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 106
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Michael Harnish, grandfather of David L., was a farmer in Conestoga township. His son, D. W. Harnish, father of David L., is a retired farmer. and is still living. having a cosy and attractive home at No. 131 East Walnut street, Lancaster. D. W. Har- nish married Miss Barbara K. Mylin, a daughter of one of the best known farmers of West Lampeter township, and they had six children, four of whom are living: David Lincoln; Michael, a farmer on the old home farm in West Lampeter township; Harry, a traveling salesman for a wholesale shoe house : and Martin, a lawyer, who has associated himself with William R. Harnish.
David L. Harnish was born on the old homestead in West Lampeter in August, 1861, and, receiving his education in the home district, left school at the age of eighteen years, and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one. At that time he made a change in his life, becoming a clerk in the store of Marshall & Rengiers, of Lancaster, and later went to Newark, Del .. where he had a good position as clerk in a store.
In June, 1885, Mr. Harnish struck out for him- self, setting up a paint store in Lancaster, at Nos. 5 and 7 South Queen street. His beginning was mod- est. and made with misgivings, but there was some- thing attractive in his way of doing business, and his trade quickly outgrew the limited quarters in which he had begun. In 1896 he moved to Centre Square and South Queen street. Meanwhile he had established an extensive paint factory on Charlotte street. The business still continued to prosper and increase, and in October, 1900, Mr. Harnish made a
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second move, this time to No. 235 North Prince street, which property he purchased, there building a factory and store-room. The dimensions of this building, which is of brick, are 40×145 feet, and it is three stories high. The leading paint which he puts on the market is the "Lancaster Ready-Mixed Paint," which is sold extensively throughout Penn- sylvania and the neighboring States. The house car- ries paints, oils, varnishes, glass, brushes, cement, etc., and so popular are their brushes that they have been shipped as far as New Mexico. The concern is one of the largest and most important of the kind in the State, and Mr. Harnish has the very highest standing in the commercial world.
Mr. Harnish married Miss Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Elias Brown, a retired merchant of Stevens, Lancaster county, who is now living in one of the two handsome houses which he has erected on the Philadelphia turnpike, opposite the Lancaster County Hospital, Mr. Harnish living in the other. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harnish three children have been born: Raymond B., David Paul and Anna B.
Mr. Harnish has behind him a long line of Men- nonite ancestors in both maternal and paternal lines, and his relatives, with those of his wife, constitute a very large and influential circle. Mr. Harnish is a Republican politically, but his business and church command all his attention.
JACOB BETZ, a prosperous farmer and quarry owner of the city of Lancaster, was born in Manheim township, Lancaster Co., Pa., Oct. 5, 1856, son of Jacob and Catherine (Meisel) Betz.
JACOB BETZ, SR., the father, now deceased, was a prominent business man of Lancaster, and passed away May 1.1, 1900. He was born Dec. 4, 1822, in Rheinbaiern, Germany, son of Jacob and Magdelina (Huhn) Betz, natives of Dressen. Germany. The grandfather, also named Jacob, died in his native land, and the grandmother came to America about 1846. Jacob Betz, Sr., emigrated to America in 1842, settling in Manheim township, and later re- moving into the city of Lancaster. At first he was engaged in the dairy business and farming, but soon became interested in quarrying stone and sand for building and furnace purposes, having delivered stone for many years for Mr. Geiger, at the Lancas- ter furnace, and later for Peacock & Thomas. In 1859 he moved to Lancaster, and he had sand pits on Rockland and Ann streets, which are worked now by his son. He also had a pit in East Lampeter township. For many years he supplied the car shops at Altoona with all the core sand used. In addition to quarrying stone, Mr. Betz also took contracts for hauling it, and during his active business career, was a prominent factor in the commercial life of the city, by his enterprise and industry building up a fine business. In 1881 he moved to Lancaster township, where he remained up to the time of his · death, on his farm of thirty acres near City Mill.
In 1889 Mr. Betz retired from business in favor of his sou Jacob. Besides his large quarry business Mr. Betz, at the time of his death, was the owner of some forty new houses and a large tract of unim- proved land in the Seventh ward, Lancaster; one tract of unimproved land in East Lampeter township; the farm in Lancaster township where he died, and had large amounts invested in bonds, stocks and mortgages. After his retirement Mr. Betz devoted the greater portion of his attention toward the build- ing of houses for investments. During a long and useful life he was a consistent member of Zion Lutheran Church. In political matters he was a Democrat, but never desired nor sought office.
On April 19, 1851, Mr. Betz was married in Lan- caster, Pa., to Catherine Meisel, and the following children were born to this union: Peter died at the age of three years ; Mary died at the age of eighteen months; Jacob is mentioned below ; Catherine mar- ried Charles Beidel, of Lancaster: Elizabeth mar- ried Mark Keeport, a jeweler of Reading. Mrs. Detz was born at Geltheim, Germany, Aug. 9. 1825, daughter of Nicholas and Barbara ( Mciselin) Mei- sel. of Germany. Nicholas Meisel was a farmer in his native land, where he died in 1830, at the age of thirty years, while his wife died in 1835, at the age of thirty-two. They had two children: Christina, who died at the age of thirty-five years, married Fred Nevis, and he died in New Jersey. Catherine came to America in 1847, making the trip one year after her sister, and taking forty-five days in the journey ; she settled in Lancaster. Mrs. Betz is very well preserved, and is cheered by her children's love and devotion after her life of hard work.
Jacob Betz, Jr., was reared upon the farm, re- ceiving an education in the English and German branches at Zion Lutheran Church School. In 1871, he left school (at the age of fourteen years) and commenced to work with his father, whom he as- sisted on the farm and in the sand and stone business until 1889, when the father, retiring, left all the busi- ness to him. He has continued to deliver and ship core sand to many foundries, also building sand and stone, and he is the executor of his father's estate, which he oversees and manages for the heirs. Mr. Betz owns a large number of building lots in Lan- caster, on which he has built some twenty new houses, and also has four acres within the city limits.
In March, 1889, Mr. Betz was married. in Lan- caster. to Elmira Throne. and the following children have come to their marriage: Jacob, born in December, 1808; Clarence, born in March, 1891 ; Catherine, born in December, 1892; Luther, born in November, 1894; and Paul, who died in March, 1897. Mrs. Betz was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1856, daughter of Henry and Charlotte (Smith) Throne. the former of whom was a blacksmith of Pennsylvania. In politics Mr. Betz is independent, preferring to vote for the man whom he deems best fitted for the office in question. He and his family are members of the Zion Lutheran Church. Through
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industry and thrift Mr. Betz has gained a comfort- able fortune, and his property is steadily increasing in value on account of its location. Mr. Betz com- mands the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity, and the success which has attended his ei- forts is well merited.
ALBERT A. MANNING, the well-known post- master and merchant of Highville, Lancaster county, was born at that place July 29, 1856, and is a repre- sentative of one of the old and highly respected fam- ilies of the county.
When a lad of possibly fifteen years his great- grandfather, John Manning, a native of England. was sent to sea for the purpose of learning the art of sailing by his father, a man of some prominence and distinction in England. The boy was apprenticed to the captain of a sailing vessel, who proved to be a rascal, for upon reaching the port of Philadelphia he deliberately sold the boy to a farmer until he should attain his majority. He thus became the founder of the Manning family in Lancaster county, Pa., as it was here he was brought and served out his time to his master. After securing his freedom he decided to remain here. and purchased 160 acres of land from William Penn, in Manor township. on the road between Highville and Creswell, which land he cleared, making his home there until his i death. Throughout his active business life he en- gaged in farming, but after arriving at old age he divided his property, giving each of his sons twenty acres. Hle was almost eighty years of age at the time of his death. He was twice married, and had children by both unions, his family including Joseph, Thomas, Jacob, William and Samuel.
Joseph Manning, a son by the second marriage, and the grandfather of Albert A., was born and reared on the old homestead in Manor township, and to the twenty acres of land given him by his father he added by purchase another twenty acres. making a good farm of forty acres, where he spent his entire life, dying at the age of sixty-four years. He married Verona Kendig, and they had eight children : Mary, deceased wife of Joseph Butt; Elizabeth, deceased wife of George Fry; Christian and Join, who both died in Indiana; Fannie, de- ceased wife of Samuel Fry; Nancy, deceased wife of Henry Brenneman ; Susannah, who died in child- hood ; and Martin K., father of Albert A.
Martin K. Manning, the only one of the family now living, was born April 13, 1822, and grew to manhood on the home farm. During the greater part of his life he has followed fence building and post making, and owns a small tract of seven acres of land in Manor township, where he lives. In poli- tics he is a Republican. In 1844 he was married to Catharine Ament. a daughter of George Ament, and of the eight children born to this worthy couple Saralı is now the wife of Cyrus Guntner, of Manor township; Henry and Isaiah both died in infancy ; Elias died at the age of nineteen years ; Delilah died
in infancy ; Fannie died in childhood : Catharine died in infancy : and Albert A. completes the family.
Albert A. Manning is indebted to the public schools of Manor township for his educational ad- vantages. He remained on the home farm until he attained his majority, when he was married, April IÏ, 1878, to Miss Amanda Nicholas, a native of Washington borough, and a daughter of Leonard and Mary ( Otstatt ) Nicholas. By this union were born six children : Harry N. : Ira. who died in child- hood; Titus N. and Bertha, both at home: and Abram and Eleanora, twins, the former at home, the latter deceased.
At the age of eighteen years Mr. Manning com- menced learning the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for seven years, making his home in High- ville. He next engaged in threshing for eleven years, and in 1804 succeeded John Ament in the mer- cantile business at Highville, where he has since successfully carried on operations along that line. After locating here he was made assistant post- master, and on the death of his father-in-law. Leon- ard Nicholas, who was serving as postmaster. Mr. Manning was made acting postmaster, serving as such until Mckinley was made President, when he was regularly appointed to the office. in 1897. In connection with his mercantile establishment he handles feed, flour, etc., and receives a liberal share of the public patronage. As a business man he is upright, honorable and energetic, and well merits the success that has attended his efforts. In politi- cal sentiment he is a Republican.
HARRY N. MANNING, eklest son of Albert A., as- sisted his father in the mercantile business from the age of thirteen years until he was twenty-three. He was always a bright boy and was well liked by the patrons. At the age of twenty-three he accepted a position as salesman with the Steinman Hardware Company, in Lancaster city, where he is engaged at the present time. On Dec. 3. 1902, he married Christina Lefever, of Highville, and they will re- side in Lancaster city.
ELMER M. BRENEMAN, a well-known resi- dent of Manheim township, has his home on the family estate. just north of the city of Lancaster, and bears an old and honored name. He was born June 29, 1869, son of Adam B. and Mary M. (Myers) Breneman. His father was a son of Adam Breneman, of Turkey Hill, Manor township. was born and reared in Manor township, and became a farmer. locating after his marriage on the farm where the family still reside. His entire at- tention was given to farming. He was a man hon- pred.and respected by his fellow townsmen, and was called to serve on the school board. He married a daughter of Martin M. Myers, of Manheim town- ship, and they became the parents of two children, Elmer M. and Minerva, the latter deceased in child- hood. Adam B. Breneman united with the Men- nonite Church in IS78, and was a minister in that
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Church for thirteen years prior to his death, hav- ing charge of the Landis Valley Church. He re- ceived ordination from the hands of Bishop Chris- tian Baumbarger in 1885. A devout and zealous minister, he was ever ready for the demands his high office made upon him, and was especially interested in missionary work. He died Feb. 17, 1898, at the age of sixty-three years, and his widow is still living.
Elmer M. Breneman was born and reared in the home where he still resides. He attended the public schools until sixteen years of age, after which he entered H. C. Weidler's Business College, for one year. From that time he remained at home until his father died, when he took charge of the family estate. He has already made himself known as one of the spirited and enterprising young men of his township.
Mr. Breneman was married, in 1892, to Miss Lizzie K. Rupp, who was born April 3. 1868, a daughter of David and Sarah ( Kurtz) Rupp. of West Earl township, and to this union has come one child, Adam Roy, born June 21, 1898.
HENRY F. BINKLEY, who ranks high as one of the energetic and thorough-going agriculturists of Manor township, Lancaster county, was born on the old homestead where he now resides, June 7, I845.
The first of the Binkley family in Lancaster coun- ty of whom we have any record was his great-grand- father, Henry Binkley, in 1765, whose parents were probably from Germany and the founders of the family in this country. They were buried in the city of Lancaster.
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David Binkley, son of Henry, was left an orphan there when quite small, and in early life learned the millwright's trade, becoming one of the best known representatives of that calling in the county, where he erected a large number of mills. In 1799 he pur- chased the farm now known as the old Binkley home- stead, which consists of seventy-one acres of land and is pleasantly situated on the Little Conestoga, midway between Millersville and Safe Harbor. Here he made his home with his family throughout the re- mainder of his life, and carried on farming in con- nection with work at his trade. After his retirement from active life the millwright's business was con- ducted under his supervision by his son Christian, and his son-in-law, John Herr. He was a leader in the Reformed Mennonite Church, was widely and favorably known, and was called upon to administer many estates. He died Nov. 5, 1845, at the age of seventy-six years, nine months and twenty days, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Yordy, died Sept. 6, 1846, at the age of seventy-seven years. nine months and twenty days. She was a sister of Peter Yordy, a lame man, who owned a farm in the center of what is now known as Lampeter Square, the name of which was derived from Lame Peter, by which epithet he was known. David and Mary
(Yordy) Binkley had five children, namely: (1) David married and had two children, but he and his family died young. (2) Zephaniah is mentioned be- low. (3) Christian, a millwright and farmer, reared a family near Columbia, in Manor township, and died Dec. 24. 1872. (4) Mary wedded John Herr. and died March 20, 1890, at the age of eighty-nine years. (5) Elizabeth married Jonathan Binkley, and moved to Montgomery county, Ohio.
Zephaniah Binkley, father of Henry F., was born on the old homestead. Dec. 2, 1806, and died March 20, ISSO, his remains being interred in the family burying ground on that farm. He adopted agricul- ture as a life work, and never left the farm where he was born. He married Catharine Frey, a daughter of Peter Frev. She was born Sept. 21, 1808, on a farm embraced within the Indiantown tract, in Manor township. She died jan. 5. 1875. In the family of Zephaniah and Catharine ( Frev ) Binkley were nine children, namely: David F. is now living with his son-in-law, John N. Herr, in Manor township; an infant son died Aug. 20, 1828; Magdalena, born March 30, 1830, died Feb. 9, 1831 ; John has been a minister of the United Brethren Church since ISo, and is now a resident of Lebanon county, Pa. ; Chris- tian FF. is a resident of West Lampeter township, Lancaster county ; Peter died Sept. 21, 1871, at the age of twenty-nine years, eleven months and twenty- one days : Henry F. is mentioned below : Mary is the wife of Simon Reese of Lancaster ; and Catharine is the wife of Isaac Keeport of Manor township.
Henry F. Binkley, whose name introduces this review, received a good common-school education, and in the spring of 1873 began farming on his own account, in Providence township, and after the death of his father, returned to the old homestead which he still occupies. He is an enterprising and up-to- date farmer, and has met with well-deserved success in his labors. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party.
On Oct. 29, 1872, Mr. Binkley was united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine M. Kreider, who was born in West Lampeter township, April 11. 1846. a daugh- ter of John and Leah ( Mayer) Kreider. They have a family of three children ; Emma K., born April 4, 1874, now the wife of Thaddeus R. Wiker; Jacob K., born Jan. 4, 1876, at home; and Annie K., born Jan. 14, 1879, also at home.
CHARLES A. LOCHER. The death of Charies A. Locher, March 31, 1892, removed from ac- customed haunts in Lancaster an honored and prom- inent citizen, and one who embodied in his character and attainments the nobility of purpose, untiring zeal, and inherent thrift characteristic of the well born and well reared German. He was born about 1834 in Bavaria, Germany, in which country his father, Jacob Locher, was a well-known mer- chant, and a devout member of the Reformed Church.
In his native land Charles A. Locher learned something of chemistry, and after his removal to the
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United States and Lancaster in 1855, secured, through the influence of the druggist, James Smith, a clerical position in the Lancaster County National Bank. At the expiration of ten years, and after the death of Mr. Smith, Mr. Locher assumed charge of his drug store at No. 9 East King street, and con- tinued to guide its affairs with the same discretion and business judgment evinced by its former owner. He possessed more than ordinary intelligence, and a fund of well assimilated knowledge, and a keen in- sight into human nature suggested an unfailing tact in dealing therewith. He was popular with all classes, and entered heartily and practically into all efforts to improve the general condition of the city, his name being foremost in many projects which else had lost their stanchest support. He was a member of various organizations in the town, and was identi- fied with the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Society.
Mrs. Locher was formerly Margaret Parks, niece of James Smith, former proprietor of the Locher drug store. Mrs. Locher lives in a delight- ful home in one of the fashionable parts of Lancaster. She holds membership in the Lutheran Church, and her daughter Katherine in the Episcopal. Mr. Locher also left a sister. Caroline, the wife of Major Gen. Frederick Faber, of Munich, Bavaria.
EZRA GROFF. a substantial retired farmer of Upper Leacock township, still resides in the locality of his birth, which took place on Dec. 26, 1849, and he was a son of Samuel G. and Lydia ( Hershey) Groff. the former of West Earl township and the lat- ter of Upper Leacock township. The father was a merchant and postmaster at Mascot. Pa., operating a store there for twenty-seven years. From 1873 until his death, in 1891, he lived retired from activity, dying in the latter year at the age of eighty-four vears, after a useful life. The death of the mother had occurred years before, in 1866, at the age of fifty-seven years. Their last resting place is on the old Hershey homestead. Mr. Groff was one of the wealthy men of the community, owning three large farms, which are now in the possession of his three sons,-Ezra. Rev. Hershey, and Milton. For many years Mr. Groff faithfully served his school district as director, taking a great interest in educational matters in his locality.
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The children born to Samuel G. Groff and wife were: Anna, who married Benjamin Wenger of West Earl township : Mary, who died young : Lydia, who married Jacob Greider. a farmer of Upper Lea- cock township : Martha. who married John Rank, a farmer of Paradise township; Milton, a farmer of Upper Leacock township : Elam, who died at the age of nine years: Rev. Hershey, a farmer and also a German Baptist minister, and Ezra, of this sketch.
The fine old farm upon which Ezra Groff of this sketch has resided so many years, has been his home since he was four years old ; he retired from active exertion in its cultivation at the marriage of his daughter, when her husband relieved him of duty.
This is considered one of the finest and most modern farms in this locality, the improvements being it excellent shape. Mr. Groff has always been a pen -. gressive and intelligent farmer and thoroughly be- lieves in good machinery and the most scientific ways of cultivation, his fertile and productive fields for many years showing the results of his methods.
Mr. Groff was married on Nov. 23, 1873, in Lan- caster to Miss Matilda Leman, and the daughter born to this union was Lizzie L., who married Aaron I .. Groff. their one child. Ralph, dying in infancy. Po- litically Mr. Groff belongs to the Republican party, and both he and family are connected with the Men- nonite Church, where they are highly esteemed.
JOSEPH DETWILER. Prominent among the substantial and influential farmers of Mt. Joy, now living somewhat retired from active life, is Joseph Detwiler, one of the most esteemed citizens of his part of Lancaster county.
Joseph Detwiler was born April 1, 1820, in West Hempfield township, son of Joseph and Susan (Garber) Detwiler, the former of Lancaster county, and the latter of York county. From Lancaster Joseph Detwiler, Sr., moved to York county in 1825, settling on a farm near Wrightsville, and there en- gaged in farming. His death occurred April 30. 1870, when he was aged eighty-one; his wife diea the previous August, and both were buried in the Wrightsville cemetery. During his long life Mr. Detwiler had been prominent in public affairs, was supervisor, and for the same length of time was the efficient county commissioner, while for a number of years he was the manager of the Wrightsville pike; at his death this latter office was placed in the hands of his son David. Joseph Detwiler, Sr., was an ex- tensive farmer, owning two farms in York county and one in Lancaster county. His political faith was that of the Democratic party, and in this respect his son Joseph follows his esteemed father's example. The children born to Joseph and Susan Detwiler were as follows : David, who was a farmer and was the manager of the Wrightsville pike and a di- rector in the Wrightsville Bank, died in Wrights- ville : Joseph is mentioned below : Daniel is a retired banker of Columbia. Pa .: Miss Susan is a resident of York. Pa. ; Solomon died in Columbia. where he was the cashier of the First National Bank : Anna, a resident of York, Pa., is the widow of Abraham Heaston, who was a farmer, miller and well-known distiller ( the death of Mr. Heaston took a prominent man from this neighborhood).
In his sixth year Joseph Detwiler, whose name introduces this record, accompanied his parents upon the family's removal to York county, and grew up on the farm which adjoins the town of Wrightsville. In 1849 he moved to a farm in Ranho township. this county, located one mile north of Mt. Jov. where he remained until 1877, when he took up his resi- dence in that pleasant town. Mr. Detwiler is a man of large means, owning three large, well stocked
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