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 112
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The successful business career of Mr. Barnett :
should be an inspiration to others who are obliged to submit to the disadvantages of limited means in youth. At the age of fourteen years he went into the blacksmith shop belonging to Mr. Hensel, and re- mained there for three years, or until lic had masteret every detail of this business. Then, without a dollar. he started out courageously for himself, and estab- lished a shop in Fairfield, where, by energy, economy and industry, he has earned a most comfortable home and shop, and all the expensive tools necessary to his trade.
Jir. Barnett was united in marriage on April 6, 1883, to Sarah L. Brown, of Drumore township, born Feb. 13, 1855, a daughter of John S. and Sarah ( Hellam ) Brown, of Eden township. Mr. and Mrs. Brown roared a family of five children : Margaret, who married James Barnett, she now being deceased : Clara, who married Allus Rineer, of Lancaster : Sarah L., the wife of our subject ; William, deceased ; and John, of Lancaster. A commingling of Eng- lish, Scotch and Irish blood was in the Brown an- cestry. Both parents have passed away. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnett are: Scott B., born Nov. 24, 1885: and Elsie, born Feb. 27, 1883, both bright and beautiful, as well as intelligent, children.
Mr. Barnett has been a life-long Democrat, while in religious connection both he and wife attend, and most heartily support, the Methodist Church. Mrs. Barnett has assisted her husband by her housewifely skill, and is much esteemed in the neighborhood. Socially he is connected with the I. O. O. F., where he is valued. Perhaps no family in the village en- joys more thoroughly the high esteem of the com- munity than does that of Benjamin Franklin Barnett.
JOSEPH G, RANKIN, one of the leading and substantial men of Martic township, who has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests for a number of years. was born Oct. 17, 1842, in Conestoga township, this county, son of Samuel and Catherine (Goodman) Rankin.
Samuel Rankin, the father, was a son of Rankin, whose father was one of six brothers of the name who came to America from Ireland, about 130 years ago. Their descendants have become widely scattered, and many of the name have been prom- inent in various walks of life. Samuel Rankin was also born in Conestoga township, carried on farming and married Catherine Goodman. They had these children born to them : Samuel; Jacob; Annie; Mary, the wife of Abraham Good ; Frederick : Dan- ie! : and Joseph G., of this sketch. Samuel Rankin belonged to the Mennonite Church and was a highly respected man.
Joseph G. Rankin was reared on a farm, and ob- tained his education in the public schools of his dis- trict. He proved his loyalty to his country by en- listing in her service in 1864, entering the 203d P. V. I .. and participating in a number of severely con- tested battles, being honorably discharged in July.
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IN05. with an excellent record. Mr. Rankin has been very successful in carrying out his enterprises. Although he began life for himself with limited means. his industry and business ability have re- sulted in a very substantial standing in his com- munity. Mr. Rankin owns a fine farm of eighty- eight acres of well improved land, a handsome brick dwelling, and also one of the best paying lime quar- ries in the township. He has been engaged in the lime business quite extensively.
On Sept. 15, 1873, Mr. Rankin married Miss Elizabeth Eshleman, and a family of fourteen chil- dren was born to them, ten of these still surviving: Samuel E .; Susan : Jacob; Henry; Martin; Mary E .; Joseph; Edward ; Chester ; and George. Cath- erine, Eli, Lydia and William died young. Mrs. Rankin was born in 1854, and was one of a family of twelve children, the nine survivors being: Mar- tin, Daniel, Elizabeth, Jacob, Susan, George, Eli, Lydia and Mary.
Mr. Rankin is not only an excellent farmer, but he is also a progressive and useful citizen. In 1897 he was elected school director, and still serves, do- ing all in his power to advance educational matters in his district. He belongs to the Old Mennonite Church. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Rankin is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the town- ship and is known to be a kind neighbor, and a man who looks well after the welfare .of his family and community.
B. BARTON WITMER, a general merchant of Quarryville, was born May 10, 1861, son of Benja- min and Lydia (Lefever) Witmer.
Benjamin Witmer was born near Quarryville. in Bart township, in 1835, and his wife was born in 1839, and was the daughter of Daniel and Lizzie Le- fever, a prominent family, of Lancaster county. Benjamin was the son of David and Elizabeth (Macumpsey) Witmer. David Witmer's first wife was Hannah Hastings, who died soon after marriage, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth A., who is still liv- ing and is the wife of Adam Mowrer, of Quarry- ville. David's second wife bore him eleven children, of whom, Benjamin, father of our subject, grew to manhood and was educated in Lancaster county. When a young man he was engaged in general mer- chandising in Quarryville, his being the first store .in this section of the county. He remained in this business until after the death of his wife, who left eight children. He then removed to Colerain town- ship, where he entered the business of tobacco buying and shipping in large quantities, to Eastern markets. Mr. Witmer engaged in this occupation until a short time prior to his death. He was widely and favorably known for his integrity and good business qualities. He made many friends and very few enemies. The family left are as follows: Franklin, deceased, was born in Quarryville, in 1856, and married Miss Ella Reese, of Quarryville ; he worked at his trade of cab- inet-maker during life, and died, in 1898, leaving a
wife but no children. Jennie was born in 1838, and is the widow of Witmer Lefever, deceased, who re- sided in Lancaster city; they had two sons, Ross and William. B. Barton was the next child. Ella was a twin sister to our subject. and is the wife of Edward Gaston, who resides in York City, Pa .. and has a family of three children, as follows: Robert. Hyat and Guy. Amy was born in June, 1868, and is the widow of Miller Smith, of Philadelphia, in which city she resides with her three children, Rov. Clara and Pascal. George was born in I8;o. grew up and marrie ! a lady of New York, in which city they now reside. Ettie was born in 1872, and is the wife of Herbert Adams of Lancaster : she has one daughter, Leafy. Charles was born in 1875. and married Etta Helm. and they reside in Georgetown. where he is engaged in business: they have one daughter, Leta.
B. Barton Witmer was educated in the schools of Lancaster county, and, when a boy of sixteen years, he commenced work as a journeyman miller. working at that trade for seven years. In December. 1882, he married Miss Katie Anderson, of Lancaster county, and daughter of Robert and Sarah Anderson. old settlers of Lancaster, who were born in Ire- land, and moved to this country fifty years ago. Mrs. Witmer was born in Lancaster county in 1863. After marriage Mr. Witmer lived on a farm near Drumore for four years. In 1887 he engaged in a small way as a general merchant and in the produce business, and from a smail beginning he has become one of the leading dealers in the place, carrying a large stock of goods. In 1894 he built himself a fine brick house, modern in every respect. From a poor boy Mr. Witmer has become a man of importance in his community. He is well-to-do and prosperous in all his undertakings. He has two children: Sadie O., born Aug. 22, 1884. is a graduate of the High School and a bright young lady : Chester A .. born Aug. 22, 1887. is a student in the home schools. In politics Mr. Witmer has always been identified with the Democratic party. He and his family are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Witmer is a popular man in his town, and well thought of by all who know him.
PHARES K. LANDIS owns and operates a threshing machine in West Donegal township. where he is also engaged in general farming on the old parental homestead. He was born near Neffsville. Lancaster county, July 15, 1865. son of John F. and Magdelina ( Keller) Landis, whose personal history forms the subject of an interesting sketch elsewhere.
Phares K. Landis was married Nov. 30. 1886. at the home of the bride in West Donegal township, to Lizzie L. Heisey. This urion has been blessed with two children : Simon H., born July 19. 1889: and Lizzie H., born Sept. 12. 1892. Mrs. Lizzie L. Lan- dis was born in West Donegal township, and is a sister of W. L. Heisev. of that township. Her par- ents, Jacob W. Heisey and Fanny Longenecker,
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were married in Lancaster, in 1868, by Rev. J. J. Strine ; her father lived to be almost ninety years of age.
Phares K. Landis spent his childhood and youth with his parents, and was afforded such educational privileges as their circumstances permitted. An alert and keen-eyed business man. he has made his way in the world, and holds a good position in the judgment of the public. In the spring of 1887 he began cultivating the parental homestead on his own responsibility. For the last twelve years he has operated two steam threshers with marked success. Mr. Landis is a member of the Mennonite Church. He takes no part in political affairs.
ABRAHAM L. LEAMAN, manufacturer of umbrellas and umbrella handles, ex-manufacturer of paints, and owner of one of the finest farms in East Lamipeter township, was born in Fast Lampeter Feb. 16, 1853, and has been a resident of Lancaster since 1889.
Joseph and Mary (Landis) Leaman, his parents, were farming people during their active lives, in Lampeter. They were born Jan. 14, 1828, and Feb. I. 1825, and died Oct. 8, 1857, and March 31. 1800. respectively. To them were born the following chil- dren : Lydia, who died at the age of eighteen ; Mary .A., who died at the age of nineteen : Benjamin F .. who died when twenty-eight years of age; Abraham L .; and Joseph, a retired farmer and ex-merchant of Lancaster. The paternal grandparents were Ben- jamin and Barbara Leaman, and the maternal grand- parents were Abraham and Barbara Landis. Both of Mr. Leaman's grandfathers devoted their lives to farming and stockraising, the latter living on the well-known Landis farm, which has furnished a live- lihood to so many bearing the name. The family of Landis is supposed to have originated in Switzer- land ; at least several generations of the family lived among the mountains and valleys of that country.
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The youth of Abraham L. Leaman was spent in a manner not unlike that of the average farm reared boy, vet he was more ambitious than many, and when huis duty to the family and home interests terminated when he became of age, he started out on a tour of inspection through Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. Finding no locality that offered inducements supe- rior to his native surroundings, he returned to East Lampeter, and purchased what was known as the Evergreen Dairy Farm, of forty-seven acres. advan- tageously located on the Conestoga river, within easy access of the city, and now under a high state of cultivation -- a vast improvement over its state at the time of purchase, at which time the price was $300 per acre. There is a two and a half story brick house, besides the other well constructed buildings on the farm, and the implements and general appur- tenances are of the most advanced kind to be found on the market.
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After leaving the active management of his farm to other parties, Mr. Leaman engaged in the manu-
facture of paint. conducting the Lancaster Paint Works in partnership with D. L. Harnish. in Lan- caster, their factory being located at No. 338 North Charlotte street, the store on Center Square, in the old New Era buildling, formerly the old "Swan Ho- tel." Mr. Leaman continued thus until October, 1900, when he disposed of the business to S. M. Boyd & Co. He then retired until April, 1902, when he started a manufactory for umbrellas and umbrella handles, with a capital stock of $12,000 .. This enterprise bids fair to meet with the success which has been characteristic of all Mr. Leaman's business efforts, which have placed him in a substan- tial position in the community of Lancaster. He was a charter member of the Lancaster Board of Trade, and of the Land & Development Company.
In October, 1881, Mr. Leaman married Anna Rohrer, daughter of Peter and Mary ( Wissler) Rohrer. the former a farmer during his active life. He died in March, 1900, at the age of seventy-two, and Mrs. Rohrer, who was born in Clay township in 1836, is now living in Petersburg. Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Rohrer had the following named children : Anna, Mrs. Leaman; Barbara E., wife of Edward Houser, of York, Pa. ; Jacob W., a retired farmer of Petersburg: and P. Bachman. a farmer of Fast Petersburg. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Leaman were Jacob and Mary ( Bachman) Rohrer, the former of whom was a veterinary surgeon known for miles around his home : and her maternal grand- parents were Jacob and Barbara Wissler. the former a farmer of Clay township. Lancaster Co .. Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Leaman have six children: Mary R., born Dec. 17, 18S2: Benjamin Franklin. Dec. 30, 1884; Ada R .. Feb. 5. 1887: Anabel R., Sept. 5, 1893: Barbara X .. Nov. 5. 1897: and Theodore Roosevelt. Dec. 2. 1901. Mr. Leaman and his fam- ily belong to the Presbyterian Church. He is pro- gressive and public-spirited. and takes a keen interest in many affairs outside his direct business. He has the faculty of making and keeping friends, and the advantage of a ready sympathy with all with whom he comes in contact. In political sympathy he is a Republican, but he is no office seeker.
B. WILLIS DENLINGER, who was born Feb. 10, 1867, on the farm in East Lampeter township where he now resides, is one of the younger agricul- turists of his section of the county, but is rapidly working his way to the front as a progressive and thrifty man. fully awake to all the requisites of those who would be successful in his line.
Jacob Denlinger. the grandfather of B. Willis, was also a native of Lancaster county. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, but in the latter part of his life followed farming. in East Lampeter. He was a member of the Reformed Mennonite Church. He married Miss Mary Landis, and they were the parents of seven children, namely : Anna. deceased, wife of David Weaver; Martha, wife of Joseph Swartley, of Ohio: John L., deccased : Benjamin L.,
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deceased, who is mentioned below: Jacob. of Ohio : David, of Salunga, Pa .; and Mary, deceased wife of George Wisler.
Benjamin L. Denlinger was born in East Lam- peter July 4. 1826. He lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age, in his youth attending the common schools, and began life for himself at farm- ing, continuing same until he retired, in ISSt. He died Sept. 26, 1804. Mr. Denlinger married Miss Catharine Harnish, who died Aug. 13, 100t. They became the parents of six children, namely : Susan- na, who died in childhood ; Jacob H .. of East Lam- peter : Lettie L., wife of Albert Rowland : Annie C., wife of Amos Hosteter; Mary E., wife of Jacob Weaver; and B. Willis. The parents were both members of the New Mennonite Church.
B. Willis Denlinger remained at home up to the time of his father's death, after which he purchased the old homestead place, and has followed farming almost exclusively. He was educated in the common schools of Lancaster county, and is a credit to the community in which his life has been passed, and to the honorable family to which he belongs. On Dec. IO, 1895, Mr. Denlinger wedded Miss Mary K. Kel- ler, daughter of Isaac Keller, of Lancaster county. This union has been blessed with one child, a daugh- ter, Lettie MI.
EDGAR HERR LEVAN, of No. 56 North Dake strect. Lancaster. comes from very oldl Pennsylvania families in both paternal and maternal lines.
The progenitors of this branch of the Levans were three brothers, who came from France to Amer- ica at the time of the great exodus of French Hugue- nots on account of religious persecution. These three brothers settled in Berks county, Pa .. and from one of them Edgar H. Levan is descended. His grandfather, Isaac Newton Levan, was a hatter. and was the organizer and president of all the building associations of Reading. Edgar M. Levan, our sub- ject's father, was born in Clarkson. Columbiana Co .. Ohio, in what was known as the "Western Reserve." on Dec. 25. 1850, was admitted to the Berks county Bar in 1872. and at thirty-three years of age was nominated by the Democrats for district attorney of Berks county. His death, in August. 1800. in the fortieth year of his age, resulted from a railway ac- cident. He was married Dec. 25. 1874. to Miss Ann Elizabeth Herr. sister of Col. D. H. Herr. the widely known patent attorney, who is a lineal descendant of Hans Herr, who came to America and settled in Pennsylvania contemporaneously with William Penn. One child was born to Edgar M. and Ann Elizabeth ( Herr) Levan, Edgar Herr.
Edgar H. Levan was born in Reading. Pa .. Nov. 19, 1877. After studying in private schools in his native city he came to Lancaster, where he was graduated from the Boys' High School in 1893. taking the third honor. He graduated from the York Collegiate Institute in 1804. and from Frank- lin and Marshall College in 1898. Some time after
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his graduation from college Mr. Levan entered as a student at law with C. Reese Eaby, Esq., but gave up his studies to accept a position with the Interna- tional Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pa. While at Franklin and Marshall College he took an active interest in the College Glee Club. and was its leader for one year. He is a fine pianist and organ- ist. and was for two and a half years organist and choirmaster of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Lancas- ter. Socially Mr. Levan is a member of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, and religiously he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. The son of a brilliant father, and coming from a sturdy race on his mother's side, his future is certainly full of promise.
MICHAEL F. GABLE. At the tender age of three years Michael F. Gable. now one of the well- known, substantial citizens of West Hempfield town- ship, Lancaster county, crossed the ocean with his parents from Germany-their native land-to seek in America the good fortune, which common report had ascribed to citizens of the New World. These parents were Michael and Margaret ( Flat) Gable and the long journey was made in the year 1851. The father settled at once on Chestnut Hill. in West Hempficki township. Lancaster county, and there passed the remainder of his years, living the life of the industrious vicinity, finding the occupation which brought comparative comfort and ease. He died .in 180g, aged seventy years, and his faithful wife passed away in June. 1807. aged seventy-seven vears. They were buried in the Catholic cemetery at Columbia. To Michael and Margaret Gable were born the following children: John. a farmer of West Hempfield township: Michael F .: Peter. who died in India : Margaret, wife of Henry Rearick, of West Hempfield township: Barbara. deceased : Mary, wife of Joseph Fonwall. a merchant of Har- risburg : Adam, who died young : and Elizabeth, de- ceased.
Michael F. Gable was born in Germany Nov. 2. 1817. He was reared in West Hempfield, receiving a good common-school education, but at the age of fifteen he began life in earnest by working on the banks, and on the surrounding farms. He remaineda at the home of his parents until he was twenty-five years of age
On Oct. 14. 1873. in Lancaster. Michael F. Gable married Miss Clara E. Johns, who was born in Lan- caster township. Nov. 9. 1855, daughter of Eli and Sarah (Goodwin) Johns, granddaughter of John and Eva Johns ( natives of Germany and Lancaster county. respectively), and granddaughter on her ma- ternal side of John and Amelia Goodwin, who were old residents of Lancaster county. Eli Johns. her father. fills a soldier's grave, dying in 1864. at the age of thirty-five years, while serving in a Pennsyl- vania regiment in the Civil war. His widow, who was born in 1831, still survives, a resident of Lancas- ter county ; she is a member of the Mennonite Church.
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The family of Eli and Sarah Johns consisted of the following children: Clara E .. wife of Michael F. Gable; Elvina, wife of Abiah Wiker, a stone cutter of Witmer; John, who resides with his mother at Milton ; Mary, at home ; and Sadie, wife of George Brenner, a cigarmaker of Lancaster.
To Michael F. and Clara E. Gable were born a family of eight children, namely: Henry, Sarah A., Michael, Emma, Margaret, Flora, John and Charles. All are at home except Sarah A., the chest daughter, who has married Daniel Dietz, a tanner. and lives in West Hempfield township.
After his marriage Michael F. Gable spent twelve years on the farm of Abra Mellinger in Manor town- ship. He then moved to his present farm of twenty- eight acres in West Hempfield township, which he purchased in 1892 from Casper Teller, and he has since resided there, engaging in general farming. and by his good judgment and persistent effort win- ning a creditable success. In politics he is a Demo- crat. In public affairs he is a careful and patriotic citizen, and his many friends and acquaintances hold him in high respect and esteem.
JACOB DURWARD FOX. the proprietor and owner of the "Eagle Hotel" at Lampeter Square, West Lampeter township, was born near Steelville, in Sadsbury township, Oct. 12, 1858. a son of Will- iam and Eliza Lucretia (Williams) Fox. His father died in 1873, at the age of sixty-one years. In early life he was engaged in the butchering business, and was in the mercantile business in Atglen, Chester county, and also at Daleville, in the same county, for a number of years. He sold the store in his later days, and bought a farm of 144 acres near Stcel- ville, which was known as the Gen. Steel farm, and here he lived and died. William Fox was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Kane, and two of her children are now living, Sarah J., the wife of David Siner, of Atglen ; and Anna Margaret, the wife second Mrs. Fox was Eliza Lucretia Williams, a na- tive of Russellville, Chester county. She is still liv- ing at the age of sixty-three years, and is the mother of the following family: Jacob Durward, whose name introduces this article : Samuel Owen, a resident of Foggs Manor, who married Katie McMullen. and is a hard-working and trustworthy man; William Bernard, an engineer of Philadelphia, who married Miss Alice Mahoney ; Mahlon George, a farmer, who ! remains on the old farm, and is married to Miss Ada- line Bitter : Phoebe Ella, wife of Henry Eckman. of Daleville. Chester county ; and Mary Louisa, wife of Dennis Mahoney, a farmer of Steelville.
of James Philips, of Axford, Chester county. The , of the heirs of the late Isaac D. Heller, his grandson.
Jacob D. Fox was reared on the farm, and had his education in the public schools, and in Chestnut Hill Academy. When he was but a lad of fourteen years of age, he lost his father, and by virtue of the fact that he was the oldest boy, he was called upon to take the lead in the affairs of the farm, and his mother soon put its management into his hands, where it re-
mained. The young man spent a year in Ohio after he had attained his majority, and in 1880 he was mar- ried, locating in Steelville, and operating the farm on shares for a year. At the end of that time he es- tablished himself on a farm in Bart township. Lan- caster county, where he rented a place of ninety acre .. This he farmed for a year, and then returned to the home place, remaining until 1893, when he establishedi himself on the Robert Sampson place in Colerain township. The following year Mr. Fox came to West Lampeter, and rented the hotel, which he has since conducted. and his management of which has shown great adaptability. He is a genial and com- panionable character, makes friends readily, is atten- five and courteous to all his patrons, and has won a large circle of personal friends throughout this part of Lancaster county. In December. 1000, he was able to purchase the hotel at a good figure, and is rapidly becoming a successful and well-to-do citi- zen of the town.
Mr. Fox was married Oct. 27, 1880, to Miss Abbie Ann Bush, who was born May 23. 1860, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Bush. and they have become the parents of the following children: William Henry, born May 15. 1882: Ada Lucretia, born .Aug. 21, 1886; and Mary Elizabeth. born July 7. 1889. Mr. Fox is a Democrat, and belongs to the Knights of the Mystic Chain.
DEACON HENRY D. HELLER. Many of the old and prominent families of Lancaster county have occupied the same lands for generations, and have established for themselves reputations for up- rightness of life and prosperity in business which are synonyms for their names. Such is the case with the Heller family, of which Deacon Henry D. Heller is a worthy representative.
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