USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers > Part 104
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Mr. Steacy was an agriculturist all his days in Conoy township; he was injured while threshing, and the accident resulted in his death. He was a good Christian, and highly respected. although not a member of any church organization. In politics he was a Republican.
AMOS E. BURKHOLDER, a prominent young member of the Lancaster Bar, emanates from parentage influential and widely known in social and professional circles. His ancestors, who were of the Mennonite denomination, came to this country several generations ago, and his grandfather, Chris- tian Burkholder, a farmer by occupation. was born in West Earl township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.
Ezra Burkholder, father of Amos E., was well- known surveyor, conveyancer. notary public and justice of the peacc, and transacted volumes of busi- ness of a very important character during his life. He died July 12, 1890. In 1853 he married .Annie M. Hoffman, daughter of Christian Hoffman, a merchant of Vogansville, Lancaster county, but originally a farmer, and six children comprised their family, five of whom are living : E. H., a surveyor, conveyancer and justice of the peace, of Farmers- ville, Pa .: Mary, intermarried with V. C. Sheetz ; Amanda, intermarried with Oscar Hackman ; Fran- ces, intermarried with Joseph K. Tobias; and Amos E.
Amos E. Burkholder, whose name introduces this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania. born in May, 1866, in West Earl township, Lancaster county. He received his earlier education at the district and select schools of that locality. Later on he finished his studies at Central Pennsylvania College, from which institution he graduated in 1888. Mr. Burk- holder taught school from the fall of 1888 up to 1893. in which year he entered the law offices of Jonn E. Malone, Esq., at Lancaster, Pa. In 1896 he was ad- mitted to practice law, and within the prescribed time became a practitioner in the Supreme and Superior courts. He is located at No. 48 North Duke street, Lancaster.
In 1893 Mr. Burkholder was married to Miss Clara E. Bolster, daughter of George Bolster, mar- ble and granite dealer at Ephrata, Pa. A son, Henry Clay, now five years old, and a daughter, Margaret Elizabeth, now one year old. have been born to them. The family have their home at the old homestead, occupied by Mr. Burkholder's par-
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ents. at Farmersville, Pa., which place Mr. Buck- holder has greatly enhanced, modernized and beans ;. fied, thus affording comfort to his family. He at- tends faithfully to his practice in the city, goat railroad facilities permitting Him to be at his office early in the morning and return in the evening.
Mr. Burkholder is a pronounced Republican, but has never sought party preferment. In 1901 he wa, appointed prison solicitor. In religious faith he i: a member of the German Reformed Church. He is a careful and intelligent counselor, entirely devoted to his profession ; has built up a fine clientage, and is popular alike inside and outside the circles of the honorable profession of which he is an honored member.
LEVI SHULTZ, one of the progressive. reliable and representative citizens of Strasburg township. who resides one and one-fourth miles north of Martinsville, was born in West Lampeter townshin Jan. 11, 1846. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Marison ) Shultz. well-known residents of that township.
Levi Shultz was reared on the home farm, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. Until he was thirty years old he remained assisting his father. and at that time he purchased the farm of thirty-five acres which has been his home ever since. Here he carries on general farming. and he has made many valuable improvements which have increased the value of the place very considerably. All of the surroundings denote the presence of an excellent manager, and his is one of the most comfortable and attractive homes of the neighborhood.
In 1876 Mr. Shultz married Miss Hannah Barge. who was born in Strasburg township Jan. 8. 1853. a daughter of the late Witmer Barge. Mr. and Mrs. Shultz are the parents of four children: Lizzie B .. wife of Harry Deiter ; and Witmer J., Harry B. and Emma Mand. all residing at home. Mr. Shultz is a man of standing in his locality, and both he and . his wife, wich the two eldest children, belong to ilte Mennonite Church, where they are valued for their excellent traits of character and have many friends.
SAMUEL U. STOLTZFU'S, who is one of the leading and respected citizens of Earl township, and resides on bis farm a mile and a half west of New Holland, was born in Earl township, Lancaster county. Nov. 1, 1851, a son of John and Elizabeth ( Umble) Stoltzfus.
John Stoltzfus, now deceased, was born Jan. 13. ISto, a son of Christian and Anna ( Blank) Stolz- fus. Leacock was his native township, and there he was reared and educated. Bred to farming, he fel- lowed that avocation all his life. After his mar- riage he carre to Earl township, locating near Hink- letown. but later purchased a farm of ninety acres. which lies two miles west of New Holland, and which was his home until his death, March 22, 1807. He was a leading citizen of his day, and a Christian
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gentleman of high character and broad spirit. For years he was an active minister in the Amish Church, his work being largely in the lower Mill Creek Con- gregation, where his Christian example and long de- votion to his Master made him a host of friends.
John Stoltzfus was twice married, his first wife, Elizabeth Umble, becoming his bride March 7, 1830. She died Oct. 21, 1853, when forty-two years, six months and nine days old. They had the following family: Anna, who was born March 27, 1831, is the widow of Christian Lapp, of Leacock township; Mary, born April 25, 1832, died unmarried ; Jacob, born Sept. 22, 1833, is deceased; John (2), born Sept. 11, 1835, lives in Caernarvon town- ship, Lancaster county; Jonas, born May 19, IS39, lives in Caernarvon township: Fannie, born Sept. 17, 1840, married Henry Fisher, a resident of East Lampeter township; Daniel, born Oct. 29, 1841, is a resident of Chester county ; Henry, born Jan. 3, 1843, lived in Chester county until his death in December, 1901: Christian, born Aug. 3, 1845, is a resident of Berks county ; Amos, born Nov. 20, 1847, lives in Upper Leacock township; Eliza- beth, born Feb. 20, 1849, married Joel Fisher, of Lancaster township ; and Samuel, born Nov. 1, 1851, is a resident of Earl township. The father married for his second wife, Feb. 5, 1857, Elizabeth Nof- singer, who was born Jan. 16, 1820, by whom he had two children : J. Bena, born July 22, 1859, married John B. Schmucker ; and Isaac, born Dec. 15, 1861, lives on the old homestead. The parents of the sec- ond Mrs. Stoltzfus were Peter and Jacobine ( Swart- sentauber) Nofsinger, natives of Illbach, Germany. The mother is still living.
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Samuel U. Stoltzfus was reared on the paternal farm, and educated in the public schools. When he was only twelve years old he began working for wages, and at twenty-four began farming on his own account, renting a place of ninety-six acres, which he farmed for ten years. At the end of that time he bought thirty acres, a part of his father's farm, which he improved with buildings, and where he made his home for four years, when he bought an 85-acre farm, where he is still to be found. Here he has also made extensive improvements, and is known as a very successful farmer. On his farm Mr. Stoltzfus has a fine stone quarry, and for several years he has been engaged in quarrying and crushing stone. In 1899 he bought an approved stone crush- ing machine for the highways, and now gives all his time to a very extensive stone business, which he has worked up in the neighborhood.
In 1874 Mr. Stoltzfus was married to Miss Elizabeth Zook, a daughter of Lydia Zook, who was born near Binkley's Bridge, and to them have come seven children: Lydia, the wife of David Beiler, of Bird-in-Hand; keuben, who married Miss Sarah Renno, and lives in Leacock township ; Fan- nie, at home, as are the other children, Levi, Mary, Annie and Elmer. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltzfus are mem-
bers of the Amish Church, and the family are counted among the most worthy and respected citizens of the county.
SIMON SHISSLER, who carries on an ex- tensive retail business as a cigar manufacturer in Lancaster, is one of the most enterprising citizens of that place, both in business and public circles. He has filled numerous positions of trust, with uniform satisfaction to all concerned. and his popularity is the result of faithful service and honest methods in every relation of life.
Nr. Shissler comes of that sturdy German stock to whose characteristic thrift and industry Lancas- ter county owes its present prosperous condition, and his family has been identified with the county for two hundred years. The Shisslers originally came from Germany, and were devout adherents of the Lutheran Church. John Shissler, grandfather of Simon, was born in Manor township, and died there at a good old age. His wife lived to the age of nine- ty-ciglit. Jacob Shissler, father of Simon, was born in Manor township in 1805, and died in Lancaster in 1868. He was a cooper by trade, and built the large distillery near Strasburg. In 1858 he came to Lancaster and took charge of the cooperage owned by Philip Baker, continuing in that employ until his death. Jacob Shissler first married a Miss Mil- ler, by whom he had seven children, five sons and two daughters. Four of the sons served in the Civil war : Jacob was a member of Company I. 79th P. V. I., and met his death while in the service, after fight- ing bravely for nearly three years. Albert, who be- longed to the same company and regiment, was a private ; he died in Andersonville prison. Philip and Amos were both members of the 50th Pennsyl- vania Militia. The former is now a resident of Stras- burg, and the latter makes his home near that city. By his second wife, Susan (Snyder), a native of Strasburg, Jacob Shissler had three children : Anna, now Mrs. Binkley, of Philadelphia ; Harry, of Lan- caster : and Simon, whose name opens this sketch. The mother of these is still living in Lancaster, and though now nearly ninety years of age is vigorous both mentally and physically. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Simon Shissler was born April 16, 1856, in Para- dise township, this county, and has lived in Lancas- ter since he was two years old. His education was received in the public schools. He was only thir- teen years old at the time of his father's death, and a year later commenced his apprenticeship to the trade he has followed all his life. becoming a practi- cal cigarmaker under the instruction of John Hull, with whom he remained three years. Later he was in the employ of Albright & Bros. and Metzger & Wiley, until 1885, in which year he received his ap- pointment as letter carrier in the post office depart- ment. He served thus four years. In June, 1889, Mr. Shissler embarked in business on his own ac-
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
count, at No. 5212 North Queen street, where he has ever since remained, and the store is one of the most popular in Lancaster. He has always made a specialty of the finest grades of goods, employing the best workmen obtainable, and the products of his factory, which is located in the rear of his store. are justly celebrated. Fifteen hands are kept busy constantly. Mr. Shissler's standing among business men is unquestionable.
Mr. Shissler has taken a prominent part in the improvement and progress of the city, and he has as- sisted acceptably in the local civil administration for a number of years. In 1890 he was elected to the city council from the First ward by a good majority, although he is a Democrat, and the ward and city . are conceded to be Republican. In 1892 he was elected president of that body by a large majority, and as such served on the Special Water committee, which in 1892 placed in operation the ten-million gallon pumps. The following year he removed to the Fifth ward, of which he has since been a resi- dent. In the spring of 1900 a vacancy occurred on the school board of the ward, and Mr. Shissler was unanimously chosen to the position. His greatest honor from his fellow citizens, however, was received in the spring of 1898, when he was nominated and elected mavor of Lancaster, serving one term in that office. No more convincing evidence of the high esteem in which he is universally held could be given. Mr. Shissler is an ardent worker in the Democratic party, and has served several years as secretary of the City Democratic committee.
In 1879 Mr. Shissier was married. in Lancaster, to Miss Alice Anderson, a native of Warrenton, Va., whose father, Perry Anderson, was engaged in busi- ness in that State, retiring after the war and making his home in Lancaster. Three children have blessed this union. Henry, Walter (deceased) and Clyde. The family have a fine home at No. 119 Charlotte street. Mrs. Shissler is an intelligent woman. In religious connection she is a member of the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Shissler affiliates with Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M. ; Emanuel Lodge, No. 1104, I. O. O. F .; the Knights of the Golden Eagle; the Knights of Malta; and the Jr. O. U. A. M.
MARTIN F. WITMER, a native-born citizen and most respected farmer of Manor township, Lan- caster county, was born April 2, 1850, on the home- stead on which he still lives, two miles west of Mil- lersville, son of Christian K. and Susan (Funk) Witmer. He acquired his education in the public schools, and continued to assist his father until 1878. when he began operations on his own account, and is now classed among the leading and most progres- sive agriculturists of Manor township.
On Dec. 5. 1877. Martin F. Witmer married Elizabeth B. Harnish, who was born on Chestnut Hill April 20. 1854, daughter of Levi and Leah (Butt) Harnish, the former of whom died Feb. 12,
1002. aged eighty-five years, five months. ten days. after an illness of nine weeks. This marriage has been blessed with five children, viz .: Leah H., born April 8, 1880: Alice H., Sept. 28. 1881; Levi H .. Jan. 4, 1884: Elizabeth H., March II. 1886; and Simon H .. Aug. 20, 1883 ( died Oct. 28. 1893). The family worship at the Mennonite Church, are among the most respected residents of Manor township. and their homestead of sixty acres is a model of neat- ness and comfort.
Abraham Witmer, grandfather of Martin F. Witmer, was also a native of Manor township. He married Maria Kilhiffer, and by her became the father of four children, namely: Jacob, Abraham, Betsey (who was married to Christian Charles), and Christian K., all of whom lived and died in Manor township.
Christian K. Witmer was born in Manor town- ship June 24. 1819, and was reared a farmer. He first married Susan Funk, who bore him two chil- dren. Abraham F. and Martin F .. both farmers of Manor township. His second marriage was to Eliza- beth M. ( Kindig) Doerstter, daughter of John Kin- dig, and to this union were born three children, namely: Mary, wife of John Krieder ; Fannie ; and Lizzie, widow of Aaron Newcomer. Elizabeth M. Witmer died Nov. 7, 1900, aged eighty-two years, twenty-two days; she was sick but one day, having had a stroke of paralysis early in the morning. Chris- tian K. Witmer died July 22, 1902, aged eighty-three years, twenty-seven days. The surviving members of the family are all Mennonites, and as the Witmers are among the oldest residents of the township, they are held in very high esteem by their neighbors.
DAVID C. HAUCK. Andrew Hauck, the grandfather of David C., was reared on the line be- tween Bucks and Lancaster counties, and was a laborer in his active years, which were very largely spent in Earl and Salisbury townships. He married Catherine Fiar, and they became the parents of ten children: John, Andrew, William, David. Matthias. Hannah. Barbara, Peggy, catherine and Mary, all deceased excepting the two last named.
William Hauck, father of David C., was reared to the life of a laborer, and worked among the far- mers of Salisbury and Earl townships. owning a small home in the former township. He married Miss Margaret Caffery, a native of Lancaster county, who died about 1890, at the age of sixty-five years. William Hauck died at the age of fifty-six, in 1875. Both were members of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of eight children: Lucetta (de- ceased) married Jonathan Wallace ; David C. is men- tioned below : William died at the age of eighteen vears : Catherine ( deceased) married Moses Wal- lace : Henry lives in Salisbury township: Margaret married Harry Griffeth, of Paradise township; Mil- ton is a resident of Earl township ; Diller is also a resident of Earl township.
David C. Hauck was born Feb. 25, 1845, in Ear!
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
township, and was educated in the local schools. When he was nine years of age he began working out among the farmers, working for wages until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began farming in Paradise township, near Kinzers, renting a farm of eighty-seven acres for five years. At the expira- tion of that period he bought twenty acres in Lea- cock township, of J. D. Warfel, which he sold ten years later, to buy eighty-one acres of Abraham Groff, a farm located in the southeastern part of Earl township, where he has made his home since 1885. and is engaged in general farming. In politics he is a Republican, and he has been supervisor of Lea- cock township for three years.
In December, 1868, Mr. Hauck married Miss Catherine Sweigart, who was born in Philadelphia, daughter of Barnhart and Julia Ann (Deffenbach) Sweigart. and they have six children: Elizabeth E., wife of Ludwig Pflaumer, a resident of East Earl township ; J. H., at home : David F., at home ; Ruth Ann; Naomi C .; and Ithamar A. Mr. and Mrs. Hauck are members of the Old Mennonite Church, and are numbered among the worthy and respected people of this county.
JOHN F. BALTHASER is one of the prosper- ous business citizens of Ephrata, being the proprie- tor of an extensive meat business, dealing in all kinds of fresh and salted meats, and supplying a large ter- ritory, with a constantly increasing patronage.
Tobn F. Balthaser was born July 26, 1863. son of Jacob and Lena (Faust) Balthaser, natives of Berks county, where his grandfather, also named Jacob, was an extensive farmer. The father was born in 1839, and married Lena Faust in 1859, and they reared eight children : Howard, born in 1860; John F., born in 1863; Thomas, born in 1866; Franklin. born in 1868: Sallie, born in 1870, who married Alain Baker : Jacob, born in 1873, who lives in Read- ing: Emma, born in 1875, who married Harvey Noecker ; and William, born in 1880, living at home with his father.
John F. Balthaser has had his own way to make in the world. When nine years of age the family re- moved to Reading, and there he was employed in a brickyard, receiving forty cents a day for the first year, after which he received one dollar per day. At the age of thirteen, during the panic of 1876, he worked for forty cents a day, walking three miles back and forth daily. He received his pay in scrip which was redeemable only at one store, in goods or in cash, at a discount of twenty per cent. At the age of sixteen he entered the brewing business, re- maining at same about one year, and then entered a foundry in Reading to become a finished molder. Later he went to Denver, Pa., where he worked at brickmaking for about one year, and then engaged in the butcher business, making a success of it. But seeking a larger field for his business, he removed to Ephrata, Pa., and took in a partner; the firm failed, and Mr. Balthaser lost all he had. In spite
of these drawbacks he started again, and, as he says, having had enough of a partnership business, he first worked for another butcher until he accumu- lated money enough to buy the first steer in order to start for himself. Ever since. by economy. industry and good management, he has been very successfully engaged in business.
John F. Balthaser was married March 7. 1885. to Miss Mary Baker, a daughter of Isaac and Fannie (Drybread) Baker, of Lancaster county, and six children have been born to this union : Jacob. July 4. 1886; Harry. July 22, 1888; Edna. May 29. 1889; John Jr., March 14, 1891 ; Maud. Dec. 10, 1893 : and Isaac. April 15. 1806.
Mr. Balthaser has gained the confidence of the public by his invariably honest dealing. His pos- sessions number several nice buildings in the bor- ough, and he stands well as a citizen. For many years he has been a stanch Republican, and has been twice elected a member of the Borough Council. He is fraternally connected with the I. O. O. F. and with the Sons of America, and in religion is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
GEORGE LEIBLEY, a well-known resident of Lancaster, living at No. 634 East King street, and who has been in the United States Railway Mail Service for many years, belongs to a very old Lan- caster county family, his ancestors having lived here for generations. Indeed, no family name in the re- gion has been more familiar than that of Leibley during the past century. Jacob Leibley, father of George, was one of the pioneer butchers of Lancas- ter. He entered into rest in 1852, aged sixty-nine years. while the inother, who was Charlotte Miller before marriage, and a native of Lancaster, passed away in 1885, aged seventy-nine years.
George Leibley was born Feb. 12. 1843. on the old family home on South Queen street. where all the members of his family were born. After receiv- ing a partial education in the public schools. he left at an early age, to become a printer's apprentice. He had just finished his apprenticeship when. in 1861. he enlisted as private in the 79th Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, serving over three years. He was detailed from the ranks and made a clerk at Gen. Negley's Division Headquarters, and later was transferred to the commissary department at Gen. George H. Thomas's Headquarters. Army of the Cumberland. His service ended, Mr. Leibley again went to print- ing, but was soon appointed a route agent on the Pennsylvania railroad. After continuing thus two years he left that service, and soon afterward was appointed clerk in the House of Representatives Post Office, Washington, D. C., serving there for two sessions, having been appointed to that posi- tion by Thaddeus Stevens, then member of Congress from this district. In 1880 Mr. Leibley was re-ap- pointed to the United States Mail Service. in which he still remains, running from New York City to Pittsburg.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
On May 19, 1865, Mr. Leibley was married to Miss Mary Clara McCarter, daughter of the late Arthur MeCarter, of Norristown, Pa., and niece of the late Col. James McCarter, a veteran of the Civil war, and who was a clergyman, having ministered for a time to the people of the First M. E. Church, of Lancaster, the older members of which still hold him in loving remembrance. To Mr. and Mrs. Leibley have come seven children, one of whom died in in- fancy. Blanche, who was the wife of William D. D. Long, entered into rest June 17, 1898, leaving two children, one a boy babe only a day old, who has ever since been a member of the household of his grand- father, George Leibley. The surviving children are Arthur, who is employed at John Wanamaker's, Philadelphia : Mildred, wife of C. J. Rhen, of the firm of Rhen & Reese, job printers on North Queen street : Katharine, at home; Albert, in the jewel setting department of the Hamilton Watch Factory ; and Harold, at school.
Mr. Leibley is a Lutheran in his religious faith, and the only organization to which he belongs is that of the Railway Mail Service Relief Associations. Of genial, generous nature, possessing fine conversa- tional powers, Mr. Leibley is a most companionable gentleman, and the regret is that owing to the re- sponsible duties which call him from home so much of his time his fellow-citizens see so little of him.
WILLIAM C. WHITESIDE. The commer- cial life of Tayloria, Lancaster county, is well repre- sented by William C. Whiteside, the well-known merchant and justice of the peace, who was born in Colerain township, May 6, 1866, a son of James and Elizabeth ( Irwin) Whiteside, also of Colerain town- ship.
James Whiteside was born in November, 1825, and died in 1803, being a son of Robert Whiteside, who came from Ireland to Lancaster county, about one hundred years ago, settling in Colerain township, where he lived and died. He was the father of four children : Samuel, Robert, John and James, all now deceased. About 1857, James married Elizabeth Irwin. a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Irwin, of Chester county. This marriage was blessed with five children: John W., of Colerain township; J. Charles : Samuel P., of Colerain township, all far- mers : William C .; and one now deceased. During his lifetime, James Whiteside was among the highly respected citizens of the township, and at the time of his death, he owned four fine farms.
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