removed with her sons
to Reading, Pa., the residence of her rela-
tives and friends, where the sons were all
put to trades, it being the custom of that
day to teach every boy a trade whether his
family was wealthy or poor. Daniel D.
patiently passed his apprenticeship but was
very anxious to begin business for himself.
He accepted a position for a short time in
the Harrisburg postoffice, but soon relin-
quished it to accept an interest offered him
by 0. P. Bellman in his extensive shoe trade.
Finding the shoe business too slow for him
he persuaded Mr. Bellman to abandon it and
4-78
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYCLOFEDIA
they formed a partnership in the lumber
business. Mr. Boas found in this business
ample scope for his ability and congenial
occupation for life. He was a man of
marked characteristics and would have been
prominent in any branch of business. . Hi§-
career was successful and carried him from
insignificant beginnings to the plane, of
prosperity and competency. His business
methods were comprehensive and complete,
beginning with a carefully laid plan and
progressing by the most studious attention
to all' details in operation and conducting
with the utmost attainment of ' the end
sought. He was a popular man in his busi->
ness associations because of his considera-
tion of the rights and comfort and conveni-
ence of others. So well was he versed in
human nature that he was able to transact
business without friction and seldom had
to resort to legal process to get his due. His
sympathy with all classes was genuine and,
broad,, while his aid to the needy was un-
stinted.
Mr. Boas was prominent in, the Demo-
cratic party and was sometimes honored
with office, but his strong and universal
preference was to be. a worker in the ranks
of his party, and never lead. He served in
the school board of Harrisburg for many
years and was the president of that body.
He was much interested in the organization
and adoption of the free school system and
was very active in securing that end. He
counseled a liberal policy in providing
school accommodations and many of the,
best improvements are due to his wisdom ;
and sagacity. Mr. BoaS was tlie candidate,
of his party in 1865 : for senator from his;
district and polled' many votes above the;
strength of the party. In 1876 he was the.
Democratic presidential elector. He made
no enemies either in politics or religion, but.
was broad and charitable, arid honored the-
motives of all who differed from hini in,
views. He died May 9, 1878, his life being,
suddenly terminated by an accident by
which iie was thrown from hisj.carriage.
The announcement of his death was mourn-
ful news in the city, where all i recognized
the value of his public Service and the
worthiness of his character. Few men were
so prominent in promoting the welfare of
the community and few events' have sad-,
dened the hearts as his untimely taking off.
Mr. Boas left a wife, two sotts and three
daughters, the eldest daughter being Mrs.
John Wister, of Duncannon.
His son, Henry D. Boas, was born in Har-
risburg October 11, 1857. He received his
primary education in the public schools and
tlie Harrisburg Academy and subsequently
attended. St. Paul's School at Concord, N. H.
In 1871 he entered the office of his father
and remained there until the death of the.
latter in 1878, when in connection with his
brother, William S., they took charge of the
business of which, since the death, of his
brother, he has had entire control. Mr.
Boas was married October 26, 1876, to Miss
Susan Espey, daughter of Joseph and Mary
Espey. Two children have been born to
them : Mary Espey and Sarah Wister. Mr.
Boas is a worthy successor of his distin-
guished father. The immense business in-
terests which came early into his hands
have been ably managed and the son has
displayed much of the business ability
shown in the ■ successful career of his hon-
ored parent... In social life also Mr. Boas is
an. important factor. He is a member of
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, P. & A. M.,
and is a member of the Harrisburg Club.
He and his family attend St. Stephen's
Episcopal church.
: Sheeslby, William, was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., October 25, 1838. His father,
the late Daniel Sheesley, was born in Dau-
phin county, in the Lykens Valley ; he died
in 1869. His mother, Sarah (Ressinger)
Sheesley, was born in Harrisburg, and ■ is
still, living at the advanced age of eighty
years. They had eleven children, eight of
whom survive : William, Mary, wife of Peter
Reel, Sarah, Daniel, Louisa, wife of Joseph
E. Rhodes, Elizabeth, wife of George Zat-
nall, Samuel and George. ■
• William Sheesley received only a limited
education ; he may with truth be dalled a
self-made man. With industry, energy and
perseverance, he riiade up for his lack of
early advantages, and won deserved pros-
perity and success. His youth and early
manhood were spent in agricultural pur-.
suits. When twenty-seven years of age he
went to work upon the river, and continued
at this occupation two years. In 1866, after
tbe destruction of the bridge by fire, he.
operated a, ferry between Harrisburg and
Bridge Island. When the new bridge was
completed, he returned to his former occupa-
DAUPEIN COUNTY
479
tion on the river. From 1869 to 1875 he
was engaged in the milling business, and in
1876 he erected the premises he now occu-
pies, and engaged in the flour and feed busi-
ness; later he added the coal business, in
which he has since continued.
In 1874 Mr. Sheesley was elected a mem-
ber of the select council of Harrisburg, and
served in that body two years. In 1876 he
was elected city treasurer, and so well did he
execute this important trust that he was re-
elected for a second term. In 1881 he was
elected sheriff of Dauphin county, and was
also awarded a second term, for which he
was elected in 1887, in recognition of his
capacity and fidelity.
William Sheesley was married at Harris-
burg, January 21, 1861, to Miss Anna E.
Young, daughter of John and Elizabeth
Young. They had eight children, six of
whom are living : Catherine, wife of James
Lehr; Mary, wife of Edwin Miller; Mar-
garet, wife of Thomas Carpenter; Amelia,
John H. and Lillie. Mr. Sheesley is an ac-
tive member of Lamberton Lodge, No. 708,
I. 0. 0. F., and of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. In his political views he
is a staunch Republican.
Sheesley, John H., son of William, was
born at Harrisburg, December 8, 1869. He
was educated in the public schools, and
learned the trade of machinist. He followed
this trade until 1894, working two years of
the time in the United States navy yard at
Washington, D. C. In February, 1895, he
purchased the flour and feed branch of his
father's business.
He was married in Harrisburg, February
28, 1893, to Miss Mary Peebles, daughter of
William F.and Retta Peebles, of Harrisburg.
They have had one son, William LeRoy,
who died November 30, 1895. Mr. Sheesley
is on the threshold of his business career,
which promises the largest success. He is
universally esteemed in all the walks of life.
Bell, John, lumber merchant, was born
on the shore of the Susquehanna river about
two miles' from Harrisburg, December 8,
1838. He is a son of John and Margaret
(Fullerton) Bell, the former a native of Stony
Greek Valley, Pa., the latter born at Colum-
bia,, Lancaster county. Pa. He received his
education in the public schools. He learned
the trade of carpenter and builder, and fol-
lowed this occupation in Harrisburg for
twenty-three years. In 1879 he engaged in
the lumber business, and has continued in
it to the present time.
John Bell has been twice married. He
was married in Baltimore, Md., December
22, 1864, to Jennie Albert. Of five children
born to this marriage only one is living,
Lilly M., wife of Frederic Smith, of Harris-
burg. Mrs. Bell died in Harrisburg May
26, 1874. Mr. Bell was married the second
time at Harrisburg, December 14, 1879, to
Mary A. Riegle. daughter of Simon and Bar-
bara (S toner) Riegle. To them have been
born a family of five boys : Warren R.,
Wayne S., Roger F., Arthur and John E.
In 1861 Mr. Bell enlisted in company G,
Twentieth Pennsylvania infantry, and served
three months. In 1862 he re-enlisted in
company A, One Hundred and Twenty-sev-
enth Pennsylvania volunteers, and served
nine months. He also served six months in
company I, Twentieth Pennsylvania cav-
alry, one hundred daj'S in company G, One
Hundred and Ninety-fourth Pennsylvania
volunteers, and ten months in company I,
Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers.
He was finally mustered out of service at
Victoria, Tex., and returned to Harrisburg.
He is a member of Post No. 58, G. A. R.
Mr. Bell acts with the Republican party.
The family attend Grace Methodist Epis-
copal church. Mr. Bell is a thorough busi-
ness man, and gives hearty support to all
measures calculated to build up the city and
to better societ}'.
Kelley, Henry M., wholesale coal dealer,
and manager of the Bay Shoe Manufactur-
ing Company, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in
Philadelphia, June 22, 1840. He is the
youngest son and only survivor of three
children of Andrew and Ruth (Grayson)
Kelley, both natives of England, but resi-
dents of the United States from their in-
fancy. He received the advantages of the
public schools in his native city, and after
leaving school learned the trade of ma-
chinist, which vocation he pursued till 1876.
His last work in this line of business was
the setting up of the engines in the pump-
ing station of the city water works, at the
foot of North street, which he afterwards
operated for two years. In 1876 Mr. Kelley
engaged in the wholesale and retail coal
trade. On his premises, situated near the
canal, on State street, he operates the largest
business of this kind in the city. Mr. Kelley-
480
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
has been a continuous resident of Harris-
burg for thirty years, and besides his con-
nection with the branches of business al-
ready named, he is a director in the boards
of the Brelsford Packing Company, the
Pennsylvania Ammonia and Fertilizing
Company and the Harrisburg Traction Com-
pany. Mr. Kelley has shown himself to be
thoroughly alive to the business activities of
the times, is universally respected for his
honorable business methods and intelligent
enterprise, and highly esteemed in financial
circles for his integrity. He has won suc-
cess by honorably deserving it. He is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F.
& A. M.; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21,
R. A. M.; Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, and
Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In
politics he is a staunch Republican.
Mr. Kelley was married in Philadelphia,
October 31, 1870, to Miss Caroline Elder.
They have had but one child and it died in
infancy.
wife of James McCann, and William S.
Mr. Hautzman is a member of Cincinnatus
Commandery, No. 96, K. of M., and also an
active member of Millersburg Conclave, No.
208, I. 0. H. He is a Republican. He and
his family are members of the Reformed
church.
Hautzman, Frederick H., dealer in lum-
ber and mill work, Harrisburg, was born in
Germany. He is a son of Henry and Kath-
erine (Flager) Hautzman, both native Ger-
mans. The family came to America when
Frederick was six years old, and located in
Harrisburg. Here he received his educa-
tion in the public schools. He learned the
trade of car-building, and followed this
occupation until 1866, when he began the
operation of a planing mill. In 1870 he
removed to Millersburg, Pa., and operated a
planing mill there for seventeen years. In
1887 he removed to Harrisburg and became
foreman of the John Langletz Co., and
held this position until 1893, when he be-
came connected with the Millersburg Plan-
ing Mill Company, and opened up the
present branch of that business in this city..
He has been twice married. His iirst wife
was Adeline B. Wietzel, to whom he was
married in Harrisburg in 1865. To this
marriage there were born eleven children,
six of whom are living, namely : Sarah
Alice, Ella May, Charles F., Arthur S.,
Grace C. and Maud R. Mrs. Hautzman died
in Harrisburg. Mr. Hautzman was united
in matrimony the second time, December
31, 1890, to Mary Alice Siebert, widow of
the late Aram Hammaker. There are no
children born to this marriage. By her
union with her first husband, Mrs. Hautz-
man has two living children : Nellie May,
Cox, D. W., wholesale coal dealer, was born
in Baltimore county, Md., March 22, 1841.
He is a son of the late Selmon and Mary
(Cooper) Cox, the former of whom died in
1860, and the latter in 1849. When about
eleven years of age he removed to York
county. Pa., and received his education in
the public schools of Baltimore county, Md.,
and of York county, Pa., up to the age of fif-
teen. He began business for himself as a
boy of sixteen in a general country store, and
after being occupied with this vocation for
about two years he became a track laborer
on the Northern Central railroad, after which
he studied telegraphy and was later given a
place as operator on this road. In 1862 he
came to Harrisburg as secretary to Gen. A.
B. Warford, at that date president of the
Northern Central railroad. Upon the retire-
ment of General Warford, Mr. Cox was given
a position as clerk in the general superin-
tendent's office. In February, 1865, he en-
listed in company I, Seventy-seventh Penn-
sylvania volunteers as a private. Within
a short time he was appointed regimental
clerk, and a little later on clerk in the in-
spector general's department at General
Thomas' headquarters, Nashville, Teun. He
was mustered out of the service on special
orders in October, 1865, returned to Harris-
burg and again entered the service of the
Northern Central railroad, this time as pay-
master.. In 1871 he resigned his position
with the Northern Central railroad and was
employed by the Harrisburg Furnace Com-
pany. In 1872 he embarked in the retail
coal business, in which he continued for
about ten years, after which he engaged in
iron ore mining, and in 1887 in his present
business of wholesale coal dealer.
Mr. Cox served as a comptroller of the city
of Harrisburg from 1876 to 1880. He is a
charter member and past master of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A M.; a member
of Perseverance Chapter, No. 21 ; past com-
mander of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11;
and past commander of Post No. 58, G. A.
R. In politics Mr. Cox is active in the ranks
of the Republican party. Mr. Cox and his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
481
estimable wife are members of the Pine Street
Presbyterian church, Mr. Cox being a mem-
ber of the session of this church.
He was married in Saltsburg, Pa., June
20, 1871, to M. Eleanor Galbraith, who was
born at Saltsburg, Pa. They have three chil-
dren: Earl W., born July 4, 1872; Roy Gal-
braith, born June 5, 1875, and Martha Sterl-
ing, born September 25, 1877.
Mr. Cox is the author and publisher of
Cox's Calculated Tonnage Rate Book, a work
of the greatest practical value in the count-
ing house and in railroad and mining of-
fices. It exhibits computations by hundred
weights from one hundred-weight to one hun-
dred tons, and by hundred tons to one thou-
sand tons at from one cent to six dollars per
ton. Mr. Cox is a thorough practical busi-
ness man of broad views and genial tem-
perament.
SiBLE, John S., coal, wood and ice dealer,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born near Orcut Creek,
now called Willawana P.O., Bradford county.
Pa., September 11, 1843. He is a son of the
late Peter and Abbie (Mercy) Sible. Peter
Sible was a farmer and spent most of his
life in Bradford county. His family con-
sisted of eleven children, of whom four are
living : William, residing in Harrisburg ;
Nancy, widow of the late Nathaniel Seeley,
of Bradford county ; Andrew J., of Hawk-
eye, Iowa; and John S. The father died at
the residence of his son John S., in 1879;
the mother died in 1889, in Bradford county.
John S. Sible resided in his native town-
ship up to the age of nineteen and attended
the public schools. In the fall of 1861 he
removed to Harrisburg, where he has ever
since resided. He was in mercantile busi-
ness here until 1866, when he opened a coal
and wood yard. In 1876 he "added the ice
business to his undertakings, purchasing the
old Crook ice house on the Susquehanna
river, and making to it large and substan-
tial additions. In 1881 Mr. Sible erected
his large and commodious ice houses at
Dauphin, Middle Paxton township. About
1890 he demolished the buildings on the
Susquehanna river and built large and con-
venient structures at Cove Station, Perry
county. The capacities of his ice houses at
Cove Station are as follows: they consist of
nine rooms, each forty by eighty feet, with
thirty-eight feet between floors, and storage
capacity of twenty-eight thousand tons of
ice. These houses are built according to the
best known methods of construction in the
United States. They are equipped with three
double elevators, with a planing machine on
each elevator for planing the ice-blocks as
they go to the place of storage. There is
also a cross elevator running three hundred
and seventy-five feet in length and fifty-five
feet in height, for the purpose of carrying off"
the refuse ice.
Mr. Sible has also erected at these points
six tenement houses for the use of the men
and their families employed by him in cut-
ting, storing and shipping the ice. This
plant was erected at a cost of $50,000, and is
the most extensive" and the best arranged
and equipped establish rnent of the kind in
the country. It gives employment in the
season to from one hundred to three hundred
men, and is capable of housing 5,000 tons of
ice per day. The Dauphin houses have a
capacity of 7,500, with appliances for hand-
ling and storing 1,000 tons per day, both
houses having a storage capacity of 35,000
tons of ice. The lakes which furnish
the ice at Cove Station cover an area of
thirty-two acres, and are fed by five
mountain streams, ranging from two hun-
dred to fifteen thousand feet in length, com-
ing direct from the mountain woods, and
perfectly free from impurities. Mr. Sible
has erected a handsome and commodious
three-story residence, overlooking the lakes,
which he has stocked with fine fish ; and
here he and his family pass the summer
months. In 1895 Mr. Sible purchased an
extensive coal yard on the Reading railroad,
which gives him the privilege of purchasing
and handling all or any of the best kinds of
coal.
He was one of the committee appointed to
solicit stock subscriptions to build the Peo-
ple's Bridge, and is now a director of the
enterprise. He has efiiciently and faithfully
served as president of the City Rescue Mis-
sion since its organization. He has been ex-
tensively engaged in contracting for exca-
vating work ; prominent among these con-
tracts is the grading of the old reservoir
grounds.
Mr. Sible was married in Bradford county
May 1, 1869, to Emma, daughter of Mills and
Sarah Carr, old and honored residents of that
county. They have had four children :
Edith C, Helen, who died when eight years
old, Alma, and John Sidney. Mr. Sible and
his family are all members of Grace Meth-
482
BIOGRAPHICAL EKCYGLOPEDIA
odist Episcopal church. His politicar views
are Republipan.
If success is a just measure pf ability, Mr.
Sible must be adjudged to be a man of great
business talent and skill. By wisely directed
efforts he has risen to prominence, occupying
an enviable position as a citizen and man of
affairs.
Phillips, Louis 0., coal and wood dealer,
was born at Fall River, Mass., January 6,
1847. He is a son of La Roche and Sarah
B. (Wood) Phillips, both natives of Massa-
chussetts. His early life was spent in Mas-
sachussetts and Maine, his education being
received in the public schools of these States.
He learned the trade of nailmaker with the
Pembroke Iron Company, of Pembroke,
Me., and followed this occupation till March,
1894. Since that date he has been engaged
in his present business. He came to Har-
risburg in the fall of 1870, and from that
date to March, 1894, was engaged with
Charles L. Bailey & Co., and for twenty-six
years has been an honored and respected
citizen of this city. He was married in
Pembroke, Me., in 1865, to Miss Caroline M.
Reynolds, a daughter of Lemuel T. and Abi-
gail Reynolds, prominent residents of Pem-
broke, to whom have been born four chil-
dren, two of whom are living: Clarence R.
and Louis 0. Mr. Phillips has represented
the First ward in the common council for
three years. He is a member of the Knights
of Honor and the Heptasophs. In political
views he is a Republican. He attends the
Lutheran church. He is classed with the
steady, conservative and thorough business
men of the city.
Boas, Henry D., Harrisburg, Pa., is a son
of the late Daniel D. and Margaret Boas,
and was born in Harrisburg, October 11,
1851. He acquired his primary education
in the public schools and at Harrisburg
Academy; he subsequently attended St.
Paul's School, Concord, N. H. In 1870 he
entered the office of his father, and at the
latter's death, in 1878, in connection with
his brother, William S. Boas, he took charge
of the business. Since the death of his
brother Mr. H. D. Boas has assumed entire
control of the business. He is a member of
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., and
of the Harrisburg Club. His political opin-
ions are those of the Democratic party.
Henry D. Boas was married, October 26,
1876, to Miss Susan, daughter of Josiah and
Mary Espey; they have two children: Mary
Espey and Sarah Wister. Mr. Boas .attends
St. Stephen's Episcopal church.
OvES, Henry F., wholesale and retail
coal dealer, was born in Snyder county. Pa.,
November 22, 1858. His parents were
among the early settlers of Dauphin county,
coming here near the beginning of the
century. His father was Abraham Oves,
his mother Sarah (Fortney) Oves. His
father died September 26, 1889 ; his mother
August 26, 1890. They were most worthy
people. Their family consisted of four chil-
dren, three of whom are still living : Henry
F., Mary, wife of John Jacob Franck, resid-
ing in Harrisburg, and George W., residing
at McKeesport, Pa.
' Henry F. came in infancy to Harrisburg,
where he was reared, receiving instruction
in the public schools. He first entered the
office of H. B. Mitchell as clerk, and subse-
quently engaged with Hamilton Bailey in
the same capacity. He spent eighteen years
in the employ of Charles L. Bailey & Co.,
proprietors of the Central Iron Works, as
clerk and foreman. He embarked for him-
self in the coal business in 1894.
He was married at Harrisburg, January
30, 1881, to Miss Minnie F. Reisinger, daugh-
ter of George and Margaret (Ward) Reis-
inger, of Harrisburg. Of five children born
to them, four are living : Gilbert McCauley,
Horace George, John Ward and Darrah
Costley. Mr. Oves filled the office of tax
collector for two years, and ward assessor for
five years. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A, M., Capital City
Castle, K. of G. E. He is a member of the
Board of Trade and of the German American
Society. In political views he is a staunch
Republican. The family attend the Presby-
terian church. Mr. Oves is a man of large
views and of laudable public spirit. He is
possessed of unusual business ability, and
his character is stainless.
MiLLEiSEN, G. Frank, dealer in coal and
wood, was born in Lower Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., February 2, 1861. He
is a son of George A. and Julia A. (Bitzer)
Milleisen. George A. Milleisen was a native
of Dauphin county, born in Lower Paxton
township. His wife, a native of Lancaster
county, is still living, and resides in Harris-
burg. They had. five children, two of whom
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
483
Jire living, Jacob M., of Harrisburg, and G.
Frank.
G. Frank Milleisen lived in his native
township until he was seven years of age.
At this time, 1868, the death of his father oc-
curred. He came with his mother to Har-
risburg in that year, and has resided here
continuously ever since. Mr. Milleisen re-
ceived his education in the public schools of
Harrisburg, and after its completion en-
gaged as a salesman in the clothing busi-
ness. In 1880 he entered the service of J.
S. Sible, in which he remained fourteen
years, in the capacity of manager. On April
1, 1895, he engaged in his present business.
He was married in Harrisburg February
25, 1883, to Clara L., daughter of the late
Benjamin and Susan Musser, of Harrisburg.
They have no children. Mr. Milleisen is a
member of Warrior Eagle Lodge, No. 340,
I. 0. R. M.; of Herculean Castle, K. of G. E.,
and of Royal Arcanum, No. 1101. His po-
litical views are Republican. He attends
Zion Lutheran church.
Stroh, Winpibld Scott, coal and wood
dealer, was born in Harrisburg, December
1, 1861, son of Isaac F. and Sarah A. (Care),
both natives of Dauphin county, and both
deceased. The father was born in Fishing
Creek Valley, West Hanover township, was
connected with the Manada Furnaces for
many years, and was subsequently engaged
in the coal and wood business at Harrisburg.
The parents had five children, four of whom
are living: Lillie A., wife of Asher Crutch-
ley, of Harrisburg ; John C, residing in
Driften, Luzerne county ; Winfield S. and
Alice C, wife of Henry Christ, of Harris-
burg. Winfield S. was educated in the
public schools, and found employment in
the puddling furnaces, where he worked for
some years. Subsequently he became man-
ager of the coal and wood business for his
father, in which position he continued until
his father's death in 1888, when he engaged
in the business for himself. He was married
in Harrisburg, August 14, 1881, to Catherine
Warewich, daughter of Michael and Eliza-
beth Warewich. Their children are : Harry,
James, Roy and Frank, who died in child-
hood. The family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Hanshaw, Charles E., coal dealer, Har-
risburg, was born April 21, 1867. He is the
only son of Daniel M. Hanshaw. His father
died January 11, 1896, aged fifty years, nine
months and seventeen days. A sketch of his
life appears in another place in this volume.
I Charles E. Hanshaw attended the Harris-
burg schools, securing a good common school
education. At the age of fifteen he was em-
ployed in the iron works in South Harris-
burg and continued there four years. At
the age of nineteen he decided to learn the
trade of plasterer, in which he was engaged
for about eight years. After this he went in
with his father and has been in the coal busi-
ness ever since that time, with the exception
of one year, during which he dealt in ice en
his own account. On October 3, 1895, he
began a course of study in the Harrisburg
Business College, which he is still pursuing.
Upon the death of his father the business
came into his hands and he is now conduct-
ing it on his own account. He is abundantly
qualified to do so and is making it success-
ful. He enjoys the esteem of those who
know him. He is unmarried. In political
views he is Republican. He is a member of
the Second Reformed church.
Kelley, Harry S., was born at Mt. Joy,
Pa., September 27, 1867. His parents, Rich-
ard P. and Catherine (Stayer) Kelley, are
natives of Lancaster county, and his mother
is still living, having her home in New Jer-
sey. Harry S. spent his boyhood at Mt. Joy,
and secured his education in the schools of
that place. When sixteen years of -age he
removed to Harrisburg, and since that time
he has been continuously engaged in the
coal business with his uncle, H. M. Kelley.
He has had entire charge of the extensive
business since 1887, and in 1890 he was ad-
mitted to the firm of H. M. Kelley & Co., as
a full partner in the business. This large
success and rapid advancement are due to
his characteristic energy, his demonstrated
and recognized executive ability, and his
agreeable social qualities. The development
of the great business of his firm to its present
dimensions and standing is largely due to
his unflagging devotion and marked ability
and capacity. Mr. Kelley holds a promi-
nent place in fraternity circles, holding mem-
bership in the following orders, namelv:
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.;
Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M.; Pil-
grim Commandery, No. 11; Harrisburg
Council. No. 7, and Harrisburg Consistory,
S. P. R. S., 32°; Pisgah Temple of Read-
ing. He is a Republican in politics, and
484
MiOGBAPHiGAL ENCtGLOP^DlA
has so far escaped matrimonial bonds. His
career is an honorable one, and is an object
lesson to young men as to what a firm pur-
pose, high aims and business capacity will
enable a man to accomplish.
Wallis, Frank J., Harrisburg, was born
at Liverpool, Perry county, Pa., November
23, 1868, son of Robert and Margaret
(McLinn) Wallis. He attended the public
schools in Perry county until he was seven-
teen years of age. He then was for one
year a clerk at Port Royal, Juniata county,
in the store of R. Raumels & Son. In 1887
he came to Harrisburg, where he clerked
for a year and a half in the grocery store of
E. A. Hoffer, and in 1889 was employed as
bookkeeper by H. M. Kelley, in the coal
trade, with whom he remained one year,
after which he was with another coal com-
pany in the same capacity for six months.
Since 1890 Mr. Wallis has been bookkeeper
for J. B. Montgomery. For three years he
was associated with his father in the livery
business. He was married at Harrisburg,
October 5, 1893, to Miss Annie F. McKee,
daughter of 0. and Mary McKee. Mr. Wallis
is a member of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I.
0. 0. F. In church fellowship he is con-
nected with Christ's Lutheran church. Mrs.
Wallis was born October 10, 1871, and her
parents were both natives of Perry county.
Shaffer, William S., dealer in wall
paper, was born in Philadelphia, March 11,
1825, son of George W. and Mary (Stowe)
Hoffer, and is one of fourteen children born
to his parents. He was reared and educated
in his native city and became an apprentice
to the paper hanging business before he was
thirteen years of age. He followed this oc-
cupation in Philadelphia until 1855, when
he removed to Harrisburg and established
himself in the paper hanging business, jn
which he has been engaged for the past forty
years. Mr. Shaffer was married in Philadel-
phia, June 18, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Jane
Reeside, daughter of David and Ann (Ehr-
man) Reeside, of Scotch and German ances-
try. She was born in Harford county, Md.,
October 3, 1824. Her father -was a stone
mason by trade and a residentof Philadelphia
many years. Her uncle was an extensive
mail contractor under Jackson's administra-
tion. They had two children : William H.
and Elizabeth Jane, who died in childhood.
Mr. Shaffer came into the Republican party
from the old Whig party, having cast his
first vote for Henry Clay, and while not an
office seeker has been prominent in politics,
having been the first president of the school
board, after the consolidation of the city, and
having served as an efficient member of the
select council one term. For twenty-five
years he has been an active member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., and for
forty years has been a member of the Market
Square Presbyterian church, having been a
member of the same denomination in Phila-
delphia. Physical disability prevented his
enlistment in the late war, but he served
twice as an emergency man, first at Antietam
and next at Gettysburg, and was of valuable
assistance to the military authorities at Camp
Curtin and to the provost marshal. William
H. Shaffer, his only surviving child, was born
in Philadelphia, November 25, 1847, and
came with his parents to Harrisburg in 1855,
where he was educated in C. V. May's acad-
emy, and at the end of his school days en-
gaged in his father's business, in which he
has been active since 1876. He first married
at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county,in 1869,Hen-
rietta Bond,who died in 1878, leaving two chil-
dren : William S. and Edith B. He married,
secondly, at Chambersburg, in 1880, Emma
R. Witherspoon, daughter of David and
Nancy Ann Witherspoon, to whom no chil-
dren have been born. Mr. Shaffer is a mem-
ber of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. &
A. M., and of Harrisburg Council, No. 499,
Royal Arcanum, of which he has been the
collector for the past sixteen years. Mr. and
Mrs. Shaffer are members of Market Square
Presbyterian church. Mr. Shaffer is a mem-
ber of the Brotherhood of Andrew and
Philip and secretary of the chapter.
Bergstresser, Alexander W., dealer in
wall paper and window shades, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., December 1, 1833. He is a
son of William and Mary (Watson) Berg-
stresser, both natives of Dauphin county.
His grandparents on the father's side were
natives of Northumberland county, but early
became residents of Dauphin county. His
grandfather was John Bergstresser; his
grandmother had been a Miss Wilkinson.
The maternal grandfather, Jackson Watson,
came to America from Ireland when but
nine years old, and from that date spent his
entire life in Harrisburg, where he passed
away. He was a son of Alexander Watson,
a native of Ireland, and for many years a
■codey ^. JskXcu^e^L^r
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
487
resident of Cumberland county. He mar-
ried Miss Sophia Hoover, and spent his de-
clining years in Harrisburg with his son,
Jackson Watson. The wife of Jackson Wat-
son, maternal grandmother of A. W. Berg-
stresser, was a Miss Wentz, born in Hum-
melstown. Pa., in 1789. William Berg-
stresser, father of Alexander W., was a mill-
wright, and prominent as a business man in
Harrisburg. He died in May, 1844; his
wife had died in 1842. They were the pa-
rents of three children : Alexander W., Will-
iam J. and Isabella C, wife of Martin
Keeney, all residing in Harrisburg.
Alexander W. Bergstresser was educated
in the public schools of Harrisburg. He
has spent his entire life in this city, with
the exception of two years' service in the
United States army during the war of the
Rebellion. After completing his education
he learned house painting and paper hang-
ing, and for about six years was connected
with his uncle and brother in that business.
Subsequently he was in the same business
with his brother for about five years. From
1866 to 1877 he was senior member of the
firm of Bergstresser & Boyd. Since the latter
date he has been conducting business solely
in his own interest. During this time he
has devoted all his attention to wall paper
and window shades. In July, 1863, Mr.
Bergstresser enlisted in company C, Seventy-
ninth Pennsylvania volunteers, as a private,
was detailed as a musician, and served until
September, 1864, when he was discharged
from the army, as a private, at Jonesboro',
Ga. He re-enlisted as a musician in the
band of the Third brigade. First divsion.
Fourteenth army corps, and served until the
close of the war. He was mustered out at
Harrisburg in June, 1865, having served his
country faithfully for two years. During
that terra he had served in the double capa-
city of musician and chief clerk of the quar-
termaster's department of the Third brigade.
Alexander W. Bergstresser was married in
Harrisburg, September 12, 1857, to Anna
E., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sach,
who was born in Carrolton, New Orleans,
and later a resident of Lancaster county,
Pa. Their children are six in number :
Edwin R.; Alice W., who died at the age of
seventeen years ; Alexander W., of Philadel-
phia; Anna E., wife of Eustace B. Grimes,
Philadelphia ; Grace E., living at home.
Mr. Bergstresser is a member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.; Persever-
34
ance Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., and Pil-
grim Commaudery, No. 11, K. T. He has
for fnrty-tliree years belonged to Dauphin
Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F. He is a member
of (Central Lodge, No. 19, A. 0. U. W. In
political views he is a Democrat. He at-
tends the Presbyterian church.
Adams, William J., furniture dealer, Nos.
106-12 South Second street, Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born in county Down, Ireland, Decem-
ber 25, 1837. He is a son of James and
Margerie (Adams) Adams. He was reared
in his native county and educated in night
schools. He learned the trade of linen
manufacturer, and came to America in 1857,
locating in Philadelphia for a short time;
then found employment on a farm, and
worked there for three years. He next went to
Chester. Pa., and became a blacksmith helper
in the Pennsylvania Railroad shops. The
shops were abandoned and the men were dis-
tributed to other works of the company. Mr.
Adams came to Harrisburg in 1861, and re-
mained in the employment of the railroad
company until 1862. In July of that year
he enlisted in company A, One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers,
as quartermaster's sergeant, and served nine
months. In 1863 he formed a partnership
with John T. Ensminger in the furniture
business. In 1864 he enlisted in company
G, Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania
volunteers, and after two months' service
was put on detailed duty as acting assistant
adjutant general of the Juniata, with head-
quarters at Chambersburg, Pa.; he served for
five months in this capacity, and was then
detailed to the provost marshal's office at
Pittsburgh, Pa., where he remained until
the close of the war.
He continued his partnership with Mr.
Ensminger until 1868, when they dissolved
their business relations, he continuing in
the business as W. J. Adams at his present
location, and as senior member of the firm
of W. J. Adams & Bro., on Market street,
for a number of years. In 1891 he ad-
mitted his son to partnership, and the
firm has since been W. J. Adams & Son.
Mr. Adams is a stockholder in the East Har-
risburg Traction Company, the Harrisburg
National Bank and Trust Company, and
Kelker Street Market House.
He is a Republican. In 1879-80 he
served as a member of the select council,
and was president of that body in 1881.
488
BI0GR4PHICAL ENCYGLOFEDIA
He resigned this ofi&ce after serving one
year, in order to pay a visit to iiis native
country, from whicii he had been absent
twenty-five years. In 1887 he was a member
of common council. During liis member-
ship in both branches of the council he
served on many important committees. In
February, 1895, he whs elected to the school
board from the Second ward. He is a mem-
ber of Post 58, G. A. JR.
He was married, in 1866, to Miss Emma
J., daughter of George Welker, of Harris-
burg. She died March 31, 1885. They had
six children : George Welker Adams, born
August 31, 1869, and was educated in the
high school of Harrisburg and the com-
mercial college ; became a partner with his
father in 1891, and is an active young busi-
ness man ; is a stockholder in the East Har-
risburg Traction Company, the Lebanon
Valley Railroad Company and the Cambria
and Juniata railroad ; William J., Jr., born
November 8,. 1871, graduated from Lehigh
University as an electrical engineer; Rich-
ard L., Emma K., Robert G. and Helen A.
Mr. Adams was again married, in 1887, to
Miss Hattie B., daughter of Samuel Mann,
of Harrisburg; they have two children,
Esther Jane and Irene. Mr. Adams is a
member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal
church, and is a local preacher, having
been ordained by Bishop Andrews, of York,
Pa. He is also a trustee of the church.
Ogelsby, Joseph J., furniture dealer and
undertaker, was born in Harrisburg March
23, 1838. He is a son of the late Jonah and
Phoebe (Miller) Ogelsby. His parents were
both natives of Chester county, were of
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and were Quakers.
They settled in Harrisburg in 1837. The
father was a mauiifacturer of sickles and
worked at this industry for many years in
Chester county. In 1838 he removed to
Susquehanna township, where he was a
prominent agriculturalist till 1856. He died
at the residence of his son, Washington P.,
in Philadelphia, in 1885, at the advanced age
of ninety-five years. He had a family of nine
children, of whom but two are now living,
Joseph J. and Washington P., of Philadel-
phia.
Joseph J. Ogelsby, when but an infant,
came with his parents to Susquehanna town-
ship, where he remained till he was seven-
teen years of age. Pie worked upon his
father's farm, receiving such educational
advantages as could be obtained in the
district schools during the winter months.
In January, 1856, Mr. Ogelsby was ap-
prenticed to the firm of J. R. Boyd & Son,
Harrisburg, to learn the cabinet-making
business. He was a faithful employee in the
service of this firm for twenty-three years.
Since 1879 he has been continuously engaged
in business for himself in this city. He was
married in Harrisburg, June 25, 1863, to
Miss Fannie Mauma, a daughter of Jacob
and Nancy Mauma, of Harrisburg. They
have had seven children, of whom five are
living: Warwick M., Joseph N., Boyd M.,
Fannie M., and Martha, all residing in Har-
risburg.
■ In August, 1862, Mr. Ogelsby enlisted in
the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, and served for nine
months. In August, 1864, he re-enlisted in
the Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania
volunteers and served for a further time
of one year in this regiment. He is a
member of Post No. 58, G. A. R., and also of
the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a
staunch Republican. The family attend the
Lutheran church.
Stoey, John R., dealer in wall paper and
window shades, was born in Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland county, Pa., February 18, 1839.
He is a son of George W. B. and Rachel
(Ritner) Stoey ; his mother is a niece of ex-
Governor Ritner, and daughter of John D.
Ritner. George W. B. Stoey was born in
Lebanon, January 3, 1813. He is a son of
Henry and Stoey, and a grandson
of the late Dr. Stoey, of Lebanon. He spent
the greater part of his life in Cumberland
county, but his later years have been passed
in Harrisburg. His wife is a native of Cum-
berland county, and is still living. They
were the parents of fifteen children. John
R. is the eldest survivor of their family, tlie
others being: Catherine, wife of Isaac R.
Smith, of Harrisburg; Washington L.,grocer,
Harrisburg; William Wesley, taxidermist
and naturalist, of Harrisburg; Clara E., wife
of Finley Rogers, of Mechanicsburg; Oliver
P., practicing physician at Roxbury, Frank-
lin county. Pa.; and Elmer E., resident at
Williamsport, Pa.
John R. Stoey spent his boyhood in his
native county. He received only a limited
school education ; the greater part of his
training and development has been aff'orded
by experience of men and business in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
489
struggles of life. When but ten years of age
he started in life for himself, working for his
board and clothing only for three years, after
which he received three dollars per month.
He continued to work at farming until he
was seventeen years old, at which time he
was earning the munificent pay of seven dol-
lars per month. Tired of this kind of work,
he walked to Mechanicsburg and engaged
with Simon Arnold as store boy. ' After re-
maining for six months with him he con-
cluded it would be better for him to learn a
trade. He served an apprenticeship at |)aint-
ing and paper hanging, at which he worked
asapprentice and journeyman for seven years.
In 1874 he engaged in his present business
in Harrisburg.
In August, 1862, Mr. Stoey enlisted in com-
pany A, One Hundred and Thirtieth Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and served for four
months. He was wounded at the battle of
Antietam, but fought through the battle, not-
withstanding the injury. On account of dis-
ability resulting from his wound he received
an honorable discbarge at the Cotton Factory
Hospital, Harrisburg, on surgeon's certificate
of disability. On December 24, 1862, he re-
enlisted for one year in the Two Hundred
and First Pennsylvania volunteers, and
served until June 21, 1865, when he was
again mustered out of the service at Harris-
burg, having served as first sergeant of his
company.
John R. Stoey was married at Carlisle, Pa.,
December 31, 1863, to Adeline A. Bobb,
daughter of George G. and Mary Bobb, of
Cumberland county. They have no children
of their own, but have adopted a daughter,
Carrie E.
Mr. Stoey has represented the Fifth ward in
common council for three years. He is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464,
Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, Pilgrim Com-
mandery and Harrisburg Consistory, F. & A.
M. He is an honorary member of Harris-
burg Council, No. 106, 0. U. A. M. He is a
comrade in Seneca G. Simmons Post, No. 116,
G. A. R.
Mr. Stoey is a Republican. He and his
wife have been, since 1868, members of Grace
Methodist Episcopal church.
Ensminger, John T., auctioneer, commis-
sion merchant and furniture dealer, was
born at Harrisburg, March 9, 1842, and is a
son of Philip and Elizabeth (Shrenk) Ens-
minger. His grandfather Ensminger was
born in Lancaster county, but settled in
Harrisburg at a very early date in the his-
tory of the city. His father, Philip Ens-
minger, was born in Harrisburg, October
24, 1802. He was engaged in the butcher-
ing business, but subsequently was for many
years engaged in the furniture business, anS
continued in it until succeeded, in 1860, by
his son, John T. The mother was born in
Dauphin county, December 18, 1809. The
parents were married October 25, 1838.
They had six children : Charles M., born
September 2, 1840, died December 10, 1840 ;
John T.; Frances Marion, born August 18,
1844, wife of Charles Brown, now residing
in New York City ; Ellen Virginia, born
February _ 13, 1847, wife of W. 0. Bishop,
residing in Harrisburg; Catherine Jane,-
born July 10, 1849, wife of W. E. Smith,
residing at Plainfield, N. J., and Louis Kos-
suth, born February 9, 1852, and died April
12, 1852. By a previous marriage there
was a family of four children, none of whom
are now living. Joseph Ensminger, brother
of Philip, was born in Dauphin county, De-
cember 17, 1798, and was the organizer and
captain of the first company of Minors,
(their ages ranging fron sixteen to eighteen
years), which he took to Baltimore against
the English. He still survives, and resides
at Crawfordsville, Ind., hale and hearty at the
advanced age of ninety -seven years. Samuel,
another brother of Philip, was born in Har-
risburg, May 21, 1811, and was a prominent
business man in Carlisle, Pa., for many years,
where he is well and favorably known, and
is now a resident of Topeka, Kan.
John T. attended the public schools of
this city and completed his education at the
Academy of Newville, after which he en-
gaged in the furniture business with his
father, and succeeded him, as stated above,
in 1860. On the breaking out of the Re-
bellion in 1861, he gave a striking illustra-
tion of his patriotism by closing up his
place of business and offering his ser-
vices in the defense of his country. He
enlisted in the Twenty-fifth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, was attached
to company F, and served three months.
He then re-enlisted as a private in the
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in company
A, and served nine months, and during this
time was promoted to second lieutenant.
At the expiration of this time he again en-
listed, this time in the Two Hundred and
490
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
First regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and was appointed captain of company G.
He served with this regiment until the close
of the war. He was mustered out of ser-
vice at Harrisburg, June 25, 1865, having
served continuously during the war in de-
fense of his country, during which time he
participated in some of the most important
battles fought in subduing the Rebellion.
At the time of his discharge he was acting
in the capacity of provost marshal of the
Monongahela district, with headquarters at
Pittsburgh. At the close of the war he re-
turned to his business, which he has since
conducted with credit and success. He has
been twice married. His first wife, to whom
he was joined December 26, 1866, at Car-
iisle, Pa., was Miss Sallie C. Fought, daugh-
ter of Jonas Fought. The children of this
marriage are: Edgar Irwin, born October 3,
1868, and Amy Florence, born May 11,
1870, and died March 18, 1871. Mrs.
Ensminger died at Harrisburg, August 7,
1870. His second marriage occurred at
Harrisburg, December 30, 1873, in which he
was united to Mary J. Charles, daughter of
Henry R. Charles, of Union county, Pa.
The children of this marriage are: Eugene
Charles, born February 21, 1875, Grace Ste-
phenson, born December 29, 1876, John
Tyler and George Hursh, twins, born April
26, 1878. Mr. Ensminger has represented
the Third ward of Harrisburg in the com-
mon council. He is a member of Col.
Seneca G. Simmons Post, No. 116, G. A. R.
In political views he is a staunch Republi-
can. He attends Grace Methodist Episcopal
church.
YiNGST, Frederick W., furniture and car-
pet dealer, was born in Harrisburg Decem-
ber 21, 1843, son of Carl and Anna (Suavely)
Yingst. He was reared and educated in his
native city. At the age of sixteen years he
became an apprentice to the house and sign
painting trade with the late John Cruik-
shank, a well-known mechanic. In 1862,
when he was eighteen years old, Mr. Yingst
enlisted in company A, One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, for nine months, served his
time and was discharged and mustered
out at Harrisburg, when he re-enlisted in
eompany G, One Hundred and Ninety-fourth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, for three
months, and was commissioned as second
lieutenant of his company. Having served
his term he was again discharged, and the
third time enlisted in company D, Seventy^
eighth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and was orderly sergeant of his company.
He served in this regiment until June, 1865,
when he was finally mustered out at Nash-
ville, Tenn., having' served in the army, in
all, two years. He then returned to Harris-
burg and embarked in the furniture and
carpet trade, and since that time has been
continuously in the business in this city. He
was married in Harrisburg, July 4, 1871, to
Theresa Youder, daughter of Daniel and
Mary (Frank) Youder, and to them has been
born four children : Walter H., Robert M.,
Anna M., and Gertrude A., all living and
residing in Harrisburg. Mr. Yingst is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464,
Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, Harrisburg
Council, No. 7, and Pilgrim Commandery,
No. 11, F. & A. M. Since he was twenty-one
years of age he has been a member of State
Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., and was
for many years also a' member of Olive En-
campment, No. 56, I. 0. 0. F. In political
views he is liberal and independent, voting
for men rather than party. Mr. Yingst has
been a member of the First Reformed church
for twenty-seven years, of which his wife and
family are all members, excepting Walter
H., who belongs to the Market Square Pres-
byterian church.
Hoover, Joseph W., furniture dealer, Har-
risburg, Pa., was born in Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland county, Pa., June 15, 1850. He
is a son of Samuel and Nancy Ann (Kun-
kle) Hoover, the former born in Cumberland
county, January 2, 18l2, the latter in York
county. Pa., December 2, 1815. They had
nine children : (1) Marv, born December 10,
1834, died September 24, 1871; married
Joseph Carl, and had two children, who mar-
ried and removed West; (2) John H., born
March 17, 1836 ; tinner, of Indianapolis, Ind.;
has been twice married ; his second wife is
living; (3) Samuel, born March 11, 1838,
and is deceased ; he married Miss Laura
Collins, who with two daughters survives
him ; at the time of his death he was fore-
man of the tinning department of the Phila-
delphia and Reading Railroad Company;
his daughters are Emma, wife of Harry
Yoder, of Harrisburg, and Ida, with an aunt
in Philadelphia; (4) William Henry, born
February 10, 1841, died March 11, 1841 ; (5)
Elizabeth, born February 15, 1842 ; resides
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
491
in Philadelphia, widow of the late Robert
C. Hilsee; (6) Sarah, born September 11,
1844, died September 8, 1865; married Henry
Bittle, of Mechanicsburg; her husband and
her son, Elmer, survive her; (7) Catherine,
born March 21, 1847 ; married Louis Troup,
of Cumberland county ; died in Harrisburg,
leaving four children ; (8) Joseph W.
Joseph W. Hoover lost his father by death
when he was eight years old, and was com-
pelled to begin the struggle of life early. For
ten years, faithfully and without complaint,
he bore the burden of hard labor on the
farm. At the age of eighteen he began, in
Philadelphia, to learn bricklaying, and fin-
ished his apprenticeship four years later.
For some time he wprked at his trade as
journeyman. For the following twelve
years he was in the transfer business; in
1885 he entered the service of Adams Ex-
press Company, in which he remained until
the spring of 1894. In June of that year he
established himself in the furniture business
at Nos. 834-836 Broad street, Harrisburg,
where he has built up a large and rapidly
increasing trade.
He was married, November 10, 1872, to
Emma Frances, daughter of Benjamin and
Rachel (Sliin) Fish, born in Philadelphia,
January 20, 1853. They have one daughter
living, Alice Josephine, born May 17, 1880.
Mr. Hoover is a member of Dauphin
Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F. He attends
Ridge Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
Benjamin Fish, father of Mrs. Hoover, was
born in Pittsgrove, Salem county, N. J., Au-
gust 30, 1823. He was married, March 13,
1845, to Rachel Shin, a native of the same
place. She died May 13, 1858, leaving four
small children. In 1862 Mr. Fish married
again, and in 1865 removed to Mechanics-
burg, Cumberland county. Pa., his daughter,
Emma Frances, afterwards Mrs. Hoover, be-
ing at that time eleven years old. He re-
sided at Mechanicsburg until his death,
which occurred January 13, 1882. He was
a man of prominence and of great personal
worth .and highly esteemed in the com-
munity ; his death caused universal sorrow.
Mr. Fish's attainments, as well as his natural
endowments, were more than ordinary. In
his chosen occupation, that of a coachsmith,
his mechanical genius was displayed in the
skill and ingenuity of his workmanship, and
in the completeness, finish and durability of
his productions. His fellow-citizens, among
whom he had lived for seventeen years, bore
testimony to the virtues of his life and char-
acter as they were exhibited in the various
relations sustained by him, of son, husband,
father, brother, neighbor and friend. A
workingman himself, he was the working-
man's friend, and in his own person and
conduct embodied the excellencies of the
ideal American mechanic. His manhood
was of a true type, rounded out in the four
cardinal elements of industry, intelligence,
honesty and piety. While he toiled daily
at his forge, hammering into shapeliness and
welding together the parts of an intricate
mechanism, he at the same time endeavored
to lead his thoughts to a comprehension
of the State and tendencies of the elements
and forces actively at work in this progres-
sive age, resulting in new social forms and
improved institutions.
He was as earnest and tireless in his
efforts to provide material for the strength-
ening and enlargement of his niind as to
procure food for his body. In order to live
and to enjoy, he felt he must be intelligent ;
he was convinced that ignorance and indif-
ference to truth are as inimical to happiness
and true peace of soul as sloth and shiftless-
ness are to material interests. History, the
story of men, was his favorite study, and his
especial delight was the history of his own
country. On all subjects he sought to store
his mind with information which could be
his own solace in hours of leisure, and enable
him to entertain and edify others in social
intercourse. This knowledge, though gained
at some disadvantage, as it must of necessity
be accumulated after the close of his day's
toil, was nevertheless of a degree and com-
prehensiveness surpassed by the acquire-
ments of very few men. The contemplation
of his country's history inspired him with
patriotism, and led him to recognize the
great truth that genuine love of country can
be instilled into the rising generation only
so far as thej'^ are made intelligent concern-
ing the history of their nation. This led
Mr. Fish to make a valuable and striking
suggestion to his fellow-citizens of Mechanics-
burg, in the centennial year, which was to
enclose the records of the history of the town
and of their times in an iron chest, to be
sealed and remain unopened till the end of
the century. The iron chest for that pur-
pose he constructed with his own hands, and
the suggestion was carried out. It immedi-
ately called forth favorable comment
throughout the country.
492
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
And last, but far more important than all
else, Mr. Fish was of a deeply religious nature,
and found his highest satisfaction in its cul-
ture and gratification. His happiest mo-
ments were spent in prayer and praise, by
which his soul was lifted up to the dwelling
place ar.d throne of God. He was conscious
of his own imperfections, of his frailties and
failures, of his unworthiness and sin; but he
had a sublime faith in the blood of the Lord
Jesus Christ and in the power of divine
grace, by which his soul was fortified in the
time of affliction and in the hour of dissolu-
tion. In the presence of the king of terrors
no cloud of doubt or fear obscured his vision
of the Saviour. In the triumphs of the
cross he passed away, murmuring with al-
most his last breath, "Jesus, lover of my
soul."
Adams, Richard. — The career of this
well-known and recognized man of Harris-
burg was not long in years, but in spirit and
character it was such as to leave an abiding
impress in the community. He was born in
county Down, Ireland, August 15, 1850.
His parents, James and Margerie Adams,
were people of intelligence and of good social
standing, and realized the importance of
careful training and competent instruction
in preparing their son for the duties of life.
Both at home and in the best schools his
intellectual faculties were developed and
trained, and his mind was stored with infor-
mation which gave him a clear view of life,
its opportunities and its responsibilities. He
was active and mature, and was ready and
anxious to enter the paths of business early
in life. He first engaged in business at
Bainbridge, Ireland, with Mr. James Dodds,
and before he reached his majority continued
with him for six years. He longed for the
broader fields and larger opportunities
which a newer country with its vast re-
sources undeveloped affords the ambitious
young man, and hence in 1869 he came to
the United States and located at Harrisburg.
His choice of locality was perhaps deter-
mined by the fact that his elder brother,
William J., was already established in busi-
ness in this city. He very soon became as-
sociated with his brother in business, and
his entire business career was occupied with
the firm thus formed. The brothers were
partners for over twenty jears, and were
always in accord in their views and plans,
and were eminently successful. Richard re-
tired from the firm only a few months pre-
vious to his death with a comfortable com-
petence for his family, or with ample capital
for other business or investments, as inclina-
tion and opportunity might invite.
Mr. Adams was interested and active in
developing the general resources and enter-
prises of the city. He was one of the orginal
stockholders of the East Harrisburg Traction
Company, and was identified with many
other important industries of a public nature,
among which were the People's Bridge Com-
pany and Kelker Street Market Company,
of which he was one of the promoters as well
as stockholder. His life was suddenly ter-
minated by the collision of trains on the
Pennsylvania railroad. He had been to
Philadelphia with his wife to place her under
the care of an eminent physician, and had
nearly reached the termination of his return
journey when by an unexplained confusion
of signals one section of an express train
dashed into another, and Mr. Adams was
instantly killed, June 24, 1892. Although
his life was cut off when he was just enter-
ing his prime, in his forty-second year, he
had in this brief time accomplished the
great ends of living. His family were left
with property sufficient to meet all their
needs, and he had attained that completeness
and maturity of character and preparation of
heart which made him ready for the future
and spiritual existence into which death in-
troduced him. Mr. Adams was a sincere and
devout Christian, with unassuming piety
and unostentatious charity adorning his re-
ligious profession.
His church membership was first with the
Vine Street Methodist Episcopal church, but
afterwards he became one of the leading
spirits in the Grace Methodist Episcopal
church and the material and spiritual pros-
perity of this important religious enterprise
were always near his heart.
Mr. Adams was married, September 23,
1875, to Miss Susan A., daughter of George
and Susan (Ford) Welker, of Harrisburg,
who survives him. They had five children:
Susan Welker, born August 15, 1876, died
December 27, 1881 ; James Laird, born April
21, 1878; Margerie Jane, born April 15,
1880 ; John Ford, born December 19, 1881 ;
and Charlotte, born July 30, 1891.
Goldsmith, Joseph, manufacturer of fur-
niture and general upholsterer, was born in
the province of Hesse Darmstadt, February
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
493
3, 1835. He is a son of Meyer and Bella
Goldsmith, who were natives of the same
province, now both deceased. They had
born to them a family of nine children, eight
of whom came to America. Six still reside
in this country, namely: Abraham, a prom-
inent clothing merchant of Harrisburg;
Sarah, wife of Ferdinand Jesselson, of New
York City ; Arsar, residing in Brooklyn, N. Y.;
Caroline, wife of August Levison, residing in
Nyack, N. Y.; Joseph, and Mina, widow of
the late Judah Knep, who now resides in her
native home.
Joseph was educated in the public schools
of his native town. At the age of thirteen
he was apprenticed to the upholsterer's trade,
serving for four years. In August, 1871, he
left his native home to try his fortune in
America. After working four years at his
trade in New York City he removed to Har-
risburg, where he has made his home for the
past twenty-five years, having been for fifteen
years past engaged in business for himself.
He was married in Harrisburg, June 15,
1881, to Miss Frieda Kuhn, daughter of
Abraham Kuhn, of Bavaria. They have
three children : Isabella, Carrie, and Meyer
Lee. Mr. Goldsmith is a member of Peace
and Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. 0. 0. F. ■ In
politics he is a Republican. He attends the
Second Street Jewish synagogue. The busi-
ness tact and enterprise of Mr. Goldsmith,
coupled with his genial manners and per-
sonal worth, have resulted in securing him a
large patronage and wide popularity.
Hoover, Charles F., furniture and car-
pet dealer, was born in Harrisburg, February
25, 1861. He is a son of William and Mary
B. (Yingst) Hoover. William H. Hoover
was born in York county. For many years
he was an honored resident of Harrisburg.
He served three years in the army, in the
defense of his country, and was during that
time in three branches of the service, infantry,
artillery and caval^3^ He took part in many
of the famous battles. He received injuries
in the service which eventuated in his death
in 1865. He married Mary B. Yingst, born
in Harrisburg, who is still living in this
city. Their family consisted of two children :
Charles F. and a daughter, Anna Laura, who
died in infancy.
Charles F. Hoover began his education in
the city public schools. At the age of eleven
he entered Whitehall Soldiers' Orphans'
School, where his education was completed.
He worked for two years at house painting,
lie then removed to Adebolt, Iowa, where
he resided two years, engaged in painting
under contracts. He next removed to Phil-
adelphia, and was in the service of John
Wanamaker & Co., in their carpet depart-
ment, for about two years. Returning to
Harrisburg, he was for the next ten years in
the carpet business with F. W. Yingst. In
1891 he went into business for himself. He
was married in Harrisburg, May 1, 1883, to
Elizabeth B., daughter of George and Anna
Dinger, of Harrisburg. They have had
three children : William H., Charles R., died
at the age of three years and ten months,
and Robert Patterson. Mr. Hoover is a
member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, Olive
Encampment, No. 56, and Susanna Rebecca
Lodge, No. 244, 1. 0. 0. F.; Cincinnatus Com-
mandery, No. 96, K. of M.; Herculean Castle,
No. 480, K. of G. E., and K. of H. In poli-
tics he is independent. He and his family
attend the Lutheran church.
Hughes, Washington R., dealer m wall
paper and window shades, was born in Har-
risburg, July 12, 1861. He is a son of Al-
bert and Rebecca (Reeder) Hughes. Albert
Hughes was born in Philadelphia. He
came to Harrisburg about 1858, and with
the exception of two years spent in St.
Louis, Mo., has been a resident here since
that date. He was a builder, and erected
some of the most prominent dwelling houses
in the city. His wife died January 25,
1896. Washington R. Hughes received a
part of his education in the Harrisburg
schools. During the two years' residence of
the family in St. Louis he attended the
public schools of that city. On his re-
turn to Harrisburg he completed his edu-
cation at Gause's Academy. He then
learned printing, and subsequently paper
hanging. He has been engaged in his
present business since January, 1887. He
is an active member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M. ; Perseverance Chapter,
No. 21, R. A. M. ; Pilgrim Commandery, No.
11, K. T. ; Harrisburg Sovereign Consistory,
Harrisburg, and Lulu Temple, A. A. 0. N.
M. S., of Philadelphia. Mr. Hughes is a
Democrat, and attends the Presbyterian
church.
Gough, Henry W.,- managing partner of
the firm of H. W. Gough & Co., dealers in
furniture, was born in Monmouthshire,
49-1
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Wales, December 6, 1861, and is the only
surviving issue of William and Elizabeth
(Thomas) Gough.' In the early part of 1862
his father left his native land in a sailing
vessel to seek a home for his family in the
New World. After a tedious passage, he
reached New York on the fourth day of July,
1862, and at once proceeded to Danville,
Pa., where he concluded to take up his resi-
dence. In the following year his wife and
family, including Henry W., also left the
shores of old England and set out to join
the husband and father, who eagerly wel-
comed them on their arrival in New York
in August, 1863. He conducted them to
the new home which he had prepared for
them in Danville, Pa. They continued to
reside in Danville until March, 1867, when
they removed to Harrisburg, the father hav-
ing preceded them there in 1866. He was
spared to them but a short time after their
arrival in Harrisburg ; he died in 1867.
The mother still survives at the advanced
age of seventy-eight years, hale and hearty,
and is an honored and revered resident of
Kittanning, Armstrong county. Pa.
From 1867 until the present date, with
the exception of two years spent in the
western part of this State, Henry W. Gough
has been a continuous resident of Harris-
burg. He received the advantages of a pub-
lic school education. After leaving school
he entered the company store of the Lochiel
iron mill, and from October, 1878, until Au-
gust, 1882, he was continuously in this em-
ployment; first, in the capacity of clerk,
and for the last three years as bookkeeper.
On September 11, 1882, he entered the
employ of D. W. Gross & Son, druggists, as
bookkeeper in their establishment, and con-
tinued in this position until August 16, 1893.
For the following year he was not engaged
in any special branch of business, but was
employed as an expert accountant in audit-
ing the accounts of insolvent estates. On
August 6, 1894, he entered the employ of the
Yingst Carpet Company, and took charge of
the financial part of this business until March
1, 1895. On this date Mr. Gough, in con-
nection with some other members of the
company, purchased the business and was
appointed managing partner.
Henry W. Gough was married in Phila-
delphia, August 25, 1885, to Miss Jennie L.
Cope, daughter of John and Mary Cope, res-
idents of Harrisburg. They had three
children, Mary Lewis, William Bailey, and
John Edwin. Mr. Gough is a member of
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.,
Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, and Dauphin En-
campment, No. 10, I. 0. 0. F. He is an ac-
tive politician in the ranks of the Republi-
can party. He has creditably represented
the First ward in common council for two
terms, and is now a member of select coun-
cil from that ward. He was twice nomi-
nated for the office of city comptroller, but
was defeated by W. K. Verbeke, the present
incumbent. Mr. and Mrs. Gough are con-
sistent members of the Market Square Pres-
byterian church.
PoTTEE, Ika C, senior member of the
firm of Potter & Co., dealers in wall paper,
was born in Liverpool township. Perry
county. Pa., January 1, 1866, son of Levi
and Sarah (Bear) Potter. The father was
born in Buffalo township, Perry county,
September 12, 1832,- son of the late Jonas
and Barbara (Stevens) Potter. He received
only a limited education in the district
schools. For fifteen years he was a driver
on the canal, after which he engaged in
farming. He was married, in Buffalo town-
ship. Perry county, June 18, 1854, to Sarah
Ann Bear, and there have been born to
them twelve children, of whom ten are liv-
ing : William Plarrison, Alfred A., Charles
C, Cordelia, wife of Peter Walk, Edwin S.,
Oscar R., Ira C, Alice, wife of Hellorious
Bodner, Catherine R. and Irvin L. In his
politics he is a Democrat, and attends the
Lutheran church. Ira C. spent his early
life in his native township, and attended
the public schools. He learned the trade of
painter and paper hanger, which he fol-
lowed for five years. After this he engaged
in contracting, and since 1891 has been in
the wall paper business. He was married,
in Harrisburg, August 13, 1892, to Elea-
nora Roberts, daughter of George Roberts,
and to them has been born one child, Wal-
ter Monroe. Mr. Potter is an active member
of Complanter Tribe, No. 61, I. 0. R. M.,
and of Harrisburg Council, No. 328, Jr. 0.
U. A. M. In politics Mr. Potter is with the
Republican party. He attends the United
Brethren church.
Williams, Frank E., upholsterer, was born
at Harrisburg, March 2, 1867. He is a son
of the late Evan and Amanda (Walborn)
Williams. His father was a well-known and
honored resident of Harrisburg for many
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
495
years. He died February 28, 1884. They
had two sons : Frank E. and Charles, both
living in Harrisburg. The Walborn family,
to which the mother belonged, were among
the very early settlers of Dauphin county.
The grandfather Walborn died at Berrys-
burg at the advanced age of eighty-two years.
In his youth Frank E. received the advan-
tages of a good education in the public
schools of the city. After leaving school he
went to New York City, where he spent three
years in learning the upholstering business.
In 1892 he returned to Harrisburg, since
which date he has been engaged in business
in this city and has succeeded in building
up a profitable and growing patronage. He
was married in Harrisburg, November 3,
1889, to Emma Shearer, daughter of William
and Mary Shearer, of Perry county. Pa. He
is a member of Cincinnatus Comraandery, No.
96, K. of M. He attends the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Williams is a thorough expert
at his business, which he conducts with
credit to his energy and skill and with the
utmost satisfaction to his patrons.
VoLLMER, Harry A., senior partner in the
firm of Vollmer & Simms, upholsterers, dec-
orators and awning manufacturers, was born
in Harrisburg December 10, 1870. He is a
son of Charles Y. and Catherine (Haehnlen)
Vollmer. Charles T. Vollmer was born
in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 12, 1825.
He came to this country with his parents
when but a child, and has been a resi-
dent of Harrisburg for over forty years,
working here at his trade of upholstering.
During the late Rebellion he was retained as
administration upholsterer under Governor
Curtin. He still resides in Harrisburg.
Catherine, his wife, is a native of Harrisburg,
of German parentage. They had nine chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy; a son,
Christian, died aged twenty-four. The sur-
viving children are : Edward, Mary, Frank,
Henry A., Emma, and Theodore.
Harry A. Vollmer was educated in the
public schools of his native city, and after-
wards learned upholstering, in which busi-
ness he has been engaged up to the present
time. In 1890 he formed with his brother,
Frank H., a partnership under the firm name
of F. H. Vollmer & Bro., which lasted four
years. During 1894 Mr. Vollmer was en-
gaged in the decorating business throughout
this and adjoining States. January 1, 1896,
he re-commenced business in Harrisburg, and
on February 1, 1895, Mr. Simms became his
partner. Both father and sons are .staunch
Democrats. They all attend Zion Lutheran
church. Among the young business men of
the city Mr. Vollmer holds a prominent
place and enjoys an enviable reputation for
enterprise and integrity. His business is
large and extends to adjoining States.
Simms, Edward, of the firm of Vollmer &
Simms, upholsterers, decorators and manu-
facturers, was born in the city of London,
England, May 16, 1869. He is a son of
Samuel and Rebecca Simms, both natives of
Germany, still living, and residing in Lon-
don, where Mr. Simms carries on tlie mer-
chant tailoring business. They had a
family of ten children, of whom eight are
living: Joseph, the eldest, died in the dia-
mond fields of South Africa, after a resi-
dence there of fourteen years ; Isidore, died
in London, at the age of sixteen. The sur-
viving children are : Edward, Ralph, Rose,
Estella, Alfred, engaged in the merchant
tailoring business, in Harrisburg, Catherine,
Leah and Harry, all residing in London,
except Edward and Alfred.
Edward Simms was educated in the Lon-
don schools. There also he learned his
trade of upholstering and decorating, and
after learning it, carried on in the same
city the business of upholstering and cabi-
net making. In September, 1887, he came
to America, locating for five months in
New York. Since February, 1888, he has
been a resident of Harrisburg, and in busi-
ness on his own account. He was the first
man to establish the decorating business in
Harrisburg. He controls the patent right
of the Eldrich Steam Feather Renovator,
the only dry air process machine made. In
1894 he made a visit to his parents in his
native land.
He is a member of Star of America Com-
mandery. No. 113, K. of M. ; Warrior Eagle
Tribe, No. 340, I. 0. R. M. ; Herculean
Castle, No. 480, K. G. E. ; Harmony Com-
mandery. No. 39, Uniformed Rank, K. P.
Mr. Simms is well known to the^ citizens of
Harrisburg as an upright business man.
By his skill and his careful attention to
business he has justly earued the confidence
of the public, which he enjoys.
Brandt, Levi, member of the Paxton
Flour and Feed Company and superintend-
ent of the business, was born near Church-
496
Bl 0 GRA PHI GAL ENGYGL OPEDIA
town, Monroe township, Cumberland county,
Pa., May 20, 1829. He was the son of John
and Elizabeth (Coover) Brandt, both natives
of Cumberland county. His paternal grand-
father was Adam Brandt, born 1751, died
1838, who married Eve Metzger, born 1752,
died 1830. His mother, Elizabeth Coover,
was granddaughter of George Coover (1740-
1820), who descended from a German family
named Kobar (afterwards changed to Coover),
of Coburg, Germany.
Levi Brandt attended country school until
he was fifteen years of age. From 1844 to
1849 he worked on his father's farm. From
1849 to 1861 he was in the live stock busi-
ness in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. From
1862 to 1865 he was in the grain business in
Mechanicsburg, Pa., in the firm of Brandt &
Co., the members of the firm being David
Brandt, James Brandt and Levi Brandt. In
1866 he was in the grain business in Me-
chanicsburg at the Hummel warehouse.
From 1867 to 1872 he sold fiour and grain
for Thomas B. Bryson in the coal regions and
in New York City. On April 1, 1872, he
came to Harrisburg and assumed the man-
agement of the warehouse at State and Canal
streets for John Hoffer & Co. On April 1 ,
1874, he became a member of this firm. On
January 1, 1890, this firm was succeeded by
the Paxton Flour and Feed Company, Levi
Brandt being the superintendent. The firm
consists of the McCormick Estate and Levi
Brandt. It operates the warehouse at Har-
risburg, the grain elevator at Bridgeport,
Cumberland county, Pa., and the Lochiel
flour mill, Harrisburg.
Mr. Brandt was married, November 8,
1866, to Elmira A., daughter of Daniel and
Christina (Memper) Bailey. Her grandfather
was John Bailey (1769-1832) and her great-
grandfather was Daniel Bailey, a native of
county Monaghan, province of Ulster, Ire-
land, who came to America and settled in
York county. Pa. To Levi and Elmira
Brandt were born five children : Daniel
Bailey, John Austin, Christine B., Elizabeth
G. and Nellie R. Mr. Brandt has never been
a politician, in the sense of office-seeking.
In political views he is a Republican. The
family attend the Pine Street Presbyterian
church, of which Mrs. Brandt is a consistent
member.
Mr. Brandt belonged to a family of eight
children, of whom, besides himself, only one
remains, namely, Susan, widow of the late
George W. Brandt, of Cumberland countj'-.
Pa., ypho now resides at Boiling Springs.
Successful is the word which describes Mr.
Brandt's business career.
Spahr, John H., senior member of the
firm of J. H. Spahr & Bro., Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born in the southern part of York
county. Pa., January 25, 1852. He is a son
of John and Mary (Hofif) Spahr, both na-
tives of York county, the former still sur-
viving and residing at Mount Wolf, York
county ; the latter died at Mount Wolf.
The father has spent his whole life in his
native county, engaged all the time in agri-
cultural pursuits. He served his country
nobly during the late Rebellion, being for
nine months a private in company A, One
Hundred and Sixty-sixth Pennsylvania vol-
unteers. He was three times married. To
the first marriage twelve children were born,
of whom nine are living, namely : Henry,
Lucy, wife of Peter Stair, Reuben, John H.,
Samuel, Mary, wife of Jolm Herman, Will-
iam A., a partner in the firm of J. H. Spahr
& Bro., Louis H., Alice, wife of Charles
Simons. To the second marriage there were
born two children, George and Charles, both
living. Of the third marriage there was no
issue.
John H. Spahr, when but six months old,
was taken by his parents to Manchester
township, York county ; when he was about
eleven years old they again removed to West
Manchester township. Two years later he
returned by himself to Manchester township
and resided there for about six years. His
primary education was received in the above
named townships. During the last six years
of his residence in Manchester township he
completed his education in the Millersville
Normal School. After leaving this school
he spent a short time in Dauphin county
near Harrisburg, after which he went to
Milton, Northumberland county, and re-
sided there two years. At the expiration of
this time he returned to the home of his
parents at Mount Wolf, York countj^, and
attended the business college of Prof.
Leeds for six months. In 1877 he removed
to Harrisburg, and since that date has been
a continuous resident of this city. During
eight years of this time he has been engaged
in his present business.
John H. Spahr was married at York, in
December, 1878, to Emma J. Gross, daugh-
ter of Samuel and Susan (Wolfe) Gross. To
them have been born five children, one of
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
497
whom died in infancy ; their living children
are Walter S., Harry M., Susie, and Grace.
He is a member of Dauphin Lodge, No.
160, I. 0. 0. F.; Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K.
of P.; also of Goldsmith's Division, Uniformed
Rank, K. of P. In political views Mr. Spahr
is Democratic. He is a consistent member
of the Fifth Street Methodist Episcopal
church. Mrs. Spahr belongs to the Lutheran
church, but with her family attends the
adopted church of her husband.
Spahr, William A., of the firm of J. H.
Spahr & Bro., flour and feed merchants, is a
son of John and Mary (Hoff) Spahr. He
was born near Mount Wolf, York county,
January 2, 1862. His boyhood days were
spent at Mount Wolf, and his education was
received in the public schools of his native
county. Later he attended the Business Col-
lege of Toledo, Ohio. When eighteen years
of age he became apprenticed to the flour
milling business with his brother Henry, at
Glen Rock, York county. He spent ten years
at this business, and has for several years
past been engaged in the flour and feed busi-
ness in connection with his brother, John
H., in Harrisburg.
He was married at Trenton, N. J., to Mar-
garet E. Clinton, daughter of Emanuel and
Susan Clinton, of Harrisburg. One son was
born to them,- who died in infancy. He is
not connected with any secret societies at the
date of this writing. He is Democratic in
his political views. He and his wife attend
the Lutheran church.
The members of the firm of J. H. Spahr &
Bro. are both honorable business men, and
are highly respected in business and social
circles for their personal worth.
Beck, David M., proprietor of flour and
feed warehouse and elevator, Harrisburg,
Pa., was born in Progress, Dauphin county,
October 26, 1860. He is a son of David and
Susan (Whitmoyer) Beck, both natives of
Dauphin county. His father was born in
Lower Paxton township, January 28, 1828,
and is a son of John Beck; he was reared a
farmer boy, with only the limited advantages
of education afforded by the country school.
A large portion of his life has been spent in
agricultural pursuits. During the past fif-
teen years he has not been in active business.
He was married, in Lower Paxton township,
to Susan Whitmoyer, a daughter of Thomas
and Catherine (Laniken) Whitmoyer, also
natives of Dauphin county. To them were
born four children, two of whom died in in-
fancy. The living children are : Samuel E.,
residing in Reading, Pa., and David M. Mrs.
Beck died May 6, 1882. Both the parents of
the elder David Beck were of German an-
cestry and farmers. They came to Dauphin
county at a very early date and spent the
remainder of their lives here.
David M. Beck spent his boyhood in Pro-
gress, and his education was received prin-
cipally in the public schools of this village.
He had the advantage of one term in the
State Normal School at Millersville, Pa., and
n Berrysburg Seminary. He taught school
for six years, during which time he taught
one term in Halifax township, one in Wayne
township, and four terms in Susquehanna
township. He taught three terms in the
graded schQols of Progress. He engaged
with the firm of Forney Bros. & Co., whicli
he represented as traveling salesman for
nine years. For the last four years of this
period he was interested also in thefiour and
feed business. In June, 1895, he built the
large and commodious premises he now oc-
cupies. He now gives his entire time and
attention to the flour and feed business.
David M. Beck was married, at Penbrook,
November 15, 1884, to Sarah B., daughter of
Henry J. and Lydia(Walmer) Forney. Four
children have been born to them, one of
whom died in infancy. The surviving chil-
dren are: Lydia A., Harry F., and Charles E.
Mr. Beck is a member of Dauphin Lodge,
No. 250, K. of G. E. In political views he is
a Republican. He attends the Church of
God. Mr. Beck is well launched upon the
tide of business and it flows rapidly toward
success. The breath of popular favor is also
in his sails.
BusER, Otis S., miller, was born in Mid-
dletown, Dauphin county, Pa., October 22,
1861. He is a son of John K. and Eliza-
beth (Stoner) Buser, both natives of Dau-
phin county. When but an infant, his par-
ents removed to Highspire, where he spent
his youth, receiving the advantages of a
good public school education in that town.
He learned the milling business with his
father. After the death of his father, in
1888, in connection with his brother, Ira, he
carried on the business for four j'ears. At
the expiration of this period he withdrew
his interest and engaged in the grocery
business, in Harrisburg. In 1892 he also
498
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
conducted a grocery and produce exchange
business in the Cumberland Valley. From
1892 to 1894 he was engaged in various
pursuits. In 1894 he again engaged in the
milling business, and in November, 1895,
in the flour and feed business, in Harris-
burg. He was married, in Upper Allen
township, Cumberland county, October 24,
1893, to Amy Benola Souder, daughter of
George and Emma Souder. They have one
son, named Guy Erastus S. Mr. Buser
served one year as tax collector of High-
spire. In political views he is a Prohibi-
tionist. He attends the Church of God.
He is a reliable and enterprising business
man, and is highly esteemed.
Zollinger, John Harris, deceased, was
born on the Hannah farm, near Harrisburg,
Pa., August 22, 1812. He was a son of the
late George and Elizabeth (Everhart) Zoll-
inger. His father, George Zollinger, was
born in Harrisburg. His ancestors were
Swiss, who came to America and settled in
Dauphin county; they were among the very
earliest settlers of Harrisburg. He was at
one time a very large land owner. His wife,
Elizabeth Everhart, was born in Harris-
burg. They had seven children, three sons
and four daughters, all deceased.
John H. Zollinger spent his entire life in
Harrisburg. He was for many years a
hatter. He was prominenth' identified with
the interests and welfare of the city. He
died February 11, 1871.
Mr. Zollinger was married, in Harrisburg,
January 23, 1848, to Julia B. Fitzgerald, born
in Lancaster, Pa., June 9, 1824, daughter of
the late David and Catherine (Keiidig) Fitz-
gerald, by whom he had two children :
George C, passenger conductor on the Penn-
sylvania railroad, and Mary Frances, wife of
William B. Moore, train master, Pennsyl-
vania railroad. Mrs. Zollinger is still living
and resides in Harrisburg. She and her
family are members of Grace Methodist Epis
copal church.
The parents of Mrs. Zollinger were both
born in Lancaster, Pa. Her grandfather
Fitzgerald was born in Ireland, and came to
America during the Revolution in Ireland.
He settled in Lancaster, Pa., where he spent
the greater part of his life. The Kendig
family were of Swiss ancestry. They settled
in Lancaster at a very early date. Some
members of the family served in the Revo-
lutionary army. The parents of Mrs. Zoll-
inger had three children : Mary L., wife of
John Kepple, cigar manufacturer of Harris-
burg; Mrs. Zollinger; James Kildare, de-
ceased. Mrs. Zollinger's father died from
the effects of a fall when but twenty-six
years of age. By a second marriage of Mrs.
Fitzgerald, to James Williams, there was one
child who died in infancy. By her third
marriage, to Samuel McDonald, she had six
children, three of whom are living: William
K., Theodore and David B.
George C. Zollinger, only son of John H.
and Julia B. Zollinger, was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., June 4, 1849. He was educated
in the Harrisburg public schools, and took a
commercial course in the Business College of
that city. After finishing his education, he
learned plumbing but never worked at his
trade beyond the time of his apprenticeship.
For twenty-six years he has been in railroad
employ, twenty-four years of that time have
been passed in the service of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company. Mr. Zollinger
was married in Harrisburg, December 24,
1873, to Carrie, daughter of Andrew and
Elizabeth Hake, of York county, Pa. Of
their two children, one died young, the sur-
viving one is Elizabeth Beatrice. Mr. Zoll-
inger is an active member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. His wife and
daughter are members of the Forster Street
Lutheran church.
Derr, Anthony, deceased, was born in the
city of Lundow, Bavaria, Germany, Novem-
ber 9, 1814. He was reared and educated in
his native land, and learned the trade of cabi-
net maker. He came to America when nine
years of age and settled at Harrisburg, where
his life has been spent, with the exception
of three years, during which he was a resi-
dent of Berks county. He followed his
trade in this city and died January 1, 1876.
Mr. Derr was married in Harrisburg in
September, 1844, to Catherine Berrier, daugh-
ter of Henry J. and Margaret (Eckly) Ber-
rier. They had eight children, of whom
three died in childhood. Their living chil-
dren are: Mary H., widow of the late John
Taylor, Josephine M., Catherine W., widow
of Martin Schriver, Laura J., wife of Hugh
J. McClosky, and Anthony Lewis. Henry J.
Berrier, father of Mrs. Derr, was a native of
France. He married Margaret Eckly, a na-
tive of Germany. They came in youth to
this country and spent their lives in Harris-
burg. Mrs. Berrier died September 1, 1878,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
499
aged eighty-two years. They had eight
children, three of whom are living: Bar-
bara, wife of George Krickbaum, of Plarris-
burg; Catherine, Mrs. Derr; and Joseph, Har-
risburg. Mr. Berrier was a house and bridge
builder, and helped to build the bridge
across the Susquehanna river.
Hellerman, Hiram, foreman of the black-
smith department. Middle division, Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, was born in
Oxford township, Philadelphia county, Pa.,
March 15, 1824, son of the late Isaac and
Sarah (Conrow) Hellerman, the former a
native of Philadelphia county, of Moravian
ancestry, the latter a native of New Jersey.
The Hellerman family were of German de-
scent, and came to America in the latter
part of the last century, locating at Bethle-
hem. The father was a farmer and engaged
in other pursuits. He spent his whole life
in Oxford township, where he died at the
advanced age of eighty-four years, his wife
having preceded him in death. They had
six children, only three of whom are living :
Hiram, Elizabeth, wife of William Nise, of
Frankford, Pa., and John, a farmer, residing
near Millerstown, Pa. Hiram spent his
boyhood days in his native township, where
he attended subscription ■ schools. He
learned the trade of blacksmith, at Frank-
ford, and worked as a journeyman in Phila-
delphia until 1853, in which year he en-
tered the employment of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, at Altoona, and four
years later was transferred to Clarksburg,
Chester county, where he remained until
April 1, 1861, when he was removed to the
shops at Harrisburg. He has been in the
service of the company fortj'-two years, for
thirty-eight of which he has been foreman
of the blacksmith department. Mr. Heller-
man was married at Philadelphia, to Mary
M. Bosert. Their children are : Joseph I.,
a clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany; Sallie, a teacher in the public schools
of Harrisburg; a son who was killed by the
bursting of a boiler on the locomotive he
was fireman, in January, 1893, and Emery
G., residing in Harrisburg. In politics Mr.
Hellerman is a Republican. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Crane, Irvin J., was born at Liverpool,
Perry county, Pa., February 4, 1829. His
father, George W. Crane, was of English an-
cestry and was born in Lycoming county,
Pa. He removed to Perry county when
quite a young man, and spent .the greater
portion of his life there. He was a farmer fcr
some years, and subsequently was a pilot on
the Susquehanna river. He was a justice of
the peace of Perry county for thirty-nine
years. In 1845 he was elected recorder,
register and clerk of Orphans' Court of Perry
county, and served two terms. He died at
Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, at the resi-
dence of his daughter, September 7, 1852,
after a useful life, at the age of sixty-eight
years. The mother, Jane M. Watt, was of
Scotch-Irish ancestry; she was born in Mif-
flin (now Juniata) county, and died in 1854.
They had a family of six children, of whom
Irvin J. is the only survivor.
He spent a part of his boyhood in his
native place, where he received the advan-
tages of a good common school education.
When about seventeen years of age he re-
moved to Bloomfield, Pa,, and began his busi-
ness career as a clerk in the county court.
He served in this place for six years. For
one year Mr. Crane was a teacher in the
public schools. On January 10, 1853, he en-
tered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. He was first a brakeman f6r
thirteen months, then passenger conductor
for seven years, then ticket agent for one
year. In 1864 he enlisted in the Fifth Penn-
sylvania cavalry, U. S. A., and served therein
till the close of the war. He was honorably
discharged and mustered out of service in
June, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa. He returned
to Harrisburg and re-entered the service of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He
was transferred to the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne
& Chicago railroad, and appointed yard-
master at Alliance, Ohio; in this position he
remained until 1873, when he returned to
Harrisburg and was made assistant yard-
master of the Middle division, Pennsylvania
railroad, and afterwards became yardmaster.
In 1888 he was appointed weighmaster of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which
position he now holds.
Irvin J. Crane was married in Philadel-
phia, August 24, 1848, to Margaret R. Smith,
daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca Smith,
of Phoenix ville, Chester county. Pa. The}' have
had four children,thesolesurvivorof whom is
Mary C, wife of I. J. Davis, residing in Pitts-
burgh, Pa. Mrs. Crane died at Harrisburg.
Mr. Crane was married the second time at
Harrisburg, June 14, 1857, to Laura C. Burr,
of Perry county. To them have been born
500
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
seven children, five of whom are living,
namely : Scott S., superintendent Altoona &
Logan Valley Electric railway, at Altoona,
Pa.; Harry G., assistant yard master, Pennsyl-
vania railroad, at Harrisburg; Louise C,
wife of Frank Gaum, residing at Hartford,
Conn.; Currance C, wife of John W. Caum,
residing in Harrisburg, Pa., and Richard L.,
also a resident of Harrisburg.
Mr. Crane is a member of Conrad Lodge,
No. 270, F. & A. M., of Alliance, Ohio; Mt.
Moriah Chapter, No. 166, Hollidaysburg, Pa.;
Mountain Commandery, No. 10, K. T.,
of Altoona; Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, 1. 0.
0. F.; Miriam Rebecca Lodge, No. 12, D. of
R. In politics he is a staunch Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Crane are members of the Cove-
nant Presbyterian church, which the family
attend. Mr. Crane is a man of solid char-
acter and great personal worth, as his forty-
three years of service in the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company attests.
Clark, James, general agent of the Cum-
berland Valley Railroad Company, was born
in Middlesex township, four and a half miles
north of Carlisle, December 25, 1829, son of
Robert and Margaret (Smiley) Clark, the
former a native of Cumberland county, of
Scotch-Irish ancestry, the latter a native of
Perry county, of English ancestr3^ James
was reared to manhood in his native county
and received his education in the public
schools of the township. He was engaged
in farming until 1864, when he entered the
employment of the Cumberland Valley
Railroad Company as collector at Bridge-
port, Pa., from which he was transferred in
1872 to his present position, where he has
since been a faithful official of the company.
Mr. Clark was married in Carlisle, Pa., De-
cember 20, 1859, to Elizabeth Culbertson,
daughter of Stephen Culbertson, to whom
have been born five children, two of whom
died in infancy. ;The survivors are : George
Edward, residing at Butte, Montana ; Helen
C. and James A., both residing with their
parents at Harrisburg. Mrs. Clark died at
her residence in Harrisburg, February 21,
1893. In his political views Mr. Clark is a
Republican. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Pine Street Presbyterian church.
McFadden, both natives of county of Done-
gal, Ireland. He removed from his native
place with his parents to Elizabethtown
and lived there one year. Thence he re-
moved to Bridgeport, Cumberland county,
and lived there two years, and from there
to Harrisburg, where he has since lived.
He was educated in the public schools of
Harrisburg. He was employed at the prin-
ter's trade for several years, and afterwards
learned the baking business, at which he
worked about four years, and then resumed
the printing business. In the early part of
1851 he entered the service of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company as brakeman, and
at the end of four years was appointed bag-
gage master, which position he has held for
forty years with the utmost satisfaction to
the company and the traveling public. He
was first lieutenant of battery A, First Penn-
sylvania artillery (emergency men). He
was married in Philadelphia to Catherine
McGrath, daughter of Francis and Catherine
(O'Treil) McGrath. Of the nine children
born to them four are living: Mary B.,
madame of Convent of Sacred Heart, at
Manhattan, N. Y.; Frances Julia, wife of
George T. Kelley, of Albany, N. Y.; Jose-
phine, Rose and Monia. Mr. McFadden rep-
resented the Sixth ward in common coun-
cil for six years, and was also alderman for
same ward for six years. He represented
the Fourth ward in council for one year.
In political principles he is a Democrat.
The family attend the Roman Catholic cathe-
dral.
McFadden, William C, baggage agent of
the Peimsylvania Railroad Company, was
born at Lebanon, Pa., March 31, 1830. He
is a son of Marcus and Eleanor (Gallagher)
Miller, John Edmund, foreman of No. 2
round house, Philadelphia division, Penn-
sylvania railroad, was born at Waynesburg,
now called Honey Brook Station, of Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western railroad, in Chester
county, April 9, 1831. He is a son of Peter
and Elizabeth (Evans) Miller, the former a
native of Scotland, the latter of England,
both of whom came to America when quite
young. His parents died when John E. was
but eighteen months old. He was reared by
his uncle, Adam Miller, of New Holland,
Lancaster county. Pa., where he spent his
boyhood, receiving a common school educa-
tion. When fifteen years of age he was ap-
prenticed to the millwright trade and worked
at this trade for seven years. Beginning
with .the year 1852 he was employed for five
years on the State road between Columbia
and Philadelphia, four years as fireman and
DA UPHIN GO UNTI .
501
one year as engineer. In 1856 he was pro-
moted to engineer of passenger train, hold-
ing this position until 1881. On June 1,
1881, he was appointed to his present posi-
tion. His good character and excellent qual-
ities are abundantly attested by the fact that
he has been for thirty-nine years continu-
ously employed by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. He is still in the same em-
ploy.
John E. Miller was married at Lancaster,
Pa., October 10, 1861, to Sarah M., daughter
of Samuel and Sarah Mathiot. They have
two children; Alfred C, born August 3 2,
1862, and George W., born December 17,
1867. In political views Mr. Miller is a
Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Miller and their
sons are members of Ridge Avenue Methodist
church. Mr. Miller is a member of Colum-
bia Lodge, No. 286, F. & A. M. Mr. Miller
was the engineer of the train which carried
the bodv of Abraham Lincoln from Harris-
burg, April 22, 1865.
KiNTER, George, trainmaster of the Penn-
sylvania railroad, was born in Susquehanna
township, near Harrisburg, May 1, 1831.
He is the only surviving child of the four
born to his parents, George and Elizabeth
(Miller) Kinter, both natives and honored
residents of Dauphin county. His father
was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sus-
quehanna township up to 1846, and from
that date until his death, which occurred in
1863, he was engaged in merchandising.
George Kinter received his education in
the public schools of his native township,
and was engaged in farming and in boating
on the canal. On October 2, 1855, he en-
tered the service of the Pennsylvania rail-
road as a freight brakeman on the division
running from Mifflin to Columbia, and con-
tinued in the service as brakeman, flagman
and conductor until October 2, 1862, when
he was transferred to the superintendent's
office as night yardmaster and assistant.
trainmaster and train dispatcher. He served
as such till January 1, 1874, when he was
appointed trainmaster of the division run-
ning from Harrisburg to Altoona, in whiclj
position he has rendered satisfactory service
to the company for over twenty years, and
which he still holds. He has completed
forty years of continuous service in the em-
ploy of this company, which is a demonstra-
tion of his ability, trustworthiness and good
character.
He was married in Union county, Pa.,
April 3, 1856, to Caroline, daughter of Henry
and Catharine Charles, of Union county. Pa.
Of their five children four are living: Charles
Henry, S. Wilt, George Hutchison, and John
Carroll. Mary W. died in infancy. Mr.
Kinter is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No.
59, K. of P. He, his wife and children are
members of Grace Methodist Episcopal
church.
FosNAUGHT, John R., assistant yardmaster
of the Middle division, Pennsylvania rail-
road, was born in Southampton township,
Franklin county. Pa., February 13, 1833.
He is a son of Conrad and Catherine (Jacoby)
Fosnaught, both natives of Southampton
township. His education was begun in the
public schools of his native township, but
when ten years old he removed with his
father to Shippensburg, Pa., where his edu-
cation was finished. He was engaged in
farming for five years, at the expiration of
which time he began his career in railroad-
ing. He was agent on individual cars for
seven years. From 1858 to 1861 he was
again engaged in agricultural pursuits in
Southampton township, Cumberland count}'.
In August, 1861, he enlisted in company H,
Third Pennsylvania cavalry, and served
three years in the army. During this time
he participated in the battles of Malvern
Hill, Gettysburg, and many other important
engagements. Having served the term of
his enlistment, he was honorably discharged
and mustered out of service August 28, 1864,
at Philadelphia, when he returned to Ship-
pensburg. On October 4, 1864, he removed
to Harrisburg and engaged with the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company as brakeman.
He followed this occupation for six months,
when he was promoted to the position of
conductor and acceptably performed his
duties in this capacity for twenty years. In
October, 1884, he was appointed to his pres-
ent position.
Mr. Fosnaught was married at Moline, Rock
Island county. 111., December 6, 1855, to
Charlotte S. Rhode, daughter of Benjamin
and Lydia (Hoffman) Rhode. Of their six
children three died in childhood. The liv-
ing children are: Ida, widow of the late
Harvey Stevick, Louisa, wife of Daniel Stone-
seifer, and Gertrude. Mr. Fosnaught is a
member of the Order of Railway Conductors.
In political views he is a Democrat. The
502
BIOORAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
family attend the Church of God. He is a
public-spirited citizen, of long residence and
long service to the community. His char-
acter is without blemish, and he is highly
esteemed for his personal worth.
Williams, Robert E., assistant trainmas-
ter, Philadelphia division, Pennsylvania
railroad, was born at Utica, N. Y., March
29, 1833. He is a son of William and Elea-
nor (Pool) Williams, both natives of Bala,
Wales. He was reared at Utica and edu-
cated in the public schools of that city. He
learned telegraphy, and followed this occu-
pation in Utica until he was eighteen j^ears
of age. He removed to New York City and
was engaged in the business of manufactur-
ing gold pen and pencil cases until 1856,
when he entered the employment of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as tele-
graph operator at Lewistown, Pa. He re-
mained in that position for sixteen months,
and was then transferred to the same posi-
tion at Mifflin, Pa., which he held for two
years. Leaving the telegraph service for
one year he took the place of locomotive
fireman between Mifflin and Columbia. Re-
turning to his original occupation he was
transferred to Harrisburg and took charge
of the line between Lancaster and Mifflin
until 1861. On the breaking out of the war
he answered the call of the Government for
telegraph builders, and went to Washington
and followed the army for eight months,
building telegraph lines for the Government
wherever they were needed. At the expira-
tion of this time he removed to Philadel-
phia and resumed the position of telegraph
operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, which he held till 1864, when he
was appointed train dispatcher at the same
point. In 1865 he was appointed assistant
trainmaster at Harrisburg, He has filled
this position for thirty years at Harrisburg,
Philadelphia and Columbia. He has served
thirty-nine years in the employ of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company.
He was married at Philadelphia, Septem-
ber 30, 1885, to Minnie Bowers, daughter of
Amos and Sarah Bowers, of Columbia.
They have two children : George E., born
April 25, 1887, and Ruth E., born Novem-
ber 30, 1892. He is a member of Phcsnix
Lodge, No. 130, F. & A. M., of Philadelphia.
The family attend the Reformed church.
Caum, Edward L., master mechanic of
Harrisburg machine shop, Middle division,
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was born
at Camden, N. J., December 3, 1833. He is
a son of James and Lydia (Lacy) Caum,
natives of the State of New Jer<5ey. He grew
to manhood in his native town, passed
through the public schools and served an
apprenticeship with what is now the Dia-
logue Steam Engine and Shipbuilding Com-
pany. He also spent one year in the employ-
ment of the Harlan and Hollingsworth En-
gine Company, of Wilmington, Del. Mr.
Caum entered the service of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company at Mifflin, Pa., as jour-
neyman machinist, June 23, 1856, and was
appointed master mechanic of the Mifflin
shops in April, 1864. He was transferred to
Harrisburg in November, 1869, and has been
permanently located here since that date.
Mr. Caum was married at Mifflin, Pa.,
February 14, 1861, to Ellen S. Wright, daugh-
ter of John and Elizabeth Wright, of Mifflin.
They had ten children, of whom three are
living: Frank, chief engineer of the Electric
railroad, of Hartford, Conn. ; John W., and
Edward L., Jr., both of whom reside in Har-
risburg. Mrs. Caum died April 21, 1885.
Wells, James B., road foreman of engines,
Pennsylvania railroad, was born in Chester
county. Pa., June 11, 1884. His father,
Lewis Wells, was a native of Chester county,
and his mother, Sarah (Elmer) Wells, was a
native of Boston, Mass. Both died in Ches-
ter county at advanced ages, after active and
well-spent lives. The education of James
B. Wells was received in the common
schools of his native county, and, to use his
own language, it was not of an extensive
character. There were no standard text-
books at that time; each scholar used such
books as the home library afforded. The
Bible, the History of the United States, by
different authors, the Book of Martyrs,
Cortez' Invasion of Mexico, the Pirates'
Own Book, the History of Captain Kidd — in
fact, anything and everything available in
the form of literature furnished the reading
matter. The first work at which he sought
employment and pay was as water boy to
the harvest hands on neighboring farms.
He afterwards worked at home with his
father at the carpenter trade, and also some-
times in Philadelphia. When a boy, in
Chester county, he spent his leisure among
'^^ /3, {^Z^^^fre^:''^^
J^T^cL(m/c&^
uu
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
505
the old State Road locomotives, for which
he had a great liking. All he needed in the
way of passes on the road was " to help
wood up." The knowledge he was enabled
to pick up in this way was valuable to him
when he came to make railroading his busi-
ness. In 1853 he entered the service of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
railroad as a fireman, and in October, 1854,
was promoted to engineer. January 1, 1857,
he resigned this place, and went to the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western rail-
road, in the latter part of March, 1857. On
the 14th of April, 1857, Mr. Enoch Lewis,
second assistant superintendent, in charge of
the Middle and Mountain division, gave' him
a position as engineer in the shop, and on
July 7, following, he was given a freight en-
gine to run between Altoona and Mifflin.
On March 4, 1861, he commenced running
a freight train between Altoona and Harris-
burg. On April 5, 1861, he was appointed
extra passenger engineer for both Middle
and Philadelphia divisions, with headquar-
ters at Harrisburg. At that time the Cum-
berland Valley railroad had not engines
heavy enough to haul a regiment of soldiers,
so he and his engine were engaged to con-
vey the three months' volunteers to Camp
Slifer, at Chambersburg, and later, from
that place to Hagerstown. In September,
1861, he was given a passenger train, the
Philadelphia Express, and continued in
charge of it until February 2, 1862, when
he was appointed road foreman of engines.
In June, 1863, after all the shop machinery
and engines under repairs were hauled to a
place of safety, Mr. Wells enlisted in the
Twentieth Pennsylvania cavalry, and in
August of that year he was detailed for
railroad service, and ordered to report to
Enoch Lewis, as road foreman. In August,
1864, he re-enlisted in the Two Hundred and
First Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
mustered out of service June 1, 1865. He at
once resumed his place of road foreman,
and has well performed its duties to this
time.
He was married at Wilmington, Del., April
2, 1856, to Lucinda Vandever, daughter of
John and Sarah (Chambers) Vandever.
The Chambers family were among the very
earliest settlers of this country, their ances-
tors having come over with William Penn.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Wells, of whom five sons still survive,
namely : William S., a machinist, residing
35
at Ft. Wayne, Ind. ; John V., a machinist,
residing at Wilmerding, Pa. ; James A., a
locomotive engineer, on the Schuylkill Val-
ley division, Pennsylvania railroad ; Henry
C, foreman in the machine shops, at Mifflin,
Pa., and Edward C, a civil engineer. Mrs.
Wells died October 14, 1893. Mr. Wells is a
member of Mountain Lodge, No. 281, F. &
A. M., of Altoona. He attends the Lutheran
church.
RuMPP, Chakles C, foreman of machine
shops. Middle division, Pennsylvania rail-
road, was born in Prussia, January 11, 1836,
his parents both being natives of Prussia.
Charles C. and a sister named Minnie, wife
of Henry Aman, residing near Chillicothe,
Ohio, were their only children. The father
died at Chillicothe, the mother died in her
native land when Charles was an infant.
The father married again in Prussia. When
six years old Charles C. Rumpf tame to
America with his father and step-mother
and located in Chillicothe, Ohio. Here he
spent his youth, receiving an education in
the public schools of the city. After com-
pleting his education he acted for two years
as interpreter to the civil engineer who sur-
veyed the Cincinnati and Marietta railroad,
who was a German. For three years
longer he was in the same service as assist-
ant to the engineer corps. When this road
was completed he was appointed baggage-
master, and served in this position for six
months. He also served one year as fireman,
was then appointed engineer, and ran a yard
engine for six months. At the end of this
time he entered the machine shops of the
Cincinnati and Marietta railroad at Chilli-
cothe, where he learned the machinist busi-
ness. In 1861 he removed to Litchfield, 111.,
and became foreman of the roundhouse of
the Terre Haute and St. Louis railroad at
that place. In the latter part of the same
year Mr. Rumpf removed to Altoona, Pa.,
where he took charge of the erecting shops
of the Pennsylvania railroad for five
months. In the spring of 1862 he was trans-
ferred to Harrisburg as foreman of round-
house No. 1, and filled this position until
1868, when he was appointed foreman of the
machine and erecting shops, the position he
now so acceptably fills.
Charles C. Rumpf has been twice married;
first, at Chillicothe, Ohio, to Teressa Studer,
who died in Harrisburg in 1865, and by
whom he had four children, three of whom
506
BIO GRA PHI GAL EtTCYGL OPEDIA
are living, namely : Annie, wife of Andrew
Schutzenbach ; Charles, and Lena, wife of
Abraham Taylor, residing in Hummelstown,
Pa. He was married the second time in
Harrisburg to Louisa Studer, a sister, of his
first wife. They had three children, one of
whom died in infancy: Joseph and Mary,
twins, are living. In 1863 he enlisted in
company E, Two Hundred and First Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and served for three
months, at the end of which time he was
discharged by substitution at Scranton, Pa.,
and returned to the employment of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, at Harrisburg.
For a third of a century he has been con-
tinuously in the service^ of this company,
which demonstrates the fact that he has the
"staying" qualities of industry, skill and
fidelity. The family attend St. Lawrence
Roman Catholic church.
Reed,* Reuben S., foreman of car inspec-
tors and wreckmaster of Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, was born in Lower Paxton
township, Dauphin county. Pa., January 12,
1836. His father, Robert Reed, was of English
ancestry, and was born in Lebanon county.
His grandfather, John Reed, was a Revolu-
tionary soldier. The greater part of his
father's life was spent in Dauphin county,
and in working at his trade, which was that
of blacksmith. He died April 30, 1876, at
the age of seventy-seven years. His mother,
Harriet Reisenpott, was of German extrac-
tion, was born in Lebanon county, and died
in 1872. Their family consisted of twelve
children, nine of whom are living: Louisa,
wife of Abraham Attics, residing at Steelton ;
Samuel, a German Baptist minister, residing
in Lower Paxton township; Reuben S,; John,
a blacksmith, residing near Rutherford Sta-
tion, in Swatara township ; Rebecca, wife of
John Hoke, residing in Lower Paxton;
Thomas W,, residing in Susquehanna town-
ship; Matilda, wife of Jacob Zearfoss, resid-
ing in Union Deposit, Dauphin county ;
Robert G., residing in Lower Paxton, and
Martin Ij., residing in Hornerstown, Dau-
phin county.
Reuben S. Reed was educated in the dis-
trict school, and first learned the blacksmith
trade in this father's shop. Not liking the
trade, he abaudoned.it and tried milling
for g, time, but finally learned carpentry.
He worked at his trade for six years, work-
ing in the summer and teaching school in
the winter. He taught four years in East
Hanover township, and two winters in Mid-
dle Paxton township. In 1863 he entered
the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company as a car builder, and pursued this
occupation for one year. In July, 1864, he
enlisted in company D, One Hundred and
First Pennsylvania volunteers, and was ap-
pointed first lieutenant. He served one
year, and mustered out of the service at
Newburn, N. C, and honorably discharged
at Harrisburg, Pa., in July, 1865, on ac-
count of the ending of the war. He re-
turned to his former position as car builder,
which he held till 1877; in this year he was
appointed chief car inspector in the Harris-
burg yards. Mr. Reed is an old and faithful
employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, and a gentlemen highly esteemed in
business and social circles for his many
good qualities.
He was married at East Hanover, August
6, 1857, to Mary A. Martz, daughter of Will-
iam and Madeline (Penabaker) Martz, old
settlers of East Hanover township. Three
children have been born to them : Emma
H., died at the age of sixteen years ; Benja-
min, employed by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, and Mary M., died at the
age of eight years. Mr. Reed has repre-
sented the , Seventh ward in the common
council one term. He is a member of
Harrisburg Lodge, No. 68, 1. 0. 0. F., and of
Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P. He is a
Democrat. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
Daugherty, Hamlet, foreman of round-
house No. 1, Middle division, Pennsylvania
railroad, was born at Milton, Northumber-
land county. Pa., September 20, 1886. His
father, Daniel Daugherty, was of Irish an-
cestry, and was born in Dauphin county.
In. youth he learned the. trade of weaving
and dyeing, but a larger part of his life was
spent in agricultural pursuits at Hummels-
town, where he was a prominent and pros-
perous man, universally respected. His wife,
Nancy (Dellevan) Daugherty, was of French
ancestry, and was born in Bucks county.
Pa. Of the four children born to them, two
are living, namely: Hamlet and Margaret,
wife of James Foster, residing at Huntington,
W. Va.
When Hamlet Daugherty was three years
old, his parents went to Michigan, were
located at Schoolcraft for about four years,
and then they returned to Milton, Northum-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
507
berland county, Pa. Here his boyhood
was spent and here he received his educa-
tion in the common schools of the county.
He was apprenticed to the machinist trade
and worked at it for three years. In the
winter of 1855 he entered the employ of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a ma-
chinist, and worked about eighteen months.
He then went to Savannah, Ga., entered the
emploj' of the Georgia Central railroad, and
continued for eight months; then returned
to Harrisburg and re-entered the service of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In
1867 he was appointed assistant foreman of
the roundhouse, at Philadelphia, where he
remained until 1869. He was then appointed
foreman of roundhouse No. 2, at Harrisburg;
during the same year he was appointed
to his present position, which he holds with
growing satisfaction to his employers.
Hamlet Daugherty was married at Har-
risburg, September 7, 1857, to Emma
Hoover, daughter of Samuel and Sarah
Hoover, of Harrisburg. Four of their five
children are living : Alberta, Frank H.,
Harry L. and Mary E. In political views
Mr. Daugherty is inclined to be Democratic.
The family attend tlie Episcopal church.
Wallace, Thomas L., was born in Clear-
field county. Pa., September 8, 1837. His
father, Robert Wallace, was born in Ireland,
but came to America when he was nineteen
years of age. He located first at Hunting-
don. Pa., and somewhat later removed to
Clearfield, thence to HoUidaysburg, subse-
quently returning to Clearfield, where he
spent the remainder of his life. His wife,
Jane (Hemphill) Wallace, was a native of
Huntingdon, Pa., and died at Clearfield.
They had ten children, five of whom, besides
Thomas L., are living: W. A., ex-United
States senator; Sarah M., wife of George W.
Saunders, of Perry, Oklahoma ; Samuel H.,
ticket agent, Pennsylvania railroad. Broad
street, Philadelphia ; Rebecca, wife of S. J. M,
McCarrell, senator of Dauphin district;
Jane, wife of C. G. Cadwallader, chief clerk
in ticket ofiice, Pennsylvania railroad.
Broad street, Philadelphia.
Thomas L. Wallace, when but a youth, rcr
moved with his parents to HoUidaysburg.
Here he attended the public schools and
academy. He also had the advantage ot a
year's tuition in the academy of Clearfield.
After leaving school he was employed as
salesman in a general store until August,
1857, when he entered the service of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a clerk
in the HoUidaysburg agency, where he re-
mained for two years. In 1859 he was
transferred to Harrisburg and appointed a
clerk in the freight department. In Octo-
ber of the same year he was appointed
freight agent of the Pennsylvania, Northern
Central and Union Line railroads, which
position he now acceptably holds.
Mr. Wallace was married at Harrisburg,
October 11, 1862, to Miss Annie M. Wallace,
daughter of William Q. and Eleanor Wal-
lace. Of their seven children one died in
infancy. Their living children : Helen B.;
Annie L., wife of D. C. McLean, of Harris-
burg; Robert B., of the Harrisburg bar;
William T., of the freight department, Penn-
sylvania railroad; Emily McCoy and Elea-
nor W.
Mr. Wallace served one term as auditor
of HoUidaysburg when he was but twenty-
one years of age. In political views he is a
Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are mem-
bers of the Pine Street Presbyterian church,
and Mr. Wallace is one of the trustees of the
church. He has also been chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Young Men's
Christian Association for ten years. His
long retention in its employment by the cor-
poration he serves is the clearest and naost
unquestioned acknowledgment of his ability
and integrity, and he enjoys a reputation
won only by those who are guided by the
principles of righteousness.
Hepford, Samuel, was born in Lower-
Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
September 27, 1837. He is a son of David
and Susan (Lingle) Hepford, both natives of
Dauphin county, and both residents of the
county all their lives. His father was a
blacksmith by trade, but the larger part of
his life was spent in agricultural pursuits.
He was a man who stood high in his com-
munity, and died in Susquehanna township
in 1882. His worth}' wife, the mother of
Samuel, still survives him at the advanced
age of eighty-one years. The parents had
born to them a family of ten children, seven
of whom are still living, namely : Samuel,
David, of Harrisburg, George, a prominent
farmer, Enos, Thomas, all residing in Sus-
quehanna township, Susan, widow of the late
William Unger, of Harrisburg, Sally, wife of
Luther Lunker, of Lower Paxton.
Samuel, when about four years old, removed
508
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
with his parents to Susquehanna township
and there received his education in the pub-
lic schools. He was apprenticed to the car-
penter trade and followed this business for
live years. In 1861 he entered the services
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Mid-
dle division, as freight brakeman, filling this
place for only a short time. He returned to
his trade of carpenter. In 1864 he accepted
a position in the motive power department
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as
fireman. In the same year he enlisted in
company E, Two Hundred and First regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served
until the close of the war. He was mustered
out of service June, 1865, at Harrisburg and
took his old position with the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, which he filled for six
years. In 1870 he was promoted to engineer
of freight trains, and in 1882 to engineer of
passenger trains. He is one of the oldest
engineers in the service of the company.
He was married in Harrisburg, September 27,
1859, to Matilda Pottinger, daughter of Jacob
L. and Elizabeth Pottinger, of Lower Paxton
township. To them have been born ten
children, two of whom died in infancy.
Their living children are : Sadie M., wife of
Leonard Sparver, of Harrisburg ; Carrie B.,
wife of Samuel C. Loomis, of Harrisburg ;
Mazie S., wife of William H. Elliott, residing
in Philadelphia ; Josephine E., wife of H. A.
Snyder, residing in Seattle, Wash.; Grace P.,
Charles W., Samuel Garfield and John E.,
residing in Harrisburg. In political views
Mr. Hepford is a Republican. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Whitmoyer, Simon, yardmaster, Middle
division, Harrisburg DE yard, Pennsylvania
railroad, was born January 7, 1838, on the
old General Foster farm in Susquehanna
township, about two miles from Harrisburg,
and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Lan-
nigan) Whitmoyer, who were prosperous
farmers of that township. Their family con-
sisted of eleven children, only three of
whom are now living: Jacob, a retired
farmer of Lower Paxton township; David,
a grain dealer in Vilasca, Iowa ; and Simon.
The last named was brought up on the farm
and attended the district school of the town-
ship. He continued at farming till 1866,
when he entered the employment of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as brake-
man. After having served as flagman and
subsequently as conductor for about ten
years, he was appointed assistant yard-
master, and in April, 1895, was appointed to
his present position.
He was married, in Swatara township, to
Sarah Brightbill, daughter of William Bright-
bill. There was born to them a family of
seven boys, two of whom died in infanc}'.
The living children are William G., pas-
senger brakeman, Pennsylvania railroad ;
Franklin S., passenger brakeman, Pennsyl-
vania railroad ; Harry E., fireman on pas-
senger train, Philadelphia division, Penn-
sylvania railroad; John C, an electrician in
the Westinghouse Electrical Works, at Pitts-
burgh, a graduate of Harrisburg high school
and Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.;
Howard B., residing at home. Mr. Whit-
moyer is a member of the A. 0. U. W.;
Malta Encampment, No. 106, K. of M. and St.
J.; and of Relief Department, Pennsylvania
railroad. In political views he is a staunch
Republican. The family attend the Memor-
ial United Brethren church.
MuENCH, Isaac S., ex-chief clerk of freight
department, Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, was born in Halifax township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., December 7, 1839, son of
Daniel A. and Lydia S. (Smilh) Muench, the
former a native of Berks county, the latter
of Lancaster county, an early settler of Dau-
phin county. The parents resided in Har-
risburg from 1854 until death. The father
died March 29,1893. The father was for
many years in the forwarding business.
Isaac S. spent his boyhood in Halifax and
attended the public school there until he was
sixteen years of age, when he came with his
parents to Harrisburg, where his education
was completed, and he learned the trade of
machinist. He followed this occupation
until 1862 when he entered the United States
navy as an engineer, and served in the gulf
squadron under Admiral Farrigut, and in
the West India squadron under Admiral
Larder until the fall of 1864 when he re-
signed from the navy and returned to Har-
risburg. In the spring of 1865 he entered
the freight department of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, and in 1868 was pro-
moted to chief clerk.
Mr. Muench was married at Harrisburg,
October 22, 1867, to Adelaide E. Stroh,
daughter of Benjamin and Piiscilla Stroh, of
Harrisburg. Of their two children, one died
in childhood, and Elizabeth A. is attending
school at Utica, N. Y. Mr. Muench is a
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
509
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F.
& A. M. In his politics he is a Republican.
He attends Zion Lutheran church.
Chandler, George P., assistant baggage
agent, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was
born at Harrisburg, September 13, 1841.
He is a son of Jonathan and Julia (Mowery)
Chandler. He was educated in the public
schools and learned the trade of printer. In
1862 he enlisted in company A, One Hun-
dred and Twenty-seventh regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, under Col. W. W. Jen-
nings. He served for nine months, during
which time he participated in several engage-
ments. He was mustered out of service in
May, 1863, at Harrisburg. He returned to
the printing business and continued at it
until January 22, 1866, when he abandoned
his trade and accepted the position of assist-
ant baggagemaster of Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, which he has filled with satisfac-
tion to his employers for thirty years. He
was married in Harrisburg, May 24, 1862, to
Hannah M. Crawl, daughter of Samuel and
Eliza Crawl, of Harrisburg. Thej' have had
six children, only two of whom are living,
namely: William R. and Julia, both resid-
ing at Harrisburg. Mrs. Chandler died
March -27, 1895. Mr. Chandler is a charter
member of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 69,
I. 0. 0. F.; a charter member of Capital City
Castle, No. 40, K. of G. E.; a member of
Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P.; and a mem-
ber of Harrisburg Castle, No. 70, K. of M. C.
He has been both select and supreme com-
mander, and is past supreme commander
of this organization. In politics he is a
Democrat. He attends the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
KuLP, James C, storekeeper of Harris-
burg shops, Middle division, Pennsylvania
railroad, was born in Lewistown, Mifflin
county, Pa., July 13, 1844. He is a son of
George M. and Jane E. (Crawford) Kulp,
both natives of Mifflin county. When six
years old, he removed with his parents to
Patterson, Juniata county, where he spent
his boyhood days, receiving his primary
education in the public schools. He at-
tended theTuscarora Academy, at Academia,
Pa., and the Academy of Shade Gap, Hunt-
ingdon county. Completing his education
in 1863, he enlisted in company K, One
Hundred- and Ninety-seventh regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and served for one
hundred days. He was mustered out of
service at Philadelphia, at the expiration of
his term of enlistment, and returned to
Mifflin, and read medicine with Drs. Craw-
ford and Light for several years ; he also at-
tended the medical department of the Uni-
versity of New York. During 1867-68 he
was engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion, at Marysville, Perry county. Pa. In
the latter part of 1868 he retired from the
practice of medicine, and in 1869 he entered
the employment of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, at Mifflin, under Supervisor
James McKnight, and i^emained in this posi-
tion until August, 1870, when he was trans-
ferred to Harrisburg and appointed assistant
storekeeper of the Middle division. In 1883
he was appointed storekeeper. He has been
twice married ; first at Waynesville, in 1868,
to Mary E. Morrison, who died in Harris-
burg in 1877, leaving no children. He was
married the second time, in 1883, to Sarah
R. Meredith, daughter of Israel and Cath-
erine Meredith, of Harrisburg. To this
marriage have been born five children : Al-
fred Cleveland, Catherine Caum, George
Mark, Helen Meredith and Nancy Isabella.
In political views Mr. Kulp is a Republican.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
MooREHOusE, George H., assistant super-
intendent of Western division, Pennsylvania
department, Adams Express Company, was
born in Hollidaysburg, Pa., August 11,1844.
He attended the public schools until he was
thirteen years of age, and in 1857 entered the
service of the Adams Express Company as
clerk under Joseph Bingham at Hollidays-
burg, where he continued until 1862, at
which time he came to Harrisburg and took
the position of local clerk of the office. After
two years' service in this position he was
promoted, in 1872, to route agent, taking
charge of the lines leading north, south, east
and west, and in 1880 was made general
route agent of the entire system. In 1887
he was promoted to his present position of
assistant superintendent, in charge of the
lines west of Harrisburg, west of Pittsburgh,
Erie, Canandaigua, N. Y., and of the Western
department of the Pennsylvania division,
West Virginia, New York, Maryland and
Pennsylvania. Mr. Moorehouse is one of the
organizers and directors of the South Harris-
burg Chain Works. In politics he is a Re-
publican. He is prominent in fraternity
510
BIOORAPEIGAL ENCTGLOPEDIA
circles, holding membership in the Masonic
and Knights Templar orders and being a
charter member of Knights of Pj'thias of
Harrisburg. Mr. Moorehouse was married,
in 1873, to Miss Margaret L. Simons, daugh-
ter of Joseph Simons, of Philadelphia. They
have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Moorehouse
are members of the Episcopal church.
Heistek, William A., son of A. 0. Heister,
was born September 29, 1845, at " Estherton "
(the old homestead). He was educated at
St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., and at
. Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. He was in
the subsistence department of the Army of
the Potomac from 1862 to 1865, and on sur-
veys of the western rivers from 1865 to 1868 ;
was there employed as assistant engineer on
the construction of various railroads until
1886, when he was appointed roadmaster of
the Buffalo division of the Erie railroad and
held that position until the spring of 1896,
when he resigned and moved to Harrisburg.
He was married in 1870 to Elizabeth E,.,
daughter of the late William Stephens, and
they have three children, one son and two
daughters.
Drake, Henry, foreman of roundhouse,
Philadelphia and Reading railroad, was
born at Bristol, N. H., May 3, 1846. He is
a son of Philip S. and Harriet (Locke)
Drake, both natives and residents of New
Hampshire. He was educated in the public
schools of his native town. In 1862, when not
quite sixteen years of age, he enlisted in com-
pany C, Twelfth New Hampshire volunteer
infantry, and served until the close of the
war of the Rebellion in 1865. He was mus-
tered out of the service at Richmond, Va.,
and finally discharged at Concord, N. H.
He returned to Bristol, and in September,
1865, entered the employment of the North-
ern New Hampshire railroad (now a part of
the Boston and Maine system), as a fireman,
and served as such about four years, after
which he entered the service of the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern railroad as
engineer. He filled this position until April,
1877, when he entered the service of the
Reading railroad as passenger engineer, and
in October, 1891, was appointed to his pres-
ent position. He was married at Reading,
Pa., in October, 1877, to Catherine Colt-
rider, daughter of Samuel Coltrider, natives
of Maryland. To them have been born two
children, one who died .in infancy, and
George P., who is living. Mr. Drake is a
member of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, No 226^ F^
& A. M. He is also a member of Camp No.
43, Union Veteran Legion. In politics he
is a Republican. The family attend the Lu-
theran church.
Johnston, Andrew P. W., assistant to the
assistant engineer of the Middle division,
Pennsylvania railroad, was born in Venango
county. Pa., October 14, 1847. His grand-
father, Rev. John Johnston, was of Scotch-
Irish descent, and came from Belfast, Ire-
land, when a young man ; was pastor
in the Presbyterian church at Hunting-
don, Pa., from 1790 to 1823, a period
of thirty-three years, and was the first
pastor of that church. His father, An-
drew Johnston, was a native of Huntingdon,
Pa., where he was a prominent hotel keeper,
well and favorably known, and where his
useful and well-spent life was terminated in
1885. His mother was a native of Venango
county, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry; she
died in 1858. Their family consisted of five
children, one of whom died in infancy.
The surviving children are : Andrew P. W.;
Jemima Linn, wife of W. A. Crawford, a
prominent merchant of Cooperstown, Ve-
nango county, Pa.; Joseph, residing in Cali-
fornia, and Kate, residing in Nebraska.
Andrew P. W. Johnston when but six
years of age removed with his parents to
Huntingdon, and was educated in the pub-
lic schools of that place. He also took a
course of study in and was graduated from
the Iron City Business College of Pittsburgh.
After this he was engaged in surveying with
J. Simpson Africa for about two years, and
for two years later studied engineering on
the Bedford and Bridgeport railroad. In
1873 he entered the service of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company as engineer under
W. H. Brown, superintendent of Bedford di-
vision, and has been for the past twenty-two
years continuously in the employment of
this company, during seventeen of which he
has been connected with the Middle divi-
sion.
He was married at Huntingdon, Pa.,
March 19, 1873, to Letitia Pheasant, daugh-
ter of George W. and Elizabeth W. Pheas-
ant. They have had three children, two of
whom are living, Eva Kate and Andrew C.
Mr. Johnston is a member of the Royal
Arcanum, No. 499. He is vice-president of
the Commonwealth Building and Loan As-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
511
sociation. In political views he is a good
sound Democrat. He and his family attend
the Presbyterian church, and Mrs. Johnston
arid her daughter are members of that reli-
gious body.
MacAvoy, Thomas D., road foreman's
clerk, Middle division, Pennsylvania rail-
road, was born in Philadelphia, May 31,
1848. He is a son of James and Ellen
(Grant) MacAvoy, both natives of Belfast,
Ireland, who came to America in their early
life and settled in Philadelphia, where they
both died. His father was a carpet manii-
facturer. They had born to them a family
of three children, namely: Mary A., widow
of the late Joseph Van Winkle, residing in
West Philadelphia; Thomas D., and John
M., who was drowned in the Ohio river, near
Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1868, at the age of
twenty-six years. Thomas D. was educated
in the public schools of Philadelphia. He
was engaged as salesman in a dry goods
store and later was employed with Messrs.
Reily & Sargent, news agents, at Columbus,
Ohio, Richmond, Ind., Allegheny City, Pa.,
Lock Haven, Pa., and Harrisburg. He left
the News Company in March, 1872, and en-
tered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company as freight brakeman, and in
September, 1872, was engaged as fireman.
He was appointed coal premium clerk in
1879, and filled this position until October,
1894, when he was appointed to his present
position. He was married at Harrisburg,
September 17, 1876, to Mary L. Shafifer, daugh-
ter of Cornelius and Catherine Shaffer,of Har-
risburg. Their children are: Charles G.
Eugene F., Gertrude Marie, John L., and,
Norman D. In political views he is a Demo-
crat. The family attend St. Patrick's Pro-
Cathedral.
Moore, W. Brooke, passenger trainmas-
ter of the Pennsylvania railroad, was born
at White Hall (now called Bryn Mawr),
Montgomery county, Pa., November 3,1848.
His father, James A. Moore, was for many
years a prosperous and progressive agricul-
turalist of Delaware county, but in his later
yeais lived a retired life in Bryn Mawr,
where he died after a well-spent life at the
advianced age of eighty-eight years. He was
an active meriiber of the Marple Presbyterian
church, of which he was for many years an
elder. He was of Scotch ancestry and born
in Montgorriery county. His wife, Eliza
(Lindsay) Moore, was of Irish ancestry, but
was born and died in Delaware county, Pa.
They had eight children. One died in child-
hood; James, who served one year during the
late war in the One Hundred and Twenty-
fourth Pennsylvania volunteers, was acci-
dentally killed when jumping from a mov-
ing train on the Pennsylvania railroad.
Those surviving at this date are as follows :
Sarah J., wife of Jesse Brooke, residing at
West Chester, Pa. ; Catherine, wife of Jesse
B. Matlack, residing at Bryn Mawr; Ara-
bella, residing at Upper Darby, Pa.; John L.,
residing at Bryn Mawr ; W. Brooke and
Cora, wife of Henry C. Childs, residing at
Wayne, Delaware county. Pa.
W. Brooke Moore received a common
school education in the schools of Delaware
county and also attended Bryant & Stratton's
Business College, in Philadelphia. He en-
tered the office of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company at White Hall for the pur-
pose of learning telegraphy, but turned aside
from this and took a position as brakeman
on the Middle division of this road under
Superintendent S. A. Black. He occupied
this position until February 16, 1870, when'
he was promoted to baggage-master and
served as such until October 8, 1870 ; he was
then still further advanced to the position of
passenger conductor. On August 16, 1875,
he was appointed train dispatcher under
Superintendent James McCrea. On Feb-
ruary 20, 1886, Mr. Moore was appointed as-
sistant trainmaster under Superintendent 0.
E. McClellan, and on January 1, 1893, re-
ceived his appointment as passenger train-
master, the duties of which place he still
efficiently performs.
W. Brooke Moore was married at Harris-
burg, June 13, 1872, to Mary F. Zollinger,
daughter of John H. and Julia B. Zollinger,
of Harrisburg. Their children are Clarence
Z. and Brooke Lindsay. Mr. Moore is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. &
A. M., Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, and
Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11. In political
views he is a Republican. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Moore are members of Grace Methodist
Episcopal church.
Clemson, Lloyd Colder, assistant road
foreman. Middle division, Pennsylvania
railroad, was born at Harrisburg, January
20, 1849. His father, Amos Clemson, was
born in Lancaster county, Pa., and was of
Scotch-Irish ancestry. For many years he
512
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was a packet-boat captain on both the Ju-
niata and Susquehanna rivers, plying
between Harrisburg and Williamsport, and
Harrisburg and Hollidaj'sburg ; at the time
of his death he was the oldest packet-boat
captain. He also served as passenger con-
ductor for two years, on the Middle division,
Pennsylvania railroad. In 1851 he pur-
chased a farm at Newport, Perry county.
Pa., and was engaged in agricultural pur-
suits up to the date of his death, which oc-
curred in July, 1888, at the age of seventy-
three years. He was a prominent, and pro-
gressive farmer ; he served as commissioner
of Perry county for three years, and was
president of the school board for many
years. He also filled several minor offices
in his county. His wife, Elmira Jane (Bos-
serman) Clemson, was born at Milford, Perry
county, September 14, 1828, and was of
American ancestry. She is still living, and
resides at Newport. These worthy people
had two children born to them : Arabella,
wife of John Funk, residing at Newport,
and Lloyd C.
When one j'^ear old, Lloyd's parents
brought him to Newport, where the district
school afforded him the only educational
advantages he enjoyed in youth. He
became a teacher himself, and taught
three winters in Centre township, working
on the farm during the summer months.
On .June 1, 1870, he engaged as fireman on
the Northern Central railroad, between Har-
risburg and Sunbury, and filled this posi-
tion until December 3, 1871, when he re-
signed it to accept the position of brakeman
of freight train on the Middle division,
Pennsylvania railroad, between Harrisburg
and Altoona. He held this place until Jan-
uary 15, 1872, when he was appointed fire-
man on a freight train. In May, 1873, he
was transferred to passenger fireman; De-
cember 1, 1880, he was promoted to freight
engineer, and May 15, 1885, he was pro-
moted to passenger train engineer. April
1, 1892, he was appointed to his present po-
sition.
Mr. Clemson was married at Harrisburg,
September 18, 1872. to Miss Laura Nixdorf,
daughter of Emanuel and Mary Nixdorf, of
Harrisburg. They have had one child born
to them, who died in infancy. He is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F.
& A. M., and Warrior Eagle Tribe, No. 340,
I. 0. R. M. In political views he is a
staunch Republican. The family attend
the Lutheran church, of which Mrs. Clemson
is a member.
McCr.iNTOCK, Charles W., assistant train-
master. Middle division, Pennsylvania rail-
road, was born in Loudon, Franklin county,
Pa., April 10, 1851. He is a son of Dr.
Joseph H. and Sarah (Allender) McCliutock.
His father was a native of Chambersburg,
Pa. For over forty years he practiced medi-
cine in Loudon and was regarded as skillful
and successful. He married there a native
of the town and there he died. His wife
survives him and lives in the homestead they
occupied together so many years. They had
four children, of whom only the subject of
this sketch is living. Charles W. was edu-
cated in the schools of Loudon and Harris-
burg. He entered the employment of the
Pennsylvania railroad to learn telegraphy,
and served as messenger boy without remun-
eration. In May, 1869, he was appointed
extra telegraph operator and filled this place
one month. June 1, 1869, he was appointed
telegraph operator and served in this posi-
tion until 1878, when he was appointed extra
train dispatcher. In 1881 he was appointed
train dispatcher, and August, 1891, was ap-
pointed assistant trainmaster.
He was married at Harrisbur, November-
18, 1874, to Laura Trace, daughter of Fred-
erick and Sarah Trace, of Harrisburg. To
them have been born five children: Janie
Grace, Frederick T., Sarah Bell, died in in-
fancy, Joseph H., and Edgar F. In political
views Mr. McClintock is a Democrat. The
family attend the Lutheran church, of which
Mrs. McClintock is a member.
Rose, William John, division freight
agent of that portion of the Pennsylvania
railroad covered by the Philadelphia, Schuyl-
kill and Frederick divisions, was born at Pitts-
burgh, Pa., October 5, 1852. He is a son of the
late William John and Mary Lee (Mahon)
Rose. In his early infancy his parents re-
moved with him to New York City, and
were among the earliest passengers to avail
themselves of the modern facilities of trans-
portation offered by the Pennsylvania "all
rail "route over the Allegheny mountains.
He became a resident of Washington toward
the close of the Buchanan administration,
his father being connected with the State
department. Although extremely youthful,
the stormy scenes of that threatening period
left a deep impression upon his mind, and
TCZ,
d — . Ua-<».4l_<=L-t.-»-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
513
he acquired a knowledge of the men and
affairs of that day which is exceptional.
Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he
returned to Pittsburgh and remained there
during its continuance. Although he ma-
tured rapidly he was too young to be en-
listed in the war, but he toiled in the trenches
besides the mechanics, merchants and pro-
fessional men of Pittslaurgh when the raids
of Stuart and Morgan threatened that city.
Removing to Philadelphia with the advent
of peace, his family affiliations soon brought
him in contact with the progressive Pennsyl-
vania railroad developments of the time,
among which was the recognized necessity
for the construction of a projected indepen-
dent line to connect the Philadelphia and
Erie road with the oil regions. This was
accomplished in the building of the Warren
and Franklin railroad. A. J. Cassatt be-
came superintendent of this line, and it was
at his headquarters that Mr. Rose served his
actual railroad apprenticeship. To the close
personal association with Mr. Cassatt, and
his skillful, though kindly discipline and
instruction, Mr. Rose always attributes what-
ever measure of ability he has developed in
later years in the Company's service. When
Mr. Cassatt was made superintendent M.,
P. and M., Mr. Rose temporarily accom-
panied him to Altoona, returning later to
Irvineton, and subsequently accompanying
the headquarters' staff to Corry, to which
point the general offices were removed in
consequence of the absorption of the Farmers'
railroad and the Oil Creek, forming what
was subsequently known as the Oil Creek
and Allegheny River railroad. This ex-
perience afforded Mr. Rose exceptional oppor-
tunities for acquiring a more varied and
practical knowledge of bis chosen vocation
than Altoona seemed to promise at that time.
. It was at this period that he became actively
engaged, first at Cincinnati and finally at
Pittsburgh, with the Pennsylvania & Ohio
Anthracite Coal and Transportation Com-
pany, formed by A. J. Cassatt and other
friends of the Pennsylvania railroad for the
purpose of relieving the company of the em-
barrassment caused by the want of lading
for the large percentage of cars moving empty
west bound. The object for the promotion
of the coal company having been attained,
Mr. Rose was made general freight and pas-
senger agent of the Pittsburgh, Virginia &
Charleston railroad, and continued so dur-
ing the eight years of its existence under
separate organization. Finally, when it be-
came part of the parent system as the Mo-
nongahela division, he continued to devote
his energies to the commercial interests of
that territory, to which was added the larger
field of the main line and branches in West-
ern Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1879 he
was transferred to Harrisburg, succeeding
W. C. Ward as general agent, Pennsylvania
Railroad and Northern Central Railway Fast
Local Freight Lines, having for their object
the development of merchandise traffic to
and from interior Pennsylvania and New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Upon
the re-organization of the general freight
agent's department, Mr. Rose was appointed
to his present position. Educated in early
youth at the best schools of the neighbor-
hood, although not a college graduate, he
has been a constant student, employing pri-
vate tutors in the completion of his educa-
tion, as circumstances permitted. Since his
assignment to his present duty he has be-
come identified in many and varied ways
with the commercial and industrial welfare
of his district. He is connected with the
Railroad Men's Christian Association, of
Harrisburg, as a member of the advisory
board and treasurer of its building fund ;
he is a manager of the Harrisburg Hospital.
In religion he is a churchman, holding the
office of rector's warden in St. Luke's parish ,
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, where
he resides upon a large farm fifteen minutes'
ride from his office, and where as a lover of
nature he devotes his leisure moments to his
favorite diversions — horticulture and agri-
culture. His home, known as " Nantillie,"
is one of the oldest and most substantial of
those old-fashioned stone mansions peculiar
to the Cumberland Valley, and is a repro-
be found only among the homes of the better
duction of the severe lines of architecture to
type in Ireland, having been adopted by
that sturdy Scotch-Irish race to which he
belongs, and who, like him, believe that
" the ornament of a house is the friends who
frequent it." The farm of Mr. Rose is fam-
ous among the many famous farms of that
fertile valley, and is rapidly acquiring an
enviable reputation for its high state of cul-
tivation and practical and scientific develop-
ment. The business methods of a railroad
career having taught him that the duty of
every man is to subdue his environment, he
has made his fields teem with productiveness.
Believing that it is the duty of every railroad
514
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
corporation to do the same thing, by recog-
nizing the importance of its local industrial
development and by treating the interests of
every local industry as identical with its
own, he has made his transportation field as
productive. Both his own and his wife's
family are among the oldest and most dis-
tinguished in the State, and he brings to the
service a ripe experience in every detail of
his profession seldom attained by one of his
years. Mr. Rose was married in Cumberland
county, Pa., April 28, 1880, to Miss Sarah
Reed Watts, daughter of William Miles and
Anna Matilda (Reed) Watts. They have two
children, Mary Lee and William Watts.
Stkomingkr, Frank, ticket and freight
agent. Philadelphia and Reading railroad,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Harrisburg,
December 25, 1852. He is a son of Daniel
and Elizabeth (Henry) Strominger.
Daniel Strominger was born in York
county. Pa., but removed to Harrisburg
early in life. He worked in that city at his
trade of plastering until within a few years
previous to his death, which occurred March
22, 1872. His wife, Elizabeth Henry, was
also born in York county, and came early
to Harrisburg. Four of their ten children
are living: Ellen, widow of Joseph Shislerj
residing in Harrisburg; Annie, wife of A. T.
Hubley, of Harrisburg; Agnes, wife of G. A.
Lawrence, of Denver, Col.; and Frank. Of
the deceased children, five died in infancy,
and one, Lucy, at twelve years of age. The
mother died September 14, 1885.
Frank Strominger took the regular course
of studies in the public schools of Harris-
burg, and, to obtain more thorough prepara-
tion for business subsequently took a course
in the Eastman Business College, Pougli-
keepsie, N. Y. He then served an appren-
ticeship of four years at bricklaying, and
after this worked at the trade as a journey-
man for two years. At this point the course
of Mr. Strominger's life was changed. In
November, 1874, he entered the service of
the Philadelphia and Reading railroad as a
freight house truck-hand. This was begin-
ning at the bottom, but Mr. Strominger
wisely appreciated the opportunity of show-
ing his fidelity in any place, however hum-
ble. Faithful to duty, he patiently worked
and waited for promotion. His fidelity and
efficiency were not unobserved by his em-
ployers, and in due time promotion came.
He was advanced step by step until he
reached his present -responsible position to
which he was called May 10, 1891.
Frank Strominger was married at Cham-
bersburg. Pa., June 7, 1877, to Miss Matilda
B., daughter of John and Jane (Garvin)
"White, of Wheeling, W. Va., both deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Strominger have four children :
Lottie, Frank, Hugh P., and Minnie.
Mr. Strominger is an active member of
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.;
Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., and
Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, K. T., of Har-
risburg; Lulu Temple, A. A. 0. of M. of M.
S., of Philadelphia; Harrisburg Lodge, No.
68, Dauphin Encampment, No. 10, and
Daughters of Rebecca, I. 0. 0. F., of Har-
risburg; also of the Mutual Beneficial Society
of Harrisburg.
Mr. Strominger and his family attend
Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
Calder, William James, secretary and
treasurer of the East Harrisburg Passenger
Railroad Company, was born in Harrisburg,
Pa., October 1, 1853. He is a son of Will-
iam and Regina Camilla (Greenawalt) Cal-
der. He received his education in the
city schools and in Seller's Academy. He
took the course of study in the Pennsylvania
State College, and was graduated from this
institution in 1875. He began business as
discount clerk in the First National Bank.
On the death of his father, which occurred
July 19, 1880, he was made one of the ex-
ecutors of his estate. The discharge of this
trust, in settling this large estate, claimed
his entire attention up to 1886. In this
year he became interested in the East Har-
risburg Passenger Railway Company. He
was made its first president, and continued
in this position till 1889, when he became
general manager and treasurer of the com-
pany. In 1891 he became secretary and
treasurer of the company, the position he
now holds. He is a director in the Harris-
burg Car Company, First National Bank
and the Harrisburg Foundry and Machine
Shop. Since his father's death Mr. Calder
and his brother have continued the transfer
and livery business.
He is one of the board of managers of the
Harrisburg Hospital, one of the board of
trustees of the Home of the Friendless, and
one of the board of managers of the Chil-
dren's Industrial Home. He is a member
of the Grace Methodist. Episcopal church,
the president of its board of trustees, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
515
has served as superintendent of the infant
department of the Sabbath -school.
He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge,
F. & A. M., a member of the HaiTisburg
Club, a member of the Inglenook Club, and
its vice-president. In politics Mr. Oalder is
a Republican. He was married at Ilion,
N. Y., December 1, 1880, to Jessie, daughter
of E. Remington. They have three chil-
dren, Helen, Ethel and William.
ter of Jacob S. and Mary (Matheot) Snyder.
To them has been born one son, Jacob Her-
bert, born at Columbia, Pa., September 14,
1878. Mr. Thomas is a Republican. He at-
tends the Lutheran church.
Thomas, Percy, ticket receiver of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, was born at
South Easton, Northampton county, Pa.,
May 6, 1854. His father, Herbert Thomas,
was born in Montgomery county, Pa., and is
of Welsh ancestry. He is now extensively
engaged in the lumber business at Louisville,
Ky. He served with distinction during the
late war as captain of company D, One Hun-
dred and Twenty-ninth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, and was wounded at the
battle of Fredericksburg. He was a promi-
nent business man in Lancaster and Clinton
counties, where he is widely and favorably
known. His wife, Henrietta (Hecht) Thomas,
mother of the subject of this sketch, was of
German ancestr}'. Her father, Rev. John
P. Hecht, was a noted Lutheran clergyman,
and her mother was a native of Harrisburg.
She died in Jefferson ville, Ind., March 23,
1895. They had born to them a family of
seven children, four of whom survive : Percy,
Edward H., residing at Chattanooga, Tenn.,
Grace B., and William Herbert, residing with
their father at Jeffersonville, Ind.
Percy received his primary education in
the public schools of Northampton and Clin-
ton. He also had the advantage of a three
years' course at Tremont Seminary, Norris-
town, Pa. He was connected with his father's
business as accountant for six years. On
January 15, 1876, he entered the service of
the Pennsylvania railroad as train agent of
the Middle and Pittsburgh division, with
headquarters at Pittsburgh, and later was
transferred to the general office at Philadel-
phia. In 1882 he removed to Michigan and
spent two years in the lumber regions of that
State. In 1885 he returned to the service of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as clerk
in the auditing department at Philadelphia,
and on October 1, 1887, was appointed to his
present position, which he has filled accept-
ably since that date.
Mr. Thomas was married at Columbia, Pa.,
September 17, 1877, to Alice E. Snyder, daugh-
RosE, Harvey J., division operator. Mid-
dle division, Pennsylvania railroad, was
born at Harrisburg, July 6, 1854. The Rose
family to which he belongs were among the
early settlers of Dauphin county. For many
years the grandfather Rose kept a well-
known tavern called the " Bull's Head."
Samuel, the father of Harvey J., was of Eng-
lish ancestry, and his mother, Elizabeth
(Eisenberger) Rose, was of German ancestry ;
both were born in Cumberland county.
Their family consisted of five children, three
of whom survive: Lillie J., Harvey J., and
Edward F. The father was accidently
killed by the cars in the Pennsylvania rail-
road yard, when returning from a shooting
excursion. The mother still survives and
resides in Harrisburg.
Harvey J. attended the public schools of
this city'. From 1868 to 1871 he was em-
ployed as messenger boy by the Western
Union Telegraph Company. He learned
telegraphy in the Northern Ceatral Rail-
way Company's office at Bridgeport, oppo-
site Harrisburg, and was in the employment of
this company under the late Simon Cameron
Wilson , superintendent of telegraph of North-
ern Central line between Canandaigua and
Baltimore, until August 1, 1876. While
working in the superintendent's ofiice at
Harrisburg, he was transferred to the Mid-
dle division, and worked as operator until
October, 1889, when he was appointed divi-
sion operator. While with the Northern
Central railway he worked every oSice,
both night and day, between Sunbury and
Baltimore ; also different ofiices on the Bal-
timore and Potomac railroad when it first
opened, and was controlled by the Northern
Central Railroad Company. In his present
position he has charge of the telegraph opera-
tors, numbering nearly two hundred ; of the
telegraph repairmen, and the construction
and maintenance of the telegraph and tele-
phone lines of the entire length of the divi-
sion, which includes one hundred and thirty-
two miles. There are twelve hundred miles
of wire with sixty-five telegraph offices,
twentj'-four of which are interlocking cabins.
The telephone system at Harrisburg, con-
necting the different offices throughout the
516
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
extensive yards, was put up and installed
under his supervision, and is one of the
most complete on the entire Pennsylvania
railroad. He also has charge of all the line-
men and electric signal men between Har-
risburg and Altoona. He had charge of the
Voluntary Relief Department of the Middle
division, Pennsylvania railroad, the first six
months of its career, and he walked over the
entire division, explaining the rules and reg-
ulations of this department to the em-
ployees.
Mr. Rose was married at Harrisburg, June
23, 1879, to Miss Margaret C. Kosher, daugh-
ter of John and Lucy A. Kosher, of Harris-
burg. Their union has been blessed with
six children : Nellie C, Lucy B., Harvey J.,
Edward W., Margaret C.,and Fannie C. In
politics he affiliates with the Democratic
party. Heand hisfamily attendtheEpiscopal
church. The business record of Mr. Rose is
his eulogy, and the confidence and esteem of
the community, which he enjoys, is a rich
reward for his virtues and excellencies.
Ellmaker, Frank, late superintendent of
the Middle division of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, was born August 10, 1854. He was
educated at the Parkesburg Institute and the
Polytechnic College of Pennsylvania, from
which he was graduated June 26, 1875. He
entered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company June 14, 1880. From August,
1871, to November, 1872, he was engaged
with S. W. MifHin, chief engineer on sur-
veys, location and contraction of the Phila-
delphia and Newtown, and Pennsylvania and
Delaware railroads, in the capacity of rod-
man, levelman and transitman. From June,
1872, to June, 1875, he took the course at
the Polytechnic College as above stated.
From June, 1875, to November of the same
year, he was engaged on surveys of La-
moille Valley division of Portland and Og-
densburg railroad as levelman. From No-
vember, 1875, to June 13, 1880, he was em-
ployed on the Springfield, Jackson and
Pomeroy railroad in the following capaci-
ties: From November, 1875, to January,
1876, as rodman; January, 1876, to March,
1876, as levelman ; March to May of same
year, as transitman ; May, 1876, to August,
1877, as assistant engineer on location and
construction; August, 1877, to December,
1878, as principal assistant engineer; De-
cember, 1878, to March, 1879, as rodman;
March, 1879, to June 13, 1880, as chief engi-
neer ; June 14, 1880, to April, 1881, as assist-
ant engineer in principal engineer's office at
Altoona; April 18, 1881, to February 20,
1882, as assistant supervisor of division MI,
Philadelphia division; February 20, 1882,
to March 1, 1883, as assistant engineer of
Monongahela division; January 1, 1883, to
January 14, 1886, as assistant engineer of
New York division ; January, 1886, to Au-
gust, 1889, as superintendent of Belvidere
division; August 1, 1889, to February 1,
1891, as superintendent of Shamokin di-
vision. Northern Central railroad, and Sun-
bury division of Philadelphia and Erie rail-
road; February 1, 1891, to January 1, 1893,
as superintendent of Amboy division ; Janu-
ary 1, 1893, to May 1, 1893, as superin-
tendent of Delaware Extension and Ken-
sington division ; May 1, 1893, to October 1,
1895, as superintendent of Middle division,
Pennsylvania railroad. This is a bare state-
ment of dates and facts, but is more impres-
sive than any eloquence of language, for it
tells of hard work, close application, techni-
cal skill, business tact and ability, and the
grand success which these qualities and
achievements are certain to produce. In
the winner of these substantial promotions,
such able business men as General Roum-
fort, James McRea and S. M. Prevost find a
worthy successor and compeer.
KiTZMiLLER, Dixon G., of the division
freight agent's office, Philadelphia and Read-
ing railroad, was born at Pine Grove, Schuyl-
kill county. Pa., September 25, 1854. His
father, .Daniel Kitzmiller, came to Harris-
burg in 1871, and was connected with these
railroads till within a short time of his
death, which occurred in November, 1892.
His mother, Sarah A. (Gorgas) Kitzmiller,
survives and is living at Harrisburg. They
had eight children, three of whom are
living: Frank K., Augusta G. and Dixon G.
Mr. Kitzmiller is descended from a his-
toric family, prominent in the early settle-
ment of Lebanon county. His paternal
grandmother was the daughter of Christian
Ley (Lei), who was the son of the original
Michael Ley (Lei) and his wife, Eva M. Ley,
the former born in 1739 and died in 1824 ;
the latter born 1744, died 1815. They are
buried in the graveyard at Meyerstown be-
neath the shadow of Frieden Lutheran
church. Here also lie buried their son
Christian and his wife, Anna Catherine
(Coppenhofier) Ley, the former born in 1762,
DAVPMIN COUNT f.
51?
died in 1832 ; the latter died January 11,
1822.
Inheriting the virtues of this worthy line,
Dixon G. sought his education in the pub-
lic schools of his native town and also at
Palatinate College, Meyerstown, Lebanon
county. He was for ten years a teacher of
music in Harrisburg. In 1880 he entered
the service of the Philadelphia and Read-
ing railroad, and continued in it for sixteen
years, twelve years of which he has spent in
the freight department.
He was married in McAUisterville, Juni-
ata county, April 29, 1878, to Catherine J.
Caveny, daughter of William and Sarah J.
(Van Ormer) Caveny, of McAUisterville. Of
their five sons but one survives, Dixon C,
Jr., foyr having died in childhood. In po-
litical views Mr. Kitzmiller is a Republican.
He attends the Lutheran church.
Kerns, William H., stationary engineer,
Harrisburg Electric Light Company, was
born at Fayetteville, Franklin county. Pa.,
November 3, 1854. He is a son of John and
Elizabeth (Reed) Kerns, the former a native
of Westmoreland county, Pa., the latter of
Franklin county, Pa. His father was en-
gaged in farming near Fayetteville for many
years and later worked in ore mines. He
enlisted in 1861 in the heavy artillery and
was killed at the battle of Chickamauga
September 19, 1863. His wife died in 1887.
They had four children, namely : Thomas,
engaged in the lumber business in West
Virginia; Mary Jane, wife of Charles E.
Swisher, residing at St. Thomas, Franklin
county, Pa.; William H., the subject of this
sketch, and Charles A., who died in 1886.
William H. Kerns was reared to manhood
in his native county, but having been left an
orphan early in life, his education was lim-
ited, his success in life being due to his own
energy and ambition. When ten years of
age he went to work in the Caledonia ore
mines, where he continued until 1869. He
then removed to Mt. Pleasant, now called
Richmond Furnace, and worked in the ore
mines there until 1872. For four years from
that date he worked on the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal. From 1876 to 1878 he was em-
ployed as mill hand in a portable saw
mill in Little Cove, Franklin county,
and for three succeeding years as engineer.
From 1881 to 1884 he was engineer in
the ore mines at Cleversburg, and from 1884
to 1887 in a saw mill at Chambersburg.
From 1887 to 1889 he was engineer in the
Dauphin car ^ops. He then removed to
Harrisburg and was engaged with the elec-
trical company one year. In 1890 he went
to Martinsburg, W. Va., where he was in
charge of an electric plant for over three
years. He returned to Harrisburg in 1893
and has since that date been in his present
position.
William H. Kerns was married at Mer-
cersburg, Pa., February l3, 1876, to Martha
J.; daughter of James Spidle. They have
no children of their own, but have adopted
the two children of a deceased brother,
Charles A., who are named James A. and
Elizabeth. Mr. Kerns is a member of Her-
culean Lodge, No. 480, K. of G. E.; of Cin-
cinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M.,and
of the Electrical Workers' Association. In
political views he is liberal. He attends the
Evangelical church.
Thomas, Harry H., engineer, was born
in Mifflin county, Pa., May 5, 1859. He is
a son of James and Angeline (Stahl) Thomas.
His maternal great-grandparents are of Ger-
man origin. Henry Stahl, maternal grand-
father of Mr. H. H. Thomas, was born at
Lewistown, Mifflin county, and was a
butcher. His wife was also a native of
Lewistown. They had nine children, four
of whom are still living : Adam, Henry,
Mary, wife of John Morrison, of Decatur,
111., and Angeline, wife of James M. Thomas.
Their deceased children are : Lavinia, wife
of Robert Jackson ; John ; Rachel, wife of
Henry Croffer, died September 17, 1873,
aged thirty-nine years ; Charlie, died Sep-
tember 17, 1874, aged forty years, and
George. The family were consistent mem-
bers of the Lutheran church. Both grand-
parents passed away at Lewistown, Mifflin
county. The paternal grandparents of
Harry H. Thomas were natives of Hunting-
don county, Pa. His grandfather was a
barber by occupation. He had a family of
seven children, five of whom are living :
Annie, wife of James McGlennan, resides at
Zanesville, Ohio ; Valeria Jane, wife of J. B.
Reed, of Philadelphia, Pa. ; William; James
M., father of Harry H. Thomas, and Martha,
wife of William Stone, Hollidaysburg, Blair
county, Pa. Their deceased children are :
Johnson and E. Clarence, who died in 1889,
aged eighty years. Both grandparents were
members of the Lutheran church, and both
died at Lewistown.
518
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
.James M. Thomas, father of Harry H.,
was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., in
1824. He spent the earlier part of his busi-
ness life in running packet boats on the
Pennsylvania canal between Philadelphia
and Pittsburgh, in which business he was en-
gaged for eleven years. Later he was em-
ployed in the ore mines in Mifflin county
for two years. He was married, at Lewis-
town, to Miss Angeline, daughter of Henry
and Susan Stahl. They had ten children,
eight of whom are living : Valeria J., wife
of M. H. Rider, Lewistown, Pa. ; James B.,
Harry H., Andrew M., George M., E. Clare
J., Mary, wife of Joseph Patton, deceased,
and Ida May, wife of Harry HafFa. Their de-
ceased children are : Matilda, died May 15,
1873, aged nineteen years, wife of Benjamin
Pauling, and William H., died March 8,
1858. After his marriage, in 1852, Mr.
Thomas engaged in the hotel business, and
has been a prosperous and popular hotel
keeper for thirty-seven years. He is well
adapted to the business, and enjoys it; he is
still actively engaged in furnishing public
entertainment. Mr. Thomas enlisted, 1861,
in company C, Seventy-eighth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, participating in
the battle of Antietam. Mr. Thomas is an
active member of the G. A. R., and Lodge
No. 146, K. of P. He is a Democrat in poli-
tics, and the family are members of the Lu-
theran church.
Harry H. Thomas attended the public
schools in Lewistown, Pa., until he was six-
teen, when he left school for the railroad.
At the age of twenty-one he took a position
as brakeman on the Pennsylvania railroad,
between Harrisburg and Altoona. In six
weeks he was promoted to be fireman, in
which capacity he served six years and five
months. In 1888 he was promoted to en-
gineer, which position he has held to the
present time. Mr. Thomas has passed
through very exciting and adventurous ex
periences, and has had some narrow escapes
from death. On February 3, 1896, running
between Mifflin and Mexico, his engine col-
lided with a box car, in which accident he
sustained injuries so severe that he was un-
conscious for three days, and disabled for
six weeks. Mr. Thomas was married at
Freedom Forge, Mifflin county. Pa., April
7, 1877, to Mary M., daughter of John and
Mary E. (Clearer) Soles, born in Juniata
county, July 16, 1859. They have had four
children: Angeline, Harry F., James M.,
and one that died at its birth; Mr. Thomas
is an active member of State Capital Lodge,
No. 70, LO. 0. F., and of Egyptian Com-
mandery, No. 114, K. of M. He is a Demo-
crat. He and his family are consistent
members of the Fifth Street Methodist
church.
John Soles, father of Mrs. Thomas, was
born in Juniata county, Pa. He was a far-
mer, and in the winter was engaged in burn-
ing lime. His wife, Mary E., was a daugh-
ter of Thomas and Mary E. Clearer, and a
native of Juniata county, where they were
married. Seven of their nine children are
living : Matilda, Mrs. Thomas ; Emma, wife
of Joseph Jones, Harrisburg; Annabel, wife
of Frederick Bequitt, Harrisburg; Charles;
Rebecca, wife of Adam Ziegler, Harrisburg;
Edward, and Ida. Mr. Soles died at his
home, in Beale township, Juniata county.
He was a member of the Methodist, and his
wife of the Lutheran church. She died in
Harrisburg, and was interred beside her
husband, in Juniata county. George Soles,
paternal grandfather of Mrs. Thomas, was
born in Licking Creek Valley, Juniata county,
and was a laborer by occupation. He was
married to Miss Catherine, daughter of
Samuel and Rebecca Yocum. They had
nine children, four of whom are living :
George, Mary, wife of William Wagner,
Lewistown, Pa., Henry, and Rebecca, wife
of George Yocum. Their deceased children
are : Eliza, wife of Abraham Meffard; Sarah;
John, father of Mrs. Thomas ; William, died
June 9, 1882, aged thirty-nine years ;
Hannah, wife of Calvin Cassner. Mr. Soles
died at Lewistown and his wife at Licking
Creek Valley, Juniata county. Both were
buried in the Licking Creek Valley ceme-
tery. The family were members of the Lu-
theran church. Thomas Clearer, maternal
grandfather of Mrs. Thomas, was born in
Juniata county and was a shoemaker. He
had a family of six children, four of whom
are living : Amelia, wife of Andrew Heck,
of Marysville, Perry county ; Varina, , wife
of Levi Loomey, York county ; Rebecca,
wife of Harry Harris, Winthrop, Mass., and
Kezia J. Their deceased children are: Mary
E., wife of John Sales ; Harrison C, killed
at the battle of Antietam. Mr. and Mrs.
Clearer are buried side, by side in the ceme-
tery in Juniata county.
McCaleb, William B., assistant engineer
of Pennsylvania railroad, was born at Mt.
DA t/PMM COVJSTTf.
519
Pleasant, "Westmoreland county, Pa., May 18,
1862. He is a son of John D. and Sarah B.
(Sherrick) McCaleb, both natives of West-
moreland county, and both of American an-
cestry. Both parents are living and reside
at Mt. Pleasant, where for many years the
father was a prominent merchant and manu-
facturer. He was a justice of the peace for
two terms and is well and favorably known
in business circles. The parents had born to
them five children, four of whom are living,
namely: John S., residing in Connersville,
Fayette county. Pa.; Ella, residing at Pough-
keepsie, N. Y., secretary of Vassar College;
William B., and Effie, residing at home.
George H. died in 1884, aged twenty-five
years. William B. was educated in the pub-
lic schools and at Mt. Pleasant Institute.
After completing his education, in 1880, he
entered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company in the capacity of chainman
in an engineering corps, located at CoUins-
ville, and served in this capacity there and
at Pittsburgh and Altoona for three 3'ears,
when he was promoted to assistant super-
visor, serving in this position at New Flor-
ence, Harrisburg and Greensburg until 1886,
when he was promoted to supervisor. He
served in this position at Tyrone, Middle-
town and Downingtown until December,
1889, when he was appointed assistant engi-
neer of West Pennsylvania division with
headquarters at Allegheny City, where he
was located until January 1, 1893, when he
was transferred to the same position on the
Middle division with headquarters at Harris-
burg. He is a member of the Engineers
Club, of Philadelphia. In political views he
is a Republican. He attends the Presbyte-
rian church.
Roberts, George, was born in Harrisburg,
Pa., August 13, 1862. He is a son of Alex-
ander and Charlotte (Geiger) Roberts. He
received his primary education in the schools
taught by S. D. Ingram and Miss Lucken-
baugh and completed his education in Har-
risburg Academy. He then studied civil
engineering, and spent several years in sur-
veying and civil engineering on the New
River railroad in the western part of Vir-
ginia. Feeling the need of a more thorough
scientific and technical knowledge of his
business, he entered the Van , Rensselear
Polytechnic Institute, of Troy, N. Y., and
was graduated from that institution June 13,
1888. He returned to Harrisburg qualified
and equipped for the most efficient work o^
his interesting profession. He has entered
business for himself and is successfully con-
ducting it. Mr. Roberts is a member of
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.,
Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, K. T., Perse-
verance Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., Harris-
burg Council, No. 7, Harrisburg Consistory,
32°; Mystic Shrine, Lulu Temple, Philadel-
phia ; Harrisburg Lodge,- No. 241, B. P. 0. E.
In politics he is a Democrat.
Whiteside, John Elton, civil engineer,
405 Market street, was born in Philadelphia
November 8, 1863. His father, George A.
Whiteside, is a native of Harrisburg and has
been engaged in the carriage building busi-
ness since 1867. His mother, Mary Webb,
was a native of Philadelphia and died in
this city in 1870. He is one of four children,
of whom three survive, namely : George A.,
Jr., residing in Stockton, Cal.; Harry I., re-
siding in Jersey City, N. J., and John Elton,
who came to Harrisburg with his parents
when but four years of age. He passed
through the course of study of the public
schools and the high school of this city,
graduating from the latter institution July
2, 1880. He then entered the office of Thomas
T. Wierman, chief engineer of the Pennsyl-
vania Canal Company, where he remained
until September, 1891, when he engaged
in business for himself. He is highly re-
spected in the community as an honorable,
intelligent and enterprising man. He has
won success by honorably deserving it. He
was married in Harrisburg, May 12, 1892, to
Jessie M. Weaver, daughter of Professor T.
and Caroline (Pancake) Weaver, of Harris-
burg. They have one son, John Elton, Jr.,
born August 1, 1896, at Jersey City, N. J.
Mr. Whiteside is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., and of America
Council, No. 3, 0. U. A. M. In political views
he is a Democrat. He and his wife attend
the Lutheran church.
MussER, Frank B., general superintend-
ent of the Harrisburg Traction Company,
was born in Columbia, Lancaster county.
Pa., February 19, 1864. He is a son of An-
drew J. and Catherine E. (Shenberger) Mus-
ser. Andrew J. Musser, his father, was born
in Lancaster county, Pa., where he has spent
his life. In the early portion of his career
he was a merchant ; since he retired from
this business he has been connected with the
520
mOQRAPBlCAL i}NCtGLOP:EDtA
Fairview Milling Company, of which he is
now president. He has served his native
town efficiently as president of the town
council and in various other capacities. He
married Catherine Shenberger, a native of
York county. They have two sons : John
S., a merchant, residing in Philadelphia, and
Frank B.
Frank B. Musser spent his youth in his
native town, receiving his primary educa-
tion in the public schools. He began his
business life in the service of the Philadel-
phia and Reading Railroad Company as
telegraph operator, and remained in the em-
ploy of the company in various capacities
for nine years. After severing his connec-
tion with the Reading Railroad Company he
entered the service of the Columbia Electric
Light Company, serving as superintendent
for three years. In March, 1889, he was ap-
pointed general superintendent of the East
Harrisburg Passenger Railway Company. By
seven years of successful management Mr.
Musser has demonstrated his general busi-
ness ability and peculiar fitness for his posi-
tion. To him is due much of the comfort
and convenience of the citizens in their
transit over this road. He is popular and
is highly esteemed for his enterprise, his
progressive policy and his honorable bear-
ing.
Mr. Musser was married in Columbia, Pa.,
December 1, 1886, to Susanna R., daughter
of William K. and Susanna (Shearer) Now-
len, of Columbia. Mr. Musser is a staunch
Republican. He is a member of Persever-
ance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M- He and his
wife attend the Thirteenth Street Methodist
Episcopal church.
Fisher, William H., yard master. Middle
division, Pennsylvania railroad, was born in
Lancaster, Pa., March 24, 1864. He is a son
of Reedan A. and Dorothy (Sivilky) Fisher,
the former a native of Chester county, Pa.,
the latterofFel]bach,Wurtemberg, Germany.
His educational advantages were limited and
such as could be obtained in the public
schools of his native place. When fourteen
years of age he started in life for himself as
a telegraph operator. He obtained a posi-
tion with the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, which he held for several years. He
was then transferred to the superintendent's
office in Harrisburg in the same capacity. In
1889 he was appointed train receiver and
faithfully did the work of the place for one
year. In 1890 he was appointed chief night
yardmaster and on April 5, 1891, appointed
to his present position. He was married at
Harrisburg, April 17, 1894, to Miss Frances
Gitt, daughter of Thomas W. and Rosanna
Gitt. They had one child, Emily Dorothy,
born February 12, 1895. In political vIbws
Mr. J^isher is a staunch Republican. He
attends the Lutheran church. Few men are
more highly esteemed than he.
HoLSTEiN. Howard 0., chief of the fire de-
partment, Harrisburg, was born at Hum-
melstown. Pa., March 22, 1868. He is a
son of Harry M. and Jane E. (Saylor) Hol-
stein. His father was born near Middle-
town, Dauphin county. Pa., August 9, 1846,
and has spent his whole life in business.
He has been engaged in blacksmithing in
Harrisburg for twenty-one years. . His
mother was born in Perrysville, Pa., Novem-
ber 29, 1838. They have had two boys,
Howard 0. and William H., born June 20,
1873 ; died October 28, 1878.
Howard 0., Holstein came to Harrisburg
with his parents when he was six years of
age. He received his education in the pub-
lic schools of the city. He learned the trade
of broom-making, and spent three years at
the business. He spent one year in the
rolling mill, and then worked nine years at
blacksmithing with his father. On Novem-
ber 1, 1893, he was appointed on the police
force, serving until January 1, 1895, when
he was appointed chief of the fire depart-
ment, the place he now holds. He has been
a member of the fire department eleven
years, and president of the Citizen company
over three years previous to his appointment
as chief. He is a deservedly popular official.
Mr. Holstein was married at Carlisle Pa.,
December 4, 1890, to Jennie C. Strominger,
of Goldsboro, York county, Pa., daughter of
Reuben P. and Elizabeth Strominger.
They have two daughters, Frances Viola,
born April 17, 1891, and Carrie Esther
Ruth, born October 19, 1893.
He is a member of the Senior and the
Junior Order of American Mechanics, and
is State councillor of the former. He is a
member of Cincinnatus Commandery, No.
96, A. & I. 0. K. of M.; Fulton Council, No.
35, 0. U. A. M.; Harrisburg Council, No. 328,
Jr. 0. U. A. M.; Warrior Eagle Tribe, No.
340, I. 0. R. M.; Bayard Lodge, No. 150, K.
V^
'^■C^>^>-k^
S , J\kihi<^\
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
523
of P., and Firemen's Beneficial Association.
In political views Mr. Holstein is a Demo-
crat. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
Zeigler, Richard B., of Harrisburg, was
born at Columbia, Lancaster county, Pa.,
October 5, 1874, son of Francis and Jane C.
(Martin) Zeigler. Francis A., the great-
grandfather, came to this country about
1778, and located at Lancaster, Pa. The
father was born at Columbia, April 9, 1817,
son of John and Maria Lechler. He learned
the trade of cooper in his youth and worked
at it until he arrived at man's estate, when
he became a teacher and followed that pro-
fession. He was married, June 13, 1838, to
Miss Jennie P. Martin, daughter of Richard
and Clarissa (Berry) Martin, of Delaware.
Their children are: Catherine, Jane, Agnes,
Richard B., Francis, Clement, Eugenia," and
Mary. Both parents are living and reside
at Columbia. The father is manager of the
Western Union Telegraph Company and
Adams Express Company. In his political
views he is a Democrat, while in religious
faith and fellowship he is a Roman Catholic.
Richard B. acquired his education for the
most part in the public schools of Columbia,
but his school days and privileges were
limited, as at the age of eleven years he was
employed in his father's office as messenger
boy. In 1886 he entered the employment of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a
telegraph messenger, where he was employed
about six months, after which he was with
the Western Union Telegraph Company in
the Harrisburg office until 1887, when he
received the appointment of assistant post-
master at Harrisburg under Cleveland's ad-
ministration, and occupied the position until
1892. The following year he connected
himself with the Morning Call for six months,
and was afterwards engaged in lecturing
until April 1, 1894, when he was appointed
superintendent of the city fire alarm, which
position he still holds. Mr. Zeigler was mar-
ried in January, 1869, at Harrisburg, to Miss
Sally J. McReynolds, daughter of Henry F.
and Sarah G. (Adams) McReynolds. Their
children are: Joseph M., Francis E., and
Edith C. Mr. Zeigler was elected to the
common council from the Fourth ward and
served nineteen months. In politics he is a
Democrat and is a member of the Roman
Catholic church.
36
KuTZ, William C, engineer, was born in
Allentown, Lehigh county. Pa., February 6,
1884 ; son of the late Benjamin and Abigail
Kutz. David Kutz, the grandfather, was a
native of Kingston, Berks county. Pa., and
was a farmer. His wife was born in the
same place. They reared a family and both
lived to old age. Benjamin Kutz, the father,
was a native of Berks county, In early life
he was a tanner and later engaged in the
lumber business and later still was proprietor
of a hotel in Cumberland county, which he
was conducting at the time of his death in
1849. His wife was a native of Lehigh
county. His children are: William C, Saliie
A., wife of George Sourbier, of Reading, Pa.;
Maggie, wife of William Power, deceased ;
she married, secondly, James Keena, also
deceased ; Henrietta, wife of Wells Hoyer ;
John N., Allen, and one child who died in
infancy.
William C. attended the public schools
until he was sixteen years of age and at the
age of seventeen learned the blacksmith
trade, which he followed for about six years,
and then engaged in raih'oading. He was
married in May, 1853, to Miss Mary A.
Allen, daughter of George and Catherine
(Raum) Allen, to whom have been born four
children, two of whom are living: Alice M.,
wife of Jacob Kirk ; William A.; John, died
in 1863, aged six years; Benjamin, died also
in 1863, aged two" years. In 1852 Mr. Kutz
entered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company and worked as a blacksmith
for two years, and then took the place of
fireman, which he filled six years, when he
was promoted to engineer, in which position
he has been continuously employed to the
present time, with the exception of one year
spent in the army. He enlisted in tlie mil-
itary service Augyst 19, 1864, and was dis-
charged by special order on November 7,
1864, when he resumed work with the rail-
road company. His faithful service has
given him a place among the most highly
honored and esteemed employees of the com-
pany. Mr. Kutz is a member of Lodge No.
324, F. & A. M., at Mifflintown, with which
he united thirty-three years ago. He and
his wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. In his political views he is a
Republican.
Mrs. Kutz was born July 11, 1835. George
Allen, her father, is a native of Dauphin
county and by trade a machinist, which he
followed until disabled by sickness, with
524
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
which he has suffered for about twenty
years. He married Miss Catherine Raum,
also a native of Dauphin county. They had
fourteen children, five of whom are living :
Maria, wife of David Miller ; Mary A., Mrs.
Kutz; John Y.; Emma, wife of John Dubbs;
Virginia, wife of August Miller. Their de-
ceased children are : Elizabeth, Cammello,
William, Henry, Charles, George, Kate,
Louisa, and Rebecca. Her father died in
1889 and the mother in 1887, the former
aged seventy-one and the latter seventy-two
years, &,nd both were members of the German
Reformed church, of Harrisburg. Thegrand-
parents of Mrs. Kutz reared six children :
Kate, Sarah, Susillia, Elizabeth, Harry, and
Simon, all deceased.
of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P. In po-
litical views he is a Republican. The family
attend the Lutheran church.
BiCKLEY, William H., Sr., chief engineer
of the Harrisburg Electric Company, was
born at Bronton, Morris county, N. J., May
26, 1846. He is a son of John H. and Eliza-
beth (Harris) Bickley, both natives of Eng-
land ; both came to America in early life.
They lived in Massachusetts for many years
and later in Pennsylvania, the father being
one of the founders of the Pottsville Iron
and Steel Works. He died in Elm,
Camden county, N. J. The mother still re-
sides at Elm, N. J. They had born to them
a family of thirteen children, six of whom
survive : Thomas, residing in Reading, Pa. ;
John, residing in Dover, Morris county, N.
J.; William H.; George, residing at Orwigs-
burg. Pa.; Miriam, wife of Albert Wood, re-
siding at Hammonton, N. J.; and Alice,
wife of Walter Wood, residing in Camden,
N. J. William H. spent his early life
in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Penn-
sylvania. He received his education in
the public schools of Chelsea, Mass., and
Pottsville, Pa. He worked in a rolling-
mill at Pottsville and followed the occupa-
tion for about seven years. He learned the
trade of machinist and worked at this busi-
ness more than thirty years. On May 25,
1872, he came to Harrisburg and worked at
his trade of machinist in different shops and
for himself. For the past three years he has
filled his present position. He was married
at Pottsville, Pa., July 18, 1865, to Virginia
Phillips, daughter of William and Ann
Phillips. One son has been born to them,
William H., a sketch of whom follows in
this volume. Mr. Bickley is a member of
State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., and
Bickley, Wm. H., Jr., of the firm of Harvie
& Bickley, proprietors of the Keystone Forge
and Machine Works, was born in Pottsville,
Pa., October 2, 1866. He is a son of William
H. Bickley, Sr., and Virginia (Phillips)
Bickley. He came to Harrisburg with his
parents when he was seven years old, and
was educated in the public schools. He also
took a course in the Harrisburg Business
College. He learned the machinist business
and has been engaged in this business ever
since. On August 10, 1893, he commenced
business for himself, in connection with
John C. Harvie, under the above firm name.
He was married at Harrisburg, October 1,
1890, to Rebecca Gsell, daughter of John
and Rebecca Gsell, of Chambersburg. To
them have been born two sons: William P.
and John H. Mr. Bickley is a member of
Cincinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M.
In political views he is a Republican. He
attends the Lutheran church.
Blyer, Robert E., a practical electrician
and foreman of the Harrisburg Electrical
Company, was born in what is now the bor-
ough of Steelton, Dauphin county. Pa. He
is a son of Robert and Susan (Black) Blyer.
His parents removed to Harrisburg about
1866, where they resided until death. Their
family consisted of eight children, four of
whom are living : Susan, wife of H. B. We-
an d ; Mary. Agnes, and Robert E. The last
named received his education in the public
schools of his native township. In 1862 he
enlisted in company D, Twentieth regiment,
Pennsylvania cavalry, afterwards called the
First Provisional cavalry. He served in
this regiment for three years, and during
this service he participated in many of the
most important engagements of the war. In
July, 1865, he was mustered out of service
at Philadelphia, and returned to his home
in Steelton, where he learned the trade of
boilermaker, and followed this occupation
for five years. He then studied telegraphy
with the Western Union and Baltimore and
Ohio Telegraph Companies. Since 1886 he
has satisfactorily filled the position he now
holds.
He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
525
Knights of Pytliias ; Star of America Com-
mandery, No. 113, Kniglits of Malta ; Elec-
trical Workers' Union, No. 53; Fireman's
Beneficial Association, and Mt. Vernon Hook
and Ladder Company.
Hertz, William, engineer of the city
water department, was born in Susquehanna
township, November 14, 1847. He is a son
of Henry and Catherine (Stober) Hertz, both
natives of Lebanon county and of American
ancestry. Both died in Susquehanna town-
ship in 1848. He was educated in the public
schools of Susquehanna township. After
leaving school he worked in machine shops
until 1876. Since that date he has been in
his present position. He is one of the oldest
officials in this department of the city ser-
vice. His public position he has held for so
many years because he has demonstrated his
fidelity to duty, his mechanical skill and
efficiency and his integrity and social worth.
Mr. Hertz was married in Harrisburg, Sep-
tember 28, 1878, to Mary P. Crotzer, daugh-
ter of Peter and Rebecca Crotzer, and a na-
tive of Lebanon county. Seven children
have been born to them, six of whom are
living : May, William, Roy, Grace, John H.
and Jessie. He is a member of Phoenix
Lodge. No, 59, K. of P., and of Robert Tipnet
Council, No. 736, Jr. 0. U. A. M. In political
views he is a Republican. His family attend
the Baptist church.
the following concerns : Harrisburg National
Bank and Bay Shoe Company. He is un-
married. '
WiERMAN, Thomas T., Jr., was born in
Bradford county, Pa., November 11, 1850.
His father, Thomas Thornburg Wierman,
was a native of Manallen township, Adams
county. Pa. His mother, Emily V. Piollet,
was born at Wysox, Bradford county. Pa.,
and is still living, a resident of Harrisburg.
Thomas T., Jr., came with his parents to
Harrisburg in 1858. Here he was reared,
and here he received his education in the
Harrisburg Academy. He has held con-
tinuous residence here with the exception of
three years spent in Bedford county. Pa.,
when he was engaged in the construction of
a railroad. His business career, with the
above-named exception, has been with the
Pennsylvania Canal Company, where he
served under his father. At his father's
death in 1887 he succeeded him in the
charge of the business of the company.
Mr. Wierman also sustains other important
business associations and responsibilities,
being a member of the boards of directors of
Enders, Edward A., was born at Eoders,
Dauphin county, Pa., May 31, 1858, son of
George and Susan (Fetterhoff) Enders. He
attended school in his native town for a
short time each year until he was eigbteeni,.
when he devoted himself to active work on
the farm until he was twenty-two years of
age. He was then for a season employed in
the mines. Then he found employment at
the almshouse, where he was in charge of
the insane inmates for four years, and was
for one year in the boiler house as engineer.
In 1886 he removed to Williamstown, Dau-
phin county, and worked in the coal mines
three years, after which he returned to his
native town and lived one year with his
family. At all these places he was employed
as an engineer. In 1890 Mr. Enders re-
moved to Harrisburg, and was employed in
the same capacity by the Brelsford Packing
Company. He has continued to be thus
employed to the present time.
Edward A. Enders was married at Car-
lisle, Pa., July 30, 1885, to Alice C, daugh-
ter of Harry and Kate Brightbill. They
have had seven children, four of whom are
living : Harry B., Ruth W., Calder E., and
Grace. Their deceased children are : Frank-
lin, died May 20, 1888, aged seven months
and one day ; Annie, died August 19, 1891,
aged one month and seven days, and George,
died February 26, 1894, aged six months
and three days. Mr. Enders is a member of
St. John's Castle, No. 17, A. 0. K. of M. C.
His political views are Republican.
Mrs. Enders was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., October 6, 1865. Her parents
were both natives of the same county. Mr.
Brightbill spent his early life in dealing in
stock, and later was engaged in contracting.
His wife was the daughter of John and
Rachel (Manott) Kilkey. They had four-
teen children, of whom four are living:
Alice, Mrs Enders; Edgar; Mary, wife of
David Huntzberger, and Franklin. Mr.
Brightbill was a Democrat. He died July
25, 1888, aged fifty-eight years. Mrs. Bright-
bill survives him and resides at Carlisle, Pa.,
in good health. Both of the grandparents
of Mrs Enders died in Cumberland county.
They were farmers by occupation, and had
a family of seven children, five of whom are
living: Maria, DoUie, Eve, wife of Daniel
526
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Fisher, deceased, Kate, Amelia. Their de-
ceased children were: Emma, died in 1886,
aged thirty -three, wife of Shell Ream, and
Harry, father of Mrs. Enders.
Baskin, George B., electrician and chief
engineer of the Harrisburg Electrical Com-
pany, was born in Halifax, Dauphin county.
Pa., April 3, 1864. He is a son of William
and Hannah Amelia (Blaze) Baskin. His
parents were well-known and honored resi-
dents of Halifax township, where the father
was engaged in .agricultural pursuits. They
had a family of eight children, five of whom
are living : Margaret, wife of William Rhen,
residing at Steelton, Pa.; Mary, wife of
Thomas A. Bates, residing in Onset, Leb-
anon county. Pa.; Annie, wife of William
Workman, residing at Wesquehoning, Car-
bon county. Pa.; George B. and Laura, wife
of Philip Garrahan, residing in Knaqua,
Schuylkill county, Pa.
George B. lived in Halifax until he was
ten years old. His educational advantages
were limited. His success in the business of
life is due more to his own exertions than
to the training and aid of schools. In 18/4
he removed to Lykens and began the study
of steam engineering. This business iias
been his life occupation. Since 1888 he has
filled his present position with the Harris-
burg Electric Company, and has proved to
be the man for the place. He was married
in Wormleysburg, Cumberland county. Pa.,
July 19, 1890, to Miss Lillie May Bodmer,
daughter of John and Leah Bodmer, of
Steelton, Pa. Their union has been blessed
with two sons, Harry Edison, who died at
the age of four years and six months,
and George William. Mr. Baskin is a mem-
ber of Herculean Lodge, No. 480, K. of.G.
E.; Warrior Eagle Tribe, No. 34, I. 0. R. M.,
and Native Brotherhood of Electrical Work-
men, No. 53. In politics he is a Republi-
can. He attends the United Brethren
church.
HiCKOK, William Orville, was born at
the residence of his maternal grandfather.
Job Lockwood, near Warsaw, Wyoming
county, N. Y., October 6, 1815. He was a
scion of good English stock, a descendant of
an old and honorable family of Warwick-
shire, England. The name has been spelled
in various ways, almost as numerous as the
possible combination of letters compris-
ing it would admit, and this fact indicates
a long family history. Had Mr. Hickok been
inclined to boast of his ancestry he could
have pointed to illustrious names in his line
in this and many preceding generations,
whose achievements and rank would have
justified an honest family pride. It was his
aim rather to prove himself worthy of his
ancestors, and to add to the luster of his line
by accomplishing something in his own ca-
reer worthy the recognition and honor of
mankind, and in this laudable ambition he
was gratified, as a brief record of his life
will show. The fir^t American ancestor of
the name was William Hickox, of Farming-
ton, Conn., of the seventh generation pre-
ceding William 0., the date of whose coming
to this country cannot be definitely fixed,
but is somewhere between 1627 and 1633.
In his boyhood Mr. Hickok displayed the
possession of those talents which later gave
him success and distinction. He met with
an accident when five years old by being
trampled down in the street in front of his
home in Ithaca, N. Y., by a passing horse,
the resulting injuries of which were so great
that his life was saved only by a difficult
surgical operation, and which left him an
invalid many years and caused him physical
limitations and adversities which he bore
through life. His parents removed to Penn-
sylvania, but he remained with his maternal
grandparents until he was fifteen years old,
when he rejoined his family at Lewistown,
Pa., where his father was conducting a pop-
ular academy and where he pursued a course
of studies. It was thought best to put Will-
iam 0. in training for mercantile pursuits,
and with this end in view he entered the
employment of James Parker, in whose
stores he soon won a reputation for intelli-
gence, aptness and trustworthiness. In 1834
his father gave up teaching and embarked
in tl^e book publishing business and William
0. entered the bindery department as an ap-
prentice, but in a short time was promoted
on merit to the position of foreman. The
work of Mr. Hickok in this country office is
of the deepest interest, not only to'the prac-
tical mechanic and artisan, who delights in
seeing valuable mechanical results produced,
but equally also to the philosopher who
makes a study of the development of human
powers and talents. In boyhood Mr. Hickok
had invented and constructed ingenious
toys and had shown that he was gifted with
remarkable talent in the way of invention
and the application of mechanical princi-
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
527
pies. This talent was called into use in the
office, when there were rude and imperfect
appliances producing incomplete and unsat-
isfactory results, of improvements suggested
by his fertile brain and executed by his
skillful hand, there were many ; and, indeed,
through his whole connection with the book
business there was a continued exercise of
his inventive faculties and an output of prac-
tical improved appliances. In 1836 his father
removed the business to Chambersburg, Pa.,
where William 0. continued in charge of the
mechanical department and kept on im-
proving the tools and Machinery. He re-
moved to Harrisburg with his father's family
in 1839. His father shortly after retired
from business and William 0. conducted a
book bindery for a time, but losses by fire and
other adverse business conditions led him
finally to abandon the business. This fail-
ure of business plans appeared disastrous, but
in reality proved to be the way of his final
prosperity by leading him gradually into a
field where there was room and occasion for
his undeveloped talents. ' As early as 1846
he began in a small shop to manufacture
bookbinder's specialties and from this germ
has sprung the magnificent plant of the
" Eagle Works," the most extensive and the
most complete of the kind in the world. In
1886 the business was incorporated as the
Hickok Manufacturing Company, with Mr.
Hickok as its first president.
It would be profitable to trace the steps
and stops of this development, for it would
reveal the history of human genius in its
growth and fruitage. The production of a
perfect ruling pen, and that which displays
still more abilitj', the production of a ma-
chine to make the pen, which is as nearly
perfect as any the human brain and hand
have ever constructed, are among the achieve-
ments of Mr. Hickok, which have given him
a world-wide fame and most honorable dis-
tinction. The cleverness and completeness
of the productions of this factory places them
beyond and above all competitors and assures
the permanent and liberal prosperity of his
enterprise. Mr. Hickok had business talent
which would have made him successful and
conspicuous in any branch of enterprise,
but which, coupled with his mechanical
genius, enabled him to create an establish-
ment which is a landmark in human pro-
gress and achievement. His combination of
qualities and characteristics account for his
distinguished success. Impaired health, ad-
verse :business conditions and other unfa-
vorable elements often stood in his way, but
his disposition to thoroughness, his unswerv-
ing devotion to his aim, his careful and
painstaking attention to details, his inven-
tive genius and his indomitable energy and
courage bore him successfully through all
hindrances and made him master in the
realm in which he wrought. With these
masterful elements of power were conjomed
the qualities of heart which won for him the
confidence and esteem of all who worked
with him and under him, and made them
all anxious to gratify him by the best ser-
vices they could render. In public matters
Mr. Hickok was interested and prominent.
The element of prosperity of the community
to which his business contributed was no less
gratifying to him than his personal success.
For six years he was the president of the
common council, and willingly gave his
ablest services to the public when his fellow-
citizens desired them. His death occurred
May 25, 1891, in his seventy-sixth year. His
loss was felt by the community and all bore
grateful tribute to his ability and worth.
He was married in Harrisburg, Pa., Septem-
ber 10, 1840, to Miss Caroline L. Hutter.
Their children were: Mary Alice, Edwin
Hutter, William Orville, Jr., Caroline Louisa,
widow of Frank R. Schell, and George
Herbert.
Bailey, Charles Lukens, son of Joseph
Bailey and Martha (Lukens) Bailey, was
born March 9, 1821, in Chester county, Pa.
His paternal ancestors were of English and
his maternal ancestors of Welsh descent.
His great-grandfather, Edward Bailey, was a
resident of Bucks county and his grandfather,
William Bailey, a resident farmer in Phila-
delphia county. Pa. His father was born in
1796 and settled in. Chester county in 1819,
where he carried on farming until 1838, when
he engaged in the iron business at the old
Lukens' mill in Coatesville and there manu-
factured boiler plate for six years. In 1844
he removed to Berks county, near Pottstown,
and erected on the site of the "Old Forge"
of the Pine Iron Works, a rolling mill and
carried on business alone for a few years and
afterwards in connection with his sons under
the firm name of Joseph Bailey & Sons, until
within a short period, when he retired from
active life, leaving his manufacturing inter-
ests then in the hands of his son, Joseph L.
Bailey. The children of Joseph and Martha
528
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Bailey were: Charles L., Sarah, Edward,
formerly manager of the iron works at Glas-
gow, Montgomery county, deceased; Dr.
George, of Philadelphia ; William L., treas-
urer and manager of Thorndale Iron Works;
Joseph L., Hannah, and Anne, deceased.
Charles L. Bailey, eldest son, obtained his
eaily education at the Westtown School,
Chester county, and for some time thereafter
was a clerk in the drug store of Thomas
Evans & Co., of Philadelphia. His career
in the iron business began in 1838 as a clerk
for his father at Coatesville, where he became
thoroughly conversant with the details of the
business carried on at that place. He re-
moved with his parents to Berks county,
where he continued his clerkship for five
years, and from 1849 to 1852 was a partner
with his father in the Pine Iron Works. In
August of the latter year Mr Bailey removed
to Harrisburg and in connection with Morris
Patterson, of Philadelphia, founded the Old
Central Iron Works, which he has latterly
used as a puddling mill. He continued busi-
ness until 1859 when he became interested
with the late James McCormick in the Nail
Works at Fairview, Cumberland county, re-
built the works and carried them on success-
fully until 1866, when he retired from the
firm, and founded and erected the present
Chesapeake Nail Works in Harrisburg.
Later he associated with him his brother.
Dr. George Bailey, under the firm name of
Charles L. Bailey & Bro. The business is
now carried on by Charles L. Bailey & Co.,
Artemus Wilhelm being a part owner in the
concern.
In 1869 Mr. Bailey removed to Pottstown,
and until 1875 was the treasurer and general
manager of the Pottstown Iron Company,
manufacturing nails, boiler plate and pig
iron. Closing out his interest there he re-
turned to Harrisburg, ami in 1877-78 erected
the present Central Iron Works, contiguous
to the Chesapeake Nail Works, of which he
is president. Mr. Bailey is thoroughly im-
bued with the spirit of progress and enter-
prise, as his various industrial undertakings
attest, and although his mind is largely ab-
sorbed in business pursuits, he has not held
entirely aloof from duties incumbent upon
him as a citizen. He is president of the
board of trustees of the Market Square Pres-
byterian church; and in 1880 he was ap-
pointed by Governor Hoyt a trustee of the
Pennsylvania Insane Asylum. He was
elected a member of the select council of the
city in 1877, was a member of the State Leg-
islature in 1879, and in 1881 he was again
elected a member of the select council, chosen
president, and served as chairman of the
finance committee.
Mr. Bailey married, in 1856, Emma H.
Doll, daughter of William Doll and Sarah M.
(Elder), of Harrisburg, whose maternal great-
grandfather was Rev. John Elder. Their
surviving children are : William Elder, a
graduate of Yale in the class of 1 882 ;
Edward, Jr., a graduate of Yale scientific
course in the class of 1881 ; Charles L. and
James B., also graduates of Yale, and Emma
'D., wife of Robert E. Speer, of New York.
HiLDRUP, William Thomas, formerly
treasurer and general manager of the Harris-
burg Car Works and its kindred manufac-
tories, was born in Middletown, Conn, Feb-
ruary 6, 1822, and is the son of Jesse Hil-
drup, of Hartford, in the same State. He ob-
tained his education in the common schools
of the district, and was an apt and advanced
scholar, especially in studies of a mathemati-
cal character.
Having learned the carpenter trade, at the
age of nineteen years he started out in life,
with the sum of twenty-five dollars and a
plain set of carpenter's tools, v.'ith such energy,
capacity and industr}' as may be inherent in
him, to carve his way in the world. He first
proceeded to Cape Vincent, Jefferson county,
N. Y., working at house and ship carpenter-
ing for a period of two years, after which he
went to Worcester, Mass., where he entered
Bradley & Rice's car works as one of their
employees. Determining that a business that
was worth following was worth mastering,
and that though raih-oading was in its in-
fancy, it was bound to be one of the great in-
dustries of the country, he set himself to the
task of obtaining the highest knowledge of
that branch of the business, and was soon
noted for industry and skill. He began also
a close study of tlieoretic mechanics, as well
as a close application of best practices. Dur-
ing nine years' stay in these works, he be-
came thoroughly proficient in every depart-
ment. Two years after going to Worcester
he married Harriet E., daughter of John B.
Esselstyne, of ('ape Vincent, N. Y., a daugh-
ter of one of the prominent families there,
and a niece of the Hon. Orville Hungeford,
a prominent banker and railroad man of
Watertown, N. Y.
In 1852, believing himself qualified for
DAUPBIN COUNTY.
^29
higher responsibilities and more profitable
opportunities, he removed to Elmira, N. Y.,
where he established a car wheel foundry and
machine shop. While en route to Elmira he
met traveling a prominent citizen of Harris-
burg, Pa., who set before him the advantages
that locality possessed for a railroad car works,
but he was then too far committed to the en-
terprise at Elmira to change at that time,
but in 1853, a year later, he was induced to
visit Harrisburg at the solicitation of several
of its citizens, where he consented to take up
the enterprise, and then organized the Har-
risburg Car Manufacturing Company and
commenced the erection of its buildings — a
small works with a capacity of nine eight-
wheeled cars weekly and a" capital stock of
$25,000 — taking charge as manager.
In 1862 the company was entirely re-or-
ganized with a capital stock of $75,000, made
up from its original money paid in, and from
accumulated earnings — a new departure that
greatly augmented its production, employing
two hundred and fifty hands. In 1864 its
capital was again increased, and so success-
ful had it been that in four years more its
capital was raised to twelvefold the original
sum, and all from earnings, besides having
paid liberal cash dividends from time to time
during the period. Thus in fifteen years it
had risen from a modest beginning of small
capacity to a large and prosperous enterprise,
with over a thousand busy men in a teeming
hive of industry. By his enterprise other es-
tablishments grew out of the undertaking —
a saw mill, planing mill and a large machine
works, the property of the present enterprise.
When he first came to Harrisburg there
was very little mechanical skill among the
artisans of the city. Being possessed of great
mechanical ability, skillful and experienced,
with a mastery of all the details, he was able
to lead practically, and from the crude ele-
ments of mechanical attainment, bring out
a body of skilled workmen, to effect which
during the winter of 1853-54 he established
a free school, for the instruction of his young
men, in free-hand and mechanical drawing,
thus cultivating them in theoretic mechanics
and general intelligence for leaders to a
higher skill and efficiency.
Having been a mechanic himself, among
the first things receiving his attention were
the interests and well-being of the workmen
under his charge, endeavoring to improve
their condition. Custom made the pay-
ments of laboring men lax and irregular.
He commenced by adopting a weekly pay-
ment of partial earnings for the weekly
necessities of market, paying the balance in
monthly settlements- Other methods were
organized for concentrating their wants for
coal and flour, which a few substantial
dealers would make concessions to secure,
the company paying for the same monthly,
thus securing to the workmen lower prices
than their individual purchases could be
made by other means. He has never al-
lowed one dollar to be brought to the treasury
of the company by any speculation for re-
duction of the money promised as wages to
the workmen.
By his unselfish, persistent and sincere
care of their interests he greatly endeared
them to him, and they manifested to him the
utmost respect and kindest regard, believing
he had the heart to do them justice. In
this connection it maybe stated, that on his
fifty-first birthday, February 6, 1873, he was
the recipient of a massive silver tea service
of a cost of $1,250, which was presented to
him as a testimonial of affection and esteem
by the employees under his control. The
greatest secrecy in getting up this kind re-
membrance was had, fearing if it came to
his knowledge he would suppress the effort,
which secrecy was successfully maintained
until being invited to meet them for a little
manifestation of their kind feeling, supposed
to be on his part something more of kind-
ness than value. He was only undeceived
when a magnificent chest of silverware was
opened to his astonished gaze. It was
kindly meant and gratefully received, under
protest of the hope that none had been
oppressed or coerced into contributing to the
purchase for fear of favor to be lost. In this
connection it may also be stated, that in the
early history of the company, at the second
annual meeting, so great was the satisfaction
of the stockholders with the success of the
enterprise, that the proposition was then
made to present the manager with a silver
service, at a cost of $650. He, on his part,
having his sympathies frequently enlisted
by sickness among his men or their families,
instead of receiving such testimonial, re-
quested that he be allowed to^[contribute
among the men as need required, from the
company's funds, an equivalent sum, which
was kindly granted, and from that time for-
ward it has been his policy never to let his
employees suffer in sickness of themselves,
or their families, oftentimes burying their
530
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
dead, helping them by advances in slack
work, to be worked out in more prosperous
times, to which obligation the men have
been uniformly faithful, and in case of in-
jury about the works kindly care has been
taken of the injured.
His mechanical faculty, perfected by dili-
gent study with a life-long practice, has
raised him to the highest ranks of best me-
chanics in the enterprises of the Common-
wealth. He has largely aided in building
up the industries of Harrisburg, and added
to its wealth and prosperity, disseminating
many millions of dollars to its laborers,
thence ramifying through all the trade of
the city, and this largely from products sent
to foreign states and territories.
Railroad car building has in its history
periodic seasons of depression. In the panic
of 1857 this was notably the condition, but
a familiarity with general manufactures
and mechanics enabled the manager, with
the facilities of a fully equipped car works,
by watchfulness to select some other branch
for the employment of his facilities, and the
manufacture of machinists' tools was taken
up and successfully established. On the re-
covery of railroads from the distress of the
panic, and renewal of business, with the
growth consequent on increased population,
and the neglect to keep up rolling stock,
made urgent demand for new cars — a profit-
able business for car works, so much so that
every facility of the works could be fully
used in that line, crowding out the machine
business. Under these conditions twenty-
two acres of land in another portion of the
city were purchased, large and commodious
shops built and equipped with best class
machinery, the machine business removed
thereto, and since carried on as the Harris-
burg Foundr}'^ and Machine Works, now
doing a large and flourishing business in
general boiler and engine work, where great
numbers of oil tanks and the company's
celebrated "Ide" engine, and a great variety
of other foundry, machine and boiler work
are manufactured.
The large consumption of lumber and the
difficulty of keeping up assortments of sup-
plies, led to the purchase, in 1865, of a fully
equipped saw mill in the city, which since
has been one of the active branches of the
company's works, adding to the care of the
manager. Five years since, the old mill
and site were sold and a' large new mill of
modern equipment built at a more con-
venient point. In 1871, for the enlarge-
ment of tlie works, ground was purchased at
contiguous points, and a large planing mill
erected and equipped as a branch of the
works.
On the 25th of April, 1872, a passing lo-
comotive set fire to the car works, and in an
hour's time, buildings, lumber, cars and
everything combustible were in flames, mak-
ing a total destruction of the great plant.
Again the manager's mechanical experience
and ability for directing working forces were
tested to the utmost. At one o'clock p. m.
the fire commenced, and that night the saw
mill was set sawing lumber for the erection
of a shop for building cars at the foundry
and machine works, and by seven o'clock
the next morning carpenters were at work
framing the same. With the foundry and
machine department and the planing mill
facilities, five box cars were daily erected
there during the rebuilding of the car works.
Every drawing, pattern and guide to build
by had been consumed by the flames ; the
old works had been built small as a begin-
ning, and additions made from time to time
as business advanced; the total destruction
of the works admitted plans more fitting to
the plant, which were arranged and under
the immediate direction of the ijianager, the
busiest man in the force. The great collec-
tion of large buildings, counting "from the
day of the fire, was erected, with shafting and
machinery put in place, in ninety days' time,
and turning out ten eight-wheeled finished
cars daily. This when told to experienced
builders seems to be incredible, but it is a
fact well known to many of the citizens of
Harrisburg.
Summarizing, he has within the thirty-
five years since he began this enterprise,
starting with $25,000, with a small plant,
with crude and unskilled labor,, built up
this large system of works, the mechanical
head and master. He retired from the ma-
chine works in 1891.
During the war of the Rebellion he aided
in supplying the Government with horses.
He ran the first train over the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad after the battle of Antie-
tam.
He has steadily refused to seek or receive
political honors, believing the responsibili-
ties of an active business life was a full
measure of one man's duties. He has had
many other interests and business connec-
tions besides those herein named.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
531
He has been a member of the Episcopal
church many years, and is a contributor to
the city hospital. He believes sincerely in
his duty under God to his fellow-man, as
taught by the gospel of Christ, has invested
in his business under that command, kind-
ness and paternal care over those under his
direction, and while believing in it as a duty,
also believes in it as a wise policy. It brings
willing hands and hearts to his aid — a prime
element of successful working out a prob-
lem of associated life. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity.
He has three surviving children, one son,
W. T. Hildrup, Jr., associated with him in
the management as secretary of the company
and superintendent of the car wheel making
department. He is himself now one of the
oldest car wheel makers in the country, hav-
ing been in it for forty years. His first wife
having died, he was again married, in Octo-
ber, 1876, to Miss Emma J. Piper, of Phila-
delphia, a lady of high culture, a devoted
and affectionate wife.
GiLMOEE, James A., Harrisburg Bridge
Company, was born in Indiana county. Pa.,
August 7, 1822, son of John and Elizabeth
(Davies) Gilmore. The mother was a native
of Carlisle and the father who was of Seotcli-
Irish descent, came from the North of Ire-
land to America when a young man. On
his arrival he enlisted in the United States
army and served in the war of 1812. After
the war he settled in Indiana county, and
after his marriage removed from there to
Carlisle, Pa., where both he and his wife
died. He was a contractor and was engaged
in work on the Cumberland Valley railroad.
James A. left home at the early age of six-
teen years and went to Duncannon, Pa.,
where he found work among the furnaces
until 1840, when he came to Harrisburg and
learned the trade of cabinet maker with
Joseph R. Boyd. He worked at his trade
for some years and then was employed by
the State in the building of the Pennsylvania
canal, worked on bridges, locks and gates
for five years and subsequently was employed
about the same length of time by the Peiiii-
sylvania Railroad Company, after which lie
engaged with W. 0. Hickok at tlie Eagle
Works, in the wood working department,
where he remained a number of years. In
1873 he entered the service of the Harris-
burg Bridge Company and took charge of
the repairworkon the bridge, which position
he has occupied since that time. Mr. Gil-
more sent a substitute into the army. In
his political views he is a Democrat but lias
never sought office. He was married, in
1844, to Miss Adeline Stahl, daughter of
John Stahl, of Harrisburg. Their children
are: John A., a retail merchant of Harris-
burg ; Mary, wife of Lalta Laverty, of Nor-
wood, Delaware county ; Ida, married W. J.
Poole, deceased. Mr. Gilmore is an active
member of the Presbyterian church.
Becker, Henry, tentmaker at the State
Arsenal, was born in the city of Saarbrucken,
province of Lorraine, France, May 4, 1823.
He is a son of the late Philip and Caroline
(Myer) Becker. His parents had born to
them a family of nine children, of whom
Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Will-
iam P., an ex-alderman and police magis-
trate, are the only living members. Henry
attended a German school in his native city
for two years. When seven years old he
came to America with his parents in 1830
and located in what was then the suburbs of
Philadelphia. He completed his education
in the private schools of Port Richmond, Pa.
He worked in the rope-walks of Port Rich-
mond for one year. In 1836 he was bound
out as apprentice to the baker's trade and
worked at this business for six years. From
1839 to 1841 he was a contractor for unload-
ing vessels arriving in the Schuylkill river
with cargoes of wood. In the beginning of
May, 1841, he shipped in the United States
navy, and was assigned to the sloop-of-war
Cyane, Capt. Cornelius Stribling commander.
He served for five years on this vessel, dur-
ing her trip to the North and South Pacific
ocean, on a surveying and exploring expe-
dition. In 1812 the vessel was pressed info
tlie service to assist Commodore Jones, the
naval commander of the Pacific coast, to take
possession of California. In the fall of 1845
he returned to Pliiladelphia, and was dis-
charged from the service. From 1846 to the
fall of 1848 he was engaged in the merchant
service between New York and London. On
February 1, 1849, lie removed to Harrisburg
and carried on a baking business for Charles
F. Muench, for one year. In 1850 he engaged
in the baking business for himself and con-
tinued in it till 1877. From 1877 to 1883
he was in charge of the lumber yard of
Trullinger & Co. Since that date he has
filled his present position in the State
Arsenal. From 1860 to 1872 he fired all
532
BIOGRAFHJCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
State salutes, and this duty he still performs
on State occasions.
He has been twice married, his first mar-
riage occurring in Harrisburg, March 26,
1850, when he was united in matrimony by
Rev. Charles A. Hay to Sophia Morsh, of
Harrisburg. There were no children by
this marriage. Mrs. Becker died November
25, 1856. He was united in marriage the
second time in Carlisle, Pa., by Rev. Mr.
Hoffman, a Lutheran minister, December 24,
1858, to Margaret E. Umberger, daughter of
Benjamin and Elizabetli (Smith) Umberger.
To this marriage have been born nine chil-
dren, six of whom are living, namely :
Catherine, wife of Joseph Blackburn, resid-
ing in Philadelphia; William U., residing
in Harrisburg; Henry, residing in Buffalo,
N. Y. ; Margaret E., wife of William Shel-
drake, residing in Philadelphia; Charles P.,
residing in Harrisburg; and Louisa, wife of
John Tress, residing in Harrisburg. Mrs.
Becker died February 22, 1892.
In political views Mr. Becker is now a
Republican. He attends the Lutheran
church. Mr. Becker has been a traveler to
all parts of the world and has accumulated
a store of information which he readily im-
parts. His ready flow of language and
genial manners make him a good enter-
tainer in all circles.
children to maturity -. Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob
C. Albert), of Harrisburg; William H.;
Adam, of Derry township; Edward, Jacob
D. and Ephraim, all of Harrisburg ; Calvin,
of Kansas City, Mo., and Louisa.
Bkenneman, William H., was born in
Lower Paxton township, May 15, 1849. He
was educated in the public schools, at Sel-
ler's Academy and by private tutors. He
taught school in the township and at
Harrisburg for several years. In 1876 he
began business as a florist, and continued
until 1881, when he engaged in the manu-
facture of mince meat. He does an exten-
sive business in this line, shipping his pro-
ducts to all parts of the United States. In
political opinions Mr. Brenneman is Repub-
lican. He is a member of the Knights of
Malta.
W. H. Brenneman was married in 1871 to
Miss Emma E., daughter of Samuel Hassler,
of Lower Paxton township. They have five
children : Hattie, Blanche, Bessie, Susie and
Emma. The family are members of the
Lutheran church.
Brenneman, Adam, deceased, was born in
South Hanover township, Dauphin county,
Pa., May 8, 1825. He was a son of Henry
Brenneman, a native of Lancaster county.
Henry Brenneman was a farmer of South
Hanover township, and was killed by acci-
dent while felling a tree. He had five chil-
dren : Eve (Mrs. William Scheffer), of Ohio ;
Adam ; Mary (Mrs. Jacob Etter), deceased ;
Elizabeth, deceased ; Jacob, deceased, resided
in Ohio, and was a farmer and mechanic.
Adam Brenneman married Miss Harriet
Stoudt, and located in Lower Paxton town-
ship. Thence he removed, first to Susque-
hanna^ township, thence to East Hanover
townsfnp, and engaged in farming. When
he retired from business he moved into
Harrisburg, where he died in 1888. He
served as school director in East Hanover
township, and helped to fill the quota from
that township during the war. He was
brought up in the Lutheran church, but
later in life he and his wife became mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
His wife died in 1890. They reared eight
Handshaw, Henry, was born in Dauphin
county, Pa., June 21, 1827 ; son of John and
Catherine (Keim) Handshaw. The grand-
parents were natives of Germany and were
by occupation farmers. The parents were
both natives of Dauphin county. The father
was born January 8, 1799. He followed the
occupation of farmer until within a short
time of his death. He married Miss Cath-
erine Keim, by whom he had three chil-
dren, two of whom are living: Elizabeth,
wife of Simon Tobias, deceased, and Henry.
Susan, deceased, was the wife of David
Martz, also deceased. Mr. Handshaw was
married, secondly, in 1832, to Miss Mary
Carl, to whom were born seven children,five
of whom are living : Jacob W., J. Levi,
Thomas L., Isabella, wife of Jacob Straw,
Emma, wife of John L. Henny, of Carlisle,
Pa. Their deceased children were Anna
and Mary. Mr. Handshaw was originally a
Whig in politics, but became a Republican.
He was a member of the U. B. church. His
death occurred June 8, 1884, at the age of
eighty-five years, and he is buried at the U. B.
churchyard at Centerville, Pa. His first
wife died in 1831. His second wife is still
living at the advanced age of 88 years and
resides at Carlisle, Pa.
Plenry was reared on the farm in Cum-
BA UPHIN CO UNTY.
533
berland county and attended the public
schools a part of the time each year until he
was seventeen years old, when he left the
farm to learn the trade of carpenter at Car-
lisle. He worked at his trade in Harrisburg
seven years, and then secured a position in
the car works, where for five years he had
charge of the car department, at the end of
which period he was advanced to the po-
sition of assistant superintendent of the
works, which he held until 1888. In all he
has been with the works in this department
for thirt3'-three years and has won an en-
viable reputation for mechanical skill and
fidelity. Mr. Handshaw was married De-
cember 23,1851, in Harrisburg, to Miss
Mary A. Quick, daughter of James aud Alice
(Lamb) Quick, to whom four children have
been born: James Q., Catherine, wife of S. W.
Guiles, of Columbia, Pa.; William T. H.,
Harry I. His wife died June 5, 1879. He
married again July 8, 1880, Miss Margaret
Quick, sister of his first wife. Mr. Hand-
shaw was not in any active work. during the
year 1886, but thefollowing fourteen months
was manager of the car works, since which
time he has lived retired.
He is an active member of the Order
United Workmen. In his political views
he is a Republican. His church member-
ship is with the Grace M. E. church.
The parents of Mrs. Handshaw were of
Irish descent and came to this country
about 1800. The father was a blacksmith by
trade and followed this occupation. He
married Miss Alice Lamb, by whom he had
three children,' the only survivor of whom is
Margaret, the second wife of Mr. Handshaw.
Mr. Quick died at the age seventy-two years
and is buried in Juniata county, and his wife
is buried in the Harrisburg cemetery. He
was a member of the M. E. church and his
wife of the Episcopal church.
Mather, Edmund, president of the board
of commissioners of water and light depart-
ment, was boru in Lancaster, England,
September 8, 1827. He is a son of James
and Sarah (Aked) Mather. He was reared
in his native land and received his educa-
tion in the private schools. He learned the
trade of paper-making with his father. In
1849 he emigrated to America and first
settled near Fitchburg, Mass. where he
was employed in the paper mills for three
years. In 1852 he went to Raleigh, N. C,
and took charge of a paper mill, remaining
for three years, having control of the mill on
Crab Tree creek. In 1854 he purchased the
machinery and built a large mill at the Falls
of tlie Neuse, and operated the same for the
Manteo Manufacturing Company. In 1855,
sickness compelling him to leave, he emi-
grated to Mount Holly, Pa., and took charge
of one of the two mills then at that place.
After two years,'on account of poor healtli,
he removed to Sterretts Gap, Pa., where he
leased a hotel and engaged in business.
Three years later, in 1860, his health having
been restored, he came to Harrisburg and
was engaged by Jacob Zug to build a mill
near Mount Holly, Pa. He completed and
started the same, receiving a salary for his
services ; he also owned an interest in the
enterprise. In 1861 he closed the mill on
account of the disturbed condition of the
country.
When Fort Sumter was fired uppn Mr.
Mather enlisted in the Lochiel Grays and
served three months. He re-enlisted in com-
pany B, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania volun-
teers; was made first sergeant, and was pro-
moted to adjutant of the regiment. He was
in important battles, among which are Win-
chester, Chancellorsville and other engage-
ments. In December, 1863, he was trans-
ferred to the Veteran Reserve corps, on ac-
count of disability. He resigned in Novem-
ber, 1865. Mr. Mather was military inspector
of the hospital at Alexandria, Va., and after-
wards came to Harrisburg, and was soon
thereafter employed to take charge of a
paper mill at West Newton, Pa., which posi-
tion he held but a short time on account of
ill health.
In January, 1867, Mr. Mather went to
Washington, D. C, and became the business
manager of the Evening Leader, a Republi-
can paper. This position he held for one
year and then went to Titusville, Pa., where
he built a paper mill. His health continu-
ing to be poor, he was not active iu business
for the next twelve years. In 1883 he em-
barked in the construction of furnaces, and
has since gradually worked into mechanical
engineering.
Mr. Mather was elected to the city coun-
cil in 1883 for three years. In 1887 he was
made president of the water board ; was re-
elected in 1890, and again chosen in 1893.
He never solicited a single vote, his prefer-
ment to office came unsolicited. He was
one of tiie first who helped to organize the
first Board of Trade, was secretary for two
534
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYGLOPEDIA
years and is a member of the present board.
Mr. Mather is a Republican in politics, and
was very active in party matters in 1868,
during which he was secretary of the Re-
publican Committee of Harrisburg. He is
a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F.
& A. M.; of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, and a charter member of the Royal
Arcanum.
Edmund Mather was married in 1851 to
Miss Jane Ann Parker, daughter of John
Parker, of England. They have one living
child, Sarah, who married J. W. Deeter, now
of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Mather
have attended the Pine Street Presbyterian
church since 1861. He is a life member of
the Young Men's Christian Association, and
has for several years been connected with
the American Water Works Association.
risburg, a slate roofer; Mary Etnma, Mrs-
George W. Clinton, Union, British Colum-
bia; Albert, of Harrisburg, slate roofer;
Harry H., clerk with W. H. Spooner. The
family attend Grace Methodist Episcopal
church.
TowsEN, James A., superintendent and
treasurer of the Capital City Flint Company,
was born in Lancaster, Pa., December 6,
1829, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wheeler)
Towsen, of Lancaster and York counties re-
spectivel}^ He was reared and educated in
his native county, and learned the trade of
slate roofing in 1847, at which he worked
on sub-contracts in Lancaster county until
1867, when he embarked in the business as
a contractor at Harrisburg. He executed
large contracts for the Pennsylvania steel
works, the McCormick estate, Charles L.
Bailey & Co., and the Pennsylvania Railway
Company. Up to 1878 he was a member of
the firm of Thomas Arnold & Co., at which
date he purchased the interest of the firm.
In February, 1895, he became connected
with the Capital City Flint Company, and
in June following was elected superintend-
ent, and was made trustee of the company
in December of the same year. During the
war of the Rebellion he served with the State
militia, and went into the field for three
months as a member of company K, Forty-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
under Colonel Wickersliam, being first a cor-
poral and afterwards quartermaster sergeant.
In politics he is active as a member of the
Republican party. Mr. Towsen was mar-
ried, in 1850, to Maria Stauffer, daughter of
Frank Stauffer, of Lancaster county, by
whom he had eight children: Charles and
Clare, both deceased ; Thomas F., of Harris-
burg, roofer; Martha, wife of Henry H.
Spooner, of Harrisburg; William H., of Har-
HoLLiNGER, Eli, was born in Reading
township, Adams county, Pa., June 20, 1830.
He is a son of the late George and Elizabeth
(Asper) Hollinger. His great-grandparents
on his father's side were natives of Switzer-
land ; on his mother's side they were Eng-
lish. His grandparents were both natives
of Lancaster county, and members of the
Lutheran church. His grandfather was a
Democrat in politics. At this grandfather's
death there were sixty-two living grandchil-
dren, nearly all of whom were at his funeral.
George Hollinger, father of Eli Hollinger,
was born in Adams county in 1799, and was
a farmer nearly all his life. He was mar-
ried, in 1826, to Elizabeth Asper, of Adams
county, born in 1803. They had fifteen
children, five of whom are living : George,
Eli, Rebecca, Kate, wife of Jacob T. Smitli,
and Lydia, wife of John Miller. Their de-
ceased children were : Michael, Leah, Jonas,
Christian, Anna, Caroline, Jacob, killed in
the war, and three who died in infancy.
The father died aged seventy-three and the
mother aged seventy-six years. Both were
members of the Lutheran church. The
father was first a Whig and afterwards be-
came a Republican.
Eli Hollinger received only a limited edu-
cation in the public schools, but made up
much of the deficiency by attendance upon
night schools. He was a self-made man.
His youth was spent on the farm. At nine-
teen years of age he learned blacksmithing
and followed this occupation for twenty-eiglit
years. During one of these years lie traveleil
witli the stone masons. He worked at his
trade at Abbotstown. In 1851 he was coach -
smithing with Squire Palmer. In 1852 ho
came to Harrisburg and worked at his trade
in the car shops until they were closed. In
1854 he traveled through some of the west-
ern States and worked at his trade for some
time in Chicago. During the next five years
he worked at Alto na. Pa. On account of
failing health he spent the next eighteen
months at his old home in Adams county.
In 1859 he was employed in Harrisburg by
the Car Manufacturing Company for about
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
535
six months. In the . same year he began
business for himself, manufacturing imple-
ments and farming machinery.
He was married, August 7, 1860, to Miss
Melinda, daughter of John and Hattie(Hoffer)
Livingston, a native of Adams county. They
had three children : Eleanor, wife of Arthur
Lescure ; George B., married to Mrs. Miller,
widow of Rev. Miller, residing in Baltimore,
Md.; and Calvin Clinton, died July 9, 1862.
Since 1860 Mr. Hollinger has been princi-
pally engaged in the sale of agricultural im-
plements, roof painting, and teaching music.
He also taught in a public school for one
term. In 1853 he joined Altoona Lodge, No.
473, I. 0. 0. F. He was one of the charter
members of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 69,
when it was organized seven years ago, and he
has long since passed the chair in this lodge.
During his connection with this lodge he has
been an indefatigable worker. Past Grand
Hollinger has had the pleasure of witnessing
the initiation of sixty-seven members pro-
posed by him. Seven of his nephews are
Odd Fellows, George A., the present Past
Grand, No. 69, being one of them. Mr. Hol-
linger is also an active member of Susannah
Rebecca Lodge. He was a charter member
and has always kept up his membership of
Harrisburg Encampment, No. 301. He has
for years been a member of the Junior Order
of United American Mechanics and has been
an active representative of his council. In
years past he was district deputy and during
his term of ofBce organized twenty-one flour-
ishing councils within fourteen months. Dur-
ing his official term he also instituted Eureka
Council, Jr. 0. U. A M., of this city. He is
at present past sagamore of Octorara Tribe,
No. 91, L 0. R. M.
In 1852 Mr. Hollinger cast his first vote
for President of the United States. He voted
for the Free Soil candidate, John P. Hale, of
New Hampshire. Mr. Hale had only six
votes in Harrisburg, of which Mr. Hol-
linger's was one ; here is where he lost his
first vote. He joined the Republican party
and acted with it until 1873, when he be-
came a Greenback-Republican.
He is a faithful member of the Second
Reformed church ; his departed wife also
was a member of that church. Mrs. Hol-
linger died September 2, 1865. Her parents
were natives ^of York county, occupied in
farming. They had seven children : Alex-
ander; Matilda, wife of Christian Kauffman,
deceased; Eleanor, wife of George Hollinger;
Malinda, Mrs. Eli Hollinger; Leah, wife of
Henry Brenneman, and Granville. Mr. and
Mrs. Livingston were members of the Lu-
theran church.
Bay, J. G. Mc, a prominent and well-
known business man, treasurer of the Bay
Shoe Company, was born in Harford county,
Md., October 27, 1831, and is a son of
Thomas and Cenith Ann (McClure) Bay,
who were natives of Maryland, both now
deceased.
His education was acquired in the pfiy
schools of his native county, and after leav-
ing school he became an apprentice to the
blacksmith trade. In 1852 he came to Har-
risburg, where he learned the trade of iron
moulding, and followed that business until
1863. In that year he and his brother,
William F., engaged in the foundry and
machine business under the firm name of
William F. Bay & Bro., and this business
was continued for five years.
In 1868, in connection with his brotlier,
William F., H. M. Kelley and James Mona-
ghan, he engaged in the manufacture of
shoes under the firm name of the Monaghan-
Bay Shoe Company, the firm name being
subsequently changed to the Bay Shoe Com-
pany.
Mr. Bay represented the Ninth ward in
council two terms and is a Democrat in po-
litical views.
The parents of our subject had born to
them a family of nine children, five of whom
survive : William F., Sarah Jane, J. G. Mc,
Mary M. and Thomas A.
The shoe trade is one of the most import-
ant industries in Harrisburg, and is well
represented by the company of which Mr.
Bay is the treasurer. Their factory is fitted
up in modern style, well lighted and alto-
gether attractive and conspicuous. The firm
are quick to take advantage of all new styles
and place them on the market as early as
any manufactures in the State. The mem-
bers of the firm are all enterprising business
men, well and favorably known and very
popular in the community.
Richardson, John T., manager of the
Anthracite Wagon Company, one of the
leading industries of Harrisburg, is a son of
Joseph and Eliza (Bryan) Richardson, na-
tives of the State of Maryland, where they
spent their entire lives. John was born at
536
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Elkton, Md., May 2, 1832. He was educated
in the private schools of his native town.
Having completed his education, he learned
the trade of blacksmith, and followed this
occupation until 1876. This year he came
to Harrisburg, and entered the employ of
the Pennsylvania Steel Company, taking
charge of the frog, switch and signal de-
partment, and efficiently filled this position
for eight years.
In 1884 Mr. Richardson removed to Car-
lisle, Pa., where he remained five years, in
the employ of the Carlisle Manufacturing
Company. At the end of this period he re-
moved to Baltimore, Md., where he was en-
gaged in business for two years. In 1893
he returned to Harrisburg, and accepted
the position he now holds — manager of the
Anthracite Wagon Company.
He was married, at Wilmington, Del.,
' April 23, 1857, to Eliza McClure, daughter
of James and Prudence McClure. Four
children were born to thern, two of whom
are now .living : Sarah J. and Mary E. Mr.
Richardson served as member of the council
at Wilmington, Del., for two years. In po-
litical views he is a Republican. His family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Barnes, Jeremiah S., superintendent of
the Harrisburg cemetery was born in York
county. Pa., October 26, 1832, son of Josiah
and Sarah (Sweitzer) Barnes, natives of York
county. William Barnes, the grandfather,
was also a native of York county and a car-
pet weaver by trade. The maternal.grand-
father, Sweitzer, was a pensioner of the war
of 1812. The father was a shoemaker.
Both parents died in York county. Jeremiah
S. is the eldest of eight children. He re-
ceived only a limited education in the
schools of that period, and for several years
worked around among the farmers. He
learned the carpenter's trade and afterwards
went to Ohio and worked for two years. He
returned to York county and in 1854 came
to Harrisburg and worked as a journeyman
at his trade until 1863, when he was elected
by the board of managers, superintendent
of the Harrisburg cemetery, which position
he has filled for thirty-three years with the
utmost satisfaction. His suggestions, ap-
proved and adopted by the board, have re-
sulted in the vast improvement of the ceme-
tery, and he has put up many of the finest
monuments in the grounds. He served in
the State militia under Col. Henry McCor-
mick, going to Hagerstown, Chambersburg',
and on other expeditions. Mr. Barnes is
prominently- identified with the Masonic
fraternitj', holding membership in the Blue
lodge, chapter, commandery and council.
In political views he is a Republican, and is
active in party measures. He has served as
a member of the school board nine years.
He was married, in 1858, to Miss Sarah
Martha Williamson, daughter of Robert
Williamson, native of England and resident
of Harrisburg. They have six children,
four of whom are living: Robert E., printer,
lives at home; Carrie, deceased; Charles W.,
at home, a musician ; Mary Elfleda, wife of
E. H. Gotschali, of Harrisburg ; Laura May,
deceased, and Harry Marcus, at home, with
Montgomery & Co. Mr. Barnes is a mem-
ber of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church,
and holds the office of steward in tiie same.
Chandler, William G., agent and super-
intendent of the United Gas Improvement
Co., Harrisburg works, was born at Harris-
burg, Pa., November 19, 1832. His father,
Jonathan Chandler, was born at Brandy-
wine Hundred, Newcastle county, Del., in
the old homestead which has been occupied
by the Chandler family for over two hundred
years. His mother, Mary (Griffith) Chand-
ler, was born at Gap, Chester county, Pa.
They settled in Harrisburg at a very early
date. His father was a blacksmith, and an
agent for the Good Intent Packet Line; but
in his later years he was engaged in the
livery business. He was widely and favor-
ably known, and was a highly respected cit-
izen. He was twice married. Of the first
marriage there were six children, of whom
the only one surviving is William G. To
the second marriage there were born four
children, of whom Elizabeth, wife of David
Wenrich, George, and Julia, wife of Charles
Markell. still survive and reside in Harris-
burg.
In his youth William G. Chandler had
the advantages of the public schools only.
He worked atblacksmithingin his brother's
shop 7or a time, but subsequently learned
the trade of iron moulder. In 1852 he re-
moved to Altoona, Pa., where he completed
his term of apprenticeship at this business,
and afterwards worked at his trade in the
shops of the Pennsylvania railroad in that
town for about two years. In 1856 he be-
came a locomotive fireman, and followed this
vocation for five years. From Januar}',
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
537
1861, to January, 1862, he held the position
of locomotive engineer on the Northern
Central railroad between Marysville and
Baltimore, Md. In January, 1862, he re-
turned to the Pennsylvania railroad, and
was employed as an engineer for five years.
In 1867 he engaged in the wholesale and
retail produce business in which he con-
tinued until 1872, when he entered the em-
ploy of the Harrisburg Gas Company; since
September 1, 1864, he has held the position
of superintendent of its works. This con-
tinuous service of one company for twenty-
three years, twelve of which were devoted
to the management of its business, shows
his business capacity and integrity, and; the
esteem in which he is held by those who
know him best. He was appointed agent
of the company May 1, 1896.
Mr. Chandler was married at Harrisburg
to Miss Henrietta Farver, of Bedford
county. Three children were born to them,
all of whom died in infancy. Mr. Chandler
is a member of Mountain Lodge, No. 281,
F. & A. M., of Altoona. In political prefer-
ence he is a staunch Democrat. He attends
the Presbvterian church.
Forney, Henry J., treasurer of the Har-
risburg Furnace and Boiler Company, was
born in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., August 10, 1833. He is a son
of the late Henry and Sarah (Cassel) For-
ney. Both the Forney and Cassel families
were very early settlers of Dauphin county,
where they were honored tillers of the soil,
spending their whole lives in the county,
and all living to an advanced age. Mr. H.
J. Forney's parents had a family of nine
children, four of whom are living: Michael,;
residing in Ida county, Iowa ; Henry J.
Susan, wife of Peter H. Miller, residing in
Mifflin county, Pa., where he conducts an
extensive farm and nursery ; Sarah, wife of
Henry Booser, residing in Harrisburg.
Henry J. Forney spent his boyhood in stud3'
and in work on the farm. His education
was received in the common and select
schools of Linglestown. This course com-
pleted, he learned shoemaking. He subse-
quently taught school for six terms in Dau-
phin and Lebanon counties, after which he
resumed work at his trade, and also opened
a retail shoe store at Linglestown, Lower
Paxton township. In 1861 he removed to
Harrisburg, and purchased the business of
Daniel Leedy, which he conducted for sev-
eral years. Afterwards, in connection with
his brother, James C, he engaged in the
manufacture of boots and shoes, and later
carried on a general jobbing business in this
line. In 1892 Mr. Forney sold his interest
in the wholesale jobbing trade to his
nephews, C. C. and C. Harvey Forney, who
still conduct the business, and who are re-
ferred to on another page of this volume.
Mr. Forney is also a stockholder in the
Harrisburg Boot and Shoe Company; a di-
rector, and the treasurer, of the Harrisburg
Boiler Company, and an extensive dealer in
real estate. He is one of the prominent and
progressive business men of the city, and is
honored and esteemed in all circles. Mr.
Forney is a past officer in Lamberton Lodge,
I. 0. 0. F.; of the Order United American
Mechanics, Post No. 35, and of the Mystic
Chain of St. John Castle. He is not active
in any at present.
He was married, in Harrisburg, June 20,
1861, to Lydia; daughter of David and Bar-
bara Walmer, of Linglestown. Their union
has been blessed with five children : Charles
M., of the firm of Forney & Knouse, a
prominent drug firm, referred to in another
part of this volume; Margaret C, wife of
M. L. Ludwig, residing at Penbrook, Sus-
quehanna township ; Sarah E., wife of D.
M. Beck, residing in Harrisburg ; Rebecca
I. ; and Henry, the youngest member of the
family, who was killed by falling from a
tree, at Linglestown. Mr. Forney repre-
sented tjie Ninth ward in the common coun-
cil for many years. He was also one of the
first members of the select council. He is
not at present a member of any secret so-
ciety, although he has held many important
offices in several orders. In political views
he is a good, conscientious Republican.
Himself and family are members of tiie
Church of God. He became connected with
the church in Harrisburg in 1861, and
served as deacon and elder for many years.
In 1877 he moved to Penbrook, and took
his certificate of membership from the
Fourth Street Church of God, and joined
the church at Progress, where he held the
office of elder. He is president of the Dau-
phin circuit, composed of elders and deacons
of four .churches, and also president of the
Progress church council. For several years
he was a delegate from the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership to the General Eldership of
the Church of God.
538
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
SiEBER, Charles F., proprietor of the Har-
risburg Soap Factory, was born in Wurtem-
berg, Germany, December 10, 1834. He is
a son of Christian and Barbara Sieber, who
spent their lives and died in Germany. He
received his education and learned the soap
and candle making trade in Germany. In
1854 he came to this country and located
at Lancaster, Pa., where he entered the em-
ployment of his step-brother, Herman Mul-
ler. He remained with him till 1860, when
he returned to his native land on a visit to
his friends and relatives. In 1862 he located
in Harrisburg, and has since been continu-
ously engaged in business in this city.
He was married at Lancaster, Pa., Octo-
ber 1, 1861, to Mary Elizabeth Bissinger, a
native of Germany. To them have been born
ten children, seven of whom are living,
namely: Mary; Elizabeth, Louisa, wife of
Hummel K. Maeyer, residing in Harrisburg;
Emily, wife of W. D. Harris, residing in Har-
risburg; Bertha, Frederick C, and Lillie.
Mr. Sieber is a member of Peace and
Plenty Lodge, No. 69, 1. 0. 0. F.; Harrisburg
Encampment, No. 301, 1. 0. 0. F.; and Corn-
planter Tribe, No. 61, I. 0. R. M. In politi-
cal views he is a Democrat. The family at-
tend the Lutheran church. As man, mer-
chant and citizen, Mr. Sieber ranks with the
first.
McLaughlin, James T. W., pattern and
model maker, was born in Little Britain
township, Lancaster county. Pa., June 1,
1889. He is a son of Park S. and Sarah
(Gorsuch) McLaughlin, natives of Lancaster
county, where they have passed their whole
lives. Park S. McLaughlin was a mill-
wright, but has now retired from active
business. Both parents are dead, the father
aged eighty-five, the mother eighty-two
years. They had eight children : James T.
W.; William G., killed by a fall in Philadel-
phia in 1888 ; Mary, wife of Dr. J. P. Miller,
Oxford, Chester county. Pa.; Theodore, Little
Britain, Pa.; Hannah, wife of George Day,
Little Britain ; J. Fletcher, Little Britain ;
Frank and Laura, who died in infancy.
James T. W. McLaughlin was educated in
the public schools and at Cliestnut Level
Academy. He learned the millwright trade
with his father, and followed it for about ten
years. He removed to Baltimore, Md., in
1864, and was a bookkeeper there until
1873 ; he then came to Harrisburg, where
he has since been a continuous resident.
His first engagement here was with the Har-
risburg Car Company and the Foundry and
Machine Works; later he was with the Jack-
son Manufacturing Company. Since 1884
he has been in business for himself. He
was married in Delta, York county. Pa., Sep-
tember, 1869, to Adeline, daughter of Archi-
bald A. and Nancy Hawkins, of Delta, Pa.
. They have no children. Mr. McLaughlin
was school director for six years. He is sec-
retary of the Commonwealth Building and
Loan Association, deputy supreme archon.
Improved Order of Heptasophs ; secretary of
Harrisburg Conclave, No. 42, I. 0. H., for
the past eighteen years. He is a member of
Veteran Cas.tle, K. of G. E., No. 495, and has
been master of records in this body since its
organization. His political views are Demo-
cratic. He and his wife are members of
Ridge Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
Adams, Thomas, superintendent of the
Harrisburg Heat and Power Company, was
born in London, England, January 6, 1840.
He is a son of John and Margaret (Griflin)
Adajns. His education was well begun in
his native land. In 1856 he left England
and came to America, locating in New York
where he completed his education. He
learned the trade of marine engineer and
followed this occupation for ten years. At
the expiration of this period he removed to
Lockport, N. Y., where he was connected
with the Holly Manufacturing Company
until 1877, at which date he resigned his
position with this company and accepted a
similar position with the Holly Steam Heat-
ing Company, which position he filled for
twelve years. In 1889 he removed to Har-
risburg and assumed the position he now so
efficiently fills. He was married at Lock-
port, N. Y., to Edle Smith, daughter of
Charles and Olivia Smith. Five children
have been born to them : William Thomas,
residing at Auburn, N. Y.; Charles J., Edna
L., Cora A. and Mattie D. He is a member
of Auburn Lodge, No. 431, F. & A. M. ; of
David Chapter, R. A. M. ; of Royal Arcanum,
No. 407, of Auburn, N. Y. " In political
views he is a staunch Republican. He "at-
tends the Episcopal church.
Armpriestek, George W., superintendent
of the Central Rolling Mills, Harrisburg, was
born in Union township, Berks county, Feb-
ruary 22, 1840. Samuel Armpriester, his
father, was of German ancestry, and Anna
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
541
(Flaver) Armpriester, his mother, of French
ancestry. They had eight children born to
them, four of whom are living: Melinda,
widow of the late Daniel T. Knabb, residing
at Birdsborough, Montgomery county, Pa.;
Amelia E., wife of Alfred Fable, residing in
Philadelphia ; Lynes C, residing at Potts-
town, Pa., and George W. The last named
was reared a farmer boy and got his school-
ing in the old log school house. He con-
tinued at farm work till 1860, when he
learned the trade of puddler and was also a
part of the time in the employment of the
Government, engaged in the transportation
of grain and hay to Alexandria and other
points. In 1872 he removed to Bethel, Pa.,
where he again engaged in the occupation of
puddling until 1865, when he removed to
Pottstown and took charge of the puddling
mills of the Pottstown Iron Company and
efficiently filled the position till 1873. He
then took a similar position with the Glas-
gow Iron Company and remained iu it until
1879, at which date he engaged in the
grocery business at Pottstown, in which he
continued for nine months. He then sold
out and removed to Harrisburg and has been
a continuous resident here since, faithfully
and efficiently performing the duties of su-
perintendent of the old Central rolling mills.
He was married at Douglassville, Berks
county. Pa., to Amelia M. DeHart, daughter
of John and Catherine DeHart. Of a family
of seven children born to them five are liv-
ing and are : Mary C, widow of George W.
Sourbeer, George Warren, Annie A., wife of
H. L. Stohl, Barton A. and S. Raymond, all
residents of Harrisburg.
Mr. Armpriester has served as a member
of the school board of Pottstown and has
represented the Fifth ward of Harrisburg in
the common council for two terms. He is
an active member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M.; Perseverance Chapter,
No. 21, R. A. M.; Pilgrim Commandery,
No. 11, K. T.; Monocacy Lodge, No. 441,
I. O. 0. F.; Star Encampment, No. 139 ; Naz-
areth Commandery, No. 125, A. and I. 0. K.
of M. In politics he is a Republican. The
family attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
the father of German and the mother of
English ancestry, though the grandfather
was a native of Pennsylvania. They resided
in Lancaster county until 1861, then removed
to Cumberland county, and for the past
twenty-eight years have lived in Lebanon
city. Pa. John B. was reared in his native
county and received his education in the
subscription schools of that time. In 1861
he removed with his parents to Cumberland
county, and was engaged in farming until
1864, when he enlisted in company G, One
Hundred and Fiftieth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, known as " The Bucktails,"
in which he served until he received a gun-
shot wound, February 4, 1865, and was re-
moved to Jarvis Hill Hospital at Baltimore,
where he was confined until the war closed.
He was discharged when sufiBciently recov-
ered to travel, and returned to Cumberland
county, where he subsequently removed to
Franklin county and engaged in merchan-
dising for one year four miles north of Ship-
pensburg. He then sold his business and was
for the next year engaged in the same line
at Lebanon, Pa., after which, in 1870, he re-
moved to Harrisburg, and on June 29, 1871,
settled at Steellon, since which date he has
been a continuous resident of the place, and
for sixteen and a half years of this time he
has been one of the most prominent and
prosperous business men of the place. In
September, 1895, he engaged in his present
business. Mr. Litch has also for twelve years
been a partner of Mr. C^ G. Smith in the
leaf tobacco business. He was married in
Miffiin township, Cumberland county, to
Miss Elizabeth E. Rynard, daughter of S. A.
and Susanna Rynard, of Mifflin township,
both deceased. They have nine children,
five of whom are living : Mary S., wife of
J. H. Bondman ; John E., Milton B., Ellen
C, and Alwieda. Their deceased children
are: George M., died at the age of twenty -six
years, Harry F., died at the age of thirteen
years, Willis, and William C. In his polit-
ical views Mr. Litch is a Democrat. He held
the office of burgess of Steelton for two years,
and was also the organizer of the Steelton
Fire Company. He attends the Lutheran
church.
Litch, John B., treasurer of the Smith
Noodle Company, was born in Lancaster
county. Pa., August 22, 1842, and is the only
child of Jacob and Susanna (Brunner) Litch.
Both parents are natives of Lancaster county,
37
CowDEN, Fkederick H., proprietor of the
Harrisburg stoneware pottery, was born at
Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa., Novem-
ber 23, 1843. Mr. Cowden belongs to an
old and honored family, and is the fifth
542
BIOGRAPHTCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
generation in liis line of descent in this
county. Tlie original ancestor of the family
in America is Mattiiew Cowden, who came
from the nortli of Ireland, and settled in
Gliester county, Pa., about 1730, and moved
to Dauphin (then Lancaster) county in 1746,
where he resided until his death. His son
was Col. James Cowden, who commanded a
company in the Revolutionary army. After
the close of the Revolutionary war, he lived
in Lower Paxton township, and was en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits until his
death, which occurred in 1810. Matthew
B. Cowden, son of Col. James Cowden, above
mentioned, and grandfather of Frederick H.,
was a prominent farmer in Lower Paxton
township, and at one time served as associate
judge of the county. He was a soldier in
the war of 1812, and died in Lower Paxton
township in 1862. John W. Cowden, father
of Frederick H., followed farming in his
early life, and qualified himself for the busi-
ness of surveying. In 1857 he became a
resident of Harrisburg, and shortlj" after-
wards was appointed assistant city engineer.
In connection with Hother Hage and Alex-
ander Hamilton, he laid out the city of
Harrisburg. About 1859 he was appointed
city surveyor, and honorably filled the office
until his death, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs.
John W. Cowden had nine children, of
whom seven are living : Margaret, wife of
Samuel Hamilton, of Beaver, Pa.; Frederick
H.; Sarah, wife of Homer H. Cummings, of
Harrisburg; Elizabeth B., wife of M. R.
Beck, of Beverh^ N. J.; Matthew B., city
engineer ; Ellen J., wife of Stephen Hubertis,
of Harrisburg; and Josephine W. His
wife, Mary E. (Hatton) Cowden, died in May,
1872.
When Frederick H. Cowden was two
years old, his parents removed to a farm
about three miles from Linglestown, where
he received his primary education. At
thirteen years of age he removed with his
parents to Harrisburg, and completed his
education in the city schools. He learned
the pottery trade, and with the exception of
one year spent in the army during the late
war, he has been continuously engaged in
this business for thirty-four years. In 1867
he became partner in this business with his
father and Isaac J. Wilcox. Since 1881 he
has conducted the business solely in his own
interest. He has made the Harrisburg pot-
tery a successful manufacturing establish-
ment and Harrisburg. stoneware justly cele-
brated throughout Central Pennsylvania.
Mr. Cowden was married at Chanceford,
York county, Pa., Dec. 1, 1869, to Miss Sarah
Elizabeth Reed, daughter of Samuel N. and
Sarah J. Reed, of Chanceford. They have
four children, John W., Florence, Mabel
Barnett and Frederick H., all residing in
Harrisburg. Mr. Cowden represented the
-Fourth ward one term as school director. In
1864 he enlisted in company C, Two Hun-
dred and First Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served one year, being honorably dis-
charged at the close of the war. He is a
member of Post 58, G. A. R. He and his
family attend the Pine Street Presbyterian
church.
Wilson, William G., proprietor of the
Harrisburg Cornice Works and of Maple
Grove Hotel, was born in Coatesville, Chester
county. Pa., January 17, 1847. He is a son
of William and Sophia (Stackhouse) Wilson,
both natives of Chester county. He was
educated in the public schools of Coatesville.
In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and
Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania volunteers, and
was assigned t© company A. He served in
this regiment one year during the late Re-
bellion. After he was discharged he re-
turned to Coatesville, and finished his edu-
cation in the academy of that place. He
learned telegraphy and was employed by
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in
various positions and offices until 1890. He
came to Harrisburg in 1865. After leaving
the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company in 1890, he went to South Jersey
and became superintendent of ihe Philadel-
phia and Sea Shore railroad for a short time.
He then returned to Harrisburg for one
year. In 1892 he went to Shenandoah, Va.,
where he was chief clerk of the Shenandoah
division, Norfolk and Western railroad. At
the close of the year, he resigned and went
to New Jersey, and was superintendent of
South Jersey railroad from 1893 till May,
1894, when he resigned and returned to Har-
risburg and engaged in his present occupa-
tion.
He was married in Harrisburg, October
14, 1875, to La Rue V. Grove, daughter of
Michael M. and Charlotte S. Grove. Three
children have been born to them : Nellie La
Rue, died at the age of fourteen months ;
Alvah B., and "William Grove. Mr. Wilson
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
543
was elected treasurer of the Pennsylvania
Midland raih'oad in 1894. He was the Re-
publicdn candidate for mayor o'f Harrisburg
in 1890, against Dr. John A. Fritchey, but
was defeated. He is a member of the Hepta-
sophs and of the Junior Order of American
Mechanics. In politics he is a Republican.
The family attend the Zion Lutheran church.
PuGH, A. JuDSON, senior member of the
firm of A. J. Pugh & Son (The Dauphin
Roofing Company), was born in Radnor
township, Delaware county, Pa., February
27, 1847 ; son of the late William and Mary
(Pugh) Pugh. The Pugh family on both
sides were among the early settlers of Dela-
ware county, their ancestors having been
born there as far back as the fourth genera-
tion preceding the present. The parents
were residents of Radnor township, and the
father conducted a merchant tailoring busi-
ness there. They had nine children, five of
whom are living: Joanna H., widow of late
J. Hibbert Hall, of Plymouth, Montgomery
county ; John, Nelson, Roland, Jr., and A.
Judson. A. J. spent his early life in Radnor
and received his education in the public
schools of that township. In 1876 he re-
moved to Harrisburg and for fifteen years
was in the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, during ten years of which
time he was engineer on a freight train. In
1881 he became bookkeeper for the Paxton
Flouring Mill Company, which position he
held for ten years, after which, from 1891 to
1894 he was in the employment of the Mer-
chants' National Bank, and in November of
the last named year embarked in his present
business. Mr. Pugh was married in Phila-
delphia, April 10, 1873, to Eloise G. Denney,
daughter of Jacob and Sarah Denney, of
Chester county, both deceased. To this mar-
riage have been born four children : M.
Elva, William E., Salinda and J. Darling-
ton. In his politics Mr. Pugh is a Republi-
can. He and his family attend the Baptist
church.
Brinton, Harry A., general manager of
the Universal Baking Powder Company, was
born in Dauphin county, about six miles
from. Harrisburg, April 13, 1847, son of
Caleb and Sarah (Alleman) Brinton, the
former a native of Chester, the latter of Dau-
phin county. The father came to Dauphin
county about 1835, and was for ten years
engaged in the manufacture of coflFee mills,
ladles, door locks, and jack screws in West
Hanover township, after which he was a
farmer in Susquehanna township eight
years, and then removed to Swatara town-
ship and farmed eight years more. From
there he went to Cumberland county, where
he lived eleven years, and in 1866 came to
Harrisburg and resided here seven years.
He next moved to New Cumberland, where
he remained four years, and then returned
to Harrisburg, where he has lived retired
from active business for the past twenty-five
years, and at the age of eighty-six years is
still in the enjoyment of good health. His
wife died in 1860. Their children are: Mar-
tin, farmer in Cumberland county ; John, of
Susquehanna township; Lydia E., wife of
Peter Hershey, Harrisburg ; George, of Har-
risburg; Caleb, residing in Idaho; Harry
A.; Susan, wife of J. D. Sprout, died in Jan-
uarv, 1885 ; Elizabeth, wife T. W. Jones, of
Cornell, 111., died October 26, 1895; and
David, died in infancy.
Harry A. was about seven years old when
he with his parents located between Fair-
view and Bridgeport, where he received his
education in the public schools. He was
engaged in farming for twelve years, and
subsequently became an engineer and
worked for ten years at this occupation in
Harrisburg, after which he was for fifteen
years engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in
August, 1894, became a stockholder and was
elected the general manager of the Universal
Baking Powder Company. Mr. Brinton was
married in Harrisburg in 1871 to Mary J.
Shaeffer, daughter of John and Mary Shaef-
fer, natives of Lancaster county, to whom
have been born ten children, of whom five
died in infancy, and the survivors are: John
C, Mary P., George W., Charles L., and
Helen J. Mr. Brinton is a member of Dau-
phin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., and of the
Knights and Ladies of Honor. In his politi-
cal views he is a Republican. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Bacon, Daniel, was one of the most
widely known manufacturers and one of the
most popular men in Central Pennsylvania.
He was born June 26, 1847, and died sud-
denly of heart failure April 22, 1893. He
removed from Scranton to Harrisburg in
1869, and shortly afterwards engaged in the
manufacture and sale of candy near the site
of his present factory. His business pros-
pered from the start, and needed enlarged
544
BIO GRA PHI GAL ENGYCL OPEDIA
facilities, which he provided from tipe to
time. For the past fifteen years he had oc-
cupied the factory and store where his
career terminated, which is one of the best
equipped and arranged plants of its kind in
this part of the State. The marked business
traits of Mr. Bacon were his enterprise and
ingenuity in forming his plans and his
energy and courage in carrying them out.
When confronted with disaster and threat-
ened with defeat, as he was at three separate
times when burned out, he lost no time in
useless regrets, but at once employed the
occasion to alter and always enlarge bis
plans, and at once addressed himself with
redoubled energy and industry to their exe-
cution. Mr. Bacon was generous and whole-
souled on the social side of his nature,
and his cheerful and mirthful disposition
spread sunshine all around him. One of
his very marked characteristics was his
liking for the commercial travelers, which
amounted to a ruling sentiment and almost
a passion. It was said he never let one
leave his place of business without giving
him an order and making him feel that he
was with a friend, and all were made wel-
come as honored guests at his hospitable
home. Mr. Bacon sustained membership in
the Harrisburg Board of Trade; Dauphin
Lodge, No. 160, T. 0. 0. F.; East Harrisburg
Conclave, No. 150, 1. 0. H., and the National
Confectioners' Association. Mr. Bacon was
married to Annie Clark, a native of Scran-
ton, by whom he had one son, Arthur D.
This son received all the advantages of edu-
cation afforded by the city schools, and sub-
sequently pursued a classical course of studj'^
at Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, Ea.,
upon the completion of which he entered his
father's store. He had just reached his ma-
jority when the untimely and sudden death
of his father occurred, and he was put in
charge of the large business built up by the
ability and success of his honored parent.
His mother preferred that he should assume
the management and become responsible for
the continuance of the business, feeling well
assured that her worthy son had inherited
the business talents and sterling character
of her lamented husband. In this hope she
has not been disappointed. His successful
management of the business of D. Bacon &
Co., wholesale dealers and manufacturers of
confectioneries, is marked, and he is justly
regarded as one of the most enterprising and
progressive business men of the city. Mr.
Bacon was married in Harrisburg January
2, 1894, to Miss Barbara Baldwin, of this
city. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.; Pilgrim Oom-
inandery, No. 11 ; Perseverance Chapter,
No. 21, R. A. M.; Rajah Temple; Mystic
Shrine, of Reading, and Scottish Rite Mason,
thirty-second degree.
Young, John G., general manager of the
Harrisburg Branch of the Deering Har-
vester Company, of Chicago, was born in
Evansville, Ind., December 4, 1847. He is
a son of Richard and Susan (Hill) Young.
His father is a native of Philadelphia and
his mother was born niear Owensborough, Ky.
They removed to Indiana, where they spent
the remainder of their lives. The father
was a prominent business man of Cynthiana,
Posey county, Ind., for many years, where he
first engaged in the retail boot and shoe busi-
ness and later in the retail hardware and
grocery business. He died in 1893 and his
wife died when John G. was but an infant.
Of a family of six children born to them-
John G. is the only survivor. When but a
child he removed with his parents to Cynthi-
ana, Ind., where he spent his boyhood days,
receiving his education in the public and
select schools of that town. After complet-
ing his education he assumed the duties of
deputy treasurffr of the county, and when
but twenty-one years of age was elected treas-
urer of Posey county, which office he filled
with acceptance for two years. After retiring
from office he engaged in the hardware busi-
ness in Mt. Vernon, Ind., in connection with
Mr. V. C. Finch, under the firm name of V.
C. Finch & Co., for four years, after which he
removed to Cynthiana, Ind., and became a
partner in the hardware business of his
father, under the firm name of R. Young &
Son, in which partnership he continued for
two years. He subsequently became ac-
countant for H. Brinkman & Sons, of Mt.
Vernon, Ind., and was connected with that
firm for one year. At the expiration of this
time he became connected with the Deering
Harvester Company in the capacity of book-
keeper in one of their branch warehouses at
Indianapolis, Ind., for a period of two years.
For the following fifteen months he served
this company faithfully as manager of their
branch house in Philadelphia. October 6,
1887, he was appointed to the responsible
position he now holds, as manager of their
business in Harrisburg. He has been a
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
545
faithful employee of the Deering Harvester
Company for a period of twelve years. For
seven years he has been an honored and re-
spected resident of Harrisburg, where his
strict integrity and honorable business meth-
ods have established him in the confidence
of liis employers and the esteem of all who
meet him in business and social circles. He
was married in Mt. Vernon, Ind., May 25,
1873, to Fannie Fuhrer, a daughter of Mau-
rice and Angeline (Berne) Fuhrer, the former
a native of Berne, Switzerland, the latter of
Posey county, Ind. To them have been born
four children. Three of these died in in-
fancy ; their only surviving child is Angelyn
Nelson. While filling the office of deputy
treasurer he also performed the duties per-
taining to the office of county auditor. He
is a member in good standing of Mount
Vernon Lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M., of Mt.
Vernon ; Lavalette Commandery, of Bvans-
ville, Ind., K. T. In political views he is a
Democrat. He attends the Presbyterian
church.
MoESLEiN, Edward, manager of the Cap-
ital City Shoe Manufacturing Company, was
born in Eckweisbach, Germany, January 24,
1849. He is a son of David and Cecilia
(Niebeling) Moeslein,both of Germany. His
boyhood and youth were spent in his native
land. He received his education in the pub-
lic schools, after whicli he was apprenticed
for five years to learn carpentry and build-
ing. After his apprenticeship was over he
worked at his trade as a journeyman until
1870. He was drafted into the German
army, and served his countr}'- faithfully for
two years in the Franco-Prussian war, dur-
which time he, with his regiment, partici-
pated in seventeen engagements. He was
present at the battle of Sedan, where Louis
Napoleon was made a prisoner. After his
discharge from the army at the close of tlie
war, he continued to work at his trade in his
native land for a year and a half In 1874
he embarked for America and landed at New
York. He came at once to Harrisburg and
since June 1, 1874, has been a continuous
resident of this city. The first eight years in
Harrisburg he spent at his trade, in connec-
tion with the building of St. Lawrence
Roman Catholic Church. In 1882 he began
contracting and building on his own account
and continued this business until August,
1895. At this date he engaged in the man-
ufacture of children's shoes in connection
with Joseph Youngel. On January 6, 1896,
a stock company was formed and Mr. Moes-
lein was appointed to his present position as
manager.
Edward Moeslein was married in Hannau,
Germany, January 21, 1872, to Martina
Bittner. They have had five children, three
living: William E., Adam, and Charles.
He is a member of Peace and Plenty Lodge,
No. 69, I. 0. 0. F.; Herman Castle, No. 339,
K. of G. E.; and K. of M. C, No. 17. He is
president ot the American and the Union
Building and Loan associations, assistant
secretary of the Columbia and the Harris-
burg Building and Loan associations, direc-
tor in the West Harrisburg Building and
Loan Association and a member of the Board
of Trade. Mr. Moeslein and his family at-
tend St. Lawrence's Roman Catholic church.
Nagle, John H., assistant foreman in the
Hickok Manufacturing Company, was born
in Lancaster county, Pa., May 11, 1851. He
is a son of Emanuel and Sarah (Markley)
Nagle. A sketch of his parents and grand-
parents appears elsewhere in this volume.
He received his education in the public
schools of Lancaster county. Before the age
of fourteen he had been in various occu-
pations. At that time his parents removed
from Bainbridge to Collin's Station, Lan-
caster county. During the year 1865 he was
employed as water boy, carrying water and
tools for the " floating gang " on the rail-
road. In 1866 his parents removed to Mid-
dletown. Pa., where heifound employment
on the railroad during the summer months,
and attended school in the winter. For two
sessions "he was in the high school. On
April 5, 1869, he began an apprenticeship at
the trade of machinist with William 0.
Hickok, and served three years and one
month ; he was then twenty-one years old.
From that time until 1875 he worked as
a journeyman machinist. In order to be-
come more familiar with machinery and
more skillful in its use, he spent four years
as fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad.
Middle division, between Harrisburg and
Allentown, Pa. In 1879 he returned to
Harrisburg and resumed work at his trade
with his former employer, Mr. Hickok. In
1891 he was promoted to assistant foreman
of the Hickok Company's shop, the position
which he now holds.
In 1888 Mr. Nagle was elected to the com-
mon council from the Sixth ward of Harris-
546
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
burg and served one term. He is an active
member of the Knights of the Mystic Chain,
No. 17 ; he has gone through all the chairs,
and been connected with the order for eigh-
teen years. He has also, for about five years,
been a member of the Knights of Honor.
In political views he is a Democrat. He is
a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Nagle has been twice married. His
first wife was Miss Jennie Feltz. Her father,
John Feltz, was born in Dauphin county.
"When a young man he was a farmer, but
later he learned shoemaking at which he
worked for many years. For the past four-
teen years he has been partially paralyzed
and is comparatively helpless. He is at
present proprietor of a boarding-house in
Harrisburg. He is a Republican, and a
member of the Lutheran church. Hd was
married to Miss Leah 'Wagner. They had
two daughters : Kate, wife of James Lusk,
and Jennie, deceased. Mrs. Nagle belonged
to the Lutheran church. She died. May 6,
1892, aged thirty-seven; she left three chil-
dren, two of whom are living: Lillie, wife of
John H.Forney, and John E. Leah E. died
January 19, 1896, aged nineteen years and
nine days.
Mr. Nagle's second marriage occurred Oc-
tober 18, 1894. He was then united to Mrs.
Minnie Rhoads, widow of Levi Meyers, and
daughter of George and Sarah (Glosser)
Rhoads. They had one son, Chester L.
George Rhoads was born in Perry count}',
Pa. He was employed by the railroad com-
pany in various capacities for forty-five
years and finally retired on account of fail-
ing health. His wife was born in Perry
county, Pa., and was a daughter oF Conrad
and Charlotta Glosser. They had fourteen
children, eleven of whom are living: Mary,
wife of Jacob Shellenberger ; Minnie, wife of
John H. Nagle ; Emma, wife of John Shellen-
hammer; Edward; Frederick; George; Lot-
tie, wife of John Thompson; Charles; Ben-
nie ; Nelson and Virginia. James was
killed on the railroad at the age of twenty-
two. Willie and Tillie died in infancy. Mr.
Rhoads was a Democrat. He was a member
of the Lutheran church.
The grandparents of the second Mrs.
Nagle were both natives of Lancaster county.
Her grandfather was employed on the rail-
road and was killed in an accident. He,had
five children, three of whom are living:
Cyrus, Joseph and George. The grandfather
died in March, 1891.
Landis, Henry B., superintendent of Har-
risburg Traction Company's supply store,
was boin at Mexico,' Juniata county. Pa.,
November 5, 1851. He is the only child of
John and Anna (Baker) Landis. His parents
are both natives of Juniata county, and both
are living at Mexico. The father was en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits, and for many
years was a minister in the United Brethren
church, but now lives retired. Henry's boy-
hood days were spent in his native town,
where he took the usual course of study in
the public schools. He studied telegraphy,
and followed this occupation for several
years. For the three following j^ears he was
engaged as brakeman on the Pennsylvania
railroad. The following year he was em-
ployed by the Prudential Life Insurance
Company as bookkeeper in their receiving
office at Mexico. In the next year he re-
moved to Harrisburg, and has been con-
nected with the Citizens' Street Railway
Company and Harrisburg Traction Com-
pany since its inauguration. He is the oldest
employee of the company.
He was married in MifHin township, Juni-
ata countyj July 19, 1874, to Miss Minerva
P. Smith, daughter of George and Eliza
(Miller) Smith. Five children have been
born to them, of whom one died in infancy.
Those living are: John H, George S., Led-
yard A., and Annie.
Mr. Landis is not connected with any
societies. He attends the United Brethren
church. By the faithful discharge of his
duties he has gained the utmost confidence
of his employers, and by his honorable and
upright life commands the respect and re-
gard of his fellow-men.
Weber, William, foreman and manager
of the iron and brass foundry of James W.
Roberts, was born at Waterloo, Bavaria, Ger-
many, April 9, 1853. He is the son of
George Adam and , Eve (Brickner) Weber,
both natives of Bavaria, but residents of
Harrisburg for forty years. These parents
had six children, four of whom survive :
William ; George, residing at Sparrow's
Point, Md.; Mary, wife of Augustus Kreid-
ler, and Andrew.
William Weber came to Harrisburg with
his parents, in 1855, when he was but
eighteen months old. He received a partial
education in the public schools of this city.
In early youth he took up the trade of car-
penter, working at it only a short time, as
DAUPHIN VOUNTY.
547
he found it not to bis taste. He learned
the moulders' trade, and has followed it for
twenty-five years. Mr. Weber is highly re-
garded in business circles for his enterprise,
perseverance and sterling integrity.
He was married, in Harrisburg, March 6,
1886, to Mary Wohleben, daughter of Henry
and Regina Wohleben, both natives of Ger-
many, but residents of Harrisburg. They
have two children : William Henry, born
April 7, 1889, and Elizabeth, born July 5,
1890. In political views Mr. Weber is a
Democrat.
Shields, James D., manufacturer and
dealer in proprietary medicines, was born in
Fayette township, Juniata county, Pa., Sep-
tember 21, 1853; son of Charles and Sarah
(Myers) Shields, both natives of Juniata
county and of Irish ancestry. The father
died in 1863, aged sixty-five years. The
mother is still living at the advanced age of
eighty-one years, and resides at McAllisters-
ville, Juniata county. They had eleven
children. James D. was reared on the farm
in Juniata county and attended the public
schools and Port Royal Academy. He began
his business life as a salesman and was en-
gaged in various occupations in his native
county until 1878, when he removed to
Harrisburg, where he was for. ten years en-
gaged in the sale of sewing machines, and
in 1889 embarked in his present business.
He was married at Lanpaster city, September
17, 1884, to Alice E. Lipp, daughter of Heniy
G. and Margaret Lipp, of Lancaster. Tbey
have no children. In his political views,
Mr. Shields is a Democrat.
Rhoads, James M., was born at Harris-
burg, December 7, 1854. His father, Daniel
Rhoads, was a well-known and honored resi-
dent of Dauphin county. He held several
important civil ofl3.ces. He was the first
high constable of Harrisburg. In later
years he was engaged in the lime business
in this' city. His mother was Susan Russell.
The surviving children of the family are:
John, residing in Philadelphia; Thomas,
residing in Harrisburg; Adeline, wife of
Samuel Black, residing in Baltimore ; Joseph
E., l>aniel H., James M., and Charles H.
James M. received the advantages of a pub-
lic school education in Harrisburg, where he
has spent his life, with the exception of six
years which he spent in Philadelphia. After
leaving school he was engaged at the pla-
ting trade for four years. After this, he
engaged in the sale of building sand, in
which he still continues, in connection with
other enterprises, especially the brick manu-
facture, conducted by the enterprising firm
of Bigler & Co., of which he is a member.
In 1874 he removed to Philadelphia, where
he spent six years as foreman of car inspec-
tors of Pennsylvania Gas Coal Company.
In 1880 he returned to Harrisburg, and has
held continuous residence here since that
date. He is one of the progressive business
men of Harrisburg, and has aided substan-
tially in the development of some important
enterprises, which have materially bene-
fitted the city and county. He was married
in Philadelphia to Ella Jane Sparks, daugh-
ter of George W. and Elisa Jane Sparks.
Their children are Irene G, Eliza and James
C. B. In political views he is a liberal.
The family attend the Memorial Lutheran
church.
WoRDEN, James H., was born in Luzerne
county, October 9, 1855, son of Hiram B.
and Mary A. (Lockwood) Miller Worden.
Hiram B. Worden was bdrn in Luzerne
county, Pa., November 8, 1826. His early life
was spent in the coal business in the Wyom-
ing Valley. He was at that time one of the
most prominent coal operators in the valley.
He continued in the business until 1861. He
was first married to Miss Vangelia C. Lock-
wood, daughter of William and Hester
Travis Lockwood. There was no issue of
this marriage. Mrs. Worden died in 1858,
aged twenty-four years. In his second mar-
riage Mr. Worden was united to Mrs. Mary
A. (Lockwood) Miller. She was born Feb-
ruary 5, 1821. The children by this mar-
riage are James H., H. M. F., Vangelia C,
Carrie K., who died September 27, 1886,
aged twenty-seven years; Hiram B., and
Annie M. The mother died February 26,
1878, aged fifty-seven years. Mr. Worden
was married Ihe third time, April 21, 1880,
to Mrs. Almira Walker Geer, daughter of
Marshall "K. and Anna M. Walker. After
leaving the coal business in 1861, Mr. Wor-
den went into farming and stock raising, to
which he gave his attention until 1878, after
which he was in the milling business until
1882, when he engaged in the hay business,
in which he is still engaged. Mr. Worden
is prominent in the Masonic and Odd Fel-
lows fraternities. He is a member of the
548
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Methodist church, in which he has filled all
church ofiices.
James H. Worden received a good educa-
tion in the public schools, finishing at the
Keystone Academy at Factoryville, Pa., and
at a very early age began teaching school in
Wyoming county, where he was employed
during three winter terms; in the summer
he assisted his father on the farm. During
the year 1875 Mr. Worden was clerk in the
Chenango Valley Savings Bank, Bingham-
ton, N. Y.; during 1876 he had charge of
the books of his uncle, George WOrden, at
Pittston, Pa., in the meantime teaching
school three months of an unexpired term.
He also taught six weeks of another term in
1878 at Yatesville, Pa., in May of which year
he resigned and entered the employ of the
Lochiel Rolling Mill Company at Harris-
burg, Pa., which position he held for one
year when the mill was closed down. In
1879 he took charge of the books of D. W.
Gross & Son, 119 Market street, Harrisburg,
and remained with them until 1882, when
he connected himself with C. E. H. Brels-
ford & Co., of Harrisburg, having charge of
the accounts of this company until January,
1892, when it was reorganized a,nd incor-
porated in the name of the Brelsford Pack-
ing Company, and Mr. Worden was made
secretary and treasurer of the corporation,
which position he still holds. He is also
connected with and is the president of the
Columbia Baking Company of Columbia,
Pa. He is also president of the Pennsyl-
vania State Sportsmen's Association, and
president of the Harrisburg Shooting Asso-
ciation. Among the fraternities, Mr. Wor-
den is past master of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M., of Harrisburg; past coun-
cillor of Capital City Council, No. 327, Jr. 0.
U. A. M., and for twenty j'ears has been an
Odd Fellow. In politics he is and always
has been a Republican. The family are
Episcopalians.
James H. Worden was married January
17, 1883, at Carbondale, Pa., to Elizabeth I.
Joyce, daughter of Thomas and Margaret
(Hartley) Joyce. They have two children :
Lockwood Brelsford, born July 4, 1886, and
Margaret Hartley, born October 14, 1892.
Mrs. James H. Worden was born at Car-
bondale, Pa., May 1, 1857. Her father,
Thomas Joyce, was born in the north of Ire-
land, June 27, 1809, and emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1844. He was a farmer and sheep
raiser. He first married Anna, daughter of
John and Anna Adams. Their children
were: Emily, who resides near Scranton,
Pa., and Robert, who died June 17, 1859,
aged twenty-one years. In his second mar-
riage, Mr. Joyce was united to Margaret,
daughter of Henry and Margaret Hartley,
by whom he had four children: Thomas H.,
Annie M., wife of William Kelley, of One-
onta, N. Y.; Elizabeth Isabella, wife of Mr.
Worden, and John, who died June 12, 1860,
aged sixteen. Mrs. Margaret Joyce died
August 23, 1869, aged fifty-six. Mr. Joyce
was married the third time December 24,
1872, to Eliza, daughter of Robert Reynolds.
Of this marriage there is no issue. Mr. Joyce
entered the services of the Delaware and
Hudson Railroad Company in the capacity
of engineer, assisting in the building of the
first railroad in Luzerne county, and re-
mained in the employment of this company
until 1868, when he retired. He was an ac-
tive member of the Episcopal church until
his death, June 13, 1881, in the seventy-
second year of his age. Mrs. Eliza Joyce
survives him and resides at Factoryville,
Pa., where she holds membership in the
Methodist church.
Caelile, Alexander W., senior member
of the firm of Carlile & Roberts, proprietors
of the Pennsylvania Ammonia and Fertili-
zer Works, was born in Chester coun ty, near
New London, Pa., December 3, 1855. " He is
a son of Samuel and Julia C. (Henderson)
Carlile, the former a native of Chester
county, the latter of Lancaster county. Pa.
After passing through the public schools of
his native town, he attended Delaware
College, at Newark, Del., from which he was
graduated in 1882. For four years he was
assistant analytical chemist in the State
Laboratory of Delaware College. In 1886
he opened a chemical laboratory at Wil-
mington, Del., and was engaged in this pro-
fession for four years in this place. The
next year he was engaged in the same pro-
fession at Lancaster, Pa., and during this
time was also manager and stockholder in
the Pennsylvania Ammonia and Fertilizer
Company, at Harrisburg, Pa. In July,
1895, he formed a partnership in this busi-
ness with Mr. Alexander H. Roberts.
He was married, in Philadelphia, January
28, 1885, to Eveline Juliet Witmer, daugh-
ter of Amos L. and Amanda Witmer, of
Lancaster, Pa. Two children have been
born to them, one of whom died in child-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
549
hood. The living child is Genevieve, born
December 27, 1892. In politics Mr. Carlile
is a Democrat. He attends the Episcopal
church.
Bentley, George Rolland, manager of
Paxton I'late Mills, was born in Coatesville,
Chester county. Pa., March 8, 1856. He is
a son of John S. and Mary (Manley) Bentley,
the former of Chester county and the latter
of Delaware county. Pa. He was reared to
manhood and was educated in his native
county. In boyhood he worked on a farm,
and when fifteen years old went to work in
a rolling-mill. He has been engaged in the
iron business twenty-five years. In 1879 he
removed to Chester, and there also worked
in a rolling-mill. Toward the last of his
engagement he was manager of the Chester
rolling-mill, arid afterwards of the Wellman
iron and steel works. In October, 1892, he
removed to Harrisburg and assumed his
present position. He has been twice mar-
ried. He was married, first, at Wilmington,
Del., in 1877, to Edith T. Wier. To this
marriage were born six children, two of
whom died in childhood. Their living
children are Walter S., J. Frank, Bertha M.,
and George Allen ; those deceased, John E.
and C. Edgar. Mr. Bentley is a member of
Thurlow Castle, No. 159, K. of G. E., Chester,
Pa. In political views he is a Republican.
The family attends the M. E. church. Mrs.
Bentley died at Chester in March, 1890. In
April, 1892, he was married to Melissa Val-
entine, widow of the late Joseph Plendrick-
son. Two children were the fruit of this
marriage, Mary, who died in infancy, and
Paul H. The parents of Mr. Bentley had
nine children, all of whom are living:
Harry C, of Philadelphia; William Hum-
phrey, of Coatesville ; D. Frank, of Coates-
ville; Edith A., wife of James D. Stott, of
Coatesville ; Harriet E., widow of the late
David Thompson, of Gum Tree, Chester
county, Pa.; George R., of Harrisburg, and
Abram H., of Chester, Pa., twin brothers;
Edmund E., of Coatesville, Pa. Mr. Bent-
ley has thoroughly demonstrated his busi-
ness ability, and as a citizen enjoys the re-
spect and esteem of his neighbors.
FiTZPATRiCK, W. Righter, superintendent
of the Harrisburg Electric Company, was
born at Hazletou, Luzerne county, Pa., March
29, 1856. He is a son of James and Mary
(Malloy) Fitzpatrick, who were both natives
of Pennsylvania and of Irish ancestry. Thej'
both died at Hazleton, the father in 1889,
the mother in 1878. The father was a highly
respected citizen of Hazleton and prominent
in military circles, bearing the title of
colonel. They had born to them three chil-
dren : W. R., Ella, and James C, Indian
agent at Ft. Dunlap, Mon. The youth of
W. Righter was spent in Hazleton, where he
had the advantage of a good public school
education. He became a telegraph operator
in the employment of the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company. , In 1877 he became
connected with the Hazleton Electric Light
Company and on March 17, 1884, he came
to Harrisburg and since that date has been
connected with the Harrisburg Electric
Light Company. In May of the same year
he was appointed electrician of the company
and has efficiently performed the duties of
his present position since 1886. He was
married, at Harrisburg, June 1, 1886, to
Sarah Coulter, daughter of William and
Sarah Coulter, of Harrisburg. To them
have been born two children : Mary and
James. He is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. In political
views he is a Republican. He attends the
Market Square Presbyterian church.
Geisel, Henry, proprietor of the Enter-
prise Planing Mill, was born at Harrisburg,
June 10, 1856. His father, Henry Geisel,
and his mother, Amelia Geisel, were both born
in Germany, but emigrated to this country
and were among the early settlers of Harris-
burg, where Mr. Geisel carried on the black-
smith business until within a short time of
his death. They had a family of eight cliil-
dren,six of whom are living: Henry, Richard,
Lena, wife of Harry Smith, residing at Plum
Creek, Neb.; Amelia, wife of George Harris,
Harrisburg; Augusta and John, also resid-
ing in Harrisburg.
Mr. Geisel received a public school edu-
cation. At ten years of age he started in life
as an errand boy in a grocery store, and at
the age of sixteen years he entered the plan-
ing mill of Trullinger & Co., where he learned
the business and followed it both in Harris-
burg and Philadelphia until 1890, when he
engaged in business for himself.
' He was married in Harrisburg, May 28,
1876, to Elizabeth Henning, of Harrisburg,
daughter of .Tohn and Elizabeth Henning.
They have four living children and one dead.
550
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
The living children are: Henry, Jr., John F.,
Charles H., and Grover Cleveland.
He is a member of Lamberton Lodge, No.
708, I. 0. 0. F.; Bayard Lodge, No. 150, K.
P., and of Goldsmith Division, U. R. K. i\
He has served as judge of election board of
Sixth ward. In political views he is a
Democrat. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
Roberts, Alexander H., of the firm of
Carlile & Roberts, proprietors of the Penn-
sylvania Ammonia and Fertilizer Works,
was born in Harrisburg, August 1, 1856.
He is a son of Alexander and Charlotte E.
(Geiger) Roberts, whose ancestors were early
settlers of Harrisburg. He received his
primary education in the public schools of
Harrisburg, and later attended the prepara-
tory school of* Jacob F. Seller. He com-
pleted his education at Lafaj^ette College,
Easton, Pa. He went to Philadelphia and
became a partner in the firm of Wm. B.
Riely & Co., horse blanket manufacturers.
He continued in the business ten years, when
he retired from the firm, returned to Harris-
burg and engaged in the wholesale stationery
business on Market Square, under the firm
name of Roberts & Meek. He is still an
active partner in this firm. In July, 1895,
he became associated with Mr. A. W. Carlile
in the manufacture of fertilizers.
He was married in Germantown, Phila-
delphia, April 8, 1885, to Miss Bertha Hill,
daughter of Erastus and Sarah (Grafley)
Hill. Of their four children, two died in in-
fancy. The living children are Sarah H.,
born September 11, 1888, and Erastus H.,
born December 25, 1894. In political views
Mr. Roberts is a Democrat.
WoRDEN, Henry M. F., manager of Brels-
ford Packing Company, Harrisburg, Pa., was
born at Plains, Luzerne county, Pa., October
6, 1856. He is a son of Hiram B. and Mary
A. (Lockwood) Worden, natives of Luzerne
county, the former born near Wilkes-Barre,
the latter near Scranton. His father was a
coal operator and opened the first shaft ever
opened between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston.
In 1861 he sold out, went to Wyoming
county and was engaged in farming and
milling up to 1892, when he removed to
Whitney's Point, N. Y., and is now engaged
there in the pressing of hay. His mother
died at Factory ville, Wyoming county, Feb-
ruary 26, 1876. These parents had a family
of six children : James H., Henry M. F.,
Vangelia, wife of A. E. Bailey, Hiram B.,
Carrie (deceased) and Annie M.
Henry M. F. Worden received his primary
education in the public school of his native
county. He also attended the Keystone
Academy at Factoryville, Wyoming county.
He taught school for two years in Wyoming
county and the following two years he was
an accountant at Pittston, Luzerne county.
Pa. In 1881 he removed to Harrisburg and
engaged with C. E. H. Brelsford as account
ant. In January, 1893, this business was
formed into an incorporated company and
Mr. Worden became a stockholder and the
manager of the company.
He was married in Harrisburg, January
20, 1885, to Mary E. Dietrich, daughter of
B. F. and Harriet Dietrich, of Harrisburg.
They have one child, Harriet, born October
6, 1888. Mr. Worden is a member of the
Capital City Council, No. 327, Jr. 0. U. A. M.
In politics he is a Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Worden
faithfully discharges the duties devolving
upon him, and in every line of action mani-
fests energy, fidelity and intelligence.
Nagle, Christian M., chief engineer of
the Harrisburg water works, was born in
Bainbridge, Lancaster county. Pa., February
2, 1857. His father, Emanuel Nagle, is a
native of Marietta, Lancaster county, and is
of German ancestry. He is a blacksmith,
and has carried on business in Marietta,
Bainbridge and Middletown. He has lived
thirty years at Middletown, and served sev-
eral terms in the common council of the
borough. He was provost marshal of Bain-
bridge during the war. He was also for
some time in the employment of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company. He is now
living a quiet, retired life, at Middletown, at
the age of seventy-four years, highly re-
spected by all who know him. His wife,
Sarah Ann (Markleyj Nagle, is of English
ancestry, and was born at Penningtonville,
Chester county. Pa. She' is still living, at
seventy-three years of age. They had ten
children, six of whom are living : Mary S.,
wife of Adam Dennis, residing at Mann's
Choice, Pa., where Mr. Dennis has been
ticket agent and operator for the Pennsyl-
vania railroad for over twenty years; John
H., residing in Harrisburg ; Esther A., wife
of Ross McCreary, residing in Middletown ;
Christian M.; Ellen, wife of George Hutton,
DA UPHIN CO UNTY .
551
residing in Harrisburg, a prominent grocery
merchant, and a water works commissioner ;
and Luther M., residing, in Middletown.
When about eight years old, Christian M.
Nagle removed to Middletown with his
parents, and passed here his boyhood days,
taking the course of study in the public and
high schools of the town. After leaving
school he came to Harrisburg and became
an apprentice at the machinist's trade, in
the employ of W. 0. Hickok ; he remained
with this firm for fourteen years. On June
4, 1888, he was appointed assistant engineer
of the water works. In 1890 he was pro-
moted to the place of chief engineer, which
he now holds.
He was married, in Harrisburg, January
15, 1879, to Naomi Livingston, daughter of
Benjamin and Esther Livingston, of Watts
township. Perry county. Their children
are: Charles E., born January 10, 1880;
Bertha M., born August 12, 1882, and Esther
A., born May 14, 1884.
Mr. Nagle has served as school director,
representing the Sixth ward for two terms.
He is a member of Egyptian Comraandery,
No. 114, K. of M.; St. John's Castle, No. 17,
M. C, and of the Royal Arcanum. In po-
litical views he is a Republican. The family
attend the United Evangelical church.
Fleming, David, Jr., was born at Harris-
burg, Pa., May 4, 1857. He is a sou of
David Fleming, a sketch of whom appears
on another page of this volume, and Susan
(Mowry) Fleming, daughter of Charles
Mowry, also elsewhere noticed in this book.
He spent his youth in Harrisburg, and
enjoyed the best educational advantages af-
forded in the city. He studied at Princeton
College in class of 1878. He was one year
with the engineer corps of the Pennsylvania
Canal Company. In January, 1879, he was
with the Harrisburg Car Company as clerk,
and was afterwards made cashier of the
foundry and machine department of the car
company. In the re-organization of the
Harrisburg Foundry and Machine Works he
was prominent, and was elected secretary
and treasurer of the company, the position
he has since filled. He was made one of the
executors of his father's estate in 1890. He
also succeeded his father as director of the
First National Bank of Harrisburg. Since
his father's death the estate rebuilt and re-
constructed the Commonwealth Hotel in
1891, and added the annex in 1892. He is
one of the organizers and a director of the
East Harrisburg Passenger Railway Com-
pany. He is one of the incorporators of the
Harrisburg Grocery and Produce Company,
and one of the incorp'orators and a director
of the Brelsford Packing Company. He is
a stockholder in the Trust and Safe Deposit
Company and the People's Bridge Company,
and succeeded his father as president of the
People's Gas Company. He is interested in
several other enterprises, being director of
the Pennsylvania Folding Gate and Guard
Company, of the Pennsylvania Ventilated
Barrel Company, of the Westinger Furnace
Company and of the Harrisburg Traction
Company. He was one of the organizers of
the Harrisburg Club, and was on the gov-
erning committee of the club for several
years. He is one of the incorporators of the
Inglenook C!lub and one of the building
committee of the club. In politics Mr.
Fleming is a Republican. He was married
in October 16, 1884, to Mary Curwen, daugh-
ter of John Curwen, superintendent of Penn-
sylvania Hospital, Warren, Pa., and Martha
Elmer, daughter of Judge Elmer, of the Su-
preme Court of New Jersey. They have two
children : Martha Elmer, born March 6,
1889, and David Fleming, third, born April
21, 1893. He is a member of Market Square
Presbyterian church, in which he holds the
office of deacon. He teaches the class taught
by his father in tlie Sunday-school.
Goodman, Benedict, manager of the
Goodman Clothing Company, was born at
New Haven, Conn., June 16, 1857, son
of Simon and Sophia (Rotenberger) Good-
man. The parents were both natives of Ger-
many. The father was born February 27,
1821, came to this country when a boy,
landed at New York, and from there went
South and engaged in general merchandis-
ing with Saligman Bros. The partnership
was dissolved at the end of five or six years,
and he came North and engaged in the
grocery business for iiimself, in which lie
has continued to the present time. He re-
tired from business at one time, but being
an active man, could not be satisfied with-
out employment, and hence resumed busi-
ness. The father was first married to Miss
Sophia Roseburger, to whom eight children
were born. Mrs. Goodman died June 16,
1873, aged forty-six years. The family were
members of the Jewish Synagogue. Bene-
dict Goodman attended the public schools of
552
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
his native place until he was thirteen years
old, after which he took a course of study
at the academy in New Haven. He was
engaged in the grocery business with his
father for seventeen years, when he left
his home and went to New York, and from
there to Pennsylvania, and traveled West
looking for a business location. He returned
to Philadelphia, where he was employed for
two years in the retail clothing business, and
was subsequently engaged in the wholesale
business until 1883. He then became a
traveling salesman through the western
States, in 1883 he came to Harrisburg and
opened a clothing store at No. 422 Market
street, in a small room 16x32 feet, where he
conducted business for three years. In Jan-
uary, 1886, he leased the corner of Fourth
and Market street, where he has since been
located. Mr. Goodman was married De-
cember 16, 1777, to Miss R. Goodman,
daughter of Henry and Matilda Goodman,
to whom has been born one daughter,
Sophia. The parents of Mrs. Goodman
were both natives of South Bend. The
father was a general merchant and lived in
Philadelphia, where he died.
KiNTER, Charles H., manager of the
Harrisburg Electric Company, was born at
Columbus, Ohio, August 2, 1857, son of
George and Caroline C. (Heister) Kinter.
He came to Harrisburg with his parents
when a child and received his education in
the public schools. He was then employed
as messenger in the train dispatchers' office
of the Pennsylvania railroad, from which he
was transferred to the position of clerk in the
freight warehouse and subsequently served'
for six years as passenger brakeman and
conductor on the Middle division. On Oc-
tober 1, 1888, he was made manager of the
Electric Company and has continued in
charge of this important business since that
time. He was married at Harrisburg, No-
vember 3, 1881, to Mary C. Groff, daughter
of George M. and Elizabeth Groff. They
have no children. Mr. Kinter is a member
of State Capitol Lodge, No. 2030, K. of H.
He is a Republican and attends Grace Meth-
odist Episcopal church.
father, .John Patton, was one of the earliest
settlers of Northumberland county, where
he spent the greater portion of his life and
died at Milton at an advanced age. He was
the inventor of the screw propeller. Will-
iam P. Patton, son of John and father of J.
Herv.ey, was born at Milton, Northumber-
land county, and came to Harrisburg about
the year 1850. For twenty years he was
connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. He was the first superintendent
of the Harrisburg city water department.
He was the designing architect in the con-
struction of the People's Gas Light Company
and superintendent of it until its consolida-
tion with the United Gas Improvement
Company. About 1885 he removed to
Washington, D. C, and was engaged there
fpr four years in the Patent Office. He re-
moved to Jersey Cit3'in 1889, and has since
been in the employment of Munn & Co.,
publishers of the Scientific American as one
of their patent examiners. He married
Margaret Able, mother of J. Hervey Patton.
J. Hervey Patton was educated in the pub-
lic schools of the city, and after leaving
school spent six years at telegraphy in the
service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany. In 1879 he became connected with
the Harrisburg Car Company in the capac-
ity of corresponding and order clerk, and
was continuously in the service of this com-
pany until the industry was discontinued.
On the formation of the companies above
named he was chosen to the position he so
efficiently fills at this date.
Mr. Patton was married at Harrisburg,
September 7, 1886, to Miss Anna W. Lynch,
daughter of John S. and Elizabeth Lynch,
the former at that date being recorder of
deeds for Dauphin county. They have no
children. Mr. Patton is a member of the
Royal Arcanum. In political matters he
acts with the Republicans. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Patton are consistent members of Grace
M. E. church. Mr. Patton is one of the
stewards of that church.
Patton, J. Hervey, chairman of the Har-
risburg Pipe Bending Company (limited)
and also chairman of the Harrisburg Tin-
smith Company (limited), was born in Har-
risburg, Pa., October 26, 1857. His grand-
Spicbr, J. Henry, superintendent of the
Harrisburg Burial Case Company, was born
at Plymouth, Hancock county. 111., Novem-
ber 14, 1857, son of Charles A. and Nancy
(West) Spicer.
Charles A. Spicer, undertaker and furni-
ture dealer, was born at Carlisle, Pa., April
6, 1835. His father, Henry Spicer, was a
native of Switzerland, who came to this
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
553
country and settled at Carlisle, Pa. He was
owner and publisher of the Carlisle Herald
up to the time of his death, which occurred
in 1835. His wife, Eliza Gorman, was a
native of Cumberland county and died in
1841. They had two children, of whom
Charles A. is the only survivor. He took a
partial course in the public schools, and in
his fifteenth year was an apprentice to the
cabinet-making business. When nineteen
years old he removed to Polo, 111., where he
worked at carpentry. He went to Plymouth,
111., in 1855, and carried on the furniture
business there for two years. He returned
to Carlisle, Pa., in 1859, and was engaged in
business there until 1861. In June of that
year he enlisted in company A, Seventh
Pennsylvania reserves, and served till his
discharge at Falmouth, Va., in June, 1862,
when he returned to Carlisle. In a short
time he removed to Harrisburg where he
was engaged with the Harrisburg Car Com-
pany for four years, and in 1866 established
his present business, which he has conducted
continuously for thirty years. He was mar-
ried at Plymouth, 111., to Nancy West, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William West,
residents of Peru, Ind. Of the ten children
born to them, seven survive: J. Henry,
superintendent of the Burial Case Company ;
Nellie, wife of F. Orth, a prominent grocer
of Harrisburg; Charles, shipping clerk,
Burial Case Company; William, a student
in Auburn Theological Seminary ; Rudolph,
undertaker, at Altoona; Bessie and Anna.
Mr. Spicer represented the Third ward in
council for one year. He is a member of
State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., and
of State Capital BeneJBcial Society. In polit-
ical views he is a Democrat. The family
attend the Market Square Presbyterian
church.
The family removed to Harrisburg when
J. Henry Spicer was six years old. He re-
ceived his education in the public schools of
this city and at Dickinson College, Carlisle,
Pa. Upon its completion he engaged in the
furniture business with his father, until the
organization of the Harrisburg Burial Case
Company, in 1882. Of this company he was
made superintendent, and has proved effi-
cient and faithful in performing the duties
of his position. Mr. Spicer is a member of
the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a
Prohibitionist.
J. Henry Spicer was married at Harris-
burg, August 31, 1881, to Annie E., daugh-
ter of Jacob A. and Christiana (McWilliams)
Spofford, who were formerly residents of
Harrisburg. They are now deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Spicer have one son, John Spofford,
born February 8, 1885. Mr. Spicer is an
elder in the Market Square Presbyterian
church.
Royal, John Kelker, is a native of Har-
risburg, and was born September 6, 1858.
He is a son of Josiah S. and Rebecca E.
(Morgan) Royal. The former was a native
of Lancaster, and was connected with the
printing and publishing business for many
years, and died September, 1885, after an
active and well spent life. The latter is a
native of Dauphin county, and is still living
in this city. John K. was one of seven chil-
dren, two of whom besides himself are still
living, namely: Morgan J., residing in Har-
risburg, and Mary E., also residing here.
Mr. Royal has been a resident of Harrisburg
all his life, receiving his education in the
schools of this city. He learned telegraphy
on the Northern Central railroad, and was
occupied in this business two years. He was
clerk in the Bolton House from 1875 to 1880.
He was employed in bookkeeping from 1880
to 1882. In the latter year, in connection
with J. Henry Spicer, he organized the Har-
risburg Burial Case Company, of which he
was elected secretary and treasurer, and has
faithfully performed the duties of this office
since that date. Mr. Royal is also secretarj'
and treasurer of the Harrisburg Furniture
Company and the Harrisburg Preserving
Company. He was married in Lebanon,
April 2, 1891, to E. Elizabeth Miller, daugh-
ter of J. Henry Miller, of Lebanon. Three
children have been born to them : J. Doug-
las M., born June 6, 1892; Elizabeth, born
November 25, 1898, and R. Ernestine, born
July 4, 1895. He is a member of Persever-
ance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., and is a Demo-
crat in politics. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the Reformed church. Mr. Royal
was elected a member of the city council in
1890 in the strongest Republican ward in
the city, and re-elected successively in 1892,
1894 and 1896. He has been a member of
the finance committee since his first election;
has also served on the appropriation, high-
way and sanitary committees, and was chair-
man of the building and city property com-
mittee.
554
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Marsh, Fred. H., general eastern agent of
the Superior Drill Company of Springfield,
Ohio, was born near Binghampton, N. Y.,
October 3, 1858; son of David and Maria
(Brundis) Marsh. He was reared in his
native township and received his primarj'
education in the public schools and subse-
quently attended the Binghamton high
school and Lowell's Commercial College, of
Binghamton, N. Y., of both of which insti-
tutions he is an honored graduate. After
completing his education he was for three
years travelling salesman for the firm of
Thomas, Little & Rogers, of Springfield,
Ohio, and served in the same capacity for
E. W. Ross, of the same place, until 1891,
since which date he has represented the
Superior Drill Company, of Springfield,
Ohio, in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and a portion
of W est Virginia, with headquarters at Har-
risburg. Mr. Marsh was married in Dayton,
Ohio, January 12, 1887, to Miss N. G. Hamill,
daughter of Capt. Joseph and Leah (Creigh-
tou) Hamill, and to them has been born one
son, Collin Herman, died June 3, 1890, aged
eighteen months. Mr. Marsh is a member
of Xenia Lodge, No. 52, Shawnee Encamp-
ment, No. 20, I. d. 0. P., Xenia, Ohio, and
of Xenia Lodge, No. 1658, Knights of Honor,
Xenia, Ohio. In politics Mr. Marsh is a
Republican. He and his wife attend the
Pine Street Presbyterian church in this city
and are both members of the denomination.
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In his political views he is a Democrat. He
is unmarried.
Roberts, James W., iron and brass founder,
Harrisburg, was born in Harrisburg, De-
cember 3, 1858. He is a son of Alexander
and the late Charlotte (Geiger) Roberts, who
are referred to on another page of this vol-
ume. He received his primary education in
the public schools of his native city, took a
regular course at Lafayette College, Easton,
Pa., and was graduated from that institution
in the class of 1882. After completing his
collegiate course he studied civil engineer-
ing. For two and a half years he was in the
service of the Pennsylvania Canal Company
and subsequently was assistant engineer for
about three years. He was also assistant
chief clerk in the railway mail service for
three years. He was connected with the iron
and brass foundry for one year. In January,
1895, he became sole proprietor of his pres-
ent business. Mr. Roberts is a member of
Eberle, William F., general foreman of
the Harrisburg car shops, Pennsylvania
railroad, was born at Altoona, Blair county,
Pa., June 8, 1859. He is a son of Alexander
and Mary (Kilpatrick) Eberle. He received
a common school education in his native
city, and was indentured as an apprentice to
]ear0 car building, in the service of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Al-
toona, August 1, 1876. He was the only
person indentured as an apprentice during
the Centennial year. He served four years
at his apprenticeship, and afterwards re-
mained in the service of the company, work-
ing in the cabinet department of the car
shops until September 21, 1887, when he was
appointed assistant foreman of the passenger
car erecting shops. On February 1, 1891,
he was appointed assistant general foreman
of the Wall shops, on the Pittsburgh divi-
sion, and was located at that point until
February 27, 1893, when he was appointed
to his present position. He was married, at
Altoona, Pa., August 1, 1888, to Miss Annie
Bussman, daughter of Charles and Susan
Bussman, of Altoona. Their union has
been blessed with two children : Alma May
and Alexander Wallis. Mr. Eberle has rep-
resented the Second ward of the city of Al-
toona in common council for two terms.
He is a member of Altoona Lodge, No. 281,
F. & A. M., and of Logan Lodge, No. 79, K.
of P., of Altoona. He is a Republican, and
attends the United Brethren church.
BiGELOw, Lucius S., general manager and
secretary of the W. 0. Hickok Manufactur-
ing Company, Harrisburg, Pa., and its ac-
tive head since the spring of 1888, was born
in Homer, Courtlaud county, N. Y., Septem-
ber 6, 1859. During his childhood Mr.
Bigelow lived in Homer, N. Y., Jackson,
Mich., Silver Creek, N. Y., and Buflfalo, N. Y.
At the last named place, he, as a youth,
took a lively interest in the art of printing,
and started in an amateur way a printing
office, in a building adjoining the rear of
the family homestead. Some time later
he took into partnership a brother, now of
Boston, then connected with one of the Buf-
falo banks.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
555
Business increased, and by degrees this
small office grew into prominence. It was
removed into the business portion of the
city, and conducted under the firm name of
Bigelow Bros., to which firm, later, a third
brother, then connected with the auditing
department of the F. and P. M. railway at
East Saginaw, Mich., was admitted to part-
nership, the business having been again ex-
tended.
Later, the founder of this ■vvell-known
concern, receiving a flattering proposition
from a company of large lumber operators,
took a responsible position with them, which
at times called him into Pennsylvania. Dur-
ing these trips into the Keystone State Mr.
Bigelow met and subsequently married Miss
Sarah Esther Harris, born in Harrisburg,
and one of the few living direct descendants
of John Harris, who settled on the present
site of Harrisburg, and of John Harris, his
son, the founder of the city which bears his
name, and who gave to the State of Penn-
sylvania, for the site of a State house, the
beautiful spot upon which that building
now stands, and to the city of Harrisburg
" Market Square," for market purposes.
Although Mr. Bigelow's lumber connec-
tions were in Tonawanda, near Buffalo, N.
Y., the largest lumber shipping point in the
world, he decided to live in Harrisburg,
making that city the center of the territory
which he controlled and conducted in the
sales depaxtment of the business. During
his early residence in Harrisburg Mr. Bige-
low met many of the business men of that
city, and receiving one day a request to drop
into the office of one of these gentlemen, he
complied, and was there told that the board
of directors of the W. 0. Hickok Manufac-
turing Company had at a recent meeting de-
cided to offer for his acceptance the position
of general manager and secretary of that
company. This suggestion was an entire
surprise to Mr. Bigelow, since he had known
nothing of the proposed plan, but his early
training in printing and bookbinding having
well fitted him to conduct the mechanical
end of the Hickok Company's business,
which is the manufacturing of bookbinder's
and paperruler's machinery, and his experi-
ence in later years having fitted him to con-
duct the office, sales department and general
business, he finally, after deliberation, de-
cided to accept the offer, although in doing
so he gave up a very desirable position and
business. Certain suggestions made by the
directors of the Hickok Company decided
him to make the change. The business has
prospered under Mr. Bigelow's management ;
its line of manufactures has received mate-
rial additions, thus enlarging its field of
usefulness and profit. The concern is doing
a large foreign as well as domestic business.
The recent addition of a bicycle department
to the line of manufactures of the Hickok
Company was purely the outcome of sugges-
tions and investigations made by Mr. Bige-
low. His untiring efforts, coupled with a
highly expert assistant in the foreman of
that department, whom he has secured from
another city, bids fair to make of it a marked
success. They will build the highest grade
of wheels.
Mr. Bigelow is a stockholder in the J. H.
McFarland Printing Company, a member of
the Board of Trade of Harrisburg and the
secretary of the Association of American
Manufacturers. In his political views he is
a Republican. He is a member of Market
Square Presbyterian church and is solo bass
in its choir. He is a trustee of the Paxtang
Presbyterian church. The children of Mr.
and Mrs. Bigelow are : Katharine, Harris
Storres and Allen Caryl.
FoosE, Jacob A., superintendent and man-
ager of the Harrisburg Tinsmith Company,
was born in Lancaster, Pa., February 11,
1860. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Hambright) Foose. They are natives of
Lancaster county, where his father was for
many years identified with prominent busi-
ness interests. He efficiently filled the office
of chief of police in Lancaster for many years,
and for many years served the city well in
the select council. He now resides in Read-
ing, Pa., and conducts an extensive tin and
copper smithing business. These parents
have three children living: Anna, wife of
William B. Cox; Ida, wife of Ambrose Sny-
der, and Jacob A. The latter received a
limited education in the Lancaster public
schools. At ten j'ears of age he began to
work in his father's shop at plumbing, gas-
fitting, tin and copper smithing. After four-
teen years of this employment in his native
city he removed to Lebanoii, Pa., in 1884,
and was for one year foreman of a tinsmith-
ing establishment there. In June, 1885, he
opened a shop in Harrisburg in connection
with the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing
Company, which he has since operated, hav-
ing been connected with his present business
556
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
from its beginning. Pie was [married in
Lancaster, November 15, 1877, to Sarah F.,
daughter of Peter and Amanda Stout, of
Reading, Pa. Of their ten children, six
died in infancy. Those living are: Jacob
S., Frank D., Bertha H., and Helen. Mr.
Foose is an active member of Cornplanter
Tribe, No. 61,1. O.R. M.; of Dauphin Castle,
K. of G. E.; and Philadelphia Council,
Legion of Honor. He is an ardent Demo-
crat. He attends the Lutheran church.
BuEHLER, Martin H., general manager
of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company,
was born at Harrisburg, January 29, 1861.
He is a son of Jacob and Anna C. (Locher)
Buehler. His father was born in Lancaster
county. Pa., March 20, 1825. He is a son
of Martin and Anna M. (Schaubhut)
Buehler, who were born in the town of
Eichen, Parish of Schopfhein, Baden, Ober-
land, Germany ; the former May 19, 1780,
the latter May 18, 1783. The father was a
weaver; he was married, January 10, 1804,
and in 3817 came to America. He died in
April, 1852, and his wife died in Septem-
ber, 1852. Jacob was reared to manhood in
Lancaster county, receiving his education in
the public schools and private schools of
that county. He was engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits there until 1859, at which time
he removed to Harrisburg, and for thirty-
six years has been continuously in business
in this city. He was married, in Lancaster,
March 12, 1851, to Ann C. Locher, daugh-
ter of Jacob H. and Mary E. Locher, born
in Boonsborough, Washington county, Md.
They had three children, namely : Mary G.,
wife of H. L. Hershey, recorder of Dauphin
county, residing in Harrisburg ; Martin H.
and William E., residing in St. Louis, Mo.
Mrs. Buehler, mother of Martin H., died
September 24, 1893. The grandparents,
Martin and Anna M. Buehler, had born to
them nine children, namely: John, -born
January 22, 1805, died May 14, 1811 ; Mar-
tin, born April 20, 1806, died May 19, 1880;
Anna Maria, born October 18, 1807; Anna
Barbara, born July 24, 1810, died December
25, 1886; Catherina, born April 9, 1813,
widow of the late Gottlieb Laudenschlager,
residing in Wayne county, Ohio; John
George, born April 23, 1815; John, born at
sea, in 1817, died September 30, 1857 ; Nancy,
born in 1819, died in 1843, and Jacob. The
grandparents on the father's side were John
Jacob Buehler, a citizen of Schlechtbach,
and burgomaster of Reitbach, Germany,
and Maria, born in Blum. The grandpar-
ents on the mother's side were John Schaub-
hut, a citizen and weaver of Eichen, born
July 9, 1752, and Barbara, who died Decem-
ber 30, 1801. The descendants of the mother
were Anna Maria Schaubhut, Maria Bar-
bara, born August 19, 1781, married July
27, 1806, to John George Ratz, a mason, who
was born July 18, 1782, and came to
America with their three children in 1817 ;
also a stepsister named Anna, who was born
November 1, 1804. The before-mentioned
John Schaubhut married for his second
wife, Magdalene Rotzler, widow of John
George Heckendorn, in Eichen, December
27, 1763, and died January 28, 1827.
Martin H. obtained his primary educa-
tion in Seiler's Academy, Harrisburg, and
completed his studies in the Pennsylvania
College, Gettysburg, from which institution
he was graduated in 1882. From this date
he has been continuously connected with
the Pennsylvania Telephone Company, and
for eleven years of that time has faithfully
and efficiently performed the duties of sec-
retary and treasurer of the company. Early
in 1894 he was appointed general manager
of the company. He wns married, in Har-
risburg, November 14, 1894, to Miss Fannie
May Shearer, daughter of Joseph W. and
Annie (Myers) Shearer, of Harrisburg. In
political views Mr. Buehler is a Republican.
His wife attends Zion Lutheran church.
Mr. Buehler has displayed business capacity
and reliability which claim recognition and
respect. His standing and character are
high.
Weast, George B., was born in Mifflin
township, Cumberland county, January 24,
1862. His father, Jacob Weast, is a native
of Cumberland county, and is now a pros-
perous farmer of Newville, Cumberland
county. His mother, Lavinia (Christlip)
Weast, is also a native of Cumberland
county. The family consists of eight living
children: George B., Minerva, the wife of
Carl Alexander, residing at Carlisle, Pa.,
Minnie, Levi, Clara, wife of John Heberling,
residing in Miflflin, Irvin, Theodore and
Howard. The father has filled numerous
township offices.
George B. received his education in the
public schools of Mifflin. When seventeen
years old he went to Newville, and learned
the tinsmith's trade at which he has worked
,^^^/:Z-c^^
DAUPHIN COUNTY
559
all his life. For five years he was in busi-
ness for himself in Newville, and since 1889
has done business in Harrisburg. In the
management of business he has met with suc-
cess commensurate with his unusual abilities.
His strictly honorable methods, his pru-
dence and social worth command the respect
of the community. He was married at New-
ville, October 11, 1883, to Miss Annie Myers.
To them have been born five children, one of
whom died in infancy. The living children
are Mary L., Annie, Ralph and Roy. Mr.
Weast is a member of Conodoguinet Lodge,
No. 173, I. 0. 0. F. He was a member of
the council at Newville one term, and pre-
sided over that body for one year. His fam-
ilv attend the Lutheran church.
DuNKEL, Samuel F., vice-president of the
Harrisburg Manufacturing and Boiler Com-
pany, was born in Swatara township, Dau-
phin county, Pa.; May 3, 1862 ; son of Jo-
siah A. and Mary (Bishop) Dunkel, both na-
tives of Dauphin county and residing at
Steelton. Samuel F. received his education
in the public schools of Swatara township
and in Seller's Academy, and also took a
course in the Business College of Harrisburg.
After completing his education he engaged
in the hardware business with his father,
under the firm name of J. S. Dunkel & Son,
and continued several years, when he pur-
chased his father's interest and conducted
the business four years longer on his own
account. In 1889 he became president and
manager of the Star Steam Heating Com-
pany, and in 1892 acquired an interest in
the Harrisburg Manufacturing and Boiler
Company, of which he was made the vice-
president in 1894. He is also a partner in
the firm of J. S. Dunkel Sons & Co., real
estate dealers at Steelton. Mr. Dunkel was
married in Steelton to Miss Jessie Sefton,
daughter of Charles J. and Rebecca Sefton,
of Fairfield, Adams county. Pa. They have
no children. Mr. Dunkel has filled the
office of school director for eleven years, and
has been secretary of the board two years
and treasurer four years. In his political
views he is a Republican. He attends the
Lutheran church.
Blough, Wilson R., senior member of the
Blough Manufacturing Company, was born
in Palmyra, Lebanon county, Pa., May 22,
1862. He is a son of Cyrus and Sarah
(Meyer) Blough. His parents have been
38
continuous and honored residents of Harris-
burg, where his father has conducted a suc-
cessful dairy business for the past twenty-
five years. The father is a native of Leba-
non county, and his wife of Dauphin county,
and both are living. They had four chil-
dren, one of whom died in infancy, those
living are Wilson R., Laura, wife of Thomas
R. Redmond, Jr., and Bertram F.
When about eight years of age, Wilson R.
removed to Harrisburg with his parents, and
his education was received in the public
schools of this city. He began business as
traveling salesman and was thus employed
until 1892. On February 7, 1892, in con-
nection with his brother, Bertram F., he en-
gaged in the manufacture of ladies' and
children's wear, under the firm name of
Blough Manufacturing Company. He was
married, in Harrisburg, to Miss Catherine
Kline, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth
Kline, old and honored residents of Dauphin
county. They have had four children:
Mabel, Violet, Ruth and Beatrice. Mr.
Blough is a member of Harrisburg Lodge,
No. 68, I. 0. 0. F.
Blough, Bertram F., of the Blough Man-
ufacturing Company, was born in Harris-
burg, July 22, 1873. His education was re-
ceived in the public schools and Business
College of his native city. He was for a
time a traveling salesman. In 1892 he be-
came a member of the Blough Manufactur-
ing Company. These young men have just
started in their business career. Their good
qualities are apparent in the success so
happily inaugurated, and so promising as to
its future stability and enlargement. They
are already respected as reliable business
men, and are cordially granted a place of
prominence among good citizens.
HiLDRUP, William T., Jr., was born in
Harrisburg, Pa. He is a son of William T.
and Harriet (Esselstyne) Hildrup. He re-
ceived his primary education in the private
schools of his native city, was a student in
the McClellan Institute of West Chester, Pa.,
for three years, and for four years studied at
the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel-
phia, finishing his course at this institution
with the class of 1882, receiving the degree
of B. S. and Mechanical Engineer. After
completing his education he was connected
with the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing
Company in the charge of additions and im-
560
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
provements of shops, efSciently filling this
position until 1890. During this time he
was also secretary and assistant treasurer of
the company and superintendent of the car
wheel department.
In 1890, in connection with Messrs. J. H.
Patton and D. E. Tracy, Mr. Hildrup formed
the associations now called the Harrisburg
Pipe Bending Company (limited) and the
Harrisburg Tinsmith's Company (limited),
of which companies he is the capable and
faithful secretary and treasurer. He is a
gentleman of wide intelligence, of great en-
ergy and of laudable ambition. He is pop-
ular with all classes and is regarded as one
of the leading business men of the city. Mr.
Hildrup is a member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, P. & A. M.; Harrisburg Council,
No. 499, Royal Arcanum. He is one of the
governors of the Harrisburg club. In po-
litical views he is a Republican.
Harvie, John C, senior member of the
firm of Harvie & Bickley, proprietors of the
Keystone Forge and Machine Works, was
born at Harrisburg, December 22, 1862. He
is a son of John and Jean (Nairns) Harvie.
His parents were both born in Glasgow,
Scotland, and came to America in 1852.
They located at Philadelphia, and resided
there about three years. In 1855 they re-
moved to Harrisburg, where they have lived
for forty years. The father is a belt-maker,
but of late years has lived a retired life. The
parents had born to them a family of six
children: Jennie, wife of li. Lutz; Ellen,
wife of M. Dwyer; James; John C; Annie,
wife of Edward C. Rouch, and Carrie. John
C. was reared to manhood in this city and
educated in the public schools. He learned
the trade of machinist, which has been his
occupation through life. He has been a
continuous resident of Harrisburg since his
birth, with the exception of five years. In
political views he is a Republican. He at-
tends the Presbyterian church. The manu-
facturing plant at the head of which Mr.
Harvie stands is one of the solid industries
of the city. His career as a manufacturer
has been marked by those qualities of mind
and method which control success.
Zimmerman, George Z., of the firm of C.
0. Zimmerman & Co., brickmakers, was born
in Harrisburg, July 11, 1863. He is a son
of Conrad 0. and Mary (Gonter) Zimmer-
man, the former born in Harrisburg, August
9, 1820, and the latter in Sharpsburg, Jef-
ferson county, W. Va., in 1835. C. 0. Zim-
merman was long a resident of Harrisburg,
and was a public-spirited and enterprising
citizen. He was engaged in the manufac-
ture of brick from an early date, and built
up a large and productive trade. He held
various positions of trust, among which was
the chairmanship of the city water works
committee. He was also a member of the
common council. He was twice married.
To his first marriage there were born three
children, of whom George Z. is the only sur-
vivor. Mrs. Mary Zimmerman died Mav 3,
1869. The second wife of C. 0. Zimmer-
man was Annie E. Ward. To this marriage
two children were born, both of whom died
in infancy. Mr. Zimmerman died January
26, 1895; his wife still is living, and resides
in Harrisburg.
George Z. Zimmerman was educated in
the public schools of Harrisburg, and at
Pennsylvania State College. After complet-
ing his education, he entered the employ-
ment of his father, and in 1885 was admit-
ted to a partnership in the business. Since
his father's death, he has continued to carry
on the business. The Zimmerman brick-
yard, managed by him, is one of the largest
and best equipped plants in the State. It
occupies thirty-two acres of ground, situated
at the corner of Ninth and Reily streets. It
is fitted up with four kilns of one hundred
and seventy-five thousand capacity each ; a
Chambers' Bros, brick machine, a disinte-
grator, an elevator and a plug mill, all of
the very latest make; also a steam brick
dryer. The motive power is a ninety horse-
power engine, with two boilers, of ninety and
fifty horse-power capacity. The daily capac-
ity of the plant is 45,000. The products are
of all kinds of paving and building brick.
George Z. Zimmerman was married in Har-
risburg, January 25, 1890, to Emma S. Burn,
of Cumberland county. Pa. Their children
are Paul, born August 26, 1892, and Helen,
born June 21, 1894. Mr. Zimmerman is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F.
& A. M.; Tribe No. 340, I. 0. R. M., of which
he is a member of the State finance com-
mittee. He is an enterprising business man,
and universally popular.
Reel, Samuel 0., was born in Susque-
hanna township, near Harrisburg, April 13,
1864. He is the son of Augustus and Miar-
garet (Olewein) Reel) both natives of Dau-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
561
phin county, now residing in Harrisburg.
He is one of fourteen cliildren, seven of
whom still survive : Samuel 0., William S.,
John S., Harry D., Ross B., Gertrude, and
Annie. His father was born and lived in
Susquehanna township for many years, and
was engaged in market gardening. He
served Dauphin county as sheriff for one
term, and was a faithful and efficient officer.
During late years he has lived a quiet, re-
tired life.
Samuel 0. Reel was educated in the pub-
lic school of Susquehanna township. After
leaving school, he removed to Harrisburg
and learned the trade of founder and
moulder, which he has followed till, the
present time. Mr. Reel is a gentleman of
wide experience, and master of his trade in
all its branches. He is enterprising and
progressive, is of wide popularity and of
sterling worth.
He is a member of Egyptian Command-
ery, No. 114, Knights of Malta. In political
views he is a staunch Democrat. The family
attend the Lutheran church.
SwARTZ, Robert H., superintendent of the
McFarland Printing House, was born March
12, 1865, in Cumberland county. Pa. He is
a son of John A. and Alsinda (Halej^)
Swartz. John A. Swartz was a salesman
and also filled various public offices. He was
married to Miss Alsinda Haley, daughter of
William Haley. They had eight children,
seven of whom are living : Robert H.; Clara,
wife of L. Wise; Minnie C, wife of Andrew
Grain, a Methodist minister, residing in
Maine ; Elizabeth H., teacher in the public
schools, MechanicsburgjPa.; Blanche, Edith,
and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz are both
deceased.
Robert H. Swartz attended the public
schools of Mechanicsburg, Pa., until he was
nearly fourteen years old, when he was ap-
prenticed for three years to Mr. R. H. Thomas
to learn printing. In 1882 he came to Har-
risburg and was employed as a printer on
the Harrisburg Telegraph for one year; he
also served one year in the Patriot office. In
1886 he went to Philadelphia and was em-
ployed for a year in the State printing office.
In 1888 Mr. Swartz engaged with the Mc-
Farland Printing House and was made its
superintendent. He is also chairman of the
Harrisburg Paper Company, limited, and
treasurer of the Mt. Pleasant Building and
Loan Association.
Mr. Swartz was married, March 12, 1885,
to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and
Annie M. (Freeburg) Bering. They have two
children: Jennie M. and Robert H., Jr. Mr.
Swartz is a Prohibitionist and believes that
alcohol should be sold under the same re-
strictions which guard the sale of poisonous
drugs. He and his family are members of
Messiah Lutheran church.
Thomas Bering, father of Mrs. Swartz, was
born in Philadelphia. He was a wood
carver and followed that vocation until he
was appointed superintendent of the Wood-
working Department of the Soldiers' Or-
phans'. Industrial School at Scotland, Pa.
He was married to Miss Annie M. Free-
burg, of Philadelphia. Six of their seven
cliildren are living: Ella, wife of D. B.
Marks; Ettie, wife of I. Miller, broker.
Third street, Harrisburg; Thomas M.; Eliza-
beth M., Mrs. Swartz; Henry H., Annie M.,
and Edward W., deceased. Both parents re-
side at Scotland, Pa. The family are mem-
bers of Messiah Lutheran church, Harris-
burg.
Fjsrriday, a. Reeder, was born at Easton,
Pa., April 28, 1865. His father, Joseph C.
Ferriday, was born in Louisiana. He was
first married to Emma Reeder, of Easton, Pa.,
the mother of A. R. Ferriday, who is the
only living child by this marriage. She
died at Easton, May' 11, 1865. By the sec-
ond wife he had five children ; Helen, wife
of Robert A. Byrnes, residing at Natchez,
Miss.; Jennie, wife of Robert A. Wood, re-
siding at Natchez, Miss.; Mary Emily and
B. Pendleton, both residents of Natchez,
Miss. Mr. Ferriday's father owned and
operated a large cotton plantation before
the war, but from 1862 to 1868 he was
connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company at Tyrone, Sunbury and Altoona.
In 1868 he returned to his plantation,
and continued' in the business of cotton
raising up to within a short time of his
death. He died on the plantation in
1894.
A. Reeder Ferriday spent his youth at
Easton, Pa. His education was begun in
the private schools of that city and com-
pleted at the Hill School of Pottsville, Pa.,
and at Lafayette College, Easton. He re-
ceived a diploma from the Lafayette College
in 1887. After completing his education he
engaged in the manufacture of paints at
Bethlehem, Pa., in connection with F. G.
562
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Semple & Co., for two years. At the expira-
tion of this time he removed to Harrisburg,
Pa., and was connected with the Harrisburg
Boiler and Manufacturing Company as treas-
urer of the company, the duties of which
office he faithfully and efficiently performed
for one year. In 1891 he engaged in his
present business, the manufacturing of paper
boxes, etc. By his ability, energy and enter-
prise he has developed the business to its
present fine proportions and magnitude, and
has'deserved and won a high place in the
esteem of the community as an honorable,
skillful and successful business man.
He was married at Paterson, N. J., Octo-
ber 25, 1893, to Eulalie Quinn, daughter of
John and Mary Quinn, of Paterson, N. J.
Their union has been blessed with one child,
Constance, born July 30, 1894.
Mr. Ferriday is a member of the Rho
Chapter of Chi Phi. In politics he is a Re-
publican. He attends the Episcopal church ;
his wife attends the Roman Catholic church.
0. U. A. M. In political views he is a Demo-
crat. He attends the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Rexroth, G. William, foreman of the
Harrisburg Traction Company, electric de-
partment, was born in Montgomery town-
ship, Franklin county. Pa., September 14,
1865. He is a son of Michael and Margaret
(Mosser) Rexroth, the former a native of
Germany, and the latter of Franklin county.
His father was a blacksmith by trade, and
spent a large part of his life in Franklin
county. He died at Harrisburg, in 1893.
His wife survives, and resides in Harrisburg.
They had born to them a family of nine
children, the eldest being G. William; the
others who are living are : Catherine, Albert,
Ida, Gertrude, Effie, and Ada.
G. William's youth was spent in his na-
tive town, where he received his education
in the public schools. He first began busi-
ness as salesman in a general store, in which
occupation he continued for nine years. In
1887 he removed to Harrisburg. For two
years he was salesman in the retail shoe
business, and in the State Capital laundry.
In 1889 he became connected with the East
Harrisburg Street Railway Company, and
since 1892 has had his present position.
He was married, at Chambersburg, Decem-
ber 4, 1891, to Miss Minerva Critchley, daugh-
ter of Henry and Sarah Critchley. One
child has been born to them, named Paul
C. Mr. Rexroth is a member of Baldwin
Commandery, No. 108, K. of M., of Steelton,
and of Robert Tippett Lodge, No. 736, Jr.
Butler, James, was born in Fairfield,
Herkimer county, N. Y., November 25, 1865.
The Butler family from which he descends
was of Irish nationality. The grandmother
Butler was a descendant of the Irish patriot,
Daniel O'Connell. His father, Thomas But-
ler, was born in Kerry, Ireland, and came to
this country when he was eight years old,
and for many years was engaged in cheese-
making. He was married, in Herkimer
county, to Margaret O'Neil, a native of Cork,
Ireland. She died in 1871, but her husband
is still living in Little Falls, Herkimer
county, N. Y. Three children were born to
them who died in infancy, besides William
T. and James.
James Butler received his primary educa-
tion in the public schools of Norway, Herki-
mer county, N. Y. He also attended Fair-
field Academy and graduated in 1884. He
learned the trade of flour miller and followed
this business for four years at Little Falls.
In 1889 he came to Harrisburg and became
manager of the Star Carpet Cleaning Works.
In May, 1895, he also opened the Hot Naph-
tha Cleaning Works. Mr. Butler is an
active business man, of indefatigable energy,
and with a perfect knowledge and careful
oversight of all the details of his business ;
he convinces his patrons of his consideration
of their best interests, and wins and holds
esteem for his integrity and personal worth.
James Butler was married in Jersey City.
June 19, 1889, to Carrie E. Kehoe, daughter
of William and Martha Kehoe, of Little
Falls. They have no children. Mr. Butler
was a member of the Fire Department of
Little Falls. He is a Democrat, and attends
the Roman Catholic church.
Hoover, William H., general foreman of
the Harrisburg Traction Company, was born
in Franklin county. Pa., December 20, 1866.
He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Tolsen)
Hoover. His parents spent their lives in
Franklin county, where the father died in .
1867, and where the mother still resides.
William H. is their only cliild. The family
are Dunkards. William H. received his
education in the public schools of Franklin
county. He learned the carpenter trade.
In 1887 he removed to Harrisburg and be-
came connected with the East Harrisbur<T
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
563
Railway Company. For the past five years
he has been the general foreman of the com-
pany. He is a charter member of Cincinnatus
Commandery, No. 96, K. of M.; a charter
member of Warrior Eagle Tribe, No. 340,
1. 0. R. M., and of Pocahontas Council, No. 63,
I. 0. R. M.; a member of Herculean Castle,
No. 480, K. of G. E.; of Harmon Commandery,
No. 38, C. of G. E., of Robert Tippett Lodge,
No. 736, Jr. 0. A. U. M. He belongs to the
Harrisburg Fireman's Beneficial Association,
and is a member of No. 2 Volunteer Fire
Company. Mr. Hoover is one of the solid
men of the city. He is esteemed as an hon-
orable and upright man. He is very popular.
Tracy, David E., was born at Consho-
hocken, Montgomery county, March 11,
1867. He is a son of James and Margaret
(O'Brien) Tracy. James Tracy was born in
Pottsville, Pa., but is now a prominent busi-
ness man in Conshohocken, where he has
resided for upwards of forty years. He has
been burgess of the town and a member of
the town council and is a director of the
First National Bank. He is very prominent
in business circles and connected with many
of the enterprises of the city. His mother
was born near Dublin, Ireland, and came to
America when she was quite young. Mr.
and Mrs. James Tracy had a family of ten
children, nine of whom are living, namely:
John C, a partner in his father's business in
Conshohocken; Henry M., a prominent
member of the bar in Conshohocken ; Cathe-
rine E.; David E.; George E., paying teller
of the City Trust Company of Philadelphia ;
Matthew A., student at Pennsylvania Uni-
versity, Philadelphia; Margaret, Maria J.
and Eliza A.
David E. Tracy received his primary edu-
cation in the parochial schools of his native
town. He completed his education at the
University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia,
receiving his diploma as mechanical engi-
neer in 1887. He came at once to Harris-
burg and found a position as mechanical
engineer with the Harrisburg Ice Machine
Company. He served in this position three
years. In 1890, in connection with Messrs.
Hildrup and Patton, he organized the Har-
risburg Pipe Bending Company and also tlie
Harrisburg Tinsmith Company for the
manufacturing of all kinds of galvanized ice
machinery.
Mr. Tracy Was married at Harrisburg,
September 6, 1894, to Gertrude Hemler,
daughter of H. D. and Jane Hemler. In
politics he is a Democrat. He attends the
Roman Catholic church.
Boll, Chas. S., president of the Boll Bros.
Manufacturing Company, was born in Balti-
more county, Md., on the 6th of October,
1867. He is a son of Ambrose S. and Mary
(Cooper) Boll, natives of Baltimore county,
both now residing in the city of Baltimore.
Their family consisted of twelve children :
Micajah, who met death by an accident on
the Pennsylvania railroad ; Laura J., wife of
Charles Wood, of Baltimore, died in 1890 ;
Annie, died in 1891 ; Fannie R., William
A., George E., Clara M., wife of W. H.
Shubkagle, of Baltimore, John W., Charles
S., E. Frank, and two who died in infancy.
Chas. S. Boll was but four years old
when his parents removed to Baltimore; a
year later they left the city, and again re-
sided in the county of Baltimore, until
Charles was eleven. They then returned to
the city, and he attended its public schools
for the next four years. At the age of
fifteen, the boy began business as an em-
ployee in a mattress factory ; one year and a
half later he was appointed foreman, and at
the end of two years more, his ability was
recognized by his promotion to the position
of manager of the factory. In 1885, when
only eighteen, Mr. Boll came to Harrisburg
to assume the management of a branch
house for the firm by which he was em-
ployed, and managed the business success-
fully until October 5, 1889. At this time he
purchased- the business, and admitted his
brother, John W. Boll, as a partner. The
beginning was modest, and the new enter-
prise was handicapped by want of space, fa-
cilities and capital. But courage and care-
ful management, with honesty and sincerity
of purpose, soon placed tlie business on the
road to prosperity, notwithstanding many
discouragements and the strongest competi-
tion. It steadily increased, although seri-
ously interrupted, in 1890, by a disastrous
fire. One building after another was out-
grown, until it became necessary to erect the
handsome structure now occupied, at Tenth
and Mulberry streets, and the firm now
stands at the head of the mattress, spring
bed and brass and iron bedstead business,
with a national reputation. In 1892 Mr.
William A. Boll also was admitted to part-
nership, and the title of the Harrisburg
Woven Mattress Company was adopted by
564
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the firm. In 1893 the business was incor-
porated as the Boll Bros. Manufacturing
Company, with a capital of $100,000, Ohas.
S. Boll being president, John W". Boll, treas-
urer, and William A. Boll, secretary.
Notwithstanding the demand that the de-
velopment of this large business has made
on Mr. Boll's time and abilities, he has given
his influence and encouragement to others.
He early recognized the power for good pos-
sessed by the Board of Trade, and con-
nected himself with that organization. His
activity in promoting its influence and in-
creasing its membership soon made him a
prominent factor, and he was speedily rec-
ognized as a public spirited citizen of extra-
ordinary zeal and ability. Mr. Boll was
elected president of the Board of Trade
January 21, 1896. His election is justly re-
garded as a becoming tribute for his many
services in behalf of the Board in this city,
and as a token that his many good qualities
are highly appreciated by his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Boll is president of the Boll & Shaar
Manufacturing Company, Steelton, Pa. ;
vice-president of the Barcalo & Boll Manu-
facturing Company, Buffalo, N. Y., and vice-
president of the Ridley Park Brick Com-
pany, Philadelphia, Pa. His politics are
Republican.
Chas. S. Boll was married, in Harrisburg,
Pa., May 12, 1891, to Carrie S., daugh-
ter of William and Charlotte M. Wykoff,
old and honored residents of this city.
Their children are: Charles Wykoff and
Robert Ambrose. He and his family are
connected with Grace Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Boll is second vice-president
of the Fourth General Conference district,
Epworth League, which includes four States.
He held the presidency of the local society
for four years.
John W. Boll, treasurer of the company,
passed away, August 22, 1896, after an ill-
ness of eight months, leaving a widow and
two children.
risburg Steam Heat and Power Company,
and in May, 1894, was made president of the
same, and has been instrumental in bringing
this industry into a prosperous condition.
Mr. Jennings was married, October 13,
1892, to J. Belle West, daughter of Rev. Will-
iam A. and Jennie West. They have one
child, Dorothy. He is a member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M._ He is a
Republican in politics, and with his wife at-
tends the Presbyterian church.
Jennings, Harry, secretary and treasurer
of the Jackson Manufacturing Company, was
born in Harrisburg, March 31, 1872. He is
a son of the late Col. W. W. and Emma Jane
(Vanhorn) Jennings. After receiving his
primary education in private schools, he
spent four years in the Military College of
Chester, graduating from this institution in
1890 with the degree of Civil Engineer. In
the fall of 1890 he entered Phillips Academy,
Andover, Mass., and graduated from this in-
stitution with the class of 1893. He returned
to Harrisburg, and in October, 1893, was
elected to his present position, taking charge
of the office in January, 1894.
He is a member in good standing of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. In politi-
cal views Mr. Jennings is a Republican. He
attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He
is unmarried.
Jennings, William, president of the Har-
risburg Steam Heat and Power Company,
was born in this city, August 18, 1868, and
is a son of Col. William W. and Emily
Jane (Vanhorn) Jennings. He was edu-
cated in the public schools of Harrisburg
and at Lehigh University. After completing
his education he was employed as a moulder
and machinist for one year. In 1889 he was
appointed secretary and treasurer of the Har-
Leedy, Daniel, deceased, was born in York
county. Pa., in 1819. He removed to Cham-
bersburg. Pa., where he learned the trade of
wagon maker. He came to Harrisburg in
1840, and was for a time employed by John
Dimmick, who was engaged in manufactur-
ing the " Woodcock Plough." He subse-
quently purchased the business and con-
tinued it until 1851 or 1852, at which date
he relinquished the enterprise and estab-
lished a shoe business on Market street, near
the present entrance to the Pennsylvania
railroad station, in which he was engaged
until the fall of 1861, when he removed to a
farm in Franklin county. In 1863 he re-
turned to Harrisburg and for a year and a
half was engaged in the shoe business at the
corner of Fourth and Market streets, after
which;he removed his store to the new build-
ing he had erected on the corner of Fifth and
Market and continued there until he retired
from business in 1870. His death occurred
in 1886. Mr. Leedy was one of the stock-
holders in the first Harrisburg Passenger
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
565
Railway Company. He was somewhat active
in political matters in connection with the
Republican party, having served as a mem-
ber of the city council from the Ninth ward.
His church membership was formerly with
the Locust Street Methodist Episcopal
church, but later he joined the Ridge Avenue
church and was the chorister for some years.
Mr. Leedy was married to Miss Louisa Pey-
ton, daughter of Chambers Peyton, of Cham-
bersburg, who survives him. They reared
three sons and three daughters: William,
shoe dealer, deceased ; Margaret, Mrs. J. H.
DeHaven, of Harrisburg ; John W. ; Laura,
Mrs. A. C. Irvin, Washington, D. C; Mary L.,
Mrs. W. L. Calderword , Philadel phia ; Daniel,
Jr., deceased, a private in the United States
army, afterwards ih the shoe business in
Harrisburg. John W. was born November
23, 1844, and received his education in the
public schools. He was employed in his
father's store until his retirement, in 1870,
when he succeeded to the business, which
he conducted for eighteen years. In 1888
he gave up the shoe business and embarked
in the manufacturing of building and pav-
ing brick, in which enterprise he has been
successfully engaged since that time, supply-
ing the home demand and making large
shipments to other towns. Mr. Leedy is not
active in politics, but his sentiments are in
agreement with the Republican party. He
was married in 1866 to Miss Clara May, of
Juniata county, who died in 1890. Their
children are: Alda, Fannie, Louisa, Frank,
and Mary. The family are members of the
Ridge Avenue Methodist Episcopal church,
in which Mr. Leedy holds the office of presi-
dent of the board of trustees.
Whiteside, George A., carriage maker,
was born in Harrisburg, September 12, 1830.
Son of John E. and Ruth E. (Allen) White-
side. The father was born in that portion
of Dauphin county which is now included
in Lancaster county, and subsequently set-
tled in Harrisburg. The mother was a na-
tive of Dauphin county. George A. attended
the public schools of the city and when
seventeen years old removed to Cincinnati,
Ohio, where for two years he was a salesman
for his brother in the hardware business.
He then returned to Harrisburg and served
an apprenticeship at carriage building with
William Parkhill. In 1852 he removed to
Philadelphia where he worked eight years
at his trade, and then went to Wilmington,
Del., and was engaged at his occupation un-
til the breaking out of the war depressed
business and threw him out of emplojmient,
when he went to Mechanicsburg and re-
mained until 1868, in which year he returned
to Harrisburg and established a business of
his own. For twenty -seven years he has
been successfully engaged in his line of trade
in this city. Mr. Whiteside was married to
MaryE Webb, of Philadelphia, to whom have
been born four sons : William W., died at
Harrisburg, at the age of thirty-one years;
George A., resides in California; John Elton,
civil engineer and surveyor, of Harrisburg ;
Harry I., resides in Jersey City. Mr. White-
side was married, secondly, to Kate E.
Stucker, by whom he had one child, which
died in infancy. He is a member of the A.
0. U. W. In politics he is liberal. The family
attend the Lutheran church.
Bowers, Edwin, carriage and wagon
manufacturer, was born in Huinmelstown,
Dauphin county, Pa., March 15, 1841, son of
Amos and Sarah (Longenecker) Bowers, the
former a native of Dauphin county and the
latter of Lancaster county. The father-was
a life-time resident of Dauphin county, and
was a carpet weaver and butcher by occu-
pation. He died at Hummelstown and his
wife died at Harrisburg, March 18, 1892,
aged eighty years. They had ten children,
five of whom are living: Mary, wife of Cor-
nelius Fisher, residing in Muscatine, Iowa ;
Harry, residing in York, Pa.; Edwin, Mi-
chael, Harrisburg; Addie, matron at Penn-
sylvania railroad station.
Edwin was reared in Hummelstown and
received a limited education in the common
schools of that place. He learned the trade
of blacksmith, and worked at that occupa-
tion in Hummelstown until he was twenty
years of age, when he removed to Harris-
burg, where he was in the employment of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company about
one year. He then entered the employment
of the United States Government at Wash-
ington, D. C, and in 1865 went West with
supply trains, and was engaged in distrib-
uting supplies to the various militarj' posts
until 1867, during which year he worked at
his trade in Iowa. The same year he re-
turned to Hummelstown, where, until 1871,
he followed his occupation, when he re-
turned to Harrisburg, and for the past
twenty-four years has been engaged in busi-
ness in this city. Mr. Bowers was married
566
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
at Harrisburg, in 1879, to Phebe Dilvey,
daughter of Amos and Hannah (Hess) Dil-
vey, widow of the late Miles Dilvey. Their
children are : Jessie, Helen, Edna, and two
who died in infancy. By her first marriage
Mrs. Bowers has one son, Miles. Mr. Bowers
is a naember of City Lodge, No. 301, 1. 0.
0. F. In his politics he is a Prohibitionist.
He and his wife are members of the Eidge
Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
Shaffer, Clinton E., was born in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
June 12, 1841. His father, Elias Shaffer,
was born in Susquehanna township but re-
moved to Lower Paxton at an early date in
the history of that township. He followed
the business of carriage-making in that
township for fifty-three years. He is still
living at the advanced age of ninety-one,
and has been actively engaged in business
to within a period of one year. He is one
of the oldest and most highly esteemed res-
idents of the township. Elizabeth (Shiffler)
Shaffer, his faithful wife, and mother of the
subject of this sketch, was also born in Sus-
quehanna township. She died in 1881.
They had a family of seven children, of
whom five are still living : Rebecca, wife of
Samuel Dasher, residing in Harrisburg; Al-
fred and Levi, residing in Napierville, 111.;
Eliza, wife of Jacob Bishop, residing in
Lower Swatara township, Dauphin county,
and Clinton E.
Clinton E. Shaffer spent his boyhood in
his native township, where he received a fair
education in the public schools. At an early
age he became an apprentice to the carriage
maker's trade in his father's shop, at which
trade he worked in Lower Paxton until
1862. In this year he removed to Harris-
burg and engaged in business for himself.
He has occupied his present premises for
over twenty-three years, where he has built
up a large and profitable business. Trained
from youth in this business, and devoting
his entire business career . of thirty-three
years to its management, his success is in
the natural order of things. He is one of
the oldest men in the business in the city,
and is universally esteemed as a citizen and
a man.
He was married at Harrisburg, October 9,
1862, to Wilhelmina, daughter of George
and Mary Hocker, both long residents and
highly respected citizens of Susquehanna
township. Their children are: Ida J., wife
of George Hoak, residing at Painted Post,
N. Y., Inez C, Effie J., George A., Eliza J.,
Edith A., Alfred H., Charles A. and Spencer.
Mr. Shaffer is a sound Democrat. He and
his family attend the Reformed church.
Attigk, Oliver, carriage and wagon
maker, was born at Mechanicsburg, Cumber-
land county, Pa., September 6, 1843; son
of George and Hester (Steese) Attick, the
former a native of Cumberland county and
still living at the advanced age of eighty-
two years, the latter a native of Dauphin
county and died in 1891. The father carried
on the carriage making business at Mechan-
icsburg for some forty years. He had six
children, four of whom are living: John,
residing in Mechanicsburg : Sarah J., wife of
Edward Boyer, of Harrisburg ; Oliver, and
Harry, residing in Mechanicsburg. Oliver
received his education in the public schools
of his native place, and when seventeen
years of age came to Harrisburg and became
clerk in a store. In 1862 he enlisted in com-
pany A, First City Zouaves, of Harrisburg,
in which he served nine months. He was
then employed one year as a clerk in Wash-
ington, D. C., and in 1864 enlisted in the
Seventy-eighth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, in which he served until the close
of the war, and was mustered out of the ser-
vice at Nashville, Tenn., in October, 1865.
He then returned to Harrisburg and for nine
years was engaged in carriage smithing. In
1874 he opened a shop for the manufacture
of carriages on his own account, which he
conducted for two years, and in 1876 ad-
mitted Edward Boyer to a partnership, form-
ing the firm of Boyer & Attick, which con-
ducted the business for eight years. In 1884
Mr. Boyer retired from the firm, since which
date Mr. Attick has conducted the business
solely iu liis own interests. He was married
in Harrisburg in 1868 to Emma Stouffer,
daughter of Henry Stouffer, to whom have
been born two daughters: Esther and Carrie,
both residing at home. Mr. Attick is a mem-
ber of Post No. 58, G. A. R., and has been
an active member of the Odd Fellows for
twenty-five years, having filled all the offices
in his lodge. He is also a member of A. 0.
U. W., No. 19, and since 1868 has been con-
nected with Council No. 106, 0. U. A. M.
The family attend the Presbyterian church.
DA UPHIN CO UNT7 .
567
Dill, Irvin W., carriage manufacturer,
was born in Dillsburg, York county. Pa.,
March 24, 1865, son of Wesley and Louie R.
(Naugle) Dill, both natives of York county,
the former deceased, the latter residing in
Harrisburg. He removed to Harrisburg
with his mother in early youth, and received
his education in the city schools. He learned
the trade of carriage maker, and on January
1, 1892, engaged in business for himself at
the east end of the Mulberry street bridge.
He was married in Harrisburg, December
31, 1894, to Lillie Frank, of Harrisburg. Mr.
Dill is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No.
21, F. & A. M. In his political views he is
aRepublican. He attends the Baptist church.
Bailey, Hamilton, patentee of the cele-
brated Eureka coal wagon, was born in
Scotland, June 8, 1833, and is a son of James
and Mary (Hamilton) Bailey, who were also
natives of Scotland. He received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Schuylkill
county. Pa., having been brought to Amer-
ica in early boyhood. At Tremont, Schuyl-
kill county, he learned the trade of wheel-
wright and blacksmith with Silas Ball of
that place. In 1858 he began business for
himself in the county where he learned his
trade, and his business career, extending over
a period of nearly forty years, has been one
of satisfactory results. He patented the
Eureka coal wagon, and is now devoting his
time to its sale together with that of wood
and coal in Harrisburg, where he has been
living for a number of years. Mr. Bailey is
a Republican in politics and takes a deep
interest in public affairs, although not an
oflBce seeker. He is a member of the Knights
Templar. He was married to Catharine,
daughter of George and Margaret (Wright)
Pinkerton, by whom he has three children:
Dr. Milton R., Arthur Hamilton, and Min-
nie Elizabeth. Mr. Bailey and family ad-
here to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Redmond, Andrew, carriage, wagon and
harness dealer, was born in the province of
Ulster, county Down, Ireland, August 26,
1868. He is a son of Thomas H. and Jane
(Redmond) Redmond, both natives of Ulster.
The father emigrated to this country in
1880, and for the past fourteen years has
been in the employment of the Pennsylva-
nia Railroad Company. The mother and
remaining members of the family came to
America in 1882. The family consists of
four living children : Thomas H., Andrew,
Joseph and Lizzie J. Andrew was educated
in the common schools of his native coun-
try. When fourteen years of age he came to
the United States and located in Harrisburg.
In 1882 he learned the trade of baker, and
worked at this trade for three years. In
1885 he engaged in this business for him-
self. In 1889 he engaged in his present
business, and, although tested by fire and
water, his efforts have been crowned with
success. He has one of the finest and best
stocked establishments in the region. His
cardinal principles of business are the best
goods, directly from the best manufacturers,
bought on the best terms and sold to patrons
on the lowest honest margin, and he finds
these winning principles. He was married
at Harrisburg, June 20, 1894, to Anna B.
McFadden, daughter of Samuel and Mary
McFadden, of Harrisburg. He is a member
of Egyptian Commandery, No. 114, Knights
of Malta. In politics Mr. Redmond is a Re-
publican. He and his wife attend the Mar-
ket Square Presbyterian church.
Sankey, James W., wholesale saddler,
hardware and harness dealer, Harrisburg,
Pa., was born in Millheim, Centre county.
Pa., April 13, 1833. He is a son of the late
John and Catherine (Kryder) Sankey. The
Sankey family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
John Sankey, father of James W., was born in
Scotland in 1793, and carae to America when
he was eight years old. His parents died
and he was bound out by one of his uncles
as a tanner's apprentice, at Millheim. Ac-
cording to the articles of agreement, he was
to serve until he was twenty-one. When
nearing the end of his apprenticeship, he
was offered a paying position with another
tanner in the same town. But his employer
refused to let him leave his service, and as
an inducement to him to remain and com-
plete his time, agreed to admit him to part-
nership as soon as he became of age. This
promise was fulfilled, and became a partner
in the business. The partnership continued
until the former employer retired from busi-
ness on account of advancing age. Mr. San-
key carried on the business until his own re-
tirement in 1861. He died in 1865, after an
active, useful and successful life, aged seventy-
five years. He was succeeded in business by
his son Cyrus K.
The mother of James W. Sankey was born
in Centre county. Pa., about two miles from
568
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Millheim. She was a daughter of Jacob
Kryder, for many years associate judge of
Centre county, and a personal friend of Gen.
Andrew Jackson. She died at Millheim in
1854. The parents were married in Centre
county. They had twelve children, four of
whom are living: Jacob, a retired tanner,
living in Philadelphia; John, a retired
tanner, in Mifflin,' Pa.; Mary Ann, wife of
Aaron Wolf, a banker of Iowa and Nebraska,
residing at Freeport, 111.; and James W.
James W. Sankey spent his boyhood on
the home farm and received his education
in the public schools of his native town.
He learned the trade of tanner with his
father, and followed it until 1879, doing
business in Light Street, Columbia county,
Pa., twenty-seven years, after which he re-
tired from business. In 1879 he made a
trip of nearly eight thousand miles through
the western part of the United States and
into Mexico, traveling most of the distance
in a wagon, and occupying eleven months
in the trip. In 1880 he returned to Harris-
burg, the; point from which he had started
the year before. Here he engaged in busi-
ness at 323 Broad street, and has conducted
it with energy and success. He ranks among
the most substantial and enterprising busi-
ness men of the city. His career is an object
lesson to young men. From his example
they can discern that personal qualities have
more to do with success in life than favor-
able beginnings and fortunate circumstances.
Mr. Sankey was married at Light Street,
Pa., November 29, 1857, to Harriet, daugh-
ter of John and Martha Melick, of Light
Street. They have one child, Emma C,
who resides with them.
Mr. Sankey is a good straight Republican.
He is not an office seeker, but prefers to de-
vote his time and attention to his business.
He is an active member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M.; Perseverance
Chapter, No. 21, and Knights Templar, of
Harrisburg. He and his family are mem-
bers of Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
Walmer, Noah A., was born in East Han-
over township, Dauphin county. Pa., March
22, 1841, son of John and Mary (Albert)
Walmer. George Walmer, grandfather of
Noah A., was born in Dauphin county, as
were also his parents. He was reared on the
farm and was a farmer by occupation. He
was twice married and by his first wife had
nine children, who have all passed away:
Michael, William, John, Kate, wife of Thomas
Allen, Jacob, George, Maria, wife of George
Daubert, Joseph, and Eliza, first wife of
George Daubert. The grandfather died in
September, 1865, aged seventy-five years. By
his second wife he had four children : Lydia,
wife of M. Welmire, Adam, Cyrus, and
Washington, deceased. John Walmer, father
of Noah A., was born in Lebanon county,
Pa., March 28, 1817. He married Mary Al-
bert, born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, March 30, 1815. He was a
farmer and followed that occupation until
1866, when he retired and removed to Leba-
non, where he died, February 26, 1895, aged
seventy-eight years. He was a Republican
in politics and served as school director, sup-
ervisor and in other offices in Lebanon
county. He had thirteen children, twelve of
whom are living: Margaret, wife of John
Martz; Noah A.; Mary M., wife of Gordin
Bomgardner; Louisa, wife of Daniel Siegrist;
Elmira, wife of Daniel R. Mills; Albert J.;
EmmaC; Zachariah Light; John G.; Erwin
J.; Ida L., wife of Ed wart Rauch; Clara V.,
wife of Elmer E. Embach ; Fidelia E., wife
of George E. Gilbert; Sara E., wife of Joseph
Eustis, died in February, 1887, aged forty-
nine years. Mr. Walmer was a consistent
member of the United Brethren church.
Noah A. attended the public schools of
East Hanover township at intervals until he
was sixteen years of age, when he went to
learn the harness making trade with P. T.
Hummel at Hummelstown, with whom he
served an apprenticeship of four years. He
enlisted for nine months in company D, One
Hundred and Twenty -seventh regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and having served
his term of enlistment was discharged May
31, 1863. He then returned and worked with
his father on the farm for one year, after
which he worked at his trade at Hummels-
town and Harrisburg until 1864, when he
went to Philadelphia and was engaged on
Government work until the close of the war.
After this he worked at his trade one winter
at Hummelstown, and was then in partner-
ship with Mr. Stecker for five years, when he
bought his partner's interest and engaged in
business for himself. After a time he sold
out his business and engaged again with Mr.
Hummel, with whom he worked for thirteen
years. Mr. Walmer was married October 26,
1869, in Grantville, East Hanover township,
to Miss Emma E. Sherk, daughter of Henry
B. and Mary (Swoop) Sherk. Their chil-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
569
dren are: Howard C, Mary, Edith M. and
Harry S., died August 11, 1876, aged five
years. Since his marriage Mr. Walmer has
been engaged in harness making in Harris-
burg. He is a member of Lodge No. 69, 1. 0.
0. F.; Lodge No. 59, K. of P.; Post No. 58,
G. A. R., and of the Improved Order of Hep-
tasophs. In his political views he is a Ee-
publican. He is a member of the United
Brethern church. Mrs. Walmer was born
May 14, 1846, and died April 24, 1895. Her
parents were natives of Lebanon county and
engaged in farming. They had six children,
four of whom are living: Anna, wife of Dr.
T. N. Beam, deceased; Mary, wife of Cyrus
Stoner; Harry A.; Lucy, wife of Charles S.
Wirt; William C, died in infancy. The
parents reside on Allison Hill, in Harris-
turg, where they are living a retired life.
The grandparents of Mrs. Walmer were
natives of Berks county, the grandmother
having died young. Her maternal grand-
father, Jacob, was a native of Lebanon county
and a farmer. His children are: Michael,
Henry B., Amos, Thomas and Katie, Mrs.
Meyer.
Beeckenmaker, Abram K., harness
maker, was born in Middlesex township,
Cumberland county, Pa., September 28, 1852;
son of P. Lilik arid Susan (Kirwin) Breck-
enmaker. The father was born in Elsorce,
Wurtemberg, Germany, July 18, 1814,
learned the trade of weaver and came to
America with his parents when he was
eighteen years of age. He has since resided
in Cumberland count}'-, working at farming
and weaving, and still survives at the age of
eighty-two years. The mother was born in
Queen Anne county, Md., of Scotch-Irish
ancestry, and died when Abram R. was an
infant. They had nine children, of whom
Abram is the only one living. The mother
is of the well-known family of Kirwins of
Maryland. Three brothers were steamboat
captains, one of whom is Capt. John Kir-
win, bailiff of the Superior Court of Balti-
more and a well-known citizen, prominent
in Masonic circles.
Abram K. was reared and educated in his
native township. He learned his trade with
William Cleaver, of Carlisle, and at the end
of his apprenticeship removed to Baltimore,
where he was engaged in steamboating for
four years. In 1871 he came to>Harrisburg
and "worked at his trade as a journeyman
with Charles Grieb, and after the death of
Mr. Grieb took charge of the business for the
widow for t^o years. In 1883 he bought
the business, and has conducted it since that
time in his own interests. He was married
in Harrisburg, May 29, 1873, to Sarah S.
Snyder, daughter of Levi and Bridget L.
Snyder, of Lancaster. Four children have
been born to them, all of whom died in
childhood. Mrs. Breckenmaker died Janu-
ary 3, 1890. In his political views Mr.
Breckenmaker is a Democrat, and has served
as member of the council from the Third
ward for two years. He is a member of Ful-
ton Council, No. 35, 0. U. A. M.
Smith, Peter A., harness maker, was born
in Northampton county, Pa., September 5,
1863. He is a son of James and Malinda
(Flick) Smith. His grandparents were na-
tives of Pennsylvania. His grandmother,
on his mother's side, is still living, though
very aged, and resides in Wisconsin. James
Smith, father of Peter A. Smith, was a native
of Northampton county. He was a farmer.
He married Miss Malinda Flick. They had
thirteen children, nine of whom are living :
Benjamin, Aliester, Alfred J., Mary, wife of
George Oustabaughta, William H., Peter A.,
Ellen C, wife of Charles Strawmeyer, Elmer
M., and Harry. Their deceased children
are : Emma, wife of Benjamin Hockman,
also deceased ; Rebecca, wife of William
Hockman ; George, and one child who died
in infancy. The father died in 1878, aged
fifty-two years. He was a member of the
Reformed church. The mother still sur-
vives, aged seventy-eight; she resides in
Philadelphia.
Peter A. Smith was brought up on his
father's farm. His course in the public
school was cut short by the death of his
father, which caused the family to remove
from the farm. At the age of fifteen he be-
gan to learn harness making, serving an ap-
prenticeship of two years with his brother at
Manch Chunk, Pa. During the succeeding
twelve years he worked at his trade as jour-
neyman for various employers. In 1885 he
came to Harrisburg, and for about four years
was in the employ of Samuel Hummel. He
was married, September 12, 1889, to Miss
Laura, daughter of Jacob and Kate C.
Klauser. Of their four children, three are
living: Helen, Jacob, and Mary. Herman
died September 5, 1891, aged sixteen months.
In 1890 Mr. Smith began work for Noah
Walmer, harness maker, and was employed
570
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
by him for two years. He worked for one
year for the Harrisburg Harness and Saddle
Company. After this he worked at his
trade for two years with Mr. Keller at Me-
chanicsburg, Pa., beginning in 1893. He
then returned to Harrisburg and established
a business of his own. He has built up a
large trade in the harness business at the
corner of Fifth and Walnut streets. Mr.
Smith is a Republican. He is a member
of the United Brethren church on Boas
street.
Jacob Klauser, father of Mrs. Smith, was
born in Perry county, Pa. He was a black-
smith, but after being for some years in this
occupation he became a farmer ; the latter is
still his calling. He married Miss Kate C.
Garland, a native of Perry county, b}' whom
he had ten children : Frances, wife of Levi
Swartz ; John ; Jennie, wife of David Rice,
deceased ; Laura, wife of Peter A. Smith ;
Alice, wife of Levi Swartz ; Harvey ; Daisy,
wife of John Mull; Annie,wife of Sim. Smith;
Minnie, and one child, who died in infancj\
BuEHLER, Jacob, was born in Lancaster
county, Pa., March 20, 1825, son of Martin
and Ann M. (Schaubhat) Buehler, both na-
tives of Germany. The father was born in
Eichen, parish of Schopfheim, Baden Ober-
land, May 19, 1780. He was a weaver by
trade and resided in Germany until 1817.
He was married January 10, 1804, to Ann
M. Schaubhat, born May 18, 1783.
The paternal grandparents were John
Jacob Buehler, a citizen of Schlectbach, and
was burgomeister of Reitbach.and Maria,
born ill Bluem. The maternal grandparents
were John Schaubhat, born July 9, 1752, a
weaver, citizen of Eichen, and Barbara,
died December 30, 1801. The descendants
of the mother, Anna Maria Schaubhat, wer.e
Maria Barbara, born August 19, 1781 ; mar-
ried July 27, 1806, to John George Ratz,
born July 18, 1772, a mason ; came to Amer-
ica in 1817 with three children, and a step-
sister, named Anna Schaubhat, who was
born November 1, 1804. John Schaubhat
married, secondly, Magdalen Rotzler, widow
of John George Heckendorn,born in Eichen,
December 27, 1763, died January 28, 1827.
The parents had born to them eleven chil-
dren: John, born January 22, 1805, died
May 14, 1811; Martin, born April 20, 1806;
Anna Maria, born October 18, 1807; Anna
Barbara, born July 24, 1810 ; Catherina,
born April 9, 1813, widow of the late Gotlieb
Laupenschlagel, of Wayne county, Ohio;
John George, born April 23, 1815; John,
born at sea, 1819; Nancy, died in 1842;
Mary, died in 1845, and two other children
who died in infancy.
Jacob Buehler was reared in Lancaster
county and received his education in the
public and private schools, and was engaged
in mercantile pursuits in that county until
1859, when he came to Harrisburg, where
he has been in business continuously since
that date. He was married in Lancaster,
Pa., March 12, 1851, to Anna C. Locher,
daughter of Jacob H. and Mary E. Locher,
a native of Boonsborough, Washington
county, Md., and of German ancestry.
There have been born to them three chil-
dren -. Mary G., wife of H. L. Hershey, recor-
der of Dauphin county ; Martin H., and
William E., residing in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs.
Buehler died September, 24, 1893. In his
political views Mr. Buehler is a Republican.
He attends Zion Lutheran church.
Urich, Samuel, shoemaker, was horn at
Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa., May 25,
1833, son of Solomon and Margaret (Fisher)
Urich. The father was born in Dauphin
county, November 21, 1805, and was a shoe-
maker by trade. He was also engaged in
the huckstering business, and was also for a
few years proprietor of the Linglestown
Hotel, having also previously been in the
general mercantile business at the same
place. He married Miss Margaret Fisher, a
native of the same county, to whom were
born ten children, five of whom are living:
George, Joseph, Samuel, Solomon, and Mar-
garet, wife of Jacob Nichols. Their deceased
children: Henry, John and Isaac, both
killed in the army, and Thomas, who died
in infancy. In his political views the father
was a Republican. The family were mem-
bers of the United Brethren church. He
died at the age of sixty years in 1865. Both
he and his wife died at their native place,
Linglestown. Samuel Urich attended the
public schools, first at Linglestown and after-
wards at Harrisburg, until he was sixteen
years of age, when he went to learn the trade
of shoemaker, at which he served an ap-
prenticeship of five years with Peter Saunders
at Harrisburg. He worked at his trade as a
journeymen for about six months, when he
entered the employment of John Edwards,
with whom he worked at intervals for about
nine years. He then worked for Gen. Knipe
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
571
two years, after which he was enjployed for
the same length of time by Meyers & Jauss.
He was married at Harrisburg, September
20, 1853, to Miss Catherine Longnecker,
daughter of John and Christian (Hummel)
Longnecker. Mr. Urich worked for Samuel
Barnhard for one year and then engaged in
business for himself at No. 1329 James street,
where he eontipued until 1893, when he re-
moved to No. 1815 North Third street and
established a large trade. He was also en-
gaged in the huckstering business a short
time. Mr. Urich has been a member of
Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., for
forty years. In his political views he is a
Republican. Mrs. Urich was born February
18, 1835. Her father was a native of Dau-
phin county and married Miss Christiana
Hummel, a native of the same county. They
reared seven children, five of whom are liv-
ing : Eliza, William, Mary, Margaret, and
Sarah.
of Lodge No. 59, K. of P., and is also con-
nected with Post No. 58, G. A. E. In his
political sentiments he stands with the Re-
* publican party. His church membership is
in the Fourth Street Lutheran church.
Frank, Charles, boot and shoe dealer,
was born in Philadelphia February 1, 1839;
son of Jacob and Mary (List) Frank. When
he was six years old he removed with his
parents to Columbia, Lancaster county, where
he attended the public schools until he was
sixteen years of age. In 1855 he came to
Harrisburg and entered the employment of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, first
serving an apprenticeship as a wood coaker
and remaining with the company seven
years. In 1862 he enlisted in company B,
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, and served ten months
and then reenlisted for three months, serving
in Tennessee on detail with the construction
corps in the position of assistant foreman of
a construction gang. During his term of
enlistment he participated in many import-
ant engagements, among which were the
battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellors-
ville. After his discharge from the army he
returned to the employment of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, where he remained
until 1869, when he embarked in the boot
and shoe business at the present location,
where he has been engaged in a very suc-
cessful trade for over twenty-seven years. In
1876 he also became a member of the firm of
Forney Bros. & Co. and continued his con-
nection one year. Mr. Frank is one of the
organizers and a stockholder of the Chestnut
street market house. He is identified with
the Masonic fraternity, is a charter meiflber
Meily, George W., dealer in boots and
shoes, was born in Meclianicsburg, Cumber-
land county. Pa., January 16, 1846, son of
Samuel and Catherine (Boyer) Meily. The
father is a native of Lebanon county ; the
mother is a daughter of General Boyer,
near Rockville, Dauphin county. The
father was in the grocery business, at Cham-
bersburg and Mechanicsburg, and in 1853
came to Harrisburg, where he was engaged
in the same line of trade, from 1854 to 1859,
at which date he retired, and died in 1894,
at the age of eighty-one years. He was
originally a member of the First Lutheran
church, but was later prominent and active
in the organization of the church on the
corner of Capitol and Herr streets. His
wife and two children, John H., of Harris-
burg, a plumber, and George W., survive
him. George W. received his education in
the public schools, and early entered upon
his career as clerk in the grocery business,
in which he was engaged from 1855 to 1861.
At this date he united with Jeremiah Hor-
ner and formed the firm of Horner & Meily,
which conducted the auctioneer buisness for
two years. In 1864 Mr. Meily entered upon
the shoe business, at Nos. 214-216 Market
street, where he has since enjoyed a success-
ful and constantly enlarging trade. ■ On
March 15, of the current year, he occupied
the spacious store. No. 312 Market street,
where he does an immense wholesale busi-
ness, the sales extending to all parts of the
State. Mr. Meily is a stockholder in the
East Harrisburg Railway Company. In po-
litical views he is a Republican. He was
married, in 1867, to Emma, daughter of
Joseph Piukerton, of Tremont, Schuylkill
county, Pa., who died in August, 1889.
Tliey had three children : Albert E., Charles
Wesley and George Pinkerton. Mr. Meily
is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal
church, in which he formerly held a place
in the board of stewards, and is a member
of the Young Men's Christian Association.
Gross, Joshua W., dealer in boots and
shoes, was born in Harrisburg August 11,
1847 ; son of D. W. and Elizabeth (Kunkel)
Gross. He was educated in the public schools
572
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and in Seiler's Academy. He then entered
the drug store of his father, where he re-
mained fourteen years. He was next em-
ployed for about five years as bookkeeper at
the Lochiel rolling mill and the Steelton
steel works. In 1886 he embarked in the
boot and shoe business at the present loca-
tion, No. 207 Market street, where he has
since continued. Mr. Gross is active in poli-
tics in connection with the Republican party.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
blue lodge, chapter, consistory and com-
mandery, and also a member of the Royal
Arcanum. Mr. Gross was married, in 1880,
to Miss Almeda, daughter of M. M. Grove, of
Harrisburg. They have no children. He is
a member of the First Reformed church.
Stern, Emanuel, dealer in boots and
shoes, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April
23, 1853; son of Simon and Caroline Stern.
He was reared in his native city and edu-
cated in the public schools and the Business
College, and then engaged in mercantile busi-
ness in Philadelphia. In 1870 he came to
Harrisburg, where he was in charge of the
branch store of Simon Stern & Son until
April, 1875, when he established a shoe busi-
ness for himself at No. 329 Market street and
continued there until April 1, 1883, and
then moved to 333 Market street, formerly
occupied by the State Bank, and finally, in
April 1, 1894, established himself in the
retail trade in his present location in the
Patriot building. Mr. Stern is a member of
the Masonic fraternity and Chapter of Phila-
delphia, of the Royal Arcanum and of the
Ancient Order of United Workmen of Har-
risburg. In political views he is a Republi-
can. Mr. Stern was married, February 23,
1886, to Miss Belle 0. Ettinger, of Baltimore,
Md. Their children are Moses S., Walter
L., and Edgar S. He is a member of Ohev
Sholem church, of Harrisburg, of which he
is also the principal and the secretary.
Forney, Clayton C, eldest surviving
member of the firm of Forney Bros., whole-
sale dealers in boots and shoes and rubbers,
was born in Harrisburg, May 29, 1864. He
is a son of the late John and Caroline (Crum)
Forney. His father was born in Lingles-
town. Lower Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., July 29, 1839. He was a son of
Henry Forney, who was a native of Dauphin
county, but of German ancestry. He was
educated in Linglestown and taught school
until he was twenty-one years old. He then
removed to Harrisburg and engaged in the
retail shoe business until 1865, when he en-
gaged in the wholesale boot and shoe busi-
ness until his death", August 5, 1894. His
wife, mother of our subject, still survives
him, and resides in Harrisburg. Their chil-
dren are : Clayton C, C. Harvey, a member
of the firm and subsequently referred to in
this:sketch; Minnie M. and Laura A. The
father served in the select council. He
was an earnest worker in church mat-
ters and an elder in the Fourth Street
Church of God and superintendent of the
Sabbath-school. Clayton C. received his edu-
cation in the public schools and Business
College. He began business as a traveling
salesman of Forne}^ Bros. & Co. For the
past eight years he has been a member of the
firm, which since the death of his father con-
sists of himself and his brother C. Harvey
Forney. He was married, October 28, 1886,
to Miss Lydia J. Lyme, daughter of John C.
and Mary J. Lyme, of Harrisburg. Three
children have been born to them, namely :
Carrie May, John Wilson and Charles Ed-
ward. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.; of Pilgrim Com-
mandery, No.ll; Harrisburg Consistory; and
of Star of America Coramandery, No. 113, K.
of M. In political views he is Republican.
He attends the Church of God.
Forney, Christian Harvey, junior mem-
ber of the firm of Forney Bros., was born in
Harrisburg, May 1, 1870. He was educated
in the .public and high schools of the city.
He began business with Forney Bros, as'a
traveling salesman. For the past three
years, in connection with his brother, Clay-
ton C, he has conducted the present busi-
ness. He was married in Harrisburg, July
14, 1892, to Ida Keim, daughter of Samuel
and Lydia Keim, of Harrisburg. and to them
has been born one child, named Edgar Wil-
son. In politics he is a Republican. He
attends the Church of God.
Forney, John Wilson, who was a mem-
ber of the firm of Forney & Stewart, promi-
nent retail shoe dealers in this city, died
April 26, 1890, at the age of twenty-eight
years, leaving a widow and one daughter.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
573
Fleming, Samuel W., bookseller and sta-
tioner, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., Decem-
ber 11, 1849, son of Robert J. and Sarah
Ann (Poor) Fleming. The father was born
in Washington county. Pa., and came to
Harrisburg when a child. He was reared
in Dauphin county, and received his educa-
tion in the public schools. He learned the
trade of coachmaking, and subsequently es-
tablished himself in the business. Samuel
W. attended the city schools and completed
his education at Lafayette College, where he
took a special scientific course, and prepared
himself for professional work as a civil engi-
neer, but did not follow the occupation. In
1875 he embarked in the stationery business
in which he has continued since that time.
In his political views Mr. Fleming is a Re-
publican, and has been prominent in public
business. He has been a member of the
common council and has served as president
of that body, and also has served an unex-
pired term in the office of mayor of the oity.
He is one of the board of managers of the
Harrisburg cemetery. Mr. Fleming was
married, in 1875, to Miss Mary Sauser,
daughter of B. F. Sauser, of Philadelphia,
by whom he has three children : Mary,
Margaret, and Samuel W., Jr. Mr. Fleming
is a member of Market Square Presbyterian
church, and of its trustees.
ScHEPFER, Thomas Jefferson, was born
in Harrisburg, Pa., September 1, 1850. He
is a son of Theodore F. and Louisa (Geety)
Scheffer. His father was a native of Ger-
many, and came to Dauphin county when
a young man. He learned printing with
Gustavus Peters, and afterwards became a
member of the firm of Scheffer & Lutz, gen-
eral printers. Later he was partner in the
firm of Scheffer & Beck. He made his own
inks and electrotypes, and was the first man
in America to print in colors. He printed
toy books, such as " Cock Robin," " Mother
Hubbard," etc. He also established a book
and news store at 21 South Second street.
He died in 1883, aged seventy. He was
early enrolled in the State militia. He was
prominent in the Masonic fraternity and
the I. 0. 0. F. In politics he was independ-
ent, and would never accept an office. He
and his wife belonged to the Lutheran
church. Mrs. Theodore F. Scheffer was a
native of Lancaster county. She died in
September, 1886. She was one of the found-
ers of the Children's Industrial Home. They
had nine children : Theodore K., mail clerk ;
B. Frank, deceased ; George W., printer ■
Martin L., painter; Louis K., printer; Em-
ily D., widow of Capt. George A.Brookes;
Thomas Jefferson, and Maria, all residents
of Harrisburg.
Thomas J. Scheffer was educated in the
public schools. He learned printing of his
father, but his health not permitting him to
follow it, he took up bookkeeping. From
1875 to 1883 he acted as manager of the
Daily Patriot, and helped materially to in-
crease its circulation. After the death of
of his father, he took charge of his business
and has since successfully conducted it.
He is active in the Democratic party. He
has served two terms in the city council ;
was chairman of the railway committee, and
was on the highway, finance and sanitary
committees of the council. In July, 1895,
he was elected to the school board from the
Third ward. He is a member of Grace
Methodist cinirch.
McKiLLiPS, Alexander, dealer in machin-
ery and printers' supplies, Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born in Tuscarora township, Juniata
county. Pa., February 6, 1851, a son of Will-
iam and Martha (McCabe) McKillips. The
McKillips family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry,
the grandfather of Alexander McKillips
having been born in the south of Ireland.
William McKillips was born in Juniata
county, and his wife, Martha McCabe, in the
southern part of Ireland. Three of their
six children are living: Jane, wife of Daniel
Keneppe, of Juniata county ; David, of Car-
lisle, Pa., and Alexander.
Alexander McKillips attended the public
schools of his native township, and there
also learned cabinet making, to which he
subsequently added organ building. He
removed to Lancaster in 1872, and resided
there until 1884, engaged in these two occu-
pations; he also conducted a supply busi-
ness on his own account. During the four
years following he was employed as foreman
in planing mills in the counties of Clearfield
and Juniata. In 1888 Mr. McKillip re-
moved to Harrisburg, and has ever since
been actively and successfully engaged in
business here. He is an active member of
Veteran Castle, No. 495, K. of G. E., Harris-
burg ; his son James is a member of Hercu-
lean Castle, No. 480, same fraternity. Mr.
McKillips is a Democrat. He was married
in Port Royal, Juniata county, Pa., January
574
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1, 1874, to Clarissa A., daughter of the late
James and Mary Shoaff, of Port Royal. Of
their three sons only one is living, James H.
James H. McKillips, only surviving child
of Alexander McKillips, was born in Lan-
caster, Pa., and received most of his educa-
tion in the public schools of Port Royal and
Harrisburg, Pa. At present he is serving
an apprenticeship to the trade of wood
working with his father. He is also a dealer
in all kinds of rubber stamps, seals, etc.
The family attend Bethlehem Lutheran
church.
HuTTER, Frank L., bookbinder, Harris-
burg, Pa., was born in Harrisburg. His
father, Frank L. Hutter, also a bookbinder,
was born in AUentown, Pa., in 1829, and
died in 1879. He married Miss Forney, of
Harrisburg, born in 1831, died in 1871.
Their children are : W. H., Frank L., John
R. Frank L. Hutter, Jr., was educated in
the Harrisburg schools, being graduated
from the high school in 1870, and from
Sailer's Academy in 1871. He learned
bookbinding with his father, and at his
father's death, succeeded him as proprietor
of the establishment. In 1876 Mr. Hutter
enlisted in company D, Eighth regiment.
National Guards of Pennsylvania (City
Grays), and re-enlisted in 1881. He was ap-
pointed inspector of rifle practice in the
Eighth regiment. National Guards of Penn-
sylvania, Frank J. Magee, colonel, in 1887 ;
afterwards he was re-appointed and served
until 1895, when he was promoted to major
and ordnance officer. Third brigade, Na-
tional Guards of Pennsylvania, Gen. J. P.
S. Gobin, commander. Mr. Hutter is still
serving under his last appointment. Mr.
Hutter was married in Harrisburg to Miss
Marion Fisher, born in Harrisburg. Their
children are named Rachel and Charlotte.
Mrs. Hutter's father was born in Lancaster
county and died in 1866; her mother, Mrs.
Kate (Poist) Fisher, is a native of Cumber-
land county. Mr. Hutter is a thirty-second
degree Mason and a member of the Mystic
Shrine, Lu Lu Temple. His politics are Re-
publican. His family are Lutherans.
Stanford, Vincent .W., of the firm of
Roberts, Meek & Co., was born in Frank-
lin, Venango county, Pa., December 17,
1862. He is a son of Rev. Wesley M. and
Rosa (Weimer) Stanford. His father, bishop
of the United Evangelical church, was born
in Venango county about fifteen miles from
Franklin, March 15, 1846. Vincent's edu-
cation was somewhat interrupted by the con-
stant moving about of his parents, yet in all
his classes he stood in the front rank until
he finally graduated in the high school of
Harrisburg, Pa., in the spring of 1891, and
immediately secured a position with the firm
of Roberts & Meek, wholesale stationers in
the same city, and'three years thereafter be-
came one of the firm. He was also joined
in marriage with Miss May Wiest, on March
13, 1895. Miss Wiest is a daughter of Rev.
S. L. Wiest, who was elected as publisher in
the United Evangelical church, by the Gen-
eral Conference of 1894, and given full
charge of all their publishing interests, lo-
cated in Harrisburg. Miss Wiest in addition
to a common school education also attended
D. L. Moody's training school for young
ladies, at Northfield, Mass., for several terms
before her marriage. In politics Mr. Stan-
ford is a Republican, and attends the Evan-
gelical church, of which he is a trustee.
Meck, Charles S., of the firm of Roberts
and Meck, wholesale stationers, was born in
New Bloomfield, Perry county, Pa., Febru-
ary 16, 1865, son of Joseph H. and Cath-
erine (Sheaffer) Meck, both natives of Perry
county, and residents of Harrisburg since
1865. His father is employed in the State
printing office. He served in the army dur-
ing the late war. His children are: Charles
S., Warren Z., Zelda M. and Frank L.
Charles S., when an infant of nine months,
was brought b}' his parents to Harrisburg.
He received his education in the public and
high schools, and in the business college of
this city. When he had finished the course
of studies in the public schools, he entered
the office of Boyd & Co., coal dealers, be-
ginning as office boy and advancing from
one position to another, finally reaching the
position of assistant bookkeeper. He con-
tinued in the employment of this firm for
eighteen years, during which time he com-
pleted his education by night study and at-
tendance at the Commercial College. After
leaving Boyd & Co., he formed the firm of
Charles S. Meck & Co., and started in the
wholesale stationery business, continuing
from July 1, 1890, to April 1, 1891, when
the firm of Roberts & Meck was formed,
which does an extensive business, reaching
out over the greater part of the State, and
extending into the adjoining States. Mr.
: 7u. yi^^-^^^
DA UPHIN CO UNTY.
577
Meek was married, in Harrisburg, March 8,
1894, to Miss Flora A. Staffer, daughter of
Daniel H. and Sarah (Anderson) Staffer, na-
tives of York county ; the former died Octo-
ber 29, 1895, while the latter survives, and
lives in Harrisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Meek
have one son, Robert S. In his political
views he is a Republican. He attends the
Fourth Street Church of God.
Bergstresser, William J., painter, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., February 5, 1836.
Pie is a son of William W. and Mary Ann
(Watson) Bergstresser. John Bergstresser,
grandfather of William J., was a millwright
and lived and died in Lykens, Pa'. He was
a member of the Presbyterian church. His
children were : Samuel, of Mt. Carmel, Pa.;
Asa; William W.; Mary, Mrs. Shipman, of
Northumberland county. Pa.; Hannah, Mrs.
Rumberger, of Lykens, and Mrs. Sprout of
Lykens. William W. Bergstresser, father of
William J., was born in Lykens, Pa., in
1800. He also was a millwright. In 1831
he married Mary Ann, daughter of Jackson
Watson. They reared three children to
maturity : Alexander Watson, William J.
and Isabella A., Mrs. Martin Keeny, of Har-
risburg. He settled in Harrisburg in 1831.
He purchased Carver's mill and conducted
it for several years. He was an active mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church, and in pol-
itics a Whig. He died in Harrisburg in
1844 ; his wife died in 1842.
William J. Bergstresser was educated in
Harrisburg. He learned painting with his
uncle, Alexander Watson, and became after-
wards his foreman. About 1862 he began
contracting on his own account. |He is the old-
est contractor in the city. He is a Democrat
and represented the Second ward on the
school board for nine years, and was also
chairman of the building committee. He
belongs to the A. 0. U. W. He was married
December 25, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Abram Edwards, of Harrisburg.
They have six children : Mary, Mrs. Charles
Foster, of Harrisburg ; Charles 0., of Har-
risburg; Sue W., Mrs. J. Clyde Milton,
Danbury, Conn.; Carrie, Mrs. W. J. Poole,
of Harrisburg; Wilham E., of Harrisburg,
and Bertha B.
maker by trade. George was reared in
Berks county and learned the trade of
painter at Reading, Pa. He came to Harris-
burg in 1858 and worked as a journeyman
for John Cruikshank from 1860 to 1866,
when he and Jacob P. Barringer formed a
partnership under the firm nameof Barringer
& Bannan, and were engaged in contracting
until 1888. After t wen tj'-two years of active
business, the firm dissolved, having done
good work on the Capitol, and other import-
ant structures, and holding a place among
the leading contractors of the city. Mr. Ban-
nan is a Democrat in politics, and has been
tlie candidate of his party for important
offices. He was married, in 1860, to Sarah
J. Kunkle, daughter of George Kunkle, of
Cumberland county, who died in 1895.
Their children are: John, plumber, Harris-
burg; Samuel T., painter, Harrisburg;
George C, painter, Harrisburg ; William E.,
bricklayer, Harrisburg ; Walter K., painter,
Harrisburg; and Sally J., at home. Mr.
Bannan is a member of the Fourth Street
Lutheran church and is active in church
work.
Bannan, George, painter, was born in
Berks county. Pa., November 5, 1837; son
of John and Elizabeth (Hart) Bannan, na-
tives of that county. The father was a shoe-
39
Barringer, Jacob P., was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., January 10, 1839. He is a son of
Miciiael J. and Mary (Parson) Barringer.
The Barringer family were natives of Alsace,
France, and were Huguenots. The first of
the family to come to America was Michael
Barringer, great-grandfather of Jacob P., who
settled in Lancaster county, where his son
Jacob was born.
Jacob Barringer, son of Michael, of France,
came to Dauphin county in 1810 or 1811
and located in Susquehanna township. The
present site of the Harrisburg cemetery was
a part of his farm. He was a prominent
farmer and a leading member of the First
Reformed church of Harrisburg; he aided
in building its first house of worship. He
was a Whig. He died about 1830. His wife
was a Miss Palmer, of Franklin county, Pa.
They had three children : Michael J.; Jacob,
a printer, who enlisted in the United States
service, was commissioned sergeant, served
in the war of the Rebellion with the rank of
captain, was wounded at Williamsburg, and
died leaving no issue ; Aaron, died at Har-
risburg October, 1894, was a house painter
by trade and for many years a baggage-
master at the Pennsylvania railroad station.
Michael J. Barringer, son of Jacob of Lan-
caster county, grandson of Michael of France,
578
'BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and father of Jacob P., was born in what was
then Susquehanna township but is now the
Eighth ward of Harrisburg, February 9,
1816. He learned house and sign painting
and was distinguished in that line of work.
He was a member of the Lutheran church.
He died in 1856. His wife, still living, is a
daughter of Mrs. Mary Parson, whose family
(Clark) emigrated from England. They had
five children : William Clark, printer, who
resides in New Jersey ; Michael J., printer,
enlisted in the Eighteenth United States in-
fantry, served through the war of the Rebel-
lion, was wounded at Pittsburgh Landing,
and died in 1882 ; Charles H., of Americus,
Ga., painter, employed as sign writer bj' a
southern railroad company ; Emma E,., Mrs.
Charles C. Schriver, of Harrisburg.
Jacob P. Barringer was educated in the
Harrisburg schools. He was several years
in the drug business, after which he took up
the family calling of painting. In 1861 he
enlisted for the three months' service in com-
pany I, Second Pennsj^vaaia volunteers. In
1862 he re-enlisted in the "Anderson cav-
alry," vide the Fifteenth Pennsylvania cav-
alry, and was discharged in the latter part
of 1864, on account of disability., He then
became connected with the quartermaster's
department and was stationed at Alexandria,
Va., where he remained until the close of the
war, and then returned to Harrisburg. In
1867 he formed a partnership with George
Bannan in the house and sign painting busi-
ness, which they conducted until 1890 ; he
then retired from business on account of
failing health.
Mr. Barringer is a Democrat. He served
two terms in the common council from the
Fifth ward and was secretary of the highway
committee. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, F. & A. M., of Perseverance Chapter,
Harrisburg Council, and Pilgrim Comman-
dery, K. T.; and was a charter member of
Bayard Lodge, No. 150, K. of P.
He was married in 1853 to Miss Emily J.,
daughter of William Snyder, of Harrisburg.
They have no children. He is a member of
St. Paul's Episcopal church and holds the
office of treasurer and rector's warden.
of that county and in the Cumberland Valley
Institute and White Hall Academy. He
learned the trade of painter and came to
Harrisburg in 1859, where he worked at his
trade two years and then enlistled in 1861
in company I, Fifteenth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, as bugler, and served until
the close of the war. He was attached to
the Army of the Cumberland and followed
that, body of troops in all its marches and
engagements under its illustrious leaders,
Rosecrans, Thomas and Sherman, and went
with the last named general on his march
to the sea, having received two wounds dur-
ing his service. After his discharge he re-
sumed his 'trade of painting and followed it
four years and was then engaged as clerk
with John Whitman. He subsequently be-
came a member of the firm and finally pur-
chased the entire business, which he has
since conducted alone. Mr. Miller is a stock-
holder in the Harrisburg Trust Company,
First National Bank and the Harrisburg
Electric Light Company. He is prominentlj'
identified with the Masonic and Odd Fellow
fraternities. In his political views he is a
Republican and has served on the board of
control by appointment one unexpired term
and one term by election from the Ninth
ward. Mr. Miller was married, in 1869, to
Miss Margaret E. Sh reiver, daughter of
Charles Shreiver, of Cumberland county.
He is a member of the Fourth Street Zion
Lutheran church.
MiLLEE, Abraham C, was born in Cum-
berland county, Pa., December 14, 1842 ; son
of Abraham and Elizabeth (Shepp) Miller,
natives of Cumberland county. The father
was a farmer by occupation. Abraham C.
was reared and educated in the public schools
Baker, Matthias G., painter, was born in
York county. Pa., October 5, 1845. He is a
son of Daniel and Mary (Greenawalt) Baker,
natives of York county. His father was
employed for many years as gatekeeper on
the York and Harrisburg turnpike. Mat-
thias G. went, at twelve years of age, to
Cumberland county, where he was reared
and educated. In 1862 he enlisted as a pri-
vate in company F, One Hundred and
Thirtieth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, and served nine months. He re-en-
listed, in 1863j in the one hundred days' ser-
vice, in company E, One Hundred and
Ninety-fourth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers. He participated in the battles of
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg
and Chancellorsville.
After the war closed, he learned painting,
in Cumberland county. In 1867 Mr. Baker
came to Harrisburg, and was employed by
John Cruikshank, for ten years. For
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
579
two years he was a partner with John W.
Hoerner. Since that time he has been en-
gaged for himself, in contracting, and is one
of the leading workmen of the city.
Mr. Baker was a charter member of the
Harrisburg Board of Trade, and one of the
original stockholders of the People's Bridge
Company. He is a Republican ; has served
in the common council from the Fifth ward,
and was on the highway committee. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, from
the blue lodge to the consistory ; of Dau-
phin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F.; of the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, and of Post
No. 58, G. A. R.
He was married, in 1871, to Miss Emma
E., daughter of George Reed, of Hogues-
town. Pa. His children are: Howard W.,
Emma G. and Robert R. Mr. Baker and
family are members of Westminster Presby-
terian churchj in which he holds the office
of trustee.
FiSHEK, Emory A., was born in York
county, Pa., October 8, 1849. He is a son of
Henry and Eliza (Trout) Fisher, natives of
York county. His father was left an orphan
at ten years of age. He learned carpentry,
came to Harrisburg in 1870, and worked on
the construction gang of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company up to October 9, 1877,
when he met with an accident at No. 11
bridge, Tyrone, which caused his death De-
cember 13, 1877. His wife died in 1873.
They had twelve children, three of whom
grew to maturity, and two are now living:
James B., of Harrisburg, and Emory A.
Emory A. Fisher received a very meager
education in the public schools of Cumber-
land county. In 1864 he hired as a repair
hand on the Northern Central railroad. In
1866 he hired to B. F. Lee & Co. to learn
milling, but owing to the dissolution of the
firm in 1867 he became apprentice to L.
Crull, of New Cumberland, to the painter's
trade, and remained with him until 1870.
He then came to Harrisburg, and was in the
employment of J. R. Stoey up to 1872. He
then engaged in business for himself The
first contract he had was to paint house No.
716 North Third street. He has since been
one of the leading contractors of the city,
employing from ten to thirty men. In 1891
he added to his business a complete stock of
wall paper. He is a Democrat, with Prohibi-
tion proclivities. He has served two unex-
pired terms on the school board. He was
married in 1875 to Miss Susan, daughter of
Lewis B. Raber, of Harrisburg. Their chil-
dren are: Lewis R., Emory A., Jr., and Lile
R. Mr. Fisher is a prominent member of
the Otterbein United Brethren church, and
was the leading organizer of that church
society in 1878. He was formerly a member
of the Boas Street church, but withdrew from
that church and had many followers. He
was the leader of the ■' original forty." He
selected the site of the present edifice, sub-
scribed the first money toward building it,
and was active in raising the remainder.
He was for fourteen years leader of the music
in the church and Sunday-school. He was
converted on Christmas eve, December 25,
1866, in Mount Olivet United Brethren
church, York county, and joined the church,
and from that time has held office in the
United Brethren church, having been super-
intendent of Sabbath-school for twenty years
as primary superintendent, at this time su-
perintendent of the adult department in Ot-
terbein Sunday-school. He is one of the
organizers, and the first president of the
Master Painters' and Decorators' Association
of Pennsylvania, and was a delegate to the
national convention held in Buffalo, Feb-
ruary 12, 1896. Mr. Fisher is strictly a
self-made man. He started a business in
1872 on a capital of seven dollars borrowed
from his mother. He owes his success in
life to his own eff'orts.
Bell, Thornton A., painter, was born in
Duncannon, Perry county. Pa., May 8, 1850 ;
son of Thomas G. and Elizabeth (Camp)
Bell, natives of that county. The father was
a painter and came to Dauphin county in
1853, located in Harrisburg and followed his
occupation until 1865. In 1861 he enlisted
for three years in the First Pennsylvania re-
serves as private and was appointed fife major
and served three years.
Thornton A. came to Harrisburg with his
parents when he was two years of age, and
subsequently removed to Carlisle, where he
was reared and educated in the public schools.
He learned the painter's trade with his father,
and returned to Harrisburg in 1873, where
he has since followed his occupation. He is
one of the principal contracting painters in
the city and has been employed on the State
work and other important contracts. In his
political views Mr. Bell is in agreement with
the Republican party. In 1880 he enlisted
in company D, Eighth regiment, City Grays
580
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and was made bugler for the company, and
for two years previous to his enlistment he
had served in the drum corp of the City
Grays. He was transferred to General Gobin 's
staff, Third brigade, and was appointed chief
musician of the brigade. In February 14,
1870, he enlisted in the Governor's Troop,
National Guard, served five years and was
honorably discharged. Mr. Bell is a mem-
ber of the State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0.
0. F. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Flora
B. Eichelberger, of Cumberland county.
Their children are: Thomas J., Frank Hun-
ter, Edward Thornton, Henry Andrew,
Charles Edwin, Wesley Harrison, Clara Jane,
and Mary Bell. Mr. Bell is a member of
Grace Methodist Episcopal church and is
chairman of the entertainment committee of
the Men's Bible class.
Elder, Matthew B., plumber, was born
in Swatara township, December 19, 1848 ;
son of Joshua and Nancy (Brown) Elder.
The father was born in Indiana county, Pa.,
and the mother was the daughter of Thomas
Brown, of Hanover township. When a
young man the father came to Dauphin
county, where he married and engaged in
farming in Swatara township. He was an
elder in the Paxtang Presbyterian church.
Both he and his wife died in Swatara town-
ship. Their children are : Joshua, farmer,
of Swatara township; John, of Swatara
township ; David, Harrisburg ; Elizabeth M.,
Mrs. W. K. Cowden, of Philadelphia; Mar-
garet B., Mrs. J. Q. A. Rutherford, of Swa-
tara township ; Eleanor S., Mrs. F. W.
Rutherford, Swatara township; Matthew B.
and Matilda, unmarried.
Matthew B. was reared in Swatara town-
ship and received his education in Seiler's
Academy. After leaving school he learned
the trade of plumber, at which he worked
as a journeyman some years. In 1879 he
engaged in business for himself, and became
one of the prominent men in the trade. Mr.
Elder is a member of the Republican party.
He was married January 6, 1889, to Miss
Frances, daughter of John A. Rutherford, of
Swatara township. They have two chil-
dren, John R. and Joseph. Mr. Elder is a
member of the Paxtang Lutheran church
and is an elder in the same.
William E. Poole was a native of England
and for many years was a commission mer-
chant of Philadelphia, where he now resides.
His wife was a native of Baltimore, Md.
Washington I. Poole moved to Delaware
county, Pa., when he was eleven years old.
He was educated in the schools of Philadel-
phia. He learned plumbing in Camden, N.
J., serving an apprenticeship of five years,
after which he worked as a journeyman
plumber. He came to Harrisburg in 1873
and in 1874 established his present business
on Chestnut street. He is considered the
leading and most practical plumber in the
city, being equally intelligent and skillful in
the theoretical and mechanical branches of
the business. Recognizing the sanitary im-
portance of his work, he spares no labor or
pains to free the homes of his fellow-citizens
entrusted to his construction from the death
traps of destructive plumbing.
Mr. Poole is a charter member of the Har-
risburg Board of Trade. He is a Democrat.
He was married in 1879 to Miss Ida May,
daughter of James Gilmore, of Harrisburg.
She died in 1894, and Mr. Poole was married
again in 1896 to Miss Carrie, daughter of
William Bergstresser, of Harrisburg. Mr.
Poole is a member of tlie Pine Street Pres-
byterian church and of the Y. M. C. A.
Poole, Washington I., plumber, was born
in Philadelphia, Pa., July 4, 1851. He is a
son of William E. and Marion (Gray) Poole.
Nauss, Christian, plumber and gas fitter,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Harrisburg
December 5, 1852. He is a son of Christian
and Christiana (^Kramer) Nauss. His parents
were born in Germany ; they came to Amer-
ica in early life and located at Harrisburg.
His father was first engaged in brewing and
subsequently in the bakery business ; he is
deceased; his widow is still living; they had
six children, three of whom are living:
Christian, Charles, and Kate, wife ©f John
Sayford, all of Harrisburg. Of the deceased
children two died in infancy and a son,
George, at the age of sixteen.
Christian Nauss has spent his life in Har-
risburg. His education was received in the
public schools. He learned plumbing and
gas fitting, which has been his occupation.
For six years he was the junior member of
the firm of Elder & Nauss, and for the past
seven years has conducted business on his
own account.
He was married, in Harrisburg May 18,
1882, to Abbie Elizabeth, daughter of George
T. and Anna E. Murray. They have three
children : George M., Russell C, and Anna E.
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
581
Mr. Nauss is an active member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464 ; Perseverance Chapter,
No. 21 ; Plarrisburg Council, No. 7 ; Pilgrim
Commandery, No. 11, K. T.; standard bearer,
Harrisburg Consistory, 32°; Lulu Temple,
Knights of Mystic Shrine, F. & A. M. In
his political views he is a Democrat. The
family attend the Lutheran church. Mr.
Nauss is one of the representative and pro-
gressive business men of ITarrisburg.
Vaughn, H. Patrick, plumber, gas and
steam fitter, was born at Harrisburg, Pa.,
February 7, 1858. His parents, Patrick H.
and Mary M. (Gallon) Vaughn, were natives
of Ireland, but resided in Harrisburg many
years and were well respected citizens. The
father died in December, 1883, and the mother
in 1876. Patrick was educated in the public
schools of this city, and here, also, he learned
the trade of plumbing and gas fitting, which
he has made the business of his life, embark-
ing for himself in the business in 1883. He
is amply equipped for his business and is
skillful, reliable and successful. The exten-
sive contracts he has executed in his line
speak for him. Among the more prominent
jobs he has done may be mentioned the
plumbing apparatus of the executive mansion
and of the State Senate chamber of this city.
Mr. Vaughn was married in May, 1878, to
Emma Frances Smith, daughter of Albert
and Harriet Smith. They have no children.
In political views and affiliation Mr. Vaughn
is a Democrat. He attends St. Patrick's
Roman Catholic church. It is to Mr.
Vaughn's credit that in his own city, where he
was born and brought up and where he has
spent his whole life, he is universally
esteemed and regarded as an honorable and
upright man, and one thoroughly competent
and reliable in business.
Marshall, J ohn S., plumbing, gas fitting,
heating and sanitary drainage, was born
near Millerstown, Perry county. Pa., May
31, 1863, son of the late John L. and Mary
Anna (Wood) Marshall. The father was
born in West Chester, Chester county. Pa.,
May 6, 1831. and was for a number of years
engaged in teaching school in Lancaster and
Chester counties, afterwards removing to
Harrisburg in 1868, where he was in the
service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany until his death by accident, July 5,
1877, being cut off in early life when his
future prospects were the brightest. The
mother was born in Philadelphia, April 15,
1834, and was married to Mr. Marshall May
21, 1855. Their children are: Addie T.,
wife of Charles M. Davis, of Harrisburg;
Esther D., wife of John Ludwig, of Harris-
burg ; Sallie E., wife of Elmer E. Stacy, of
Williamsport, Pa.; John S.; Elizabeth, wife
of Henry Ault, of Lebanon city ; Mary A.,
wife of Charles S. Anderson, of Harrisburg;
Charles G. and William H. S., of Harris-
burg. Their children are : Robert M. and
George M. John S. came to Harrisburg with
his parents in 1868, where he received his
education in the public schools and later
took a course in the business college at Al-
toona, Pa. He spent four years in other
parts of the State in perfecting himself in
the several branches of his business, in which
he has been engaged for fourteen years
in this city, seven of which he has con-
ducted business for himself. Mr. Marshall
is a member of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160;
a past chief patriarch of Dauphin Encamp-
ment, No. 10, I. 0. 0. F.; a past sachem of
Octorara Tribe, I. 0. R. M., and a member of
Egyptian Commandery, No. 114, K. of M.;
Octorara Council, Daughters of Pocohontas,
and a prominent member of the Master
Plumbers' Association of Harrisburg. In his
political views Mr. Marshall is a Republican,
but is not an office seeker. He is a member
of the Pine Street Presbvterian church.
McKee, Edward G, plumber and gas
fitter, was born in Harrisburg, January 23,
1870. His father, James T. McKee,' was
born in Centre county. Pa. He was reared
on the farm, and from boyhood has been
connected with boating and railroading. He
came to Harrisburg in 1868, and for almost
thirty years has been in the service of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. At pres-
ent he holds the position of passenger engi-
neer on the Middle division. He was twice
married. In his first marriage he was united
to Miss Sarah Snyder. They had three chil-
dren : William B., who died in Buffalo, N.
Y., December 2, 1891 , and his lemains are
interred in Pine Hill cemetery, Buffalo, N.
Y.; Howard S., and James T., both residing
in Harrisburg. His second marriage was to
Mary Roth, January 12, 1868. By this mar-
riage there are also three children : Edward
C, Bertha, who died in infancy, and Sadie
E., wife of George Keiser, of Harrisburg.
The mother died July 29, 1884, and her re-
582
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
mains are interred in the cemetery at Hunt-
ingdon, Pa.
Edward C. received his education in the
public schools of Harrisburg. At the age of
fourteen he became an apprentice to the
plumbing trade, and has made this business
his sole occupation. He engaged in busi-
ness for himself April 1, 1895. He is a prac-
tical sanitary plumber. He spent two years
with one of the best firms of Pittsburgh in
learning this particular branch of his busi-
ness, and is abundantly qualified to execute
work on the most modern and scientific
plans and principles. He was married in
Harrisburg, October 21, 1895, ^o Sarah A.
Boyle, daughter of Daniel F. and Mary E.
Boyle, of Harrisburg. He is a member of
Cornplanter Tribe, I. 0. R. M., and of the
Master Plumbers' Association. He is a
Democrat and attends the Lutheran church.
King, Anthony, deceased, was born in
1818, son of Lucy (Auchinbauch) King. He
was educated in the schools of that period,
and began his business life as a clerk in a
hardware store in Pittsburgh. He came to
Harrisburg and was in the employment of
Mr. Fahnestock, as clerk, for many years.
He embarked in the hardware business, in
Harrisburg, in which he continued until
his death, in 1883. Mr. King was a stock-
holder in the stove factory, and in other
industries, and was a member of the Board
of Trade. He was a Republican in his po-
litical views, and served as a member of the
city council. He attended the Fourth Street
Lutheran church. Mr. King was married,
to Miss Harriet Kunkel, daughter of Will-
iam and Rebecca (Stine) Kunkel, who died
in April, 1892. They reared seven chil-
dren: Rebecca, deceased ; George, of Harris-
burg; Lucy, Mrs. George T. Ross, of Harris-
burg; Libbie, deceased; Mary, Mrs. Frank
Keet, of Harrisburg ; Harriet, deceased ;
Carrie, Mrs. Gordon Mullin,of Philadelphia.
Maeyer, David, of the firm of Eager &
Maeyer, dealers in stoves, ranges and furnaces,
was born in Harrisburg, Pa., December 18,
1828; son of William and Dorothea Maeyer.
He was educated in the public schools and
learned the trade of tin and sheet iron
worker, which has been his life occupation.
In 1854 he engaged in business with Mr.
George C. Fager in which he has continued
since that time. Mr. Maeyer was married at
Harrisburg, April 1, 1856, to Mary A. Win-
agle, a native of Dauphin county. Their
children are: Mary A., wife of Howard
Brown; Fanny H., wife of Harry Vance;
Hummel K., Bertie F. and Sarah, all re-
siding in Harrisburg. In his political views
Mr. Maeyer is a Democrat, and has served as
school director seven years. For forty years
he has been a member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, and of Perseverance Chapter, and is
also a member of Pilgrim Commandery.
The family attend the Lutheran church.
CoMPTON, Samuel R., hardware dealer,
was born in Delaware county, N. Y., March
28, 1835; son of John G. and Nancy (Brant)
Compton, natives of that county. The father
was a millwright by trade, Samuel R. came
to Tioga county. Pa., with his parents, where
his father died when he was fifteen years old
and where he was reared and received his
education. He learned the trade of mill-
wright and followed this occupation in Ly-
coming and Clinton counties for some years.
In 1868 he engaged in the grocery and pro-
vision business at Lock Haven, Pa., and con-
tinued there ten years. Subsequently he
took charge of the hardware firm of Van
Dyke & Co. for ten years, which position he
resigned with a view of engaging in business
for himself at Lock Haven, but was pre-
vented by the flood of 1889. He came to
Harrisburg in the fall of the year, where for
two years he was connected with McCormick
& Co., and in 1892 established the business
in which he has continued to the present
time. In his political views Mr. Compton is
a Republican. He was married, in 1860, to
Miss M. J. Robinson, daughter of William
Robinson, to whom have been born four
children: John N., with his father; Elmer
F., bookkeeper at Altoona ; Emma F., and
William A., at home. Mr. Compton is a
member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal
church.
Kline, Daniel, senior member of the firm
of Kline & Himes, was born in Berks county,
Pa., June 21, 1889 ; son of Joseph and Eliza-
beth (Keen) Kline. The parents were both
natives of Berks county, where they resided
until about 1852, when they removed to
Lebanon county and there spent the remain-
der of their lives. The father was a farmer,
and later in life kept a hotel. Their living
children are: Catherine, Reuben, Joseph, Ed-
ward, Elizabeth, widow of William Martz,
of Steel ton, John and David. Their deceased
DAUPHIN COUNTY
583
children are: Rebecca, Peter and Mary 0.,
who all lived to maturity. Daniel, when
quite young, removed to Lebanon county and
located near Jonestown, where he received
his education in the public schools, his school
days being terminated when he was fourteen
years of age by the death of his parents,
which made it necessary for him to start out
in life for himself. He began an apprentice-
sliip at the tinsmith trade, in Uniontown,
Dauphin county, which was completed in
Northumberland county, his employer hav-
ing removed his business to that county, and
where he continued to work at his trade as a
journeyman until 1861. He then removed
to Harrisburg, where he followed his occupa-
tion as a journeyman tinsmith for twenty
years. In 1881 he formed a partnership with
William G. Zollinger, under the firm name
of Zollinger & Kline, and engaged in busi-
ness. Subsequently the firm was succeeded
by a joint stock company called the Harris-
burg Stove and Steam Heating Company, of
which Mr. Zollinger was the treasurer and
Mr. Kline the general managei-, and which
continued the business for five years. At the
end of this time Mr. Kline and Mr. Himes
formed a partnership and purchased the
business of J. D. Rowe, and since 1892 have
successfully conducted the enterprise. In
his political views Mr. Kline is a staunch
Republican. He attends the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
Kautz, Samuel H., hardware dealer, was
born in Lancaster city. Pa., July 12, 1845 ;
son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Goss) Kautz.
The father was a coppersmith by trade, and
followed that occupation through life. He
removed to Harrisburg in 1861 and entered
the employment of the old State Line rail-
road from Philadelphia to Columbia, and
while in this service he put the first sheet
iron jacket on an engine on this road. He
was a member of theForster Street Lutheran
church. He died in August, 1883. In po-
litical views he was with the Democratic
party, but was not active in political matters.
Of the eight children born to him six are
living: John M., of Harrisburg ; Eliza, wife
of Nodell Gully, of Harrisburg ; Samuel H.;
Edward, engineer on Pennsylvania railroad ;
Joseph, ex-chief of police, Harrisburg;
George, ex-policeman, of Harrisburg. Samuel
H. was educated in the public schools and
the academy of Chester county. Pa., under
Dr. Junkin, and came to Harrisburg when
he was sixteen years old. He learned the
trade of worker in copper, tin and sheet
iron in the Pennsylvania railway shops
under M. A. Shattuck, and worked at the
trade in the employment of the company at
Harrisburg, Altoona, West Philadelphia,
MifHin and Sunbury. In 1871 he engaged
in the general hardware, tin and stove busi-
ness, in which he has been very successful,
building his store and greatly extending his
trade, and is recognized as the leader in his
line in the city. In 1864 Mr. Kautz enlisted
as a private in company E, Two Hundred
and First regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, a»d was promoted to company clerk
and placed on detached duty with the regi-
ment, stationed at Carp's Mill, on the James
river. He was honorably discharged from
the service January 23, 1865, being then
under twenty years of age. In politics Mr.
Kautz is a Democrat, and from 1873-75 rep-
resented the Ninth ward in the common
council, and served on the ordinance and
fire committees of that body. He is a mem-
ber of Post No. 58, G. A. R., and is one of
the organizers of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Com-
panj', in which he is chairman of the house
committee and ex-assistant secretary. Mr.
Kautz was married in 1868 to Miss Lillie,
daughter of Richard Sarumungbraun, of
Juniata county. They have no children.
He is a member of the Pine Street Presby-
terian church, and takes great interest in all
church work, and has been a Sunday-school
teacher for many years.
HoGENTOGLER, Chalmees Cooper, hard-
ware merchant and senior partner in the
firm of Hogentogler Bros., proprietors of the
Palace Steam Laundry, was born in Colum-
bia, Lancaster county, Pa., September 12,
1855. He is the eldest surviving son of
Joseph and Esther (Sourbier) Hogentogler.
Joseph Hogentogler, born in Lancaster
county, was a prominent and honored resi-
dent of Columbia, and was for many years
in the livery business. He died in 1887.
His wife also was a native of Lancaster
county. They had five children, four of
whom are living: Chalmers C; Emma, wife
of E. R. Hess, of Williamsport, Pa.; Mary,
wife of C. C. Groff, of Harrisburg, and
Harry G.
Chalmers C. Hogentogler was educated in
the public schools of his native town. Leav-
ing school in 1870, he was for two years em-
ployed as a teamster. From 1872 to 1875 he
584
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was in the dry goods and grocery business.
From 1875 to 1883 he was in the service of
the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
Company at Columbia. In 1883 he removed
to Harrisburg, and became a salesman in
the hardware business. In 1883 he engaged
in the hardware business on his own ac-
count, and in 1892, in connection with his
brother, he established the Palace Steam
Laundry.
He was married in Harrisburg, October
14, 1885, to Miss Grace A., daughter of Rev.
Samuel and Susan Yingling, a native of
Palmyra, Pa. They have no children. Mr.
Hogentogler is an active member of Per-
severance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. His
political views are Republican.. He attends
the Lutheran church.
The Palace Steam Laundry, of which the
Hogentogler Bros, are sole proprietors, is
situated on North Third street, Harrisburg,
Pa. It is equipped with the most improved
machinery and appliances, and with ample
steam power. It gives employment to a
number of skilled workmen, and its value
to the city can hardly be overestimated. The
concern has ample capital and superior
facilities, and is in position to guarantee
prompt and perfect fulfilment of all de-
mands, and to place all transactions on a
thoroughly substantial and satisfactory basis.
Both proprietors are liberal, honorable, and
enterprising, and justly merit the abundant
success secured in their important business
venture.
Ensinger, Samuel D., hardware dealer,
was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., January
24, 1859 ; son of F. W. and Mary M. (Rey-
nold) Ensinger, the former a native of Mont-
gomery county, and the latter of York
county. The father removed to Harrisburg,
in 1860, where he was for a short time en-
gaged in the bakery business. He subse-
quently entered the employment of John
Beatty, as a marble finisher and slate mantle
maker, with whom he remained for twenty
years, or till near his death, in 1883. In
his political views he was a Republican.
His wife died in 1879. Both were members
of the Vine Street Methodist Episcopal
church. They reared three children : Will-
iam H., cabinet maker, Harrisburg; Annie
E., Mrs. John R. Silvius, of Fairview, Pa.,
and Samuel D. The latter came to Harris-
burg with his parents, when one year old,
and was educated in the city schools. He
was for several years a clerk in a dry goods
store, after which he learned the trade of
tinner, and in 1885, engaged in business for
himself, subsequently forming the firm of
Silvius & Ensinger, which continued the
business until 1890, when he established his
present enterprise, on Race street. He is a
member of the Junior and Senior Orders
United American Mechanics, Capital City
Council, and a charter member of the Bene-
ficial Society. In political views he is a Re-
publican. Mr. Ensinger was married, in
1882, to Miss Lydia F. Crownshield, daugh-
ter of Jeremiah H. Crownshield, of Harris-
burg, to whom have been born four chil-
dren : Lee H., Irene E., Grace C. and Bertha
M. He is a charter member of the Trinity
Lutheran church, on South Ninth street, and
takes an active interest in the organization,
serving as deacon and teacher in the Sun-
day-school.
Strayer, Oliver F., hardware merchant,
was born in Washington township, York
county. Pa., October 4, 1859 ; son of Cor-
nelius and Elizabeth (LeRue) Strayer. Both
parents are natives of York county and still
occupy the old homestead in Washington
township. The father conducted a tannery
for many years, but is now engaged solely in
farming. They have five children, four of
whom are living : Oliver F.; William C, St.
Paul, Minn. ; Minnie, wife of Joseph You-
channaur, of Adams county ; and Alice, wife
of Milton Spahr, of York county. Oliver F.
was reared and educated in his native town-
ship. For three years he was employed as
a clerk in a hardware store at Dillsburg,
York county, and then removed to Min-
neapolis, Minn., where he was engaged as a
traveling salesman for ten years. After this
he removed to Mercersburg"Franklin county,
Pa., where he was in the hardware business
from 1892 to 1895, at which date he came to
Harrisburg. Mr. Strayer was married at
Dillsburg, Pa., March 15, 1882, to Annie E.
Spahr, daughter of W. A. and Lydia Spahr,
of Dillsburg, and to them have been born
two children : LeRue and Olive May. In
his political views, Mr. Strayer is a Demo-
crat. He attends tlie Presbyterian church.
Uhler, Frederick B., senior member of
the firm of Uhler Bros., coffee and spice
mills, was born in Harrisburg, August 24,
1866; son of Jeremiah and Margaret A.(Mc-
Cullum) Uhler. The father is one of the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
585
oldest living settlers of Harrisburg. He
first worked in the brick3'ard, afterwards
was clerk in a bookstore, later was clerk in
the bank and for fifteen years was cashier in
the Harrisburg National Bank. Since leav-
ing the bank he has been engaged in real
estate. The mother also was a native of
Harrisburg. They had seven children, of
whom five are living: Frederick B., Henry,
Bessie, wife of Dr. A. Frayer, Margaret and
Mary. Frederick B. has spent his whole
life in Harrisburg, and received his educa-
tion in the city schools. He began business
for himself when sixteen years of age, form-
ing a partnership with his brother Henry,
thirteen years old, and conducting a crock-
ery ware store for six years. For the past
seven years he has been engaged in his
present business. He was married in Phil-
adelphia, June 2, 1890, to Clara E. Pierce,
daughter of John E. and Catherine Pierce,
of Perry county. They have three chil-
dren : Clarence F. and Myrtle, twins, and
Mary. Mr. Uhler is a Republican in politics
and attends the Messiah Lutheran church.
Altmaibr, Peter A., was born in New
Bavaria, Germany, February 22, 1828. He
is a son of the late Peter A. and Gertrude
Altmaier, who both died in their native land.
Peter A. Altmaier, the younger, was educated
in his native country, and there he also
learned the trade of gunsmith, which has
been his life-time occupation. In 1850 he
eft his native countrj^and came to America,
reaching New York July 22. From there
he proceeded to Philadelphia, where he lived
for twelve years. He subsequently lived for
a short period in Lewistown and Altoona.
In 1863 he removed to Harrisburg, where he
has since resided. He was married, in Phila-
delphia in 1858, to Miss Verona Beary. To
them have been born three children: Harry,
residing in Chester; Louise, residing in
Philadelphia, and a daughter, Mary. Mr.
Altmaier is a member of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen. In political views he is
liberal. He and his family attend the Re-
formed church. He is highly esteemed in
business and in social circles.
Dill, Harry A., dealer in sporting goods,
was born in Shiremanstown, Cumberland
county,^ Pa., April 20, 1859. He is a son of
Ambrose H. and Mary (Fackler) Dill. His
parents have a family of three living chil-
dren : Harry A., Lida E., wife of John L.
Miller, and Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Fry, the
latter two residing in their native town. The
father is a prominent and respected citizen of
Cumberland county ; he has acceptably filled
various township offices, including that of
burgess of the borough in which he resides.
Harry A. received his education in the
public schools of his native town. He learned
the trade of carpenter with his father and fol-
lowed this occupation for about seven years.
During the year 1884 he was ticket agent at
North Asbury Park, N. J., for the New York
and Long Branch railroad. In 1886 he en-
gaged as salesman in the hardware business
in Harrisburg with R. B. Mather and spent
three years thus employed. At the expira-
tion of this time he accepted a position in the
same capacity with D. McCormick & Co. and
continued in this place and employment for
three years. In September, 1894, he engaged
in his present business.
Mr. Dill was married, in Harrisburg July,
1887, to Miss Annie C. Thorley, daughter of
George and Elizabeth Thorley, natives of
York county. Pa. This marriage has been
without issue. Mr. Dill is a member of
Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., and of
Captial City Council, No. 327, Jr. 0. U. A. M.
In politics he is Republican. He attends
Messiah Lutheran church. The store of Mr.
Dill is a model emporium in its line. It is
presided over by a genial gentleman and a
prudent and progressive business man. It
is naturally attractive to patrons, because
they find their wants and interests gener-
ously provided for.
Knouse, Franklin, dealer in crockery and
glassware, was born in Allentown, Pa., No-
vember 3, 1831 ; son of Reuben and Hannah
(Snyder) Knouse. The great-grand parents
Knouse were natives of Grossherzogthum,
Baden, and emigrated to America in 1749.
They settled in Lehigh county and were
farmers, and hei'e the grandparents and
parents of Franklin Knouse were born. The
Snyder family were also natives of Germany.
Tlie mother was born in an old log cabin on
Lehigh river. The parents had ten children,
of whom seven are living: Franklin ; Eliza,
widow of the late George Burkhard, resid-
ing in Allentown, Pa.; Allen, residing in
Quakertown, Bucks county. Pa.; Emma,
wife of Abraham Worman, residing in Allen-
town, Pa.; Sarah, residing with her brother
Franklin; Catherine, wife of Edward Mc-
Hose, residing in Philadelphia; and Harry,
586
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
residing in Harrisburg. Franklin was
reared on the homestead farm and received
his education in district schools of his neigh-
borhood. From early youth he was trained
in the store, and has devoted the greater
part of his business life to mercantile
pursuits. From 1855 to 1871 he conducted
a general store at Allentown, Pa., removing
to Harrisburg in 1872, where he was not in
any active business for five years, but has
been continuously engaged as a merchant
since 1877, and is now one of the oldest and
most highly honored business men of the
city. Mr. Knouse was for many years a
stockholder in the Allentown National Bank,
and also a stockholder in the Muhlenburg
College, and of the Lehigh Agricultural
Society of Allentown, and was associated
by membership with the Odd Fellows fra-
ternity.of that city. In his political views
he was a staunch Republican, and a con-
sistent member of the German Reformed
church. Mr. Knouse died in 1896.
Fraley, Henry, dealer in china and
glassware, was born in Adams county. Pa.,
December 27, 1838 ; son of John and Mary
(Koser) Fraley. His father was a farmer,
and moved to Cumberland county, where he
died wlien Henry was four years of age. His
mother died when he was nine, and his sis-
ter died when he was thirteen years of age.
He was reared in Adams and Cumberland
counties, among strangers and having a
guardian. When sixteen years of age he
came to Harrisburg and was clerk in a
grocery store until he became of age, when
he went to Ohio. In 1861 he enlisted in
company A, Sixty-sixth regiment, Ohio
volunteers, and was mustered out at Colum-
bus, Ohio, July 16, 1865, having during his
service been promoted from private to lieu-
tenant of company A, then to captain of
company H. He was in General Geary's
division in the Eastern army and in General
Hooker's division in the Western army. In
the former the important engagements in
which he participated were : Fort Republic,
Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettys-
burg, and was among the troops sent to New
York City to quell the riots. In the West-
ern army the prominent battles were: Look-
out Mountain, Ringgold, Rasacca, New Hope
Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree
Creek, and all the principal engagements of
that body of troops. At the close of the war
Mr. Fraley engaged in mercantile business
at Warsaw, Ind., for five years, and in April,
1870, came to Harrisburg, when he em-
barked in the wholesale and retail oil busi-
ness, which in 1887 was merged into the
Capital City Oil Company, of which he was
made general manager. He continued in
this position until October, 1894, when he
took up his present business, which had been
established by him in 1884. In his political
views Mr. Fraley is a Republican, and has
served as a member of the common council
for three terms. He is a member of Lodge
No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., and of Post No. 116, G.
A. R. He was married, in 1865, to Miss
Susan Strasbough, of York county. Pa., who
died in 1885. They had one child, William
H., born in 1872, assistant to his father.' Mr.
Fraley married, secondly, Isabella Kosure,
of Baltimore, Md., by whom there is no
issue. Mr. and Mrs. Fraley are members of
the Bethlehem Lutheran church.
SoPER, Leander V. B., engraver, watch-
maker and dealer in watchmaker's supplies,
was, born June 13, 1836; son of Joel and
Louisa (Walker) Soper, the father a native of
Connecticut, the mother of Ireland. When
eleven years old he removed with his mother
to Virginia and thence to Maryland, and re-
ceived his education in Washington county,
Md., and then engaged in farming. In
1857 he located in Dauphin, Pa., and resided
there about two years, then lived at Fair-
field, Adams county, one year, and removed
from there to Centerville, Cumberland
county, where, in October, 1862, he enlisted
in the Seventeenth regiment, Pennsylvania
cavalry, and served until mustered out at
Alexandria, Va., July 4, 1864. After his
discharge he returned to Cumberland county
and was engaged in the watchmaker and
jewelry business at Newville for three and a
half years, and removed in 1867 to Gettys-
burg, and followed his occupation two years,
after which he was at Riverview, Clearfield
county, four and a half years. He then re-
moved to Sunbury, Pa., and after being
there nine years, was for a few months at
Ephrata, Lancaster county, and then re-
moved to Harrisburg, where he remained
four years. He was then again at Sunbury
for two years, after which he returned to
Harrisburg, where he has been a continuous
resident since 1890. Mr. Soper was married
in Cumberland, November 29, 1860, and has
three children : Sallie L., wife of M. J. Bick-
ley, of Millersburg, Harry A., Margaret M.,
wife of Daniel E. Bloom, of Sunbury, Pa.
He is a member of Bethesda Lodge, No. 821,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
587
I. 0. 0. F.; and of Oapt. Branner's Post, G.
A. R. In his political views Mr. Soper is a
Republican. ' He attends the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Fitzgerald, Samuel W., watchmaker and
jeweler, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Lan-
caster city, Pa., June 11, 1852 ; son of the
late James R. and Catherine (Dickey) Fitz-
gerald. The father was of Irish ancestry
and born in Lancaster city, Pa., where he
resided until 1850 when he removed to Har-
risburg, making his home in this city until
his death, December 3, 1894. He was a
cigar manufacturer and took an active part
in public affairs, having represented the
Third and Seventh wards in common coun-
cil for several years. The mother was a
native of Harrisburg and is still living.
Their children are: David, Samuel W.,
James, Harry, Charles, William, Cathe-
rine, wife of Jeremiah Blessing, John, died
aged twenty-two years, and Joseph, who died
in childhood. Samuel W. removed with his
parents to Harrisburg when he was two
years old, was educated in the public schools,
learned the trade of jeweler, and has been in
business for twenty years. He represented
the Seventh ward three years in common
council and one term in select council, hav-
ing been chairman of every committee in
council. He has also been vice-chairman of
the Democratic committee several terms. He
was married at Harrisburg, January 26, 1874,
to Laura Morton, daughter of John B. and
Susan Neff Morton. Their children are :
Ethel, died in childhood, John, Morton,
Bertha, Viola, George, Ross Elmer, Fran-
cis Everhart, and Irene Laura. Mr. Fitz-
gerald is a thirty-second degree Mason and
a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464,
Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, and Pilgrim
Commandery, No. 11, Harrisburg Consistory,
and also of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P.
In his politics he is a Democrat. He is a
member of the Lutheran church.
HuTMAN, George A., jeweler and watch-
maker, Harrisburg, was born in Harrisburg,
September 30, 1856. He is a son of the late
William E. and Martha (Black) Hutman.
Mr. Hutman 's great-grandfather was
among the earliest settlers in Harrisburg.
He came here from Hesse Cassel, Germany,
as far back as 1780. His homestead was on
Front street, between Chestnut and Mul-
berry streets, the property now owned by the
Ewiug family. Soon after he came he tried
to purchase some land of John Harris, but
the latter refused because Mr. Hutman had
only Continental money ; succeeding after-
wards in having his money exchanged he
bought the Front street property, as already
said. Mr. Hutman's business was that of a
tailor. On one occasion Mr. Harris offered
him the square of ground now covered by
the Bolton House in exchange for clothing,
but Mr. Hutman declined the exchange,
considering the ground too swampy. He
married Miss Catharine Horter, whose father
kept the old Horter hotel on South Second
street. The Horters were a well-known
family of Germantown, near Philadelphia.
Their children were : Elizabeth, born in
Harrisburg, January 1, 1792, married to
William Bell, of Second and Chestnut
streets, Harrisburg, three of their children,
George, Elizabeth and Catharine, being still
living; Polly, born January 17, 1796;
Catharine, born February 14, 1798, married
to Mr. John Cameron, of Harrisburg, a
brother of the late Hon. Simon Cameron ;
George Frederick and John Matthias, born
February 23, 1802. Polly and John Mat-
thias died in infancy.
George Frederick Hutman, grandfather of
George A., was born January 24, 1800. On
November 2, 1824, he married Harriet
Adams, of West Camp, N. Y. Their chil-
dren were: Matthias A., born January 9,
1826 ; William E.; Julia D., born September
10, 1828, and Angeline F., born January 30,
1831, died February 16, 1832. Mrs. Harriet
(Adams) Hutman dying June 9, 1832, Mr.
Hutman was married again September 29,
1833, to Christiana Shaffner, widow of W.
Bryan. She was a sister of Mrs. Frederick
Trace, of South Second street, Plarrisburg,
and was born in Lancaster, August 31, 1812.
Their children were: Harriet Yager, born
September 1, 1834; John Shaffner, born
January 6,1836; Mary Ellen, born May 21,
1840 ; Sarah Bricker, born January 2, 1842 ;
Henry Clay, born December 7, 1844 ; Katie,
born December 15, 1846 ; and Emma Vir-
ginia, born November 6, 1848. Mr. George
Frederick Hutman died August 29, 185f>,
and his wife, Mrs. Christina Hutman, died
in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 4, 1895.
William E. Hutman, father of George A.,
was born in Harrisburg, March 9, 1827. His
occupation was bricklaying. On the fourth
of September, 1851, he was married by Rev.
William DeWitt, pastor of Market Square
Presbyterian church, to Martha Jane, daugh-
ter of Capt. Matthew B. Black, and sister of
588
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Matthew B. Black, Jr., of Harrisburg. Mrs.
Martha Jane Hutman was born in York
county. May 7, 1831; her mother was the
daughter of William Clark, of Cumberland
county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Will-
iam E. Hutman are: Clara Jane, born in
HarrLsburg, July 30, 1852, married, April 25,
1872, to Abraham Anderson, of Harrisburg,
has two children, William and Ida M.; James
born February 28, 1854, married Emma
Forbes, has three children, Rose, Nellie and
Carrie ; George A.; Hannah E., born June 27,
1859, married December 25, 1883, to George
W. Peters, of Sunbury,Pa., has five children,
Harry, Frank, Bessie, Roy and Mamie; Will-
iam B., born July 3, 1861, died February 9,
1862; Henry H., born February 11, 1865'
married, June 18, 1886, to May Etter, of
Harrisburg, has four children, Florence, Car-
rie, Martha and Bertha; Julia W., born May
29, 1867, married to Mr. Boyd Schartzer, of
Harrisburg, has two children, Grace and
Earl; Emma, born April 4, 1870, married,
March 15, 1892, to William G. Underwood,
of Ohio, has two children, Helen and John;
and Martha J., born September 16, 1872,
died January 31, 1873. Mr. William E.
Hutman died October 17, 1879.
George A. Hutman has spent his entire
life in his native city. He was educated in
its common schools, finishing his course in
the high school. He then became clerk in
a grocery store and continued for about three
years. He next worked for about three years
at the jewelry business with William Cruik-
shank, after which he finished learning his
trade by three years spent in the watch man-
ufactory at Lancaster, Pa. His father dying
in 1879 he was obliged to return to Harris-
burg. Shortly after he engaged in the
watchmaking and jewelry business for him-
self He began in a small way, occupying a
single room in his mother's dwelling. He
has steadily enlarged his business, until to-
day he has one of the largest, handsomest
and most attractive stores in the city. His
success demonstrates his skill and business
ability.
George A. Hutman was married in Har-
risburg, March 23, 1882, by Rev. C. Price, of
Fourth Street Church of God, to Miss Mary
Ellen Lloyd, born, in Harrisburg December
23, 1859. Her parents were Prof, and Mrs.
Isaac Lloyd, the former of Lower Allen town-
ship, Cumberland county. Pa., the latter a
daughter of Hon. Benjamin Musser, of Cum-
berland county. Mr. and Mr. George A.
Hutman have had four children ; one was
an infant whose brief life was not more than
about nineteen hours. The surviving chil-
dren are : Fannie Irene, born in Harrisburg,
September 8, 1884; Anna Martha, born
April 17, 1890; and Esther Corene, born
November 27, 1894. Mr. Hutman is an ac-
tive member of Robert Burns Lodge, No.
464; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21; and
Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, F. & A. M.
Pie is a past noble grand of I. 0. 0. F.; and
a past officer of Dauphin Council, No. 1101,
Royal Arcanum. He has efficiently served
in the Hope Volunteer Fire Company for
seventeen years; during two of these years
he was an officer of the company. He is not
an active politician, but is Democratic in
his principles. He and his wife are consist-
ent members of Westminister Presbyterian
church.
RiNKENBAGH, Edward L., jewclcr, was
born at Mauch Chunk, Carbon county, Pa.,
June 11, 1858. He is a son of Joseph and
Victoria (Reise) Rinkenbach. His parents
were natives of Germany, and came to Amer-
ica about 1850. They made their home per-
manently in Carbon county, and here the
father died May 14, 1893. The mother still
survives, and lives at Mauch Chunk. They
had six children: William, of Johnstown,
Pa.; Edward L.; Albert, of Mauch Chunk,
Pa.; Annie, died in 1893; Leopold, and
Barbara, residing at home.
Edward L. spent his youth in his native
town. After taking the usual course of in-
struction in the public schools he was ap-
prenticed to a jeweler and watchmaker, and
has worked at this trade until the present
time. He came to Harrisburg, March 2,
1882, and worked as a journeyman for five
years. In 1887 he engaged in business for
himself He is a progressive business man,
and is widely and favorably known by the
citizens.
Mr. Rinkenbach was married in Harris-
burg, July 3, 1887, to Miss Minnie E., daugh-
ter of Josephus and Ellen (Strominger) Shis-
ler. They have four children: Joseph S.,
Edward L., Helen, and Robert. Mr. Rink-
enbach is a member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, Heptasophs, and
the Catholic Legion. He is a Democrat. He
attends St. Lawrence's Roman Catholic
church.
SoPEb, Harry A., jeweler, was born in
Newville, Cumberland county. Pa., January
3, 1865 ; son of Leander V. B. and Anna A.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
589
(Beistline) Soper, the father a native of Long
Island, N. Y., and the mother of Cumber-
land county, both living and residents of
Harrisburg. Harry A., when nine years
old, removed with his parents to Sunbury,
Pa., where he received his education in the
public schools and learned the trade of
watchmaker and manufacturing jeweler.
In 1883 he removed to Harrisburg and con-
Jtinued to work at his trade until 1890 when
he engaged in the business of wholesale
dealer in watch materials with his father.
In 1892 he retired from this business and
engaged in the retail trade with M. J. Bick-
ley under the firm name of Bickley & Soper
and at the end of one year he purchased his
partner's interest, and since that time has
conducted the business on his own account.
Mr. Soper was married in Sunbury, Pa.,
January 22, 1891, to Miss Margaret E. Haas,
daughter of William and Nettie (Fahnes-
tock) Haas. They have one child, Harriet.
Mr. Soper is a member of the Sons of Vet-
erans and in his political views is a Republi-
can. He and his wife attend St. Paul's
Episcopal church.
Faunce, Lawrence A., engraver, jeweler
and watchmaker, was born in Harrisburg,
Pa., August 1, 1871 ; son of Jacob A. and
Sarah A. (Stahl) Faunce. Jacob Faunce,
grandfather of Lawrence A., was born at
Baden, Germany, and came to America about
1833, and shortly after his arrival was mar-
ried to a young woman with whom he be-
came acquainted during the voyage. He
settled at Harrisburg and engaged in butch-
ering and followed this occupation until his
death, which occurred in the thirty-fourth
year of his age. His wife died September 19,
1872. Their surviving children are: Caro-
line S., wife of Michael McLean ; Jacob A.;
and Mary Josephine, wife of George H. Sour-
bier. Jacob A., the father, was born in
Harrisburg, January 8, 1843 ; son of Jacob
and Caroline (Beiser) Faunce. He attended
the public schools of the city and at a very
earlj' age went to Philadelphia and learned
the trade of iron moulder. He worked five
years at his trade in that city and then came
to Harrisburg, but on account of failing
health was obliged to relinquish his trade
and was employed in the service of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company for ten
years. He was obliged to abandon this busi-
ness, also, on account of ill health and for
five years was a clerk in a coal office. His
health has been such for the past fifteen
years that it has been impossible for him to
engage in any active business. He was
married in Harrisburg, January 14, 1866, to
Sarah A. Stahl, daughter of Adam and
Margaret Stahl, to whom have been born
two children : Mary, who died in infancy,
and Lawrence A. They also adopted two
children, both of whom died in childhood.
Mr. Faunce represented the Sixth ward in
council two terms, and served as county and
school tax collector for five years. He holds
membership in Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K.
P.; State Capital Lodge, No. 70, and Olive
Encampment, No. 56, I. 0. 0. F. In his
political views he is Republican. Both he
and his wife are members of the Presby-
teiian church.
Lawrence A. attended the public schools
and completed his education by private
study in which he earnestly engaged while
he was learning his trade. After complet-
ing his apprenticeship he worked at his
chosen occupation in Harrisburg until
October 11, 1894, on which date he em-
barked in business on his own account. He
was married in Harrisburg, April 26, 1894,
to Miss Lottie M. Christ, daughter of George
and Miranda Christ, of Harrisburg. Mr.
Faunce is a member of Cincinnatus Com-
mandery, No. 96, K. of M. ; Warrior Eagle
Tribe, I. 0. R. M. ; and America Council,
No. 3, 0. U. A. M. In his political views he
is a Republican, and attends the Reformed
church.
Lemer, LeRue, photographer, was born
in Lisburn, Cumberland count}'. Pa., October
26, 1887; son of LeRue and Caroline
(Church) Lemer. The father read medicine
with old Dr. Reily, of Harrisburg, and was
graduated from the medical department of
Yale College in 1838. He practiced in Lis-
burn, Cumberland county, for over forty-five
years and died there. He was twice mar-
ried, and of the two children by the first
marriage, LeRue is the only survivor. The
mother was a native of New Cumberland,
Cumberland county, and a daughter of
Robert R. Church. LeRue received his
education in the public schools and in
the White Hall Academy. He came to
Harrisburg and served an apprenticeship
of four years at the printer's trade in the
office of the Patriot. After working a short
time at his trade as a journeyman, he at-
tended the White Hall Academy one sea-
590
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
son and then returned to Harrisburg and en-
gaged in the photograph business, in which
he has continued to the present time, being
now the oldest established photographer in
the city. In 1862 he enlisted in company A,
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, for nine months'
service, and was assigned to detached duty
in hunting up deserters. He was the fourth
sergeant of his company. Mr. Lemer is
prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being
a member of the blue lodge, chapter and
commandery. In his political views he is a
Democrat. He was married April 19, 1863,
to Miss Rebecca Marshall, of Philadelphia,
daughter of Milton Marshall, of Chester
county. Pa. They have four children : Mil-
ton M., attorney at Harrisburg ; Mary A.,
teacher ; May, graduate of Wells College,
teacher of high school ; and LeRue, Jr. The
family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, with the exception of Miss
May, who attends the Episcopal church.
ScHRivER, Charles C, photographer, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., February 19, 1853.
He is a son of Cornelius and Rebecca (Alle-
man) Schriver. Cornelius Schriver, born in
York county. Pa., in 1826, came to Dauphin
county in 1840. He worked at tailoring in
Harrisburg until 1862, when he enlisted in
company B, One Hundred and Twenty
Seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served nine months. In 1864 he re-
enlisted in the Two Hundred and First regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, as commis-
sary sergeant and served until the close of
the war. He participated in the battles of
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and other
engagements. After the close of the war he
engaged in the coal business, in which he
continued until 1871, when he accepted a
position at the Pennsylvania railroad station
which he held until 1882. -At the opening
of the People's bridge he was put in charge of
the Harrisburg end of the bridge, and re-
mained in that position until his death, De-
cember 30, 1894. He was a member of the
Masonic fraternity and of the I. 0. 0. F. He
was a charter member and one of the or-
ganizers of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464,
F. & A. M., in 1870. For many years he
belonged to Zion Lutheran church. His
wife survives him. They had two chil-
dren, Martin, a fireman on the Pennsylvania
railroad, who was killed by an accident in
1880, and Charles C.
Charles C. Schriver was educated in the
common schools of Harrisburg, graduating in
1869. He learned photography of D. C. Bur-
nite.and remained with him until 1874, when
he went to Tyrone, Pa., and followed the
business two years. In 1876 he became train
agent on the Pennsylvania railroad. In
1878 he engaged in the photograph business
for himself in Tyrone. In 1882 he removed
his gallery to Harrisburg, where it has ever
since been. In 1889 he admitted Calvin M.
Kibler as a partner and the firm has since
been Schrivei & Kibler. Their gallery is
at 1213 North Third street, and their whole-
sale department at 718 Pennsylvania avenue.
They do an extensive enlarging and copying
business and manufacture crayon portraits
and picture frames. In 1889 Mr. Schriver
purchased land, and laid out an addition to
Highspire. He is a prominent Republican ;
served one year as auditor of Tyrone bor-
ough ; he is a member of the common
council of Harrisburg. He was elected to
the latter position in 1893 and 1895 ; was
chairman of the finance committee in 1893
and 1895, and president of the council in
1894. He is a prominent member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.; of Perse-
verance Chapter and Pilgrim Commandery.
He was worshipful master in 1878-79. He
also belongs to the Jr. 0. U. A. M., and
Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Schriver was married in 1878 to Miss
Emma, daughter of Michael Barringer, of
Harrisburg. Their children are : Mary R.,
Emma R. and Charles Jacob. He is o.ne of
the organizers, and a charter member of
Bethlehem Lutheran church ; has served as
its deacon, and is now assistant superintend-
ent of the third department of the Sabbath-
school.
Kibler, Calvin M., of the firm of
Schriver & Kibler, photographers, was born
in the Shenandoah Valley, near Staunton,
Va., May 28, 1856 ; son of Isaac and Mar-
garet (Jackson) Kibler. The father came to
Harrisburg, and was connected with the
Harrisburg Car Works, but subsequently re-
turned to Virginia where he died. He
reared five children. Calvin M. was reared
in Shippensburg, Pa., and received his edu-
cation in the schools of that place and of
Harrisburg. He learned the business of
photography at Harrisburg, at which he
worked for Mr. Schriver, of Tyrone; with
whom he remained until 1890,> when
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
591
he was admitted to the business and the
firm of Schriver & Kibler was formed, Mr.
Kibler having charge of the crayon and
water color department of the enterprise.
In politics Mr. Kibler is a Republican. He
is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian
church and was formerly connected with
the Y. M. C. A.
is at present engaged with Mr. Roshon, his
son-in-law. He has only one daughter, Mrs.
Roshon.
RosHON, John William, photographer,
wag born in Huntingdon county. Pa., April
21, 1863; son of C. S. and Phoebe (Charles)
Roshon. John Roshon, the paternal grand-
father, was a native of Montgomery county,
and a carpenter by trade. He is still living
and resides at Baltimore, Ohio. His wife
Catherine is deceased. They reared a family
of five children. The maternal grandparents
were both natives of Snyder county. The
grandfather was a lime burner, and" is still
living at the advanced age of eighty-nine
years, at Freeburg, Pa. His wife died at the
age of eighty-four years. They had thirteen
children. C. S. Roshon, the father, married
Miss Phoebe Charles, of Snyder county, who
died in 1884, aged forty-nine years, by
whom he had three children, of whom the
only survivor is John W. The father was
employed one year at the Centennial Expo-
sition at Philadelphia in 1876. From Phil-
adelphia he removed to Chicago, 111., in
1877, and came from there to Harrisburg in
1878, where he remained for eight years.
He then removed to Lebanon, Pa., where he
has since been in business. In his political
views he is a Republican. He is a member
of the United Brethren church.
John William received a part of his edu-
cation in Harrisburg, and later removed
with his parents to Huntingdon, Pa., where
he attended the public schools until he was
sixteen years of age. He was engaged with
his father two years, after which he began
business for himself at Newville, Cumber-
land county. Pa., in which he continued for
three years. In 1887 he removed to Har-
risburg, where he has been continuouslv in
business since that time and is one of the
leading artists in his line. He was married
August 12, 1886, to Miss Mary E. Pheney,
by whom he has one daughter, Dorinda F.
In his political views Mr. Roshon is a Pro-
hibitionist. He is a member of the Grace
Methodist Episcopal church. The parents
of Mrs. Roshon were both natives of Leb-
anon. The father was a tailor by trade, but
Graham, Robert, florist, was born in
Harwick, Scotland, June 23, 1845; son- of
Archibald and Margaret (Henderson) Gra-
ham. When he was five years old he came
with his parents to America. The family
located in Philadelphia, where Robert was
reared and educated and where he learned
the business of florist. He came to Harris-
burg and engaged in the cultivation and
sale of flowers and plants, and is now one of
the oldest florists in the city. Mr. Graham
was married in 1871 to Miss A. Kinnear,
daughter of Alexander Kinnear, of Ireland.
They have one child, Helen, at home. In
his political views Mr. Graham is in accord
with the Democratic party. Mrs. Graham
is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Brenneman, Jacob D., florist, was born in
South Hanover township, Dauphin county.
Pa., October 21, 1857. He is a son of Adam
and Harriet (Stoudt) Brenneman, was reared
in Hanover township and received his edu-
cation in the public schools of that town-
ship and of Harrisburg. Having served an
apprenticeship as a florist in Pittsburgh, Phil-
adelphia and other places, he established
his present business in Harrisburg in 1877
and has since continued it. He is considered
the leading florist of the city and is also en-
gaged in the fanc}'^ nursery business. He is
active in the Republican party. Mr. Bren-
neman was married in 1881 to Miss Cordelia
Morburg, of Virginia, and they have five chil-
dren : Mary, Helen, Cordelia, Elma, and
Esther. His wife is a member of the Lu-
theran church.
McFarland, George G., dealer in bi-
cycles, flowers, birds and fish, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., September 12, 1867; son
of George F. and Addie D. (Greissemer) Mc-
Farland, the former a native of Dauphin
county, and of Scotch descent, the latter a
native of Berks county, of German ancestr3^
The father was born in Susquehanna town-
ship. He was a teacher, and owned and
conducted Freeburg Academy. He served
with distinction in the late war, having been
a captain in the One Hundred and Fifty-
first regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and
later promoted to a colonelcy of the regi-
ment. He lost one leg and was seriously
592
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wounded in the other, at the battle of Gettys-
burg, July 1, 1863. After the war he en-
gaged in business as a florist. He organized
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home and became
the first superintendent of that institution.
He died from the effects of the wounds re-
ceived at Gettysburg, in 1891, at Tallapoosa,
Ga. The mother is still living and makes
her home at the last named place. Their
children are: John H., head of the Mt.
Pleasant Printing Company ; Emma, widow
of Howard Wharton ; George G. George G.
was educated in the public schools of Harris-
burg and was subsequently engaged in the
florist business until 1894, when he became
also a dealer in bicycles. He was married in
Harrisburg, June 10, 1891, to Sarah R.
Steckley, daughter of Jacob and 'Mary Steck-
ley. They have one child, Donald Steckley.
In politics Mr. McFarland is a Republican.
He attends the Lutheran church.
The Bowman Family emigrated from
Switzerland, and were among the earlier set-
tlers in Lancaster county, Pa. John Bow-
man was born in Lancaster county; moved
to York county earlj' in 1815; located in
Carroll township and engaged in farming
and distilling. He was a Mennonite. He
died in York county about 1860. He mar-
ried Martha Herr. They had nine children :
Christian, John, Abraham, Henry, Frances,
Mrs. John Baker, of Mechanicsburg. Pa.;
Martha, Mrs. Aaron Firestone, who died in
Carroll township, York county ; Mary, de-
ceased ; Ann, Mrs. Joseph Plough, of Mon-
roe township, Cumberland county, Pa., and
Esther, maiden lady, of Mechanicsburg.
Christian Bowman was born in Lancaster
county, July 26, 1811. He received a limited
education in private schools. He was a
farmer and cooper and located at Monaghan
township, York county. He retired from
active business about 1870 and removed to
Carroll township, York county, where he
died January 15, 1888. He was first mar-
ried to Susan Coover, who was born in York
county, October 25, 1812, and died about
1852. They had twelve children, six of
whom grew to maturity : John C, school
teacher, afterwards merchant in Mechanics-
burg, Pa., served several years as justice of
the peace, engaged in the insurance busi-
ness, was secretary and treasurer of the Me-
chanicsburg Gas end Water Company and
died June 20, 1891 ; Jacob, residing on the
homestead farm ; Calvin L., for many years
dry goods merchant in Harrisburg and
president of the State Bank of Harrisburg,
died in Philadelphia, Pa., May 10, 1893;
Samuel, of Harrisburg ; Martha, Mrs. John
Hertzler, of Monroe township, Cumberland,
county; Mary Jane, Mrs. John E. Hertzler,
of the same township. The second wife of
Mr. Christian Bowman was Margaret Asper,
of York county, who, with her daughter,
Mary Jane, survives him. He was a mem-
ber of " Filey's " Reformed church, in which
he was an elder. He was a Republican and
served as school director, supervisor and in
other offices.
Samuel Bowman, son of Christian Bow-
man, was born in Monaghan township, York
county, in October, 1842. He was educated
in the schools of his native township. Farm-
ing was the occupation in which he was
first engaged. In August, 1864, he enlisted
in company I, Two Hundredth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until
the close of the war. He was wounded at
Hatch's Run and also took part in the battles
of Petersburg and Fort Steadman. After
the war he was for four years engaged in
farming and then removed to Lisburn,Cum-
berland county, where for two years he was
clerk for A. Bowman & Co. 'in 1872 he
came to Harrisburg and was clerk for C. L.
Bowman & Co. until he became a partner in
the present firm of Bowman & Co. He is a
stockholder in the People's Bridge Company
and one of the original stockholders of the
Chestnut Street Market Company. He is a
Republican and belongs to Post No. 58, G.
A. R. He is a member and a trustee of
Salem Reformed church. He is not married.
John Bowman, brother of Christian Bow-
man and son of the first John Bowman, was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., in February,
1818. He was educated in private schools.
He located ill Upper Allen township, Cum-
berland county. Pa., engaged in farming,
distilling and lime burning, and was promi-
nent in the affairs of his township. He was
a Whig. He served as school director and
in other township offices. He died in Sep-
tember, 1856. His wife, who was Maria C.
Kraft, of York county. Pa., survives him
and resides in Harrisburg. Their children
were three in number : Martha, Mrs. W. D.
Rauch, of Lebanon, Pa.; John K., of Har-
risburg ; Joseph E., of Lancaster, Pa., re-
tired. Mr. Bowman was a Mennonite and
his wife a member of the German Reformed
church.
DA UPHIN CO UNTY .
595
John K. Bowman, son of John Bowman,
last named, and cousin of Samuel Bowman,
was born in Upper Allen township, Cumber-
land county, Pa., March 13, 1848. He re-
ceived his education in the common schools
and for one year studied at the Cumberland
Valley Institute, Mechanicsburg, Pa. In
1866 he entered the First National Bank,
Mechanicsburg, as clerk and teller. In De-
cember, 1867, he came to Harrisburg and
engaged as bookkeeper with C. L. Bowman,
and remained with him for several years.
Pie then formed a partnership with N. R.
Swartz in the dry goods business, which
lasted one year, then Mr. Swartz withdrew
from the firm and Mr. Bowman conducted
the business for some years on his own ac-
count, after which he purchased an interest
in the business of C. L. Bowman and was a
member of that firm for seven years. At the
expiration of that time he and Samuel Bow-
man formed the present firm of Bowman &
Co. Mr. J. K. Bowman is one of the orig-
inal stockholders of the People's Bridge
Company and of the Chestnut,Street Market
Company. He is a stockholder in the Har-
burg Trust Company and the Harrisburg
Preserving Company and is interested in
many other industries. He was married,.in
1872, to Miss Emma R., daughter of John
S. Hostetter, of Mechanicsburg. They have
four children : John W., Bessie M., Harry
Hostetter, and Emma May. Mr. Bowman and
his family are members of Salem Reformed
church, in the work of which he takes an
active interest. He has served as deacon
and is the present treasurer and a teacher in
the Sunday-school. He is a member of the
Y. M. C. A. and has served on the board of
managers.
Einstein, M. G., deceased, was born in
Stuttgart, Germany, in June, 1813. He came
to America in 1837, and located in Philadel-
phia. He was in the wholesale dry goods busi-
ness in that citj'^ and in Baltimore, Md. He
came to Harrisburg in 1856 and established a
wholesale and retail dry goods business. He
was for many years recognized as the leading
merchant in the city. He died in February,
1887. He was married in 1842 to Catherine
Van Zant, a native of Baltimore and a resi-
dent of Mechanicsburg, Pa. They had four
children, three of whom are living : Celia M.,
Joseph v., and Edgar V. Emma R., Mrs.
Thomas J. Finney, of Harrisburg, died in
1894.
40
Einstein, Joseph V., was born in York
county, Pa., September 21, 1849. He was
educated in the public schools of Harrisburg
and then entered the store of his father. In
1886 he became a partner in the firm of
Einstein Bros. He was married, in 1878, to
Miss Amanda, daughter of Col. E. W. Davis,
of Philadelphia. They have one child, Mor-
ris G. Mr. Einstein is a charter member of
the Board of Trade. His wife is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Einstein, Edgar V., was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., in January, 1859. He was edu-
cated in the city schools and entered his
father's store. He became partner in the
firm of Einstein Bros, in 1886. He is identi-
fied with many of the important industries
of the city. He was married, in 1888, to
Miss Annie, daughter of Richard Fox, of
Hummelstown, Pa. They have one child,
Richard Fox Einstein. Mr. Einstein is a
charter member of the Board of Trade.
Zollinger, W. A., hat dealer, was born in
Harrisburg. His father, Elias Zollinger,
came to Harrisburg in 1822 and engaged in
the manufacture of hats and also in the
wholesale and retail sale of his products,
having wagons on the road, and continued
in the business until his death in 1857. He
was a Republican in politics and in 1856 was
elected to the common council, which posi-
tion he • was holding when he died. His
religious views were in accord with the Re-
formed church, and his membership was in
the church on Chestnut street, in which he also
held the office of elder. Mr. Zollinger mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Yonce, of Harrisburg,
who died in 1877, and by whom he had eight
children. Warren A. was next to the young-
est of his father's family and received his
education in the public schools. At the
death of his father, Elias R., an older son took
the business and Warren A. assisted him in
the management of it until 1882, when War-
ren, having purchased the interests of his
mother and brother, continued the establish-
ment, which is the oldest in the line in the
city, having been conducted seventy-four
years under one name. He is prominently
identified with the Masonic fraternity. In
politics he is an Independent Republican,
but has declined to accept any office. Mr.
Zollinger was married, in 1865, to Miss I. A.
Sayford, daughter of William Sayford, mer-
chant tailor of Harrisburg. They have no
596
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
children. Mr. and Mrs. Zollinger are mem-
bers of the Zion Lutheran church, on Fourth
street, and Mr. Zollinger is a member of the
church council.
Lentz, Joseph F„ merchant, was born in
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., July 1, 1833 ; son of the late John and
Margaret (Farling) Lentz. The parents
spent their entire Ijfe in Dauphin county,
and the greater portion of it in South Han-
over township. The father was a farmer
and a prominent citizen. They had eight
children, five of whom are living: Sarah,
widow of David Wagner ; Margaret, resides
in South Hanover; John, resides in Derry
township, Dauphin county ; Catherine, and
Joseph. Joseph F., when five years old, re-
moved with his parents to South Hanover
township, where he was reared and educated
in the public schools, and after teaching
school for some time, attended Palmyra
Academy. He was then engaged in teach-
ing at Manadaville and other places in Dau-
phin county, but soon relinquished this oc-
cupation and acted as agent for various firms
for four years, after which he embarked in
the grocery business at Harrisburg, in which
he has continued for over thirty years with
enviable success. Mr. Lentz was married, in
Lebanon, Pa., February 18, 1869, to Sabina
Maulfair, daughter of Jacob and Sabina
(Winter) Maulfair, born in Lebanon county,
April 6, 1844. There have been born to
them ten children, five of whom died in in-
fancy. The names of their living children
are : Minnie, wife of Fulmer J. Reif, mer-
chant at Harrisburg; Sarah, wife of Benja-
min F. Meckley, merchant of Harrisburg ;
Joseph M., Esther M., and David Vincent
M. Mr. Lentz was originally an Abolitionist,
then a Republican, and for twelve years has
been a strict Prohibitionist, and in 1895 was
a candidate for county treasurer on the Pro-
hibition ticket.
The family are members of the Ridge
Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
The parents of Mrs. Lentz were natives of
North Annville, Lebanon county, and spent
their whole life there. The father for many
years operated a grist mill, and was a highly
respected citizen. They had fourteen chil-
dren, eight of whom are living: Eliza, Mrs.
Walborn ; Levi ; Edward ; Sabina, Mrs. Lentz ;
Sarah, wife of H. E. Rider ; Malinda, wife of
Daniel Gillibach ; John Adam, and Noah.
HuBLEY, Alpheus T., was born in Ship-
pensburg, Cumberland county. Pa., April 24,
1844; son of William and Eliza (Shaw)
Hubley. He was reared in his native place
and received his education in the public
schools. He began his business life as a
clerk in a dry goods store, in which capacity
he was employed in Shippensburg, Carlisle,
Martinsburg, Va., and Harrisonburg, Va.
He came to Harrisburg in 1867 and was em-
ployed as a clerk for six years in several
dry goods houses, after which he embarked
in his present business. Mr. Hubley is iden-
tified with a number of local business cor-
porations, being a stockholder and director
of the West Harrisburg Market House Com-
pany, of the Electric Light Company, of the
Bay Shoe Company, of the Harrisburg and
Mechanicsburg Electric Railway Company
and of the Farmer's Market Company, be-
ing treasurer of the last named corporation.
In politics Mr. Hubley is a Democrat. He
was married, in 1876, to Miss Annie Strom-
inger, daughter of Daniel Strominger of
Harrisburg. Their children are: Florence
E., Walter William, Alpheus T., Ross S.,
Bessie L. and Nellie. The family are mem-
bers of the Grace Methodist Episcopal
chyrch.
Marks, Herman, merchant, was born in
Prussia, March 20, 1846 ; son of Marcus and
Babetha (Gordon) Marks. He was reared in
his native country up to his sixteenth year,
and attended the common schools. He came
to America in 1864 and settled at Harrisburg,
where he was employed as clerk for Joseph
Strouse and later for Benjamin Strouse. In
1869 he engaged in the clothing business for
himself, in which he has since continued and
is now one of the oldest merchants in the
city. Mr. Marks, in 1896, became one of the
organizers of the Harrisburg Improvement
Company and its treasurer. He was one of
the organizers of the Harrisburg Electric
Light Company, and one of the charter stock-
holders of the Harrisburg Steam Heat and
Power Company. He also organized the
Second Building and Loan Association and
has been the treasurer of the Citizen's Build-
ing and Loan Association since its inception,
and is also one of the organizers and direc-
tors of the Capital City Shoe Company. For-
merly he was a member of the Board of
Trade. He is a Republican in politics, but
holds no office. He is connected with Per-
severance Lodge and Chapter, F. & A. M.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
597
Mr. Marks was married, in 1869, to Miss
Sophia Dinglespeil, of Harrisburg. Their
children are: Hattie, Jennie, and Edgar. He
is a member of the Ohev Sholem congrega-
tion, of Harrisburg.
BoMGARDNER, Jacob M., of the firm of
Bomgardner & Son, was born in Lebanon
county. Pa., September 14, 1847; son of
Thomas and Rebecca (Miller) Bomgardner,
natives of that county. The father was a
shoemaker by trade. In religious views he
was in harmony with the United Brethrens,
and was an active member of that denomi-
nation. Jacob M. received his education in
the township schools and learned the shoe-
maker's trade, and subsequently taught
school for five years in Lebanon countJ^ In
1870 he engaged in mercantile business in
East Hanover township, where he remained
two years, removing then to Mt. Nebo. After
three years in the store in this place, his
failing health compelled him to sell out and
engage in a more active occupation. Pie
acted as an agent for sewing machines on
the road until 1879, when he went to Mid-
dletown and became clerk for B. S. Peters
& Son. During the next ten years he was
in the hardware business at Lebanon, Pa.,
in connection with which he also established
an ice business. In 1889 he came to Har-
risburg, where he engaged in the grocery
business on Walnut street, and in 1895 en-
tered upon his present business on North
Fourth street, erecting his present store. He
was formerly a stockholder in the Trust
Company. His only fraternity connection
is with the Ancient Order of United Work-
men. In politics he is a Republican. Mr.
Bomgardner was married, in 1870, to Miss
Amanda Roop, daughter of Gideon Roop, of
Lebanon county. They have two children :
Irwin R., born in 1872, received his educa-
tion in the public schools and graduated
from the high school, and in 1893 became a
memberofthefirmofBomgardner&Son;and
Florence E. Mr. Bomgardner is a member of
the Boas Street United Brethren church, in
which organization he is a trustee, and takes
an active interest in all branches of church
work.
Harrisburg, the father having come to this
country and settled in this city in 1845 or
1846. He was a stone mason and formed a
partnership in this business with Roger
Sheehey. He was an Independent Democrat
in politics and was identified with the Odd
Fellows and the German orders. His death
occurred March 17, 1891, his wife still sur-
viving and residing at Harrisburg. Their
children are : William M.; Lewis, retired ;
Emma, Mrs. Edward Springer, Harrisburg ;
John, purchasing agent, Foundry and Ma-
chine Works; Frederick, machinist. Middle-
town, Pa., and Henry, musician, at home.
William M. received his education in the
public schools, which he attended until he
was fourteen years of age, and in the Harris-
burg high school, and later took a course in
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College.
He entered the dispatcher's office of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, where he
remained from 1866 to 1878, after which he
became the company's agent for the West-
moreland Coal Company, serving six years,
and then for the Mashosmon Coal Company
until 1895. Having been in the employ-
ment of the company for thirty years, he
retired and opened his present business at
No. 404 State street. During the war he,
served as messenger in the quartermaster's
department. In his political views Mr. Gas-
trock is a Democrat with independent pro-
clivities, and has never served in any public
offi'ce. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, F. &. A. M. Mr. Gastrock was married,
in 1872, to Ida Irene, daughter of Gen.
Joseph F. Knipe, of Harrisburg. They have
nine children : Rosa E., Elizabeth A., Joseph
F., Benjamin B., Martin W., Frank A., Albert
E., Ida I. and Bertha Viola. Mr. Gastrock
was reared in the Lutheran church; Mrs.
Gastrock is a member of the Presbyterian
church.
Gastrock, William M., was born in Har-
risburg, Pa., March 16, 1848 ; son of Barthol
and Rosanna (Koenig) Gastrock. The father
was a native of Prussia, the mother of Wur-
temberg, Germany. They were married in
Lytbr, W. H., was born in Halifax,
March 28, 1840 ; son of Christian and
Catherine (Bowman) Lyter. He was reared
in Halifax and educated in the public
school. His first business venture was in
the dry goods business in Harrisburg, on
Market Square, which he began in 1879 and
continued for some time. Ten years later
he formed a partnership with W. E. Fahne-
stock under the firm name of Lyter & Fahne-
stock, doing business on Market Square, in
which they were active until the spring of
1894, when Mr. Lyter retired from the firm.
598
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
He returned in October, 1895, and purchased
the present business. Mr. Lyter is a mem-
ber of the Board of Trade. In politics he is
a Republican. He was married in 1877 to
Miss Helen Elizabeth Eppley, daughter of
David Eppley, of Harrisburg. They have
three children: Grace E., Edward and
Charles A. Mr. Lyter is a member of the
Fourth Street Lutheran church.
LusK, Charles P., coal and wood mer-
chant, was born at Freeport, Stephenson
county. 111., February 11, 1851. His parents,
William J. and Sarah J. (Chrissman) Lusk,
were both natives of Mifflin county, Pa., but
settled in Stephenson county at a very early
date. They removed from Freeport when
Charles was a little over a year old, and
lived at Earl, Lasell county. 111., for ten
years, where he received part of his educa-
tion in the public schools of the place. In
1862 the family removed to Lewistown, Mif-
flin county. Pa., and about four years after,
removed thence to Port Royal, Juniata
county. Pa., where they resided five years,
and where Charles completed his education.
In 1872 the familj'^ removed to Harrisburg,
where the mother resided till her death,
which occurred March 3, 1890. The father
died at Livingston, Ala., April, 1879. They
had four children : one died in infancy ; the
living are : Mary E., wife of F. L. Showalter,
residing at Indianapolis, Ind.; Charles P.,
and Annie M., widow of B. F. Gillette,' re-
siding at Osgood, Ind.
In 1872 Charles P. was engaged as sales-
man in the wholesale notion house of Wolf
& Hench, and filled this position for a year
or more. His next occupation was railway
news agent. He was afterwards employed
in the laboratory of the Pennsylvania Steel
Company's works for three and a half years
with headquarters at the Lochiel House.
He next established a custom shirt factory.
In December, 1894, he engaged in his pres-
ent business. He was married at Harris-
burg, June 27, 1893, to Margaret A. Middle-
ton, daughter of W. A. and Mary E. Mid-
dleton. He is a member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., Harrisburg Con-
sistory and of the Royal Arcanum. In
political views he is a Democrat.
Sample, John B., merchant, Harrisburg,
was born in Lancaster county. Pa., Septem-
ber 16, 1853. He is a son of Alexander and
Frances (Mason) Sample, also of Lancaster
county. Peter Sample, grandfather of John
B. Sample, was a native of Maryland, and a
farmer. He removed to Lancaster county.
Pa., and married Miss Elizabeth Klinch, of
that county, by whom he had ten children,
the only one surviving is Alexander Sample.
Alexander Sample was born in Lancaster
county, February 28, 1827 ; was educated in
his native county and spent his boyhood on
the farm. He was married to Miss Frances
Mason, daughter of James and Hattie
Mason, November 24, 1848. She was born
January 24, 1828, and died February 3,
1886. They had nine children, two of whom
are living : Peter H. and John B. The de-
ceased children are: Harriet E., Esther E.,
Sarah M., James A., Nathaniel W., Charles
S. and Caroline A. Alexander Sample was
for many years a farmer in Lancaster county.
He removed to Harrisburg, where he has
been in business at intervals for thirty years.
He was a partner of Oscar Jones in the ice
cream and confectionery business at Carlisle
for one year. He was in the St. Cloud Hotel
in Philadelphia for two years, and from that
house went to the Aldine Hotel, 1914 Chest-
nut street. After thirteen years in Phila-
delphia he returned to Harrisburg and with
his sons, Peter and John, purchased a lot, and
erected a large building which he now occu-
pies with a drj' goods business. Mr. Sample
has been a member of Brotherly Love
Lodge, No. 896, G. U. 0. 0. F., for thirty
years and belongs to No. 1, Household of
Ruth. In political views he is a Republican.
He is a member of the African Methodist
Episcopal church. State street, of which his
deceased wife was also a member.
John B. Sample received part of his edu-
cation in his native county, and completed
it in the schools of Dauphin county. At
the age of fifteen he took a position in the
Jones House, now known as the Common-
wealth Hotel, and remained there three
years. The next two years he was at the
Bolton House. Thence he went to the Gross
House, now Harris House ; thence to the
Lochiel Hotel, where he was employed at in-
tervals for eight years. He had a good rep-
utation for honesty, and was respected by all
who knew him. He was for three years at
Niagara Falls; then he went to Reading,
where he was employed for six months in a
hotel by Emanuel Long. Returning to
Plarrisburg he found employment for some
years at the State Capitol and at the United
States Hotel.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
599
In January, 1881, he entered the railway
mail service, as weighmaster. He has the
honor of being the first colored man em-
ployed in the railroad mail service on the
Middle division. His first run was between
Harrisburg and Pittsburgh ; then between
Harrisburg and Allentown, and from Har-
risburg to New York. He was afterwards
transferred to the Northern Central railroad
where he was employed as clerk on the route
between Harrisburg and Baltimore, and he
successfully worked himself up to head clerk,
in charge of the route, receiving a salary of
one thousand dollars per year. After nearly
twelve years' service he was compelled by
failing health to resign his position. When
he had regained his health he engaged in
business in Harrisburg, with his father,
where he has been up to the present time.
Mr. Sample was married, November 10,
1877, to Miss Maggie, daughter of William
and Charlotte Weaver. They have had
nine children, five of whom are living :
Francis G., Ada E., Maria A., Alexander W.,
and Maud M. The deceased children were:
Carrie A., Cora C, John G., and Blanche L.
His wife was born June 10, 1858, and died
October 4, 1895. She was a good mother
and a devoted Christian, a member of the
African Methodist church, on State street,
and of the Household of Ruth. William
Weaver, the father of Mrs. Sample, was born
in Dauphin county, and was for many years
a shoemaker. He married Miss Charlotte
Chester, daughter of George and Jane
Chester, who was born in Harrisburg, by
whom he had four children. Those living
are : Jennie, wife of Eev. John Palmer, of
Philadelphia ; Alda, wife of George Brisco,
and Fannie, wife of James Auter. The
father died in Philadelphia and the mother
died in Harrisburg, Pa. The grandparents
of Mrs. Sample were natives of Maryland.
MiLNOB, George W., merchant, was born
at Philadelphia, Pa., July 30, 1856. Pie is
a son of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Neilson)
Milnor. These worthy people were residents
of Philadelphia until 1880, since which date
they have, resided at York, Pa. They had
but two children : Elizabeth, wife of H. D.
Rupp, a prominent merchant of York, Pa.,
and George W. The latter received the ad-
vantages of a public school education in his
native city. He began his business career
as accountant and cashier in a large house-
furnishing and fancy goods warehouse in
Philadelphia. The ability he displayed and
his fidelity won for him the position of man-
ager of the establishment. He left his na-
tive city in 1880, and engaged in business
for himself at York, Pa. He removed to
liarrisburg, in January, 1884, and associated
himself in the mercantile business with
George Hoyer, under the firm name of Hoyer
& Milnor. ■ He was married, in Delaware, to
Sallie L. Cavender, daughter of Thomas and
Lydia Cavender. They have no children.
Mr. Milnor has represented the Fourth
ward in the common council, and in April,
1895, was elected president of that honorable
body. He takes an active part in all politi-
cal contests on the side of the Republican
party. He is a thorough business man, re-
spected for his integrity.
QuiCKBL, Henry F., was born in York
Pa., September 5, 1856. He is the son of
John Quickel, native of York, and Mary
Jane (Axe) Quickel, of New Bloomfield, Perry
county. Pa., and their only living child, one
child having died in infancy. When Henry
was two years old the family removed to Me-
chanicsburg, where his early life was spent.
He passed through the public schools and
also took the course of the Cumberland Val-
ley Institute. He then learned the trade of
coach painter and followed this occupation
almost three j'ears.
In January, 1877, Mr. Quickel removed to
Harrisburg and became a clerk in the hard
ware store of Anthony King. He filled the
place for fifteen months, at the end of which
time he resigned and accepted a similar posi-
tion with Henry Gilbert & Son. In 1882 he
entered business for himself as dealer in
boilers, engines, etc., purchasing the business
of David Stevenson, Jr. He has conducted
this business for the past thirteen years, and
by his practical and reliable methods has
achieved an enviable reputation as a business
man, and made a marked success in his busi-
ness career. He is justly regarded as one of
the staunch, progressive and enterprising
men of Harrisburg. He well merits the high
esteem in which he is held and the liberal
patronage extended to him.
Henry F. Quickel was married at Harris-
burg, November 13, 1883, to Mary Ellen Det-
weiler. They have two sons: Ralph D., born
August 23, 1885, and Kenneth M., born
April 26, 1890. In politics Mr. Quickel is a
Republican. He and his family are consist-
600
BIOORAPHIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ent members of the Market Square Presbyte-
rian church. Mr. Quickel officiated as organ-
ist of this church from 1879 to 1886.
Fahnestock, W. E., was born in Pitts-
burgh, Pa., April 6, 1866; son of Walter B.
and Mary L. (Eppley) Fahnestock. The father
was a native of Pittsburgh, the mother was
a daughter of Daniel Eppley, of Harrisburg.
W. E. was reared in Pittsburgh and received
his primary instruction in the schools of
that city. He completed his education at
Cornell University, graduating from that
institution in the class of 1887. In Septem-
ber of the following year he came to Harris-
burg and engaged in the dry goods business,
forming a partnership with W. H. Lyter,
under the firm name of Lyter & Fahnestock.
The firm continued in business until Jan-
uary 1,1894, when Mr. Fahnestock purchased
the interest of his partner. He was promi-
nently identified with the Masonic frater-
nities, holding membership in the blue
lodge, chapter, commandery, council and
consistory. He was married, in 1888, to
Mary L. VanOrder, daughter of Captain
VanOrder, of Ithaca, N. Y. Their children
Lena Ruth and Arnold VanOrder.
are:
Mr. Fahnestock attended St. Stephen's
Protestant Episcopal church, of which his
widow is a member.
Glover, John W., merchant tailor, was
born in Perry county, Pa., October 22, 1820;
son of George and Elizabeth Glover, the
former a native of Perry county, the latter a
native of Scotland. The father was a miller,
and died on the farm on which he was born.
They had five children, the only survivors
of whom are John W. and Boyd, when last
heard from residing in Kansas City. John
W. received his education in Perry county,
and came to Harrisburg, where he served an
apprenticeship of two years at the trade of
tailor, after which he entered business on
his own account. He has been a continuous
resident of the city since 1839, and has been
in business for himself since 1841. He was
married, in Harrisburg, April 20, 1843, to
Helena H. Haines, a native of Philadelphia.
They had these children : one who died in
childhood; Edmund W., Brooklyn, N. Y.;
Catherine, wife of E. A. Huber, residing in
Sunbury, Pa.; John, deceased ; Helena, wife
of H. C. Bosley, residing in Harrisburg;
Maurice, residing in Steelton, and Beverly
W. Mr. Glover in his political views is a
Democrat, and represented the Fourth ward,
in common council for one term. He is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. &
A. M., and attends the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Gasteock, William, merchant tailor, Har-
risburg, was born in the province of Saxony,
Prussia, June 16, 1833. He is the only son
of William and Dorothy R. Gastrock, both
deceased, and both natives of Germany,
where they spent their whole lives. His
boyhood was passed in his native land. He
took theregular course of studies in the state
schools, completing it at the age of fourteen.
He then entered upon an apprenticeship of
three j^ears to learn tailoring. Having
served his time he worked as a journeyman
until he reached the age of manhood.
In 1854 he left his native country and
came to America. He landed at Baltimore
and proceeded at once to Harrisburg. For
forty-two years he has been a continuous
resident of this city and for thirty-three years
of this time has been prominently identified
with its business interests.
He was married, in Harrisburg, April 22,
1866, to Wilhelmina, daughter of Frank A.
and Katherine Elmer, natives of Wurtem-
berg, Germany. They had three children
one of whom died in infancy. Those living
are : Louisa M., wife of Charles Warkotsch,
residing in Philadelphia, and William A.,
who is associated with his father in business,
in Harrisburg, Pa.
Mr. Gastrock is a Democrat. He and his
family attend the German Lutheran church.
HouTZ, William H., merchant tailor, was
born in Bethel township, Lebanon county.
Pa., December 15, 1833. He is a son of the
late William and Nancy (Hunsicker) Houtz.
His grandparents were both natives of Leb-
anon county. The grandfather was a fanner
and distiller. He hauled the product of his
distillery to Philadelphia by team, where he
disposed of it and loaded his wagon for re-
turn with merchandise of various kinds. He
had eight children, only one of whom sur-
vives, John, a farmer living in Indiana.
William Houtz, the father of William H.,
was born in Bethel township, Lebanon
county. Pa., January 1, 1803. He was a son
of Henry Houtz. In his younger days he
was engaged in farming. He also conducted
a distillery for about fifteen years. He was
married, in 1826, to Nancy, daughter of Chis-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
601
tian and Sally (Newcomer) Hunsicker, a
native of Bethel township, Lebanon county.
They had twelve children, nine of whom are
living: Henry, David, William, Samuel,
Lydia, wife of John Hitter, Daniel, Nancy,
wife of John Yorker, Elias, and Elizabeth,
wife of John ShoUey. Two children died in in-
fancy and Samuel died in October, 1894, at
the age of sixty years. William Houtz died
December 24, 1894, at the advanced age of
ninety-three years, on the old homestead in
Lebanon county.
William H. Houtz had very limited op-
portunities for receiving an education. He
is practically a self-made man, in the best
sense of that word, for his success in life is
the result of his own efforts, industry and
energy. At the age of seventeen he learned
the trade of tailor and has followed it through
life. In 1848 he came to Harrisburg and en-
gaged to work at his trade with Adam Mc-
Afee, continuing in his employ for sixteen
years. On August 7, 1864, he enlisted in com-
any H, Two Hundred and First regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and served in the
army for nearly one year. He was discharged
June 11, 1865. While on picket duty he was
struck on the head by a fragment of a shell.
After returning from the army he moved to
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., and engaged in farming for four years ;
then moved back to Harrisburg and worked
at his trade for William Sayford. December
31, 1879, he moved to No. 306 Broad street,
and engaged in business for himself. In
1884 he bought the large and commodious
property lately owned by Mr. Ensminger,
where he has carried on his business and
where he still resides. He has been a mem-
ber of Castle No. 40, K. of G. E., for twelve
years, being one of the charter members. He
is also a member of City Lodge, No. 301, 1. 0.
0. F. He has been a member of the Improved
Order of Heptasophs for about eleven years.
Mr. Houtz is a Republican. He was married,
July 5, 1852, to Mary, daughter of William
and Magdalena Douglass. They had three
children : Adam D., Mary E, wife of Robert
Gher, and William B., died in 1861, at the
age of five years and four months. His wife
died June 5, 1875, at the age of fifty-two
years. He was married, the second time,
July 5, 1876, to Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel
andMary (Mellinger) Stroh. They have no
children.
William Douglass, the father of Mary
(Douglass) Houtz, the first wife of William
H. Houtz, was a farmer of Scotch descent.
He married Miss Gibble, a native of Lebanon
county. They had four children, one of whom
survives, John, living in Indiana. Their
deceased children are: Jeremiah, Benjamin,
Peter and Mary. For many years Mr. Doug-
lass taught school in winter and served as
pilot on the river in summer. He was mar-
ried the second time to Miss Walter. They
had five children: Uriah, Henry, Franklin,
Archibald and Catherine.
Elizabeth Stroh, the second wife of William
H. Houtz, was born January 26, 1848. Her
parents were natives of Lebanon county.
Her father, Daniel Stroh, was born in Feb-
ruary, 1802. He learned wagon making and
followed this occupation for many years. For
twenty-six years he taught school. He was
married, in 1833, to Mary, daughter of Jacob
and Mary (Gebhard) Mellinger. They had
seven children, four of whom are living:
Leah, Mary, Elizabeth, and Sally, wife of
John Connor. Three children died in in-
fancy. In 1861 Daniel Stroh was elected
recorder of wills of Lebanon county and
served for three years. In 1865 he was ap-
pointed postmaster of Annville, Pa. He held
this office at the time of his death, having
served six years. He died, in 1871, aged
sixty-two and was highly esteemed by all
who knew him. He was a Republican and
was a member of the Lutheran church.
Mary Mellinger, the mother of Mrs. Houtz,
was born in Lebanon county, February 20,
1814, and died in Harrisburg, August 25,
1884, at the age of seventy years.
Bernheisel, Luther, merchant tailor,
was born in Perry county. Pa., April 1, 1834.
He is a son of George and Susan (Kepner)
.Bernheisel. His maternal grandfather, John
Kepner, was a farmer, and one of the
wealthiest men in Juniata county. George
Bernheisel was a native of Perry county
and a merchant. He was married to Miss ,
Susan, daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Loye) Kepner, who was also born in Perry
county. Three of their children are living :
John C, Cornelius and Luther. The de-
ceased children are : Catherine, who died at
the age of fourteen ; Jacob, and Samuel, who
died from wounds received at the battle of
Lookout Mountain. Mr. George Bernheisel
and his wife were members of the Lutheran
church.
Luther Bernheisel received a limited edu-
cation. He attended the public schools at
602
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUYCLOPEDIA
intervals until he was about fourteen, when
he began to serve a four years' apprentice-
ship at tailoring with Patterson Alexander,
in Juniata county. At the end of this term
he was employed for a few months by Mr.
Howell. He then worked a few months for
Mr. Stroup, in Mifflintown, Juniata county,
then seven months for Christian Metz, of
Williamsburg, Blair county, Pa. He at-
tended the first State fair held in Harrisburg
and during his stay in the city visited some
of his relatives. After this he returned to
Blair county and spent eight months work-
ing for his former employer, Mr. Metz. In
1856 Mr. Bernheisel went into the tailoring
business for himself, purchasing the estab-
lishment formerly owned by Squire Howell,
at Pleasant Hill, Juniata county, which he
conducted for a few years. He was next in
business for sometime at Green Park, Perry
county. Pa., and lived there three years when
the war broke out. Mr. Bernheisel enlisted,
August 20, 1861, for three years, in company
H, Forty-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers. He again enlisted at Fort Jef-
ferson, in 1863. He was discharged at Camp
Cadwallader, January 11, 1866. He was
wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, Shen-
andoah Valley, under General Sheridan.
He took part in the battles of Pocotalgo, S.
C, also Sabina Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill,
and King Eiver, in Louisiana ; Berryville,
Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill, Va. During
his service he was in eleven States, took
eleven trips on the ocean and was in eleven
battles.
After the war he returned to Green Park
and was in the tailoring business there for
a short period, and then for three years at
Andersonburg, Perry county. He then re-
moved to New Bloomfield, where he was en-
gaged for three years, and from there to
Newport. Three years later he bought out the
business of David Care, at Harrisburg, and
established himself at 106 Market "street.
After a few years he sold his business and
was for twelve years with Mr. Coover, as
manager of his tailoring department. Mr.
Bernheisel was again in business on his
own account for one year, at 121 Market
street, and afterwards removed to the oppo-
site side of the street, at the corner of Mar-
ket Square. Later he was with Mr. Coover
in the Harrisburg Manufacturing Company
as cutter. While in this position he re-
moved his family to the corner of Boas and
Green streets. Between 1892 and 1893 he
resigned his position and established him-
self in business at his residence, where he has
built up an important trade.
Mr. Bernheisel was first married, at Will-
iamsburg, Blair county. Pa., March 4, 1856,
to Miss Catherine, daughter of George
Winters, born in 1835, in Blair county.
They had twelve children. Those now
living are : Charles 0., Susan, wife of Charles
Snyder; Robert N., Frank W., Bessie M.,
wife of William Shoemaker, Rachel, Mattie,
wife of George Briggles, and Lewis C. Their
deceased children are : Alice E., died "Feb-
ruary 3, 1859, aged seven months; Edwin
M., died October 10, 1862, aged two years ;
Luther A., died August 24, 1865, aged
one year ; Frank L., died December 16, 1868,
aged six months. Mrs. Bernheisel died,
February 1, 1888, aged fifty -three years.
Mr. Bernheisel was married again, October
1, 1891, to Miss Susan E., daughter of Jo&iah
and Salome (Lenhart) Sheets. They had
two children, Harry S. and Harvey Da Foe,
who died June 19, 1894, aged four weeks.
Mr. Bernheisel is a member of Post No.
58, G. A. R., and for many years has been a
member of the U. V. L., No. 67. He is a
Republican and a member of the Messiah
Lutheran church.
The parents of the first Mrs. Bernheisel
were natives of Blair county. Her father
was a farmer, and was also engaged in mer-
cantile business.
The parents of the second Mrs. Bernheisel
were natives of Dauphin county. Her
father was a farmer, and still resides in Dau-
phin county. He has held various town-
ship ofl[ices and is a director of the Halifax
Bank. His politics are Democratic. He is
a member of the Lutheran church.
McCreery, George J., merchant tailor,
was born in Harrisburg, December 20, 1834;
son of William and Ann M. (Jones') Mc-
Creery. He removed with his parents to
Westmoreland county when he was a child,
and there was reared and received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Ligonier Val-
ley. He served part of his apprenticeship
at the tailor trade in his native township,
but completed it at Philadelphia, where he
worked at his trade of tailoring and cutting
until 1885. For the past ten years he has
conducted a merchant tailoring business in
Harrisburg. He was married, in Pottsville,
Pa., October 3, 1867, to Catherine L. Kurtz,
of Pottsville, to whom no children have been
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
603
born. Mr. McCreery is a member of Will-
iamsport Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M. In
political views he is a Republican. He and
his wife attend the Pine Street Presbyterian
church.
Feoehlich, John, merchant tailor, was
born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, July 31,
1835. He is a son of Herman and Mary
(Rohde) Froehlich, both of Germany, who
lived and died in their native land. The
father was born August 1, 1800, and died
June 24, 1848; the mother was born in 1813,
and died January 16, 1876. These parents
had four children, three of whom are living:
Martha Elizabeth, wife of Henry Bickel, re-
siding on the old homestead; John, and
Annie E., wife of John Lindenberger, living
in Rock Island, 111.
John Froehlich grew to manhood in his
native land. He was educated in the State
schools, and learned the trade of tailor. At
twenty-two years of age, in 1857, he left the
paternal home to seek his fortune in the New
World. He reached New York September
4, 1857, and proceeded to Harrisburg, where
he took up his residence on September 8.
For the past thirty-nine years he has been
an honored resident of this city, and for over
thirty years he has been one of its represen-
tative and progressive business men. In 1871
Mr. Froehlich paid a visit to his native land,'
and after spending four months there with
friends and relatives returned to Harrisburg.
He was married, in Harrisburg, September
29, 1859, to Christiana Miller, daughter of
the late John and Elizabeth (Knouse) Miller.
They have a family of ten children : George
H., born February 22, 1861, married Jose-
phine Maver, has one child, resides in Brook-
lyn, N. Y^; Mary Anna, born April 23, 1863,
wife of Isaac M. Over, has three children,
Helen, Annie, and Rebecca, lives in Harris-
burg; Anna Amelia, born July 27, 1865,
living at home; Frederick William, born
March 30, 1867, married June 6, 1893, to
Miss Annie H., daughter of the late Jacob
and Mary A. Elder, of Harrisburg, was edu-
cated in the Harrisburg public schools, learned
the system of cutting, taught in the cutting
schools of Philadelphia and New York, and
January, 1893, was admitted to a partner-
ship in his father's business; John Herman,
born February 10, 1870, living in Harris-
burg; Charles Martin, born September 5,
1872, living in Harrisburg ; Edward Henry,
born October 27, 1874, living in Kane, Pa.;
Albert F., born January 9, 1877, living in
Harrisburg; Martin Luther, born December
29, 1879, living in Harrisburg; Paul, born
January 12, 1 882, living in Harrisburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Froehlich are members of St.
Michael's German Lutheran church. In this
church their children were all baptized and
confirmed. Some members of the family now
attend Bethlehem Lutheran church.
Shearek, JosEPtr L., was born in Harris-
burg, March 18, 1843; son of Joseph and
Margaret (Small) Shearer, the former of
Franklin, the latter of Cumberland county.
The fatlier came to Dauphin county in 1838
and settled at Harrisburg, where he engaged
in the merchant tailor business, in which he
continued until 1893, when he retired from
active business. In politics he is a Repub-
lican, and was originally a Free Soiler. He
has served as*a member of the council. He
is not connected with any church. His
children are: Joseph H.; Mary, wife of W.
P. Denehey, of Harrisburg; Samuel B.,
broom manufacturer; Clara R., Mrs. C. A.
Dean, of Denver, Col. Joseph L. was edu-
cated in the common schools and learned
the tailor trade with his father, which he
followed for twenty-five years, and for the
past five years has been in the gentlemen's
furnishing business. In political principles
he is with the Republican party. Mr.
Shearer was married, in 1866, to Miss Anna
M. Meyers, daughter of Samuel W. Meyers.
Their children are: Fannie, Mrs. Martin
Buehler, of Harrisburg; Samuel G., ma-
chinist, of Harrisburg; Joseph L., Jr., and
Clara R. Mr. Shearer, in 1862, enlisted in
an independent cavalry company, and after
three months' service was mustered out. He
re-enlisted in 1864 in company I, Seventy-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
in which he was a sergeant, and served on
skirmish duty. He was finally mustered
out at Victoria, Texas, in 1865. In 1869 he
went to Denver, Col., and New Mexico on u
Government survey. Mr. Shearer and his
family are members of the Zion Lutheran
church.
Ross, Harry C, merchant tailor, was
born in Lewistown, Pa., February 1, 1848;
son of William and Margaret M. (Lawyer)
Ross. The father was born in Fermanagh,
Ireland, and came to America witli his
parents when a child, locating at Thomp-
sontown, Pa., where he was reared to man-
604
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
hood. He resided at Lewistown many
years and was for some time editor of the
Lewistown Gazette. He served in several
government offices and represented Mifflin
county in the State Legislature. His death
occurred at Lewistown in 1860. The mother
was born in Harrisburg and is now a resi-
dent of the city. Their children are : Harry
C; Joseph D.; Mary L., wife of George Wolfe,
of Altoona ; Margaret, wife of John Contner,
of Milroy, Mifflin county ; Jennie, wife of
Robert Delettie, of Washington, D. C. Harry
C. was reared in Lewistown and received
his education in the public schools and
when very young became a clerk in a gen-
eral store. In 1864 he enlisted in company
H, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and re-enlisted in
company M, Seventh regiment, Pennsylva-
nia cavalry, in which he served until the
close of the war and was discharged at
Nashville, Tenn., in June, 1865. For sev-
eral years he was engaged as a clerk at Lew-
istown and later learned the tailoring busi-
ness, at which lie worked in Harrisburg
from 1874 to 1878, after which he engaged
in business for himself. Mr. Ross married,
first, at Lewistown, Miss Elizabeth M.
Thrush, daughter of Rev. John and Rachel
Thrush, of Lewistown, to whom was born
one son, John C, residing at Harrisburg.
He married, secondly, at Harrisburg, Eliza-
beth I. Herr, daughter of David S. and
Sarah 0. Herr. Their children are : David '
Herr and James Spencer. Mr. Ross is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F.
& A. M., Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, Pil-
grim Commandery, No. 11, Harrisburg Con-
sistory and Scottish Rite, and is also a mem-
ber of Lewistown Lodge, No. 97, I. 0. 0. F.,
and Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia. In
his political views Mr. Ross is a staunch Re-
publican. The family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Shope, George F., merchant tailor, was
born in Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa.,
February 19, 1857. He is a son of John and
Mary (Mason) Shope, who are referred to in
the Halifax sketches in this volume. His
parents removed when he was six years old
to Dauphin, Dauphin county, where he was
educated in the common schools. He then
became an apprentice to the tailoring busi-
ness. After completing his apprenticeship.
which he did in Williamsport, Pa., he worked
for two years in that city as journeyman.
He then went to Harrisburg and worked as
journeyman there. In 1879 he returned to
Dauphin where he was in business for him-
self for thirteen years. Since February, 1892,
he has been in business in Harrisburg.
He was married in Dauphin, January 20,
1881, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Jacob and
Catherine Stephenson, of Dauphin. They
have five children : Edna C, Alice W., Harry
S., James A. and Paul F.
Mr. Shope has served one term as auditor
of the borough of Dauphin, and one term as
school director and treasurer. He is an ac-
tive member of Paxtbn Lodge, No. 621, of
Dauphin, of Nazareth Commandery, No.
125, K. of M., of Harrisburg, and of Capital
City Council, No. 325, Jr. 0. U. A. M. He
is a Republican in politics. He and his wife
are members of Thirteenth Street Methodist
Episcopal church.
Myers, Charles, merchant tailor, was
born near Gettysburg, Adams county. Pa.,
March 6, 1860, and is a son of Rolandus and
Sophia Myers. His parents were both na-
tives of Adams county and of German ex-
traction. The father was a master painter
and followed his trade. He was an honored
resident of Harrisburg for twenty -five years.
He died February 25, 1890. The mother
survives and at present resides in Harris-
burg. Two of their children died in infancy.
The survivors are : Charles ; Ida M., wife of
W. H. Keener ; Alice K., wife of Ira D. Rit-
ner ; Jesse J., residing in Philadelphia ;
William H., and George C, both residing in
Columbus, Ohio.
Charles Myers lived in Adams county
until he was five years old. In 1865 he came
with his parents to Harrisburg and has since
been a continuous resident of this city. He
was educated in the Harrisburg public
schools and was afterwards employed by
John Froehlich, merchant tailor, for over
nineteen years. In March, 1891, he engaged
in business for himself.
He was married in Harrisburg, November
3, 1887, to Mary L., only daughter of E. 0.
and Elizabeth Dare, of Harrisburg. They
have one son, Joseph D.
Mr. Myers is a member of B. & P. 0. of
Elks, No. 241. In political views he is Dem-
ocratic. He attends Bethlehem Lutheran
church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
605
Moore,- Austin A., merchant tailor, Har-
risburg, was born in Burnside township,
Clearfield county. Pa., October 6, 1866. He
is a son of the late William and Cordelia
(Stonebarger) Moore. His father was born
in Burnside township, Clearfield county,
where he spent his life in farming. He
served his country faithfully during the late
war of the Rebellion, and died at the early
age of fifty-six. The mother was born in
Blair county, Pa., and after her marriage
resided in Clearfield county until 1893,since
which date she has resided in Harrisburg.
They had six children: Minnie, wife of
Elmer Brickley; Austin A., Blanche, Stella
and Frank, all living.
Austin A. Moore spent his youth in his
native township, where he enjoyed the ad-
vantages of a public school education. He
conducted his father's farm for a year after
finishing school, and subsequently removed
to Altoona, Pa., where he learned tailoring.
He followed this occupation in Altoona for
seven years. In May, 1889, he removed to
Harrisburg, and in January, 1895, engaged
in business for himself. He was married, in
Altoona, July 21,1884, to Jennie, daughter of
the late Thomas and Mary Bernard, of Al-
toona. They had five children, three of
whom died in childhood. Their surviving
children are : William Earl, born June 17,
1885, and Thomas Paul, born October 12,
1895. Mr. Moore is an active member of
(^ornplanter Tribe, No. 61, I. 0. R. M.; of
Dauphin Castle, No. 250, K. of G. E., and of
Mt. Vernon Council, No. 333, Jr. 0. U. A. M.
He also belongs to the Mt. Vernon Hook and
Ladder Company and to the Governor's
Troop. In political views he is a Republi-
can. He attends the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Heard, Frank S., merchant tailor, Har-
risburg, Pa., was born in Hagerstown, Md.,
February 4, 1867. He is a son of Franklin
A. and Mary (Mobley) Heard. Franklin A.
Heard was born in Hagerstown, June 10,
1826, and with the exception of a few years
of his boyhood spent in Cincinnati, Ohio,
has been a continuous resident of that city
all his life. He is a printer by trade and
published the Weekly Chronicle at Hagers-
town for fourteen years. In 1854 he com-
menced in the mercantile business in- Hagers-
town and is at present the oldest merchant
in business in Hagerstown. He was married,
February 5, 1849, to Mary Mobley, who was
born in Wheeling, W. Va., December 25, 1827,
and at the age of six moved to Hagerstown,
and has ever since resided there. They have
had six children: William, died, aged three
years; Laura S., wife of R. M. Hays; Ella,
wife of J. E. Stonebraker ; C. Edward ; Al-
bert, and Frank S., all, excepting the last
named, residing in Hagerstown.
Frank S. Heard spent his boyhood and
youth in Hagerstown, Md., and was educated
in the public schools of that city. After
leaving school he was apprenticed to the
tailoring business. He learned the cutting
branch of the business at the cutting school
of John J. Mitchell, New York City. After
acquiring a thorough knowledge of the work
he was for nine years employed as cutter in
a tailoring establishment at Hagerstown-
In 1893 he came to Harrisburg and since
that date has been in business for himself in
this city. By a strict regard for the wants
and interests of his patrons, and by honorable
dealing and good workmanship, Mr. Heard
has achieved enviable success. He has
built up a profitable and rapidly growing
business. He is highly esteemed in business
and in social circles.
He was married in Hagerstown, April 21,
1892, to Miss Cladie M., daughter of Jere-
miah and Nettie Funk, of Washington
county, Md. They have two children:
Robert L. and Catherine M., both living.
Mr. Heard is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., of Harrisburg ;
Ithiel Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M., of Hagers-
town, Md.; Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11,
K. T., Harrisburg; Valley Lodge, No. 70,
K. of P., Hagerstown ; Harrisburg Ruling,
No. 440, Fraternal Mystic Circle. In politi-
cal views he is a Republican. He attends
the Lutheran church.
MowRY, Morgan A., general manager of
the Star Steam Laundry, was born in Liver-
pool, Perry county. Pa., May 15, 1851; son
of Ephraim L. and Emma C. (Harris)
Mo wry. Ephraim L. Mowry was born in
Sharaokin, Northumberland county. Pa., of
which county Mrs. Mowry was also a native.
Eight of their thirteen children are living:
Rufus, Monroe, Morgan A., Louis, Thomas,
Frederick, Minnie, and Jennie. The de-
ceased children are : Mary, Catherine, Cora,
Ellen and Louis. Mrs. Mowry died in 1895;
Mr. Mowry still survives and resides at
Elmira, N. Y.
Morgan A. Mowry was educated in the
606
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
public schools of Lewisburg, Union county,
Pa., where his parents removed when he was
about nine years old. He began early to
make his own way in the world, leaving
home when he was but sixteen. He has
been a continuous resident of Harrisburg
since 1873. Immediately upon his arrival
in that city he was employed in the White
Hall Hotel, of which he was clerk, for ten
years. Since 1883 he has been connected
with the Star Steam LaundrJ^ Since the
death of Mr. and Mrs. Yinger, the proprie-
tors, he has conducted the business in the
interest of the estate.
Morgan A. Mowry was married, in Harris-
burg, December 9, 1880, to Anna Mary
Springer, born in New Market, York county.
Pa. Their children are: David, Albert, Bes-
sie Ann, and one that died in infancy. Mr.
Mowry is an active member of Bayard Lodge,
No. 150, K. of P., also of Goldsmith Division,
No. 50, Uniformed Rank, K. of P. He is a
Democrat. Mr. Mowry and his family at-
tend Bethlehem Lutheran church.
Klemm, Charles Augustus, senior mem-
ber of the firm of Klemm & Rahe, proprie-
tors of the City Steam Laundry, was born
in Hainichen, in the kingdom of Saxony,
Germany, October 9, 1851. He is a son of
Frederick William and Christine (Rife)
Klemm. Frederick William Klemm was a
native of Saxony. He was a stone quarrier,
and died in 1883. His wife, Christine Rife, a
native of the same town, survives him and
resides in her native country ; she is seventy-
two years of age. They had seven children :
Charles Augustus is the only one of them
who came to America. The others are Fred-
erick W., Franz Edward, Maria Bertha,
Augusta Christine, Amelia Ross and Laura
Bertha, all residents of Germany.
Charles Augustus Klemm passed his boy-
hood and youth in Germany and was edu-
cated in the public schools of his native
town. His school education finished, he
served an apprenticeship of three and a half
years to the trade of cloth weaving, and con-
tinued to work at it as journeyman for two
years more. He was then drafted into the
German army in which he served three
years. When discharged from the army he
resumed work at his trade and was em-
ployed in different parts of Germany until
1882. Li March, 1882, he emigrated to Amer-
ica. He landed at New York, April 9, 1882,
and after a few days' stay in that city came
to Harrisburg. This city has been his place
of residence since that time. For eleven
years he was employed as an attendant in
the State Lunatic Asylum. On July 1, 1895,
he formed a partnership with Henry J.
Rahe and engaged in his present business.
He has been twice married. His first wife
was Anna, daughter of Ernest and Mina
Hempel, of Harrisburg, who died August
24, 1891, without children. His second
marriage, in which he was united to Frieda
Alwine, daughter of Julius and Augusta
Ahlefeld, a native of Hanover, Germany, oc-
curred in Harrisburg, February 12, 1894.
They have one son, Paul Ahlefeld. In 1893
Mr. Klemm paid a visit to his old home and
his mother in Germany. After a pleasant
stay of two months he returned to America
and it was upon his return voyage that he
made the acquaintance of his second wife.
Mr. Klemm is a member of Peace and
Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. 0. 0. F., and of
Hermann Castle, No. 337, K. of G. E. He is
a Democrat. He and his wife are members
of the Lutheran church.
Rahe, Henry J., of the firm of Klemm &
Rahe, proprietors of the City Steam Laundry,
was born in Fair view township, York county.
Pa., January 6, 1854. He is a son of Henry
and Dorothy (Hull) Rahe. Henry Rahe was
born in Germany and came to America early
in life. He settled in York county, as a farmer.
He died September 15, 1891. His wife, Doro-
thy Hull, was also a native of Germany and
came to this country in her youth. She died
February 18, 1890. They had ten children,
seven of whom are living: Henry J., An-
drew, Lewis M., Anna D., widow of Milton
Sunday, John, Charles, and Samuel. The
deceased children are : Emma, William and
John. Henry J. Rahe when but four years
of age went with his parents from the farm
to the town of York, Pa. His education was
received in the public schools of that town.
He next learned the carpenter's trade, com-
pleting his apprenticeship in 1873. He went
to the State of Indiana, and on January 6,
1874, located at Richmond, where for three
years he was engaged in working at his trade
and in contracting. Returning to Pennsyl-
vania, he was for two years employed in
mining ore near Spring Grove, York county.
Having sold his interest in the mines he was
for three seasons engaged in threshing grain.
For a few months following this time he was
interested in a bottling concern. He next
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
607
removed to Harrisburg aiid for seven months
conducted a grocery store. Selling this out,
he engaged for a short time in the renova-
tion of feathers. He then took up the work
of contracting and building, which he car-
ried on until July 1, 1895. At this date he
formed a partnership with Mr. Klemm and
purchased the City Steam Laundry. He is
still interested in this business, which is con-
ducted under the firm name of Klemm &
Rahe. He was married in York, November
14, 1880, to Martha J., daughter of Samuel and
Caroline (Fissel) Stambaugh. They have
had three children : Louis Edward, who died
in childhood ; and the surviving ones are :
Mary Ellen and Charles Henry. Mr. Rahe
is Democratic in his political views. He at-
tends the Presbyterian church.
HoGENTOGLER, Harry Grant, junior
member of the firm of Hogentogler Bros.,
proprietors of the Palace Steam Laundry,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Columbia, Lan-
caster countj'^, Pa., December 20, 1863. He
is a son of Joseph and Esther (Sourbier)
Hogentogler, a sketch of whom appears in
this volume.
He was educated in the public schools and
after leaving school was for a time employed
as salesman. Subsequently he was in the
service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Com-
pany for about four years. In 1884 he came
to Harrisburg, where he engaged in the
grocery business. On May 9, 1892, uniting
with his brother under the firm name of
Hogentogler Bros., they established the
Palace Steam Laundry. In 1894 he sold his
interest in the grocery and since that date
has given his entire attention to the laundry
business.
He was married in Camden, N. J., No-
vember 4, 1889, to Miss Millie, daughter of
Thomas and Catherine Mullen, of Columbia,
Pa. They have two children : Joseph Ray
and Esther Catherine.
At the general election of 1896 Mr. Hogen-
togler was chosen judge of elections. In his
political views he is a Republican. He and
his family attend the Market Square Presby-
terian church.
Fink, Henry. — The business solidity and
commercial prosperity of Harrisburg is due
to those men who have achieved success for
themselves and by their generous public
spirit have made the community sharers in
the fruits of their enterprise and ability ;
and among this class of men stands Henry
Fink, proprietor of the Keystone brewery.
His parents, Conrad and Helen (Bischof)
Fink, were natives of Germany, and resi-
dents of the province of Hesse Cassel, where
Henry was born September 7, 1835. Besides
this son they had two others, Volpert and
Frederick C, for all of whom they made the
most ample provision in the way of educa-
tion and business training. Desirous of see-
ing their sons started in business where there
would be open to them the broadest fields
and the fullest opportunities for enterprise
and achievement, they resolved to come to
the United States. This purpose thej' ac-
complished in 1854, in which year they
settled in Harrisburg. The parents did not
long live to enjoy the benefits of the new
country, and were not permitted to see how
wisely they had chosen for their sons. Mr.
Fink died at Harrisburg in 1855 and his
faithful wife died in 1867.
Henry Fink had richly profited by his
education, in the German schools and was
enabled to discern the business situation
and the needs and possibilities of the com-
munity in the line along which he desired
to act. But among the most valuable and
practical of his German attainments were
his knowledge of his trade and his acquaint-
ance with all the details and methods of the
brewing business which enabled him to take
advantage of one of the most inviting oppor-
tunities for skill and enterprise. The possible
improvement and indefinite enlargement
and the absolute certainty of resulting
profits of the business to anyone of the ca-
pacity to conduct it wisely were clearly in
his view. There must be a beginning, and
it might be a small one, but no matter for
that, for the growth was certain.
The first work of Mr. Fink in Harrisburg
was in the Barnitz brewery, which was not
a very large establishment, but was a place
where honest work was done, and where re-
liable and excellent products were made.
While working here, Mr. Fink was doing
good service for his emplo3'er and was every
day learning the business more thoroughly.
He was industrious and frugal, and was
gradually accumulating means to enter busi-
ness for himself In 1862 Mr. Fink found
that the time had come for his own venture.
He secured a lease of the brewery where he
had been employed, and at once engaged in
brewing ale and porter. He resolved that
the quality of his products must first be es-
608
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tablished so that his brands would have an
indisputable standing in the markets, that
this grade must be maintained at any cost
and that all increase in the capacity of his
brewery and the output of goods must be
made in consistency with this high quality.
He has pursued this course wisely and care-
fully, and has made enlargement and im-
provement from time to time, all the while
maintaining his reputation for manufactur-
ing the best beer and ale on the market.
In 1881 he was obliged to have larger build-
ings and proceeded to erect the magnificent
structure which now accommodates his
business and which is the largest brewery in
the city, equipped regardless of cost with
all known and most modern appliances for
his manufacture. In his progress in busi-
ness Mr. Fink has added the manufacture of
lager beer, and has provided his plant with
every facility for making this popular bev-
erage of the highest degree of excellence.
Mr. Fink was united in marriage in 1857
to Christina Katharine Beyer, a native of
Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Amer-
ica in 1852. Seven children have been born
to them: Frederick J.; Katherine, wife of
James Q. Handshaw, of Harrisburg ; Bertha
Helen ; Henry C, who renders his father
most valuable" assistance in the office as an
accountant ; Robert B.; Christina K., wife of
Milton Plank, and Henrietta, deceased. In
his political views Mr. Fink is in accord
with the Democratic party. The family
attend the services of the Lutheran church.
While Mr. Fink congratulates himself on
the success of his private business he also
regards with great gratification the growth
and prosperity of the city and is a recognized
leader among the many public-spirited citi-
zens who are planning and promoting the
common welfare.
Johnson, Clement B., was born in Har-
risburg, March 29,1850. He is a son of Will-
iam B., native of Hanover, York county, Pa.,
and Rose A. (McFadden) Johnson, a native
of Lebanon, Pa., and of north of Ireland an-
cestry. His father was engaged in business
in Harrisburg for many years. He opened
up the marble quarries at Chimney Ridge,
Hollidaysburg. He was also engaged in
business at Pottsville, Carlisle, Chambers-
burg, Zanesville, Ohio, and Somerset, Ohio.
The parents both died at Harrisburg, the
father in April, 1854, the mother, August 29,
1892. This family consisted of eight chil-
dren, three of whom are living: James A.,
Fannie L., a teacher in the grammar school,
and Clement B. He was educated in the
public schools of Harrisburg, and after leav-
ing school learned telegraphy in the employ-
ment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany. He was engaged in this vocation
twenty-one years. In 1887 he engaged in
the bottling business. He was married, in
Harrisburg, November 17, 1885, to Mary A.
Russ, daughter of Louis and Carolinda
Russ, both natives of Lucca, Italy. Three
children have been born to them: William
L., Maria F., and Herschel L. In politics
he has always been a Democrat. The family
attend St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral. Mr.
Johnson is a public-spirited citizen and a
successful and honorable business man.
Dressel, Christ A., was born in Aoch-
stadt, Bavaria, Germany, January 4, 1854.
He is a son of Burkort and Josephina Dressel.
His parents both died in Germany, his father
March 19, 1870, and his mother December 2,
1870. They had five children , four of whom
are living. Andrew, butcher, in Pittsburgh,
Pa., and Christ A. are the only members of
the family who have come to America.
Christ A. Dressel was educated in the State
schools and in the Trade Academy of his
native place. He then learned the business
of brewing with his father. In 1872 he
came to America and worked at brewing in
Philadelphia for six months. Thence he
removed to Lancaster, Pa., where he resided
two years, and subsequently spent one year
in Columbia. In 1876 he removed to Har-
risburg, where for seventeen years he was
engaged in the brewing business. He was
married, in Lancaster, Pa., September 21,
1875, to Caroline, daughter of Fritz and
Barbara (Kopp) Beck, born in Wurtemberg,
June 1, 1854. They have no children, but
have adopted a son, Walter Beck, born July
14, 1882. Mr. Dressel is a member of the
German Beneficial Society. In politics he is
a Democrat.
Lyons, William H., wholesale beer bottler,
of the firm of Lyons & Treon, was born in
Upper Augusta, Northumberland county.
Pa., September 8, 1856. He is a son of
Robert and Barbara (Cotner) Lyons, who
were both natives of Montour county. His
father was a prominent farmer of Northum-
berland county, and died in Upper Augusta
township, where he spent the greater part of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
609
his life. William H. Lyons was reared to
manhood in his native county, on his fatlier's
farm. He received the ordinary education
afforded by the district school, and there
learned the carpenter trade. For some years
he was engaged in the hotel business in Sun-
bury. In 1888 he engaged in the lumber
business and continued it for six years. In
the summer of 1894 he built the dyke at
Sunbury, making a fill of 29,000 cubic yards.
In 1895 he removed to Harrisburg and in
connection with H. H. Treon engaged in
his present business. He was married in
Upper Augusta township, February 18, 1886,
to Hattie Rockafeller, daughter of Louis and
Catherine K. Rockafeller, of that township.
He is a member of Fort Augusta Lodge, No.
143, K. of P., of Sunbury, and of Lance and
Shield Lodge, No. 11, 0. of S. P. K. In po-
litical views he is a Democrat. Mrs. Lyons
attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
Johnson, Max P., wholesale bottler, was
born in Baltimore, Md., June 5, 1858. His
early life was spent in his native city, and
after leaving school he was engaged as a
salesman in a brewery for fifteen years,
during which time he acquired a thorough
knowledge of the business in all its branches.
In 1889 he moved to Harrisburg and se-
cured the agency for the famous Anheuser-
Busch Brewing Association, of St. Louis,
Mo., and also for D. G. Yuengling's re-
nowned porter and ales. To the handling
of these brands of goods he has devoted his
entire attention the past seven years. His
place of business is a large and imposing
stone building situated opposite the Penn-
sylvania railroad depot, which is used en-
tirely for the purposes of his business. The
trade of the Harrisburg Bottling Works is
large and lucrative, and, apart from the large
country trade done by Mr. Johnson, includes
an extensive trade among the leading hotels,
cafes and select families of the city and
vicinity. The fame of the Anheuser-Busch
beer is so well established that praise from
us would seem superfluous, and yet judges
of good beer are never done extolling its
merits. The plant of Mr. Johnson is
equipped throughout with special machinery
for the bottling of liquids. Mr. Johnson
personally is highly esteemed in business
circles for his integrity and -liberal business
views and well merits the liberal patronage
that is bestowed upon him.
BoMGARDNEE, George, was born at East
Hanover, Lebanon county, July 9, 1859.
He is a son of George and Margaret (Zarger)
Bomgardner, natives of Lebanon county.
The former still survives and resides at
Grantville, Dauphin county ; the latter passed
away in 1894. George was reared to man-
hood and received his education in the pub-
lic schools of East Hanover. After leaving
school he learned the trade of shoemaker, at
which he worked for ten years. In 1873 he
removed to Harrisburg where he worked at
his trade for some years and for four years
was engaged in the retail shoe business and
was subsequently engaged in the wholesale
beer and bottling business. He was mar-
ried, in 1871, at East Hanover, to Emma
Wagner. She bore him one son, who was ac-
cidentally killed by a Pennsylvania railroad
train on the Market street crossing. In his
second marriage, which occurred at Leba-
non, he was united to Ella Blester, daughter
of George Blester, of Harrisburg. They
have no children. In politics Mr. Bom-
gardner is a Republican.
Graupnkr, Robert H., proprietor of the
Harrisburg Brewery, was born at Crim-
midscau, province of Saxony, Germany, July
5, 1862. He is a son of August and Johanna
(Herald) Graupner, both natives of the prov-
ince of Saxony, both died in their native
land. Robert H. was reared to manhood
and educated in Germany, and there also he
learned the trade of brewer. In September,
1883, he left Germany and came to America.
He located in Philadelphia, where he worked
at his trade for nine years. He was the
head man for the Smith establishment in
Philadelphia for three years, and with Mr.
Heffner's Lancaster brewery for one year.
From the latter place he came to this city,
in 1893, and has been engaged in the brew-
ing business here since that date. The stars
and stripes float to-day over an industry that
has just been added to the great commercial
interests of the city, which has for the man-
ufacture of its products the most imposing
edifice in this section of the State. This fine
building, which is the plant of the Harris-
burg Consumer's Brewing and Bottling Com-
pany, and located at Tenth and Market
streets, has been made a necessity. It is the
result of the indomitable push and fine ex-
ecutive ability of Mr. Graupner, the presi-
dent and general superintendent of the
company. The entire plant was constructed
610
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
under his personal supervision. He is in
every way a remarkable man, as an author-
ity in matters relating to brewing he stands
at the top and is highly regarded in the
community for his ability, enterprise and
sterling integritj-. It is safe to predict the
greatest success for the company with such
an industrious and reliable man at the head.
Mr. Graupner was married in Philadelphia,
June, 1884, to Mary Leishner, a native of
Saxony. They have five children: Max,
Albert, William, Emma, and Frederick. In
political views he is a Democrat. The
family attend the Lutheran church.
ScHOOLEY, William G., senior member of
the firm of Schooley & Moore, proprietors of
the Keystone Bottling Works, and manufac-
turers of aerated waters, was born in Pitts-
ton, Luzerne county. Pa., October 17, 1864.
He is a son of Joseph P. and Charlotte
(Laird) Schooley, who were of Scotch-Irish
ancestry. He was educated in the public
schools of his native town. After leaving
school he worked in the brickyard of his
father and at agricultural pursuits with his
uncle until 1870, when he engaged in the
manufacture and bottling of aerated water.
In 1885 he removed to Harrisburg and has
continued the business here until this time.
He was married in Harrisburg, October
24, 1894, to Mattie R. Withrow, daughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth Withrow, old and
honored residents of Harrisburg. In'political
views he is a Republican. He is a member
of John Harris Council, Jr. 0. U. A. M., and
of Cincinnatus Commandery, K. of M. Mr.
Schooley is a live, progressive business man,
fully abreast with the times. By his ener-
getic business methods and fair treatment
of patrons he has built up a large and rap-
idly increasing trade.
KoENiG, Frederick L., was born in Har-
risburg, January 23, 1867. He is a son of
Jonathan and Frederica Katrina (Goetz)
Koenig, both deceased. They were both
born at Oberarat Mahlbruu, Koenigreich
Wurtemberg, Germany. They came to this
country and settled at Harrisburg, where
they resided for the remainder of their lives.
Jonathan Koenig was a carpenter. He was
for twelve years agent for the Bergner &
Engel Brewing Co. October 26, 1861, he en-
listed in company K, Ninth Pennsylvania
cavalry. After serving one year in this
regiment he was discharged at Louisville,
Ky., September 13, 1862. Mr. Koenig after-
wards re-enlisted in company G, Two Hun-
dred and First Pennsylvania volunteers, and
served until June 20, 1865, when he was dis-
charged atHarrisburg, Pa. He died in Har-
risburg, July 25, 1882 ; his wife died in Har-
risburg, July 7, 1891. They had four chil-
dren, two of whom died in childhood. Their
living children are Sarah Louisa, widow of
the late John C. Wiesemau, and Freder-
ick L.
Frederick L. Koenig has spent his life in
his native city. He received his education
in the public schools, and upon its comple-
tion was engaged for four years as clerk.
For the past nine years he has been em-
ployed in the wholesale trade as general
agent for Bergner & Engel's celebrated lager
beer.
He was married in Harrisburg, April 28,
1892, to Ida Selma, daughter of Ernest and
Wilhelmina Katrina (Schmeidel) Hempel.
They have one child, Esther Frederica. Mr.
Koenig is an active member of Capital City
Castle, No. 40, K. G. E.; Cincinnatus Com-
mandery, No. 96, K. of M.; Harrisburg
Commandery, No. 4, K. G. E.; Hope Fire
Company, No. 2 ; Firemen's Beneficial So-
ciety, and St. Michael's Church Benevolent
Society. He is a Democrat. He attends St.
Michael's German Lutheran church.
Meyer, Robert L., bottler, was born in
Harrisburg, April 2, 1872; son of Charles L.
and Sybillia (Swunger) Meyer, the former a
native of Wesphalia, Prussia, the latter of
Lebanon county. Pa. The father came to
Harrisburg in his youth and was a contin-
uous resident and in business in this city
until his death, June 4, 1893. His family
consisted of eight children : Catherine, wife
of John Gorman ; Ella, wife of William Mc-
Lean ; Grace, Robert, May, Emma, Bertha
and Lucretia. Robert L. received his edu-
cation in the city schools, after which he
learned the trade of machinist and followed
that occupation six years. Upon the death
of his father in 1893 he succeeded to his
business which he has conducted since that
time. In political views Mr. Meyer is a
Liberal.
CoRNMAN, Wilson S., manager of the Com-
monwealth Hotel, was born at the hotel of
his grandfather,, George Sponsler, one mile
east of Carlisle, on the Carlisle and Harris-
burg pike, September 18, 1837; son of Joua-
^ ^.;ih^.^.^.^^^^^
Oyf-ydLc
'C>^t-^t.*^t
SIMON CAMERON
REV. JOHN WINEBRENNER.
DAUPHIN GOtllStTY.
613
than and Jane (Sponsler) Cornman. When
two years of age he removed with his par-
ents to Centre county, Pa., where he received
his education in the public schools. They
located on a farm, belonging to Dr. Wilson,
one mile north of Potter's Fort, Centre
county, where he lived until his mother died
in 1852, and then lived with his father at
Spring Mills, Centre county, a short time,
after which he removed to Carlisle, where his
father died in 1855. He served an appren-
ticeship of three years at the printing busi-
ness in the oifice of George Zinn, editor of
the Carlisle American, and on November 1,
1858, became clerk for James Raymond at
the Cumberland and Perry Exchange Hotel,
at Carlisle, where he remained until April 2,
1862, when Mr. Raymond sold out and
bought the White Hall Hotel at Harrisburg.
Mr. Cornman then became clerk at the White
Hall and continued for some time. He
made three attempts at enlistment in the
United States army and was as many times
refused by the recruiting officers, because of
being under the required size in height, He
then went to Philadelphia and enlisted in
the Keystone battery No. 2, of that city, and
served his term of ninety days.
After his discharge from the military ser-
vice he resumed his position as clerk at the
White Hall Hotel and served in that place
until Mr. Raymond sold the hotel July 2,
1866. Mr.. Corn man then became the night
clerk at the Lochiel on July 9, 1866, and
served in that position until April, 1881,
when he was promoted to chief clerk. He
performed the duties of this place until Au-
gust 1, 1891, when he resigned to accept the
management of the Commonwealth Hotel,
which position he has occupied since that date.
Mr. Cornman is prominently identified
with the fraternities, holding membership in
Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, and Dauphin En-
campment, No. 10, I. 0. 0. F. ; Phoenix
Lodge, No. 59, K. of P., and Central Lodge,
No. 19, A. O. U. W. In his political views
he is a Republican. The family are mem-
bers of the Market Square Presbyterian
church. Mr. Cornman was married, No-
vember 8, 1883, to Harriet Susanna Ray-
mond, born at Elizabethtown, Lancaster
county. Pa., January 12, 1845, daughter of
James and Sarah Ann (Ross) Raymond.
Heist, Thomas H., proprietor of the Bolton
House, was born in Milford, Bucks county,
Pa., April 16, 1840; son of Daniel S. and
41
Mary (Himmelswright) Heist. The Heist
family were German and the great-grand-
father's people settled in Montgomery county
at an early date. The grandfather Heist was
born in Pennsylvania and the father was
born in Bucks county. The maternal great-
grandfather's people were English and came
to America early, settling in Germantown,
Pa., where they resided during the war of
1812. The parents of the mother removed
to Bucks county, where she was born. The
father in early life had a grist and saw mill,
but later engaged in the hotel business. The
parents had four children, three of whom are
living: Sarah, wife of David Huber, Evans-
burg ; Allen H., residing in Doylestown, hotel
keeper and distiller ; and Thomas H. The
father died in 1864 and the mother died in
1886.
Thomas H. received his primary educa-
tion in the public schools at Milford Square,
and subsequently attended the Millersville
Academy, of Lancaster county, and Oneida
Institute at Cazenovia, N. Y. He then spent
one year in Nevada looking after the inter-
ests of the Quinterd Silver Mining Company,
which was composed of capitalistb of Bucks
and Montgomery counties, after which he
was engaged at South Fork, Pa., in coal and
general merchandising business. In 1876
he went to Johnstown, where he conducted
the Merchant's Hotel for one year. In the
spring of 1877 he rented the Mountain
House at Ebensburg, Pa., which he conducted
for six years, and in 1882 built a hotel at
Ebensburg, which he managed in connection
with the Summer Hotel, and the next year
opened the Maple Park Springs Hotel at the
same place, conducting the three houses at
the same time. During the summer of 1875
he also had charge of the White House
at Atlantic City. In the fall of 1883 Mr.
Heist came to Harrisburg, since which time
he has conducted the Bolton House, with
the exception of two years. He was married,
at South Bethlehem, Pa., by Rev. N. C. Sny-
der, December, 1872, to Miss Sallie D. Harrar,
daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Harrar,
of Montgomery county. Their children are :
Elizabeth H., a most accomplished and ami-
able young lady, who died February 12, 1894,
while attending theBradford Academy; Stuart
H., Mary H., Ophelia H., Lee H., Lola H., and
Norma H. Mr. Heist is a member of Lodge
No. 45, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 270, R.
A. M., at Doylestown. Pa. Mr. Heist is a
director of the Harrisburg Steam Heat and
614
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Power Company ; of the Roaring Spring Min-
ing Company, of Missouri ; of the South Fork
Coal and Iron Company, and of the Blaisdele
Paper and Pencil Company, of Philadelphia.
He is also a charter member and a director
of theHarrisburg Electric Company, and was
a charter member and director of the People's
Bridge Company. In his political views Mr.
Heist is a Democrat. He and his family
attend the Zion Lutheran church.
Hershey, Henry E., proprietor of the
Hershey House, Harrisburg, Pa., was born
in Penn township, Lancaster county. Pa.,
November 14, 1846. He is a son of Christian
and Anna (Eresman) Hershey. Christian
Hershey was born at Sporting Hill, Lancas-
ter township, and resided in that county un-
til 1861, when he removed to Dauphin
county. Here he spent the remainder of
his life, the latter part in West Hanover
township, where he died. The mother was
also born in Lancaster county, and is still
living and in good health at the age of
eighty-three; she resides at Sporting Hill.
Five of their six children are living: Maria ;
Melinda, widow of Augustus Alwine, of
Kansas City, Mo.; Elizabeth; Frank, of
Chicago, 111.; and Henry E.
Henry E. Hershey spent his early life
near Manheim, Lancaster county, where he
received his first instruction in the public
schools. At fourteen years of age he removed
with his parents to Dauphin county, locat-
ing in Derry township, six miles from Hum-
melstown. Here he finished his education,
attending school in winter and doing home
and farm work in the spring and summer.
He was engaged in farming until 1873, when
he decided to change his occupation, and
began his career as landlord and hotel man-
ager with the Park Hotel, at the fair grounds,
which he conducted successfully for two
years. He next took charge of the Stock-
yard Hotel on the bank of the canal above
the city limits, and managed it until 1881.
His experience with these ventures was suf-
ficient to develop his qualifications for the
business, and to decide him to make it his
life occupation. In 1881 he took the Her-
shey House, of which he has been proprietor
and manager since that date. His house
is widely and favorably known to the travel-
ing public, and Mr. Hershey, after his career
of twenty-three years, stands well in the hon-
orable and popular class of hotel men.
Henry E. Hershey was married, in Derry
township to Miss Mary A., daughter of
Christian and Anna Wissler, of Lancaster
county, both deceased. They have had
nine children : Anna, Christian W., Daniel
W., Elizabeth, George S., Melinda, Frank,
Mabel, who died in infancy, and Helen.
Mr. Hershey has served efficiently for two
terms in select council, and during his last
term was chairman of that body. He is not
an active member of any secret organization.
In political views he is Democratic. The
family attend Zion English Lutheran church.
Landis, Robert F., proprietor of the Cen-
tral Hotel, was born in Middletown, Dauphin
county, Pa., December 14, 1846 ; son of Ma-
jor Jacob and Mary (Felty) Landis. The
parents were both born in Dauphin county
in 1818, and have been continuous residents
of the county. The father first had a flour
mill, subsequently engaged in farming and
was for some years a school teacher. He
represented his county in the State Legisla-
ture several terms and for a number of years
was a major in the State militia. The
parents are both living and reside at Mid-
dletown and are in the enjoyment of good
health at the advanced age of seventy-eight
years. They had four children : Elizabeth,
wife of Samuel A. Stevens, prothonotary of
Huntingdon county. Pa.; Robert F.; William
F. J., residing in Toledo, Ohio ; Mary A.,
wife of Mr. Fezell, residing at Grand Island,
Neb. Samuel F. was reared and educated
in his native town. In 1863 he came to
Harrisburg and served an apprenticeship at
the machinist trade with W. 0. Hickok &
Son, after which he was employed by them
a year and a half. He then engaged with
Raymond & Campbell, of Middletown, as a
general machinist and foundryman, and re-
mained in their employ for twenty years.
He was subsequently in the service of the
American Tube and Iron Company for eight
years, and on January 3, 1895, embarked
in his present business. Mr. Landis was
married in Middletown to Miss Ida Bren-
naman, daughter of Dr. A. N. and Mary
(Elliott) Brennamau, of Middletown, and to
them there have been born three children :
Mary 0., deceased, Robert B. and Abraham
B. Mr. Landis is liberal in his political
views, supporting men rather than party.
Part of the family attend the Presbyterian
church. Mrs. Landis is a member of the
Lutheran church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
615
Shaffner, Henry C, proprietor of the
Windsor House, was born in Lancaster
county, Pa., February 13, 1847. He is the
son of the lafe Gabriel and Margaret (Fet-
ter) Shaffner. His grandparents were both
natives of Pennsylvania and by occupation
were fanners. They had six children, of
whom the only surviving one is Catherine,
wife of Jonas White, of Manheim, Pa. Ga-
briel Shaffner, father of Henry C, was born
at Manheim, Lancaster county. He learned
cabinet making, and pursued that calling for
many years. He was also a school teacher;
was justice of the peace for eight years ;
was appointed postmaster at Manheim, and
died aged seventy-four. He was married
to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob A. and
Margaret Fetter. They had four children,
three of whom are living : Henry G, John
M. and Mary. Annie M. died, aged thirty-
nine years.
Henry C. Shaffner attended the public
schools of Lancaster county a part of each
year until he was eighteen years old, when
he went to Mount Joy, Pa., and entered upon
a four years' apprenticeship at cabinet mak-
ing. After learning his trade he came to
Harrisburg, and for twelve years was in the
employ of W. 0. Hickok, a sketch of whom
appears in this volume. Mr. Shaffner and
his father formed a partnership, and opened
a grocery store at the corner of Capitol and
Cumberland streets, Harrisburg, where they
carried on business for thirteen years, after
which they bought the residence at the cor-
ner of Herr and Capitol streets. There they
continued the grocery business for two
years longer and then dissolved partnership.
Mr. H. C. Shaffner then removed to Boas
and Cowden streets and conducted business
for himself two years ; he then sold out and
removed to his former place of business,
Herr and Capitol streets, where he estab-
lished a bleachery, which he managed for
nine years.
In January, 1896, he removed to No. 418
Market street and opened the Windsor
House as a temperance hotel. This house
has a wide reputation as a place of comfort-
able and quiet entertainment. The gentle-
manly and hospitable manner of Mr. Shaff-
ner makes hini an agreeable host and his
excellent house has a large patronage.
Mr. Shaffner was married to Miss Sadie J.,
daughter of Daniel and Lucinda Wenrick.
They have two sons, Charles E. and Edward.
He has been an active member of Harris-
burg Council, No. 106, 0. U. A. M., for
ten years. He also belongs to Silver Star
Council, No. 130. Mr. Shaffner is a Repub-
lican. He is a member of the United Breth-
ren church.
Mrs. Shaffner was born January 15, 1854.
Her parents were both natives of Dauphin
county. Her father was a carpenter. He
married Miss Lucinda, daughter of Amos
and Lucinda Mader. Of their eleven chil-
dren, nine are living: Kate, wife of Wesley
Eichelberger ; Daniel ; Lucinda, wife of A.
H. Rhoads ; Samuel A.; Sadie, Mrs. Shaffner ;
Susan, wife of T. J. Bell ; Joseph ; Anne, wife
of Reuben Henry ; Ida, wife of Henry
Fisher. Their other children are: Amos,
drowned in Maryland during the war; John,
shot at the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Wen-
rick died April 1, 1876, aged sixty-four ; his
wife died May 3, 1891, aged seventy-two
years. The family were members of the
United Brethren church.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Shaff-
ner were, both natives of Dauphin county.
Her grandfather, Joseph Wenrick, was a
farmer and had a family of five children,
two of whom are living, Joseph and Cathe-
rine Sherplin, wife of Eli Sherplin, who died
a prisoner of war in Libby prison. Those
deceased are: Mary, wife of the late
Peter Bickel ; Daniel and Eunice. Mrs.
Shaffner's grandfather died in West Han-
over township, Dauphin county, aged eighty-
four, and her grandmother died at the
same place at the age of seventy-three years.
Bach, Harry A., was born in Ephrata,
Lancaster county, Pa., April 25, 1853. He
is a son of the late Tillman and Sarah
(Horting) Bach. His grandfather, George
Horting, was a native of Lancaster county.
His early business for some years was that
of stock dealing. Later he engaged in the
hotel business and was for years proprietor
of the Franklin House, Lancaster. After
many years devoted to this business he re-
tired and spent the rest of his life free from
its burdens. He died at the age of seventy-
six. He was a Republican and a member
of the Reformed church, of Lancaster. His
wife, M. Horting Albright, was born in Lan-
caster county, in 1800. She was also a
member of the German Reformed church.
She died May 7, 1887, aged eighty-seven,
and was buried at Ephrata, Lancaster county.
His son, Tillman Bach, was born in Lehigh
616
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
county, Pa. He was a stone-mason and
a contractor, which occupation he followed
until 1862. In this year he enlisted in
company B, First Pennsylvania artillery,
and was with the army for six months. He
was then honorably discharged on account
of disability, caused by rupture. This in-
jury, received while he was in the army,
finally resulted in his death. Mter thirty
years of weakness and suffering a surgical
operation was resorted to in the hope of pro-
longing his life, but he was unable to sus-
tain the shock and died in March, 1895, at
the age of seventy-six. His politics were
Republican. He was a member of the Re-
formed church, in Lancaster. His wife,
Sarah, daughter of George and Magdalena
Horting, born in Lancaster county, March
27, 1824, still lives in Lancaster, in the en-
joyment of comfortable health, at the age of
seventy-two years. Four of their fourteen
children are living: Caroline, wife of John
Wolf; Harry A., Tillman H., and Martha,
wife of Adam Wise. The children deceased
were Fannie, wife of John Stanter ; George
W. and John ; the rest died in infancy.
Harry A.Bach attended the public schools
of Lancaster until he was fifteen years old.
He then spent six months in an excellent
private school in the same city. When
nearly sixteen he entered the employment
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as
brakeman on the Philadelphia division. By
a faithful and efficient discharge of his
duties he won the confidence of his em-
ployers and was subsequently made a con-
ductor, and was in their employ for twelve
consecutive years. He removed from Lan-
caster to Philadelphia, from thence to Mid-
dletown and from thence to Harrisburg, and
in December, 1880, took charge of the hotel
on the corner of Broad and Capitol streets,
Harrisburg. Since that date he has carried
on that business with enviable success and
attained a leading place among hotel men.
Mr. Bach was married November 22, 1874,
to Miss Minnie C, daughter of George and
Frederica (Koch) Werner. George Werner
was born in Germany, in October, 1826, was
educated in the schools of his native land,
and there confirmed in the Lutheran church.
He was a locksmith and followed this busi-
ness throughout his life. He came to Amer-
ica after he had reached manhood, but be-
fore his marriage, and settled in Baltimore,
Md. He died in J^ancaster, Pa., December
11, 1887, aged sixty-one. He was an Inde-
pendent Democrat. He was married in Bal-
timore to Miss Frederica Koch, born in
Germany, August 21, 1833. She came to
America when a young woman and settled
in Baltimore. She still lives in the city of
Lancaster in firm health at the age of sixty-
two years. They had seven children, three of
whom are living: Minnie C, wifeof Harry A.
Bach ; Clara, wifeof Charles Wolf, and Nellie,
F., wife of Charles Cretchman. The children
deceased are Annie, wife of Charles Dunker;
and Edward, an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Harry
A. Bach have four children : Newton V., Ger-
trude M., wife of William Holtzman, George
W. and Mabel. Mr. Bach is a good solid
Republican in his political views.
Aldinger, William C, proprietor of the
Park Hotel, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in
Dauphin county, December 25, 1857. He
was a son of John and Regina (Stoll) Al-
dinger, natives of Germany, who came to
this country in early youth. Mr. John Al-
dinger has been all his life engaged in the
business of blacksmithing, except for a few
years during which ill health compelled him
to relinquish active employment. He is still
in business in Linglestown, Dauphin county,
where he has resided for forty-five years.
Two of his brothers, Philip and Andrew Al-
dinger, reside in Harrisburg ; the latter has
retired from business. His wife, who was
Miss Regina Stoll, has a brother who is a
prominent citizen of Ligonier, Ind. He has
been nominated for a State senatorship, and
is editor and proprietor of a newspaper in
Ligonier. The children of Mr. and Mrs.
Aldinger are: John, William C, Carrie,
wife of David Hummel, Frederick, and Kate,
wife of John Reimert.
William C. Aldinger attended the public
schools of Linglestown and Harrisburg until
he was fourteen. At the age of seventeen,
he was employed by Mr. Breitinger and
clerked in that gentleman's restaurant for
seven years. In 1883 he embarked in the
hotel business on his own account on Straw-
berry avenue, where he remained until 1888;
he then removed to No. 309 Market street
and continued there for over three years.
He then conducted the business again for
four years on Strawberry avenue ; from that
place he removed to his present location, the
Park Hotel, No. 307 Walnut street, of which
he took possession in 1895. Mr. Aldinger's
experience of more than a score of years is
assurance that he is thoroughly acquainted
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
617
with the needs of his guests, and knows how
to meet their wants and provide for their
comfort. He adheres to the Democratic
party. Mr. Aldinger was married, January
18, 1881, to Miss Christiana, daughter of
Frederick and Christiana Hahn. They have
one daughter, Evelyn, born April 12, 1890.
Mrs. Aldinger's parents, Frederick and
Christiana Hahn, were born in Germany,
and came to this country before their mar-
riage. Mr. Hahn was for a few years en-
gaged in the Bailey Iron "Works, and for
many years was foreman of the Halyx Ice
Company. Their children are: Carrie;
Christiana,' Mrs. Aldinger; Mary, Maggie,
and Lizzie, Mrs. Harry Smith. Mr. Hahn
died at the age of sixty-five. Mrs. Hahn
resides on Allison's Hill, Harrisburg.
Hunter, Forrest, proprietor of the Lo-
chiel Hotel, Harrisburg, was born at Harris-
burg, May 28, 1869. His grandfather Hunter
was a civil engineer in the British army.
He came to Canada in 1829, and spent the
remainder of his life at Lakefield, in the
province of Ontario, Canada. George Will-
iam Hunter, his son and the father of Forrest
Hunter, was born at Ballyglass, county of
Mayo, Ireland, March 29, 1828. His parents
were English. He came to Canada with
them when he was one year old. They lo-
cated at Lakefield, province of Ontario, Can-
ada, and here he resided until he was seven-
teen years of age, when he removed to the
United States, locating in different parts of
the country until 1861, when he came to
Harrisburg. This same year he became a
clerk in the Bolton House. Subsequently
he became manager of the Lochiel Hotel,
and in 1868 assumed the proprietorship of
this popular house which was conducted
under his able management until the time
of his death. He died March 3, 1891. He
will long be remembered for his successful
business management and his courtesy and
kindness. His wife was Mary Bowman.
She was a native of Lebanon, Pa. She is
still living and resides in Harrisburg. They
had two children, Forrest and Mary, wife
of W. K. Meyers, a leading attorney-at-law, of
Harrisburg.
Forrest Hunter was educated in private
schools and at Seller's Academy of Harris-
burg. Since the completion of his education,
he has been continuously engaged in the
hotel business. Previous to his father's
death he was clerk and assistant manager.
After the death of his father, in March,
1891, he assumed entire control of the busi-
ness.
In the successful management of a popu-
lar hotel, the very highest business qualifi-
cations are demanded. At the same time
the best personal and social qualities are
brought into play. Of all these characteris-
tics of the successful and popular landlord,
Mr. Hunter is abundantly possessed. By
inheritance, by training and bj' natural
taste he is richly endowed for his enterprise.
The result is that the Lochiel House has a
wide and favorable reputation for enjoyable
entertainment.
Aldinger, Frederick B., Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born at Linglestown, Dauphin county,
Pa., June 10, 1874, and is a son of John and
Regina (Stoll) Aldinger. Mr. Aldinger was
educated in the public schools of Lingles-
town. At the early age of thirteen he be-
came clerk in the general store of C. B. Care
& Son. Three years later he went to Har-
risburg, to act as clerk in the hotel of his
brother, W. C. Aldinger. When he was sev-
enteen years of age, he began a two years'
apprenticeship at printing with the Harris-
burg Publishing Company, afterwards prac-
ticing and improving himself in the art in
the State printing oflRce, under the manage-
ment of C. M. Busch. At the age of twenty-
one Mr. Aldinger went into the hotel busi-
ness at No. 231 Strawberry avenue, in which
location he still continues the business.
Puss, Narcissus, proprietor of the Colum-
bus Hotel, is a native of the southern part
of Italy, having been born near Lucca. He
came with his parents to America when a
lad of about seven years. The family first
located at Pottsville, Pa., subsequently re-
moving to Philadelphia and finally to Har-
risburg. Mr. Russ first engaged in the hotel
business in Harrisburg, and also, in connec-
tion with his father, conducted a fruit and
fish stand for soine time. As agent, he intro-
duced the Louis Bergdoll beer in the Capital
city of Pennsylvania. Several years ago he
purchased from John Gross the " Gross
House," which he changed on " Columbus
Day " to the Hotel Columbus, and has since
given his attention to that popular hotel, in
which he has had eminent success.
Mr. Russ has been twice married. B}' his
first wife, who is dead, he has two children :
Adolph and Ella. By his second wife, whose
618
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
maiden name is Lizzie Shanoffen, he has one
living son, Maurice. Mr. Russ has five
brothers living in Harrisburg : William, who
is engaged in the fruit and fish business on
Market Square; Patrick, proprietor of the
Hotel Russ; James, of the Commonwealth
Hotel ; John, agent for Rupperts' N. Y. beer,
and Lewis, formerly of the Grand Hotel.
Laubb, Jacob F., was born in Chester
countj'. Pa., June 28, 1819. He is a son of
the late George P. and Mary (Fisler) Lauer.
George P. Lauer was born in Philadelphia,
and died at the age of sixty-five years. He
was married to Miss Mary Fisler. They had
five children, two of whom are living: Jacob
F., and George, residing at Coatesville, Pa.
Their deceased children were : Hannah, wife
of Joseph Valentine ; Anna, wife of Dr. Mc-
Holland; Parker, died, aged fifteen. Mr.
Lauer was a Republican.
Jacob F. Lauer was educated in the com-
mon schools. At the age of seventeen he
went to Lancaster to learn the trade of ma-
chinist, but followed that occupation for only
about six months. He then worked at
boiler iron making in a rolling-mill at
Coatesville for one year. After this he was
employed by Joseph Bailey at the works
below Reading, known as Pine Iron Works,
in which he was foreman for ten years. In
1880 he removed to Harrisburg and was
foreman for the Bailey Brot)iers for nearly
eight years. In 1887 he went to Michigan,
near Battle Creek, and for two years engaged
in farming. Returning to Harrisburg, he
was out of business for three months and
then removed to Jersey City, N. J., where he
was for about three years foreman in the
Boiler and Plate Works. Again returning
to Harrisburg, and to the employment of
Bailey Brothers, he was their foreman for
about four years. In the spring of 1894 he
went into the livery business on Blackberry
avenue and Fourth street, in Harrisburg, and
has been continuously in that business up
to the present time. He had also a livery
stable on the corner of Third and Cumber-
land streets for a number of years. His es-
tablishment is at present on the corner of
Green and Cumberland streets, Harrisburg.
In his political opinions he is a good, solid
Republican. He cast his first vote for presi-
dent for General Harrison, fifty-six years
ago. He was married, in Philadelphia, to
Miss Catherine, daughter of George and
Mary Ailer. They have had thirteen chil-
dren, four of whom are living: Anna, ■wife
of John Griffith; Hannah, William M., and
Emma, wife of Edward F. Baum. Their
deceased children were: George, died in Jer-
sey City; Parker, killed on the railroad;
Elizabeth, Mary, and some others who died
in infancy.
The parents of Mrs. Jacob F. Lauer were
both natives of Lancaster. Her father,
George Ailer, was for many years a shoe-
maker. He and his wife both died in Lan-
caster. They had six children, only one of
whom, Henry, survives. Catherine, who be-
came Mrs. Lauer, was born in Lancaster, in
1821, and died May 31, 1895. She was a
faithful member of the Ridge Avenue
Methodist Episcopal church.
William M., only son of Mr. J. F. Lauer,
was born in Harrisburg, Februarj- 23, 1856.
He was educated in the public schools and
in Seller's Academy. After leaving school
he engaged with his father in the livery busi-
ness, in which he has ever since continued.
He is known and esteemed everywhere as a
man of integrity. He was married, in Har-
risburg, in October, 1876, to Miss Anna L.,
daughter of William and Margaret Kitzle-
man. ' They have had six children, two of
whom are living: Nellie G. and Bessie E.
Their deceased children were: George P.,
Edith, Florence, and one who died in in-
fancv.
Wallis, Robert, liveryman, was born in
Perry county. Pa., October 5, 1834. He is a
son of William and Sarah (Jones) Wallis.
Robert Wallis, grandfather of the present
Robert Wallis, was born in Scotland. He
was a shoemaker, and, pursued that vocation
throughout his life. He died in Juniata
county. Pa., aged ninety-six. He married
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh McDonald.
They had six children : James, William,
John, Samuel, Erwin D., and Sarah, wife of
Andrew McKnight. His wife died in Juni-
ata county, at the age of ninety-four. Both
paternal grandparents were of Scotch descent.
Mr. Wallis' maternal grandparents, Na-
than and Rebecca (GilfiUan) Jones, were of
Welsh extraction, and came to this country
at an early day. The grandfather was a
millwright. They had five children : Edwin ;
Sarah ; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Jordan; Gib-
son and Nathan. Mr. and Mrs. Jones spent
their lives by the Juniata river, and died
where they had lived. They were members of
the Lutheran church.
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
619
William Wallis, father of Robert Wallis,
was born in Juniata county, Pa., in 1801.
He learned coopering, and worked at that
trade for about twelve years. His wife, Sarah
Jones, was also a native of Juniata county.
They had thirteen children, four of whom
are living: twins, William and Sarah, wife
of Jacob Hoi man; Robert and John. Their
deceased children are: Margaret, died in
1846, wife of J. C. Werich ; Jackson, died in
August, 1850, aged twenty-six ; Foster, died
in September, 1851, aged twenty-six ; Eliza-
beth, died in November, 1895, aged sixty-
six ; Rebecca, died in 1839, aged eight years ;
and four children who died in infancy. Mr.
William Wallis removed to Liverpool, Pa.,
in 1828, and engaged in mercantile business;
he was also a shipper of grain and produce
to Baltimore and Philadelphia, by his own
boats. He died January 11, 1855, aged
fifty-five, and was buried at Liverpool. He
was a Democrat. He and his wife were
members of the Lutheran church. She died
in 1881, at the age of eighty.
Robert Wallis attended the schools of his
native county, and received a part of his ed-
ucation at Liverpool. He worked on the
farm until he was eighteen, after which he
was engaged with his father, who kept a
hotel and a general store. His father died
when Robert was twenty-one years of age,
and his mother continued the business until
1865, putting it into Robert's charge. In*
1865 he bought the homestead, hotel and
store, and carried on business for himself.
He continued in this business at Liverpool
until 1876, when he removed to Philadel-
phia, and leased the Allen House, No. 1 220
Market street, which he managed for two
years. He then returned to his old property
at Liverpool, and kept the hotel there until
1889, when he sold out and removed to Har-
risburg. He bought a lot on the corner of
Haehnlen and Prune avenues, erected com-
modious buildings, and established himself
in the livery business.
There are numerous livery stables in Har-
risburg, but none more worthy of popularity
and patronage than that of Mr. Wallis. His
establishment is equipped with all modern
adjuncts and appliances for convenience and
comfort. The demands of all classes of
patrons are especially provided for. Vehicles
are strong, modern and stylish ; careful and
skillful drivers are employed; and horses,
handsome, well trained and entirely safe and
reliable, are furnished. He has equipages
for private hire, carriages for parties and
balls, buggies for pleasure driving, and well-
trained and easy-going riding horses ; and
all or any at reasonable rates. By his ex-
cellent furnishing, his reliable business
methods and his agreeable manner of treat-
ing patrons, Mr. Wallis has won the confi-
dence of the public, and especially of the
business men of the city. He enjoys a large
patronage.
He was married. May 24, 1866, to Miss
Margaretta, daughter of Ezra and Susanna
(Alexander") McLinn, born March 26, 1845.
They have had five children, four of whom
are living: Jean May, Frank J., Ralph M.
and Robert Earl. Edward S. died January
9, 1894, aged seven years.
Mr. Wallis has filled various offices. In
Perry county, he was solicited to accept the
office of sheriff, but declined, having no desire
for public office and honors. He is an active
member of City Lodge No. 301, I. 0. 0. F.,
to which he has belonged for thirty-five years.
He was formerl}'^ a member of the Knights
of Pythias, and of the Patriotic Order Sons
of America. Mr. Wallis is a good, solid
Democrat. The family are members of the
Lutheran church.
Ezra McLinn, father of Mrs. Wallis, was
born in Juniata county, Pa., February 11,
1811. He was a farmer. He was married
in January, 1836, to Miss Susanna, daughter
of Benjamin and Rebecca Alexander, born
in the State of Delaware, May 16, 1818
They had eleven children, seven of whom
are living : Margaretta. wife of Robert Wal-
lis; Milton E.; George G.; Annie M., wife of
Uriah Shoeman ; Alton B.; William B.; and-
Luella E., wife of C. Ed. Kennedy. Their
deceased children are: Theo. T., died in
1837, aged three months; Rebecca Mary,
died in July, 1840, aged three years ; Louisa
Ellen, died in July, 1840, aged one year;
Samuel A., died in April, 1843, aged three
years. Mr. McLinn filled various offices in
Juniata county, such as county commis-
sioner, assessor and school director. His po-
litical opinions are Democratic. He is a
member of the United Presbyterian church.
He died March 28, 1878, aged sixty-seven
years. His wife is still living and resides
with Mr. and Mrs. Wallis. She is seventy-
eight years of age, and in comfortable health.
Thomas McLinn, the paternal grandfather
of Mrs. Wallis, was born in Juniata county.
He was a farmer. He married Miss Mary
Gilfillan, also a native of Juniata county.
620
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
daughter of James GilfiUan. They had
eleven childrea, all deceased: Annie, wife
of William Cox; Mary, wife of Thomas
McLinn ; Sallie, wife of Mr. Vance; Mar-
garet, wife of Robert Jones ; Hannah, wife
of Robert Patton ; Dorcas ; Mamie Kipp, and
two sisters who married a Mr. Quigly ; the first,
Elizabeth, who died, and then her sister Re-
becca married the same man. They were
members of the United Presbyterian church.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wal-
lis were natives of Delaware. Her grand-
father, Benjamin Alexander, was a farmer.
He served in the Revolutionary war, and
participated in the battles of Brandywine
and Choch Bridge. He married Miss Re-
becca, daughter of William and Elizabeth
Woodland, born at Elkton, Md., in 1778.
They had four children : William, John,
Rebecca, wife of Benjamin Alexander, and
Sarah, wife of George Reynolds. Benjamin
Alexander lived to the age of seventy-five
years ; the grandmother, who died Septem-
ber 15, 1853, to that of seventy-five. The
mother of Mrs. Wallis has in her possession
a mirror to which the grandmother fell heir,
and which was brought over from Scotland.
It is nearly two hundred years old.
Joseph and Robert Wallis, great-uncles of
Robert Wallis, were early pioneers, and em-
igrated to this country at an early day.
Landing at Philadelphia, they traveled north-
ward together, seeking a place to locate. At
the mouth of the Juniata river they disagreed
as to the direction of their farther journey,
and separated. Robert continued his jour-
ney up the Juniata river, and found land to
his liking at Mexico, now Juniata, Pa., where
he settled, and engaged in farming and
shoemaking, and where he died. Joseph
pursued his way up the Susquehanna, and
took up land at Northumberland, where he
was a farmer, and where he died.
Neely, J. M., was born in Hunterstown,
Adams count}'^. Pa., March 14, 1846. He is
a son of the late Samuel and Catherine
(Elliott) Neely. Mr. Neely took only a
partial course in the public schools of Adams
county. He worked with his father on the
farm until he was eighteen. In 1863 he en-
listed for three years in the army, in com-
pany F, Fifteenth Pennsylvania caval y.
He served his full time and was discharg d
in June, 1865; he then returned home and
worked on his father's farm for six years, ex-
cepting one year spent in farming on his own
account.
He came to Harrisburg, in 1871, and
opened a green grocery in connection with
Mr. Longsdorf, under the firm name of Longs-
dorf & Neely. After a year Mr. Longsdorf
withdrew and Mr. Neely carried on the busi-
ness for a few months longer. Finally it
was closed out, and Mr. Neely was a clerk in
the grocery of John Kerper for one year.
Resigning this position, he became a trans-
fer driver, for Mr. Black, between Harrisburg
and Steelton, for one year. In May, 1874,
he was appointed superintendent of the
Harrisburg Street Railway Company, which
position, after serving eight years, he resigned
to go into business for himself. In 1882 he
established a local express and livery busi-
ness which he still conducts. His residence
is at No. 12 North Fifth street, and his place
of business. No. 437 Strawberry avenue,
where he has one of the most finely fur-
nished livery establishments in Harrisburg.
Mr. Neely has been a member of Dauphin
Lodge, No. 160, for twenty years. He is a
member of Post 58, G. A. R. His political
views are good, straight Republican.
Reed, Samuel B., Harrisburg, was born
in Dillsburg, York county, Pa., June 10,
1851; son of George W. and Nancy (Jones)
Reed. The parents were both natives of
York county. The father was a cooper by
trade and later in life became a farmer. For
thirty-five years he carried the mail from
Dillsburg to Franklintown, and from Brants-
ville to East Burlington, Adams county. He
married Nancy Jones, by whom he had seven
children, five of whom are living: Mary A.,
Sarah J., George W., Maria E. and Samuel
B. In politics Mr. Reed was a Democrat,
and served as tax collector of Dillsburg for
several years. He died, at the age of eighty-
four years, at Dillsburg, where his wife died.
In faith, he was a Quaker, and his wife was
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Samuel B. attended the public school in Dills-
burg until he. was fourteen years old, and
then learned the tailor trade, at which he
worked for three years. At the age of nine-
teen years he went to Pittsburgh where he
found employment with a jewelery and prize
package company for thirteen months, after
which he returned to Dillsburg and was
elected and served as borough supervisor
one year. He then established a livery
business which he conducted ten years, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
621
sold to William Harbolt, after which he
opened a green grocery at Williamstown and
conducted it three months. His next em-
ployment was on the street cars, at Harris-
burg, when he was later made superintend-
ent and held this position for eight years.
His next business venture was a livery es-
tablishment, which he is managing at the
present time. He was married, April 4, 1883,
in Lebanon county, to Miss Agnes Golden,
daughter of David and Harriet Golden.
Their children are: Rudolph C, Maria G.,
Bessie A., and George Russel, died March 4,
1894, aged nineteen months. In politics
Mr. Reed is a Democrat. The father of Mrs.
Reed was a native of Adams county, where
he was engaged as a dealer in grain and
coal. He was appointed postmaster urider
Lincoln's administration and occupied that
office many years. He had six children.
His wife is a native of Adams county and
survives him, residing at Harrisburg, and is
eiglity 3'ears of age.
Duncan, William, son of William and
grandson of John Duncan, of Derry town-
ship, was born October 16, 1806; died March
31, 1884. From early manhood he was en-
gaged in the tobacco business, the last
twenty-five years of his life at the corner of
Third and Walnut streets, Harrisburg, where
his son and grandson have successively suc-
ceeded him. He was one of the organizers
of the first lodge. No. 68, I. 0. 0. F., es-
tablished in Harrisburg, and was the first
district deputy grand master in Dauphin
county. Early in life he connected himself
with Zion Lutheran church and for many
years was an elder in the church, and a
superintendent of the Third (or Bible Class)
department of the Sunday-school, which
from a class of less than a dozen attendants
increased under his zealous efforts to a mem-
bership of hundreds, compelling the sessions
to be held in the nave of the church and
making a reputation for the school that at-
tracted the attention of Sunday-school lead-
ers throughout the country. One of the bells
of " Old Zion's " chime, so well known to all
Harrisburgers, bears the impress of William
Duncan's name, as a tribute to his Christian
work, and a memorial window in Bethle-
hem Lutheran church is a like testimonial
from the Sunday-school over which he pre-
sided for so many years.
Among the Scotch who, during the reign
of James L of England (1603-1625), emigra-
ted to the north of Ireland and availed of
the patents granted by the Government in
the distribution of the confiscated lands of
the Earls of Tyrone and Tryconnels, were
ancestors of William Duncan. This colony
of Scotch emigrants made history for the
Protestant religion during the insurrection
of 1641-1649, and the province of Ulster, after
the loss of thousands of lives and untold
suffering on the part of the Scotch settlers,
became the bulwark and synonym of Presby-
terianism for the whole world. In the lapse
of time many of the descendents of this he-
roic race, by reason of increased taxation and
obnoxious governmental exactions, set their
backs on tlie scenes of their forefathers' trib-
ulations and successes and emigrated to the
province of Pennsylvania, commencing
about 1720 and continuing until 1750, bring-
ing with them to the regions of the Susque-
hanna the same Calvinistic principles that
animated their ancestors in the battles
of the Irish insurrection and in their noble
defense at the siege of Londonderr}', the im-
press of which can be clearly seen in the
characteristics of the population of Dauphin
county to this day. Mr. Duncan's great-
grandparents were among the earliest of
these Scotch-Irish emigrants from Ulster.
His grandfather, John Duncan, was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war, and his
father, William Duncan, was a deputy super-
intendent of military stores during the war
of 1812-1814. His mother was born, Nancy
Young, and at marriage to his father was
the widow of Lawrence Bennage.
William Duncan married Elmina Stehley,
daughter of George Stehley, of Harrisburg,
May 7, 1835. Mrs. Duncan's maternal grand-
mother was a daughter of Peter and Eliza-
beth (Dietz) Pancake; she was born in Ger-
many, June 24, 1743, came, when a child, to
this country and lived with her brother,
Peter Pancake, an early settler of Paxtang.
In 1762 she married Sebastian Crevous and
with her husband moved to Fort Augusta.
Mr. Crevous was among the first Pennsyl-
vanians to volunteer for service in the Con-
tinental army, having entered the First bat-
talion of the rifle regiment, April 9, 1776,
was wounded and taken prisoner at the bat-
tle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, and
died, soon after, in the hands of the enemy.
Mrs. Crevous continued to reside in Augusta
township, Northumberland county, after her
husband's enlistment and death, until July,
1778, when, warned of the impending Indian
622
BIOGRAPHICAL ENVYVLOPEDIA
outbreak instigated by the British army at
Wyoming, she abandoned in haste her home
and all her personal belongings and with
her three children took flight in a bateau
down the Susquehanna river, guiding and
working the boat herself to Harris' Ferry,
where with many other refugees she was-
given shelter by John Harris. A few days
later she took her family to an uncle's, at
New Holland. After a few years she returned
to Harris' Ferry, married Richard King and
had by this marriage one child, Sarah King,
who married George Stehley, and was mother
of Mrs. Duncan. William and Elmina
(Stehley) Duncan had these children : Ja-
cob Mifflin; Dauphin Luther; William
Sneeder ; Charlotte Louisa, Mrs. E. T. Jaques,
of Woodbury, N. J. ; Elizabeth Ashmead,
Mrs. Charles Westerman, of Philadelphia,
and Sarah King.
Duncan, Dauphin L., son of William and
Elmina (Stehley) Duncan, was born in Har-
risburg, January 7, 1842 ; was educated at
the Harrisburg Academy ; married Eliza-
beth Frances Haney ; succeeded his father,
William Duncan, in the tobacco business;
was also custodian of the United States
Court and Postoffice building for four years
and, with the exception of a year, as clerk in
the quartermaster's department, at Memphis,
Tenn., during the Civil war, spent his whole
life in Harrisburg, where he died, March 23,
1894, leaving four children : Charlotte L.,
William D., Elmina S., and Elizabeth F.
William D., only son of Dauphin L., was
educated at the public schools and Business
College at Harrisburg, and spent one year
on the Nautical Schoolship " Saratoga," dur-
ing part of which time he made a cruise to
England, Portugal and Gibraltar. After the
death of his father he assumed the tobacco
business, which has been conducted succes-
sively by his grandfather, father and now by
himself, for over forty years, at the corner of
Third and Walnut streets, Harrisburg. He
married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. J. X.
Quigley, and has an infant daughter. In
politics he is a staunch Democrat ; is a
member of B. P. 0. Elks, and is recognized
as a prominent young business man.
Kepple, Sr., was for many years engaged in
the manufacture of cigars in Lancaster city.
He was born September 10, 1763, and died
in November, 1826. His wife was born Feb-
ruary 15,1781, and died in October, 1856;
both died in the city of Lancaster. John was
their only child. By a former marriage of
the father there were two children, both of
whom are deceased.
John Kepple's early life was passed in
Lancaster. He was educated in the common
schools of that city. At the age of sixteen
he was indentured to the tailoring tra-de for
four and a half years. After serving two
and a half years of his apprenticeship, he
was. compelled to abandon the business on
account of failing sight. He then engaged
with his brother in making cigars, and has
continued for more than sixty years in that
business. In August, 1841, he removed to
Harrisburg, and has been a continuous resi-
dent, and in business for himself, for fifty-
five years.
Mr. Kepple was married in Lancaster,
Pa., October 28, 1841, to Mary L. Fitzgerald,
daughter of David and Catherine Fitzgerald,
natives of Lancaster city. They are referred
to elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs.
Kepple had four children, three of whom
died in childhood, the only survivor being
Edwin C, engaged in his father's business
as manager. Mr. Kepple has been an active
member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I.
0. 0. F., for over fifty years. He is a Re-
publican. He attends Grace Methodist Epis-
copal church, of which his wife is a member
Kepple, John, cigar manufacturer, was
born in Lancaster, Pa., April 7, 1819. He
is a son of the late John and Susanna (Baer)
Kepple, both natives of Lancaster county,
where they spent their entire lives. John
Reed, George Engard, deceased, was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 19,
]834. He was a son of Samuel and Sarah
(Kehr) Reed, and grandson of Col. Philip
Reed, of Pennsylvania Horse during the
Revolutionary war. He was educated in
Philadelphia and learned bricklaying. He
worked on the erection of the "Jupiter"
Lighthouse, in the Jupiter Inlet,' Fla.
While a journeyman he worked on the
Pennsylvania railroad station in Harrisburg.
In 1865 he located permanently in Harris-
burg as a contractor. In 1866 he engaged
in the retail tobacco business, on Market
street, and continued it until his death, in
1893. In 1878 he and John K. May formed
a partnership in the grocery business, under
the firm name of Reed & May, in which he
continued during his life. In 1888 the firm
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
623
engaged in the manufacture of building brick,
and did an extensive business.
Mr. Reed served four enlistments, cover-
ing nineteen years, in the National Guard of
Pennsylvania. He was lieutenant of the
" City Grays," and through his efforts the
present building of that company was
erected. He was a Republican. He served
eleven years as a member of the common
council, and for the same length of time was
on the board of city control, and was presi-
dent of that board for one term.
He married, in 1869, Margaret Barnett,
daughter of Henry H. and Jane (Barnett)
Lutz, of Harrisburg, by whom he had one
child, Philip. Mr. Reed was a charter mem-
ber and trustee of the Industrial Home; he
always took an active interest in all affairs of
a public or charitable nature.
He enlisted, May 22, 1861, in company E,
Third New Jersey volunteers, and was as-
signe'd to the First brigade, Runyon's divi-
sion. New Jersey volunteers. He took part
in the battles of Bull Run, Kearney's Bridge
and Cloud's Mills, and was also in the en-
gagement at Springfield Station. He was
discharged on surgeon's certificate, October
15, 1861; re-enlisted, December 14, 1861, in
company A, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and was assigned to Third brigade.
First division. First army corps, Army of
the Potomac, April 10, 1862 ; and to the
Second brigade. First division, Sixth corps,
on May 18. Pie took part in the battles of
Fair Oaks, the Seven Days before Richmond,
Gaines' Mills, Gadden Farm, Carter Farm,
Saville Station, Glen Dale, Malvern Hill,
Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Sugarloaf
Mountain, Antietam, Shepherdstown Ford,
Hartwood Church, Fredericksburg, Frank-
lin's Crossing, Bennett's Farm, Maryland
Heights, Gordonville Road, Salem Heights,
Gettysburg, Parktown, Md., Hagerstown,
Rappahannock Station, Mine Run and Lo-
cust Grove. He re-enlisted, December 22,
1863, in the same company, and was in the
battles of the Wilderness, Alsop Farm, Laurel
Hill, Spottsylvania, and Bloodj' Angle, where
he was taken prisoner and confined in An-
dersonville, Ga., Cahawba, Ala., and Flor-
ence, S. C. He was one of the two hundred
and fifty prisoners held under fire of the
Union guns in Shelltown, Charleston, S. C,
whose removal to safer quarters Admiral
Dahlgren compelled by threatening to steam
up to the town with rebel prisoners outside
the turrets of his monitors. Mr. Reed was
in charge of the Gangrene Hospital at Flor-
ence, S. C, and performed many surgical
operations with a Barlow knife and scissors.
Two well-attested cases of his skill were those
of John W. January, of company B, Four-
teenth Illinois cavalry, and Calvin Bates, of
the Eighth Maine volunteers. He was paroled
at Florence, and mustered out May 27,1865,
and March 9, 1869, he enlisted in the First
City Zouaves, of Harrisburg ; was made ser-
geant in company A, First City Zouaves, De-
cember 11, 1870 ; first sergeant, December 11,
1871; second lieutenant company D, City
Grays, National Guard of Pennsylvania, De-
cember 12, 1876. He retired from the service
in 1888. He was a prominent member of
Post 58, G. A. R.
Henry H. Lutz, deceased, father of Mrs.
George E. Reed, was the son of Jacob Lutz,
who emigrated from Germany, sent to
America by the East India Company and
located in Ohio. Henry H. was born in
Steubenville, Ohio, and came to Harrisburg
when a boy. He learned house painting
and in 1845 retired from business. He was
for many years crier of the Dauphin County
Court, and served as high constable of the
borough of Harrisburg. He was a confiden-
tial friend of Judge Pearson.
Mr. Lutz married Jane, daughter of
Thomas and Sarah (Finney) Barnett. He
died in 1867, and his wife in 1848. They
were members of the Baptist church, and
took an active interest in church work, Mr.
Lutz holding the office of deacon. He was
trustee of the Church of God and helped to
build their church edifice. Mr. and Mrs.
Lutz had nine children : Sarah Jane ; Cath-
erine Ann, Mrs. William F. McClure, of Mid-
dletown; Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. William M.
Harmon, of Louisville, Ky.; Margaret, Mrs.
George E., Reed, of Harrisburg; Harriet N.,
Mrs. Samuel R. Patterson, of Neosha, Mo. ;
Lieut. Henry H., enlisted in company I,
Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry, died in
Nashville-, Tenn., from the effects of wounds
received bj' the falling of his horse in battle ;
Thomas Barnett, Martin, and Helen Matilda.
Reed, Philip, was born in Harrisburg,
Pa., January 13, 1870. He was educated in
the city schools and learned, of his father,
the trade of bricklaying. After his father's
death he took charge of his business, and is
624
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
now a partner with John K. May, in the
manufacture of brick. He was married, in
1895, to Miss Margaret P., daughter of Syl-
vester and Susan Sunday, of Harrisburg.
Herman, John C, deceased, was born on
Shelly's Island, in the Susquehanna river,
Dauphin county. Pa., November 5, 1836; son
of Abraham and Elizabeth (CruU) Herman.
His parents removed to the vicinity of Lew-
isberry, York county, where he was reared
and received his education. He served an
apprenticeship at cigar making, and began
business for himself early in life ; at the
outset of his career he displayed extraor-
dinary business tact and talent.
At the breaking out of the war of the Re-
bellion, Mr. Herman yielded to his patriotic
impulses and sentiments, laid aside his busi-
ness and enlisted in the army in response
to the call of President Lincoln. He was
enrolled and mustered into company K,One
Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and was with his regiment in some
of the most hotly contested engagements of
the war, conspicuous among which are the
battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and
Chancellorsville. He was honorably dis-
charged from the service when his term of
enlistment had expired, and returned to the
occupations of civil life, bearing in his body
the marks of wounds received on the fields
of conflict. After leaving the army, Mr.
Herman returned to Lewisberry, Pa., and
was for a short time engaged in the tobacco
business ; from there went to York and es-
tablished a wholesale business. In 1866 he
became senior partner in the firm of Her-
man & Hay, and established a wholesale
and retail tobacco business in Harrisburg,
which occupied him for the remainder of
his life. Mr. Hay retired from the firm at
the end of two years, and the business was
thereafter ably and successfully conducted
by Mr. Herman, who also dealt extensively
in leaf tobacco. He was the first person to
take out a manufacturer's license in the
Harrisburg district. The integrity of his
character and his honorable methods in
business won for him the utmost confidence
of all who dealt with him, and as a result
his commercial relations were rapidly and
widely extended, and he attained the most
gratifying success. He was the local whole-
sale agent for some of the most famous to-
bacco manufacturers and merchants in the
world, who unhesitatingly entrusted him
with valuable business interests, and cordi-
ally honored him as an able and honest man
and merchant.
Although busily occupied with the im-
portant and varied interests of his private
enterprise, which were never neglected or
slighted, he found time to participate in
politics, and was often active in public
affairs, being several times honored by his
fellow-citizens with positions of trust. In
1881 he was selected to serve the unexpired
term of Mayor Patterson, and at the subse-
quent election was chosen by a large major-
ity to this important office. His official
career was characterized by the same ability
and fidelity that he had displayed in com-
mercial affairs. Retiring from office, Mr.
Herman resumed business, and personally
supervised his vast establishment until his
death. The illness which resulted in his
death had its inception in a severe cold con-
tracted in the year previous, which, together
with a disease of the heart, baffled all medi-
cal skill, and gradually brought him down
to the grave. He was well aware of his
approaching dissolution, and made ready
his affairs, meeting his end with peace and
resignation. Mr. Herman was prominently
identified with the Masonic fraternity, being
a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464,
and Pilgrim Commandery, Knights Temp-
lar. He was also a prominent member of
Post 58, G. A. R., and one of the founders of
the Young Men's Republican Club, being
its second president, and a member until its
dissolution. He was a charter member of
the Board of Trade and took an active in-
terest in building up the city. He was
chairman of the citizens' committee who
erected the monument at State and Second
streets to the memory of the soldiers of
Dauphin county.
Mr. Herman had the most kindly dispo-
sition, and was uniformly genial and cour-
teous. He was warm hearted and generous,
and enjoyed the esteem and affection of his
fellow-men. He died July 17, 1886, and
was followed to his tomb by a large con-
course of citizens.
He was married, in 1861, to Miss Frances,
daughter of Moses McGrew, of York county.
His widow and three children survive. The
children are: Edwin S.; Jennie F., who mar-
ried Dr. John C. Bucher, of Lebanon, Pa.,
and Florence M.
Edwin S. Herman was born in Lewisberry,
York county. Pa., May 9, 1864. After fin-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
625
ishing his education in the Harrisburg high
school he became associated with his father
in business. After the death of his father
he conducted the business as an estate for
about eight years, when he and his mother
became the sole owners, and have since con-
ducted the business under the firm name of
John C. Herman & Co. Mr. Herman was a
very young man when the death of his
father cast the burden of conducting the
business upon him, and he is entitled to
much credit for the able and successful
manner in which he has managed it. He
is an active young business man, a member
of the Board of Trade, and a director in the
Harrisburg Trust CompanJ^ He is a Re-
publican in politics. He is a member of all
branches of the Masonic fraternity, from the
blue lodge to the consistorj'.
Mr. Herman was married in 1887 to Miss
C. Almeda Kunkel Wallower, daughter of
Col. John and Mary (Zollinger) Wallower,
of Harrisburg. The3' have two children,
Frances Mary and John Crull. Mrs. Her-
man is a member of Grace Methodist Epis-
copal church.
Smith, Charles G., was born in Wurtem-
berg, Germany, September 12, 1847. He is
a son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Kuebler)
Smith, who came to America in 1851 and
located in Harrisburg. The father lived re-
tired from active business until his death, in
1860.
Charles G. was the youngest of five chil-
dren, all of whom are deceased excepting
himself and one brother, Frederick, of Phil-
adelphia, Pa. Mr. Smith was educated
in the public schools of Harrisburg. He
learned cigarmaking, and in 1860 engaged
in the manufacture of cigars on Forster
street. In 1866 he enlarged his business
and located at 506 Market street, where he
remained until 1885. He then removed to
439 Market street, and in September, 1895,
to his present location. He does an exten-
sive wholesale and retail tobacco business.
In 1882 he admitted John J. Keffer as a
partner, and the firm has since been Smith
& Keffer.
In 1885 he and John B. Litch, of Steeltnn,
engaged in the leaf tobacco business, that is,
packing and curing, under the firm name of
of C. G. Smith & Co., and have since
continued this business. This is one of
the leading firms of the State in this line.
They buy tobacco directly from the pro-
ducers, and cure, pack and ship it to all mar-
kets. They buy in the States of Wisconsin,
Ohio, Connecticut, New York and Pennsyl-
vania. They have an extensive warehouse
on Eleventh street, Harrisburg, and one at
Marietta, Lancaster county.
Mr. Smith's start in business was with a
capital of |300, and this sum was saved
from his own earnings. As a business man,
it is an exact use of language to term him a
self-made man. His characteristics are re-
flected and defined in his success. Nothing
but industry, energy, enterprise, integrity,
intelligence and sound judgment could pro-
duce results so desirable as the foundation,
growth, permanence and returns of Mr.
Smith's extensive business. He is a Demo-
crat; he has been repeatedly solicited to ac-
cept ofBce, but has always declined. Mr.
Smith is a member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M. He was married, in 1867,
to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Peter Keffer,
of Lancaster county, and niece of Prof.
Washington Keffer. They have five chil-
dren: Clara, Mrs. S. Wirt Mosser, of Har-
risburg; Annie, deceased, wife of David
Rahter, of Harrisburg ; Laura, Katherine,
and Linda. Mr. Smith was one of the or-
ganizers of the Board of Trade. He attends
St. Paul's Episcopal church; he was for
many years warden of that church.
Keffer, John J., of the firm of Smith &
Keffer, tobacconists, was born in Lancaster,
Pa., October 16, 1848. He is a son of Peter
B. and Annie M. (Royal) Keffer. His pa-
ternal grandfather, Henry B. Keffer, was
born in Germany, where he was educated
and learned carpentry. Coming to this
country, he located in Lancaster, and there
followed his trade. He was a prominent
politician, and was elected to various offices,
among them that of county commissioner.
He was married in Lancaster, to Miss Eliza-
beth Brock, a native of Germany. Their
children were : Peter B., John L., Washing-
ton, Benjamin, and Julius; all now deceased.
Henry B. Keffer died January 9, 1850, aged
sixty-five years ; his wife died November 14,
1871, aged eighty-six. Mr. Keffer's maternal
grandparents were both natives of Germany.
Peter B. Keffer, father of John J., was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., December 20,
1820. He followed the occupation of house
painting until the outbreak of the war of
the Rebellion. He was one of the first to
enlist in the army, under the call of Presi-
626
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
dent Lincoln for three years' soldiers. He
was discharged, December 18, 1864, on ac-
count of disability. After the war, he lived
retired from active business. His wife,
Annie M. Royal, was born in Lancaster
county, Pa., February 22, 1821, daughter of
Josiah Royal. They had nine children,
eight of whom are living: Annie M., wife of
D. B. McDonald ; Henry B.; Sarah E., wife
of C. G. Smith ; John J.; Clara, wife of Dr. E.
Fornias, Philadelphia, Pa.; Washington B.;
Charles F. Edward F. died at the age of
eight years. Mr. KefFer was a Democrat.
He was a member of the Episcopal church.
He died in Harrisburg, November 8, 1874,
aged fifty-four. His wife is living ; she
resides in Harrisburg, and is in good health,
at the age of seventy-four.
•John J. Keffer attended the public schools
of Lancaster county until he was twelve
years of age. In 1860 he became clerk in
a tailoring establishment, where he was
employed three years. In 1863 he began an
apprenticeship of three and a half years at
coach trimming. Upon its completion, in
1867, he was made foreman in the trimming
department, and served in that capacity for
nine months; he then resigned. In 1868
he was employed as a coach trimmer by
Stoner & Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa., for eight
months. He was next employed by Vance,
Halleck & Whiteside, Harrisburg, Pa., for
eight months. During 1871 he served as
passenger brakeman on the Pennsylvania
railroad, between Harrisburg and Altoona,
and between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
In 1872 he was employed by C. G. Smith as
clerk in the wholesale tobacco business.
After a clerkship of two years he became
the partner of Mr. Smith, under the firm
name of Smith & Keffer, doing business at
506 Market street. The firm removed in
1885 to No. 439 Market street. After con-
ducting business there for ten years they
removed in 1895 to No. 432, same street,
where they have established a large and in-
creasing business.
Mr. Keffer was married in Lancaster, No-
vember 8, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter
of William and Elizabeth (Showers) Mar-
shall, born in Lancaster, June 20, 1847.
They have six children, of whom four are
living: Edward, Frank, John and Donald.
Their deceased children are : Charles W.,
died in 1885, aged seven years, and Sarah
E., died in infancy.
Mr. Keffer has for ten years been an active
member of the Masonic order. Lodge No. 21,
and for twenty-three years has belonged to
Capital Citv Castle, No. 40, K. G. E., and
to the Knights of the Mystic Chain, No. 17.
In his political views he is Independent.
William Marshall, father of Mrs. Keffer,
was born in Lancaster city. Pa., January 12,
1834. He was a shoemaker, and pursued
that calling for thirty years. He was then
appointed overseer at Franklin and Mar-
shall College, and held that position for some
years, after which he retired. His wife,
Elizabeth Sowers, was the daughter of
Henry and Elizabeth Sowers. Their living
children are: James H.; Elizabeth, Mrs.
John J. KefFer; William A., lieutenant in
the United States navy; Emma; Alice, wife
of Harry G. Elias. Mr. Marshall died, Feb-
ruar}"- 13, 1881, aged sixty-nine years; his
wife died June 16, 1893, aged seventy-nine.
Both were members of St. John's Episcopal
church. Mrs. Keffer's grandparents were
natives of Lancaster county.^ Her grand-
father was born in Lancaster.
Clemens, Peter H., was born near Mc-
Kee's Half Falls, Snyder county. Pa., Octo-
ber 3, 1851. He is a son of Peter and Har-
rietta (Burraughs) Clemens. The father,
Peter Clemens, was born in Snyder county.
May 22, 1819. He was a blacksmith, and
afterwards a farmer. He married, in March,
1844, Miss Harrietta Burraughs, who was
born in New Berlin, Union county, daughter
of Benjamin Burraughs, a native of Ireland.
Their children are: Benjamin F.; Mary D.,
wife of Peter Ziegler, deceased ; Lydia A.,
wife of James Bell; Peter H.; Wesley E.;
John D.; U. S. G.; George I., died April 3,
1863, at Norfolk, Va., aged seventeen ; Joseph
B., deceased, and Susanna, wife of August
McCarty. Mr. Clemens is a Democrat. He
was supervisor of Snyder county for one
term. The family are members of the
United Brethren church. The parents are
living retired in Mifflin county. The father
of Mrs. Clemens was born in 1782, and died
at Lancaster, aged sixty-eight years. The
mother of Mr. Clemens was born in 1798,
and died aged seventy-five.
Peter H. Clemens received a limited edu-
cation in the schools of Liverpool, Perry
county, Pa. At the age of eleven he began
to work for himself, and was employed for
eight months on a farm. Subsequently he
went on the canal, and for three years was a
driver between Liverpool and Harrisburg.
DA UPHIN GO UNTT .
627
He was next employed for one j'ear in the
mines at Lykens, afterwards for two years
in the mines at another place. He then
served an apprenticeship of one year at car-
pentry with Henry Hoover, Berrysburg,
Dauphin county. The next year he worked
at his trade with John M. Funstach, Sun-
bury, Pa., after which he engaged in business
for himself for one year at Sunbury and then
for three years at Shenandoah, Schuylkill
county. Thence he went to Williamsport,
and met an Englishman, with whom he
went to Pittsburgh, in search of employment.
Not succeeding at Pittsburgh, they went to
Cleveland, Ohio, where they were offered a
job, which thej' could not accept, because
they had lost their tools. They worked on
the streets in Cleveland for a half a day, and
then went into the country, where they be-
came acquainted with a Pennsylvanian and
secured a two weeks' job in the stone quarry.
After receiving their wagesand settling their
bills they had only one dollar left, and voted
the job unprofitable. They then contracted
with a farmer to cut wood for him for six
months. Receiving a little money in ad-
vance, they procured some lumber from
Cleveland and built a shanty in the woods
for their winter quarters. This engagement
completed, Mr. Clemens found his first job
at his trade in Cleveland, and after working
there for three months returned to Shenan-
doah, Pa., where he carried on carpentry for
a year. For two weeks he worked at cutting
grain and hay in Columbia county. His
partner getting into some trouble they went
from that place to Newton Hamilton, Mifflin
county, where they were for two years en-
gaged in carpenter work.
Peter H. Clemens was married, November
24, 1874, to Rebecca, daughter of Sanders
and Hannah J. (Hewit) Daniels. They had
six children : Bessie L., Rosa, Gertrude, An-
nette H., Charles W., Peter H. and Law-
rence B.
After his marriage Mr. Clemens went to
Houtzdale, Clearfield county, where he en-
gaged in contracting for one year. He pur-
chased a lot and built a house, but sold his
property the next year. His wife went to
her parents and ifie returned to his old
home, where he lived inactive for a year.
The next winter he was employed to make
ties for the railroad at Newton Hamilton.
In the following spring he went to Havana,
N. Y., where he worked at his trade for two
years. In the next year he went to Trenton
Junction, where his brother gave him a lot
on which he built a house for himself and
carried on his business for a year. He was
next employed for a year in the car shops at
Harrisburg, and then for four years engaged
in house building on his own account. He
then removed his family to Philadelphia
where he was in business for himself for
three years. Having secured a building
contract at St. Louis, Mo., he was there for
a year, then returned to Philadelphia, and
worked at his trade there for two years
longer. He then went to Harrisburg, bought
the property at the corner of Six-and-a-half
and Park streets, and began a cigar and to-
bacco business which he has conducted up
to the present time in addition to working
as a carpenter. Mr. Clemens has for twelve
years been a member of Lamberton Lodge,
No. 708, I. 0. 0. F. His politics are Demo-
cratic. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Mrs. Peter H. Clemens was born February
2, 1853. Her parents, Sanders and Hannah
J. Daniels, were both natives of Mifflin
county where they were engaged in farming.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Daniels are :
Annette, Charles, Annie, wife of Frederick
Kreitzer, Sadie, MoUie, and Rebecca, Mrs.
Clemens, all living. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Ida, wife of John C. Norton ; Ke-
tura, Andrew J., Mamie, and two that died
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels now re-
side in Altoona, Pa., where Mr. Daniels is em-
ployed in the railroad shops, and they con-
duct a boarding house. Mr. Daniels is a
Democrat. The family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Mrs. Clemens had previously been mar-
ried to Matthew Gaff, who was killed on the
railroad, October 30, 1873. To this mar-
riage there was one child born, Melinda B.,
wife of Thomas Boehra, residing in Phila-
delphia.
HooPES, Jacob B., cigar manufacturer, was
born near Goldsboro, York county. Pa., May
30, 1854; son of Jacob B. and Mary (Hum-
bers) Hoopes. His parents were both na-
tives of York county. They were engaged
in agricultural pursuits until 1861, when
they removed to Harrisburg where the
father died, November 7, 1891, and the
mother, August 5, 1875. Of tbeir five chil-
dren, one died in childhood, and the sur-
vivors are : Harry A., Joseph M., Daniel B.,
and Jacob B. Jacob B. was seven years old
628
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
when he came with his parents to Harris-
burg. He attended the public schools of the
city and afterwards learned the trade of
cigar manufacturer, which has been his oc-
cupation since his boyhood. He embarked
in business for himself in 1882, and by his
able business management and commercial
integrity has taken his place among the
most enterprising and successful business
men of Harrisburg. Mr. Hoopes was mar-
ried, in Harrisburg, February 7, 1874, to Ida
Albright, by whom he has three children :
Bessie, Nellie D. and Bertha. In politics he
is a Republican. He attends the Lutheran
church.
Cooper, Alford L., tobacconist, was born
in Harrisburg, November 11, 1865; son of
Charles and Margaret (Stansbury) Cooper,
the former a native of New Jersey, the lat-
ter of Baltimore, Md. The father came to
Harrisburg with his parents when he was
about three years old, and has since been a
continuous resident of the city. In his
earlier life he was a market gardener, but
later has been employed in the mills as a
machinist. His parents had six children, of
whom five are living : Mary Catherine, wife
of Joseph Hurst, Harrisburg; Charles L.,
Harrisburg; John Weslej', residence not
known; Alford L. ; Margaret S., and one
child who died in infancy. Alford L. was
educated in the schools of Harrisburg, and
learned the trade of coach trimming, at
which he worked for three years; subse-
quently he was in the employment of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as brake-
man until November, 1894, when he en-
gaged in his present business. Mr. Cooper
is a member of America Council, No. 3, 0.
U. A. M. The family attend the Pine Street
Presbvteiian church.
HoLTZMAN, George M., was born in Mil-
lersburg, Dauphin county, Pa., August 16,
1870. He is a son of Frank J. and Ellen
A. (Kline) Holtzman. His grandfather
Holtzman was boi;n in Berks county, in
1825, and is one of the oldest residents of
Millersburg. For many years he dealt ex-
tensively in cattle, and was well and favor-
ably known tliroughout the State. Frank
J. Holtzman, the father of George M., was
born in Millersburg, and his mother in
Hamburg, Berks county; she died in De-
cember, 1874; the father is still living.
They had three children: William F., of
Harrisburg ; George M., and Agnes, wife of
Dr. Batdorf, of Millersburg.
George M. Holtzman came with his par-
ents to Dauphin county. They located in
West Hanover township, where he was edu-
cated in the public schools. He was first
employed as a salesman, and engaged in
business for himself May 2, 1894.
Mr. Holtzman was married in Harrisburg,
March 27, 1894, to Bertha M., daughter of
Benjamin Atkinson. They have no chil-
dren. He is a member of the Board of
Trade. He belongs to John Harris Council,
No. 174, Jr. 0. U. A. M.; to Warrior Eagle
Tribe, I. 0. R. M.; and to the Fraternal
Mystic Circle. He is a Republican. He
attends the Salem Reformed church, of
which Mrs. Holtzman is a member.
HoLcoMBE, Henry W., cigar manufac-
turer and tobacco jobber, Harrisburg, was
born July 25, 1872. He is a son of Lewis
P. and Valeria (Gregory) Holcombe. Rich-
ard and Thankful (Shrope) Holcombe, the
grandparents of Henry W., were natives of
New Jersey, where the grandfather spent
his life. He was a prominent and success-
ful business man, a miller. He was killed,
March 3, 1860, by the explosion of the boiler
of a steamboat of which he was a part owner.
The grandmother died at Easton, Pa. They
had but two children : Mary E.,wife of John
P. Bennett, of Hackettstown, N. J., and Lewis
P., father of Henry W.
Lewis P. Holcombe was born in Fleming-
ton, Huntingdon county, N. J., September
10, 1852. While he was a child, his parents
removed, first to Asbury, N. J., thence to
Lambertsville, N. J., and subsequently to
Belvidere, Warren county, N. J., where his
father was killed, as above described. The
widow and her son, Lewis, removed to Jersey
City, N.J. Here he attended a private school
for about five years. He then became sales-
man in a retail dry goods store in New York,
where he remained about three years. After
this he attended the Excelsior Normal In-
stitute, Carversville, Bucks county. Pa., for
two years. Pie was then engaged for a short
time as bookkeeper in Philadelphia. In
1869 he removed to Harrisburg, and for the
ensuing three years was employed by Dr. A.
Patterson in the carpet business. In 1872
he entered the employ of Henry Gregory,
and was with him for eleven years. He has
since been employed as accountant and as
EngTdved Dy j R.Rice 5 Sons PhJiada
^iJL/^y^(yn-r^ iyUy^r^yC.<i/-r^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
631
traveling salesman, principally for New Jer-
sey and Philadelphia firms.
He was married, in Harrisburg, in July,
1871, to Miss Valeria, daughter of Henry
and Matilda Gregory. They have had four
children, of whom three are living : Henry
W. ; Louis R., born November 13, 1877 ;
and Zephaniah, born March 20, 1872. Mrs.
Holcombe died December 16, 1891.
Mr. L. P. Holcombe is Republican in pol-
itics. He attends the Presbyterian church.
Henry W. Holcombe has lived all his life
in Harrisburg, and was educated in the city
schools. He was graduated from the high
school in 1893, from which date until 1895 he
was employed by his grandfather, Henry
Gregory, as traveling salesman. Since Sep-
tember, 1895, he has been a cigar manufac-
turer. He was married, in Camden, N. J.,
February 26, 1894, to Miss Laura J., daughter
of John and Sarah A. Rider, of Harrisburg,
but both natives of East Hanover township,
Dauphin county, and both deceased. H.
W. and Laura Holcombe have one son,
Henry Gregory, born November 10, 1895.
Mr. Holcombe is a Republican. He and
his wife are members of the Reformed
church.
WiESTLiNG, Samuel G., grocer, was born
in Harrisburg, Pa., January 26, 1825. He
is a son of Samuel C. and Henrietta (Doll)
Wiestling, both deceased. They were Penn-
sylvanians, and of German ancestry. For
many years they were honored residents of
Harrisburg. Of their five children, three
are living : Caroline, of Lebanon, Pa., widow
of the late Thomas Bibighaus, a member of
Congress ; Joseph C, and Samuel C, resid-
ing in Harrisburg.
Samuel C. Wiestling was educated in the
private and public schools of Harrisburg.
With the exception of ten months' ser-
vice in the United States army, during
the late Rebellion, and two years' resi-
dence in Philadelphia, his entire life has
been spent in his native city. He learned
carpentry, and has been extensively engaged
in contracting and building. He built the
Grand Opera House, remodeled the Re-
formed church edifice on Chestnut street,
and constructed many of the finest resi-
dences in the city of Harrisburg. Aban-
doning building and contracting in 1877,
he established himself in the grocery busi-
ness, to which he has devoted all his atten-
tion since that time. His ten months of
42
army service was as private in company H,
Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and as hospital steward.
Mr. Wiestling was married in Harrisburg,
January 8, 1857, to Eliza, daughter of Levi
and Eliza (Amey) Weaver, born in Phila-
delphia, May 17," 1835. They had two chil-
dren ; both died young.
He is an active member of Central Lodge,
No. 19, A. 0. U. W. His political views are
Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Wiestling are
members of Salem Reformed church.
BuRKHOLDER, WiLLiAM, merchant, was
born in Franklin county. Pa., July 13, 1827.
He is a son of the late Jacob and Mary
(Shoemaker) Burkholder. His maternal
grandparents, David and Magdalena Shoe-
maker, were both natives of Franklin county.
Pa. They were farmers. They lived to an
advanced age. Their children were three
in number: John, Elizabeth, wife of Chris-
tian Burkholder, and Mary, wife of Jacob
Burkholder. The parents of William Burk-
holder were both born in Franklin county.
His father, Jacob Burkholder, was born July
24, 1788, and died April 14, 1865. He was
a farmer. His wife, Mary Shoemaker, was
born August 10, 1794, and died October 20,
1871. They had nine children, three of
whom are living : David, William and Mary,
wife of Jacob Kohr, residing in Franklin
county near the old homestead. Their de-
ceased children were Catherine, Adam,
Daniel, Jacob, Elizabeth, wife of Abraham
Wenger, and John.
William Burkholder received a limited
education in the public schools of Franklin
county. As is usual with boys on the farm
he attended school in the winter and assisted
on the farm during the summer. At the
age of eighteen he began an apprenticeship
of two and a half years at shoemaking. He
followed this occupation for about twenty-
five years. A few years before the war he
removed from Franklin to Cumberland
county. October 16, 1862, he enlisted for
the nine months' service in company A, One
Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania
volunteers. After his discharge from the
army he worked two years in mercantile
business, after which he removed to Harris-
burg and was employed one year in a shoe
store on State street. On account of the
business panic he lost his place and while
waiting for financial prospects to brighten
he and his sons worked at shoemaking ; but
632
BIOGRArmCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
this business he was obliged to abandon on
account of failing health. When the panic
was over his former employer gave him
work for one year, after which he engaged in
broommaking on Boyd avenue, Harrisburg.
He next removed to Broad street where he
and . his two sons carried on a factory and
store for four years. His next removal was
to 1316 Margaret street, where for a short
time he had a broom factory. Then, having
erected at this place a large and convenient
building, he opened a grocery store and for
the past ten years has done a large and suc-
cessful business in this line. He is well-es-
tablished and generally known, having been
a resident of Harrisburg for twenty-five
years.
While living in Cumberland county he
served one year as supervisor, and also as
school director of Silvers Spring township.
He was twice married. His first wife was
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen and
Catherine Laush, both of Cumberland
county. Mr. Laush was a pumpmaker.
Their children were Elizabeth, Andrew and
Mary. Mr. Burkholder had but one child
by his first wife, Annie E., who died in in-
fancy. Mrs. Burkholder died, aged about
twenty-four years. Mr. Burkholder's second
marriage was with Miss Annie, daughter of
Philip and Elizabeth Snell. Her father was
born in York countj^. Pa. He was for a
number of years a weaver and was after-
wards engaged in farming. Her mother was
born in Lancaster county, Fa. They had
eight children; the only one now living is
Catherine, wife of Benjamin Hoover. Those
deceased are : Lena, married first to Philip
Keaner and afterwards to Lawrence New-
gard ; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Hurst; George;
Mary, wife of Joseph Newcomer ; Fannie, sec-
ond wife of Joseph Newcomer; Annie E., and
Christian. Philip Snell died at the age of
nearly eighty years. Both he and his wife
were members of the Lutheran church, in
Cumberland county, Mr. Burkholder had
three children by his second wife, two of
whom are living: Jacob and William H.
Joseph N. died March 30, 1889, aged thirty-
two years. Mrs. Annie Burkholder died
November 29, 1893, aged seventy-one. Mr.
Burkholder is Democratic in politics. He
belongs to the United Brethren in Christ;
both of his wives were members of the same
church.
Jacob Burkholder, eldest son of William,
was born May 6, 1854, and was educated in the
public schools of Cumberland county. He
started in busmess as an attendant in an
asylum where he was employed for two
years. He afterwards worked one year for
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as
helper on the gravel train. At the age of
twenty-one he was employed by the Jackson
Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of inter-
locking switches, as traveling agent. He
then removed to Allentown, Pa., still being
in the same business. He was married De-
cember 26, 1873, to Miss Rebecca J., daughter
of Joseph Feeman. They had one daughter,
who died in infancy. His wife died Sep-
tember 29, 1881. Mr. Jacob Burkholder is
now an undertaker in Allentown. He is a
member of several lodges.
William Burkholder, Jr., youngest son of
William, was born September 23, 1857. He
also was educated in Cumberland county.
At the age of sixteen he learned broom-
making and followed this occupation for
twenty-three years. He was married, Sep-
tember 28, 1880, to Miss Clara, daughter of
Adam and Catherine (Brenner) -Stauffer.
They had two sons, Charles A. and Arthur J.
Mr. William Burkholder, Jr., is engaged
with his father in the grocery business. He
is a member of the American Mechanics,
No. 106, and of Washington Camp, No. 8,
P. 0. S. of A. He is a Democrat and a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church.
PoTTEiGER, Jacob, grocer, was born in
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., December 24, 1883 ; son of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Feeser) Potteiger. Jacob Pottei-
ger, the grandfather, came from Berks
county, and settled in Lower Paxton town-
ship. He married Mary Deck. The father
was the oldest of seven children, the only
survivors of whom are: Jonathan, of
Lower Paxton township ; Daniel, of Fort
Hunter, Dauphin county ; Elizabeth, (Mrs.
Jonathan Crum), of Illinois. He was
born in Berks or Dauphin county, and
reared on the farm. He learned the black-
smith trade, and followed it, having a shop
near Linglestown, where he worked until
his death, in 1853. In politics he was a
Democrat. He was a member of the Lu-
theran church, in which he held the office
of deacon. His wife died in 1870. She was
a daughter of Peter Feeser. They raised
eleven children, ten of whom are living:
Jacob ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Reuben Conrad), of
Seneca county, Ohio; Alert, of Fishing
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
633
Creek Valley, Middle Paxton township;
Sarah, deceased; Jonathan, of Halifax;
Matilda (Mrs. Samuel Hepford), of Harris-
burg; David, of Lock Haven, Pa.; George,
of West Hanover township, blacksmith
James, of Ohio, merchant; Levi, of Iowa
laundry, etc.; William, of Ohio, painter and
paper hanger.
Jacob was reared and educated in Lower
Paxton township. He also attended school
in Linglestown, and subsequently taught
school five terms in the township, after
which he was engaged in farming four years.
In 1867 he settled at Progress, in Dauphin
county, where he conducted a general mer-
cantile business until 1871, when he pur-
chased his present property in Harrisburg,
and has since continued in the same line of
trade. Mr. Potteiger is a director of the
East Harrisburg Building and Loan Asso-
ciation. In his politics he is a Republican,
and has served as a school director one term
from the Ninth ward, and also as assessor of
the same ward. He is also a member of the
Improved Order of Heptasophs.
Mr. Potteiger was married, in 1858, to Miss
Rebecca AUbright, daughter of Henry All-
bright, in Lower Paxton township, who died
June 14, 1893, leaving only one child, Emma
C, wife of Wesley Hoover, of Harrisburg.
He is a member of the Thirteenth Street Lu-
theran church, of which he has also served
as treasurer. He also served as an elder
and secretary of the council of the Memorial
Lutheran church, and was one of the, organ-
izers of that congregation.
Etter, Calvin, was born in Newport,
Perry county. Pa., in December, 1835. He
is a son of the late Henry H. and Mary
(Shaffner) Etter. Henry H. Etter was born
in Lancaster county. Pa. He was for along
time engaged in boating on the canal. For
many years he was proprietor of the Warm
Springs Hotel, Warm Springs, Perry county.
He was for a time employed under the
United States Government, in the Agricul-
tural Department at Washington, D. C.
After an active and useful life, he died in
Philadelphia in 1890. His wife, Mary
Shaffner, was born in Harrisburg, and died
in that city in 1865. Their children are:
Ellen, wife of Jesse S. Butts, of Newport,
Perry county ; Calvin ; Sarah, wife of Francis
Wilcox, of San Diego, Cal., and Mary, wife
of Ritzel Shattick, of Philadelphia.
Calvin Etter was reared on the farm in
Perry county. He had the opportunities
which the common schools afford the busy
farmer's boy, and his subsequent life shows
that he made good use of them. The close
of school days found him well-informed,
disciplined and prepared for practical work.
His natural tastes led him to prefer agri-
cultural pursuits in early life, but at the
age of twenty he forsook the farm and be-
came clerk in a general store. Here he
spent several years, becoming in that time
thoroughly familiar with mercantile busi-
ness.
In 1864 he began business on his own ac-
count in Harrisburg. He opened a grocery
store, and has since been in the business
since that date. With perhaps one excep-
tion, he is now the oldest grocer in the city.
Mr. Etter has a combination of the qualities
which make a successful merchant. He is
systematic and methodical, able to lay out
his plans and to give assiduous attention
to the minutest details in their execution.
He is alert and enterprising, and always
abreast of the times. Always having his
own business well in hand, he has time, as
well as inclination, to interest himself in so-
cial and general movements intended to
promote the development and growth of the
city. In social life he is a model gentleman,
modest and always approachable. His suc-
cess, the result of his accurate judgment,
keen insight and absolute adherence to prin-
ciple, is as honorable as it is large and envi-
able.
Mr. Etter was married in Harrisburg, in
April, 1865, to Helen Marshall, of Perry
county. They have had four children, one
of whom died in infancy. Their livmg
children are : Carrie, wife of Harry S. Kelly,
wood, and coal dealer, a sketch of whom ap-
pears elsewhere in this volume; Charlie
Ross, a salesman in his father's store, and
Mary Grace.
Mr. Etter is a Republican. He has repre-
sented the Fifth ward of Harrisburg in
common council for two terms, and in se-
lect council one term.
May, John K., grocer, was born in York
county. Pa., December 18, 1837. He is a
son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Kirk) May,
natives of York county, and farmers. He
was reared in York county and educated in
the public schools. He learned bricklaying,
and coming to Harrisburg in 1862 worked
as a journeyman until 1872. At this date
634
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
he and Thomas Stephenson entered into
partnership as contractors ; this partnership
continued one year. In 1873 he formed a
partnership with George E. Reed, which
lasted until Mr. Reed's death, in 1893. They
erected many fine public and private build-
ings in the city. In 1877 they engaged in
the grocery business on Market street, near
Third. In 1886 they began the manufac-
ture of pressed and hand-made brick,
and do an extensive business in that line.
In 1878 Mr. May went into the retail coal
business, in which he has since continued.
He was also, from 1872 to 1890, in the retail
cigar and tobacco trade.
He is a stockholder in the Harrisburg
Foundry and Machine Works, the East Har-
risburg Passenger Railway Company, the
Harrisburg Trust Company, the Harrisburg
Shoe Compan}', and the Capital City Shoe
Company, of Harrisburg. He is active in
the Republican party. He served six con-
secutive years on the school board, repre-
senting the Ninth ward.
He was married in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of William Mahon, of Harrisburg.
They have five children : Margaret, Mrs.
Cornelius Shope, of Harrisburg; Nora, Mrs.
William Stroup, of Reading, Pa.; Charles,
Theodore, and Queenie. Mr. May and his
family attend the Lutheran church.
Umberger, Henry L., was born in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
February 16, 1842. He is a son of John and
Margaret (Lingle) Umberger, both deceased.
His father was a native of Dauphin county;
his mother of Berks. The greater part of
their lives was passed in Dauphin county.
Of their ten children, six are living : Obadiah,
of Lewistown, Mifflin county. Pa.; John, of
Hoernerstown, Pa.; Margaret, wife of Wil-
liam S. Hettrick, of Harrisburg; Hannah,
wife of Daniel Bennewitz, of East Hanover
township; Henry L., and Michael, residing
near Taylorsville, 111.
Henr}'' L. Umlaerger attended the public
schools of his native township, but his school
days were cut short by the necessity of an
early beginning of efforts to earn a livelihood.
Pie was engaged in various occupations be-
fore he j'eached manhood. He learned the
milling business and was occupied in it
for eight years; four years of this time he
operated his own mill in East Hanover town-
ship. About 1877 he removed to Harris-
burg, and in 1879 established his present
business.
In February, 1862, he enlisted in company
K, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and served eighteen months. Dur-
ing this time he, with his regiment, partici-
pated in the battles of the Wilderness and
Spottsylvania Court House. In the latter
engagement, he was wounded in the left leg
and conveyed to the hospital. At the close
of the war he was discharged from the hos-
pital and returned to East Hanover.
He was married at the Union Water
Works, Lebanon county, to Miss Catherine,
daughter of Joseph and Polly Shefi'ey, the
former deceased, the latter still living at the
advanced age of eighty and residing in Leba-
non. Of their three children, one died an
infant ; the others are : Ellen and Katie. In
political views Mr. Umberger is a staunch
Republican. He and his family attend the
Reformed church.
Miller, William F., was born in York,
Pa., October 25, 1842. He is a son of Daniel
and Sarah (Beck) Miller, who were both na-
tives of York county. His father was a well-
known stock dealer in York county, where
he spent the greater part of his life. The
family consisted of eight children, four of
whom still survive, namely : Henry C, a
stock dealer, residing in Pittsburgh, Pa.;
William F., Robert, and Sarah. William F.
was educated in the public schools of his
native place, and after completing his edu-
cation he learned the trade of a printer. In
1861 he removed to Harrisburg, where he
worked at his trade for the following twenty
years. He subsequently held a position in
the Harrisburg postofiice for six years, and
in 1887 he engaged in the grocery business.
He was married, in Harrisburg, November 2,
1871, to Cavilla Stroh, daughter of Benjamin
and Priscilla Stroh, who were among the
early settlers of Dauphin county. There
have been born to them four children, one
of whom died in infancy. The children
living are : Irene C, Bradford, and Mabel.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen and Artisans. In po-
litical views he is a Republican. He and
his family attend the Lutheran church. He
is a liberal and public-spirited citizen.
Smith, Wilson 0., grocer, was born in
Lower Allen township, Cumberland county,
Pa., April 21, 1843 ; son of John A. and
DAUPHIN COUNTY
635
Barbara (Sherbane) Smith, both deceased.
The parents were- both natives of Cumber-
land county, where they spent their lives.
The father died at the advanced age of
eighty-four years. They had seven children,
four of whom are living : Catherine, widow
of the late George Oyster; John A., Henry
H., and Wilson 0. By a subsequent mar-
riage there is one son living, George Smith.
Wilson 0. received his primary education
in the public schools of his native township
and subsequently attended the White Hall
Academy in Cumberland county.
In March, 1861, he enlisted in company
H, Seventh Pennsylvania volunteer reserve,
which became the Thirty-sixth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and participated
in the following battles : Dramsville, Va.,
Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, Charles City,
New Market Cross Roads, Malvern Hill,
Plains of Manassas, Second Bull Run, South
Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, in
which last named battle he received a gun-
'shot wound in the breast and was confined
in the hospital at Washington, D. C, for
three months, from which he was discharged
as convalescent June 29, 1863, and was at-
tached to company B, Fourth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, as second lieuten-
ant, and subsequently promoted to first lieu-
tenant. He served in this regiment and
position three months and was then detailed
on recruiting service at Harrisburg for six
months, at the expiration of which time he
was promoted to captain and attached to
company D, Two Hundred and First Penn-
sylvania volunteers, in which position he
served until the close of the war, being
mustered out in 1865. After his discharge
he returned to Cumberland county, where
he remained at home one year, and in
the spring of 1866 came to Harrisburg.
He became salesman in the dry goods
store of Bowman & Co., and afterwards was
employed in the same capacity by Coover
& Co., until July 26, 1888, at" which date
he embarked in the grocery business on
his own account, in which he has been con-
tinuously and successfully engaged since
that date. Mr. Smith was married, in Har-
risburg, December 16, 1869, to Miss Ange-
line A. Porter, daughter of James and Isa-
bella (Campbell) Porter, to whom have been
born three children : Romaine A., J. Porter,
and Isabella J. Mr. Smith is prominent in
the Masonic fraternity, holding membership
in the Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 302, Perse-
verance Chapter, No. 21, and Pilgrim Com-
mandery, No. 11, of Harrisburg ; also of Har-
risburg Council, R. S. E. and S. Masters;
and of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0.
F., Harrisburg. He is also an active mem-
ber of Post No. 58, G. A. R., of the Union
Veteran Legion and of the Improved Order
of Heptasophs. In his political views he is
a staunch Republican. He and his family
are members of the Pine Street Prebyterian
cimrch.
Ruby, Charles W., grocer, was born at
Duncannon, Pa., August 22, 1843 ; son of
Daniel and Rebecca Ruby, both deceased.
The father was a native of Perry county,
where he spent his entire life. In his earlier
life he owned and operated a large tannery,
and later engaged in the iron business at
Duncannon, where he died. The mother
was born in Lancaster and after her mar-
riage resided in Perry county until her death.
They had four children, three of whom are
living : Margaret, wife of Col. Roswell Shortel,
residing in Youngstown, Ohio; Mary, widow
of Irwin Chisholm, residing in Harrisburg,
and Charles W.; Augustus, died at Youngs-
town, Ohio, in 1867, from the effects of dis-
ease incurred while serving in the defense of
his country. Charles W. was reared in his
native town and received his education in
the public schools. He then learned the
trade of nail manufacturing with the Dun-
cannon Iron and Nail Manufacturing Com-
pany, and was in the service of the com-
pany for over forty years. In March, 1889,
he removed to Harrisburg and embarked in
the grocery business, in which he has been
engaged since that time. In 1863 he en-
listed in company K, Third Pennsylvania
volunteer artillery, in which he served for
twenty-six months, and was discharged at
Philadelphia, in 1865, after which he re-
turned to his native town and resumed work
at his trade. Mr. Ruby was married in
Wheatfield township, Perry county, March
25, 1870, to Anna J. Ebersole, daughter of
John and Susanna Ebersole, both deceased.
There have been born to them three chil-
dren : John I., Maud H., and Mary M. Mr.
Ruby is an active member of Lieut. William
Allison Post, G. A. R., Duncannon, Pa. In
politics he is a Republican. He and his
family attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
636
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Enders, I. T., grocer, 1801 North Sixth
street, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Enders,
Jackson township, August 31, 1843. He is
a son of George and Susanna (Fetterhoff)
Enders. The first of the family to settle in
the county was John Enders, a German, who
entered a tract of land in Jackson township,
and became one of the prominent farmers of
his day. He died at the age of forty-six and
his son John succeeded to his estate. George
Enders, son of the last-named John Enders,
was born in 1809, and died in Jackson
township. He was a prominent member
of the United Brethren church, and one of
its trustees. He served as supervisor of his
township. His wife died in 1882. They
had sixteen children : William H., of Upper
Paxton ; Uriah F., of Penbrook ; George W.,
of Enders; Samuel E., of Enders; I. T.;
Israel, 0., of Fisherville ; Sarah, Mrs. Joseph
Seiders, of Williamstown ; Daniel N., of
Williamstown ; Benjamin F., of Enders ;
Levi J., M. D., of Williamstown ; Isabella,
Mrs. Joseph Knouff, of Enders ; Edward A.,
of Harrisburg ; four children are deceased.
I. T. Enders was reared and educated in
Jackson township. He was occupied in
farming until about 1883, when he removed
to Harrisburg and engaged in the grocery
business, in which he has since continued.
He enlisted, February 24, 1864, in company
E, Ninth regiment, Pennsylvania cavalry,
and served until the close of the war. He
is a Republican. He served two terms as
justice of the peace, resigning at the end of
the second term to remove to Harrisburg.
He was elected poor director in 1879, and
re-elected in 1882. In 1894 he was elected
to the board of control of Harrisburg, and
has since served as a member of that body.
He is chairman of the committee on sup-
plies, and is also on the teachers committee.
He belongs to the I. 0. 0. F.
He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary E.,
daughter of James Bowman, of Jackson
township. He has three children : Rev.
Emanuel A., pastor of the Presbyterian
church, of Conway, Iowa, graduate of Omaha
Theological Seminary ; Minnie N., wife of
Harry E. Whitmoyer, of Harrisburg, and
Robert A. Mr. Enders and his wife are
members of the Reily Street United Breth-
ren church.
the late John and Rebecca (Martin) Stewart.
The Stewart family are of Scotch ancestry,
the grandfather of John M. having been
born in Scotland. He emigrated to this
country at an early date and finally settled
in Cumberland county. Pa., where he reared
his family, and was prominently identified
with the early history of the county. He
was a farmer and a leading and progressive
man among farmers and men of business.
The mother was of Irish descent, and was
born in Shiremanstown, Cumberland county.
She now resides at Newville, Cumberland
county. Their children are as follows :
Jennie H., widow of the late Hugh Gamble,
residing in Harrisburg ; John M.; Carrie R.;
Laura C, wife of J. B. Livingston, of Har-
risburg ; Margaret L.; Nettie, wife of William
Nevin ; Susan E., died December 9, 1895,
wife of James M. Early, who died January
6, 1896, and Mary E., died April 25, 1881.
John M. Stewart grew to manhood in his
native township. Farm work demanded so
much of his time that he could only partially'
avail himself of school advantages. He was
occupied in farming until 1871, when he re-
moved to Harrisburg. He was salesman in
the hardware business for four years and in
the grocery business for seven years. Since
June, 1892, he has successfully conducted
the grocery business on his own account.
He was married in Philadelphia, Septem-
ber, 1876, to Mary A., daughter of the late
Johnston and Sarah Stevenson. They have
no children. Mr. Stewart is an active mem-
ber of the Knights of St. John and Malta, No.
106, of Harrisburg, and of the Junior Order
United American Mechanics. His political
views have always been Republican, but he
votes for men rather than for party. He and
his wife are members of the Covenant Pres-
byterian church.
Stewart, John M., grocer, Harrisburg,
was born in MiflSin township, Cumberland
county. Pa., October 9, 1844. He is a son of
Althousb, Reuben H., grocer, was born
in Berks county, Pa., February 8, 1845 ; son
of Benjamin and Rebecca (Herbine) Alt-
house, natives of Berks county. The father
came to Dauphin county in the spring of
1845, and engaged in farming in Susque-
hanna township. He was a prominent
member of the Reformed church. His
death occurred April 16, 1861, and that of
his wife in 1880. They reared three chil-
dren : Reuben H.; Ella, unmarried, and
George B., of Philadelphia. Reuben H.,
was reared on the farm in Susquehanna
township and attended the district school of
DAUPHIN COUNT r.
637
the locality. After the death of his father
he conducted the farm, and also took up the
dairy business, in which he continued four-
teen years. In 1881 he removed to Bedford,
Monroe county, Mich., and was there en-
gaged in farming for seven years, after
which he returned to Harrisburg, and in
1888 established his present business. He
holds membership in the Odd Fellows fra-
ternity, and in the Knights of the Golden
Eagle. In politics he is a Republican, and
while in Michigan, served six years as a
school trustee. Mr. Althouse was married,
in 1866, to Miss Frances Rudy, daughter of
Joseph Rudy, of Harrisburg, and to them
have been born eight children: Frank, drug-
gist, in Harrisburg; Carrie; Harry B.; R.
Edward, with his brother R. H.; Frances
(Mrs. George Swab), of Harrisburg; Joseph,
Ella and Delanor. Mr. Althouse is a mem-
ber of the German Reformed church.
Langlotz, Martin, merchant, was born in
the province of Saxony, September 9, 1846.
He is a son of John and Elizabeth Langlotz.
His parents came to this country when he
was nine years old, and, after living one year
in Boston, removed to Allegany county,
Md., where they spent the remainder of their
lives. They are both deceased. They had
nine children.
Martin Langlotz spent his early life in the
Maryland home and attended the free schools
of his adopted country. In 1872 he removed
to Harrisburg, where for the' past twenty-four
years he has conducted a grocery, provision
and notion store. Amid the numerous
changes which have taken place among the
business men and firms of Harrisburg, Mr.
Langlotz has held steadily on his way. His
continuance in business with growing suc-
cess demonstrates his business ability and
the solidity of his character. He was mar-
ried, in York county. Pa., to Katherine,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Boesch,
natives of Germany, and residents of York,
Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Langlotz have had two
children, one of whom died in infancy. The
living child is Bransby F. In political views
Mr. Langlotz holds with the Democratic
party. He attends the Lutheran church.
Liken, Thomas, was born in Coleraine,
county Derry, Ireland, February 7, 1847.
He is'a son of the late Thomas and Letitia
(Hill) Liken. The elder Thomas Liken was
also a native of Coleraine. When a young
man, before railroads were constructed, he
was engaged in carrying freight to Belfast
by dray. He afterwards became a whole-
sale dealer in provisions, and in his later
years had his son Oliver as his partner in
thebusiness. His political views were Demo-
cratic. He was a member of the Presbyte-
rian church. He died at the advanced age
of eighty-two years. His wife, Letitia Hill,
also a native of Coleraine, died at the age of
forty-three. They had nine children, of
whom seven are living : William, John,
Thomas, Margaret, Matilda, Mary and
Oliver.
Thomas Liken, the subject of this sketch,
was the youngest of the family. He attended
the schools of his native town until he was
thirteen years old, and received a very fair
education. In 1860 he took a position as
assistant clerk in the Coleraine market.
After this he was employed by two Scotch-
men, George and James Rogerson, in their
grocery store. He remained with them one
year, and then accepted a place with Mr.
Irvin in the business of shipping butter and
eggs. He was in this situation for a num-
ber of years. His next employment was
with Mr. Huey, shipper of all kinds of grain,
with whom he remained for a few years.
In 1867 he came to America to visit his
brothers, who were in business as bakers and
confectioners. His brother, John H., admit-
ted him to partnership, which lasted several
years. Upon its dissolution he went to New
York City and established himself in the
grocery business, which he carried on for a
number of years. At the earnest solicitation
of J. A. Slentz, of Harrisburg, dealer in flour
and feed, he closed out his business in New
York and returned to Harrisburg as book-
keeper and salesman for Mr. Slentz. At the
end of six months he bought out the busi-
ness of Mr. Slentz and removed to his pres-
ent location, 1322 North Sixth street, where
he now deals in groceries, confectionery and
flour and feed. He is successful in business,
and is highly esteemed by all who know him
as a man of worth and enterprise. Mr.
Liken is director in various associations in
Harrisburg. He is chairman of the build-
ing committee of Bloomington, 111.', and is
very highly regarded by the committee. In
Ireland he was connected with several socie-
ties. His political views are Democratic.
Mr. Liken has been twice married. By
the first marriage he had two children:
Mary, who died at the age of four months
638
BIO GRA PEICA L ENCYVL 0 PEDIA
and six days, and William H., who died,
aged two months and thirteen days. Mr.
Liken's second wife was Miss Eliza, daughter
of Casper H. and Mary L. Dustman, of Get-
tysburg, Pa. He is a consistent member of
Pine Street Presbyterian church and be-
longs to James McCormick's Bible class. In
his native country Mr. Liken taught a large
Bible class.
Keeney, Martin L., grocer, Harrisburg,
was born in Tuscarora township, Bradford
county. Pa., August 23, 1848. He is a son
of the late Luther and Arletta(Camp) Keeney.
He was brought up on the farm and edu-
cated at the district schools in his township.
He was engaged until 1892 in farming in
Tuscarora township, where he still owns a
well cultivated farm. In 1892 he sought a
change of residence and occupation. He re-
linquished farming and came to Harrisburg,
and in January, 1896, embarked in the
grocery business in that city.
Mr. Keeney was married, October 15, 1873,
to Isabella C, daughter of William and Mary
(Watson) Bergstresser, referred to in another
place in this volume. They have one son,
William Luther.
Mr. Keeney has served as town commis-
sioner, school director', and inspector of Tus-
carora township. He is a member of Wyom-
ing Lodge, No. 288, K. of P., of Wyoming
county, Pa. In his political views he is a
Republican. He and his wife are members
of Zion Lutheran church.
Studebaeer, Clement, was born in Fair-
view township, York county. Pa., December
26, 1851. He is a sou of the late Jacob and
Nancy (Mohler) Studebaker. Jacob Stude-
baker was born in Adams county. Pa. He
was a farmer. For some years after his mar-
riage he lived in Cumberland county. Pa.,
but returned to York county and spent the
remainder of his life. He died in Fairview
township, York county. July 20, 1855. He
married Nancy Mohler, of Cumberland
county, who survives him and resides in Har-
risburg. One of their nine children died
in infancy. The others are: Daniel, died
July 12; 1855 ; Sarah, wife of Dr. Simon
Landis, of Lancaster, Pa., died May 29, 1854 ;
John, residing in Minneapolis, Minn.; Eliz-
abeth, wife of Samuel Flickinger, of Harris-
burg ; Henry, died March 8. 1867 ; Nancy,
Harrisburg; Jacob, living in Salt Lake
City, and Clement.
Clement Studebaker spent his youth in
his native township. He attended the public
schools until he reached the age of fourteen.
In 1865 he removed with his parents to
Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he completed his
education in the Cumberland Valley Insti-
tute of that place. He first made an engage-
ment as traveling salesman, which continued
until 1872. In February of that year he
engaged in the grocery business in Harris-
burg, which he has successfully conducted
since that time. He is one of the solid busi-
ness men of the city.
He was married in Harrisburg, January
9, 1887, to Margaret, daughter of George W.
and Sarah (Ebersole) Barnes. They have no
children. Mr. Studebaker belongs to the
Harrisburg Board of Trade. He is an active
member of the Heptasophs. In political
views he is a straight Republican. He and
his wife attend the Pine Street Presbyterian
church.
Orth, Fred. J., was born in Harrisburg,
January 6, 1854; son -of Leonard and Bar-
bara (Schlayer) Orth. Both parents are na-
tives of Germany and came in their child-
hood to Harrisburg. The father was a car-
penter, and worked at his trade until his
death in 1879. He was a member of the
Lutheran church, and an active worker in
all branches of religious and benevolent
enterprises. The mother is still living and
in good health, at the age of seventy-seven
years, residing in the farmhouse in which
she lived for forty-five years. They had
eleven children. Those living are: Henry,
wife of Christian Morganthaler, of Harris-
burg; Charles; Margaret; J. Fred. and Henry,
twins, the latter secretary to the superin-
tendent of the Danville Insane Asylum ;
George L.; Rebecca, a teacher in the Harris-
burg public schools ; and J. Andrew, postal
clerk on the Pennsylvania railroac^ . J. Fred,
was reared and educated in his native city,
where he spent his life. When thirteen years
of age he began business as a clerk in a
general store, and after four years of this ser-
vice became an apprentice in the trade of
printer in the State printing office, where
he worked for eleven years. In 1884 he em-
barked in the grocery business, which he
has conducted for eleven years with gratify-
ing success, securing a large and profitable
trade. Mr. Orth was married, in Harris-
burg, March 23, 1881, to Miss Nellie Spicer,
daughter of Charles A. and Nancy Spicer, to
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
639
whom has been born one son, Charles L.
Mr. Orth is a member of the Heptasophs,
and in his political views is a Prohibitionist.
He is a member of the Salem Reformed
church, in which he is an elder and the
superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Fisher, Wesley, grocer, was born in
Yocumtown, York county. Pa., May 23,
1855 ; son of Martin and Leah (Spangler)
Fisher, natives of that county. The father
was a farmer in York county, and was of
German ancestry. The family has lived in
the Fishing Creek Valley over a hundred
years. David Fisher, their ancestor, was
one of the original owners of the canal.
Wesley was reared in York county and edu-
cated in the township schools and in the
Millersville State Normal School. He spent
one year in California, but not being pleased
with the country returned to Harrisburgand
clerked in a grocery store. In 1879 he es-
tablished a business in that line of his own on
Ninth street. He purchased the property of
George W. Brinton,on the corner of Race and
Dock streets, where he conducted business
five years, after which he sold the property
to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and
went to Canton, Ohio, where he engaged in
business. He returned the same year and
established himself in his present location,
No. 128 Dock street, and has since continued
in business at that place. Mr. Fisher is a
Republican and was elected member of the
school board from the First ward in 1892,
and elected for a second term to the same
office in 1895, serving in the board on the
finance and teachers committees. He is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. &
A. M.; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21; Pilgrim
Commandery, No. 11, and Lulu Temple, of
Philadelphia; and is also a member of John
Harris Council, Jr. 0. U. A. M., of Harrisburg.
Mr. Fisher was married, in 1884, to Miss Lottie
Winand, daughter of William Winand, of
Harrisburg. Their children are: Daisy W.,
Mary E., ('harles Wesley, Clarence, deceased.
Pearl E.,and Clyde E. The family are mem-
bers of the Vine Street Methodist Episcopal
church, and Mr. Fisher has served on the
board of stewards and as superintendent
and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-
school.
felfinger, the former a native of Dauphin,
and the latter a native of Lebanon county,
of German ancestry. The father was a cab-
inet maker and noted for his superior work-
manship. The parents removed to Harris-
burg in 1859, and were continuous residents
of the city until their death. They had
thirteen children, three of whom died in
childhood, five died shortly after reaching
maturity and five are living : Catherine,
wife of W. B. Allen, residing in Martinsville,
Clark county, 111.; Mary, wife of Benjamin
Brightbill, residing in Harrisburg ; Annie,
widow of the late John Belford, residing in
Renovo, Pa.; David H., and Edward A. Ed-
ward A. was reared to manhood in Harris-
burg and received his education in the city
schools. He began business for himself,
when he was twelve years old, as a newsboy
and subsequently learned the trade of
printer in the office of B. F. Meyers. After
completing his apprenticeship he worked
four years as a journeyman in the State
printing office and then relinquished his
trade and on February 19, 1881, embarked
in the grocery business, in which he has
been successfully engaged for fifteen years,
having for the past three years occupied his
new and convenient quarters. Mr. Heffel-
finger was married in Harrisburg, August
15, 1878, to Sarah E. Garverich, daughter of
Ehasand Rebecca (Orth) Garverich, to whom
have been born two children: Edna Ger-
trude and Ruth Minerva. In his political
views he is a Republican and has served on
the school board. He is a member of Rob-
ert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. He
and his wife are members of Christ Lutheran
church, of which he is a trustee and leader
of the choir.
Hepfelfinger, Edward A., grocer, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., August 18, 1855;
son of David and Maria (Auginbaugh) Hef-
Harris, Samuel H., grocer, Harrisburg,
was born near Duncannon, Perry county.
Pa., December 23, 1855. He is a son of Cas-
tleberry and Catherine (Cams) Harris. His
parents were born in Perry county, and were
of Scotch and Irish ancestry. The father
was a prosperous farmer ; he died October
25, 1879, aged seventy-two. His wife sur-
vives him, and resides on the homestead
farm in Perry county ; she was born Janu-
ary 10, 1820. They had six children, four
of' whom are living: (1) Mary J., born Sep-
tember 1, 1846, wife of George K. Jones, of
Harrisburg; they were married in Duncan-
non, December 24, 1872, and have two chil-
dren, Arthur, born October 29, 1873, died
640
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
June 30, 1891, and Burt Andrews, born July
15, 1876; (2) Gainor S., born November 24,
1848, died December 24, 1889 ; (3) Hannah
A., born February 2, 1851, widow of the late
George Lickle, of Perr}' county; they were
married in Bloomfield, Perry county, and
have three children, Clara Jane, George Cas-
key, and Chester Harris ; (4) Samuel H.; (5)
David C, born September 13, 1859, retail
shoe dealer of Duncannon ; he married Miss
Carrie Froehlich, December 27,1892; they
have one child, Mabel F., born March 27,
1896 ; (6) a son who died in infancy, un-
named. This Harris family is supposed to
be descended from the founder of Harris-
burg.
Samuel H. Harris was reared a farmer
boy in a comfortable home, enjoying the ad-
vantages of a good district school during
winter months. He was engaged in farm-
ing until he was nineteen. He learned car-
pentry, and followed his trade until 1888.
Since April 1 of that year he has been in his
present business.
He was married, in Duncannon, January
14, 1886, to Gertrude E., daughter of John
and Margaret E. (Thompson) Beck, born in
Luthersbnrg, Clearfield county. Pa., August
9, 1868. They have three children : Clar-
ence D., born February 2, 1887; Merle
Francis, February 25, 1892; and Ethel
Kathryn, January 9, 1895.
Mr. Harris is liberal in his political views.
He and his wife are members of the Cove-
nant Presbyterian church.
John Beck, the father of Mrs. Harris, was
born in Centre county. Pa., May 7, 1824, and
is of German ancestry. He was an under-
taker and a prominent resident of Luthers-
bnrg for many years ; but for the past twelve
years he has been an honored resident of
Perry county. His wife, Margaret Thomp-
son, was born in Clearfield county, Septem-
ber 25, 1829, and died in Luthersburg, where
she had spent her life, October 9, 1874. They
had five children, three of whom are living :
Boyd Quigle ; Clarissa A., wife of Stewart
Council, died March 11, 1877, leaving five
children; Mary Ellen, died in infancy;
George W., and Gertrude Emma, Mrs. Har-
ris.
They had ten children, of whom seven are
living: Susan, wife of John Herr; George,
William, John, Jeannette, Michal Lucinda,
and Lafayette.
Lafayette Palmer spent his early life in his
native town. He attended the public school
during the winter months and worked in his
father's cooper shop in the summer. At the
age of sixteen he entered the blast furnaces
at Newport, Pa., and filled the position of
stationary engineer for two years. During
the next two years he was employed as engi-
neer at the Pennsylvania Steel Works, Steel-
ton, Pa. He then went to Pittsburgh, Pa.,
and assisted in building the Braddock Blast
Furnaces ; for two years he was employed in
these works as engineer. From Pittsburgh
he went to Albany and was employed as
engineer in the blast furnaces at that place
for eighteen months. During the four years
following he was again employed at the Steel
Works, Steelton, at frog and switch making.
He was employed at the same work at Car-
lisle, Pa., for the next three years, after which
he again returned to Steelton and worked for
one year at frog and switch making for the
Pennsylvania Steel Works. In 1888 he aban-
doned the shop and went into the grocery
business in Harrisburg, and has successfully
conducted the business since that date.
He was married in Harrisburg, October
25, 1883, to Florence, daughter of Jacob and
Mary Galager, of Harrisburg. Of their four
children, two died in infancy; the survivors
are Amelia B. and Ruth.
Mr. Palmer is the inventor of several pat-
ented articles, among which is a funnel and
measure combined ; another is a boiler tube
cleaner; and another, a frog for railroad
tracks.
He is a member of State Capital Lodge, No.
70, I. 0. 0. F.; of Egyptian Commandery,
No. 114, K. of M., and of Harrisburg Coun-
cil, Jr. 0. U. A. M. His political views are
Republican. He and his family attend the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Palmer
stands high in the estimation of the general
public. By energy and perseverance be has
built up a large and steadily increasing busi-
ness.
Palmer, Lafayette, was born in Golds-
boro, York county. Pa., December 13, 1857.
He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wire)
Palmer, both deceased. Both were natives
of York county, and of German ancestry.
HuTTON, George J., grocer, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., June 17, 1858. He is a son
of Franklin A. and Mary E. (Utz) Hutton.
His father was a regular graduated physician
and practiced in Harrisburg. He went to
Brazil in 1868, at the request of the Brazilian
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
641
government, to treat yellow fever patients.
He died in that country in 1872. George J.
Hutton was educated in the public schools.
He found employment in an iron mill. In
1878 he enlisted in the regular army of the
United States and served for five years. He
was stationed in Washington and Idaho Ter-
ritories. He was discharged horn the army
with the rank of quartermaster sergeant.
During his term he served four years and
five months as a non-commissioned officer.
In 1883 he returned to Harrisburg and en-
gaged in the grocery business, in which he
has since continued. He is Republican in
politics. In 1892 he was elected to the board
of water commissioners and was re-elected
in 1895. He is a member of the Knights of
Malta and of the Royal Arcanum, He was
married, in Middletown, December 9, 1883,
to Miss Ella S. Nagle, daughter of Emanuel
Nagle, of Middletown, Pa. He has two .
children, George W. and James Nagle. His
wife is a member of the Lutheran church.
church. Mr. Fortney is a man of integrity
and high moral character, as is evidenced
by his high standing in business and social
circles.
Fortney, Sylvester T., was born in Mid-
dletown, Dauphin county, Pa., June 23,
1858. He is a son of the late Theodore
Sylvester and Margaret P. (Walborn) Fort-
ney. His parents were honored residents of
Middletown until 1866. They then removed
to Harrisburg, where the father died in 1875.
Since 1893 the mother has resided in Youngs-
town, Ohio. Their children are: Rufus C,
residing in Youngstown ; Sylvester T., John
W., and Ethel E., residing in Youngstown.
Sylvester T. Fortney was eight years old
when his parents came to Harrisburg, and
this city has ever since been his residence.
He was educated in the city schools and
afterwards became a clerk in the grocery
business. Subsequently he was in a gentle-
man's furnishing store, and later still re-
turned to the grocery business. In 1883 he
embarked in that business in connection
with William A. Morehead, under the firm
name of Fortney & Morehead. This part-
nership was dissolved August 11,1887, since
which time Mr. Fortney has conducted the
business entirely in his own interest. ^
He was married, in Harrisburg, September
14, 1893, to Lizzie I., daughter of Frank and
Lavinia Putt, of Harrisburg. They have no
children. He is an active member of Hope
Fire Company, No. 2, and also of the Fire-
men's Beneficial Association. His political
views are decidedly Democratic. He and
his wife attend the Pine Street Presbyterian
Van Camp, William L., grocer, was born
in Newport, Perry county, Pa., August 28,
1858; son of the late James and Rebecca
(Potter) Van Gamp. The parents were both
natives of Perry county, the father having
been born on the old Van Camp farm, on
the banks of the Juniata river; the mother
near Montgomery's Ferry. The father was
a harness maker and was engaged in that
occupation until his death, April 29, 1881.
The mother is still living and resides in
Harrisburg. Of their three children, Will-
iam L. is the only one living, two having died
in infancy. William L. attended the schools
in his native county until he was twelve
years old, when he came with his parents to
Harrisburg, where he completed his educa-
tion in the city high school and in the Har-
risburg Business College. He worked in
the store with his father until he was twenty-
one years old. The three following years he
was employed by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, and on Marcli 15, 1883, en-
gaged in the grocery business for himself.
He was married in Harrisburg, September
26, 1889, to Miss Sarah Alice, daughter of
Jeremiah H. and Elizabeth (Woodcock)
Crownshield, born in Harrisburg, October 6,
1865. They have no children. Mr. Van
Camp is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No.
59, K. of P.; Egpytian Commandery, No.
114, K. of M., and of Capital City Council,
No. 327, Jr. 0. U. A. M. In his political
views Mr. Van Camp is a Republican. He
and his wife attend the Messiah Lutheran
church, of which Mrs. Van Camp is a mem-
ber.
FoERSTER, George, grocer, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., September 16, 1858 ; son of
George and Catherine (Klem) Foerster. The
father was born in Bavaria, near Bogrenth,
and the mother in Wurtemberg, Germany.
The parents came to America and settled in
Harrisburg. The father found his first em-
ployment in this counti-y with the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, and subsequently
worked in the present McCormick stone
quarries. In 1860 he engaged in the gro-
cery business on Race street, in which he
continued until 1878, and has since then
been retired from active business. During
642
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the war he served a short time with the
State militia. la politics Mr. Foerster is a
Democrat. His children are: Elizabeth,
Mrs. F. W. Coover, of Harrisburg, and
George. He is a member of St. Michael's
German Lutheran church, in which he has
been a trustee for many years.
George received his education in the pub-
lic schools and in Seller's Academy. He
subsequently took a course in the State Nor-
mal School at Millersville, from which he
was graduated in 1878. He then taught
school one term at Dorrence, Luzerne county,
and two terms at Tabor, Pa. In 1881 he
succeeded to his father's business, and in
1888 moved to his present location, No.
540 Race street. Mr. Foerster is a stock-
holder in the Harrisburg Traction Company,
and in the Harrisburg Trust Company, and
is the president, and one of the organizers of
the William Penn Building and Loan Asso-
ciation. He is a member of Perseverance
Lodge, F. & A. M. In politics he is a
Democrat. Mr. Foerster was married in
1884, to Miss Annie P. Fairlamb, of Dela-
ware county. They have two children :
Annie K. and Frederick F. The family
attend the Zion Lutheran church.
board and borough assessor, of Goldsboro.
He is connected with the Masonic and Odd
Fellows fraternities at Goldsboro. He at-
tends the Second Church of God.
Good, George, grocer, was born in Fair-:
view township, York county, Pa., May 30,
1859 ; son of the late Peter and Catherine
(Zorger) Good. The parents spent their
whole life in York county. The father was
a farmer and died in 1891. The mother
died in 1884. They had nineteen children,
of whom fourteen are living: Sarah, Elias,
Peter, John, Daniel, David, Caroline, Anna,
Margaret, Jane, Emma, Matilda, Elizabeth
and George. George, when he was eight
years old, removed with his parents to the
village of Yocumtown, in the same county,
where he attended the public schools. He
served for eight years as a clerk in a general
store and in 1884 engaged in business for
himself at Goldsboro, on the line of the
Northern Central railroad, where he con-
tinued successfully until 1893, when he re-
moved to Harrisburg and ijas since con-
ducted business in this city. Mr. Good was
married at Goldsboro to Lottie Burger,
daughter of John and Charlotte Burger, of
Goldsboro, to whom have been born three
children, one of whom died in infancy. The
survivors are Amy and George. Mr. Good
is a Liberal in his political views and has
served as councilman, member of the school
Endees, Amos E., grocer, Harrisburg, was
born in Jackson township, Dauphin county,
Pa., February 21, 1861. He is a son of
Uriah F. and Catherine (Warner) Enders.
His grandparents on his mother's side are
natives of Dauphin county, and are still
livingy at an advanced age, in Jefferson
township, Dauphin county. His parents are
natives of Jackson township and resided
there until 1870, since which date they have
been honored residents of Susquehanna
township. They live at Penbrook, where
they are quietly and peacefully spending the
afternoon of life. Five of their seven chil-
dren are living : Amos E. ; Alfred R., of
Lower Paxton township ; Joseph S., of Hos-
pers, Iowa ; Pierce W., and Cora May, resid-
ing with her parents.
Amos E. Enders, at nine years of age, re-
moved with his parents to Penbrook, Sus-
quehanna township. He was there educated
in the public schools and completed his
studies in the Lebanon Valley College. Af-
terwards he was a teacher in the public
schools of Susquehanna township for twelve
years. On November 12, 1892, he engaged
in his present business.
He was married, in Harrisburg, Janu-
ary 10, 1889, to Miss Katie, daughter of
Henry and Sarah (Forney) Booser. They
have two children : Violet B., born October
9, 1891, and Esther May, born May 4, 1893.
Mr. Enders served two terms as register
and assessor of Susquehanna township. He
is a member of Capital City Council, No. 327,
Jr. 0. U. A M., and of Star of America Com-
mandery. No. 113, K. of M. His political
views are Republican. He and his wife at-
tend the United Brethren church and the
Church of God.
Henry Booser, the father of Mrs. A. E.
Enders, was born at Middletown, Dauphin
county, February 9, 1842, a son of Louis and
Peggy (Weaver) Booser, who both died dur-
ing his childhood. He was a farmer boy
until he was sixteen years old, receiving a
limited education in the public schools. On
the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion
he enlisted in company I, Ninety-third regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served
two years, and was discharged on account of
disability. In July, 1864, he enlisted in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
643
Two Hundred and First regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, and served until the close
of the war. He took part in the battles of
Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, Va., and in
the Seven Days' battle. When discharged
from the army he resumed his residence in
Harrisburg and has for thirty years worked
at his trade of shoemakingwith Forney Bros.
He was married in Linglestown, Pa., in
1866, to Sarah A., daughter of Henry and
Sarah Forney, a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs.
Booser have had five children, four of whom
survive: Kate, wife of A. E. Enders; Harry
\y"., Charles E., and Blaine A. Lydia F.
died, aged three years.
Gould, George W., grocer, Harrisburg,
Pa., was born in Harrisburg, May 11, 1868.
He is a son of Christian and Rebecca (Craig)
Gould. Christian Gould was born in Car-
lisle, Pa. He lived in Harrisburg for many
years and was connected with the Philadel-
phia and Reading railroad as yard dispatcher.
For some years he has been retired from
active business. He was twice married. Of
the first marriage t^ere was one daughter,
Catherine, now wife of William Banks, of
Harrisburg. His second wife, Rebecca Craig,
was born in Columbia, Lancaster county. Pa.
The only child of this marriage is George W.
George W. Gould has resided in Harris-
burg all his life. He was educated in the
city schools, and afterwards became sales-
man in a grocery house ; this position he
held for about two years. He was then for
eight years in the employ of the Philadel-
phia and Reading Railroad Company as
brakeman, fireman and engineer. He was
one year with the Pennsylvania railroad as
brakeman. In this service he met with an
accident which made the amputation of one
leg necessary, and was consequently com-
pelled to abandon railroad work. In 1893
he engaged in the grocery business, which
he still conducts with success. He was mar-
ried, in Harrisburg September 26, 1888, to
Frances, daughter of William and Mary
Anderson, of Harrisburg. Mrs. Gould was
born in Lancaster. They have one daughter,
Annie Rebecca. Mr. Gould is a member of
Fulton Council, No. 35, 0. U. A. M., and St.
John's Castle, No. 17, K. of M. C. He belongs
to the Beneficial Society of the Pine Street
Presbyterian church, which church he and
his wife attend.
Habtman, Rupus a., grocer, was born in
Mount Joy, Lancaster county. Pa., October
29, 1869 ; son of George W. and Elizabeth
M. (Durboraw) Hartman. He attended the
public school of his native township and
completed his education at the Gettysburg
Normal School. He was for four years em-
ployed as a teacher in the public schools of
Adams and Lancaster counties, and in 1891
removed to Harrisburg, where he was en-
gaged as a salesman until 1893, at which
date he embarked in his present business.
He was married at Kingsdale, Adams
county, in 1892, to Jennie Mehring, daughter
of Samuel and Anna Mehring, by whom he
has one child, born January 31, 1896. Mr.
Hartman is a member of Harrisburg Coun-
cil, No. 106, 0. U. A. M., and of the P. 0. S.
of A. He is a Prohibitionist in politics and
attends the Reformed church.
SoELL, John, butcher, was born in Mox-
tone township, Berks county, Pa., July 1,
1855. He is a son of John and Catherine
(Kripp) Soell. John Soell was born in Ger-
many, where he was brought up, educated
and married. He learned carpentry, and
pursued that calling both in Germany and
America. His wife, Catherine Kripp, was
also a native of Germany. After their
marriage they emigrated to this country.
They remained some time and then returned
to Germany, where Mrs. Soell died. They
had fourteen children, seven of whom are
living : Lizzie, wife of Abraham Nath ;
Kate, wife of W. A. Bats ; Barbara, wife of
W. S. Krause ; Mary, wife of G. Higes, de-
ceased ; Frederick; Louisa, wife of a Mr.
Weaver, and John.
John Soell, Jr., received only a very lim-
ited education, having attended the public
school of Berks county only seven weeks.
He accompanied his parents on their return
to Germany, and spent two years in the old
country, during whicli his mother died.
After this event he returned to America
with his brother. He reached Harrisburg
with only eighteen cents in his pocket, a
stranger and friendless. In some way he
obtained employment as a laborer under
Mr. Hanshaw, at the car works, and held
this place for two years ; he was then pro-
moted to the position of foreman, and served
in this capacity for one year. Previous to
his promotion he attended the night school
on Walnut street, under Prof. Edwards, for
one winter. Desiring to learn a trade, he
644
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
resigned his place as foreman in the car
works and served an apprenticeship of three
years at butchering with Mr. Jacob Olmer,
at Pottsville, Pa. He worked at his trade
there for some j'ears and then returned to
Harrisburg and worked a few months for
Mr. Augustus Gohl. On March 28, 1892, Mr.
Soell began business for himself He opened
a shop at 424 Walnut street, and continued
there until April 1, 1895 ; he then removed
to 428 Walnut street, where he is now car-
rying on a large and profitable business.
Mr. Soell was married, March 1, 1882, to
Miss Christiana, daughter of Christopher
and Catherine (Hersleman) Bink. They
have no children. Mrs. Soell was born in
1846. Her parents were both natives of
Germany. Her father was a tinsmith, and
was subsequently engaged in mercantile
business. Her mother died at the advanced
age of ninety-eight years. They had six
children, three of whom are living : Bar-
bara, wife ' of Willing Eling, deceased ;
Henry, and Christiana, Mrs. Soell.
RouMFORT, Charles E., bread and cracker
baker, was born at Chestnut Hill, Philadel-
phia, Pa., November 30, 1828. He is the
son of Augustus L. and Mary M. (Kline)
Roumfort. His early life was spent in
Philadelphia, and his education was received
in the public schools of that city. After
completing his education he learned baking
and has made it his occupation throughout
his life. In 1853 he removed to Harrisburg
and established himself in business in which
he was continuously and successfully en-
gaged until March, 1896, when he sold out
and retired. He was married, in Philadel-
phia, to Elizabeth Haas, born at Chestnut
Hill, daughter of Mathias and Malinda Haas.
They have three children : Mary, wife of
W. F. Kunkle, residing in Philadelphia ;
Victorine M., wife of M. Coover, residing in
Harrisburg, and Augustus L.
Augustus L. Roumfort was born in Har-
risburg, January 30, 1866. He took the
regular course of instruction in the city
schools and also in the Commercial College.
His education ended, he at once became con-
nected with his father in business, in which
he was actively employed until his father's
retirement from business. The elder Mr.
Roumfort is a Democrat. The family at-
tend the Episcopal church.
Templar, Joseph E., deceased, was born
in Wellington, England, December 1, 1837 ;
son of Joseph and Anna (Hancock) Templar.
He had only slender educational advantages,
which he improved to the utmost, but se-
cured only a limited education. He learned
the trades of wool sorter and baker, and came
to America in 1857, locating in Harrisburg.
He was foreman for General Roumfort for
seven years, after which he removed to Car-
lisle, Pa., where he carried on a bakery for
two years, and then embarked in the grocery
business in Harrisburg, corner of Fourth and
Walnut streets, which he conducted for six-
teen years, removing in 1887 to Thirteenth
and Market streets. He died February 16,
1896. His political affiliation was with the
Republican party, and he had always been a
strong anti-slavery man and a warm friend
of the colored race. Public office was not at-
tractive to him, and he never accepted offi-
cial positions, having served only on the elec-
tion board. Mr. Templar was married to
Miss Susan, daughter of Joseph D. Gallegher,
of Harrisburg, by whom he had four chil-
dren: Frank N., in hardware trade in Har-
risburg; Harry W., printer, Harrisburg;
Bertha, Mrs. Harry C.~ Young, Harrisburg,
and Ida G. He was married, secondlj-, in 1876,
to Miss Fannie M. Ferster, daughter of Ru-
dolph Ferster, of Honey Brook, Chester
county. Pa., by whom he had one child, Mar}^
Alice. Mr. Templar was reared a Presbyte-
rian, and first united with the Market Square
Presbyterian church, but afterwards joined
the Pine Street church of the same denomi-
nation. He took an active interest in the
Elder Street Presbyterian church, and was a
teacher in the Sabbath-school many years.
Butler, William A., baker, was born in
Berkeley county, W. Va., July 28, 1852. He
is a son of the late Dr. William H. and
Sarah (Price) Butler. Dr. William H. But-
ler was born in Berkeley county, W. Va.,
and was educated in his native county,
where he also studied and practiced medi-
cine. His wife, Sarah Price, was also born
in Berkeley county, They had one son,
William H. Dr. Butler died in 1862, and
is survived by his wife, who resides with
her son. William H. Butler, Jr., received a
limited education, having attended the pub-
lic schools of his native place until he was
twelve years old, after which he worked for
his mother for a time. Soon after leaving
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
645
school he secured a position as brakeman
on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, which
he held for one year. He was afterwards
employed for four years, off and on, in the
ore mines. In 1869 Mr. Butler came to
Harrisburg, where he secured employment
in the rolling mill at Lochiel, and remained
there some time. After his marriage, he
was employed as teamster for a few months,
after which he engaged in business for him-
self. He leased the restaurant, corner of
Cowden street and 'Strawberry avenue,
where he carried on business for five years.
In 1890 he removed to No. 418 Market
street, and opened the Temperance Hotel,
'known as the Windsor House; he con-
ducted it with success until January, 1896,
when he removed to No. 1409 North Third
street, and established a first class bakery.
In all that pertains to the baker's craft, Mr.
Butler is a recognized authority, being well-
informed in the details and general scope of
the business. Mr. Butler was married, April
27, 1873, to Miss Annie, daughter of Henry
and Annie E. Wingert. They have four
children : Minnie F. E., wife of John I. Pier-
son ; Sarah K., Cora J., and Annie. Mr.
Butler has been an active member of Lodge
No. 68, I. 0. 0. F. for eight years. He is a
Republican. The family are members of
the First Baptist church, corner of Second
and Pine streets. The parents of Mrs. But-
ler were both natives of Germany, who came
to this country in 1863 ; their occupation was
farming. They had two children: Annie,
Mrs. Butler, and Lizzie, Mrs. George Koch.
The father died in 1859, aged forty -five
years. Her mother still lives, at the age of
seventy-one years, and resides in Williams-
port, Pa. She is a member of the Reformed
church.
Stence, Benjamin F., was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., on what is known as the Motter
farm, December 12, 1866. He is a son of
the late Samuel and Mary (Hoelstine) Stence.
His paternal grandparents were natives of
Dauphin county ; the grandfather was a
cabinet maker. His maternal grandparents
were farmers. His father, Samuel Stence,
was born in Dauphin county. Pa., October
16, 1836. He learned cabinet making and
continued in this business until after his
marriage, when he engaged in farming. He
was married in 1860 to Miss Mary, daughter
of Jacob Hoelstine, born January 7, 1841.
Of their five children, four are living ; Louis,
Benjamin F., Agnes and Lottie. Jacob died
January 9, 1893, aged twenty-one. Mr.
Samuel Stence was a Republican. He and
his wife were members of the Bethel church.
Mrs. Stence died in January, 1878, aged
thirty-one.
Benjamin F. Stence was reared a farmer
boy and was educated in the common schools
of Dauphin county. At the age of twelve he
began to learn baking, and served an ap-
prenticeship of twenty-one months with Mr.
Porter, of Dauphin, Pa. At the end of his
apprenticeship he went to Newport, Perry
county, Pa., and worked at his trade eighteen
mouths for George E. Gas. After this he
worked for one year in New York City. He
enlisted in the United States army Januarj'
18, 1884, and was discharged May 21, 1884,
on account of disability. He then worked at
baking for three months. In October, 1885,
he came to Harrisburg and worked for Mrs.
Miller, on Paxton street, until she sold her
bakery, when he found employment with Mr.
Gebhard for one year. Prior to this he had
been engaged for a year and a half in a
pretzel bakery in Duncannon, Perry county,
Pa. He was also employed by Mr. Gohl on
Walnut street, and afterwards for three
months by Christ Dapp on Third street.
He was married, September 28, 1887, to
Miss Ellen M., daughter of Benjamin and
Mary (Beaver) Fickes. They had four chil-
dren, one of whom is living, Clarissa E.
Their deceased children are- Bessie, died
August 10, 1888, aged three months and one
day ; Mary, died October 13, 1890, aged two
months and five days, and an infant, un-
named. Mr. Stence is a Republican.
Benjamin Fickes, father of Mrs. Stence,
was born in Dauphin countJ^ He was a
farmer and was married to a native of Dau-
phin county. They had two daughters,
Annie, wife of A. L. Gast, and Ellen M., wife
of B. F. Stence. Her parents reside in Perry
county and are engaged in farming.
Bell, George H., was born in Harrisburg,
July 27,1822; son of William and Elizabeth
(Hutman) Bell. The father was a native of
Northumberland county and moved to Bed-
ford county, where he learned the trade of
carpenter. He came to Harrisburg in 1818
and worked on the Capitol building, then
being erected, assisting in the construction
of the stairways of that edifice. He married
the daughter of Mathias Hutman and pur-
chased property on the corner of Second and
646
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mulberry streets, where he lived until 1836,
when he removed to Second and Chestnut
streets, and spent there the remainder of his
life. He abandoned carpenter work in 1824
or 1825 and engaged in mercantile business.
Mr. Bell was one of the original stockholders
in the Dauphin County Bank. He rendered
service in the war of 1812. His death oc-
curred in 1846, his wife surviving until 1868.
He was a member of the German Reformed
church and she of the Methodist Episcopal
church. They reared six children. George
H. secured his education in subscription
schools. He entered the store with his
father, and has continued in the business
since that time. In politics he is an Inde-
pendent Republican. He served as director
of the poor of the county for three years and
was a member of the first city council of
Harrisburg. His marriage occurred in 1862
to Miss Mary A. Roberts, daughter of Wayne
Roberts, of Boston, to whom has been born
one child: Clara M. Bell. Mrs. Bell and
her daughter are members of the T;utheran
church.
Weaver, John S., of the firm of Weaver
& Hubley, was born in Highspire, Dauphin
county, Pa., December 12, 1849; son of John
and Barbara (Hoffman) Weaver. The father
was a truck gardener and farmer, near High-
spire. John S. attended the district schools
and when thirteen years old came to Har-
risburg, wliere he started in business as a
clerk for Mr. Felix, in the confectionery busi-
ness, on Market Square, with whom he con-
tinued four years, after which he was with
Gardner & Sayford, on North Third street,
from 1868 to 1872. In January, 1873, he
united with Alpheus T. Hubley, forming
the firm of Weaver & Hubley, and engaged
in the manufacture and sale of confection-
ery, and has since continued in the business.
In politics Mr. Weaver is a Republican, and
is a member of the A. 0. U. W. He was
married in 1876 to Anna C. Troup, of Har-
risburg. They have no children. They are
members of the First Lutheran church, in
which Mr. Weaver holds the office of dea-
con. He is also a member of the Y. M. C. A.
ZiNN, Anson B., baker, Harrisburg, Pa.,
was born in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland
county, Pa., December 5, 1856. He is a son
of Edward P. and Margaret (Pisle) Zinn.
Edward P. Zinn is a native of York
county. He received an ordinary school
education, and afterwards prepared himself
for the practice of dentistry. He opened
an office in Mechanicsburg, where he spent
many years of successful work in that line.
He was skillful and reliable in his opera-
tions, and enjoyed a liberal patronage. For
several years he has laid aside the active
work of his profession. His wife, Margaret
Pisle, was a native of Cumberland county.
They had five children; one died in child-
hood, and four are living: Anson B., Ida E,,
Harry I. and Minnie' Bell.
Anson B. Zinn spent his youth and part
of his manhood in his native county. He
received the usual school training, and
learned the trade of baking. His life has
not been very eventful, and there is little to
record, beyond the honorable mention of in-
dustrious pursuits and faithful service. Mr.
Zinn spent many years as an employee, but
was nine years in the baking business on
his own account in his native place. He
came to Harrisburg in 1890, in search of
larger business opportunities, and has found
no reason to regret the change. He has had
gratifying success in this city, and is counted
among its most reliable, enterprising and
accommodating bakers.
Mr. Zinn is still in the ranks of the
bachelors. He is a Republican, and a mem-
ber of Washington Camp, No. 164, P. 0. S.
of A., Mechanicsburg.
Meals, Theodore S., was born in Adams
county, Pa., January 1, 1859. He is a son
of the late Michael and Catherine (Shorb)
Meals. His great-grandfather, Gabriel Meals,
was a native of Adams county, and among
its earliest inhabitants. He was a stone cutter.
Gabriel Meals, grandfather of Theodore S.
Meals, was also born in Adams county, was
a stone cutter, and had a large marble yard.
He had a family of twelve children, four of
whom are living. Michael Meals, father of
Theodore S., was born in Adams county,
and was a carriage maker. He was married
to Miss Catherine Shorb, a native of Adams
county. They had six children, four of whom
are living: Wesley, William, Gabriel and
Theodore S. Their deceased children are
Susan and Elizabeth. The father was a
member of several societies, and in politics
was a Republican. He belonged to the
Lutheran church. He died in September,
1859, aged thirtv-six years; his wife died
December 23, 1872.
Theodore S. Meals was about nine months
a^^
^:=^^^^r^ y'/Z^<c^'^>j<'-^ ^^i^'^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
649
old when his father died. His mother re-
moved from Adams county to Harrisburg,
placing him in the Orphans' School at Mid-
dletown, Dauphin county, where he remained
three years and received a part of his educa-
tion. He then returned to Harrisburg. In
1869 he entered the DeWitt school, on Wal-
nut street, where he remained three years.
In 1873-74 he was in Professor Gause's school.
In 1875 he found employment with Mr. D.
H. Heisey, with whom he learned the ice-
cream business and by whom he was em-
ployed for thirteen years. At the end of
this time he was admitted to partnership
with Mr. Heisey ; this partnership lasted two
years. In 1888 he was employed as rodman
in an engineer corps, and served one year in
that capacity. In 1889-90 he was inspector
of street paving. In 1891 he engaged in the
ice-cream business for himself, at No. 1315
North Third street. A year later he removed
to 909 North Third street, where he has been
since located, and where he has one of the
finest ice-cream stands in the city. He was
married, October 16, 1890, to Miss Eosanna,
daughter of John and Sophia (Orsinger)
Wild, by whom he has had three children:
Casper D., Ezra S., and Theodore S., Jr. Mr.
Meals is a Democrat, and a member of Grace
Methodist Episcopal church, State street,
while Mrs. Meals belongs to the Lutheran
church. He is practically a self-made man
and has the esteem of the community.
John Wild, father of Mrs. Meals, was a
native of Germany, and was a baker. He
married Miss Orsinger, a native of Dauphin
county. They had six children, of whom
four are living: Annie, wife of E. B. Will-
iams ; Eosanna, wife of T. S. Meals ; Will-
iam and Minnie. John and Amelia died in
infancy. The father died in June, 1877,
aged thirty -six ; the mother still lives and is
now the wife of John Willoughby. The pa-
ternal grandparents of Mrs. Meals were both
natives of Germany. Her grandfather was
a stone mason. The grandmother still sur-
vives. The grandparents of Mrs. Meals, on
her mother's side, were also natives of Ger-
many. Mr. Orsinger, her grandfather, was a
baker, but later was engaged in hotel-keep-
ing, in Harrisburg, where he died. May 5,
1892. Mrs. Meals' great-grandmother, also
a native of Germany, lived to the age of
ninety-eight years.
BuTTOEFF, Harvey Y., of the D. Bacon
Company, wholesale confectioners, Harris-
43
burg, Pa., was born at Mount Holly Springs,
Cumberland county, Pa., September 19, 1868.
He is a son of Jonathan and Susan (Yost)
Buttorff. Jonathan Buttorff was born in
Berks county, Pa., but has been a resident of
Mount Holly for over thirty years. He was
a farmer but for several years past has lived
retired from business. He has never been an
office seeker, but has always taken an active
interest in county affairs. He is seventy-six
years of age. He married Susan Yost, of
Cumberland county, who is still living ; they
reside at Mount Holly Springs. They have
eight children, all of whom are living: John
W., of near Mount Holly ; D. Frank, of York,
Pa.; Mary E., Emma Frances and Elizabeth
C, at home; Annie F., wife of Samuel Frehn,
of near Carlisle, Pa.; Simon A., living on the
homestead ; and Harvey Y.
Harvey Y. Buttorff was educated in the
Mount Holly public schools and took a
course in the Harrisburg Business College.
For three years he was clerk in a drug store
at Mount Holly and for a time also at York.
He afterwards came to Harrisburg, entering
the employ of D. Bacon as shipping clerk and
served in this capacity for three years with
so much satisfaction to his employer that at
the end of that time he was promoted to the
position of bookkeeper, which he held until
Mr. Bacon's death. Then the D. Bacon Com-
j)any was formed to carry on the business,
with Mr. Buttorff" as one of its members. He
was married, in Gettysburg, Pa., October 22,
1893, to Minerva, daughter of Aaron and
Lucy Sheely, of that place. They have one
daughter, Lucy Mildred. Mr. Buttorff is a
member of the Fraternal Mystic Circle. His
political views are Eepublican. He and his
wife are members of Messiah Lutheran
church.
Walkemeyer, Henry, senior member of
the firm of Walkemeyer Bros., ice dealers,
was born in Harrisburg, September 17, 1858;
son of the late H. A. William and Margaret
(Orth) Walkemeyer. The parents were both
natives of Germany, the father having been
born at Brunswick, Germany, and the mother
in Hesse, Darmstadt. The father came to
America when twenty-five years old, and soon
after settled at Harrisburg, where he spent
his life. He had a family of eight children, of
whom six are living: Henry, Clara W.,
Frederick E., Annie M., Ida Louisa, wife of
Samuel Taylor, and Nettie May, a teacher in
the public schools of Harrisburg. The
650
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
father was not an office seeker, but served
for one year as school commissioner. Henry
was reared in his native city, and received
his education in the public schools. At the
end of his schooling he engaged in the
ice business with his father, to which he
has given his time and attention all his
business life. Since the death of his father
he and his brother have conducted the busi-
ness. He was married, in Harrisburg, April
13, 1878, to Margaretta M. Miller, daughter
of Charles Miller, to whom has been born one
daughter, Clara Wilhelmina. The political
viewsof Mr. Walkemeyerare Republican, and
he has served as a member of select council
four years. He served five years as a private
and non-commissioned officer in the City
Grays, and was also one of the organizers of
the Governor's Troop, in which he was first
lieutenant three years. He is a thirty-second
degree Mason and member of Lulu Temple,
of Philadelphia, and is also connected with
John Harris Council, No. f 174, Jr. O. U.
A. M. He and his wife attend the Lutheran
church.
Frederick R. Walkemeyer, junior mem-
ber of the firm of Walkemeyer Bros., was
born in Harrisburg. He was educated in
the city schools, and like his brother, be-
came at once interested in his father's busi-
ness, with which he has been connected all
his life. He was married to Isabella Sharpe,
daughter of Albert Sharpe, to whom have
been born six children, five of whom are
living: William, Florence, Frederick, Bessie,
and Nettie. Mr. Walkemeyer is a member
of John Harris Council, No. 174, Jr. 0. U.
A. M. He is a Republican, and the family
attend the Lutheran church.
SouRBiER, George H., senior member of
the firm of George H. Sourbier & Son, funeral
directors and embalmers, was born in Hun-
terstown, Adams county, Pa., September 2,
1838. He is a son of Jacob and Mary(Klunk)
Sourbier, who were both natives of York
county. Pa., and were both of German extrac-
tion. They spent the greater portion of their
lives in Adams county on their farm. The
father died September 1,1879, and themother,
September 9, 1872. A family of four chil-
dren survive them: Edward, residing in
York, Pa.; John, residing in Hamilton,
province of Ontario, Canada; George H., and
Mary J., wife of Henry Pifer, residing in
York, Pa..
George H. Sourbier was a farmer's boy,
and his educational advantages were limited
to such as were obtainable in the district
schools, when his services could be spared .
from home duties. When eighteen years old
he went to Hanover, York county, and
learned house painting. In 1862 he re-
moved to Harrisburg and worked at paint-
ing for John Cruikshank for about one year.
At the expiration of that time he went to
Philadelphia where, on August 24, 1863, Mr.
Sourbier enlisted in company H, Forty-ninth
Pennsylvania volunteers, and nobly served
in defense of his country for upwards of two
years. He participated in several important
engagements, among which was the battle of
the Wilderness. On May 11, 1864, he was
severely wounded in the left foot while doing
skirmish duty. He was conveyed to Satter-
ley Hospital, West Philadelphia, where he
remained until after the close of the war. He
was discharged with the rank of corporal, at
Philadelphia, May 16,1865. .He resumed work
at his trade in that city. In 1866 he returned
to Harrisburg, where he has continued to re-
side since that date. From 1867 to 1875 he
was engaged in the painting business, and
from that date until 1882 was in the whole-
sale liquor trade. In 1882 he engaged in
the furniture and undertaking business, but
since 1884 has devoted his entire attention
to undertaking.
George H. Sourbier was married in Har-
risburg, January 9, 1866, to Miss Mary Jose-
phine Faunce, daughter of Jacob and Caro-
line (Beiser) Faunce. They have had four
children, one of whom died in infancy.
The surviving children are : George H., Jr.,
a partner in his father's business ; William
J., residing in Allentown, Pa., where he car-
ries on the undertaking business, the firm
name being Burkholder & Sourbier, and
Charles J., residing at home. Mr. Sourbier
and his son George are both graduates of
Clark's School of Embalming, in Philadel-
phia. He served five years as a private in
company D, Eighth regiment. National
Guard, of Harrisburg. He represented the
Sixth ward in common council for two
terms. He belongs to Post No. 116, G. A.
R. He is a member of the board of direc-
tors of the Citizens Passenger Street Railway
Company. In political views he is Demo-
crat. He attends St. Patrick's Pro-Cathe-
dral.
Jacob Faunce, deceased, the father of
Mrs. Sourbier, was born in Baden, Germany,
and emigrated to America, settling in Dau-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
651
phiii county about the year 1833. He be-
came acquainted with his wife on board the
vessel that brought them over and shortly
after arriving in America they were married.
After a short residence on Long Island, N.
Y., they removed to this county where Mr.
Faunce engaged in the butcher business
during the remainder of his life. He died
at the age of thirty-four years ; his widow
survived him until September 19, 1872,
when she also was called to try the realities
of the unknown. They had five children,
three of whom survive : Caroline T., wife of
Michael McLean ; Joseph J. A., and Mary
Josephine, wife of George H. Sourbier, a
prominent funeral director of Harrisburg.
Sourbier, George H., Jr., a partner in
the undertaking and embalming business
with his father, was born in Harrisburg,
March 13, 1871, and has been a continuous
resident of his native city since his birth.
His education was begun in the parochial
schools and completed in Seller's Academy,
since which he has been connected with his
father's business. In January, 1894, he was
admitted to a partnership in this business.
He was married in Harrisburg, April 11,
1894, to Ella E. Madden, daughter of Michael
J. and Elizabeth Madden, of Harrisburg.
They have one son, named in baptism Ed-
ward Vincent. In political views Mr. Sour-
bier is affiliated with the Dem"ocratic party.
He and his wife attend St. Patrick's Pro-
Cathedral.
Hawkins, James D., funeral director, was
born in Hartford county, Md., April 21,
1850. He is a son of Archibald A. and
Nancy (Macomber) Hawkins. He received
his education in the public schools and Nor-
mal School of Delta, Pa., whither he had re-
moved with his parents in his early youth.
He entered the undertaking establishment
of his father, and for twenty-five years he
has continuously given his attention to this
business, twenty-three of which have been
spent in Harrisburg. He is a graduate of
the renowned Training School for Embalm-
ers of New York as well as of the Harrisburg
Embalming School. He has been engaged
in business for himself for over ten years.
He is an active member of Robert Burns
Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M.; Perseverance
Chapter, No. 21 ; Pilgrim Commandery, No.
11, of Harrisburg, and Lulu Temple, of
Philadelphia; Herculean Castle, No. 480,
Knights of the Golden Eagle ; and Egyptian
Commandery, No. 114, Knights of Malta;
also a member of Sovereign Consistory, Scot-
tish Rite Masons. In politics he affiliates
with the Democratic party. He has been
prominently identified in musical circles in
Harrisburg as a vocalist. He was one of
the promoters and an officer of the Thurs-
day Club, and an officer in the old Har-
monic Society. He has contributed his tal-
ent as a vocalist to many of the leading
musicales and operatic performances given
in Harrisburg. He has sung in the choirs
of Grace church, the German Reformed
church, Jewish synagogue and Grace Epis-
copal church of Baltimore. He is highly
esteemed as a good business man, a gentle-
man of culture and a public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Hawkins was married at Philadelphia,
April 27, 1896, to Miss Sarah Cornelia Cook,
daughter of Henry and Mary Cook, of Har-
risburg.
Thomas, Joseph L., of the firm of Thomas
& Hill, funeral directors and embalmers, is
a son of George W. and Matilda (Coxston)
Thomas, and was born in Winchester. Va.,
December 16, 1851.
The ancestors of Mr. Thomas on both pa-
ternal and maternal sides were natives of
Virginia, in which State his parents resided
until the breaking out of the late Rebellion.
In 1861 the family removed to Harrisburg,
where they resided for three years, and in
June, 1864, they moved to Philadelphia,
where the mother of Joseph L. died in Feb-
ruary, 1865, and the father in December,
1868. Of a family of seven children, two
died in infancy, George died in Philadelphia
in 1869, at the age of eleven years, and these
still survive : Joseph L.; Rachael, wife of
Talmage Edwards, residing in New York ;
Martha W., wife of William H. Fields, re-
siding in Harrisburg, and Sarah Matilda,
wife of John H. Murray, residing in Harris-
burg.
Joseph L. acquired his primary education
in the schools of Harrisburg, and after his
removal to Philadelphia attended the schools
of that city until 1870, in which year he re-
turned to Harrisburg and became a waiter
in the Brady House. He later served in the
same capacity in the Lochiel Hotel, and
subsequently became head waiter at the
Bolton House, Harrisburg, which position
he efficiently filled for ten years. During
the years 1893 and 1894 he filled the posi-
652
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tion of assistant head waiter at the Logan
House, of Altoona, and on May 1, 1895, en-
gaged in his present business.
Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Prof. P. A.
Renavord's Training School for Erabahners.
He is past master of Chosen Friends Lodge,
No. 43, Harrisburg; a member of Purity
Chapter, of Alto.ona, and Harrisburg Con-
sistory, No. 8, A. Y. M.; member of Broth-
erly Love Lodge, No" 896; Council No.
7, and Harrisburg Patriarchie, No. 5, G. U.
0. of 0. F. During the years 1881, 1882
and 1883 he filled the office of district
grand master of the latter order, and in the
years 1879, 1880 and 1881 was grand patri-
archie for the United States. In political
views he is an ardent Republican.
Mr. Thomas was married in Hanisburg,
October 26, 1881, by the Rev. George M.
Bonnard, to Miss Marion B. Himes, daugh-
ter of William E. and Annie E. Himes, of
Northumberland count}', who was born at
Mount Joy, October 14, 1865. No children
have been born to their union. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Capi-
tol Street Presbyterian church, of which Mr.
Thomas was choirmaster for eighteen years,
and now holds the office of secretary.
The occupation of undertaker is one that
necessitates certain qualities not common to
all lines of business in consequence of being
thrown in contact with those in deep afflic-
tion. Mr. Thomas is a gentleman whose
pronounced success evidences his possession
of all the essential qualifications for a proper
conduct of this line of business. He gives
personal attention to all details, is always
read}'^ to render any and every service to
those in affliction, and is very considerate as
to their wants and requirements.
Mauk, Chaeles H., funeral director and
embalmer,was born in Shiremanstown, Cum-
berland county, Pa., May 8, 1863. His father
is Thomas Mauk, who was born in Germany
and came to AmBrica in childhood and set-
tled in Shiremanstown, Cumberland county.
Pa. He is one of the leading men in Me-
chanicsburg. He was engaged in the furni-
ture trade and in undertaking in that town
for forty years. He now lives retired. His
mother, Catherine E. (Harnburg) Mauk, is
also a native of Germany and came to this
country when quite young. She died Jan-
ary 1, 1895. To these worthy parents were
born ten children, of whom three died in
infancy. Their seven living children are :
John J., undertaker, residing in Columbus,
Ohio; Thomas M., also an undertaker, of
Carlisle, Pa.; Charles H.; Catherine E., wife
of Dr. G. M. Hoovor, of Harrisburg ; Mary
Ellen, residing at home; Samuel T., an un-
dei'taker, in Steelton, Pa., and Lottie, resid-
ing at home. The father served in the com-
missary department at Old Point Comfort
under Governor Curtin during the late Re-
bellion.
The boyhood days of Charles H. were
spent in Mechanicsburg. He received his
primary education in the public schools.
He took a complete course in the Cumber-
land Valley Institute and graduated with
high honors. After this he finished learning
the trade of cabinet and casket making with
his father. He then went to California,
where he spent four years in gold and silver
mining, also working at undertaking in San
Francisco, after which he returned home.
The same year he received an appointment
as city embalmer in Boston, Mass., and en-
tered the. employment of Lewis L. Jones &
Co., undertakers, and remained with them
about one and one-half years. He then re-
turned to Mechanicsburg, and in April, 1891,
engaged in business for himself in Har-
risburg. He is a graduate of Sullivan's Em-
balming School, of Pittsburgh ; ('lark's, of
Boston, and theUnited States College, of New
York City.
Mr. Mauk is the most prominent and suc-
cessful undertaker in Harrisburg, and ranks
as one of the leading men in his profession
in the State. His trade is extensive, and his
equipments are many and complete as well
as costly. He is the Pennsylvania railroad
undertaker, having been endorsed by nearly
one thousand of its employees. He also does
a large business in receiving bodies from a
long distance. His office and stables are
complete with long distance telephone, and
his male and female assistants are of the best
in all cases. He is not only a square but
charitable man in all his dealings and busi-
ness transactions.
Mr. Mauk was married, at Harrisburg, Oc-
tober 19, 1894, toM. Josephine Todd, daugh-
ter of Ira J. and Catherine Todd, of Harris-
burg. They had one son, Byron Todd, who
died in infancy. He is a prominent mem-
ber of St. John's Lodge, No. 21, F. A. M.,
of Carlisle; Carlisle Chapter, No. 21, of Car-
lisle ; Harrisburg Council, No. 328, Jr. 0. U.
A. M., of Harrisburg ; Octorara Tribe, No.
91, 1. 0. R. M.; Daughters of Pocohontas, No.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
653
50 ; Lady Harris Council, Daughters of Lib-
erty, No. 100 ; Fraternal Mystic Circle, No.
440 ; Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P., the I.
0. 0. F. and K. G. E. He is a staunch and
active Republican. He and his wife are
among the leading members of Fifth Street
Methodist Episcopal church.
Fackler, Ezra, funeral director and fur-
niture dealer, was born in Dauphin countj',
February 12, 1865. He is a son of Jacob
and Sarah Fackler. His father was of Ger-
man extraction, and of the fourth genera-
tion in this country. He died at Steelton,
Pa., in 1881, at the age of forty-six years.
His mother is still living, and resides in the
city of Harrisburg. Their family consisted
of six children: Ezra L., John H., Sarah,
Katie, Adeline,and Jennie. Ezra L. Fackler
received the rudiments of his education in
the public schools of Lower Paxton town-
ship, and it was completed in the high
school of Steelton, Pa. He embarked in
the undertaking business at the age of nine-
teen years, at Steelton, and has continued in
it to the present time. Mr. Fackler is a man
of strict integrity and is held in high esteem
for his honorable business methods ; his
character is without a blemish. He was
married, in 1883, to Fannie Heinly, a
daughter of Benniville and Catherine
Heinley. Their children are Samuel S.
and Charles C. Fackler.
Miller, Edmund J., of Miller & Stouffer,
funeral directors, was born at Milton, North-
umberland county. Pa., June 1, 1868. He is
a son of Jerome Porter and Catharine (Moore)
Miller. His father was a native of Berks
county. Pa., and of German ancestry. He
was for many years connected with the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, at Milton, as
car inspector, and in other positions of trust.
He died at Milton, December 14, 1893. His
wife was born in Bavaria, Germany, and is
still living with her daughter in Milton.
Their family consists of three living chil-
dren: Edmund J., Ida T., and Bertha E.
One daughter, Margaret C, died August 15,
1892.
Edmund J. spent his boyhood and was
educated in Milton, and later took a course
in the Keystone Business College, at Harris-
burg. He was engaged in the capacity of an
accountant for about five years for the firm
of John H. Kreitzer, grocer, of Milton, and
about three years for George Trullinger &
Co., Harrisburg. In 1890 he became a mem-
ber of the Harrisburg Casket and Manufac-
turing Company, and in 1892 was appointed
secretary and treasurer of the company, being
a trustworthy young man. From that date
also he filled the position of superintendent
in connection with his other duties until
June, 1895, at which time he formed a part-
nership with J. F. Stouffer. Since then he
has given his undivided attention to the
business of the firm, being the principal
operator of said firm.
Mr. Miller was married, at Harrisburg,
June 22, 1893, to Mary E. Sheesley, daugh-
ter of ex-Sheriff William and Anna (Young)
Sheesley. Mr. Miller is an active member
and past oflficer of the Jr. 0. U. A. M.
He is also a member of Nazareth Com-
mandery. No. 125, K. of M., and Pocbhontas
Tribe, 1. 0. R. M., all of Harrisburg, Pa.
In connection with his other duties he looks
after the affairs of A. A. and the estate of
George Pancake. In politics he is a Repub-
lican. He and his wife are members of Zion
Lutheran church.
Fraim, Henry S., proprietor of the Excel-
sior Marble Works, 2003 Fifth street, was
born in Dauphin, Dauphin county. Pa.,
March 30, 1850. His progenitors were of
Scotch ancestry. During the religious per-
secution in Scotland, David Fraim and two
others of the family, being Presbyterians and
strong in their faith, sacrificed their homes
and fled the country rather than embrace
the Roman Catholic faith. They came to
America, landing at New York, where all
trace of one was lost, though in later years
some of his descendants were discovered in
Canada by Rev. Reuben Fraim, a brother of
Benjamin. The other two brothers settled in
Lancaster county, Pa.
Benjamin Fraim, the grandfather of
Henry S., was born in Lancaster county, Sep-
tember 25, 1791, and was united in marriage
to Elizabeth Stephenson, November 14, 1813.
They had eight children: Israel W., born
August 19, 1815; Isaiah L., born March 16,
1818 ; Jeremiah S., born February 25, 1820 ;
Josiah M., born December 5, 1821 ; Ira N.,
born February 24, 1824; Lavania A., born
February 14, 1826 ; John H., born June 27,
1827 ; Amos F., born May 23, 1829.
Jeremiah S. Fraim, third son of Benjamin
Fraim, was born at Paradise, Lancaster
county, and died at Harrisburg, September
25, 1889. His wife was born at East Han-
654
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
over, Dauphin county, Pa., April 7, 1821.
Her name is Charlotte (Walters) Fraim.
She is still living and makes her home with
her children. They were married August
21, 1845, and had six children: Alice A.,
born July 15, 1847, died in infancy; Henry
S.; Sarah E., born at Dauphin, April 24,
1852, wife of John D. Harris, residing in
Philadelphia; Mary E., born at Dauphin,
November 12, 1856, wife of Robert Hall, re-
siding in Philadelphia ; William N., born at
Dauphin, November 8, 1858, residing in
Harrisburg; Charles F., born at Dauphin,
February 21, 1862, residing in Harrisburg.
Henry S. Fraim spent his boyhood at
Dauphin, and received his education in the
schools of that place, under the tuition of
Mrs. Talley. Here he learned shoemaking
at which he worked for about twelve years
in Harrisburg, where he took up his resi-
dence in 1869. He was engaged in various
occupations until 1893, in which year he
commenced his present business. He is well
and favorably known in trade circles, and is
esteemed for his enterprise and integrity.
He justly merits the large patronage he has
received.
Mr. Fraim was married, at Harrisburg,
December 21, 1871, to Mary E. Hake, daugh-
ter of Andrew and Eliza Hake. Their
children are: Alvin H., born October 24,
1872; Sylvia A., born April 29, 1875, and .
died August 15, 1877; Charles W., born
April 3, 1880 ; Howard H., born December
28, 1889. Mr. Fraim is a member of Pilgrim
Encampment, No. 88, K. of St. J. & M., and
of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P. Mr. and
Mrs. Fraim are consistent members of Fifth
Street Methodist Episcopal church.
MoFadden, Thomas F., proprietor of the
Market Street Granite Works, was born in
Harrisburg, July 11, 1853. He is a son of
John and Margaret (Garland) McFadden.
The former died February 13, 1886 : the lat-
ter in December, 1882. Thomas F. received
his education in the public schools of the
city, and after completing his education
learned the stone cutting trade with his
father. .In 1881 he engaged in business for
himself in Lewistown, Pa. On the death of
his father he returned to Harrisburg, and for
ten years has been engaged in business in
this city. He has built up a large and in-
creasing business. He was married, in Lewis-
town, Pa., in 1877, to Emma Highshman,
daughter of Louis and Hannah Highshman,
natives of Lancaster county. Pa., and resi-
dents of Lewistown. Five children have
been born to them, four of whom died in in-
fancy. Their only living child is Margaret
G. In political views Mr, McFadden is a
Democrat. His family attend St. Patrick's
Eoman Catholic church.
McFadden, John E., was born in Harris-
burg, February 2, 1850, and was educated in
the public schools of the city. When he
was thirteen years of age he ran away from
home and enlisted, at Norfolk, Va., in com-
pany A, Eleventh regiment, Pennsylvania
cavalry, and served until the close of the
war, being mustered out at Richmond, Va.,
and finally discharged at Camp Cadwalader,
in August, 1865. He returned to Harris-
burg and took up the trade of stone cutting
in the monumental department of his
father's shop. After acquiring this art he
was occupied at it in various parts of the
State, and doing business on his own account
at Port Royal, Juniata county. Pa., for fif-
teen years. For the past two years he has
been at Harrisburg. He was married in
Harrisburg, August 11, 1870, to Sarah A.
Heck, daughter of Emanuel A. and Sarah
Heck, of Dauphin county. Pa. They have
had ten children, eight of whom are living:
William F., born May 11, 1872; John C,
born October 14, 1874; Laura M., born July
22, 1876; Edward G., born in February,
1883; Sallie M., born May 11, 1885; Mary,
born August 5, 1887; and Harry, born De-
cember 4, 1894. Mr. McFadden has filled
several township offices in Juniata county.
In politics he is a Democrat. He attends
the Roman Catholic church.
Gerlock, Frank G., senior member
of the firm of Gerlock & Lutz, dealers
in stone, lime, cement, plaster, etc., was
born in Huntingdon, Huntingdon county.
Pa., January 12, 1855. He is a son
of Frank and Elizabeth (Stange) Ger-
lock, both natives of Germany, who settled
in Huntingdon at an early day where his
mother still resides. His father was a black-
smith by trade and was engaged in this
business at Huntingdon from an early pe-
riod. His parents had a family of eight
children, four of whom are living: Frank
G.; Louisa, wife of Richard L. Lutz ; Ed-
ward, residing in Huntingdon; and Harry
W., also residing in Huntingdon.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
655
Frank G. Gerlock received his education
in Huntingdon. When seventeen years
old he removed to Harrisburg, where he
learned the trade of machinist. He followed
this occupation for more than twelve years.
Mr. Gerlock was a member of the police
force for two years. He was water inspector
for over three years. In August, 1890, in
connection with Richard L. Lutz, he engaged
in his present business. He was married in
Hummelstown, Dauphin county. Pa., De-
cember 5, 1876, to Anna E. Manley, a daugh-
ter of Solomon and Barbara (Brubaker)
Manley, of Harrisburg. The children born
to this union are : James Alfred, Charles
Elmer and Mabel Elizabeth. Mr. Gerlock
is a member of Dauphin Castle, No. 250,
K. of G. E.; of Union Temple No. 40, L. of
G. E., and Conclave No. 150, 1. 0. H.
Lutz, Kichakd L., of the firm of Gerlock
& Lutz, dealers in stone, lime, cement, etc.,
was born at Hummelstown, Dauphin county.
Pa., February 15, 1857. He is a son of Amos
and Susannah (Hummel) Lutz. The father
was a'native of Lehigh county, and settled
at Hummelstown at an early date, where he
spent his life. The mother was born in
Hummelstown ; she is still living and resides
at Harrisburg. They had thirteen children,
four of whom are still living : Jacob D., Da-
vid A., Richard L., and John S.,all residing
in Harrisburg. Richard L. Lutz was edu-
cated in the schools of Hummelstown. He
learned the trade of machinist at which he
worked for about thirteen years. In 1890
he engaged in his present business in con-
nection with Mr. Gerlock. He was married,
at Harrisburg, December 28, 1875, to Louisa
Gerlock. Five children have been born to
them: Frank L., James H., John Edward,
Richard Allen and Elsie Louisa. Mr. Lutz
is a member Capital City Castle, No. 40, K.
of G. E. ; of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0.
0. F. ; and of Lodge No. 150, 1. 0. H.
Black, John, of the firm of Black &
Hunter, cut stone contractors, was born in
Rothesay, Buteshire, Scotland, May 6, 1863.
He is a son of John Stewart and Elizabeth
(Mclntyre) Black. He was educated in the
common schools, after which he learned the
cut stone business in all its branches. He
worked on some prominent buildings in
Scotland, such as the municipal building of
Greenock and the residence of Lord Bute.
Mr. Black emigrated to America in 1887,
and resided for a time in Brooklyn, N. Y.
In the same year he came to Hummelstown,
Dauphin county. Pa., and was for two years
employed by the Waltons. In the spring
of 1889 he removed to Harrisburg, and was
made foreman for the Middletown and Hum-
melstown Stone Company. In 1894 he formed
a co-partnership with William C. Hunter,
in the business of stone contracting. They
buy stone in the rough and dress it to any
required shape or style. This is the lead-
ing firm of the city in that line of business.
Mr. Black is also engaged in breeding fine
blooded " Scotch collies." He is the owner
of the "Maid of Bute," one of the finest
specimens of the breed in this country. She
won everything in her classes at New York
and Philadelphia in 1896. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity in Scotland ; of the
Knights of the Mystic Chain, Lebanon
Valley Castle, No. 6, and of " The For-
esters." In political matters he is an inde-
pendent.
Mr. Black was married at Rock Island,
111., in 1889, to Miss Catherine Clark, of
Rothesay, Scotland. Their children are :
John Stewart, Thomas Clark, and Elizabeth
Mclntyre. He and his family are members
of the Market Square Presbyterian church,
Harrisburg.
Hunter, William C, junior member of
the firm of Black & Hunter, cut stone con-
tractors, was born in Liverpool, England,
April 29, 1871. His father, William Hunter,
and mother, Isabella (Torrie) Hunter, are
both natives of Scotland. He was educated in
the public schools of Rothesay, Scotland, his
parents' native town, after which he learned
all the branches of the building business.
He also studied architecture for two and a
half years under J. Russell Thompson, after
which he was with his father as foreman
until April, 1891, when he came to America
and located in Harrisburg, where he was
employed by the Harrisburg Steam Stone
Company, and placed in charge of their
erection work in various cities. In the same
capacity he was employed by Allen K.
Walton, of Hummelstown, and also by the
Middletown and Hummelstown Stone Com-
pany. In 1894 he became a partner in the
firm of Black & Hunter. This firm does the
most extensive business in the stone cutting
line in the city. Mr. Hunter also has poetic
talent, and has composed some very beauti-
656
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ful poems in the style of the favorite bard of
Scotland, Robert Burns. He contributes to
the leading magazines of the country. He
is an adherent of the Prohibition party. Mr.
Hunter is one of the active and successful
business men of Harrisburg.
Verbeke, Marion, wife of William K.
Verbeke, was born in Harrisburg, Novem-
ber 9, 1829, and died March 8, 1896. Her
body rests in the family burying ground in
the Harrisburg cemetery. She was the e d-
est daughter of Charles and Eliza Anderson,
and was married, January 3, 1849, to Will-
iam K. Verbeke, the present city controller
of Harrisburg. In speaking of Mrs. Ver-
beke's death the Harrisburg Telegraph of
March 9, 1896, says :
" The friends and acquaintances of Mrs.
Marion Verbeke will be pained to learn of
her death, which occurred last evening, at
7.30 o'clock. Her sickness was of long dura-
tion, and of much suffering, which she bore
patiently and uncomplainingly. Being of a
mild, gentle and happy disposition she
made home one of unalloyed bliss and ten-
derness. Her affection and solicitude for the
welfare, comfort and care of her family were
unbounded. Her friends loved her for her
sunny ways, and their friendships were
strong and enduring. She has passed away,
but the memory of this good, true woman
remains.
" We recall her active life in the church
which was dear to her heart. Steadfast to
her duties to the end, what a noble Christian
character she leaves behind as a solace to
the loved ones of her household. With her
family cares and hernumerous public duties,
which were of daily occurrence, she found
time when the first soldiers of the war
were brought into the improvised hospitals,
with a heart full of love for her country and
pity for the poor, unfortunate volunteers,
sick and wounded, many of them mere boys
away from home and friends, to minister
to their daily wants. She took with her
the choicest delicacies, wines, liquors, pre-
serves— everything that was nice, palata-
ble and strengthening to them, which they
so much needed — and with a mother's care
and tenderness nursed them and watched
them until recovery, and when they left
they blessed her for what she had done. She
never tired of this work, but from the earliest
period of the war until the close she was the
constant attendant, at the hospitals, caring
alike even for the wounded Confederates
from the battlefield of Gettysburg and
though she done this she was bold enough
to condemn them for the part they took in
their unholy war. Often she was oppor-
tuned to prepare a history of the hospital
service of Harrisburg, for which she was
ofi'ered pay, her services and knowledge of
them being complete, so much so that no
other one person could have given the facts
she knew and the different actors who were
associated with her. In honor of these great
services, as a token of their real appreciation
of her noble work, one of our Pennsylvania
regiments conferred the honor upon her of
electing her " Daughter of the Regiment."
Well she deserved it. No history of the
participants of the bloody struggle from
1861 to 1865 can be written without giving
Mrs. Marion Verbeke a prominent place as
an active, energetic, untiring agent in the
military hospital service. All her labors
were free, given with heartfelt pleasure,
never looking for remuneration, with no
other motive than to do good to a fellow-
being. Such a lovely, generous woman, one
of our own people, has passed away, but the
memory of her will be ever fresh and green
among us and shall never perish. She
leaves, beside her husband, two sons, Will-
iam K., of Phoenixville, and Marion, of this
city, and a daughter, Miss Gertrude."
CONEWAGO TOWNSHIP.
Goss, Jacob, miller, was born near Hum-
melstown, Derry township, Dauphin county,
Pa., February 23, 1836. John Goss, his
grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania,
of German descent, and was a farmer. Ja-
cob Goss, Sr., father of Jacob, was born in
Dauphin county, and attended the school of
his township. He grew up on his father's
farm and became a farmer, owning and cul-
tivating a farm of one hundred and seventy
acres in Derry township. He was also a
stock raiser. He married Mary Landis,
born near Derry Church, and they had five
children: Eliza, living at Union Deposit;
Jacob ; Susan, wife of Jacob Shenk ; Mary,
wife of William Gordon, of Campbellstown,
and .John, residing in Harrisburg. Mr.
Goss was a Republican. The family were
members of the German Reformed church.
Mr. Goss died in Derry township in 1878 ; his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
657
wife died in the same township. He was
well known throughout the county and en-
joyed the reputation of an honest man and a
good neighbor.
Jacob Gross, Jr., lived with his grandfatlier
at Donegal, Lancaster county, and attended
the schools of that place. He remained with
his grandfather working on the farm until
he was nineteen, and then came to Cone-
wago township and learned the business of
milling with his uncle, rernaining with him
five years. Young Goss was full of enter-
prise and of a progressive spirit and was am-
bitious to have a business of his own. He
bought the mill of his uncle and has opera-
ted it since that time with gratifying suc-
cess. He also bought a small farm, made
improvements upon it, and superintends its
cultivation. He deals extensively in grain
and feed and pays much attention to the
mercantile branch of this business.
Mr. Goss was married in Conewago town-
ship in 1860, to Annie, daughter of Peter
Wieland, natives of that township. Mr. and
Mrs. Goss have four children : Melinda, wife
of Levi Lehman ; Peter, a miller of Eiiza-
bethtown, Lancaster county ; Harvey, store-
keeper, at Elizabethtown, and Annie, unmar-
ried. Mr. Goss, in politics, holds Republican
views. He is a member of the German Baptist
(Dunkard) church. Mr. Goss began life
poor, and has accumulated a comfortable
competence. His success is honorable, inas-
much as it was achieved by industry, hon-
est}' and skillful management. He is genial
in social intercourse, and is well liked by
his neighbors.
Farver, Christian, farmer, was born in
Londonderry township, March 26, 1848. His
father, Frederick Farver, was born in Ger-
many, where he was educated and learned
carpentry. When he was a lad of sixteen
he came to this country and located at Mari-
etta, Lancaster county, Pa., where he found
employment in a distillery. He also worked
a short time on the canals. At twenty-three
years of age he came to Dauphin county
and located in Londonderry township, where
he bought one hundred and thirty acres of
land in the woods. Hete he worked hard,
early and late, cutting away the forests, build-
ing house, and barn, and fences, and suc-
ceeded in making a productive farm where
he had found the wilderness. He was known
as an industrious, hard-working man,, spar-
ing no effort to make a home and all need-
ful provision for his family.
Mr. Farver married Catherine Meiley, who
was born in Germany, and came to this
country in early youtli. They had ten chil-
dren : John, farmer in Kansas; William, a
prominent farmer in Lancaster county. Pa.;
Ciiristian; Catherine, wife of Jacob Baker,
of Conewago township; Samuel, farms the
homestead; EHza, Barbara, and Fred died
young, and there were two who died in in-
fancy. Mr. Farver was a Republican, and
one of the most widely known men in the
township. He died in 1887 in Londonderry
township. His wife still resides on the old
homestead in Londonderry township, at the
advanced age of eighty-four. She has a
third set of teeth, which have grown since
she was eighty years old.
In his youth Christian Farver spent a
part of each year in the schools of London-
derry township, and worked the rest of the
time on the farm. He also worked two years
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
after which he remained on the homestead
until he was twenty-four. At this age he
spent six months in a trip through the west-
ern States, visiting Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
and other portions of the country. Upon
his return he rented the homestead farm one
year, after which he removed to Conewago
township, where he rented and cultivated a
farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres
for twelve years. He afterwards bought the
farm, erected new buildings, improved the
old ones, and made improvements to the ex-
tent of one thousand, five hundred dollars.
This is his present homestead, in which he
is engaged in farming and stock raising.
Mr. Farver was married at Elizabethtown,
Lancaster county, in 1871, to Lavinia,
daughter of the late Jacob E. and Elizabeth
(Niss]ey)Shenk, born in Conewago township,
July 12, 1857. They have had four children :
Jacob S., born August 27, 1871, farmer in
the township, married Bertha Gruble; Ed-
win S., born October 23, 1876, educated in
the township and resides with his father;
Samuel S., born April 19, 1884, attends
school; Harvey B., born Mav 19, 1873, died
March 8, 1874.
Mr. Farver is a Republican. He has been
assessor and tax collector in the township.
He is a member of the United Zion's
church, of which he has been a deacon
since 1885. He began life with a debt of
one hundred and twenty-five dollars resting
658
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
upon him. He had empty pockets but
strong hands, a brave heart, and a clear head.
His career has been successful. He is the
owner of three hundred acres of land, and
has started his son in farming, giving him
over six hundred dollars. He is a large man,
tipping the beam at two hundred and thirty
pounds, and is large of heart also. Mr. Far-
ver and his good wife are the dispensers of a
liberal hospitality, and take great pleasure
in entertaining their visitors. Their house
is the abode of peace andpLentj^ and wo
people are more highly esteemed than are
this worthy couple.
Lehman, John R., farmer, was born in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa., De-
cember 23, 1838. His grandfather, Peter
Lehman, was a prominent farmer and stock
raiser of Lancaster county. John Lehman,
father of John R., was born in Lancaster
county, and came early to Dauphin county.
He was recognized as one of the most prom-
inent agriculturalists of Derry township. He
married Elizabeth Rudd, a native of Lan-
caster county. They had five children:
Mary and Nancy, unmarried ; Samuel, lives
on the homstead ; John R., and Peter, farmer,
of Derry township. Mr. Lehman was a Re-
publican. He was a member of the Men-
nonite church. He died at his home in 1875,
and his wife in 1865.
John R. Lehman attended the common
schools of Conewago township and worked
on the farm with his father, until he was
past twenty years of age. He rented a farm
in Londonderry township for two years, rcr
moved then to Conewago township and
rented twenty acres for two years, then two
hundred acres for two years more. Then he
went to Lancaster county and rented one
hundred and seventy acres for one year ;
then returned to Conewago township and
rented a farm of one hundred and fifty acres
near Bachraansville for two years. He next
bought a farm of fifty acres for $3,000, at the
sand hills, where he remained for three years
and then sold out. He then removed again
to Lancaster county and rented a farm of
fifty acres for three years, and another of one
hundred acres for one year, and then returned
to Conewago township, Dauphin county.
Here he bought a farm of forty acres for
which he paid $4,200, and on which there
were good improvements. '
Mr. Lehman was married, at Annville, Leb-
anon county. Pa., December 12, 1861, to
Annie, daughter of John and Annie (Coble)
Snyder, born in Derry township, Dauphin
county, September 27, 1836 ; her father was
a farmer of the county. They had five
children : Lavinia S., born March 4, 1863 ;
Fannie, born September 29, 1865, wife of
Christian Lehman, of Lebanon county, who
has five children : Minnie, Annie, Harvey,
Laura and Mamie ; Harry B., born March
24, 1869, died in 1871; Annie, born June 14,
1822, died February 14, 1873 ; John, born
October 26, 1874, died August 10, 1875.
Mr. Lehman is a Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the Mennonite church, and one of the
solid and popular men of the community.
Gruber, Peter, Jr., justice of the peace,
manufacturer and merchant, was born in
Conewago township, Dauphin county. Pa.',
June 21, 1846. The family came originally
from Switzerland. John Gruber, grandfather
of Peter Gruber, was a native of Lancaster
county, and a prominent farmer there. He
married Elizabeth Brooks, by whom he had
four children: Peter, Sr., Joseph, John, and
Fannie, wife of Benjamin Lehman, of Lan-
caster county. John Gruber was an Old
Line Whig. He and his wife were members
of the German Reformed church. Both died
in Lancaster county.
Peter Gruber, Sr., attended subscription
schools in Lancaster county, and afterwards
followed the occupation of butcher. He re-
moved, when a young man, to Conewago
township, Dauphin county, and became a
farmer. He married Barbara Daughter-
man, born in 1816, by whom he had these
children: John, farmer of Lancaster county;
Peter ; Eliza, wife of John Gipfer, of Conewago
township; Jacob, farmer in Illinois; Amos,
deceased; Aaron, farmer of Conewago town-
ship, and Daniel, deceased. Mr. Gruber was
a Republican. He served as supervisor and
in other ofiices. He was a member of the
German Baptist (Dunkard) church. He died
in Conewago township in 1885. His wife is
still living and is cared for by her son Peter.
Peter Gruber, Jr., attended school in Cone-
wago township and worked on his father's
farm. He obtained a teacher's certificate
and taught school in Conewago and London-
derry townships for seven years. After this
he made a. venture in the patent right busi-
ness, but not finding it profitable he aban-
doned it and returned to Conewago town-
ship, where he learned cabinet making and
afterwards went into the business for him-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
659
self. He built a fine factory, employed sev-
eral men, and supplied the surrounding
country with furniture of his manufacturing.
He now conducts also an undertaking de-
partment, and since 1874 has been the only
undertaker in the town of Bachmansville.
A few years ago he opened a store for grocer-
ies, etc., and has been successful in this
branch of business. Mr. Gruber was mar-
ried in Conewago township, in 1873, to Mary
A., daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Hoi-
linger) Hoffer, born in Conewago township.
They have five children: Barbara H., wife
of John Blacker, teacher; Clara H., Ellen
M., Mary A., and Lena H. Mr. Garber en-
listed at Harrisburg, August 23, 1864, in
company C, Two Hundredth regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers. Col. W. H. McCall and
Capt. S. 0. Reno, Seventh army corps. He
participated iu the battles of Fort Steadman,
Hatche's Run, Butler's Farm, and Peters-
burg, and in several small engagements. He
was in the hospital at Point of Rocks for
eight weeks suffering from exposure, result-
ing in typhoid fever. He was honorably
discharged May 13, 1865.
Mr, Gruber is a Republican. He was first
elected justice of the peace in 1887, on the
Republican ticket, there being only seven
votes cast against him, and was elected for a
second term in 1892 by a full vote. He has
filled the ofiice with dignity and ability, and
has dispensed justice with an even hand. He
was inspector of election for seven years;
tax collector for county and State for two
years; assessor and school director for three
years, and has been supervisor. Mr. Gruber
takes an active part in all political move-
ments. He is a member of the German Bap-
tist church, was a Sunday-school superinten-
dent four years, and a Sunday-school teacher
nearly all his life. Mr. Gruber is a promi-
nent man and is honored by all who know
him. He may always be found on the side
of all that will benefit society and promote
the public welfare.
Kayler, Neri H., was born in Lancaster
county, December 26, 1865; son of Isaac and
Barbara (Hoover) Kayler. Joseph Kayler,
his grandfather, was a farmer and reared a
family. The maternal grandfather was also
a farmer. Isaac Kayler, father of Neri H.,
was born in Dauphin county, Pa., and is a
farmer; at different times he was also en-
gaged in the manufacture of barrels. He is
a Republican. In religious faith and fellow-
ship he is connected with the United Breth-
ren church. Mrs. Kayler is a daughter of
Samuel and Barbara (Snyder) Hoover. Their
children are: Amos, Samuel, Linnseus, Neri,
Annie, Mary, Franklin, Isaac, and Katie,
wife of Earnest Buser; Allen, Joseph, who
died, aged four years, and Abraham, who
died in 1871, at the age of nineteen. Neri H.
Kayler attended the public schools and
worked on the farm at intervals until he was
twenty-two years old, when he engaged in
farming on his own account. This has ever
since continued to be his occupation. For
one year he held an agency for Mr. Ebersole
for the sale of agricultural implements. Mr.
Kayler is a Republican. In 1892 he was ap-
pointed tax collector for Conewago township
and served one year ; he was elected assessor
in 1895, which office he still holds.
Coble, Amos G., Bellair, Lancaster county.
Pa., was born in Dauphin county, Pa., June
19, 1870, and is the son of John H. and
Elizabeth (Gingerich) Coble..
Christian Coble, his grandfather, was a
farmer. He married twice; his first wife
was a Miss HoSer; his second. Miss Nancy,
is still living. Isaac Coble is the only sur-
viving son of Christian Coble; his other
children. Christian, Barbara, John H., Sam-
uel, and Jacob, all being deceased. Both
the parents of Amos G. Coble were natives
of Dauphin county, and his mother Eliza-
beth was the daughter of Henry Gengerich.
Besides their son they had one daughter,
Barbara. Mr. John H. Coble was always a
man of note in the community ; first as a
teacher, in his early manhood ; after he had
relinquished this profession for the business
of farming his fellow-citizens showed their
appreciation of his intelligence and good
judgment by electing him to various town-
ship offices. He was a school director for
some years and also assessor on the Re-
publican ticket, as he adhered to that party.
He was still farming when his useful life
closed in its prime ; he died March 9, 1885,
at the comparatively early age of forty-nine.
His religious profession was Mennonite.
His wife survives him; she is about sixtj-
one years of age, and enjoys the care of her
son on the homestead where most of her life
has been passed.
Amos G. Coble received a good education,
attending first the common schools of
Dauphin and afterwards those of Lebanon
county until he was nineteen years of age.
660
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
After leaving school he took charge of the
home farm and cultivated it for his mother,
but since 1893, the year of his marriage, he
has carried on the business on his own ac-
count. On January 17 of that year Amos
G. Coble was married to Kate H., daughter
of Martin M. and Maria (Horst) Risser. Mr.
and Mrs. Coble have one son, Ira, born Sep-
tember 23, 1895. Mr. Coble's political
opinions are Republican.
Wither, Joseph B., Deodate, Pa., was born
in Londonderry township, near the Cone-
wago line, Dauphin county, Pa., May 24,
1817. He is a son of Peter and Esther
(Burkholder) Witmer.
The Witraers are of Swiss origin, the
great-grandfather of Joseph B. Witmer hav-
ing come to America about the year 1760.
A son of this emigrant, Joseph Witmer,
grandfather of Joseph B., was born Septem-
ber 29, 1755. Farming was his lifelong oc-
cupation. He married Miss Barbara Hoover,
born in April, JL755, and was the father of
eight children, all now deceased. They were:
Peter; Mrs. Daniel Wolkmann ; Mrs. Martin
Nissley ; Mrs. Henr}'' Snyder; Mrs. Jacob
Heisy ; Katie, wife of John Horst ; Samuel,
and Christian. Joseph Witmer died March
16, 1844, aged eighty-eight ; his wife died
June 19, 1835, aged eighty years.
The maternal grandparents of Mr. J. B.
Witmer were both natives of Lancaster
county, where Mr. Burkholder was a farmer.
Of their eight children, the only survivor is
Abraham. Those deceased are : John, Jo-
seph, Peter, Christian, and Jacob ; Esther,
married to Peter Witmer, and Mary, wife of
Ulrich Shaffner. Mr. Shaffner is also de-
ceased. Mr. Burkholder died about the year
1809; his wife survived him for about twenty
years.
Peter Witmer, father of Joseph B., was
born in Mount Joy township, Lancaster
county. Pa., October 18, 1787, and spent his
years in tilling and improving the soil of his
native county. His wife Esther, daughter
of Joseph Burkholder, was born in Rapho
township, in the same county, April 17, 1796.
Their family numbered seven, of whom two
are deceased : Henry, who died in 1886, at
tlie age of sixty-six, and Nancy. Five are
still living: Joseph B., Peter, Mary, widow
of John Longenecker, Abraham, and .Jacob.
Mrs. Esther Witmer died May 28, 1830, at
the age of thirty-four years. Mr. Witmer
was again married, to Miss Barbara, daugh-
ter of Jacob Lehman. By this marriage
there were no children. Mr. Witmer died
October 27,4844, aged sixty-two.
Joseph B. Witmer was a pupil in what
are known as subscription schools until he
reached his sixteenth year. From that time
until he was about twenty-six he was occu-
pied with farm work for his father and
others. From about the date of his first
marriage until the present time he has at-
tended to farming on his own account, but
has not been so entirelj^ devoted to his own
aff^airs as to take no interest in the welfare
of the community to which he belongs.
His neighbors, recognizing his public spirit
and good sense, have called him to fill
several township ofiices. He has served as
auditor at difl'erent times, the terms aggre-
gating about ten years; he was a school di-
rector before the war of the Rebellion, and
for about fifteen years since that time, dur-
ing all his time of service being president of
the board ; and for one term he was super-
visor. He is an active Republican.
Mr. Witmer was married, March 14,
1844, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel
Hoffer, Esq., and of Mrs. Samuel (Foltz)
Hoffer. Their children are : Caroling, wife
of Abraham Gish, and John H., married to
Lydia Etter. The mother died February
26, 1848, aged twenty-eight years, nine
months and eight days. Mr. Witmer's
second marriage was with Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of David Buchwalter, and took
place December 24, 1848. The children of
this marriage are : Annie, wife of David
Gratz; Martha, wife of Solomon Schenk;
Lizzie, wife of Peter Shiffer, and David, who
died December 2, 1862, aged three years and
eight months. The second wife died October
7, 1881, aged fifty-eight years, seven months
and thirteen days. Mr. Witmer married
the third time, October 23, 1883, Mrs. Sarah,
widow of John Boosey. They had no chil-
dren. Joseph B. Witmer is a member of
the German Baptist church, in which for
the past thirty-one years lie has held the
oSice of deacon.
Christian Witmer, uncle of Joseph B.,
was born March 20, 1799, and died April 22,
1872. His wife. Miss Mary Wolgamuth,
was born January 18,1801, and died March
5, 1870.
Kadffman, Henry K., a native of Lan-
caster county. Pa., was born September 5,
1833 ; son of, Benjamin and Annie Kauff-
DA UPHIN CO UNTY .
661
man. His paternal grandfather, John Kauft-
man, was a native of Lancaster county, as
was also his grandfather on the mother's
side, and both of his parents were born in
that county. Benjamin Kauffman was first
a weaver and later in life a farmer. He was
married to Miss Annie Kauffman, daughter
of John and Mary Kauffman. Four of their
family of nine children are living : Henry
K., Martha, Benjamin and Andrew. Those
deceased are: Abraham ; Susan, wife of Jacob
Snyder; Jacob, who died in 1863, aged thir-
teen years ; Amos, died in 1862, at the age of
seven years ; and Annie, who also died in
1862, aged four years and ten days. Mr.
Benjamin Kauffman died a retired farmer,
aged seventy-six years andthree months ; his
wife died aged sixty years. Both were of the
Mennonite persuasion.
Henry K. Kauffman received his educa-
tion in Rapho township, Lancaster county,
attending school, like farmers' boys in gen-
eral, only during the winter, and learning the
art and science of agriculture practically by
making themselves useful on the farm dur-
ing the rest of the year. Mr. Kauffman was
all his life a farmer, for although he endeav-
ored during one winter to learn the trade of
a miller, he was obliged at the end of the
season to give up the attempt on account of
ill health. Lie therefore returned again to
farming, to which he has ever since, espe-
cially since the beginning of his married
life, given his exclusive attention. Mr. Kauff-
man is a Republican ; he is now serving his
township as supervisor, to which office he was
elected in 1895. Henry K. Kauffman was
married, February 16, 1871, to Susan S.,
daughter of John and Mary (Sherry) Helman,
born August 1, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Kauff-
man have had four children: Annie and
Lizzie, twins, died July 19, 1876, aged
twenty-one days; Mary A., wife of Harry
Shearer; and F., who is married to Miss
Kate Grumbine. Mr. Kauffman belongs to
the Mennonite church.
Mr. and Mrs. John Helman, the parents of
Mrs. Kauffman, were both natives of Lan-
caster county. Mr. Helman was a weaver,
but continued only a short time in that
occupation before exchanging it for fence
making, with which he was occupied for
many years, but which he at last relinquished
to engage in butchering. He was married
to Miss Mary Sherry, daughter of Jacob and
Anna Sherry. Two of their children are
deceased : Jacob, died at the age of twenty-
two years and three months; and Henry,
died at the age of forty years and two months.
Their living children are : Kate, wife of Ben-
jamin Minutes; Lizzie, widow of Michael
Steffey; Susan S., Mrs. Kauffman; John;
Mary, wife of Peter Kegerreis ; Cyrus, and
George. Mr. Helman died at the age of
sixty years, and Mrs. Helman in 1880, aged
seventy-five; both died in Lancaster county.
They were members of the Lutheran church.
Bachman, Samuel S., postmaster and
school teacher, Bachmansville, Pa., was born
at Bachmansville, Pa., January 22, 1855 ;
son of Henry D. and Fanny (Shelly) Bach-
man, a retired farmer, and reared at Swa-
tara, in Derry township. His grandfather
was the founder and proprietor of the town
of Bachmansville. His father was also a
farmer.
Samuel S. attended the district schools of
South Annville township, Lebanon county,
and also the schools at Bachmansville. He
studied three terms at Palmyra Academy
and two terms at the State Normal School,
at Millersville, from which latter institution
he received a teacher's State certificate. For
the past fourteen years he has devoted his
life to the instruction and training of the
youth of his native place. He also spent
eight months teaching in Illinois, and has
taught in Derry township as well as in Con-
ewago. Mr. Bachman was married at Eliz-
abethtown, Lancaster county, in 1877, to
Katie Goff, a native of Lancaster county.
They had four children : Cora, Garfield Ar-
thur, Edgar Cullen and Emma Madora.
Mr. Bachman was appointed postmaster un-
der the Arthur administration and has held
the office since that time, giving to the pub-
lic the utmost satisfaction in the manage-
ment of the office. In his politics he is a
Republican and actively interested in public
matters. He is agent for the sale of the
farm implements made by the McCormick
Company. He is a teacher in the Sunday-
school and a zealous worker in the cause.
Brandt, Abraham L., farmer, Deodate,
Pa., was born in Conewago township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., May 6, 1836. Michael,
the grandfather, was a native of Pennsylva-
nia and was a carpenter by trade, and was
also an undertaker. John, the father, was
also born in Conewago township, in 1801,
and was engaged in farming in London-
derry township, where he married Annie
662
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Long. His children were: Samuel, Annie,
Elizabeth, Catherine and Abraham. His
father died in Londonderry township in
1852. He was a Republican in politics.
The mother was married again to Joseph
Youtz, and they had two children, Fannie
and Barbara, both deceased. The mother
has also passed away.
Abraham attended school and worked on
the farm until nineteen years old when he
learned the blacksmith trade at which he
worked for ten years as a journeyman, and
for thirteen years had a shop of his own.
He later bought the farm which he now
occupies and which he has cultivated and
improved. He was married in Lebanon
county, in 1859, to Mary Basehore, born in
Londonderry township, Lebanon county,
October 13, 1840, daughter of Henry and
Mary Basehore. Their children are : Anna
K., Alice, Ella, John, Harriet, Fannie, Cora,
William, and Eliza, deceased. Mr. Brandt
is a Republican in his politics and takes an
active interest in township matters.
and was a farmer. He married Miss Anna
L. Ebersole, born in Lancaster county, and
to them have been born two children :
Amanda E., Mrs. Brubaker, and E. E. The
father has passed away, the mother survives
and lives at Mt. Joy. She is a member of
the Mennonite church.
Brubaker, Seth, Conewago township,
was born in Lebanon county. Pa., May 3,
1863; son of D. B. and Kate (Royer) Bru-
baker, Jonas, the paternal grandfather, was
born in 1800, in Lebanon county, and was
reared there. His wife was born in Lan-
caster county. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion and reared a family. D. B. Brubaker,
the father, was a miller and later engaged in
farming. He married Miss Kate, daughter
of Seth and Rosa (Zinn) Royer, and they had
eight children, five of whom are living :
Jonas, Rosie, wife of Adam 0. Brandt, Seth,
Emma, and A. R. The deceased children
are: Susan, Amanda and Katie. The parents
are both members of the Church in Christ.
Seth received his education in the public
schools and in Lebanon Valley College. At
the age of twenty-one years he began teach-
ing and taught for three terms in the public
schools. In June, 1885, he was married to
Miss Amanda E. Risser, daughter of Abra-
ham S. and Anna L. (Ebersole) Risser. They
have four children : Mabel, Daniel, Laura
and Stella. In 1886 Mr. Brubaker engaged
in farming in Conewago township and bought
the farm lately owned by Abraham Risser,
which he has since occupied and cultivated.
He has served as school director for one
year and is a neutral in his politics. Mrs.
Brubaker was born February 28, 1867. Her
father was born in Londonderry township,
Eby, Henry B., was born on a farm in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa., May
6, 1833; son of Peter Eby. The father was
born in Derry township, received his educa-
tion in the district schools of his native
township, and grew to manhood on the farm
of his father. The ancestors were from
Switzerland. The father succeeded to the
homestead in Derry township, and was mar-
ried in Lancaster county. Pa., to Miss Mary
Wisler, of that county. He took up his resi-
dence on the home farm in Derry township,
and lived there until his death in 1844. His
wife survived him many years, and died in
Lancaster county, aged eighty-nine years.
Their children are: Samuel, George, Henry
B., Annie, Mary, deceased, and Peter.
Henry B. acquired his education in the
common schools, and worked on the farm
until he was fifteen years of age, when his
father died, and he started to learn the trade
of shoemaking near Churchville, Dauphin
county, and served an apprenticeship of two
and a half years. When he was nineteen
j^ears of age he became a clerk in the store
of John Eby, who kept a general store at
East Hanover, Lebanon county, where he
remained two years, and then clerked for
Moses Early, in the same place, for one year,
at the end of which time he worked for
awhile for Mr. Garbuck in that town. He
next went through the West prospecting for
business, and after a few months sojourn in
Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, he re-
turned to his brother Samuel's home, at Bis-
mark, Lebanon county. In a short time
he got a situation at Colebrook, in Lebanon
county, where he remained six months, and
then returned to Bismark. In 1855 he em-
barked in the mercantile business with his
brother at Bismark, where he continued
until 1864, when he located at Bachmans-
ville, where he opened his present place of
business, and conducts a general store. Mr.
Eby was married at Bismark, in 1860, to
Miss Lizzie Smith, by whom he has four
children : Mary, Robert, Grant, and Lizzie,
died young. His wife died six or seven
years after marriage, and he took for his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
663
second wife Miss Lydia Lehman, a native of
Lebanon county, by whom he has twelve
children : Henry, John, Ida, Anna, Louisa,
deceased ; Lillie, Katie, Tillie, George, Will-
iam, Elsie, and Ira. Mr. Eby was originally
a Republican, but is now an independent
voter, and has never sought any political
office. He is not a member of any religious
organization.
FoLTZ, Christian M., was born in Cone-
wago township, Dauphin countv. Pa., Feb-
ruary 24, 1868; son of John S. Foltz.
Christian, the grandfather, was the son of
Christian, great-grandfather, and he was the
son of Christian, who was a native of Ger-
many, and the first of the family to come
to America. Since that time many of them
have been farmers. The grandfather reared
a large family and died in Dauphin county.
John S., the father, was born in Dauphin
county in 1831, and removed with his par-
ents to Conewago township when a boy,
where he grew to manhood and was educated
in the district schools of that township. He
was first married to Helen Lutz, who bore
him two children, Sarah and Maiy, and
then died. He was married then to Miss
Elizabeth AUeman, born in Lower Swatara
township in 1826, by whom he had four
children: Ella and Catherine, both at home ;
J. Ezra, proprietor of a creamery at Deodate,
and Christian. After his marriage he opened
a general store at Deodate, which he con-
ducted until his death in 1887.
Christian acquired his primary education
in the district schools and was graduated at
the Normal School at Kutztown when he was
twenty years of age. During vacation he
was employed on the home farm. In the
spring of 1891 he embarked in the mercan-
tile business at Deodate, succeeding David
Nissley, and has since built up a large and
profitable trade. He was never married,
but lives at home with his mother. He is a
member of the Luthferan church and is in-
terested in the welfare of the community.
In his political views he is a staunch Re-
publican. Under the Harrison, administra-
tion he was appointed postmaster of Deodate.
Foltz, J. E., proprietor of the creamery,
Deodate, Pa., was born in Conewago town-
ship, Dauphin county, July 25, 1865. His
' father was John S. Foltz, a well-known mer-
chant of that place. He married Elizabeth
Allemau, and they have four children : Ella,
Catherine, J. E., and Christian, all of whom
are unmarried. The father died in 1884.
He was a member of the Lutheran church,
and in his political views was a Republican.
He served as school director, auditor and
in other offices.
J. E. Foltz was educated at the district
schools, Millersville State Normal School,
Cumberland Valley State Normal School
and Keystone State Normal School, from
which latter institution he received a di-
ploma. He taught schools in Berks, Lan-
caster and Dauphin counties, and was also
the principal of the Orphans' Home, and in
all taught seven full terms. In 1893 he es-
tablished a creamery at Deodate, which, with
equipment, cost $3,000, and has also two
branch creameries, one at Vine and the
other at Bachmansville, costing $1,000. He
buys milk from the adjacent farmers, pay-
out over $300 per week. He manufactures
three hundred pounds of butter per day and
ships it over the State. Mr. Foltz is unmar-
ried. He is a Republican in politics, and is
prominent also in Sunday-school work, be-
ing the president of the Dauphin County
Sunday-school Association and has been a
superintendent of the local Sunday-school.
Grubb, Benjamin, farmer, Deodate, Pa.,
was born in Conewago township, Dauphin
county. Pa., July 19, 1845. John, the father,
was born in the same township in 1810 and
was a farmer. He married Annie Brandt
and their children were : Fannie, Henry,
John, Jacob, Benjamin, Josiah, and three
who died young. He was a Republican in
his political views. His wife died in 1876,
and he died July 17, 1893. Both were mem-
bers of Zion church.
Benjamin attended the township schools
and worked on the homestead until he was
twenty-one years old. He then bought a
farm in the township containing 130 acres
which he so much improved. He lost his
barn by fire with the stock it contained, en-
tailing a loss of $1,500. In 1894 he built a
fine new barn. He was married, in London-
derry township, November 14, 1872, to Annie
Herzey, born in that township, July 30, 1851,
daughter of Henry and Mary Herzey. The
former was a native of Londonderry town-
ship and was a farmer. He died in Novem-
ber, 1892, and his wife in 1877, having reared
nine, children. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Grubb are: Mary H., Benjamin H.,
664
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Simon H., Annie, and Harry. Mr. Grubb
is a Republican in politics and a member
of Zion's church.
Grubb, Joseph G., farmer, Bachmansville,
Pa., was born in Conewago township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., March 3, 1832. John
Grubb, the grandfather, was born in Lan-
caster county, and was a miller and farmer
in Conewago township. In politics he was
a Whig. He and his family were members
of the Mennonite church. He married Susan
Blough, to whom there were born five chil-
dren : John, Christian, Daniel, Susan and
Nancy. Christian, the father, was educated
in the subscription schools of the township,
and worked with his father on the farm.
He continued on the homestead and has
been all his life engaged in farming in his
native township. He married Nancy Ging-
rich, a native of Lebanon county, and they
had eight children: Samuel, Catherine,
Polly, Margaret, deceased, Michael, Joseph
G., Susan and David. The father died in
1875, and his wife died in 1881. He was a
Republican in politics and always much
interested in public matters.
Joseph G. acquired his education in the
public schools of the township and was en-
gaged in farm work on the homestead until
he became of age, after which he rented a
farm and began business for himself. When
twenty-nine years of age he rented a farm of
one hundred and sixty-eight acres for one
year, after which he rented another farm,
where he spent sixteen j'ears and then
his present farm of twenty-four acres for
three thousand dollars, on which he has
made many improvements. He was mar-
ried in Conewago township, in 1861, to
Christina E. Shenk, and to this marriage
there is no issue. They are enjoying their
comfortable home and reaping the fruits of
the industry and frugality of their earlier
life. He is a Republican and a member of
Zion's church.
Shelly, J. 0., Deodate, Pa., was born No-
vember 17, 1893 ; son of Samuel and Eliza-
beth Shelly. The parents were both natives
of Lancaster county. The father was born
in July, 1808, and was a farmer. He re-
moved from Lancaster to Dauphin county
and settled in Conewago township. He mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Christian Over,
of Lancaster county. Their children are:
Elizabeth, Katherine, Fannie, Mary, Henry,
J. 0., and Samuel, deceased. The father filled
several township offices. He died in Sep-
tember, 1881, aged seventy-eight years, and
his wife died, aged sixty-nine years; both
were members of the Old Brethren church.
J. 0. Shelly attended the public schools of
Conewago township and subsequently took
a course in Palmyra Academy. He was en-
gaged in farming with his father until his
marriage. In 1867 he began farming for
himself on one of his father's farms, where
he has continued to the present time. Mr.
Shelly has filled several public offices, that
of school director for three j^ears, and that of
inspector of elections. He was made the
executor of his father's estate, and ably and
honestly discharged the trust.
In his political views he is a Republican.
His religious fellowship is in the Old Breth-
ren church. Mr. Shelly was married, Janu-
ary 8, 1867, to Miss Susan Gipple, daughter
of Samuel and Lydia(Shenk) Gipple, of Leba-
non county. Their children are: Harry, Liz-
zie, Samuel, and Isaac. The parents of Mrs.
Shelly are natives of Lebanon county. Her
father was a farmer, and married Miss Liz-
zie Shenk. Their children are: Harry, Sam-
uel, Harvey, John, Jacob, Lizzie, Fannie,
Leah, Susan, and Joseph. The parents re-
side at Palmvra, Pa.
Shemk, Cyrus G.,was born in Derry town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., May 2i, 1839 ;
son of John M. Shenk. Rev. Michael Shenk,
thegrandfather, was the first of this family
to settle in Dauphin county. He was first
at Germantown, Pa., removed from there to
Philadelphia and later to Lancaster county,
where he received his education. The fam-
ily were of the class which left Switzerland
for good political and economical reasons,
removing first to London, England, and
later to America. His great-grandfather
married Miss Lehman, who bore him a
large family.
Christian, the grandfather, was brought
up a farmer boy, and had few educational
advantages, the lack of which made him a
strong advocate for a liberal provision in
this respect for the youth of the State. He
was married in Dauphin county to Miss
Martin, by whom he had two daughters and
one son, John M. Pie later married a Miss
Lehman, who bore him two daughters and
a son. He was a man of great public spirit,
an advocate of free schools and all measures
promoting the general welfare of society, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
667
was a man of prominence and influence
whose advice was sought on all matters.
He succeeded his father on the old Shank
farm which then contained six hundred and
forty acres.
John M., the father, was born on the home-
stead, November 15, 1814, and was educated
in the district schools of that time. He was
reared on the farm and became a farmer.
He was married, in Dauphin county, in 1838,
to Miss Mary Gingrich, born in Derry town-
ship, in 1815, daughter of John and Mary
(Moyer) Gingrich. After marriage, he settled
on a rented farm in Derry township, and
after a short time returned to the old home-
stead in Gonewago township. Their children
are : Cyrus G., Diana, Mary Ann, Christian
M., and Elizabeth. His wife died in 1881,
after a lingering illness. She was a devoted
Christian woman, active in all good works.
The father still survives and enjoys good
health for his years. He has held several
township offices, and has been one of the
directors of the Hummelstown National
Bank since its organization.
Cyrus G. began his education in the dis-
trict schools of Con^wago township, and
finished at Mt. Joy Academy, when he was
about nineteen years of age. He then
taught school for four terms, aud later be-
came a farmer, and has made this his occu-
pation. He has been something of a traveler,
having visited various sections of the country,
both east and west. He was married, at Mt.
Joy, Pa., in 1868, to Miss Annie Herr, born
in Lancaster county, in 1847, daughter of
Abraham and Ann (Riehr) Herr. After
marriage he took up his residence with his
father on the old homestead, which, in 1870,
he bought from his father, and which now
contains two hundred and sixty acres. His
children are : Albert, Mamie, John, Herman,
Cyrus, and Annie. Mr. Shenk is an inde-
pendent voter with Republican preferences.
He has held the office of school director for
many years, and also that of auditor and
other offices. He has never connected him-
self with any church, and has always held
that people should not be divided by relig-
ious prejudices and preferences, and would
prefer to call all men brethren. He has
taken a deep interest in Sunday-schools, and
in early li^e served as superintendent at the
local school. He is treasurer of his district,
and is esteemed by all as an upright
man.
Shenk, Samuel, was born in Conewago
township Dauphin county. Pa., February
12, 1849 ; son of Henry Shenk. John, the
grandfather, was born in Dauphin county,
and was a farmer. He married a Miss Buck,
by whom he had four daughters and two
sons. He died in Conewago township, and
his wife survived him some years. Henry,
the father, was also born in Conewago town-
ship, June 18, 1805, was educated in the
district school, grew to manhood, and was
married, in Derry township, to Miss Mary
Kellar, native of Dauphin county. He set-
tled on a farm of one hundred and fourteen
acres in Conewago township, which he had
bought previous to his marriage, and farmed
there for some years. His wife died and he
went to live with his son, where he died, in
1894. Their children are : Josiah, Columbia,
Pa.; John and Henry, died young; .Jacob,
Lebanon, Pa.; and Samuel R., educated in
the district schools of his native township
and grew to manhood on his father's farm.
He was married, in Derry township, where
he was temporarily residing at the time, to
Miss Mary E. Shenauer, born in Upper
Swatara township, Dauphin county, daugh-
ter of George and Kate Gingrich, both na-
tives of Dauphin county. To this marriage
there is no issue. He had been previously
married to Lizzie Farver, who died, having
born two children : Kate, died in infancy,
and Lavinia Alice. After marriage he took
up his residence on the farm of one hundred
and fourteen acres, bought from his father,
which he occupied for about sixteen years.
In 1892 he rented the farm and moved to
his present f)lace, which contains seventeen
acres of land, and has a fine house, barn and
all modern improvements. Mr. Shenk is a
strong Republican in politics and has been
school director and filled other minor offices.
Mrs. Shenk lived at home with her parents
until her marriage. She is one of seven
children : Mary, Mrs. Shenk ; Annie ; Mar-
tin; Emma, died young; Adam; John, died
in infancy ; and Mina.
WiTMER, Peter, Bachmansville, Pa., was
born in Dauphin county. Pa., June 25, 1821 ;
son of Peter and Esther (Burkholder) Wit-
mer. He acquired his education in the sub-
scription schools of Dauphin and Lancaster
counties, and completed his course before
the public schools were established. He
learned the trade of cooper, at which he
44
668
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
served an apprenticeship of one year and
then worked at the trade in the winter
months for ten years, working at farm work
in the summer months. He was married,
November 20, 1851, to Miss Nancy Lehman,
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Lehman,
by whom he has four children : Elizabeth,
wife of Jacob G. Brandt; John L., married
Miss Eliza Shenk, resides in Lancaster
county ; Hettie L., wife of Christian G.
Brandt ; Aaron L., married Miss Elizabeth
Lehman, residing on the old homestead. In
1839 Mr. Witmer went to Lancaster county,
where he was engaged in farming for nineteen
years, and has spent in all thirty-three years
in that county. In 1872 he returned to Dau-
phin county and occupied the farm on which
he has had his residence since that time.
Mr. Witmer is a good Republican in his po-
litical views, and in 1875 was elected a school
director of Conewago township, in which
office he has served for nine years. In re-
ligious fellowship and faith he is associated
with the Mennonite church.
The parents of Mr. Witmer were natives
of Dauphin county. His father was a farmer
and also owned a grist mill. He married
Elizabeth Lehman, daughter of Jacob and
Maria Lehman. They had eight children,
seven of whom survive : Henry, Nancy,
Barbara, Polly, Elizabeth , Katie, Daniel and
one child died young. The mother died at
the age of forty -two years. The father then
married Mrs. Nancy Birks, widow of John
Birks, by whom he had eight children :
Annie ; Sarah, wife of Rev. Henry Bucher ;
Daniel; Peter; Susan, wife of Daniel Long-
enecker; David; Lydia, deceased ; and Mat-
tie, deceased. The father died, aged seventy-
nine years. His widow still survives and
resides in Franklin county.
BowEKS, Abraham, was born in Lancas-
ter county, Pa., January 18, 1820 ; son of
Christopher and Magdaline Bowers. The
parents were both born at Wurtemberg,
Germany, and came to this country in their
youth, the father being a general laborer.
He had eleven children, of whom the only
survivor is Abraham. The father died at
the age of seventy-five years, and the
mother at the age of fifty-five years, and
both passed away in Lancaster county.
Abraham attended the pay and public
schools and worked on the home farm until
he was seventeen years of age, when he began
an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade,
in which he served three years, and then
worked at his trade until 1891, when he re-
tired from business. He was married, De-
cember 21, 1843, by Rev. Jacob Stein, to
Migs Madeline Sanders, daughter of Fred-
erick and Catherine (Beam) Sanders, to
whom have been born two children : Israel,
born January 15, 1855, and Barbara, died
August 1, 1873, aged twenty-five years. Mr.
Bowers is a Republican in politics and
served as constable of Conewago township
one year, and also as inspector of elections.
He came to Dauphin county in 1840, and
in 1892 moved to the farm on which he
now resides. He is in fellowship with the
United Brethren church.
Mrs. Bowers was born August 21, 1821,
and died at the age of seventy-six years.
Her parents were both natives of Germanj^
and came to America when young, and
reared a family. The father was a farmer ;
both are deceased, the mother dying in 1859.
Israel, the only son and living child of
Abraham Bowers, has been engaged in farm-
ing for the past twelve years, and since 1892
has occupied and cultivated his father's
farm. He was married, November 29, 1882,
to Miss Amanda Shoemaker, daughter of
Charles and Caroline (Yeager) Shoemaker,
and they had two children, both deceased,
Edward, died October 31, 1895, aged nine
years, and Abraham, died October 11, 1894,
aged seven years.
Mr. Bowers is a Republican and has been
elected to several offices. He served as in-
spector of elections two years, and in 1888
was elected tax collector for Conewago town-
ship, and served one year, and in 1889 was
elected school director and served three
years. He is a member of the United Breth-
ren church, as is also his wife, Amanda.
She was born March 18, 1868, and her
parents were both natives of Lehigh county.
The father was a hotel keeper in that county,
and removed to Dauphin county in 1872,
and kept the hotel at Hummelstown for
many years. He married Miss Caroline
Yeager, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Yea-
ger, and they had thirteen children. In
1880 he went on a farm in Derry town-
ship and cultivated it for fourteen years,
and then retired, and is now living at Hum-
melstown, He is a Republican in politics.
His wife is a Lutheran and he is a member
of the Evangelical church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
669
DERRY TOWNSHIP.
Walton, Allen, Hummelstown, was bora
in Chester county, Pa., August 24, 1835. His
parents moved to Philadelphia when he was
one year old. He was educated in that gity,
and learned the trade of machinist. For
about ten years he was engaged in plumb-
ing and steam and gas-fitting, in Philadel-
phia. In 1867 he came to Hummelstown,
and was made superintendent of the Penn-
sylvania Brown Freestone Company. In
1875 this company was sold out at sheriff's
sale. Mr. Walton was the purchaser of the
property and business. He made improve-
ments in the machinery and enlarged the
operations. In 1885 he built the railroad to
his quarries, known as the Hummelstown
and Brownstone railroad, in which he owns
the controlling interest, and is president of
the company. He is also a stockholder in
the Hummelstown National Bank and its
vice-president. He owns the controlling in-
terest in the electric light plant and in the
Hummelstown Water Works. He was mar-
ried, in 1859, to Miss Emma J. Koehlen-
kamp, of Philadelphia. They have two
children: Allen K. and Robert J. Mr. Wal-
ton was brought up in the Society of Friends.
His family are members of the Lutheran
church.
NissLEY, John J., cashier of the Hummels-
town National Bank, was born in Derry town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., October 22, 1832.
He is a son of Christian and Nancy (Funck)
Nissley. His grandfather, John Nissley, one
of the very early settlers of Dauphin county,
was a farmer and died in Derry township in
1836. His wife was Esther Ober, who died
in Hummelstown in 1867, aged ninety-one
years. They had two children : Christian,
and a daughter, Francis, who married Dan-
iel Neidig, became a widow, and afterwards
married Abraham Landis, and settled in
Derry township.
Christian Nissley was born in Derry town-
ship in 1806, and died in 1847. He was a
farmer, miller and distiller. He took an
active part in establishing the free school
system and was elected the first school di-
rector in his township. He belonged to the
old Whig party. He married Nancy Funck
and had eight children : Mary, wife of Isaac
Mumma, of Highspire; Rev. Joseph Nissley,
of Derry township ; John J.; Martin F., mer-
chant in Hummelstown ; Anna, of Middle-
town ; S. R., practicing physician, of Eliza-
bethtown ; Lee H., of Middletown, formerly
cashier of the bank of that town ; and Capt.
C. A., who died December 25, 1887 ; he was
formerly a merchant in Hummelstown, but
in 1862 enlisted as private in company C,
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He was
transferred to company I, of the same regi-
ment, and promoted to its captaincy.
John J. Nissley was reared in Derry town-
ship and educated in its common schools
and at Chamberlain's Commercial College,
Baltimore, Md. When he was twenty-one
he and his brother, Capt. C. A. Nissley, came
to Hummelstown and purchased the mer-
cantile business of Col. George T. Hummel,
which they conducted until 1868. In the
management of this mercantile business Mr.
Nissley recognized the need and opportunity
of the conveniences which only a good bank
can supply to the business community, and
impressed with the belief that such a finan-
cial institution would be appreciated by
business men, and would contribute to the
prosperity and growth of the place, he organ-
ized a private bank, which became known
as the Hummelstown Bank, and which was
prosperous from the start. His recognized
success in this enterprise convinced the com-
munity of the desirableness of enlarging the
capacity and scope of the bank, and, conse-
quently, in 1882, a national bank was organ-
ized and Mr. Nissley was chosen its cashier.
This important position he has filled since
that time, having full charge of the business
of the bank, and administering its trusts in a
manner that has inspired the utmost confi-
dence of business men and has insured grati-
fying returns to the stockholders.
During his business career Mr. Nissley has
found time to look after other commercial
and industrial enterprises, which have pro-
moted the welfare of the place. In 1856 he
became secretary of the Hummelstown Fire
Insurance Company, serving as its secretary
and manager until 1893, when he was suc-
ceeded by his son, and he is also a charter
member and a director of the Hummelstown
Brownstone Company.
While industriously and intelligently em-
ployed in promoting the material prosperity
of himself and community Mr. Nissley has
not been unmindful or negligent of his
higher and spiritual interests. In 1860 he
became a member of the Reformed church
on public profession of his faith, and from
670
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the beginning of his religious life has been
active and devoted in the performance of his
duties. He was early called into the office
of the eldership and for years has been the
superintendent of the Sunday-school. He
has frequently been the representative of the
local church in the higher ecclesiastical
bodies and takes an active part in the gen-
eral business and enterprises of his denomi-
nation, bestowing upon these matters, which
are of a business character, the same distin-
guished ability and fidelity which have char-
acterized him in his business career. Few,
if any, men of his denomination are more
widely or favorably known or have been
honored with as important trusts as those
which have been placed in Mr. Nissley's
hands. In 1870 he was made a member of
the board of trustees of the Eastern Synod
of the Reformed Church in the United
States of America and he has also filled the
responsible position of treasurer of that
synod for twenty years.
Mr. Nissley has been for many years one
of the board of trustees of the Theological
Seminary at Lancaster. He is a prominent
member of the joint Board of Home Mis-
sions of the Eastern and Potomac Synod, re-
ceiving and dispersing all the money of this
board as its treasurer, and has discharged
these duties at a cost of much personal care
and outlay of money with a willing and
cheerful spirit. In early manhood he was a
supporter of the Know-Nothing party, but
united with the Republican party at its or-
ganization.
In 1856 Mr. Nissley was married to Miss
Kate, daughter of John Ubi],of York county.
They have two children : Annie L., who
married Rev. J. F. Moyer, pastor of the Re-
formed church, of Altoona, Pa., and has one
child, Ruth Nissley ; J. Paul, born May 7,
1869, educated in the borough schools and
at Harrisburg, is a clerk in the Hummels-
town National Bank, was married in Feb-
ruary 1894, to Miss Caroline L., daughter of
Dr. Thomas G. Fox, of Hummelstown. The
deceased children of John J. and Kate Niss-
ley are: Ada Virginia, wife of Burd Zell,
died in 1884, and Grace, born September 28,
1876, died June 21, 1879.
Ulrich, "William H., cashier of the Farm-
ers' Bank, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in
Lower Swatara township, Dauphin county,
June 7, 1844 ; son of Adam and Mary Ulrich.
He was educated in the public schools of the
township and of Middletown. He prepared
himself for teaching and for several years
taught school in Lancaster county and after-
wards in his native township. For two years
he was assistant in the Middletown Academy.
He then exchanged the school room for the
farm, working for five years at the homestead.
While teaching and farming he had been
studying civil engineering under Prof Ross,
and having fitted himself for that profession
he left the farm and devoted himself to its
labors. He was employed at different times
as civil engineer by the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, the National Pipe Line
Company, and Miller, Graff & Co., coal oper-
ators. He was forced to suspend his work
for the last-named company on account of
the disturbances caused by the " Molly Mc-
Guires."
In 1885 he became one of the organizers of
the Farmers' Bank and in 1892 was elected
its cashier, which position he has ever since
held. He is a director and the secretary of
the Cameron Furnace Company, of Middle-
town ; he has been for many years a director
in the Annville Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, and was one of the organizers
and is a director of the Hummelstown Elec-
tric Light Company. Mr. Ulrich is also
largely interested in agriculture. He is the
owner of six farms, lying in Lebanon, Dau-
phin and Franklin counties. He is a
Republican in opinions and actions. In
1874 he was elected county surveyor and
served in that office two terms. In 1886 he
was elected prothonotary and clerk of the
Court of Quarter Sessions of Dauphin county
and was re-elected in 1889, serving six years.
At the end of his term of ofiice he took a trip
through Florida for his health. Mr. Ulrich
is a member of Perseverance Lodge, F. & A.
M., of Harrisburg; of the Patriotic Order
Sons of America, and Junior Order United
American Mechanics. He was married, in
1869, to Miss Kate E. Bowman, of Lebanon
county. They have no children. They are
members of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Ulrich has been for many years super-
intendent of the Sunday-school. He takes
an active interest both in the local church
and in general denomination work. He has
for many years been a trustee of the Lebanon
Valley College. He is a director of the Mt.
Gretna Campmeeting Association and of the
Pennsylvania Chautauqua.
DA UPHIN CO UNTY .
671
Baker, W. C, M. D., Hummelstown, Pa.,
was born in Chester county, Pa., Januarj' 10,
1850. He was educated in the public school
and in the Millers ville Normal School. He
read medicine under Dr. Henry Carpenter,
of Lancaster, and Prof. Frothingham, of the
University of Michigan, where he attended
lectures for two terms. He was graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania in
1874. He practiced for six months in Mari-
etta, Lancaster county. In December, 1874,
lie came to Hummelstown as successor to
Dr. Roebuck, and now has an extensive
practice in this part of the county. He is
physician for the Hummelstown Brownstone
Company and the Brownstone and Middle-
town Railroad Company.
He was one of the organizers of the Farm-
ers' Bank, and is now its vice-president. He
was one of the organizers and is a large
stockholder in the Hummelstown Electric
Light .Company. Dr. Baker is a partner
with H. G. Walmer in the milk and cream-
ery business. He is a member of Persever-
ance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., of Harris-
burg. He takes an active part in politics iri
connection with the Republican party. He
was married, in 1875, to Miss Anna, daugh-
ter of Diller Bare, of Lancaster county.
They have three children : Maude, Gertrude
and Zelma.
Walmer, Henry G., of the firm of Wal-
mer & Fox, carriage and sleigh manufactur-
ers, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Hum-
melstown in 1845. He is a son of Samuel
and Catherine (Gilbert) Walmer. Samuel
Walmer was born in Lebanon county. In
1843 he came to Hummelstown and began
the manufacture of carriages, which he con-
tinued until his death, in 1872. He was a
prominent member of the United Brethren
church, and assisted in building the church
edifice. His politics were Republican. .His
wife, who survives him, is a native of Leb-
anon county. They have five children liv-
ing: Emma W., widow of W. W. Reed, of
Hummelstown ; Henry G.; Minnie, wife of
S. M. Killough, of Hummelstown ; Clara,
wife of Henry Bare, of New York city, and
Mary, wife of W. R. Fox, of Hummelstown.
Henry G. Walmer was educated in the
Hummelstown public schools, the Otterbein
College, Westerville, Ohio, and Eastman's
Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
He entered the counting-room of James
Kent, Santee & Co., dry goods. Third street.
Philadelphia, where he was employed for
some time. He then returned home and
assisted in his father's business until, in
1872, his father died. He was made execu-
tor of the estate, and continued the business
until 1876. At that date the existing firm
of Walmer & Fox was organized. In 1889
he and Dr. W. C. Baker established a
" Model Creamery," and built a chop mill
in connection with it. In politics Mr. Wal-
mer acts with the Republican party. He is
president of the borough council. He was '
married, in 1876, to Miss Anna Elizabeth,
daughter of Christian Hofier. Their chil-
dren are : Reed, Samuel R. sind Clara B.
Cassel, David B., tanner and currier,
Hummelstown, Pa., was born in South Han-
over township, Dauphin county, Pa., Octo-
ber 17, 1854. He is a son of Uriah and Bar-
bara (Hocker) Cassel. He was educated in
the township schools. He learned the tan-
ner's trade of his father, and has followed
this occupation through life. In 1877 he
came to Hummelstown and opened a tan-
nery. He was burned out in 1890. After
this misfortune he built the currier shop
which he now occupies. Mr. Cassel is a
member of the Junior Order United Ameri-
can Mechanics. He was married, in 1880,
to Miss Ida A. Hoffer, daughter of Christian
HofFer. They have five children : Christian
Uriah, Agnes Marie, Romaine, George Ed-
mund, and Daniel A. Mr. Cassel and his
family are members of the Lutheran church.
SiPLE, W. H., lumber dealei-, Hummels-
town, Pa., was born in Middletown, Pa.,
January 1, 1844. He is a son of Henry and
Susan (Light) Siple. Henry Siple was born
in Middletown in 1803. His father was
Christian Siple, one of the early settlers of
Dauphin county, a gunsmith ; he died in
Middletown. Henry Siple conducted a store
on a canal boat, the business of which was
to furnish goods to merchants along the
Union canal. He also boated lumber to Phila-
delphia. He afterwards became a partner in
the firm of Cobaugh & Siple, later Siple & Car-
many, dealers in lumber, at Middletown.
He was in this business for many years. He
was one of the organizers and a director of
the Middletown Market Company, and a
stockholder in the car works, and in the
cemetery association. His politics were Re-
publican. He was an elder in the Church
of God, and a member of its building com-
672
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
mittee. He died in 1879. His wife, Susan
Light, survives with four of their children :
Henrietta, W. H., Nelson W. T., of Phila-
delphia, and Henry R., of Chicago, 111. •
W. H. Siple was educated in the public
schools of Middletown, where he was reared,
and at Mechanicsburg, Pa. He was em-
ployed in the lumber business with his
father until his father's retirement, and after
his death, in 1879, he succeeded to the busi-
ness, and became a partner in the firm of
Etter, Carmany & Siple, which carried on
business for nine years. In 1881 he came
to Hummelstown and established the busi-
ness in which he is still engaged, known as
the Hummelstown Mills and Lumber Com-
pany. He is at present the manager and
treasurer of this company. He aided in the
organization of the Hummelstown Water
Company, and is one of its directors and its
superintendent. In 1861 he enlisted in
company H, One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served in the army nine months. He
participated in the battles of Chancellorsville
and Fredericksburg. Mr. Siple is a Repub-
lican. He is president of the borough school
board. He has served as president of both
the Middletown and Hummelstown coun-
cils. He is a member of Henderson Post,
No. 443, G. A. R.,' and was the first com-
mander of the post. He is a member of the
Junior Order United American Mechanics.
He was married, in 1872, to Miss Alice E.,
daughter of George W. Etter, of Middletown.
Their three children are : Bertha B., George
E., and Willard. Mr. Siple is a member of
the Reformed church of Hummelstown.
Wall, Richard J., dentist, Hummels-
town, Pa., was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
May 1, 1865. He is a son of Richard and
Elizabeth (Westcott) Wall. His father was
a native of county Cork, Ireland. He was
a sea captain, and part owner of a merchant
sailing vessel, and engaged in traffic in all
parts of the globe. While he was yet a
young man he became an officer in the
British navy. He commanded a battery in
the Sepoy Rebellion, and marched from Cal-
cutta to Lucknow, a distance of nine hun-
dred miles, through a densely settled country,
participating in many battles. He came to
this country, and in 1867 retired from all
marine service, and engaged in business in
Philadelphia. In 1869 he came to Hum-
melstown and became foreman in the Brown-
stone quarries, where he was employed until
J.893 ; at this date he retired from active
business. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity; politically, a Democrat; by church
membership, a Lutheran. He was married
in Newfoundland to Elizabeth Westcott.
They have had eight children, of whom
seven are living : Cora, wife of Wells Grove, of
Harrisburg; Richard J.; Charles B.; Lillie
.!., wife of Peter Hummel, of Philadelphia ;
Emma J., Archibald, and Florence J., all of
Hummelstown.
Richard J. Wall was educated in the
Hummelstown schools. He studied den-
tistry under Dr. Christ, of Hummelstown,
and graduated from the University of Penn-
sylvania in 1887; he has since that time
been engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion. In 1890 he married Miss Elizabeth
May, daughter of H. J. Hummel, of Hum-
melstown. They have three children :
Richard C, Margerie M., and Mary Esther.
Mr. and Mrs. Wall are members of the Lu-
theran church. In politics he is a Demo-
crat. He is a member of the Patriotic Order
Sons of America and Capital City Lodge,
No. 301, I. 0. 0. F., Harrisburg.
Walton, Robert J., superintendent of the
Hummelstown Brownstone Company, was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 12, 1863, and
is the son of Allen and Emma J. (Koehlen-
kamp) Walton. His parents removing to
Hummelstown in 1867, he received his edu-
cation here, in the public schools. In 1885
he married Miss Carrie, daughter of Dr.
Jacob Shope, of Hummelstown. Their chil-
dren are: Robert J., Jr., and Emma J. Mr.
Walton and his family are members of the
Lutheran church. Politically he is a Re-
publican.
Snavely, Joseph, was born in Lebanon,
Pa., June 4, 1793. He was the son of John
and Gertrude (Boehm) Snavely, Pennsylva-
nians, of German ancestry, and was one of
four children born to these worthy parents.
Joseph Snavely attended the subscription
schools of his birthplace and worked on his
father's farm until he was twenty-one years
of age. His father then purchased a "farm
and hotel near Annville, and put him in
charge of them, thus starting him in busi-
ness for himself. He conducted this busi-
ness for a number of years, making much im-
provement in the property, and was reason-
ably successful. He was a very popular
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
673
landlord and surrounded himself with many
warm friends. After selling the farm and
hotel he removed to Annville, where he
spent several years. Finally he removed
to Dauphin county and located in Derry
township, where he bought a farm of fifty
acres; this he improved and cultivated until
his death. He was married, in Lebanon,
June 15, 1820, to Catherine, daughter of
Abraham Light, a prominent farmer of Leba-
non county. She was born in Lebanon, De-
cember 12, 1800. They had ten children :
Edward, deceased, who was a soldier in the
Mexican war; Amanda, died young; Melinda,
deceased, wife of Simon Mutch, of Lancaster
county ; Peremilia, deceased, wife of Isaac
Wolfberger, of Kansas; Moses, died young;
John H., killed July 9, 1894, in Wisconsin ;
Orpha L., wife of Thomas Lyons, a sketch of
whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and
who resides on the homestead ; Peninah,
wife of Solomon Bechtel ; Joseph, resides on
the homestead ; Hannah, wife of Dr. EUinger,
of Topeka, Kan. Mr. Snavelv died in Au-
gust, 1873, his wife May 3, 1874. He was
widely and favorably known and universally
esteemed as an honest and upright man.
He was industrious in his business, very
genial and kindly in his manner, and easily
approachable by all. His politics were
Democratic. He was a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
Lyons, Thomas, h usband of Orpha Snavely,
daughter of Joseph Snavely, was born in
county Cork, Ireland, in 1860. He is a son
of John and Mary (Keller) Lyons. He at-
tended school in Cork. At the age of twenty
he came to America and located in the State
of New York, where he found employment,
and remained there until 1884. He then
came to Hummelstown,and was employed for
a year or more by the railroad company.
In 1885 he married Miss Snavely and located
upon the farm ; he is now devoting his atten-
tion to its cultivation and improvement; he
conducts his business with energy and in-
dustry, and is very successful. He is an hon-
orable man, social in his intercourse with
others and has made many friends in the
community in which he resides.
Shope, Dk. Jacob, Hummelstown, was
born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., September 6, 1819. He is a son
of Abraham and Elizabeth (Wasser) Shope.
Abraham Shope was born in the same town-
ship. He is a son of Jacob Shope, also a
native of Lower Paxton township, and of
German descent. Abraham Shope was a
weaver and farmer, a Whig in politics and
a member of the Church of God, and sub-
sequently of the Evangelical church. He
died in Lower Paxton township in 1854.
His wife was born in Lower Paxton and was
a daughter of John Wasser, a surgeon in the
Swiss army. Their children were: John,
Abraham, Jacob, David, Elizabeth, and one
who died in infancy. Elizabeth (Wasser)
Shope died in 1826. Abraham Shope's
second marriage was with Elizabeth McFad-
den,bornin Dauphin count}', and of Scotch-
Irish descent. They had eight children :
Elisha, George, Mary, Cornelius, Priscilla,
Adam, Susanna, and one other who died
young. The second Mrs. Shope died in
Oberlin, Pa.
Jacob Shope attended the district and sub-
scription schools of his township until he
was fourteen years old. He then went to
Harrisburg, and learned printing with the
Gospel Publishing Company, at the head of
which was John Winebrenner. He was
with this company for three years. Having
learned his trade he went to Philadelphia,
and was employed for six months on the
Morning Star, a newspaper edited by John
Bausman. He then returned to Harrisburg
and worked for one year on the Telegraph.
At the earnest request of his uncle, Dr.
David Shope, a prominent and successful
physician, he removed to Hummelstown in
1840, and began to study medicine with his
uncle as his preceptor. After two and a half
years of hard study, under the able instruc-
tions of his uncle, he was prepared to begin
practice ; he then went to Middletown and
opened an office. His uncle having died, he
was earnestly solicited by that physician's
patrons to return to Hummelstown and take
his uncle's practice. To this request he ac-
ceded and has been continuously in practice
there for thirty years. He has been eminently
successful and has gathered around him a
host of warmly attached friends. In 1860
he determined to enter the army and went
to Harrisburg to enlist, but the citizens of
Hummelstown so urgently entreated him
not to abandon his practice, that he reluc-
tantly gave up his intention and returned.
In 1861 he engaged in the drug and hard-
ware business, which he has since carried on
with a fair share of success. He has also
been interested in agriculture, having bought
674
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
two farms which, after cultivating and im-
proving them, he sold again.
Dr. Shope was one of the founders of tlie
National Bank of Hummelstown, is a direc-
tor and has been its president for the past
five years. He was the originator and for a
number of years president of the fire depart-
ment. He was the organizer and is presi-
dent of the Hummelstown Cemetery Asso-
ciation. The Doctor was one of the foremost
promoters of the grading of the streets of
Hummelstown, and also one of the promoters
of the incorporation of the borough. He was
treasurer of Derry township in the putting
in of substitutes for the army during the late
Rebellion. For twelve years he served as
school director and has always been active
in matters pertaining to the welfare of the
county, and during his early years was an
active politician.
He was married, in Hummelstown, in 1843,
to Esther Mann, a native of Hummelstown,
and a daughter of Charles E. Mann, a
butcher and a native of Germany. They
had eight children : Charles D., killed in the
war of 1861-65, a sergeant major in the One
Hundred and Seventh regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers ; Elizabeth, widow of Sam-
uel Bear; Ernest, a quarryman, living in
Hummelstown ; Addie E., living at home ;
Agnes M., wife of C. Nissley Mumma, hard-
ware merchant of Steelton ; Carrie M., wife
of Robert J. Walton, a sketch of whom ap-
pears on another page; Sophia M., and Alice,
who died in infancy.
Dr. Shope has been for half a century a
resident in his present home. He has seen
vast improvements in the town and much
advancement in the elements of refinement
and civilization. Of this progress he has
been not only an observer but an active
promoter. He is both prominent and pop-
ular, being a man of kind, genial manners.
In politics he is Republican. He is a diem-
ber of the Lutheran church.
Fox, Thomas G., M. D., was born in Hum-
melstown, Pa., July 19, 1827, and is the son
of George and Elizabeth (Eshenour) Fox.
George Fox was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county. He is a son of Jolin and
Margaret (Rupert) Fox, the former a native
of Devonshire, England, the latter of Hol-
land. He was reared on the farm and be-
came proprietor of the Golden House, in
Hummelstown. He was a Whig, and was
postmaster of Hummelstown for thirty-five
years.' He was an exemplary citizen, ac-
tive in all reformatory and progressive move-
ments. He and his wife were members of
the Lutheran church. He died in 1856, and
his wife, who was a native of Dauphin
county, died in 1862. They reared a family
of sons, who all became useful and notable
They are : Richard, farmer and dealer
me
in stock; John E., dieceased, a successful
banker in Philadelphia, died leaving an ex-
tensive estate ; James, a prominent lawyer
in Harrisburg, district attorney, member of
the Legislature for three terms, a brilliant
orator ; George, deceased ; Abner, farmer at
Danville, 111., and Thomas G.
The latter attended the subscription school
in Hummelstown until he was fourteen,
when he went to Harrisburg to learn print-
ing. He spent four years in the office of
the Telegraph; at the end of this time he
went to Philadelphia and was employed for
two 3'ears as clerk in the Exchange Bank.
The next three years he spent in the stud}"^
of medicine, takingthe regular course in the
Jefferson Medical College, from which insti-
tution he was graduated, with honors, in
1852. He returned at once to Hummels-
town and opened an office for the practice
of medicine. He was a skillful physician,
and met with gratifying success. He con-
tinued in practice until 1873, when he re-
tired from active professional duties. Dr.
Fox has been somewhat conspicuous in poli-
tics in connection with the Republican
party. He was a member of the Legislature
for two years ; was elected prothonotary of
Dauphin county for two terms ; served as
school director of Hummelstown and Derry
township for sixteen years.
He was married, in Hummelstown, May
11, 1852, to Diana, daughter of Henry and
Mary (Landis) Hershey, born July 12, 1832,
in Derry township. They had nine chil-
dren : Dr. L. Webster, a very prominent ocu-
list of Philadelphia; Elizabeth; James G.,
farmer, of Chester county, Pa.; John E., a
well-known attorney in Harrisburg ; Addie,
wife of J. H. Gay, carpet manufacturer, of
' Philadelphia ; Mary H.; Caroline, wife of
John P. Nissley, of Hummelstown ; George
H., medical student in Philadelphia, and
one child who died young. Dr. Fox has
substantial interests in real estate. He is
theowner of six hundred acres of land. He
is enterprising and progressive and is highly
esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are popular in
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
675
social circles, are active iu promoting the
welfare of the community, and are members
of the Lutheran church.
NissLEY, Martin F., general merchant;
Hummeistown, was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county. Pa., September 18, 1837.
He is a son of Christian Nissley, a sketch of
whom appears with the sketch of John J.
Nissley in this volume. He took the usual
course in the schools of his native township.
His business was that of farming and he re-
mained on the homestead farm until 1863.
He then enlisted in company E, Thirty-
sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served three months. When discharged
from the army he returned home and re-
mained for two years upon the farm. In
1865 he removed to Hummeistown and dealt
in live stock for four years. He finally went
into the butchering business which he car-
ried on successfully for ten years. In 1883
he bought the interest of his brother in a
general store and has continued in this busi-
ness to the present time. His marked suc-
cess in establishing and enlarging his trade
demonstrates his ability as a merchant. He
is well informed as to the needs and demands
of his patrons, is a skillful buyer, progressive,
enterprising and genial. To name these
qualities of the man and the merchant is
sufficient to account for his success.
Mr. Nissley is also public-spirited. Al-
though not an active politician, he is will-
ing, as a good citizen, to render such services
as his fellow-citizens may ask of him. His
political preferences are with the Republican
party. He was a school director for six years
and a member of the town council for two
terms. He is a member of the United Brethren
church. He was married, in Hummeistown,
in 1865, to Maggie Greenawalt, of Hummeis-
town, a daughter of Samuel Greenawalt, pro-
duce dealer of that town. They had three
children : Clara, wife of George P. Huffer,
implement dealer of Hummeistown ; Harry,
clerk in his father's store; and one child
who died young. His wife died in 1872.
He was married again, in Hummeistown, in
1879, to Mary, daughter of William Shatters,
blacksmith, of Hummeistown. They have
three children : Ross, Grace and Bernicia,
all attending school. Mr. Nisslev is a mem-
ber of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0.
F., of Harrisburg.
CuERY, John B., grain and coal dealer,
Swatara, Pa., was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county. Pa., December 29, 1856.
He is a son of Conrad and Catherine (Ba-
shore) Curry. Conrad Curry also was born
in Dauphin county, the son of Samuel Gxxrvj,
a carpenter of that county, of Scotch-Irish
descent. He was brought up on the farms of
his neighbors until twenty-one years, when
he learned the milling trade and made it his
occupation, up to the year 1884; he then
transferred the business to his son, John B.
He was married in Derry township, where
his wife, Catherine Bashore, was born. They
had three children ; John B., Samuel B.,
grain dealer and miller, of Lebanon, Pa.,
and Mary, who died young. Mr. Curry is a
Republican and a member of the United
Brethren church. He resides with his son,
John B. He is a genial man and much
respected.
John B. Curry attended the schools of
his native township in winter, and worked
on the farm in summer.until he was twenty
years old. He then learned the milling
trade with his father, and worked with him
until 1884, when his father relinquished the
business, leaving it solely in his manage-
ment. He met with reasonable success, but
being desirous of extending his operations,
he took the warehouse at Swatara, owned by
Isaac Erb, and traded in grain and coal.
He was married, in Lebanon county. Pa., in
1880, to Emma, one of the six children of
John Kreider, of Lebanon county. They
have seven children : Irwin, Ammon, Amos,
Mary, Henry, John K. and Catherine, all
attending school. Mr. Curry is a Republi-
can in politics. He is a member of the
United Christian church. He has from his
youth been a hard working and very busy
man. He has always been recognized as a
man of sound judgment in business matters,
and is prudent, careful and enterprising. His
business capacity, coupled with strict integ-
rity, have made him a successful and an
honored man.
Kleinpelter, Joseph, proprietor of the
Keystone Hotel, Hummeistown, Pa., was
born in Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon county.
Pa., October 4, 1854. He is a son of John
and Elizabeth (Behm) Kleinfelter. John
Kleinfelter is well and widely known in
Lebanon and Dauphin counties. He has
been a farmer and stock raiser, and has been
676
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
successful in his business. His present resi-
dence is at Annville, Lebanon county, where,
retired from business, he and his estimable
wife are quietly enjoying the fruits of their
labors in other days. He is a Republican.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kleinfelter are members
of the Evangelical church. He married
Elizabeth Behm, a native of Lebanon county.
They had seven children: Sarah, wife of U.
S.Carpman,of Lebanon county; Joseph; Katie,
wife of Jacob Winters, farmer, of West Han-
over; John, farmer of Berkeley county, W.
Va.; Lizzie, wife of David Shank, farmer, of
Annville; Mary, wife of John Walbrun,
farmer, of Lebanon county ; Rebecca, wife
of Samupl Imboden, schoolteacher, of Ann-
ville.
Joseph Kleinfelter attended the schools of
his district. His begiuuing of the work of
life was on his father's farm ; after two years
there he rented a farm in Lebanon county,
owned by G. W. Shenk ; .this farm he culti-
vated for three years, and then rented and
worked another farm in the same county
for four years. After this he came to Da,u-
phin county, and rented a farm owned by
J. M. Shenk, which he worked for six years.
In 1890 he bought the Keystone Hotel, at
Hummelstown, of which he is still owner
and manager. Mr. Kleinfelter is well
adapted to this business. He keeps a first-
class hotel ; his house is furnished with all
modern improvements, such as electric light
and steam heat. Here he dispenses enter-
tainment with a bountiful hand and in a
cordial manner, which makes his guests feel
at home, and in friendly and hospitable
hands. His accommodations are unsur-
passed by any hostelry in this section of the
county, and his hotel is deservedly popular.
Mr. Kleinfelter is a great lover of good horses,
being a good judge of them, and the owner
of some that are able to make good speed on
both road and track.
Mr. Kleinfelter was married at Union De-
posit, Dauphin county, by Rev. Brownmil-
ler, August 16, 1877, to Miss Emma R. Al-
bright, who was born in Lower Paxton town-
ship, February 3, 1858, a daughter of Melus
and Margaret Albright. The former still
survives, and resides near Hummelstown,
the latter is deceased. To their union was
born seven children : Coria, bom July 2,
1878; Emma, born July 16, 1881, and died
Novembers. 1892; Joseph, born June 11,
1883; Landis, born March 23, 1886 ; Clay-
ton, born February 7, 1888 ; Edwin, born
May 24, 1889, died June 18, 1896 ; Anna,
born March 24," 1891, died February 19,
1894. Mr. Kleinfelter is a member of the
Junior Order United American Mechanics.
In his political views he is a Republican and
the family attend the Lutheran church.
Kaemany, William, furniture manufac-
turer, general house furnisher and under-
taker, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Pal-
mvra, Lebanon county. Pa., May 26, 1853 ;
son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Strock) Karmany.
Jacob Karmany was born in Lancaster
county and was of German descent. He was
a carpenter and joiner and followed this trade
all his life ; he was a Republican ; he and his
family attended the Lutheran church ; he
died in Palmyra in 1891. His wife, Eliza-
beth Strock, was born in Belle Grove, Leb-
anon county, Pa.; she survives him and
resides in Palmyra. They had five children,
of whom three, Daniel, Edwin, and Alfred,
died young ; the two living are : Jacob, gen-
eral merchant in Lancaster county, Pa., and
William.
William Karmany was educated in the
public schools of his native place. He served
a three years' apprenticeship at cabinet mak-
ing and worked at that trade as journeyman
for ten years more. After this he removed
to Hummelstown and began the manufacture
of furniture on his own account. In 1882,
finding his trade increasing, he built a fac-
tory and warehouse, and manufactured furni-
ture on a large-scale, giving employment to
a number of men. In his large show room
he displays for sale a large stock of all kinds
of furniture, carpets and house furnishing
goods. He not only draws trade from the
surrounding territory, but also ships furni-
ture to Harrisburg, Middletown and other
points. As another branch of his business,
he is well equipped as an undertaker, and
receives his full share of patronage in this
department. The establishment of Mr. Kar-
many is one of the solid concerns of the town
and is of large advantage to the place. In
the employment of labor and the outlay for
materials, as well as in the trade brought to
the town, the business is no small contribu-
tion to the activity and prosperity of the
place. Mr. Karmany votes with the Repub-
lican party. He was elected to the council
of Hummelstown on the ticket of his party.
He was married, in Lebanon county, in 1872,
to Sarah Reed, born in Annville, Pa., in 1857.
They have two children : Clarence and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
677
George W., both attending school. Mr.
Karmany belongs to the Sons of America
and to the Junior Order United American
Mechanics. He is an honorable business
man and a genial gentleman. He attends
tlie Lutheran church.
Stricklek, Joseph, S., farmer, stock raiser
and lime manufacturer, of Hummelstown,
Pa., was born on the old Strickler home-
stead, in Derry township, Dauphin countv.
Pa., September 1, 1834.
It is pleasant to write rtnd profitable to
read the simple chronicles of a family ;like
the Stricklers. They display those virtues
which are developed and strengthened and
bequeathed to succeeding generations in the;
lines of those who till the soil and live in
the country. Such families are the strength
and glory of the nation, and the promise
and potency of its enduring prosperity. Mr.
Strickler is a representative of the fourth
generation of those of his name and line
who have lived and labored and rested
where he now has his home, his occupation
and his enjoyment. His great-grandfather,
Abraham Strickler, who was of German an-
cestry, bought this farm, now known as the
"Strickler Homestead," about 1766. The
Stricklers throughout the county spring
from that owner of the Derry township
farm. Abraham Strickler bequeathed the
farm to his son, Henry Strickler; for easy
identification, let him be called the first
Henry Strickler. He married Miss Fronica
Ziegler, and they occupied and cultivated
the homestead farm. They had four
children. One of these children was the
second Henry Strickler, the father of Joseph
S. The second Henry Strickler was a noted
farmer and stockman. He occupied and
tilled the homestead farm for the greater
part of his life. In 1831 he married Eliza-
beth Shanks, who was born in Lancaster
county. Pa. They had eight children :
Joseph S.; John, living in Cumberland
county ; Fannie, wife of J. Lowe, of Cumber-
land county, Pa.; David, died young; Sam-
uel, farmer, of Cumberland county ; Henry,
railroad engineer, Fort Wayne and Chicago
railroad, residing at Ashtabula, Ohio ; Abra-
ham, died young ; Annie, unmarried, living
in Cumberland county. In 1859 he re-
moved from the old homestead, in Derry
township, to Cumberland county. Pa., where
he engaged extensively in farming and stock
raising, and where he died in 1886. His
wife died in 1880. He was a Republican
and a member of the Mennonite church.
He was a prosperous man, of solid character
and great personal worth.
Joseph S. Strickler attended the schools of
Derry township, and took an English course
in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa.;
he also took a commercial course. After
studying at Gettysburg for three years he
returned to the homestead, and for five
years conducted the farm for his father.
His father then removed to Cumberland
county, and Joseph took charge of the home-
stead. He gave to the old farm his undivided
attention and it became his joy and his
pride. He planned important improvements
and proceeded to work out his plans. In
1886 he erected one of the finest stone dwell-
ings in the township, and furnished it with
all modern conveniences, gas, hot and cold
water, and bath room, also heating it
throughout with steam. He built a magnifi-
cent barn with a stone basement, and fur-
nished it at a cost of six thousand dollars.
He made an additional outlay of two thou-
sand dollars upon other outhouses and
minor buildings. Altogether, upon new
buildings and improvements, he expended
fourteen thousand dollars, and thus made
for himself one of the most convenient, sub-
stantial and luxurious farm homes in the
State.
He cultivates two hundred and thirty-five
acres of land and keeps the entire farm under
the most skillful and productive tillage. His
farm is stocked with the finest breeds of horses,
cattle, hogsand sheep, and no farmer surpasses
him in raising live stock. In addition to his
extensive and profitable operations" in agricul-
ture, he has fitted up a lime burning plant
of several kilns, and is now able to produce
thirty thousand bushels of lime per year.
He was one of the promoters of the Farm-
ers' Bank, of Hummelstown, and has been a
director of the bank since 1885. He is a
Republican, but his political action centers
in voting, not in seeking office. He was
elected justice of the peace, but would not
accept the office. He has always found
enough in his farm and business to employ
his time and strength. Mr. Strickler is a
model business man and an exemplary citi-
zen. He is enterprising and progressive and
in every way up with the times. He is
widely known and everywhere honored
and respected.
In December, 1858, he married, in Middle-
678
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
town, Susan, daughter of Jacob B. Hummel,
of Hummelstown, Pa., born December 18,
1840. They had twelve children, three of
whom are living : Marian C, born Septem-
ber 8, 1859, wife of Dr. M. R. Fisher, of
Campbellstown, Pa., a practicing physician;
Charles, born October 5, 1868, educated in the
district schools and Commercial College, in
Philadelphia, resides on the homestead, is
an excellent young man, well-equipped for
business and promises a successful career,
unmarried ; Edwin J., educated at college,
now in New Orleans. The deceased chil-
dren are : Elizabeth, born February 26, 1865,
died March 19, 1865 ; Samuel H., born Sep-
tember 30, 1863, died October 14, 1866:
George H., born October 24, 1862, died Sep-
tember 1, 1877; Katie H., born August 26,
1870, died July 27, 1886; A. Lincoln, born
November 8, 1860, died January 2, 1887.
Four other children died in infancy. Mrs.
Strickler died at the homestead, April 7,
1877. On September 30, 1879, Mr. Strick-
ler married his second wife, Emma Epler,
born in Londonderry township, April 6,
1847. She died April 10, 1895, without
issue.
Hershey, Martin L., M. D., Derry Church,
Dauphin county. Pa., was born in Derry
Church, April 1, 1857. John Hershey, his
father, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., in
1799, the son of Henry Hershey, an exten-
sive and prominent farmer of that county.
John Hershey was educated in the subscrip-
tion schools of the township, and was all his
life a farmer. He removed to Dauphin
county, where he was extensively engaged
both in farming and in stock raising. He
married Catherine M. Friel, born in Leb-
anon county, near Campbellstown, the
daughter of Patrick Friel, a Lebanon county
farmer, of Irish descent. They had seven
children : Henry F., an employee of the steel
works, Steelton, Pa., member of the council
of Steelton, married Miss Frantz, and has
two children, Grace and .Justus; Margaret,
single, resides at Chicago, 111.; Isaac F.,
fariuer, of Oberlin, Kan.; and Martin L. The
deceased children were: Mary, wife of S. S.
Shirk, contractor and builder, left one child ;
Edgar, timekeeper at the Steelton steel
works ; Elizabeth and Mandanna died young.
Mr. Hershey was a Whig. He was a mem-
ber of the IJnited Brethren cliurch, and a
widely known and highly respected man.
He died in 1884, his wife in 1890'.
Martin L. Hershey attended the district
schools of Derry Church ; was graduated at
Lebanon Valley College. He taught school
at Derry Church, giving universal satisfac-
tion. Having chosen to prepare himself for
the medical profession, he entered Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, and after two
years' close application to study he was
graduated with honors in the class of 1883.
He opened an office in his native town,
Derry Church, and was well received by his
old friends and neighbors. He has succeeded
in building up a large practice. He stands
in the lead of his profession, second to none
in the county. He has a host of friends, ad-
mirers and patrons; his name is a house-
hold word in the community.
Dr. Hershey is also prominent in politics
as an active Republican. In 1890 he was
elected to the State Legislature on the Re-
publican ticket by a large majority ; in 1892
he was again elected to the same office, de-
feating his opponent by three thousand
votes. He was chairman of the education
committee, and member of the fisheries
committee and several other important com-
mittees of the House of Representatives. He
was an industrious worker and was distin-
guished for his ability. He was married, in
1885, in Lancaster county. Pa., to Miss Eliza-
beth F., daughter of Diller and Mary (Groff)
Bare, born at Bareville, Lancaster county,
February, 1865. They have had four chil-
dren : Ruth M., born August 3, 1886; John B.,
born November 6, 1887, died in August,
1888; Paul M., born January 17, 1888; Cathe-
rine E., born April 30, 1889.
, Diller Bare, the father of Mrs. Hershey,
was the second son of ex-Sheriff Adam Bare,
who was well known in Lancaster county
for superior intelligence and ability. He
was married twice ; first, to Rachael Diller,
of whom' two ciiildren survive: Sarah, wife
of Prof. Shimmell, teacher in the Harrisbuig
schools and editor of the School Gazette; and
Annie, wife of Dr. W.C. Baker, of Hummels-
town. He was married, secondly, to Miss
Mary Grofi', by whom there are" two chil-
dren : Elizabeth, wife of Dr. M. L. Hershey,
and Harry E., of Philadelphia. Mrs. Bare
died in May, 1895, and Mr. Bare resides with
his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Hershey.
MoYER, John H., senior member of the
firm of Moyer & Brightbill, flour, grain and
coal merchants, Derry Church, was born in
Derry Church, Dauphin county, Pa., Novem-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
679
ber 12, 1857. His father, John B. Moyer,
was also born at Derry Church, and is a son
of John Moyer, who was a prominent farmer
and stockman of Lebanon county, Pa., well
and favorably known throughout that county.
In 1848 John B. Moyer married Catherine
Kline, born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa. They had five children:
John H.; Lizzie, wife of D. M. Stoudt, farmer,
of Derry township ; Felix, merchant; Katie,
unmarried; Mary A., died young. His poli-
tics were Kepublican. He was a member of
the German Baptistchurch, and a well-known
and highly honored citizen. He died in
1881 ; his wife still lives and has her home
in Derry Church.
John H. Moyer was educated in the dis-
trict schools, and at Millersville and Pal-
myra. For five years after completing his
education he taught school, and gave gen-
eral satisfaction as a teacher. He then em-
barked in the coal business at Derry Church,
which he conducted for five years and made
very profitable. For three years of this time
he also dealt in grain. His success and the
increase of the business demanded the ad-
mission of a partner, whom he found in the
person of his brother-in-law, Henderson
Brightbill, with whom he formed, in 1888,
the firm of Moyer & Brightbill. These part-
ners were young men, full of life and energy,
with much business abili.ty and enterprise.
They began on a large scale. They erected
one of the largest mills in the county and
equipped it with machinery which enabled
them to manufacture high grade flour in
large quantities. They have maintained the
grade of their flour, and the firm of Moyer
& Brightbill has established a r eputation
throughout the State for manufacturing the
highest grade roller process flour. They
have thus built up an extensive and profit-
able trade. They are also general grain mer-
chants as well as coal arid salt dealers. They
rank among the most successful business
men of the county. Mr. Moyer also culti-
vates one of the largest farms in the town-
ship, on which he raises some of the finest
stock which goes to the market from this
region. In this department of his business
he employs a considerable number of men.
He. was married, in 1882, to Miss Lizzie
Brightbill, born near Campbellstown, Pa., in
1861. They have four children : Homer,
Viola, Bessie, and Roy, all attending school.
Mr. Moyer is a Republican. He is charac-
terized by unusual business ability and tact.
His judgment is accurate and his general
views comprehensive. He is enterprising,
genial and popular, and is always a leader
in trade.
Hummel, Rev. Solomon M., Derry Church,
was born nearHummelstown, Pa., February
3, 1839. His father, Jacob B. Hummel, was
born in Hummelstown, a son of Jacob Hum-
mel. Jacob B. was a farmer, belonged to the
Democratic party and was a member of the
Lutheran church. He was a substantial,
honorable and genial man, and died in Hum-
melstown in 1894. He married Fanny
Mumma, a native of Dauphin county, who
died in 1873. They had eight children :
Solomon M. ; Mary, wife of John Landis,
merchant, Hummelstown ; Jacob, a miller
in Lebanon county, Pa.; Elizabeth, wife of
L. Strickler, of Hummelstown ; Susan, de-
ceased, wife of J. S. Strickler, farmer and
lime manufacturer, of Derry township; Catli-
erine, deceased, wife of Franklin Blessing ;
Fanny, and Isaac died young.
Solomon M. Hummel attended the home
schools of the township and worked on his
farther's farm until he was twenty-five years
old. At this time he decided to become a
minister of the Gospel and took up the study
of theology. After three years of study he
was ordained to the ministry of the United
Brethren church. He became an able and
popular pastor and preacher, and labored
with zeal and success in important places.
He was pastor of the Union Circuit in Dau-
phin and Lancaster counties for two years.
He was elected presiding elder by the Ger-
man United Brethren Conference and served
in the district composed of Berks, Lehigli,
Montgomery, Philadelphia and other coiin-
ties for three years. Being affected with a
weakness of the throat, which interfered
at times with the use of his voice in public
speaking, and made it impossible for him to
perform the regular work of the ministry, he
was compelled to resign his pastorate. He
reluctantly retired from professional and
public life and located in Derry Churcli,
which has since been his residence. As a
local preacher he still devotes much time to
the spiritual wants of the people. He is a
man of broad and deep sympathy and is
interested in the welfare and happiness of
-the people. He is of a kindly disposition and
easily approached by all classes. His counsel
and "help are sought by those in trouble and
680
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
want ; his presence is a benediction to the
place.
While in a measure prevented by one form
of physical weakness from doing regular
professional work he is still a vigorous man,
able to engage in other business. In 1884
he took up the coal business, which he man-
aged with characteristic energy and skill
and in which he meets with success. Mr.
Hummel was married, in 1864, at Derry
Church, to Mary, daughter of Martin L.
Nissley, of Derry Church. They had one
child, Alice, who died in infancy. Mrs.
Hummel died in 1892. He married again,
January 23, 1895, Elizabeth, daughter of 0.
S. Shank, merchant, of Annville, Pa.
Brightbill, Henderson P., junior part-
ner of the firm of Moyer & Brightbill, mil-
lers and grain, feed, seeds, coal and salt
dealers, Derry Church, Pa., was born near
Campbellstown, Lebanon county, Pa., No-
vember 16, 1855. His father, Henry Bright-
bill, was born in Lebanon county in 1823,
and was the son of Abraham Brightbill,
farmer of that county. He was reared on the
farm, became a farmer, and was thus engaged
for some years. He removed to Swatara,
Derry township, where he went into the grain
business and carried it on successfully for ten
years. He married Annie Hoffer, born in
Lebanon county. They had four children :
Henderson P.; Lizzie, wife of John H. Moyer ;
and two children who died in infancy. His
politics were Republican. He was a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church, and died
July 10,1890; his wife is still living.
Henderson P. Brightbill received a liberal
education ; he attended the district schools
of his native township, and then took a
course in the Commercial College, at Pitts-
burgh, Pa; he also took a college course at
Oberlin, Ohio. Leaving college, he went to
Charleston, 111., and found employment as
clerk in a wholesale grocery house, in which
he continued six years. His correct habits,
his fidelity and attention to business won for
him the confidence and esteem of his em-
ployers. He next crossed the continent and
at San Pedro, near Los Angeles, Cal., was for
five years bookkeeper for a wholesale lumber
firm. At the expiration of that time he re-
ceived an urgent request from his father to
come East and share his rapidly growing and
profitable business. He acceded to this re-
quest and entered into partnership with Mr.
Moyer in the milling and mercantile busi-
ness, under the firm name of Moyer & Bright-
bill. An account of this enterprising and
successful firm is found in the biographical
sketch of Mr. J. H. Moyer in another place
in this volume. It needs only be added here
that Mr. Brightbill has proven a valuable
accession to the business and has contributed
his share to the phenomenal success of the
firm. Mr. Brightbill was married, in 1886,
to Miss Grace, daughter of Dr. A. K. Spears,
a prominent physician of Charleston, 111.
They have two children, Ruth and Madge,
both attending school. Mr. Brightbill is a
Republican and a member of the Presbyte-
rian church of Derry Church, Pa. Begin-
ning life without help from others, Mr.
Brightbill has secured a liberal education
and has advanced himself in a successful
business career. He is a good example of
what a young man with good talents, correct
habits, worthy aspirations and fidelity to
duty can accomplish.
Heckert, John E., farmer and stockman,
Derry Church, Pa., was born in Lower Pax-
ton township, Dauphin county. Pa., October
3, 1850. Peter Heckert, his father, was born
in Lower Paxton township, in 1812, and was
of German descent. He had a common
school education. He was all his life a
farmer. He cultivated a farm of one hun-
dred and seventy-five acres. He married
Caroline Unger, born in Lower Paxton
township. They had ten children : Kate,
unmarried ; John E.; Calvin, a physician ;
Annie, wife of S. Fishburn ; Aaron, of New
York; Philip, farmer in Derry township;
Emma, unmarried; Theodore, Elizabeth,
and Jane, all deceased.
John E. Heckert passed his youth in the
usual naanner of farmer boys, attending the
public schools in the winter and working on
the farm in the summer. He remained on
the farm until 1878, when he removed to
Derry township, rented a farm, and culti-
vated it for four years. After this, in 1884,
he bought a farm of thirty-eight acres in
Derry Church. On this land he built a fine
residence, and made other improvements, and
by careful and skillful tillage and manage-
ment brought it to a condition of great pro-
ductivenesss and beauty. Mr. Heckert is a
man of great industry and energy, and spares
neither labor nor expense to make his farm-
ing operations successful. He has the finest
stock upon his place, and sends into market
some of the very best products of his region.
DAUPHIN COUNTY:
681
He was married, October 15, 1878, to Bar-
bara F. Behm, of Derry township, born Jan-
uary 1, 1851. They have no children.
Jacob Behm, father of Mrs. Heckert, was
born near Annville, Lebanon county. Pa.,
and is a son of Rudolph Behm, a prominent
farmer m that county. He grew up on the
farm, and in 1835 removed to Derry town-
ship, where he engaged in farming and stock
raising on a large scale. He married Fannie
Forney, a native of Lebanon county. They
had four children: Samuel, of Palmyi-a;
John, of Palmyra; Fannie, wife of A. E.
Hershey, and Barbara, wife of J. E. Heck-
ert. Mr. Behm was a Republican, and served
as county commissioner during the time the
court house was erected. He died in Mav,
1895; his wife in March, 1892. Mr. Heck-
ert, in his political views, accords with the
Democratic party.
Balsbaugh, John H., was born in Derry
•township, Dauphin county. Pa., July 11,
1828. He was educated in the common
schools and made farming his occupation
until 1858, when he engaged in the grain
and coal business at Swatara, where he
erected the first building and secured the
location of a station by the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad Company. He was at the
head of the latter business until 1881, when
he sold out and gave his attention chiefly to
farming, cultivating about seven hundred
acres and making substantial improvements
in buildings and equipments. He was a
large real estate owner, and was considered
one of the most successful and progressive
farmers in the county. He was manager of
the Swatara Stone and Lime Company, in
which he had large interests, and was a
stockholder and director of the National
Bank, of Hummelstown, from its organiza-
tion in 1886. He was married, December
23, 1847, to Mary, daughter of Abraham and
Mary (Landis) Brightbill, born near Camp-
bellstown, Lebanon county. Pa., October
13, 1827. She was a kind-hearted woman,
and universally loved and respected. The
needy were never turned away from her
door unaided. They had two children :
Linda, who died young, and Hiram Whe-
well. Mr. and Mrs. Balsbaugh met death
suddenly on the night before Christmas,
1895. They were found in their bedcham-
ber on Christmas morning poisoned to death
by the escape of noxious gas from a defective
stove pipe. The high esteem in which they
were held in the community was attested by
the gathering at the funeral of the largest
concourse of people ever assembled on a
like occasion in that section. Fully three
thousand people were there met, with hearts
full of sympathy and sorrow, and with eyes
suffused with tears.
Hiram Whewell Balsbaugh, the only sur-
viving child and the only son of John H.
and Mary Balsbaugh, deceased, was born
June 12, 1856. He received a classical edur
cation, beginning with a primary course in
the district schools and finishing with the
curriculum at Cornell University. After
completing his studies he was a partner
with his father in the grain business until
1881, when he engaged in journalism, and
was employed on leading daily newspapers
of New York and Chicago. He became con-
nected with a prominent life insurance com-
pany of New York in 1888, occupying posi-
tions of trust and responsibility, until the
sudden death of his father made it necessary
for him to make the homestead, at Swatara,
his residence and assume the settlement and
care of the estate. He was married, April
29, 1896, to Theodora, daughter of Theodore
Pfafflin, of New York, manager of Chicker-
ing & Sons, piano manufacturers.
GiSH, John R., farmer and stockman,
Hockersville, Pa., was born in Donegal, Lan-
caster county. Pa., November 18, 1840. He
is a son of John L. and Annie (Ressor) Gish.
John L. Gish was born in West Donegal,
Lancaster county, and was the son of Jacob
Gish, also a native of Lancaster county and
a very extensive farmer. The Gish family
were among the early settlers of the State,
and are supposed to be of Swiss origin. John
L. grew up on the farm of his father and
made farming his lifelong occupation. He
was a Whig, and a member of the Mennonite
church. His wife, Annie (Ressor) Gish, was
born in Lebanon county, a daughter of Peter
Ressor, of that county. They had these
children : Peter, farmer of West Donegal,
Lancaster county. Pa.; -Jacob, farmer on the
old homestead at Donegal ; David, deceased ;
Samuel, also on the homestead ; Abraham,
deceased ; John R. ; and Annie, who died
young. John L. Gish was an honorable, up-
right man, intelligent and of sound judg-
ment; his advice was sought in business
and social matters. He was very popular
and highly esteemed.
682
Bl 0 GRAPHICAL ENCYGL OPEDIA
John R. Gish was educated in the common
schools of the township. He worked upon
the farm until he was twenty-five years old,
when he married and made a home of his
own. He rented a farm in the same town-
ship which he cultivated for two years, after
which he removed to Elizabethtown, Lan-
caster county, and occupied another rented
farm for three years. In 1873 he removed
to Dauphin county, locating in Derry town-
ship, where he settled upon a tract of seventy-
four acres. He has improved it at an ex-
pense of several thousand dollars and has
made his home here since his removal. He
has a good limestone farm and raises fine
live stock. On February 23, 1867, he. was
married, at Donegal, Lancaster county, to
Mary, daughter of John Rider, who was born
in Donegal, September 30, 1841.
John Rider was born in Lancaster county.
Pa., February 22, 1811. He was a son of
George Rider, a farmer of German descent.
He married Lydia Doner, of Lebanon county,
by whom he had three children : Eliza,
widow of S. Dyer, of Cleveland, Ohio ; George,
deceased, of Williamsport ; and Mary, wife
of John R. Gish. Mr. Gish had three chil-
dren by a former marriage: Lillian, born
November 6, 1867, unmarried ; John, born
January 19, 1871, deceased ; Clayton, born
July 30, 1874, attending school at Lebanon.
Mr. Rider was a Republican, and died at
the farm of Mr. Gish ; his wife still lives, aged
eighty-four years, and makes her home with
her daughter, Mrs. J. R. Gish.
Mr. John R,. Gish is a Republican. He is
a member of the United Brethren church.
He is much interested and very active in all
church matters. He has been a trustee of
the church for six years, and contributed lib-
erally toward rebuilding the church edifice.
He is genial and agreeable, and enjoys the
esteem of his neighbors.
Hershey, Martin, retired farmer, Hock-
ersville, Pa., was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county, ,Pa., December 27, 1830.
He is a son of John and Mary (Frick)
Hershej'. John Hershey was born in Derry
township in 1800, and was a son of Isaac
Hershey, a native of Lancaster county, Pa.,
of German descent. He was an extensive
farmer and stock raiser. He married Mary
Frick, born in Rapho township, Lancaster
county, in 1800. They had ten children
Annie, wife of Isaac Kulp, farmer ; Martin
Mary, who died young; Elizabeth, deceased
Fannie, unmarried ; Priscilla, wife of Jacob
Kulp ; Lydia, unmarried ; Leah, deceased ;
Maria, wife of Jacob Wenger ; Menno, farmer
of Derry township. Mr. Hershey died in
1851, and his wife in 1853. He was a
member of the Mennonite church, and for
several years a minister. He gave land and
otherwise aided liberally toward the building
of a church. He was an exemplary citizen,
and a worthy and respected man.
Martin Hershey attended the compaon
schools of the township. He remained on
the home farm during his father's lifetime,
and after his death continued to cultivate it
for nine years, or until the youngest child
became of age. Upon the partition of his
father's estate, one hundred and sixty acres
of land was allotted to him. This tract he
retained for his home, and improved by the
erection of a fine brick dwelling at a cost of
six thousand dollars and a barn which cost
three thousand dollars. He thus provided
for himself one of the best farm houses in
the region. He has a lime kiln upon his
farm, and is also interested in stock raising.
He was married, in January, 1861, in
Franklin countj"^, Pa., to Mary A. Shartle,
born in that county, daughter of Ann Maria
(Huffer) Shartle. They have had three
children : one who died in infancy ; Amos
S., born July 11, 1867, received preliminary
education in the common schools and the
schools at Millersville, Pa., graduated from
the Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., attended
Bucknell College, Lewisburg, Pa., graduated
with honors from Harvard University, grad-
uated from Heidleburg, Germany, and
studied at Paris, France, and is now a profes-
sor in the State University of Indiana; mar-
ried Lillian Wilcox, a prima donna, born
in Schuylkill county. Pa.; Ida, third child
of Martin Hershey, was born December 28,
1869, and is the wife of Clinton M. Hershey
of Harrisburg, Pa., son of Christian Hershey
of Derry township. Mr. Hershey is a Men-
nonite, and holds the office of deacon. He
is a substantial citizen and a man of strong
character. He is actively interested in all
that promises good to his fellow-men.
Gingrich, Cyrus, was born in Derry
township, Dauphin county, Pa., May 25,
1830. He is a son of John and Annie
(Moyer) Gingrich, the former born in Leba-
non county. Pa., March 12, 1781, the latter,
in_ Lebanon county, August 2, 1787. Cyrus
Gingrich attended the common schools of
/^^^(^^%i;^^
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
685
the township. He lived with his father,
and cultivated the homestead farm for him.
After his father's death, he took entire
charge of the farm, which consisted of more
than three hundred acres; his management
was skillful and profitable. He was one of
the largest land owners in the township.
He constructed several dwellings and barns,
and expended many thousands of dollars in
improvements. He paid especial attention
to the breeding of fine cattle and horses, and
raised some of the finest stock to be found
in that region. He also had lime kilns on
the farm.
He was married, November 13, 1856, in
Derry township, to Melinda, daughter of
Christian and Sarah (Cinn) Bechman. She
was the sixth of their ten children, and was
born in Cornwall township, Lebanon county,
Pa., December 14, 1836. Mr. and Mrs.
Gingrich had these children : Christian B.,
farmer, born in 1857, married Alice Hocker,
and has six children ; John M., born 1859, mar-
ried Clara Horner, resides in Hummelstown ;
Edwin G., born in 1861, in Derry township ;
Annie, born in November, 1863, died Octo-
ber, 1878 ; Fannie B., born July, 1865, died
in January, 1877 ; Cyrus B., born in October,
1867, died in December, 1868 ; Jeremiah, born
in 1872, school teacher, at home ; Sarah M.,
born in 1870, wife of Harvey Bomberger,
farmer, Palmyra, Pa.; Ammon B., born in
1874, Farmers' Bank, Hummelstown ; a son,
not named, born in March, 1876, died in
infancy ; Elmer B., born in May, 1878, died
in February, 1882 ; Mary A., born in April,
1883, died in November, 1887. Mr. Ging-
rich was a Republican, a school director for
one term, and a member of the Reformed
church. In 1888 he retired from active
business, and with his worthy wife enjoyed
for a number of years the fruits of their
well-ordered, industrious and successful life.
He was respected and beloved. He died,
February 10, 1895, leaving his widow well
provided for as to property, and she is af-
fectionately cared for by her children. His
children honor his memory, and cherish the
rich heritage of the good name which he be-
queathed to them.
Edwin G. Gingrich, his son, like his
worthy father, attended the district schools
and worked upon the same farm. He re-
mained upon the homestead, and has made
it his life work to cultivate it. He inherits the
characteristics and the business methods of
his father, and is meeting with success as a
45
farmer. He was married, in Derry town-
ship, to Ellen Risser, who was born in Leba-
non county. They have one child, Cyrus.
Mr. Gingrich is a Republican, and is popu-
lar and highly respected.
Flowers, George L., farmer and cabinet
maker, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Mt. Joy
township, Lancaster county, Pa., November
13, 1826. He is a son of Christian and Susan
(Lindersmith) Flowers. Christian Flowers
was born in Lancaster county. Pa. He was
a weaver, and was the son of a native of Eng-
land, who settled in Pennsylvania. His
wife, Susan Lindersmith, was a daughter of
George Lindersmith, a native of Switzerland,
who for seven years and eight months fought
under the banner of George Washington.
They had seven children : George L.; Eli,
carpenter, Lancaster county. Pa.; Rosanna,
widow of Abraham Meashly, of Lancaster
county ; Susan, wife of C. Arndt, carpenter,
Lancaster county; Barbara, wife of Jacob
Brown, of Lancaster; and two children who
died young. Mr. C. Flowers was a Republi-
can, and a member of the United Brethren
church.
George L. Flowers attended the schools of
his native township. At the age of sixteen
he began to learn carpentry, and made this
his occupation for twenty-one years. For
nine years he worked at cabinet making
also, and was an undertaker, making coffins
and caskets as ordered. Then, removing to
Dauphin county, he changed his occupation
to farming. He rented and cultivated farms
in several parts of the county, taking them
on shares. He was very successful as a farmer
and accumulated money. Removing to
Annville, Lebanon county, he bought a farm
of one hundred and forty-three acres, for
wliich he paid $8,000 in cash, the accumula-
tion of his years of hard toil. He made
numerous substantial improvements on the
farm, and cultivated it for seven years. He
then sold it for $10,000 and spent one year
with his son.
In 1883 he returned to Dauphin county
and bought forty acres of land with improve-
ments, paying for it $7,550. He remodeled
the dwelling, which was a hundred years old,
built a workshop and made other improve-
ments. He works in the shop in the winter
and tills the land in summer. He finds a
a good market in the surrounding country
for the furniture he makes.
He was married, in September, 1847, in
686
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lancaster county, to Catherine Werner, born
in Rapho township, Lancaster county, Pa.,
October 10, 1827. They had eleven chil-
dren: Ann, wife of Jacob Smith ; Abraham,
farmer, Dauphin county; Aaron, farmer;
Susan, wife of Edward Gailbaugh ; Emma,
wife of D. Seabold, of Lebanon county ; Levi,
farms the homestead; Frank, thresher and
farmer; Mary, wife of George Boyer, and
three children who died young. Mr. Flow-
ers belongs to the Mennonite persuasion.
He is a friendly man and has many friends.
He is worthj' of the confidence and respect
which his neighbors cherish for him.
Coble, Abraham B., farmer and stock-
man, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Milton
Grove, Lancaster county. Pa., June 25, 1864.
He is a son of John and Mary (Baker) Coble.
John Coble was born in Conewago township,
Dauphin county. Pa., and was a son of
Christian Coble, a farmer of that county.
He spent the first part of his life on the
farm in Dauphin county, and afterwards re-
moved to Lancaster county and engaged in
farming on his own account. He was a
stock breeder as well as a farmer. His wife,
Mary Baker, was a native of Lancaster
county. They had five children, three of
whom are living : Harry, railroad engineer,
married Amanda Kiper, resides in Harris-
burg ; Lizzie, wife of Martin Attick, stock
dealer, Highspire, Pa., and Abraham B.
Two children died in infancy. Mr. John
Coble was a Republican in his politics. He
was a Mennonite and an industrious, honest
and upright man. He died in Lancaster
county in 1879. His widow still lives and
is cared for in her old age by her son, Abra-
ham B. Coble.
The latter was educated in the public
schools of his township and worked on the
home farm until he was fifteen years old, at
which time his father died. He then farmed
for nine years with his uncle. At twenty-
four years of age he went to Iowa, and for
one year bought, sold and shipped stock to
eastern markets. After this time he came
to Dauphin county and settled in Derry
township, where he bought one hundred and
seventeen acres of land, which he has culti-
vated and improved. He has raised fine
horses for which he finds ready sale in the
township. Mr. Coble was married in Eliza-
beth town, in 1888, to Laura, daughter of
Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Gish, the
former a prominent farmer in Lancaster
county. They have four children : Walter,
Minnie, Harvey and Charles. Mr. Coble is
a Republican. He is a man of public spirit,
always interested actively in every enter-
prise for the benefit of the community. He
enjoys the confidence and respect of his
neighbors and is deservedly popular.
Hershey, Israel L., farmer and stock-
man, Derry, Dauphin county. Pa., was born
in Derry township, Dauphin county, where
he now' resides, January 5, 1845. He is a
son of Isaac and Mary (Landis) Hershey.
Isaac Hershey was also born in Derry town-
ship, and was a son of Isaac and Annie
(Frentz) Hershey, the former an extensive
farmer of Lancaster county, where he was
born. Isaac Hershey, Jr., attended subscrip-
tion schools. He made farming his voca-
tion for life. He was one of the best and
most successful farmers of the township.
Mary Landis, his wife, was born January 10,
1810, and was a daughter of Abraham Lan-
dis, of Lancaster county. They had seven
children: Lavinia, Abram and Benjamin,
deceased; Israel L.; John, deceased; Annie,
wife of John Moyer, farmer, Derry township;
and Leah, deceased. Mr. Isaac Hershey
died September 1, 1879, on the homestead
farm. He was a prominent citizen, and be-
longed to the old Whig party. He was a
Mennonite. His widow survives, and has
her home with her son Israel L.
Israel L. Hershey took the regular course
of instruction in the district sch£>ols. He
remained on the home farm, working for
his father, until 1879, when his father died.
The homestead then passed into his posses-
sion, and he has ever since cultivated the
farm. He has made many improvements,
and remodeled the dwelling. He has to
some extent carried on the live stock busi-
ness in connection with farming. He was
married, in 1874, in Franklin county, to
Mary, daughter of John Shartle, born in
Franklin county. Pa., April 3, 1850. They
have had four children: Elam, born Feb-
ruary 7, 1875, works on the farm; John,
born October 11, 1876, teacher ; Isaac, born
October 26, 1879; andAbner, born October
13, 1884.
John Shartle, father of Mrs. I. L. Hershey,
was a prominent farmer and stockman of
Franklin county. He married Mary Miller,
of Franklin county. Their children were
five in number : Mary, wife of I. L. Hershey ;
Samuel, farmer, Franklin county, Pa.; Emma,
DAtfPBiN (JOtfi^Tt.
68?
died young ; Jacob, doctor, Millersville, Pa.;
and John, doctor, Philadelphia, Pa. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Shartle died in Franklin
county.
Mr. Hershey is a Republican. He is one
of the substantial and reliable men of the
community. He prosecutes his business
undertakings with industry and enterprise.
He is a man of genial manner, and is very
popular.
Reed, William H., furniture manufac-
turer and undertaker, Hummelstown, Pa.,
was born in Annville, Lebanon county. Pa.,
July 13, 1861. His father, Isaac Reed, was
born in Lebanon county, where he still re-
sides. He is foreman in the Lebanon
stone quarries. He married Polly Auchen-
bunch, also a native of Lebanon county.
They had six children : John, farmer, in
Ohio; Sarah, wife of William Kartnany,
furniture manufacturer, Hummelstown, Pa.;
William H.; Charles, residing in Hummels-
town ; Grant, and Samuel, died young. The
father and motlier both reside in Annville.
They attend the United Brethren church.
Mr. Reed is a Republican. He is well and
favorably known throughout the town and
county where he resides.
William H. Reed attended the common
schools of Annville, and was also graduated
from the school at Campbellstown, Pa. He
learned carpentry at Harrisburg, where he
spent ten years, and worked at that trade in
Annville. 'In 1881 he came to Hummels-
town and worked with his brother-in-law,
William Karmany, at furniture making, for
fourteen year's. In the spring of 1895 he
erected a factory of his own and embarked
in the furniture business. He has a fine
show room on Main street. He meets with
success, obtaining a fair share of the town
and township trade. Mr. Reed was mar-
ried, December 22, 1884, at Hummelstown,
to Mary Kelchner, born in Palmyra, Leb-
anon county. Pa., in 1863. They have four
children : Florence, attending school ; Harry,
Morgan and Stuart. Mr. Reed is a Repub-
lican. He is a member of the United
Brethren church. In business he is indus-
trious, enterprising and progressive. He is
genial and friendly and is much liked.
Strickler, Adam, farmer, Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Derry township, Dauphin
county, Pa., June 26, 1832. He is a son of
Ulrich and Molly (Hamaker) Strickler.
Ulrich Strickler was born [in jLondon derry
township, Dauphin county, in 1807, and was
a son of Ulrich Strickler, who married Miss
Funk ; the former of Dauphin county and
of German descent. The younger Ulrich
Strickler, father of Adam, attended the sub-
scription schools of the township and was a
farmer and stock raiser. His wife, Molly
Hamaker, was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county, in 1808. Their children
are: Jacob, deceased; Adam; Elizabeth,
deceased, wife of Fehx Landis ; Ulrichj de-
ceased ; David, farmer, of Steelton ; Mary,
wife of John B. Hoverter, of Harrisburg; and
Martin, deceased. Mr. Strickler retired from
active business, and resided in Hummels-
town, where he died in 1881. His wife died
in 1875. He was a Republican, and a
member of the United Zion's Children
church. He had a wide acquaintance, and
was highly respected.
Adam Strickler attended the common
schools and the subscription schools of Derry
township. He worked on the farm in the
summer, and attended school in the winter
months. After leaving school, he continued
to work on the homestead farm, and for two
winters taught school. When he was
twenty-one he went to Londonderry town-
ship, Lebanon county, and became a partner
with his brother-in-law, Felix Landis, in the
business of distilling; in this he continued
two years with fair success. He next en-
gaged in the flour and grain business. The
company then built and equipped a mill at
a cost of $20,000. He had operated the mill
for eleven months when it was destroyed by
fire. The property was only partially in-
sured. Their loss on mill, machinery dnd
stock was about $20,000. He then removed
to West Hanovertownship, Dauphin county,
bought a farm of two hundred and fourteen
acres and cultivated it for two years. He
then sold this farm, and returned to Lon-
donderry township, Lebanon count}' ; there
he cultivated a farm of one hundred and
forty aires, owned by his father-in-law, M.
A. Brightbill, for one year, after which he
removed to South Annville township, and
bought one hundred and twenty acres of
land which he cultivated for three years.
After this he came to Dauphin county, lo-
cating at Swatara Station, and entered into
partnership with his brother-in-law, John
H. Balsbaugh, a sketch of whom appears in
another place in this volume. They dealt
for three years in grain, coal and stock,
688
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
during which time Mr. Strickler went to
Ohio in the interest of the firm, buying live
stock and shipping to eastern markets. The
business proved very profitable. He sold
his interest in the business, and bought
ninety acres of land nearby, which he im-
proved and made his home there for fourteen
years. In 1883 he bought his present farm
of one hundred and fifty acres, on which he
has expended $2,000 in improvements, and
which is now his residence.
He was married, September 3, 1857, in
Harrisburg, to Sarah Brightbill, who was
born in Lebanon county, December 24,
1836. She was one of fifteen children of
Abraham and Mary (Landis) Brightbill;
her father was a prominent farmer of Leb-
anon county. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler have
had eight children : Emma R., wife of James
G. Fox, son of Dr. Thomas G. Fox, of Hum-
melstown, and has eight children : George,
Robert, Walter, Charles, Edward, Webster,
Virginia, and Elizabeth, deceased ; Agnes
B., born March 5, 1864, wife of A. G. Long-
enecker, farmer, of Conewago township,
Dauphin county, has one child, Benjamin
Warren ; Harry B., born April 18, 1866,
mechanic, married E-egina Heinley, has one
child, Morris; Sadie B., born January 30,
1871, wife of E. B. Mumma, farmer, three
children : Milton Ray, and two that died
young; Bertha B., born April 7, 1875, un-
married and residing at home ; Annie M.,
born April 12, 1860, died May 10, 1860;
Franklin, born January 30, 1863, died Feb-
ruary 13, 1863 ; Morris, born February 17,
1868, died April 3, 1872. Mr. Strickler is a
Republican. He filled the office of school
director for eighteen years. He was mer-
cantile appraiser for one year. He has for
six years filled the office of auditor, which
he still holds. He and his family are mem-
bers of the United Brethren church. Hav-
ing been industrious, frugal and successful
throughout life he and his worthy wife may
now retire from active participation in the
labors of life, and comfortably enjoy the
fruits of their work. They have the respect
and esteem and the good wishes of all their
neighbors.
Gerlack, John M., carriage, buggy and
wagon manufacturer, Hockersville, Pa., was
born in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, August
17, 1864. He is a son of John S. and Cathe-
rine (Witmer) Gerlack. John S. Gerlack
was born at Turkey Hill, Md., and was a
prominent farmer of that region. He was
subsequently engaged in farming in Lancas-
ter, Lebanon and York counties. Pa. His
wife, Catherine Witmer, was born in Lan-
caster countv. They had six children : Liz-
zie, wife of H. Butterfield, of Mt. Joy, Pa.;
Barbara, wife of John Walters, manufacturer;
John M.; Sarah, deceased ; and two children
who died in infancy. Mr. J. S. Gerlack was
a Republican. He was a member of the
German Baptist church. He had a wide
circle of friends and was respected by the
community. He died at Campbellstown in
1891. His wife died in Lancaster in 1888.
John M. Gerlack attended the schools of
Lebanon and York counties. For three
years he worked as a farm laborer, receiving
as wages twenty dollars per month. The
next year he worked on the Coleman rail-
road. The following two years he spent in
learning wagon making, and the next two
he passed in Lancaster county, employed in
carpenter's work. He then removed to Leb-
anon, Pa., and was engaged as a car builder
in the car shops. In 1889 he came to Dau-
phin county and opened a factory and re-
pair shop. At the end of four years he found
that his business had outgrown his shop. In
order to meet the demands of his increased
and still increasing trade, he built a large
factory in the village and fitted it up with
engine, boiler, and improved machinery.
He keeps upwards of six men employed in
the general business of manufacturing car-
riages, buggies and wagons and in repair-
ing. He also built a fine dwelling. His
outlay for the improvement was more than
|4,000. He is meeting with gratifying suc-
cess in his business. In 1 884 he was married,
in Lancaster county, to Lydia Ober, born in
White Oak, Lancaster county. Pa.; they had
one child, David, attending school. His wife
died in 1886. He was married again, in
1887, to Mary H. Wolf, born in Bucks county.
There are no children to this marriage. Mr.
Gerlack is a Republican. He is a member
of the River Brethren church, which he at-
tends at Hummelstown. In his business he
is diligent, enterprising, trustworthy and suc-
cessful, and in social circles he is esteemed
and popular.
Eby, Michael, retired farmer, of Derry
township, was born in Derry township, Dau-
phin countj'^. Pa., on the farm where he now
resides, January 12, 1831. His grandfather,
Michael Ebv, was a native of Switzerland.
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
689
He came to this country when a young
man, located in Lancaster county, and sub-
sequently removed to Derry township, where
he reared his family. He cultivated and
highly improved a farm of two hundred
acres, and here also he died. He married
Elizabeth OberhoUer, born in Lancaster
county. Pa.
Christian Eby, son of the elder and father
of the younger Michael Eby, was born
in Lancaster county. He attended the sub-
scription schools of the county. He removed
with his parents to Dauphin county, and
grew up there on his father's farm. He
made farming and stock raising his life oc-
cupation. He married Elizabeth Witzler,
born in South Hanover township, Dauphin
county. They had nine children: John,
farmer; Michael; Christian, deceased; Eliza-
beth, wife of William Light, farmer, Han-
over township; Catherine, wife of Henry
Linawav,of Campbellstown ; Amos, deceased ;
Jonas, justice of the peace at Campbellstown,
and two children who died young. Mr. Eby
died in Derry township in 1865. His wife
also died in Derry township in 1892. His
politics were Republican. He was a Men-
nonite. He was well known, had many
warm friends, and was universally re-
spected.
Michael Eby had the ordinary advantages
of the neighborhood schools. He remained
upon the farm with his father, and made
farming his business for life. He bought
the homestead of two hundred and nine
acres, and made improvements of great ex-
tent, costing $5,000. He built one of the
iinest and must convenient farm dwellings
in the township. Stock raising was an im-
portant branch of his business. In 1888 he
was able to retire from active business, and
enjoy the fruits of his days of hard but suc-
cessful work.
He was married, in 1855, in Harrisburg,
to Caroline Detweiler, born in South Ann-
ville, Lebanon county, March 17, 1834, one
of the nine children of Michael and Barbara
(Thomas) Detweiler. Thechildren of Michael
and Caroline Eby are : Charles P., born in
1857, married Mary Brandt, born in Leba-
non county, and has two children, Nola and
Clyde; Anson H., born in 1858, married
Mary Bom berger; John, married Elizabeth
Bowman, resides in Lebanon ; Michael, in
tbe creamery business in Londonderry town-
ship, Lebanon county, married Emma Bow-
man; and Franklin, died young.
Mr. Eby is a Republican. He held the
office of supervisor of roads for one year,
and of tax collector for one year. He has
been a traveler, and has visited many parts
of the Western States. He is enterprising
and industrious in business, and has been
successful. He enjoys the confidence and
respect of his neighbors.
Hummel, Elwood F., postmaster, Hum-
melstown. Pa., was born in Hummels-
town, January 15, 1865. The Hummel fam-
ily is one of the old and prominent fam-
ilies of Eastern Pennsylvania. The great-
grandfather of Mr. E. F. Hummel took part
in the Revolutionary war in 1775. Each
succeeding generation has had representa-
tives ready for tlie public service in what-
ever form the demand might come.
Jacob Hummel, Mr. E. F. Hummel's
grandfather, was one of the family which
established Hummelstown. He was a farmer,
a man of character and substance, and an
embodiment of the virtues which made the
pioneers so illustrious. His son, John H.
Hummel, father of Elwood F., was born in
Hummelstown July 14, 1817. He was edu-
cated in the subscription schools of Harris-
burgand publicschoolsof thetown,and in his
younger days worked on the farm. He made
farming his vocation for life. He married
Elizabeth Fox, born in Hummelstown in
1831, daughter of James Fox, an uncle of
Dr. Thomas G. Fox, of Hummelstown. They
had eigh^ children : Frank P., born in Hum-
melstown November 12, 1854, train dis-
patcher on the Union Pacific railroad, Salt
Lake City, married and has a family ; Kate,
died at the age of eighteen ; Paul and Elma,
died in infancy; Elwood F.; Maggie, wife of
P. W. Hocuck ; Peter, train dispatcher of
the Reading railroad, living in Philadel-
phia ; David, druggist. John H. Hummel
was a Democrat. He was a member of the
Lutheran church. He died in Hummels-
town, August 23, 1894. His long, busy and
successful life was spent in Hummelstown.
For three-quarters of a century he was
known in that community as an honest, up-
right and intelligent man. His reputation
is without spot, and his children have re-
ceived from him the precious heritage of a
good name. His widow is still living and
resides in Hummelstown.
Elwood F. Hummel took the regular
course of instruction in the schools of Hum-
melstown, including the high school. He
690
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
spent three years as apprentice and journey-
man at the blacksmith's forge. He then
studied for one term at the West Chester
Normal School, after which he returned to
Hummelstown and worked for nine years as
carriage blacksmith in the factory of Walmer
& Fox. He left the factory to assume the
position of postmaster of Hummelstown, to
which he was appointed under the Cleveland
administration in February, 1895. He per-
forms the duties of the office with credit to
himself and with satisfaction to the public.
Mr. Hummel is a Democrat and an active
participant in all party movements. He
was elected to the borough council for three
years, during which time many important
improvements were made, among these the
introduction of electric lights. He was the
youngest man ever elected to fill the office of
councilman. He was recording secretary of
the Sunday-school two years, and also finan-
cial secretary for two years. He is one of
the most popular men in the town, and is
universally regarded as an upright, genial
gentleman. He is unmarrried.
Erb, Will C, general merchant, hotel
proprietor and postmaster, Hockersville,
Pa., was born in Bainbridge, Lancaster
county, Pa., January 11, 1847. He is a son
of Samuel and Eliza (Bowman) Erb. Sam-
. uel Erb was a son of Isaac Erb, a prominent
farmer, and was born in Lancaster county.
He was a merchant and lumber dealer.
His wife, Eliza Bowman, was a pative of
Cornwall, Lebanon county. They had these
children : Edwin B., deceased ; Will C;
Clara E., unmarried; George A., deceased;
Sybilla A., wife of A. S. Craumer, merchant,
of Lebanon; Ammon H. and M. Jennie, de-
ceased ; Samuel, merchant in Lebanon, Pa.
Samuel Erb, Sr., was a Republican and a
member of the Reformed church. He died
in Lebanon in 1895, and was one who acted
upon principle, and had the reputation of be-
ing an honest man. His wife is still living
in Lebanon, having attained a ripe old age
Will C. Erb enjoyed the best educational
advantages. He attended the schools of
Cornwall; Meyerstown, Lebanon, Palmyra
and Millersville. He taught school in Corn-
wall township, Lebanon county. Pa., for
eight years, and was a successful and popu-
lar teacher. In 1873 he removed to Dau-
phin county, and located at Hockersville,
where he went into the mercantile business,
and speedily built up a large trade, which
extended throughout the township. He
opened the Hockersville House, and became
a successful and popular proprietor. The
wants of his guests were promptly and lib;
erally met. He was courteous and hospit-
able, and his house became well known and
deservedlv popular.
In 1873 he was married, at Hockersville,
to Lavina L. Hocker, born in Hockersville,
the daughter of Jacob Hocker, the oldest
resident of the village. They have had five
children : EdnaC.,school teacher; A. Jennie ,
at home ; I. Clarence, clerk in his father's
store; Elmer E., at school; Ammon R., died
young. Mrs. Erb died in 1882, after a pro-
tracted illness. In 1885 Mr. Erb was mar-
ried again, to Laura E. Saylor, born in Anu-
ville. Pa., daughter of .John L. and Ellen
(Freylinghausen) Saylor, both natives of Lan-
' castercounty. MrSaylorisaprominentman-
ufacturer of carriages, etc., of Annville, Pa.,
and a highly respected resident of that place.
Two children were born of this marriage,
Clyde S. and Pearl M., both attending
school. Mr. Erb is a Republican, and is
holding the office of postmaster, being ap-
pointed under the Cleveland administration.
He is also county auditor, and was also tax
collector and town clerk for about eighteen
years. He is a member of the Reformed
church, which the family attend at Hum-
melstown. He has spent the past twenty-
three years at Hockersville, and is well and
widely known and highly respected by all.
Walton, Allen K., stone merchant, Hum-
melstown, Pa., was born in Philadelphia,
Pa., November 11, 1860. He is a son of
Allen and Emma J. (Kohlenkamp) Walton.
His parents removed, when he was a small
boy, to Hummelstown, Dauphin county. Pa.,
where he was educated in the common
schools. At the age of eighteen he became
interested with his father in the stone quarry.
He has continued in this business up to the
present time. He was married, November
17, 1885, to Miss Caroline, daughter of
Charles and Sophia (SeifFert) Goehmann.
After their marriage they took up their resi-
dence in the beautiful house in Hummels-
town built by Mr. Walton in 1884. They
have three children : Allen G., Lillie S. and
Caroline E. Mr. Walton is a strong Repub-
lican. He is an active member of the Lu-
theran church at Hummelstown.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
691
Balsbaugh, Uriah, teller, National Bank,
Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Derry town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., December 27,
1856. His father, John Balsbaugh, was born
in Derry township, in 1809, and was a son
of Abraham Balsbaugh, also a native of the
county, of German descent. John Balsbaugh
attended the subscription schools of his
township. He began his business career b}'
working on the farm for his father, and
made farming his life occupation. He be-
came a large landholder. He owned over
five hundred acres, on which he built some
fine brick dwellings and frame houses, some
of the finest in the township. He expended
many thousands of dollars in improvements,
valuable and substantial, on his farms.
These improvements are monuments of his
zeal and devotion in making Derry township
to lead all other townships in the county.
He was also interested in the Union Furnace
Works, and was one of the first promoters of
that industry. He gave attention to raising
fine live stock, and was one of the first
farmers to build lime kilns and manufacture
lime for use as a fertilizer. He married
Catherine Landis, born in 1810, daughter of
Christian Landis. They had ten children :
Christian, retired farmer, living in Hum-
melgtown; Jeremiah, retired farmer, also of
Hummelstown; John, an extensive farmer
and stockman of Lebanon county; Carrie,
wife of George Green, architect and builder,
Harrisburg ; Uriah ; Abraham, Sarah and
Elizabeth, deceased ; and two who died in
infancy. Mr. Balsbaugh died, in Hummels-
town, in 1883. His name still lives, and
will long be cherished in the hearts of those
who knew him. In all the relations of life
he was a true man. He greatly benefitted
the community by his useful life and the
display of his virtues. His wife died at the
home of her son, Uriah Balsbaugh, June 5,
1895.
Uriah Balsbaugh attended the district
schools and also graduated from the Hum-
melstown high school, after which he learned
coach making with the firm of Bear & Hov-
erter, with whom he spent the first ten years
of his business life. In 1878 he took a busi-
ness course in the famous Poughkeepsie
Commercial College, N. Y., and was graduated
from that institution in 1879. He then ob-
tained a position as clerk in the Hummels-
town National Bank, which he held for three
years. In 1883 he was elected teller of the
bank, a position of trust and responsibility.
the duties of which he has performed with
credit to himself and satisfaction to the direc-
tors of the bank for the past thirteen years.
Mr. Balsbaugh is active in the Republican
party. He is at present a school -director.
He is a teacher in the Sunday-school. He
is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70,
1. 0. 0. F., past officer ; Robert Burns Lodge,
No. 464, F. & A. M., past master ; and of Jr.
0. U. A. M., Council No. 40, Hummelstown.
He is unmarried and is a well-known and
popular man.
Crist, Dr. Josiah B., dentist, office No.
13 North Third street, Harrisburg, residence
and office in Hummelstown, Pa., was born
on the Jonestown Road, Lebanon county.
Pa., April 25, 1841. He is a son of Elias
and Lucy (Yingst) Crist. Elias Crist, son of
George Crist, of Lebanon county, and of Irish
descent, was a tailor ; this was his vocation
throughout life. He resided in Lebanon
county, and died there in 1848. He was a
Democrat, and well and favorably known in
that section of the country. His wife, Lucy
Yingst, of Lebanon county, was of German
descent. Their children were : Lydia, wife
of Levi Plough, contractor and builder.
North Lebanon, Pa.; Josiah B., and Elias,
who died young. After the death of her
first husband Mrs. Crist married Chester
Howetter. They had one daughter, Louisa,
wife of Charles Alleman. Mrs. Howetter
died in Lebanon, Pa., in 1881.
Josiah B. Crist was but seven years old
when his father died. His uncle, who was
also his godfather, cared for him and gave
him a home. In return, he worked on the
farm in summer, attending school during
the winter months. At ten years of age he
met with a painful accident. While work-
ing in a field with a fractious horse he had
his foot broken. He set the bones himself
and was helped to the house by a friendly
Irishman who happened to pass. The Doc-
tor has never forgotten the kindness of that
Irishman. He remained with his foster
father for seven years, after which he was
hired as laborer by another farmer for three
years. In the meantime he was improving
every opportunity for gaining information
and preparing for life's battles. He worked
on the canals for six months, and spent a
short time at cabinet making but his health
failing while engaged in the latter occupa-
tion he abandoned it. He was employed in
coach making for ten years. While thus en-
692
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
gaged the war of the Rebellion broke out.
On September 18, 1861, he enlisted at Leb-
anon, Pa., in company K, Ninety-third regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, Colonel Mc-
Carter and Captain E. Dougherty. He was
in the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862,
of Fair Oaks, and the Seven Days' fight. On
the way to Richmond with the army he was
attacked with typhoid fever and was in the
hospital for six months. At the end of
eleven months' service he was discharged at
Baltimore, in 1862. He enlisted for two
months in company F, State militia, in
which he was quartermaster's sergeant.
He had a strong desire to enter professional
life, so he began to prepare for the practice
of dentistry. He studied under Dr. Bousel,
a well-known dentist, and other instructors.
In September, 1864, he came to Hummels-
town and opened an office. He had neither
money nor friends, but he had pluck and
ambition and a strong determination to suc-
ceed. , He lived for several months on two
meals a day, and walked to and from Leba-
non because he was not able to pay railroad
fare. Soon the coveted success came. Peo-
ple discovered that the young dentist had
not only resolution and perseverance, but
fine ability and skill as well ; that he was
reliable and thoroughly competent in his
profession. A large and lucrative practice
was established. In 1883 he determined to
extend his field of operations, and he opened
an office in Harrisburg and devotes a part of
his time every week to his patrons and
patients in that city. Dr. Crist displays
originality in his profession ; he is the in-
ventor of new and valuable methods and
appliances ; he first invented the crown tooth
to take the place of the wooden peg, and
holds a patent right on several new instru-
ments which facilitate the work of dentistry.
He made the first chair he used in his prac-
tice and also many of his own instruments.
He also studied watchmaking, and has a
buggy in his possession constructed accord-
ing to a plan original with himself.
Several of the students who received in-
struction from him have become eminent in
their profession ; for example. Dr. Wall, of
Hummelstown, who was one of his students
and is now a dentist in London, and who
has had the honor of operating on Her
Majesty Queen Victoria.
Dr. Crist was married, in 1864, to Amanda
Bosser, of Annville, Lebanon county, Pa.
They have had eight children: Isorah,
widow of M. Grove, coach trimmer, of Hum-
melstown, has one child, named for his
i\ither, and resides with her father, Dr. Crist;
Will, at the College of Dentistry, Philadel-
phia, a young man of good habits and bright
professional promise; Annie and Abbie, both
deceased; Ray, dentist, with his father;
Bessie, a student in the high school; and
two who died in infancy. Mrs. Crist died of
heart failure, September 2, 1883. She was an
estimable woman, of benevolent and friendly
disposition, well known and universally
loved and respected. Her death cast a
gloom upon the town. In 1890 Dr. Crist
married Mary Aucherman ; they have no
children.
Dr. Crist is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and of the G. A. R.,
Post 58, Harrisburg, and a Republican in
politics ; he is a member of the Lutheran
church, is a Sunday-school teacher, and was
for years superintendent of the Sunday-
school. He attends to his patients in Plum-
melstown on Mondays and Thursdays, and
is found on the other days of the week at
Harrisburg. He has been successful to a
gratifying degree during his thirty years'
residence at Hummelstown, and has accum-
ulated a handsome property. He owns four
dwelling houses and has other valuably in-
vestments. His best attainments are his
professional reputation and his good name.
Fox, William R., of the firm of Walmer
& Fox, carriage manufacturers, Hummels-
town, Pa., was born in Derry township, Sep-
tember 3, 1853. He is a son of Richard and
Rachel A. (Patton) Fox. Richard Fox was
born in Derry township, a son of Thomas
Fox, a sketch of whom appears in this vol-
ume in connection with that of Dr. Thomas
Fox. He had a common school education.
He was a farmer, and largely interested in
stock raising. He was a member of the
Lutheran church, and Republican in poli-
tics. He was a director in the Merchants'
Bank, of Harrisburg; was a prominent and
successful business man, of worth and popu-
larity. He was first married to Rachel A.
Patton, who died at the age of twenty-two.
Her children were: William R.; George,
time-keeper at the quarry in Hummels-
town ; Jonas and David, who both died
young. Mr. Fox's second marriage was
with Adelaide Heinicke, of Harrisburg, by
whom also he had four children : Annie,
wife of E. Einstein, merchant, of Harris-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
693
burg ; Mary, unmarried ; Richard W., of
Harrisburg; Elizabeth, wife of "William
Wallin, Philadelphia. Richard Fox died
in 1874; his wife survives him, residing in
Harrisburg.
William Robinson Fox attended the
schools of Hummelstown, and remained
upon the homestead farm until he was
twenty years of age, when he removed to
Hummelstown, and bought the carriage
manufactory of William Walmer, a sketch
of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
He conducted the business for one year, and
then sold a half interest to William Wal-
mer, establishing the firm of Walmer & Fox,
under whose management the business has
been extended and made very profitable.
Mr. Fox was married, in 1875, in Hummels-
town, to Mary E., daughter of Samuel Wal-
mer, and sister of his partner, William Wal-
mer. Their children are : Marion V., born
in 1876 ; Anna L.,in 1878, and William W.,
in 1883. Mr. Fox is a Republican. He was
a member of the town council for six years,
and auditor for three years. He is a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church. He is a man
of good business ability, genial and popular,
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his
neighbors.
of Lebanon county, who died December 17,
1855. Their children are: Annie, Mrs. H. B-
Houck, of Hummelstown, and Josiah, of
Hummelstown. He was reared in the Men-
nonite church.
BuEKHOLDER, MiCHAEL K., Hummels-
town, Pa., was born in South Annville town-
ship, Lebanon county. Pa., March 4, 1830 ;
son of Ulrich and Polly (Koffman) Burk-
holder. Michael K. was reared and educated
in Lebanon county, where he also taught
school for seven terms. He was engaged in
the grain business at Palmyra for six years,
and in February, 1868, moved to Hummels-
town, where he opened a grain and coal
business, in which he continued until 1892,
when he retired and was succeeded by his
son. Since that time he has conducted the
"Royal Oak" mill at Union Deposit, in con-
nection with F. H. Stouffer. He also con-
ducts a farm in Lebanon county and is a
breeder of Holstein cattle. Mr. Burkholder
is one of the charter members and a stock-
holder and director of the Farmers' Bank,
and is a stockholder and charter member of
the Electric Light Company. In his political
views he is a Republican, and was a member
of the borough council and also a member
of the school board.. Mr. Burkholder was
married, in 1853, to Miss Barbara Ann Reish,
Blessing, Frank D., merchant, Hum-
melstown, Pa., was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county. Pa., December 20, 1852;
son of Absalom and Mary Blessing. The
first of the family in the county was Chris-
tian Blessing, a native of Germany, who
settled in Derry township, at an early day,
where he took up a tract of land. His son.
Christian Blessing, was born in Germany
and came in his youth with his parents and
became a farmer in Derry township. He
was a member of the Lutheran church.
Absalom Blessing, father of Frank D., was
born in Derry township in 1801, and died
December 31, 1891. He was a stone mason
and followed that occupation. In political
views he was a Democrat, and in religious
faith and fellowship a Lutheran, in which
connection he was active and liberal, and
contributed to the erection of the Sand Hill
church. His wife survives him. They
reared ten children: Mary, wife of Henry
Aldinger, of Conewago township; John,
stone mason at Lebanon ; Rebecca, Mrs.
Joseph Riddle, Hummelstown; Frank D.;
Daniel D., Hummelstown; Elizabeth, Mrs.
John Smith, of Londonderry township;
Sarah, Mrs. John B. Nye, Hummelstown ;
John, married Amelia Hatton; David, un-
married, and two children, who died in in-
fancy.
Frank D. was reared in Derrj' township
and attended the township schools. He
was engaged in farming until 1875, when he
became a clerk in a store, where he remained
five years, and in 1879 he opened a general
store, which he has since conducted. He is
a member of Harrisburg Lodge, No. 68, I.
0. 0. F., and of the P. 0. S. of A. at Hum-
melstown. In politics he is a Democrat and
has served in the borough council. Mr.
Blessing was first married to Catherine,
daughter of Jacob B. Hummel, who died,
leaving one child, Olive. For his second
wife he married Miss Sabina A. Hoffer,
daughter of Christian Hoffer, of Hummels-
town, by whom he has one ciiild, Edwin
Hoffer. Mr. Blessing is a member of the
Lutheran church, in which he formerly was
a deacon.
694
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hummel, Valentine, sou of Frederick
Hummel (2d) and Regina Ricker, was born
February 7, 1787, at Hummelstown, Dauphin
countj', Pa. The education he received was
quite limited, only such as was afforded by
the country schools of the time. In 1806
he began as an apprentice to Philip Lee-
brick, of Hummelstown, to learn the trade
of a saddler. In 1810 he went to Harris-
burg, and forming a partnership with
Michael Lebkicher, his old shop mate at
Hummelstown, began the saddlery and har-
ness making business. Messrs. Hummel &
Lebkicher subsequently engaged in mer-
chandising, the running of saw and grist
mills, the lumber trade, and the purchase of
land both in the city of Harrisburg and on
the Cumberland side of the Susquehanna,
until the death of Mr. Lebkicher, when the
survivor retired from all active business.
Mr. Hummel was elected a representative of
Dauphin county to the legislative session of
1822-23, and again in that of 1840. Governor
Shulze appointed him one of the associate
judges of the county, November 12, 1827, a
position he resigned March 20, 1837. Both
in the Legislature and while upon the bench
Judge Hummel served the public with the
same fidelity and honesty of purpose as
characterized him and made him remarkable
in his private business. For one-third of a
century he was a director of the public
schools, and at the time of his death a trus-
tee of the Harrisburg Academy. A great
believer in humane treatment, he advocated,
while a member of the school board, the
total abolition of corporal punishment, but
without success. For many years he had
been interested in the old Harrisburg Bank,
had served as a director, and at the close of
his life was president of that institution.
He died at Harrisburg on the 4th of Sep-
tember, 1870, in his eighty-fourth year. His
wife, Elizabeth Walborn, died October 25,
1867, aged seventy years. Of Judge Hum-
mel it may be said, he was a man of great
temperateness of habit in all things, was eco-
nomical and frugal, unostentatious, and en-
joyed life in a calm, quiet, and rational
manner.
Hummel, Frederick, was a native of
Pfalz, in Germany, born April 14, 1722.
With some friends he came to America
about 1738, and subsequently took up a
large body of land where Hummelstown is
located. In 1762, foreseeing the advantages,
he laid out on a portion of his tract a town,
which he named Frederickstown, but was
changed upon his death to that now be-
stowed upon it. He donated land for the
erection of the Lutheran and German Re-
formed churches, and erected a school house,
directing that English branches should be
taught therein. He was an active partici-
pant in the French and Indian war, and
when the frontiers were setting an example
to people of the three original counties to
prepare for resistance to British injustice he
was chairman of the patriotic meeting of
Derry, held at Hummelstown in June, 1774.
He died at his residence on the 25th of June,
1775, aged fifty-three years. He was the
ancestor of a large family, who can look
with pride to the high-born zeal, energy and
patriotism of their progenitor. His remains,
with those of his wife and children, are in-
terred in the Lutheran church graveyard at
Hummelstown.
Very little is known of the ancestor,
Frederick Hummel, but some insight into
his character may be gained from the fol-
lowing advice to his children contained
in his will : " After this I leave my blessing
to them all, and have God before yoa al-
ways, then the Lord and great Jehovah will
bless you now and for evermore, Amen."
Hummel, Valentine, son of Frederick
Hummel (grandson of the founder of Hum-
melstown) and Susanna Hamaker, was born
March 12, 1812, at Hummelstown, Dauphin
county, Pa. At the age of thirteen he was
sent to Harrisburg, in care of his uncle.
Judge Hummel, receiving the benefit of two
years' English education in the schools of
the borough. At the age of seventeen he
was apprenticed to the printing business,
with Jacob Babb, publisher of the German
paper, the Morgenrthe. At the age of twen-
ty-one Mr. Hummel was taken into partner-
ship, and the firm of Babb, Hummel &
Bigler were for many years printers for
the State and publishers of the German
Democratic organ, the Morgenrthe. In 1850
Mr. Hummel was elected register of wills
and recorder of deeds for Dauphin county,
which office he creditably filled one term.
He subsequently engaged in merchandising,
in which he continued until a few years be-
fore his death. During the Rebellion, dur-
ing the invasion of Pennsylvania, he was
lieutenant of the Home Guard, Captain
Nevin. For several years he was deputy
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
695
collector of internal revenue, Fourteenth dis-
trict, and for a long period collector of city
taxes, and served in the board of school
control. In the church (Zion Lutheran) he
took an active part, and was superintend-
ent of its Sabbath-school until physical dis-
ability prevented him from performing the
duties of its service. He died at Harrisburg,
Thursday morning, August 26, 1880.
Hummel, Frederick, son of David and
Mary (Toot) Hummel, was born December
24,17 — ,in Derry township, Dauphin county.
Pa. He was brought up as a farmer, receiv-
ing the limited education thus afforded in
the country schools of the township. When
but a stripling of eighteen, in company with
his brothers, he offered his services to his
country at the outset of the Revolution, and
was in the campaign of the Jerseys and in
and around Philadelphia in 1776 and 1777,
and at the close of the war for independ-
ence was a major in a battalion of asso-
ciators. In the political affairs of the coun-
try he became quite prominent and wielded
considerable influence, owing to his great
popularity. He was colonel of the militia,
a position he held for many years; served as
justice of the peace several terms, and was
commissioned by Governor Ritner an asso-
ciate judge of the county, April 5, 1837.
He died at Hummelstown, October 31, 1847.
Colonel Hummel married Barbara, daughter
of Jacob Metzgar, of Derrv, born September
1, 1779; died November 22, 1861, and with
her husband is buried in the old Lutheran
churchyard, at Hummelstown.
Hummel, Richard T., Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Hummelstown, Dauphin
county, Pa., March 23, 1821 ; son of Joseph
and Elizabeth (Lubrick) Hummel. The
first of the familj' to settle in Dauphin
county was Frederick Hummel, a native of
Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to this
country and took up a tract of Government
land, which included the present site of
Hummelstown. He was a farmer b}'^ occu-
pation, and was the founder of the town
which bears his name. He donated the old
site of the Lutheran church and the pres-
ent site of the Reformed church. His church
connection was with the Lutherans, and he
aided in the foundation of both churches.
So far as known, his children are : Frederick,
Valentine, and David, all of whom were
farmers. He sold the town lots on ground
rents, stipulating that the rents should be
paid in the currency of Great Britain, and
divided his property among his children.
David died at the age of thirty three years.
He married Miss Mary Toot, and his children
are : Frederick ; David ; Joseph ; Leah, Mrs.
Henry Landis, of Derry township; Annie,
Mrs. George Stover, died in Hummelstown ;
Mary, Mrs. Daniel Baum, of Hummelstown.
He was a prominent member of the Lutheran
church. Of his sons, Frederick was a farmer
at Hummelstown ; served as justice of the
peace and as associate judge of the county ;
David located in Harrisburg, and died there,
having served as commissioner of the
county.
Joseph, father of Richard T., was born in
1793. He was a farmer and merchant, and
also saddle and harness maker. During the
war of 1812 he rendered military service as
assistant quartermaster in Captain Moore-
head's company. His death occurred April
18, 1852. He was married to Elizabeth Lu-
brick, of Hummelstown, a daughter of Philip
Lubrick, who survived him until 1887. He
was a Lutheran in his religious faith and
fellowship, and in political views was promi-
nent in the Whig and Republican parties.
His children are : Henry P., deceased, for
many years a merchant at Hummelstown ;
was married to Adeline Stecker, and they
had no children; Elizabeth, Mrs. Frederick
M. Lauman, deceased, of Middletown, and
they have two children: Joseph, deceased,
and William, of Middletown ; Richard T.;
Mary, widow of Benjamin Gisler, of Cum-
berland county, miller by trade ; Sarah,
Mrs. Martin Earley, of Palmyra, Pa., mer-
chant and farmer; David J., of Philadel-
phia, merchant for many years, and now in
the saddle and harness trade, married Cathe-
rine Zinn ; Joseph, deceased, all his life an
invalid ; Susan, deceased ; Caroline, unmar-
ried ; Hummelster, Annie, Edwin, Silas, and
Charles, of New York City, commercial agent,
unmarried. Richard T. attended the schools
of his time, and learned the saddler trade
with his father, and was afterwards engaged
in the business for forty years. In 1868 he
engaged in the general mercantile business,
the title of the firm being first, H. L. Hum-
mel & Co., then H. L. Hummel & Bro., and
later R. T. Hummel & Son, and continued
up to 1891, when he retired from the busi-
ness. Mr. Hummel also conducted a farm.
He was married, in 1847, to Miss Mary
Coover, daughter of John Coover, Esq., mef-
696
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
chant, at Mechanicsburg,Pa. Their children
are : Edgar C, Hummelstown, deputy sheriff
of the county ; C. Carroll, M. D., physician,
has been practicing at Mechanicsburg for
nineteen years, a graduate of Jefferson Medi-
cal College; Salome, Mrs. Percy B. Metz-
ger, office of the Union Trust Company, of
Philadelphia, attorney-at-law. During the
war of the Rebellion Mr. Hummel was called
out with the emergency troops. In political
matters he is interested and active in the
Republican party. He has served as mem-
ber of the borough council, and was chair-
man of that body many years, and also has
served as member of the school board and
auditor of the township. He is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which
he holds the office of trustee, steward and
class leader, and is also the teacher of tlie
Bible class in the Sunday-school. Mr. Hum-
mel helped to organize the first Sunday-
school in the town.
the first council of Hummelstown. Mr.
Hoffer was also one of the organizers of the
Hummelstown Building and Loan Associa-
tion, and served as its treasurer for many
years. His fraternity association is with
Lodge No. 335, 1. 0. 0. F. His children are :
Edwin M., Hummelstown ; Emma F., de-
ceased, married Earnest M. Shope, of Hum-
melstown ; Lizzie A., wife of H. G. Walmer,
of Hummelstown ; Sabina M., wife of F. D.
Blessing, of Hummelstown ; Ida A., wife of
David Castle, Hummelstown; Agnes C, de-
ceased; George, Hummelstown ; and Calvin,
died in infancy. Mi-. Hoffer is a member of
the Lutheran church.
Hoffer, Christian, retired, Hummels-
town, Pa., was born in South Annville town-
ship, Lebanon county. Pa., January 13, 1824;
son of George and Annie (Gingrich) Hoffer,
natives of Lebanon county. Christian was
reared in Lebanon county and received his
education in the schools of that period.
After reaching maturity he was engaged in
farm work and driving team for eight years.
In 1848 he was married to Miss S. A. Motter,
daughter of Philip Motter, of Lebanon
county. He was then engaged in keeping
hotel at Annville for two and a half years,
and in 1852 came to Hummelstown, where
he conducted the old Zearfoss stand for one
year, after which he removed to Palmj^ra
and kept the hotel there for six years. From
Palmyra he removed to Reading and became
the proprietor of the Union Hotel, where he
remained one year, after which he was at
Palmyra again for eight years, and then
came to Hummelstown, where he conducted
the National Hotel until 1878. Since the
last named date he has been retired from ac-
tive business. Mr. Hoffer was one of the
organizers and the first president of the
Farmers' Bank. In 1868 he and M. K. Burk-
holder established the flour and feed and
coal business, which they continued two
years, and also the implement business,
which they conducted for several years. In
his political views Mr. Hoffer is a Democrat,
and served as postmaster at Palmyra under
Bresident Buchanan. He was a member of
Holler, Charles K., coal, grain, wood
and lime dealer, Hummelstown, Pa., was
born in York county, October 21, 1843 ; son
of Francis and Annie (Kook) Holler, na-
tives York county. The father was a farmer
by occupation and spent his life in his native
county. Charles K. was reared in York
county and was educated in the public
schools. In 1879 he came to Dauphin
county and located at Hummelstown, where
he had charge of the coal business of Chris-
tian Garver from 1879 to 1886, when he pur-
chased the business, and has conducted it in
his own interest since that date. In politics
Mr. Holler is a Republican and is now serv-
ing his sixth year as a member of the school
board of the borough, of which he was for-
merlv the treasurer. He holds membership
in Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., of
Harrisburg, and in the Junior Order of United
American Mechanics, of Hummelstown. Mr.
Holler was married, in 1865, to Miss Rebecca
Mathias, daughter of Henry Mathias, of
York county. Their children are: Sarah
Jane; Henry F., of Hummelstown, deputy
prothonotary of Dauphin county, married
Miss Alfaretta, daughter of Abner Fox, of
Illinois; Charles Irvin, William Harvey,
and LeRoy C. Mr. Holler is a member of
the United Brethren church, and has held
the office of treasurer of the Sunday-school
from 1882 to the present time.
Murray, John, merchant, Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., December
11, 1842; son of Samuel and Mary Ann
(Baum) Murray. The father worked on
the farm until he was twenty-one years old,
when he married a daughter of Daniel Baum,
and engaged in hotel keeping. He also car-
ried on a butchering business and attended
DAtiFisiisf coijJstTY.
697
the Harrisburg markets. Later he removed
to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he died in 1851,
having at different periods had charge of the
"Golden Sheaf," "American House," and
" Black Bear " hotels. After his death his wife
continued the hotel for some time, and sub-
sequently removed to Allegheny City, and
from there to Manchester, and finally died
at Allegheny City in 1855. They had five
children, three of whom are now living;
John; Daniel, of Youngstown, Ohio, coach
trimmer; Mary Agnes, wife of George Sny-
der, of Youngstown, Ohio.
John came to Hummelstown in 1855 and
lived with ^his grandfather Baum until he
was sixteen years of age, when he went to
Lebanon to learn the harness maker's trade
with his uncle. In 1861 he enlisted in com-
pany A, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylva-
nia volunteers, as a private, and was with
the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsular
campaign, participating in all the battles.
He was wounded at E-ichmond, and as a re-
sult was disabled and discharged from the
service in 1863, after which he returned to
Lebanon, Pa., and resumed work at his
trade. In 1864 he came to Hummelstown
and opened a harness shop, which he con-
ducted a short time. He then removed to
Derry township, where for four years he was
engaged in farming. In 1871 he returned
to Hummelstown and opened a store, which
he has since conducted. He is also a stock-
holder in the Farmers' Bank. Mr. Murray
is a member of the P. 0. S. of A., and of the
James Henderson Post, No. 443, G. A. R., of
which he is also the commander, and was
one of the organizers in 1891. In politics he
is a Republican, and has served as burgess'
and as member of the borough council. He
was married, in 1864, to Miss Elizabeth H.,
daughter of George Balsbaugh, of Derry
township. Their children are: Charles B.,
at home ; Catherine B., wife of S. C. Stecker,
of Hummelstown ; and Edith M. Mr. Mur-
ray is a member of the Lutheran church,
and his wife is a member of the United
Brethren church.
Rutherford, Abnbr, son of William and
Sarah (Swan) Rutherford, was born March
31, 1814, on the Rutherford homestead, in
Swatara township, Dauphin county. Pa.
He is in the fourth generation from Thomas
Rutherford, the progenitor of the family in
Pennsylvania. He received the education
afforded by the select schools of Paxtang
Valley, and most of his life he has passed
in farming. For several years he has been
■president of the First National Bank of
Hummelstown, and has been identified with
other corporations, and active in various
local enterprises of the day. In 1865 he was
a captain of the Tenth company, Ninety-
eighth regiment, Pennsylvania militia. For
many years he has been one of the vice-
presidents of the Pennsylvania State Agri-
cultural Society, in the founding of which
he took a prominent part. His energy and
ability, combined with his business habits,
have produced that success which generally
follows. Mr. Rutherford married, February
'28, 1839, Ann, youngest daughter of Will-
iam Espy, of Swatara, and their children
are : William Franklin, Sarah Ann, Susan
Elizabeth, and Ada Byron, who married
Spencer F. Barber, of Williamsburg, Pa.
Shull, Dr. William M., Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Springfield township, Perry
county, Pa., August 14, 1859 ; youngest son
of Samuel and Almira (Albert) Shull, na-
tives of Perry county. He was reared on
the farm and was educated in the public
school. For five years he was engaged in
teaching, and a part of this time he gave
instruction in the Bloomfield Academy.
After a course of preparatory reading he at-
tended tlie lectures at Jefferson Medical Col-
lege, at Philadelphia, and was graduated
from that institution in 1885. He was en-
gaged in the practice of medicine at Con-
cord, Franklin county, for five years, for one
year of which he was medical examiner for
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In
1890 he came to Hummelstown. Dr. Shull
holds membership in the Prince Edwin
Lodge, F. & A. M., atMiddletown, and in the
Derry Council of American Mechanics. In
politics he is interested and active as a
member of the Republican party. The
Doctor was married, in 1888, to Miss Sadie,
daughter of Joseph 0. Ross, of Mifflin
county, and to this marriage there is no
issue. Formerly he was a Presbyterian, but
is now a member of the German Reformed
church.
Schaeffer, Dk. Uriah R., Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Lebanon county. Pa., Jan-
uary 24, 1859 ; son of Adam and Fannie
(Royer) Schaeffer, natives of Dauphin county.
The father was a prominent dealer in coal,
grain and lumber in Lebanon county, but is
698
BIOGRAPHICAL M CYCLOPEDIA
now retired from active business. Uriah R.
was the second in order of birth of four
children, and was reared in Lebanon county.'
He received his education at Meyerstown
and Millersville. His private preceptor in the
study of medicine was Dr. John D. Zimmer-
man, of Lebanon, and he was graduated
from the Jefferson Medical College, at Phila-
delphia, in 1879. In the following year he
began the practice of his profession at Far-
mersville, Lancaster county, where he con-
tinued until 1886, when he removed to
Hummelstown, where he became prominent
in his profession and enjoys a large practice.
During the past five years he has been the
physician for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. Formerly he was a member of
the Lancaster County Medical Society, and at
presentholds membership in the Junior Order
United American Mechanics, Patriotic Order
Sons of America and Knights of Pythias.
In political views he is a Republican and is
active in party interests. Dr. Schaeffer was
married, in 1879, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of
Reuben Royer, of Ephrata, Lancaster county,
and they have three children living: Ralph
Chester, Gertrude May and Roy Herbert.
Mrs. Schaeffer is a member of the German
Baptist church, of' Hummelstown.
BuRKHOLDER, JosiAH, dealer in coal, grain,
salt, seeds, fertilizers, etc., Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Lebanon county, Pa., De-
cember 4, 1856 ; son of M. K. and Barbara
Ann (Reish) Burkholder. He was reared in
Lebanon county and educated in the pub-
lic schools and in the Millersville State Nor-
mal School. He entered the business of his
father and assisted him until 1892, in Sep-
tember of which year his father retired from
the business, to which he succeeded, and has
since conducted it in his own interest. In
his political views he is a Republican, and
has served as a member of the borough
council, and as president of the body for five
years. He is a member of the Patriotic Order
Sons of America, of Hummelstown. He
was married, in 1876, to Emma L., daughter
of David Bender, of Hummelstown, and to
their marriage there is no issue. Mr. Burk-
holder is not connected with any church.
LaRoss, Prop. David Henry Earnest,,
son of Rev. Joseph and Elizabeth (Earnest)
LaRoss, was born January 9, 1827, at
Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa. His-
father died when his son was an infant, and
his mother, an exemplary woman, when he
was eleven years of age. Thus early left an
orphan, he was thrown upon his own re-
sources for a livelihood. After varied em-
ployments he returned to Hummelstown
with his maternal uncle, and shortly after
apprenticed himself to the trade of cabinet
maker. After serving his time he began
clerking at Harrisburg, where he remained
several years, at the same time closel}'^ apply-
ing himself to study. He subsequently en-
tered Lafayette College, Easton, where he
remained two years, his limited means not
permitting him to remain for graduation.
He then began teaching as a profession. In
1860 he was first selected county superin-
tendent. He was re-elected in 1875 and in
1878, and again in 1881, when his vote was
almost unanimous. Professor LaRoss died,
at Hummelstown, October 22, 1882, in his
fifty-sixth year. He married, first, in 1853,
Sarah A. Coil, of Shaeff^erstown, Lebanon
county, Pa., who died -in January, 1867.
Their children were : Joseph ; John ; Mary ;
Gertrude, who married Eh Kline, of Allen-
town ; Carroll, Robert, Sarah, and Eva.
He married, second, Annie W. Breneman,of
Elizabeth town, Pa., who died two years after-
wards. In 1872 he was married a third
time, to Fannie Hummel, of Hummelstown,
and their children were : Fannie, Claude,
and Edna.
EAST HANOVER TOWNSHIP.
Ettkr, David K., farmer, was born in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
November 19, 1865. He is a son of David
and Sallie (Koons) Etter, both natives of
East Hanover township. David Etter, Sr.,
has made farming his business for many
years. Earlier in life he was a spangler,
and for some years worked at that trade.
He now lives retired from active work. His
politics are Republican. He is a member
of the Dunkard church. Mr. Etter married
Miss Sallie Koons. They have these chil-
dren : Lizzie, wife of George Baum ; Kate
K., wife of Amos Gingerich ; John, died in
1876 ; Joseph ; David K.; Samuel ; and Leah,
wife of Isaac Basehore.
David K. Etter had the usual opportuni-
ties enjoyed in the common schools by the
farmer boy who can be spared from busy
toil only for a short time during the winter
DAtiPSlJsr OOUNTT.
699
months. After receiving this limited intel-
lectual training he remained with his father
working on the farm until he was twenty-
three years old. In 1889 he engaged in
farming for himself on the place where he
now resides. ■ Mr. Etter was married, May
12, 1888, to Miss Fannie N., daughter of Jacob
and Sarah Gingrich. They have one son,
named Harry. Mr. Etter is one of the solid
and reliable men of the community. He is
a Republican. He is also a faithful mem-
ber of the Dunkard church.
Basehore, Benjamin, farmer, was born in
Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
August 14, 1832 ; son of the late George and
Polly (Etter) Basehore. His grandfather,
Rev. George Basehore, was born in Berks
county, Pa.; he was a weaver, and for many
years carried on that business. He subse-
quently engaged in farming and was so em-
ployed up to the time of his death, which
occurred in October, 1840, in the sixty-.gixth
year of his age. He was a man of intelli-
gence and integrity and genuinely pious.
For some years before his death he was a
minister in the German Baptist church, a
godly and useful man. He married Miss
Mary Fackler, who was born in Paxton
township, Dauphin county ; she died in
March, 1841, aged sixty-five. They had
nine children : Michael, George, Catherine,
wife of Daniel Miller; John; Abraham;
Mary, wife of Jacob Hart ; Benjamin, Daniel
and Wendel.
George Basehore, father of Benjamin, was
born in Berks county. Pa. He was a shoe-
maker and worked at that trade for twenty-
five years. The remainder of his life was
spent in farming. He died in Paxton town-
ship in 1890, aged eighty-seven years. His
wife. Miss Polly Etter, was born in York
county, Pa.; daughter of Rev. Lawrence
Etter; she died in Paxton township in 1877,
aged sixty-five. They, had eleven children,
of whom seven are living: Mary, wife of
Elias Moore, deceased ; Levi Peffly ; Eliza-
beth, wife of William Aungst; Benjamin;
Leah ; Rachel, wife of Levi Miller ; and
Susan.
Benjamin Basehore enjoyed slender educa-
tional advantages ; he attended the public
schools of West Hanover township and was
a diligent student. After receiving his
school education he worked for his father on
the home farm until he was twenty-one years
of age and made farming his life work. He
cultivated his father's farm in Lower Paxton
township for nine years. In 1871 he re-
moved to East Hanover township, to his
farm, where he remained two years. Thence
he removed to Jackson township, Dauphin
county, and farmed for three years. His last
removal was to the farm in East Hanover
township, which he has ever since occupied
and tilled.
Mr. Basehore was married. May 31, 1862,
to Miss Rebecca, daughter of John and Re-
becca (HefHing) Weber. They had seven
children, three of whom are living: Mary,
wife of Uriah Hook ; Lizzie, wife of Charles
Marberger, and Sallie.
In 1888 their family was sorely afflicted
by the death of four of their precious chil-
dren within a few days. They were cut
down by that dreadful disease, scarlet fever.
Although bowed down beneath the weight
of this four-fold bereavement, the sorrowful
family were submissive to the will of the
Heavenly Father, who doeth all things well.
The children who died with scarlet fever
were : John W., died February 26, 1888, aged
twenty-four years; George W., died Febru-
ary 25, 1888, aged eighteen years ; Rebecca,
died February 16, 1888, aged fourteen years,
and Daniel W., died March 7, 1888, at the
age of eight years. In their great sorrow
Mr. and Mrs. Basehore had the sympathy of
all their neighbors. They are regarded as
most excellent people.
Bacastow, Franklin P., farmer, was born
in Highspire, Dauphin county. Pa., May 31,
1856 ; son of the late John and Mary (Bren-
ner) Bacastow. His great-grandfather was
born in Germany, and came to this country
in early boyhood. George Bacastow, grand-
father of Franklin P., was born in Berks
county, Pa. He was a tanner, and was en-
gaged in this business at the time of his
death, which occurred in Dauphin county.
Mr. Bacastow was married to Miss Elizabeth
Hoover, born in Dauphin county. Pa. She
died in the same county. They had three
children: George, John, and Elizabeth, wife
of Frederick Reichert.
John Bacastow, father of Franklin P., was
born in Hummelstown, Dauphin county.
Pa., January 8, 1814. His occupation was
farming. He also assisted his father in the
management of his tannery. Mr. Bacastow
was married, in 1852, to Miss Mary M.,
daughter of Peter Brenner. They had seven
children : Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Kline ;
700
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Eebecca, wife of Daniel Leise ; Franklin P.,
George T., Morris, Emma F., and Simon P.
The father died January 4, 1879,aged sixty-
four; the mother still survives. Both were
faithful members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Bacastow's politics were Democratic.
Franklin P. Bacastow is a self-made man.
He received a short course in the public
schools, but had to depend for his prepara-
tion for the work of life principally upon
his own efforts. In his youth he was en-
gaged in farming, working for his father
until he became of age. In 1879 Mr. Baca-
stow began farming on his own account, cul-
tivating the farm of his father. Since 1883
he has been engaged on the farm which he
now occupies. In 1882 he was elected super-
visor of East Hanover township, and served
in this office for one year. During this year
his farm was cultivated by his brother, Mor-
ris Bacastow. Mr. Bacastow was married,
November 15, 1883, to Miss Mary A., daugh-
ter of John J. and Rebecca (Zimmerman)
Urich. Five of their mx children are living :
Ira J., Clinton G., Mary M., Simon P., and
Erwiu M. Mr. Bacastow is a Democrat. He
is a member of the Reformed church.
John J. Urich, father of Mrs. Bacastow,
was born in Lebanon county. He was a
miller, and was for many years engaged in
that business. In later life he undertook
farming. His wife, Rebecca (Zimmerman)
Urich, was the daughter of Michael and
Margaret (Early) Zimmerman. Mr. and Mrs.
Urich had : Mary A., wife of Mr. F. P. Baca-
stow.
Mr. Urich died in September, 1892. His
wife is still living at the age of fifty-two,
and resides in Lebanon county.
Early, Israel, miller, was born in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
December 8, 1825 ; son of the late George
and Catherine (Brightenstine) Early. His
great-grandfather, William Early, was born
in Firebaugh, Germany. He was a carpen-
ter; he came to this country in 1725, and
practiced his trade throughout life. His
wife, Mr. Early's great-grandmother, was a
native of Pennsylvania. Both died near
Palmyra, Lebanon county, at a very great
age.
Christian Early, Israel Early's grand-
father, was born in Lancaster county, now
Lebanon county, Pa. He built the flour
mill where his grandson, Israel Early, now
lives. He also built the large mill at Man-
ada Gap, now owned by Jacob Early. Chris-
tian Early was married to Miss Elizabeth
Killinger. They had twelve children : John,
William, George, Christian, Jacob, Cathe-
rine, Richgina, Elizabeth, Susan, Margaret,
born April, 1803, died aged eighty-eight
years; one child died at the age of six
months, and one died the day of birth.
George Early, father of Israel, was born in
West Hanover township, Dauphin county,
March 15, 1787. He spent his business life
in the work of milling. He was twice mar-
ried ; first to Polly Gosert, by whom he had
one daughter, named Polly. In his second
marriage, in 1816, he was united to Cathe-
rine Brightenstine, born in Manheim, Lan-
caster county, daughter of Nicholas Bright-
enstein. They had nine children, three of
whom are living: Sarah, wife of Jacob Wolf,
deceased; Israel, andRosanna, wife of Henry
H. Miller. George Early died in 1848, aged
sixty-one years ; his wife died in 1853, aged
fifty-five. Both died at the old homestead,
with their son Israel. Both were faithful
members of the Lutheran church.
Israel Early had only the limited educa-
tion to be obtained in the schools of his time.
In 1836 the free schools were established, and
he reaped much benefit from his attendance
upon them. He was alert and ambitious,
and by his own efforts prepared himself for
the useful and successful life which he leads.
In early life he was engaged in farming, in
which occupation he continued until he was
twenty-four. At that age he went to learn
the trade of miller. This has ever since been
his employment. He is now seventy-one
years old, strong, and in good health. He is
still in the old mill where he has served at
least two generations, and where his father
and grandfather worked before him. He is
still able to do his own work in the mill.
In 1847 he taught school for one term in
East Hanover township. In 1864 he was
drafted for service in the United States
army, but was discharged on a surgeon's
certificate, on account of the weakness of one
of his eyes. In 1851 he was elected school
director of East Hanover township, served
for five years, and was re-elected for three
years. Mr. Early was married January 15,
1865, to Miss Frances M., daughter of John
and Mary (Zerker) Getz. They have three
children: Mary C, John G., and William.
Mr. Early names some of the neighbors
around the Early homestead when he was a
boy. Along the Jonestown road, in East
^^^p^^^s^fe^
oidayi^ oUl^^Jjni
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
703
Hanover township, were Alexander Mc-
Knight and David, his brother; along the
road westward lived Christian Shellenber-
ger, who kept a hotel ; next, James French ;
Dr. Wenderstich ; John Reed ; George Good-
man ; Christian Early, uncle of Israel Early ;
Philip Nitruer; Major Shell; Robert Hill;
Jacob Keim ; Benjamin Snodgrass. Along
the Manada creek, near the West Hanover
line, stood Adam Reider's mill ; Rogers' mill ;
Samuel Todd's mill; Conrad Wagner; Jacob
Stine; Berry Hill Bell ; Jacob Zimmerman ;
John Snyder; David Killinger ; Henry Zim-
merman ; Abraham Meese ; Samuel McCord.
Mr. Early is highly esteemed for his enter-
prise and "integrity. He is prosperous in
business, and no citizen is more honored or
more popular.
Leese, Elijah, farmer, was born in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
July 23, 1855 ; son of the late Michael and
Lydia (Laurer) Leese. Michael Leese was
born in Reading, Berks county. Pa., October
27, 1806. He was a farmer, and spent his
life in his calling. He was married to Miss
Lydia Laura, also born in Reading, Pa.,
January 15, 1814. They had thirteen chil-
dren, of whom six are now living: Isabella;
Emma, wife of Samuel Miller ; Kate, wife
of Joseph Beck ; Levi, Henry, and Elijah.
Their residence was at Manadaville, now
Sand Beach, where Mr. Leese died at the
age of eighty-four. His wife is still living,
at the advanced age of eighty, and resides
at Sand Beach. Mr. Leese was a Republi-
can, and he and Mrs. Leese were both faith-
ful members of the Evangelical church at
Union Deposit, where Mr. Leese is buried.
Elijah Leese improved faithfull)' the
slender educational advantages which he
enjoyed. There was hard work on the farm,
summer and winter, with a few hours daily
for a few weeks each year for school training.
Yet diligent improvement of these oppor-
tunities, and constant efforts to add to his
stock of general information, prepared him
as thoroughly as the average farmer boy can
be prepared, for the business of life. He is
entitled to all the honor that may attach to
the self-made man. Mr, Leese continued to
work on the farm with his father until he
was twentj' years of age. He was married,
September 9, 1875, to Miss Rebecca, daughter
of John and Mary (Brenner) Bacasiow.
They had three children, of whom two are
living : John M. and Morris H. Shortly
46
after their marriage they removed to the
farm on which they now have their home,
and which they have cultivated since 1876.
Their industry, skill and excellent manage-
ment have yielded them liberal returns,
and they are among the comfortable and
contented people of the township. Mr.
Leese is a good, solid Republican. He is
actively interested in everything that tends
to promote the welfare of the community.
Buck, Elias B., was born in East Hanover
township, Dauphin county. Pa., December
14, 1841 ; son of the late Jacob and Denna
(Brown) Buck. His paternal grandfather
was born in Susquehanna township, Dau-
phin county, and died in Berks county. The
grandmother was born in Berks county.
Jacob Buck, father of Elias B., was born in
Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county.
He was a fuller and carried on his business
until within four years of his death. His
marriage to Miss Denna, daughter of Philip
Brown, born in Berks county, took place in
that county. They had six children, of
whom th ree are living : Eliza, wife of George
Runkle; Catherine, wii'e of John Wiser;
and Elias B. Jacob Buck died in East
Hanover township, June 21, 1885, aged
seventy -one ; his wife died at the same place
in December, 1882. Mr. Buck was a Repub-
lican. Both he and his wife were consistent
members of the Dunkard church.
Elias B. Buck attended the neighborhood
schools, and made good use of his time and
opportunities. His desire to succeed in busi-
ness prompted him to gain knowledge from
every available source. He made constant
efforts to become intelligent and well in-
formed on practical subjects. His energy
and determination resulted in success. In
this sense he is a self-made man, and may
regard his prosperity as the fruits of his own
labor. Mr. Buck was employed upon the
farm until he was eighteen years old. In
1864 he responded to the call of his country,
and enlisted in company B, Twentieth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania cavalry. He served
under Gen. Phil. Sheridan in his brilliant
campaign of 1864-65. One year and ten
months after Mr. Buck's enlistment the war
was ended, and he was honorably discharged
and resumed farming. This calling he has
ever since diligently pursued, and with suc-
cess. In 1887 he built the large and com-
modious dwelling he now occupies. He has
gradually made improvements and is com-
704
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
fortably settled, witTi fair prospect for the
enjoyment of life. Mr. Buck was married,
December 22, 1867, to Miss Sarah A. E.,
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Early) Wolf
Their children are : Clayton ; Clarissa, wife
of Adam Shenk ; Alice, wife of Jeremiah
Gipe, and Jacob.
Jacob F. Wolf, father of Mrs. Buck, was
born in East Hanover townsliip, February
24, 1819. He was a farmer. His wife, Miss
Sarah Early, Vt^as born in the same township,
October 19, 1819. They were married Octo-
ber 22, 1843. Their children were : Moses,
deceased, and Sarah, Mrs. E. B. Buck. Mr.
and Mrs. Wolf were faithful members of the
Lutheran church. Mr. Wolf was a Repub-
lican. He died August 17, 1885, aged sixty-
six. His wife has lived to the age of seventy-
eight, and resides with her daughter, Mrs.
Buck.
Gipe, Jeremiah E., farmer, was born in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa., Jan-
uary 6, 1872; son of Peter and Caroline
(Brown) Gipe. His paternal grandparents
were both natives of Dauphin county, and
both died in this county, the grandfather
aged eighty -four years.
Peter Gipe, father of Jeremiah E., was
born in Derry township, in 1823. He learned
shoemaking in his j'outh and followed that
calling for many years. Later in life he was
engaged in farming. His wife, Caroline,
daughter of Christian Brown, was born in
Derry township, in December, 1829. Five of
their ten children are living: Henry; Cyrus;
Mary, wife of Levi Curry ; Samuel, and
Jeremiah. Mr. Peter Gipe is still farming,
and is strong and active at the ripe age of
seventy-five. His wife still enjoys life at the
age of sixty-nine, In his political views Mr.
Gipe is a good, solid Democrat. He belongs to
the United Brethren church, and his wife is
a faithful member of the Dunkard church.
Jeremiah E. Gipe attended the township
schools and industriously used the means to
secure an education. After school days were
ended he remained on the farm and assisted
his father in its work. Mr. Gipe was mar-
ried, December 12, 1892, to Miss Alice,
daughter of Elias and Sarah (Wolf) Buck.
They have one daughter, Annie E. Since
1892 Mr. Gipe has been continuously and
diligently engaged in cultivating the home
farm, and has been successful. He is up with
the times and is a progressive and enterpris-
ing farmer.
LiNGLE, Levi, farmer, was born in Upper
Swatara township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
August 11, 1835 ; son of the late John and
Molly (Seibert) Lingle. John Lingle was
bornin Swatara township, and was a team-
ster. His wife, Molly Seibert, was a native
of the same township. Their children were :
Mary, deceased, and Levi. Mr. John Lingle
and his wife were both faithful members of
the Dunkard church.
Levi Lingle attended the Schools of the
township and made good use of such slender
advantages as they afforded for mental train-
ing and discipline, and for gaining useful
information. In his younger days he was
busily employed at farming with' his uncle,
John Sherk, in South Hanover township.
Farming is the best of schools for business
methods, so that a bright farmer's boy, em-
ployed in agricultural work, is a trained
business man by the time he is of age. Such
was the case with Levi Lingle. He remained
with his uncle until he was twenty-two, and
was qualified for the management of a farm.
In this business he was for several years en-
gaged. In 1864 he enlisted in the United
States army, and was assigned to company
C, One Hundred and Ninety-second regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in which he
served for six months. After his discharge
he continued farming for two years. For
the following two years he was engaged in
building post fences. Since that time he has
been continuously occupied with farming.
Mr. Lingle has been twice married. His
first wife was Mary, daughter of Thomas
and Annie Jacks. Of their nine children,
seven are living : Sadie, wife of Amos Bell ;
Thomas ; Franklin ; Ida, wife of George
Reigherger; Alice, wife of Daniel France;
George, and Emma. Mrs. Mary Lingle died
aged forty. In his second marriage, in 1875,
Mr. Lingle was united to Miss Catherine,
daughter of Joseph Fox. They have no
children. Mr. Lingle is one of the older
citizens of East Hanover township and is
widely and favorably known. He is de-
servedly honored and esteemed. He is a
substantial and useful citizen, and interested
in the welfare of the community.
Lesher, Samuel H., farmer, was born on
the homestead farm. East Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., October 8, 1854 ;
son of the late Rev. Thomas and Polly (Bow-
man) Lesher. He belongs to a family of
substance and stability, and of sturdy char-
BA UPHIN CO UJSTTT .
705
acteristics. He is the third generation in
his line to occupy and cultivate the home
farm.
His grandfather, Jacob Lesher, was a
native of Dauphin county, and a farmer.
He was especially interested in raising fine
blooded live stock, and had a reputation for
breeding some of the best horses in the
region. He was married to Miss Christiana
Mertz, and had eight children: John, Jacob,
Sallie, wife of a Mr. Gebhard, Gideon, Polly,
Daniel, Thomas, and Samuel. Both he and
his wife died suddenly, without sickness, on
the homestead; Mr. Lesher, at the age of
ninety-one.
Rev. Thomas Lesher, father of Samuel H.,
was born on the old homestead, East Han-
over township, April 4, 1812. He was occu-
pied through life in farming, and was also
an honored and useful minister of the United
Brethren church. He traveled widely, preach-
ing the gospel and ministering to thespiritual
needs of the people. Polly Bowman, to
whom he was married, was born in Leba-
non county. Pa., daughter of Jacob Bowman.
They had six children: Jacob B., Samuel H.,
Kate, Lydia, John T., and Mary. Rev. Mr.
Lesher was an ardent Republican, a warm-
hearted and benevolent man, and a devoted
father. He died August 14, 1894, aged
eighty-two years, four months, and two days.
His wife is still in excellent health at the
age of seventy-two. She is a faithful mem-
ber of the United Brethren church.
Samuel H. Lesher attended the schools of
the township and derived much profit from
his school work. He belongs to a family of
more than ordinary culture and intelligence,
and found much help and intellectual stimu-
lus at home. He learned the business of
farming on the old homestead, and when
manhood came was prepared to take the
honored place of his ancestors as a first-class
farmer. In 1875 he took full charge of the
home farm on his own account, and has ever
since devoted his attention to its cultivation.
Mr. Lesher was married, in October, 1874,
to Miss Matilda, daughter of Thomas and
Catherine (Light) Wagner. They have seven
children, all living: Kate M., Henry G.,
Fannie, Cora, Ellen, Lydia, and Annie. In
1894 Mr. Lesher was elected treasurer of the
Cemetery Association at Union Deposit, Pa.,
and served for one year. In 1895 he was
again elected to the same office. He filled
the office of secretary of the Union Sunday-
school for two years, and has served one year
as its assistant superintendant. Mr. Lesher
is a prominent citizen, and is very highly
esteemed.
Caley, "Winfikld S., was born in Lancas-
ter county. Pa., July 28, 1861 ; son of the
late William and Harriet (Badrufi") Caley.
Joseph Caley, his grandfather, was born in
Cumberland county, Pa., and was a farmer.
He married a Miss McMullin, born in Lan-
caster county. Pa., by whom he had nine
children. Four are living : Catherine ;
Anna, wife of Adam Buffelmoyer ; Harriet,
wife of Jacob Heineca, and Jacob. Their
deceased children are : Joseph ; Ellen, wife
of Christian Over; William E,, father of
Winfield S.; Addison, and David.
William E. Caley was born in Lancaster
county, and in his boyhood learned pump
making, which callmg he followed for many
years. He was subsequently employed as
watchman on the Philadelphia and Read-
ing railroad. He was twice married. By
the first wife he had two children, both de-
ceased, and secondly, to Miss Harriet Bad-
rouff, born in Lancaster county. They had
two sons: Jerome, deceased, and Winfield S.
Mr. W. E. Caley enlisted in the army, and
was in company K, Fifth regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, serving for three years.
He received two gunshot wounds. For a
few years after his discharge from the army
Mr. Caley was employed in the furnaces at
Cornwall, Lebanon county. Afterwards he
again served the Philadelphia and Reading
railroad as watchman, and in that position
was killed by an accident. His wife is still
living and resides in Lancaster county.
Winfield S. Caley was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Lancaster county. After fin-
ishing his school education he was employed
at farming with his father and among the
neighboring farmers until he was eighteen
years old. After this he began work in the
stone quarries. Since 1881 his employment
has alternated between the farm and the
quarry. In 1894 he bought the house in
which he now lives.
Mr. Caley was married, November 26,
1881, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of William
and Hannah (Enterline) Hetrich. Five of
their six children are living: William,
Harry P., John H., Bertha and Mabel. Mary
Ellen died March 8, 1885. Mr. Caley is a
good solid. Democrat. He and his wife are
members of the Lutheran church. Begin-
ning for himself early in life, Mr. Caley
706
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTVLOPEDIA
has pushed his way along the road, some-
times up steep hills, sometimes over rough
places, but still making progress, until now
the way is smooth and the journey pros-
perous.
BoMGAEDNER, JoHN, farmer, was born in
Lebanon county. Pa., July 20, 1842 ; son of
George S. and Rebecca (Zeiker) Boragardner.
George S. Bomgardner was born in Lebanon
county, in September, 1810. He was a shoe-
maker, which trade he followed through life.
His wife, Rebecca Zeiker, was born in Leba-
non county in 1808. They have ten chil-
dren, all living: Catherine, wife of Joseph
Kline ; Abraham ; Mary A., wife of Eden
Stoner, deceased; Gideon; Louisa; John;
David, resides in Nebraska ; George ; Will-
iam ; Ellen, wife of Dr. Early. Mr. and Mrs.
George S. JSomgardner were both faithful
members of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Bomgardner resides at Grantville, Dau-
phin county, and is aged eighty-five years;
his wife died in December, 1891, at eighty-
five years of age.
John Bomgardner took the regular course
in the public schools of his native county.
In his boyhood he learned shoemaking and
worked at that trade until he was twenty-
five years old ; after this he engaged in farm-
ing, which has been his occupation since
1888. On July 1, 1863, Mr. Bomgardner
enlisted as private in company D, Forty-
eighth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
the company commanded by Capt. David S.
Seibert. He served three months and was
disqharged August 23, 1863 ; he again en-
listed August 26, 1864, in company I, Two
Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, serving ten months, and was dis-
charged at the close of the war, June 21,
1865, when he resumed work at his trade.
Mr. Bomgardner was married, October 18,
1866, to Miss Maria, daughter of Henry and
Phoebe (Isenhard) Gernert. They have
eight children, all living : Phoebe R., wife of
John Rambler ; Geoi-ge E., Miles A., Mary
L., Carrie May, Hannah D., John G., and
Claudius E. In 1890 Mr. Bomgardner was
elected school director of East Hanover town-
ship and served efficiently for three years.
He is a reliable man and a useful citizen,
and stands well in the community.
Henry Gernert, father of Mrs. Bomgardner,
was born in Lehigh county, Pa., November
6, 1818. In his younger days he was a
farmer. In 1847 he purchased a hotel north
of Jonestown, Lebanon county, and con-
ducted it for eleven years. He was a pros-
perous business man and universally popu-
lar. He died at his hotel, November 1, 1860,
aged forty-one years, eleven months and
twenty-five days. He was married, Febru-
ary 18, 1841, to Miss Phoebe Isenhard, born
inLehigh county, January 25, 1820. Six of
their eight children are living: Matthew;
Aaron ; Anna M., wife of Mr. Bomgardner ;
Caroline, wife of Samuel Kreider ; 'Sarah,
wife of Daniel Laudermilch ; and George Al-
fred. Their deceased children are John
Henry and Eliza. Mrs. Gernert died Decem-
ber 31, 1860, aged forty.
John Gernert, Mrs. Bomgardner's grand-
father, was born October 21, 1780 ; he was
married, August 20, 1805, to Miss Catherine
Seighfert, born February 10, 1788 ; he died
August 14, 1857, aged seventy years: his
wife died July 7, 1844, at the age of fifty-six.
They had ten children: Jonas, Nathan, Solo-
mon, Henry, William, Benjamin, Catherine,
wife of Daniel Hinderline, Mary, wife of Mr.
Boltz, Hannah, wife of Benjamin Donmoyer,
and John. Mrs. Bomgardner's great-grand-
father, Henry Gernert, was born in Germany,
and came to this country when a boy.
HuMMEK, Isaac N., farmer, was born in
East Hanover township, Dauphin county.
Pa., February 22, 1850 ; son of the late Ben-
jamin and Eliza (Nowman) Hummer. Ben-
jamin Hummer was born in Lancaster
county, Pa., in 1820. He was for many years
a butcher, but was afterwards engaged in
farming. His parents were farmers. Eliza
Nowman, to whom he was married, was born
in Lancaster county, March 13, 1826, and
was the daughter of Samuel and Maria Now-
man. Of their ten children seven are liv-
ing : Samuel, Benjamin, Henry, Anna, wife
of Percival Ney, Isaac N., John N., and
Susan, wife of Edward Lingle. Their de-
ceased children are: Abraham, Lizzie, and
Amos. Mr. Hummer served as supervisor
of East Hanover township for four years.
He was a Republican. He died in October,
1876, aged sixty-four. His wife is still in
good health, at the age of seventy -six.
Isaac N. Hummer received only a common
school education. He was engaged with his
father in the cultivation of his farm until he
reached the age of twenty-two. In 1873 he
began farming on his own account, and this
has ever since been his calling. In 1890 he
removed to the farm on which he now re-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
707
sides. Mr. Hummer is a warm Republican.
In 1894 he was chosen inspector of elections,
and still holds that office. He was married,
January 9, 1873, to Miss Amanda, daughter
of Samuel and Catherine (Straj'er) Bright-
bill. They have had twelve children, of
whom ten are living : Emma S., wife of
William F. Kline; Katie Anna, wife of
George W. Wade ; Samuel, John, Jennie,
Lillie, Amanda, Isaac, Michael, and Ed-
ward. Their deceased children are : Amos
B., died September 20, 1873, aged six months
and twenty-six days ; Maggie, died August
20, 1887, aged eighteen days. Lillie, the
seventh child, was born June 12, 1881. At
her birth she was a natural and normal
child. At the age of six weeks she had a
sickness, the effect of which arrested her
growth. Since the age of two years she has not
grown an inch. She is now fifteen years old.
Her weight is forty pounds, her height thirty-
two inches, and her bust measures twenty-
five inches. She wears a No. 6 shoe, child's
size. She is intelligent and understands as
well as the ordinary youth, but cannot talk
plainly. She enjoys perfect health, and is
the pet of the family.
Samuel Brightbill, father of Mrs. Hum-
mer, was a farmer. His wife, Catherine, was
a daughter of George and Catherine Strayer.
They had five children : Susan, wife of Will-
iam Ulrich ; William ; Jeremiah ; Amanda,
wife of I. N. Hummer; John, deceased. Mr.
Samuel Brightbill died July 6, 1886, aged
seventy-three years. His wife is still in good
health, at the age of seventy-five, and re-
sides at Palmyra, Pa.
Gerbeeich, Daniel, farmer, was born in
Dauphin county. Pa., Novemlaer 25, 1842;
son of the late Jacob and Maria (Rank)
Gerberich. Jacob Gerberich was born in
Dauphin county, and is the son of Jacob
Gerberich, a native of the same county. Ja-
cob Gerberich, Jr., was a farmer. His wife,
Maria Rank, was also born in Dauphin
county. They had se^en children, five of
whom are living: Joseph ; Daniel ; Maria,wife
of Aaron Zuber ; Emma, wife of Israel Het-
rich, and Jacob. Their deceased children
are : Sarah and Catherine. Mr. Jacob Ger-
berich was a Republican. He died in Dau-
phin county in 1871, and his wife died in the
same count}' in 1885.
Daniel Gerberich was educated in the
public schools. He was employed in farm-
ing with his father until he was twenty-five
years old. In 1867 he engaged in farming
for himself; this has since been his occupa-
tion. Mr. Gerberich was married, December
10, 1881, to Miss Kate R., daughter of Moses
and Molly (Long) Keller, born in South
Hanover township, Dauphin county. May
14,1857. They have two children: Sadie
and Daniel. Mr. Gerberich is a solid Re-
publican.
Moses Keller, father of Mrs. Gerberich,
was a native of Dauphin county, and a
farmer. He married Miss Molly Long, by
whom he had seven children, all now living :
Mary, wife of Clemens Gingerich ; Moses ;
Kate R., Mrs. Gerberich ; Sarah, Mrs. Frank-
lin McCord; Daniel, John, and Mahlon.
Mr. Keller is a warm Republican. He makes
his home with his children. He is a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church. His
wife died in 1882, aged fifty-five ; she also
was a faithful member of the United Breth-
ren church.
Heisy, Jacob H., farmer, was born in
Lancaster county, October 1,1841; son of the
late John and Kate (Hershey) Heisy. Joseph
Heisy, his grandfather, was a native of Lan-
caster county. Pa. He removed from that
county to Franklin county, where he was
engaged in farming, and where both he and
his wife died.
Rev. Joseph Hershey, maternal grand-
father of J. H. Heisy, was a native of Lan-
caster county. He married Miss Kate Wit-
mer, by whom he had nine children: Bar-
bara, wife of David Martin ; Fannie, wife of
Benjamin Ritter; Kate, wife of Jacob Heisy ;
Annie, wife of Henry Metzer ; one who mar-
ried Joseph Gish ; Mary, wife of David
Horst; Susan, wife of Abraham Young;
Joseph, and Jacob. Rev. Mr. Hershey and
his wife died in Lancaster county.
John Heisy, father of Jacob H., was born
in Lancaster county. He was a blacksmith,
and was also engaged in farming and in
butchering. Miss Kate Hershey, whom he
married, was also born in Lancaster county.
They had thirteen children, of whom ten
are living: Annie, Henry, Jacob H., Joseph,
David, Kate, wife of Leonard Smith, Mary,
Christian, Amos, and Cyrus. Their deceased
children are : John, Israel, and Samuel.
John Heisy died November 11, 1894, at the
age of seventy-nine ; his wife died January
11, 1893. Both were members of the River
Brethren church. Mr. Heisy was a solid
Republican.
708
BIO GRA PHI a A L ENGTCL OPEDIA
His son, Jacob H. Heisy, received a limited
education, and is for the most part a self-
made man. He worked out among the far-
mers as a hired boy, and in this way he be-
gan the business of life, and learned farm-
ing, which he has made his occupation. He
cultivated a farm for six years in Lancaster
county. In 1875 he removed to East Han-
over township, Dauphin county. Pa., to the
farm which is now his home and which he
has ever since cultivated, except during two
years spent in Lebanon county. In 1864
Mr. Heisy was drafted for the army, but
finding it impracticable to leave home, he
paid three hundred dollars which procured
a substitute. Mr. Heisy was married, No-
vember 21, 1869, to Miss Susan, daughter of
Peter and Susan (Grove) Meashey, born in
Lancaster county, September 6. 1850. Of
their nine children, seven are living : Emma,
wife of Cyrus Hoover ; Harry H.; Savilla
and Henry E., twins ; Amanda M., Samuel
P., and Francis. Their deceased children
are Jacob F. and Edward G.
Peter Meashey, father of Mrs. Heisy, was
born in Lancaster county. Pa. He was mar-
ried, to Miss Susan, daughter of Abraham
and Annie Grove, and a native of Lancaster
county. Thev had nine children, of whom
six survive: Peter; Maria, wife of William
Barnhard, deceased, and now wife of John
Stouffer ; Susan, wife of J. H. Heisy; Lizzie,
wife of Henry Nowman ; Jacob, and Amanda,
wife of Cyrus Heisy. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Anna, Abraham, and Amos. Mr.
Meashey was a butcher and also a farmer of
Lancaster county. He died November 12,
1894, aged seventy-six years. His wife died
June 1, 1889, at the age of seventy-two.
Both were members of the old Brethren
church. Abraham and Annie Meashey,
paternal grandparents of Mrs. Heisy, were
both natives of Lancaster county.
LouDERMiLCH, Henry, was bom on the
old homestead farm in East Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., July 24, 1837.
He is a son of the late Henry and Margaret
(Early) Loudermilch. His great-grandfather
was a native of Germany. John Louder-
milch, grandfather of Henry Loudermilch,
Jr., was a native of Berks county, and was a
farmer. He was married to Miss Barbara
Moyer. Their children were : Mary, wife of
John Albert ; Sallie, wife of Samuel Rauch ;
Elizabeth, wife of John Wagner; Barbara,
wife of William Albert ; John, and Kate, died
in infancy. Mr. John Loudermilch died on
the homestead farm, the present residence of
his grandson. His wife died at the same
place.
Henry Loudermilch, Sr., was born in Dau-
phin county. Pa., in April, 1801, and was a
farmer. His wife, Margaret Early, was born
in Lebanon county, Pa., in May, 1801;
daughter of William and Catherine (Her-
shey) Early. They had five children, of
whom three are living: Catherine, wife of
Joseph Gingerich; Mary, and Henry, Jr.
William and John are their deceased chil-
dren. The father died in April, 1871, aged
seventy, and the mother in May, 1891, aged
ninety-one.
Henry Loudermilch, Jr., received his edu-
cation in the common schools. He was
reared on the farm and was industriously
employed in farm work untilhe was twenty-
two years of age. In 1859 he engaged in
butchering, which he carried on for many
years. During this time he also kept a gro-
cery store, and for two years kept hotel at
the old homestead, where he now resides.
In 1867 Mr. Loudermilch sold his store to
Joseph Landis and resumed the business of
farming and dealing in live stock. In 1872
he removed to Wayne county, 111., and. for
seven years was engaged there in farming,
butchering and dealing in lumber. In 1879
he returned from the West, making the jour-
ney witli his four-mule team in twenty-two
days. In all that time he inquired the way
only twice. He crossed the Lost river nine
times in two days. He crossed every river
by ferry boat except the Susquehanna. One
day he got upon the wrong road and traveled
sixty miles ; in the evening he found him-
self only four miles from his starting place
of that morning. Mr. Loudermilch resumed
his residence on the old homestead, where
he now lives retired from active business.
In 1862 Mr. Loudermilch was drafted for
the three months' service. He was drafted
twice afterwards, the third time for three
years' service. On retiring from the army
he resumed his trafiic in live stock. Mr.
Loudermilch was married, October 7, 1859,
to Miss Catherine, daughter of William and
Anna (Hain) Cassel, born in Upper Paxton
township, Dauphin county. Pa., August 29,
1842. Three of their four children are
living : Samuel ; Catherine, wife of Daniel
Imboden, and John. Henry died in Green
county, 111.
William Cassel, father of Mrs. Louder-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
709
milch, was a native of Dauphin county and
a farmer. He married Miss Anna, daugh-
ter of Adam Hain, also a nativre of Dauphin
county. Seven of their eleven children are
living: John; William; Hannah, wife of
John Ellser, deceased ; Fannie, wife of Peter
Ruth, deceased; Catherine, Mrs. Louder-
milch, and Samuel. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Mary, wife of Isaac Straw ; Eliza-
beth, wife of Jacob Siegrist , Sophia, wife of
Joseph West, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Cassel died in the township in
which* they were born and spent their lives.
Stahle, Noah L., painter, was born in
East Hanover township, Dauphin county.
Pa., May 20, 1845. He is a son of the late
Jacob and Lydia (Leob) Stahle. His grand-
parents were both natives of Germany. They
had two children: Gotlieb and Jacob, both
now deceased. Jacob Stahle, father of Noah
L., was born in Dauphin county, March 31,
1805. He was a shoemaker. He married
Miss Lydia Leob, born in Dauphin county.
Eight of their nine children are living : John ;
Amanda, wife of Jeremiah Gossert, deceased ;
Mary, wife of James Witman ; Louisa, sec-
ond wife of James Witman ; Henry ; Will-
iam ; Annie, wife of David Demming ; Noah
L., and Sarah, wife of" Joseph Lingle. Mary,
first wife of James Witman, died' twenty-five
, years ago. The father died October 23, 1895,
at the advanced age of ninety ; his wife died
February 7, 1877, aged seventy-two years.
Jacob Stahle was a Democrat. He and his
wife were members of the Lutheran church.
Noah L. Stahle had slender educational
advantages in his j'outh. He attended the
public schools of his township and worked
upon the farm with his father until he was
seventeen. In 1862 he went to learn cabinet
making, at which trade he worked for twelve
years. Finding his arms not strong enough
for this trade, he went in 1874 to learn that
of painting, which has since been his occu-
pation. For the past eighteen years he has
been both painter and farmer. He tills the
farm upon which he now has his residence.
Mr. Stahle was married, May 4, 1874, to Miss
Sarah E., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Kerr) Landis. They have four children,
all living: Minnie, wife of George Kline;
Robert L., Sadie V., and Charles N. Mr.
Stahle was elected inspector of elections in
1894, in East Hanover township, for one year.
Samuel Landis, father of Mrs. Stahle, was
born in Dauphin county, Pa., and was a car-
penter. He married Miss Elizabeth Kerr,
by whom he had four children : Sarah, wife
of N.L. Stahle; John; Clara, wife of Mahlon
Snyder, deceased; Minnie, wife of Martin
Capp. _ Mr. Landis died February 7, 1883,
aged sixty. His wife survives, at sixty-five
years of age, and resides in Lancaster county.
Both were members of the United Brethren
church. John Landis, Mrs. Stable's grand-
father, was born in Dauphin county, and
was a farmer. He reared a family of six
children, of whom three are still living :
Catherine, wife of Christian Smith ; Jacob,
and Mary, wife of Jeremiah Hoover.
Withers, Samuel G., farmer, was born in
Lebanon county. Pa., December 20, 1846 ; a
son of the late Samuel and Anna (Werher)
Withers. His grandfather, George Withers,
married a Miss Lutz, by whom he had eight
children. Mr. George Withers died in Leba-
non county, aged seventy-seven.
Samuel Withers, father of Samuel G., was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., January 12.
1819; son of the late George Withers. He
was educated in the public schools, and was
engaged with his father upon the farm until
he was twenty-five years old. He dealt in
live stock for the next fifteen years, handling
none but fine blooded stock. He was also
in the hotel business for two years. During
this time he erected a large and commodi-
ous building ; after occupying it for two
years he exchanged it for a farm in East
Hanover township, lately owned by John
Blanch, and cultivated it for two years. He
then rented the farm, and removed to Pal-
myra, Pa. He returned to his farm twice,
but finally settled down in Palmyra, where he
was for some years in the coach, lumber and
machine business. While in the lumber
business he resided with his father.
Mr. Withers was married, in 1844, to Miss
Anna, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Thomas)
Werner, born in Lebanon county, in Octo-
ber, 1821. They had five children, of whom
two are living: Samuel G., and Amanda E.,
wife of William Ohnmacht. Their chil-
dren are : Sarah W., Mrs. David W. Cassel ;
Anna, Mrs. Benjamin Early, and Susan R.
Mr. Withers died at Palmyra, Pa., aged
seventy-two, and his wife died in East Han-
over township, in 1879, aged fifty-eight
years. Mr. Withers was an ardent Republi-
can and a devout Christian.
Samuel G. Withers received his education
in the common schools. When he was
710
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
twenty-one he went to Campbellstown, Leba-
non county, where he found employment for
one year as clerk in the dry goods and
grocery store of Mr. William Brunner. In
1863 Mr. Withers taught school for one term.
After this, for about ten years, he assisted his
father in the cultivation of the farm. From
1879 to 1881, he was in Annville, Pa., and
from thence removed to East Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county, to the farm on which
he now resides, and in the cultivation of
which he has ever since been engaged. Mr.
Withers was married, January 19, 1879, to
Miss Lizzie, daughter of John and Kate
(Grupp) Laudermilch. They had five chil-
dren : Bertha E., Amy M., Mabel, Elsie C,
and Oscar R. Mr. Withers is a warm Re-
publican. He is a faithful member of the
Reformed church.
Jacob Werner, maternal grandfather of
Samuel G. Withers, was a farmer. He was
married to Miss Anna Thomas, by whom he
had five sons and three daughters: Henry,
Jacob, John, David, Joseph , Bessie, Sarah, and
Anna. Mr. Werner spent his life in Leba-
non county, where he died, aged sixty-five
years.
Hetrich, Eden, farmer, was born in East
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 2, 1843. He is a son of William
and Jane (Fitting) Hetrich. His grand-
father, Philip Hetrich, was a native of Ger-
many. He came to this country and mar-
ried a Miss Brigh thill. William Hetrich,
father of E. Hetrich, was born in Lebanon
county, Pa., in August, 1813 : son of the late
Philip Hetrich. In early boyhood he
learned the trade of spangler, which calling
he followed for many years. For the re-
mainder of his life he was a farmer. He
was married to Miss Jane Fitting. Mr. Het-
rich is still in excellent health at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-four. He resides in
Shellsville, East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa. His wife died in Decem-
ber, 1873, aged seventy-two years.
Eden Hetrich received only a limited edu-
cation. He assisted his father upon the farm
until he was twenty-five. He has made
farming his life pursuit. Mr. Hetrich was
married, October 12, 1867, to Miss Malinda,
daughter of John and Maria (Gerberich)
Lingle ; she was born in August, 1849. Six
of their seven children are living: George
H.; Ida, wife of Aaron Grubb ; Cora. Will-
iam, Annie, and John. Mr. Hetrich is a
warm Republican. In 1887 he was elected
tax collector, and efficiently performed the
duties of this office for one year. In 1888
he was chosen inspector of elections, and
served in this office for one year. He served
as auditor of East Hanover township for six
j'ears. Mr. Hetrich is a faithful member of
the Reformed church. His wife died April
7, 1892, aged forty-two years.
John Lingle, father of Mrs. Hetrich, was
born in East Hanover township, Dauphin
county, and was a farmer. His wife was
Miss Maria Gerberich, a native of Dauphin
county, daughter of John Gerberich. They
had eight children: John A., Thomas, Emma,
wife of Moses Fackler ; Annie, wife of Levi
Hauer, and Milton. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Malinda, Mrs. Eden Hetrich ;
Henry, and Ellen. Mr. Lingle died in Oc-
ber, 1884, aged sixty-two. His wife is still
in the enjoyment of good health at the age
of sixty-seven.
Shenk, Adam R., farmer and butcher,
was born in South Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 25, 1868. He is
a son of the late Daniel and Susan (Rider)
Shenk. His grandfather. Rev. Jacob Shenk,
was born in Dauphin county and was a
farmer. He was also -an honored minister
of the Dunkard church, and spent much of
his time in attending to the spiritual needs of
the people.
Michael Rider, maternal grandfather of
Mr. A. R. Shenk, was born in Dauphin
county. He was for many years a miller,
but later in life engaged in farming. Mr.
Rider married Elizabeth Brinser, a native
of Dauphin county, daughter of Rev. Mor-
decai Brinser, farmer and pastor of the
Dunkard church. They had eight children :
Susan, widow of Daniel Shenk ; Emma, wife
of Harry Lackmayer, of Iowa; Elizabeth,
wife of Levi Jones; Adam; Henry; Annie,
wife of Solomon Fackler; Sarah, wife of
Aaron Engle, and Jacob, deceased.
Daniel Shenk, father of Adam R., was
born in Dauphin county, and was a farmer.
He was married to Miss Susan, daughter of
Michael and Elizabeth Rider, born in Dau-
phin county. They had twelve children, of
whom seven are living : Mary, wife of Henry
Shope; Christian, Jacob, Peter, Adam R.,
Michael, and Susan. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Daniel, Lizzie, Milton, and two
that died in infancy. Mr. Daniel Shenk was
a Republican. He served one year as super-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
711
visor of South Hanover township. He was
a member of the Dunkard church. He died
March 18, 1885. His wife still survives him,
hale and hearty, at the age of fifty-seven, and
resides in Palmyra, Pa.
Adam R. Shenk took only a partial course
of instruction in the public schools. At
twelve years of age he worked at butchering,
attending school at the same time. From
that time until he was twenty-one he was
hired out among the farmers. In 1890 he
began to learn the painter's trade, but after
six months' work, finding the work injurious
to his health, he abandoned it, and resumed
farming and butchering, which callings he
has since pursued. He attends the Harris-
burg market, on Broad street, twice a week.
Mr. Shenk was married, January 9, 1892, to
Miss Clarissa, daughter of Elias and Sarah
(Wolf) Buck. They have one son, Daniel J.
Mr. Shenk is a good, solid Republican. He
is enterprising in business and prosperous.
Personally, he is highly esteemed.
Shrivee, Henry, farmer, was born in
Lebanon county. Pa., August 8, 1826; son of
the late Jacob and Elizabeth (Shirk) Shriver.
His paternal grandparents were both natives
of Lebanon county, where they reared a
family. The grandfather died in 1828 and
the grandmother in 1872. Jacob Shriver,
father of Henry, was born in Lebanon
county, and was a blacksmith. His wife,
Elizabeth Shirk, was also a native of Leba-
non county. Their only surviving child is
Henry Shriver. A deceased child is Cathe-
rine, wife of Peter Ney. Mr. Shriver died
and Mrs. Shriver was joined in her second
marriage to Peter Heims, by whom she had
one daughter, Sarah, wife of Solomon
Granger. After the death of Mr. Heims,
the widow was married to her third hus-
band, George Fornwalt. They had one
child, who died in infancy.
Henry Shriver received his education in
the public schools of Lebanon and Dauphin
counties. Left an orphan at an early age,
he had to struggle on in his own way. He
lived out among farmers, and sometimes
found life hard. Sometimes he was at farm
work, and at other times he was driving
team. He finally settled down to farming
as his regular occupation. Mr. Shriver was
married, April 18, 1858, to Miss Lucinda,
daughter of John and Sarah (Hoofnagel)
Snyder. Their children are : William, John
A., and Lucretia, wife of William Aungst.
In 1862 Mr. Shriver was drafted for service
in the army. In 1865 he was again drafted
and paid three hundred dollar^ substitute
money. He is a Republican, In 1876 he
was elected supervisor of East Hanover
township and served in this office for one
year and a half. In 1879 he was again
elected to the same office and served one
year. In 1891 he was elected for a third
term and once more served one year. He is
a member of the United Brethren church.
John Snyder, father of Mrs. Shriver, was
a native of Dauphin county, and a tailor.
In later life he became a farmer, on the
homestead, where his daughter, Mrs. Shriver,
now lives.
John A. Shriver, a son of Henry Shriver,
was born at the homestead. He took the
regular course in the public schools of the
township and assisted his father on the farm
until he was nineteen years old. He then
attended the Witmer College, at Palmyra,
Pa., for two terras, after which he studied
for two terms at the Lebanon Valley College
(United Brethren), Annville, Pa. At the
age of twenty-two Mr. John A. Shriver began
teaching school, and has since been contin-
uously occupied with the work of teaching.
Mr. Shriver was married, in 1877, to Miss
Maggie, daughter of John and Rosa (Kruse)
Hinkle. They have three children : Harrv
E., Charles W. and Lillie W. Mr. Shriver
teaches and has his residence in Derry.
His ability as an educator is universally
recognized and he is held in esteem for his
personal worth.
HoERNER, John, retired farmer, was born
in West Hanover township, now East Han-
over, Dauphin county, Pa., April 17, 1813 ;
son of the late Major John and Magdalena
(Ebersole) Hoerner. Andrew Hoerner, his
grandfather, was a native of Germany ; he
came to this country when a boy and settled
on the farm which became the homestead of
his family, and it has been in their posses-
sion up to this time. It has been the birth-
place and dwellingplace of three generations,
and is now enjoyed by representatives of the
fourth and fifth. A small town named
Hoernerstown and a school house now oc-
cupy part of this farm. Andrew Hoerner
served in the Revolutionary war. The rifle
he carried is carefully preserved as a relic
and is in possession of Cyrus Hoerner
brother of John.
Major John Hoerner, their father, was born
712
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
in 1783 ; he was a farmer and owner and cul-
tivated the old homestead farm ; he served in
the war of 1812. The bayonet of his gun is
preserved in perfect condition and is in the
possession of his son, John Hoerner. Major
Hoerner was married, in 1805, to Miss Mag-
dalena, daughter of Peter Ebersole, a native
of Dauphin county. They had twelve chil-
dren, six of whom are living: John, Louisa,
Barbara, wife of Henry Yingst, Peter, Albert
and Cyrus. Their deceased children are:
Jacob, born in 1807, died in 1825; Andrew;
David, born in May, 1811, died in August,
1893; Anna, died aged eighteen years ; Ellen ;
Maggie, born December 25, 1815, married to
John Nunnemacher, died in 1864. Major
Hoerner lived on the old homestead for sev-
eral years retired from active duties and died
aged ninety-two. He was a Republican, and
he and his wife were both members of the
Lutheran church.
John Hoerner, son of Major Hoerner, re-
ceived only a partial education in the common
schools as conducted before the present
system was established. He was engaged
with his father in the cultivation of the home
farm until he was twenty years old; he then
went to learn blacksmithing, which calling
he followed until 1841. Mr. Hoerner was
married, November 11, 1841, to Miss Mary,
daughter of Barnhard and Sarah (Wombech)
Ranch, born on the homestead, now owned
by Mr. John Hoerner, on August 30, 1813.
Of their three children, two died in infancy ;
the surviving child is Isaac. After his mar-
riage Mr. Hoerner followed his trade for
about fifteen years. During the following
fifteen years he was farming, and after this
he retired from active business. In 1868 Mr.
Hoerner was elected supervisor of East Han-
over township and served two years. After
this he was elected auditor of the same town-
ship and served many years. In 1876 he
was elected assistant elector of Hanover town-
ship and held the office for three years ; he
has always been a decided and active Repub-
lican. His wife died September 3, 1892.
Mrs. Hoerner was an affectionate and faith-
ful mother, a devout Christian, and a con-
sistent member of the Reformed church ; she
died at the age of seventy-nine. After her
departure Mr. Hoerner lived alone, keeping
house by himself, until within the last year;
he enjoys good health at the age of eighty-
two. He is a member of the Reformed
church and a liberal contributor to all church
work.
Bernard Ranch, father of Mrs. Hoerner,
was married, in 1811, to Miss Sarah Wom-
bech. They had six children, of whom
Peter is the only survivor; he resides in
Michigan. His deceased children are : Mary,
who was Mrs. Hoerner; Catherine, wife of
John Lentz ; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Wal-
mer ; and Susan, wife of Daniel Hetrick.
Thome, Charles V., M. D., was born in
Londonderry township, Lebanon county,
Pa., June 16, 1835. He is a son of the late
Dr. San^uel N. and Margaret (Jeffries) Thome.
Dr. Samuel H. was born in Lancaster county.
Pa. He practiced medicine in Lebanon
county for forty-five years. He also had a
large practice in Dauphin county. His wife,
Margaret Jeffries, was a native of Lancaster
county. They had six children, of whom
five are living: William H., a prominent
physician of Palmyra, Pa.; Charles V.;
Emma, wife of Dr. P. J. Roebuck, of Lititz,
Lancaster county. Pa.; John M., residing in
Cordovia, Argentine Republic, South Amer-
ica, as director of an astronomical observa-
tory ; Samuel W., American Consul at As-
sumption, Paraguay, South America. Dr.
S. H. Thorne died in 1874. His wife died in
December, 1895.
Dr. Charles V. Thome spent his youthful
days at Palmyra, Pa. His primary educa-
tion was received in the public schools of
that place. He attended White Hall Acad-
emy, Cumberland county, Pa. He read
medicine with his father and with Dr. C. G.
Gloninger, of Lebanon, Pa. While study-
ing with his father, in 1862, he enlisted in
company E, One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served nine months. During this time
he took part in several battles, among the
most notable of which are those of Fred-
ericksburg and Chancellorsville. In the latter
engagement he was wounded in the head
by a fragment from a bursting shell. He
was honorably discharged from the service,
at Harrisburg, and at once returned to
Lebanon, Pa., and resumed the study of his
profession.
In 1863 Mr. Thome entered the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and
in 1866 received his diploma from that in-
stitution, with the degree of doctor of medi-
cine. He at once began practice, in connec
tion with his father, at Palmyra.' After a
little more than a year, he was appointed as-
sistant physician at the State Insane Asylum.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
713
This position he held for over three years,
and then practiced at Lititz for two years.
Since 1873 he has been practicing in East
Hanover township.
Dr. Thome was married, at Palmyra, in
1872, to Miss Emma P., daughter of Moses
and Mary (Rambler) Early, residents of
East Hanover township.- Two of the three
children of Dr. and Mrs. Thome are living :
Charles C. and Edgar R. One died in in-
fancy. Dr. Thome is a member of Ashara
Lodge, No. 98, Marietta, Pa.
Brown, Gone H., was born in East Han-
over township, Dauphin county, Pa., No-
vember 6, 1858 ; son of the late John and
Margaret (Snoddy) Brown. The father, John
Brown, was born February 25, 1813. He
was married, March 16, 1837, to Miss Mar-
garet Snoddy. They had twelve children,
eleven of whom are living : John ; Mary, wife
of a Mr. Hite, deceased, afterwards of James
Jones, deceased, and, thirdly, of Amos Cassel ;
William; Calvin; Samuel S.; James; Jacob;
Margaret, wife of Anthony Fetterman ; Sarah,
wife of Isaac Boyer; Gone H., and George.
The deceased child is Lydia. Mr. Brown
was a carpenter and continued in that voca-
tion for many years. After his marriage he
became a farmer. He first occupied the
farm owned by a Mr. Moon, and tilled it
for some years. From this farm he removed
to the one owned by Jacob Poorman. Thence
he removed to the farm of Bernhard Ranch,
now the property of John Hoerner. His
next removal was to the farm owned by a
Mr. Sheets, and the next and last to the old
homestead farm, where he made his home
with his son, and where both he and his
wife died ; Mr. Brown, November 20, 1889, at
the age of seventy-six, and Mrs. Brown, May
21, 1881. Her age was sixty-four years, one
month and twelve days; she had been mar-
ried forty-four years, two months and five
days, and had reared a family of twelve
children. She had forty-five grandchildren,
of whom thirty-five were living at the time of
her death.
Gone H. Brown was educated in the pub-
lic schools of East Hanover township. He
hired out to assist the farmers until he was
twenty-three years old. He tlien learned
plastering and has made it his principal em-
ployment. He is also engaged in farming.
Since 1883 he has regularly attended the
Harrisburg markets. Mr. Brown was mar-
ried, January 3, 1883, to Miss Lizzie, daugh-
ter of Benjamin and Catherine (Lehman)
Lehman. She was born January 11, 1855.
They have no children. He is a Republi-
He and his wife are members of the
can.
United Brethren church, at Grantville.
Benjamin Lehman, father of Mrs. Brown,
was born in Londonderry township, Leb-
anon county. Pa., November 13, 1813. He
was a cooper for some years. After his mar-
riage he exchanged his occupation for that
of farming, which was his vocation for the
remainder of his life. Mr. Lehman was
married to Miss Catherine Lehman, a native
of Lebanon county. They had these chil-
dren : Benjamin, Annie, Mary, David, Jacob,
Kate, wife of Melias Moyer, Lizzie, wife of
G. H. Brown, Peter, Daniel, Fannie, de-
ceased, and Martin, deceased. In 1882 Mr.
Lehman was elected supervisor of East Han-
over township, Dauphin county, and served
for one year. In 1872 he removed from
Londonderry township, Lebanon county, to
East Hanover township, in the same county,
to the farm then owned by Jacob Urich,
which he cultivated for five years. Thence
he removed to East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, to the farm of Henry Horst, on
which he remained for eleven years. His
next removal was to the farm of Solomon
Cas.sel, which he tilled for three years. He
then returned to Londonderry township,
Lebanon county, to his old homestead, where
he spent the remainder of his life. His wife
died April 16, 1882. They were members of
the Mennonite church.
Ettek, Rev. David, minister in the
Dunkard church. East Hanover township,
was born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., March 19, 1826 ; son of
Lawrence and Salome (Kline) Etter. The
grandfather, Lawrence, was a native of
Switzerland. He came to this country when
nine years old and learned the trade of car-
penter and followed that occupation. The
father was a native of York county and was
born April 2, 1787. He was a carpenter by
trade. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth
Baulbaugh, born in East Hanover town-
ship, February 14, 1887, to whom were born
eight children : Mary, Mrs. George Bashore;
Elizabeth, Mrs. Abraham Bashore; Cathe-
rine, Mrs. Henry Lare ; Leah, Mrs. Benja-
min Gorman ; Rachel, second wife of Abra-
ham Bashore ; Jacob, John, and Sallie. He
married, secondly. Miss Salome Kline,
August 23, 1823, and to this marriage were
714
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
bom six children, of whom the only survivor
is David. The father died November 9,
1853, aged sixty-six years.
David received only a common school
education, and learned the carpenter trade,
at which he worked for twenty years. Later
he became a farmer and has followed this
occupation for fifty years, and in 1893 he re-
tired from the active work on the farm. For
the past thirty years Mr. Etter has been a
minister in the Dunkard church, and since
1885 has been an elder in the district of
East and West Hanover, the position which
he now fills with acceptance. He was mar-
ried, August 19, 1848, to Miss Sarah Koons,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Walmer)
Koons. Their children are : Lizzie K., wife
of George Baum ; Kate, wife of Amos Ging-
rich; .Joseph K.; Sarah, wife of David
Becker; David K.; Samuel K.; Leah, wife of
Isaac Bashore ; John K., died July 27, 1875,
aged seventeen years; John Koons, faither
of Mrs. Etter was a ■ native of Lebanon
county. He first married Miss Elizabeth
Walmer, and they had seven children :
Sallie, Mrs. Etter ; Lydia, Kate, George,
Elizabeth, Maria, and John. He married,
secondly. Miss Mollie Dutwieler. He died
in December, 1877, aged seventy-nine years.
Snyder, William, Grantville, Pa., was
born in East Hanover township, Dauphin
coiinty. Pa., November 7, 1819 ; son of the
late John and Sarah (Hoofnackle) Snyder.
John, the father, was born in Dauphin
county, July 12, 1788. He followed the oc-
cupation of tailor for many years, and later
engaged in farming. His wife was also a
native of Dauphin county, and they had
seven children, four of whom are living:
William; Lucinda, Mrs. Henry Shriver;
Kate Anna, Mrs. George W. Miller; and
Mary A., Mrs. Joseph Krautzer. Their de-
ceased children are: Eliza, Daniel, and Jacob.
Mr. Snyder died August 3, 187U, and his
wife died suddenly, December 26, 1879, aged
eighty-seven years.
William attended the public schools for
only a few winter terms. At twelve years of
age he went to work on the canal with Jacob
Frantz, and remained with him for seven
years. He then bought a boat and began
business for himself, running from Middle-
town and Pottstown to Philadelphia, and
making the round trip in a week's time. He
worked under contract with Benjamin Frick,
and was engaged in boating for him for
eight years. In 1851 the canal was widened
and larger boats came into use, and the fol-
lowing year Mr. Snyder bought a large Penn-
sylvania boat, and went into the lumber
trade, shipping from Williamsport and Lock
Haven to Philadelphia and Baltimore, tak-
ing two weeks for a round trip. 'He had a
boating contract with the men at the Star
mills for four years, and he had another con-
tract with George Lentz, a lumberman, at
Williamsport, for five years. Altogether he
was engaged in boating on the canal for
thirty-eight years. He then abandoned
boating and engaged in farming. Mr. Sny-
der was married, August 12, 1849, to Miss
Sarah Pancake, daughter of Valentine and
Catherine (Shreedley) Pancake. Their chil-
dren are : Clara ; Alice, wife of Allison Bal-
bough, deceased ; Elmer E., and Malon H.,
died in 1889, aged thirty-eight years. In his
political views Mr. Snyder is a Republican.
The parents of Mrs. Snyder were both na-
tives of Dauphin county. Their children
are: Anna, Sarah, Jacob, Mary, David, all
living; and Andrew, John, Catherine and
Elizabeth, all deceased. Elmer E., son of
William, was born June 11, 1861, received
his primary education in the public schools
of East Hanover township, and took a course
at Lebanon Valley College, Annville. In
1882 he began teaching, and has since been
engaged in that vocation.
Shirk, Jacob S., general merchant, Grant-
ville, Pa., was born in East Hanover town-
ship, Lebanon county. Pa., June 30, 1844 ;
son of Michael and Elizabeth (Swoke) Shirk.
The father was born in the same township,
and resided there until 1845, where he was
engaged in mercantile pursuits. He then
removed to Dauphin county, where he con-
ducted the same business until his death in
December, 1867. His wife was born in Beth-
lehem township. Berks county. Pa., but was
reared by her aunt in Lebanon county, her
mother having died while she was a child.
She removed with her husband to East Han-
over township, and lived there until his
death, and for the past sixteen years has
been a resident of Harrisburg. Their chil-
dren are: Emma M., died, aged five years;
Galen, died at the same age ; John H., died
at the age of thirty-one years. He was a
graduate of the University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia; practiced medicine at Ann-
ville, Pa., for a year and a half, and at the
time of his death was practicing at Phila-
DAijPBlJ^ (JOtlNTY.
715
delphia. Their living children are : Cathe-
rine G., wife of Henry C. Orth, musical in-
strument dealer, at Harrisburg; Jacob S.,
and Mary Elizabeth, wife of Harry Uhler,
real estate dealer in Harrisburg.
Jacob S. was brought by his parents to
East Hanover township, Dauphin county,
when he was but fifteen months old, where
he acquired his education in the district
schools. He took a course in the Commer-
cial College of Bryant & Stratton, at Phila-
delphia, and became a salesman in his
father's store, in which capacity he was em-
ployed until 1866, at which date he was ad-
mitted to a partnership in the business. His
father died in 1867, and the following year
he took entire charge of the business, which
he has conducted since that time. He was
married, in East Hanover township, Feb-
ruary 14, 1867, to Miss Emma R. Early,
daughter of Amos and Mary Early. Their*
children are : Marie Ellen, died November
18, 1889, aged nine years; Edward M.,
Robert E., and Emma L. Mr. Shirk has
served efficiently in the offices of auditor,
tax collector, and- assessor. He was an ac-
ceptable postmaster for thirty years, and in
politics was a Republican. He and his wife
are members of the United Brethren church.
Shertzer, Benjamin F., postmaster and
harness maker, Grantville, Pa., was born in
the lower end of Fishing Creek Valley, Dau-
phin county, Pa., September 18, 1844 ; son
of Paul and Susan (Unger) Shertzer. He
acquired his education in his native place,
and when nineteen years of age removed to
Linglestbwn, where he learned the trade of
harness maker and where he pursued this
occupation four years. In 1868 he removed
to East Hanover township, where he has
been engaged in business twenty-nine years.
Under the first Cleveland administration he
was appointed postmaster, and is now serv-
ing his second term in the office. He was
married, in West Hanover township, July 10,
1873, to Emma Bouchter, daughter of John
and Leah Bouchter, residents of Lebanon
county. Two of their children died in in-
fancy, and those living are: Bertha May,
Mrs. Golen Boyer ; Kate E., Wesley B., and
Mabel M. In politics he is a Democrat, and
in his religious faith and fellowship he and
the family are with the United Brethren
church.
HALIFAX TOWNSHIP.
Lebbrick, George T., retired, Halifax,
Dauphin county. Pa., was born in that town,
September 23, 1844, and still resides in the
house in which he was born, which was in-
herited from his grandparents.
The lineal descent of George T. Leebrick
is as follows : Capt. Benjamin Parke, born in
Westerly, R. I., 1735, who was killed at the
battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. George
T. is the son of John P. Leebrick and Han-
nah Mary (Parke) Leebrick, grandson of
Thomas Parke and Eunice (Chaplin) Parke,
great-grandson of Capt. Benjamin Parkeand
Hannah (Stanton) Parke, great-great-grand-
son of John Parke and Elizabeth (Miller)
Parke, great-great-great-grandson of Thomas
Parke and Abigail (Dix) Parke, great-great-
great-great-grandson of Richard and Sarah
Fallier Parke, of London, England, who
settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1632. Capt.
Benjamin Parke assisted materially in the
struggle for American independence, being
captain of a company which participated in
the battle of Bunker Hill. He was also a
member of the committee that drew up the
celebrated resolutions protesting against the
infringements of the rights of the colonies,
the tax on tea in 1774. (See Denison's
Westerly, page 210). The Captain, while on
a visit to his sister, Mrs. Pendleton, at Ston-
ington, Conn., marched to the relief of Bos-
ton during the Lexington alarm, in April,
1775. (See adjutant general's report of Con-
necticut in the Revolution, page 22). Ac-
cording to the report, " the said Capt. Ben-
jamin Parke marched at the head of a com-
pany of minute men to the relief of the
American army, near Boston, in June, 1775,
and participated' in the battle of Bunker
Hill, June 17, 1775, in which battle he was
mortally wounded." For further accounts
see Narragansett Historical Register, vol. 1,
page 217, Denison's Westerly, page 74, and
Drake's Dictionary of American Biography,
page 687.
George T. Leebrick's great-great-grand-
father, John Philip Lebreg (as the name was
then spelled), was born in Manheim, Ger-
many, in 1696, and died in Manheim Pa.,
at the age of eighty-two. He had a family
of four children: Nicholas, born in Man-
heim, Pa., in 1748, married Catherine Franks.
The other children were girls : one married
716
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Daniel Bridgian, another Charles Wilstach,
and the third a Mr. Newman.
The children of Nicholas and Catherine
(Franks) Lebreg, great-graudparents of
George T. Leebrick, were as follows: John,
born in Manheim, Pa., May 27, 1770, died
October 9, 1804, unmarried; Philip, married
Mary Castle; Daniel, date of birth and death
unknown, married Elizabeth Peters; George,
grandfather of George T., born February 7,
1779, married by Rev. Mr. Ilgen, at Mifflin-
burg. Pa., March 17, 1801, to Mary Mohr,
was a tanner and merchant, settled in Hali-
fax in 1811, and spent the remainder of his
life in this town; his death occurred March
12, 1847. His children wei'e nine in num-
ber.
His son, John P. Leebrick, father of George
T., was born February 10, 1804, married
Mary Parke, February 17, 1831, died Sep-
tember 24, 1869, and his wife died May 3,
1852. They had six children: Ellen, born
June 24, 1832, in Halifax, died July 9, 1833 ;
John Eberle, born in Halifax, December 31,
1833, died July 16, 1862 ; Louisa Parke, born
November 11, 1835, resides at the home-
stead ; Anna Marv, born February 10, 1837,
died July 28,1838; Henry Clay, born No-
vember 12, 1839, died August 23, 1842;
George Thomas, born September 23, 1841.
John P. Leebrick, like his father, resided all
his life in Halifax and was extensively en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits and in railroad
and canal contracts. He was a prominent
and progressive man, a stockholder and di-
rector in canals and railroads, and interested
in other like industrial ventures.
George Thomas Leebrick is the son of the
late John Philip and Hannah Mary (Parke)
Leebrick. He was born and has always
had his home in Halifax. His early educa-
tion was received in the public schools and
under his mother's tuition. Before he was
ten years old he attended an academy in
Juniata county. Pa. Later he was at the
Mt. Joy Academy, Lancaster county, Pa.,
and still later the Western Reserve College
at Hudson, Ohio,, since removed to Cleve-
land, Ohio, and now called Adelbert Col-
lege.
His education finished, Mr. Leebrick taught
school during one winter. In April, 1861,
he enlisted as a private in company D, Fif-
teenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served three months; he was discharged
at Carlisle, Pa., August 7, 1861 ; re-enlisted
September 2, 1861, in company D, Forty-
sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served in this regiment until December
2, 1862, when he was again discharged by
the Secretary of War, at Marj'land Heights,
Md. He took part in the battles of Cedar
Mountain and Antietam. In 1863 Mr. Lee-
brick commenced the study of law with A.
H. Dill, of Lewisburg, Pa., and remained
with him two years. He then returned to
Halifax, where he has since spent most of
his time.
Mr. Leebrick -was married, in Halifax,
April 5, 1877, to Sarah R., daughter of Sam-
uel and Susanna Noblit, early settlers of
Halifax township. They had no children.
Mr. Leebrick belongs to H. M. Slocum Post,
No. 523, G. A. R.; is a Democrat, and his
wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
The fourth child of Nicholas Lebreg, great-
. grandfather of George T. Leebrick, was Will-
iam Mohr, who died in 1872.
Shope, Jacob W., physician and surgeon,
Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa., was born in
Linglestown, Dauphin county, August 22,
1845. He is a son of John and Mary (Mason)
Shope. John Shope was born in Lingles-
town in 1815. From the date of his mar-
riage he was a resident of Linglestown and
was engaged in the butcher business. In
1864 he removed to Dauphin, Pa., where he
now resides. Mrs. John Shope, who was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1816, died
July 17, 1885, in the borough of Dauphin.
They had nine children: an infant that
died ; David, who died from the eflfects of a
fall; Harriet, wife of P. D.Felty; Elizabeth,
wife of A. T. Gerberich ; Dr. Jacob W., Will-
iam, George, John, and Mary, wife of W.
Manley, residing at Rockville, Dauphin
county.
John W. Shope spent his boyhood in his
native town. After leaving the public
schools, in which he was educated, he was
for one year clerk in a dry goods store. He
then learned the trade of shoemaking, at
which he worked for some time. On August
22, 1864, Mr. Shope enlisted in company C,
Two Hundred and First regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, and served until the close
of the war, being mustered out at Harris-
burg. He then carried on the retail shoe
business at Dauphin, Pa., for two years. This
business he sold out in 1867, and was for sev-
eral years engaged in bridge building. Again
he took up the shoe business at Dauphin and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Ill
carried it on until 1876. In this year Mr.
Shope began the study of medicine. In the
fall of 1878 he entered Jefferson Medical Col-
lege, Philadelphia, Pa., and was graduated in
March, 1880. Since that date he has been a
continuous resident of Halifax and a suc-
cessful practitioner in his profession.
Dr. Shope was married in Halifax, Janu-
ary 7, 1870, to Margaretta J., daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Oswald) Shope. They
have three children : Charles P., editor of
the Halifax Gazette ; Minnie 0., and Susan
E. Dr. Shope is an active worker in the Re-
publican party. He has been a member of
the school board and its president. He be-
longs to Susquehanna Lodge, No. 364, F. &
A. M., of Millersburg. He and his family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Nace, William Benjamin, druggist, Hali-
fax, Dauphin county, Pa., was born in Hali-
fax township, April 19, 1857. He is a son of
Henry and Elspy A. (Lebo) Nace. John
Nace, his great-grandfather, removed with
his family from Montgomery county, N. J.
He came in company with a man named
Wilson. They bought large tracts of land
in Dauphin county, and settled in Halifax
township, where John Nace died, at the age
of sixty. He had been twice married, and
reared seven children, and at his death he
left a farm to each of his seven sons.
William B. Nace received his early educa-
tion in the common schools of Halifax, and
afterwards attended the Lykens high school,
where he finished, not having the means to
secure a more liberal education. He went
to Harrisburg, and obtained a position as
clerk in the drug store of Howard S. Die-
trich, in which he served three years, and
was then for two years with A. M. Steever,
of Harrisburg.
After leaving the Lykens high school Mr.
Nace taught school three consecutive terms
in the same school in which he received his
early education. In June, 1887, he left
Harrisburg and opened his present place of
business in Halifax, where he has built up
an extensive trade. While learning the
drug business his wages were only two dol-
lars and a half per week, so that in begin-
ning business for himself he had not one
dollar of capital.
Mr. Nace was married, in Halifax, July 5,
1887, to Miss Alice A., daughter of George
and Louisa Lantz, natives of Dauphin
county. She was born in Halifax township,
October 15, 1863. They had one child,
Raymond E., born July 18, 1889.
Mr. Nace is a Republican. He holds
membership in Charter Lodge, No. 82, I. 0.
0. F., and in Syrian Commandery, No. 133,
Millersburg, Dauphin county. He and his
wife are members of the United Brethren
church in Halifax.
Nace, John E., merchant, Halifax, Pa.,
was born in Halifax township, Dauphin
county, Pa., April 1, 1835. He is a son of
David and Barbara (Enders) Nace. He re-
ceived his education in the common schools
of his native place. At sixteen years of age
he went to Dauphin, where he served an ap-
prenticeship of three years at carpentry with
his uncle, Isaac Nace. He then worked at
his trade in Dauphin for seven years, after
which he was for seven years in business for
himself, as a contractor. In 1865 Mr. Nace
opened a general store in Fisherville, where
he transacted business for about six years,
after which he sold his business and was
idle for one year. He then formed a part-
nership with J. E. Rutter, and opened a
butchering business at Lykens, Pa. At the
end of the first year he sold his interest in
this concern to his partner and bought a
share in a planing mill in the same town
and was made a superintendent of the same.
This enterprise proving unprofitable owing
to the panic of 1871, in two years he lost the
money he had invested in the mill. Dur-
ing the next five years Mr. Nace was em-
ployed as time clerk at the steel works at
Steelton. He then bought the general store
of J. E. Lyter, at Halifax, where he has
since continued in business with the most
gratifying success.
Mr. Nace was married in Halifax, Janu-
ary 8, 1861, to Miss Lydia A., daughter of
Joseph and Catherine (Loud milch) Fetter-
hoff, born in Halifax township, December
8, 1841. Of their three children, two died
in infancy; the survivor, Oscar C, is a mer-
chant at Harrisburg, Pa., and married
Emily Smith.
Mr. Nace's political views are strongly
Republican. He has served Lykens bor-
ough one term as councilman and one as
burgess, and he was councilman at Steelton
for one term. He is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church.
718
BIOGRAPSICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Miller, Clayton C, M. D., Halifax, Pa.,
was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county, Pa., August 4, 1859. He is a son of
Samuel B., and Mary (Fitting) Miller.
Peter Miller (1), great-grandfather of Dr.
Miller, was born in Jackson township, in
1780, and died there in 1847. He was a farmer.
He married a Miss Weaver; their children
were three sons and three daughters. The
Christian names of the daughters are not
now accessible ; they were all married, one
to Valentine Straw, another to Christian
Snyder, and another to John L. Keiter. The
sons were Peter, Daniel, and Joseph. Peter
Miller (2), grandfather of Dr. Miller, was
born in Jackson township, December 14,
1805. He grew to manhood in his native
place. He was reared on the farm and be-
came a farmer. He married Susan Snyder.
Their eldest children, Annie and Daniel,
died while they were small children. The
only one remaining is Samuel, father of Dr.
Miller.
Samuel B. Miller was born in Jackson
township, February 4, 1838. He received a
common school education, was .brought up a
farmer, and made farming his occupation
for life. His wife, Mary (Fitting) Miller, sur-
vives him and resides with her son. Dr. Mil-
ler. Their children are: Clayton C.; Susan
Alice, wife of James A. Gipple, of Lancas-
ter, Pa.; Penro P., farmer in Jackson town-
ship; and Florinda J., wife of C. E. Sweigard,
Jacksonville, Pa. Mr. Miller took an active
part in local affairs, was a school director for
many years, and was secretary and treas-
urer of the board. He was a life-long Dem-
ocrat. He died October 2, 1870, and is
buried in Fairview cemetery, Jackson town-
ship.
Clayton C. Miller received his early edu-
cation in the common schools of his native
place. In 1877 he entered Berrysburg Sem-
inary, Dauphin county, and in 1882 com-
menced the study of medicine with Dr.
Wetzel, at Jacksonville, Dauphin county.
He subsequently entered the medical col-
lege at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was
graduated in 1885. Soon after he began the
practice "of medicine at Lykens, Dauphin
county, and continued there until 1886,
when he removed to Matamoras, in the same
county. There he remained until April 1 ,
1895. Desiring a more central location, he
removed to Halifax, where he has built up
a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Miller is
among the foremost in his profession, and is
held in high estimation throughout that
section of the country.
Dr. Miller was married, in Jacksonville,
Pa., September 10, 1882, to Ann Jane Helt,
born in Dauphin county, July 4, 1862;
daughter of John F. and Margaret (Enders)
Helt, natives of Dauphin county. They
have five children : Ada B., born December
22, 1883; Florence A., June 18, 1886; Beu-
lah M., October 11, 1887 ; John Calvin, April
8, 1893; and Harry C, October 13, 1894.
Ryan, Charles W., cashier of Halifax
Bank, was born in Powell's Valley, Halifax
township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 17,
1841 ; son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Gay-
man) Ryan, natives of Middle Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county-. James Rj^an, his
great-grandfather, was a native of Ireland.
When a boy he came with a party of Scotch -
Irishmen to America, settled near Derry
Church, Dauphin county. Pa., and married
a Miss Boyd. His remains are interred near
Derry Church.
John Ryan, grandfather of Charles W.,
was born in Dauphin county. He marrie'd
a Miss Gondy. Their children are: John,
James, Andrew, father of C. W. Ryan, Sally,
and Mary. John and James settled in Erie
county. Pa., when that region was a wilder-
ness. The land they owned is now a part of
the city of Erie. James was a noted hunter
and fighter of the Indians ; he and John
took part in the war of 1812.
Charles W. Ryan received only a limited
education ; he attended school but three
months of each year, and that only until he
was eighteen years of age, and he was
obliged to walk three miles to reach the
school house. His parents died when he
was 'in his tenth year, but the eldest member
of the family, Andrew, a worthy young man,
twenty-seven years old, was for two years
father to the orphan children and kept the
family together. At the end of two years
Andrew died, and this sad event dissolved
the tie which held the children together. Mr.
Ryan then made his home with his brother-
in-law until he was seventeen years old, and
then, with his brother Isaac, worked the home
farm for three years. During the next year
he worked as a farm hand for David B.
Mather at $9 per month. At the end of the
year, having become of age, Charles and his
brother Isaac bought their sisters' share in
the estate and divided, it between themselves.
He was engaged in farming until 1882, and
'Z^:^ ^ )kcMx^7k/:^
^Ali^un^ ^. t^V-M/, 7^. ^'
y(^^^i^tf<^j/jf7ot^
^.yiy/ ^?-^h.^ . y%p. -iSP ^.-^^^€^.,-^^^^.1^
DA UPHIN CO UNTT .
721
in addition to this he had for ten years pre-
vious to this time dealt in coal and lime in
Halifax. In 1871 Mr. Ryan became a stock-
holder in the Halifax Bank, and in March,
1883, he succeeded William Shammo as
cashier of that bank, which position he still
holds. He also owns stock in the First Na-
tional Bank at Millersburg, Pa. Mr. Ryan
was married, in Halifax township, December
22, 1864, to Mary L., daughter of Joseph and
Mary (Hepler) Collier, born in Halifax town-
ship, January 11, 1848. Their children are :
Harras J., professor of electric engineering at
Cornell University, N. Y., he married Cathe-
rine F. Fortenbaugh ; Laura M., at home ;
Luther W., merchant at Halifax, married
Mary Gilbert.
LoMis, Albert Scott (formerly Loom is),
merchant, Halifax, Pa., was born in Halifax
township, Dauphin county. Pa., April 25,
1836, and is a son of Anthony W. and Maria
(Brubaker) Lomis. Anthony W. Lomis,
father of Albert S. Lomis, was born in Al-
stead, N. H., in 1811, and died in Halifax
township, Dauphin count}'^. Pa.; in August,
1864. He came to Dauphin county when a
young man. Having acquired a good com-
mon school education in his native place,
he left home to seek his fortune. He was
blessed with a robust constitution. Having
been reared a farmer's son, he was not afraid
of hard work. He taught school for some
years after coming to Dauphin county, and
beingfrugal and economical, he saved enough
from his earnings to start in business. He
rented a saw mill at the foot of Berry's moun-
tain, which he operated, but through a
serious misfortune lost all he possessed. He
afterwards engaged in agricultural pursuits,
later in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Lomis sub-
sequently owned and edited a newspaper
called the Halifax Herald, being assisted in
the office work by his son, Albert S., who
distributed many of the papers on each day
of publication. Mr. A. W. Lomis was re-
garded as a man of strict integrity and fair
dealing. He was capable in business mat-
ters, and possessed large views and great
public spirit. His death was lamented by
all ; in him the town lost one of its most
valuable citizens.
Mr. A. W. Lomis had been twice married.
His first wife, Maria Brubaker, had four
children: Albert Scott, Daniel B., William
A., and Barbara, widow of B. B. Brubaker,
who lives in Halifax. The second wife, of
47
Mr. Lomis was Mary Murray, sister of the
late Judge Murray, of Harrisburg. Their
children were: Frank M., Charles C., George
0., Walter J., Margaret 0., and Mary. Mr.
Lomis was a life-long Democrat.
Albert Scott Lomis was educated in the
common schools of Halifax township. He
worked as a mule driver on the old canal
and other pursuits from the time he was
thirteen years old until he was eighteen ;
from eighteen to twenty years of age he
owned and operated a small iron foundry in
Halifax, except during the winter of his
nineteenth year, when, at the earnest solici-
tation of the school board, he taught school
in Halifax township. At the age of twenty-
one years he had accumulated one thousand
dollars, which he invested in his enterprise.
While building and operating the foundry
times became hard and money was scarce,
consequently he disposed of his plant at a
loss. In 1864 Mr. Lomis went to work for
his father in the saw mill and was thus em-
ployed until the death of his father, in Au-
gust, 1864. He assumed charge of his fath-
er's business and was appointed executor of
the estate. In 1865 he greatly enlarged the
business. In 1868 he disposed of the saw
mill business at a great sacrifice and for the
next few years did practically nothing.
In 1876 Mr. Lomis formed a partnership
with his brother-in-law, B. B. Brubaker, un-
der the firm name of Brubaker & Lomis,
and engaged in the lime and coal business.
Tliis venture proved successful and in 1888
they added a general store to this business.
In February, 1892, Mr. Brubaker died and
Mr. Lomis purchased his deceased partner's
interest in the business, which he has since
conducted alone.
Mr. Lomis was married, in June, 1884, to
an acquaintance of his youth, Eliza, widow
of Morris Smith. They have two children :
Anthony Wayne and William Penn. Mr.
Lomis is a staunch Democrat. He has
served his borough as burgess. He is a
member of Lodge No. 82, I. 0. 0. F., of Hal-
ifax. Mr. Lomis is a man of fine physique,
standing over six feet in his stockings, and
of athletic appearance. He is genial, well-
informed and a pleasant talker. He is hon-
ored and esteemed by his neighbors.
Bkessler, John S., truck farmer, Halifax,
Dauphin county. Pa., was born in Halifax
township, August 29, 1840. He is a son of
Philip and Mary (Etter) Bressler. Philip
722
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTCLOPEDIA
Bressler was born near Harrisburg, Pa., in
1800, and was educated in his native place.
He was a farmer. After his marriage he
came to Halifax township and bought a farm
of his father-in-law, on which he resided
until his death in 1869. He was an old line
Whig and afterwards a Democrat. He was
well known and highly esteemed. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Bressler are : Eliza-
beth, wife of Philip Shafifer, Lebanon county.
Pa.; George W., deceased, married Ellen
Ryan ; Sarah, wife of Alfred Burtnett, Mun-
cie, Pa.; Sarah, married first to Rev. Mr.
Bressler ; her second husband was Charles
Egolf, deceased ; Mary E., died aged eigh-
teen ; Maggie, died aged two ; John S.; Ann
Jane, married first to Christian Urich, after-
wards to George Rees, and Louisa, wife of
Ira Miller, Millersburg, Pa.
John S. Bressler was educated in the com-
mon schools of Halifax township, and was
reared a farmer. In boyhood he was fond of
rural sports, and spent his leisure in hunt-
ing and fishing. His father died in 1871.
Then the home farm was sold and he and
his mother removed to Halifax and bought
the property he now occupies, a large brick
dwelling fronting the river. His mother
died there in 1885. Mr. Bressler was mar-
ried, in Millersburg, January 28, 1886, to
Alice M., daughter of Siinon and Caroline
(Sauser) Shoop. She was born in Millers-
burg, Pa., September 25, 1854. They have
had no children. During the summer Mr.
Bressler gives his whole attention to truck
farming, which, under his careful and skill-
ful methods, is a very profitable business.
The mother of Mrs. Bressler was first mar-
ried to Jacob Gruber. Mr. Shoop was her
second husband. Their children were :
Alice M., Mrs. Bressler ; Frank A., farmer
in Halifax township ; Clinton T., telegraph
operator, Lykens Valley, and Annie, wife of
Howard Frederick, Millersburg, Pa.
Lyter, Isaac, bank teller and county
commissioner, was born in the borough of
Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa., November 11,
1844. He is a son of Christian and Cathe-
rine (Bowman) Lyter. His great-grand-
father. Christian Lyter, is supposed to have
been born in Germany. When a child he
came with his parents to America. They
settled in Lancaster county. Pa., and re-,
moved thence to Lower ,Paxton township,
Dauphin county, Pa. Christian Lyter lived
to the age of one hundred and four years,
and passed away suddenly, one morning,
while sitting at the breakfast table. Peter
Lyter, grandfather of Isaac, was born in
Lower Paxton township, and was a farmer.
He married a Miss Shirk. Their children
were : Joseph, Christian, Henry, Abram,
Daniel, John, Moses, Louisa, married a Mr.
Utz, and Betsy, married Henry Bowman.
Mr. Lyter died in Halifax, in February,
1870.
Christian Lyter, father of Isaac Lyter, was
born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin
county, where h.e was educated and grew to
manhood. He came with his father to
Halifax in 1831 and learned the trade of
blacksmith, which he followed in addition
to the business of auctioneering. He trav-
eled much over this part of the State
as an auctioneer, and was one of the
most skillful and successful men in the
business. His death, which occurred July
9, 1874, was much lamented. He had been
justice of the peace for twenty years, and
had filled other local ofiices. His children
are : Ellen V., wife of A. J. Shammo, Hali-
fax ; Elspy, wife of G. W. Bottomstoue, Wy-
oming, la.; Isaac; Sarah, deceased, wife of
H. C. Brubaker ; William H., grocer, Har-
risburg, Pa.; John F., clerk, Harrisburg, and
Lawrence W., conductor on the Northern
Central railway, resides in Halifax. Mrs.
Lyter, mother of Isaac, died January 10,
1896, aged seventy-seven. She had long
been a great sufferer from a complication of
diseases.
Isaac Lyter attended the schools of his na-
tive place a part of each year until he was
seventeen. During his boyhood he assisted
his father both on his farm and in his
blacksmith shop. In this way he gained
considerable knowledge of the trade. Isaac
enlisted at Harrisburg, September 14, 1864,
in company I, Forty-sixth regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and served until the
close of the war, and was with Sherman on
his march to the sea. He was discharged, at
Harrisburg, Pa., June 8, 1865, and at once
returned home.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Lyter entered
into partnership with his father in the black-
smith business, and continued with him two
years. He then bought and conducted the
business alone until 1888 ; he then sold it, to
assume the position of teller in the bank
at" Halifax, which he has efficiently filled
since that date. He is also a stockholder.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
723
Mr. Lyter was married, January 6, 1870,
to Mary, daughter of Joseph and Esth,er
Brubaker. They have four children : Harry
W., born December 4, 1871 ; Pearl E., June
20, 1874 ; May, January 29, 1877, and Cathe-
rine, October 19, 1881. Mr. Lyter has been
honored by his fellow-citizens with about all
the offices in their gift, from the lower
places of trust up to the office of burgess.
He was first elected commissioner of Dau-
phin county in 1889, and is now serving
his second term in that responsible position.
Lodge, William, president of the Halifax
Bank, and ex-county treasurer, was born in
Halifax borough, Dauphin county, Pa., June
1, 1827. He is a son of John and Elizabeth
(Fetterhoff) Lodge. Matthias Lodge, his
grandfather, was born in England, and
came to America with his wife and family.
The parents died soon after reaching Penn-
sylvania, leaving two sons and two daugh-
ters— John, father of William Lodge, being
one of the sons.
John Lodge was born in Halifax township,
in 1800. He received a limited education,
his parents having died when he was a year
or two old. He was reared by Captain
Smith, a prominent citizen of Halifax. He
grew to manhood in the township, and early
learned shoemaking,but worked at the trade
only occasionally. His principal occupation
was fence building, at which he worked in
different parts of the country. He was also
extensively engaged in butchering. Mr.
Lodge removed to Halifax in 1858, and was
employed by his son, William, to assist about
the warehouse and drive a team. He sud-
denly expired on the street, when on his
way to the depot to meet his son. His
death occurred in 1880, and one year later
his wife followed him to the grave. She
was born in 1801. Their children were:
Isaac, died in infancy; John, a farmer, died
in 1868; Esby, died young ; William; Dan-
iel, died young; Susan, wife of John Robi-
son, Halifax ; George W., painter and paper
hanger, Halifax, and Sarah, wife of A. M.
Pike, Halifax.
William Lodge had only slender oppor-
tunities for securing an education. Twelve
months in one of the schools of the township
was the extent of his schooling. The school
house was situated at the distance of two
miles from his home. From the age of eight
years to that of twelve he worked out among
the neighboring farmers. When he was
thirteen his father hired him to Samuel
Landis, a merchant, at Halifax, on the con-
ditions that he was to remain two years, and
was to receive $3 per month and his board
and clothing. At the end of one year he
had shown such aptitude and ability as a
clerk in the store that his wages were raised
to $4 per month, besides his board and cloth-
ing. He continued in the store of Mr. Lan-
dis from 1841 to 1846, afterwards obtaining
a better position as clerk in a store at Liver-
pool, Pa., in which he remained two years,
after which he returned to his former em-
ployer, Mr. Landis, and was with him until
1851, except during the winter of 1849, when
he taught school. He received $15 per
month during 1850. In 1851 he bought a
one-half interest in the stock of Mr. Landis,
with whom he continued in partnership nine
years.
Close confinement to the store and con-
tinuous application to business affected his
health injuriously, and on this account he
sold his interest in the store, and sought ac-
tive outdoor employment. He bought a
canal boat, went into the lime business, and
gradually worked into traffic in coal, lumber,
grain, etc. About 1860 he formed a part-
nership with Joseph Landis, a son of his
former employer and partner, under the firm
name of Landis & Lodge. This firm added
to the business a general store, purchasing
property on Market street, fitting up a store
room, and stocking it with general merchan-
dise. This partnership continued success-
fully for eight or nine years and was tUen
dissolved, Mr. Landis taking the store, and
Mr. Lodge the lime, coal and lumber busi-
ness. Mr. Lodge carried on business alone
until 1878. In that year he was elected
treasurer of Dauphin county, and finding
himself unable to attend to his business and
perform the duties of his office, he took his
. brother-in-law, Mr. Pike, as his partner, and
in 1889 or 1890 sold his own interest to Mr.
Pike, since which date he has lived retired
from active business.
Mr. Lodge married, at Millerstown, Perry
county, Pa., December 25, 1849, Martha Ellen
Kinter, a native of that town. She died in
1859, without issue. Mr. Lodge was again
married in 1862. His second wife was Mari-
etta Real, a widow. They have no children.
He has served as president of the Halifax
Bank since its incorporation. He is the
founder and president of the Home Fire
Insurance Company.
724
BIOORAPHIUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Nace, Henry, farmer, was born in Hali-
fax township, Dauphin county, May 20, 1883.
He is a son of David and Barbara (Enders)
Nace. David Nace, a son of John Nace, was
born in Berks county, in 1808. He came to
Halifax township, when young, with his
father and family. He was married, in
Armstrong Valley, to Barbara Enders, a na-
tive of that place. The Nace family lived
for some time near Halifax; then David
Nace bought the farm on whicii his son
Henry now lives, and here the father died
in September, 1865. His children are :
Henry ; John E., merchant at Halifax ;
William W., died young ; David B.; Rebecca
Jane, deceased, wife of Frederick Lutman;
Susan and Sarah, died young; Samuel,
Aaron, and Isaac.
Henry Nace enjoyed but few educational
advantages, because his services were re-
quisite to assist his father in farm work. He
remained at home until his marriage, in
Halifax township, March 16, 1854, to Miss
Elspy Ann, daughter of Jacob and Cathe-
rine Lebo, natives of Dauphin county. She
was born in Halifax township, December 18,
1832. Mr. Nace and his wife took up their
residence on the old homestead, where he
has lived ever since his birth. They have
ten children : William B., Susan Ellen,
John Lincoln, Mary C, Jacob G., the twin
of David Sherman, who died in his fifth
year; Joshua F., Lydia Ann, James Irving,
and Henry Elmer. Mr. Nace bought the
homestead from his father's heirs, and has
since built a new barn and house, and made
otHer extensive improvements.
Mr. Nace is a strong Eepublican. He has
been judge of election one year, inspector of
election and jury commissioner one term.
He was formerly a member of the United
Brethren church, but withdrew from that
body, and has not since affiliated with any
other.
Wagner, George W., farmer, was born
near Harrisburg, Pa., August 9, 1862. He
is a son of William and Tiny Ellen (Lehr)
Wagner. He was a babe when he was
brought by his parents to Halifax township,
where he received part of his education. At
the age of six he went to live with his ma-
ternal grandfather, Jacob Lehr, and remained
with him five years. He then left his grand-
father and was hired by William Lebo,
farmer, of Halifax township, for two dollars
and a half per month and board. He was
with Mr. Lebo for three years, then one year
with another man, then with Henry Bow-
man three years ; his wages during the last
year were four dollars and a half per month.
He next hired to John Urich for three years
at the rate of one hundred dollars for eight
months. Mr. Wagner was married, in Hali-
fax borough, December 31, 1883, to Miss
Henrietta, daughter of Cornelius and Sarah
(Urich) Harper. She was born in Miners-
ville, Schuylkill county, Ta., February 25,
1857. After his marriage, Mr. Wagner cul-
tivated his father-in-law's farm for two years;
he then removed to Halifax and was engaged
on the railroad. He afterwards returned to
Mr. Harper's farm, worked it for one year,
and then purchased Mr. Harper's stock and
cultivated the farm two years longer on his
own account. In the spring of 1895 he came
to Halifax township and bought his present
place, which contains sixty-two acres. Mr.
Wagner is a Republican, but has never
sought any political office. He is a member
of the United Brethren church. He is one
of the well-to-do farmers of the township, and
his success demonstrates his enterprise and
business abilitj'. His children are : Charles
C, Sadie Ellen, and Harris C.
Mr. and Mrs. Harper, the parents of Mrs.
Wagner, had ten children: Annie B., de-
ceased; Samuel, farmer in Montana; Ade-
line J., wife of John P. Jenkins, Bedford
county, Pa.; Valentine U., of Halifax town-
ship ; Cornelius A., miner, at Shamokin, Pa.;
Thomas W., miner, at Lykens, Pa.; Clara,
wife of F. Miller, Harrisburg, Pa.; Henrietta,
Mrs. Wagner ; Ida, resides with Mr. Wagner,
and Nora J., died young. Mrs. Wagner's
father died March 27, 1885 ; her mother died
April 7, 1894.
Jacob Lehr, Mr. Wagner's maternal grand-
father, with whom he lived for five years,
was a native of Halifax township, and grew
to manhood here. He was a farmer and
huckster, and was also engaged in butcher-
ing. He died in his native township in 1880.
Lebo, James M., farmer, was born in Up-
per Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
October 26, 1844. He is a son of James and
Annie Jane (Novinger) Lebo. James Lebo
was born in Upper Paxton township, in
1816, and died on the farm on which he was
born, December 11, 1886. He was a man of
limited education, but an industrious and
enterprising farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lebo had
eleven children: Sarah, wife of Nathaniel
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
725
Martz, of Northumberland county, Pa.; Sam-
uel, merchant at Uniontown, Pa.; Jonathan,
died in Upper Paxton township, in 1896;
James M.; Christy Ann, deceased, wife of
David Kehler; George W., farmer, Upper
Paxton township ; Mary Jane, wife of Ed-
ward Schreffler, Upper Paxton township;
Catherine, wife of John A. Shott, Millers-
burg, Pa.; Jacob H., farming the old home-
stead, Upper Paxton township; Emma S.,
died young, and Alice, wife of Henry J.
Zearing, Harrisburg, Pa.
James M. Lebo attended school in his na-
tive place until he was ten years old. He
then went to live with his uncle, Jacob
Lebo, in Halifax township, and remained
with him, attending school and working on
the farm, until he was twenty-two years of
age. For the next three years, while he
made his home with his uncle, he worked
out among the neighboring farmers, getting
$15.00 per month for the first year, and for
the remainder of the time hiring out at
$17.00 per month, with the privilege of
keeping cattle on the place. He bought and
sold stock, one-half of the profits going to his
employer, which made him a very profitable
business.
Mr. Lebo was married, in Matamoras, Pa.,
September 30, 1869, to Miss Mary, daughter
of William and Eliza (Brought) Ta3lor,
born in Halifax township, September 5, 1848.
They were married between three and four
o'clock in the morning, to enable them to
take an early train for Harrisburg, where
they enjoyed the State fair then in progress.
They then visited the bride's relatives in
Warren county, Iowa, and on their return
home went to housekeeping. They began
with one chair, and a stove and table bor-
rowed from Mr. Lebo's father-in-law, Mr.
Taylor.
Mr. Lebo's first investment was $2,100,
paid as part of the price of a farm of 216
acres, which he sold before it was fully paid
for. After selling the place, he farmed for
two years on rented farms. At the end of
one year he bought the house he lived in
from his uncle, Philip Lebo, and at the end
of two years, sold the house and bought
forty-two acres of land, with a house and
barn, in Wayne township. After owning
this place for five years, he traded it for a
house and two lots in Williamstown, re-
maining on the farm one year after the ex-
change, and renting the town property. At
this time Mrs. Lebo's mother died, and Mr.
Lebo rented and worked the Taylor farm
for four years. In the meantime he dis-
posed of his Williamstown property, and
with the proceeds of the sale, and some other
money which he had accumulated, he pur-
chased his present place, consisting of 107
acres of land, with house and barn. He has
since made extensive additions to both these
buildings, and has otherwise improved the
place. He also owns the old Taylor home-
stead, which comprises 134 acres of farm
land and ten acres of timber land. He re-
cently purchased another farm in Wayne
township of 126 acres, which he at present
rents.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Lebo
are : Laura Irene, died when two days old ;
Lawrence T., at home; Elmer Irving, died at
seven years of age ; William J., died aged
three ; Zora E,., died aged three mouths; the
last three died of croup, within five weeks;
Nora Edna, at home; Calvin E., at home,
and Curtis Chester, died at seventeen days
of age.
Mr. William Taylor, father of Mrs. Lebo,
was born in Halifax township, where he was
educated and grew to manhood. He was of
the sturdy Scotch-Irish stock. His father
was Matthew Taylor, who died in Halifax
township. Mr. Taylor once owned 600 acres
of land in Iowa, also the Baskin tract of 153
acres, with grist and saw mill ; he was, be-
sides, a stockholder in the Halifax Bank.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are:
Rebecca, wife of Jacob Sultzbauch, Millers-
burg; Matthew A., farmer, Warren county,
Iowa ; George W., farmer, Warren county,
Iowa; Mrs. Lebo; Hiram W., Kansas; Win-
field S., farmer, Warren county, Iowa ; Will-
iam I., farmer, Halifax township, and
Emma J., widow of Elias Huff. Mr. Taylor
died on the homestead, in Halifax township,
January 12, 1891. He was very widely
known. He filled several township offices,
being a staunch Republican. Mrs. Taylor
died October 9, 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Lebo and the older mem-
bers of their family are consistent members
of the United Brethren church, of which
church Mr. Lebo is a trustee, and his son
Lawrence T., secretary of Sabbath-'school.
Mr. Lebo has served one term as tax col-
lector of Halifax township; also one term in
same office for Wayne township, collecting
State, county, and school taxes.
726
BI0GRAPHIG4L ENCYCLOPEDIA
Chubb, Samuel H., farmer and carpenter,
was born in Halifax township, Dauphin
county, Pa., January 22, 1835. He is a son
of Henry and Nancy (Miller) Chubb. Henry
Chubb, his grandfather, was the first of the
family to come to America. He was born
in Germany and emigrated while still a
young man. He took part in the Revolu-
tionary war. Henry Chubb (2), father of
Samuel H., was born in Halifax township,
November 3, 1795, and died September 12,
1879. He learned weaving from his father,
and followed that trade in connection with
farming in Halifax township, where he died,
in his eighty-fourth year. He was married,
in Halifax township, April 20, 1822, to Nancy
Miller, of that township. Their children
were eight boys and three girls : John, born
February 27, 1824, served through the war
of the Rebellion, died at Middletown, Pa.;
Susanna, born August 18, 1825, married
John Peters, who was a prospector in Cali-
fornia; she died at Jacksonville, Pa.; Henry,
born January 13, 1827, went to Iowa and
Kansas when a young man, returned and
served throughout the war of the Rebellion
in a cavalry regiment; Jacob, born Novem-
ber 23, 1828, farmer, now residing in Jeffer-
son county, Kan.; Philip, born October 5,
1830, enlisted first for three months in com-
pany D, Fifteenth regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers; re-enlisted as a veteran in com-
pany D, Forty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, January 4, 1864, and was dis-
charged July 16, 1865 ; he was taken pris-
oner at the battle of Winchester, held at
Belle Island for six months and then re-
leased ; he died in Utah in 1876 ; Jeremiah,
born October 14, 1832, a farmer in Kansas,
was a carpenter by trade and served during
the war in the Home Guards ; Samuel H.;
Catherine, born January 7, 1838, deceased,
wife of Eli Huff; Abigail, born July 4, 1840,
wife of Josiali Jury, Halifax township ;
Hiram, born March 14, 1843, resident of
Halifax borough, and David B., born May
6, 1845, farmer, in Halifax township. It
happened at a time before the birth of their
son Samuel H.,that the family dwelling was
burned while the mother was absent and all
the children were at home.
Samuel H. Chubb was educated in the
common schools of his native place. The
old school house was furnished in the most
primitive style, with slab benches and a ten-
plate stove. He went to school a few months
of each year until he was sixteen. At sev-
enteen years of age he went to Jersey Shore,
Pa., to learn carpentry ; he remained there
for one year and then came home. Previous
to this he worked with a gang in the con-
struction of the Northern Central railway,
receiving at first ninety cents per day, and
finally becoming foreman of the section. He
met with a Mr. Reed, with whom he went to
the neighborhood of Linglestown and worked
two years at carpentering, receiving seventy-
five cents per day. At the end of two years
he became a journeyman carpenter, and
assisted on some of the best buildings in that
part of the country. He has worked at his
trade since that time.
Mr. Chubb enlisted in company H, One
Hundred and Ninety-second regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, February 15, 1865, for
one year, and was discharged at Harper's
Ferry, August 21, 1865. His first military
duty was guarding prisoners at Camp Chase,
near Columbus, Ohio. He remained there
until April, 1865, and was then ordered to
Harper's Ferry, Va., and Shepherdstown,
Va., where it was the principal duty of his
detachment to order rebels to cut off their
army buttons, and in case of refusal to cut
them off themselves. After discharge Mr.
Chubb returned home, and continued his
work of carpentry and farming.
Mr. Chubb was married, in Harrisburg,
June 16, 1859, to Miss Sarah J. Lyter, born
on Haldeman's Island, January 27, 1841;
daughter of Henry and Susan (Miller) Lyter,
and the eldest of ten children. They lived
on rented farms for three years from the
time of their marriage, and then Mr. Samuel
Chubb and his brother Jacob bought twenty-
one acres of land. Samuel H. -Chubb after-
wards bought out his brother's interest in the
land and added to it eleven acres more.
Mr. Chubb is a Republican in politics, but
in minor matters is liberal in his opinions.
He holds membership in General Slocum
Post, G. A. R., at Halifax, and in Lodge No.
82, I. 0. 0. F., at Halifax ; he was also a
member of the Encampment, now discon-
tinued. He is a member of the Evangelical
church. His children are : Seppler Henry,
born September 20, 1859, farmer in Kansas ;
Florence Rebecca, born November 25, 1860,
wife of Fred. Byrod, Oberlin, Pa.; EmmaC,
born May 10,1860, died October 11, 1870;
Hiram Curtin, born July 1, 1862, died Octo-
ber 11, 1870 ; William Benton, born May 10,
1864, died January 3, 1878 ; Philip Elmer,
born October 5, 1869, farmer in Kansas; Jo-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
727
seph Edward, born July 5, 1873, at home ;
John Harvey, born November 23, 1874, at
home, and Ira Roscoe, born December 4,
1880, died February 7, 1882.
Henry Lyter, the father of Mrs. Chubb,
died June 10, 1896, and his remains are in-
terred in Long's cemetery, Halifax township.
He had attained the advanced age of eighty
years, his entire life having been spent in
agricultural pursuits in Halifax and Reed
townships. He was a man of sterling quali-
ties, honored and respected by all his friends
and neighbors. His faithful partner through
life still survives him at the advanced age of
upwards of seventy-five years.
Mattis, Abraham, farmer and dairyman,
was born in Montgomery county, Pa., Janu-
ary 6, 1838 ; son of Aaron and Catherine
(Schwenk) Mattis. Aaron Mattis was born in
Montgomery county in 1810 ; he was educated,
grew up and married in his native township.
In 1839 he located at Union to wn (now Pillow),
MifHin township, Dauphin county. Pa., and
embarked in mercantile pursuits, in which
business he continued the remainder of his
life ; he died in 1872. His wife still survives
and resides in Millersburg, Pa. Their chil-
dren are : Abraham, Aaron, stock dealer at
Millersburg, Pa.; Mary J., died aged thirty
years; Sarah B., resides in Philadelphia,
wife of Samuel Baker ; John J., Pottsville,
Pa.; Solomon S., Halifax township ; Charles
F., and Edward, Millersburg, Pa.
Abraham Mattis was one year old when
his parents removed to Mifflin township,
where he received his education. His school
advantages were limited to his earlier youth,
as he did not attend school after his four-
teenth year, and even before that time he
had done considerable work in his father's
store. At the age of fourteen he was put in
charge of his father's huckster team and
drove to the coal regions of Schuylkill
county, forty miles distant, leaving home at
two or three o'clock in the morning and
making the trip in all kinds of weather. In
the ten years during which he had charge of
this part of his father's business, he missed
only five weeks out of the five hundred and
twenty. His father paid him $1,000 for his
services prior to reaching his majority and
$300 for the last year of his time.
In 1859 Mr. Mattis opened a general store
in Elizabethville, Pa., which he conducted
until 1865. During 1864-65 he also dealt
in live stock, occupying thirty-five days in
bringing a drove from Erie, Pa., to this
county. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Mattis sold
his store and removed to a farm he had pur-
chased and which he occupied for a short
time. On January 1, 1866, he went to Phila-
delphia and was engaged as salesman by the
Reigle & Fister Drv Goods Company. Dur-
ing 1866 he sold $70,000 worth of dry goods,
receiving $2,000 salary for the year. He was
offered $2,500 for the next year, but the busi-
ness being injurious to his health he was
obliged to decline the off'er. He returned to
the farm and was again engaged in farming
and stock dealing.
In 1869 Mr. Mattis, with three other gen-
tlemen, opened the coal mines of Tower City,
Pa. He also bought one hundred acres of
timber land, constructed a saw mill, and ran
a lumber business in connection with the
mines, which proved to be the largest in the
world. He sold three hundred thousand
feet of lumber to the Lebanon Car Company
with which to build cars for the Pacific rail-
road in California. In the fall of 1873 they
sold the mines to the Reading Company,
and also the timber land and mill, for which
they had cut one hundred and fifty thousand
feet of lumber. Mr. Mattis once more re-
turned to his farm. In 1872 he was elected
a director of the Miners' Deposit Bank of
Lykens, and held that position for three
years. In the spring of 1886 he disposed of
his farm and bought his present place of
residence, known as the garden farm of Hal-
ifax township. On this farm he has con-
ducted a dairy business.
Before 1866 Mr. Mattis was a Republican,
but he lost faith in the party when the in-
convertible bond bill, the banking act, and
reconstruction measures were passed. He
then parted company with his party, and
has since been an independent voter. He
was appointed postmaster of Elizabethville
under Abraham Lincoln, for whom he cast
his first vote for President. Mr. Mattis
never sought office but once. He was once
a candidate for sheriff, but was defeated. Mr.
Mattis claimed " that money influenced the
result, and he could not use money to buy
votes, although he had powerful moneyed
friends willing to aid him in securing the
election. He chose rather to miss the office
than to resort to corrupt measures in order
to secure it." Mr. Mattis desired to enlist in
the army in 1861, but as he was already in
Government employ, he could not be ac-
cepted. He visited the Antietam battlefield.
728
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mr. Mattis was married, in Upper Paxton
township, December 19, 1858, toMiss Louisa
Mehr, born in that township, January 29,
1841 ; daughter of George and Catherine
(Wihnot) Mehr, natives of France. Mrs.
Mattis was born and brought up in the
Catholic church, but after her marriage she
affiliated with the Lutheran church. Their
children are: Catherine, wife of Frederick
Shillinger, died in Philadelphia, leaving her
husband and two children to mourn her
loss ; Annie Louisa, wife of Rev. J. H. Mc-
Gann, of Lewisburg, Pa., has three children
living and two dead ; Laura S., wife of David
W. Lurker, "Washington township, Dauphin
county, has three boys; Ella Hannah, wife
of Martin Rapp, a civil engineer of the Santa
Fe Railroad Company, resides at Vancouver,
Washington ; Jennie, wife of William C.
Mills, Millersburg, Pa., has no children;
Lottie May, died, aged nine months ; George,
attending Millersburg high school, seven-
teen years of age, and Louisa, at home. The
family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Mattis formerly belonged to the I. 0. 0.
F., at Berrysburg, aifd of the S. P. K. of Ly-
kens ; he is a member of the Farmers' Al-
liance.
Brubaker, John R., farmer, was born April
21, 1846, on the farm in Halifax township,
Dauphin county, Pa., which he now owns,
and which was handed down from his
grandfather, Daniel Brubaker. He is a son
of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Rutter) Bru-
baker. Daniel Brubaker was born in France,
and came to America before his marriage
and located at Beaver Creek, Lancaster
county, Pa. He came with considerable
money, which he invested in a large tract of
land, extending from Berry's mountain to
Fort Halifax (now the town of Halifax), and
later added much more. He also owned the
Montgomery Ferry. He was a great lover
of fast horses, of which he owned many.
He built a race track near Halifax which
attracted the attention of horsemen, and
was the scene of many notable races. He
was considered the greatest sporting man of
that day. He was an excellent judge of
horses, and was seldom mistaken in his esti-
mate of their speed ; consequently he was a
successful better, and realized much money
from his skill and nerve in backing his
favorites. He brought one horse from the
West which was the source of much amuse-
ment as ;well as profit to him. This horse
appeared tame and slow before going on the
track, but once in the race, he was spirited
enough, and easily distanced all competitors
in the race. Mr. Brubaker's brothers were
among his riders, and two of them lost their
lives by accidents on the track ; one by the
fall of a horse, and the other by being
thrown against a tree, both resulting in in-
stant death by broken skull. Mr. Brubaker
was a man of character. He was of iron
will and dauntless courage. He died on the
homestead, and a marble slab marks his
grave on the old farm. Parts of his vast
landed estate are now probably owjied by
female descendants. His wife was taken
captive by the Indians, and held a long
time, but was finally released. The births
of three of their children are recorded :
Jonathan, father of John R.; Joseph, and
Benjamin. This worthy couple probably
had other children, of whose birth there is
no record. The release of Mrs. Brubaker by
the Indians was due to her parents. At
that time they had to go to mill by canoe,
down the river to the mill near Harrisburg.
The county was so infested by Indians that
no road was safe. Every farm between
Millersburg and Halifax then had its own
private burial ground.
Jonathan Brubaker, father of John R.,
was born on the homestead in Halifax
township, December 25, 1801. He was edu-
cated in the subscription schools, and be-
came an expert in penmanship. He was
reared a farmer's boy and became a farmer.
Later he engaged largely in the culture and
sale of tobacco. Mr. Brubaker was married,
in Halifax township, to Elizabeth Rutter,
born in Halifax township, May 10, 1811 ;
daughter of Andrew Rutter. * Their only
child is John R. The father died in 1848.
He was prominent in township affairs, and
was highlj' respected. The mother is still
living in Harrisburg, and is now the widow
of Benjamin Straw.
John R. Brubaker received his early edu-
cation in his native place. In his eighteenth
year he entered the Central Evangelical
College, New Berlin, Union county. Pa., and
finished his course in his nineteenth year.
He then returned home, and for the next
three years was a fireman on the Northern
Central railway. He then took possession of
the homestead farm, which was left him by
his father, and which, since that date, 1867,
he has been engaged in cultivating. Mr.
Brubaker was married, in Halifax township,
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
729
March 1, 1867, to Miss Margaret E., daugh-
ter of John and Elizabeth (Rutter) PofFen-
berger. She was born in Middle Paxton
township, Dauphin county, November 8,
1845. They had two children : James G.,
born November 11, 1868, died March 12,
1895, a farmer, and Harry R., born April
12, 1870, a school teacher of Halifax town-
ship. He* attended the public schools of
this township, and later graduated from the
Bloomsburg Normal School, in Columbia
county, Pa. Mrs. Brubaker died in Janu-
ary, 1894. Mr. Brubaker is a Democrat.
He has been assessor for three years. He is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Millersburg.
Mellin, Dustin Fletcher, was born in
Nashua, then a town in Massafhusetts, now
in New Hampshire, April 15, 1821. He is
a son of Ezra and Sarah (Fletcher) Mellin.
The pioneer settler of the Mellin family came
to America from England ten years after the
Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. He
was a clergyman, and located at Dorchester,
Mass.
John Mellin, grandfather of D. F. MelHn,
was born at Nashua, and lived to the age of
ninety-six years. He died at Washington,
N. H., where he had been a farmer, and a
deacon in the church, both for sixty years.
He married a Miss White. Their children
were : Annie, Daniel, Ira, Sumner, Francis,
Ezra, and two daughters, Susan, twin of
Ezra, and Polly, next older than Ezra. By
a previous marriage Mr. John Mellin had
one son who lived to be one hundred and
three years old.
Ezra Mellin was born in Nashua, June 11,
1797 ; he followed various occupations. He
was a farmer ; he was a director of the Indian
Head Bank, at Nashua, and was one of the
original five men who built the Nashua and
Lowell railroad. He was also a large dealer
in wool. Ezra Mellin died at Nashua, aged
fifty-nine years. His wife, Sarah, was born
in 1801. They had three children : Sarah,
married Franklin Goddard, and lives near
Fitchburg, Mass.; Emeline, married Eben
Stone, who has been lieutenant governor
of Massachusetts for two terms, and member
of Congress for two years, residence, Boston,
Mass., and Dustin Fletcher.
Dustin Fletcher Mellin was educated in the
common schools of his native town. In 1837,
being m his sixteenth year, he began to
prepare himself at North Chelmsford, Mass.,
for the work of mechanical engineering. He
became proficient, and has made this his
profession ; for thirty-five years most of his
work has been in Massachusetts. For four-
teen years he owned the American Machine
Works. In 1862 Mr. Mellin started at New
York City what was then known as the
American Gun Company, of the stock of
which he was one-fifth owner, and for which
he was manager at a salary of $5,000 per
year. He made fifty thousand guns for
the United States Government. During the
same time he originated the Bridgeport
Chemical Works at Bridgeport, Conn., and
looked after the business of that concern also.
After closing operations in both these places
Mr. Mellin started the Connecticut Screw
Company, at Hartford, Conn., which he man-
aged for one year. After this he came to
Dauphin county, Pa., and bought his pres-
ent place of residence, then containing two
hundred and forty-four acres, now one hun-
dred and sixty-eight. He has extensively
improved this place.
Mr. Mellin was first married, in Manches-
ter, N. H., in 1842, to Miss Nancy Judkins,
born in New Hampshire, and one of the five
children of Joseph Judkins, a native of Deer-
field, N. H. Their children are: Annie
Elizabeth, died young ; Ella Maria, deceased,
married a Mr. Sullivan ; Frank, civil engi-
neer for the New York Central railroad, and
George, died young. Mr. Mellin was married
the second time, in New York City, in 1868,
to Miss Rebecca Rose Hain, born in Pine
Grove, Schuylkill county. Pa., November
29, 1830; daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Keifer) Hain, both natives of Schuylkill
county. Samuel Hain, father of Mrs. Mel-
lin, was a shoemaker. He was married in
Pine Grove, and later removed to Pottsville,
Pa., and thence to Lykens, about 1842. He
died at the latter place at the age of fifty-
two. His wife died at the home of her son-
in-law, D. F. Mellin, aged about sixty-seven.
Their children are: Rebecca Rose, Mrs. Mel-
lin; John, died young; George, now justice
of the peace at Williamstown, Pa., and Mary,
widow of Robert G. Steward, residing in
Lykens Valley. Mr. Mellin was formerly a
Whig, and afterwards became a Republican.
Baker, Henry J., was born in Jackson
township, Dauphin- county. Pa., December
12, 1835. He is a son of Jacob and Polly
(Chubb) Baker. The Bakers were originally
from Germany. Jacob Baker, grandfather
730
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Henry J., was a native of Dauphin county ;
was married here and reared a family. He
died on the home farm on which Henry J.
Baker now resides. His wife was a Miss
Shultz. Daniel Chubb, maternal grandfather
of Mr. Baker, was a soldier throughout the
war of 1812.
Jacob Baker, a farmer by occupation, and
father of Henry J. Baker, was born in Hali-
fax township, Dauphin county. Pa., in 1805.
He was married, in Halifax township, to
Polly Chubb. Their children were seven
girls and four boys: Susan, wife of Peter
Minnock ; Sarah, wife of Josiah Dempsey ;
Catherine, died young ; Henry J. ; Isaac,
farmer in Halifax township; Margaret,
widow of Peter Heckrick ; Mary, wife George
Jury; Jacob, farmer in Middle Paxton town-
ship ; Mattie, wife of William Bowerman ;
Daniel, resides in Harrisburg, and Barbara
Ellen, wife of John Kines.
Henry Baker was about six years old when
his parents brought him to Halifax town-
ship, where he received his education in the
common schools. He grew up a farmer boy,
and remained at home, attending school
some months of each year, until he was
twenty years old. Before he was married
his father died, and the care of bringing up
his brothers and sisters fell upon Henry.
Mr. Baker was married, in Halifax town-
ship, November 19, 1860, to Miss Sarah
Stoutsabarger, born in York county, Pa., in
1840. Mr. and Mrs. Baker took up their
residence upon the home farm, where they
have ever since lived. Their children are :
Mary C, died young ; Emma Jane, deceased,
wife of George Messer ; Annie E, wife of
Joseph Straw ; William J., farmer in Hali-
fax township ; Martha, Henry E., George D.,
and Sarah A., at home ; Rosie B., died young;
and John H., Carrie M., Bertha B., and Min-
nie G., all at home.
Mr. Baker is a staunch Republican. He
was school director for seven consecutive
terms, and has served many other times on
the board. He was reared in the faith of the
United Brethren church, but does not at
present belong to any sect.
CuMBLER, J. H., station agent at Halifax,
Pa., was born in Newport, Perry county, Pa.,
April 6, 1850 ; son of William and Elizabeth
(Bowman) Cumbler, natives of Pennsylvania.
His grandfather, Jacob Kumler (as the
name was then spelled), was a farmer in
Perry county, where he died. William
Cumbler, father of J. H. Cumbler, was a
farmer and merchant in Perry county, Pa.
He was married three times. His first wife
was a Miss Oren ; their children were : Will-
iam, Jacob, Henry, and George; all deceased
except George, who is president of the Middle-
town and Highspire Street Railroad Com-
pany, at Steelton, Pa. The second wife of
Mr. Cumbler was Elizabeth Bowman, by
whom he had three children : Henry, a
farmer in Perry county, Pa.; Elizabeth, wife
of a railroad contractor at Seattle, Wash.,
and J. H. The mother died in 1855. The
third Mrs. Cumbler was Isabelle Finton ; she
had no children. Mr. Cumbler was a Re-
publican and a member of the Church of
God.
J. H. Cumbler lived with his parents, first
in his native place, Newport, afterwards in
New Buffalo, where they removed in 1855,
then in Montgomery's Ferry, and then again
in Newport ; he attended school in all these
places. At the age of seventeen his education
was far enough advanced for him to become
a teacher, and he began to exercise his gifts
in that line by teaching two terms. For the
next five years he was clerk in the hardware
store of J. W. Franklin, at Newport. He
was also bookkeeper at Steelton for his
brother, and then was in mercantile business
for himself for two years. He then removed
to Halifax, where he has since resided, and
been continuously employed in the Northern
Central railway office, first as clerk, and
since May 1, 1889, as agent; also, since Sep-
tember, 1884, he has been agent for the Adams
Express Company. Mr. Cumbler has been
a director in the Halifax Bank since 1890,
and is a stockholder and director of the Hal-
ifax Shoe and Manufacturing Company. He
is a charter member of Syrian Commandery,
No. 133, A. & I. 0. K. M., Millersburg ; also
charter member Millersburg Conclave, No.
102, I. 0. H.; and a member of P. 0. S. of A.,
Washington Camp, No. 576, of Halifax, Pa.
Mr. Cumbler is also a member of the Inter-
national Association of Ticket Agents, and
in 1890 accompanied his fellow-members to
Florida, in 1892 to Canada, and in 1894 to
California.
Mr. Cumbler is a Republican; he was
elected chief burgess of the town in 1885, and
is a member of the school board, in which
he is serving his second term. Mr. Cumbler
was married, in Halifax, December 25, 1877,
to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Landis.
Tiiree of their four children died in infancy.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
731
Only their daughter, Margaret, survives. Mr.
Cumbler is a member of the Methodist
church.
Sawyer, Thomas J., was born near Pal-
myra, Lebanon county, Pa., February 2,
1828. He is a son of John and Mary (Bell)
Sawyer. John Sawyer was born near Pal-
myra, October 25, 1779. He was a man of
much ability and distinction. He served
one term in the State Legislature, and was a
soldier all through the war of 1812. He was
married, in Lebanon county, in 1810. His
wife was the daughter of Samuel and Ann
Bell. They had eleven children; of these,
John died in Illinois, aged eighty-three
years. The remaining children are all de-
ceased except Thomas J., and the youngest
of the family, Sarah Jane, now Mrs. William
Young, of Philadelphia. The father died in
Lebanon county in 1836.
Thomas J. Sawyer attended the common
schools of his native place for a short time.
When he was eight or "nine years old his
mother and other members of the famil}' re-
moved to Centerville, Montgomery county,
Ohio, ten miles south of Dayton, where he
went to school for some years, and where, in
his sixteenth year, he taught school one or
two terms. About 1848 tlie family returned
to Pennsylvania and settled at what was
known as Oak Dale Forge, in Dauphin
county, where he taught school two terms.
He was a pupil for one term at the Lewis-
burg Academy.
About 1850 Mr. Sawyer jsought two large
farms in Powell's Valley, which were for-
merly owned by his father. He sold these
farms and for three years was interested in
business with his brother at Decatur, Macon
county. 111. He returned to Dauphin county
in 1866 or 1867 and bought a farm in Reed
and Halifax townships, which he cultivated
until he located in Halifax borough in 1872,
where he has since resided. Mr. Sawyer
recently purchased the old Reed homestead
farm, in Reed township, which was handed
down to this family by the grandfather,
James Reed. This farm consists of two hun-
dred acres, and is one of the best cultivated
and most productive farms in the township.
Mr. Sawyer was married, in Reed town-
ship, June" 23, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth M.,
daughter of William and Clara (Hatfield)
Reed, born and reared in Reed township.
This township was named for Mrs. Sawyer's
father, William Reed ; and his father, James
Reed, was about its first settlers. Mr. and
Mrs. Sawyer's children are : Henry, Charles,
and Martha, all deceased. Mr. Sawyer is a
Democrat, but is liberal in his views. He
has been justice of the peace for a number of
years in Halifax township, and in Powell's
Valley for five years. Mr. Sawyer has done
much as a surveyor since coming to Halifax.
He was baptized in the Presbyterian church.
Judge John Ray is connected with the
Sawyer family through the marriage of his
brother James H. with Ann Sawyer, eldest
sister of Thomas J. Sawyer. Judge Ray was
for some time commander of the G. A. R.
Mrs. Sawyer was born in Reed township,
February 22, 1835. Her father died Novem-
ber 6, 1864, and her mother died in Halifax,
May 10, 1880. Of a family of seven chil-
dren, three now survive : William, residing
in Philadelphia ; Margaret, widow of the late
Dr. John 0. Whitman, of Halifax, and Mrs.
Sawyer.
FoKTENBAUGH, ABRAHAM, merchant, at
Halifax, was born in Newberrytown, York
county, Pa., August 5, 1838. He is a son of
Samuel and Mary E. (Miller) Fortenbaugh.
Andrew, the grandfather, was a native of
Germany, and came to America with his
brother Peter. At Philadelphia they sepa-
rated, the latter settling at the foot of Peter's
mountain, where he worked at wagon mak-
ing and blacksmithing, which occupation he
followed all his life. He had a family of
eleven sons, and was twice married. After
the death of his first wife he went to Ken-
tucky, where he married the reputed wife of
Daniel Boone. Andrew settled in Newberry-
town, York county, and engaged in farming,
on a fine place of two hundred acres. He
had a family of thirteen children. He died
between 1815 and 1820. The father was
born in Newberrytown, York county, in
1813. He received his education in the
public schools of his native place. He was
engaged in butchering nearly all his life.
He was one of the first settlers of Goldsboro,
York county. He died in Yocumtown, in
1865, and his wife in 1878. They had these
children, viz.: Annie, deceased; Abraham;
A. M., Samuel, Mary, Ellen, and five other
children, all deceased. The father was a
Republican, and took an active part in polit-
ical affairs. He served as justice of the
peace for more than thirty-five years.
Abraham received a limited education in
the public schools, only attending them
732
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTGLOPEDIA
until twelve years of age, when he began
assisting in his father's business. In his
eighteenth year he formed a partnership
with his father in a general store in Yocum-
town, Newberry township, and continued
there for nine years. In 1864 he moved
to Halifax and opened up his present place
of business, in which he has been very suc-
cessful. He was married, in Halifax, Janu-
ary 30, 1862, to Miss Mary Elizabeth By rod,
a native of Elizabethtown, Lancaster county,
and daughter of John and Mary Byrod.
Their children are: Seward B., deceased;
Mary E., wife of T. Marthes, attorney-at-law,
Springfield, 111.; Catharine, wife of Prof.
Harris J. Ryan, of Cornell University, N. Y.;
Samuel B., professor of engineering, Madi-
son University, Wisconsin. He is a mem-
ber of the Susquehanna Lodge, No. 364, and
was formerly a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Jn politics he is a
Republican, and represented his district in
the State Legislature in 1874-75-76. He has
served as school director, councilman, and
burgess of Halifax He leans toward the
Episcopal church.
Cratzer, Frank B., merchant, Halifax,
Pa., was born in Pillow, Dauphin county.
Pa., July 2, 1859. He is a son of John and
Mary (Bowman) Cratzer. The father's fam-
ily consisted of the following children : An-
drew Curtin, Atlantic City; Emma; George,
Harrisburg ; Frank B.; Mary, wife of H. W.
Bottomsted ; Harvey ; Harry ; Martha, wife
of Mr. Spahr, Harrisburg, and Edward. He
is a strong Republican and has held several
offices. Frank B. received his early educa-
tion in the Berrysburg Seminary. He
moved from there to Halifax with his par-
ents, in 1877, and began clerking in the
general store of G. W. Etter, with whom he
remained four years. In 1881 he went to
Enterline and engaged in mercantile pur-
suits for himself. He continued there for
twelve years and in 1893 came to Halifax,
built a commodious store, above which are
his living apartments. He was married,
February 24, 1881, in Halifax, to Miss An-
nie E. Bickel, who was born November 13,
1860, and is a daughter of John H. and
Catherine (Bower) Bickel, both natives of
Germany. Their children are: Carrie B.,
born October, 1881; Bertha Edna, born De-
cember 28, 1883, and Annie C, born April
20, 1887. In politics Mr. Cratzer is a Repub-
lican.
Ditty, Joshua, was born in Liverpool,
Perry county. Pa., December 10, 1831. He
is a son of Simon and Mary (Brant) Ditty.
The grandfather, Henry Ditty, came with
his parents from Lancaster county, and set-
tled with his parents in Dauphin. He was
married to Miss Catharine Miller, and lived
to a ripe old age. The father, Simon Ditty,
was a native of Washington township, Dau-
phin county. In early life he moved to
Liverpool, Perry county, and engaged in the
manufacture of woolen goods, until 1854,
when he moved to Halifax township. Three
years later he moved to Clark's Ferry, Reed
township, and served as lock tender and
collector. He was accidentally killed by
the cars in 1867, and his wife died in
1889, in Duncannon, Pa. Their children are :
Sarah Ann, Levi, Joshua, Mary, Rachel, John,
William, Catharine, deceased, and Rebecca.
Joshua received his education in the public
schools of his native place and at Montgom-
ery's Ferry. When nineteen years old he
began to learn the trade of milling at Bas-
kin's mill, Halifax township. After serving
an apprenticeship of three years he followed
his trade a short time, but owing to an in-
jury was compelled to relinquish that busi-
ness. He then worked on a farm for a
time and next became a boatman on the
canal, and continued thus for fourteen years.
He then came to Halifax and clerked for his
brother-in-law, George Etter. After pur-
chasing and residing on a farm for two
years, he returned to his former position.
He enlisted in cpmpany H, One Hundred
and Ninety-second regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, and went first to Camp Chase,
Ohio, thence to Harper's Ferry and up the
Shenandoah Valley. In 1883 Mr. Etter be-
came steward at Lebanon Valley College,
Annville, Pa., which position he retained
for four years, when sickness compelled him
to resign. He was married, March 13, 1860,
to Miss Mary Lebo, who was born in Halifax
township, Dauphin county, March 10, 1837,
and is a daughter of Jacob and Catharine
(Kramer) Lebo. In politics Mr. Ditty is a
Republican, and has served as burgess two
terms, and is now serving his second term
as councilman. He is a member of the
United Brethren church and president of
the board of trustees.
Gilbert, Isaac, farmer and carpenter,
was born on the old homestead, in Halifax
township, April 29, 1849. He is a son of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
733
Jacob and Susan (Fetterhoff ) Gilbert, natives
of Lebanon and Halifax townships, respect-
ively. The grandfather, Jacob Gilbert, was
a native of Lebanon county, and came to
Halifax in 1819. Jacob's father and two
uncles were the first of the family to come
to America, and they separated atPittsburgh.
Jacob died at the age of eighty-three, leav-
ing these children : Samuel, Sarah, Catha-
rine, John, George, and Jacob. The father
was born in Lebanon county, January 24,
1808, and died in Halifax township, in 1888.
He had a very fair education and came to
Dauphin county in 1819 with his parents.
For some years he was editor and proprietor
of the Halifax Herald. His family consisted
of the following children: George; John,
deceased; Mary; Elizabeth; Sarah, deceased;
Catharine, deceased ; Jacob, deceased ; Sam-
uel, and Isaac.
Isaac received his education in the public
schools of his native place. In his youth he
worked very hard, and remained with his
father until his marriage, after which he
farriMd the old homestead eleven years. He
then farmed for a period of ten years another
farm of his father's. In 1889 he purchased
a farm of one hundred and twenty-three
acres in Halifax township, which he worked
two years, and then began carpentering.
He also owns another farm of seventy-three
acres. He was married, February 27, 1870,
to Miss Phoebe Frontmeyer, born in North-
umberland county, March 9, 1852, and a
daughter of George and Margaret (Heckerd)
Frontmeyer. Their children are : John L.,
Mary C, Samuel J. and Mary Fetterhoff.
Mr. Gilbert was brought up in the United
Brethren church.
KoppENHEFFER, CORNELIUS, merchant,
Halifax, Pa,., was born August 18, 1846, in
Washington township. He is a son of Dan-
iel and Fanny (Borduer) Koppenheffer.
Daniel W., the father, was born in Lyken's
Valley in 1814, and died in the same place
in 1873. His family consisted of the follow-
ing children: Phoebe, Uriah, Elizabeth, Re-
becca, James Monroe, Cornelius, Solomon,
Benjamin Franklin, Mary, deceased, Dan-
iel, and Catharine. He was a staunch Re-
publican and served in various positions of
honor and trust.
Cornelius received his education in the
public schools of his native place. His
early life was spent engaged in farm work
and later he began to learn the trade of
moulding in Berrysburg. After serving an
apprenticeship of three years he began busi-
ness for himself. Later he went to Juniata
county, and afterwards to Pittsburgh, where
he worked in the foundry for five years.
After working in Harrisburg and Berrys-
burg for a time he came to Halifax and
purchased the foundry of John Ropp. He
was married, in Lykens Valley, in 1866, to
Miss Anna Marwert. Their children are :
Lottie, wife of Samuel Fisher, Harrisburg ;
Ernest Foster, Andrew Curtin, Ivy Johanna,
Lawrence, Sarah Jane, Mary Jane, Fanny,
Byron, and Cornelius. In politics Mr. Kop-
penhefter is a Republican and has served in
town council. He is a member of the United
Brethren church.
Lyter, Joseph E., merchant, Halifax,
was born in Halifax township, June 6, 1852.
He is a son of Henry and Susan (Miller)
Lyter, who reside in Halifax. The father,
Henry Lyter, was born near Harrisburg.
He came to Halifax township with his par-
ents when a boy, and received his educa-
tion in the public schools of this place. He
is now eighty years old, and his wife seventy-
three. Their children are : Sarah, John B.,
James W., Hiram, Joseph E., Mary R., Al-
fred, Agnes v., Emma L., and one who died
in infanc3^
Joseph E. received his education in the
public schools of his native place. He then
assisted his father on the farm for a time,
and at the age of nineteen began teaching
school, which occupation he continued seven
consecutive terms. He then learned the
carpenter trade, which he followed until
August, 1881. He then spent some years
in Iowa, and in January, 1888, went to Car-
lisle, where he worked in a grocery store
one year. After teaching school two terms
in Halifax, he became general manager of
the Halifax Shoe Manufacturing Company,
which position he still retains. In February,
1893, he opened his present place of busi-
ness. The firm is styled J. E. Lyter &, Co.,
Luther Ryan being the partner. He was
married, February 22, 1877, to Miss Lydia
A., daughter of John and Maria (Clemson)
Bonker, by whom he has one child, Rosa C.
Shaeper, Michael, son of George Shaefer,
was born December 1, 1803, at Halifax,
Dauphin county, Pa. For some years he
resided in Harrisburg, and when quite a
young man he married Susan Cloud, of Lan-
734
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
caster county, and made his home in that
county a few years. Their children were
Adaline, who married Rev. C. A. Wyeth ;
Henry J.; John M., a civil engineer, who died
at Selena, Ala., August 11, 1871 ; Mary L.,
who married Theodore D. Irish ; Harriet
Matilda, who married Joseph Davidson ;
Lucetta, who died June 9, 1837 ; Anne Eliza,
who married John Thompson ; George T.,
who died November 4, 1867, at Ashland,
and Benjamin Ingersoll. In 1831-32 the
Lykens Valley Coal Company was organized
and commenced operations at what was then
known as "Bear Gap" (now Wiconisco). The
company built a large log frame house, and
Michael Shaefer moved into it for the pur-
pose of boarding the workmen and entertain-
ing the members of the company. At that
time the upper end (now Lykens, Wiconisco
and Williamstown) was one vast wilderness,
with a few log huts scattered around. He
resided in this place up to the date of his
death, November 30, 1849, taking an active
part in the development of the coal region.
He was one of the contractors in the build-
ing of the Lykens Valley railroad, also in
the building of the aqueduct and other im-
provements at the mouth of the Wiconisco
canal feeder. After the first railroad was
built from the Gap to Millersburg, he had
the contract for the delivery of the coal, float-
ing it across the river to Mt. Patrick on the
Pennsylvania canal. His wife, Susan Shaefer,
who was a most estimable Christian woman,
died in Harrisburg, Pa., on February 17,
1876. The remains of both rest in the ceme-
tery at Harrisburg, Pa.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Enders, Philip C, paternal great-grand-
father of G. W. D. Enders, was born July
22, 1740, in Nassau, Germany. He was
married, in 1764, to Miss Anna Appalonia,
daughter of Conrad Degen, of the same
country, and a few months later he and his
wife came to America, landing at Philadel-
phia. After remaining here a while they
located near Manheim, Lancaster county,
and settled in 1788, in what is now Jackson
township, Dauphin county. Pa. The land
had to be cleared, as the country was yet a
wilderness, and he followed farming, at one
time owning 1,300 acres of land. He organ-
ized and taught the first school in that sec-
tion, and donated land for the first school
house at the place where Enders postoffice
is at present located. Mr. Enders was one
of the founders of St. Peter's Reformed and
Lutheran church, now generally known as
Fetterhoff's church, in which he took an ac-
tive part, serving as leader of the singing
until his death in 1810. Although in his
youth a member of the Lutheran church,
yet he was not buried in the graveyard of
the church he helped to build, but was buried,
as he desired, by the side of his wife, who
died in 1796 and was buried near the spot
where the old cabin stood.
In 1886, their descendants, wishing to
perpetuate tlieir memory and beautify their
resting place, erected a white granite monu-
ment, ten feet high and fully inscribed, over
their graves. The descendants of the En-
ders family who took the foremost part in
having this memorial erected were G. W.
D. Enders, as president, and Dr. Levi J. En-
ders, of Williamstown, Pa., as secretary of
the enterprise. The descendants are scat-
tered over many States and Territories of the
Union. Jeremiah B. Enders, a great-g?and-
son of Philip C, emigrated to Australia and
has become quite wealthy.
John Conrad Enders, the paternal grand-
father of G. W. D. Enders, and youngest son
of Philip C, was born in 1788, and died in
1874. He was married to Miss Elizabetli
Witman, daughter of Bartholomew Witman,
who was a native of Germany. Mr. Wit-
man lived near the Black Forest, and
coming to America engaged in farming
until his death. Mr. Enders was a farmer
and lumber manufacturer, and fought in the
war of 1812. He held various township
offices, and opened the first public road lead-
ing from Halifax via Fisherville to the place
now known as Elizabethville. As a stage
road it, was known as the old Harrisburg
via Gratz to Pottsville road. Mrs. Enders
died before her husband, and both are buried
in the graveyard of Fetterhoff's church,
of which they were active members. They
had a family of eleven children, among
whom was Philip, the father of G. W. D.
Enders.
John Frederic Zimmerman, the maternal
great-grandfather of G. W. D. Enders, was
born in Wolluria, Germany, and came to
America in 1764, landing at Philadelphia.
He settled in Armstrong Valley, southeast
of Halifax, at a place later known as Urick's
Mill, now as Yeager's Mill, where he and his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
735
wife died and are buried nearby. Their
graves are marked on rough stones on which
place large oak trees have now grown up.
Mr. Zimmerman and family had in the early
days great trials with roving bands of In-
dians, who burned three times their cabin
and took or destroyed his possessions. To
escape the Indians the family took refuge in
a cave near by on the banks of the Arm-
strong creek.
Christian Zimmerman, maternal grand-
father of G. W. D. Enders, was married to
Miss Margaret Anna, daughter of John
Joseph Miller, generally known as Jost Mil-
ler, who came to America from Badenberg,
Germany, and who was also the grandfather
of Joseph Miller, a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Zimmerman
was a farmer by occupation, and both he
and his wife are buried in the graveyard of
Fetterhoff's church, of which they were
active members. Mr. Zimmerman's father-
in-law, John Joseph Miller, was born in
1742, in Badenberg, Germany, and was bap-
tized and confirmed in, and became a mem-
ber of the Reformed church of this country.
He married Miss Elizabeth Schissler, in
1774. Landing at Philadelphia he first set-
tled in Lancaster county and followed farm-
ing. Later he became one of the pioneers
of Dauphin county, settling in what is now
Jackson township. He owned large tracts
of land, held many responsible offices, and
was one of the founders of Fetterhoff's church,
taking an active part in its affairs. He died
in 1824, and is buried in the Fetterhoff
graveyard, in that part which is marked
with red stone.
Enders, George W. D., postmaster and
merchant, Fisherville, Pa., was born in
Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 22, 1834. He is a son of Philip
and Margaret A. (Zimmerman) Enders.
Philip Enders attended the subscription
schools of the county. He inherited from
his father sixty acres of land in Armstrong
Valley, upon which he madeextensive and
substantial improvements, and upon which
he engaged largely in farming and stock rais-
ing. His wife, Margaret A., daughter of
Christian Zimmerman, died in 1870. Their
seven children were : George W. D.; Susanna,
wife of William With man ; Elizabeth, de-
ceased, wife of James Cooper; Margaret A.,
deceased, wife of John- F. Helt, resides in
Enders, Pa.; Catherine, wife of Henry Smith,
engineer on the Lykens Valley railroad ;
Mary J., wife of Aaron Wilbert, mason, Arm-
strong Valley ; Isaac F., farmer, on the old
homestead. Mr. Enders is still living, aged
eighty-two years. He resides in Armstrong
Valley, Jackson township. He has held
several township offices. His political views
are Democratic. Mr. Enders is a Lutheran,
and has held the offices of elder, deacon, and
other positions of trust in the church. He
has come through a very active and useful
life to a comfortable and happy old age, and
enjoys the esteem and best wishes of a host
of relatives and friends.
George W. D. Enders attended the com-
mon schools of the township and the high
school of Berrysburg. He remained on the
homestead with his father until he was
twenty-six, attending school in his earlier
youth as often as possible. He taught school
for nine terms. He worked on the Northern
Central railroad until 1863. During the
great rebel invasion which culminated in the
battle of Gettysburg, he acted with the pio-
neer corps, cutting down timber, repairing
bridges, and aiding the Union army in all
possible ways. After this, he was in the
Lykens Valley coal regions, employed about
the mines as machinist, carpenter, boiler
maker, engineer, etc. During the following
eight years he was in partnership with his
brother-in-law, John F. Helt, in mercantile
business, at Jacksonville, in which he met
with a fair share of success. Disposing of
this business, Mr. Enders opened a general
store, at Enterline, in Powell's Valley, where
he remained until 1879 ; he then removed to
Fisherville and conducted a general mer-
chandising business there until 1890. In
this enterprise he formed a partnership with
a Mr. Lebo, to whom, after one year, he dis-
posed of his own interest, relinquishing the
business entirely.
With the proceeds of this sale Mr. Enders
purchased a farm in Armstrong Valley, on
which he made valuable improvements, in-
volving an outlay, including the purchase
money of the farm, of the handsome sum of
$9,000. His final venture in business, and
the one which now occupies his attention, is
a general store in Fisherville, where he car-
ries a large stock and varied enough to meet
the demands of the community. His abil-
ity and integrity, coupled with his genial
personality, attracts a large and profitable
patronage.
Mr. Enders is a Democrat. He was assist-
736
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ant postmaster under Postmaster Joseph P.
Lyter, at Enders, Pa., from 1868 to 1876, and
from 1876 to 1879, at Enterline, Pa., under
Postmaster Amos Sponsler. He was first
made postmaster under President Hayes,
and held under the first Cleveland adminis-
tration ; he was displaced under President
Harrison, and appointed again in 1893, by
President Cleveland. He was for several
years in each office, auditor, school director,
and judge of elections, and is at present
township treasurer. He was for seven years
in the State militia. He is a member of
Charity Lodge, No. 82, I. 0. 0. F.; Eureka
Encampment, No. 137, I. 0. 0. F., of Hali-
fax, Pa., and a member of Lodge, No. 359,
K. of P. Mr. Enders has been a stockholder
of the Halifax Bank ever since it was insti-
tuted, and became its vice-president, a posi-
tion to which he has since been annually
re-elected.
Mr. Enders was married, in 1858, in Jack-
son township, to Annie Kneile, born in Ger-
many, in 1835; she came to this country in
youth. They have one child, Emma K.,
wife of Dr. M. D. Lehr, of Lykens. Dr. and
Mrs. Lehr have four children. He is a
member of the Reformed church, and takes
an active part in all church matters. He is
an elder in the church, and has been deacon,
Sunday-school superintendent, and teacher.
The career of Mr. Enders commands the
admiration of his neighbors, and his charac-
ter wins their esteem. He is a supporter of
all good causes and the advancement of his
community, and is a willing contributor,
when possible, to the different churches in
his home, when aid is requested of him.
Mr. Enders is deeply interested in histor-
ical matters and recently wrote the follow-
ing history of the well known Fetterhoff
church:
In the year 1795 the citizens and those of
a religious turn of mind living in Armstrong
Valley, Dauphin county, resolved to erect
for themselves a house of worship. Accord-
ingly, in 1796, St. Peter's church, known as
Fetterhoff's church, a log structure, was
erected. It soon became prominent in Lj'-
kens Valley, and was one of the churches of
the Reformed and Lutheran charge, which
embraced a large territory, extending as far
as the east side of the Blue mountains and
the east side of the Susquehanna river.
The records show that the first class of
catechumens was under three months' in-
struction by Rev. Enterline, and was con-
firmed on the Saturday before Whit Sun-
day, 1797. The following composed the
class : Daniel Enterline, son of Rev. Enter-
line; George, son of Francis Schaeffer ; John
and Simeon, sons of David Herman ; John
and Elizabeth, son and daughter of Jost
Miller; John Adam and Catharine, son and
daughter of Henry Warfle ; Elizabeth and
Catharine, daughters of Ann Maria Zimmer-
man ; Catharine, daughter of Philip C. En-
ders ; Elizabeth Bowerman, parents not
given; Magdalena Schmuck, parents not
given.
The first sacrament of the Lord's Supper
was held on Whit Sunday, 1797, Rev. En-
terline officiating. The following com-
muned on this occasion : Philip C. Enders,
Christiana Enders, Ann Maria Miller, Jost
Miller, Henry Warfle, Ann Maria Zimmer-
man, .John Brown, Eve Maria Brown, Bar-
bara Degan, Ann Maria Sweigart, Magdalena
Chubb, and Maria Eva Messerschmidt.
The next communion on record was held
and served again by Rev. Enterline in 1799,
and the following new names appear on the
records in addition to the above : Carl
Frederick Frank, Frederick Albrecht, Ann
Margaretta Null, Christiana Boken, Catha-
rine Etteninger, Barbara Neffen, Margaretta
Schultz, Elizabeth Shepley, and Catharine
Null.
The third communion on record was held
October 25, 1807, and served by Rev. I. D.
Peterson. He also administered the sacra-
ment in 1808, and July 2 and September
24, 1809. Like services were held June 3,
1810, and June 20, 1812, but no pastor's
name is recorded, only the names of the
communicants. On August 7, 1813, Rev.
James Ross Reily confirmed a class of cate-
chumens, numbering thirty-one members,
and held communion on the following Sun-
day, August 8, in which the class and others
participated. Communion serviceswere held
on September 10, 1813, November 12, 1814,
September, 1815, April 28, 1816, October 12,
1816, May, 1817, October 13, 1817, April 26.
1818, October 10, 1819. To tlie latter nine
communion services no pastor's name is re-
corded. However, history states that Rev.
James Ross Reily did ministerial work in
Lykens Valley up to 1819, when he was e-
lieved by Rev. Isaac Gerhard, who became
the regular pastor of the Reformed congre-
gations, and during this time Rev. Reily
^tn^uuLjiA^ ^
/""^ii^by ->^^«?V^
-'^&--a.^^f^..^e^'-'^^0['^ywfT^^
DAUPHIN COUNT r.
739
served in the Pennsylvania Legislature, the
charge being served by supplies instead of
Rev. Reily.
Rev. Isaac Gerhard confirmed his first
class of catechumens and held his first com-
munion service December 25, 1819, and con-
tinued to serve the church until April 4;
1841. Records show that Lutheran minis-
ters held communion services from May 11,
1823, to April, 1832, no names being given.
From 1832 to May 23, 1836, Rev. J. N.
Hemping served the Lutheran congrega-
tion. On December 31, 1837, Rev. G. Elleu-
meyer administered the sacrament. In
1841 Rev. John R. Kooken became pastor
of the Reformed congregation, and held his
first communion October 17, and continued
to serve the congregation to April 16, 1843,
and was assisted in his last communion by
the Lutheran minister, Rev. William G.
Leitzel. Records show that Rev. Leitzel was
pastor of the Lutheran congregation from
April 17, 1842, to April 16, 1843, and that
Rev. Kooken assisted him in his last com-
munion service.
The third structure now stands where the
first was built. The second church was a
two story frame building, and the present
one is a brick edifice with bell tower, stained
glass windows, and frescoed walls and win-
dows. The Rev. Kooker, referred to by Mr.
finders, became quite prominent politically,
being appointed United States consul at
Trinidad, Cuba, and remaining there until
the breaking out of the Civil war, when he
returned to the United States. Having con-
siderable military knowledge, he organized
a company of volunteers, became their leader
and was killed in the battle of Fredericks-
burg, Va., in 1862.
Erb, Peter, boot, shoe and harness maker,
was born near Reamstown, Lancaster county,
Pa., November 9, 1840. His father having
died before that time, Mr. Erb never heard
his father's first name. His mother was
Barbara (Ludwig) Erb. He was brought up
by his grandfather Ludwig, who died when
Peter was twelve years of age, From that
time he was dependent on his own exertions
for his living. His first occupation was
farm work. He had to try hard for the op-
portunity of working for his board and cloth-
ing. At the age of fourteen he began to
learn shoemaking, at which he served an
apprenticeship of three years. He then
continued working at his trade as a journey-
48
man until the breaking out of the Civil war.
Mr. Erb enlisted, at Lancaster, Pa., in the
fall of 1861, in company G, Seventy-ninth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Colonel
Humbaugh and Captain McGovern. He
was in many famous battles : At Perry ville.
Stone River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga,
and in the Atlanta campaign. He marched
with General Sherman to the sea and up
through Georgia, South Carolina and North
Carolina; he was present at the surrender
of General Johnson. He contributed his
full share to the achievements of the western
army, and his brave and patriotic comrades
is the story of the Nation's salvation and
honor. In more than a score of battles did
he stand by the flag; and in the weariness
of marches and the privations of camps, his
patriotism and devotion to duty never failed.
He was mustered out of the service and dis-
charged at Philadelphia, in June, 1865, and
returned to Lancaster, Pa., where he remained
until 1866. In that year he removed to
Fisherville, Dauphin county, and opened a
shop and store for the manufacture and sale
of boots and shoes ; he has continued in this
business until the present time. In con-
nection with the shoe business he also man-
ufactures harness work, his son Charles
being in charge of this department.
Mr. Erb was married, in Adams county,
in 1867, to Julia, daughter of John Fiect, a
native of Lancaster county. They have
nine children : Charles, harness maker, in
business with his father; William, Laura
and Ellie, attending school ; Lillie, died at
twelve years of age ; Emma, died aged eight ;
Lochiel,died when eighteen months old, and
two children died in infancy. Mr. Erb is a
member of B. E. Miller Post, No. 393, G. A.
R., and is commander of the Post. He also
belongs to Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P.,
at Fisherville. His politics are Republican.
Mr. Erb is a member of the Lutheran
church; he is superintendent of the Sunday-
school, has been a teacher, and for twenty
years treasurer of the school.
KiLLiNGER, John G., justice of the peace
and implement dealer, Fisherville, Dau-
phin county, Pa., was born November 10,
1846. He is a son of Jacob and Maria Kil-
linger. Jacob Killinger was born in South
Hanover township, November 3, 1811. He
attended the township school, and worked
on the farm until he was of age, and left
home to seek employment. His wife ac-
740
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
companied him. Their only capital was
five dollars in cash, and the sum of their
goods was the clothing tied up in a red ban-
danna handkerchief. They located in Hali-
fax township. Mr. Killinger had learned
shoemaking, so he opened a small shoe shop.
They set up housekeeping with two chairs
and an empty dry goods box for a table,
which latter gave place to a tool chest.
Mr. Jacob Killinger invested first in twelve
acres of land, on which he built a house and
a shoe shop. Trade prospered, and frugality
ruled the household.. In consequence, ac-
cumulations furnished means for adding to
their holding. In course of time they had
eighty-eight acres of land and all the equip-
ments and surroundings of a comfortable
home. In this home Mr. Killinger died
April 1, 1876, and his wife on August 28 of
the same year. Their children were: Jacob,
accidentally drowned in a mill pond ; Susan,
widow of John Novinger, Tifiin, Ohio;
Lydia,wife of Jacob Zimmerman, of Halifax
township; Rebecca, died young; Mary,
widow of Peter Klinger, of Fisherville ; John
G., and William, carpenter, Dauphin, Pa.
Mr. Killinger was a Democrat. He was a
substantial and popular man.
John G. Killinger was educated in the
common schools of his township and at
Truley's Academy, in Snyder county, and
Berrysburg Seminary. On September 1,
1864, he enlisted, atHarrisburg, in company
A, Two Hundred and Tenth regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, under Captain Bower-
man, and served until the close of the war.
He was honorably discharged at Arlington
Heights, May 31, 1865, and returned home.
In June, 1868, Mr. Killinger took up car-
pentry, at which he worked for fourteen
summers, and taught school twenty-one
terms during the winter months. The con-
finement of the school room proved detri-
mental to his health, and compelled him to
abandon the work of teaching. He next
tried work on the railroad, but this was too
arduous. In the fall of 1887 he began
butchering, and has since followed that busi-
ness. He is also agent for all kinds of agri-
cultural implements. He has been very
successful in this line. He also superintends
a farm of twenty-two acres.
Mr. Killinger was married, in Jackson
township, June 3, 1869, to Anna M. Whit-
man, born in Halifax township, October 22,
1846 ; daughter of Philip and Susan (Fetter-
hoff) Whitman. Their children were: Laura
A., died when three years old ; Hiram W.,
in business in Philadelphia; Thomas J.,
died at four years of age; John, died aged
three years; H. Frank, James LaRoss, and
Maggie P., at home. Mr. Killinger is a
member of Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P.,
Fisherville; and of B. F. Miller Post, No.
393, G. A. R.; he is adjutant of the Post.
The grandfather of Mrs. Killinger, Colonel
Fetterhoff, was in the war of 1812. The
great-grandmother of Mrs. Killinger (Mc-
Frederick Fetterhoff) was blind for thirty
years previous to her death.
BoNAwiTZ, W. E., M. D., physician and
surgeon, Fisherville, Pa., was born in Mif-
flin township, near Berrysburg, Dauphin
county, Pa., January 30, 1866. Jonathan
Bonawitz, the father of Dr. Bonawitz, was
born in Mifflin township, and was a son of
John Bonawitz, a farmer, also a native of
Dauphin county ; the father of John Bona-
witz was George Bonawitz, a native of Berks
county, and of German descent. Some of
the earlier generations participated in the.
Revolution and in the war of 1812. All of
the Bonawitz family were land owners and
stock raisers. The earliest representatives
of the family settled in Dauphin county
about 1780.
Dr. Bonawitz's father, Jonathan Bonawitz,
is still living. He attended subscription
schools, grew up on a farm, and made
farming his life occupation. He was an ex-
tensive farmer and stock raiser, owning
more than two hundred acres of land. He
was a strong advocate of the free school sys-
tem, and was active and influential in secur-
ing its adoption. Mr. Bonawitz married
Margaret Rutter, born in Halifax township,
daughter of Henry Rutter, a furniture manu-
facturer. Their children are: Mary L., wife
of P. E. Stino, who keeps a creamery in Mif-
flin township ; Cha.rles E., farms the home-
stead ; Dr. W. E.; Kate, milliner and school
teacher, and S. Fannie, resides at home. Mr.
Bonawitz is Republican in his views, but
does not dabble in politics. He has always
taken a deep interest in church matters, and
is a member of the Lutheran church. He
was a leader of the church choir from the
age of sixteen until he became too old for
that work.
W. E. Bonawitz attended first the common
schools of Mifflin township and then the
seminary at Berrysburg, where he received
a teacher's certificate. He attended the State
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
741
Normal School, at West Chester, from 1885
to 1886. When seventeen years old he taught
school in Northumberland county. He sub-
sequently taught in Mifflin and Jefferson
townships, Dauphin county. He read
medicine with Dr. A. J. Kantz and Dr. J. M.
Linker, of Berry sburg, after which he studied
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
of Baltimore, and received his diploma as
physician and surgeon from that institution
in 1889. He then took a supplementary
special course in operative surgery and head,
throat, and lungs at the same college, and
received from that college a diploma as spe-
cialist in the treatment of diseases of the
heart, throat, and lungs, subsequently pass-
ing an examination in general medicine and
surgery at the Medico-Chirurgical College,
of Philadelphia.
Dr. Bonawitz began the practice of his
profession in Fisherville. His recognized
ability and his agreeable manners have
made him popular, and he has built up an
extensive remunerative practice throughout
the county. His services are in demand in
the surrounding territory and in other towns
and boroughs. He has performed many
most difficult surgical operations with phe-
nomenal success.
Dr. Bonawitz was married, at Berrysburg,
in 1890, to Anna M. Beshler, of Philadelphia,
born in Berrysburg, daughter of Dr. John
Beshler, and granddaughter of Dr. Henry
Beshler, well-known physicians of Dauphin
county. They have no children. Dr. Bona-
witz is a member of Enders Lodge, No. 359,
K. of P., Fisherville, and of the Improved
Order of Heptasophs. He belongs to the
Lutheran church. Dr. BonaVitz was ap-
pointed physician for the poor in his district
in 1892, and has held the office since that
time. He is both successful in his profes-
sion and popular as a man.
BixLER, Cornelius, merchant and manu-
facturer, was born in Higgins township,
Schuylkill county. Pa., November 20, 1834.
His father, John Bixler, was born in the
same township, and was a son of Peter Bix-
ler, a native of Berks county. Pa., of German
and English ancestry. John Bixler grew up
on the farm in his native county. His
father, Peter, was a large landholder and
carried on several branches of business, farm-
ing, distilling and wagon making. In ] 844
John Bixler removed with his family to
Dauphin county and located in Jackson
township, where he owned a farm and mill,
which he operated until his death, in 1863.
He married Sarah Straw, a native of Berks
county, daughter of Benjamin Straw, a
farmer, of Schuylkill county. Pa. They had
eight children : Sarah A., wife of James
' Miller, farmer, of Jackson township; Cor-
nelius, Percival, William, Kate, Mary, Lydia,
and one who died in infancy. Mr. Bixler
was a Democrat in his earlier life, and after-
wards a Republican. He died in 1863, and
his wife died June 17, 1896.
Cornelius Bixler attended the common
schools of his township. In boyhood and
early manhood he was employed about his
father's mill, where he remained until his
father's death, when he sold the mill. He then
enlisted in company A, Two Hundred and
Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.
He entered the army as a second lieutenant,
and was subsequently in command of com-
pany C. He was at the fight of Gravel Run,
at Five Forks and Richmond, and was
present at the surrender of General Lee.
He was sick in the hospital for three days,
but escaped all wounds, although many
comrades fell on all sides of him.
At the close of the war Mr. Bixler returned
to his native county and located in Fisher-
ville, where he took charge of a hotel and
conducted it for five years with gratifying
success. He also established a carriage fac-
tory, and undertook the manufacture of ve-
hicles on a large scale, giving employment
to many men, and in many ways benefiting
the community. For twenty years he was
interested in this business, and gave it his
best efforts with good results. The enter-
prise was the pride and joy of his heart. He
enjoyed to the utmost the sight of skilled
mechanics at their work, earning comfort-
able wages, producing meritorious work, and
making patrons pleased with their purchases.
He regarded the busy factory as the very
fountain of prosperity, sending out its streams
in all directions to bless the community.
In 1884 he relinquished his business and
entered the political arena as county com-
missioner. In 1892 Mr. Bixler erected two
creameries, one at Fisherville, the other in
Powell's Valley, Halifax township. At an
expenditure of $6,000 he provided his plants
with the finest equipments to be had. These
creameries are also a great public benefit.
The payment to farmers for milk is over
$1,600 per month, and the products are
shipped to points near and far, throughout
742
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the country. In connection with the cream-
ery, Mr. Bixler runs a cider mill, which pro-
duces a hundred barrels daily. He has a
farm of fifty-two acres, near Fisherville, upon
which he has made important improvements
for keeping ten milch cows and other stock.
In 1893 he added to his enterprises a general
merchandise business, and in this also he
meets with deserved success.
Mr. Bixler was married, in Jackson town,:
ship, September, 1856, to Catherine A., daugh-
ter of Daniel Miller, a farmer of Jackson
township. They have had twelve children, of
whom six are living: Isaac P., shipper, at
Halifax ; Emma J., housekeeper for her
father ; David W., resides in Powell's Valley :
Katie, wife of Samuel Bowman, a hotel man,
of Fisherville; John, a storekeeper, and
William, at school. Mary E. and Robert
died young, and four died in infancy. Mr.
Bixler is a Republican. He was elected
county commissioner in 1884, on the Re-
publican ticket, receiving 3,200 votes over
his competitor ; in 1888 he was elected for a
second term to the same office. His admin-
istration was marked by many substantial
improvements throughout the county.
Mr. Bixler is a member of Enders Lodge,
No. 359, K. of P., Fisherville, and has main-
tained his membership for twenty-one years.
He belongs to B. F. Miller Post, No. 393, G.
A. R. He is a member of the Lutheran
church. The business enterprise of Mr. Bix-
ler has made his name a household word,
and his popularity is unlimited. Mrs. Bixler
died March 6, 1892.
Helt, John F., postmaster and general
merchant, was born in Clark's Valley, Dau-
phin county, Pa., January 14, 1841. His
father, David Helt, was a native of Dauphin
county, and a son of Christian Helt, an ex-
tensive farmer and stockman in Clark's Val-
ley. David Helt also was largely interested
in the same business, being the owner
of over three hundred acres of land. He
married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Dau-
phin county, by whom he had eight chil-
dren: John F.; Henry, deceased; Emeline,
widow of David Smink ; William, deceased ;
Daniel, farmer of Jackson township ; Eliza-
beth, deceased ; Catherine, unmarried, and.
one child who died in infancy. David Helt
died in Jackson township, May 3, 1883. His
wife is living, and resides in the township.
Mr. Helt was a Republican. He was a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church, and was deacon
and elder, and held other church oflBces.
He was a prominent and popular man.
John F. Helt attended school in Union-
town, Clark's and Powell's Valley, for six
months; this was his entire school educa-
tion. He is self-educated. He worked with
his father on the farm until he was fifteen,
after which he hired out to work for wages,
for three years. At eighteen years of age he
went to learn carpentry, in which occupa-
tion he spent ten years. During part of the
time he was a contractor and builder. In
1867 Mr. Helt formed a partnership with
George W. D. Enders in the mercantile busi-
ness, in Jackson township. This partnership
continued until 1876, when he bought the
interest of Mr. Enders, and has since con-
ducted the business with fair success. He is
a director in the Halifax Bank and was one
of its organizers.
Mr. Helt was first appointed postmaster
under the administration of President Hayes,
and has given so general satisfaction that
he has been retained in office through all
the changes in the General Government.
Mr. Helt is a Democrat. He has filled the
township oSices of school director, auditor
and treasurer. He was married, in 1861, to
Margaret Enders, a native of .Jackson town-
ship, daughter of Conrad Enders, and sister
of G. W. D. Enders. They have two chil-
dren : Anna J., wife of Dr. C. C. Miller, of
Halifax, and Ira M. Mrs. Helt died No-
vember 21, 1894. Mr. Helt is a member of
the Lutheran church.
Ira M. Helt, son of John F. Helt, was born
August 17, 1865. He was educated in the
district schools, in the high school of Eliza-
bethville, and in Berrysburg Academy. He
is now in charge of his father's store. He
is a promising young business man, and is
popular in all circles. Mr. Helt was mar-
ried, on his twenty-fifth birthday, August
17, 1890, to Maggie, daughter of William
Philips. They have two children : Vernie
and Carrie. Mr. Helt is a Democrat. He
is a member of the Lutheran church.
Enders, George W., general merchant,
was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 6, 1836. His grand-
father, John Enders, was a son of the first
Enders who settled in Dauphin county, a
sketch of whom is found in connection with
the sketch of G. W. D. Enders. He was
born in Lancaster county, and was the
owner of six hundred acres of land.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
743
John Enders, father of George W., was
born in Jackson township, in 1800. He at-
tended the subscription schools of the town-
ship, and later his occupation was farming
and stock raising. He married Sarah Ettien,
born in Halifax township. They had ten
children : Peter, veteran of the late war, of
Jacksonville ; Henry, of Jacksonville ; Eliza-
beth, deceased ; Catherine, deceased, wife of
Daniel Shope ; Mary, second wife of Daniel
Shope ; Philip, farmer in Wyandotte county,
Ohio ; George W.; John, deceased ; Nelson,
residing in Harrisburg; Jacob, farmer of
Jackson township, and a veteran of the late
war. The father died in 1872, the mother
in 1873. Mr. John Enders was for fifteen
years justice of the peace, was tax collector,
and was first president of the school board
of Jackson township, being elected about
1834. His politics were Democratic. He
was a member of the United Brethren
church. He was well known and highly
esteemed for his many virtues and excel-
lencies.
George W. Enders attended the common
schools of the township and Berrysburg
Academy, where he received a liberal edu-
cation. He taught school for twenty-six
years in Jackson, Halifax and Williams
townships. He also learned shoemaking,
and followed that trade for some time.
Having accumulated monej' by teaching,
Mr. Enders removed to Jacksonville and
erected a fine house and store, at an expen-
diture of $4,000. He went into mercantile
business in 1884, to which he has since that
time given his attention. He has built up
a profitable business. He has also invested
in land, having farms aggregating one hun-
dred and sixteen acres, one of which, with
the improvements made on it, has cost him
$3,000. Stock raising is also part of his
business.
Mr. Enders was married, in Jackson town-
ship, in 1858, to Susan Warner, a native of
Dauphin county, daughter of John Warner,
of that county. They have four children :
Fernando C, farmer, married Emma Yingst,
residing in Tennessee ; Clinton D., farms
the homestead, married Laura Enders : Wal-
ter, farmer, of Jackson township, married
Jane Shook ; and Carson C, at home. Mr. En-
ders has been agent for the Halifax Mutual
Fire Insurance Company for eighteen years.
He has been justice of the peace for twenty-
four years, and has never had an appeal
taken from his court. His politics are
Democratic, but he votes the Prohibition
ticket. He is a member of the United
Brethren church, is local preacher, member
of the annual conference, elder of the church
since 1880, and has been superintendent of
the Sunday-school twenty-five years. He is
one of the substantial and reliable men of
the community, and is universally esteemed.
WiLBERT, C. B., teacher and farmer, was
born in Jackson township, Dauphin county,
Pa., March 18, 1857. His father, Levi Wil-
bert, was born in Jackson township in 1823,
and died in 1892. He was a stone mason,
and was engaged in canal and railroad
building. He was married, in April, 1856,
in Jackson township, to Julia, daughter of
Adam Zimmerman, a farmer of Jackson
township. They had three children : C. B.;
Isaac, killed in the coal mines at Williams-
town, January, 1889, and Annie, wife of Al-
bert Dieterich, of Lykens township. Mr.
Wilbert was a Republican. His wife is liv-
ing and resides in Jacksonville, Pa.
C. B. Wilbert attended the common schools
until he was fifteen years old. In 1873 he
entered the Berrysburg high school. He
had a strong desire to obtain a more liberal
education, and to prepare himself for the
profession of a teacher. He had no re-
sources at his command save his natural
capacity and the laudable ambition to be-
come a useful and prominent man. He
taught school in Jackson township in 1873.
He attended the State Normal School at
Millersville, Lancaster county, during the
sessions of 1875, 1876 and 1878. By this
course of alternate teaching and studying he
was enabled to secure a thorough training
for his chosen profession.
Mr. Wilbert has been a teacher for twenty-
two years in Jackson township, and the re-
sults of his work are seen in the numbers of
his pupils who hold honorable positions in
the ranks of business and professional men.
There are teachers, preachers, doctors and
lawyers, as well as merchants, manufactur-
ers and farmers, who gratefully acknowledge
their indebtedness to his faithful and skill-
ful instructions. How to succeed in teaching
has been his life's study, and he has cer-
tainly solved the problem in his experience
and success. He has also found time to
superintend and cultivate a farm.
Mr. Wilbert was married, in Jackson town-
ship, September 2, 1881, to Lydia Louder-
milch, born September 2, 1856, a native of
744
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Jackson to^vnship, where her father, Michael
Loudermilch, a well-known farmer, shoe-
maker and butcher, resides. They have had
four children : Ella M., born July 20, 1882;
Annie E., May 4, 1891 ; Mabel A., died
young ; and Emma B., born May 24, 1896.
Mr. Wilbert is a member of the Order of
United American Mechanics. He is a Re-
publican, and was clerk of the township. He
is a Lutheran, and has been a deacon in the
church for six years. He has been a teacher
in the Sunday-school since 1875, and is
now its superintendent. He stands high
among the teachers of the State, and is a
genial and popular gentleman, and was
census enumerator in 1880 for Jackson town-
ship.
Miller, James, farmer, was born in Jack-
son township, Dauphin county. Pa., Janu-
ary 26, 1843. His great-grandfather, Joseph
Miller, was born in Germany. He came to
this country 'some time between 1760 and
1770, and settled in the valley which now is
comprised in Jackson township. He was an
extensive farmer and stock raiser. He died
in Jackson township. His son, Joseph Mil-
ler, the grandfather of James Miller, grew
up on his father's farm and followed his
father's occupations, to which he added that
of distilling. He married a Miss Lantz,
by whom he had seven children : John,
Samuel, Joseph, Barbara, Catherine, Sarah,
and Maria. He died in Jackson township.
Joseph Miller (3), father of James Miller,
attended subscription schools in the town-
ship. He followed the occupations of his
father and grandfather, and was extensively
engaged in farming, stock raising and dis-
tilling. He married Elizabeth Bowerman,
born in Jefferson township, in 1815, and
died in 1886. They had six children : John,
enlisted in company A, Fifteenth regiment,
United States infantry, went into the field,
and was never heard from ; Joseph, engi-
neerinHoe'sfactory; Jacob, deceased; James;
B. F., who died in the army, and Sarah,
wife of James Nobinger, a farmer and car-
penter of Jackson township. Mr. Miller still
lives, at the ripe age of eighty-three years.
He is a member of the Lutheran church,
and has been trustee, deacon, elder, Sunday-
school teacher, and superintendent. His
politics are Republican. Mr. Miller is an
impressive example of a happy old age ; his
happiness is well founded and can never
decay. It consists in doing good, and try-
ing to make others happy. He has made
himself familiar with all that the Heavenly
Father has to communicate bf truth and
grace to his children, in the messages of
love contained in the Bible, hence his mind
is fortified against errors which might else
disturb his peace. His own family, who
best know him, and have felt his influence
most, love him best, but all bear witness to
the life of charity, righteousness and purity
which he has led.
James Miller, until he was seventeen years
old, was in the district schools a short time
in the winter, and was busy at farm work in
summer. At the age mentioned, he went to
learn the trade of shoemakiug, in his native
township, and after acquiring the trade con-
tinued working at it for some time. He
then went to York county, where for two
years he was engaged in milling, at which
business he afterwards spent two more years
in Jackson township, Dauphin county.
On August 10, 1868, Mr. Miller enlisted
at Harrisburg, in company C, Fifteenth reg-
iment, United States infantry, for five years,
under Col. A. M. Dudley and Capt. A. M.
Brown, and was sent to Fort Adams, R. L
He was in the quartermaster's department
as wagon master. Mr. Miller ,was in the
service three and a half years, six months of
which time he spent in the hospital, suffer-
ing with lung and liver troubles. He was
discharged at Vicksburg, Miss;, in January',
1866, after which he returned home, and
was for two years in the milling business.
He then purchased a farm, which he im-
proved at an outlay of $2,000 ; he has since
been engaged in farming and stock raising.
He has found trading very profitable, and
since 1875 has given it much attention. He
is also interested in a dairy.
Mr. Miller was married, in Jackson town-
ship. May 28, 1868, to Sarah A. Bixler, born
in Jackson township, February 18, 1847;
sister of Cornelius Bixler, a sketch of whom
appears elsewhere in this volume. They
had four children : Lydia C, born January
11, 1869, married December 24, 1894, to C.
M. Bowerman, school teacher, of Jackson
township ; J. Edward, born October 10, 1872,
plasterer, married Annie Harper, born in
Jackson township ; Sarah E., born Mav 10,
1879, and Annie M., born July 18, 1883, at-
tending school.
Mr. Miller is a Republican and is inspec-
tor of elections. He is a member of the Lu-
theran church, and has been deacon, elder,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
745
Sunday-school teacher and superintendent.
He belongs to R. B. Miller Post, No. 393, G.
A. R., and to Enders Lodge, No. 859, K. of
P., Fisherville. Mr. Miller is a hard worker,
and is full of push and pluck. He has suc-
ceeded in the struggle of life, and enjoys the
good will and esteem of the community.
Snyder, Joseph, farmer and stockman,
was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county, Pa., October 9, 1843. His great-
grandfather emigrated from Germany and
settled in Jackson township, where he was
an extensive farmer and stock raiser. Will-
iam Snyder, grandfather of Joseph Snyder,
was a native of Dauphin county, and en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits. He also kept
what is known as the Mountain House. He
had eleven children : George, Daniel, Peter,
Michael, Jonathan, John Christian, Cathe-
rine, Lydia, Mary, Ellen, and Susanna.
William Snyder died in Jackson township.
He was a good church member, and was re-
spected by all who knew him.
John Christian Snyder, father of Joseph,
grew up on the farm, and became a farmer
and stock raiser. He married Susan Miller,
born in Jackson township ; died in 1882.
They had eleven children : Nathaniel; Peter;
Lydia, died young; Joseph; Ellen, deceased,
wife of Uriah Hegard ; Isaac P., deceased ;
Josiah, resides at Fisherville; Mary M.,
wife of William McNeal, farmer, of Jackson
township; Susan A., wife of Nathaniel Shutt,
Jackson township ; C. Frank, farmer, and
William R., farmer. Mr. Snyder was a Re-
publican. He was a member of the Re-
formed and Lutheran church. He died in
Jackson township in 1885.
Joseph Snyder attended school a part of
each year, and worked on the farm in busy
seasons. He remained on the home farm
until he was twenty years old. After this he
worked two years at shoemaking with Daniel
Shoop, of Jackson township. He was occu-
pied in shoemaking on his own account
until 1888, when he fell ill, and had to go
to the hospital. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Sny-
der bought a farm of sixty-seven acres, for
■which he paid $4,200. After improving it
and working it two years, he sold it for
$4,200. In 1885 he bought the farm he now
owns and occupies, consisting of one hun-
dred and eighty acres, for $8,500, and ex-
pended $1,000 more in making improve-
ments on it. Mr. Snyder is justly con-
sidered one of the most enterprising farmers
in the township. Besides his land invest-
ments he has also an interest in the Fisher-
ville creamery. Mr. Snyder was married, in
1866, to Mary, daughter of John Zimmer-
man, born in Jackson township, in 1846.
They have three children : Lillie C., at home;
Ira P., in the creamery business at Bowells-
ville, Ohio, and Martin Luther, attending
school and farming. Mr. Snyder is a Re-
publican, and is serving as a school director.
He is a member of the Lutheran church,
and has been six years a deacon. Mr. Sny-
der is well known, and recognized as a man
of intelligence and good judgment, progres-
sive and full of enterprise. He is well liked
by his neighbors.
Zimmerman, Amos, farrner and stockman,
was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 18, 1841. Christian
Zimmerman, his grandfather, was a farmer
and stock raiser in the same township.
John Zimmerman, father of Afnos, was born
in Jackson township, February 12, 1816.
He attended subscription schools, and from
early boyhood worked on his father's farm.
He made farming and stock raising his life-
long occupation. Mr. Zimmerman was mar-
ried, June 1, 1837, to Lydia Bowman, born
April 23, 1815, in Jackson township. They
had eight children: Charles B., born De-
cember 10,1838, farmer, Cumberland county,
Pa.; Nathaniel, born May 5, 1840, deceased ;
Amos, born December 18, 1841 ; Susan,
February 16, 1844, wife of William David-
son ; Mary, March 3, 1846, wife of Joseph
Snyder ; Jacob, May 7, 1848, deceased ; Mar-
garet, February 6, 1850, wife of George Shez-
ley, carpenter ; Isaac P., May 17, 1855, a pas-
tor in the Lutheran church, in Schuylkill
county, Pa. The father died July 14, 1888,
and the mother February 28, 1885. Mr.
Zimmerman belonged to the Democratic
party, and was a member of the Lutheran
church .
Amos Zimmerman attended the common
schools of Jackson township in the winter,
and worked on the farm during the summer
months, until he was twenty-one years old.
For two more years he remained at home
and cultivated his father's farm, but at the
age of twenty-three he went with his young
wife and all the property they possessed to
Lykens Valley. There he rented a farm
and began life for himself. He cultivated
that farm for six years, and then, returning
to Jackson township, bought the farm he
746
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
now owns, which he has tilled and im-
proved, and made his home from that time
to the present. He is one of the enterprising
and successful farmers and stock raisers of
the township. Mr. Zimmerman was married,
in Jackson township, December 1, 1864, to
Mary Yeager, born in Lykens Valley, in
June, 1848 ; daughter of Christoph er Yeager,
a retired farmer, living in Fisherville. They
have one child, Kate, born in October, 1868,
wife of Henry Remberger, farmer, of Jack-
son township, who has two children, Harry
and Edna.
Mr. Zimmerman is a Democrat. He is a
member of the Lutheran church, in which
he has held the offices of deacon, elder, Sun-
day-school teacher and superintendent. He
is well known, is genial and popular.
Zimmerman, Harrison, farmer, was born
in Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
May 5, 1864. Jacob Zimmerman, father of
Harrison, was born in the same township,
in April, 1833. He was educated in its sub-
scription and common schools. He became
a farmer and stockman, and is classed among
the progressive and prosperous farmers of
Armstrong Valley. He married Sybilla
Yoder, born in Upper Mahantango Valley,
Schuylkill county. Pa., in 1834, and died in
October, 1894. They had eleven children :
Louisa, wife of Isaiah Enders, farmer, Jack-
son township ; Alice, wife of Ed. Specht,
Washington township, Dauphin county ;
Lucinda, wife of Frank Snyder, farmer,
Jackson township ; Felix, farmer, Jackson
township ; Harrison ; Gabriel, farmer, Jack-
son township ; Galon, resides on the home-
stead ; Annie, wife of Miner Elvord ; Har-
vey, Robert, and Myron, all three at home.
The father is still living, and resides on the
old homestead. He is of the Republican
party, a prominent citizen, and well liked
by his neighbors. He is a member of the
Lutheran church.
Harrison Zimmerman attended the schools
of Jackson and Jefferson townships. He
was a student at Berrysburg Academy, at
Cross Road Seminary, and took a course
under Major Dill at Freeburg Academy,
Snyder county, and also took a course under
D. D. DeLong, at Lebanon Valley College.
These advantages gave him ample training
and equipment for his life work, which was
the profession of teaching. He was engaged
in that work twelve years, in Jackson, Rush
and Halifax townships. He had labored
faithfully in his younger days to obtain
means for his education ; thus he may be
called a self-made man. In 1893 he gave up
teaching, and bought the old Miller farm of
one hundred acres, which he has greatly im-
proved, and is cultivating. Mr. Zimmerman
was married, in Jackson township, January
14, 1886, to Rebecca Shoop, a native of Wayne
township, and daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Wise) Shoop. They have five
children: Leroy, Raymond, William, How-
ard, and Herbert. Mr. Zimmerman is a
Republican ; he has been clerk of elections.
He is a member of the United Brethren
church, in which he is class leader, steward,
Sunday-school superintendent and teacher.
Snyder, Josiah, implement dealer and
partner of John G. Killinger, was born in
Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
October 29, 1848. He is a sou of John
Christian and Susan (Miller) Snyder, a sketch
of whom appears with that of Joseph Snyder
in this volume. Josiah Snyder attended the
Miller's district school, Jackson township.
His life, until he was twenty-one, was passed
on his father's farm. After reaching his
majority he spent nine months in Washington
township learning the blacksmith trade. He
was then employed as a journeyman by Mr.
Migley, of Fisherville. In 1875 he opened
a shop of his owu, and carried on the busi-
ness for fourteen years in Fisherville. His
health at last demanding outdoor employ-
ment, he bought a farm of eighty-two acres,
which he improved and cultivated for some
time, but. subsequently rented it. Previous
to this farm enterprise he had been agent for
the sale of C. H. McCormick's farming ma-
chinery ; and now, in connection with Mr.
Killinger, his partner, Mr. Snyder deals in
the machinery and implements of this and
other firms. He also owns property in Fish-
erville besides his farm. He is a Republican ;
has been treasurer of the township and col-
lector of State and county taxes ; he was also
inspector of elections. Mr. Snyder is a
member of the Lutheran church, is not
married and is a genial, whole souled, social
man, fend of good company and is himself
good company.
Keiter, Samuel, was "born in Jackson
township, Dauphin county, Pa., November
8, 1819. He is a son of Garhert Keiter, a
Pennsylvanian, of German ancestry, and a
BA UPHIN CO UNTY .
747
farmer and stock raiser of Jackson township.
He married Barbara Lentz. Tliey had ten
children: John, Joseph, Michael, Garhert,
Peter, Samuel, Catherine, Sarah, Ann, and
Barbara, all of whom are deceased except
Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Keiter were Lutherans.
They died in Jackson township. Mr. Keiter
was a Republican.
Samuel Keiter attended the subscription
schools, and worked with his father at farm-
ing until he was of age. He then learned
shoemaking, and worked at that trade for
eight years. He then bought eighty acres
of land on which he now resides, built a
house and barn, and otherwise extensively
improved the land, which he continued for
some time to cultivate. In 1862, at the age
of forty-three, Mr. Keiter was drafted into
the army, and assigned to company A, One
Hundred and Seventy-second regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, under Capt. Solo-
mon Bowerman and Colonel Cleckner. He
served nine months and was then discharged,
and returned home. He resumed farming ;
also, for twelve years, in connection with his
brother Michael, was a manufacturer of lum-
ber. In this business they met with fair suc-
cess. Mr. Keiter was married, in Jackson
township, in 1842, to Miss Susanna Shott, born
in Lykens Valley. They had twelvechildren :
Susan, wife of Henry Hoffman; Jonas, de-
ceased ; Catherine, deceased ; Philip, farmer;
Leah, wife of Solomon Matters; Ellen, wife of
William Shertzer; Sarah, wife of Isaac Hen-
ninger ; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of James
Miller; Amanda, wife of Isaac A. Enders;
Isaac, farmer. South Bend, Ind. ; Charles,
and Hiram. Mr. Keiter is a Republican, but
no office seeker. He is a member of the Lu-
theran church. Mr. and Mrs. Keiter have
passed fifty-four years of wedded life, have
reared a family of twelve children, have
been industrious and frugal, and are now
quietly enjoying the fruits of their well spent
life. They are surrounded by three genera-
tions of descendants, but are not chilled by
the frosts of age. They are cheerful and
genial, and by old and young are considered
pleasant company. They present an attrac-
tive example of the happiness resulting from
right living. In their own cheerful old age,
in the society of their children and grand-
children, in the enjoyment of home and
friends, they proclaim that the marriage re-
lation is no failure, but the largest success of
which human nature is capable.
Miller, Aaron, farmer and stock raiser,
was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county. Pa., July 9, 1846. John Miller, his
grandfather, was of German descent. He
came from Northumberland county to Dau-
phin county in 1817, settled in Jackson
township, and cleared a farm of one hundred
and seventy acres of land ; on this farm he
died. His son, Michael Miller, was born in
Northumberland county. Pa. He was a
farmer, and also, for twenty years, a black-
smith. He improved and cultivated a farm
of two hundred and two acres, and had one
of one hundred and forty-one acres, also over
two hundred acres of woodland ; he was also
engaged in stock raising. His first wife was
Catherine Straw, of Jackson township. Their
children are: Josiah, Balthasar, and Cyrus,
a blacksmith, married a Miss Sweigard, and
died in Reading, Pa., leaving a widow and
four children. After Mrs. Miller's death,
Mr. Miller married Hannah Buffinger,
widow of Jacob Kolva. They had ten chil-
dren : Michael, who lives on the old home-
stead, in Jackson township ; Lydia, Eli, Sam-
uel, all died under the age of eight years ;
Leah, died at the age of forty-two ; Hannah,
wife of D. A. Snyder, Elizabeth ville; Joshua,
died in his third year , John A., deceased,
and twins, who died in infancy. Mr. Miller
was a Democrat ; he held the offices of as-
sessor and tax collector. He was trustee to
the end of his life in the Lutheran church, in
which he and Mrs. Miller held membership.
Mr. Miller died December 27. 1864, and his
wife April 24, 1890.
Aaron Miller was educated in the common
schools of his township. He remained on the
farm until his father's death, which occurred
when Aaron was eighteen. For two years he
worked on the home farm, and then began
business for himself. He bought a farm of
one hundred and forty acres, where he now
resides ; on it he built a barn, and made
many other improvements, among which
was the planting of a large apple orchard.
Mr. Miller has several other farms in the
valley ; he is one of its largest landholders,
having upwards of three hundred and fifty
acres of good, arable land. He is also largely
interested in the breeding of stock. Mr. Miller
was married, in Lykens township, to Flor-
enda Bender, born in Washington township,
daughter of A. Q. and Susanna (Fisher)
Bender. They have six children : Fannie,
wife of Harry McNeal; Edwin, attending
748
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
school ; Ammond, on the homestead ; Sarah,
living at home ; Harry, and Adam, attend-
ing school. Mr. Miller is a Democrat; he
has been inspector of elections and tax col-
lector. He was a member of the Knights of
Pythias and the Order of United American
Mechanics, but is not so now. He is a mem-
ber, and was deacon, of the Lutheran church.
He is genial and hospitable, is widely known
and highly esteemed.
Enders, Isaac F., farmer, was born in
Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
December 30, 1853. He is a son of Philip
Enders, and brother of George W. D. En-
ders, whose sketch appears in this volume.
He was educated in the common schools of
the township, and worked with his father on
th* farm. After his marriage he took
charge of the homestead of fifty-nine acres.
Three years ago he bought the home farm,
and has made many valuable improvements
upon it. He is engaged in stock raising.
He, in company with Clinton D. Enders,
made a tour South and West, in January,
1890. They visited F. C. Enders, who
moved to Fountain Head, Tenn., in 1888,
where they had a pleasant and profitable
time, visiting Nashville, the State capital,
the State armory. Fort Mitchell, where they
found bullets that were fired in the late war,
and also Forts Negley and Markin. They
left there January 22 for Cincinnati and
Columbus, Ohio, then went to Upper San-
dusky, Tiffin, Bloomsville and Carey, where
they met their old friends of boyhood days,
Charles Enders, Nathan Shoop and Charles
and Aaron Sweigard. These friends left
Dauphin county when grown up and are all
successful farmers, having already purchased
farms of their own. On February 7 they
left for home, having had a very profitable
time, meeting old acquaintances and mak-
ing a careful study of farming in the differ-
ent sections of the country visited.
Mr. Enders was married, in Jackson town-
ship, in 1876, to Maggie, daughter of the
late James and Mary (Fell) Wilson. She
was born in Jefferson township, October 9,
1854. They have had one child, Philip
Byrne, born in 1886. Mrs. Wilson's father,
James Wilson, was killed in the army, dur-
ing the war of the Rebellion. Her mother
died in Jackson township. Mr. Enders is a
Democrat. He has served as inspector of
elections. He is a member of the Lutheran
church. He is a genial, whole-souled man.
He takes good care of his father, who is now
over eighty years of age, and gives him a
good home. Mr. Enders enjoys the respect
and esteem of his neighbors.
Fitting, William H., farmer and stock-
man, was born in Jackson township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., March 20, 1833. John
Fitting, his' grandfather, was born in Ger-
many, and emigrated to this country, set-
tling in Dauphin county, where he was en-
gaged in farming in a small way, and where
he reared his family. John Fitting (2),
father of W. H. Fitting, was born in Han-
over township, where he grew up and at-
tended school. He worked on the farm in
early youth, and afterwards learned shoemak-
ing, which trade he carried on for some
years. He finally removed to Jackson town-
ship, and bought a farm of ninety acres, and
sixty acres of woodland. Here he engaged
in farming and stock raising. He married
Sarah Betz, of Northumberland county. Pa.
They had ten children : William H.; Samuel
deceased ; Annie R., deceased ; Mary A.,
widow of Samuel Miller, and mother of
Dr. C. C. Miller, of Halifax ; Sarah, wife of
Henry Rough, farmer, Lykens Valley, and
Valeria, wife of George Hummel, of Lykens
Valley. The other children died in infancy.
Mr. Fitting was a Republican. He and his
wife were members of the Reformed church,
in which he was an elder. They both died
in Jackson township.
William H. Fitting attended the common
schools of this township, and worked on the
farm with his father until he was sixteen
years of age, when his father died. For
four years after he worked the farm and sup-
ported the family. At twenty years of age
he married and removed to Lykens Valley,
where he cultivated a rented farm for nine
years. He then returned to Jackson town-
ship and bought the ninety-acre farm on
which he now lives. He built a fine dwell-
ing and other farm structures, and made
improvements costing $15,000. He also
bought another farm of fifty-five acres near
Fishersville, which his son cultivates.
Mr. Fitting's marriage took place in Jack-
son township, October 23, 1853. His wife
was Miss Caroline, daughter of Adam and
Elizabeth (Lebo) Cooper; she was born in
Mifflin township, November 28, 1832; her
father was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Fitting
had seven children : Amanda, wife of Heze-
kiah Matter, Millersburg; Cevilia, wife of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
749
Reuben Snyder; John, school and music
teacher, married Clara Boyer; Leon, de-
ceased, married Annie Tison, has two sons,
Samuel E. and William H.; Elmer, farmer,
married Emma Albright; Harry, teacher,
Jefferson township, and Samuel, deceased.
Mr. Fitting is a Republican ; he has served
as tax collector of the township. He is a
member of the Lutheran church, in which
he is deacon and elder. Mr. Fitting is a
good living man, and has made life success-
ful. He married at twenty, and set out in
the world with his young wife to earn a liv-
ing and make a home. His present situa-
tion, in a delightful home, where he and his
worthy wife are resting from the active
duties of life, is a suitable close to his
career. He is justly honored and esteemed.
John, the eldest son of Mr. Fitting, takes a
very active part in church matters ; he has
been superintendent of the Sunday-school for
several years, and is secretary of the church.
The mother of Mr. Fitting was of the sturdy
old Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Frank, George W., farmer, was born in
Jackson township, August 13, 1835. His
father, David Frank, was born in Lancaster
county. Pa. He grew up on a farm, and be-
came a farmer. He removed to Dauphin
county, and settled in Jackson township,
where he bought a farm and engaged in
raising stock and distilling for many years.
He married Annie Cameron, and had ten
children : Henry, Jacob, John, Samuel,
George, Daniel, Sarah, Susanna, Julia, wife
of Frederick Baker, Dauphin, Pa., and one
that died in infancy. Miss Susan, Mrs. Ba-
ker; and George W., are the only surviving
children. Mrs. David Frank died in Jack-
son township. Mr. Frank's second wife was
Gertrude Kider, a native of Jackson town-
ship, by whom he has two children : Andrew
P. and Joseph. Mr. Frank died in Jack-
son township in 1873, and his wife, Mrs.
Gertrude Frank, in 1889, also their son
Joseph in 1889. They were members of the
Reformed church. Mr. Frank was a Dem-
ocrat.
George W. Frank attended the common
schools of Jackson township. He remained
at home on the farm, and managed the
work of farming, distilling, etc., until he was
twenty-five years of age. He farmed as a
tenant until he was thirty-eight years of age,
when he bought a farm of seventy-five acres,
on which he erected a dwelling and a barn,
and made other improvements, and engaged
in farming and stock raising. He was mar-
ried, in Jackson township, in 1861, to L3'dia,
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Hoffman)
Hoffman, born in Halifax township, in 1842.
They have three children : Sarah, wife of
George Matter, of Steelton ; Lizzie, a dress
maker, residing at home, and Ida M., a
teacher. Mr. Frank is a Democrat and has
served three terms as school director and one
term as supervisor. He is a member of the
Reformed church, has been a deacon, and is
an elder in that church.
Ida M. Frank, daughter of George W.
Frank, attended the district schools, and
completed her education at the Millersburg
high school, where she graduated in 1893,
in a class of ten, and at Shippensburg State
Normal School, in 1894, in a class of one
hundred and one members. While attending
the Normal School at Shippensburg, she took
a special course in painting (pastel and
water colors), and also in elocution. She has
recited at a number of different places, en-
tertainments, societies, local institutes, etc.
She also took a partial course in the
Bible studies for " The Chautauqua Normal
Union." She is now (July, '96) taking a
course with the American Correspondence
Normal, Danville, N. Y. Since graduation
she taught an ungraded school two succes-
sive terms, in Jackson township. She is
elected teacher of the primary school at Hal-
ifax for the coming year. She received her
second diploma from Shippensburg Normal
School, June 30, 1896, entitling her to the
degree M. E., and is now aspiring for some
special course at a college. She is a young
lady of culture and refinement, and is classed
among the best educated teachers of the
county. Besides her professional ability.
Miss Frank possesses the charm of a pleas-
ing personalitj' and a manner expressive of
kindness.
McGann, Capt. John K., retired farmer
and real estate dealer, was born in Philadel-
phia, Pa., May 28, 1835. Edward McGann,
his grandfather, was born and passed his
life in Ireland ; he was a wool carder and
spinner. Edward McGann, Jr., father of
Captain McGann, was born in Kildare
countj^, Ireland. He received his education
in his native county, and worked in the
woolen mill with his father until he became
of age, when he left Ireland for America.
He made the voyage in a sailing vessel, ac-
750
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
companied by his young wife. They landed
at Philadelphia, where he found work at his
trade for one year. At the end of the year
Mr. McGann removed to Lancaster county,
Pa., and for fourteen years was employed in
the woolen mills of N. K. Zook. He next
removed to Dauphin county, locating in
Lykens Valley, where for four years he car-
ried on the business of carding and weaving
on his own account. He then removed to
Armstrong Valley with his family, and
worked for six months at his trade as a
journeyman for his former employer, at Lan-
caster county, and he finally settled at Har-
risburg, where he died March 3, 1870. His
wife, Bridget (Kelly) McGann, died in the
same city, about 1884. They were married
in Ireland. They had seven children :
John K. ; Catherine, wife of C. McCarty, of
Harrisburg ; William C, of Harrisburg, in
the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company; Susan, wife of John O'Leary,
hotel keeper in Harrisburg ; James, deceased ;
Mary, widow of Alexander Boyle, Harris-
burg; and Margaret A., deceased. Mr. Mc-
Gann was a Democrat, a prominent man,
and quite popular.
John K. McGann attended the public
schools of Lancaster county, and also the
Academy at Strasburg. In his younger days
he worked in the mills with his father. Af-
ter the removal of the family to Lykens Val-
ley, he worked four years as a farm hand
among the neighboring farmers. Then for
two years and six months he was clerk and
teamster for Jacob Buch, in Lykens Valley,
and subsequently drove team for Mr. Buch
to and from Pottersville. For several years
after this Mr. McGann was engaged in
huckstering. He taught school in Miller's
school house four months, after which he
was for seven months clerk in a store in
Mahantango Valley, then taught again four
months in Jackson township. Then he was
clerk for six months inPowell's Valley, then
taught four months at Jacksonville. In
1858 Mr. McGann spent nine months in
Harrisburg, in the employ of the Northern
Central Railway Company, as clerk; he then
taught still another four months at Fisher-
ville. He had fourteen acres of land which
he farmed between other engagements.
On August 19, 1862, Mr. McGann enlisted
in company H, One Hundred and Thirtieth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, as first
lieutenant, under Captain Hoofacker and Col.
PI. J. Zinn. The Captain being on sick
leave, Lieutenant McGann commanded the
company. He participated in the battles of
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
and Chancellorsville. Being wounded at
Fredericksburg, he was for a few days in the
field hospital. He was discharged from the
service May 20, 1862, and returned home.
He continued teaching school, cultivating
his farm, and working for other farmers.
Upon the ordering of the draft, February 24,
1864, Captain McGann formed a company of
forty-two men and joined company E, Ninth
Pennsylvania cavalry. He was promised
the command of the company, but failed to
obtain it. He fought in the battle of Cripple
Creek, and throughout the campaign of Gen-
eral Sherman. On October 16, 1864, he was
made private secretary of General Kilpatrick,
with whom he remained until the close of
the war. He received his discharge at Lex-
inton, N. C, July 20, 1865. After returning
home, Captain McGann continued teaching
and farming. He bought more land, and
has now eighty-five acres, which he has
highly improved. He retired from active
farming, and since 1876 has dealt in real
estate, settled up estates, etc.
Captain McGann was married, in Jackson
township, in 1857, to Miss Elspy, daughter
of Colonel G. and May (Zimmerman) Fetter-
hoff, born in Jackson township, April 28,
1835. They have three children : Isaac H.,
Lutheran pastor, of Union county. Pa., was
educated at the State Normal School, at Mil-
lersville, and the Missionary Institute, in
Snyder county; was ordained to the ministry
in 1885; married Annie Mattis, and has three
children : Maud, Laura and Evaline; Ellen,
married, in 1882, to James F. Gerberich,
who was born in Jackson township ; son of
Amos and Julia A. (Keiter) Gerberich, at-
tended school in Jackson township, was six
years turnkey at Harrisburg lock-up, farms
the homestead of his wife's father, has three
children: J. D. Cameron, Annie Gertrude
and Esther ; Annie E., teacher in Jackson
township, educated in the high school in
Harrisburg, and graduate of Berrysburg, and
Millersville State Normal School, has been
teaching three years.
Captain McGann is a Republican. He
was clerk in the county commissioners'
office, county auditor, assessor and tax col-
lector; he was also for several years justice
of the peace. He was captain of a volunteer
company formed before the Civil war. He
is a member, and is chaplain, and has been
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
751
commander of R. B. Miller Post, No. 392, G.
A. R. He is one of the most widely known
and most popular men of the county. He
is esteemed for his virtues, and beloved for
his good will and kindness to all.
Shoop, Daniel, retired farmer, was born in
Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
October 2, 1828. His father, Daniel Shoop,
Sr., was born in Dauphin county, and was a
farmer and stockman in Jackson township.
He married Susan Albright, a native of Dau-
phin county. They had eight children :
Henry, deceased; Catherine, deceased, wife
of Jonas Poole; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of
Leonard Bender ; Frederick, deceased ;
Lydia, wife of John Warfield ; Sarah, de-
ceased, wife of Christian Dravids; Daniel,
and Clinton, of Harrisburg. Mr. Shoop and
his wife were members of the Lutheran
church. They died in Jackson township.
They were good people, and highly respected.
Daniel Shoop, Jr., attended the common
school in the winter and worked on the farm
for his father in the summer until he was
fourteen years old, when his father died.
He remained on the homestead one year
longer, when it was sold to pay the debts of
his father's estate. Then he had to go into
the world and look out for himself. He
worked as a farm hand, and at various em-
ployments, receiving small wages for hard
labor. At twenty -three years of age he went
to Jacksonville to learn shoemaking. He
worked there one year and then removed to
a small place of sixteen acres, where he now
lives. This place he improved and culti-
vated and made his home. He worked at
his trade and tilled his little farm for ten
years. By industry and frugal living he
prospered, and at the end of ten years was
able to buy thirty-five acres more. By con-
tinuing to work and to save, he added more
land from time to time, and is now in pos-
session of two hundred and sixty acres of
good, arable land, all of which is fully culti-
vated and improved. Mr. Shoop has built
several dwelling houses and barns and other
farm structures on his different farms which
his sons are cultivating. He built a fine
house for himself, where he and his wife are
now living retired from active business.
Daniel Shoop was married in Jackson
township, June 5, 1852, to a native of that
township, Catherine, daughter of John, and
sister of George W. D. Enders, a sketch
of whom appears in this volume. They had
eight children : Mary, deceased ; Aaron,
farmer in Lykens Valley, married Lydia
Bechtel, has four children ; Nathan, farmer,
in Ohio, married Sallie Becket ; Henry,
farmer in Powell's Valley, married Martha
Hoover, has one child ; Emanuel, deceased ;
Edward 0., carpenter, married Susan En-
ders ; Curtin, miner at Minersville, Pa., and
John, farmer, married Mary Miller, and has
four children. Mrs. Catherine Shoop died
in Jackson township, in July, 1887. On
June 18, 1881, Mr. Shoop married Mary M.
Enders, a sister of his first wife, and widow
of Aaron Sweigard. Of this mariage there
is no issue.
Mrs. Shoop is a daughter of John Enders,
one of the oldest farmers of Jackson town-
ship. Her first husband, Aaron Sweigard,
was a farmer and stockman in the same
township. They had five children : Annie
S., wife of Lewis Ziegler; Elizabeth and
Charles, deceased ; Aaron, farming out West,
and Catherine," deceased. Mr. Sweigard
died in Jackson township in 1866. Mr.
Shoop is a Democrat. He has never held
any office in the township. He is a member
and a trustee of the United Brethren church.
He has been a diligent worker from boy-
hood, and a wise manager. His success
demonstrates his ability. He is honored in
the community.
Endbrs, Henby, retired farmer,was born
in Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 26, 1828. He is a son of John
Enders, and a brother of George W. Enders,
whose sketch appears elsew^here in this book.
He attended school in his native township
during the winter, and worked on his father's
farm in summer; he remained on the home-
stead until he was twenty-two. He then re-
ceived from his father seventy-eight acres of
land, on which was built a house and barn,
and made all improvements needful for a
good stock farm. He has added to his land
until he has now one hundred and fifty
acres, well improved and cultivated. In
1891 Mr. Enders relinquished farming, re-
moved to Jacksonville, and bought a dwell-
ing, which he remodeled and improved at a
cost of $2,000. In this comfortable and
beautiful home he and his faithful wife reside,
free from the burdens and cares of busi-
ness, and quietly enjoying the fruits of their
labor and prudent management in earlier
life.
Henry Enders was married, in Jackson
752
MdORAPHIGAL ENGtCLOPMDtA
township, in 1856, to Susan, daughter of
Peter and Eva (Mitzer) Sweigert, born in
Powell's Valley in 1834. They have these
children : Ellen M., deceased, wife of James
Miller ; Oliver T., farmer in Jackson town-
ship, married Mary Horsinger, has one child,
Webster ; Charles R., farmer, Lykens Valley ;
Ira A., farms the homestead, married Alice
Warfield ; Lester Alice, wife of C. Redinger,
farmer, Jackson township ; Selina, and one
infant, deceased. Mr. Enders is a Democrat,
and attends the United Brethren church.
He possesses those qualities of head and
heart which constitute a good man, and ren-
der him successful and popular.
Endebs, Samuel, deceased, was born in
Jackson township, Dauphin couutv. Pa., Oc-
tober 16, 1816, and died February 23, 1896;
son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Whitman) En-
ders. His father, Conrad Enders, was the
grandfather of G. W. D. Enders, whose sketch
appears elsewhere in this volume.
Samuel Enders received his education in
the public and private schools of his town-
ship. He worked on the farm with his
father until he was twenty-three, when his
father gave him fifty acres of land on which
the only improvements were a log house and
a barn. Here he and his wife began life,
young, strong, and ambitious, with will and
courage to meet and overcome all obstacles.
The old log house soon gave place to a fine
frame dwelling, and a new barn and other
needed improvements were added. Pros-
perity attended their unremitting efforts, and
their resources were husbanded by frugality
and economy. Additions were made to their
land, and the farm grew in productiveness
under their skillful tillage. The final result
was a farm of one hundred acres, with first-
class improvements, constituting a home and
a business among the best in the com-
munitj'. Stock raising and the raising of
market produce were Mr. Enders' specialties.
Samuel Enders was married, in Harris-
burg, February, 1839, to Leah Etter, born in
York county, Pa., in 1820 ; daughter of
George and Kate (Fackler) Etter, both na-
tives of York county, but residents of Dau-
phin county at the time of their death. Mr.
and Mrs. Enders had seven children : Isa-
bella, wife of Daniel Wert ; Aaron, farmer in
Kansas, married Amanda Miller, had three
children; Rebecca,wifeof A. Zimmerman, had
one child ; James, merchant at Ashland, Pa.,
married Susan Yeager, had six children ;
Louisa, deceased, wife of Daniel Bowman, had
five children; Charles W., lumber manu-
facturer, at Elizabethville, married Phoebe
Buffington, has four children ; Ann J., wife
of Dr. Levi Enders, of Williamstown, Pa.
Mr. Enders was a Democrat and attended the
United Brethren church. Until the death
of Mr. Enders he and his wife had the satis-
faction of looking back over fifty-seven years
of their united labors, sorrows and joys.
Their comfortable situation, in a good home,
with a competence for all their needs, among
their children and their children's children,
and hosts of friends, was a lot as happy as
any that Heaven could bestow upon mortals.
Strayer, Valentine, farmer and stock-
man, was born in Lebanon county. Pa., Oc-
tober 27, 1827. His grandfather, Mathias
Strayer, came from Wittenberg, Germany,
when a youth. His father, Valentine
Strayer, was a native of Lebanon county.
He was a farmer; in his younger days he
was a German school teacher. He farmed
in Lebanon county, also in Halifax, Lykens,
Washington and Jackson townships, in Dau-
phin county. He owned a small farm near
the town of Gratz, where he died. He mar-
ried Catherine Bealy, and they had these
children : John, deceased, farmer in Iowa ;
Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Jonas Matter, of
Ohio ; Nancy, deceased, wife of George
Doebler, school teacher, of Ohio ; Catherine,
wife of Andrew Sheets, of Iowa ; Daniel, de-
ceased, farmer, of Gratz ; Lafayette, farmer,
Jackson township ; George, farmer, Iowa ;
Valentine ; Lucinda, deceased, wife of Jonas
Kiser; Mary, and one that died in infancy.
The mother also died at Gratz. Mr. Strayer
was a member and a deacon of the Lutheran
church. He was formerly a Whig, and af-
terwards became a Republican.
Valentine Strayer, the son, attended the
public schools of his native township, and
worked with his father on farms in various
parts of the county. When he was twenty-
two years old he rented a farm of one hun-
dred and seventy acres in Halifax township,
which he worked for four years. He also
cultivated another farm in the same town-
ship for one year, after which he removed to
Jackson township and bought the farm
which he now owns, and on which he built
a dwelling and a barn, and made other im-
provements. He was for twenty years en-
gaged in raising stock and attending the
markets of Lykens. His industry, enter-
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
753
prise, and good management secured the
success of his operations.
Mr. Strayer was married, in Jackson town-
ship, November 6, 1850, to Christiana Straw,
born in Schuylkill county. Pa., March 21,
1824; daughter of Benjamin and M.Eliza-
beth (Grimm) Straw, natives of Schuylkill
county, but residents of Jackson township
when they died. Mr. and Mrs. Strayer
have no children. Mr. Strayer is a Repub-
lican and has been tax collector for two
terms, and inspector of elections. He is a
member of the Lutheran church. Mr. and
Mrs. Strayer are among those who were wise
in youth and prepared for age and ease.
They have been industrious, have lived
carefully, and can now enjoy the comforts of
life. They are worthy people, and are hon-
ored in the communitJ^
Frank, Andrew P., farmer, Elizabeth-
ville P. 0., was born in Jackson township,
Dauphin county, Pa., September 5, 1847 ;
son of Daniel and Gertrude (Keiter) Frank,
of that township, He attended the public
schools and worked on the farm at home
until he became of age, when he bought and
improved sixty acres of land, on which he
erected buildings and made other improve-
ments at a cost of |3,500. He was married,
in Washington township, January 26, 1878,
to Catherine Knerr, born in Mifflin township,
July 17, 1834; daughter of Daniel and Mary
Matter Knerr, of that township. Their chil-
dren are : Bertha J., born November 29, 1884 ;
Mabel M., born July 17, 1887 ; and Henry
D., born May 23, 1893. In his political
views Mr. Frank is a Democrat. He and
his family are members of the Lutheran
church, in which he is a Sunday-school
teacher. He is a member of the Knights
of Pvthias.
Fetterhoff, Clarence, farmer, Enders,
Pa., was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county, Pa., September 6, 1862. The grand-
father was Col. George Fetterhoff. Philip,
the father, was born in the same township,
October 3, 1825. He has spent his life in
farming and raising stock, in the Armstrong
Valley, and is now living retired from active
pursuits, at Fisherville, Pa. He married
Sarah Sweyard, born in JPowoll's Valley, and
they have four children : George, hotel
keeper, at Halifax ; Isaac, farmer ; Clarence,
and Margaret, who died young. The father
is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife
are members of the Lutheran church. They
are living quietly and comfortably at Fish-
erville, enjoying the fruits of their hard la-
bor in earlier life.
Clarence acquired his education in the
common schools of his native township, and
has always remained on the homestead,
which he took charge of when his father re-
tired. He was married, in Jackson town-
ship, in August, 1884, to Sadie Rutter, born
in Halifax township, September 5, 1864;
daughter of Uriah and Sarah (Ryan) Rutter,
farmer in Halifax township. Their chil-
dren are: Nora, born February 28, 1886;
Jennie, born October 5, 1889 ; and Mary,
born September 24, 1890. Mr. Fetterhoff
votes with the Democrats, and has been
auditor for three years. He is a member of
the Lutheran church.
Miller, Michael H., farmer, Enders, Pa.,
was born in Jackson township, Dauphin
county, Pa., June 15, 1836. He attended the
Miller school and worked on the farm with
his father until he was twenty-four years of
age. He then rented a farm of one hundred
and forty-four acres for four years, after
which he returned to the homestead and
worked it until his father's death, when he
inherited two hundred and two acres of land,
on which he erected a fine brick house costing
$3,000, a barn and other needful buildings.
He was married, in Jackson township,
in 1860, to Catherine Snyder, of that town-
ship, born in 1840; daughter of Daniel
and Elizabeth Snyder. Their children
are: Arabella J., Mrs. William Warfield,
Jackson township, and she has six chil-
dren ; Ellen A., Mrs. Henry A. Warner,
Jackson township ; Ira 0., farmer, married
Julia A. Glaze, and they have four chil-
dren ; Harvey 0., Washington township,
married Agnes W. Boyer, and they have two
children ; Jennie, wife of Harry H. Snyder,
and they have one child ; Edwin E. and
Lizzie I., at home ; Elmer 0., and Emma M.,
died young. Mr. Miller is a Democrat and
has held several township offices. In relig-
ious faith he is a Lutheran of the old school,
and is a deacon in the church, and is also a
member of the I. 0. 0. F.
Whitman, William, farmer, Fisherville,
Jackson township, was born in Jackson
township, Dauphin county, July 3, 1823.
Bartholomew Whitman, the grandfather,
was born in Berks county, and removed to
754
BIOGEAPSIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Dauphin county with his family, and located
in Lykens Valley, afterwards removing to
Jackson township, where he and his wife
died. John, the father, was also born in
Berks county, and was brought by his
parents to Dauphin county when a child,
where he attended the schools of Jackson
township, and from early boyhood worked
on the farm with his father. He also owned
and operated a farm of two hundred and
fifty acres in Armstrong Valley, and was ex-
tensively engaged in raising stock. He mar-
ried Catherine Maisner, born in Washing-
ton township in 1806. Their children are:
Mary, Daniel, William, Elizabeth, Catherine
A., Sarah, deceased, John, deceased, La-
vina, and Rebecca, died young. The father
was once a Democrat, but became a Repub-
lican, and served as supervisor for three
years. He and his wife were members of
the Lutheran church, in which he served as
a deacon. He died April 14, 1884, in Jack-
son township, and his wife died in the fall
of 1886, in Powell's Valley.
William attended the schools in Jackson
township in the winter months, and worked
on the farm with his father until he was
twenty-three years of age. He then learned
the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which
he worked for several years, taking contracts.
He built several houses and barns in Jack-
son township. He bought thirty-three acres
of land from his father on which he built a
dwelling house and barn. After his father's
death he got the homestead of ninety acres,
where he has his present residence. For a
timber supply he bought mountain land,
and has made important improvements on
the homestead. In September, 1895, his barn
was struck by lightning, and with its contents
entirely consumed by fire, entailing a loss on
building and crops of $3,000. He is now
building a new barn. He was married,
April, 1857, to Susanna Enders,born in Jack-
son township, December 25, 1835; daughter
of Philip and sister of George W. Enders.
Their children are : Isaac, William, Bertha,
and Ellen, died in infancy. Mr. Whitman
enlisted at Harrisburg, September, 1864, in
company A, Two Hundred and Tenth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and partici-
pated in the battles of Gravsl Run, Hatch's
Run, Five Forks, and was at Lee's surrender.
He was discharged May 3, 1865, at Arlington
Heights, and waspresentatthegrandreunion
in Washington. He was not sick a single day
while in the service, and receives no pension.
In his political views he is a Republican,
and served as supervisor, tax collector and
assessor, one term each. His religious faith
and fellowship are with the Lutherans, and
he is a deacon in the church and a Sunday-
school teacher.
Zeien, Charles, deceased, was one of the
most successful farmers in Jackson town-
ship. He was born m Baden, Germany, De-
cember 4, 1826, and when quite young came
to this country with his parents and five
other children. The father was a tailor by
trade. Charles found employment in a store
at Palmyra, Pa., as a clerk, where he spent
ten years, and then removed to Lykens,
where he had a similar position with Martin
Bloom. He also worked in the coal mines
for fourteen years. In 1870 he came to Arm
strong Valley and bought a farm of one hun-
dred and ten acres in Jackson township, on
which he made substantial improvements,
and which he cultivated up to the time of
his death, January 23, 1895. He was mar-
ried, at Harrisburg, in March, 1868, to Nancy
Suavely, born in Lebanon county, Septem-
ber 28,1828; daughter of William and Annie
(Long) Suavely. Their children are : Mary,
wife of Frank Buch, moulder, Harrisburg;
Margaret, Mrs. Julius Bonner, Harrisburg ;
Leah, wife of Fred. Brown, Harrisburg. He
was a Democrat in politics and a Catholic in
religious faith and fellowship. His widow
survives and resides on the farm in Jackson
township.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Shebtz, John, farmer and postmaster of
Carsonville, Pa., was born in Jefferson town-
ship, now Wayne township, November 26,
1842. His grandfather, John Sheetz, was a
native of Dauphin county. Pa., and a farmer.
William J. Sheetz, father of the younger
John Sheetz, was born in Dauphin county,
November 20, 1805. He grew up on the
farm, and when a young man came to Jef-
ferson township, now Wayne, where he
bought two hundred acres of land, on which
he built a brick dwelling and barn, and
made other improvements, and carried on
farming and stock raising. He was enter-
prising and prosperous. Mr. Sheetz was
married to Barbara, daughter of Christian
and Margaret Zimmerman, of Jackson town-
ship, born June 3, 1811. Their children are:
^^€/vi^^ J^^a/-'
?r£.
~h^
BAtlPHiN COUNTY.
757
Josiah, born March 22, 1831, farmer, of
Wayne township; George, September 3,
1832, farmer, Wayne township; Mary B.,
May 7, 1834, wife of James Sweigert, Jack-
son township ; Samuel B., July 20, 1836,
farmer, Wayne township ; Julia A., April 8,
1839, wife of James Huffman, Jackson town-
ship ; Elizabeth, April 6, 1841, widow of
Henry E. Welker, Wayne township ; John ;
Washington, June 15, 1845, resides on the
homestead in Wayne township ; William,
October 7, 1847, resides in Jefferson town-
ship ; Margaret, October 26, 1849; Sarah M.,
deceased, born September 8, 1852, wife of
Emanuel Ludwig, merchant, Penbrook, Pa.;
Catherine E., March 24, 1855, wife of Leon-
ard Hawk, farmer, Wayne township. Mr.
Sheetz was a Democrat. The family were
members of the Lutheran church. He died
in Wayne township, and Mrs. Sheetz in
Jackson township.
John Sheetz attended school in Wayne
township during the winter months, work-
ing on the farm during the summer. He
remained on the home farm until he was
twenty-one, at which time he had accumu-
lated over one thousand dollars. With sev-
eral other young men he went into the oil
business as a speculation, putting down wells,
etc., which they soon found to be unprofit-
able. Having lost his one thousand dollars
he returned to his old neighborhood to
begin life anew. With such help as he could
get from his father and father-in-law, Mr.
Sheetz bought fifty-seven acres of land in
Jefferson township, which he improved and
farmed until 1886. At the same time he
carried on the manufacture of lumber with
fair success.
In 1886 Mr. Sheetz went into a general
mercantile business in Carson ville, which he
conducted eight years with very satisfactory
profits. During this time he also operated
a saw mill and manufactured and dealt in
lumber. In 1894 he sold his store and mill
and bought a farm of one hundred and fif-
teen acres near Carsonville, on which he
made improvements costing $2,000, and
engaged in farming and stock raising. In
addition to this homestead he owns one hun-
dred and twenty-six acres of land in Wayne
and Jefferson townships and eleven hundred
acres of timber land in Centre county, on
which there is a saw mill, with a factory and
other improvements.
Mr. Sheetz was married, in Jefferson town-
ship, in November, 1864, to Sarah J. Parks,
49
born in Jefferson township, January 18,
1847; daughter of George Parks, farmer and
lumberman and merchant of that township.
They had ten children: Margaret, born
April 14, 1866, died April 18, 1877; Emma
E., born September 10, 1867, wife of Alfred
Taylor, Chicago, 111.; Carson A.; William H.,
born February 20, 1871 ; George W.; Mary
A.; John E., born November 2, 1876, died
November 30, 1879 ; Thomas R., born July
10, 1879, at home; Rosella C; and Annie L.,
born August 11, 1884, died September 6,
1884.
Mr. Sheetz was postmaster eight years,
under both of President Cleveland's admin-
istrations. He was school director for three
years, and for the same length of time audi-
tor of Jefferson township. He is a Demo-
crat. Tlie family are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church. Mr. Sheetz is a
hard-working, enterprising and prosperous
man, is widely known and universally pop-
ular.
Carson Asbury Sheetz, eldest son of John
and Sarah Jane Sheetz, was born June 29,
1869, at Carsonville, Dauphin county. Pa.
He attended country schools during the
winter and worked on the farm summers.
At the age of fourteen attended spring and
fall terms at Berrysburg Seminary. In the
spring of 1889 attended Elizabethville Sem-
inary under Prof. D. G. Lubold ; taught
school that winter at Rank's school house,
Jefferson township. Left the following spring,
1890, for Quincy, 111. Took full course of
bookkeeping and accountant there at Gem
City Business College. The fall of 1890 left
Quincy for Chicago. Was cashier for H. M.
Kinsley, Chicago, until July, 1891; later
was employed as invoice clerk at Mandel
Bros, dry goods store, Chicago. Shortly
afterwards was taken down with an attack
of rheumatism, and immediately went back
home. Instead of returning to Chicago as
was intended, was persuaded to teach the
Carsonville school that winter. In the
spring of 1892 attended Fredericksburg
Seminary, one term, leaving home July 22,
same j'ear, for Denver, Colo. At Den-
ver took the full course of stenography at
Woodworth's Shorthand College. January
1, 1893, accepted a position as stenographer
with Hon. F. W. Owers, district judge of the
Fifth Judicial District of Colorado, at Lead-
ville. Left Leadville, July, 1894, for Crip-
ple Creek, Colo. Accepted a position there
as stenographer with C. S. Wilson, attorney
758
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
for W. S. Stratton, owner of the Independ-
ence mine. Remained in the employ of C.
S. Wilson until February, 1895, when the
position as head bookkeeper and settlement
clerk for the Lawrence Gold Extraction Com-
pany, Cripple Creek district, was tendered
him, which he accepted. Remained with the
Lawrence Company in the above capacity
until the first of the year, the entire plant
being destroyed by fire December 23, 1895.
Immediately after the destruction of the
Lawrence Works a proposition was made
him by -J. H. Willard & Co., an old and
established real estate firm, to enter into
equal partnership with them, which was
accepted January 1, 1896. The firm name
was changed from J. H. Willard & Co.
to the Willard Investment Company, with
Mr. Sheetz as secretary and treasurer of the
new corporation ; their principal office being
at Victor, Colo., which is situated in the
very center of the Cripple Creek gold mining
district.
William H. Sheetz, second son of John
Sheetz, in February, 1888, went to Pough-
keepsie, N. Y., where he took a course and
graduated in the school of stenography of
Eastman College; thence to New York, where
for five months he was stenographer in the
Merchants' Exchange National Bank ; thence
to Suffolk, Va., where he was stenographer and
clerk in a wholesale feed and coal house for
seven months ; thence home to Carsonville,
where in the winter of 1889-90 he taught
school ; in April, 1890, he went to Valparaiso,
Ind., where he attended the Normal School
four months; thence to Denver, Colo.,
where he worked as stenographer with the
Denver Fire Insurance Company ; thence to
Pueblo, Colo., where he was seven months
as stenographer in the law oQice of Gerry &
Campbell; thence, in 1891, to Aspen, Colo.,
where he worked in the law office of
L. S. Smith in the same capacity for two
years ; thence to Cripple Creek, Colo., where
he was stenographer in a law office
for two years; and on January 1, 1895,
came to Leadville, Colo., where he now is of-
ficial stenographer of the District Court of
the Fifth Judicial District of the State of
Colorado. While in the several law offices,
he has spent all his leisure hours at reading
law. He was twenty-five years of age on
February 20 last, and is single.
The three children, George W., Mary A.
and Rosella C. are living in Carlisle, Pa.
George W. was born July 20, 1872, at Car-
sonville, and resided on the farm with his
parents until the age of seventeen, when he
taught school in Rush township for a year.
During the winters of 1890 and 1891 he
taught in JeSerson township. In 1892 he
attended Schuylkill Seminary, and again
taught the following winter. He is now a
junior in Dickinson College, having entered
the Freshman class in 1894. During his
first year at Dickinson he was awarded the
first prize for " Dramatic Declamation," an
honor which was well deserved, as Mr.
Sheetz possesses rare ability, and never fails
to entertain the many audiences before
which he recites. Mary A. Sheetz was born
December 8, 1873, and attended the home
school nine years, the Elizabeth ville Semi-
nary one term and the Schuylkill Seminary
one term. The two succeeding years were
spent at Millersburg high school, from which
she graduated in 1893. The following win-
ter she taught the home school, and in 1894
entered Metzger College, Carlisle, as a stu-
dent of art and music, but at present is con-
tinuing music only. Rosella C. Sheetz was
born November 2, 1882, at Carsonville.
After living with her parents up to the age
of twelve she moved to Carlisle with her
brother George W. and sister Mary A.,
where she is at present attending the pub-
lic schools.
Row, Jonas, farmer and justice of the
peace, was born in Mifflin township, now
Washington township, Dauphin countv. Pa.,
May 11, 1839. His grandfather, William
Row, was of English descent, and was a car-
penter and farmer. He married Barbara
Rudy, also of English extraction. His son,
Jacob Row, father of Jonas Row, was born in
Lykens Valley, in 1812. He owned, improved
and worked a farm of ninety acres in Wash-
ington township in connection with which
he carried on a butchering business, also a
store at Matterstown. He married Susan
Matter, born in Mifflin township. They had
nine children: Jonas; Catherine, widow of
Daniel Carle ; Susanna, wife of J. Matter, of
Harrisburg; Melinda, widow of Samuel Kop-
penberger; Amanda, wife of Henry Bechtel,
plasterer, Elizabeth ville; Sarah, wife of John
Lebo, Schuylkill county; Adam, deceased ;
Samuel, of Schuylkill county; Isaac, resides
on homestead, at Matterstown. Mr. Row
first held Democratic views in politics, but
changed for a time to the Republican party,
and finally returned to the Democratic party.'
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
759
He has served as supervisor of roads, tax
collector, and in other offices. He died in
Schuylkill county at the age of eighty-two.
Mr. Row was well known and highly re-
spected. He was comfortably cared for in
his declining years by his faithful son, Jonas.
He was a member of the old school Lutheran
church, in which he was deacon and trus-
tee, also Sunday-school superintendent and
teacher. Mrs. Row died in Washington
township.
Jonas Row attended the schools of Wash-
ington township in the winter, and worked
with his father in the various departments of
his business until he was twenty-one years
of age. On reaching his majority he was
employed by his father on wages. He worked
two years on the homestead farm, at Matters-
town, and two years in Lykens Valley, at
butchering, etc.
In 1863 Mr. Row enlisted, at Harrisburg,
in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, under
Colonel Jennings and Captain Bell. He par-
ticipated in the battle of Gettysburg, and was
wounded in the knee, the result of which was
to lame him for life. He was discharged at
the end of three months' service, but re-en-
listed in the fall of 1863, in company F, Six-
teenth Pennsylvania cavalry, under Colonel
Robinson and Capt. J. H. Ressler. He was
at Petersburg five days, and on account of
bravery in action was promoted to the rank
of orderly to General Gregg. Mr. Row was
at the surrender of General Lee, and was
mustered out of service in 1865. He returned
home and engaged in trading in Lykens
Valle}' for two years, after which he bought
thirty-three acres of land and added twenty-
two acres more, in Washington township.
This, farm he improved at an expense of
$5,000. But Mr. Row became security, for a
friend, through which he sustained a loss of
$4,000, and was forced to sell his farm which
brought only $5,000. In 1890 he removed
to Jefferson township and purchased eighty
acres, the buildings on which he remodeled
and enlarged, and fitted the place for farm-
ing and stock raising.
Mr. Row was married, in Washington
township, October 23, 1859, to Susan S. Martz,
born in Qpper Paxton township, Septem-
ber 25, 1845. They have seven children :
Jacob C., born October 27, 1860, operates in
mines, Tower City. Schuylkill county. Pa. ;
Theodore and Charles, twins, born Novem-
ber 9, 1862, deceased ; Ida A., born May 15,
1864, wife of Henry Harman, Halifax town-
ship ; Ira U., born January 11, 1867, deceased ;
Eve Jennie, born January 27, 1868, deceased ;
Olive 0., born April 12, 1869, deceased. Mrs.
Row died December 28, 1870, in Washington
township. The second wife of Mr. Row was
Catherine R., daughter of David Matter, of
Washington township, born in that township,
in 1844. They "have no children. Mr. Row
is a Republican, served as supervisor of
roads for two terms, and justice of the peace
for two years. He belongs to Helner Post,
G. A. R., at Lykens.
Mr. and Mrs. Row are members of the
Lutheran church, in which he has served as
deacon and in other offices, and is Sunday-
school superintendent and teacher. Mr.
Row has led a busy and somewhat eventful
life. He has met misfortunes with a brave
and cheerful heart. His wife is a genial
woman and a true helpmeet. They are sur-
rounded by friends who honor them for their
worth.
Enders, Cornelius, farmer, stockman and
mail carrier, was born in Jefferson township,
Dauphin county, Pa., November 12, 1856.
His father, John Enders, was a son of George
Enders ajnd brother of Dr. Levi Enders, of
Williamstown, Pa. He was a farmer and
married Caroline Paul, and had three chil-
dren : Cornelius, Emma, who died young,
and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
John Enders both died in 1860, when Corne-
lius was three and a half years old. They
were members of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Enders was a Republican.
Cornelius Enders, after the loss of his
parents, was reared by his grandfather. He
attended the township schools during the
winter and worked in summer on his grand-
father's farm, until he was fourteen. For
four years from that time he was employed
in the mines. He then came to Jefferson
township and worked on the farm and in
saw mills for three years. He next rented a
farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres
for one year ; then again went to mining in
Schuylkill county, where he was employed
in various mines for three years. For the
two following years he kept a hotel at Dayton,
Dauphin county, after which he worked six
years in the Williamstown coal mines. Mr.
Enders next bought a farm of one hundred
and three acres in Wayne township, on
which he built a barn and made other im-
provements, but sold the farm in a short
760
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
time and returned to Jefferson township.
There he bought anotlier farm of one hun-
dred and four acres, built a fine barn, re-
modeled the dwelling and put the place in
first-class condition. He conducts a business
of farming, stock raising and manufacturing
shingles from his timber, which he makes
profitable. He is industrious and enterpris-
ing and displays business ability. Mr. Enders
was married, in Jackson township, in Janu-
ary, 1877, to Harriet, daughter of Simon and
Mary (Michael) Smith, born in Jeff'erson
township, November 12, 1858. They have
had six children, of whom three are living :
Harry, a school teacher, Nora, and Esther.
Carrie, Floyd, and one infant all died young.
Mr. Enders is a Republican. He has been
school director for three years and advocates
compulsory education and is deeply inter-
ested in all educational matters. He is a
member of the United Brethren church.
Mr. and Mrs. Enders are regarded as among
the most intelligent and agreeable people of
the community.
Etzwiler, William H., blacksmith and
general iron worker, was born in JeSerson
township, Dauphin county. Pa., A,ugust 28,
1866. His great-grandfather, Daniel Etz-
wiler, was killed by the Indians in Lykens
Valley many years ago. Daniel Etzwiler,
Jr., grandfather of William H., was a farmer
and stockman in Lykens Valley, where he
was born in 1800. He married Christina
Smith. His son, Michael Etzwiler, father of
William H., was born at Elizabethville, in
the Lykens Valley, November 15, 1831. He
attended school in Washington and Jefferson
townships, and worked as a farm laborer until
he was twenty-one years old. He then went
to Hanover township and served an ap-
prenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, then
worked as journeyman, spending in all five
years there. After that he returned to Jef-
ferson township, where he passed the re-
mainder of his life. He worked at his trade
for thirty-five years and was patronized by
all the surrounding country. He also culti-
vated a small farm.
Michael Etzwiler was married September
27, 1855, in Jackson township, to Catherine
Bodner, born in Lykens township, March
12, 1838; daughter of Jacob and Mary (Sny-
der) Bodner, of Jackson township. They
have had nine children : Amanda, born June
16, 1856, wife of James W. Nelson, farmer
and dairyman, of Mercer county, Pa.; Re-
becca J., born February 4, 1858, wife of John
C. Nelson, farmer, Mercer county ; Christina,
born July 3, 1860, died August 31, 1860;
Anna Sophia, born September 16, 1864, died
August 20, 1866 ; William H.; Nathaniel E.,
born January 3, 1869, carpenter, in Mercer
county; Jacob F., born July 7, 1871, black-
smith, with his brother William H.; Simon,
born January 14, 1875, died October 6, 1879,
and Carrie E., born May 3, 1878, is at home.
Mr. Etzwiler was first a Democrat, but his
political views changing in later life, he be-
came a Republican. He was a justice of the
peace for twenty-five consecutive years; for
several years he was a school director. He
was a member of the Lutheran church, in
which he was deacon, elder, treasurer and
trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday-
school. He. died December 14, 1893. He
was a good man, liked and honored by all
who knew him.
William H. Etzwiler attended school in
Jefferson township and two sessions in Mercer
county. In the latter county he worked two
years as dairyman. After this he returned
to Jefferson township and worked in his
father's shop. In 1891 his father sold to him
his interest in the shop and retired from
business. He has since conducted the busi-
ness with success. He was married, in Jack-
son township, August 28, 1891, to Amelia
Enterline, born in Wayne township, May 10,
1871. They had four children : Thomas G.,
born October 26, 1891 ; Emma R., July 12,
1892; Michael J., July 3, 1894, deceased,
and Gertrude E., September 13, 1895.
Mr. Etzwiler is a Republican. He is a
school director, has been delegate to conven-
tions, and clerk of elections, and has served
in various township offices. He attends the
Lutheran church and is a hard-working, up-
right and intelligent man, enterprising and
successful in business. He is genial in social
intercourse and is esteemed for his many
excellencies of character.
Jacob F. Etzwiler, brother of William H.,
was married, in Fisherville, December 25,
1894, to Jennie G. Lehr, daughter of Emanuel
and Isabella Lehr, of Enterline, Wayne
township, Dauphin county, and to this union
has been born One child, Carrie B., born
June 18, 1895. He is election inspector, a
Republican in political views, and attends
the Lutheran church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
761
RuMMEL, John L., shoemaker and farmer,
Jefferson township, was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, December 12, 1822 ; son of George
and Catherine Rummel, natives of Germany,
and farmers by occupation. He received his
education in the schools of his native land
and there also learned the trade of shoe-
maker. In 1839 he came to this country,
crossing the ocean on the sailing vessel
" America," and landing at Baltimore after a
voyage of fifty-six days. He settled at Har-
risburg, where he worked at his trade for
three years in the shop of a man named
Kentler, after which he worked one year at
the furnace works at Clarksville, and then
returned to Harrisburg and resumed work
with his old employer. He remained here
for three years, during which time he re-
ceived an inheritance from Germany of
$1,100 in money, and with this he bought a
farm of one hundred and fifty-one acres in
Jefferson township. This was timber land,
which he proceeded to clear up, and on
which he erected two houses and barns and
other buildings. He also worked at his
trade and traveled about as a journeyman.
He was married, in Jefferson township, in
1844, by Esquire Jacob Davidson, to Mary
Michael, born in that township August 23,
1819, and died November 10, 1855. Their
children are: William, Catherine, Sarah,
Amanda, Daniel, and John, deceased. Mr.
Rummel is a liberal in politics, but in Na-
tional and State matters votes with the Re-
publican party. He is a member of the
United Brethren church, but is a warm
admirer of Martin Luther. Three years ago
Mr. Rummel was attacked at his houie by
robbers, who supposed he was alone in the
house. His life and property were saved by
the heroism of his housekeeper. Miss Lizzie
C. Warfield, who appeared on the scene at
the moment the robbers had overpowered
their victim. She shot one and put the rest
to flight. In recognition of the fidelity and
bravery of his deliverer he has provided in his
will that she shall have a home with him as
long as she desires to stay and shall have
$1,000 from his estate. Securities and money
to the value of $17,000 were concealed in the
house at the time of the attack.
the great-grandfather, was a native of Eng-
land. Samuel, the grandfather, was a na-
tive of Montgomery county, where he was
engaged in farming. James B., the father,
was also born in Montgomery county, and
followed farming. He married Sarah A.
Miller, of Germantown, Montgomery county.
Their children are: Ann Eliza; Samuel S.;
Mary A., deceased ; B. Franklin ; John M.,
deceased ; Lewis, and Martha, deceased. The
father was a Democrat. He and his wife
were members of the Lutheran church. He
died on the homestead, and his wife died at
Monterey, Berks county.
Samuel S. received a fair education in the
schools of Upper Providence township, Mont-
gomery county. He learned' the milling
business in Chester county, where he spent
several years in the grist mill, after which
he operated a mill in Lykens Valley for
three years, and also worked on the canal.
In 1854 he bought a farm in Halifax town-
ship, which he improved and cultivated for
three years, and then sold it. He then
bought one hundred and forty acres of land
in Jefferson township, which he cleared and
on which he made valuable improvements,
and engaged in farming and stock raising.
He attends the Lykens markets. He was
married, in Powell's Valley, Halifax town-
ship, in 1856, to Mary J. Baskin, of that
township, daughter of Oliver and Eliza
(Smith) Baskin, the father a well-known
resident of the county, operating a farm,
woolen factory and saw and grist mill. They
had two children : Oliver B., manages the
homestead, in the postoffice at Lykens,
formerly a bookkeeper at Philadelphia, an
estimable gentleman, not married, taking
care of his parents in their old age; Annie
E., single, at home, a lady of culture and re-
finement, much interested in Sunday-school
and church work. Mr. Horning is a
Democrat in politics; was a tax collector
and school teacher, and always much in-
terested in educational matters. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Horning, Samuel S., farmer, Jefferson
township, was born in Mifflin township,
Dauphin county, Pa., March 1, 1826. Michael,
Shultz, Joshua, shoemaker, Carsonville,
Pa., was born in Jefferson township, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 20, 1859. John, the
father, was born in Dauphin county and was
a farmer in Jefferson township, where he
still resides. He married Mary Snyder, a
native of Jackson township, and they have
762
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
nine children : John; George; Annie, Mrs.
Jacob Book; Joshua; Hannah, Mrs. George
Shadow; Mary, Mrs. William Orth ; Philo-
mela, Nathaniel, and an infant, deceased.
The mother died in Jefferson township in
1870. The father next married Levina Mil-
ler, widow of George Hall, by whom he had
four children : Theodore, Carson, David,
and Morris. He is a Democrat in politics
and a member of the Lutheran church.
Joshua attended school in his native town-
ship, and worked on the farm with his
father until he became of age. He then
worked as a farm laborer, and also took up
the trade of shoemaking, at which he worked
most of the time, at Carsonville. In 1880
he was married, in Jefferson township, to
Katie Eyester, born in Schuylkill county,
daughter of Daniel Eyester, a farmer of that
county. Their children are : Emma, Har-
vey, Edmund, Estella, and William, de-
ceased. Mr. Shultz is a Democrat in his po-
litical views, and is a member of the United
Brethren church.
LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP.
Smith, Simon, farmer, Jefferson township'
was born in Washington township, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 23, 1825; son of John
and Mary (Koppenheffer) Smith. The father
was a blacksmith by occupation. In politics
he was a Democrat and in religious views
and fellowship a Lutheran. He and his wife
both died in Washington township. Their
children are Simon, Christina, and Errick,
deceased. Simon attended the schools of his
native township and learned the trade of car-
penter. He followed this occupation for five
years, after which he removed to Jefferson
township and bought two hundred and fifty
acres of land which he improved and culti-
vated, where he has been for over fifty years
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was
married, in 1851, to Mary Michael, a native
of Pennsylvania, born in June, 1832. Their
children are: Rebecca, deceased ; Sarah, de-
ceased ; Caroline, deceased ; Catherine, Mrs.
Jacob Hoffman ; Mary T., wife of Peter Hoff-
man ; Harriet, Mrs. C. Enders ; William M.,
deceased ; John A.,deceased ; Emma, deceased;
Simon F., deceased ; Thomas L., Henry E.,
and one child died young. Mr. Smith is a
Republican in politics and was school di-
rector and assessor, and was elected to the
office of justice of the peace, but did not
serve. In religious views and membership
he is a Presbyterian.
Beinsee, Rev. S. H., Middletown, Pa.,
was born at his present home, February 3,
1846. The first of the Brinser family to settle
in Pennsylvania was Christian Brinser, a'
native of Germany, He came to America
and resided in what was then Lancas-
ter county. A'pril 10, 1761, he took out
naturalization papers ; he was one of the
pioneers of that county, where he lived until
his death. His son, John Brinser, was born
in Lancaster county in 1750, and in 1809
became the owner of the farm now occupied
by Rev. S. H. Brinser, in Londonderry, town-
then Derry township. He built thefirst house
and improved the farm. He married Miss
Anna Mary Gish. They belonged to the
River Brethren. He died in 1820, aged
seventy years; his wife in May, 1846, aged
eighty-eight years. His family consisted of
Mathias ; John, died at the age of ninety-
four ; Jacob, died at the age of sixty-two ;-
Abraham, died at the age of seventy-five, and
two daughters, Annie, who married Johannes
Wilhelm Berg, and Catherine, all of whom
are deceased. Jacob was for many years a
brick maker ; John manufactured grain
cradles, and was well known ; Abraham was
a farmer. Rev. Mathias Brinser was born
May 10, 1795, on the present homestead of
Rev. Solomon H. Brinser, and died in 1889.
He had the ordinary education, and taught
some of the early schools. He was a self-
made man. He succeeded to his father's
homestead, where he resided until his death.
He was an active member of the River
Brethren ; but in 1854 or 1855, he and his
followers formed the United Zion's Chil-
dren's church, which now numbers many ad-
herents in Dauphin, Lancasteir and Franklin
counties. He was a minister in that church,
and in politics a Republican. He was mar-
ried, in 1821, to Miss Catherine Heisey,
daughter of Peter Heisey, of Londonderry
township. _ She survives her husband and
resided with Rev. Solomon Brinser, and is
now with Rev. Samuel Kieffer. They
reared nine children : Susan, wife of Joseph
Martin, of Londonderry township ; Eliza-
beth, deceased, married Adam Metzger;
Catherine, wife of Rev. Samuel Kieffer, of
Elizabethtown ; Fannie, wife of Isaac Brinser;
Lydia, wife of Henry B. Kieffer, of Middle-
town ; Rev. Solomon H.; Mary, deceased,
married Christian Wohlgemuth ; Nancv
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
763
married Samuel Groff ; Daniel, who was a
school teacher, died at the age twenty-one.
Rev. Solomon H. Brinser received the
ordinary education in the schools and at
home, and taught school in Lancaster and
Dauphin counties. He was married, Sep-
tember 12, 1867, to Elizabeth, daughter of
John B. and Catherine (Horst) Shearer. In
1868 he bought the farm where he has since
resided. In 1892 the Pennsylvania railroad
abandoned the track through his farm. In
1869 he became identified with the United
Zion's Children's church, and in 1879 he
was ordained to the ministry, and has since
been active in church work. He is Repub-
lican in politics, and has served in township
affairs. He is a stockholder in the Farmers'
Bank of Middletown. He has nine chil-
dren living : Harry, graduate of the Kutz-
town Normal School, teaching in Lancaster
county, Pa.; John, Mathias, Katie, Annie,
Martin, Amos, Ira, and Edna Elizabeth, all
at home ; and two dead, Daniel and Ezra.
The Metzgbr Family. — The first of the
Metzger family to settle in Dauphin county
was Jacob Metzger, a native of Germany,
who resided first near Middletown, at that
time in Lancaster county, and afterwards in
Londonderry township, Dauphin county, on
the farms, part of which are now occupied
by Henry and Adam Metzger. His son
Jacob was born on the farm now occupied
by Henry about 1756 or 1757. Jacob Metz-
ger, Jr., married Margaret Brandt, a native
of Cumberland county. They were mem-
bers of the Dunkard church. They reared
a large family ; their children were : David,
Eva, Barbara, Joseph, Jacob, Martin, Eliza-
beth, Esther, and Catherine.
David Metzger was born in 1779. He re-
ceived a good education for that period, and
succeeded to his father's homestead, where
he lived until his death. He was counted
one of the foremost farmers of his day. He
was a very methodical man, and always very
careful and exact in his business transac-
tions. He was a prominent member of the
Dunkard church, and died in 1832. He
married Miss Eva Rothrock, who died March
18, 1843. They reared eight children to
maturity : Jacob, deceased ; Christiana, de-
ceased, married Joseph Gingrich ; Margaret,
Mrs. Joseph Gingrich, of Lower Swatara
township, died April, 1896 ; Barbara, widow
of John Meyers, and widow of Frederick
Beck, of Lancaster county; John, deceased ;
Leah, Mrs. John Stout, of Hanover, Pa.;
Henry, and Adam.
Henry Metzger was born on his present
homestead, September 17, 1827. He has
always been engaged in farming, so that his
life has not been one of unusual incidents
and adventures. He has been industrious
and enterprising in the management of his
farm, and has been able to meet all the de-
mands which the community and his family
have made upon him. In 1851 he married
Miss Fannie Miller, daughter of David Mil-
ler, of Lancaster county, Pa. They have
four children : David M., farmer, of London-
derry township, married Barbara Mumma,
daughter of Christian Mumma; Joseph, of
Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, married
Fanny Keyler ; Amanda, wife of John Rider,
of Londonderry township; Emma, wife of
Frank Hoffer,'of Mt. Joy, Pa. Mr. Metzger
is Republican in politics. He and his family
are prominent in the Mennonite church.
Adam Metzger, farmer, Middletown P. 0.,
was born on his present farm, January 8,
1830. He secured only a limited education
in the schools, being obliged at the age of
fourteen to leave home and seek a livelihood.
He has always been engaged in farming. In
1851 he settled on the farm known as the
John Metzger farm, in Londonderry town-
ship, where he resided for a few years. He
afterwards purchased the farm he now owns
and occupies. He has been very successful ;
his farm is universally considered one of the
finest in the township. Every feature of the
place displays the work of a master hand.
Usefulness, comfort and beauty, all the
essentials and adornments of farm work and
farm life, are abundantly provided for under
his skillful management. He has other
business interests also. He was one of the
original stockholders of the Middletown Car
Works. In 1852 Mr. Metzger married Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Matthias Brenser, of
Londonderry township. She died Septem-
ber 9, 1894. His family consists of four
children: Millard, of Londondeir}'^ township,
who married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Jacob Meckley, of Elizabethtown, and after
her death married Miss Elizabeth Bierbower,
of Dauphin county ; Fannie, wife of David
Ulrich, of Londonderry township; Martin,
of Londonderry township, married Ruth,
daughter of Abram Roth ; John, of Royal-
ton, and Solomon, died at the age of twenty-
three. Mr. Metzger is independent in poll-
764
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tics ; he has filled many township offices, and
served as school director of his township for
nine consecutive years.
Ulmek, Jacob, was born in Londonderry
township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 13,
1826. His early training and education
were such as the ordinary schools and the
average families afforded. He spent his
whole life in the township, being absent
only for short periods of time when duty and
business called him elsewhere. He learned
the trade of a carpenter, and made this his
chief occupation. In connection with this
trade he was also, in earlier life, engaged in
manufacturing grain cradles, but the general
introduction of farm machinery has placed
this part of his occupation among the un-
used arts. Mr. Ulmer was not deaf to the
call of the President for volunteers during
the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in
1864, and served until the end of the war,
and was honorably discharged. After his dis-
charge from the army he returned to his home
and resumed work at the carpenter's trade,
which he continued to follow until his death,
which occurred December 5, 1895. In 1848
he was married to Miss Nancy Espenshade,
of Swatara township. They had ten chil-
dren, seven of whom are living: David, the
eldest, born July 18, 1853, Ellen, John,
George, Adeline, Elizabeth, and Benjamin.
Mr. Ulmer occupied the residence where he
died since 1873. Mrs. Ulmer died June 4,
1887. Mr. Ulmer was a Republican in pol-
itics, and served as constable of London-
derry township for nearly thirty-one years.
Books, Jonas, was born in Lower Swatara
township, Dauphin county. Pa., January 4,
1842. He is a son of John and Elizabeth
(Ulrich) Books. Jacob Books, his grand-
father, was born in Dauphin county. He
died at the age of fifty-six years. He was
the father of six children. John Books, the
father of Jonas, was born in Derry township,
in 1803. He married Elizabeth Ulrich, by
whom he had ten children, five died in in-
fancy, three died at old age, Levi, living near
Rockville, Pa., and Jonas. The latter was
reared and educated in his native place. He
remained in his first home till he was ten
years of age. In this time he had secured
such training and preparation for the work
of life as the common schools afforded, in
connection with careful home instruction,
He was then employed with farmers until
seventeen years old, when he learned a trade,
that of shoemaking. In 1862 he removed
with his father's family to Susquehanna
township, where he remained nine years, in
various employments. In 1871 he moved
to Steelton, where he was employed in the
steel works for ten years. In 1881 he moved
to Londonderry township, where he has
since lived. In 1892, desiring to possess a
a home of his own, he purchased the place
where he now lives. While he has changed
his place of residence a number of times, he
has kept steadily employed and has always
sought to make every change profitable and
agreeable. He has everywhere been a useful
citizen and a good neighbor. He has also
met with the other ordinary experiences of
life. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Esther
Meyers, by whom he had four children : Elias
W., married Miss Katherine Kinsey, daugh-
ter of Samuel Kinsey; Mary Ann, Clara
Esther, and Pierson M. His wife died in
1884. March 1, 1893, he married, for his
second wife, Miss Amanda Felker, daughter
of Joseph Felker, of Londonderry township.
Holland, Thomas H., was born at Safe
Harbor, Lancaster county. Pa., January 28,
1848. He is a son of Michael and Bridget
(Sullivan) Holland. His father came from
Lancaster county in 1854 and settled on
what is known as Furnace Hill, Port Royal,
now Royalton. He was an iron worker and
worked for a number of years at the Cameron
Furnace, of that place. In 1846 he married
Miss Bridget Sullivan, a native of Ireland.
They had ten children, all of whom are dead
except two, Thomas, and Elizabeth, born
November 8, 1858. He died in 1861, and
his wife March 28, 1887.
Thomas lived with his parents at Safe
Harbor until he was six years old, and then
removed with them, in 1854, to Royalton,
where he has since resided. He acquired a
good education in the public schools. He
was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company for twelve years. In 1883 he built
the store in which he has carried on mer-
cantile business up to the present time. In
1894 he was appointed postmaster of Royal-
ton. He has filled the office of burgess and
assessor of that town. He is treasurer of the
Londonderry Building and Loan Associa-
tion. He was married, December 29, 1886,
to Mary E., daughter of William and Cath-
erine Zimmerman, of Middletown, by whom
he has four children : William Michael, bora
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
765
March 13, 1888 ; Francis L., born March 4,
1890, died July 28, 1890 ; Catherine B., born
June 17, 1891, and Carrie Elizabeth, born
July 4, 1894, all of whom are living.
NissLEY, John H., was born in London-
derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., Feb-
ruary 10, 1857. He has spent his whole life
in his native township. When a boy he was
sent to the public schools and had the oppor-
tunity of acquiring all the intellectual train-
ing and useful information that these schools
could impart. Like other boys on the farm
he was always busy ; but the farm work was
not permitted to interfere with school work.
He made good improvement of the time and
opportunity afforded him for preparing for
the business of life. When he reached man-
hood he was ready for its duties and respon-
sibilities. Whatever may have been his
desire to go abroad and see other places and
people he did not grant it to any extent. He
has found ample room for the exercise of his
abilities at home. In addition to his over-
seeing the farm, he is engaged in milling.
He is one of the solid and useful men of the
community. He is not prominent in poli-
tics in the sense of seeking preferment to
office. He votes with the Republican party ;
he is a member of the United Brethren
church. He was married, in 1880, to Miss
Sarah, daughter of John Garrett, of Dauphin
county. They have six children : David,
born February 12, 1882 ; Martin, born August
25, 1883 ; John, born February 7, 1887 ; Nor-
man, born Februarv 12, 1889 ; Harvey, born
May 27, 1892 ; and Clayton, born July 25,
1894.
Reidek, Jacob S., farmer, Middletown, Pa.,
was born in Lancaster county. Pa., July
13, "1842. He was reared in that county,
and secured his education in the public
schools and in the Millersville State Normal
School. He qualified himself for the pro-
fession of teaching, and had begun his work,
and taught two terms in Lancaster county
before the war. In 1868 he enlisted in
company C, Twenty -first Pennsylvania cav-
alry, which had 182 in the line, and was
corporal of his company. He saw very ac-
tive service for nine months, being most of
the time on detail duty, and engaged in
skirmishing in West Virginia. At the end
of his term of enlistment he was honorably
discharged from the service, and returned to
Lancaster county. He at first resumed his
former occupation, and taught two terms in
Lancaster county. He also taught ten con-
secutive terms in Swatara, Londonderry and
Derry townships, Dauphin county. In the
meantime he was also engaged in farming.
In 1870 he removed to Dauphin county, and
purchased the farm he is at present occupy-
ing. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Mary,
daughter of Jacob Strickler, of Dauphin
county, by whom he has three children :
Morris S., married to Emma Baum, daugh-
ter of Michael Baum, of Londonderry town-
ship; Laura E., wife of F. Y. Muth, jeweler,
of Hummelstown ; Ralph D., and George S.,
died at twelve j'ears of age. In politics Mr.
Reider is a Republican. He and his family
are supporters of the United Brethren church.
Demy, Simon S., justice of the peace, Middle-
town, Pa., was born in Lower Swatara town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., April 24, 1849.
He is a son of John and Ellen (Shreadley)
Demy. His grandfather was a native of
Germany, and was one of the early settlers
of Dauphin county. His father was born in
1778, and followed the occupation of butcher
through life. After his marriage he resided
in Lower Swatara township. He afterwards
moved to Centre county, Pa., where he re-
mained a few years. Returning to Dauphin
county, he resided in Londonderry township
until his death, in 1878. His wife, the
mother of Simon S., died in 1855. He had
previously been married to a Miss Muchel-
haney, by whom there is one child living,
Henry, of Swatara township. By his second
wife he had five children: Ellen, Mrs. Fred-
erick Core, of Harrisburg; Savilla, Mrs.
Hiram Kelley, of Highspire ; Leah, wife of
Jacob Alleraan, of Oberlin; Maria, Mrs.
Simon Stark, of Lower Swatara township,
and Simon S. He was a prominent member
of the Lutheran church and a member of
the choir. He was a Democrat in politics.
Simon S. was reared and educated in
Lower Swatara township. He learned the
trade of carpenter and builder, which he has
made his life occupation. In 1871 he mar-
ried Miss Sarah, daughter of Elias Krepps,
of Lower Swatara township, and settled in
the home he now occupies. He has six
children : John, married Agnes Shenk, and
has one child, Susan ; Mary, wife of John
Espenshade, has one child, Elsie; Simon,
Isaac, Samuel, and Abner. Mr. Demy is a
Republican. He has filled nearly all the
township offices. In 1892 he was elected
766
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
justice of the peace, which office he has since
filled. He is a member of Lodge No. 70, I.
0. 0. F., of Harrisburg. He is a prominent
member of Ebenezer United Brethren church,
of Lower Swatara township. He is the super-
intendent of two Sunday-schools.
Jacks, Levi, was born in Derry township,
Dauphin county, Pa., August 27, 1842. He
is a son of Thomas and Joann (Dewitt)
Jacks. His father was born in Lancaster
county, near Columbia, in 1815. He was a
farmer by occupation, came to Dauphin
county when a young man, and was a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church. He married
Miss Joann Dewitt, of Dauphin county,
whose parents died while she was very
young. The}' had ten children, six of whom
are living : Levi ; Sarah Ann, wife of George
Buser, of Harrisburg; Thomas, married
Miss Ann Hummel, of Hummelstown ;
Jennie, wife of John Spidle, of Hummels-
town ; Annie, wife of Christ Henry, of Roy-
alton ; Andrew, married Miss Media Shoe-
maker, of Hummelstown. The deceased chil-
dren are : Mary, James, William and an infant.
Levi attended the public schools and ac-
quired a good education for that period. He
was all the time as busy as all farmer boys
must be. The days and hours for school
were mingled with those of work ; for the
stock must be cared for, and wood and
water for the house must be provided. Amid
a multiplicity of exacting demands upon
time and strength the farmer's boy must use
his earnest efforts to become intelligent, well
informed, and educated for life's work.
Levi found time for all duties, and none
were neglected. He chose farming as his
occupation for life, and is still engaged in it.
It was a time of excitement in the country
when he became old enough to have a voice
in the government. Mr. Lincoln was candi-
date for re-election to the presidency, and
Levi cast his first vote for that great man.
He has continued his connection with the
Republican party as a voter. He holds the
office of township auditor.
He was married, October 1, 1867, to Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Abram and Eliza-
beth (Nissley) Strickler, of Dauphin county.
They had nine children, of whom six are
living : Ida E., wife of Harry Christman, of
Dauphin county ; Bertha A., living at home;
Sherman S., Mabel J., Beulah P., and Laura
May. Those deceased are: Franklin S.,
Minerva, and Milton.
Ckyder, Moses G., was born in Lebanon
county. Pa., January 16, 1828. He is one of
five children, all of whom are living. His
father, Gottlieb T. Cryder, died in Lebanon
county at the age of sixty-four years. Moses
lived in that county until he was sixteen
years old. He attended school regularly
until ten years old, then only four or five
months a year. His school days were well
employed and he came to their end with a
very fair education for the times. When he
was fifteen, in 1843, he came to Londonderry
township where he has since made his home,
in what is now Royalton borough. He be-
gan the active business of life as President
Garfield, a boy on the canal. He continued
to be employed as boatman on the canal for
sixteen years, from 1838 to 1854. In the last
named year he changed his occupation, be-
coming engaged in sawing lumber. He was
engaged from 1855 to 1883 in this and other
pursuits, meanwhile getting ready for some
more congenial business, and in 1880 he be-
gan the grocery business, in which he is still
engaged. In 1851 he was married to Miss
Caroline, daughter of Thomas Dunn, of Lan-
caster county. They have one child, J. Dunn
Cryder, born August 11, 1853, who has been
in the employment of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company for twenty years. In
politics Mr. Cryder is independent.
FoLTZ, John E., was born in Londonderry
township, Dauphin county. Pa., August 31,
1830. He was the son of John and Cath-
erine (Eby) Foltz. Christian Foltz, his
grandfather, was the first of the family to
settle in Dauphin county, about 1787. He
had seven children : Elizabeth, John, Susan,
Polly, Katherine, Christian, and Christiana,
all deceased. John Foltz, father of John E.,
was born in Londonderry township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., August 16, 1792. He
married Miss Catherine, daughter of Barbara
Eby, of Dauphin county. They had eleven
children, seven daughters and four sons :
Barbara; Mary Ann, deceased; Catherine,
Elizabeth, deceased; Christiana; Susan, de-
ceased; Christian, deceased; John E.; Samuel
deceased ; James Monroe, deceased, and Sa-
billa, deceased.
John E., in 1837, when he was seven years
old, moved to Elizabethtown, Lancaster
county, wherehelived until he was seventeen,
and where he received the most of his educa-
tion. In 1847 he went to Harrisburg, where
he spent the next twelve years. He returned
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
767
in March, 1859, to Elizabethtown, Lancaster
county, and there lived until October, 1865.
Since that date he has lived in Londonderry
township and in Royalton, where he now re-
sides. The public schools in the several
places in which his younger days were spent
afforded him the opportunity of acquiring a
very fair education. During the twelve years
that he lived in Harrisburg he was for the
most part employed in sawing lumber. On
August 31, 1864, he enlisted in the United
States army for one year. He was a mem-
ber of company E, Two Hundred and Third
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He
was honorably discharged June 27, 1865,
and reached home July 3. The hearing of
his left ear was entirely lost at the battle of
Fort Fisher, January 14 and 15, 1865. He
was employed by the Pennsylyania Railroad
Company from May 1, 1861, to 1892, a period
of over thirty-one years, with the exception
of the one year's service in the army, as above
stated. In connection with Thomas Hol-
land and John Matthias, he suggested the
organization of Royalton, and was active in
carrying out the plan. He has held all the
township ofHces, has been tax collector in
Royalton since 1891, and has also served a
term as burgess and treasurer of the bor-
ough. He was married, September 14, 1864,
to Miss Frederica, daughter of Andrew Hon-
nesy, a native of Germany. Tiiey have one
child, Harry F. Foltz, born May 21, 1866;
married Miss Annie Miller, July 3, 1887,
and has one child, John E., born May 18,
1888. Mr. Harry F. Foltz is employed at
the Middletown Pipe Works as overseer of
the sticker blocks.
'Epler, Jacob R., Londonderry township,
was born where he now lives, March 31,
1846. His great-grandfather, Peter Epler,
was a native of Germany, and was one of
the, old settlers of Berks county. Pa. He was
the father of three sons : John, Christopher,
and Abraham. John Epler was born in
Berks county in 1774, and came to Dauphin
county in 1812. He married Miss Barbara
Moyer, of Lancaster county, by whom he
had ten children, all deceased: John, Eliza-
beth, Jacob, Abraham, David, Daniel, Bar-
bara, Mary, Christopher, and Jacob. Two
of his sons were named Jacob. His sou
David M., father of Jacob R., was born in
Lancaster county, December 2, 1810. He
came to Londonderry with his parents in
1812, and acquired his education in the pub-
lic schools. His mother died in 1820. In
1826 he left home and began to work for
himself. He was married, February 5, 1835,
to Miss Catherine, daughter of Henry Roth-
rock, of Dauphin county. They had these
children : John Henry, Eliza Ann, Margaret,
Mary, Barbara, Jacob, David, Abraham,
Catherine, Lydia H., and Laura E. He was
a farmer by occupation and took an active
part in politics, in connection with the Re-
publican party, and held many of the town-
ship offices. He was for sixty years a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church. He died Jan-
uary 31, 1892, at the age of eighty-one years.
Jacob R. attended the public schools, and
acquired a good education. He lived at
home until he became of age, in 1867, when
he established a home of his own, and be-
gan business for himself. He is a stock-
holder in the Farmers' Bank, of Middle-
town. He has been a director of the Lon-
donderry Live Stock Insurance Company
since its organization in 1887. He pur-
chased the farm upon which he now lives in
1889. He is a Republican, and takes an ac-
tive interest in politics ; he has held many
of the township offices. He and his family
are connected with the Lutheran church of
Elizabethtown. He was married, July 14,
1867, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Joshua
and Barbara (Welker) Kaylor, of London-
derry township. They have one child,
Simon L. Epler, born August 26, 1867 ; liv-
ing at home.
Hoffman, Ephraim B., was born in
Dauphin county, December 24, 1840. His
father, Peter E. Hoffman, was born December
10, 1813. He was one of the early settlers of
Dauphin county. He acquired an ordinary
education ; he was a farmer and for a num-
ber of years farmed on what is known as
Duffy's island. He was a Republican and
held many of the township offices. He mar-
ried Elizabeth, a daughter of William Berg,
a native of Germany. Tliey had seven chil-
dren, two of whom are living : John B., mar-
ried Sylinda Lane, daughter of John Lane,
of Dauphin county, died August 2, 1886;
Ephraim B.; Anne, wife of Horace Strong, of
Dauphin county ; Barbara, died at the age
of fourteen years ; Jacob, died at the age of
twelve years; Amanda, died at the age of
thirteen months ; and Elizabeth, died at the
age of five years.
Ephraim B. acquired his education in the
public schools. He lived on the farm with
768
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
his father until he was twenty-five years of
age. He has been employed by the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company since January
16, 1866. For twenty-four years he was con-
ductor of the wreck train. On March 25,
1890, he lost his left leg, and since that time
has been employed by the company in the
town as leverman. He built one of the first
houses in what is now known as Royalton.
He has taken an active interest in politics as
a Republican. He and his family take a
prominent part in church work in the Lu-
theran cliurch. He married, April 20,1865,
Lydia B. Fink, daughter of Samuel and Re-
becca (Burns) Fink, by whom he has had six
children : Emma, born November 2, 1865,
died at the age of twenty-one years ; William,
born September 11, 1867, died February 24,
1871 ; Lizzie, born January 15, 1870, died
September 9, 1871 ; Ciiarles, born February
24, 1872, died at the age of sixteen years ;
John, born Jaunary 1, 1874, living at home,
employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, and Peter, born July 6, 1876, em-
ployed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany.
Miller, John E., was born in Germany,
February 25, 1840; came to this country
with his step-father in 1846 ; was educated
in the public schools ; learned whip making,
and worked at that trade for a number of
years at York, Pa. On August 27, 1864, he
enlisted in the army under Capt. John
Weimer, of company A, Two Hundredth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He
served in this company until June 28, 1865,
when he was honorably discharged on ac-
count of incurred disability. In 1870 he
was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company as track walker, in which capacity
he served until his death in 1883. He was
one of the first settlers in what is now known as
Royalton. He and his wife were both active
members of the Lutheran church of Middle-
town. He was married, October 17, 1864, to
Miss Mary, daughter of Henry and Mary
(Rickard) Andrews, of Elizabethtown, by
whom he had eight children, all now living
except one. They are: Harry Edwin, born-
March 20,1865, married Miss Rebecca Bailey,
of Youngstown, Ohio, where they now live,
and have one child, Jennie; Annie Mary,
born August 13, 1867, wife of Harry Foltz,
of Royalton, has one child, John E.; John
Franklin, born September 16, 1869, died
August 24, 1870; Alice Louisa, born April
25, 1871, wife of Harry T. Kauffman, of
Royalton ; Jennie E., born August 1, 1874,
living at home; Charles A., born October
25, 1875, living at home, employed in the
pipe works ; Edgar B., born January 7, 1879,
living at home, and Daisy E., born March
27, 1881, living at home. Mr. Miller died
October 17, 1883, of lung disease.
Mathias, John, was born in York county.
Pa., December 18, 1831. His grandparents
had born to them a family of eight children:
Peter, Henry, George, John, Jacob, Lena,
Elizabeth, and Catharine, all of whom are
deceased. Peter Mathias, his father, a son
of John Mathias, who was a native of Ger-
many and came at an early date to York
county, was born there in 1800. He was a
miller by occupation and acquired the ordi-
nary education of that time. He married
Henrietta Strine, of York county. They
had six children : John ; Nassese, born Jan-
uary 24, 1834, deceased; Charles Henry,
born November 24, 1836, deceased ; Susan,
born December 26, 1837, deceased; Mary
Ellen, born February 2, 1843, widow of
Frederick Messenger, resides in York county;
Sarah Jane, born December 10, 1845, wife of
John Nanchtrup, living in the West.
John Mathias lived with his parents in
York county until he was eighteen years of
age, in 1849, at which time the death of his
father occurred. He had the usual oppor-
tunities for securing an education aff"orded
b}"^ the public schools of the time. He was
engaged first in the business of a saw mill
and afterwards for a number of years in
mercantile business. In 1862 he enlisted in
company A, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in whi'ch
he served for nine months. In August, 1864,
he enlisted for one year in company E, Ninth
Pennsylvania cavalry, and served until the
close of the war. He has taken an active in-
terest in politics. He is also much interested
in church work and was for many years
connected with the United Brethren church.
He gave the lot on which the first chapel
was built in what is now known as Royal-
ton, in 1875. On the same lot the Liberal
church was erected in 1893. He was mar-
ried, September 8, 1850, to Henrietta, daugh-
ter of Peter Repman, of York county. They
had seven children : Elinor, born November
29, 1850, wife of Samuel Harvey, living at
Canton, Ohio; Cyrus, born February 28,
1852, married Miss Emma France, by whom
DA UPHIN CO UNTY .
769
he had seven children, six of whom are liv-
ing ; Morris, born April 5, 1854, married
Clara Sides, has three children, lives in Can-
ton, Ohio ; Priscilla, born November 7, 1857,
wife of Joseph Myers, of York county, has
one child ; Mahala,born November 29,1859,
deceased ; Minerva, born January 31, 1862,
wife of Kirk Snyder, of Royalton, has four
children ; Sarah Ellen, born August 26,
1864, wife of Gammiel Grove, of York
county, has six children ; Henrietta, wife of
John Mathias, died June 8, 1865. He was
married to his second wife, Susanna Eichel-
berger, widow of William Henry Eichelber-
ger, February 27, 1866. They have had
two children : Newton C, born December
27, 1867, died November 19, 1870, and Cas-
per B., born October 11, 1870, married Eliz-
abeth Cormely, has one child and resides in
Royalton.
Mrs. Mathias had born to her, by her pre-
vious marriage with W. H. Eichelberger,
five children : William Henry, who married
Clara Moser and now resides in Royalton,
they have three living children ; Charles
Edward, single and resides in Arizona ;
Emeline, wife of John Zimmerman, has two
living children and resides in Middletown ;
John B. McLellan, died at the age of fifteen
years ; Alice Elizabeth, wife of George Cle-
land, who have five living children and re-
side in Royalton. William Henry Eichel-
berger served in company G, Sixth Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, during the Rebellion and
was killed while nobly serving in defense of
his country.
Beard, Ammon W., was born at Fox Hill,
Berks county. Pa., September 4, 1840. His
father, Samuel Beard, was born in 1803, in
Berks county, where he lived until 1858,
when he came to Dauphin county. He had
only a limited education. He was a black-
smith and worked at this trade for the Read-
ing Railroad Company. He was a Repub-
lican and took an active part in politics.
He married Hannah Rhodes, of Berks county,
by whom he had eleven children: Mark J.,
married Catherine Sides, of Dauphin county ;
Eliza, wife of Jacob L. Rehner, of Royalton ;
Ammon W.; Catherine, wife of Cyrus Dur-
borow, of Falmouth, Lancaster county. Pa.;
Samuel G., married Margaret Barnes, of
Steelton ; Hannah, wife of Isaac Rank, of
Lebanon county ; Harmon T., married Miss
Millie Weymer, of Harrisburg ; Titus, died
at the age of eleven years ; Henry, died aged
twenty-one years ; George, died aged twenty-
three years ; William, died at the age of fifty
years. William and George served in the
late war, in the Fifty-third regiment, Penn-
sj'lvania volunteers.
Ammon W. came to Middletown in 1858.
He acquired a good education in the schools
at Pottstown, Pa. He learned the trade of
blacksmith. He has worked at this trade
and has also followed carpentry and boat
building for a number of years. He was
foreman in the wood-working department of
the Middletown Car Works for four years.
He has been employed in the milk business
for the last four years. He was, at one time,
a member of Lodge No. 68, K. of P., in
Middletown, and of the Order of United
American Mechanics. At the present time
he is a member of the Poketo Tribe, No.
315, I. 0. R. M., of Middletown.. He takes
an active part in the operations of the Re-
publican party. He was married, Juh' 18,
1861, to Miss Mary Ann Knerr, stepdaughter
of John Springer, by whom he has eight
children : Rebecca, wife of Jacob P. Dough-
erty, of Royalton ; Charles F., married Miss
Maria, daughter of Joseph and Lydia Meyers
Peters, of Middletown ; Samuel H., Isaac,
Otis, Sophia, Nellie, and Edna, all at home.
He has occupied his present home, in what is
now known as Royalton, since 1861. In
1892 he was elected justice of thepeace, which
office he has since filled. .He is also super-
visor of Royalton.
DiEHN, Henry, Royalton, was born in
Penn township, Lancaster county, April 30,
1828. His father, John Diehn, son of Philip
Diehn, was born in Warwick township, Lan-
caster county, August 5, 1795. He died
August 19, 1873. He was a farmer, and in
politics a Republican. He was an active
member in the White Oak Lutheran church.
He married Miss Sarah Seitzinger, daughter
of Michael Seitzinger, of Berks county. Pa.
They had five children : Eliza, born Septem-
ber 5, 1820, wife of Abraham Dohner, of
Penn township, Lancaster county ; Leonard,
born September 19, 1822, died November
27, 1876; Sarah Ann, born April 28, 1826,
wife of David Smith, of Penn township, Lan-
caster county; Henry; Priscilla, born Octo-
ber 21, 1834, wife of Christopher Eversole,
of Elizabethtowu, Lancaster countv, died
December 19, 1863. The father died August
19, 1873, and the mother October 17, 1865.
Henry lived in Lancaster county until
770
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1867. He was educated in the White Oak
school in that county. He chose farming as
his occupation, and was engaged in that pur-
suit until he was nearly thirty-five years of
age. In 1867 he came to Dauphin county,
to what is now Royalton, and purchased the
home where he has since lived. When he
came to this county he changed his voca-
tion, finding employment with the Pennsyl-
vania Riulroad Company, and has con-
tinued to serve that corporation up to the
present time. For twenty-four years he
worked on the wreck train. For the past
four years he has been employed by the
company as gateman at the Union street
crossing in Middletown. He is a Republi-
can. As a member of the Lutheran church
he takes an active interest in all church
work. He was married, in Lancaster county,
August, 1857, to Miss Julia Ann Leightner,
daughter of Andrew and Ellen (McGomery)
Leightner, of York county, by whom he had
three children, who were reared to maturity :
Leonard H., born December 28, 1858, mar-
ried Miss Annie Federoh,.of Highspire, by
whom he has two children, Mary, and Julia,
living in Baltimore, Md.; Sarah Ellen, born
October 18, 1862, wife of William Andrews,
of Middletown ; Elias Grant, born December
26, 1867, married, and has a famil}' of four
children ; lives in Philadelphia and is em-
ployed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany.
Brinser, Solomon C, was born in Dau-
phin county, Pa., February 21, 1832. His
father, John Brinser, was born in the same
county, in 1782, died September 17, 1875. He
acquired his education in the public schools.
His political opinions were Republican. In
1820 he began the manufacture of grain
cradles, and made the first implement of the
kind ever produced in Dauphin county. He
continued in this business for many years,
and is succeeded in it by his sons, who still
carry it on. He married Mary Carper, by
whom he had eleven children : Jacob, John,
Samuel, Joseph, Jonas, Abraham, Matthias,
Solomon C, Betsey, Katie, and Nancy. John,
Samuel, Betsey and Nancy are deceased.
Solomon C. was educated in the schools of
Dauphin county. He inherited the me-
chanical tastes and talents of his father, and
naturally chose manufacturing as his life,
employment. He was also of an inventive
turn of mind ; he invented and manufac-
tured the first wheel rake made and used in
this county, and its manufacture became the
business which occupied him from 1855 to
1868. He then turned his attention to the
manufacture of woolen goods and carpets,
and conducted that enterprise until 1880.
Since that time he has been engaged in the
manufacture of the celebrated Standard
Corn Meal, made by a process of his own in-
vention, which has reached an enormous
sale throughout the county, one dealer alone
selling more than a thousand bushels per
season. He also manufactures sawed chest-
nut shingles.
He was married, in 1856, to Miss Barbara,
daughter of John Ruth. They have had
ten children, nine of whom are living : Al-
bert, born November 30, 1858, married Miss
Maggie Shope, has one child ; Clara, born
April 18, 1860, wife of John Vance, of Lon-
donderry township ; Mary, born November
3, 1861, married Aaron Coble, of London-
derry township, has three children ; Harry,
born April 8, 1865, married Miss Lizzie
Tennis, has three children ; Emma, born
August 10, 1867, married Sadoc Shope, has
one child; Ida, born December 10, 1869,
married Joseph Mumma, has two children ;
Katie, born January 18, 1872, died August
25, 1879 ; Solomon, Jr., born July 27, 1874,
and John, born December 22, 1876, both in
the milling business with their father, and
unmarried ; Ruth, born January 27, 1880, at
home.
Baum, Michael S., miller and ice dealer,
was born in Dauphin county, Pa., August 5,
1845. His grandfather, John Baum, was
born in Lancaster county, and was a farmer.
He married a Miss Baum. Their children
were five in number : Michael, Benjamin,
Martha and Sarah, both deceased, and
Daniel. He came to Dauphin county at an
early date and purchased the Locust Grrove
Hotel, near Oberlin, which he carried on
for many years.
Michael Baum, father of Michael S., was
born in January, 1811. He was educated in
the public schools and when a young man
learned the business of milling, which he
followed for about twenty-five years ; he after-
wards engaged in farming. He took an ac-
tive part in politics in connection with the
Republican party. In 1832 he married Sarah,
daughter ofGeorge Smith, of Dauphin county,
by whom he had eight children : John, mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Reider ;
Samuel, married Miss Elizabeth Stookey;
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
771
Sarah, wife of John Cassel ; Michael S. ;
George, deceased ; Isaac, died at the age of
eight years ; Ann, wife of George Bell ; Mary,
married first to John Besehover, the second
time to William Umberger.
Michael S. received his education in the
public schools of this county. He learned
the milling business when a young man, and
has continued it up to the present time. He
is also a dealer in ice. In 1866 he married
Miss Susan, daughter of Joseph and Cordelia
(Smith) Keeper, of Dauphin county. They
have eight children, seven of whom are liv-
ing: Joseph, born May 18, 1868, married
Jennie Plouse, of Hummelstown, has one
child ; Simon Michael, born October 28, 1870,
married Miss Barbara Hoffer, of Dauphin
countv, has one child ; Cordelia, born July
28, 1872, died January 27,1874 ; Sarah Ann,
born June 14, 1873, wife of Harry Strickler,
of Clifton, has one child; Emma, born Sep-
tember 23, 1875, wife of Morris Reider, son
of Jacob Eeider ; Homer, born August 14,
1877, living at home ; Harvey, born March
3, 1880, living at home; Susan, born Novem-
ber 2, 1882, living at home.
EuTHERFORD, JoHN M., Eoyalton, Pa., was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., November 17,
1857. He is a son of Samuel Rutherford,
a native of Dauphin county, and Elizabeth
(Minnich) Rutherford, of Lancaster county.
The father was a farmer by occupation, and
was suffocated in a well in Lancaster county
in 1860. These parents had five children :
Frank, killed on the Pennsylvania railroad
while in the employment of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company ; Eliza, Samuel,
David, and John M. John M. received his
education in the schools of Lancaster county.
He was engaged in farming until 1875, when
he became an apprentice to James Ruther-
ford to learn stonemasonry. After serving
his apprenticeship he worked at his trade
for some years. In 1881 he was employed
by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
and held his position for four years. In 1885
he managed the Farmers' Hotel at High-
spire, Pa. After this he was employed by
the Pennsylvania Steel Company, at Steel-
ton, for two years, and for the next two years
at the rolling mill at Harrisburg. In 1890
he located at Middletown, where he was en-
gaged with the American Tube and Iron
Company, and was also contractor for stone
work for one year. He was then employed
in the store of M. H. Hartman for a year.
after which he engaged in the baking busi-
ness. He then returned to Mr. Hartman's
store, which he afterwards left for the dry
goods store of Mrs. Fairman. He then re-
moved to Royalton, where he has since car-
ried on a general mercantile business. He
is a member of the Junior Order of Ameri-
can Mechanics at Royalton, and of the Senior
Order at Middletown. In 1878 he married
Miss Lizzie, daughter of John Nunnemacher,
of Lancaster county. They have had six
children : John, Samuel, deceased, Mary,
Frank A., William, and Joseph.
Bkinser, Simon, Middletown, Pa., was born
in Londonderry township, Dauphin county,
Pa., March 10,' 1866; son of Peter Brinser.
He acquired his education in the public
schools and engaged in grain and truck
farming, in which he has been continuously
employed. In his political views he is a
Republican. He and his family are mem-
bers of the United Zion Children's church.
Mr. Brinser was married, March 15, 1885, to
Miss Maggie Beaver, daughter of William L.
Beaver, of Dauphin county, by whom he has
four children : William, born February 3,
1886; Charity, born March 7, 1887; Annie,
born March 20, 1894 ; Maggie, born March
31, 1890, and died July 9, 1890.
Brinser, E. C, Middletown, Pa., was born
at Bachmansville, Pa., November 13, 1843;
son of John C. Brinser. He attended the
school of his native place and was engaged
in farming until he was twenty-five years of
age. He then taught in the public schools
for six terms in Londonderry township and
in Lancaster county, after which he suc-
ceeded his uncle, Mathias Brinser, in the
manufacturing of the celebrated Brinser
grain cradles and scythe snaths, in which
he continued for some years, and during the
past eight years has been engaged in farm-
ing and fruit raising, which he carries on
extensively. In 1870 he married Miss Caro-
line K. Deckard, daughter of Israel Deck-
ard, of Middletown, by whom he has four-
teen children, who are all living : Nancy,
born April 15, 1870, wife of Edward Mun-
burg, of Middletown, and they have one
child ; Zeruah, born September 6, 1872, wife
of Albert Good, of Londonderry township,
and they have one child ; Harry D., born
November 30, 1873 ; John Wesley, born Au-
gust 3, 1875 ; Mary D. and Barbara, twins,
born August 26, 1877 ; Bertha, born April
772
BtOGkAPBlCAL MNCYGLOPBDIA
10, 1880 ; Oscar, born June 18, 1882 ; Carrie,
born June 28, 1884; Marion, born January
24, 1886 ; Blanche, born September 18, 1887 ;
Florence, born September 12, 1889 ; Grace,
born February 11, 1892 ; Helen, born April
30, 1894. Mr. Brinser and his family are
connected with the United Brethren church.
Bkinser, Jonas C, was born in London-
derry township, June, 1828, where he has
spent his entire life, with the exception of
two years. He attended the local schools
and acquired a good business education.
For about four years he was engaged in a
general mercantile business, after which he
became interested in the manufacture of the
celebrated Brinser grain cradles. Mr. Brinser
has taken an active part in political affairs
and is a member of the Republican party.
He served as justice of the peace for ten years.
In 1854 he was married to Miss Lydia
Weaver, daughter of George Weaver, of
Lancaster county. They have had eight
children, four of whom are living: Dudley,
married Miss Kate Snyder; Julia Ann,
unmarried; Burd, married Miss Annie
Rider, of Harrisburg ; Alice, wife of Albert
Foetz, of Londonderry township.
Beates, Edwakd K., farmer, Londonderry
township, was born in Lancaster, Pa., Novem-
ber 17, 1852; son of F. W. and Sophia (Kel-
ler) Beates. The father was a son of William
Beates and was born and reared in Lancaster
county. His wife was a native of the same
county and was a daughter of Adam Keller.
They had seven children, of whom five are
living : William A., living in Ohio ; Anna
M.; James F., living at Salt Lake City, Utah ;
Louisa 0., and Edward K. In 1859 the
parents came to Londonderry township,
Dauphin county, where they now reside.
Edward K. lived in his native place until he
was seven years of age, when he came to
Dauphin county with his parents and settled
in Londonderry township, where he attended
the public schools and also was one term at
the State Normal School. His occupation is
farming. In politics he is a Republican, and
a member of the Lutheran church.
Bond, S. Weidler, farmer, Middletown,
Pa., was born in Lancaster county, Pa.,
March 27, 1835 ; son of John and Eliza
(Weidler) Bond, natives of Lancaster county.
The father was a farmer by occupation and
was considered one of the most prominent
farmers of that period. His wife died in
Lancaster county. They were members of
the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Bond
held the office of deacon. S. Weidler was
married, in Lancaster county. Pa., December
27, 1857, to Miss Susan Hess, daughter of
Jacob Hess. In 1864 he moved to Stark
county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farm-
ing until 1872 or 1873, when he returned
to Dauphin county and purchased bis pres-
ent farm in Londonderry township, where
he has since resided. His wife died in
March, 1884. He was married, secondly, in
May, 1886, to Mrs. Anna Landis, daughter
of David Sumny, of Londonderry township.
His children by his first wife are : Ada E.,
Mrs. John Grove, died December 3, 1881,
they have one child, Laura ; Alvin H., of
Lower Swatara township, married Mary
Strickler ; Alice M., Mrs. Harry Gingrich, of
Lower Swatara township, who has three
children, Mary, Edith, and Florence; Arva
B., deceased, married Mary Gingerich, and
they have two children, Ada and Katie;
John H., Middletown, coach maker, married
Katie Chubb, and they have one child,
Alice ; Milton H., Oberlin, married Anna
Straub; William B., at home. In his poli-
tics Mr. Bond is a Republican. The family
are members of the Lutheran church.
CoNNELY, James, Royalton, Pa., was born
in Ireland, May 16, 1842 ; son of John Con-
nely. The father was a native of Ireland
and spent his life in his native land. He
married Miss Joanna Murphey, by whom he
reared three children : Matthew, Martin and
James. Martin was a soldier in the English
army during the Crimean war, and after
twelve years service returned to Ireland, and
later removed to England, where he died.
Matthew died of consumption in his native
land.
James acquired his education in the par-
ish schools of his native country. He was
married, June 24, 1861, to Miss Ann O'Con-
nor, daughter of John and Nancy (Byrn)
O'Connor, and to them were born six chil-
dren : Joanna, born in Ireland, wife of Will-
iam Manning, of Royalton, Pa., and they
have four sons : John, William, James, and
Joseph ; Matthew, born in Ireland, died on
the voyage to America and is buried at sea ;
Fannie, born in Ireland, died at Royalton,
Pa.; Mary, died at Royalton, Pa.; Lizzie,
wife of B. Mathias, of Royalton, and they
had one child, Maud V.; John, born March
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DA UPHIN GO UNT7.
775
23, 1872. Mr. Connely left Britain for
America November 1, 1864, and landed in
New York December 31, where he stayed
three weeks and then went to Bucksville, Va.,
where he remained with his family about
seven months. He removed thence to Dan-
ville, Va.; and from thence to Baltimore, Md.,
and finally settled at Royalton, Pa., in 1868,
where he has since lived. Since that time
he has been in the employment of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company on the wreck
train. He is a member of the Roman
Catholic church.
Coble, Andrew, was born in York county,
Pa., April 4, 1849; son of John C. Coble.
The father was born in York county, Pa.,
in 1801, and died in March, 1881. He
learned the cooper trade and followed
it for some years. In his political views
he was a Republican. He married Mary
KaufFman and they had seven children :
William, Jacob, Charles, Henry, Sarah,
Reuben, and Andrew. Andrew was reared
and received his education in his native
county. He learned the blacksmith trade,
and followed this occupation in connection
with farming in York county until 1883,
when he removed to Dauphin county, and
purchased the place where he now lives.
He was married, July 30, 1868, to Miss M.
T. Strominger, daughter of Henry Strom-
inger, of York county. Their children are :
Mary Ellen, William Henry, John A., Emma,
Alda, Sarah, Chester Cleveland, Margaret
Pearl, Onia, Leroy, and Lottie. In his poli-
tics he is a Democrat. He and his family
are active members of the United Brethren
church.
Ebersole, John P., was born in London-
derry township, on the place on which he
now lives, March 26, 1832; son of John
Ebersole. The father was born in Derry
township, Dauphin county. May 20, 1797.
He acquired a good education and came to
Londonderry township when a young man,
in 1824, and settled on the farm now owned
by his son John P., where he was continu-
ously engaged in farming. He married Miss
Elizabeth Pile, born January 26, 1796, died
February 2, 1892; daughter of Jacob Pile.
Their children were; Mary, wife of Joseph
Foreman, both deceased, six children surviv-
ing them ; Jacob, deceased, married Maria
Bowman, eight children surviving him ;
Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Hosier, living
so
near Pennville, Lancaster county. Pa., and
have four children ; Abraham, married
Christina Snyder, both deceased, five chil-
dren surviving them ; Catherine, wife of
George Hosier, they have seven children
living and one deceased ; John P., attended
the public schools and learned the trade of
carpenter and cooper, which he followed up
to 1866 and has also been engaged in farm-
ing. In politics he is a Republican, and at-
tends the Lutheran church. In 1858 he
married Miss Sarah Smith, daughter of Jacob
Smith. Their children are: Mary, born
November 28, 1858, married E. B. Wisler, of
York county, and they have three children,
Clarence, Mauada and John ; Solomon, born
December 7, 1860, has taught school since he
was eighteen years of age, makes his home
with his father; Elizabeth, born November 17,
1862, wife of F.W. Shoemaker, of Campbells-
town, and they have seven children: Mabel,
Yeagle, Carrie, Robert, Lillie, Sally and John ;
Fannie, born September 12, 1870, wife of I.
H. Foltz, of Londonderry township, and they
have two children, Addie and Russell; John
Webster, born February 12, 1877, unmarried
and living at home.
Foltz, J. H., Middletown, Pa., was born
in Susquehanna township, Dauphin county,
Pa., February 18, 1858 ; son of Christian
Foltz. The father was born July 12, 1802.
He was a merchant and farmer by occupa-
tion, and died at the age of sixty vears,
March 27, 1863. He married, first, Anna
Mary Eppler, by whom he had eight chil-
dren: Jacob, born August 17, 1823, died
April 2, 1859 ; Susanna, born April 8, 1825 ;
Josiah, born November 8, 1826 ; John, born
July 26, 1828 ; Christian, born June 7, 1830,
died April 29, 1836 ; Samuel, born April 12,
1832 ; Jonas, born September 26, 1835, died
March 22, 1836; and an infant son, died
July, 1835. Mr. Foltz married a second
time, and by this wife he had six children :
Eli, born February 8, 1841 ; Mary Ann, born
August 12, 1842; David, born August 10,
1845; Elizabeth, born May 17,1847; Cath-
erine, born April 27, 1849 ; Barbara, born
March 24, 1851. Mr. Foltz married, thirdly.
Miss Elizabeth Huntzburger, by whom he
had four children, three of whom are living :
Obed. born April 12,1862; Emeline, born
March 25, 1857 ; and J. H. J. H. Foltz at-
tended the school of his native plac'e, and
learned the trade of a carpenter. He was
employed in the Middletown Car Shops for
776
BIOGRAPEIUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
a number of years and has also been much
engaged in farming. In 1890 he purchased
the Keller farm, where he has resided since
that date. He was niarried, in 1888, to Miss
Fannie Ebersole, daughter of John P. Eber-
sole, of Londonderry township, by whom he
has two children: Russel, born November 9,
1890, and Sadie, born December 2, 1888.
Geyee, Michael, Middletown, Pa., was
born in Lancaster county, Pa., September 2,
1853 ; son of Jacob Geyer. The father was
the first of the Geyer family to settle in Dau-
phin county, he having come from Mt. Joy,
Lancaster county, in 1860, and having lo-
cated on what is known now as the " Old
Geyer Homestead." He was well educated
for his time, and was a prominent and suc-
cessful farmer. He married Miss Annie
Kauffman, of Lancaster county, and their
children are : Katie, Abram, George, Mar-
tha, deceased, and Michael. Mr. and Mrs.
Geyer were members of the United Brethren
church. He died in 1889. Michael came
with his parents to Dauphin county when
he was six years of age, and was reared and
educated in the schools of this county.
He learned the trade of carpenter, and sub-
sequently engaged in farming. He is active
in politics, and is a member of the Republi-
can party. His church membership is with
the United Brethren. In 1878 Mr. Geyer
was married to Miss Fanny Kinsey, daugh-
ter of Samuel Kinsey, of Londonderry town-
ship. They have no children living. In
1890 Mr. Geyer purchased the farm on which
he is now living.
Garver, C. L., Middletown, Pa., was born
in Cumberland county. Pa., March 1, 1838 ;
son of Christian Garver, Jr. The grand-
father. Christian Garver, Sr., was a native of
Lancaster county. He was a farmer by occu-
pation. He married Miss Grim, of Lancas-
ter county, by whom he had eight children :
David, John, Jacob, Christian, Rachel, Nancy,
Barbara, and one unnamed, all deceased.
He came to Dauphin county about 1820, and
settled on a piece of land which is still in the
possession of the family. Christian Garver,
Jr., the father of C. L., was born in Lancaster
county in 1815, and when five years of age
came with his parents to Dauphin county,
where he was reared and received his educa-
tion in the school of that period. In 1836
he was married to Miss R. Lord, daughter of
James Lord, a native of England, by whom
he had six children : John, Elizabeth, C. L..
Joseph, Susan, and Samuel.
C. L. Garver acquired his education in
the schools of Londonderry township, which
he attended until he was sixteen years of
age. In his earlier life he was employed by
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and
in 1875 he began farming, which has since
been his occupation. In 1876 he purchased
the farm on which he has since had his resi-
dence.
He takes an active interest in politicsjin
connection with the Republican party, and
has held many of the township offices. He
and his family attend the United Brethren
church. In 1862 he was married to Miss
Catherine Bunser, daughter of John and
Mary (Barber) Bunser, of Londonderry town-
ship, by whom he has six children, of whom
five are living: Albert B., married Miss
Mary Bowser, daughter of Benjamin Bowser,
and they have two children living; John,
married Ellen Moyer^ living at Conoy, Pa.,
and they have three children ; Harry B.,
school teacherat Royalton, living at home,un-
married ; Susan, wife of David Brandt, and
they have four children ; Annie and Katie,
twins — Katie died at the age of seven, Annie
living at home.
Garver, Joseph L.,Londonderry township,
was born on the old Garver farm, in London-
derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., Sep-
tember 3, 1840 ; son of Christian Garver, Jr.
The grandfather. Christian Garver, Sr., was
the first of the family to settle in Dauphin
county. He came to the county about 1805
and located on what came to be known as
the old Garver homestead, where he lived
until his death in 1848. He had nine chil-
dren : John, Jacob, David, Samuel, Chris-
tian, Nancy, Mary, Fanny, and one child not
named. Christian Garver, Jr., father of Jo-
seph L., was born on the old homestead in
1813. He acquired a good education for
that period and became a farmer, and fol-
lowed the occupation through life. He was
an active member of the United Brethren
church. His wife was Miss Susan Lord,
daughter of William Lord, of Lebanon
county, and they had five children : Eliza-
beth, John, Christian, Joseph, and Susan, who
are all living . excepting Elizabeth, who
died in the fall of 1875. Joseph L. lived on
the home farm until he was nineteen years
of age, after which he engaged in farming
on his own account and has made this his
DAUPBIN COUNTY.
m
occupation. In 1867 he, was married to Miss
Mary C. Bunser, daughter of Rev. John
Bunser, of Londonderry township. Mr.
Garver is a Eepublican in politics, ;and is an
active member of the United Brethren
church. Mrs. Garver is a member of the
United Zion's Children's church. They have
one child, Harry B., born February 15, 1870.
He was graduated from the State Normal
School at Millersville, July 3, 1890, since
which time he has been engaged in teaching
in the public schools.
GiNGiRiCH, Jacob, farmer, Middletown,
Pa., was born on the Nissley farm in Lon-
donderry township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
June 16, 1840 ; son of Jonas and Christina
(Metzger) Gingirieh. The first of the family
to settle in the county, so far as known, was
David Gingirieh, who is buried in the grave-
yard on the present Guyer farm. His chil-
dren were : Jonas, John, Daniel, David. Dan-
iel settled in Illinois, and died there. John
died on the homestead. David settled in
Lancaster county, Pa., near Elizabethtown,
where he died. Martha married George
Wyman, and died in Londonderrj' township.
Barbara, married a Mr. Sheeley, and lives in
the West. Jonas, father of Jacob M., was
born on the homestead in 1811, and died in
1844. He was a farmer. His religious
fellowship was with the United Brethren,
and in politics he was a Whig. His wife
was born in 1809, and died in 1892. They
had four children, two of whom are living :
Jacob M. and Leah, wife of David Espen-
stoch, of Londonderry township.
Jacob M. received only a limited education.
His father died when he was four years old,
and he was reared among strangers and be-
came a farmer. In 1867 he married Elizabeth
Wagner, daughter of John Wagner, of Lon-
donderry township. Their children are:
Simon W., born in 1869, married Carrie
Whitmer, daughter of David Whitmer, and
they have one child, Lizzie ; David W., born
in 1871, married Miss Mary Rife, daughter of
John Rife, of Londonderry township. Mr.
Gingirieh settled on his present farm in 1865,
and farmed on the shares for one year, and
then purchased the farm. He is a stockholder
in the Farmers' Bank, and is one of the or-
ganizers and a director of the Middletown
Market Company. In politics he is a Re-
publican. He attends the United Brethren
church, of which he is a liberal supporter.
HiTE, J. C, Royalton, Pa., was born in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa., Oc-
tober 9, 1849; son of Henry and Elvira
(Coley) Hite, natives of Dauphin county.
The father was a farmer by occupation and
reared nine children : Katie, wife of James
A.Knighton.of Harrisburg; Jacob, deceased;
Annie, wife of Jacob Espinshader, deceased ;
J. C; Emanuel, married Miss Lydia Hamil-
ton, and they have four children, Steelton,
Pa.; Harry, living in Edgar county, 111.;
Jerome, deceased ; Gabriel, deceased ; James,
married Mrs. Susan Oaks, living in Hanover
township.
John C. acquired his education in the
public schools and at the academy at Pal-
myra. When a young man he was engaged
in farming and at the age of eighteen years
began teaching school in the winter months
and has been engaged in that occupation
since 1867, with the exception of three years,
during which he was in the insurance busi-
ness. In 1882 he moved to Royalton, from
the Round Top mountain, where he has
since taught school, with the exception of
two years. He is active in political matters
in connection with the Republican party.
In 1890 he was elected to the office of jus-
tice of the peace, which he has filled up to
the present, his term of office expiring in
May, 1896. Mr. Hite was married, in 1871,
to Miss Mary Aungst, daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Shakespeare) Aungst, of Dauphin
county, who died in June, 1887. Their
children are : Oliver R., Ada V., Ezra E.,
Mazie E., Lizzie N., Mable C. and Annie
May, deceased.
KiNSEY, Samuel, Middletown, Pa., was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., August 11,
1821; son of Jacob Kinsey. The father was
the first of the family to settle in Dauphin
county. He was born and reared in Lan-
caster county, came to Dauphin county in
1822, and located on the farm now owned
by Joseph Martin. He received his educa-
tion in the Lancaster county schools and
learned the trade of blacksmith, which he
followed until he came to Dauphin count}'^,
where he engaged in farming. He held
independent views in politics and was not
connected with any party. His religious
faith brought him into fellowship with the
Dunkard church. Mr. Kinsey married Mary
Cans, by whom he had thirteen children :
Barbara, Nancy, Sallie, David, John, Jacob,
778
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Christian, Elizabeth, Samuel, Mary, Cathe-
rine, Susan, and Margaret.
Samuel, when very young, came with his
parents to Dauphin county and attended the
common schools. He has always been a
hard-working and industrious man, and for
a number of years was engaged in butcher-
ing. He has been the superintendent and
sexton of the Hillsdale cemetery for over
forty years, during which time he has buried
over three hundred bodies in this beautiful
ground. In politics he is a Republican, and
himself and family are connected with the
United Brethren church. Mr. Kinsey was
married, in 1847, to Miss Margaret May,
daughter of Philip and Susan (Miller) May,
of Dauphin county, by whom he has nine
children : David, Sarah Ann, Fanny, Eliza-
beth, Margaret, Barbara, Mary, Eli, and
Katie. In 1860 he purchased the farm
where he now resides.
LoNGENECKER, CHRISTIAN E.., farmer, Mid-
dletown,Pa., was born in Londonderry town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., December 17,
1862 ; son of John S., and Margaret (Peck)
Longenecker, of Harrisburg, Pa. He re-
ceived his education in the public schools
and was engaged in teaching in London-
derry township for several years. Later he
took up farming, which has since been his
occupation. In the spring of 1888 he pur-
chased his present farm of one hundred
and eighty-three acres, where he has had
his residence since that time. He was
married, in 1886, to Miss Alice Ging-
rich, daughter of Christian Gingrich, of
Lower Swatara township, and later of Lon-
donderry township. They have one child,
Harry, born October 7, 1895. In politics
Mr. Longenecker is a Republican. His wife
is a member of the United Brethren church.
Martin, Joseph E., farmer, Middletown,
Pa., was born in Derry township, now Cone-
wago township, Dauphin county, Pa., Feb-
ruary 21, 1832 ; son of Henry Martin, native
of Mt. Joy township, Lancaster' county, Pa.,
who moved from Lancaster county to Derry
township, Dauphin county, about 1831. He
married Miss Catherine Eshelman, of Dau-
phin county. In 1848 he moved into Lon-
donderry township and settled near Red-
seeker's Mill, where he died in 1860. His
wife is also deceased. They were members
of the Dunkard church and were actively
interested in all church work. Their chil-
dren are: Mary, not married, living at
Elizabethtown ; Joseph E.; Barbara, de-
ceased ; and Henry, resides in Oklahoma.
Joseph E. received his education in the
public schools of his native township and
became a farmer. He was married, in 1856,
to Susan, daughter of Rev. Mathias and
Catherine (Heisy) Brinser. In 1857 he
settled on the farm on which he has since
resided. In political matters he is an ac-
tive Republican, and has served as township
auditor for the past six years. His family
consisted of one daughter and three sons :
Fannie, wife of Theo. Laverty, Middletown ;
Samuel, at home, married Mary Horst, of
Lancaster county ; Abraham L. B., Harris-
burg, Pa., clerk for Dives, Pomeroy &
Stewart, married Ellen Hersey, of Lancaster
county; Joseph B., Middletown, school
teacher at Royalton, Pa., married' Myra
Deal, of Lancaster county. Mr. and Mrs.
Martin are members of the Zion's Children's
church.
NissLEY, Jacob, Middletown, Pa., was born
on the James Young farm, in Swatara town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., March 14, 1825;
son of John Nissley, Jr. The grandfather,
John Nissley, Sr., was born in Derry town"
ship. He had three children : John, Samuel,
and Catherine. John Nissley, Jr., the father
of Jacob, married Miss Lizzie Roup, daugh-
ter of Christian Roup, of Swatara township,
by whom he had eight children : Betsy, Liz-
zie, Sarah, Leah, Samuel, Jacob, John, and
Martin. Jacob Nissley attended the schools
of his native township, and remained at
work on his father's farm for a number of
years. After marriage he moved on to his
his father's farm, where he remained for five
years, having succeeded to the ownership.
At the end of this time he sold the farm to
James Young, since which time he has lived
in the locality in which he now resides. He
married Miss Catherine Horst, daughter of
John Horst, of Swatara township, and they
have had eleven children, of whom eight are
living : Fannie, Emma, Mary, John, Jacob,
Samuel, Ellen, Annie; Martin, deceased;
Catherine, deceased, and Lizzie, deceased. In
his politics Mr. Nissley is a Republican, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY
779
has held the office of supervisor for three
years, and also that of school director. He
is a member of Zion's Children's church. At
one time Mr. Nissley was engaged in the mill-
ing business, and built the Irvin mine mill,
near where he now lives.
Shoop, John, carpenter, Royalton, Pa.,
was born in West Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., September 25, 1825 ; son
of Samuel Shoop and Catherine (Hoover)
Shoop. The father was an early settler of
Dauphin county, and reared thirteen chil-
dren, of whom two are living: John and
George, a resident of Dauphin county. John
was reared in his native township and at-
tended the country schools until he was
seventeen years of age, at which age he
learned the carpenter trade, and has since
followed that occupation. He lived in West
Hanover township until 1884, and then re-
moved to what is now known as Royalton,
In 1847 he married Sarah Long, daughter
of George Long, by whom he had three chil-
dren, of whom one is living, George, born in
1854, at Rockville, Dauphin county, where
he is now living. Mr. Shoop is in fellow-
ship with the United Brethren chnrch.
Peck, Levi N., farmer, Middletown, Pa.
was born on his present homestead, July 23,
1860 ; son of Christian and Anna (Nissley)
Peck. The father was born near Marietta,
Lancaster county. Pa., in 1842 or 1843 ; the
mother is a daughter of Jacob C. Nissley, of
Londonderry township. After marriage the
father settled on the farm now owned and
occupied by his son, Levi N., where he lived
until 1887, when he returned to Marietta,
Pa., which is his present residence. His wife
died April 1, 1881. For his second wife he
married Miss Ella Gest. By his first wife he
had four children : Levi N.; Euima, Mrs.
John Ober, of Elizabethtown, Pa.; Barbara,
wife of Aaron Booser, Steel ton, Pa.; and Jacob,
with his brother Levi. Mr. Peck is a mem-
ber of the Democratic party, with indepen-
dent proclivities, and has served as school
director and as supervisor of the township.
He is a member of the United Zion's Chil-
dren's church.
Levi N. received his education in the town-
ship schools. He was married, December 9,
1882, to Miss Mary Foltz, daughter of John
Foltz, of Deodate, Conewago township. After
his marriage he settled on the farm, where he
now lives. He is a stockholder in the Farm-
ers' Bank of Middletown. In politics he is
a Republican and has served as school di-
rector for six years. His children are : Ella,
Edith, Anna, Floy, and Christian. His
brother Jacob was born on his present farm,
June 21, 1873, and is a farmer by occupa-
tion.
Reiff, Jacob L., was born on the farm on
which he now lives in Londonderry town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., October 20, 1816;
son of John Reiff, Jr. John Reiff, the grand-
father, was a native of Dauphin county and
a resident of Londonderry township, where
he died. He was the father of eight chil-
dren. John ReifF, the father of Jacob L.,
was born in Londonderry township in 1780,
where he lived until his death in 1822. He
acquired a good education for that time and
was an active church member. He married
Miss Fanny Riser, by whom he had four
children : Peter, died at the age of twenty-
one years ; Elizabeth, wife of John Kop, of
Lancaster county ; Jacob L., and John, mar-
ried Miss Barbara Gingerich, of London-
derry township.
Jacob L. was busily engaged in farming
up to 1880, when he retired from active
work, but is still living on his farm and has
an oversight of all the farmer's operations.
He is a Republican in politics, while in re-
ligious faith and profession he is connected
with the Dunkard church. In 1840 he was
married to Miss Fanny Nissley, daughter of
Martin Nissley, of Dauphin county, by whom
he had six children: Elizabeth, wife of
Abram Guyer ; John N., married Miss Mary
Ulch, of Dauphin county ; Martin, died in
1869, aged twenty-four years, buried in
Guyer's cemetery ; Catherine, wife of George
Guyer; Jacob, died October 9, 1876, aged
twenty-five years, and Fanny, living at home
Rife, J. N., Middletown, Pa., was born on
the old homestead, January 31, 1845. He
acquired his education in the public school
and became a farmer. In 1870 he moved
to the place on which he now has his resi-
dence. In his political sentiments Mr. Rife
is a Republican. He was married, in 1869,
to Miss Mary E. Ulrich, daughter of Adam
Ulrich, of Swatara township, and to them
there have been born two children : Mamie
N., wife of David W. Gingrich, and Katie W.,
died July 7, 1892, aged fourteen years, and
is buried at the.Hillsdale'cemetery.
780
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYGLOPEDIA
Smith, Jacob, Middletown, Pa., was born
in Lancaster county. Pa., December 3, 1805.
He was reared and educated in his native
county and learned the trade of cabinet
maker. In 1834 he removed to Dauphin
county and settled on the place where he
now resides. He has followed his occupa-
tion of cabinet making, and has also been
engaged in undertaking. In his earlier
life he was active in political matters, and is
a member of the Republican party. For a
term of years he served as supervisor of the
township. Although advanced in years he
still maintains an active membership in the
Lutheran church, and is interested in the
spiritual and benevolent works of his de-
nomination. Mr. Smith was married in
1882 to Elizabeth Russell, of Londonderry
township. Their children are : Mary, died
July 8, 1841, aged nine years ; Sarah, wife
of John Wersoll, of Dauphin county ; Chris-
tina, wife of Jacob Wanamaker, of London-
derry township ; Elizabeth, unmarried, and
lives with her father ; Henry, died January
5, 1845, aged five years. Mrs. Smith died
in March, 1863. Mr. Smith, at ninety years
of age, is in good health and is able to cut
wood and do much work around his home.
BoosER, Ephraim, was born in London-
derry township, Dauphin county. Pa., Octo-
ber 7, 1842 ; son of Jacob Booser. Henry
Booser, the! grandfather of Ephraim, was
born in Switzerland, and was the first Of the
family to settle in Dauphin county. He
married Miss Goss, a native of America, by
whom he had five children : Henry, John,
Benjamin, .Jacob, and Barbara, all of whom
are deceased. Jacob Booser, the father of
Ephraim, was born in Londonderry township,
in 1797, where he spent his entire life on the
old homestead. He acquired a good educa-
tion in the public schools and engaged in
teaching, and was an active and consistent
member of the Dunkard church. He mar-
ried Miss Maria Ober, of Lanca,ster county,
by whom he had seven children : Henry,
married Elizabeth Longenecker, and lives
in Cumberland county; Mary, wife of Sam-
uel Foltz, of Conewago township; Jacob,
John, Benjamin, Michael, and Abraham, all
deceased. His wife died in 1840, and in
1842 he married, secondly, Mrs. Elizabeth
Brestel, widow of Michael Brestel, of Dau-
phin county, by whom he had two children :
Ephraim and Samuel, married Elizabeth
Heisey, daughter of Henry Heisey, of Dau-
phin county, and they had these children :
Emma, deceased, Mary, Anna, Elizabeth,
and Sarah.
Ephraim was born on the old homestead,
where he lived until he was about sixteen
years old, when he went out in the world to
make his own way. He became a farmer
and spent his life in the township, in which
he has filled nearly all of the township of-
fices. In politics he is a Republican, hav-
ing cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln,
when he was a candidate the second time.
He is a member of the Dunkard church.
Mr. Booser was married, June 6, 1869, to
Miss Maria Hamilton, daughter of William
and Mary Hamilton, of Lancaster county,
by whom he has two children : Elizabeth,
wife of Franklin Detweiler, of Dauphin
county, and they have one child, Weigie,
born October 20, 1893 ; and Alice, born Oc-
tober 11, 1871, unmarried and living at
home.
LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP.
Hain, Joseph, was born in Lower Paxton
township, Dauphin county, Pa. He is a son
of George and, Sarah (Garman) Hain. The
great-grandparents of the Hain family were
eminent and highly respected residents of
Lower Paxton township. Their remains
are interred in the family lot in Sharp's
cemetery. George Hain, grandfather of
Joseph Hain, served efficiently as commis-
sioner of Dauphin county from 1854 to
1860. George Hain (2), father of Joseph,
died at the age of seventy ; his wife, Sarah
Garman Hain, died aged seventy-three.
They had eleven children, of whom none
are now living except David and George.
Joseph Hain was a farmer, very diligent
in the prosecution of his calling, and very
successful. His business dealings were char-
acterized by the highest integrity. He was
punctual in meeting all his engagements^
and enjoyed the utmost confidence and es-
teem of his neighbors. He was married in
December, 1851, to Elizabeth B. Hanshaw,.
born in Lower Paxton township, October
20, 1832, a daughter of Samuel and Cathe-
rine (Zimmerman) Hanshaw. Her parents
had a family of eight children, one of
whom died in infancy. The surviving
children are : Susanna, wife of Peter Shaef-
fer ; Elizabeth B., wife of Joseph Hain ;
William ; Samuel ; Jeremiah; Henry ; Mary,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
781
wife of Samuel Alleman; and Catherine,
wife of Solomon Stites. The parents are
both dead; the mother died in April, 1879,
aged sixty-nine, the father on March 4, 1888,
aged eighty-three. They were widely known
and respected citizens of Dauphin county.
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Hain received her edu^
cation in the public schools of her native
township. She resided with her parents up
to the time of her marriage with Joseph Hain.
They had eight children; of these George
was born August 5, 1854, and died August
24, 1854, aged nineteen days. Their living
children are: Henry H., born August 7,
1855 ; John Joseph, December 12, 1859 ;
Elizabeth R., February 27, 1860, wife of
John Unger ; Catherine, June 3, 1862, wife
of John E. Trullinger; Sarah Ann, October
27, 1864, wife of John E. Mumma; Ida T.,
January 9, 1869, wife of Edward M. Crune;
and Irwin Edgar, born June 11, 1872. Mr.
Hain was a consistent and earnest Christian,
and a member of the German Reformed
church. His political views were Demo-
cratic. He was a good citizen, a kind and
indulgent father, a devoted and loving hus-
band.
Crum, Amos, farmer, was born at the old
homestead where he now resides, in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa., No-
vember 14, 1852. He is a son of William L.
and Elizabeth (Crall) Crum. William L.
Crum was born March 16, 1807, and was a
farmer. His wife, Elizabeth Crall, was born
April 27, 1811. They had thirteen children :
Susanna, born January 10, 1832 ; Elias, May
1, 1833; Simon, August 13, 1834; William,
December 5, 1835; Elizabeth, August 18,
1837 ; John H., September 2, 1839 ; Caroline,
February 1, 1841 ; Rebecca, November 12,
1843; Hettie, Februarv 3, 1845; William
H., September 22, 1846 ; David, October 18,
1850 ; Amos, November 14, 1852 ; one infant
without name, died July 1, 1849. Their
other deceased children are : William,
died September 7, 1837 ; Simon, September,
15,1835; Elias, May 12, 1838; Rebecca, Janu-
ary 21, 1847 ; Hettie, January 3, 1860, and
Susanna, August 29, 1891. Of the two sur-
viving daughters, Elizabeth is the wife of
Theodore Heckert, and Caroline of John C.
Forney. The mother died May 6, 1886,
aged seventy-three years and ten days ; the
father died September 25, 1889, aged eighty-
two years, six months and nine days.
. Amos Crum was educated in the public
schools of his native township. He worked
on his father's farm up to the time of his
marriage. In 1876 he commenced farming
on his own account. In 1879 he removed
to the old homestead where he now resides,
having purchased the farm after his father's
death. He was married, May 26, 1876, to
Matilda Bright, by whom he has had four
children. One child, Mary E., was born
July 5, 1877, and died October 28, 1877, aged
three months and twenty-two days. Their
surviving children are : Tillie A., born July
6, 1879; Carrie, February 19, 1881, and
Jennie May, January 23, 1889.
The parents of Mrs. Crum are both de-
ceased. Her mother was born October 10,
1813, and died February 21, 1891, aged
seventy-seven years, four months and eleven
days. Her father died May 5, 1877, aged
sixty-three years. They had a family of
eight children, four of whom are deceased :
Catherine, born April 25, 1840, died January
20, 1844 ; George Washington, born July 20,
1843, died February 9, 1849 ; Sevilla, born
March 15, 1853, died September 21, 1864;
Adeline, wife of Daniel W. Pottieger, born
June 18, 1845, died July 20, 1869. Their
surviving children are : Harriet, born June
20, 1836, wife of Augustus Shank ; William,
December 28, 1837 ; John, January 2, 1846,
and Matilda, Mrs. A. Crum, January 2, 1851.
Levan, Pbteu Dresslek, farmer, was born
in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., November 10, 1856. He is a son of
Peter K. and Mary A. (Dressier) Levan. His
grandparents, John and Christina Levan,
had nine children : Solomon, Anna, John,
Charles, Elizabeth, Samuel, Chauncy, Peter
K., and George. Peter K. was the last sur-
vivor of their children. The parents of his
wife, Mary A. Dressier, had thirteen children :
Daniel, John, Samuel, David, Lydia, Reuben,
Hannah, Solomon, Jonas, Judy, Mary Ann,
Jacob, and William. All are deceased except
Judy, widow of Samuel Welker. Their son,
Samuel Dressier, became prominent in poli-
tics in Ohio. He was a plain and modest
man, and not being desirous of notoriety or
prominence, he declined the nomination of
the Republican party for governor of the
State.
Peter K. Levan was a farmer. He was
born October 12, 1812, came to Dauphin
county in the spring of 1847, and located on
the present homestead. He was a man of
strong convictions and energetic in the trans-
782
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
action of his business. He was married, in
Berks county, Pa., March 5, 1843, to Miss
Mary A. Dressier, born July 29, 1820. They
had ten children, two of whom are deceased :
Sylverrius, born April 14, 1845, died August
5, 1849, and George Williams, born July 30,
1864, died February 27, 1865. Their living
children are : Anna M., born December 25,
1846; Sarah E., October 16, 1848, wife of
John A. Landis; Amelia M., April 30,1850;
Mary J., April 22, 1853, wife of John A.
Carmany, of Harrisburg ; Ellie M., February
5, 1855 ; Peter Dressier, November 10, 1856";
Carrie G., May 19, 1859, wife of Dr. H. R.
Feeser; (iharles Dressier, September 20, 1861.
Peter K. Levan died June 2, 1887, in the
seventyrfifth year of his age. His wife died
March 4, 1894, in the seventy -fourth year of
her age. He was a staunch Democrat. He
and his wife were members of the United
Brethren church, to which the family still
adheres.
Peter Dressier Levan received his elemen-
tary education in the public schools of Lower
Paxton township. At the age of nineteen he
entered the academy at Kutztown, Berks
county, Pa. His first business employment
was on his father's farm. Later he became
engaged in dealing in cattle and horses, and
has continued in that business up to the
present time. He is enterprising and suc-
cessful. He is always accurately informed
as to supply and demand, and his judgment
is seldom at fault with regard to the actual
and market value of live stock.
Ceum, Edward M., farmer, was born at
the old homestead. Lower Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., September 8, 1867.
He is a son of Jonas and Maria (Kamerer)
Crum. His paternal grandparents are both
deceased. The grandfather died September
26, 1882, aged seventy-two years ; the grand-
mother in March, 1888, aged seventy-four.
Jonas and Maria Crum had three children :
Minnie, wife of George A. Houck ; Emma C,
wife of Albert W. Horstick, and Edward M.
Both parents are living. Mr. Jonas Crum
has served as tax collector and assessor in
Lower Paxton township, and is a highly
respected citizen.
Edward M.Crum attended the publicschools
of his native township, and at the age of eigh-
teen went for two years to the Normal School,
Millersville, Lancaster county. Pa. After
this he was employed on his father's farm
until he was twenty-two. He was then em-
ployed by Forney Bros., shoe manufacturers,
Harrisburg, Pa., for about three years, on a
stitching machine. He afterwards resumed
farming, which occupation he has continued
up to the present time. Mr. Crum was mar-^
ried, December 22, 1892, to Miss Ida F.,
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth B. (Han-
shaw) Hain ; they have one child, Joseph
Luther. A sketch of the parents of Mrs.
Crum appears in another part of this
volume. Mr. Crum is a staunch Repub-
lican. He and his family are members
of the Lutheran Reformed church. He ranks
among the enterprising and successful farm-
ers of the township, and is a good citizen.
Shope, Rev. Adam J., cherishes a laud-
able pride in his name, because it was boruC'
by his paternal grandfather, whose exem-
plary character and life inspired his love
and reverence. The Scotch-Irish blood flows
in his veins and it has ever been his aim in'
life to be a worthy scion of that stock so pro-
lific of good and great men. At the time of
his birth his parents, John A. and Elizabeth
(Stout) Shope, were residents of Lancaster
county, Pa. Their other children . are :
Catharine, who married Daniel Baum, and
resides in Linglestown ; Nancy, who married
David E. Brehm, and is living in Astoria,
Ills., and Esther, whb married Daniel Crum.
Adam J. spent the greater part of his
younger days on the farm in Lower Paxton
township on which he now resides. He
pursued the usual course in the. com-
mon schools of the township, and secured
the training and information which the
bright and industrious pupil ordinarily re-
ceives from such advantages. That his
moral and spiritual nature was developed
along_ with his physical and intellectual
faculties is shown by readiness and desire in
early manhood to make a public profession
of religion. He united with the German
Baptist church (Old Brethren) and his life
and conversation were consistent with the
vows he had taken. Early in his>Christiaii
course he showed an intelligent and devout
spirit which qualified him to be a spiritual
leader. Two years after he had united with
the church his brethren recognized his apti-
tude for spiritual affairs and elected him
deacon. He accepted this trust, and for ten
years served efficiently and acceptably in
this responsible position. His spirituality
and conspicuous concern for the rescue of
the perishing led the church to install him
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
783
into the ministry of the Gospel of Christ.
This was done by vote of the whole church,
as is the invariable order of this fraternity.
He has proved himself to be an able minis-
ter of the Word, and has been a zealous
and successful worker in the cause of his
Master.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Shope was
married to Mary, daughter of Samuel and
Mary (Litchey) Wenger, who has been an
efficient helper and wise counsellor in his
parochial work. Thirteen children have
been born to them, six of whom died young.
Their living children are : Katie, wife of
Elias Kauffman ; Elmer, who married Me-
linda Baum ; Samuel, who married Ellen
Miller ; Lizzie, wife of John H. Walter ; Ida,
wife of John H. Fackler, and two who are
yet single.
Shirk, Simon, retired farmer, was born in
Lower Paxton township, July 20, 1827. He
is a son of George and Mary (Lyter) Shirk.
George Shirk was born December 24, 1798 ;
his wife, Mary Lyter, December 18, 1795.
They had six children : Sophia, born March
28, 1822, died in 1858 or 1859 ; Mary Ann,
wife of Frederick Reichert, born February 3,
1829 ; Sarah, wife of Isaac Hoostick, born
October 1, 1825 ; Henry A., who died aged
two years and six months. Their living
children are Simon and Elizabeth, wife of
Amos Houck. The father died May 3, 1862,
and the mother November 3, 1883.
Simon Shirk was educated in the public
schools of his native township. At the early
age of thirteen he was industriously at work
on the farm. He attended school during
the winter months up to the age of twenty-
one. He then made farming his occupation
and for four years was engaged in cultivating
his father's farm. At the age of twenty-five
he began farming on his own account and
continued in that business until his retire-
ment from active work.
. He was married, November 25, 1852, to
Sarah Zieter, daughter of David and Sarah
StahL Their children are three in number :
Mary Ann, born March 14, 1854, died Jan-
uary 31, 1862 ; Susan, born November 3,
1856, died September 3, 1866 ; and Sarah
Jane, born November 12, 1862, wife of
Michael Farling, has had two children, both
of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Shirk died
February 6, 1895, after a painful and linger-
ing illness. She was a benevolent, hospitable
Christian woman, beloved and esteemed by
her many friends and neighbors. Her death
will be a loss to those who have enjoyed her
generous hospitality and her helpful society.
She lost her mother when she was seventeen
days old. Her father died in 1872.
Mr. Shirk has served three terms as school
director and is at present treasurer of the
school board. In 1866-67 he served one
term as road supervisor. He is a member
of the Shoop's (Lutheran) church. He is
now enjoying at leisure the fruits of his early
industry and frugality. He has the confi-
dence and esteem of his neighbors.
Walmer, George W., retired carpenter,
was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 17, 1826. He is
a son of David and Barbara (Gaverich) Wal-
mer. Their six children were : Eve, wife of
John Schaffer; George W.; Margaret, wife
of William Calderdeck ; John ; Lydia, wife
of Henry Forney; and one who died in
infancy. David Walmer died in August,
1884, aged about eighty -three ; his wife died
in September, 1889.
George W. Walmer was educated in the
public schools of Lower Paxton township.
He attended school in the winter, and as-
sisted his father on the farm, until he was
fifteen years of age. He then went to Jones-
town, Lebanon county. Pa., and served a
two years' apprenticeship at cigar making;
after which he worked at that trade on his
own account for about six j'ears. He then
removed to Ohio, and was employed in farm
work. His first year's pay was $140 ; later,
he received $240 per year. Then he gave
up farming, and was employed at divers oc-
cupations. He lived for a number of years
in Indiana. After an absence of fifteen
years he returned to his native township.
In 1868 he engaged in carpenter work with
his brother John, and was employed at that
occupation for about fifteen years. He then
took up carpet weaving, and has carried it
on until the present time.
Mr. Walmer was married in East Han-
over township, October 31, 1871, to Miss
Sarah, daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Kit-
tels) Gaverich. They have no children.
Mrs. Walmer was born April 2,. 1836, and
died October 23, 1885. Her parents are both
deceased. They had eight children : Elias,
David, John, Andrew, DanieI,WiIliam, Sarah,
who is Mrs. Walmer, and Elizabeth, Mrs.
784
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTCLOPEDIA
Welpner. Mr. Walmer belongs to Lodge
No. 629, I. 0. 0. F., of LingleStown. He is
a member of the Lutheran church.
Lauman, Henry, was born in Swatara
township, Dauphin county. Pa., March 3,
1805. He was educated in the district schools
of Swatara township. After leaving school
he learned the hatter's trade, at which he
worked until his marriage. He then took
up farming, in which he was engaged for the
remainder of his life. He was elected to the
office of director of the poor, and served for
one term. He was married to Blanche
Trewick, born June 10, 1807, and died Jan-
uary 3, 1858. They had seven children, all
of whom are deceased except one daughter,
Anna A. Their children were : Richard T.,
born November 20, 1830, died August 8,
1892; William, born October 22, 1833, died
May 20, 1882 ; Ellen A., born January 14,
1836, died in August, 1836 ; Mary H., born
December 23, 1838, died November 20,1839;
Aiina A., born FelDruary 10, 1840, still liv-
ing ; Walter T., born May 7, 1843, died Jan-
uary 25, 1844; Eliza C, born May 11, 1845,
died July 6, 1845.
Mr. Lauman died May 4, 1862. In busi-
ness he was enterprising and industrious,
prompt, exact and honorable, and from these
characteristics it follows that he was also
successful. His character and conduct in-
spired his neighbors with confidence, and
won their esteem. In social circles he was
genial and approachable, always courteous,
and never lacking in the amenities of inter-
course. A strong Christian faith and de-
vout piety rounded out his character. His
memory is a benediction to his devoted
daughter, and is cherished by her as a price-
less inheritance.
Anna A. Lauman, daughter of Henry, re-
ceived her early education in the district
schools of her native township. When she
was nine years of age she attended school
in Harrisburg. At the age of fourteen she
entered the school of Professor Waugh, of
Harrisburg, the liberal advantages of which
she enjoyed for two years. After complet-
ing her education, she lived with her parents
until their death, and afterwards remained
on the old homestead with her brothers,
Richard and William. Later, she removed
with them to West Hanover township, and
subsequently, with her brother Richard, to
Linglestown, where she still has her resi-
dence. She attends the Lutheran church. .
FocHT, John, was born in Berks county,
Pa., in 1799. When he was yet a boy his
parents removed to Dauphin county and
settled on the farm which is now the family
homestead, near Linglestown. He was one
of the pioneers of Dauphin county, and was
reared in the ways and customs of pioneer
life. He early began to work his own way.
Since he had no material inheritance, it be-
came needful for him to bring into play his
native energy and enterprise. He first
worked upon his father's farm, and was after-
wards industriously employed in various oc-
cupations, as opportunities for obtaining em-
ployment presented themselves. Among his
earlier ventures in business was the trans-
portation of produce and merchandise by
team between Harrisburg and Philadelphia,
and in several other directions as well.
Freighting by his line was not as rapid as it
is by rail and canal in our time, but it was
more satisfactory in other ways. He learned
to know every foot of the way and every
house of entertainment on the road between
the two cities. In good weather the trip was
a picnic from start to finish. The company
was good, for the best, people of the country
followed the turnpike for pleasure or profit,,
as they now follow the railroad. This stream
of travel and transportation was also the
news nerve of the Nation, for there were few
newspapers and no telegraph or fast mail
trains. In order to get the news one must be
in touch with the turnpike.
What wonder that the jolly freighter, was
late in settling down at home? He was
near the age of forty-five when he married
Catherine Buck. They had two daughters.
Elizabeth died at the age of twenty-three
years, five months and five days. Mary M.
is still living. His wife died November .28,
1870, aged about fifty-seven. Mr. Focht died
April 15, 1882, at the age . of eighty-three.
Politically he was a Republican. He was
a man of great force of character and of
solid worth. The golden rule was his law
in business and in social intercourse.
With habits of industry and frugality he
easily accumulated a competence, and was
able to leave a handsome property to his
heirs. But his best legacy to them was his
spotless reputation and his good name.
Mary M. Focht, sole surviving child of
John Focht, received her education in the
public schools. She remained with her par-
ents until their death. In 1887 she removed
to her present residence. Her un.cle Jacob
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
785
made his home with her until his death,
which occurred January 22, 1887, in the
seventy-seventh year of his age. Miss Focht
is a member of the Lutheran church.
Felty, John Solomon, farmer, was born
at the old homestead in Lower Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., April 9, 1829.
He is a son of John Solomon and Mary Ann
(Becker) Felty. The elder John Solomon
Felty was born February 27, 1799, at the old
homestead, Lower Paxton township. He
was a farmer and married Miss Mary Ann
Becker, born October 6, 1823. They had
eight children : Isamiah ; Harriet Ellen, de-
ceased; John Solomon, Jr.; Philip; Daniel;
Savina, wife of Valentine Zimmerman ;
Annie Eliza, deceased; Ann Caroline, wife
of Thomas Crum. Mr. Felty succeeded his
father in the ownership and occupancy of
the homestead farm, having purchased the
interests of his brothers and sisters. Here
he spent his life in cultivating his ancestral
acres. He died November 17, 1850; his
wife October 10, 1883.
John Solomon Felty, Jr., began his educa-
tion in the subscription schools. At the age
of eight or ten he attended the public school
of his native township. At eighteen he en-
tered the Lititz Academy, Lancaster county,
Pa., and studied there for two terms. He
was also engaged in teaching ; he taught his
first school in Lower Paxton township, when
he was nineteen years of age. After leaving
the academy he devoted himself to teaching
and was employed in this profession for
about eleven years. In 1859 he began active
farming on the homestead with his two
brothers, Philip and Daniel. This joint en-
terprise was continued until the death of his
brother Philip, which took place in August,
1864. He and his brother Daniel then as-
sumed the interest of Philip, and continued
their partnership until the spring of 1888,
when Daniel withdrew from the business.
While cultivating the land, the brothers were
also improving the property, making altera-
tions for the better in the buildings and all
appurtenances of the farm. The old home-
stead, which has been in possession of the
family for more than a century, is now in
first class condition, and is one of the most
thoroughly equipped farms in the township.
Mr. Felty is still its occupant, and is farming
with skill, and continuing the work of im-
provement with skill and taste. He is en-
dowed with mechanical genius ; his ability
in this line is displayed in the arrangement
of the buildings and their adaptation to
modern methods in agriculture, and the
conveniences and improved implements
which lighten and facilitate labor.
Mr. Felty was married, October 2, 1862,
to Miss Sara A., daughter of George and
Sarah (Fisher) Metz. Of their ten children,
six are deceased : Jacob, born July 11, 1863,
died August 4, 1863; Franklin and Albert,
twins, born and died May 15, 1864; Samuel,
born April 26, 1865, died February 29, 1866,
■ George Washington, born August 28, 1869;
died March 17, 1870, and Sarah Ellen, born
December 26, 1870, died December 14, 1876.
Their surviving children are : Luther Daniel,
born September 10, 1866; John S., March
24, 1868 ; Wilson. April 27. 1873, and David
August 30, 1876. Mr. George Metz, father
of Mrs. Felty, died in November, 1878 ; her
mother is still living. They had four chil-
dren : Sara, Mrs. Felty; David ; Catherine,
wife of Jacob Bishop, and Mary, wife of
Abraham Witmer. Mr. Felty has served
his township two terms as school director.
He is a Republican. He and his family are
members of the Church of God.
Felty, John S., farmer, was born on the
old homestead in Lower Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., March 24, 1868. He
is a son of John Solomon and Sarah (Metz)
Felty. He was reared on his father's farm,
and received his education in the district
schools of his native township. He assisted
in the cultivation of the farms of his father
and of his uncle, Luther D., until he was
twenty-six years of age, when he began
farming on his own account. Mr. Felty was
married, November 25, 1893, to Sarah E.
Brightbill. Mrs. Felty's parents are both
living ; they had six children : George, who
was born September 6, 1869, and died aged
seven days; John W., Andrew M., David
E., Harry L., and Sarah E., who is Mrs.
Felty.
Grove, Samuel, carpenter and farmer, was
born in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 23, 1828. He is a
son of Henry and Catherine (Gaunse) Grove,
residents of West Hanover township. Mrs.
Grove died at about sixty-two years of age,
and Mr. Grove at about seventy-four. They
had eight children : Mary Ann, John, David,
Jacob, Eliza, wife of George Myers, Sarah,
786
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wife of Peter Shaeffer, Catherine, wife of
Benneville Pointer, and Samuel.
Samuel Grove attended the public schools
of his native township during the winter
months until he was twenty years of age.
At the age of eighteen he began to learn
carpentry with Barnie Clay, of West Han-
over township. According to the terms of
his indenture he was permitted to attend
school during the winter, and as wages was
to receive six dollars per month and board.
At the end of his apprenticeship he worked
as a journeyman about three years,, after "
which he and his brother-in-law, Peter
Schaeffer, formed a partnership for doing
carpenter work and buildingjwhich continued
for one year. He then conducted business
on his own account for about eighteen' years.
In 1867 he began farming, in which he was
employed until 1884, when he built the house
where he now resides. About 1856 or 1857
Mr. Grove began to exercise his gifts as a
local preacher. He preached his first ser-
mon in the Church of God at Linglestown,
Pa. Since that time he has preached at nu-
merous places. He has always generously
given his services on the circuit in the ab-
sence of the minister in charge.
Mr. Grove was married, January 1, 1852,
to Elizabeth Friday, by whom he had three
children : Mary Jane, born December 16,'
1852, died when about eight months old ;
Sarah Ann, born July 30, 1856, died in in-
fancy, and Samuel F., born August 30, 1854.
Mrs. Grove died about July 1, 1856. He
was married, the second time, in 1857, to
Molly Forney. They have had nine chil-
dren, three died early, one being as yet un-
named ; David and Mary Ellen both died
aged about ten months. The surviving
children are : John E., born June 28, 1859 ;
Christian H., October 18, 1862; Willis Sher-
man, August 23, 1864 ; Lydia K., July 28,
1889 ; Ellen L., February 7, 1871, and Anna
L., July 19, 1873. The parents of Mrs.
Molly (Forney) Grove are both deceased.
They had six children : Mary Ann,_wife of
Jonathan Fox ; Molly, Mrs. Grove ;' Cathe-
rine, Christine, Henry, Lydia and Jonathan.
Mr. Grove has served Lower Paxton town-
ship for one term as supervisor. His poli-
tics are Republican and he is a member of
the Church of God.
of whom appears in this volume. He re-
ceived his education in the district schools
and at an academy. When liis school edu-
cation was finished he assisted with the work
on his father's farm. Later he began farm-
ing on the homestead, in connection with
his brother John Solomon.
Mr. Felty is industrious and energetic in
business, and is not behind any man as to
skill and success in farming. He is also a
man of good taste and of strong intellectual
faculties. He is'a great lover of reading, and
has found time in his busy life to store his
mind with valuable information ; he has
found his most profitable and entertaining
society in good books. He has never mar-
ried. He is of a kind and charitable dis-
position, and in all business transactions is
true to the line of honesty, and justice. By
true estimate of life he is a successful man.
He has' by industry and frugality accumu-
lated a competence, and looks without appre-
hension toward the evening of life. He en-
joys the esteenii of his neighbors and receives
from them the abounding good will which
he bestows on ajl.
Felty, Luther D., retired farmer, was
born and reared on the old homestead. He
is a brother 6f John Solomon Felty, a sketch
Goss, Martin, farmer, was born in Derry
township, near Oberlin, Dauphin county,
Pa., September 2, 1819. He is a son of Jacob
and Polly (Eshehnan) Goss. They were
married March 31, 1812, and had eight chil-
dren : Abraham, born January 18, 1818;
Jacob, May 15, 1814; Elizabeth, July 15,
1816; Michael, July 15, 1817; Mary, January
13, 1818 ; Martin, September 12, 1819 ;, Mag-
dalena, March 20, 1822 ; and Barbara, Sep-
tember 20, 1824. Mr. Goss died aged seventy-
four years, and Mrs. Goss aged seventy-five.
Martin Goss, in his boyhood, worked on
the farm during the spring and summer
months and attended school in the winter.
He was employed by John Conrad for five
years at farm work," at $11 per month. He
also worked nineteen months for George
Moon, and then was again employed by Con-
rad for one year. He then rented Frederick
Kelties' farm and cultivated it for eighteen
years. He was all the time accumulating
and laying by money. In 1863 he was able
to own a farm and accordingly purchased
his present homestead where he has ever
since been engaged in farming.
Mr. Goss was married, March 26, 1846, to
Harriet George. Out of six children of this
marriage, three are deceased : Martin and
David, who died in infancy, and Susie, who
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
787
lived to be five years old. The survivors are :
Harry; Mary, wife of Eli Umberger; and
Sarah, wife of Daniel Freinfrock. Mrs. Har-
riet Goss died in 1860. In a second mar-
riage, April 28, 1861, Mr. Goss was united to
Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mollie Peck
Garrett, by whom he had these children:
Amos, born April 12, 1862, died in 1890 ;
Barbara, born December 28, 1863, wife of
David Peters; Jacob, born April 28,1866;
George, born February 28, 1868 ; Samuel,
born April 10, 1870; and John H., born
June 14, 1872. The second wife of Mr. Goss
died in 1875. He was married again, October
10, 1878, to Ann Whitman. They have had
three children : Daniel W., who died in in-
fancy ; Isaac H., born January 20, 1871 ;
and Annie Elizabeth, October 12, 1884. Mr.
Goss is a Eepublican. He>is an honest and
charitable man, and a good citizen.
Fox, William L., farmer, was born in
Lower Paxton township, September 16, 1859.
He was reared on the old homestead, where
he now resides. Winter school and summer
work is the short story of his education and
preparation for making his way in the world.
The only variation in his case from the or-
dinary course of the farmer boy is that
school time was shorter and self-supporting
work began earlier than with the majority
of boys brought up on the farm. At the age
of fourteen he was employed on the farm of
Jonas Grum, for whom he worked about five
years. He then returned to the home farm,
which he worked for his mother about three
years. Then, wishing a change of occupation,
he went to Steelton, Pa., and found work at
the Bessemer Steel Works, where he was
employed about thirteen years. One more
change he made, which was to return again
to the homestead and resume farming, which
has ever since been his occupation. He was
married, February 3, 1880, tO' Emma E.,
daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Fackler)
Cassel. They have five children : Miles M.,
born July 26, 1881 ; Pearl E., June 5, 1883 ;
Edith L., June 16, 1886 ; Minnie E., March
28, 1888, and Beatrice O., January 28, 1894.
The father of Mr. Fox died in 1865, but
his mother is still living. They had seven
children: Louis E., Benjamin, M'^esley,
William, Annie, wife of Henry Wolf, and
Christopher and Peter, deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Cassel, the parents of Mrs. Fox,
are living. Of their ten children, two are
deceased : Francis R. and Millard F. The
surviving children are Emma E., Mrs. Fox ;
Alice S., wife of John Seiders, Astoria, 111,;
Minnie L., wife of George E. Shurtzer ; Fanny
L., wife of George Aungst ; Wilson J., Lillie
B., and Stella 0. Mr. Fox is a Republican.
His family belong to the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Fox's parents are members of the Bap-
tist church.
Cassel, Joseph, carpenter and farmer, was
born in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., February 18, 1837. He is a son
of William and Annie (Hain) Cassel.
William Cassel died at the age of seventy-
three years, and his wife at the age of seventy-
four. They had thirteen children: Eliza-
beth, Sophia, John J., William H., Samuel,
who died in infancy, Mary, Hannah, Josejih,
Fannie, Catherine, Jonas, a child unnamed
who died in infancy, and Samuel B.
Joseph Cassel was educated in the public
schools of his native township. At eighteen
years of age he began to learn carpentry
with his brother, William H, Cassel. He
served an apprenticeship of sixteen months
and received as his wages the sum of
$56. After learning his trade, he Worked
as journeyman and received $16 as the
wages of the first two months. He con-
tinued to work at his trade until 1865.
He was employed by the United States Gov-
ernment in the Construction Corps. He was
sent to Nashville, Tenn., and worked on the
Chattanooga railroad in East Tennessee, and
later at Atlanta, Ga., until the time of Lee's
surrender. He then returned home, and
worked at his trade for a year and a half
longer. He now began business on his own
account, and was engaged in building and
contracting up to 1890. He built the barns
at the county buildings in 1883. He bought
his present homestead in 1870, and has had
his residence and his principal occupation
there up to the present time.
Mr. Cassel was married, June JLl, 1857, to
Barbara Fackler, born Decemljer 4, 1837,
daughiier of John and Elizabeth (Mumma)
Fackler. They have had ten children, of
whom two are deceased : Millard Fillmore,
born March 8, 1858, died June 6, 1858 ;
Francis R., born May 11, 1862, died May 14,
1862. Their living children are: Fannie L.,
born November 18, 1856 ; Emma E., born
April 20, 1859; Alice S., November 4, 1860;
Minerva L., February 9, 1864; Jennie
Nelson, May 10, 1869 ; Joseph W., June 11,
1872; Lillie B., September 15, 1875, and
788
BIOGRAPHICAL EWCTCLOPEDIA
Stella 0., October 2, 1880. Mr. Casael served
as school director for one term. He served
two terms, in 1871 and 1872, as tax collector
in Lower Paxton township; he was also
assessor for one term. He is a Republican.
The family are members of the German
Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. John Fackler,
the parents of Mrs. Cassel, are both de-
ceased. Her father died at the age of seventy-
three years, and her mother at the age of
fifty-six. They had eleven children.
Cassel, Michael H., retired farmer, was
born on his grandfather's homestead, in
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., in May, 1845. He is a son of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Klein) Cassel. His great-grand-
father, John Cassel, originally obtained a
grant and deed from Thomas and Richard
Penn, on October 31, 1765. The original
tracts of land have continued in the posses-
sion of the family down to the present time.
Michael Cassel, grandfather of Michael H.,
was one of three children, the others were
named Henry and Sophia.
Jacob Cassel, father of Michael H., was
born in 1800. His wife, Elizabeth Klein,
was one of four children ; the others were :
Esaias, Zephanias and Nancy. The former
two are deceased, Nancy in the wife Israel
Deckert, of Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa.
Mr. Cassel died July 30, 1878. He was a
plain man, unostentatious, honest and dili-
gent, benevolent and kind. The cordial and
generous hospitality of himself and his ex-
cellent wife was greatly enjoyed by the many
toward whom it was exercised. Mrs. Jacob
Cassel is still living. Michael H. Cassel was
their only child.
Michael H. Cassel spent his early days on
the old homestead, and received his primary
education in the public schools of Lower
Paxton township. He attended the academy
of Prof. Aaron Kemble, at Harrisburg, for a
year and a half, entering at the age of
twelve. H*e was then for the same length of
time at the Middletown Academy, under
Prof. John Ross, uncle of the kidnapped
Charlie Ross. After leaving school he was
employed upon his father's farm until he was
twenty-three years of age. He then began
farming on his own account and has made
this his business. He is also extensively en-
gaged in buying and selling live stock. Mr.
Cassel was married, August 15, 1869, to
Emma C, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Nie-
dig) Nissley. They have five children ; one
of whom, Don Arthur, is deceased." Their
living children are : Harry N., Mary E. and
Lizzie R., who are twins, and Clara L. The
twins and Harry N. attend the Hiimmels-
town Academy. Mr. Cassel is a Democrat.
The family attend the German Lutheran
church. Mrs. Cassel was only three years
old when her mother died. Her father is
still living. They had three children, two
of whom are deceased. Mr. Nissley was
again married ; his second wife was Cathe-
rine Harper. They had eight children : Ira,
Elraa, Isaac Jr., Warren, Harper, Clara, Ida,
and Cora.
AuNGST, John, farmer, was: born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa..,
January 5, 1839. He was a son of John and
Elizabeth (Bilit) Aungst. Both his parents
are deceased ; the father died at the age of
forty-seven years, and the mother ten years
later. They had eight children : Daniel,
William, Harriet, wife of LeviRunkle, Annie,
wife of Jacob Sherk, Peter, John, Henry,
and Sarah, wife of Daniel Strim.
. John Aungst attended school at the For-
ney school house. He helped on the farm
in the summer months, and went to school
in the winter, and in this way obtained his
education and learned his business at the
same time. At the age of seventeen he left
the farm for the shop. He served an ap-
prenticeship of two years with Jacob Lyme,
to learn carpentrj-^, at the close of which he
returned to the farm, and was for three years
employed in farm work. At twenty-two
years of age he began farming on his own
account, and followed that occupation
through life. Mr. Aungst has served one
term as supervisor, and four years as school
director. He was a Republican. The fam-
ily are members of the German Baptist
church. Mr. Aungst was married, October
20, 1859, to Susanna, daughter of George
and Dolly (Lutz) Smith, born March 17,
1841. They have five children : George H.,
born April 14, 1863 ; John A., December 10,
1864; Dolly J., January 13, 1878 ; Simon H.
January 5, 1875 ; and Ezra C, July 28, 1879.
George Smith, the father of Mrs. Aungst,
was born on the old homestead, July 9, 1817.
He was a farmer, and continued to be ac-
tively engaged in the cultivation of his farm
until 1876, when he retired. His wife, Dolly
Lutz, was born December 27, 1818, and died
at the age of fifty-eight. Their children are:
Susanna, born March 17, 1841, now Mrs;
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
789
Aungst; Samuel, boru August 17, 1842, died
October 18, 1845 ; Sarah, born July 24, 1844 ;
Catherine, born September 21, 1846; Isaac,
born September 22, 1849 ; Maria, born Feb-
ruary 8, 1852, died September 6, 1853 ; Han-
nah, boru October 28, 1854 ; and Ezra, born
July 23, 1859. Sarah is the wife of Jacob
Fackler, Catherine of Mundel Fackler, and
Hannah of Samuel Fackler ; the Facklers are
brothers.
Kauffman, Felix, farmer, was born in
Conewago township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
November 15, 1842. He is a son of Samuel
and Mary (Stivig) Kauffman. Samuel
Kauffman was a carpenter, is also a farmer,
and resides in Conewago township. Mr. and
Mrs. Kauffman had nine children, three of
whom are deceased : Henry , Elizabeth, wife
of Rudy Harg, and one who died in infancy,
unnamed. Their surviving children are :
Felix ; John ; Catherine, wife of Levi Moyer ;
Nancy, wife of Peter Swartz ; Mary, wife of
Jacob Shearer, and Elias. Felix Kauffman
was educated in the schools of his native
township. At the age of seventeen he be-
gan to make his own way in the world. He
was hired by the month as a farm hand for
about five years, or until he was twenty-two
years of age. In 1864 he enlisted in the
United States army, at Harrisburg, and was
assigned to company F, Two Hundredth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Cap-
tain Hoffman was his commander. He en-
listed for one year, and served his term. He
was discharged May 80, 1865, at Alexandria,
Va. He was with the army in the opera-
tions and movements at and around Peters-
burg, Va. He took part in two important
engagements there, and in other minor bat-
tles and skirmishes. He is still suffering
from the effects of exposure during his ser-
vice in the army.
Returning from the war, he located in his
native township and engaged in farming,
on wages. In 1868 he began farming on
his own account. In 1869 he removed to
Lancaster county, and was for twelve years
engaged in farming there. He then removed
to his present homestead, where he has con-
tinued to the present time. Mr. Kauffman
was married, October 16, 1870, to Elizabeth
G., daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Gieb)
Martin. Of their three children, two are de-
ceased : Sarah M., born August 6, 1870, died
August 19, 1870 ; and Alice M., born May
25, 1873, died Mav 19, 1879. The surviving
child was born December 10, 1875. Mr«
Kauffman has served Lower Paxton town-
ship for one term as school director. He is
a Republican and belongs to the German
Baptist church.
Jeremiah Martin, father of Mrs. Kauffman,
is still living. He married Mary Gieb, born
July 18, 1818, died July 2, 1890. They had
twelve children, five of whom are deceased :
Christian, Mary Ann, Fannie, Joseph, and
one who died in infancy. Their living chil-
dren are : Elizabeth G., who is Mrs. Kauff-
man, Jeremiah, Addison, Jacob, Annie, Ben-
jamin, and Barbara.
Felty, John S., farmer, Linglestown, was
married to Sarah E. Brightbill, November
25, 1893. He received his education in the
public schools of his district. He engaged
in farming on his father's farm until he was
twenty -six years of age, when he began farm-
ing for himself. The parents of Mrs. Felty
are both living and have a family of six
children : George, born September 6, 1869,
deceased, John W., Andrew M., David E.,
Harry L., and Sarah E.
Fisher, William, farmer, Progress, was
born in Maxataning township, Berks county.
Pa., April 28, 1818. He is a son of John and
Susan (Wink) Fisher. The parents have
both passed away, the father dying at the
advanced age of seventy-seven years and the
mother at the age of seventy one. They had
a family of five children : William, James,
Peter, Mary, wife of William Reno, and
Jacob. Mrs. Fisher's parents are both de-
ceased also, the father having died aged
eighty -two years and the mother eighty -four
years. They had these children : , Joshua,
Annie, Jacob, Elizabeth, Harriet, Catharine,
William, Henry, Daniel, and George. Will-
iam received his education in an old log
school house near his home. He assisted
his father in the tailoring business for a time
and then worked on his grandfather's farm
until twenty-three years of age, when he
began farming for himself. He lived in
Maxataning township for eight years, and in
1849 moved to Dauphin county, and located
on the old Baer farm, which he purchased
and cultivated ten years. He then sold the
farm and rented a small place in Lower
Paxton where he stayed two years. He next
bought a farm near Linglestown, where he
remained three years and then sold it and
purchased his present homestead in 1864.
790
BIOGRAPHICAL BNGTCLOPEDIA
•In 1874 he built his present residence. He
was married in May, 1841, to Catharine
Levan, and their children are : John L.,
Catharine, wife of John H. Sheesley, and
George L.
Hooker, Joseph, farmer, was born in
Lancaster county, Pa., February 19, 1839,
and is a son of George and Mary Maria
(Brubaker) Hocker. The father was born
September 15, 1810. and died in 1872 ; the
mother was born March 5, 1815, and died
just one day after her husband. Their re-
mains are interred in one grave at Crum's
church cemetery. They had a family of
twelve children : Annie Maria, born Febru-
ary 20, 1835 ; Lydia, born October 10, 1837;
Joseph ; Martin, born November 10, 1840 ;
Emanuel, born July 11, 1842; Wilhelmina
Jane, born December 24, 1845 ; Mary Eliza-
beth, born June 12, 1847 ; Susan Emma,
born August 16, 1849 ; George Benjamin,
born October 17, 1851 ; Henry Harrison,
born February 1, 1854 ; Samuel Augustus,
born March 27, 1856; Lizzie Ellen, born
June 7, 1859. Four of the children: Annie
Maria, Emanuel, Susan Emma, and Wilhel-
mina Jane, are all deceased. Mrs. Hocker's
parents are both deceased, the father died at
the age of seventy-eight and the mother at
the age of fifty-eight years. They had a
family of eight children : Jacob, Elizabeth,
Barbara, Samuel, Kate, Mary, Annie, and
Lydia. Annie and Barbara are deceased.
Joseph received his education in the pub-
lic schools of Lancaster and Dauphin coun-
ties. He assisted on his father's farm until
he was twenty-six years old, when he began
farming for himself in Upper Swatara town-
ship. After living in various places for a
few years he removed to the Paxtraia Hotel,
on the Jonestown Road, where he remained
ten years. In 1891 he purchased his present
homestead. He was married, September 13,
1864, to Lydia (Keller) Hocker, daughter of
Samuel and Katie (Shoop) Hocker. Their
children are: George Albert, born April 14,
1869; Samuel Milton, born February 6,
1871; Joseph Edwin, born December 4,
1873; and Katie Florence, born July 31,
1888. In politics Mr. Hocker is a Republi-
can. The family are members of the United
Brethren church.
Christian and Barbara (Shope) Lyter. The
parents of Mr. Lyter had a family of ten
children : Kate, Mary, Esther, Joseph, Sarah,
Isabella, Barbara, Susanna, Samuel, and one
who died in infancy. The father of the first
wife is deceased, but the mother survives.
Their children are: Emma, Samuel, Sarah,
Frank, Ellen, and two deceased. The par-
ents of the second wife had these children :
John, Adam, Elizabeth, Daniel, Samuel,
Annie, William, and Emma. The parents
of Mrs. Lyter had a family of eleven chil-
dren : Lydia, Peter; Ellen, Carrie, Charles,
Aaron, Annie, Moses, Amelia, John and Al-
bert, both of whom have passed away.
Samuel attended the public schools of his
native place until sixteen years of age,
when he began farming. When twenty-
eight years old he worked his father's farm
on his own account, and in 1888 he pur-
chased the old homestead, where he now re-
sides. He was married, in 1873, to Miss
Emma Page, daughter of Daniel and Mary
Page, by whom he had two children : Jacob
Edward, died in infancy, and Sallie A., wife
of William Kiefer. He married, secondly,
Miss Elizabeth Rabuck, daughter of John
and Mary Rabuck. Their children are : Mary
M., Barbara L., John H., and Katie J. He
married, thirdly. Miss Annie, daughter of
Daniel and Amelia Lyter. They had a
family of five children: Charles, Martin,
Harrison, Carrie, all deceased; and Agnes
Louisa and Elsie Ruth. In politics Mr.
Lyter is a Republican.
Lyter, Samuec, farmer, Penbrook, was
born on the old homestead. May 9, 1845, in
Lower Paxton township. He is a son of
Look, Monroe M., farmer. Progress, was
born July 12, 1862, on the old homestead ;
son of George and Annie (Meyers) Look,
daughter of Christian Meyers, the father is
deceased and the mother now resides at
Oberlin. They had a family of seven chil-
dren ; Reuben, deceased, John, deceased,
Jane, Sarah, George, Emma, John, and Mon-
roe. Mrs. Look's mother died February 19,
1890, and is survived by her husband. The
parents had these children : Jeremiah, Ellen,
Earl, John, Kate, all of whom are deceased,
and Mary, William, Wellington, and Annie.
Mr. Look received his education in the public
schools of Lower Paxton township and then
until he was twenty-three years old assisted
his father on the farm. A't that age he be-
gan farming for himself and has been thus
engaged ever since. He was married, Oc-
tober 7, 1886, to Miss Mary A. Zimmerman,
daughter of William and Sarah (Guldin)
yf^^^^ . //. Jlc..
^>C-^'
Ci^.^^/^i^&-.e^K^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
793
Zimmerman, by whom he has one child,
Morris M., born May 18, 1887. He is a
Republican, and the family are members of
the United Brethren church.
Miller, Samuel A., farmer, was born in
Lower Paxton township, January 16, 1843,
and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Frantz)
Miller. The father's first wife, by whom he
had two children, died in 1845, at the age of
twenty-three years. His second wife was Miss
Maria Mader,' who died December 24, 1888.
Mrs. Miller's father was born December 9,
1819, and died January 25, 1869, and the
mother was born January 10, 1826, and died
September 5, 1875. Samuel A. first attended
the public schools of his native township,
and at the age of seventeen entered White
Hall Academy, in Cumberland county, Pa.
He next attended Collegeville Seminary in
Montgomery county. Pa., for four terms,
when he received a teacher's certificate from
Prof. Hunsicker. He then taught school in
Susquehanna township for four years, at
Sinking Springs, Berks county. Pa., one year,
and two terms in Lower Paxton township,
In 1870 he engaged in farming, and since
that time has continued in the same occupa-
tion on his present homestead. He was mar-
ried, September 16, 1869, to Sarah C. Fox.
They have no children. Mr. Miller was
elected secretary of the Dauphin County Mu-
tual Fire Insurance Company in 1882, and
has served in that capacity Until the present
time. He has been auditor and also school
director. He is a member and past grand
in Shellsville Lodge, No. 1,080, 1. 0.0. F.,
and a member of the Grand Lodge of Penn-
sylvania, I. 0. 0. F., and also a member of
the Farmers' Alliance. Politically he is a
Republican. He and his family are mem-
bers of the United Brethren church.
Miller, John, farmer, was born in Lower
Paxton township, August 15, 1815, and is a
son of Andrew and Ann (Good) Miller, daugh-
ter of Franz and Elizabeth Neidig Good.
Mr. Miller is one of a family of eleven. chil-
dren and only two of them survive. He re-
ceived his education inthe private schools of
Harrisburg, and after leaving school went to
New Cumberland, Cumberland county, to
learn the milling business with David Em-
mert, in 1835. Having acquired aigood knowl-
edge of the business he returned to Lower Pax-
ton township and assisted in his father's mill.
In 1840 he engaged in business for himself,
51
and continued up to 1850, when he sold his
interest in the mill and began farming,
which occupation he followed until 1870, at
which time he retired from active work. He
was married, in 1840. to Miss Elizabeth Frantz,
who died September 11, 1844. Their chil-
dren are : Samuel A., and Mary, who died
at the age of nine months. He married,
secondly. Miss Maria Mader, daughter of
Daniel and Catherine Mader. They have
no children. In politics he is a Republican,
and the family are members of the Bethel
church.
MoYER, Benjamin F., teacher and farmer,
was born in Lower Paxton township, Sep-
tember 9, 1841, and is a son of Daniel and
Rebecca (Gettle) Moyer.
The parents are both deceased. The
father was born June 10, 1797, and served
as bugler in a company of United States cav-
alry. He participated in the military parade
at Harrisburg at which General Lafayette
was present. When twenty years of age he
learned the trade of milling, which he fol-
lowed for a time and then engaged in farm-
ing until 1872.
Mrs. Moyer's parents are also deceased.
They had a family of four children, viz:
Mrs. Moyer ; Emma J., wife of Peter Fox ;
David ; Martha, and Caroline, deceased. Her
father was married a second time and had
two children by this marriage, viz : Susan,
and Matilda, deceased.
Benjamin F. received his education in the
public schools until he was twenty years of
age, when he attended the academy at
White Hall, Cumberland county. Later he
attended the Palmyra Academy, Lebanon
county, under Professor Witmer. He as-
sisted for a time in his father's mill and then
engaged in farming, but at the same time
taught school during the winter. In 1867
he began farming on his own account, and
has continued up to the present time. At
the urgent request of the school directors of
his district he taught school for twelve win-
ters, beginning in 1869, and in 1895 he be-
gan teaching again. He was married De-
cember 17, 1866, and has a family of five
children : Joseph D., born November 5,
1868, and died September 22, 1869 ; Sarah
Jane, born March 9, 1872, and died April 3,
1890 ; Laura Irene, boi'n October 1, 1870 ;
Nevin W., born May 28, 1876 ; Cora M., born
March 80, 1881. Mr. Moyer served efficiently
as justice of the peace in Lower Paxton town-
794
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ship for one term. He is a Democrat in poli-
tics and a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows at Wellsville. The family
attend the German S^eformed church.
Nye, Daniel Henry, farmer, Progress*
Dauphin county, Pa., was born in Palmyra*
Londonderry township, Lebanon county>
July 23, 1844, and is a son of Solomon and
Mary (Bowman) Nye. The mother died Oc-
tober, 1895, aged seventy-three years, and the
father still survives. They had a family of
ten children : Samuel, deceased ; John M.,
deceased ; Lizzie, deceased ; Daniel Henry,
Christian, William, Mary, Joseph, Emma,
and Jacob. The parents of Mrs. Nye are
both deceased and had these children :
Annie, Louisa, George, Samuel, Clemens,
Sadie, all deceased, and Jacob, who has not
been heard from for twelve years; Serena
F., Mary, Sarah, and Susan.
Daniel Henry attended the public schools
of his native place until he was twenty-one
years of age, and then went to the Palmyra
Academy for three years. He taught school
four terms in Palmyra, and in 1869 was ap-
pointed postmaster of that town by President
Grant. This position he held seven consecu-
tive years, and resigned in November, 1875.
In 1872 and 1873 he served as tax collector
of Londonderry township. Being elected
recorder and clerk of the court in 1875 by a
very large majority he entered upon the
duties of the office on January 1, 1876, and
served three years. He has also served as
school director. In 1879 he engaged in
farming, and moved in 1891 to his present
homestead, where he has followed that occu-
pation up to the present time. On February
5, 1863, he enlisted in company J, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, in Harrisburg, under Cap-
tain McMullin, of Lancaster, and Colonel
Boyd. After being stationed in Carlisle,
Chambersburg and various other places his
regiment went to Alexandria, Va., where
they embarked for Port Royal, S. C. He
participated in the conflicts at Spottsylvania,
the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. At the
latter place his right arm was shot away,
being struck by an eight-inch shell. He was
honorably discharged on February 5, 1865.
He was married, February 20, 1868, to
Serena F. Illig, by whom he has nine chil-
dren : Aurora B., born April, 1875, and died
August, 1875 ; Allen B., born September 13,
1875, and died April, 1877 ; Amasa, born
January 14, 1870; Annie M., born March
29, 1871 ; Alma Lacy, born January 24,
1873 ; Aaron, born January 24, 1878 ; Dan-
iel B., born May 7, 1882 ; Serena B., born
March 29, 1886, and Benjamin Harrison,
born May 24, 1889. The family are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church.
Painter, David, blacksmith, Lingleslown,
Dauphin county. Pa., was born at Womels-
dorf, Heidelburg township, Berks county,
July 8, 1840. He is a son of Jacob and Bar-
bara (Hassler) Painter. The parents have
both passed away; the mother in October,
1877, at the age of eighty -one, and the father,
February, 1881, aged eighty-one or eighty-
two. The father was a moulder by trade
and also farmed for twenty years. By his
industry and economy he acquired a com-
petency for his old age. He was a consistent
Christian. His family consisted of thirteen
children, five of whom, Robert, Emeline,
Barbara, Stephen, and Samuel, are deceased.
The surviving ones are : Joseph, Jacob,
Thomas, Valentine, Pricilla, Sarah, Eliza-
beth, and David. The father of Mrs. Painter
died February 29, 1894, and the mother
died at the age of twenty-seven years. They
had only one child. The father by his sec-
ond marriage had two children.
David received his education in the pay
school and later in the public schools of his
native township. At the age of twenty-one
he began the blacksmith trade with his
brother Jacob in Lower Paxton township.
He enlisted in company C, First Penn-
sylvania light artillery, under Captain
Simpson and Major West. He served with
distinction during the Peninsula campaign
and at Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Fair
Oaks ; also at Harper's Ferry, and was dis-
charged at Manorin Junction, Md. He then
returned, to West Hanover township and en-
gaged in blacksmithing at Manada Furnace
for three years and a half, when he removed
to Colebrook, Lebanon county. Here he
was engaged in farming for a time but soon
moved to Lebanon city and worked at his
trade. He next worked at Manada Furnace
for five years, and then moved to his present
home in Lower Paxton. He was married at
Lmglestown, March 8, 1866. to Miss Mary,
daughter of Peter and Sarah (Powley) Bright-
bill. They have a family of eleven children,
two of whom have passed away: Jennie,
born August 5, 1882, and died April 19,
1883 ; Elizabeth, born January 22, 1867, and
died in infancy. The surviving ones are :
DAUPBIN COUNTY.
795
Emma, born May 4, 1868, wife of Harry
Smith ; Margaret, born August 31, 1869,
wife of Harry Moyer ; Marv, born December
22, 1870; Sarah, born January 14, 1873;
Valentine, born September 26, 1875 ; Cath-
arine, born October 25, 1877 ; Susan, born
January 21, 1880 ; David, born March 5,
1881, and Bessie, born December 16, 1885.
Mr. Painter is a staunch Republican and is
now serving his second term as supervisor.
The family are members of the Methodist
church.
Reimert, Hiram, plasterer and butcher,
was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county,
April 5, 1834. He is a son of Samuel and
Susanna (Spoon) Reimert. The father was
born August 25, 1813, and died at the age of
sixty-two years; the mother was born July
18, 1812, and died at the age of sixty-three
years. Their children are: Hiram, Hezekiah,
Louisa, John, William, Annie, George Wash-
ington, and Oliver. Mrs. Reimert's mother
died at the age of forty-eight, and the father
survives. Their children are : Mary Ann
Christ, George,Samuel, Edward, John, Daniel,
Benjamin, Henry, and Emma. Hiram re-
ceived his education in the public schools of
Schuylkill and Dauphin counties. He aided
his father on the farm and at the business of
butchering for a time, and in 1851 he began
the trade of plasterer with Henry Hoffnagle,
of Linglestown. After following his trade
for twenty-one years, including his appren-
ticeship, he began the butcher business at
Linglestown. He has served as tax collector
of Lower Paxton township ; was a charter
member of Lodge No. 629, 1. 0. 0. F., Lingles-
town, withdrew and helped to organize the
Shellsville Lodge, No. 1,080, I. 0. 0. F., of
which he is now past grand. He was mar-
ried, February 12, 1863, to Miss Mary Ann
(Knupp) Reimert, daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Eshnauer) Knupp. Their chil-
dren are: John H., born May 7, 1864; George
Washington, born September 26, 1867 ;, Mary
A., born November 11, 1872, wife of Harvey
M. Juillard. Mrs. Reimert attends the United
Brethren church, while her husband and
children attend the German Reformed
church.
in the Seventeenth Pennsylvania cavalry
under Capt. Andrew Vand, and died in the
Regimental Hospital from a sickness con-
tracted while in the s^prvice. The mother
died August 13, 1891, aged sixty-five years.
They had a family of six children : Joseph,
deceased; Elias, deceased ; Emma, deceased ;
James, born September 28, 1853 ; Robert L.,
and John, born March 4, 1858. Mrs. Reed's
parents are both deceased. The mother died
at the age of twenty-seven, and two years
later the father married Miss Mary Swartz.
The children by the first marriage are : Eliza-
beth, Millard Fillmore, and Josephine ; and
by the second : Henry Clay, Fannie A., Lin-
coln, Harriet, Naoma, and Edith. The father
died September, 1882, at the age of sixty-four
years.
Robert L. received his education in the
place of his birth until he was nine years old,
then attended the school of the Soldiers'
Orphans' Home, at White Hall, Cumberland
county. Later he attended the Loysville Or-
phans' Home, in Perry county, and then re-
turned to his mother in Buff'alo township,
Perry county, and assisted on the farm until
1877. For a time he was engaged in brick-
making in Center township. Perry county,
and in 1878 removed to Ohio, where he was
engaged as a teamster until 1879, when he
removed to his native county and located at
Millerstown. Some time afterward he farmed
for seven years in Perry county, and in De-
cember, 1889, engaged in railroad business
as foreman, removing to Harrisburg in 1890.
They purchased the present homestead in
October, 1895. He was married, March 13,
1878, to Josephine Clouser, daughter of Fran-
cis B. and Mary J. (McCuUough) Clouser.
Their children are: Francis Irvin, born
April 7, 1880 ; Naoma Edith, born July 28.
1883; Charles Hamburg, born May 2, 1889,
Mr. Reed is a member of the Knights of St.
John and Malta, No. 93, of Harrisburg. In
politics he is a Republican. The family are
members of the Methodist church.
Reed, Robert L., carpenter and farmer,
Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa., was born
in Liverpool township, Perry county, April
12, 1856. He is a son of Elijah and Mary
(Cram) Reed. The father enlisted in 1862
Ricker, Uriah, retired tanner and farmer,
was born in Swatara township, January 27,
1836. He is a son of John S. and Catharine
(Snyder) Ricker. The father was a native
of Franklin county, and his grandfather
served as a teamster in Washington's army.
At the age of sixty-four years the father
died, and the mother passed away in May,
1867. They had six children, two of whom
died in infancy : Alfred, deceased ; Cathe-
796
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
rine, wife of Alexander Klink ; Mary, wife
of Henry Koof, living in Oklahoma, and
Uriah. Mrs. Ricker's father died in March,
1863, and her mother October 7, 1852.
Their family consisted of seven children,
all of whom, except Mrs. Ricker, are de-
ceased. They are: Catherine, Mary, Eliza-
beth, Fanny, Abraham, and Molly.
Uriah received his education in the public
schools of his native township. He learned
the business of tanning with his father,
whom he succeeded at the age of twenty-
one years, and continued until the begin-
ning of the war, when he sold the tannery
to Emanuel Fox. He then moved to Lower
Paxton township and engaged in farming
for four years, when he moved to New Kings-
ton, Cumberland county. Pa., where he
farmed on his father's farm. Losing all his
stock and property by fire he returned to
Lower Paxton township, and farmed for his
father-in-law until the latter's death in 1875.
He then purchased the farm on which he
lived and continued farming there until
1886, when he retired. He was married, in
1856, to Barbara SheetZj daughter of Messiah
and Susan (Baker) Sheetz. They have a
family of fourteen children: Raymond E.,
born June 6, 1858, deceased ; Mary Eliza-
beth, born May 2, 1860, wife of Jacob Kline;
Catharine, born July 23, 1861, wife of E. D.
"Wright ; Willis, deceased, born April 2, 1863 ;
Uriah Monroe, deceased, born October 7,
1864 ; Ambrose, born April 25, 1866 ; Thias,
deceased, born June 7, 1868; Laura Ann,
born November 15, 1869, wife of John Sny-
der; Mannasah, deceased, bom July 29,
1872 ; Agnus M., born August 15, 1873, wife
of Noah Wisler ; Samuel, deceased ; Norman,
deceased ; Freeman, deceased ; Elmer, de-
ceased. Mr. Ricker is a Republican and has
served on the school board. He and his
family are members of the United Brethren
church.
Shope, Jacob, son of Abraham and Eliza-
beth (Wasser) Shope, was born September 6,
1819, in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin
county, Pa. His mother was the daughter
of Dr. John L. Wasser, who was ship-surgeon
on a Swiss vessel, and emigrated to America
in 1769. His advantages of an early educa-
tion were limited, and at the age of sixteen
entered the oflfice of the Oospel Publisher as
an apprentice in the art of printing. He
subsequently took charge of the office as
foreman, then spent some time at Philadel-
phia, when returning to Harrisburg he there
remained until the spring of 1840: He com-
menced the study of medicine with his
uncle. Dr. David Shope, and began the
practice of medicine in 1842, and upon the
death of the latter located at Hummelstown,
taking charge of the large practice left by
the former. Until 1865 he continued in the
active prosecution of his profession, and with
much success. Dr. Shope married, in 1843,
Esther, daughter of E. J. Mann, of Hum-
melstown. Their children were: Charles
David, who, at the age of seventeen, enlisted
in the Seventh regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers ; was severely wounded in the hip at
Gettysburg ; subsequently rejoined his com-
mand ; promoted sergeant of Colonel Mc-
Coy's regiment, and killed in front of Peters-
burg, June 19, 1864; Elizabeth, Ernest
Mann, Ada Esther, Agnes May, and Carrie
Lenah.
Shope, David, son of Jacob Shope, was
born July 25, 1808, in Lower Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa. His grandfather,
Andrew Shope, emigrated from the Palati-
nate, Germany, to America, arriving at
Philadelphia October 22, 1754, on the ship
"Halifax" from Rotterdam. He settled in
what was then Lancaster county, married
and was in service during the French and
Indian war. He had three sons : Bernhard,
Jacob, and Adam. He first married and re-
moved to Centre county, where his descend-
ants now reside. Jacob and Adam divided
the farm, the former of whom subsequently
disposed of his, the latter dying on the old
homestead at the age of ninety-one years.
Jacob Shope, who lived to the age of eighty-
seven, married a Miss Hart, and their chil-
dren were : Abraham, Jacob, Bernhard, Da-
vid, Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, and Catherine.
David worked on his father's farm until the
age of sixteen, receiving such educational
advantages as the country schools then af-
forded. He was afterwards sent to a select
school in Cumberland county, and also that
taught by Mr. Cummings at Brown's school
house on the Jonestown road. He taught
school several terms, and at the age of nine-
teen began the study of medicine with Dr.
Markley, of Manheim, Lancaster county,
Pa., and after the latter's death with his
successor. Dr. Veasey. In October, 1832, he
located at Hummelstown, where he contin-
ued in the successful practice of his profes-
sion until his death, December 2, 1842, at
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
797
the age of thirty-four years, and is buried in
the Hummelstown cemetery. Few prac-
titioners stood higher in the confidence and
esteem of the community in which he lived
than Dr. David Shope. He never married.
Shadel, David F., farmer and butcher,
Linglestown, was born at Lykens, January
6, 1858. He is a son of Henry H. and Mary
S. (Matter) Shadel. The father died No-
vember 23, 1883, aged about forty-five years.
He was an earnest Christian, and had a
family of seven children : Luther, deceased,
Sarah C, Christia, Harry B., Charles G.,
Louis, and Howard. The father of Mrs.
Shadel died July 21, 1883, and the mother
survives. Their children are : Edward, Jo-
seph, Jacob, Mary, Lydia, Henry, and Samuel.
David F. received his education in the public
schools of Washington and Middle Paxton
townships. He lived with his grandparents
until nine years old, then went home and
remained with his parents until the age of
seventeen. He was engaged in various oc-
cupations until 1884, when he purchased
his present homestead. He was married,
January 30, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth R. Rye,
daughter of Peter and Rebecca Rye. They
have two children, Annie M. and Henry E.
His wife died February 8, 1893. Her par-
ents are both deceased and had five chil-
dren : Annie, Fannie, Elizabeth, deceased,
Ephraim, deceased, and Katie, deceased.
On June 7, 1894, Mr. Shadel married, sec-
ondly, Miss Mary M. Rye, cousin of his
former wife.
Smith, William C, M. D., Linglestown,
was born at Annville, Lebanon county. Pa.,
October 9, 1828. He is a son of Conrad and
Susanna N. (Ensminger) Smith. The grand-
father served as an officer in the Revolution-
ary army. The father died at Hummels-
town at the age of ninety years and the
mother at the age of fifty-six years. Dr.
Smith received his primary education at
Hummelstown and attended the Annville
Academy for six months. Pie then returned
to Hummelstown and began the study of
medicine with Dr. John Stably, with whom
he remained three years, and at the same
time attended lectures at the University of
Pennsylvania, from which institution he
graduated on April 8, 1850. He then located
in Hummelstown for one year, then in Lin-
glestown and Middletown each for one year.
He next returned to Linglestown and has
continued the practice of his profession there
up to the present time. During the war he
treated with remarkable kindness the fami-
lies of the brave defenders of our Union. In
1866 he was instrumental in securing the
funds necessary for the erection of the sol-
diers' monument in the Willow Grove ceme-
tery, dedicated to the brave soldiers of Lower
Paxton, West Hanover, East Hanover and
Susquehanna townships. He was married,
in 1850, to Miss Hanna A. (Care) Smith,
daughter of John and Sarah (Geiger) Care.
Their children are : Edward C, deceased,
William C, deceased, Charles H., M. D., and
Jeremiah P., M. D. Dr. Smith also greatly
assisted in the establishment of Union chapel
of Linglestown, which is used by the German
Baptist, Methodist Episcopal and Lutheran
denominations, and the Union Sabbath -
school which meets each Sunday.
Steock, John H., instructor and principal
of the Linglestown select school, was born in
West Hanover March 21, 1846, and is a son
of Jacob and Catharine (Hurtz) Strock. The
grandfather, Jacob Strock, Sr., was born De-
cember 15, 1785, in West Hanover, was a
farmer by occupation and died February 28,
1834. The father, Jacob, Jr., was born No-
vember 9, 1814, and died June 11, 1879.
He learned the trade of shoemaking with
John Shakespeare, near Hornerstown, South
Hanover township, and followed it his entire
life. He was a consistent Christian and his
wife survives him. They had a family of
three children : Angelina, wife of Jacob
Karnerer ; John H., and Catharine, wife of
Edward Hetrick. The parents of Mrs.
Strock are both deceased, the father having
died in October, 1891, and the mother on
February 10, 1887. They had these chil-
dren : Catharine; Mary, wife of John H.
Naecker ; Sarah E.; Annie, wife of Dr. T. P.
Batdorpf ; Ira W., living at Oberlin ; Ella,
wife of Edward Lingle; Susanna, wife of
Joseph A. Stober; Emma, wife of Mor-
ris Tobias; Lillie, wife of John Tanner;
Maggie, wife of Jacob Burkheimer ; Minnie,
wife of William Look ; and two children who
died in infancy.
John H. received his primary education
in the public schools of West Hanover town-
ship. At the age of sixteen he attended a
select school taught by David Shope and
then went for one term to the St. Thomas
Institute at Linglestown. He next attended
the Millersville State Normal School in Lan-
798
BIOGRAPHICAL EJSCYVLOFEDIA
caster county. After teaching school at va-
rious places for about ten years he engaged
in the retail boot and shoe business, at
Linglestown, with Michael Forney, of the
well known firm of Forney Brothers, shoe
manufacturers, Harrisburg. He soon pur-
chased the entire business and continued
until 1884, when he began teaching again.
In 1887 he established a select and normal
school. He also assisted in the incorpora-
tion of the Dauphin County Fire Insurance
Company and served as its secretary for five
years.
In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace
for five years and was twice re-elected. In
1887 he was appointed postmaster of Lingles-
town, and at the expiration of his service in
that capacity was again elected justice of
the peace. He was married, on October
4, 1870, to Sarah E. Yeager, daughter of
William and Catharine (Focht) Yeager.
They have a family of six children : Luther
Wesley, born September 6, 1874, and died
June 4, 1878 ; Sarah Elmira, born Novem-
ber 6, 1877, and died May 20, 1881 ; Katie
Savilla, born October 3, 1871, an accom-
plished musician ; Lydia Anna, born De-
cember 23, 1872 ; Maggie Viola, born March
5, 1 879, and Harry Blaine, born January 24,
1887. Mr. Strock is a member of Lodge
No. 629, I. 0. 0. F. and of the Jr. O. U. A.
M., No. 680, Linglestown. He and his fam-
ily are members of the Lutheran Evangeli-
cal church.
Smith, Charles H., M. D., was born in
Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa., August
9, 1851, and is a son of Dr. W. C. Smith and
Hannah (Care) Smith. The grandfather
Smith was of German descent, and came to
America in 1761, and was a conspicuous sol-
dier in Peter Grubb's company during the
Revolutionary war. He believed that
" vincit amor patrise." The maternal grand-
father was of English descent, and settled
prior to the Revolution in Hopewell, Ches-
ter county. With the crude facilities at his
command he cast cannons to be used by
Washington. Charles H. received his early
training in the public schools and later at-
tended Dickinson Seminary at Williams-
port. Here he prepared for the University
of Pennsylvania, from which institution he
graduated in 1872. He located at Lingles-
town, and practiced with his venerable
father for several years. He married Miss
Laura E. Unger, and they have three chil-
dren : Sarah, Grace, and Hannah. He is a
member of the Dauphin County Medical
Society, and a very prominent and success-
ful practitioner.
Unger, John J., farmer, Linglestown, was
born in Lower Paxton township on the old
homestead^ June 14, 1858. He is a son of
John G. and Sarah (Wolf) Unger. The
father died July 21, 1889, and the mother
March 5, 1887. They had a family of eight
children : Mary, deceased ; David, deceased ;
Annie, deceased; Susan, wife of Andrew
Brightbill; Laura E., wife of C. H. Smith;
John J., George A. and David E. John J.
received his primary education in the pub-
lic schools of his native township. He then
assisted his father on the farm until twenty-
three years of age, when he began farming
on his own account, and has continued up
to the present time. He married Miss Re-
becca E. (Hain) Unger, November 18, 1880.
Their children are : Ira Leroy, born April
14, 1882; Anna Edith, born January 28,
1884; John Elias, born December 27,1886.
He is a Democrat, and the family are mem-
bers of the German Reformed church
Crum, Sarah Jane, widow of John Crum,
was born in Lower Paxton township, April
1, 1845. She is a daughter of Samuel and
Hanna Rhadel (McElhenny) Crum. The
father passed away in Julj', 1862, and bis
wife a few weeks later. They had these chil-
dren : Samuel and Joseph, both deceased ;
Mary Ann, Hannah, Elizabeth, Caroline,
Alexander, Matilda, William .Amanda, Sarah
Ann, and John. Mr. Crum's father, David,
died in October, 1889, and his mother,
Catharine, in 1865. They were residents of
Lower Paxton township. Sarah Jane re-
ceived her education in Lower Paxton town-
ship. After the death of her father she re-
sided among strangers until her marriage
on December 22, 1865, to John Crum. They
had six children : Mary Ella, born October
9, 1866, and died October 27, 1867 ; Rebecca,
who died in infancy; John H., born June 25,
1868 ; William Edward, born November 20,
1869; Jennie S., born June 25, 1872; DavidF.,
born February 12, 1877. Her husband, John
Crum, died June 3, 1886, at the age of forty-
five years. In politics Mr. Crum was a Re-
publican and served two terms as school
director. He was a member of the Church
of God, of which his family also are mem-
bers.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
799
LOWER SWATARA TOWNSHIP.
Ettek, Abram Landis, editor and pro-
prietor of the Middletown Journal (weekly),
established in 1854, and Daily Journal, es-
tablished 1890, was born in' Middletown,
Dauphin county, Pa., August 15, 1862. He
is a son of the late George W. Etter, who
was born in Middletown in 1815, was en-
gaged in the lumber business for forty years,
and conducted one of the largest saw mill
plants along the Susquehanna south of
Williamsport. His ancestors have resided
in Middletown for more than a century.
Abram L. was the youngest son of his
father. His education was such as could be
obtained by a bright and ambitious boy in
the schools of his native town. But his
course of study did not end with the close
of his school days. He chose as his occupa-
tion for life the printer's trade, and went
into the office of his predecessor, the late J.
W. Stofer, to learn the art. The printing
oflBce is the very best school for mental
training and development in special direc-
tions ; certainly orthography and grammar
are not mastered so thoroughly in any
school as they are in the printing office.
And when the office is that of a newspaper,
there is a training in literary taste and an
attainment in the use of language excelling
the results of tuition in school and college.
In such favorable conditions did young
Etter continue his education, beginning his
apprenticeship in 1878. In 1881, when in
his nineteenth year, he secured employment
in the Government printing office in Wash-
ington, D. C, and continued there for three
years. In 1888 he was employed in Chi-
cago, 111., in the office of the Daily Market
Report, a trade publication.
His native newspaper tastes and talents
began to assert themselves, and he looked
about him for an opportunity to gratify
them. His old friend, the proprietor of the
Middletown Journal, was compelled by fail-
ing health to contemplate the abandonment
of active business. The would-be seller and
purchaser were naturally brought together,
and the contract between them materialized
and was consummated in September, 1885.
In his native place, in the office where he
had learned the art of printing and the
greater art of newspaper making, surrounded
by a host of old and tried friends and well-
wishers and prospective patrons, Mr. Etter
was in the conditions calculated to stimulate
his powers to their most active and fullest
exertion. The results are demonstrated,
and are to the utmost satisfactory. They
are told in few words, which embody the
statement of large facts ; the removal of the
plant to more commodious and convenient
quarters, the increase in the size of the
paper from four pages of eight columns each
to eight pages of six columns each to ac-
commodate the rapidly growing advertising
patronage, the addition of the Daily Journal,
and last, but not least, the enlarged list of
subscribers; these are the facts which justify
the offering of hearty congratulations to.
both proprietor and patrons on the posses-
sion of a successful newspaper. Like many,
perhaps most newspaper men, Mr. Etter
owns to some political aspirations, and be-
yond doubt they will be gratified. The
people are always awake to an opportunity
to secure for public service the ability and
fidelity of successful men. Mr. Etter was
married, June 11, 1889, to Anna Ober,
daughter of Rev. Joseph Nissley, of Derry
township.
Nissley, Isaac 0., editor and proprietor
of the Middletown Press, was born on his
father's farm, one mile south of Hummels-
town, February 8, 1854. He is the eldest
son of the Rev. Joseph and Anna (Ober)
Nissley. His boyhood and youth were
spent on the farm, with the usual activities
in the way of work and play which fall to
the lot of the farmer boy. During the winter
months he was a regular attendant at the
Stoverdale school, until promoted to the oc-
cupation of teaching in some of the public
schools in the adjoining townships. He
remained upon the farm for the full
period of his minority, but when he
came of age he resolved to extend the
course of his studies. With a stock of
good health and a flow of spirits, he en-
tered the State Normal School at Indiana,
Pa. Here he found several hundred young
people filled with the same desire for im-
provement and impelled by the same am-
bition for usefulness as himself. He was
graduated from this institution in the class
of 1879. While pursuing his course of
study he found time, during the year 1878,
to teach the classes in vocal music and pen-
manship. Before and after graduation he
taught in the public schools of S watara. South
Hanover and Derry townships, May town.
800
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
East Donegal, Lancaster county, Hummels-
town and Annville, nine terms in all.
In March, 1882, he removed to Middle-
town, having bought the Press of J. R.
Hoffer, then also editor of the Mount Joy
Herald, now deceased. In the field of
journalism and in the management of his
paper Mr. Nissley found scope for his talents.
In the community the spirit of improve-
mant was prevalent, and growth and enlarge-
ment were rapidly attained. Mr. Nissley
was abreast of all advancement and a leader
in all that tended to make the place larger
and more prosperous. The growth of his
paper is an indication of his ability in the
line of a " boomer." Under his management
the -fVess has increased its circulation more
than five fold, or to state the figures, from a
circulation of about three hundred and fifty
the list has risen to near the two thousand
mark.
Mr. Nissley united with St. Peter's Lu-
theran church in 1887. The next year he
was elected to the church council, and has
been a member of that body ever since, part
of the time as trustee, and part as elder. He
has been leader of the choir during almost
all the time he has been connected with the
church. After the death of George A.
Lauman, Mr. Nissley was elected super-
intendent of the Sabbath-school, and is the
third man to fill that oflSce since the school
was organized, seventy-five years ago. The
school has eight hundred pupils on its roll.
Mr. Nissley was married, June 2, 1881, to
Miss Emma M. Brunner, daughter of W. E.
Brunner, of Campbellstown, Lebanon county.
Pa. They began housekeeping at Marietta,
but moved to Middletown in 1882, where
they have since resided.
MiSH, George F., M. D., Middletown, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., July 5, 1827. He
is a son of George and Catherine (Doll) Mish.
The first of the Mish family to settle in Dau-
phin county was Jacob Mish, a son of
Johannes Mish, of Cumberland county, Pa.,
who settled in Harrisburg in 1780. He was
a tanner, and established one of the first
tanneries of Harrisburg. His wife was Cathe-
rine Bickle. Their children were : John
Bickle, George, Jacob, Henry, and Elizabeth,
deceased, who was the wife of George W.
Boyd, of Harrisburg. John B. Mish read
medicine with Dr. Samuel Agnew, of Harris-
burg, and graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania. He located in Lebanon, Pa.,
where he resided until his death in 1847.
He served as burgess of the town and as pro-
thonotary of Lebanon county, and was a
highly respected citizen. Jacob Mish learned
the tanner's trade, and became associated
with his father in that business. He died in
Harrisburg. Henry Mish died at the age of
twenty-two years.
George Mish, father of George F., was born
in Harrisburg about 1795. He received the
ordinary education of that period, and
learned the tanner's trade, but not finding it
a congenial vocation he did not follow it.
He was connected with the Government land
office for some years, and afterwards became
a contractor on the Pennsylvania canal,
Pennsylvania railroad and other public
works. In early life he was a Democrat, but
later became identified with the Whig party.
He served as prothonotary of the county.
During the war of 1812 he enlisted in the
volunteer service, but after reaching Balti-
more the services of the company were not
required. He was cashier of the First Dau-
phin Deposit Bank. He was a member of
the German Reformed church and of the
Masonic fraternity. He died in 1850.
. His wife was Catherine Doll, daughter of
Joseph and Esther Doll, of Dauphin county,
who survived him many years, and died in
1879. Their family consisted of four daugh-
ters, who died in infancy, and four sons, as
follows: (1) Henry Augustus, was educated
in Harrisburg and graduated from Marshall
College, Mercersburg, Franklin county. He
studied law with George W. Harris, of Har-
risburg, and practiced his profession at
Chambersburg and Mercersburg. He estab-
lished the Mercersburg Weekly Journal and
the Franklin Intelligencer, of Chambersburg,
and also published the Mercersburg Review,
edited by Rev. J. W. Nevin, D. D., and the
Kirchenfreund, edited by Rev. Philip Schaff,
D. D. He afterwards removed to Harrisburg
and practiced his profession for a short time,
when he established the Keystone Nurseries.
During the war of the Rebellion he served
as volunteer for a short time, and was ap-
pointed to office in Washington, D. C. He
was never married. He died September 16,
1870. (2) Simon Cameron Mish was born
January 7, 1833. He was appointed in the
United States navy as a midshipman, and
went with Commodore Perry to Japan. He
claimed that he and Perry introduced the
art of English printing into Japan. He re-
signed from the navy at the outbreak of the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
801
Rebellion and enlisted in the Fourth Penn-
sylvania cavalry ; he was sergeant-major of
his regiment. He was taken prisoner and
confined at Andersonville, where it is sup-
posed he died. (3) Jacob Mish was born at
Harrisburg, April 4, 1835. He engaged in
farming in Swatara township and afterwards
became connected with the Keystone Nur-
series. He served in the war of the Rebellion
and was quartermaster of his regiment. (4)
George F.
Dr. George F. Mish was reared in Harris-
burg. He received his education at the
Harrisburg Academy and at Captain Part-
ridge's Military Institution, of Bristol, Pa.,
afterwards of Norwich, Vt. He learned the
printer's trade, and afterwards read medicine
under Dr. Joshua M. Wiestling, of Harris-
burg, and graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1853 ; he began his practice
in the same year at Middletown, Pa. In
1858 he moved to Harrisburg, where he prac-
ticed for two years, and returned to Middle-
town in 1860, where he has since resided.
He is one of the oldest physicians of Dauphin
county. He has served as vice-president of
the Dauphin County Medical Society, and is
a member of the State Medical Society and
of the American Medical Association. From
,1 862 to 1865 he served as assistant surgeon
of the Fifteenth regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers. He was taken prisoner at Stone
River and confined in Libby prison, but was
soon exchanged. He is one of the organizers
of the Middletown Gas ('ompany and is its
vice-president. He is one of the organizers
and the president of the Middletown Drain-
age Company. He belongs to Simon Came-
ron Post, G. A. R., of Middletown. The
Doctor enjoys an extensive practice. He and
his family are members of the Presbyterian
church of Middletown. In 1859 he married
Mary E. Soulier, daughter of George and
Caroline (Fisher) Smuller, of Middletown.
They have four children : Caroline S., wife
Dr. Charles H. Saul, of Steelton, Pa.; George,
civil engineer, of Middletown; Mary C, at
home ; and Frederick, who died in 1895,
aged twenty-three years.
Young, Col. James, was a grandson of
Peter Young, gentleman, who resided near
Sinking Springs, Berks county. Pa., during
the Revolutionary war, who performed active
service during that trying struggle, and
whose patriotism was evidenced by the pub-
lic recognition of the Continental authori-
ties. On December 14, 1776, he was com-
missioned by the Council of Safety of Phila-
delphia second lieutenant of the Third bat-
talioji of Berks county militia. The com-
mission is signed by David Rittenhouse,
vice-president. On May 17, 1777, he was
commissioned by the Supreme Executive
Council of Pennsylvania second lieutenant
of a company of foot in the Fourth battalion
of militia, Berks county, and on May 10,
1780, he was commissioned by the same au-
thority lieutenant of a company in the Sixth
battalion of militia of the same county.
Those were the days in which militiamen
fought the battles of their country.
James Young's maternal grandfather was
David Ettla, a native of Germany, who emi-
grated to this country about 1756 and settled
at Middletown, Pa., where he pursued the
occupation of a tailor the greater part of his
life. He was an important man in the his-
tory of the early settlement of that now
prosperous borough, and was one of the
three commissioners appointed by the King
of England to raise the necessary funds for
the building of the old St. Peter's church, of
Middletown. While in performance of the
duties incumbent upon him in that position
he on one occasion walked from Middletown
to Philadelphia, through what was then a
desolate and almost impassable section of the
State. He married Magdalena Oldweiler,
also a native of Germany, and their children
were : David, who married Elizabeth Croll,
of Middletown ; Philip, who married Sarah
Radenbaugh ; Conrad, a shoemaker, who
married Annie Smuller, of Middletown, and
who died in 1836 ; Jacob, who married Miss
Hertz, of Harrisburg, and Sophia, who mar-
ried Peter Young.
James Young, son of Peter and Sophia
Young, was born at Swatara Hill, Pa., July
25, 1820. His father was born November
13, 1781, emigrated from Berks county, and
passed the greater part of his life in the busi-
ness of hotel keeping. From 1820 to 1834
he was the proprietor of the stage house on
\^ Swatara Hill, and on February 1, 1835, took
charge of the Washington House, Middle-
town, and kept it until his demise on Sep-
tember 29, 1844. He enjoyed a common
school education, and passed his earliest
years of usefulness in assisting his father in
the hotel business. At this early period he
evinced a remarkable degree of activity and
ambition, and willingly performed the most
menial labor if it conduced to his pecuniary
802
BIOGRAFEKJAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
advantage. By close economy and a care-
ful and absteminous course of living he had
accumulated in 1839 a sum of money suffi-
cient for him to purchase a canal boat, which
he run for one year between Hollidaysburg
and Philadelphia. In 1840 he established
a lumber yard at Middletown, to which he
subsequently added the coal business, and
for twenty -six years engaged in successful
trade in these lines, at the same time fur-
nishing supplies to the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company under contract. He was also
the purchasing agent for the Northern Cen-
tral and Pennsylvania Railroad Company for
a number of years, and during the late war
engaged in laying a portion of the second
track for that company under contract.
About 1859 he purchased a valuable lime-
stone quarry at Leaman Place, Lancaster
county, which the manager of his estate
operates, and from which has been furnished
large amounts of stone for building the
bridges and abutments for the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. James Young was em-
phatically a self-made man. Though spring-
ing from good stock, he started out in life a
poor boy, and won a proud place among the
representative men of his State by faithful,
earnest work and the exercise of indomi-
table pluck and resolution. He owned a
large amount of real estate in Middletown
and elsewhere, including the Washington
Hotel, in which he began his business life,
the opera house, and divers stores and dwell-
ing houses. He took an active interest in
local affairs, and was identified with various
local institutions and enterprises. He was
president of the American Tube and Iron
Company, of Middletown, president of the
Cameron Furnace, of the same place, and a
director of the Commonwealth Guarantee,
Trust and Safe Deposit Company of Harris-
burg, of the. Farmers' Bank of Middletown,
of the First National Bank of Lebanon, Pa.,
of the Lochiel Rolling Mill Company, and
was a director ofjthe Harrisburg, Portsmouth,
Mount Joy and Lancaster Railroad Company
for over twenty years. He was also a mem-
ber of the State Board of Agriculture of
Pennsylvania, by appointment of the Gov-
ernor, and vice-president of the State Agri-
cultural Society. Though politically a Re-
publican he always declined public position,
feeling at the same time a warm interest in
State and National politics. ! He was a regu-
lar attendant and supporter of St. Peter's
Lutheran church, of Middletown. He mar-
ried, June 8, 1843, Ann, daughter of Isaac
and Catherine Redsecker, and their children
were : R. I., residing in Baltimore, Md.; De-
lanson J., deceased ; Catherine S., who mar-
ried H. P. Dunbar, of Harrisburg; Sarah
H., deceased ; James S., who was engaged in
business with his father; Simon Cameron,
who was formerly a civil engineer in the ser-
vice of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
and is now administrator of his father's
estate, and Henry P., who resides at Colum-
bia, Pa.
Young, Simon Cameron, was born in
Middletown, Pa., February 20, 1859. He is
a son of Col. James Young, a sketch of
whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
He was educated in the Friends' Central
School of Philadelphia and the Polytechnic
College of Pennsylvania, and was graduated
as a civil engineer. He at once became
connected in that capacity with the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, and had charge
of the construction on the West Pennsylvania
division. He was assistant supervisor at
Blairsville, New Florence and Gallitzin, and
supervisor at Jonesbury, N. J., and Reading,
Pa. He retired from the road May 15, 1895,
and with his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Young,
was made administrator of his father's estate.
As representing the estate, he succeeded his
father in the management of the numerous
and varied enterprises in which he was
interested at the time' of his death. He is
president of the Cameron Furnace Company ;
was made a director and vice-president of
the American Tube and Iron Company in
February, 1896 ; is a director in the Farmers'
Bank of Middletown, and the Steelton Na-
tional Bank ; and also a director of the Steel-
ton, Highspire and Middletown Electric Rail-
way Company. He is a member of Prince
Edward Lodge, No. 486, F. & A. M. ; of Mount
Pine Lodge, 1. 0. 0. F., of Reading, and of the
Middletown Lodge, Royal Arcanum. He is
Republican in politics. In 1881 he married
Miss Mary Cleaver, who died in 1886, leav-
ing two children : Eliza A. and James. He
was" married again, in 1889, to Miss Emma
Sutton, of Perth Amboy, N. J. Mr. Young
and his wife are members of St. Peter's
Lutheran church.
Young, Harry P., was born June 17,
1862. He is a son of Col. James Young, of
whom a sketch is given elsewhere. He was
educated at the Friends' Central School,
BA UPHIN GO UNTY .
803
Philadelphia, and is a machinist by trade.
He married Miss Lillian Maher, of Colum-
bia, Pa.
Pease, Charles E., M. D., Middletown,
was born in Brook Haven, L. I., May 9, 1857.
He is a son of E. H. and Sarepta (Hulse)
Pease. He obtained his literary education at
Claverack College. He read medicine with
Dr. Thomas ShaV, of Pittsburgh, and gradu-
ated from the University of Pennsylvania in
1882. He began practice at Irvington, N. J.
In November, 1882, he came to Middletown,
where he has since enjoyed an extensive prac-
tice. He is surgeon for the American Tube
and. Iron Company and Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. He is a member of the Dau-
phin County Medical Society. He belongs to
Triune Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., to the Patriarch
Encampment and the Royal Arcanum. He
is a stockholder and director in the Middle-
town Drainage Company. In politics Dr.
Pease is an active Republican. He and his
wife are members of the Presbyterian church,
in which he holds the office of trustee. He
was married, injDecember, 1882, to Miss Mary
A. Hedden, daughter of Morris Hedden, of
Orange, N. J. They have two children: Nor-
man D. and Ada Scott.
Bowers, Charles E., M. D., Middletown,
was born in Middletown, January 13, 1868.
He is a son of Christian and Mary (Yose)
Bowers, natives of Germany, who came to
America in 1852, located in Philadelphia,
and in 1853 came to Middletown, where the
father engaged in business as a sawyer.
He managed a mill for Etter, Carmany &
Siple for about thirty years. He was also
for some years with Kendig & Lauman.
Since then he has retired from active busi-
ness. His family consists of four children :
Frederick, Charles E., Catherine, and Rose.
He served as secretary of the school board
for nine years. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church, and he be-
longs to the Masonic fraternity. Charles
E. was educated in the public schools of Mid-
dletown. He engaged in the drug business
with Dr. J. W. Re wait, after which he took
a course in the Philadelphia College of
Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in
1889. He studied medicine under Dr. Will-
iam A. Burns, of Philadelphia, and gradu-
ated from the Medico-Chirurgical College in
1893. He began practice in Columbia, Pa.,
and in 1895 located in Middletown, where
he has since resided. Dr. Bowers has
also established and conducts a drug store.
In politics the Doctor is a Democrat. He
and his wife are members of the Lutheran
church. He was married in 1893 to Miss
Catherine Cox, daughter of Thomas L. Cox,
of Ephrata, Pa., by whom he has three chil-
dren: Karl, and Dorothy and Florine, who
are twins.
Kendig, "Walter Henry, was born in
Middletown, Pa., June 3, 1830. He is a son
of Martin and Rebecca (McFarland) Kendig.
Martin Kendig, paternal great-grandfather
of Walter Henry, was a descendant of one of
the earliest Swiss settlers in Lancaster county.
Pa. At tlie close of the Revolutionary war
he located on Senaca Lake, near Waterloo,
N. Y., where he died. He married Mary
Brenneman, and they had eight children :
John, Martin, Joseph, Daniel, Elizabeth,
Christian, Mary, and Nancy.
John Kendig, oldest child of Martin, and
paternal grandfather of Walter Henry, was
born October 4, 1770, and died October 12,
1831, at Middletown, Pa. He married Eliza-
beth Hill, born September 17, 1770, died
March 20, 1845, at Middletown. Their chil-
dren are : Martin, Sarah, and Daniel.
Martin Kendig, oldest son of John, and
father of Walter H., was born December 31,
1797, in Sunbury, Northumberland county.
Pa., died August 28, 1850, near Middletown,
Pa. After completing his education he
learned the trade of harness making at Har-
risburg, and established himself in the busi-
ness at Middletown, being at the same time
interested with his brother Daniel in the lum-
ber trade; with whom and with Judge Murry
he joined and erected a sawmill at the mouth
of the Swatara, where they carried on a large
business. Mr. Kendig was an enterprising
and successful business man, and a gentle-
man of probity, highly honored and of com-
manding influence in public affairs. He
served as one of the auditors of the county
from 1826 to 1828, and represented Dauphin
county in the Legislature from 1837 to 1839.
He was thrice married, being first united,
June 15, 1820, to Rebecca McFarland, of
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., born June 28, 1800, died April 1, 1831.
The children born to this marriage are : Rev.
Daniel and Walter Henry. Mr. Kendig mar-
ried, secondly, Sarah Sebaugh, daughter of
Conrad Sebaugh, of Middletown, by whom
he had five children: John Allen, James,
804
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Rebecca, William, and Elizabeth. Mr. Ken-
dig married, thirdly, September 1, 1842, Mrs.
Rachel (Shelly) Croll, widow of Abner Oroll,
no surviving issue.
Walter Henry's grandfather on his moth-
er's side was John McFarland, a native of
Scotland. He died January 17, 1787, aged
fifty-four years. He married Mary Ireland,
who died August 20, 1790, aged forty-eight
years. They are both buried at Derry
Church. "Their son, Walter McFarland,
died in 1820. He married Sarah Mitchell,
daughter of Thomas Mitchell, and settled on
the Swatara. Their children were : John,
Rebecca, wife of Martin Kendig and mother
of Walter Henry, and Mary, wife of Mr.
Wilson. The McFarland and the Ireland
families first settled in Cecil county, Md.
Walter H. was educated in the public
schools of his native town. He was early
trained in the mercantile business, and
afterwards became a contractor on public
works. He was interested in several exten-
sive contracts on the New York and Erie
railroad in connection with Philip Irwin and
Stephen Atherton. He returned to Middle-
town and engaged in the lumber business
with Daniel Kendig & Co. He is still in
that business, under the firm name of Ken-
dig & Lauman. He served as postmaster of
Middletown by the appointment of President
Lincoln, and was removed from that office
by President Johnson. He was married,
December 25, 1856, to Jane E., daughter of
William McMurtrie, of Huntingdon, Pa.
They had one son, Martin, born January 5,
1858 ; educated in public schools ; learned
the printing trade in Washington, D. C;
spent a portion of his life in his father's
office, subsequently employed with the
American Tube and Iron Company, of
Middletown; he died May 3, 1894. Mr.
and Mrs. Kendig have an adopted daughter
named Edith, widow of the late Frank
Croll, who now resides in Middletown.
Rev. Daniel Kendig, brother of Walter H.,
was born in Septemljer, 1824. He is a
chaplain in the United States army and was
stationed at the posts of Fort Stallaeoom, in
Washington, and the Presidio, San Fran-
cisco, from December 19, 1859, to May 27,
1867 ; post chaplain April 31, 1867 ; on the
retired list of the United States army, 1891.
Borland, John A., Middletown, was born
in Andersontown, York county. Pa., in Janu-
ary, 1847. He is a son of William and Jane
(Anderson) Borland, natives of York county.
They were prominent members of the Bethel
church. He was educated in the public
schools. Leaving home at the age of four-
teen he engaged as clerk at Eberly's Mills,
Cumberland county. Pa. In 1861 he went
to Washington, D. C, to learn the drug busi-
ness with his uncle, who was a prominent
physician of that city. The business did
not prove congenial, and he remained there
only six months. In 1864 he went to Har-
risburg, and for several years was clerk in
some of the largest dry goods houses. For
seventeen months Mr. Borland served as
secretary of the Y. M. C. A., of Harrisburgj
Through the urgent solicitation of Rev. Mr.
Pattison, father of Governor Pattison, he was
induced to fill the appointment of junior
local preacher at Gilbertson, Mahanoy Plain
and Frackville. As a result of his labors at
the two latter places two church organiza-
tions were effected, which have since grown
to be prosperous congregations of the Metho-
dist Episcopal denomination. In 1880 he
engaged in the mercantile business for him-
self in Middletown, and has since continued
there. On March 20, 1895, he established a
branch store at Carlisle, Pa. He was a di-
rector in the Middletown National Bank.
On January 10, 1896, the store occupied by
Mr. .Borland at Carlisle was destroyed by
fire. On April 30, 1896, Mr. Borland pur-
chased the grocery store and good will of
the business adjoining his former premises
in Middletown, formerly conducted by W.
W. Reitzel, and in connection with his large
dry goods business he is now also conduct-
ing one of the most extensive and well
equipped grocery stores in Middletown, un-
der the name of Borland's Apartment Store.
Mr. Borland is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Knights of Malta and the
Junior Order of American Mechanics. Po-
litically he is a Republican. He is a promi-
nent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and fills the office of steward. He
takes an active interest in all church work
and all matters pertaining to the Y. M. C. A.
He was married in 1877 to Miss Kate M.
Young, daughter of Amos W. Young, by
whom he has had three children : Bertha,
died December 8, 1894 ; Herbert A., and
Edgar S.
LiNGLE, John C, M. D., of Middletown,
Pa., was born in Harrisburg, September 17,
1859. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
805
(Steel) Lingle, and a brother to Lockwood J.
Lingle, of Philipsburg, Centre county, Pa.,
now engaged as a foreman at the firebrick
works of Wigtbn & Go., of that place. The
Doctor's early life was spent in Harrisburg,
where he received a common school educa-
tion, graduating from the high school of
that place in 1876, being a member of the
second class that held their commencement
exercises in the then new opera house. After
leaving school he entered the drug business,
serving as clerk with Drs. Markley and
Nunemacher for a period of one year and
six months. Being inclined from early boy-
hood to become a physician, and showing
many traits characteristic of his love for the
profession, his parents, though in ordinary
circumstances, concluded to^ grant him his
desire, and in the spring of 1878 he began
the study of medicine with Dr. M. Friese,
of Harrisburg. After studying one year he
entered the New York Homoeopathic Medi-
cal College with the intention of completing
a three year, course there, but after taking
one year his preceptor became seriously ill
and was taken to the Homoeopathic Hospital
of Philadelphia for treatment, and requested
him to finish the remaining two years of
the course in the Hahnemann Medical Col-
lege, of Philadelphia, which he did, graduat-
ing in 1881 with high honors. He took the
prize of his class for superior scholarship, the
class numbering about one hundred. In a
competitive examination for hospital ap-
pointments he was the first one chosen for
"Ward's Island, but declined, and going home
began the practice of his profession in Har-
risburg in the spring of 1861. In the fall
of 1882 he removed to Middletown, where
he has since been engaged in practice. He
is a member of Triune Lodge, No. 307, 1. 0.
O. F., Middletown, Pa., a past officer of the
lodge, and was the acting past grand at the
time of the dedication of their new hall,
now situated on Emaus street. He was also
one of the building committee entrusted
with the responsibility in the erection of
their new hall which to-day is considered
not only a credit to the lodge, but also to
the town. In the cornerstone of the build-
ing, among other things, will be found a
piece of copper plate upon which is inscribed
the names of the acting ofiicers, and among
which will be found the name of Dr. J. C.
Lingle, P. G. H. He is also a member of K.
G. E., K. of. P., and the Masonic fraternity.
; He wap married, December 20, 1883, to
Miss Alice May, daughter of Alexander and
Elcinda McCrone, natives of Maryland, but
for the last twenty years residents of Harris-
burg. They ■ have four children : Charlie
Percival, Yula May, Frances Estell,and John
C, Jr. Dr. Lingle has taken an active part
in politics, being a staunch, stalwart Repub-
lican, and unswerving in his conviction as
to the necessity of a protective tariff. He
and his family attend the Methodist Episco-
pal church. .
Reider, Abraham H., cashier of the Far-
mers' Bank, of Middletown, was born in Mt.
Joy township, Lancaster county. Pa., June
14, 1848. He is a son of George and Eliza-
beth (Shearer) Reider. He belongs to a
family of German descent, one of the oldest
in the State, and one with a most honorable
history. His great-greatgrandfather be-
longed to the provisional army under Wash-
ington and Braddock, in the war of 1754-
1756, and was killed in that war. The
Reider family has numerous representatives
among the residents of Dauphin, Lancaster
and Franklin counties, occupying promi-
nent places in business and professional life.
Prof. John A. Ryder, who filled a chair in
the University of Pennsylvania, and who
died in 1895, was of this family. Mr.
Reider's father is a local minister in the
United Brethren church, and also a retired
farmer. While he appreciates the honor of
a noble ancestry, Mr. Reider has always rec-
ognized the obligation imposed upon him
to be worthy of that ancestry, and realized
that he could do this only by earnest and
faithful e0"orts to be useful and honorable in
his own day and generation. He was
reared in Lancaster county, and received
his education in the public schools, the
Lebanon Valley College and the State Nor-
mal School at Millersville. This course
prepared him for the profession of teaching.
He holds a certificate from the State and
county superintendents of schools, which
permanently and perpetually entitles him
to teach in any county of the State without
being examined. He taught school in Lan-
caster and Dauphin counties for a number
of years. At the organization of the Farm-
ers' Bank of Middletown in 1882 Mr.
Reider was elected teller of the bank, and
filled this position for twelve years. In 1894
he was elected cashier, which ofiice he now
fills. He is also engaged in farming in Lon-
donderry township. On September 1, 1895,
806
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
he was elected treasurer of the Cameroa
Furnace Company. He served as treasurer
of the Middletown borough from 1894 to
1895, and declined re-election. He is Re-
publican in politics. He is a member of
the United Brethren church and superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school. He takes an
active interest in all church work. He is
much interested in historical and genealogi-
cal matters, and is an active member of the
Pennsylvania German Society.
Brandt, B. F., Middletown, was born in
Lancaster county. Pa., April 5, 1839. He is
a son of Jacob and Catherine (McClenigan)
Brandt, natives of that county. They moved
to Dauphin county in 1854, and located
on a farm in Londonderry township. The
father died in Middletown in 1868, and the
mother died in Middletown in 1872. They
were members of the United Zion's Children
church. They reared a family of nine chil-
dren, seven of whom are now living. Their
children are : Abraham, of Middletown, who
died February 14, 1896; Samuel, of Middle-
town ; John, married Lucetta Rife, daughter
of Abraham Rife, and died in 1860 ; Jacob,
married- Anna Houser, daughter of Peter
Houser, of Middletown, and died in 1875,
leaving one child, Kate, who married John
Young, of Delta, Md.; B. F.; Mary Jane, wife
of Jacob S. Keyser, of Middletown ; Henry,
of Royalton ; David C, of Middletown, born
January 10, 1847, married Maggie Piatt, and
have five children : Jacob, Anna, Clarence,
Laura, and Catherine ; Elizabeth, widow of
Henry Schaffer, of Lancaster county. Pa.
B. F. was educated in the public schools.
In 1857 he began business on the Pennsyl-
vania canal, and followed the occupation
until 1870. During the latter years of this
period he owned and commanded his boat.
In 1870 he and his brother Jacob engaged in
the wholesale liquor business. After the
death of Jacob his brother Abraham became
a member of the firm, and continued in it up
to 1890. He then retired, and his son, John
A Brandt, took his interest. Mr. Brandt is
one of the charter members and a director of
the Farmers' Bank of Middletown. He is a
charter member and president of the Mid-
dletown Market Company. In 1862 he en-
listed in company H, One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, and served until 1863, participating
in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville, etc. He is a member of Triune Lodge,
No. 307, I. 0. 0. F. He is a Democrat in
politics. He was married, in 1882, to Miss
Clara Willman, daughter of Albert Willman,
of Londonderry township. His wife is a
member of the Lutheran church.
Klugh, 0. R., M. D., Harrisburg, Pa.,
offices Nos. 108 and 105 North Second street,
residence No. 1628 North Third street, was
born in May town, Lancaster county, Novem-
ber 28, 1866. He is a son of Jacob Frederick
and Marj' C. (Hambright) Klugh, natives of
Lancaster county. Pa. His father was born
in 1838. In 1857 he taught school. He
came to Dauphin county in 1864 and became
principal of the high school at Highspire,
which position he held for two years. He
then became manager of the Wilson Lumber
and Manufacturing Company, and after-
wards of the Wilson Distillery Company
until 1870, when he resigned and engaged
in the lumber business. He has served as
justice of the peace at Highspije for about
twenty-five years. Politically he is identi-
fied as a Democratic leader. Under Presi-
dent Cleveland's first administration he was
appointed U. S. pension examiner. He was
one of the promoters of the Harrisburg,
Highspire and Middletown Electric Railway
Company. At the present time he is devel-
oping the addition of Highspire known as
Klughton. His family consists of five chil-
dren : Dr. 0. R., Aaron D., Ida N., Mary C,
and Jacob Hancock.
Dr. 0. R. was reared in Highspire and
educated in the high school of that town.
He read medicine with Dr. E. J. Putt, and
graduated from the Jefferson Medical Col-
lege, of Philadelphia, April 4, 1889. In 1894
he was made one of the board of censors of
the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel-
phia, examining physician of the Protectors'
Indemnity Corporation of Pennsylvania,
and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
of New York. He began practice in High-
spire, where he continued 'until August 30,
1893, when he removed to Middletown.
Here he had enjoyed an extensive practice
until he removed to Harrisburg, January 1,
1896. He is a specialist of chronic and pri-
vate diseases of both sexes. Dr. Klugh is
well known throughout the State and is one
of the most practical specialists Pennsylvania
has ever had. He is the author and pro-
prietor of Dr. Klugh's female prescription, a
powerful germicide and antiseptic, used in
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
807
the ills of females and popularly known
throughout the world.
He is an active and consistent member of
the Democratic party. He is one of the
original stockholders of the Champion Man-
ufacturing Company, of Middletown. He
was married, November 6, 1890, to Miss
Ada B. Brenneman, daughter of Dr. A. N.
Brenneman, of Middletown. They have one
child, J. Russel Klugh, born March 2, 1892.
Mrs. Klugh is a member of St. Peter's Lu-
theran church.
Kurtz, Benjamin W., merchant and bur-
gess of Middletown, was born in Middle-
town, Pa., April 28, 1854. He is a son of
John and Margaret (Fackler) Kurtz. His
father was a native of Chester county, Pa.,
and came to Middletown in 1840 with his
father, John Kurtz, who located in London-
derry township. The father was a hotel
keeper and a tenant farmer for Hon. Simon
Cameron for a number of years. He after-
wards became the owner and captain of a
canal boat, which he managed for several
years. Mr. Kurtz was Republican in politics.
He was a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. He died in 1888,, his wife in
1880. They had seven children, of whom
six are now living, namely: Elizabeth P.,
wife of John Kohr, of Middletown ; Mary J.,
wife of Thomas J. Bretz, of Harrisburg ;
Benjamin W.; John F., of Middletown, a
recessor at the Tube Works, born in June,
1856, married Emma Wolton, and has two
children, George W. and John ; Stephen R.,
of Middletown, a tinsmith, born in 1858,
married Adeline Killian, and has these
children: Eva, Maggie, Myra, Susan, and
Albert; Edwin, born in 1861, married
Cordie Walton, and has two children, Em-
ma and Elizabeth.
Benjamin W. was reared in Middletown,
and enjoyed the advantages to be derived by a
wide-awake boy from a course in the schools
of the borough. He learned the trade of
butt-welder, but this employment was not
active and stirring enough for a young man
of his energy and ambition. For six years
he followed the canal. From 1875 to 1881
he was connected with the Central railroad
of New Jersey as baggagemaster and assistant
ticket agent in Union and Monmouth
counties. In 1881 he returned to Middle-
town, and worked for the American Tube
and Iron Company for thirteen years. By
industry, economy and frugality he had ac-
cumulated enough to enable him to engage
in business for himself. He chose merchan-
dizing, and in 1892 established his present
business. He was elected burgess of Middle-
town in 1894. He is a Republican, and ac-
tive as a party worker. He is a member of
the Knights of the Golden Eagle. On Oc-
tober 28, 1879, he was married to Miss Fanny
Wilson Stipe, daughter of Perry Stipe, of
Middletown. They have two children, Ma-
bel Elizabeth and Edna. He and his family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he holds the office of steward.
Rambler, Michael Backenstoe, deceased,
was born in West Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 19, 1831. He was
a son of Leonard Rambler, also a native of
Dauphin county, and a grandson of Peter
Rambler, a native of Germany, who came to
America and settled in Dauphin county
about 1780. Leonard Rambler was born
February 26, 1795, and was one of the
prominent and wealthy farmers of his day.
He was a prominent member of the Shells-
ville Lutheran church. He died August 17,
1871. His wife was Miss Priscilla Backen-
stoe. Their children were: John, Mary,
Henry, Michael, Jane, Eli, and Priscilla;
three of whom are living, namely: Mary,
wife of Moses Early, of Shellsville ; Priscilla,
wife of Benjamin Gingerich, of West Han-
over, and Eli, of Grantville, Pa.
Michael B. received his education in the
schools of Harrisburg and Gettysburg. In
1855 he came to Middletown and established
a mercantile business, which he continued
until his death in 1892. He was one of the
original stockholders of the American Tube
and Iron Company, and of the Middletown
Car Works. He served on the school board
for many years, and was instrumental in
establishing the present high school. He
was treasurer of the school board, and was a
member of the town council for several
years. Politically he was a Democrat. He
was a regular attendant and an active worker
and supporter of St. Peter's Lutheran church.
He was married, April 15, 1856, to Miss
Matilda J. Caskie, daughter of Joseph Cas-
kie, of Philadelphia, Pa. Their living chil-
dren are : Leonard C.; Julia, wife of Frank
Nissley, of Middletown, and Alice. He or-
ganized the Building and Loan Association
in 1868, and was its treasurer up to the time
808
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUTGLOPEDIA
of his death. His grandfather, Peter Ram-
bler, was burgomaster of Antwerp, Belgium,
and after coming to America was a commis-
sioned officer in the Continental army.
Rambler, Leonard C, son of Michael B.
Rambler, was born in Middletown, April 8,
1857. He completed his education in the
high school of the borough. In 1873 he en-
tered his father's store, and remained with
him until 1884, when he engaged with the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as ticket
receiver at Atlantic City, N. J. At his fath-
er's death, in 1892, he returned to Middle-
town, took charge of his business, and has
carried it on ever since. He also succeeded
his father as treasurer of the Middletown
Building and Loan Association. He was
married, in 1887, to Miss Anna E. Early,
daughter of Moses Early, of West Hanover
township. They have one child, Leonard
C, Jr. Mr. Rambler is a Democrat. He and
his wife are members of St. Peter''s Lutheran
church.
Deckard, Levi L., dentist, Middletown,
was born in Swatara, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 28, 1828. He is a son of Henry and
Martha (Ziders) Deckard, natives of Dauphin
county.- His grandfather was a native of
Germany, and was one of the earliest settlers
of this county^ His father was a carpenter,
and died about 1830. Their children were :
Jacob, a carpenter, who was killed by an ac-
cident, he married a Miss Rigle, and left one
son, Jacob, residing at Reno vo, Clinton county.
Pa.; Martha, deceased, married Adam Ulrich ;
Israel, deceased (see sketch of I. L. Deckard
elsewhere); Henry, retired farmer, of Middle-
town ; David, deceased ; John, deceased, and
Levi L.
Levi L. was reared on a farm. He was the
youngest of the family, and his father died
when he was four years old. This means
more uncertainty and greater limitations in
living and learning than are the lot of the
ordinary boy, but he had a good home on
the farm, and the usual summer work and
winter schooling which farmer boys enjoy.
Such an experience is not without substan-
tial benefits in the way of practical knowl-
edge of men and affairs and training for tlie
business of life. This was his lot up to 1839,
when he was over ten years of age, when he
came to Middletown. In 1847 he engaged
with Conkle & Sayfbrd, of Harfisburg, with
whom he remained one year. In 1848
he became connected with Souders & "War-
ren, of Philadelphia, for a short period. He
then returned to Middletown and engaged
in the merchant tailoring business. In 1855
he began the study of dentistry under Dr.
Carman, of Harrisburg; he finished his pro-
fessional preparations with Dr. Armstrong,
of Philadelphia, and afterwards remained
with him for several years. He again re-
turned to Middletown and opened an office,
where he has since continued to practice his
profession. Dr. Deckard is one of the oldest
practicing dentists in Pennsylvania. He is
also prominent in his profession. He is the
inventor and patentee of the Electric Dental
Spring Machine, for the painless extraction
of teeth, which is quite generally used by
dentists throughout the, country. In 1855
he married Miss Elizabeth Brestle, daughter
of Peter Brestle, of Middletown. She died
January 11, .1888, leaving no children. Dr.
Deckard is a Democrat. He is an attendant
and supporter of the Presbyterian church.
Ulrich, Sylvester, M. D., Middletown,
was born in Lebanon county, Pa., October
9, 1862. He is a son of Sebastian and Cath-
erine (Eagle) Ulrich. His father is a native
of Germany, and his mother of Lancaster
county. Pa. His father is a carpenter and
was connected with the Colemans in Leb-
anon county for many years. During the
war of the Rebellion he was in the employ-
ment of the United States Government, en-
listed in the corps of mechanics, and engaged
in bridge building. The Doctor removed
with his parents to Lancaster county when
he was two years old, and was educated at
the high school of Elizabethtown. He read
medicine under Dr. Lingle, of Middletown,
and attended the Hahnemann Medical Col-
lege, of Philadelphia, from which he gradu-
ated in 1890. He then succeeded to the
practice of Dr. A. P. Bowie, of Uniontown,
Fayette county. Pa. In 1891 he located in
Middletown, where he has since practiced
his profession. He is a member of the South
Central Homeopathic Medical Society of
Pennsylvania. Dr. Ulrich is active in the
Democratic party. He was married, in
1892, to Miss Emma Hargleroth, daughter
of George Hargleroth, of Elizabethtown,
Lancaster county. He and his wife are
members of St. Mary's Catholic church.
/^M^^ v< ,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
811
The Croll Family. — The first of the CroU
family to settle in Dauphin county was John
Croll, a native of York county, Pa., who set-
tled in Middletown at an early day and estabr
lished one of the first tanneries of the town.
He had three sons: John, Abner, and Henry,
and one daughter, Lydia, who married Philip
Ettle. The eldest of these sons, John, en-
gaged in the tanning business in Middle-
town. He was connected with the Middle-
town Bank under Hon. Simon Cameron.
He was a member of the Lutheran church
and for many years its treasurer. He organ-
ized the first Sunday-school and superin-
intended it for over fifty years. He was also
trustee of the Emaus Orphan Home. He
married Eliza Lauman, daughter of William
Lauman. Their children are : Elizabeth,
Susan, and Annie, residing in Middletown ;
Maria L., who married Rev. W. M. Baum,
D. D., pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran
church, Philadelphia ; Caroline and Maggie,
deceased ; George L., deceased ; and Emeline,
who married Dr.' J. P. Keller, of Harrisburg.
Henry Croll learned the shoemaker's trade,
and afterwards engaged in the butchering
business, which he continued until his death.
He married Mary, daughter of Philip Old-
weiler, and left several children ; one child,
Mary, wife of Joseph Nissley, of Middletown,
Pa., survives.
Abner Croll was born in Middletown, Sep-
tember 9, 1800, and learned the trade of
hatter. Afterwards he succeeded to his
father's business. He married, September 6,
1827, Rachel, daughter of John Shelly, of
Londonderry township. He died August 27,
1835 ; his wife November 29, 1875. He was
a prominent member of the Lutheran church
and a leader of the choir. His children were :
John S., who died in York, Pa., in 1880;
William A., of Middletown ; Lydia S., wife
of Jacob L. Nissley, of Middletown ; Luther
H., who was professor of mathematics of
Pennsylvania College, and died at Gettys-
burg.
George L. Croll, son of John Croll, second,
was born in Middletown in 1823. He was
educated in the schools of the borough. At
the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a
general store in York, Pa. About 1853 he
returned to Middletown and formed a part-
nership in the general mercantile business
with Frederick Lauman, under the firm
name of Lauman & Croll, which continued
for a few years. He then purchased his
partner's interest and carried on the business
52
until his death, in 1874. He was considered
one of the prominent business men of the
town. He had interests in the Middletown
Furniture Company. He was a Democrat.
He served as a member of the school board.
In 1854 he married Sarah Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Dr. Mercer Brown, of Middletown.
She died in September, 1882. They were
members of the Lutheran church. They had
these children : Mercer B., physician, of Fre-
mont, Neb., born in 1855 ; John, of South
Boston, Va., born in October, 1856, an or-
dained minister of the Lutheran church ;
Edward L., of Middletown ; George L., of
Sparrow's Point, Md., born in 1861 ; Re-
becca Brown, born in 1863 ; Frank, who died
in 1891, aged twenty-four years ; Raymond
L., student of music at Cincinnati, 0.
Edward L. Croll, proprietor of the Middle-
town Furniture Company, was born in Mid-
dletown, December 15, 1858. He received
his education in the public schools, and took
a special course in the Pennsylvania College
at Gettysburg. He then went to Philadel-
phia and engaged with John E. Fox & Co.,
bankers. Afterwards he became connected
with the Union National Bank, where he
remained for nearly five years, being pro-
moted to assistant receiving teller. He re-
signed this position in 1882, and became
connected with the Middletown Furniture
Company, in which he was a stockholder.
In December, 1884, he and his brothers George
and John purchased the controlling interest
in the company, and became its managers.
On June 10, 1895, he purchased the control-
ling interest and has since conducted the busi-
ness of the company. They manufacture
cabinet work, and receive many Government
contracts for postofiice furniture. Mr. Croll is
a Democrat. He is a member of Swatara
Council, No. 949, R. A. He is an active
member of the Lutheran church, and has
for several years served as deacon and secretary
of the council of the church.
William A. Croll was born in Middletown,
February 17, 1830. He is a son of Abner,
a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this
volume, and Rachel, daughter of .John Shelly.
He was educated in the borough schools, and
engaged in farming. He was appointed
principal of the Emaus Orphans' Home in
February, 1866, and has since held that
position. He was elected justice of the peace
in 1874, and still continues in that office.
In June, 1882, he was appointed notary
public. He sent a substitute to the war of
812
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the Rebellion, and afterwards joined Colonel
Young's cavalry, but was discharged on
reaching Harrisburg. He was one of the
organizers, and a director of the Middletown
Water Company, and one of the original
stockholders in the Middletown Car Works.
He was married. May 24, 1855, to Miss Annie
Faber, daughter of Adam Faber, of Adams
county. They have four children : Abner,
merchant of Middletown ; William L., prac-
ticing dentistry in Londonderry ; Charles E.,
and Edward Hillis, of Middletown. Mr.
CroU and his family are active and prominent
members of St. Peter's Lutheran church, in
which he has for many years filled the office
of trustee.
McCrbaky, Elijah, Middletown, was
born in York county. Pa., October 24, 1826.
He is a sou of John and Maria (Lutz) Mc-
Creary, and a grandson of Isaac McCreary,
a native of Scotland, who first settled in
Chester county, Pa., and removed to York
count}' during the Revolutionary period.
John, father of Elijah, was born there. He
was a carpenter and removed to Dauphin
county in 1837; he located in Middletown
and engaged in hotel keeping. He died in
1843, leaving four children : Mary, wife of
Jacob Patton, now deceased ; Elijah ; Maria,
wife of Frederick Morningstar, of Middle-
town, and John, who was killed on the
Pennsylvania railroad, December 8, 1892.
Elijah and Maria are now the only surviv-
ing members of the family.
Elijah came to Middletown with his par-
ents and engaged as driver on the State and
Union canals ; this occupation he followed
until 1843. On March 10, 1844, he was ap-
prenticed to John Watson to learn boatbuild-
ing. After serving six months of his appren-
ticeship he was bound out until he became
of age, a period of three years and seven
months. He was then recommended by
Simon Cameron and Joseph Ross to a place
in the United States navy yard, at Phila-
delphia, but did not accept the appointment.
He took a trip through the West with his
brother John, visiting Chicago, Louisville,
Cairo, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and
other places, traveling all the way by water,
and returning to Middletown in 1849. In
1850 he and his brother John and Jacob
Patton engaged in boat building. Pat-
ton retired from this firm after one year,
and the McCrearys continued the business
for many years, and were very successful.
They also engaged in merchandising, deal-
ing very extensively in pork, and for many
years conducted a saw mill. Mr. McCreary
was also engaged in the coal and ice busi-
ness for about eight years. He is not now
engaged in any active business, but spends
the autumn of his life in comparative re-
tirement amidst the surroundings of his
home and family. In 1854 he married Miss
Laura Sheffer, daughter of Adam Sheffer, of
Marietta. She died in 1872, leaving five
children : Wesley, Elmer E., Elijah P., Car-
rie, wife of Alfred Antrim, and Laura, wife
Grant Croll, all of Middletown. He was
again married, in 1881, to Miss Eleanor V.
Duck, daughter of Washington Duck, of
Columbia, by whom he has two children :
Estella and May. Mr. McCreary was for-
merly active in political matters. He
served nine years in the borough council
and seven years as member of the school
board. He and his family attend the Bethel
church.
Deckard, Dr. I. K., postmaster. Middle-
town, was born in Middletown, June 27,
1862. He is a son of Israel and Nancy
(Kline) Deckard. His father was a miller,
and conducted the grist mill for the Cam-
eron Furnace Company for about thirty-
five years. He died March 19, 1889. His
wife, who was a daughter of Joseph Kline,
of Lancaster county, and a native of Lingles-
town, Dauphin county, survives him. Their
family consists of six children : Mary, wife
of Andrew Yingst, of Middletown; Jacob, of
Middletown ; Caroline, wife of E. C. Brinser,
of Londonderry township ; Henry, of Sioux
City, Iowa ; Barbara, wife of John H. Horst,
of Middletown, and Israel K.
Israel K. was educated in the public
schools of Middletown. In 1885 he was ap-
pointed to a position in the railway mail
service. This position he filled with credit
to himself and with satisfaction to the pub-
lic for four years. In 1889 he resigned it
with a view of preparing himself for profes-
sional work. He entered the American
Veterinary College, in New York City, took
a three years' course, and was graduated in
1891. He returned to Middletown, and has
since been engaged here in the practice of
his profession. On October 1, 1895, he was
appointed postmaster of Middletown by
President Cleveland. He is the first repre-
DA UPBIN GO UNTy.
813
sentative of the Democratic party to receive
the appointment of postmaster of Middle-
town for thirty-four years.
Deckard, Jacob B., feed dealer, Middle-
town, Pa., was born in Middletown, Febru-
ary 13, 1849. He was educated in the pub-
lic schools, and was afterwards engaged in
the feed and milling business with his father.
He established his present business in
1893. In the same year he was married to
Miss Emma Parthemore, daughter of David
Parthemore, of Highspire, Pa. In politics
he is Democratic. He is a member of the
borough council. His wife is a member of
the Bethel church. He attends the Lu-
theran church.
Keener, Harry 0., was born in Eliza-
bethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., June 24,
1870. He is a son of Joseph 0. and Kate
(Oldweiler) Keener. His father was born at
Chickey's Mills, Lancaster county, Pa., April
16, 1845, and was educated in the public
schools of Mt. Joy, Pa. He learned the
milling business of Brandt & Manning, of
Mt. Joy, and pursued that occupation for
many years. He operated the Elizabeth town
grain warehouse and elevator from 1877 to
1887, when he came to Middletown and
established the firm of J. C. Keener & Son,
in the general warehouse business, which
continued until his death in 1889. This
firm also purchased the Robert P. Long
brickyard property, which they enlarged and
remodeled so as to carry on an extensive
business in that line. He was a member of
the Middletown Market Company and a
stockholder in the Elizabethtown Exchange
Bank. In politics he was Republican. He
served as school director and member of the
borough council for many years. He was a
member of the Bethel church. He died sud-
denly on the train, June 16, 1891, when re-
turning from attending an annual conven-
tion of the brickmakers of the United States,
held at Washington, D. C. He married Miss
Kate Oldweiler, of Lancaster county, who
survives him. They had five children :
Harry 0., Annie 0., Mary A., James B., and
Joseph, Jr.
Harry 0. received his education in the
Elizabethtown high school, the Franklin and
Marshall and the Commercial colleges of
Lancaster county. He became a partner in
his father's business in 1887 under the firm
name of J. C. Keener & Son. Since the death
of his father, which occurred in 1889, he has
had entire charge of the business. Although
young in years and in experience, he has
proved himself abundantly qualified to man-
age interests of magnitude and importance.
He is a stockholder in the Middletown Market
Company and its secretary. He is also a
stockholder in the Champion Manufacturing
Company of Middletown. He is an active
worker in the Republican party. Mr. Keener
married, April 9, 1896, Miss Sarah Elizabeth
Fackler, daughter of Joseph Fackler, of Mid-
dletown, and stepdaughter of John W. Re-
walt. He is a member of the Bethel church
and is a sympathizer and co-worker in all
movements and measures for promoting the
material and moral welfare of the commu-
nity. He takes a special interest in the
Young Men's Christian Association, of which
he is an active member.
Dasher, Hiram D., merchant. Middle-
town, Pa., was born in Londonderry town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., August 24, 1838.
He is a son of Charles and Catherine (Pal-
mer) Dasher, of Dauphin and Lancaster
counties respectively. Peter Dasher, his
grandfather, was a native of Germany, and
a stone mason ; he married Miss Hufty.
The parents of Hiram D. were married in
1828, and settled upon a farm in London-
derry township, Dauphin county. The
father died there in February, 1890. The
mother is still living. They had four chil-
dren : Nancy, wife of John Frantz, of Roy-
alton. Pa.; Hiram D.; Mary, wife of Reuben
Suavely, of Middletown, and William, of
Middletown.
Hiram D. received his education in the
township schools. He learned bricklaying,
and followed this occupation for some years.
In 1861 he enlisted in company D, Ninety-
third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers ;
re-enlisted in 1864 as a veteran and was
honorably discharged June 27, 1865. During
his service in the army he was promoted
from the rank of private to be sergeant, sec-
ond lieutenant and first lieutenant. He
served in the Army of the Potomac, and was
a sharer in the marches, battles, defeats and
victories of that great army. He was in the
battles of Fair Oaks, the Seven Days' fighting,
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness,
and other engagements. He is justly en-
titled to the rewards and honors which a
prosperous and grateful people delight to
render to the defenders and preservers of the
814
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Nation. After the close of the war he became
a contractor for masonry in Middletown,
and carried on this business until 1876. He
erected many of the prominent buildings of
the town. In 1876 he engaged in mercantile
business, and has continued in the same
since that da,te. Mr. Dasher's politics are
Republican. He has served as a member of
the borough council. He was married in
1860 to Miss Delilah Corl, daughter of
Henry Corl, of Cumberland county. Pa.
They have three children : Robert F., mar-
ried to Mary Nauss ; Charles Henry, married
Minnie Fleck, and has one child, Fern
Marie; Lillian, wife of William Wagner, of
Middletown, has three chilbren : Blanche
L., Claude N., and Hiram D.; George, and
Washington D. Mr. Dasher is a member of
the United Brethren church.
NissLEY, John L., dealer in farming imple-
ments, Middletown, Pa., was born in Lon-
donderry township, January 12, 1842. He
is a son of Martin and Mary (Longenecker)
Nissley, and a grandson of Martin Nissley, a
farmer of Londonderry township, who also
conducted a grain mill and distillery. His
children were : Jacob, who succeeded to his
father's business, and died in 1895 ; Mary,
wife of Martin Nissley, of Derry township ;
Fannie, wife of Jacob Rife, of Londonderry
township ; Mrs. Jacob Mumma, of Mechan-
icsburg. Pa.; Catherine, wife of Christian
Reesor, of Lebanon county, and Martin.
The latter, who was the father of John L.,
was born in Londonderry township, and was
a farmer and tobacco raiser. He engaged in
the lumber business at Falmouth, and was a
partner with Abraham Collins in conducting
canal boats. He was a member of the Men-
nonite church. In politics he was a Repub-
lican. He served as school director in the
township. He died in 1887. His first wife
died in 1854, leaving four children : John
L.; Christian, of Swatara township ; Jacob,
of Lower Swatara township, and Annie, wife
of H. B. Engle, of Steeltoh, Pa. His second
wife was Mary Horst, of Swatara township.
She survives him and resides in Londonderry
township. By her he had six children,
namely : David, of Maryland ; Frank, of
Lower Swatara ; Amos, of Middletown ; Jo-
seph, of Lancaster county. Pa.; Emma, wife
of David Eppler, of Londonderry township,
and Harvey, of Philadelphia, clerk for the
South Jersey railway.
John L. received his education in the pub-
lic schools. For three years he was em-
ployed in teaching school. He conducted
his uncle's grist mill in 1866-67-68. In
1870 he came to Middletown and became a
member of the firm of Raider, Ramsey &
Nissley, conducting a planing mill and lum-
ber yard. In 1879 he became connected
with Engle & Bro., and managed their im-
plement business for seven years. At the
end of this period he succeeded the firm, and
has since conducted the business in his own
interest. In 1865 he furnished a substitute
in the war of the Rebellion. He is a direc-
tor and is treasurer of the Londonderry Live
Stock Insurance Company, and was also the
secretary of the company for two years. He
is a member of the Knights of the Golden
Eagle, Mystic Chain, Knights of Pythias,
and Knights of Malta. In politics he is a
Republican. He was married, in 1869, to
Miss Ada K. Landis, daughter of Abraham
Landis, of Middletown. They have no chil-
dren. He and his wife are active members
of the Bethel church. He served as deacon
in the church for twelve years.
Klugh, Jacob Fkedeeick, Highspire,
Pa., was born in Newberrytown, York county.
Pa., March 17, 1838. He is a son of Freder-
ick H. and Catherine (Flicker) Klugh, na-
tives of York county, who moved to May-
town, Lancaster county, Pa., in 1840. His
father was a potter, and also taught school
in York and Lancaster counties.
J. F. Klugh was reared in Maytown, Pa.,
and educated in the public schools. In
1852 his father died, and he then worked
with his brother, Henry E. Klugh (now a
prominent and successful attorney of New
York City), in his father's pottery at May-
town, Pa., until the year 1857, when he took
charge of the pottery himself and carried on
the pottery business until 1864. In 1857 he
began teaching school in the winter, and
continued teaching until 1868, and one term
after that in 1874 ; and while teaching he
was principal of the Elizabethtown high
school three terms, the Manheim high school
one term, and the Highspire high school
two terms. In 1865 he engaged in the
clothing business in Marietta, Pa., and Har-
risburg. He was bookkeeper for the Eliza-
bethtown boot and shoe factory, and also
bookkeeper and local editor on the Harris-
burg Patriot for a short time. He perma-
nently came to Highspire in 1870, engaging
with William K. Wilson, and had charge of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
815
his business and telegraphing until 1882,
when he began the manufacture of cigars,
dealing in real estate, surveying and draft-
ing. He quit manufacturing cigars in the
spring of 1889, since which time he has given
his attention to real estate, surveying, draft-
ing, and the office of the justice of the peace,
to which office he was first elected in 1874,
and has uninterruptedly served in that ca-
pacity until the present time, with the ex-
ception of two years in the service of the
United States Government as special exam-
iner of pensions, under the commissioner of
pensions, Hon. John C. Black. Recently he
has purchased about twenty-eight acres of
finely located land adjoining the town of
Highspire, which he laid out as "Klughton,"
an addition to Highspire. He is a member
of Elizabethtown Lodge, No. 128, I. 0. 0. F.,
and Dauphin Encampment, No. 10, of Har-
risburg. Pa. He was the promoter of the
Middletown, Highspire and Steelton Street
Railway Company, of which he was a stock-
holder and director until it was built and
swallowed up by the East Harrisburg Pas-
senger Railroad Company, now a part of the
Harrisburg Traction Company, and was a
stockholder in the Highspire Car Shops,
which failed in 1872. and is a stockholder
of the Highspire Building and Savings As-
sociation. In 1865 he married Miss Mary
C, daughter of George and Matilda (Black)
Hambright, of Wilmington, Del. They have
had seven children, five of whom are liv-
ing, viz : Oliver R., M. D., of Harrisburg, Pa.,
Ida Nora, Aaron D., Mary C, and Jacob
Handcock. Mr. Klugh was brought up a
Lutheran, which church and Sunday-school
he regularly attended, but since he is at
Highspire he is a contributor to and the fam-
ily attend the United Brethren church.
EsHLEMAN, John, Highspire, Pa., was born
in Lancaster county. Pa., November 26, 1842.
He is a son of Abraham and Susan (Ebersole)
Eshleman, natives of Lancaster county. His
father was a laborer and died in that county.
He was a member of the Mennonite church.
His family consisted of ten children, reared to
maturity, seven of whom are now living :
Martha, wife of Uriah Eichelberger, of Du
Page county. 111.; Susan, wife of Jacob Hirsh,
of Du Page county. 111.; Adeline, of Du Page
county, 111.; David, of Nebraska, a saddler ;
Henry, of Marietta, Lancaster county ; Simon,
of Donegal township, Lancaster county, and
John.
John was brought up and educated in Lan-
caster county. His school days were limited
by his earnest desire to enter the ranks of the
breadwinners. He went to work as a wage-
earner at the age of eleven on the farm of
David Ebersole. Until he was twenty-one
years old he worked at farming for various
people. During this time he was accumu-
lating knowledge and experience and gaining
physical strength and muscular vigor, which
were to serve him as capital in the business
of life. Leaving farm work, he engaged as a
laborer with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. Here his superiority to the com-
mon laborer with whom he was associated
was soon recognized and appreciated. In a
short time he was made foreman of the
" floating gang," and helped to build the
double track from Middletown to Columbia.
In 1868 he moved to Highspire and became
section foreman for the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, which position he filled until
1883. In this year he engaged in the lum-
ber business, in which he has since continued.
He is a stockholder and director in the Har-
risburg and Middletown Pike Company and
a stockholder in the Harrisburg, Highspire
and Steelton Electric Railway Company. He
has also large real estate interests. He is
Republican in politics. He served as as-
sessor of Lower Swarata township for three
years. He is superintendent of the High-
spire Cemetery Association. Recently Mr.
Eshleman has given further proofs of his
enterprise by laying out twenty acres of land
at the east end of Highspire into town lots,
which is called the Eshleman addition to
Highspire. These lots are being rapidly pur-
chased by residents and newcomers, who are
erecting handsome and comfortable homes,
and in a very short time this will form one
of the most picturesque portions of the vil-
lage. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Ellen,
daughter of Henry Wolf, of Lower Swatara
township, by whom he has one child, Harry
W., born in 1871. Mr. Eshleman is a mem-
ber of the Church of God.
Wolf, Franklin, farmer, Highspire P.
0., was born in York county. Pa., December
29, 1849. He is a son of George W. and
Lydia (LeFevre) Wolf, natives of York
county. Pa. His father was a farmer and
tobacco raiser. He was an active member
of the Lutheran church. He was Republi-
can in politics. He died in 1868, his wife in
1852. They had nine children, two of whom
816
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
are now living: Annie, wife of Peter Shingle,
of Goldsboro, York county, and Franklin.
Franklin was reared in York county and
educated in the public schools till he was
sixteen years old, when he became a worker
for wages, hiring out as a farm laborer. In
1865 he came to Dauphin county, and lived
with Hon. Isaac Mumma for thirteen years.
For the last eighteen years of this period he
rented his farm and conducted the business
for himself. In 1878 he engaged with Col.
John Motter, and has since had charge of
his farming interests. He is an active Re-
publican. He has served as school director,
treasurer and assessor of Lower Swatara
township. He is a member of P rince Edwin
Lodge, No. 486, F. & A. M., of Middletown ;
of the Order of United American Mechanics,
and of Harrisburg Lodge, No. 68, and En-
campment No. 10, 1. 0. 0. F., of Harrisburg.
He was married, in 1869, to Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Jacob Hoke, of Lower Swatara
township. She died December 12, 1883,
leaving four children : Harry E., married
Elizabeth, daughter of David Smith, and has
one child, Walter S.; Emma, wife of David
Smith, of Lower Swatara township, and has
two children, Annie and Harry ; John Mot-
ter, and Harvey J. He was again married,
in 1884, to Miss Kate R. Duncan, daughter
of David Ober, of Swatara township, by whom
he has four children : Clarence, Annie, Ober,
and Mary. Mr. Wolf and his family attend
the Lutheran church.
Alleman, Henry, farmer, Middletown P.
0., was born on the farm he now occupies,
February 28, 1832. He is a son of Michael
and Catherine (Rudy) Alleman. Five broth-
ers, his ancestors, came from Germany at an
early day and settled in Berks county. Pa.
Henry Alleman, grandfather of Henry, was
born in Berks county and settled in what is
now Lower Swatara township, where he be-
came a prominent farmer and distiller. He
was a member of the Lutheran church and
helped to build the old Lutheran church of
Middletown. His first wife was Miss Julia
Long, of South Annville township, Lebanon
county. His second wife was a widow Sibert,
and survived him several years. He was
buried on the Rook farm. His family con-
sisted of eight sons and two daughters,
many of them settled in Ohio. Two died in
Franklin county. Pa. The maternal grand-
parents (Rudy) were members of the Re-
formed church and their bodies are interred
in Shoop's church cemetery.
Michael Alleman, father of Henry, was
born in Lower Swatara township in 1784,
and was a farmer and distiller. He was a
prominent member and a deacon in the Lu-
theran church. He was first a Whig in poli-
tics, and allied himself with the Republican
party upon its formation. He served as
school director for many years. He died in
1868; his wife survived him until 1890.
They reared six children : Susanna, widow
of John Cope, of Palmyra, Lebanon county.
Pa.; Elizabeth, wife of John S. Foltz, of
Conewago, Pa.; Maria, wife of Michael Con-
nelly, of Middletown ; Michael R., who was
trustee in the Emaus Orphans' Home for many
years, died in 1870 ; his wife was Leah Royer,
of Schaefferstown, Lebanon county. Pa., who
now resides in Steelton ; Henry ; and Joseph
W., died in 1893, farmer in Lower Swatara
township, married Margaret K. Royer, now
residing in Lower Swatara township.
Henry received his education in the town-
ship schools, the Middletown high school
and Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg.
He taught school in Dauphin county for five
years. Since 1855 he has been engaged in
farming. He is an active member of the
Republican party. He has served as town-
ship auditor. He is a trustee of Emaus Or-
phans' Home. He was married to Miss Sa-
lome Seltzer, daughter of Samuel Seltzer, of
Middletown. They have had fourteen chil-
dren : Samuel, of Swatara township, married
Miss Reed ; Martin, a carpenter, of Middle-
town, married Miss Meade Wallower; Sarah,
wife of John V. Ricker, of Swatara town-
ship ; Henry M., of Swatara township, mar-
ried Minnie Fisher, resides in Albany county,
N. Y.; Edward J., of Paxton township, mar-
ried Sarah Mumma ; Robert G., Abner T.,
Ira F., Mary, Salome, Catherine, Helen',
David^James, and David A., deceased. The
family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Alleman has served in all the church
offices.
HocKER, Andrew C, Highspire, Pa was
born in Highspire, May 3, 1861. He is a son
of Jacob and Jane (Keplinger) Hocker. His
father was born in the vicinity of Harrisburg
March 25, 1819, and was a son of Jacob
Hocker, who was born April 17,1775 and
died April 8, 1836. Jacob Hocker, Jr., moved
with his father, by wagon, to Ohio. After
remaining there a short time he returned to
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
817
Dauphin county and worked as a driver on
the Union canal. He invested his earnings
in the purchase of a boat, which he conducted
for several years. After this he engaged in
mercantile business at Union Deposit for a
short period ; he then came to Highspire and
opened a store which he conducted until
1884, with the exception of one year spent in
Reading, Pa. He was one of the original
stockholders of the Highspire Car and Manu-
facturing Company. He was a member of the
Order of American Mechanics. He united
with the Hummelstown Lutheran church in
1835. He was Republican in politics, and
filled various township offices. He died
March 28, 1892. His wife survives him.
They were married in Harrisburg, Decem-
•ber 13, 1842. Their family consisted of eight
children : Mary, married William K. Wilson,
and died in Washington ; David K., died in
Philadelphia; Amelia J., wife of Shannon
Kore, of Highspire ; Robert J., died in in-
fancy ; Catherine Ann, wife of M. A. Bart-
lett ;■ Ella, wife of L. W. Kribbs, of Washing-
ton ; W. C. A. L., who died in Highspire, and
Andrew C. <
The latter received his education at the
public school of Highspire, and entered his
father's store as a clerk. In 1884 he pur-
chased the business and continued it until
1893. Since that time he has devoted his
attention to his large real estate interests.
He is a member of the Order of American
Mechanics. He is a Republican with Prohi-
bition proclivities. He was married, in 1884,
to Alice F., daughter of Henry Zimmerman,
of Lower Swatara township, by whom he has
four children: Mervyu J., Jacob C, Ivan,
and Edna Francis. Mr. Hocker and his wife
are prominent members of the United Breth-
ren church, of Highspire, in which he holds
the office of trustee and is a class leader.
MuMMA, JosiAH J., farmer, Highspire, Pa.,
was born in Lebanon county. Pa., February
12, 1841. He is a son of Isaac and Cathe-
rine (Kreider) Mumma. He was reared and
educated in Lebanon county. He came to
Dauphin county in 1864, and located in
Lower Swatara township. He was married,
in 1862, to Miss Annie Elizabeth Ulrich,
daughter of Michael Ulrich, of Lower
Swatara township, a sketch of whom is
given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Mumma,
during the progress of the war of the Re-
bellion, was patriotic and in full sympathy
with those who sought to maintain the
Union and perpetuate the life of the Nation.
He was a young man, just beginning life
and life's business on the farm, and had just
married. While he was not so situated
that he could enlist in the army and render
service in person, he was yet entirely will-
ing to bear his part in the patriotic sacri-
fices which were demanded of all good citi-
zens. Consequently when he was drafted,
he cheerfully furnished a substitute who was
young and strong and able to do full ser-
vice in his name and place in the army.
Mr. Mumma is a Republican. He is not an
ofiice seeker, but is active in the support of
good men for all places of public trust. He
has eight children : Catherine, wife of Addi-
son Shearer, of Hummelstown, Pa.; Michael
U., of Lower Swatara township.; Ida Alice ;
Josiah J., of Lower Swatara township ; Eva
U., Isaac N., Eluma Le Roy, and Annie
Elizabeth Ma.y. The family are members
of the Highspire United Brethren church.
Michael Ulrich, deceased, was born near
Hummelstown, Pa., November 18, 1811.
He moved with his parents to Lower
Swatara township. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation. He died March 6, 1889. He was
married to Catherine Heicher, of Lower
Swatara township, who died December 18,
1883. They had three children, two of
whom died in infancy. The third, Annie
Elizabeth, married Joshua J. Mumma, and
resides in Lower Swatara township. Mr.
Ulrich and his wife are members of the
Lutheran church, in which he filled the of-
fice of elder.
Stkayek, Horace R., farmer, Middletown
P. 0., was born in Lower Swatara township,
July 20, 1850. He is a son of Abraham and
Mary (Rathbon) Strayer, natives of Dauphin
county. His father was a son of Michael
Strayer, and was born in Swatara township.
May 9, 1813. After his marriage he located
in Lower Swatara township, where he lived
until his death, November 13, 1883. His
wife was born in 1815, and died in 1890.
They were members of the United Brethren
church. They reared two children : Mary,
wife of John M. Strickler, of Derry Church,
and Horace R.
The latter was • educated in the township
schools and at Palmyra Academy. After
completing his education he took his place
in the ranks of school teachers. He was oc-
cupied in this vocation for three terms. In
1870 he married Annie, daughter of Peter
818
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and Elizabeth (Berks) Hoffman. He en-
gaged in farming, and found this occupation
congenial and promising of good returns for
the labor bestowed. In 1883 he purchased
the farm he now occupies and cultivates. He
is regarded as one of the prominent and solid
farmers of the region. In connection with
his farm he also conducts a dairy, and has
a large list of customers to whom he fur-
nishes a daily supply of milk. His reputa-
tion is one of strict integrity. As one of his
patrons expressed it, his cows and his cans
furnish the same kind of milk. Mr. Strayer
has three children : Clarence Hoffman, Hor-
ace, and Albert. He is a Republican in
politics. He has served as school director
and as supervisor of the township. He and
his family are members of the United Breth-
ren church.
BoDMER, Edward, proprietor of the Bod-
mer House, Highspire, Pa., was born in
Highspire in August, 1859. He is a son of
Hilarius and Justina (Keller) Bodmer, both
natives of Germany. Hilarius Bodmer was
born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 2,
1820, and is a son of John and Anna (Bach-
man) Bodmer. Hisfather died in Germany,
and he and his mother came to America in
1840. They located in Harrisburg where
he worked at the stone mason's trade for
two years. His mother moved to Ohio, and
later to Iowa, where she died. Mr. Bodmer
located in Highspire in 1844, and has since
resided there. For thirty-two years he was
employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, and had charge of their masonry
work from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. He
also kept a hotel at Highspire for many
years. He is a member of Harrisburg Lodge,
No. 68, 1. 0. 0. F. Politically he is a Demo-
crat. He was married, in Germany, in 1840,
to Miss Justina, daughter of Christian Keller.
She died in 1883. They had nine children,
six of whom are now living : John, a mason,
of Steelton ; Anna, wife of Edward Orth, of
Steelton ; William, of Harrisburg; Sarah,
wife of Taylor Crownshield, of Harrisburg;
Catherine, widow of John Douglass, of Har-
risburg, and Edward. Mr. Bodmer is a
member of the United Brethren church.
Edward was educated in the public schools
of his native place. He learned the trade of
stone mason, which he followed for four
years. He then learned baking, and estab-
lished himself in that business in 1876. He
was successful in this line of business, and
continued in it for seventeen years. In 1891
he purchased the Bodmer House, which he
has conducted since that date. He is Dem-
ocratic in politics, and has served as tax col-
lector of the township. He was married, in
1888. to Miss, Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew
Sinigar, of Middletown. They have two
children, Marion E. and Delia May. Mrs.
Bodmer is a member of the United Breth-
ren church.
Morrow, John C, of the firm of Rohrer &
Morrow, proprietors of the Highspire Glue
Works, was born in Mifflin county. Pa., Oc-
tober 3, 1837 ; son of James W. and Mary
(Cox) Morrow, natives of Ireland. They
were married in Mifflin county. Tbe father
was engaged in the butchering business at '
Hollidaysburg, Pa., where he died. The
mother died in Harrisburg in 1892. John C.
was reared in Blair county and educated in
the public schools. He engaged in the
butchering business with his father. In 1862
he oame to Harrisburg and was employed by
the Adams Express Company, for which he
worked nine years. He was then foreman of
the Pennsylvania freight house at Harris-
burg for three years. For several years he
acted for the Baltimore Fast Freight Line.
In , connection with George F. Rohrer he
dealt in produce. Later they began the
manufacture of glue at Harrisburg and in
1884 removed to Highspire, where they
erected their present plant. Mr. Morrow was
married, in 1866, to Miss Ella Hittle, of
Juniata count}"^. Pa., by whom he has four
sons : Albert B., married Miss Minnie Smith,
and has two children, Le Roy and Helen ;
Joseph W., married Minnie McKinley,
daughter of Warren McKinley ; George R.,
and John C, Jr. Mr. Morrow and his family
attend the Presbyterian church. He ranks
with the solid business men of the com-
munity; he has the qualities which compel
success.
Zimmerman, Solomon, farmer, Highspire
P. 0., was born on the farm he now occupies
February 15, 1850. He is a son of Henry
and Catherine (Hawk) Zimmerman. His
grandfather was also named Henry, and was
a son of Peter Zimmerman, of Cumberland
county. Pa. He came to Dauphin county at an
early date, married Barbara Greiner, daugh-
ter of Philip Greiner, and in 1814 purchased
the farm now occupied by Solomon. He
was also a wheelwright. He died in 1839 ■
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
819
his wife survived until March, 1866. He
was one of the prominent men of his day.
In politics he was Democratic. They reared
twelve children to maturity, namely: Re-
becca, married Peter Brenner, and died in
Oberlin,Pa.; Elizabeth, married John Becker,
died May 19, 1895, at Springfield, Ohio ; Cathe-
rine, married Samuel Hanshue, died in
Steelton, Pa.; Philip died in Middletown;
Henry ; George, of Springfield, Ohio; Simon,
died in Ottawa, 111.; Isaac, died in Springfield,
Ohio; Mary, married Benjamin Brubaker,
died in Springfield, Ohio ; Solomon, died in
Middletown; Valentine, of Lower Swatara
township ; and Magdalene, widow of Henry
Meyers, of Conewago township.
Henry Zimmerman, father of Solomon, was
born in Lower Swatara township, in 1816,
He was educated by his own efforts, not hav-
ing the advantage of schools. He learned
the trade of carpenter and millwright, but
made farming his chief occupation. He be-
came one of the prominent farmers of the
county, accumulating a handsome property
by his own efibrts. He was a Democrat. His
wife was Catherine, daughter of Christian
Hawk, of Swatara township, who owned the
land upon which Oberlin is now built. This
land was purchased by Henry Zimmerman,
who, in turn, sold it to the persons who plotted
the village. Henry Zimmerman died in 1882.
His wife survives and lives at Steelton. They
were members of the United Brethren church.
They reared nine children, of whom seven
are now living : Solomon ; Morris, of Spring-
field, Ohio; Benjamin, died at seven
years of age; Mary Ellen, wife of Henry
Wolf, of Swatara township ; Adeline J.,
wife of George Hocker, of Paxtang; Kate,
died at twenty-four years of age; Samuel
S., of Steelton; Alice Frances, wife of A.
C. Hocker, of Highspire; and Henry R.,
commercial traveler, of Pittsburgh.
Solomon received his education at the
White Hall Academy and Lebanon Valley
College, Annville, and at Millersville Normal
School. After completing his education he
became a teacher ; he taught in the schools
of Middletown, Steelton, Oberlin and Swatara
township. He leased the stone quarries at the
Half-way House and operated them six years,
in partnership with George W. Cumbler. In
1883 he purchased his present farm. In ad-
dition to ordinary farming he carries on a
dairy, and also conducts the stone and lime
business, He has large interests in Steelton,
and owns many houses there. He is one of
the charter members and a director of the
Highspire, Middletown and Steelton Street
Railway Company. He is a Democrat in
politics. He has served as school director of
the township. He was married, in 1886, to
Miss Lizzie M., daughter of John E. Ricker,
of Swatara township. They have no children.
Mrs. Zimmerman isa member of the Lutheran
church.
Orth, Charles, merchant, Middletown,
Pa., was born in Swatara township, October
3, 1843. He is a son of Henry and Cathe-
rine (Eckert) Orth, natives of Germany, who
came to America in 1837, and located . in
Swatara township, where the father died in
1846, and the mother in 1853. They were
small farmers. They were members of the
Lutheran church. Both are buried in the
Oberlin cemetery. They had six children,
three of whom are living : Mary, wife of
Adam Sheets, of Ida Grove, Iowa; John, of
Dauphin county, and Charles.
Charles was reared in Swatara township.
He enjoyed only limited advantages in the
public schools. He was put out to work on
a farm when quite young, and continued to
be thus employed until 1861. Although
but eighteen years old, and without the
knowledge of any business except farming,
he had strong arms and a brave and hopeful
heart. With earnest purpose and honorable
aims he launched his boat upon the stream
of life. In 1861 he married Miss Barbara,
daughter of John Stoeffer, of Paxton town-
ship. He worked by the day for three
_years. The wages were not large, but with
frugality and self-denial were sufficient for a
comfortable support. He then took a farm
from Rev. Solomon Swartz on shares, and
this proved a step in advance. He removed
from there to the Dr. Rutherford farm, upon
which he lived nine years, and then farmed
for Jacob Bomberger and conducted a dairy
until 1887. These years upon the farm had
been years of success and moderate accumu-
lation. He was now prepared for another
advance. He moved into Middletown, and
in 1888 enrolled his name among the mer-
chants and purchased his present business,
which he has since conducted with gratify-
ing success.
He is an active member of the Republican
party. He has served on the school board
of the township for six years. He belongs
to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Orth has
two children : Edward E., of Steelton, who
820
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
married Annie, daughter of Hilarius Bod-
mer, of Highspire, and Annie, wife of Abra-
ham Fetrow, of Steelton, who has one child,
Maggie, clerk for Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart,
of Harrisburg. He is an active member of
the United Brethren church; has been a
trustee of that church for twenty years, and
for many years a general steward and super-
intendent of the Sunday-school.
Roop, John S., merchant, Middletown,
was born in Londonderry township, Febru-
ary 25, 1839. He is a son of John and
Catiierine (Shank) Roop. His father was a
native of Cumberland county, who came to
Dauphin county as a young man, and pur-
chased a farm in Londonderry township.
His mother was a daughter of Michael
Shank of that township. In 1841 his father
moved to Middletown and engaged in the
the tinning business, in which he continued
for six years. Then he purchased a small
place near the town, in Londonderry town-
ship, and lived there three years. He then
moved to Nissley's Mills, and lived there re-
tired from business until the death of his
wife in 1876. He 'then moved to Middle-
town and lived with his daughter until
November 8, 1885, when he departed from
this life. They were members of the
United Brethren church. He was a Re-
publican and was supervisor of the town-
ship. Of their four children, one died in
infancy; those living are: David, of Dan-
bury, Iowa, journeyman tinner ; Annie, wife
of John H. Cobaugh, of Middletown, and
John S. The latter was reared in London-
derry township. He learned the tinner's
trade with his father and worked at the
Middletown Car Shops, at saw milling and
other occupations. In 1887 he established
his present business, in which he has since
continued with success. In 1865 he mar-
ried Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob
Strauss, of Mid dletown . They h ad one child ,
William J., who was born April 25, 1867;
learned the printing trade and is now a
partner in his father's business; he was
married, in September, 1894, to Catherine,
daughter of George W. and Lydia Shaneor,
of Middletown. They have one child. Amy
K. Mr. Roop is a Republican. He has
been assessor of the Second precinct. Third
ward, for the past three years. He and his
family attend the Church of God.
Baker, Charles H., proprietor of the
Keystone bakery, Middletown, Pa., was born
in Lancaster county. Pa., December 28, 1855 ;
son of Christian and Catherine (Houghen-
doubler) Baker. His father was a native of
Germany; married in Lancaster county and
was in the shoe business at Columbia, Pa.
Charles H. was reared in Lancaster county
and pursued the regular course of study in
the public schools of Marietta, Pa. He was
active and ambitious and anxious to get
started in the world. He could not think of
any better way for a boy to get into buisness
than the old-fashioned way of learning a
trade. He was on the lookout for an oppor-
tunity of getting a knowledge of some useful
occupation. He found a place in a cigar-
shop and learned cigarmaking. In posses-
sion of a trade he started out to find a place
of employment, and in 1876 alighted upon
Middletown. The firm of H. Stagman & Co.
were not only willing to give him work but
to admit him as a partner ; and it soon be-
came the firm of Stagman & Baker, our young
cigarmaker being the junior partner. Busi-
ness prospered, and the capital must needs
be further increased ; hence the firm was
merged into Keystone Cigar Company, of
which Mr. Baker became foreman. Still
ambitious for larger things, in 1883 he sold
his interest in the Keystone Cigar Company,
and while looking for a place of business he
took charge of a factory in Lancaster county,
which employed one hundred hands, the
business of which he managed for two years
with credit, to himself and satisfaction to his
employers.
Meanwhile business prospects brightened
at his old residence, Middletown. While the
field here in his own line of business was oc-
cupied, other branches of trade offered oppor-
tunities which Mr. Baker was quick to dis-
cern and prompt to avail himself of. He at
once engaged in his present business, which
he is pushing with his characteristic energy
and skill. He is a director in the Middle-
town Building and Loan Association. He is
a member of the Junior Order of American
Mechanics and of the Knights of Malta. He
is a Democrat, and was the nominee of his
party for the Legislature from the Second
district, and while he was not elected he was
flattered by a vote largely in excess of the
strength of his party. He was married
June 20, 1878, to Miss Susan, daughter of
Michael Connelly, of Middletown. They
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
821
have four children : Bertha, John, Charles,
and Raymond. The family are members of
the Lutheran church.
Balsbach, Henry, farmer, Oberlin, Pa.,
was born in Derry township, Dauphin
county, Pa., January 29, 1831 ; son of John
and Mary (Zeigler) Balsbach. The mother
was born in Lancaster county and the father
was born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. He was a son of Valentine, a
son of Valentine (1), who came from Ger-
many and cultured a tract of land in Derry
and Hanover township. Valentine, the
grandfather of Henry, was a minister in the
German Baptist church, and lived to the ad-
vanced age of ninety-six years. He married
Miss Brosh, and they reared a large family.
John, the father, was a blacksmith by
trade, and settled in Derry township, where
he remained until 1827, when he removed
to Lower Swatara township, and died
there in 1875, and his wife died in
1867; both were members of the United
Brethren church. They had eleven chil-
dren, of whom nine grew to maturity :
George, of Oberlin ; Valentine, deceased,
Middletown ; John, deceased, Juniata county ;
Elijah, deceased. Lower Swatara township ;
Henry ; Solomon, Lower Swatara township ;
Elizabeth, Mrs. John Snyder, of York county ;
Mary, wife of Cornelius Shope, of Oberlin,
and Annie, unmarried, at Oberlin.
Henry was reared and educated in his
native township and learned the carpenter
trade, which he followed for some years,
and later engaged in farming. In politics
he is a Republican, and served as supervisor
of the township. He is a member of the
United Brethren church, and is also a trus-
tee of the organization and the superintend-
ent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Balsbach was
married, in 1855, to Mary, daughter of
Samuel Ulrich, after which he located on his
present farm. Their children are: Frank,
born in 1871, married in 1892 to Miss Jen-
nie Ebersole, daughter of Martin Ebersole,
and they have two children, Theo. Mary,
and Annie Esther; Amelia, wife of Henry
StaufFer, of Oberlin, and they have three
children, Jennie, Mary, and Sally ; Emma,
wife of 0. 0. Horstic, lives with her father,
and has three children, Harry, Eva, and
Lucy.
Balsbach, Solomon, Oberlin, Pa., was
born in Lower Swatara township, Dauphin
county. Pa., October 1, 1838. He learned
the carpenter trade and followed that occu-
pation for several years. Later he became a
farmer, and in 1866 engaged in keeping
hotel at "Running Pump," where he con-
tinued for some years. He was married, in
1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel
Ulrich, by whom he has five children :
Elmer, of Paxtang township, married Minnie
Felix ; John, of Oberlin, married Mary Bod-
mer ; Samuel, Milton, and Naomi. In his
political views Mr. Balsbach is a Republican
and has served in the offices of tax collector,
supervisor and other offices. He is a mem-
ber of the United Brethren church and is
also a minister in that denomination. At
present he is the president of the cemetery
board.
BusBR, John K., deceased, was born in
Londonderry township, Dauphin county.
Pa., July 9, 1818. His father was a native of
Germany and came to America at an early
day. He landed at Philadelphia, and after-
wards located in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county. Pa., where he died at forty-
five years of age. His children are: Jacob,
located in Hummelstown, where he was en-
gaged in butchering and died there ; Henry,
carpenter by trade and died in Iowa ; Levi ;
John K.; Catherine, Mrs. Henry Poorman,
of Middletown, deceased ; Mattie, Mrs. Henry
Hisey, of Kansas.
John K. received his education in his na-
tive township, and learned the milling busi-
ness. He operated the Middletown mill for
eight years, and in 1861 built the grist mill
at Highspire and conducted it until his death
in 1887. He was a prominent and repre-
sentative man of the county. He was also
engaged in the coal business. In his politi-
cal views he was a Democrat. He married
Miss Harriet Fogle, daughter of Henry
Fogle, of Middletown, and granddaughter of
Israel V. Fogle, of the Steelton flour mill.
He married, in 1852, for his second wife. Miss
Elizabeth Stoner, daughter of John Stoner,
and she died in 1882. Mr. Buser was a
leading member of the Church of God, in
which he also held the office of elder for
many years. By his second wife he had
eight children ; Ira and Milton, twins ; Otis
S.; Oscar, deceased ; Emma, unmarried ;
822
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCTGLOPEDIA
Laura B., wife of George W. Coover, of High-
spire ; Clara and Alice, both deceased.
Milton Buser was born in Middletown,
Pa., February 22, 1853, and was educated in
the public schools of Highspire, where also,
he was married in 1861. For twenty years
he was in the service of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company in dififerent capacities, and in
1892 he engaged with his brother Ira in
milling. In politics he was a Democrat and
served as assessor of Lower Paxton town-
ship. In 1875 he was married to Miss
Amanda Attick, daughter of George Attick,
of Lower Swatara township, and to them has
been born one child, Mary A. His religious
fellowship is with the Church of God.
Ira Buser, proprietor of the Highspire
mills, was born in Middletown, Pa., Febru-
ary 22, 1853, and attended the public schools.
By occupation he was a miller, which busi-
ness he learned from his father, and has al-
ways followed. After the death of his father
he and his brother Otis conducted the mill
for three years, since which time he has had
the entire interest. In 1890 he engaged in
the grocery business, in which he has since
continued. Formerly Mr. Buser was a Dem-
ocrat in his political views, but is now an
independent voter. He was married, in
1876, to Sarah E., daughter of Jacob Eoop,
of Highspire, and to this marriage there is
no issue. He is a member of the Church of
God, in which he holds the offices of elder
and treasurer.
Otis S. Buser was born in Middletown, Pa.,
in 1860. He worked with his father in the
mill until his death, when he and his brother
Ira purchased the mill and conducted it
until 1892, when he retired from the firm,
and engaged in gardening. He was also in
the flour and feed business at Harrisburg.
He married Miss Amy Souders, by whom he
has one child, Guy.
Bander, Augustus, leather dealer, Mid-
dletown, Pa., was born in Wurtemberg, Ger-
many, January 19, 1834; son of David and
Caroline (Moser) Bander. He was reared
and educated, and learned the trade of tan-
ner with his father, in Germany. In 1856
he came to America, and located in Phila-
delphia, where he worked at his trade, and
in 1858 removed to Elizabeth ville, Dauphin
county, where he worked as a journeyman
tanner for three years. In 1861 he estab-
lished a tannery of his own, which he
conducted until 1888, when he came to Mid-
dletown, Pa., and for two years was a partner
in the Rife tannery, after which he was
for four years with S. B. Luce, in the Meyers-
town tannery. In 1895 he and his
son established their present business of
hides and leather dealers, at Middletown.
In his political views Mr. Bander is a Re-
publican. He was married, in 1860, to Miss
Margaret M., daughter of David Matter, of
Elizabethville, Dauphin county, by whom
he has seven children: David, Franklin,
Aaron W., Charles, William A., Jacob, and
George W. Mr. Bander is a member of the
United Brethren church, of Middletown, of
which he is a trustee, and is treasurer of the
Sabbath-school.
Coble, Isaac H., farmer, Middletown P.O.,
Pa.,wasborn in Conewago township, Dauphin
county, Pa., October 11, 1829 ; son of Chris-
tian and Elizabeth (Hoffer) Coble, natives of
Dauphin county. Jacob Coble, the grand-
father, was a native of Germany and settled
on the homestead in Conewago township
and later moved to Derry township, where
he died. He was a member of the Men-
nonite church. The father, Christian Coble,
was born on the homestead and has always
resided there. He divided it into three
farms and made important improvements.
He was ingenious in mechanical work, and
made a revolving rake for hay and much
of his farming implements and machinery.
In political views he was a Republican and
served as supervisor of his township. His
death occurred in May, 1873, and that of his
wife in 1846. They had five sons and one
daughter, the only survivors of whom are :
Isaac H., and Christian, farmer and mer-
chant, of Bellaire, Lancaster county. He was
again married, to Miss Nancy Snyder, who
survives him, and to this marriage there is
no issue. They were members of the Men-
nonite church.
Isaac H. was reared on the homestead and
educated in the public schools. His occupa-
tion has always been farming. In 1853 he
was married to Miss Nancy Eshenaur, daugh-
ter of Frank Eshenaur. He remained on
the homestead farm until 1858, when he re-
moved to his present farm, which he has
greatly improved. They have three sons and
two daughters: Frank E., of Conewago town-
ship, married Elizabeth Good, and they have
four children: Martha, Annie, Lizzie, and
Aaron; Aaron, of Londonderry township,
married Mazie Brinser, and their children
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
823
are: Harry, Truman, and Eiith ; Marj^ wife
of Joseph Selser, of Derry township ; Isaac,
and Emma, both unmarried, at home. Mr.
Coble is one of the originators and a stock-
holder of the Middletown Bracket Company
and was its manager. He is also a stock-
holder in the Hummelstown Bank. In poli-
tics he is a Republican and has served as
school director and supervisor of the town-
ship. In church fellowship he is with the
Mennonites.
Carmany, Chakles Augustus, jeweler,
Middletown, Pa., was born at Schaeffersville,
Lebanon county. Pa., October 26, 1863 ; son
of Jacob and Leah (Houser) Carmany. He
was reared - in his native county, and
attended the public schools until he was
sixteen years of age, when he went to Mid-
dletown, and learned the jeweler's business,
in which he was employed for some years.
In 1889 he established his present business,
which he has conducted since that time.
Mr. Carmany is a member of the Knights of
the Golden Eagle and of the Knights of
Malta. In his political views he is a Repub-
lican. In 1893 he was married to Miss
Lillie E. Bresserman, daughter of William
Bresserman, of Middletown, and they have
one child, Elva.
Erb, John, farmer and minister, Harris-
burg P. 0., Pa., was born in Cumberland
county, Pa., October 13, 1839 ; son of John
and Fannie (Berke) Erb. The father was a
farmer and minister in the Mennonite
church. He was reared near Manheim,
Lancaster county, and moved to Cumber-
land county, where he died. John lost his
father when he was five years old, and was
reared in York and Lancaster counties. In
1862 he was married to Barbara Miller,
daughter of David Miller, of Lancaster.
After marriage he located in Lanca te
county, where he lived until 1867, when he
came to Dauphin county' and purchased the
farm he now owns and occupies, which he
stocked with all kinds of fruits, etc. For-
merly he was a Republican in politics, and
has always been a member of the old Men-
nonite church, in which connection he was'
made a minister in 1877. He has served
the Shoop and Strickler churches, and has
been active in work since his ordination to
the ministry. His children are : Mary, wife
of Frank Nissley, of Lower Swatara town-
ship ; Annie, wife of Abraham Lutz, of
Donegal township, Lancaster county ; Bar-
bara, at home; Ellen, wife of Benjamin Bru-
baker, of Mt. Joy, Lancaster county ; Eliza-
beth, died aged twenty-one years ; an in-
fant, deceased ; Amanda, Susan, Alice, Sam-
uel, John, Emma, and David.
Engle, Daniel, farmer, Hummelstown
P. 0., Pa., was born on the farm on which
he now resides, in August, 1837, and is a
son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sheets) Engle.
His grandfather, Daniel, was the first of the
family to settle in Dauphin county, having
came from Lancaster county and being
among the very early settlers of Dauphin
county. He was a member of the River
Brethren. Jacob, the father, was born on
the farm now occupied by his son, in 1812.
He spent his entire life there and died in
1865. He was one of the prominent farmers
of the township. His wife survived him
many years, and both were members of the
River Brethern church, of which connection
Mr. Engle was also an honored minister.
Their children are : Daniel ; Jacob, farmer
and speculator, died in Lebanon county;
John, of Hummelstown ; Leah, wife of Sam-
uel Peters, Derry township; Benjamin, of
Harrisburg, a contractor ; Samuel, of Pal-
myra, Pa., merchant. Daniel was reared on
the farm which he now occupies, and on
which he spent his entire life. In 1867
he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of
Christian Mumma, of Lower Swatara town-
ship, by whom he has six children: Aaron,
school teacher, in Lower Swatara township ;
Milton, Clayton, Samuel, Mary, and Morris.
In his political views Mr. Engle is a Repub-
lican, and his religious faith and form of
worship are those of the River Brethren,
with whom he is in fellowship at Hummels-
town.
Fisher, John L., farmer, Steelton, Pa., was
born in Berks county. Pa., April 27, 1845 ;
son of William and Catherine (Levan)
Fisher. The father came to Dauphin
county, in 1848, and located in Swatara
township, where he engaged in farming.
His present residence in near Linglestown.
John L. was reared in Swatara . township,
and was educated in the public schools and
at the Millersville State Normal School.
He became a farmer and has always followed
that occupation. Mr. Fisher was married,
December 22, 1889, to Miss Mary Linebaugh,
daughter of Edward and Salina (Macklin)
824
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Linebaugh, of York county, by, whom he has
one child, William Henry. He located
near Linglestown, and in 1890 came to his
present farm in Lower Swatara township.
In politics Mr. Fisher is a Democrat. The
family attend the United Brethren church.
Fisher, John G., Middletown, deceased,
was born near Elizabethtown, in Lancaster
county, Pa., in 1830 ; son of John Fisher.
George, the grandfather of John G., was born
in Germany in 1752, came to America and
became a soldier in the Continental army,
after which he engaged iu farming in Lan-
caster county, where hie died. John Fisher,
father of John G., was born in Lancaster
county, and was engaged in farming. He
served in the war of 1812. John G. was
reared in Lancaster county, and learned the
trade of coach builder. In 1856 he came to
Dauphin county and located in Middletown,
where he opened a shop for building coaches,
and conducted the enterprise for many years.
His death occurred in March, 1888. In poli-
tics Mr. Fisher was a Democrat, and served
on the school board and in the borough
council. In 1849 he was married to Miss
Amanda, daughter of Rev. Henry G. Steelier,
of Hummelstown. She was a member of
the Lutheran church, and died in 1893.
Four of their children lived to maturity :
Henry S., insurance agent, at Middletown,
married Clara Rodfong, and they have one
child, Hattie Romain; Frank Z., learned the
shoe business, and engaged in the manufac-
ture and sale of boots and shoes in 1888, and
has since continued in the business ; Sarah
E.,and WalterR., of Middletown. The family
are members of the Lutheran church.
ville ; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Hoffman, of
Perrv county, deceased.
Christian, Jr., father of Martin, was reared
in Lykens Valley and learned the trade of
woolen manufacturing and continued in the
business with his father iu Lykens Valley.
In 1833 he moved to Lower Swatara town-
ship and erected the present " Good " mill in
1844, which he conducted until 1855, when
he retired, and shortly after died in Lebanon
county. He was three times married and
was the father of fourteen children, of whom
these are living : Martin ; John, of Morris,
Minn., hardware dealer ; Simon, of St. Paul,
Minn, lumber dealer; Sarah, Mrs. Adam
Light, of Lebanon county ; Emma, Mrs. David
*Light, of Lebanon county ; Catherine, Mrs.
Casper Light, of Morris, Minn. Mr. Good
is an active member of the United Brethren
church and has been a class leader for many
years.
Martin was reared on the present home-
stead and learned the trade of his father ; he
has always been in the business, and pur-
chased his father's interest in 1855, since
which date he has conducted the enterprise.
He keeps his plant and its equipment abreast
of the times. He is also engaged in farming
and operating a saw mill. In 1865 he
opened a general store, which he has man-
aged since that time. Mr. Good is a director
of the Steelton Natiorral Bank and of the
Merchants' Bank, of Harrisburg. In his
politics he is a Republican and has served in
various township offices. Mr. Good was mar-
ried, in 1858, to Mary Ann Peffly, daughter
of Rev. Christian Peffly, of Bunker Hill,
Lebanon county. They attend the United
Brethren church.
Good, Martin, proprietor of the High-
spire Woolen Mills, was born in Upper Pax-
ton township, Dauphin county. Pa., August
2, 1833 ; son of Christian and Catherine
(Noll) Good. Christian Good, Sr., the grand-
father, was a native of Lancaster county, and
was one of the early settlers of Upper Paxton
township, where he was engaged in farming
and milling, having the first mill in that place,
and where he died. His children are : Chris-
tian; Henry, farmer, died at Progress ; Abra-
ham, died in Perry county, Pa.; Michael, of
Kansas ; Barbara, Mrs. Christian Roop, of
Highspire ; Nancy, Mrs. Samuel Shaefner, of
East Hanover township, who was poisoned by
her husband; Mary, maiden lady, of Millers-
burg; Catherine, Mrs. Ritter, of Elizabeth-
Hatz, Jacob W., retired, Middletown, Pa.,
was born in Londonderry township, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 29, 1823 ; son of Jacob
and Anna Mary (Wagner) Hatz. Three broth-
ers of the name came from Germany, one of
whom settled in Laticaster, one in Lebanon ,
and one in Dauphin county. John Hatz,
son of the one who settled in Dauphin, and
grandfather of Jacob W., came with his
parents to America when a small child. Ja-
cob, the father of Jacob W., was a farmer
in Londonderry township on his father's
farm which he leased. Later he became a
tenant farmer in Lancaster county, when
he died. He was twice married, and by his
first wife, Anna Mary Wagner, had five chil-
dren, all of whom are deceased except Jacob
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
825
W. By his second wife, Miss Susan Keller,
he had eleven children. The family were
members of the Lutheran church.
Jacob W. was reared by his maternal
grandparents, and at eighteen years of age
.learned the carpenter trade at which he
worked until 1863. For the next twelve
years he was a tenant farmer in Londonderry
township, after which he moved to Middle-
town and was with Etter, Carmany & Siple
in the lumber business for several years. In
1849 Mr. Hatz was married to Elizabeth,
daughter of John Aungst, of Lancaster
county. Their children are : John, born Au-
gust 3, 1850, lives at Middletown, married
Mary, daughter of Jacob Nissley, and they
have four children : Garfield W., Jacob N.,
Pearl, and Blanche ; Henry, born January 6,
1852, married Elizabeth, daughter of David
Detweiler, and they have two children, Fannie
and Blaine; Jacob, born September 13, 1856,
married Ellen Coble, and have three chil-
dren : Maude, Guy, and Reuben ; David, born
October 6, 1859, married Miss Barbara
Brinser, and they have four children : May,
Bessie, Ralph, and Marion ; Annie, born
January 29, 1862, wife of Henry Douhower,
of McKeesport, Pa., and they have two chil-
dren, Marion and Robert; and Elizabeth,
born September 1, 1872. The family attend
the Church of God. Mr. Matz was orig-
inally a Whig but later joined the Repub-
lican party. In 1864 he served as tax col-
lector in Londonderry township and* has
also filled the offices of school director and
auditor of the township. /
HoPFER, Christian H., Esq., Middletown,
Pa., traces his ancestry through Samuel (2),
his father, Samuel (1), his grandfather, John,
his great-grandfather, and Mathias Hoffer,
his great-great-grandfather, who was born Au-
gust 24, 1718, in the Canton of Basle, Switzer-
land. He came to America in the ship
" Loyal Judith," landed in Philadelphia, Sep-
tember 2, 1743, and later settled near Man-
heim, Lancaster county, where he died in
May, 1803. His son, John Hoffer, married
Barbara Long, and lived in what is now
Conewago township, Dauphin county, where
he died December 4, 1837. His son, Samuel
Hoffer (1), married Catherine Foltz, and set-
tled in Conewago township, where he died No-
vember 4, 1878. He was an expert in land
surveying, and served as deputy, and later as
county surveyor of Dauphin county, and was
also justice of the peace for thirty-four years.
His children are: Samuel, of Bachmansville;
George F., on the old homestead in Conewago
township; Catherine, Mrs. John Snyder, of
Paris, 111.; Mary, Mrs. Isaac Hoff'man, of Derry
township. Samuel, the grandfather, was a
member of the German Baptist church.
His son, Samuel (2), father of Christian H.,
was born July 31, 1817, and married Barbara,
daughter of Christian Hollinger. He was a
farmer in Conewago towriship, and is now re-
tired from active business. He also is a mem-
ber of the German Baptist church. His wife
died November 22, 1881. They had eleven
children, nine of whom are living: Chris-
tian H., Samuel H., Mary Ann, Amos H.,
Elizabeth, Linneus, Harry H., Sarah, and
Barbara.
ChristianI H. was born in Conewago town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., July 29, 1845. He
was educated in the public schools and
learned surveying with his grandfather. In
1874 he came to Middletown and the follow-
ing year was appointed on the board of street
commissioners. Later he was made borough
surveyor and filled this office for nineteen
years. In 1887 he was elected borough sur-
veyor of Steelton, Pa., in which office he has
since served with the exception of one year.
At the first election held in the township
after he attained his majority he was elected
justice of the peace and sei-ved until 1871,
when he removed to Lancaster county and
remained two years. He returned to the
township and was re-elected to the office of
justice of the peace, succeeding Esquire Shats-
man, and has since been continuously com-
missioned in this office. Mr. Hoffer was the
instigator of the new addition to Middletown.
He was married, in 1871, to Miss Mary, daugh-
ter of Henry Teghtmeyer, of Londonderry
township, by whom he has one child : Ger-
trude. The family are members of the Bethel
Church of God.
Hartman, Maurice H., merchant, Mid-
dletown, was born in Hummelstown, Feb-
ruary 7, 1859 ; son of Peter and Mary (Hertz-
ler) Hartman. The father was a native of
York, and the mother of Dauphin county.
The occupation of the father was that of
blacksmith, and later in life he settled on a
farm in York county, where he died in
August, 1864. He reared a family often chil-
dren, of whom Maurice H. was the fifth in the
order of their birth. Maurice H. was reared
in York county, where he attended the pub-
lic schools and worked on the farm until he
826
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was nineteen years of age, after which he
learned the trade of cabinet maker, and
worked at it four years. In 1882 he em-
barked in the grocery business at Middle-
town and the same year purchased the
wholesale oil business, which he conducted
for six years. He then entered the firm of
Hartman & Bros., in the grocery business,
in which he continued until February 11,
1891, and on Mky 1, 1891, established
his present business as a general store. He
is also connected with the Champion Man-
ufacturing Company, of Middletown, in
which he is a stockholder. Mr. Hartman is
a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of
America, the Junior Order United Ameri-
can Mechanics, and of the American Pro-
tective Association. In politics he is a Re-
publican and is a member of the city coun-
cil. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Sarah
J. Wise, daughter of Peter Wise, of Golds-
boro, York county. Pa. Their children are :
Urban A., Marion M., Stella M., Laura J.,
Bertha E., Isabella W., and Earl P. The
family attend the Lutheran church.
William, who are all at home. He and his
family attend the Presbyterian church, of
Middletown.
Hendrickson, William D., Middletown
was born at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. Pa.,
September 17, 1829 ; son of Okey and Mary
(McDowell) Hendrickson. The father was a
native of New Jersey. He kept a hotel at
Mt. Joy and was the first postmaster of the
place, under President Jackson, and died
there in 1841. William D. was reared and
educated at Mt. Joy, where he was engaged
in merchandising until 1859, when he came
to Middletown and engaged in the lumber
business as a member of the firm of Daniel
Kendig & Co.. in which he continued until
1880, when he retired. In 1890 he was
elected tax collector and since 1894 has col-
lected all the taxes. In earlier life he was a
Whig in politics, and came into the Repub-
lican party when it was organized, having
always been interested in political affairs.
He has served as a member of council, and
of the school board, and as judge of elections.
Mr. Hendrickson was one of the original
stockholders in the Middletown Water Com-
pany, and for a time served as the secretary
of that organization, and was a stockholder
also in the Car Works. He was married, in
1857, to Miss Louisa E., daughter of Daniel
Kendig. She died in 1891, and three chil-
dren survive her : Alice K., Annie G., and
Hemperly, Leurs F., Middletown, Pa.,
was born at Middletown, Dauphin county.
Pa., August 17, 1814; son of George and
Sarah (Fishburn) Hemperly. Martin Hem-
perly, paternal grandfather of Leurs F., was
a native of Germany, and one of the early
citizens of Middletown. He was a stone
mason by trade, and reared four children,
who are all deceased. The maternal grand-
father, Ludwig Fishburn, was a soldier in
the Revolutionary war. He came from Ger-
many and took up a large tract of land in
what is now Derry township, near Hockers-
ville. George Hemperly, the father, was a
painter by trade, and married Sarah Fish-
burn, and they were members of the Lu-
theran church. Leurs F. was married at
Derry Church, Dauphin county, Pa., Janu-
ary 3, 1839, to Catherine Motter, daughter
of Philip and Elizabeth (Reed) Motter.
After marriage Mr. Hemperly moved to Mid-
dletown and engaged in the saddle and har-
ness business, which was his occupation
during his business life. His children are :
Luther, John M., Calvin, Elizabeth, Anne,
and Emma, five of whom are living.
Irwin, Philip, son of Henry and Mar-
garet (Fisher) Irwin, was born August 30,
1815, in Lancaster county, Pa. His educa-
tional advantages were comprised in one or
two winters at a country school. By self-
application and industry, however, he be-
came well-informed, and with great activity
and energy was generally successful in his
various undertakings. For many years he
was engaged in building railroads, the
scenes of his operations being the Northern
Central, Ohio and Mississippi, Erie, Leba-
non Valley, Lake Shore, Michigan Southern
and other railroads. Although an active
politician he never sought or held office, his
business interests requiring all his time and
attention. He died at Middletown, Decem-
ber 11, 1878, aged sixty-three years. Mr.
Irwin married, November 24, 1840, Anna
Eliza, daughter of George and Nancy (Shelly)
Etter, who survives. Their children are:
Margaret, Ann, Mary Ellen, George, Henry,
Franklin Etter, Jenny Lind, Philip Etter,
and Lillian.
A^lyi^-vtl/ % ^^^l^^i.tJ'^^y
DAVPEIN COUNTY.
829
Kaufman, Benjamin S., justice of the
peace, Highspire, Pa., was born in Milltown,
Chester county. Pa., September 10, 1828;
son of Henry and Susan (Snyder) Kaufman.
The father was a native of York, and the
mother of Lancaster county. Benjamin S.
was reared in York county from tw^o years
of age, and received his education in the
public schools. He was reared on the farm
and for his first business worked at farm
work by the day. He was employed by his
father for two years, and in 1856 came to
Highspire, where he engaged in the butcher-
ing business, and attended the Harrisburg
markets, and subsequently purchased a boat
which he conducted for two years. For sev-
eral years following this he was interested in
the manufacture of brick. At present he is
gardening and raising poultry. Mr. Kauf-
man was married, in 1851, to Miss Mary K.,
daughter of John Fisher, of York county,
who died in 1885, leaving three children :
Annie, Mrs. Daniel Beirhour, of York county ;
John, of Decatur, 111.; and David L., attorney
atlHighspire and Harrisburg. He was mar-
ried, secondly, January 4, 1887, to Mary A.
Fisher, daughter of James Fisher, of Lower
Swatara township. Mr. Kaufman is a Re-
publican in politics, and was first elected
justice of the peace in 1863, and has held
thq office by repeated elections since that
date. He is a member of Dauphin Lodge,
No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., and of Council No. 155,
0. U. A. M. In his religious faith and
form of worship he is united with the United
Brethren church, in which he takes an
active part, and is a' member of the board of
trustees.
KoHR, Michael, farmer, Middletown P.
O., was born in York county. Pa., October
19, 1824: son of Ludwig and Rebecca (Eisen-
haur) Kohr, natives of Lebanon county, sub-
sequently residents of York county, where
he died. Michael was married, in 1847, to
Henrietta Stormfrietz, who died in 1871,
and to this marriage there was born five
children : Annie, wife of James Harvey, of
Lower Swatara township ; Fannie, wife of
John Chrismer, of Londonderry township;
Mary, wife of Peter Shank, of Londonderry
township ; Samuel, deceased ; and David, of
Lower Swatara township. He was married,
secondly, in 1872, to Miss Mary Hostetter, of
Lebanon county, by whom he has two chil-
dren : Amanda, wife of R. 0. Seitz, of Lower
Swatara township ; and Christian, at home.
S3
After his first marriage he removed to Lan-
caster county, and worked at his trade of
carpenter until about 1865, when he came to
Dauphin county, and located in London-
derry township. In 1874 he moved on his
present farm, in Lower Swatara township,
which he has been engaged in cultivating
till the present time. Mr. Kohr takes no
interest in politics and is not identified with
any party. In religious faith he is a Men-
nonite.
Lehman, John J., merchant, Highspire,
Pa., was born at Middletown, Pa., October
10, 1842; son of Daniel and Susan (Detweiler)
Lehman. Christian Lehman, grandfather .of
John J., early settled in Dauphin county and
was a large farmer near Middletown. His
children are: Henry, Martinsburg, Ohio;
David, located at Middletown and died there;
Martin, merchant of Highspire ; Mary Jane,
deceased; Daniel; and one sister,who married
a Mr. Fisher and died in the West. Daniel,
father of John J., was born on the farm in
1816. He kept a hotel and ferry at Falmouth,
now known as Collins' Store, and in 1851
purchased the. Farmers' Hotel at Highspire,
which he conducted until his death in 1861.
In politics he was associated with the old
Whig party and served as school director of
the township. He was a member of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and of the
Lutheran church. His wife was a member
of the United Brethren church and died in
1885. They reared six children : John J.;
Christian, farmer, died in Unionville, Centre
countj^ Pa.; William, in the pipe mill, at
Middletown ; Franklin, street railway con-
ductor, died at Brooklyn, N. Y.; Simon C,
confectioner, at Steelton, Pa., and Daniel
Lawrence, restaurant keeper, Urbana, Ohio.
John J. was reared and educated in the
public schools of his native place. In 1861
he enlisted in company I, Twentieth regi-
ment, independent volunteer infantry, in
which he served one year. He was taken
prisoner from the steamer Fannie in Pamlico
Sound, and was confined at Richmond, Va.,
and Columbia, S. C, for seven months, after
which he was paroled and came home. In
1863 he enlisted in company E, Forty-third
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
again captured at Warrenton Junction, Va.,
and was confined at Belle Island, Libby and
Andersonville for nineteen months, when he
was exchanged and honorably discharged.
In his first enlistment he was with General
830
BIOORAPHIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Wool in the coast survey, and in his second
with General Meade in the Army of the Po-
tomac. After the war he worked in the
store and at farming for two years, after
which he was for three years with the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company. In 1870 he
established a general store at Highspire,
which he has since conducted. He is also
one of the original stockholders in the High-
spire Car Manufacturing Company. Mr.
Lehman is connected with Middletown Post,
G. A. P., and also with the Order of United
American Mechanics. In politics he is a
Democrat, and has served as school director
twelve years. In 1885 he was appointed post-
master at Highspire by President Cleveland
and served during the administration. He
was married, in 1865, to Miss Margaret
Strickler, daughter of Henry Strickler, of
Lower Swatara township. Mrs. Lehman is
a member of the United Brethren church,
of Highspire.
Laverty, DbWitt C, M. D., Middle-
town, Pa., was born in Middletown, Dau-
phin county. Pa., May 1, 1856; son of Dr.
Theodore C. and Lydia (Lauman) Lav-
erty. He received his primary education
in the public schools of Middletown, and
read medicine under his father, after which
he attended the Jefferson Medical College at
Philadelphia, from which he received his
diploma in 1877. After his graduation he
returned to Middletown, where he opened
an ofi&ce and entered upon the general prac-
tice of medicine. In his political views he
is in agreement with the Republican party,
and has served as a member of the town
council. Dr. Laverty was married, in 1881,
to Miss Bertha Frey, daughter of George S.
and Annie (Smith) Frey, of York, Pa., to
whom have been born three children : Theo-
dore, George Lauman, and Lydia. He is a
member ,of the Lutheran church, in which
he holds the office of trustee, and has been
the treasurer for several years.
Landis, Joseph H., son of Christian and
Elizabeth (Hammaker) Landis, was born
May 14, 1832, in Hummelstown, Dauphin
county, Pa. He attended the ordinary
schools of the time, and subsequently the
Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, but
did not take the full course. He worked
some time on a farm and was clerk in a store
two years. He became manager of the Cam-
eron furnace at Middletown, and afterwards
a partner of Landis & Co. in the same furnace.
In 1878 he was elected a member of the
House of Representatives and served one
term of two years; was on several important
committees but declined a second election.
He is at present secretary of the Lochiel Iron
Company and superintendent of the Lochiel
furnaces. He was married, about 1864, to
Matilda L., daughter of the late George and
Mary Crist, of Middletown, and their chil-
dren are: George C, Matilda C, Joseph
Henry, and John C.
Lauman, Michael C, Middletown, retired,
was born in Middletown, Pa., August 28, 1810 ;
son of George and Christina (Conrad) Lau-
man. George Lauman, Sr., grandfather of
Michael, was one of the very earliest settlers
of the county, and was a mason by trade.
He married Esther Maria King, who died
December 13, 1881, aged eighty-one j^ears.
He died June 26, 1809, aged sixty-five years.
Their children were : Jacob,William, George,
John, Martin, Esther, Henry, Elizabeth, and
William. The grandparents were members
of the Lutheran church. George Lauman,
Jr., father of Michael, remained at Middle-
town. He was a mason by trade and be-
came later in life a farmer, and the owner of
valuable farm property at Middletown and
in the surrounding country. He married
Christian Conrad, daughter of Michael Con-
rad, a native of Germany. Their children
were: three who died in childhood; George,
Michael C, William, Clara, Catherine, Eliza-
beth, Maria, and Lydia. The parents were
members of the Lutheran church, and the
father was one of the trustees and one of the
principal movers in building the steeple on
the old church. In politics he was a Demo-
crat, and filled many township offices. His
death occurred May 23, 1848, and that of his
wife February 21, 1863.
Michael C. received only a limited educa-
tion and learned the trade of blacksmith.
In 1835 he joined the corps of civil engineers
locating the Pennsylvania railroad, then
called the Lancaster, Mt. Joy and Elizabeth-
town railroad, and through Gen. Simon
Cameron got the position of division fore-
man from Conewago bridge to Highspire
This position he filled until 1856, having
been on the road for twenty -one years, since
which time he has not been in any active
business. His first vote for President was
cast in 1832 for Gen. Andrew Jackson, and
he has since continued his connection with
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
831
the Democratic party. He has served as
member of council and was president of
that body, and was also enlistment officer of
the Swatara infantry, of which organization
he was also the treasurer. He was reared in
the Lutheran church, but is not now an ac-
tive member, having relinquished his mein-
bership and became an undenominated
Christian.
Laverty, Dr. Theodore C, Middletown,
Pa., was born at Mechanicsburg, Cumber-
land county. Pa., May 12,' 1831 ; son of Pat-
rick and Anna Mary (Ditto) Laverty. The
father was born and reared in Ireland, came
to this country when a young man and lo-
cated in Cumberland county. Pa., where he
was first engaged in teaching, and subse-
quently took up other pursuits. He served
as collector of taxes in the United States
internal revenue district, composed of York,
Cumberland and Adams counties, and was
also a justice of the peace for many years in
Cumberland county. He died at Mechanics-
burg. His wife was a native of York county.
Dr. Theodore C. was reared at Mechanics-
burg, Pa., and pursued the usual course in
the public schools of that place, upon the
completion of which he taught school for
some time in his native county. During
the years from 1847 to 1849 he read medi-
cine under Dr. P. H. Long, of Mechanics-
burg, and was graduated from the Jeffersou
Medical College in 1853. In the same year
he came to Middletown and opened an of-
fice, where he has since enjoyed a successful
practice. In connection with his professional
work he has also conducted a drug busi-
ness for many years. Dr. Laverty is one of
the early members of the County Medical
Society. He is also a stockholder in the
Middletown Car Works. In politics he is a
Republican, and has served as school director
of the borough. Dr. Laverty was married,
in 1855, to Miss Lydia Lauman, daughter of
George Lauman, to whom have been born
five children: DeWitt C; Jennie; Clara,
Mrs. Joseph Raymond, of Middletown ;
Theodore, with the Iron and Tube Company,
of Middletown, and married Miss Fanny
Martin, daughter of Joseph Martin, of Lon-
donderry township, by whom he has four
children : Beulah, Myra, Elsie, and Estella ;
and Eugene, druggist. The family are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church.
LoNGENECKER, IsAAC A., merchant, Mid-
dletown, Pa., was born at Highland, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 10, 1846 ; son of
Christian and Mary (Kingport) Longenecker.
The father moved from Lancaster to Dau-
phin county about 1840, and engaged in
farming on the present site of Highland,
where he died in 1845. His wife died in
1851. Their children are: John K., of
Lancaster county; Daniel, of Kansas; Cathe-
rine A., widow of David Barnhill, of Middle-
town, and Isaac.
Isaac Longenecker attended the common
schools of his locality, receiving a limited
education. When nineteen years of age he
became a clerk in a general store. He learned
the shoemaker's trade and at the age of
twenty-one years, in 1867, established a shoe
business in Mechanicsburg, which he con-
tinued four years and then removed to Mid-
dletown, where he was in the shoe trade
until 1875, when he went to Lykens and
opened a confectionery store and ice cream
parlor, which he conducted for six years.
He again returned to Middletown and estab-
lished a business as grocer, baker and confec-
tioner. In 1864 Mr. Longenecker enlisted
in company I, Ninth regiment, Pennsylva-
nia cavalry, as a private and served until
the close of the war. At Rockingham, N.
C, in March, 1865, he was taken prisoner
and was confined in Libby prison about
twenty-two days, after which he was paroled
and exchanged at Annapolis, and sent home
on thirty days' furlough, but shortly received
orders to report at Harrisburg and be mus-
tered out. In his political views Mr. Long-
enecker is a Republican, and has served on
the school board three years and is at pres-
ent a member of the city council. He is
a member of Simon Cameron Post, C A.
R.; Prince Edwin Lodge, No. 486, F. &. A.
M.; Middletown Lodge, No. 268, K. of P.; Ivy
Court, No. 6797, A. 0. F. of A.; and Triune
Lodge, No. 307, I. 0. 0. F., also patriarch of
Encampment No. 171, 1. 0. 0. F. Mr. Long-
enecker was married, in 1868, to Miss Anna
D., daughter of Jacob Shaeffer, of Mechanics-
burg, Pa. Their children are : Bertha; Ida;
Charles E., in business with his father, mar-
ried Caroline A. Etter, daughter of Henry
Etter ; Lulu May, Emma K, Bessie V., Elsie
E., and Mary E. The family are members
of the Church of God, of which Mr. Longe-
necker is the treasurer.
832
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
MuMMA, Christian, was born in Lower
Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
March 28, 1812 ; son of John and Elizabeth
(Frantz) Mumma. The grandfather, John
or Jacob Mumma, was a native of Germany,
and took up a tract of land now known as
the Motter farm, which, he divided between
his two sons, John and Christian. John, the
father, was born on the homestead in Lower
Swatara township. He succeeded to one-
half of his father's farm, on which he built
a house in 1808, which he occupied until his
death. He was a member of the old Men-
nonite church, and in the latter years of his
life was a minister in that connection. His
children are: Christian; Fannie, Mrs. John
Strickler, of Derry township; Elizabeth, John,
Jacob, Samuel, and two who died in infancy.
Christian was reared on the homestead,
and was all his life engaged in farming. He
was married, in 1839, to Miss Nancy Nissley,
daughter of Martin Nissley, after which he
located on his father's farm, where he re-
mained for thirty-six years. In 1875 he
purchased his present farm of one hundred
and thirty-six acres, which he has since oc-
cupied. In politics he is a Republican and
was formerly a school director of the town-
ship. Nine children were born to him, two
of whom died young, four died of scarlet
fever within one month, and three are still
living: Martin N.;. Mary, wife of Daniel
Engle, of Lower Swatara township; Barbara,
wife of David Metzger, of Londonderry town-
ship. Mr. Mumma is a member of the old
Mennonite church, in which he is also a
deacon. His wife was born in June, 1815.
Their son Martin N. was born January
14, 1841, in Lower Swatara township. He
was educated in the township schools, and
has always been a farmer. He married, first,
in 1869, Miss Elizabeth Burger, daughter of
Enos Burger, of Juniata county, who died in
1871. They had two children, Enos, of
Philadelphia, and Elizabeth, wife of Daniel
M. Hershey, of Harrisburg. He married,
secondly, in 1878, Miss Elizabeth Ebersole,
daughter of John D. Ebersole, of Lancaster
county. Their children are : Martin, Annie,
and Mary. After his marriage Mr. Mumma
located in Swatara township on a farm, and
for one year also was in Cumberland county,
and at the present time is with his father.
During the war of the Rebellion he furnished
a substitute in the army. In his politics
he is a Republican, and is now filling the
office of school director for the second time.
He is a director in the Middletown Market
House. His religious faith and membership
is with the Mennonite church.
Mumma, Edward L., merchant, Highspire,
Pa., was born in Lower Swatara township,
Dauphin county. Pa., January 13, 1872; son
of Samuel and Anna M. (Leiby) Mumma,
natives of Dauphin county. The father, was
a farmer by occupation, and was also a dealer
in real estate. He was prominent and active
in the Republican party and in his connection
•with the United Brethren church. Hisdeath
occurred in 1892, and his wife survives him.
She is a daughter of William Leiby, and re-
sides in Steelton. Their children are: J. Mil-
ton, of Steelton; Samuel, deceased; Edward L.;
Ray, deceased, and Mabel, with her mother.
Edward L. was reared on the homestead and
received his education , at Lebanon Valley
College, Annville, Pa., and New Bloomfield
Academy. He was first engaged in the flour
and feed trade, and in 1892 established a
general store which he conducted since that
time. He is a stockholder in the Champion
Manufacturing Company, of Middletown.
His fraternal association is in the member-
ship of Baldwin Commandery, No. 108,
K. of M., of Steelton, Pa. Mr. Mumma
was married, in 1892, to Miss Mary Keister,
daughter of David Keister, of Lower Swatara
township, by whom he has two children,
Samuel and Donald. In his political views
he is in accord with the Republican party,
while in matters of faith and worship he is
with the United Brethren church.
Mumma, Isaac, deceased, was born on the
homestead in Lower Swatara township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., May 2, 1824 ; son of Chris-
tian Mumma, and grandson of John
Mumma, who settled near Highspire, Pa.,
in 1752. Isaac was reared on the farm and
received a fair education in the schools of
his period. In 1847 he was elected to the
office of commissioner of Dauphin county,
and at the expiration of his official term was
appointed revenue commissioner. In 1862
he was elected associate judge of Dauphin
county and served in the office for the term
of five years, and in 1867 was elected to a
second term of the same office, but before
the expiration of this term, the new State
constitution came into effect abolishing the
office, and he returned to his farm. In 1885
he was elected sherifi" of Dauphin county
and discharged the duties with credit and
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
833
satisfaction until his death, March 11, 1887.
Mr. Mumma was a director in the Hummels-
town Bank, and filled many places of pub-
lic and private trust, with the utmost effi-
ciency and fidelity, establishing a reputation
for ability and integrity. In all circles,
commercial, political and social, he was
prominent and influential. Mr. Mumma
was married to Mary, daughter of Christian
Nissley, of Derry township, who with eight
children survive him. These children are :
Emma ; Anna ; Mary, wife of Edgar Hum-
mel, of Hummelstown; Christian N., of
Steelton ; Alice ; Blanche ; Ralph, in the
railway mail service, and Opal.
Mathbson, George, son of Adam and
Isabella (Wright) Matheson, was born Oc-
tober 27, 1828, at Jedburgh, Roxburyshire,
Scotland. He enjoyed the benefit of only a
common school education, and in June, 1845,
left home and entered the employ, as an ap-
prentice, of George and Robert Stephenson,
the celebrated locomotive and engine build-
ers, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He re-
mained with them the full term of five years,
making himself proficient in all departments
of the business. He afterwards worked a few
months in England, but in October, 1850,
embarked from Glasgow for America. On
the second day after his arrival in New York
he commenced work in the shops of Hoggs
& Delamater, and subsequently labored in
and had charge of other works, finally set-
tling down in the employ of the Old Novelty
Iron Works, where he remained ten years.
He then assumed charge of the erection of
engines in the vessels which were fitted out
by the Fulton Iron Works of James Murphy
& Co., New York, remaining in that position
several years. The Civil war being then in
progress he had charge of all the outside
work of that firm, including fitting out Gov-
ernment vessels. In 1864 he was appointed
superintendent of the East River Iron Works,
Samuel Secor & Co., at that time largely en-
gaged in building marine and stationary
engines. It was here he first became ac-
quainted with the manufacture of tubing,
having built the machinery for the Bergen
Tube Mill, of New Jersey. In 1869 he en-
tered into an arrangement with parties, after-
wards incorporated as th6 National Tube
Works Company, to erect works for them in
East Boston, Mass., and subsequently' acted
as superintendent of these works until 1872,
when it was decided to erect a more exten-
sive establishment at McKeesport, Pa. Mr.
Matheson took entire charge of the projected
works, and they were built under his man-
agement. He acted as general superinten-
dent of the establishment until 1880, intro-
ducing several improvements in tubing
manufacture, and successfully operating
Siemens' gas regenerator furnaces, which
had never been used in this country for that
purpose, and not successfully in England.
In 1880 he removed to Middletown, and with
his sons projected and established the large
and successful works of the American Tube
and Iron Company, and of which his sons,
A. Scott and James H., have the general
management. He married. May, 1850, Isa-
bella Hewison, a native of Newcastle, Eng-
land, and they had eleven children, of whom
eight survive: A. Scott; James H.; Isabella
H., who married John Sword, of Scotland;
Elizabeth ; Mary A. H., who married A. W.
Momeyer; Hannah H., William D., and
Cornelia C.
McDaniel, Dk. Harry M., Highspire, Pa.,
was born in York county, Pa., August 30,
1858 ; son of Isaiah S. and Harriet (Sunday)
McDaniel. He was reared in his native
county, and was educated in the public
schools and at Lebanon Valley College, Ann-
ville, Pa. He learned the trade of carpentry,
and followed that occupation for eight years,
after which he took up the study of medicine
under Dr. J. W. Roop, then of New Cumber-
land, now of Harrisburg. He later attended
the lectures at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., from which in-
stitution he was graduated in 1883, and the
same year received a diploma also from the
University of Pennsylvania. In the latter part
of 1883. he located at Highspire, where he
has since been engaged in the general prac-
tice of his profession. He has also been phy-
sician of the county poor house for many
years. In his politics Dr. McDaniel is a Re-
publican. In 1892 he was married to Miss
Annie G. Backenstoe, daughter of John Back-
enstoe, of Union Deposit, Pa., and to their
marriage there is no issue. Mrs. McDaniel
is a member of the United Brethren church,
of Highspire.
Myers, J. R., grocer, Middletown, Pa.,
was born in York county. Pa., September
16,1846; son of John and Maria (Roller)
Myers. The father moved to Cumberland
county when he was six years of age, and in
834
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1870 came from there to Dauphin county,
where he engaged in farming in Upper
Paxton township. He is now living with
his daughter in Ida Grove, Iowa, his wife
having died February 2, 1892. Their sur-
viving children are : J. R., and Kate, wife of
Owen J. Thompson, of Steelton, the only
ones living in this country; Mary, Mrs. J.
M. C. Hal ton, of DesMoines, Iowa; Matilda,
Mrs. William Brady, Ida Grove, Iowa;
Lottie, Mrs. Herbert Myers, of Ida Grove,
Iowa, and William L., of Grand Fork, N. D.
The parents were members of the Lutheran
church, and Mr. Myers held the office of
trustee in St. John's church of Cumberland
county for many years.
J. R. Myers received his education in the
public schools. In 1863 he enlisted in com-
pany D, Twenty-eighth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania cavalry, in which he served six
months, and then re-enlisted in company D,
Two Hundred and Second regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and served until the
close of the war. After his discharge he
entered the New Berlin Academy, and re-
mained tw0 terms, after which he worked
three years in the West Fairview rolling
mill. In December, 1869, he came to Mid-
dletown, and was for a time employed in the
car shops, after which he clerked for B. S.
Peters. He served for two years as brake-
man on the Northern Central railroad, and
in 1894 established his present business,
which he has since continued. Mr. Myers
is a member of the Middletown Lodge, I. 0.
O. F., and of the Columbia Commandery,
K. of M. In his political views he is inde-
dendent. He was a member of the school
board three years and the president of the
body two years, taking an active interest in
all educational matters. He was married, in
1866, to Miss Susan Fake, of York county,
Pa., and thej"^ had four children : John, of
Middletown, married Miss Edith Maybury ;
Frank, Minnie, and Carrie. Mr. Myers is a
member of the Lutheran church and has
served in the church council for twelve
years, taking an active part in all church
work.
McNair, Alvan, Middletown, Pa., was
born in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa.,
August 31, 1843; son of Henry and Susanna
(Rewalt) McNair, natives of Lebanon county.
The paternal grandfather was a native of
Scotland, came to America, and died at
Lewistown, Pa. The maternal grandfather
died in Middletown when a young man.
The parents came to Dauphin county when
they were young people and married here.
The father was engaged in the general mer-
cantile business and also was a lumber dealer.
He was a Democrat in political views, but
cherished strong independent proclivities.
He was reared in the Methodist Episcopal
church and his wife was a member of the
Lutheran church. He died in 1888 and his
wife died 1871. They had three children :
Alvan; William, shoe dealer, at Middle-
town ; and Ellen, unmarried, died in 1893.
Alvan was reared at Middletown and re-
ceived his education in the public schools.
He learned the trade of painter and followed
that occupation for some years. In 1873 he
engaged in mercantile business, in which he
continued one year and then, in 1874, took up
the real estate business and improved several
properties. In 1861 he enlisted in company
D, Sixth regiment, United States cavalry, in
which he served as a non-commissioned
officer for three years. He was wounded at
the skirmish at Slatersville, after the battle
of Williamsville. His regiment was with
the Army of the Potomac and participated
in the operations and battles of that body of
soldiers. Mr. McNair is a stockholder in the
Middletown National Bank. In political
views he is a Democrat and has served as a
member of the borough council for three
years.
He married Miss Maria L. Swartz. She
was a daughter of Rev. Solomon L. Swartz.
By this marriage he had three children :
Helen, Mary, and William. Mr. McNair was
married, secondly, to Miss Ella Melborn,
daughter of Oliver P. Melborn, an engineerj
at the American Tube Works at Middletown
and was killed by an accident. They had
four children : Claude M., Ethel May, Harold
Van, and Ruth Y. Mr. McNair attends the
Lutheran church and his family attend the
Methodist Episcopal church.
NissLEY, John H., flour and feed dealer,
Middletown, Pa., was born in Derry town-
ship, Dauphin county, November 16, 1844 ;
son of Martin and Barbara (Nissley) Nissley'.
Martin Nissley, Sr., the grandfather, was a
farmer in Lower Paxton township, and re-
tired, moving to "Middletown, where he died
Martin Nissley, Jr., the father, was born in
Lower Paxton township, in 1812, was reared
on the farm, and after his marriage settled
on a farm in Derry township, where he
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
835
lived until his death, in 1882. His wife sur-
vives him and lives in Annville, Pa. He
was a member of the United Brethren
church, in'which he held various offices and
was a trustee of the church for many years.
In politics he was a Republican. He reared
six children, two of whom died in infancy,
and the others are : Fanny, Mrs. Franklin
J. "Witmer, of Annville, Fa. ; Mary, Mrs. S. M.
Hummel, of Derry Church, deceased ; Jacob,
of Derry township ; and J. H.
John H. was reared in Derry township,
educated in the public schools, and was en-
gaged in farming in that township until
1892, when he retired from active work and
moved to Middletown, where he established
his present business. He is also a stock-
holder in the Middletown Novelty Company.
Mr. Nissley was married, in 1872, to Annie,
daughter of Rev. Solomon Swartz, of Middle-
town, and they have three children : Edward
S., teller of the Union National Bank, of Mt.
Joy, Pa.;- Solomon M., at home ; and Mary
Barbara. In his political views Mr. Nissley is
a Republican. He is a member of the United
Brethren church, in which he was formerly
a trustee, and aided in building the Derry
church.
Peters, Benjamin Snyder, banker, Mid-
dletown, was born in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county. Pa., March 19, 1834; son
of William and Elizabeth (Snyder) Peters.
His grandfather, Jacob Peters, was a native
of Lebanon county, and died there. He
married Barbara Buley, of Lebanon, Pa.,
and she died at Altoona, Pa. Their son,
William Peters, was born in Londonderry
now Conewago township, October 27, 1811.
His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Abra-
ham Snyder, a native of Switzerland. She
was born in Londonderry township, April
15, 1812, and is still living. The father is
deceased.
Benjamin S. received a common school edu-
cation, and at the age of sixteen years entered
a store at Kelly's Corners, Lebanon county, to
learn merchandising, and was afterwards at
Meyerstown. From 1858 to 1862 he was in
commercial business at Palmyra, Lebanon
county, after which he removed to Middle-
town, where he entered into partnership with
his uncle in the mercantile trade. Upon the
dissolution of this firm he purchased the
store of Yetman Eves, and for several 3^ears
was the senior partner of the firm of Peters
& Bros., retiring from business in January,
1883. The following year he again engaged
in business with his son, under the firm
name of B. S. Peters & Son, which conducted
two stores. When the Farmers' Bank was
organized he was made a director, and was
chosen the president of the bank, which po-
sition he has since held. Mr. Peters was
married, in 1855, to Sarah, daughter of John
and Polly (Beard) Rupp, of Lebanon county.
Their children are : Jerome G., Emma, and
Elizabeth, wife of Horace McKee, son of Rev.
David McKee and they have one child, Ben-
jamin. Mr. Peters was one of the organiz-
ers and one of the first directors of the Car
Works. In political matters he is not an
active partisan, but is a member of the Re-
publican party. His religious fellowship is
in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which
he is an active member, and of which he has
been the treasurer for fifteen years.
Rewalt, Dr. J. W., Middletown, Pa., was
born in Middletown, and was reared in his
native town. He attended the common
schools until he attained the age of fourteen
years, when he became a clerk in a general
store. After a short period of service in this
position he entered the drug store of Mr.
Blensinger, with whom he remained two
years, and while thus enployed he was pros-
ecuting his studies in pharmacy. After a
thorough preparation he entered the Phila-
delphia College of Pharmacy and was gradu-
ated in the regular course from that institu-
tion. Subsequently he formed a partnership
with T. C. Laverty in the drug business, in
which he continued for two and a half years,
when the firm was dissolved, and Dr. Rewalt
has since conducted the business. He has
served on the school board for twelve years.
He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian
church.
RiNGLAND, Dr. John, Middletown, Pa., re-
tired, was born in Middletown, Pa., January
9, 1825 ; son of James and Magdaline (Bom-
berger) Ringland. John Ringland, the grand-
father of Dr. John, was born in County Down,
Ireland, as was also his wife. They came to
America in 1792, and first settled in Chester
county. Pa., from whence they removed to
Lancaster county. James Ringland, the
father, was a native of Chester county, and
came to Dauphin county in 1822 or 1823,
settling in Middletown, where he engaged in
the mercantile business, in which he con-
tinued until his death in 1834. He was
836
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
originally a Presbyterian, and later united
with the Lutheran church, of which his wife
was a member. In politics he was a Whig,
and served in various township offices. His
children are: Dr. John; Joseph, deceased,
merchant at Middletown, and formerly a
currier; Eliza Jane, Mrs. G. L. Yetter, of
Middletown ; and Mary M., wife of Benjamin
F. Kendig, of Harrisburg. After his death
his widow married Jacob Lindermuth. She
died in 1887.
Dr. John Ringland attended the public
schools until he was fifteen years of age,
when he went to Lancaster and learned the
printer's trade, which he followed for five
years, after which he was in the lumber busi-
ness for a short time. He read medicine
under Dr. Benjamin J. Wiestling, and was
graduated from the University of Pennsyl-
vania in 1850.' He practiced medicine for
one year and a half, but was forced to aban-
don professional work on account of impaired
hearing. For four years he was engaged in
the lumber business in Cumberland county
as a member of the firm of Church, Lee &
Ringland, after which he returned to Mid-
dletown and embarked in the dairy busi-
ness. In 1860 Dr. Ringland was elected re-
corder of deeds of Dauphin county, and in
1863 was re-elected to the same office. He
served as a member of the school board and
of the council of Middletown, and has also
served as justice of the peace for about seven-
teen years. He was originally a member of
the Whig party, and later joined the Repub-
licans. In 1850 he was married to Miss
Margaret E. Smith, daughter of Henry and
Mary Smith, of Middletown. Their children
are: Joseph H., John Augustus, Mary Jane,
Louisa B., and Almeth K. The family were
members of the Presbyterian church.
Shireman, William, farmer and stock
raiser, Middletown, Pa., was born in Maytown,
Lancaster county, November, 19, 1843 ; son
of Aaron and Mary (Lentz) Shireman, both
natives of Lancaster county. The father,
Aaron Shireman, was born in the same house
that Simon Cameron was born in. In 1867
he purchased a farm on the island opposite
Buck Lock, where he resided for many years,
but now lives with his son William. He is
a cabinet maker by trade, and is also an
active member of the German Reformed
church. His family consists of three children:
William, and two brothers, who reside at
New Albany, Ind.
William received his education in the
public schools of Maytown, which he attended
until sixteen years of age. He then learned
the trade of cabinet maker with his father,
and later on rented his farm on the island,
which he worked for sixteen years, and eight
years of this time he attended market regu-
larly in Harrisburg. By his untiring energy
and economy he accumulated sufficient
money to buy a farm of his own, and in 1882
purchased what is known as "Hillsdale Farm,"
a most beautiful place, in Londonderry town-
ship. Here he engaged in breeding and
raising of thoroughbred stock, and is the
owner of as fine stock as can be found in the
county. He married Miss Sarah A. Long-
necker, daughter of Jacob Longnecker, of
Maytown, La:ncaster county, in 1865. Their
five children are : Anna, Mrs. Soloman M.
Gingrich, Londonderry township ; John W.,
of Royalton, who married Miss Ella Goss ;
Rachael, Mrs. John W. Metzger, of Royalton;
Minnie, and Edward L. In politics Mr.
Shireman is a Democrat, and was honored
by being elected county commissioner in
1893. He holds the office of trustee in the
Middletown Presbyterian church, of which
he is a consistent member.
Rehrek, Henry L., coal dealer. Middle-
town, Pa., was born in Lancaster county. Pa.,
June 17, 1835 ; son of Jacob and Christina
(Lott) Rehrer. The father was a native of
Lancaster, and the mother of Berks county.
He moved to Dauphin county in 1837, and
located at Union Deposit, and conducted a
distillery for General Hocker for some years.
Later he came to Middletown, where he was
in the lumber business for sixteen years and
where he died in 1856. He was a prominent
member of the Bethel church, and was also
active in the Democratic party. His wife
died in 1877. They reared seven children,
four of whom are living : Henry L.; Jacob,
of Royalton ; Andrew, of Mi"&dletown ; and
George, of Middletown. Their deceased chil-
dren are : Mary L., Mrs. Henry Stipe ; John
and Nicholas. '
Henry L. came with his parents to Dau-
phin county when he was two years old. He
was educated in the public schools, and for
some years was engaged in boating on the
canal and for eight years was proprietor of
the Pennsylvania House. Subsequently he
was appointed collector on the Union canal,
and held the position for fourteen years. In
1876 he established his present coal business
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
837
in which he has since continued. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights
of the Golden Eagle and of the Order of
United American Mechanics. In politics he
is a Democrat and has served six years in
the borough council. Mr. Rehrer was mar-
ried, in 1855, to Miss Mary, daughter of James
Stephenson, of Easton, who died in 1889,
leaving no issue. He was married, secondly,
in 1893, to Miss Anna E., daughter of George
Stack house, of Port Deposit, Md. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
of Middletown.
SwAETZ, Rev. Solomon L., Middletown, Pa.,
was born in Lower Swatara township, Sep-
tember 18, 1827. The first of the family in
Dauphin county was Christian Swartz, a na-
tive of Germany who came to America and
settled first in Lancaster county, Pa. He
removed from thence to Dauphin county and
located in what is now Lower Swatara town-
ship, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He was a farmer by occupation, and made
many improvements on his place, among
which is a store house erected by him in
1799, which is still standing. He reared two
children, Jacob and Christian, who succeeded
to his estate and lived with him until his
death. Jacob B. married Miss Nancy Nissley,
daughter of Martin Nissley, wiio died in 1844.
They reared three children. Rev. Solomon S.
being the only survivor. He attended the
public schools and subscription schools, and
engaged in farming for several years. He
made a profession of religion early in life and
connected himself with the United Brethren
church, taking always an active part in
church work. In 1871 he made application
to conference to be admitted to the ministry,
and in 1879 was received and ordained to the
sacred office. In 1891 he settled at Middle-
town as a minister without charge and has
been a resident of the place since that date.
Mr. Swartz was married, in 1849, to Mary
Nissley, a daughter of Peter Nissley, of Lan-
caster county, by whom he has one child,
Anna, wife of John H. Nissley, of Middle-
town, Pa. He was married, secondly, to Miss
Anna Wagner.
SwAKTz, Martin Nissley, deceased, was
born in Lower Swatara township, Dauphin
county, Pa., September 30, 1829; son of
Christian and Nancy (Nissley) Swartz. His
parents died and he was reared by his grand-
parents and attended the schools of his na-
tive township. He grew up on the farm and
chose farming as his occupation. After his
marriage he located on the farm, which he
occupied until his death, in September, 1878.
He was a stockholder in theBomberger Bank,
of Harrisburg. Mr. Swartz was married, in
1858, to Miss Harriet, daughter of John and
Catherine Wallower, of Dauphin county.
Of their nine children five are living. The
first is Christian Landis, born April 3, 1864,
was educated in the common schools and in
the Lebanon Valley College at Annville;
worked for some time for the American Tube
and Iron Company, and was also a clerk at
Harrisburg; married, April 17, 1884, to
Ann, daughter of Abraham C. Brinser, of
Londonderry township, and their children
are : Christian Ira, Ida May, Martin Oliver,
and Milford Ross. The second is Oliver
Martin, born March 20, 1866, at Middletown ;
married in 1892 to Sarah Rose, of Harris-
burg, and their children are: Oliver Henry,
William Krebs, and Sarah Harriet. The
third is Joshua William, born January 9,
1867, attorney-at-law, Harrisburg ; received
his education at Annville, and was gradu-
ated at Dickinson College, Carlisle. He
married Miss Adella Gohen, daughter of
John Gohen, of Indiana county, and they
have one child, Joshua G. The fourth is
Isaac Benjamin, born November 8, 1868, at-
torney-at-law, Harrisburg; received his edu-
cation at Annville, Shippensburg and Dick-
inson Law School, Carlisle, Pa., and was one
term at Millersville Normal School. The
fifth is Elijah Gabriel, born September 13,
1872, cigar manufacturer at Lebanon, Pa.
Emma Catherine, born July 12, 1870, died
in 1878, and three other children died in in-
fancy. Mr. Swartz was a member of the
United Brethren church.
Shope, Henry N., farmer, Highspire, Pa.,
was born in Lower Swatara township,Dauphin
county, Pa., September 8, 1852 ; son of Na-
thaniel and Martha (Gaynson) Shope. The
grandfather located in Lower Swatara town-
ship, arid married Miss Martha Ban nan. They
were members of the old Mennonite church,
and reared four children. The father was
born in Paxton township in 1812, and was
reared in the township. After marriage he
located in Lower Swatara township, where
he remained until his death, in 1877. In
his religious faith he was a Mennonite, and
was a bishop in that church. His wife died
in 1892. They reared nine children : Mary,
838
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
widow of Samuel Kohr, of Oberlin, Pa.;
Martha, wife of Adam Hocker, of Mt. Wolf,
York county; Edward, of White Hill, Cum-
berland county ; Eliza, wife of Samuel Zim-
merman, of Lower S watara township ; Henry
N.; Hettie, wife of David Martin, of Bain-
bridge, Lancaster county ; Susan, wife of
Jonas Zimmerman, of Oberlin ; Sarah, wife
of David Kohr, of Lower Swatara township ;
and Adam, of Hummelstown. Henry N. was
reared and educated in the township, and fol-
lowed the occupation of farming. He was
married, January 1, 1874, to Miss Sarah Mey-
ers, daughter of Henry Meyers, of London-
derry township. Their children are : Martha,
wife of Elmer Handshew ; Harry M., Annie
M., Bertha S., EU C, William B., and Myrtle
M. Mr. Shope is a Republican in politics.
In religious faith he is a Mennonite, and is
a minister in that connection.
Stout, David, Oberlin, Pa., was born in
South Hanover township, Dauphin county,
Pa., August 10,1848; son of John and Leah
(Metzger) Stout, natives of Dauphin county.
Adam Stout, grandfather of David, was the
first of the family to settle in the county,
coming from up the river, and locating in
Lower Paxton township, where he followed
his occupation of weaving in connection
with farming. John, father of David, was
born in Lower Paxton township, February
2, 1814, and was engaged in farming, first in
Paxton and later in South Hanover town-
ship, where he died in ] 890. His wife sur-
vives him and is a resident of South Han-
over township. Of their children six died
young and the others are: Catherine, Mrs.
John All wine, of South Hanover township ;
David, and Daniel M., of Derry township.
The father was a member of the German
Baptist church, and a Republican in his
politics. David was reared in South Han-
over township and attended the public
schools. He was married, October 26, 1871,
to Miss Louisa Albert, daughter of John and
Sarah (Taylor) Albert, of East Hanover
township. He located on the old homestead,
where he remained eight years, and then, in
1891, purchased the Martin Swartz farm, on
which he has since resided. In political
matters Mr. Stout is with the Republican
party, and has served as school director in
South Hanover township. His children are :
Sally Ann, wife of David E. Schaffner, of
Lower Swatara township; Leah A., Emma
J., Minnie M., and Annie Viola. Mr. Stout
is a member of the Baptist church.
Stoner, Milton J., agent of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, was born at High-
spire, Pa., August 12, 1846 ; son of Henry
and Mary (Miller) Stoner. John Stoner, the
grandfather, was an eaj'ly settler of the
county and a carpenter by trade. The father
was born in Lower Swatara township in 1813
and was a school teacher at Highspire. He
learned the trade of carpentry and followed
that occupation for many years. In 1848 he
opened a general store in Highspire, which
he conducted until, his death in 1876. In
politics he was a Republican and served as
postmaster at Highspire for a number of
years. He was a member of the United
Brethren church. His wife is a native of
Lewisburg, Pa., and is now a resident of
Steelton. They have three children: Milton
J.; Ellwyn M., of Steelton, agent of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; and
Ulysses S., died in 1889, aged twenty-one
years. Milton J. was reared and educated at
Highspire. He learned telegraphy and in
1863 entered the service of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company as operator between Har-
risburg and Altoona, and was stationed at
the latter place for six years. In 1872 he
came to Highspire and opened the office for
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, of
which he has since had charge, and is also
freight and express agent. Mr. Stoner is a
member of Baldwin Commandery, No. 108,
K. of M., and is also one of the trustees of
the lodge. In politics he is an active Repub-
lican. General Grant appointed him post-
master of Highspire, and he served continu-
ously in that office until Cleveland was
elected President. He was married, in 1872,
to Miss Cora L. Herrick, daughter of John
Herrick, of Steelton. They have one child,
Otho N., born in 1874, assistant to his father.
Mrs. Stoner is a member of the United
Brethren church, of Highspire.
ScHULTZ, Leonard, deceased, was born at
Wurtemburg, Germany, March 5, 1827 or
1828. He came to this country when a young
man, and located in Middletown in 1850,
where he established a brewery, which he
conducted up to the time of his death, in
1872. He was married at Philadelphia to
Anna Catherine Smith, who was also a na-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
839
tive of Wurtemburg. She was a member of
the Lutheran church. Their children are :
(1) John, of Middletown, born January 30,
1852, received his education in the pub-
lic schools and learned the trade of baker.
He was married, in 1875, to Susan Capp, of
Middletown, and to this marriage there is
no issue. He is independent in his politi-
cal views. (2) William, born in 1853, a
shoemaker by trade, and resides at Middle-
town. He married Susan Brenser, of York
county. Pa., and they have two children :
Leonard and Gertrude. (3) Catherine, wife
of Harry Steele, of Middletown, Pa. (4)
Frederick, Middletown, born May 3, 1858,
educated in the public schools and engaged
in butchering, and established his present
business in 1885. He was married, in 1880,
to Miss Emma Wilson, daughter of Jacob
Wilson, of Middletown. They have no
children. In politics he is a Democrat and
is a member of the Lutheran church.
Steoher, Rev. Henry G., son of George
Stecher, was born July 16, 1792, near Easton,
Northampton county. Pa. He received
an academic and collegiate education, and
began the study of theology at Easton.
He was ordained pastor of the Lutheran
church at Logansville, York county. Pa.,
in 18 L9, and served that congregation
faithfully until 1830, when he accepted a
call to the church at Hummelstown. His
charge included other congregations, and he
was as energetic in the devotion to the wants
of his widely scattered flocks as he was
earnest in his expounding of religious
truths. He was well educated, a profound
theologian, and of an exceeding amiableness
of character. In 1854 he resigned his charge
owing to advancing years and physical ina-
bility. From that point until the close of
his life he resided at Hummelstown, sur-
rounded by all the charms of the domestic
circle of a good man. He died April 20,
1870. Rev. Mr. Stecher married Julianna,
daughter of George Fouse, who survives in
her eighty-sixth year. Their children are
as follows: Mary Ann, deceased ; Adeline,
who married Henry L. Hummel; Julianna,
deceased; Amanda, who married John
Fisher, of Middletown; Albert, who married
Rebecca Groom, of York county ; Theodore
.A., who was educated at Pennsylvania Col-
lege, Gettysburg, with the intention of enter-
ing the ministry ; about 1860 he went into
the service of the Pennsvlvania Railroad
Company at Altoona, under Engineer Her-
man Haupt, subsequently transferred to gen-
eral ticket agent at Philadelphia, which po-
sition he filled creditably until his death in
1880, which took place at Ardmore, near
Philadelphia; George, who married Bell
Haines, of Philadelphia; Sarah, Caroline,
and Frank B.
Smuller, George, son of John and Su-
sannah (Shirtz) Smuller, was born October
7, 1805, at Jonestown, Lebanon county, Pa.
He acquired a fair English education in the
schoolsoftheday,and in early life followed the
occupation of a tailor. He subsequently be-
came extensively engaged in the lumber busi-
ness with theUnion Canal Company and aeon-
tractor in the public works of the State. He
was afterwards appointed collector of tolls in
the Union canal, at Middletown, a position he
filled many yeai's, resigning in 1857, when
he was elected president of the Middletown
Bank. As first officer of that institution
Mr. Smuller won for himself the highest
confidence of the community, which he re-
tained down to the close of his busy, active
life. He died at Middletown, August 19,
1882, aged almost seventy-seven years. Few
men stood higher in any community than
he. His life was characterized by great
goodness of heart and true nobleness of soul,
which won for him the love and esteem of
his fellow-men and neighbors. Mr. Smyiller
married Caroline, daughter of Dr. Karl and
Mary Fisher, of Middletown , born in 1805, and
died January 5, 1870. Their children were :
Lehman ; Mary ; Elizabeth, who married
George F.MishjM.D.; Annie G., who married
Henry J. Meilj'^; Ellen, who married David
G. Swartz, of Chicago ; and Caroline.
Saul, Henry R., proprietor of the Middle-
town Carriage Factor\% was born in Berks
county. Pa., March 18, 1843 ; son of Jonathan
and Magdaline (Rouch) Saul, both old fami-
lies of that county, whose ancestors were na-
tives of Germany, and the very oldest settlers
of Berks county. The father was a farmer.
He died February 2, 1880, aged seventy-eight
years, and the mother died in Berks county
in 1862. Their children are : Lena, Eliza-
beth, David, Mary, Henry R., and Charles.
Henry R. came to Dauphin county at the
age of fifteen 3'ears. He received his educa-
tion in the public schools and learned the
trade of coach making at Hummelstown. Sub-
sequently he took a course in the Commer-
840
BIOGRAPEIOAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
cial College at Lock Haven. lu 1868 he es-
tablished a business at Lock Haven, Pa., and
continued there five years, when he went to
Wisconsin and for seven years was in the
lumber business. In 1887 he came to Mid-
dletown, where he opened a shop for the mak-
ing of carriages and doing general repairing
work.
In political views Mr. Saul is a Eepubli-
can, and formerly was a member of the I. 0.
0. F. He was married, June, 1881, to Miss
Florence, daughter of John S. Watson. Mr.
Watson married Sabilla Beyerle, of Reading,
Pa., in 1832, and about 1835 settled at Mid-
dletown, where he had a saw mill, built boats
for the canal and carried on a trade in lum-
ber. He was a prominent mail of his day,
and was one of the first stockholders and a
director in the Middletown Bank. His death
occurred January 8, 1878, and that of his
wife in February, 1889. He was a Whig in
politics. Hiswife was a member of the Bethel
church, of which he was a liberal supporter.
Their children are: Mary Ann, Mrs. William
M. Daugherty, of Sunbury, Pa., and Florenpe,
Mrs. Henry E,. Saul. Mr. and Mrs. Saul have
no children. They are members of the Pres-
byterian church, of which he is a trustee.
Shepler, Jacob H., merchant. Middle-
town, Pa., was born, in Lancaster county.
Pa., February 18, 1840 ; son of Samuel and
Regina (Albert) Shepler, natives of . that
county. The father came to Dauphin county
with his family in 1850, and engaged in
farming in Middle Paxton township, where
he continued until his death. His children
are: John, of Middle Paxton township;
Sarah, Mrs. Eli Salzer, of Middle Paxton
township ; Jacob H. ; Mary,' Mrs. Amos
Parker, of Hanover township ; Elizabeth,
Mrs. Thomas Hinkle, of Chicago, 111.; Will-
iam, and Isaac, both of Middle Paxton town-
ship.
Jacob H. was educated in the public
schools, and learned the trade of plasterer
and also of wood worker. In 1861 he en-
listed in the United States army and served
until 1865, having re-enlisted as a veteran in
1863 in the same company, and having been
commissioned as captain of his company.
At the battle of Chancellorsville he was
taken prisoner and was confined in Libby
prison for four months. After serving two
years with the Army of the Potomac he was
transferred to the Western army under Gen-
eral Sherman, participatingjin^the triumph-
ant battles and marches of that great arrny
and going with it to the sea. After his dis-
charge from the military service he was em-
ployed at different times by the Harrisburg
Car Company, the Middletown Car Works, the
Furniture Company and other companies.
In 1893 he engaged in mercantile business
at Middletown, in which he has continued
until the present time. Mr. Shepler is a
member of the Order of United American
Mechanics and of Simon Cameron Post,
G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.
He was married, in 1868, to Miss Elizabeth
Hughes, daughter of Jacob Hughes, of Han-
over township, and to this marriage there is
no issue. He is a member. of the Methodist
Episcopal church and holds the offices of
steward and class leader in the same.
SwEiGARD, Daniel, dealer in coal. Middle-
town, Pa., was born in Jackson township,
Dauphin county, Pa., April 20, 1842 ; son of
Jonas and Elizabeth (Miller) Sweigard. The
first of the family to settle in Dauphin
county was Peter Sweigard, a native of Ger-
many, who came to America and took up a
tract of Government land in Jackson town-
ship, on which he settled and remained. His
son Adam, the grandfather of Daniel, was
born in Jackson township, where he also
took up land and cleared up a farm, and was
also engaged in hauling to Harrisburg and
Lancaster county. The family were mem-
bers of the Lutheran church. He married
Miss Warfel, of one of the early families of
the township, and they reared eleven chil-
dren, of whom four are living: Philip, of
Lower Swatara township, retired ; Rachel,
wife of George Shoop, of Wayne township;
Mary, wife of John Miller, of Jackson town-
ship ; and Catherine, wife of John Enders, of
Jackson township. Jonas Sweigard, father
of Daniel, was born in Jackson township,
January 30, 1813. He followed farming in
Jackson and Jefferson townships. Politi-
cally he was a Democrat and filled various
township offices. His death occurred Oc-
tober 3, 1880, and that of his wife December
19, 1893. They were prominent members of
the Lutheran church. Their children are :
James, of Jackson township; Daniel and
Samuel, of Ellsworth county, Kan.
Daniel was reared in his native township
and learned the trade of stonemason, which,
he followed for twenty years. In 1864 he
enlisted in company A, Two Hundred and
Eighth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
DAUPMIN COUNTY.
841
and served until the close of the war. In
1867 he came to Middletown and cultivated
the Frey farm one year, after which he
worked at his trade until 1876, when he es-
tablished his present business. In politics
he is a Democrat. He was married, in 1870,
to Catherine, daughter of Frederick Klein-
dopf, of Londonderry township, and they
have one child, Annie, at home. He is a
member of the St. Peter's Lutheran church
and is a trustee of the organization.
Selser, Samuel S., Middletown, Pa., was
born in Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa.,
May 29, 1850 ; son of Samuel and Christina
(Ehrsman) Selser. He attended the public
schools until he was eighteen years of age,
and learned the tinner's trade, which occu-
pation he has since followed. In 1876 he
established a business for himself, and in
1879 built the store which he has since oc-
cupied. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and of the Junior Order United
American Mechanics. In politics he is a
Republican. Mr. Selser was married, De-
cember 31, 1879, to Miss Barbara, daughter
of Jacob Kleindopf, of Middletown, by whom
he has two children : Catherine B. and Lucy
E. He is a member of the St. Peter's Lu-
theran church.
Selser, Samuel, retired, Middletown, was
born at Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa.,
March 5, 1815 ; son of George and Catherine
(Musser) Selser. The father was born in
York county and the mother in Lancaster
county. John George Selser, the grand-
father, was a native of Germany, came to
America, settled in York county, and had
three sons and one daughter: George, Nicho-
las, Michael, and Christina. George Selser,
the father, came to Middletown before his
marriage, about 1812, and purchased a lot
from the Foot family. He was originally a
distiller, but after coming to Middletown en-
gaged in the ' manufacture of nails, and fol-
lowed that business many years, and later in
life was engaged in milling, carpentry and
other employments. He was a member of
the Lutheran church, and was one of the
workmen employed in building the steeple-
on the church. He died in 1852 and his
wife died in 1876. Their children are :
Catherine, married Adam Foot, and died at
Grand Rapids, Mich.; Samuel, and Mary,
Mrs. Eli May, of Middletown.
Samuel was educated in the schools of
that period and learned the trade of cabinet
making, at which he worked for several
years, after which he had a saw mill and
was in the lumber business for thirty-five
years, in connection with which he did car-
penter work. In politics he was a Whig,
and later a Republican, and served as mem-
ber of the council and as tax collector. Mr.
Selser was married, in 1835, to Sarah Smith,
who lived only a short time, and after her
death he married Miss Christina, daughter
of Jacob Ehersman. She died in 1893.
They had eleven children : Anna, Salome,
Sarah, Catherine, Christina, Mary, Lucinda,
George W., Samuel S., John, and Jacob. Mr.
Selser attends the Lutheran church.
Ulrich, Adam, retired, Middletown, was
born in Lower Swatara township, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 11, 1818 ; son of
Michael and Kate (Stoner) Ulrich. The
father came from Lebanon county and pur-
chased the farm in Lower Swatara township
about 1812. He was a weaver and saddler
by trade, and worked at these occupations to
some extent in connection with farming,
until he retired from active business and
moved to Middletown, where he died in
1845, and is buried in the Middletown cem-
etery. By his first wife, who died about
1835, he had nine children ; two died in in-
fancy : Mary, deceased, married Christian
Eshenour ; Elizabeth, deceased, married Jacob
Eshenour ; Samuel, deceased, farmer in Lower
Swatara township ; Catherine, Mrs. Philip
Albert ; Michael, deceased, farmer in Lower
Swatara township ; John, who conducted a
sash factory, at Middletown, and Adam, the
only survivor of the family. Mr. Ulrich
married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary
Deckard, who died in 1875. They were
members of the Lutheran church, and later
joined the United Brethren church. In pol-
itics Mr. Ulrich was a Whig.
Adam was reared on the homestead, and
was engaged in farming until 1883, when
he retired from active work. He was mar-
ried, in 1839, to Mary, daughter of Henry
Deckard, of Swatara township, and settled
on his father's homestead, where his wife
died in 1883. They had four children :
William, cashier of the Hummelstown Bank ;
Mary, wife of John W. Rife, of Middletown ;
Catherine, wife of Benjamin Martin, of
Kingston ; John, on the old homestead. In
842
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
politics Mr. Ulrich is a Republican and has
served in various township oflSces. He is a
member of the Guyer's United Brethren
church.
Ulrich, John L., farmer, Middletown P.
0., was born in Lower Swatara township,
Dauphin county. Pa., January 2, 1861. He
received his education in the township
schools, and learned the milling ■ business.
In 1881 he rented the Nissley mill, which
he conducted for three years, after which he
removed to his father's homestead, which he
has since occupied. Mr. Ulrich was married,
in 1881, to Miss Barbara, daughter of Jacob
C. Nissley, of Londonderry township, and
they have two children : Katie V. and Mary
B. In his political views Mr. Ulrich is a
Republican, and has served as township
auditor. His church membership is with
the United Brethren at Hummelstown.
WiTMAN, John A., shoemaker. Middle-
town, Pa., was born on the old homestead in
Londonderry township, April 22, 1834 ; son
of John and Mary (Kouchman) Witman.
The first of the family to settle in this county
was John, the grandfather of John A., who
moved from Lancaster county in 1795 and
settled in Londonderry township, where he
lived up to the time of his death. His chil-
dren were: Anthony, John, Jacob, Paul,
Joseph, Elizabeth, and Mary, all of whom
are deceased.
The father was born in Londonderry town-
ship, April 21, 1799. He was a weaver by
trade, but engaged in brick making and in
butchering for a number of years. He died
March 26, 1880, and his wife August 12,
1847, at the age of forty-three. He was mar-
ried to Miss Mary Kouchman, by whom he
had twelve children : Lydia, Catherine,
Henry, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, John A., Sarah
Margaret, Paul, William, Phiaunas, Joseph,
and Emma M. He afterwards married Mrs.
Anna Eversole, by whom he had two chil-
dren, Louisa and Martin. John A. was first
engaged in shoemaking. From 1870 to 1880
was in mercantile business in Wrightsville.
During 1883 and 1884 was working for
the E. C. M. railroad. From 1865 to 1869
was superintendent for James Young, Mid-
dletown, and kept hotel in Wrightsville,
York county, for five years, and for a time
in Middletown. He married Miss Leah
Ginder, of York, York county, December 27,
1860. Their children are : Maggie ; Morris,
married Carrie Keller, and now resides in
Wrightsville; Katie, John, Charles, and
Mary. Mr. Witman is a Republican in
politics.
Whitmer, Abraham U., farmer, Oberlin,
Pa., was born in Franklin county, Pa., Jan-
uary 22, 1848; son of Abraham and Catherine
(Urich) Whitmer,natives of Lancaster county.
The father removed to Dauphin county in
1856, and located in Lower Swatara township,
where he lived until 1888, when he removed
to Oberlin, and died in February, 1890. In
politics he was a Republican, and was in
connection with the River Brethren church.
His wife died in 1892. Their children are:
Fannie, widow of Samuel Brehm, of Steelton ;
David, of Londonderry township; Abraham
U., and Elizabeth, wife of Heuey Wolgemuth,
of Lancaster county. Abraham U. came
with his parents to Dauphin county when
he was eight years of age, and received his
education in the public schools. After the
death of his father he succeeded to the
homestead. In 1876 he was married to
Mary E. Metz, daughter of George Metz, of
Swatara township, by whom he had three
children : Sally A., Mary Jane, and Harry
W. In his political views Mr. Whitmer is a
Republican, and has served in the oflfice of
inspector of elections, and auditor of the
township.
Wagner, John R., was born on the old
homestead in Londonderry township, June
10, 1833 ; son of John Wagner. The first
of the Wagner family to come to Dauphin
county was Frederick Wagner, grandfather
of John R., who settled on the tract of land
now owned by the All wine estate. Frederick,
born December 14, 1758, was a carpenter
and one of the early settlers at Lancaster,
Pa., when there were only a few houses
where the city now stands. Frederick was
drafted for service in the war of 1812, and
marched from Londonderry township to
Baltimore. He acquired a good education
for that period, was a Republican in politics,
and an active member of the Lutheran
church. He was a shoemaker, but like most
other mechanics was also at times engaged
in farming. ' He married Miss Anne Wright-
myer, by whom he had these children:
Elizabeth, Anna, Margaret, Mary, and John,
all of whom are deceased. Frederick Wag-
ner died on the homestead in 1846, aged
eighty-seven years.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
B43
John Wagner, the father of John R., was born
in 1799, on the old homestead, where he spent
his entire life, and died in 1874. He was the
youngest child of his father's family, acquired
a good education, and engaged in farming.
He was a Republican in politics and held the
office of supervisor of the township for a num-
ber of years. In his religious views and fel-
lowship he was a Lutheran and was an active
member of that church. He married Miss
Catherine Rodfong, daughter of Michael Rod-
fong, of Dauphin county.- Their children are :
Caroline, who died in 1863, aged fourteen years;
E>ederick, married Leah Peters, daughter of
David Peters, of Dauphin county ; John ;
Annie, married S. C. Swartz, son of Christian
Swartz, of Dauphin county ; Mary, married
Davis Eshenower, of Lower Swatara town-
ship; Eliza, married Jacob M. Gingerich, of
Londonderry township ; Sarah, married
David Roop, of Middletown, Pa.; Catherine,
unmarried, and lives with her sister, Mrs. S.
C- Swartz.
John R. was reared on the old homestead
and lived there until 1864. He acquired his
education in the public schools and was en-
gaged in farming until he was over thirty
years of age, after which he was for two years
in the employment of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. In 1864 he was appointed
by the county commissioners, Henry Hart-
man, J. J. Milleisen, and Robert McClure,
collector of State, county, and local taxes, in
which office he served one j'ear, and was
precinct assessor for fifteen years. In his
political views he was a Republican. Mr.
Wagner was married, March 28, 1865, to
Miss Katie Garrett, daughter of John Garrett,
of Lebanon, Pa. In 1871 they moved to the
premises where they now have their home.
Wagner, Frederick R., coal dealer,
Middletown, Pa., was born in Londonderry
township, Dauphin county. Pa., October 20,
1830 ; son of John and Catherine (Rodfong)
Wagner. He was reared and educated in
the township, and remained with his father
and worked on the home farm until he was
thirty years of age. In 1860 he was married
to Miss Leah Peters, daughter of David Peters,
of Londonderry township. After his marriage
he located on a farm in the same township,
and was engaged in agricultural pursuits
until 1865, after which he was for one year
in Swatara township. In 1866 he returned
to the old homestead in Londonderry town-
ship, which he leased until 1881, when he
removed to Middletown, where he was em-
ployed in the tube mill for seven years. In
1894 he established a coal business, to which
he has devoted his entire attention for
several years. His children are : Abraham
L., clerk for Gray at Middletown ; John,
butcher, at Middletown ; William, wjth his
father; Charles, physician at Hanover, York
county ; Simon, butcher, at Middletown ;
Elizabeth, wife of John Klinger, of Middle-
town ; Emma, and Annie. In politics Mr.
Wagner is a Republican and was formerly
active in party matters. He has served in
the office of assessor of Londonderry town-
ship, and school director of the same town-
ship. He attends the United Brethren
church.
Yetter, Samuel L., insurance, Middle-
town, was born in Lancaster county. Pa.,
March 4, 1838 ; son of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Lindemuth) Yetter. The father was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812, and participated in
the battle of Baltimore. He held the com-
mission of captain of his company. By oc-
cupation he was a mason, and kept a hotel
in Lancaster for many years. Samuel L.
was reared in Lancaster county, receiving
his education in the public schools and at
the Millersville State Normal School, and
was engaged in teaching in Lancaster, Dau-
phin, Snyder, and Lebanon counties. In
1872 he came to Middletown, and was
teacher in the Emaus Orphans' School for six
months, which position he was compelled to
resign on account of failing health, and took
up the insurance business. In 1885 he was
appointed under President Cleveland dep-
uty collector of internal revenue for the
Ninth district. State of Pennsylvania, in
which ofiice he served four years and five or
six months. Mr. Yetter is a member of
Prince Edwin Lodge, F. & A. M.; Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, American Me-
chanics, and of the Ancient Order of Fores-
ters. In political views he is a Democrat,
and was elected in 1881, 1882, 1891, and
1892 to the office of burgess of Middletown,
and refused another election. He was also
elected to the school board, and was its sec-
retary, which office he resigned to become
teacher of the German school. Mr. Yetter
was married, in 1872, to Miss E. J. Ringland,
daughter of Joseph Ringland, of Middle-
town, Pa., having been previously married
to Mary M. Klugh, teacher, daughter of
Frank Klugh, by whom he had one child,
844
MOORAPHICAL ENCTCLOPEMA
Eugene H., in the mail service at Philadel-
phia. Mr. Yetter is a member of St. Peter's
Lutheran church, and was trustee of the
organization for many years.
Beaed, Charles F., merchant, Middle-
town, was born at Royalton, Londonderry
townsnip, Dauphin county, Pa., November
23, 1865; son of Ammon W. and Mary
(Knerr) Beard. He received his education
in the public school of his neighborhood and
entered the employment of the American
Tube and Iron Company, where he remained
for nearly nine years. In April, 1893, he
emb9,rked in the grocery business, at Mid-
dletown, which he has since conducted.
His political views and associations are with
the Republican party, to the principles and
men of which he gives the support of his
suffrage. In fraternity circles he is promi-
nent in the membership of the Knights of
Malta, the Red Men and the Junior Order
American Mechanics. Mr. Beard was mar-
ried, in 1889, to Miss Mary Peters, daughter
of Joseph A. Peters, of Middletown, to whom
have been born two children : Florence M.
and Harry C,
MIDDLE PAXTON TOWNSHIP.
Umbbrger, John Roberts, M. D., Dau-
phin, Pa., born at Linglestown, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 9, 1829. The Um-
berger familj' forms a part of that German
element, full of sturdy vitality alike in
physique and in intellect, which goes so far
to make up the bone and sinew of the State
of Pennsylvania. The family records on
this side of the Atlantic embraces six gen-
erations, and run back to that Heinrich
Umberger, who, with his wife and two boys
Michael and John, crossed the ocean in a
vessel significantly named the Hope. Land-
ing at Philadelphia, August 28, 1733, they
soon made their way to that part of Lan-
caster county now included in Lebanon
county, where they took up a square mile
of land, near the present site of the city of
Lebanon. From that time the family his-
tory is frequently interwoven with that of
the country, and presents in each genera-
tion some notable point. The sons of
Michael Umberger, Heinrich's elder son,
were four in number: John, Henry, Adam,
and Philip. John and Henry were both
captains in the Continental Army under
" Mad Anthony '' Wayne. In the battle of
Long Island John must have been either
killed or captured by the British, for from
that day he was nevermore seen or heard
of by his family. Henry, on the contrary,
served throughout the Revolution, and lived
afterward to the remarkable age of one hun-
dred and three. He left a large family of
sons and daughters. The third son, Adam,
had four children : John, David, Susanna
H., and Elizabeth. This generation, the
fourth, is noticeable for a double alliance
with the Weinrich family ; the elder son,
John, marrying Elizabeth Weinrich, and the
elder daughter, Susanna H., becoming the
wife of Miss Weinrich's brother, Peter
Weinrich, afterwards sheriff of Dauphin
county. The younger sister married Peter
Heckert, of Linglestown, and died near that
place at the age of ninety-two. John Um-
berger was an extensive cattle dealer, operat-
ing principally in Chester and Delaware
counties. His sons were David, John, Jr.,
William, and Benjamin ; his daughters, Eliz-
abeth and Mary. As his uncles had aided
in the Revolutionary war, so John Umber-
ger served his country in the war of 1812.
He was in command of a regiment of militia,
whose colonel he continued to be until his
death, in 1813, at Paoli, Chester county.
During part of Colonel Umberger's early
married life he resided in Lower Paxton
township, at a house known as the "Running
Pump Hotel." His eldest son, David Um-
berger, was born in that township, December
26, 1796. His first business engagements
were mercantile, and at Harrisburg, Pa.,
where he began, a little later, the study of
medicine. His preceptor was Dr. Martin
Luther. Dr. David Umberger was a gradu-
ate of the medical department. University of
Pennsylvania, class of 1823. From this date
until 1827 he practiced at Elizabethtown,
Lancaster county; 1827 to 1837 in Dauphin
county ; 1837 to 1845 at Jonestown, Lebanon
county. In 1845 he returned to his native
county and practiced at Linglestown, in- full
enjoyment of the confidence and regard of
his many patients, until the arduous duties
of the profession became too severe for his de-
clining strength. The characteristic public
spirit of the family was manifested by Dr.
David Umberger in his earnest and effective
advocacy of the public school system during
his residence in Jonestown. It is well known
that the system met with very determined
opposition, on various grounds, in different
AZ C6iy^^^f&^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
847
parts of the State. It was largely due to the
influence of Dr. Umberger that the prejudice
against it was overcome and the public schools
established in that part of Lebanon county.
In later years his fellow-citizens showed their
appreciation of his worth and sound judg-
ment by giving him a vote as Democratic
candidate for Congress from the district com-
prising Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill
counties, which, though insufficient to elect
him, was still flatteringly large.
In March, 1823, Dr. David Umberger
married Miss Juliet, daughter of John Rob-
erts, of Washington county. Pa., a sister of
Drs. James and Edmund Roberts, of Harris-
burg, Pa. Dr. and Mrs. Umberger had
twelve children: James and Emily, twins,
who died in early infancy ; Emily, Margaret,
Dr. John R., Juliet, Mary, Dr. Edmund R.,
Jane, Caroline, David, Jr., and Harriet.
True in the sixth generation to the tfadition
of the family, two sons, Edmund and David,
served in war for their country. Both en-
listed in the war of the Rebellion, Dr. Ed-
mund R. as surgeon in the Ninety-third
Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and David
in the Two Hundred and First regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. Both
were mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa., in
June, 1865. Mrs. Umberger was born in
1804, and died December 6, 1862 ; Dr. Um-
berger died at the residence of his son, Dau-
phin, Pa., July 29, 1874.
The education of Dr. John R. Umberger
was begun in a log school house in Lower
Paxton township. His parents removing to
Lebanon county when he was nine years
old, he continued his studies, entering the
public schools which his father had done so
much to establish. At sixteen the family
again removed, and to Dauphin county.
John had already pursued medical studies
under his father's direction, for two years;
they were continued until he attained his
twentieth year when he matriculated at the
Philadelphia College of Medicine. He was
graduated in 1852, and has also an honorary
diploma from the University of Pennsyl-
vania. He began practice in West Hanover
township, but in 1855 removed to Dauphin,
Pa., where he continued to practice until he
retired from active professional duties in
1890. Dr. Umberger is a member of the
State Medical Association, of the Dauphin
County Medical Society, of the Harrisburg
Pathological Society, and a charter member
of the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine.
54
He belongs to Paxton Lodge, No. 621, I. 0.
0. F. He is a Democrat. On August 24,
1852, he was appointed aid-de-camp on Gov-
ernor Bigler's staff with the rank of lieu-
tenant colonel.
Dr. John R. Umberger was married, Novem-
ber 20, 1855, to Mary, daughter of Robert
and Mary Moody, of South Planover town-
ship. They have three children: Lillie J.,
wife of A. T. Poffenberger, medical ex-
aminer of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, at Sunbury, Pa., born in January,
1857, died December 26, 1893; Emily, born
in December, 1858, wife of Joseph M. Cum-
mings ; and Mary, born in 1864. The family
attended the Presbyterian church.
Dr. James Roberts, elder brother of Mrs.
David Umberger, was born in 1780, at Wash-
ington , P a. He began practice at Harrisbu rg
Pa., but removed to Peoria, 111., where he
died about 1834. During his residence at
Harrisburg, his younger brother Edmund W.
Roberts came there to study medicine under
his preceptorship. Edmund W. was born
about 1806, at Washington, Pa.; was a grad-
uate of Yale College, and of the medical
department of the University of Pennsylva-
nia. He practiced successfully in Harrisburg
until his death, which occurred in that city,
November 10, 1865, in his fifty-ninth year.
Dr. Edmund W. Roberts married Miss Caro-
line, daughter of Andrew and Hannah
(Templin) Ross, of Washington, D. C, and
sister of Dr. Robert J. Ross, of Harrisburg,
Pa. Her death took place at Newburg, N. Y.,
January 23, 1877 ; she is buried at Harris-
burg. Dr. and Mrs. Roberts had two chil-
dren. Their daughter Mar}', wife of Rev.
B. B. Leacock, D. D., of the Episcopal church,
died at Harrisburg in 1867.
Dr. Robert J. Ross, although he died in
his early prime, at the age of thirty-seven,
was already eminent in his profession. He
married Mary E., daughter of Judge Foot,
of the State of New York. They had two
children. Dr. Ross' death took place April
4, 1875.
Coble, Aaron C, M. D., was born in Derry
township, Dauphin county. Pa., near Hock-
ersville, at the old Coble homestead, July 6,
1859. He is a son of Henry and Mary
(Riser) Coble. Henry Coble died October 9,
1875, aged about forty-five years. He was a
farmer in the earlier part of his life, and
later engaged in mercantile business. Still
later he was in hotel business. He had
848
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
also studied surveying. On November 18,
1862, he enlisted at Harrisburg in company
C, One Hundred and Seventy-third regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, Col.
David Nagle. He was fifth sergeant of his
company. He was discharged August 17,
1863, at Harrisburg. He was in a number
of battles. His wife Mary, daughter of
Christian Riser, survives him. They had
eight children, of whom two are deceased :
Ida, who died at the age of twelve, and Dr.
Addison B., who died aged thirty-nine years,
having lost his life by an accident. Their
living children are : Sarah, wife of J. A.
Schoener, of Harrisburg ; Emma, wife of
William H. Wagner, Camden, N. J.; Ellen,
wife of Joseph Henning, of Harrisburg;
Fanny, wife of Harrison Hoover, Derry
township ; Harry, and ■ Dr. Aaron C. Mr.
Coble was an active, industrious man, of ex-
cellent character and popular with his neigh-
bors.
Aaron C. Coble received his early educa-
tion in the public schools of Linglestown,
Pa., to which place his parents removed
when he was nine years old. In 1882 he
went to Dauphin, Pa., and read medicine
with his brother. Dr. A. B. Coble. At the
age of twenty-three he entered the Univer-
sity of Maryland, at Baltimore, and studied
there three years, being graduated from that
institution in 1885. He then returned to
Dauphin, and continued studying with Dr.
A. B. Coble for about five years. In 1888 he
received a diploma from the Pharmaceutical
Examining Board of Pennsylvania. He
succeeded his brother. Dr. A. B. Coble, who
died in November, 1890. He has conducted
a drug store since 1888, and has established
a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Coble was married, March 26, 1891,
to Mary C, daughter of Elias and Ann Mary
(Schaeffer) Fertig. Mrs. Fertig died August
17, 1895, aged about seventy-one years. Mr.
Fertig is still living. They had five chil-
dren : Milton, Maria, Elizabeth, Mary C,
and Laura. Dr. Coble has served as borough
school director. He was a delegate to the
Republican State Convention in 1891. He
is a member of Perry Lodge, No. 458, F. &
A. M., at Marysville, and of Patton Lodge,
No. 621, I. 0.' 0. F., at Dauphin. He is a
Republican. He and his family attend the
Lutheran church.
MiLLiKEN, Thomas, justice of the peace,
was born at Petersburg, now Duncannon,
Perry county, Pa., December 24, 1830. His
father was born in Tuscarora Valley, Juniata
county. Pa., August 4, 1794, and died De-
cember 28, 1860. His mother died June 9,
1855, aged about forty-four. The first wife
of the elder Mr. Milliken was Rachel Bran-
yon, by whom he had two children, John
and James. His second wife was Susanna
Parker. They had nine, children : Isaac,
Thomas, Joseph E., William Parker, Susanna
Parker, Francis Bonner, Jackson McFadden,
Alexander Jackson, and Charles Parker.
The boys all volunteered in the army. Isaac
was in- a cavalry company, under Captain
San no, of Carlisle; Joseph, in company D,
One Hundred and Seventh regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers; William, in the old
Eleventh infantry regiment, Colonel Colter;
Francis B., in company B, Eighty-seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers ; and A.
Jackson., in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
regiments. United States regulars.
Thomas Milliken attended the public
schools of his native town. The family re-
moved first to Bloomfield, afterwards to
Liverpool, both in Perry county. When
Thomas was six years of age they went to
Harrisburg, where he attended the city
schools. Later, having removed to Coxes-
town, he attended a school there which was
taught by Charles Huston in an old log
school house, near where the Methodist Epis-
copal church now stands: The next removal
was to the premises known as the old Burnt
Tavern ; the next to the old Clark's Ferry
Tavern, where he went to the old log school
house on Duncan's Island. Once more he
removed with his parents to the place then
known as Greensburg and Port Lyon, now
Dauphin, where Thomas attended school
under J. Wilson Parks.
At the age of seventeen Mr. Milliken be-
gan work on his own account, being em-
ployed as driver on the canal. Later he
kept store for J. G. Updegrove, at Coxestown,
and afterwards attended store at Matamoras,
Powell's Valley, for James Reed. He returned
to his job on the canal at Dauphin, receiving as
wages eight dollars per month. His parents
at this time removed to Clark's Ferry and
kept tavern. On April 26, 1849, he engaged
with his uncle, A. R. Kincade, in mercantile
business on Duncan's Island. After carry-
ing on this business for a year he sold his
interest and engaged in section boating on
the canal, and shipped between Philadelphia
and Pittsburgh. He was thus occupied for
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
849
about sixteen years, being at the same time
engaged with George G. Neuer in butcher-
ing at Dauphin. In March, 1865, Mr. Milli-
ken enlisted at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in
company I, Capt. John Bell, Seventy- seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Col.
Thomas E. Rose. His regiment was sent as
far soutli as Texas. He was discharged at
Victoria, Texas, December 6, 1865, and re-
turned to Dauphin. In 1866 he engaged in
keeping hotel and boating at Dauphin locks.
In March, 1892, he removed to the home-
stead, where he now resides. He was elected
justice of the peace in 1887 and re-elected in
1892, and has served in that office up to the
present time. His political views are Demo-
cratic. The family are Presbyterians, and
are of Scotch-Irish descent.
Mr. Milliken was married, at the old Stees
Hotel, December 7, 1852, to Mary J., daugh-
ter of Frederick and Catherine (Hassinger)
Stees. Of their four children all are deceased
but one, Augustus Bell, born October 1,1856.
He is at present general superintendent of
the erection department of the Phcenix
Bridge Company, Phoenixville, Pa. Their
deceased children are : Susanna Parker, born
September 18, 1853, died April 12,1872;
Esther Graydon, born November 30, 1859,
died January 29, 1862 ; Thomas, born July
7, 1862, died February 2, 1877 ; and Daniel
Stees, born August 25, 1868, died September
27, 1868.
Bell, William A., was born in Stony
Creek, formerly known as Bell's Valley, near
Dauphin, Dauphin county. Pa., June 11,
1826. He is a son of William and Clarissa
(Armstrong) Bell. He was one of nine chil-
dren : Jane E., Theodore J., Mary W., Cla-
rissa A., two who died in infancy, Alfred,
Armstrong, and Sarah Ellen. He was edu-
cated in his native township and at Dauphin,
and learned carpentry with Isaac Updegrove,
at Coxestown. He worked at his trade in the
employ of Messrs. Stone & Quigley, contractors
and builders, until 1865 or '66. Having
thus obtained a full knowledge of the busi-
ness he became a contractor and builder on
his own account, and continued in this occu-
pation until his death, December 24, 1880.
He was a man of enterprise and integrity and
possessed the esteem and confidence of his
neighbors.
Mr. Bell was married, February 10, 1852,
to Miss Sabra M., daughter of Frederick and
Catherine (Hassinger) Stees, born at Millers-
burg, then Union, now Snyder county. Pa.,
August 17, 1827 ; afterwards her parents re-
moving first to Chapman township, Snyder
county, and then to Rockville, she attended
the district schools of both places. Removing
in 1838 to Dauphin, she completed her edu-
cation there, and has ever since resided there.
Mr. and Mrs Bell had four children : two are
deceased : Charles Lovell, born April 4, 1854,
died July 21, 1854, and Bertha Burton, born
August 6, 1858, died October 8, 1858. Their
living children are : Katherine S., born April
24, 1860, married to W. P. Clark, May 12,
1888 ; and Anna C, born August 12, 1867.
Mr. Stees, the father of Mrs. Bell, was born
in April, 1796, and died January 24, 1864.
Her mother was born March 28, 1799, and
died August 19, 1876. They had nine chil-
dren : Reuben H., Julia Ann, Josiah, Aaron,
Sabra M., Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Alfred F.,
and one who died in infancy. Mr. Bell was
a member of the Masonic Lodge of Marys-
ville. After 1857 he was a Republican. The
family attend the Presbyterian church.
Gayman, John P., was born in Stony Creek
Valley, Dauphin county. Pa., February 22,
1825. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Etcein) Gayman. Plis grandfather, Isaac
Gayman, was a soldier in Washington's
army. His father, Jacob Gavman, was born
May 11, 1789. It was in 1794 or 1795 that
Isaac Gayman and his wife settled in Stony
Creek Valley on the homestead which has
been in possession of the family from that
time to the present. Jacob Gayman was
colonel of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania
militia in 1812. His wife, Elizabeth Ettein,
was born July 8, 1795. They had twelve
children, seven of whom are deceased: Will-
iam, born October 9, 1829, died Mav 15,
1832; Sarah, wife of Philip Miller, "born
July 9, 1816 ; Isaac, born June 1, 1823 ;
Elizabeth, born January 1, 1815, wife of
John Stuesley ; Ellen, born October 1, 1831,
wife of James Reed ; Jacob, born May 9,
1827; Mary, born June 6, 1821, wife of Joel
Ney. The surviving children are : Charles,
born October 16, 1817 ; Leah, born Septem-
ber 29, 1819, widow of Jacob Chubb ; John
P.; Catherine, born November 25, 1833, wife
of William Kline ; Samuel W., born March
3, 1836. The father died September 17,
1845, and the mother Novembfer 23, 1863.
John P. Gayman attended a private school
taught by a Mr. Neill and Walter Bell, in a
small structure about sixteen by eighteen
850
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
feet, built of logs and mud mortar. When
he was about fourteen, the public schools
having been established, he attended them.
School was then held for three months in
the winter season. During the spring and
summer months John worked on his father's
farm. At the age of twenty he began to
teach during the winter, receiving a salary
of twenty dollars per month. He continued
farming and teaching for about ten years.
When Mr. Gayman was twenty-one he en-
gaged in farming on his own account, having
bought the old homestead after his father's
death. He still taught school during the
winter. When he was twenty-six years old
he traveled through the Western States. In
the following summer he repeated his West-
ern trip. While at Chicago, 111., in 1848,
ten acres of ground were offered to him at ten
dollars per acre, in what is now the central
part of the city. Owing to the marshy con-
dition of the ground he refused to invest. It
was land which had been granted by
the Government to the school board. Mr.
Gayman returned from the West to the old
homestead, and continued farming until
1883, when he retired from active business
and removed to his present residence in
Dauphin.
He was married, December 22, 1854, to
Lucy A., daughter of Henry and Lucy
Hyde, born November 29, 1833. They had
six children : John Cloyde, born October
23, 1876, died October 27, 1881 ; Elizabeth,
born October 23, 1854, widow of Thomas
Wertz ; Jenny Ellen, born . November 9,
1856; Margaret Lucy, born June 1, 1858;
Ida Catherine, born October 12, 1868, wife of
Louis Stager ; Bertha Louisa, born February
6, 1874. Mrs. Gayman died August 11,
1893. Mr. Gayman has served in several
township offices for a number of terms each.
He is a Democrat. He and his family at-
tend the Presbyterian church.
PoppENBEEGER, LEONARD, blacksmith,
Dauphin, Dauphin county, Pa., was born De-
cember 15, 1823, in Middle Paxton township,
within half a mile of his present home, where
he has lived forty-five years. He was a son
of William and Catharine (Noll) Pofifenber-
ger.
The first record in the possession of the
family is of the arrival of the ship Pink Mary,
of Dublin, September 29, 1733, when George
Pfaffenberger,George Pfaffenberger, Jr., Eliza-
beth, aged eleven, Christina, six, and Adam,
four years of age, landed. The next is of the
grandfather of Leonard Poffenberger, Daniel,
who died July 29, 1845, and is buried at St.
John's church, near Ellerton, Md. He was
a farmer and a resident of Frederick county,
Md., where he died, aged about ninety-five
years. His wife died September 28, 1831.
They left a large family of sons and daugh-
ters. One of their sons, William Poffenber-
ger, was born July 22, 1783, and died Feb-
ruary 22, 1842. His wife, Catherine Noll,
was born August 19, 1779, and died Feb-
ruary 9, 1841. They were residents of Mid-
dle Paxton township. They were married
February 28, 1804, and had ten children,
whose biographies are briefly as follows :
(1) Daniel, born February 7, 1805, mar-
ried Margaret Heckert, March 15, 1832, died
March 6, 1872; (2) Elizabeth Sarah, born
August 25, 1806, married Daniel McAllister,
May 12, 1831, died March 5, 1843 ; (3) Will-
iam, born March 22, 1810, married Henrietta
McConnell, March 12, 1840, died May 2,
1860 ; (4) Mary Magdalena, born March 22,
1812j married Joseph Buchanan in Novem-
ber, 1843, died November 24, 1881; (5)
George, born March 28, 1813, married Rachel
Poffenberger, a distant relative, died March
6, 1872; (6) Catherine, born February 24,
1815, married George Singer, January 31,
1839, died December 10, 1839; (7) Susanna,
born January 20, 1817, resided with her
brother Leonard for about thirty years be-
fore her death, September 24, 1881 ;"(8) John,
born May 21, 1819, married Elizabeth Rut-
ter in 1842, died June 10, 1861 ; (9) Andrew,
born July 29, 1821, died September 1, 1823;
(10) Leonard.
Three nephews of Leonard Poffenberger
served in the Union army in the war of the
Rebellion. William L., son of John Poffen-
berger, enlisted February 24, 1865, in com-
pany H, One Hundred and Ninety-second
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
discharged at Harper's Ferry in August,
1865; Joseph, son of Daniel Poffenberger,
enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-
third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
under Capt. C. A. Harper. He was after-
terwards in Ihe commissary department at
Chambersburg, Pa.; William H., son of
George Poffenberger, having served for three
years, and going home re-enlisted in the
regular United States army.
Miss Margaret S. Poffenberger, who has
for four years resided with her uncle, is the
daughter of his eldest brother, Daniel.
DA UPHIN CO UNTY.
851
Leonard PofFenberger received his educa-
tion in the public and private schools of his
native township. At the age of eighteen he
entered upon an apprenticeship with his
brother Daniel, and served two j'ears at the
blacksmith trade. After working five years
as a journeyman at various places, Mr. Pof-
fenberger engaged in business for himself in
Dauphin county in 1850, which he con-
ducted almost continuously for forty-five
years, having associated with himself, since
1881, his nephew, William L. Poff^enberger.
Being very talented, ingenious and a skilled
mechanic, his fame as a workman spread for
miles around, and he was able for many
years to carry on a very profitable business.
Honest, generous, and trustworthy, he enjoyed
universal confidence, and was chosen for
various positions of responsibility. He
served for twenty-five years on the school
board, part of the time as its treasurer. He
was for several terms a member of the bor-
ough council and its treasurer, besides being
treasurer of the Lutheran church for thirty-
nine years.
Formerly an "Old Line Whig," Mr. Poffen-
berger has long been an ardent Republican.
On September 19, 1850, Leonard Poff'en-
berger was married, by Rev. C. F. Stoever.
to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Miller) Kinter. Their children were: Jane
Elizabeth, born July 6, 1851, died September
15. 1852; Anna Maria, born November 8,
1856, died August 6, 1859, and Albert Theo-
dore, born November 9, 1853. Mrs. Eliza-
beth Poffenberger was born November 11,
1828 and died July 4, 1858. In April, 1861,
Mr. 'Poflfenberger married his second wife,
Ann E., daughter of Christian and Ann
Gross, who was his companion and helpmate
in life until July 4, 1892, when she, too,
passed away.
Albert Theodore Poffenberger, the only
surviving child of this family, was educated
in the public and private schools of Dauphin
and at Harrisburg Academy ; he also took a
course at Crittenden's Commercial College,
Philadelphia. He held a clerkship in the
office of an insurance company in Pottsville,
Pa., in the early part of 1873 ; but later in
the year entered the Lochiel Iron Co.mpany's
store as clerk, remaining two years. After
teaching school one term in Dauphin, Mr.
Poffenberger began the study of medicine in
April, 1876, in the office of Dr. William
Graydon. He studied three years and at-
tended three courses of lectures at Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia. He was
graduated in the class of March, 1879, receiv-
ing honorable mention for his thesis. After
practicing one year with Dr. J. R. Umberger,
and nine years on his own account with a
fair measure of success, he was appointed
medical examiner in the voluntary relief de-
partment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany with ofiices at Sunbury, Pa., a position
he has ever since filled with credit. Dr.
Poffenberger still enjoj's the confidence of
home friends who seek his professional ad-
vice when he visits his native town.
Dr. Poffenberger has gained a reputation
as an amateur photographer, and being fond
of travel, he has visited many places of in-
terest in the United States, from Plymouth
Rock to Salt Lake City, and from Niagara
Falls to the Lake Worth region of Florida.
In November, 1879, Dr. Albert Theodore
Poffenberger was married to Lillie Jane,
daughter of Dr. J. R. and Mary H. Umber-
ger ; she died, beloved by everybody, Decem-
ber 23, 1893. During their fourteen years
of married life they had five children, one
of whom, William Moody, was born in Octo-
ber, 1892, and died May 10, 1893. The sur-
viving children are: Mary Elizabeth, born
January 5,1881; John Leonard, July 27,1883;
Charles Albert, October 23, 1886, and Joseph
Cummings, October 27, 1888.
Fertig, Elias, was born at the old home-
stead, near Dauphin, then known as Greens-
burg, Dauphin county. Pa., April 13, 1817.
He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Klein)
Fertig. His grandfather, Michael Fertig,
with his family, was among the first who
came to this locality and settled above Dau-
phin. His children were : Peter, .lohn, Adam,
Zachariah, Michael, and Anna Maria, wife of
Jacob Bogner, a soldier in the Revolution. Pie
lived to the age of one hundred and four years,
five months and five days. Adam Fertig,
father of Elias Fertig, and his brother Peter,
were drafted and served in the war of 1812.
He died in November, 1839, aged sixty-three
years. His wife was born in 1800, and died
aged eight}' years. They had eight children,
two of whom, Jacob and a sister, died in in-
fancy. Their other children were : Michael ;
Anna Maria, wife of Daniel Snyder ; Sam-
uel; Elias; Clarissa, wife of John Garman,
and Solomon.
Elias Fertig received his education in the
private schools near Dauphin. His first
schoolmaster was Andrew Sproul. He at-
852
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tended school only during the winter. He
worked on his father's farm until he was
twenty-two years of age. When his father
died lie farmed the homestead for his mother ;
and when his brother Solomon reached his
majority they consolidated their interests
with the mother's, and continued to operate
the farm. They were so successful that shortly
after they bought au additional tract of land
from William Poffenberger, and continued
their joint interests until their mother's death.
Elias Fertig then acquired the old homestead,
consisting of one hundred and sixty acres.
He has continued farming to the present
time.
Mr. Fertig was married, March 28, 1850, to
Anna Mary, daughter of George and Anna
(Arnold) ShaflFer, born December 3, 1823.
They have five children : Elizabeth Frances,
born March 12, 1852, wife of Reily Bogner;
Adam Milton, born December 29, 1853 ; Anna
Maria, born August 9, 1855, widow of John
R. Kinter ; Mary C, born March 1, 1859, wife
of Dr. A. C. Coble, of Dauphin, and Laura,
born July 28, 1860, wife of John F. Dewalt.
Mrs. Fertig died August 27, 1895. Her
parents were residents of Snyder county, Pa.
Her father, George Shaffer, was three times
married and left a large family of sons and
daughters. Mr. Fertig has served his town-
ship as supervisor and assessor and in other
minor offices. He is a Democrat. He and
his family are members of the Lutheran
church.
Miller, John Patterson, was born Jan-
uary 7, 1814. He was a son of Samuel and
Elizabeth (Pauly) Miller, of Juniata county.
Pa. He engaged in boating in early life, and
was captain on the line running between
Columbia and Hollidaysburg on the Penn-
sylvania canal. At the age of nineteen, he
engaged in hotel keeping at Thompsontown,
Juniata county. He removed to Dauphin
county April 1, 1844, and located at the old
Armstrong property, known as the Fish
Hotel, originally bought by James Armstrong
about 1810, and at that time called the
Franklin Plotel. In 1784, the old structure
had been partially destroyed by an ice flood.
Mr. Miller continued there until 1849. The
old building was then removed on account
of the construction of the Susquehanna and
Schuylkill railroad. He then removed to
the Hetzel Hotel in Dauphin, where he died
October 2, 1850.
Mr. Miller was married, March 1, 1842, to
Jane E., daughter of William and Clara
(Armstrong) Bell. She was born in the Stony-
Creek Valley, east of Dauphin, Pa., January
20, 1822. She received her education in the
private schools of Middle Paxton township.
Her parents having removed in 1828 to the old
Armstrong mansion at Hunter's Falls, near
Dauphin, known as the Fish Hotel, she re-
mained with them until her marriage to Mr.
Miller. She had three children: George
Dare, born March 11, 1847, died January 20,
1851 ; Emma, wife of John F. Kinter, born
September 21, 1843, and William Bell, born
August 14, 1845.
Mrs. Miller was married a second time, De-
cember 30, 1852, to J. Peter Miller ; son of Sam-
uel and Susan (Young) Miller, not related to
her first husband. They had no children. He
died April 14, 1891. He was a farmer and
butcher. After his marriage he moved to
Dauphin, and was prominent as an auction-
eer. During the war he was an extensive
buyer of horses and mules for the Govern-
ment. In 1865, he removed to Harrisburg,
and bought what was then known as the
Black Horse Hotel, corner of Vine and Pax-
ton streets. In 1872, he sold the premises
to the Harrisburg School Board. He then
bought the Fox Hotel, at the corner of Hen-
and North Front streets, and resided there
until 1890, when he bought the present home-
stead at Dauphin.
William Bell, the father of Mrs. Miller, was
born in Bell's Valley, Middle Paxton town-
ship, July 20, 1796. He was a farmer early
in life, and later a hotel keeper. He served
one term in the Legislature. For many
years he kept the Fish Hotel, where he died
March 1, 1844. His wife died March 8, 1844.
His father, James Bell, was a son of William
Bell, who settled there in 1774. The great-
grandfather of Mrs. Miller, Robert Armstrong,
was the first white man to whom William
Penn deeded land. His son, James Arm-
strong, had four daughters, and a son who
died young. James Armstrong married
Jane, daughter of John and Sarah (Patton)
Hatfield. The family are members of the
Presbyterian church.
KiNTEp, Samuel, cabinet maker and un-
dertaker, was born near Maclay street, on the
old Kunkel farm, in Susquehanna township,
near Harrisburg, Pa., July 20, 1822. He is
a son of John and Ehzabeth (Miller) Kinter.
His father was born March" 20, 1785, and
died February 16, 1833, aged forty-eight
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
853
years. His mother died October 25, 1865,
aged seventy-five years, five months and
fourteen days. They had seven children,
five of whom are deceased: Peter, who died
in infancy ; Catherine, wife of John Fertig ;
John, died September 30, 1848, aged thirty-
five years; Elizabeth, wife of Leonard Pof-
fenberger, born November 11, 1828, died July
4, 1858, and George, who died July 21, 1887.
Their living children are Samuel and Isaac.
Samuel Kinter attended school at Coxes-
town. When he was ten years old, the family
removing to Stony Creek Valley, Middle Pax-
ton township, he attended the old private
school at Dauphin, near the Dauphin ceme-
tery, until he was fourteen ; after that he
went for three years to the public school.
At seventeen he began an apprenticeship of
three years to the carpenter trade with John
Bell, at Fort Hunter; after which he worked
at his trade as a journeyman for about three
years. At twenty-three years of age he be-
gan carpentry on his own account ; in 1857
he changed it for his present occupation,
cabinet making and undertaking, which he
has ever since carried on.
Mr. Kinter was married, December 24,
1844, to Susanna, daughter of Abraham and
Sarah (Inch) Taylor, born at Liverpool,
Perry county. Pa., April 10, 1822. They
had four children, two of whom are de-
ceased : Elizabeth Ann, born November 22,
1845, died March 21, 1849; John Ruther-
ford, born January 17, 1851, married in
1875 to Anna Maria Fertig, by whom he
had two children, died January 20, 1882 :
Spencer Gilbert, and Mary Susan. The sur-
viving children of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
Kinter are George Cooper, born June 7,
1855, and William Dal, born June 2, 1860.
Mrs. Kinter died August 24, 1882. She and
her husband were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Dauphin. She was a
consistent and devoted Christian ; she took
an active part in every measure and move-
ment to promote the temporal and spiritual
interests of the church. She was president
of the Ladies' Mite Society from its organi-
zation, a period of fourteen years. Her
Christian sympathy and large heart were
manifested in visiting the sick and the poor,
and caring for them. She was everywhere
spoken of with esteem and affection, and
many will cherish the most grateful recol-
lections of her kindness and generosity.
On January 20, 1887, Mr. Kinter married
his second wife, Harriet J. Linton, widow of
James M. Linton, and daughter of Alexan-
der and Anna Brooks.
Mr. Kinter has served two terms- as bur-
gess and a- number of terms as school
director of Dauphin borough. His political
views are Republican ; his first vote for Pres-
ident as a Republican was cast for Abraham
Lincoln. He is a member in good standing
of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F.,
at Harrisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Kinter are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The parents of the present Mrs. Kinter
are both deceased. They had eleven chil-
dren : Catherine, James, Rachel A., Mary E.,
Harriet J., Adeline E., William B., Hiram
T., Julia A., Sarah M., and George A. James
Brooks, brother of Mrs. Kinter, removed to
the vicinity of Richmond, Va., and estab-
lished a profitable business in the black-
smith trade. When the war came he was
pressed into the Confederate service, and his
smithy was converted to the use of the South-
ern army. He was subsequently designated
as sergeant under Captain McKinney, and
three months later was sent out in charge of
a foraging train to collect the tithe levied 'by
the Confederate government upon the farm-
ers. The citizens and some of the officials
protested against the appointment of Mr.
Brooks to a position of responsibility, on the
ground that no Yankee could be considered
trustworthy. But in the case of the Brooks
boys the objection did not hold good. Their
integrity and honor made even their cove-
nant with enemies inviolable.
William Brooks, another brother, enlisted
in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Penn-
sylvania volunteers, in which regiment he
served nine months, and was honorably dis-
charged. He participated in a number of
fierce engagements. John Brooks, an uncle
of Mrs. Kinter, was a soldier in the war of
1812.
HousER, John, merchant, was born at
Manada Furnace, West Hanover township,
Dauphin county, Pa., May 15, 1843. He is
a son of William and Catherine (Mease)
Houser. His grandparents, the Housers,
were born at Schaefferstown, Lebanon county.
Pa., and had a large family of sons and
daughters. William Houser, his father, was
born September 2, 1822. He enlisted in
November, 1862, at Camp Curtin, Harris-
burg, in company C, One Hundred and
Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers,
Captain Beck, Colonel Wiestling. He died
854
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYVLOFEDIA
at Portsmouth, Va., August 3, 1863. His
wife, Catherine (Mease) Houser, died in Feb-
ruary, 1863. The}' had five children : Joseph
William, died at about three years of age;
ohn, Benneville, Henry, and Elizabeth,
widow of George Rahn.
John Houser was educated in the public
schools of West Hanover township. He
worked on the farm until he was eighteen.
He enlisted, September 2, 1861, at Camp
Curtin, Harrisburg, in company D, Forty-
sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, Capt. George
A. Brooks and Col. Joseph F. Knipe, and
served in that company until July 16, 1865,
when he was discharged at Alexandria, Va.
He was taken prisoner at Cedar Mountain,
August 9, 1862, and was imprisoned four
weeks on Belle Island, near Richmond, Va.,
when he was exchanged and returned to his
company. He was again captured at Chaucel-
lorsville, May 2, 1863, and confined in Libby
prison, at Richmond. After suffering con-
finement and privation for thirteen days, he
was paroled.
Mr. Houser' was twice wounded during
the battle at Peachtree Creek, Ga., in the
siege of Atlanta. He received a bullet
wound in the right hip, and a few minutes
later was struck by a bullet below the tem-
ple. The ball lodged near the cheek bone,
and remains there to the present time. He
fell to the ground from the shock of the
second wound, was borne to the hospital,
and subsequently removed to the hospital
at Louisville, Ky., where he remained three
months. When discharged from the hos-
pital he rejoined his regiment, and partici-
pated in "Sherman's march to the sea."
Among the battles which he took part may
be mentioned Winchester, Cedar Mountain,
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Ga.,
Dallas, Ga., Manilla, Peachtree Creek and
Benton ville, N. C. At the close of the war Mr.
Houser returned home, and enlisted in com-
pany I, Sixth cavalry, U. S. A., and served
tiiree years along the frontier in Texas. He
was honorably discharged at Fort Griflfin,
Texas, and retured home. He located at
Heckton, Middle Paxton township. He
suffered severely from the effects of his
wounds, and was pensioned by the United
States Government in 1878.
Tn the spring of 1869 Mr. Houser engaged
in carpenter work. He has been an exten-
sive builder and contractor. He built a
great number of the houses at Heckton, and
many also at Dauphin. He constructed all
the wood work of the Methodist Episcopal
church edifice at Dauphin. In 1889 he em-
barked in mercantile business at Heckton,
in which he is still engaged and has been
very successful.
Mr. Houser was married, November 2,
1871, to Mary, daughter of Levi and Amanda
(Harman) Zimmerman, by whom he has
two children : Emma C, wife of T. Emerick,
and Carrie. Mr. Houser has served one
term as school director. He is a Democrat.
He and his family attend the Methodist
church. Mr. Zimmerman, Mrs. Houser's
father, died aged fifty-three; her mother is
still living. They had ten children : John ;
Catherine, wife of John Brown ; Mary ;
Amanda, wife of George Rice ; Levi ; Henri-
etta, wife of Louis Gayman ; Joseph ; Eliza-
beth, wife of Henry Houser ; Matilda, wife
of Frank Albert ; Emma, Levi, Henrietta,
and Emma are deceased.
Craig, L. P., section foreman, Philadel-
phia and Reading railroad, was born in
Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county,
Pa., August 22, 1844. He is a son of An-
drew and Rachel (Enty) Craig. Andrew
Craig was born near Fort Hunter, Susque-
hanna township, Dauphin county, Septem-
ber 21, 1795. He died August 24, 1864.
His wife, Rachel Enty, was a native of
Schuylkill county. She died January 7,
1887. They had eleven children : Esther,
John, Cyrus, Hannah, L. P., Richard H.,
Mary R., wife of William R. Hopkins, and
four who are deceased.
L. P. Craig attended the public school
during the winter. From ten to twelve years
of age he attended tlie public school of Dau-
phin, and afterwards in Stony Creek Valley.
He left school at the age of sixteen and
worked at farming in the summer; he also
sawed wood with Elijah Stout for the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company. He afterwards
succeeded Mr. Stout, and furnished the com-
pany with wood for locomotive use until
1865, when coal took the place of wood as
fuel.
At Harrisburg, February 19, 1865, he en-
listed for one year in company M, Second
United States cavalry, Capt. Edwin Hugiies.
He was sent with his company to Camp
William Penn, Philadelphia; thence to Nor-
folk, Va.; thence to Brazos, Santiago, Tex.,
and thence to Clarksville. He was returned
to City Point, Va., where he was mustered
out of service February 11, 1866. He then
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
855
returned home, and was for three years em-
ployed bj'^ the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany in sawing wood, and afterwards as
track repairer. In 1872 he was sent from
Dauphin to Rattling Run and placed in
charge of a section of railroad, controlled by
the Philadelphia and Reading Company, as
foreman, which position he has held to the
present time.
Mr. Craig was married, February 3, 1876,
to Amelia, daughter of William and Mary
Ann (Care) Surls. Of their two children
one died in infancy, not yet named ; the
other, Andrew Edward L., was born August
17, 1879, and died November 24, 1891. Mr.
Craig is a Republican. He belongs to G.
A. R. Post 520, Harrisburg, Pa. Heand his
family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
Mr. Surls, Mrs. Craig's father, was an iron-
worker. Mrs. Surls died at the age of fifty-
nine ; eleven months later Mr. Surls died
aged sixty-two years. Both were natives of
Berks county, where they spent their lives,
except the last twelve years, during which
they lived in Lebanon county. They had
sixteen children, of whom five are living:
Amelia, Mrs. Craig ; Jacob ; Susanna, wife
of James Underbill ; Nelson, and Mary
Emma, wife of William Jones.
Mrs. Jones has four cliildren, two of whom
are living with their uncle, Mr. Craig:
Naomi TSTora, whom Mr. and Mrs. Craig have
adopted, and Joshua Birch.
Irwin, Daniel, whose parents are both de-
ceased, was one of a family of twelve chil-
dren : John L., Mary, Elizabeth, Martha,
Sarah, Joseph, Samuel, David, William,
Daniel, Jane, and Catherine. Mr. Irwin
began life without material inheritance, but
with a body and mind capable of profiting
by the good training wliich he received in
his boyhood and youth. With industry,
energy, enterprise and worthy aim he began
the work of life, and rapidly attained valu-
able results. He was brought up as a fanner
and after his marriage pursued this vocation
on his own account. In 1866 he bouglit the
homestead, on which he resided until iiis
death, which occurred October 26, 1892. His
politics were Republican. In all social and
private walks of life he was faithful to duty,
amicable in disposition and agreeable in
manner. He was, morever. successful in
business and had the satisfaction of sefcuring
an ample competence for the loved ones he
left behind him.
Mr. Irwin was married, in Harrisburg, Pa.,
March 4, 1856, by Rev. Charles A. Hay, to
Miss Agnes A., daughter of Peter and Susan
(Brooks) Lehman. She was born at E'len-
dale Forge, in Stony Creek Valley, Middle
Paxton township, June 11, 1840. She at-
tended the district school of Middle Paxton
township and resided with her parents.
After she was twelve years of age she resided
with Dr. William Graydon, at Dauphin, for
one year, and then with Mary and Sarah
Irwin, sisters of her future husband, for
about three years. She was then at home
with her mother until her marriage with Mr.
Irwin. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin had eleven chil-
dren, one of whom is deceased : Mary, born
May 4, 1859, married to Augustus Dewalt,
liad three children : Frederick, Bertha, and
Sallie, died September 27, 1888. The sur-
vivors of the Irwin family are: Clara B.,
born May 18,1857, wife of Samuel Warner;
John L., born February 21, 1861; Emma
C, born December 3, 1863, widow of Harvey
Steeley ; Martha G., born August 19, 1866 ;
Susan E., born August 7, 1868, wife of
George Murray ; Ida M., born August 3,
1870, wife of Elijah Dewalt ; William B., born
September 3, 1873 ; Charles D., November
16, 1875 ; Etta M., February 26, 1878 ; and
Anna B., May 13, 1880. Mrs. Irwin has
maintained the home up to the present time
and the children reside with her.
Mr. Lehman, Mrs. Irwin's father, died aged
about forty-eight years; her mother died
September 6, 1892, aged seventy-six. They
had six children, of whom Iwoare deceased :
James, who died in the army, from typhoid
fever, at Belle Plain Landing, Va., and
William. Their living children are : Mary,
wife of Philip Kline; Agnes A., George,
and Ellen, wife of Benjamin M. Carroll.
Mrs. Irwin and family are members of the
Presbyterian church.
Ney, Joel, farmer, was born near Pal-
myra, Lebanon county. Pa., March 17, 1820.
He is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Kaiser)
Ney, both deceased. His parents had five
children : Lucetta, wife of Thomas Couts,
deceased ; Joel ; Caroline, wife of Thomas
Cayton ; Lydia, wife of a Mr. Ricker, who re-
moved to Oregon, where she died, and
William.
Joel Ney, at ten years of age came with
his parents to Middle Paxton township,
856
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
where he attended a private school until he
was about fifteen. He then attended the
district school in winter and assisted on his
father's farm during the summer. When he
was about twenty-five he began farming for
himself near Stone Glen. Station, Middle
Paxton township, and continued there for
about nine years. He then resided upon
and cultivated John P. Gayman's farm for
about two years, after which he removed to
his present homestead.
Mr. Ney was married, May 1, 1845, to
Mary, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Gay-
man, Of their eight children, four are de-
ceased ; one who died in infancy, unnamed ;
Charles, died October 14, 1869 ; Louisa, born
October 21, 1860, died October 28, 1862;
John, born February 15, 1851, died March
18, 1887. Their living children are Amos,
born August 21, 1846, was in the army and
served about four months; Henry, December
25, 1848 ; Catherine, February 17, 1854, wife
of John Bickle ; Lewis, October 24, 1857, who
was married August 17, 1876, to Clara,
daughter of John and Sarah Geistwhite,
and had four children : Frank, born F'ebru-
ary 14, 1877; Mary Alice, December 22,
1878 ; George Lewis, September 24, 1880,
and Harper Joel, September 3, 1887. Lewis
Ney, father of the children just named, was
educated in the district schools of Middle
Paxton township, which he attended until
he was eighteen years old. He then began
farming on his father's farm and has con-
tinued in that occupation up to the present
time.
Mr. Joel Ney has served three, years as tax
collector of Middle Paxton township. He is
a Republican. He and his family attend
the Lutheran church. His wife died De-
cember 24, 1895.
Sebourn, Andrew, was born in Philadel-
phia, in the district then known as South-
wark, January 14, 1823. He was left an or-
phan at four years of age, and was cared for
at the Orphans' Home, Philadelphia, until
he was nine. He was then indentured by
tliat institution to Eusebius Barnard, near
Brandywine creek, Chester county, Pa. He
remained with Mr. Barnard until he was
twenty-one, attending the common schools
for six weeks of each year. After he attained
his majority he was employed one year at
farming in Chester county by James Painter,
who belonged to the Society of Friends. At
the end of the year he engaged to go with Mr.
Amos Houser to Lancaster. Mr. Painter en-
deavored to persuade Andrew to remain in
his employ, promising him the same wages
that Mr. Houser had offered. But the con-
tract having been made with Mr. Houser, he
would not break his promise. He remained
with him in Lancaster county for four years.
Mr. Sebourn then applied to the foreman
on the State canal, at Columbia, for employ-
ment, but was informed that there was no
position vacant. He would not take no for
an answer, but went industriously to work
assisting in unloading and re-shipping, giv-
ing his time without pay. The foreman see-
ing his ability and diligence, gave him a
position of responsibility, which he held for
six years. For the following ten years he
was employed by the railroad, then operated
by the State, between Columbia and Lancas-
ter. He changed for a short time to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, but re-
turned to his former employer and ran the
same cars to Lancaster. In this employment
he remained for four years, and then removed
to Middle Paxton township, located near
EUendale Furnace, engaged in general work,
and remained there four years on the prem-
ises of the railroad company. He was then
in Chester county again for six months, after
which he entered the employ of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, at Harrisburg, and
has remained with the company for twenty-
eight years.
He bought his present homestead in 1867,
removed to it the next year and has made it
his residence to the present time. Mr. Sebourn
was married, October 14, 1845, to Belinda F.,
daughter of John and Mary French. Of their
eight children, four are deceased : John Wes-
ley, born in 1849, died January 1, 1850;
Franklin Pierce, born in 1854, died February
13, 1855; William Bishop, born January 20,
1856, died December 28, 1857 ; Isaac Jeffer-
son, born January 5, 1858, and died October
7, 1864. Their living children are: James
Barnard, born October 9, 1846, enlisted in
the Union army, served three months, re-en-
listed in the Fifteenth United States infantry,
was wounded in front of Atlanta and brought
home by permit from Governor Curtin ;
Washington Charles, January 22,1848; Jacob
Henry, June 3, 1852, and Marv Catherine,
October 23, 1861, wife of Rev. Ira McDonald,
of Lancaster county. Pa.
^ When Mr. Sebourn resided at EUendale
Forge he was largely instrumental in estab-
lishing the first Sunday-school in Stony
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
857
Creek Valley, and became its superintendent.
When he returned to the valley in 1868 he
was again superintendent of the school; at
one time it had one hundred and twenty-five
pupils. Mr. Sebourn served one year in the
city council of Harrisburg, Pa. He is a
Democrat. He and his family are members
of the Church of God.
Mr. and Mrs. John French had five chil-
dren, all of whom are deceased except Mrs.
Sebourn.
Shoop, George W., miller, was born at
Fort Hunter, Susquehanna township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., December 12, 1838. He
is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Hoover)
Shoop. Samuel Shoop met his death by
drowning in the canal, near Dauphin, about
1868; his wife died in 1844. They had
seven children : John, born September 18,
1825 ; Mary A., born April 4, 1829, wife of
George Shatzer ; Catherine, born April 5,
1832, wife of George Fitting; George W".,
born December 12, 1838 ; Elizabeth, born
February 11, 1842, wife of Jacob Rhoads ;
Samuel, born June 10, 1845 ; and Isaac, who
was drowned in the canal, at Fort Hunter.
George W. Shoop was about six years of
age when his mother died. His father kept
the family together for two years after her
demise; then the boy, being about eight,
was placed by his father in the care of John
C. McAllister, of Fort Hunter, with whom he
remained about ten years, assisting in work
during the summer and attending the com-
mon school in the winter. In 1856 he en-
gaged in general work. The ensuing year
he spent in learning the trade of milling,
with Jacob Shadle, at the Cameron mills,
near Harrisburg, and with Mr. Shadle he
removed to Duncannon, Perry county, and
spent another year. Then, Mr. Shadle hav-
ing discontinued business, he spent several
months with John Shaffer, at Mt. Holly,
Cumberland county. He was also a short
time with Harvey Garman, on the same
creek. He was subseqently employed for a
short time by James Reed, near Fort Hunter ;
tiien he returned to Mr. Garman, and
worked until spring, when he again entered
the employ of Mr. Shadle, who had resumed
business, near Milltown, Cumberland county.
For the next year, up to the fall of 1862, he
had full charge of John Heck's mill.
On October 16, 1862, Mr. Shoop enlisted
in company B, One Hundred and Sixty-
fifth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Col-
onel Bruhler and Capt. A. J. Rupp. He
served nine months and was discharged at
Gettysburg, July 28, 1863. He took part in
five Ifiercely contested engagements — that
of the Deserted House, skirmishes on the
Jamestown Road, White House, Beaver's
Dam, and Garsville. From the time of Mr.
Shoop's return from the army until the follow-
ing spring, he worked again for Mr. Heck,
and for the ensuing ten months for his
former employer, Mr.' Shaffer, who was
located opposite to Mr. Heck. In February,
of 1865, Mr. Shoop rented a mill near West
Fairview, Cumberland county, which be-
longed to Mr. Heck, and managed it on his
own account for two years. The next year
he rented the Fort Hunter mills of his
former guardian, J. C. McAllister. At the
end of the year he returned to Cumberland
county, and for another year superintended
the Eberly mills for Samuel Zechariah and
George Heck. In the spring of 1869 he
rented the Stony Creek mill, in Middle Pax-
town township, of James Reed, and con-
ducted it for eight years. Tlien, October 12,
1877, he purchased the mill, and made ex-
tensive additions and improvements to it.
In 1890 he also built the house which is his
present residence.
Mr. Shoop was married, December 1, 1864,
to Angeline, daughter of Tobias and Sarah
(Sipe) Moltz, who was born August 30, 1848.
Four of their eleven children are deceased :
Katie E. and Annie M., twins, born Septem-
ber 7, 1873— Katie, died March 11, 1874,
and Annie, April 15, 1874; Harry F„ born
May 30, 1872, died August 8, 1883 ; and
Charles E., born March 2, 1870, died August
14, 1883. Their living children are : George
W., Jr., born November 24, 1865; Alice M.,
May 28, 1867; Samuel T., December 14,
1868; John L., December 24, 1875; William
A., December 26, 1877; Emma A., March
20, 1881 ; and Sarah A., August 24, 1885.
Mr. Shoop has served Middle Paxton
township as assessor and as tax collector. He
is a Democrat. The family attend the Pres-
byterian church. The career of Mr. Shoop,
begun without material inheritance, charac-
terized by ability and honesty, resulting in
a comfortable competence and an untar-
nished good name, is most honorable, and
well worthy of a record in the annals of his
native county. Nor will it detract from the
interest of this record to make mention of
the diligence, frugality, wisdom and devo-
858
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tion of his wife, which have contributed so
much to his success.
The parents of Mrs. Shoop are both de-
ceased. She lost her mother in 1842, when
she was four j'ears old. 'Her father died
January 7, 1894, aged seventy-four. They
had four children : Elmira, born in 1844,
wife of John Costello ; Angeline, Mrs. Shoop;
Catherine E., born in 1842, wife of Franklin
F. Jackson, and Thornton, who died at about
seven years of age.
ScHAFFER, Benjamin Fk.inklin, farmer,
was born in Lower Mahanoy township,
Northumberland county, Pa., October 10,
1847. He is a son of Isaac and Hannah
(Bingaman) Schaffer. Isaac Schaffer was a
cabinet maker and undertaker, and con-
ducted a successful business in Lower Ma-,
hanoy township. He was a man of frugal
habits, energetic, persevering and enterpris-
ing. Honorable and just in all transactions,
he was highly esteemed. He died March
30, 1872, aged forty-seven. His wife was the
daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Whitmer)
Bingaman ; she died March 30, 1872, aged
forty-five.
Benjamin Franklin Schaffer attended the
private school of his native township until
he was nineteen years old. He then re-
moved with his parents to Halifax township,
Dauphin county, where he attended the dis-
trict school for two winters. He helped liis
father with the farm work during the sum-
mer, and continued at farming until 1859,
when he removed with his father to tlie
present homestead in Middle Paxton town-
ship ; there father and son cultivated the
farm jointly until the father's death in 1872.
Being the only child, Benjamin succeeded
his father, and has ever since owned and oc-
cupied the farm.
On December 23, 1869, Mr. Schaffer mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of John and Mar-
garet (Hoffman) Lantz. One of their four
children has passed away, Lillie Kohra, one
of twins, born March 4, 1872, and died the
same day. Their living children are: Laura
J., survivor of the twins, wife of Charles
Eeed; Mary E., born December 13, 1876,
and Isaac L., June 5, 1880.
Mr. Schaffer has served one term as super-
visor, and is at present assessor of Middle
Paxton township. He is a Republican. The
family attend the Evangelical church.
The mother of Mrs. Schaffer died May 1,
1853, aged about thirty-four years. Her
father died February 4, 1888, at aboutseventy-
two years of age. They had nine children,
four of whom are deceased : Sarah, Katie,
Samuel N., and Elizabeth J., wife of Andrew
Brossel. Their living children are : George
W., John, Mary, wife of Samuel V. Enders,
Margaret, and Lydia E., wife of Michael
Sweigert. Mr. Lantz was again married ;
his second wife was Elizabeth Phile, by
whom he had two children, Amanda E.,
died aged four years, and Charles G.
Fkantz, Henry, carpenter and contractor,
was born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., January 21, 1844. He is
a son of Henry and Esther (Bates) Frantz,
both deceased. They had eleven children :
John, Benjamin, Polly, Elizabeth, Levina,
Peter, David, Alexander, Caroline, Henry,
and Benneville.
Henry Frantz, Jr., was educated in the
common school of East Hanover township.
At seventeen years of age he left home and
enlisted in the Union army, at Camp Curtin,
Harrisburg, September 2, 1861. He joined
company D, Forty-sixth regiment, Penns5'l-
vania volunteers, and was sent with his regi-
ment to Washington, D. C, where it was sta-
tioned along the Potomac river until the
spring of 1862. The regiment was then sent
with General Banks' command on an expe-
dition into the Shenandoah Valley. Young
Frantz took part in the battles of Winches-
ter, March 23, 1862; Middletown, Va., May
28, 1862 ; Winchester, Va., May 26, 1862 ;
Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 1862 ; Sul-
phur Springs. Va., August 27,1862; South
Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862 ; Antie-
tam, Md., September 17, 1862 ; Chancellors-
ville, Va., May 1, 2, 3, 1863 ; Gettysburg, Pa.,
July 1, 2, 3, 1863 ; Resaca, Ga., Mav 15, 1864 ;
Cassville, Ga., May 19, 1864; Dallas, Ga.,
May 25, 1864; Pine Knob, Ga., June 9, 1864;
Culp's Farm, Ga., June 22, 1864; Peachtree
Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864; Atlanta, Ga., Sep-
tember 6, 1864; Cypress Swamp, Ga., De-
cember 8, 1864; Savannah, Ga., December
21, 1864; Chfsterfield Court Hoase, S. C,
March 2, 1865 ; Coon Run, N. C, April 10,
1865 ; Averysborougii, N. C, March 14, 1865;
Bentonville, N. C, Marcii 19, 1865. He was
wounded w'hile on picket duty near Chester-
field Court House, S. C, by a gun shot. He
lost the hearing of his left ear from prox-
imity to cannonading at the battle of Culp's
Farm, Ga., June 22, 1864. He contracted
muscular rheumatism by his three days'
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
859
march through swamps and water, from
which he never recovered. He was marched
with his company from Raleigh, N. C, to
Washington, D. C, where he was dischai-ged
J;ily 16, 1865.
After his discharge from the array Mr.
Frantz returned to his native township, and
served an apprenticeship of three years at
carpentry with John Rhoads, of East Han-
over township, upon the completion of which
he went to Harrisburg, and worked there for
five years as journeyman carpenter. Then,
returning to East Hanover townsliip, he en-
gaged in contracting and building on his own
account. He became widely known through-
out the county as a builder. He constructed
some of the largest and most modern barns
and residences in the county, especially in
the borough of Dauphin, among which may
be mentioned the Dauphin Car Shops. He
built a large modern barn for Joseph 'H.
Cofrode, Prince William county, Va. He
erected his own mansion near Dauphin in
1882.
Mr. Frantz was married, June 6, 1867, to
Katie, daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth
First. One of their children is deceased,
Anna Laura, born April 1, 1873, died Octo-
ber 1, 1884, aged eleven years. Their living
children are: Sherman Tecumseh, born Jan-
uary 1, 1868, and Harvey Napoleon, October
7, 1870. Mrs. Frantz d'ied .June 24, 1874.
The second wife of Mr. Frantz, to whom he
was married December 25, 1877, was Lucy
Louisa Lindemuth. They have had four
children: Joseph Elmer Sheridan, born
March 7, 1879 ; Carrie May, July 3, 1880 ;
Jennie Daisy, October 8, 1882; Cora Mabel,
September 26, 1886. Mr. Frantz is a mem-
ber of Post 58, G. A. R., at Harrisburg. He
is a Republican. The family attend the
Evangelical church.
Mrs. First, mother of the first Mrs. Frantz,
is deceased. Her father is still living. Their
children were five: Susan, Elizabeth, Katie,
Annie, and Valentine.
Mrs. Lindemuth, mother of the present
Mrs. Frantz, died April 1, 1877, and her
father in May, 1883. They had eleven cliil-
dren : Reuben, Sabilla, Levina, Daniel,
Joseph, Emma, Catiierine, Alfred, Sarah,
Lucy Louisa, and Jonathan.
David and Alexander, brothers of Mr.
Henry Frantz, served in the same regiment
with himself. Peter enlisted at Camp Curtin,
Harrisburg, in company E, One Hundred
and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania volun-
teers, as color sergeant. Peter was wounded
at Dallas, Ga. All served three years and
all returned to their home.
Steicker, Albert, farmer, was born in
Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county,
Pa., at the old homestead, where he now re-
sides, August 23, 1852. He is a son of Jacob
and Ellen (Keller) Strieker. .Jacob Strieker
was born November 15, 1815. He was a
man of strict integrity. He made the " golden
rule" the motto of his life, and in all private
and public relations was conscientious and
exemplary. He enjoyed the esteem of his
neighbors. He died January 9, 1885, aged
seventy-eight or seventy-nine. His wife died
December 15, 1880. Three of their four
children are deceased : Alexander Jackson,
born June 13, 1839, died March 29,1842;
Jefferson Monroe, born January 2, 1843, died
July 21, 1843 ; Theodore Scott, born June
17, 1845, accidentally killed in the coal
mines at Shamokin, in November, 1887.
Their only living child is Albert.
Albert Strieker attended the public school
in Middle Paxton township during the win-
ter, and in summer assisted his father about
farm work until he was nineteen. He then
became interested in the farm, and his father
and he cultivated it jointli'^ until the death
of the former, January 19, 1885. He then
succeeded his father and has ever since con-
tinued farming the homestead.
Mr. Strieker was married, May 24, 1887, to
Clara, daughter of William and Annie
(Etter) McKissick. They have six children :
William Grant, born September 12, 1878 ;
Harry Garfield, March 14, 1880; Jacob
Lewis, August 24, 1881 ; Clara Edith, May
10,1883; Earle Arvine, October 25, 1886;
and Robert Bayard, April 10, 1892. Mr.
Strieker is a Republican. The family at-
tend the Evangelic^.! church.
The mother of Mrs. Strieker died August
7* 1865, aged about thirty-nine. Her father
is still living. They had ten children, five
of whom are deceased. The survivors are:
John, born March 15, 1849 ; Kate, January
22, 1853; Clara, May 27, 1856; Pomeroy,
June 1, 1858 ; and Ellsworth, May 20, 1861.
Snyder, Peter, married Joanna Shipman.
Jemima B. Snyder, their daughter, was born
near Sunbury, Northumberland county. Pa.
She was educated in the public schools of her
native township, and remained with her
parents until her marriage. She was married
860
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
December 1, 1835, to Lot Bergstresser, born
April 4, 1807. They had eleven children ;
five are deceased : Joanna, died in infancy ;
Mary Alice, born March 10, 1845, died No-
vember 19, 1859 ; John Clinton, born April
9, 1861, died March 10, 1862 ; Phoebe Ellen,
wife of Samuel B. Bishoff, born June 19,
1850; Henry Clay, born December 4, 1838,
supposed to have died in Arizona. The
other children are : Peter S., born November
2, 1836; Jane, August 8, 1842; Emeline,
wife of Charles Swab, December 24, 1847 ,
Clara, December 25, 1852 ; Edwin Lot, April
7, 1855; and Charles M., June 25, 1858.
Peter S., was graduated from Lafayette Col-
lege, Easton, Pa. He enlisted in company I,
One Hundred and Seventy-seventh regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and served nine
months, after which he re-enlisted and served
until the close of the war. He is now prin-
cipal of the public schools at Trevorton,
Northumberland county. Pa. He served
one term as assemblyman, in 1865. Charles
M. also is a graduate of Lafayette College. He
is the editor, and one of the firm of Dow,
Jones & Co., proprietors of the Wall Street
Journal, New York. Edward L. is in mer-
cantile business at Lykens, Pa.
Mr. Bergstresser was a millwright, and was
also extensively engaged in farming. He
was a prominent citizen, of excellent reputa-
tion. In 1855 he served one term as assem-
blyman. Mr. Bergstresser was a Republican.
He died October 26, 1860.
Mrs. Bergstresser remained a widow until
December 4, 1863, when she was married to
James W. Griffith. They had no children.
Mr. Griffith had been previously married,
and had a family of sons and daughters by
his fii;st wife. He was a carpenter, extensively
engaged in building and contracting. Mr.
Griffith was a justice of the peace at Dauphin
for about thirty years, and was universally
regarded as a just man and a capable and
reliable officer. He was a Republican. He
died September 28, 1878, aged about seventy-
six years. The family are members of the
Presbyterian church.
Bayard, Henry M., was born in 1812.
He is a son of James A. and Ann (Bassett)
Bayard. Hon. Richard Bassett, the mater-
nal grandfather of Henry M. Bayard, son of
Michael Bassett and Judith Herman, of Bo-
hemia Manor, was born in 1735 and died in
1815. He was a member of the executive
council of Delaware from 1776 to 1783^ and
served in the Continental army. He was a
delegate to the Annapolis Convention in
1785, and to the convention which formed
the Constitution of the United States, \p
which he set his hand, and then, hastening
home, he induced Delaware promptly, and
in advance of all other States, to ratify it.
He was the first Senator in Congress from
the State of Delaware, and later became
Governor of the State. Later in life he re-
tired to the old family homestead, Bohemia
Manor, Md., where he died, leaving the estate
to his only daughter, Ann, wife of Hon.
James A. Bayard. Governor Bassett mar-
ried Miss Ann Ennells, of Dorchester, Md.
James A. Bayard, father of Henry M.
Bayard, was born July 28, 1767, and died
August 6, 1815. He was a son of Dr. James
and Ann (Hodge) Bayard, and was an emi-
nent lawyer and politician. His classical
education was completed at Princeton Col-
lege in 1784. He studied law, and on his
admission to the bar settled in the State of
Delaware, where he soon acquired a high
reputation and obtained a large practice. A
few years after he reached his majority he
served as representative from Delaware in
Congress, and soon distinguished himself as
an able statesman. He was elected to the
United States Senate in 1812. He strenu-
ously opposed the declaration of war with
Great Britain. President Madison selected
him as one of the commissioners to treat for
peace under the proposed mediation of Em-
peror Alexander, of Russia, and he was
largely instrumental in consummating the-
treaty of Ghent. He was subsequently ap
pointed envoy of the United States Govern
ment to the Court of St. Petersburg. Hon
Henry Clay, on his arrival in New York
after the signing of the treaty of Ghent, in
company with Hon. Albert Gallatin, learn-
ing of the death of James A. Bayard, was
deeply affected by the mournful intelligence
and lamented that he should never again
have the pleasure of seeing that distin-
guished statesman. At the same time he
expressed his high estimate of the important
services rendered to the country during
their mission by Mr. Bayard, averring it as
his firm belief that but for the able and con-
ciliatory mediation of Mr. Bayard between
the commissioners of the respective govern-
ments no such treaty could have been fixed
upon.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
861
From the earliest history of the country,
the Bayard family has been highly distin-
guished, and every generation has furnished
celebrated leaders and statesmen. Thomas
F. Bayard, nephew of Henry M. Bayard, is
at present the representative of the United
States Government at the Court of St. James.
Henry M. Bayard died in August, 1886,
aged about seventy-four. He married
Emma, daughter of John and Mary Shipley
Dixon ; his wife is still living. They had
nine children : Anne C, widow of John
Johnstone, now residing in Australia ; Ed-
ward ; James A.; Mary S.; Catherine L.;
Elizabeth L., wife of Dr. J. N. Fitzmathew ;
Lucy A., .wife of C. A. Messiter, Esq., now
deceased ; Constance, and Joseph S.
I Edward Bayard, son of Henry M. and
Emma (Dixon) Bayard, was born at the
homestead at Victoria Furnace, in Clark's
Valley, September 10, 1840. He was in-
structed in private schools until he was six-
teen years old, and completed his education
by a four years' course in a Philadelphia col-
lege under Prof. Saunders. He then re-
turned home and took charge of his father's
business of farming and cutting lumber, in
which he was engaged until about 1873. He
then began manufacturing lumber and barrel
staves. In 1882 he associated himself with '
the business interests of the family, establish-
ing the firm of Bayard & Co., and has since
carried on a large farming and lumber man-
ufacturing business.
Mr. Bayard was married, December 29,
1874, to Ella, daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth Steers, of Virginia. Of their six
children, one is deceased, Henry, who was
born September 15, 1884. Their other chil-
dren are : James Ashton, born September
25, 1875; Charles M., December 22,1877;
Lucy Ashton, August 10, 1879 ; Constance
G., October 16, 1881 ; Richard Bassett, Feb-
ruary 17, 1888.
Joseph S. Bayard, son of Henry M and
Emma (Dixon) Bayard, was also born at the
homestead at Victoria Furnace, November 14,
1853. He received his elementary education
in private schools, and was then four years at
Mrs. Crawford's Academy, near Frankford,
Philadelphia. He then returned to the old
homestead and has been" associated with the
extensive business interests of the family to
the present time. Both brothers, Edward
and Joseph S., are Democrats. They are
members of the Episcopal church.
CuTCHALL, Richard, farmer, was born in
Huntingdon county, Pa., October 25, 1836.
He is a son of William and Hannah (Lane)
Cutchall. William Cutchall was born in
1800, and died at the age of seventy-six ;
Mrs. Cutchall died aged fifty -four. They
had ten children, of whom four are deceased :
Jacob, George Washiugtor, John L., and
Dutton. Their living children are: Wilson;
William; Richard ; Mary, wife of Isaac Mad-
den ; Agnes, wife of Martin Mathias, and
Eliza, wife of Simon Rohrer.
Richard Cutchall was educated in his na-
tive county. At ten years of age he was
already occupied about farming, working
during the summer and attending school
during the winter months. After he was
fourteen he was engaged in various kinds of
work, principally on the farm ; he was thus
employed until 1861, when the call came for
volunteers, and he enlisted in the United
States army. His first enlistment was at
Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in company I,
Fourteenth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, for four months. During his term of
service he was in several severe skirmishes
in Virginia. He was mustered out at Car-
lisle, Pa., returned to his home in Hunting-
don county, and remained a short time. He
re-enlisted September 20, 1861, in company
B,One Hundred and Tenth regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers. He took part in twenty-
two battles, among which were Fredericks-
burg, Laurel Hill, Spot! sylvania Court House,
the Wilderness, South Mountain, the second
Bull Run, Port Republic, Gaines' Mills, and
Gettysburg. He was discharged at Harris-
burg June 18, 1865, and returned to his na-
tive county. He afterwards removed to
Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county,
and was variously employed until his mar-
riage, when he engaged in farming, and has
ever since pursued the same calling.
Mr. Cutchall was married, June 23, 1867,
to Barbara Wynn, widow of Webster Wynn.
They had one child, Lizzie D., wife of Will-
iam F. Beam. Mr. Cutchall is neutral in
politics. The family attend the Evangelical
church.
Mrs. Cutchall was married to her first hus-
band, Webster Wynn, January 17, 1854.
Tiiey had four children, two of whom are
deceased : Maria, wife of Samuel Brenne-
man, and Fanny, who died at the age of
fifteen. Their living children are: Daniel
Webster and Zachary Taylor. Mrs. Cutchall
862
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. She
came to this country with her parents in
1833. They located in Lancaster county,
removed to Juniata county, returned to Lan-
caster county, and finally settled in Middle
Paxton township, Dauphin county. In 1851
the parents removed to Armstrong Valley,
where they died. They had ten children,
two of whom died in childhood.
Webster Wynn, the first husband of Mrs.
Cutchall, was a highly respected citizen. He
served one three years' term as director of
the poor of Dauphin county. He was cap-
tain of a militia company at Gratztown. He
was an ardent supporter of Henry Olay when
he ran for the presidency in 1844. He was
at one time the only Whig in Middle Pax-
ton township, but through his influence the
party rapidly increased in number. The
first wife of Mr. Wynn was Fanny Boll, by
whom he had six children : Louisa, Annie,
Leander, Jackson, William and Henry, the
last two twins. The parents of Mr. Wynn
established the homestead at an early date.
His father, Josiah Wynn, was a soldier in the
war of 1812, whose widow, Susanna Wynn,
drew a pension. She died aged about ninety-
five.
Baker, John J., farmer, was born in Hali-
fax township, Dauphin county. Pa.; October
18, 1848; son of Jacob and Mary (Chubb)
Baker. Jacob Baker was an enterprising and
successful farmer of Halifax township. He
was lionorable and substantial and main-
tained a high social standing. He and his wife,
Mary Chubb, are both deceased. They had
eleven children, one of whom died in in-
fancy. Their living children are : Susanna,
wife of Peter Minnick ; Sarah, wife of Joseph
Dempsey ; Isaac ; Margaret, widow of Peter
Hetrick ; Mary, wife of George Jury; Martha,
wife of William Bowerman ; John J.; Daniel ;
Ellen, wife of John Kines, and Henry, the
eldest.
John J. Baker was educated in the public
schools of his native township. He could
not pursue a continuous course in the schools
because his help was required on the farm
in the working season. At the age of twenty-
one he engaged in farm work, and began
farming on his own account when he was
twenty-seven. In 1892 he removed to Dau-
phin borough, where he has since had his
residence.
Mr. Baker was married, December 10,
1874, to Sarah North, daughter of John and
Mary Gable North Hammer. Of their five
children one is deceased, John Truman, born
October 2, 1885, died February 6, 1893.
Their living children are : Harlow K., born
Mav 30, 1875 ; Ida M., December 9, 1877 ;
Mina B., June 9, 1883 ; Minzie N., October
24, 1887. Mr. Baker is a Republican. The
family attend the Evangelical church. The
parents of Mrs. Baker are deceased. Three
of their nine children are also deceased :
John, Jacob, and Susan, Mrs. Louis Noll.
The survivors are : Margaret, Mrs. William
Richard; Henry; Israel; Samuel; Sarah,
Mrs. Baker, and Amos.
Simmons, Robert Alonzo, builder and
contractor, was born in Clark's Valley, Mid-
dle Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
June 16, 1846. He is a son of Robert and
Priscilla Amelia (Bricker) Simmons. Robert
Simmons, grandfather of Robert A., was a
resident of Middle Paxton township. He
married Sarah Ward. Their children are :
Washington, Mary J., John Henry, Matilda,
Sarah, and Robert, father of Robert A. Mr.
Simmons' maternal grandfather was Henry
Bricker, who married Mary Firestein. Their
children are: John, Priscilla, Amelia, Har-
riet, Jane, Franklin, and Albert. The par-
ents of Robert A. Simmons had six chil-
dren : Robert Alonzo, Peter S. McCullough,
Sarah Olivia, wife of David Umberger,
John Henry, George Washington, and Pris-
cilla Amelia, wife of James Baxter. The
mother died May 5, 1892. The father is still
living.
Robert Alonzo Simmons received his pri-
mary education in the public schools of his
native township, which he attended at such
times as he could be spared from farm work.
At the age of fifteen he set out to earn his
own livelihood. The business career of Mr.
Simmons can be recorded in a brief space
and in a short statement of facts and dates.
In 1861 he turned from the scene of his
youth, the sports, the schooling and the farm
labor and faced the world to seek employ-
ment, training and a vocation for life. For
the first five years he is with the Keystone
Bridge Company, beginning as an appren-
tice and ending as a skilled workman in the
art of bridge building. For the next four
years he is with J. H. Coffrode & Co., of
Philadelphia, as general foreman. The next
five years he is with Clark, Reeves & Co., of
the same city, as foreman of structural work;
and for the next twelve years he is with the
0/^Q^(^
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a>.
<5><- ^^'^'Xtl/T-^ C^'^^iiov^^^jv
(S,-
(i^^ s^^=^
DAUFEIN COUNTY.
865
Phcenix Bridge Company, of Phosnixville,
Pa., as general superintendent of construction.
And then he is established in business for
himself. This is his career in its briefest state-
ment. By these few steps the modest farm-
er's boy rose to one of the most honorable
positions held by an American mechanic.
It is well to contemplate it in its brevity.
Its substantial and enduring monuments dot
the continent. Mr. Simmons took part in
the erection of the principal iron structures
west of Pittsburgh, at Kansas City, at St.
Louis, at Cincinnati, the structures on the
railroad from Milton to Williamsport, Pa.,
the Bound Brook railroad, the South street
to Penrose Ferry bridge at Philadelphia, and
the bridge across the Mississippi at Louis-
iana, Mo.
Mr. Simmons was one of the first success-
ful contractors in building elevated railways.
The great Kinzura Viaduct, which spans the
Kinzura Valley, thirteen miles south of
Bradford, McKean county, Pa., on the New
York, Lake Erie and Western railroad, is
one of the works erected under his superin-
tendence and is worthy of a more detailed
description. It is 2,052 feet long and at the
bottom of the valley it is 302 feet high, be-
ing the highest railroad bridge in the world.
The famous truss bridge at Cincinnati, with
its 550 feet span, is another structure which
he superintended. He had charge of the
bridges on the West Shore railroad, and also
of many large bridges in Canada and South
America. Since 1888 Mr. Simmons has been
in business for himself. He erected the
large bridge over the Potomac river at Will-
iamsport, Md., and the bridge for the New
Jersey Steel and Iron Company in Kentucky.
Mr. Simmons has erected some of the most
difficult structures in this country ; among
these are the famous bridges on the Pomeroy
and Delaware railroad, the Alexandria and
Fredericksburg railroad, the Girard Avenue
and Sixth Street bridges, Philadelphia, the
Greenbush and Roundout bridges in New
York, and numerous other important rail-
road bridges in this country and in Cuba
and South America.
Mr. Simmons has endured the liardships
and privations and exposure incident to the
life and work of a bridge builder, the severest
in his experience being at Quantico, Va.,
driving piles along the Potomac river, which
can never be forgotten. The accomplish-
ment of more important and difficult work
with better success than any other builder
55
is the title to prominence which must be con-
ceded to him. The highest compliment that
can be paid to his skill and fidelity is to
note that his work has been done with fewer
fatal accidents than that of any other builder
who has executed as much dangerous .and
difficult construction. He is familiarly
known among builders by the homely cog-
nomen of "Pop." The name is a tribute to
his good heart and to his prominence as a
master builder. In his success and celebrity
Mr. Simmons has not lost sight of his native
place, which he delights to honor. He al-
ways gives a Dauphin man the first chance
for employment. The annals of his native
county would be incomplete without the
record of his life and works, which are an
enduring monument to American skill.
Mr. Simmons was married, February 20,
1870, to Martha L., daughter of Benjamin
and Catherine (Books) Leaman. They have
two children : Harvey J., born November
12, 1871, and Bertha, born November 12,
1873. Mr. Simmons is a member of Lodge
No. 75, F. & A. M.; Chapter No. 198. R. A.
M.; Council No. 168, and Jerusalem Com-
mandery. No. 15, K. T., at Phcenixville.
He is a member in good standing in Paxton
Lodge, No. 621, I. 0. 0. F. He is a Repub-
lican. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
Mr. Leaman, father of Mrs. Simmons, died
in August, 1874, aged about sixty-four years.
Her mother died in February, 1891. They
had eight children, two of whom are de-
ceased, one who died in infancy, and Na-
thaniel, who died aged about forty years.
The survivors are: John ; Mary, wife of
George Langsdorf Free; Martha L., Mrs.
Simmons ; Joseph, and Albert.
HocKER, John P., farmer, was born in
Clark's Valley, Middle Paxton township,
Dauphin county, Pa., March 16, 1837. He
is a son of Peter and Nancy (Welpmer)
Hocker. Peter Hocker was born February
24, 1801. He was a prominent and honored
citizen ; was extensively interested in farm-
ing, and also had charge of the Peters' Moun-
tain Inn. He served several terms as county
commissioner of Dauphin county, and a num-
ber of terms as school director. He con-
tributed liberally to the establishment and
support of churches at Dauphin and in the
vicinity. He was a Democrat. He died De-
cember 17, 1865 ; his wife died February 20,
1877, aged sixty-eight years, one month and
866
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
twenty -six days. They had nine children :
Susan, wife of Jacob Beam; Martin; Peter;
Margaret A., wife of Benjamin Meyers ; John
P.; Catherine, wife of Jonathan Fox ; George
W.; Jacob, and Emeline, wife of Martin
Koons.
John P. Hocker in his early boyhood at-
tended private schools; at twelve years of
age he attended the district school. Atseven-
teen he left school and worked on his father's
farm until he was twenty-five. He enlisted
at Camp Simmons, Harrisburg, October 16,
1862, in company K, One Hundred and
Seventy-third regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, under Capt. C. A. Harper and Colonel
Nagle. He was discharged at Harrisburg,
August 18, 1863. He returned home in ill
health and cultivated the homestead farm
until 1865. His father having been killed
at this time by the running away of a team
of horses, Mr. John Hocker succeeded to the
management of the farm, which he conducted
for one year. He then removed to the neigh-
berhood of Zion church, where he lived and
was employed for a year and a half. On
January 14, 1869, he bought the homestead
where he has since resided.
Mr. Hocker was married, March 24, 1861,
to Mary Ann Ferree. Of their fourteen chil-
dren, four are deceased : Mary Jane, born
February 14, 1862, died March 20, 1863;
George Williams, born April 29, 1864, died
April 19, 1866 ; Charles Cleveland, born
January 26, 1885, died March 20, 1885 ; Car-
rie Emma, born August 12, 1882, died Sep-
tember 29, 1893. Their living children are :
John Peter, born July 24, 1865 ; Julia Ann,
April 6, 1867, wife of John E. Bickel ; Ophe-
lia, April 2, 1869 ; Catherine Elizabeth, Au-
gust 15, 1871, wife of Theodore A. McCarty ;
James Martin, June 23, 1873 ; Alexander
Harvey, September 16, 1875 ; Agnes Gertrude,
August 19, 1877 ; SaraTh Ellen, August 20,
1879; Martha Washington, February 22,
1886 ; and Maud Ethel, March 15, 1889. Mr.
Hocker is neutral in politics. He has served
two terms as supervisor of Middle Paxton
township. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
The mother of Mrs. Hocker died in Decem-
ber, 1866 ; her father in August, 1878. They
had eight children : Leah Jane, wife of George
Hocker; Mary Ann, Mrs. John Hocker; Joel;
Jefferson; Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah
Knapp ; Agnes, wife of James Duncan ; and
Ellen, wife of John Arrison.
Clemson, L. W., was born in Watts town-
ship. Perry county, Pa., July 23, 1826. He
is a son of Leonard and Mary (Bechaman)
Clemson. Joshua Clemson, grandfather of
L. W. Clemson, was a major in the war of
1812. He was at York, Pa., when General
Ross was shot near Baltimore. Leonard
Clemson, father of L. W., was born in Lan-
caster county. Pa., on " Hallow Eve," 1800.
He was energetic and persevering. He drove
for his father, who ran a line of teams from
Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. When the State
Capital was removed he hauled the first six-
horse wagon load of State records from Phila-
delphia to Harrisburg. He died July 23,
1892, being run down by a freight train in
Halifax. His wife was a daughter of Robert
Bechaman ; she died aged about seventy -five
j'ears. They had ten children : L. W.; Lydia
Ann, wife of Alexander Lingle; Maria
Louisa, widow of John Brubaker; Alfred
Buchanan ; Amos ; Jemima Jane ; Mary ;
Laura Cecilia, wife of John Metzinger ;
Charilla Jacevis, and one infant, not yet
named.
L. W. Clemson received his early educa-
tion in the private schools of his native
township. At twelve years of age he went
with his parents to Dauphin county, and at-
tended the public schools until he was eigh-
teen. From that time until he reached his
twenty-sixth year he assisted his father on
his farm on Clemson's Island, opposite Hali-
fax. He was afterwards engaged in boating
on the Pennsylvania canal, between Belle-
fonte and Philadelphia, on his own account,
until the autumn of 1859. In 1860 his
father purchased the present homestead,
which L. W. Clemson cultivated on his own
account until his father's death in 1892.
Succeeding his father in the ownership of
the place, he has occupied it since that date.
Mr. Clemson was married to Mary, daughter
of Daniel and Margaret Livingston. The
grandfather of Daniel Livingston was one of
the signers of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. Mr. and Mrs. Clemson had twin chil-
dren, Harry and Liilie Elizabeth, born Sep-
tember 24, 1852. Mrs. Clemson died Feb-
ruary 9, 1858, aged thirty years, five months
and twentj'-six days.
_ On December 29, 1859, Mr. Clemson mar-
ried his second wife, Mary Jane, daughter of
John G. and Eliza (Hampton) Nowvirck. Of
their three children two are deceased : Leon-
ard Alfred, born April 30, 1861, died Marcli
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
867
11, 1866, and Emma Cecilia, born Septem-
ber 30, 1862, died April 4, 1872. Their sur-
viving child is Maggie May, born May 24,
1869 ; married, February 13, 1890, to Charles
Bricker, one of the five children of John and
Amanda (Stout) Bricker; has had two chil-
dren, Mamie Edna, born September 5, 1890,
died January 8, 1894, and John Wesley, born
August 3, 1894.
Mr. Clemson had been an earnest and ac-
tive worker for the welfare of Dauphin
county. He is a successful business man
and a prominent citizen. His fellow-citizens
have repeatedly honored him by calling him
to places of public service. He has served
two consecutive terms as auditor, and two
as director of the poor of Dauphin county ;
also one term as supervisor of Middle Pax-
ton township. Mr. Clemson is a Republi-
can. The family attend the Presbyterian
church.
The parents of the present Mrs. Clemson
had six children: Louis; John; William;
Mary Jane, who is Mrs. Clemson ; Elias, and
Emma. Mr. Nowvirck, her father, died in
January, 1852, aged fifty-seven ; her mother
died in October, 1858, aged about forty-
nine years.
Shaffner Aaron, farmer, was born in
Halifax township, Dauphin county, Pa., Sep-
tember 7, 1847. He is a son of Philip and
Mary (Hoy) Shaffner. Philip Shaffner was
born October 20, 1809, and died October 21,
1894 ; Mrs. Shaffner died November 20, 1887,
aged seventy-five years, ten months and
thirteen days. Of their ten children, four
died in infancy, and Henry died December
17,1880. Their other children are: Philip
H.; William H.; Susan, wife of William
Sheetz; Aaron, and Sarah, wife of James
Lyter.
Aaron Shaffner was a pupil in the common
schools of his native township until he was
ten years old. His parents then removing
to Middle Paxton township, he attended the
district schools there during the winter until
he was twenty. He was then regularly em-
ployed by his father in farm work; this
arrangement continued for six years, and
then he rented the farm of his father, and
cultivated it on his own account. He con-
tinued to be a renter on the homestead until
September, 1895, when he bought the farm of
his father's heirs.
Mr. Shaffner was married, July 6, 1873,
to Anna Rebecca, daughter of John and
Mary (Reicht) Bowman. They had two
children, one who died in infancy, and Harry
B., born September 5, 1877. Mr. Shaffner
belongs to the Junior Order United American
Mechanics. He is a Republican. The family
attend the Evangelical church.
Mrs. Bowman, Mrs. Shaffaer's mother, died
November 30, 1877, aged forty-nine years,
three months and eighteen days. Her father
died March 28, 1894, aged sixty-three years
and one month. Four of their ten children
are deceased : John, died aged four months ;
Jennie, aged two years and twenty days;
Uriah, aged six months ; and one infant died
unnamed. Their living children are: Anna
Rebecca, Mrs. Shaffner; Sarah E., wife of
Jacob Conrad; Henry R.; William; Margaret
A., wife of Peter Witman; and Cora, wife of
James Nelson.
The brothers of Mr. Shaffner were in the
United States army. William enlisted in
company H, Fourth regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, re-enlisted in the regular army
and served three years more. Philip en-
listed at Harrisburg in a cavalry regiment,
and served three years. Henry enlisted at
Harrisburg, and served less than one year.
Meyers, Benjamin, retired farmer, was
born in Lancaster county, Pa., October 11,
1834. He is a son of Christian and Eliza-
beth (Cassel) Meyers. His father died in
1858, aged about sixty-four, and his mother
in 1861, aged about sixty-seven years. They
had fifteen children : John ; Isaac ; Katie,
wife of John Hess ; Christian ; Annie, wife
of George Look ; Daniel ; Fannie, wife of
Peter Fox ; Abraham ; Benjamin ; Sarah
Jane, wife of Elias Brooks ; Elias ; Hetty,
wife of Jonas Brooks ; and three who died in
infancy.
Benjamin Meyers, at four years of age,
went with his parents to Lower Paxton
township, Dauphin county, where he at-
tended the public school in winter and as-
sisted his father on the farm during the busy
season until he was twenty-two. He then
began farming for himself, renting his
father's farm for two years and afterwards
for one year another farm near by. In 1859
he removed to Clark's Valley, Middle Paxton
township, and rented a farm from hisfathor-
in-law for five years. In the spring of 1866
he purchased the homestead from his father
and farmed it for ten years. In 1876 he
bought an additional tract of land near the
old Hocker Tavern, upon which he built a
868
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
new house and barn, and which was his resi-
dence until 1889, when he relinquished
farming and removed to his present home.
Mr. Meyers was married, October 9, 1856,
to Anna, daughter of Peter and Nancy
(Welpman) Hocker, both deceased. They
have had seven children : James W., born
December 9, 1871, died May 8, 1872; Sarah
Jane, born August 22, 1859, wife of F. H.
Sponsler; Mary Ellen, August 28, 1862, wife
of George W. Simmons ; Peter, September
17, 1864; John, August 2, 1866; Alfred
Stephen, October 25, 1859; and Samuel,
April 17, 1873.
Bj"^ his efficient business methods, his care-
ful manner of living and the help of his
.good wife, Mr. Meyers has accumulated an
ample competence. Freed from the cares
and burdens of business he may now enjoy
the afternoon of life in his quiet home. Mr.
Meyers has served the public in several
township offices. He was supervisor for four
years, school director twelve years, and tax
collector and assessor four years. His poli-
tics are Democratic. The family attend the
Lutheran church.
Gaeman, Isaac, farmer, was born near the
homestead, in Middle Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., July 26, 1829. He is a son
of Casper and Elizabeth (Bogner) Garman.
His grandfather, Jacob Bogner, served in the
Revolutionary army. He died at the age of
one hundred years and six months. Casper
Garman, father of Isaac Garman, died June
18, 1877, aged eighty-five years, five months
and eighteen days. His mother died March
5, 1872, aged seventy -seven years, five months
and three days. They had seven children :
Lucy, Zacharias, Tobias, Isaac; Eleanor,
wife of John Umberger ; Mary, wife of Will-
iam Coffrode, and Catherine, wife of Jacob
Bogner.
Isaac Garman attended the common
schools of his township during the winter,
and assisted his father in farm work during
the summer until he was sixteen. He re-
mained on the farm with his father until he
was twenty-four ; at this age he rented and
cultivated the old Goss farm for four years
on his own account. He next spent two
years on the old Peter Hocker farm, and
moved thence to Susquehanna township,
where he farmed for three years, and subse-
quently worked General Ott's farm for two
years. His next removal was to a farm near
Rockville, which he occupied three years.
He then rented Dr. Heck's farm in Middle
Paxton township, and cultivated it eight
years. In the spring of 1876 he purchased
his present homestead, where he has been
engaged in farming up to the present time.
He has served three consecutive terms as
supervisor in Middle Paxton township, and
also served as judge of elections. He is a
Democrat.
Mr. Garman was married, November 18.
1855, to Julienne, daughter of David and
Catherine (Geiger) Unger. Of their nine
children four are deceased : Annie Kate,
born September 1, 1856, died April 24,1864 ;
Johnny, born April 9, 1871, died Mav 8,
1873; Stella May, born February 22,1874,
died August 25, 1874, and Isaac C;, born
February 11, 1865, died June 16, 1892. He
was temporarily engaged as foreman for a
section of the bridge in process of building
over the Licking river at Covington, Ky.,
when a portion of the structure collapsed,
carr3ang him and thirty-seven other work-
men to sudden death. Their living children
are : Elwood Purdy, born February 4, 1858 ;
Laura E., July 2, 1860, wife of John Lebo ;
David Unger, June 25, 1868; Eugene M.,
July 27, 1875, and Lulu F., December 7,
1879. The family attend the Evangelical
church.
The father of Mrs. Garman died in 1840,
aged about thirty-five years. Her mother
was born March 14, 1811, and died Decem-
ber 27, 1885, aged seventy-four years, nine
months and twelve days.
WiLVERT, Henry E., farmer, was born in
Powell's Valley, Halifax township, Dauphin
county. Pa., November 6, 1862. He is the
son of Henry M. and Susan (Steel) Wilvert.
His grandfather, John Wilvert, was a con-
tractor in stone work. He built the stone
piers of the old Dauphin bridge across the
Susquehanna river; he also built those of
the bridge over the Susquehanna at Clark's
Ferry. On this latter job he sustained con-
siderable financial loss. He was a man
whose word was as good as a bond. He
completed his contract at the expense of his
estate, which was the result of the labors of
a lifetime. His son, Henry M. Wilvert, Sr.,
was a stonemason. He died December 27,
1876, aged about fortv-eight. His wife died
July 3, 1894. Their children were : William
J., Daniel Theodore, John Albert, and
Henry M.
Henry M. Wilvert, Jr., went to the public
BA UPHIN GO UNTY.
869
schools at Matamoras, Halifax township, dur-
ing the winter, until he was eighteen j'ears
old, and worked on the farm in summer.
He was employed at various kinds of work
until he became of age. He then took
up farming on his own account, on the
old Geiger homestead, Middle Paxton
township. Pie purchased the homestead in
the autumn of 1883, and has occupied it
since that time as his home. Mr. Wilvert
was married, December 23, 1883, to Isimiah
M., daughter of William and Eleanor (Felty)
Geiger. They have no children. Mr. Wil-
vert is a Republican. The family attend
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Christian Geiger, grandfather of Mrs. Wil-
vert, came from Lancaster county and settled
in Middle Paxton township. Her father,
William Geiger, was born in that township,
near the old homestead, which he bougfit
after his mother's death. He was born Sep-
tember 29, 1815, and died March 20, 1888. His
wife was i)orn January 27, 1828, and died
July 7, 1867. They had seven children :
Daniel W., died in infancy; John Christian,
born May 27, 1852 ; Mary Alice, November
3, 1853, wife of Michael Crisswell ; Caroline
E., July 3, 1855, wife of George W. Reed ;
Solomon F., August 22, 1857 ; Isimiah M.,
Mrs. Wilvert. December 15, 1859, and Will-
iam C, March 7, 1862.
Welker, Joshua, farmer, was born in
Northumberland county, Pa., October 30,
1837. He is a son of Jonas and Sarah
(Kocher) Welker. His father was born Oc-
tober 16, 1809, and died February 16, 1888.
His mother was the daughter of Peter
Kocher. She died aged about sixty-four
years. They had thirteen children : Will-
iam, Joshua, Amanda, Joel, Isaac, Sarah,
John, Levi, Eli, Jonas, who died in child-
hood, and three others who are deceased.
Joshua Welker attended a private school
in an old log school house in Northumber-
land county, until he was twelve years old,
when his father removed to Lykens Valley,
Dauphin county, in 1849 or 1850. He at-
tended the district schools in Washington
township four or five years, when the fam-
ily removed to Jefferson township. There
he continued attending school in the winter
months until he was twenty years of age,
assisting his father during the busy season
on the farm. At twenty years of age he
rented Bufl&ngton's saw mill, Jefferson town-
ship, and began business for himself, cutting
lumber for the farmers and for merchant
trade. He continued this business until
June, 1863. On this date he enlisted at
Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in companj'^ C,
Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, Capt. Dr. Witman, of Halifax, and was
sent to Gettysburg, where he was stricken
down with typhoid fever, and was for some
time in the army hospital. He returned
home, but again enlisted at Harrisburg, Au-
gust 23, 1864, in company F, Two Hun-
dredth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.
He was in the ranks, but was promoted to
corporal in November, 1864, for meritorious
services and bravery while on picket duty
near Dutch Gap. He was in a number of
hotly contested engagements, and at the
storming of Petersburg. He was discharged
at Alexandria, Va., May 30, 1865. His
health was seriously impaired by exposure.
On his return Mr. Welker engaged in farm-
ing on his own account in Jefferson town-
ship, and continued there until 1872, when
he rented the old Greenawalt farm. Middle
Paxton township, which he has cultivated
up to the present time.
Mr. Welker was married, June 12, 1856,
to Catherine Spayd, daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Spotts) Spayd. She was born in
Northumberland county, Pa., May 18, 1834.
They have ten children ; five are deceased :
one died in infancy ; Elizabeth, born No-
vember 19, 1859 ; John Henry, born May
16, 1862 ; Minnie Agnes, born August 28,
1869 ; Edward J., born July 7, 1874. Their
living children are : Sarah Jane, wife of Au-
gust Meals ; Clara R., wife of John Shoop ;
Ellen, December 7, 1866, wife of Horace W.
Ballets ; Charles F., and George H., born
August 11, 1876. Mr. Welker is earnest
and active in all measures intended to pro-
mote the welfare of the community. He
has been superintendent of the Sunday-
school at Red Hill for many years. Politi-
cally he is a Republican. The family at-
tend the Lutheran and Reformed churches.
The parents of Mrs. Welker are both de-
ceased. Her father died aged about sixty-
four, and her mother aged eighty-two years.
They had nine children, two of whom are
deceased : John and Joseph. Their living
children are: Jonathan; Philip Levering ;
Catherine, Mrs. Welker; Lydia, Elizabeth,
Rebecca, and Amanda.
870
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lytee, Hiram, carpenter and farmer, was
born in Halifax township, Dauphin county,
Pa., August 26, 1850. He is a son of Henry
and Susan (Miller) Lyter, prominent and re-
spectable residents of Halifax township.
They had ten children : Ellen, who died in
childhood ; Sarah, wife of Samuel Chubb ;
John; James; Hiram; Joseph; Mary; Agnes,
wife of Clinton Miller ; Alfred ; Emma, wife
of Ira Dunkle.
Hiram Lyter attended the common schools
of Halifax township for three months of each
year until he was nineteen yeai's old. Dur-
ing the other nine months his assistance was
given in the regular work of the farm. For
three years after his school days were ended
he remained with his father, doing for him
the work of a farm hand. At the age of
twenty-two he began an apprenticeship of
two and a half years at carpentry with Peter
Klinger, Jackson township. His apprentice-
ship over, he worked at his trade as a jour-
neyman for seven or eight years. He then
undertook carpenter work and contracting
on his own account, and continued it about
nine years. In the autumn of 1890 he re-
turned to the business of farming and re-
moved to the homestead in Middle Paxton
township, where he has since resided and
carried on his business.
Mr. Lyter was married, May 25, 1873, to
Agnes L., daughter of Josiah and Margaret
(Buffington) Weaver. They had seven chil-
dren : Harry Edward, born September 22,
1875; Frank Newton, November 30, 1877;
Annie Melinda, October 2, 1879; Charles
Monroe, November 29, 1881 ; William Alton,
April 9, 3886; Lizzie Lucretia, August 17,
1889; Susan Rebecca, March 6, 1894. Mr.
Lyter is a Democrat. The family attend the
Lutheran church.
Joseph Weaver, father of Mrs. Lyter, con-
ducted an extensive cabinet making and un-
dertaking business at Berryburg and Fisher-
ville, Dauphin countv. He died in August,
1878. Mrs. Weaver died in 1872. They had
six children : Henry, died aged about seven
years; John; Agnes L., Mrs. Lyter; Alice,
wife of William Shell ; George ; Phoebe, wife
of William Burrell. Isaac Lyter, first cousin
of Hiram Lyter, is at present county com-
missioner of Dauphin county.
Conrad, Jacob, farmer and watchmaker,
was born in Clark's Valley, Middle Paxton
township, Dauphin county. Pa., July 24,
1852. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah
(Hoover) Conrad. His grandfather, John
Conrad, married Catherine Buche. Their
children were: Jacob, Daniel, Frederick,
John, and Mary, wife of John Saum. The
parents of Jacob Conrad are both deceased.
His mother died aged about fifty-nine. His
father died April 29, 1887, aged about
seventy-five years. They had ten children :
Rebecca, born December 3, 1843, died Octo-
ber 2, 1851, aged seven years; Catherine,
wife of John Tobias ; Adeline, wife of Michael
Schaffer ; Rachel, wife of David Umberger ;
Mary M., widow of Samuel Essinger ; Eliz-
abeth, wife of Henry D. Bender ; Emeline,
wife of Benjamin Hummel ; Jacob, John P.,
and William H.
Jacob Conrad was educated in the district
schools of Middle Paxton township. He was
at school in winter and at work on the farm
in summer until he reached the age of seven-
teen, when his school days ended, and he
became regularly engaged in farming. Two
years later he left the farm and worked in a
saw mill for three years. Coffrode, Saylor
& Co. employed him one year in bridge
building, and then he spent one year in
farming on his own account. He next en-
tered the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company in the capacity of track
walker, in which occupation he has con-
tinued up to the present time. Mr. Conrad
employed his leisure time in learning watch-
making, and has established a large and
profitable business in his neighborhood.
On January 9, 1876, Mr. Conrad was mar-
ried to Sarah Ellen, daughter of John and
Mary (Reicht) Bowman. They have two
children, Edward Franklin, born April 4,
1877, and Flora May, born January 31,
1880. Mr. Conrad is a Republican. ' The
family attend the Lutheran church. Henry
Bowman, grandfather of Mrs. Conrad, mar-
ried Elizabeth Urich. Their children are :
Margaret, wife of James Howden ; Christian ;
Mary, wife of Nicholas Snyder; Hannah,
wife of Michael Dunkle ; Uriah, and .Jacob.
The parents of Mrs. Conrad are both de-
ceased. Her mother died November 29,
1877, aged forty-nine years. Her father
died March 25, 1894, aged sixty-five. They
had nine children: Uriah, died aged six
months; John, died aged four months;
Leah Jane, died aged two years ; Anna
Rebecca, wife of Aaron Shaffer; Sarah
Ellen, Mrs. Conrad ; Henry; William; Mar-
garet Alice, wife of Peter Witman, and
Hannah Cora, wife of James Nelson.
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
871
Geeberich, Andrew T., merchant tailor,
was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa. He is a son of Adam and
Marie (Tittle) Gerberich. Andrew Gerberich,
great-grandfather of Andrew T., was one of
seven brothers who emigrated to this country
about 1700. His son, John Adam Gerberich,
had nine children, one of whom was Adam
Gerberich, father of Andrew T. Gerberich.
He died aged seventy-three years. His wife,
Mary (Tittle) Gerberich, died aged sixty-
eight. They had nine children : Elias,
David, John, Adam, Andrew, Sarah, Daniel,
William, and Elizabeth. Jacob Tittle, the
maternal grandfather of Andrew T. Ger-
berich, emigrated from England. He mar-
ried Mary Fisher, a native of Lebanon
county. Pa. They had seven children :
David, Sepina, Sarah, Elizabeth, Kate, Mary,
and Jacob.
Andrew T. Gerberich went with his par-
ents to Annville, Lebanon county. Pa., where
his father kept an inn for one year. The
family then removed to a farm in East Han-
over township, Lebanon county, where An-
drew enjoyed the advantages of the common
schools in winter and assisted at farm work
in summer. At fourteen years of age he be-
gan an apprenticeship of three years at tailor-
ing with Edmund K. Kimmel, at Lebanon,
Pa. After learning his trade he remained
nine years in the employ of Mr. Kimmel as
a journeyman. He then worked eight
months for William Woelfly, at Jonestown,
after which he returned to Lebanon and
worked six months for Michael Wagner. He
was then employed again by Mr. Kimmel
for six months, but on account of dull trade
was forced to seek employment in other
fields. For one year he was with a lumber
firm, engaged in assorting lumber. Mr.
Gerberich now began business on his own ,
account, opening a shop for tailoring in East
Hanover township, Lebanon county. Thir-
teen months later he removed his business
to Linglestown, Pa.; after two years he sold
his property there and removed to Dauphin,
where he has built up a large and profitable
business. He is still carrying on this trade
with gratifying success.
Mr. Gerberich was married, in 1858, to
Elizabeth, one of the four children of David
Hoostick. Their only child, William C,
died at the age of nine months. Mrs. Ger-
berich died in 1860, aged about twenty-six
years. Four years latter Mr. Gerberich mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary
(Masener) Shope. They have had four chil-
dren : Freeman 0., Harvey J., William S.,
and Carrie Vernon, wife of Harry J. Sim-
mons. Mr. Gerberich is a member of Pax-
ton Lodge, No. 621, L 0. 0. F., at Dauphin.
He is a Republican. The family attend the
Lutheran church.
Abraham Shope, grandfatljer of the second
Mrs. Gerberich, married Elizabeth Wasser.
They had five children. Mrs. Shope died,
and Mr. Shope's second marriage was with
Elizabeth McFadden, by whom he had eight
children.
The mother of the second Mrs. Gerberich
died July 17, 1885, aged about sixtj^-eight
years. She had nine children ; David, de-
ceased ; Harriet, wife of Philip Felty; Eliza-
beth, Mrs. Gerberich ; Dr. Jacob W., served
in the Union army nine months ; William,
Calvin, John, George, and Mary, wife of
Washington Manley.
Hoffman, David, hotel proprietor, was
born in Powell's Valley, Reed township,
Dauphin county. Pa., January 8, 1852 ; son
of George and Susanna (Miller) Hoffman.
His grandfather, Nicholas Hoffman, died in
1865, aged eighty-two years. His wife is also
deceased. They had a family of sons and
daughters, of whom George, father of David
Hpfi'man, was born October 26, 1814.
George and Susanna Hoffman, the parents
of David Hoffman, are both living. They
have had fourteen children, three of whom
died in early childhood : Margaret, died aged
eighteen ; John ; James ; Sarah, wife of Uriah
Bowman ; Daniel ; Elizabeth, wife of Charles
Smith ; David ; Susanna, wife of William
Tyson; William, Samuel, and Jacob. John
Miller, maternal grandfather of David Hoff-
man, died at the age of eighty-seven ; his
wife, Pollie Miller, at the age of seventy-
eight.
David Hoffman was educated in the pub-
lic schools of his native township. He re-
mained with his father on the farm until he
was twenty-one, when he started out in life
on his own account. He was employed by
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at stone
cutting and masonry on their road between
Baltimore and Harrisburg. He was engaged
two summers at Harrisburg in building the
Methodist and Presbyterian churches. In
1882 Mr. Hoffman returned to his old home
and spent two years there. He then moved
to the lower end of Reed township, where he
lived three years, and then took the Dauphin
872
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hotel, at Dauphin, which he managed two
years, and then removed to a private resi-
dence in Dauphin. Later, in the autumn
of 1891, he purchased the Dauphin House,
which he has occupied and managed since
that time. Mr. Hoifman is an enterprising
business man, and a generous dispenser of
hospitality. H^is interested and active in all
movements to promote the prosperity of the
community. Mr. Hoffman was married,
February 13, 1883, to Malinda J., daughter
of (lyrus and Elizabeth (Sweigert) Miller.
Their children are: Harry Edward, born
May 14, 1885, died October 8, 1891 ; Annie
Elizabeth, born December '20, 1883 ; and
Eay Coble, born February 22, 1891. Mr.
Hoffman has served four years as council-
man ; he is a Eepublican. The family at-
tend the Methodist Episcopal church. The
father and mother of Mrs. Hoffman are both
deceased. Her mother was born March 2,
1856.
McKee, Harey, D., bridge builder, was
born at Clark's Ferry, Middle Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., June 10, 1860.
He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Fore-
man) McKee. Henry McKee was born in
Scotland, September 7, 1819. He died in
June, 1890. He was married to Catherine
Foreman, born in Heilbronn, Germany.
They had thirteen children, of whom there
are living: Bella, wife of W. Oyster; Harry
D., Luther P., and George B. Their mother
is still living.
Harry D. McKee attended the common
schools of Reed township until he was fif-
teen, when he entered the Bloomfield Acad-
emy, Perry county. Pa. After leaving this
institution he engaged in mercantile busi-
ness at Dauphin, in connection with his
sister. Miss Bella McKee, their father fur-
nishing the capital. Harry D. continued in
this business until 1884, after which he was
one year in the employ of the Philadelphia
and Eeading Eailroad Company. During
this year he lived with J. A. Sweigert, the
present superintendent of the road.
He then entered the employ of Clark,
Reeves & Co., and was engaged in bridge
and structure work under the supervision of
Mr. R. A. Simmons. Remaining in the em-
ploy of this company, now known as the
Phoenix Bridge Company, he was promoted
to the position of foreman of erection,
which he has filled with credit to himself
and satisfaction to bis employers, to the
present time. He has assisted in numerous
structures built by the Phoenix Company
throughout the United States. He is at
present foreman of erection of the terminal
buildings of the Brooklyn bridge, Brooklyn,
N. Y. He was married, May. 10, 1885, to
Annie M., daughter of Hugh and Martha
(Bretz) Dougherty. Of their two children,
one, Francis Simmons, is deceased ; and the
other child is Luther Reed.
Mr. McKee is a skillful and successful me-
chanic. His knowledge and ability in
structural work have been gained by dili-
gent study and long and profitable experi-
ence. His reliability as a man, and his
superiority as an artisan are demonstrated
by the responsible position he holds. He
had unusual advantages for developing his
natural mechanical talents, under the super-
vision of that prince of mechanics and fa-
mous bridge builder, Mr. R. A. Simmons,
familiarly known among the bridge build-
ing fraternity as " Pop Simmons," a title ex-
pressive of the general opinion as to his
priority and prominence in the craft. He
is a member of Fern Council, No. 774,
Ro3''al Arcanum, at Brooklyn, N. Y.; also
of Brooklyn Lodge, No. 228, F. & A. M. He
is a Republican.
The father of Mrs. McKee died July 14,
1883, aged seventv-six years. Her mother
died October 16, 1883, aged fifty-two. They
had seven children: John W., Philip D.,
James W., Annie M., Mrs. McKee; Carrie M.,
Harry U., and Daisy W. The grandmother
of Mrs. McKee lived to be ninety-three years
of age.
SwEiGART, Michael, was born in Powell's
Valley, Dauphin county. Pa., February 25,
1853. He is a son of Philip and Susan
(Fawber) Sweigart. Philip Sweigart was
born February 3, 1820, on the old homestead
in Powell's Valley, Jefferson township, now
Wayne township, where his grandfather
originally settled before the Revolution. He
died November 14, 1894. His wife died in
May, 1870, aged about forty-five. They had
nine children: Susanna, wife of William
Rummel ; Elizabeth, wife of Reuben Kessler ;
Amos; Michael; Martha, wife of Nathan
Zimmerman; Samuel; Mary Ann, wife of
Jonas Rudy; Emma Jane, and Georee
Franklin. ^
Michael Sweigart attended the common
schools of his native township during the
winter months until he was twenty years of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
873
age. When he was twenty-one he began
cultivating his father's farm in Jefferson
township on his own account, and continued
to do so for about eight years. From that
time until 1892 he was farming in Fishing
Creek Valley, Middle Paxton township. He
then removed to Harrisburg, Pa., and was
there one year, after which he returned to
the homestead, and has resided there up to
the present time. In the atitumn of 1894
he established his extensive saw mill plant
for manufacturing a variety of lumber pro-
ducts. He supplies the farmers of the neigh-
borhood, and has also a good share of the
merchant trade.
Mr. Sweigart was married, February 11,
1875, to Lydia E., daughter of John J. and
Margaret (Hoffman) Lantz, born January
20, 1849. They have four children : Charies
F., born February 29, 1876; Harry W.,
March 1, 1878; Samuel C, November 28,
1881, and Maggie May, November 8, 1886.
Mr. Sweigart is an energetic and prosperous
man, and is exemplary in all relations of
life. He is a Democrat. The family attend
the Evangelical church.
John J. Lantz, father of Mrs. Sweigart,
died February 6, 1888, aged about seventy-
two. Mrs. Lantz died May 1, 1853, at the
age ©f about thirty. They had nine chil-
dren : George W.; John W.; Samuel N.;
Mary A., wife of Samuel V. Enders; Sarah
Margaret, wife of Benjamin F. Schaffer;
Lydia E., Mrs. Sweigert; Eliza Jane, wife of
Andrew Brusler; Katie, died in infancy;
also one infant, not named. The second
wife of Mr. Lantz was Elizabeth Pyle. They
had two children : Susan Amanda and
Charles Grant.
Stence, Ephraim Elijah, farmer and
merchant, was born in Fishing Creek Valley,
Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., May 22, 1854. He is a son of Joseph
and Mary Ann (Douglas) Stence. His mother
died May 10, 1887, and his father in June,
1890. Their children were : Frederick and
Ephraim E.
Ephraim E. Stence went to the public
schools of his township until he was sixteen,
assisting at farm work during the busy sea-
son. He worked for his father until he was
twenty-six, when they became equal partners
and co-operated in farming until 1887. At
that time he bought his present homestead
of eighteen acres, and also embarked in mer-
cantile business, which he has since con-
ducted.
Mr. Stence was married, December 12,
1872, to Mary E., daughter of Challis and
Sarah (Lambshore) Bailey. They have one
child, Jacob Elijah, who was married, Au-
gust 24, 1894, to Hattie E. G., daughter of
George W. Reed. Mr. Stence is a Republi-
can. The family attend the Evangelical
church.
The father of Mrs. Stence, Mr. Bailey, is
deceased ; her mother is still living. They
had eight children : Laura, wife of Joseph
Shartzer; Mary E., Mrs. Stence; Daniel,
Charles, William, Joshua, Albert, and Susan.
Joseph and Laura (Bailey) Shartzer had three
children: Harry, died aged three months;
Susie, wife of George Hoover; and Mary.
Mr. Shartzer's father was the son of Joseph
and Mary (Shisley) Shartzer. He was a
farmer, born in Middle Paxton township.
He died in May, 1866, and his wife in 1861.
They had six children: Agnes, Sarah,
Amanda, Elizabeth, John, and Joseph. Mr.
Shartzer's second wife was Sarah Fyle, by
whom he had one child, Elmina.
Steese, Alfred David Frederick, rail-
way postal clerk, was born at Fort Hunter,
Susquehanna township, Dauphin county.
Pa., December 4, 1837. He is a son of Fred-
erick and Catherine (Hassinger) Steese. His
grandfather, Frederick Steese, was married
three times and had a family of eighteen
sons and three daughters. Frederick Steese,
Jr., father of A. D. F. Steese, died aged sixty-
seven years. His wife was born in 1800 and
died August 19, 1876. They had nine chil-
dren : Reuben H.; Josiah G.; Julia A., wife
of James Reed ; Aaron W.; Sabra M., widow
of Augustus Bell; Jane, wife of Thomas
Milliken, Esq.; Catherine, Elizabeth, Bar-
bara, and Alfred D. F. The family removed
to Dauphin, Pa., April 1, 1838.
Alfred D. F. Steese attended the borough
school during the winter and worked on the
farm during the busy seasons until he was
sixteen. He was for three months in the
employ of the Susquehanna and Dauphin
railroad as brakeman on a freight train, and
was then promoted to be a conductor on a
passenger train. He served one year in that
capacity. He then voluntarily became
brakeman on a passenger train, was after-
wards made fireman, and so continued for
one year. At the solicitation of his parents
874
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
he left the railroad service when he was
eighteen, and they started him at boating
on the Pennsj'lvania canal from Pittsburgh
to Columbia, over the Allegheny mountains
on cars, and thence by water to Columbia,
He carried on this business one season, and
then became locomotive fireman on the
Northern Central railway on the first loco-
motive run over the Susquehanna division
under Engineer Preston Hall. He held this
position fifteen months, and was then pro-
moted to engineer on the old "camel back "
engine. No. 31. He ran the first locomotive
into Sunbury on the Northern Central rail-
way. His parents again prevailed upon him
to abandon the railroad, and fitted him out
with a boat on the Pennsylvania canal. He
made four trips from Wilkes-Barre to Balti-
more, and then sold his boat to the United
States Government, being taken into Gov-
ernment service and sent with his boat to
Washington, D. C. His boat was loaded
with munitions of war and sent to Acquia
Creek, where he remained six months, and
then returned to Dauphin. He was subse-
quently prostrated with typhoid fever, and
was attended by Dr. J. R. Umberger. Re-
covering from this critical illness he returned
to Alexandria, Va., and took charge of a lo-
comotive on the Orange and Alexandria
railroad in the service of the United States
Government. He was captured by the
rebels at Vienna, Fairfax county, Va., and
barely escaped starvation before he reached
the Union lines. He was again captured at
Fairfax Station, again released, and made
his way back to camp. He was employed
by the Government as engineer until the
close of the war. While he was in the ser-
vice two of his firemen were killed by the
enemy. After the war he was again in
the service of the Northern Central Rail-
way Company as engineer until Janu-
ary 2, 1867. On April 1, 1867, he embarked
in the mercantile business at Dauphin, Pa.,
and was in that business for ten years. He
then failed, and for one year was engaged in
fishing along the Susquehanna river. On
August 29, 1879, he was appointed railway
mail agent, and given a route on the Elmira
and Baltimore railway postoffice. He has
held that position since that date, and is
truly a veteran railway clerk. Plis record
is without a blemish, and he enjoys the con-
fidence of the department.
Mr. Steese was married, Februar}^ 15, 1858,
to Mary Davis. They had six children :
Elniina, born October 4, 1866, diied Novem-
ber 17, 1866 ; Julia Frances, born January
26, 1860, wife of Dr. Thomas L. Poffenber-
ger, dentist, Harrisburg ; Louis Mershon,
born August 11, 1862 ; Martha Davis, wife
of Dr. F. Gerberich; Sabra Bell, December
12, 1875.
Mr. Steese has been president of the bor-
ough council of Dauphin for three consecu-
tive years. He is a Republican. Since
1867 he has been a member of the Perry
Blue Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M. The family
attend the Presbyterian church.
Christian Dull, grandfather of Mrs. Steese,
married Elizabeth Essex. They had nine
children : Charles, James, Catherine, Mary,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Theresa, Hannah, mother
of Mrs. Steese, and Helen. Rev. John W.
Davis, the father of Mrs. Steese, was born at
Newburyport, Mass. He was the son of
John Davis, and was a Presbyterian minis-
ter. He had charge of the church at Dau-
phin at the time of his death, which oc-
curred August 14 or 15, 1868. He resided in
New York before coming to Dauphin. His
wife, Hannah Dull, was born in 1808, and
died September 13, 1872. They had seven
children : Charles A., served nine months
in the Union army ; Elizabeth ; Mary, Mrs.
SteeSe; Martha A., widow of William Blerut-
ter ; Thaddeus, killed at the battle of Mis-
sionary Ridge; John W., participated in
Sherman's march to the sea ; Sarah, wife of
Martin Hiner, of Harrisburg.
Josiah G. Steese and Aaron W. Steese,
brothers of A. D. F. Steese, both enlisted in
the Union army, were honorably discharged
from the same, and returned home. Their
father, Frederick Steese, was one of the de-
fenders of Baltimore, in 1814, when General
Ross was shot by the two American youths
at North Point, near Baltimore.
Baker, Henry, farmer, was born in Leb-
anon county. Pa., January 31, 1819. He is
is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Eshel-
man) Baker. His grandfather, Frederick
Baker, Sr., married Elizabeth Kinsey. They
had five sons and three daughters. The
mother of Henry Baker was bo'rn April 12.
1794, and died January 19, 1852. His
father was born October 22, 1893. They
had nine children : Elizabeth, born Novem-
ber 9,, 1817; Henry; Isaac, February 1,
1821; John, January 15, 1824; Rudolph,
January 16, 1826; Jacob,' May 6, 1828;
David, September 8, 1830 ; Frederick, April
DAUPHIN COUNTY
875
2, 1834; Catherine, May 27, 1839. The sec-
ond wife of Frederick Baker, Jr., was Mary
Flory, to whom he was married March 29,
1853. Their children are, Mary, born
March 5, 1854, and Joseph, December 12,
1856.
Henry Baker attended private schools in
Londonderry township. When a boy he
also assisted his father in weaving and farm
work. He remained with his father until
he was twenty-eight, and then began farm-
ing on his own account, having rented a
farm in West Hanover township. For five
years he worked on rented farms and in
1853 removed to his present homestead,
which he has cultivated since that date.
Mr. Baker was married, December 9, 1847,
to Anna Mary, daughter of John and Mollie
(Paynter) Foreman. They have three chil-
dren : Rudolph, born December 10, 1850,
died August 14, 1852 ; Mary Ann, born Janu-
ary 9, 1846, wife of James L. Brown, who
died April 14, 1873 ; she afterwards married
J. W. Wade ; David, born January 11, 1862,
married July 25, 1886, to Annie M. Lehman,
daughter of John and Mary Ann (Reese)
Lehman ; they have five children : Mary
Alice, born January 20, 1887 ; Charles An-
derson, August 30, 1888 ; Elizabeth Agnes,
January 6, 1891 ; Sarah Adeline, January
5, 1893 ; and James Albert, January 14,
1896. Mr. Baker is a Republican. He was
an old line Whig, and cast his first vote
for President for William Henry Harrison.
The family attend the German Baptist
church .
The parents of Mrs. Baker are both de-
ceased. Her father died aged about seventy-
five. They had a family of five daughters
and four sons.
CoEBETT, Joseph F., in the earlier and
more active part of his business career, was a
contractor and builder ; he spent the latter
part of his life as a retired capitalist. He
was born in Fishing Creek Valley, Middle
Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa., Jan-
uary 23, 1819; son of Joseph and Jane
(Foulk) Corbett. His opportunities for secur-
ing an education were slender, being only
such as the schools of his native township
afforded ; and of these he could make but a
limited use, as he began at a very early age
to earn his own living. He soon embarked
in contracting and building on his own ac-
count. Mr. Corbett was successful in his
work from the outset, and soon became well
known and prosperous. He obtained the
contracts for some of the largest bridges in
Dauphin county, and superintended their
construction ; and in every important struc-
ture completed under his supervision he has
left an abiding monument of his mechanical
skill and commercial fidelity.
By his activity and success in contracting
and building he accumulated means which
enabled him to become interested in other
branches of business. He soon found that
his mechanical talent was fully equalled by
his financial ability, and he became con-
nected with a number of the financial insti-
tutions of the county, among which may be
mentioned : The Lykens National Bank, now
the First National Bank of Millersburg, in
which he served as director, and of which he
was one of the organizers, and largely instru-
mental in its establishment; the Lykens
National Bank of Lykens, in which also he
was for years a director, having been active
and influential in its organization; and the
Merchants' National Bank at Harrisburg, in
which he served for many years as a director.
Mechanical enterprises were no less invit-
ing to Mr. Corbett than financial ones. He
was largely interested in the Harrisburg Car
Works, and was a stockholder and director
of the Axle Works at Millersburg. Although
he began life without the assistance of influ-
ential friends or material inheritance, rely-
ing upon his own resoui'ces and employing
only honorable means and measures, Mr.
Corbett achieved an enviable success, com-
ing to be recognized as one of the most reli-
able and efficient business men of the county,
and enjoying the confidence and esteem of
men in all circles.
Mr. Corbett was married, August 29, 1846,
to Margaret Tindall. They liad five chil-
dren, four of whom are deceased: Emma
Virginia, born March 31, 1854, died January
26, 1860 ; Maggie Florien, born January 23,
1856, died July 20, 1873 ; William Henry
Harrison, born''May 23, 1847, died March 25,
1874 ; Charles J., born November 22, 1848,
died June 28, 1879 ; he married Emma C.
Berick, and' they had one son, Charles J.
The widow married G. C. Wright, and they
had three children. The surviving child of
Mr. Corbett is Viola Estelle, born December
15, 1850, married Daniel C. Hamilton, of
Pittsburgh, Pa.; they have six childi-en, two
of whom, Frank and Joseph, are deceased ;
876
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
their living children are: Harr}' C, Bessie,
Eben C, and Nathan McDowell. Mr. Ham-
ilton died and Mrs. Hamilton was married
to Mr. F. C. Gore. Mrs. Joseph F. Corbett
died January 23, 1864. The second mar-
riage of Mr. Corbett occurred August 28,
1866, in which he was united to Elizabeth
Martin, widow of Perry Martin, who died
July 21, 1863. Mrs. Corbett is still living ;
she is a daughter of Charles and Mary
(Gorgas) Gleim,of Lebanon county, Pa.; her
parents had six children : Joseph, George,
Christiana, Maria, Charles, and Elizabeth,
Mrs. Corbett, born August 31, 1820.
Sponsler, John, farmer, deceased, was
born on the old homestead in Clark's Valley,
Dauphin county, Pa., March 21, 1814; son
of John and Susanna (Kinter) Sponsler. An-
drew Sponsler, his grandfather, emigrated
from German}', and settled in Clark's Valley,
near the site of the homestead. John Spons-
ler (1), was born December 28, ,1783. He was
a soldier in the war of 1812. He had six
children: Andrew, married Anna Sweigert;
Isaac, died in early life; Henry, married
Katie Miller; Elizabeth, married Henry Ri-
neard ; and George, married Barbara Bow-
man, had two children, Samuel and Albert.
John Sponsler (2), was educated in the
subscription schools of his native township.
He remained at home, and worked with his
father on the farm from boyhood to early
manhood.
Mr. Sponsler was married, December 26,
1837, to Julia, daughter of John Etter and
Elizabeth (Shelly) Etter, born March 16,
1810. They bad six children : Calvin B.,
born October 5, 1838 ; James K., April 29,
1840 ; Mary J., May 24, 1841 ; Isaac E., born
April 13, 1846, died November 8, 1860;
William, born October 7, 1847, and one who
died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Sponsler remained
on the home farm and cultivated it for six
years. In 1843 he bought from Henry M.
Bayard a tract of land containing 135 acres,
which he cleared, and on which he made
many valuable improvements, building a
substantial barn in 1866, and in 1874 erected
the stone mansion which is the spacious and
elegant home of the family. Mr. Sponsler
was an enterprising and prosperous man.
In all relations of life his conduct was emi-
nently correct, and won for him the confi-
dence and esteem of his neighbors. His
politics were Democratic. In matters of
faith and religious life he held with the
Lutheran church. Mr. Sponsler died March
4, 1895, and his wife July 25, 1871.
Calvin B. Sponsler, son of John Sponsler
(2), was married to Edna Belle Lyons, and
now resides in Pittsburgh. He learned the
blacksmith's trade with Leonard PofFen-
berger, at Dauphin, Pa., and afterwards be-
came engaged with the Keystone Bridge
Company, of Pittsburgh, of whose forging
department he has beeii for twenty-five years
foreman, and still holds that position. James
K. Sponsler, another son, married Susan P.
Milliken ; they have one daughter, Cora.
He also learned his trade with Mr. Poffen-
berger, and worked at a number of places.
He conducted business on his own account
at Goshen, Ind., for four years, after which
he served different firms in the capacity of
salesman and steel inspector, being thus en-
gaged for about fourteen years. His wife
died June 11, 1881. William Sponsler, a
third son, is at present employed at the shops
of the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Com-
pany, at Harrisburg. He married Sarah E.
Straw ; they have one son, John C.
Kendig, Daniel, was born at Sunbury,
Pa., March 16, 1802; son of John and Eliza-
beth (Hill) Kendig. A sketch of his father
and grandfather appears in this volume. He
went to Middletown, Pa., when quite young,
and served an apprenticeship to his brother
Martin at the saddlery and harness trade.
Subsequently he was partner with his brother
in the lumber business, and in connection
with Judge Murray they built a saw mill at
the mouth of the Swatara and established a
large trade. In 1862 Mr. Kendig was ap-
pointed assessor of internal revenue for the
district, and held the office until removed by
President Johnson. He was at one time a
candidate for sheriff but was defeated. He
was an elder in the Presbyterian church,
and a gentleman of great personal worth.
He died December 31, 1876, at Middletown.
Mr. Kendig was twice married.
Zimmerman, Valentine, youngest son of
Henry and Barbara (Greiner) Zimmerman,
was born May 19, 1829, in the old stone
springhouse on the Kerr estate in Dauphin
county. When he was ten years of age his
father died, leaving the care of the farm
upon the shoulders of his mother and his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
877
elder brothers. He attended pay school in
Churchville, in the Old Neidich meeting-
house, now occupied by the United Brethren
church ; and also attended school in High-
spire at what was called the "Academy,"
located where the recent Wilson Distillery
stands, and then taught for many years by
Henry Stoner. He assisted his older brother
Henry during the years of his minority to
farm the home place, until near the time of
attaining his majority, when he and his
mother moved back to the forty-acre tract,
adjoining where his father lived, before
moving on the Kerr estate. Here they
erected a new brick house in 1849, and in
the following year they erected a frame bank
barn which was burned to the ground in
June, 1884. The mother's dower interest in
the Kerr estate was also set apart at this
time, swelling the tract to about seventy
acres, to which seventeen acres were later
added from the Neidich estate, making it a
valuable tract of about eighty-eight acres.
In 1856 he married Barbara S. Felty, of
Linglestown, Dauphin county, and bought
this tract from the estate. In the spring of
1849 he and his mother undertook an over-
land journey to Columbus, Ohio, with a
spirited horse and a characteristic chaise of
that day. The railroads had not then yet
been built over the mountains, and did not
extend farther west than Pittsburgh. In their
journey they followed the stage line route
through Chambersburg and Bedford countj',
stopping en route at the various public inns
of that day. That trip consumed some-
thing over two weeks, which is now easily
covered in about eighteen hours. He often
related of the struggle in Dauphin county
to adopt the free school system. At that
time the polling place for Lower Swatara
township was at Portsmouth, known as the
•' point " now where the borough of Middle-
town stands ; and that when the election was
to be held in the spring, a snowstorm and
blizzard so drifted the country roads that
many of the farmers who were opposed to
the measure could not cast their vote,
and so free schools won the day. He in
every way corroborated the many descrip-
tions of the primitive schoolhouse furniture,
and the district schoolmaster training, so
characteristic of that early day. The " rule
of three " was then the scholar's highest am-
bition, and the geographies represented Ohio
as the far West.
For many years he farmed a tract of about
sixty acres of land known as the "White
House Farm," and owned by Mary Stoner,
until in 1880, when he purchased a large
tract of about one hundred and twenty-
eight acres, known as the Heisy estate, in
Conewago township, Dauphin county.
In 1895 he sold the farm adjoining the
Kerr estate to his nephew, Sol. Zimmerman,
and the following spring moved to New
Benton, a suburb of Steelton. His reputa-
tion as a farmer was always of the highest
order. He was highly esteemed as a citizen
by all who knew him.
For many years he was one of the super-
visors of his township and held minor offices
of trust. He first was a member of the
United Brethren church, but later affiliated
himself with the Church of God, of which
his wife is a zealous member.
In politics he probably inherited his
father's Democratic faith, but was in no
sense a partisan, but has frequently voted
the Republican ticket, and was especially
independent of party lines in local elec-
tions.
Bell, Samuel, farmer, was born on the
homestead, July 1, 1831, and is a son of
James and Martha (Irwin) Bell, the latter
being a daughter of Samuel and Catharine
(Freeburn) Irwin. The great-grandfather,
John Bell, settled in Middle Paxton town-
ship. The father died in September, 1862,
at the age of seventy-two years, and the
mother at the age of eighty years. They
had a family of seven children : William,
deceased ; John, deceased ; Isaac, Catharine,
Samuel, Mary, and James. Mrs. Bell's
father, Isaac Bell, was born February 6, 1803,
and died January 25, 1873, and her mother,
Jane Sprout, was born August 8, 1815, and
died April 13, 1843. The children are:
Mary Jane, deceased ; Clarissa, James,
Louisa, and one who died in infancy.
Samuel attended school in the old Stony
Creek school house during the winter and
assisted his father on the farm in the sum-
mer. When twenty-one years of age he was
employed by the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad Company, for which he continued
to work at intervals for ten years. He and
his brother Isaac then bought the old Bell
farm, formerly owned by their grandfather,
James Bell. After living there eight years
Samuel moved to the homestead, where he
now resides. After his father's death, in
1862, the estate was divided into six tracts.
878
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTOLOPEDIA
He married Miss Louisa A. Bell, daughter of
Isaac Bell, a native of Dauphin county,
March 17, 1856. Their children are: Irwin
G., born September 27, 1857 ; Charles S., born
February 23, 1861 ; Lawrence M., born
jV^^arch 28, 1864; Samuel J., born August 25,
1867 ; Clara J., born July 22, 1870 ; Anna
L., born August 10, 1874; and Mary C, born
September 25, 1878. In politics Mr. Bell is
a Democrat, and served as tax collector, as-
sessor, and six consecutive terms as super-
visor. The family attend the Presbyterian
church.
Baker, Jacob, Sr., farmer. Fort Hunter,
was born in Conewago township. May 6,1828,
and is a son of Frederick and Catharine
(Eshelman) Baker. The father, a weaver by
occupation, learned his trade in Elizabeth-
town, Lancaster countj', but spent the last
part of his life farming in Middle Paxton
township. By his first wife he had these
children : Betsy, Henry, Isaac, John , Rudolph ,
Jacob, David, Frederick, and Katie; and by
his second wife: Mary and Joseph. Mrs.
Baker's parents are both deceased and had a
family of nine children. Jacob first attended
the subscription schools and later the public
schools of his district. At the age of eighteen
he began to learn the trade of shoemaking
with Elijah Wise, at Harrisburg. He con-
tinued in this occupation for ten years. In
1856 he purchased the present homestead
from his father's estate and engaged in farm ■
ing, which he still follows. He was married,
August 15, 1850, to Miss Susan Straw, daugh-
ter of Frederick and Catharine (Kipple) Straw.
Their children are: Sarah Adaline, born
March 6, 1852, wife of Solomon Felty; Valen-
tine, born March 21, 1856 ; Anna Mira, born
August 10, 1861, wife of Jacob Livingston ;
Charles William, born September 1, 1865.
Mrs. Baker died January 31, 1889. In poli-
tics he is a Republican and has served as su-
pervisor. The family attend the Evangeli-
cal church.
Coj-RODE, William R., iron moulder, was
born in Lancaster county. Pa., December 22
1822, and died October 25, 1898. The
parents had a large family, of which Jacob,
David, William R., and Jessee were mem-
bers. Mrs. Cofrode's father died in June,
1877, and the mother March 8, 1877. Their
children are: Lucy Ann, deceased; Tobias,
deceased ; Zachariah, deceased ; Mary, born
August 4, 1833 ; Isaac ; Ellen, widow of John
Minberger, and Catharine, widow of Jacob
Bogner. William R. received his education
in the schools of his native county. At an
early age he learned the trade of iron
moulder at Wilmington, Del., and worked
at it in that place and subsequently in Dau-
phin Car Works. In 1856 he moved to
Berrysburg, and on January 25, 1865, en-
listed in company G, Fifty-fifth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, George H. Miller
being his captain. After receiving an hon-
orable discharge at Petersburg, Va., August
30, 1865, he again worked for the Dauphin
Car Company, and continued with it until
1887. He was married, March 20, 1856, to
Miss Mary Garman, daughter of Casper and
Elizabeth (Bognn) Garman. Their five
children are: Parker L., born June 23, 1857;
Birn T., born October 11, 1858; Cora S.,
born January 10, 1865 ; Effie E., born March
10, 1868, and Mary E., born August 24, 1874,
married March 15, 1894, to Charles H. Web-
ber, who has two children, Birn C, born
June 30, 1894, and Roy R., born October 12,
1895. In politics he was a Republican, and
the family attend the Evangelical church.
Denison, George R., farmer, Dauphin
Pa., was born in Wheeling, W. Va., and is a
son of Horatio W. and Jane Chambers (Drips)
Denison. The grandfather, Hugh Deni-
son, conducted a large hotel at Juniata Cross-
ing in Bedford county and also operated a
ferry at the same place. He was born Sep-
tember 12, 1782. His family consisted of
these children : Jane, Bartly, Horatio, Re-
becca, Mary, and Agnes Amanda ; all are
deceased. His wife, Mary, was born April
12, 1784, and died July 28, while he died
February 13, 1819. The maternal grand-
father was Benjamin Chambers, the founder
of Chambersburg. Mr. Chambers was the
first white settler in Franklin county, locat-
ing there about 1726. The father died July
28, 1875, and the mother on November 11,
1861. Their children were: Margaret J.,
George R., Mary R., and William D. George
R. came to Loudon, Pa., with his parents
when but one year of age. His education
was received in the schools of his native
place. April 1, 1862, the family moved to
Dauphin county and located on the present
homestead in Middle Paxton township.
George has resided on the farm up to the
present time. He was married, February
17, 1885, to Elizabeth (Kinter) Denison,
daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Boam) Kinl
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
879
ter. Their children are : Rebecca K., Mary-
Jane, William D., Esther, and George R.
In politics Mr. Denison is a Republican and
the family attend the Presbyterian church.
DeWalt, Ferdinand, farmer, was born
in South Manheim township, Schuylkill
county, March 1, 1832, and is a son of Abra-
ham and Elizabeth (Rheim) DeWalt. The
parents died September, 1850, only one day
apart. Their family consisted of eight chil-
dren : Edward, Lydia, Clara, Leah, Ferdi-
nand, Susan, Louisa, and Levina. Mrs. De-
Walt's parents are also deceased and had a
family of nine children : Susan, Thomas,
John, Maria, Rachel, Sarah Ann, Daniel,
and William, also one who died in infancy.
Ferdinand received his education in the
public schools until he was sixteen years of
age and then attended a private school at-
tached to the Lutheran church. From
eighteen to twenty he was engaged at the
trade of shoemaking, and in 1853 entered
the service of the Philadelphia and Harris-
burg Railroad Company. In 1862 he was
made roadway foreman and held the posi-
tion until it .was abolished when the com-
pany was re-organized. He was then sec-
tion foreman until he was compelled
to quit work, in 1895, on account of ill
health. He was married, September 17,
1853, to Sarah Ann Luckins, daughter of
William and Margaret (Bingman) Luckins,
who was born August 18, 1836, near Read-
ing, Berks county. Pa. Their children are :
Joseph, Clara, Elizabeth, all deceased ; and
Augustus, born March 21, 1855 ; John, born
December 17, 1856 ; Margaret, born March
13, 1858; Sarah, born March 17, 1860;
Elijah, born April 8, 1863 ; Katie, born De-
cember 29, 1869; Charles, born July 22,
1872; Frederick, born January 21, 1874;
Victor, born May 6, 1877 ; and Leroy, born
August 23, 1879 ; also one child who died
in infancy. A Democrat in politics Mr. De-
Walt has served as school director and is a
member of the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad Relief Association, and of Lodge
No. 621, L 0. 0. F. He and his family at-
tend the Lutheran church.
Fettekhopp, William, farmer, was born
in Powell's Valley, Halifax township, Octo-
ber 30, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Car-
oline (Unger) FetterhofF. The father was
born December 14, 1812, and died November
18, 1865, being survived by his wife, who
was born October 9, 1816. Their children
were : Margaret Ann, John, Hannah, Cathe-
rine, all deceased ; and Michael, William,
Jacob, and Benjamin. Michael, during the
late war, was enlisted at Millersburg in the
Union army. Mrs. Fetterhoff's father was
born June 23, 1803, and died December 7,
1868, while her mother was born May 30,
1804, and died May 29, 1860. Their family
consisted of seven children : Susan, Eliza-
beth, Catharine, Jacob, Mary Ann, Amanda,
and Sarah Jane.
William received his education in the
public schools of his district up until he was
seventeen years of age. He worked on the
farm until the age of twenty, when he served
an apprenticeship of two years at the trade
of mason. Then worked as journeyman for
one year, after which he engaged in farming
in Halifax township for himself, and con-
tinued there three years. In 1875 he moved
to Middle Paxton on his present homestead,
and has since been engaged in farming. He
was married, December 23, 1869, to Miss
Amanda (Tyson) Fetterhoff, daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Shultz) Tyson. Their
children are : William B., born February
15, 1872, and died November 4, 1881; Isaac
E., born December 1, 1877, and died Novem-
ber 7, 1881; Estella M., born March 10,
1876, and died November 25, 1881 ; Jacob
E., born August 15, 1870; John M., born
May 15, 1894, and one who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Fetterhoff is a Democrat, and
has served as assessor in Middle Paxton
township. The family attend the Evangel-
ical church.
Fertig, John K., farmer, was born on the
old homestead, in Middle Paxton township,
February 16, 1843, and is a son of John and
Catharine (Kin ter) Fertig. The grandfather,
Peter Fertig, was "born January 21, 1774, and
died at the age of seventy-five years. He
was married to Miss Mary Kline, by whom
he had five children : Rachael, John, Eliza-
beth, Sarah, and Julia Ann. The father died
in the autumn of 1848, being accidentally in-
jured at the old homestead, and the mother's
death occurred February 22, 1843. Their
children were: John K. and James. The
father of Mrs. Fertig was born April 17,
1835, and died March 7, 1872 ; the mother
died in 1889. They had six children : Joseph
H, deceased, William Luther, Lewis, Margaret
S. Daniel H., and Elizabeth.
John K. attended the subscription schools
860
BIOGRAPniGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
until he was nine years of age, when he be-
came a student in the public schools of his
native township, and continued until he was
eighteen years of age. Being left without a
mother when but six days old, he was reared
by his grandmother, Elizabeth Kinter, in
Stony Creek Valley. He studied for one
term in the Loysville Academy, Perry
county. Pa. After being engaged in farming
for some years, he secured employment with
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and
soon received the appointment of car in-
spector, at Altoona, which position he filled
two years. He bought the old homestead
in 1866, and engaged in farming until 1885,
when he built his present home and retired
from active work. He was married. Octo-
ber 18, 1866, to EHzabeth C. PofPenberger.
They have no children. In politics Mr.
Fertig is a Republican, and has labored in-
dustriously all his life, hence he enjoys the
fruits of his early efforts. He and his wife
are members of the Lutheran church.
Fertig, John Q., farmer, was born on the
old homestead near Dauphin, and is a son of
Solomon and Rebecca Enterline Fertig. The
father was born February 8, 1824, and died
March 13, 1882. He was engaged in farm-
ing all his life, and was married, January 23,
1851, to Miss Rebecca (Enterline) Fertig.
Their children were: John Q., Elizabeth,
William, Mary Ellen, deceased, Ida, and
Estella. Mrs. Fertig's father died April 27,
1882, and her mother in November, 1892.
They had a family of four children : Jairus,
Christian B., Charles, and Mary R. John Q.
received his education in the public schools
of Dauphin county, and also attended Crit-
tenden's Business College, Philadelphia. He
first assisted his father on the farm, but in
1876 began farming on his own account in
Crawford county, Pa. Here he purchased a
farm in Cambridge township, on which he
lived eight years. In August, 1885, he
bought his father's homestead near Dau-
phin, and has resided there since that time.
He was married, June 22, 1875, to Miss Mary
R. Kinter, daughter of Henry and Eliza-
beth (Blyton) Kinter. Their children are :
Virginia, deceased ; Nellie, deceased ; Robert,
F., deceased ; Elsie Fidelia, born August 7,
1879; Charles R., born August 4, 1883, and
Mary, born October 4, 1894. In politics
Mr. Fertig is a Democrat and has served for
three successive terms as auditor. The
family attend the Lutheran church.
Geeexawalt, Phillip B., station agent,
Dauphin, Pa., was born in Lebanon, May,
1825. He is a son of John and Mary Ann
Brown, daughter of Luke and Mary Brown.
The father was a merchant in Lebanon, Pa„
and is now deceased. By his first marriage
he had these children : Elizabeth, Margaret,
Rebecca, and Edwin Everett ; and by his
second marriage he had four children:
Phillip, Henry, John, and Sarah. Phillip
B. attended the subscription schools in Leb-
anon and when public schools were estab-
lished attended school at Lancaster city.
Next he went to Harrisburg schools and fin-
ished his education at the academy in Lititz,
Lancaster county. He soon went to Phila-
delphia and began to learn the trade of cabi-
net making. After remaining there two years
he came home and was in the mercantile
business for ten years with his brother Henry.
In 1863 he secured a position as clerk in the
station for the Northern Central railroad
and the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
Company. On January 1, 1891, he was ap-
pointed agent at Dauphin for the Philadel-
delphia and Reading railroad and retains
the position to the present time. He mar-
ried, first. Miss Dorcas Stackpole March 20,
1849. She is a daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth Stackpole, and they had a family
of three children : John R., Thomas S., and
Dorear, who died in infancy. Mrs. Green-
await died March 22, 1853. He was mar-
ried, secondly, April 10, 1858, to Susan Mil-
ler, by whom he had two children: Charles
F., and Edmund, deceased. The wife died
March 8, 1857. He married, thirdly, on
January 6, 1859, Sarah F. Steel, daughter of
Davis and Pattalina Clark. Their children
are : Bertha Regina, deceased ; Alice Clark,
deceased ; William Clark, Phillip Herbert,
and Mary. Mr. Greenawalt is a Republican,
and the family are members of the Presby-
terian church.
Heck, Dr. Lewis, was born in Franklin
county. Pa., in 1810, and was the son of
John Heck. He died in August, 1890, and
his wife in January, 1894. Lewis received
his primary education in a private school in
Cumberland county, and continued there
until he was eighteen years of age, when he
began to read medicine with Dr. William
Rankin, atShippensburg, Pa. When twenty
years old he entered Jefferson Medical Col-
lege, at Philadelphia, and graduated from
that institution at the age of twenty-two
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
883
with honor. He first located in Buffalo,
Perry county, and then in Fort Hunter,
Dauphin county, where he practiced his
profession up to 1855. In 1843 he became
interested in the lumber business, and pur-
chased the extensive saw mill plant built by
Robert Dempsey, it being one of the first
mills erected on the Susquehanna river north
of Harrisburg. He conducted a large and
profitable business up to 1876, when his son,
J. Lewis Heck, succeeded him. In 1852 or
1853 he purchased theEmaline furnace, two
miles above Dauphin, and rebuilt the fur-
nace in 1854, when it became known as the
Georgianna furnace. Here he burned char-
coal for twelve years, when he changed it to
an anthracite furnace and leased the plant.
He was also largely identified with farming
interests. He married, June, 1839, Miss
Caroline C. (Wright) Heck, of Lancaster
city. Their children are : Alice C, de-
ceased ; Edward W., deceased ; Albert H.,
deceased; Emma A., deceased; George W.,
Mary Anna, and J. Lewis. A Democrat in
politics, he served as school director, and
was sent to the State Assembly by a large
majority. The family attend the Presbyte-
rian church.
Jones, J. Challis, miller and flour manu-
facturer, Dauphin, was born at Dawley,
Shropshire, England, July 8, 1864, and is a
son of John and Amelia (Bailey) Jones.
The father and mother are both deceased,
the latter dying November 27, 1867. They
had a family of six children : Frances Mary,
Henry James, Ruth Susanna, J. Challis,
William Thomas, and Charles Samuel. The
father of Mrs. Jones passed away February
22, 1893, aged sixty-two years, and is sur-
vived by his wife. Their children are :
Agnes Eraser, Theodora Caroline, and Charles
Stewart. The father was county judge of
Welland county, Ont., having been ap-
pointed for life by the Crown. He was a
man of sterling integrity and highly esteemed
by his many friends and neighbors.
J. Challis received his education in his
native country until 1878, when he moved
with his parents to Canada, and located in
Huron county, where he completed his edu-
cational training in the high school at
Wingham. He then went to Thorold, Wel-
land county, and began to learn the trade of
milling with his uncle James and Sir W. P.
Howland, K. C. B., with whom he remained
three years. He engaged in the milling
S6
business for himself in 1886, at Thorold, Wel-
land county, Ontario Province, and con-
tinued there until 1888, when he moved to
Dauphin and rented the " Robinson Mills."
After operating them for two years he pur-
chased the extensive milling plant and his
present homestead. He was married, at
Thorold, May 5, 1892, to Theodora Caroline
(Baxter) Jones, daughter of George and Car-
oline (Low) Baxter. He succeeded A. B.
Wagner as school director and is a member
of the Court Crescent, No. 128, A. 0. of F.,
Thorold, Welland county, Ontario, Canada.
Politically he is liberal, voting for the fittest
candidates. He and his family are members
of the Episcopalian church.
Kennedy, Bailey, farmer, was born in
Middle Paxton township, December 25, 1826,
and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Brown)
Kennedy. The parents of Mr. Kennedy are
both deceased, the father dying at the age of
sixty-five years and the mother when she
was eighty-one years of age. Their children
are : John, George, Margaret, James, William,
Bailey, David, Thomas, Joseph, Ambrose,
and Catharine. Mrs. Kennedy's parents are
also deceased, and had a family of four chil-
dren : John, Caroline, Barbara, and Daniel.
Bailey received his education in the pub-
lic schools of his native place. When twenty-
three years of age he served with an engineer
corps, assisting in the construction of the
Schuylkill and Susquehanna railroad. In
1850 he managed his father's farm and in
1851 he and his brother William furnished
wood to the railroad. He next worked on
the Lebanon Valley Railroad with the engi-
neer corps and then engaged in farming on
the homestead, which he purchased in Sep-
tember, 1882, and where he now resides.
His parents were natives of Cumberland
county, and the father, upon his removal to
Dauphin, operated the old flour mill then
owned by Judge Green. A brother James
having drowned at the mouth of Stony Creek,
his mother became anxious for the safety of
the children, and they moved to Middle Pax-
ton township. His father served in the war
of 1812. Bailey was married, June 8, 1851,
to Miss Barbara Ann (Seltzer) Kennedy by
the Rev. C. F. Stoever. They have fourteen
children, and all but three are living : Eliza-
beth Jane, born July 20, 1851 ; Clarissa, born
February 19,1854; David Lewis, born Au-
gust 8, 1855 ; Bailey, born September 8, 1858 ;
Anna Maria, born January 9, 1862 ; Barbara,
884
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
born March 7, 1864; George G., born May 3,
1865; Thomas F., born October 20, 1866;
Caroline Ida, born January 13, 1868 ; Harry,
born February 28, 1872 ; Alice P ., born March
8,1878; Stewart and Alice, both deceased,
and one child unnamed, who died in infancy.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Kennedy has
served as jury commissioner and school di-
rector. The family attend the Church of
God.
KiNTER, Isaac, farmer, was born in Sus-
quehanna township, on the Elder farm, No-
vember 17, 1825, and is a son of John and
Elizabeth (Miller) Kinter. The maternal
grandfather was Hugh Boden, a native of
Ireland, who came to this country in 1763.
The parents of Mr. Kinter are both dead,
the father dying February 16, 1833, and the
mother October 25, 1865. They were mar-
ried November 7, 1809, and their children
were: Peter, John, Catharine, George, Samuel,
Isaac, and Elizabeth, all of whom have died
except Isaac and Samuel. The parents of
Mrs. Kinter are also deceased. Her father,
John Boden, was one of two twins ; the
other, Andrew, once served in Congress,
The father was an attorney at Carlisle, Pa.,
and was appointed president judge of the
district comprising Perry and Cumberland
counties, but died very suddenly before his
commission arrived. He was married, No-
vember 25, 1811, to Miss Jane Boden. Their
children are : Sarah, Clarissa Mary, Jane
Elizabeth, Robert Clark, Hugh, Catharine
Elvina and John C. The mother died Sep-
tember 5, 1828, and Mr. Boden married,
secondly, September 1, 1830, Miss Agnes
Irwin. Their children are : Rececca J. and
William. Andrew. His wife dying March
13, 1836, Mr. Boden married, as his third
wife. Miss Elizabeth Logue, on June 16,
1841. She died January 4, 1848.
Isaac received his education in the schools
of his native place and those of Middle
Paxton township, until he was eighteen
years of age, when he went to York county
and was engaged in hauling ore from that
place to Harrisburg to be used in the manu-
facture of rails. After being thus engaged
for about seven years he returned to the old
homestead and began farming for himself
and has continued there to the present time.
He married, December 15, 1852, Rebecca
(Boden) Kinter, daughter of John C. and
Irwin Boden. They have a family of twelve
children : Samuel, George, William A.,
Elizabeth, Esther, Marshall, Catharine El-
vina, Isaac, Sarah Virginia, Rebecca Agnes,
Mary Jane, John B. and Edwin, both de-
ceased. In politics Mr. Kinter is a Demo-
crat and has filled various township ofl&ces,
among them being president of the school
board. The family attend the Presbyterian
church.
McCaety, Jesse, farmer, was born at
Dauphin, Dauphin county, August 2, 1830,
and is a son of Jesse and Mary (Walker)
McCarty. The first of the McCarty family
to settle in this country were three brothers,
one of whom was familiarly called " Big
Dan," who came from Scotland. The father
was born at Carlisle, Pa., and moved to Dau-
phin county in 1829 and located at Dauphin,
where he engaged in tanning. He was an
industrious worker, a good citizen and earn-
est Christian man. He died in May, 1857,
and his wife in July, 1872. They had a
family of nine children : Martin ; William ;
John; David; Ann, wife of Isaac Williams ;
Mary, wife of Joseph Gallagher ; William
Henry, all deceased ; and Jesse and Joseph,
who survive. The father of Mrs. McCarty,
who was of German descent, was engaged in
the blacksmith business at Dauphin. He
died November 29, 1874, and his wife sur-
vives him. They had one child, Mrs. Mc-
Cartj'.
Jesse received his education in the public
schools of Dauphin. He spent some years
at work on the canal and later built and be-
came the owner of boats and engaged in
freighting lumber and coal to Philadelphia,
Baltimore and New York, continuing that
occupation up to 1879. In 1863 he and his
two brothers, William and Joseph, bought
the present homestead, where he has resided
up to the present time, and which, by con-
stant and faithful work, he has brought up
to its present standard of excellence. He
married, at Dauphin, June 11, 1867, Miss
Mary J. Novinger, daughter of Jonathan and
Sarah (Fertig) Novinger. Their only child
is George L., born July 29, 1868. Mr. Mc-
Carty assisted in removing the Sunday-
school library from the Old Cemetery church
library to Dauphin. He is a self-made man
and is well known for his honesty and gen-
erous hospitality. In politics he is a Demo-
crat and has served as school director and as
assistant assessor. The family attend the
Presbyterian church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
885
MiNSKER, Moses, farmer and blacksmith,
was born in Clark's Valley, Middle Paxton
township, April 1, 1837, and is a son of Lud-
wig and Henrietta (Keen) Minsker. For two
generations the Minsker family have lived
in the locality where Moses was born. The
father was born in 1799, and had a family
of ten children. They are : Benjamin ; Solo-
mon ; John ; Moses; Mary, deceased ; Aaron,
deceased; Sarah, deceased; Catharine, Har-
riet, and Rachel. The parents of Mrs. Mins-
ker are both deceased, and had a family of
six children : Rebecca, John, Mary Ann,
Edward, James, and George.
Moses received his education in the public
schools of his native place until he was seven-
teen years of age, and then assisted his father
on the farm until the latter's death in 1857.
He then was engaged in various occupations
until 1871, when he began working for
Henry M. Bayard & Co., with whom he re-
mained seven years. He then located on his
present place and erected a new house, black-
smith shop and other buildings, and has
continued to reside there to the present time.
He was married, December 5, 1863, to Miss
Mary Ann (Forney) Minsker. Their chil-
dren are : Catharine, born May 29, 1877, and
died September 6, 1878; William, born
August 21, 1864 ; Susan E., born February
3,1866; John, born August 8,1867; Eliza
Ann, born April 14, 1870; Mary Rebecca;
born January 15, 1873 ; Hanna Alice, born
January 20, 1875; Sarah Jane, born Septem-
ber 12, 1879, and Moses, born October 2,
1882. Mrs. Minsker passed away November
13, 1893. She was a consistent Christian, a
devoted wife and fond and indulgent mother,
whose loss was felt by all who knew her. Mr.
Minsker is a self-made man, and by his en-
terprise and perseverance has accumulated a
competency sufficient to enable him to spend
comfortably his remaining life. In politics
he is a Democrat, and the family attend the
Evangelical church.
Sponsler, Samuel B., farmer, was born
on the old homestead in Clark's Valley,
Middle Paxton township, December 5, 1854.
He is a son of George and Barbara (Bow-
man) Sponsler. The father was born Octo-
ber 30, 1821, and died June 6, 1894, while
the mother was born June 18, 1826, and died
August 8, 1872. Thev were married, De-
cember 20, 1853, by the Rev. C. F. Stover, of
Harrisburg, and their children are: Samuel
B. and Albert L. The father served as
school director and as assessor. Samuel B.
received his education in the public schools
of his native township. He assisted on his
father's farm until the latter's death, in 1894.
He has served as telegrapher for several
years under J. S. Fraim, of Dauphin, but
was compelled to give up his position on ac-
count of his mother's illness and death. He
has been school director and auditor for his
township. In politics he is a Democrat and
attends the Lutheran church.
Sponsler, Albert L., farmer, was born
in Clark's Valley, Middle Paxton township,
April 10, 1858. He is a son of George and
Barbara (Bowman) Sponsler. Albert L. re-
ceived his education in the public schools of
Middle Paxton township, and then worked
on his father's farm. In politics he is a
Democrat and attends the Lutheran church.
BoGNER, Riley, farmer, was born on the
old homestead, in Middle Paxton township,
April 10, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and
Anna Maria Bogner. The ancestors of the
Bogner family were among the first settlers
of Clark's Valley. Tobias, whose only pos-
sessions were his rifle, axe and knapsack,
located near the mouth of Clark's creek.
His son, Jacob Bogner, was the father of
Isaac and of Mrs. Anna Maria Bogner, the
mother of Riley. Tobias and his son Jacob,
who was but sixteen years old, served in the
Revolutionary war. The grandfather Bog-
ner died November 22, 1874, and his wife
survives. They had only one child. The
mother of Riley died July 21, 1871, and the
father survives. Riley was their only child,
and received his education in the public
schools, and beginning farm work with his
grandfather he has followed that occupa-
tion all his life. In 1880 he moved to the
old homestead. He was married, June 10,
1879, to Elizabeth, daughter of Elias and
Anna Mary (Schaffer) Fertig, and is the
father of two children : Anna Maria and
Isaac Fertig. The parents of Mrs. Bogner
had these children : Elizabeth ; Milton ;
Maria, wife of John Kinter ; Mary, wife
of Dr. A. C. Coble, and Laura, wife of John
DeWalt. In politics Mr. Bogner is a Demo-
crat, and has served as assessor and as audi-
tor in his native township. The family at-
tend the Lutheran church.
886
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
LYKENS TOWNSHIP.
GiSE, Joseph D., farmer and stockman,
was born in Lykens township, Dauphin
county. Pa., April 27, 1834. His grand-
father, Nicholas Gise, was a native of Lehigh
county, Pa., and a carpenter. He married
in Lehigh county, and had a family of five
sons and three daughters.
Among the sons of Nicholas Gise, was
Benjamin, father of Joseph D. Gise. He was
a farmer in Lehigh county, where he was
born and spent his early life. While still a
young man he removed to Dauphin county,
locating in Lykens township, on a farm of
eighty acres, which he greatly improved,
and on which, besides farmhig, he made a
business of raising live stock. Benjamin
Gise was married, in Lykens township, to
Rebecca Umholtz, born in Lykens township,
December 25, 1810. They had ten children :
Joseph D.; John B., at Gratz ; Mary A., wife
of Jacob Shiro, of Gratz ; Sarah A., wife of
B. J. Evitts, postmaster at Gratz ; Amanda,
wife of J. W. Hoffman, farmer, Lykens town-
ship; Edward, Jacob, Henry, and Daniel,
deceased, and two children who died in in-
fancy. Mr. Gise died at Gratz in 1885. He
was a Republican, and served as supervisor
of roads. In all religious matters he took a
deep interest, and was an active member of
the Evangelical church, serving as deacon,
elder and class leader, also as a local preacher.
He was a prominent and very useful citizen,
and an upright and devout Christian.
Joseph D.Gise attended subscription schools ,
and was for one year in the public school
of the township ; he was also for two terms a
pupil in the New Berlin Academy, Union
county. Pa. He began to work on the farm
in early boyhood, and was employed there
until he was twenty-three years old. Dur-
ing the latter part of this time he taught
school for two terms. For fourteen years
after leaving home he worked as a farm
hand in summer and taught in the town-
ship schools during the winter months.
Throughout all that time he diligently pur-
sued a course of private study and reading,
with the view of acquiring a more liberal
education.
Under the administration of President
Grant, Mr. Gise was appointed and commis-
sioned in the Internal Revenue service as
storekeeper and ganger of the Fourteenth
Congressional district of Pennsylvania, and
entered upon the duties of the office under
an official bond of $20,000. He retained
this position for seventeen years and per-
formed its responsible duties with entire sat-
isfaction to the Government and with the
utmost credit to himself. After leaving the
Government service Mr. Gise bought a farm
of twenty acres in. Lykens township, on
which he made substantial improvements,
building a fine dwelling house and barn,
planting orchards, etc., and engaged in farm-
ing and stock raising.
Joseph D. Gise was married, at Berrys-
burg. Pa., January 27, 1857, to Elizabeth E.
Witmer, born in Uniontown, Pa., March 14,
1840; daughter of Benjamin Witmer, a tailor,
of Uniontown. They have three children :
Henry Day, professor in the high school,
Schuylkill Haven, Pa., where he has been
employed for eleven years, being a graduate
in the class of 1878 of the State Normal
School, Millersville, Pa.; George W., attor-
ney-at-law, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., read law
under Guy Farquhar, of Pottsville, Pa., and
has a large practice ; Mary A., died young.
Mr. Gise enlisted in the Union army at
Harrisburg, May 25, 1862, in company I,
One Huiidred and Seventy-seventh Penn-
sylvania volunteers. Col. George B. Wiest-
ling and Capt. Benjamin J. Evitts, and was
mustered in as second lieutenant. He was
discharged and mustered out August 5, 1864,
having served on guard duty at Norfolk
and Suffolk, Va., and at Gettysburg, Pa.
Mr. Gise is a Republican; he has held
most of the township offices, and was twice
elected justice of the peace, but declined to
serve. He is a member of Kissinger Post, No.
376, G. A. R., at Gratz, and has also belonged
to the I. 0. 0. F., to K. of P., to S. P. K.,
and the Grangers ; he is interested in the
Grange store at Gratz. He is a most worthy
man, honored and esteemed in the commu-
nity.
Kissinger, Jacob, farmer and stockman,
Gratz, Pa., was born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county. Pa., November 14, 1843.
His grandfather, John Kissinger, was a na-
tive of Lykens township, farmer, who lived
and died in that township. He married
Elizabeth Klinger, of Lykens Valley ; their
children were : John, Jonas, Peter, Angeline,
Susan, George, and Kate.
George Kissinger, father of Jacob, was
born in Lykens township in 1817, and edu-
cated in the subscription schools of the
township. His life was spent in farming.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
887
He owned a farm of sixty acres in Lykens
township, which he cultivated and improved,
and on which he was engaged in stock rais-
ing. He is still an active business man.
He is a Republican and a member of the
Lutheran church. George Kissinger was
married in Schuylkill county. Pa., to Sarah
Knerr, born in Berks county, Pa., in 1822.
Their children were : John, in Northampton
county. Pa.; Jacob ; Catherine, wife of Ben-
jamin Hoffman; Jane, wife of Reuben
Steeley, Lykens township ; Amos, farmer,
Lykens township, and Amanda, died young.
Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger still reside in the
township. Mr. Kissinger took an active
part in the Sunday-school — was teacher and
treasurer for many years.
Jacob Kissinger attended the Kissinger
school house in the winter and worked on
the farm during the summer. He con-
tinued work at home until July 1, 1863, when
he enlisted in what was called the " Home
Guards," at Gratz, Pa. He was in company
C, Thirty-sixth regiment of these militia
troops, and served eight weeks at Gettys-
burg. Being then discharged, he returned
home and remained on the farm until Feb-
ruary, 1864, when he re-enlisted at Gratz
for thi'ee years in company K, Ninth Penn-
sylvania cavalry. Col. Thomas J.Jordan and
Capt. J. Frank Miller. He was in the
Atlanta campaign, and went with Sherman
to the sea, and remained with Sherman's
army, participating in marches and battles,
until the surrender of Johnson, having been
in forty-two battles and skirmishes. At the
close of the war Mr. Kissinger was honor-
ably discharged from the service at Harris-
burg, returned home, and for two years as-
sisted his father in cultivating the hdme
farm. After this he cultivated a rented farm
of eighty-five acres until 1885, when he
bought the farm he now owns and occupies
for f8,U00. He has built upon it a dwelling
costing $1,500, and made other important
improvements. Besides farming, he carries
on a stock and a dairy business.
Jacob Kissinger was married, in Lykens
township, in August, 1867, to Amanda Will-
iard, born in Lykens township October 1,
1848, daughter of a farmer of that township,
George Williard, and his wife, Lavinia
(Deibler) Williard. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger
had eleven children : Harvey F., born No-
vember 11, 1868, farmer, Lykens township;
Mary, born February 8, 1870, wife of Frank
Hoffman, Lykens township ; S. Katie, born
June 9, 1872 ; Daniel, born January 10, 1874,
farmer; Edmund 0., born November 9, 1876,
at home ; Ida, born January 9, 1878, died
January 19, 1880; Dora E., born December
13,1880; Annie, born September 21,1882,
died in 1891 ; Charles W., born September 4,
1884; Jacob, born August 12, 1886; and
Thomas H., born October 6, 1888.
Mr. Kissinger is a member of Kissinger
Post, No. 376, G. A. R., was commander of
the Post one year, and has officiated as chap-
lain, vice-commander, and lieutenant vice-
commander. He has also been a member of
the Lidependent Order of Odd Fellows, and
of the Grange. He is a Republican; has
been four terms supervisor of roads and
judge of elections, and has served in other
township offices. Mr. Kissinger is also prom-
inent in church affairs, being a member of
the Reformed church at Gratz. He has been
an elder for three years, and has represented
the congregation at synods. He has served
in all offices of the church, and is a diligent
worker, and an honorable and influential
citizen.
SiTLiNGER, Isaac, farmer and stockman,
was born in S(;huylkill county, Pa., Septem-
ber 15, 1833. George Sitlinger, his father,
was born in Germany, and formerly spelled
his name Zittlinger. He came to America
when a young man and located in Schuyl-
kill county, where he followed the occupation
of harness making. He was a well educated
man and taught subscription schools in the
county, both English and German. He
married Sarah Klinger, a native of Schuyl-
kill county, by whom he had only one
child, Isaac. He died in Schuylkill county.
His politics were Democratic. He was a
member of the Lutheran church. He was
well known, genial and popular, enjoying
the confidence and good will of his neigh-
,bors.
Isaac Sitlinger was in his early youth in-
structed by his father and also attended the
subscription schools of the township. When
quite young he came to Dauphin countj^
and found work as a farm hand in Lykens
township until he was fifteen. At this age
he began work as a coal miner, and was in
the employ of the Lykens Coal Company
for over forty years. He was a faithful and
diligent worker, intent on earning a support
for his family and accumulating money for
business purposes.
In 1874 Mr. Sitlinger bought a farm of
888
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
fifty-two acres in Lykens township on which
he built a fine barn, costing over $1,000, and
which he substantially improved in other
ways; since that date he has been engaged
in general farming.
Isaac Sitlinger was married, in Lykens
township, in 1852, to Maria Shade, born in
Schuylkill county, June 23, 1834 ; daughter
of Jacob Shade, a farmer, and Catharine
(Klinger) Shade, his wife. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Sitlinger are : Sarah, wife of
Benjamin Shadle, Washington township ;
Jacob, a miner ; Clara, wife of Joseph Ras-
patch, Wiconisco; George, farmer, Lykens
township ; Alvin, farmer on the homestead ;
Ida, wife of Uriah Daniels; Samuel, a miner;
Elsie, housekeeper at home ; Lettie and Mag-
gie died young. Mrs. Sitlinger died Octo-
ber 23, 1889. She was a devout member of
the Reformed church, and was zealous and
active in all church work. She was exem-
plary as a wife and mother, a lovely Chris-
tian woman.
Mr. Sitlinger is a Republican. He was
supervisor of roads for five years, and gave
general satisfaction in office. He is one of
the local party leaders, and is always active
in political movements. Hs is a member
of the Reformed church, and has been an
elder for three years. He was formerly
connected with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows.
Mr. Sitlinger has an honorable record as
a soldier in the late war. He enlisted at
Harrisburg, in March, 1865, in company G,
One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania
volunteers, Capt. C. Harper and Colonel
Lehman. He was detailed on guard duty
at Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, and Roanoke
Island, N. C. His enlistment was for three
years, and he was mustered out at Newberne,
N. C, at the close of the war. He returned
home much broken in health, and was for
one year an invalid. The sight of his right
eye is seriously impaired from exposure in
the service. He is well worthy of a pension
but as yet none has been granted to him.
He is a substantial and reliable man, well
liked by his neighbors.
Ferree, Frank P., farmer and stockman,
Gratz, Pa., was born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county, Pa., May 25, 1853. Isaac
Ferree, his great-grandfather, was a native of
France and a descendant of the Huguenots
who were expelled from that country. He
came to America and settled in Lancaster
county, where he was a farmer and where he
died. Isaac Ferree (2), grandfather of Frank
P., was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and
was also a farmer. He took part in the war
of 1812. He came to Dauphin county and
located in Lykens Valley and took up one
thousand acres of timber land. He laid out
the town of Lykens and was extensively inter-
ested in farming and stock raising. He was
much disturbed by Indian outbreaks and
was repeatedly compelled to take up arms
against the red warriors. He owned a pow-
der mill at Lykens. He was an influential
man, widely known and highly esteemed.
He was an ardent Democrat. He held mem-
bership in the Reformed church. He mar-
ried in the township and was the father of
ten children, among whom was George W.,
father of Frank P. Ferree.
George Washington Ferree was born in
Lykens Valley, Washington township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., November 21, 1810. He
attended the subscription schools of the
township, grew up on his father's farm, and
was for twenty-five years employed in the
coal mines of Wiconisco. Later he bought
a farm of thirty-three acres in Lykens town-
ship, and during the remainder of his life
was engaged in agriculture. Mr. Ferree was
married, in Lykens township, in 1834, to
Leah Umholtz, born in Lykens Valley, Ly-
kens township, February 7, 1815 ; daughter
of Henry Umholtz, a farmer of that town-
ship. They had ten children : Cyrus, de-
ceased ; Uriah, deceased ; Mary A., deceased,
wife of Isaac Burd; Elizabeth; Henry,
miner ; Leah, died in infancy ; Sarah, de-
ceased, wife of N. Bressler ; George W., de-
ceased ; Frank P. ; and Ethel E., deceased,
wife of John Rush. Mr. George W. Ferree
died on the homestead, November 5, 1873.
He was a Democrat and was very active as
a local leader in his party. His wife died in
1885.
Frank P. Ferree attended the common
schools and was also a pupil at the Berrys-
burg Seminary for four terms. He became
a teacher and taught the township school
during the winter months and worked on
the home farm in the summer. He always
remained on the homestead and took charge
of the farm after the death of his mother.
He was also at intervals engaged in working
in the mines, and up to the present time is
occasionally employed in this work in the
mines at Wiconisco.
Frank P. Ferree was married, in Lykens
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
889
township, ill 1878, to Catherine Salada, born
in Lykeus township, March 12, 1860 ; daugh-
ter of Henry Salada, a brick maker, and
Elizabeth (Siloe) Salada. They have four
children : Sarah E., born November 20,
1879 ; Joseph A., born December 17, 1885 ;
Lizzie L., born April 1, 1890 ; and Henry U.,
born April 20, 1892.
Mr. Ferree is a Democrat and was elected
justice of the peace and served two terms,
seven years, and was an acceptable officer.
He is a member of the Reformed church, in
which he has served as deacon and Sunday-
school teacher and superintendent. He is of
good reputation and character as man and
as citizen, is well and widely known and
universally respected.
Hoffman, John W., farmer and stock-
man, Gratz, Pa., was born in Gratz, Lykens
township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 8,
1848. His father, Henry C. Hoffman, was
born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and came
when a young man to Harrisburg, Pa., where
he worked as a carpenter for Mr. Holman.
He afterwards came to Lykens township,
and worked at his trade at Gratz, where he
spent the remainder of his life, and died in
1878. He was married, in Gratz, to a native
of that place, Sarah, daughter of John Wel-
ker. Their children were: Sarah, wife of
John B. Hoke, Pottsville, Pa.; John W.;
Elizabeth, wife of F. Heitzman, Shamokin,
Pa.; Hannah, wife of John Eiscnhart; Ellen,
wife of George Reed, Valley View, Pa.; Re-
becca, wife of Amos Kissinger; James F., re-
sides in Gratz; Amelia, wife of John Getler,
Pottsville, Pa.; Mary and Samuel, both de-
ceased, and three children ^^ho died in in-
fancy.
Mr. Hoffman took an active part in poli-
tics, first as a Whig and subsequently as a
Republican. He held various township
offices, as auditor, etc. He was an official
member in the Reformed church, serving as
deacon, elder and in other church offices.
His wife was a member of the same church.
She died in Gratz in 1881.
John W. Hoffman attended school for a
short time each winter, and worked on the
farm of Daniel P. Stine every summer from
his ninth to his sixteenth year. He also at-
tended Freeburg Academy, Snyder county,
for two terms. By this course, together with
diligent private study and reading, he pre-
pared himself for the work of teaching, and
taught school twelve terms, ten of which
were in the winter season.
Mr. Hoffman learned carpentry with his
father, and worked as a journeyman until
the war broke out. He enlisted at Harris-
burg in August, 1862, in company D, One
Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania
volunteers. Col. W. W. Jennings and Capt.
J. B. Keene. He was ordered to Washing-
ton, D. C, and remained at Arlington
Heights until December 1, when he marched
with his company to Fredericksburg, and on
December 13, 1862, participated in the battle
fought there. Hq was afterwards sick for
seven weeks, and remained there all winter.
He was in the battle of Chancellorsville
May 3, 1863, and in the four days' fight
there. His term of enlistment having ex-
pired, he returned home in June, 1863, and
remained there until April, 1865, when he
again enlisted, this time for three years, at
Harrisburg. He was sent to Roanoke Island,
where he performed close guard duty. He
was mustered out at the expiration of the
war, and was left with impaired health, re-
sulting from exposure in service. Return-
ing to Gratz Mr. Hoffman taught school
until 1878. He then bought a farm of fifty-
two acres in the Snyder mill property, on
which there was only an old frame house.
He built on this place a good dwelling house
and barn, costing over $2,000, and made
other valuable improvements. In 1889 he
bought the Shade farm of fifty-two acres,
and has since cultivated the one hundred
and four acres, on which he has been exten-
sively engaged in raising stock.
John W. Hoffman was married in Lykens
township, January 17, 1867, to Amanda
Guise, born in that township December 30,
1847. Their children were: Edwin, tinsmith.
Valley View, Pa.; Harry W., farmer, on the
homestead, married Edna Daniel, of Lykens
township ; Mary, wife of Isaac Troutman ;
Martha, unmarried ; Stephen, Charles G.,
Clarence and EUie, all at home, and Emma
C, who died at five years of age. Mr. Hoff-
man is a member of Kissinger Post, No. 376,
G. A. R. He is a Republican, active in
party movements and deeply interested in
township affairs. He was school director
for a number of years. For seventeen years
he was secretary of the Dauphin County Fair.
He is also much interested in church mat-
ters. He is a member of the Reformed
church, in which he was for years Sunday-
890
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
school teacher and superintendent. He is a
live man in all public and social concerns,
active in promoting the welfare of the com-
munity.
Umholtz, Emanuel, farmer, Gratz, Pa.,
was born in Lykens township, Dauphin
county, Pa., July 30, 1843. Philip Umholtz,
his grandfather, was of German descent, and
was a farmer in Lykens township, where he
died. He was an old line Whig and a
member of the Reformed church. His son
Samuel, father of Emanuel Umholtz, was
also born in Lykens township, where he
owned and cultivated a farm of one hun-
dred acres. His wife, Elizabeth, daughter
of Frederick Harner, was a native of
the same township. They had eight chil-
dren : Maria, died young ; Emanuel ; Isaac,
enlisted in company H, Two Hundred and
Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
killed in battle ; Sarah M., wife of Henry M.
Ritzman, Lykens township; Ellen, wife of
Elias Klinger ; Henry, deceased ; Louisa,
wife of Jacob Zimmerman, Williamstown,
Pa.; Edward, in Iowa. Mrs. Umholtz died
in Lykens township in 1856. Mr. Umholtz
was again married, to Elizabeth Genter, born
in Washington township ; their children
were: Adeline, wife of George Welker, Lykens
township ; Harvey, killed by a casualty in
the mines, and William, miner, residing
in Gratz. Mr. Umholtz died in the town-
ship in March, 1884. He was a Republican ;
he served as tax collector and in other town-
ship offices. He was an active member of
the Reformed church, serving as deacon ; he
was deeply interested in the welfare of his
fellow-men.
Emanuel Umholtz had only the most slen-
der educational advantages, having been in
school not more than a year altogether. He
began at a very early age to work with his
father on the farm, and remained with him
until he was fifteen ; at this age he went
to Ohio, worked for a year on a farm, and
then returned and was for two years in the
employ of a farmer in Lykens township.
He enlisted on July 1, 1863, in company
H, Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania militia, and
served sixty days in and about Gettysburg,
at the time of the great rebel invasion. He
afterwards worked on the farm until Septem-
ber of that year, when he enlisted in com-
pany H, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. Cap-
tain Kimmell and Col. J. J. Jordan. He was
with Sherman in all his campaigns, and par-
ticipated in the battles fought by that arrny
up to the close of the war. He was dis-
charged July 28, 1865, resumed farm work
with his father, and remained with him
until 1867. In this year he bought a farm
of eighty-two acres, which he cultivated for
twelve years, and then bought a farm of
sixty-four acres, improved it and farmed it
for four years. He then sold this farm and
bought the old homestead of seventy acres,
which he now occupies and cultivates.
Emanuel Umholtz was married, in Lykens
township in 1867, to Mary, daughter of
Henry Hartman, born in that township in
1840.' Their children are: Isaac M., on the
homestead, married L. C. Cecilia Willard
and has one child, Elmer; and Lizzie, wife
of George Daniel, farmer, Lykens township,
has one child, Charles.
Mr. Umholtz is a Republican ; has served
fifteen years as constable. He is a member
of Kissinger Post, No. 376, G. A. R., at Gratz.
He is connected with the Lutheran church,
and has been four years a deacon. He has
spent an active and useful life. He worked
a year and a half in the mines, but most of
his life has been devoted to agriculture. He
takes an active part in the county fair, and
is alive to all that promises good to the
farmers. He is well known and well liked
and everywhere recognized as a solid man.
RiEGLE, Haerison, farmer and stockman,
was born in Lykens township, Dauphin
county. Pa., November 15, 1840. Daniel
Riegle (1), his grandfather, was a native of
Berks county, of German descent, and a
farmer. He and his wife died in Lykens
township. Both were members of the Re-
formed church. He was an old line Whig.
His son, Daniel Riegle (2), father of Harrison,
owned and cultivated a farm of fifty acres in
Lykens township, which he greatly improved,
and occupied it until 1850. He then sold
this farm, and purchased the mill property
belonging to the Hoover estate, now the
property of Daniel Buffington, on which he
resided until 1855. He then removed to
Gratz, where he died in June of the same
year. He served one term as county com-
missioner of Dauphin county, also one term
as director of the poor of the same county.
He was once a candidate for the office of
sheriff, but was defeated. He was married,
in Lykens township, to Catherine Hoffman,
a native of that township, who died there in
1864. Their children were: Eliza, deceased,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
891
wife of Elias Etzwiler, Jackson township ;
Josiah R. and Jonas P., both deceased ; and
Harrison.
Harrison Riegle attended the public school
for only a few terms, during winter months.
He began early to help his father in farm
work, and remained with him until in his
sixteenth year. At the age of seventeen he
began working as a laborer in the mines ; at
the end of a year he became a miner, and
was so employed until 1865. He enlisted at
Harrisburg, March 10, 1865, in company G,
One Hundred and Third regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, for one year. He was sent
by the way of Baltimore to Fortress Monroe,
thence to Norfolk and Roanoke Island, and
was on guard duty for four months. He was
mustered out of"service July 14, 1865, at
Palmer, N. C, and returned to Harrisburg,
where he received his discharge. After this
he continued in the employment of the
Lykens Valley Coal Company, as a miner
until 1886, when he relinquished mining
and bought a farm in Lykens township, con-
taining forty acres cleared land and thirty-
seven acres woodland, which he has since been
engaged in improving and tilling.
Harrison Riegle was married, in Lykens
township, in 1867, to Hannah L. Rickert,
born in that township in May, 1849 ; daugh-
ter of Martin Rickert, farmer. Their children
were: Chauncey A., miner; Lizzie C; Edward
A., school teacher; Charles G., miner; Bertha,
Mabel, Norman, and seven who died in in-
fancy. Mr. Riegle is a Republican ; has been
for three years school director, and takes an
active partin township affairs. Attwenty-one
years of age he joined the Gratz Lodge, I.
0. 0. F., and still holds his membership in
that fraternity. He is also connected with the
Knights of Pythias, with the Lykens Lodge
of S. P. K., and with Kissinger Post, No. 376,
G. A. R. Mr. Riegle is a member of the
Reformed church.
Grubb, Henry A., farmer and dairyman,
was born in Greenwood township, Perry
county, Pa., September 30, 1850.
Henry Grubb (1), gi'andfather of Henry
A. Grubb, was a farmer in Perry county, and
died in that county. Henry Grubb (2) was
born in Greenwood township, where he
owned and cultivated a farm of two hundred
acres, on which he died in 1862. He mar-
ried Abbey Mentz, a native of Northumber-
land county. Their children were : Susan,
William, Sophia, and Sarah J., all deceased ;
Abbey, wife of Henry Long, Perry county ;
Angeline, wife of Joseph Ulsh ; Abraham, of
Perry county ; Henry A.; Mary, wife of Henry
Grubb, farmer, Perry county; Ida, wife of
John App. Mrs. Grubb died in Perry county,
February 10, 1892. Mr. Grubb was a Re-
publican. He was a zealous member of the
Lutheran church, and took an active part in
its enterprises.
Henry A. Grubb attended the common
schools of his native township. When he
was twelve years old he engaged in regular
work on the home farm, and was so em-
ployed until his father's death, after which he
hired out as a farm hand, at from $14 to $23
per month. He worked one year in Perry
county, then two years for George Negley, in
Washington township, Dauphin county. He
was for the next two years repairer in the
Lykens coal mines. He then bought the
old Hess farm, one hundred and eleven
acres, in Lykens township, on which was the
Hess Hotel, paying $62.50 per acre. He im-
proved the place, adding needful buildings,
etc., and began cultivating it, at the same
time keeping the hotel for two years. In
1895 he engaged in the dairy business, and
has a good trade in supplying Lykens. Mr.
Grubb has great energy, and is very enter-
prising ; he is successful and prosperous. He
is popular and well known as one of the
substantial citizens of the'township.
Henry A. Grubb was married, in Lykens
township, in 1874, to Isabella Hess, a native
of Lykens township, and an adopted daugh-
ter of Abraham Hess, a hotel keeper. Their
children are: William, on the farm ; Annie,
Edward N., Charles, Carrie, and one that
died in infancy. Mr. Grubb is a Republican,
and is active in public affairs. He has been
school director for three years.
Kessler, Reuben, manufacturer and
farmer, was born in Schuylkill county. Pa.,
June 18, 1846. Abraham Kessler, his father,
was a native of the same county, and a
farmer. In 1850 he bought a farm of forty-
one acres, of Daniel Riegle, in Lykens town-
ship, Dauphin county, built a saw mill and
manufactured lumber on this place from
1868 to 1881 ; he was very enterprising. He
was married, in Schuylkill county, to Cathe-
rine Riegle, born in Lykens township ; Reu-
ben was their only child. Mr. Kessler died
June 12, 1881. He was a Democrat. His
wife died at the home of her son November
892
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUTGLOPEDIA
15, 1892. They were members of the Re-
formed church.
Reuben Kessler was well educated in the
schools of Lykens township. He worked on
the farm and in the saw mill for his father.
After his father's death he took charge of
the estate, tilled the farm and employed
several men in the mill. In 1894 he built
a distillery and engaged with success in the
manufacture of whiskey. The business of
the saw mill was equally satisfactory, and
the farm of one hundred and twenty-three
acres contributed its share to the prosperity
of the estate. Mr. Kessler has his hands
full of business, but with his able oversight
and systematic management, nothing is
neglected and ample returns are derived
from all branches of his enterprise.
Reuben Kessler was married, in Jackson-
ville, Jackson township, to Elizabeth Swei-
gart, of Powell's Valley, on February 26,
1871. Their children are : George W.,
James A., and Lousonna Catharine, on the
farm ; Abraham P., died in 1895. Mr. Kess-
ler is not a politician. In church matters
he is zealous an dactive, and is a member of
the Reformed church. He belongs to the
Patriotic Order Sons of America, and form-
erly belonged to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, is much interested in the
Grange and in all agricultural matters, but
takes most pride in his fine blooded stock.
Stine, Daniel P., farmer and manufac-
turer, was born in Lykens township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., March 27, 1822. Frederick
Stine, his grandfather, was born in Ger-
many, and came to the United States in
1775, when he was a young man. He fought
in the Revolution on the side of the Eng-
lish. After the war he settled in Berks
county, where he remained for some time.
He removed to Lykens Valley in 1788, took
up five hundred acres of land, bought some
besides, and was extensively engaged in
farming and stock raising. He also worked
at his trade, masonry, in the valley. He
married Abigail Lamm, born in Berks
county. Their children were: Elizabeth,
Rosanna, Catherine, and John P. Frederick
Stine died in Lykens township, April 24,
1832. His wife had died in October, 1823.
He was a Democrat, and both he and his
wife were members of the German Reformed
church.
John P. Stine, father of Daniel, was born
in Berks county in 1784. He had a good
German education, and also received some
training in English schools. He owned a
farm of three hundred and twenty acres, on
which he built a dwelling house, barn and
other needful structures, in which he car-
ried on a general business in farming. John
P. Stine was married, in Lykens township, to
Regina Coleman, born in Lykens township
in 1795; daughter of Charles Coleman, a
farmer of that township. Their children
were : Daniel P.; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel
Retzman ; Abigail, wife of Joseph D. Frehn ;
Peter L., merchant, Elizabethville ; Jonas,
engineer at Potts ville; Josiah, farmer and
tanner, Washington township, Dauphin
county; and Catherine, Frederick, Ellen,
John, Charles, Isaac, and Ann Myra, all de-
ceased. Mr. Stine died in Lykens township
in 1854; Mrs. Stine died in Gratz in 1878.
They were members of the Reformed church,
in which Mr. Stine was deacon, elder and
trustee. He was a Democrat, and held
several township offices. He was prominent
in business and in social matters, and was
esteemed as an honorable, worthy man, of
intelligent and public spirit.
Daniel Stine attended German schools in
his township and also English subscription
schools, but the whole extent of his school
days was not more than six months. He
began working on the farm at eight years of
age and continued with his father until he
was of age, assisting in clearing the land
and in the work of cultivation. At twenty-
one years of age Mr. Stine began business
for himself. He bought a shop in Gratz,
hired a harness maker and learned harness
making with him. He then carried on this
trade in Gratz for eight years. After this he
bought a farm of fifty acres in Schuylkill
county, which he improved and cultivated
for four years and then sold. He bought
the homestead, consisting of eighty-nine
acres, in 1854, paying $3,500 for it, built a
fine barn on it, which cost $1,700, and made
other improvements. He worked at harness
making in winter and was reasonably suc-
cessful in his business. He has been assessor
and supervisor in his township. He is a
Democrat.
Daniel P. Stine was married, in Schuylkill
county, August 27, 1844, to Catherine Strong,
born m that county, June 13, 1820 ; daugh-
ter of John and Mary C. (Carl) Strong.
Their children are : Mary J., born July 20,
1845, wife of P. J. Artz ; and Amelia B., ,
born November 28, 1847, wife of David
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
893
Dietz, on the homestead. Mr. Stine is both
grandfather and great-grandfather. His
grandchildren of the family of P. J. and
Mary Artz are : Jennie C, Ida M., Daniel
S., Lizzie K., and Austin 0. The children
of David and Amelia Dietz are : H. E. and
Katie R. His descendants of the fourth
generation are: John G., Beulah E. and
Flossie C. Moyer. Mr. Stine is a member of
the Reformed church, has been deacon, and
is elder and trustee.
Shiro, Jacob, merchant, Gratz, Pa., was
born in Wittenberg, Germany, February
19, 1843. He is a son of Jacob and Susanna
(Bellem) Shiro. Jacob Shiro, Sr., was born
in France, and was a soldier in the French
army, with wjiich he crossed into Germany
during one of the wars of religions. At the
close of the war he married and settled in
Wittenberg, where he conducted a public
tavern until his death which occurred about
1844. His children are : Miua, Mrs. James
Bocker, of Harrisburg, and Jacob, Jr. His
widow married Henry Snyder ; she died in
1893. Mr. Snyder survives her and resides
in Lykens township, Dauphin county; Pa.,
where his wife died. The children of her
second marriage are : Angeline, Mrs. Daniel
Reichert, Williamstown, Pa.; Rose, first mar-
ried Adam Frederick, deceased, and is now
Mrs. Samuel Boke ; Henry, farmer, Gratz,
Pa.; Amanda, Mrs. John Coleman, Gratz,
Pa., and John, farmer, Lykens township.
Jacob Shiro, Jr., was about one year old
when his father died. At the age of six he
began to attend school in Wittenberg, and
was at school three years. In the spring of
1852, with his mother, stepfather and the
other members of his family, he emigrated
to America. They embarked at Havre,
France, in a sailing vessel, and after a rough
voyage of twenty-nine days, during which
they were in constant peril from the neigh-
borhood of large icebergs, they landed in
New York and came directly to Wiconisco,
where they decided to make their home and
where the stepfather at once found employ-
ment in the mines. Young Jacob attended
the English schools in Wiconisco for four
terms, and this completed his school educa-
tion. At the age of thirteen years he began
work in the mines, picking slate at |8 per
month, and has been employed in the
mines for over twenty years.
Mr. Shiro enlisted March 10, 1864, at Har-
risburg, in company G, One Hundred and
Third Pennsylvania volunteers, under Capt.
C. A. Harper. The regiment was ordered to
Roanoke Island by way of Fortress Monroe
and Norfolk, where they were assigned to
guard duty for six or eight months. They
were then ordered to Newberne, N. C, to
guard the Weldon railroad. While they
were here a malignant fever broke out
among the soldiers, from which as many as
a hundred died per day. Mr. Shiro was at-
tacked by the disease, but his sound consti-
tution and his indomitable spirit enabled
him to resist the fatal effects of the conta-
gion. Although very ill he continued on
duty, and proceeded on the march. He and
other comrades hired an old colored man
with a cart to carry their knapsacks and
equipment, but the rickety vehicle proved
inadequate to the strain, and their baggage
was dumped on the road. Mr. Shiro deter-
mined to push on at all hazards, and re-
suming his burden, he continued the weary
march, on which one of his comrades fell by
the wayside and died. Much dispirited and
worn in body, they finally reached New-
berne, where they rested 'a short time, and
then pushed on to Morehead City and boarded
the steamer for Baltimore, where they ar-
rived July 4, 1865. They reached Harris-
burg July 7, and on that date were honor-
ably discharged from the service. Mr.
Shiro was still suffering from the effects of
the fever, and remained in Harrisburg two
' weeks before he was sufficiently recovered to
go home. During this time his physician at
times despaired of his recovery. But he was
finally restored to health, and retired to his
home. He soon resumed work in the mines,
where for four years he held the position of
mine foreman.
In 1877, having accumulated $2,000, Mr.
Shiro removed with his family to Freeport,
111., and from that place to Coles county,
111. There he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of land, intending to try the life
of a farmer. As there was an unexpired
lease on the farm he could not obtain posses-
sion until autumn ; he therefore rented the
adjoining place for the season. Mr. Shiro
remained three years in Coles county, and
was successful as a farmer. He would have
continued to live there but for the loss of his
wife, whose death occurred in 1880. This
decided him to return to his old home in
Pennsylvania, which he did in the fall of
that year. He located on a farm in Gratz,
and in 1882 sold his Illinois farm for $6,000.
894
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
In 1886 Mr. Shiro opened a general store in
Gratz, Pa., which he has successfully con-
ducted since that time. He also operates the
North Side colliery on Short mountain.
Mr. Shiro has been married three times.
In 1862 he married Amanda Moyer. They
had two children: Annie, Mrs. John Schrei-
ner, residing in Illinois) and Carrie, Mrs.
Shield, residing in Pueblo, Col. Mrs.
Amanda Shiro died in 1880. In his second
marriage, in 1882, Mr. Shiro was united to
Miss Lizzie Diebler, by whom he had one
daughter, Lizzie, wife of Morris SchrefHer,
MifHin township, Dauphin county. Pa. Mrs.
Lizzie Shiro died in 1885. Mr. Shiro is now
married to Mary, daughter of Benjamin Gise.
They have one child, Jacob B. Mr. Shiro
is a strong Democrat. He served as postmas-
ter of Gratz for several years, having been
first lappointed under President Garfield.
He isr.a member of Lodge No. 563, I. 0. 0.
F., at Gratz, and of tlie Encampment at
Gratz;. also of Lykens Valley Lodge, No.
365, K. of P., at Gratz. . He is a member of
the Evangelical church.
Hepler, Isaac, merchant, Gratz, Pa., was
born in Eldred township, Schuylkill county,
Pa., August 5, 1840. He is the son of George
W. and Hannah (Graiter) Hepler. His
grandfather, Christopher Hepler, was born
and reared in Schuylkill county and was a
farmer. He died in his native county about
1845. He married Catherine Wagner and
they were the parents of a large family of
sons and daughters.
George W. Hepler, father of Isaac Hepler,
was born m Eldred township, Schuylkill
county. Pa., May 16, 1810. He died in his
native township and was buried there. He
married Hannah Graiter and their children
are: Catherine, Mrs. John Berger, residing
near Williamsport, Lycoming county ; An-
drew K., died in Schuylkill county in 1882
and is buried at Gratz, Pa.; Polly, died
young; Isaac; Hannah, Mrs. J. B. Fox,
Sullivan county. Pa.; Lizzie, Mrs. David
Williert, Uniontown, Pa.; George, laborer,
Rocktown, Pa.; and John, laborer, Ashland,
Pa.
Isaac Hepler was not permitted to attend
school very long as his help was needed on
the farm as soon as he was strong enough to
do farm work, and his father died when he
was eight years old. The farm contained
one hundred and thirteen acres, but it was
heavily encumbered with debt, and Mrs.
Hepler found it difficult to keep the family
together. She died when Isaac was nine-
teen years of age. The farm was then sold,
and after paying debts he found that his
share was just $19. He went out from homo
and found work for one year with his uncle,
John Haas. In October, 1862, he enlisted at
Harrisburg in company K, One Hundred
and Seventy-second regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, for nine months. During six
months of the time the company did ar-
tillery duty. They were first ordered to
Washington, D. C, "thence to Newport News,
thence after a week's stay to Yorktown, Va.,
which place they left July 2, 1863, for Get-
tysburg, Pa. On the way to Gettysburg Mr.
Hepler was taken sick on board the boat and
was ordered to the hospital. He refused to
go and recovered his health on the march.
The regiment did not reach Gettysburg in
time to take part in the battle. Mr. Hepler
was ordered to Williamsport, Pa., thence to
Warrenton Junction, where he was dis-
charged, his term of service having expired,
and came home. He then worked eight
months for his uncle, John W. Hepler, after
which he was employed on the public works
at Girardville and Goss Creek. His next
employment was as carpenter in the mines,
building breakers. He had never served
any apprenticeship at carpentry, but had
natural aptitude for using tools. He bought
him a set of rough implements and went to
work, earning the regular wages of $2.25 to
$3 per day, and none kfiew or discovered
that he was not an instructed carpenter.
While building one breaker it became neces-
sary to attach the block and tackle to a point
fifty feet from the ground. All the other
workmen refused to attempt the difficult and
hazardous undertaking, but Mr. Hepler safely
accomplished the feat, and was rewarded by
an advance in his wages from $2.50 to $3
per day.
In 1866 Mr. Hepler, with his brother An-
drew as partner, opened a store and hotel,
his brother attending to the business at home
while he went out on the road as huckster.
After five years in the business Mr. Isaac
Hepler sold his interest, and in 1871, his
brother again being his partner, bought
property and a hotel at Gratz, Pa. Building
a store room adjoining the hotel, they put in
a general stock of merchandise. After five
years the partnership was dissolved, Isaac
Hepler taking the store and Andrew the
hotel. Mr. Hepler has continued the mer-
DAtlPSm COtlNTt.
895
cantile business alone since 1876, and also
owns and manages a farm of fifty-five acres.
Isaac Hepler has been twice married.
First, August 19, 1865, to Miss Matilda
Knarr, who died August 15, 1869, leaving
one child, Lewis F., who was killed on the
railroad March 17, 1891, at the age of twenty-
three. His second marriage, November 25,
1875, was with Amanda, daughter of Joseph
Harper, deceased. Their children are : George
Edgar, Joseph Harper, Lottie Florence,
Thomas R., Hannah M., Robert Roy, and
Annie, all at home.
Mr. Hepler is a Democrat, but is very lib-
eral in his views and has never sought office.
He is a member of the Lutheran church.
He sustains a reputation for the most un-
swerving rectitude, and enjoys the highest
esteem of his neighbors.
The Klinger Family. — George S. and
Daniel S. Klinger are of German ancestry,
and are of the fourth generation of their
family in this country. John Philip
Klinger, their first progenitor in America,
and their great-great-grandfather, was born
in Poffenberfort, Germany, July 11, 1723.
It is supposed that he married in Germany
and soon after came to America. He was a
farmer, and was first settled at Reading,
Pa., where his wife died. He returned to
Germany and married again ; then removed
to Lykens township, Dauphin county, and
engaged in developing a farm from the
wilderness. He died in Lykens township,
September 30, 1811, leaving a large family,
some of whom located in Western Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio.
George Klinger (1), great-grandfather of
George S. and Daniel S. Klinger, was born
in Lykens township, Dauphin county, May
18, 1761, and there passed his youth. After
his marriage he removed to Lower Mahan-
tango township, Schuylkill county. Pa.,
where he died April 24, 1840. George
Klinger (2), grandfather of George S. and
Daniel S., was born in what was then Ma-
hantango, but is now Hubly township,
Schuylkill county, September 16, 1787. He
spent his life in his native township. He
married Catherine Schmeltz. Their chil-
dren are : Andrew, died at Mt. Carmel, Pa.,
was a farmer, married and left a family ;
Elizabeth, married Daniel S. Kissinger, both
died in Lykens township ; William, father
of George 8. and Daniel S.; Elias, married
Saliie Kissinger, both died in Lykens town-
ship ; Daniel, married Caroline Shadle, re-
sides at Seven Points, Northumberland
county. Pa.; Mary, married, first, Jacob
Shade, and second, Peter Potticher, deceased,
resides in Tower City, Pa.; Magdalena, died
at Seven Points, Pa., wife of Samuel Klinger,
who survives her. The grandfather died
November 18, 1888. His widow was again
married, to George Welker. She died April
22, 1872.
William Klinger, father of George S. and
Daniel S. Klinger, was born in Hub! v town-
ship, Schuylkill county. Pa., April 19, 1820,
and grew up on the farm on which he was
born. When a young man he learned the
art of mason work, which he afterwards prac-
ticed in addition to farming. He died Sep-
tember 17, 1872, and is buried at Klinger's
Church, Lykens township. He married
Rebecca Schoffstall, who survives him, and
resides at Gratz, Pa. She was born February
25, 1825, and is a daughter of John and Mag-
dalena (Hoover) Schoffstall. Their children
are : George S.; Maria, Mrs. Jacob M. Wiest,
Lykens township ; Caroline, Mrs. Emanuel
Miller, Lykens township; Elizabeth, died
young; Daniel S.; Mary Jane, died young;
William, a mason ; Tobias, huckster, Gratz,
Pa.; Louisa, Mrs. Benneville R. Troutman,
Lykens township; John S., stonemason,
Hubly township, Schuylkill county ; Cathe-
rine, Mrs. Jacob Williard, Gratz, Pa., and
Levi. Hubly township, Schuylkill countv.
Pa. '
George S. Klinger was educated in the
common schools, and grew up on the farm.
In 1862, at the age of eighteen, he went into
the army as a substitute for his father, and
in September of that year was enrolled in
company F, One Hundred and Seventy-
third Pennsylvania volunteers ; left Harris-
burg with the regiment early in November.
This regiment was composed of companies
A, D, F, G and H from Schuylkill county ;
E from Perry county, and K from Dauphin
county.. It was organized at Camp Curtin,
Harrisburg, in October and November, 1862,
with the following field officers : Daniel Neg-
ley, Schuylkill county, colonel ; Zaccheus P.
Boyer, Schuylkill county, lieutenant colonel;
Grant Weidman, Lebanon county, major.
On November 30, 1862, the regiment moved
to Washington, D. C, and was ordered to
Suffolk, Va., but before reaching Fortress
Monroe its destination was changed to Nor-
folk. Upon its arrival there it reported to
General Veile, and was assigned to duty in
896
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
guarding the approach to Camp Veile, three
miles north of Norfolk, where the regiment
was thoroughly drilled, and detailed to duty
as follows : Two companies were stationed at
Norfolk, one at Princess Anne Court House,
twelve miles southeast of Norfolk,, at the in-
trenched lines running from shore to shore,
and protecting Norfolk on the north; an
oflBcer and twenty men at Swells Point, a
non-commissioned officer and twenty-five
men at Cape Henry Lighthouse ; two com-
panies at the Dorris Mill bridge, or head of
West Branch, thirteen miles southwest of
Norfolk, towards Suffolk ; a nou-commis-
sioned officer and six men as guard to the
mail boat Arrow, running through Albe-
marle Sound to Roanoke; a guard at the
Indian Pole bridge, north of Norfolk ; a
guard at the Great Bridge, ten miles south
of Norfolk , at the Albemarle canal ; a guard
at Princess Anne river, and a guard along
Farmers' creek. These detachments were
regularly relieved at intervals of a week.
Early in May, 1863, the regiment was
ordered to Norfolk for provost duty, where
it remained until July 9, and was then sent
with the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh
Pennsylvania volunteers to Washington,
D. C, and thence to Frederick, Md., report-
ing to General Meade, who was moving in
pursuit of the Rebel army on its retreat from
Gettysburg, Pa. It was immediately ordered
to report to General Howard, in command
of the Eleventh corps, and was assigned
to the First brigade of the Second divi-
sion, in which it was associated with the
Twenty-seventh and Seventy-third Penn-
sylvania regiments, and the One Hun-
dred and Thirty-fourth and One Hundred
and Fifty-fourth New York regiments. It
was now subjected to long and tedious
marches, to which it was little accustomed.
It crossed the Potomac river at Berlin, four
miles below Harper's Ferry, and was finally
settled on guard duty to the Orange and
Alexandria railroad, at Warrenton function,
Bristow Station and Manassas Junction. On
August 13, the term of his service having
expired, the regiment was ordered to Harris-
burg, Pa., where it was mustered out of ser-
vice, August 16, 17 and 18, 1863.
After his discharge from the army, Mr.
Klinger returned to his home in Schuylkill
county, and served a short apprenticeship
with Henry Klinger, stone mason, and sub-
sequently worked at the trade on his own
account. In 1870 he bought a saw mill in
Lykens township, Dauphin county, Pa., near
Gratz, which he operated at times, besides
working at his trade until December 14,
1883, when he met with a painful accident
while cutting down a tree, being struck on
the knee by a glancing axe, which severed
one of the main cords, and left him lame for
life. In partnership with Samuel Klinger,
he also owned and operated a threshing ma-
chine for three or four years. In 1893 he
sold his saw mill, and turned his attention
to mercantile business. In 1885, in connec-
tion with his brother Daniel S., he had
bought the general stock of goods of William
Erdman at Gratz, most of which was de-
stroyed by fire. May 1, 1886. They then
purchased the site on which they erected
their present store, which was completed
in December, 1888, they having, after the
fire, occupied the Odd Fellows' building with
their business. Their store is very complete
and their stock full in all lines of their busi-
ness.
Mr. George S. Klinger has never married.
He is a Democrat, and has been tax collector
and auditor. He is a member of the Lu-
theran church.
Daniel S. Klinger, brother of George S.,
and his partner in business, was born in
Hubly township, Schuylkill county. Pa.,
and received his primary education in the
common school. He also attended Freeburg
Seminary in 1869, and Berrysburg Seminary
in 1870. He afterwards taught school for
fifteen winter teums and two summer terms.
In 1885 he engaged in mercantile business
with his brother George, as above stated.
Mr. D. S. Klinger was married in Upper
Mahantango township, Schuylkill county.
Pa., February 9, 1873, to Miss Lizzie, daugh-
ter of Nathan and Rachel (Montelius) Erd-
man. Their children are: Alvin Lemuel,
died in infancy ; Meta Maria, Ursula Sadie,
Eston Dorman, and Guy Raymond, all at
home. Mr. Klinger is a Democrat. He is
now serving his second term in council. He
has also been judge of elections for one
term.
RiTZMAN, A. S., Gratz, Pa., was born in
Washington township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
June 27, 1857. He is a son of Michael and
Elizabeth (Hartman) Ritzman. Michael
Ritzman was born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county, January 10, 1826, and was
reared on the farm. After his marriage he
removed to Washington township, upon a
BA UPHIN CO UNTY.
897
farm, where he died November 17, 1858.
His children are : Abby, wife of Hiram
Knorr, Uniontown, Pa.; Caroline, wife of
Henry Schoffstall, Sunbury, Pa.; Catherine,
wife of H. H. Romberger, Gratz, Pa.; and
A. S. Mrs. Ritzman was married a second
time, to Abraham Troutman ; they had one
daughter, Agnes, wife of Charles Buffington,
Gratz, Pa.
A. S. Ritzman was only a year and a half
old when brought by his mother to Lykens
township on a farm which she bought after
her husband's death. After mature years he
attended common schools until he was seven-
teen, and subsequently studied at Berrysburg
Seminary for a few terms. In November,
1875, he began teaching school in Lykens
township, and was employed for two terms.
Considering the salary insufficient compen-
sation for his time and services, he decided
to change his occupation. He rented his
mother's farm on shares, and besides his
farming operations, conducted also a huck-
stering business ; in these occupations he
continued until the spring of 1888, when he
removed to the town of Gratz to a property
which he had bought in 1886, and which
consisted of a house and barn and nine acres
of land. In 1890 he bought his mother's
farm of sixty-two acres, situated in Lykens
township.
Mr. Ritzman was married, in Lykens town-
ship, on January 9, 1876, to Miss Amelia,
daughter of Zacharias and Lydia (Kissinger)
Loudenschlager, born in the borough of
Gratz. Their children were : Henry M., died
at the age of four years ; Michael E., born
March 24, 1881; Allan, born August 12,
1885 ; the j'oungest child died in infancy.
Mr. Ritzman is a Republican. He was
elected justice of the peace in 1889, served
five years and was re-elected in 1894. He
also served as councilman for five years, and
for four years was secretary of the council.
He is a member of the Lutheran church and
treasurer of the joint congregation.
Buffington, Daniel, farmer, Gratz, Pa.,
was born in Lykens township, Dauphin
county, Pa., November 17, 1837; son of
John E. and Susanna (Artz) Buffington. The
grandfather, Eli, was a native of Berks
county, and came to Lykens township and
located on a tract of one hundred and fifty
acres of timber land, which he cleared for
farming purposes. He married Miss Eliza-
beth Kissinger, and their children were:
Abraham, John, Jacob, Susanna, and one
child not named. He was a member of the
German Reformed church, an old line Demo-
crat, and died at Gratz. The father was born
in 1799 in Lykens township, received his
education in the public schools and then as-
sisted on his father's farm until he was
twenty-one years old. He then located in
Mifflin township on a farm and remained
there until 1839, when he moved to Lykens
township, where he spent the remainder of
his life. He married Miss Susanna Artz,
daughter of Jacob Artz, of Schuylkill count3^
Their children were: Elias, deceased, Han-
nah, Amos, deceased Caroline, Sarah, Jere-
miah, Daniel, Susanna, and Maria. The
father and mother died in 1867 and 1878,
respectively. The father was a Republican
and held various township offices. He also
was a member of the German Reformed
church, in which he filled several offices.
Daniel attended school until eight years
of age, when he began working on the
homestead, where he remained until he was
twenty-six years old. He then bought his
present home of sixty acres, on which he
erected a fine dwelling house which cost up-
wards of $5,000. Later he purchased a saw
and grist mill, and in 1882 bought an-
other farm of one hundred and eighty-three
acres. He was married, in 1861, to Miss
Catharine Hartman, born in 1838 ; daughter
of Henry Hartman. Their children are :
Henry F., who married Miss Liddie Ritzman,
by whom he has two children : Milton, real
estate broker, Denver, Col., and Irvin N. In
politics Mr. Buffington is a Republican and
has served as judge of elections. He is a
member of the German Reformed church,
in which he is an elder and Sunday-school
teacher.
Coleman, John C, farmer, Gratz, Pa., was
born October 18, 1852, in Lykens township.
He is a son of Frederick and Sophia
(Klinger) Coleman. The grandfather, John
Coleman, was of Irish descent. The father
was born in Lykens township in 1816. He
received his education in his native place,
and then followed the occupation of farming.
He purchased one hundred acres of land near
Gratz, and on it made many improvements.
He was married, in January, 1849, to Miss
Sophia Klinger, born April 30, 1830 ; daughter
of J. P. Klinger. Their children are : Mary
A., wife of Isaac Daniel ; John C, and Dan-
iel, a school teacher. He is a life-long Re-
898
BIOGRAPHICAL EKCTCLOPHDIA
publican, and a membei" of the Lutheran
church, in which he holds the office of deacon.
John C. attended the public schools of
Gratz until eighteen years of age, when he
began working on the homestead, and also
worked two years in the mines. In 1874 he
took charge of the farm and has since culti-
vated it, and also been engaged in stock rais-
ing. He was married, in October, 1875, to
Miss Amanda L. Snyder, born in Lykens
township in 1855; daughter of Henry Snyder.
Their children are : Henry L., Fred, Annie
B., Minnie A., Allen E., deceased, Maggie
M., Dora R., Flosie S., Elmer H., and Foster F.
Mr. Coleman taught school for three terms,
was tax collector in 1881, and is a Republican
in politics. He is a member of the Lutheran
church, in which he fills the office of deacon.
member of the Lutheran church, of which
he is an elder and Sunday-school super-
intendent.
Coleman, Charlks, farmer, Gratz, Pa.,
was born in Lykens township, May 30, 1844.
He is a son of John and Catharine (Artz)
Coleman. The grandfather, John Coleman,
was a farmer by occupation and settled on
land in Lykens township, which he cleared
and improved himself. He married a Miss
Rosina Stine. They had these children:
John, Charles, Fred, Rosina, Elizabeth,
Anna May, and Barbara. He was a Demo-
crat in politics and a member of the Lu-
theran church. He took part in the war of
1812. The father resided on a farm of one
hundred and fifty acres which he cultivated
and also was engaged in stock raising. He
was married to Miss Catharine Artz, a native
of Schuylkill county. Their children were :
Daniel, Charles, and Lizzi^ wife of B. A.
Boyer. Mr. Coleman took a great delight in
hunting deer. His death occurred In De-
cember, 1851. In politics he was a Democrat.
Charles received his education in the
schools of his native place, and then engaged
in farming. He inherited a fondness for
hunting, and is quite an ardent sportsman.
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
He was married, October 19, 1869, at Berrys-
burg. Pa., to Miss Lydia Rine, born in Snyder
county, March 3, 1850; daughter of John
Rine. Their children are: George W., born
July 22, 1870 ; Charles J., deceased ; Mary
A., born July 28, 1874 ; Jennie, born Decem-
ber 25, 1880; Susan K., born September 18,
1883; Minnie C, born June 28, 1888, and
Carrie V., born June 29, 1891 . Mr. Coleman
is an active politician and has served as tax
collector and mercantile appraiser. He is a
Daniel, Uriah H., teacher and farmer,
Gratz, Pa., was born in Lykens township,
February 1, 1859. He is a son of George
and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Daniel. The father
was born in Lykens township in 1822,
and was a son of Andrew Daniel. His edu-
cation was received in the public schools of
his native place, after which he assisted his
father on the homestead until 1868, when he
moved to Gratz and began to conduct a hotel.
After remaining there for three years he
returned to the farm. He was married, in
1828, to Miss Elizabeth Hoffman, daughter
of John Hoffman, of Mifflin township, who
was a soldier in the war of 1812. Their
children are : Sarah, Elizabeth, Andrew, Ada,
Uriah H., George F., Mary E., deceased,
and two who died in infancy. The parents
still live on the homestead and are members
of the German Reformed church. In politics
the father is a Republican.
Uriah H., after leaving the public school,
attended Berrysburg Academy and later the
Millersville State Normal School. He has
been engaged in teaching school nearly all
his life, except three years when he was en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1891 he
purchased a farm in Lykens township, to
which he gives his attention during the sum-
mer months. He was a member of the Ber-
rysburg band for eleven years. He was mar-
ried August 25, 1884, to Miss Ida L. Sitlinger,
born in Lykens township in 1863 ; daugh-
ter of Isaac and Maria (Shade) Sitlinger.
Their children are : Clarence E., Norman
A., Elsie M., and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Daniel is a Republican in politics. He
is a member of the German Reformed church,
in which he holds the office of deacon. He
is also superintendent of the Sunday-school.
RoMBERGER, G. D., life insurance agent,
Berrysburg, Pa., was born February 28, 1856,
in Northumberland county; son of Gilbert
and Mary (Keihl) Romberger. The father
was born in Dauphin county, January 19,
1829. He worked on the farm until eighteen
years of age and in 1847 went to Georgetown,
Pa., to learn the saddler trade with Jacob
Dreivell. He remained there three years,
then moved to Uniontown, Dauphin county,
where he followed his trade until 1860, when
he purchased a farm near Berrysburg, Pa.
S^/J-^^-'t^ccc..^ ^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
901
Eight years later he sold the farm and pur-
chased another near Elizabethville, where he
remained one year. He next bought a home
in Berrysburg and was engaged there at his
trade until a few years before his death, which
occurred March 8, 1894. He was married,
in 1852, to Miss Mary Keihl. Their chil-
dren are: Elmira M., deceased; Mary A.
George D.; Daniel H.; Rebecca K.; Clara E.
Lillie E.; Samuel, deceased ; Jerome, deceased
Annie G., deceased; Ralph E.; and five chil-
dren who died in infancy.
George D. moved to Lykens Valley with
his parents when four years old. He assisted
on the farm and then attended the Berrys-
burg Seminary, from which institution he
graduated when twenty years of age. He
was then principal of the Lower End, Will-
iams township, school until 1880, when he
went to Harrisburg and read law two years
under J. C. McAlarney. After completing
his law course he formed a co-partnership
with Hon. W. B. Bechtel, of Reading, Pa.,
in law and the insurance business. Since
dissolving partnership his entire time has
been given to life insurance. He was mar-
ried, in 1880, to Miss Laura Miller, daughter
of Major Frank Miller, of Berrysburg, Pa.
Their children are : Florence M., born July
17, 1882, and died May 26, 1887 ; Daniel B.,
born January 13, 1884; Lila'V., born July
19, 1886; one, not named, who was born
August 21, 1887, and died September 1, 1887;
George L., born August 10, 1888 ; Willard M.,
born August 6, 1889 ; Naomi R., born Au-
gust 16, 1890 ; Mary F., born September 25,
1891 ; Franklin G., born December 2, 1893 ;
and Donald L., born October 16, 1895.
RoMBERGER, PIowARD H., merchant, Gratz,
Pa., was born July 12, 1852, on the old home-
stead in Lykens township. He is a son of
Daniel and Hannah (Bergstresser) Romber-
ger. Howard H. received his education in
the public schools and the Berrysburg Semi-
nary. After assisting on his father's farm
for a time, he began farming for himself
Later he spent four years in preparation for
the ministry, and began active work in 1881.
He was connected with the Evangelical
church and continued preaching for nine
years, during which time he served various
places in Carbon, Schuylkill, Lebanon and
Monroe counties. In 1890 he retired from
the pulpit and moved to Gratz, where he en-
gaged in business. He was married, Septem-
ber 80, 1873, in Berrysburg, to Miss Oatha-
57
rine Ritzman, daughter of Michael and Eliza-
beth Ritzman. Their children are : D. Am-
brose, born August 10, 1874, a graduate -of
Albright Collegiate Institute, Meyerstown,
Pa., now principal of the schools at Gratz,
and Amy Agnes, born September 5, 1882.
Mr. Romberger is a Republican in politics.
Scheie, Charles Monroe, farmer, Gratz,
Pa., was born in Lykens township, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 15, 1861. He is a son
of Joshua A. and Elizabeth (Raudenbaugh)
Scheib. The grandfather, Michael B., was
born in Schuylkill county, and coming
to Lykens bought a farm of one hundred
acres, on which he engaged in stock raising.
He was of German descent, and died in Ly-
kens township. He was a member of the
German Reformed church. The father was
an extensive farmer and stock raiser. He
had a farm of two hundred acres in Lykens
township. He was married to Elizabeth
Raudenbaugh, a native of Lykens Valley,
born in 1837. Their children are : Isaiah,
Victor, Melindia, Cinderilla, Charles Monroe,
Wilhelmina, deceased, and two who died in
infancy. The father died in 1890. He took
an extremely active part in politics in which
he was much interested. He tvas a mem-
ber of the German Lutheran church, and has
held various church offices. Charles Mon-
roe received his education in the public
schools of his native place. He assisted on
the farm, and in 1893 purchased the home-
stead, where he now resides and engages in
stock raising. He was married, in 1883, to
Miss Hannah E. Klinger, born in 1865, a
daughter of John Klinger. Their children
are: Emma J., Ira, Bursia N., Amelia C,
and one who died in infancy. He is a Re-
publican in politics, and a member of the
German Reformed church.
Schmenky, John, M. D., was born in
Upper Mahanoy township, Northumberland
county, January 27, 1832. He is a son of
John and Mary (Thower) Schmenky. The
grandfather, a native of Germany, located
in Lancaster county and engaged in hotel
keeping. His wife was Susanna Acre, and
they had a large family. The father was
born in HinklestoVn and was engaged in
farming when a boy. He then studied medi-
cine and practiced in Millersburg and var-
ious other places. His death occurred in
1855. His wife died subsequently, aged sev-
enty-one years. Their children were : Emma,
902
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
deceased, John, Henry, Elizabeth, Aaron,
and Susan. John attended public school
until he was fourteen, then entered the school
at Bloomfield, Perry county, and then Sun-
bury. In 1850 he began to read medicine
with his father, and in 1851 read one year
with Dr. Masters, Hinklestown. In 1852 he
entered the Pennsylvania Medical College of
Philadelphia, from which institution he grad-
uated in 1854. He began the practice of his
profession with his father and one year later
located at Gratz. In 1871 and 1872 he served
in the State Legislature. He was married,
December 22, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Wiest,
daughter of Jacob Wiest. Their children are :
Gorney M., Allan Beecher, Harry Newton,
John, and Bertha May. In politics he is a
Democrat and is now filling the office of bur-
gess. He has served a number of years as
school director. His wife is a member of the
Evangelical church.
MoYEE, John, farmer, Gratz, Pa., was born
in Gratz, March 19, 1840. He is a son of
George and Margaret (Tallman) Moyer. The
father was born in Germany, in 1801, and
learned there the trade of blacksmith. In
1821 he came to the United States in a sail-
ing vessel, and landed at Baltimore. He
first located in Gratz, and later moved to
Gratz, where he purchased a shop and began
blacksmithing, which occupation he con-
tinued all his life. He married Miss Mar-
garet Tallman, also a native of Germany.
Their children were: Mary, deceased; Louisa;
George D, deceased ; Charles H., deceased ;
John ; Amanda, deceased ; and Caroline.
The father died in 1876, and the mother
in 1864. They were members of the Lu-
theran church. The father was a Democrat.
John received his education in the public
schools of Gratz, Pa. He then learned the
furniture manufacturing business in Harris-
burg, where he worked for six years. He
then moved to Gratz and farmed the home-
stead. In 1882 he bought additional land
and made numerous improvements on it.
He was married, in 1861, to Miss Sarah Gon-
ser, born in Northumberland county, Janu-
ary 4, 1841 ; daughter of Daniel Gonser.
Their children are : Charles P., Daniel G.,
William 0., a graduate of Millersville Normal
School, and principal of the high school
Gratz, and Sadie. In politics Mr. Moyer is
a Democrat and served as member of city
council, as chief burgess, as school director
and also as tax collector. He is a member of
Lodge No. 565, I. 0. 0. F.; Grangers, No-
530; and of Washington Camp, No. 575, P. 0-
S. of A. He is also a member of the Lu-
theran church, in which he holds the office
of deacon, besides being Sunday-school super-
intendent.
McClore, Charles B., M. D., Gratz, Pa.,
was born in Washington township, July 5,
1856. He is a son of David K. and Ann
Eliza (Beshler) McClure. The maternal
grandfather, H. C. Beshler, was born in New
Berlin, Snyder county. He took a medical
course at the University of Pennsylvania,
and then practiced for several years in var-
ious places. Finally he located in Berrys-
burg, where he died, December 25, 1888, at
the age of eighty-one. He was married to
Miss Mary Ann Boyer, of Freeburg, Pa.
The father was born in Chester county. Pa.,
in 1825. He grew to manhood on the farm,
and later worked at the forge. He moved
to Berrysburg and at that time owned what
is known as the Oakdale Forge. The father
now lives with one of hi§ daughters in Upper
Paxton township ; the mother died in 1882,
and is buried at Berrysburg. They were mar-
ried in 1855, and their children were : Charles
B., Emma J., H. Joseph, John C, Arthur E.,
and Gertrude. Charles B. received his pri-
mary educatit)n in the public schools of
Washington township and the Berrysburg
Seminary. In 1883 he began reading medi-
cine with his grandfather, and in the fall
entered the University of Pennsylvania,
where he remained two years. He then as-
sisted other physicians until 1887, when he
entered Western Pennsylvania College, Pitts-
burgh, from which institution he graduated
in 1888, and then located in Luzerne county.
After practicing at various places he came
to Gratz in 1894, and has secured an excel-
lent practice. He was married, in Blooms-
burg, Pa., October 4, 1887, to Miss Lizzie
Hower, daughter of Jackson Hower, by
whom he had two children : A. Carlton and
Hiester N. Dr. McClure is a Republican,
also a member of Patriotic Order Sons of
America and Patrons of Husbandry. He is .
a member of the Reformed Church.
Miller, John C, -merchant and news-
dealer, Lykens, Pa.; was born in Annville,
Lebanon county, January 18, 1844. He is
a son of Daniel and Lousia (Karmany)
Miller. The grandfather, John, was born
in Lebanon county, and was of German de-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
903
scent. The father was born in 1818 and was
a weaver by occupation. He was married
to Miss Lousia Karmany, daughter of John
Karmany. Their children are: John C,
Elizabeth, wife of Francis Feindt, and Daniel
A. The father now resides in Lykens. John
C. received his education in the public schools
of Annville until he was fifteen years of age.
He then worked on the farm for a time and
later learned shoemaking. In 1861 he en-
listed at Annville in company K, Ninety-
third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
under Captain Daugherty and Colonel Mc-
Carthy. The battles in which he partici-
pated are as follows, viz : Williamsburg,
Va., Fair Oaks, Seven Days, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Rappahan-
nock, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Har-
bor, Petersburg, Charlestown, Winchester,
Fisher Hill, and Cedar Creek. He was
wounded. May 31, 1865, at Salem Heights,
and lay in the hospital four months, and was
honorably discharged at Washington at the
close of the war. He then came to Lykens
and attended school one year, after which he
began his present business. He was mar-
ried, at Lewisburg, Pa., February, 1869, to
Miss Louisia Reyman, daughter of John
Eeyman. Their children are: Gertrude and
John. In politics he is a Republican and a
member of Lodge No. 535, I. 0. 0. F.; Post
No. 252, G. A. R.; commander of latter in
1896. He is connected with the Lutheran
church.
Matter, Balthaser, farmer, Berrysburg,
Pa., was born in Mifflin township, April 22,
1864. He is a son of Balthaser and Magde-
lina (Littick) Matter. The father was en-
gaged in farming in Mifflin township. He
married Miss Magdelina Gesemen. Their
children are: William, Benjamin, George,
Daniel, John, Jacob, Mary, Elizabeth, and
four who are deceased. He married, sec-
ondly, Miss Littick, by whom he had one
child, Balthaser. He was a member of the
Lutheran church, and politically was a
Democrat. His death occurred in 1869, and
his widow has since married Peter Botololf.
Balthaser received his education in the pub-
lic schools and the Berrysburg Academy.
He has been engaged in farming continu-
ously since that time. He married, in 1887,
Miss Sarah Sebold, by whom he had five
children, viz : Aaron J., Warren B., Beulah,
Charles H., and Verna. He is a Republican
and a member of the Reformed church.
Blyler, Simon, stonemason, was born Feb-
ruary 28, 1823, in Schuylkill county. He is
a son of Michael and Maria (Burket) Blyler,
whose family consisted of these children :
Daniel, deceased ; Solomon, Elias, Philip,
Betsey, Kate, Edward, and Julia. Simon re-
ceived his education in Mifflin township.
Clarion county, to which place his parents
moved while he was yet quite young. After
working for a few years on the farm he
learned the trade of masonry and continued
at this occupation sixteen years. He en-
listed at Harrisburg in company A, Fif-
tieth , regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.
He was discharged in 1863 in Washington
for disability. For sixteen years he was en-
gaged at various occupations, and then en-
tered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, working as stonemason. In
1895 he came to Gratz, where he has since
resided. He was married, August 28, 1844,
to Miss Caroline Klinyer, a native of Lykens
Valley. His wife died September 7, 1895.
Their children are : William, Shamokin,
Pa.; Samuel, hotel proprietor, Lebanon,
Pa.; Preston, Bear Valley, Pa.; Daniel, hotel
proprietor, Gratz, Pa.; Frank, tinsmith,
Lebanon ; Emma ; Joseph ; Alice, deceased,
and Charles M. In politics Mr. Blyler is a
Republican, and a member of Kissinger Post,
G. A. R., of Gratz.
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
RoMBERGBR, JosEPH F., manager of the
Western Union Telegraph office, and general
merchant, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in
Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
February 4, 1848 ; son of Benjamin and
Amelia (Fisher) Romberger. He attended
the commou schools of Mifflin township in
the winter and worked on the farm in sum-
mer. He also studied at Berrysburg Semi-
nary for five terms, thirteen weeks each sea-
son, after which he taught in Mifflin town-
ship for two terms. At the age of fifteen he
became clerk in the store of Frederick
Weaver, Berrysburg. Several years later
Mr. Weaver having sold out, he was for a year
in the store of William Boyer, at Gratz. He
then spent three months as clerk in a store in
Illinois. Returning, he became clerk for
George Lark, Berrysburg, until, with his
father as his partner, he bought the stock of
Dr. John Beshler ; the firm conducted a gen-
904
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
eral mercantile business for several years.
Mr. Joseph Romberger subsequently bought
his father's interest, carrying on the business
on his own account, and has succeeded in
building up an extensive trade. He also
deals largely in live stock and horses, ship-
ping from the West. He has a farm of one
hundred and forty acres, for which he paid
$9,000. He built a fine dwelling in Berrys-
burg and a store, expending upon them
over $12,000. In earlier life he was a
butcher. For four years and a half he was
postmaster.
Joseph F. Romberger was married, in Jan-
uary, 1870, to Mary S., daughter of Henry
Yeager, born in Washington township.
They have two children : Grace, wife of
John Stover, clerk in her father's store ; and
Harry B., who died in early youth. Mr.
Romberger belongs to the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
He is a member of the Lutheran church,
and has been deacon, trustee and superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Romber-
ger is one of the solid men of the town. His
success in business demonstrates his ability
in that line. He also stands in the lead in
social circles.
Deibler, John W., farmer, and late pro-
prietor of the Deibler House, Berrysburg,
Ra., was born on a farm in Mifflin township,
December 25, 1846. His grandfather, John
Deibler, was born in Dauphin county, Pa.
He was of German descent and was a farmer
and stockman. He married Catherine Mil-
ler, by whom he had two children : Cath-
erine, wife of Jacob Hartm an, farmer, Mifflin
township, and George. John Deibler and
his wife both died in Mifflin township. They
were members of the Reformed church. He
was a Democrat of the old school.
George Deibler, father of John W., was born
in Mifflin township, Dauphin county,in 1826.
He obtained a fair education in the subscrip-
tion schools of the township, grew up on his
father's farm and made farming his occupa-
tion. He had a grist and flour mill in Wash-
ington township, owned large tracts of cleared
and timber land, and dealt extensively in
cattle, horses, etc. George Deibler was mar-
ried, in the township, to Hannah Deibler,
born in Lykens Valley. They had six chil-
dren : John W.; George, farmer, Mifflin town-
ship; Daniel J., on the homestead ; Emma,
deceased, wife of Emanuel Hoy, of Up-
per Paxton township ; William H., farrher,
Berrysburg ; and Amanda J., wife of J. M.
Matters, Upper Paxton township. Mr. and
Mrs. George Deibler were members of the
United Brethren church. They died on the
homestead. Mr. Deibler was at first a Dem-
ocrat, but in later life acted with the Repub-
lican party.
John W. Deibler received his early educa-
tion in the district schools of the township,
attending a short time each winter, and
working during the rest of the year on the
farm. He was very fond of reading and
educated himself by means of good books
and periodicals. He remained on the home-
stead until he was twenty-two, when he be-
gan farming on his own account. He began
with a tract of land comprising one hun-
dred and forty-seven acres, which he cleared
and modified with substantial improvements.
In 1890 he sold his finely improved farm
and bought a hotel in Berrysburg, now
known as the Deibler House, which he con-
ducted four years and six months with good
success, good management making the in-
vestment a profitable one. He sold the house
to its present proprietor, Mr. Charles Etz-
weiler, in 1894. He then bought several lots
in the village and built also, at a cost of
$4,000, one of the finest dwelling houses in
Berrysburg, putting in all the modern con-
veniences.
John W. Deibler was married, in 1868, to
Eliza A. Hoj', born in Upper Paxton town-
ship. They had no children. Mrs. Deibler
died in 1872. Mr. Deibler's second wife,
whom he married in 1873, was Miss Katie
Wert, born in Northumberland county, Pa.;
daughter of Michael Wert, an extensive
mill owner in that county. They have one
child, Harry C, born in 1874, and educated
in the common schools of Mifflin township
and in Berrysburg Academy. He has great
natural musical talent, which has been finely
cultivated ; he is gifted as a writer and com-
poser of music. He is agent for several'
manufacturing firms in the State. His future
appears to be brilliant with promise.
Mr. Deibler is a Republican. He was
school director for three years and has held
the office of constable. and other positions of
responsibility in the township. He has much
business ability and is respected for his per-
sonal worth. He is a member of the Re-
formed church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
905
RoMBERGER, Henry A., postmaster and
general merchant, Curtin, Pa., was born in
Mifflin township, August 4, 1855. His father,
David Romberger, was born in the same
township, September 12, 1823, and is a
brother of Benjamin, and uncle of Joseph F.
Romberger, sketches of whose lives appear
elsewhere in this volume. He cultivated and
greatly improved one hundred acres of land
in Mifflin township, and was also engaged in
raising live stock. David Romberger was
married in the township to Anna Mary
Swab. Of their six children are living:
Elizabeth; Henry A.; Anna Mary E., wife of
W. H. Hoover, Curtin, Pa.; and Franklin P.,
farmer on the homestead. Catherine and
George H. both died young. Mr. Romberger
died May 11, 1887. He was a Democrat and
held some township offices. He was a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church, old school, and
was very active in church matters as deacon,
elder and Sunday-school teacher. Mrs. David
Romberger is now sixty-nine years of age,
and resides on the homestead.
Henry A. Romberger attended the com-
mon schools in the winter months and
worked on the farm during the rest of the
year. He also studied for six terms at Ber-
rysburg Academy, after which he taught
school in the township for eight terms, while
still farming on the homestead and carrying
on the produce business. After this he was
for five years' engaged in shipping produce
and grain to the Lykens Valley coal district,
which he made a successful business. He.
then bought of Mrs. M. P. Mattis the store
and stock at Curtin, Pa., for which he paid
$5,750, and on March 13, 1885, with stock to
the value of $4,000, began a general mercan-
tile business, which he conducted for more
than eleven years, meeting with great suc-
cess and building up a good trade. He also
dealt in grain seeds, etc. On March 16,1896,
Mr. Romberger sold this business to William
P. Shaffer, of Mandata P. 0., Northumber-
land county. Pa.
Henry A. Romberger was married, in Mif-
flin township, February 21, 1885, to Eliza
Koppenheffer, born in Upper Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county, July 5, 1862 ; daughter
of Moses and Elizabeth (Ritzman) Koppen-
heffer ; her father was a retired farmer and
stockman, and a resident of Upper Paxton
township. Mr. and Mrs. Romberger have
one child, Charles A., born December 17,
1892. M!r. Romberger is a Democrat. He
is a member of the election board and was
elected township clerk in 1895. He was ap-
pointed postmaster under President Cleve-
land's first administration and re-appointed
under the second. He is a member of St.
John's Lutheran church, and is prominent
and active in all church matters. He has
been a Sunday-school teacher nearly all his
life and superintendent of the Sunday-school
several tunes. He is a deacon and served
on the committee which drafted the by-laws
of the church. He always takes his full
share in every good enterprise. Although
retired from general business Mr. Romberger
still cultivates a small farm of twenty-three
acres. He is popular with all classes, for all
recognize his personal worth and good will.
BuFFiNGTON, Cyrus F., justice of the peace
and carriage builder, Uniontown, Pa., was
born in Mifflin township, Dauphin county,
Pa., September 24, 1839. His father, John
Buffington, was born in Lykens Valley in
1818, and now resides in Uniontown. He
was a farm laborer in his younger days, and
in later life worked at carriage and wagon
making in Uniontown. He married Dena
France, born in Lykens Valley, and died in
1858. They had twelve children : Cyrus F.;
Sarah, wife of John Klinger ; William ; Han-
nah, deceased ; Solomon ; Mary, deceased ;
Christina, wife of Isaac Groff ; Elizabeth ;
Harriet, wife of William Drum ; Adam, and
two who died in infancy. Mr. Buffington is
a member of the United Brethren church,
has been both deacon and elder, and is a
class leader. He has been a resident of
Uniontown for over fifty years, is well and
favorably known, and universally honored.
He has been foremost in every movement to
better the social condition and material pros-
perity of the community.
Cyrus F. Buffington attended school for a
short time in Washington township ; the re-'
mainder of his education was received in
Uniontown. He hired to do farm work at
ten years of age, and for four years worked
for his board. He began to learn the trade
of a millwright, and spent one year at this
work, but changed his plan, and worked for
three years as apprentice with his father at
wagon making. He afterwards began the
business of carriage making on his own ac-
count, and carried it on successfully for five
years. In 1866 he admitted his brother to
partnership, and since that time the firm of
Buffington & Bro. have conducted a carriage
and wagon factory which yields to none in
906
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the State for first-class workmanship. They
have built a large factory, costing $1,000, and
furnished it with the best machinery.
Mr. Buffington has been justice of the
peace for fifteen years, elected on the Repub-
lican ticket. He administers the law and
dispenses justice with ability and imparti-
ality. He is a member of the borough coun-
cil and the school board.
Cyrus F. Buffington was married, at Berrys-
burg, in 1862, to Caroline Bingaman, a native
of Lower Mahanoy township, Northumber-
land county, Pa ; she died in 1884. They had
five children : Henry, educated at Lebanon
Valley College, Annville, Pa., minister in the
United Brethren church; Irwin, carpenter,
deceased, was suffocated in the mines at Sha-
raokin in 1894; John, Flora, and one that
died in infancy. Mr. Buffington married
again March 17, 1885 ; his second wife was
Maria Dunkelberger. Their children are
Lloyd D. and Emma. Mr. Buffington is a
member of the United Brethren church, Sun-
day-school superintendent, trustee, deacon,
and elder. He has the business virtues in
due proportion ; is industrious, enterprising,
frugal and intelligent. He is also genial in
spirit and manner, and is well liked by his
neighbors.
Buffington, William, is the brother and
partner of Cyrus F. Buffington. He was
born in Uniontown, March 18, 1845. He
took the ordinary course of instruction at the
J schools of Uniontown, after which he worked
for three years on the farm. He spent one
year at the millwright trade, and then worked
at the coal breakers for two years. Pie has
been in partnership with his brother in the
carriage building business since 1866.
William Buffington was married,atBerrys-
burg, in 1861, to Catherine A. Souder, born
in Montgomery county. Pa. Their children
are: William W., a mechanic; Harry, re-
siding at Shamokin ; Anna, and John, died
young. Mr. Buffington is a Republican. In
business capacity and the elements of charac-
ter that secure success, as well as in personal
worth, he is a good match for his excellent
brother and partner, and is his peer in the
social realm. He is a member of the United
Brethren church.
Klinger, William, farmer, was born in
Lykens township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
March 7, 1840. His grandfather, Peter
Klinger, was a farmer of Lykens Valley, and
had a grist mill in Lykens township. He
was a Democrat. He had ten children. He
was a member of the Lutheran church.
John A. Klinger, father of William
Klinger, was one of the ten children of Peter
Klinger, and was born in Lykens township.
He was a farmer, and in 1840 settled on
seventy-five acres of land in Mifflin town -
ship, built a house of brick manufactured on
the farm, the house costing $2,000 ; also built
a barn, set out an orchard and made other
improvements. He raised stock for home
markets. He married, in Lykens township,
in 1835, Lydia Dornheim, born in that town-
ship. They had eight children : Lydia, de-
ceased, wife of Gotlieb Quiner; Samuel,
farmer, of Powell's Valley ; William ; Caro-
line, wife of Jere Carl, plasterer, Williams-
town ; Mary A., Mrs. Edward Lenker, Upper
Paxton township ; John H., farmer, Wash-
ington township ; Daniel D., died young ;
Charles, burned to death in infancy. Mr.
Klinger died in 1885, and Mrs. Klinger in
1894. He was a Democrat in politics.
In the' church of which he was a member,
the Lutheran, he held all the offices, trustee,
deacon, elder, Sunday-school teacher, and
superintendent. He was numbered among
the brave and patient toilers who redeem the
country from the wilderness and introduce
civilization. Only the most sturdy virtue,
manifesting itself in industry, frugality and
prudence, can accomplish such valuable re-
sults. Such were the characteristics of Mr.
John A. Klinger.
William Klinger received four months'
schooling in the winter of each year, and
from early boyhood was accustomed to hard
work on the farm, helping his fatlier to clear
and cultivate the homestead. On that farm
he remained all his life, and purchased the
farm after his father's death.
William Klinger was married, in Washing-
ton township, in February, 1869, to Hannah
Eliza Kemmerer,born in Upper Paxton town-
ship, November 1, 1846 ; daughter of Chris-
tian and Catherine (Fisiier) Kemmerer, na-
tives of Dauphin county. Mr. Kemmerer
was a farmer, and died at Elizabethville in
1882; his wife died in 1880. The children
of Mr. and Mrs. Klinger are: Fannie Elta,
born February, 1871, attended school in the
township ; John A., born January 20, 1872,
educated in township schools and Berrys-
burg Seminary ; for five terms taught school
in Mifflin township.
Mr. Klinger is a Democrat. He takes a
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
907
deep interest in educational matters. He is
a member of the Lutheran church, and was
a deacon and a Sunday-school teacher. He
^is prominent in all good works.
Latsha, John J., miller and farmer, was
born in Jackson township, Northumberland
county. Pa., May 12, 1856.
Plenry Latsha, his great-grandfather, was
a native of Berks county. Pa., and after-
wards removed to Northumberland county.
On his way to that county to pay for his
land he was lost and spent the night in the
mountains. It was in the dead of winter,
and his feet became frozen, and had to be
amputated. He owned a large tract of land
in Northumberland county, all in its native
forest.
Henry Latsha (2), grandfather of John J.
Latsha, was born in Berks county. Pa. He
was a farmer, and owned four farms in
Northumberland county, in Jackson town-
ship. He married Miss Emerich ; they had
four children : Henry, Jacob, Michael, and
Elizabeth, wife of Henry Rogers, all of whom
are deceased. The grandfather died in Jack-
son township, Northumberland county, as also
did his wife. Owing to an accident which
happened to the pastor on his way to the
funeral, Mr. Latsha was buried without
clergical ministrations. He was a member of
the Lutheran church. His politics were
Democratic. He was a prominent citizen.
Henry Latsha (3), father of John J., was
born in Jackson township, Northumberland
county, Pa., in 1802. He was a farmer, and
cultivated a farm of one hundred acres up to
the time of his death. He was also engaged
in stock raising. Mr. Latsha was married,
in Jackson township, to ,Mfs. Elizabeth
Blosser, of the same township. They had six
children: David, deceased ; Mary, deceased,
wife of William DeWitt ; Henry, farmer of
Northumberland county ; Michael and Peter,
deceased, and one child died in infancy. Mrs.
Elizabeth Latsha died on the homestead.
Mr. Latsha was married again, to Margaret
Lees, a native of Northumberland county, by
whom he had' four children : Sarah, wife of
Henry Deppen, of Northumberland county ;
Harriet, wife of David Bohner, of Northum-
berland county; Samuel, farmer. Lower Ma-
hanoy township, Northumberland county,
and John J. The father died in January,
1856. He was a member of the Lutheran
church, and Democratic in politics. His
widow was again married, her second hus-
band being Peter Roitz, farmer, Northum-
berland county. They had no children.
Mrs. Reitz died in 1870.
John J. Latsha was born five months after
his father's death, and having but slender
educational advantages was compelled to
make up the deficiency as far as possible by
his own efl^orts. At twelve years of age he
came to Miffiin township, Dauphin county,
and worked on the farm of John Lark for
one j'^ear for his board and clothing. He
next spent four years with his stepfather on
the homestead, after which he worked in the
cotton factory at Uniontown, Dauphin
county, for eight months, and then again at
farm labor for three years. He was next at
milling for a year and a half, then at farm-
ing in Ogle count}'. 111., for two years ; then
at home for a short time ; then farming one
season in Nebraska ; then home again, and
ran a threshing machine for two years ; then
having sold out this business, he.tried trad-
ing in Lykens Valley for three years, and
found it very profitable. After this Mr.
Latsha rented the farm of John Snyder, near
Berrysburg, and settled down to farming for
eleven years. In 1895 he returned to Union-
town and operated a grist mill and a saw
mill with fair success.
John J. Latsha was married, at Elizabeth-
ville, January 1, 1881, to Emma Meckley,
born in Jackson township, Dauphin county,
September 6, 1857, died December 31, 1881.
They had one child, which died. He mar-
ried again, at Berrysburg, April 27, 1882,
his second wife being Susan Snyder, born
October 9, 1849, at Uniontown ; daughter of
John Snyder, and granddaughter of that
John Snyder who laid out Uniontown. Their
children are : John Snyder, born February
15, 1888, and Annie E.,born April 13, 1887.
Mr. Latsha bought his present home in 1884,
paying for it $1,850; he has substantially
. improved it. He lost his mill bv the flood
of 1892, and rebuilt it at a cost of $800.
He is a Republican, is a member of the
Uniontown council, is a member of the Re-
formed church, has been deacon, and is
elder, and secretary of the Sunday-school.
He is a prominent man, and is regarded as
one of the solid and square members of the
business community, and a worthy and
honorable citizen.
BoNAwiTZ, Jonathan, farmer, was born in
Mifilin township, Dauphin county. Pa., Sep-
tember 27, 1833. George Bonawitz, his
908
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUYULOPEDIA
grandfather, was the son of a German who
came from the Fatherland to Pennsylvania,
and became a farmer. George was born in
Berks county, learned tailoring, and worked
at the trade both in Berks county and in
Mifflin township, Dauphin county, where he
came while still a young man. In this
township he bought one hundred acres of
land, part of which he cleared, and built on
it a log house and barn, and made other im-
provements. Here he engaged in farming
and stock raising. He married a Miss Kop-
penheffer; their family consisted of six chil-
dren. His wife dying, he married a Miss
Matter ; her children were eight in number.
George Bonawitz died in Mifflin township.
He was an old line Whig. He belonged to
the Lutheran church, new school.
John Bonawitz, father of Jonathan, at-
tended subscription schools, and obtained a
fair education. He went to farming and
stock raising upon a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres, on which he had built a
dwelling and other needful structures. He
married Sallie Schoffstall, born in Lykens
township. They had five children, of whom
Jonathan is the only survivor; Kate, Polly,
Henry, and Sarah, wife of Jacob Lesker, all
being deceased. The mother dying in 1840,
Mr. Bonawitz married Kate Harman, widow
of John Mossner. They had no children.
John Bonawitz died on the homestead in
1884. He was an old line Whig, and be-
longed to the Lutheran church, old school,
and took an active part in church matters.
He was a well-known citizen, and was uni-
versally liked.
Jonathan Bonawitz attended subscription
schools and public schools during the win-
ter, and worked on the farm in summer. He
became a farmer, lived all his life on the
homestead, and took care of his father in his
old age. He cultivated one hundred and
thirty^ acres of land, on which he made many •
improvements. Jonathan Bonawitz was
married, in Halifax township, in August,
1861, to Margaret, daughter of Henry Rut-
ter of that township, born in Millersburg,
Pa., in 1840. Their children were: Mary,
wife of Peter Stine; Charles, farms the
homestead ; William E., physician at Fish-
erville, Jackson township; Katie and
Frances, both in the millinery business at
Berrysburg. Katie attended the Westches-
ter State Normal School. Mr. Bonawitz is
a Eepublican. He has been school director
for one term, also tax collector, assessor and
supervisor of roads. He is a member of the
old Lutheran church, a Sunday-school teacher
and superintendent. He is also the leader
of the choir, and has been organist of the
church from boyhood. He has been an ex-*
cellent singer in his day. He is a favorite
both in church circles and in political life.
His home is a musical one, all the children
being musicians. It is a delightful family,
and a fountain of good to the community.
Stine, Peter E., son-in-law of Mr. Bona-
witz, was born in Washington township,
Dauphin county. Pa., September 23, 1861.
His father was Peter L. Stine, and his grand-
father Peter John Stine, a farmer of Lykens
township. Peter L. Stine was born in that
township in 1827. He was a farmer, and had
a grist mill in Washington township for
seventeen years. In 1885 he engaged in
mercantile business in Elizabethville, Pa.,
meeting with success. He was married, in
Lykens township, to Elizabeth Bufflngton,
born in Lykens Valley ; she died in 1892.
Their children were: Ellen, wife of C. A.
Deibler, farmer of Mifflin township ; Sarah,
wife of Daniel J. Deibler, Mifflin township ;
Isaac T., farmer and miller, Lykens town-
ship; Catherine, wife of Edward Martin,
Kansas; Peter E.; David C, at home;
John J., died aged four years ; Harry W., with
his father ; Carrie, wife of Charles Cooper,
farmer, Washington township; Samuel T.,
with his father. Peter L. Stine is now in
the drug business in Elizabethville. He is
a Democrat, and has held various township
offices, including that of school director. He
is a member of the Reformed church.
Peter E. Stine received a fair education in
the schools of Washington township and at
Berrysburg Seminary, which he attended for
one term. He worked on the farm for his
father until he was twenty years of age,
after which he was clerk for Frederick
Weaver in Elizabethville for four years.
For seven years afterwards he managed busi-
ness for his father. On March 25, 1892, he
removed to Mifflin township and embarked
in the creamery business, estabhshing a plant
which cost $4,000, including a cider press
and chop mill. He pays the farmers in the
region over $1,000 per month for milk. He
has also a branch creamery in Northumber-
land county, which cost over $1,000. In this
business he is meeting with success. Peter
E. Stine was married, in Mifflin township, in
1885, to Mary F., daughter of Jonathan Bon-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
909
awitz, born in May, 1862. Their children
are : Amy J., Earl A., Clayton E., and Hu-
bert N. Mr. Stine is a Democrat ; he was
for three years auditor. He is a member of
the Reformed church, and a deacon. He
has been for twenty years a Sunday-school
teacher, and for four years a superintendent
of the school. The career of Mr. Stine is
notable and especially interesting to young
men and boys who have to make their own
way in the world. He began with only ten
cents for capital. By push, pluck and enter-
prise, coupled with industry and integrity, he
has made his way into a comfortable busi-
ness and an assured competence.
RuNK, Rev. Jacob, retired minister of the
United Brethren church, residing at Berrys-
burg, Pa., was born in Elizabethville, Dau-
phin county. Pa., July 20, 1835. His grand-
father, John Jacob Runk, was born in Ger-
many, April 16, 1763. He came to this
country early in life and settled in Lykens
Valley, then a part of Lancaster county.
He married a Miss Hayman and bought of
his father-in-law seventy acres of woodland.
This he cleared and built upon it a dwelling
and other structures, living at first iA a log
house. He was always a farmer. His chil-
dren were : Michael, Jacob, Philip, Ludwig,
John, Susan, Elizabeth, Kate, and Hannah.
Mr. Runk and his wife died on the home-
stead, the former on December 4, 1826. They
were members of the German Reformed
church. Mr. Runk is a Democrat.
Plis son Philip, father of Rev. Jacob Runk,
was born in Elizabethville in September,
1805. He had a fairly good German educa-
tion and grew up on his father's farm. He
became a farmer and cultivated eighty acres
of land ; he had also forty acres of timber
land. He was to some extent a stock raiser.
He was married, in Lykens Valley, to Eliza-
beth Smith, born in the valley near Eliza-
bethville, in 1808 ; daughter of John Adam
Smith, a farmer of Berks county, of German
descent. They had nine children : Mary, de-
ceased ; Susan, deceased, wife of William
Bordner, Powell's Valley ; Rev. Jacob ; Chris-
tina, wife of Henry Buffington, Dauphin
county ; Michael, blacksmith. Pine Grove,
Pa.; Elizabeth, wife of John Shoop, Ninevah,
Mo.; Hannah, wife of Elias Shoop, farmer,
Powell's Valley ; Adam, resides in Logans-
port, Ind., and Philip, died young. The
father died on the homestead in December,
1874. He was born a Democrat and died a
Republican. He was school director, super-
visor and a member of the United Brethren
church, in which he was a class leader and
trustee. His wife also took an active part in
church aflFairs. She died on the homested in
1877.
Jacob Runk attended a German school in
Powell's Valley, kept in the basement of a
private house, and afterwards went to Eng-
lish and German schools of the township.
Prom eight to twenty-one years of age he
worked on his father's farm. He educated
himself by reading and observation, and
took up preaching. He was licensed to
preach, and after taking a three years' course
in theology was ordained to the ministry
in the United Brethren church by the con-
ference held at Schuylkill Haven, Pa., in
1859.
Mr. Runk's first field of labor in the Lord's
vineyard was near Reading, Berks county,
Pa., where he spent a short time. He went
thence to Lebanon -circuit, and remained
two years; thence to Hummelstown one
year; thence to Lykens Valley; thence to
Middleburg, Snyder county, two years; to
Reading Station two years; to Bethlehem,
Northampton county, three years ; to Salem
church, Lebanon, as station preacher, two
years.. He was then presiding elder for four
years. He went then to the town of Lykens
for three years ; thence to Jacksonville cir-
cuit two years; to Lykens Valley circuit two
years. Thence he went to Bellevue, Lebanon
county, and was one year on Bellevue circuit ;
thence to Allentown two years. Mr. Runk
was again elected presiding elder in 1888,
and removed to Berrysburg, where he has
since resided. After serving four years as
presiding elder he retired to his fine farm of
thirty-eight acres, on which he has his home.
Several churches hnve been built up under
his supervision. He has been three times a
delegate to general conference: at Dayton,
Ohio, in 1878; Westtield, 111., 1877; and
York, Pa., 1889. He still takes an active
part in church matters.
Rev. Jacob Runk was married, in Union-
town, MifHin township, Dauphin count}',
Pa., to Henrietta Geist, born in Uniontown,
August 21, 1843 ; daughter of Conrad Geist,
a preacher of the United Brethren church.
They have five children : Cora M., born
April 10, 1865, wife of Rev. Charles Mutch,
a United Brethren preacher, of Shamokin,
Northumberland county; Anna I., born
September 7, 1867 ; M. Ellie, born January
910
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
2, 1870, wife of Prof. Daniel Romberger,
Williamstown,Pa.,died June 5,1893; Irvin,
born August 23, 1874, teacher, now studying
at Lebanon Valley College. Mrs. Henrietta
Runk died August 28, 1874. She was a de-
vout Christian, and a talented leader in
church work, a lovely lady, and a devoted
mother. Mr. Runk was married the second
time in 1876, at Lebanon, to Sallie Davis,
born November 18, 1846, in Lebanon county.
They had one child, Harry V., born July
11, 1877, is a tinsmith at Uniontown. Mrs.
SaUie Runk died July 11, 1877.
Mr. Runk is a Republican and a Prohi-
bitionist. He worked hard to obtain an
education, having to depend upon his own
resources. He won success, and established
himself in his chosen profession. He has
been very active and useful ; he has worked
for the establishment of righteousness and
religion, and in all his fields of labor has
been a power for good. Advancing years
have not chilled his ardor or dampened his
zeal ; in years, as in youth, he is alive to the
needs of the world, and to all opportunities
for doing good.
Romberger, Bengohan, retired farmer,
was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 17, 1821. His grand-
father, Baltzer Romberger, was the son of a
German settler in Lancaster county. Pa., and
was a laborer. He married, in Lebanon
county, a Miss Bricker ; they had nine chil-
dren. Mr. Romberger died at the home of
his son Baltzer, in MifHin township, aged
eighty-eight ; his wife died at the same place
in her seventy-eighth year. He was a pio-
neer, and had a hard fight in life. Three
times he was driven from his home by the
Indians. He was an old school Democrat
and an old school Lutheran. Baltzer Rom-
berger (2), father of Bengohan, was born in
Lebanon county. Pa., in 1778. He received
a German education in subscription schools,
and was a farmer and blacksmith. He be-
gan business as a smith, and later in life
came to Lykens Valley and bought six hun--
dred acres of land, for a part of which he
paid |10 per acre ; the land was all in tim-
ber. With the assistance of his family, Mr.
Romberger cleared this land, and erected
upon it the needed buildings, made fences,
planted an orchard, etc. He then engaged
in stock raising.
Baltzer Romberger, Jr., was married, in
Lebanon, Pa., to Elizabeth Seacrer, born in
Lebanon, daughter of Conrad Seacrer, a
farmer, of Lebanon county. They had eleven
children: Mary, deceased, wife of Daniel
Matter, farmer ; Catherine, deceased, wife of
Philip Matter ; George and Daniel, deceased ;
Bengohan; Hannah, wife of Jacob Wood-
side, Berrysburg, Pa.; Rebecca, deceased,
wife of Jere Horner ; David, deceased ; Balt-
zer, farmer; Susan, deceased, wife of John
Bordner; and Elizabeth, deceased, wife of
Jacob Hoy. Mr. and Mrs. Romberger were
prominent and active members of the Lu-
theran church. Mr. Romberger was deacon
and elder. His politics were Democratic.
He died in Mifilin township in 1838; his
wife died in the same place in 1860, at the
home of her son Bengohan, who watched
over her in her declining years. She was
exemplary in all the relations of life, and
especially was she wise and faithful in the
training of her family.
Bengohan Romberger attended subscrip-
tion schools in Mifflin township in the winter,
and further educated himself by reading and
private study. From - early boyhood he
worked on the farm of his father, helping to
clear and cultivate the land. He remained
upon {he farm until he was seventeen years
of age, when his father died. He then spent
two years as clerk in a store at Gratz, and
after that, until he was twenty-one, he was
clerk in the store of bis brother-in-law at
Curtin, Pa. Mr. Romberger then purchased
the homestead of one hundred and seventeen
acres, paying $66.66 per acre. Part of the
price he paid with money saved from his
earnings, and for the rest he went into debt.
After cultivating this farm for four years, he
sold it for twice as much as he paid for it,
and bought another farm of one hundred
and,ten acres, which he improved, and occu-
pied for ten years, and then sold. He then
bought a third farm of one hundred and
fifty acres, well improved, which he still
operates. He purchased also another farm
of iiinety acres, which he keeps under culti-
vation. He is interested in live stock. He
is a very industrious man, working early
and late, and making every day tell toward
provision for the present and future needs of
himself and family.
Mr. Romberger was married, in Washing-
ton township, in 1842, to Amelia, daughter
of Joseph Fisher, farmer, born in Mifilin
township in 1822. They had five children :
Daniel, deceased; Joseph F., merchant at
Berrysburg; Mary M., deceased, wife of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
911
Charles Mattis; Nathan, farmer, Lykens
township ; and one child died in infancy.
Mrs. Amelia Romberger died in 1869. She
was a hard working, worthy woman. On
April 2, 1876, Mr. Romberger married his
second wife, Hannah Schrefiier, born in
Northumberland county, January 5, 1837 ;
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Gutzer)
SchrefHer, farmers of Berks county, and the
parents of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs.
Romberger had no children. Mrs. Rom-
berger had been previously married to Elias
Troutman, by whom she had two children :
J. Frankly, residing in Cleveland, Ohio ; and
Catherine S., who died young.
Mr. Romberger was a school director for
two terms and tax collector for seven terms.
He has been a merchant for many years, and
has been enterprising and successful, dis-
playing business tact and talent. He is a
man of dominant public spirit, as much in-
terested in the advancement of the town as
in the success of bis own business. He has
been aptly called the " Father of Berrysburg,"
which is an expression of the general convic-
tion as to his plans and purposes in the im-
provement of the community. He has built
many well arranged dwellings, among them
his own home, which he furnished with all
conveniences, at an outlay of $4,000. In
church affairs he is even more prominent, as
an honored member of the Lutheran church,
old school, which he has served as trustee,
deacon and elder. The brick of which the
fine house of worship of that denomination
is built was burned on his farm. He col-
lected most of the money to pay for the erec-
tion of the edifice, and was himself the largest
contributor to the fund. He has spent for
the church, first and last, the sum of $8,000.
In some respects Berrysburg is a model town,
and to the intelligence, enterprise, public
spirit and liberality of Mr. Romberger much
of its attractiveness is due. The town has
always been an object of his care and service,
and its citizens in turn love to honor Mr.
Romberger as a public benefactor.
HoYER, Benneville, retired, Berrysburg,
Pa., was born in 'Mahantango township,
Schuylkill county, Pa., February 12, 1844.
His grandfather, Peter Hoyer, was a laborer ;
he died in Berks county. Pa.
Henry Hoyer, father of Benneville Hoyer,
was born in Lykens Valley, Pa. He was a
laborer and removed to Schuylkill county.
He followed in his occupation until 1855,
when he died. In Lykens Valley he married
Mary Boyer, born in Schuylkill county, daugh-
ter of Samuel Boyer, farmer, of the same
county. They had five children : Elizabeth,
deceased, born in 1833, wife of William Engle ;
Rebecca, unmarried, lives at Barry, Schuyl-
kill' county, Pa.; lienry, deceased, soldier in
the late war in company A, Fiftieth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers ; Peter, died young.
Mr. Henry Hoyer was a Democrat. He was
a member of the Reformed church. His wife
died in Stone Valley, Northumberland county.
Pa., in February, 1856.
Benneville Hoyer attended the public
schools. At the age of eleven he lost his
father and was obliged to work on a farm for
his board and clothing until he was seven-
teen. He was then employed six months as
a teamster by G. Adams, after which he spent
a few months as apprentice in a smithy. At
the age of eighteen Mr. Hoyer enlisted, at
Sacramento, Schuylkill county. Pa., February
24, 1862, in company G, One Hundred and
Seventh regiment, Pennsvlvania volunteers.
Col. Thos. A. Ziegler, afterwards Col. T. F.
McCoy and Capt. M. Murphy. He partici-
pated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Bull
Run, South Mountain, and Antietam. At
the last named battle, September 17, 1862, he
lost his leg by a minie ball passing through
it. The leg was amputated in a barn, and he
was confined in the Smoketown, Md., hospital;
was discharged July 11, 1863, and returned
home. His father and mother being both
dead he remained only a short time and then
went to Philadelphia and learned cigair mak-
ing, at which he spent some time. He also
worked a short time at label printing, and
then went to the Soldiers' Home, supported
by the citizens of Philadelphia. Here he at-
tended school in 1864-65, and then returned
to Schuylkill county and worked a short time
at cigar making. After this he was for two
years clerk for John Reed, of Gratz, Dauphin
county. In 1869 Mr. Hoyer studied at Free-
burg Academy, Snyder county. Pa., under
Prof D. Boyer; in 1871-72 at Berrysburg
Seminary, under Prof. Peter Bergstresser. He
then taught school very successfully for two
terms in Jackson and Jefferson townships.
For the following six years he had a cigar
manufactory and a restaurant at Gratz, which
he sold, and in 1876 established the same
business at Berrysburg ; he conducted a cigar
factory and a restaurant in that place for fif-
teen years. He at length sold out and now
912
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYCLOFEDIA
resides in Berrysburg, having relinquished
active work.
Benneville Hoyer was married, in Jackson
township, Dauphin county, November 3, 1872,
to Caroline Schoffstall, widow of Benjamin
Kuntzelman, born in Gratz, Lykens township,
January 15, 1850 ; daughter of Solomon and
Catherine (Bordner) Schoffstall ; her father a
farmer of Lykens township. Their children
are : Jennie D., born February 25, 1874, wife
of C. H. Schoffstall ; Charles H., born Octo-
ber 9, 1875, baker, Philadelphia; James M.,
born August 18, 1877, farmer in Mifflin town-
ship ; William E., born August 2B, 1879, died
March 30, 1881 ; Raymond F., born Febru-
ary 12, 1881, died February 23, 1889 ; Anna
M., born February 4, 1886, attending Chester
Springs School ; Ella M., born November 24,
1887, also at same school ; Beulah C, born
September 26, 1891. Mrs. Hoyer died of
heart failure October 8, 1892.
The children by Mrs. Hoyer's first marriage
to Mr. Kuntzelman are : Aaron I., born April
27, 1867, miner, at Williamstown ; John B.,
born October 7, 1868, farmer in Upper Pax-
ton township.
Since the death of his wife Mr. Hoyer has
had as housekeeper Miss Emma J. Gessner,
an excellent young lady. The first vote Mr.
Hoyer cast, in November, 1864, in Philadel-
phia, was a Democratic ticket ; he is now a
Republican. He was a member of Kissinger
Post, No. 376, G. A. R., Gratz, Pa., and of P.
0. S. of A., Washington Camp, No. 307, Ber-
rysburg, Pa. He is a member of the Reformed
church, Berrysburg, Pa.
Mr. Hoyer is among the maimed patriots,
suffering much from the loss of his leg sacri-
ficed in the service of his country, but secure
in the reward bestowed by a consciousness of
duty faithfully performed, and in the grati-
tude which all good citizens render to those
who redeemed the life of the Nation. He has
cheerfully accepted his limitations and pa-
tiently worked on. Declining years bring
hi_m no regrets, and the future is spanned
with the bow of hope.
Straub, William, farmer and stockman,
Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Schuylkill
county, Pa., September 21, 1831 ; son of
John and Christian (Hime) Straub. John
Straub was also born in Schuylkill county,
and was a son of John Straub, farmer and
mill owner of that county, where he died.
John Straub, Jr., was also a farmer, and cul-
tivated several rented farms in his native
county, where he died in 1845. His wife,
Christiana Hime, was born in Northumber-
land county. Their children were : John,
resides in Northumberland county; Ange-
line, deceased, wife of Jere Matter, engineer;
William; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Da-
vid Seal; Samuel, Lykens township, Dau-
phin county; Amos, farmer, Mifflin town-
ship ; Sarah, died young ; Mary, wife of
John Wetmore, Seven Points, Northumber-
land county. Mr. Straub was a Democrat.
He was a member of the Lutheran church.
The second husband of Mrs. Straub was Val-
entine Savage ; they had a daughter, Alice,
wife of Henry Hamhulse, of Schuylkill
county. Mrs. Savage died at the home of
her son, William Straub, in 1880.
William Straub attended subscription
schools for a short time each year, during
the winter season, but his school advantages
were very limited, as he went to work on the
farm when he was six years of age. He
worked for his father until he was fourteen,
when his father died, after which he hired
out to do farm work, receiving as wages
|4 per month. He worked in this way
for three or four years and then learned
shoemaking, and worked for four years at
that trade. He then came to Mifflin town-
ship, Dauphin county, and for three years
was a teamster for Mr. Martin Curtin, a
storekeeper; then drove the mail stage from
Millersburg to Fremont, Schuylkill county.
He then rented and cultivated for sixteen
years a farm of one hundred and twenty-five
acres in Mifflin township. Having by this
time saved some money, Mr. Straub bought,
in 1873, his present farm of thirty acres
from Daniel Matter, on which there was an
old house. In 1875 he bought thirty addi-
tional acres near the homestead, built a fine
house as a dwelling, and one of the best
barns in the township, costing over $5,000.
He afterwards bought of G. J. Miller a farm
of eighty acres. He cultivated all this land
and engaged extensively in stock-breeding.
He has been and is still a very industrious
man. In his younger days it was his cus-
tom to work on the farm" in the day time
and drive a huckster wagon at night. He
has been very successfully engaged in huck-
stering for forty-five years.'
William Straub was married, in Mifflin
township, in December, 1853, to Elizabeth
Hultzman, born in Mifflin township, in
1837 ; daughter of Jonathan Hultzman,
farmer, Mifflin township. Their children
DAtTPSlM COtlNTT.
913
are: John N., Harrisburg, Pa.; Mary, wife
of John Dockey, who farms the homestead;
Charles, deceased ; Norman, farmer, Mifflin
township ; Emma, wife of Henry Howe,
farmer, Mifflin township ; Harry, farmer, on
homestead ; Katie, wife of Jacob U. Hart-
man, farmer, Mifflin township. Mrs. Straub
died in 1890, since when Mrs. Mary Dockey
has been lier father's housekeeper. Mr.
Straub is a Democrat. He is a member of
the Lutheran church, new school, and for a
number of years has been a trustee of the
church, to which he gives liberally. He
contributed over $600 for building the house
of worship. He is a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of the
Knights of Pythias, and of tlie Grange. Mr.
Straub is a man of good common sense, en-
terprising and active, and is a very success-
ful business man. He began farming with
$50 and a horse and buggy ; planted an
orchard of five acres, worked hard, and was
rewarded with the most gratifying success.
DuBENDOEP, Samuel D., blacksmith, was
born in Upper Paxton township, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 31, 1857.
His grandfather, Samuel Dubendorf, was
a Pennsylvanian of German extraction and
a farmer, owning and cultivating a farm of
one hundred acres in Lykens township, Dau-
phin county, on which he raised fine stock.
He was a famous hunter in his day. He
married in 'Lykens township. His children
were: David, William, Samuel, Levina, Hat-
tie, Matilda, Susan, and Sarah. He was an
old line Whig. Both he and his wife
died in Lykens township. They were mem-
bers of the German Reformed church. '
Samuel Dubendorf (2), father of Samuel
D., was born at Gratz, Lykens township, in
1828. He was a farmer and blacksmith.
He removed to Upper Paxton township,
where he built a shop and worked as a smith
for over fifty years, at the same time farming
twenty-one acres, on which he built a house
and barn and made other valuable improve-
ments. He was full of energy and enterprise
and his business was proportionately suc-
cessful. His first wife was a native of Mifflin
township, Lydia, daughter of John Radel,
farmer. Their children were : John, black-
smith, Elizabethville, Pa.; Amanda, wife of
John Bechtel, Elizabethville ; Susan, wife of
John Seal, Upper Paxton township ; Samuel ;
Daniel, and Charles, both deceased. Mrs.
Lydia Dubendorf died in 1862. Mr. Duben-
dorf s second wife was Christiana Markle, of
Northumberland county. They had three
children: William, carpenter, Millersburg,
Pa.; Mary, and Henry G., who reside at
home. Mr. Dubendorf was a Republican.
He was a member of the Reformed church.
He died in 1893 ; his wife survives him and
resides in Upper Paxton township.
Samuel D. Dubendorf attended school in
early boyhood in Upper Paxton township,
and at the age of fourteen went to work in
the blacksmith shop with his father. He
continued working with his father until he
was twenty, and then worked one year at his
trade for Henry Wise, at Gratz. Then for
one year he was employed to shoe the min-
ing team at Dayton, Pa. At the end of that
year he returned to work in his father's
shop. A year later, in 1881, he bought his
father's shop and trade and has ever since
conducted a general blacksmithing business
on his own account. He has prospered and
during this time has built a fine dwelling cost-
ing $1,000, making all the improvements re-
quisite for a most convenient and comfortable
home. Mr. Dubendorf was married, on the
homestead, in November, 1881, to Mary J.,
daughter of John N. Deibler, of Mifflin town-
ship, born in Centre county. Pa., in June,
1855. They have three children: John,
born November 20, 1882, attending school ;
Gertrude, born in June, 1886, attended
Berrysburg Seminary in >1898 ; and Pearl,
born August 29, 1889. Mr. Dubendorf is a
Republican and takes an active interest in
politics; he has served as inspector of elec-
tions. He is deeply interested in all school
matters and is in favor of compulsory edu-
cation. In church interests he is no less
active and devoted. He serves the United
Brethren Sunday-school as secretary and
librarian and has for the last ten years
officiated as sexton of the church. Mr. Du-
bendorf displays tireless industry in all that
he undertakes, is progressive and full of en-
terprise. He is a most useful member of
society, and is highly esteemed by all his
neighbors.
Ulsh, Jacob M., is among the prominent
and prosperous farmers and stockmen of
Mifflin township. He is a native of Green-
wood township. Perry county. Pa., and was
born January 8, 1855. He bears the name
of his grandfather, Jacob Ulsh, also a native
of Perry county and a farmer. His father,
Josiah Ulsh, was likewise born in Green-
914
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wood township, Perry county, where he was
reared, and where he owned and cultivated
one hundred acres of land, and was an ex-
tensive stock raiser. Josiah Ulsh married
Sarah Arbogast, born in Snyder county, Pa.,
in 1827. They had six children: Jacob M.;
Maggie, unmarried, residiiig in Perry county.
Pa.; John,, farmer. Greenwood township.
Perry county; Amelia, wife of Solomon
Weaver, Topeka, Kan.; Sarah, died young;
Albert, unmarried, lives in Topeka, Kan.
Mrs. Ulsh died in 1882. Mr. Ulsh survives
her .and resides oil the homestead in Perry
county. He is a Republican, is well known
and universally esteemed.
Jacob M. Ulsh attended the schools of his
native township, and began business early
by working on the home farm, where he
continued until he was twenty years oid.
He then came to Lykens Valley, Dauphin
county, and worked four years as a farm
hand for Jonathan Reigle, then went to
Benjamin Reigle's and worked for four years
on his farm, after which he cultivated the
farm of D. D. Elder, Washington township,
for eleven years. In 1894 he moved on the
farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres,
on which he now resides, in Mifflin town-
ship, and is engaged in farming and raising
live stock.
Jacob M. Ulsh was married, in Mifflin
township, in 1879, to Mary Lehman, born in
Mifflin township, .daughter of Samuel Leh-
man, a merchant of Upper Paxton township,
and his wife, Catherine (Deibler) Lehman.
Mr. and Mrs. Ulsh have had two children :
Sallie C, born in 1880, and Jacob H., in
1886.
Mr. Ulsh is a Republican. He served as
school director of Wasliington township for
two years. In 1882 he was constable of the
township. Mr. Ulsh has always been a
hard-working man and a good man of busi-
ness, and has succeeded in acquiring a com-
fortable competency. He is well known and
liked by every one, and is one of the solid
citizens of the community.
Miller, Major J. Frank, was born in
Annville, Lebanon county, June 13, 1830.
His grandfather, John Miller, spelled his
name Muller ; he was a native of Switzer-
land, and came to this country with his par-
ents, who settled in Dauphin county, then
included in Lancaster county. He owned a
large tract of land, then covered with tim-
ber, on which he cleared several farms, and
was extensively engaged in agriculture. He
married in Lancaster, the name of his wife
cannot now be given with certainty, but it
was probably Snavely. The names of his
children, so far as known, are: John, Isaac,
Abraham, Jacob, Christian, Magdalena ; but
there were others whose names cannot be
ascertained. He died in Hanover, Lebanon
county. He was a Whig and a member of
the Mennonite denomination.
Isaac Miller, father of the Major, received
a good education in subscription schools.
He spent his younger days with his father
on the farm, and became a competent busi-
ness man. When he became of age he
bought a farm of one hundred and forty
acres in South Annville township, Lebanon
county, which he occupied and improved
and continued to cultivate until 1847. He
then retired from active work, bought prop-
erty in Annville and resided there until his
death. Besides farming, he did a large busi-
ness in live stock, buying in the West and
shipping to the eastern markets. His busi-
ness in horses was very successful.
Isaac Miller was married at the place of his
birth, Hanover township, Lebanon county,
to' Mollie Frensler, a native of that place;
they had eight children : Henry, deceased, a
farmer; Sarah, widow of John Frensler,
Annville, Lebanon county ; Christiana, widow
of Jacob Bachman, Annville; Magdalena,
deceased, wife of Philip Wolfenberger, of
Illinois; Elizabeth, second wife of the same
Philip Wolfenberger, Princeton, 111.; J.
Frank; Jacob, in real estate business,
Princeton, 111.; Mollie, died in infancy. Mr.
Miller died at Annville in 1878. He was
originally a Whig, and afterwards a Re-
publican, and took an active part in political
movements. He possessed great business
ability and was always successsful in his en-
terprises. Pie and his wife became members
of the United Brethren church at Annville,
and attended the services there up to the
time of their death.
J. Frank Miller waS' educated at subscrip-
tion schools taught in German, and learned
his first lessons in that tongue; in that
course he went as far as the psalter.' He
also attended the Meyerstown Academy for
one year, and attended the Annville Acad-
emy, Lebanon county, for two years. He
worked on the farm with his father until
1848 and then went to Iowa; remained a
short time, and returned as far as Mansfield,
Ohio, near which place he had charge of a
DAUPSim COUNTY.
915
grist mill for just six months, when he was
taken ill, and returned to his home at Ann-
ville, Pa., and taught winter school for three
terms. After this Mr. Miller was for two
years in the shoe and hat factory business at
Meyerstown, and was reasonably successful.
During this time he received his first com-
mission from Governor Bigler, as lieutenant
of State militia.
In 1854 Mr. Miller went to Princeton, 111.,
and engaged in the grain business, which
yielded him very satisfactory profits until
the panic of 1858 prostrated all business.
He did not, however, abandon the busi-
ness ^there until 1860, when he returned
to Dauphin county, Pa. During his stay at
Princeton he became identified with the
" underground railroad." in 1853 he received
from Governor Bissell, of Illinois, a commis-
sion as first lieutenant in the Illinois State
militia. After his return to Pennsylvania
he resided at Berrysburg until the war broke
out in 1861.
In June of that year Mr. Miller enlisted
in company B, Ninth regiment, Pennsylva-
nia cavalry, as second lieutenant, under
Colonel Williams and Capt. E. G. Savage.
He served with the regiment in this rank
until August 2, 1862, when he was promoted
and mustered in as fi rst lieutenant,company C ;
May 23, 1863, he was again promoted and mus-
tered in as captain of company K. He was
promoted to major of the regiment June 23,
1865. During his time of service Major
Miller was in the following engagements :
Paris, Ky., July 9, 1862; Richmond, Ky.,
September 2, 1862 ; Perryville, Ky., October
8, 1862 ; Carter's raid into East Tennessee,
December, 1862 ; commanded by General
Carter, 1,104 men in the saddle ; marched
twenty-one days, often continuously day
and night, two hundred and seventy-three
miles into the enemy's lines; Franklin,
Tenn., March 4, 1863 ; Spring Hill, Tenn.,
March 10, 1863; Triune, Tenn., June 11,
1863; Shelbyville, Tenn., .June 28,1863; La-
fayette, Ga., September 13, 1863 ; Chicka-
niaugua, Ga., September 19, 20, 21 , 1863 ; New
Market, Ala., October 6, 1863; Dandridge,
Tenn., December 24, 1863; Mossy Creek,
Tenn., December 26, 27, 29, 1863.; Dan-
dridge, Tenn., January 16, 1864; Lovejoy
Station, Ga., November 16, 1864; Macon,
Ga.; November 20,1864; Waynesboro, Ga.,
November 28, 1864 ; Savannah, Ga., Decem-
ber 21, 1864; Columbia, S. C, February 18,
1865; Averysboro, N. C, March 16, 1865;
Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 20, 1865;
Raleigh, N. G, April 12, 1865 ; Morrisville,
N. C, April 13, 1865, and at the surrender
of Johnson and his army at Benton's house,
N. G, April 26, 1865. Major Miller was dis-
charged from the service at Harrisburg in
September, 1865.
For the first year after his return from the
army he was engaged in mercantile business
at Berrysburg. He then became agent for
several companies manufacturing agricul-
tural implements, and was thus occupied for
a number of years. He has now practically
retired from active business.
Maj. J. Frank Miller was married, at Ber-
rysburg, July 4, 1855, to Emma J., daughter
of Dr. H. C. and Mary (Boyer) Beshler, born
at Freeburg, Union county, now Snyder
county, March 6, 1835. Their children are :
Henry I., born February 24, 1857, educated
in Berrysburg Seminary, taught school, and
became a music dealer, he married Addie
Moyer, of Georgetown, Northumberland
county, and they have four children : Frank,
Ralph, Albert, and George, deceased; Anna
Laura, born August 24, 1859, educated in
Berrysburg Seminary, married George D.
Romberger, insurance agent, at Berrysburg,
and they have ten children, of whom eight
are living.
Major Miller was for four years postmaster
at Berrysburg, commissioned under Presi-
dent Harrison. He was also justice of the
peace for five years, and was a careful, im-
partial and popular official. He was school
director for two terms, and is an ardent ad-
vocate of compulsory education. He has
served as both State and county tax collec-
tor, and was census taker for Lykens Valley
in 1870 and 1880. He was a candidate for
sheriff on the Republican ticket in 1866, but
was defeated. He is a member of Princeton
Lodge, No. 112, F. & A. M., Princeton, 111.,
and of the Knights of Honor, Princeton ; he
is also a member of Kilpatrick Post, G. A.
R., at Millersburg, Pa. Major Miller is a
member of the Lutheran church, new
school.
Dr. H. C. Beshler, father of Mrs. Miller,
was a well-known physician at Berrysburg.
He was a native of Northumberland county,
and of German descent. His wife was born
in Snyder county, also of German ancestry.
They had three children : Emma J., Mrs.
Miller ; Annie E., deceased, wife of D. K.
McClure ; John B., deceased, a prominent
physician, of Berrysburg.
916
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
BuKTZ, Rev. Stephen, pastor of the United
Evangelical church, Berrysburg, was born in
Schuylkill county, Pa., October 22, 1854;
son of John and Charlotta (Keler) Buntz,
both natives of Germany. The father was
a carpenter by occupation and in 1854 came
to this country, locating in Schuylkill county,
where he spent the remainder of his life.
His children are: Henry, Elizabeth, Her-
man, Mary, John, deceased, Stephen, John,
deceased, and two children, who died in in-
fancy. The father died in Schuylkill county
in 1868, and his wife died in Ashland, same
county, in 1891, and both were members of
the Evangelical church. Stephen attended
the schools at Tamaqua and began his busi-
ness life by working several years in the coal
mines. Later he learned the trade of cigar
making and followed that business for fifteen
years. He then took up the study of theology
and other branches in preparation for the
work of the ministry, and was ordained a
deacon by the Evangelical Association in
1888 at Norristown, Pa. Since his ordina-
tion he has had charge of the churches at
Ringtown, Hackney, Bridston, Meyerstown
and Kuntstown, and in March, 1896, was in-
stalled pastor of the church at Berrysburg.
Rev. Buntz was married, at Ashland, Pa., in
October, 1873, to Mary E. Tuckenbill, a na-
tive of Schuylkill county. Their children
are : Edwin S., attending school, and Robert
p., died young. Mr. Buntz is a Prohibitionist
in his political views.
Bowman, William H., furniture manufac-
turer and undertaker, Uniontown, Pa., was
born near Berrysburg, Pa., January 13, 1856.
He attended the schools of the township in
the winter and worked on his grandfather's '
farm until he was sixteen years of age. He
then attended the Berrysburg Seminary
under Prof. Bergstresser for two years, after
which he spent three years as an apprentice
at the trade of cabinet making, and then
worked three years as a journeyman. In
1880 he started a small shop of his own in
Uniontown, having only $20 in cash to be-
gin with, and has .continued in the business
since that time. Eight years later he erected
a factory 22x56 feet, and equipped it with
the most improved machinery. His business
has increased and has been profitable. He
has built a fine residence, and is a prominent
and prosperous business man. Mr. Bowman
was married, at Uniontown in 1877, to Miss
Kate Underkoffer, born in Northumberland
county in 1856; daughter of Jolin Under-
koffer, a farmer and miller. They have six
children : Emory I., Elura M., Clayton V.,
Bertha C, Paul J., and Florence E. In po-
litical views Mr. Bowman is a Democrat and
served as burgess of Uniontown three years,
school director nine years, and also as audi-
tor, judge of elections and clerk. He is a
member of the Lutheran church, in which
he holds the office of deacon and is the super-
intendent and a teacher of the Sunday-school.
He is master of forms in the Patriotic Order
Sons of America.
Deibler, Daniel J., farmer and stock-
man, Berrysburg, Pa., was born on the old
homestead in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county. Pa., August 7, 1849 ; son of George
and Hannah (Deibler) Deibler. He attended
the township school, taught in the Deibler
school house for three months each winter,
and worked on the farm in the other months,
until he was twenty-one years old. He then
went to Illinois, and for sixteen months was
engaged in farming, after which he returned
and worked on the homestead until liis
father's death, since which he has had charge
of the farm, which consists of one hundred
and fifty-nine acres, of which fifty acres are
timbered land on which there is a saw mill.
He was married, at Annville, Lebanon
county, March 13, 1873, to Sarah L. Stine,
born April 8, 1854 ; daughter of Peter L.
Stine and Elizabeth (Buffington) Stine. The
former resides at Elizabethville, and is a
farmer and miller; the latter died at Eliza-
bethville in 1892. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Deibler are : Clara E., Katie E., Polly
L., Daniel D., Carrie M., Abbie R., Sadie I.,
Lulie E., Mark L., John C, and one child
died young. Mr. Deibler is a Republican in
politics, served as school director nine years,
and supervisor of roads three years, assistant
assessor one term, and judge of elections one
year. He is a member of the German Re-
formed church.
Deibler, George A., farmer and dairy-
man, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Mifflin
township, Dauphin county. Pa., June 13,
1848 ; son of George and Hannah (Deibler),
Deibler, and brother of John W. Deibler, of
Berrysburg. He attended the school taught
during the winter months at the Deibler
school house and during the summer months
worked on the farm. He remained on the
old homestead until he was twenty-four
ry-i^i3/A. c^ uJt^ c/aL^
DAUFSm COUNTY.
919
years old, and then began farming for him-
self. He bought one hundred and twenty-
five acres of farming land and fifty acres of
mountain laud, which he has been engaged
in cultivating and developing. In 1874 he
built a fine residence of brick made on the
place, costing $2,500, and erected a barn and
other buildings, costing $2,000 additional.
He was married, in Washington township,
in 1872, to Ellen Stine, born in Lykens
township, September 30, 1851, a daughter of
Peter L. Stine. Their children are : Peter
F., Charles E., Sallie T., George W., Emma
D., Elmer S., Henry H., Isaac N., and Cora E.
Mr. Deibler was school director two terms,
supervisor one term, and assessor and tax
collector one term. In his political views
he is a Republican. He is a member of the
German Reformed church and a Sunday-
school teacher.
Dettek, David F., principal of Berrys-
burg Seminary, was born in York county.
Pa., August 6, 1865. The great-grandfather
came from Germany in his youth, settled in
York county, engaged in farming and died
in that county. John Detter, the grand-
father, was also a farmer in York county.
He married Sarah Jacobs, and they had six
children. He was a Democrat and a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church. James Detter,
the father, was born in 1826 and brought up
in York county. He attended subscription
schools, and also the Oxford College in
Adams count}', where he received his higher
education. He became a professional teacher,
and was engaged in the work for seventeen
years, teaching in both subscription and in
public schools. While teaching he con-
ducted a business of contracting and build-
ing. Subsequently he took up farming on
the homestead, and became an extensive
farmer and stockman, retiring from the
business in 1882. He rented his farm and
took up his residence at Bermudian, in
Adams county.
He was married, in York county, to Cathe-
rine Roth, born in Jackson township, York
county, in 1830 ; daughter of John Roth,
farmer. Their children are: Franklin, Wal-
ter, David F., Howard, Mary J., Latimer,
Reuben, and John, who died in infancy.
The father was originally a Democrat, and
changed his views and became a Republican
in 1861. He was much interested and very
active in all church matters in his younger
58
days. He is a member of the Evangelical
church.
David F. attended the public schools
in Washington township, York county,
and was reared on the farm. At eigh-
teen years of age he entered East Berlin
Academy, in Adams county, and after two
years study was graduated in 1882. He
taught school in Washington township,
York county, one term, was sent to the prin-
cipal of the Franklintown school one year,
and then taught in Lancaster county until
1887, when he took an elementary course
and was graduated from the Millersville
State Normal School in 1889. He then be-
came principal of the New Holland public
school, in which position he remained until
1892, when he was elected principal of the
Berrysburg high school, and has filled the
place for four years with great acceptance.
Mr. Detter is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and a teacher in the Sun-
day-school. In political views he is a Re-
publican, and is a member of Washington
Camp, P. 0. S. of A.
Enteeline, Solomon H., deceased, for-
merly a prominent business man at Berrys-
burg, was born in Uniontown, Mifflin town-
ship, January 7, 1835 ; son of Michael and
Elizabeth (Herfer) Enterline. The grand-
father was born in Germany and came to
this country, where he spent the remainder
of his life in labors of the ministry in the
Lutheran church. He ministered to the
spiritual needs of the people in Mifflin town-
ship and helped to build the first Lutheran
church in the township, known as the Hill
church. By his self-sacrificing devotion and
faithful and able services he endeared him-
self to the people and was held in high
esteem. In his political views he was a Dem-
ocrat. Michael, the father, was born and
educated in Germany and learned the trade
of hatter. Later he engaged in keeping
hotel and in cultivating a farm. He was
married, in Lykens Valley, to Elizabeth
Herfer, a native of Centre county. Their
children were : Eliza, Sarah, Mary A., Louisa,
Catherine, Elizabeth, Solomon, Jennie, and
two who died young. The father was a Dem-
ocrat. He and his wife were members of the
Lutheran church and both died in Berrys-
burg.
Solomon attended the schools of his native
township and acquired a fair education.
When fifteen years of age he became clerk
s^o
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
in a store at Berrysburg, where he remained
until he was twenty-two years old. He then
bought an interest in the store of George
Lark, with whom he remained in business
for several years, when he sold out and for
three years was clerk in the grain business
at Elizabethville. He next started a store at
Bull Run, Snyder county, which he con-
ducted successfully for two years, after which
he returned to Berrysburg and was engaged
in farming for two years. His next venture
was in partnership with Josiah Yeager in a
store at Fisherville, which they conducted
for three and a half years. He then returned
to Berrysburg and bought a store for |2,500,
which he conducted with gratifying success,
and in which he continued until his death.
Mr. Enterline was married, in Halifax, Sep-
tember 26, 1860, to Anna E. Snyder, born in
Berrysburg, December 3, 1840 ; daughter of
Abraham and Hannah (Bordner) Snyder, the
former a shoemaker and a native of Dauphin
county. Their children are : M. Elizabeth,
born October 11, 1861, wife of Dr. Charles
M. Richert, of Harrisburg; Katie A., born
August 12, 1863, unmarried, bookkeeper at
Philadelphia; Sallie L., born October 20,
1865, unmarried, at Harrisburg; Virginia
E., born January 5, 1867, wife of Prof J. B.
Reese, principal of Ridgway school ; Charles
M., born April 20, 1868, moulder, at York.
Mr. Enterline died July 7, 1879. In polities
he was a Democrat. He was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. In fra-
ternal relationship he was associated with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His
business tact and talent were of a high or-
der, and his business career was successful
and laudable. He built a fine residence at
an outlay of $4,000, and took place among
the most prominent business men of the
region. He was widely known and uni-
versally popular.
'■ Hoffman, William, son of Jacob ai;id Eve
Elizabeth (Weiser) Hoffman, was born Sep-
tember 7, 1831, in Jordan township, North-
umberland county. Pa. His grandfather re-
moved from Berks county, where he was
born, to Lykens Valley, at an early day,
locating on a farm near Berrysburg. He
married Rebecca Kuntzman, and their chil-
dren were : Daniel, George, Jacob, Johii, and
seven daughters. Jacob learned the trade
of a carpenter and married Eve Elizabeth
Weiser. Their children were: William;
John; Mary, who married a Mr. Witmer;
Sarah, who married a Mr. Moyer ; and Eliza-
beth, who married a Mr. Deppen. He re-
moved to Northumberland county, where
he followed farming and cabinet making, and
there most of their children were born.
William Hoffman's early life was passed on
his father's farm, and his educational advan-
tages were limited to the country schools.
In 1859 he removed to Uniontown, Dauphin
county, where he engaged in merchandising
until 1865, when, having retired from mer-
cantile pursuits, he began the manufacture of
agricultural implements, which occupation
was continued until 1878, when he again
resumed his former business. In 1860 Mr.
Hoffman was elected a justice of the peace,
which office he held for^ twenty years. In
1877 he was chosen burgess of Uniontown
borough, and is a director of the First Na-
tional Bank of Millersburg. Mr. Hoffman
married, October 20, 1853, Lydia, daughter
of Adam Willier, of Lykens township. Their
children are: W.Jacob; J. Weiser; Sarah E.,
who married a Mr. Emrick ; Kate A., and
Eulera J.
Hess, John, farmer, Pillow P. 0., was born
in Lykens township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
January 31, 1840 ; son of Solomon and Eva
(Salbyn) Hess, and brother of Solomon Hess.
He attended school-in the township only in
the winter, and only for about one month in
each year. He began regular farm work at
eight years of age, and was employed on the
homestead until he was twenty-three years of
age. He then rented a farm in Lykens town-
ship containing eighty acres, which he worked
for two years, and also ninety acres belong-
ing to his father for two years after. He
next went into the hotel business, buying
property at Uniontown, for which he paid
|7,000, a part of which he had saved from his
four years' farming. He kept the hotel one
year and sold it for $9,000, and in 1869
bought a farm of ninety acres of his father in
Lykens township, which he has improved,
erecting a dwelhng for $3,000 and a barn for
$2,500, and otherwise improved the place.
• He raises stock and attends the markets at
Middletown, and also takes a great interest
in county fairs. He was married, in Upper
Paxton township, in 1862, to Caroline Moyer,
born at Gratz, January 10, 1844; daughter of
George Moyer, a native of Germany, and a
blacksmith by trade. They have two chil-
dren: Mary C, married Nathan Hortman,
who died in 1891, and they have one child,
DAVPMIN GOV^Tf.
^2l
Annie; she next married Luther Byerly,
farmer on the homestead ; Annie M., unmar-
ried. Mr. Hess is a Eepubhcan and has
served as school director three years, tax col-
lector three terms and assessor one year. He
is a member of the German Reformed church
and has been an elder for two years.
Hartman, Jacob, farmer and mill owner,
Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Lykens town-
ship, Dauphin county, March 28, 1828.
Henry Hartman, the grandfather, was a
native of Germany and a farmer. He first
settled in Montgomery county ; moved from
there to Williams Valley and afterwards to
Lykens Valley, where he farmed one hun-
dred acres of land, and raised live stock.
He married a Miss Herner, and they had six
children. Both were members of the Lu-
theran church, and both died near Gratz, Pa.
Henry, the father, was an extensive farm
and stockman, cultivating three hundred
acres, and owning and operating a grist mill
in Washington township. He married Mag-
delina Shotfstall, of Lykens Valley, and they
had six sons and five daughters : John, de-
ceased ; Henry ; Simon, deceased ; Elizabeth ;
Jacob ; Benneville and Catherine, twins, de-
ceased; Moses, Michael, Catherine, Polly,
and Umholtz. Originally Mr. Hartman was
a Whig, and later a Republican. He and
•his wife were members of the Lutheran
church, and he served in various church and
Sunday-school offices. Both died on the old
homestead.
Jacob attended the subscription school
taught in the log school house, which was
originally his father's home. His education
was limited, because he was obliged to drive
the horses in tramping out the wheat, and
also to use the flail on the grain, to chop
wood in winter, and work on the crops in
summer. He remained at home until he
.was twenty-four years of age, after which he
took one of his father's farms in Washington
township on the shares for six years, and
saved a little money. He bought a farm of
his father consisting of one hundred and six
acres of land, only a part of which was
cleared, on which there were a small frame
house and log barn, for which he paid $56
per acre. He cleared the land, built a fine
dwelling house, of brick made on the farm,
costing $3,000, and also a good barn, and
other buildings costing $1,800. He also
bought more land, and built a flouring mill
costing $8,000 ; and is reported as one of the
most prosperous men in the township. He
was married, in Mifflin township, in 1853, to
Catherine Deibler, daughter of John Deibler,
born in Mifflin township, in 1833. Their
children are : Lena ; ' John ; Nathaniel, de-
ceased ; George, deceased ; Henry, Grant,
Kate, Emma, and one child died young.
Mr. Hartman is a Republican in politics,
and has served in the offices of school direc-
tor, supervisor, tax collector, and assessor.
He is a member of the Lutheran church, in
which he is deacon, elder, trustee, and treas-
urer, and is also Sunday-school superintend-
ent and teacher.
Kautz, Dr. a. J., physician, Berrysburg,
Pa., was born in Union county. Pa., July 31,
1837 ; son of John Kautz. The father was a
carpenter by occupation, and died in 1850.
He married Mary Fisher, also a native of
Union county, and they had six children :
Christian, Mary A., George W., Samuel B.,
Dr. A. J., and B.Franklin. Themotherdiedin
Snyder county, in 1881. Dr. A. J. attended
school in Washington township, Snyder
county, and hired out as a farmer boy until
he was eighteen years of age, after which he
attended Freeburg Academy, and Dickinson
Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., two terms. In
1860 he taught school during the winter
months in Schuylkill county, and read medi-
cine with Dr. Schalfer for six months. In
1862 he went West to Illinois and read medi-
cine with Dr. Fox, and was an assistant in
the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, for three
years. He was graduated from the medical
department of the Iowa State University, in
1865, after which he worked in a drug store
for a time, and, in the latter part of the same
year came East and located in Northumber-
land county, where he practiced medicine for
three years. He then took an extended
course at Jefferson Medical College, at Phila-
delphia, and received a diploma from that in-
stitution in 1869. He came then to Berrys-
burg, where he has since been in practice
since that time. Dr. Kautz was married, in
February, in 1869, to Emeline S. Miller, of
Berrysburg, and to this marriage there is no
issue. She died in 1888, and he married, in
1890, for his second wife, Sarah F. Kahler,
of Berrysburg, and to this marriage no chil-
dren have been born. In politics Dr. Kautz
is an ardent Democrat, and has served as
school director. He is a member of the Lu-
theran church, in which he is an elder and
deacon.
922
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lehman, William, farmer and stockman,
Berrysburg, was born near St. John Lu-
theran church in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county. Pa., February 7, 1857. John, the
father, was a son of Samuel and was born
in Mifflin township, June 10, 1821. He at-
tended the subscription schools and acquired
a fair education in German and English. He
learned the trade of shoemaker and followed
the occupation for some years, after which
he rented a farm of sixty acres belonging to
the church, which he operated for twenty-
eight years. He then bought the farm of
fifteen acres which his son now owns and
occupies, upon which he erected buildings
and made substantial improvements. He
was married, in Mifflin township, to Denah
KoppenhefFer, born in the township in 1825.
They have ten children : Anna, Henry,
Mary, Amanda, deceased, John, Hannah,
William, Sarah, Charles, and Emma, de-
ceased. He died January 27, 1893. In poli-
tics he was a Democrat and in faith and fel-
lowship a Lutheran, and was an elder, deacon
and trustee in the church.
William attended school near Berrysburg,
and worked on the farm until he attained
his majority, when he lived out as a farm la-
borer for twelve years. He took up butch-
ery and continued at it one year, after which
he returned to the homestead on which he
has since been employed. He is not mar-
ried but is the support and stay of his mother.
In politics he is a Democrat and in religion
a Lutheran, and is a deacon and Sunday-
school teacher. His entire life has been
spent in his native valley.
Lenker, Valentine, harness maker,
Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Washington
township, Dauphin county. Pa., July 12,
1838. Christian Lenker, the father, was born
at the same place and was a farmer by oc-
cupation. He married Susan Shott, born
■in Lykens Valley, and they had four chil-
dren : Daniel S., Valentine, Christian, a
physician in Schuylkill county, and Hiram,
died young. The father served as county
commissioner for one term, and in most of
the township offices. He was a Democrat,
and a member of the German Reformed
church. He died on the old homestead, and
his wife died in Jackson township in 1877.
Valentine attended school in the town-
ship and worked on the homestead, later he
served an apprenticeship of four years at the
trade of harness making with Josiah Yarger,
after which he opened a shop in Wiconisco,
which he conducted for several months, and
then engaged in the same business near
Harrisburg, and remained a short time.
He then removed to Fisherville, where he
worked at his trade in connection with car-
riage trimming. September 21, 1861, he en-
listed at Halifax in company E, Ninth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania cavalry, Capt. J. E.
Dealhuter and Col. Ed. Williams, and served
under General Kilpatrick until he was dis-
charged December 24, 1864.. After remain-
ing at his home at Fisherville a short time,
he obtained a position as a Government har-
ness maker at Washington, D. C, which he
held until the close of the war. He then re-
turned to Berrysburg and resumed work at
his trade, and continued until March, 1896,
when he sold his business to William Miller.
Mr. Lenker was married, at Fisherville, in
1860, to Ellen E. Uhler, born at Harrisburg,
and they have six children : Charles ('.;
Anna L., wife of R. J. Robertson, salesman ;
Maggie V., wife of R. M. Hoover ; Harvey
E., Thomas E., and one child who died in
infancy ; his wife died May 14, 1892. In his
political views Mr. Lenker is a Republican.
He represented the county in the State Leg-
islature one term, and served as burgess of
Berrysburg, tax collector and justice of the
peace. He is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, Patriotic Order
Sons of America, and Grand Army of the
Republic. In religious faith and fellowship
he is with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Miller, Jonathan, retired, Berrysburg,
Pa., was born in Berks county, Pa., April 8,
1812. Christian Miller, the father, was born
in Maryland, and followed the occupation of
carpenter, in Berks county, where he died in
1818. He married Mary Shall, of Berks
county, and their children are : Isaac, de-
ceased; Catherine, deceased, wife of Fred.
Yousel ; Sarah, widow of George Seibert ;
Jonathan, and Samuel S., resides in Indiana.
The father was a Democrat in politics, and
in religious faith and fellowship was a
Lutheran. The mother died in Berks
county.
Jonathan acquired a good education in
the subscription schools of Berks county.
He learned both English and German and
still has in his possession the text books he
used in his school days. At eleven years
old he left home and became a clerk in a
store in Berks county, where he remained
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
923,
until he was fifteen years old. On June 12,
1828, he located in the wilds of Dauphin
county, at a small place then called Hellers-
town, and which subsequently received the
name of Berrysburg. His first employment
was as a general clerk in the store of Mr.
Uhlman, with whom he remained twelve
years and five months. At the end of this
period, in 1837, during the business panic of
that time he embarked in business for him-
self, and although the only money in circu-
lation was the famous and infamous " shin
plasters " of that time, he was successful
in his venture and continued in business
four years. During the next sixteen years he
cultivated a farm of eighty-four acres, which
he bought, and on which he made substantial
improvements. Desiring a change of occupa-
tion, he left the farm and removed to Berrys-
burg, where he speculated in real estate and
made loans. On account of the many and sub-
stantial improvements in property made by
him, he may fittingly be called the father
of Berrysburg. Mr. Miller has mechanical
tastes and talents and is an expert in
the use of tools. He is also gifted with liter-
ary ability, has a good memory, and has ac-
cumulated a library of good books, valued
at $1,000, and of course is deeply interested
in education and all means for the intellec-
tual betterment of the community. He was
married, in Mifflin township, January 3,
1832, to Elizabeth Bleistine, born in that
township, January 3, 1815. Their children
were : Sarah A., died young ; Emeline S., Mrs.
Kautz; Uriah, died young. His wife died
in 1882, and in 1884 he married Catherine
Deibler, widow of Mr. Speck, and to this
marriage there is no issue. Mr. Miller is a
Democrat in politics, and he and his wife
are members of the Lutheran church. He
is retired from active business and is enjoy- ~
ing the evening of life in a quiet and com-
fortable home, cheered by the society of his
wife and occupied with literature and art.
Rakee, Dk. William, Uniontown, Pillow
P. 0., was born in Northumberland county.
Pa., in February, 1836. John, the father,
was born in the same county and was a phy-
sician. He died in his native county in
1874. His wife, Elizabeth Barthomalue, was
a native of the same county. Their children
are: William; Katie, wife of J. Remger,
coal dealer, in Northumberland county;
■Elizabeth, unmarried; and Henry M., phy-
jcian. The father was a Democrat of the
old school, and in religious views was an old
school Lutheran.
William received his primary education in
Augustaville and attended the high school at
Selinsgrove and the college at Gettysburg.
He read medicine under his father and under
Dr. Smith for two years, and was graduated
from the medical college at Philadelphia in
1854. He shared his father's practice at
home for six months and then settled. at
Uniontown, where he has been in practice
for over forty years and has met with large,
success in his professional work. He was
married, in Northumberland county, in 1857,
to Catherine Weaver, who was born at Ber-
rysburg, Pa., and they have four children :
Alice G., wife of J. S. Overholzer ; Ella J.,
wife of Prof. J. A. Eisenhaur ; Clarence B,,
student of pharmacy ; Clara, wife of J. J.
Hofiman, merchant, Uniontown, Pa. His
wife died November 2, 1871. He married,
secondly, Emma Heller, of Easton, and they
have four children : John W., Edward H.,
Maud, and Alvin J., all at school. Dr.
Raker is a Democrat and served in the office
of burgess for a number of years and also as
secretary of the council. He is a member of
the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Reed, Dr. J. J., Uniontown, Pillow P. 0.,
Pa., was born in Northumberland county,
Pa., August 18, 1840. David, the father,
was a native of the same county, owning
and cultivating a farm of one hundred
and forty acres, in connection with which
he run a saw mill. He married Cath-
erine Hass, of the same county. Their
children are: Jacob, Mary, Eva, Susan,
Lenesia, Daniel, Henry, Samuel, Dr. J. J.,
Harriet, Melinda, Oscar, and two children
wlio died in infancy. The father was a Re-
publican in politics and a member of the
Lutheran church.
Dr. J. J. received his primary education
in the public schools of his native place, and
also was graduated from the high school. For
four winters he taught school, and served as
assistant teacher in the high school. In
August, 1862, he enlisted at Harrisburg in
company C, One Hundred and Thirty-first
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, Capt.
Homer N. Jones and Colonel AUaback, and
served nine months. After his discharge
from the service he returnedhome and be:
gan the study of medicine. He read under
Dr: Penn and Dr. E. S. Robbins, of Shamokin,
for three years, and then entered JeS'erSon
924
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Medical College, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1866, after which he practiced in his
native county for three years: In 1869 he
came to Dauphin county and settled in
Uniontown, where lie has since been in prac-
tice and has met with gratifying success.
Dr. Reed was married, at Uniontown, in
1869, to Catherine, daughter of Dr. B. H.
Laubach, of that place. Their children are :
Lizzie, unmarried ; Clara, wife of Dr. Elmer
Hoffman ; Arthur ; Jay E., attending school,
and Vernie. His wife died in 1878, and the
following year he married Addie E. Bassler,
by whom he has one child, Henry, at school.
Dr. Reed is a Republican in his political
views, and is a school director. He is a
member of the Lutheran church and is an
elder and deacon in the same. He is a
member of the Odd Fellows and the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Shoop, Rev. James, pastot of the United
Brethren church, Berrysburg, Pa., was born
in Jefferson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
October 17, 1840. John Shoop, the grand-
father, was born in Lykens Valley and was
of Swiss descent. He removed to Jackson
township, where he followed farming. He
married Elizabeth Cooper. They both passed
away in Jackson township and both were
members of the Lutheran church. In poli-
tics he was an old line Whig. George, the
father, was born in Jackson township in 1812.
He acquired a fair education in the German
schools and became a farmer, owning and
cultivating a farm of two hundred aCres, on
which he operated extensively in raising
stock. In clearing land and making a farm
with all its improvements, he was a typical
pioneer, and also had another characteristic
of that honored class, he was a good shot and
loved to hunt. He married Rachel Suer-
gard, born in Armstrong Valley. Their chil-
dren are : Andrew, William, James, Samuel,
Elias, Philip, Harvey, John, Adam, Amanda,
Nathan, and Emma. Mr. Shoop took an
active part in political matters and was a
Whig in his views. He was a member of the
United Brethren church and a practical
Christian, looking faithfully after the welfare
of his home and family. He died in Jeffer-
son township in 1864. His wife survives
him and is living at Carsonville, at the ripe
old age of eighty years'and is still active in
church matters.
J'ames received only a limited education,
as he began farm work in earnest when nine
years of age, and was employed on the home-
stead until he was twenty years old, at which
time he left home and worked as a farm"
laborer for one year, and then returned to the
homestead and worked three years longer.
In February, 1865, he enlisted at Harrisburg
in company H, One Hundred and Ninety-
second regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
Capt. Peter Bergstresser, Col. W. W. Stewart,
and spent seven months in the service, being
discharged at Harper's Ferry, September,
1865. Upon returning from the army he
took up the study of theology and began
preaching. He was ordained to the ministry
by the annual conference, met at Belleview in
1869. His first charge was the Belleview cir-
cuit, and then followed Germanville, Sink-
ing Springs, Pine Grove, Lykenstown mission.
Valley View circuit and AUentowni station,
spending two years in each of these appoint-
ments. He was elected presiding elder at
Pine Grove conference and for five years was
located at Carsonville, then he had the Avon
circuit one year and Lebanon one year, after
which he was elder again for five years, being
elected at the Elizabethville conference, and
residing at Lebanon during the termi After
one year on the Valley View circuit he was
stationed at Berrysburg, and has that charge
at the present time. He has greatly strength-
ened the charge, adding to the membership
and improving the property. His preaching
ability is acknowledged and his personal
worth appreciated by a grateful people. Mr.
Shoop was married, in Berrysburg in 1867,
to Sarah A. Hoy,.born in Mifflin township in
1848 ; daughter of Peter Hoy, farmer, in that
township. Their children are: Curtin A:,
Emma E., Harvey E., WiUiam H., Elmer H.,
and Sadie. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
Straub, Amos, farmer, Berrysburg, Pa.,
was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., Septem-
ber 14, 1836 ; son of John and Christina
(Home) Straub, and a brother of William
Straub, farmer in Mifflin township. He at-
tended subscription schools in his native
township and began working on the farm
when he was six j'ears old, working with his
uncle and looking after the cattle, and re-
mained with him one year. He then hired
to a farmer as a farm hand, working for his
board and clothftig, and remained in that
place on those terms for seven years. At
fourteen years of age he left his employer
and contracted to work for another farmer
for seven to eight dollars per month, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
925
remained with this man until he was twenty-
one years of age. After working one year
for a shoemaker, he came to his brother
William and worked for him two years, and
then for another farmer one year, after
which he rented a small farm which he cul-
tivated a year and a half, and in connection
with his farming drove a coal team. He
then bought a team and traded through the
country for two years, after which he worked
rented farms on the shares in Mifflin town-
ship. On April 2, 1887, he bought forty-five
acres of land owned by W. M. Switzer, and
has since been engaged in farming and raising
stock. He was married, in 1861, in Mifflin
township, to May Delfill, a native of that
township, born in 1841. Their children are :
John, Edwin, Samuel S., Milton, Harvey C,
deceased, David F., died young, and two
children who died in infancj'. In his poli-
tics Mr. Straub is a Democrat. He has
served as a school director, superintendent
of roads one year, and as inspector of elec-
tions. In religious views and fellowship he
is a Lutheran.
Snyder, John D., justice of the peace,
Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Lykens town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., December 9, 1827.
The great-grandfather came from Germany
and settled in Lancaster county before the
Revolutionary war. Leonard Snyder, the
grandfather, was one of the first settlers in
Lykens township. He was a farmer, and
a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He
was married, in Lykens Valley, to Amanda
Sholt, a native of the valley, and their chil-
dren were : John, Samuel, and Elizabeth.
The grandfather was a Democrat in politics,
and took an active part in township matters.
He and his family were members of the Ger-
man Reformed church. They were pioneers,
and experienced the hardships and enjoyed
the advantages of pioneer life.
John, the father, was born in Lykens town-
ship in 1794, and obtained a fairly good edu-
cation in the subscription schools of the
township. He was prominent in the advo-
cacy of the public school system, and worked
night and day to secure its adoption by the
State. He was a farmer and stock raiser,
and cultivated a farm of one hundred and
fifty acres, which he greatly improved. He
married Anna May Wert, who was born in
Lykens Valley in 1799. . Their children were :
Jacob, John, (Leonard, Emanuel, and one
child who died in infancy. The mother died
. in 1835, and he married Elizabeth Enterline,
widow of George Lark, of Lykens Valley, by
whom he had one child, who died in infancy.
He died on the homestead in 1849. In po-
litical views he was a Democrat, and took
an active part in his party's measures. His
religious fellowship was in the German Re-
formed church. His wife died at Berrysburg,
in 1869.
John D. attended the subscription schools
taught at the Hoffman church during the
winter months. He also attended the public
school at Berrysburg for a short time. He
worked on the homestead at farming until
he was sixteen years old, when he came to
Berrysburg and learned the trade of iron
moulder, in the foundry of Shaffer & Wen-
rich, where he worked two years. The firm
then sold out, and he went to Pittsburgh,
where he worked one year in the foundry,
and then returned to Berrysburg and en-
gaged in business for himself. He and his
brother bought the foundry and operated it
a 3'ear and a half, after which he bought his
brother's interest, and continued to run the
business alone for upwards of fifty years,
which he lias made very successful, manu-
facturing stoves, plows, and other articles.
He also owns a farm in the township. He
built the first brick house in Berrysburg, at
a cost of $9,000. Through unwise indorse-
ments he lost his handsome accumulations
made by many years of hard work, his losses
aggregating $14,000. He was married, in Ly-
kens Valley, in 1849, to Hannah Lark, born
in tlie valley, December 26, 1827. Their chil-
dren are: Jennie, Mary, Rachel, Joseph, Ar-
thur L., John T., Elizabeth, and Edwin, the
last two deceased. Mr. Snyder is a Republican
in politics, and for thirty-five years has been
justice of the peace, always being re-elected
by good majorities. He is a just and judi-
cious officer, and his rulings are seldom re-
versed in the higher courts. In 1872 he was
elected associate judge of the county, and
served for five years. He has solemnized
many marriages in the town and township.
Mr. Snyder is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, in which he holds the
office of trustee, and is also the superintend-
ent of the Sundaj'-school. He has been a lay
delegate to the conference. In fraternity cir-
cles he is prominent as a member of the
Masonic order, and of Millersburg Lodge,
No. 360, L 0. 0. F.
926
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Weaver, David B., farmer and stockraan,
Berrysburg was born on the homestead in ■
Mifflin township, Dauphin county. Pa., De-
cember 5, 1842. Peter, the grandfather, was
born in Germany, and was brought to this
country by his parents when he was one year
old. He was reared in Lykens township,
and became a farmer, owning and cultivating
one hundred acres of land. He married a Miss
Peifer, of Lykens township, and to them were
born seven children: Jacob, Peter, John,
George J., Daniel, Anna M., and Elizabeth.
He died in Lykens township. He and his
wife were members of the German Reformed
church. In politics he was a Whig. Daniel,
the father, was born in Lykens township, in
September, 1805. He attended subscription
schools and acquired a good German educa-
tion. He learned the trade of carpenter and
joiner, and later in life became a farmer.
He bought a farm of forty -three acres of land
in Mifflin township, which he cultivated and
improved and on which he died in 1883.
He married Susan Buffington, of Washington
township, a daughter of Daniel Buffington,
a farmer. They have four children : Isaac,
David, Sarah, deceased, and Martin. Mr.
Weaver was a Republican, and a member of
the German Reformed church. His wife
died at the homestead in 1878. David at-
tended the common schools and worked on
the farm. At nine years of age he began to
do regular work on the homestead, and has
been continually employed his entire life.
He was married, in Mifflin township, in 1863,
to Catherine Motter, born in Washington
township. Their children are: Mary S.,
wife of Peter Bunder; Amanda, Harry,
and Daniel, attending school. His wife died
in September, 1892, and he married again,
July 4, 1895, Salome Engle, widow of Amos
Motter. Mr. Weaver is a Republican in
politics and has served as school director for
nine years. He is a member of the Reformed
church, and holds the office of elder and
deacon, and is also a Sunday-school teacher.
Wither, Daniel, retired farmer, Mifflin
township, was born in Northumberland
county, near the Dauphin county line, Feb-
ruary 26, 1821. Daniel, the father, was also
born in Northumberland county, and fol-
lowed the occupation of blacksmith in his
younger days, and later cultivated a farm in
Mifllin township and was engaged in raising
stock. He married Susan Bower, a native
of the same county, and they had eight chil-
dren : Jacob, deceased, Kate, Samuel, Polly,
Sarah, Daniel, Elizabeth, and John. His
wife died in Northumberland county, and
he married again, but the name of his sec-
ond wife is not known. He died in Mifflin
township. He was an old line Whig in
politics, and in religious faith and fellow-
ship was with the German Reformed church.
Daniel received only a limited education,
having attended subscription schools only
six months in the winter season. He worked
on the farm as a laborer and received $3
per month, and was occupied in this
way until he was sixteen years old, when he
learned the trade of wagon making at
Uniontown, and worked two years at the
trade. He then started a shop in Berrys-
burg, which he conducted for fifteen years,
and built up a profitable trade. He bought
twenty-one acres of woodland, for which he
paid $90 per acre. It took him years of
hard work to clear the ground and make
improvements, but he finally built a fine
residence and good barn, and made a first-
class farm. He has also two houses in
Berrysburg. He was married, in Mifflin
township, in 1844, to Rebecca Reher, born
in Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, in 1823 ;
daughter of John Reher, a farmer. Their
children are: Emeline, Alice S., Henry N.,
Ann Eliza, Daniel, Agnes, William,, David,
John, and Edmund, who died young. Mr.
Witmer is a Republican in politics, and has
held the offlce of school director and other
township offices. He is a member of the
German Reformed church, in which he
served as elder and deacon. He is retired
from active work through bodily infirmity,
and is faithfully cared for by his faithful
wife.
App, Francis, farmer and stockman, Ber-
rysburg, was born in Selinsgrove, Snyder
county, Pa., August 31, 1848. John, the
grandfather, was born at the same place in
1804, and was a farmer. Isaac was also a
native of Selinsgrove and came later to own
and cultivate one hundred and fifty acres of
land. He married, at Berrysburg, in 1847,
Mary Holtzman, born in Lykens Valley;
daughter of Jonathan Holtzman. Their
children are : Francis, John G., Daniel N.,
and Henry Jackson. The father died at
Selinsgrove in 1872. He was a member of
the Lutheran church. In politics he was a
Republican and served in the office of school
director. His wife died on the homestead
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
927
in 1886. Francis attended the public schools
until he was sixteen years of age, when he
began regular work on the homestead, and
remained there until he was thirty-four years
old. He then went to Union county and
rented a farm, which he cultivated for twelve
years. After this he returned to Dauphin
county and took a farm of one hundred and
four acres in Mifflin township, where he has
since been engaged in farming and stock
raising. He was married, in Selinsgrove, in
1881, to Sarah Miller, born at Mt. Carmel,
Northumberland county ; daughter of Adam
Miller. They have three children : George,
Harry, and Frank, all attending school, two
of whom are at the Millersburg Seminary.
Mr. App is a Republican and served as
school director two terms and he takes an
active part in political matters. In religious
views he is a Lutheran.
REED TOWNSHIP.
Lenkee, Charles H., telegraph operator,
was born in Millersburg, Dauphin county,
Pa., September 5, 1871, and is a son of
David G. and Emily (Kuntzleman) Lenker.
His early life was spent under the paternal
roof in his native town, where he received
his education in the public schools. Com-
pleting his school days he entered the Mil-
lersburg office of the Pennsylvania railroad
and there learned telegraphy, after which he
worked in various offices for this company
between Renovo and Rockville station. Since
January, 1894, he has been located at Clark's
Ferry as operator.
Mr. Lenker was married, in Duncannon,
June 27, 1895, to Miss Emma C. Bechtel,
daughter of H. Edward and Elizabeth
Bechtel, who for a number of years were
honored residents of Dauphin county, but
now reside in Perry county. Mr. Lenker is
a member of Millersburg Commandery, No.
133, Knights of Malta, and Junior Order
United American Mechanics, of Duncannon.
In his political views he is a Republican.
He and his estimable wife are consistent
members of the Lutheran church, and re-
side in Duncannon, Perry county. Pa., where
they are held in high esteem by their
neighbors and acquaintances.
Heikel, Henry, was born in Harrisburgj
Pa., April 12, 1828, and died in Reed town-
ship, Dauphin county, October 5, 1894; son
of Christopher and Mary (Ridge) Heikel.
The maternal grandfather. Dr. Tate, was a
native of Ireland. The father was a butcher
by trade and was married to Miss Mary
Ridge, a native of Harrisburg, who is now
deceased. Their children were : Christopher,
Jr., David, Henry, Joseph, Elizabeth, and
Catharine. Henry came to Reed township
when a mere boy and became a boatman,
which occupation he followed all his life.
He married Martha Jane Byoely, who was
born in Youngstown, Westmoreland county.
Their children are: Thomas, living on
Duncan's Island, Dauphin county ; Christo-
pher, deceased; and Henry, Duncan's
Island.
Westfall, John C, farmer, was born in
Harrisburg, Pa., March 16, 1828; son of
Simeon and Hannah (Barr) Westfall. The
maternal grandfather, Robert Barr, came
from Ireland when a young man and as-
sisted in the construction of the State capi-
tol buildings. The father was born in Indi-
ana, in 1793, and left his native place when
a young man and came to Harrisburg. For
many years he handled merchandise with a
six horse team between Pittsburgh and Phil-
adelphia. His business not being profitable
after the buil'ding of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, he started a tavern called the Black
Horse, in Harrisburg. His new venture
proved a success and he made considerable
money. He was on his way to Baltimore,
during the war of 1812, to join the army,
when peace was declared. He died in Har-
risburg and was survived by his wife who
lived some years longer. Their children
were: George Washington, deceased; Sarah
Jane ; Mary Ann, deceased ; Catharine, de-
ceased ; Permelia, deceased ; Emmaline, and
John C.
John attended the common schools of
Harrisburg until he was nineteen years of
age. In 1847 he came to Duncan's Island,
and entered the butcher business. Here he
remained until 1868, when he purchased the
pleasant place of eighty-seven acres where
he now lives, and began farming. He was
married, in Harrisburg, in 1848, to Miss
Catharine Mader, by whom he had three
children, all of whom are dead. He mar-
ried, secondly, in 1857, Miss Mary E. Fess-
ler, now deceased, by whom he had two chil-
928
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTGLOPEDIA
dren,' both of: whom are dead. His third
marriage occurred in 1861, to Miss Mary
Margaret Byerly, who was born , in Youngs-
town, Pa. Their children are : John, who
died when four years old ; George, employed
in United States Revenue service ; Franklin
B. at home, and Brittomart C. A Democrat
in politics, he has served as justice , of the
peace for thirty-five years, was postmaster
several years, school director, and is now
president of the school board.
SOUTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP.
Farnsler, Milton A., notary public, was
born in South Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., November 8, 1854. He is a son
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mook) Farnsler,
natives of Lebanon county, who came to
Dauphin county and located first in West
Hanover and afterwards in South Hanover
township. Joseph Farnsler was a civil engi-
neer and actively employed. He served as
justice of the peace in South Hanover town-
ship for twenty-five years. He was a direc-
tor of the Hummelstown National Bank.
His politics were Democratic. He was a
member of the Reformed church, and died
in 1876. His wife, Elizabeth (Mook) Farns-
ler, survives him, residing in Union Deposit.
They had six children : Malinda, Mrs. Abra-
ham Fackler, of Union Deposit ; Milton A.;
Sarah, Mrs. Samuel H. Gingerich, Derry
township; Mildred, wife of Rev. Martin P.
Hocker, Steelton; Clara, Mrs. Michael Cas-
sel, West Hanover- township; Maggie, Mrs.
Samuel H. Albright, Harrisburg, Pa.
Milton A. Farnsler was educated in the
public schools and at Palatinate College,
Meyerstown, Pa., after which he studied civil
engineering with his father, and has since
followed that profession. Mr. Farnsler was
married, in 1876, to Miss Lizzie M., daugh-
ter of Levi Hocker, of Harrisburg. They
have one child, Hershey H. Mr. Farnsler
is a Democrat. He has served three terms —
ten years — as justice of the' peace of South
Hanover township. In 1892 he was ap-
pointed notary public. He was one of the
organizers, and is a director and the secre-
tary of the Union Deposit Creamery Com-
pany. He and his wife are members of the
United Brethren church.
■ Snyder, John D., was born in Annville,
Lebanon county. Pa., August 17, 1844. He
is a son of Frederick and Christina (Speece)
Snyder, natives of Prussia, Germany. They
both came to America when they were young,
were married in Philadelphia and settled in
Lebanon county. Frederick Snyder was a
tanner. About 1849 he removed to East
Hanover, Dauphin county, and leased the
Weise tannery, which he conducted four
years, after which he returned to Annville
and worked in the Beaver tannery for twenty-
two years. He then purchased a tannery
near Palmyra, which he conducted until his
death in 1860. He was an active member
of the Reformed church, which he served
successively as deacon and as elder. His
wife survives him and has her home with her
son, John D.Snyder. Their children are:
Lewis, of Lebanon county ; William, Sus-
quehanna township, Dauphin county ; John
D. ; George F., died aged eight years; Re-
becca, wife of Joseph Lutz, Lebanon county ;
Edward, of Palmyra ; Elizabeth, deceased,
married Samuel Lutz ; and Harry, deceased.
John D. Snyder was reared in Lebanon
and Dauphin counties; and attended the
township schools. He learned tailoring and
also worked some time in a rolling mill at
Duncannon. In 1861 Mr. Snyder enlisted
in company F, Ninety-third regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and served eleven
months, when he was honorably discharged,
with the rank of corporal, on account of
rheumatism. He re-enlisted, in 1863, in
company G, One Hundred and Forty-ninth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. At the
battle of Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864, he was
so seriously wounded by the bursting of a
shell that both legs had to be amputated be-
low the knees ; the operation was performed
in the field hospital at Fredericksburg, Va.
He was sent to the Columbia College Hos-
pital, Washington, D. C, and thence trans-
ferred to Philadelphia. He was in the hos-
pitals at Twenty-fourth and South streets.
Ninth and Christian streets, and Crosier's
College, between Chester and Upland, Chester
county. He was honorably discharged from
the service, and as soon as convalescent re-
turned home. Mr. Snyder took part in the
bajttles at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, the
Seven Days' fight around Richmond, Wil-
derness, and the fight at Spottsylvania.
He was married, in 1876, to Miss Eliza-
beth, daughter of Henry Poorman, of Leba-
BA UPHIN GO UNTY.
929
non county. In 1879 Mr. Snyder removed
to Union Deposit, where he has since re-
sided. He is a trustee of the Union Deposit
Creamery Company. He is a member of
Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., of Hummelstown,
and of Camp No. 302, P. 0. S. of A., in
which he has passed through the chairs. He
is a Republican ; he has served as judge of
elections and inspector. Mr. Snyder and his
family are members of the Reformed church.
His children are : Minnie, David, Clarence,
Jonathan, and by adoption Alice Lutz.
HoERNER, Lieut. Peter, was born in
what is now South Hanover township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., September 10, 1822. He
is a son of Maj. John and Magdalena (Eber-
sole) Hoerner. His grandfather, Andrew
Hoerner, was a native of Lancaster county,
and one of the pioneers of Dauphin county.
He was a soldier of the Revolution. His
children were: Annie, Mrs. John Berst;
Nancy, Mrs. John Ebersole ; Henry, Mala-
chi, John, George, Jacob, Michael, William,
and Andrew. His son Jacob became a car-
penter and undertaker ; Hoernerstown was
named for him.
John Hoerner, father of Lieutenant Hoer-
ner, was born in South Hanover township,
in 1783. He was a farmer. He was in the
war. of 1812, and ranked as major. After
his marriage he settled on his father's home-
stead. He was a member of the Lutheran
church. He was first a Whig and after-
wards a Republican, although he voted for
Andrew Jackson for President. He served
as director of the poor and in other township
offices. He died in 1875 ; his wife in 1867.
Of their twelve children, six are living : Cap-
tain John, of East Hanover township ; Lucy,
maiden lady ; Barbara, Mrs. Henry Yingst,
Derry township ; Peter, of South Hanover
township; Albert, of Steelton ; and Cyrus, of
Hoernerstown.
Lieut. Peter Hoerner was brought up on
the homestead, and has followed farming,
milling, etc. He was married, in 1845, to
Susan Brenneman, daughter of Christian
Brenneman, of South Hanover township.
They have five children living : Barbara M.,
Mrs. Frederick Ehoads, of Missouri ; Anna
Lucy, Mrs. John S. Walters, of Peribrook ;
Henry Clay, of Lower Paxton township ;
William Harrison, of Lower Paxton town-
ship ; and Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. Levi Hab-
acher, of Hummelstown ; John, and Andrew
also died in infancy.
The lieutenant was a Whig and afterwards
a Republican. He has served the township
as school director, auditor, supervisor and
tax collector. He was formerly a stock-
holder in the Hummelstown Bank. He
settled on his present farm in 1848. He
also conducts a saw and chop mill. Lieu-
tenant Hoerner is a deacon in the Lutheran
church, at Hoernerstown, and contributed
liberally to the building of the church edi-
fice. In 1842 he was commissioned lieu-
tenant of company Fourth, Thirty-sixth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania militia ; also in 1862 he
enlisted as an emergency man under Capt.
Graff; also in 1863 enlisted in company E,
Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, and served from June to August ; also
in 1865 enlisted in company D, One Hun-
dred and First regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, served from March to July.
Allwine, John H., farmer, Hummers-
town, Pa., was born in Swatara township,
July 13, 1870 ; son of John B. and Catherine
(Stout) Allwine, the former a native of Leba-
non, the latter;of Dauphin county. Jonas
Allwine, the grandfather of John H., was
one of the early settlers of Swatara town-
ship. He was a farmer and lime burner
and was a director in the Hummelstown
Bank. He married Mary Bomck, and they
had these children : Louisa, deceased; Annie,
Mrs. Martin Ebersole, of Middletown, Pa.;
Jonas, of Swatara township, and John B.,
deceased. John B., the father, was a farmer
and lime burner, and located on the home-
stead farm, when he died in 1872, his wife
surviving him. Their children are : Mary,
Mrs. Samuel Etter, of East Hanover town-
ship ; John H., and Kate, Mrs. George Baker,
of Middle Paxton township.
John H. taught school in Middle Paxton
and Lower Paxton townships, and in 1893
located on his present farm. In 1891 he was
married to Miss Sarah, daughter of John
Cassel, of West Hanover township. They
have two children : Bessie and Mary. Mr.
Allwine in his political views is a Republi-
can. He has served in the office of school
director.
Baker, John M., teacher, Union Deposit,
Pa., was born in Lower Swatara township,
Dauphin county. Pa., June 15, 1863 ; sou of
John and Catherine (May) Baker. Fred-
erick Baker, the grandfather, came from
Lancaster county, was an early settler in
930
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Dauphin county, and a member of the Ger-
man Baptist church. John Baker, the
father, was born in Dauphin county in 1824,
was a blacksmith by trade and followed that
occupation for twenty-eight years, but is now
engaged in farming in Middle Paxton town-
ship. In his religious views and membership
he is with the German Baptist church. His
children are : Annie, Mrs. Christian Miller,
of Middle Paxton township ; Jacob M., of
Middle Paxton township ; John M.; Fannie,
Mrs. Joseph McCorkle, of East Hanover
township ; and George M., of Middle Paxton
township.
John M. was educated in the public
schools, Berrysburg Seminarj^ and the State
Normal School at Bloomsburg, Pa. In 1882
he adopted teaching as his profession and
occupation and has tauglit schools in Leba-
non county and in Middle Paxton and East
and West Hanover townships, Dauphin
county. Mr. Baker was married, in 1887, to
Miss Mary Ann Snavely, daughter of Peter
Snavely, of East Hanover township, Lebanon
county. In his politics he is a Republican.
He is a member of the Lutheran church of
Union Deposit.
Book, David N., farmer. Union Deposit,
Pa., was born in Lancaster county. Pa., Sep-
tember 4, 1831 ; son of Daniel and Christina
(Neff) Book, natives of Lancaster county.
He was married, December 25, 1860, to Miss
Fannie S. Creider, of Lancaster county. In
1873 he came to Dauphin county, and settled
on the farm which he now occupies. His
childreA are: Annie, Mrs. George R. Cassel,
of East Hanover township; Emma, Mrs.
John E. Kramer, of the same township ;
Enos, on the homestead farm ; Lizzie, Mrs.
Jacob Frausnaught, of Derry township;
Mary, Mrs. Harry Kettering, of Palmyra,
Pa.; Fannie, and David. The family are
members of the United Zion's Children
church.
Blough, Geoege, retired, Hummelstown,
Pa., was born in Lebanon county, in Decem-
ber, 1821 ; son of George and Elizabeth (Mil-
ler) Blough, natives of Lebanon county, and
of German ancestry. He moved to West
Hanover township, Dauphin county, with
his mother and stepfather when three years
of age, and was there reared and learned the
trade of mason, which has been his occupa-
tion through life. His residence has been
at Hoernerstown for over fifty years. Mr.
Blough was married, in 1844, to Miss Mary
Keller, daughter of Martin Keller, of South
Hanover township, and they have three chil-
dren, the eldest of whom is Harry K., M. D.,
of Elizabeth town, born in 1845, read medi-
cine under Dr. Keller, and was graduated
from the Jefferson Medical College at Phila-
delphia. He first engaged in the practice of
medicine at Bachraansville, and removed
from that place to Elizabeth, where he has
since been professionally employed. In 1891
he was elected member of the State House of
Representatives on the Republican ticket,
and served one term in that office with dis-
tinction. He was married to Elizabeth
Shank, of Lebanon county, and has two chil-
dren, Jennie, wife of Dr. D. F. Kline, of Lan-
caster, Pa., and Albert S. The second child
of Mr. George Blough is Sarah, and the third
David H., born November 3, 1854, and was
educated at Palmyra Academy. He taught
school for twelve years in Dauphin and Lan-
caster counties, and since then has been en-
gaged in farming and raising fine horses.
In his political views he is a Democrat. Mr.
George Blough is a member of the United
Brethren church; in which he has served as
a class leader for many years.
Cassel, Martin S., farmer, Hummels-
town, Pa., was born in South Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., July 31, 1857 ;
son of Uriah and Barbara (Hocker) Cassel.
He attended the schools of his native town-
ship and learned the trade of a tanner with
his father, which he has always followed as
an occupation. In 1889 he established a
leather and finding store in Lebanon, Pa.,
which he is still conducting, and in 1893
rented his father's tannery, of which he has
been the manager and proprietor since that
date. Mr. Cassel was married, in 1888, to
Miss Jennie A., daughter of Joseph Cassel, of
Paxton township, and they have one child,
Floyd F. In politics he is a Democrat, in
religious views and membership a Lutheran,
and is the organist of the church and Sab-
bath-school to which he belongs.
Cassel, John W., farmer, Hummelstown,
Pa., was born on the farm where he now re-
sides. May 12, 1866; son of John and Mary
(Hoyer) Cassel. He received his education
in the township school and in Millersburg
Academy, and subsequently taught school in
South Hanover township for six terms, after
which he worked at the tanning business for
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
931
three years, and then engaged lin farming,
which has since been his occupation. Mr.
Cassel was married, in April, 1886, to Miss
Mary, daughter of Uriah Cassel, of South
Hanover township, by whom he has two chil-
dren : Flora Elizabeth and Lelia May. He
is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of
America, and of the Junior Order United
American Mechanics, while in his political
views he is a Republican. Mr. Cassel holds
membership and the office of deacon in the
Lutheran church.
Cassel, Uriah, Hummelstown, Pa., was
born in South Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., February 5, 1830 ; son of David
and Catherine (Horst) Cassel. The father
was born in South Hanover township, No-
vember 27, 1895. He learned the trade of
tanner from his father-in-law Michael Horst,
and succeeded to the Horst estate, conducting
the tannery for many years. In his political
views Mr. Cassel was a Democrat and served
in the office of county commissioner. He
was prominent in the membership of the
Lutheran church of Hummelstown. His
wife died at the age of seventy-nine years.
They reared nine children : Amos, of South
Hanover; Uriah; Solomon, of East Han-
over, Daniel H., of East Hanover; Cath-
erine, Mrs. John Sidles, of Swatara town-
ship ; Louisa, deceased, Mrs. John C. Ging-
rick; Lucetta, Mrs. Michael Mast, of In-
diana ; Mary ; Mrs. Aaron Gingrick, of South
Hanover, and an infant deceased.
Uriah Cassel learned the trade of tanner
of his father, and has been engaged in the
business for fifty years. In 1851 he became
the owner of his present tannery, which he
conducted until 1893, when he retired from
its active management. Mr. Cassel is one of
the wealthy men of the region, is largely in-
terested in farming and was formerly one of
the directors of the Hummelstown National
Bank. He was married, in 1851, to Miss
Barbara Hocker, daughter of Martin Hocker
of Derry township. Their children are:
Amanda, Mrs. John F. Seibert, of South
Hanover township; David B., Hummels-
town ; Martin, of South Hanover township ;
Frank, of South Hanover ; Mary, Mrs. John
W. Cassel, of South Hanover township, and
Abner, who died in 1891, aged thirty-one
years. Mr. Cassel is a member of the Lu-
theran church, and is one of the trustees of
the organization.
Ebersole, Levi, farmer, Hummelstown,
Pa., was born on the farm which he now
occupies, January 8, 1844. Peter Ebersole,
the great-grandfather of Levi, was the first
of the family to settle in Dauphin county.
His son John, the grandfather of Levi, was
born in South Hanover township and mar-
ried Nancy Hoerner, by whom he had five
children: Andrew; John; Peter, deceased;
Barbara, Mrs. Jacob Stouffer, of Lower Pax-
ton township ; Annie, Mrs. Jacob Pease, of
Danville, 111. Andrew, the father of Levi,
was born in South Hanover township, June
4, 1814, and in 1843 settled on the farm now
occupied by his son Levi, which he greatly
improved. He was a Eepublican in politics
and filled several township offices. He was
a prominent member of the Hummelstown
Lutheran church, and one of the committee
appointed to rebuild the church edifice in
1855. His death occurred in 1890, and that
of his wife in 1880. They had six children
who died in infancy, and four who grew to
maturity : Levi W.; John A., Lower Paxton
township ; Alice, South Hanover township ;
Clara, Mrs. Reuben Plouse, of South Han-
over township.
Levi W. was married, in 1872, to Eliza-
beth, daughter of David Kruger, of York
county. They have five children : Samuel
W., David K., Mabel Elizabeth, Bertha May,
and Blanche Louise. Mr. Ebersole is a
member of the Prohibition party, and has
served as school director. He is a member
of the Hummelstown Lutheran church, in
which he holds the office of trustee, and is
superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Earnest, Simon F., M. D., Union Deposit,
Pa., was born in Hummelstown, Pa., Octo-
ber 8, 1867; son of Richard and Annie
(Fleisher) Earnest. He was reared by his
grandparents at Annville, Pa., where he at-
tended the public schools and took a course
at the Annville College. His private pre-
ceptor in medicine was Dr. E. B. Marshall,
of Annville, with whom he pursued the
usual course of reading and preparatory
study, after which he was graduated in 1891,
from the medical department of the Uni-
versity, of Pennsylvania. He began the
practice of medicine at Union Deposit im-
mediately upon his graduation, where he
has been professionally employed since that
time. Dr. Earnest was married, in 1892, to
932
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Miss Laura Bale, daughter of Jacob Bale, of
Hummelstown, Pa. In his political views
Dr. Earnest is a Republican.
HoRST, Michael, farmer, Hummelstown,
Pa., was born May 13, 1847, on the farm on
which he now has his residence. He is a
son of Peter and Magdaline (Snyder) Horst.
In 1870 he was married to Miss Mary Louck,
daughter of John Louck, of South Hanover
township. They have two children : Landis
and Charles. Mr. Horst has always had his
home on the farm on which he is now living.
He is a consistent member of the German
Baptist church, and in accordance with the
tenets of his faith he refrains from voting.
Horst, David, merchant, Hoernerstown,
Pa., was born in South Hanover township,
Dauphin county, Pa., March 21, 1850 ; son of
Peter and Magdaline (Snyder) Horst. Michael
Horst, the grandfather, was. born in Lebanon
county. Pa., in 1785, and died in 1821. He
was proprietor of one of the early tanneries
of the county. He married Barbara, daugh-
ter of Peter Ebersole, of South Hanover town-
ship. Their children were : Barbara, Mrs.
George Cassel ; Catherine, Mrs. David Cassel ;
Sarah, Mrs. David Buck, and Peter, all of
whom are deceased. The grandparents were
members of the German Baptist church.
Peter, the father, was born in South Hanover
township, April 16, 1818, and died January
16, 1882. His children were: Michael, of
South Hanover township, and David.
David learned the carpenter's trade, at
which he worked as a journeyman for several
years, and afterwards engaged in farming in
East Hanover township, and in 1895 he es-
tablished his present mercantile business at
Hoernerstown, which he has conducted since
that date. In his political views Mr. Horst
is a Democrat, and has served as school di-
rector for five years. He was married, in
1872, to Miss Kate E. Fackler, of West Han-
over township, by whom he has three chil-
dren : Harry M., WiUiam P., and Katie M.
The family are members of the German
Baptist church.
HocKER, George M., Union Deposit, Pa.,
was born in South Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., March 16, 1847; son of
George and Barbara (Martin) Hocker. The
father was born in Derry township, in 1806;
son of Martin Hocker, a native of Germany,
one of the early settlers of Derry township,
and a hotel keeper at H'ockerstown, which
was named from him. The father, George
Hocker, was a farmer and blacksmith. He
removed to South Hanover township and be-
came proprietor of the hotel at Union De-
posit, where he also was engaged in the coal,
lumber, grain, and distilling business, and
was the owner of several boats on the Union
canal. He was one of the founders and propri-
etors of Union Deposit, at which point he
erected a paper mill, which he conducted for
some time. His death occurred in 1876. He
was an active member of the Lutheran
church, and in 1845 aided in building the
church edifice. He had nine children:
Mary, deceased, Mrs. Eli Zimmerman, of
South Hanover township ; Barbara, Mrs. Mar-
tin Londes, of West Virginia; Rebecca, Mrs.
Henry Loy, of Philadelphia; Christina, Mrs.
P. R. Killinger, of Union Deposit; Sarah, Mrs.
John Stauffer, of Union Deposit ; George M.;
Rudolph, of Steelton ; Rev. Martin S., pastor of
St. John's Lutheran church, Steelton.
George M. received his education in the
public schools and in the Millersville State
Normal School. He was engaged in teach-
ing school for eight years in South Hanover
township, and for one year in Lower Paxton
township. Subsequently he took a commer-
cial course in the Business College at Pough-
keepsie, N. Y., after which he was clerk for
the Patriot Publishing Company, at Harris-
burg, for a year and a half. In 1874 he be-
came proprietor of the hotel at Union De-
posit and continued to manage the house
until 1885. Mr. Hocker was secretary of the
Union Building and Loan Association for
several years. In 1893 he organized the
Union Deposit Creamery Association and
has since been interested in the enterprise.
Heis also a stockholder in the Palmyra Bank,
and is the owner of several farms. He is
prominent in fraternity circles, holdingmem-
bership in several secret orders. In his po-
litical views Mr. Hocker is a Democrat.
Hanshue, John P., farmer, Union Deposit,
Pa., was born in Lower Paxton township,
September 14, 1 830 ; son of David and Cathe-
rine (Obercash) Hanshue. The first of the
family to settle in Dauphin county was John
Hanshue, born in 1775, who moved from
Lebanon county about 1808 or 1810, located
in Susquehanna township, and in 1820 set-
tled on the farm in South Hanover town-
ship on which his grandson, John P., now
resides. He helped to haul the stone for the
DAUPmN GOUNtt.
933
abutments of the first bridge built across the
Susquehanna river at Harrisburg, and also
to build the first market house in that city.
He married Susan Hetrick, of Lebanon
county. His death occurred in 1837, that of
his wife in 1848. He was a member of the
Lutheran and she of the German Reformed
church. They reared six children: John;
David ; Samuel ; Susan, Mrs. John Haver-
stick ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Henry Crorl ; Mary,
Mrs. ^George Ripley, all of whom are de-
ceased.
David, the father of John P., was born in
Lebanon county, November 14, 1803. After
his marriage he settled in Lower Paxton
township, and removed from there to the
present site of Steelton. In 1839 he was
made administrator of his father's estate,
and succeeded to the homestead, upon which
he resided until his death in 1875. He was
a member of the Lutheran church, and
helped to build the house of worship at
Union Deposit. He reared three children :
Jjavinia, deceased, married Jacob Crorl, of
South Hanover township; John P., and
David, of Lower Paxton township.
John P. was married, in 1854, to Lucinda
Zimmerman, daughter of Samuel Zimmer-
man, of West Hanover township, and they
have five children : Emma, Mrs. .John L.
Shoop, on the homestead, and they have
one child, Ira D.; Amos H., of South Hano-
ver township, married Susan, daughter of
David Houck, and they have two children,
Mary Edna and Clarence ; Catherine M.,
David S., and Elizabeth M. Mrs. Hanshue
died February 17, 1882. In his politics Mr.
Hanshue is a Republican, and has served as
school director for eighteen years. He is a
member of the Lutheran church at Union
Deposit, in which he served as deacon eight
years, and of which he is at present a trustee.
Landis, C. E., farmer. Sand Beach, Pa., was
born in South Hanover township, September
25, 1862 ; son of C. F. and Martha (Brehm)
Landis. Christian Landis, the grandfatlier,
was born in Derry township, and was a farmer
and storekeeper at Derry Church. His chil-
dren were: Benjamin, of Paxton township;
David, of Kansas; Christian F.; Susan, "de-
ceased, Mrs. David Borsh, of Derry town-
ship; and Mary, deceased, Mrs. Benjamin
Shue, of Cumberland county. Christian F.,
the father, was born in Derry township, in
1833. His wife was born in 1838. He was
engaged in mercantile business at Annville,
Pa., and afterwards removed to the farm now
occupied by his son C. E., where he died in
1878. His wife survives him and lives in
Derry township. They belonged to the Ger-
man Baptist church. Their children are:
John M., deceased; Mary, Mrs. John H.Ungst,
of Derry township ; C. E.; Sadie, Mrs. Amos
Jones, of Monroe county ; Harvey D., of
Derry township ; and Lillie, wife of William
Seibert, of Derry township.
C. E. learned the butcher's trade, which he
has followed in connection with farming.
He was married. May 13, 1882, to Miss Emma
H. Gerber, daughter of Samuel and Sarah
Gerber, of South Hanover township. Their
children are: Lizzie G., AnnieM., Emma G.,
Martha G., and Sarah E. They are members
of the German Baptist church.
Maulpair, Dr. Harvey E.j Union De-
posit, Pa., was born in East Hanover town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., Juh' 17, 1864 ;
son of John and Elizabeth (Peiffer) Maul-
fair. His father was born in Lebanon
county, Pa., December 24, 1836, and is of
German ancestry. By occupation he was a
farmer and distiller, and also kept a hotel
at Auburn, Schuylkill county, Pa., from
1867 to 1872, after which he was for four
years engaged in the milling business at
Derry Church. In 1889 he was made a
steward of Annville College, which position
he now holds. His church membership is
with the United Brethren. His children
are Lillian Agnes and Dr. Harvey E., who
were educated in the public schools and in
the Lebanon Valley College ; he read medi-
cine with Dr. M. L. Hershey, of Derry town-
ship, and was graduated from the Jefferson
Medical College at Philadelphia in 1890; prac-
ticed medicine for three years at Hummels-
town, and has since been located at Union
Deposit. Dr. Maulfair was married, in 1889,
to Miss Ida K. Landis, daughter of Jacob
and Catherine Landis, of South Hanover
township. They had one child, Catherine
E. The Doctor is a member and a trustee
of the United Brethren church.
McCoRD, Joseph, farmer. Union Deposit,
Pa., was born in West Hanover township,
Dauphin county, Pa., December 28, 1855 ;
son of Joseph Shannon and Elizabeth
(Mackin) McCord. The first of the family to
settle in Dauphin county was William Mc-
Cord, a native of Scotland, who entered six
hundred acres of land in what are now West
934
BIOGRAPEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and South HanQver townships. He was a
member of the Derry Presbyterian church.
His son, William McCord, was born in West
Hanover township ; was a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary war, and like his father was a mem-
ber of the Derry Presbyterian church. He
married Miss Wolf, and they reared seven
children: Margaret, deceased, Mrs. Bom-
gardner, West Hanover township; Joseph
Shannon, deceased; Mary, Mrs. Joseph
Hoerner, of Hoernerstown ; William, de-
ceased, South Hanover township ; Catherine,
Mrs. Jacob Seibert, of West Hanover town-
ship ; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Walmer, of Har-
risburg; Sarah, Mrs. George McMonaby,
Derry township.
Joseph Shannon, the father, was born in
South Hanover township in 1815, and died
March 16, 1895. His wife also is deceased,
and both were members of the Derry church.
They had six children : James, West Han-
over; Joseph; Mary, Mrs. Edward Abling,
of Lebanon, Pa.; Maria, Mrs. John Yotty,
East Hanover township; Franklin, of East
Hanover township; Clara, Mrs. Theodore
Krebs, of South Hanover township.
Joseph was married, in 1875, to Elizabeth
Yetter, daughter of John Yetter, of Swatara
township, and they have^two children, John,
born in 1877, and Joseph, born in 1886. In
his politics Mr. McCord is a Republican, and
has served as school director for three years.
He is a member of the United Brethren
church.
Rapp, W. H., merchant, Union Deposit,
Pa., was born in Bucks county, Pa., April 5,
1858; son of Charles Augustus and Eva
(Mease) Rapp. He received his education in
the public schools and engaged in the cream-
ery business at Pleasant Valley, in which he
continued for eight years. In 1883 he re-
moved to Union Deposit and opened a gen-
eral store, which he has since conducted. He
is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I.
0. 0. F., the Patriotic Order Sons of America
and of the Junior Order of American Me-
chanics. In his political views he is in
agreement with the Republican party. Mr.
Rapp was married, in 1875, to Miss Ella J.
Yost, daughter of John Yost, of Northamp-
ton county, Pa. His church membership is
with the Reformed church of Springfield,
Bucks county. Pa.
Snavely, Joseph K., farmer, Sand Beach,
Pa., was born in Derry township, Dauphin
county, Pa., September 7, 1847 ; son of Will-
iam and Nancy (Keller) Snavely. Joseph
Snavely, the grandfather of Joseph H., came
to Dauphin county about 1828, and was en-
gaged in farming in Derry township. He
was a member of the United Brethren church
and reared nine children, six of whom are
living : George, of Derry township ; Henry,
of Middletown ; Leah, Mrs. Joseph Hershey,
of Hummelstown; Fannie, of Derry towny
ship; Eliza, Mrs, William Eckenrode,; of
Hummelstown ; Catherine, Mrs. John Wag-
ner, of South Hanover. William, the father
of Joseph K., located in Derry township after
his marriage and engaged in farming and
huckstering, and was a stockholder in the
Farmers' Bank. In politics he was a Re^
publican and served as tax collector. He
was a member of the United Brethren
church, in which he filled the office of stew-
ard. His death occurred in August, 1894 ;
his wife having died in 1872. Of their nine
children six are living: John, at Union De-
posit; Jacob, at Elizabethtown ; Susan, Mrs.
Uriah Seltzer, of South Hanover township ;
Fannie, Mrs. John Hummel, Derry town-
ship ; Mary, Mrs. Edward Weaver, Hum-
melstown, and Joseph K.
Joseph was educated in the public schools
and has always been engaged in agricultural
pursuits. In 1870 he was married to Miss
Mary Wagner, daughter of Conrad Wagner,
of South Hanover township. They have five
children : Albert; Harry, married Ida Rasp,
and they have one child, Naomi ; Conrad,
Annie, and Sadie. Mr. Snavely is a Repub-
lican in his political views and has served as
school director in South Hanover township
for six years. He is a member of the United
Brethren church.
ScHAFFNER, Daniel, retired farmer, Hum-
melstown, Pa., was born in Lykens town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., August 6, 1827 ;
son of Christian and Christina (Hoffman)
Schaffner. The first of the family to settle
in Dauphin county were the grandparents,
Martin and Fannie (Halderman) Schaffner,
natives of Lancaster county, who located
first in Swatara township and from there
moved to Upper Paxtou township. They
were members of the German Reformed
church. Their children are: Jacob; Mar-
tin ; Frederick ; John ; Christian ; Fannie,
A. BOYD HAMILTON.
dui^v^ .
h^y^
BA UPHIN- CO UNTY.
937
Mrs. Linderraan ; Nancy, Mrs. Fleisher ;
and several who died in infancy. Ciiristian,
the father of Daniel, was born in Upper
Paxton township, and is buried at Hoff-
man's church. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and was a member of the German Re-
formed church. His children are : Martin ;
Amanda, Mrs. Peter Sellers ; Obed ; David,
deceased ; Daniel ; Eli, of Savannah, 111.;
Fannie, Mrs. William Swab, of Philadelphia;
Sarah J., Mrs. William Shartzer. of Elizabeth-
ville.
Daniel was reared in Lykens Valley and
educated in select schools. He learned the
carpenter trade and subsequently taught
school twenty terms. In 1870 he opened a
general store at Hoernerstown, which he
conducted until 1895, when he retired from
business. He was married, in 1852, to Miss
Salome Hoover, of South Hanover township.
His children are : Fr;inklin J., of Hummels-
town ; Henry C; -Daniel W., M. D., of Steel-
ton ; Carolines.; and Rev. Alfred Schaffner,
pastor in the German Reformed church, a
graduate of the Franklin and Marshall Col-
lege and the Lancaster Seminary. In his
political principles and policy Mr. Schaffner
is a Democrat, and served six terms as jus-
tice of the peace in South Hanover town-
ship. He is a member of the Reformed
church, of Hummelstown, in which he has
filled theofiice of deacon, and for twenty years
the office of elder, and has also served as the
superintendent of the Sunday-school at Ber-
rysburg and Hoernerstown. He enlisted in
the Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania
militia, and did provost duty at Gettysburg.
He re-enlisted in company I, Eighty-seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and par-
ticipated in the battle of Petersburg, and
was at the surrender at Appomattox Court
House, after which he was honorably dis-
charged.
Staufper, David H., Union Deposit, Pa.,
was born in South Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 31, 1843 ; son of
Isaac and Nancy (Kettering) Stauffer, na-
tives of Lebanon county, and subsequently
residents of South Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. The father was a miller by
trade, and was proprietor of the Spring Creek
Mills for ten years, after which he conducted
the mills at Union Deposit for several years.
He is deceased and his wife survives him.
Their children are : David H. and John, who
learned the trade of miller from his father,
59
and assisted him in his business. Subse-
quently he was proprietor of the State Capi-
tal Mills at Harrisburg for two years, and in
1878 purchased the Union Deposit Mills,
which he operated until his death, October
12, 1896. He was one of the organizers of
the Farmers' Bank at Hummelstown. He
married Sarah, daughter of George Hocker,
and they had eight children : Frank H.,
Clarence, George M., Charles E., Edith, Elva,
Violet, and Earl. The remaining children
of Isaac are : Levi L., deceased ; Isaac K., of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; Mary, Mrs. R. Clay, of
Union Deposit. Mr. Stauffer is a member
of the United Brethren church.
Wagner, George, retired, Union Deposit,
Pa., March 16, 1815; son of Conrad arid
Catherine (Fauver) Wagner, natives of Leb-
anon county, removed to Dauphin county in
1829 and settled in South Hanover town-
ship. The father was a blacksmith and far-
mer and was an active member of the Lu-
theran church, to the erection of the church
edifice of which he was a liberal contributor.
He died in South Hanover township at the
age of ninety-one 3'ears. His children are :
John, Daniel, Samuel, Henry, Thomas, Isaac,
deceased, Conrad, and George, who died in
1845. He was engaged in the manufacture
of brick until 1873, when he retired from ac-
tive business and moved into Union Deposit.
He was a Republican in politics, and served
twenty-two years as supervisor of the town-
ship. He was married, October 28, 1841, to
Catherine Yingst, daughter of John Yingst,
of Derry township, whose death occurred in
August, 1894. Their children are: John,
enlisted in 1861 in company D, Ninety-third
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and died
in the hospital, September 26, 1862 ; Henry,
of South Hanover township ; Ellis G., of
Barber county, Kan.; Mary, Mrs. John
Gruber, died leaving four children : Cath-
erine, Mrs. Frank Schaeffer, of Union De-
posit ; Lincoln, of Philadelphia ; Fannie, of
Harrisburg; and Ulysses, of Lebanon county.
Mr. Wagner is a member of the Lutheran
church and has served as elder in the same.
Wagner, Henry, brick and tile manufac-
turer. Union Deposit, Pa., was born in Cum-
berland county. Pa., December 11, 1848;
son of George Wagner, of Union Deposit.
He received his education in the public
schools and in the Meyerstown Academy.
He learned the trade of brick making from
938
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
his father and in 1872 he succeeded to his
father's business. In the same year he was
married to Miss Mary Hocker, daughter of
Jacob Hocker, of Derry township. Their
children are : Clayton L., George Franklin,
Annie Irene, Sadie May, Henry Edgar, Katie
Madora, Allen Hocker, and Jacob Arthur.
In his political views Mr. Wagner is a Re-
publican, and in his religious faith and
membership is a Lutheran, in which church
he holds the office of deacon and trustee.
business at Rockville, and enjoys a good
reputation as a merchant. He is also highly
respected as a citizen.
YiNGST, Samuel H., farmer and stock
dealer. Sand Beach P. 0., was born in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
March 6, 1858 ; son of Rev. Peter and Lydia
(Wenger) Yingst, of Derry township. He
was married, in 1876, to Miss Kate Wagner,
daughter of Thomas Wagner, of South Han-
over township. Their children are : Harvey,
Thomas, Peter, Lydia, Eva May, Victor M.,
Katie, Samuel, and Ellen Violet. In 1872
Mr. Yingst engaged in shipping cattle from
the West to the home markets, and has since
continued in that business. In his politics
he is a Republican.
SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP.
Shaffer, George W., merchant, Rock-
ville, Pa., was born in Susquehanna town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., January 17, 1837.
He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Platz)
Shaffer. The Shaffer family are of German
ancestry. They came to this country at a
very early date, and settled at Manheim, Pa.
John Shaffer, the father of George W., re-
sided in Susquehanna township during the
greater part of his life. He died October 12,
188i; his wife in 1873. They had seven
children, six of whom are living : George W.;
John, of Harrisburg ; William, of Harrisburg;
Augustus, of Fort Hunter; Mary, wife of
George Walker, of Pottsville, Pa.
George W. Shaffer received a limited edu-
cation in the common schools. He worked
at various occupations until the spring of
1865, when he enlisted in the One Hundred
and Ninety-second regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, and served until the close of the
war. When discharged from the army he
returned home and engaged in mercantile
business, which has been his occupation since
the latter part of 1865.
Mr. Shaffer's political opinions are Repub-
lican. He has been long established in his
Brown, George Lancaster, A. M., M. D.,
was born in Middle Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., September 17, 1866. He is a
son of James L. and Mary (Baker) Brown. The
father was born in Florida, was of English
ancestry, and settled in Middle Paxton town-
ship about 1865, where he followed his trade
of carpenter and bridge builder, until near
the time of his death, April 14, 1873. The
mother wa.s born in Middle Paxton township,
where she still resides, deservedly honored and
loved. They .had four children, three sons
and one daughter ; three are living, George
L., William A., James 0.; Lavinia, wife of
Peter Fisher, of Hummelstown, died Decem-
ber 29, 1892.
The Doctor attended the public schools of
his native township, and subsequently the
State Normal School of Shippensburg, Pa.
He was graduated from this institution with
the class of 1890. For the ensuing two years
he taught school in Dauphin county. In
1894 he completed the regular course of stud-
ies in the Baltimore Medical College, and re-
ceived the degree of M. D. Remaining at
the college, he took a post-graduate course,
which he completed in 1895. From a liter-
ary college he received in June, 1896, the
degree of Master of Arts.
In June, 1895, Dr. Brown opened an office
for the practice of his profession at Rockville,
Susquehanna township. He has built up a
large and lucrative practice. He has dis-
played more than ordinary professional
ability, and an, accurate and intimate knowl-
edge of all branches of the art of healing.
He is recognized as a physician of great
promise, deserving of confidence and success.
Dr. Brown is a member of Paxton Lodge,
No. 621, I 0. 0. F., of Dauphin, Pa. His
politics are Republican. He attends the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Reily, John W., proprietor of the Luck-
now Forge, was born in Harrisburg, Pa.,
September 26, 1860. He is a son of the late
John W. and Katherine E. (Dull) Reily, a
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
volume. He was educated in the Harris-
burg Academy and afterwards. attended the
McClellan Institute, Westchester, Pa., and
the Peabody Scientific School, Andover,
Mass., from which he was graduated in 1879.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
939
After completing this thorough educational
course, Mr. Reily was for one year assistant
manager of the furnace in the Montgomery
Iron Company's mill at Port Kennedy, Pa.,
after which he returned to Harrisburg. For
the following year he was assistant manager
of the Union Forge, after which he became
the manager of this important industry.
In 1883 he erected the buildings, provided
the equipment and established his extensive
business at Lucknow Station. In addition
to the management of this large industrial
plant, Mr. Reily gives personal attention
to large agricultural operations. He super-
vises the cultivation of a tract of land con-
taining six hundred and fifty acres, which
gives him rank among the prominent prac-
tical farmers of the count3\ He is a man of
varied abilities and seems equally at home
in the management of all kinds of business.
A gratifying success attends all his ventures,
and prosperity is the outcome of his en-
terprise. He is popular, by reason of his
generous treatment of his employees, and his
liberal public spirit.
John W. Reily was married, in Harrisburg,
November 3, 1866, to Miss Helen, daughter
of the late Daniel and Margaret Boas. Mr.
Reily is president of the Fort Hunter Road
Commission. His political views are those
of a good, solid Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church.
Kelley, Patrick, was married in 1832 ;
his wife was born in Ireland and came to
America in 1832. She settled first in New
York ; afterwards she removed to Harris-
burg, and finally to Rockville, and has been
a resident of Dauphin county up to this
time. They had four children : John Frank-
lin, William Edward, Mary Elizabeth, and
Caroline, who died at six years of age. The
eldest son, John Franklin, was among the
first volunteers from Rockville in the army
for the defense of the Union at the breaking
out of the late Rebellion. He served three
years in the United States army and navy.
The second son, William Edward, volun-
teered and served in the Two Hundred and
First regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
under Colonel Awl, of Harrisburg. After-
wards he enlisted in the United States navy
at Philadelphia, Pa., March 7, 1864, and
served seventeen months on the warship
" R. R. Cuyler." He was wounded while in
line of battle by the premature discharge of
a cannon. He was discharged from the
naval hospital at Portsmouth, Va., July 3,
1865. In 1887, during President Cleveland's
first administration, Mrs. Kelley was ap-
pointed postmistress of Fort Hunter and has
held the office continuously since that time.
Mrs. Kelley was brought up in the Catholic
faith, to which she still adheres.
Free, John W., was born in Emigsville,
York county. Pa., November 9, 1832. He is
a son of Peter and Mary (Dick) Free. His
father resided in Dauphin county for twelve
years, and then removed to Perry county.
Pa., where he died in 1853. Mr. and Mrs.
Free had seven children, four of whom are
living : Catherine, wife of Solomon Shatto ;
John W.; Thomas J., of Perry county, and
Hiram A., of Zanesville, Ohio.
When John W. Free was six years old his
parents removed to the town of Dauphin,
Pa., where he was educated in the district
and subscription schools. His school educa-
tion completed, he engaged in steamboating
on the Chesapeake bay and canal. In 1860
he engaged in mercantile business at Rock-
ville.
He was married, at Harrisburg, January
3,1854, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and
Wilhelmina (Krehl) Livingston, long and
highly honored residents of Susquehanna
township. They have no children.
Mr. Free has creditably filled the offices of
school director and tax collector. He be-
longs to Dauphin County Lodge, No. 621,
I. 0. 0. F. His political views are Repub-
lican. He attends the Methodist church.
He was among the first who left Rockville
and enlisted in the army in defense of the
Union. He served nine months in the
Pennsylvania volunteers.
Felty, Philip D., was born in Susque-
hanna township, Dauphin county, Pa., June
11, 1837. He was educated in the district
and private schools, and spent his boyhood
on the farm. He also attended school under
Profs. Davis, Oak, and Weatherford, at Lin-
glestown Academy. At the age of fourteen
he learned tanning, serving at apprentice-
ship with Christian Hoover. This trade ac-
quired, he farmed for two years, and was
afterwards engaged in tanning at Lingles-
towu, until the spring of 1859. He then
removed to Hanover, bought the old Stover
tannery, and continued in business there
until 1861. He was drafted and served in
the army nine months, in the One Hundred
940
BIO GRA PHIVAL ENCYGL OPEDIA
and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania volun-
teers, under Col. George B. Wiestling. He
was appointed second lieutenant and one
month later first lieutenant. He was dis-
charged from the army on August 5, 1863.
He sold his interest in the tannery and
worked as a journeyman. Later he was era-
ployed by the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad Company for one year as baggage-
master. He was next in mercantile busi-
ness at Rockville, and was afterwards again
employed by the railroad company for six
years. In 1871 he built a tannery at Rock-
ville and continued in business for three
years. He went West to seek a location for
business, but returned to Rockville and then
moved to Harrisburg. In 1889 he returned
to the old homestead, where he has ever
since resided.
He was married, September 5, 1862, to
Harriet U., daughter of J. M. and Mary
Shope. They have three children : Charles
Irvin ; Clara F., wife of J. W. Miller, and
John G. Charles died in infancy. Mr.
Felty is a staunch Republican. His family
are members of the Bethel Methodist Epis-
copal church.
Turns, William, was born near Middle-
town, Dauphin county, Pa., May 30, 1882.
His father, John Turns, was born in 1807 ;
he married a daughter of Owen and Katie
(Rice) White. They had eleven children:
William; John; Owen; George; Henry;
Matthew ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Hallman ; Martin ;
Mary Ann, Mrs. Hoffman; Ephraim, and
Rebecca, Mrs. Daniel Runkel. John Turns
died in 1886, but his wife is still living.
William Turns was largely interested in
the manufacture of lumber in Dauphin
county. He was a representative citizen, and
was held in high esteem. He died October
6, 1882. His wife, to whom he was married
August 18, 1863, was Miss Mary S., daughter
of George and Elizabeth (Dewey) Straw. Her
parents belonged to an old and respected
family of Dauphin county. They had ten
children, of whom Mrs. Turns was the eldest.
Mr. Straw died October 3, 1881, and Mrs.
Straw October 9, 1889. Two of their sons
and a daughter died in infancy ; their daugh-
ter Susan, wife of William Swoyer, died in
1893.
Mrs. Turns was born in Middle Paxton
township, Dauphin county. Pa., May 28,
1826. She received her education in the
public schools of her native township. After
her marriage to Mr. Turns she removed to
Susquehanna township, where she now re-
sides. Mr. and Mrs. Turns had three chil-
dren : Lewis, Edward, and William. Lewis
Turns, with his brother Edward, works in
the Harrisburg Car Shops. Mrs. Turns at-
tends the German Reformed church.
Rawn, Charles C, was born at George-
town, D. C, July 30, 1802. His parents re-
moving to Westchester, Pa., he received his
elementary education therp. He afterwards
passed through college, took up the study of
law, and was admitted to the bar in Harris-
burg. From that time until his death he
was occupied with the practice of his pro-
fession. He filled a high position in the
army board during the war, and at its close
resumed his practice in Harrisburg. He
was married May 25, 1833. His wife was
born February 16, 1815, and educated at
Harrisburg. She is still living, and resides
in Harrisburg. They had seven children,
four of whom are deceased : Elizabeth, died
March 19, 1838, aged three years ; Charles
C, born December 16, 1837, died October 6,
1887; James C, born in 1840, died April
12, 1842 ; Mary Scott Glendin, born April
10, 1842, died in March, 1852. The father
died December 18, 1865.
Charles C. Rawn, son of Charles C, en-
listed in the army with the Lachiel Grays
under Col. Henry McCormick. He was ap-
pointed second lieutenant, and later was
promoted to the rank of major. After re-
turning from the army he was married, and
resided in Connecticut. At present he is the
manager of the Roanoke Gas and Water
Company, of Roanoke, Va.
Frances Glendin Rawn, daughter of
Charles C, was born in Harrisburg, April
18, 1849. She received her primary educa-
tion in private schools and attended Ivy
Hall Seminary, Brighton, N. J. She was
married, at Harrisburg, October 22, 1872, to
William J. Torrington. They had three
children: Ethel, born at Harrisburg; Will-
iam James, at Mt. Washington, Md., June
30, 1879 ; and Francis Rawn, at Mt. Wash-
ington, Md., September 17, 1881. Mr. Tor-
rington is deceased. The religious creed of
the family is Presbyterian.
Bitting, John, was born in Berks county,
near Reading. He married Barbara Flick-
inger, of Lancaster county. They had seven
children. He died at the age of seventy
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
941
years ; his wife died twelve years before him.
Catherine Bitting, daughter of John and
Barbara Bitting, was born near the Black
Horse Tavern, Lancaster county, Pa., June
9, 1821. She received her education in the
private schools of Lancaster county. She
was married, at the age of thirty-nine years,
atjDauphin, Pa., to John Dawson. They had
two children : Thomas and Catherine. The
latter died in infancy. Thomas B., only son
of the late John Dawson and his wife Cath-
erine Dawson, was educated in the public
schools of Rockville, Pa. At the age of thir-
teen he learned telegraphy and has been
employed in that occupation up to the pres-
ent time. At the age of eighteen he was
married to Susie E., daughter of George and
Ellen . They have eight children :
Daisy M., John 0., Mabel E., Jennie E., Ger-
trude M., Harvey R., T. Ivan, and Goldie
Pearl. The family are not members of any
church.
Leonard, Joseph L., was born at Coch-
ranville, Chester county. Pa., April 17, 1846.
He is a son of Lot Evans and Jennie E.
(Best) Leonard. His father was of Scotch
and his mother of Irish descent. His father's
family were members of the Society of
Friends, while his mother's family were Meth-
odists. Their children are : Joseph L.; Mary
L., wife of William Updegrove, who had two
children; Martha E., wife of .John Marzolf,
has four children living and two deceased ;
Mary L. and Martha E. are both deceased.
Joseph L. Leonard received a public school
education, completing his course in 1863 in
the schools of Harrjsburg. He enlisted in
the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania volunteers, un-
der Col. Richard White, and was assigned to
company G. He remained in active service
until the close of the war. He won distinc-
tion and honor in many of the prominent
battles. He was mustered out of the service
at Petersburg, Va., August 30, 1865. From
this time on he was engaged in various occu-
pations. For two years he had charge of the
male department of the Soldiers' Orphans'
Schools at McAllisterville and White Hall,
Pa. After severing his connection with the
latter school, he was employed by the Har-
risburg Car Manufacturing Company ; later
he was in the Pennsylvania Steel Works in
the capacity of machinist. After this he em-
barked in the business of hotel keeping. He
conducted the Bridgeport Hotel, at Bridge-
port, Cumberland county, Pa., and other
hotels well known in the State ; also the Ar-
cade Hotel, 1023 Seventh street, Harrisburg,
Pa., and the Susquehanna Hotel, Dauphin
county. Pa.
He was married, August 12, 1869, to Miss
Carrie L., daughter of Nathaniel and Lid a
(Ranch) Lichtenwalner, by whom he had
two children, who both died in infancy.
Mr. Leonard is a member of the organization
of the survivors of the Fifty-fifth Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, and is president of that or-
ganization at the present time.
The parents of Mrs. Leonard had ten chil-
dren, t])ree of whom died in infancy. Their
living children are : Camilla, wife of Samuel
T. Train ; Albert L.; Mary Catherine, wife of
Frank Deal ; Carrie L., wife of J. E. Leon-
ard ; Lydia A., wife of William Hoehrine ;
Josephine, and Nathan.
Olbwine, George W., foreman of the Luck-
now Forge, was born at Harrisburg, Pa.,
February 21, 1889. He is a son of Benjamin
and Mary (Fremoil) Olewine, both deceased.
His father was a tailor, and conducted a suc-
cessful business in Harrisburg. He had four
children, three of whom are deceased. He
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
George W. Olewine attended school in
Harrisburg until he was ten years of age,
when he removed with his parents to Sus-
quehanna township, and there finished his
studies. After leaving school he was em-
ployed in farming until 1872, when he en-
gaged with the Harrisburg Car Company as
a wood worker. He afterwards entered the
employment of John W. Reily, proprietor of
the Lucknow Forge, in the capacity of fore-
man, and has held that position to the pres-
ent time.
He was married, August 8, 1865, to Jane,
daughter of John and Mary (Shoop) Funk.
They have eleven children: Mary, Mrs.
Daniel Hartz; America, Mrs. Milton Dis-
singer; Benjamin, married Clara Beaver;
Amie, Mrs. John Mummert; Jennie, Mrs.
George Beaver ; Katie ; Maggie and Annie,
twins; George A. and Blanche, twins, and
Francis. Blanche died at the age of five.
Mr. Olwine is a well-known citizen and es-
teemed by the many employed under his
supervision.
WiMER, L. Edmund, master carpenter.
Middle division, Pennsylvania railroad, was
born in Juniata county. Pa., March 12, 1835.
942
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
He is a son of Zachariah and Mary (Brach-
bill) Wimer. His father died July 16, 1835,
and his mother died April 11, 1881, aged
seventy-one.
L. Edmund Wimer was educated in the
public schools of Juniata county. He left
home at the age of fifteen and was employed
in farming. At the age of eighteen he be-
gan to learn his trade with Reuben Yarger.
and later finished his apprenticeship with
his uncle Christopher. Having thus ac-
quired skill in carpentry he began business
for himself in his native county. In 1860
he was employed by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company for one year. Then, return-
ing to his native county, he was in business
for himself until 1863. Next, for about a
year, he was employed by the Keystone
Bridge Company, of Pittsburgh. August 30,
1864, he returned to the employment of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the ca-
pacit}^ of foreman, at Bellefonte, Pa., and re-
mained there until 1865. In that year he en-
listed in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania cavalry,
company F,and served until August 11 of the
same year. He was then mustered out of ser-
vice at Manchester, Va., and returned to his
native county. Once more, on September 1,
1865, he entered the employment of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as foreman
carpenter, and retained that position until
November 1, 1871, when he was promoted to
master carpenter on the Middle division, a
post in which he still continues to serve the
company.
He was married, November 29, 1859, to
Catherine, daughter of Capt. Nathan and
Mary (Foose) Thomas. They have had
three children, one of whom died at the age
of eighteen months. Their living children
are : John L., and Lizzie, wife of James H.
Gingrich, of Harrisburg. The family are
members of the Lutheran church.
A life of useful industry and a successful
business career have enabled Mr. Wimer to
enjoy a home at Lucknow, a romantic and
beautiful suburb of Harrisburg.
Grove, John, farmer, was born at Coxes-
town, Pa., October 14, 1834. He is a son of
Jacob and Catherine (Hoak) Grove. John
Grove received his education in the common
schools. At the age of fourteen he began to
learn the wheelwright's trade. When his
apprenticeship was over he engaged in busi-
ness for himself In 1856 he removed to
Harrisburg and was for four years in the
employ of the Harrisburg Car Manufactur-
ing Company. He was next engaged in
farming, until the spring of 1865, when he
returned to Harrisburg, and was for five
years employed by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, then for two years by the
Harrisburg Manufacturing Company. The
confinement of indoor work being found
detrimental to his health the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company changed his position to
that of car inspector. This place he held
for five years, and then resumed inside work.
He was thus employed until 1878, when he
went back to farming and has made that his
occupation up to the present time.
He was married, September 26, 1856, to
Mary A., daughter of Henry and Annie
Lebo. They have had three children, one
of whom died aged four years. Their living
children are: Ida Jane, wife of Samuel
Meckley, and William E. Mr. Grove is a
staunch Republican.
HousER, George W., market gardener,
was born in Susquehanna township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., March 26, 1849. He is a
son of Michael and Elizabeth (Lantz) Houser.
His father died August 12, 1885, aged sev-
enty-two years and six months ; his mother
died October 5, 1895, aged eighty-four years
and six months. They had six children,
two of whom died in infancy. The four sur-
viving are : Louisa, wife of William Coffer ;
Matilda, wife of Ambrose Kennedy ; Mary
E., and George W.
George W. Houser received his education
in the public schools. After leaving school
he engaged in gardening, and farming, which
he has carried on up to the present time.
Mr. Houser is a staunch Democrat. He has
served one term as school director in his
native township.
He was married, November 21, 1872, to
Anna Tressa, daughter of George and Agnes
(Hervey) Piper. They have seven children,
two of whom died in infancy. Their living
children are : Michael E., George W., Jr.,
Rebecca J., Mary E., and Carrie A. Mr.
Houser and his family are members of the
United Brethren church.
Fox, Milton, farmer, was born in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa., De-
cember 16, 1857. He is a son of John and
Mary (Hyde) Fox, natives of Dauphin county.
His father died November 20, 1884. They
had eight children, two of whom are de-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
943
ceased. Jerome died aged three, and Chris-
tian at the age of twenty-six years. Their
remaining children are : Annie E., wife of
David Smith; George; John H.; Mary M.,
wife of Harry K. Brubaker ; Isaac, and Mil-
ton.
Milton Fox received his education in the
common schools. At the age of sixteen he
left school and began farming. He has
made this his occupation ever since.
He was married, June 26, 1879, to Mary
C, daughter of Henry and Mary (Shutt)
Strohm. Their union was blessed with four
children : Emma R., Laura P., William E.,
and Mabel M., the last named died Novem-
ber 5, 1895.
Mr. Fox is a staunch Republican. He has
served in his native township for two terms
as supervisor. He is one of the enterprising
and successful farmers of Susquehanna town-
ship.
Stoufper, Jacob W., farmer and dairy-
man, was born in Dauphin county, Pa.,
April 26, 1851. He is a son of Jacob and
Rebecca (Waltz) Stouffer. His parents had
a family of eight children, three of whom are
deceased ; two died in infancy. The parents
are still living, and are prominent and re-
spected residents of Dauphin county.
Jacob W. Stouffer received his education
in the public schools. At the age of thirteen
he became a farmer, and that has been his
occupation to the present time. He was mar-
ried, at the age of twenty, to Emma, daugh-
ter of Jacob J. and Elizabeth (Sayring) Sny-
der. They have four children: Lizzie M.,
Katie, Marion, and Ruth. Mr. Stouffer is a
staunch Republican.
Miller, William H., was born in Leba-
non county, Pa., August 8, 1850. He is a
son of Franklin A. and Levina (Ciegler) Mil-
ler. He attended first the public schools of
Lebanon county and. afterwards the college
at Meyerstown, Pa. His education finished,
he learned the trade of a miller, in his native
county, and followed this vocation for some
time. He afterwards became a skillful, prac-
tical iron-worker, which is his present occu-
pation. He is emploj'ed at the Lucknow
Forge, Susquehanna township.
He was married, in 1869, to Melinda New-
man, daughter of Adam and Kate (Pallen)
Newman. They have three children : Charles,
John, and Minerva. His wife died in April,
1875. He was again married, November 21,
1878, to Ida, daughter of Michael and Cathe-
rine (Walborn) Dowmoyer, by whom he has
five children : Harry G., Allen E., Sadie C,
Helen N., and William J. The parents of
the second Mrs. Miller are residents of Leba-
non county. They had eight children, two
of whom are deceased; the remaining chil-
dren also reside in Lebanon county. In his
political views Mr. Miller is a staunch Re-
publican.
HiESTER, Gabriel, was born at Estherton,
Pa., April 28, 1850. He attended school in
Harrisburg until 1866, when he entered the
sophomore class of the Agricultural College
of Pennsylvania. He was graduated from
that institution in 1868. Returning to Har-
risburg, he engaged in market gardening and
fruitgrowing; he still carries on the latter
branch of the business. He has become one
of the best and most favorably known fruit
growers in the State. The positions of trust
and prominence to which he has been called,
in connection with State agricultural inter-
ests, are the public and popular as well as
the official recognition of his practical suc-
cess and his eminent scientific abilities.
He has served as a trustee of Pennsylvania
State Agricultural College since 1879. He
has been a member of the State Board of
Agriculture since 1881, and vice-president of
the State Agricultural Society since 1885. The
Governor appointed him commissioner to rep-
resent the State at the Agricultural Congress
which met in California in 1886 ; and by the
same authority he was appointed to perform
the same duty at the Agricultural College
which met in West Virginia in 1894.
Mr. Hiester was married, in 1871, to Miss
Annie E. Maurer.
Simon, Dr. Samuel H., was born at Har-
risburg, Pa., July 5, 1840. He is a son of
John B. and Mary (Hertz) Simon. They had
twelve children, seven of whom died in in-
fancy. The Doctor's education was begun
in the Southern District public school of
Harrisburg ; he afterwards attended private
schools. He undertook the study of medi-
cine in 1861, but turned aside from it in
1862 to engage in business with his father,
a carpenter and builder, with whom he had
served a full term as an apprentice to the '
trade. He enlisted during the war in com-
pany K, First Pennsylvania volunteers,
served his time and was honorably dis-
charged. He has been identified with numer-
944
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ous enterprises of Harrisburg, and has been
indefatigable in his efforts to advance the
interests of his native city and county. In
1866 Dr. Simon engaged in brickmaking,
and conducted one of the largest and most
successful establishments of the kind at that
time. He was the first manufacturer in the
city to introduce the improved methods of
making bricks by machinery. lie became
largely interested in real estate on Market
and State streets, east of the canal. He built
the Farmers' Market, at the corner of Market
and Fourteenth streets, having himself guar-
anteed the entire stock of the enterprise.
He was largely influential in developing the
street railways of the city, and was the chief
promoter of the East Harrisburg street rail-
way. In 1875 he resumed the study of medi-
cine and was graduated from the Hahne-
mann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1880.
He then entered upon the practice of medi-
cine in Camden, N. J., succeeding Dr. Keator
on Linden Terrace in that cit)'. He prac-
ticed there until 1882, and then removed to
Harrisburg and purchased the large and
beautiful residence at No. 228 North Third
street, where his wife died March 10, 1888.
In 1861 he married Julia E., daughter of
David and Elizabeth Kendig, of Lancaster
county, Pa. They have three children:
John B.; Mary L., wife of J. David Kendig,
and E. Clarence. The Doctor served on the
school board of Harrisburg, having been
elected as a Democrat by a Republican board
to fill a vacancy, and afterwards elected to
a full term in a Republican (Ninth) ward.
He is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No.
21 ; past high priest of Perseverance Chap-
ter, No. 21, and past commander of Pilgrim
Commandery, No. 11, K. T. He is a mem-
ber of the American Institute of Homoe-
opathy. Dr. Simon and his family are
members of Zion Lutheran church, Harris-
burg, Pa.
Wagner, Serbll, gardening farmer, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., December 25, 1840.
He was a son of Henry and Elizabeth Wag-
ner, residents of Dauphin county. His par-
ents had eight children, five of whom are
deceased. Their living children are : Henry,
Alfred, and Serell.
Serell Wagner received his education in
the public schools. He engaged in farming
and gardening, and followed this calling
throughout his life. His politics were Demo-
cratic.
He was married, July 31, 1863, to Cathe-
rine J. Mader, by whom he has three chil-
dren: John Elmer, Annie N., wife of George
Davis, and Almeda J. Mrs. Wagner's par-
ents had fourteen children. The family
attend Bethel Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Wagner died on March 19, 1896.
BoMGARDNER, Jerome, was born in Leb-
anon county, Pa., March 14, 1852. He is a
son of Samuel and Sarah (Kratzer) Bom-
gardner. His parents had eight children,
four of whom are deceased : Samuel, who
died in infancy; Catherine, died aged four-
teen ; Lydia, wife of David Ream, died aged
about thirty ; and Lucetta, died aged fifty-
three years, nine months and twenty-five
days. Their living children are : Elizabeth,
wife of Elias Kelley, of Lebanon county ;
John A., residing near Hummelstown ; Je-
rome, and Harvey, of Lebanon county.
Jerome Bomgardner received his educa-
tion in the public schools. After leaving
school he engaged in farming, in which oc-
cupation he has ever since continued.
He was married, June 22, 1872, to Eliza-
beth, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca Mary
Keller. They have had six children, one of
whom, Charles, died at two years of age.
Their surviving children are: Lizzie R.,
William, Grant, Harry, and Samuel. The
parents of Mrs. Bomgardner were natives of
Lebanon county, Pa. Her father is de-
ceased, but her mother is still living.
Mr. Bomgardner, in politics, is a staunch
Republican. He is a member of Lodge No.
12, Jr. 0. U. A. M.
Greenawalt, Charles F., retired farmer
and real estate dealer, was born in Dauphin
county, Pa., April 5, 1857. He is the only
child of Philip B. and Susan E. (Fox) Green-
await. His mother was the only child of
John and Elizabeth Fox; Elizabeth Fox
was the only child of David and Susan
Shoop, and Susan Shoop was the only child
of Peter and Elizabeth Blosser, of Dauphin,
Pa. Susan E. Fox Greenawalt, mother of
Charles F., died in the spring of 1858, aged
twenty-eight.
Charles F. Greenawalt's education was
begun in the public schools. At the age of
twelve he attended school in Harrisburg
under Prof Gause. At sixteen he entered
Ursinus College, Montgomery county. Pa.,
and took a course preparatory for entrance
to the State College. He remained in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
945
latter institution until he was twenty years
old, leaving at that time on account of the
death of his grandfather.
He was married, March 4, 1876, to Mary
Fair, daughter of Isaac and Anna Fagley.
They had six children : Susan, died in in-
fancy ; Louis Philip, born September 20,
1880 ; Maggie Umberger, born January
16, 1886; Napoleon Hall, born February
19, 1887; Caroline, born September 27,
1890, and John Fox, born January 24, 1895.
From the time of his marriage until 1887
Mr. Greenawalt was engaged in farming
in Susquehanna township. In 1887, by
the death of his grandfather, he came
into possession of a vast estate which had
been in the family since the colonial days of
1768. He is, therefore, a large landholder ;
he occupies a beautiful residence situated
on the river road in Susquehanna township.
Mr. Greenawalt belongs to the Junior Or-
der United American Mechanics. He is a
staunch Republican. He has been a school
director for six consecutive years, and has
been president of the school board for five
years. He was appointed census enumer-
ator of Susquehanna township in 1890. He
is one of the trustees of the Coxestown
Methodist Episcopal church, which he and
his family attend.
Snyder, George William, farmer, was
born November 18, 1842. He is a son of Fred-
erick and Christiana (Speese) Snyder, natives
of Germany. His father died in 1858 ; his
mother is still living. They had eight chil-
dren, three of whom are deceased. Their
living children are : Louis, George William,
John D., Edward S., and Eebecca, wife of
Joseph Lutz.
George William Snyder received his edu-
cation in the district schools of Lebanon
county. At the age of sixteen his school
days were ended, and he began regular work
with his father in the tannery. On September
18, 1861, he volunteered his service in defense
of the Nation, and was enrolled in company •
F, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, under Colonel McCarter and Lieu-
tenant Colonel Johnson. He served in the
army until February, 1863, when he was
honorably discharged at' Alexandria, Va.
He then returned to his home, and served an
apprenticeship at carpentry with William
Cassel. Having learned his trade he worked
for two years as journeyman carpenter. At
the expiration of this time he became a
farmer, and has since ncade this his business.
He was married, August 27, 1867, to Han-
nah, daughter of Emanuel and Hannah
Cassel, of Dauphin county. They have had
two children : Jerome, who died at the age
of three years and ten months ; and John
H., who is living.
The political preferences of Mr. Snyder
are with the Republican party, fie is a
member of the Reformed church.
Miller, David, Sr., carpenter and farmer,
was born in Lancaster county. Pa., Septem-
ber 8, 1814. He is a son of Samuel and
Annie (Medlin) Miller. He has the blood of
Revolutionary soldiers in his veins. His
grandfather and grandfather's brother came
to America during the war for freedom from
British rule. They were seventy-four days
in crossing the ocean. They landed at New
York and at once enlisted in the patriot
army commanded by Washington. The
army was at that time resisting the landing
of British troops on Long Island.
Mr. Miller's parents had five children, of
whom he is the only one now living. He
was educated in the subscription schools.
At sixteen years of age he began to learn
carpentry. He was engaged in various oc-
cupations until his marriage ; after this im-
portant event he became a farmer This
was his occupation until 1882 ; he then took
up gardening, in which he has been em-
ployed from that time to the present.
He was married, December 24, 1835, to
Miss Sarah Wood. They have had nine
children, five of whom are deceased : Sarah
E., died August 29, 1858; Harriet Ellen,
died February 25, 1872 ; W. Wesley, died
April 20, 1881 ; Susan M., died July 15, 1881 ;
Samuel B., died August 11, 1888. The sur-
vivors are : David W.; John C; Jane Eliza-
beth, widow of Moses Zimmerman, and Mary
Ann, wife of Henry Smith. Mrs. David
Miller died March 11, 1868. She was one
of a family of six children.
Mr. Miller is a Republican. He has
served one term as a constable of Susque-
hanna township. He is a. member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He has been
a verj' industrious man, and has lived a
useful and successful life. He is genial and
sociable, and has drawn around him a circle
of warm friends. He is an intelligent and
reliable citizen, and commands the respect
and confidence of his neighbors.
946
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Garman, Charles B., pjardening farmer,
was born at Harrisburg, Pa., November 21,
1857. He is a son of George B. and Cathe-
rine (Page) Garman. His parents had nine
children, two of whom died in infancy. The
survivors are : Daniel, Mary, Joseph, Henry,
Sarah J., wife of John L. Beaver, Rebecca,
and Charles B. The father and mother are
both deceased.
Charles B. Garman enjoyed the advan-
tages afforded by the city schools of Harris-
burg. He looked forward in his younger
days to the time when he must begin the
actual struggles of life, and made good use
of his time and privileges in preparing him-
self to act his part well. At nineteen years
of age his school days ended, and he looked
about for a beginning of work. He engaged
in farming, making a specialty of gardening.
He was married, October 27, 1881, to Mary
M., daughter of John and Crescenta (Kern)
Meyer. They have six children : John Carl,
Mary C, Thirza A., Annie M., Herman G.,
and Bertha Catherine. In political princi-
ples Mr. Garman is in accord with the Demo-
cratic party. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Roman Catholic church. He is
prosperous in his business, because he is en-
terprising, energetic and skillful.
Reichert, David J., gardener and farmer,
was born in Susquehanna township, April
26, 1862. He is a son of Henry and Mar-
garet (Douglass) Reichert, natives of Dau-
phin county, Pa. They had ten children :
Mary E., deceased ; Emma A., wife of Ham-
ilton Bender ; David J.; Henry L.; William
J.; Rebecca, wife of George Hoyert ; Andrew
A., Benjamin H., Frederick J., and Carrie M.
David J. Reichert took the usual course in
the schools of his native township. At the
close of his school days he engaged in farm-
ing and gardening, and has continued to
make these occupations his business to the
present time. He is alive to the demands of
the times, and is too enterprising and pro-
gressive to fall behind the leading men in
his line.
He was married, October 18, 1883, to Fan-
nie E., daughter of Lazarus and Mary
(Kreiser) Cassel. They have one child, Cleve-
land W. Reichert. The parents of Mrs.
Reichert are both old residents of Dauphin
county. In his political views Mr. Reichert
is a Democrat. The family are members of
the Lutheran church.
Garman, George B., dairyman and farmer,
was born November 7, 1832. He is a son of
David and Elizabeth (Brightbill) Garman.
His father died at the age of seventy-one, and
his mother at the age of sixty-four years.
They had fourteen children, eight of whom
are deceased. The story of two of these,
George and Benjamin, is like that of many
other patriotic boys, but it is one which can-
not be too often told, both as a just tribute
of gratitude to those who freely gave their
lives to redeem the Nation and to perpetuate
free institutions, and as an inspiration to
coming generations. Both of these boys en-
listed in the army at the outbreak of the Re-
bellion. George was killed at the battle of
Spottsylvania. Benjamin was taken pris-
oner, and died a lingering death from priva-
tion in the prison pen of Andersonville.
George B. Garman was educated in the
district school of Susquehanna township. He
left school while still in his teens, and began
the business of life as a farmer. He is
adapted to this occupation, and likes it. He
has the indefatigable, persistent energy and
purpose which cannot fail. He has demon-
strated the possibilities of farming in Dau-
phin county. He was married, in October,
1858, to Mary A., daughter of Peter and Bar-
bara Fisher. They have six children : Fran-
cis H.; Emma B., wife of David Moyer;
Mary E., wife of Edwin Herr; George P.;
Sallie E., wife of John Starry, and Ida M.
Mr. Garman has been school director for
nine consecutive years, and township audi-
tor for nine years. He is a staunch Repub-
lican. He and his family are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Meckley, Samuel Joseph, dairyman and
farmer, was born February 28, 1863. He is
a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Brubaker)
Meckley, prominent and highly esteemed
residents of Susquehanna township and
members of the Dunkard church.
Samuel Joseph Meckley received his edu-
•cation in the public schools of his native
township. He entered upon the business of
farming at the close of his school days and
has made this his life occupation. He is a
staunch Republica,n.
At the age of tWenty-two years Samuel
Meckley was married to Ida J. Grove. They
have two children : Elroy Ellsworth, born
October 28, 1886, and Mary Elizabeth, No-
vember 6, 1892. Mr. S. J. Meckley and
family are members of the Methodist church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
947
His standing as a business man is among the
foremost in his line. He is a man of per-
sonal worth and enjoys the esteem of his
neighbors.
S. J. Meckley's parents are members of the
Dunkard church, but himself and family
are Methodists.
Shutt, Henry Lawrence, miller and
farmer, was born in West Hanover township,
Dauphin county, Pa., April 23, 1856. His
father died November 28, 1869 ; liis mother
is still living. They had ten children, three
of whom, William, John Alfred, and Ellen,
died in infancy. Their living children are :
Mary J., Stephen E., Catherine A., Sarah A.,
Elizabeth E., Emma R., and Henry Law-
rence, all of whom have been married.
Henry Lawrence was educated in the dis-
trict schools of his native township. His
school days were cut short at the age of four-
teen, when he went out from home to make
his own way. He hired out to work on a
farm, and was employed in this way until
1879, when he engaged in milling. The
numerous farmers who are his neighbors
and patrons of his mill, bear testimony that
he is a square-dealing business man and a
good citizen. His politics are Republican.
He was married, May 25, 1875, to Har-
riet, daughter of George and Rebecca (Mc-
Clure) Ludwig. They have had ten chil-
dren, five of whom are deceased : Wilson,
Isaac, Raymond, and Annie died in infancy,
and Trueman, aged three years. The sur-
viving children are: Sarah E., Henry L.,
Lizzie V., David S., and Earl A. Mrs. Shutt's
parents are both deceased; her father on
June 25, 1866, her mother November 3,
1860. Mr. Shutt's family are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
Waltz, Daniel, farmer and dairyman,
was born January 9, 1838. He is a son of
Jacob and Sarah (Clemens) Waltz, who both
died at an advanced age. He attended the
schools of Dauphin and Lebanon counties.
Since the age of seventeen years he has been
continuously engaged in farming.
At the age of twenty-eight he married
Melinda, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia
Geisy. They have had twelve children,
three of whom died in infancy : Gideon,
Riley, and John ; and Edward, at the age of
twenty-four. Their surviving children are :
Lydia A., Harriet E., Charles H., William
T., Calra A., Benjamin F., Rose D., and Ma-
bel M.
Mr. Waltz has an honorable record as a
soldier. On July 28, 1861, he enlisted at
Harrisburg, in company C, First regiment,
light artillery, under Captain Simpson and
Colonel Campbell. He served until the close
of the war, and was honorably discharged at
Camp Curtin, July 30, 1865. He partici-
pated in fifteen fiercely contested engage-
ments, in all of which he displayed the qual-
ities and bearing of a heroic soldier. His
brother George, impelled by the same lofty
patriotism, also enlisted, and laid down his
life in defense of thfe Union. He was taken
prisoner, and died of privation at Anderson-
ville. A third brother, John H., also ren-
dered patriotic service in the Two Hundred
and First regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers. The record of these three brothers is
worth}' of preservation. It will show to the
young men of the present and future that
patriotism is among the virtues ; that it may
demand supreme sacrifice, but that its re-
wards are imperishable. Mr. Waltz is a
staunch Republican. His family belong to
the Evangelical church.
Hoke, Peter, farmer, was born March 9,
1830. He is a son of Philip and Maria
(Fox) Hoke. His parents had eight chil-
dren, three of whom, Anna, Louisa, and
Benjamin, are deceased. Their living chil-
dren are : Elias ; Peter H.; Mary, wife of
Christian Loy ; Lydia, wife of John Weund,
and Philip. The mother died at the age of
fifty-seven, and the father at the age of sev-
enty-five years.
Peter H. Hoke attended the district
schools. He became a farmer and has al-
ways pursued this occupation. At the age
of twenty-eight he was married to Ruth
Ann, daughter of Elijah and Lydia Ann
(Russell) Payne. They have no children,
but have adopted a son, whom they have
named John H. Hoke. In political views
Mr. Hoke has always been a Republican.
He and his family attend the Reformed
church. Mr. Hoke is one of the successful
and prosperous farmers of the township, and
is a worthy man.
Snyder, John, dairyman and farmer, was
born in Dauphin county. He is a son of
John and Mary (Bright) Snyder. His par-
ents had six children, of whom one died in
infancy ; William, at the age of sixteen ; and
948
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Elizabeth, wife of Michael Clay, at the age of
forty-nine years. The survivors are : Sam-
uel, Benjamin, and John. The mother died,
and the father married again. His second
wife was Eliza Balsbach, by whom he had
six children : George ; Maggie ; James; Mary,
wife of Samuel Brinton ; Harry, and Kate.
Both parents are living.
John Snyder attended the district schools
of his township. After his school days were
ended he was employed for three years on
the railroad. At the end of that time he
began farming, and has made this his busi-
ness up to the present time. He was mar-
ried, October 13, 1874, to Elmira, daughter
of Isaac and Mary A. (Shope) Schatzer.
They have six children : Mary, Ralph, Cora,
Mabel, Kirk, and Grace.
Mr. Snyder has efficiently served four con-
secutive terms as school director for his
district. In political views he is a staunch
Republican. He and his family are mem-
bers of the United Brethren church. Mr.
Snyder is highly esteemed by his neighbors.
He is a reliable man and a citizen of public
spirit. His life is such as to commend him
to the confidence of those associated with
him in business and social circles.
Dagnell, John Richard, miller, was born
in Prince Edward county, Va., October 10,
1847. He is a son of John R. and Agnes
(Rogers) Dagnell. His parents both died
when he was very young. They had two
children : Julia, deceased, and John Richard.
He was educated in the public schools of
his native county. At the age of twenty-one
he was married, October 25, 1868, to Susan
A., daughter of Peter and Margaret Stam-
baugh. They had nine children, three are
deceased : Alice, Lula Margaret, and Philip.
Their surviving children are: Robert R.;
Agnes v., wife of Frank Sheller; Luella M.,
Harry S., Grace I., and Bessie E. Mrs. Dag-
nell's father died in 1891, at the age of eighty-
one years.
Mr. Dagnell came to Dauphin county four
years ago and engaged in milling. His resi-
dence and place of business are situated di-
rectly on the boundary line between Susque-
hanna and Lower Paxton township. He has
conducted his business in such a way as to
win the confidence of his patrons. His skill
and trustworthiness are unquestioned; his
success is decided and most gratifying.
He is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 302,
F. & A. M., Mechanicsburg ; also of Council
No. 197, 0. U. A. M., Mechanicsburg, Pa.
In politics Mr. Dagnell is independent. In
voting he selects men of worth and fitness,
without regard to party connection, but usu-
ally votes the Democratic ticket. His family
attend the Reformed church.
MarzoIjP, George, gardener and farmer,
is a native of Ringendorpf, province of Al-
sace, France. He was born December 13,
1830. He is a son of George and Margaret
Marzolf, both deceased. They had eight
children, six of whom came to America, and
settled in Dauphin county. They are : Mar-
garet, wife of Frederick Wagner ; George,
Michael, John, Mary and Jacob.
George Marzolf received his education in
France, and was engaged in farming until
his emigration to America in 1857. He
landed in New York and came directly to
Harrisburg. Here he engaged in farming
and gardening, which has been his employ-
ment to the present time.
He was married, December 25, 1851, to
Catherine Mosler, one of the five children
of George and Margaret Mosler, born in the
town of Wickersheim, Alsace, France. They
have had four children, two of whom are de-
ceased. Maggie died at the age of nineteen,
and Catherine, wife of Frank Mergner, at
the age of thirty-eight years. The living
children are, George M". and John. The
mother died May 16, 1873. The children
being all adults, and the father left alone, he
married again ; his second wife was Cathe-
rine Fifer, daughter of George and Mary
(Schmidt) Pifer, born in Heingren, Bavaria,
Germany. Of this marriage there has been
no issue.
In political views Mr. Marzolf is Demo-
cratic. He is a member of the German
Lutheran church.
Moody, William H., gardening farmer,
was born November 29, 1868. He is a son
of Washington and Adeline (Fleischer)
Moody. His parents are old and highly re-
spected residents of Susquehanna township.
They had ten children, three of whom are
deceased, Alfred, died in infancy, George
W. and Annie M., both died at about the
age of four years. Their living children are :
SallieF., wife of Samuel Bankes ; William
H.; Lizzie, wife of Charles Dunlap ; Cathe-
rine, Charles W., Jennie, and Miriam M. ■
William H. Moody attended the public
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
949
schools. When he was of age to begin busi-
ness, he engaged in gardening and farming,
and has made this his occupation to the
present time. He was married, December
30, 1892, to Annie L., daughter of Ellis W.
and Sarah J. (Lebo) Ford. They had one
son. Ford W. The parents of Mrs. Moody
are residents of Dauphin county, They had
a family of three children : one of whom
died in ' infancy ; Annie L., and Lizzie W.
Mrs. Ford died July 28, 1882, aged forty-two.
Mr. Ford married for his second wife, Re-
becca Smith, by whom he had three children :
two of whom are deceased ; George, died in
infancy, and Don S., at the age of six.
Mr. Moody is still a young man, but has
displayed good business qualities, and by
his energy and thrift has established a good
reputation, and is regarded as a successful
gardener and farmer. He is a Democrat.
The family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
RiNEARD, Samuel W., gardening farmer,
was born in Susquehanna township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., December 19, 1841. He
is a son of Henry and Elizabeth Catherine
(Sponsler) Rineard. His father was born
March 21, 1817, and died March 3, 1890 ;
his mother was born February 26, 1817, and
died September 12, 1880. They had four
children : one died in infancy, unnamed ;
Susanna A., died August 21, 1856, and
Jacob C, February 29, 1872. Samuel W.,
the second of the family, is the only sur-
vivor. He took the ordinary course of in-
struction in the common schools of Susque-
hanna township. He learned blacksmith-
ing, and worked at that trade for about
twenty years. Then, changing his occupa-
tion, he began gardening and farming, and
has continued in this business.
He was married, September 17, 1865, to
Mary Ellen, daughter of John M. and Mary
Reichard. They had two children ; one died
an infant, March 2, 1872 ; the surviving
child is Harry C. Mrs. Rineard's parents
were prominent and highly respected resi-
dents of Dauphin county. They are both
deceased. Mr. Rineard is a Republican.
The family attend the Lutheran church.
Harry C. Rineard, son of Samuel W., was
married, February 18, 1889, to Lillie A.,
daughter of Theophilus and Caroline Strayer,
by whom he has three children : David H.,
Kenneth T., and Mary Ellen.
The Rineard homestead has been in the
possession of the family over a century.
Mary Madelina, Mr. Rineard's aunt, was
born on the homestead, July 20, 1812, and
spent her life there. She died November 8,
1892. His uncle, Samuel Rineard, was born
there November 13, 1815. He is still living,
having spent his life also on the homestead.
Smith, Andrew C, gardener and farmer,
was born January 15, 1861. He is a son of
David and Lydia (Hocker) Smith. His
parents had ten children, all of whom are
living : Mary, wife of John Loban ; Andrew
C; Katie, widow of David Sheesley ; Alice,
wife of Frank Eshmer ; Annie, wife of Frank
EbersoU ; David, Jr.; George; Lizzie, wife
of Harry Wolf; Emma, and Jennie.
Andrew C. Smith received his education
in the district schools of his native town-
ship. After leaving school he engaged in
gardening and farming. He has continued
in this business and has prosecuted it with-
skill and energy. He stands among the
most successful men in his line in Susque-
hanna township.
He was married, October 2, 1882, to Mary
A., daughter of Jacob C. and Margaret
(Schlegel) Matzinger. They have four chil-
dren : Edward J., David W., Margaret Eva,
and one child who died in infancy. He is
a Republican. His family are members of
the United Brethren church.
The parents of Mrs. Smith were married
January 13, 1865. They had four children :
John W.; Mary A., wife of Andrew C. Smith ;
Frank H., and William J. The father died
January 9, 1892, deeply mourned by his
loving wife and children, and by his many
friends and neighbors.
Klopfer, Gottlieb, farmer, was born in
Weilheim, county of Clundeheim, Wurtem-
berg, Germany. He is a son of Gottlieb and
Dora (Pfitzer) Klopfer. They had ten chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy. The
living children are : Dora, wife of Gottlieb
Mock ; Gottlieb, Carl H., Frederick, Henry,
Albert, Christina, and Lotta, wife of Mr.
Monroe. Both parents died in Germany,
the father aged sixty-five years, the mother
aged forty.
Gottlieb Klopfer received- his education in
the private schools of his native town. He
learned shoemaking in Germany. He came
to America in 1850. He sailed from Havre,
France, was aboard ship six weeks, landed
950'
BIOGRAPEICAL ENUYGLOFEDIA
at New York and located in Pliiladelphia.
There he worked at his trade. Removing to
Harrisburg in the fall of 1851, he continued
for five years to work at shoetoaking. In
1856 he became a farmer, locating in Sus-
quehanna township, where he has since fol-
lowed the same vocation. When he came
there were but four German farmers in the
township ; he is now the oldest farmer of
the township. Mr. Klopfer's first presiden-
tial vote, after obtaining his naturalization
papers in 1856, was cast for James Buchanan.
His political views are still in harmony with
those of the Democratic party.
He was married, at Harrisburg, in March,
1853, to Caroline Switzer. They have had
five children, one of whom, Henry, died
aged six months. Their living children are :
Mary E., wife of James Beaver ; Louisa, wife
of Frank Kline ; Albert, and Charles, both
unmarried. Mr. Klopfer is a member of the
Lutheran church.
WiTMAN, Daniel, farmer, was born in
Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa. He
is a son of John and Catherine (Messner)
Witman. His parents had nine children,
five of whom are deceased : Lavinia died at
the age of two ; Margaret, at the age of four ;
John, aged twenty-two ; Catherine, wife of
Henry Wilbert, aged thirty-two ; Sarah, wife
of George W. Enders, at the age of thirty-
one. Their living children are : Polly, wife
of Henry Stoneroad ; Daniel, William, and
Elizabeth.
Daniel Witman received his education in
the private schools of his native town. After
leaving school he engaged in farming and
in other occupations, working as a carpenter
for three years. He then returned to the
farm, where he has remained. He enlisted
in the short service, in company C, com-
manded by Capt. Henry 0. Witman, Thirty-
sixth regiment, Pennsylvania militia, under
Colonel Alleman. He is a Republican. He
has served efficiently as road supervisor in
Susquehanna township for one term. He
also held the office of tax collector in Jackson
township. He is a member in good stand-
ing of the Jacksonville Council, No. 80, at
Enders postoffice, Dauphin county. He and
his family are members of the German Re-
formed church.
He was married, in Jackson township,
March 8, 1857, to Mary, daughter of Joseph
P. and Elizabeth (Bowman) Lyter. They
have had fourteen children, seven of whom
are deceased : Ellen Sevilla, died at the age
of two years ; Oliver Theodore, at the age of
four years; Joseph Oscar, at the age of six-
teen months ; John Oliver, aged four years ;
Lydia Louisa, aged seven ; Sarah Elspy, aged
eleven ; and one who died in infancy. Their
living children are: Peter Bartholomew,
Catherine E., Mary Jane, Daniel Grant, Mar-
tha Peninnah, Emanuel Wesley, and Cora
Daisy. Catherine E., is the wife of John P.
Conrad ; Mary Jane is the wife of Samuel
Zeiters, and Martha Peninnah is the wife of
William H. Conrad.
Clay, Daniel W., gardening farmer, was
born in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county, Pa., June 17, 1854. He is a son of
Adam and Sarah (Rapp) Clay. They had
four children, one of whom, John A., died
aged twenty-four; he lost his life on the
Pennsylvania railroad at Harrisburg, where
he was employed as car inspector. He left
a wife and one child. Mr. and Mrs Clay's
living children are : Elmira, wife of Stephen
Hassler, of Reading, Pa.; William F., and
Daniel W. The father died aged sixty-four
years; the mother is still living.
Daniel W. Clay was educated in the public
schools of West Hanover township. He was
on the farm assisting his father until he was
twenty-five, when he began as a gardening
farmer on his own account. His energy,
skill and industry soon brought him success,
and he now ranks among the most thriving
and prosperous men in his line in the towp-
ship. He was married, June 21, 1877, to
Ellen E., daughter of David and Susan
Reichert. They have one child, Ida F., who
is at school, and stands high in her classes.
Mr. Clay is a .staunch Republican. He and
his family attend the Lutheran church.
The father of Mrs. Clay died at the age
of fifty-two years 'and ten months, and the
mother February 15, 1892, aged seventy-
eight years and eleven months. They had
seven children; of these, John and Katie
died in infancy ; the surviving children are :
Daniel E., Sarah, David, Susan, wife of Ben-
jamin C. Hoover, and Ellen Ethel, wife of
D. W. Clay.
Hummel, Jacob, gardening farmer, was
born in Susquehanna township, Dauphin
county. Pa., March 28, 1843. He is a son of
Christian and Catherine (Rineard) Hummel.
Christian Hummel was born March 12,
1819, and died May 30, 1885. His wife,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
951
Catherine Rineard, was born April 4, 1823,
and died January 23, 1880. They had six
children : two died in infancy, Mary Jane,
born November 3, 1849, died February 23,
1850, and Elizabeth, born November 12,
1852, died April 15, 1855 ; David, who was
born January 5, 1855, died May 24, 1887.
The surviving children are: Jacob, born
March 28, 1843; Sarah Ann, widow of
Aaron Shreiner, born November 22, 1846 ;
and Jeremiah, born February 13, 1858.
Jacob Hummel received a common school
education in his native township. After his
school days were ended he at once began
business for himself. He engaged in gar-
dening and farming and has made this his
occupation. Mr. Hummel has served his
native township for ten consecutive terms as
supervisor, and has performed the duties of
his office with satisfaction to the publie and
with credit to himself By his honest and
fair dealipg he has secured the confidence
of the community. His political views are
Democratic.
Jacob Hummel was married, February 18,
1877, to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Ra-
chel Hawk, both now deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Hummel have two children : George
W. and Sadie 0. The family are members
of the German Lutheran church.
Shreiner, Aaron, was born in Lancaster
county on April 27, 1842. He was the son
of Daniel and Eliza Shreiner. His parents
had twelve children, six of whom are de-
ceased. Those living are : Louisa, wife of
Andrew Reed, residing in Kansas ; Catherine,
wife of William Frick, of Barto, Pa.; Ella,
wife of James Faley, of Harrisburg ; Sarah,
wife of William Lingle, of Philadelphia ;
Mary, wife of a Mr. Rickard, of Illinois; and
George, of Linglestown, Pa.
Aaron Shreiner had the educational op-
portunities enjoyed by the average farmer
boy. He was dutiful and faithful and of
more than ordinary intelligence. By dili-
gent use of his opportunities he became well
prepared for the actual work of life by the
time when he must begin it. He was pru-
dent and skillful in business and earned well-
merited success by his careful and frugal
methods. He was highly esteemed by his
neighbors.
On February 24, 1874, he married Sarah
Ann, daughter of Christian and Catherine
(Rineard) Hummel; she was born Novem-
ber 22, 1846, in Susquehanna township.
They had one child, William Irwin. Mr.
Shreiner died April 2, 1894, aged fifty-one
years. He was a Republican. Mrs. Shreiner
and his son are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. His death was deeply
mourned by a wide circle of friends and
acquaintances, who highly esteemed him for
his many virtues and amiable characteristics,
and honored him as an upright and benev-
olent man. It was his strong desire and
ambition to give his only son a liberal
education, and it is the aim of the widowed
mother to fulfill his wish and carry out his
plans.
The parents of Mrs. Shreiner had six chil-
dren, three of whom are living : Jacob ; Sarah
Ann, Mrs. Shreiner; and Jeremiah, born
February 13, 1850, residing at Steelton, Pa.
Their deceased children were: Mary Ann,
died February 23, 1850; Elizabeth, born
November 12, 1852, died April 15, 1855;
David E., born January 13, 1855, died May
24, 1887.
David Hbpford's father died aged ninety-
five years ; his mother aged eighty years and
three months. He was a blacksmith and
worked at his trade until 1847, when he took
up the business of gardening and farming,
which he carried on throughout the rest of
his life. He bought the present homestead,
consisting of about four acres, in 1868. He
was a strong Republican. The family are
members of the German Reformed church.
In 1835 he was married to Susanna, daugh-
ter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hetrich) Lingle,
born June 17, 1814. They had ten children:
Samuel; John J.; David, died August 3,
1890 ; George ; Mary Ann, died aged two
years and three months; Enos; Joshua, died
aged eleven; Susan, wife of William Mun-
ger ; Thomas ; Sarah, wife of Luther Lenker.
Thomas Lingle, the father of Mrs. Hep-
ford, died in 1815. He married Elizabeth
Hetrich, by whom he had three children:
Adam, Elizabeth, and Susanna, wife of Daniel
Hepford. Mrs. Lingle's second marriage was
with John Shoop, by whom she had three
children: Annie, wife of Cyrus Stapler;
Sarah, who died aged twenty-four, and John,
who died at the age of thirty years.
Mi-s. Hepford has, up to the present time,
thirty-five grandchildren and fifteen great-
grandchildren. Four of the grandchildren
are deceased. The names of the grandchil-
dren by families are as follows: Laura F.,
Dora S. E., Sadie M., Carrie B., Mary S.,
952
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Josephine E., Grace P., Samuel G., and John
E., children of Matilda Hepford; Laura,
Annie, Gertrude, Minerva, Stella, Alice, Nel-
lie, Herbert, and Vernada, children of David
and Mary Hepford ; William, Daniel, Emma,
John, and Annie, children of George and
Susan Hepford ; Laura, John, Bertha, Charles,
Sadie, and Rose, children of William and
Susan Hepford Munger ; Charles, son of Enos
and Ellen Hepford , William, Jesse, Walter,
Charles, and Samuel, children of Luther and
Sarah Hepford Lenker.
The great-grandchildren are : E. Chester,
Edna M., Harry L., and Grace M. Sparver ;
Irene E. and Charles H. Loomis ; Robert H.
Elliott ; Mary, Edna, George, and an infant
not yet named, children of William and Sallie
Hepford ; Ross and two other children of
David and Emma Hepford ; an infant child
of Russell and Annie Hepford Byers.
Waltz, Benjamin, dairyman and farmer,
was born in Lebanon county. Pa., June 17,
1850. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Clem-
ens) Waltz. His parents were natives of
Lebanon county. The father died October
20, 1881, aged seventy-two ; the mother died
August 31, 1893. They had ten children,
four of whom are deceased : Jacob, Cath-
erine, . Rose, and George, who died in the
army. The living children are : David ; Re-
becca, wife of Jacob Stouflfer ; Sarah, wife of
John Reinert, residing in Kansas; Alfred,,
John, and Benjamin.
, Benjamin Waltz received his education in
the public schools of Lower Paxton town-
ship. He engaged in farming and has made
this his Hfe-long occupation. At the age of
twenty-two he was married, January 9, 1873,
to Amanda E. Bell, daughter of David and
Rachel Bell.
The parents of Mrs. Waltz had nine chil-
dren, three of whom^re deceased : John A.,
Allen, and Levi, all died in infancy. Their
surviving children are: Sarah J., wife of
George Herman; Adam H.; Amanda E.,
Mrs. Waltz ; George T., Monroe D., and Ed-
ward K. The parents are both living, and
reside in Dauphin county. Mr. Waltz is a
staunch Republican. The family are mem-
bers of the Evangelical church.
Tkullinger, John E., dairyman and
farmer, was born June 29, 1858. He is a
son of WiUiam and Elizabeth (Walker)
Trullinger. His father is living; his
mother died November 16, 1894, aged
seventy-six years. They had ten children,
six of whom are deceased. Their living
children are: Samuel Walker, George Lu-
ther, Mary Susanna, wife of Joseph Hain,
and John E.
John E. Trullinger attended the public
schools in Susquehanna township. He chose
the occupation of farmer, and has been en-
gaged in this business up to the present time.
He was married, April 14, 1886, to Cathe-
rine, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Han-
chow) Hain. They have one child, Sylva
Minerva. The parents of Mrs. Trullinger
had seven children. The father died at the
age of sixty -five years.
Mr. Trullinger is an energetic and enter-
prising young man. By his good manage-
ment and thrift he has taken rank among
the successful farmers of the township. In
his political views he is a staunch Republi-
can. The family are members of the Ger-
man Lutheran church.
Clemens, Reuben, dairyman and farmer,
was born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., July 30, 1842. He is a
son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Clemens.
His parents had eight children, three of
whom are deceased :. one died in infancy ;
Reuben, the first son by that name, died at the
age of five years, and William F. at the age
of seven. Their surviving children are :
Cyrus P.; Livina, wife of Benjamin Hess,
John H.; Reuben, second son by this name,
and Jacob M. His mother died April 8,
1895, aged eighty years. His father died
six days later, April 14, 1895, aged eighty-
five.
Reuben Clemens was educated in the pri-
vate and public schools of East Hanover
township. He was in the farm and dairy
business up to the time of his mar-
riage. He was twenty-two years old when
he was married, November 6, 1862, to Sarah
E., daughter of John D. and Elizabeth
(Hoover) Felty. They have seven children,
two of whom are deceased : William F., died
m infancy, and Ida M., at the age of seven
years. Their living children are: Adelia
P.; Mary E., wife of Adam Hocker; Jacob
M., Sarah E., and Margaret L.
In August, 1864, lie enlisted in company
B, Two Hundred and First Pennsylvania
volunteers, under Cap! William McCarroU
and Colonel Awl. He served for ten months,
during which time he was stationed in the
eastern part of Virginia. He was honorably
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
955
discharged and mustered out at Harrisburg.
He then returned to his native township.
In the spring of 1866 he removed to Harris-
burg, and for nineteen years was employed
in the Eagle Works. In the spring of 1895
he bought the homestead, where he now re-
sides, cultivating the soil and conducting a
dairy. Mr. Clemens is a Republican. He
and his family are members of the Church
of God.
Lucas, William D., dairyman and farmer,
was born in Colerain township, Lancaster
county, Pa., November 20, 1845. He is a
son of Robert and Cliarlotte Lucas. His
parents had nine children, one of whom,
James, died at the age of four years. Their
surviving children are: Charles L.; Sarah,
widow of a Mr. Hansziegle ; William D.;
Robert J.; Christiana, wife of Nelson John-
son ; Harry H.; Newton J.; Ellen, wife of
William Fraim. His father died in 1871,
aged seventy-two.
William D. Lucas received his early edu-
cation in the district schools of his native
county. When he was sixteen years old his
parents removed to Indiana county. Pa., and
he attended the public schools of that county.
After leaving school he learned iron mould-
ing at Lancaster, Pa. This trade acquired,
he went to Harrisburg, Pa., and engaged as
journeyman in the Harrisburg Car Works.
Pie was employed by this company for ten
years. He then removed to Perry county.
Pa., and engaged in dairy farming. Re-
turning later to Harrisburg, he took charge
of the stock at the asylum. After holding
this position for about two years, he resumed
dairy farming, which he has carried on up
to the present time.
Mr. Lucas was married, October 28, 1872,
to Susan B., daughter of Philip K. and Mary
Auxer. Of their four children, Samuel H.
died in infancy, and Frank T. aged ten
years. The surviving children are : Philip
A. and Daniel E. Mr. Lucas is a member
in good standing of State Capital Lodge, No.
70, I. 0. 0. F. He is a staunch Republican.
He and his family are members of the
Church of God. Philip K. Auxer, father
of Mrs. Lucas, died in February, 1887, aged
seventy-five ; his wife August 20, 1878, aged
sixty-five years.
,Raysoii, John, was born in Susquehanna
township, Dauphin county, Pa., October 28,
1815. He was the only child of John Raysor,
6o
Sr., by his first wife. His mother died
while he was an infant. The second wife of
John Raysor, Sr., was Susan Fackler; they
had three children : Elizabeth, Catherine and
Samuel.
John Raysor, Jr., married Mary Frantz ;
they had three children : Susanna, unmar-
ried and residing in Susquehanna township;
Michael F., and John F. Mr. Raysor died
September 18, 1894; his wife February 16,
1887.
Susanna F. Raysor, only daughter and
eldest child of John and Mary (Frantz)
Raysor, was born in Susquehanna township,
Dauphin county. Pa. She was educated in
the district schools of her native township.
Since her school days she has always de-
voted much of her time and attention to
Christian work, and has been active in aid-
ing the various enterprises by which the
church seeks to promote the welfare of so-
ciety. She has dispensed a generous hospi-
tality, and by her good works and her be-
neficent and amiable life and character she
has won the cstieem and love of the com-
munity. She is a member of Zion Lutheran
church, and is active and self-sacrificing in
promoting the interests of that religious or-
ganization.
Peters, Abraham, miller, was born in
Derry township, Dauphin count}', Pa.,
March 19, 1827 ; son of Henry and Nancy
(Kinter) Peters, of Lancaster county. Pa.; his
parents had eight children, three of whom
are deceased. Their living children are:
Henry; Samuel; Elizabeth, who is Mrs.
Haldeman and resides in Indiana; Barbara,
wife of David Books, of Hummelstown, Pa.;
and Abraham. Mr. Henry Peters died aged
ninety years, two months and seven days ;
Mrs. Nancy Peters at the age of seventy-six
years.
Abraham Peters was educated in the sub-
scription schools of his native county. He
was then engaged in farming until 1863,
when he removed to the village of Progress,
Dauphin county, Pa., and began the manu-
facture of brooms. In 1876 he engaged in
milling. His skill as a mechanic, his integ-
rity, and his many other excellent character-
istics have made him popular and successful.
His business has steadily increased, so that
he has been compelled to enlarge his exten-
sive plant to its present proportions. He
was married, October 16, 1848, to Annie,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stoner. One
956
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYCLOFEDIA
of their five children, Louisa, died aged thir-
teen years. The living children are : 'Eliza-
beth, wife of David Hoerner ; John, Henry,
and Abraham. Mrs. Peters died June 4,
1867. Mr. Peters' second wife was Susan
Hoerner, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth
Seibert. Their children were : Mary Alice,
who died aged seven •; Maggie, wife of Grant
Early ; and William. Mr. Peters is a staunch
Republican. The family are members of the
Church of God.
Strine, Daniel H., blacksmith and wheel-
wright, was born in Cumberland county.
Pa. He is a son of Henry C. and Eebecca
(Danner) Strine. They had nine children,
of whom one died in infancy ; Elizabeth
died at the age of fifty. Their living chil-
dren are : Samuel P.; Lydia A., wife of John
Reed ; Daniel H.; Regina S.; Mary J., wife
of John Grunden ; William C, and Clara,
wife of Edward Long. Mrs. Strine died
May 13, 1869, and Mr. Strine April 20,
1893, aged about eighty-one years.
Daniel H. Strine was educated in the dis-
trict schools of his native county. When he
was nineteen he began to learn blacksmith-
ing with John Reed, Lower Paxton town-
ship. At the age of twenty-three he began
business for himself in that township, re-
maining there for fifteen years. In 1889 he
removed to the village of Progress, where he
has ever since continued work at his trade.
His strict integrity and honorable dealings
have built up for him a large and paying
business. He is a complete master of his
art, and is reliable and agreeable. His
principle is, an honest dollar's worth of
work for an honest dollar.
He was married, February 7, 1869, to
Sarah C, daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Billet) Aungst. They have four children :
Wesley A., born February 22, 1871 ; Grace
M., wife of Oscar Holtzman, born March 24,
1873 ; Minnie E., born August 30, 1882 ;
Annie M., born June 2, 1892. Mr. Strine's
political views are Democratic. He and his
family attend the Church of God.
Shuey, Daniel, shoemaker, was born in
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
January 14, 1836. He is a son of Jacob and
Catherine (Moon) Shuey. His parents had
thirteen children, two of whom died in in-
fancy. Their living children are William,
Catherine, Jacob, John, Daniel, Mary, wife
of Peter Leiten, Samuel, Adam, George,
Henry, and Lizzie, wife of Christian Wine-
rich.
Daniel Shuey received his education in
the district schools of his native township.
At the age of eighteen he began to learn
shoemaking with David Crum, of Paxton
township. His apprenticeship over he en-
gaged in business for himself. After this he
was in the employment of Forney Bros.,
Harrisburg, Pa., working at his trade for ten
years. During this time he kept his home
at Progress and walked back and forth be-
tween home and shop every morning and
evening. Ever since leaving the employ-
ment of Forney Bros, he has done business
on his own account at Progress. He has an
enviable reputation among his numerous
patrons as a skillful and reliable mechanic,
honest and agreeable in his manners. His
maxim has always been to give a dollar's
worth of work for every dollar of pay that
he receives.
He was married at the age of twenty-
three to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Eliza-
beth Pottinger. Two of their children are
deceased : Edward, who died aged ten years,
and Katie, who died in infancy. The sur-
vivors are two : Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Fag-
ley, of Harrisburg, and Mary, wife of Reuben
Packer. Mrs. Sarah Shuey dying, Mr. Shuey
married, October 25, 1866, Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of John Bauman. They have had
four children : one who died in infancy and
Sadie, William, and John.
Mr. Shuey is a staunch Republican. He
and his family are members of the Church
of God.
Sheesley, John H., dairyman, farmer and
stockman, was born April 19, 1851. He is a
son of Jonathan and Catherine (Raysor)
Sheesley. Abraham Sheesley, grandfather
of John H., was a carpenter. He was a man
of extraordinary intelligence and was hon-
ored by all who knew him. He filled the
position of local president in the United
Brethren church. He died October 1, 1871,
lacking only eight days of being eighty-five
years old. His wife died September 29, 1873,
at nearly eighty-two years of age. They had
fifteen children, only five of whom are
hvmg. The parents of John H. Sheesley
had five children. One of them, David F.,
died at the age of twenty-eight. Their living
children are: Susan, wife of Joshua Bright-
bill; Elizabeth, wife of John Good; Samuel
DAUPSIN COUKTY.
957
B.., and John H. Mr. Sheesley's father died
February 4, 1887, aged seventy-two years ;
his mother September 24, 1889, aged nearly
seventy-two.
John H. Sheesley received his early edu-
cation in the district schools. At the age of
eighteen he entered a private academy at
Harrisburg, under Prof. Gause, and studied
for two terms. He was then at Lebanon
Valley College, Annville, Lebanon county.
Pa., for one term, after which he taught
school for two years in Susquehanna town-
ship, and for three years in Lower Paxton
township, at the Pleasant Hill school house.
From that time until the present he has
given his principal attention to farming and
the raising of cattle and horses in his native
township, making a specialty of the breed-
ing of stock for dairy purposes. He is also
extensively interested in the manufacture of
lime as a fertilizer and for building purposes.
His establishment has an extensive local
patronage, and also supplies large demands
from the huilders of Harrisburg and neigh-
boring towns.
Mr. Sheesley was married, September 9,
1875, to Catherine E., daughter of William
and Catherine E. (Levan) Fisher. They
have had four children. Those living are :
Byron F., born November 9, 1876 ; John M.,
July 25, 1881, and Charles E., May 29, 1884.
William H., born May 25, 1879, died Sep-
tember 28, 1894, aged fifteen years, four
months and three days. He was a youth of
unusual intelligence. His amiable disposi-
tion won the esteem and fond affection of
his parents and brothers, his companions at
school and his many friends and acquaint-
ances.
Mr. Sheesley is a member in good stand-
ing of the Farmers' Grange. He is a staunch
Republican. Mrs. Sheesley is a member of
the Woman's Missionary Society of the
United Brethren church, which church Mr.
Sheesley and his family belong.
William and Catherine (Levan) Fisher,
the parents of Mrs. Sheesley, had three chil-
dren : John L., Catherine E., and George L.
They were natives of Bucks county. Pa., and
resided there until their removal to Dauphin
county, where they now live. Benjamin
Levan, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Shees-
ley, lived to the age of eighty two years, and
his wife to eighty-three. Her paternal
grandfather, John Fisher, lived to the age
of seventy-five years ; his wife died at about
the same age.
Good, John, harness maker, was born in
Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county,
Pa., August 27, 1836. He is a son of Henry
and Lydia (Eders) Good. His parents had
six children, one of whom, Jacob, met his
death by accident at Media, Pa., in 1865, at
the age of twenty-six. He had served three
years in the army in company D, Forty-
sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.
Their surviving children are : Barbara ; John ;
Henry; Catherine, wife of William Bolton,
and christian E. Henry Good, the father,
died aged seventy-three ; his wife is still liv-
ing.
John Good was educated in the common
schools of his native township. His school
days ended when he was nineteen ; he then
learned harness making with Jonas Schoener,
at Linglestown, Dauphin county. After
learning his trade he worked at it as a jour-
neyman for two years, and then began busi-
ness for himself in Jackson towship, Dauphin
county. Then for one year he was farming
in Lower Paxton, his native township. Re-
suming work at his trade he opened a shop
at Progress, and continued there until 1884,
when he retired from business. He is now
settled in a comfortable and beautiful home
adjoining the Church of God, in the village
of Progress.
He was married, November 19, 1868, to
Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Cathe-
rine Sheesley. They have one child, Oscar
E. Mr. Good is a staunch Republican. He
and his family are members of the United
Brethren church at Penbrook. Mr. Good
enjoys the confidence and esteem of his
neighbors. After an active and useful life,
he is justly entitled to the rest and happiness
of his quiet home.
Rudy, Michael, was a son of Frederick and
Elizabeth Rudy. His parents had eleven
children, ten of whom are deceased : John
Daniel ; Catherine, wife of William Orth
Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Plause; Frederick
Jonas ; Michael ; Maria, wife of Joseph Mc
Ardle ; Jacob, and a child who died un-
named. The one living is Jacob.
Michael Rudy was an enterprising and
successful farmer in Susquehanna town-
ship. He succeeded his father on the old
Rudy farm, which has been owned and oc-
cupied by the family for ninety-five years.
He continued to occupy and cultivate the
farm until 1884, when he removed to the
homestead where his widow now resides.
958
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
aud where he died, January 27, 1894. He
was married, October 4, 1847, and had a
family of five children ; one died in infancy,
unnamed, and Rebecca E. died January 25,
1857, aged two years and nine months.
Their living children are : Sarah Jane, wife
of John W. Smith ; Mary E., wife of John
Snoke, and Martha Alice, wife of William
Forbes. Mr. Rudy was a successful business
man and was highly respected by his neigh-
bors. He was a firm adherent to the Re-
publican party. He was a member of the
German Reformed church, to which his
family also belong.
Mrs. Rudy was born in Susquehanna
township, Dauphin county. Pa., February
26, 1827, and educated in the public schools
of Upper Paxton township. Her parents
had twelve children, seven of whom are de-
ceased. Two died in infancy, unnamed ;
Jacob died aged sixty-nine years; Isaac,
aged five, and Jane, aged twenty-six ; Joseph
died from the effects of typhoid fever, while
serving in the United States army, at the
age of forty ; he enlisted March 18, 1865.
The last who died was Mary, wife of John
Moyer. The surviving children are : Cathe-
rine, wife of Abraham Mader ; Susan ; Eliza-
beth, wife of Emanuel Walburn ; John, and
George. Mrs. Rudy's father died March 9,
1868, aged seventy vears ; her mother died
June 19, 1884.
Smith, David H., was born in Lower
Paxton xtownship, Dauphin county. Pa. He
is a son of Samuel and Mary (Lrngenecker)
Smith. He was brought up in Dauphin
county, and educated in the district schools.
At the age of eighteen, prompted by patriotism ,
he enlisted in the army, and fought in de-
fense of the Union. He enlisted August 22,
1861, in company H, Forty-seventh Penn-
sylvania volunteers, under Capt. James Kacey
and Col. T. H. Good. He .served the full
term of his enlistment, three years, with
valor and distinction. He rose from the
ranks to be first sergeant, under Capt. Reuben
S. Gardner. He was honorablv discharged,
December 25, 1865, at Charleston, S. C. He
remained in Camp Cadwalader, at Philadel-
phia, until January, 1866, when he received
his bounty in full. Returning to his home
in Linglestown, he began ' as a farmer, but
has since been engaged in various occupa-
tions. He is a member of Post No. 116, G.
A. R., Harrisburg; of Dauphin Castle, No.
250, K. G. E.; and Mt. Vernon Council, No.
333, Jr. 0. U. A. M. Mr. Smith is a staunch
Republican. During his service in the army,
he took part in nine fiercely contested battles
and was twice wounded.
He was married. May 30, 1873, to Matilda
J. Saul, born in Susquehanna township, Sep-
tember 22, 1840; daughter of Joseph and
Mary (Garevick) Saul. Their children were:
Sallie J., wife of Rev. J. A. Detter, of Hunt-
ingdon county. Pa., and Edith E.
The parents of Mrs. Smith had ten children,
four of whom are deceased: Josiah and
Fannie died in infancy ; Lydia at the age of
eight years and nine months; and Mary
Barbara at the age of thirty-five years ; she
was married, and resided in Germany, where
she died. The surviving children are : Will-
iam S., of Perry county. Pa.; Margaret S.,
wife of Austin McGraw, of Jefferson City,
Mo.; Catherine A., wife of W. W. Morrow;
Mrs. Susan E. Putnam, of St. Louis, Mo.;
Matilda J., and Joseph S. Her mother, Mrs.
Mary Saul, died August 17, 1868 ; her father
died March 18, 1887, aged eighty-three years
and nineteen days. He was born February
27, ]804, either in Lebanon or Dauphin
county, probably in the former, near Jones-
town. While he was a child the family re-
moved t6 Lower Paxton township, where
they remained until his father died ; Joseph
was then about eighteen. He remained with
his mother, and was her main support until
he was twenty-four, when his mother and
brothers, except the eldest, with his sisters,
removed West.
He married shortly after, and removed to
Susquehanna township. He removed from
place to place until 1848, when he purchased
a small tract of land, the site of his late house
in Progress. There he built the second or
third house erected in the town, in which he
ended his days. He was a good citizen, and
respected by all. He was cordial and prompt
in all neighborly offices, giving counsel and
aid in various ways, and always by safe and
judicious methods. His disposition, uni-
formly cheerful, endeared him to everybody.
In some respects he was peculiar. He never
rode in a railroad car. When a young man
he went on foot from the vicinity of Lingles-
town to Gettysburg, and returned in the same
way ; this distance was the farthest he ever
went from home. He was a consistent and
devout Christian. At the age of twenty-one,
he was converted and connected himself with
the Methodist church. In later years he be-
came a member of the United Brethren in
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
959
Christ, in his native town. He was twice
married, and the father of ten children,
named above. In his declining years he
made his home with his daughter, Mrs.
Smith, who tenderly cared for him; here he
passed away from earth. There are in all
thirty grandchildren of his family.
Wirt, Charles L., harness maker, was
born at Linglestown, Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa. He is a son of Jeremiah
and Plannah (Forney) Wirt. His parents
had eight children, two were twins and died
in infancy. The living children are : Sarah,
wife of David Smeltzer; Lizzie, wife of Dan-
iel Longenecker ; Charles L. ; Katie, wife of
Alfred Enders; Susan, wife of William
Muenich, and John F. Mr. Jeremiah Wirt
was drowned at Harrisburg, in Paxton creek,
July 4, 1873, aged forty-three years; Mrs.
Wirt died in July, 1893, aged sixty-three years.
Charles L. Wirt was educated in the com-
mon schools of Lower Paxton township. At
the age of seventeen he began an apprentice-
ship of three years at harness making with
John Good, at Progress. He afterwards
worked one year as journeyman, and then
began business for himself, succeeding his
former master and employer. He was for
two years at Progress and then removed to
Penbrook, where he conducts a large and
profitable business. Being enterprising and
reliable, he not only meets with success, but
enjoys the respect and esteem of his patrons
and neighbors.
He was married, July 30, 1890, to Lula,
daughter of Henry and Mary Sherk.. Their
children are : Emma Sherk and Lydia For-
ney. Mr. Wirt is an active and efficient
member of the board of health of Penbrook.
He has served one term as borough auditor,
and also as election inspector. He is a
staunch Eepublican. He and his family
are members of the Church of God.
Mrs. Wirt's parents had six children; those
deceased are : Emma E., wife of Noah Wal-
mer, and William H. The living children
are: Mary E., Henry A., and Lula, Mrs.
Wirt.
Benjamin; Harriet, wife of Hiram Wilt;
William H., and Catherine, wife of Andrew
Poffenberger. Daniel E. Mader was edu-
cated in the public schools of Lower Paxton
township. After leaving school he began
business for himself as a gardener and
farmer, and has thus been occupied up to
the present time.
He was married at the age of twenty-one,
December 13, 1862, to Fannie, daughter of
Jacob and Rebecca (Young) Warner. They
have had ten children; four are deceased:
David, born March 9, 1866, died July la,
1866; Clara, born August 3, 1875, died
January 21, 1876 ; Eddie, born August 26,
1884, died September 12, 1884, and one in-
fant unnamed. Their living children are :
William, born June 8, 1867 ; Henry, born
September 3, 1869 ; Elizabeth, born July 4,
1872 ; Cora, born September 16, 1877 ; Lydia,
born May 1, 1887, and Emmet, June 8,
1889.
Mr. Mader lias served as road supervisor
of Susquehanna township for two terms. He
is a staunch Republican. He and his family
are members of the United Brethren church.
He is consistent and earnest in his Christian
life and fills the full measure of good citi-
zenship. In social life he is agreeable and
popular, and is an embodiment of the do-
mestic virtues.
Jacob and Rebecca (Young) Warner, the
parents of Mrs. Mader, had a family of nine
children. Four are deceased : Jacob, died
aged two years ; John, had served in the
army, and after the war went West and is
supposed to be dead ; William, died at the
age of fifty-four, and Sarah, who died aged
forty four. Their surviving children are :
Samuel ; Christian, who resides in Missouri;
Elizabeth, wife of John Blessley, of Lebanon
county; David, who resides at Penbrook,
Pa., and Fannie, who is Mrs. D. E. Mader.
Mader, Daniel E., gardening farmer,
was born in Lower Paxton township in
1842. His parents, Amos and Elizabeth
(Zarker) Mader, had seven children, two of
whom are deceased; Susan, who died in in-
fancy, and Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Cas-
sel. Their living children are: Daniel E.;
HoucK, George A., dealer in agricultural
implements, Penbrook, Pa., was born in
Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa. He is a son of Amos and Elizabeth
(Shirk) Houck, both living at this writing.
They had three children, one of whom, Fi-
delia, died aged nineteen. The surviving
children are Henry Oliver and George A.
George A. Houck was educated in the
public schools of Lower Paxton township,
and after leaving school worked on the farm
with his father until he was twenty-two
years old. He then began farming for him-
960
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
self, and made it his sole occupation for five
3'ears. Later he engaged in the dairy busi-
ness, which he conducted for about two years.
For the ensuing two years he was in the em-
ployment of Robert B. Mateer, of Harris-
burg, dealer in hardware. He then removed
to Penbrook, Pa., and opened aj store on his
own account, which he has managed since
that time. He deals in general hardware,
and is specially engaged in the sale of agri-
cultural implements.
He was married at the age of twenty-two,
on October 17, 1880, to Minnie J., daughter
of Jonas and Maria Crum. They have two
children, Harry Edward and Russel Amos.
At the present time Mr. Houck is a mem-
ber of the school board of Penbrook. He
is a staunch Republican. He and his family
attend the Lutheran church at Penbrook.
His religion is of the practical kind. In
business he is enterprising and energetic,
and keeps in the lead. He is public spirited
and social, and in all relations faithful and
just. Jonas and Maria Crum, Mrs. Houck's
parents, are both living. Their children are :
Minnie J., who is Mrs. Houck ; Emma, wife
of Alfred Hoostick ; and Edward.
Hargest, Johjsi James, gardening farmer,
was born in Baltimore county, near Balti-
more, Md. He is a son of William E. and
Rachel A. (Taylor) Hargest. William Har-
gest died November 11, 1872, aged fifty-two
years and three mouths. His wife is still
living, and resides in Harrisburg, Pa. They
had eight children, five of whom are de-
ceased: Henry C; William E.; Taylor Fill-
more ; Mary, wife of Charles H. Kemp ; and
Rose Alba, wife of Charles Raymond. Their
living children are : John J., Jefferson S.,
and Thomas S.
John James Hargest received his primary
education in the public and private schools
of Baltimore county, which he attended until
he was twelve years old. His parents then
removing to Newcastle county, Del., he at-
tended the public schools of that county for
two years ; then, removing with them to
Harrisburg, he finished his studies in the
public schools of that city. At the age of
sixteen he entered the Quartermaster's de-
partment. United States army, and was
stationed at Stephenson's depot, near Win-
chester, Va., for about nine months, after
which he was discharged. He then returned
to his home in Harrisburg, engaged in gar-
dening and farming, in which he has ever
since been occupied. For twenty-four years
he owned and resided upon the island
known as Bridge Island, which later was
called Hargest Island. In October, 1889,
he sold this island and located in Susque-
hanna township, where he has since been a
continuous resident.
He was married at the age of twenty
years, in May, 1869, to Susan E., daughter
of David and Sarah Zarker. They have had
five children, one of whom, John Herman,
died at the age of four months. Their living
children are: Marj- K., Catherine B., Bessie
M., and Jennie R. Mrs. Hargest died Feb-
ruary 2, 1880. Mr. Hargest was again mar-
ried, to Mary K., daughter of George and
Jane E. Whiteman. They have had six
children, two of whom are deceased : Clara
v., born June 15, 1893, died August 28,
1894, and Thomas J., born August 27, 1894,
died September 16, 1894. Their living
children are: George W., Rachel T., Helen
B., and John J.
Mr. Hargest is a staunch Republican.
He served with efficiency and credit in the
city council of Harrisburg, and was the
president of that body for the year 1881.
He is now a member of the school board of
Susquehanna township. He belongs to
Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., at
Harrisburg ; he was a member of Persever-
ance Chapter and Pilgrim Commandery.
Mr. Hargest and his family are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church. He is suc-
cessful in business and enjoys the good will
and confidence of his neighbors.
George and Jane E. (Harman) Whiteman,
parents of Mrs. Hargest, had five children :
Mary K., Jacob N., George W., Charles C,
and Edna H.
Hargest, Jefferson S., gardening farmer,
was born at Wilmington, Del., August 25,
1860. He is a son of William E. and Rachel
A. Hargest. His parents removed to Har-
risburg when he was five years of age, and
he was educated in the public and private
schools of that city. At eighteen years of
age he began gardening and farming, and
has been continuously engaged in those oc-
cupations up to the present time.
He was married at the age of twenty-two,
April 2, 1882, to Clara Reese, daughter of
Richard and Elizabeth Reese. They had no
children. His wife died April 25, 1895. She
was a consistent and earnest Christian woman.
Her home was attractive and always shone
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
961
with the light of a warm and generous hos-
pitality. By her many virtues she drew
around her a circle of devoted friends and
admirers who deeply mourn her loss. Her
parents had seven children, five of whom are
deceased : Clara, Mrs. Hargest ; Mattie, wife
of Jacob Whiteman ; Maggie, and two chil-
dren who died in infancy. The surviving
children are Harry and Jennie. Mr. Har-
gest is a staunch Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. As
a business man he is characterized by strict
integrity, industry and enterprise. He is
genial in social life, interested in church
matters, and prompt and faithful in the per-
formance of duty.
Moody, Washington, gardening farmer,
was born in Washington township, York
county, Pa., in 1839. He is a son of Thomas
and Elizabeth Moody. They had seven
children, all boys ; one of them, Thomas,
died aged about twenty-six years. Those
living are: William, Henry, David, James,
John, and Washington. The father died at
the age of eighty, and the mother four years
later, aged seventy years.
Washington Moody was educated in the
public schools of his native township. After
leaving school he was for ten years engaged
in farming and then added gardening. In
1865 he removed to Dauphin county and lo-
cated on Sheesley's Island, where he pur-
sued his vocation of gardening and farming.
He subsequently removed to Susquehanna
township, and in 1875 purchased his present
homestead, where he continues to conduct
the same business.
On February 24, 1864, Mr. Moody was
married to Adeline E., daughter of John and
Sarah Fleisher. They had ten children,
three of whom are deceased : George Wash-
ington, died August 8, 1871, aged four years
and thirteen days ; Albert, January 8, 1875,
aged three days; Annie Margarette, Feb-
ruary 3, 1882, aged four years and three
months. The living children are : Sallie
Florence, wife of Samuel Bankes, born Jan-
uary 2, 1865 ; William Henry, November
29, 1868 ; Ada Ehzabeth, born August 25,
1870; Mary Catherine, February 5, 1872;
Charles Wesley, born August 20, 1874 ; Re-
becca Jane, June 10, 1880 ; Miriam, June 18,
1884.
Mr. Moody is a staunch Democrat. He
and his family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Moody has been
diligent in business, and as the result of his
skill, energy and industry he stands in the
lead of men in his line of business. He is a
reliable and worthy man and has been true
to all the obligations of duty.
Mrs. Moody's parents, John and Sarali
Fleisher, had four children, one of whom,
William, went West in 1865 and is supposed
to have died. Their surviving children are :
Milton, John, and Adeline E., Mrs. Moody.
The father died at the age of thirty years ;
the mother is still living.
Hummel, Samuel Wesley, gardener and
farmer, was born in Halifax township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., February 17, 1837. He is
a son of Samuel and Catherine (Bowman)
Hummel. They had seven children, of
whom two died in infancy; Joseph died at
Harrisburg, aged about thirty ; and George
died at the age of seventeen years. The
surviving children are: Samuel W.; Susan,
wife of Sampson Bogner, of Steelton; and
John F., residing in Dauphin county. Sam-
uel Hummel died in 1867, aged fifty-nine ;
his wife died at the age of thirty-two.
Samuel Wesley Hummel was educated in
the district schools of his native township.
After leaving school he was variously em-
ployed until the spring of 1866, when he
removed to Susquehanna township, and en-
gaged in gardening and farming ; he has
ever since resided in the vicinity of Harris-
burg and carried on the same business.
Mr. Hummel has served as judge of elections,
and as election inspector. He is a staunch
Democrat. He and his family are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is
prominent and successful in his line of busi-
ness, is regarded as a good citizen, and is
faithful and agreeable in all the relations of
life.
He was married, September 19, 1865, to
Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Catherine
Huggins. They have seven children : Cora
L., born January 27, 1866, wife of Henry
Reichert ; Ida May, October 17, 1867 ; Jacob
L., May 28, 1870 ; Susan L., November 4,
1872; Katie Alice, April 30, 1875; Anna
Mary, February 3, 1878 ; and John W., April
20, 1881.
Jacob and Catherine (Deckard) Huggins,
the parents of Mrs. Hummel, had eleven
children. Four are deceased. The survi-
vors are : Mary, wife of Samuel Bowers, of
Harrisburg ; Susan, wife of John Thompson ;
Charles ; Ellen ; Alice, wife of Edward Gil-
962
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Ian, of Harrisburg; Catherine, Mrs. Hum-
mel ; and Jacob. Mr. Huggins died at
about eighty years of age; his wife is still
living.
Berry, Robert, gardener and dairyman,
was Tborn in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Scot-
land, July 27, 1862 ; son of William and
Sarah Ann (McCullough) Berry. His parents
had three children ; one of them, Mary, died
March, 1879, aged eighteen. The surviving
children are Robert and John ; the latter
resides on the homestead in Scotland, the
parents having their home with him.
Robert Berry was educated in the schools
of his native town. He was a bright and
ambitious boy, full of energy, and made the
best use of the advantages within his reach.
At the age of seventeen he was well qualified
for ordinary business. His first employment
after leaving school was farming. But, find-
ing that his home did not offer him the op-
portunities which he sought for business
and for rising in the world, he looked to the
newer countries of the Western Continent as
aiTording a wider field for his activities. In
1881 he embarked for America, and landed
in New York July 4. He was attracted to
Chicago, 111., where he engaged in the cattle
business. After trying various occupations
he finally settled in Dauphin county, Pa., in
the spring of 1889, and engaged in farming
and gardening, in connection with the dairy
and milk business ; in these occupations he
has continued up to the present time. With
his natural energy and his enterprising and
progressive spirit, he has found success within
his reach. He already stands among the
leaders in his line, and commands the respect
of his neighbors.
Stutsman, John P., freight conductor,
was born in Perry county. Pa., July 26, 1847.
His father was a carpenter, contractor
and builder. He was cut off in early life,
dying at the age of twenty-nine years ; his
wife, who was Miss Mary D. Poole, is still
living, and makes her home with her daugh-
ter Mary, wife of William Huston, of Har-
risburg. Their children were five in num-
ber; the living ones are John P., David,
and Anna, widow of Cyrus Lowe.
John P. Stutsman was only eight years
old when his father died. His schooling
was just begun, and after this sad loss
had to be carried on amid many hin-
derances. While attending school he found
time to do many odd jobs, by which he
aided materially in the maintenance of his
mother and the other children. At sixteen
he found regular employment on the North-
•ern Central railroad, and has been con-
tipuously in the employ of the Pennsylvania
railroad since that time. All his wages,
during his youth, were turned over to his
mother, for whom he cherished the fondest
regard ; and he was rewarded by her love
and confidence. In this way a peculiar in-
timacy was established between mother and
son, which has continued through life. He
is one of the oldest employees in this capa-
city in the service of the railroad company.
His long continuance in their employment
and confidence demonstrates his ability and
faithfulness.
He was married, December 24, 1871, to
Jane E. Rudge. They have five children,
two of whom are deceased : Myrtle A., born
December 1, 1872, died May 1, 1873 ; Jonas
R., born in November, 1875, was drowned
while bathing in the old Price basin at Har-
risburg, August 7, 1882 ; his brother James,
who was with him, was not able to render
him any assistance. The living children
are : James 0., Catherine L., and John L.
Mr. Stutsman resided in Harrisburg until
1894, when he purchased his present resi-
dence in Susquehanna township. He is a
member of Lodge No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., Har-
risburg. Politically he is a Democrat. He
and his family are members of the Presby-
terian church.
Mrs. Stutsman's parents are both deceased.
Her father died June 14, 1879, aged seventy-
three; her mother in June, 1881, aged
eighty years. They had eight children, one
of whom, Edward, was in the Union army,
in company B, Eighty-seventh Pennsylva-
nia volunteers. He was taken prisoner and
died of starvation in Andersonville prison.
Their surviving children are : Adam, David
K., Darius, Annie, widow of George Neuer,
William, Jonas, and JaneE., Mrs. Stutsman.
HoLTZMAN, Harry B., dairyman and
farmer, was born at Matamoras, Dauphin
county, Pa., August 28, 1858. He is a son of
Isaac and Annie (Hocken) Holtzman. Isaac
Holtzman was born August 31, 1832; his
wife, Annie Hocken, February 20, 1835. They
had seven children : John S., born February
11, 1854 ; George, June 10, 1856, died Sep-
tember 6, 1858 ; Henry B., August 28, 1858 ;
Joseph M., September 8, 1860; Andrew J.,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
963
December 22, 1865 ; Oscar J., November 27,
1872, and Anna M., January 24, 1880. Both
the father and the mother are deceased ; the
latter died October 9, 1890. They were con-
sistent Christians, dutiful and faithful in the
home, in society, and in the church.
Harry B. Holtzman was educated in the
public schools of Susquehanna township and
attended an academy in Harrisburg for one
term. He selected the dairy and farm busi-
ness as his vocation, and has no cause for re-
penting his choice, having met with satisfac-
tion and success.
At the age of twenty-seven he bethought
him of the error of his way of living and
abandoned the ranks of the bachelors. On
February 9, 1886, he married Anna A., daugh-
ter of Harry F. and Catherine S. (Harter)
Long. They had four children: E,uth E.,
born October 17, 1887 ; Edna J., June 5, 1890;
Edith May, August 10, 1891 ; Earl Harry,
May 3, 1893. Mr. Holtzman is a Prohibi-
tionist. He and his family are members of
the United Brethren church.
Mrs. Holtzman's parents, Harry F. and
Catherine S. Long, have had nine children :
Three are deceased : Albert, died in infancy;
Addie L., and one infant unnamed. The sur-
viving children are : Annie A., EfRe Irene,
Bessie, Harvey H., Olive B., and Reese.
Both parents are living and reside in Perry
county. Pa.
Waltek, John S., dairyman and farmer,
was born in Derry township, Dauphin
county. Pa., February 23, 1843. He is a son
of Henry L. and Elizabeth (Shaeffer) Walter.
They had four children: Susan, wife of
Henry Angst ; John S.; Joseph ; and Mary,
wife of Eli Fackler. The mother died Sep-
tember 18, 1878; the father in December,
1880, or January, 1881.
John S.Walter attended the public schools
of South Hanover township, and also the
academy at Palmyra, Pa., under Professor
Witmer.
He was married, August 16, 1868, to Louisa
Ann, daughter of Peter and Susan (Bren-
eman) Hoerner. They have had thirteen
children, three of whom have died : Ida, an
infant ; Peter, aged six months ; and David,
eight days old. The surviving children are :
Ellen, born November 5, 1870 ; Elizabeth,
July 29, 1871; John Henry, January 22,
1873; Susanna, May 3, 1876; Agnes, August
17, 1878; Ephraim, September 7, 1880;
Sarah, December 31, 1882 ; Anna May, Oc-
tober 3, 1885 ; Harrison, July 2, 1888 ; Edith
Irene, July 29, 1893.
For twenty-four years after his marriage
Mr. Walter was engaged in farming and in
running a grist and saw mill in Lower Pax-
ton township. In 1894 he removed to his
present homestead, and engaged in garden-
ing, in connection with which he conducted
a dairy. To these branches of business he is
now giving his attention, with gratifying re-
sults.
Mr. Walter has served efficiently as tax
collector of Lower Paxton township for one
term. He also served seven years as school
director in the same township. He is a
staunch Republican. He and his family are
members of the Lutheran church at Pen-
brook.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner, the parents of Mrs.
Walter, had seven cliildren, two of whom
are deceased, John and Christopher. The
remaining children are : Barbara, wife of
Frederick Rhoad; Louisa Ann, Mrs. Walter;
Henry; William; and Elizabeth, wife of
Levi Hagbaker. Both parents are living.
HoAK, George J., dairyman and farmer,
was born in Susquehanna township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., May 4, 1846. He is a son
of Andrew and Lucetta (Wagner) Hoak.
He was educated in the public schools of
his native township. At the age of fifteen
he was already engaged in farming, when
the late war broke out. Prompted by
patriotism, he enlisted in company B, Two
Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, under Captain McCarroll and
Colonel Awl. He was sent with his com-
pany through the Cumberland Valley to
Camp Slough. At that place he suffered
innocently the abuse of one of his superiors,
the result of force of circumstances. He was
sent with his company to Baltimore, Md.,
thence to Washington, D. C, and thence to
A lexandria, Va. Here he was confined in the
military hospital for four months, and later
in the regimental hospital. After dismissal
from the hospital he returned to his regi-
ment, and was sent to Philadelphia, then to
Fort Delaware, and then to Harrisburg,
where he was honorably discharged, June 21,
1865. He has since suffered from a chronic
spinal affection to such a degree as to unfit
him for any physical exertion.
He was married, March 11, 1875, to Katie,
daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Cassel) Wert,
born October 16, 1352. They have had three
964
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
children, one of whom, Emma, died January
7, 1879, aged five months. The living chil-
dren are Cora Sophia and Jennie Lucetta.
Mrs. Hoak died December 14, 1878. On
March 27, 1881, Mr. Hoak was married to
Clara Fisler. They have six children:
Charles A., Blanche J., John A., Annie W.,
Ralph A., and Margaret H. Mr. Hoak is a
staunch Republican. He and his family
attend the Reformed church.
The parents of Clara Fisler Hoak had
eight children, of whom four are deceased :
Charles H., died aged eleven years ; Sarah
H., aged two months ; Maud J., one month
and twenty-eight days; and Jennie, aged
seven years. Their surviving children are :
Calvin J. ; Lizzie M., wife of William Bow-
man; Clara, Mrs. Hoak; and Minnie F.,
wife of Harry Alleman. The mother died
August 24, 1894, aged sixty-three years, ten
months and eleven days. The father is still
living.
Fkank, James, farmer, was born in Hali-
fax township, Dauphin county. Pa., in 1856.
He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Whit-
man) Frank. They had six children, of
whom David and Henry are deceased. Those
living are: Barbara, widow of John H.
Yiengst, who had two children; James;
Sarah, wife of William G. Gier, and Fred-
erick.
James Frank was educated in the district
schools of Halifax township. He then worked
on his father's farm until he was twenty-
three years of age. He then engaged
in farming on his own account, and has
made this his occupation since that time.
He resided up to 1878 in his native town-
ship ;' he then removed to Middle Paxton
township, and after a residence of one year
to Lower Paxton township. After residing
there eight years he removed to Susque-
hanna township, and located on the farm
owned by Alfred Crum, where he has since
conducted his farming operations.
He was married, October 24, 1885, to Mary,
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Blessing.
They have had two children, Harvey D. and
William. In political views Mr. Frank is
Democratic. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Reformed church. Mr. Frank is
a successful farmer, because he is full of en-
ergy and enterprise, and carries on his work
with unflagging industry and by intelligent
methods. Better than success is the good
name and good will won from his neighbors
by his upright character and friendly dis-
position.
Jacob and Elizabeth (Landis) Blessing
had nine children : Mary, Mrs. Frank ; John ;
Elizabeth, wife of Ira Hoover; Elmer;
Agnes, wife of James Ensinger ; Levi, Clara,
Alice, and Amanda. The mother died April •
14, 1887. The father is still living.
Meckley, Jacob, retired farmer, was born
in Londonderry township, in 1830. He is a
son of John and Catherine (Hoover) Meck-
ley. Four of the ten children of these par-
ents are deceased ; those surviving are : Jacob ;
Catherine, wife of John Dunn ; Leah, wife of
Daniel Siegler ; Joseph ; Michael ; and Bar-
bara, wife of Amos Young.
Jacob Meckley received his education in
subscription schools and later in the public
schools of Londonderry, Derry, and Lower
Paxton townships. He learned carpentry
with Jacob Breneman, at Union Deposit,
West Hanover township, serving an appren-
ticeship of two years. His pay was %b per
month. The third year he worked as a jour-
neyman and received $10 per month ; after
the third year he received seventy-five cents
per day and board. In 1860 he engaged in
farming near the village of Progress, where
he remained four years. The following six
years he spent on the farm of James E.
Elder, near the county buildings. After
passing eight years on the Hoffer farm near
Highspire, Swatara township, he returned to
Susquehanna township. In 1891 he pur-
chased and removed to the homestead on
which he has made his residence since that
date.
He was married, December 20, 1855, to
Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Annie
Brubaker. They have had ten children, six
of whom are living : Annie L., born October
4, 1856 ; Christian M., August 6, 1858 ; Cathe-
rine B., May 2, 1860 ; Samuel J., February
29, 1863 ; Benjamin F., March 31, 1870, and
Edwin A., January 18, 1873. Their deceased
children are : Jacob Henry, died January 10,
1862, aged one month and fourteen days ;
Elizabeth Mary, August 18, 1865, aged eleven
months and twenty-five days; David Bru-
baker, July 19, 1868, aged seven months and
seven days; John W., born November 10,
1865, died January 9, 1893, near Freetown,
Sierra Leone, West Africa, at Mahera Station.
He was sent to this mission station from
Colon, Neb., under the auspices of the Chris-
tian Alliance and Foreign Mission Associa-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
965
tion, of which the celebrated evangelist,
Moody, was the head. He was married, Feb-
ruary 16, 1892, to June 0., daughter of Mrs.
S. M. Schofield, of Colon, Neb. He and his
young wife were both earnest and devoted
Christian workers, and gave themselves to
the noble and self-sacrificing work of carry-
ing the gospel to the heathen. Soon after
reaching the field of labor assigned to them
in Africa, and before they had become accli-
mated to the extreme heat and other adverse
conditions of those regions, they were stricken
with a malignant fever that proved fatal to
both. They died on the same day, and are
buried in that far-away land.
The parents of Mrs. Meckley are both de-
ceased. Her father was born September 20,
1798, and died August 25, 1873 ; her mother
was born November 17, 1798, and died July
27, 1871. They had eight children, of whoin
five are living : Christian, Elizabeth, Michael,
Mary, and David. The deceased children
are : Anna, wife of Christian Fortney ; Bar-
bara, wife of Solomon Manley, and Fannie,
wife of Conrad Page.
Mr. Meckley served efficiently for two
years as road supervisor in Swatara town-
ship. In politics he is identified with the
Republican party. He and his family are
members of the Church of the Brethren in
Christ, or River Brethren.
ScHLOssER, Andrew, dairyman and
farmer, was born in Lower Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., January 19, 1861.
He is a son of George and Catherine
(Mountz) Schlosser, both natives of Europe.
His father was born in Alsace, France, and
his mother in the town of Willaugha, in
Wurtemberg, Germany. They were mar-
ried in Lower Paxton township March 19,
1857. They had six children, four of whom
are living : David, Andrew, Joseph, and
Emma Jane, wife of Charles Specs. Those
deceased are: Clara, died aged fourteen
years, nine months and eighteen days ;
and Sarah Jane, aged two years and five
months. The father died September 12,
1893, and the mother is still living.
Andrew Schlosser took the usual course
of study in the public schools of Lower
Paxton and Susquehanna townships. At
the age of nineteen he was apprenticed to
Reuben Morret, of Harrisburg, to learn
carpentry, and served two years. After
finishing his apprenticeship and attaining
his majority he concluded to choose an-
other occupation. He went upon the farm,
and has since been continuously engaged
in agricultural pursuits.
He was married, December 5, 1885, to
Phoebe A., daughter of Montgomery and
Mary A. (Yeager) Hughes. They have
three children : Clara May, born January
22, 1886 ; Alice Pearl, June 19, 1887, and
Rella May, January 26, 1893, died August
17, 1893.
Mr. Schlosser has served as election in-
spector for one year in the South precinct of
Susquehanna township. He is a Democrat.
He belongs to Castle, No. 250, K. of G. E.,
at Harrisburg. He and his family are
members of the Lutheran church.
HiESTER, A. 0.. son of Gabriel and Mary
(Otto) Hiester, was born at Reading, Pa.,
November 11, 1808. His father. Gen. Ga-
briel Hiester, was an officer in the war of
1812, and removed to Harrisburg in 1813
to become surveyor general of Pennsylvania.
At twelve years of age A. 0. Hiester was
sent to Downingtown Academy, then in
charge of Joshua Hoopes, a Hicksite Friend ;
he was afterwards placed under the care of
Rev. Mr. Ernst, a Lutheran pastor at Lebanon,
Pa., and prepared for college by that gentle-
man and Mr. A. E. Shulze, son of ex-Gover-
nor Shulze. In 1824 he entered Dickinson
College, and graduated in 1828. He was
afterwards for many years a trustee of the
college. After his graduation Mr. Hiester
spent a year studying law, in the office of
Judge Krause ; at the end of that time find-
ing the study uncongenial, he abandoned it
and spent six months at Huntingdon Forge,
which was owned by Dr. Shoenberger, and
the following six months with Reuben Trex-
ler, at Long Swamp Furnace, in Berks
county.
About this time Mr. Hiester was elected a
delegate, with Dr. E. W. Roberts, to an in-
fant school convention held in Washington,
D. C. He traveled there in an old-fashioned
gig and dined with Henry Clay on the da}'
before the convention met.
In 1830-31, Mr. Hiester, then residing in
Harrisburg, assisted in the erection of the
rolling mills at the mouth of the Conedo-
guinet creek, when his father, in partner-
ship with Norman Cullender, built a large
boiler plate and bar iron mill. He took an
active part in the management of the busi-
ness until 1836, during the most disastrous
period, financially, that the ironmasters of
966
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
the United States have ever known. In that
year he leased the mill to Jared Pratt, re-
moved to Harrisburg, spent a year there in
settling up his iron business and then re-
moved to Estherton Farm. In 1838 he was
elected justice of the peace. ,His experience
in that capacity furnishes an excellent illus-
tration of the primitive, frontier-like condi-
tion of many rural neighborhoods at that
date. The favorite amusements of old and
young were raffling and throwing dice for
turkeys, ducks, and geese, gambling and
horse racing. Fights at singing schools and
disturbances of religious meetings were fre-
quent. Horse stealing was common. To
remedy this Mr. Hiester and four of his
neighbors organized a society, which rapidly
increased in number, and was carried on
under his presidency until its object was
accomplished. By his strict and impartial
administration of the law he succeeded in
correcting the abuses that had- existed, and
materiallj'' improving the state of society
within the limits of his jurisdiction.
Mr. Hiester was for many years a director
of the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania, until
it was closed. He was a director of the
old Harrisburg Bank until it was changed,
and continued for years after on the board
of directors of the Harrisburg National
Bank. In 1851 he was appointed associate
judge by Governor Johnston, to fill a va-
cancy occasioned by death, and was twice
subsequently elected to the same office by
the people, for terms of five years each. In
1861, under an act of the Legislature, he
was appointed one of three commissioners
by the Dauphin county court to hear testi-
mony and report their opinion of the dam-
ages sustained by individuals consequent
upon Stuart's raid through the counties of
Fulton, Franklin and Adams. The other
members of the commission were Col. James
Worrall and a gentleman from Lebanon
county. They elected Mr. Hiester chairman.
He was also chairman of the committee of
arrangements of the first State Fair, held at
Harrisburg in 1851. He was one of five
commissioners, the others being Judge
Watts, Judge Miles, H. N. McAllis, and Mr.
Walker, to select a location for the State
Agricultural College. After it was finished he
was annually elected a trustee for about
fifteen years. His son Gabriel, a graduate
of the college, has taken his place upon the
board of trustees. He was also for four years
secretary of the State Agricultural Society,
and for six years a trustee o/ the State Luna-
tic Hospital. Mr. Hiester was among the
first subscribers to the Harrisburg Cotton
Factory; the Harrisburg Car Works, of
which he was a director ; of the Harrisburg
Street Passepger railroad, of which he was
president; and of the Fort Hunter Road
Commission, of which he was secretary and
treasurer from the time of its organization.
Besides superintending the affairs of his
own he was executor for a number of valua-
ble estates, and frequently acted as trustee,
guardian and assignee.
In 1845 Mr. Hiester joined the Methodist
Episcopal church, and was one of the found-
ers of the society at Coxestown. From that
time to the time of his death he held, unin-
terruptedly, the positions of class leader,
superintendent of the Sunday-school, and
treasurer of the board of trustees. For
many years he was president of the Dauphin
County Bible Society, and was president of
the Dauphin County Sunday-school Associa-
tion from the time of its founding. He was
probably more widely and better known on
account of his church work than in any
other capacity.
Mr. Hiester's marriage to Miss Catherine
M., daughter of John B. Cox, took place in
1835. He died May 6, 1895, at his resi-
dence, Estherton.
Bowman, William, farmer, was born in
1855. He is a son of Christian and Eliza-
beth Brightbill Bowman. His parents had
a family of nine children, two of whom,
Andrew and Theophilus, have passed away.
The surviving ones are : Henry ; John ;
Mary, wife of Jacob Fisher ; Susan, wife of
Jacob Hain ; William; Margaret, wife of Geo.
Machen; Laura, wife of David Hain. Will-
iam received his education in the public
schools of Susquehanna township, and after
leaving school engaged in farming, and has
continued that occupation up to the presen t
time. He was married, September 1, 1879,
to Lizzie M. Fisler, daughter of Amos and
Harriet Fisler. Their children are Jennie
and William, Jr. In politics Mr. Bowman
is a Republican, and is also a member of
Council No. 398, Jr. 0. U. A. M. The
family attend the Lutheran church.
Bowman, Christian, farmer, was born in
Penn township, Cumberland county, August
8, 1824. He is a son of Christian and Mary
(Moulder) Bowman. The father died at the
DA UP BIN CO UNTY .
967
age of ninety-three years and the mother at
the age of sixty-six years. Their children
are : Mollie, wife of John Longenecker;
John, Samuel, Annie, and Christian. Chris-
tian received his education in the subscrip-
tion schools of Cumberland and in the pub-
lic schools of Dauphin county. Since he
left school he has been engaged continuously
at farming. He was married, October 12,
1847, to Elizabeth Brightbill. Their chil-
dren are: Theophilus and Andrew, both de-
ceased ; Henry ; John ; Mary E., wife of
Jacob Fisher; Susan L., wife of Jacob Hain;
William ; Margaret, wife of George Macheu ;
and Laura K.^ wife of David Hain. In poli-
tics he is a Republican, and has served for
six years as school director and three years
director of the poor. The family belong to
the German Reformed church.
Bender, Hamilton, gardener and farmer,
was born in Susquehanna township. He is a
son of David and Mary Rineard Bender. The
father died September, 1877, and the mother
is living. Their children are : Henry ; Ham-
ilton; Caroline, wife of Jeremiah Hummel;
Daniel ; David, deceased, and also one child
who died in infancy. Hamilton received
his education in the public schools of Sus-
quehanna township and then engaged in
gardening and farming at which he has con-
tinued until the present time. At the age
of twenty-one years he married Miss Anna
E. Reichart, daughter of Henry Reichart.
Their children are : Emma, Margaret, David,
Daniel, and Hamilton K., deceased. In poli-
tics he is a staunch Democrat. The family are
members of the German Lutheran church.
Crum, Alfred, retired farmer, Penbrook,
was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., in 1850. He is a son of
Joseph and Rebecca Pottiger. The father
died September 21, 1884, and the mother
March 20, 1888. Their children are : Eliza,
deceased, wife of John Reim ;. Jonas ; Mary,
wife of Ephraim Cassel ; Thomas, and Alfred.
Mrs. Crum's father died July 25, 1886, and
her mother October 14, 1893. They had a
family of five children, of whom Mary D.
alone survives. Alfred received his educa-
tion in the schools of Lower Paxton township
and in the Linglestown Academy. After
leaving school he engaged in farming with
his father and continued until he was twenty-
two years old, when he began farming for
himself. He continued at this occupation
until the spring of 1888, when he moved to
his present residence in Penbrook.
He was married, September 5, 1872, to
Miss Mary D. Rudy, daughter of Frederick
and Maria Rudy. Their children are :
Beckie, wife of William Myers, of Penbrook,
and Ida M. In politics Mr. Crum is a Re-
publican and has served as judge of elections
and is now serving as town councilman of
Penbrook. The family are members of the
German Lutheran church.
Garman, John, farmer, was born at his
present home, January 3, 1820. He is a son
of John and Catharine Wollaner Garman.
The father died August 6, 1846, and the
mother March 11, 1857. Their children are :
John; Mary, wife of John Stess ; Sarah, wife
of David Alter; and Susan, wife of Noah
Hartzer, of Juniata county. John received
his education in the schools of his native
place. He then engaged in farming with
his father, and continued in that occupation
up to 1877, when he moved to Harrisburg,
and engaged in the mercantile business for
six years. At this time he came to the old
homestead, where he has since resided. He
was married, January 18, 1843, to Miss
Emma McKeekan, daughter of Robert and
Mary McKeekan. Their children are : John ;
Wilhelmina, wife of Jeremiah Hanshaw;
Emiline, wife of Andrew Cameron ; James,
Virdilla, Laura, and Robert, deceased. In
politics Mr. Garman is a staunch Repub-
lican. The family are members of the Lu-
theran church.
Hassler, Edwin 0., dairyman and farmer,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Lower Paxton
township, September 4, 1843. He is a son of
Samuel and Susan (Mumma) Hassler. The
father was born May 1, 1802, and died Octo-
ber 30, 1870 ; and the mother was born Janu-
ary 31, 1808, and died October 12, 1875.
They had a family of thirteen children, five
of whom have passed away : Emanuel A.,
born August 28, 1827 ; David, born August
26, 1829, and died August 6, 1830 ; Cornelius,
born July 1, 1836, and died in 1836; Mary,
born in 1832, and died February 3, 1833 ;
Samuel, born March 18, 1831, and died Janu-
ary 6, 1887. The surviving ones are : Susanna,
born January 2, 1834, widow of Abraham
Miller ; Wilimina, born June 24, 1837, wife of
Isaac Beinhower, of Oberlin ; Elizabeth, born
July 5, 1839, wife of John H. Kramer ; Catha-
rine, born July 4, 1841, widow of Joseph
968
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Vogel, now wife of John Etter, of Cumber-
land county; Edwin 0.; Harriet, born De-
cember 8, 1840, wife of Jonas Giell ; Elias M.,
born September 2, 1848, and Emma E., born
December 26, 1850. The mother of Mrs.
Hassler died November 5, 1875 ; the father
remarried and now resides in Missouri. They
had a family of twelve children, seven of
whom have passed away: Martin Luther,
Robert, Morris Monroe, Charlotte, Roswell
W., Jessie May, and Rollin Gale. The sur-
viving ones are : Rebecca, Elizabeth, George,
Joseph, and Jennie.
Edwin received his education in the public
schools of Lower Paxton and Susquehanna
townships, and then assisted on his father's
farm until he was twenty years old. In 1863
he began to learn the trade of carpentry with
Henry Shoop, at Harrisburg, from whom he
received $50 per year for his services. After
working at his trade six years he engaged in
farming, first in Susquehanna and then in
Lower Paxton township. In 1895 he moved
to his present home. From January 23, 1865,
to July 4 of the same year, he was with com-
pany A, First division construction corps, and
was located at various times in Georgia, Ala-
bama, North Carolina, and Kentucky. He
was married, March 5, 1868, to Miss Mary
Felty, daughter of John D. and Susan Felty.
Their children are : Edwin, deceased ; Sam-
uel F., born September 28, 1868, and J. Elmer,
born October 4, 1869. The son Samuel F. is
a physician in Harrisburg. He received his
primary education in the public schools of
Lower Paxton township and then entered
Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pa. He
then taught school five terms, and next at-
tended college at Bloomsburg, Pa. Sep-
tember 23', '] 891, he entered Jefferson Medi-
cal College, of Philadelphia, from which in-
stitution he graduated May 9, 1894. He also
took a course at the Maternity Hospital, and
attended the City Hospital, of Harrisburg,
one year.
Mr. Hassler's first wife was born Septem-
ber 8, 1845, and died November 26, 1871.
He was married, secondly, July 26, 1877, to
Miss Rebecca Stover, daughter of Joseph A.
and Elizabeth (Smeltzer) Stover. Their chil-
dren are : Gertrude M., born April 6, 1878 ;
Colin E., born April 3, 1879 ; Lottie J., born
August 1, 1881 ; Emory 0., born October 31,
1882; Charles Blaine, born August 23, 1884;
Hilda E., born January 22, 1886; Frank
Stanley, born August 2, 1887. Politically he
is a Republican, and has served as school di-
rector for three years. He is a member of
Lamberton Lodge, No. 708, I. 0. 0. F., Har-
risburg ; member of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, of Pennsylvania ; m aster of Da uphin
County Grange, and a member of the Horti-
cultural Society, of Pennsylvania. The family
are members of the United Brethren church.
HoEKNER, Isaac R., hotel proprietor. Pro-
gress, Pa., was born in South Hanover town-
ship, January 25, 1845. He is a son of John
and Mary Ranch Hoerner. The parents
were members of the Lutheran church. The
mother died September 12, 1892. Isaac R.
received his early education in the public
schools of his native place, and then attended
White Hall Academy, Cumberland county,
of which institution David Denhugh was
principal, and Captain Vale, of Carlisle,
instructor. From 1852 to 1864 Mr. Hoerner
resided in Lebanon county. After complet-
ing his education he engaged in farming for
fifteen years. Next he entered the hotel busi-
ness, and in 1887 also engaged in mercantile
pursuits, which he has conducted very suc-
cessfully in connection with his hotel. He
was married, December 31, 1872, to Miss
Anna M. Bitner, daughter of Joseph and
Susan (Long) Bitner, of Washington county,
Md. Their children are : Irene Idilla ; Mary
Minerva, and I. Grant. Mr. Hoerner is a
member of Lodge No. 629, I. 0. 0. F. He
was postmaster at Progress during President
Cleveland's first administration. In politics
he is a Republican.
Their son, I. Grant Hoerner, is a bright
young man. He is pursuing a course of
study with a view to becoming a lawyer. He
attended the college at Annville, Pa., for one
term, and was graduated from Dickinson
College, Carhsle, in the class of '96. He is a
young man of much promise, and is very
popular.
Knupp, Benjamin F., a member of the
firm of B. F. Knupp & Bro., marble and
granite dealers, Penbrook, Dauphin county,
was born on the 10th of December, 1857, at
Springfield, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Eshnauer) Knupp. The parents
had a family of ten children, all of whom
are living. They are: Mary, wife of Hi-
ram Reimert, Christopher, George, Sam-
uel, Edward, John, Daniel W., Benjamin,
Henry, and Emma, wife -of David McNeil.
Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, the parents of Mrs.
Knupp, had these children: Mary, de-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
969
ceased, wife of Rev. Samuel Smith, of Hunt-
ingdon county, Pa.; Abner J.; Emma, wife
of Ephraim Yeingst ; Ellen; Sadie, wife of
Samuel First. Mr. Knupp's parents moved
to Harrisburg when he was only one year
old and he received his education in the
public schools of Susquehanna township.
He then learned the trade of broom making
with his father and also the trade of plaster-
ing with his brother Samuel. He then en-
gaged in business for himself and continued
thus until 1892, when he established the
business which is now so extensive and well
known, and of which he is the head. His
brother, Edward M., is associated with him.
He was married, in 1875, to Miss Ellen For-
rest, daughter of Abner and Catharine For-
rest. They had three children : Minnie E.,
deceased ; Irvin A., and Verna M. In poli-
tics Mr. Knupp is a Republican. The family
are members of the United Brethren church.
parents had a family of four children : John
W., Mary, Frank H., and William J. Mrs.
Matzinger's father died in January, 1891,
and her mother still survives. Their children
are : Catherine E., Charles J., Sadie W., John
L., Ross W., and Madie M. Frank H. re-
ceived his education in the public schools of
Harrisburg, and then engaged in gardening
and farming, in which occupation he has
been continuously engaged to the present
time. He was married, January 22, 1895,
to Miss Catherine E., daughter of John L.
and Sarah Garman Beaver. They have
two children, Sarah M. and Jeanette Catha-
rine. , In politics he is a Democrat. The
family are members of the Coxestown Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
LuDwiG, Emanuel, merchant, Penbrook,
was born in 1851, in Lancaster county. He
is a son of Emanuel and Hanna Stager
Ludwig. The father died in March, 1882,
and the mother December 10, 1861. They
had these children : Emanuel ; Sarah, widow
of Samuel Lentz ; Amanda, wife of Franklin
Walburn ; Hanna ; Lydia, wife of Abraham
Shoenaman ; Jerome ; Adam ; Annie, wife of
Jacob Shakespear, who died June, 1890; and
Jacob, who died in infancy. The father mar-
ried, secondly. Miss Mary Brandt in 1864.
Emanuel received his education in the public
schools of Lancaster and Dauphin counties.
After leaving school he learned the trade of
shoemaking at Fisherville, Dauphin county,
with Peter Erb. He then followed painting
for about sixteen years. Subsequently he
engaged in the manufacture and sale of pot-
tery at Harrisburg and still continues the
business in connection with his mercantile
pursuits at Penbrook. He was married, in
August, 1872, to Sarah Malinda Sheetz,
daughter of William and Barbara Zimmer-
man Sheetz. Their children are : Sadie
Irene, deceased, Emma Francis, Barbara
Annie, and Emanuel Leroy. In politics he
is a Republican and has served as judge of
elections. The family are members of the
Zion Evangelical church.
Matzingee, Frank H., farmer and gar-
dener, Harrisburg, Pa., was born August 12,
1866, at Harrisburg. He is a son of Jacob
G. and Margaret Cameron Matzinger. The
MiNNicK, Michael E., brickmaker, Har-
risburg, Pa., was born in Philadelphia, Oc-
tober 27, 1857. He is a son of Michael and
Jane Murphy Minnick. The father died
October 13, 1862, and the mother January
25, 1881. They had a family of five chil-
dren. Mrs. Minnick's father died May 4,
1872, and her mother still survives. Michael
E. received his education in the public
schools of Harrisburg. At an early age he
learned the trade of brickmaking. From
1876 to 1886 he was in the hotel business,
and then engaged in making bricks with the
firm of Maloney & Minnick. In 1893 the
firm dissolved partnership, and since then
Mr. Minnick has conducted the business in
company with his brother. He was married,
June 4, 1891, to Ellen J., daughter of James
and Annie M. Nugert, of Philadelphia. They
have one child, Thomas. In politics he is a
Democrat, and is a member of the Roman
Catholic church.
NissLEY, Martin H., dairyman and farmer,
is a son of Solomon and Catharine (Paul)
Nissley. The parents had a family of nine chil-
dren : Joseph, Francis, Henrietta, Henry P.,
Rachel H., Rebecca L., Martin H., Emma E.,
EdgarG.and Annie A. Mrs. Nissley's fatheris
deceased and her mother still survives. They
had four children, two of whom, Mary and
Eliza, are deceased. Mr. Nissley's education
was received in the public schools of his na-
tive place and in the high school of New
Kingston, Cumberland county. After leav-
ing school he engaged in farming. He was
married, September 21, 1886, to Miss Emma
Dodge, daughter of Edwin and Charlotte
(Sherwood) Dodge. Their children are :
970
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Annie C, Horace C, Marion C, and Rachel
H. In politics he is a staunch Republican,
and is also a member of the United Breth-
ren church.
NissLEY, Isaac L., farmer, was born in
Swatara township, December 22, 1822. He
is a son of Martin and Fanny (Laudis)
Nissley. Mr. Nissley's father had a family of
ten children, five of whom survive ; Isaac L.,
Solomon, Jacob, Joseph, and Fannie. Isaac
L. received his education in the public
schools of his native place. He then en-
gaged in farming, but is now living retired.
He was married, in 1840, to Miss Mary,
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Neidig,
by whom he had one child, Mary. His
wife died January 14, 1852. He married,
secondly, Catharine M. Harper, daughter of
Jacob and Mary (Miller) Harper. Their
children are : Ira H., Clara, Elmer E., Isaac
L., Ida E , Cora, Warren R., and J. Harper.
Elmer is a mail agent, and J. Harper is a
stenographer. Mr. Nissley is a staunch Re-
publican and has served two terms as super-
visor. He is a member of the United
Brethren church.
September 29, 1851, wife of Augustus Shoop ;
Mary E., born October 10, 1853, wife of Will-
iam Wolf; and one child who died in infancy.
His wife died April 9, 1857. He married,
secondly, February 4, 1858, Miss Eliza,
daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Lutz.
Their chi*ldren were : Katie E., born Decem-
ber 26, 1860, wife of Jacob Wolf; and Sallie
E., born April 4, 1863, wife of Wentz Metz-
ger. Both daughters are deceased. Their
mother died December 30, 1883. He married,
thirdly, July 23, 1885, Miss Mary E. Weaver,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Zimmer-
man) Weaver. In politics Mr. Painter is a
Republican, and has served in various offices,
being township auditor for three terms, and
tax collector for one term, in 1887. He is a
member of the Church of God.
Painter, Jacob, retired blacksmith, Pro-
gress, Pa., was born in Oley township, Berks
county. Pa., in 1825. The parents are both
deceased. There was but one day of a dif-
ference in their ages, each being eighty-one
years old. Jacob received . his education in
his native county, and at the age of eighteen
began to learn the trade of blacksmith with
Frederick Yeiser, in Mill Creek township,
Lebanon county. He served an apprentice-
ship of two and a half years, for which he
received $20 per year, after which he worked
six years in his native county. At the age of
twenty-seven he began business for himself,
at Manada Hills, Middle Paxton township,
Dauphin county, where he remained three
years. After living at Pine Grove, Schuyl-
kill county, and various other places, he
moved to Susquehanna township, where he
continued his trade for twenty-seven years.
In 1887 he purchased the Ludwig prop-
erty, and in 1889 bought his present home.
He retired from business in 1892.
He was married, first, August 21, 1847, to
Miss Amelia McCorkle, daughter of William
and Elizabeth (Fultz) McCorkle. Their chil-
dren are: Jacob H., born May 27, 1849, and
died August 27, 1854 ; Joseph, born March
16, 1856, and died in 1857 ; Barbara, born
Ream, Abram, miller, Fort Hunter, Pa.,
was born near Schaefferstown, Lebanon
county. Pa., November 25, 1833. He is a son
of John and Sarah Ream. The father was
born September 1, 1808, and died April 27,
1880, while the mother was born in 1806 and
died March 10, 1878. They had a family of
eight children : Annie, wife of Henry Hem-
perly ; Abram ; Levina, wife of John Tittle ;
John ; Sarah, widow of William Gross ; Ma-
linda, wife of William Rhoads ; and two
who died in infancy. Mrs. Ream's father died
December 30, 1894, aged eighty-three years,
and her mother died April 27, 1874, aged
sixty-eight years. They had these children :
Abraham G., Elizabeth, Henry and John,
both deceased, and one who died in infancy.
Abram received his education in the public
schools of East Hanover township, Lebanon
county. He then assisted his father on the
farm until 1852, when he began to learn the
milling trade. He rented a mill and began
business for himself in 1856. In 1863 he
moved to Manada Furnace and rented the
mill owned by his father-in-law. In 1868 he
bought the old McAllister mill at Fort
Hunter. The original structure was built in
1735, and the present building was erected
in 1881. In 1886 the roller system was in-
troduced into the mill. He was married,
June 5, 1856, to Elizabeth Rider, daughter of
Adam and Barbara (Gish) Rider. Their
children are : Ida C, born June 19, 1871, and
died August 13, 1887 ; Emma L., born May
22, 1857; Ellen, born January 31, 1860, wife
of Dr. Heckert, of West Fairview, Cumber-
land county ; Elmer E., born August 21,
1862; Abraham Lincoln, born August 28,
WILLIAM J. GEORGE.
t)AUPHIN COUNTY.
973
1864; Harry R., born December 7, 1880.
In politics Mr. Ream is a Republican. The
family attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Reichert, Henky, farmer, was born Sep-
tember 17, 1833. He is a son of Henry and
Annie Denny Reichert. The father died at
the age of eighty-one years and the mother
at the age of seventy-nine. They had a
family of three children. Henry received
his education in the public schools of Lower
Paxton and Susquehanna townships. After
leaving school he engaged in farming and
has been engaged in that occupation con-
tinuously up to the present time. He was
married to Miss Margaret Douglass, daugh-
ter of Jeremiah and Mary (Wagner) Douglass.
Their children are : Annie M., David Joseph,
Harvey L., William J., Andrew C, Rebecca
E., Benjamin H., Jeremiah F., Carrie M.,
and one who died at the age of seven years.
Mr. Reichert has served two terms as super-
visor and also serves as inspector. His an-
cestors were Lutherans.
Shope, Elias L., M. D., Penbrook, was
born at Penbrook. He is a son of Elias P.
and Elizabeth Fackler Shope. The father
was born November 25, 1833, and died
March 13, 1885, and the mother was born
May 10, 1833, and died August 6, 1873.
They had a family of eight children, five of
whom have passed away. The surviving
ones are : George W., Susan E., and Elias L.
Elias L. received his primary education in
the public schools of Penbrook and in the
Harrisburg Academy. He then taught
school three years, after which he began
to study medicine with Dr. Emil Putt, of
Oberlin. In 1887 he entered the University
of Maryland, Baltimore, and a year later
continued his studies in Jefferson Medical
College, of Philadelphia, from which insti-
tution he graduated in 1889. He located in
Penbrook for the practice of his profession,
and enjoys a large practice. He built his
present' home in 1894. In addition to his
profession he also conducts a store success-
fully.
He was married, August 15, 1889, to Miss
Mary Hocker, daughter of Adam and Martha
Hocker. They have one child, Herman S.
The parents of Mrs. Shope had these chil-
dren: Kate, wife of David Gingerick ; Ella,
wife of Samuel Garrett ; Mary; Lizzie, wife
of Daniel Rhodes ; Susan, and Martin. In
6i
1889 the Doctor was appointed county pliy-
sician by the board of directors of the poor,
and was largely instrumental in having
Penbrook incorporated as a borough in 1893.
In politics he is a Republican. The family
are members of the United Brethren church.
Stoupeer, Elias E., farmer, was born Au-
gust 3, 1854, in Lower Paxton township. He
is a son of Jacob J. and Barbara (Ebersole)
Stouffer. The father, Jacob J. Stouffer, was
born in Dauphin county, January 4, 1806,
and died April 21, 1891. The mother was
born November 10, 1816. They had a fam-
ily of five children. Mrs. Stouff'er's father
died August 29, 1895, and her mother in
March, 1893. Elias E. received his early
education in the public schools, and then
engaged in farming, which he has fol-
lowed up to the present time. He was mar-
ried, January 25, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth
Ann Ewing, daughter of William and Bar-
bara (Lingle) Ewing. Their children are :
Mary E., Ida A., "William E., Laura J., and
Ruth M. Mr. Stouff'er is a Republican and
has served as assessor. He is treasurer of
Shoop's Union Congregational church.
Trtjllinger, George L., dairyman and
farmer, was born in Middle Paxton town-
ship, October 23, 1851. He is a son of Will-
iam and Eliza Walker Trullinger. T\\q
mother died November 16, 1884, and had a
famil}^ of ten children, four of whom sur-
vive: Samuel Walker, George L., John E.,
and Mary, wife of John J. Hain. He re-
ceived his education in the public schools
and academy. He then engaged in farming,
and has continued in that occupation to the
present time. He was married, December
26, 1876, to Miss Katie R. Kunkle, daughter
of Joseph and Susan Black Kunkle. Their
children are : Mary S., George C, and
Ralph E. In politics he is a Republican,
and the family are members of the Reformed
church.
Ulrich, Isaac, farmer, was born in Lower
Swatara township, October 1, 1845. He is a
son of Samuel and Polly Allaman Ulrich.
The lather died in 1886, at the age of
seventy-nine years, and the mother died at
the age of sixty years. They had these chil-
dren: Nancy, Solomon, Catharine, Mary,
ElizHbeth, Martin, Isaac, Sarah, David,
Emma, Rebecca, and Samuel, both de-
ceased.
974
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Isaac received his education iu the public
schools of his native place, and then engaged
in farming for his father. In 1869 he began
to farm for himself, and has continued in
that occupation to the present time. He was
married, in November, 1869, to Miss Eliza-
beth Foltz, daughter of Christian and Bar-
bara Foltz. Their children are : Milton F.,
Mary A., Albert N., a graduate of Shippens-
burg Normal 8chool ; William E., and Bertha
M. He is a Republican, and has served as
school director, tax collector, and township
audlter. He and his family attend the
United Brethren church.
Beaver, John L., farmer and fruit-grower,
was born September 28, 1850. He is a son
of Isaac L. and Catharine (Lingle) Beaver.
The father died July 17, 1891, and the
mother September 25, 1861. They had four
children : John L.; Annie, wife of John Ham-
ping ; James Buchanan ; and Emma, wife
of Isaac Zimmerman. Mr. Beaver received
his education in the public schools, and then
engaged in farming until 1872, when he be-
gan truck -farming, a business which he has
followed up to the present time. He mar-
ried, March 20, 1872, Miss Sallie Garman,
daughter of George and Katherine (Page)
Garman. Their children are : Katie E., wife
of Franklin Matzinger; Charles E., Sadie,
John L., Jr., Ross, and Manda. Mr. Beaver
hds served as inspector on the election board,
and is a member of the Farmers' Grange,
No. 42, of Dauphin county. The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
STEELTON AND SWATARA TOWN-
SHIP.
Henderson, William B., M. D., was born
in Hummelstown, Pa., January 8, 1830. He
is a son of Dr. William Henderson and Mary
(Wolfersberger) Henderson. His father was
born in Cumberland county, Pa., in 1795.
He read medicine with Dr. Sampson, of
Shippensburg, and graduated from the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania in 1818. In the
same year he located in Hummelstown, Pa.,
and engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession, in which he continued until his
death, in 1849. He was recognized as one
of the leading physicians of his time. In
1838 he was elected to the State Legislature,
and served two terms, the first session being
held in Philadelphia, and the second in
Harrisburg. He was an active member of
the Presbyterian church. He was married
to Miss Mary Wolfersberger, of Campbells-
town, Lebanon county. Pa.
Dr. William B. was primarily instructed
in the subscription schools of the town, and
subsequently completed a collegiate course
at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. When
he was seventeen years of age he engaged as
clerk with Robert E. Snodgrass, of Ship-
pensburg, and remained with him two }'ears.
After this he began the study of medicine
with Dr. Benjamin Wiestling, of Middle-
town. In the autumn of 1851 he entered
the office of Prof. John Atlee, a member of
the faculty of Pennsylvania Medical College.
He was graduated from this institution in
March, 1853. In the following year he be-
gan the practice of medicine and surgery in
Hummelstown, forming a partnership with
Dr.» Jacob Shope. In 1860 he removed to
Mount Nebo, Lebanon county, Pa., and took
charge of the extensive practice of Dr.
Jacob Cooper. In 1862 he left a large and
lucrative practice and enlisted in the army
in defense of his country. He was assigned
to duty as assistant surgeon of the Eighth
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, "The
Philadelphia Blues," and joined his regi-
ment at Hagerstown, Md. In November of
the same }'ear he was commissioned by Gov.
Andrew G. Curtin as assistant surgeon of
the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania drafted militia, com-
manded by Col. Charles Knoderer, and was
at his side when he was killed at the battle
of Deserted House, Virginia, December 29.
In 1864 he was assigned to duty as assistant
surgeon of the United States army at General
Slough barracks hospital, Virginia, under
Surgeon Bentley. Later he was assigned to
duty at the general hospital in the Fairfax
Seminary building, at Fairfax Court House,
Va. He was afterwards in service at Berks
Station, Va., and at Winchester, W. Va. He
was also for several months with the Six-
teenth New York cavalry. In 1865 he was
again commissioned by the War Gover-
nor of Pennsylvania as assistant surgeon of
the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, and was
with that regiment until the end of the war.
After his discharge from the army he prac-
ticed medicine and surgery in various places
until 1880, when he located in Steelton,
where he has since resided, and where he
enjoys a good practice. He has been sur-
DAUPHIN COUNTY,
975
geon of Sergeant Lascomb Post, No: 351,
G. A. R., since its organization in 1883.
He married the accomplished daughter of
farmer Jacob Seiders. They are prominent
in society and are important factors in tlie
busy and prosperous community in which
they reside.
Henderson, Dr. James, deceased, was
born in Hummelstown, in 1827. He studied
medicine under Dr. Washington L. Atlee, of
Philadelphia, and remained with him eight
years, assisting him in his extensive practice.
He married a Miss Wolfersberger, and went
to Plymouth, Ohio, where he remained two
years. At the death of his father he returned
to Hummelstown, and succeeded to the ex-
tensive practice his father had enjoyed there.
Early in the war of the Rebellion he enlisted
in the defense of his country, and became
commander of company C , One Hundred
and Twenty-seventh regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers ; he served with distinction, par-
ticipating in many of the famous battles of
the war. He re-enlisted in August, 1864, in
the Two Hundred and First regiment, as as-
sistant surgeon to Dr. Benjamin F. Wagon-
seller, and was honorably discharged in De-
cember, 1864, at Alexandria, Va. He then
returned to Hummelstown, Pa., and resumed
the practice of medicine. He died from a
pulmonary attack in April, 1880, leaving a
widow and five children : James A., of Har-
risburg; Charles R., of Trenton, N. J.; Henry
Clay, of Harrisburg ; Annie, wife of Robert
Emerick, of Harrisburg, and Maggie May, a
teacher of Cleveland, Ohio.
Henderson, John W., deceased, was born
in Hummelstown. He served in the war of
the Rebellion. He was a member of com-
pany C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and of
company C, One Hundred and Ninety-second
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, both
companies from Hummelstown. He was for
twenty-four years a member of the Hum-
melstown Band, and was a proficient per-
former on the B flat cornet. Socially he was
a man of great kindness of heart and of most
generous impulses, and was very popular.
He died in Hummelstown, in 1889. He was
married to Miss Sarah Fox, daughter of John
Fox. His wife survives him, with four chil-
dren : Minnie, Sallie, Mary, and Bruce.
Seibbrt, William Henry, M. D., the son
of Jacob and Anna Mary (Nonamaker) Sei-
bert, was born February 19, 1850, in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county, ten
miles east of Harrisburg, Pa. His great-
grandfather, John Adam Seibert, emigrated
from Germany in the year 1764, and settled
in the vicinity of Reading, Pa. He had four
children : John, born in 1767 ; Tobias, born
in 1769 ; George, born in 1772 ; and Susanna,
who was married, first, to Peter Dentzel, and
second, to John Mayer, of Paxtang township.
John Adam Seibert served in the Revolu-
tionary war, and soon after its close removed
to the vicinity of Hummelstown, Dauphin
county, where he continued to live until the
time of his death.
George Seibert, born November 3, 1772,
died May 6, 1837; was married to Margaret
Brandt, who was born September 13, 1787,
and died September 9, 1849. She was the
daughter of Jacob and Maria Elizabeth
(Windnagle) Brandt, whose children were :
Elisabeth, Susan, Margaret, Christian, Maria
Ann (Nancy), and John.' The parents of
Jacob Brandt were Samuel Brandt, born in
1708 and died in 1768, and Rosina Brandt,
born in 1712, who emigrated from Germany
in 1732, and settled in Paxtang township.
Their children were : Christian, John, Peter,
Nancy, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Maria. Maria
Elizabeth Windnagle, the wife of Jacob
Brandt, born December 14, 1753, died 1837,
was the daughter of John Mathias Wind-
nagle, born May 14, 1716, died February 28,
1786, and Maria Catharine Ritter, his wife,
born April 7, 1717, died February 28, 1786.
They emigrated from Switzerland in 1732
and settled near Middletown, Pa. Their
descendants are quite numerous and promi-
nent citizens of Dauphin county.
George and Margaret (Brandt) Seibert had
children : Elizabeth, born June 17, 1804,
married Michael Horner, died September
22, 1853 ; Catharina, born August 10, 1805,
married John Peters, died May 22, 1869;
Anna Maria, born August 10, 1809, married
Jacob Gensler, died October 7, 1895 ; Mag-
dalena, born December 10, 1810, died single
January 8, 1879; Sarah, born April 21,
1812, married Solomon Snyder, died Sep-
tember 23, 1885 ; Susanna, born January 8,
1814, married John Shirk, died December
20, 1847 ; John, born October 28, 1816, late
of Palmyra, Pa., died March 20, 1893 ; Jacob,
born September 22, 1818, died near Hum-
melstown, October 9, 1886 ; David, born
976
BIOORAPHIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
September 20, 1820, died near Lebanon Pa.,
September 3, 1870, and George, born July
13, 1825, living at Union Deposit, Pa.; be-
sides several deceased minor children.
The wife of Jacob Seibert, born September
22, 1818, died October 9, 1886, was Anna
Mary Nonamaker, born March 10, 1824, and
died February 26, 1858. She was the
daughter of John H. Nonamaker, died Sep-
tember 5, 1831, who emigrated from Ger-
many, and Sybilla Slecht, died 1866, the
daughter of Matthias Slecht, who also emi-
grated from Germany. Their children were :
Anna Mary, Catharine E., John H., and
Charles. The children of Jacob Seibert are :
John D., born in 1846, a farmer of Hanover
Dale, Dauphin county ; Annie M., born in
1848, of Steelton, Pa.; William H., born in
1850 ; Susan S.,born in 1852, married George
W. Dress, of Steelton, Pa.; and George W.,
born in 1855, a physician of Lebanon, Pa.
William H. Seibert spent his childhood
on the farm with his parents, receiving the
education afforded by the country schools.
Later he attended the select school of the
neighborhood, and subsequently taught for
five years in the country schools, and studied
at Lebanon Valley College, In 1872 he be-
gan the study of medicine with John H.
Roebuck, M. D., of Hummelstown, Pa., and
graduated from the University of Pennsyl-
vania, March 12, 1874. He soon after lo-
cated in Steelton (then Baldwin), where he
has since practiced his profession. On the
organization of the town into a borough in
1880, Dr. Seibert was elected a councilman
and occupied the position of president of the
council. In 1883 he was elected burgess
and re-elecfed for the following term. He
has been active in the practice of his pro-
fession, and prominent in the business en-
terprises of the place and vicinity.
Peters, Jacob M., M. D., Steelton, Pa., was
born at Mountville, Lancaster county. Pa.,
December 1, 1862. His grandfather, Michael
Peters, was one of the pioneers of Lancaster
county, and lived to a good old age. Rev.
Lewis Peters, father of Jacob M., was born
July 12, 1836, and died March 8, 1893. He
was a member of the United Brethren Con-
ference of Pennsylvania. He officiated as
pastor in the United Brethren church for
over forty years. He married Miss Cassa-
della Rank, of Lancaster county, by whom
he had three children, namely: Jacob M.;
Augustus, a prominent druggist of Steelton,
and Minnie, wife of John P. Knisely, of
Steelton.
Jacob M. attended the common schools of
Lancaster county until he was about fifteen
years old. In 1877 he entered the grammar
school of Mrs. Johnson, after which he was
promoted to Professor Hoofnagle's class. In
1879 he entered the freshman class in the
classical course at Lebanon Valley College.
In 1883 he passed examination before Dr.
William L. Atlee, Sr., Dr. J. Carpenter, of
Lancaster, and Dr. Ziegler. He then en-
tered the ofhce of Dr. Henry B. Stehman as
a student of medicine, where he remained
for about six months, when Dr. Stehman re-
moved to Chicago, 111. He then entered the
office of Dr. Frank M. Musser, of Lancaster,
where he remained until 1885. He was
graduated from Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, in May, 1886. After one
month's vacation, he located in Steelton, and
began the practice of his profession. He has
met with gratifying success, and enjoys an
extensive practice. He has been surgeon for
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company since
1889. He was county physician from 1887
to 1891. He has been health officer of Steel-
ton Board of Health since March, 1895. He
has also been secretary of the Board of Health
since its organization in 1892. He is a mem-
ber of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A.
M.; Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, K. T.;
Harrisburg Consistory, 32°, and Lulu Tem-
ple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., of Philadelphia. He
has been a member of the Dauphin County
Medical Society since 1887. He was mar-
ried, December 15, 1886, to Miss Margaret
McCausland Sample, daughter of Dr. Samuel
R. Sample, of Lancaster county, Pa.
MissEMER, J. R., editor and publisher of
the Steelton Advocate, was born on the banks
of the Little Chickies creek, in Mount Joy
township, Lancaster county, Pa., March 24,
1851. His father died when he was only
three years old. He spent the first twenty-
five years of his life on the farm on which
he was born. He received the education
which the country schools afforded and the
important practical training which indus-
trious employment in farming gave him. At
the age of seventeen a teacher's certificate
was granted him by County Superintendent
Evans. He taught school three terms in
his native township. When he was twenty-
one years of age he was elected justice of
the peace for five years, and at the expira-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
977
tion of this term he was re-elected to the
same office, but soon removed from the dis-
trict. During that time he also carried on
surveying and conveyancing, besides doing
an extensive business as a scrivener. He
first embarked in the newspaper business in
1875, when he became the local editor of the
Milton Grove News, which at that time was
published by the Lancaster County News-
paper Alliance. The following year he es-
tablished the paper as an independent jour-
nal and became its sole editor and pub-
lisher. At the same time he established and
conducted a job printing office.
In 1878 he purchased the Mount Joy Star
and consolidated the two papers as the
Mount Joy Star and News. He published
this paper for nine years and enlarged and
improved it. For a number of years it was
the largest of the eighteen papers published
in the county outside of Lancaster cit3^
For severalyears he conducted a newspaper
syndicate, during which time he edited and
published the Florin Independent, Milton
Grove Progress, Bainbridge Banner, Sporting
Hill Messenger, Salunga Siftings and Landis-
ville Vigil.
In 1888 he purchased the Steelton Advo-
cate, which he has published since that time.
At present he issues only a weekly edition of
the paper, but for some time before the de-
pression of business two years ago he pub-
lished the Daily Advocate. In 1892 he asso-
ciated his son George W. with himself in
the publishing of the Advocate. The junior
member of the firm was only fifteen years of
age at the time he assumed the responsible
position of proprietor, and was then the
youngest editor and newpaper publisher in
the United States. In 1893 Mr. Missemer
again purchased the Mt. Joy Star and News,
which he had sold six years before. Since
that time he publishes both papers, but both
offices and papers are kept as distinct and
separate as if they belonged to different pro-
prietors. He continues to reside with his
family at Steelton and gives the Advocate his
personal attention for several days of each
week. The rest of his time he devotes to his
Mt. Joy office. In his absence the Steelton
office is in charge of his son and is in safe
and able hands. By this feature of his busi-
ness Mr. Missemer is demonstrating by prac-
tical operation the advantages of having
more than one newspaper and printing office
under one management. " This plan has been
successfully carried out in many branches of
business, but has not before been attempted
in the publishing business. The result is so
eminently satisfactory that he contemplates
starting a third paper and printing office.
While Mr. Missemer has had his hands so
full at home he has not failed to look abroad.
He has made a notable record as a traveler,
having visited the Pacific Coast and Canada
as well as the Southern States. He recently
made a trip to the Cotton States Exposition,
at Atlanta, Ga., and at the same time went
to Florida, visiting Jacksonville, St. Au-
gustine and Tampa. Mr. Missemer has been
serving as administrator, executor and as-
signee for a number of estates. His family
consists of his wife, four sons and two daugh-
ters.
WiCKEESHAM, Frank B., attorney, Steel-
ton, Pa., was born in Newberry township,
York county, Pa., April 7, 1863. His father,
Joseph Wickersham, was a native of York
county. Pa. He was born April 1, 1809,
and died February 28, 1892. He was a far-
mer, and also taught school for a period of
ten j^ears. He took a deep interest in edu-
cational affairs, and was an ardent temper-
ance reformer. He belonged to the Society
of Friends. He married Hannah C. Squibb.
They had twelve children, eight of whom
are living, namely: John, who married Miss
Ada Bryan, and has six children ; Susan,
wife of John M. Freeburn, of Dauphin
county, who has four children ; Matilda,
living in Steelton ; Marianna, widow of John
A. Sponsler, of Dauphin county ; Clara, wife
of Dr. Geo. C. Garretson, of Cincinnati, Ohio ;
M. S., married to Lizzie Elden, by whom he
has two children ; Emma, wife of John H.
Wacker, of Wooster, Ohio, who lias one
child, and Frank B. William and Rebecca
were scalded to death at the ages of four and
two years respectively. Ellen, Annie and
Lizzie died of diphtheria when quite young.
Frank B. acquired his primary education
in the public schools of his native township.
In 1881 he began teaching school, and
taught two terms in his native township,
one term in the model school of the Normal
School at Shippensburg, Cumberland county,
one term in the Hanover high school and
three terms in Steelton, Pa. In 1884 he
graduated from the Cumberland Valley
State Normal School, and in 1885 registered
as law student under Senator McCarrell.
January 19, 1888, he was admitted to the
Dauphin county bar. Since that time he
978
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
has been engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession in Steel ton. He has acted as solicitor
of the borough of Steelton since 1889. He
is director and attorney for the Steelton
Home Water Company, and director and so-
licitor for the People's Building and Loan
Association. He has been a member of the
school board for a period of six years. He is a
Republican, and is active in party matters.
He is an active member of St. John's Lu-
theran church, and is one of its trustees.
He is a director of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association of Steelton. In 1889 he
married Miss Mary, daughter of George and
Elizabeth (Roe) Fencil, of Steelton, by whom
he has two children, Frank Brewster, born
June 22, 1893, and Robert Gadwallader, born
February 2, 1895.
HuMMELL, Levi, Steelton, Pa., was born
July 19, 1820. Christian Hummell, his
grandfather, was a native of Dauphin county,
his father's family being among its earliest
settlers. He lived and died in Hummels-
town. He was a carpenter by trade. He
married, and reared seven children : John,
Jacob, Christian, Jr., Frederick, Joseph,
David, and Polly. He died at the age of
eighty-five years. Jacob Hummell, son of
Christian and father of Levi, was born March
13, 1791. He learned the trade of carpenter,
and followed that occupation through life.
He married Miss Justina Bowers, of Hum-
melstown, who was born in Germany. Their
children were: Susanna, born January 6,
1816, died September 1, 1822 ; Caroline, who
died February 21, 1852 ; Levi ; Justina, born
December 8, 1822, widow of Benjamin Fes-
ter, of Mansfield, Ohio ; Sarah, born October 4,
1825; Abner, born'jOctober 2, 1827,=Jdied
leaving a widow and six children; Harriet,
deceased, born February 3. 1830, married
Christian Laley, had two children; Theo-
dore, born October 16, 1833, married Miss
Hoy, and had three children, two of whom
are living; Mary, born July 20, 1836, living
in the West.
Levi Hummell acquired his education in
the common schools of his locality. At the
age of eleven years he began learning the
trade of a carpenter, as apprentice to his
father. He followed this occupation until
1871, when he erected the first grocery store
in Steelton, where he had carried on that
business for fifteen years, after which he re-
tired. He Itakes 'an [activefpart in politics
in connection with the Republican jparty.
He has held the office of borough supervisor
for a term of three years. He and his fam-
ily attend the United Brethren church. He
was married, February 20, 1845, to Miss Julia
M. Brestle. daughter of Charles Brestle, of
Middletown. Their children are : Elmer C,
clerk in the commissioner's office, at Harris-
burg; Charles, a carpenter at the Steel Works ;
Clara W., living at home, and five who have
died : John Boyd, Henry, and Robert, died
in infancy ; Harriet Rebecca, in 1864, at the
age of sixteen years, and Joseph Abner, May
14, 1891, aged forty yea,rs.
CuLP, John F., M. D., Steelton, was born in
Philadelphia, Pa., July 6, 1864. His father,
John Gulp, is a native of the same county,
and was born in 1832. He was a contractor
and builder in the early part of his life, and
later engaged in the produce business. He
retired from business in 1888. He married
Miss Alice Onell, of Philadelphia. They had
six children: William, deceased; Margaret,
died in infancy; Emma, wife of William
Spencer ; John F.; Lea, living at home ; and
Raymond, who died in infancy. Mr. Gulp
has always taken a deep interest in educa-
tional matters, and has especially sought to
give his children the advantages of a thor-
ough and liberal education. John F. com-
pleted his preliminary education in the
Philadelphia high school, from which he was
graduated in 1882. He pursued the regular
course in the University of Pennsylvania,
entering in 1883, and receiving his diploma
in 1886. He came at once to Harrisburg,
and began the practice of his profession as
resident physician in the Harrisburg Hos-
pital, where he remained one year. He next
entered the ^office of Dr. Thomas J. Dunott,
where he remained one year; after this he
located in Steelton, where he has since con-
ducted a general practice, and has enjoyed a
gratifying success. He is surgeon and resi-
dent physician for the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, of Steelton. He is a member of
the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine, the
Dauphin County Medical Society, the Penn-
sylvania State Medical Society, and the
American Medical Association.
CouFPER, Samuel, proprietor of the Couff'er
House, Steelton, Pa., was born near Harris-
burg, in what is now a part of the city
March 9, 1838. His father, William Couff'er,
was a native of Berks county. Pa. He was
born in 1808. He was a carpenter by trade.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
979
He married Miss Catherine Sunnon ; and of
their five children two are living : William,
engaged in mining zinc and lead, at Joplin,
Miss., married and has a family ; and Sam-
uel. The father died December 24, 1883.
Samuel acquired his education in the
schools of Dauphin county and the city
schools of Harrisburg. At the age of eleven
he became a boatman on the Pennsylvania
canal, and followed this occupation up to
1864. From that time until 1876 he had
charge of the Bombaugh stone quarry. He
was next engaged in the ice and coal busi-
ness, which he carried on for fourteen years.
In 1880 he turned his attention to hotel
keeping and opened the Couffer House in
Steelton, and has since continued to be its
proprietor. He has met with success in this
undertaking, and has demonstrated his busi-
ness ability. He is also interested in other
business ventures. He was the instigator of
the Steelton Light, Heat and Power Com-
pany, which was organized with a capital of
$40,000, since increased to $60,000 and the
company made a stock company. He acted
as burgess of Steelton for one year. He is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, of
Harrisburg, and of the I. 0. R. M., No. 243,
of Steelton. He is a Democrat in politics.
In 1860 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter
of Samuel Martin, of Hummelstown, who
died in the West. Their children are three :
Charles M., who married Amanda Mumma,
and has four children ; Samuel S., lineman
for the Steelton Light, Heat and Power Com-
pany, married Miss Bowman, and has one
child ; Carrie, living at home. Mr. Couffer
was one of the earliest settlers in what is now
Steelton. When he came there, in 1865, the
borough was. not yet organized.
SiEG, William H. H., editor and pub-
lisher, Steelton, Pa., was born in Lykens
Valley, near Millersburg, Dauphin county.
Pa., May 17, 1837. He is a son of WiUiam
P. and Catharine (Young) Sieg. The father
was born near Hummelstown, Pa., January
31, 1803, and died in Harrisburg, March 12,
1879. He was a tailor by trade and was
employed by tlie Pennsylvania Railroad
Company for thirty years. He was married
to Miss Catharine Young, who was born in
Youngstown, Pa., February 21, 1804, and
died in Harrisburg, March 24, L885. • They
have had these children: Louisa; Catha-
rine ; Samuel H., died in Chicago, in 1892 ;
William H. H.; Elizabeth, died in Harris-
burg, in 1856 ; and Lydia A.
William H. H. received his education in
the public schools of Harrisburg. In early
life he felt inclined toward newspaper work,
and in 1852 began to learn printing with
Rev. John Winebrenner, on the Church Ad-
vocate, remaining there two years. During
the war he was engaged part of the time as
clerk in the Harrisburg postoffice, and was
also in the secret service under Governor
Curtin, rendering valuable and efficient ser-
vice to the Government when the Southern
troops were in the CumberJand Valley, be-
fore the battle of Gettysburg. In 1869 he
embarked in the printing business in Har-
risburg, and in 1882 moved to Steelton and
established the Steelton Reporter, an enter-
prise which has proven very successful, and
of which he is still the head. From 1866 to
1876 Mr. Sieg was a member of the common
council of Harrisburg, being president of the
same from 1873 to 1875. He was secretary
of Steelton borough council from- 1883 to
1885, resigning to accept the position of
postmaster, to which he was appointed in
February, 1885. After serving three years
and a half he was re-appointed by President
Harrison, September, 1891, and continued
four years and a half longer in the same
position. All the positions of public trust
which Mr. Sieg has occupied have been held
with that same fidelity and strict honesty
which has always characterized his private
affairs, and which has been the keynote of
his success. He is a member of Free and
Accepted Masons, and of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He was married, in
Harrisburg, November 27, 1858, to Miss
Annie A. Black, born September 10, 1837,
daughter of Thomas Black, born in Dauphin
county, in 1806, and Catharine (Hemperly)
Black, born in Middletown, Pa., in 1808.
Their children are : Katie, Mary, William P.,
Annie, deceased, and James Young Sieg.
In politics Mr. Sieg is a Republican, and is
a member of the Presbyterian church.
Neeon, D. W., Steelton, Pa., was born in
Cumberland county, Pa., November 10, 1841.
John Neron, his grandfather, was of Scotch-
Irish descent, and was among the first set-
tlers of Cumberland county. According to
well-authenticated records, he lived to be
over one hundred years old. He married
Miss Tarman, of Adams county, Pa., by
whom he had five children: John, Benja-
980
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYGLOPEDIA
min, Joseph, Eobert, and Eachel, who mar-
ried John Hutchinson. Benjamin Neron,
father of D. W., was born in 1810, in Cum-
berland county. Pa., where he spent the
greater part of his life. He was a horse-
shoer by trade. For many years he was en-
gaged on the Mississippi river in navigation.
He married Miss Mary Moore, daughter of
Anthony Moore. They had three children :
D. W.; Anne, wife of William Vanasblin, of
Harrisburg, and John E,., died in 1868, at
the age of twenty-four years.
D. W. received his education in tlie com-
mon schools of his native place. When a
young man he worked with his father at the
trade of horseshoeing. He was also engaged
for about one year with a Mr. Redding, who
was a coach painter. In 1861 he was em-
ployed by the Government in the three
months' service as a teamster. In 1864 he
enlisted in the army in defense of his coun-
try in the Two Hundred and Seventh regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, under Col.
R. C. Cox, and served until the close of the
war, participating in many, noted battles.
After his discharge from tlae army he was
engaged in the Cumberland Valley as a
house painter. He followed this occupation
until 1889, when he removed to Steelton,
where he has since lived. He is engaged in
house painting and has a real estate business.
He is also agent for an insurance company.
He is identified with the Democratic party,
and is always actively interested in the wel-
fare of the party. In 1894 he was elected to
the office of justice of the peace. In 1863 he
married Miss Mary A., daughter of John
Filey. They have three children: Elmer
E., John F., and Mary E., telegraph opera-
tor at the Commonwealth Hotel, in Harris-
burg.
PIiTE, Jerome, Steelton, Pa., was born in
Susquehanna township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
December 31, 1836. His grandfather, Jacob
Hite, was born near the Round Top, Dau-
phin county. He was married and reared
five children. He died at the age of sixty-
three years, and his wife at the age of sixty-
eight. Their children are: Jacob, Henry,
John, and Barbara, all deceased, and Cathe-
rine, wife of Mr. Bricker, of Londonderry
township. Jacob Hite, father of Jerome, was
born in Dauphin county in 1811. He was a
farmer and gardener. His wife was Miss
Sarah Foreman, daughter of John Foreman,
who lived to the age of ninety-four years, and
Sally Foreman, who lived to be ninety-seven
years old. They had five children : Jerome ;
Mary; Susan, died at the age of sixteen years;
Sarah, deceased, and Jacob F. Mary is the
widow of A. Hoopes, who was killed on the
railroad at Phoenixville, leaving three chil-
dren ; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Max-
well Stanton. Jacob Hite, the father, died in
1874, at the age of sixty-three. His wife
Sarah is still living at Washington, Iowa,
with her son Jacob, F., who married Kittie
Harper, of Dauphin county.
Jerome acquired his education in the com-
mon school of Coxestown. In early years he
was engaged in farming and gardening ; he
was well known in the Harrisburg markets.
In 1862 he went as a volunteer with H. W.
Hoffman to the battle of Antietam. In 1870
he changed his occupation and began hotel
keeping. His first venture was the Holsbach
Hotel, in which he remained three years. At
the end of this time he rented the hotel near
the Bolton House, in Harrisburg, then called
Mechanic's Hall, where he remained eight
years. In 1881 he went to Steelton, where
he has ever since conducted the Steelton
Hotel. He was instrumental in the organi-
zation of the Steelton Light, Heat and Power
Company, of which he has served as director
since its organization. He was an organizer
of the Paxtang Hook and Ladder Company
in 1888. He is a Republican in politics and
has always taken an active part in the meas-
ures of his party. He has held the office of
mercantile appraiser for one year, and has
been assessor of the Fourth ward since 1885.
He is a member of Paxtang Tribe, No.
248, I. 0. R. M.; Paxtang Council, No. 2, de-
gree of Pocahontas; Steelton Lodge, No.
411, K. of P.; Baldwin Commandery, No.
108, A. & I. 0. K. of M., Steelton; Moro
Castle, No. 163, K. G. E.; Crusade Castle,
No. 73, A. 0. K. of M. C, Steelton. He
is past chancellor commander of No. 411,
K. of P.; past sachem of the Independent
Order of Red Men ; representative of the
Great Council of Pennsylvania for six
terms, and in appreciation of his valuable
services received the appointment of Great
Guard of Wigwam. In his active and
varied career Mr. Hite has used his abilities
for the upbuilding of many fraternities, but
his greater interests have always been enlisted
in behalf of Redmanship and its principles.
He was adopted into Octorara Tribe, No. 91,
at Harrisburg, in 1867. After serving his
tribe and the order for a number of years,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
981
he moved to Steelton, withdrawing from No.
91. He deposited his card in Paxtang
Tribe, No. 243, and became as active there
as he had been in No. 91.
After being admitted into the Great Coun-
cil his effective work in advancing the inter-
ests of the brotherhood gained for him a wide
and deserving reputation. He was appointed
for three great suns Deputj' Great Sachem.
While in the latter position he was instru-
mental in organizing Susquehanna Tribe,
No. 298, at Steelton ; Poketo Tribe, No. 315,
at Middletown ; Canonicus Tribe, No. 94, at
Mechanicsburg ; Te-ton Tribe, No. 311, at
Harrisburg; Arrapahoe Tribe, No. 68, at
Huntingdon ; also Paxtang Council, No. 2,
D. of P., at Steelton. He was elected Great
Junior Sagamore by the largest vote ever
polled for this office, and raised at Great Siyi
Council at Columbia, May 23, 1896.
In 1857 he married Miss Sarah J. Lynn,
daughter of Michael Lynn, a native of Ire-
land. They have four children : Jacob L.,
married, and living at Syracuse, N. Y.; Sadie
v., wife of M. Cronan, of Steelton ; Clara L.,
wife of J. C. Whitmoyer. of Steelton ; and
Bertie L., wife of John Sutton, of Altoona, Pa.
McGiNNES, Lemuel E., was born in Perry
county. Pa., May 15, 1853. James McGin-
nes, his paternal great-grandfather, was a
native of the north of Ireland. He came to
America in 1790 and settled in Greenwood
township, now Buffalo township, Perry
county. John Ditty, his maternal great-
great-grandfather, settled in the Lykens
Valley, three miles northeast of Millersburg,
in 1770. John Cochran McGinnes, father
of Lemuel E., was a native of Perry county
and was born in 1812. He was well edu-
cated, and his vocation was that of a teacher.
He died in 1887. He married Sarah Ann
Ditty, who survives him.
Their son, Lemuel E. McGinnes, enjoyed
usual educational advantages. His parents
were intelligent and well educated people.
The influences of his home were such as to
stimulate him to mental effort from tlie
very dawning of his intellectual life. He
passed through the course of study in the
public schools, and, as supplementary to
this, he enjoyed tuition in good private
schools and the instructions of the most
competent private teachers. The aim of
his parents was to qualify him for the pro-
fession of teaching. He was inspired with
lofty aims and equipped with all the in-
tellectual furnishings he had the capacity
to receive. When nineteen years of age he
was ready to begin the business of life. He
followed his ancestral bent and entered the
ranks of the teachers. He began on the
lower plane of the ungraded country school,
and his first three terms were spent in get-
ting hold of the practical elements of his
art by the experience of actual relationship
and contact between teacher and pupil.
The lowest primary grade is as favorable a
field for getting this experience as the high-
est grade in the course. Promotion comes
in due time to the patient toiler in the lower
grades. It came to Mr. McGinnes in 1875,
and the steps of his promotion were rapid
and substantial. First came the principal-
sliip of the Lower Duncannon high school ;
three years later the principalship of the
Duncannon borough high school, and three
years later, or in 1881, the principalship of
the Steelton schools. Much was expected
of him, and great demands were made on
his ability and professional skill in this new
position. The most substantial business
elements of the community, and especially
the Pennsylvania Steel Company, had
adopted the wise and beneficial policy of
giving substantial aid to the educational
interests of the rapidly developing indus-
trial town. The most liberal provisions
were made, in buildings and funds, for the
best system of schools. Mr. McGinnes was
placed at the head of this great enterprise.
His native tastes and aspirations, his thor-
ough education and his nine years of ex-
perience combined to qualify him for his
work. His success is pfenomenal. At the
end of seven years the system was perfected.
From 1881 to 1888 he was principal of the
high school and supervisor of all the de-
partments, and in 1888 he was unanimously
elected to the office of superintendent of the
schools. This system of schools, so' largely
the creation of his hand, is the demonstra-
tion of his ability, fidelity and professional
devotion. Mr. McGinnes is interested in
the community as a professional teacher.
But his influence has a broader and deeper
sweep and flow. He is deeply interested in
morals and religion, and is an active force
in the Christian and benevolent work of
the town. He is an elder in the First Pres-
byterian church, and his character and life
show him to be a worthy incumbent of the
high office. He was married, in 1879, to
Miss Ida Clark, daughter of Hugh K. and
982
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Ellen S. Wilson, of Perry county, in whom he
finds a wife in full and cordial sympathy
with him in his aims and efforts to advance
society. They have one child, Ellen S.
Landis, a. C, Steelton, was born in Cum-
berland county, Pa., February 11, 1837. He
is a son of Henry Landis. He obtained his
education in Cumberland county. When a
young man he learned the trade of tailor,
and followed this occupation until 1861. At
the breaking out of the war of the Rebel-
lion, in 1861, he answered the first call for
volunteers, and enlisted in the three months'
service under C lonel Stumbaugh. At the
end of the three months' service he enlisted
for three years, in company K, One Hun-
dred and Seventh regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, under Colonel Ziegler, of York,
Pa. On August 28, 1864, was commissioned
as captain of his company. He served on
the staff of Gen. John P. Slough, military
governor of Alexandria, Va. He partici-
pated in the following battles : Cedar Moun-
tain, August 9, 1862; Rappahannock, Au-
gust 18 and 25 ; Thorough Gap, August 28 ;
Bull Run, August 30; South Mountain, Sep-
tember 14 ; Antietam, September 16 and 17 ;
Sharpsburg, October 30; Bristow Station,
December 12 ; Frederick, Va., December 13-
15; Chancellorsville, January 21, 1861 ; Fitz-
hugh's Crossing, April 28-30; Chancellors-
ville, May 1-3; Gettysburg, July 1-3. At
the close of the war Captain Landis came
to Harrisburg and resumed work at his
trade. He served as cutter for J. R. Croft
for five years. After this he came to Steel-
ton and took chaise of the dry goods and
clothing department of the Company's store,
in which capacity he remained for fifteen
years, when he resigned. He was instru-
mental in organizing the Steelton Light, Heat
and Power Company, and was elected secre-
tary andtreasurer of the company. He filled
the office for two years, and then resigned.
He has served in the borough council. He
was the candidate of his party for the State
Legislature. Heisa Democrat, and is active
in the movements of his party. He is a
member of the Masonic order. Lodge No.
351, Shippensburg. He has been president
of the Steelton Board of Trade since its or-
ganization, in 1888. In 1849 he married
Miss Rebecca Allison, daughter of J. B. Alli-
son, of Franklin county, by whom he had
eight children. Mrs. Landis died in 1891.
Their children are : Alfred M., born June 10,
1859, married Miss Emma Steel, and lives at
Landisburg ; Calvin D., born July 30, 1860,
married Miss Nellie Galligan, who died in
1895, leaving four children ; Annie M., born
October 16, 1861, wife of George Brinser, of
Steelton; Florence B., born November 4,
1864, wife of William Greist, of Steelton ;
Harry J., born February 11, 1867, married
to Miss.Lizzie Franklin, of Steelton : E.Maud,
born November 11, 1871, wife of James
D. Banford, of Steelton ; William R., born
February 25, 1869, died February 1, 1870 ;
Charles A., born December 27, 1874, married
Mary Weisman, of Harrisburg.
Fletcher, Joseph A., Steelton, was born
in Manchester, England, December 14,1835.
His father, William Fletcher, of Manchester,
parried Maria Whitaker, by whom he had
five children : Sabina ; Edward ; Elizabeth,
deceased ; William, who came to this country
in 1867, and now resides in Middletown,
Pa., and Joseph A. Mr. Fletcher died in
1872 and his wife in 1873.
Joseph A. received his education in the
schools of England. Having learned the
moulder's trade when a young man, he fol-
lowed this occupation for seven years. In
March, 1854, he came to this country, sailing
on the sailing vessel Henry Clay. He lo-
cated at Cold Springs, N. Y. Here he found
employment at his trade and was busily en-
gaged for three years. In 1857 the home
feeling prevailed and he turned his face
toward his English home and friends. Two
years were sufficient to enable him to realize
that this country offered him more oppor-
tunities for rising in the world than he could
find in his own country. In March, 1859,
he returned to the United States, and again
found a place to work at Cold Springs for
one year. He was now complete master of
the trade of moulder and iron worker. After
leaving Cold Springs he was employed in
steel mills in several different States. He
finally, in 1867, settled in Steelton, which
has since that date been his permanent place
of residence. He engaged with the Penn-
sylvania Steel Company, first as overseer of
the Bessemer melting department ; for the
next five years he had charge of the foundry
for the same works. In 1874 he resigned
his place with the Steel Company and went
to Philadelphia, Pa., where he conducted a
dry goods business until 1876. At this time
he returned to Steelton and engaged in the
hotel business. He demonstrated his ability
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
983
in this line by kf*eping a good house and
making this business profitable. In 1880
he built the large hotel known as the
Fletcher House, which he has since man-
aged. Mr. Fletcher is one of the original
stockholders and one of the largest investors
in the Steelton Light, Heat and Power Com-
pany. He has also been one of its directors
since it was organized. He is also a stock-
holder in the Harrisbnrg Trust Company,
and in the Harrisburg Electric Light Com-
pany.
In 1861 he married Miss Margaret Arthur,
of Troy, N. Y. They had eight children :
Joseph A., Jr., married, and living at Spar-
row's Point, Md., has five children ; Minnie;
Bella, deceased; William Arthur; infant
daughter, deceased ; Alfred ; Bella, deceased ;
Charles deceased. His wife, Margaret (Ar-
thur) Fletcher, died in March, 1885. He
was married again in August, 1885, to Miss
Martha Booser, daughter of Jacob Booser, of
Hummelstown, by whom he has three chil-
dren, Nellie E., Mary L., and Ambrose L.
Mr. Fletcher is a member of the Masonic
Lodge, No. 486, of Middletown, Pa., and
joined Oriental Chapter and Kadosh Com-
mandery, of Philadelphia, in 1875.
DuNKLE, J. A., Steelton, Pa., was born in
Dauphin county. Pa., September 11, 1834.
His father, George Dunkle, was born in Lan-
caster county in 1791 ; moved to Dauphin
county with his father and family. He was
the son of one of the pioneer settlers of Dau-
phin county. He followed farming in the
early part of his life, but was also a mer-
chant and a wood worker. He was in the
war of 1812, under General Foster. Pie
died in 1847. He married Miss Susan Grei-
ner, daughter of Andrew Greiner, of Dau-
phin county. They had these children :
George, Jacob, John, Washington, and Susan,
deceased ; the surviving ones are : Henry,
J. A., and Peter, residing in Steelton. His
wife, Susan, died in 1860.
J. A. took the regular course in the schools
of his time and place. He learned the car-
penter's trade, and was a contractor and
builder for twenty-one years. He built the
first complete house ever erected in Steel-
ton, then known as Baldwin, in the fall of
1866. He has been interested in a business
way in Steelton since 1866, and has had his
residence here since 1880. In 1865 he be-
came engaged more particularly in the real
estate business. He laid out a large por-
tion of Steelton, Highland, now Enhaut,
Benton, and parts of Oberlin, being asso-
ciated with a Mr. Ewing in laying out East-
mere. For several years he was a resident
of Oberlin. He was also interested in other
branches of business. For a time he dealt
in coal and lumber. He and Mr. J. B.
Ewing organized the Harrisburg Boiler and
Manufacturing Company in 1880, and he
has served as director in the company since
its organization. He was one of the organ-
izers of the Steelton Light, Heat and Power
Company, and served as director in the
company from 1890 to 1894. He is a mem-
ber of the Board of Trade of Harrisburg.
He is connected with the furniture store of
Dunkle & Co.
In 1857 he married Miss Mary Bishop,
daughter of William Bishop, near Oberlin,
Pa., by whom he had these children : Ellen,
wife of Dr. J. H. Snavely, Steelton, has
five children; Catherine, wife of Abraham
Dunkle, Steelton, has five children ; Samuel
F., married Miss Jessie Sefton, of Carlisle,
Pa., is engaged with his father as manager
of the sales department of the Harrisburg
Boiler Company ; Elizabeth, wife of F. H.
AUeman, of Steelton, has four children ;
Amos W., married Miss Barnett, of Steelton,
has one child ; Maggie, living at home. Mr.
Dunkle was the originator of the Citizens'
Passenger Railway Company from Oberlin
to Harrisburg. He was president of the
company for the first few years of its exist-
ence and is at present one of its directors.
He was also for several years interested in
the hardware and stove business.
SuLTZABERGER, D. 0.. SteeltoR, Pa., was
born in York county. Pa., August 25, 1854.
His father, Israel Sultzaberger, was born in
York county, August 2, 1828, and died Au-
gust 24, 189,3. He married Miss Juliana
Binneman, daughter of Henry Binneman ;
she died August 1, 1859. They had six
children : Peter, deceased ; Mary Jane, wife
of Peter Snyder, of York county ; Eliza Ann,
deceased ; D. 0.; W. H., married and living
in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county. Pa.;
Elizabeth, deceased. In 1860 he married,
for his second wife, Miss Julianna Stouffer,
of York county, who died August 10. 1893,
aged seventy years, ten months and twenty-
four days.
D. 0. was educated in the common schools
of York county. In early life he was em-
ployed in farming. At nineteen years of age
984
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
he went to learn the carpenter trade, and
followed this occupation until he was thirty
years of age. In 1885 he engaged in the
coal business, which he has carried on since
that time. In the fall of 1875 he came to
Steelton, where he first worked, for ten years
as a carpenter, and then embarked in the
coal business, under the firm name of Couffer
& Sultzaberger. He has an interest in the
Steelton Light, Heat and Power Company.
In the spring of 1885 he was elected to the
borough council of Steelton for a term of
three years. In 1886 he married Miss Lillie
Rank, born March 1, 1860; daughter of Sam-
uel Eank, of Harrisburg. They have one
child, Clarence I., born November 4, 1892.
Mr. Sultzaberger is a Republican and en-
gages actively and with much interest in all
the undertakings of his party.
Shope, a. L., M. D., Oberlin, Pa., was born
in Oberlin, October 16, 1868. He is a son of
A. H. Shope. His great-grandfather, Jacob
Shope, was a native of Germany. He came
to Dauphin county, married, and reared a
family of children, all of whom are dead.
His son, Abraham Shope, grandfather of Dr.
Shope, was a weaver. Early in life he en-
gaged in mercantile business, and later in
farming. His first wife was a Miss Wasser,
daughter of Dr. Wasser, who came from Eu-
rope. They had five children: Elizabeth,
born September 8, 1811, deceased; John,
born March 27, 1815 ; Abram, born July 24,
1817, deceased ; Jacob, born September 6,
1819 ; David, born April 1, 1826. His sec-
ond wife was Elizabeth McFadden. Their
children were as follows : Cornelius, born
May 18, 18«1 ; Elias P., born November 25,
1833, deceased; Mary Ann, born April 17,
1836; George W., born August 13, 1888;
Priscilla, born March 30, 1841 ; Adam H.,
born December 27, 1844; Susan, born Feb-
ruary 28, 1848.
C. B. Shope, uncle of Dr. Shope, was edu-
cated in the common schools of Dauphin
county. When a young man he was occu-
pied in farming, and later he learned car-
pentry. In 1863 he engaged in the butch-
ering business, in Churchville, now known as
Oberlin, in which he continued until 1883.
Since that year he has been unable, on ac-
count of failing health, to attend to busi-
ness. He was married, February 8, 1852,
to Matilda Lose, born July 18, 1824, in Lan-
caster county, a daughter of Abraham Lose.
They had two children : William W., born
January 25, 1853, at Harrisburg ; and C. B.,
Jr., born March 22, 1866, at Harrisburg. His
wife died in September, 1866. His second
wife was Mary A., daughter of John Bals-
bach, born June 11, 1828. He is much in-
terested in church work. He is connected
with the United Brethren church, and has
been superintendent of the Sunday-school
for about fifteen years.
A. H. Shope, son of Abram Shope, was
born December 27, 1844. His father was
born November 16, 1788, and died Septem-
ber 16, 1854. His mother, Elizabeth Shope,
was born October 30, 1806, and died Jan-
uary 11, 1879. He was educated in the com-
mon schools of Dauphin county. He was
engaged in farm work until he was sixteen
years old, when he entered the drug store of
Shope & Orth, in Hummelstown, as clerk,
and remained there until 1863. At that date
he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth regiment,
Pennsylvania militia, for three months. He
was afterwards in the butchering business,
in Harrisburg and at Oberlin. From 1879
to 1882 he was in mercantile business. In
1884 he was elected director of the poor, in
which office he served for three years, and
was re-elected for a second term, serving
until 1890. He has ever since been engaged
in general mercantile business, to the time
of this writing, October, 1895. He married
Miss Jane Reighart, daughter of John Reig-
hart, of Dauphin county, who died Decem-
ber 23, 1890, leaving him one child. He
married, on May 16, 1893, Ida V., daughter
of Jacob Heckert. He is a stockholder in
the Hummelstown Bank.
Dr. A. L. Shope took the usual course of
study in the schools, but with some varia-
tions. When a very young man he was a
news agent in Oberlin for four years. He
picked up the trade of painting, and carried
it on during the summer months. In winter
he continued his studies. He acquired his
preliminary education at the Academy in
Steelton. In 1886 he put himself under the
instruction of Dr. Putt, of Oberlin, and
began reading medicine with that gentle-
man as his preceptor. In 1887 he entered
the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadel-
phia, and was graduated in 1890. In the
spring of that year he located in Oberlin,
where he has since enjoyed an extensive
practice. He was married, in October, 1895,
to Miss Emma, daughter of Daniel and
Mary Wagner, of Dauphin county.
George Shope, uncle of Dr. A. L., left
Dauphin counts.
985
home in 1854, at the age of sixteen years.
He went to Marion county, Iowa, and re-
mained two years; then to Strong county,
Iowa, where he engaged in farming. He
married, in Iowa, a Miss Ellen Sesson, by
whom he has four sons: Edwin, Charles,
William, and Albert. He removed to Des
Moines, Iowa, where he has since resided.
He was married, a second time, to Mrs. Post ;
they have one son, George W., Jr. He has
served as city treasurer for two terms. He
was cashier of the Grand Avenue Savings
Bank until October, 1895, when he retired.
He takes an active part in politics in con-
nection with the Republican party.
ScHAFFNER, D. W., M. D., Euhaut, Pa.,
was born at Berryburg, Dauphin county,
February 17, 1857. He is a son of Daniel
Schaffner, a sketch of whom appears else-
where in this volume. His early education
he received in the common schools of Dau-
phin count}'. He also studied at Palatinate
College, Meyerstown, Lebanon county. His
first employment was teaching school ; he
taught in West and South Hanover town-
ships. In 1882 he began reading medicine
with Dr. W. C. Baker, of Hummelstown. In
1883 he entered the University of Maryland,
and graduated in 1887. In the same year
he located in Highland, now known as Eu-
haut. This name was given to the place by
Dr. Schaffner. He began the practice of
medicine here, and has continued it since
that time. He has been successful, and now
enjoys an extensive practice. Dr. Schaffner
is a member of the Dauphin County Medi-
cal Society, and also of the State Medical
Society. He is interested as a stockholder
in the Harrisburg Traction Company. In
1888 he married Miss Frances H., daughter
of Isaac Beinhower, of Oberlin, Pa. They
have one child, Meade D., born April 24,
1895. The Doctor is identified with the
Democratic party. He is town committee-
man. He was the organizer of the band,
and is the treasui-er of the Industrial Sav-
ings and Loan Company, the main office of
which is in Syracuse, N. Y.
MiDDLETON, William John, M. D., was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 9, 1858.
He is the eldest son of John A. Middleton
and Margaret Ann Gamble. He is descended
from one of three brothers who came to New
Jersey before the days of William Penn.;
two of them remained in New Jersey, while
one removed to South Carolina. The fam-
ily removed early to Philadelphia. The
name of Aaron Middleton, mariner, the
great-great-grandfather of Dr. Middleton,
appears in the first directory of the city.
Margaret A. Gamble was the second daugh-
ter of William Gamble, who grew to man-
hood in Leacock township, Lancaster county.
Pa., and belonged to a company among the
troops from that county which served at
Baltimore in the war of 1812. He became
Captain Gamble in 1814. He afterwards
married Elizabeth Richardson, a daughter
of the famous family of linen manufacturers
of Belfast, Ireland.
The parents of Dr. Middleton removed to
Harrisburg in 1869. He received a common
school education in that city. In 1876 he
began the study of medicine with Dr. George
R. Hursh, then a busy practitioner, residing
on North Second street. He received the de-
gree of M. D. from Jefferson Medical College
in March, 1879, returned to Harrisburg, and
at once began to practice his profession there.
He was elected assistant dispensary physi-
cian to the Harrisburg Hospital, and served
in that capacity for several months. Upon
his retirement from the place the Board of
Managers voted him their thanks. In Janu-
ary, 1881, Dr. Middleton formed a partner-
ship with Dr. W. J. Kline, of Greensburg,
Pa., where he remained a little over a year.
In the spring of 1882 he received the ap-
pointment of surgeon to the Juragua Iron
Company, of Santiago de Cuba, and served
the company at their mines, east of Santiago,
for fifteen months. In November, 1884, he
came to Steelton as surgeon to the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company, which office he re-
signed in 1888 to devote himself to the prac-
tice of his profession in Steelton. In April,
1888, he married Lavinia Sterling Towson,
of Baltimore. They have three sons : Wil-
liam Towson, born in 1889 ; Albert Gamble,
in 1890; and Leonard Reynolds, in 1892. Dr.
Middleton still resides in Steelton, and con-
ducts a general practice. He enjoys the
confidence and esteem of the best people in
the community, and is justly regarded as
one of the leading men in his profession.
EsHENAUE, H. G., Oberlin, Pa., was born
in Lower Swatara township, Dauphin
county, Pa., October, 1843. His grandfather.
Christian Eshenaur, was a native of Ger-
many, and was one of the pioneer settlers of
the county. He was a farmer. He married
986
ntOGRAPEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
and reared a family of children, six sons and
one daughter : John, Andrew, Jacob, Chris-
tian, Leonard, Youckle, and Catherine, all
of whom are dead. Frederick Eshenaur, son
of Christian, and father of H. G.; was born
in 1807. He spent his life on the farm, and
died in 1857. He married Miss Mary, daugh-
ter of Henry Gayman. Mr. Gayman died
in 1885, on his ninety-ninth birthday. To
this marriage were born four children :
Nancy, wife of Isaac Coble ; Christiana, wife
of John Zell, of Franklin county ; H. G.; and
Jacob, deceased, married Anne Booser ; two
children survive him, Henry and Katie.
George Eshenaur was a son of Christian
Eshenaur, of Dauphin county.
H. G. Eshenaur was educated in the com-
mon schools of Dauphin county. He began
early in life as a farmer, and made farming
his life occupation. In 1893, at fifty years
of age, he removed from the farm to Oberlin,
where he has since lived retired from active
business. He is a director of the Citizens'
Passenger Railway Company and a stock-
holder in his company. He has been one
of the board of directors since the organiza-
tion of the company. He was instrumental
in the laying out of the town of Benton. He
is public spirited, taking an interest in all
that promotes the growth and prosperity of
the community. He was married, in 1868,
to Miss Eshenaur, daughter of George Eshe-
naur, by whom he has seven children: Har-
vey, married Miss Smelcher, daughter of
William Smelcher, of Swatara township, and
is engaged in farming on the old homestead
in that township; WilUam J., living at Car-
lisle, Pa., editor of the Carlisle Leader, a
weekly paper; Mamie, living at home;
Emma, living at home; Ernest Earl, and
Vernie Pearl, twins.
HoucE, Isaac, Enhaut, Pa., was born in
Northampton county. Pa., December 6, 1839.
He is a son of Adam Houck, a native of
Northampton county, born in 1813. He was a
collier, and was also to some extent engaged
in farming. He came in 1840 to Dauphin
county, where he lived until his death in
1880. He married and reared a family of
five children : John, deceased, married Susan
Smith, who with several children survives
him ; Charles, deceased, died shortly after
three years' service in the defense of his
country, married Sarah Jane Herman, who
with one child survives him; Rebecca, wife
of Henry Zimmerman, living in Iowa : Juli-
ana, widow of Jacob Laudermilch, has five
children, lives at Oberlin ; and Isaac.
Isaac Houck, when about one year old,
came with his parents to Dauphin county.
He acquired his education in the common
schools. When he was fourteen years old he
went to the West, settled in Indiana and en-
gaged in farming, remaining five years. In
1858 he returned to Dauphin county, and
was there occupied witli farming until 1870.
He then found employment with the Penn-
sylvania Steel Company in the Bessemer de-
partment. From this department he was
transferred to the forge mill, and from this
to the rail department, where he has since
remained. During the late war he was in
the service of the Government as a teamster.
In the spring of 1865 he was in Lycoming
county, near Pine Creek, during the flood
which occurred that year. In 1860 he mar-
ried Miss Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Mef-
fort, of Dauphin county. Mr. Meffbrt died
September 24, 1884; his wife in March, 1879.
They have had twelve children, ten of whom
are living: John A., born September 27,
1861, engaged with the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, married Emma Keller ; Mary E.,
born August 8, 1863, wife of Emery E.
Holmes ; Margaret E., born February 2,
1866, wife of Jacob Pathamore, of Enhaut ;
Charles 0., born February 15, 1868, married
Mattie Morrison, of Huntingdon county ;
Christiana, born April 7, 1870, wife of H. T.
Hoy; William. B., born April 14, 1872, mar-
ried Martha Prowl, of York county; Susan
J., born May 8, 1874, living at home ; Ed-
ward, born March 1, 1877; Rebecca, born
March 2, 1879; J. Sylvester and Perly Esther,
twins, born December 29, 1880 ; the former
died January 6, 1881, the latter February
24, 1881; Bertha May, born January 10,
1883.
Snavely, M. N., Enhaut, Pa., was born in
Swatara township, Dauphin county, January
20, 1840. His father, Jacob Snavely, was a
farmer. He was an active member of the
United Brethren church, and served it for
many yearsas pastor. He died, March, 1891,
at the age of eighty-three. He married Miss
Barbara Nissley, by whom he had seven
children: John, of Steelton ; Anna, wife of
Solomon Landis, of Union Deposit ; Jacob,
deceased, shot while serving in the defense
of his country in 1862 ; Solomon, living in
Michigan ; _M. N.; Susan, wife of Franklin
Balsbach, living near Hummelstown; Bar-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
987
bara, widow of Jacob Eberly, whose first hus-
band was Harry Graybill. The second wife
of Jacob Snavely was Elizabeth, daughter of
John Walters, of Dauphin county. They
had six children, five of whom are living:
Michael, retired merchant, residing in Har-
risburg; Mary, wife of Christian Knupp,
of Oberlin, Pa.; Emma, died in youth ;
Ellen, living in Steelton, and Samuel Ed-
ward, living in Harrisburg, are twins;
Maggie, wife of S. C. Lehman, of Steelton.
M. N. Snavely has resided all his life in
his native township. He received his edu-
cation in the schools of Dauphin county,
and afterwards learned carpentry, which
was his occupation for a number of years.
He also made contracting a part of his busi-
ness, and was to some extent employed in
house painting. In 1861 he enlisted for the
defense of his country in the nine months'
service. He served under Qapt. John J.
Ball and Col. W. W. Jennings. He partici-
pated in the battle of Fredericksburg. At the
end of the term he was honorably discharged.
He then resumed his business as carpenter
and contractor, which he followed until
1889. He then succeeded James Shimmel
in the general mercantile establishment,
which he has since conducted. He was
married, November 11, 1873, to Miss Eme-
line, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Bein-
lauer) Boyer, who was born Januar}'' 27,
1853. Mrs. Catherine Boyer died April,
1894, aged seventy-five years and six months.
Mr. Jacob Boyer was born in 1814, and is
still living. Mr. and Mrs. M. N. Snavely
have eight children : Naomi Jane, born Sep-
tember 16, 1874 ; Jacob Boyer, July 7, 1876 ;
Agnes A., December 19, 1877; Harry Gar-
field, April 9, 1881 ; James Blaine, Novem-
ber 14, 1883; (iharles Edward, Julv 14,
1885; Franklin Harison, May 21, 1888;
George Edward, February 2, 1891.
Still, Samuel G., Enhaut, Pa., was-
born in Cumberland county. Pa., January
30, 1865. His father, Thomas M. Still,
was born in Adams county, in 1829. He
had limited educational advantages, and
worked as a laborer until he was twenty-five
years of age. He was a man of sincere piety
and felt called to preach the gospel. His
brethren recognized the genuineness of his
conviction of duty and formally set him
apart and ordained him to the ministry.
Mr. Still, feeling his lack of early training,
set about preparing himself for his work.
He had strong natural gifts, which by obser-
vation and study he developed and strength-
ened. He pursued his work with tireless
industry, ardent devotion and unquenchable
zeal. He was warm-hearted and attractive
and drew about him devoted friends. He
preached in many counties of this State and
was engaged in this work until the close of
his life. Few men in the eldership have
accomplished better results for the church
than were secured by this consecrated man
in the thirty-three years of his ministry.
He died suddenly, of neuralgia of the heart,
at his home in Woodbury, Bedford county.
Pa., July 27, 1883, and was buried at High-
land, near Harrisburg. He is remembered
with esteem and gratitude by thousands who
heard the gospel through his persuasive
voice. He was married to Miss Anna Leah
Besecker, of Adams county, by whom he
had seven children : Charles, deceased ;
Ruhama C, wife of Amos Byrum, of Steel-,
ton ; DufHeld, deceased ; Levi H., living in
Perry county. Pa.; John, deceased ; Samuel
G.; Anna M., wife of Stewart Barnes.
Samuel G. Still received his education in
the schools of Dauphin county. He was en-
gaged in farm work until he was fourteen
years old, and from that time until he was
eighteen was ernploj'-ed in mining ore in
Lancaster county. For the past thirteen
years he has been in the employment of the
Pennsylvania Steel Works. 'He was married,
in 1887, to Miss Anna, daughter of William
P. and Hannah (Downing) McNew, of Balti-
more, Md. They have five children :
Thomas Williams, born February 27, 1888 ;
Hannah L., October 28, 1889 ; Samuel G.,
Jr., May 25, 1^92 ; Anna Cora, February 11,
1894, died July 22, 1894 ; Ruby Catherine,
March 25, 1895, died August 22, 1895. Mr.
Still is a Republican. He and his wife are
active members of the Church of God, in
Enhaut.
Garverich, James W., Enhaut, Pa., was
born in Lebanon county. Pa., January 29,
1854. His father, John Adam Garverich,
was a native of the same county, and married
Sybilla Weaver, of Bethel township, Lebanon
county. They had one child, James W.
The second husband of Mrs. Garverich was
John Kindt, a native of Germany ; by this
marriage she had twelve children : Mary C,
deceased ; Elizabeth ; S. Sophia, deceased ;
Nanilla K., deceased ; Gedaliah H., Caroline,
Magdalena, Annie R., Ida, Jacob, and Sam-
988
MOGRAPHIGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
uel and Amanda H., deceased. Mr. and Mrs.
Kindt are living in Lebanon county.
James W. received his education in the
schools of Lebanon county. He began when
a young man to work on the farm, and was
so engaged until 1881. At this date he came
to Highland, Dauphin county, and found
employmeut with the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, in which he remained until 1892 ;
he was employed in the Bessemer department.
Since 1892 he has been in the cigar, tobacco
and confectionery business in Enhaut. He
belongs to the Republican party, and is active
in all party movements. He has served on
the county committee for nine years, and
also as a delegate to the county convention.
In 1893 he was appointed tax collector for
Swatara township, and served for one year.
In 1892 he was elected assessor of Swatara
township for a three years' term, and after-
wards re-elected for a second term. He was
a charter member of the Citizens' Passenger
Railway Company formed in 1893. In 1870
he was married to Miss Lucetta Moyer, of
Lebanon county. They have had two chil-
dren : John H., born in 1870, died August
13, 1892, aged twenty-two; and Lizzie 0.,
born in 1876, living at home. Mr. Garver-
ich and his family are members of the United
Brethren church, in whose work he takes an
active interest; he is an official member.
Mr. Garverich was president of the Citizens'
Band of Highland for a number of years.
John B. Moyer, the father of Mrs. J. W.
Garverich, is a farmer in Lebanon county,
and a prominent man in his neighborhood.
He married Miss Lydia Kriser, by whom he
has three children : Grant, Emma, and John.
His first wife was Miss Wagner; her children
were two in number: Sarah, and Lucetta,
married to Mr. Garverich.
EspENSHADE, CHRISTIAN, Oberlin, Pa., was
born in Dauphin county in 1849. His father,
Jacob Espenshade, was a native of the same
county, where he spent his life. He was a
farmer. He married Margaret Ebens. They
had eight children : Mary, wife of Peter Bow-
man ; Valentine, Susanna, Christian, and
Jacob, living ; and Solomon, Elizabeth, and
Henry, deceased. He died in 1878, aged
seventy-two years ; his wife in 1888, at the
age of seventy-seven.
_ Christian Espenshade acquired his educa-
tion in the common schools of Dauphin
county. He began life as a farmer ; for some
time he worked as a miner in the Lykens
Valley, but afterwards resumed farming and
continued in that occupation for several years.
Since 1880 he has been engaged in the Besse-
mer department of the works of the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company, at Steelton. He has
always been a resident of Dauphin county.
In politics he is a Republican. In 1870 he
married Miss Hoffman, daughter of Jacob
and Eliza (Musser) Hoffman ; they have five
children: Charles F., Harry E., Jacob W.,
Laura F., and Christian C. Jacob Hoffman,
the father of Mrs. Christian Espenshade, mar-
ried Eliza Musser, by whom he had six chil-
dren ; three are living : Maggie, Mrs. Espen-
shade, and John ; the three deceased were :
Jacob, Sarah and Harry.
The Livingston Family — John Living-
ston, a native of York county, Pa., was the
first of the family to settle in Dauphin
county, having come in 1804, or 1805. He
purchased the tract of land on which the
town of Enhaut is located, and lived upon
It until his death. He was a farmer and a
prominent citizen. He belonged to the Old
River Brethren. His wife was Catherine
Brinser, daughter of a Mr. Brinser who was
an early settler of Londonderry township.
They had five children : John, born in 1804,
died 1865 ; Abraham, 1806-1864 ; Matthias,
1811-1846 ; Jacob, 1808-1885 ; and Catherine,
1817-1893.
His son, Abraham Livingston, was born
in 1806 in Dauphin county, where he spent
his life. He was educated in the common
schools of the county. He was a post and
fence maker, and also carried on farming to
some extent. He was a member of the
Dunkard denomination and took an active
interest in all church matters. He married
Elizabeth Eshelman, daughter of Peter
Eshelman, of Londonderry township. They
had six children : Jacob, of Enhaut ; John ;
Peter, died at the age of nineteen years;
Abraham, died at the age of two years;
Benjamin, died in infancy ; Mary, wife of
John Shoffer, of Benton, Pa.
Jacob Livingston, eldest son of Abraham
Livingston, was born in Dauphin county in
1833, and received his education in the pub-
lic schools of the county. When a young
man he was occupied with farming, in con-
nection with his father. , After marriage he
began farming on his own account, con-
tinuing it until 1871. For four years from
that date he was engaged in lime burning.
In 1876 he was employed by the Pennsyl-
Dauphin county.
991
vania Steel Company and" continued for
eight years. Since 1884 he has carried on a
general mercantile business in Enhaut.
He is Republican in politics. Mr. Living-
ston was married, in 1853, to Miss Rebecca,
daughter of John Livingston. Their chil-
dren are : Catherine, born 1855, died 1859 ;
John W., born 1859, living at Enhaut, mar-
ried Nancy Rengle ; Ephraim G., born 1867,
died 1869 ; Harry Jacob, born 1871, mar-
ried to Florence, daughter of George Keim.
Jolui Livingston, second son of Abra-
ham Livingston, was born in Dauphin
county, in 1837. His educational advan-
tages were such as the schools of his native
county afforded. His first business was
farming, but his occupations were varied. He
was at different times engaged in boating,
stone quarrying and lime burning. From
1872 to 1884 he was employed by the Penn-
sylvania Steel Company. Since the latter
date he has lived retired from business.
He has resided on the present location of
Enhaut since 1846, a constant resident of
Swatara township. Pie has served as school
director of Enhaut since 1880. He is a Re-
publican and is interested and active in
politics. He has served as delegate for
many years. He and his family are mem-
bers of the United Brethren church, in
which he has for the past fifteen years been
steward and trustee. In 1880 he married
Catherine, daughter of John Livingston.
They have one son, Morris, of Steelton, em-
ployed by the Pennsylvania Steel Company.
John Livingston, the father of Mrs. Jacob
and Mrs. John Livingston, married Sarah
Ludwig. He was a weaver. Their children
are : Catherine, wife of John Livingston ;
Ehzabeth, wife of Nicholas Hanger; Re-
becca, wife of Jacob Livingston ; Mary, wife
of William Davis ; Leah, widow of Charles
Pazey.
Jacob Livingston, son of John Livingston,
Sr., was born in 1808, and married Mary
Sheets, by whom he had two children :
Lydia, wife of Christ. Gorman; and Susanna,
wife of Michael Gross. His second wife was
Susan Martin; they had two sons: Jacob,
died at the age of nineteen years ; and
Joseph, married a Miss Straw, and has a
family.
Matthias Livingston, son of John Livings-
ton, Sr., was born in 1811, and married
Elizabeth Eshelman ; their children were :
Mary, wife of George Killheifer ; Catherine,
wife of a Mr. Smith, living in the West ;
62
Elizabeth, wife of Harrison Stroup, both de-
ceased ; Joseph, enlisted in the defense of
his country in 1861, served until the close of
the war, was honorably discharged, and died
on his way home ; Catherine, wife of Jacob
Beinhauer, deceased, by whom she had
three children : Jacob, Adam, and (Cath-
erine.
Gardner, Adam Henry, treasurer of
Steelton, was born January 6, 1835 ; son of
Barnhart and Mary (Trostle) Gardner. His
great-grandfather, Barnhart Gardner, with
his wife, whose maiden name was Barbara
Weidman, emigrated from Bremen, Ger-
many, and settled in Lancaster county. Pa.,
prior to the American Revolutionary war.
Their children, all of whom settled along the
Conewago and Berunding creeks, in the
western part of York county, before the year
1800, were named as follows : Adam, Will-
iam, Barnhart, Martin, Jacob, John, Christo-
pher, George, and Margaret. William, the
second of these children, was married and
lived on the bank of Conewago creek, where
he had a family of six children : John, Barn-
hart, William, Adam, Sarah, and Margaret.
Barnhart, the second of these, was born in
1794, died April 5, 1859, and is buried in
Bender's Church cemetery, Adams county.
He married Mary Trostle, daughter of George
and Catherine Trostle, of near Gettysburg,
Adams county. She was born June 27, 1 805,
died May 4, 1886, and was buried in Filey's
Church cemetery, York county. Barnhart
was a member of the Reformed church, and
his wife Mary belonged to the Lutheran
church. Their children were named : Frank-
lin, born April 6, 1827, died January 6, 1883 ;
William, born April 25, 1829, a farmer, mar-
ried Margaretta Wilson, January 18, 1855,
and resides near Satank, Garfield county,
Colo., with his wife and children, Ella, Flor-
ence, and Emma; George Washington, a
wheelwright by occupation, born September
11, 1831, died July 13, 1861, married Sarah
Wilson, of Illinois, and settled in Kansas,
where he died, leaving one child, Emma;
John T., born March 27, 1833, a farmer, near
Toulon, 111, married Philura Bliss, and had
three children, Edith, Alice, and George;
Adam Henry ; Mary Jane, born January 2,
1837, married Michael W. Coover, a farmer
of York county. Pa., January 18, 1855, and
has eight children : William, Annie, Ella,
Laura, Daniel, Sallie, Carrie, and Emma ;
Lydia Ann, born March 2, 1839, married
992
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Edward Arnold, of Dillsburg, York county,
September 18, 1857, and have three children,
Alice, Kate, and Emma ; Sarah Elizabeth,
born February 5, 1841, married John H.
Gluck, of Lehmasters, Franklin county, Pa.,
and have two children deceased, Leila and
Charles Nisley ; Daniel Barnhart, born July
20, 1850, died September 13, 1880, married
Emma Davis, of Ashtabula, Ohio, and settled
in Greenleaf, Kan., where his widow subse-
quently married W. P. Mudgett.
Adam Henry Gardner was married. May
23, 1867, by the Rev. William Raber, at Me-
chanicsburg, Cumberland county. Pa., to
Fannie C. Smith, daughter of Jacob and
Marj' (Campbell) Smith. He resided for
some time at Eberly's Mills, and on Novem-
ber 12, 1875, removed to Steelton, Dauphin
county, where he accepted employment with
the Pennsylvania Steel Company as store-
house clerk, which position he still holds.
When the borough of Steelton was incor-
porated in 1880 Mr. Gardner was elected bor-
ough treasurer, and has continued to fill this
important and responsible position ever
since. He cast his first presidential vote for
John C. Fremont, and has ever since been
an ardent Republican. He is a member of
the Royal Arcanum, Steelton Council, No.
933, and Past Regents Association of Penn-
sylvania. He has been a member of the
United Brethren church since 1860. His
children are : John Comfort, who died when
seventeen months old; Emma Elizabeth,
George Smith, Harry Daniel, Annie Laurie,
and Percival Jacob.
mandery, No. 393. He was married, in
1883, to Miss Carrie McClellan, daughter of
John Suavely, of Steelton. They have two
children, Eva May and Russell H. Mr. Dif-
fenderfer and his family are members of the
United Brethren church.
DiFFENDERFEE, JoNAH G., burgeSS of Stccl-
ton and superintendent of the finishing and
shipping department of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company, was born in Marietta, Lan-
caster county, Pa., October 24, 1859. He is
a son of William and Annie (Gelsbaugh)
Diffenderfer, now of Highspire, Dauphin
county. His youth was spent in York
county, where he received a common school
education. He learned carpentry, and
worked at it for five years. In 1880 he came
to Steelton, and entered the employ of the
Pennsylvania Steel Company, in the rail de-
partment, and in 1890 he was appointed to
his present position. Mr. Diffenderfer is a
Republican; in 1894 he was elected burgess
of Steelton. Pie is a member of Steelton
Lodge, No. 184, I. 0. 0. F.; of P. 0. S. of A.;
of Royal Arcanum, and of Steelton Com-
Knisely, John P., grocer, was born in
Shepherdstown, Cumberland county. Pa.,
August 14, 1866. He is a son of A. Y. and
Annie B. (Grable) Knisely. Mr. A.Y. Knisely
was horn in York county, Pa., March 23,
1843. His parents were Peter and Matilda
(Seitz) Knisely. He was reared in York and
Cumberland counties, and was a farmer.
He married Miss Annie B. Grable in 1865.
He located in Maryland, and removed to
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, and
afterwards to Steelton. He was in mercan-
tile business, but relinquished it in 1895, and
has since been in the fire insurance and th e
building and loan business. He served for
two terms in the borough council of Steel-
ton, having been elected on the People's
ticket. In 1861 he enlisted, and served
three years and nine months. He is past
commander of Lascomb Post, No. 351, G. A. R.
He also belongs to the Knights of Malta, the
I. 0.0. F.,and the Royal Arcanum. He has
five children : John P.; Elsie M., wife of
Isaac Lehman, of Virginia; Annie U., wife
of Thomas Keim, of Steelton ; Edith L., wife
of Melvin C. Conklin, of Steelton ; and Jen-
nie S. Mr. Knisely is a member of the United
Brethren church, and secretary of its board
of trustees.
John P. Knisely attended the Steelton
public schools, and wasgradua'ed from them
in 1884. In the same year he engaged with
his father in the clothing and gentlemen's
furiiishing business, in which he continued
until 1892, when he purchased his present
grocery business, established bv his father
in 1890. Mr. Knisely is a Republican. He
belongs to the Knights of Malta. He was
married, in 1888, to Miss Minnie, daughter
of Rev. Lewis Peters, deceased, of Steelton.
They have three children: Edna M., H.
Lloyd, and Lester P. He and his wife are
members of the United Brethren church, in
which he is prominent. He is superintend-
ent of the Sunday-school, church organist,
and president of the Christian Endeavor
Union. Mr. Knisely is chairman of the
" Good Citizenship Association," of Steelton.
DAlfPSlJSf COVJ^TY.
5SS
Morris, Milton K., master mechanic,
Pennsylvania Steel Company, was born in
Chester county. Pa., November 19, 1842. He
is a son of William and Eleanor (Fletcher)
Morris, natives of Chester county. William
Morris was a locomotive engineer and after-
wards road supervisor of theJHarrisburg and
Lancaster railroad. He removed to Harrisburg
in 1853, and commenced hotel keeping. He
was proprietor of the " White Swan," " Will-
iam Tell," " Eed Lion," and " Pennsylvania
Avenue" hotels,, at different periods. He
died in Pittsburgh in 1875 while a delegate
to the State convention of the A. 0. U. W.
Milton K. Morris was eleven years old
when his parents removed to Harrisburg.
He was educated there in the public schools
and the Harrisburg Academy. He learned
the machinist's trade with W. 0. Hickok.
He was employed by P. A. Moltz, of Will-
iamsport. Pa., and afterwards purchased the
business of Jacob Moltz, in Harrisburg, and
conducted it for two years. In 1861 he en-
listed in the three months' service, but was
too young to be mustered in. In 1863 he en-
listed in Capt. Asbury Awl's company. In
1864 the Government sent him to Alexandria,
Va., where he was employed for eighteen
months as a machinist and locomotive engi-
neer. He then worked in the navy yard at
Washington, D. C, until the close of the war.
He was in the audience at Ford's Theater, in
Washington, when President Lincoln was as-
sassinated. After the close of the war Mr.
Morris worked in the Altoona shops of the
Pennsylvania railroad for several years. In
1870 he came to Steelton and entered the em-
ploy of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, in
which he has ever since continued, with the
exception of a short time spent in the Paxton
Rolling Mills. He served as foreman of the
machine shops until April, 1892, when he
was made master mechanic of the works. He
is a member of Carthage Lodge, No. 104, K.
of P.; Baldwin Commandery, No. 108, K. of
M.; and of Steelton Conclave, I. 0. H. Mr.
Morris is independent in politics. He was
the Democratic nominee for burgess of Steel-
ton in 1893, but was defeated. He was mar-
ried, in 1865, to Miss Sallie A., daughter of
John C. Linn, of Chester county. Pa. They
have four children : John Finley, foreman
for Pennsylvania Steel Company, married
Fannie Norris, they have one child, Grace;
M. Dewitt, Howard D., and Bessie. Mr.
Morris and his family are members of the
Presbyterian church.
Good, Jacob, foreman of the boiler depart-
ment of the Pennsylvania Steel Company,
was born in Cumberland county. Pa., Octo-
ber 22, 1842. His father died when he was
quite young, and he removed with his
mother to Dauphin county and located in
Harrisburg, where he attended the public
schools. He learned boiler making in the
shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, and was employed by that company
for r.ine years. He was afterwards several
years with Robert Tippett. In 1876 he was
employed at Steelton by the Pennsylvania
Steel Company as journeyman. In 1877 he
was made foreman of the boiler department,
which position he has held continuously
since that time. In 1862 he enlisted in
company D, One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
and served nine months. He took part in
tine battles of Fredericksburg and Chancel-
lorsville. He re-enlisted in August, 1864,
in company D, Two Hundred and First
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and
served for five months as orderly to Gen. J.
P. Slougli. Mr. Good is a member of State
Capital Lodge, No. 70, and Olivet Encamp-
ment, No. 56, I. 0. 0. F.; of Phoenix Lodge,
No. 59, K. of P., and of Baldwin Command-
ery, No. 108, K. of M. In 1890 he helped to
organize the Mechanics' and Helpers' Re-
lief Association, and has since been its treas-
urer. He has served as a member of tlie
Good Will Fire Company, No. 7, of Harris-
burg, for a number of years, and is now pres-
ident of the Citizen Fire Company, of Steel-
ton. He is past commander of Sergt. Sam-
uel W. Lascomb Post, No. 351, G. A. R.;
is an active Republican, and at present a
borough councilman.
Mr. Good was married, in 1864, to Miss
Maggie E., daughter of George Pipes, of Har-
risburg. They have four children : George
E., roll-turner, of Steelton ; Mary Lizzie, wife
of George H. Yestadt, of Sparrow's Point,
Md.; Glenzora, wife of Oliver Weigle, of Steel-
ton, and Lawrence J. Mr. and Mrs. Good
are members of St. Paul's Baptist church, in
which he is trustee, and superintendent of
the Sunday-school. Mr. Good is also a
member of the Y. M. C. A.
Dougherty, John W., superintendent of
the blast furnace department, Pennsylvania
Steel Company, was born in Worcester,
Mass., August 17, 1867. He is a son of
James and Margaret (Geinham) Dougherty.
994
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
His parents removed to Pittsburgh in 1870,
and in 1875 came to Steelton. After gradu-
ating from the Steelton high school he took
a course at Ulrich's preparatory school and
graduated from the mining and engineering
department of Lehigh University in 1889.
He learned the open hearth business, and in
January, 1890, was made foreman of the
open hearth department of the Pennsylva-
nia Steel Company. In January, 1892, he
became superintendent of the blast furnace
department, which position he has since
filled. He is a stockholder in the Harris-
burg Trust Company. He is independent
in politics. Mr. Dougherty was married, in
1893, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Patrick
McNiff, of Harrisburg.
Downs, John B., superintendent of the
rail and blooming mills, Nos. 1 and 2, Penn-
sylvania Steel Company, was born in Leeds,
England, June 21, 1849. He is a son of
Thomas and Sarah Downs. His youth was
passed in England. In July, 1867, he came
to America, intending to visit California for
the benefit of his health. He stopped in
Philadelphia, and worked one year at the
Milldale Steel Works. In 1869 he came
to Steelton, and was for eighteen months
employed by the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany as helper at the forge hammer. He
then returned to England, where he was con-
nected with the Seaman & Martin furnace
as heater. Coming again to America he had
charge of the Seaman & Martin furnace at
Joliet, 111., for about one year, after which he
returned to Steelton, and took charge of No.
1 forging hammer. He was gradually pro-
moted to thesuperintendency of different de-
partments. He has held his present respon-
sible position for the past ten years. Mr.
Downs is a Republican, and is treasurer of
the Fourth Ward Republican Club. He is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. &
A. M., of Harrisburg. He was married, De-
cember 25, 1883, to Miss Amelia G., daugh-
ter of Rev. Jacob Miller, of Wilmington,
Del. They have two children, Nelson Mil-
ler and Thomas Watson. Mr. and Mrs.
Downs are members of St. Stephen's Episco-
pal church, Harrisburg.
and was educated at the Gymnasium at
Wesel, Germany, and at the Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., where he
was graduated in civil engineering. In
1886 he engaged with the Pittsburgh Bridge
Company as designer and remained with
the company two years. He was next
employed at the Snead & Co. Iron Works,
Louisville, Ky., and later by the Penn
Bridge Company, Beaver Falls, Pa. After
this he engaged as assistant on the con-
struction of the Cairo bridge across the
Ohio river, the St. Louis merchants' bridge
across the Mississippi, and other important
structures; being stationed at this period
at the Union Bridge Company's Works,
Buffalo, N. Y., and Athens, Pa., and at the
Edgemoor Bridge Works, Wilmington, Del.
In December, 1890, at the organization of
the bridge and construction department of
the Pennsylvania Steel Company, Steelton,
he was appointed to the position of engineer
and in the spring of 1891 was placed in
charge of the department. Some of the
notable structures erected by the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company under his supervision
include the steel arch span across the Ni-
agara, replacing the old railway suspension
bridge ; a double track bridge across the har-
bor of Duluth, Minn., including one of the
heaviest draw spans in existence ; the Lake
Roland elevated railway, running through
the heart of Baltimore, and a bridge across
the Norwalk river at South Norwalk, Conn.,
including the first four track draw span
built in this country.
Mr. Reynders was married, in 1894, to
Miss Clare, daughter of Dr. S. T. Charlton,
of Harrisburg. They have one child, J. V.
W. Reynders, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Reynders
are members of the Pine street Presbyterian
church, Harrisburg. His politics are inde-
pendent. He is a member of the American
Society of Civil Engineers, the Engineers'
Club, of Philadelphia, and the Harrisburg
Club.
Reynders, J. V. W., superintendent of the
bridge and construction department, Penn-
sylvania Steel Company, was born in Ho-
boken, N. J., December 17, 1866. He is a
son of John and Louise (Sellers) Reynders,
McEntee, Thomas T., superintendent of
the open hearth department, Pennsylvania
Steel Company, was born in Lancaster
county, Pa., March 28, 1861. He is, a son
of Peter and Catherine (Lynch) McEntee.
The family removed from Lancaster county
to Perry county, and in 1872 to Harris-
burg, Dauphin county. Pa. Peter McEntee
was a keeper in the blast furnace. He died
in Steelton in 1879; his wife died in 1890.
DA UPEIN GO UNTY .
995
Thomas T. McEntee was twelve years of age
when he came with his parents to Dauphin
county. He attended "the public schools
and made his beginning of work in the
Minnick brickyard. In 1873 he came to
Steelton, and was employed by the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company as a laborer in the
open hearth department. He was gradu-
ally promoted until he was made superin-
tendent of that department in 1890. Mr.
McEntee was married, in 1886, to Miss Mary,
daughter of Simon Quinn, a native of Mary-
land, and a resident of Steelton. The}' have
tliree children : Bernard, Thomas, and Marie.
Mr. McEntee is a stockholder in the Harris-
burg Trust Company. His politics are
Democratic. The family are members of
St. James' Catholic church.
Campbell, Harky Huse, general superin-
tendent of the works of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company, was born in Boston, Mass.
His education, obtained in the Boston schools,
was supplemented by a course in the Massa-
chusetts Institute of Technology, Boston ;
from this celebrated school he received a de-
gree in 1879. He came at once to Steelton,
engaged with the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany, and has since that time been continu-
ously in its employ. He has served in vari-
ous capacities in the Bessemer and open
hearth departments, and was in charge of
the latter department for some time. From
1889 to 1893 he was assistant superintendent
of the works ; he was then made general
superintendent, which position he still holds.
Mr. Campbell's rapid advancement to respon-
sible positions can be accounted for only by
taking into account his rare combination of
qualities. Eminent mechanical, scientific
and literary talents, coupled with industry,
fidelity, ambition and enthusiasm in the cul-
tivation and practical use of his endowments,
have carried him safely and rapidly on in
his remarkable career. The position ac-
corded him by the great company he repre-
sents is a certificate of his mechanical and
scientific equipment. His standing as a
writer is even more prominent. His scien-
tific articles, especially those on metallurgical
topics, find ready acceptance and speedy pub-
lication in the leading journals of the country.
His thesis on the " Open Hearth Process," read
in August, 1893, in Chicago, at the meeting
of the American Institute of Mining Engi-
neers, of which he is a member, attracted
world-wide attention, and gave him rank
among the leading metallurgists of the age.
Mr. Campbell is not merely a shop and book
man, but is felt as a power in social circles.
In politics he is a Republican. He has been
a member of the borough council of Steelton
since 1890, and president of that body since
1894.
Caldek, a. Russell, superintendent of the
manufacture of special steel in the open
hearth department, Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany, was born in Shippensburg, Pa., March
14, 1858. He is a son of Rev. James and
Ellen C. (Winebrenner) Calder. He was
brought up in Harrisburg and educated in
the public schools ; he was graduated in the
Pennsylvania State College in 1877, after
which he took a post graduate course in
science in the same institution. For five
years he was foreman in the wheel depart-
ment of the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing
Company. In 1883 he came to Steelton and
entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company, Basic Bessemer department.
In 1889 he was superintendent of the open
hearth department. Since that year he has
been superintendent of the manufacture of
special steels. Mr. Calder is a stockholder
in the Harrisburg Trust Company. His
politics are Republican. He was married, in
1889, to Miss M. Alice, daughter of A. R.
Hess, of Steelton. He is a trustee of the Free
Will Baptist church, Fourth and State streets,
Harrisburg, and a director of the Steelton
Y. M. C. A.
Mauk, Samuel T., undertaker and funeral
director, Steelton, was born in Mechanics-
burg, Cumberland county. Pa. He is a son
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Humberg) Mauk,
who are referred to in another place in this
volume. His early life was spent under the
paternal roof, and his education was re-
ceived in the public schools of his native
town and in the Business College of Harris-
burg, Pa. He has been engaged in the busi-
ness of undertaking since he left school, hav-
ing received his first training from his
father. He is also a graduate of the F. A.
Solomon Embalming School, of Harrisburg,
his certificate of proficiency bearing the
date of July 28, 1891. He has also a di-
ploma from the Clark School of Embalm-
ing, Philadelphia, dated the same 5'ear.
Early in 1895 Mr. Mauk established his
business in Steelton. By strict personal at-
tention to the requirements of his art, he has
996
BIOGRAFHIOAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
secured a patronage which would be credi-
table to older houses. His establishment is
tastefully fitted up and furnished with all
needful modern appliances. He has in
stock a full line of funeral furnishing goods,
and is able to meet the various tastes and
needs of his patrons, from the most elaborate
and costly outfittings to gratify the wealthy
to the simplest supply for the slenderest
purse. And withal, to rich and poor alike,
are given the decorous, regardful and sym-
pathetic services of the trained and efficient
director, Mr. Mauk. He attends the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and is not married.
Keller, Edward C, senior member of
the firm of Keller & Mumma, hardware mer-
chants, Steeltou, was born in Harrisburg,
Pa., August 22, 1865. He is a son of Valen-
tine and Catherine (Fox) Keller. Valentine
Keller was born in Germany. He received
his education and was married in his native
country. He was a master mechanic. He
came to America and settled at Harrisburg,
where he spent his life and where he died in
1881. His wife, Catherine Fox, was also
born in Germany and came with her hus-
band to America. She resides in Harrisburg.
Four of their nine children are living:
William V., physician. Stony Point, N. Y.;
Edward C; Louis E., a prominent manufac-
turer, of New York City; and Dorothy.
Edward C. Keller received his education
in the schools and the Business College of
Harrisburg, From early life he was in the
hardware business as salesman with Keller
& Son. In 1888 he became clerk in the
hardware establishment of Dunkle & Sons,
Steelton. One year later he was promoted to
manager. The year following he became
junior partner in the firm, and two years later
the present firm was constituted, of which
he is senior partner. Mr. Keller is at present
secretary of the Steelton Electric Light, Heat
and Power Company. He is a Republican
and has served three years as school director.
Mr. Keller was married, in Harrisburg, Sep-
tember 12, 1886, to Annie, daughter of the
late William Buehler, one of the old settlers
of Harrisburg. They have three children ;
two died in infancy ; the surviving child is
William D. He and his wife attend St.
J.ohn's church. Mr. Keller belongs to Cap-
ital City Castle, No. 40, K. of G. E.; to Sus-
quehanna Tribe, No. 298, 1. 0. R. M., and
to the I. 0. 0. F., of Steelton.
Snavely, William J., cashier, Steelton
National Bank, was born near Boiling
Springs, Cumberland county. Pa., July 10,
1861. He is a son of John and Susan (Gish)
Snavely. John Snavely was born in Bis-
marck, Lebanon county, Pa., but had resided
in Cumberland county some years before his
son William J. was born. He was for the
greater part of his life a farmer, but since
1875 has resided in Steelton. He has reached
the age of seventy-three; Mrs. Snavely, who'
was a native of Hummelstown, Dauphin
county, is seventy-one years old. They had
eleven children, of whom nine are living :
Catherine, wife of Samuel Plouse, Camp-
bellstown. Pa.; Matilda, wife of Arthur
Young, Philadelphia, Pa.; Lera-Belle, wife
of Joseph B. Hummel, Steelton, Pa.; John
H., dentist, Steelton; Williarn J.; Carrie,
wife of Jonah B. Diffenderfer, referred to
elsewhere in this volume ; Bertha G., Minnie
B., and Ora A. One child died in infancy ;
George W. enlisted in company A, Twen-
tieth Pennsylvania cavalry, and died in
Anderson ville prison.
William J. Snavely, when but a child,
left his native county with his parents, who
located in Hockersville ; five years later .
they removed to Hummelstown, and five
years after that to Manheim, Pa., where he
remained until 1884. He was educated in
the public schools of Hummelstown and
Manheim. In June, 1884, he removed to
Lincoln, Pa., and was cashier of the Lincoln
National Bank until December, 1886. He
then came to Steelton, and has since that
date been cashier of the Steelton National
Bank, efficiently performing the duties of
that position. He has been secretary and
treasurer of the Middletown, Highspire and
Steelton Street Railway Company since its
organization. Mr. Snavely is a Republi-
can, but votes for men rather than for party.
He has served two years as school director
of Steelton. He was married, in Duncan-
non. Pa., August 1, 1889, to Miss Carrie J.,
daughter of Hugh and Ellen (Lightner)
Wilson, of Landisburg, Perry county. They
have no children. At the age of twelve
Mr. Snavely began to fight the battles of
life for himself. The important positions
he has filled have been won by his own in-
defatigable exertions.
Wilt, Harry, furniture dealer and funeral
director, was born in Fairview township,
Cumberland county, Pa., January 2, 1854.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
997
He is a son of William and Sarah (Smith)
Wilt. His father now resides in New Cum-
berland, Cumberland county; his mother
died August 7, 1882. Up to the age of
twelve years he spent his life at home,
receiving the advantages of a good public
school education in his native township. In
1870 he began a three years' apprenticeship
at cabinet making, in Blaine, Perry county,
after which, in 1873, he went to Manchester,
York county, and worked at his trade two
years as journeyman. In 1875 he engaged in
the furniture and undertaking business on
his own account, at New Cumberland, Pa.;
he carried on the business successfully at
that place for eight years. Since March,
1888, he has been a continuous resident of
Steelton, and is one of- the enterprising and
successful business men of tlie place. Mr.
Wilt was married, in York county. Pa., De-
cember 24, 1874, to Lydia A., daughter of
Michael Gross, born in Manchester, York
county. They have had seven children,
all sons, one of whom, Samuel, died in in-
fancy. The living children are : Eussell G.,
Lee G., Robert G., Harry, Chester, and Frank.
Mr. Wilt is an active member of the Hepta-
sophs, and of the Independent Order of Red
Men. His politics are Republican. He at-
tends St. John's Lutheran church.
Peters, D. Augustus, pharmacist, Steel-
ton, Pa., was born in Florin, Lancaster
county. Pa., August 27, 1865. He is a son
of Rev. Lewis and Cassadella (Ranck) Peters.
Rev. Lewis Peters spent his early life in the
ministry of the United Brethren church..
He died at New Holland, Lancaster county,
March 8, 1893. His remains are interred in
Baldwin cemetery, Steelton. His wife survives,
residing in Steelton. Their three children are
all living : Dr. Jacob M. Peters, referred to else-
where in this volume ; D. Augustus ; and
Minnie A., wife of John P. Knisely, a prom-
inent grocer of Steelton, a sketch of whom
appears elsewhere in this volume. D. Au-
gustus Peters being the son of a minister, his
early life was of necessity migratory. Most
of his primary education was obtained in the
public schools of Harrisburg, Pa. He sub-
sequently pursued a course of study in the
Lebanon Valley College. In 1888 he went
to Lancaster, where for three years he was
clerk in the drug store of John F. Long's
Sons. In 1886 he entered tiie Philadelphia
College of Pharmacy, and was graduated
with the class of 1887. In May of the same
year he opened a pharmacy in Steelton, and
has since resided continuously in that
borough, ranking to-day among the leading
and successful business men of the commu-
nity. He was married, in Harrisburg, Oc-
tober 4, 1887, to Nora L., daughter of Joseph
G. and Eva Wharton, of Harrisburg. They
have two children, Eva Luella and Howard
Lewis. Mr. Peters belongs to Peace and
Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. 0. 0. F., Harris-
burg ; Baldwin Commandery, No. 108, K. of
M., Steelton ; and Moro Castle, No. 163, K.
of G. E. He is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs.
Peters attend the United Brethren church.
Smith, Fredeeick E., the genial proprietor
of the Central Hotel, the leading hotel of
Steelton, was born in Blina, South Wales,
G. B., February 5, 1868. He is a son of
Henry and Emma (Hilliard) Smith. Henry
Smith was born and educated in Great Brit-
ain. He came to America after his marriage
and settled at Harrisburg. He was connected
■ with the Lochiel rolling mill for eight years,
and from 1875 until his death, February 1,
1894, was continuously in the service of the
Pennsylvania Steel Company, at Steelton.
He was a thoroughly practical meclianic and
an honorable, upright man, who enjoyed the
esteem and good will of all who knew him.
His memory will long be cherished. His
wife survives, residing in Steelton. Nine of
their ten children are living : John, who re-
sides in his native land; Mary A., wife of
Luke Butt, of Columbia, Pa.; Henry 0., of
Steelton ; Julia, wife of John Butt, of Leba-
non, Pa.; Emily, wife of 0. C. Nace, of Har-
risburg; Rhoda, wife of John F. Bogner, of
Steelton; Alfred, of Columbia, Pa.; Frede-
rick E., and Bella, in Steelton, teacher in the
public schools.
Frederick E. Smith, at the age of fifteen
months was brought by his parents to Amer-
ica. He lived with them in Harrisburg
until April, 1877; since that date he has
been a continuous resident of Steelton. He
was educated in the public schools of Harris-
burg and Steelton. He was subsequently in
the employ of the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany, at Steelton, for seven years. At the
expiration of that time he became proprietor
of the Central Hotel. He has since continued
to conduct it with success. Mr. Smith has
recently built a large addition to his hotel,
and has refurnished it throughout, making
it one of the most comfortable hostelries in
Dauphin county. His generous provision
998
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
for the wants of the inner and outer man
are not surpassed by many more pretentious
houses. Mr. Smith was married, in Harris-
burg, to Olive Alleman, daughter of S. S. and
Mary A. Handshoe. They have had three chil-
dren : Lyle A., died at Jhe age of eight years ;
Floyd L., accidentally killed by the electric
street cars in front of his father's residence ;
and Hazel L., the only living child. He
is a Republican and attends the Methodist
church.
Benton, Rev. Gilbert Liguori, the be-
loved rector of St. James' church, Steelton,
Pa., was born in Newry, Blair county, Pa.,
December 10, 1857. He is a son of Frank
H. and Elizabeth (Christy) Benton. In 1867
he removed with his parents to Renovo,
Clinton county. Pa., and obtained his ele-
mentary education in the public schools of
that town. He subsequently attended St.
Vincent's College, near Latrobe, Pa., and
after completing a thorough collegiate course
in that institution, he entered St. Bona-
venture Seminary, Allegany, Cattaraugus
county, N. Y., where he took his philosoph-
ical and theological courses. On December
21, 1882, he received the "minor orders" in
the Cathedral at Buffalo, N. Y. He was or-
dained to the sub-deaconship December 23,
1882, at the Seminary of our Lady of Angels,
Suspension Bridge, Niagara county, N. Y.,
and to the deaconship, December 24, 1882,
at the Cathedral, in the city of Buffalo,
N. Y., by the Right Rev. Stephen V. Ryan,
Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, N. Y., and
continued his studies at the above named
seminary until January 24, 1883. On this
date he was ordained to the priesthood in
St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, Harrisburg, Pa.,
by the Right Rev. J. F. Shanahan, Bishop
of the Diocese of Harrisburg. On February
3, 1883, he was appointed to the assistant
rectorship of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, at
Mount Carmel, Pa. A little over four
months later, June 22, 1883, he was ap-
pointed assistant rector of the Pro-Cathedral
at Harrisburg. November 1, 1883, he was
removed to Sylvan Pleights Seminary, and
was professor of Sacred Liturgy there until
July 8, 1884; he was then re-appointed to
the assistant rectorship of the Pro-Cathedral
at Harrisburg. He remained in Harrisburg
until October 1, 1887, when he was appointed
to the rectorship of St. James' church, Steel-
ton, his present charge.
Newcomer, Samuel S., merchant tailor,
Steelton, Pa., was born in Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland county. Pa., November 9; 1861.
He is a son of John and Lucy (Shun) New-
comer. John Newcomer was born near
Fairview, Pa., May 13, 1833. He is a car-
penter, and has spent his life in Cumber-
land county ; he is still an honored resident
of Mechanicsburg. His wife died at Me-
chanicsburg, March 25, 1895. Of their seven
children, three are now living : Samuel S.,
Frank, of Steelton, and Annie, wife of Ira
Ryder, of Mechanicsburg.
Samuel S. Newcomer spent his boyhood at
Mechanicsburg, and was educated in the
public schools of that place. Leaving school
he came to Harrisburg and served an ap-
prenticeship at tailoring. He afterwards
worked at his trade as a journeyman, first in
Harrisburg and later in Pottsville and in
New York. He located in Steelton on Jan-
uary 15, 1889, and engaged in business for
himself He has since been a continuous
resident of this borough, and has built up a
large and rapidly increasing trade. Mr.
Newcomer was married, in Steelton, Janu-
ary 10, 1889, to Phoebe M., daughter of Jacob
and Elizabeth Eckert,born in Elizabeth town,
Lancaster county, Pa., and at the date of her
marriage a resident of Steelton. They have
one child, Ruth Antoinette, born July 31,
1893. Mr. Newcomer is a member in good
standing of Steelton Lodge, No. 184, I. 0. 0.
F.; of Washington Camp, No. 164, P. 0. S. of A.,
Mechanicsburg ; of Moro Castle, No. 163, K.
of G. E., Steelton. He is a Republican. Mr.
and Mrs. Newcomer attend St. John's Evan-
gelical church, of Steelton.
SouLLiARD, John H., was born in Ches-
ter county. Pa., June 10, 1852. He is a son
of Lewis and Louisa (Fraulinger) SouUiard.
Lewis Soulliard was born in France, Jan-
uary 1, 1815. He came to this country in
1850, located at a place in Chester county,
and then returned to France for his family.
He is a forgeman, and has followed that vo-
cation from boyhood. He was married, in
France, to Louisa Fraulinger. They have
twelve children, six of whom were born in
France, and six in America ; nine are living :
Louis ; George ; Joseph ; Frederick ; John H.;
Sybilla, wife of Fred. Stauter, of Altoona,
Pa.; James, of Chicago ; Charles, and Rev.
Aaron. The children deceased are : Louisa,
wife of Aaron Stine, died November, 1868,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
999
aged thirty years ; Kate, and Frances. In
making his several trips Mr. Soulliard was
seventy-two weeks on the water. He is in good
health, at the age of eighty-one, and resides
in Lebanon, Pa. His wife died in May,
1888, aged seventy-two. She was a faithful
mother and a devout Christian, a member
of the Lutheran church.
John H. Soulliard was brought when a
child to Lebanon county, where he received
a limited education in the public schools.
He learned house painting, and worked at
that trade for eight years. He afterwards
worked at butchering with Mr. Reily Ring-
ler, at Lebanon, for one year, after which he
found employnient at Middletown, Pa.
Since 1872 Mr. Soulliard has been employed
at the Pennsylvania Steel Works. He was
made runner boy, and held that position for
sixteen years. Subsequently he was em-
ployed in other capacities, and was at last
promoted to the Bessemer department. He
is also auctioneer, and is occasionally em-
ployed in that capacity. Mr. Soulliard was
married, November 5, 1872, to Miss Eva
Hartig, daughter of Christian and Barbara
(Stroval) Hartig. They have eight children :
John M., married Miss Lydia Smith ; Louisa,
Adam ; Fred, and Daniel, twins ; Sarah and
William, twins; and Charles. Mr. Soulliard
is a member of several Steelton societies.
His politics are Republican. The family are
members of the Roman Catholic church.
Mrs. Soulliard was born November 23,
1855, in Lancaster county. Her father.
Christian Hartig, was born in Germany,
and came to this country when a boy. He
was killed, Jujy 5, 1872, by being struck by
a fast train while he was walking on the
railroad track. His age was forty -two years.
His wife, Barbara Stroval, was also a native
of Germany. She resides at Highland, Dau-
phin county ; her age is sixty-three. Five
of their eight children are living: Eva, Mrs.
Soulliard ; Adam, John, Frederick, and
Maggie, Mrs. Isaac Houck. Their deceased
children are : Louisa, wife of Daniel Day-
lor; Christian, and Mary. The grandpar-
ents were both natives of Germany ; the
grandmother died in her native land. Chris-
tian, the grandfather, served in the revolu-
tionary war in Germany. He came to this
countr}' in early life, and had been in the
hotel business in his native land prior to
coming to America, but sold out when his
wife died. He settled here, in Lancaster
county, with his daughter, Eva Fohlinger.
He was a member of the Roman Catholic
church, and died at an advanced age.
Fisher, Charles Frederick William,
Harrisburg, Pa., was born at Siaux, Ger-
many, September 25, 1835. He is a son of
Christian and Lora (Miller) Fisher. His
paternal grandfather was engaged in the
grocery business and his maternal grand-
father was a farmer. Christian Fisher,
father of Charles F. W., was born in Ras-
shan, Germany. He was a stonemason. His
wife, Lora Miller, was a native of Albro,
Germany. Of their family of seven chil-
dren, two are living, Ernest and Charles F.
W. Their deceased children are: Caroline,
Rosanna, Minnie, and two who died in in-
fancy. Christian Fisher died in March,
1841, aged fifty-four; his wife died in July,
1862, aged sixty-five. They were both
members of the Lutheran church.
Charles Frederick W. Fisher received a
limited education in his native country,
his school days having been shortened by
his yielding to an inclination to learn
a trade. He chose that of a miller
and followed that occupation for forty
years. Mr. Fisher came with his fam-
ily to the United States in 1882, and was
employed at his trade in various places. In
1887 he came to Harrisburg, Pa., where he
was employed for nine years in the flour
mill of John HofFer. Mr. Fisher bought
the farm lately owned by Mr. Cassel and
known as Cassel's tannery, in Swatara town-
ship, to which he removed, and where he
now resides, engaged in farming. He was
married, February 5, 1865, to Miss Amelia,
daughter of Colonel and Julia (Bottgar)
Shoeman, natives of Saxenburg, Germany.
They have had seven children, of whom
five are living: Frederick; Helena, wife of
George Kishman ; Sidonia, Charles, and
Mary. Their deceased children are : Paul,
died March 7, 1887, aged nineteen; Eliza-
beth, died in infancy. Mrs. Fisher was
born August 3, 1835. Her parents were
both born in Saxenburg; her father was a
miller. They had six children, of whom
five are living : Emilia ; Nathalie ; Charles ;
Amelia, wife of Mr. Fisher; Moritz, and
Earnest. Graf, a step-brother of Mrs.
Fisher, came to America before 1882 and
has not been heard from since. Any in-
formation concerning him would be gladly
1000
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
received. Mrs. Fisher's father died at the
age of thirty-five years, and her mother at
the age of seventy-eight.
resides in Lebanon county. Mr. Kuntz is a
Democrat. He is a member of the German
Bapt'st church.
Kuntz, John B., farmer, Hummelstown,
was born in Dauphin county, Pa., February
28, 1838. He is a son of Jacob and Eliza-
beth (Bordlemay) Kuntz. Wendel Bordle-
may, his maternal grandfather, was a native
of Germany. He had a family of seven chil-
dren, all now deceased : Henry, died in 1886
David, died in 1890 ; Jacob, deceased ; John
Catherine, wife of Henry Gerberich, deceased
Sarah, wife of a Mr. Bordlemay, and Eliza-
beth, Mrs. Kuntz, who was born in Lebanon
county. Her husband, Jacob Kuntz, was
born in Dauphin county, and was a shoe-
maker. They had these children: Cathe-
rine, wife of Samuel Reed ; Sarah, wife of
Daniel Kline ; John B. Mr. Jacob Kuntz
was a Democrat. He was a member of the
Baptist, and his wife of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Kuntz died in February, 1880, aged
seventy-four. Mrs. Kuntz died in Septem-
ber, 1884, aged sixty-two ; both died in Dau-
phin county. John B. Kuntz received his
education in the public schools of Dauphin
county. At the end of his school days he
was engaged as a hired hand at farming for
about ten years. In 1860 he took his
father's farm in East Hanover township, and
cultivated it on his own account for eight
years. He was then for two years on the
farm of John Keim, from which he removed
to West Hanover township, to the land of
John Lenkers, which he occupied for a year.
In 1872 Mr. Kuntz removed to the farm of
John Backstow, in the same township, which
he cultivated for twelve years. In 1882 he
bought the farm formerly owned by John
Eshelman, to which he removed two years
later, and which since that date he has been
engaged in tilling. John B. Kuntz was mar-
ried, in Derry township, March 1, 1859; to
Susan, daughter of Isaac Failor. They have
four children : Clara, wife of Daniel Saulbach ;
Sarah, wife of William Demmy ; Laura, wife
,of John Gingerich, and WiUiam. Mrs. Kuntz
was born in 1840. Her parents were both
natives of Lebanon county, and were farmers.
Their children are: John; William; Susan,
wife of John B. Kuntz ; Sarah, wife of a Mr.
Long ; Isabella, wife of John William Rine.
Mr. Isaac Light died in January, 1882, aged
seventy-four. Mrs. Light survives him, and
Flowees, Thomas, was born in Rapho
township, Lancaster county, Pa., May 5, 1830.
He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Davis)
Flowers. Henry Thomas was born in Berks
county, Pa., and was a farmer. His wife
was Catherine Davis, and was born in Lan-
caster county. Pa. They had twelve chil-
dren, six of whom are living : John ; Henry ;
Catherine, wife of Jacob Lehman; Jacob,
Thomas, and Christian. Their deceased
children are : Marian, died aged seventy-six ;
Fannie, deceased, was the. wife of Daniel
Messerman ; Henrietta ; and three who died
in infancy. Mr. Henry Flowers died in
July, 1856, aged seventy-five years; his wife
died in 1847, at the age of fifty-five. They
were members of the Catholic church. Both
died in Lebanon county.
Thomas Flowers was educated partly in
Lancaster and partly in Lebanon county;
but his school advantages were limited. He
left school young, and until he was eighteen
years old was engaged in chopping wood at
the Clearbrook furnace for Mr. Coleman,
after which he was for three years engaged
in farming. At the age of twenty-one he
left Lebanon county and came to Dauphin
county, where he continued farming. After
his marriage Mr. Flowers farmed for some
time in Conewago township, and then bought
a small farm near Carapbellstown, Lebanon
county, on which he lived for twelve years.
Then for seven years he was engaged in
farming at Chambers Hill, Swatara town-
ship; thence he removed to Stoverdale,
where he lived retired for seven years. In
1896 he purchased the large farm lately
owned by J. Allwine, in Swatara township,
where he has resumed the active life of the
fanner. Thomas Flowers was married, at
Hershey's church, August 15, 1855, to Miss
Leah, daughter of Samuel and Barbara
(Minich) Shoop. Their children are : Meno,
and Leah, wife of Henry P. Etmoyer.
Mrs. Flowers was born April 6, 1832. Her
parents were natives of Dauphin county, and
were farmers. Three of their seven children
are living: Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Crura,
deceased ; Leah, Mrs. Flowers ; and Samuel.
Their deceased children are: Polly, died
April 28, 1894, aged seventy-three; Barbara,
died February 2, 1854, aged twenty-three.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1001
Mr. Shoop, the father of Mrs. Flowers, died
October 23, 1872, aged seventy-six years ;
aad Mrs Shoop died November 18, 1876, at
the age of eighty ; both died in Dauphin
county.
Rutherford, W. F., was born in Swatara
township, Dauphin county. Pa., December
7, 1839. He is a son of Abner and Ann
(Espy) Rutherford. Thomas Rutherford, the
ancestor of the Rutherford family in America,
wasborn in Cookton, county Tyrone, Ireland,
January 24, 1707. He was a farmer and
came to the United States in 1728, landing
at Philadelphia. He was married, September
7, 1730, to Miss Jane, daughter of John and
Agnes Murdoch. They had twelve children :
Agnes, died in 1735, aged four years ; Elea-
nor, died aged sixty-four, was first the wife
of William Wilson, who died ; her second
husband was John Davidson ; Jane, wlio was
the wife of Thomas Mays, and went to North
Carolina, where both died ; John ; Thomas,
died in infancy, in 1739 ; Agnes, died in 1813,
aged seventy- three, was the wife of a Mr.
Dunlap, who died, and she was again mar-
ried, to William Gray ; a second Thomas,
was killed by the falling of a tree, January
8, 1760, when he was sixteen years old ; Mary,
went to North Carolina, where she died ;
Elizabeth, died October, 1745, in her infancy;
James, died March 6, 1809, aged sixty-one ;
Samuel, died May 2, 1785, aged thirty-five,
was a soldier in the Revolution ; Elizabeth
was married three times, first to Patrick Gal-
loway, secondly, to Patrick Harbison, and
thirdly, to Thomas Archibald, with whom
she went South, where both died.
John Rutherford, son of Thomas, and
great-grandfather of W. F. Rutherford, was
born in Donegal township, Lancaster county.
Pa., February 16, 1737; son of Thomas and
Jane (Murdoch) Rutherford, both natives of
Ireland. He was educated in the schools of
his native township, and was a farmer He
was married, February- 4, 1762, to Miss Mar-
garet Park, by whom he had seven children :
Jane, died February 28, 1807, aged forty-three
years, wife of Samuel Hutchinson ; Martha,
died August 27, 1849, aged eighty-four, was
the wife of Capt. James Collier, a soldier of
the Revolution; Thomas, died October 15,
1793, aged twenty-five ; Samuel, died No-
vember 26, 1833, aged sixty-four; Mary, died
August 17, 1863, aged ninety-one, was the
wife of Robert Gray, a soldier of the Revolu-
tion ; John, died May 1, 1832, aged fifty-eight ;
and William. Mr. Rutherford besides being
a farmer was also in public life, having held
office in 1776-77. In later years he fought
against the Indians. He died October 1,
1804, aged sixty-seven. Margaret, his wife,'
died January 18, 1810, aged seventy-three
years. Both were members of the Paxtang
Presbyterian church, and both are buried
there.
William Rutherford, son of John and
grandfather of W. F. Rutherford, was born
in Swatara township, Dauphin county, Au-
gust 4, 1776, and was educated in the old
Paxtang school house, under the instruction
of Master Allen. He was a farmer. He was
in the militia, and filled all offices from
lieutenant to that of colonel. In 1816 he was
ciiosen one of the directors of the poor of
Dauphin county. He was also a member of
the Legislature from 1819 to 1821, and again
from 1829 to 1831. Mr. William Rutherford
was married, March 17, 1801, to Miss Sarah,
daughter of William and Martha (Renick)
Swan. They had ten children, of whom
the only one now living is Dr. Hiram
Rutherford, of Oakland, 111. Their de-
ceased children are: John P., died May
12, 1871, aged sixty-nine years ; Martha,
October 20, 1851, aged forty-seven ; Will-
iam W., March 13, 1873, aged sixty-seven ;
Margaret, June 7, 1889, aged eighty; Sam-
uel, March 26, 1872, aged sixty-one ; Sarah,
March 28, 1873, aged sixty, was the wife
of Daniel Kendig; Abner; Mary, died
April 14, 1818, aged ten months; Cyrus,
killed by the limb of a tree falling on his
head, March 30, 1850, aged thirty years.
Mr. William Rutherford died January 17,
1850, aged seventy-three.
His son, Abner Rutherford, father of W.
F. Rutherford, was born in Dauphin county,
March 31, 1814. He was educated in Swa-
tara township, and principally at the old
school house at the Paxtang church. He
was a farmer. He was married, February
28, 1839, to Miss Ann Espy, born in Dauphin
county, August 13,1812; daughter of Will-
iam and Susan (Gray) Espy. They were
married by the Rev. James Sharon, who also
baptized them in their infancy. Thej' had
nine children, three of whom are living:
William F., Susan E,, and Ada Byron, wife
of Spencer F. Barber. Their deceased chil-
dren are : John M., died May 24, 1869, aged
twenty-eight; Susan E., May 5, 1846, aged
two years and seven months ; Sarah A., De-
cember 21, 1883, aged thirty-eight, was the
1002
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wife of Dr. A. C. Renninger, also deceased ;
Abner, January 10, 1855, aged seven years;
Alice A., August 26, 1850, aged one year.
Abner Rutherford was engaged in farming
at Rutherford station, near Harrisburg, until
1868, when he retired. In 1835 Mr. Ruth-
erford was elected captain of the Tenth com-
pany, Ninety-eighth regiment, Pennsylva-
nia militia. He was one of the founders of
the State Agricultural Society. He filled
various offices in the township. Mr. Ruther-
ford was formerly a Whig, but became a
Republican when that party was organized.
He was for many years president of the
Hummelstown Bank, and held tbat position
at the time of his death. He was all his life
a member of the Paxtang Presbyterian
church. His death occurred September 2,
1890, at the age of seventy-six. His wife is
still living and is in good health at the ad-
vanced age of eighty -four. She is a consist-
ent member of the Paxtang Presbyterian
church. The mother of William F. Ruth-
erford was descended from the Espy family.
Its first American ancestor, George Espy,
was born in Ireland and died in 1761. He
came to America in 1729, and settled in'
Derry township, Lancaster, now Dauphin
county. He was married in Ireland to Miss
Jane Taylor. They had these children :
John, born in 1716 ; Josiah, born L718 ;
William, died in August, 1761, aged forty-
one years ; Mary, born in the north of Ire-
land in 1722, wifeof John Woods; Jane and
Elizabeth, twins, born in 1725 ; Elizabeth
was the wife of James Forster; James, born
in 1727, died in 1787 ; David, died in June,
1795, in Bedford, Pa., was a- prominent law-
yer ; George, born in 1732, and Anne, born
in 1736, wife of William Crane.
Josiah Espy, son of George, and maternal
great-great-grandfather of W. F. Rutherford,
was born in the north of Ireland in 1718,
and came with his parents from Ireland in
1729. They located in Hanover, Lancaster
county, now Lebanon county, where Josiah
died in 1762, aged forty-four years. He was
twice married, first to Miss Buell and after-
wards to Miss Elizabeth Crane. There is
no account of the separate issue of these
marriages, but by both there were these
children: Josiah; Susan, wife of John Pat-
ton ; Mary, died in 1818, aged seventy-three,
was the wife of James McClure ; Martha,
born in 1747, wife of Capt. Lazarus Stew-
art ; George, died in April, 1814, in Luzerne
county ; Priscilla, born in 1753 ; Robert, in
1755, and Samuel, in 1757.
Josiah Espy (2), maternal great-grand-
father of W. F. Rutherford, was born March
10, 1742, in Hanover, then Lancaster, now
Lebanon county. Pa., where he was reared
and educated. His chief occupation was
farming, at which he spent most of his life
in Dauphin county, Mr. Espy was married,
July 8, 1769, to Miss Ann, daughter of Will-
iam and Margaret Kirkpatrick. They had
these children : Margaret, died September
4, 1851, was the wife of Samuel Elder;
Priscilla, died September 29, 1845, wife of
Robert McClure ; Josiah, died April 13, 1811 ;
William ; James Snodgrass, died September
21, 1872, in Harrisburg, where he was one
of the leading merchants; Dr. John E.,
died April 26, 1831, at Harrisburg, where
he was a prominent physician.
William Espy, maternal grandfather of
W. F. Rutherford, was born June 2, 1776,
was educated in the schools of Paxtang and
was a farmer. He was married, June 2,
1807, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Joseph
and Elizabeth (Forster) Gray, Rev. James
R. Sharon officiating. They had three chil-
dren, of whom two are living : Elizabeth G.,
wife of Samuel Sharp, deceased, and Ann
Josiah, born December 22, 1809, died August
12, 1891, aged eighty-two years. Mr. Espy
retired in 1843 and removed to Harrisburg,
where he died July 28, 1850, aged seventy-
four. His wife died July 10, 1854, aged
seventy-two years. Both were members of
the Presbyterian church.
W. F. Rutherford received his primary
education in the schools of Swatara town-
ship, and afterwards attended the Mt.
Joy Academy, Lancaster county, for five
years. He subsequently engaged in farm-
ing, on the place on which he now lives.
In 1860 he taught school for one year. Mr.
Rutherford was married, in Swatara town-
ship, December 30, 1862, to Miss Adeline
M., daughter of John B. and Keziah (Park)
Rutherford, Rev. A. D. Mitchell performing
the ceremony. Of their nine children seven
are living: Annie E., Richard, Jane D.,
Adeline M., Marshall, Keziah P., and Don-
ald. Their deceased children are: Flor-
ence, died in 1864, an infant, and Helen P.,
died August 29, 1889, aged twenty-three
years. Mr. Rutherford is a Republican and
in 1864 was elected school director, and
served three years. He has also served as
DAVPMIN GOtTNTl\
1003
assessor. He has been connected with the
Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society for
about thirty years and has been its treasurer
for the past three years. He is a member of
the Paxtang Presbyterian church and is
secretary of the board of trustees of that
church. Mrs. William F. Rutherford was
born March 22, 1839. Her father, John B.
Rutherford, was born in Dauphin county
and was a farmer by occupation. He was
married, March 19, 1833, by Rev. James
Latta, to Miss Keziah Park, daughter of
Col. James and Mary Park, and cele-
brated their golden wedding March 19,
1883. Their family of eight children are
all living, and are as follows : Mary L., wife
of James McClure ; Eliza Jane, wife of Rev.
Samuel Dickey ; Adeline, Mrs. Rutherford ;
Samuel P., married to Eliza R. Bunn ; John
Q. A., married to Margaret B. Elder; Francis
W., married to Eleanor Elder; Keziah V., and
Marion Gertrude, wife of S. Ralston Dickey.
Mr. Rutherford spent his active life in
farming, from which he retired a few years
before his death. The Whig party elected
him to the Pennsylvania House of Repre-
sentatives, in which he served from 1845 to
1849. By the Republican party he was
elected in later time to the State Senate,
and served three years with distinguished
ability. He was treasurer of the Pennsyl-
vania State Agricultural Society for twenty-
five years. He also held various township
offices. Mr. Rutherford was a ruling elder in
Paxtang church for about fifty years. He
died October 10, 1892, aged eighty-six years.
His wife was born in Parksburg, Chester
county, October 28, 1810, and died July 28,
1885, aged seventy-four years.
RiEGBL, Samuel, was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., July 15, 1842 ; son of Jacob and
Matilda (Hummel) Riegel. His paternal
grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania.
The grandfather's occupation was hat manu-
facturer. On the maternal side the grand-
parents were Susan and John Hummel.
Jacob Riegel, father of Samuel Riegel, was
born in Dauphin county on May 6, 1810,
and died October 22, 1883, aged seventy-three
years, five months and sixteen days. He was
educated in the schools of the county and was
for forty years a blacksmith, but late in life
engaged in farming in South Hanover town-
ship. He was married to Miss Matilda,
daughter of John and Susan Hummel, also
a native of Dauphin county. They had ten
children, six of whom are living: Catherine,
wife of John M. Lowe ; Mary, wife of Jacob
Dimler ; Samuel, William, Jacob, and David.
Their deceased children are : Silas, died No-
vember 5, 1853, aged six years and nine days ;
John, died October 8, 1853, aged three years
and eighteen days; Caroline Ida, died June
16, 1869, aged five ypars and eight months,
and one that died in infancy, Elizabeth
Riegel, died 1860, aged six months and
twenty -two days.
Jacob Riegel was a Democrat and held
various offices; he was twice elected tax col-
lector and inspector in Lower Paxton and
South Hanover townships; in the same^
townships he had the rank of captain of
militia. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Riegel were
members of the Lutheran church. He died
October 22, 1883, aged seventy -three years ;
Mrs. Riegel died August 1, 1880, aged sixty-
one years, eleven months and twenty-three
days.
Samuel Riegel received his education in
the schools of Lower Paxton and South Han-
over townships and worked with his father
until he was twent\'-one. He enlisted Feb-
ruary 6, 1865, in company C, One Hundred
and Ninety-second regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, for one year's service and was
discharged August 24, 1865, the war having
ended. From this time for two years he con-
tinued farming. In 1868 he took up car-
pentry, at which he worked for three years.
He was then for five years in the service of
the Reading Railroad Company, and since
1872 has been engaged in farming. While
in the army Mr. Riegel learned the business
of auctioneering, which he has followed for
the past twenty years in connection with
farming. He is a member of James Hender-
son Post, No. 443, G. A. R., Hummelstown,
Pa. Mr. Riegel was married, April 7, 1863,
to Miss Sarah, daughter of George Washing-
ton and Catherine Cassel. They have had
seven children, of whom two are living:
Emma L., born April 6, 1867, wife of Harry
Snyder; Harry A., born December 14, 1877.
Their deceased children are : John W., born
July 19, 1864, was killed on the railroad
March 2, 1888 ; Mary E., born November 6,
1865, died January 13, 1882; Catherine,
born August 25, 1868, died September 9,
1868 ; Jacob, born December 12, 1871, died
April 12, 1872 ; David M., born January 15,
1875, died April 4, 1875. Mr. Riegel is a
Republican. The family are members of
the Lutheran church.
1004
BlOGRAPStVAL jSNUrC'JbOF^MA
Emma L., daughter of Mr. S. Riegel, was
married, October 26, 1889, to Harry E. Sny-
der. Thev have four children : Annie, born
January 17, 1888; Harry H.. July 27, 1891 ;
John F., October 4, 1892, and Meade S.,
March 11, 1896.
Mrs. Samuel Riegel was born April 19,
1841. Her parents were both natives of
Dauphin county. Her father, George W.
Cassel, was born November 2, 1806, and was
a farmer and butcher. He was married,
May 22, 1834, to Miss Catherine, daugh-
ter of Jacob and Sallie (Ewing) Cassel.
Their children are : Sarah, Mrs. Riegel ;
Sophia, born in 1843, wife of George Bow-
man ; Kate, born July 30, 1845, died August
2, 1846; Elizabeth, December 27, 1847, wife
of D. H. Bashore ; Louisa, January 15,1853,
wife of Jacob Gingerich. The mother died
October 3, 1865. Mr. Cassel was married
again, and his wife, who survives him, re-
sides in Harrisburg. Their one child was
May Rebecca, born March 24, 1867. Mr.
Cassel died September 11, 1876, aged seventy
years, eleven months and nine days. Mrs.
Riegel's grandfather, Jacob Cassel, was a
native of Dauphin county.
DiMLER, Philip, farmer, was born in Lan-
caster county. Pa., September 27, 1838 ; son
of John and Susan (Moyer) Dimler. John
Dimler also was born in Lancaster county,
and was a farmer. He removed to Dauphin
county in 1841, and engaged in farming, in
Swatara township. He filled important of-
fices. His death occurred in July, 1879 ; his
age was seventy-one years. He was married
to Susan Moyer, a native of Lancaster county.
Seven of their ten children are living:
Philip, Jacob, Eli, Benjamin, Richard,
Catherine, wife of Adam Morrow, and Eliza-
beth, wife of Reuben Bomgardner. Their
deceased children are : John ; Henry, died in
Lancaster county, aged two years. Mrs.
Dimler is in good health, at the age of
eighty-four years.
Philip Dimler received a limited educa-
tion in the Dauphin county schools. He re-
mained with his father, assisting him in
farm work, until he was twenty-four years of
age. In 1864 he married Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Peter and Kate (Shopp) Heck-
ert, born December 5, 1839. They have no
children. Mr. Dimler has always been en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits; gardening
and truck farming are a specialty of his busi-
ness. He is a Democrat, and has filled va-
rious township offices. He was elected super-
visor of Swatara township, and held that
office for three years. He is a leading man
in the community, and is highly esteemed.
Mr, Dimler is a member of the Lutheran
church.
Peter Heckert, Mrs. Dimler's father, was
born in Dauphin county. Pa., and was a
farmer. He was married to Miss Oatherine
Shaffer, a native of Dauphin county. Mr.
Heckert now resides in Linglestown, Pa.
Barber, Spencer F., farmer and dairy-
man of Swatara township, was born in
Union county, Pa., .January 22, 1855 ; son of
William B. and Agnes (Rezner) Barber.
His maternal grandfather, James Rezner,
was a farmer and married Miss Finney, by
whom he had six children : Robert ; Samuel ;
Agnes; Sarah, deceased, wife of Dr. Schuy-
ler ; Elizabeth, who married John B. Barber,
and died March 5, 1887 ; Susan, deceased,
wife of Thomas Pollock. William B., the
father, was born in Union county, Pa., May
8, 1830. He received such education as the
limited advantages of the schools of that day
afforded, and engaged in farming, spending
the greater part of his active life in that oc-
cupation. He was married in his native
county, February 9, 1854, to Miss Agnes
Rezner, born January 2, 1835 ; daughter of
James and Miss (Finney) Rezner. Their
children are: Spencer F.; Susan, wife of
Bernard Taylor, residing in Mifflinburg;
Mary Ann ; Fannie J.; Henrietta, wife of
James Caldwell and lives in Chester, Pa.;
James W., Grace, and Eva. The parents are
both members of the Presbyterian church.
Spencer F. was reared on his father's
farm and had the experiences which fall to
the lot of the ordinary farmer boy, of win-
ter schooling and summer working, both
needful and beneficial in fitting the boys for
the duties and responsibilities of subsequent
life. At the age of twenty-one years he
located in Luzerne county. Pa., and was
employed as a clerk in the store of J. F.
Barber & Co. for six months, after which he
was for one year put in charge of the books
of the firm. Subsequently he was employed
for two years by the Buck Mountain Coal
Company of Philadelphia, after which he
was in charge of the Stout Coal Company's
store at Milesville for one year, which posi-
tion he was compelled to resign on account
of failing health. He then spent one year
in traveling through the West, visiting
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1005
Denver, Col., Colorado Springs and other
important and interesting localities, and
after returning was for nine months in the
employ of Hail, Shenk & Co., Philadelphia,
as a traveling salesman. In the spring of
1883 lie relinquished all other pursuits and
settled down on the old homestead at Ruth-
erford station, on the Philadelphia and
Reading railroad, near Harrisburg, where
he has since had his home and been a
farmer and dairyman. In the latter branch
of business Mr. Barber is prominent and
easily a leader, keeping some of the best
blooded stock to be found in this part of the
State. In social life Mr. Barber occupies an
honorable position and enjoys the confi-
dence and esteem of his neighbors. Mr.
Barber removed from Luzerne county and
on October 5, 1882, was married to Miss
Ada B. Rutherford, daughter of Abuer
and Ann (Espy) Rutherford, by whom he
has four children : Ann E., William B.,
James R., and Nelson R. Mrs. Barber was
born in Swatara township, November 27,
1852. In his political sentiments and
views Mr. Barber is in harmony with the
Democratic party. He and his wife are
members of the Paxtang Presbyterian
church.
Allwine, Jonas, was born in London-
derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., July
21, 1845. He is a son of Jonas and Mary
(Barrick) Allwine. John Allwine, his pa-
ternal grandfather, was a farmer ; he mar-
ried in Lancaster county and reared a fam-
ily of seven children : Henry ; Savilla, wife
of John Hawn;, one, who is the wife of
John Aldinger, of Iowa ; Philip ; William ;
Louisa, wife of John Harvey, Springville,Pa.;
Jonas, deceased. Mr. John Allwine died
aged seventy-nine years; his wife died in
1869. The maternal grandfather of Jonas
Allwine, Jr., was born in Wurtemburg, Ger-
many, and came to this country at an early
day. He was a tailor, and continued
throughout life to work at that trade. He
married a native of Dauphin county. They
had three children : Elizabeth, wife of Peter
Hoffman, deceased ; Mary, deceased ; Wil-
liam.
Jonas Allwine, Sr., was born in August,
1820, and was engaged in farming and burn-
ing lime. He filled various township offices;
served ten years as supervisor of Swatara
township, and two terms as school director.
His wife was Mary Barrick. Of their seven
children two are living : Anna, wife of Mar-
tin Ebersole; and Jonas. Their deceased
children are : John, died in 1872, aged
thirty ; Lavinia, died in May, 1895, aged
thirty-seven; Edwin, twin of Lavinia, died
in 1863, aged three years; William and
Catherine both died in infancy. Mr. All-
wine died May 10, 1885, aged sixty -five
years and three months ; his wife died Au-
gust 6, 1888 ; both died at the house of their
son, Jonas. They were members of the Bap-
tist church, the father having united with
the church shortly before his death.
After completing his school education,
Joseph Allwine, Jr., was engaged in assist-
ing his father on the farm until he was
twenty-four ; he was also interested with his
father in the lime burning. Mr. Allwine
was married, July 31,1869, to Sarah, daugh-
ter of Conrad and Mary (Seltzer) Wagner,
born in East Hanover township, September
21, 1847. Their children are : Emma, Will-
iam H., John J., and Frank J. After his
marriage Mr. Allwine continued farming
and lirae burning, and was also in the coal
business for about eighteen years. During
the year 1876 he served on the police force
in Philadelphia, Pa., after which he resumed
his usual business, which he has since con-
tinued to prosecute without interruption.
Since 1877 he has regularly attended the
Harrisburg market. Mr. Allwine is a Re-
publican. In 1893 he was elected to the
office of supervisor of Swatara township,
served a few months, and then resigned.
Conrad Wagner, father of Mrs. Allwine,
was born in Lebanon county, Pa., and was a
farmer during the active years of his life ;
he has now retired from business. He mar-
ried Miss Mary Sellers, a native of Lebanon
county. They had seven children : Sarah,
Mrs. Allwine ; Catherine, wife of John
Suavely ; Mary, wife of Joseph Suavely ;
Amos; Emma, wife of John Baum ; Louisa,
died in 1869, aged twenty-three ; Elizabeth,
deceased, wife of Joseph Seltzer. Mr. and
Mrs. Wagner now reside at Union Deposit,
Pa. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. All-
wine was also named Conrad.
Hanshub, Elmer E., was born in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
June 25, 1868. He is a son of Jeremiah and
Vernina (Garnan) Hanshue. A sketch of
his parents appears elsewhere in this vol-
ume. Mr. Hanshue received his primary
education in the schools of Dauphin
1006
mOGRAPmcAL ET^CtCLOPSDIA
county, and afterwards attended the Blooms-
burg State Normal School for two terms,
during the years 1888 and 1889. He taught
school, after completing this course, for one
term in Swatara township. He then en-
gage in farming with his father, and con-
tinued until, in 1896, he began farming on
his own account. Mr. Hanshue was mar-
ried, at Middletown, Pa., November 28, 1895,
to Miss Martha E., daughter of Rev. Henry
N. and Sarah (Meyers) Shope. She was
born November 24, 1874. Her father, Rev.
Henry N. Shope, was born September 8,
1852, attended the schools of his county,
and spent his early life in farming and the
dairy business. For the last thirteen years
he has been in the ministry, and is still ac-
tively engaged in that sacred calling. He
was married, January 1, 1874, to Miss
Sarah, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Coble)
Meyers. They have seven children : Martha
E.,"Mrs. Hanshue; Harry M., Annie M.,
Sadie Bertha, Eli C, William B., and
Myrtle M. Henry Meyers, maternal grand-
father of Mrs. Hanshue, was born in Dau-
phin county. He was a school teacher and
farmer, and subsequently was a bishop in
his church for some years. His first mar-
riage was to Miss Sarah Ober, who died
without issue. Mr. Meyers' second marriage
was to Miss Sarah Coble, by whom he had
five children, four of whom are living :
Christ.; Barbara, wife of William Bates;
David, and Sarah, Mrs. Shope, born Februr
ary 28, 1852; Eli, died September 11, 1892.
Mrs. Sarah Meyers died in March, 1852,
aged thirty-five years. Mr. Meyers' third
wife was Miss Maria, daughter of Harry and
Barbara (Rimer) Zimmerman ; they had
two children : Simon B. and Ella M., wife of
Edward Shenk. Mr. Meyers died Septem-
ber 2, 1890, aged eighty-six years, eleven
months and one day. His wife is still liv-
ing at the age of sixty-six.
Nathaniel Shope, paternal grandfather of
Mrs. Hanshue, was educated in the public
schools, became a teacher, and later entered
the ministry. He was afterwards ordained
a bishop. Mr. Shope was married to Miss
Martha, daughter of Henry and Martha
(Bowman) Garman. Their children are :
Margaret, wife of Samuel Kohr, deceased;
Martha, wife of Adam Hocker ; Eliza, wife
of Samuel Zimmerman ; Henry, father of
Mrs. Hanshue ; Hettie, wife of David Mar-
tin ; Susan, wife of Jonas Zimmerman, de-
ceased; Sarah, wife of Daniel Kohr, and
Adam. Mr. Shope was a farmer up to the
time of his death, which occurred March 28,
1877, His wife died in October, 1892, aged
seventy-seven. Botb were members of the
Mennonite church.
Hanshue, Jekemiah, was born in Dau-
phin county, Pa., August 5, 1841 ; son of
Samuel and Catherine (Zimmerman) Han-
shue. His paternal and maternal grand-
parents were natives of Dauphin county,
and were farmers. His paternal grandpar-
ents had a family of five children. Samuel
Hanshue, father of Jeremiah Hanshue, was
born in Dauphin county, where he was edu-
cated and followed the occupation of farm-
ing. He married Miss Catherine Zimmer-
ma!i, born in Dauphin county. Their chil-
dren are : Susan, wife of Peter Shaffer ; Eliz-
abeth, wife of Joseph Hain ; William ; Sam-
uel ; Jeremiah ; Mary, wife of Samuel Alle-
man ; Henry ; Clara, wife of Solomon Stiles.
Mr. Hanshue died April 13, 1890, aged
eighty-two ; his wife is also deceased. Both
were members of the Lutheran church.
Jeremiah Hanshue was educated in the
public schools, and at the Linglestown Insti-
tute; he subsequently attended the Millers-
town Normal School for two terms. He be-
gan tieaching school at the age of sixteen, and
was employed in this vocation for ten years
in Lower Paxton, East Hanover and Swatara
townships, after which he engaged in farm-
ing. Mr. Hanshue was married to Miss Ver-
nina Garman, daughter of John and Emily
(McGigan) Garman. Tliey have four chil-
dren: Elmer E., Ermina, Urban, and Es-
tella. Mr. Hanshue has served as school
director for sixteen years ; in 1896 he was
re-elected, and will begin a new term in
June. He is a Republican. John Garman,
father of Mrs. Hanshue, was born in Dau-
phin county, and was a farmer. He wgs mar-
ried to Emily McGigan, a native of Cumber-
land county. Pa. They had six children :
John ; Vernina, Mrs. Hanshue; Emma, wife
of Edwin Cameron; James, Verdilla, and
Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Garman reside in Dau-
phin county. They belong to the Lutheran
church. Erwin, son of Mr. Hanshue, was
graduated from the Normal School in 1893,
and began teaching in the high school, at
Enhaut, Pa. The other son is a farmer in
Dauphin county.
-LJUy-^ HuZtyj ^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1009
Rupp, John H., was born in Swatara town-
ship, Dauphin county, Pa., June 25, 1850.
He is a son of Samuel and Fanny (Horst)
Rupp. His great-grandfather, Jacob Rupp,
was a farmer. He had a family of seven chil-
dren: John, Jacob, Christian, and Peter;
Nancy, wife of Christie Allman ; one who
was the wife of a Mr. Nissley, and one who
was the wife of Jacob Fisher. Christian
Rupp, grandfather of John H. Rupp, was
born in 1788, on the homestead, where he
passed his life in farming, and where he
died March 11, 1872, aged eighty-four. He
was married, first, to Miss Shultz ; no chil-
dren were born of this marriage. Mr. Rupp's
second wife was Miss Mary Hippart, born in
1800; daughter of George and Mary Hippart.
They had two children : Samuel, and Mary,
wife of Martin Nissley. Mr. Rupp filled
many offices, and was much occupied in
settling estates. He was a prominent man,
and enjoyed the confidence of the commu-
nity. His wife died July 26, 1872; both
passed away in Swatara township.
Samuel Rupp, father of John H. Rupp,
was born in Dauphin county, April 16, 1824.
He was educated in the schools of Swatara
township, and reared on the farm. He made
farming his occupation, and died in the
home in which he was born. He was mar-
ried in 1850 ; his wife. Miss Fanny Horst,
was born in Dauphin county, and was a
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Long-
necker) Horst. They have had three chil-
dren : John H.; Mary, wife of William H.
Atticks, and Samuel E. Mr. Rupp was a
Republican. He was a member of the United
Brethren church. His death occurred May
6, 1887, at the age of sixty-three. His wife
still resides on the old homestead.
John Horst, maternal grandfather of J. H.
Rupp, was a native of Lancaster county. Pa.,
a miller and distiller, but later in life en-
gaged in farming. He was married to Miss
Elizabeth Longnecker, born in Lancaster
county, daughter of John Longnecker. They
had ten children, four of whom are living:
Fanny, wife of Samuel Rupp, deceased ;
Mary, widow of Martin Nissley; Adeline,
wife of Daniel Metz ; Ellen, living at home.
Their deceased children are : Elizabeth, died
in 1858, aged twenty years ; Leah, died in
1859, aged nineteen years ; Anna, died Feb-
ruary 17, 1879, aged fortj'-two years, was the
wife of Benjamin Cockley; Catherine, died
in September, 1891, aged sixty years, wife of
Jacob Nissley; Jacob, died December 2,
1891, and one who died in infancy. Mrs.
Horst survives her husband, having been a
widow for thirty-eight years. She resides in
Swatara township, and has attained the age
of eighty-eight years. She is a Mennonite in
her faith.
John H. Rupp attended the schools of his
native township until he was eighteen, when
he entered Lebanon Valley College, and
studied there two terms. He then taught
winter schools in Swatara township three
terms, working with his father on the farm
during the summer until he became of age.
After his marriage he began farming on his
own account, and in connection with the
farm conducted the dairy business. Mr.
Rupp was married, in Harrisburg, Pa., No-
vember 21, 1871, to Miss Barbara, daughter
of Christian and Barbara (Epler) Foltz, born
in Conewago' township, March 24, 1851.
They have five children : Christian J., born
February 15, 1873 ; Samuel E., September
18, 1878 ; Mary E., July 16, 1880 ; Clara V.
and Mabel S., twins, born March 11, 1891.
Mr. Rupp is a Republican, and has been
elected to important offices. He served as
auditor of Swatara township for three years,
and subsequently as assessor for seven years.
He is a member of the United Brethren
church at Chambers Hill.
Christian Fol tz,fa ther of Mr3.Rupp,was born
in Dauphin county in 1800. He was for a num-
ber of years a merchant ; later he engaged in
farming, and put his sons in charge of the
store. He was married three times. His
first wife was Miss Bucks, daughter of Jonas
Bucks. Of their children, two are living,
Josiah and Samuel. The deceased children
are: John, died June 10, 1884, aged sixty-
four years; Jacob; Susan, died in 1862,
wife of Michael Conley ; her children died
in infancy. Mr. Foltz was married, sec-
ondly, to Miss Barbara Epley, daughter of
David Epley, by whom there were born six
children : Eli ; Mary, wife of Mr. Wallower ;
David, of Topeka, Kan.; Elizabeth, wife of
Isaac Ulrich ; Catherine, wife of David Gar-
mon; Barbara, Mrs. Rupp. Mrs. Barbara
Foltz died April, 1851. The third wife of
Mr. Foltz was Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Isaac Hentzberger. They have had four
children: Emma, wife of Daniel Smith!
Isaiah ; Obert, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Foltz died in March, 1863, aged sixty-
three. His wife survives him, and resides in
63
1010
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Londonderry township, Dauphin count3^
Christian Foltz, paternal grandfather of Mrs.
Rupp, was a native of Dauphin county, a
farmer ; he reared five children.
Stephenson, John L., was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., August 26, 1849 ; son of John D.
and Annie (Knupp) Stephenson. His pa-
ternal grandfather was a native of England
aud a shoemaker. He came at an early day
to this country aud settled at Harrisburg.
He had a family of six children, two of
whom are living : Asa, residing in Ohio, and
Annie, wife of Dr. Updegraff, Philadelphia.
The deceased children are: Jacob, Thomas,
Paul, and John D., father of John L. Stephen-
son. Both grandparents were members of the
Metliodist church, and died in Harrisburg.
The grandfather died in 1852 and the grand-
mother in 1851. The maternal grandfather
of John L. Stephenson was a farmer. By his
first marriage he had two children : Annie,
wife of John D. Stephenson ; and Elizabeth,
wife of Samuel AUeman. Mr. Knupp was
married the second time, and had by this
marriage one daughter, Mary, wife of Lute
Chandler.
John D. Stephenson, father of John L.,
was born in Dauphin county. Pa., and was a
carpenter; his wife, Annie (Knupp) Steph-
enson, was also a native of Dauphin county.
Of their four children only John L. survives.
Mary, wife of Samuel Sheets, died aged
thirty-five years; Theresa, wife of Philip
Yeager, was killed on the railroad in 1873 ;
Sarah, died in infancy. Mr. Stephenson
filled various township offices and was a
member of several fraternal orders. He
died October 11, 1854, aged thirty-two; his
wife is still living, residing with her son
John L.
John L. Stephenson took the regular
course in. the public schools of Swatara towri-
ship, {ifter which he worked on the farm with
his uncle until he was twenty-one years of
age. Mr. Stephenson was married, in Har-
risburg, December 23, 1870, to Miss Sarah A.,
daughter of John and Mary (Werner) Con-
rad, born in, Dauphin county, November 21,
1849. Nine of tiieir ten children are living :
Anuie, wife of PhihpBomgardner; JohnE.,
Theresa J., Sarah C, Samuel, Helen E., Ed-
ward R., Nettie, and Marion F. Emma died
May 26, 1872, aged five months and twenty-
seven days. Since his marriage, Mr. Steph-
enson has been continuously engaged in
farming. In 1880 he removed to the farm
lately owned by David AUeman, where he
has lived since that date. Mr. Stephenson
is a Democrat. His church membership is
with the Lutherans. John Conrad, father
of Mrs. Stephenson, was born in Dauphin
county, and was a shoemaker. He was first
married to Miss Page, by whom he had three
sons. The second wife of Mr. Conrad was
Mary, daughter of John Werner; of this
marriage there were four children : David ;
Sarah,, Mrs. Stephenson; Joseph, and Solo-
mon. Mr. Conrad died December 26, 1873,
aged seventy-five years. His wife died Feb-
ruary 14, 1889; both died in their native
county.
Snyder, John Beigh, was born in Buffalo
Valley, Perry county. Pa., May 14,1862; son
of Emanuel and Margaret (Beigh) Snyder.
Jacob Snyder, his great-grandfather, was a
farmer, born in Northumberland county.
His wife Catherine was a native of Ger-
many. They were the parents of thirteen
children : John, Jacob, Jonathan, Samuel,
Peter, David, Joseph, Geiger, Andrew,
Henry, Lydia, Kate, and Sarah. David
Snyder, grandfather of John B. Snyder, was
born in Northumberland county. Pa., De-
cember 20, 1808. He was a carpenter ; for
about fifteen years he followed that occupa-
tion,, and afterwards engaged in farming.
He was married to Miss Sarah Campbell.
Of their ten children, four are living:
Emanuel, Edward, Charles, and David.
Their deceased children are : Harriet ; Hel-
ena, died in September, 1876, aged forty-
nine years, wife of William Weaver; Will-
iam, died, in 1848, aged twenty-two ; Louisa,
died in 1890, wife of John Grubb ; George,
died in September, 1892, aged fifty-five ; one
died in infancy. David Snyder died in No-
yember, 1886, aged eighty-one years and
eleven mouths. His wife died in 1847, aged
thirty-nine.
Emanuel Snyder, father of John B. Snyder,
was born in Northumberland county. Pa.,
September 27, 1832, and was reared in Perry
county. He was a tailor and worked at
that trade for twelve years, after which he
was engaged for about five years in boating
on the Pennsylvania canal, having in De-
cember, 1869, accepted a position on the
canal betweeu Rockville and Losch Run. He
was married, in Buffalo, Perry county. Pa.,
September 27, 1854, to Miss Margaret, daugh-
ter of John and Catherine (Raugh) Beigh.
Seven of theii' nine children are living:
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1011
Emma, wife of Samuel Crook, resides at 928
South Ninth street, Harrisburg ; Ida, wife of
John Bidge, Susquehanna township ; John
Beigh ; Margaret, wife of John Carpman, of
near Niles, Mich.; Edward A., South Thir-
teenth street, Harrisburg, Pa.; Serna, wife of
William Klaiss, Lincoln street, Steelton, Pa.;
Alice, wife of Benjamin Bomgardner,Twenty-
first street, Harrisburg. Their deceased chil-
dren are: Charles, died in August, 1877,
aged twenty-two ; David, died in June, 1874,
aged nine years. Mr. Snyder came to Har-
risburg in 1876, where he was employed in
day labor until 1890 ; he then retired from
active work, and since that time has had his
home with his eldest son.
John Beigh Snyder received his education
in the public schools of Perry and Dauphin
counties. He was engaged for six years in
boating on the canal, after which he was
employed in the iron works at Harrisburg
for about thirteen years. He served on the
police force under Mayor Wilson for two
years. In the spring of 1896 he removed to
his farm, and is now engaged in agricultural
pursuits. Mr. Snyder was married, at Liver-
pod, Pa., March 13, 1884, to Miss Kate,
daughter of David D. and Annie (Grubb)
Ritter. Their children are : Earl, born in
December, 1884 ; Harry, February 28, 1886 ;
and Charles, November 24, 1887. Mr. Sny-
der is a member of Lodge No. 160, 1. 0. 0. F.,
and has for ten years belonged to the Cen-
tral Beneficial Society. He is a Republican.
Mrs. Snyder is a member of the United
Brethren church. David Ritter, father of
Mrs. Snyder, was born in Perry county. His
occupation is boating, and resides at Marys-
ville. H« married Miss Annie Grubb. Four
of their children are living : Katie, Mrs.
Snyder; Ella, wife of Elmer Fulton ; Allen,
and Harvey ; Ord is deceased. Rev. Dr.
Ritter, grandfather of Mrs. Snyder, resides in
Liverpool. The maternal grandparents of
Mrs. Snyder were farmers, at Millerstown.
Rutherford, Samuel Silas Brisbin, was
born in Dauphin county. Pa., April 28, 1825.
He is a son of John Parke and Eliza (Ruth-
erford) Rutherford. Thomas Rutherford,
first ancestor of this branch of the family
in America, and of the fourth generation
preceding Samuel S. B., was born in Ireland,
June 24, 1707, and emigrated from that
country in 1729. He was married in the
following year, on September 7, by Rev.
James Anderson, of Donegal, province of
Pennsylvania, to Jean Murdoch, born in Ire-
land, April 5, 1712. They had these chil-
dren : Agnes, born July 9, 1731, died in
1735, aged four years ; Eleanor, born Jan-
uary 16, 1733, married, first, to William Will-
iams ; secondly, to John Donaldson ; Jane,
born January 22, 1734, married Thomas
Mays, and lived in North Carolina ; John ;
Thomas, born August 14, 1738, died in
1739 ; Agnes (2), born September 14, 1740,
married William Gray ; Thomas (2), born
February 12, 1743, died January 8, 1760,
aged sixteen years and ten months, killed
by falling from a ti'ee which he had
climbed for a squirrel; Mary and Elizabeth,
twins, born February 18, 1745 ; Mary, mar-
ried Andrew Mayse ; Elizabeth, died Octo-
ber, 1745; James, born August 28, 1747,
died March 6, 1809, aged sixty-one years,
married to Margaret Brisbin ; Samuel, born
December 13, 1749, married Susannah Col-
lier, enlisted as lieutenant in the Revolution,
and was promoted to captain, died May
2, 1785, aged thirty-five; Elizabeth (2),
born February 27, 1752, married, first, Pat-
rick Galloway, secondly, Patrick Harbinger,
who was hanged by Tories during the Rev-
olution, and thirdly, Thomas Archibald.
Thomas Rutherford died April 18, 1777,
aged seventy. His wife, Jean Murdoch, died
August 10, 1789, aged seventy-seven.
John Rutherford, son of Thomas, and
great-grandfather of S. S. B. Rutherford, was
born in Dauphin county. Pa., February 16,
1737. He was married, February 4, 1762,
to Margaret Parke. They had seven chil-
dren : Jane, born August 26, 1763, wife of
Samuel Hutchinson, died February 28, 1807,
aged forty-three ; Martha, born February 22,
1765, wife of James Collier,, died August 27,
1849, aged eighty-four, was buried at Green-
field, Ohio; Thomas, born November 28,
1767, died October 18, 1793, aged twenty-five
years and ten months ; Samuel, born July
16, 1769, married Elizabeth Brisbin, died
November 26, 1833, aged sixty-four ; Mary,
born September 13, 1771, wife of Robert
Gray, died August 16, 1863, aged ninety-one
years ; John, born January 15, 1774, died
May 1, 1832, aged fifty-eight ; married, first,
Jane Maeder, and afterwards Priscilla Bar-
rett ; and William. John Rutherford was a
farmer, and died October 1, 1804, aged six;-
ty-seven; his wife died in January, 1810,
aged seventy-three years.
William Rutherford, paternal grandfather
of S. S. B. Rutherford, was born August 4,
1012
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1776. He was & farmer, and was twice
elected to the State Legislature. He was
married, March 17, 1801, to SaVahSwan, born
January 1, 1779; daughter of William and
(Renick) Swan. They had ten children, of
whom the only survivor is Hiram, who re-
sides at Oakland, Coles county. 111. Their
deceased children are: John Parke; Martha,
died October 20, 1851, aged forty-eight;
William Wilson, died March 13, 1873, aged
sixty-seven, married Eleanor Grain, and re-
sided on Front street, Harrisburg, Pa.; Mar-
garet, died June 7, 1889, aged eighty; Sam-
uel, died March 26, 1872, aged sixty-one;
Sarah, died March 28, 1873, aged, sixty-one,
wife of Daniel Kendig ; Abner, died Sep-
tember 2, 1890, aged seventy-six ; Mary,
died April 14, 1818, aged ten months ; Cyrus
Green, died March 30, 1850, aged thirty,
killed by the falling of a tree. William
Rutherford was a "Whig. He and his wife
were members of the Paxtang Presbyterian
church. He died on the farm on which he
was born and spent his life, January 17,
1850, aged seventy-three. His wife Sarah
died June 17, 1852, aged seventy-three.
His son, John Parke Rutherford, father
pf S. S. B. Rutherford, was born in Dau-
phin county, February 14, 1802. He was
a farmer. In 1836 he was appointed super-
visor of the Pennsylvania canal, and held
that position for tliree years, after which he
resumed farming, and continued until 1861,
when he was appointed quartermaster in
the United States army, and served through
the war. He also filled the office of county
auditor for one term of three years. After
leaving the military service he retired from
active business for five years. Mr. Ruther-
ford was married, in October, 1824, to Miss
Eliza, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Brisbin) Rutherford. Of their seven chil-
dren, five are living : Samuel S. B.; Eliza-
beth Martha, born June 26, 1833; Sarah
Margaret, born August 21, 1835, wife of
Job D. Randolph , Mary Jane, born Decem-
ber 9,1837, wife of John Elder; Eleanor
Gilchrist, born April 15, 1841. Their de-
ceased children are: William Swan, born
August 19, 1827, died January 24, 1895,
aged sixty-seven years and five months, and
John Alexander, born November 23, 1830,
died December 17, 1891, aged sixty-one
years. Mr. Rutherford and his wife were
members of the Paxtang Presbyterian
church. Both died at the old homestead :
Mr. Rutherford May 12, 1871, at the age of
sixty-nine, and Mrs. Rutherford January 30,
1860, aged fifty-eight years.
Samuel Silas Brisbin Rutherford attended
the private schools of Susquehanna town-
ship, Dauphin county, and was for one
session at the academy at Middletown, Pa.
In 1848-49 he taught in the public schools.
On June 1, 1849, he received an appoint-
ment, to a clerkship in the Harrisburg post-
office, which position he .accepted, and occu-
pied for four years and one month. He
afterwards entered the employ of John H.
Brant, commission merchant, as clerk, and
was thus occupied for five years, when Mr.
Brant went out of business. Through, Mr.
Brant's influence Mr. Rutherford was em-
ployed as clerk in the freight office of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, where he
continued until 1861. After this he was
appointed clerk under his father in the
quartermaster's department, and served
until the close of the war in 1865. In 1866
Mr. Rutherford came home and assisted his
brother, during the month of August. In
September, through the instrumentality of
Mr. Calder, he was sent to Baltimore; he
removed his family to that city, and resided
there until April, 1870, when he returned to
his old homestead. He has resided there
ever since, and attended personally to the
cultivation of the land until 1876, when he
gave up active duties. Mr. Rutherford was
married, at Harrisburg, August 28, 1860, to
Miss Mary Caroline, daughter of James and
Ann (Reigel) Walker; born October 1, 1842.
They had five children: James W., born
April 1,1862; John P., born July 4, 1864;
Bessie, wife of James A. Rutherford, born at
Baltimore, Md., February 24, 18^7; Ram-
sey, born in Baltimore, June 17, 1869;
Thomas Wilson, born December 24, 1873.
Mrs. Rutherford died September 26, 1874,
aged thirty-two. Mr. Rutherford was mar-
ried the second time, March 22, 1888, to
Miss Annie Walker, sister of his first wife,
born September 4, 1843. Of this marriage
there is no issue. Mr. Rutherford has filled
various township offices. In 1876 he was
elected assessor, and served one year ; he
was re-elected in 1879, 1880 and 1882. He
is a Republican. He is a member of the
Paxtang Presbyterian church, and is a
trustee and the treasurer of the church.
James Walker, father of Mrs. Rutherford, is
a native of Dauphin county, and a mill-
wright. He was also a miller for a number
of years ; he subsequently bought a farm, and
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1013
spent the remainder of his life in agricul-
tural pursuits. His wife also was a native
of Dauphin county.
Rutherford, John P., was born in Swa-
tara township, Dauphin countj'^. Pa., July
4, 1864. tie is a son of Samuel Silas Bris-
born and Mary (Walker) Rutherford. A
sketch of his parents appears elsewhere in
this volume. He was first a pupil in the
common schools of Swatara township and
afterwards for five years attended the Har-
risburg Academy. After completing his
school course he was employed for a year
as clerk in the clothing store of Elder &
Tash, North Third street, Harrisburg. In
the spring of 1882 he entered the employ of
tlie Union Pacific Railroad Company, at
their headquarters at Omaha, Neb., as book-
keeper in the bridge department, and served
in this capacity for eighteen months. In
tlie latter part of 1884 Mr. Rutherford went
to Western Kansas, and was for some time a
dealer in cattle. Then for a year and a half
he was in charge of the grocery store of his
brother, James W. Rutherford, at Argonia,
Sumner county, in the southern central part
of Kansas. Mr. Rutherford returned from the
West in January, 1889, and began house-
keeping in Paxtang township, near Harris-
burg, his old home, where he has resided
since that date. In the latter part of 1889
he took charge of the stone quarry of John
A. Rutherford, which he superintended for
two years. In 1892 he secured the position
of yard foreman of the bridge department of
the Pennsylvania Steel Works at Steel ton.
Pa., and served in this capacity for one
year ; he was then promoted to be foreman
of the works, which place he still holds.
Mr. Rutherford was married, December 3,
1888, to Miss Alice E., daughter of Alfred
and Martha M. (Heushaw) Hosier, of Ar-
gonia, Kansas. They have two children :
Silas B., born January 11, 1890, and Robert
H., October 6, 1894. Mr. Rutherford is an
active member of the Knights of Malta. He
is a Republican. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the Paxtang Presbyterian church.
Mrs. John P. Rutherford was born near
Cedar Falls, Iowa, Angust 26, 1864. Her
parents were natives of Indiana. Her father,
Alfred Hosier, was a farmer. His widow,
Martha (Henshaw), Hosier, removed with
her daughter to Argonia, where she was a
milliner and dressmaker for sixteen years.
In 1890 she came to Dauphin county and
made her home with her daughter, Mrs«
Rutherford, for the rest of her life. Her
death occurred in 1892 at the age of forty-
nine years. Mrs. Hosier was a devout Chris-
tian, born and educated as a Friend ; later
she united with the Presbyterian church, in
which communion she died. The paternal
grandfather of Mrs. Rutherford was a farmer.
Seth Henshaw, maternal grandfather of Mrs.
Rutherford, was also a farmer, but has now
retired from active business. Two of his
children survive: Theresa A., wife of Rufus
A. Walton, of Knightstown, Ind., and Will-
iam H.
Reed, John B., was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., August 31, 1832; son of Thomas
and Mary (Gonse) Reed. His paternal
grandparents were natives of Berks county.
Pa. The grandparents on the maternal
side were of the same county and by occu-
pation farmers. Their family consisted of
six children : Margaret, wife of a Mr. Mc-
Elheny ; Catherine, wife of Daniel Barkert;
Ann ; William ; Mary, wife of Thomas
Reed, and George. Thomas Reed, fattier of
John B. Reed, was born in Berks county.
He was for a number of years a weaver, but
later in life engaged in farming. He was
married to Mary Gonse, daughter of John
and Ann (Kurtzmoyer) Gonse. Of their
eight children four are living: John B.,
William, Samuel, and Eliza. Tiieir de-
ceased children are : Mary, died June 19,
1889, aged fifty-three years; Thomas, died
in the army service in 1866 at the age of
twenty -two years; Catherine and Sarah, died
young and were buried at Wenrich's church.
Mr. Reed died in 1888 at the age of seventy-
eight years and his wife died in 1873, aged
sixty-six years.. They were members of the
Lutheran church and" are buried at Shoop's
church.
John B. Reed made good use of such ad-
vantages as the public schools of- Lower
Paxton township afforded. At the end of
his school days he went to work with his
father on the home farm, where he remained
until he was twenty -seven years old. In
1860 Mr. Reed went upon the farm of Mr.
William Bomgardner, in Lower Paxton
township, and cultivated it for eight years,
after which he removed to the farm of James
Raymond, in Susquehanna township, on
which he remained four years. Mr. Reed
bought the farm which is now his home
from John Millison. He occupied it for
1014
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCTGLOPEDIA
four years and then removed to the farm of
James Boyd ; after eight years' occupancy
of that place he returned to his own farm,
where he has ever since resided and which
he has tilled up to the present time. Mr.
Reed was married, in 1860, to Miss Sophia,
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Leasor)
Elser. They have had five children : Mary,
wife of Logan McClintock, deceased ; Eliza-
beth; Katie, wife of Edwin Eschenour;
John C, saddler, of Oberlin, Pa., and Charles
P., employed in the Harrisburg Car Shop.
Mr. Reed is a Republican. In 1889 he was
elected supervisor of Swatara township, and
served five years ; in 1894 he was re-elected
to the same ofiice. He and his family are
members of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. John B. Reed was born in Lancaster
county, Pa., August 26,1826; her parents
were natives of the same county. In early
life her father, Peter Elser, was a carpenter,
but at a later period he was a farmer. He
was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter
of Sophia Leasor. Four of their five chil-
dren are living : John L.; George L.; Kate,
wife of William Paul, deceased, and Sophia,
Mrs. Reed. Elizabeth died at the age of
eleven years. Mr. Elser served as constable
and as tax collector for a number of years.
He was an eider in the Lutheran church.
He died in 1886 at the age of seventy-five
years; his wife died in 1881, aged sixty-
seven years. They are buried in Lancaster
county, at Brickerville church. Mrs.
Reed's grandparents on the mother's side
had a family of five children. They be-
longed to the Lutheran church.
Rupp, Samuel E., is one of the mrst prom-
inent and enterprising young business men
of his township. He is a native of Dauphin
county, and was born in Swatara township.
May 31, 1866. He is a son of the late Sam-
uel and Fannie (Horst) Rupp. Mr. Rupp
was brought up on the farm, and received a
few months instruction each year in the
township schools, being occupied with farm
work during the busy seasons. This con-
tinued until he was fifteen years old, when
he enjoyed the advantages of a course at the
Harrisburg Business College. He finished
his educational training at the Lebanon Val-
ley College, from which he was graduated in
1887. He then spent two years in traveling
through the Western States, and visiting the
Rocky Mountain region. Not finding any
locality which afforded him better business
opportunities than his own section of the
country, he returned to Pennsylvania, and
opened a real estate office, in the College
Block, Harrisburg. In December, 1895, he
removed his office to No. 306 Market street,
where he is doing a prosperous business in
real estate. Mr. Rupp is not married, but
has his residence on the old homestead in
Swatara township, where he is delightfully
situated, it being one of the finest farms in the
county. Mr. Rupp's political views are Re-
publican. He has good natural abilities
and is trained to the best use of his talents.
He has made a promising beginning of his
career, aiid his future is bright with hope.
Attick, Jacob A., was born in York
county. Pa., September 19, 1846 ; son of
Jacob and Jane (Shook) Attick. Jacob At-
tick, Sr., was born in York county, Septem-
ber 5, 1812 ; he was a farmer and was mar-
ried to Miss Jane Shook, who was born in
York county. They had nine children,
seven of whom are living : Sarah, wife of
Samuel Sail ; William A.; Martin ; Harry
H.; Jacob A.; Alice, wife of Simon Dacker ;
Elizabeth, wife of Ross Ducher. The de-
ceased children are : Hannah Mary and John
A. Mr.Attick wasjusticeofthe peace for some
years ; he also served several years as super-
visor. He died at the age of seventy-five
years; his wife died September 6, 1878, aged
sixty-four years; both died in Dauphin
county.
Jacob A. Attick attended the common
schools and was engaged in farm work with
his father until he was twenty-one. He was
then employed for two years in the Penn-
sylvania Steel Works, after which he learned
carpentry and worked at that business for
about twelve years. For the ensuing ten
years he was again employed at the Penn-
sylvania Steel Works. In 1889 Mr. Attick
undertook farming ; for three years he cul-
tivated land near Middletown, Pa.; he then
removed to the farm lately owned by Mr.
Frantz, and at present by W. F. Rutherford,
where he has since lived. Mr. Attick was
married, April 24, 1870, to Miss Amanda
W., daughter of Michael and Susan (Nissley)
Barnhard, born in Dauphin county, Septem-
ber 19, 1848. Of their thirteen children
eight are living : William J., Susan, Bessie
E., Ira R., Eva L, Sarah G., Francis C, and
Ruth V. Their deceased children are : Jen-
nie I., died at the age of twenty months;
Edith A., Clara, Rosa, and one died an infant.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1015
Mr. Attick holds Prohibitionist views and
votes with that party. He is a member of
the United Brethren church.
Michael Barnhard, father of Mrs. J. A.
Attick, was a weaver, born in Dauphin
county. He was married to Miss Susan
Nissley, who was born in Dauphin county.
They had two children : Amanda, Mrs. At-
tick ; and Ellen, wife of Jacob Rupert. Mr.
Barnhard was married a second time, and
to this union there were born three chil-
dren : Henry ; Eliza, widow of William
Smith, and Sarah, wife of George Fide. Mr.
Barnhard died in January, 1893, aged
eighty-six years ; his wife died in 1890 at
the age of seventy-six. Mr. and Mrs. Barn-
hard are members of the Lutheran church.
Attick, Daniel, was born in York county.
Pa., December 15, 1821, and is a son of Peter
and Catherine (Sudden) Attick. His ma-
ternal grandfather, John Sudden, was a na-
tive of York county, a farmer, and a soldier
in the Revolutionary war. He had a family
of seven children : John, Peter, Daniel, Han-
nah, Barbara, Catherine, and Sallie. Mr.
Sudden died at the age of one hundred and
one years. His son, Peter Attick, father of
Daniel, was born in York county, and was a
weaver. He was married to Miss Catherine,
daughter of John Sudden. Of their nine
children four are living : Daniel, Abraham,
Peter, and Catherine, wife of John Henry.
Their deceased children are : John ; Henry ;
Jacob, died August 20, 1887, aged seventy-
five years ; George, died March 3, 1863, aged
forty-four years ; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel
Sedler. Both parents died in York county.
Daniel Attick attended the subscription
schools of his locality until he was sixteen
years old. He was then for two years em-
ployed as a farm hand. Thinking it would
be of advantage to have a trade, he served
an apprenticeship of two years at black-
smithing. He then, at eighteen years of
age, came to Dauphin county and hired on
a farm for one year, and afterwards for two
years more. After his marriage he took the
farm of Philip Daugherty, where he re-
mained for twenty-five years. He next re-
moved to Paxton township, remained there
five years, and in 1881 removed to what is
known as the Gray farm, which has ever
since been his residence. Mr. Attick was
married, August 2, 1849, to Miss Mary Ann,
daughter of Benjamin and Christiana
(Lauderbach) Mefferd. They had twelve
children, of whom eleven are living: Will-
iam, John B., Franklin P., Daniel, Sarah,
Mrs. John Dieth; George W., James, Samuel,
Edward, Ellen, and Ida G; Susan died No-
vember 2, 1891, aged thirteen years. Mr.
Attick is a Democrat. Mrs. Daniel Attick
was born March 12, 1831, and died Marcli
15, 1890, aged ' fifty-eight. Her father, Ben-
jamin Mefferd, was born in Dauphin county.
His wife, Christiana Lauderbach, was a na-
tive of German}'. They had four children:
Sarah, wife of Isaac Houck ; Rebecca, wife
of Daniel Seiders ; Mary, Mrs. Attick ; and
Cornelia, who died July 15, 1894, aged fifty-
six years. Mrs. Mefferd died November 18,
1894, at the age of fifty-eight. Both were
members of the United Brethren church.
Walker, James Rutherford, was born
in Dauphin county, Pa., January 9, 1849;
son of James and Susan (Kuhn) Walker.
Thomas Walker, his parental grandfather, was
born m Scotland. He was a cabinet maker, but
later in life was engaged in farming. He
married Mary, widow of Thomas Rutherford,
by whom he had four children ; the only
surviving one is Susan, wife of Moses Foley.
Their deceased children are: Jacob S.; James;
Eliza, died in November, 1894; she was the
wife of William Follinger; Rutherford died
in infancy. Jacob Kuhn, maternal grand-
father of James R. Walker, was born in Lan-
caster county, and was a cabinet maker. For
a number of years he kept hotel ; in 1825 he
was steward of the Dauphin county alms-
house. Mr. Kuhn's wife was Susan Kunkel.
Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn had ten children, but
one of whom is living, Sarah, wife of Joseph
Hoover, of Galesburg, 111. The deceased chil-
dren are: William, Jacob, Samuel, George,
Mary, Catherine, Henrietta, Susan, and Ann.
Mr. Kuhn had retired from active business,
relinquishing farming, in which he had for
some time been engaged, some years before
his death, which occurred when he was
seventy-six years old. They were members
of the Lutheran church.
James Walker, Sr., was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., October 9, 1814. He learned
the trade of a millwright, and afterwards en-
gaged in milling; in 1885 he abandoned the
mill for the farm ; after tilling the ground
for three years he gave up all active busi-
ness. At one time, in partnership with W.
S. Rutherford, he had dealt in ice. The first
w,ife of Mr. Walker was Miss Annie Riegel;
they had two daughters: Mary, deceased,
1016
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
wife of Silas B. Rutherford ; and Ann, sec-
ond wife of Silas B. Rutherford. Mr. Walker
was married, the second time, to Miss Kuhn,
born in Dauphin county. May 31, 1825 ;
daughter of Jacob and Susan (Kunkel)
Kuhn. Their children are : Jacob K., mar-
ried Sallie, daughter of Peter and Barbara
Fiske; Alice L., wife of Thomas R. Walker,
and James' R. Mr. Walker filled various
township oifices, having served as school di-
rector, and also for many years as assessor.
He was a Republican. He was a member
of the Presbyterian church, and a trustee of
his congregation. Mr. James Walker, Sr.,
died September 10, 1895, aged eighty-one
years ; his wife died September 28, 1885 ; the
remains of both are interred in the Paxtang
cemetery.
James Rutherford Walker took the ordi-
nary course of instruction in the public
schools, and completed his school education
in the Harrisburg Academy, under Prof.
Jacob Seiler. His academic course efided,
he went into the mill with his father, who
carefully instructed him in all branches of
the milling business, which he has made his
occupationuptothepresenttime. Mr. Walker
was married, in Swatara township,- April 24,
1884, to Miss Sallie Jenkins, daughter of
John and Elizabeth Peifer, born February
4, 1860. They have one son, James Boyd,
born June 13, 1885. Mr. Walker is identi-
fied with the Republican party. His frater-
nity association is with the Knights of Malta.
He and his family are members of the Pax-
tang Presbyterian church. Mrs. Walker's
father, Mr. John Peifer, was born in Dau-
phin county. May 31, 1836. He is a carpen-
ter, and is also engaged in farming. He re-
sides near Paxtang street, and was married
to -Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Christian
Casslow. Mrs. Peifer died October 2, 1895.
Mr. Peifer is prominent and active in town-
ship affairs. He was elected to the office of
school director, in which he served many
years with credit and usefulness. He has
also, for a number of years, been judge of
elections.
Rutherford, S. A., was born in Dauphin
county, Pa., October 6, 1866; son of the late
William S. and J. Eliza Rutherford. Mr.
Rutherford belongs to the sixth generation
of the American branch and is descended
from the well-known family" of that name
who emigrated'from Scotland and settled in
the north of Ireland upon the accession of
William of Orange, in 1688, and from thence
came to America in 1728. His parents are
both natives of Dauphin county. Mr. Will-
iam S. Rutherford was raised a farmer, and
after reaching manhood was for ten years
engaged in agriculture, at the same time
carrying on a lumber business in Harris-
burg. He was honored by election to va-
rious township offices ; was for some years
director of the poor ; for ten years he was
steward of the Pennsylvania State Hospital
for the Insane. His last business enterprise
was the ice business at Harrisburg. At the
time of his death he was living retired from
active work. His wife was the daughter of
S. S. and Mary A. Rutherford, of Paxtang.
Their family consisted of ten children, of
whom six survive : Mary B., S. A., Eliza E.,
William S., E. F., and Margaretta S. The
deceased children are : Jessie, died July 24,
1864, aged six months and three days ; Ger-
trude, died August 7, 1879, aged severf
months and nineteen days; James, died
July 28, 1873, aged twenty-eight days, and
Martha, died March 31, 1875, aged three
months and twenty-two days. William S.
Rutherford died January 24, 1895, aged
sixty-seven years, and his wife May 20, 1891,
aged fifty years. Mr. Rutherford was an
active Republican. He was a member of
the Pine Street Presbyterian church, of
Harrisburg.
S. A. Rutherford received his education
in the public schools of Harrisburg, Pa.,
from which he graduated in 1885, and in
the Pennsylvania State College, where he
took a course in agriculture in 1896. He
served as clerk with his father in the ice
business for about six months. In the
spring of 1886 he came to the old Ruther-
ford homestead, which has been in possession
of the family for one hundred and forty-two
years, and where he is living a retired life.
He has a large interest in the Rutherford
Ice Company, of Harrisburg, Pa. For the
past three months Mr. Rutherford has been
traveling in the South for the purpose of
securing a suitable location for engaging in
farming. He is a staunch Republican in
politics.
NiSLEY, Samuel, was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., December 24, 1818 ; son of Jacob
and Elizabeth (Rice) Nisley. John Nisley,
his paternal grandfather, was a native of
Dauphin county, and a farmer. His chil-
dren were: John, Jacob, and Martin. He
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1017
and his wife both died at an advanced age.
John Rice, maternal grandfather of Samuel
Nisley, was a native of Germany. He came
to this country about 1800 as a sailor boy.
He married, and had a family of three chil-
dren : John, Daniel, and Elizabeth, mother
of Mr. Nisley.
His father, Jacob Nisley, was born in
Dauphin county, and was a farmer. His
first wife was a Miss Nisley, daughter of
Jacob and Mary Nisley. They bad five
children. Mr. Nisley's second wife was Miss
Egle, by whom he had three children, all
of whom are deceased : Jacob, died in 1894,
aged eighty-seven; Barbara, wife of Jacob
Suavely, died in 1842, aged fifty years;
Susan, wife of John Mumma, deceased, and
again married to Michael Barn hard ; she died
in 1893, aged eighty-three years ; and Abra-
ham, died in 1890, aged seventy-six years.
Mr. Nisley was married the third time, to
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Eliza-
beth Rise ; of this marriage there were four
children : Samuel ; Kate, widow of Henry
Gause; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Blackville;
and John. Mr. Nisley was a Mennonite.
He died in 1826, aged 78 years. Mrs. Nisley
died in 1824, aged forty -eight years.
Samuel Nisley lost his parents when he
was very young, and on this account had
but limited opportunities for securing an
education. As is usual, a guardian was ap-
pointed for him, but he found a home among
strangers, and was brought up as a farmer's
boy. Thus he learned the business, and
finally became a farmer on his own account.
Mr. Nisley was married, November 2, 1841,
to Miss Maria, daughter of Frederick and
Catherine (Diebler) ShafFner. Their living
children are : Catherine, wife of Wendell
Gross ; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. D. B. Traver ;
Jacob A., married to Rhoda Hull; Fred. J.,
married to Sallie Johnson ; Mary, wife of
Moses Young; Carrie, wife of John Wliit-
man. Their deceased children are : Will-
iam H., died December 5, 1846, aged two
years, eight months and twelve days ; So-
phia, died January 6, 1852, aged twenty-five
days; Samuel Otterbein, died July 7, 1861,
aged two years, three months and twenty-
one days ; Fannie S., died January 22, 1870,
aged thirteen years, six months and twelve
days. After his marriage Mr. Nisley was
engaged in farming, near Linglestown, for
ten years. In 1851 he removed to Harris-
burg, where he was employed in the round-
house of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany for nine years. In 1865 Mr. Nisley
removed toSteelton, where he was employed
for six years by Donald Cameron as past
fence maker; also for a few years by Mr.
Dunkle. He then entered the employ of
the Pennsylvania Steel Works, where he was
engaged for about twenty yeijrs in various
departments. After this he retired from ac-
tive work. Mr. Nisley is a Republican. For
sixty years he has been a member, and for
forty years a class leader in the United
Brethren church, of which Mrs. Nisley also
is a consistent member. Mr. Nisley has long
been a trustee of the church.
Mrs. Samuel Nisley was born in Dauphin
county, October 13, 181 6. Her father, Fred-
erick Shaffner, was also a native of Dauphin
county, and was a farmer. His wife, Cathe-
rine Diebler, was born in the same county.
They had ten children, of whom six are liv-
ing : Jacob, married to Miss Elizabeth Reily ;
Isaac, married to Miss Mina Rogers; Philip,
married to Mariah Alleman ; Catherine,
wife of George Miller, who died, and she
then married Daniel Hicks ; Barbara, wife
of Solomon Ulrich; Lavinia, wife of Levi
Reider. Their deceased children are:
George, died in 1883, aged 62 years ; Martin,
was killed in the army ; John, died in 1861,
aged twenty-five years; one child who died
in infancy. Mr. Shaflfner died in 1888, aged
ninety-four years. Mrs. Shaffher died in
1859, aged sixty-two years.
Gerdes, Henry, deceased, was born in
Bilderbach, Westphalia, Germany, August
18, 1880 ; son of Henry and Elizabeth Gerdes.
Henry Gerdes, Sr., was a high school teacher
in Germany, and occupied the position for
life. His children were : Andrew, a school
teacher, in Germany ; Elizabeth, wife of Sam-
uel Uhland ; tlie deceased children are : Her-
man ; A nnie ; Barnhard, who died in Har-
risburg, March 29, 1894, aged sixty-one years,
and Henry. Henry Gerdes, Sr., died in 1847.
Henry Gerdes, Jr., was educated in his
native country, and engaged in mercantile
business. His three years of military service,
required by law, were passed in the special
troop of the Emperor, wiiich is composed ex-
clusively of men of large statue, well pro-
portioned, without blemish and fine appear-
ance. Mr. Gerdes came with his family to
this country in 1867, settled at Harrisburg,
and found employment at the pattern shop
at Steelton, where he remained until his
death, January 6, 1895. He was the first
1018
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
pattern maker ever employed at the Penn-
sylvania Steel Works, serving under Henry
Cassel, and remaining with the company
twenty-seven years. Mr. Gerdes was married,
September 26. 1865, to Miss Amelia, daughter
of Albert and Elizabeth (Casting) Lauder-
mache. They have nine children, seven of
whom are living : Albert, married Miss Mag-
gie, daughter of Michael and Annie Palmer ;
Amelia, wife of Albert Gratz ; Oscar, Joseph,
Ida, Arthur, and Bessie. Their deceased chil-
dren are : William, died September 5, 1868,
aged nine months ; Adolph, died October 4,
1891, aged fifteen years, killed by falling from
tree. Mr.Gerdes was a Republican. He was
a member of the Catholic church.
Mrs. Gerdes survives her husband, and re-
sides in Steelton, Pa. She was born in West-
phalia, Germany, July 24, 1843. Her parents
kept a general store. They had six children,
only two of whom are now living : Albertina,
wife of Abraham Shaffer, resides in the Father-
land, and Amelia, Mrs. Gerdes. Their deceased
children are: Wilhelm, Dora, and Adolpha
Elizabeth. Mrs. Gerdes' father is deceased; her
. mother died aged sixty- four. The paternal
grandfather of Mrs. Gerdes was a farmer and
stock dealer. He had a family of six children,
of whom two survive : Florence and Ludwig.
The deceased children are: Henry, Joseph,
and twin children, born deaf and dumb.
Both grandparents died suddenly in Ger-
many.
Rutherford, John Edmund, was born in
Swatara township, Dauphin county, Decem-
ber 17, 1838. His parents were: Samuel S.
Rutherford, born in Swatara township, De-
cember 17, 1803, died January 23, 1872, and
Mary A. Rutherford, born in the same town-
ship, June 14, 1810, died December 14, 1884.
Mr. Rutherford received his education in
the public schools of his native township
and the Mt. Joy Academy, Lancaster county.
After leaving the academy, he taught one
of the district schools in Swatara township
for two terms, and after the breaking out of
the war served a short period with the
Pennsylvania State militia at the time of
the battle of Antietam. In the spring of
1863 he took service in the quartermaster's
department of the volunteer army, and re-
mained in that position until May, 1866, do-
ing service during that period in the States
of Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
and South Carolina, in the latter State being
connected with the Freedman's bureau.
Returning home in 1866 he followed the
occupation of farming until 1875, and then,
in connection with that business, went' into
the coal business in Harrisburg, continuing
both until 1879, at which time he took
charge of Senator J. D. Cameron's Lochiel
farms, and subsequently the Senator's Derry
farms, and other landed estate.
Mr. Rutherford has been a director and
the vice-president of the Steelton National
Bank since its organization in 1886, and is
also a director of the Steelton Brick Com-
pany and the Middletown and Highspire
Electric Street Railway Company. He was
first married, February 18, 1868, to Miss
Ann H. McPherson, daughter of John and
Ann (Hammond) McPherson, of Frederick,
Md. Their children are : Samuel McPher-
son, born September 5, 1869; Robert M.,
born November 25, 1871 ; Nannie H., born
May 2, 1874 ; Mary Agnes, born October 7,
1877, died December 5, 1881. Mrs. Ruther-
ford died April 3, 1882, aged thirty-eight
years. Mr. Rutherford was again married,
March, 1887, to Miss Delia McCullough,
daughter of James T. and Catharine (Mitch-
ell) McCullough, of Marylan<l. They have
no issue. Her father was a prominent law-
yer and her grandfather was a physician.
In his political views Mr. Rutherford is an
Independent Republican, and in religious
belief a Presbyterian.
Alleman, Michael R., was born near
Middletown, Dauphin county, June 25,
1825 ; son of Michael and Catharine (Rudy)
Alleman. The father, Michael Alleman,
was born January 28, 1794, on the old
homestead in Swatara township, near High-
spire, Dauphin county. His firgt occupation
was school teaching, and subsequently he
became a farmer, and was engaged from
that on solely in agricultural pursuits until
his death. May 24, 1868 ; he is buried in
Middletown cemetery. His wife died March
30, 1889, aged eighty-five years. They had
six children, all of whom grew to maturity:
Susan, wife of John Kope ; Ehzabeth, wife
of John Foltz; Henry; Mariah, wife of
Michael Connelly, of Middletown ; Michael
R., deceased ; and Joseph W., deceased. He
and his wife were members of the Lutheran
church, in which he held the offices of
elder, deacon and trustee at the time of his
death.
Michael R. received his earlier instruc-
tions in the subscription schools of that day,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1019
and afterwards attended the public schools,
supplementing his education by an academic
course under Professor Saddler, at Middle-
town, upon the completion of which he
commenced teaching school. In 1853 he
began farming and devoted his time to agri-
cultural pursuits for about eight years, when
in 1861 he removed to Middletown and re-
sumed teaching and surveying, in wliich
occupation he was employed until his death,
August 13, 1870.
Michael R. Alleman was married, August,
1852, by the Rev. Ditzler, of SchaefFerstown,
Lebanon county, Pa., to Miss Leah Rover,
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Mil-
ler) Royer. They have these children
living : Mary A., born November 14, 1854,
a school teacher and at present engaged in
teaching at the Home of the Friendless at
Harrisburg; 'George R., born January 17,
1857, married Anna M. Koons, daughter of
Jacob and Mary (Bealer) Koons, and is a
contractor residing at Steelton; Frederick
H. and M. Rudy, twins, born September 29,
1860 ; these twins attended the public
schools and completed an academic educa-
tion under Professor Seller at Harrisburg,
after which Frederick H. was engaged in
teaching school one term. In 1879 these
brothers formed a partnership under the
firm name of Alleman Brothers and engaged
in the mercantile business on Front street,
in Steelton, where they continued until
1886, when they disposed of their entire
stock and relinquished the business. In
1888 the brothers formed another partner-
ship under the old firm name of the Alle-
man Brothers and embarked in the real
estate and insurance business, in which thej'
are still engaged. Frederick H. is also the
superintendent of the Harrisburg and Me-
chanicsburg Railway Company. Frederick
H. was married, August 4, 1887, to Miss
Lizzie Dunkel, daughter of Josiah and
Mary (Bishop) Dunkle. Their children are :
Margaret, born June 24, 1889 ; Mary D.,
born December 15, 1890; Frederick R., born
February 18, 1893 ; Ruth E., born January
29, 1895. Michael Rudy Alleman was mar-
ried, April 30, 1895, to Miss Lillian A.
Moyer, daughter of George D. and Sarah
(Hoffman) Moyer, of Uniontown, Pa. They
liave one daughter, born April 14, 1896.
The deceased children of Michael R. and
Leah (Royer) Alleman are: Catharine E.,
born November 14, 1853, died November
25, 1854; Monroe J., born December 12,
1858, died August 27, 1873, and one who
died in infancy. Michael R. Alleman was
a prominent man and filled various county
and township offices. He was appointed
county surveyor in 1867 and served in the
office until his death in 1870. He was an
active member of the Lutheran church, in
which he filled the various offices, being an
elder and trustee at the time of his death.
Mrs. Alleman is still living in good health
at the age of seventy-two years. She resides
with her sons in Steelton.
MiLLHOusE, Augustus S., superintendent
of the foundry department of the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Works, was born in York county,
Pa., March 13, 1843 ; son of Amos and Se-
linda (Stoughton) Millhouse. The paternal
grandfather of Augustus S. Millhouse mar-
ried a Miss Monroe, and they were the par-
ents of a large family. Amos Millhouse,
father of Augustus S., was born in Chester
county. Pa. He learned wagon making, and
worked at that trade for a number of years,
after which he came to Harrisburg, and was
employed in the Car Factory, then just
opened. His engagement there lasted until
his death, which occurred July 9, 1883, in the
seventy-third year of his age. His wife, Se-
linda Stoughton, was born in Chester county.
Pa. Their children are : AugustusS.; Owen;
Lydia, wife of Joseph McClintic, of Perry
county. Pa.; Elwood ; Anna, deceased; Eliza-
beth, deceased ; Mary and Clara, died in in-
fancy ; Oliver, deceased. Both parents are
members of the Church of God.
Augustus S. Millhouse was very young
when his parents removed to Dauphin county,
where he attended the public schools until
he was ten years old. He was then employed
for about four years in the pattern factory
in Harrisburg, after which he entered the
Car Factory as an apprentice. In 1861, be-
fore this engagement was over, he enlisted in
company G, Fifty-fifth regiment, Pennsylva-
nia volunteers, and served four years, receiv-
ing his discharge September 1, 1865. He
then returned to the Car Factory and com-
pleted the term of his apprenticeship, after
which he was employed for five years as a
journeyman. When the new foundry was
built, on Allison Hill, Mr. Millhouse was
made foreman, and served in that position
for six years. In 1876 he worked five months
in the foundry at Reading, Pa. Returning
to Harrisburg, he becam* foreman in the
foundry department of the Pennsylvania
1020
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Steel Works at Steelton in June of the same
year. Later he was made superintendent of
the same department, and has for the past
twenty years filled that responsible position
with the utmost success and acceptance. Mr.
Millhouse was married to Miss Catherine,
daughter of William and Catherine (Tate)
Bohl. Their children are: James W., book-
keeper for the Kelley Coal Company ; Mabel,
died June 2, 1894, aged twenty-three. Mr.
Millhouse is a good Republican. He and
his family are members of the Fourth Street
Church of God.
William Bohl, father of Mrs. Millhouse,
was a native of Cumberland county, and a
cabinet maker. For a number of years he
kept a hotel in Harrisburg. He was also
justice of the peace. His wife. Catherine Tate,
was a native of Cumberland county. Their
children are: Catherine, Mrs. Millhouse;
Mary, Benjamin, Charles, and James, de-
ceased. Mr. Bohl is deceased, while Mrs.
Bohl resides with her daughter, Mrs. Mill-
house, and is in good health, at the advanced
age of seventy-seven years. She is a consist-
ent member of the Church of God.
Tenney, Frank, assistant superintendent
of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, was
born in Boston, Mass., February 4, 1861. He
is the son of Benjamin F. Tenney and Mary
(Viles) Tenney. B. F. Tenney was born in
Sutton, Worcester county, Mass., October
27, 1813, and was for many years a mer-
chant in Boston, but subsequently became a
member of the Boston Stock Exchange with
which he is still connected. Mr. Tenney
was married, in January, 1861, to Mary
Bowman Viles, daughter of John and Sally
(Dudley) Viles, of Lexington, Mass. Their
children are: Frank; Maud, wife of F. F.
Sherburn, and Arthur, who died in 1866.
Frank Tenney was educated in the public
schools of Boston, finishing his course in the
English high school in 1879. He then took
a four years' course in metallurgical and
mining engineering in the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, receiving the degree
of S. B. in 1883. Shortly after graduating
Mr. Tenney came to Steelton and was ap-
pointed assistant superintendent of the blast
furnaces and served in this position until
the fall of 1885 when he was transferred to
Ashland, Baltimore county, Md., to take
charge of some blast furnaces which the
Pennsylvania Steel Company had leased.
In 1886 he returned to Steelton and was
made purchasing agent of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company, which he held until 1890.
From this year until 1893 Mr. Tenney was
assistant to the general manager, when he
was promoted to be assistant superintendent,
which position he has since that time filled.
Mr. Tenney was married, in Hull, Mass.,
June 4, 1889, to Miss Edith C, daughter of
George F. and A. F. (Cutler) Bouve, of Bos-
ton. Their children are : John B., born
June 26, 1890 ; Margaret, April 1, 1892, and
Katharine, October 5, 1894. Mr. Tenney's
politics are Republican. He is a member of
the school board of Steelton.
Shaffner, Francis W., superintendent
of the supply department, Pennsylvania Steel
Works, Steelton, Pa., was born, in Dauphin
county, Pa., February 22, 1845 ; son of George
and Christina (Book) Shaffner. The Shaff-
ner family are of Swiss descent. Frederick
Shaffner, grandfather of Francis W., was a
farmer. He married Miss Catherine Deibler.
Mr. Shaffner died aged ninety-four years.
George Shaffner, father of F. W., died aged
sixty -two. He was married to Miss Christina
Book. They had nine children: Frederick;
Francis W.; John ; Samuel ; Mary, wife of
Jacob Lantz ; Jacob ; Emma, wife of Jacob
SJ)angler ; Rosa, wife of Stewart Groninger;
William, who died in 1865, aged four years.
Mrs. Shaffner died in 1867, aged nearly fifty
years. She was a member of the Evangelical
church, of Harrisburg. Both parents died
in Harrisburg.
Francis W. Shaffner attended the public
schools of Dauphin and Lebanon counties,
and at the same time assisted his father in
farm work. He was afterwards, for two sea-
sons, employed as a general laborer on the
Pennsylvania canal and in boating. In 1859
he began an apprenticeship of one year
and a half at coach making, after which he
worked at his trade and at house carpentry
until the breaking out of the war. In 1864
Mr. Shaffner enlisted in company F, Two
Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, served his time and was honorably
discharged. While in army service Mr. Shaff-
ner contracted a chronic disease, which in-
capacitated him for manual labor, and lead
to a decision to prepare himself for different
pursuits. He took a course of eight months
at the Iron City Commercial College, Pitts-
burgh, Pa., and in 1867 secured a position as
clerk with the Pittsburgh and Monongahela
Coal (Jompany, in which he continued eight
DAUPHIN GOUNTl\
1021
months. He was next employed for a year
and a half as clerk in the drug store of H.
Meyers. He then returned to Harrisburg,
and to his trade of house building until
1876, at which time he was appointed super-
intendent of the supply department of the
Pennsylvania Steel Works. He has served
in this position with credit to himself and
the utmost satisfaction to the company up
to the present time. Mr. Shaffner is identi-
fied with the Odd Fellows fraternity,
having been a member of Lodge No. 70
since • July 23, 1867. His politics are
Democratic. Mr. Shaffner was married,
in Reading, Pa., May 28, 1868, to Miss
Sarah, daughter of David and Martha (Mc-
Fadden) Bachstoss. Their children are:
Clyde, born December 5, 1869 ; Gertrude,
December 2, 1871, wife of Howell Bentecon ;
Cora, born September 1,1873. Mrs. Shaffner
was born September 7, 1845. Her father,
David Bachstoss, was for many years a tan-
ner. He was married to Martha McFadden.
Their children are: Eliza; Rebecca; Sarah,
Mrs. Shaffner ; Kate, wife of John Clyde;
Edward ; Alexander, was killed on the
Reading railroad, in February, 1893. Mr.
Bachstoss died in 1891, aged seventy-four
years.
McEntbb, Peter J., foreman of the open
hearth department of the Pennsylvania
Steel Works, was born in Lancaster county.
Pa., January 8, 1871; son of Peter and
Catherine (Lynch) McEntee. He attended
the Dauphin county public schools until he
was sixteen, when his school days were
ended by his getting regular employment as
door boy at the steel works. He served in
this capacity for three years, and then, at
the age of nineteen, began a three years'
apprenticeship at steel working. He was at
once recognized -as a master mechanic in
his line and was made foreman of the open
hearth department. So satisfactory to his
employers is his direction of the workmen
in his department that he has been retained
in that position to the present time. Mr.
McEntee has a combination of qualities
which render his services valuable. He is
not only a first-class steel maker, but is able
to make such assignments of place and
work as to insure the best results, both for
the men and the company. Mr. McEntee
was married, at Steelton, June 24, 1891, to
Miss Catherine, daughter of John and Mary
(McGinn) McGeehan. They have had four
children: Mar}', born April 5,1893; Anas-
tasia, March 15, 1895 ; Joseph and John,
twins, died in infancy. Mr. McEntee is a
Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic
church. Mrs. McEntee was born June 13,
1866. Her father, John McGeehan, was
born in Lancaster caunty, in December,
1834, and is a bricklayer and contractor.
He was married, in January, 1862, to Miss
Mary McGinn, daughter of Patrick and
Catharine McGinn. They have had nine
children : Edward ; Catherine, Mrs. McEn-
tee; Anthon, John, Ambrose, Thomas, Mary
and Anastasia; James died aged two weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. McGeehan reside at Steelton.
They are worthy members of the Catholic
church.
Gross, Henry S., superintendent of the
merchant mill department, Pennsylvania
Steel Works, was born in Harrisburg, Pa.,
February 6, 1854; son of Daniel W. and
Elizabeth Kunkel Gross. Henry S. Gross
attended private schools in Harrisburg,
completing his course there in the Harris-
burg Academy. At the age of seventeen he
entered upon a course at the Pennsylvania
Polytechnic College, Philadelphia, which he
completed in three years, and was graduated
in June, 1874. For the ensuing eleven
months Mr. Gross was not regularlj' occu-
pied. On the third day of May, 1875, he
entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company as learner in the Bessemer
department. After his first year he was re-
tained in this department as assistant fore-
man for a period of three years when he was
placed in charge of the steam hammers, and
the manufacture of special steel billets. Af-
ter serving two years in this capacity, he
again entered the Bessemer department as
foreman, remaining there until October,
1884, when he assumed the duties of super-
intendent of the merchant mill department,
which position he has since held. He was
married, in Harrisburg, December 7, 1881,
to Miss Laura B., daughter of the late Robert
and Elizabeth (Bailey) Corman, of Trindle
Spring, Cumberland county. Pa. They have
no children. Mr. Gross removed from Har-
risburg to Steelton, January 6, 1885, and
has since resided in that borough. He is a
member of the Salem Reformed church,
Harrisburg, and in politics has always been
Republican.
1022
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Miller, D. W., superintendent of the pat-
tern department, Pennsylvania Steel Works,
was born in Dauphin county. Pa., August 8,
1840 ; son of David and Sarah (Woods) Mil-
ler. David Miller was born in Lancaster
county, Pa. He was a farmer from his youth
until a few years before his death, when he
retired from business. He was married to
Sarah Woods, a native of Dauphin county.
They had eight children : D. W.; J. C; Jane,
wife of Moses Zimmerman, deceased ; Mary,
wife of Henry Smith ; Samuel B., deceased ;
Harriet, deceased ; William W., deceased ;
Sarah, died in infancy. Mr. Miller, now
eighty-two years of age, resides with his
daughter, Mrs. Zimmerman.
D. W. Miller attended the common schools
of Dauphin county for a part of each year
until he reached the age of nineteen, when
he became an apprentice to the trade of pat-
tern making with the Harrisburg Car Man-
ufacturing Company, and served four years,
at the end of which time he entered the em-
ploy of the Pennsylvania Steel Company,
and worked at his trade for about two and
a half years. In 1879 Mr. Miller returned
to Harrisburg, and had charge of the pattern
department of the Car Manufacturing Com-
pany for eleven or twelve years. At the ex-
piration of that tinoe, in 1890, he accepted a
similar position witn the Pennsylvania Steel
Works, which he still holds. "Mr. Miller's
mechanical skill and excellent business
ability are proved by the long terms of his
service with the companies employing him.
Mr. Miller was married, in Harrisburg,
April 4, 1861, to Miss Harriet, daughter of
Frederick Duey. Their children are : Eliz-
abeth, wife C. F. Gramm ; Susan, wife of H.
R. Dasher ; Maty, Henrietta, Sarah, Robert,
Henry R.; the last four are deceased. Mr.
Miller is a Republican; he was for three
years assessor of the Ninth ward, Harrisburg.
The family are members of the Reformed
church.
Mrs. D. W. Miller was born March 12,
1842. Her father was Frederick Duey, and
for many years was a weaver. Their living
children are: Caroline, wife of Paul Barn-
hard, deceased; Simon D.; Elizabeth, wife
of Samuel Stober; Catherine, wife of Jesse
Long ; Henrietta, Mrs. Miller. Both parents
died in Dauphin county. They were mem-
bers of the Reformed church. Samuel Duey,
paternal grandfather of Mrs. Miller, died at
an advanced age.
LeFevrb, James Hasbeouck, superin-
tendent of the slabbing mill department of
the Pennsylvania Steel Works, was born
February 28, 1868, in Somerset county, N. J.
His father, Rev. James LeFevre, D. D., a
native of Ulster county, N. Y., has been for
thirty-nine years an able and honored min-
ister of the Dutch Reformed church, and
his mother, whose maiden name was Cor-
nelia B. Hasbrouck, was also a native of
Ulster county. His parents had the follow-
ing children : Egbert, Cornelia B., Laura H.,
Esther Dew, James H., and Joseph H.
James H. received the usual primary
instructions, and took a college preparatory
course of four years in the grammar school
of Riitger's College, after which he pursued
the four years' course of study in Rutger's
College, from which he was graduated in
chemistry with the class of 1889. In the
same year he was engaged in chemical
work in the laboratory of Dr. Peter T.
Austen for a few months. On November 1,
1889, he came to Steelton, where he was
given his present position, which he has
ever since ably and acceptably filled.
Mr. LeFevre was married, April 7,1896,
to Miss Florence G. Howard, daughter of
George C. and Georgiana (Smith) Howard.
Her father is a prominent and successful
physician at Lawrence, Mass. Mr. LeFevre
is a Democrat in politics.
Rutherford, Samuel H., was born in
Swatara township, Dauphin County, Pa.,
March 3, 1 843 ; son of Samuel S. and Mary
A. Rutherford, both natives of Dauphin
county. Samuel H. attended the public
schools of his native township, and after-
wards took a course of three years in the
Academy. He was then engaged with his
father in farming until he was twenty-seven
years of age. In 1870 he took up the dairy
and farming business on his own account,
and has been continuously employed in
them up to the present time. In addition
to his farm and dairy operations, Mr. Ruth-
erford became, in 1891, the agent of the
Rutherford Ice Company, with an office on
Court avenue, Harrisburg. Mr. Rutherford's
political opinions are 'Republican. On Feb-
ruary 9, 1871, he was married to Fannie E.,
daughter of J. D. and Margaret S. (Bargtis)
ShoH, natives of Frederick City, Md. Their
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1023
children are : Samuel S., in the poultry
business at Paxtang station ; and Jesse S.,
who died an infant, in 1875. Mrs. Rutherford
died December 14, 1884, aged forty years.
Mr. Rutherford wasagain married, November
28, 1894, to Edith M., daughter of Benjamin
and Matilda (Mitchell) Snively, natives of
Green castle. Pa. To this marriage there is
no issue. Mr. Rutherford now resides on
the farm bought by his ancestor, Thomas
Rutherford, in 1755, shortly after his emi-
gration from Ireland,which has been handed
down in the family from one generation to
another.
and Elizabeth Hummel, of Hummelstown,
Pa. They had- one daughter, Alice Eliza-
beth. Mrs. Nelson died on the 12th of
August, 1887.
Nelson, Arthur F., was born in Glouces-
ter, Essex county, Mass., May 19, 1864;
his parents are John Edward and Alice
(Warner) Nelson.
Mr. Nelson's education was carried on in
the public schools of Gloucester, Mass., until
he reached the age of seventeen; afterwards,
for two terms, he attended a private draw-
ing school. This excellent foundation for
further attainments being laid, Mr. Nelson
came to Steelton, Dauphin county, and
served an apprenticeship of two and a half
years in the machine shop. He then went
into the roll turning department, superin-
tended by Mr. William George, and served
under that gentleman for about two years.
So well had the young man improved his
time and opportunities that upon Mr.
George's resignation he was placed in charge
of the roll turning department as Mr.
George's successor. At the time when Mr.
Nelson became superintendent, the company
had all new work finished outside. In 1889
part of the present roll turning shop was
erected, and from time to time it has re-
ceived additions, until now this department
is one of the most important in the plant.
Its growth and present prosperity are largely
due to the diligence, skill and sagacity of its
superintendent, Mr. Nelson. After having
been for years a zealous and influential mem-
ber of the Harrisburg Wheel Club, Mr. Nel-
son is now its president. He has for five
years been the representative from this
State to the National Assembly of the League
of American Wheelmen ; also representative
of the Pennsylvania division of the League
of American Wheelmen. Mr. Nelson is an
adherent of the Republican party. He was
married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Abner
Baker, Charles P., was born in Dauphin
county, September 18, 1843. He is a son of
Samuel and Anna Maria (Haamann) Baker,
the former a native of York county and the
latter of Dauphin county. Mr. Samuel
Baker had as his intellectual preparation for
his life work little beyond his native intelli-
gence, he having received no more than
three months of school training and instruc-
tion. He was a farmer, and increased his
revenues by speculations in land. His wife
was the daughter of Philip and Maria Haa-
mann. They had eight children, five of
whom are now living: Samuel, Jr., John,
George W., Charles P., and William. Their
daughters all died ; Mary on December 3,
1857; Sarah E., August 6, 1889, and Eliza-
beth, March 23, 1842. Both parents died in
Mercer county ; Mr. Baker on May 10, 1866,
at the age of fifty-eight, and Mrs. Baker on
January 26, 1887, aged seventy-five. They
were active members of the Reformed church.
Charles P. Baker was educated in the pub-
lic schools in Dauphin county until he was
eleven years old, then in Mercer county,
completing his course by studying for two
years at Mercersburg College, Franklin
county, Pa., which he entered at the age of
twenty-one. He afterwards taught school
in Mercer county for five terms. Then ex-
changing "literary for mercantile work he
became a clerk in the store of Achre &
Bright. He was afterwards employed in
the same capacity by William Simmons, at
Fredonia, Mercer county, entering this es-
tablishment in 1868, and remaining for seven
years. After the third year of this time the
firm name changed to that of Simmons &
Swab. In 1876 Mr. Baker spent a few months
as a visitor in Harrisburg, Pa., and in 1876
entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company as timekeeper. Having
faithfully performed the duties devolving
upon him for four years and six months, he
was made time recorder and still continues
to hold the same position. Charles P. Baker
,was married, January 17, 1871, to Miss Kate,
daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Lauder-
milch) Fetterhoff, of Halifax, Dauphin
county, Pa. He was in early life a member
1024
BIOGRAPBICAL EKCYVLOPEDIA
of the Reformed church, but since his twenty-
eighth year he has been a Presbyterian. His
pohtical views are those of the Prohibition
party.
Whitney, Everett E., Steelton, Pa., was
born in Hingham, Plymouth county, Mass.,
May 3, 1861. He is a son of Jason W. and
Lydia A. (Davis) Whitney. He was edu-
cated in the public schools of Hingham and
at Comer's Commercial College, of Boston,
Mass., completing his course by the time he
was nineteen years of age. He then engaged
with his father in the lumber and hardware
business; but during 1882-83 he had a busi-
ness in Boston. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Whit-
ney went to Tucson, Arizona Territory, and
remained there until Julj', 1886 ; he then re-
turned for a few months to Massachusetts.
On September 10 of the same year he came
to Steelton, and entered upon an engage-
ment in the auditor's office of the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company, serving in that capa-
city until 1890. In that year Mr. Whitney
was made auditor and cashier of the com-
pany, and still occupies the same responsible
position with undiminished faithfulness and
credit. He was married, October 2, 1890, to
Miss Katharine J. McCammon, of Middle-
town, Pa., daughter of Elisha G. and Cathe-
rine (Faber) McCammon. Mr. and Mrs.
Whitney have one child, Jason McC, born
February 8, 1894.
Mr. Whitney is a lineal . descendent of
John Whitney, who with his wife, Elinor,
emigrated from England in 1635, and settled
in Watertown, Mass. An exhaustive work,
entitled ■' The Whitney Genealogy " has lately
been compiled and written by Frederick
Pierce, of Chicago, 111. Also a very interest-
ing and valuable work by Henry Melville,
of New York, entitled the " Ancestry of John
Whitney." It is only proper to say that a
large majority of those persons in the United
States who are named Wliitney are descend-
ants of John and Elinor Whitney, who set-
tled in Watertown, Mass., in 1635.
Davis, Charles S., Steelton, Pa., was born
in New Bloomfield, Perry county. Pa., No-
vember 14; 1864. He is a son of James
E. and Margaret (Dougherty) Davis. Mr.
Davis' great-great-grandfather settled in Lan-
caster county. Pa., on coming over from
Wales, about 1740. His great-grandfather,
John Davis, moved thence to Shippensburg
about 1760, where he became a farmer, a
contractor for part of the old Philadelphia
and Pittsburgh turnpike, a Revolutionary
soldier, a member of the Pennsylvania Leg-
islature about 1818, and later a local Metho-
dist Episcopal preacher. He had a family
of one daughter and six sons, all of whom
became more or less prominent : (1) Frank
D. was a contractor on the Cumberland Val-
ley railroad, superintendent of the old forge
at Roxbury, Franklin county. His son,
Wesley Reid Davis, D. D., is now pastor of
Dr. Bethune's Dutch Reformed church, in
Brooklyn. A daughter married Dr. Miller,
of West Virginia. (2) Jessie L. was for
many -years the head of a bureau in the
postoffice department at Washington. (3)
Rev. Samuel diedin 1822, at the age of
twenty -nine while 'pastor of the Foundry
Methodist Episcopal church, of Washington,
D. C. (4) John W. removed to Carlisle,
Ind., and was sent to Congress for several
terms, was speaker of the National House of
Representatives in 1847-48, was later gov-
ernor of Oregon, was minister to China. He
was for a number of years in the Indiana
Legislature, speaker^of the House there, was
president of the National Convention that
nominated Franklin Pierce. The late Rear
Admiral John Lee Davis, United States navy,
was his son. A. daughter Mary married
William Aiken, of Evansville, Ind.; Carrie,
another daughter, married Attorney Gen-
eral Denney, of Indiana ; Captain Denney,
United States Marine Corps, being a son by
this marriage. (5) Lemuel Davis, the grand-
father of C. 8. Davis, was a surveyor, justice
of the peace at Shippensburg, teacher of the
grammar school in Mansfield, Ohio, dying
when but thirty-five years old, while on his
way to Pennsylvania. He married Cathe-
rine Reynolds, who was descended from a
prominent French Huguenot family, which
was obliged to flee to Germany to escape re-
ligious persecution in France. Later they
emigrated to Baltimore, and her mother was
among the early Cumberland Valley settlers,
coming there from Baltimore. They had
but two children, James Reynolds, the father
of Charles S. and Margaret C, who died un-
married. James R. Davis married Margaret
A. Dougherty. They had seven children,
only three of whom are now living, Charles
S. being the only living son.
On his mother's side he is descended from
Hugh Dougherty, of Silver Spring, Cumber-
land county, a son of whom, George A., mar-
ried Martha Shoemaker. The Shoemakers
^/!f^(nn^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1027
settled in the Cumberland Valley about the
middle of the eighteenth century, coming
from Lancaster county, Pa., John and David
being the first of the family. Mr. Davis is
descended from the former, who built the
old stone homestead, yet standing, about
midway between Newburg and Roxbury.
It is yet occupied by the Shoemaker descend-
ants, who constitute one of the largest and
most respected families in the Cumberland
Valley.
Mrs. Davis' father is descended from the
Kinneys who settled originally in Connecti-
cut, moving later to New York, and yet later
to Ohio. He served three years during the
Civil war as lieutenant, adjutant of his regi-
ment, being a long time in Maj. Gen. David
S. Stanley's staff. Her mother is descended
from the Delaplanes, a prominent French
family, members of which settled first in
Virginia, her branch moving later to Ohio.
Charles S. Davis received his education
principally in the public schools at Liver-
pool, Perry county, completing his course at
the Central State Normal School, Lock
Haveu, Pa.; in 1883. In the years 1881-82 he
taught the higii school, at Thompsontown,
Juniata county. Pa. In 1883 Mr. Davis began
teaching in the' secondary school at Steelton ;
after one term in that school he was trans-
ferred to the intermediate school, where he
taught for four months. He was then, on
January 1, 1885, made assistant principal of
the high school, and was in 1888 promoted
to principal ; he still occupies that dignified
and important post. In the first year after
coming to Steelton, Mr. Davis edited the
Daily Item during his summer vacation. Mr.
Davis has been since 1888 a member of State
Capital Lodge No. 70, 1. 0. 0. F., and of En-
campment No. 56, I. 0. 0. F., both of Har-
risburg : also a charter member of Com-
mandery No. 108, K. of M., of Steelton. He
is also a member of the Dauphin County
Historical Society. His politics are Demo-
cratic. He was married, July 14, 1892, to
Miss Leonora, daughter of John P. and
Emma D. (Delaplane) Kinney.
Eakle, Thomas, Steelton, Pa., was born in
Philadelphia, Pa., September 7, 1865 ; son of
Henry and Martha (Barker) Earle. "The
family is an old New England one, having
settled there about 1634. For several gen-
erations the family lived in Leicester, Mass.
Mr. Earle's grandfather, Thomas, was the
first one of the family to settle in Pennsyl-
vania. He was born at Leicester, Mass.,
April 21, 1796, and died at Philadelphia,
July 14, 1849. He was a lawyer and writer
of note. He practiced his profession in Phil-
adelphia for many years, and was an in-
fluential member of the State Constitutional
Convention of 1837, and was the vice-presi-
dential candidate of the Liberty party in
1840.
Thomas Earle attended a public school in
Massachusetts for one year; was afterwards
for four years a student at the Germantown
Academy, Germantown, Philadelphia, and
in the fall of 1883 entered the Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., from which
he was graduated in the spring of 1887. In
the same year Mr. Earle engaged as draughts-
man with the Pittsburgh Bridge Company,
Pittsburgh, Pa., and served in that capacity
for one year ; then for one month occupied a
similar position in the service of the Penn
Bridge Company, at Beaver Falls, Pa. In
1888 he went with Levering & Garringues,
engineers and- contractors, at Philadelphia,
and was with them for fifteen months, draft-
ing, designing and estimating on bridges and
buildings. From the fall of 1889 to April,
1891, he was assistant engineer on the Norfolk
and Western railroad, being second in charge
of the extensive improvements made by
that company at Norfolk. In the spring of
1891 he entered the employ of' the Pennsjd-
vania Steel Company, working in the draw-
ing room of the bridge and construction de-
partment, where he checked all drawings
made, and also designed new buildings, be-
ing so employed until July, 1892. He then
went to Chicago, with Fraser & Chalmers,
and was assistant superintendent of their new
shops until January, 1893, when he returned
to his former position as assistant engineer,
in charge of the designing of buildings, at
Steelton. Later in the same year Mr. Earle's
faithful and valuable services received recog-
nition and reward in his promotion to the
position of superintendent of the shops of
the bridge and construction department of
the Steel Company's plant. This is his pres-
ent position. Mr. Earle, while at the Rens-
selaer Polytechnic Institute, joined the Theta
Delta Chi Fraternity ; is a member of the
Germantown Cricket Club, and since 1892
has been a member of the Engineers' Club of
Philadelphia. Thomas Earle was married.
64
1028
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
June 7, 1894, to Miss Sarah, daughter of
Bassler and Ellen B. (Shirk) Boyer, natives
of Lebanon county. They have one son,
Thomas Earle, Jr., born June 6, 1896.
Barnet, John J., Steelton, Pa., was born
in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa., Octo-
ber 2, 1838 ; son of George and Barbara
(Snyder) Barnet. Mr. Barnet's maternal
grandparents were natives of Wurtemberg,
Germany. His parents were both natives of
Middletown, Dauphin county, where his
father was born on July 29, 1813, and his
mother on October 12, 1812. Mr. George
Barnet was a saddler and cooper, but his
principal business engagements were on the
canal and the railroads. Mrs. Barnet, to
whom he was married in the year 1838, was
a daughter of Christian and Mary Snyder.
They had nine children, of whom Susan
died, aged ten years, and George, aged
twenty-five years. The survivors are : John
J.; Augustus; Annie, wife of John Daugh-
erty, deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of Charles
Hartline ; Clara, wife of Jacob McKinley,
and, after his death, of John Brindle ; Chris-
tian, and Margarctta. Mr. George Barnet,
at the time of his death, which occurred
March 7, 1886, was in the lumber business.
Mrs. Barnet died December 8, 1873, aged
sixty years, one month and twenty-eight
days.
John J. Barnet attended the public
schools of Middletown, Pa., until, in his
eighteenth year, he began a six months'
course at the Emaus Institute, at Middle-
town. His school days ended, he lost no
time in idleness, but engaged as clerk in the
general store of Lauman & Crum ; in the
following year he was away from Middle-
town, but on his return was received again
into the employ of the same firm, and served
them for two years more. At about twenty-
one years of age he began a three years' ap-
prenticeship at carpentry. At the end of
that time he engaged with the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company as brakeman for one
year, and afterwards with the Northern
Central Railroad Company as conductor for
about nine months. He was next employed
as a millwright until 1866, at which time he
entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Steel Company. Mr. Barnet entered the
service of this company as a carpenter. Only
a year was necessary to make the company
fully sensible of the value of his services as a
skilled and versatile mechanic and a faith-
ful employee. At the expiration of that time
he was made foreman of the carpentry de-
partment, and has continued for thirty years
to manifest the same qualities in that re-
sponsible position. Mr. Barnet votes with
the Democratic party. On November 13,
1859, he was married to Miss Harriet A.,
daughter of John and Susan (Wise) Gurtner,
of New Cumberland, Cumberland county.
Pa. One of their family of seven children,
William Augustus, died in 1864, aged three
weeks. The living children are : Harry,
Annie B., John Robert, Katie E., Florence,
and Walter Herbert.
Bent, Winslow B., Steelton, Pa., was born
in Norfolk county, Mass., December 17, 1825.
Mr. Bent is a son of Ebenezer and Nancy
(Stehler) Bent, both natives of Norfolk county,
where Mr. Ebenezer Bent was occupied with
mercantile business, his lifelong pursuit.
Mrs. Bent was a Miss Stehler. Mr. and Mrs.
Bent had ten children ; only four are now
living : Elizabeth, wife of William Monroe ;
Mary, wife of R. S. Hausman ; Winslow B.;
and Edith S.
Winslow B. Bent was a pupil in the public
schools of Norfolk until he was eighteen,
when he went to Quincy, Mass., to complete
his school education. From 1842 until April-,
1848, he assisted as clerk in his father's store.
In 1849 the golden gleam of California mines
allured him, and he joined the great exodus
of young and enterprising Eastern men of
that State. There he no doubt shared the
general experience of vicissitudes, often more
spicy and agreeable in the subsequent rela-
tion than in the actual occurrence ; but he
pluckily remained in that State, engaged in
various pursuits, for about fifteen vears.
Afterwards, from 1864 to 1879, he saw life on
the broad western plains, in the service of
the Union Pacific railroad. At length the
pale glitter of steel drew Mr. Bent eastward
with truer, if more moderate, promise than
the lustre of gold had held out ; and in the
employ of the Pennsylvania Steel Company
he found a position worthy of his accept-
ance— that of superintendent of the yard
department. Mutual satisfaction of employer
and employees have brought about a long
tenure of the position, which he has held
from 1879 to the present time. Mr. Bent's
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1029
politics are Democratic. On March 10, 1859,
Winslow B. Bent was married to Miss Jean-
nette, daughter of Shellen Tomlinson. They
have had three children : Shellen C; Alice,
wife of E. C. Felton ; and Edith.
HocKER, Rev. M. P., pastor of St. John's
Evangelical Lutheran church, Steelton, Pa.,
was born at Union Deposit, Dauphin
county. Pa., October 1 , 1853. His mother,
Barbara Martin, was a native of Cumber-
land county, and his father, George Hocker,
a native of Dauphin county, having been
born at Hockersville, June 15, 1806. The
father lived to be over eighty years old.
His grandfather, Martin Hocker, lived to be
over ninety-three years old, and was the
founder of Hockersville, Dauphin county.
He was one of three men appointed to run
the division line between Dauphin and
Lebanon counties; the other two having
been William Cochran and John Harrison.
Rev. Hocker was named at baptism after
his grandfather, in honor of which event a
Mexican silver dollar, given at that time, is
still in his possession. His boyhood days
were spent in the place of his birth, work-
ing on the farm and assisting about the
hotel owned and kept by his father. Al-
though his early environments were not the
most conducive to the best morals, yet,
owing to the blessed influence and the
prayers of a precious mother, whose death
occurred, however, before he was twelve
years old, and the example and instruction
of a most honorable father, he was reared to
reverence holy things, and to regard honesty
and thrift as the best human equipments
for an honorable and successful career.
Although the youngest of nine children
his father, who was a strong patron of the
common schools, gave him every advantage
possible to secure an education. The oppor-
tunities afforded were, in the providence of
God, eagerly embraced, and an early aspira-
tion to enter one of the professions was thus
fostered. After a brief academical course
he received his first appointment as teacher
in the public schools, at the age of nineteen
years. By teaching school during the
winter seasons and attending school during
the remaining months of the school term
at Palatinate College, Meyerstown, Pa., he
was finally prepared to enter the freshman
class in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg,
in September, 1876. After joining the home
church in 1876, the hitherto fixed purpose
to enter the profession of law was aban-
doned for that of the gospel ministry. Re-
ceiving some assistance from the church, he
was enabled to complete the prescribed
course without interruption, graduating
with the class of 1880. He entered the
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in
September of the same year.
Throughout the college and seminary
courses he supplemented the church allow-
ance by engaging in manual labor, selling
books, or in colporteur work. In the fall of
1882 he was licensed to preach the gospel
by the East Pennsylvania Synod of the
Lutheran church, convened in Potts ville,
Pa. February 1, 1883, he received a call
from St. John's Evangelical Lutheran
church, of Steelton, Pa., to come as their
pastor. Being still a student in the senior
class of the Theological Seminary, he could
not take pastoral care of the congregation,
but supplied them with preaching services
until after his graduation in June, '83. On
the 5th day of July of the sanae year he en-
tered into holy wedlock with Miss Millie A.
Farnsler, a daughter of Joseph Farnsler,
Esq., one of the most prominent residents
of Union Deposit. Two weeks later, accom-
panied by his bride, he took full charge of
the congregation in Steelton, being installed
in his pastoral relation by the Rev. C. A.
Hay, D. D., and Rev. M. Valentine, D. D.,
LL. D., on the 22d of July, 1883. A
few months later, at the meeting of the
East Pennsylvania Synod in Germantown,
Pa., he was ordained to the ministry in the
Evangelical Lutheran church of the General
Synod.
His entire ministerial life up to the pres-
ent time, July, 1896, has been associated
with his present congregation, it being his
first and only pastorate. A record of his
life work, therefore, necessarily involves in
large measure, a history of this energetic and
prosperous congregation, which was but
eight years old when they called him to be
their pastor. At that time they worshiped
in a chapel of modest pretensions on Locust
street, and numbered less than fifty mem-
bers, and some of these discouraged because
of diiheartening conditions resulting from
a period when they had no pastor in the
field. Taking courage with the advent of
the new pastor, the congregation soon re-
gained their lost position and more. The
chapel building was enlarged the second
time within five years. About this time a
1030
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
lot of ground was secured on the corner of
Second and Pine streets at a cost of $5,000.
In the fall of 1892 ground was broken for
the erection of a tine church building. April
30, 1893, the cornerstone was laid with most
impressive services. A year later, July 15,
1894, the completed church was dedicated
to the glory of God. The handsome build-
ing cost over $45,000, or $50,000 including
the ground. The congregation now num-
bers nearly six hundred, with a Sunday-
school of about seven hundred and fifty
members.
In these thirteen years of his pastoral re-
lations he has seen the most rapid advance-
ment of the progressive borough of Steelton,
witnessed the brilliant career of Major L. S.
Bent, general manager and president of the
noted Pennsylvania Steel Company, and the
no less substantial success of the present
honored president, Mr. E. C. Felton. Living
in these environments, he has learned the
animus of the community, has come into
sympathetic touch with the. noble people
making up the bulk of the population, and
so has learned to love the people and work
for the community's interests. In his min-
isterial work he has received nine hundred
members into church fellowship, baptized
four hundred and seventy-five children, per-
formed one hundred and eighty marriages,
officiated at two hundred and sixty-eight
funerals and made at least eight thousand
pastoral visitations in the homes of Steelton.
Being in the prime of life, he naturally
looks forward to a career of usefulness in the
Master's service, if it so please the Great
Head of the church, to whom shall be all
praise forever.
Monroe, G. E., superintendent of the elec-
trical department of the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, Steelton, Pa., was born in Lauder-
bach, Germany, October 15, 1864. He is a
son of the late Selmor and Eosa (Cor) Mon-
roe, both natives of Germany. Selmor
Monroe was in early life engaged in brewing,
but later became a banker, and was in the
latter employment at the time of his death.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Selmor Monroe
were : Julia, Selmor, Theodore, Edith, C. E.,
Johanna, Ernestina, and Pollie; also, Barn-
hard, deceased, and Isidor, who was killed at
the battle of Sedan, in the Franco-Prussian
war. The father died at the age of sixty-
five, and the mother at the age of forty-eight
years.
C. E. Monroe was educated in the German
public schools, and graduated from the high
school, at Breslau, at the age of eighteen.
He then took a four years' course at the Uni-
versity of Munich. After a service of one
year in the German field artillery, he en-
tered an engineering school, from which,
after a course of study covering two years,
he graduated in 1887. He was then em-
ployed for three years by the General Elec-
trical Company, of Germany ; in 1890 he ob-
tained a position in the electrical depart-
ment of the patent office, at Berlin. Mr.
Monroe came to Chicago during the World's
Fair, and at its close entered the service of
the Westinghouse Electric Company, of New-
ark, N. J., where he remained for two years.
In the fall of 1894 he came to Steelton, where
he was made superintendent of the electric
department of the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany ; he still retains that position.
Mr. Monroe was married, February 23,
1895,' to Miss Ella, daughter of Allen and
Amanda (Newhard) Brader. They have one
child, Selmor. Mr. Monroe is a Democrat,
He and his wife are members of the Dutch
Reformed church.
Mrs. Monroe's grandfather, Charles Bra-
der, was a native of Lehigh county, and was
all his life a prominent business man. He
had two sons: Allen and Franklin. He
died in September, 1892, aged twenty-eight
years. Allen Brader, and his wife Amanda,
daughter of Reuben Newhard, were the par-
ents of Mrs. Monroe, and were both born in
AUentown, Lehigh county. Pa. Mr. Brader
was a machinist, but was for a few years en-
gaged in farming, and at a later time in the
hat business, which was his occupation until
his retirement in 1893. During the war of
the Rebellion he was captain of company K,
Fifty-first Pennsylvania volunteers, and after
serving four years was honorably discharged
in March, 1865. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Brader are: Henry, and Ella, Mrs.
Monroe. Mrs. Brader died November 19,
1886, aged forty-eight. Her husband sur-
vives her, and "resides at Cherry Ford, Le-
high county, where he has filled several
township offices.
Newbecker, John J., master mechanic of
merchant and billet mill, Pennsylvania
Steel Works, Steelton, Pa., was born near
Halifax, Dauphin county. Pa., February 5,
1850. He is a son of Dr. J. B. and Caroline
(Maize) Newbecker. His great-great-grand-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1031
father, John Martin Newbecker, came over
the ocean from Rotterdam in the ship Edin-
burg. He qualified September 15, 1749, and
settled at the mouth of Powell's creek on
the Susquehanna river, eighteen miles above
Harrisburg. His son, Philip Newbecker,
great-grandfather of John J. Newbecker, was
first lieutenant of the Sixth company. Fourth
battalion of associated battalions and militia
of the Revolution, in 1777, under Col. Rob-
ert Elder. Philip Newbecker, Jr., grand-
father of John J., was a farmer and black-
smith for many years at Powell's creek,
Dauphin county. He was also an expert
gunsmith and manufactured rifles and shot
guns from the raw material. Some of these
weapons are still in existence in Dauphin
county. He died about twenty years ago,
at the age of seventy-eight, leaving three
sons, George, Samuel, and John B.
The third son, John B. Newbecker, was
the father of John J. Newbecker, and was
born at Halifax, Dauphin county, July 2,
1820 ; son of Philip and Mary M. (Rhawn)
Newbecker. He attended the schools of hisna-
tive borough, after which he began the study
of medicine with Dr. S. P. Brown, of Hali-
fax, and graduated from Jefferson Medical Col-
lege in 1852. After practicing in Lower
Augusta township, Northumberland county,
until 1861, he settled in Trevorton and es-
tablished his drug business, which he has
since conducted in connection with his prac-
tice. In 1862 the Doctor was commissioned
by Governor Curtin as assistant surgeon of
the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, and
in 1864 was attached to the White Hall
hospital, Bucks county. Pa., and the Semin-
ary hospital, Alexandria, Va. The Doctor
is a Democrat. In 1871 he was elected to
the State Legislature. He has served the
township as treasurer, also many times as
school director. He is connected with the
Masonic fraternity and with the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows. Dr. Newbecker
was married, in 1842, to Caroline, daughter
of Henry Maize, of Dauphin county. Four
of their children are living : Philip, a phy-
sician, of Danville, Pa.; Louisa, wife of A. L.
Bastress, of Lycoming county, Pa.; John J.,
master mechanic at Steelton ; and Mary M.,
wife of J. J. John, Lykens, Pa. Dr. New-
becker is a member of the Baptist church.
He is regarded as one of the representative
citizens of Northumberland county.
John J. Newbecker was educated in the
public schools and at Dixon's Academy,
which he attended until he was sixteen
years old. He then learned his trade, that
of machinist, with the Hickok Manufactur-
ing Company, of Harrisburg, serving an ap-
prenticeship of four years. He worked one
year for the Harrisburg Foundry and Ma-
chine Company and then went to Kansas,
where he took charge of the King Iron Bridge
Company, of Topeka, as master mechanic,
remaining there until 1874, when he returned
to his native place. In 1875 Mr. Newbecker
entered the employ of the Snj'der Manufac-
turing Company, of Pottsville, Pa., builders
of steam engines and mining machinery.
After serving with this company for several
years he became superintendent of the Sha-
mokin Gas Company, and a year later began
work for the Pennsylvania Coal Company,
of Lykens, Pa., where he remained for a
similar length of time. In 1878 he entered
the service of the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany and worked as a mechanic for four
years. Then a new mill, known as the " mer-
chant and billet mills " being erected, Mr.
Newbecker was, in 1881, made its master
mechanic, a position which he fills to-day
with the same integrity and devotion to
duty that have characterized his work
wherever he has been employed.
In 1891 Mr. Newbecker was elected a
councilman of Steelton borough, in which
capacity he served creditably for three years.
He is affiliated with Robert Burns Lodge,
No. 464, F. & A. M., Harrisburg, Pa., and
with Steelton Conclave, No. 106, I. 0. H.
He is also a director in the Steelton Home
Water Company. John J. Newbecker was
married, in 1880, to Alice E., daughter of
John W. and Sarah A. (Nein) Geiger. Their
children are : Leon M., Verna A., Margie,
and Brice Atwood. Mr. Newbecker and
family attend the Reformed church.
Gallagher, Michael, machinist, Penn-
sylvania Steel Works, Steelton, Pa., was born
in Ireland, in August, 1846. He is a son of
John and Bridget (Highland) Gallagher.
His paternal grandfather, Owen Gallagher,
was a gardener, and was all his life in the
same business. He first married Miss Con-
ally, and had two children : Thomas, and
Michael. By a second marriage, to a Miss
Gallagher, he had two children : John, and
Bridget, both deceased. Mr. Gallagher's ma-
ternal grandparents were both born at Cassel
1032
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Bar, Ire! and . Their ch ildren were : Mary, who
died at Pittsburgh, and who was Mrs. Thomas
Reihm ; and Bridget, Mrs. John Gallagher.
Mr. and Mrs. John Gallagher were both born
in Ireland. Mr. Gallagher, like his father,
was all his life a gardener ; he served in some
of the finest situations in both Ireland and
England. His wife Bridget was the daughter
of Patrick and Magdalena Highland, men-
tioned above. Their children are : Marj',
wife of Michael Clark ; Annie, wife of Pat-
rick Daily ; Michael ; Elizabeth, wife of Will-
iam Burk; Jane, wife of John Kassie; Brid-
get, wife of Patrick Mitchel, who died in
1888. The father died January 1, 1883, aged
sixty-four, and the mother June 26, 1892,
aged seventy-five years. They were mem-
bers of the Roman Catholic church.
Michael Gallagher was educated in the
common schools of Ireland. At the age of
fourteen he went to England, and for four
years and nine months was in the tin busi-
ness. He then wotked in the steel works
until 1869. In September of that year he
came to this country, landing at New York.
A few days later he came to Steelton, and at
once engaged with the Pennsylvania Steel
Company as a general laborer. In a few
months he was made boss hammerman in
the hammer mill, and was afterwards pro-
moted to his present position. With the ex-
ception of thirteen months spent in Pitts-
burgh and Chicago, Mr. Gallagher has worked
continuously since 1869 with his present em-
ployers. He is a Democrat. Michael
Gallagher was married, March 30, 1875,
to Mary D., daughter of Morris and Julia
(Cavana) Murphy. Their children are: B.
Agues, Julia G., and Johanna T.; Anna, died
in May, 1882, aged three years and nine
months; Minnie, died September, 1881 ; and
John H., died January 18, 1884. Mrs. Gal-
lagher died March 13, 1888, aged thirty-six
years. Mr. Gallagher is a member of the
Roman Catholic church.
The parents of Mrs. Gallagher were born
in Ireland. Upon coming to this country
they settled iu Steelton, where Mr. Murphy
has been constantly employed ever since.
His wife was Julia Cavana. Their children
are: Johanna, wife of Jere. Daily; Michael,
Thomas, Katie, and Ann, the latter born de-
ceased. Mrs. Murphy is deceased, and Mr.
Murphy resides in Steelton, and is now mar-
ried to Barbara Kassie. They have one child
deceased.
Enney, George W., assistant foreman in
the frog, switch and signal department,
Pennsylvania Steel Company, Steelton, Pa.,
was born in Lancaster county, Pa.j Novem-
ber 8, 1861. He is a son of George W. and
Catherine (Lenheart) Enney. The paternal
grandmother's maiden name was Leah
Wolf, and she was of German descent. The
grandfather, John Enney, was born in
White Hall, New York City. The great-
grandfather was a Frenchman, and came to
this country in 1772 and participated in the
Revolutionary war under Washington. His
name was George DeEnney, but after com-
ing to America he no longer used the De.
The elder George W. Enney was a foundry-
man, and followed the same line of work
continuously until four years ago, when he
retired. He was a native of Lancaster
county. He worked in Harrisburg for
about eleven years, and then went to Dun-
cannon, Perry county, where he had charge
of the blast furnace for eleven years. He
next went to Harrisburg, remained one
year, and then removed to Steelton, where
he now resides. He was married, July 4,
1853, to Catherine, daughter of William
and Jane Harm an Lenheart, of Perry
county. Their children are: William F.;
Ellen Almeah, wife of Edward Doyle ; Har-
riet, wife of H. J. Stimmel, and George W.
Both parents were members of the Lutheran
church.
George W. Enney, Jr., received his educa-
tion in the public schools of Harrisburg, to
which place his father removed when he
was nine years old. At the age of seven-
teen he left school and began to learn the
trade ' of machinist with the W. 0. Hickok
Manufacturing Company, after which he
was employed by the Jackson Manufactur-
ing Company, of Philadelphia, for two
months. He next worked eighteen months
for the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing' Com-
pany, in the foundry and machine depart-
ment. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Enney
went to Owata, Minn., where he remained
for about three months, working at his trade
with Charles Burdick. The next twenty
months were spent in the service of Alt-
house, Wheeler & Co., Waupan, Wis. On
February 18, 1887, he commenced to work
for the Pennsylvania Steel Company as a
machinist. After serving for eighteen
months in this capacity, he was promoted to
the position of assistant foreman in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1033
frog, switch and signal department, which
position he fills with fidelity at the present
time. Mr. Enney is a member of Robert
Burns Lodge, No. 464, of the Masonic fra-
ternity, Harrisburg; of Dauphin Lodge,
No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., and also of Car-
thage Lodge, No. 194, K. of P., Steel-
ton. He is a Republican, and takes a very
active part in politics. He was married,
December 4, 1881, to Lizzie, daughter of
John and Catherine (Chalfant) Pelen, na-
tives of Lancaster county. Their children
are : Daisy, Maud, George, Jr., and Dewitt
R. Mrs. Enney is a member of the Meth-
odist church.
long to the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he is trustee, and takes an active in-
terest in the affairs of that religious organi-
zation. He is also a member of the
Y. M. C. A.
Traver, David B., M. D., who is the phy-
sician longest in active practice in Steelton,
was born in York county. Pa., March 14,
1841. His parents, David and Sarah
(Bailets) Traver, were also natives of that
county, and farmers by occupation. He re-
ceived his literary education in the public
and select schools, afterwards teaching for
eight years in York and Cumberland coun-
ties, and in the State of Illinois. He studied
medicine under the able tuition of Dr. E. H.
Coover, then of New Cumberland, now of
Harrisburg, and was graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College in 1869. Dr. Traver at
once took up the practice of his profession
in Steelton, where, by strict attention to
business, he has attained success, not only
in the art of relieving the suffering, but in a
financial way. He was one of the original
stockholders of the East Harrisburg Railway
Company, now known as the Harrisburg
Traction Company. In his political views
he is a Republican, but takes no active in-
terest in party matters. He has served with
credit as a member of the school board for
three years in Swatara township, and for
three terms in the borough of Steelton after
its incorporation, and has been treasurer of
that body, and also served as chairman of
the teachers and buildings committees. The
Doctot- is a member of the Royal Arcanum
and the E. A. U., for both of which organi-
zations he is medical examiner. He is a
member of the Dauphin County and State
Medical Societies and the American Medical
Association, and has been a delegate to State
and National conventions. Dr. Traver was
married, in November, 1871, to Miss Sarah
E., daughter of Samuel Nisley, of Steelton,
and has three children : Samuel N., Mary
H., and Alfaretta. He and his family be-
BoosER, Henry, retired, Steelton, was
born in Londonderry township, Dauphin
county. Pa., March 3, 1825 ; son of Benja-
min and Barbara (Goode) Booser. The
father was born in Londonderry township
in 1800, and was a son of Henry, a native
of Germany, who came to America when ten
years of age and settled with -his parents in
Londonderry township. The grandfather
was a farmer and basket maker. He was a
member of the River Brethren church and
died in Londonderry township in 1838, aged
seventy-six years. His children are: John,
Henry, Jacob, Benjamin, and Barbara,
married Peter Eshelman; all of whom are
deceased. Benjamin, the father, was a
farmer, and followed, his occupation in
Dauphin, Lancaster and Cumberland coun-
ties. In his politics he was a Whig and in
his religious views he was in accord with the
River Brethren. He died in 1864 and his
wife died in 1860. Their children are : Mary,
deceased, married John Shell and located in
Swatara township; Catherine, died unmar-
ried, and Henry. Henry was reared in
Londonderry township, and received his
education in the schools of that period. He
engaged in farming in Swatara township
and located on his present farm in 1843, a
part of which is occupied by the plant of the
Pennsylvania Steel Works. Mr. Booser is a
stockholder in the Electric Light Company.
He was married, in 1861, to Miss Emeline
Musser, daughter of Samuel and Betsy
(Spricker) Musser, of Lancaster county.
They have five children : Aaron, of Steelton;
Catherine, married Albert Longenecker, of
Hummelstown ; Benjamin Grant, of Phila-
delphia; Mary Emma, and Lillie. Mr.
Booser is a Republican in politics. His
wife is a member of the River Brethren
church.
Babe, Charles H., justice of the peace,
Steelton, was born in Chester county. Pa.,
September 25, 1833 ; son of Sampson Babb.
The grandfather, Peter Babb, was the first
settler of Tioga county, and to.ok up a claim of
eight hundred acres, subsequently known
as the "Babb Tract," watered by what was
afterwards named Babb creek. He died at
1034
BIOGRAPHICAL ENVTCLOPEDIA
the age of ninety years, having reared four
children : John, deceased, hotel keeper in
West Chester, Pa. ; Jacob, deceased, farmer
and lumberman in Tioga county ; William,
lived and died on the Babb tract; and
Sampson.
Sampson, father of Charles H., was born
in Tioga county in 1782, and in early life
was employed by Stephen Girard as a
master builder, having charge of the build-
ing of the warehouses erected by that gen-
tleman in Philadelphia, in which he was
employed for about twenty years, after
which he purchased the Washington Hotel,
at West Chester, which he conducted for
twenty-five years. About the time he moved
to West Chester, he married Miss Charity G.,
daughter of Emmor Jeffris, of one of the
oldest families of Chester county, by whom
he had ten children, of whom nine were
reared to maturity : Peter, deceased, was a
druggist, and studied pharmacy under Dr.
Witheral, of Philadelphia; his widow and
two children survive him ; Anna Eliza, de-
ceased, the wife of Truman Wallace, of
Lancaster county, son of the Rev. John
Wallace, who had charge of the old Pequea
church, of Lancaster county, for over fifty
years; JefFris, deceased, buried at Yreka,
Cal., was a druggist ; William, deceased, was
a shoemaker by trade, engaged in steam-
boating on the Tombigbee river in Ala-
bama, some years, and died in Lancaster
county, Pa. ; John, deceased, shoemaker,
and also a druggist, is survived by four
children ; Matilda, wife of Capt. Thomas
Marshall, Mobile, Ala., who died in 1882,
his wife and four children surviving him;
Charles H.; Caroline P., wife of Al. A.
Moore, Montrose, Ala., has two children
living; Edwin L., married Miss Jaquilt, of
Chester county, was drowned in 1857, leav-
ing a widow and one daughter; Thomas,
died in infancy.
Charles H. received his education in the
public schools of Chester county, and at the
age of sixteen years began an apprentice-
ship at the builder's trade with John Agin,
with whom he afterwards worked at Har-
land and HoUingsworth, Del., until 1855,
when he located at Parkesburg, Chester
county, where he was employed by the State
Railroad Company as machinist, until 1860,
with the exception of three years spent in
the service of the New York and Erie rail-
road. He then was engaged for a short
time with the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany at Harrisburg; in 1861 enlisted in
the army for three months, and afterwards
enlisted for nine months in company A, One
Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, in which he
served as first duty sergeant, at which time
he organized company F, of the Twentieth
Pennsylvania cavalry, and was made cap-
tain of the company, but resigned in favor
of Capt. V. B. Hummell, under whom he
served as first lieutenant until the expira-
tion of his term of enlistment. He was
then commissioned as first lieutenant of com-
pany E, Twelfth Pennsylvania regulars, and
served till the close of the war, having
been brevetted captain. Mr. Babb came to
Steelton, in February, 1867, and was in the
employment of the Pennsylvania Steel
Company as machinist, until 1884, during
which time he had charge of the roll turn-
ing for fifteen years. Since the last named
date he has been engaged in real estate and
insurance business. He has served as jus-
tice of the peace and notary public for a
number of years. Mr. Babb is a member
of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, and Dauphin
Encampment, No. 10, I. 0. 0. F., and is
also past commander of Post No. 58,
G. A. R., of Harrisburg. In 1855 he was
married to Miss Louisa J. Irwin, daughter
of George Irwin, one of the early settlers of
Chester county, by whom he has had five
children, the only survivor of whom is Hay
JefFris, married to Miss Loven, of Lancaster
county. His deceased children are : Charles
I, Edwin F., Cora, and one child who died
in infancy.
BoYER, Jacob, Enhaut, Pa., was born in
Dauphin county. Pa., August 14, 1814; son
of John Boyer. The father was the first of
the Boyer family to settle in Dauphin county.
He came to the county about 1800, and pur-
chased a small farm near Chambers Hill,
which he cultivated in connection with
working at his trade of stone mason. He
married a Miss Whitman, by whom he had
nine children: Henry, John, Benjamin,
Jacob, George, Martin, Samuel, Rebecca, and
Catherine, all of whom are deceased, except-
ing Jacob. The latter attended the subscrip-
tion schools of the county, and engaged in
farming, and later Worked a stone quarry.
In 1853 he purchased the Abraham farm, on
which he has since had his residence, and is
one of the oldest residents of what is now
known as Enhaut. In 1843 he married Miss
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1035
Catherine Beinhower, daughter of Peter
Beinhower, of Dauphin county, by whom he
has two children living: J. C, born October
7,1856, was educated in the public schools,
is a farmer by occupation, and has charge
of his father's farm ; he is not married ; and
Emeline, wife of M. N. Suavely, of Enhaut.
Mr. Boyer has been one of the most prom-
inent citizens of Swatara township, and is
one of the oldest residents. He takes an
active interest in all church work.
of Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, by
whom he has two children : Clara M. and
George H., both living at home.
Bowers, Jacob, was born in Cumberland
county. Pa., February 25, 1850; son of
George Bowers. The father was born in
Alleckendorf, France, in 1810, and was a
tinner by trade. In 1834 he came to this
country, and after remaining in Baltimore,
Md., until 1845, settled in Cumberland
county, and was engaged in farming until
his death, in 1895. He was married, first, in
his native country, August 28, 1831, to Miss
Catherine Jacob, who died in 1862. He mar-
ried for his second wife. Miss Kruger, by
whom he reared five children : Catherine,
deceased ; Mary, widow of William Shaw ;
George W., living in Washington State ; John
Henry, living in Cumberland county, and
Jacob. His second wife survives him.
Jacob received his education in the com-
mon schools of Cumberland county. When
a young man he was engaged in farming,
and at the age of eighteen years he learned
the trade of carpenter and builder. In 1866
he went to Baltimore and worked under tlie
instruction of his father, serving as an ap-
prentice two years, and in this way complet-
ing his mastery of the business, after which
he returned to Fairview, Cumberland county,
where he remained until his marriage. He
worked at his trade as a journeyman until
1879, when he engaged in contracting on his
own account. In 1875 he moved from Cum-
berland county to Steelton, and in 1884 lie
built the house in which he now lives, on
Meyers street. He built the North Side
school house and the Maj. L. 8. Bent school
house. He also worked at Steelton some
years as a journeyman. Mr. Bowers is a
member of the Republican party, in which
he takes an active part, having served as
councilman for six years, during half of
which period he was the president of that
body. In 1873 he was married to Miss
Emma L. Kutz, daughter of John Kutz,
Beinhower, Adam, was born in Derry
township, Dauphin county, Pa.. August 21,
1828; son of Peter B. Beinhower. The
father was born in Dauphin county about
1791, and was a farmer by occupation. He
married Miss Smith, by whom he had nine
children : Sallie, wife of John Hocker ; Jacob
and Elizabeth, both deceased ; John, of
Swatara township ; Catherine and Susan,
both deceased ; Peter, of Ohio ; Adam, and
Isaac, of Oberlin, Pa. Adam acquired his
education in the common schools of this
period and worked on the farm until he was
eighteen years of age, when he became an
apprentice at the wheelright trade, with C.
A. Stover, at Middletown, in which he served
three years. He then worked one year at
his trade as a journeyman and located at
Hockersville, when he followed his occupa-
tion for twenty-two years. In 1876 he came
to Steelton, where he has since made his
home. He worked for five years at his
trade in Steelton and since 1884 has been
engaged in the undertaking business. On
August 9, 1862, he enlisted in company C,
One Hundred and Twenty -seventh Regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, under Col-
onel Jennings, in which he served until
his discharge in 1863, having participated'
in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chan-
cellorsville. In 1876 he was married to
Miss Catherine Gingerich, of Derry town-
ship, to whom was born one child, William
Hoyt, died at the age of three years. Mr.
Beinhower is an active member of the
United Brethren church.
Balsbaugh, George, Oberlin, Pa., was
born in Derry township, Dauphin county.
Pa., in December, 1817 ; son of John Bals-
baugh. The Balsbaughs are one of the old-
est families of the county. Valentine, the
grandfather of George, was the son of a Mr.
Balsbaugh, who came from Germany, and
was one of the very early settlers of the
count}'. He died in Dauphin county, and
is buried at South Hanover, where his son
Valentine is also buried. John Balsbaugh,
the father of George, and the son of Valen-
tine, was born November 4, 1788, and died
January 18, 1879. He was married, March
22, 1814, to Mary Seigler, born October 18,
1036
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
1794, and died May 28,1857. They had
nine children : George ; Valentine and John,
both deceased ; Henry ; Solomon ; Mary,
wife of Cornelius Shope; Elizabeth, wife of
John Snyder ; Anna, unmarried, and Elijah,
deceased. John Balsbaugh was a farmer by
occupation and a prominent man in his
time. George Balsbaugh attended the public
schools of the county, and learned the trade
of carpenter, which he followed a number of
years. He was also engaged in farming up
to 1891, when he removed to Oberlin, where
he has since lived a retired life. While in
Lower Swatara township he served in the of-
fices of township assessor and school director.
In 1858 he was married to Miss Moyer, of
Dauphin county, by whom he has three chil-
dren : George W., with the Adams Express
Company, at Harrisburg ; Ephraim, living
in Southern California since' 1889, is mar-
ried ; Mary A., wife of E. Stauffer, of High-
spire. Mr. Balsbaugh is the oldest one of the
family now living.
Beinhower, J. S., Oberlin, Pa., was born
in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa.; son
of Peter Beinhower. The father was a son
of Peter Beinhower, whose' father came from
Germany at a very early day and settled in
Dauphin county, where he was employed
in farming and in teaming to and from
Philadelphia. The father married Mary
A- Smith, daughter of John Smith, of
Dauphin county, by whom he had nine chil-
dren : Jacob, deceased ; John ; Peter, living
in Ohio ; Adam, Steelton ; J. S.; Saiah, widow
of John Hocker; Elizabeth, deceased; Cathe-
rine, and Susan, both deceased. J. S. Bein-
hower was educated in the common schools
of Swatara township, and is one of the oldest
residents of Oberlin. He learned the tra,de
of carpenter, and was engaged in contracting
and building up to 1892.' Since 1859 he has
also been engaged in cabinet making and
undertaking. In the spring of 1860 he moved
to the present site of Oberlin, where he has
since made his home. In his political view's
Mr. Beinhower is a Republican, and has
served as tax collector of Swatara township
for several years. In 1859 he was married
to Miss Hassler,' daughter of Samuel and Su-
sanna (Mumma) Hassler, of Dauphin county,
both deceased. Their children are : Anna
May, born May, 1860, died September 6,
1878 ; Frances H., wife of Dr. D. W. Shaff-
ner, of Enhaut, born February 1, 1862; Ir-
ving L., born July 18, 1872, is draughtsman
for the Lincoln Iron Works, Rutland, Vt.,
where he has been since February, 1895.
Baskin, Oliver P., superintendent of the
Steelton Light, Heat and Power Company,
was born in Perry county, Pa., July 24,
1856 ; son of John and Mary (Shoy). His
father was born in Schuylkill county, Pa.,
son of John, who was born in Scotland, emi-
grated to this country, and settled in Schuyl-
kill county, where he followed the occupa-
tion of plasterer. He was drafted for mili-
tary service during the war, but was retired
by reason of occupying a civil office at the
time. His death occurred April 26, 1895,
his wife having died in 1868. She was a
daughter of Mr. Shoy, and was born on the
ocean during the voyage to this country
from Ireland. They had thirteen children,
of whom these lived to maturity : Mary, Mrs.
Jacob Eisenhart, of Middletown, Pa.; Julia,
Mrs. Adam Boyer, of West Fairview, Cum-
berland county. Pa.; Hannah, Mrs. W. H.
Hempley, Bainbridge, Pa.; and Oliver P.
Oliver was reared in Perry county, and
received his education in the township
schools, and by self-study gained a practical
knowledge of electricity. He was engaged
in the grocery business in Philadelphia for
twelve years with a wholesale house, and for
four years was a commercial traveler. In
1890 he came to Steelton, and worked for
the Electric Company, the present plant of
which company was built by him, and he
has since acted as the superintendent of
the company. Mr. Baskin is a member
of the Improved Order of Red Men, and
also of the Junior Order of the United
American Mechanics. In political views he
is a Democrat. In Perry county he served
on the school board, and in Steelton as rtiem-
ber of the council and judge of elections.
Mr. Baskin was married, in 1882, to Miss
Catherine Underwood, daughter of George
Underwood, of Schuylkill county. They
haye no children.
Dickinson, Bayard T., physician, was
born at Gap, Lancaster county. Pa., June 25,
1854 ; son of Henry and Anna (Baldwin)
Dickinson, of Lancaster and Chester coun-
ties, respectively. He was educated in the
common and select schools of his locality,
and was for a time engaged in mercantile
business. He studied medicine, and was
graduated from the medical department of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1037
the University of Pennsylvania, on March
10, 1876, after which he began the practice
of medicine. In 1879 he removed to Steel-
ton, where he has since been engaged in the
practice of his profession. Dr. Dickinson is
a member of the Dauphin County Medical
Society, and also of the Pennsylvania State
Medical Society. In his political views he is
a Republican, and is active in party inter-
ests. In 1883 he was elected member of the
borough council, and was made chairman
of the body ; in 1887-89 was a member
of the State Legislature, and served promi-
nently in the House of Representatives. The
Doctor was married, in 1893, to Miss Clara
Hanshue, daughter of Samuel Hanshue, of
Steelton. Their children are : Alma, Sarah,
and Annie.
Dr. Dickinson was born and reared in the
faith of the Friends. His wife and family
are members of the Lutheran church.
Earnest, Franklin C, Steelton, was born
in Hummelstown, Dauphin county, Pa., Au-
gust 26, 1834 ; son of Obed Earnest. David
Earnest, the grandfather, was a native of
Dauphin county, and one of the earliest
settlers of the county. He was a farmer by
occupation and reared a large family. Obed
Earnest, the father, was born in Dauphin
countj"^ in 1807, and received his education
in the schools of that time. He was en-
gaged in farming until he was twenty-one
years of age, when he learned the trade of
shoemaker, which he followed until his
death in November, 1857. In his political
views he was a Republican, and was an
active member of the Lutheran church. He
married Miss Cobaugh, by whom he had ten
children, of whom five are living : Dr. John
A., pastor of the Lutheran church of Mifflin-
burg, married Miss McCreary, who died in
1895; Richard, of Hummelstown, married
Miss Flasher, of that place ; Margaret, widow
of Joseph Hill, of Jersey Shore, Lycoming
county ; Charles, living with his sisteir, Mrs.
Joseph Hill ; Franklin C. The deceased
children are: David, Obed, Alice, Mary C,
and Amanda, wife of Henry Parker, of
Jersey Shore.
Franklin C. attended the schools of Hum-
melstown, and when a young man learned
the shoemaker's trade with his father. He
was engaged in the shoe trade for over two
years, and in 1873 removed his business to
Steelton and conducted it there until 1884,
since which time he has worked at his trade.
In his political views he is a Republican,
and has served in important offices as school
director and as member of the borough
council three years, and also as justice of
the peace, resigned the latter office in 1875,
on account of its interruption of other busi-
ness. In 1863 he married Miss Jennie E.,
daughter of Captain McCreary, of Gettys-
burg, by whom he has eight children : John,
living at Steelton, married Miss Battey; and
they have two children ; Grace, living at
home ; Jennie, wife of Charles E. Frasier, of
Carlisle, and they have two children ; May,
living at home ; Frank, at home, chemist ;
Ralph, living at home, machinist; Luther,
at home; Robert, at home. Mr. Earnest
and his family are connected with the St.
John's Lutheran church, of which he is an
elder.
EsHENOWER, Jacob J., farmer, Oberlin, Pa.,
was born in Dauphin county, October 12,
1839, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine
(Bishop) Eshenower. The paternal grand-
father, Christian, was a farmer and wagon
maker. He was married, twice, the first
time to Miss Shutt, by whom he had the
following children: Catharine, John, Chris-
tian, Jacob, Andrew, Leonard, and Frederick.
The maternal grandfather, Peter Bishop,
was engaged in farming all his life and was
married to Miss Catharine Shaffer. Their chil-
dren are: John, Sallie, Peter, Catherine, and
William. The father was born in Dauphin
county, February 8, 1798, and while young
learned the trade of blacksmith, which he
followed for a few years and then engaged
in farming. He married, first. Miss Ulrich,
daughter of Michael Ulrich, by whom he
had two children : John and Elizabeth.
He married, secondly, Miss Catherin'e
Bishop, daughter of Peter and Catharine
(Shaffer) Bishop. Their children are : Mary,
Jacob J., and Catherine A. He filled the office
of supervisor of Swatara township for some
years and died June 18, 1869, and his wife
in May, 1880. Both were members of the
Lutheran church.
Jacob J. received his education in the
public schools of Swatara township and then
assisted his father on the farm until he was
twenty years of age. During 1867 and 1868
he conducted the " Black Ss^-an" Hotel, situ-
ated along the Reading pike, west of Hum-
melstown. With this exception Mr. Eshe-
nower has farmed continuously during his
lifetime. He married, first. Miss Susan H.
1038
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Newcomer, November 3, 1859, by whom he
had one daughter, Susan. His wife was
born December, 1841, and died in 1861. He
married, secondly, Miss Susina A. Brown,
daughter of Henry and Rebecca (West)
Brown. They have six children, all of
whom are living : Edward, married to Miss
Kate Reed, daughter of John and Sophia
Reed ; Jacob, married to Miss Kate Kramer;
Carrie, Elenora, Grace V., and Martin W. In
politics Mr. Eshenower is a Republican and
has been judge of the election board and also
member of the detective association. He is
connected with the Lutheran church. Mrs.
Susina Eshenower was born December 13,
1843, in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Her parents were engaged in farm-
ing and were both natives of Berks county.
Her father married Miss Rebecca West,
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Rambo) West.
Their children are : John W., Mary, Susina,
Elizabeth, deceased, and Uriah H., deceased.
Frantz, Michael A., farmer, was born in
Dauphin county, January 15, 1830, and is
the son of Michael and Elizabeth Frantz.
The paternal grandfather was engaged in
farming and married a native of Lancaster
county, by whom he had four children :
Michael, John, Elizabeth, and Snavely. The
father was born in Dauphin county in 1789,
and wa.s married twice, first to Miss Elizabeth
Maghdie, by whom he had two children,
Mary and Elizabeth ; and secondly, to Miss
Elizabeth Walters, by whom he had a family
of nine children, eight of whom survive.
The children are ; Samuel, Anna, Michael A.,
Fannie, Jacob, John, Maggie, Christian, and
Sarah, deceased. He held several township
offices and was connected with the Old
Bridge at Harrisburg, and also with the con-
struction of the turnpike from Harrisburg
to Middletown. He and his wife were mem-
bers of the United Brethren church, and he
died June 5, 1865.
Michael A. received his education in the
public schools of Swatara township. After
leaving school he engaged in farming with
his father, and since- the age of twenty-three
has lived on the old homestead. Mr. Frantz
has also spent some time in the store and in
real estate business. He was married, Janu-
ary 15, 1861, to Miss Barbara A., daughter of
Rev. David and Susan (Gall) Rush. They
have one daughter who resides at home. In
politics he is a Republican and has served as as-
sessor, and was school director for twenty years.
The family adhere to the Methodist church.
Mrs. Frantz was born in Lancaster county,
October 20, 1838. Her father, who was a
minister of the Gospel for forty years, was
born May 17, 1805, and married September
2, 1829, Miss Susan Gall, daughter of Martin
and Elizabeth (Graff) Gall, who was born
April 16, 1805. Their children are : David,
Barbara, John, Harry, Magdaline, deceased,
Martin, deceased, John, deceased, and Elias
and Isaac, also both deceased.
Fencil, Nathaniel S., dealer in stoves
and tinware, was born in York Haven, York
county. Pa., October 15, 1847 ; son of the
late George, W. and Mary E. (Roe) Fencil.
The grandfather Fencil was a native of Ger-
many, and came to America in 1800, locating
in York Haven, Pa., where for many years
he worked as a flour miller. He was a soldier
in the war of 1812. The father was born at
York Haven in 1804, where he was a mer-
chant for many years. He removed to Dau-
phin county, where he died April 17, 1881.
The mother was a native of Sussex county,
N. J., and died in 1895. They had ten chil-
dren, seven of whom are living: Francis
R.; Nathaniel S.; Rosa Belle, wife of John
Guist white ; Georgian a, wife of J. M. Curry ;
Mary, wife of F. B. Wickersham ; William,
and George W. The father served as post-
master at York Haven many years.
Nathaniel S. was reared and educated in
the public schools of his native place. He
was busily employed in his boyhood on the
farm and in the cigar shop, and hence re-
ceived only a limited education. At the age
of seventeen he served an apprenticeship at
the tinners' trade at Middletown, upon the
completion of which he removed to Titus-
ville, where he worked as a journeyman for
two years. In 1869 he returned to Middle-
town, and was employed in business for
himself until the spring of 1873, when he
removed to Steelton, where he has since been
continuously in business, being now one of
the oldest established and leading business
men of the place. Mr. Pencil was married,
at Middletown, Pa., November 7, 1872, to
Anna C. Bippers, daughter of John and
Catherine Bippers, of Middletown, both de-
ceased. To them have been born seven chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy, and the
survivors are : Clarence V., Jennie G, Mabel
B., Mary, and Ellen. Mr. Fenpil is a mem-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1039
ber of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. In
political views he is a Republican. The
family attend the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Grove, John W., boss roller, Pennsylvania
Steel Works, was born in Swatara township,
Dauphin county. Pa., March 29, 1849 ; son
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hall) Grove. The
father was of German descent, born in Leb-
anon county. Pa., son of Henry. He moved
from Lebanon to Dauphin county, when he
was sixteen years of age, and engaged in
farming, but is now residing in Perry county.
He served in the office of school director.
His membership is in the*Methodist Episco-
pal church. Nine children were born to
him, of whom six are living : Catherine E.,
Mrs. J. C. Snoddy, Penbrook; John W.;
Jacob F., Steelton ; Susanna A., Mrs. Robert
E. Lusk, of Harrisburg ; Sarah, Mrs. John
Leopold, Perry county ; Emma, Mrs. Will-
iam Stark, of Perry county. The brothers
are twins.
John W. was reared in Swatara township
and when eighteen years old removed to In-
diana and was there engaged in wagon mak-
ing for a time, after which he was for two
years employed in the Harrisburg Car
Works. In 1871 he came to Steelton and
entered the employment of the Pennsylvania
Steel Works, since which date he has con-
tinued in the employment of that company,
and since 1882 has been in his present posi-
tion. He enlisted in the Governor's Troop,
of Harrisburg. Mr. Grove was married, in
1869, to Miss Amanda Nebenger, daugh-
ter of William Nebenger, of York county.
They have no children. In politics he
is a Republican and has served in the
school board one term and as tax collector
three years. He is enrolled in the member-
ship of the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he holds the office of steward, and
also officiates as chorister, and is interested
in all branches of the work of the church.
Grunden, Martin H., was born in Dau-
phin county. Pa., March 3, 1846; son of
Charles Grunden. He attended the public
schools until he was fourteen years of age,
when he entered the store of H. Felix, at
Harrisburg, as a clerk, where he remained
two years. In February, 1863, he enhsted
in company E, Twelfth Pennsylvania cav-
alry, under Capt. D. A. Irwin, an ex-member
of the Legislature, and now commander of
the Soldiers' Home, at Washington, D. C,
and served until his discharge, July 20,
1865. He was then in the employment of
the Northern Central railroad for one year,
after which he was engaged in the dairy
business for two years. He then entered the
service of the Pennsylvania Steel Company,
at Steelton, where he was employed for four-
teen years. In 1894 he engaged in the coal
business, in which he has since continued.
In 1873 Mr. Grunden was married to Miss
Alice, daughter of Jacob Hale, of Steelton,
by whom he has three children : Rina,
Alva, and Hale, who died February 11, 1894,
aged twenty years.
Hess, Christian, Oberlin, Pa., was born
in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1820 ; son of
Abraham Hess. Samuel Hess, the grand-
father, was a native of Germany, and came
to Lancaster county with his three brothers
at a very early day. He was a farmer, and
lived and died on the farm where his son,
Abraham Hess, died. Abraham Hess, the
father, was born in Lancaster county, where
he was engaged in farming, and died in
August, 1823. He married Catherine Ep-
pler, daughter of Christian Eppler, by
whom he had three children : Nancy, de-
ceased. Christian, and Samuel, deceased.
His widow married John Kingport, by
whom she had five children : David, de-
ceased, Daniel, Lydia, Fannie, deceased,
and Abraham, living at Harrisburg. The
mother died in the fall of 1869, aged seven-
ty-three years.
Christian, at the age of five years, re-
moved with his parents to Lebanon county,
where he attended the public schools until
he was seventeen years of age, when he re-
moved to Dauphin county and worked on
the farm, and subsequently learned the
fuller's trade. He was afterwards engaged
in milling grain for three years, after which
he took up farming, which has been his
occupation up to the present time. Mr. •
Hess laid out the borough of Oberlin, of
which he has been a resident for forty years,
and has built the greater portion of the
town. He was one of the organizers of the
Citizens' Passenger Railway Company. In
political views Mr. Hess is independent,
but is always active in public business. He
is still interested and active in farming, and
is a leading man in agricultural affairs. He
was married, in 1843, to Miss Eshnauer,
born in November, 1825 ; daughter of John
1040
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Eshnauer, of Dauphin county, by whom he
has eight children : Malinda, John H., and
Samuel, all of whom are deceased ; Chris-
tian, married Miss Carrie Bope, of Harris-
burg, living at Mount Clair, Montgomery
county, formerly a resident of Steelton;
Catherine and Abraham, both deceased;
Elizabeth, wife of William Sull, of Oberlin;
and Mary, wife of Thomas Puffer, of Cum-
berland county. John Eshnauer, father of
Mrs. Hess, wasa native of Dauphin county;
by occupation a farmer and weaver. He
married, first, Elizabeth Fishburn, of Derry
township, by whom he had four children :
Catherine ; John and Jacob, both deceased,
and Elizabeth, wife of Henry Kaylor. He
married, secondly, Susanna Pratz, by whom
he has one child, Joseph, of Grantville, Pa.
HocKBR, George, farmer, was born Feb-
ruary 9, 1848, on the old homestead, in Swa-
tara township, and is a son of George and
Catherine (Cocklin) Hocker. The Hocker
and Cocklin families were both of German
descent. The paternal grandfather, Adam,
was a native of Dauphin county, and was a
farmer by occupation. • He had a family of
seven children, all of whom are deceased.
The maternal grandfather was also a farmer,
and reared a family of seven children, none
of whom are now living. The father was
born in Dauphin county, January 21, 1794,
received his education in the schools of
Hummelstown, learned the trade of tailor,
and subsequently engaged in the hotel busi-
ness in Swatara township. Later he began,
farming on the old homestead, where George
was born. He was married, first, to Miss
Magdalen Landis, by whom he had two
children, both deceased : Eugene and Levi.
His wife died in 1824. He married, secondly,
Catherine Cocklin, daughter of Jacob and
Mary (Hoover) Cocklin, November 5, 1835.
Their children are : Margaret, George, and
David, deceased. Most of his life he was en-
' gaged in farming, until 1858, when he re-
tired. He died November 6, 1878, and his
wife died in November, 1881. Served as tax
collector and school director, and was also a
member of the Lutheran church.
George was educated in the public schools
of Swatara township, and then began farm-
ing with his father, and until he was twen-
ty-five years of age continued to do so. At
that time he engaged in farming for himself.
He was married, December 9, 1879, to Miss
Edith A. Zimmerman, daughter of Henry
and Catherine (Hawk) Zimmerman. Their
children are: Catherine, Florence, Walter,
and George. After farming for fifteen years
Mr. Hocker retired for eight years, when he
again returned to the farm. He is connected
in church fellowship with the Lutheran de-
nomination. Mrs. Hocker was born in 1858,
and her parents were both natives of Dau-
phin county. Their children are : Solomon,
Morris, Ellen, Ada, Samuel, Alice, Reah,
B. L., deceased, and Katie, deceased. Her
father died in May, 1882, and her mother
still lives at Steelton, enjoying good health.
Hess, John, Steelton, was born in Cum-
berland county,. Pa., September 24, 1857 ;
son of George Hess. He acquired his edu-
cation in the common schools of his native
county and when a young man engaged in
floating lumber and sand on contract work,
which he followed until 1880. From 1873^
74 he and his brother were engaged in truck
farming, cultivating the Walmer Island,
which he now owns. In the spring of 1880
he removed from Cumberland county to
Steelton, and purchased the lot of ground at
the corner of Front and Conestoga streets,
where he has since carried on a coal and
sand business, furnishing also all kinds of
plasterer's materials and sand taken from the
snag river beds. In his political views he
is a Republican and takes an active part in
movements of his party. In 1887-88 he
served as member of the borough council of
Steelton. Mr. Hess is a stockholder and di-
rector and also one of the three executive
committeemen of the Steelton Light, Heat
and Power Company, and is also a stock-
holder in the Harrisburg Trust Company.
He is connected with several of the secret
organizations and fraternities. In 1880 Mr.
Hess was married to Miss Sarah Ames, of
Cumberland county, by whom he has five
children, three of whom are living: Bertha
May, born in 1882 ; Sylvia Matilda, born in
1885; Linnie, born in 1892. David died at
the age of fifteen months, and George died
at the same age.
HoFFEE, Jacob, Steelton, was born in
Lebanon county. Pa., in September, 1824 ;
son of .lohn Hoffer. Tlie parents had eight
cliildren, two of whom are living : Catherine,
widow of William Williams, of Harrisburg,
and Jacob. Their deceased children are :
Samuel, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, John, and
Joseph. The father was one of the first
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1041
settlers on what is now Steelton. Jacob
came with his father to Dauphin county,
and received his education in the common
schools of that county, and subsequently
engaged in farming. He lived in Hanover
township for many years and in Hummels-
town and near Paxtang for some years. In
1846 he engaged in farming on the land
now occupied by the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, where he lived for a number of
years. In 1862 he was drafted for service
in the army and was attached to company
C, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, under
Captain John F. Peck. In 1863, at the end
of his nine months' service, he was dis-
charged and returned to his home. In the
following spring he moved to the farm
owned by Henry Kelker, which he con-
ducted for six years. In 1870 he moved to
what is now known as Steelton and built
the house in which he has since resided.
The same year he entered the employment
of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, in
which he remained for ten years and has
since lived retired from active work on ac-
count of old age and ill health. Mr. Hof-
fer was married, in 1859, to Miss Traver,
daughter of David and Sarah Traver, of
York county. They have no children.
David Traver, father of Mrs. Hoffer, died in
York county in 1853, aged fifty-nine years.
His wife was born in 1803 and died in 1873.
HoERNER, Albert, proprietor of the Bes-
semer House, Steelton, was born in South
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
July 7, 1825 ; son of John and Magdalena
(Ebersole) Hoerner. The parents were both
born in South Hanover. The grandfather
Hoerner was born in Prussia, April 19,
1743, and in company with four other mem-
bers of the family came to America about
1780, settling first near Hummelstown, and
subsequently removing to South Hanover,
where he spent the remainder of his life,
dying there October 10, 1821. He married
Barbara Klick, who was born October 20, 1751,
and died March 18, 1829. They had twelve
children. John, the father, was born June
3, 1783. He was engaged in farming. He
married Magdalena Ebersole, born October
20, 1788. The father was a major under
General Forster in the war of 1812.
Albert was reared on the farm, educated
in the public schools and worked with his
father until he was twenty-one years of
age. He then spent one year at Annville,
Lebanon county, learning milling, after
which he returned to Dauphin county, and
was engaged in this business for four years
at Union Deposit and for three years at
Fidler's Elbow. From 1852 to 1859 he con-
ducted a hotel at Hummelstown, after which
he was for three years engaged in mercantile
business at Union Deposit. In 1862 he en-
gaged in farming, at which he continued
until April 14, 1882, when he opened the
Bessemer House at Steelton. In 1863 he
enrolled in the Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania
militia, and served sixty days. In Febru-
ary, 1865, he enlisted in company I, Eighty-
seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, and served
until the close of the war. Mr. Hoerner was
married, in South Hanover, August 22,1852,
to Susan R. Ramsey, daughter of David and
Catherine Ramsey, of South Hanover. They
had nine children, of whom five are living :
Julia A., Robert K., Edward K., Susan K.,
and Katie K. In political views Mr.
Hoerner is a Republican. The family at-
tend the Lutheran church.
Keller, Isaac B., superintendent of the
Capital Shirt Company, Steelton, was born
in Rockland township, Berks county. Pa.,
April 1, 1850 ; son of George and Louisa
(Basl) Keller, both deceased. The parents
were both natives of Berks county, where
they spent their lives. The father was a
weaver by trade, but for the greater part of
his life was occupied in farming. He died
in 1876, and his wife died in 1892. They
had fourteen children, of whom eight are
living: Augustus; Zachariah ; Obediah; Isaac
B.; Mary, wife of Abraham Beaver ; Sarah,
wife of Amos Barto ; Louisa, wife of Charles
Dry ; and Josephine, wife of D. E. Long.
Isaac B. was reared on the homestead farm,
and attended the district schools of his native
township until he was eleven years of age,
when he went to Reading, Pa., and learned
the millinery, cloak, and dressmaking trade,
at which he then worked for five years, and
for the next five or six years he was a clerk
in a dry goods house at Breinigsville, Lehigh
county, after which he engaged in the manu-
facture of shirts, in which he has been em-
ployed since that time. He subsequently
returned to Reading, and shortly afterwards
returned to Lebanon, where, in 1886, he en-
gaged in the manufacture of shirts with
Simon C. Peters. In 1888 the Capital Shirt
Company was organized, in which Mr.
1042
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCi'VLOPEDlA
Keller took a large amount of stock, and
was appointed the superintendent of the
company. He was married, in Breinigsville,
June 11, 1871, to Annie A. Clause, daughter
of George Clause. They have nine children,
of whom two died in infancy, and the sur-
vivors are: Minnie Laura, wife of A. W.
Kim, of Steelton; Daisy Louisa, Martin Lu-
ther, Eva Victoria, Edna Bella, Henry
Paul, and Isaac Lee. Mr. Keller is a mem-
ber of Steelton Council, No. 933, R. A. In
his political views he is a Democrat. The
family are members of St. John's Lutheran
church, of Steelton.
Keister, William a., merchant, Steelton,
was born in York county. Pa., November 23,
1848; son of Samuel Keister. The father
was born in 1809, son of Adam Keister, a
native of Germany, and one of the pioneers
of York county. He married Margaret
Wagner ; both lived to old age. The father
was a tanner by trade and followed that oc-
cupation until 1865, when he went West
and engaged in the lumber business. He mar-
ried Miss Anna Wickersham, born in March,
1810, daughter of John Wickersham, of York
county, by whom he had fourteen children,
of whom thirteen are living : Matilda, Re-
becca, Margaret, Lydia Ann, Louisa, Clinton,
Calvin, Mahala and Malinda, twins; Will-
iam A. and Martha Jane, twins ; Maurice and
Elcinda, twins, the latter deceased, and Eu-
seubius. The father died in 1882 aged sev-
enty-three years. William A. received his
education in the schools of York county,
and learned the trade of shoemaker, which
he followed for several years. From 1872 to
1873 he was clerk in the store of Bauchman
Sons & Co., and served in the same capacity
with H. Gregory until 1877. For the suc-
ceeding three years he was traveling sales-
man for A. R. McCowe & Co. In 1881 he
opened business in New Cumberland, under
the firm name of Kauf&nan & Keister and
continued there until 1882, whe'n he came
to Steelton, where he has since continued to
conduct a general mercantile business. Mr.
Keister was married, in 1882, to Miss Prowell,
daughter of James W. Prowell, of York
county, to whom has been born one child :
Walter, born in 1883.
Lehman,' Simon C, confectioner, Steelton,
was born in Dauphin county. Pa., December
3, 1856; son of Daniel Lehman. The father
was born in Lancaster county, in 1821, and
was a hotel keeper. He kept the hotel at
Buck's Lock while the Pennsylvania canal
was being built, and also kept the Farmers'
Hotel at Highspire, where he died in 1861.
He married Susan Detweiler, who died in
1886. They reared six children, of whom
four are living: J. J. Lehman, at Highspire;
C. Lehman, deceased, whose widow and four
children survive him; W. C, Middletown ;
Frank, deceased, whose widow and two sons
survive him; Simon C, and D. L., living at
Urbana, Ohio.
Simon C. attended the common schools of
his neighborhood, and when a young man
was a clerk in the store of his brother, J. J.
Lehman, at Highspire; for one year, after
which he was employed in the steel mills at
Steelton for a number of years. In 1885 he
established a business at Highspire, which
he conducted until 1887, when he removed
to Steelton and purchased the property in
which he now resides, and engaged in the
confectionery business, which he has since
carried on. In his political views he is a
Republican, and takes an active part in the
interest of his party. In 1887 he was mar-
ried to Miss Maggie J., daughter of Jacob
Snavely, of Oberlin, Pa.
Jones, William McHenry, secretary and
treasurer of the Steelton Planing Mill Com-
pany, Steelton, Pa., was born April 12, 1844,
in Northampton county ; son of Robert
Evan and Caroline (Dietrick) Jones. Will-
iam was reared in his native county until
he was seventeen years of age. His educa-
tion was received in the public schools and
in Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa. In
1860 he moved to Union county, and in 1861
enlisted in company E, Forty-seventh Penn-
sylvania volunteers, and served three years.
After the close of the war he took a com-
mercial course in Eastman's Business Col-
lege, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and then clerked
for Wallace, Smith & Co., Lewisburg, until
1858. In 1878 he established a dry goods
and notion bazaar in Lewisburg, and con-
tinued until 1878 when he moved to Steelton,
Dauphin county, where he conducted a real
estate business for a time. About 1895 he
became connected with the Steelton planing
mill. He was married, in 1868, to Caroline
Criswell, daughter of James CriswelJ, of
Lewisburg. They have three children :
Katie, Edith C, and Criswell Jane. Mr.
Jones is a stockholder in one of the banks
and is connected with Sergt. S. W. Lascomb
HENRY FARNUM.
bAtfPHIN GOtJNTf.
1045
Post, No. 351, G. A. R.; Royal Arcanum,
regent and past regent ; State Capital
Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., Harrisburg. He
is a Republican in politics and has been
president of tlie city council, and also been
on the school board. He is president of the
board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which he is a member. His father
was a physician and practiced in Northamp-
ton county, where he died. His brother
Robert is attorney for the Eastern Transfer
Company and has been a United States bank
examiner. He is a Democrat and a leader
of the party in his district.
ried, secondly, in 1879, to Miss Smith, daugh-
ter of John Smith, of Union Deposit, by
whom he had two children : Katie and
Miles, both living at home.
Meyers, John, Jr., Enhaut, Pa., was born
in Dauphin county, Pa., September 7, 1842 ;
son of John Meyers. The grandfather, Abra-
ham Meyers, was the first of the family to
settle in Dauphin county, he having removed
at a very early day from Lancaster county
to Harrisburg, where he died when John
was nine years old. His wife died when
John was three months old. John Meyers,
the father, was born at Harrisburg in 1818,
and having lost his parents b}' death, was
reared by Abraham Weitzel, on the Cameron
farm. He learned the trade of a miller, and
was also engaged in farming. His first wife
was Susan Miller, and they had six chil-
dren : John, Harry, Thomas, Joseph, Mary,
and Susan. For his second wife he married
Catherine Wade, and they had three chil-
dren : Amos, Katie, and Charles.
John Meyers, Jr., attended the common
schools of Dauphin county until his four-
teenth year, after which he was employed by
Martin Good, of L(jwer Swatara township, in
the fulling mill for fourteen years, with the
exception of one year spent in the army.
On September 7, 1861, he enlisted in com-
pany I, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, under Colonel McCarty and Cap-
tain Boynton, of Middletown, in which he
served until May 30, when he was wounded
at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., and was con-
fined to the hospital three months, after
which he was discharged. After leaving
Mr. Good he entered the employment of the
Pennsylvania Steel Company, in 1871, where
he remained eight years, since which time
he has been engaged in weaving carpets.
Since 1873 he has lived in Enhaut. He was
married first, in 1865, to Miss Pathmore, by
whom he reared three children : Solomon
Goshen, died ; Elizabeth, wife of John Ober ;
and John, living in Chicago. He was mar-
65
MuMMA, Christ Nissley, of the firm of
Keller & Mumma, Steelton, was born on the
homestead farm near Highspire, Dauphin
county. Pa., July 5, 1857 ; son of Isaac and
Mary (Nissley) Mumma, both natives of
Dauphin county. The father was born at
Highspire, where he spent his life, and was
engaged in farming. At the age of twenty-
eight years he was elected commissioner of
Dauphin county, and filled that important
office with the utmost satisfaction to the
citizens for two terms. For about twenty
years he was associate judge of the county,
and at the time of his death had been serv-
ing as sheriff for twenty-six months. He
was a charter member and director of the
Hummelstown National Bank. He married
Mary Nissley, a native of Hummelstown,
who survives him. Their children are :
Emma J.; Annie E.; Mary F., wife of Edgar
0. Hummel, deputy sheriff, residing in
Hummelstown ; Christ N.; Alice E.; Blanche
B.; Ralph I., postal clerk, and Opal H.
Christ N. was reared on the farm and at-
tended the schools in Highspire. For eight
years he was teller in the Hummelstown
National Bank, after which he served for
four years in the same position in the Steel-
ton National Bank, which he resigned in
July, 1887, to engage in his present
busine.ss. Mr. Mumma was married, at
Hummelstown, February 22, 1883, to Miss
Aggie M. Shope, daughter of Dr. Jacob and
Esther (Mann) Shope. Their children are :
Charles S., died in 1889 ; Robert W., Walter
M., and Harold. Mr. Mumma is a member
and for six years the treasurer of Steelton
Lodge, No. 184; of Steelton Encampment,
No. 278, and of Evangeline Rebecca degree
Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. In his political views he
is a Republican. He attends the St. John's
Lutheran church, Steelton, and is secretary
of the finance committee of the Y. M. C. A.
He is also the agent at Steelton for the
Adams Express Company.
Miller, Charles R., M. D., Steelton, was
born in Walker township, Schuylkill county,
Pa., February 7, 1858 ; son of Eli and Mary
(Koch) Miller, both deceased. He was reared
in his native township, and his primary edu-
cation was received in the district schools of
1046
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
that township and McCainsburg. Subse-
quently he took a normal and scientific course
at Easton Normal School, from which he was
graduated in the class of 1883. While
securing his education he was also employed
in teaching public schools for ten years, and
from 1882 to 1887 was occupied in the study
of medicine. He entered the Hahnemann
Medical College at Philadelphia, in 1885,
from which he was graduated in 1887. Three
months later he entered upon the practice of
his profession at Steelton, in which he has
been continuously engaged since that time.
Dr. Miller was married at Orwigsburg,
Schuylkill county,* January 14, 1888, to Mary
A. Hoy, daughter of Thomas Hoy, by whom
he has one daughter, Maud H. He is a
member of Camp No. 102, P. 0, S. of A., and
Steelton Lodge, No. 184, I. 0. 0. F. Dr.
Miller is also a member of the Central
Pennsylvania Homoepathic Medical Society.
In political views he is a Republican. He
atiends St. John's Lutheran church.
MoYEE, Elkanah D., general secretary
of the Y. M. C. A., Steelton, was born in
Robisouia, North Heidelberg township, Berks
county. Pa., September 24, 1869; son of Jer-
emiah E. and Melinda S. (Wenrich) Moyer.
The father was a native of Berks county,
and the mother of Lebanon county, both
living and residing in Berks couiity, where
the father is engaged in agricultural pur-
suits. His children are : Rufus E., Orlando
C, Herbert C, Stella G., and E. D. Elkanah
D. received his primary education in the
public schools of his native township, and
later attended the Keystone State Normal
School, from which latter institution he was
graduated with the class of 1889. He also
took a course at the Inter-State Commercial
College at Reading, and the Palmer's Short
Hand College of Philadelphia, after which
he taught one year at the Inter-State College
and four years in the public school of his
native county. He then attended the Y. M.
C. A, Training School at Springfield, Mass.,
and cornpleted a course there, and on August
1, 1895, was appointed to his present position.
Mr. Moyer is unmarried. He is a member of
St. John's Lutheran church.
carpenter trade with Michael Ebersone, with
whom he served one year, 9,fter which he
served three years with Daniel Meyers. In
1871 he came to Steelton and entered the
employment of the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany, and worked in the Bessemer depart-
ment for three years, when he was trans-
ferred to blooming mill No. 1, in which he
remained until 1891. In that year he was
elected to the office of commissioner of Dau-
phin county, and performed the duties of
the office for one term, with satisfaction to
the citizens, who elected him in 1893 for a
second term. He also served as State and
county tax collector in 1889. He is active in
political matters in connection with the Re-
publican party. Mr. Nell is a member of
Lodge No. 184, and of Encampment No.
278, I. 0. 0. F., at Steelton, and is also a
member of Susquehanna tribe, No. 298, I. 0.
R. M. In 1874 he was married to Miss Sarah
A. Angeny, daughter of William Angeny,
by whom he had three children, two of
whom ., are living : Harry A. and William
H.; Jennie May died at the age of two
months. Mr. Nell was married, secondly, in
1884, to Miss Lorada Mabel Brown, daughter
of David Brown, by whom he had three
children : John E., Zelma, and Katie.
Nell, Levi PL, Steelton, was born in Ads^ms
county. Pa., June 17,1850; son of Abraham
Nell. He attended the common schools of his
county, and worked on the farm with his
father. He began an apprenticeship at the
NissLEY, Frank, secretary and treasurer
of the Capital Shirt Company, Steelton, was
born in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa.,
June 10, 1856; son of Jacob and Lydia'
(Croll) Nissley. He was reared in Middle-
town and received his education in the pub-
lic schools of his native place. He also took
a course in the Iron CitJ^ Commercial Col-
lege, at Pittsburgh, Pa. His first business
eiigagement was with the Middletown Fur-
niture Company, where he served as ac-
countant for six years, after which he served
in the same capacity for two years with R.
I. Young. He was then seven years as ac-
countant with theConewago Iron Company,
at Middletown. In May, 1888, he was ap-
pointed secretary and treasurer of the Capi-
tal Shirt Company, since which date he has
acceptably filled the position. Mr. Nissley
was married, at Middletown, Pa., April 15,
1880, to Miss Julia Rambler, daughter of
M. B. and M. J. Rambler, of Middletown.
He has served as school director at Middle-
town. He and his family attend the Lu-
theran church, of Middletown, where they
have their residence.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1047
Peters, Benjamin Snyder, son of Will-
iam and Elizabeth (Snyder) Peters, was born
March 19, 1834, in Londonderry township,
Dauphin county. Pa. His grandfather, Ja-
cob Peters, was a native of Lebanon county,
and died there. He married Barbara Beeley,
of Lebanon; she died at Altoona. Their
son, William Peters, was born in London-
derry township, now Conewago township,
October 27, 1811, and is still living. His
wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham
Snyder, a native of Switzerland. She was
born April 15, 1812, in Londonderry town-
ship, and is living. Benjamin S. Peters re-
ceived a common school education, and at
the age of sixteen entered a store at Kelly's
Corners, Lebanon county, to learn merchan-
dizing, and afterwards at Meyerstown. In
1858 he comrhenced business at Palmyra
Landing, Lebanon county, where he re-
mained until 1862, when he removed to
Middletown, where he entered into partner-
ship with his uncle in the mercantile trade.
At the dissolution of the firm he purchased
the store of Yetman Eves, and for several
years was the senior partner of the firm of
Peters & Bro. He retired from business
in January, 1883, and when the Farmers'
Bank was festablished was made a director
and chosen president, which position he now
fills. Mr. Peters married, in November,
1855, Sarah, daughter of John and Polly
(Beane) Rupp, of Lebanon county, and their
children were : Emma, Jerome G., and Eliza-
beth.
Peters, Simon C, president of the Capital
Shirt Company, Steelton, was born in Lon-
donderry township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
June 15, 1846 ; son of William, and Elizabeth
(Snyder) Peters. Both parents were born
in Dauphin county. The father was a
weaver by trade but was for the most part
engaged in farming. He died at the age of
seventy-one years. The wife survives him
at the age of eighty-three years and resides
on the old homestead. They had nine chil-
dren, of whom five are living : Benjamin S.,
president of the Farmers' Bank and the lead-
ing merchant at Middletown, Pa.; Catherine,
wife, of Joseph Felser, residing in London-
derry township; Simon C.;. Mary, married,
Londonderry township ; Samuel S., a prom-
inent grocer of Middletown.
Simon C. lived on the farm and attended
the public school of his native township until
he was twelve years of age when he re-
moved to Middletown and was employed as
a salesman in a general store. About twelve
years later he and his brother, Benjamin S.,
of Middletown, purchased this store and con-
ducted it for eighteen years under the firm
name of Peters & Bro., after which, on ac-
count of failing health, he was obliged to
abandon the business and sold his interest
to his nephew, Jerome G. Peters. For the
next year and a half he was not in any ac-
tive employment, but in 1886, in connection
with I. B. Keller, he engaged in the manu-
facture of shirts at Lebanon. In 1888 the
Capital Shirt Company was formed and in-
corporated with Mr. Peters as president, Mr.
Frank Nissley, secretary, and Mr. Isaac B.
Keller, superintendent. Mr. Peters was
married, at Middletown, Pa., May 15, 1873,
to Miss Rachel S. Nissley, daughter of Jacob
L. and Lydia (CroU) Nissley .> Their children
are : Marion Nissley, Lydia Croll, and Simon
C, Jr. Mr. Peterg is a director of the Far-
mers' Bank at Middletown, and also one of
the organizers and treasurer of the ' Mid-
dletown Drainage ('ompany. He is prom-
inently connected with the Masonic fratern-
ity, being a member of Prince Edwin Lodge,
N(3. 486 ; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21, and
Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, K. T. In his
political views Mr. Peters is a Republican.
He and his family are members of St. Peter's
church, at Middletown, where they reside.
Peowell, Dr. William R., pharmacist,
Steelton, was born in Fishing Creek Valley,
York county. Pa., March 20, 1854; son of
Samuel L. and Sarah (Reeser) Prowell. The
father was born in York county, July 25,
1813, and died July 18, 1871. His life was
spent in agricultural pursuits, and he took
an active interest in all measures calculated
to better the condition of his fellow-men and
to promote the growth and prosperity of the
community. He was much in public life,
and filled efficiently several offices of trust.
The mother was also a native of York
county, and died in 1858, at the age of thir-
ty-eight years. They had twelve children,
eight of whom are living: Henry, residing
in New York; Silas, living on -the home-
stead ; Prof. George R., principal of Hanover
high school ; Dr. William R.; Eliza, wife of
Martin Bare, Hummelstowm, Pa.; Jane, wife
of Jacob Berger, Goldsboro, York county;
Elmira, wife of Samuel G. Detwiler, Steel-
ton; and Susan, wife of Henry Miller, York,
Pa. Of their deceased children, two died in
1048
BIOGRAP'aiOAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
infancy ; Dr. Andrew R. died at Manchester,
Pa., in 1872, and Franklin E. died at Golds-
boro. Pa., in 1886.
William R. was reared on the homestead
farm, and received his primary education in
the district schools of his native township.
In 1869 he entered the State Normal School
at Millersville, in which he took a three
years' course, and in 1872 taught in the pub-
lic schools of York county. During the follow-
ing year he read medicine with Dr. W. E.
Sweiler, of Yocumtown, and in the fall of 1874
entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Phil-
adelphia, from which he was graduated in
March, 1876, and at once began the practice
of medicine^ at Siddonsburg, York county, in
which he continued until July, 1889, when he
removed to Steelton, where he has since been
a continuous resident, devoting the greater
part of his time to his pharmacy. Dr.
Prowell is at present filling the office of tax
receiver in the internal re.venue department,
and his term of office continues until 1897.
He was married, at Siddonsburg, October 5,
1876, to Miss Jennie E. Elcock, daughter of
John and Christy Ann Elcock, to whom have
been born four children, of whom the sur-
vivors are : Tolbert, Nellie, and Jacob Henry.
Viola May died September 13, 1882, at the
age of four years ; Ella died March 26, 1886,
at the age of six months. Dr. Prowell is a
member of the Heptasophs, and of the State
Pharmaceutical Society. In his political
views he is a staunch Republican. He at-
tends the Presbyterian church.
Page, S. S., Oberlin, Pa., was born in Pax-
tang township, Dauphin county. Pa., in
1856 ; son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Over-
cash) Page. He attended the schools in
Dauphin county, and at Palmyra, Pa., and
was employed on the farm until seventeen
years of age, when he became an apprentice
at the carpenter trade with J. B. Dunkle,
upon completion of which he engaged in
contracting and building. Subsequently he
took up the real estate business at Steelton,
in which he has continued until the present
time. In his political views Mr. Page is a
Republican,.and takes an active part in pub-
lic matters. He was elected justice of the
peace in 1877, and served until 1892, when
he was elected a member of the Legislature,
and in 1894 was re-elected to the same office.
He has been a delegate to county conven-
tions, and has served on the Republican
County Committee. Mr. Page was instru-
mental in the organization of the Citizens'
Passenger Railway Company, and was one
of the directors of the company up to 1895.
He is also a director in the Dauphin County
Fire Insurance Company, and is the presi-
dent of the Guarantee Fire Insurance Com-
pany, of Philadelphia. Mr. Page was mar-
ried, in 1876, to Miss Lizzie Brehm, daugh-
ter of Dr. Samuel Brehm, of Hummelstown,
by whom he has six children : Anna Mary,
Jennie Pearl, Arthur Levan, Louman Brehm,
Edgar Sylvester, and Faith G. Mr. Page
has been an honored citizen of Oberlin since
1876, and has contributed largely to the
growth and prosperity of the place.
Rutherford, John, teacher and farmer,
was born November 9, 1840, and is a son
of John B. and Keziah Rutherford. The
grandfather, Samuel, was a native of Dau-
phin county and was engaged in farming^
which occupation he pursued all his life.
He had a family of six children. The par-
ents also were natives of Dauphin county
and were engaged in farming.
John was one of a family of eight chil-
dren and received his education in the pub-
lic schools of Swatara township until he
was sixteen years old, when he attended the
academy for a year and a half In 1864
Mr. Rutherford enlisted in company G, Two
Hundred and First regiment, and served
for ten months. Since that time his time
has been divided between teaching and
farming. He was married, December 10,
1868, to Miss Margaret B. Elder, daughter of
Joshua and Nancy (Brown) Elder. Their
children are : Howard A., Ralph B., Elenora
v., Isabella P., John, Margaret B., Matthew
R., Ruth, and Vancy B. The latter died in
her infancy. Mr. Rutherford is a Republi-
can and served as school director for six
years. He is a member of G. A. R. Post
No. 58, and is also a member of the Pres-
byterian church.
Rdtherpord, Francis W., farmer, was
born December 4, 1845, and is a son of John
B. and Keziah (Park) Rutherford. The
grandfather, Samuel, was born July 16, 1769,
and his wife. Miss Elizabeth Bronson, in
October, 1770. The maternal grandfather
was born in Dauphin county, and married
Miss Margaret Ainsworth. their children
were : Thomas, Samuel, Matthew, Eliza, Mary
Margaret, William, Margaret Long, and Ma-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1049
tilda. The grandfather was a director of the
Harrisburg Bank.
The father was born in Daupliin county,
while the mother was a native of Chester
county. His wife's maiden name was Miss
Keziah Park, and their marriage occurred
March 19, 1833. Their children were : Mary
L., Eliza J., Adaline, Samuel, John A., Fran-
cis W., K. v., and Mamie G. He was en-
gaged in farming until he retired in 1878.
He filled a number of township offices and
served in the State Legislature, and also for
one term as State senator. He died October
10, 1892, and his wife July 2, 1885. They
were both members of the Presbyterian
church, of which Mr. , Rutherford was an
elder for many years.
Francis W. received his education in the
public schools of Swatara township until he
was seventeen years of age, when he attended
the Millersville State Normal School. In
1864 he enlisted in company D, One Hun-
dred and Ninety-fourth regiment, and served
until honorably discharged. After the war
he engaged in farming with his father. He
was married, February 14, 1878, to Miss Ella
S. Elder, daughter of Joshua and Nancy
(Brown) Elder. Their children are: Joshua,
Thomas M., Norman, Francis W., Samuel B.,
Jane W. Mr. Rutherford is a school director
and a member of Post No. 58, G. A. R., Har-
risburg, Pa. In politics he is a Republican
and he and his family are members of the
Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rutherford's
father was born January 18, 1802, in Swatara
township. He first married Miss Elenora
Shearer, by whom he had three sons : Joshua
R., David R., and John. He married, sec-
ondly, Miss Mary Gilmore, and they had one
daughter, Elizabeth M., wife of William K.
Cowden. His third wife was Miss Nancy
Brown, daughter of Thomas and Margarette
(Ainsworth) Brown. Their children are :
Margaret, Matthew, Eleanor, Matilda, and
Mary Ada, deceased. The father died August
25, 1888, at the age of eighty-two years, and
the mother October 4, 1887, aged seventy
years. Both were members of the Presby-
terian church.
RiCKEE, Geoege T., farmer, was born in
Swatara township, July 13, 1839, and is a
son of Frederick and Catherine (Backstoe)'
Ricker. The great-grandfather was a native
of Germany, and served in the Revolution-
ary war. The paternal grandparents were
natives of Lebanon county and were en-
gaged in farming. They reared a family of
seven children, of whom William alone sur-
vives. The maternal grandparents were
also natives of Lebanon county and engaged
in farming. They had six children,. and
were members of the Lutheran church.
The father was born in Dauphin county,
October, 1790, and received his education in
his native county. He lived on the farm
until he was thirty years old, and then, in
1826, engaged in the hotel business for
twenty-seven years in Swatara township.
He then began farming again, and contin-
ued a number of years in that occupation.
He finally retired to Hummelstown, where
he died in May, 1872. In politics he was a
Whig, and served as school director for six
years in Swatara township. He was a
member of the Lutheran church. His wife
died in October, 1888, at the age of eighty-
seven years. He was married to Miss
Catherine Backstoe, daughter of George and
Elizabeth (Hoover) Backstoe, in Derry town-
ship, Dauphin county, February, 1821.
They had thirteen children, of whom five
are living: Elizabeth, Catherine, Frederick,
Mary, and George T.
George T. received his education in the
public schools of his native county, and
lived with his parents until twenty-seven
years of age. In 1866 Mr. Ricker began
farming for himself on the old homestead,
which he bought from his father's estate in
1873, where he has since resided. He was
married, at Hummelstown, November 19,
1865, to Miss Catherine Hetrick, daughter
of Adam and Margaret (Albright) Hetrick.
Their children were: Maggie C. ; Edwin S. ;
William H., who graduated from the Phila-
delphia School of Pharmacy in 1895, and
is now clerk for Dr. Meade, in Philadelphia;
Harry C. who died September 1, 1879. In
politics Mr. Ricker is a Republican, and
has' served as school director for six years,
and held the office of tax collector one year.
He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Ricker was born May 28, 1843. Her
parents were natives of Dauphin county,
her father being born January 11, 1803, the
mother July 11, 1798. Her father was a
farmer by occupation, and married Miss
Margaret Albright, daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth (Walmer) Albright. Their chil-
dren are: John H. ; Adam ; William ; Cath-
erine ; Caroline, deceased ; Margaret, de-
ceased ; Amos, deceased ; and Samuel, de-
ceased. The father was a tanner and died
1050
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
in 1865, and the mother in 1870. The
former was a member of the Reformed
church, the latter of the Lutheran.
Sp-itler, Adam G., shoemaker, was born
in Jonestown; Lebanon county, October 30,
1818, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth
(Gosserd) Spitler. The grandfather was a
native of Lebanon county, as were also the
father and mother. The father was a weaver
by trade, and followed that occupation all
his life. He married Miss Elizabeth Gos-
serd, and their children are : Adam G.;
John, deceased ; William, deceased ; Samuel,
also deceased. He filled various offices in
Lebanon cqjinty, serving as constable for a
number of years, and as tax collector, and
for fifteen years was assessor.
Adam G. received his education in the
public schools until he was sixteen years
old, when he secured employment on the
Union canal for two years, and then began
the trade of hat manufacturer, but was com-
pelled to quit because of ill health. He next
learned the trade of shoemaking, and has
spent most of his time since in that occupa-
tion, but for a time was engaged in boating
along the canal above Hummelstown. He
resided for thirteen years at the old lock-
houscj and then built the home he now oc-
cupies. He retired from work in 1894. He
was married, April 18, 1842, at Jonestown,
to Miss Rebecca Swartz, daughter of Andrew
and Mary (Gauffer) Swartz. Their children
are: Jacob, Alfred, PoUie, Benjamin, Sam-
uel, Adam, deceased, and Emma, deceased.
Mr. Spitler is a Republican, and a mernber
of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Spitler was
born February 28, 1825, in Berks county,
of which her parents were both natives.
Her father married Miss Mary Gauffer. Their
children are : Absalom ; Susan ; Rebecca ;
Elizabeth ; Peter, deceased ; Israel, deceased ;
Reuben, deceased; Leah, deceased; and
Adeline, deceased.
Saul, Charles H., M. D., Steelton, was
born in Dauphin county. Pa., in December,
1853 ■ son of William Saul, a native also of
Dauphin county. He receive his primary
education in the Middletown schools, and at
the age of thirteen years he entered the store
of Rambler & Lucklefr as a clerk, where he
remained eight years. In 1875 he entered
the office of Dr. Mish as a student of medi-
cine. In 1878 he was graduated from the
medical department of the University of
Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and at once
began the practice of his profession at Steel-
ton, where he has since enjoyed an extensive
patronage. Dr. gaul was married, in Sep-
tember, 1890, to Caroline Smeller, daughter
of Dr. George F. and Mary (Smeller) Mish,
of Middletown Pa.
Snavely, John H., D. D. S., and notary pub-
lic, Steelton, was born at Newville, Cumber-
land county. Pa., February 19, 1855; son of
John and Susan (Gist) Snavely. When nine
years of age he removed with his parents to
Hockersville, and subsequently to Hum-
melstown, where he received his education
in the public schools. He then entered the
office of the superintendent of the Philadel-
phia and Reading Railroad Company at
Columbia, as telegrapher, where he remained
two years. In the early part of 1870 he began
the study of dentistry with Dr. S. Mathews,
of Steelton, with whom he subsequently
became a partner in his business and has
been engaged in the practice of his profession
at Steelton for twenty years. Dr. Snavely
was married, at Steelton, February 14, 1892,
to Miss Ella M. Dunkle, daughter of Josiah A.
and Mary Dunkle, of Steelton. They have
six children: the firstborn died in infancy,
Bertha B., Nettie E., Lottie M., Hernban J.,
and Ruth B. For five years Dr. Snavely oc-
cupied the office of justice of the peace and
acceptably performed its duties, and in 1890
was appointed notary public, which office he
still holds. In connection with his profession
Dr. Snavely conducted a general store in
Steelton for four years, and also carries on a
general real estate business. He is also the
agent of all the Trans-Atlantic steamship
companies.
Vanier, George P., superintendent of the
chemical department of the Pennsylvania
Steel Works, was born in Omaha, Neb.,
June 6, 1862; son of Timothy and Eliza
(Vincent) Vanier. He removed with his
parents to Boston, Mass., in 1871, and re-
ceived his education in the public schools of
that city. His professional and scientific
training was received in the Boston Insti-
tute of Technology, from which institution
he received the degree of Mining Engineer
in the class of 1885. In June of the same
year he came to Steelton and entered the
employment of the Pennsylvania Steel Com-
pany, and in 1886 was advanced to the po-
sition of superintendent of the chemical
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1051
laboratory, which position he has filled
since that date. Mr. Vanier was married,
in 1892, to Miss Helen Maloney, daughter
of Thomas Maloney, of Harrisburg. They
have one child, George Kenneth. Mr. Vanier
is not active in politics. The family are
members of St. Jarnes' Roman Catholic
church.
■ Zeigler, William L., physician, was born
at Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa., February
18, 1855 ; son of Daniel Zeigler. Owing to
the death of his father when eleven years
old he began taking care of himself, and
first found employment in the tanyard of
J. Henry Shammo for two and a half years,
after which he became a driver on the canal.
Jacob Knouf employed him two years on
the farm, and then he worked one summer
at whitewashing, and after another turn at
canal driving he found employment at
Halifax in the store of Lodge & Landis for
some years. He then attended a select school
several terms and taught the Tyson's school
one term, after which he returned to Hali-
fax and worked for four and a half years in
the store of J. B. Landis, during which time
he studied medicine out of business hours
with Dr. H. R. Caslow, and thus prepared
himself for the College of Physicians and
Surgeons at Baltimore, from which he was
graduated with honors. In May, 1881, he
located in Steelton, where he was successful
in his professional and business career. In
his political views Dr. Zeigler is a staunch
Democrat and is prominent and active in
the party, having served as chairman of the
Democratic County Committee. He served
as a member of the school board two terms,
and was chairman of the building commit-
tee four years, and in 1891 was elected
membet of the city council from the Fifth
ward, in which office he was active and in-
fluential in securing important public im-
provements.
Abbrcrombie, Wyman E., general super-
intendent of the Steelton Store Company,
was born in Quincy, Mass., and received his
education in the form of a practical training
for business in dry goods and jobbing in
Boston, Mass., where he was employed for
many years. In 1887 he came to Dauphin
county and became the superintendent of
the Pennsylvania Steel Company's store,
which position he has filled since that date.
He is also secretary of the Steelton Brick
Company artd is secretary and treasurer of
the Steelton Flouring Mills. He was mar-
ried, in 1876, to Miss Coffin.
UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP.
Wenrich, Francis, retired, was born near
Linglestown, Lower Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., September 9, 1810. He is
a son of Peter and Susanna (Umberger) Wen-
rich. His paternal grandfather came from
Germany and settled in Lebanon county.
He was a soldier in the Revolution, partici-
pating in the battles of the Brandywine and
of Germantown, served in the military oper-
ations on the frontiers against the Indians,
and was subsequently at the massacre of
Wyoming. He married Elizabeth Greiger ;
they had two sons, Peter, father of Francis,
and Philip, besides several daughters. The
elder Francis Wenrich died about 1825, and,
with his wife, is buried in the Wenrich grave-
yard.
Heinrich Umberger, ancestor of Susanna
Umberger, mother of the younger Fran-
cis Wenrich, came with his wife and two
sons, Michael and John, to this country in the
ship Hope. They landed at Philadelphia,
August 28, 1733, and took up six hundred
and forty acres of land, near where the city
of Lebanon now stands. Michael Umberger
had four sons: John, Henry, Adam, and
Philip. Jo.hn and Henry were soldiers of
the Revolutionary war, serving as captains
under Gen. Anthony Wayne. John was
in the battle on Long Island, and was either
killed or captured by the British, as he never
returned or was heard of. Henry served
through the war and returned home. He
died aged one hundred and three years.
Adam Umberger, third son of Michael,
had two sons, John and David, and two
daughters, one of whom, Susanna H., is the
mother of Francis Wenrich, having married
Peter Wenrich, afterwards high sheriff of
Dauphin county. The other daughter, Mar-
garet, was married to Peter Heckert, of Lin-
glestown, and died in Dauphin, aged ninety-
two. John Umberger, son of Adam, mar-
ried Elizabeth Wenrich, sister of Peter Wen-
rich, the high sheriff.
Peter Wenrich, son of Francis and Eliza-
beth (Greiger) Wenrich, was born near Lin-
glestown, Dauphin county. Pa., in 1773.
1052
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
He was brought up on his father's farm, and
received a rather hmited education. He re-
moved to Halifax township, where he re-
sided until his election to the office of sheriff
of Dauphin county ; he then removed to
Harrisburg. His official term was from Oc-
tober 19, 1818, to October 16, 1821. He also
became proprietor of the hotel which formerly
occupied the site of the Lochiel House.
Peter Wen rich was of moral character, a
public-spirited citizen and a conscientious
and efficient public servant. He died in
Harrisburg, February 27, 1825, in the fifty-
second year of his age. His marriage with
Susanna, daughter of John Umberger, took
place February 2, 1796. They had eleven
children : John ; Peter ; Samuel ; Francis ;
David ; Joseph ; Mary, wife of Henry Sheafer ;
Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Minshall; Susan,
wife of Mr. Sloan ; Sarah, wife of William
Scott, and Rebecca, wife of Albert Umberger.
In 1816, when Francis Wenrich was six
years old, his parents removed to the bor-
ough of Halifax ; two years later, his father
being made sheriff, the family removed to Har-
risburg. There he attended a private school
taught by Patrick McCushion, was afterwards
a student in the Harrisburg Academy, until
he was fourteen, and later attended a private
school at Halifax. After his father's death
in, 1825, Mr. Wenrich assisted his brother-in-
law, Henry Sheafer, in the management of
the hotel. Shortly after Mr. Sheafer took
the contract for building the turnpike across
Peters' Mountain, and employed Francis
Wenrich to superintend the work. This be-
ing completed, Francis engaged in contract-
ing on his own account, and at sixteen years
of age secured the contract of constructing
two sections of the Lykens Valley railroad,
projected and located some time before.
Having finished this job in about a year, he
was for some time employed as manager
of the large store of Sheriff Samuel France,
at Millersburg, Pa. He was next engaged in
superintending the construction of the rail'
road from York, Pa., to Baltmore, Md., which
occupied about one j'ear. In 1846, in con-
nection with his brother-in-law, Henry
Sheafer, and Mr. Ehrman, he entered into a
contract for the rebuilding of the Lykens
Valley railroad and completed the work in
about two years.
Mr. Wenrich afterwards returned to Mil-
lersburg, and was employed as shipping agent
for the Lykens Valley Coal Company, the
company then consisting of Simon Gratz,
George Thompson, Eock Thompson, Henry
Sheafer and Henry Schreiner. In this po-
sition he remained until 1861 ; he shipped
over 225,000 tons of coal per annum for
the Summit Branch Railway Coal Com-
pany. In 1864 he contracted with the Sum-
mit Branch Coal Company for the excava-
tion and construction of the famous canal
basin at Millersburg. After completing the
basin he was employed by the company as
shipping and sales agent. Since 1869 Mr.
Wenrich has not been actively engaged in
any business excepting the management of
his extensive private interests. He was
active and largely interested in the establish-
ment of the Millersburg Bank, of which he
is now the president. Mr. Wenrich began
his business career at the age of fifteen with-
out any money capital. His enviable suc-
cess is due to his sagacity and foresight in
business, and his correct and able methods.
Young men will find in the record of his life
encouragement and inspiration, and will
learn from his history how one may rise
from lowly conditions to honor and affluence.
Francis Wenrich was married, May 29,
1838, to Mary, daughter of Adam and Mary
(Ditty) Light, born in Upper Paxton town-
ship, January 17, 1814. They have had four
children : Joseph, born April 14, 1841, died
September 12, 1842; Ellen, born August 11,
1849, died March 30, 1863; Mary, born
April 2, 1844, died October 16, 1864, and Isa-
dore, their only surviving child, born March
8, 1839. Mrs. Wenrich, the beloved wife of
Francis Wenrich, passed peacefully away,
June 5, 1896, after a brief illness of four
weeks, in the eighty-third year of her age.
Mr. Wenrich is a Republican, and was
unanimously nominated for the office of
county treasurer by the county convention
of his party, but declined the honor. In
matters of religious faith his preferences are
with the Presbvterian church.
Bowman, Simon Sallade, attorney-at-law,
was born atElizabethtown, Dauphin county.
Pa., October 10, 1842. He is a son of John
J. and Margaret (Sallade) Bowman. John
F. Bowman, his paternal grandfather, was
born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 10, 1771,
the son of a farmer residing at Pequea
creek, near Strasburg. John F., Bowman
was brought up a millwright. In 1809 he
removed to Halifax, where he was a mer-
chant until 1830; at that time he removed
to Millersburg, and continued to carry on the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1053
business successfully until his death, which
occurred November 6, 1835. He was first
married, in 1794, to a daughter of Isaac
Ferree, by whom he had four children:
Eliza, Maria, George, and Josiah, who mar-
ried Elizabeth Rutter. Mrs. John F. Bow-
man died, and Mr. Bowman, in 1805, mar-
ried Frances, daughter of John Crossen,
born August 31, 1786. They had nine chil-
dren : John J.; Levi ; Louisa and Isaac ;
Mary E., wife of Rev. C. W. Jackson ; Lu-
cinda, wife of Dr. Hiram Rutherford ; Jacob,
Emeline, and Benjamin. The second Mrs.
J. F. Bowman died September 30, 1846, and
was interred beside her husband in the old
Methodist graveyard at Millersburg. Their
remains have since been removed to Oak
Hill cemetery.
John J. Bowman and Margaret, his wife,
the parents of S. S. Bowman, are both de-
ceased. They had seven children : Mary F.,
wife of T. J. Black ; Jennie E., wife of Prof.
C. F. Fahnestock, of Chester, Delaware
county,. Pa.; Lucinda ; Dr. John F., of Mil-
lersburg ; Simon S., Levi B., and Maggie.
John Sallade, maternal grandfather of S. S.
Bowman, was of Huguenot extraction, and
was born at Basel-on-the-Rhine in March,
1739. He and other members of his family
came to America at an early date, and were
among the first settlers of the Wiconisco.
John Sallade died in November, 1827, aged
eighty-eight. He was married, February 8,
1771, to Margaret, daughter of George Ever-
hart, born in Berks county. Pa.
Simon Sallade, maternal grandfather of
S. S. Bowman, by his excellent character
and distinguished public services, made his
name well known to all the citizens of Dau-
phin county. He was born near Gratz,
Dauphin county, Pa., March 7, 1785. He
was four times elected to the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives ; first, at the age
of thirty-four, for the term of 1819-20 ; next
for the term of 1835-1837, when he was
fifty-one years old, and again in 1853, when
he was in his sixty-ninth year. He served
with ability and distinction in all these ses-
sions of the Legislature. Mr. Sallade was
the author of what was generally known as
the " Wiconisco Feeder Bill," and to his zeal
and tact this measure of importance to the
material interests of upper Dauphin county
owes its passage. Through the outlet pro-
vided by this improvement, the Lykens
Valley coal fields were developed. Through
the influence of the canal commissioners.
Mr. Sallade was appointed superintendent of
the construction of the Wiconisco canal.
Simon Sallade died at the old homestead,
near Elizabethville, November 8, 1854, and
is interred in the village graveyard at that
place. His wife was Jane Woodside, daugh-
ter of John Woodside, of Lykens Valley.
She died September 3, 1854, and is buried
beside her husband. Their children were :
Margaret, wife of John J. Bowman, of Mil-
lersburg; Ann, wife of Edward Bickel;
Jane, wife of Daniel K. Smith ; Simon,
Jacob, John, 'George, and Joseph.
The story of the life of Simon Sallade is a
familiar one in Lykens Valley. His socia-
bilitj'^, hospitality, humor, uprightness and
broad charity are still talked about, and
form a part of the traditional local history.
His name is mentioned with grateful recol-
lection of his goodness and acknowledg-
ment of his greatness.
Simon Sallade Bowman, at six years, re-
moved with his parents to Millersburg,
where he attended the borough public school
until he was sixteen. He then entered Dick-
inson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., from
which he graduated in June, 1863. He then
enlisted in the United States army, at Camp
Curtin, Harrisburg, joining company G, Thir-
ty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, under
Capt. Thomas Bennett and Colonel Trout.
During his service he was detailed for duty
in the office of Colonel Sallade, paymaster of
the United States army, department of re-
ferred claims. He continued in this posi-
tion until February, 1866, during which
time he attended the Columbia Law School,
Washington, D. C He afterwards studied
law in the ofiice of Hon. A. J. Herr, of Har-
risburg, and was admitted to the Harrisburg
bar, April 26, 1866, having passed examina-
tion before a committee composed of Hon.
John J. Pearson, Hon. John C. Kunkel, Hon.
David Fleming, and John S. Detweiler, Esq.
Mr. Bowman then opened an office at Mil-
lersburg, and entered upon the practice of
law. He has obtained a large and profitable
clientage, and enjoys the confidence and
esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Bowman was married, July 29, 1866,
to Anne P. Jackson, daughter of Addison
and Hannah P. (Light) Jackson. They have
seven children : Sumner S.; Edmund B.;
Irene A., wife of J. S. Hopkinson, superin-
tendent of the Northern Central railroad
from Harrisburg to Sunbury ; Nellie M., wife
of Hay W. Bowman, editor of the Millers-
1054
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
burg, Sentinel; Hannah, at present a student
at Dickinson Seminary ; James Donald, and
Robert Herr. Mr. Bowman is a Republican.
He was elected to the ofSee of burgess in
1892, and re-elected in 1894, and served with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his con-
stituency. He' is a member in good stand-
ing of Susquehanna Lodge, No. 364, F. & A.
M.; also of Kilpatrick Post, No. 212, G. A.
R. The family are members of the Meth-
odist church, at Millersburg, Pa.
Addison Jackson, father of Mrs. Bowman,
is deceased. His wife is still living. They
had four children : Amelia, wife of H.
H. Whitman; Annie P., Mrs. Bowman;
Helen, wife of E. H. Giffin, and John W.
Feeck, Newton C, lumber merchant,
was born at the old homestead at Millers-
burg, Upper Paxton township, Dauphin
county, Pa., November 21, 1841. He is a
son of Matthias and Eliza A. (Penrose)
Freck. Matthias Freck was born at Baden
Baden, Germany, in 1795, and came to
America when he was fifteen years of ag6.
He_ died May 28, 1868. He was very influ-
ential in the establishment of the first
public school at Millersburg, serving on the
committee, which consisted of Jacob Seal,
John J. Bownaan, Dr. Rathbon, and others.
His wife, Eliza A. Penrose, was born
August 12, 1804. They had eight children :
Joseph; Melvina, wife of John Johnson,
deceased, and now widow of Samuel H.
Lough abaugh; Rudolph, Roland, Rinaldo,
Melancthon Paul, John Luther, and New-
ton Calvin! Mrs. Freck died January 10,
1892. She was the daughter of Joseph and
Euphan (Pratt) Penrose. Joseph Penrose
was the son of Col. Joseph Penrose, of
Revolutionary fame, who commanded a regi-
ment in that war, and who was a brother-
in-law of Gen. Anthony Wayne, by the
■General's marriage with his sister.
Newton Calvin Freck received his educa-
tion in the publie schools of Millersburg,
which he attended until he was about
fifteen. He then began to learn the trade
of machinist at Minersville, Schuylkill
county. Pa., with William DeHaven, pro-
prietor of the Minersville Machine Works.
He had served about two and a half years
of his apprenticeship when the business
panic of 1857-58 caused the closing of the
works. He returned home, attended the
Millersburg school for about two years, and
then engaged in farming for his brother
Roland, Upper Paxton township, and con-
tinued there about two years. In 1862 he
engaged in manufacturing and dealing in
lumber, having formed a partnership with
his brother Joseph, under the firm name of
N. C. Freck & Co. His brother was an
extensive coal dealer at Centralia, Columbia
county, Pa. The firm dealt extensively in
all kinds of lumber, and established a large
and profitable trade in Eastern and Southern
markets. The business was continued until
1890.
Mr. Freck was one of the projectors and
one of the first directors of the Millersburg
Bank, Millersburg, Pa. He was the chief
promoter of the State Millers' Association,
called and issued the circulars for the first
meeting, which w;as held at Central Hall,
Sunbury, Pa., January 8, 1878. At that
meeting he was appointed chairman of the
committee which drew up the by-laws by
which the association has ever since been
governed. Mr. Freck was nominated for
president, but declined on account of his
being but a young man in the milling
business. He was one of the promoters of
the Millersburg Water Works, and is at
S resent one of the directors of the works,
[e is likewise interested in the Millersburg
Electric Light Works. He was also among
the promoters of waterworks at MifHintown,
and Patterson, Juniata county; Steelton,
Dauphin county ; Newport, Perry county, and
at Womelsdorf, Berks county. He superin-
tended the construction of the works at all
these places. He is the inventor of an
ingenious device for filtering the water.
He is one of a company of six who are
building the water plant at Newville, Pa.,
now nearly completed. He is ranked'
among the most sagacious business men,
and the most proficient and successful me-
chanical engineers. Mr. Freck stands
equally well in all the relations of life, and
his ability and personal worth are univer-
sally recognized. In 1876 Mr. Freck was
the Republican nominee for assemblyman
in the northern district in Dauphin county.
He was defeated at the election by three
votes, which he claims resulted from the
liquor traffic influence being on the side of
his opponent, Mr. A. T. Englebert.
Mr. Freck was married, November 28,
1866, to Emma R., daughter of Daniel and
Margaret (Rote) Wagner, who was born
November 26, 1843. They have had three
children : Paul W., born October 7, 1876
BAUPSIN COUNTY.
1055
died October 8, 1886; Annie M., born Sep-
tember 8, 1867, and Clark C, born January
11, 1870. Mr. Freck and his family are
members of ' the Lutheran church at Mil-
lersburg.
Bowman, Frank S., attorney-at-Iaw and
publisher, Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pa.,
is a son of Josiah and Margaret (Rutter)
Bowman, being the youngest of a family of
nine children, and was born at Loyalton,
Dauphin county, January 24, 1844.
Mr. Bowman received a good classical
education, after which he read law in the
office of Hon. Robert A. Lamberton, Harris-
burg, Pa., and was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar in April, 1866. He has also been
admitted to all the neighboring bars. As a
newspaper man Mr. Bowman has been more
than ordinarily successful. In June, 1884,
heestablished the Millersburg (Sen^ineZ, which
was a success from the start, and is now a
journal of large circulation and wide influ-
ence. Mr. Bowman is a talented and enter-
taining writer. His style is formed from the
best literature and standard classic models,
as he has possibly the largest and best se-
lected literary library in his end of the
county. His scrap books, which he has been
making since the age of fourteen, alone form
a rare and valuable collection. From these
certain data and articles have been copied
and furnished to some distinguished scholars.
He has observed the rule to purchase a book
when visiting a new city or community, and
as a result has books picked up in many
parts of the country. As an example, he
purchased a copy of " Robinson Crusoe," in
the city of Elmira in 1878. At this time he
tried a case in court in Elmira with Hon.
David B. Hill as associate counsel. He owns
part of the library of that distinguished
scholar and critic, R. Shelton MacKenzie,
late of Philadelphia. Mr. Bowman is an
enterprising citizen, and has filled various
offices of trust in his community. He was a
delegate from his county to the Democratic
State Convention, at Pittsburgh, in 1874, the
year after the adoption of the new State
Constitution. He was always an admirer
and active siippoiter of the lamented Will-
iam A. Wallace. He was appointed post-
master of Millersburg by President Cleve-
land, in February, 1895, and commissioned
for four years.
Frank S. Bowman was married, September
14, 1869, to Mary C, third, daughter of
Simon Wert, a prominent citizen and highly
esteemed Christian gentleman, now deceased,
of Millersburg. Two children were born to
this union : Hay Wert, born June 30, 1870,
and Linn, born April 28, 1874. Hay is now
editor of the Millersburg Sentinel, and is
showing rare ability as a writer for one of
his years. Linn Bowman is a member of
the Junior class at Dickinson College, and
ranks high in his class. He has the minis-
try in view.
Mrs. Bowman died December 5, 1893,
under the most touching circumstances. A
true Christian mother, a devoted wife, an
ardent wo'rker in the Methodist Episcopal
church, her loss was keenly felt by all who
knew her. Editor Bowman, of the Sentinel,
was married, June 6, 1895, to Miss Nellie M.
Bowman, daughter of Chief Burgess Simon
S. Bowman. It affords us pleasure to con-
clude this sketch by saying that the family
of Mr. Bowman is one of the most cultured
and intelligent in Dauphin county.
Bowman, Levi B., tinsmith, was born at
Elizabeth ville, Dauphin county. Pa., De-
cember 14, 1846; s6n of John J. and Mar-
garet (Sallade) Bowman. John F. Bowman,
his paternal grandfather, was born in. Lan-
caster county. Pa., May 10, 1771, and was
the son of a farmer residing on Pequea
creek. He was brought up as a millwright,
but in 1809 removed to Halifax, where he
was engaged in mercantile business until
1830 ; he then went to Millersburg, and was
there a successful merchant until' his death,
November 6, 1835. Mr. Bowman was first
married, in 1794, to a daughter of Isaac
Ferree, whose farm adjoined that of his
father. Their children were : Eliza, Maria,
George, and Josiah, who married Elizabeth
Rutter. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Bowman were
the parents of Frank S. Bowman, attorney-
at-law, at present "postmaster at Millersburg
and editor and proprietor of the Millersburg
Sentinel. Mr. John F. Bowman was married,
the second time, in 1805, to Frances, daugh-
ter of John Crossen, born August 13, 1786.
Their children were : John J.; Levi ; Louisa ;
Isaac ; Mary F., wife of Rev. C. W. Jackson ;
Lucinda, wife of Dr. Hiram Rutherford ;
Jacob, Emetine, and Benjamin. Mr. Bow-
man was a representative man in upper
Dauphin count}', in high repute for upright-
ness and honesty ; quiet, but genial and
much esteemed. He never sought or would
accept any local or general office. His sec-
1056
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ond wife died September 30, 1846, and lies
interred beside her husband in Oak Hill
cemetery, at Millersburg, John J. Bowman,
father of Levi B. Bowman, was born Febru-
ary 12, 1807, the day of the birth of Abra-
ham Lincoln, and died August 13, 1894.
He married Margaret, daughter of Simon
and Jane (Woodside) Sallade, bj' whom he
had ten children : Mary F., widow of Jeffer-
son Black ; Jane E., wife of Prof. Charles S.
Fahnestock, of Chester, Pa.; Lucinda, Dr.
John F., Simon S., Levi B., Margaret Ann,
and three children, triplets, who died in in-
fancy.
John Sallade, maternal great-grandfather
of Levi B., one of the most distinguished
pioneers of the upper end of Dauphin count}'^,
was of Huguenot descent, and was born at
Basel-on-the-Rhine, in March, 1739. He
came with other members of his family to
America at an early date, and was one of the
first settlers on the Wiconisco. He was blind
for about ten years before his death, which
occurred in November, 1827. He was mar-
ried, February 8, 1771, to Margaret, daugh-
ter of George Everheart, born in Berks
county. Pa., in 1747. When a young girl
Miss Everheart was made captive by the In-
dians during one of their incursions into the
territory east of the Susquehanna river, after
the defeat of Braddock, in the fall of 1755.
She was captured at a place near what is now
Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, Pa., and was
carried into the wilderness west of the Ohio
river, where she remained a prisoner until
General Forbes, by his skill and courage,
broke the French power over that territory.
She was then rescued and returned to her
friends in Berks county, and lived to a ripe
old age. John Sallade and his wife were
the parents of five sons and two daughters,
Simon being next to the youngest child.
Simon Sallade, maternal grandfather of
Levi B., by his excellent character and dis-
tinguished public services, made his name
well known to all the citizens of Dauphin
county. He was born near Gratz, Dauphin
county, March 7, 1785 ; son of John Sallade.
Owing to the lack of schools in his day and
place, he was obliged to depend on parental
instruction, but being an apt pupil he early
mastered the main branches of a good edu-
cation. Like Abraham Lincoln, he read and
re-read the few books that fell into his hands
and made their contents his own. He was
also greatly assisted, when near manhood,
by a private instructor employed by himself
and other young men of the neighborhood.
Mr. Sallade learned the trade of millwright
with Jacob Berkstresser, of Bellefonte, and
designed and built many of the old mills
within thirty or forty miles of his residence.
He was self-reliant and social, energetic and
industrious, thoroughly upright and reliable,
and became one of the most popular men of
the region. Brought into contact with all
kinds and classes of people, in social life
and in business relations, he naturally be-
came warmly interested in public matters,
and especially in those of a political nature,
and was in consequence drawn into public
life; not, however, as a professional poli-
tician, but as one seeking to promote the
general welfare. He was always a loyal
Democrat, but never a partisan, and when
nominated for office made his appeal to the
people and not to the party. He was four
times the nominee of his party for the State
Legislature, aud was three times elected, al-
though the majority in the county was with
the opposite party, and the single instance
of his defeat resulted from the clear and
honest expression of his opposition to the en-
actment of the Maine liquor law in 1853,
when the candidate opposed to him was
able to " trim " on the issue. Mr. Sallade
served in the State Legislature during the
sessions of 1819-20, 1836-37 and in 1853, in
all of which he was a prominent and in-
fluential member. He was the author of
what is popularly termed the " Wiconisco
Feeder Bill," and to his advocacy and influ-
ence, exerted with zeal and skill, that meas-
ure so important to the material interests of
the upper end of Dauphin county owes its
passage. Through the outlet provided by
this improvement, the Lykens Valley coal
fields were developed. Mr. Sallade was su-
perintendent of the construction of the Wic-
onisco canal, receiving his appointment
from the canal commissioners.
Simon Sallade died at the old homestead
near Elizabethville, November 8, 1854, and
IS interred in the village graveyard at tha
place. His wife was Jane, daughter of John
Woodside, of Lykens Valley ; she died Sep-
tember 3, 1854, and is burjed in the same
graveyard. They had eight children : Mar-
garet, married John J. Bowman, of Millers-
burg; Ann, married Edward Bickel ; Jane,
married Daniel K. Smith; Simon, Jacob,
John, George, and Joseph. The story of the
lite of Simon Sallade is a familiar one in
Lykens Valley. His sociability, hospitality,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1057
humor, honesty and generous charity are
still talked about, and form a part of the
traditional local history, in which his name
is mentioned with grateful recollection of
his goodness and just recognition of his
greatness.
Levi B. Bowman came with his parents
to Millersburg in 1847, where he took the
usual course of instruction in the public
schools. From early youth he had assisted
his uncle, Levi Bowman, in his store; and
at the age of twenty he engaged with that
gentleman in a regular apprenticeship to his
trade of tinsmithing. He was associated
during his uncle's lifetime with his interests
and afterwards succeeded him in the busi-
ness, which he has successfully conducted
up to the present time.
Ditty, Joseph Franklin, was the son of
John and Catherine (Woodside) Ditty. David
Ditty, his paternal grandfather, married
Anna Osmond, by whom he had six chil-
dren : Andrew, John, Joseph, Mary, and
David ; all are deceased excepting Joseph.
John Ditty, father of Joseph F., was born at
Millersburg, and removed to Elizabethviile,
where he engaged in mercantile business.
He was a candidate for the office of justice
of the peace at Elizabethviile, on an inde-
pendent ticket, was elected by a large ma-
jority, and re-elected for several terms, being
recognized as an efficient and conscientious
public servant. He removed to Millersburg
in 1860, and died January 6, 1861, aged
forty-eight years, eight n:onths and sixteen
days. His wife Catherine was a daughter
of Thomas and Mary (Yeager) Woodside ;
she is also deceased. They had seven chil-
dren : William Theodore, married Miss
Lydia Houpt, served in the United States
army for nine months ; re-enlisted and
served three years ; was taken prisoner and
confined in Libby prison and at Anderson-
ville for over eleven months, and liberated
at the close of the war ; was promoted to
corporal and then to sergeant ; Anna Mary
received her education in the. public schools
of her native place ; Isabella, wife of Will-
iam Dent ; John Peter, enlisted in company
B, Twenty-sixth Illinois volunteer infantry,
died in the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, aged
seventeen years ; Thomas Milton, married
Rebecca Taylor, also served in the United
States army over two years ; Charles Fred-
erick, died aged about twenty-four years ;
and Joseph Franklin.
Joseph Franklin Ditty served an appren-
ticeship of two and a half years at mould-
ing, with Foster, Savidge & Co., and worked
at the trade as a journeyman for a short
time. Later he was occupied with various
kinds of work. He is at present in the retail
tobacco business in Millersburg. He resides
with his sister, Anna Mary, and they occupy
a beautiful modern dwelling in that town.
Mr. Ditty is a member of Castle No. 332,
K. of G. E., at Millersburg. His political
views are Democratic. His sister and he
attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Thomas Woodside, maternal grandfather
of Mr. Ditty, was a soldier in the war of
1812. He married Mary Yeager, and their
children were : Jacob, married Hannah Rum-
berger ; John, married Mary M. Lark ; Leah,
wife of Henry Straub ; Daniel, married
Hannah Buffington ; Catherine, wife of John
Ditty ; Joseph, married Hetty Laird ; Mar-
garet, wife of Joseph Schnell ; Mary, wife of
Jairus Mason ; Thomas Jefferson, married
the widow of A. M. Johnson.
Kline, George W., carpet manufacturer,
was born October 20, 1852, in the old stone
house on the eastern outskirts of Millersburg,
Dauphin county. Pa., formerly occupied by
Dr. Haeseller, now of Schuylkill county, and
afterward the residence of Mr. Kline's parents,
Henry L. and Christiana (Rasweiler) Kline.
The Rasweiler family are now of Chicago.
Henry L. Kline was born in a small interior
town of Prussia, June 19, 1809, and at five
years of age he lost both his parents. He
was thrown among strangers, and when only
nine years old was employed in a damask
factory ; there he learned weaving, and was
permitted to enjoy a few months' instruction
in the public school. The factory was a
noted one, and had business connections with
prominent and titled people and historic lo-
calities, which, as a deliverer of goods, he
was permitted to visit; but these privileges
did not charm Henry, for his heart was fixed
on the " land of the free." Against the earn-
est protest of his friends he set out for
America in 1846, and after a tempestuous
voyage of over three months landed at
New Orleans. There he worked three months
on a sugar plantation, after which he went
to Cincinnati, and thence to Pittsburgh.
From that point he traveled on font to Phila-
delphia, afterwards by way of Pottsville to
Orwigshurg, where he found permanent em-
ployment at carpet weaving.
1058
BIO GRA^mCA L ENGYGL OPEDIA
In January, 1848, Mr. Kline came to
Millersburg, and embarked in the business
of carpet manufacturing on his own a,ccount.
So excellent were the nj.aterials and the work-
manship of his products that his carpets soon
gained a wide reputation, bringing orders
from far and near, and making him a busy
and prosperous man. A successful career of
thirty-five years netted him a comfortable
competency, and advancing age admonished
him to retire; consequently, in 1883, Mr.
Kline disposed of his interests to his son,
George W., and the Rev. H. A. Neitz, who
formed a partnership under the name of
Kline & Neitz,, and continued the business.
Up to the time of his death Mr. Kline
cherished the greatest interest and pride in
the large and flourishing enterprise which
he had founded. He was always an indus-
trious worker at the loom, and it has been es-
timated that the fabrics woven by his hands,
if stretched at length, would reach from
Millersburg to Philadelphia, a distance of
one hundred and thirty-two miles. A short
time before his last illness, having finished a
piece, retired from the loom, remarking to
his son that he would rest a week ; but the
final rest came. His wife, with whom he
had lived happily for thirty-seven years, had
preceded him, having passed away Septem-
ber 17, 1847.
Since 1847 Mr. Kline had been a member
of Evangelical church of Millersburg, and
had served in the several oflices of the con-
gregation. He was urbane and cordial in
his manner, and of kindly disposition, up-
right and pure in character and life; an
embodiment of the virtues of the Christian
gentleman. Mrs. Kline was born in Meders-
heim, Germany, September 2, 1814, and
emigrated to this country in 1841 in company
with her brother, Henry Rasweiler. They
located in Allen town, Pa., later removing tp
Orwigsburg. She was married to Mr. KUne
April 28, 1848, by Rev. John Koehl. For
forty-five years she was a faithful member
of the Evangelical church, a devout Christian
woman. In her last illness she endured great
suffering, which she bore with exemplary
courage and cheerful resignation. Mr. and
Mrs. Kline had seven children, of whom
John, Joanna, Amelia, and tw;o others died
in infancy. Their living children are: George
W. and Mary Elizabeth.
George W. Kline received his first instruc-
tion in the old school house on the banks of
Wiconisco' creek; he was afterward? a pupil
in, the borough schools until he was .about
fifteen years old, during which time he as-
sisted his father in his business between
school terms, and in this way learned the
art of carpet weaving. He worked, dili-
gently and faithfully for his father until he
reached his majority, wh^n his father, re-
warded him by giving him an interest in
his factory and trade. The father and son.
were associated, until 1.883, when the father
retired and sold his interest to Rev. Mr.
Neitz; and the firm of Kline &, Neitz was
founded. This firm continued the business
for five' years, when the Kline & Neitz Com-
pany took change of the enterprise. , The
corporation was not prosperous, and failed
in 1893; the concern was sold, and Mr.
Kline bought the retail department and
machinery connected with it and conducted
the retail business for two years. In 1895
he sold the retail department to R. 0. Nov-
inger & Co. and became thcssuccessor of the
corporation, the manufacturing department
now being known as the George W. Kline
Company. , ,
Mr, Kline was married, August 17, 1878,
to Mary Saville, daughter, of George W. and
Catherine (Rhodes) Kramer. They have
six children: Velma Catherine, born July 8,
1883, died May 17, 1884; Nora Elizabeth,
born March 19, 1879; Emma, bora Novem-
ber 11, 1880 ; George Henry, born August '
1, 1885 ; Juanita Adelia, born December 5,
1888 ; Robert Kramer, born July 24, 1893.
Mr. Kline is a Republican. He has served
as schppl director, and was re-elected to that
office in ,1896. He is identified with the,
Masonic fraternity, leaving passed through
all the: chairs in Susquehanna Lodge at
Millersburg ; he is also a member of Perse-
verance Lodge,! 0.0. F., at, Millersburg.
Mr. Kline is a member of the United Evan-
gelical church at Millersburg, has been a
trustee for eighteen years, and for the same
period, excepting one year, has been secre-
tary of the board of trustees.
Both the pareijts of Mrs. Kline are living.
They have eight children: Mary Saville,
Mrs. Kline ; Carson S., Emma, Alice, Harry,
Ehzabeth, Minnie, and one child that died
in mfancy. George W. Kramer and his
brothers, up to 1880, conducted the old
Kramer ferry, opposite Millersburg, estab-
lished by their father, David Kramer,
shortly after the year 1800.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1<)5&
Bowers, George Washington, retired,
was born in Halifax township, February 22,
1815; son of John and Margaret (Weaver)
Bowers. His parents had nine children:
Michael, John, Jacob, Martin, Adam,
Joseph, George W., EHzabeth, wife of Henry
Hahn, and one child who died in infancy.
George W. Bowers lost his father when
he was eight years old, and went forth
among strangers to find a home. He was
brought up by Isaac Kinter, a farmer in
Middle Paxton township, with whom he
remained until he was twenty, during
which time he received a limited education
in the township schools. At the age of
twenty he left his guardian and came to
Millersburg, where he was employed by his
brother Michael for about six years. After
this he was engaged in various occupations
until his marriage. He then returned to
his brother's employ, and was with him for
three years, after which he was for some
time engaged in different places and at
various occupations. On August 6, 1881,
Mr. Bowers met with a serious accident on
the Lyk^ns Valley railroad, from the effects
of which he was so disabled as to have been
disqualified, since that time, for any kind of
work.
Mr. Bowers was married, at Millersburg,
February 11, 1838, to Mary, daughter of
Daniel and Mary (Wingert) Miller, born
November 25, 1820. They have had six chil-
dren : Mary Elizabeth, born November 3,
1838, died September 19, 1842; Margaret
Louisa, born September 7, 1840, died May
28, 1847; John Kinter, born April 28, 1845,
died September 19, 1850; George W., Jr.,
twin brother of John Kinter; Sarah Ellen,
born February 8, 1850 ; Emma Pierce, born
February 21, 1853. Mrs. Bowers died
March 16, 1893. Mr. Bowers is a Democrat.
He has served two terms as constable in
Upper Paxton township. The family at-
tend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Daniel Miller, father of Mrs. Bowers, was
the founder of Millersburg. He came, with
his brother John, from Lancaster county.
Pa., about 1790, and took up some four
hundred acres of land, including the site of
the present town, where a settlement was
begun probably in 1794. The town was
laid out in lots in 1807. An act incorpor-
ating the borough of Millersburg was
passed by the State Legislature April 8,
1850. The first settlers of this region were
Huguenots. Francis Jacques, or Jacobs, as
anglicized, resided some time at Halifax,
but later located here, where he had taken
up several acres. Among other early
settlers here appear the names of Klein,
Larue (Leroi), Sharra or Joerg, Wertz,
Stoever, and Shuetts. Daniel Miller was
the first school teacher in the vicinity, and
was instrumental in establishing and build-
ing the first Methodist Episcopal church at
this place. Mr. Miller had three children
by his first marriage: John, Daniel, and
Elizabeth. His second marriage, in 1817,
was with Mary Wingert; they had one
child, Mary, who became Mrs. Bowers.
Day, Charles W., broom manufacturer,
was born in Shrewsbury, York county. Pa.,
April 4, 1864 ; son of Jackson and Jane
(Beck) Day. His grandfather, Levi Day,
married Delilah Downs, by whom he had
eight children : Sarah, born June 30, 1823 ;
Marv J., born Februarv 11, 1826 ; Jackson,
July 30, 1828; Amos, August 22, 1831;
Hannah F., February 18, 1835 ; Henrietta,
March 11, 1838; E.Henry, May 4, 1841,
and Enoch, December 1, 1844. Jackson Day
was married, August 3, 1845, to Jane, daugh-
ter of John and Margaret Beck. Mr. and
Mrs. Day had eight children: James, born
August 2, 1849, married Catherine E. Ward,
who died March 19, 1874 ; Noah, born May 1,
1851, married Mary Alda Gilbert, who died
August 28, 1876 ; Levi, born March 4, 1853,
died April 6, 1853 ; Emma, born June 23,
1854, died March 29,1862; John Newton,
born April 23, 1856 ; Oliver, July 14, 1858 ;
Eli, March 4, 1861 ; and Charles W. Mr.
Jackson Day died March 5, 1893.
Charles W. Day was four years of age
when his parents removed to Millersburg,
where he was educated in the public schools,
attending part of each year until he was
nineteen. For the next two years he was
hard at work learning broom making, and
at the age of twenty-one was ready to begin
business on his own account. He opened a
shop and by the diligent pursuit of his call-
ing succeeded in establishing a large and
profitable business, to the management of
which he has given his attention up to the
present time. Mr. Day was married, Sep-
tember 29, 1891, to Ella E., daughter of Ed-
ward and Agnes (Bowman) Steever, born
March 4, 1873. They have one child, Steever
Eaymond, born January 24, 1894. Mr. Day
is a Republican. He is a member of Syrian
Commandery, No. 133, K. of.M., at Millers-
1060
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
burg. The family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Day is regarded
as one of the enterprising and solid busi-
ness men of the town, and contributes his
full share to the general prosperity of
the community. Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Steever, the parents of Mrs. Day, had two
children : Ruth, died at about three years
of age, and Ella E., Mrs. Day.
Walboen, Levi, retired farmer, was born
near Millersburg, Upper Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., July 24, 1858 ; son of
Henry and Barbara (Lebo) Walborn. Henry
Walborn, who was a son of Daniel Walborn,
was born October 17, 1817, and died January
9, 1868. His wife, Barbara Lebo, was born
April 4, 1823, and died August 8, 1895. Their
children were : Sophia, born November 24,
1848, died March 12, 1859 ; Uriah, born Feb-
ruary 17, 1855, died April 3, 1859 ; Abraham,
born June 8, 1854, died March 24, 1866 ;
Henry L., born April 22, 1844 ; Lavinia,
born August 24, 1856, wife of Joseph Hen-,
ninger ; Jeremiah E., born November 24,
1860.
Levi Walborn in early boyhood attended
the public school, but his father dying when
tlie boy was but ten years old, his help on
the farm was so needed that for the next five
years he had only an occasional winter's
term at school. After he was fifteen he was
for some years hired out among the farmers.
Finally he went West as far as Nebraska in
search of profitable employment and a good
locality for farming. Not finding any place
in the West that suited him, he returned to
Dauphin county, and purchased of Rev.
Joseph Young a farm of one hundred and
twelve acres, in Upper Paxton township,
upon which he began farming on his own
account, and continued there six years, af-
ter which he bought the Jesse Seal farm,
near Millersburg, containing thirty-two acres.
The fine improvements, excellent condition,
and attractive appearance of Mr. Walborn's
farms show him to be a skillful husbandman
and an enterprising business man. In 1887
he removed to his farm near Millersburg,
where he lived three years, and then -pur-
chased the modern dwelling in Millersburg
in which he now resides.
Mr. Walborn was married, February 2,
1882, to Sarah Agnes, daughter of Jesse and
Caroline (Beard) Seal, born June 23, 1859.
They have seven children : Charles L., born
May 6, 1883 ; Jesse Blaine, born June 5,
1884, died December 24, 1891 ; Elmer E.,
born November 9, 1885 ; George Mark, born
December 29, 1886 ; Roscoe Irvin, born May
80, 189 L; Lottie Irene, born January 25,
1893; Florence Mabel, born February 20,
1894 ; died September 20, 1894. Mr. Wal-
born holds Repubhcan views ; he is at pres-
ent serving his second term in the town
council. He is a member in good standing
in Commandery, No. 133, K. of M., at Millers-
burg. The family attend Grace United
Evangelical church.
Jesse Seal, father of Mrs. Walborn, was
born February 20, 1806 ; son of George and
Margaret (Steever) Seal, and died March 20,
1882. His wife, Caroline Beard, was born
December 18, 1831, and she survives him.
They had three children : Ira B., died May
7, 1885 ; Charles F., born October 1, 1856 ;
and Sarah Agnes, Mrs. Walborn.
What a bright and honest boy can do
when thrown upon his own resources is
shown in the life of Mr. Walborn. He began
at the age of fifteen, with little aid of money
or influential friends at the start, but gradu-
ally winning both by his prudent course.
MussER, John S., foundryman and ma-
chinist, was born in Fairview township,
York county, Pa., May 9, 1827, and is a son
of Benjamin and Frances (Snavely) Musser.
Benjamin Musser, Sr., great-grandfather of
John S. Musser, died November 12, 1820,
aged seventy-one years, four months and
thirteen days. He was the father of three
sons and four daughters. His son. Dr. John
Musser, was married, November 13, 1799,
to Elizabeth Nefi^. Benjamin Musser, son
of Dr. John and father of John S. Musser,
was married, January 20, 1825, to Frances
Snavely, of East Pennsboro township. They
had fifteen children: Elizabeth, born Janu-
ary 8, 1826, wife of Josiah Seal; John S.;
Henry D., born December 20, 1828, married
Ellen Rupley; Benjamin, born December
21, 1830, married Susan Muench ; Catherine,
born October 1, 1832, wife of Benneville
Boyer ; Anna L., born April 13, 1834, wife
of Isaac Lloyd ; Jacob, born November 5,
1835; Joseph R., born February 7, 1837,
married; Levi, born March 15, 1838 ; David,
born January 9, 1839, married Susan Coble ;
Daniel, born September 3, 1840; Hiram,
born November 29, 1841 ; Jeremiah, born
April 9, 1843; Sarah, born April 19, 1847;
Josiah A., born July 29, 1849, married.
A^ J^Xj^-y^-^^,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1063
John S. Musser's parents removed to
Cumberland county, Pa., when he was six
years old. He attended the subscription
schools there during the sessions of 1833-34,
after which, the family removing to the
vicinity of Millersburg, he attended the sub-
scription school of that borough, entering
the public schools after they were established
in the town. In the meantime he gave a
good share of his time to the assistance of
his father on the farm until he was seven-
teen years old ; after that he was wholly em-
ployed in farm work until he became of
age. His father then employed him on
wages as a regular farm hand until 1851,
at which time the farfli was sold to James
Freeland, from whom Mr. Musser rented it
and began farming on his own account.
He continued there for fourteen years, then
relinquished farming, and in 1865 returned
to Millersburg. During 1865-66 Mr. Mus-
ser was engaged in contracting. After com-
pleting his contract he embarked in the
foundry and machine business at Millers-
burg, associating with himself Seth Schreiber,
under the firm name of Musser & Schreiber.
They were successful in establishing a large
business and continued the partnership un-
til 1889, when it was dissolved by the death
of Mr. Schreiber. Mr. Musser carried on
the business until 1895, when it was sold in
order to effect the settlement of the estate,
and Mr. Musser engaged in plumbing, which
is his present occupation.
Mr. Musser was married, January 20,
1848, to Elmira, daughter of Daniel and
Hannah (Ferree) Hoffman, born January 19,
1830. They have six children : Frances E.,
wife of William Kahler, born February 3,
1849 ; Sarah A., born August 9, 1851 ; Henry
A., born July 3, 1853, died May 17,1873;
Annie K., born September 19, 1857, wife of
James L. Meek ; Laura V., born November
18, 1859 ; George A., born November 6, 1861,
married. Mrs. Musser died November 17,
1890. She was well known for her generous
kindness and hospitality, and was an earnest
and devout Christian woman, zealous in all
good works, especially industrious in the up-
building of the church.
Mr. Musser was active and influential in
organizing and incorporating the Oak Hill
Cemetery Association, of which he is one of
the directors. Mr. Musser was formerly a
Whig, and is now a staunch Republican.
He takes a deep interest in all public busi-
ness. In 1858 he was elected county com-
66
missioner of Dauphin county for three
years. He was the only Republican in the
board until Mr. Beam was elected in 1859.
Mr. Musser was an earnest advocate of the
plan of building a new court house, and to
his wise and energetic support of the project
its success is largely due. He has served
several terms as burgess of Millersburg, and
in other borough offices. In 1894 he was
elected justice of the peace, and has filled
numerous township offices. Mr. Musser be-
longs to Syrian Commandery, No. 133, A...
0. of K. of M., at Millersburg. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Musser is now enjoying the fruits of his
honorable business activity in earlier years,
and he is surrounded by those who cordially
wish him long life and happiness.
Frank, Henry, carpente^r and contractor,
was born in Upper Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., January 19, 1824 ; son of
John and Elizabeth (Meek) Frank. His pa-
ternal great-grandfather, whose surname was
Neighbor, was of Huguenot descent. He
owned the mill and water power where the
electric light plant of Millersburg now
stands. His family consisted of four daugh-
ters, one of whom was married to John
Frank, another to David Frank, and the
other two daughters married brothers by the
name of Sandoe. John Frank, father of
Henry Frank, was born in Upper Paxton
township, October 20, 1796, and died Octo-
ber 12, 1870. His wife, Elizabeth Meek,
was born in 1800, and died in May, 1857.
They had four children : George W., married
Elizabeth Hoover, and had seven children ;
Henry ; Nathaniel and Catherine, twins ;
Nathaniel died in infancy, but Catherine is
still living; she married Henry Knouff, and
was left a widow with two children, John
and Frank. Mr. John Frank served as a sol-
dier in the war of 1812 under Captain Fetter-
lioff" and Colonel Ritchie. He was among the
militia drafted in 1814. Mr. John Meek,
maternal grandfather of Henry Frank, was
of German ancestry, and was a prominent
farmer and miller in Upper Paxton town-
ship. He had four children besides Elizabeth,
who became Mrs. Frank.
Henry Frank first attended the neighbor-
ingsubscription schools, and was subsequently
a pupil in the public schools. He worked
with his father at various occupations until
1840, when he went to Millersburg to learn
carpentry with John Frank, his father's
1064
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUYVLOPEDIA
cousin. He remained there until August of
the same year, when he went to Harrisburg,
and became an apprentice to the same trade
with Alexander Hamilton and Jacob Reed.
After an apprenticeship of three years he
was employed by Mr. Hamilton as a journey-
man, from the month of August until the
following May. He then returned to his native
town and began business as carpenter on his
own account. The first house he built is the
one in which he now resides. He also built the
large house on the corner of Union and Race
streets, the present residence of Hon. Mr.
Bowman. Among other important structures
erected by him are the large building on the
northeast corner of Market and Center
streets, now used as a store and halls; the
parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and other buildings. Mr. Frank was actively
engaged as a practical builder until 1875,
and later erected a number of large buildings
in Millersburg.
Mr. Frank was largely influential in the
establishment of the Millersburg Bank, was
one of the original stockholders, and has been
and is at present one of the directors of the
bank. He was also actively interested in the
establishment of the Millersburg Agricultural
Works, of which he became the treasurer in
1886. Politically he is a Democrat. He has
served as burgess and filled other borough
ofiices, the most important of which is that
of school director ; he was in the board for
six consecutive years, and at a later time
served a term of three j'ears, filling the ofiice
of president for five years, and serving one
year as treasurer.
Mr. Frank was married, February 11, 1851,
to Mary B., daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Light) Eberly. Two of their six children
are deceased : Laura, born February 25; 1852,
died July 6, 1882 ; Mary E., born May 31,
1856, died April 6, 1857. Their living chil-
dren are; Simon P., born October 19, 1853;
John N., May 1, 1S58, married Sarah Wom-
baugh, who died September 26, 1895, had two
children, Maud W. and James T.; Emma
E., December 9, 1861 ; Miriam D., January
7, 1869. Mr. Frank joined Perseverance
Lodge, No. 183, I. 0. 0. F., at Millersburg, in
1849, and in point of seniority is the third on
the list of its members. He and his familj'
are members of the Methodist church. Mr.
Frank began business at the bottom round of
the ladder, and has by ability and persever-
ance climbed it rung by rung. He has in all
his course been self-reliant and persistent,
wisely depending on his own resources and
always putting forth his best efforts. He may
enjoy his accumulated competency with the
utmost satisfaction, and take great pleasure in
the respect and good will accorded him by
his neighbors.
John Eberly, father of Mrs. Frank, was born
November 21, 1799, and died January 22,
1875. His wife died in 1842. They were the
parents of two sons and five daughters.
Kramer, Gteorge W., ferryman, was born
at Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pa., corner
of North and Water streets, August 12, 1829 ;
son of David and Sophia Kramer, both de-
ceased.
George W. Kramer was first taught in the
subscription schools of his town, and later
attended the public schools at Millersburg.
It was, however, only in the winter that he
could take time to secure an education, for
at other seasons his father needed his as-
sistance on the farm, and he was always a
willing and capable helper. At the age of
sixteen his school days were ended and a
change came in his occupation. By pur-
ciiasing at slieriff''s sale, December 3, 1825,
his father acquired possession of the ferry,
for which he paid the sum of $98. George
was now old enough to be a valuable as-
sistant to his father on the boat, and was
from that time steadily employed in this
way. Finally, in 1859, George W. and his
brother, Joseph E. Kramer, succeeded their
father in the ownership of the ferry, which
they conducted jointly until 1880. George
W. Kramer then sold his interest and has
since been in various occupations.
Mr. Kramer was married, December 29,
1859, to Catherine, daughter of Jacob and
Sarah (Noll) Rhoads. Their children are:
Sarah Emma ; Samuel Carson, married Eliz-
abeth Forney; Susan Alice; Harry Irvin,
married Ole Greenawalt, and has three ciiil-
dren : Charlotte Catherine, George Henry,
and Edward; Ira, died March 27, 1869;
Lizzie Ettie ; Minnie Myrtle ; Mary Savilla,
wife of George W. Kline.
Mr. Kramer is a Republican and has
served one term as supervisor of the borough.
The family attend the Grace United Evan-
gelical church.
Seal, John Benjamin, first saw the light
of day on the 1st day of March, 1847. He
was born and brouglit up on a farm in
Upper Paxton township, one mile northeast
DAtlPHIN COUNTt.
logs
of Millersburg, on the same premises where
both his father and grandfather lived all
their lives. He had a natural fondness for
study and was a regular attendant at the
district school during the winter months
when his services were not required on the
farm. His advantages for education were
limited, but he managed to attend a private
school for several terms in addition to an
average of about three months in the year
at public school until he ■ arrived at the age
of eighteen when he began teaching. He
followed the profession seven years, at the
same time pursuing his studies at the Mil-
lersville State Normal School. He taught
three terms in his native district, had charge
of the grammar department of the public
schools of Millersburg, and was for one term
principal of the high school. He also organ-
ized a private school, known as the West
Bangor Select School, in York county, and
laid the foundation for a flourishing private
institution of learning which has since sent
forth into the world many young men and
women who now occupy prominent positions
in life, including all the professions. In the
fall of 1872 Mr. Seal abandoned teaching and
engaged in the printing and stationer}' busi-
ness in Millersburg. Two years later he
established the Millersburg Herald, of which
he is still editor and publisher. With regard
to his newspaper project, although it is not
the financial success which his eff'orts war-
ranted, he has the satisfaction of knowing
that its influence has been potent for good
in the community and has proved one of the
most efiective agencies in promoting Ihe
best interests of the town, commercially, in-
tellectually, and morally. In public affairs,
politics, and questions of local interest the
Herald has always taken advanced positions ;
it has been a fearless exponent of true prin-
ciples and a consistent advocate of its con-
victions.
Mr. Seal is a descendant of a line of an-
cestry distinguished for industry, frugality
and sterling integrity, and having been
reared on the farm he had abundant oppor-
tunity to develop those qualities inherited
from his forefathers. His great-grandfather,
Henry Seal, was one of those sons whose
father was among the pioneers of Lykens
Valley, having settled there when wild beasts
inhabited its primeval forests and the In-
dians had possession of the land. Henry
Seal was born October 16, 1770, and died
December 21, 1827. His wife Catherine
was born April 7, 1779, and died May 29,
1842. Both are buried at David's Reformed
church, near Killinger, where also repose
the remains of J. Benjamin Seal's grand-
parents on the paternal side. John H. Seal,
the grandfather of John Benjamin, was born
March 14, 1797, and died January 12, 1877.
He was one of a large family of children,
nearly all of whom emigrated to what was
then known as the far West, locating in Ohio,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas,
their offspring being scattered now through
all parts of the Union. He remained on the
old homestead and reared a family of twelve
children, being twice married. Four chil-
dren survive: Sallie, married to Uriah
Miller; Katie A., Daniel, and John W. He
died at the ripe age of seventy-seven years,
all of which he spent on the same farm.
Josiah Seal, father of John Benjamin, was
born May 5, 1820, and died March 9, 1892.
He was married to Elizabeth Musser, daugh-
ter of Benjamin and Frances Musser, the
oldest of a family of sixteen children, of
whom Catherine, wife of Benneville Boyer ;
Anna L., wife of Isaac Lloyd ; and John S.,
Henry D., Joseph R., and Josiah A. Musser
survive. The mother, Elizabeth. (Musser)
Seal, was born January 8, 1826, and died
August 13, 1889. This happy union of over
forty years was blessed with six children :
Frances L., married to Addison J. Haver-
stick ; John B.; Emma V., married to H.
Frank Sheetz; and George L.; these are
living. Sarah A. and James A. died in their
youth, Sarah at the age of sixteen, and
James aged nineteen. Mrs. Elizabeth Seal
sprang from a large and influential Cumber-
land county family. John Benjamin Seal
was named for his grandfather, John H.
Seal, and Benjamin Musser. He was united
in marriage to Bertha Adilla Freck, Decem-
ber 23, 1879. Two children are the fruits of
this marriage : Esther Lucretia, aged fifteen,
and Eugene Freck, aged thirteen.
He has always taken an active interest in
public affairs. His voice and pen are ever
ready to assist in every enterprise or move-
ment intended to promote the welfare of
private individuals or for the public good.
He is a useful member of society, and a
faithful member of the Methodist church.
His profession has naturally brought him
into public prominence. In 1884 he was
nominated by the Republicans of Dauphin
county for the Pennsylvania Legislature,
and in November of that year was elected to
1066
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
that office by a large majority. At the ex-
piration of his term of office he returned to
his editorial work, and on the 9th day of
February, 1891, was commissioned postmas-
ter of Millersburg for a term of four years by
President Harrison, in recognition of his
political services and at the request of his
fellow-townsmen. At the February election
in 1896 he was elected a member of the
Millersburg school board, and is now presi-
dent of that body.
HoLTZMAN, David K., retired farmer, was
born near Berrysburg, Miffiin township,
Dauphin county. Pa., November 26, 1836;
son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Koppen-
haver) Holtzman. His grandfather, George
Holtzman, married Elizabeth Lebo. Their
children are: Peter, never married, died
aged seventy-six years; John, died aged
eighty-one, was twice married, and had one
ciiild, Sarah, who died aged sixty-one or
sixty-two; his second wife was Elizabeth
Weaver, and they had seven children; Jona-
than ; Jacob, died aged twenty-five years;
Maria, married Jonathan Novinger, had six
children ; Sallie, married Philip Lenker,
had six sons and six daughters ; and Eliza-
beth, married Daniel Haak, had four sons
and one daughter. Mr. George Holtzman
died aged about sixty-seven years, and his
wife died aged about seventy-eight. Jona-
than Holtzman, father of David K., died
in 1881. He had a family of five children :
Mary, married Isaac App, of Snyder county.
Pa.; Jonathan B., died aged twenty-three
years ; Edward, died aged two years ; David
K.; and Elizabeth, wife of William Straub.
Mr. Holtzman, in his second marriage, was
united to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and
Elizabeth (Schwab) Weaver, of Miffiin town-
ship; they had one child, Henry.
David K. Holtzman attended the Mifflin
township subscription schools until he was
twelve years old, after which, until he was
seventeen, he attended the public school.
He then studied for two terms in the Semi-
nary at Berrysburg, and by this course
qualified himself for teaching. His first
work as a teacher was done at Uniontown,
in his native township, not far either from
Berrysburg or from his home, where he had
a school for three terms. During this time
occurred the death of Mary, his wife. After
this event he studied one term at the Selins-
grove Seminary, and then resumed teaching
at the old Fisher's schoolhouse in Monroe
township, Snyder county, Pa.; he was en-
gaged there " for five consecutive terms,
having by his skillful and successful man-
agement of the school established a wide
reputation as an able instructor. After this
he removed to Anderson's Creek, Clearfield
county. Pa., and entered the employ of
Charles Blanchard in the capacity of book-
keeper and lumber scaler. He was called
from this position, after nine months' ser-
vice, by the illness, of his father, with whom
he remained and carried on one of his
farms for a year. He then bought the old
homestead in Washington township, for-
merly owned by his grandfather, George
Holtzman, who was among the first settlers
in Lykens Valley. In connection with his
farming operations on the homestead Mr.
Holtzman also sold agricultural implements
in Dauphin and adjacent counties. In 1884
he retired from active farming and removed
to Millersburg, wher«, in the following year,
he built the spacious and beautiful dwelling
which has since that time been his resi-
dence. In the same year, 1885, he engaged
in the insurance business, in which he con-
tinued until 1893.
From the time that he was about twenty
years of age until 1882 Mr. Holtzman gave
instructions in vocal music, and became
well and widely known as an able and suc-
cessful teacher of that branch. Mr. Holtz-
man was married to Mary, daughter of
Aaron and Catherine (Schwenk) Mattis.
Their children are: Emma L. and Charles
Franklin. Mr. Holtzman was married again,
December 25, 1874, to Maggie, daughter
of David and Margaret Neagley. Their
children are: Ottilia Corbula, born March
13, 1876 ; Charles Franklin, married Sarah
Koppenhaver, and has two children: May
Edna, aged nine, and Grace, aged five years.
Mr. Holtzman is a Democrat. He has served
as school director of his native township for
three consecutive years. The family attend
the Lutheran church.
Fbidt, George, shoemaker and farmer,
was born in Upper Paxton township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., June 7, 1832 ; son of John
and Mary Ann (Will) Feidt. He bears the
name of his great-grandfather, George Feidt,
who came from England and settled in Up-
per Paxton township; had issue: George,
John, Abraham, andPeter Feidt. His eldest
son, George Feidt, was born June 6, 1771,
married Rachel Snyder, who was born Feb-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1067
ruary 2, 1770; their children were: John,
George, Daniel, Catherine,Peter,and Thomas.
George Feidt(2), died August 30, 1829, and
his wife April 25, 1836. Their eldest son,
John Feidt, father of George, Feidt (3), was
born August 18, 1798, and died November
12, 1854, aged about fifty-five; his wife, Mary
Ann Will, was born April 1, 1800, and died
aged about seventy-three, on January 18,
1874. They had five children: Sarah, wife
of Jonas Wise; Catherine, wife of Hiram
Bulse; Elizabeth, wife of John Buffington;
George, and Mary C.
George Feidt was educated in the public
schools of his native township, which lie at-
tended during part of each year until he at-
tained the age of eighteen years, when he
began to learn shoemaking with Abraham
Snyder, at Berrysburg, Pa. Upon tlie com-
pletion of an apprenticeship of two and a
half years, he decided that his trade would
not be the best occupation for him, and
turned his attention to farming, taking a
farm in Upper Paxton township which he
cultivated for three years. For the ensuing
years he resumed his trade and worked as a
journeyman shoemaker. Finding the occu-
pation agreeable and profitable, Mr. Feidt
embarked in a business of his own, opening
a shop in Upper Paxton township, where he
carried on the business until he entered the
United States army. »
He enlisted October 30, 1862, at Gamp
Curtin, Harrisburg, in company I, One Hun-
dred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, Capt. Benjamin Evitts, Col. George
B. Wiestling. Mr. Feidt served his term of
enlistment and was discharged at Harris-
burg, August 5, 1863, after which he went
home and worked at his trade until the
opening of the following year. He then de-
termined to unite his two occupations of
shoemaking and farming, and the results of
the experiment were so satisfactory that he
continued the plan for eleven years. At the
end of that time he sold the farm, and gave
his attention to the trade alone for the next
five years. In 1880 he took up farming
again, and continued in agricultural pur-
suits until 1892, when he exchanged the
farm for the homestead he now occupies, and
retired from active business.
Mr. Feidt was married, August 10, 1871,
to Sarah, daughter of Michael and Rachel
(Alleman) Barnhart. Mr. and Mrs. Feidt
have no children. On January 14, 1891,
the name of Mr. Feidt was enrolled on the
honorable list of United States pensioners-
Mr. Feidt is a Republican. He and his wife
attend the Lutheran church. Mr Feidt is a
quiet, unassuming man, always agreeable in
manner, and always punctual in business,
and faithful in all the relations of life. He
is respected by his neighbors and is es-
teemed as an excellent citizen and a consist-
ent Christian.
Johnson, Joseph M., contractor, was born
at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pa., May 1,
1847 ; son of John and Melvina (Freck)
Johnson. His grandfather, John Johnson,
Sr., had three children : Mary, Ann, and
John. John Johnson, Jr., father of Joseph
M. Johnson, was one of the first locomotive
engineers on the Reading railroad, and met
his death November 8, 1848, while in the
employ of that company. During a strike
his fireman was attacked by rioters, and,
going to his rescue, Mr. Johnson received a
blow from a stick of wood which inflicted
upon him a fatal injury. His death occurred
in his twenty-eighth year. His wife is still
living. They had two children : Joseph M.
and Mary ; the latter died at Millersburg,
aged about nine years. Mrs. Johnson was
married again, to S. H. Longabach. Their
children are : Ella, born November 20, 1856,
wife of Carson Jensen ; Sophelia, born June
5, 1858, wife of Frank Bowers ; Samuel New-
ton, born July 17, 1859, married Lizzie
Baker; John Luther, born November 22,
1860, died aged nine months ; Emma Eliza-
beth, born February 22, 1861, wife of Charles
Seal ; Loretta Venona, born September 22,
1863, wife of Harry Freeborn.
Joseph M. Johnson lost his father when he
was but eighteen months old, and was sent
to his grandfather, Matthias Freck, who
lived at Millersburg, Pa. There he was
kindly cared for and reared, and was kept
in the public schools of the place until he
was twelve years of age. He was of much
service to his mother, who married again
after Mr. Johnson's death. In 1858, when
he was but twelve, he started out to make
his own living, not because he had no home,
for there was room and employment for him
both in his grandfather's and his mother's
home ; but he was independent and self-
reliant and preferred to be under obliga-
tions to no one but himself. For the first
two years he found employment with the
Minehill Railroad (company, in Schuylkill
county, making his home with his mother.
1068
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
After this he was for one season a driver on
the Schuylkill canal, from Pottsville to
Philadelphia and New York; he then re-
turned to the employ of the Minehill Eail-
road Company, in which he remained until
September 10, 1862.
At this date Mr. Johnson enlisted in the
United States army, at Schuylkill Haven, in
company K, One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, under
Captain Fox and Col. W. W. Jennings,
of Harrisburg, for nine months. Dur-
ing his term of enlistment he participated
in the first battle of Fredericksburg, Chan-
cellorsville, and other minor engagements,
and was discharged from the service May
29, 1863 ; he returned to his mother, then
living at Gordon, Schuylkill county. After
serving a short time in the Twenty-seventh
cavalry company. State militia, he enlisted,
February 1, 1864, in the three years' service,
joining company F, One Hundred and Six-
teenth Pennsylvania volunteers, under Capt.
George Reber and Col. St. Clair Mulholland.
During this term of service he took part in
the battles of the Wilderness, lasting seven
days ; Dodal's Tavern, Va.; Poe River, Va.;
and Spottsylvania, where he was wounded
by the fragment of a shell by the explosion
of which seven of his comrades were in-
stantly killed. Mr. Johnson was discovered
among the dead by a lieutenant of company
G of his regiment, who rescued him from his
exposed position and had him conveyed to
the field hospital. He was disabled by this
wound, and was detained in the hospital
about three months ; when discharged from
the hospital he rejoined his regiment, then
at City Point, Va. He was in the engage-
ments before Petersburg up to the time of
its surrender, and in all other fights up to
the close of the war.
After his discharge from the service Mr.
Johnson went to Millersburg, Pa., whither
Mr. and Mrs. Longabach had removed from
Gordon. Here he entered the employ of H.
C. Frick & Co. as a laborer, but by industry,
skill and fidelity soon won promotion and
was made superintendent of their working-
men in Centre and Cameron counties, who
were engaged in cutting and preparing their
timber for shipment. He was in this posi-
tion about four years, during which time he
was greatly aided by his faithful wife, who
kept house and took the lumbermen to
board, and in this way contributed no small
amount to the family income. In 1873 Mr.
Johnson bought Kramer's ferry, at Millers-
burg, which he operated in his own indi-
vidual right until 1877, when he disposed of
it. His next enterprise was the manufacture
of staves for nail kegs, at Millersburg, in
which he continued up to 1885. He then
sold his interest in the factory and returned
to the superintendency of the lumber opera- '
tions of H. C. Frick & Co., in Cameron
county. This engagement lasted only one
year, at the end of which he returned to
Millersburg and became interested in the
manufacture of barrel staves.
Some time after this Mr. Johnson took up
the business of contracting, which he carried
on alone until 1892. He then associated
himself with the promoters and builders of
water works, first at Millersburg, and subse-
quently at Mifflintown, Patterson, Steelton,
and Womelsdorf, Berks county ; he is at
present active in the projection of similar
improvements in other places.
Joseph M. Johnson was married, Novem-
ber 18, 1867, to Mary Ellen, daughter of
David and Catherine (Bush) Etien. They
have eight children ; Harry William, born
December 19, 1868, married Lizzie Douden,
has one child, Ray Edison, born October 5,
1896; Samuel Sylvester, born October 11,
1871, married Carrie Hall ; Mark Edgar,
born November 27, 1873 ; John Newton,
December 20, 1^77 ; Mary Catherine E., No-
vember 3, 1879 ; Luke Etien, December 4,
]882; Joseph Mathias, June 10,1885; and
• Martha Melvina, September 14, 1888.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church, ex-
cept Mrs. Johnson, who worships with the
Evangelical church.
David Etien, father of Mrs. Johnson, died
in November, 1855. His wife is still living.
Of their four children, two are deceased :
William, (lied in Illinois, aged about forty-
five; Louisa Rebecca, died aged fourteen
months. Their surviving children are :
Mary Ellen, Mrs. Johnson; and Hiram, who
married Ella Dirr. Mrs. Etien was married,
the second time, to Hugh Urich ; they had
one child, Samuel Edward. Mr. Urich en-
listed in company E, Ninth Pennsylvania
volunteer cavalry, and died while in the
.service, aged about thirty-nine years.
Hattek, George W., furniture dealer and
funeral director, Millersburg, Pa., was born
at Donaldson, Schuylkill county, Pa., Marcla
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1069
3, 1859, and is a son of George and Mary
(Haberacker) Hatter.
George Hatter (1), grandfather of George
W. Hatter, married Kate Erdman. They
had nine children : Daniel, Kate, John,
George, Elizabeth, Moses, David, Samuel,
and Amanda. Mrs. Hatter died aged about
eighty-eight. George Hatter, Jr., father of
George W.Hatter, and his wife, Mary (Haber-
acker) Hatter, are. both living, and reside in
Schuylkill county. Pa.- Of their seven chil-
dren, one, Frederick, died in infancy. The
living children are: Joel, married Elizabeth
Wolfgang ; Catherine, widow of Benedict
Trefsger, and now wife of William Dinger;
George W.; William, married Emma Miller ;
Samuel M., married Agnes Miller, and
Andrew, married Leah Lewis.
George W. Hatter attended the public
schools of his native county, and remained
with his parents until he was eighteen.
Although he had not attained his majority
and his parents might lawfully and reason-
ably have detained him at home, they were
willing to relinquish their claim, and let him
go forth into the world to make his own
living. He looked about for some time and
tried various occupations; among other em-
ployments he worked for a time in the coal
mines. He was not fully settled in any
regular business until 1875, when he began
to deal in live stock and in merchandise of
different descriptions; he continued to be
thus occupied until 1880. He afterwards
obtained a contract for carrying the mails
in Sullivan county. Pa., under an engage-
ment for two and a half years, after which
he returned to his native town. Finding
there an opening for a furniture store, Mr.
Hatter embarked in that line of business,
and enjoyed a good patronage, building up
a profitable trade in which he was engaged
up to 1889 ; after this time he added to his
enterprise the business of undertaker and
funeral director. He continued this busi-
ness at Donaldson until 1894, when he re-
moved to Millersburg, established himself
in commodious quarters, and began his suc-
cessful career as furniture dealer and under-
taker. Mr. Hatter has qualified himself for
his business, especially in the undertaking
branch, being the onlj' graduated funeral
director and embalmer in Millersburg or the
vicinity.
George W. Hatter was married, July 1,
1876, to Jessie F., daughter of Lewis and
Catherine (Moses) Miller. Of their five
children, one is deceased, Mary Rebecca,
born September 28, 1879, died September
18, 1881. Their living children are : Ivan
M., born July 26, 1877; Florence M., Febru-
ary 17, 1881; Ernest C, December 17,
1885 ; G. Granville, August 25, 1889. In
beneficial and fraternal circles Mr. Hatter is
prominent as a member of Council No. 972,
R. A., at Tremont, Schuylkill county, Pa.;
I. 0. 0. F., at Millersburg, and Washington
Camp, No. 74, P. 0. S. of A., at Donaldson,
Schuylkill county. He is a Republican. The
family attend the Reformed church.
Lewis Miller, father of Mrs. Hatter, died
April 10, 1886, aged about seventy-four.
His wife died October 14, 1888, aged about
sixty-nine. Of their five children, one,
Mary, died in infancy ; the others are : Leo-
line, wife of William Bodley ; James K.,
married Lottie Uminitz; she died and he
married Dora Mutchler ; Florence E., wife
of William Ludwick ; Jessie F., Mrs. Hatter.
Mr. Hatter's business career is interesting.
He began without material aid, carefully
worked his own way and is now well estab-
lished in trade, enjoying a liberal patronage
without forebodings as to the future. He is
among the substantial and honored men of
the community, owing his success to his
own self-reliant efforts. Since the foregoing
was written Mr. Hatter has died.
EtzweiIjER, Jerome, confectioner, Millers-
burg, was born at Millersburg, Pa., Novem-
ber 6, 1852, and is a son of John D. and
Sarah (Henninger) Etzweiler. His grand-
father, John Etzweiler, married Annie Gray,
and they had these children : Rebecca, wife
of Emanuel Frank ; John ; Mary, wife of
John Slaight ; Salome, wife of J. Armbrus-
ter ; Amanda, wife of John Walters ; Lydia,
wife of Robert Ritchie; Theodore, an in-
valid, and three children who died in in-
fancy.
John D. Etzweiler, father of Jerome Etz-
weiler, resides at Dimmsville, Juniata
county. Pa. Mrs. Sarah Etzweiler was born
in 1835, and died in April, 1883. They had
six children : John, died aged two years ;
Jerome ; Charles, married Lizzie Schaffer,
has four children ; Louisa, wife of C. W.
Fralich, has two children ; William, married
Emma Vandyke, has three children; Jo-
siah, married Gertrude Krotzer, has one
child. Mr. Etzweiler was married, a second
time, to Jennie, daughter of James Cox.
1070
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Jerome Etzweiler was a pupil in the pub-
lic schools of his native town for a part of
each year until he was seventeen. During
part of this time he was a very helpful as-
sistant in the hotel kept by his father. After
this time he was engaged in various occupa-
tions, being industrious and enterprising, and
willing to accept any respectable and rea-
sonably remunerative employment. Even
at that time he had the name of being an
energetic and faithful workman, and he was
seldom, if ever, without a job. He was for two
j'ears in the employ of the Northern Central
Railway Company, and might have contin-
ued in this service with every prospect of
rapid promotion, since his services were
prompt and faithful, and entirely satisfac-
tory to the company, but Mr. Etzweiler was
er>terprising and ambitious, and had a strong
desire to be at some business under his own
control, being persuaded that his time and
talents thus employed would result in larger
benefit than if given to the business of an-
other party. Scanning the situation at home,
it occurred to him that there was good
promise there for a welhconducted ice cream
and confectionery business. Accordingly, on
May 10, 1879, Mr. Etzweiler announced to
the public his readiness to accommodate
them in this line, and solicited their patron-
age. The public generously responded ; the
trade increased, and soon demanded larger
facilities and accommodations, and in 1882
Mr. Etzweiler established himself in the
spacious and elegantly furnished rooms in
which he has since received his patrons. He
was favored by his friends and neighbors,
not only because they thought it well to pa-
tronize the young men of their own place,
and thus encourage them to stay at home
and aid in building up the town, but princi-
pally because of his skillful management,
strict attention to business and honest deal-
ing, coupled with a courteous manner and
an obliging disposition.
Jerome Etzweiler was married, March 12,
1882, to Sarah E,, daughter of George and
Elizabeth (Enterline) Holtzman, born De-
cember 22, 1851. They are blessed with
three children : George L., born January 21,
1883 ; Mary Grace, May 22, 1886, and Will-
iam H., January 15, 1888. Mr. Etzweiler is
prominent among the Odd Fellows, holding
membership in Lodge ISlo. 183, Millersburg.
He votes the Republican ticket and is a
school director in Millersburg. Mr. Etz-
weiler worships in the Evangelical church;
his family attend the Lutheran church.
George and Elizabeth Holtzman, parents
of Mrs Etzweiler, are living. Of their eight
children, Edward died October 11, 1895,
aged thirty-seven, leaving a widow and two
children, Charles and Pauline. Their other
children are: Mary J.; John M., married
Katie White ; Simon, married Frances
Klinger; Sarah E., Mrs. Etzweiler; Ida;
Kate ; and Agnes, wife of Joseph Bowman.
Michael Holtzman, grandfather of Mrs. Etz-
weiler, married Elizabeth Novinger. They
had six children: George, Jacob, James,
Elizabeth, Leah, and Sarah.
Hoffman, Isaac W., ticket and freight
agent for the Northern Central and Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, Millersburg,
Pa., was born in Lykens, now Washington
township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 5,
1837, and is a son of Jacob D. and Eve
(Romberger) Hoffman.
John Peter Hoffman was the first Ameri-
can ancestor of the Hoffman family. With
others of his family and friends he came to
this country from Germany in 1739, and his
descendants were soldiers in the Colonial
army and in the wars with the Indians. He
settled in Lykens Valley, at the end of Short
Mountain, where he built a small house and
where some of his descendants are living at
this time. Jacob D. Hoffman, father of
Isaac W. Hoffman, was of the fifth genera-
tion in the direct line of descent from Jolm
Peter Hoffman, and was born July 3, 1812,
on the farm on which that ancestor first set-
tled. On the same place Jacob D. Hoffman
had his residence after the death of his
father until 1855. For his education he is
less indebted to schools than to his native
talent, his quick and clear perception and
ready observation of men and events. His
knowledge was of that practical character
which prepared him for action and leader-
ship, when matters of importance were to be
decided upon in the community. He farmed
the old homestead until 1850, when he took
charge of the large Elder and Haldeman
farm in the immediate vicinity, at the end
of Short Mountain. Jacob D. Hoffman was
married, May 19, 1836, to Eve, daughter of
Adam Romberger, born June 28, 1810.
He was one of the most influential Repub-
licans of his neighborhood. In early life he
filled many of the offices in his native town-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1071
ship in the most acceptable manner; later
he became prominent in county politics. In
1848 he was elected county commissioner to
fill an unexpired term, and in the following
year was elected to a full term of that office.
He was twice elected sheriff, in 1854 and in
1866. Mr. Hoffman was also a man of great
social worth, and his life was characterized
by unfailing kindness and generosity. Those
in need of help never appealed to him in
vain. Few men draw to themseltes more
loyal friends than those who were attached
to him. He died May 30, 1887. His wife
died October 31, 1876, from the results of
an accident, having been run down by an
engine at Sunbury, Pa., May 30, 1876. They
had nine children.
Isaac W. Hoffman received his primary
education in the district schools. At sixteen
or seventeen years of age he attended the
Berrysburg Academy for one term, after
which he was urged by the school board to
take one of the schools in his native town-
ship. This was in 1854, when the system of
county superintendency first went into effect.
Mr. Hoffman yielded to this request and
taught a six months' term. After this he
studied one term at the Harrisburg Acad-
emy, and then taught a winter school in
Lykens township, spending the next term
in study at the White Hall Academy in
Cumberland county, and teaching the win-
ter school at Stauffer's school house in Lower
Paxton township. The next summer found
him at the Freeland Academy, Montgomery
county. Pa., after which he taught a regular
term in the Berrysburg Academy, and in
the following winter taught the regular term
of the district school of that place. He
spent the next summer at the State Normal
School, Millersville, Lancaster county, and
in the following winter taught the Elder
school, in Swatara township, Dauphin
county.
Mr. Hoffman now determined to try
another branch of business, and accepted an
agency for the Osborne Reaper and Mowing
Machine Company, of New York, in which
he was active for one season. In the follow-
ing winter he did important service at Plali-
fax, where he taught the borough high
school, and was instrumental in establishing
the grading of the schools; so fully was he
appreciated that he was retained for two
terms in the superintendency of the Halifax
schools. On September 5, 1859, Mr. Hoff-
man received from the county superintendent
a county certificate for professional teaching.
In 1861 he was appointed route agent in the
United States railway mail service. Tliis
position he held until November 30, 1865,
when he was appointed agent of the North-
ern Central Railway Company, at Millers-
burg, Pa., and later was made agent of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company at the
same place, which position be still satis-
factorily fills.
Isaac W. Hoffman was married, November
6, 1866, to Sarah Frances, daughter of Dr.
H. G. and Elizabeth Martin. Their children
are: Roscoe White, born Septembers, 1867;
Jacob Odin, born August 5, 1869, married
Elizabeth Crawford; and Pauline, born De-
cember 4, 1871. Mrs. Sarah F. Hoffman
died December 17, 1874, sincerely mourned
by her relatives and friends, and by all who
knew her lovely character and unselfish life.
She was a true Christian woman, conscien-
tious in the discharge of duty, and doing
good to all about her. Mr. Hoffman was
married, the second time, November 6,1879,
to Marion, daughter of Jacob E. and Cath-
erine (Bollinger) Meek. Their children are:
Dean Meek, born November 11, 1880 ; Her-
bert Spencer, born January 24,1882; Mar-
garet, born March 27, 1889, died December
7, 1891 ; Lois and Marie, twins, born June
26, 1893.
Mr. Hoffman has served as director of the
First National Bank of Millersburg, was one
of the organizers of the Standard Axle
Works, and the treasurer of that company
for a year ; he was also among the organizers
of the Millersburg Building Association, of
which he served as secretary during the
whole term of its existence. He holds a
prominent place in the International Asso-
ciation of Ticket Agents, and is also active
in fraternal organizations, being a member
of Perseverance Lodge, No. 183, I. 0. 0. F.,
of Millersburg, of which he has been secre-
tary for twenty-five years ; of Dauphin En-
campment, No. 10, I. 0. 0. F., of Harris-
burg ; a member of Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, F. & A. M.; Perseverance Chapter,
No. 21, R. A. M.; Pilgrim Commandery,
No. 11, K. T.; Harrisburg Consistory, 32°,
S. P. R. S., of Harrisburg ; Lulu Temple,
A. A. 0. N. M. S., of Philadelphia ; Syrian
Commandery, No. 133, A. & I. 0. K.
of M., of Millersburg. Mr. Hoffman is a
Republican. He has served on the borough
1072
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGYULOFEDIA
school board for twelve years, having been
its secretary during all that time. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The parents of the present Mrs. Hoffman,
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Meek, are both living.
They had six children : William North, died
when one year old ; the living children are :
James L.; Marion, who is Mrs. Hoffman ;
Annie S.; Mary A.; Ida May, wife of Kimber
E. Heckert, of Millersburg, Pa.
Lenker, Daniel Y., distiller, was born
in Lower Mahanoy township, Northumber-
land county. Pa., October 17, 1841. He is a
son of Nicholas and Catherine (Yeager) Len-
ker. Michael Lenker, great-grandfather of
Daniel Y. Lenker, married Matilda Enter-
lein. John Lenker, grandfather of Daniel
Y., married Maria Bobb. They had ten
children: Lydia; Nicholas; Daniel; Adam;
Mary, wife of Andrew Ditty ; Catherine,
wife of Jonas Bonawitz ; John ; Jacob ; Eliza-
beth, wife of Josiah Negley, and Michael,
a minister at Lykens. Nicholas Lenker,
father of Daniel Y. Lenker, was born Sep-
tember 5, 1814, and died March 29, 1888.
His wife, Catherine Yeager, was born April
16, 1817, daughter of Christopher and Eliza-
beth (Radel) Yeager; she died February 11,
1895. They had ten children : Sarah, de-
ceased, wife of Daniel Keppenheffer ; Isaac,
married Kate Zimmerman ; Mary, wife of
Michael Metz ; Daniel Y.; John Y., married
Lydia Hidle, of Ohio ; David Y., married
Emma Kunzelman ; William Y., married
Susan Giebel; Elizabeth, wife of William
Forney; Nicholas Y., married Lizzie Wise;
and Catherine, wife of Charles Overholtzer.
Daniel Y. Lenker was four years of age
when his parents removed to Mifflin town-
ship, Dauphin county. He attended the com-
mon schools of that township until he was
thirteen, when they again removed to a place
near Killinger P. 0., in Upper Paxton town-
ship. There the children had the advantages
of the winter district school. Daniel not only
helpfed on the farm, but also spent much
time in his father's tailor shop, where he was
a valuable assistant, saving his father many
stitches, and gaining a thorough knowledge
of the trade. He was employed in this way
until he was eighteen, when he was permitted
to supplement the instruction received in
home schools by attendance for two terms at
the academy at Freeburg, Snyder county, in
the spring of 1860. Returning home, he
was engaged in tailoring with his father until
he entered the army.
In 1862, August 1, Mr. Lenker enlisted at
Harrisburg, in company G, Sixth regiment,
Pennsylvania militia, under Captain Shers
and Colonel Kieffer, and was moved with his
regiment to the battlefield of Antietam,
and thence to Fort Washington, where his
term of enlistment expired, and he was mus-
tered out. He reached home in September,
1862. After passing the winter at home, Mr.
Lenker re-enlisted in May, 1863, and was
made an orderly at Camp Curtin on the staff
of the provost marshal, which position he
held until June, 1863, when he was ordered
with the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania militia
to Gettysburg. He was detailed with others
to serve as spy, to locate the position of the
enemy's forces; while on this service he and
fifteen of his comrades were captured and
sentenced to be shot or hanged; but the de-
feat of the Southern army at Gettysburg re-
sulted in their being paroled. Barefooted
and with hardly enough clothing to cover
him, Mr. Lenker made his way on foot from
Gettysburg to Dillsburg, and thence to his
home, where he remained until December,
1863. He then entered the State University
at Columbus, Ohio, and pursued a course of
study until June 2, 1864; after which he
came home, and again enlisted in the United
States army at Harrisburg, joining company
G, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania
volunteers, in which he served until the
close of the war, and was mustered out at
Newberne, N. C, in August, 1865.
In the winter of 1865 and 1866 he taught
school in Lower Mahanoy township, North-
umberland county, in the old weaving shop
of his grandfather, the room in which the
first free school opened in that township was
held. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Lenker re-
turned to Upper Paxton township and en-
gaged with his father at tailoring, at the
same time carrying on a small farming busi-
ness on a place near Rife P. 0., known as
the Henry Pottinger farm, which he had
bought. He continued in these lines of
business until 1869, when he sold the farm
and bought his present homestead near Mil-
lersburg, known as the Haldeman farm, and
once owned by Daniel Miller; there he en-
gaged in farming, gardening and fruit rais-
ing. He was also for some time a contrac-
tor. In 1880 he took up the business of dis-
tilling fruit brandies, essential oils, and rye
whiskey, in which he has been successfully
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
1073
and profitably engaged up to the present
time. Mr. Lenker has shown great energy
and enterprise and much business ability,
and is now rewarded by prosperity. His
products are of the best, and find a wide
market, and his trade is secure and increas-
ing.
Daniel Y. Lenker was married, October 23,
1866, to Julia A., daughter of William and
Amelia (Year) Kootka, born November 25,
1844, at Kremnitz, near Berliii, Prussia.
Three of their eight children are deceased.
Their surviving children are : Mary V., born
March 14, 1863, wife of George Hoffman, has
three children, Guy Lenker, Harry P. and
Esther ; Mildred, born March 3, 1870 ; Cathe-
rine, April 24, 1872 ; Harry Cordes, Febru-
ary 10, 1874 ; and Earl, July 24, 1881.
Mr. Lenker has served as school director
for about twelve years. His political opiu:
ions are independent. He is associated with
the Masonic fraternity, being a member of
State Lodge, No. 22 ; he belongs also to Kil-
patrick Post, No. 212, G. A. R., at Millers-
burg. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
William Kootka, father of Mrs. Lenker,
was born in Carnnitz, near Berlin, April 1,
1810, and came with his family to America
in 1853. He landed at New York, came to
Wiconisco, in the Lykens Valley, and re-
moved to Rife P. 0., where he engaged in
milling; he died in Millersburg, Pa., Sep-
tember 19, 1886, aged seventy- six ; his wife
also died in Millersburg, September 6, 1887,
aged seventy-four. They had three children :
Amelia, wife of Willard Harper, who was
killed in the battle of the Wilderness, leaving
one child, Thomas ; his widow married
George Falkenmeyer; William A., married
Tina Sophia Weaver, has three children ;
and Julia, Mrs. Lenker.
Lenker, William E., retired merchant,
was born in Miffliu township, Danphin
county. Pa., March 9, 1833, and is a
son of William and Eve Catherine (Feidt)
Lenker. Philip Lenker, his grandfather,
was twice married. His second marriage
was with Ann Margaret Weaver; their
children were: Jacob, Philip, William, John,
David, Jonas, Susanna, Adam, and Sarah.
William Lenker, father of William E., was
born February 6, 1805, and died March 29,
1869. His wife, Eve Catherine Feidt, was
born December 24, 1805, and died May 24,
1887. Four of their six children are de-
ceased : Joel, born December 17, 1839, died
August 27, 1844 ; Aaron, born September 16,
1843, died October 13, 1846 ; Lavinia, born
August 28, 1840, died February 25, 1892,
wife of Thomas Matter ; Susan, born May
16, 1831, wife of Joel Koppenhaver, who
died, and she married Jacob Emerick ; she
died December 27, 1894. The living chil-
dren of Mr. and Mrs. William Lenker are :
William E. and Daniel, who was born Octo-
ber 11, 1828, and resides at Aaronsburg, Pa.
William E. Lenker was educated in the
district schools of Mifflin township, which he
attended during part of each year until he
was fourteen. At that age he went with his
parents to Upper Paxton township, where
he continued to attend the common schools
until 1852. During his years at school he
was also working on the farm, and assisting
his parents to the best of his power in
every busy season. On November 2, 1852,
he entered Mt. Pleasant College, AVest-
moreland county. Pa., and pursued the reg-
ular course of studies there for two terms,
after which he attended the Berrysburg
Seminary for two terms. In 1855 he studied
at the State Normal School, Millersville,
Lancaster county, during the spring term ;
th«n in the summer of the same year he
helped his father as usual with the harvest
work. After a term at the New Berlin Acad-
emy in Union county, he taught a winter
school at home, resuming farm work with
his father in the spring. The following
winter he taught school in Upper Paxton
township, working again for his father in
tlie summer, and receiving wages ; the next
winter he taught again in Upper Paxton
township. In 1858 Mr. Lenker rented his
father's farm on shares, and continued this
arrangement for nine successive years, teach-
ing every winter either in Mifflin or Upper
Paxton township. During that time he
received a teacher's professional certificate
from County Superintendent Ingram.
On February 12, 1866, Mr. Lenker and
Samuel Lehman made arrangements for the
purchase of the Lykens Valley store, and on
October 1, 1866, they took possession and
began business under the firm name of Len-
ker & Lehman. Mr. Lenker remained on
the home farm until the next spring, when
he occupied his present homestead. The
firm conducted the business for five years.
In 1871 Mr. Lenker bought the interest of
his partner and continued business by him-
1074
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
self until March, 1888. He then retired,
leaving as successor his son, Francis Winfield
Lenker, who has since conducted the busi-
ness. Mr. Lenker has kept pace with the
march of improvement, and has done his
share in building up the place. In 1872 he
built the fine dwelling in which his son now
lives. In 1892 he remodeled his own resi-
dence, improving, enlarging, and adorning
it, and making it one of the most desirable
homes in the region.
On October 1, 1857, William B. Lenker
was married to Amanda, daughter of Jonas
and Elizabeth Diebler, born October 16,
1837. Mrs. Diebler's maiden name was the
same as that of her husband, although they
were not at all related. Mr. and Mrs. Len-
ker have two children : Francis Winfield,
born April 12, 1861, married Annie Miller,
has. one son, Mark Homer; and Minnie Sa-
villa, wife of Benton P. Negley, has two chil-
dren, Helen Amanda and William Isaac.
Mrs. Lenker died December 21, 1886. She
was faithful in all her round of duties, and
gentle and loving in her ways. She made a
profession of religion in connection with the
United Brethren church, and honored this
profession by a godly walk and conversation.
She was one of a family of seven children, of
whom she was the eldest ; the others were
Mary, Lizzie, John H., Sarah Jane, Cathe-
rine, and Jonas Edward. Mr. Lenker was
married, the second time, November 7, 1891,
to Mary M., widow of Cornelius Hoy, and
daughter of the Rev. Henry E. Hackman,
Elizabethville, Dauphin county. Pa.
Mr. Hackman's family consisted of eleven
children: Anne, wife of Michael Hicker ;
Mary, Mrs. Lenker ; Alice, wife of Onesimus
Kreider ; Edward, married Henrietta Stahl ;
Clara ; Horace, married MoUie Shoffstall ;
Wilson, married Sallie Light ; Ida, wife of
Frank Bender ; Lizzie, deceased ; Virginia,
wife of Samuel M. Glenigon, and Laura, wife
of Henry Stein.
Mr. Lenker's political preferences are with
the Republican party. He has served the
township in various offices. He was elected
justice of the peace in 1876, served two years,
and then resigned ; re-elected in 1892, he
has continued in office ever since. Under
President Johnson's administration, in 1867,
he was appointed postmaster of Killinger,
Pa., and held the office until 1885. Mr.
Lenker and his family are members of the
United Brethren church.
RiEGLE, Benjamin, retired farmer, was
born in Tulpehocken township, Berks county,
Pa., March 24, 1805. His parents are George
and Anna Mary (Lesher) Riegle. His pater-
nal grandparents are John and Elizabeth
(Zeller) Riegle, and his maternal grandpar-
ents John and Barbara Lesher. George
Riegle, his father, died at the age of _ eighty-
six years arid eight months ; his wife died
aged about eighty-three. They had twelve
children : Benjamin, Daniel, who died at the
age of twenty-two, John, Jacob, Jonathan,
David, George, Henry,Elias, Elizabeth, Mary,
and Catherine.
Benjamin Riegle was carefully trained from
earliest childhood at home, and his parents
made willing contributions for the support
of a school in the neighborhood in which he
was a pupil. This was before the establish-
ment of the admirable public school system,
maintained by general taxation ; these sub-
scription schools were the only educational
advantages within the reach of people of
moderate means. The family removed to
Northumberland county when Benjamin was
nine years old. His education being lim-
ited, having attended school only a few
months for two or three winters, he con-
tinued to attend subscription schools until
he was nineteen. These schools were only
kept open during the winter season, when
farm work was not pressing ; in the farming
season all the girls and boys were industri-
ous helpers in home and farm work.
Mr. and Mrs. Riegle thinking it well that
a boy should know a trade, Benjamin was
placed with Jacob Welker, of Millersburg, to
learn that of cabinet making. At the end of
two years Mr. Welker pronounced him a well
trained mechanic, and he went to work as a
journeyman. After following this occupa-
tion for one year, Mr. Riegle decided to re-
turn to farm work ; so, after due considera-
tion, he rented a farm in Upper Paxton town-
ship, from Jacob Landis, for three years.
Within the first year of his lease he learned
that he could buy a farm on easy terras, so
he sublet the Landis farm to Jacob Lebo, and
on April 1, 1828, bought his present home-
stead, then comprising one hundred and
twenty-eight acres. He at once took posses-
sion and began the process of clearing, im-
proving, enriching the soil and erecting
needed structures, making substantial im-
provements of all kinds m due order, which
have brought his farm into first-class condi-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1075
tion, both for productiveness and for appear-
ance, and made him a prosperous farmer.
His first great improvement, and the one he
deemed most important, wns the large, sub-
stantial an- 1 convenient barn that he built in
1834. Finding that he could as easily and
more economically manage a larger farm,
Mr. Riegle bought fifty acres more of Chris-
topher Yeager in 1838, and fifty of William
Lenker five years later ; all of which coming
under the same skillful and judicious man-
agement, made the additions equal to the
original farm in condition and value. The
dwelling Mr. Riegle determined should be
one that would adorn his farm and afford his
family convenience and comfort; and in
1859 he built the beautiful and spacious resi-
dence which has since been his home.
As the children appear upon the threshold
of active life Mr. Riegle takes care of their
interests. In 1850 he bought of George Buf-
fington a farm of one hundred and twenty-
eight acres, which he greatly improved, and
which, in 1865, he sold to his son Jonathan.
In 1860 he bought of Simon Yeager a farm
of one hundred and twenty-five acres of
cleared land and thirty acres of timber, on
which, in 1861, be built a large barn and
made other improvements, and in 1866 sold
it to his son-in-law, Jeremiah Landis. In
the spring of the same year he sold one
hundred acres, with buildings, to his son
Benjamin. Mr. Riegle's circumstances now
made it necessary for him to be taxed with
the burdens and responsibilities of active
business, but his integrity and ability were
so manifest in his career that organized in-
dustries and financial trusts and ven-
tures desired his aid and support in
their administration ; for any enterprise to
which Benjamin Riegle would give his
name would win and hold public confi-
dence. A number of such enterprises in
the lower end of Lykens Valley have en-
joyed his services and his endorsement. Mr.
Riegle was for many years a stockholder in
one of the Harrisburg banks, and was
largely instrumental in the organization of
the Lykens Valley Bank, now the First Na-
tional Bank of Millersburg, in which for
many years he was a director and one of
the principal stockholders; he was also one
of ttie principal organizers of the Lykens
Bank.
Benjamin Riegle was first married, Janu-
ary 31, 1826, to Catherine Diebler, daughter
of Daniel and Anna Mary (Fessel) Diebler.
They had nine children, of whom seven
are deceased. Mrs. Riegle died January 16,
1875, and was deeply mourned by those who
knew her many virtues and her exemplary
conduct in all relations of life. In the sec-
ond marriage of Mr. Riegle he was united,
June 6, 1875, to Mrs. Elizabeth Hummel,
widow of John Hummel, who died October
6, 1865. Mrs. Riegle's children, by her first
marriage, are Henry, Jacob, Matthias, Chris-
tian, and Elizabeth, all deceased; Mary;
John, who married Susan Bidding, and
Amanda, wife of David Lenker.
Mr. Riegle's character is no less marked
and prominent through his domestic and
social qualities than through those which
secured to him the remarkable success of his
business career. Multitudes share his hos-
pitality and enjoy his society. He is boun-
tiful in his charities, and a willing and lib-
eral contributor to all measures for the pro-
motion of the public welfare. His church
membership is in the United Brethren
church, and he is second to none in his supr
port of its benevolent enterprises.
Weaver, Philip, farmer, was born on
the homestead in Upper Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., March 19, 1850, and
is a son of William J. and Elizabeth (Hoy)
Weaver. His grandfather, Jacob Weaver,
married Christina Cooper, and they had five
children : Jac b, who died young ; George,
married Sarah Cameron; Adam; William
J.; Sarah, married to Peter Schrefiler, who
died, and she married Jacob Martz. Will-
iam J. Weaver, father of Philip Weaver,
was born in November, 1818, and died May
10, 1883, aged about sixty-five. His wife
died November 13, 1887, at nearly the same
age. Their children are : Sarah, deceased,
wife of Jacob H. Forney ; Catherine, wife
of Michael KufFer; Philip; Jonathan, mar-
ried Louisa Strohnecker ; Christian, married
Catherine Campbell; Isaac, married Eliza-
beth Hummel, and after her death, Sarah
Novinger; Samuel, married Kate Miller;
Elizabeth , married Daniel Koppenheffer.
Philip Weaver was, in his boyhood, kept
busily at work on the farm during the
season for farm work ; his only opportunity
for school education was in the common
schools of his township, which were open
for a few months of each winter. He re-
mained with his parents until he became of
age, and then went out to work among the
neighboring farmers. His first engagement
1076
mOGttAPmCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was with Jonas Diebler, with whom he
continued until August 10, 1871 . He was
then with Rev. J. W. Lesher for eighteen
months, farming for him and running his
saw mill ; after this he was for a short time
with Brown & Early, at Williamsport, Pa.,
spending the remainder of the summer with
Taber & Goodrich, and in both of these
situations doing general work. He went
home in the fall of 1873, and remained
until the following spring, when he took
one of his father's farms on shares, and cul-
tivated it for one year. He then removed
to his present homestead, where he has
since been engaged in general farming. He
has much improved the place ; in 1885 he
built upon it a saw and a grist mill, and
has a good trade with the farmers of the
vicinity. Philip Weaver was married, No-
vember 16, 1873, to Amelia Mary, daughter
of Simon and Tina (Henninger) Daniel,
born June 25, 1848. Their children are:
Oliver, born March 2, 1874 ; Annie Nora,
October 11, 1875, wife of Francis M. Larkin,
has one child, Edna Rebecca; George
Melancthon, March 17, 1877 ; Lizzie Celesta,
January 5, 1879 ; Tina Amanda, November
16, 1880; Frederick Patterson, November
7, 1882; Edward Whitney, January 10,
1885; and Monroe Curtin, January 17, 1887.
Mr. Weaver is a Democrat. He served one
term of five years in the office of justice of
the peace. The family are members of the
Reformed church.
Simon Daniel, father of Mrs. Weaver,
died in 1885, aged about seventy ; his wife
survives him. Of their eleven children,
two are deceased : Amanda, wife of Gabriel
Weary, and Malinda, wife of Henry
Schneider. The surviving children are:
Edward Isaac, married Mary Coleman;
Sarah, wife of Cornelius Kohler; Aaron,
married Mary Buffington ; Amelia Mary,
Mrs. Weaver; Henry, married Christine
Hubach ; Catherine and Lizzie, twins, the
former married to William' Wolf, the latter
to William Wenrich; Fietta, wife of Elmer
Thompson.
Weaver, Adam G., retired farmer, was
born on his father's farm. Upper Paxton
township, Dauphin county, Pa., November 24,
1814, and is a son of George and Margaretta
(Lenker) Weaver. Jacob Weaver, his grand-
father, was born near Zweibreucke, Bavaria.
After coming to this country' he married
Margaretta Sehamera ; their children were :
Jacob, Gretchen, Daniel, Magdalena, and
George. George Weaver, father of Adam G.
Weaver, died in Julyj 1858, aged about
seventy-six ; his wife died October 24, 1832,
aged about forty-eight. All of their family
of fifteen children grew to maturity but one,
Elizabeth, who died aged eleven. The other
children were : Mary, Jacob, George, Su-
sanna, David, Adam, Lydia, Daniel, Simon,
Fanny, Rebecca, Annie, William, and
Rachel.
Adam Weaver had very slender oppor-
tunities for securing an education, for while
there was a subscription school open in the
neighborhood for a part of each year, he
could not avail himself fully of even this ad-
vantage, for he was very active and helpful,
and the farm work made constantly increas-
ing demands on his time as he grew older.
From his eighteenth to his twenty-eighth
year he gave his entire time to farming. For
six of those years he and his brother took
the farm on shares. At the age of twenty-
eight he removed to his present homestead,
which had been bought by his father, and
was at that time only a rough piece of land,
without buildings or improvements. He
made an agreement with his father for the
use and final possession of this land on
terms which they considered reasonable
and within his reach. Here he began the
making of a farm and a home. He first
built a small log house, which was a comfort-
able dwelling, and which he occupied until
he had secured time and means for erecting
a good house. He made improvements in
the order of their necessity, and in 1844
built a large and substantial barn. It was a
long time before he felt ready for the dwell-
ing, but in 1861, the conditions being favor-
able, the elegant residence was erected, which
has been the home of his family since that
date. All other improvements came in due
order and time, and the result is the home-
stead _ in its completeness and excellence.
The time of waiting was shortened by Mr.
Weaver's employing the winter months in
weaving flax and wool, a trade which he had
learned from his father , and progress was
still more assisted by frugality and economy
in his way of living and in the general con-
duct of his affairs. At the time of his fath-
er's death, in 1858, Mr. Weaver received the
deed to the farm, which consists of one hun-
dred and fifty acres of land in a high state of
cultivation and improvement. In 1866 he
bought the John Weaver farm, which his
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1077
son Jereuiiah occupies, and which he sold to
his son in 1890. In the same year he
bought the Isaac Negley farm, on which his
son Adam now resides. In 1880 he built
the cottage in which his son Aaron lives,
and in 1892 purchased two hundred and
twenty-one acres of land from Andrew Rich-
mond.
On May 30, 1843, Adam Weaver was mar-
ried to Susanna, daughter of Henry and
Catherine (Buflfington) Daniel, born January
31, 1831. Their children are: Catherine,
born July 6, 1844; Jeremiah, born Novem-
ber 25, 1845, married Sarah Bohner, by
whom he had four children, and after her
death married Abby Wright, had two chil-
dren ; Cornelius, born February 13, 1848,
married Julia Fogleman, has one child ;
Aaron, born October 30, 1849, married Ellen
Miller, had two children ; Adam, born March
'22, 1852, married Lizzie Gassner, has five
children ; Susanna Weaver, born May 4,
1855, married Gilbert Troutman, has ten chil-
dren ; Priscilla, born April 18, 1858; and
Adeline, born July 7, 1860, married Jacob
Wiest, now deceased, had one child. Mrs.
Weaver died May 27, 1872.
Mr. Weaver is a Republican. He is a
member of the Evangelical church. His
business course is a fine study for young men.
By his example they may see the value of in-
dustrious and careful habits in early youth,
and the necessity of frugalitj' and economy if
any foundation is to be laid for future compe-
tency. They will see that good will, hon-
esty and a scrupulous regard for the comfort
of others are needful to the highest success.
They will further see in the conduct and
character of Mr. Weaver a pattern of excel-
lence in all the relations of life, and in his
quiet enjoyment of the fruits of his early
diligence they may observe the substantial
rewards of right living.
Keefer, Joseph, Se., watch and clock
maker, was born in Lower Paxton township,
Dauphin county. Pa., September 10, 1820,
and is a son of Joseph and Christina (Gip-
ple) Keefer. Joseph Keefer (1), father of Jo-
seph Keefer, Sr., died February 1, 1868,
aged eighty years, one month and one day.
His wife died October, 1837, aged fifty-one or
fifty-two. Their children were: Elizabeth,
Jacob, Sarah, Mary, Catherine, Jane, Joseph,
Susan, and Annie.
Joseph Keefer, Sr., attended the subscrip-
tion school in Lower Paxton township one
term. When he was nine years old his par-
ents moved to Upper Paxton township to a
place three miles east of Millersburg, settling
there in April, 1830. There Joseph was in
the private school several years, and later
went to the district school a part of each
year until he was eighteen. For several years
previous to this he had been repairing clocks
and watches, and had become quite skillful
in the trade which he subsequently made his
occupation. He remained with his parents
until he was twenty-three, and then went to
work on the farm of his brother-in-law, near
Oakland Mills, Juniata county, Pa. In 1844
he returned to Upper Paxton township and
bought forty acres of land of his father, on
which he built a house and barn and made
other improvements, substantial and service-
able. In 1850 he bought a farm of seventy
acres, in Perry county. Pa., in Liverpool
township. There, besides his farming, he
worked at his trade, and also conducted a
carpet and cloth weaving business until
1866. In that year, his wife having died
December 5, 1865, he went back to Upper
Paxton township and lived with his parents
until the spring of 1867, when he removed
to Pumpkin Hill, now Rife Postoffice, in
Upper Paxton township. There he worked at
his trade of watch and clock making, and
later opened a general store. ■ He bought
with the store twenty acres of land, which he
cultivated. In 1869 Mr. Keefer sold his store
and farm and bought a small farm of his
father, near Millersburg, consisting of thir-
teen acres. On this place he remained until
1875, when he bought his present home-
stead, and in 1876 built upon it the house
in which he now resides. It is a farm of
nineteen acres, which he has highly im-
proved and made valuable and attractive.
Joseph Keefer was married. May 2, 1843,
to Christina, daughter of Philip and Cathe-
rine Luckenbach, born February 7, 1827.
Of their eight children, three are deceased :
Jacob T., born November 8, 1846, died Oc-
tober 6, 1881, married Margaret Dunkle, and
left five children ; Sarah A., born April 13,
1850, wife of Adam Miller, died July 2, 1884;
Rev. Daniel W ., born February 4, 1859 ; at-
tended the district schools of Perry county
for a short time before the removal of the
family to Upper Paxton township, where he
went to winter schools and worked out among
the farmers during other seasons. At nine-
teen years of age he began teaching school
at Loyalton, Washington township, and
1078
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
then, after working for a time with his
brother, Joseph P., in the woolen factory, in
Cuttiberland county, he began his studies for
the ministry. At their completion he was
ordained to the sacred office, and occupied
several pastorates; he was last located at
Highland church, near Steelton, Pa., where
he died February 19, 1892. He was an able
and faithful minister, became prominent in
his profession, and was honored and loved
by all his parishioners. He left a wife and
one child.
The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs.
Keefer are : Joseph P., born October 6, 1848,
married Annie Miller; Mary E., born Jan-
uary 8, 1854, wife of Tobias Sheetz; Will-
iam L., born February 18, 1860. resides in
Florida ; John B.,.born May 27, 1862, studied
dentistry, and is practicing at Altoona, Pa.,
married Mary Auxer ; Rebecca Jane, born
August 19, 1864, wife of Morris Shultzberger.
Mrs. Keefer died December 5, 1865. Mr.
Keefer was married again, December 20,
1866, to Sarah Haffley, daughter of John
and Magdalena Hafiley.
Mr. Keefer was formerly a Whig, and
when the Republican party came into exist-
ence he united with that organization. While
in Perry county he served in numerous town-
ship offices. He has been for about sixty
years a member of the Brethren in Christ,
comraonl}' called River Brethren ; was for
many years a deacon ; in 1879 he was elected
to the ministry, and still holds that sacred
office.
Philip Luckenbach, father of the first
Mrs. Keefer, is deceased, as is also his wife.
They had a family of ten girls and six boys ;
Mrs. Keefer was the youngest girl. The
present Mrs. Keefer is one of seven children,
one of whom, Martha, died March 19, 1896,
aged sixty-eight years and five months. The
surviving brothers and sisters are : Jacob,
David, Elizabeth, Sophia, Nancy, and Sarah,
Mrs. Keefer.
Plambeck, Joachim Hartewig William,
merchant tailor, was born in Marlow, a small
town in the province of Mechlenburg
Schwerin, Germany, March 12, 1850. He is
a son of Joachim Frederick Christopher and
Maria Magdalena Augusta (Juchstock) Plam-
beck. Joachim Juchstock, maternal grand-
father of Mr. Plambeck, had a family of
three children: Fritz, William, and Maria
Magdalena Augusta.
J. P. C. Plambeck, father of J. H.W. Plam-
beck is one of a family of two, the other be-
ing Mary, who died at about eighteen years
of age. Mr. Plambeck was born October 23,
1802. His wife, Maria M. A. Juchstock, was
born October 26, 1816, and survives him.
Two of their children are deceased, a son
bearing the same name as J. F. C. Plambeck,
and a daughter Mary ; both died in child-
hood. The surviving children are: Helena,
widow of Christian Daden ; Fritz, married,
and has four children ; Wilhelmine, wife of
Heinrich Brudigara ; Joachim H. W.; Eliza,
wife of Fritz Niliers; Johanna, wife of Fritz
Wendt, and August Plambeck, blacksmith.
Joachim H. W. Plambeck was carefully
trained and instructed in the public schools
of his native place until he was fourteen,
when he began an apprenticeship at tailor-
ing with George Thomas, in the city of
Rostock, Mechlenburg. His terra of in-
denture ended June 15, 1868, and he then
worked as a journeyman in various places
until 1872, when he began military service
in an artillery regiment of the Ninth army
corps in the field. His three years' term of
service having expired, he resumed work as
a journeyman tailor at several places in Ger-
many up to 1882. He then yielded to his
strong desire to see the land of free institu-
tions, leaving Germany September 13, 1882,
and landing at New York, September 27,
1882. He settled at Millersburg, and was
employed as a journeyman by Frederick R.
Gilbert until December 12, 1884, when he
began business on his own account, and by
his thorough knowledge of his trade, and his
honorable dealing, he has built up a large
and profitable business.
Mr. Plambeck is an ardent admirer of the
Americans and their liberal institutions, and
became a naturalized citizen September 30,
1889; he is as loyal and patriotic as any
native born citizen. He began his business
career as a stranger and without capital, and
has attained to the enviable success he en-
joys solely by his own skill and diligence.
In political views Mr. Plambeck is not iden-
tified with any party, but holds neutral
ground. He attends the religious services
of the Lutheran church.
CoEDES, Henry, train dispatcher, North-
ern Central Railway, at Millersburg, was
born near the harbor of Breman, king-
dom of Hanover, now one of the German
States, July 29, 1838. He is a son of Henry
/ '^ f
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1081
and Sophia Cecilia (Luebken) Cordes. Henry
Cordes, Sr., was born in Hanover, Germany,
grew up and married there. Part of his
family preceded him to America in 1852 ;
he and his wife emigrated in 1856. He
died May 2, 1876, aged sixty-two ; his wife
died March 11, 1875, aged sixty. Of their
nine children, five are deceased : Anna, wife
of Cornelius Fink, had one child ; Sophia,
who married Frank Carlton ; Caroline, wife
of William Young ; George, died within five
weeks of Caroline's death, both dying of
trichinosis ; Margaret, wife of John C. King,
had seven children : Philipina, Esther, Mar-
garet, John, Louis, Elizabeth, and one de-
ceased, Joseph ; Louis C, married Emma
Brubaker, had three children deceased, Mar-
garet and Anna were twins. The surviving
children of Henry and Cecilia Cordes are:
Henry; Hattie C, married Oscar Snyder,
who died, and she married Charles Bohne,
and after his death, Frank C.Taylor; she
had one child, Oscar, son of her first hus-
band ; Rettie, twin of Hettie C, wife of
Charles Dobson, has one child, Nellie; these
twin sisters so closely resemble each other in
personal appearance that their mother often
failed to distinguish them ; Frederick G.,
married Hannah Willets, has one child,
Frederick, who served from the beginning
to the end of the war of the Rebellion in the
famous Kane's rifles, Bucktail regiment.
Henry Cordes attended the schools of his
native city until he was fourteen, when he
came with his sister Anna to America, sail-
ing April 15, 1852, and arriving at New
York, May 27, 1852. He came to Harris-
burg and began an apprenticeship with his
uncle, Henry Luebken, at baking; after
serving two years he removed to Philadel-
phia, where he was in the employ of Her-
man Haupt, chief civil engineer of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company until 1856;
he then returned to Harrisburg with his
parents, who had just come from Germany,
and remained a short time with them.
Through Dr. Butt, of Philadelphia, he was
employed by the Florida Lumber Company,
in the capacity of clerk, and went to Florida,
where the state of his health permitted him
to remain only a short time. He was then
employed by Philip Walters, the brother-in-
law of his uncle, to do farm work and assist
in butchering on his farm in York county.
Pa. He continued there until April 18,
■ 1861, when he enlisted at Camp Curtin, Har-
risburg, in company B, Second Pennsylvania
volunteers, Capt. John Doebler and Col.
Frederick Staumback. His regiment moved
from Harrisburg to the vicinity of Baltimore,
and after a short stay there was sent to York,
Pa., thence through Maryland and into
Virginia, and thence through Baltimore to
Harrisburg, where he was discharged at the
end of three months' service.
Mr. Cordes remained with his parents
until August 9, 1861, when he re-enlisted in
the Eighteenth United States infantry, in
which he served until January 25, 1865.
This regiment was ordered to Columbus,
Ohio, in November, 1861, was transferred to
the Army of the Cumberland, at Louisville,
Ky., and participated in the campaign
through Kentucky, ending in the defeat of
General ZoUicoff'er's army at Mill Springs,
after which it retired to Louisville. The
movement of the regiment was then from
Louisville to East Point, Ky., thence by
boats down the Ohio river to the Cumber-
land, up to Fort Donelson, thence to Nash-
ville, Tenn., thence to Shiloh, thence to
Corinth, Miss., thence to Rienzi, Blackland,
Booneville, to near Holly Springs, Miss.,
thence back to Corinth, thence to luka,
thence to East Port Landing, crossing the
Tennessee river to Alabama, whence they
returned to Louisville, Ky., by way of Athens,
Tuscurabia, Decatur and Salem, Ala., Deck-
ard, Murfreesboro and Nashville, Tenn.,
Bowling Green, Mumfordsville and East
Point, Ky., and reaching Louisville October
1, 1862.
After resting four days they started on
the Perrysville campaign, by way of Shep-
herdville, Bardstown and Springfield to
Perrysville or, (Chaplain Hills), thence to
Crab Orchard, Frankfort, Greenville, Mum-
fordsville, Bowling Green, Ky.; Gallatin,
Bellows Ford, Pilot Knob, Edgefield and
Nashville, Tenn. They then moved on
Christmas day, 1862, to Murfreesboro (Stone
river), where they lost nearly half the regi-
ment. From Murfreesboro they moved to
Tulahoraa, Tenn.; thence to Cowen, across
the Cumberland mountains into the Crow
Creek Valley; thence to Stephenson, Ala.;
thence to Bridgeport, Ala., where they
crossed the Tennessee river and Raccoon
mountains into the Trenton Valley, Ga.;
thence across Lookout mountain into the
Chickamauga Valley, Ga.; thence to Chatta-
nooga, Tenn., where, in September, 1863,
67
1082
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
they were in a number of engagements and
remained in that vicinity until May 14,
1864.
They then began the Atlanta campaign,
moving first to Ringgold, Ga.; thence to
Tunnel Hill, thence to Buzzard's Roost,
thence to Snake Creek Gap to Resaca; thence
to Kingston, Cassville, Burnt Hickory, New
Hope Church, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Big
Shanty, Kenesaw, Smyrna, Chattahooche
river, Peachtree creek, Atlanta, Eutaw creek,
to Jonesborough, Ga., where Mr. Cordes re-
ceived a serious gunshot wound in his left
arm, necessitating amputation on the battle-
field, after which he was taken a distance
of twenty miles to the hospital at Atlanta,
suffering intensely on the way. He re-
mained in the hospital until October 23,
1864, when he was sent with others in freight
cars to Chattanooga, Tenn., and was finally
discharged at Columbus, Ohio, January 25,
1865, on account of disability resulting from
wounds received in battle.
Mr. Cordes then returned to Harrisburg,
and after a short stay entered Crittenden's
Commercial College, Philadelphia, where he
took a course in bookkeeping and telegraphy,
which he completed in December, 1865.
Through the friendly endorsement of Hon.
J. D. Cameron he obtained a position in the
service of the Northern Central Railroad
Company, and was stationed at Harrisburg;
after six months he was sent to Marysville,
Perry county. Pa., where he remained two
and a half years. In September, 1868, he
was located at Millersburg, and has been in
the employ of the same company at that
point ever since.
Henry Cordes was married, December 25,
1866, to Kate, daughter of John and Cathe-
rine (Sweigert) Shoader. Two of their chil-
dren are deceased : John Henry, at the age
of nineteen days, while Catherine Cecilia,
who was born December 20, 1868, died
Marcli 27, 1895. Those who survive are
also two in number: Florence Victoria,
born June 8, 1872, wife of Benton M. Jury,
of Millersburg, Pa., and Warren Ray, born
January 9, 1875.
Mr: Cordes is a Republican. In 1892 he
was elected to the office of director of the
poor for a term of three years, and in 1895
was re-elected to the same office. He has
been the commander of Post No. 212, G. A.
R., at Millersburg for fifteen years, and still
holds that office. He is a member in good
standing of Lodge No. 183, I. 0. 0. P., at
Millersburg. Mr. Cordes and his family at-
tend the Lutheran church.
John Shoader, father of Mrs. Cordes, died
January 4, 1875. His wife survives him.
Their children are : Frederick G., married
Kate Harm ; Kate, Mrs. Cordes ; John H.,
married Mary Flickinger!; Harry B., mar-
ried Lydia Hamilton ; Elizabeth, wife of
Willis Shearer; William B., married Annie
Flickinger, and Mary B. Mr. Shoader
served in the United States navy during the
Mexican war.
Henry Luebken, uncle of Mr. Cordes, with
whom the latter resided when he first canie
to America, and from whom he learned his
trade, emigrated to this country in 1882.
He had learned baking in his native land,
and was one of the first bakers in Harris-
burg. He married Margaret Walters, daugh-
ter of Philip Walters.
Henry and Margaret Luebken had twelve
children, all of whom died in childhood, the
eldest having lived to be eighteen years of
RiCKERT, John, farmer, was born near
Gratz, Lykens township, Dauphin county,
Pa., January 4, 1829 ; son of Henry and Sarah
(Romberger) Rickert. Adam Romberger,
maternal grandfather of John Rickert, mar-
ried Mary Werner. She died, and he was
married the second time to Miss Paul. He
was the father of twenty-four children, twenty
of whom were girls. Henry Rickert, father
of John Rickert, died aged sixty-five years,
five months and fifteen days ; his wife died
at the age of eighty-three. Their children
were: Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary, William,
John, Sarah, Rebecca, Jonas, and Lucetta.
John Rickert was only a few years in the
public schools of his native township, re-
ceiving a limited education. He was early
thrown upon his own resources, and began
to earn his livelihood at nine years of age.
He first hired out to do farm work for Daniel
Leopold, Lykens township, for three years,
receiving one dollar a month for the first
year, two dollars a month for the second
year, and three dollars a month for the third
year. For the next three years he was with
George Rutter, in Armstrong Valley, Halifax
township ; after this he was in the service of
thfe Summit Branch Railroad Company until
1854. He worked the next year at the saw
mill of Benneville, Witmer & Co., Millers-
burg; then a year for the Northern Central-
Railway Company. After this he was en-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1083
gaged in various occupations until 1859.
From that year until 1862 he worked for
Peter Berl, Georgetown, Northumberland
county.
On October 18, 1862, Mr. Rickert enlisted
at Harrisburg for three years in company H,
One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsyl-
vania infantry, veteran volunteers. The
regiment was sent from Harrisburg to Har-
per's Ferry, thence to Dumphreys, thence to
Wolfs Run Shoals, thence back to Dum-
phreys, thence to Chancellorsville, thence to
Acquia Creek, and to the battlefield of Get-
tysburg, where they remained a few days.
Here Mr. Rickert received a dangerous
wound in the groin and was sent to the hos-
pital at Washington, where he lay two days
and two nights, and was then sent to Tener's
Lane Hospital at Philadelphia, where he was
under treatment for six months. When dis-
charged from the hospital Mr. Rickert re-
joined his regiment at Bridgeport, Ala., and
moved with it to Lookout mountain, thence
to Chattanooga, from which point they set
out on the Atlanta campaign. The regiment
then moved withSherman's army and shared
in the encampments, marches and battles
which have become famous in history. It
went down to the sea and up the Atlantic
coast, was at the final surrender and marched
in the grand review at Washington, D. C.
It was finally mustered out and the men
honorably discharged July 15, 1865.
After his discharge Mr. Rickert was em-
ployed by the Summit Branch Railroad Com-
pany on the road for nine months, after
which he was transferred to the round house,
where he remained about one year. In the
spring of 1867 he removed to Halifax town-
ship, and farmed one year for Sawyer &
Read ; then, returning to Millersburg, was
employed by N. C. Frick & Co. for two years ;
after that, until 1890, he was engaged in a
variety of occupations. In 1890 he was put
upon the pension roll. In 1877 he bought
the ground and built the house where he
now has his residence.
Mr. Rickert was married, July 31, 1853, to
Sarah Ann, daughter of Abel and Mary
(Keiter) Palmer. They have five children :
Benjamin Franklin, born June 23, 1854,
married Lizzie Keagy ; John Henry, born July
28, 1857, married Hannah Litich ; Elizabeth
Salome, born October 3, 1859, wife of John
Crawley ; George McClellan, born March 17,
1862, married Annie Sharon ; James Mon-
roe, born July 7, 1866, married Mary Carl.
Mr. Rickert is a Republican. He attends
the Reformed church, and his wife the Lu-
theran.
Abel Palmer, father of Mrs. Rickert, died
aged about seventy. His wife is still living.
Bender, William, wheelwright and car-
penter, was born in Armstrong Valley,
Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 17, 1842. He is a son of Leonard
and Elizabeth (Shoop) Bender.
Adam Bender, his great-grandfather, kept
a hotel at Halifax, and later removed to
where Elizabethville now stands. John
Bender, grandfather of William Bender,
married Elizabeth, Gipple. They had six
children : Leonard, John, Elizabeth, Bar-
bara, Katie, and Nancy. . John Bender laid
out the town of Elizabethville, and named
it for his wife Elizabeth. Leonard Bender,
father of William Bender, was born in 1811,
and is living at the time of this writing.
His wife, Elizabeth Shoop, died February
2, 1872, at the age of fifty-four. They had
six children : Samuel, married Barbara
Shraeder; William; Susan, wife of Isaac
Keiter; Sarah, deceased, wife of Emanuel
Hoover ; John, married Sarah Snyder, who
died, and he married Sarah Warfel, widow
of James Warfel ; Louisa, deceased, wife of
David Griesemer.
William Bender was at school for a few
months of each year until he was fifteen;
but his periods of attendance at school alter-
nated with seasons of busy employment, and
from his sixteenth to his twentj^-first year
his time was wholly taken up with assisting
his father, both on the farm and in the
wheelwright shop. He thus acquired a
practical knowledge of both agricultural and
mechanical business. Thinking it well to
try work away from home he was for a little
less than a year in the employ of the North-
ern Central Railway Company, after which
he worked for a time with Levi Straw at
carpentry.
On September 6, 1864, Mr. Bender en-
listed at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in Capt.
Solomon B. Bowerman's company A, Two
Hundred and Tenth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, under Col. William Sar-
geant. The regiment was sent to the
Army of the Potomac, and assigned to the
Third brigade, Second division. Fifth corps.
It was ordered from Baltimore to City Point,
and from City Point to the front of Peters-
burg, where it remained during the opera-
1084
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
tions at that point during 1864 and 1865.
In the following spring the regiment was
sent to Fort Stedman, thence to Hatcher's
Run, thence to Gravel Run, where they
lost their colonel, William Sargeant, thence
to Five Forks, thence to Appomattox,
where they remained for three days, thence
to Petersburg, thence to Richmond, thence
to Fredericksburg, thence to Harper's Ferry,
thence to Arlington Heights, and thence by
way of Washington to Harrisburg, where,
the war having ended, the regiment was
honorably discharged.
Mr. Bender, after his discharge, returned
to Jackson township, spent a short time at
home, and was then for about six months
in the employ of the Northern Central
Railway Company. Then for six months
he worked at his trade with George Yeager,
at Millersburg, after which he engaged at
carpenter work with Theodore Dechant, and
remained with him during the summer of
1866. The next year and up to the spring
of 1867 he spent with his father, working
on the farm or in the shop, wherever his
help was most needed. After a short visit
to Michigan, from which he returned in the
the following June, he was again engaged
at his trade until 1871 ; in the spring of
that year he was occupied throughout the
season with the building of a barn on his
father-in-law's farm, in Halifax township.
In the winter of 1871-72 Mr. Bender
bought a tract of land at Lenkersville, near
Millersburg, where he built his present
homestead, to which he removed in the
spring of 1873, and which has been his
residence ever since.
For the next six years Mr. Bender was
employed by David Kuhns, in carpenter
work, and for three years after that by Mr.
Bell, in bridge building. He then again
worked for Mr. Kuhns, as a carpenter, and
later did the same kind of work for Benja-
min Jury. For four years he was again em-
ployed by the Northern Central Railway
Company, then engaged for the third time
with Mr. Kuhns, carpentry ; then he worked
for John R. Miller, and afterwards engaged
in carpentry on his own account.
William Bender was married, September
16, 1866, to Mary E., daughter of Jonathan
and Joanna Hoffman. Mr." and Mrs. Ben-
der have five children : Emma L., born
August 19, 1867, wife of Clinton Tobias,
has five children, two of whom are de-
ceased, Ralph Lester, born September 3,
1866, died September 3, 1890, and Mary
Edna, born February 27, 1888, died June
24, 1888, also Anna Dora, born November
18, 1887, Harry Edwin, August 28, 1890,
and Mark, June 1, 1895; Charles Irwin,
born July 14, 1869, married Lizzie Bilger;
Annie Dora, born May 6, 1871, wife of
Ramsey Beller, has two children. Rose M.,
born September 29, 1890, and Esther May,
May 24, 1891 ; Harry Edwin, born April 3,
1875 ; and Sarah Florence, born February
13, 1885.
Mr. Bender is a member of Kilpatrick
Post, No. 212, G. A. R., at Millersburg, and
is a pensioner of the late war. He is a Re-
publican. The family attend the Lutheran
church.
Jonathan Hoffman, father of Mrs. Bender,
died June 29, 1884, aged sevent3'-two ; his
wife died December 30, 1893, aged sixty-
nine years, six months and two days.
They had twelve children : Nicholas, Mary
E., James, Charles, Isaac, Daniel, Samuel,
Jacob, Sarah, Susan, John, .and Wellington.
RiTZMAN, Andrew, farmer, was born on the
homestead in Upper Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., February 18, 1829 ; son of
Adam and Mary (Hawk) Ritzman. Andrew
Ritzman, Sr., grandfather of Andrew Ritzman ,
Jr., and his wife Margaret, had two children,
Adam and Daniel. Adam Ritzman, father of
Andrew Ritzman, Jr., died in September,
1873, aged seventy-four. His wife was a
daughter of Matthias Hawk. They had
eleven children, of whom four are deceased :
David, Annie, Jonas, and Martha. The sur-
vivors are : Catherine, wife of Daniel Collier ;
Susanna, wife of Christopher Yeager; Lavinia,
wife of Jonathan Roedel ; Andrew ; Eliza-
beth, wife (3f Moses Koppenhaffer; Hannah,
wife of William Moyer ; and Mary, wife of
John Mattis.
Andrew Ritzman, Jr., received the amount
of school education which falls to the lot of
the farmer's boy when his services are early
needed on the farm ; it was ended by the
time he was eighteen, after which he devoted
all his time to farm work. After he became
of age his father employed him regularly as
a hand, paying him at first five, and after-
wards eight dollars per month. He con-
tinued to work for his father on these terms
until he was twenty-seven years old. A
new contract was then entered into, under
which he was to cultivate the home farm on
shares; this arrangement was continued for
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1085
eight years. In 1865 Mr. Ritzman entered
the employ of the Northern Central Railway
Company as assistant section foreman and
removed his family to the neighborhood
of Millersburg. After serving as foreman for
six years he was put on the gravel or repair
train and was for five years in that position,
making eleven years of service with the com-
pany. His father having died during that
time Mr. Ritzman bought the farm of the
estate and resumed farming in 1878. The
farm comprised one hundred and seventy-
one acres, on which he has made valuable
improvements, erecting his residence in 1890
and adding other improvements which have
greatly enhanced the value of the property.
By energy, enterprise and judicious manage-
ment Mr. Ritzman has made his farm one of
the best in the Lykens Valley, and is justly
ranked among the most intelligent farmers
of the township.
Andrew Ritzman was married, November
20, 1856, to Susanna, daughter of Joseph and
Elizabeth (Schaeffer) Seller. They have one
child, Mellie Virgie, born January 20, 1873.
Mr. Ritzman and his family attend the Lu-
theran church. In politics he is an ardent
Democrat.
Joseph Seller, father of Mrs. Ritzman, died
at the age of about sevent3f-one years. His
wife died aged fifty-six. Two of their twelve
children, Elizabeth and Sarah, are deceased.
Those surviving are: John; Moses; Susanna,
Mrs. Ritzman ; Michael ; Rebecca, wife of
Isaac Osmond ; Phoebe, wife of Reuben Reu-
benthal; Lydia, wife of Charles Snively ;
Kate, wife of Louis Epply ; Abby, wife of Eli
Charles; and Joseph Albert. The maternal
grandparents of Mrs. Ritzman were Michael
and Sarah Schaeffer.
KopPENHAFFER, MosES, farmer, was born
in Mifflin township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
July 25, 1831. He is a son of Jonathan and
Catherine (Hopner) Koppenhaff'er. Michael
Koppenhaffer, his grandfather, married
Catherine Garrett, and they had a family of
sons and daughters. Jonathan Koppen-
haffer, father of Moses Koppenhaffer, died
July, 1890, aged eighty-eight years and six
months; his wife died in April, 1885, aged
about seventy-two. They bad eleven chil-
dren : Emanuel, Angeline, Moses, Sarah,
George, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary
Jane, Emeline, and Rebecca.
Moses Koppenhaffer received his first
school instruction in the subscription schools
of his native township ; later he attended
the public schools for a part of each year
until he was twenty-one, being throughout
those years of much assistance to his father
in the work of the farm. After reaching his
majority he served a two years' apprentice-
ship at stone mason work with Solomon
Schaeffer, Northumberland county ; after
which he worked at his trade as a journey-
man for about five years. At twenty-nine
years of age Mr. Koppenhaffer went back to
the homestead under an agreement with his
father to cultivate the farm on shares for
three years. In 1860 he removed to his
father-in-law's farm in Upper Paxton town-
ship, under an agreement similar to that
which he had made with his father, which
was the usual share and share arrangement
between owner and renter. In this case it
proved so satisfactory that it was continued
for twenty-two years, and at the death of his
father-in-law, Mr. Koppenhaffer made a simi-
lar engagement for two years more with his
mother-in-law. In 1874 he bought the farm
at the administrator's sale and has had his
residence there since that time.
Moses Koppenhaffer was married, Feb-
ruary 15, 1855, by Rev. Frederick Woltz, to
Elizabeth, daughter of Adam and Mary
(Hawk) Ritzman. Mr. and Mrs. Koppen-
haffer have, had thirteen children, two of
whom are deceased : Ann Tourney, died aged
three weeks; Hiram, born June 23, 1856,
was accidentally killed at Sunbury, Pa.,
while coupling cars, October 27, 1890. He
was employed as yardmaster by the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company. Their surviv-
ing children are : Adeline, wife of John Row,
had six children ; Agnes, wife of Edwin Eby:;
Sarah Elizabeth, born December 1, 1860,
wife of Charles Holtzman ; Ann Eliza, born
July 5, 1862, wife of Henry Rumberger;
Charles Milton, born July 10, 1868, married
Agnes Stratzer, had two children ; Ebbie
Jane, born May 28, 1866, wife of Clayton
Lenker; has seven children; Mary Ellen,
born February 17, 1868 ; Augustus Edwin,
born March 17, 1870, married Lettie Stepler,
has two children ; Angelina, born October
5, 1871, married Harry Wise, has one child ;
Anna Verdilla, born October 10, 1873, and
Carrie Malinda, born April 17, 1877.
Mr. Koppenhaffer is a Republican ; he is
at present supervisor, having been elected
for one year. He and his family attend the
Lutheran church.
1086
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Fbidt, Simon, fanner, was born in Upper
Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., near
the Mififlin township line, January 25, 1829,
and is a son of George and Susanna (Lenker)
Feidt.
George Feidt, his grandfather, married a
Miss Snyder, and had six children: John,
George, Daniel, Peter, Thomas, and Katie,
who married William Lenker. George
Feidt, Jr., father of Simon Feidt, was born
November 26, 1800, and died July 7, 1862.
He married Susanna Lenker, born May 4,
1800, died March 27, 1885. Four of their
twelve children are deceased, two, who were
twin daughters, lived only twelve hours, and
died unnamed ; Amanda, born April 8, 1841,
died March 12, 1843 ; Emanuel, born Janu-
ary 30, 1825, died February 9, 1896 ; he mar-
ried Amanda Smith in Illinois; Emanuel
died in Texas, having removed, about 1892,
from Nebraska, where he owned a tract of
one hundred and sixty acres of land, on
which his only child, John Henry, resides.
The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs.
George Feidt, Jr., are : William, born Octo-
ber 13, 1826, resides at Salem, Ore., married
a widow, Mrs. Krauch ; Simon ; Sallie, born
November 11, 1830, wife of David Negley,
has five children ; Hannah, born October 3,
1832, widow of Isaac Lenker; Mary and
Leah, twins, born November 20, 1834 ; Mary,
married J. W. Orndorff, has nine children ;
Susanna, born April 18, 1837, wife of Jonas
Diebler, has one child living ; Lydia, born
May 22, 1839, wife of Henry Walborn.
Simon Feidt had little experience in his
youth to put him in contrast with other
farmer boys. Winter school and summer
work were his lot until he became of age ; at
that time he arranged with his father to re-
main at home to assist in or take charge of
the farm work, as his father might require,
for which services he was to be paid $100 a
year. Both parties were satisfied, and the
agreement stood until Simon was thirty-two
years old, when the contract was changed,
and he took the farm on shares for six years.
During this time, in 1867, Mr. Feidt bought
a farm of Benjamin Miller, in Upper Paxton
township, to which he removed his family in
1868 and began a career of successful farm-
ing. In 1874 he sold this farm to John
Mattis, and in 1875 rented and removed to
the Emanuel Hoy farm ; in the autumn of
the same year he purchased this farm at ad-
ministrator's sale. At the cost of much labor
and money he has greatly improved the
place, erecting suitable buildings and adding
to the extent of the farm . In 1889 he bought
fifty -two acres additional from Christian
Hoy's administrator, which, with the origi-
nal tract, makes one hundred and four-
teen acres. This tract, by Mr. Feidt's indus-
try, skillful tillage and good management,
has been brought into the best condition.
On it he has made his residence up to the
present time.
Simon Feidt was married, November 14,
1861, to Sallie Hoy, daughter of Christian
and Leah (Novinger) Hoy. They have three
children: James Peter, born September 8,
1866, married Sarah W. Shreflfler, January
18, 1896 ; George Harvey, born November
13, 1868, married Lillie A. Lebo in Novem-
ber, 1889, has two children, William Elmer,
and Mary Esther; Christian Walter, born
December 26, 1874. Mr. Feidt is a Democrat.
He and his family attend the Reformed
church.
Christian Hoy, father of Mrs. Feidt, died
December 31, 1888, aged seventy years, five
months and thirteen days. His wife died
June 29, 1881, aged sixty-three years and
two days. Seven of their thirteen children
are deceased: Samuel, died in infancy ; Vesti
Jane and Mary Jane, twins ; David ; Eliza-
beth ; Ann, wife of John Diebler, Mifflin
township ; Emanuel, married Emma Cathe-
rine Diebler, had three children ; the father,
mother and one child, died within a period
of five weeks ; Susanna, wife of Daniel S.
Feidt, had four children. The surviving
children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoy are : Sallie,
Mrs. Feidt; James Peter, married Amanda
Wert, has four children ; Christian Alfred,
married Katie Freimoyer, has four children ;
Charles Edwin, married Mary Weaver, has
six children ; Leah Catherine, wife of George
G. Snyder, has four children ; Ida Rebecca,,
wife of Charles Dreibelbiss, has two children.
Peter Hoy, grandfather of Mrs. Feidt, mar-
ried Susanna Lebo ; they had thirteen chil-
dren, Katie, Jacob, Rebecca, Henry, Peter,
Polly, John, Elizabeth, Susanna, Daniel,
Sallie, Christian.
Mark, Adam Ellenbbeger, was born on
his grandfather's farm, near Belle Grove,
Lebanon county, Pa., September 7, 1827.
The grandfather, Henry Mark, died com-
paratively young, but his wife lived to the
advanced age of ninety-one years. John
Mark, father of Adam Mark, married Cathe-
rine Ellenberger; they had seven children :
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1087
Daniel, married Jane Hain ; Adam E.; Sarah
E., wife of Abraham Herr; George E., mar-
ried Priscilla Maulfair; John E., married
Mary Maulfair ; Eliza E., wife of John Light,
and Amos E., 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 j^ear he was busied
with such farm work as can be done by a
bright, active boy. It was thought desirable
to give Adam a trade ; he was accordingly
apprenticed to a harness maker at Jones-
town. He had been but a short time in the
shop when his plans were changed, and he
returned to Belle Grove, and entered the
store with his brother David, where he con-
tinued for three years. At this time his
brother died, and Mr. Adam E. Mark bought
the brother's interest in the store, and con-
tinued the business for two years longer. In
1857 Mr. Mark disposed of his business and
removed to Millersburg, where he was em-
ployed 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 Market
Forge, Lebanon county, Pa., and opened the
way for him to engage in mercantile busi-
ness at Syner P. 0., 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 part-
nership with his cousin, Mr. Brubaker, in the
iron and hardware business at that place,
and continued in the firm until about 1875.
Then the partnership was dissolved, and Mr.
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 Worts. This position he
held until his death, which occurred January
3, 1881.
Adam E. Mark was married, March 22,
1855, to Sarah A., daughter of Jacob and
Mary (Longenecker) Light. Their children
are : Carrie Irene, born December 9, 1862,
died February 14, 1863, being the only de-
ceased child of the family ; the surviving
children are : Clara Alice, born September
30, 1856, wife of Jacob Buck, had one child,
Odessa Mark, born October 10, 1877, died
August 11, 1878 ; Cora Catherine, born April
24, 1860, wife of F. H. Wingert, has two
children, Ruth Irene and Daniel Mark;
Mary Jane, born April 15, 1864; Jennie
Light, born September 7, 1866 ; Sarah Ann,
born February 10, 1869, wife of William
Begar, had one child, Pauline; Warren
Light, born July 1, 1871 ; Elma Edna, born
August 16, 1874, and Martha Eve, born
October 3, 1876.
Mr. Mark was a Republican, and, with his
family, was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. That he enjoyed sub-
stantial prosperity and stood high in the
community, was due to his own faithful and
persevering efi'orts and to the courageous
determination which never forsook him,
even in times of adversity. He was an
earnest and consistent Christian, a good citi-
zen, a devoted and affectionate husband and
father, and deservedly enjoyed the confi-
dence and esteem of all who knew him.
The parents of Mrs. Mark are both de-
ceased. They had nine children, four of
whom are deceased : Jacob ; Annie ; Harry,
married Louisa Early, and died leaving nine
children; and Elizabeth, wife of William
Carmany, left one child. The surviving
children of Mr. and Mrs. Light are : Maria,
■wife of Oliver Bowman, has five children;
Fannie, wife of Peter Horst, has had thirteen
children, of whom five are living ; Sarah A.,
Mrs. Mark; Cyrus, married Martha Traf-
ford, has four children ; John, married
Eliza Mark, has nine children, eight boys
and one girl. Samuel Light was the grand-
father of Mrs. Mark.
Miller, Daniel Newton, farmer, was
born near his present residence in Upper
Paxton township, Dauphin county. Pa., No-
vember 22, 1858 ; son of Andrew and Sophia
(Clouser) Miller.
Daniel Miller, his grandfather, married a
Miss Miller, who was not a relative. They
had seven children : Jeremiah, Andrew,
Catherine, Elijah, Hannah, Peggy, and Sam-
uel. Andrew Miller, father of D. N. Miller,
died in March, 1867, aged about forty-two.
His wife, Sophia (Clouser) Miller, survives
him. They had eight children: Sarah Ellen,
wife of Aaron Weaver ; Mary Jane, married
to Jacob Dreibelbiss, has six children ; Daniel
Newton ; Sophia Agnes ; Alfaretta, married
1088
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
George Dreibelbiss, they have five children ;
Emma Catherine, married to Samuel Weaver,
has six children ; Frederick Uriah, married
Annie Lucker, has three children; and Annie
Irene. The parents of Mrs. Miller, Mr. and
Mrs. Clouser , had three other children : Henry,
Maria, and Zachariah, who died in infancy.
Daniel Newton Miller was left an orphan
at an early age, and had to make his own
living soon after his father's death. Both be-
fore and after his father died he attended the
common schools of the township a few weeks
of each year, but he was obliged to work on
the farm during the busy seasons, and thus
earn his own support. From the age of eigh-
teen until he was twenty-one he was em-
ployed as a teamster; after that he began
farming on his own account by renting land
to farm on shares. He was fortunate in
making this arrangement with a man like
Mr. Jacob Weaver, who let him have a farm
on these terms, and continued the contract
with him for over ten years. Mr. Weaver
had so much confidence in young Miller and
cherished so friendly a spirit toward him,
that he made provision in his will whereby
Mr. Miller might become owner of the farm
on easy conditions by paying out the inter-
est of other heirs of the estate as he could
conveniently do so. When the farm in this
way came into his possession, Mr. Miller
planned and executed substantial and valu-
able improvements; he has by industrious
and skillful cultivation made it one of the
best farms in Lykens Valley.
Daniel N. Miller was married, January 22,
1879, to Sarah Ellen, daughter of Philip and
Susan (Fegley) Schaffer. They have had
nine children : Jacob Edward, born October
1, 1879 ; Jennie Catherine, born January 3,
1882 ; Philip Andrew, born April 6, 1884 ;
Susan May, born May 2, 1886; Charles Nevin,
born December 28, 1887 ; William Newton,
born May 21, 1890; Paul Shaffer, born Feb-
ruary 2, 1892 ; Addie Esther, born March 15,
1893, and Ralph Theodore, born July 24,
1895. Mr. Miller is a Democrat; he has
served one term as auditor of the township.
He and his family attend the Reformed
church.
Adeline Fegley, grandmother of Mrs. Mil-
ler, is still living at the age of eighty-three ;
her husband, Henry Fegley, died aged about
eighty years. They have eight children liv-
ing. Philip and Susan Shaffer, Mrs. Miller's
parents, have seven children : Elizabeth, wife
of Charles Etzweiler ; William, married Ida
Frank ; Sarah Ellen, Mrs. Miller ; Adeline ;
Harry, married Lydia Hoffman; Maurice;
Catherine, wife of Edward Kachner.
HoLTZMAN, B. W., retired merchant, was
born in Washington township, Dauphin
county. Pa., September 12, 1845 ; son of John
and Elizabeth (Warner) Holtzman. His
grandfather, George Holtzman, had a family
of seven children. John Holtzman, father
of B. W. Holtzman, was born March 2, 1796,
and died April 25, 1875. His wife, Eliza-
beth Warner, was born March 16, 1808, and
died February 13, 1867. They had seven
children, two of whom are deceased: Joseph,
who died May 4, 1857, and Hannah; she
was the widow of Benjamin Riegle, Jr., by
whom she had four children. She was mar-
ried again, to Daniel Carl. The surviving
children of Mr. and Mrs. John Holtzman
are: Elizabeth, married George Longabach,
has five children ; John, married Susanna
Weaver, had two children ; she died, and he
married Sarah Schreffler, by whom he had
three children ; Mary, married Henry Bona-
witz, had three children ; Susanna, married
Thomas Swab, had three children, all of
whom are deceased, and B. W.
B. W. Holtzman took the regular course of
instruction in the public schools of his town-
ship ; at the age of sixteen he entered the
Millersburg high school, which he attended
for three terms. He then taught school for
one term in his native township, after which
he attended the State Normal School at
Millersville, Lancaster county, Pa., for one
term. Returning home he taught school
for three terms at the Holtzman school
house, one term at the Zimmerman school
house, and later two terms again at the
Holtzman school house, near his home. In
1869 he removed to Upper Paxton town-
ship and taught the Pleasant Hill school
five consecutive terms ; then the Rising Sun
school for five terms; then returned to
Pleasant Hill and taught two terms more ;
then taught the Feidt's school for one term,
after which he taught five consecutive terms
at the Fairview school. In 1877 Mr. Holtz-
man removed to his present homestead,
which he had built the year before, and
where he afterwards embarked in mercan-
tile business. He continued in the business
at Killinger for about eight years, then he
closed out his store and spent some time in
giving instructions in vocal music, which he
had made his study from early boyhood.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1089
In 1892 he bought the farm of Widow
Sheesley, formerly the property of the Re-
formed church at KilHnger.
Mr. Holtzman was married, January 2,
1868, to Mary, daughter of George and Cathe-
rine (Dreibelbiss) Wert. They had one
child, Honora Hortensia, born January 19,
1869, died March 22, 1868.
Mr. Holtzman is a Democrat. He was
appointed postmaster at Killinger under
President Cleveland's first administration ;
was re-appointed in 1893, afid still holds the
same office. He has served one term as jus-
tice of the peace and several terms as asses-
sor in Upper Paxton township. Mr. Holtz-
man and his family attend the Lutheran
church.
The parents of Mrs. Holtzman are both
deceased. They had four children : Delilah,
married to J. H. Rowe, has three children ;
Mary, Mrs. Holtzman ; Malinda, who was
one of twins, married to John E. Wiest, the
other twin child died. The grandfather of
Mrs. Holtzman was John George Wert, who
married a Miss Miller.
Beaed, Robert, farmer, was born near
Hanover, York county. Pa., October 18,
1826 ; son of Robert and Magdalena (Marks)
Beard. Robert Beard (1), his grandfather,
had a family of five children : Robert, Jo-
seph, James, John, and one daughter. Robert
Beard (2) was born April 19, 1796, and died
June 5, 1854. He was a charcoal burner
until he was about thirty-seven years old,
when he removed to Upper Paxton town-
ship and began farming. His wife, Magda-
lena Marks, was born March 17, 1804, and
died March 18, 1872. They had thirteen
children, five of whom are deceased : Will-
iam, died aged nine years; one child died in
infancy, unnamed ; John, died aged fort}'^-
five, leaving a wife and children; Elizabeth,
wife of Moses Witmer; Sarah, wife of Uriah
D. Free, left four children. The surviving
children of Robert and Magdalena Beard
are: Robert; Harry, married Hannah Over-
holtzer, had two children ; Albert ; Stephen ;
Edward, married Catherine Keefer ; Carrie,
married to Jesse Seal, has three children ;
Maggie, married to Emanuel Witmer ; Mary,
married to George Noll.
Robert Beard (3) attended the subscription
schools in his native township until he was
about twelve years old. The family then
removed to Upper Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., where he studied at pri-
vate schools for several years, and was sub-
sequently in the public schools until he was
about eighteen ; during this time he also
rendered his father valuable assistance in
the farm work. He remained with his father
until he was twenty-two, and then sought
employment away from home. He first
worked a few months in the summer of 1849
for Thomas Feaney, in Halifax township,
receiving as wages $9 per month. His father
after this proposed to him to work on the
home farm again, and offered him $100 per
year. This offer he accepted, and the ar-
rangement proving satisfactory, it was con-
tinued until he was twenty-eight years of
age. At this time the father died and Mr.
Beard began farming the homestead farm
on shares, continuing on these terras until
the autumn of 1856, when he purchased the
farm from the administrators of his father's
estate. It comprised one hundred and fifty-
six acres, of which thirty-six acres were
woodland. He remained there three years,
and then sold the farm and removed to
Millersburg, where he lived one year, and in
the year 1860 removed to the farm of George
Marks, near Millersburg, where he lived one
year. After this he bought a farm of eighty-
five acres in Perry county, to which he re-
moved, and whicii he cultivated for twenty
years. In 1881 Mr. Beard canie back to
Dauphin county and located on his present
homestead of ninety-eight acres, which has
been his home since that date.
Robert Beard married, February 28, 1855,
Levina, daughter of George and Elizabeth
(Kramer) 'Noll, born November 11, 1831.
Their children are : Oliver Franklin, born
November 10, 1856, married Annie Bern-
heisel, of Perry county. Pa., has three chil-
dren, Florence, Mabel, and Ralph; John
Milton, born November 6, 1858, married Ida
M. West, has five children, Albert, Clarence,
Walter, Norman, and Annie; Charles E.,
born October 12, 1862, married Clara J.
Longabach ; George Christian, born April
21, 1866, married Clara V. O'Neil, has one
child, Guy C, born March 22, 1895 ; Sarah
Emma, born April 16, 1869. Mrs. Beard
died November 3, 1882. Mr. Beard finds the
Democratic party the nearest right, and
therefore supports its men and measures.
The family attend the Reformed church.
Mrs. Beard's parents had twelve children :
1090
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Joseph ; Emanuel ; John ; Daniel; Jacob;
Aaron ; George ; Angelina ; Lavina, Mrs.
Beard ; Polly ; and two died very young.
Gilbert, Frederick R., merchant tailor,
was born at Loyalton, Dauphin county, Pa.,
November 16, 1825 ; son of John and Eliza-
beth (Rathron) Gilbert. His great-grand-
father, Samuel Gilbert, was born in Germany,
August 10, 1743, and died in Upper Paxton
township, Dauphin county, April 8, 1826.
He came to America with two brothers in
1752. He married Catherine Saul, born
December 11, 1757, died June 11, 1806. She
was a daughter of Nicholas Saul, who resided
near Jonestown, Lebanon county, and later
removed to Lykens Valley, where he died in
1814. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gilbert had
thi-ee children. Jacob Gilbert, grandfather
of F. R. Gilbert, was born April 2, 1783.
He was prominent both in business and in
politics, and was a member of the State
Legislature during the early history of the
State. He first married Elizabeth Long;
they had six children : Samuel, John, Jacob,
S^rah, Catherine, and George. Mrs. Eliza-
beth Gilbert died, ai^d Mr. Gilbert was united
in second marriage to Elizabeth Mark. John
Gilbert, father of Frederick R., married
Elizabeth Rathron ; they had four children :
Frederick R.; Elmira, widow of Michael
Ward ; Henry L., and Jeremiah S. Mr. and
Mrs. John Gilbert are both deceased.
Frederick R. Gilbert was brought by . his
parents to Upper Paxton township in his early
childhood, and there attended * the public
schools until he was sixteen, at which time he
began to learn tailoring with Jacob Ziegler, at
Millersburg, Pa. After an apprenticeship of
four years, he was employed for one season by
Judge Walker, at Sunbury, Pa. In 1846 he
went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he worked at
his trade as a journeyman until the spring of
1847. He then returned to Millersburg, Pa.,
and began the tailoring business on his own
account. He was very successful, and later
added a general dry goods business. In 1884
he erected the large and convenient building
on Market street, which now accommodates
his extensive trade, and where he carries a
full stock of clothing and dry goods, and
enjoys his full share of the patronage of the
surrounding territory.
Mr. Gilbert has been prominent in numer-
ous important enterprises in Dauphin and
other counties. He was one of the original
movers in the establishment of the Millers-
burg Bank, having drafted the constitution
and by-laws of that institution ; his draft was
adopted by the board of directors with the
change of but one word ; he afterwards served
some years as director of the bank. He was
one of the organizers of the Mifflin and Pat-
terson Water Works, at Mifflin, Pa., and at
Steelton, Pa., a stockholder in both, and
elected president of both corporations, in
which position be served several years. From
1868 to 1884 Mr. Gilbert and his family re-
sided on his Mt. Pleasant farm ; since then
their home has been in Millersburg. Mr.
Gilbert has experienced the ordinary vicissi-
tudes of a business life, and he has steadily
persevered, meeting adversity bravely, and
enjoying prosperity without undue elation.
The outcome of his enterprise and prudence
is an ample competence for himself and his
family.
Mr. Gilbert was married, January 1, 1846,
to Sarah Ann, daughter of David and Annie
(Osmond) Ditty, born January 14, 1827.
Three of their seven children are deceased :
Mary Elizabeth, born April 23, 1851, died
October 9, 1851 ; Mary Alda, born June 10,
1852, died August 28, 1874, was the wife of
Noah H. Day, and had four children, two of
whom died in infancy; the survivors are
Frederick G., born August 28, 1869, and
Jennie V., born January 8, 1873. The de-
ceased mother was an earnest Christian,
faithful to all her duties as wife and mother,
an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal
church, loved and honored by all who knew
her; Hodson, born September 2, 1860, died
June 16, 1882, married Emma Forsyth, had
one child, Sadie E., born July 26, 1881, died
March 27, 1887. The surviving children of
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are: Charles Stein man,
born September 10, 1849, married Elizabeth
Gleim, had nine children, one that died in
infancy, and Charles S., Virginia, Grace,
Martha W., Herbert S., Robert B., Florence,
and Frederick Gleim ; John Frederick, laorn
January 14, 1851, married Belle Kelley, of
Selinsgrove, Pa., has one child, Mabel ; Aiiinie
Elizabeth, wife of Oliver Day, born April 17,
1858, has three children, Sadie, Hodson, and
Gilbert; Clara Irene, born June 5, 1862, wife
of Thomas Long, has seven children, Helen,
Fanny, Fahy, Nellie, Eveline, and two that
died in infancy.
Mrs. Gilbert died January 5, 1881. She
was affectionate and faithful as wife and
mother, active and devout in her religious life,
and beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Gil-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1091
bert's second marriage, October 4, 1890, was
to Miss Clara A. Wagner, who was born in
West Beavertown, Snyder county, June 17,
1856. She was a daughter of Abraham and
SabinaWagner ; the former of Snyder county,
the latter of Mifflin county, Pa., and both
now deceased. No family has been born to
the second union.
Gilbert, Samuel E., farmer, was born on
the old homestead in Upper Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., July 31, 1840.
He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Enter-
line) Gilbert. Samuel Gilbert was born Oc-
tober 2, 1805, and died December 4, 1886.
His wife, Sarah Enterline, daughter of
Michael Enterline, was born December 20,
1805, and died August 6, 1875. Three of
their children are deceased: Jacob, born
January 3^ 1836, died October 5, 1837 ; Sa-
lome, "born February 1, 1843, died August 5,
1849 ; Henry, born March 6, 1845, died Au-
gust 12, 1845. Their living children are :
Elizabeth, born July 27, 1828, wife of George
Diebler ; Gathering, September 30, 1831, wife
of Gasper Heckert ; Sarah, October 13, 1833,
wife of Aaron Schreffler; Minerva, Febru-
ary 22, 1838, wife of Emanuel Emerick;
and Samuel E.
Samuel E. Gilbert attended the public
schools of his township part of each year
until he was twenty-one, and assisted his
father in the farm work during the busy
seasons. He became of age in 1861 and
must seek some business of his own. Find-
ing that his father was ready to afford him
a chance on the home farm, he entered into
an agreement to farm it on shares, and this
agreement lasted until 1875. Those were
years of hard work, but the farming was
skillfully conducted, and the returns most
economically used, so that at the end of
fourteen years Mr. Gilbert found himself
with sufficient money in hand to buy a farm
of his own. Of all the land for sale the
property that he preferred and could secure
on the most favorable terms was the one he
had been so long cultivating. His father
was willing to sell, so Samuel E. became
owner of the homestead, comprising one
hundred and twenty-five acres. Mr. Gilbert
now set about the cultivation and improve-
ment of his farm with, if possible, increased
diligence. His judicious and careful man-
agement has brought the farm and all its
appurtenances to a high degree of excellence,
and has placed Mr. Gilbert among the most
prosperous farmers of the township.
Samuel E. Gilbert was married, May 6,
1861, to Susan, daughter of Joseph and De-
lilah (Yeager) Nace. They have had four
children, of whom one is deceased, Cathe-
rine, born November 1, 1862, died Septem-
ber 6, 1886, wife of Oliver Holtzman, had
two children, James Samuel and one that
died in infancy. The surviving children of
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are: Laura J., born
December 6, 1864, wife of Ira Holtzman, has
six children, Lester, Susan, Sarah, Mabel,
Florence, and George; Sa villa, September
20, 1867, wife of George Shaffer, has two chil-
dren, Laura and Annie ; Carrie, January 3,
1870 ; Salome, July 13, 1874.
Mr. Gilbert is not too busy with his own
affairs to pay a little attention to public mat-
ters. He is interested in politics and acts
with the Republican party. He served on
the school board for six years, during which
term he was secretary of the board; he has
also served one term as supervisor. Mr. Gil-
bert and his family attend the United Breth-
ren church.
Joseph Nace, father of Mrs. Gilbert, died
December 28, 1891, aged seventy-seven years,
four months and five days. His wife sur-
vives him. Of their nine children, three
are deceased: Sarah, Elizabeth, and John.
The living children are: Susan, Mrs. Gil-
bert; Kate, wife of Lawrence Lebo; Jane;
Enoch, married Sarah Bowerman ; Ben-
jamin, married Louisa Hopple, and Sarah,
wife of Samuel Sweigert. The grandfather
of Mrs. Gilbert was David Nace. He mar-
ried Sarah Linger, and after her death was
married a second time.
Forney, Jacob H., stone mason and
farmer, was born near Killinger P. 0.,
Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county.
Pa., October 3, 1851 ; son of George and Re-
becca (Sultzbach) Forney. His grandfather,
Jacob Forney, had a family of nine chil-
dren: Christian, Sally, Susanna, Polly, John,
George, Peggy, Catherine, and Amanda.
George Forney, father of Jacob H., was born
February 16, 1828, and died February 1,
1868. His wife was born April 14, 1827,
and died March 21, 1883. They had three
children : Jacob H.; Mary J., born March 7,
1856, wife of Alfred Seller, has three chil-
dren ; and Amanda Alice, born November
18, 1865, died November 17, 1890 ; first mar-
1092
BIOGRAPHIVAL ENVYVLOPEDIA
ried to Charles Stroup, who died ; afterwards
to Charles Diebler, and they had three chil-
dren.
Jacob H. Forney was educated in the com-
mon schools of his township, which he at-
tended a part of each year until he was eigh-
teen. He was industrious and made him-
self useful to his father in farm work and in
various other ways. In his nineteenth year
be began to learn the trade of stone masonry
with William Seal, Upper Paxton township,
at which he served an apprenticeship of
three years, making himself thorough mas-
ter of his trade. It is an evidence of his
proficiency that Mr. Seal retained him for
ten years as a journeyman. At the end of
that time he engaged in business on his own
account for some time ; he was also for a
while in the employ of Isaac Maris, a con-
tractor. The excellence of Mr. Forney's
Work is visible in a number of public struc-
tures on which he was engaged in the con-
struction of the masonry. Among these
may be named the following: The bridges
at Rockville, Susquehanna township; at
Harrisburg, and across Pine creek; near
Gratz; Diebler's bridge, in Upper Paxton
township, and Bechtel's bridge, in Washing-
ton township. The workmanship of Mr.
Forney is prominent also in important pri-
vate buildings, especially the masonry in the
foundations of large barns. Among these
may be named some of the largest barns in
the township, as those of John Diebler,
Henry Williards, William Lehman, and Mrs.
Catherine Wert. He was also engaged on the
masonry of the Catholic church at Williams-
town, the church at Lykens and the school
house at Uniontown. In 1834, finding it de-
sirable to change his occupation, Mr. Forney
laid down the stone hammer and trowel and
began farming the Paul place, in Upper Pax-
ton township, where he remained two years.
This experiment in agriculture proving suc-
cessful, he concluded to buy a farm, and in
1886 he bought ninety-eight acres of land,
which he has so judiciously improved and
so carefully and skillfully tilled as to bring
it to a high degree of excellence, and to
make his homestead one of the most flour-
ishing and attractive farms in this region.
Jacob H. Forney was first married, March
20, 1876, to Saliie, daughter of William J.
and Elizabeth Weaver. They had five chil-
dren, of whom two are deceased : Minnie,
born July 2, 1878, died at the age of three
years, and an infant. The surviving chil-
dren are : Anna Nora, born October 18,1876 •
Saliie M. and Marie, twins, born June 5.
1885 ; they are so alike in appearance that
the parents often fail to distinguish them.
Mrs. Forney died June 17, 1885, twelve days
after the birth of the twins. Mr. Forney was
again married, March 20, 1886, to Lisle,
daughter of Andrew and Lydia (SchrefHer)
Woland. Mr. Forney is a Republican. The
family attend the Reformed church.
Andrew Woland, father of Mrs. Lisle For-
ney, died January 9, 1886, aged sixty-three.
He had a family of five children : John ;
Henry; Lisle, Mrs. Forney; Amelia, wife of
Williani H. Seal ; and Lydia, residing in
Harrisburg, Pa. Andrew Wolajjd, grand-
father of Mrs. Forney, married Elizabeth
Ditty. Their children are : Solomon, Jacob,
John, Andrew, Katie, Polly, Adelia, and
Mrs. Bowerman.
Lentz, AuGtsTus D., farmer, was born in
the Mahan tango Valley, in Upper Paxton
township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 25,
1846; son of David and Salome (Wert)
Lentz. Frederick Lent^, his grandfather,
married Sarah Fetterhoff; theii: children
were : Michael, John, Samuel, David, An-
drew, Kate, Saliie, and Henry. David
Lentz, father of Augustus D., was born
January 16, 1814, and died September 28,
1891. He married Salome Wert, born Sep-
tember 18, 1817, and died April 17, 1884.
Their deceased children are: five that died
in infancy, unnamed ; Andrew Philip and
John Henry, twins; Susanna, and Resissa.
Their living children are : Augustus D., and
John H., murried Loanda Hoffman ; their
children are : Resissa Viola, Anna Verdilla,
and Abby Sabina.
Augustus D. Lentz attended the public
schools of his native township, and in early
boyhood began to help his father on the
farm. After his school days were over he
devoted all his time to work on the home-
stead until he was about twentj'-two. He
then made a contract with his father to take
charge of the homestead and farm it on
shares; this arrangement continued for
twenty-six years. In 1878 Mr. Lentz
bought his present homestead, consisting of
ninety-one acres, and removed to it the
same year. He has made upon it many'
substantial improvements; in 1894 he en-
larged and remodeled his house. He has
paid especial attention to fruit growing, and
has one of the largest and best orchards
DAUPEIN COUNTY.
1093
in his section of the country, This place
is his present residence. Mr. Lentz was
married, May 21, 1868, to Rebecca, daughter
of Abraham and Anna (Bitterman) Miller.
Their children are : Andrew Philip, born
February 22, 1869, at present a student at
Mt. Airy Seminary, in preparation for the
ministry, having been graduated at Muhlen-
berg College, Altoona, Pa., in 1895 ; Salome,
born August 27, 1870, wife of David Spatz,
has two children, one of whom, Daisy
Alberta, died at two years of age; the other
is Mabel May. The other children of Mr.
and Mrs. Lentz are : Anna, born April 6,
1872; Mary, May 5, 1874; Weslev, June 6,
1876; Katie, August 27,1878; Mabel May,
October 13, 1880 ; Clinton Wellington, April
12,1882; Grant, June 19,1884; and Will-
iam Clayton, September 7, 1888. Mr. Lentz
is a Republican ; he has served as tax col-
lector of Upper Paxton township for one
term. He and his family attend the Lu-
theran church.
Abraham Miller, father of Mrs. Lentz,
was born December 3, 1800, and died Janu-
ary 31, 1867. His wife, Anna Bitterman,
died October 31, 1889. Three of their five
children have passed away : Philip, Daniel,
and Abraham. Their surviving children
are : John, and Rebecca, Mrs. Lentz. Mr.
Miller had previously married Maria Motter,
by whom he had six children. The grand-
father of Mrs. Lentz is Balthasar Miller.
He married Barbara Witman; their chil-
dren are : David ; Joel ; Catherine ; Barbara;
Elizabeth ; Annie, the mother of Mrs. Lentz;
and Polly. John Miller, brother of Mrs.
Lentz, enlisted in company B, Ninth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania cavalry, and served
about four ^ ears.
Freeland, George W. P., was born Feb-
ruary 7, 1842 ; son of James and Hannah
(Patton) Freeland. James Freeland was a
prominent citizen. He served twice in the
State Legislature, first in the session of 1852
and.again in 1862-63. He died March 28,
1882. His wife, Hannah Patton, died Janu-
ary, 1891. They had nine children: Will-
iam Henry and Winfield Scott, deceased;
Thaddeus, married Mary Dechert, has two
children ; George W. P.; Henry, married
Annie Motter, has seven children ; Mary,
wife of John Vallerchamp, has seven chil-
dren ; James, married Lizzie Brubaker, has
four children ; John, married and lives in
Arizona; Hannah, wife of Nathaniel Frick.
George W. P. Freeland enlisted at Camp
Curtin, Harri^burg, Pa., September 11, 1862,
in company E, Eighteenth Pennsylvania
cavalry, under Lieut. Col. James Gowan.
The regiment was moved to Camp Simmons,
thence to Bladensburg, thence across the
Long Bridge to Washington, D. C, thence
to Pine Woods Camp, thence to Fairfax Court
House, where Mr. Freeland was discharged
on account of disability. On April 20, 1863,
he was promoted from corporal to third ser-
geant of his company. Upon his discharge
he returned home to Halifax township and
resided with his parents until 1867, when he
removed to Upper Paxton township, near
Millersburg, where he was engaged in farm-
ing for about eighteen years ; after that time
he removed to his present residence.
Mr. Freeland was married, September 6,
1866, to Julia A., daughter of James and
Susan Lear Martin. Mrs. Freeland was born
in York county. Pa., September 22, 1840.
In early childhood she resided with her par-
ents in Harrisburg, Pa., and for several years
attended the public schools of that city. The
family then removed to Zanesville, Ohio,
and she was in school there; later she was
for one year at the academy at Dayton,
Ohio. During the two years following she
resided with her parents in Missouri; in
1854 or 1855 they returned to Susquehanna
township, Dauphin county. Pa., afterwards
removing to Millersburg, where they spent
five years. In 1860, the family removing to
the homestead, she lived there about eight
years. They then removed to the vicinity of
Millersburg, where they remained eighteen
years. In 1887 Mrs. Freeland took up her
residence at the old homestead, where she
has ever since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Free-
land attended the Methodist church. His
politics were Republican.
James Martin, father of Mrs. Freeland, was
born May 26, 1803, and died March 28, 1873.
His wife was born June 4, 1813, and died
May 28, 1884. They had nine children:
John H., deceased, born August 16, 1886 ;
Juliana, born September 22, 1840; James,
deceased, born July 22, 1842 ; Henry Clay,
deceased, born July 10, 1844; Perry, born
February 20, 1846 ; Adam, deceased, born
December 29, 1848 ; Atkinson, born May 16,
1851; Mary Jane, born December 13, 1853;
and Theodore, born April 25, 1856.
Mr. Martin was a railroad contractor and
built several railroads in Missouri and other
States. He constructed one mile of the
1094
BIOORAPBICAL EnOTCtjOPEDIA
Northern Central railway between Millers-
burg and Georgetown, Pa., in which business
he was brought into close contact with Hon.
Simon Cameron. He was formerly interested
in political affairs in Dauphin county, was
elected sheriff on the Republican ticket in
1844 or 1845 and served one term in that
office. His son, Henry Clay Martin, enlisted
in company E, Eighteenth Pennsylvania
cavalry, under Lieut. Col. James Gowan.
He served as orderly to Dr. Markley. The
grandfather of Mrs. Freeland married Keziah
Atkinson. They had a family of sons and
daughters.
Feidt, David E., cabinet maker and fur-
niture dealer, Millersburg, Pa., was born in
Upper Paxton township, February 17, 1844,
and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (West)
Feidt. The father died March 25, 1889, at
Millersburg, and the mother died in Febru-
ary, 1848. Their children are: Daniel S.,
Nathaniel, David E., Peter F., and one who
died in infancy. The father married, sec-
ondly, Susanna Weaver, daughter of Jacob
Weaver, by whom he had two children :
Aaron and Katherine. Mrs. Feidt's par-
ents are both deceased, the father having
died in 1867, aged sixty-two years, and the
mother passed away at the age of forty-one
years. Their children were: David, Isaac,
Harriet, Catharine, and Mary. David E.
was left an orphan at the age of four years
and attended the public schools until he was
fifteen years of age. He then worked for
his cousin, William E. Lenker, on the farm
for two years, when he began the cabinet
making trade with Josiah Weaver, at Ber-
rysburg, with whom he worked three years.
He was then employed with Mr. Bittenben-
der, of Shamokin, Pa., and subsequently re-
turned to Millersburg. On March 20, 1865,
he engaged in cabinet making and in the
undertaking business. He soon discontin-
ued the latter branch of business and en-
gaged extensively in handling furniture un-
til 1869, when he sold his interest to George
Neagley. He remained with Mr. Neagley,
however, as salesinan until 1873, when he
again purchased the business, which he still
conducts. He was married, March 4, 1869,
to Miss Mary Neagley, daughter of George
and Ciiarlotte (Kintzle) Neagley.- Their
children are: Howard N., born August 9,
1870, and died October 24, 1872 ; and Carrie
M., born June 17, 1875, Mr. Feidt is a
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 183, I.
0. 0. F., of Millersburg, and in politics is a
Republican. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Feidt, Daniel S., farmer, Millersburg,
Pa., was born in Upper Paxton township,
January 19, 1839. He is a son of Peter and
Elizabeth (West) Feidt, who was a daughter
of Daniel and Susanna (Shoop) West. The
grandfather, George Feidt, was married to
Rachel Snyder, by whom he had six chil-
dren: John, George, Daniel, Catharine,
Peter, and Thomas. The father by his first
marriage had a family of four children :
Daniel S., Nathaniel, David, and Peter. He
married, secondly. Miss Susanna Weaver,
who died in 1881, leaving two children,
Aaron and Catharine. The parents of Mrs.
Feidt had a family of thirteen children,
seven of whom survive: Sailie, Peter, Al-
fred, Charles, Leah, Catharine, and Ida.
Daniel S. received his education in the
public schools of his native township. He
was then engaged in farming until the war
broke out, when he enlisted September 19,
1861, in company B, Ninth Pennsylvania
cavalry. After serving faithfully in various
parts of the field and taking part in numer-
ous engagements he was honorably dis-
charged at King's Bridge, Ga., December
24, 1864. On May 6, 1865, he returned to
Upper Paxton township, and in 1866 en-
gaged as a sawyer for ten years. In 1876
he bought a farm on which he resided until
1882, when he moved to his father's farm,
where he remained five years. He next
moved to the F. R. Gilbert farm which he
purchased and resided thereon until 1893,
when he moved to his present .home. He
was married, March 10, 1867, to Miss Anna
Hoy, daughter of Christian and Leah (Nov-
inger) Hoy. Their children are : Emma D.,
born April 7, 1868 ; Wilson W., born May
31, 1871; Leah A., born August 3, 1874;
and Sadie E., born September 11, 1876.
His wife was born January 29, 1841, and
died November 19, 1891. She was a con-
sistent member of David's Reformed church,
at Killinger's. He is a Republican in poli-
tics and has served as school director, asses-
sor three terms, and assisted in 1890 to take
the census. He is connected with Lodge
No. 183, I. 0. 0. F., Millersburg, and Kil-
patrick Post, No. 212, G. A. R., Millersburg.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1095
Ulrich, Marion, M. D., Millersburg, Pa.,
was born at Selinsgrove, Snyder county, Pa.,
December 25, 1850. He is a son of John and
Matilda (Gauglar) Ulrich. The grandfather
was Benjamin Ulrich and was married to
Miss Elizabeth (Houseworth) Ulrich. Tiie
maternal grandfather was Daniel Glass and
was married to Miss Polly (Herrold) Glass.
They had eight children : William A.,
George W., John D., Mary, Frederick C,
Henry A., Adam, and one who died in in-
fancy. The mother has passed away, but
the father, born in 1815, still survives. Their
children are: Diana, Louisa, Maria, Izora,
Marion, Henry, Reuben L., George R., Eliza-
beth M. Mrs. Ulrich's father survives, but
her mother has passed awaj'. They had four
children : Mary M., one who died at the age
of four years, and two who died in infancy.
Marion received his primary education in
the public schools of Selinsgrove, which he
attended until he was sixteen years old. He
then entered the Missionary Institute of the
same place, which he attended until 1873.
In 1874 and 1875 he taught school in Penn
township, at the old Kautz school house. He
then taught at various places until 1877,
when he began to read medicine under Dr.
J. W. Sheets, at Selinsgrove. He then at-
tended the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons at Baltimore, Md., from which institu-
tion he graduated March 3, 1880. He located
in Killinger, April 20, 1880, and was soon
successful in establishing a large practice.
October 20, 1887, he moved to Millersburg,
where he has since resided. He was mar-
ried, October 26, 1880, to Miss Mary M. Glass,
daughter of George W. and Delilah (Knight)
Glass. Their children are : George M., who
was born June 25, 1887, and died October
20, 1887 ; and Annie C, born February 11,
1883. Dr. Ulrich is a Republican in politics
and also a member of the Dauphin County
Medical Society. He and his family are
members of the Lutheran church.
East Hanover township, Lebanon county,
who survives. Of their children who reached
mature age were George M. and Margaret
R., who married a Mr. Eberly. George M.
Brubaker received a common school educa-
tion and spent several years in clerking.
He subsequently, in connection with his
stepfather, Simon West, engaged in the tan-
ning business, which was continued until
1847. He then began merchandising and
in 1864 made the hardware business a
specialty. Mr. Brubaker married, first,
February 12, 1850, Ehziabeth, daughter of
George Beaver, of Perry county. She died
July, 1856, and their children were : Clara,
George, Mary, and Charles. He was mar-
ried, a second time, in July, 1857, to Mary,
daughter of Jacob Lime, of Schuylkill
county, and their children were: Albert,
William, Sarah, John, Wood, Mark, and
Ray. Mr. Brubaker was the first president
of the Lykens Valley Bank, now the First
National Bank of Millersburg, and was also
one of the founders of the Miners' Deposit
Bank of Lykens. He is a gentleman of
enterprise and public spirit, and prominently
identified with the leading industries of the
Upper End.
Brub.4ker, George M., son of George and
Sarah (Mark) Brubaker, was born July 19,
1824, in Millersburg, Dauphin county. Pa:
His grandfather, David Brubaker, of Ger-
man ancestry, resided near Millersburg on a
farm. He married a Miss Dover, and of
their children, Jacob, born in 1795, learned
the trade of a tanner, located some years in
Chambersburg, Pa., then in 1822 removed
to Millersburg, where he died in 1838. Jacob
Brubaker married, in 1823, Sarah Mark, of
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Stroup, John C, M. D,, Elizabeth ville.
Pa., was born in Elizabeth ville, Dauphin
county. Pa., January 8, 1859. He is a son
of Dr. John B. and Saloma (Shellenberger)
Stroup. Peter Stroup, grandfather of Dr.
John C. Stroup, was 'a native of Juniata
county. Pa. He was a farmer and black-
smith ; he died at the age of forty. His wife
lived to be eighty-two years of age. Their
children are : Samuel, was a farmer and
blacksmith in Turkey Valley, Juniata
county, up to 1889, when he removed to
South Bend, Ind., and worked at his trade
until 1894 ; then returned to Pennsylvania
and resides with his sons ; he is seventy-six
years old ; Nathan, a farmer in Juniata
county ; two daughters ; John B.; Peter, a
blacksmith, met his death at forty years of
age riding across a bridge in Juniata county ;
he was a soldier in the late war; was wounded
in the leg. The majority of the family are
Democratic in their political views. The
maternal grandfather of Dr. J. C. Stroup was
Christian Shellenberger. He and his wife
were natives of Juniata county, and both died
1096
BIOGRAPHtGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
at Richfield, in that county, the grandfather
aged seventy-six, the grandmother seventy-
eight years. They left a family of nine sons
and three daughters, most of whom are now
living in Juniata county.
John B. Stroup, M. D., father of Dr. John
C, was born in Juniata county in March,
1831, and was reared there. His father died
young and left him a poor boy, dependent
on his own resources for his education. He
worked by day and applied himself to books
at night, and in this way prepared himself
to teach. At the age of sixteen he took
charge of a school in Juniata county, and
subsequently taught in Oldtown, Clearfield
county, Pa., finally locating in Richfield,
Juniata county. Here he began the study
of medicine under Dr. Werner, with whom
he continued three or four years. He then
entered the University of Pennsylvania, from
which he subsequently graduated. He lo-
cated at Richfield and assisted Dr. Werner
for several years, after which he came to
Elizabeth ville, and was the first physician to
locate in that town. He was also the only
surgeon of prominence in that part of the
county, and was frequently called into con-
sultation with Dr. Rutherford and Dr. Du-
nott, both eminent surgeons of Harrisburg.
He was often invited to locate in larger
places, where there would be a wider field
for the exercise of his professional ability.
He was noted as being skillful in operating
on cancer, and 'was also very successful in
other critical cases. Dr. John B. Stroup was
married in Juniata county to Saloma Shel-
lenberger. Their children are : Mary Alice,
wife of Edwin Swab, Lykeus, Pa.; Fanny
Catherine, wife of William Reitz, Rebucks,
Northumberland county. Pa.; Dr. John C;
an infant, died unnamed ; Salome, wife of
Charles Leuker, Halifax, Pa.; Dr. Clement
B., druggist, Elizabeth ville, married in March,
1885, Lizzie A. Bonawitz.
John C. Stroup first attended the common
schools of his native town, and was subse-
quently a pupil in the Berrysburg Seminary,
from 1878 to 1882 ; he was also at school at
South Bend, Ind., for eight months. In
1883 he entered Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, and was graduated in the fall
of 1885, after which he located at Elizabeth-
ville, where he has built up an extensive
practice. In 1887, in connection with his
brother Clement B., he bought the drug
store of Jonas Gorman, and continued a
member of the firm until June, 1895, when
he sold his interest in the store to his
brother, the growing demands of his practice
not leaving, him time for other business.
Dr. Stroup is a Democrat. He is at present
postmaster at Elizabethville, having been
appointed to the office April 20, 1894. On
April 1 of the same year he was appointed
county physician for the outdoor poor, which
office he held one year. He served as first
judge of elections of the borough. He be-
longs to the Jefferson Alumni Association.
For three years he was a member of the
Patriotic Order Sons of America. Dr. Stroup
was married in Northumberland county.
Pa., March 31, 1891, to Miss MoUie E.,
daughter of William Deppen, deceased, and
his wife Elizabeth, and a native of that
county. They have two sons: Bryant De
Costa, born .Julv 28, 1892 ; and Paul Eugene,
born March 25," 1894.
DoENHEiM, Prof. Henky G., formerly
principal of the public schools of Elizabeth-
ville, Pa., was born in Gratz, Dauphin
county. Pa., November 7, 1859. He is a son
of Rudolph H. and Mary (Row) Dornheim.
His grandfather, 'Heinrich Dornheim, was a
native of Germany. He studied medicine
and practiced both in Germany and after
coming to America. He died in Philadel-
phia while visiting some of his children.
His wife, Johanna Eleanora Wilhelmina,
born at Hagenbruch, was a descendant of a
noble German family. She died at Gratz
at the age of eighty-five. Their children
were: Rudolph H.; a son who died aged ten
years; Henrietta, deceased, and Frederica,
deceased.
Rudolph H. Dornheim, father of Prof.
Dornheim, was born in Germany and came
to America with his parents when he was
seven years old. His father came first,
and settled at Gratz, Pa., and shortly after
sent for his wife and family. Rudolph was
educated in Gratz, where' he also learned
cabinet making. This has been his occupa-
tion to the present time. He and his wife
reside at Gratz. He enjoys the best of
health, at the age of sixty-five. Their chil-
dren are: Prof. Henry G. and two daugh-
ters, one of whom died at the age of sixteen
and the other in infancy.
Henry G. Dornheim attended the common
schools of his native place until he was fif-
teen, when he entered Berrysburg Seminary.
After attending that institution for three
summers, he was graduated in 1879. Dur
J. C. ST ROUP. M. D.
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DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1099
ing the winters he taught school ; the first
term in Upper Mahanoy township, North-
umberland county, and several subsequent
terms at Gratz and in ungraded country
schools. In 1880 Mr. Dornheim entered
Millersville State Normal School, and was
graduated in 1883. He also attended this
school during the summer of 1878. After
graduating from the Normal school, he be-
came assistant teacher in the Lykens high
school, and remained there from 1883 to
1884. He then opened the Elizabethville
Seminary as its principal, and during the
winter was principal of public schools,
which position he held for three years,
and then returned to Gratz and took
charge of the high school for six years.
At the end of this time, in 1894, Mr. Dorn-
heim returned to Elizabethville and re-
sumed his former position as principal of
the seminary and public schools. He was
an unsuccessful candidate for county super-
intendent of Dauphin county in 1893 and
1896. On July 8, 1896, he was elected
principal of the school of Tremont, Schuyl-
kill county, where he now resides.
Henry G. Dornheim was married, in Lan-
caster county. Pa., Jply 3, 1883, to Miss
Ellen W., daughter of John Frey, and born
in Lancaster. Their children are : Susan,
John, Frank R., Cora May, and Oscar E.
Prof. Dornheim is an independent voter.
He is an active member of the Lutheran
church, and is superintendent of the pri-
mary department of the Sunday-school.
While residing at Gratz he acted for three
years as secretary of the Gratz Driving Park
and Agricultural Society.
Stroup, Nathan W., M. D., was born near
Millerstown, Juniata county, Pa., January
13, 1843; son of Samuel B. and Sarah
(Weller) Stroup. His father, Samuel B.
Stroup, was born in Juniata county, where
he grew to manhood and became a farmer
and blacksmith. In 1876 he removed with
his wife and family to South Bend, Ind.,
where he now resides. He worked at his
trade until within a few years. He is at
present visiting his son. His children are:
Jane, wife of Henry Lydick, resides near
South Bend; Samuel W., farmer, Juniata
county, Pa.; Wilson W., physician, Harris-
burg, Pa.; Ellen, wife of Irvin Lydick, near
South Bend ; Louisa, wife of Daniel Frame,
South Bend ; John W., wagon maker. South
Bend ; Annie, wife of Edward Demsey, resid-
es
ing near South Bend, Ind. Mr. Samuel B.
Stroup is a Democrat. When in Juniata
county he was a member of the Evangelical
church. He will be seventy-six on the 20th of
August, 1896 ; his wife is seventy-five years
old and resides with her daughter at South
Bend.
Nathan W. Stroup attended the common
schools of his native place until he was about
eighteen, when he entered the McAllister,
Pa., Academj' for one year. He then taught
school for two terms in Washington town-
ship, Dauphin county. In 1864 he began to
read medicine with his uncle. Dr. J. B. Stroup,
at Elizabethville; remained with him for
four years and then entered the University
of Pennsylvania, where he pursued the course
of study and attended lectures in the medical
department during the years 1867-68, still
reading during vacations with his uncle.
He was graduated from the University in
March, 1868, and at once began the practice
of medicine at Elizabethville, where he has
since continued and enjoys a large and lucra-
tive practice
Dr. Stroup is largely interested in real
estate. He owns two of the finest farms in
Washington township, one of one hundred
and eighty -three acres, the other of one hun-
dred and sixty-seven ; and a farm of fifty
acres in Jackson township. He also owns
and occupies one of, if not the most imposing
residence in Elizabethville. He has a larger
practice than any other physician in this
part of the county.
Dr. Nathan W. Stroup was first married
in Elizabethville, April 30, 1868, to Sally
Sausser, a native of Berrysburg, Mifflin town-
ship, daughter of Michael and Lydia (Moyer)
Sausser. They had one son, Michael E.,
born August 16, 1873 ; he is a graduate of
Franklin and Marshall College, and is now
studying law under Mr. Stranahan, Harris-
burg, Pa. Mrs. Sally Stroup died August
5, 1888. She was a devout member of the
Reformed church and actively interested in
all charitable enterprises. She is buried in
the Elizabethville cemetery. Dr. Stroup's
second marriage took place August 7, 1889,
in which he was united to Mrs. Susie Al-
drich, widow of Dr. AUerton Aldrich.
The Doctor is an independent voter. He
served as school director for two terms and
is at present a member of the council. For
twenty-eight years he has been a member
of the Reformed church, and has held
various church offices.
1100
BIOORAPEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mrs. Stroup, present wife of Dr. Stroup,
was born in Meadville, Pa., October 20, 1852,
and is a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca
(Lewis) Alexandra. She attended the com-
mon schools of her native place until she
was fourteen years old; she was then further
advanced than any of her schoolmates of
the same age, and was granted a certificate
to teach. Her father had ample means, but
held the idea then prevalent that while a
liberal education is desirable for boys, it is
not needed by girls; hencehe refused to aid
his daughter in securing a more thorough
education. She resolved to secure this with-
out his assistance, and after receiving her
teacher's certificate she taught school six
months and spent the next six months in
study at Meadville Academy, finishing the
course at that institution in 1866. She then
entered the State Normal School at Edinboro,
Pa., and graduated with first honors. In
all slie has taught school for twent^'-two
years with marked ability, having the same
uniform success in the University of Ohio
that characterized her efforts in the rural
districts, where she taught seven years.
Mrs. Dr. Stroup taught her first school when
but fourteen years of age, for $9 per
month, and was offered the same school the
following winter at $25 per month. Her
father laughed at her so much for teaching
for $9, that one day she remarked : " Well,
father, you will live to see that sum quad-
rupled," and it was a prophecy that came
true, for she held a position for twelve years
for which she received $650 per year.
Miss Alexandra was married, at Mead-
ville, Pa., August 2, 1875, to Dr. AUerton
Aldrich, son of Judge Thomas Aldrich, of
Meadville, and a graduate of the University
of Pennsylvania. They settled at San Fran-
cisco, Cal., where Dr. Aldrich had previously
practiced medicine for four years, and where
he died in 1887, eighteen months after their
marriage. She was left a widow, with a
babe six months old, and with no means of
support for herself and child, the Doctor
having used the profits of his large practice
in discharging debts contracted in securing
his education. Six weeks after the death of
her husband Mrs. Aldrich started lor An-
dover, Ohio, where hgr sister, Mrs. Hampton
Johnson, now deceased, was then residing.
The expense of this trip consumed all the
money she had, and as she did not wish to
return to her father's home, she naturally
returned to her old occupation of teaching
to procure a support. A new brick academy
was then just completed at Andover, and
she accepted a situation offered her as
teacher in the new building; she retained
the position for twelve years. During this
time she graduated from the University at
Ada, Ohio, where she taught two years.
While at Andover she was married to Dr.
Stroup, August 29, 1889.
Mrs. Stroup's daughter by her first mar-
riage, EfRe Zaletta Aldrich, was born in San
Francisco, December 1, 1876; she graduated
in the teacher's course of the State Normal
School, at Millersville, Pa., in 1895, with
first honors, aud in June, 1896, graduated in
the scientific course of the same institution.
She is studying German, French, Latin and
Greek; is receiving thorough training in
music and elocution, and will enter Harvard
College in the fall of 1897.
Thomas Alexandra, father of Mrs. Dr.
Stroup, was born at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1808,
and was there educated and grew to man-
hood. He was married, in Pittsburgh, in
1832, after which he located at Meadville,
Pa. He was a large speculator in farming
lands, and was engaged in raising fine
blooded stock. He died at Meadville, No-
vember 10, 1874. His wife died May 18,
1873. Their children are : Elizabeth, Mrs.
Hampton .Johnson, of Andover, Ohio ; Mar-
tha, Mrs. Reason Bates, State Line, Craw-
ford county. Pa.; May, deceased ; Mrs. Ben-
jamin Miller, Jamestown, Mercer county,
Pa.; Jennie, Mrs. Nelson Gallagher, Mercer
county. Pa.; Sarah, died when three years
old ; William J., died in infancy ; John B.,
farmer, near Meadville; Samuel, died aged
three years; WiUiam' James, died when one
year old ; Susie, Mrs. Dr. Stroup.; Florence
Adela, died aged four years.
Mrs. John Alexandra, grandmother of
Mrs. Dr. Stroup, was born in Berlin, Ger-
many, and belonged to the aristocracy, be-
ing a daughter of one of the wealthy noble-
men of that city. Martha Brewer, for that
was her name, fell in love with John Alex-
andra, a native of Dublin, Ireland. He was
a young man of excellent principles, but was
not one of the wealthy nobility. His devo-
tion to the beautiful and wealthy daughter
being bitterly opposed, the lovers only waited
for an opportunity, to sail to America. One
morning at 4 o'clock a beautiful white steed
drew up in front of the mansion, and, after
mounting, Barbara bid farewell to mother
and home, and, after being married, set sail
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1101
with her lover for America. They settled at
Pittsburgh, Pa., where they lived for twenty
years and amassed a great fortune. They
sold their possessions then, and moved to
Meadville, Pa. Their children were : Thomas,
father of Mrs. Stroup ; Mary, Mrs. James
White, Jamestown, Pa.; Richard, died aged
twenty-one; Deborah, Mrs. Williams, de-
ceased ; M'^illiam, deceased ; Martha, Mrs.
William Betts, resides near Jamestown, Pa.;
John, farmer at Espenville, Pa.
Thomas Alexandra, great-grandfatlier of
Mrs. Stroup, located at Pittsburgh, Pa., and
was a noted criminal lawyer of that day.
He died at an advanced age, about the year
1854.
RoMBERGEK, Samuel B., was born in Ly-
kens township, Dauphin county. Pa., August
9, 1845. He is a son of Daniel and Hannah
(Bergstresser) Romberger. His grandfather,
Adam Romberger, was twice married, and
had twenty-three children, of whom seven-
teen, three sons and fourteen daughters, grew
to maturity and were married. Adam Rom-
berger died at Uniontown, Pa., in 1868, aged
ninety-three, leaving an estate valued at
$40,000. His second wife preceded him a
few years in death. His descendants are
numerous, numbering at the time of his
death 542, and are scattered over Dauphin
county.
Daniel Romberger, father of Samuel B.,
was born in Lykens township, Dauphin
county. Pa., February 19, 1816. He was
brought up as a farmer, and was married in
his native place. He settled on a farm in
Washington township in 1854, and later
located on a farm in Berrysburg, where he
died July 29, 1882. His wife died in Eliza-
bethville in 1889. Their children were :
Adam, born August 21, 1889, farmer, North-
umberland county, Pa.; Edward, born July
30, 1841, farmer on the old homestead in
Washington township; Cyrus, born July 14,
1843, retired farmer and merchant, Elizabeth-
ville ; Samuel B.; Josiah, born October 9, 1847,
with the Reading Railroad Company at Sha-
mokin. Pa.; John A., born April 21, 1850,
grain, coal and lumber dealer, Elizabeth-
ville; H. Howard, born July 12, 1853, rner-
chant, Gratz; formerly an Evangelical
preacher ; Alfred D., born October 9, 1854,
died September 15, 1857.
Samuel B. Romberger was of German de-
scent on his father's side, and on his mother's
Scotch-Irish. He attended school in his
native place until he was nine years old,
when the family removing to Washington
township his education was finished in the
common schools there. In his seventeenth
yeiir he began an apprenticeship at tanning
with Isaiah Matters, at Uniontown, Pa. He
served three years, during which time he re-
ceived $175, which was $40 in excess of the
original contract. He worked at his trade a
year and a half in Schuylkill county. Pa.
He then formed a partnership with Reuben
Weiser, and established a tanyard at Green
Briar, Northumberland county, and con-
tinued in business there two and a half years;
at the end of this time he bought the tanyard
known as Stine's plant, above Gratz, Dau-
phin county, Pa. He operated this plant for
fourteen years, having sold the one at Green
Briar.
In the spring of 1883 Mr. Romberger dis-
posed of his property in Lykens township
and located at Elizabethville, where he at first
operated a tannery, but later relinquished
the business of tanning and dealt in hides
and tallow. In 1892 he took into partner-
ship his two sons, Daniel W. and Penrose
C. This is the pioneer firm in their business
in this county ; there are but two larger
dealers in the State. They are operating
branches at Wilkes-Barre, and Tyrone, Pa.
Samuel B. Romberger was married at
Green Briar, Pa., March 12, 1867, to Miss
Sarah Jane Brower, born in Northumber-
land county, Pa., October 29, 1847; daughter
of Nathan and Caroline (Troutman) Brower.
Their children are : Daniel W., born in Ly-
kens township, February 23, 1870, was edu-
cated in the conjmon schools of Gratz and
Elizabethville, married Sadie Gotshall, has
three boys, Melvin C, Harold L., and Law-,
rence ; Penrose C, born in Lykens township,
in 1872, first attended the common schools
of his native township and of Elizabethville,
at seventeen years of age he entered the
West Chester State Normal School, and took
a commercial course, and then became trav-
eler for the firm in Pennsylvania, New
York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia ;
Elba A., born July 18, 1874, married Feb-
ruary 11, 1896, to Ammon W. Krebs, resides
with her father; Ira P., born in 1875, car-
ries on a branch of his father's business at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Ella J., born in 1878, at
home.
Mr. Romberger is a Republican. He is
president of Lykens Valley Fire Insurance
Company, director of Lykens Valley Tele-
1102
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
graph and Telephone Company, and of the
Elizabethville Water Company. He is a
member and a steward of the Evangelical
church, and a director of the Maple Grove
Cemetery Association, of Elizabethville, Pa.
Swab, Jonas, manufacturer of wagons,
Elizabethville, Pa., was born in Washington
township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 18,
1843. He is a son of Daniel and Sally
(Heller) Swab.
Daniel Swab, father of Jonas Swab, was a
native of Washington township, Lykens
Valley, and a farmer, born 1814. He died
on the homestead farm, in Washington town-
ship, in 1871. He was a staunch Democrat
and a member of the Lutheran church, and
was widely and favorably known. His wife
still survives him and resides in Elizabeth-
ville. Their children are : Catherine, widow
of Samuel Snyder ; Thomas, merchant. Valley
Falls, Kan.; Mary, died aged thirteen ; Jonas ;
Isaac, foundryman, at Elizabethville, Pa.;
Sarah, wife of F. L. Koppenheffer, Mifflin
township, Dauphin county. Pa.; Jqhn, on
the old farm, "Washington township ; David,
wagon maker, Marshalltown, Iowa ; Daniel,
died at age of fourteen, and Aaron, coach-
maker, Elizabethville, Pa.
Jonas Swab attended the common schools
of his township until he was eighteen. For
several years in succession before that time
he assisted his father in clearing six or seven
acres of new land. He was employed and
trained as farmer boys usually are. At the
age of eighteen he began to learn the tan-
nery business, at Uniontown, Pa., but find-
ing after a short time that the business did
not suit him, he abandoned it. He took up
carpentry and worked at that for a year, and
then for two years found employment in the
factory of Riegel & Emerich, manufacturers
of implements, at Uniontown, Dauphin
county.
On September 8, 1864, Mr. Swab enlisted
at Harrisburg, Pa., in company H, Two
Hundred and Tenth regiment, Pennsylva-
nia volunteers, Captain Miller, and went at
once to the front. The regiment went out
one thousand strong. When mustered out
at Arlington Heights, Va., June 7, 1865,
there were only three hundred and sixty-five
men on the roll. They had been at the front
but five days when they took part in the
battle of Petersburg, and were placed in the
second line of breastworks. They assisted
in tearing up the Weldou railroad, Mr.
Swab, with his regiment, took part in the
battles of Hatch's Run, Va., October 27,
1864; second battle at Hatch's Run, Febru-
ary 5, 1865 ; Dabney's Mills, Va., February
6, 1865 ; Gravelly Run, Va., March 3, 1865 ;
Five Forks, April 1, 1865 ; and in the sur-
render of Lee at Claver Hill, Va., April 9,
1865. At Gravelly Run, in a charge made
by the regiment in an open field upon what
was supposed to be a rebel picket, but which
proved to be the full force of the enemy,
many of the regiments were shot down and
many made prisoners. Mr. Swab barely es-
caped capture.
Coming home at the close of the war, Mr.
Swab was employed for five months in the
implement factory at Uniontown. In the
spring of 1867 he took a trip westward, as
far as Omaha, Neb., working for a time at
several points. In the following December
he returned home, and in the spring of 1868
built the works and began the manufacture
of wagons and implements on his own ac-
account. After a time he found it advan-
tageous to drop the implement branch and
confine his attention to the manufacture of
wagons. With money saved from his pre-
vious earnings he built and equipped a large
plant, which he conducted with growing
success. He is widely known as a reliable
and enterprising manufacturer, and the pro-
ducts of his factory are sold throughout the
entire State.
He manufactures extensively farm and
spring wagons which are classed second to
none made in the State. His factory is
equipped with all the most modern machin-
ery, and he manufactures every portion of
wood work and nearly every portion of iron
work used in the construction of his wagons.
He employs a large number of hands and
his factory has not been closed down three
days in twenty-eight yeai's of business, which
speaks well for his excellent management.
Jonas Swab was married, at Elizabethville,
Deceuiber 4, 1869, to Miss Ellen S. Mattis.
Their children are : Bertha L., born in 1876,
died when four years old ; Etta M., born
June 5, 1878, attended Millersville State
Normal School one year, and is now at Irving
College, in Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Ralph M.,
born in 1883, died when three years old.
Mr. Swab is a Democrat, but is liberal in
his views. He is a member of Heilner Post,
No. 232, G. A. R., at Lykens, Pa. The
family are connected with the Lutheran
church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1103
Swab, Aaron, coach manufacturer, Eliza-
beth ville, Pa., was born on the old home
farm in Washington township, Dauphin
countj% Pa., October 26, 1859. He is a son
of Daniel and Sarah (Heller) Swab. A
sketch of his father appears in this volume
in connection with that of Jonas Swab.
Aaron Swab was educated in the common
schools of his native township. He was set
to work on the farm when quite young, and
was a very industrious and willing assistant.
He was eleven years old when his father
died. From the age of fourteen until he
was twenty-two, he was employed in the
wagon factory of his brother, Jonas Swab.
During his twenty-third year he worked at
the axle factory, at Millersburg, Pa., after
which he returned to the employ of his
brother, and remained with him until 1889.
During those years of industry, he was fru-
gal and economical, and had accumulated
some money. With these savings and a
little assistance, Mr. Swab ventured to begin
for himself the manufacture of coaches and
other vehicles. At his beginning, in 1889,
his plant was not large, but he has from time
to time made substantial additions which
have greatly increased its capacity. In
1892 he built two large additions to the
factory. He now employs eight workmen.
The products of his factory are known as be-
ing first-class in material, workmanship and
finish, and find a wide market in the State.
Aaron Swab was married, April 20, 1884,
to Miss Mary J. Uhler. Their children are:
William A., who died aged nine years ; and
Galen A., in his second year. Mr. Swab is a
Democrat. He is now in his second term as
town assessor. He is a member and an
elder of the Reformed church.
Miller, Nathaniel, distiller, was born in
Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
November 19, 1837. He is a son of Daniel
and Catherine (Snyder) Miller. His grand-
father, John Miller, was born in Northum-
berland county. Pa. He came to Dauphin
county and owned and cultivated a farm
in Jackson township, where he died in
the early sixties. His wife was a Miss
Sauler. Their children are : Michael, farmer
and blacksmith, died aged fifty-five years,
in Jackson township; Philip, wagon maker,
died aged eighty-two, in Jackson township ;
Daniel; John, farmer, residing in Jackson
township; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Letich, re-
siding in Jackson township ; Christian B.,
removed from Dauphin county, in 1886, to
Kansas, where he now lives, and several chil-
dren who died in infancy.
Daniel Miller, father of Nathaniel Miller,
was born in Lower Mahanoy township,
Northumberland county. Pa., July 10, 1811.
He was a blacksmith, and followed that
trade in connection with farming. He also
conducted a distillery in Washington town-
ship until the time of his death, which oc-
curred July 4, 1872. His wife, Catherine
Snyder, was born June 18, 1808, and died
December 15, 1884. Their children are :
Susan, born July 25, 1833, married Joiin
Frank, resides in Elizabeth ville. Pa.; James,
born February 16, 1885, Elizabeth ville;
Nathaniel; Adam, born July 14, 1841, went
to Mercer county, and was never heard from ;
Mary C, born August 17, 1846, married G.
Hoke, Elizabethville. Mr. Daniel Miller
was. for many years justice of the peace in
Jackson township.
Nathaniel Miller was educated in the
common schools of his native place. He was
put to work on the farm as soon as he was
able to do anything, and assisted at home
until he was twenty-two, when he hired out
for two years. He then spent about four
months in learning the business of distilling
whiskey. After his marriage he worked for
two years in his father's distillery. Then
on account of the high whiskey tax the dis-
tillery was closed for four years. At the
end of that time Mr. Miller rented his
father's property for three years. His father
died about 1872, when he bought the dis-
tillery and has ever since conducted the
business. Mr. Miller owns a farm in Wash-
ington township, in connection with a
partner. It includes one hundred and thirty-
five acres, with a gristmill, formerly known as
Stine's mill. He also owns a farm in the
eastern part of Washington township, con-
taining one hundred and twenty-five acres,
another of one hundred and thirty-five
acres in Halifax township, and still another
of one hundred and sixty-three acres near
Millersburg.
Nathaniel Miller was married, January
13, 1867, to Miss Leah, daughter of John M.
and Elizabeth Novinger Holtzman, born
September 17, 1835. She died in Washing-
ton township, January 12, 1883. Their chil-
dren are : Jane Alice, born March 13, 1868,
died March 27,1869; Stephen Allan, born
September 22, 1870, baggagemaster on the
Summit Branch railroad, married Anna
1104
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Beadle; Helen Catherine Elizabeth, born
December 15, 1876, resides at home. In his
second marriage, which occurred in Perry
county. Pa., September 11, 1883, Nathaniel
Miller was united to Elmira Bealor, widow
of William Smith, born in Juniata township.
Perry county, Pa., April 28, 1849 ; daughter
of David and Margaret (Smith) Bealor.
They have one child, Ida Mary, born Sep-
tember 18, 1884. Mr. Miller is a Democrat.
He is one of the borough council, and has
been school director for one term. He is a
member of the Reformed church, and has
served as deacon.
Max Bealor, grandfather of Mrs. Miller,
was a native of Berks county, where he was
educated and grew to manhood. He mar-
ried and removed to Perry county, Pa., in
the early part of this century. He settled at
Markelsville, where he died about 1850. His
wife, Catherine Keiser, survived him fifteen
years. Both were members of the Reformed
church. Their children are: Mrs. Susan
McDowell, deceased ; John, deceased, aged
fifty-five years; David, deceased; Mar-
garet, deceased, wife of James G. Blaine;
Sallie and Catherine, died in girlhood ;
Joseph, deceased ; Mary, maiden lady, died
in 1892 ; Benjamin F., died at Markelsville,
Pa., June 22, 1896, at an advanced age.
David Bealor, Mrs. Miller's father, was
born in Brecknock township, Berks county.
Pa. He came with his parents to Perry
county at the age of twelve, where they
settled on a farm at Markelsville, where he
was brought up. He received two weeks'
scljooling, and had to walk twelve miles to
school when he did go. At the age of six-
teen he began to learn masonry, and fol-
lowed that trade until his marriage. At
that time he bought a farm on which he
lived during the remainder of his life. He
died in 1876, in his eighty-third year. His
wife, Margaret Smith, was a native of Perry
county. She died in 1888, aged eighty-one.
Their children were: Sarah, died in 1895;
her first husband was George W. Titzel; her
second, John Christ'; John C., farmer, Blaine,
Perry county. Pa.; Catherine, Mrs. William
Sausaman, Harrisburg, Pa.; Elizabeth, Mrs.
George Ernst, Washington township ; Lydia,
maiden lady, Harrisburg; Elmira, Mrs.
Miller; and Martha, maiden lady, Harris-
burg, Pa.
Margaret Smith, the mother of Mrs. Miller,
is descended from English stock. The chil-
dren of her parents, Daniel and Catherine
(Ketner) Smith, are: John, died in Missouri,
in 1884; William, died in Cincinnati, Ohio,
in the spring of 1895 ; Daniel, farmer, near
Millerstown, Perry county, Pa.; Elizabeth C,
Mrs. Seabold, died at Duncannon, Pa., spring
of 1893 ; Samuel, died about a year after his
mother, in 1852; Benjamin, died in 1853,
unmarried; Margaret, mother of Mrs. Mil-
ler; Sarah, Mrs. Moses, died at Johnstown,
Pa., in 1888; Lydia and Catherine, died
young ; Charles K., farmer, Newport, Perry
county. Pa.
Mrs. Miller resided at home until her first
marriage at Markelsville, Pa. They then
located at Newport, Pa., where Mr. Smith
died. He was born in Juniata township.
Perry county. He was a carpenter, and
worked at that trade until his death in 1877.
Their children are : Martha Calista, wife of
Harry C. Swab, and George B., a farmer, in
Illinois.
MiLLEE, James, justice of the peace, Eliza-
bethville. Pa., secretary and treasurer of the
Lykens Valley Mutual Insurance Company,
was born February 16, 1835. He is a son
of Daniel and Catherine (Snyder) Miller, re-
ferred to in this volume in connection with
the sketch of his brother, Nathaniel Miller.
John Miller, great-grandfather of James
and Nathaniel Miller, came from Wurtem-
berg, Germany, leaving at home an elder
brother, Casper Miller, and settled in Ma-
hantango Valley, below County Line, Pa.,
where he died and is buried. He married
a Miss Karstetter. Among the children
are: Peter, Daniel, John, grandfather of
James, and Nathaniel. With these three
sons Mr. Miller's widow came to Armstrong
Valley. She died at Daniel Miller's, where
Michael H. Miller now resides. Her remains
are buried at Fetterhoff's church, below
Fisherville, Pa. Her son , Joh n Miller, lived
where Centre View postofiice now is. He
died there, and is buried at Miller's church,
near his home. His wife Catherine and
many relatives are buried there. William
and Elizabeth Snyder, maternal grandpar-
ents of James Miller, with some of their
children, lie buried in the same churchyard.
James Miller was educated in the old log
school house of his native place, in Jackson
township. He was early put to work on the
farm, and was reared as a farmer's boy. In
March, 1857, he went West, and spent the
summer in Ogle county, 111., working at
anything at which he could find employ.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1105
ment. In the fall of that year he returned
home. James Miller was married, in Jack-
son township, July 4, 1858, to Miss Sarah,
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (HofFman)
Hoffman, born in Halifax township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., December 6, 1835.
Their children were : Milton A., born June
30, 1859, in Jackson township, train dis-
patcher at Olean, N. Y., on the Western New
York and Pennsylvania for ten years, mar-
ried Susan Hoke Leopold, and has one child,
Ruth; Ellen Victoria, born April 11,1863,
died September 17, 1863 ; Agnes Amanda,
born in Jackson township, July 24, 1865,
wife of L. U. Bolton, Harrisburg, Pa., has
three boys, Leroy, Winfred, and Stanley;
James Melvin ; Elmira Salina, born in Eliza-
beth ville, August 19, 1869, at home; and
Harvey Monroe, born in Elizabethville, Sep-
tember 27, 1871. After their marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Miller went to housekeeping in
Jackson township. During the summer he
farmed as tenant farmer, and in the winter for
several terms taught school in Jackson town-
ship. During the year of the Susquehanna
floods, 1865, Mr. Miller repaired fences on
Haldeman's Island, and worked on the re-
pair train of the Summit Branch railroad,
teaching school again in the winter. In
April, 1866, he located in Elizabethville, and
followed carpentry and farming as a hired
hand until fall, when he received a certifi-
cate to teach the town school. He taught
for that term ; in the following summer he
acted as clerk for F. Weaver in a general
store. He taught for a half term afterwards
in Elizabethville. On March 29. 1869, Mr.
Miller was elected secretary and treasurer of
the Lykens Valley Mutual Insurance Com-
pany, and has continuously held both posi-
tions since that date. In 1870 he was elected
justice of the peace, and held that office until
July, 1885, when he was made postmaster of
Elizabethville, under President Cleveland.
He built the postoffice building, and held
the office until 1889. He was re-elected jus-
tice of the peace and commissioner for the
term beginning May 1, 1891, and ending
May 1, 1896. Mr. Miller is a Democrat, but
has never sought political preferment. He
was reared in the Reformed church.
Swab, Jacob, retired farmer, was born in
Mifflin townnship, Dauphin county, Pa.,
April 7, 1822. He is a son of Jacob and
Catherine (Metz) Swab.
Jacob Swab was educated in private
schools before the free school system was
adopted. He had to pa}' fifty cents per
month for his tuition. When a mere boy
he was set at work helping to clear and cul-
tivate land. He worked at home until he
was twenty-one, and then started out to
make a living for Ijimself He worked on
rented farms for five years, beginning witli
one in Mifflin township. He then removed
to Donaldson, Schuylkill county, Pa., where
he hauled timber to the mines with a
two-horse team. He also used his team to
draw cars laden with coal from the mines
to the Union canal, where it was loaded on
boats. At the end of five years he bought
a farm in Porter, town ship, Schuylkill county,
which he cultivated for thirteen years. Sell-
ing his farm, he returned to Dauphin county
and bought another in Washington town-
ship containing sixty-three acres of land
and having a good house on it. Here lie
made his home until the spring of 1882,
when he retired from active business and
purchased a house and lot in Elizabethville,
where he has lived since that time.
Jacob Swab was married, in Mifflin town-
ship, in 1843, to Miss Mary, daugliter of
Joseph and Catherine (Shoop) Matter, a na-
tive of Mifflin township. She died on the
farm in 1881. Their children are: Amelia,
deceased, wife of Charles Shoemaker ; Cathe-
rine, wife of George Echternacht, Marshalls-
town, Iowa; Edwin, miner, in Lykens, Pa.;
Samuel, roof painter, Reading, Pa.; Enoch,
farmer, Marshall county, Iowa ; Emma Jane,
wifeof Mahlon Miller, Pottsville, Pa.; Joseph,
hotel employee, Buff'alo, N. Y.
Mr. Swab was drafted for the nine months'
service in the army in October, 1862. He
served ten months in company F, One
Hundred and Seventj'-third regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers. He was stationed
at Norfolk, Va., during most of his time.
At the end of the ten months he came home
and was married again, in the fall of 1883,
to Elizabeth McCuUy, widow of George
Snyder. She is the daughter of Robert and
Catherine (Seibold) McCully, the former of
Irish and the latter of German descent. She
had five children by her first marriage.
In political principles Mr. Swab is a Demo-
crat and attends the Lutheran church, in
which he has served as deacon. He also
held several minor offices in the village, but
has never been a politician in the sense of
an office seeker.
1106
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
BuPFiNGTON, Isaiah T., senior member of
the firm of Buffington & Enders, proprietors
of the Elizabeth ville planing mill and furni-
ture factory, and also funeral directors, was
born in Upper Paxton township, Dauphin
county, Pa., July 20, 1850. He is a son of
Josiah and Susan (Yeager) Buffington. Solo-
mon Buffington, grandfather of Isaiah T.
Buffington, was born in Dauphin countj',
and was a farmer and shoemaker, doing
business in this and other counties. Josiah
Buffington, father of Isaiah T., was born in
Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county,
January 16, 1826. He was a prominent
resident of Elizabethtown for forty years,
during which he was engaged in contracting,
cabinet making and undertaking. He was
village postmaster for over twenty years.
He is now seventy-one years old, and has
resided in Elizabethtown since his retire-
ment, in 1892. His wife is also living.
Their children are : Isaiah T.; John W., re-
siding in Elizabethville ; Mary, wife of
Andrew Chubb, Elizabethville; Henrietta,
wife of Henry Bickel, near Mt. Carmel, Pa.;
Benjamin Franklin, Elizabethville; Kate,
residing at home; Harry, resident of Shamo-
kin ; Lizzie, wife of Charles B. Potter, Eliza-
bethville; Emma and Alvah, who died
young.
Isaiah T. Buffington, when about three
years old, was brought by his parents to
Miffiin township, were they remained a few
years ; they then removed to Washington
township, where I. T. was educated. His
father gave him the choice between working
on the farm and going to college ; he chose
farm work, and wais brought up a farmer
boy. At ten years of age he went to work
on neighboring farms, and was engaged as
farm hand for five years. He then began to
learn cabinet making, carpentry and house
building, and followed these branches of
business with his father until he was twenty-
two. All this time he had worked for his
board and clothing. For the next four years
his wages were $1.75 or $2 per day. In 1876
Mr. Buffington began business for himself,
in Elizabethville, as cabinet maker, under-
taker and contractor, and conducted busi-
ness alone until 1888. In the beginning he
worked in a small room, ten by sixteen feet,
and made additions as business demanded.
He was the architect and builder of many
of the most imposing residences of Eliza-
bethville. In 1888 he took in C. W. Enders
as a partner and formed the firm of Buffing-
ton & Enders, under which name the busi-
ness has ever since been carried on. They
manufacture flooring, siding, moulding,
sash, doors, shutters and blinds ; also hard
and soft wood chamber suites, parlor suites,
lounges, tables and chairs.
Isaiah T. Buffington was married, at
Elizabethville, September 1, 1872, to Miss
Mary Kemmerer, a native of Upper Paxton
township and a resident of Washington
township. Their children are : William E.,
at home, graduate of a commercial college;
Edward F., died an infant; Nellie Pearl,
Ray K., George C, and Lewis, all at home ;
and Annie, died aged five years.
Mr. Buffington 's political principles are
Republican. He has served on the school
board of the township for one terra, and was
elected burgess for the first year of the bor-
ough. Formerly he was a member of P. 0.
S. of A. and of the L 0. 0. F. Mr. Buffing-
ton is president of the Enterprise Hosiery
Company, and also a director of the Ceme-
tery Association. He belongs to the United
Brethren church, and is a trustee. He
has acted as Sunday-school superintend-
ent for eight years. He is a member of the
Young People's Christian Union (United
Brethren) Church Society. Mr. Buffington
has made his own way in the world. He
began with only strong hands, a clear head
and a good heart. His career is successful
as it is honorable, and his example is an en-
couragement and an inspiration to all boys
who have only themselves to depend upon,
for it shows that industry, frugality, wisdom
and virtue are sure to win.
Swab, Isaac, foundryman, was born in
Washington township, Dauphin county. Pa-.,.
October 5, 1845. He is a son of Daniel and
Sarah (Heller) Swab.
Isaac Swab was educated in the common
schools and at Berrysburg Academy, which
he attended for two years. He worked on-
the farm early in life, and remained at home
until he was twenty-three. He came to Eliza-
bethville in 1868, and was for some time em-
ployed in his brother's wagon factory. He
then opened a hardware and stove store in
Elizabethville; after eight or ten years in
this business he sold out and went to Har-
risburg, where he took a contract for putting
cars together in the railroad shops. He was
employed in the same manner for two years
at Millerstown, Pa., after which he returned
to EHzabethville and established a foundry,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1107
which he has conducted since that time. He
was also for a short time engaged in broom
making. His knowledge of the foundry
business was derived from reading and from
observation.
Isaac Swab was married, in Berrysburg,
Pa., in 1867, to Miss Sarah Ellen Messner, a
native of Washington township, Dauphin
county, Pa. Their children are : Harry C,
married Mattie Smith, resides at Elizabeth-
ville, Pa.; Arthur A., left home at fourteen
years of age, found employment with Drake
& Stratton, bridge builders, New York ; was
at Johnstown, Pa., repairing bridges two
days after the great flood ; was married, at
Hanover, Ohio, to Etfie Hawarth ; Sallie E.,
at home; Katie C, died aged six years;
Warren F. and Percy A., at home.
Mr. Swab is a Democrat. He has been
school director for nine years, and is at pres-
ent secretary of the school board. He has
been township clerk for six years. He was
formerly a stockholder in the Water Com-
pany and is now a member of the town coun-
cil. He is also secretary of the Lutheran
charge, which includes all the Lutheran
churches in the Lykens Valley. Mr. Swab
is intelligent and public spirited, genial in
disposition and agreeable in manners. He is
highly esteemed and respected.
Keiper, Michael R., superintendent of
water works, agent of Lykens Valley Mutual
Fire Insurance Company, Elizabethville, Pa.,
was born in Washington township, Dau-
phin county, Pa., on the homestead, one
mile west of Elizabethville, October 5, 1839.
He is a son of John and Catherine (Runk)
Keiper. His grandfather, Jacob Keiper,
was a native of Reamstown, Lancaster county,
Pa., and a lifelong resident of that place.
He was a cooper. His wife /was Sarah Ech-
ternacht. Mr. Keiper's father was born in
Reamstown, July 14, 1810. He died in
Washington township, August 16, 1854.
From the time wlien he came to Dauphin
county, at twent}^ years of age, he was a
farmer. During his earlier life he had been
engaged in driving cattle to eastern markets.
While thus employed, and on a trip through
Washington township, he made the acquaint-
ance of Miss Catherine Runk, who after-
wards became his wife. She was born June
20, 1822, and died March 24, 1845. After
his marriage, Mr. Keiper was for many years
engaged in mercantile business at Elizabeth-
ville. His children by his first wife are :
Michael R.; John, died in Philadelphia,
July 4, 1887, where he was embloyed in a
store; Catherine, widow of Samuel Keiter,
Elizabethville. Mr. Keiper's second wife
was Miss Lucinda Buffington, who survives
him, and by whom he had but one child,
William Henry, residing at Lykens, Pa.
Mr. Keiper always took a prominent part in
village and township affairs. He was orig-
inally a Whig, and subsequently affiliated
with the Republican party.
Michael R. Keiper was educated in the
common schools of his native place and of
Middletown, Pa. At the age of sixteen he
commenced working Good's woolen mill,
near Millersburg, Pa. He was employed
here two j^ears, during which time he learned
different branches of the business. But he
was forced to seek other employment, the
mill work being detrimental to his health.
Mr. Keiper rented the home farm and be-
gan tilling the soil. After several years he
bought the homestead, and continued farm-
ing from that time, 1861, until 1885, when
he retired from the farm and took up his
residence in his new home in Elizabethville,
which he built in 1884. After removing to
Elizabethville he engaged in the insurance
business, and is now agent for the Lykens
Valley Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Mr. Keiper still owns the home farm and
several other good farms. He has for many
years been director of the First National
Bank of Millersburg, and of the Miners'
Deposit Bank of Lykens.
Mr. Keiper was married, in Washington
township, February 14, 1861, to Miss Sarah
Etta Sheesley. Their children are : John A.,
a United Brethren minister at Meyerstown,
Lebanon county. Pa., graduate in theology
of Ursinus College, Montgomery county,
Pa., married Gertrude Barr; Katie S., mar-
ried Albert Romberger, farmer, Washington
township, has two children, Earl K. and
Roy Arthur; Annie E., married Frank
Campbell, Millersburg, Pa. ; Laura Etta, un-
married, at home.
Mr. Keiper is a Republican, and an ac-
tive worker for his party. He served three
years as school director, three years as as-
sessor, and one year as judge of elections.
He is an active member of the United
Brethren church; is class leader of class
No. 1, trustee of the church, and president
of its official board. He was for twenty-five
1108
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUTCLOPEDIA
consecutive years superintendent of the
Sunday-school. He is president of the
United Brethren Campmeeting Association.
RoMBEEGER, B. W., president of the Yok-
ney Cotton Mills, Water Valley, Miss., and
retired dry goods merchant of Philadelphia,
Pa., was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 7, 1825. He is a son
of Balthaser and Elizabeth (Serry) Romber-
ger. Balthaser Romberger was born in
Lancaster county. Pa. After his marriage
he came to Dauphin county, and settled in
Mifflin township, where he died in 1838,
aged sixty. His wife died some years after,
at the age of seventy-five. Their children
were : Mary, Mrs. Matter, died in Mifflin town-
ship, aged sixty-three years ; Catherine, Mrs.
Matter, died aged fifty-eight; Anna M., de-
ceased ; George, farmer in Mifflin township;
Daniel, died in Mifflin township ; Elizabeth,
Mrs. J. Hoy, died in Mifflin township ; Susan,
Mrs. Broderer, died in Mifflin township ;
Rebecca, Mrs. J. Harner, died in Mifflin
township; Hannah, Mrs. Jacob Woodside,
widow, resides in Mifflin township; Benja-
min, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this
volume, lives retired at Berrysburg, Pa.;
David, deceased, farmer, Mifflin township ;
and B. W.
B. W. Romberger had only the slender
opportunities for education afforded by sub-
scription schools, open for a few months of
each year. When he was in his fourteenth
year his father died, and while the family
were not left destitute, yet they were by no
means rich in- this world's goods, and the
boy did not wish to remain a burden to his
mother. Being active and ambitious, he
determined to start out in the world on his
own account, and to demonstrate that even
at his early age he could provide for him-
self. He first hired as a farm hand for one
year at $3 per month, to a man who proved
to be a hard task master, requiring him to
work from sunrise until late at night, and
expecting of him in the fields the work of
an able-bodied man, scarcely allowing him
time to eat his dinner, but compelling him
to do chores about the barn while the men
were enjoying their hour of rest at noon.
He did not like to leave bis place, for fear of
being called lazy, and patiently worked
through the year. With money saved from
his earnings he bought the first suit of new
clothes he ever wore. At the end of this
year he found employment for six months
with another farmer, who gave him $5 per
month. At the expiration of this engage-
ment he began an apprenticeship to a car-
penter in Upper Paxton township, with
whom he served three years, afterwards re-
ceiving regular journeyman's wages for the
time he remained in his employ.
In 1848 he went to Illinois and remained
six months, during which time Mr. Rom-
berger worked only one month, and was at
expense both for himself and for his com-
panion, which nearly exhausted his money.
They changed their plans and returned,
reaching home with just $50 remaining of
the $800 with which he started. He soon
after assumed a position as clerk in the gen-
eral store of his brother-in-law, at Berrys-
burg, Pa.; he was for five years engaged in
this occupation in several places, during the
winter months working at his trade in the
summer, excepting one month in each sea-
son, when he was engaged as a harvest hand.
In 1852 or 1853 Mr. Romberger went to
Philadelphia to acquire a good mercantile
training, with a view of establishing himself
in a general store in some country place. He
little thought at that time of becoming a
prominent dry goods merchant in that great
city. He at once applied to the large whole-
sale dry goods firm which of late is known
as the Jacob Riegel Company, and met with
a cordial reception. He stated his desire of
getting a position as salesman frankly and
fully informing them of his slender experi-
ence in the business, and asking for a
month's trial, agreeing, if successful, to re-
ceive pay according to the value of his ser-
vices, but if after trial lie should prove not
to be adapted to the business, he would ask
no wages. They were pleased with his
honest frankness, and consented to the trial.
It was extended to four months, and proved
satisfactory to both parties. Mr. Romberger
agreed to remain, and continued with the
firm for ten years, his salary being advanced
from time to time from $600 to $5,000 per
annum. He sold as high as $410,000 worth
of goods in one year, and after deducting his
salary his sales cleared $62,000 for the firm.
At the end of ten years he united with Mr.
Cunningham in forming the dry goods firm
of Romberger, Cunningham & Co., which
continued in business two years, and was
then changed to Romberger, Long & Co.,
which continued until 1887, when on ac-
count of failing health Mr. Romberger sold
his interest in the business to Mr. Long.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1109
During this time Mr. Romberger and his
brother-in-law, D. R. Wagner, formed what
is known as the Yokney Cotton Mills Com-
pany, of which he became president. They
built a large factory at Water Valley, Miss.,
and equipped it with the latest and most
improved machinery. It gives employment
to one hundred and thirty-five hands ; the
president's son, Charles Romberger, is an
efficient and capable superintendent of the
business.
Mr. Romberger was married, in Philadel-
phia, Pa., July 10, 1856, to Miss Helena
Wagner, a native of Snyder couiity. Pa.,
where she lived until she was twelve or
fourteen years of age when she removed
with her parents to Philadelphia. Prior to
this Mr. Romberger had married a Miss
Sarah Orendorff, who lived but two years
after marriage, and by whom he had one
child, Henry M., residing at Winona, Miss.,
cashier of Winona Bank, married to Flor-
ence Smith. There have been two children
of the second marriage : Clara Louisa, wife
of Johnson Alter, died at the age of thirty-
eight, leaving one child ; and Charles E.,
superintendent of cotton mills. Water Valley,
Miss., married Miss Smith. Mr. Romberger's
politics are Democratic. For fifty-five years
he has been an energetic, progressive and
highly esteemed member of the Lutheran
church.
Mr. Romberger spends most of his winters
at Water Valley, Miss. His house in Wash-
ington township is situated in a beautiful
spot, at the foot of the mountain, and is
truly baronial in its proportions and ap-
pointments. It is lavishly supplied with
all the modern conveniences which contribute
to comfort and to luxury. Mr. Romberger
has indulged his cultured literary taste es-
pecially in the furnishing of his library,
which is a spacious room stored with selected
books in every department of literature,
science and art. It is an agreeable surprise
to find so beautiful, luxurious and tasteful a
dwelling in rural surroundings. The farm
on which it stands contains five hundred and
seventeen acres, and is one of the best ;n tlie
State. Mr. Romberger in his personality is
attractive and agreeable. He is affable and
courteous in manner, and alwaj^s genial and
hospitable. His appearance proclaims him
to be just what he really is, a man of dis-
tinguished business ability and refined and
cultured tastes.
Ernest, George, farmer, was born in
Madison township. Perry county. Pa., Feb-
ruary 4, 1830. He is a son of Daniel and
Catherine (Ernest) Ernest.
The Ernest ancestors came from Ger-
many. They were connected with the
House of Hanover, who were in full power
previous to the Reformation. Henry Ernest,
grandfather of George Ernest, was a native
of Berks county, where he was reared and
married, and engaged in agricultural pur-
suits. He removed with his family to
Perry county, and died on the homestead in
Madison township in 1838, his wife having
preceded him to the grave. Their children
were: George; David; Daniel; Elizabeth,
who was Mrs. Runsmith, deceased ; and
Catherine, Mrs. Dysinger.
Daniel Ernest, father of George, was born
in Berks county, September 17, 1796. He
was reared on the farm, and remained on
the farm until he was a young man. At
that time the family removed to Perry
county, where he continued farming until
his death, which occurred May 15, 1885.
His wife died December 22, 1873. Daniel
Ernest was a prominent man, taking an
active part in township affairs, and filling
various township offices. Their children
are : John, a cooper, resides in Peoria, 111.,
is active in city affairs, was sheriff; Samuel,
farmer. Perry county, lives on part of the
homestead in Madison township; George;
Sarah, died some years ago, unmarried ;
Henry, resides at Cisna Run, Perry county,
Pa.; Jane A., deceased, unmarried; Mary,
deceased, unmarried ; Daniel, retired farmer,
Eshcol, Perry county ; David, died in Perry
county, June 4, 1876.
Mr. George Ernest attended subscription
schools and finished his education in the
public schools, which he attended in the
winter of each year. He remained on the
farm until he was twenty-five, when he went
West, in 1855 or '56, in search of business
opportunities. There \Yere more boys at
home than were needed for the farm work,
so he went to Ohio, and worked among the
farmers near Fostoria for one year. He then
went to Illinois to see a brother. After a
short visit he hired himself to a farmer west
of Peoria, 111., for a year, at the end of which
time he returned home. He had saved about
$100, but in those times the currency of one
State was not good in another. After his
return George engaged in building post and
1110
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
rail fences in Perry county, and continued
there three summers, but was unemployed in
the winter. He and his companions were
planning for something by which they could
make money faster and more easily, and de-
cided to open a general store at Ariderson-
burg, Perry county, which they conducted
successfully for four or five years. Mr. Ern-
est then sold his interest to his partners and
went to Missouri. He there made collections
for his father, who had loaned certain sums
to a man whom Mr. Ernest hunted up. Hav-
ing successfully transacted this business and
returned he remained around home for about
a year.
After his marriage he opened a general
store in Green Park and conducted it for
about eighteen months. He then removed
hip stock to Cisna Run (then Cedar Run),
Perry county, and carried on business there
for about a year and a half. He then sold
out to his brother David and located in Eliza-
bethville, purchasing the store of Simon
Bickel. He remained there from 1870 to
1885, during eleven years of which time he
had charge of the business. From 1885 to
1888 Mr. Ernest remained in Elizabethville,
without any business occupation. In 1888
he removed to Centre county, Pa., where for
one year he was engaged in the lumber busi-
ness. After this he located on his present
place of forty-five acres in Washington town-
ship, Dauphin county, to which he added
twenty acres, and is devoting his whole at-
tention to raising poultry and fruit.
George Ernest was married. May 30, 1866,
to Miss Elizabeth Bealor, born September 6,
1839, at New Bloomfield, Perry county; a
daughter of David and Margaret (Smith)
Bealor. Their children are : Charles David,
deceased, born January 17, 1868 ; William
D., born at Elizabethville, December 28,
1870, taught school in Dauphin county two
years, then took a course in shorthand at
Chicago, and then took a position as cashier
of a life insurance company at Chicago. Six
months after he began a service under the
United States lighthouse inspector, which
lasted for a year and a half. In the follow-
ing June Mr. Ernest entered Pennsylvania
College, Gettysburg, Pa., where he remained
two years. It was his intention to take a
theological course and enter the ministry,
but his throat would not stand the strain
of public speaking. While in Chicago he
attended the course of lectures of the Moody
Bible Association. He has now turned
his whole attention to the work of the
Young Men's Christian Association, and
has been engaged in the Railroad Branch,
Philadelphia, Pa. He is at present general
secretary and physical director of the Mt.
Carmel, Pa., Association. Harry B., born
August 8, 1873, at Elizabethville, Pa., where
he attended school, after which he taught
for two winters in Washington township.
In the fall of 1895 he entered Pennsylvania
College, and is taking a classical course,
which he will complete in 1900, when he
hopes to enter the ministry.
Mr. Ernest is a Republican and is decided
in his views. He was formerly a member of
the Lutheran church. Mrs. Ernest belongs
to the Reformed church. Mr. Ernest began
as a poor boy, has made his way without as-
sistance, and is now among the prominent
and honored men of the community.
Frank, William D., shoe dealer, Eliza-
bethville, Pa., was born in Halifax township,
Dauphin county. Pa., February 20, 1860.
He is a son of John and Susan (Miller) Frank.
David Frank, his grandfather, was a farmer,
and at one time owned two farms in Jack-
son township, and one in Halifax township.
He was prominent and highly respected ; he
died in Jackson township.
John Frank, father of William D., was
born in Armstrong Valley, Dauphin county.
He was educated in the common schools,
reared on the farm, and made farming his
life occupation. He died in Halifax town-
ship, in 1874. His wife, Susan Miller, sur-
vives him, and resides with her son, William
D. Frank. Their children are : William D.;
Margaret Ellen, died in her third year;
Emma J., has been twice married ; her first
husband was John W. Speck, deceased ; her
second is Aaron J. Bressler, Elizabethville,
Pa.; Mary C, wife of David M. Stone, high
school teacher at WiUiamstown, Pa.; John
A., bookkeeper for Alley Bros., Curwensville,
Clearfield county. Pa., married Miss Livia
Edgbert, of Curwensville, Clearfield county,
Pa. ^'
William D. Frank was educated in , the
public schools of his native place, which he
attended in the winter. In summer he was
engaged in farm work. His father died
when he was fourteen years old, and from
that time he supported himself. He hired
out among farmers at small wages, from
which, by rigid self-denial and strict econ-
omy, he managed to save a little money.
DAXJPBIN COUNTY.
1111
He worked four years as a farm hand. At
the age of eighteen he became apprentice to
a shoemaker, Joseph Snyder, in Jackson
township, whom he served two years, receiv-
ing no wages. He then started out for him-
self, and in 1880 opened a small repair shop
in Elizabethville. He prospered so well,
that after two years' work he was able to
buy a building lot, and to erect a dwelling
house and the store which he now occupies.
He put in a full line of shoes, and from time
to time increased his stock, as the growth of
his trade made it necessary ; he now enjoys
a large and profitable business.
William D. Frank was married, in Eliza-
bethville, Pa., January 22, 1882, to Miss Mary
A. Koppenheffer, a native of Washington
township. They have had four children :
Charles H., born June 27, 1886 ; two that
died in infancy ; and a son, born May 3,
1896, yet unnamed.
Mr. Frank is an earnest worker in the
ranks of the Democratic party. He was
elected to the borough council in 1895 ;
when the town became a borough he served
as school director, and was largely instru-
mental in making improvements in the
schools and school buildings. He is a mem-
ber of the Reformed church, of which he is
a trustee. He has been secretary and treas-
urer of the Sunday-school for six years.
Mr. Frank is active and energetic in busi-
ness, intelligent and progressive in his views,
unselfish and public spirited. He is promi-
nent in usefulness, and in social intercourse is
always genial.
Swab, Eli, was born in Mifflin township
Dauphin county, Pa., October 7, 1824.
The first ancestor in the line of his family
to come to America was his great-grand-
father, John Schwab, who was born and
reared in Germany, where he learned his
trade of linen weaving and was married.
At the age of thirty or thirty-five he came
with his wife and children to this country,
about 1735, and for a time settled in Phila-
delphia, and engaged in the manufacture of
linen. From Philadelphia he went to Read-
ing, and finding the lots were selling by lot-
tery, he procured two of the principal ones
and traded them for farming, land in Berks
county, at a place afterwards called Shupert's
Mills. Here he engaged in farming, also
working at his trade. He took part in the
Revolutionary war. He was noted for his
equestrian feats, one of these being riding at
a furious pace and leaning from his horse
to pick up a hat from the ground. He died
on his Berks county farm.
John Jacob Swab, grandfather of Eli
Swab, was born in Philadelphia, about 1763,
and reared on the farm in Berks county.
He was married there about 1788 or 1789, to
Miss Mary Hetzel. Their children were :
Catherine, wife of Philip Brown, lived in
Williams Valley, had seven children, three
sons and four daughters ; Jacob, father of
Eli Swab ; Julia Ann, married Christian
Matter, removed to Jefferson county. Pa.,
reared a family and died there ; John, born
in Berks county and reared in Dauphin
county; William, born in Dauphin county,
married and settled in Washington town-
ship, where he died; Daniel, born and
reared in Dauphin county, married Katie
Koppenheffer, removed to Ohio, where he
died ; Susanna, married Jacob Herman, set-
tled in Berrysburg, Dauphin county, and
died there ; George, born in Dauphin county,
married and died in Washington township,
aged eighty-six years ; Elizabeth, married
David Bitterman, died in Mifflin township.
The grandfather settled in Mifflin, now
Washington township, where he died in
1819, aged fifty-six years.
Jacob Swab, father of Eli, was born in
Berks county, Pa., October 7, 1791, and in
his ninth year came with his parents to
Dauphin county, where he was reared on the
farm, and practically learned the art of
weaving linen from his father. He assisted
the father in clearing the land and making
the home. He was married, in Mifflin town-
ship, to Catherine Metz, daughter of Sebas-
tian Metz. He succeeded to part of the
homestead farm, and lived on the place
which his son Eli Swab now owns. He
served in the war of 1812, and died Febru-
ury 14, 1866, aged sixty -four years. His
wife died in 1854. Their children are : Dan-
iel, farmer, died in Washington township ;
Sarah, married Simon Matter, reared a fam-
ily and died in Washington township ; Cathe-
rine, married John Wagner, Pottsville, Pa.,
reared a family ; Jacob, married and retired,
Elizabethville, Pa.; Eli ; Simon, blacksmith,
married, reared a family and died in Wash-
ington township ; Mary, married David
Romberger, reared a family, is living in
Mifflin township. Mr. Swab was a member
of the Lutheran church.
Eli Swab had slender opportunities for ac-
quiring an education. He attended sub-
1112
MOGRAPHICAL ENGtCLOPEDiA
scription schools and grew up on the farm,
assisting his father with the work until he
was seventeen years old. He then learned
tanning, at which he worked more or less
steadily for ten years, but finally made farm-
ing his chief occupation. In 1854 he took
charge of the home farm and cultivated it
until 1876, when he came into possession of
it by paying $91 an acre ; one hundred and
six acres constituted the farm, at an allow-
ance of six per cent.
Eli Swab was married, in Washington
township, in 1844, to Miss Nellie, daughter
of John and Mary Cooper, a native of Wash-
ington township. Their children are : Al-
ien, born March 17, 1845, a farmer, now en-
gaged in the tanning business, married Eliza
Lehman; Philip C, born September 10,
1847, married Catherine Koppenhefifer, for-
merly merchant at Williamstown, recorder
of deeds at Harrisburg, and now a coal mer-
chant at Hartranft, Tenn.; Hannah, born
November 15, 1851, unmarried ; Aaron, born
February 11, 1854, died young; Amanda,
born in 1857, married Daniel Brower,
resides in Northumberland county, Pa.;
Isaiah, born September 25, 1861, farmer in
Washington township, married Ida Kawell;
Mary, born September 24, 1864, married Oli-
ver Shantz and resides in Lehigh county ;
George, born October 21, 1869, conveyancer,
married Frances A. Auldhouse, resides in
Harrisburg.
Mr. Swab owns three farms adjoining each
other, one of one hundred and six acres, one
of one hundred acres and one of eighty
acres ; also two tracts of wood land. In pol-
itics he is a Republican, and was elected
county commissioner in 1873 and served two
terms. He is active and prominent in church
affairs and is a member of the Lutheran
church, in which he has held important of-
fices. Mr. Swab is one of the best known
men in the community, and is highly hon-
ored and esteemed.
The family name was formerly spelled
Schwab, but after the death of Mr. Eli Swab's
grandfather it was incorrectly written in cer-
tain legal documents as Swab, and the fam-
ily finally adopted that spelling.
Mattis, Charles T., farmer and miller,
was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county. Pa., April 21, 1843. He is a son of
Isaac and Sally (Troutman) Mattis. John
Mattis, his grandfather, was the son of Chris-
tian Mattis, who had one brother that died.
John Mattis was born in Limerick town-
ship, Montgpmery county, Pa., where he was
reared and educated and became a farmer.
He served during the war of 1812. His
first wife was Katy Swenk, who died 1816.
Their children were : Daniel, a plasterer,
died in Montgomery county ; Aaron, died
in Mifflin township, a sketch of his life ap-
pears in connection with that of Abram
Mattis, elsewhere in this volume, Mary,
married John T. Miller, both died in Mont-
gomery county; Christian and Susan died
in girlhood. Mr. Mattis was again mar-
ried to Katy Barley, widow of a Mr. Ren-
hardt. She lived to the age of seventy-three.
The children of this marriage are: Hannah,
married Jacob Bartley, both died in Berks
county. Pa.; Sarah, died in Montgomery
county, wife of a Mr. Jones ; John B., died
in Tower City, Pa.; Kitty, married and re-
sides in Kansas. Mr. Mattis died in Lim-
erick township, Montgomery county, about
1833, aged fifty-six.
Isaac Mattis, father of Charles T., was
born in Limerick township, Montgomery
county. Pa., July 28, 1814. He attended the
subscription schools of his native township
a part of each year until he was seventeen
years old, when his father died. After that
he attended a school taught by George Gross
for one term. He worked out among the
farmers, receiving $6 per month for his ser-
vices. At the age of seventeen he became
apprentice to a plasterer, and served two
years, when, being dissatisfied with his
earnings, he dropped that trade, and drove
a huckster team to Philadelphia. He made
and saved a little money in this business,
and was enabled to start for himself. He
then came to Dauphin county with his
brother Aaron, and for two years drove a
huckster wagon to Pottsville, after which he
bought a tavern of John Saltzer, which he
owned and managed for thirteen years very
successfully. During this time he was also
engaged in the cattle trade, buying and
driving to Montgomery county. At the
end of thirteen years Mr. Mattis sold the
tavern and bought a farm of one hundred
acres and a grist mill, and worked both
farm and mill. He hired a miller until his
son had learned the business and was fully
competent to manage the mill, the young
man being then nineteen years old. In
1883 Mr. Mattis retired from business and
removed to Elizabethville, where, in 1882,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1113
he had built the residence which he now oc-
cupies.
Isaac Mattis was married, in Mahantango,
Pa., in December, 1842, to Miss Sallie, daugh-
ter of Peter Troutman. Their children are:
Charles T., miller ; Mary Jane, deceased, wife
of Henry Schrefiler ; Ellen, wife of Jonas
Swab, Elizabethville ; John, farmer; Alice,
wife of William Deibler, Berrysburg, Pa.;
Etta and Katie, at home. Mr. Mattis is Dem-
ocratic in his political principles. He has
served as school director and in other offices.
His church membership is in the Lutheran
denomination.
Charles T. Mattis was in the common
schools until he was eight years old, when
his parents removed to Washington town-
ship, where his education was completed.
At the age of nineteen he had learned the
business of a miller with John Klinger, who
was in charge of his father's mill. His father
then installed Charles as head miller and
put that branch of the business under his
management ; he has ever since continued
in charge of the mill. He also owns good
farming lands in Washington and MifSin
townships, and is much interested in agri-
cultural matters.
Charles T. Mattis was first married, De-
cember 11, 1869, to Miss Mary Magdalena,
daughter of Benjamin Romberger. They
had three children : Sally A.; Carrie E., de-
ceased ; and a boy, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Mary Magdalena Mattis died Octobers,
1877. Mr. Mattis was again married, No-
vember 24, 1878, to Miss Mary Jane, daugh-
ter of Simon Sheetz. They have six chil-
dren : Dora Day, born November 23, 1879,
at home ; Charles Warren, born January 20,
1882, at home ; Isaac Blair, born December
22, 1886; Mary, born January 8, 1889;
Annie M. and Ella Marie, twins, born Au-
gust 28, lp95.
Mr. Mattis is a Democrat. He has served
for many years as school director, and also
as auditor many years, and as judge of elec-
tions. He is a member of the Lutheran
church, in which he has been deacon and
elder for many years, and is assistant super-
intendent of the Sunday-school. He is an
upright man, honorable in all business rela-
tions, and genial and agreeable in social in-
tercourse.
BoYER, JosiAH, farmer, Washington town-
ship, was born in Berks county. Pa., Decem-
ber 22, 1832 ; son of Peter and Christiana
(Harp) Boyer. Peter Boyer was also born in
Berks county, where he was reared and mar-
ried. He learned the mason's trade, which
was his occupation for the greater part of his
life. About 1834 he removed with his wife
and family to Northumberland county, Pa.,
where he became possessed of a large tract of
farming land containing over four hundred
acres. He also owned land in Perry county.
In or about 1842 he removed to Dauphin
county. Pa., and settled in Washington totra-
ship, where he died in 1852. His wife, Chris-
tiana Harp, died at the home of her son
Josiah, in 1875. Their children are: Benja-
min, deceased ; Sarah, Mrs. Kauffman, de-
ceased; Eli, deceased; Isaac, farmer and
miller, Uniontown, Pa.; Rachael, Mrs. Elias
Buffington, Gratz, Pa.; Abraham, Hettie,
Gabriel, and Catherine, all deceased ; Josiah
and Benneville, twins, the latter a farmer in
Washington township ; John, farmer, and
Leah.
Josiah Boyer was two years old wh en his par-
ents removed to Mahanoy township, North-
umberland county. Pa. He attended the com-
mon schools of Georgetown until he was ten
years old, when his parents removed to Wash-
ington township, Dauphin county, where he
grew up on the farm. He naturally became a
farmer, and has spent his life in agricultural
pursuits. Josiah Boyer was married in
Washington township, August 7, 1856, to
Miss Ann Jane Ginder. Their children are :
David Adam Alfred, merchant, at Tower
City, Schuylkill county. Pa.; Malinda, Mrs.
Robert Lenker, Washington township, and
John C, studying medicine in Philadelphia.
After his marriage Mr. Boyer took up his
residence on the farm, where he still has his
home. It consisted of one hundred and
forty acres of land, with a good dwelling,
barns, and all other improvements. The
land was not good at first, yielding only two
and a half bushels of wheat the first season,
but industrious and skillful tillage has made
it equal to any land in the region. Mr.
Boyer, although decided in his political
views, which are Democratic, has never
sought office. He is strongly in favor of pro-
hibitory legislation. He served as supervisor
for two years. He holds membership in the
Reformed church. Mr. Boyer is always
ready for a social chat. He is a clever and
entertaining talker, good natured and jolly.
He is widely known and is honored and es-
teemed for his sterling worth and many
virtues.
1114
mOGRAPHtVAL El^cyuLOPEDlA
Zerbe, Jonathan, hotel keeper, Loyal-
ton, Pa., was born in Lower Mahanoy town-
ship, Northumberland county. Pa., Novem-
ber 16, 1857. His father, George Zerbe,
was born in Northumberland county, edu-
cated in the common schools, and reared a
farmer. At the outbreak of the Rebellion
he enhsted in the Union army, and served
until the close of the war. After his dis-
charge he located on a farm in Lower
Mahanoy township, where he died in 1875.
His children are: WiUiam D.; Ellen, widow
of William AUeman ; Jonathan ; and Susan,
Mrs. John Meek, Williamstown, Pa.
Jonathan Zerbe attended school during the
winter months from the age of six years until
he was fifteen. In the summer he worked
out, either among the farmers or in the
mines. He was sixteen when his mother
died, in 1873, and he was thrown upon his
own resources. He was employed nearly
five years as a farm hand by A. D. Lentz,
and then, in March, 1878, went to Kansas,
having saved during that time a small
amount of money. After working as a
farm hand for nine months he returned to
Pennsylvania, and worked for D. 0. Bower,
Union county. Then he came to his old
home and was married, after which impor-
tant event he resided for twelve years in
Tower City, Pa., engaged in mining coal.
Receiving good wages, and working on con-
tract besides, he was enabled to accumulate
some money. In February, 1892, he en-
.gaged with his brother-in-law, Jacob Mess-
ner, in the hotel business in Loyalton,
Dauphin county. Pa. This business he still
carries on.
Jonathan Zerbe was married, October 28,
1879, to Miss Julia, daughter of Philip and
Mary (Dockey) Messner, born in Northum-
berland county. Their children are: Harry
A., died in infancy ; Mary A., nine years
old ; Lottie May, five years old ; and Walter
Scott, one year old.
Mr. Zerbe is a Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church. He owes his
success solely to his own ability and perse-
vering eff'orts. He is of genial disposition,
and liked by all who know him.
The following is self-explanatory :
" Jonathan Zerbe came to work for me
while still a boy and remained with me for
nearly five years. His parents were both
dead when he came to me, so that he had '
really no one to exercise authority over him.
His conduct gave evidence of the right kind ■
of early training. He was by far the best
farm hand I ever had in my employ, always
willing to work, and hard toil proving no
obstacle to him. He was clever, so that no
matter what was being done he could do his
share. I cannot praise him too highly as a
workingman. But, above all, he was per-
fectly honest. I attended market in the coal
regions while Mr. Zerbe was in my employ,
and bought up a great deal of produce. I
did not need to hesitate to send young Zerbe
out on the road in my place, nor to send
any amount of money with him. Fre-
quently I did send large amounts with him
and he never cheated me out of a single
penny. One day I lost my purse containing
over eight hundred dollars, which young
Zerbe found and returned to me, when he
could easily have kept the whole amount.
As an honest, upright man I commend him
most cordially, and know him to be a good,
careful and conscientious employee. I can
say that I raised him and had him under
my care during a time when young men are
apt to become bad and vicious. He always
respected my advice as if it were from his
own father, and now oftentimes he has
words of gratitude for what I did for him
when he was almost without resources of any
kind. And I in turn am thankful for what
he did for me." A. D. Lentz.
Enders, Charles W., was born in Jackson
township, Dauphin county. Pa., December
12, 1855. He is a son of Samuel and Leah
(Etter) Enders. Charles W. was educated in
the common schools of his native township.
He began work with his father on the farm
in his early boyhood, and was thus engaged
until his fifeeenth year, when he became an
apprentice with Peter Klinger, carpenter,
Fisherville, Pa. At the end of one year he
went to Lykens, Pa., and was employed four
months as a carpenter in the mines. He
next went to Pine Grove, Cumberland
county, and worked at his trade for three
months. Becoming dissatisfied he returned
to Lykens, where he remained until the end
of that year. Times were not very prosper-
ous and good jobs not plentiful during the
panic of 1875-76, but he worked through.
After his marriage Mr. Enders was for
eleven months in Jacksonville. Pa. During
the next five years he farmed the old home
place, after which he sold his personal prop-
erty, and removed to Charlotte, Eaton county,
Mich., where he worked eighteen months in a
^--^f CT; <:5^^--<^-?--*-t-j?^^
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1117
planing mill. "While he was here his
parents visited him and brought him an
offer to operate the planing mill at Elizabeth-
ville, Pa., which he accepted. He managed
the mill until it was burned down, in Au-
gust, 1885. While the mill was being re-
built, Mr. Enders was employed at bridge
building for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, until December, 1886 ; he worked
the greater part of that time on the Northern
Central railway.
In the spring of 1887 Mr. Enders worked
at his trade in Harrisburg, and resided there
and at New Cumberland until December of
the same year. In January, 1888, in part-
nership with I. T. Buffington, he bought the
planing mill at Elizabethville of his former
employer, David Snyder. Since that time
the mill has been run by the firm of
Buffington & Enders. The mill, for which
they paid $4,500, is worth, as it now stands,
over 177,500. Mr. Enders has also built
himself a fine dwelling at a cost of $1,350.
In connection with the planing mill, Mr.
Enders is a partner in the firm of Bufiington
& Enders, manufacturers of hosiery, the
company being known as the Enterprise
Hosiery Company. He is a Republican and
does not seek public office.
Charles W. Enders was married in Jackson
township, September 17, 1876, to Phoebe
Buffington, born in Lykens Valley, Dauphin
county. Pa., March 20, 1855. Their children
are : Howard E., pursuing a scientific course
at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pa.,
with the medical profession in view; Fred.
C, Florence B., and Laura, at home. Mr.
Enders has been for eleven years a member
of the United Brethren church.
Cooper, William, farmer, Washington
township, was born in Miffiin, now Wash-
ington township, Dauphin county. Pa., Sep-
tember, 1831 ; son of John and Mary (Mil-
ler) Cooper. The grandfather, Adam Cooper,
was reared in Lykens Valley, and died in
Mifflin township. The father was born and
reared in Mifflin township. He was a man
of great natural ability, and was self educated,
learning much from his children. He served
one term in the State Legislature and refused
nomination for a second term. He was mar-
ried in Mifflin township and afterwards located
on his father's farm. At one time he owned
three farms aggregating about five hundred
acres. His death occurred on the old home-
stead about 1884, when he was eighty-six
69
years of age, his wife having died a year or
two previously. Their children were : Jacob,
a farmer, died in Washington township;
Philip, farmer, died in Upper Paxton town-
ship ; Amos, farmer, died in Washington
township ; Nellie, Mrs. Eli Swab, Washing-
ton township ; Jemima, wife of Daniel Lebo,
Upper Paxton township ; William ; Mary,
widow of Josiah P. Miller, Washington town-
ship ; Silas, farmer, Upper Paxton township,
and Amanda, wife of Henry Hartman, Wash-
ington township.
William attended subscription and com-
mon schools of his native place during the
winter months and was occupied at other sea-
sons in the saw mill and on the farm with
his father. At the age of twenty-six or twenty-
seven he was married, in 1858, to Miss Mary
A. Martin, native of Washington township,
and a daughter of Samuel P. and Mary (Du-
bendorf ) Martin, who is still living. After
marriage he rented and cultivated different
farms for twelve years, and about 1870 bought
his "present farm of fifty-two acres, on which
he has good buildings and improvements.
His children are: Jeremiah F.; Harry
Chaundy, Shamokin, Pa.; Abraham Lincoln,
clerk in store at Wichita, Kan., since 1881 ;
E., wife of Jacob A Matter, Harrisburg;
Mary, wife of Jacob Weitzler, Chester, Pa.;
William H., dairyman and huckster, Lykens,
Pa., a tanner by trade ; Harry M., shoe-
maker, at Halifax, Pa.; Edward C, at home,
and Edith I., at home. Mr. Cooper was form-
erly a liberal Republican, but is now a mem-
ber of the Populist party. In religious fel-
lowship he is connected with the Reformed
church.
Elder, David D., was born on the farm
on which he now lives, in Washington
township, Dauphin county. Pa., March 16,
1838 ; son of Robert and Hannah (Deitrich)
Elder. Robert Elder, the great-great-grand-
father, passed over from Scotland to the north
of Ireland, where he remained for many years,
and later joined his son in America. John
Elder, the great-grandfather, was born in
Edinburgh, received a collegiate education,
was ordained to the ministry in the Presby-
terian church, came to America long before
the Revolutionary war, and settled at Pax-
tang, where he preached for fifty years, cov-
ering the time of the Revolutionary war.
He preached from his pulpit sermons to
arouse the people to resist the onslaught of
the Hessian soldiers, and raised a company.
1118
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of which he was made the captain, and
served through the war.
David Elder, the grandfather, was born at
Paxtang, Dauphin county, and was reared
to the occupation of Government surveyor,
whicli he followed for many years. He died
in his native county, many years of age, and
left two sons and three daughters. His wife
was a Miss Galbraith.
Robert Elder, the father, was born in
Derry township, Dauphin county, in 1800.
In early life he learned the trade of hatter
in Philadelphia, after which he came to
Paxtang and manufactured and dealt in
hats. He came to Washington township
before marriage and bought two hundred
and twenty acres of wood land, which he
cleared and improved. He died in Harris-
burg in J 854, and his wife still survives him,
at the age of eighty-two years. They had
nine children, of whom David is the fourth
in order of birth. His father, Thomas J.,
now resides in the West.
David D. attended the schools of his na-
tive place until he was twelve years of age,
when he was sent to his uncle, at Dauphin,
Derry township, where he was in school for
about one year. He lost his father at the
age of sixteen years, which broke up the
family, and he went out to make his own
way in the world. He obtained a position
in the book and stationery store of Town &
Barnes, where he remained seven years. At
first his salary was $3.25 per week, from
which he had to pay board, and was gradu-
ally increased to $600 per year. At the end
of seven years he, with J. W. Miller, em-
barked in the book and stationery trade, and
continued the partnership until 1877, when
he bought his partner's interest and took his
brother into the firm, under the name of
David D. Elder & Co. In 1884 he sold the
business to David Bently, and began the
manufacture of wall paper, which he carried
on until 1892, and since that time he has
lived on the farm and given his attention to
agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Elder was married, at Mechanicsburg,
Pa., January 30, 1866, to Miss Kate Stoever,
a native of Milton, Pa., daughter of Rev. C.
F. and Louisa G. Stoever. They have five
children, three daughters and two sons. Mr.
Elder served with the emergency troops in
1862 and 1863, being stationed in the Cum-
berland Valley and moving as far as An-
tietam.
Forney, John, miller, Washington town-
ship, was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county, Pa., March 30, 1822; son of John
Forney. The father was one of the follow-
ing children : Simon, farmer, Hummels-
town ; Leah Jane, wife of Isaac Weitzel,
Upper Paxton township ; Sarah Ellen, wife
of John Bonawitz, Elizabethville ; Caroline,
wife of Isaac Row, Washington township ;
and. Eliza Ann, unmarried.
John attended school, worked at home
and lived out among the farmers and thus
passed his youth. He later drove a huckster
team for his stepfather, Benjamin Reigle,
and at the age of sixteen years drove team
to Pottsville. He was married, in Mifflin
township, December 30, 1844, to Miss Susan
Lenker, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca
(Hoy) Lenker. After marriage he lived for
one year with his stepfather and then bought
twenty and a half acres of land near Berrys-
burg and was engaged in gardening for
three years, after which he sold the place
and took up his residence in one of the
houses of his stepfather, in which he re-
mained three years. He next farmed the
place of William Lenker two years and then
bought a farm of one hundred and nine acres
in Upper Paxton township, on which he
located and has lived there for thirty years.
Mr. Forney now owns seven farms, on all of
which there are good buildings and first-
class improvements, containing altogether
four hundred and sixty-eight acres. In
February, 1886, he bought mill property of
Mr. Falkenmeyer and has since operated
the mill in connection with farming. His
children are: George W., married to Susan
Lenker, and farms in Upper Paxton town-
ship ; William H., first married Lizzie Whit-
comb, of Centre county. Pa., and secondly
married Lizzie Lenker; Kate, married
Joseph Matter, resides in Washington town-
ship; Sarah, married Harry Keefer, resides
in Elizabethville; Daniel Peter, laborer, in
Upper Paxton township; John L., farmer,
married to Annie Bohner, resides in Upper
Paxton township ; Jacob E., married to
Bertha Enders, a farmer in Upper Paxton
township; Lizzie Alice, married Carson
Kromer, Millersburg, Pa.; Carrie Agnes, wife
of M. D. Bonawitz, head miller for Mr.
Forney. In his political views Mr. Forney
is a Republican and takes an active part in
the interests of his party. In Upper Paxton
township he served as supervisor, tax col-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1119
lector and constable. He is also an active
and energetic member of the United Brethren
church.
Hartman, Henry, farmer, Washington
towns?iip, was born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county, Pa., August 2, 1821. Henry
Hartman, grandfather, is supposed to have
been born in Chester county. Pa. He was
reared a farmer, and was married, in that
county, to Sarah Horner. He came with
his family to Dauphin county and settled in
Williams Valley between 1794 and 1800,
when he built a grist mill, which he at once
sold, having learned that its site was mort-
gaged to parties in England, after which he
bought a small tract of land in the same val-
ley. Pie prospected a great deal for mines.
On the advice of his brother Michael, a cat-
tle buyer, who frequently visited these val-
leys, he sold his place and located in Lykens
Valley, on two hundred acres of land near
the present site of Gratz, from which he
cleared up a farm, built house and barn, and
to which he added more land. He partici-
pated in the Revolutionary war, and died in
1833, aged eighty-four years. His wife sur-
vived him twelve or fifteen years, and was
twelve years his junior. They had thirteen
children ; six of the daughters went to Phila-
delphia and married there ; John died in
Lykens Valley, and Michael died in Phila-
delphia.
The father was born in Chester county,
Pa.; January 19, 1794, and was a mere boy
when he came with his parents to Dauphin
county. He learned the trade of mason, but
was principally engaged in farming. He
married in Lykens Valley and settled on a
farm of one hundred and eighteen acres in
Lykens township. At one time he owned
eight or nine farms, and died comparatively
wealthy, leaving to each of his children a
farm and a sum of money. His death oc-
curred in Lykens township, September 11,
1 879, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. He
and his wife Magdalena lived together over
sixty years. She was a daughter of Peter
Imshoffstall and Catherine Hoffner, his wife,
and was born in Washington township, Oc-
tober 27, 1797. She died April 16, 1879.
Their children were: John, Henry, Simon,
Elizabeth, Jacob, Beneven, Caroline, Moses,
Michael, Catherine, and Mary.
Henry received a good common school
education in German and attended the Eng-
lish schools also, but only for a short time.
He was put to work when quite young cut-
ting wood and threshing grain, both before
and after school hours in the winter time.
The threshing was done with a flail and by
tramping with horses. He was married, in
Washington township, November 1, 1842, to
Margaret, daughter of George and Barbara
Snyder, born in Northumberland county.
Pa., November 12, 1819, and died in Wash-
ington township, September 16, 1873. Their
children are : Cornelius S.; Emma J., mar-
ried Samuel Row, died from burns by cloth-
ing taking fire ; one child died in infancy ;
Rebecca Ellen, at home; Henry J.; Cathe-
rine Margaret, Mrs. Joseph Sultzbach.
After marriage he located on a farm of
his father's in Washington township, then
Mifflin township, where he remained five
years with his father, bought a mill in
Washington township, which he operated
for five years and then sold it and bought
his former place from his father, where he
lived until coming to his present place in
1876, which he bought in 1875. He also
owns four farms and wood land. In 1863
Mr. Haj'tman was appointed county com-
missioner to serve the unexpired term of
Henry Moyer, who died in office, and in
1864 he was elected to a full term of five
years for the same office. He was formerly
a Whig and came into the Republican party.
He has filled the office of supervisor, assessor,
school director, judge of elections, and almost
all township offices. He was married to his
present wife February 9, 1884. She was
Amanda Cooper, daughter of John and
Mary (Miller) Cooper, and was born in
Washington township, July 29, 1841. To
this marriage there is no issue. Mr; Hart-
man is a member of the Lutheran church
and is now a trustee of the church, and for
twenty years has been the superintendent of
the Sunday-school.
Herman, Harry, farmer, Washington
township, was born in Mifflin township, now
Washington township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
November 7, 1833 ; son of John and Rebecca
(Heller) Herman. The father was first mar-
ried to Susan Heller, and their children are :
Mary, deceased, Josiah, and Sarah. He next
married Rebecca Heller, and their children
are : Harry and Mary. He next married
Rebecca, daughter of John Keener, widow
of .Michael Matter, and their children are:
John, Rebecca, Thomas, Michael, and Jacob.
Lastly he married Lavina Dubendorf, widow
1120
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Charles Matter, and their children are:
Frances Ann, Samuel, and Lavina. The
father removed to Clinton county, Pa., in
1876, and died near Lock Haven. His last
wife survives him.
Harry attended the subscription schools
of his native township and remained on the
home farm until his marriage, after which
he located on one of the farms of his wife's
father and which came to him through mar-
riage. It consists of one hundred and thirty-
three acres. He owns another farm of one
hundred and sixty-two acres and also one-
half interest in the grist mill with Nathaniel
Miller. He was married, in Mifflin town-
ship, in 1854, to Miss Mary Koppenheffer.
Their children are : Mary Elizabeth, wife of
Henry P. Hartman ; John Milton and Simon
A., twins ; Laura, widow of George Hart-
man ; Harry Thomas, farmer, in Washing-
ton townsiiip ; Ida Rebecca, maiden lady ;
and Michael H., at home. Mr. Herman is
a Republican in his political views and has
been supervisor of the township. He is a
member of the Lutheran church.
Hoke, Aaron D., manufacturer of half
hose, Elizabethville, Pa., was born in Eliza-
bethville, Dauphin county. Pa., July 25,
1868 ; only child of Jonathan and Clara
(Matter) Hoke, both of whom are living.
He attended the common schools of his
native place until he was eighteen years of
age, when he went to learn the trade of
currier with Mr. Bander, near Elizabeth-
ville, with whom he served two and a half
years, and then went to Philadelphia, where
he worked at his trade in some of the lead-
ing shops for one and a half years. He
then removed to Middletown, where he
worked with the J. W. Rife Leather Com-
pany for three years. His next move was
to Meyerstown, where he worked at his
trade for two years. During those years in
which he worked as a journeyman he was
receiving good wages, and was saving his
money. At the end of two years he came
to Elizabethville and, in April, 1895, with
BufEngton, Enders and Hoke, formed the
Enterprise Hosiery Company. He had the.
satisfaction of being able to embark in
business with tnoney saved from his own
earnings, and is the architect of his own
fortune, having supported himself since he
was ten years old, and has made his way
unaided. The capacity of the factorj' is
fifty dozen per day, and a market for the
goods is found throughout the State. Mr.
Hoke was married, in Middletown, Pa., Sep-
tember 22, 1891, to Miss Katy E. Bowman, of
Williamstown, Pa. They have two chil-
dren : Wilmer Bowman, born November 9,
1893, and Elsie Irene, born June 16, 1895.
Mr. Hoke has been active in promoting the
success of the Republican party. He is a
member of the United Brethren church,
and is trustee of the official board, Sunday-
school superintendent, and assistant class
leader.
Hoke, Jonathan, shoemaker, Washington
township, was born in Washington town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., December 25,
1825; son of Isaac and Catherine (Botts)
Hoke. The grandfather, Rudolph Hoke,
was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in
Washington, then Mifflin township. The
father was born in Washington township,
then Mifflin township, in 1804. He learned
the trade of shoemaker and followed that
occupation. He owned a farm in Jackson
township on which he lived for some years.
After the death of his wife he went West and
settled on a farm in Indiana. Afterwards
he lived some time with his daughter, Eme-
line Shoop, and moved with her to Kansas.
He returned to his old home and died at Eliza-
bethville in 1893, aged eighty-nine years.
His wife died many years ago and both are
buried at Elizabethville. Their children
were : Mary Ann, Jonathan, Catherine, Will-
iam, deceased, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Emeline,
Mrs. Shoop.
Jonathan attended the subscription schools
of his native township and when young
learned the trade of shoemaker, and has
followed that occupation most of his life.
He was for some time employed in building
the Summit Branch railroad, received wages
for his services at the rate of $1 per day.
He was married, in Washington township
in 1857, to Miss Carrie E. Walter, and their
children are : Aaron D., and Catherine, died
in infancy. After marriage he went to
housekeeping in Elizabethville, where he
has since resided, and where he owns several
lots. He is a Republican in politics, and
has served as tax collector and in other offices.
He was reared in the Reformed church.
Klingee, Jonathan, retired farmer, was
born in Washington township, Dauphin
county. Pa., March 26, 1840 ; son of Alex-
ander and Magdaline (Smeltz) Klinger.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1121
George Klinger, the great-grandfather, was a
resident of Lancaster county, where it is
supposed he lived most of his life. Peter
Klinger, the grandfather, was born in Lan-
caster county. Pa., and was a farmer and
miller by occupation. He came to Klingers-
town at a very early day, and later opened
two grist mills and owned a farm. He died
at Klingerstown about 1850. He married a
Miss Stonebreaker and their children were:
Philip, deceased ; Peter, deceased ; Dietz ;
Hanna ; George F.; John ; Adam ; Daniel,
resides near Klingerstown ; and Mrs. Weist.
The father was born near Klingerstown in
1805, and followed farming principally and
also worked some at the miller's trade. Some
time after his marriage he came to Wash-
ington township and bought the farm of
seventy-three acres on which his son Jona-
than now lives, which was a tract of wild
land at that time and which he cultivated
and occupied until his death in 1876. His
wife died in 1878. Their children were :
Simon, farnler, in Washington township ;
Beneval, died aged nineteen years ; Cathe-
rine, widow of Jacob Bowman, Halifax ;
Daniel, farmer and watch maker, Washing-
ton township; Jonathan; Sarah, Mrs. Ed-
ward Romberger, Washington township ;
Elias, farmer in Lykens township; Marietta,
Mrs. Thomas P. Moyer, Washington town-
ship. The father was a Republican and also
took an active part in church matters.
Jonathan attended the common schools of
his native place until he was about nine
years of age, when he went to work on the
farm, where he grew to manhood and was
employed in cultivating the place. He was
married, in Washington township, April 19,
1869, to Miss Hettie Uhler, who was born in
the township. For ten years after his mar-
riage Mr. Klinger cultivated the old home
farm on the shares. His father died in 1876
and his mother in .1888. In 1878 he bought
and occupied the farm until 1893, when he
rented his farm and retired to Elizabeth ville
and occupied a house he had built m 1892.
He has no children.
L/ENKEK, Henry, farmer, was born in
Washington township, Danphin county, Pa.,
September 17, 1833 ; son of Philip and Sally
(Holtz) Lenker. The father was born in
Mifflin township and was reared a farmer.
He followed that occupation in connection
with weaving. He died on the old home-
stead farm in Upper Paxton township and
his wife preceded him in death some years.
Their children were: Catherine, deceased;
Leah; William, farmer in Perry county;
Henry ; John D., deceased ; Edward, farm-
ing the homestead; Salome, deceased ; David
K., farmer on the homestead; Hannah,
widow of Jacob Zimmerman ; Elizabeth,
maiden lady ; Amelia, maiden lady ; Mary,
wife of David Lark, and Nathaniel, deceased.
Henry received his education in the public
schools and was reared a farmer. He re-
mained at home until his eighteenth year and
then for a few months worked out in differ-
ent parts of the State.
. He was married, at Berrysburg, Pa., by
Rev. David Sell, February 18, 1858, to Miss
Elizabeth Longabauch. Their children are:
Sarah Elizabeth, born Februarj' 4, 1859 ;
Charles Edwin, born August 15, 1860 ; David
Walker, born October 19, 1862 ; Robert Na-
thaniel, born January 22, 1865; Henry Grant,
born June 4, 1867 ; Philip Melancthon, born
July 14, 1870 ; William Peter, born August
18, 1874, and Mary Salome, born April 16,
1879. After marriage he resided in Upper
Paxton township and removed latsr to Mif-
flin, returning again to Upper Paxton, locat-
ing on his present place, where he has since
had his residence. He is a member of the
Lutheran church.
Lenkee, George N., farmer, Washington
township, was born in Upper Paxton town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., February 25,
1842 ; son of Ludwig and Amelia (Dietrick)
Lenker. The father was born on the farm
now owned by his son George N., where he
grew to manhood and spent his life, with the
exception of two years, during which he
lived on one of his farms in Upper Paxton
township. He retired to Elizabethville one
year prior to his death, in 1871, at the age
of seventy-three years. His wife survived
him eleven years, and their children were :
Catherine, John, Elizabeth', Susan, Jacob,
Annie, Stephen, Joseph, and George N.
George was about two years old when his
parents located in Washington township,
where he was brought up on the farm and
attended the public schools. He remained
at home until his marriage, after which he
located on a part of the old homestead, which
he bought, consisting of one hundred and
thirty-three acres, of which he subsequently
sold sixty acres. In 1890 he built his pres-
ent house and built a fish pond, which he
stocked with carp, catfish and trout. Five
1122
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
years later he built a wind mill for grinding
chicken feed, and planted three thousand
two hundred fruit trees of the varieties of
apple, pear, peach, etc. He was married, in
Washington township, in September, 1863,
to Amanda Emerich, a native of that town-
ship. Their children are : Elmer, went to
Texas, and from there in 1885 went to Ar-
kansas, where he now resides and is in the
lumber business ; Mary, married Aaron Nov-
inger, resides in Arkansas; Alice, married
Daniel Riegle, resides in Washington ;
Annie, married Oliver Jury and lives at
home ; George, also at home. Mr. Lenker
in his political views is a Democrat, with
leaning toward the Prohibition party. He
is a member and also a trustee of the Evan-
gelical church.
Messnek, Jacob, hotel keeper, Loyalton,
Pa., was born in Lower Mahanoy township,
Northumberland county, Pa., March 22, 1861 ;
son of Philip and Mary (Dockery) Messner.
The father was born in the same township
in 1817, and was educated in the subscrip-
tion schaols of his time. He was brought
up a farmer, but learned the trade of car-
penter when a young man and followed that
occupation and bridge building and grading
roads and other kinds of contracting. He
came to Tower City about 1871 with his
family, having been engaged there since
1868. He was one of the first builders at
Tower City and helped to build up the place,
having erected twenty-seven houses, and the
Pottsville road and many bridges. In 1873
he located on a farm of fifty acres between
the Susquehanna river and the railroad and
up to the time of his death gave his attention
principally to farming. He died on his farm
in 1883 and his wife died in February, 1884,
and they are buried side by side in the ceme-
tery at Vera Cruz, Northumberland county.
Their children .were: Isaac, Elizabeth, Re-
becca, David, John, Ellen, Emma, Julia, and
Jacob.
Jacob attended school in his native place
until he was nine years of age, when, in 1871,
he removed with his parents to Tower City,
where he continued in school for two years,
after which he was employed in the mines at
$3.50 per week. His father allowed him to
retain his wages and in one year he saved
$90. He completed his education in the
schools of Upper Paxton township, where his
parents located on a farm. He remained at
home until he reached manhood, when he
engaged in farming on his own account. He
was married, in Lower Paxton township, to
Miss Emma Searer, daughter of George
Searer. After marriage he located on the
John Loutz place, which he farmed from
1873 to 1889. During 1890 he was engaged
in contracting and building houses. The
carpenter trade came natural to him, as his
father was of that occupation. In 1891 he
was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company in bridge and carpenter work,
between Harrisburg and Renovo, and as-
sisted in repairing the bridges after the awful
flood of 1891. In 1892 he came to Loyaltoii
and engaged in hotel keeping with Jonathan
Zerby and subsequently became proprietor
of the Loyalton Hotel. His children are :
George, Philip A., Mary E., Esther S., Harry
A., and Lloyd. In politics Mr. Messner is a
Republican and is a member of the Lutheran
church, of which be was once a trustee.
Matter, Daniel D., blacksmith aiid
farmer, Washington township, was born in
the house in which he now lives, in Wash-
ington township, Dauphin county. Pa., Feb-
ruary 11, 1852. Michael Matter, the grand-
father, was born in Miflflin, now Washington
township, March 29, 1791, the name of whose
father is not known, and he was the first to
come into Lykens Valley. The grandfather
was reared a farmer boy and followed farm-
ing as his occupation. He was first married,
September 29, 1814, to Annie Catherine
Cooper, who died in 1824, aged thirty-six
years, and by whom he had five children :
David, Christopher, Ann, Margaret, Levi,
and Christianna. He was married the second
time, March 29, 1825, to Margaret Keener,
daughter of PhiHp Keener. Their children
are: Catherine Ann, Charles, James, Martin,
Sarah, Conrad, Elizabeth, Reuben, Lavina,
Lewis, and Mary. His second wife died May
7, 1854. She was previously married to John
Herman, by whom she had five children.
She was the mother of seventeen children.
Levi, the father, was born in Mifl3in, now
Washington township, November 24, 1820,
and received his education in subscription
schools, the tuition being two cents per day.
He was reared on the farm. His father
dying when he was about sixteen years old,
he farmed the home place for two years, and
at the age of eighteen years he became an
apprentice at the blacksmith trade in his
native township, with George Stabler, and
afterwards followed this occupation. In 1885
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1123
he sold the old home farm to his son Levi,
and moved to another farm, where he died
December 6, 1895. He was a member of St.
John's Lutheran church, and is buried in the
cemeter3'. His wife Esther still survives.
She was born in Lykens township, November
16, 1841, and is a daughter of Samuel Duben-
dorf. Her children are : Emma Jane, born
February 12, 1844 ; Mrs. John Everson, of
Clinton county, near Lock Haven; Elizabeth,
wife of Jacob H. Jury, of Washington town-
sliip ; Amos, died aged seventy-eight years ;
Daniel D.; Sarah Ellen, wife of Amos L.
Koppenhaver, Harrisburg.
Daniel D. attended school in his native
place from the age of six years until he was
eighteen years of age, working on the home
farm during the summer months. He then
served a three years' apprenticeship at the
blacksmith trade, after which he was for two
years in partnership with his father, and then
bought the shop of his father and began
business for himself which he continued up
to April, 1896, when he turned his attention
to farming. He is the owner of the old home
farm, having purchased it from his father in
1885, and it now consists of thirty-seven
acres. He was married, in Washington
township, November 29, 1873, to Miss Emma
Susan Lask, who was born in MifHin town-
ship, October 15, 1856, and is a daughter of
Daniel and Susan (Hoy) Lask. Their chil-
dren are : Carrie Minerva, born September
2,1874; Maggie Irena, born February 10,
1877; Aaron Franklin, born December 13,
1878 ; Warren Lask, born February 9, 1886.
Mr. Matter has interested himself in the suc-
cess of the Republican party and has served
as township auditor for one term. He is a
member of the Lutheran church, in which
he has served as deacon for three years, and
as elder for two years.
Messeesmith, Edwakd, wagon manufac-
turer, was born at Elizabethville, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 22, 1853 ; son of Adam
and Polly ( Welker) Messersraith. The father
died at Elizabetiiville in 1888. The mother
died when Edward was four years old. He
was one of four children : William, James,
Edward, and Henry, deceased. The father
was a Republican in politics and was not a
member of any church. Edward was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native
place. At the age of sixteen years he started
to learn the blacksmith trade with William
Palton at Elizabethville, with whom he re-
mained nine months and then worked three
months with Samuel Snyder, near Loyalton,
after which he was employed in the Will-
iamstown collieries as blacksmith for the
company. His wages at one time were $15
per week and he was at different times em-
ployed by the company. In 1893 he formed
a partnership with Mr. Byerlyfor the manu-
facture of wagons at Elizabethville, and
they have built up a large and profitable
business. Mr. Messersmith was married, at
Berrysburg, to Miss Mary Snyder, by whom
he has seven children : Nora J., Sarah E.,
Harry, Walter W., George A., Mary E., and
Delia Irene. He is a Republican in his po-
litical views, but he never sought office. His
religious fellowship is with the Lutherans.
MoYER, Rev. G. C, pastor of the Evan-
gelical churches of Elizabethville, Oakdale,
Lykens and Wiconisco, was born in Bloom-
ing Glen, Bucks county. Pa., March 28,
1867 ; son of Christian F. and Mary (Clymer)
Moyer. Rudolph, the grandfathei', spelled
his name Meyer, previous to that it had been
spelled Maier. He was a farmer in Mont-
gomery county. Pa., where he died. The
father was born in Montgomery, where he
was reared to manhood and became a
farmer. He was married there December 2,
1840, and removed to a farm in Bucks
county, where he died October 28, 1894.
His wife was born October 25, 1825, in New
Briton, Bucks county, and died May 10,
1882. Their children were: William, a
farmer, on the homestead ; Abraham, shoe-
maker, emploved in the factory ; Henry,
agent ; John, died aged twenty-eight years ;
Rev. C. C, arid several children died in in-
fancy. The father is a Republican in poli-
tics.
Rev. C. C. attended the schools of his na-
tive place until he was seventeen years of
age. While teaching and doing other kinds
of work he pursued a course of chemical
and theological studies at home. For ten
years he was a telegrapher, and served as
ticket agent, telegraph operator and station
agent; has accepted twenty-eight different
positions, and during this time he continued
his studies for the ministry and educated
himself. He remained for two years at
Northampton, one year at Nazareth and
Bath. He was then sent to Elizabethville
in 1895. He was married, at Perkasie, Pa.,
April 7, 1887, to Miss Alice M., daughter of
David Deily. Their children are: Elva,
1124
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
born October 31, 1887 ; Cora, born Decem-
ber 4, 1889, and Annie, born June 4, 1892.
Mr. Moyer is a Prohibitionist with Republi-
can proclivities.
Naylor, Dr. Wilson E., dentist, Eliza-
bethville, was born at Mt. Rock, Cumberland
county. Pa., June 6, 1841 ; son of Nelson L.
and Catherine (Bender) Naylor. The an-
cestors are German, and the name was form-
erly spelled Neilor. George Naylor, the
grandfather, was a native of Berks county,
and removed to Cumberland county when a
young man, where he was engaged in farm-
ing. His first wife was Miss Cump, whom
he married in Berks county. He married
his second wife in Cumberland county, and
their children were: Daniel, George, Samuel,
Frank, Hattie, Jane, Rebecca, and Mary. He
was an Evangelical minister for many years
previous to his death, which occurred at Mt.
Rock in 1848, when he was ninety-four years
of age. The father was born in Cumberland
county in 1810, and was a farmer. He died
in 1844, and his wife died in 1887, aged
seventy -three years.
Wilson E. is the only child of his parents,
and received his primary education in the
common schools of Adams county, where his
mother located after his father's death, when
he was three years old. He attended school
at Bendersville until 1857, in the summer of
which he entered Union Seminary, now Cen-
tral Pennsylvania College, where he took up
Latin, Greek, and other branches of study.
He enlisted June 21, 1861, at Harrisburg, in
company K, Seventy-first regiment, Pennsyl-
vania reserves, and went at once with his
regiment to the front. He participated in
the battles of Mechanicsville, in front of
Richmond, June 26, 1862 ; June 27, at Gaines'
Mill, Charles City Cross Roads; June 30,
Meadow Hill, followed by second Bull
Run, July 1 ; South Mountain, September
14; Antietam, September 16; Fredericks-
burg, December 13. . At Gettysburg his left
shoulder was pierced by a ball, and after a few
days in the hospital he was removed to his
home at Bendersville, ten miles from Gettys-
burg, where he remained until completion of
convalescence in March, 1 864. He then re-
joined his regiment at Bristow's Station, and
was in the battle of the Wilderness. His
regiment occupied a prominent position dur-
ing the fight. He was next in the battles of
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and siege of
Petersburg, and was discharged at Arlington
Heights, July 2, 1865. He then returned
home and began the study of dentistry with
Dr. Schlosser, at Hagerstown, which he pur-
sued for one year, and the next year was
with Dr. Bender, of Shippensburg. The next
year he worked with Dr. H. C. Derr, at Han-
over, and then located at Littlestown, Adams
county, where he practiced five years. The
next eleven years he was at Bendersville,
and after four years at Hanover, in the
spring of 1894, he opened an ofiice in Eliza-
bethville, where be has since practiced. He
was married, at Bendersville, January 22,
1866, to Miss Mary Wert, of that town, and
there have been born to them four sons :
Galen L., Joseph W., Edward G., and Reyn-
olds. Dr. Naylor was formerly a Demo-
crat, but now votes with the Populist party,
and has served as auditor of the township.
He was reared in the Evangelical church.
Pflueger, Rev. E. 0., pastor of Salem
Evangelical Lutheran church, Elizabeth ville,
Gratz, and Rife Center, was born in Shanes-
ville. Pa., March 11, 1861 ; son of James S. and
Elizabeth Pflueger. The grandfather was a
native of Germany and came to America with
his wife and eldest child about 1817. They
were not rich and moved about to ditferent
places. He did not live long, and his wife
married again and had children by her sec-
ond husband. The father was born in Lit-
itz, Pa. His father died when he was 3'oung
and he was reared in Lehigh county by a
brother. He grew to manhood and learned
the tailor trade. He married in Allentown
and located near Shanesville, Pa., where he
was most of the time engaged in farming,
and removed to Berks county in 1866 or
1867, where he gave his whole attention to
farming, and died while residing with his
son Oliver J., at Allentown. His wife sur-
vived him fourteen years, dying at Allen-
town, March 11, 1885. Their children are :
Oliver J., machinist, at Allentown, Pa.;
Asher P., Lutheran minister, and Rev. 0. E.
In his political views the father was a Dem-
ocrat.
Rev. 0. E. when five years of age removed
with his parents to Quakerstown, Berks
county. Pa., where he attended. school until
his father died, when the family removed to
Allentown, where he continued in school
until he was seventeen years of age, after
which he was engaged in teaching for two
years. He was graduated from Muhlenburg
College, at Allentown, in 1884, and at once
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1125
entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary,
at Philadelphia, from which he was grad-
uated in 1887. On June 7, 1887, he was or-
dained to the ministry by the Evangelical
ministers of Philadelphia, and at once took
charge of the congregation at Beaverton,
Pa., where he remained until July 1, 1889,
when he accepted a call to the Lykens Val-
ley charge at Elizabethville, which consisted
of five congregations, two of which have since
become independent charges and self-sus-
taining. He was married, at Fogelsville,
Pa., June 14, 1887, to Miss Ella C. Leopold,
daughter of Rev. 0. and Maria (Daniel)
Leopold. They have no children. Mr.
Pflueger votes the Democratic ticket, but is
not in any sense a politician.
RoMBERGBR, Cyrus, retired mearchant,
Washington township, was born in Lykens
township, Dauphin county. Pa., July 14,
1843; son of Daniel and Hannah (Berg-
stresser) Romberger. He attended school in
Lykens township until twelve years of age,
when he removed with his parents to Wash-
ington township, where he resumed his
schooling, and at the age of seventeen years
he entered Berrysburg Academy, which he
attended for four or five terms, and after-
wards took four terms at Millersburg Acad-
emy. While attending school he did con-
siderable work at home on the farm during
vacations. At the age of nineteen years he
began teaching winter schools and in all
taught eleven terms, three of which were in
Schuylkill county. Much of his teaching
was in the coal regions, where at times he had
many unmanageable children. On account
of impaired and failing health he was
obliged to abandon teaching, and in 1875 he
embarked in mercantile business at Hern-
don, Northumberland county. He disposed
of his store and in the spring of 1877, as-
sumed charged of the co-operative store at
Elizabethville, of which he was the agent, a
stockholder and the manager, the firm being
Romberger & Co. After six years the firm
was dissolved by mutual consent and the
stock disposed of. In one year he sold
$27,000 worth of goods, and as he was un-
willing to continue on his salary of $500
per year the company was dissolved. He
then bought fifteen acres of land, on which
he built a store house, and in company with
his brother John A. opened a fiour and
feed store, and succeeded in building up a
large and increasing trade. In December,
1894, he disposed of his interest to his
brother, and was employed by R. Budd, in
Snyder county, with whom he remained for
one year. With the exception of managing
his two farms of one hundred and fifty-eight
and one hundred and ninety-two acres, he is
retired from active business, hiring his farm
laborers by the day, and only superintend-
ing their work. Mr. Romberger was mar-
ried, at Herndon, Northumberland county,
May 25, 1875, to Miss Louisa E. Troutman,
born in that county, June 30, 1851 ; daughter
of Samuel and Catherine (Hepler) Troutman.
They have the following children : Martha.,
born July 15, 1876, graduate of Bloomsburg
State Normal School, and now teaching
school at Elizabethville ; Oscar L., born April
17, 1878, at home; Daniel Homer, born April
5, 1880; Stewarts., born February 14, 1883;
Agnes E., born June 19, 1884 ; Verna Irene,
born October 14, 1885; Hannah E., Janu-
ary 1, 1887, and Robert Raymond, born Oc-
tober 14, 1889. In politics Mr. Romberger
is a Republican, and was justice of the peace
from 1886 to 1891, and in 1896 was elected
for another term of five years. He is a mem-
ber of the Evangelical church, in which he
has been a class-leader since 1888, a teacher
in the Sunday-school and member of the
Young People's Society.
Romberger, John A., dealer in coal, lum-
ber, grain, seeds, and potatoes, Elizabeth-
ville, Pa., was born on the old homestead, in
Lykens township, Dauphin county, April
21, 1850; son of Daniel and Hannah (Berg-
stresser) Romberger. When he was six years
old his parents removed to Washington
township, where he attended the common
school during the winter months. When old
enough to labor he assisted his father in the
farm work, and at sixteen years of age en-
tered the Freeburg Academy, in Snyder
county, and remained for two terms, after
which he taught school, one term in Lykens
and two terms in Washington township.
One of these terms he taught after his mar-
riage. After his school closed he went to
housekeeping on the home farm, and culti-
vated the place on shares with his father
until 1881. During the following two years
he was employed in the creamery at Eliza-
bethville, and in December, 1883, with his
brother, opened a fiour and feed store, and
shortly afterwards erected a building to ac-
commodate the increasing trade. The firm
continued to be C. and J. A. Romberger
]126
BIOGRAPHICAL ENUrULOPEDlA
until December, 1894, when he bought his
brother's interest and has since continued
the business alone.
Mr. Roraberger was first married, Novem-
ber 23, 1871, at Berrysburg, Pa., to Miss
Mary Row, a native of Lykens township,
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Kissen-
ger) Row. She fell a victim to the dread dis-
ease of consumption, and died, after an ill-
ness of three years, October 23, 1881, only
three days after the family had removed
from the home farm to Elizabethville, and
is interred at Berrysburg. She was a mem-
.ber of the Evangelical Association. The
children by her are : Laura A., a graduate of
Bloomsburg Normal School, who has taught
two terms, one at Lykens and one at Eliza-
bethville; and Annie C, studied music at
Fredericksburg Academy, and also studied
painting. He was married, secondly, May 2,
1882, at Herudou, Northumberland county,
Pa., to Miss Emma Troutman, a native of
Snyder county. Pa., born in 1857 ; daughter
of Samuel and Catherine (Hepler) Trout-
man ; the latter died in 1888. The children
of the second marriage are : Clair F., attend-
ing school, at home; Nettie Estelle, and
Floyd T., both at home. Mr. Romberger
attends the Evangelical church at Elizabeth-
ville, of which he is a trustee,' and is the
superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is
a staunch Republican, and has served on
the school board two years, has been notary
public four years, appointed by Governor
Beaver, and also served as school director
and assessor when liviilg in the township.
Romberger, Edward, farmer, Washing-
ton township, was born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county. Pa., July 30, 1841 ; son of
Daniel and B[annah(Bergstresser) Romberger.
He acquired his education for the most part
in the common schools of his native place,
and at the age of seventeen years spent three
months in the Seminary at New Berlin, Union
county: After coming from the Seminary he
taught school one term at Williamstown, Pa.,
in which he had all the children from Wico-
nisco to the county line — twenty-four or five
in all. Not liking the occupation of teach-
ing he took up farming. When he was fif-
teen years old his parents located on the farm
which he now owns and which he bought
when he was forty years old. It now con-
sists of two hundred and sixty acres, of which
one hundred and sixty are cleared. It origi-
nally was over four hundred acres, for which
his father paid $13,000, and he paid his father
$14,000 for two hundred and twenty-three
acres.
After his marriage and previous to his
father's death he had for sixteen years occu-
pied a farm in Lykens township, bought from
his father, and which he sold after his father's
death and bought his present farm. He was
married, January 10, 1867, to Miss Sarah
Klinger, daughter of Alexander Klinger, na-
tive of Washington township, and she has
bourn him two children : Elmer Wesley, born
September 6, 1872, at home ; Alice C, born
March 19, 1870, wife of P. W. G. Raker, a
school teacher at Williamstown. Mr. Rom-
berger is a Republican and has served as a
school director in Washington township one
term, and also as assessor. He is a member
of the Evangelical church and has served as
a. trustee in the same for many years.
Swab, John G., carpenter, was born in
Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
March 20, 1831 ; son of George and Catha-
rine (Umholtz) Swab. The father was born
in MifHin county. Pa., February 9, 1802, and
early in life learned the carpenter trade,
which he followed all his life. He died at
Elizabethville, July, 1888, and his wife in
1863. They are both buried in St. John's
cemetery. In politics he was a Republican
and served one term as constable and as
supervisor several terms. His children were :
Lavina, Cyrus, Sarah, John G., Catharine,
Elizabeth, Joseph, George, David, and Mary.
John G. first attended the subscription
and then for eight years the public schools.
At the age of sixteen he began to learn the
carpenter trade with his father, with whom
he worked four or five years. After work-
ing at his trade in various places for a few
years he went West in company with Isaac
Yeager. Both soon found employment at
Warren, 111. After building a number of
houses in this State Mr. Swab went to Mans-
field, Ohio, but failing to secure employment
returned home in February, 1855. He then
began working in Lykens, Pa., and later
moved to Pine Valley, and from there to
Swatara township, where he and his family
resided seven years. They next came to
Dauphin county, and located near Halifax,
where they lived eleven years, during which
time they were engaged in farming. On
March 28, 1878, Mr. Swab located on the old
homestead, which he purchased from his
DAUPHIN CX)UNTY.
1127
father, and has since divided his time be-
tween fanning and doing carpenter work.
He was married, in Schuylkill county, in
1856, to Miss Rachel, daughter of David
Shucker. Their children are : Jacob, John,
Mary Ann, Sarah Catharine, George Harri-
son, and Emma Jane. In politics Mr. Swab
is a Republican and held the office of asses-
sor in 1886, and was tax collector for two
terms. He is strongly inclined toward the
United Brethren church, but is not con-
nected with any denomination.
Swab, John D., farmer, Washington town-
ship, was born in the township, January 25,
1848; son of Daniel and Sarah (Heller)
Swab. He was born and reared on the farm
on which he now lives, and acquired his edu-
cation in the common schools of Washing-
ton township. He remained on the home
farm until he was married and then took
up his residence on the place. He was mar-
ried, at Killinger, Pa., by Rev. Lesser, to
Miss Lena Hartman, daughter of Jacob
Hartman. Their children are : Mary Ellen,
at home; Daniel, at home ; Nathaniel, Eli,
and William Oscar. He has a farm of eighty-
five acres and is interested in raising fine
stock. In his religious faith he is a Lu-
theran and an elder in the church. He is a
Democrat in politics and has served one
term as school director.
ScHEFPLER, Henry W., chief burgess of
Elizabethville, Pa., was born in Washington
township, Northumberland county, Pa., No-
vember 13, 1839; son of Jonas and Eliza-
beth (Witmer) Scheffler. Gotfried Scheffler,
the grandfather, was a native of Berks
county, and married Miss Lebo, in North-
umberland county, where he settled on a
farm in Lower Mahanoy township, and
later located in Washington township, Dau-
phin county, where he died, aged seventy
years; his wife died about the same time.
Their children are: Joseph, John, Peter,
Fred, Jonas, Jacob, Daniel, Susan, Eliza-
beth, Lydia, and Eva.
Jonas, the father, was a native of North-
umberland county, and was a shoemaker by
trade, which occupation was his principal
employment. For some years he was in
poor health and unfitted for business. His
death occurred in Mifflin township in 1852,
in the thirty-fifth year of his age. His
children by the mother of Henry W. are:
Henrv W., Sarah, Mary, Benjamin, Elias,
Jonas, Walter, and one son who died in in-
fancy.
Henry W. first attended a school taught
by a German teacher in an old house owned
by Elijah Byerly, two miles from his own
home. When he was eleven years old his
parents removed to Mahantango township,
same county, where he continued his educa-
tion in German for one year, when another
removal of the family took place, and their
new location was in Mifflin township, Dau-
phin county. At the age of thirteen years
he worked with his grandfather for two
years for his board and clothing, after which
he came home and got $2 a month in sum-
mer, and his board and clothing, in the
winter and schooling. After the death of
his father his mother hired him out to
farmers for eight years on these same terms,
$2 per month for eight months, and his
board, clothing and schooling for four
months. At the age of twenty years he be-
gan to learn the carpenter trade in Wash-
ington township, with Jacob Miller, and
served an apprenticeship of two j'ears, and
from 1858 to the present time has followed
that trade. His work has called him all
over this and adjoining counties. During
the war in 1861 business was dull and he
was engaged at his trade in Juniata county.
During the later years of his life he received
good wages.
He was married, in Sunbury, Pa., in 1865,
to Miss Mary J. Matter, of Washington
township, who died in 1877. They had six
children, of whom two are living: Annie E.,
wife of William J. Lloyd, Camden, N. J.,
and William H., married Annie Diebler,
Elizabethville, Pa. Mr. Scheffler was mar-
ried, secondly, in 1878, to Sally Weaver, of
Mifflin township, and to them have been
born two children : Alice A. and John W.
Mr. Scheffler has taken a prominent part in
politics as a member of the Democratic
party. He is now chief burgess and is nomi-
nated for a third term. In religious views
and fellowship he is a Lutheran and an active
worker in the churcli. In 1887 he withdrew
from the Odd Fellows and Free Masons.
Spracht, Harry W., blacksmith, Ehza-
bethville, was born near Berrysburg, Mifflin
township, Dauphin county. Pa., May 24,
1867; son of Jeremiah and Mary (Koppen-
heffer) Spracht. The father was born at
Mahanoy Station, Pa., and was a shoemaker
by trade. He died young, and the mother
1128
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
subsequently married Isaac Shetz, and re-
sides near Johnstown, Pa. They had two
children : Harry W. and Edward W., farmer
in Lykens Valley.
Harry W. was a young boy when his
father died, and was reared by his grand-
father in Washington township, where he
attended school until he was ten years old,
when he left his grandfather and lived out,
getting what schooling he could in the win-
ter time. At eighteen years of age he went
to learn the trade of blacksmith with Daniel
E. Snyder, with whom he served an ap-
prenticeship of two years and afterwards
worked a year and a half longer as a jour-
neyman. He came to Elizabethville and
opened a shop, where he worked five years
and then built the shop wliich he now
occupies. He was married, at Camden, IsT. J., in
October, 1882, to Miss Fanny Koppenheffer.
They have two children : Mark C. and
Ralph Monroe. Mr. Spracht is a Democrat
in politics and served as school director one
year. In February, 1896, he was elected to
the council. He is a member of the Lu-
theran church.
Staufpek, Rev. J. J., pastor of Salem Re-
formed church, Elizabethville, was born July
11, 1860 ; son of Daniel and Fannie (Long)
Stauffer, the latter deceased. Three StauiFer
brothers came from Spain, one of whom
settled in Bucks, one in Montgomery and
one in Chester county, and all were farmers
by occupation. Jacob Stauffer, the grand-
father, was a native of Bucks county, where
he was engaged in farming and where he
died. He married a Miss Schantz, who
survived him some years. Their children
were: Peter, resides at Wilkes-Barre; Will-
iam, deceased ; Jacob deceased ; Daniel ; and
Polly, Mrs. Groff, Lancaster, Pa.
The father was born in Bucks county, in
1824, where he was reared and received his
education in the common schools. He first
learned the trade of cabinet maker, and after-
wards that of coach maker. He married
Miss Fannie Long, and settled at Crockers-
port, where he continued business at his
trade, which he conducted for thirty years.
He is now living retired at that place, and
his son Harvey continues the business. His
wife died September 11, 1877. Their chil-
dren are : Annie, Mrs. William Falk, Brook-
haven, Pa.; Eugene E., painter for railroad,
Elizabeth, N. J.; Rev. J. J.; Harvey D. P.;
Samuel P:, Lutheran minister, at present
taking special course at Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity ; George A., theological student. Mr.
Stauffer is a strong Prohibitionist and a
member of the Sons of Temperance for forty
years.
Rev. J. J. Stauffer attended the public
schools until he was nineteen years of age,
and during vacation was engaged in work
with his father. At this age he entered the
State Normal School at Kutztown, and re-
mained for two years, and then prepared
for college at the Muhlenburg Academy, at
Allentown, taking a two years' cours'^, and
was admitted to the Freshman class of Ursi-
nus College in the fall of 1880, and was
graduated from that institution in 1884.
His theological course was also taken at the
same college, and was completed two years
later. He at once accepted a call to the
church at East Berlin, Adams county. Pa.,
and on taking charge of that congregation
was ordained to the same office in June,
1886. He remained in this charge three
years and was then called to Westport and
East Mauch Chunk, where his pastorate
continued until he was called to Elizabeth-
ville in 1891, where he has Since labored.
His work at this place has been crowned with
success, of which the new parsonage and
other substantial improvements in the prop-
erty and the growth of the Sabbath-school
and increase of church membership are all
marked evidences. Mr. Stauffer also looks
after the spiritual welfare of the church at
Berry sburg, Hoffman's church and Gratz.
He was married, at East Berlin, October 6,
1887, to Miss Ella E. Refert, daughter of
Edward and Catherine Refert, by whom he
has three children: Refert Ursinus, died
aged four and a half years; Emma Lulu,
born August 26, 1890, and Lottie Mav, boi-n
September 18, 1892. Mr. Stauffer is'a pro-
nounced Prohibitionist, and believes that
the suppression of the liquor business
through public action is the prominent issue
of the day and is to be attained by the crea-
tion of a high moral public sentiment.
Stine, Peter L., merchant, Elizabeth-
ville, was born in Lykens township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., July 26, 1827 ; son of John
P. and Regina (Coleman) Stine. Frederick
Stine, thegrandfather, was born in Germany,
and received his education in his native
land, where he also learned the trade of
stone mason. He came to America in 1781,
landed at Philadelphia and settled in Mont-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1129
gomery county, where he worked at his
trade, and later removed to Dauphin county.
He married Abigail Lamb, who died in 18.04.
Their children are : John P.; Elizabeth, de-
ceased, Mrs. Andrew Riegle ; Eosina, de-
ceased, Mrs. John Coleman ; Catherine, de-
ceased, Mrs. John Dietz.
The father was born in Montgomery
county, Pa., in 1784. At the age of four
years his parents settled in Lykens township,
where he grew to manhood, and was edu-
ucated in the subscription schools of the
time. His death occurred on the old home-
stead, August 17, 1854. His wife was born
in Lykens township, August, 1795. She
was Regina Coleman, daughter of Charles
Coleman, and died at the home of her daugh-
ter, Elizabeth Retzraan, at Gratz, Pa., in Oc-
tober, 1878. Their children are : Catherine,
deceased, wife of Henry Moyer, and after-
wards of Peter Moyer ; Frederick, died aged
seventeen years; Helen, deceased, wife of
James Glenn \ John, died in Schuylkill
county. Pa.; Daniel P., Lykens township,
saddler and farmer ; Elizabeth, widow of
Daniel Retzman ; Abigail, wife of Joseph D.
Frank, Pottsville, Pa.; Peter L.; Charles,
located in Perry county and died there in
1893 ; Jonas, engineer on the Reading rail-
road, at Pottsville ; Isaac, died aged fifteen
months ; Anna Maria, died aged eleven
naonths ; and Josiah P., farmer and tanner,
Washington township.
Peter L. acquired his education in the
common schools. At the age of twenty-one
he opened a flour and feed store, at Potts-
ville, Pa., which proved unsuccessful as a
business venture, losing him his entire in-
vestment. He managed to pay his debts and
resumed work on the home farm with his
father, who sold him ninety acres of wild
land, which he cleared up and improved,
and which, in 1854, he sold to his brother
Daniel P. He bought from his father a half
interest in the farm and mill property, in
Washington township, and run the mill with
his brother in connection with farming until
1871, the firm being P. L. & C. Stine. In
1871 they admitted to partnership George
Diebler, and continued one year, when Diebler
died. He bought Diebler's interest, who had
also, before his death, obtained his brother's
interest, and continued the business alone
until 1873, when he admitted Harry Herman
as a partner. He continued this partnership
until 1885, when he sold his interest to Na-
thaniel Miller, and opened his present store.
buying the property and putting in a new
general stock of goods, and has since con-
tinued the business. He was appointed Gov-
ernment store keeper and ganger and had
the position until a change of administra-
tion, during which time he saved from his
income |27,000. But he later met with ad-
versity, losing in 1876 and 1877 $21,000,
which did not discourage him, but impelled
him to renewed energy and enterprise.
Mr. Stine was married, in Upper Paxton
township, December 17, 1850, to Miss Eliza-
beth Buffington, a native of Gratz, Pa., and
a daughter of Maj. Jacob Buffington. She
died May 15, 1893. She was a devout mem-
ber of the Lutheran church and much in-
terested in all charitable work, and a loving
and faithful wife and mother. Their children
are : Ellen R., Mrs. George Diebler ; Sarah
L., wife of D. J. Diebler ; Isaac F.; Cathe-
rine, deceased; Peter; David; John J.;
Harr}"^ W.; Carrie, Mrs. Charles E. Cooper;
and Samuel J. Mr. Stine is a Democrat and
is serving as a school director. In 1875, and
again in 1877, he was elected county com-
missioner, but was counted out both times.
He was an elder in the Reformed church for
many years and takes an active interest in
Sunday-school matters.
Stine, Josiah P., farmer and tanner, was
born in Lykens township, Dauphin county.
Pa., September 9, 1837. He attended school
only ten days in all his life. He worked at
home for his father until he was sixteen
years of age, when he and his brother went
West in search of employment, in 1855, and
rented a farm in Ogle county, 111. They
were soon discouraged and remained only
two months, returning home in May. On
the way his pocket was picked of $32. He
then served an apprenticeship of two and a
half years at the tanner's trade at Gratz, Pa.,
after which he bought the home tannery and
eight acres of land in Washington township,
where he has continued for thirty-seven
years. He has added to the original pur-
chase forty-nine acres and has conducted
farming operations in connection with the
tannery.
He was married, at Gratz, Pa., February
16, 1857, to Miss Catherine Louisa Good,
born in Lykens township, November 5, 1837 ;
daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Rudy)
Good. Their children are : Franklin Peter,
born August 6, 1858, in Lykens township,
educated in the township school, Berrysburg
1130
BIOGRAPHICAL EISTCYCLOPEDIA
Academy and Millersville State Normal
School, and has taught six years in Wash-
ington township and three years in Upper
Paxton ; Daniel M., born in Washington
township, February 24, 1860, educated in
home schools and Millerstown Academy and
is now assistant in the high school at Will-
iam stown, married to Mary C. Frank ; Mary
L., born January 9, 1863, wife of Samuel W.
Cooper. Mr. Stine is a Democrat in politics
and an active worker in the Reformed
church.
Webner, Aaron, farmer, Washington
township, was born in Washington town-
ship, Dauphin county. Pa., October 2, 1853 ;
son of George and Hannah (Longabach)
Webner. He attended the common schools
in his native township during the winter
months and worked on the home farm in
the summers, and remained at home till his
marriage, which occurred in Washington
township, December 2, 1876, when he was
united to Miss Mary Jane Sulzbach, daughr
ter of Joseph and Hannah (Landis) Sulz-
bach. His father having returned to Eliza-
bethville, he located on the old homestead,
and has since bought the place, which con-
sists of fifty acres with good buildings and
other improvements. His children are :
Hannah Nora, born September 2, 1877, at
home; George Joseph, born December 28,
1879 ; Annie M., born October 5, 1883, at
home; Edward Allen, born July 2, 1887.
Mr. Webner is a Democrat in his political
views. He is a member of the Lutheran
church, and has served as elder, deacon and
trustee for some vears.
BoYER, Wesley, farmer, Washington
township, was born on his present farm, in
Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
November 14, 1856; son of Gabriel and
Maulda (Ginler) Boyer. The father was born
in Berks county. Pa., in 1823, and when a
boy removed with his parents to Lower
Mahanoy towuship,Northumberland county,
where he was reared and educated. In 1842
he came with his parents to Dauphin county
and learned the miller's trade near Loyalton,
at which he worked for a short time. When
his father died he took the old Lowe farm at
Millersburg, which he worked for a year or
two, and subsequently gave his attention to
forming until his death, October 14, 1887.
He is interred in the Berrysburg cemetery.
His wife survived him, passing away in May,
1892. She was of the Lutheran faith, and
active in Christian and benevolent affairs.
Mr. Boyer was a Democrat in politics.
Wesley was the only child of his parents,
and they afforded him the most liberal edu>
cational advantages. They planned to give
him a collegiate education, but he preferred
business to study, and desired to be a mer-
chant. His father did not deem it necessary
for him to go into business, as he was the
only child and heir and would succeed to
thehomestead. He developed unusual me-
chanical ability, and has constructed several
farming implements and does all his own
repairing. Mr. Boyer was married, in
Washington township, in 1880, to Miss Lydia
Ann Row, daughter of John M. and Lizzie
(Wolf) Row. After the death of his parents
he occupied the old homestead, to the owner-
ship of which he succeeded. Their only
child, Frances Ellen, was born October 15,
1880. Mr. Boyer is a Democrat in his po-
litical views.
Arnts, Jacob, creameryman, Elizabeth-
vilie. Pa., was born in Bainbridge, Lancaster
county, Pa., January 13, 1858 ; son of John
and Barbara Arnts. The grandfather. Garret
Arnts, was a lumberman and died in the
lumber regions. The father was born in
Clearfield county. Pa., and is a day laborer.
He was reared in Bainbridge, Lancaster
county, where he resides at the present time
in the enjoyment of good health. His chil-
dren are : Lizzie, Mrs. Sears, Harrisburg, Pa.,
Mahata, Mrs. Eners, York, Pa.; Jacob; Gar-
ret, merchant in Lebanon ; Harry, cigar
maker, York, Pa.; Samina, Mrs; Addick, re-
siding near Harrisburg. In politics the
father is a Republican, and entered the army
in 1861 and served until the close of the war.
Jacob received his education in the com-
mon schools of his native place. At the age
of twelve he began work as a farm hand and
used his earnings for the support of the family.
He was married, in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county,
October 9, 1881, to Miss Labina Fack, who is
a native of Lancaster coiinty and was born
in 1862. Their children are: Norman F.,
Elsie, Clara, and Howard. After his mar-
riage, Mr. Arnts first settled on a farm near
Mt. Joy, and worked by the day for two years,
when he went to Lancaster and was engaged
in a creamery for one year; at the end of
which time he returned to Mt. Joy. He next
went to Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster county, and
worked in a creamery for five years. From
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1131
here he moved to Millerstown, Perry county,
where he established a creamery, which he
operated for some time, then came to Eliza-
bethville and began business with Messrs.
Mittis & Speck. Firm continued thus for
three years, when Mr. Speck sold his interest
to Arnts and Mittis, under which name the
firm now does business. In 1892 a branch
creamery was started at Gratz. In politics
Mr. Arnts is a Republican and has never
sought any office.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Sponslee, Joseph D., was born in Halifax
township, Dauphin county. Pa., September
28, 1844. He is a son of Andrew and Ann
(Sweigard) Sponsler. The Sponslers are of
German ancestry and were all staunch Dem-
ocrats. Andrew Sponsler was born in Middle
Paxton township and grew up in his native
place. He was a wagon maker. After his
marriage he settled in Halifax township and
was engaged in farming until he went West
with his daughters. He died in the West
about 1890. His wife had preceded him to the
grave by about fifteen years. Their chil-
dren are : Michael W.; Harriet, wife of
Harry Northhammer, Harrisburg, Pa.; Mar-
garet, wife of Wesley Stover, resides in the
West ; John A., died aged about thirty-five
years; Joseph D.; Susan, married to a Mr.
Black, resides in the West ; Henry, died
aged twenty-two years ; and William, mar-
ried and resides in the West.
Joseph D. Sponsler attended the common
schools of Matamoras, Hali&x township.
After finishing his school education he re-
mained with his father on the farm until he
was twenty-one. He then began an appren -
ticeship of three years at blacksmithing with
Leonard Poffenberger at Dauphin, Pa. He
was to receive |36 per year for his services,
and at the end of three years he had $36 due
him. From Dauphin he went to Millers-
burg and worked at his trade for Theodore
Jury at $50 per month. At the end of four
months he went to Halifax and worked for
Christian Lyter at |40 per month.. A few
months later he began business for himself
in Halifax and continued there for several
years. He then opened a shop below Mata-
moras, where he remained .for about three
years. After this he bought his present
place of Jacob Stansbury, consisting of a shop
and about eight acres of land, for which he
paid $700. He has since built a new house
and barn and made other improvements.
About 1870 Mr. Sponsler began to offer his
services as an auctioneer, and he has been
widely employed in this capacity. In both
branches of his business, as blacksmith and
as auctioneer, he is successful. In the latter
vocation he is brought into contact with the
people of this and adjacent counties, and
being a close observer, with a keen apprecia-
tion of the humorous phases of human na-
ture, he has many interesting and amusing
things to tell of his experiences.
Joseph Sponsler was married, in Halifax
township, September 26, 1867, to Miss Sarah
A., daughter of Jacob Knauff. They have
five children : Jacob K.,married Annie Lebo,
resides in the borough of Halifax ; Laura,
wife of Thomas Lebo, Harrisburg, Pa.; John
N., operator at Burlingame, Pa.; Harvey,
and Sylvia, at home. Mr. Sponsler is a strong
Republican. He was for four years constable
in Halifax township. He and his wife were
reared in the United Brethren church. Mr.
Sponsler is a self-made man. He is a good
talker, intelligent and sociable, and enjoys
the esteem and good will of his neighbors.
Endees, John, was born in Jefferson town-
ship, now Wayne, Dauphin county. Pa., Au-
gust 26, 1837. He is a son of Philip and
Nancy (Sheetz) Enders. Philip Enders was
born in Jackson township, Dauphin county,
May 22, 1805. He grew up and married in
his native place. After his marriage he suc-
ceeded his father on the place where his son,
John Enders, now resides; he remained upon
this place until his death, which occurred
December 14, 1859. His wife died January
9,1891. Their living children are : Sarah,
widow of Benjamin Radel, Wayne township ;
Mary, wife of Samuel Coogley, Logansport,
Ind.; Peter, farmer in Jefferson township ;
John ; Elizabeth, widow of John Lebo,
Wayne township; Amanda, wife of Elias
Rettinger, Wayne township. Mr. Enders
was a Democrat.
John Enders was educated in the common
schools of his native place, and left school at
about eighteen years of age. He was reared
as farmer's boys usually are. He succeeded
his father on the home farm in 1859, and
since that time, with the exception of two
years, he has always farmed the place. In
1865 he went West on a tour of inspection,
seeking a favorable place to locate. He was
accompanied by his wife, visited Indiana and
1132
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Illinois, and was absent seven months. He
rented his farm for two years, and left his
live stock in care of his neighbors while he
was on his journey. He bought a home in
Armstrong Valley, Jackson township.
Mr. Enders was married, in Jackson town-
ship, October 9, 1859, to Miss Amanda,
daughter of John Grimm. They have five
children : Charles, merchant at Logansport ;
Clara, died aged three years; Alice, wife of
Abel Palmer, Washington township; Har-
vey and Katy, at home. Mr. Enders is a
strong Democrat. He is a member of the
United Brethren church, is a trustee of the
church, and treasurer both of the church and
of the Sunday-school. In December, 1895,
Mr. and Mrs. Enders paid a visit to their
son, who was sick at Logansport, Ind.
Hoffman, Cornelius, was born in Mifflin
township, afterwards Washington township,
Dauphin county. Pa., April 24, 1831. He
was a son of Christian and Sarah (Tobias)
Hoffman. His great-grandfather, John P.
Hoffman, came from Germany when a
young man, and located in Berks county.
Pa., whence he later removed on horseback
to Lykens Valley. The country at that time
was wild and occupied by Indians, numer-
ous and savage, from whom the travelers
were often compelled to flee. When Mr.
Hoffman reached Lykens Valley an old
rooster crowed, and he took that as a sign to
stop and make a home there. He died in
Lykens Valley at the advanced age of ninety.
Christian Hoffman, grandfather of Cornelius,
succeeded his father, John P., on the home-
stead in Lykens Valley, and died there.
His. son Christian, father of Cornelius Hoff-
man, was born in Lykens Valley, near Short
Mountain, Dauphin county, Pa., July 30,
1799. He grew up in his native place, was
married there and there died, June 1, 1870.
He was fairly educated and was a farmer.
He was a member of the Reformed church.
His wife Sarah was born in Berne town-
ship, Berks county. Pa., October 5, 1802, and
came with her mother in early youth to
Lykens Valley, her father having lost his
life by falling from his barn. She died Sep-
tember 5, 1870. Their children are: Will-
iam, born August 5, 1823, resided in Lykens
Valley until he was forty-seven years old,
then removed to Illinois, and finally located
at Victoria, Cass county. Neb., where he
died in 1894, leaving a daughter and three
sons ; Sarah, born December 5, 1825, mar-
ried Benjamin Swamp, resided in Mercer
county, Pa., until 1884, since which date
they have been residents of Kansas; Mary
M., born April 12, 1828, widow of John Um-
holtz, of Halifax township, Dauphin county;
Cornelius; Peter, born February 22, 1833,
died of apoplexy in Lykens Valley, Febru-
ary 15, 1895 ; Rebecca, born November 13,
1834, widow of Emanuel Forney, living with
her son, near Fisherville, Pa.; John T., born
July 12, 1837, resides in Upper Paxton town-
ship ; Henry H., born December 16, 1839,
since 1870 a resident of Republic county,
Kan.; Susan, born December 27, 1842, mar-
ried John Knoll, removed to Mercer county.
Pa., later to Cincinnati, Ohio, and died
there in the fall of 1895 ; Emma J., born
April 22, 1846, married Joseph Tyson, who
died in Powell's Valley, she went to Kansas
about 1872, and married a Mr. Rowe, with
whom she lives in the Indian Territory; and
Sallie C, born November 4, 1847, wife of
George Dunkle, removed to Mercer county,
and later to Butler county. Pa., where they
now reside.
Cornelius Hoffman first attended the
schools of his native place, and afterwards
was a pupil at the Berrysburg Seminary for
two years. He was twenty-three years old
when he left the seminary; he afterwards
taught school for twelve winter terms in
Jefferson and Washington townships. He
was brought up a farmer's boy, and never
served an apprenticeship at any trade, yet
he was skillful in the use of tools, and
could accomplish good mechanical results
in carpentry and other branches of work-
manship. He made himself a gun. While
teaching school during the winter seasons,
Mr. Hoffinan would work for wages as a
farm hand in the busy months for farm
work; thus he obtained the means for a
more . liberal education. He literally edu-
cated himself by the labor of his hands.
Cornelius Hoffman was married, in Jack-
son township, November 4, 1856, to Mary
Ann Hassinger, born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county. When about eight years
of age she removed with her parents to
Washington township, where she resided
until her marriage. She died August 29,
1895, aged sixty years, eight months and
twenty-three days. Mrs. Hoffman was the
daughter of Jeremiah and Esther (Smells)
Hassinger. In early infancy she was ad-
mitted to the membership of the Reformed
church, through the rite of baptism, by
S, J. M. MCCARRELL.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1135
Rev. Isaac Steiley. She was buried in the
cemetery of St. Paul's (Bowman's) church,
August 31, 1895. She was an estimable
lady, a kind mother, and a faithful and
lovinn; wife; she was loved and honored by
all for her many virtues. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are: William H.,
born in Washington township, February 26,
1859, attended school there, and now man-
ages the home farm ; Agnes Rebecca, born
December 20, 1860, wife of Washington
Sheetz, Wayne township ; Lucy Ellen, born
December 20, 1862, at home ; Margaret E.,
born November 4, 1864, wife of William
Dempsey, Wayne township ; John C, born
May 19, 1867, went to Cass county, Ind.,
February, 1895, now a farm hand there;
Charles D., born September 16, 1869, gradu-
ate of Ada College, Ohio, school teacher in
Jefferson township ; Jacob T., born Novem-
ber 9, 1872, at present teaching school in
Wayne township ; he is a graduate of
Berry sburg Seminary, and is now taking a
special course in Franklin and Marshall
College, Lancaster, Pa.; Aaron M., bqrn
December 23, 1874, at home; Albert H.,
born August 16, 1876, went to Cass county,
Ind., February, 1895, is a farm hand there.
After their marriage Mr. Hoffman and
his wife went to housekeeping on his
father's farm ; they soon after purchased the
farm, and in 1879 sold it and removed to
Wayne township, and located in their pres-
ent home. Mr. Hoffman has a farm of
seventy-six acres under high cultivation.
Since 1860 Mr. Hoffman has been a Repub-
lican. He was for three years assessor, and
school director for four years; he has held
several offices in Washington township. He
is not a politician, and has never sought
elevation to office. Mr. Hoffman is a mem-
ber of the Reformed church. He is intelli-
gent, a good talker, genial and sociable, and
is highly esteemed.
Hoover, Henky, was born in Lykens
township, Dauphin county, Pa., in 1883 ; son
of John and Margaret (Lebo) Hoover. His
grandfather, Jacob Hoover, was a farmer.
He was a man of large size. He settled in
Lykens township, where he died nearly a
hundred years old. His son, John Hoover,
was born in Lykens township, and was a
farmer and miller. He was twice married.
By his first wife his children are : John,
Elias, Josiah, Daniel, Henry, Thomas, Su-
sanna, Polly, and Rebecca. He had no chil-
7°
dren by his second wife, who preceded him
to the grave. He died in Lykens Valley,
aged seventy-two. He was a Democrat.
Henry Hoover was educated in the schools
of Lykens township and reared a farmer; he
remained on the home farm until his mar-
riage. He was married, in Lykens township,
in 1859, to Miss Amanda Ricard, born in
Lykens township. After his marriage he
resided with his father seven years and then
came to Wayne township, then Jefferson,
and bought one hundred and eighteen acres
of land, upon which he has since made sub-
stantial improvements, and now has a good
house and barn and all other needful or de-
sirable structures. His children are : John
H., farmer, Halifax township ; Tobias, now
at home sick ; Priscilla, deceased ; Kate, wife
of Aaron Riegle, Lebanon county, Pa.; Louisa,
deceased; Isaiah, deceased; Emma J., Lean-
der, Alfred and Amanda, all deceased; Rose
Ann, wife of Charles Palmer; Ida Rebecca;
Isabella, deceased ; Sadie Ellen. Mr. Hoover
is a Democrat. He is a school director, hav-
ing been elected in 1895. He is a member
of the Reformed church.
McLaughlin, Alexander, merchant and
postmaster, Enterline, Pa., was born in Jef-
ferson township, Dauphin county. Pa., Octo-
ber 13, 1841 ; son of Archibald and Rebecca
(Wells) McLaughlin. His grandfather, the
elder Alexander McLaughlin, was born in
Ireland in 1770, and came to the United
States in 1788, landing at Philadelphia, Pa.
Here he was married and resided for a num-
ber of years, and then removed to Lancaster
county, and later to Dauphin county, where
he settled in Jefferson township, and re-
mained there until his death in 1857. He
was a farmer. His wife was Catherine Fitz-
patrick, widow of Daniel Frazier. Their
children were : Alexander, born 1807, died
September 24, 1828 ; Catherine, married
Archibald McMichaels, removed to Iowa
about 1840, both died there ; Rosanna, mar-
ried, first, Mr. McFarland ; they removed to
Iowa, where he died, and she afterwards
married a Mr. Colby.
Alexander McLaughlin, father of Alex-
ander (3), was a native of Lancaster county.
Pa. He was a farmer, and was one of the
first settlers in Jackson township, Dauphin
county, where he died in October, 1888.
His wife preceded him in death. Their
children are : Samuel, died aged sixteen
years ; Mary, deceased, wife of John Garner ;
1136
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hannah, died aged thirteen years ; Alexan-
der. Mr. McLaughlin, the father, was a
pleasing public speaker and took an active
part in polities.
Alexander McLaughlin (3) was educated
in the common schools of his native place,
and was reared a farmer boy. He rernained
and worked at home until he was nineteen
years old. He then engaged to work as a
farm hand at $9 per month for Amos Fisler,
near Harrisburg. Mr. McLaughlin enlisted,
September 4, 1861, at Camp Curtin, Harris-
burg, for three years, as private in company
A, Fiftieth Pennsylvania volunteers. After
serving thirteen months he was transferred
to battery E, Second United States artillery,
in which he served twenty-three months, and
was discharged at Washington, D. C, Sep-
tember 5, 1864. The engagements in which
he took part are : Pocalogo, N. C; the fight-
ing along the Rappahannock, followed by
the second Bull Run ; Chantilly, where he was
slightly wounded in the left shoulder; South
Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.
In the spring of 1863 he was ordered to Lex-
ington, Ky., whence his regiment proceeded
South and took part in the siege of Vicks-
burg, thence to Jackson, Miss., skirmishing
all the way. From Jackson they moved to
Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Lexington, Ky.;
the next battle was Cumberland Gap, fol-
lowed by the siege of Knoxville, Tenn. Re-
joined the Army of the Potomac in the
spring of 1864, and with that army engaged
in the battles of Spottsylvania, the Wilder-'
ness, Cold Harbor, Mine Run, then Peters-
burg ; thence they were ordered to Washing-
ton, D. C, where Mr. McLaughlin received
his discharge on account of the expiration of
his term of service. He lay in the hospital
at Cincinnati, Ohio, over six weeks with
fever. After his discharge from the army
Mr. McLaughlin returned home and went to
work, assisting in building the Cove furnace
in Perry county, Pa.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. McLaughlin re-
moved to Cass county, Ind.,but not liking the
country, he returned to Dauphin county in
the next fall, located in Jefferson township,
and engaged in huckstering. After a few
years at this business he removed to Will-
iamstown and opened a restaurant, which he
conducted one year. He then returned to
Jefferson township and farmed for two years
in connection with huckstering. In the
spring of 1893 he purchased the John Enter-
line stock of goods, at Enterline, Pa., and
has conducted the business up to date.
Mr. McLaughlin was married, in Jefferson
township in the spring of 1866, to Miss
Amanda Spade. Their children are : Ida
Alice, widow of Mr. Snyder ; Minnie F.,
died aged four years ; Robert B., miner at
Tower City, Pa.; William E., deceased ; Sam-
uel G., deceased ; John H., Harry E., and
Curtin, all at home; Harvey 0., deceased.
Mr. McLaughlin is a Democrat. He has
been justice of the peace for five years, con-
stable four years, school director eight years
and postmaster at Enterline since 1893. He
is a member of Heilner Post, No. 232, G.
A. R., at Lykens. Mr. Laughlin is of fine
build and military bearing. He is a promi-
nent and honored man.
. Hoffman, Christian, farmer, Wayne
township, was born in Lykens township,
Dauphin county. Pa., November 11, 1821 ;
son of John B. and Barbara (Bowman) Hoff-
man. Christian Hoffman, the grandfather,
was a native of Lancaster county, and came
with his parents when a boy to Lykens
Valley, wiiere he grew up on the farm. He
-married Susanna Diebler, and shortly after-
wards moved to Halifax township, where he
died about 1845. His children are : Ann
Mary ; John Peas ; John B.; Daniel G.;
Peter ; Christian ; Jonas ; Philip ; Simon ;
Susanna, married Philip Shutt ; and Cathe-
rine, married Jonathan Novinger.
The father was born in Mifflin township,
September 17, 1793. The mother was born
in Halifax township, May 19, 1795. The
father early learned the trade of a black-
smith, and made the irons for Buchanan's
forge. Carton's furnaces and forges in Clark's
Valley, and also the irons for the Poor
House mill. He came to Halifax township
with his family about 1831, and bought a
small farm, and also worked at his trade in a
shop of his own. Later he removed to
Powell's Valley, where he died April 30,
1875, his wife having died October 12, 1860.
Their children were : George, born January
14, 1816, moved to Indiana, and died there ;
John, born April 4, 1818, died in Wayne
township; Susanna, born April 27, 1820,
died aged four years ; Christian ; Margaret,
born September 12, 1824, wife of Jonathan
Spate, Jefferson township ; Sarah Ann, born
February 14, 1827, wife of Thomas Lebo,
residing in Perry county, Pa.; Josiah, born
bAtJPilllf VOtlNTf.
1137
May 10, 1829, died in Halifax township;
James, born February 25, 1831, farmer in
Jackson township ; Peter Albright, born
August 8, 1833, died in February, 1896, in
Wayne township ; Lidian, born May 3,
1839, died in Wayne township. Mr. Hoff-
man served in the war of 1812.
Christian received his education in the
schools of Halifax township under his
teacher, Daniel M. Minich. He was fourteen
years old when his parents removed to Hali-
fax township, where he was brought up on
the farm. He and his brother John carried
on the farm, while his older brother dnd
his father worked in the shop. In 1844 he
was married, in Jefferson township, to Miss
Susanna Enterline, daughter of Peter Enter-
line, a prominent man in the township at
that time. They had twelve children, of
whom the survivors are : Peter Franklin,
farmer in Wayne township ; Hannah Mar-
tha, wife of Romanius Zimmerman, residing
in New Holland, Pa.; Thomas Jefferson, at
home; Samuel W., at home, married to
Mary Hartman, and they have one child.
Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat, and has served
as assessor of the township one term, school
director for several terms, and as supervisor of
the township. He is a member of the Re-
formed church, and has lield many offices in
that connection. In 1849 he bought ninety-
six acres of land, mostly brush land and very
little cleared, which is a part of his present
place, and has since added seventy-four acres
to the original purchase. He also owns an-
other tract of one hundred and one acres.
Lebo, William H., farmer, Wayne town-
ship, was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin
county. Pa., August 19, 1841 ; son of Joseph
and Sarah (Shepley) Lebo. The father was
born in Upper Paxton township. He was a
shoemaker, and followed that occupation
until 1849, when he came to Wayne, then
Jefferson township, and bought fifty acres of
land, to which he later added many more.
He removed to Halifax township and oc-
cupied a tract of twenty-two acres of land, on
which he died in 1893, his first wife having
died in 1860. His second wife was Mary
Shepley, by whom he had no children. The
children by his first wife are : Elsie, resides
in Nebraska ; Elmira, died in 1859 ; William
H.; John, in Illinois; Samuel, deceased;
Mary, in Harrisburg; Sarah, in Kansas;
Charles P., in Illinois; Susan A., in Ne-
braska ; Joseph, Wayne township, and three
children who died young.
William PI. was eight years old when his
parents removed to Wayne township, where
he received a common school education. He
worked at home on the farm until he was
eighteen years old, when he learned the trade
of carpenter, and followed that occupation
for twenty years or more, doing contract
work at times. In 1864 he enlisted at Har-
risburg in company A, Two Hundred and
Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, in
which he served until the close of the war,
and was discharged at Arlington Heights in
June, 1865. He participated in the battles
of Hatch's Run, Muddy Run, Gaines' Mills,
Five Forks, and was present at Lee's sur-
render. After his discharge from the army
he resumed work at his trade, and followed
that occupation until 1878, when he took up
farming, and has been employed in agricul-
tural pursuits since that date. He cultivates
two farms, one of seventy-five acres and the
other of eighty-one acres, both in Wayne
township, and also owns twenty-six and a
half acres of wood land. His first investment
in land was the purchase in 1877 of the
seventy-five acres which is his present home-
stead. He had previously lived for some
years at Fisherville, Pa.
Mr. Lebo's first vote for President was
cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has since
adhered to the Republican party. He was
reared in the United Brethren church. He
is a member of Post, No. 393, G. A. R. He
was married, in Jefferson township, Novem-
ber 4, 1869, to Miss Angeline Tobias, daugh-
ter of Daniel W. and Mary Tobias. Their
children are: Ellen Louisa, died aged seven-
teen months ; Thomas Edwin, shoemaker, at
Harrisburg, Pa.; Daniel Tobias, a private in
the United States army, at Fort Adams, New-
port, R. I.; Frank Lewis, farmer, Halifax
township; Mary Alice and Harry Andrews,
twins; Mary Alice, married A. C. Kop-
penheffer, Halifax township; Edward Mor-
ris, at home ; Bella Elsie, at home ; Katie K.,
died young; William Joseph, at home;
James, died in infancy; Carrie Angle, at
home ; Sadie Estella, at home ; Vergie Ann,
died in infancy.
Lebo, Joseph A., farmer, Wayne town-
ship, was born in Jefferson, now Wayne,
township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 23,
1853 ; son of Joseph and Sarah (Shepley)
Ijebo. A sketch of the parents appears else-
1138
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
where in this volume. Joseph was educated
in the schools of his native township, and
worked at home with his father until he was
seventeen years of age, when he went with
his brother William H., at Fisherville, to learn
the carpenter trade, with whom he remained
about two years and then went to Harris-
burg, where he was employed about two
months as clerk in the grocery and liquor
store of J. T. Lynch. After this he returned
and resumed work with his father, and re-
mained with him until he was twenty-six
years of age.
On September 1, 1878, he was married, at
Berrysburg, Pa., to Miss Sarah C. Hoffman,
who was born in the house in which she now
lives, February 21, 1857, and is a daughter
of John and Mary Enterline Hoffman. After
marriage they w^re located on the father's
farm for three years, after which they occu-
pied the Sawyer farm for six years and then
located on the present farm and later bought
the place at the death of Mrs. Lebo's father,
and this has since been their home. He Ifas
one hundred and eighty-five acres of culti-
vated land and one hundred and twenty-
four acres of wood land. Their children are :
J. Howard, Fred E., and Sarah Irene. In
politics Mr. Lebo is a Republican on na-
tional questions, but in local and minor mat-
ters is a liberal. Since May, 1895, he has
held the office of justice of the peace. In
religious faith and fellowship he is a Lu-
theran and is a deacon in the church.. He
is a member of the Order United American
Mechanics.
Nace, Enoch, farmer, Wayne township,
was born in Jefferson township, now a part
of Wayne township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
September 2, 1848; son of Joseph and De-
lilah (Yeager) Nace. The father was born
in Halifax township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
August 23, 1814. He was a farmer and fol-
lowed that occupation till his death in the
fall of 1891. In 1878 he removed with his
family to the place now occupied by his son
Enoch. His wife was born August 31, 1819.
Their children are : Sarah A., born January
25, 1840, died young ; Susan, born December
24, 1840, wife of Samuel Gilbert, Lykens Val-
ley ; Catherine, born in August, 1842, wife of
Philip Lebo, residing in Washington State ;
Elizabeth, born June 18, 1844, died aged four
years ; Mary Jane, born February 2, 1846 ;
John W., born October 25, 1847, died in in-
fancy ; Enoch ; Sarah Frances, born June
24, 1851, wife of Samuel Sweigard, Millers-
burg, Pa.; John Benjamin, born April 25,
1853. The father was prominent in town-
ship offices and was a Republican.
Enoch received a common school educa-
tion in his native township and lived at
home, working on the farm with his father.
In 1885 he went to Carroll county, Ilk, where
he was variously employed, working on the
farm, in the tile mill, and tending saloon,
until December, 1890, when he returned to
his home, where.he has since remained. He
was first married to Miss Viola Arndt, by
whom he had three children : Harry 0.,
Morna E., and Dorothy D. He was married,
secondly, March 25, 1893, to Miss Sarah A.
Bowerman, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth
Bowerman, and they have one child, Merle
Edward. In politics Mr. Nace is a strong
Republican. He was reared in the United
Brethren church but holds no membership
in any denomination.
Sheetz, Washington, farmer, Wayne
township, was born on the old homestead in
Wayne township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
June 15, 1846 ; son of William and Barbara
(Zimmerman) Sheetz. The parents are re-
ferred to in connection with the sketch of
George Sheetz in another place in this
volume. Washington was reared on the
farm and attended the common schools of
his township. He remained at home and
worked on the farm until the fall of 1875.
At this date he was married, in Wayne
township, to Miss. Mary E., daughter of John
Hoffman, by whom he had two children :
Sarah and Carmeata. His wife died in
August, 1883, and is buried in the Bower-
man church cemetery, in Wayne township.
Mr. Sheetz was married again, September
25, 1884, to Miss Agnes Hoffman, who was
born in Washington township, December
20, 1860, daughter of Cornelius and Mary
Ann Hossinger, by whom he has three chil-
dren : Charles Edgar, born November 25,
1885 ; Mary J., born in May, 1887 ; Carrie
Agnes, born August 22, 1893. Mr. Sheetz
located on this- homestead in 1875, and at,
the death of his father in 1879 he bought
the place, consisting of one hundred and
thirty-seven acres, which is almost all under
cultivation and on which he has made
many improvements. In his politics Mr;
Sheetz is a Democrat, but has never sought
any office. He is a member of the Lutheran
church.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1139
Sheetz, Samuel, farmer, Wayne town-
ship, was born in Wayne, then Jefferson
township, Dauphin county. Pa., July 30,
1836. He is a brother of George Sheetz, and
his parentage and family are given in con-
nection with the sketch of his brother in this
volume. He attended the common schools
and was reared a farmer boy, but can readily
turn his hand to almost any kind of em-
ployment. He was put to work quite young
and has been an industrious and hard-work-
ing man. He bought his present place be-
fore his marriage and after that important
event he located on the place and has made
substantial improvements on the same. He
was first married, near Harrisburg, April 8,
1873, by Rev. Edward Doren, to Miss Mary
E. Stephenson, born June 4, 1847, and died
September 21, 1883, and by this marriage
there is one child, Emma Blanch, at home.
In his second marriage, which occurred in
Halifax township in 1885, he was united to
Miss Rebecca Hough, by whom he has three
children : Harry Samuel, born in Wayne
township ; Sarah Ellen, born August 10,
1887; Chester Alvin, born January 25,1896.
In his political views Mr. Sheetz is a Demo-
crat, while in religious faith and fellowship
he is a Lutheran.
Sheetz, George, farmer, Wayne town-
ship, was born in Jefferson, now Wayne
township, September 15, 1832 ; son of Will-
iam and Barbara (Zimmerman) Sheetz. The
parents have twelve children : Josiah, Mary,
George, Samuel, Washington, John Eliza-
beth, Julia, Malinda, William, Margaret,
deceased, and Emma. George was edu-
cated in the common schools, was brought
up on the farm and has always followed
farming as his occupation. He was married,
in Lykens Valley, in 1860, to Miss Margaret
Snyder, who was born in Lykens Valley.
Their children are : Annie, wife of Cedora
Lebo, Wayne township ; Hannah, deceased,
wife of Samuel Lebo ; Mary, wife of Jere-
miah Riegle, Halifax township ; Amanda,
wife of William Litzel, Wayne township.
Mr. Sheetz remained at home and worked
on the farm until his marriage, when he
bought his present place of about one hun-
dred and ten or one hundred and fifteen
acres, on which he has since built a fine
residence, barns, outhouses, and has other-
wise substantially improved the farm. In
his politics he is a Democrat, but has never
sought any political office. He is a member
of the Lutheran church. Mr. Sheetz has
made his own way in life and is a good type
of the self-made man. He is well-known
and highly esteemed and is liked by all.
Etzweiler, Samuel, farmer, Wayne town-
ship, was born in Jefferson township, Dau-
phin county Pa., April 12, 1846 ; son of
Jonathan and Mary (Hoover) Etzweiler.
George, the grandfather, was a native of
Germany ; came to America when a young
man, and with his family settled in Snyder
county, where he spent his life and is buried.
He was scalped by the Indians on one of
their alfacks and incursions.
Daniel, the grandfather, settled in Lykens
Valley, Washington township, where he
cultivated a large farm until his death,
which occurred in the seventy -sixth year of
his age. He was a soldier in the war of
1812. His "wife was Christina Smith, by
whom he reared eight sons and three daugh-
ers. Three of the sons, Daniel, Michael, and
Elias, served in the Union army during the
war of the Rebellion, and he also was a
member of the Home Guards. Being at
Millersburg on one occasion when a com-
pany of Indians were exhibiting their mode
of warfare, he became enraged at the mem-
ory of what his father had suffered at the
hands of Indian warriors, precipitated a
fight with them and drove them out of
town.
The father was born in Washington town-
ship, is a farmer by occupation, and now
lives on a farm of one hundred and two
acres in Wayne township. His children are :
Samuel, Susan, Daniel, Elias, Catherine,
George W., David H., John, and Ellen. In
politics he has always been an ardent and
active Democrat.
Samuel was educated in a little log school
house in his native place and was put to
work in his boyhood, doing a man's work
on the farm when he was thirteen years of
age. He remained with his father on the
farm until he was eighteen years of age,
when he enlisted, in 1865, at Harrisburg,
in company D, One Hundred and First
regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and
served until the close of the war. His regi-
ment was stationed first at Norfolk, Va.,
and later at Roanoke Island, and was finally
mustered out at Newberne, N. C, in July
1865. After his discharge he came home
and for some time was employed in build-
ing post and rail fences, for which he re-
1140
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
ceived fair compensation. Mr. Etzweiler
was married, in June, 1867, in Middle Pax-
ton township, to Catherine E. Mader, daugh-
ter of John P. Mader. After his marriage
he farmed on the shares in Middle Paxton
township for two years, and then bought his
present place of one hundred and twenty-
three acres in Wayne, then Jefferson, town-
ship, on which he has made many improve-
ments. His children are : John P., died
aged fourteen years; Mary Alice, at home,
and Katie Ellen, at home. In his politics
Mr. Etzweiler is a Democrat. He is at pres-
ent tax collector and for three years has
been elected constable, and has servec! several
terms as supervisor. He is a member of
Miller Post, G. A. R., at Fisherville. His
religious fellowship is with the Reformed
church, in which he was a deacon for eight
years.
WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP.
Rauch, John M., postmaster at Manada
Hill, Pa.,wasborn in West Hanover township,
Dauphin county, Pa., December 25, 1833.
John Rauch, the father of John M., was born
May 28, 1774. He was for many years an
honored resident of West Hanover town-
ship, and married Mary Miller. They had
these children : Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan
Kelchler, deceased ; Mary, widow of the late
Martin Brenner; Rebecca, wife of Peter
Krautzer ; John M., Samuel, and William.
Mr. Rauch died July 25, 1851.
John M. Rauch had only slender educa-
tional advantages in his early life. He
learned the trade of painting, and followed
this occupation for about thirty-five years.
He was also employed to some extent in
carpentry and farming. In addition to his
duties as postmaster he still devotes his spare
moments to painting. In 1870 he was
elected tax collector, and served in this capa-
city one year. In 1884 he was elected super-
visor and served one year. In 1889 he was
elected school commissioner and efficiently
performed the duties of the office for three
years. In 1891 he was appointed postmaster
at Manada Hill. By his fidelity and his
obliging disposition he has made himself a
very popular official. He was married, in
Dauphin county, December 29, 1859, to
Catherine Brenzinger. They had these chil-
dren : Curtin Ann ; Mary L., wife of Irwin
Moyer, died June 3, 1882; William F.;
John Henry; Annie M., died July 9, 1880 ;
Laura E.; Emma R., vnfe of Reily S. Cramer ;
and Norman B. Mrs. Rauch died June 23,
1883, aged forty-one years.
Bellman, Samuel, was born in Berks
county. Pa., June 30, 1854. He is a son of
the late Simon and Elizabeth (Brown) Bell-
man. His parents had eight children :
Mary, wife of Samuel Brandt ; Hannah, wife
of Frank Hain ; Samuel ; Rebecca, wife of
Charles Keuney ; Elizabeth, wife of Ezra
Struhower ; Daniel ; Sarah, wife of Peter
Hartman ; and David, who died in infancy.
The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Bellman
were well known throughout Lebanon, Berks
and Dauphin counties. Mr. Bellman, the
father of Samuel, was born and reared in
Berks county.
Samuel Bellman had a common school
education. He lived out as a farmer's boy,
and thus learned the business which he car-
ried on through life. He was married, in
Lebanon county. Pa., September 3, 1876, to
Miss Catherine, daughter of Solomon and
Fannie (Keiter) Cassel. They have two
children : Michael and Agnes. When Mr.
Bellman moved to West Hanover township
he began farming there, and in this vocation
he is still engaged. He is a self made man,
having early learned to depend upon his
own efforts. He is esteemed by all his ac-
quaintances.
Kkamek, John H., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
on the old homestead where he now resides,
June 11, 1837. He is a son of the late John
and Catherine (Gerberich) Kramer. His
parents were both residents of Dauphin
county. Two of their children died in in-
fancy, and Katie died aged fifteen. Their
living children are: Josiah, George W., John
H., David, and Mary E., wife of George
Knubb. The father died aged seventy-nine;
the mother is still living and in good health
at the age of eighty-two.
John H. Kramer was educated in the pub-
lic schools and in the St. Thomas Institute
at Linglestown, Pa. He taught school for
twelve consecutive years. At the end of this
time failing health compelled him to aban-
don teaching; he has since that time made
farming his occupation. In 1869 he was
elected school director for West Hanover
township and served continuously and ac-
ceptably for twelve years. He was also
DAUPRIN COUNTY.
1141
elected tax collector, and served two terms.
In 1886 lie was elected township clerk, which
office he still holds. He was married, in
West Hanover township, October 13, 1859,
to Miss Lizzie A., daughter of Samuel and
Susan Hassel. Of their nine children eight
are living: Ira W.; Calvin A.; John E.;
Laura E., wife of Jacob Meyers ; Frances B.,
wife of Samuel Witmer ; Samuel ; Harvey
F.; Katie G., wife of Jacob J. Eshenaur, and
Susan M. The parents of Mrs. Kramer had
ten children, of whom eight are living:
Emanuel, Samuel, Susan, Wilhelmina, Liz-
zie, Edward, Elias, Katie, Harriet, and
Emma. Both families are worthy and
highly respected.
Demmy, David, was born in Dauphin
county, Pa., August 4, 1840. He is a son of
the late David and Catherine (Siler) Demmy.
Christian Demmy, grandfather of David, was
born in Lancaster county ; he removed to
Dauphin county and was a farmer. He
married Catherine Hoover, and they had
eight children, five sons and three daugh-
ters, and all lived to a ripe old age. David
Demmy, Sr., was the youngest son of Chris-
tian Demmy. He was born in Dauphin
county, and he, too, was a farmer. He was
twice married. His first wife, Catherine
Siler, was the mother of David Demmy, Jr.
His second wife was Polly Fox ; her chil-
dren were : Johnson and John H. David
Demmy, Sr., died at the age of sixty-three.
David Demvny, Jr., took a partial course
of study in the common schools ; but for the
most part he is self-made, being indebted
for his success to his own efforts. He learned
farming in boyhood and it was his occupa-
tion till he attained the age of twenty-
eight years. He also learned carpentry,
and worked at this trade for twelve years.
In August, 1862, he enlisted for the nine
months' service in company C, One Hun-
dred and Twenty-seventh regiment, Penn-
sylvania volunteers. He was honorably
discharged on account of ill health, which
obliged him to return home. He then took
up agricultural work, and was occupied
with his farm until within a few years. Not
being strong enough for farming he has
given up active employment. He was mar-
ried, December 24, 1864, to Miss Lydia,
daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Leob) Stable.
Their children are: Noah E.; William F.;
Agnes ; Clara, wife of Grant S. Wagner, and
two who died in infancy. Mr. Demmy is a
Republican. In 1879 he was elected super-
visor of West Hanover township, which po-
sition he held for three years. He is a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church.
Jacob Stable, father of Mrs. Demmy, was
a native of Germany, born in 1804; he came
to America at fourteen years of age. He
was a farmer and shoemaker, and an hon-
ored resident of Dauphin county for over
seventy years. He died in East Hanover
township, October 23, 1895. In 1829 he
married Lydia Leob, a native of Dauphin
county. They had ten children, of whom
eight are living: John, residing in Palmyra,
Pa.; Amanda, widow of the late Jeremiah
Gastrock ; Louisa, wife of James Witman, of
Swatara township ; Henry ; William ; Lydia ;
Noah, and Sallie, wife of Josiah Lingle, of
South Hanover township.
Miller, Jacob F., justice of the peace, was
born in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., December 14, 1834. He is a son
of the late Jacob and Sarah (Fackler) Miller,
both natives of Dauphin county, where they
spent their lives. His father died at the age
of seventy-one, and his mother at the age of
sixty-two years. They had six children, of
whom Jacob F. is the only one now living.
Jacob F. Miller was brought up on the farm,
and received the advantages of a common
school education. For fifty years he has de-
voted his attention- and his efforts to agricul-
tural pursuits. In 1869 he was elected a
school director and filled the office for three
years. He was assessor of the township for
eight years. As a justice of the peace he
has been honored by the citizens of the town-
ship with an unusually long term of ser-
vice. He was first elected in 1869, and was
kept in office ten years. In 1884 he was
again elected and has held the office continu-
ously since that date. He is universally
recognized as an able, faithful, and impartial
officer. Mr. Miller was married, December
8, 1853, to Caroline, daughter of the late John
and Elizabeth (Strohm) Forney. They have
had five children : Monroe, John J., Alfred
J. S., Robert S., and Emma, wife of James M.
Ranch. Monroe died December 5, 1854, and
John J. August 21, 1869. Mr. Miller's politi-
cal opinions are Republican.
MuMMA, John, was born in West Hanover
township, Dauphin county, Pa., December
26, 1827. He is a son of John and Catherine
(Ormond) Mumma. His father was born in
1142
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lancaster county, and came to Dauphin
county in 1825. He was twice married.
His first wife was Catherine Ormond ; of
their two children, John Mumma, Jr., is the
only one living. The second wife was a Miss
Weller, by whom he had six children, two of
whom are living. The father died at the
age of seventy-five. John Mumma obtained
a common school education. In his boyhood
he learned carpentry, which was his occupa-
tion for about ten years. He then bought a
farm in Fishing Creek Valley, which he has
cultivated up to the present time. Mr.
Mumma was married. May 27, 1856, to Sarah
Flory, daughter of the late Henry and Susan
(Look) Flory. Of their thirteen children,
• eleven are living : Harriet, wife of John Sei-
bert ; Isaiah ; Emanuel ; Susan, wife of
Thomas Lingle ; John H.; Elias ; Priscilla,
wifeof John Hoover; David ; William ; Sarah,
wife of William Rhoads, and Emma.
Mumma, Isaiah, was born in Fishing
Creek Valley, West Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., February 3, 1859. He is
a son of John and Sarah (Flory) Mumma, a
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
volume. In his boyhood he had opportu-
nity for securing an education in the public
schools. But he was a very industrious
helper in farm work, and was in haste to Ije
engaged in the actual business of life. He
tried farm work until he was twenty years
old, and then concluded it would be better to
learn a trade. Accordingly, in 1880, he
went to learn the business of a carpenter
and continued in it for three years. He
afterwards resumed farming. He was mar-
ried, April 18, 1880, to Miss Mary, daughter
of Thomas and Kate (Raver) Shellahamer.
They have had three children, two of whom
are living : Stella M. and Gilbert. Mr.
Mumma is now managing one of his father's
farms. He is a promising young farmer
and esteemed by all who know him.
Gaistwhite, Joseph, was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
April 9, 1830. He is a son of the late Henry
and Christiana (Ricker) Gaistwhite. His
father was born in Chester county, Pa. He
served in the war of 1812. tie was married,
in Dauphin county, to Miss Ricker, a native
of that county. They had twelve children :
John R.; William ; Joseph ; Mary M., wife
of John R. Lydic ; Michael ; Catherine,
wife of Reuben Alleman; Sallie, wife of
Henry Chritchley ; Hannah, wife of Isaac
Sellers ; David, Henry, Daniel, and Frank-
lin. Seven of these are deceased.
Joseph Gaistwhite obtained a common
school education. After leaving school he
learned shoemaking, and followed the trade
for twenty-six years. In 1863 he began
farming, and has carried on this business to
the present time. In 1884 he was elected
school director and served with acceptance
for three years. He was married, October 11,
1858, to Miss Levina, daughter of John
Kelley. They have had twelve children :
Sophia ; Kate, wife of Joseph Early ; twins,
unnamed ; Joseph Grant ; Delia ; George
W.; John C; Frank M.; Emma, wife of
Grant Runkle ; and David R. The father
of Mrs. Gaistwhite died aged fifty-two, and
her mother aged eighty-seven years. Both
were residents of Dauphin county.
MouNTZ, Adam, was born in Germany,
January 26, 1836. He is a son of the late
Leonard and Rosanna (Schanheitz) Mountz.
A sketch of his father's life appears in
another place in this volume. His parents
had four children : Catherine, wife of Will-
iam Pentcove, and of George Sluscher ; Leon-
ard ; Adam ; and Hannah, wife of Enoch
Runkle. His father was a Republican, and
a member of the Lutheran church.
Adam Mountz c;ime to America with his
mother in 1843. They landed in New
York, spent a few days there, and then
joined his father, who two years before had
settled in West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa. He secured a fair education in
the public schools. He worked out among
the farmers, and in this way made a be-
ginning in business for himself. In 1860
he was engaged in the car shops at Harris-
burg, Pa. He was married, January 5,
1861, to Miss Martha, daughter of Henry S.
and Anna Staut. They have had three
children, of whom C. Annie is the only one
living. In 1862 Mr. Mountz and his brother
bought a farm and began farming, and
have continued in the business up to the
present time.
Mountz, Leonard, was born in Germany,
September 25, 1832. He is a son of the late
Leonard and Rosanna (Schanheitz) Mountz.
His father was born in Germany in 1793,
came to America in 1840, and settled in
West Hanover township, Dauphin county,
Pa. His wife, also a native of Germany, fol-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1143
lowed him two years later. He died in West
Hanover at the age of sixty-five. He served
seven years in the German army, and par-
ticipated in the war with Napoleon. He re-
ceived a severe wound in that service, the
effects of which he carried to his grave. His
wife died in "West Hanover township, aged
seventy-nine years.
Leonard Mountz came with his mother to
America when he was ten years of age. They
joined his father, who had settled in West
Hanover two years before. He attended the
public schools and received a fair education.
His first employment was as a farm hand,
and he has made farming his occupation.
He was married, in 1859, to Miss Harriet,
daughter of Henry and Anna (Staut) Staut.
They have seven children : Emma, wife of
Solomon Buck ; John W.; Alice ; Daniel ;
Libbie, wife of John Bolton ; Sadie, wife
of Frank Wolfelsberger, and Hattie. Mr.
Mountz was elected supervisor of West Han-
over township, and served one year ; then
school director of the same township, and
served five years ; after which he was again
elected supervisor. In 1863 he was drafted
for three years' service in the United States
army. His political views are Democratic.
Mr. Mountz is a faithful member of the Lu-.
theran church.
which he now occupies and cultivates. He
was married, November 3, 1881, to Miss
Adeline, daughter of John and Sarah (Wit-
mer) Uraberger. Mr. Allen is one of the
successful and prosperous young farmers of
the township, and is personally held in high
esteem.
Allen, John M., was born in West Han-
over township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 3,
1860. He is a son of the late William and
Maria (Albright) Allen. His father,William
Allen, was born in West Hanover township,
in 1809, and was a farmer. His wife, Maria
Albright, was born in the same township, in
1826. They had five children, three of whom
are living : William F.; Mary Jane, wife of
John E. Hetrich ; and John M. In 1840 he
was elected captain of a battalion of militia
and served for twenty years. He taught for
twenty years in the schools of West Hanover
and Lower Paxton townships and filled vari-
ous other public offices in Dauphin county.
He was a Republican. He was a member of
the Presbyterian, and his wife of the Lu-
theran church. He died July 12, 1880, aged
seventy-one, and she died in 1877, aged fifty-
one years.
John M. Allen received his education in
the public schools. In early youth he
learned carpentry, and followed that occu-
pation for two years. In 1881 he bought
the farm formerly owned iby John Zeiter,
Cassel, Elias, was born February 15,
1830. He is a son of the late Henry and
Eva (Backenstow) Cassel, both of Dauphin
county, Pa. Mr. Henry Cassel was a farmer,
and was married to Miss Eva Backenstow.
They had five children : Lucy, who died aged
thirty ; Harriet, wife of Henry Brenneman ;
Eliza, wife of John E. Ricker; Elias ; and
Rebecca, wife of Henry Bittner. Mr. Cassel
lyas elected supervisorof Susquehanna town-
ship and served one year. He was a Repub-
lican, and he and his wife were members of
the Lutheran church. He died, in October,
1857, aged sixty-one. His wife is also de-
ceased.
Elias Cassel received a public school edu-
cation. He was his father's assistant on the
farm until he was twenty-eight years old.
He was married, October 18, 1855, to Miss
Susan, daughter of Isaac and Susan (Levan)
Biever. They had eight children : Sarah,
wife of Calvin Cassel ; Michael ; Laura, wife
of Jacob Landis ; Agnes, wife of D. A.
Brightbill ; Ervin, Francis, Rebecca, and
Jacob. Mr. Cassel removed to his father's
farm in 1861, and cultivated it one year. In
1862 he bought the farm of his father in-law,
Mr. Isaac Biever, on which he still resides.
He was elected school director of West Han-
over township and served three j'ears. In
1863 he was drafted for the three years' ser-
vice in the United States army and furnished
a substitute. Mr. and Mrs. Cassel are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church.
Isaac L. and Mrs. (Levan) Biever, the
parents of Mrs. Cassel, were both natives of
Berks county. Pa. They removed to Leba-
non county, Pa., about 1845, and later to
Dauphin county. Pa. They settled near
Jonestown, on the farm where Mr. Cassel
lives. Their children were : Julia, Mary,
Susan, Isaac, Daniel, John, William, and
Amos. Of these two are now living : Susan ;
and Mary, widow of John Albright, of Pen-
brook. Both parents were members of the
Lutheran church, and were worthy people
and good citizens. Mr. Biever was a Demo-
crat.
1144
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Ckum, David, was born in Dauphin county,
Pa., June 17, 1830. He is a son of the late
David and Catherine (Cassel) Crum. Both
were residents of Dauphin county. Lower
Paxton township. His father died at the
age of eighty-six years. Both parents were
faithful members of the German Baptist
church.
David Crum received a common school
education. At the age of eighteen he learned
shoemaking and for fifteen years made this
his occupation. After that time he engaged
in farming. In 1863 he bought the farm of
his father and cultivated it until 1884. At
this time he retired from active work and
bought the house of John Strock, where he
now resides. In 1853 he was married to
Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Catherine
(Shuey) Bolton. They had two childrei} :
Mary, wife of William Lingle, and Catherine,
wife of Samuel Potteiger. Mr. Crum served
as tax collector of West Hanover township
for the year 1880. In 1883 he was appointed
collector of State and county taxes. In his
political views he is Republican. He is a
faithful member of the Church of God.
Dare, James M., was born in West Han-
over township, Dauphin county. Pa. He is
a son of Joseph G. and Giliah (Reinhard)
Dare, both natives of York county, Pa., who
came to Dauphin county thirty years ago.
His father was a farmer. He was elected
supervisor for one year and held besides
various other county offices. He was mar-
ried to Miss Giliah A. Reinhard. They had
nine children, eight of whom are living:
George M.; Elizabeth J., wife of Michael
Straw ; James M., Richard L., Erastus J.,
Joseph G., William H., and John. Mr. Jo-
seph G. Dare's politics are Democratic. He
is a member of the Church of God. James
M. Dare received a common school educa-
tion. He was engaged in farming until he
was twenty-one years of age. In November,
1888, he was married to Miss Christie M.,
daughter of Jeremiah and Savilla (Mar-
berger) Forney. Their children are : Charles
M., Minnie M., Gertrude M., Annie, and
Sherman. In 1891 Mr. Dare bought the
farm of the late Michael Stockey, which he
has since that time been cultivating. His
political views are Republican. He is a
member of the Reformed church.
Lingle, Thomas W., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
January 29, 1859. He is a son of the late
Benjamin and Rebecca (Forney) Lingle, na-
tives of Dauphin county. Mr. Benjamin
Lingle was born May 23, 1811. He was a
weaver, and worked at that trade for many
years ; later in life he became a farmer. He
was a Republican, and a faithful member of
the Lutheran church. He was twice mar-
ried. His first wife was Miss Staute, by
whom he had three children : Richard ; Per-
cival ; and Lizzie, wife of Samuel Hummer ;
all deceased. His second wife was Miss Re-
becca Forney, born June 25, 1827. Their
children were six in number: Edward L.;
Josiah T.; Thomas W.; John B.; Emma,
wife of John McDonnel ; and Minnie C,
wife of Levi Hetrich. Benjamin Lingle died
March 9, 1872, aged sixty years. His wife
is still living, aged sixty-nine.
Thomas W. Lingle received but a limited
education and is a self-made man. His suc-
cess in life is principally due to his industry,
energy and good sense. His early youth
was spent upon the farm. At seventeen
years of age he began as a blacksmith's ap-
prentice. He has worked at that trade up
to the present time. By observation and by
natural mechanical talent he was enabled to
pick up a knowledge of carpentry and wagon
making, and became a good workman in
both those trades. He removed to Manada
Hill, West Hanover township, and in March,
1888, bought the residence formerly owned
by Josiah Peffly, where he has since carried
on his business. He was married, February
19, 1879, to Miss Susanna, daughter of John
and Sarah (Flory) Mumma. They have
four children : Grant E., Minnie R., Sarah
R., and John D. Mr. Lingle is a member of
Roseville Council, P. 0. S. of A. His polit-
ical views are Republican. He is a faithful
member of the Lutheran church. His en-
terprise and energy are recognized in busi-
ness circles, and he enjoys the esteem and
good wishes of his neighbors.
Buck, Solomon J., was born in Lower
Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
March 1, 1859. He is a son of Solomon and
Sarah (Albright) Buck. The father, Solo-
mon Buck, was born in Dauphin county.
In his earlier life his occupation was farm-
ing. He served as assessor of Lower Paxton
township, and in 1890 was elected supervisor
of the township. His wife, Sarah Albright,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1145
was born 1821. They had eight children,
of whom seven are living : Jane, wife of
Samuel Knubb ; Mary, wife of Levi Tittle ;
David, John H., Solomon J., Edward, and
Sallie. He is a Democrat. He belongs to
the Lutheran church. He is now seventy-
two years of age. His wife died in 1875,
aged fifty-two.
Solomon J. Buck took a limited course in
the public schools. He was engaged in
farming for some years, and in 1882 went to
Springfield, Ohio, and worked for one year
in a foundry as a moulder. The next year
he came back and worked at Penh rook for
six months at plastering. He was married.
May 17, 1883, to Miss Emma E., daughter of
Leonard and Harriet (Staut) Mountz. They
have one daughter, Hattie E. Since his
marriage Mr. Buck has devoted his attention
to farming. His political views are Demo-
cratic. He is a member of the Lutheran
church.
BoESHORE, David H., was born in Union
township, Lebanon county, Pa., October 11,
1848. He is a son of the late Thomas and
Leah (Shuck) Boeshore. John Boeshore, the
great-grandfather of David H., was a native
of Germany. He was a brewer. With two
of his brothers he emigrated from Germany.
While on the ocean one of the brothers, Au-
gust, was drowned. On reaching this coun-
tr}' the survivors were disposed of as laborers,
according to the terms by which they had se-
cured their passage. John brought $11 and
William, the other brother, $17. Wilham
finally settled in Berks county, and John in
Lebanon county. Pa. John married Cathe-
rine Hoffman. He became a farmer and
continued throughout his life in that voca-.
tion. He was a Republican and a member
of the Reformed church. Jacob Boeshore,
grandfather of David H., was married to
Elizabeth Kohr.
Thomas Boeshore, father of David H., was
born in East Hanover township in 1805. His
wife, Leah Shuck, was a native of the same
township, born in 1811. In his boyhood he
was employed in farming in Union township,
Lebanon county. He learned coopering and
made it his occupation for some years. His
first wife was Miss Catherine Capenhaver.
Two of their four children are living: Peter
C. and Catherine M., wife of Daniel U. Ger-
berich. Miss Leah Shuck was his second
wife. They had nine children, six of whom
are living: Mary, widow of Joseph Shuey;
Levi; William H.; Sarah, wife of William
Maturnas, deceased ; David H., and Nathan-
iel J. Thomas Boeshore died aged seventy-
six ; his wife still survives and is seventy-
nine years old. They were both members of
the Reformed church. Mr. Boeshore is a Re-
publican.
David H. Boeshore made the most of his
educational opportunities, which were limited.
He attended the academy in Jonestown, Leb-
anon county, Pa., when he was twelve years
of age. He worked in his youth on the farm
and in saw mills. He learned the carpen-
ter's trade and worked at it for twelve years.
He was married, in November, 1869, to Miss
Emma, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
(Ganby) Porter. Four of their six children
are living: Cora L., Katie M., Lillie S., and
Harry D. Mr. Boeshore was for a time en-
gaged in butchering and huckstering. In
1862 he enlisted in the army as a teamster
and served three months. He was on the field
after the battle of Antietani and assisted in
burying the dead. In 1873 he was appointed
school tax collector of East Hanover township
for one year ; in 1891 he was chosen judge of
elections for a term of two years. Mr. Boe-
shore is a Republican. He is a member of
the Methodist church.
ScHUBAUER, Jacob C, was born in Wur-
teraberg, Germany, February 14, 1857. He
is a son of the late John and Catherine
(Rabe) Schubauer. His grandparents were
born and passed their lives in Germany.
His grandfather was a grocer. His grand-
mother died aged ninety-six. His parents
were both natives of Germany. The father
received a limited education in the German
schools. At fourteen years of age he learned
the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked
while he remained in his native land. In
1870 he came to America, lived one year in
Lancaster count\', and then removed to Dau-
phin county, where he resided until his
death. He was married to Mis3 Catherine
Rabe. They had fifteen children, of whom
five are living : Frederick William ; Rebecca,
wife of William Rollen ; John H.; Rachel,
wife of Julius Haberstroh ; and Jacob C.
Mr. Thomas Schubauer died in Harrisburg,
Pa. His wife died aged eighty-one.
Jacob C. Schubauer received a part of his
education in Germany. In 1870, when he
was thirteen years old, he came with his par-
ents to America. He attended school in
Dauphin county for one year. After leaving
1146
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
school he went to Middletown, Pa. In 1871
he began an apprenticeship of three years at
shoemaking. He attended school during
part of this time. After acquiring his trade
he worked at it in Harrisburg as a journey-
man for three years. He next went to York
county, Pa., and worked there for one year ;
then again in Harrisburg for three months;
then three months more in West Hanover
township. Returning to Harrisburg he was
for five months employed by J. Simonetti
as driver of a huckster team. He then set-
tled down in West Hanover township, and
opened a shop of his own. He has been en-
gaged all the time since 1882 in shoemaking,
and in conducting a grocery. He was mar-
ried, February 3, 1882, to Miss Caroline T.,
daughter of John and Sarah (Totting)
Rhoads. They have one daughter, Katie J.
In his political views he is Democratic. He
is a member of the Lutheran church.
and Lavinia. Mr. Crum's politics are Re-
publican. He is a member of the Baptist
church.
Crum, Daniel, was born in Lower Pax ton
township, Dauphin county. Pa., March 6,
1836. He is a son of David and Catherine
(Cassel) Crum. David Crum was a native of
Dauphin county. He was a weaver by trade,
but was engaged in farming during his later
years, and until he retired from active busi-
ness. His wife. Miss Catherine Cassel, was
the daughter of Emanuel Cassel, resident
of Dauphin county. They had nine children,
four of whom are living: Samuel, David,
Daniel, and Catherine, wife of John Bolton.
Mr. Crum was a school director of Lower
Paxton township for six years. He was a
Republican. Both he and his wife died in
Dauphin county ; they were members of the
German Baptist church.
Daniel Crum received a limited school
education. At eighteen years of age he be-
gan a two years' apprenticeship at black-
smithing, and after learning the trade worked
at it for fifteen years. In 1883 he abandoned
the forge for the plough. He bought the
farm formerly owned by George Fackler,
which he has cultivated up to the present
time. He was married, October 6, 1861, to
his first wife. Miss Esther, daughter of John
Shope. They had five children, of whom
three survive : Catherine, wife of Jacob Shope ;
Annie, wife of Thomas Ervin, and Alice,
wife of Elmer Staute. In his second mar-
riage, December 28, 1877, Mr. Crum was
united to Miss Harriet Eagle. They have had
our children ; two are now living : Sadie
Allen, William F., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
February 5, 1850. He is a son of the late
William and Maria (Albright) Allen. His
father also was born in West Hanover town-
ship, on March 7, 1809. In his youth he
was engaged in agriculture. He had re-
ceived an education, and taught school in
Lower Paxton and in West Hanover town-
ships for fifteen years. He was a director of
the poor in Dauphin county for two years.
He was married in 1848. His wife was a
daughter of Henry and Christine (Walmer)
Albright, and was born in Dauphin county,
September 3, 1822. They had five children,
of whom three are living: William F. ;
Mary J., wife of John Hetrich ; and John M.
Mr. Allen died August 13, 1880, in West
Hanover township ; his wife died in 1873.
He was a Presbyterian, and his wife a mem-
ber of the Church of God. Mr. Allen's
politics were Republican.
William F. Allen received a common
school education. In his j'outh he assisted
his father on the old homestead farm. In
1882 he bought the farm of his father, and
has since occupied it. He is the fourth in
the line of direct descent, all of the name
of William Allen, to own and cultivate the
farm on which he now resides. He has
been twice married ; first, June 6, 1870, to
Miss Kate, daughter of John and Mary
(Bolton) Hetrich ; they had one son, Milton
M. Mr. Allen was married, November 22,
1874, to his second wife, Miss Lavina,
daughter of Jared and Mary (Potteiger)
Lutz. Their children are : William E. and
Charles F. In 1883 Mr. Allen was elected
school director of West Hanover township,
and served three years. He was re-elected
in 1889, and is still in office.
WoLFERSBERGER, Levi, was bom in Derry
township, Dauphin county. Pa., August 2,
1846. He is a son of the late Jacob and
Susan (Raser) Wolfersberger. Jacob Wolfers-
berger was born in Lebanon county, Pa.
He was a farmer and lived for twenty years
on his own farm in Derry township. His
wife was a daughter of Christian Raser and
a native of Lebanon county. They had
seven children, three of whom are living:
Philip, Levi, and Lavinia, wife of Jacob
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1147
Walter. Mr. Wolfersberger died in Derry
township aged sixty-six, and his wife died
in the same township aged sixty-one years.
They were both members of the Reformed
church. Mr. Wolfersberger was a Repub-
lican.
Levi Wolfersberger obtained his education
in the common schools of Derry township.
After leaving school he was for seven years
engaged in farming. From the year 1871,
for six years, he was employed in making
post fence. In 1877 he went upon the farm
of Cyrus Gingerich, which he cultivated for
four years. In 1882 he occupied one of
Don Cameron's farms and removed in 1883
to the farm of W. Rauch, in East Hanover
township. After tilling that farm for three
years he moved to West Hanover township,
where he now resides.
He was married, in November, 1871, to
Miss Louisa, daughter of Harry and Rosanna
j(;Shadle) McCurty. They have had seven
children, six of whom are living : Christian ;
Frank ; Susan, wife of Milton Allen ; Harvey,
Alice, and David.
Hetrich, JohnE., was born in East Han-
over township, Dauphin county, Pa., Janu-
ary 12, 1850. He is a son of Levi and Jane
(Early) Hetrich. His grandparents were
both natives of Dauphin county, and lived
to a great age ; his grandmother died aged
ninety years. Levi Hetrich, father of John
C, was also born in Daupliin county, and
was for sixty years a farmer of West Han-
over township. He was married to Miss
Jane Early, a native of Dauphin county.
Tlieir twelve children are all living, and are :
Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Ulrich ; Eckih ;
Martha, wife of Jacob Clements ; Edward ;
John.E.; Mary A., wife of John Berry ; Val-
entine ; Thomas ; Levi ; Sarah, wife of John
McCormick; Hiram; Malinda, wife of Simon
Cassel. Mr. Levi Hetrich was a Republican.
He and his wife were members of the Re-
formed church.
John E. Hetrich received a limited educa-
tion. He learned shoemaking in his boy-
hood, serving a two years' apprenticeship.
After working at his trade for six months he
abandoned it, and was for three years en-
gaged in farming. He was married, Janu-
ary 7, 1874, to Miss Jane, daughter of Will-
iam and Maria (Albright)Allen. Their chil-
dren are : Robert G., and Clara, wife of David
Shope. In 1874 he removed on a farm, and
occupied it for ten years. He also farmed
in Lower Paxton township for five years,
after which he removed to West Hanover
township, Dauphin county. In 1882 he
bought the farm of the late Samuel Witten,
which he has since cultivated up to the
present time. In 1894 he was elected tax
collector of West Hanover township, which
office he now holds.
Kramer, George W., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 25, 1836. He is a son of the late
John and Catherine (Hoffman) Kramer,
natives of Dauphin county. John Kramer
was engaged in farming until seven years
previous to his death, when he retired from
active business. His wife was Catharine
(Hoffman) Kramer. They had six children,
three of whom are living : George W., John
H., and Elizabeth, wife of George Knubb.
Mr. John Kramer died aged eighty-nine.
In his political views he was Republican.
He was a member of the Church of God ; his
wife belongs to the same church ; she still
survives at the age of ninety years. George
W. Kramer received his education in the
public schools. From his youth he was en-
gaged in farming. In 1861 he purchased a
farm of his own, which he has cultivated for
over thirty years. He was married, in 1860,
to Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael
Cassel. Of their ten children these are li,v-
ing : Aaron; Kate, wife of John Brightbill;
Annie, wife of John Stoner ; Lizzie, wife of
Edward Sherk ; Maggie, wife of Harry Bol-
ton ; Caroline, and Cora. In 1862 Mr. Kramer
was drafted for three years' service in the
United States army. In 1885 he was elected
supervisor of West Hanover township for a
term of three years and in 1892 was again
elected to the same office for two years.
Brightbill, David W., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
September 23, 1838. He is a son of the late
Adam and Elizabeth (Lingle) Brightbill.
Adam Brightbill was also born in West
Hanover township in 1809. He was edu-
cated in the public schools. He was engaged
in farming until 1861, when he retired from
business. He served as school director of
West Hanover township for a number of
years. He married Miss Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Paul Lingle, a native of Dauphin
county. Five of their eight children are
living: Benjamin; Martha, wife of John
1148
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Runkle ; David W.; Melinda, wife of Jacob
Kauffman ; Adeline, wife of Philip Moyer.
David W. Brightbill received a limited
education. In his youth he assisted upon
his father's farm. He was married, March
8, 1860, to Miss Mary J., daughter of John
and Sidney (Heckert) Buck. They have had
five children, of whom four are living:
Lizzie, wife of Frank Hicks; John Adam,
Joseph M., and Mary M. He bought the
home farm of his father's estate in 1874.
After having been a farmer for about fifty
years, he retired in 1892, and moved to the
residence he now occupies. He served effi-
ciently and acceptably for three years as
school director in West Hanover township.
In 1895 he engaged in the shingle business,
which is his present occupation.
John Buck, father of Mrs. Brightbill, was
born in Lower Paxton township, June' 27,
1811, and was a farmer. Beginning in 1825
he carried the United States mail between
Harrisburg and Hamburg for many years.
He was married, December 26, 1836, to Miss
Sidney Heckert, born in Lower Paxton town-
ship, December 26, 1814. They had ten
children, of whom these are living: Mary
Jane ; John J.; Lucy Alice, wife of Charles
Green a wait; Margaretta, wife of Joseph
Early; Caroline H., wife of Jacob Snyder;
Amos C, and George H. In his later years
Mr. Buck was engaged in hotel keeping.
He was for two years proprietor of the Pax-
tonia Hotel ; he also had the Fairhill Hotel
for ten years, after which he retired from
business, and settled at Hummelstown,
Pa., where he died June 10, 1882. He was
Democratic in his poUtical opinions. He
and his wife were members of the Reformed
church, and they are interred in Mt. Zion
cemetery, Lower Paxton township.
Mr. Jolm Brightbill, son of D. W. Bright-
bill, is engaged in the management of his
father's farm. Mr. Joseph Brightbill, an-
other son, taught school two years in Eliza-
bethtown, and two years in West Hanover
township, Dauphin countj-. Since 1890
he has been a clerk in Sible's lumber and
planing mill. He is known as a man of
integrity and is universally esteemed.
Buck, Solomon C, was born in West Hanr
over township, Dauphin county. Pa., Feb-
ruary 21 , 1844. He is a son of John and
Sophia (Cassel) Buck. His grandfather.
Christian Buck, was married, in 1808, to
Rebecca Zarker. They had seven sons:
John and Jacob, who were twins; David,
Andrew, Christian, Daniel, and Solomon.
Christian Buck died in Dauphin county.
His wife died March 9, 1874, aged eighty-
seven.
John Buck, son of Christian and Rebecca
(Zarker) Buck, and father of Solomon C,
was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., March 13,1810. He spent
his boyhood on the farm. At eighteen years
of age he learned the miller's trade in a
flouring mill, and was for seven years en-
gaged in that occupation. He was then em-
ployed in farming, until he was twenty-nine
years old. He held various offiees in West
Hanover township, and was among its prom-
inent and honored residents. Sophia Cassel,
to whom he was married, January 27, 1837,
was the daughter of John and Christina
(Smith) Cassel, and was born in Swatara
township, April 7, 1805. They had four
children, of whom the only one now living
ig Solomon C. The father died in Sep-
tember, 1891, aged eighty-one; the mother
died June 9, 1895, aged ninety years. They
were both members of the Lutheran church.
Solomon C. Buck received his education
in the common schools. Working out among
the farmers he was busily employed until he
was of age. For one year, 1865, he attended
bar for Mr. John Stemler in his hotel in
Harrisburg. The next year he began farm-
ing on his own account. He was married,
February 17, 1870, to Miss Kate A., daugh-
ter of Jacob and Mary (Keiffer) Jones. They
have no children. In 1877 Mr. Buck bought
the farm formerly owned by Samuel and
Catherine Glossbrenner, at which place he
now resides. In 1889 he was elected assessor
of West Hanover township, served one term,
was re-elected, and served a second term.
For a term of three years he was auditor.
In 1892 he was elected inspector for one year.
He also held other offices. In 1885 he was
appointed agent of fertilizer appraiser for J.
B. Thomas, of Philadelphia, which .position
he now holds. Mr. Buck is Democratic in his
political views. He is a member of the Lu-
theran church.
The grandfather of Mrs. Buck was born in
England and came to America at the age of
four years. Her grandmother was born in
Dauphin bounty and was a daughter of John
and Lizzie Keiflfer. They had four children :
John, Jacob, Daniel, and Catherine, all of
whom died in West Hanover township.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1149
Jacob Jones, the father of Mrs. Buck, was
born in Dauphin county, Pa., May 15, 1825.
Her mother was also a native of Dauphin
county and was born March 26, 1828.
Cassel, John B., was born in Swatara
township, Dauphin county, Pa., June 5,
1838. He is a son of George and Barbara
(Horst) Cassel. George Cassel was born in
Dauphin county, he was a farmer and an
honored resident of West Hanover township.
He held various offices, such as supervisor,
etc. He was a Republican, and a member
of the Lutheran church. His wife also was
a native of Dauphin county ; she was a
daughter of Michael Horst. Seven of their
eight children are living: Augustus ; John
B.; Ephraim ; Catherine, wife of Levi Bol-
ton ; Absalom; George ; and Annie, wife of
James McCord. His wife was a member of
the Baptist church.
John B. Cassel received a limited educa-
tion and was employed upon his father's
farm until he was twenty-four years old.
He was married in September, 1861, to Miss
Kate, daughter of Jacob and Catherine
(Shuey) Bolton. They had six children ;
five are living : Emma J., wife of Levi Ging-
erich ; Kate Elizabeth, wife of Henry Cas-
sel ; Annie, wife of Jacob R. Sherk ; George
E., and John H. In 1862 Mr. Cassel re-
moved to his father's farm and cultivated it
for four years. In 1872 he bought of his
father the farm where he has since resided.
In 1862 he worked one year at carpentering
but has since devoted his attention exclu-
sively to farming. In 1873 he was elected
supervisor of West Hanover township and
served one year. He wa^ elected school
director of the same township and served
three years. In 1892 he was again elected
supervisor for two years. Mr. Cassel is a
Republican.
Bolton, Levi, was born in West Hanover
township, Dauphin county. Pa., February
22, 1838. He is a son of Jacob and Cathe-
rine (Shuey) Bolton. Jacob Bolton was
born in Lebanon county. Pa. He was a
blacksmith, but was principally engaged in
farming. He was married to Miss Cathe-
rine Shuey. Of their seven children only
three are living : Sarah, wife of David Crum;
Catherine, wife of John Cassel, and Levi.
Jacob Bolton was a Republican. Both he
and his wife were members of the Lutheran
church. Both died on the old homestead,
where their son Levi now resides. The
father died in 1883, aged fifty-five, the
mother died aged seventy-one years. Both
are buried in the farm graveyard.
Levi Bolton was educated in the public
schools of Dauphin county. After leaving
school he worked with his father on the farm
until he was twenty-thi-ee years old. He
was married, in October, 1861, to Miss Kate,
daughter of George and Barbara (Horst)
Cassel. They had three children : John H.,
George E., and Harvey M. Mr. Bolton was
drafted in 1861 for the three years' service
in the United States army, and paid |300
substitute money. In 1887 he was elected
tax collector of West Hanover township for
one year. He served eleven years as school
director, and in 1895 was elected to the
same position for an additional term of three
years.
Bell, David B., was born in York county,
Pa., March 30, 1827. He was a son of the
late Peter and Sarah (Meyers). Bell. His
grandfather was born in England, and his
grandmother in York county. Peter Bell,
his father, was also born in York county.
Pa. He was educated in the public schools
of his native count} . In his younger days
he was engaged in farming in York county.
He was married, in 1814, to Miss Sarah
Meyers, a native of York county. They had
sixteen children. Five of these are living :
Anna, wife of Fred. Crumlich ; Rachel C.,
wife of John Ferry ; George W., Isaiah, and
Lavinia J., wife of Israel Stine. Peter Bell
died in June, 1844 ; his wife died at the age
of seventy-five. He was a Republican, and
a member of the Evangelical church.
David D. Bell received a common school
education. He was engaged in farming
until he was eighteen. He then learned
shoemaking, and worked at it for five years.
After this he was for two years employed in
broom making. Mr. Bell was married, De-
cember 26, 1847, to Miss Rachel, daughter of
George and Catherine (Strominger) Traver.
Six of their nine children are living : Sarah
J., wife of George Herman ; Adam H.;
Amanda E., wife of Benjamin Waltz ; George
T.; Monroe, and Edward K. From York
county, where he was farming, Mr. Bell re-
moved in 1868 to Dauphin county, and for
six years occupied the farm of Dr. Coover.
He then removed to West Hanover town-
ship and worked the farm of Mr. A. Fackler
for seventeen years. In 1891 he bought the
1150
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
farm of the late D. Bolton, on which he re-
sided at the time of his death.
George Traver, the father of Mrs. Bell,
was a native of York county. He worked
for many years at shoemaking, and was also
engaged in farming. He married Miss
Catherine Strominger, daughter of Michael
Strominger, of York county. They had
ten children, of whom seven are living :
Annie, wife of George Woods; David;
Rachel, widow of David D.Bell; Rebecca,
wife of Joseph Hain ; Elizabeth, wife of
William Downs; George W., and Daniel.
Mr. Traver died in 1878, aged eighty-eight
years. His wife died in 1873. Both were
members of the Church of God.
Fackler, Adam, was born in West Han-
over township, Dauphin county. Pa., De-
cember 24, 1851. He is a son of George and
Harriet (Fisher) Fackler. George Fackler
was born in Lower Paxton township, Dau-
phin county; he was a farmer. His wife
was also a native of Dauphin county, and
was a daughter of John and Catherine
Fisher. Mr. and Mrs. Fackler had twelve
children, of whom ten are living: Adam;
Catherine, wife of Bernhard Gastrock ;
George W.; Daniel ; Mary E., wife of Jacob
Ensininger ; Harriet, wife of Jacob Stouffer ;
Sarah, wife of a Mr. Hubbard ; David,
Emma, and Hoyt. -George Fackler was
elected supervisor of West Hanover town-
ship and served two terms. He also served
one year as constable of the same township.
For two years he was treasurer of the Dau-
phin County Fire Insurance Company, In
1880 he removed to Kansas. He has retired
from business and he and his wife are lead-
ing a quiet life.
Adam Fackler spent his early life on the
farm, and received the education usually ob-
tained by farmers' boys in the public schools.
He remained upon the farm until he was
twenty-two. He was married, in Lower Pax-
ton township, to Miss Amelia, daughter of
Augustus and Mary (Ort) Gastrock. They
have one son, John A. Mr. Fackler moved
on his father's farm in 1873, and in 1875
purchased the place, and has resided on it
ever since. He is a good, solid Republican,
and a member of the Lutheran church.
The parents of Mrs. Fackler were both
born in Germany. They came to America
in their youth and were engaged in farming.
They had seven children, of whom three are
living: Bernhard; Amelia,. Mrs. Fackler;
and Samuel. Her father died at the age of
seventy years ; her mother is still living, at
the age of sixty-five.
John A. Fackler, son of Adam Fackler,
receiyed his early education in the public
schools. At the age of fifteen he attended
the high school in Linglestown for one ses-
sion. When he was sixteen years old he at-
tended the Williamsport Business College,
and was graduated from that institution at
the end of a year, after which he learned
short-hand writing. Then, being eighteen
years old, he attended the Millersville State
Normal School until 1895, after which he
began teaching in the public school. He is
regarded by all as a young man of probity
and ability, whose future career is most
promising.
Rauch, James M., farmer, was born in
West Hanover township, Dauphin county.
Pa., February 17, 1849. He is a son of John
and Elizabeth (Shupp) Rauch, both natives
of Dauphin county, the former born in West
Hanover township, died in Martinsburg, W.
Va., the latter born in Susquehanna town-
ship, is still living, and resides in Martins-
burg. James M. Rauch grew up on the
farm in West Hanover township. He ac-
companied his parents when they removed
to Martinsburg, W. Va., in 1866, and made
his home with them for eight years. But a
home and a farm in his native township had
stronger attractions for him, and in 1874 he
gratified his desires by returning to West
Hanover township. He procured the farm
on which he now resides, and has found oc-
cupation in cultivating it. He was married,
June 19, 1880, to Miss Emma J. Miller,
daughter of Esquire Jacob T. Miller. They
have no children. Mr. Rauch is a good solid
Democrat. He is a member of the Reformed
church.
Brown, Samuel S., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. Pa.,
January 30, 1846. He is a son of the late
John and Margaret (Snoddy) Brown. His
great-grandmother was born jn Germany.
She came to America at eighteen years
of age, and settled in Dauphin county,
where she died. His grandparents were
both natives of Dauphin county. John
Brown, father of Samuel S., was born in
West Hanover township, January 16, 1812.
He was a carpenter, and followed that busi-
ness for many years; but later in life he
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1151
began farming. He married Miss Margaret
Snoddy, who was born in 1816, in West
Hanover township. They had twelve chil-
dren, of whom eleven are living : John ;
Mary, wife of Amos Cassel; William; Cal-
vin ; Samuel S ; James ; Jacob ; Margaret,
wife of Anthony Fetterman ; Sarah, wife
of Isaac Boyer; Lydia, wife of Joshua
Boeshore ; Gown ; and George. Mr. John
Brown died in West Hanover township in
1890, aged seventy-eight ; his wife died in
1881. Both were members of the Reformed
church at Shellsville, Pa.
Samuel S. Brown took only a partial
course in the public schools. From the age
of fourteen, for four years, he was employed
in farming. At eighteen he enlisted at
Harrisburg in company B, Tenth regiment,
United States infantrj'. His regiment was
.part of the Ninth army corps at Petersburg,
Va. He served three years. In 1866-67 he
served on the frontier, among the Indians.
He was discharged from the service Febru-
ary 16, 1867, when he returned home and
engaged in farming. Mr. Brown was mar-
ried, November 10, 1868, to Miss EHzabeth,
daughter of Elias and Sarah (Kauch) Dill-
man. They have had twelve children, of
whom nine are living: Christian; Margaret,
wife of Elmer Straw ; John, Samuel, Elias,
Sarah, Mary, Monroe, and Emma. In 1874
Mr. Brown removed to Cornwall, Lebanon
county. Pa., where he was employed in fill-
ing a furnace. Later he returned to West
Hanover township, Dauphin county. In
1888 he was elected supervisor of Middle
Paxton township. Since that year he has
devoted his attention to farming. Mr.
Brown is a Republican, and a member of
Hoffman's church.
Elias Dillman, the father of Mrs. Brown,
was born in Schuylkill county, Pa. He re-
moved to Cornwall, Lebanon county, and
for eleven years was engaged in filling a
furnace, after which he moved to Lancaster
county, Pa., and thence to West Hanover
township, Dauphin county, where he is still
living, at the age of eightj^-one years. He
married Sarah Kauch, a native of Schuyl-
kill county ; they had six children, of whom
the only ones now living are: John, and
Elizabeth, wife of Samuel S. Brown. Mrs.
Dillman died in 1892, aged seventy-eight.
Cassell, David, was born in West Han-
over township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 1,
1830. He is a son of the late Emanuel and
71
Hannah (Urich) Cassell. His grandparents
were natives of Pennsylvania. Emanuel
Cassell, father of David Cassell, was born in
Dauphin county. Pa. In his earlier life he
was for many years engaged in farming and
distilling. He was twice married. His first
wife was Miss Polly Urich, by whom he had
one son, Daniel. His second wife was Miss
Hannah Urich, a native of Dauphin county.
They had eleven children, of whom nine
are living: Daniel; David; Catherine, wife
of James Baker, deceased; Elizabeth, John,
Samuel, Emanuel, William, and Hannah.
He died aged sixty-eight. He was a Re-
publican and he and his wife were members
of the Church of God.
David Cassell was educated in the public
schools. His youth was spent on the farm,
where he remained until April, 1874. In
this year he removed to Plarrisburg and was
engaged in the coal and lumber business
for eleven years. After this he dealt in live
stock for four years. From 1885 to 1890
he traveled through the Western States, vis-
iting Chicago, St. Louis and other important
shipping points, and bought live stock for
shipping to Eastern markets. In 1890 he
returned to his farm, where he now resides,
and which he cultivates. He is a healthy
old bachelor and a Republican.
f
Smeltzer, David M., was born in West
Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
January 8, 1845. He is a son of the late
Peter and Rebecca (Miller) Smeltzer, both
also natives of West Hanover township. Mrs.
Smeltzer was a daughter of George and Mar-
garet Miller. Peter Smeltzer was a farmer.
They had nine children, of whom seven are
living : George ; John ; Rebecca ; Sarah, wife
of Jonathan Zeider ; William ; David M. ;
and Rosanna, wife of Martin Hocker. Both
parents died in West Hanover township, the
mother on December 24, 1884.
David M. Smeltzer was educated in the
schools of his native township. He is prac-
tically a self-made man. At seventeen years
of age he went to learn the trade of miller in
a flouring mill and was in this occupation
for five years. In 1863 he enlisted for three
months' service in the Union army, in com-
pany E, Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania
volunteers, after which he enlisted for one
year in company I, Eighty-seventh regiment.
He was in the war for three years. After
this service was over he worked for three
years at his trade. Beginning with 1868 he
1152
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
was for three years employed in farming in
South Hanover township, then four years in
Lower Paxton township, then managed a
farm in Susquehanna township for nine
years ; during the following two years he was
farming in Lower Swatara township ; then
again in Lower Paxton township for two
years ; then in Swatara township, where for
six years he operated a dairy in connection
with the farm, supplying customers in the
city of Harrisburg. At the expiration of this
period he removed to West Hanover town-
ship and bought the farm of the late Joseph
Lingle, which he now occupies and culti-
vates.
In August, 1863, Mr. Smeltzer married his
first wife. Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob
and Catherine (McCord) WoUy. They had
eight children, of whom five are living:
Minnie, wife of George W. Miller; Robert;
Samuel ; William ; and Annie, wife of Elmer
Zeider. Mrs. Smeltzer's parents were natives
of Dauphin county; her father, Jacob WoUy,
taught school in South Hanover township
for many years. In January, 1878, Mr.
Smeltzer married his second wife, Miss
Amanda E. Page, daughter of Elias and
Catherine (Zeider) Page, by whom he had
two sons ; the only one now living is John.
The second Mrs. Smeltzer's father, Elias
Page is a farmer ; he resities in Harrisburg.
On May 22, 1880, Mr. Smeltzer married his
third wife, Miss Sarah J., daughter of Jere-
miah and Hannah (Forney) Wirt. Of their
six children five are living: Margaret J.,
Sadie J., Harry E., Charles L., and Leroy H.
The parents of Mrs. Sarah Smeltzer were
natives of Dauphin county. Her father was
both carpenter and farmer. He died July 4,
1872. Her mother died July 29, 1893, at the
age of sixty-two. In 1887 Mr. Smeltzer was
elected school director of Lower Paxton
township and served two years. He is a
good, solid Rei^ublicau. He is a faithful
member of the Church of God.
Balsbaugh, Christian Hervey, author,
was born in West Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. Pa., April 16, 1831. He is a
son of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Longe-
necker) Balsbaugh. George Balsbaugh, the
great-grandfather of Christian H., was born
in Pfals, Germany. The family name origi-
nated there, from a stream of water. Bach,
running through Pfals. By a change of
consonants it became Balsbaugh. The grand-
father of Christian H. Balsbaugh was born
at Spring Creek, near the old Derry church,
in Derry township, Dauphin county ; his
grandmother was born in Cumberland
county. Pa. They resided on and cultivated
the old homestead where Christian H. was
born. The grarkdfather lived to within a
few months of ninety-seven years of age. He
was for many years a bishop. He was in
perfect health, and could read without spec-
tacles. He died without sickness. The grand-
mother died in a similar manner, at the age
of sixty-nine years. They are buried in the
graveyard at the old homestead farm.
Peter Balsbaugh, father of Christian H.,
was born in East Hanover township, Dau-
phin county. He was a very temperate
man ; he was a farmer. He married, on
August 29, 1816, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Abraham and Maria (Musser) Longenecker,
who was born in Lancaster county. They,
had nine children, of whom four are living :
Benjamin, Maria, Christian Hervey, and
Samuel. He died November. 21, 1871, aged
seventy-nine. His wife died on New Year's
eve, 1874, aged seventy-seven. Both were
members of the German Baptist church, and
both are buried at the West Hanover church
above named.
Christian Hervey Balsbaugh received the
ordinary public school education. As a
youth he was not physically strong, but was
vigorous in mind and robust in his spiritual
nature. At nineteen years of age he began
teaching school. Having to make his own
way, he accomplished his end by teaching
during the winter months and studying in
the summer. He attended the Harrisburg
Academy for one term in the summer of his
nineteenth year. In 1851 he attended Penn-
sylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., for one
term, and taught school during the winter.
In 1852 he attended Freeland Seminary, in
Montgomery county. Pa. He began the study
of medicine in the autumn of 1852, and in
the following year spent one term at the Ec-
lectic College, Philadelphia. Here he was
broken down by too arduous study and was
obliged to return home, where he remained
until the autumn of 1854 ; he then went to
New York City, entered the Hygienic Col-
lege and pursued a course of study until
1860. This was a most important and profit-
able period in his mental growth and de-
velopment. He was under the instruction of
some of the most talented, skillful, and emi-
nent men of the day. The result was a broad,
thorough and liberal education.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1153
In 1860 he began contributing to the press
and -has pubhshed many able and notable
articles on a wide range of subjects. In 1895
" Glimpses of Jesus " or " Letters of C. H.
Balsbaugh " was compiled by T. T. Myers.
The book is having a ready sale and is elicit-
ing testimonials of a most gratifying charac-
ter. Mr. Balsbaugh is now a contributor to
five magazines and carries on correspondence
with eminent people around the globe. He
administers to the relief of the afHicted as op-
portunity and ability permits. He is a prac-
tical Christian and a firm believer in the
harmony between nature and revelation. To
assert this harmony and demonstrate it has
been a favorite employment of his facile and
able pen for thirty years. He still pursues
his investigations, but confines his study
mostly to physical matters. He studies his-
tory, science, and philosophy only so far as
they illustrate the higher life.
He was first married, April 15, 1878; to
Miss Harriet, daughter of Peter and Caroline
Gipe. They had no children. Mrs. Bals-
baugh died January 8, 1887, aged forty-five.
His second marriage. May 1, 1890, was with
Miss Harriet, daughter of Dr. Elisha and
Anna Mary (Mackey) Shelly, who before her
marriage had been a teacher.
Cassel, Christian, farmer and justice of
the peace, was born February 10, 1831, in
Derry township, Dauphin county. Pa.; son
of Michael and Leah (Mumma) Cassel. His
father was born in Middle Paxton township
and is a son of John Cassel, who was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and located at Middle-
town, this county, about the year 1815, where
he became a miller for George Fry, and was
subsequently appointed agent to manage
Mr. Fry's vast estate. Here John Cassel died.
He was the father of eleven children : Fred-
erick, Michael, John, George, Katharine,
Jane, Sarah, Sophia, Lena, Elizabeth, and
Barbara. The mother of these children was
Magdalene Smith before her marriage to
John Cassel. She and her husband were
members of the Lutheran church, and Mr.
Cassel was a Whig in his political views.
Michael Cassel married Leah Mumma and
followed farming mostly in Derry and Swa-
tara townships, and died in West Hanover
on the farm now owned by his son, Christian
Cassel. The only child born to Michael and
Leah (Mumma) Cassel was Christian C.
After the death of his first wife Michael was
married to Catharine Gingrich, by whom he
had two children: Ann M. and Catharine.
Christian C. was educated in the public
schools and at Middletown and was brought
up at farm labor. He married Catharine
Runyan, daughter of George and Mary
(Wilt) Runyan, and they had eight children:
Calvin, George R., Michael M., Edward D.,
John C., Emma J., Mazie E., and Katie E.
Mr. Cassel is a director of the Hummelstown
National Bank, one of tlie managers of the
creamery at Union Deposit, and director and
treasurer of the Dauphin County Mutual
Fire Insurance Company since January 1,
1883. He has served as school director, and
supervisor and auditor of his township. He
was elected a justice of the peace in 1875,
and has filled that office ever since with
much credit and ability. He has been a
member of the Lutheran church from early
manhood. In his political views he is a
staunch Republican.
Ingram, Samuel D., was born in Chester
county. Pa., November 9, 1811. He was the
sou of Dr. John and Lydia (Delaplaine) In-
gram. His father died when he was six
years old. From that time, with his sister
Eliza, he was trained and educated in the
home of his aunt, his father's sister, the wife
of Jonathan Ganse, then a prominent teacher
and at that time and for many years the
principal of West Chester Academy and
Boarding School. In the eighteenth year
of his age Mr. Ingram went to Sandsbury-
ville and was the teacher of the county
school there. In 1837 he was elected teacher
of the girls' grammar school, in which posi-
tion he continued until he was elected the
first superintendent of the public schools of
Harrisburg and of Dauphin county, which
office he held continuously for fifteen years.
Subsequently he taught in the public schools
of this city, and for twenty-seven years con-
ducted a private school under his own di-
rect supervision. He was married, January
1, 1843, 'to Malvina F., youngest daughter of
John and Mary (Schock) Geiger. To them
was born one son, who was city editor of the
Harrisburg Telegram, and who died October
8, 1877. Mr. Ingram was quiet and unas-
suming in manner, but firm in his convic-
tions of right and sense of duty, unobtrusive
and retiring, his influence for the good and
true was felt in the community and acknowl-
edged by the esteem in which he was held.
He was more than an example in this re-
1154
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
gard, he was a factor as well. Elected saper-
intendent of schools for the city and county
when the establishment of the office was op-
posed, and the office itself held in positive
disrespect by those who should have better
appreciated its bearing, but conscious of the
necessity of elevating the standard of in-
struction, Mr. Ingram, at great personal
sacrifice, assumed the duties of the office.
He labored long and faithfully in condi-
tions which would have discouraged any
one actuated by an impulse of personal
gain only, but moved by a sense of duty to
his profession and Ids high sense of respon-
sibility to do with his might what his hand
found to do, he persevered with a result
which was to him its own reward, and to
the cause to which his service was rendered
of unmeasured value. Mr. Ingram was an
enthusiast in his profession, and was not
only an educator, but was an influential
citizen. He was at one time a member of
the city council and for years a member of
the board of control. He was prominent
in many of the humane and social organiza-
tions of the city. He was an earnest mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church. Always a
good citizen and lover of his country, Mr.
Ingram cared little or nothing for empty
fame. His ambition was to do good, to
benefit his fellows and to make the world
better for having lived. He died June 30,
1894. He was prominent in Masonic circles,
being at the date of his death the oldest
member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, and
one of the charter members of Pilgrim Com-
mandery, No. 11, K. T.
Gastrock, Baknhakd, Linglestown, was
born in Susquehanna township, Dauphin
count}'^, Pa., December 19, 1850 ; son of Au-
gustus and Mary (Orth) Gastrock. The par-
ents were both natives of Germany. The
father came to this country when he was
nineteen years of age, having been employed
in a hotel, and after his settlement here be-
came a farmer. The mother came one year
later. They had a family of five children,
three of whom are living: Barnhard, Amelia,
and Samuel, of Boston, Mass. Thefather died
August 20, 1873, aged seventy-four years.
In his politics he was a Democrat. His family
were members of the Lutheran church.
Barnhard was reared on the farm and ac-
quired only a limited education. He was
married, September 25, 1872, to Miss Cathe-
rine Fackler, daughter of George and Har-
riet (Fisher) Fackler. Their children are *
Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, Barnhard, and Will-
iam. In 1873 Mr. Gastrock engaged in
farming for himself on the farm of George
Fackler, which he cultivated for two years.
In 1875 he bought the farm lately owned by
Thomas Finney, which he has occupied since
that time. In 1890 he was elected super-
visor of West Hanover and served in the
office three years. In his political viewsHie
is a Republican, and in 1894 was a delegate
to the county convention of his party, and
the year following represented the township
in the Republican State Convention. He
and his family are members of the Lutheran
church.
Rauch, Samuel J., farmer. West Hanover
township, was born March 14, 1844; son of
John and Elizabeth (Shoop) Rauch. The
parents were both naitives of Dauphin
count^'^, the father of East Hanover and the
mother of Lower Paxton township. They
were farmers and reared a family of six chil-
dren : Mary J., Eliza A., Samuel J., John
W. and Edward, twins, and James M. The
father was a farmer and dairyman. He died
at the age of fifty-eight years, and his wife
survives and resides at Martinsburg, Va.
The grandparents were both natives of Dau-
phin county and were farmers, and both
died in Dauphin county.
Samuel J. received his primary education
in the public schools of West Hanover town-
ship, and also attended private schools for
two sessions. He was then engaged in teach-
ing for three successive winters, and working
on the farm in the summers. He also was
agent of the Buckeye Company in selling
agricultural machinery, and held this posi-
tion three years. He was also in the retail
grocery business for a number of years. He
was married, November 12, 1875, to Miss
Louisa Deitweiler, daughter of Michael and
Barbara (Thomas) Deitweiler. Their chil-
dren are : Lizzie S., Jennie A., Florence D.,
Mary L., Carrie T., and Maggie V. After his
marriage he was engaged in selling agricul-
tural machinery for five years. He then
bought the home farm of his father's estate,
on which he has since been extensively en-
gaged in farming and stock raising. In his
political views he is a Democrat, and has
served as school director, supervisor, auditor
and inspector of elections. In religious faith
he is with the Reformed church and is a
member of that denomination.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1155
Michael Deitweiler, the father of Mrs.
Rauch, was born in Lebanon county, and
was a farmer. He married Miss Barbara
Thomas and they had these children : John ;
Caroline, Mrs. Michael Eby; Leah, Mrs.
Samuel 0. Eby ; Adam ; Mollie, Mrs. John
Koons; Christina, widow of Daniel Brehm ;
Louisa, Mrs. Rauch ; and Michael. Mr."
Deitweiler died December 31,1873, aged six-
ty-two years, and his wife died in May, 1884,
aged sixty-five years, and both passed away
in Lebanon county.
Cassel, August, West Hanover township,
was born in Swatara township, Dauphin
county, Pa., March 13, 1834 ; son of the
late George and Barbara (Horst) Cassel.
The parents were both natives of Dauphin
county, and were married in 1833. They
had eight children, of whom seven are liv-
ing: August; John; Ephraim ; Catherine,
wife of Levi Bolton ; Absalom, George, and
Annie, wife of James McCord. The father
was a farmer .and a prominent man in town-
ship affairs. He was elected supervisor for
one year, and was elected assessor of West
Hanover township for two years in succes-
sion. For the last five years of his life he
gave up farming and lived retired from ac-
tive business. He was born in 1809, and
died in the seventieth year of his age. His
wife was born in 1811, and died in May, 1 873.
August first attended a school in the old
log school house in Swatara township for
two winters and was in the common schools
a part of the time each year until he became
of age. He was employed at farm work
with his father until he was twenty-three
years old. In February, 1856, he was mar-
ried to Miss Malinda Albright, daughter of
Henry and Christina (Walmer) Albright.
They have these children : John W.; Mary
B., Mrs. Jonathan Potteiger ; Rebecca J.,
wife of David Potteiger ; Emma A., wife of
John Mountz ; William A.; Sarah B., wife
of George Wells ; Grant E. Mr. Cassel was
elected school director of West Hanover
township and served for three years, was
elected assessor for two years, supervisor for
one year, and judge of elections for one
year. In 1882 he bought the farm formerly
owned by Emanuel Cassel, on which he
still resides.
BoYER, David A., general merchant and
postmaster, was born in Palmyra, Lebanon
county, Pa., December 29, 1843; son of
Abraham H. and Maria (Taylor) Boyer. The
father was born in East Hanover township,
Dauphin county, but spent a portion of his
life at Palmyra, Lebanon county, and later
returned to East Hanover township, where
he resided until 1885. His present residence
is Harrisburg, where he is filling the office
of county turnkey. During his active busi-
ness life he has been engaged in farming,
hotel keeping and various other pursuits.
The mother was born near New Holland,
Lancaster county. The parents had ten
children, of whom eight are living: David
A.; Augustine, wife of Montgomery Hughes,
deceased ; Lizzie A., wife of George A. Deihl,
Harrisburg; Martin T.; Sarah, widow of the
late Samuel .Ingram ; Abraham F.; Simon
C; Mary C, wife of Martin SchoU; Katie
M., wife of W. A. Hetterick. The father
was a prominent man in his township and
took an active part in political matters. He
held- the position of steward of the almshouse
and various township offices.
David A. when five years old returned
with his parents to East Hanover township,
where he received his primary education in
the" district schools and later attended Pal-
myra Academy and Lebanon "Valley College,
studying during the winter and engaging in
farming and other pursuits in the summer.
After completing his college course he taught
the district school in East Hanover township
in 1861. He enlisted, March 24, 1862, in
company C, Third regiment, United States
infantry, in which he served over three
years, during which time he participated in
numerous prominent engagements, among
which were the battles of Stone River, Tenn.,
Chickamaugua, Chattanooga and others.
At the battle of New Hope Churcli he was
wounded and was also disabled by disease
and taken to the hospital, first at Chatta-
nooga, from which he was removed in turn
to the hospitals at Nashville, Jeffersonville,
Madison, lud., and Columbus, Ohio, from
which he was discharged as convalescent,
November 12, 1864. He returned to East
Hanover and taught school for a time, after
which he was four years a salesman in a
general store. He then resumed teaching,
at which he was engaged for twelve years,
when he was compelled to relinquish the
work by reason of throat trouble. In 1876
he was elected to the office of justice of the
peace, which he filled until 1889, in which
year he was elected to the State Legislature
and represented his constituency in that
1156
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCTVLOPEDIA
honorable body four years. During 1893 he
was engaged in farming and other pursuits,
and in 1895 embarked in his present busi-
ness. He was appointed postmaster in Jan-
uary, 1895. Mr. Boyer was married, in East
Hanover township, in 1867, to Mary E.
Hampton, daughter of John Newton and
Caroline Hampton, to whom have been born
six sons, one of whom died in infancy, and
the survivors are : Galen T., John A., Harry
A., Chester S., and William M. In his polit-
ical views Mr. Boyer is a Republican. He
and his family attend the United Brethren
church, of which he and his wife are mem-
bers, and in which he has filled the positions
of trustee and superintendent of the Sunday-
school for many years.
WICONISCO TOWNSHIP.
Young, Walter S., burgess of Lykens,
was born in Donaldson, Schuylkill county.
Pa., January 19, 1854. He is a son of Moses
R. and Sarah (Brechbill) Young. Moses R.
Young was born in New Jersey. He began
business as a coal miner, then became a rail-
road contractor, and afterwards a merchant.
He removed to Wiconisco in 1857, and was
justice of the peace there from 1860 to 1861.
In later years he was associate judge of Dau-
phin county, with Judges Landis, Pearson
and Mumma. He was the first burgess of
lykens, in 1871. He was a Republican.
Formerly he belonged to the Odd Fellows.
Sarah Brechbill, his first wife, was a native
of Lebanon county ; two of their children
are liv'ng: Walter S. and Emma, who mar-
ried Alfred F. Hanna, of Lykens, and died
May 7, 1895. Mrs. Sarah Young dying in
1857, Mr. Young married Amelia E. Maurer,
daughter of Dr. A. G. Maurer, who survives
him. Their children are: Arthur F., Mag-
gie M., and Warren Ray.
Walter S. Young, at twelve years of age,
came with his parents from Schuylkill county
to Lykens, and completed his education in
the public school of that place. During the
latter part of his father's life Walter S. had
charge of his business. Afterwards !ie be-
came associated with Edw. Miller in railroad
contracts in New Jersey on the New York,
Susquehanna and Western railroad. In
1879 he engaged with the Standard Oil Com-
pany. In 1889 he was a partner in the
building of the Lykens Opera House, and
has been the manager of the enterprise.
Mr. Young is a Republican and takes an
active interest in political movements and
measures. He was appointed notary pubhc
in 1879, and resigned to accept the office of
postmaster, to which he was first appointed
July 23, 1880, under the administration of
President Hayes, and resigned July 15, 1886.
He received the same appointment the sec-
ond time on July 8, 1890, and still holds the
office. He was elected chief burgess of Ly-
kens in 1880, and resigned to accept the
office of postmaster. He has served on the
school board with great credit and accept-
ance. He was again elected burgess in 1891,
1892, 1893, 1894, and still holds the office,
his term expiring in 1897.
Whitney, James B., president of the
Miners' Deposit Bank, Lykens, Pa., was born
in Framingham, Mass., August 22, 1842;
son of Simon Whitney. Nathaniel R. Whit-
ney, grandfather of James B., was town clerk
and teacher in his native town. Simon
Whitney, father of James B., y^as the next to
the youngest of three children reared by
Nathaniel R. He graduated from the medi-
cal department of Harvard College in 1818,
and in 1822 began to practice medicine in
Framingham, where he became eminent in
his profession and where he died September
2, 1867. He was married, May 6, 1824, to
Miss Mary Walker, daughter of Timothy
Walker, of Charlestown, Mass. She died
March 3,1872. Their children are : Eliza-
beth W., Mrs. John W. Osgood ; Mary, de-
ceased; Allston W., died November 11, 1881 ;
Abby Walker, died in 1879, wife of C. S.
Adams; Henry A., born 1831, drowned in
1840; Harriet L., born 1833, died in 1863;
Clarence, born in 1838, died in 1881 ; James
Bradish, born August 22, 1842.
James B. Whitney was educated in the
common scliools of Framingham, Mass. He
first started in a general mercantile business
in Framingham. He was one year in Bos-
ton, and then became clerk in a commission
house in Chicago and was there five years.
In 1869 he became connected with the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company and was dis-
patcher at Millersburg for ten years, and for
five years conductor of a passenger train on
the branch road. About 1885 he was made
president of the bank in Lykens. He is a
director and the largest stockholder in the
Millersburg Standard Axle Works. He also
has large farming interests near Millersburg
He is a stockholder in the Lykens Water
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1157
Company. In politics Mr. Whitney is a
Democrat. He was elected schoul director
in Lykens on the independent ticket. Mr.
Whitney was married, in November, 1877,
to Miss Mary A., daughter of David Leffler,
of Millersburg, Pa. Thev have five children :
Abby W., Nathaniel R., Helen Elizabeth,
Allston L., and Leslie A. The family are
members of the Lutheran church.
Havkrstick, Harky W., railroad agent,
was born in Duncannon, Perry county, Pa.,
November 4, 1856; son of Michael and Susan
(Meyers) Haverstick. Michael Haverstick
was born in Cumberland county, Pa. He
was a miller, and settled in Perry county in
1853. He enlisted in 1864 in the Sixteenth
United States infantry. He died at Chatta-
noogo, Tenn., in 1864, from disease con-
tracted in the army. His wife, Susan Mey-
ers, was also a native of Cumberland county.
They had eleven children ; seven are now
living, of whom Harry W. is the fifth.
After the death of his father Harry W.
Haverstick removed, with his mother, to
Millersburg, where he was educated. Heat-
tended the public schools, and was a pupil
of the Soldiers' Orphans' schools, of Para-
dise, Lancaster county, and White Hall,
Cumberland county ; in the latter he was tile
first student entered. In 1871 he engaged
with the Northern Central railway as clerk
at Millersburg, was promoted in 1881 to
ticket and freight agent, and has filled that
position ever since.
Mr. Haverstick has been notary public in
Lykens since 1891. He was formerly a
stockholder and director in the Lykens
Bank. He is president of the school board
of Lykens for the third term. He is a Re-
publican, and a member ofWiconisco Lodge,
L 0. 0. F.
Mr. Haverstick was married, in 1878, to
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin
Schreiber, of Cumberland county, Pa. Their
children are: Edna L., A. Mildred, and
Park W. The family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Lehr, Dr. M. D., Lykens, Pa., was born in
Gratz, Dauphin county. Pa., July 22, 1860 ;
son of Henry R. and Sarah (IJebo) Lehr.
His grandfather; Daniel Lehr, was born in
Schuylkill county, Pa., and came to Gratz,
Dauphin county, about 1825, where he was
engaged in a general mercantile business for
twenty years. He was also for many years
postmaster. He died at Gratz in 1866.
Henry R. Lehr, father of Dr. Lehr, was
reared at Gratz. He was for ten years pro-
prietor of the Armstrong flouring mills in
Jackson township. In 1884 he removed to
Lykens and engaged in the produce busi-
ness, which he still carries on. He is a Re-
publican and belongs to the Lutheran church
in Lykens. He is a member of Wiconisco
Encampment and GratzLodge,!. 0. 0. F. He
had a family of three sons and two daughters.
M. D. Lehr is the eldest of his father's
family. He was reared in Gratz and Jack-
son township, and was graduated from the
Berrysburg Seminary in 1879, after which
he taught school for three years. He read
medicine with his uncle. Dr. W. Lebo, of
Valley View, Schuylkill county. Pa., and
studied at Jeff"erson Medical College, from
which he was graduated in 1884. He prac-
ticed medicine five years in Northumberland
county, Pa. In 1889 he came to Lykens,
where he now enjoys a large practice, suc-
ceeding Dr. Meyers. He belongs to Ashley
Lodge, F. & A. M., and Wiconisco Lodge,
I. 0. O. F. His politics are Republican.
Dr. Lehr was married, in 1884, to Miss E.
Kate, daughter of G W. D. Enders, of Jack-
son township. Their children are : Ger-
trude, Annie, Henry Enders, and Earl S. Dr.
Lehr is a member of the Reformed church
of Lykens ; has been deacoii and elder ever
since 1891.
Williams, Thomas M., manager of the
Lykens Valley and Summit Valley Branch
Coal Company, was born in Wales, G. B.,
June 5, 1835. He is the only child of John
and Margaret (Morgan) Williams. His
father was a tiler and' plasterer ; he died in
Wales in 1837. His mother was married
again, to Thomas Reese, a native of Wales,
and had three children : Mary, widow of
John Evans, residing in Texas; Susan, wife
of Thomas Finney, of Kentucky; Margaret,
wife of William Finney, of Kentucky. Mr.
Williams' mother died in Kentucky.
Thomas M. Williams, when he was seven
years old, worked with his stepfather in the
Welsh coal mines, using pick and shovel,
and working hard for six years. In 1848, with
his mother and her child, his half-sister, he
embarked at Liverpool for America, and
after a voyage of five weeks and one day
landed at Philadelphia, Pa. Here he worked
in the mines, first in Miner&ville, then one
]158
BIOGRAPHICAL ENOrULOPEDIA
year at Mt. Savage, Md.; here he got twelve
days schooling, the first school instruction
he ever received. He then worked at Min-
ersville until 1853, and then went to St.
Clair. He began working for himself in the
mines at Miners ville, Pa., and for three
months attended a day and night school.
From 1854 to 1857 he worked at Summit
Hill, Schuylkill county. Pa., and from 1857
to 1862 he operated in the coal mines at Min-
ersville. Pa.
Mr. Williams enlisted at Pottsville, Au-
gust, 1862, for nine months, in company A,
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, Capt. G. J. Lawrence and
Col. J. G. Frick; was ordered to Washing-
ton, D. C, and thence to Virginia. After
three months in active service he was dan-
gerously ill for six months, remaining in the
regimental hospital until his discharge. May
18, 1863, after which he returned home and
was idle for three months.
From 1863 to 1865 Mr. Williams worked
in the mines as fire boss ; he was then ap-
pointed boss of the mines. He was then at
the Wilkes-Barre mines until 1869, when he
was made manager of the Anthracite Monitor,
a newspaper published in Tamaqua in the
interest of the laborers and miners who were
then on a strike. After managing the paper
successfully for some time, Mr. Williams re-
signed and was appointed Government in-
spector of mines, which position he held
until 1880, and was then for six months
manager of the Cameron Coal Company.
Resigning this position in 1881, he was for
one year with a company in Arizona, en-
gaged in developing a silver mine ; during
that time he visited many parts of the West-
ern States.
After his return from the West Mr. Will-
iams took contracts for tunnel and rock
work. He was appointed general inside
foreman at Nanticoke, and held that posi-
tion until 1885, when he was appointed su-
perintendent of the Lykens Valley and Sum-
mit Valley Coal Company, which position
he has held since that date, giving universal
satisfaction, not only to the company, but
also to the 2,200 men employed under him.
Mr. Williams was married, in the summer
of 1854, at Minersville, to Annie Morgan, of
Welsh descent. They have six children :
Margaret J., wife of Morgan R. Morgan, gen-
eral inside superintendent of Lehigh and
Wilkes-Barre Coal Company; Thomas J.,
treasurer and secretary of the Standard Oil
Company, Baltimore, Md.; H. G., manufac-
turer of rock drill and compressor, Wayne,
Pa.; Augusta R., wife of R. Crotzer, druggist,
Danville; Josie H., unmarried; Horatio,
machinist, and one that died in infancy.
Mr. Williams is a member of Heilner Post,
No. 232, G. A. R., and of Wilkes-Barre Lodge,
No. 61, F. & A. M. He is a Republican and
attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
Having begun early in life as a hard
worker, and having passed through all
phases of life as a laboring man, Mr. Will-
iams is qualified to sympathize with the
working man. He has educated himself,
and struggled through difficulties and dis-
couragements to success, and is therefore a
wise counsellor for the laborer. He is genial
and sociable, and is universally liked.
BuFFiNGTON, Harey Edwin, attorney-at
law, Lykens, Pa., was born at Lykens, Dau-
phin county, Pa., May 2, 1867. He is a son
of George W. and Susanna (Lenker) Bufiing-
ton. He was educated in the Lykens district
school. At nine years of age he began to
work in the mines. His first job was picking
slate in the breaker of the Big Lick mines for
two years. He then- worked for Edward
Martin on a farm in Washington township
for one year, after which he returned to
Lykens and worked in the Short Mountain
Coal Mines. When fourteen years old he
drove a team, hauling coal and freight. In
the fall of 1883 he learned tailoring with
William H. Smith, at Lykens. In the mean-
time he devoted his leisure hours to study.
In this way he continued, working and edu-
cating himself, until he had saved $50.
With this sum he was enabled, by boarding
himself, to spend three months in the public
school of Lykens. For the remaining nine
months of the year he worked, until in the
following year spent three months more in
Lykens high school, after which he attended
the Berrysburg Seminary for two terms, and
in the fall of 1887 entered the preparatory
school at Waynesburg College, Green county.
Pa. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Buffington
was compelled to leave college for want of
means. He worked at the tailor trade, and
earned and saved money enough to pay his
expenses at college the next year. Thereafter
he paid his way by selling Dr. Chase's Re-
ceipt Book in vacations. While at college
he was the recognized leader, and was re-
garded by teachers and students as a diligent
worker. He completed the six years' classical
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1159
course in less than four years, and was grad-
uated from college in the class of 1891 with
the first honors of the class, being the first
student east of the Allegheny mountains to
take the honors of Waynesburg College.
For two years Mr. Buffington studied law
in the office of J. C. McAlarney, and was
admitted to the Dauphin county bar in 1893
at Harrisburg. He at once opened a law
office in Lykens, and succeeded in building
up an extensive practice in Dauphin and
adjoining counties. His politics are Repub-
lican. He takes an active interest in the
P. 0. S. of A., and composed a funeral ode
for the order.
H. E. Buffington, though a young man,
was engaged as the leading counsel for the
defense in the celebrated Zeiders murder
trial, March 9, 1896, at Pottsville. The trial
came to a sudden termination in one day by
the peculiarly shrewd and keenly penetrat-
ing cross-examination of the young practi-
tioner. Frank Adams, Isaac Bendigo, and
Charles Bendigo, of Reiner City, Schuylkill
county, were indicted for the murder of Ben-
jamin Zeiders, an aged huckster, from Perry
county, who, on Christmas night of 1895,
had his skull crushed in by a huge stone
shortly after a quarrel. Zeiders lingered un-
conscious for eight days and died without
recovering consciousness, considerable pus
having formed on the brain beneath the
wound. A post mortem examination also
revealed marked symptoms of pneumonia,
three-fourths of one lung being inflamed.
Young Buffington " took the cue," and by a
long and extensive research on the diseases
of the brain and lungs, framed an elaborate
and ingenious defense. The Commonwealth
trustingly relied on the testimony of three
local physicians to prove the corpus delicto.
The first unsuspecting physician gave dam-
aging testimony on direct examination. But
Buffington met him with such a hot fire of
technical cross-examination and medical au-
thorities as to completely break up the Com-
monwealth's case and to establish the theorj'
of the defense. The two other expert wit-
nesses of the Commonwealth followed tlie
defendant's pneumonia theory and a verdict
of " Not guilty " was rendered without the
jury's leaving the box. Frank Adams, how-
ever, was detained on the same indictment,
and a verdict of simple assault and battery
was rendered against him. The defendant
was admitted to bail, and the case appealed
to the Superior Court, before which Mr. Buf-
fington made the chief argument. Mr. W.
J. Whitehouse was associate counsel. A de-
cision has not yet been rendered.
Harry E. Buffington was married, at Tower
City, June 17, 1896, to Miss Elizabeth A.,
daughter of Dr. R. B. and Annie (Mathias)
Wilson, of Tower City. Mr. Buffington is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The career of Mr. Buffington shows how
a young man with noble aspirations can win
his way through all difficulties to an honor-
able position and qualify himself for infiu-
ence and usefulness.
The family name is English. The first
English child born in Pennsylvania was a
Buffington. George Buffington, great-grand-
father of Harry E., was born in Chester
county. Pa., in February, 1759, and was a
son of Benjamin Buffington, also a native of
the State. In 1783 George Buffington mar-
ried Barbara Hoffinan, and had eleven chil-
dren ; the fifth of these wus George Buffing-
ton, Jr., grandfather of Harry E. The par-
ents, George and Barbara (Hoffman) Buf-
fington, both died in Pennsylvania.
George Buffington, Jr., was born May 10,
1795, in Lykens Valley. He was a miller,
and lost his mill, which cost him $7,000, by
a cyclone which passed over the valley in
1855. He married Catherine Yeager, of
German descent, born in Lykens Valley.
Their children were twelve in number; they
were : Cyrus, born December 30, 1821 ;
Amanda, May 28, 1824, is deceased ; Elias,
December 23, 1825 ; John G., born January
31, 1828, died July 27, 1884; Henrietta,
born September 9, 1830, died May 22, 1832 ;
George W., born December 23, 1832, died
January 26, 1871 ; Catherine, born Novem-
ber 3," 1834; Elizabeth, born December
3, 1836 ; Leah, born December 23, 1838;
Jeremiah, born November 23, 1840, died
November 14, 1843; Peter, born April 11,
1843, died at the age of seventeen; Aaron,
born about 1846, died aged eighteen. The
father died in Lykens Valley. He was a
Whig, and a member of the Reformed
church.
His sixth cliild, George W. Buffington,
was the father of Harry E., and was born in
Lykens Valley. He was a distiller and a
contractor for hauling logs and timber to
the mines. His wife, Susanna, was the
daughter of Lewis Lenker, farmer, of Dau-
phin county. Their children are : Harvey
C, who died young ; Charles F., who resides
in Colorado ; Benjamin F., tailor, residing
1160
BIOGRAPHICAL ENOTCLOPEDIA
in Indiana ; and Harry E. Mr. BufiBngton
was a Republican, and was a member of the
Reformed church.
Thompson, Alexander F., ex-senator and
attorn ey-at-law, was born at Pottsville,
Schuylkill county, Pa., December 7, 1845.
He is a son of the late Alexander and Isa-
bella (Pennman) Thompson, both paternal
and maternal sides of the family being of
Scottish ancestry. The father, Alexander
Thompson, was born in Dalkeith, Scotland,
in 1808, and spent the first twenty years of
his life in his native land. In 1828 he emi-
grated to America, accompanied by his
brother George, by James and Robert Penn-
man, and by Isabella Pennman, who after-
wards became his wife, and her sister. Land-
ing at New York, they at once proceeded to
Schuylkill county, Pa., and settled where the
city of Pottsville now stands. Here Mr.
Thompson began prospecting for coal, and
shortly after, in connection with James and
Robert Pennman, engaged in coal mining,
which he carried on for the ensuing four or
five years. At the end of that time he be-
came superintendent of the mines of Potts
& Co., and subsequently furnished timber
to different mining firms in that section.
In 1857 Mr. Thompson removed to Porter
township, Schuylkill county, and engaged
in flour milling, lumber manufacturing and
agricultural pursuits, giving eight years to
these occupations. From 1865 until 1871
he did contract work in the mines of Will-
iamstown, and from 1871 until the date of
his death, which occurred in December,
1873, he lived a retired life.
Alexander Thompson and Isabella Penn-
man were married at Pottsville. They had
nine children : Robert, who died in child-
hood; David P., who resides in Illinois;
WiUiam W., who died at Frederick, Md.,
while serving in defense of his country in
1862; Elizabeth, wife of Hiram Kimmel,
who died at Carver Hospital, Washington,
D. C, while acting in the capacity of a nurse ;
Jennie, wife of Benneville Houtz, residing in
Tower City, Pa.; Alexander F.; Robert B., a
miner, residing in Tower City; Isabella,
wife of George Paul, of Tower City, and
James C, residing in Reynoldsville, Pa.
Mrs. Isabella Thompson died in Pottsville
in 1852.
Alexander Thompson was again married,
in Pottsville, to Mary Bast, of that city. To
this second union eleven children were born :
Isaac, residing in Tower City, Pa.; Georgei
residing in Alaska; John, residing in Tower
City ; Andrew, of Shamokin, Pa.; Abraham,
of Tower City ; Charles, who was killed in
the mines at Tower City ; Mary, wife of
George Stout; Winfield, William, Elmer,
and Rebecca, all residing in Tower City, Pa.
Their mother, Mrs. Mary Thompson, sur-
vives her husband, and resides on the home-
stead at Tower City. Mr. Thompson was a
Republican and a consistent member of the
Presbyterian church.
Alexander F. Thompson attended school
for a month in Pottsville. When he was
eleven years old his parents removed to
Porter township, where he went foj- a few
■ months to the district school. At the age of
twelve he was engaged in the winter in driv-
ing a four-horse team hauling logs to the
mill, and in summer in working on the farm.
He was employed thus for two years ; the
two following years he spent in the grist mill
of his father.
In 1862, at seventeen years of age, he en-
listed at Pottsville in company B, One Hun-
dred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania vol-
unteers, under Col. J. K. Frick and Capt.
William Wrenn, for nine months. He was
mustered in at Harrisburg, then proceeded
with his regiment to Washington, D. C,
where they joined the Army of the Potomac,
in Virginia. Mr. Thompson completed his
term of service in May, 1S63, and returned
to Tower City, where he worked in the mines
until June 30 of the same year, and then re-
enlisted in company E, Thirty-ninth State
militia, under Captain Mull and Colonel
Campbell. He spent six weeks at Cham-
bersburg and Greencastle, Pa., was dis-
charged at Harrisburg in August, 1863, and
returned for a time to his old occupation of
mining. He enlisted for the third time,
January 20, 1864, in company G, Seventh
Pennsylvania cavalry, Capt. William Wrenn
and Captains McConnick and Hinkson. He
joined his regiment at Nashville, Tenn., and
went with them through the Atlanta cam-
paign, and during this term of service had
two horses shot from under him, one at
Rome, Ga., and one at Lovejoy Station. He
was finally mustered out of the service, Au-
gust 23, 1865, returned tn Tower City, and
for four years following worked in the
mines, during which time he saved enough
money to carry him through four terms at
the Freeburg Academy. After this he again
went back to Tower Citv and worked in the
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1161
mines until 1872. Then for two and a half
years he was a partner in the firm of Snyder
& Thompson, in the general mercantile busi-
ness, at Lykens. At the end of that time he
sold his interest in the business and became
a law student with C. W. Raber at Lykens,
and Hon. A. J. Herr at Harrisburg. He
was admitted to the bar in 1877, and opened
an office at Lykens the same year, where he
has ever since practiced. Mr. Thompson
has built up an extensive and lucrative busi-
ness in Dauphin and adjoining counties and
in the higher State courts, he being a mem-
ber of the bar of the Supreme Court.
Mr. Thompson is a Republican and has
been active and prominent in his party. He
was elected to the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives in November, 1880, and re-
elected in November, 1882, and served four
years in the House with honor to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents. He was
subsequently elected to the State Senate in
November, 1884, and re-elected for a second
term in November, 1888. He served eight
years, during which he was member of
many important committees. He was chair-
man of mining and mines committees dur-
ing his whole term of service, and during
his entire service in the Legislature was
member of the judiciary general committee.
He was prominent in legislative bodies by
reason of his eminent abilities as a speaker
and debater, always commanding attention
when he addressed the body, and making
impression by the cogency of his speech and
the soundness 'of his arguments.
Mr. Thompson was married, at Lykens,
October 24, 1872, to Lizzie A. Halk, daugh-
terof William andRebecca (Laud ensch lager)
Halk, the former a merchant tailor at Wico-
nisco. To their union has been born two
children : W. Claud, student-at-law, secretary
and treasurer of the Williarbs Valley Light,
Heat and Power Company, and Warren
Ray, grdduate Pennsylvania State College,
now taking electrical engineering course at
Pennsylvania State College.
Mr. Thompson is a lover of horses and
has a track of his own. He has some fine
specimens of fast horses. He is a member
of Post No. 232, G. A. R., at Lykens, and
.past commander of William Thompson Post,
No. 174, Tower City. The family are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Thompson began life without the aid
and influence of property, but rich in native
endowments and strong in pluck and push.
He has traveled the road on foot, and well
knows every inch of the way from the hum-
blest obscurity to an acknowledged and en-
viable prominence and popularity. As a
business man, statesman and jurist he is of
acknowledged abilitj'.
Duncan, Joseph, general foundry and
machine shop, Lykens, Pa., was born in
Derbyshire, England, May 13, 1846. His
father, George Duncan, was born in Scot-
land. In his younger days he was a miner.
While still a young man he removed to
England, locating in Derbyshire, and fol-
lowed the trade of machinist with the Shef-
field and Lancastershire Railway Company.
He married Elizabeth Joshuason, born in
Leicestershire, England. They had nine
children : Mary, Joseph, John, George, Will-
iam, David, Martha, Jennie, and Elizabeth.
The father and mother both died in Eng-
land.
Joseph Duncan attended school until he
was nine years old, when he went to work
for sixpence a day in the machine shops;
this continued until he )vas fourteen years
old, when he was bound to Byer &. Pea-
cock, locomotive builders, near Manchester,
England. For the first three years his
wages were one shilling per day ; during the
next four years he received one shilling and
six pence per day. After his term of ap-,
prenticeship had expired he visited many
parts of England, and worked in various
places, getting new ideas of the working of
iron, etc.
In 1869 Mr. Duncan came to this country
on the steamer City of Paris, landed at New
York, and after a short stay went to Phila-
delphia, and soon after to Harrisburg, Pa.
After a few days he came to Lykens, where
for ten years he was machinist for the Sum-
mit Branch Railroad Company', and spent
nine years in the shops of the Lykens Valley
railroad. In 1888 Mr. Duncan bought the
present plant from J. M. Hensel for $8,000,
and improved it at an additional outlay of
$3,000, making it for convenience and com-
pleteness of equipment one of the most
thoroughly appointed plants in the State,
with a capacity for any product, from a tack
to a locomotive. The plant is capable of an
output of one hundred tons of finished
castings per month.
Mr. Duncan was married, at Manchester,
England, in 1866, to Sarah Kemp, a native
of England, born in 1846. Of their twelve
1162
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
children, those now living are: Harriet,
wife of George Hersh, miner; Elizabeth,
wife of Frederick Senior, foundryman;
Jennie, Walter, Josephine, George, and Han-
nah. The deceased children are: George,
Mary, Sarah, David, and Katie. Mr. Dun-
can is a member of the Episcopal church.
His politics are Republican. Comfortably
situated in his fine dwelling house, with a
safe and prosperous business, surrounded by
a host of friends and well wishers, Mr. Dun-
can may call his career a successful one.
Stanley, Alfred G., druggist, Lykens, Pa.
was bom in Salisbury, England, January 24,
1845. His father, Robert Stanley, was born
in Nottingham, England, in 1805. In his
younger days he was a lace manufacturer,
and later in life was a professor of music.
He was a distinguished alto singer and was
leader of the choir in the Salisbury Cathe-
dral. On December 14, 1843, be married
Annie Allwood, born in Worksop, Notting-
hamshire, who died August 17, 1874. They
had nine children: Frederick A., deceased ;
Alfred G.; Georgiana, wife of Charles Stroud,
lawyer in England ; Thomas A.; Robert, died
aged twenty-five years ; Maud, wife of Harry
Worth, of Nottingham ; Sidney J., also a law-
yer; Katie, and Lucy, deceased. The father
.still resides in England, at the age of eighty-
one.
Alfred G. Stanley attended the parochial
schools of his native place and the Cathedral
College of Salisbury. He learned the drug
business with Roberts tfe Son, with whom he
spent four and a half years, after which he
went to London and graduated with the well-
known firm of Peter BouUy, retail druggist,
of London. Having worked for some time
at the profession in London, he found a
change necessary to his health. He came to
this country in 1869 and was for a short time
in New York, then in Phiadelphia with Ellis
Sons & Co. In 1871 he came to Lykens, Pa.,
and established a first-class drug business
with a general supply of all kinds of drugs ;
he has acquired the reputation of being one
of the most reliable druggists of the county.
Mr. Stanley was married, at Lykens, in
December, 1873, to Mary, daughter of G.
Spoerl, born in Lykens. They have seven
children : Walter, deceased ; Frederick, drug-
gist, with his father; Charles, also with his
father; Wallington Smith; Katie A. M.;
Ray, and Mabel. In politics Mr. Stanley is
a liberal. He is a member of the Episcopal
church.
For sixteen years Mr. Stanley was presi-
dent of the Gratz Agricultural Society ; he
has been president of the Lykens Agricul-
tural Society for three years. He is a lover
of horses, and has some very fine ones. He
has in his possession some rare stuffed birds
from various parts of the world, some of
which he brought from England on bis re-
turn from a visit to that country in 1886.
His visit was made for the purpose of seeing
his father, now eighty-one years of age.
Mr. Stanley is a genial gentleman and a
live business man. He is the proprietor of
the celebrated Stanley Bitters. He is well-
known and popular.
Lefever, Dr.> John Russel, homceop-
athist, Ijykens, Pa., was born in New Bloom-
field, Perry county. Pa., October 7, 1860. His
father, Dr. Isaac Lefever, was born in Gettys-
burg, Pa., in 1820, and was a son of Jacob
Lefever, founder and editor of the Gettys-
burg Compiler. Dr. Isaac Lefever was edu-
cated in Gettysburg, and for some time
edited the Compiler. He read medicine and
graduated from the University of Pennsyl-
vania, and afterwards adopted 'homoeopathy.
He practiced in Cumberland county a few
years, and in Perry county. In 1868 he re-
moved to Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he
practiced until 1872; he then removed to
Harrisburg, wliere he built up an extensive
practice, and where he died October 20,1893.
He was a member of the Reformed church.
John Russel Lefever attended school in
New Bloomfield and in Mechanicsburg, and
was graduated from the high school, Harris-
burg, Pa. He read medicine with his father,
and was graduated from the Hahnemann
Medical College of Philadelphia in 1884. In
August of that year he located at Lykens,
Pa., where he enjoys a large and successful
practice.
Dr. Lefever was married, at Harrisburg,
Pa., in 1886, to Myra B., daughter of Samuel
M. Ebersole, of Harrisburg. Dr. and Mrs.
Lefever have three children: Hallett R.,
born October 9, 1887 ; Russel M., December
15, 1892, and Lillian M., October 17, 1894.
Dr. Lefever is a Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
of Wiconisco Lodge, No. 570, F. & A. M., and
State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. 0. 0. F., Har-
risburg. The Doctor is a very clever man in
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1163
his profession, and of very agreeable person-
ality. He is popular and prosperous, happy
himself, and making others happy.
Lepevee, John Russel, M. D., homoe-
opathist,Lykens,Pa.,wasborn in New Bloom-
field, Perry county. Pa., October 7, 1860. Tlie
various branches of the Lefever family found
widely scattered in Pennsylvania and south-
ward generally claim descent from Hugue-
not ancestors, exiled from France by reli-
gious persecution some two centuries ago.
They are to be met with in York, Cumber-
land, Crawford and Adams counties, Pa.,
about Winchester, Va., and in other locali-
ties, but it has become impossible to trace
relationships among them. The Lefevers of
Crawford county and of Winchester are prob-
ably the most closely allied to the family
treated of in this sketch, having descended
from uncles of Jacob Lefever, who was Dr.
John R.'s grandfather.
Jacob Lefever was born near Newville,
Cumberland county, Fa., May 31, 1(95. He
remained at home on his father's farm until
he was about twenty, when he went into a
printing office in Carlisle, Pa. Leaving Car-
lisle in 1818, he went to Gettysburg and
there established a newspaper, which he
called the Republican Compiler, and which
he conducted until 1839, when Governor
Porter appointed him register and recorder
of Adams county. He held the office until
the Constitution made it elective. At the
time of his appointment he retired from the
paper, and soon after the expiration of his
term of office returned to Cumberland
county and engaged in farming. In the
spring of 1848 Mr. Lefever represented
Cumberland county in the State Legislature.
He was still a resident of this county when
he died, April 26, 1875, in his eightieth
year.
Dr. Isaac Lefever was the son of Jacob
Lefever and his wife Elizabeth, a native of
Gettysburg, and of German descent. He
was born in Gettysburg, June 15, 1820, and
spent in that town the first twenty-five
years of his life. It may be said that his
education was mainly acquired through his
diligent application while employed in his
father's printing office ; for, although he at-
tended school regularly from the early age
of five until he reached his thirteenth year,
it was but a common school education, suf-
ficient only to acquaint him with the ele-
mentary branches. When nearly thirteen
he went into the printing office, worked dur-
ing the day and studied at night, often ris-
ing before daylight on winter mornings to
read and study in the ofiice until breakfast
time. The busy young printer even found
time for Latin, reciting on winter evenings,
about 1833 or 1834, to Dr. J. H. Marsdeu, now
of York Springs, Pa., but at that time prin-
cipal of an academy for girls at Gettys-
burg.
After his father's return to Cumberland
county, Isaac Lefever conducted the Compi-
ler until the spring of 1842, when he sold the
establishment, intending to remove from
Gettysburg. But at this time a new impulse
was given to his life, by the influence of
David Gilbert, M. D., whose lectures on
anatomy and physiology before the senior
class of Pennsylvania College he had at-
tended, by invitation of Dr. Gilbert, two or
three years before. The Doctor now sought
an interview with the young man, whose
talents he had discerned, and suggested that
he should study medicine. The idea was
new to Mr. Lefever, but after mature consid-
eration and consultation with friends he de-
cided to act upon it, and accordingly com-
menced reading with Dr. Gilbert in the
summer of the same year. He studied un-
der his preceptor until October, 1844, mean-
while attending a course of lectures on
chemistry at Pennsylvania College, by Prof
M. Jacobs. During the winter of 1844 and
1845 Mr. Lefever attended lectures at the
medical department of Pennsylvania Col-
lege, in Philadelphia, in which Dr. Gilbert
then occupied the chair of surgery. The
other professors were Drs. William R. Grant,
William Darrach, H. L. Patterson, J. Wilt-
bank, and Washington L. Atlee. Of this
group of distinguished men. Dr. Atlee is now
the sole survivor. Pennsylvania Medical
College then, and for a few years after, occu-
pied a building afterwards the seat of Hahne-
mann College, but the former was always
allopathic in its principles.
Dr. Isaac Lefever first practiced his pro-
fession at Mount Rock, Cumberland county,
Pa., for one year, then moved to. Loysville,
in Sherman's Valley, Perry county; in No-
vember, 1855, removed to New Bloomfield,
county seat of Perry county. Here he joined
the Perry County Medical Society, served in
all its offices and held his membership until
he took up homoBopathy. He was also con-
nected with the State Medical Society, and
among its records are several reports made
1164
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
by hira on behalf of the Perry county so-
ciety. In 1860 Dr. Lefever was appointed
postmaster of New Bloomfield. accepting the
office principally on account of some finan-
cial difficulties affecting himself and others
as sureties for tiiepreviousincumbeut; these
difficulties being removed, his resignation
was tendered and accepted, and he was re-
lieved of office in 1861. In that year he was
appointed surgeon of the Third brigade,
Fifteenth division. Uniformed militia of
Pennsylvania, and held the commission un-
til the then existing militia system was re-
modeled. In October, 1862, he was elected
associate judge of the courts of Perry county,
and served in that office for a term of five
years.
In 1862 Dr. Lefever wished to apply for
an appointment in the medical department
of the army, but could not obtain the con-
sent of his wife and family to this step until
1864. The application made, after due ex-
amination, he was commissioned and ordered
to report to the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania
volunteers. With some little difficulty he
reached his regiment, which was encamped
close by the battlefield of Chupin's Farm,
and remained with it until it was discharged.
Although his commission was that of assist-
ant surgeon, yet as he was the only medical
officer with the regiment he performed sur-
geon's duty. During a part of the time he
also served in the same capacity a New
York battery of artillery, besides rendering
similar services occasionally to other regi-
ments deprived of their medical officers. In
July, 1865, the regiment was discharged at
Raleigh, N. C, and the Doctor returned home
and resumed his practice.
Even before his graduation from Pennsyl-
vania Medical College, which took place in
March, 1854, Dr. Lefever had given some
consideration to the subject of homoeopathy,
but laboring under the misapprehension
common among allopathic physicians that
that system consists merely in giving very
minute doses of medicine, he paid it little
attention. Still, with a candid desire for in-
formation, he purchased and read Hahne-
mann's Organon, as well as the treatise of
Professor Simpson, of Edinburg, against
homoeopathy. Influenced, however, rather
by the latter book, which was most in ac-
cordance with his education, he again dis-
missed the subject from his mind and con-
tinued allopathic practice. But now, after
his return from the army, it was in some
way brought again under his consideration.
Meeting with a very intelligent homoeopathic
physician, and receiving satisfactory answers
to the many inquiries which he made of this
gentleman. Dr. Lefever began to experiment
as well as to read carefully on the subject.
Preparing some medicines he treated several
cases, as he then supposed homoeopathically,
but found afterwards that he had only made
an approach to that practice; yet he ob-
tained results which led to further experi-
ment with growing light on the subject and'
strengthening convictions, until, actually
against his inclination, he became fully con-
vinced of the truth of homoeopathy, and
wholly discarded allopathic drugs. The
longer he is engaged in homoeopathic prac-
tice, the stronger is his conviction that it is
the true method of treating diseases.
In the spring of 1869 he left New Bloom-
field for Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county,
from which place, in November, 1872, he re-
moved to Harrisburg, Pa., where he dit^d
October 20, 1893, and his remains were in-
terred in the cemetery at New Bloomfield,
Perry county. Pa.
Kalbach, Harry A., druggist, Lykens,
was born in Berks county. Pa., October 15,
1872. His father, William A. Kalbach, was
born in Berks county in 1844, and is a son
of Adam Kalbach, a farmer of that county.
He was a lumber manufacturer, on a large
scale, in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
He married Emma S. Lengel, born in Berks
county in 1851. Their children are : Harry
A., Clayton W. and Webster L., both at
school. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Kalbach
reside in Robesonia, Berks county. Pa. They
are members of the Reformed church.
Harry A. Kalbach attended the common
schools until he was thirteen years old, when
he entered Palatinate College, Meyerstown,
Lebanon county. Pa., and took a special
course of two years and a half in mathe-
matics and science in 1890. He spent seven
months as drug clerk with Dr. P. M. Ziegler,
of Reading, Pa., after which he was with
R. E. Moyer, of the same city, for two and a
half years. He was graduated from the
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1894,
after which he was with his uncle, L. D.
Kalbach, Bernville, Berks county, until
April, 1895. In that month he came to Ly-
kens and bought the oldest drug store in the
place, owned at one time by Mr. Garman,
and afterwards by BraUier & Co. Mr. Kal-
DAUPHIN GOUNTI.
1165
bach carries a full sio6k of pure, fresh drugs
and all other goods found in a first-class
store. Physicians' prescriptions and family
recipes are carefully compounded under his
supervision, and accuracy and safety may
be relied upon.
Mr. Kalbach is a Democrat. He is a mem-
ber of the Reformed church. He was mar-
ried in Robesonia, Berks county, June 2,
1896, to Miss Sallie M. ' Miller, a native of
Robesonia, and daughter of Adam P. and
Amanda (Klopp) Miller, residents of Robe-
sonia.
Hensel, Thomas A., was born in Lykens,
Dauphin county. Pa., December 6, 1853.
His grandfather, Andrew Hensel, was born
near Gettysburg, Pa., and was a shoemaker.
He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He
married Mary A. Geisse, by whom he had
six children : Adam, George, and Anna
Barbara, deceased; John, Andrew, and
Michael. Andrew was a Democrat. He and
his wife were members of the Reformed
church. Both died in Bloomfield, Perry
county. Pa.
John Hensel, father of T. A., was born at
Bloomfield, December 11, 1824, was educated
in his native county, and learned carpentry,
which he made his occupation. He has re-
sided in Lykens since 1846. On March 1,
1853, he married Susan Moyer, born in
Lykens Valley, daughter of Jacob Moyer, a
shoemaker of Lykens Valley, and of an old
family. They had six children : Thomas
A.; Rebecca, wife of Edward Harris; John,
of Lykens; Jennie, resides in Lykens; Jacob,
and Charles, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hensel
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. In politics Mr. Hensel's views are
liberal. •
Thomas A. Hensel was educated in the
schools of Lykens and at Dickinson Semi-
nary,Williamsport, Pa. He learned printing
under S. B. Coles and S. M. Fern. From
1872 to April, 1885, he worked at the top of
Lykens Valley slope, unhooking cars ; a very
responsible position. He served as clerk for
one Eli Kohlberg, clothier, from April, 1885,
to April, 1891. At the latter date, he and
J. J. Nutt, as partners, bought the clothing
establishment of L. Marks, who removed to
Carlisle, Pa. In May, 1895, Mr. Hensel
bought the interest of his partner, Mr. Nutt.
He has been very successful in the clothing
and furnishing business, handling only first-
class goods. When the firm of T. A. Hensel
& Co. began business in 1891 there were
three clothing stores in Lykens. Two left
town the first year, and the other was sold
out by the sheriff within the next three
years.
Mr. Hensel joined Wiconisco Lodge, No.
533, I. 0. 0. F., when he became of age, and
has since joined Wiconisco Encampment,
No. 181, I. 0. 0. F.; Estella Degree Lodge,
No. 19, of Rebeccas, and Lykens Lodge, No.
106, K. of P. He has served as district
deputy grand master for northern Dauphin
county for several years, and as district deputy
grand patriarch of the Encampment for
eight years. He has attended the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania for ten years.
Thomas A. Hensel was married, October
23,' 1882, to Miss Katie E. Coles, daughter of
S. B. Coles. They have two children, a girl
and a boy. The daughter, Lillian Anzella,
is eleven years old, and is the largest girl of
her age in Lykens. Forest Stanley, the son,
is six years old, and is also large for his age.
Mr. and Mrs. Hensel have been active and
prominent in promoting , sociability in
Lykens. They were members of the Social
Club " L. C. C", whose balls, parties and mas-
querades will long be remembered as the
local "good times" of 1875-1890, which
drew the young people and lovers of enter-
tainment from places fifty miles away.
Gakman, Jonas, grocery merchant, was
born in Snyder county, then Union county.
Pa., November 12, 1827. Henry Garman,
his grandfather, was of German and Englisb
descent. He was an extensive farmer in
Snyder county. He married Mary Berg-
stresser, of the same descent' as himself.
They had seventeen children.
Peter Garman, father of Jonas Garman,
was born in Snyder county. Pa., February
28, 1803. He was a blacksmith and farmer
and in later life had a country store in Perry
township. Union county. He married Cathe-
rine Minium, native of Northumberland
county. Pa., daughter of Nicholas Minium,
stone mason and farmer. They had seven
children: William, deceased; Jonas; Peter,
merchant on the old homestead in Snyder
county ; Catherine, wife of David Kersteller,
retired ; Sarah, deceased, wife of Thomas
Misser ; Sophia, wife of Elias Minnich,
farmer in Berrien county, Mich.; Eliza-
beth, deceased, wife of Henry Misser, also
deceased. Mr. Peter Garman was a Whig.
He and his wife were members of the old
1166
BtOGRAPmOAL ENVYVLOPEDIA
school Lutheran church. Both died in
Snyder county, Pa.
Jonas Garman attended the district schools
in Perry township, Snyder county, and
worked with his father on the farm until he
was twenty-one years of age. He learned
cabinet making and worked at that trade
for several years in different parts of the
State. Having learned the drug business
in a wholesale house in Philadelphia, he
came to Lykens in 1857 and opened a drug
store, which he conducted for twenty years
with good success. In 1881 he was also a
partner with Reily Bressler in the tin and
hardware business. In 1866, with J. M.
Hensel as partner, Mr. Garman built and
equipped a foundry and continued its man-
agement for eight years. After this he was
for some years retired from active business.
In 1891 he opened a grocery store, and has
been successful in this line.
Jonas Garman was married, in 1857, at
Freeburg, Pa., to Martha Leopold, a native
of Dauphin county. Their children are five
in number: Jonas H., druggist at Lykens;
Martha V., wife of J. L. Weidler, Renovo,
Pa.; Samuel F., Peter, and Kate, deceased.
Mrs. Martha Garman died at Lykens in
1876. Mr. Garman married again in 1878 ;
his second wife was Sarah A. Wirt, widow
of H. H. Mosser. They have two children :
Jessie and Pauline M., at school.
Mrs. Garman, by her first marriage with
Mr. Mosser, had three children : Wirt, com-
mercial man; Charles E., clerk at Lj'kens,
and Nef. H., in Harrisburg.
Mr. Garman is a Republican. He served
for several years as school director and was
always an advocate of compulsory education.
He is a member of the Lutheran church,
has been a deacon and is elder and trustee ;
he has served in all church offices.
In the way of enterprise and progressive
and pushing business spirit and methods
Mr. Garman has been a leading man in the
community. In personal worth he stands
at the front. He was postmaster during
Abraham Lincoln's administration.
Long, Adam C, bookseller and stationer,
was born in Jonestown, Lebanon county^
Pa., August 1, 1844. His greatgrandfather
Aubarn Long, or rather Lang, as the name
was originally spelled, was a native of Ger-
many and a soldier in the Revolutionary
war. His son. Christian Long, grandfather
of Adam C, took part in the war of 1812.
He was a distiller. He had eleven children.
He was a member of the Lutheran church,
old school. Joseph Long, father of A. C,
was also born in Jonestown. He was a
farmer and distiller in Lebanon county ; in
the winter he worked as blacksmith and
cooper. He married Catherine Shuey, born
in Union township, Lebanon county, mem-
ber of an old Germa,n family. They had six
children : Edward C., of Pittsburgh; Adam
C; Monroe C, postmaster at Jonestown, Pa.;
Emma, wife of B. F. Schools, weighmaster
Cornwall Furnace; Sallie C, wife of E. P'
Schropp, foundryman, Lebanon, Pa.; Annie
E., wife of William Shirk, a business man of
Fredericksburg, Pa. Mr. J. Long died De-
cember 23, 1886. He was a Democrat. He
was a member of the Lutheran church. His
wife is still living at seventy -six years of age.
Adam C. Long attended the schools of
Jonestown, Pa., also Swatara Collegiate
Institute, from which he was graduated in
1860. He taught school three terms in Leb-
anon and Schuylkill counties. He was gen-
eral clerk in a store in Fredericksburg until
1870, when he came to Lykens Valley and
for fourteen and a half years was bookkeeper
and clerk for the firm of Miller & Hielner,
Wiconisco, giving the utmost satisfaction.
In 1884 Mr. Long began selling organs and
musical instruments and opened • a book-
store in Lykens. He has continued the
business very successfully to the present
time.
Mr. Long was married, at Meyerstowu,
Lebanon county, Pa., October 31, 1867, to
Elizabeth L., daughter of Henry Lebo, farmer
of Lebanon county. She was born at Meyers-
town, March 23, 1848. They have two chil-
dren, Irvin J., born Febryiary 6, 1869, editor
and proprietor of tl»e Lykens Register, and
Ella N., born January 6,.1871, wife of Arthur
F. Douden, druggist, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs.
Long died June 29, 1895. She took an ac-
tive part in church matters.
Mr. Long is a Republican in political prin-
ciples ; is notary public, agent for the Nor-
wood Insurance Company, of New York,
and for the German Insurance Company, of
Pittsburgh, and pension attorney for Lykens.
He belongs to Lykens Lodge, No. 106, K. of
P., and is a past officer of the order.
Smith, Wellington J., M. D., physician
and surgeon, was born on the eastern shore
of Maryland, November 16, 1837. His
grandfather, John F. Smith, was a practi-
DAUPSIN COUNTY.
1167
tioner of medicine ; he came with his family
from England in 1830, and practiced in
Maryland, where he died about 1845. Will-
iam J. Smith, father of Dr. Wellington J.
Smith, was born in Carlisle, Northumber-
land county, England, December 29, 1810.
He was a graduate of the medical school of
the University of Edinburg, Scotland ; also
of the University of Pennsylvania, medical
department, in 1832. He practiced in Phila-
delphia, and later in Pottsville, Pa. He
died in Minersville, Schuylkill county, in
1859. He was the only child of Dr. J. F.
Smith. He married Miss Mary A. Ryan, a
native of England. Their children were:
Ruth Anna, wife of W. D. H. Mason, post-
master, Williamstown, Pa.; and Dr. Wel-
lington J. Dr. William J. Smith was a
Democrat. He was an Episcopalian.
Wellington J. Smith was educated in
Minersville and at Dickinson College, Car-
lisle, Pa., and was graduated from the medi-
cal department of the University of Penn-
sylvania in 1862, having previously'' read
medicine with his father. He practiced one
year at Minersville and three years in
Philadelphia. Since 1866 he has been a
resident of Lykens, where he is very popu-
lar as a physician and has a large practice.
He is also eminently successful as a surgeon,
having performed many difficult operations.
Dr. Wellington J. Smith was married, in
1863, to Maria Hablett, born in Tamaqua,
Pa.; daughter of John Hablett, an English-
man by birth, and a railroad and tunnel
contractor. Their children are: Lulu M.,
graduate of Kee-Mar College, Hagerstown,
Md. ; W. Gordon, druggist, of Philadelphia;
Beulah E., and Alfred, the former a gradu-
ate of the Lykens high school.
Dr. Smith is a member of the Episcopal
church. He is a Democrat; has been school
director for two terms, councilman for two
terms, and medical examiner for the pen-
sion board for ten years. Dr. Smith is
widely and well known as being eminent in
his profession, and a genial gentleman, en-
joying the esteem of his neighbors.
Keen, W. H. Clay, member of the Legis-
lature from Dauphin county and clerk in
the office of the Lykens Valley Coal Com-
pany, was born in Wiconisco, Dauphin
county. Pa., May 24, 1860. Daniel Keen, his
grandfather, was a native of Tower City and
a shoemaker. John H. Keen, father of W.
H. C. Keen, was born in Lykens Valley in
1840. He was a blacksmith and worked all
his life at his trade in the mines. He mar-
ried Anna May Mace, born in Berrysburg,
Pa., in 1833 ; daughter of John Mace, a
weaver. They had six children : W. H.
Clay ; Ambrose, clerk for the Lehigh and
Wilkes-Barre Coal Company ; C. E. L., a
doctor ; Annie, a school teacher ; George S.
J., student of medicine, at college in Phila-
delphia ; Benjamin S., machinist ; Millard
and John died young, Mr. Keen is a Re-
publican ; has been school director for eleven
years. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and is superintendent of
the Sunday-school. Mr, and Mrs. Keen re-
side in Wiconisco.
In early boyhood W. H. Clay Keen at-
tended the public schools of Wiconisco. At
the age of eleven he began to earn $3
per week at piek(ing slate in the breaker;
after four years at this occupation he was
employed three years longer in the mines as
a pumping engineer. Being industrious and
frugal he saved money, which enabled him
to complete his education. At the age of
eighteen he entered Waynesburg College.
He then taught school in Wiconisco for four
years. In 1883 he obtained a position as
clerk for the Lykens Valley Coal Company
and has ever since held that position, per-
forming its duties ably and faithfully and
with entire satisfaction to the company.
Mr. Keen was elected to the State Legis-
lature in 1893 to fill the unexpired term of
J. A. Laudenslager, and re-elected for a sec-
ond term. He is a Republican and active
and prominent in the party, as is shown by
his elevation to important offices. The coal
mines at Wiconisco and the legislative halls
at Harrisburg are both in Dauphin county,
and are therefore not geographically far
apart. But the social uplift from the posi-
tion of the toil-stained little slate-picker in
the one to that of the successful and hon-
ored legislator in the other is a magnificent
movement, accomplished by the industry,
talent and fidelity of Mr. Keen.
W. H. Clay Keen was married, in Wico-
nisco, Pa., in 1885, to Amelia M., daughter
of George W. Hochlander, of Cumberland
county, Pa. They have three children :
Edwin Roy, Florence M., deceased, and Mary
Elma. Mr. Keen is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and superintendent
of the Sunday-school.
72
1168
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Steckel, Rev. L. D., pastor of Christ Re-
formed church, Lykens, Pa., was born near
Whitehall, Lehigh county. Pa., January 2,
1839. The ancestors of Rev. L. D. Steckel
came from Zweibrucken, or Zweibruecken,
Germany, and were among the early settlers
of Pennsylvania. Daniel Steckel, father of
Rev. L. D. Steckel, was also born in Lehigh
county, in 1789. He was a farmer in that
county. He married Elizabeth Frantz, a
native of Lehigii county, daughter of Peter
Frantz, a farmer. They had ten children :
Hattie, wife of Charles Shafer, of Whitehall,
Lehigh county; Reuben, resides in Lehigh
county: Polly, wife of Stephen S. Albright, of
AUentown, Pa.; Amos, of Bloomfield, Iowa ;
William, merchant, Montpelier, Ind.; Alfred,
doctor, Slatington, Pa.; Rev. L. D.; Edmond,
doctor, AUentown, Pa.; Henry, professor in
the Whitehall schools, and Caroline, wife of
Joseph Miller, of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Steckel
both died on the old homestead in Lehigh
county, the former in 1877, and the latter in
1879. Mr. Steckel was originally a Whig,
and later identified with the Republican
party. He was a member of the Reformed
church in the United States. He and his wife
were prominent and highly respected people,
faithful, just, and kind in all the relations of
life.
L. D. Steckel attended the public schools
of his town until he was ten years of age, and
when he was seventeen years old was gradu-
ated from the high school. He taught school
eight winters and worked at agricultural
work during the summers. He enlisted at
AUentown, Pa., October 18, 1862, in company
G, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Pennsyl-
vania volunteers, Capt. L. P. Hecker, Col. A.
A. Lechler, and spent nine months in the
service. He held the rank of quartermaster
sergeant.
After his return from the army he spent
one year as a student at Dickinson College,
after which he took a three years' course in
theology in Mercersburg Seminary, and was
ordained to the ministry in 1867. His first
charge was Millersville, Lancaster county,
where he spent one year. He was next for
three years pastor at Huntingdon, Pa; then
had a charge in Perry county for one year
and a half, and was next at Meyersdale,
Somerset county, for eight years; there he
built a church edifice, remodeled the par-
sonage, and otherwise improved the church
property, to the extent of $5,000. Mr. Steckel
spent two years at Womelsdorf, Berks county.
three years in Pottsville, and five at Mifflin"
burg. Union county.
In 1891 Rev. Mr. Steckel received a call
from the Reformed congregation at Lykens
to become their pastor, which he accepted,
and entered upon the pastorate in the same
year. The work at Lykens has greatly pros-
pered under his care. A church edifice cost-
ing |5,000 has been erected, and every branch
of congregational work is in good condition.
Rev. Mr. Steckel has another congregation
at Tower City, and he is equally faithful
and efficient in looking after the spiritual
needs of that part of his parish. Since com-
ing to Lykens he has done a grand work in
promoting the religious interests of the com-
munity ; and the value of his services is cor-
dially recognized by all the citizens, regard-
less of political differences. He and his family
are quick to respond to all appeals for ma-
terial or spiritual help.
Rev. Mr. Steckel was married, at Manheim,
Lancaster county, Pa., in 1869, to Barbara
Peters, born at Millersville, Pa., February 16,
1844 ; daughter of Hon. Abraham Peters, a
native of Millersville, Lancaster county, Pa.,
a farmer and stock raiser. Mr. and Mrs.
Steckel have four children : Mary, born at
Huntingdon, Pa., January 17, 1872, gradu-
ated from Female College at AUentown, Pa.,
and the Conservatory of Music, Philadelphia,
is a teacher of music ; Martha, born March 8,
1875, at Meyersdale, Pa., graduated at the
college at Meyerstown, Pa., and in 1892 at
the College of Oratory, Philadelphia; Fannie
E., born July 7, 1877, graduated at Lykens
high school, 1894, and at Frederick, Md.,
College for Women in 1895, is a music
teacher; Abraham Peters, born April 1,
1879, graduated at the Lykens high school,
1894, and from Mercersburg College, in 1895,
now attending Lehigh University.
Mr. Steckel takes an interest in public and
political affairs. The family are members
of the Reformed church in the United States.
Rev. Mr. Steckel has in his family a compe-
tent and devoted staff of church workers. Mrs.
Steckel has for seven years been president
of the Ladies' Aid Society. The daughters
have formed a Young People's Society, in
which they take an active part. The Misses
Steckel are organists of the church. All the
members of the family are interested in Sun-
day-school work and in the educational and
benevolent enterprises of the community.
Their home is a fountain of good infiu-
ences.
DAUPHIK COUNTY.
1160
Shive, Edward L., engineer Northern
Central, Summit Branch railroad, was born
in Lykens Valley, June 11, 1835. John
Shive, his father, was born in Lykens Val-
ley in 1801. His trade was weaving, but he
also did butchering and other kinds of work.
In later years he was lock tender on the
canal. He married Sarah Wert, born in
Lykens Valley. They had six children :
Alfred, restaurant keeper, at Williamsburg,
Pa.; Caroline, deceased, wife of Joseph Mil-
ler, of Powell's Valley ; Edward L.; Eman-
uel, deceased ; Rachel, died young ; Lizzie
J., wife of Andrew Pressley, both deceased.
Mr. Shive was a Democrat. He died in Mid-
dle Paxton township in 1851. His wife died
at the same place in the same year.
Edward L. Shive attended school at Mil-
lersburg, and began work when he was
quite young. At fifteen years of age he be-
came collector of tolls for the Clark's Ferry
Bridge Company, and held the place three
years. He also worked on the canal
for two years, and finally engaged in boat-
ing ; for eight years he ran a boat of his
own. After this he was employed by the
railroad company as engine cleaner. In
1859 he became brakeman, then fireman,
and in 1865 he was promoted to engineer.
Mr. Shive has run on the same road for over
thirty years, during which time he has
made the remarkable ' and honorable, as
well as enviable, reputation of having had
no accident to any train drawn by his en-
gine, a record perhaps unparalleled in the
history of railroad engineers. Such skill
and fidelity, such courage and devotion,
such patience and painstaking, such sleep-
less vigilance and cool-headed judgment as
have enabled him to make this record of
successful work, have won for him the ut-
most confidence of the company and created
for him a claim on the respect and gratitude
of the traveling pubhc. All honor to the
man who has had thousands of human lives
and millions of property entrusted to him
in transit, and who steps down from his cab
with not a cent's worth of loss or damage to
his charge and no stain of blood on his con-
science. If there be a true legion of honor
among men he has in his record a free pass-
port to its highest ranks.
Edward L. Shive was married, in Harris-
burg, October 11, 1858, to Mary J. Weaver,
born in Millersburg, August 7, 1842. They
have five children: Sarah A., unmarried;
Katie E., widow of Joseph Klinger ; Susan
R., wife of J. P. Heckard ; Ella, in Harris-
burg, and John A., died in infancy. Mr.
Shive is a Republican. PIc is a member of
Perseverance Lodge, No. 133, I. 0.0. F., at
Millersburg, and was a member of the Order
of Rebecca. He is one of the largest donors
to the Zion Lutheran church, of which he is
a member, and in which he has been Sun-
day-school teacher and superintendent. He
was a member of the church council at Will-
iamstown. His children are all church
members and workers in the Sunday-school.
Martin Weaver, father of Mrs. Shive, was
born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1811.
He was a machinist and worked at Potts-
ville, Pittsburgh, and Millersburg. He was
killed at a railroad crossing near Millersburg,
July 30, 1878. He was married, in 1841, to
Elizabeth Keefer, born in Hanover township,
Dauphin county, in 1820. They had six
children: Reuben, deceased; Charles, of
Lancaster county; Mary J., Mrs. Shive;
Elizabeth, wife of H. Joury, a railroad man;
William Miller, at Millersburg, and Nathan,
distiller. Mrs. Weaver finds a pleasant
home with her daughter, Mrs. Shive.
Joseph P. Heckart, son-in-law of Mr. Shive,
was born in Lloydsville, Perry county. Pa.,
November 19, 1863; son of Joseph and Sarah
(Grimm) Heckart, and one of lour children.
He was educated iu the schools of White
Hill, Cumberland county. When a young
man he came to Lykens and obtained a posi-
tion as clerk with William Bergstresser, with
whom he has remained since that time, be-
ing foreman in the general mercantile busi-
ness. Joseph Heckart was married, in Ly-
kens, April 6, 1884, to Susan R., daughter of
Edward L. Shive. They have two children',
Zenie, born September 25, 1886, and Clyde
S., born June 11, 1890. Mr. Heckart is a
Republican. He is a member of Lykens
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Lu-
theran church.
KuNTZELMAN, Amos, scwiug machine
agent, Lykens, Pa., was born in Lykens
Valley, March 20, 1833. Henry Kuntzel-
man, his fether, was born in Pine Valley,
Schuylkill county, Pa., in 1779, and was a
son of Henry Kuntzelman, a native of Penn-
sylvania, and a farmer. Henry Kuntzel-
man, Jr., was also a farmer, both in Pine
Valley and also in Washington township,
Dauphin county. He married Elizabeth
McLean, of Irish descent, born in Millers-
burg, Pa. They had four children : Josiah,
1170
BIO GRA PHI GAL ENG YGL OPEDIA
died in the army ; Elisha, residing in Illi-
nois; Amos; Moses, resides in Nebraska.
The father died in Lykens, January 19, 1880.
He was a Republican and a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died
in Lykens Valley in 1859.
Amos Kuntzelman attended the Valley pub-
lic schools and worked on the farm until he
was fourteen years old. He then left home,
learned tailoring in Lykens, and worked
four years at that trade. In 1854 he began
business for himself as a merchant tailor,
first for three years at Fisherville, afterwards
at Lykens, continuing until the breaking
out of the war.
Mr. Kuntzelman enlisted at Pottsville,
Pa., September 23, 1861, in company G,
Ninety-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volun-
teers, Capt. J. B. Haas and Colonel Cake.
He took part in the battles of West Point
and Cumberland Landing. He was taken
sick from the effects of cold and exposure,
and was confined in the hospital for two
months. He was discharged from the ser-
vice at Philadelphia in June, 1862, returned
to Lykens, and for a time took up the sewing
machine business. He re-enlisted at Harris-
burg September 6, 1864, in company B,
Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. He was in the
Atlanta campaign, and went with Sherman
to the sea, under General Kilpatrick, who
appointed him division tailor. He was dis-
charged at Lexington, N. C, May 29, 1865.
Returning to Lykens he resumed the sewing
machine business. He handled the Singer
machine for twenty-seven years, has sold the
Standard for the past three, and has man-
aged the business successfully.
Amos Kuntzelman was married, in 1851, to
Sarah Hoffman, born in Lykens Valley.
They have four children : William H.,
miner, of Lykens ; Isaiah, tailor, Bainbridge,
Lancaster county. Pa.; . Mary E., wife of H.
E. Rumlinger, manufacturer, Philadelphia,
and Clara, wife of Charles Foster, railroad
man, of Bradford county, Pa. Mrs. Kunt-
zelman died January 13, 1865. Mr. Kunt-
zelman was married again October 23, 1865,
to Sarah C. Ersenhower, native of Halifax,
Pa., by whom he had one child, Robert A.,
a miner, of Lykens Valley. His second wife
died May 5, 1882.
Mr. Kuntzelman is a Republican. He is
a member of Heilner Post, No. 232, G. A. R.,
at Lykens, and of Wiconisco Lodge, No. 533,
I. 0. 0. F., Lykens. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church, and is a teacher
in the Sunday-school. He is a diligent
worker and an upright man, genial and
popular, has a good family, and enjoys the
respect and good will of all his neighbors.
Wallace, John J., retired railroad man,
Lykens, Pa., was born near Campbellstown,
Lebanon county. Pa., October 20,1824; son of
William Wallace, a Pennsylvanian of Scotch-
Irish descent, and a fawner. His earlier oc-
cupation was charcoal burning. He married
Elizabeth Christomer, a native of Lebanon
county. Their children were : Thomas, de-
ceased ; Legrand, deceased ; John J.; Eliza-
beth ; Harriet, wife of James Shaw ; Mary,
deceased; William, miner at Lykens. Mr.
William Wallace died at Harrisburg; his
wife died near Dauphin, Pa. He was a
Democrat.
John J. Wallace attended school both in
Lebanon and Dauphin counties, for the most
part subscription schools. In his younger
days he worked both on the farm and on the
railroad. In 1847 he removed to Lykens
Valley, and for three years worked on the
railroad and taught school. He owned a
boat, which he used on the canal. In 1867
he and Mr. Frederick Weaver owned and
operated a line of cars on the Summit
Branch railroad to Philadelphia. They built
warehouses at Lykens at much expense, and
operated the line until 1877. Mr. Wallace
then took a farm of one hundred and thirty
acres, eighty acres of which were cleared.
For eight years he farmed this tract and
then retired from active work and located in
Lykens, where he built two houses and
bought two more. He and his wife are liv-
ing in their own home, quietly enjoying the
fruits of their early labors, having done
much to increase the prosperity of the place
of their adoption. They are worthy people,
and highly respected.
Mr. Wallace was married, at Halifax, Pa.,
in 1849, to Elizabeth Suavely, born in Corn-
wall township, Lebanon county, Pa., April
8, 1831 ; daughter of Mary A. (Lemon) and
Thomas Suavely, a shoemaker. Their chil-
dren are : William L.; John G., of Philadel-
phia; Alfred, of Philadelphia; Samuel;
Anna, wife of Henry Harter; Jennie, Ellen,
and Alice, all died young. Mr. Wallace is a
Democrat of the old school. He is a member
of the Lutheran church, and of the 0. U. A. M.
Mr. Wallace has seen many changes
wrought in the valley. He has seen the
town grow up where the wilderness was, and
DAUFHIN COUNTY.
1171
all wild life giving place to culture and
civilization. Of these changes lie has been
an important part, and can look back with
satisfaction to the career of industry and pub-
lic service which he has pursued.
WallAce,"William L., chief clerk of Sum-
mit Branch Railroad Company, Lykens, Pa.,
was born at Lykens, November 22, 1856 ;
son of John J. and Elizabeth (Snavely) Wal-
lace. He attended the public schools of Ly-
kens and spent three montlis at an academy
away from home. When he was eleven
years old he was employed by his father in
the railroad office at Lykens, where he re-
mained until 1872 ; he was then transferred
to Williamstown and made station agent at
that point for one year. At the expiration
of the year he resumed his clerkship at
Lykens, and held the place until 1887. For
nine months Mr. Wallace tried the tea busi-
ness at Williamsport. Since January, 1888,
he has been chief clerk in the office of the
Northern Central Railroad Company at Ly-
kens, a position which he has filled with
.satisfaction to the company and with credit
to himself. He is popular among railroad
men and much respected by all.
William L.Wallace was married, at Hughes-
ville, Lycoming county. Pa., in April, 1883,
to Emma Snyder, born at Port Carbon,
Schuylkill county, Pa., May 12, 1856. They
have five children : Verdilla, Clara, Cloyd,
Mary, and Herbert, all fine, healthy chil-
dren. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Lu-
theran church. He is a Democrat, but
having been content to follow out his own
business plans, has never sought political
preferment.
Wallace, Samuel T., boot and shoe
dealer, Lykens, Pa., was born at Lykensj
September 13, 1862; son of John J. and
Elizabeth Wallace, and brother of William
L. He attended the schools of Lj'kens un-
til he was nineteen, receiving a thorough
education. He was graduated with honors
in the spring of 1881.
Mr. S. T. Wallace began his business life
as brakeman on the Northern Central rail-
way, between Renovo and Harrisburg, and
was thus employed for seven years. Then
returning to Lykens, he became proprietor
of the Glenn House, a well-known hotel of
tliat place. Two years later he went to
Philadelphia, where for five years he was
conductor oil an electric street railway. He
resigned this place in December, 1895, and
embarked in the boot and shoe trade at
Lykens. His recognized business ability,
agreeable manners and accommodating
spirit have made him both popular and suc-
cessful.
Samuel T. Wallace was married, at Lykens,
February 2, 1883, to Emma Klinger, born at
Lykens in July, 1864. They have one child,
C. Lee, born March 7, 1884. Both are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church. Mr. Wallace
is a Democrat. He belongs to Wiconisco
Lodge, No. 583, I. 0. 0. F., of Lykens.
He stands high in business and social circles,
is a good citizen and a first-class neighbor.
Miller, Samuel, senior partner of the
firm of Miller & Heilner, general merchants,
Wiconisco, Pa., was born in Sunbury, Pa.,
December 3, 1833. His father, Cliarles H.
Miller, was born in York county, Pa. In his
younger days he was a contractor for canal
and railroad work. He also kept a hotel in
Harrisburg for a number of years. Later
he removed to Lykens, where he died in
1872. He married Mary Boucher, a native of
Sunbury, who died in Lykens. They had
seven children : Edward, deceased ; Sophia
J., wife of J. H. Foster, of Lykens; Samuel ;
Henry C, of Danville ; Barbara, widow of
Hiram Bueck ; William P., deceased ; B. F.,
of Wiconisco. Mr. Miller wt^s a Republican.
He was a member of the Lutheran church.
Samuel Miller is a self-educated man. He
attended the public schools for only a short
time when he was a small boy. He worked
among the farmers, earning from twenty-five
to fifty cents a day. When he was fourteen
years old he was clerk in a store in Lykens,
receiving $2.75 per week, and paying his
own board. He was for two years in this
position, after which he took a contract for
making a road in the upper part of the
county, in connection with his father. After
some months' work on this contract he
worked one year at railroading in New Jer-
sey. He then returned to Lykens and
worked two years as a blacksmith for the
Lykens Valley Railroad Company. Then
he was clerk in a store at Lykens for four
years, and spent four years more with Bar-
rett & Bloom, and for twenty-seven years he
has conducted a general mercantile business
at Wiconisco. He has built up a large trade
and has the most extensive mercantile estab-
lishment in Lykens Valley. Associated with
him as a silent partner is Rev. S. A. Heilner,
1172
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Philadelphia, minister of the Methodist
church. Mr. Miller opened a branch store
in 1881 in Lykens and conducted the busi-
ness there until 1888, when he sold it to his
sons, Charles H. and Jacob M. Miller.
In 1856 Samuel Miller was married, at
Lykens, to Rebecca Mann, born in Chester
county. Pa., in 1836, of Welsh descent. They
have had nine children : Annie L., wife of
W. J. Simpson ; W. Howard, who died at
the age of four years; Jennie; Charles H.,
merchant at Lykens ; Jacob M., bicycle
dealer ; Rebecca E.; Carrie L., died in in-
fancy ; Samuel H., attending Dickinson Col-
lege ; and Mary M.
Mr. Miller is a Republican. He was a
school director for two terms, during part of
which time he was president of the board.
He is an advocate of compulsory education.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, a Sunday-school teacher and super-
intendent, and has been trustee of the church
from early manhood. He was for about five
years a director of the Miners' Deposit
Bank. Few men are more widely or favor-
ably known in the town or valley, and none
are more highly esteemed. He is genial and
popular.
Mr. Miller enlisted for three months at
Harrisburg, in March, 1863, in company D,
Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, un-
der Colonel Jennings. He is a member of
Ashler Lodge, No. 570, F. & A. M., Wico-
nisco, and has been a member of the Odd
Fellows.
Charles H. Miller, son of Samuel Miller,
is a general merchant at Lykens, where he
was born February 18, 1865. He was edu-
cated in the public schools. At sixteen
years of age he entered his father's store as
clerk and remained with the firm until
1888, when he and his brother Jacob M.
bought out the firm of Miller & Heilner,
and carried on the business under the firm
name of Miller Bros, for seven j'ears. In
1895 Charles H. Miller purchased his
brother's interest and has since conducted
the business in his own name. Mr. Charles
H. Miller is a Republican. He is a member
of the Knights of Pytliias at Lykens. He
is a promising and popular young business
man with a bright future before him.
Jacob M., second living son of Samuel
Miller, was born at Lykens, November 18,
1868. The removal of the family to "Wico-
nisco took place when he was one year old
His entire education was acquired in the
public schools of that place. After leaving
school he was clerk in his father's store for a
year, and for two years after in a branch
store at Lykens. In 1888 he and his brother
Charles H. purchased the above mentioned
business at Lykens and conducted it under
the firm name of Miller Bros, until October
16, 1895, at which date Jacob M. Miller sold
his interest to his brother, who now con-
ducts the business. From 1892 until June
29, 1896, Jacob M. Miller also conducted the
Lykens Marble Works, and then sold out
this business also. He is now dealing in bi-
cycles at Lykens. Mr. Miller is a Republi-
can. He is a member of Ashler Lodge, No.
570, F. & A. M., of Wiconisco, and of Lodge
No. 533, of Lykens.
Jacob M. Miller was married, June 4,
1895, at Lykens, to Emma, daughter of Sam-
uel and Addie Fenn., Mr. Fenn is the late
editor of the Lykens Register. Mr. Miller
attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
Lamey, Philip H., hardware and tinware
merchant, Wiconisco, Pa., was born in Clin-
ton county. Pa., March 2, 1836. His father,
John Lamey, was born in Scotland, and
came to this country when a young man.
He settled in Clinton county and en-
gaged in farming and stock raising.
He married Elizabeth Kaler, born in Ger-
many, and brought to this country in early
youth. They had twelve children : Susan,
Christian, John, Michael, Philip H., William,
Elizabeth, Delilah, and four infants that
died. Mr. Lamey was a Republican. The
family were members of the United Brethren
church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lamey died in
Clinton county.
Philip H. Lamey received his early edu-
cation in the district schools of his native
'county. He worked on the farm until he
was sixteen years old, after which he learned
the trade of millwright, and followed that
occupation eleven years. After this he
worked two years on the Central railroad
in Centre county, and then six years in the
coal regions as clerk for George Moulton &
Co. He came to Wiconisco in 1871 and
was employed for sixteen years by the Ly-
kens Valley Coal Company as outside fore-
man. In 1889 Mr. Lamey purchased the
business of J. H. Meyers, hardware and tin-
ware merchant. He has conducted the busi-
ness since that date, meeting with good suc-
cess and building up a large trade.
Philip H. Lamey was married, at Free-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1173
burg, Snyder county, Pa., in 1862, to Eliza-
beth Boyer, born in Liverpool, Perry county,
Pa. They have three children : Mary, un-
married; Edward, attending school; and
Jacob, deceased. Jacob was in the tin-
ware business for his father. In 1891 he
went to a medical college at Philadelphia,
and five days before his graduation day
he died from the effects of a cold, April
13, 1893. He belonged to the Knights of
the Golden Eagle.
Mr. Lamey is a Republican, for a year he
was a school director. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church, a Sunday-
school superintendent and teacher. Mr.
Lamey is a well-known citizen of Wiconisco.
He is enterprising and prosperous in busi-
ness, and in social circles is genial and pop-
ular.
Mossop, Isaac, junior partner and business
manager of Kimmel & Mossop, hosiery man-
ufacturers, Wiconisco, Pa., was born at Raven-
glass, England, October 28, 1860. His father,
Henry Mossop, was a native of England, and
was a butcher. He married Jane Sharp, of
Scotch descent. They had nine children :
William, residing in Salt Lake City, Utah ;
Mary, deceased, wife of John Shaw, of Eng-
land; Elizabeth, wife of J. Studholme,
Tower City, Pa.; Isaac; Fanny, wife of Will-
iam Dewfall, England ; Annie J., Henry,
John, and Thomas, died young. Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Mossop died in England.
Isaac Mossop received a common school
education in his native country. He began
his business life by working as a farmer's
boy, receiving sixpence a day and his board.
After six months of this employment he
worked four years as a carpenter and joiner.
He was next employed by a railroad com-
pany as a shipping clerk. In 1881 he came
to the United States on the steamship City
of Montreal, landed at New York, and came
to Philadelphia. He spent a week there,
then went to Tower City, and worked four
and a half years as a laborer in the mines.
He afterwards went into the confectionery
business in Tower City, and continued in
this business three years, meeting with suc-
cess, fn 1889 he came to W^iconisco, and in
connection with the late A. F. Kimmel, built
a large factory, and equipped it with ma-
chines for the manufacture of seamless hose,
expending $5,000 in furnishing the plant
and making it one of the most complete and
convenient establishments in that line of
work. The firm employs 120 hands, and
pays $1,500 [)er month in wages, producing
goods which find a ready market in all parts
of the country. Since Mr. Kimmel's death,
Mr. Mossop is the general manager and su-
perintendent of every department of the
business.
Isaac Mossop was married, in Tower City,
January 16, 1883, to Violet Jenkins, born in 4
Tamaqua, Pa., May 19, 1858 ; daughter of
John and Matilda Jenkins, the former was
killed during the Civil war. They have no
children.
Mr. Mossop is a Republican. He is a
member of Ashler Lodge, No. 570, F. & A.
M., and of Lodge No. 755, I. 0. 0. F., Tower
City. In the planning and operating of his
magnificent factory, and in the successful
management of the establishment, Mr.
Mossop has displayed great business ability.
His enterprising spirit and progressive
methods are recognized and admired, while
his genial nature and kindly manners make
him most agreeable in social life. Mr. Mos-
sop is a director of the Miners' Deposit Bank
of Lykens ; a director of the Williams Valley
Railroad Company and treasurer of the Wico-
nisco Dye and Manufacturing Company.
Cheistman, Charles D., M. D., physician
and surgeon, Wiconisco, Pa., was born in
Kutztown, Berks county. Pa., January 29,
1857. His grandfather, Daniel D. Christ-
man, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a
merchant of Montgomery county. Pa. Silas
Christman, father of Dr. Christman, was
born in Montgomery county. In his younger
days he was a stone cutter and was engaged
in contract work. He was one of the builders
of the Dauphin bridge. In later years lie
was a music teacher. He had great musical
talent; was a leader in church singing and
an organist. For thirty years he filled the
office of justice of the peace in Montgomery
and Berks counties Mr. Christman mar-
ried Telima Jordan, of English descent.
They had six children : Percival, deceased;
Sarah, wife of John Gerhart, farmer, Mont-
gomery county ; James, carriage maker,
Bucks county ; Dr. Charles D.; Annie,
wife of T. Shaw, shoe dealer, Philadelphia;
Mary, wife of A. F. Styer, manager of Boltz
& Clyman's cigar factory, Philadelphia.
The father died in 1889, the mother in 1884.
1174
BIO GRA PHIGAL ENCYCL OPEDIA
They were members of the Reformed church.
Mr. Christman was a Democrat.
Charles D. Christman attended the public
schools of Kutztown, Berks county. At
fourteen years of age he entered Perkiomen
Seminary, at Pennsburg, Pa., and at the
close of a five years' course was graduated
with honors. He then taught school for one
term. Mr. Christman then spent one year in
the drug store of Dr. Bobb, of East Green-
ville, at the same time reading medicine
under Dr. Bobb. After a course of two years
of study at the College of Pharmacy, in Phila-
delphia, during which time he was engaged
in the pharmacy of Dr. David T. Brown, 29
Ridge avenue, Philadelphia, he was grad-
uated with the class of 1880. Dr. Christman
then came to Wiconisco and was in the drug
store of Kneiffer & Diefenderfer for three
years, at the same time reading medicine.
He was graduated from the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md.,
in 1885, and returned to Wiconisco and took
up the practice of medicine. In 1886 the
Doctor returned to Baltimore and took a
special course on the treatment of the dis-
eases of women, and of the eye, ear and
throat, and similar complaints; also in gen-
eral surgical operations. He also, in Phila-
delphia in 1892, took the special course for
the treatment of catarrh. In 1893 he took
the appliances of the 0. E. Miller hernia
treatment, and has made a specialty of this
cure. The Doctor has built up a practice
extending throughout the State, and is
visited by hundreds of patients from places
near and far. Dr. Christman is also inter-
ested in other branches of business. He is
a partner with W. H. Clay Keen in a drug
store, with which is connected a hardware
department.
Dr. Christman has the diplomas of eight
schools and colleges, and is well versed in
professional knowledge. He is a man of
sound judgment, wide information and great
enterprise and industry. He is also de-
servedly popular as a gentleman of genial
manner.
He was married, in Reading, Pa., Decem-
ber 31, 1885, to Lizzie Krum, of Missouri.
They have three children ; Florence M.,
Harry, and Charles. Dr. Christman is a Re-
publican. He is a charter member of Ashler
Lodge, No. 755, F. & A. M., and is always
open-handed in works of benevolence. He
helped many of his fellow-students at college
who had need of financial assistance.
Lenker, John N., physician and surgeon,
Wiconisco, Pa., was born in Northumberland
county, Pa., July 31, 1865. Jacob Lenker,
father of John N. Lenker, and son of John
Lenker, was also born in Northumberland
county, in 1833. He married Sarah Bona-
witz, who died in 1869. Mr. Jacob Lenker
died in the same year as his wife.
John N. Lenker lived with his uncle for a
few years. At the age of fourteen he went to
live with Dr. Kautz, of Berrysburg, where
he attended school. He taught school for
two years in Northumberland county and at
Carsonville, Dauphin county. He read
medicine under Dr. Kautz, and was gradu-
ated from the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., in 1886, with
honors. He spent nine months as an
" interne " at Bay View Hospital, Baltimore.
In 1887 Dr. Lenker returned to Berrysburg,
and practiced therein partnership with his
former preceptor. Dr. Kautz, for three years.
Since 1890 he has been in practice at Wico-
nisco, and has been in every way successful.
Dr. John N. Lenker was married, at Se-
linsgrove, Snyder county, Pa., October 7,
1889, to a native of that county, Sallie E.,
daughter of Isaac Burns, of Scotch and Ger-
man descent, a contractor and builder. Dr.
and Mrs. Lenker have no children. Dr.
Lenker is a Republican. He is a member of
the Lutheran church, general council, at
Lykens, and is a trustee of that church.
The Doctor is well established in his practice
and is doing his share of work not only in
healing the diseases of the people, but in
guiding them into better knowledge and
more perfect observance of the lawsof health.
Jones, Col. William W., train dispatcher
and yardrriaster, Summit Branch railroad,
Lykens, Pa., was born at Llandilo, Caermar-
then shire, Wales, August 22, 1827. His
father, John J. Jones, was also born in
Wales, where he spent his younger days as
keeper for the estate of Lord De Never. In
1829 he embarked at Swansea on a sailing
vessel for the United States. After a long
voyage he landed at Millsvillage, Nova
Scotia, where he spent one year. From
t^ere he came to Philadelphia," and after a
year's stay in that city removed to Pottsville
and worked for a time at shoemaking. He
was also employed five years by the Brooks
Coal Company. He taught school in Potts-
ville and died there in 1860. He was mar-
ried, in Wales, to Mary Jenkins. They had
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1175
nine children: John, died in Wales; Ann,
William W., Jane, Eliza, Amelia, Benja-
min Franklin, John (2), deceased, and two
children that died in infancy. Mrs. Jones
died in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He was an old line Whig ; he was a good
citizen and ah industrious and worthy man.
William W. Jones attended the common
schools at Pottsville and worked as a gar-
dener in his boyhood. When he was eleven
years old he left home with all he owned
tied up in a bandanna handkerchief He
found employment on the Schuylkill canal
as a hand on "a canal boat for three years.
He then returned to Pottsville and obtained
the position of " printer's devil " with R. M.
Palmer, editor of the Pottsville Emporium,
and remained in that position until 1847.
He learned carpentry in Schuylkill county
and was employed for two years in building
coal breakers.
Mr. Jones was next employed by the
Lykens Valley Coal Company at Lykens, in
the capacity of carpenter and foreman in the
car building and repair shops, for seven
years. In 1852 he became brakeman on the
Lykens Valley railroad and was promoted
first to fireman and then to engineer on that
road. In 1869 he was made a commissioner
to construct a State road in Schuylkill and
Dauphin counties, from Tower City to
Keffers ; and in 1872 was given the position
of yardmaster and train dispatcher. He has
since held that position, giving the utmost
satisfaction to the company and gaining
great credit for himself In his long service
of forty-four years with the company Colonel
Jones has filled many positions, from the
lowest to the highest and most responsible,
and in all of them he has displayed the same
excellencies and virtues — intelligence, fidel-
ity, industry and probity. His employers
value his services and esteem the man, and
his fellow- workmen recognize his worth and
render him due esteem. All regard him as
an upright man and a valuable citizen.
Colonel Jones enlisted at Harrisburg in
June, 1863, in company D, Twenty-sixth
Pennsylvania volunteers. Captain Pell and
Colonel Jennings, for three months' service.
He was discharged in September, 1863, at
Harrisburg.
He was married, in 1852, to Annie Shan-
non, born in Palo Alto, SchuylMll county,
in 1831, daughter of Philip Shannon, a na-
tive of the State and a railroad man. Their
children are : Elsie, wife of D. W. Day, rail-
road conductor, residing at Millersburg, has
four children, two deceased ; Katie, deceased ;
Georgiana, wife of Albert Yeader, miner,
Lykens, Pa.; Harriet, John E., and William
Howard, all deceased; Benjamin Franklin,
railroad man ; Victoria W., deceased; Bertha
Nevada, deceased, wife of William Lehman,
also deceased.
Colonel Jones is one of the original Re-
publicans of Dauphin county. He was for-
merly a Whig. He has served as school di-
rector. In 1869 he was a candidate on the
Independent ticket, opposing Hon. Donald
Cameron, and owing to his personal popu-
larity he gave that distinguished statesman
and politician a close fight, polling a very
large vote. Workingmen recognize him as
one of their number, in sympathy with
them and a safe leader and counsellor. Al-
though of foreign blood and birth he is a
thorough and loyal American, deprecating
all separation of citizens into classes and par-
ties by any line of political, social or re-
ligious rank, and in favor of all measures
that will develop a broad and genuine
Americanism. Colonel Jones is the sole sur-
vivor of the charter members of Wiconisco
Lodge, No. 535, I. 0. 0. F., at Lykens. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Lykens and the organizer of its
Sunday-school. He is in good health and
presents a fine example of an active and
useful life crowned by a comfortable and
happy age.
Keiser, Henry, supply clerk, Lykens
Valley Coal Company, was born at Gratz,
Pa., October 26, 1840. His father, Daniel
Keiser, was born in Mahanoy Valley,
Schuylkill county, Pa., in 1821, and was of
German descent. He attended the subscrip-
tion schools of the county, and learned the
trade of tanning. He continued worjfing
at that trade in Centre and Dauphin coun-
ties until 1850. In that year he bought a
hotel at Lykens and conducted it for some
years. He then bought an eighty -acre farm
near Wiconisco, now owned by the heirs of
A. F. Engbert, and cultivated it for a few
vears. In 1866 he sold this farm and
bought another, containing eighty-seven
acres, in Williams township. On this farm
he made extensive and valuable improve-
ments, building a fine residence, barn and
outhouses, planting an orchard, making
roads, etc., at an expense of $11,000. He
1176
BIO GRAPHICAL ENGYCL OPEDIA
also owned a saw mill, manufactured and
dealt in lumber, with which he supplied the
mines, and manufactured powder in the
Glen Vallej'. Mr. Daniel Keiser was a Re-
publican ; he represented Dauphin county
in the State Legislature from 1863 to 1865.
He married Elizabeth Matter, born in Ly-
kens Valley in 1820. They had eight chil-
dren : Henry ; Maria, wife of Joseph Dun-
lap, butcher, Lykens; William, farmer in
Delaware; Elizabeth, wife of Levi Work-
man, manager coal mines. West Virginia;
Susan A., wife of E. H. Wilson, machinist,
Baltimore, Md.; George, died at the age of
seventeen ; John and Catherine, died young.
Mrs. Daniel Keiser died at Lykens in 1852.
Mr. Keiser was married again, in 1853, to
Amanda Zerby, a native of Lykens Valle}',
by whom he had twelve children: Ellen,
wife of Lewis Jackson, of West Virginia;
Daniel, a miner; Morris, merchant, North-
umberland county. Pa.; Edward, miner,
Lykens; Samuel, a miner of Lykens; Alice,
resides in Williamstown, Pa. Their other
children died in infancy. Mr. Keiser was a
member of the Lutheran church. He died
in 1877. He was enterprising and very
progressive ; was prominent in business, in
politics, and in all social matters ; was very
popular and highly respected.
Henry Keiser attended school in Centre
county, and in Elizabethville, Dauphin
county, receiving a good common school
education. At the age of seventeen he en-
tered the printing office of Daniel Hoffman,
where he was employed until, in April, 1861,
he enlisted at Lykens for three months'
service in company E, Tenth Pennsylvania
volunteers, Capt. E. G. Savage, and his regi-
ment formed part of General Patterson's
division. He was mustered into the service
at Harrisburg, and spent his three months
in the field. At the expiration of his term,
in July, he was again employed in the print-
ing office until he re-enlisted at Lykens, in
September, 1861. He was mustered at Potts-
ville into company G, Ninety-sixth Pennsyl-
vania volunteers. Col. H. L. Cake, Capt. F.
J. Dowden, of Lykens. Mr. Keiser was in
the battles of West Point, the Seven Days'
Fight, South Mountain, Gettysburg, Freder-
icksburg, battle of the Wilderness, Cold Har-
bor, Spottsylvania (May 10 and 12, 1864),
Shenandoah Valley, and Cedar Creek. In
this last battle he was wounded in the right
hip by a ball, in consequence of which he
was six weeks ofi' duty ; he then rejoined his
regiment in the field. He was present at the
surrender of General Lee, in April, 1865,
and at the grand review of the troops at
Washington, D. C, and was mustered out of
the service in July, 1865. Returning to
Lykens, he resumed work in the p)rinting
ofiice, where he was employed until 1873.
In this year he was engaged as supply clerk
by the Lykens Valley Coal Company. This
responsible position he has held for the
last quarter of a century, performing its
duties with the utmost satisfaction to the
company and the highest credit to himself.
Henry Keiser was married, in March,
1864, at Harrisburg, while on furlough, to
Sarah Workman, born in Williams Valley,
in January, 1841 ; daughter of Joseph Work-
man, a miner, and Catherine, his wife. Mr.
and Mrs. Keiser have ten children : Anzella
v., wife of Joseph Dodd, miner, at Lykens ;
William, a. miner ; Daisy B., unmarried ;
Austin, miner, Lykens; Claude, a clerk with
the Lykens Valley Coal Company ; Cora and
Harry, attending school ; Joseph, Arthur,
and Moses, all died in infancy.
Mr. Keiser is a Republican. He has been
a school director for nine years in Wiconisco
township, and was elected to the same posi-
tion in the borough of Lykens in 1896 for
three years. He has always taken a deep
interest in school matters, and is in favor of
compulsory education. He takes an active
part in religious movements, and is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.
Keiser is a man of pleasing personality, is
always well dressed and agreeable in man-
ners. Both employers and employees like
him, and he is popular with all classes.
Smith, Henry, locomotive engineer, Ly-
kensand Summit Branch Railroad Company,
now Central PennsylvaniaRailroadCompany,
Lykens, was born in Washington township,
Dauphin county, Pa., April 6, 1843. His
father, Daniel Smith, was born in Northum-
berland county. Pa., in 1810. He was a car-
penter, and was also engaged in farming in
Washington township, Dauphin county. He
married Catherine Runk, born in that town-
ship. Their children are: Daniel R., farmer,
on homestead, Washington township ; Jona-
than, carpenter, Williamstown, Pa.; James,
carpenter, Williamstown, Pa.; Hiram, car-
penter, Elizabethville, Pa.; Adam, was a sol-
dier, lost his life in the battle of Lookout
Mountain; Thomas, of Elizabethville, de-
ceased ; Katie, wife of Samuel Earhart, Har-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1177
risburg, Pa., and Frank, freight conductor,
Sunbury, Pa. Mrs. Smith died at the home-
stead in Washington township. The second
wife of Mr. Smith was Eliza Rechstamer ;
they had no children. Mr. Smith died at
Elizabeth ville. He was a Democrat of the
old school, and a member of the Lutheran
church.
Henry Smith obtained a good common
school education in the schools of Elizabeth -
ville. He grew up on the farm, and was en-
gaged in farm work until he was twenty-one.
In 1864 he entered the employ of the Sum-
mit Branch Railroad Company, and was a
brakeman on a coal train for four years. He
was then fireman for twenty-two months. In
1870 he was promoted to engineer, and has
served in that position for the past twenty-
six years, meeting with only one accident in
that long term of service.
Henry Smith was married, in Jackson
township, in 1865, to Catherine, daughter of
Philip Enders, and sister of G.W. D. Enders,
of Fisherville. She was born in Jackson
township, August 18, 1842. They have three
children: Alice, born June, 1865, died in
July, 1865 ; Harper L., born in 1868, died
May 26, 1884; Harry E., born May 1, 1870,
fireman on Northern Central railroad. Mr.
Smith is a member of the Lutheran church,
to which he is a large contributor. He is a
trustee of the church, and a member of its
building committee and church council. His
politics are Democratic.
In 1893 Mr. Harry E. Smith married Miss
Minnie S. Chupp. They have two children,
Eldred Burnett, born in 1893, and Pauline
B., bom in 1895.
Hooper, Rev. Philip Stansbury, pastor
of Zion Lutheran church, of Lykens, Pa.,
was born in Fannettsburg, Franklin county,
Pa., September 11, 1834. His father, Joshua
Hooper, was born in Frederick county, Md.,
and was a blacksmith. He married Cathe-
rine Zeigler,born nearChambersburg, Frank-
lin county. Their children are: Philip
Stansbury; Rebecca, wife of A. Van Scoyoc,
farmer, Tyrone, Pa.; James, Isaac, John,
William, Henry, Susan, and Molly, all de-
ceased, except Philip Stansbury, and Rebecca.
Mr. Hooper was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He died in Altoona, Pa.,
in 1861 ; his wife had died in May, 1860.
Philip Stansbury Hooper received his
primary education in subscription schools
and in the public schools of Blair county,
Pa. In 1850 he began learning the black-
smith trade with his father, and worked at
the anvil until he was twenty-one years old.
At this age he left the paternal roof, and was
for two years employed in the railroad shops
at Altoona, Pa., as an iron worker. He saved
his earnings with the view of acquiring a
liberal education, and made a reputation as
an industrious young man with high and
worthy aims. His pastor, who was always
planning for his young friend, obtained for
him a position in the postoffice, which he
gladly accepted. Soon a way was opened
for him to enter the preparatory department
of Pennsylvania College. Pursuing the
course of studies there with untiring dili-
gence, he reached the Sophomore class-, when,
for lack of means, he was compelled to leave
college and seek remunerative employment
for a year. When ready to resume college
studies, he was influenced by certain consid-
erations of a pecuniary nature to enter the
Sophomore class of Wittenberg College at
Springfield, Ohio, where he was graduated
in 1861, and where he subsequently took the
full theological course.
Upon the completion of this course Mr.
Hooper was licensed by the Miami Synod to
preach the gospel, and a year later was or-
dained to the ministry of the Lutheran
church by the West Pennsylvania Synod,
holding its convention at Newville, Pa.
His first work was at Carlisle Springs, Cum-
berland county. Pa. This was during the
darkest hours of the late Civil war, and
being settled near the border he had to do
his work amid many discouragements. The
salary of $400 kept him poor, if it did not
keep him humble.
During his pastorate at Carlisle Springs
Rev. Philip S. Hooper was married, at
Springfield, Ohio, to Miss Sallie C, only
daughter of Levi and Frances Louisa Lath-
rop. She was prominent in society and
church circles in Springfield and a graduate
of the Presbyterian Female Seminary of that
city. They had two children : Stella, wife
of I. J. Long, a sketch of whom appears in
this volume; and Mary Florence, who died
at six years of age.
In 1864 Mr. Hooper accepted a call to the
church in Martinsburg, Pa., where he re-
mained several years and removed thence
to New Philadelphia, thence to Findlay,
and thence to Bellefontaine, all in Ohio.
At the last-named place, in conjunction with
others, he founded the Lutheran Evangelist,
1178
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
now a prosperous church paper. He became
foreman and office manager, assisted in set-
ting the first type, and made up the first
forms of this paper, which was established
as a Western church paper. From this
work he was called to Trinity church, Sha-
mokin. Pa., where he stayed longer than
any of his predecessors in that pastorate.
Subsequently he served pastorates at Stone
Church, Phoenixville, and Clearfield, Pa.
In 1882, owing to the state of his wife's
health, Mr. Hooper removed with the family
to Philadelphia in order to place her under
the immediate care of her favorite physician.
During his stay in that city he was office
manager of the Industrial Review and the
International Review, at that time published
by a company of experienced journalists.
When Mrs. Hooper's health improved he
accepted a call to the Central Lutheran
church of Phoenixville, where they worked
successfully, aiid where they spent the most
delightful portion of their married life. Rev.
Mr. Hooper removed from Phoenixville to
Clearfield, and from that place to Lykens,
Pa., where he is now (1896) located. He
entered upon his duties here on the first
Lord's Day in 1890. In the following year
the cornerstone of a new church edifice was
laid, the old structure having become in-
adequate to the needs of the congr^'gation
and Sunday-school.
In the work connected with the erection
of this building, as well as in all the duties
of his ministry, Mr. Hooper's wife was, un-
der God, his guide, his helpmeet and strong
right arm. Upon her he leaned in his
hours of trial; to her he went for counsel;
upon her advice he was always disposed to
act, and in her judgment he implicitly
trusted. In matters theological and eccle-
siastical she was well informed and was
perfectly familiar with the work of her de-
nomination. The needs of the Lord's vine-
yard in this age of marvellous opportunity
stirred her soul and kindled within her the
fire of intense missionary zeal. Her death,
which occurred in Philadelphia, May 31,
1895, at the age of fifty years,- brought sad-
ness to many hearts throughout the church,
and left the parsonage home in the gloom
of night. The workers in the broader circles
of church and denominational enterprise
deeply felt her loss. The " In Memoriam "
read at the tenth annual convention of the
Women's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society, of East Pennsylvania Synod, con-
tains an expression of the high esteem in
which she was held by those best acquainted
with her tireless industry and ceaseless ef-
forts, her womanly tact and skill in minis-
tering to the happiness and to the spiritual
needs of all about her.
As a preacher Rev. Mr. Hooper is clear,
forceful and practical, and it follows, effec-
tive. As a church worker the results of his
labors demonstrate his ability and faithful-
ness. As a man the value of his work in
the community is recognized by all citizens,
and he is popular with all, because all feel
the genuineness of his character and the
broad charity of his spirit.
Long, Irwin J., son-in-law of Rev. P. S.
Hooper, was born at his grandfather's farm,
near Jonestown, Lebanon county. Pa., Feb-
ruary 6, 1869. He is a son of Adam C. and
Elizabeth (Lebo) Long. In the fall of 1870,
when he was not quite two years old, his
parents removed to Wiconisco, Dauphin
county. Pa., where he spent his boyhood, re-
ceiving his education in the public schools.
In 1881 the family removed to Lykens, Pa.,
where his education was continued in the
borough schools and he was graduated in the
high school class of 1885, being the first male
graduate of the school.
Mr. Long was elected assistant teacher in
the grammar schools of the borough in 1885,
and taught four years, during which time he
was engaged in the music, book, and station-
ery business with his father, under the firm
name of Long & Son. He was the local cor-
respondent and representative of the Harris-
burg Morning Gall also, during these years.
In August, 1891, he sold his interest in the
business here to his father, and went into the
same line of business in Salem, Va.
Irwin J. Long was married, March 8, 1892,
in Zion Lutheran church, Lykens, to Miss
Stella R., daughter of Rev. P. S. Hooper. Mr.
Long returned with his bride to Salem, Va.,
and shortly afterwards bought the interest of
Edward Jeter in the Salem Saturday Sun, a
weekly newspaper; assumed editorial charge
of the paper April 25, 1892, put the paper on
a substantial basis, owning its own plant, and
in August, 1892, bought the interest of the
other original proprietor, T. A. Johnson, thus
becoming sole owner of paper and plant.
After a period of prosperous business Mr.
Long discontinued the publication of the
Saturday Sun, and in December, 1892, re-
moved his printing plant to Roanoke, Va.,
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1179
formed a co-partnership with J. T. Hall and
J. C. Hill, under the firm name of The En-
terprise Printing and Manufacturing Com-
pany, of which he became secretary and
treasurer. This company owned and pub-
lished three periodicals: The Iron Belt, a
monthly trade journal, devoted to mining,
railroad, iron and steel interests, of which
Mr. Long was editor ; The Roanoke Metho-
dist, a weekly paper devoted to the interests
of Methodism, in Roanoke in particular, and
the South in general; and Words and Works,
a weekly paper devoted to the interests of
Presby terianism in the same territory. These
gentlemen also composed the Southern Rub-
ber Stamp Company, and manufactured rub-
ber stamps, dies, seals, etc. Mr. Long was
secretary and treasurer of this company also.
On March 11, 1893, the partnership was
dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Long re-
taining as his share the printing plant and
Words and Works. He continued the pub-
lication of this periodical until August,
1894, at the same time owning and conduct-
ing the third largest job printing office in
the city of Roanoke. During most of this
time he also served on the editorial staff of
\hQ ^o&udkQ Evening World. On September
5, 1894, he removed to Lykens, Pa., and on
November 5, 1894, he concluded negotia-
tions with Samuel M. Fenn, proprietor of the
Lykens Register, by which he entered upon
the ownership and management of that
paper-
The Lykens Register is the successor of the
Farmers' and Miners' Journal, the first paper
published in upper Dauphin county, its first
issue being dated August 16, 1856. It was
published by an association with Dr. J. B.
Hower as editor and S. B. Coles as publisher.
It was suspended in October, 1861, by its
owner, George W. Buehler, by reason of four
of its employees having enlisted in the army,
three of whom died in defense of their
country. The office passed into the hands
of S. B. Coles, who published the Business
Man's Journal until August 1, 1865, when
Capt. G. W. Fenn purchased a half interest
in the concern, and formed the firm of Coles
& Fenn, which published the Upper Dauphin
Register and Lykens Valley Min,er until No-
vember 18, 1868, when S. M. Fenn became
proprietor, and in 1872 changed its name to
Lykens Register. On November 5, 1894, it
was purchased by Mr. Long, and is now
under his management. The paper has
been greatly improved duringhis ownership.
and is now a neatly gotten up thirty-two
column home printed weekly journal, unsur-
passed by any local paper in the county. Its
specialty is local and Upper End news, of
which it contains more than can be found in
any other journal.
Mr. Long has fine musical talent and
taste, and has been especially successful as a
choir master and musical conductor. Under
his management several cantatas have been
presented in the Lykens opera house by
home talent. For one year he was the mu-
sical director of St. Mark's Lutheran church,
Roanoke, Va., having under his baton one
of the finest choirs of that city. He had
charge of the music at the dedication of their
magnificent |60,000 cut stone house of wor-
ship in May, 1894. He is at present musical
director of Zion Lutheran Sunday-school at
Lykens.
Bauer, Frank J., boiler inspector for the
Lykens and Summit Branch Railroad Com-
pany, was born at St. Louis, Mo., June 13,
1861. His father, John Bauer, was born at
Canton, Ohio, in 1841 ; son of John F.
Bauer, of Germany, and a wine grower in
Illinois. He worked with his parents in
the vineyards and at distilling, and was also
a coppersmith. He was afterwards travel-
ing salesman for a St. Louis clothing house,
and was hurt in a railroad accident at Butte
City, from the effects of which he died in
1891. He married Pauline Hultzman, born
near St. Louis in 1844, of English parent-
age. They had six children : Alonzo F.,
engineer of the Santa Fe railroad. Fort
Madison, Iowa; Frank J.; Albert, employed
on the staff of the Topeka, Kan., State
Journal; Edward, bridge builder for the
King Bridge Company, Topeka, Kan.;
Annie, wife of Dr. W. E. McVay, professor
in Kansas State Medical College; Katie,
wife of John Boltz, Topeka, passenger con-
ductor on Santa Fe railroad. The mother
resides in Topeka, Kan., and is a member
of the Episcopal church. John Bauer was
a popular man, a Presbyterian, and a Re-
publican in politics.
Frank J. Bauer received a limited educa-
tion. When he was thirteen he began an ap-
prenticeship of seven years at boiler mak-
ing in the railroad shops at St. Louis. He
was to receive fifty-five cents per day for the
first three years, of which five cents was
deducted every day to give him a start in
business after he had learned his trade. He
1180
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
had to stand on a block of wood in order to
reach the top anvil and to strike the iron.
His seven years' apprenticeship ended, he
worked as a journeyman in the railroad
shops at Topeka, Kan., for the Santa Fe
Railroad Company, and received as wages
$2.75 per day. He remained there for two
years, and then went to Raton, New Mexico,
as boiler inspector for the Santa Fe Railroad
Company, at $125 per month and expenses.
After spending five years in this position
he came, in 1885, to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where
he was employed by the Lehigh and Wilkes-
Barre Coal Company as inspector of their
boilers. After being for some time in that
position he was for eight months in the em-
ploy of the Dixon Manufacturing Company
as foreman of boiler shops. He then worked
for one year for the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Company. In 1889 Mr. Bauer obtained his
present position with the Lykens and Sum-
mit Branch railroad, which he has filled
since that date with entire satisfaction to the
company and with great credit to himself.
Besides being a skilled mechanic, thoroughly
acquainted with his business, he is a man of
character and standing.
Mr. Bauer was married, at Raton, New
Mexico, in 1885, to Katora D. Lewis, born in
Wilkes-Barre in 1863, daughter of John C.
Lewis, a contractor and miner, of that city.
They have four children : Kate P., Anita D.,
John F., and Anna, all of whom- are living.
Mr. Bauer is a Republican and takes an ac-
tive interest in all political movements of
probable local benefit. He belongs to
Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 867, K. of P.; of
K. of M. C, and is past commander of both;
also a member of Lykens Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and takes an active interest in all
church matters. Mr. Bauer's high aim and
indomitable perseverance were abundantly
manifested in his determined eff'orts at sell-
improvement. In order to supply the lack
of early educational advantages he spent his
evenings in study, even when obliged to
work hard all day. He now enjoys the re-
wards of his diligence and resolution.
Alvard, Jacob, postmaster, Lykens, Pa.,
was born in Williams Valley, Dauphin
county. Pa., March 21, 1837. The family
moved to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county,
in 1846. After the death of his mother,
which occurred in 1853, the family separated,
and Jacob came back to Lykens and learned
the blacksmith trade. In 1857 he went on
the railroad as brakeman, was soon promoted
to the position of fireman, and remained on
the road until April 26, 1861, when he and
Capt. E. G. Savage organized a company and
entered the army for three months. At the
expiration of this time he came home and
re-enlisted in the Ninety-sixth regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, September 17,
1861 ; served in that regiment until Feb-
ruary 15, 1864, when he re-enlisted again in
the field near Culpepper Court House for
three years in the same regiment, and served
until May 1, at which time he was wounded
at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House,
Va., in the left forearm and left side. He
was sent the hospital at Washington, D. C,
and. was finally discharged, February 15_,
1865. Upon his return to Lykens he again
engaged in railroading, and in 1866 was pro-
moted to the position of engineer, which he
held until 1870. From that time until 1889
he ran a hoisting engine. He was ap-
pointed 'postmaster of Lykens in that year,
and still ably fills the office.
Hanna, Edward C, Lykens, Pa., was born
in Philadelphia, November 25, 1828 ; son of
Edward C. and Ann Hanna, natives of Scot-
land, who settled in Philadelphia. The
father was a sea captain and followed that
vocation for many years. Edward C. was
reared in Philadelphia and acquired his ed-
ucation in the schools of that city. When
sixteen years of age he became an appren-
tice to the carpenter trade and served four
and a half years, after which he worked at
the trade in Philadelphia one year, and was
then for three years with Howard & Co., as
an express agent on the railroad between
Philadelphia and Pottsville. Subsequently
he was in the same capacity on the Shamo-
kin division of the Pennsylvania railroad,
and was promoted to assistant superintend-
ent of the division, and was located at Sun-
bury for some years. He then became the
general agent of the Northern Central rail-
way, at Sunbury, and was the first agent of
the company at that place and continued for
two years. He was transferred from there'
to Trevorton, and had charge of the railroad
accounts and collections for eleven years. In
1876 he came to Lykens 'and had charge of
the collections for thirteen years, and for a
short time was superintendent of the railroad.
In 1884 he retired from the railroad and
embarked in the wholesale flour and feed
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1]81
business. Mr. Hanna was also a director in
the Lykens Bank for several years, and is a
stockholder in the Williams Valley railroad.
In politics he is a Republican, and is a mem-
ber of the borough council. He is a mem-
ber of the Sunbury Lodge, No. 22, of the
Masonic order, and also of the chapter and
Pilgrim Commandery, at Harrisburg. Mr.
Hanna was married, in 1852, to Miss Mar-
garet A. Haas,daughter of Frederick Haas,of
Northumberland county, and they have two
children, Alfred F., at Lykens, and Katie H.
He is a member of the Episcopal church, in
the affairs of which he takes an active in-
terest, serving as vestryman of the church.
KiMMEL, Andrew F., merchant, Lykens,
Pa., was born in Orwigsburg (West Bruns-
wick), Schuylkill county. Pa., August 30,
1841 ; son of Andrew and Esther Kimmel,
of Schuylkill county. The father was a
farmer by occupation, and in his political
views was a Republican. He served in the
office of school director, supervisor, and au-
ditor. He was a member of the Church, of
of God. His death occurred in 1868, and
that of his wife in 1863. They had thirteen
children, Andrew F. being the tenth in the
order of birth of those who grew to maturit}'.
He received his education in the township
schools, and remained on the farm until he
was twenty-four years of age, and was then
for three years in mercantile business in Or-
wigsburg and Philadelphia. In August,
1871, he established a general store in Wico-
nisco, which he has since continued. Mr.
Kimmel is a director in the Lykens Bank,
and one of the proprietors of the knitting
mill at Wiconisco, which manufactures ho-
siery and underwear, and he is also inter-
ested in the Williams Valley railroad. In
political views he is with the Republican
party, and has held the office of school di-
rector, tax collector, etc., of the borough. He
was married, in 1861, to Miss Margaret S.
Covener, daughter of George Covener, of
Columbia county, and to this marriage tiiere
is no issue. Mr. Kimmel is not connected
with any church.
WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP.
Stites, GeoegeM., M. D., was born in
Millerstown, Perry county. Pa., March 11,
I860. He is a son of Dr. Samuel and Cathe-
rine (Matter) Stites. His father, Dr. Samuel
Stites, was born in New Jersey. He studied
medicine and practiced for eight years in
Fisherville, Dauphin county, and then lo-
cated in Millerstown, Perry county. Pa. He
married his first wife in Berks county. Pa.
They had three children: William, Anna,
and Sally. Dr. Stites' second marriage was
in Dauphin county. The children of this
marriage who are now living are : Harriet,
residing in Millerstown, Pa.; Lydia, residing
with her brother. Dr. George M.; Clara, court
stenographer at Sioux Falls, S. D.; Harry,
physician. West Palm Beach, Fla.; Albert,
physician, Sioux Fails, S. D.; and Dr. George
M. The father died in Millerstown, in 1,882,
aged sixty-two. He was a Republican. He
was a member of the Perry County Medical
Society, and was a leading man in his pro-
fession. Dr. Stites was an active member
of the Methodist church. He was highly
esteemed as a man .
George M. Stites attended the common
schools of his native place until he wa"s four-
teen years old. At this age he entered Dick-
inson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., and con-
tinued his studies there until he was seven-
teen. He then pursued his studies at La-
fayette College, Easton, for eight months, at
the end of which time he returned home
and began the study of medicine with his
father. After reading under his father for
three years he entered the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., from
which he was graduated in 1882. His prac-
tice of the healing art began in connection
with his father at Millerstown, Pa., and was
continued with success for five years. Dur-
ing part of this time he practiced alone, his
father having died. At the end of the five
years Dr. Stites came to Williamstown, and
has resided here ever since. He has built up a
large and lucrative practice, and is in the en-
joyment of the conditions made possible by
a successful business. His residence is a
large modern structure with many of the
latest devised conveniences.
Dr. Stites is a Republican and takes a lead-
ing part in the measures of his party. He
is a member of the Board of Health, a school
director and a trustee of the Methodist
church. He is a member and a trustee of
the Knights of the Golden Eagle, at Lykens;
a master mason of Ashler Lodge, No. 570,
at Wiconisco ; a member of Knights of
Pythias Lodge, at Lykens, and of I. 0. 0. F.
Lodge, at Williamstown.
Dr. Stites was married, in Millerstown,
1182
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
November 24, 1887, to Miss Hannah Dur-
bin, daughter of J. W. and Louisa Durbin.
They have had five children : Clara, died
aged five years ; George, died at eighteen
months of age ; Louisa and Joseph, twins,
and Harry.
Enders, L. Jay, M. D., physician and sur-
geon, Williamstown, Pa., was born at Enders,
Jackson township, Dauphin county. Pa., Feb-
ruary 17, 1854. He is a son of George and
Susan (FetterhofF) Enders. His early edu-
cation was received in the public schools of
liis native place. When he was fifteen years
of age he began teaching school in Jackson
and Jefferson townships, and was thus en-
gaged for several years. He began the study
of medicine in the University of Pennsylva-
nia in 1876-77. He afterwards returned to
the University and took a post-graduate
course in 1882. In the meantime he worked
in the mines and earned and saved money
with which to meet the cost of his literary
and professional education.
Dr. Enders began the practice of his pro-
fession in Pitman, Schuylkill county, Pa.,
and continued . there for five years. He
demonstrated his professional ability and
skill, and enjoyed a large and profitable prac-
tice. About 1886 he located in his native
town and practiced there until 1891, when
he removed to Williamstown where he now
resides and has built up a good practice.
Dr. Enders was married, at Enders, Pa.,
February 21, 1877, by Rev. G A. Loose, of
the United Brethren church, to Miss Annie
Jane, daughter of Samuel and Leah (Etter)
Enders. Their children are : Leslie Garfield,
born in Jackson township, August 6, 1867 ;
Joseph- Sanford, born in Pitman, Pa., May 23,
1881; Jennie Florence, born in Jackson
township, June 5, 1885 ; Lee Jay, born at
Williamstown, Pa., December 20, 1891, died
December 11, 1893, and Samuel George Mor-
ton, born at ^Vil]iamstnwn, October 29, 1894.
Dr. Enders is a Republican. He is a mem-
ber of the borough council. In 1887 he was
a candidate for the State Legislature. He is
a member of the Senior and Junior Orders
of United American Mechanics and of the
Heptasophs. Dr. Enders is a very intelligent
man, and is in the lead of his profession. He
is of a very genial nature and is a fluent,
pleasant talker ; hence in social circles he
is very popular. He is public-spirited and
broad in his views, and is a power for good
in the community.
Hoffman, John H., merchant and manu-
facturer, Williamstown, Pa.
John Peter Hoffman, great-great-grand-
father of John H. Hoffman, was born in
Germany in 1709. With others of his family
and friends he came to America in 1739, in
the ship Robert and Alice, Captain Good-
man, arriving in Philadelphia in September
of that year. He first located in Berks
county. Pa., where he worked at his trade,
which was that of a carpenter. During the
early Indian troubles on the frontier he
served some time as a soldier in .the ' Pro-
vincial army. Mr. Hoffman was among the
earliest settlers in the Wiconisco Valley.
About 1750 he came to the end of Short
Mountain, in Lykens Valley, where he built
a small log house, just across the road from
the honse of Daniel Romberger. Sixty years
ago this house was used as a smithy. He
was the contemporary of John Lycan, or
Lyken, Ludwig Shott, John Rewalt and
others, and with them was driven off by the
Indians in their incursions of 1756.
It was subsequent to this period that John
Peter Hoffman brought his family to the
valley. Here he followed farming. He died
in 1798, at the age of eighty-nine. His re-
mains, with those of his wife, wbo had died
before him, were interred in the field near
the present house on the old farm now
owned by Daniel Romberger, before named.
Mr. Hof&nan left issue, among others, as fol-
lows : Catherine, married Andrew Riegel,
the head of a large family of that name in
the "Upper End;" they both reached the
age of fourscore years ; Barbara, married
George Buffington, a soldier of the Revolu-
tion, and the head of the family of that
name; Elizabeth, married Ludwig Sheetz,
the head of a large family of tliat name ;
John, born in 1746, married Miss Kauffman ;
John Nicholas, born 1749, married Margaret
Harman ; Christian, born 1752, married Miss
Deiblet.
John Nicholas Hoffinan, great-grandfather
of John H., was born in Tulpehocken town-
ship, Berks county. Pa., in 1749. He set-
tled on the farm now owned by Benjamin
Rickert, near Short Mountain. He was the
owner of large tracts of land, now divided
into a number of farms. He deeded land to
the congregation of Hoffman church, for
church, school, and burial purposes. He
was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and
participated in the battles of Brandywine
and Germantown. His life was an active
DAUPHIN COUNtY.
1183
and useful one. John Nicholas Hoffman
was married, April 22, 1772, by Pastor
Kautz, of the Lutheran church, to Margaret
Herman, also a native of Berks county. Pa.
They had issue as follows : Catherine, born
1775, married Peter Shoffstalt; they resided
near Gratz, and died at advanced ages leav-
ing a large family ; Susanna, married Levi
Buffington, a carpenter ; he built the Hoff-
man church; Sarah, married Jonathan Sny-
der, they removed to Stark county, Ohio,
where they were both living about eight
years ago, upwards of ninety years of age ;
Margaret, married Alexander Dinger, and
removed to Crawford county, Pa., she died
a few years ago, at the age of ninety-eight ;
Peter, born September 22, 1778, married Miss
Lubold, he was a soldier of the war of 1812 ;
Jacob, born 1782, married Catherine Ferree;
Daniel, born 1784, married Hannah Ferree,
he was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; Nicho-
las, born 1787, he was a soldier in the war
of 1812 ; John, born 1790, was a soldier in
the war of 1812 ; George, born 1798, resides
in the town of Gratz, was appointed justice of
the peace in 1S34. In the war of the Revo-
lution John Nicholas Hoffman first ranked
as first lieutenant, afterwards as captain.
His service was mostly in New York State.
After the war he occupied his farm at the
foot of Short Mountain, in Lykens township.
Jacob Hoffman, grandfather of John fi.
Hoffman, was born in 1782. He purchased
his father's farm. He was a well informed
farmer and was exceedingly popular. He
filled several local offices, and in 1823-24-25
served in the State Legislature. He was a
zealous Christian, and prominent in the
church. His wife, Catherine Ferree, is de-
scended from an illustrious French family.
Their children were : Amos, born 1809,
married Amanda, daughter of the late Gen-
eral Harper, who, for a number of years, was
steward of the almshouse, and at present
resides at Berrysburg; at one time he had
five sons in the Union army, Col. Thomas
M., Capt. Jacob F., John H., Edwin A., and
Henry; Jacob B., resides near Williams-
town; Hannah, married John Romberger;
Sarah, married Michael Forney; Catherine,
married Abram Hess.
Amos Hoffman, father of John H., was
born in Lykens township, Dauphin county,
Pa., May 22, 1809. He was reared a farmer,
and followed that calling up to the time of
his retirement in 1870. Amos Hoffman
was married in his native township in 1837.
73
His wife Amanda is descended from a
noble German family. The first of her an-
cestors to land in this country was the son
of an illustrious German nobleman, his
father having banished him for some mis-
deed. His descendants settled in Lebanon
county, Pa. The children of Amos and
Amanda Hoffman are : Henry, enlisted at
the beginning of the late war in tiie Eighth
Illinois cavalry, served through the war, be-
coming blind towards its close from ex-
posure. Col. Thomas W., enlisted for three
years at the beginning of the war, was in
the Seventy -second Philadelphia Fire Zou-
aves. His regiment was assigned to the
Army of the Potomac, and he was engaged
in all battles fought by that army. He re-
turned home in 1864, raised company A,
Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania
volunteers, and was made captain. He was
later transferred to General Hartranft's
staff as chief engineer officer of the division ;
and by reason of meritorious service at the
siege of Petersburg he was brevetted lieu-
tenant colonel. He resides in Bethlehem,
Pa. Capt. Jacob F., merchant at Port
Trevorton, enlisted during the emergency
in the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania volun-
teers. He afterwards became first lieu-
tenant of company A, Two Hundred and
Eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, and later
was promoted to captain of the com-
pany. He was severely wounded at the
battle of Fort Steadman. Edwin A., en-
listed in One Hundred and Third Penn-
sylvania volunteers, in 1864; was sta-
tioned near Fortress Monroe, and served
until the close of the war ; John H. ; Hen-
rietta, wife of a Mr. Willard, resides in
Girardville, Schuylkill county. Pa.; Adeline,
Mrs. Charles Rosier, of Millersburg, Pa.;
George, an employee of the Reading Railroad
Company at Shamokin, Pa.; Joseph, super-
intendent of Standard Oil plant at Millers-
burg, Pa.
John H. Hoffman is a prosperous mer-
chant and manufacturer of WiUiamstown.
He was born in Lykens township, on the old
home farm, November 7, 1846. He received
a common school education in his native
place. He was early put to work on the
farm and could attend school only a few
months of each year. At sixteen years of
age he went to Uniontown, Miffiin township,
Dauphin county, to learn the trade of tan-
ning, and had served about one and a half
years when he decided that his country had
1184
BIOGRAPHICAL ENVYVLOPEDIA
need of his services in the army. He en-
listed at Uniontown in August, 1864, in
company A, Two Hundred and Eighth
Pennsylvania volunteers. His regiment was
soon after ordered to the front by way of
Bermuda Hundred, on the James river.
They lay at Petersburg about six weeks and
were then transferred to the Army of the Po-
tomac. After reaching Hatch's Run, where
they remained a few days, they were ordered
to return to Petersburg and were placed in
General Hartranft's division, doing sueh
duties as fell to the lot of reserve troops.
They took part in the Weldon raid.
Their first regular engagement was on
March 25, 1865, when the battle of Fort
Steadman was fought. They were engaged
in the siege of Petersburg. They followed
Lee as far as Burkville Junction, where they
lay until after his surrender at Appomattox
Court House ; they then returned to Peters-
burg and City Point, and were transported
thence to Alexandria, Va., and mustered out
June 1, 1865.
Mr. Hoffman then returned home and fol-
lowed his trade of tanning for a number of
years. About 1874 he opened a general
store at Berrysburg, which he conducted two
years and then located at Williamstown, and
formed a partnership with Philip C. Swab.
At the end of two years he sold his interest
to his partner, and opened a general store at
Curtin, Dauphin county, which he conducted
three years, and then sold and was engaged
in a similar business at Selinsgrove, Sny-
der county, for five and a half years. In the
spring of 1885 Mr. Hoffman purchased the
property and stock of David Clallinger at
Williamstown, his present site, where he en-
gaged in business and has built up an exten-
sive trade. Here, also, in connection with
John M. JHughes, in the fall of 1895, he
erected a plant for the manufacture of under-
wear, equipped with the latest and most im-
proved machinery at an outlay of $1.2,000,
and employing twenty-five hands.
Mr. Hoffman was married, at Berrysburg,
August, 1870, to Miss Mary Swab, a native
of Berrysburg, Dauphin county, Pa. Their
children are : Elsie Irene, pupil at Wilson
College, Chambersburg, Pa.; Edward Har-
per, traveling man in the employ of Krause,
Ingham & Heister, Philadelphia; Charles
Edgar, at home; Henrietta, at home; Sally,
died at the age of two and a lialf years ; John
Robert, at home ; Carrie May, and Joseph, at
home.
Mr. Hoffman is a member of Chester Post,
No. 280, G. A. R., Williamstown ; master
mason, Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, Selins-
grove, Pa. He has been chief burgess one
year and school director for seven years. Mr.
Hoffman is a member of the Methodist
church, and is its trustee and for many
years its secretary. He is intelligent, genial,
and hospitable. He is fond of history and
well versed in it. It follows that he is agree-
able company and very popular with his
neighbors.
ScHMiNKY, GuRNEY M., M. D., was bom at
Gratz, Lvkens township, Dauphin county,
Pa., December 7, 1862. He is a son of Isaiah
S. and Elizabeth (Wiest) Schminky.
His father, Dr. Isaiah Schminky, was born
in Lancaster county, Pa. He went to
Schuylkill county, where his father practiced
medicine and spent his life. He studied
medicine at the now extinct Pennsylvania
Medical College, from which he was grad-
uated, and afterwards practiced for a very
short time. While in Schuylkill county Dr.
Schminky treated a hysterical patient with
chloroform, which had just then come into
use ; by this action he created a stir among
the people to whom that anaesthetic was un-
known. He left Schuylkill county and
located at Gratz, where he has been in prac-
tice for forty years. He is Republican ; he
was a member of the State Legislature for
two years, and has sat for upwards of thirty
years in the borough council of Gratz. His
wife is still living. Their children are: Dr.
Gurney M.; Allan B., druggist, Philadelphia ;
Harry N., merchant, Woodbury, N. J.; John
F. M., farmer of Gratz, Pa.; and Bertha M., at
home.
Gurney M. Schminky attended the com-
mon schools of his native place. At the age
of fourteen he entered Berrysburg Academy,
where he remained one year, and then took
a two years' course and was graduated from
the National School of Oratory and Elocution
in 1880. During the next year he read
medicine at home and then took a three
years' course of study and lectures at the
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He
at once commenced practice at Gratz, Pa.,
and continued there until 1894 ; he then
located at Williamstown, Pa., where he has
since remained and has been successful in
his practice. He is medical officer of the
borough of Williamstown. He is an Inde-
pend.ent Republican and member of the
DAtfPHIN COUNTY.
1185
Knights of Pythias and Sons of Ara erica at
Williamstown.
Dr. G. M. Schminky was married, at
Gratz, May 13, 1884, to Miss Ida, daughter
of George W. and Sarah (Geise) Garber.
Tiiey have two children, Albert Garfield and
Walter M. The Doctor attends the Metho-
dist church.
BuDD, Capt. Richard, lumberman, Will-
iamstown, Pa., was born in Queen's county,
Ireland, April 1, 1832 ; son of Benjamin and
Mary (Larns) Budd. The family of his par-
ents consisted of the following children :
Richard; John. who went to California in
1S54, and died there some years after ; Will-
iam, contractor, Williamstown, Pa.; Dora, Mrs.
Patrick Boerman, of Philadelphia; and Re-
becca, maiden lady, residing with her brother
Richard.
The father died when Richard was seven
years of age and left a good farm, which was
sold to an English lord. The family was
kept together for a year and ■ then, about
1840, the mother came to America with the
children. They sailed from Liverpool on
the sailing vessel. Roshes, and after a stormy
and tedious voyage, landed in New York.
They came at once to Pottsville, Pa., where
they remained a few days. They finally lo-
cated at York Tunnel, Pa., where the mother
some time afterwards died ; the children re-
mained together until their marriage. In
1852 Richard took up his residence at York
Tunnel, then Otto Colliery, and later removed
to Mt. Pleasant, Schuylkill county. Pa.,
where he engaged in manufacturing lumber
under a contract with a Philadelphia firm.
In 1861 Mr. Budd raised company K, Ninety-
sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, and was
made captain. He proceeded with the regi-
ment to Washington, D. C, and was engaged
in the siege and Seven Days' battle at York-
town. He was also in the Maryland cam-
paign and participated in the battles of
South Mountain and Antietam. In the
battle of Charles City Cross Roads he was
struck by a shell. He was discharged at
Warrentown Junction on account of disa-
bility, in August, 1863. Returning home
he resumed the lumber business. In the
spring of 1864 he removed to Williamstown,
of which he was among the first settlers ;
there he has continued to carry on the lum-
ber business to date.
Richard Budd was first married, at New
Mines, Pa., in 1852, to Miss Fanny Robison.
Their children were : Christopher, residing
in Armstrong Valley, Dauphin county;
Benjamin, died young ; John, resides in
Williamstown, Pa.; George; William; An-
drew; Richard, and Allan; Joseph, died
young ; Mary, died aged twenty-four ; Annie,
died aged twelve ; one infant boy died un-
named. Mrs. Fanny Budd died July 30,
1880. Captain Budd's second marriage was
in May, 1889, to Mrs. Eliza Shoemaker, a
widow; they have no children. Captain
Budd is a staunch Republican and has
served as councilman. He belongs to the
Sons of Temperance, the Good Templars,
and to Chester Post, No. 280, G. A. R., of
Williamstown. He is a member of the
Sacred Heart Catholic church.
Lautenbachek, Irvin L., druggist, was
born in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county,
Pa., February 21, 1862. He is a son of
Charles and Sarah A. (Graeff') Lautenbacher.
His grandfather, Karl Lautenbacher, was
born at Stuttgart, Germany. He had a farm
on which was a stone quarry, which they
worked. He served some years in the Ger-
man army. The children of Karl Lauten-
bacher and his wife Ursula were: John,
died in Philadelphia, aged eighty-one ; Sieg-
mund, died in Philadelphia; Charles; Jo-
seph, resides in Philadelphia; two younger
children, names unknown. The grandfather
died in Germany at an advanced age.
Charles Lautenbacher, father of Irvin L.,
was also born in Stuttgart in 1832. He
learned the art of making wooden ware, and
coming to America at the age of eighteen he
learned marble cutting in Philadelphia.
His first work was on the Continental Hotel
of that city. He went afterwards to Kutz-
town, Pa., where he married. Still later he
returned to Schuylkill Haven, where he had
a marble yard, and where he died in 1881.
His wife survives him. Their children are :
Jerry C, manufacturer of underwear at
Schuylkill Haven ; Irvin L.; Flora C, wife
of William F. McLennon, Gloucester City,
N. J. Mr. Charles Lautenbacher was a Repub-
lican. He was a member of the Evangelical
church, but was reared in the Catholic
church.
Irvin L. Lautenbacher attended the schools
of his native place, graduating from the high
school at the age of seventeen. He then
read medicine for about two years, but finally
abandoned it for the study of pharmacy.
He was graduated from the Philadelphia
1186.
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
College of Pharmacy at the end of a four
years' course. He then returned home and
opened a drug store, which he con-
ducted for three years, and then disposed of
the business. He came to Williamstown,
bought the drug store of B. W. Watson &
Son, and has ever since continued in busi-
ness here with success.
Irvin L. Lautenbacher was married in
Eeading, Pa., May 10, 1890, to Miss Katie
E. Schwenk, a native of Schuylkill Haven,
Pa. They have two children, Joan L. and
Ruth A., at home. Mr. Lautenbacher is a
member of Knights of Pythias at Williams-
town ; of Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, and of the Heptasophs. He is past
noble grand of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows.
the star pitcher, winning for himself a rep-
utation in that capacity second to none in
the country. He is recognized as one of the
two best pitchers connected with college
teams. Mr. Bowman is a Republican. He
was elected treasurer of the borough of
Williamstown in 1896.
Bowman, Sumner S., attorney-at-law, was
was born in Millersburg, Dauphin county.
Pa., February 9, 1867; son of Simon S. and
Annie P. (Jackson) Bowman. His parents
had seven children : Sumner S.; Edmond B.,
at home ; Irene, wife of James S. Hopkinson,
Philadelphia; Nellie, wife of Hay W. Bow-
man, Millersburg; Hannah, James Donald,
and Robert Herr, all at home.
Sumner S. Bowman attended the public
schools and was graduated from the high
school of Millersburg at the age of sixteen.
He entered Dickinson Seminary at Williams-
port, Pa., from which he was graduated in
June, 1886. In the fall of the year 1888 he
entered the University of Pennsylvania and
took up the study of law, at the same time
studying under private instructors in the of-
fice of Biddle & Ward, Philadelphia. Mr.
Bowman was graduated from the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania in 1891. In the fol-
lowing autumn he was admitted to the
Philadelphia bar, and in the next spring to
the bar of the Supreme Court at Philadel-
phia. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Bowman went
to Watertown, N. Y., and was admitted to
the bar there. He became associated with
Judge Edgar 0. Emerson and remained
there three years. In the fall of 1894 he
came to Williamstown and opened a law of-
fice and has ever since resided and practiced
here.
While a student at the university Mr.
Bowman took an active interest in college
athletics. He became a inember of the uni-
versity base ball team, in which he became
Buggy, John P., merchant, was born at Lo-
cust Gap, Northumberland county, Pa., Octo-
ber 14, 1866; son of Michael and Ann
(Cannon) Buggy. His grandfather, John
Buggy, and Maggie O'Brien, wife of John
Buggy, both died in Schuylkill county. Pa.
John Buggy was a miner. Their children
were : Jeremiah, miner, at Williamstown ;
Michael; Mary, Mrs. Pierce, Philadelphia;
James, miner, at Williamstown ; Annie, Mrs.
Halloran, Waterbury, Conn.; Margaret, Mrs.
Mahar, Williamstown, and John, miner, at
Williamstown, Pa.
Michael Buggy was born in Ireland, and
was two years old when his parents brought
him to America and settled in Schuylkill-
county, where they died. He became a
miner, and was so occupied until his death,
which occurred in 1894, in his fifty-third
year. He was married, in Northumberland
county, to Ann Cannon, who survives him.
Their children are : John P.; Bernard ; Bar-
bara, in Philadelphia; Michael, lives with
his brother John P.; Maggie and Isabella,
at home; Dionysius; an infant, deceased;
and Mary, at home. Michael Buggy was a
Democrat. He was a member of the Sacred
Heart church, and his remains rest in the
Catholic cemetery at Williamstown.
John P. Buggy was two years old when
his parents removed to Williamstown, where
he was educated in the common schools.
At the age of eleven he went to work at
what is called the "breaker" in the coal
mines, and was engaged in mining until he
was twenty -six years of age, when, in 1893,
he embarked in mercantile business in
Williamstown, Pa. He rented a store room
and put in a general stock of goods, and has
succeeded in building up a large trade. Mr.
Buggy is unmarried, and makes his home
with his mother. He is a Democrat, but is
not active in party movements, his whole
attention being given to his business. Mr.
Buggy is a member of the Sacred Heart
Catholic church and of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, Division No. 3.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1187
Rowland, James, merchant, Williams-
town, Pa , was born in Marforth, Pembroke-
shire, South Wales, Great Britain, July 29,
1 833. Pie is a son of John and Margaret
(Scourfield) Rowland. His maternal ances-
tors were of Scotch descent. John Rowland,
bis grandfatlier, was born in Wales, was a
farmer and died in his native place in 1856.
John Rowland (2), father of James Rowland,
was also a native of Wales. He was a farmer
and died in Wales in 1890. His wife, Mar-
garet Scourfield, died in 1890. Their chil-
dren were : Martha, died in Wales ; James ;
John, merchant, Bristol, England ; Elizabeth,
died in Wales; Roger, at Bristol, England;
David, and Evan, both in Wales.
James Rowland was educated in his native
place and was brought up on the farm. At
sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to a
dry goods firm in Swansea, Wales, served
three and a half years, and has been occu-
pied in mercantile pursuits to tlie present
time. In June, 1865, he sailed with his wife
and family from Liverpool to New York in
the sailing vessel City of Dublin, and after a
passage of thirteen days readied their desti-
nation. They came at once to Philadelphia,
and from that city to Minersville, Schuylkill
county. Pa., where Mr. Rowland opened a
general store, which he conducted very suc-
cessfully for five years. At the end of this
time Mr. Rowland disposed of his stock and
removed to Wiconisco, Daupiiin county. Pa.,
where for four years he was general manager
in the store of Mr. Goldsmith. Resigning the
place, he came to Williamstown and bought
a general store, which he conducted for four
years. He then bought the property he now
owns and occupies, which at tliat time con-
sisted of two houses and a store. He has
since rebuilt the store and now has a com-
modious and convenient edifice in which he
conducts a large trade and gives employment
to three clerks.
Mr. Rowland was married, in Wales, in
1854. His children are: Margaret, milliner,
at Williamstown, Pa.; Roger, Ella, Trevor,
and Claud, all at home. Mr. Rowland is a
strong Republican. His family are members
of the Congregational church, and he is treas-
urer of the church and secretary and treasurer
of the Sunday-school. He is also a member
of the Knights of Pythias at Williamstown.
Loague,Rev. H. a., pastor of Sacred Heart
church, Williamstown, Pa., was born in
county Donegal, Ireland, June 2, 1842. He
is a son of Francis Loague, a native of
county Tyrone, Ireland, and his wife Mary
Gallagher, born in county Donegal. His
paternal grandfather, Hugh Loague, was a
native of county Tyrone, he was patriotic
and took part in the Irisii rebellion of 1798,
as did Patrick Gallagher, Rev. Father
Loague's maternal grandfather, and tliis de-
votion to their country cost them all the
property they had. Patrick Gallagher,
witFi his family, came to America in 1852.
He had been a farmer in Ireland, but en-
gaged in no active business in America. He
died at the home of his grandson, in Phila-
delphia. Plugh Loague and his wife died
in Ireland in the late forties. Besides Fran-
cis, father of Rev. H. A. Loague, their chil-
dren were:. William, a priest, died in Lon-
donderry, Ireland, in 1865 ; Hugh, John,
Rose, Mary, and Ellen, all of whom died in
Ireland.
Francis Loague came to this country in
1847, and located in Philadelphia, where he
was employed as nurseryman and gardener.
In 1850 he sent for his wife and children,
who sailed from Londonderry on the sailing
vessel Superior, Captain Moore. They were
on the ocean eight weeks and three days,
having been at one time becalmed for three
days, and at another compelled by a ter-
rific storm to put to sea again after sighting
land. They finally reached Philadelphia in
May, 1850. The father remained in Phila-
delphia until his death, which occurred in
1884, at the age of eighty-four. Mrs. Loague
died in Philadelphia, March 8, 1898, aged
eighty-three. Their children were William,
of the Catholic church at Centralia, Pa., died
January 11, 1892; Rev. H. A,; Eliza, at
home, in Philadelphia; Mary, wife of Will-
iam Murphy, Philadelphia ; Patrick, died
an infant, in Ireland; Rosanna, born in
Philadelphia, in 1852, died in 1863 ; Joseph,
born in 1854, died in March, 1876.
H. A. Loague attended school for nearly
one year in Ireland. After coming to Amer-
ica he attended the public schools in Phila-
delphia until 1857, when he entered St. Jo-
seph's College, Philadelphia, and there re-
mained until he had completed his college
course in 1860. He then studied four years
at the Jesuit House, Frederick City, Md.,
after which he taught in the Gonzaga Col-
lege, Washington, D. C., from 1864 to 1867.
He was subsequently" professor in Holy
Cross College, Worcester, Mass., until the end
of 1869, after which he spent seven years in
1188
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
completing his studies in philosophy and
theology at Woodstock College, in Mary-
land, and from 1876 to 1880 was again pro-
fessor in the Worcester, Mass., College of the
Holy Cross.
In 1880 Father Loague went to St. James,
Mich., to assist hjs uncle, Rev. F. P. Galla-
gher, who was out of health. He remained
with his uncle until October 1, 1883. On
December 23, 1883, he came to Harrisburg
and took charge of the Steelton church,
where he continued until January 9, 1888.
On that date he entered upon his duties as
rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart.
He. was ordained to the priesthood at Wood-
stock College, in Maryland, June 21, 1876.
In politics Mr. Loague is independent and a
firm believer in protection. He is an affable
and agreeable gentleman, of great kindness
of heart, and of very scholarly tastes and
attainments.
Hess, Solomon, wholesale bottler and late
proprietor of the Williamstown Hotel, was
born in Lykens township, Dauphin county,
Pa., March 31, 1846. He is a son of Solomon
and Eva (Saltzer) Hess. Solomon Hess, Sr.,
was born in Northumberland county. Pa.,
in 1814. He was reared a farmer and con-
tinued in that calling. He was married in
Dauphin county; his wife, Eva Saltzer, was
a native of Berks county. After his mar-
riage he took up his residence in Lykens
township. His wife died at Gratz about
1878; Mr. Hess died in Loyalton, at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. Daniel Good, in
1880 or 1881. Their children were : Sarah,
Mrs. Daniel Good, Loyalton, Pa.; John, far-
mer, Lykens township; Catherine, Mrs.
Michael Horstman, Gratz, Pa.; Harry, hotel
man, Uniontown, Pa.; Solomon; Cornelius,
farmer, Lykens township ; Charles, baker,
Gratz, Pa., and Reily, laborer. Mr. Hess
was a Republican. He was a member of the
Reformed church, and was well known and
popular.
Solomon Hess, Jr., attended school at times
in his native place until he was twenty-one.
Being reared on the farm, he took his share
of the farm work, which often prevented his
going to school. At sixteen years of age he
drove team, hauling produce to market at
Pottsville. His father owned and cultivated
four farms, the products of which he disposed
of at neighboring markets. The son re-
mained at home until the spring after his
marriage. His father paid him at the rate
of $150 per year, and his board and cloth-
ing, from the time when he was twenty-one
until he left the farm. Being frugal and
economical, he laid by most of this money.
Mr. Hess was married, at Uniontown, Dau-
phin county, Juiie 27, 1869, to Miss Julia
Ann, daughter of George Paul and Elizabeth
(Baum) Paul. In the spring of 1870 he took
up his residence on a farm near Gratz, which
he rented from his father for nine years.
February 6, 1879, he removed to Loyalton,
Washington township, where he opened a
hotel and conducted it for three years. Af-
ter this he had a hotel at Gratz for one year,
then came to Williamstown and rented the
Mansion House, which he conducted for
two years. He was afterwards clerk in the
same hotel for eight months, and then bought
the Williamstown Hotel, of which he has
ever since been the proprietor and manager.
He also owns another double house in town.
While in Lykens he lost $1,100 in an insur-
ance company. On the 6th of April, 1896,
Mr. Hess rented his hotel business in Will-
iamstown to J. H. Pontius ; he is now about
to embark in the wholesale bottling business
at Tower City, Schuylkill county. Mr. Hess
takes an active interest in politics as a mem-
ber of the Republican party. He is a mem-
ber of the Gratztown Lodge, No. 5Q3, I. 0.
0. F., Gratz, Pa., and of the Patriotic Sons
of America.
Mr. Hess' children are: Dora B.; Susan
A.; John Henry, died young; George E. and
David S., at home, and Ellis Lloyd, died
young. Mr. Hess is a member of the Re-
formed church.
Lynch, John, plumber, was born in county
Donegal, Ireland, March 21, 1834. He is a
son of Edward and Ann (Smith) Lynch. His
grandfather, Owen Lynch, was born and
reared in county Donegal, and was a weaver.
He lived and died in his native country.
His children were : Owen, Philip, Edward,
Patrick, James, Fanny, and Margaret. Ed-
ward Lynch, father of John Lynch, was a
native of county Donegal. He was a shoe-
maker. He died in his native place in 1866,
aged fifty. His wife was brought to this
country by her son, John Lynch, in 1868.
She died in 1885. John Lynch was their
only son.
John Lynch went to the schools of his
native place and gave his vacations to farm
work until he was fifteen. In his sixteenth
year he came to America, embarking at
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1189
Liverpool in the sailing vessel Esmeralda.
He reached New York after a voyage of
seven weeks and three days, landing June
29, 1848, with one shilling in his pocket.
He worked at Oceanic, Coney Island, for one
month as a farm hand, and received $8, with
which he paid his fare to Easton, Pa.; his
uncle, John Smith, lived there, who had sent
him the passage money to come to. America.
After a day or two spent in visiting, telling
of the friends left behind, and of his adven-
tures in crossing the ocean, he went to work
in the distillery of James Thompson, of
which his uncle was head distiller; he re-
mained there eight years. He was next em-
ployed for six years in the Cooper Iron
Works, Phillipsburg, N. J. His next posi-
tion was that of engineer at Frenchtown,
Hunterdon county, N. J., which he held for
two years. He then returned to Phillips-
burg and worked six months for the Cooper
Iron Company, after which he was employed
for seven years at Easton, Pa., as engineer of
the Water Works Company. At the end of
this time he found employment for one year
in a distillery at Belvidere, N. J. He was
thrown out of employment there by the
shutting down of the distillery on account of
the $2 internal revenue tax laid on whiskey.
In 1863 Mr. Lynch went to work at Easton,
Pa., in the machine shops, and at the end
of the year located in Schuylkill county.
Pa., where for five years he was hoisting en^
gineer in the mines. On March 6, 1868, he
removed to Williamstown, Dauphin county.
Pa., and worked in the mines there for nine
years. During this time he opened a liquor
store in Williamstown and put his son in
charge of the business. He also did some
jobs of plumbing after the day's work was
over in the mines. In 1877 he abandoned
work in the mines, and since then has given
his attention to the plumbing business. He
built a comfortable house in 1871. Mr.
Lynch is a Democrat. He has served as
assessor for the borough for four years. He
is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic church
at Williamstown.
While working at Frederickstown, N. J.,
he went to Easton, Pa., where he was mar-
ried to Miss Mary Mooney, a native of
county Donegal, Ireland. Their children
are: Edward, at home; William, married
Bridget Cosgrove, resides at Silver Creek, Pa.;
John, accidentally killed in the mines, at
the age of twenty-one ; Mary, Mrs. Thomas
Gallagher, Williamstown; Dennis, died aged
four years; Charles, at home; Maggie, wife
of Joseph Bond, Williamstown ; and Michael,
at home.
BuDD, William, miner, was born in
Queen's county, Ireland, in 1834, and is a
son of Benjamin and Mary (Lawrence)
Budd. Mr. Budd came to this country with
his mother, step-father, two sisters and two
brothers. He first worked in the coal mines
of New Mines, Pa., and moved to Mt. Pleas-
ant in 1855. In 1861 he enlisted in com-
pany K, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania volun-
teers, and served two years and a half, when
he was discharged at Washington, Columbia
College Hospital, because of disability. He
then returned to Mt. Pleasant, and in 1865
moved to Williamstown and engaged in
mining until compelled because of ill-health
to quit that work in 1884. He has since been
able to haul coal. He is a Democrat in pol-
itics, a member of G. A. R. Post, No. 280,
and of the Sacred Heart Catholic church.
He was married, in Mt. Pleasant, in 1855, to
Miss Sarah Fogan, by whom he had these
children : Margaret, Rebecca, Bridget, Dora,
Lizzie, Benjamin, and Francis.
Evans, Daniel W., foreman of mines,
Williamstown, Pa., was born May 21, 1843,
in Pollygwlan, Glan Morganshire, Wales.
He is a son of William and Mary (Waters)
Evans. The father was a native of Wales
and a miner by occupation. In politics he
was a Republican. He died in Pittston, Pa.,
November 6, 1885. His first wife died in
Wales in 1853. Their children are : Isaac,
Henry W., David W., Thomas W., and
Daniel. His second wife, Sarah, was a sis-
ter of his first, and by this marriage he
had no children.
Daniel W. received his education in the
schools of his native place. At the age of
ten years he began work in the coal mines
and continued until he was twenty-two
years old, when he came to the United
States. He sailed from Liverpool April 17,
1865, on the City of London, and landed at
New York, May 1, 1865. He was accom-
panied to this country by his father, step-
mother and three brothers. Daniel went to
Pittston, Luzerne county, and worked in the
mines for a time and then came to Schuyl-
kill county and was engaged in the mines
at the New Philadelphia slope.
On December 9, 1865, he was married, in
New Philadelphia, to Miss Dorothy Griffith,
1190
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCi'VLOPEDIA
daughter of Nathaniel and Catharine Grif-
fith. Miss Griffith was born May 5, 1843,
and is a native of Schuylkill county. Their
children are: Nathan W., bookkeeper for
Standard Oil Company, at Wilkes-Barre ;
Mary, wife of Evan J. Davis, Williamstown ;
Bertha, wife of Thomas Allan, Williams-
town ; William, watchman, court house,
Harrisburg; Benjamin, in English navy,
now stationed at the Bermudas; Thomas,
Fred A., Alice, and Carrie.
After marriage he resided in New Phila-
delphia for about two years and then re-
moved to Wilkes-Barre and worked in the
mines until 1874. He was then engaged as
foreman in Washington mine at Plymouth.
In 1869 he assisted in. rescuing one hundred
and eight of the men imprisoned in the
Avondale mine. He served as foreman at
Plymouth for six years. Later he worked
at different places, and in October, 1887,
came to Williamstown, and has been fore-
man since that time. While in Wilkes-
Barre he was president of the Old Miners'
Benevolent Association. He is now a di-
rector of the Electric Light, Heat and Power
Company, and also director of the Motor
Company. In polities he is a Republican.
He is connected with the following societies
master mason of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541
Prospect Lodge, K. of P., Wilkes-Barre
Welsh Society, Wilkes-Barre, and Sons of
Temperance, Williamstown.
Hain, George W., justice of the peace,
Williamstown, was born August 18, 1833, in
Pine Grove, Schuylkill county. He is a son
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Keifer) Hain.
The father was born near Sinking Springs,
Berks county. Pa. He was reared in Pine
Grave, Schuylkill county, and was a shoe-
maker by trade. After following this occu-
pation for many years he engaged in the
hotel business at Lykens, Pa. Plis death
occurred in 1858, and his wife died in the
latter part of the 70's. Their children were:
Rebecca; John, deceased ; Mary, and George
W. In politics the father was a Democrat.
George W. was educated in the public
schools of his native place and of Lykens
and Pottsville. His parents located in Sa-
lona, Clinton county. Pa., then in Mt. Pat-
rick, Perry county, next at Montgomery's
Ferry, and finally at Lykens. He drove' a
canal boat from Gurdy's Notch to Philadel-
phia for some years. He then served as
jarakeman, and later as fireman on the rail-
road. In 1856 and 1857 he followed the
canal with his own boat, and about this time
purchased a house in Lykens with the money
saved while on the railroad. In 1858, upon
the death of his father, he began to assist his
mother to conduct the hotel in Lykens, and
continued to do so until 1861. He then en-
listed in the Washington rifles. In 1859
he purchased a farm in what was then
Wiconisco township, and located there in
1862, teaching school in the winter. In 1864
he opened a general store in Williamstown,
and four years later built a hotel, which he
conducted several years. He moved to his
present home, adjoining the hotel, in 1868.
In 1869 he was commissioned justice of the
peace, and has served continuously in that
office, with the exception of three years, up
to the present. In 1876 he purchased a farm
of seventy-eight acres in Williams township,
and has since added thirty acres to it.
He was married, in Halifax, Dauphin
county, in 1855, to Miss Sarah Woodside,
daughter of Isaac Woodside. His wife died
in '1864. Their children are: William;
John ; Charles Henry, deceased ; Emma J.,
Annie, Agnes, and Sadie. ITe married, sec-
ondly, Miss Lucy Whitman, of Williams-
town, in 1875. Mr. Hain is a Republican,
and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont.
He is a member of the G. A. R., Post No.
280, and Lodge No. 675, I. 0. 0. F., of Will-
iamstown.
McNamara, Michael, retired, was born
in Kilkenny county, Ireland, in 1831, and
is a son of James and Julia (Brenner) Mc-
Namara. The father and mother both died,
in Schuylkill county. Pa. Their children
were : PatricT?, Thomas, Andrew, John , Rich-
ard, Margaret, Mary, all deceased ; and Mi-
chael. Michael attended school until he
was fourteen years of age when he came to
this country with his parents and landed at
Quebec, Canada. From there they came bv
rail to Schuylkill county, Pa., 'where he
worked in the mines until 1866, at which
time he came to Williamstown, and followed
mining until 1888, when he retired. Since
coming to his present home he has built a
new house and also owns a double block on
the main street of Pottsville.
He was married, in Schuylkill county,
August 3, 1850, to Miss Ann Fagan, born
August 5, 1833, daughter of Thomas and
Margaret (Connors) Fagan. She was a na-
tive of Kilkenny county, Ireland, and came
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1191
to the United States with her parents, at the
age of ten years, settled in Schuylkill county,
where the parents both died. Their chil-
dren are: James; Julia; Thomas, deceased ;
Patrick; Andrew, deceased ; John, Richard,
Patrick 2d, Margaret, Michael, Thomas 2d,
Elizabeth, Joseph, and one who died in in-
fancy. In politics Mr. McNamara is a Dem-
crat, aad is also a member of the Church of
the Sacred Heart, Catholic.
Rettinger, Charles, hotel keeper, Will-
iamstown. Pa., was born in Germany, Janu-
ary 9, 1846. He is a son of Sixtus and Wil-
helmina Rettinger. The father died in Ger-
many many years ago, and the mother died
when Charles was six years old. Their chil-
dren are : Adelite, Fictor, Charles, Maria,
and Johanna.
Charles attended school in his native place
until he was fourteen years old. At the age
of eighteen he sailed from Havre, France,
for America, and, as he traveled in a sailing
vessel, did not arrive until forty-eight days
later. He went at once to Millersburg and
worked at the trade of mason for four months,
and then came to Williamstown and began
mining, which he followed for eighteen years.
During this time he purchased a hotel,
which he conducted in connection with his
work in the mines. In 1884 he stopped the
latter and has since given his entire atten-
tion to his business.
He was married, in Williamstown, in 1869,
to Miss Josephina Schmeek, a native of
Poland, Europe. She die'd in 1890, leaving
a family of nine children : Mary Ann, Rosie,
Maggie, Henry, Joseph, deceased, George
W., Ignatius, Foraniga, find one who died in
infancy. His second wife was Miss Mary
Glacer, whom he married in 1894. In poli-
tics Mr. Rettinger is a Democrat and is also
a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Stroup, J. Harry, merchant tailor, Will-
iamstown, Pa., was born September 6, 1851,
in Lykens, Dauphin county. He is a son of
John and Rebecca (Martz) Stroup. The
. father was born in Lykens township in 1828.
He was reared on a farm and then learned tiie
trade -of saddler. Later he began work for
the railroad company and was one of the
first engineers on the Lykens Valley rail-
road. During the war his run extended from
Lykens to Baltimore. In 1884 he moved to
Shamokin and had charge of some miners of
that place. His first wife died in 1865. Their
children are: Charles, deceased, J. Harry,
Edward, and Hattie. His second wife was
Sarah Shipe. Their children are : George,
Frank, Arthur, Stella, Edith, Ralph, and
Katie, deceased. In politics he is a Republi-
can.
J. Harry received his education in the pub-
lic schools of iris native place. He assisted
on the farm, until the age of eleven years,
when he began to learn the trade of tailor-
ing with John L. Matter, with whom he is
now in partnership. He served an appren-
ticeship of five years and then went to Phila-
delphia and worked for one year. In May,
1877, Mr. Matter opened a branch store in
Lykens and one in Williamstown. Mr.
Stroup took charge of the latter and in 1882
was taken in as a partner. He was married,
in Millersburg, Pa., October 9, 1888, to Miss
Sadie Meetch, a native of Millersburg.
They have one child, John M. In politics
Mr. Stroup is Republican, was instrumental
in securing tiie borough charter, served as
councilman two and a half years. In 1893
he was elected register of wills. Pie is a
Mason, twelfth degree, of Swatara lodge, at
Fremont, Pa., and commandery at Harris-
burg. He is a member of the Episcopal
church.
Blanning, William, merchant, Williams-
town, Pa., was born February 29, 1856, in
Wales, and is a son of Francis and Ann
(Durbin) Blanning. The father was a native
of Somersetshire, England, and went to
Wales at the age of twenty and engaged in
mining, which occupation he followed dur-
ing his life. He died in Williamstown,
March, 1889, and his wife died February 11,
1877. Their children were : Hannah, Sarah
Ann, William, James, Harriet, deceased,
Emily, Alice, John F., Josephine, Priscilla,
Joseph, Mary Edith, and Samuel. The
grandfather, John Blanning, was a farmer
by occupation, and died November 29, 1858
His wife was a Miss Clotheer.
William came to America with his par-
ents, landingat New York in November, 1863.
From there he came direct to Lykens, and for
a short time attended school. Four years
later he moved to Morris Run, Tioga county.
Pa., and after remaining there a few years
came to Williamstown, where he has since
remained. Tlirough the kindness of W. B.
Meetch, a teacher, he was enabled to acquire
an education, and at the age of twenty-four
applied for and secured a school in Will-
1192
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
iamstown, which he taught very successfully
for two years. He then attended the Kutz-
town Normal School, and tlien taught six
years in Williamstown again and one year
in Lykens. He was appointed justice of the
peace in November, 1895. He was married,
October 15, 1877, to Miss Bella Yeager, of
Millersburg. Their children are : George
F., deceased, Etta Ann, James Roy, William
Herbert, Wend all Yeager, and Charles Frank-
lin. Mr. Banning is an active politician
and a member of the Republican party.
He has served as auditor for six years, and
has been class leader in the Methodist
church for eight years.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Davis, Charles C, was born Aiigust 15,
1830, in Harrisburg, Pa. He was the son of
John Davis and his wife, Surah Yeager.
His grandfather was Henry Davis, of a promi-
nent Welsh family and an early settler in
Pennsylvania. He served in the Revolu-
tion. His grandfather on the maternal side
was George Yeager, who also was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war; was at Valley
Forge and at the surrender of Cornwallis at
Yorktown. John Davis, born at Pottstown,
Pa., in 1795, was by occupation a fuller and
dyer. He came to Harrisburg prior to 1820,
in which year he married Sarah Yeager ; he
died in 1856. His wife, who was born in
Harrisburg in 1804, died in 1886. Their
children were three girls and six boys. The
son Charles C. was educated in the public
schools of Harrisburg. In 1843 he became
a marker of the Harrisburg rifles, com-
manded by CajTt. Christian Seller, and
was with that company in the Native Amer-
ican riots in Philadelphia, ordered there by
Governor Porter to quell the disturbances.
Subsequently he was lieutenant in Capt.
Jacob Eyster's cadets, serving with them
until 1846, when he began his trade as a
blacksmith. In 1850 he went to St. Louis,
Mo., and in that city and other localities in
the Southwest he worked at his trade until
1859, when he returned to Harrisburg.
On April 16, 1861, upon the call of Presi-
dent Lincoln, Mr. Davis was enrolled with
his five brothers in company I, of the Sec-
ond regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, of
which he was subsequently promoted second
lieutenant, and on June 15, 1861, first lieu-
tenant of his company, serving through the
three months' service. Upon being mus-
tered out he began to raise companies for
the Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry for three
years or during the war. He was commis-
sioned, September 1, 1861, captain of com-
pany I, of that regiment. His command was
sent to the Army of the Cumberland, and
arrived at Louisville, Ky., on Christmas day,
1861 ; being mounted they left Louisville in
January, 1862, for Nashville, Tenn., going
by way of Bardstown and the Mammoth
Cave. The Seventh regiment participated in
all the principal battles and skirmishes
which took place in the Army of the Cum-
berland, In April, 1863, Captain Davis was
commissioned major in his regiment. June
27, 1863, his regiment engaged the command
of Gen. Joseph Wheeler, at Shelbyville,
Tenn. But we will let Brig. Gen. D. S.
Stanley tell the story of the bravery of Major
Davis : " The right wing of General Rose-
crans' army had driven the left of the Con-
federate army, which was here a division
of cavalry, commanded by Gen. Joseph
Wheeler, into the town of Shelbyville, Tenn.,
when Wheeler's force of three thousand men
formed line just at the northern outskirts of
the town to defend their stores. A battery
of four guns, pointing north, commanded
the principal turnpike. This battery
was well supported by dismounted cav-
alry, right and left. It was decided to at-
tack the center of this line and ride over the
battery. The Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry
was selected for this purpose, supported by
the Fourth United'States cavalry. The pike
being narrow, the charge was made in col-
umns of four. Major Davis' position would
have placed him on the right of the second
squadron, but he volunteered to lead the
charge and put himself in front of the lead-
ing set of fours. At the signal of two can-
non shots from our guns, the column dashed
from the pike, receiving only one round from
the hostile battery, rode over the guns,
routed the supports, and put the entire sup-'
port opposed to precipitate and disastrous
fright. The boldness of the attack assured
its success. Only one shell struck the col- ,
umn, kiUing two men and three horses in
the charge. Our captures were three hun-
dred prisoners, the batterv complete, and
large amount of stores. "A more gallant
charge was never made, and Major Davis
rode well in front of the leading sabres, the
beau ideal of a most magnificent trooper."
It was for this distinguished action of
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1193
Major Davis the medal of honor was
awarded to him by the Secretary of War of
the United States on the 14th of June, 1894,
and in granting the medal that officer
stated that Major Davis " led what was
probably one of the most desperate, and at
the same time successful, cavalry charges of
the war." On the 28th of November, 1863,
Major Davis re-enlisted the regiment and,
returning East, in one month's time re-
cruited the regiment to eighteen hundred
men, which the Government allowed to be
done. In March, 1864, he was appointed
inspector of fortifications, entrenchments,
and blockhouses, "on General Starkweather's
staff. After many severe engagements with
Forest's cavalry he resigned on account of
disability, receiving an honorable discharge
by order of Gen. George H. Thomas, Octo-
ber 14, 1864, after three and a half years of
hard and active service. For the past eight
years Major Davis has held an important
position in the Harrisburg postoffice, and is
one of the chief examiners on the board of
the civil service commission, postoffice de-
partment, at Harrisburg. Major Davis
married, in 1855, Eliza Davis, of Knoxville,
Tenn.
Armor, William Crawford, was born
September 19, 1842, at Laughlinstown, West-
moreland county, Pa., his father, John G.
Armor, being a life-long merchant and far-
mer of that place. He was the second of a
family of seven sons, four of whom were vol-
unteer soldiers in the war of the Rebellion.
His great-grandfather, James Armor, M^as a
lieutenant in the Fourth Pennsylvania Line
in the Revolution under Gen. Anthony
Wayne, and was complimented by that
officer in a letter to the supreme executive
council. His great-grandmother, Margaret
Armor, was the daughter of John Whitehill,
of Lancaster county, of whom it is said : " He
was an ardent patriot, and came into promi-
nence at the commencement of the Revolu-
tion ; appointed one of the justices of the
common pleas count; member of Assembly,
resigning his commission as judge; chosen
one of the council of censors ; member of the
supreme executive council ; under the Con-
stitution of 1790 appointed an associate
judge of the county of Lancaster; a trustee
and elder of the Presbyterian church at Pe-
quea for many years. The Revolutionary
war brought him to the front, and he proved
to be like his compeers, a person of indomit-
able courage and vigor of intellect, and was
ever tenacious of Republican principles."
The great-great-grandfather, Robert Ar-
mor, of Scotch descent, emigrated from the
north of Ireland to this country prior to
1810. In 1734 he took up a tract of two hun-
dred acres of land at the head of Pequea
creek, Lancaster county, and was a farmer
during his life.
The subject of this sketch received a com-
■ mon school education. While in his sixteenth
year he taught a large school in his native
town, being several years the junior of many
of his scholars. He entered a preparatory
school in Cumberland county, with a college
course in view, but untoward circumstances
changed the tenor of his life, and a good but
practical father, consigned him to learn the
iron moulding trade, at which he was duti-
fully engaged when the war of the rebellion
broke out. Enlisting in company B, Twenty-
eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, he rose to
the command of his company, was wounded
at Antietam and Chancellorsville, appointed
aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. John W. Geary,
Second or White Star division of the Twelfth
and Twentieth corps, brevetted major for
" gallant and meritorious conduct in the
campaign of the Carolinas." At the siege of
Savannah he was specially assigned by Gen-
eral Geary to command the " flying bridge
detail," which was to bridge, with bundles
of sugar cane, the dikes, or canals, in front
of the rebel works, for the storming party to
pass over in the grand charge outlined by
General Sherman. This " forlorn hope "
was saved " to fight another day " by the
very obliging retreat of the enemy the night
before. During the progress of the war he
was twice appointed to West Point, but de-
clined the honor, preferring to keep his con-
tract as he had " enlisted for the war." Af-
ter serving four years and one month, with
never a day in the hospital except when
wounded, he retired to civil life, declining
the urgent solicitations of prominent gen-
erals to enter the regular army.
After a year spent in the oil region his old
commander, who had been elected governor,
proffered him a confidential position near
him as executive clerk. During his stay of
six years in the executive department he
wrote the " Lives of the Governors of Penn-
sylvania, with the Incidental History of the
State." He was also registered and studied
law with Attorney Generals Benjamin Harris
Brewster and F. Carroll Brewster ; passed the
1194
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
full list of examinations set bj' his precep-
tors, but never applied for admission to the
bar, having selected a mercantile life. After
spending six years in Pittsburgh, in the
wholesale glass business, he was compelled by
failing health to change his occupation and
lead an outdoor life. He became engaged in
the production of oil in McKean county, and
for four years was co-editor and proprietor
of The Petroleum Age, a magazine of oil,
whose statistics and varied reports were the
standard of trade reference. After an eight
years' sojourn in oildom he again removed
to Harrisburg and served' two years as an
assistant in the State library ; was for one
year librarian of the Harrisburg Public Li-
brary, and is now a life member of the same.
Is a charter member of Post 58, G. A. R.,
also of the Dauphin County Historical So-
Society and now its secretary ; is secretary
and treasurer of the Harrisburg Under-
writers' Association ; a member of the Scotch-
Irisli Society of America, and has compiled
for it "The Scotch-Irish Bibliography of
Pennsylvania." All his life a lover of books
he is in his element as the proprietor of a
large antiquarian book store, and in connec-
tion with it has a varied collection of an-
tiquities devoted to the pleasure of his visitors
and friends.
Fisher, George, the son of George Fisher
and his wife Hannah, daughter of Jonas
Chamberlain, was born in what is now Mid-
dletown, in 1765. His father laid out the
town, naming the same. The original an-
cestor came from England with William
Penn in 1682. George Fisher, the subject of
this sketch, received a good education and
graduated from the College of Philadelphia,
now the University of Pennsylvania. He
studied law with John Wilkes Kittera at
Lancaster and was admitted to the Dauphin
county bar at the November term, 1787. He
soon rose into prominence in the early days
at the Dauphin court, which has always been
conspicuous for the brilliancy of its legal
profession. Mr, Harris, in his "Reminis-
cences of the Bar," speaks thus of Mr. Fisher :
" He was possessed of mild, gentlemanly
manners, and was kind in his intercourse
with the young members of the bar. He
had a ruddy complexion, a fine face, and a
handsome head. He was a large man; in
his youth was probably quite strong, and
was quite fleshy toward the end of his pro-
fessional career. He was remarkable for the
musical character of his voice, and the dis-
tinctness of his utterance. . . . He was ex-
tensively engaged in litigation in ejectment
cases depending on original title, which were
then a fertile subject of dispute in our courts
and in those of the neighboring counties."
Without doubt he was one of the most suc-
cessful practitioners at the Dauphin county
bar during his lifetime. When General La-
fayette visited Harrisburg he was selected
as the man to welcome that distinguished
Revolutionary officer to the city of Harris-
burg, and in our youthful days we heard his
address upon that occasion enthusiastically
spoken of.
Mr. Fisher died at his residence near Mid-
dletown, Thursday, February 2, 185^, at the
advanced age of eighty-seven years. He left
two sons who became quite distinguished in
the law, John Adam Fisher, of Harrisburg,
and Robert J. Fisher, who was judge of the
York district for several terms. George
Fisher was a popular lawyer, and occupied
a high position not only at home, but at the
bars of Carlisle, Sunbury, Lebanon, Lancas-
ter and York; and few causes of magnitude
or importance were tried during a long
period in which he was not one of the lead-
ing counsel. He managed these matters
with great tact and judgment, and his influ-
ence with the jury seemed almost magical.
He was a Federalist in politics, firm, sub-
stantial, and honest in his creed. A man of
great vigor of intellect ; eloquent and forci-
ble as an advocate, and as a gentleman of the
old school dignified, yet kind and polite.
Jordan, Thomas Jefferson, son of Ben-
jamin Jordan, and his wife, Mary Crouch,
was born at Walnut Hill, Dauphin countv.
Pa., December 3, 1821. Through bis mother
he was descended from two Revolutionary
heroes, Capt. James Crouch and Gen. James
Potter, while his grandfather Maj. Thomas
Jordan was an ofiicer in the militia in the
struggle for independence. Thomas Jordan
received a good classical education, studied
law with George W. Harris, at Harrisburg,
and was admitted to the Dauphin county
bar February 6, 1843. He remained in
the active practice of liis profession until the
breaking out of the Civil war. On the day
after the firing on Fort Sumter, he was mus-
tered into service as an aide, with the rank of
major, on the staff of Gen. William H. Keim,
and the first action in which he participated
was the battle of Falling Waters, where Gen-
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
1195
eral Keim defeated a brigade under General,
then Colonel, "Stonewall" Jackson. Upon
the expiration of the three months' service
Major Jordan assisted in recruiting a regi-
ment of cavalry, subsequently known as the
Ninth Pennsylvania, of which he was com-
missioned major October 22, 1861. In No-
vember, following, he proceeded with the
regiment to Louisville, Ky., where he re-
ported to General Buell. In the year 1862
Major Jordan was engaged in the actions at
Lebanon, and Spring Creek, Tenn., Moore's
Hill, Tomkinsviile, Glasgow, and Lexington,
Ky. He was captured July 9, 1862, at
Tomkinsviile, Ky., by John Morgfin, who
with a force of over two thousand men at-
tacked Major Jordan, then in command of
the post with only two hundred and thirty
men ; but so brave was the defense that while
the battalion lost ten killed, fourteen wounded
and nineteen prisoners, Morgan lost fifty-
seven killed and one hundred and forty
wounded. He was a prisoner in Castle
Thunder, Richmond, Va., until December 9,
1862, when he was exchanged. He returned
to duty at once. After numerous engage-
ments Major Jordan was promoted on Jan-
uary 13, 1863, to colonel of his regiment.
At Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863,
Colonel Jordan, with his regiment, fought his
way back to Franklin, Tenn., bringing off
two hundred and twenty prisoners, together
with the entire artillery and baggage trains,
and all the wounded that the ambulances
could carry, while Colonel Coburn,' with
thirt\'-eight hundred infantry was captured.
For this heroic part borne by Colonel Jor-
dan's regiment in this action, it was men-
tioned honorably in special orders by Gen-
eral Rosecrans. On September 5, 1863,
Colonel Jordan with his regiment attacked
and routed an entire brigade of Wheeler's
cavalry, under command of General Debrill,
capturing two hundred and ninety-four pris-
oners, a large portion of whom had been
wounded by the sabre. For this gallant ac-
tion he was placed in command of all the
cavalry in Tennessee and cleared the State
of the invaders. Complimentary orders
were issued by General Van Cleve, at Mur-
freesboro, General Mi]roy,at Tullahoma, and
General Stedman, at Chattanooga. On the
" march to the sea," Colonel Jordan's bra.very
was displayed on numerous occasions, and
from Savannah to the close of the war he
commanded the First brigade. First cavalry
division, Army of the Mississippi. On Feb-
ruary 3, 1865, his regiment crossed the Sa-
vannah river for the campaign in South
Carolina, at Averysboro, N. C; his brigade
encountered the garrison of Charleston,
strongly entrenched. In this engagement
his regiment lost heavily in killed and
wounded, particularly among the officers.
At the battle of Johnston's Station, S. C,
Colonel Jordan's regiment by heroic fighting
saved General Kilpatrick from probable de-
feat, and in February, 1865, "for gallant and
meritorious service," he was brevetted brig-
adier general of volunteers. In March,
1865, he received the surrender of the city of
Raleigh, and was at the front when Gen.
Joseph Johnston surrendered to General
Sherman. After being mustered out of ser-
vice July 18, 1865, General Jordan returned
to Harrisburg, and for a time resumed the
practice of his profession. He subsequently
engaged in the lumber business in Williams-
p5rt. Later on he removed to Philadelphia,
and for awhile held a position in the post-
office, while subsequently he occupied a
position in the United States Mint. He died
in Philadelphia, on the 2d day of April,
1895, leaving a wife and two children, a son-,
David Wilson Jordan, the artist, and a
daughter, who is the wife of Rev. Leonard
Woolsey Bacon, of Connecticut.
Knife, Joseph Farmer, was born March
80, 1823, in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. Pa.
His parents were Henry Knipe and his
wife, Elizabeth Farmer. His ancestors on
the paternal side came from Manheim, Ger-
many, prior to the Revolution, a brother lo-
cating in what is now Montgomery county,
Pa., another brother in what is now Lebanon
county, near Schaefferstown. The son was
educated in private and public schools in
Manheim and Lebanon, subsequently learn-
ing the trade of boot and shoe business in
Philadelphia. In 1842 he enlisted in the
United States army, and participated in the
Dorr war in Rhode Island. In 1845 he went
with his command to Texas, serving under
General Taylor. He participated in the
Mexican campaign until the 1st of August,
1848, and was the last man to leave The Mole
at Vera Cruz with the American flag. In
October following he came to Harrisburg
and resided there as an employee of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Being
mail agent at the breaking out of the war
he secured leave of absence to enter the vol-
unteer service, and on the 17th day of April,
1861, he named the place of organization of
the Pennsylvania troops. Camp Curtin. In
1196
BIOGRAPHICAL ENGTCLOPEDtA
the three months' service he was brigade in-
spector of Brigadier General William's staff.
On the expiration of this service he organ-
ized a regiment which became the Forty-
sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, in which he
was commissioned colonel, August 1, 1861.
This was under the call of the President for
three hundred thousand men. The first flag
presented to the Pennsylvania regiments by
the Governorof the Commonwealth was given
to the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania. Colonel
Knipe served with the regiment as its com-
mander until the eve of the battle of South
Mountain. He had been previously wounded
at Cedar Mountain on the 9th of July, 1862,
but on General Lee's crossing the Potomac for
the invasion of the North, he hastened to the
front, being assigned to the First division of
the Twelfth army corps. His brigade par-
ticipated in the battles of South Mountain
and Antietam, and greatly distinguished
itself at Chancellorsville. Still suffering from
his wound Colonel Knipe was sent by Gen-
eral Slocum to Acquia Creek, and afterwards
to his home. Just previous to the second
invasion of the North by General Lee's army,
he was ordered by General Halleck to the
Department of the Susquehanna, to report to
General Couch for light duty. He was as-
signed by that oSicer to the command of the
militia, and ordered to the front. His com-
mand advanced as far as Smokytown, when
meeting the advance of Lee's army, grad-
ually retarding the movements of Lee, whose
advancing columns reached to within three
and one-half miles of Harrisburg, when as-
certaining that there was a large force at
Fort "Washington, the enemy fell back towards
Gettysburg. Subsequently General Knipe,
in company with Gen. Baldy Smith, was
sent up the Valley, joining the main army
under General Meade. Relieved by General
Couch, General Knipe rejoined his old
command, then the First brigade. First
division of the Twelfth army corps. He
served under General Meade until the
Eleventh and Twelfth army corps were
withdrawn and sent westward, where they
reported to General Rosecrans. After the
battle of Chickamaugua General Grant was
sent to relieve the former. Upon the reor-
ganization of the army subsequent to the
battles of Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain,
and Missionary Ridge, the Eleventh and
Twelfth corps became the Twentieth, with
General Hooker in command. General
Knipe participated in all the battles from
Chattanooga to Atlanta. Upon the fall of
the latter. General McPherson having been
killed. General Howard was placed in com-
mand of the Army of the "Tennessee and
General Knipe assigned as chief of cavalry.
He was subsequently sent to Memphis to or-
ganize the cavalry on the left bank of the
Mississippi, belonging to the Army of the
Tennessee. That duty performed, the Gen-
eral returned to headquarters at Nashville
and found all communication cut off. He
then reported to General Thomas for active
service and was assigned to the Seventh
division of cavalry, and participated in the
fight at Nashville. After this battle his
position placed him in advance, and he pur-
sued Hood's rear guard, which consisted of
the brigades of Newsen and Hunter. He cap-
tured some six thousand men and eight col-
ors, more prisoners than his own command
consisted of. After the Nashville campaign
he was ordered to proceed to the headquar-
ters of the Department of the Gulf and re-
port to General Canby. His command co-
operated until the capture of Mobile, when
he was ordered to New Orleans to organize
the cavalry to send to Texas against Kirby
Smith, who was still holding out. General
Sheridan commanding the department. At
General Knipe's request he was relieved
from duty and reported to General Thomas
at Nashville, where he was mustered out of
service on the 16th of September, 1865. For
meritorious and gallant conduct General
Knipe was commissioned a brigadier general.
May 29, 1862. He was recommended for
promotion by no less than three of his com-
manding ofiicers. After his retirement he
was offered a colonelcy in the United States
army, which he declined. On the 9th of
April, 1866, President Johnson appointed
General Knipe postmaster at Harrisburg,
which was confirmed by the Senate the fol-
lownig month. He remained in office until
after the election of General Grant. For
several years he was in active business in
Harrisburg and afterwards postmaster of the
House of Representatives at Washington.
In 1880 he was appointed by General Meigs
to a position in the quartermaster's depart-
ment at Fort Leavenworth, where he re-
niained until 1889, that office then being
abolished. The General returned to Penn-
sylyania and subsequently to Harrisburg,
where he resides and now holds a position
in the State Department at Harrisburg. Gen-
eral Knipe married, March 7, 1851, Eliza
Hagan, who died in 1876. They had a
family of eight children.