USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 40
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 40
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trict Attorney and in the following cam- paign was duly elected. After serving with distinction as the chief prosecuting officer of his county, he, in 1886, offered himself as a candidate for Congress from the 19th Congressional District and was defeated by a very narrow margin. Ten years later, in 1896, he was made the nominee of his party for the same office but shortly prior to the meeting of the conferees, withdrew in favor of Hon. George J. Benner, of Adams County. From boyhood, almost, Mr. Zieg- ler has been a devotee of the Democratic party and there has been no campaign since, county, State or national, in which he has not prominently figured. He has frequently been delegated to represent his party in State conventions and in the spring of 1884 was chosen as the delegate of the 19th Congressional District to represent it in the National Democratic Convention, which met in Chicago in July of the same year and nominated Cleveland and Hen- dricks for President and Vice President of the United States. He has been a tireless worker in the various organizations con- nected with his party and has been one of its ablest and wisest counsellors.
As a lawyer, Mr. Ziegler stands with the leaders of his profession. He is thoroughly familiar with the literature of the law, tact- ful and resourceful in his conduct of a case, possesses a thorough knowledge of human nature and is alert to every advantage in the matter of procedure. Personally he is a man of cultured and refined instincts, ur- bane manner and marked for his intense earnestness in every cause which is fortu- nate enough to elicit his support.
On August 4, 1870, Mr. Ziegler was united in marriage with Sarah M. Carman, a daughter of Martin Carman, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. To this union have been born four children, three of whom are now living: Elmer Dean, Mabel A. and
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Mary L. The former was educated in the York Collegiate Institute, read law with his father and was admitted to practice in 1895. He is a young attorney of unusual talent and much promise. Fraternally, Mr. Zieg- ler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men and the Heptasophs. Religiously he affiliates with Heidelberg Keformed church and formerly was a member of the consist- ery of that body.
C APT. W. H. LANIUS, President of the York Trust and Real Estate and Deposit Company and prominently identi- fied with the material development of the city of York for over a quarter of a century, is a son of Henry and Angeline (Miller) Lanius. He was born at Flushing, Long Island, November 26th, 1843, and is a de- scendant of a sturdy and honorable German stock, the emigrant ancestor of which came to this country and settled in Eastern Penn- sylvania about the year 1731. This ancestor was Jacob Lanius, who was born at Meck- enheim, in the Palatinate, Germany, May 12th, 1708. He married, June 13th, 1730, Julianna Kreamer, who was born in Eisenheim, January 2, 1712, and subse- quently, in 1731, came to Philadelphia by way of Rotterdam, in the ship "Pennsyl- vania Merchant." Afterward he removed to Kreutz Creek, where his name is found among the taxables of Hellam township, as possessed of 150 acres of land. In 1763 he removed to York, although together with his wife, he had been, since 1752, connect- ed with the Moravian church, and his name appears in the lengthy document in Latin, deposited in the corner stone of the first church built in York in 1755. He died in York March Ist, 1778. Henry, his fifth child, continued to live in Hellam town- ship, where he died September 15th, 1808. He also was connected with the Moravian
church in York. A brother of his, William, went to York with his father and formed part of the guard that escorted the Conti- nental Congress on its return to Philadel- phia, June 17, 1758. Christian, the first child of Henry by his second wife-Eliza- beth Kuenzly, of Mt. Joy,-was born at Kreutz Creek September 16, 1773, and bap- tized in the Moravian church. He was a wagon maker by trade and resided in York, where by industry and thrift combined with good business judgment, he accumalated a comfortable competence and was highly re- spected as a public spirited citizen. He was prominent in the movement in 1815 to in- troduce water into the borough and was one of the first board of nine managers that met March 18, 1816. Wooden mains were then used for that purpose. In 1837, in time of financial depression, he originated the movement for the organization of the York County Savings Institution, now the York County National Bank, and was elected its first President, but declined to serve in that position. He was married September 17, 1797, to Anna, daughter of Jacob and Bar- bara Von Updegraff, born in York, March 16, 1774. They had eight children who reached mature estate; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Smyser; Susan A., wife of Jacob Weiser; Benjamin; Amelia, wife of John Fahnestock. Sarah, wife of Henry Kauf- felt: Henry; Magdalen, wife of William D. Himes; and Eleanora, wife of E. C. Park- hurst.
Henry Lanius, father of Captain Lanius, was born in York, September 20, 1809, and died in the same place June 26, 1879. His remains are interred in Prospect Hill ceme- tery. He was a carpenter by trade, later an extensive lumber merchant, served sev- eral years as a member of the school board, and was chief burgess of the borough of York in 1860 and 1861. Politically he was a zealous and active Republican, a consist-
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ent member of the Moravian church and possessed many excellent qualities of mind and heart. He married Angeline Miller, by whom he had ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity: Marcus C., deceased; Anna L., widow of Thomas Myers; Capt. W. H .; Ellen A .; Rev. Charles C., de- ceased, late principal of the Moravian school at Nazareth, Pennsylvania; Sarah F .; Paul, a resident of Denver, Colorado; and Susan H., deceased.
Capt. W. H. Lanius grew to maturity in the city of York, where he obtained his ed- ucation in private schools and the York County Academy. After leaving school he became a clerk in his father's office, who at that time was engaged in the lumber busi- ness. Eighteen months later, on August 25, 1861, when but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company A, 87th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Captain J. A. Stahle (Col. George Hay com- manding the regiment), and resolved to give his youthful services toward the main- tenance of our national integrity during the great civil conflict. Shortly after his enlistment he was transferred to Company I, of the same regiment, where he became orderly sergeant, and by successive promo- tions rose to the rank of Captain in com- mand of his company. His commission as Captain was issued June 26, 1864, and on October 13th, of the same year he was mus- tered out of service. During his four years of military service Captain Lanius partici- pated in the following engagements: battle of Winchester, Brandy Station, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Opequan, Kel- ley's Ford, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Monocacy and Fisher's Hill. He was wounded at Monocacy, July 9th, 1864, while acting as Aid on the staff of Col. Truax, commanding the first brigade, third division, 6th Army Corps.
After returning from the war, Captain
Lanius was made a special officer of the United States Treasury department, whose duty was to take charge of captured, con- fiscated and abandoned property of the United States Government, and served in that capacity for a period of 6 months. In 1865 he resigned his position and engaged in the retail lumber business and followed it up to 1871, in which latter year he began a wholesale business in connection with it at Wrightsville. Eight years later he es- tablished a branch of his lumber business at Williamsport, which was continued until 1886. In December 1884 he became the chief promoter of the West End Improve- ment Company of York, which in 1890 be- came the present York Trust Real Estate and Deposit Company. This latter organi- zation assumed more extensive functions through the act of 1889, which gave to Trust Companies authority to buy and sell real estate. In 1886 he became one of the organizers and President of the York Street Railway Company, which owed its organi- zation largely to the West End Improve- ment Company. In all the above concerns Captain Lanius was the chief promoter and one of the directing heads. In addition to his official relation to the Street Railway Company and York Trust Company, he is a director of the York Hotel Company, President of the Baltimore and Harrisburg Railroad Company, (Eastern Extension,) a trustee of the York County Academy, a member of the Board of Trustees of the York County Historical Society, first Presi- dent of the York Board of Trade, organized in 1886, and is variously interested in a number of other concerns touching the ma- terial prosperity and progress of his city.
In political affiliation, Captain Lanius is a Republican and for a number of years has been recognized as a tireless worker and wise counsellor within the party organiza- tion. He has served several terms as a
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member of the borough and city council, and was a delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention, nominating Blaine in 1884.
His earliest service for his party was in 1866, when, at he age of 22 years, he or- ganized the York Republican Soldier's Club, familiarly known as the "Boys in Blue," of which he was President for three succes- sive years. This latter is one of the oldest and best known political organizations in Southern Pennsylvania. Fraternally he is a member of the York Lodge, No. 266, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Sedgwick Post, No. 37, Grand Army of the Republic. Of the latter organization he was one. of the charter members and one of the organizers in 1867, and served as its first commander. Since its organization, he has been dele- gated to represent the Post at several State and National encampments, viz: Denver, in 1883. Minneapolis, in 1884, and Portland, Maine, in 1885. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Loyal Legion.
On January 24, 1867, Captain Lanius was united in marriage to Lucy Smyser, a daughter of Michael Smyser, of York. To their union have been born three children, a son and two daughters: Mary S., Grace A., and Percy L., who was married on Sep- tember 2, 1896, to Margaret, a daughter of Edward Stuck, Esq., of York, and is now actively engaged with his father in the lum- ber and coal business.
Captain Lanius leads an active, busy and prudent life. Besides possessing an un- limited capacity for successful organization, he is also a man of fine social and intellect- ual instincts. He is uniformly courteous in demeanor, liberal in giving where neces- sity demands, public spirited in a high de- gree, and at all times animated with civic and patriotic pride. Among the useful and high minded citizens of the 19th Congres-
sional District, none stand higher than Cap- tain Lanius.
H IRAM YOUNG, the venerable editor and publisher of the York Dis- patch, whose portrait accompanies this bi- ographical monograph, is descended from Revolutionary ancestry, and wears in his coat lappel the button of the proud order of the "Society of the Sons of the Revolu- iton." Urbane and genial, yet dignified and impressive, with a personality that is dis- tinctively his own, he bears his more than three score years with a winsome ease and grace that long since established his popu- larity wherever he is known and won for him the esteem and friendship of all worthy of his consideration. Possessed of a wond- erful fund of information, gleaned from books, experience and observation, his cul- ture and fluency of speech render him a most delightful companion and entertain- ing conversationalist. He is a gentleman of remarkable energy and perseverance and to-day, after being in the editorial harness for a generation of years, devotes the same assiduous and unremitting attention to his newspaper that he did when he made it such a power in the "Cause of the Union" during the dark period of the rebellion, when it was established for that boldly pro- claimed purpose.
Hiram Young was born at Shefferstown, Lebanon County, Pa., May 14, 1830. He is a descendant on his mother's side of Alexander Sheffer, the founder of the town, whose son, Captain Henry Sheffer, served in the Revolutionary war, and was imme- diately appointed an associate justice of the Commonwealth by Governor Thomas Mif- flin at its close. His maternal grandfather, Frederick Oberlin, was descended from John Frederick Oberlin, of Ban de la Roche, of Alsace, who was born at Stras- burg. Mr. Young, having completed his
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primary education at the village school, engaged in the book trade at Lancaster and subsequently entered the high school at that place with the intention of preparing for a university course, but this idea was aband- oned that he might accept a desirable posi- tion in the publishing house of Uriah Hunt & Sons, and later he occupied a responsible position with Lippincott, Grambo & Co., of Philadelphia. After a few years he return- ed to Lancaster and built up the leading book store there. Retiring from this firm in 1860, Mr. Young came to York and in company with Major Thomas Pearce, a re- tired army officer, bought the book store of F. B. Spangler, subsequent to that pro- prietor's decease, and the firm became pop- ular under the name of Pearce & Young. This partnership was dissolved in 1862 and Mr. Young opened a book store of his own, continuing in the business up to 1877.
The summer and fall of 1863 are memor- able in the annals of the country, but es- pecially of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- vania and more particularly of the County and City of York. It was the summer in which the battle of Gettysburg was fought, and in the fall occurred Governor Curtin's second gubernatorial campaign. The popu- lar excitement in this border county ran high. The disloyal sentiment of the Bour- bon democracy was pronounced and au- dacious. The rebel raiders, who had enter- ed York and levied tribute upon the mu- nicipality, had found even sympathizers among the inhabitants. At last a loud and general demand arose among the loyal pop- ulation for a newspaper that would ener- getically sustain the government and the canse of the Union. A number of patriotic citizens after discussing the necessity and canvassing the situation, determined to start a paper that could in no uncertain tone utter the voice of the loyal and patriotic citizenship in support of the government
and the purpose of the war. Mr. Young was then a member of the Republican State Committee. There was no question about his patriotism, his ability or his courage, and he was active and earnest in forwarding the work. He was ably seconded in his ef- forts by Alexander Underwood, then a citi- zen of York and Chairman of the Republi- can County Committee, now of Cumber- land County. The publication which was known as the Democrat, was little more than a campaign document, but a red hot Republican sheet, which excited the fear and denunciation of the Democracy sym- pathizing with the Southern cause, and was received with approbation by the loyal peo- ple of the community.
The political campaign of the autumn of 1863 ended favorably for the Republicans but the necessity for the continnance of the publication to strengthen the arm of the government and to overawe the bold front of disloyalty that still existed in this strong- hold of Democracy, was clearly obvious. Up to this time the Democrat had been printed in Harrisburg. It was now de- termined to establish its publication in the City of York. A nominal stock company was organized and the requisite funds were thus raised by a popular subscription, each subscriber, among whom was Mr. Young, taking one or more shares of stock and subsequently, at the request of the pa- triotic citizen interested, Hiram Young made the necessary preparations for its pub- lication. He secured a press and the other printing material and issned the initial number of the True Democrat, on June the 7th, 1864, by a notable coincidence on the same day that Abraham Lincoln was nomi- nated the second time for the Presidency, at Baltimore. The paper at once took a high stand as the exponent of true Repub- lican principles, as the supporter and de- fender of the government and the union
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and the friend of the army. It was clear, determined and fearless in its utterances and its influence was not confined to the com- munity in which it was published, but was felt throughout the State and across the border. It excelled in circulation any weekly newspaper in York county and was recognized as the leading Republican paper in the county. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, soon recognized its services to the government and at once extended it the patronage of the war department.
The True Democrat continued to grow in power and influence and to increase in popular esteem but its enterprising proprie- tor with a perspicacity that has always re- dounded to his business success, realized that the day had dawned for more progres- sive journalism in the community, and on the 29th of May, 1876, he started the Dis- patch as a daily publication. York was no longer a village but had become a thriving and populous city. Mr. Young at once brought to bear his wondrous energy, cool and impartial judgment and great news- paper ability, and soon the Dispatch be- came what it has ever since remained, the leading Republican daily newspaper of the county and its potent influence is felt every- where throughout the State.
licy and shaping its destiny. For several years he was a member of the State Repub- lican Committee, where his clear judgment and wonderful foresight always com- manded attention and consideration. In the campaign of 1888, when Harrison was the national standard bearer of the Republican hosts, Mr. Young led the Republican for- lorn hope in this district as their candidate for representative in Congress.
Notwithstanding the exacting require- ments of his position as the head of an en- terprising daily newspaper, Mr. Young de- votes much time and attention to agricul- tural interests, and he has become familiarly known as the "Farmer s Friend." Advocat- ing a protective tariff for the farmers as well as for all American interests, the to- bacco and sheep interests of the county es- pecially have always found in him a cham- pion and a safeguard. In 1890 he was ap- pointed by the State Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania a delegate to the National Wool Growers Association and represented the commonwealth in the National Conven- tion of this great body at Washington. In this capacity he appeared before the Ways and Means Committee when Major McKin- ley was its chairman and ably advocated the interests of American wool growers, When the Dingley bill was before the Ways and Means Committee he again appeared in the same responsible capacity and aided in framing the memorial that was presented the committee by the association.
This veteran editor and popular citizen was formerly a Douglas Democrat, but the last vote he cast for a Democrat was for the "Little Giant." As the great leader would have done had he lived, when the civil war broke out, he abandoned the party As Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, he has been prominent for many years, and has been inremitting in advancing the interests of agriculture in the community and in the State. that had hatched treason and rebellion and at once allied himself with the party whose gospel was a united union and the govern- ment of the fathers, and hastened to their support. Never for a moment has he flinched in the defence of the cardinal prin- ciples of the Republican party and he has Controlling for many years the only or- gan of the Republican party in York, he become a power in its councils in the State as well as at Washington in framing its po- has always been consistent, zealous and
George W Heiges
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NINETEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
earnest in support of its candidates. Withal he has built up a grand and influential daily journal and today has one of the most com- plete newspaper plants in the State.
H TON. GEORGE W.HEIGES, lawyer, of York, Pa., was born in the bor- ough of Dillsburg, York County, Pa., May 18th, 1842. His father, Jacob Heiges, was a prominent chair manufacturer of the above mentioned county; his mother was Elizabeth (Mumper) Heiges, and on both the paternal and maternal sides he is of German extraction. He studied first in the public schools and also under private tu- tors; later he completed a course of aca- demic studies, after which he taught in one of the public schools of his native place.He was thus occupied for several years in the borough and county schools; becoming subsequently the principal of the York Clas- sical and Normal Institute; later he was ap- pointed one of the principals of the local normal school and tutor in the York Aca- demy. Upon resigning he became deputy superintendent of the common schools of York county for one year. After complet- ing the usual course of legal studies he passed his examination, was admitted to the bar of York County in 1867 and imme- diately began practice.
His industry and talents have won him an excellent connection and a high repu- tation at the bar. In 1872 he was elected to the Legislature on the D mocratic ticket, and re-elected in 1873. While serving in the legislative body, he was a member of the judiciary, general and local committees of the federal relations committee, of the constitutional committee and of the judi- cial apportionment committee; also of various other committees of less promi- nence and importance. During his last term he participated actively and influ- entially in all measures connected with the
more important questions of the day, and was noted for his sound judgment and prompt action under the most trying cir- cumstances.
He was appointed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania a member of the Board of Auditors, constituted to re-examine and re- settle the accounts of various county offi- cers, a measure resulting from a reform movement in his party, and in which he had been prominent.
As a Free Mason, he is one of the most zealous and influential members of the or- ganization to which he is attached, and is a Past Master of Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, A. Y. M .; he is also Generalissimo of the York Commandery, No. 21 Knights Temp- lar.
He is a constant and valued contributor to the press of the county. He has always taken an active part in the political move- ments of the State and county, and especi- ally is warmly interested in matters con- nected with the advancement and increase of the public educational systems and ad- vantages.
Since his retirement from the Legislature he has devoted his entire attention to his profession, declining, although repeatedly solicited, to accept any public position .--- Taken from the Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania. Galaxy Publishing Com- pany, Philadelphia, Pa., A. D. 1874.
The subsequent career of the subject of this sketch may be epitomized as follows, viz:
In November, 1874, he was married to Mary E. Gallagher, daughter of the late John Gallagher, of York, Pa., who emi- grated from County Donegal, Ireland, at the age of 8 years, and in due time was naturalized as a citizen of the United States in the city of Baltimore, Md., and became a prominent merchant of that city before moving to York, Pa.
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In the years 1877, 1878, and 1879 our subject served, by appointment, as counsel to two successive boards of county com- missioner, and declined a re-appointment on the ground that he had served as long as any of his predecessors in the position, the office being quasi-political, and there being other aspirants for the appointment. He was about this time and for several years local solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, receiving from the gen- eral solicitor of the company a commenda- tory letter upon his retirement. He is also and has been for the past twenty years local attorney for the Dillsburg and Mechanics- burg Railroad, operated by the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company.
In time Mr. Heiges became a Past High Priest of his Chapter, viz .: Howell Royal Arch Chapter of Masons, No. 199, Pennsylvania, stationed at York, and be- came also a Past Eminent Commander of York Commandery, No. 21, of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania. He is also an Odd Fellow, a member of Continental As- sembly No. 24, Artisans Order of Mutual Protection, a member of Willis Council, No. 508, of the Royal Arcanum, &c., &c.
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