USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of the Nineteenth Congressional District, Pennsylvania > Part 64
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Oxford. To this union have been born four children: Anna Katharine, attending Swarthinore College; Amelia Eichelberger, Helen Magdalena, and William D., Jr.
H ON. WILBUR F. SADLER, ex- president judge of the Ninth Judi- cial District of Pennsylvania, and one of the ablest and most prominent lawyers of the eastern section of the State, was born near York Springs, Adams county, Pa., October 14th, 1840, the son of Joshua and Harriet (Stahley) Sadler.
Judge Sadler is of English extraction. Richard Sadler, his great-great-grand- father, emigrated to America about the iniddle of the Eighteenth Century, and in 1750 took out a warrant for a tract of land in what is now Adams county, where he settled and became conspicuously identi- fied with the pioneer interests of the sec- tion. The tract thus originally acquired by the Sadlers is still in the possession of some of the descendants of Richard Sad- ler. The latter's death occurred in 1764 and his remains were laid away in the burial ground of Christ church, Hunting- don township, of which church he was an early member. Richard's son, Isaac, wedded Mary Hammersley. Their eldest child, Richard, married Rebecca Lewis and the second, Joshua Sadler, became the father of our subject.
In the year succeeding his birth Judge Sadler was brought to Cumberland county by his parents and his life ever since has been spent there. When he grew old enough, he was sent to the public schools and after finishing a course of instruction there that fitted him for a higher institu- tion, he became a student at Centreville Academy. Subsequently he entered Dick- inson College and graduated therefrom with the degree of A. M. in 1863.
The young student had barely quitted
the class rooms, when Lee's invasion north aroused both feelings of alarm and patri- otism among the loyal people of Southern Pennsylvania and emergency organizations were hastily formed to assist in repelling the invaders. Young Sadler enlisted in a cavalry company and served until the fall of that year, when he was honorably dis- charged. He then turned his attention to law and read under the preceptorship of A. B. Sharpe and J. M. Weakley. Fin- ishing his course of reading he success- fully passed the necessary examination and was admitted to the bar of Cumberland county in 1864. Careful and painstaking in the preparation and presentation of his cases and possessed of more than ordi- nary legal acumen, he soon encouraged a large and lucrative practice, which he re- tained until his elevation to the bench in 1884. Although much absorbed by pro- fessional matters, Judge Sadler found time to take an active interest in politics and he became influential in the affairs of the Re- publican party. In 1869 he was nomi- nated for State Senator in the district then composed of York and Cumberland counties. Two years later he was elected district attorney. He was twice a candi- date before the Republican State conven- tion for the nomination for Supreme Court Justice and on the one occasion came within two votes of securing a place on the ticket. Since his retirement from the bench he has devoted himself assiduously to his profession. He has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court and the Supreme Court of the State. Both as an attorney and a citizen the judge is exceedingly popular. Aside from his pro- fessional work Judge Sadler has taken a deep interest in educational and business affairs, serving as a director of the public schools, a trustee of Dickinson College,
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a director of several corporations and pres- in Somerset county, Penn., November, ident of the Farmer's bank. He was one of the leading spirits in the project which resulted in the establishment of the Dick- inson School of Law in 1891, and has since been professor of law of corporations and practice in the institution.
In January, 1872, the Judge married Sarah E. Sterrett. To their union have been born four children: Wilbur F., Jr., at present superintendent of the Greensburg. Jeanette and Pittsburg street railway; Lewis S., a member of the Carlisle bar and borough attorney; Sylvester B., a graduate of Yale College, and now a stu- dent of Dickinson School of Law, and Horace F., a cadet at Pennsylvania Mili- tary College.
C HAUNCEY F. BLACK. The stock from which Ex-Lieutenant-Gover- nor Black springs needs no introduction to Pennsylvanians. His illustrious father, Jeremiah Sullivan Black, was pre-eminently a Pennsylvanian by blood and birth, by ed- ucation and public service. He unites the ruling types in the rural portions of the State-the sturdy Pennsylvania German and energetic Scotch-Irish. Born in the Glades, Somerset county, his father was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his mother of Scotch- Irish on her father's side, as her name, Sul- livan, indicates, and of Pennsylvania Ger- man descent on her mother's side. Judge Black's father, Henry Black, was a man of prominence in Southern Pennsylvania; he served in the legislature from 1814 to 1818, was an associate judge for a term, and was a member of the National House of Repre- sentatives when he died. His wife was the daughter of Chauncey Forward, who was a member of Congress and a brother of Wal- ter Forward, secretary of the treasury un- der Tyler. Chauncey Forward Black, who bears his mother's family name, was born
1839. His early education was obtained at Monongalia Academy, Morgantown, West Virginia, at Hiram College, in Ohio, and he finished his studies at Jefferson College, Canonsburg. When he was a pupil at Hiram the late President Garfield was a tu- tor there, and the acquaintance thus formed ripened into a personal friendship, which was only interrupted by the president's tragic death. Their political differences were the widest, as illustrated by the scho- larly and irresistible paper, in which Mr. Black took issue with Mr. Garfield's exul- tant boast that the influence of Jefferson is on the wane in our political system. He was admitted to the bar of Somerset, and also of York, but never practiced much, showing earlyinclination toward journalism and other forms of literary work. From the time of beginning his law studies he wrote for various journals on a wide range of topics, doing a vast amount of effective political work, for which he has trained him- self by study of the fathers of the republic. Jefferson found in him an appreciative but discriminating admirer, and the Hamilton- ian theories encountered his early criticism and dissent. Study of the constitution and of the discussions over its adoption and con- struction, convinced him that they who had founded our institutions had builded wiser than they knew, formulating a system which could be practicably and profitably applied to every question that arose. Mr. Black, though a student of politics, has never failed to take a laboring oar in the practical work of campaigns. Besides the engagement of his pen for effective work in many quarters, he has been heard upon the stump year after year, and a number of the later platforms of the Democratic State conventions are accredited to his author- ship. In 1879 he represented York County in the State convention, and in 1880 he was
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one of the delegates from that Congres- sional district to the Cincinnati convention, voting on the first ballot for Judge Field, and on the second for Gen. Hancock. Prior to the late State convention, from the time his nomination for lieutenant-governor was first broached, the suggestion was received with popular favor, and he was chosen by a large majority on the first ballot. The se- lection was ratified most heartily not only by the Democratic press of Pennsylvania, but by many journals of large influence outside the State.
From his youth up Mr. Black has been a supporter of those principles which he comes to by inheritance and holds by intel- ligent conviction. With ready pen and elo- quent tongue he has steadily maintained them for over twenty years. In all his ut- terances and writings they never found abler nor more fitting expression than in his successful efforts to revive the Jeffersonian societies and extend the study of Jefferson- ian principles. To this patriotic task he has applied himself, not because of any retros- pective tendency of his mind, nor by reason of any failure to profoundly appreciate the spirit of true progressiveness and to adapt himself and his political principles to the wonderful development of our national life. He holds that in the Jefferson philosophy are the germs of all political progress.
Since 1873 Mr. Black has been closely and continuously identified with the jour- nalism of the country. He has been uninter- ruptedly an editorial contributor to the New York Sun and other prominent journals of the country, his facile pen being devoted to no special range of subjects, and often wan- dering into the more graceful lines of liter- ature, while his fulminations are vigorous and effective when hurled at political evils. The geniality and native humor of his tem- perament, which make him a social favorite wherever he is known, unmistakably mani-
fest themselves in his literary work, but the sturdy Anglo-Saxon and virile thought of his editorial expression make it recogniz- able.
In November, 1882, he was elected lieu- tenant-governor of Pennsylvania. His ma- jority in York county was one of the larg- est ever received by any candidate, when opposed by the opposite party. In Janu- ary. 1883, he entered upon his duties as presiding officer of the Senate of Pennsyl- vania. His dignified bearing, affable man- ners and courtesy won the admiration of the Senators of both parties, and of the officers, of the various departments, with whom he lias had official intercourse.
In 1863 Mr. Black was married to the daughter of the late Hon. John L. Dawson, whose home was at Friendship Hill, Fa- ette county, the former residence of Al- bert Gallatin, and the present residence of Mr. Dawson's widow, which is still in the ownership of the family. Mr. Dawson represented the (then) Twenty-first District in Congress with great distinction. He was in reality the father of the homestead law now in force. Of the four children at "Wil- low Bridges," the three boys illustrate their distinguished lineage by the names Jere- miah Sullivan, John L. Dawson and Chauncey Forward. Possessed in eminent degree of those fireside virtues which are the best qualities of public men, Mr. Black has social accomplishments which make him extremely popular with his acquaint- ances. Upon his nomination for lieutenant governor he received the hearty congratu- lations of his neighbors and assurances of their support regardless of party, because of the warmth of feeling which his personal characteristics have awakened for him. No local interest fails to engage his sympathy and his former friends and neighbors are accustomed to count him among those who regard their agricultural concerns with
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community of interest. He was one of the charter members of Springettsbury Grange, No. 79, organized in Springgarden town- ship, York county, Pa., January 4, 1874. by R. H. Thomas, State Secretary. He at- tends the Episcopal church.
On the left hand side of the Northern Central railroad, about a mile southwest of York, Pa., and in the township of Spring- garden, is a beautiful home, bowered among apple trees, which are thickly set on a smoothly kept lawn. Well trimmed hedges run all around this little farm; through them, here and there, grow the osage trees and towering elms, while drooping willows and whispering maples shade the enclosed grounds. The ivy grows over the stone springhouse; Virginia creepers cling to trellises and branching trees and flaunt their graceful foliage in the summer wind. With- in the house which adorns "Willow Bridges," are the signs of solid comfort and refinement. Near by, an office of rustic beauty, furnished with all the facilities for literary labor, is the workshop of Chauncey F. Black.
Inheriting from a hardy race of ancestors a love of nature, he lives here in the coun- try at the foot of Webb's Hill, over which the spacious and highly cultivated farm of his father's estate spreads itself. He breaths pure air, drinks spring water, supplies his table from his own garden, and catches in- spiration from all his surroundings for the vigorous work which he has done in the promotion of a healthy and honest policy for the commonwealth.
E DMUND W. MEISENHELDER, M. D., resident of the city of York. and one of the most prominent members of the medical profession in York county, Pennsylvania, was born in the present bor- ough of Dover, county and State before mentioned, February 22nd, 1843, and is
the oldest son of Dr. Samuel Meisenhelder and Josephine S. (Lewis), his wife.
Dr. Edmund W. Meisenhelder is des- cended, on the paternal side, from a sturdy and highly honorable German ancestry, but the date of the arrival, and the locality first settled by the earliest progenitors of the American branch of this family is uncertain, though thought to have been within the present confines of York, or Lancaster county. It is believed that, and there is a very strong probability that such is the fact, the immigrants, constituting the ori- ginal American stock, came to this country from Meissen, in the Kingdom of Saxony. or from its neighborhood, during the Na- poleonic wars, or immediately thereafter. The composition of the patronymic indi- cates the likelihood that this statement co- incides with the actual facts. The time at which the emigration to this country is sup- posed to have occurred accords with the period during which all Europe was in con- tinual turmoil, and during a large part of which the Kingdom of Saxony was the seat of active warfare, and the spot where. in several great battles were fought. The sufferings and privations which this condi- tion entailed upon its inhabitants; the dan- gers to which they were incessantly ex- posed; the wasting of their substance alike by friend and foe; the prolonged unrest, incident to the changing fortunes of field and forum-these all, doubtless,were active. persuasive, and determining factors prece -- dent to the pilgrimage to the New World, whose praises had probably been sung by soldiers returning from our Revolutionary struggle, and, in which, they expected to find peace and plenty, freedom from war's alarms and political and religious liberty.
On the maternal side, the Lewis pedi- gree has been carried back to the seventh century-four centuries before the Nor- man Conquest-and it has been definitely
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
determined that the original stock dwelt in Wales, and were of Saxon blood and royal lineage.
Dr. Samuel Meisenhelder, father of Ed- mund W. Meisenhelder, was a native of York county, a graduate of Jefferson Medi- cal College, Philadelphia, and, for many years, a prominent practicing physician in York and Adams counties. Shortly after being graduated he began the practice of his profession in Dover, York county, Pa., where he remained about three years. On the 13th of May, 1851, he removed to East Berlin, Adams county, Pa., where he was in active practice for more than thirty years. He died September 2nd, 1883, after a successful and useful life, devoted to the faithful discharge of his professional dut- ties, and to the steadfast observance of his responsibilities as a public spirited citizen. He was a man of great vigor of mind, hardy constitution, and of medium stature; and was always an active worker in the poli- tical and social life of his community. His father Jacob Meisenhelder, was also a na- tive of York county, and resided near Dover, where he died about the year 1840. He was married to Anna Maria, daughter of George and Maria Elizabeth Neuman (Hockin -- now Hake). To this union were born two sons and four daughters, as fol- lows: Emanuel, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine and Lavinia.
Dr. Edmund W. Meisenhelder's mater- nal grandfather was Dr. Robert N. Lewis, a physician of note, who practiced for many years in Dover, and died in 1846. He was born in the initial year of the 19th cen- tury, and was a man of professional promi- nence, in his day and generation, and of great personal popularity, wherever known. He was married to Miss Mary Moore, the daughter of John Moore, who resided near Lewisberry, York county, Pennsylvania. At the time of his death he left, surviving
him, four sons and three daughters, as fol- lows: Rush W., Melchinger R., Orfila, Clay E., Josephine S., Rebecca and Mary Ann
The Lewis ancestors came to this coun- try from Wales, after a short sojourn in Ire- land, in 1708, according to records still pre- served in the family, and located in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Another branch of the same family came over in the closing years of the seventeenth century. From the immigrant of 1708 springs the York county stock. They have always been active in public affairs; have held positions of prom- inence, influence, and responsibility, both before and since the Revolutionary war; and bore arms, on the side of the colonies in that decisive struggle.
Edmund W. Meisenhelder is the eldest of four sons. Of these one died in infancy, and another in early childhood. Dr. Rob- ert N. Meisenhelder, of Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania, is the surviving brother.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the common schools of the State, and, after a thorough course of instruction in the Preparatory Department of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, en- tered the college proper in the fall of 1860. from which he was graduated, in the year 1864, with the highest honors of his class. During his college course, he divided the Freshman prize for scholarship equally with two competitors, and, in 1863, took the Hassler Gold Medal for proficiency in the Latin language and literature. In June, 1863, along with the great majority of the students at Pennsylvania College, he en- listed in Company A, 26th Regiment Penn- sylvania Militia, in response to the call of Governor Curtin for volunteers to meet the emergency created by the then threatening invasion of the State by General Robert E. Lee, and the Army of Northern Virginia.
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Under that call this company was the first to respond, and to be organized for the de- fence of the State.
College days over, his first inclination was to take up the study of medicine with his father. At this time, however, the Civil War was at its height, and the preservation of the Union, as the matter of supreme moment, justly barred every consideration of a personal or selfish character. With commendable patriotism, Edmund W. Meis- enhelder immediately enlisted in Company D, 210th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and went to the front. Some time after his enlistment as a private, he was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant, and, in February, 1865, was commissioned Second Lieutenant of his company, the du- ties of which position he faithfully per- formed, until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He participated in the battles at Hatcher's Run, White Oak Road, Five Forks, and was present at the surren- der of Lee's army at Appomattox, the crowning triumph of Grant's magnificent campaign before Petersburg and Rich- mond.
After the close of the war, he took up his course of medical preparation; subse- quently entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1868, having reached and maintained a high standing throughout his course. After graduation he located in East Berlin, Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he be- gan to practice, and continued to reside until 1871. In the latter year he decided to change his professional field, and, as a consequence, removed to York, Pennsyl- vania, where he has since continued in the active pursuit of his profession.
On December 22nd, 1870, Dr. Meisen- helder was united in marriage with Miss Maria E. Baughman, daughter of Jacob B. and Lydia (Swartz) Baughman, descend-
ants of old York county families. To this union have been born four children-three sons and one daughter, in the order of age, as follows: Robert Lewis, a graduate of Pennsylvania college, and, at present, a student in the Lutheran Theological Semi- nary, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Ed- mund Webster, now a student at Pennsyl- vania College, preparing for the study of medicine; Samuel Baughman, and Mary Elizabeth.
Soon after the commencement of prac. tice Dr. Meisenhelder, through superior professional attainments and skill, advanced himself to an honorable position in his fra- ternity. He is a man of fine intellectual equipment, a thorough student of medical science and literature, and possesses large experience and practical skill.
Personally he is a man of cultivated tastes, fine social instincts, and the high- est character. He is a member of the York County Medical Society, in which he has filled various positions of responsibil- ity and honor. He is also a member of the State Medical Society and of the American Academy of Medicine.
In his political affiliations he is an ar- dent supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party; but, whilst giving it an in telligent and loyal support he despises grosser forms of partisanship and machine politics, toward all of which he manifests the most intense hostility. He is well in- formed upon the political issues of the day, and is always uncompromising in his ad- vocacy of all economic and social reforms, which have for their purpose the betterment of humanity. Dr. Meisenhelder, without being ultra sectarian in his views, is a mem- ber and supporter of the Lutheran church. He also holds membership in General Sedgwick Post, No. 37, Grand Army of the Republic
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA.
T VAN GLOSSBRENNER, receiving teller of the First National Bank of York, Pa., was born in the latter city in 1847, the son of Hon. Adam J. and Char- lotte (Jameson) Glossbrenner. He is a descendant of Peter Glossbrenner, who was born in Germany and came to America during the German emigration in the early part of the eighteenth century.
Ivan Glossbrenner's education was ac- quired at the York County Academy, which he attended during his boyhood and youth. In 1869, at the age of twenty-two he en- tered the Dime Savings institution and for ten years was connected with it as teller. In the year 1880 he became connected withi the First National Bank. At first he held the position of disbursing clerk, and later was promoted to the post of teller, which position he still holds. He is thoroughly conversant with banking details and en- joys the full confidence and esteem of the stockholders and directors of theinstitution.
In politics Mr. Glossbrenner is a Demo- crat, but he takes no active part in party affairs. His role is that of the thoughtful, conservative citizen in business affairs. Re- ligiously he is an Episcopalian, and a mem- ber of St. John's P. E. church.
In 1869 Mr. Glossbrenner married Annie, a daughter of Henry A. Hantz. To that union have been born five children: Char- lotte L., Adam J., Emily J., Lena and Henrietta.
Although a man of modest tastes and habits and somewhat retiring in disposition, Mr. Glossbrenner has through his connec- tion with the bank come in contact with a large portion of the community and has made many warm friends by his unfailing courtesy and agreeable bearing.
C LAY ELI LEWIS, a prominent banker and business man of York, Pa., is a son of Robert Nebinger and Mary (Moore)
Lewis, and was born in Dover borough, York county, Pa., April 5th, 1844. He comes of distinguished ancestry, traceable in unbroken procession back to Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, prince of Powys, a native Welsh prince at the time of the Norman conquest of England, who met death by assassination in 1072, or six years after the battle of Has- tings.
The Lewises of a later generation, like many of the Welsh, embraced the Quaker faith. This invited persecution and in 1698 Ellis Lewis (born 1680) emigrated from Radnor, Wales, to Mount Moloci), Ireland, and later, to America. He landed at New Castle, Delaware, then a part of Pennsylvania in 1708; but settled at Haver- ford. in Penn's colony, and later on re- moved to Hennett township. In 1713, old style. on the thirteenth day of the second month, he married Elizabeth Newlin, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Menden- hall) Newlin; and on August 31st, 1750, he died at Wilmington, Delaware.
His son Ellis, was born on the 22nd day of the third month, 1719, and died in Feb- ruary, 1795. In 1735, with James Rankin and John Bennett, Ellis Lewis, the second, just referred to, came to York county, crossing the Susequehanna river at the mouth of the Swatara Creek where Mid- dletown is at present situated. They had with them a horse; and finding two ca- noes, they placed the front feet of the ani- mal in one boat and his hind feet in the other. In that way at the imminent peril of their lives they transported themselves and their horse across the stream. Lewis purchased of the Indians a large tract of land in the northern part of the county, on a part of which, Lewisberry, laid out by his son Eli, named in honor of the family and subsequently one of the most important and thriving towns of the county during the colonial period, is at present located.
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