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 113
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John Heller. his grandfather, a well-remembered prosperous farmer and large landowner, resided upon the farm which has passed into the possession To John Heller and wife were born: John, the father of Deacon Heller: Peter. who lost his life through an accident, at the age of seventeen : Eliza- beth, who was twice married, first to a Mr. Rohrer. the second time to Benjamin Leaman : Fanny, who married Abram Brubaker: Mrs. Miller; Mrs. Longenecker : and Mrs. Leaman.
John Heller, Ir .. was born Nov. 4, 18OS, and through an active life of over fifty years, made a lasting impress upon his family and neighborhood. Of more than usual intelligence. he embraced every educational advantage offered at that time in his locality, and he was always an ardent advocate for higher education. It was a great gratification to him that he was permitted to live to see the free school system firmly established, and his influence was ever given in favor of progress. Mr. Heller was called upon to serve as school director for years, and at the time of his death, which was greatly lamented, he was the wise and efficient director of the poor of the
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township. On March IS, 1850, he passed from earth, and many were the expressions of sorrow at the loss of a good neighbor, a kind friend, a wise counseilor, and a devoted husband and father.
John Heller, Jr., was married to . Annie Denlinger, and their children were: Abram, who married Eliza Landis, and died at the age of thirty-seven, leaving a son and a daughter : Isaac D .. who was reared on the farm, and at the time of his death, July 25, 1000, was the owner of the old Heller homestead, in East Lampeter, and was thrice married. first to Barbara Stauffer (from which union three children were born), second, to Maria Landis (from which union one child was born, which died in infancy ), and third. to Mary Buchwalter (who bore hin two children. both of whom died in infancy) ; Mary, who married Henry Shreiner, a farmer of Manheim township : Annie, who married Samuel Eby, who lives retired in Upper Leacock township; Lizzie, who married Adam Landis, a retired farmer of Lancaster town- ship; Hettie, who married Benjamin Hess, of Man- heim township : Jolin, who died in childhood : Henry D., of this sketch ; and B. D., who was born Nov. 3. 1849, and received a good common-school education which was supplemented by study for some time at the Millersville Normal School, and thus pre- pared, engaged in teaching for three terms, and later married Anna Hess, a daughter of Samuel R. Hess, of Clay township, and the children born of this union are: Samuel, a practicing physician of Lan- caster, who is a graduate of the University of Penn- sylvania, and who married Miss Emily, a daughter of Judge David McMullan, of Lancaster ; Harvey, who is a teacher in the graded school of Oregon. Lancaster county, is a graduate from the Millers- ville Norinal School, and is the present owner of the old homestead; Benjamin, who is a teacher in East Lampeter; Jacob; John; Laura; and Parke. The family are members of the Old Mennonite Church.
Henry D. Heller was reared on the farm, and re- ceived excellent educational advantages, fully fitting him for the profession of teacher, but his inclinations, after one term of teaching, led him back to the farm. On Oct. 22. 1867, he was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Leaman, a daughter of Tobias and Elizabeth (Denlinger) Leaman. the former of whom died in June, 1859, since which time the mother has resided with her daughter. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Heller arc: Annie, who married John H. Kreider, a farmer, has two children, Amos and Edna ; Amanda, who married Newton G. Herr. has one daughter, Bertha ; Lizzie, who married John Roher, has three sons, Harry, Elvin and Enos ; Abram, who married Anna Denlinger, has one son, Clarence ; Enos ; and J. Henry is at home. Immediately after marriage. Mr. Heller took charge of the farm of his deceased brother, Abram, and continued to operate it until in 1873. when he purchased his present farm, located in East Lampeter, consisting of 55 acres. The original dwelling house still stands, but since taking charge of this place, Mr. Heller has been continually
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making improvements, and it ranks well with any other in the township. In ISot he purchased a sec- . ond farm of seventy-five acres in the same township, formerly his grandfather's land. The standing of Deacon Heller is very high in the community where he is recognized as one of the leading men. In Oc- tober, 18;6, under Rev. Benjamin Herr. Henry D. Heller was ordained a deacon, in the Old Mennonite Church, and in that office has served ever since. with faithfulness and fidelity, worthily upholding an old and justly honored name.
ELAM SHEETZ MYERS, a general farmer in East Donegal township, Lancaster county, takes rank with the intelligent and progressive young agricuiturists of the present day, and is engaged in the cultivation of the old homestead on which he was born Jan. 20 18;8. He is a son of Christ H. and Anna (Sheetz) Myers, who are mentioned else- where.
Elam Sheetz Myers and Emma J. Weiser were united in marriage Nov. 12, 1896, the ceremony being performed at Jit. Tov, Pa. To this union have been born two sons. Earl W. and Lloyd W. Mrs. Emma J. (Weiser) Myers is a charming and attractive young woman, of good judgment and a kindly disposition, and is very popular in her neigh- borhood. She was born in East Donegal township Jan. 30, 1876, daughter of John E. and Hannah M. (Stumm) Weiser, who were married in York county in 1869. Her parents had the following children : Saralı B., who is living at home unmarried : Emma J., Mrs. Myers : and Catherine, Wilbert. Daisy and Paul, all at home. The father. John E. Weiser, has been a farmer all his days, and has made a substan- tial place for himself as an industrious and trust- worthy man. He came to Lancaster county in 1874. and here has remained to the present time, in 1889 settling on the farm where he is now found. In political sentiment he is a Republican. Mrs. Hannah M. Weiser was born in Lancaster county in 1850, daughter of John and Sarah (Custard) Stumm, who lived in Lancaster county, and moved into York county in 1860. They were farming people.
Elam S. Myers remained with his parents until his marriage, when he settled on his present farm, a small but productive place of forty-three acres, and he is known as a capable and thrifty young farmer. In politics he is a Republican.
OLIVER H. SHENK, proprietor of the only feldspar and flint rock quarries in southeastern Penn- sylvania. resides in Manor township, Lancaster county, four miles west of Lancaster city. He was born in this county March 23, 1873, son of Christian K. and Annie (Hiedler) Shenk, and was reared in West Hempfield township. receiving his education in the public schools and the Northwest Secondary School.
On May 10. 1895. Mr. Shenk began business on his own account as a dealer in flint rock and felispar,
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and now employs about twenty-five men in his sev- cral quarries. His output he disposes of in various States, to manufacturers of porcelain or so-called chinaware, shipping to such concerns as the Stand- ard Flint & Spar Company, of Frenchtown. N. J., the Golden Sons, of Trenton. N. [ .. the Eureka Flint & Spar Company, of the same city, and the Columbia ( Pa.) Flint & Spar Company. His ship- ments reach eight carloads per week. and his main quarries extend across the line into the States of Maryland and Delaware. In addition to his quarry- ing business Mr. Shenk handles large quantities of clover seed, in which he has a very remunerative trade. He also does quite a business supplying the Lancaster Trolley Company with poles and ties, which he obtains in central Pennsylvania, princip- ally in Cumberland county.
Mr. Shenk was united in marriage. Nov. 5. 1896, with Miss Lizzie Hostetter, the only child of Ephraim and Mary ( Charles ) Hostetter and to this union has come one son, born Dec. 22, 1897, who died Aug. 9. 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Shenk are mem- bers of the Mennonite Church. and both are active workers in the Sabbath-school. They occupy a modern residence at Kreadyville, one of the most delightful in the county, erected in 1806, and Mr. Shenk is recognized as one of the most enterprising · young men in the county of Lancaster.
Ephraim Hostetter. father of Mirs. Shenk. was born in Manor township, Lancaster Co .. Pa., Jan. 7, 1853, was a prosperous and highly respected farmer, and died Dec. 22. 18-8. in the faith of the Mennonite Church, leaving his widow with her only child, now Mrs. Oliver H. Shenk.
BENJAMIN B. HARNISH. Much of the fer- tile farming land of the great State of Pennsyl- vania is located in Lancaster county, and the well tilled farms are owned and occupied by agricultur- ists who have made farming a life business, and have succeeded in developing the land to its greatest ca- pacity and in accumulating comfortable fortunes.
Among the resident farmers of East Hempfield township is Benjamin B. Harnish. the ellest son of Levi Harnish, who was born on a farm in West Hempfield township. Jan. 28. 1848. and was there reared a farmer boy. obtaining his education in the district schools of his locality. Until the age of twenty-two he remained at home, but at that time decided to engage in business for himself. selecting the excellent tract of almost fifty-three acres upon which he is located in East Hempfield township. two miles west of Rohrerstown. Upon this place our subject began immediately to make improve- ments which have resulted in much added value to the land, and have made it vield well, and here he carries on general farming.
In November. 1860, was celebrated the marriage of Benjamin B. Harnish to Martha M. Musselman. a daughter of Christain Musselman. a native of East Hempfield township. To this union have been
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born children as follows: Ida, who married Henry Sauder, of Landisville: Sarah, who married Grant Noll, of this township: Benjamin, who married Mary Herr, of East Hempfield: Martha M., who married Isaac Seachrist, a miller of West Hemp- field : Leah, who married Albert Myers, of Mount- ville ; Fannie, at home : Annie : Maggie ; Mary : and Lizzie. This family has been well reared and given Christian teaching and example, the mother and several of the daughters being connected with the Old Mennonite Church, and one of the daughters has become a member of the United Brethren de- nomination. Benjamin D. Harnish is highly es- teemed by his neighbors, and is considered one of the representative citizens of the township where he has lived so long.
THOMAS S. HOOD, for over ten years the freight and passenger agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at New Holland, Lancaster county, was born at Fort Concho. Texas. June 27, 1860. a son of Gen. Charles C. and Louisa ( Skinner ) Hood, the former a native of Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, and the latter of Woodstock, Connecticut.
General Hood was born in 18At. and served through the Civil War. where he was twice wounded. His services in the army have been con- tinuons since he entered. He participated in the Spanish-American War and on the Texas frontiers. At Ponce. Porto Rico, he was the military com- mander, 1808 and 1800, and held a most responsible position. He was appointed by Maj. Gen. Otis as the first military governor in the Philippines, hav- ing charge of three large provinces, with head- quarters at Aparri. serving three years, 1800-1002. On Oct. 18. 1002, he was appointed a Brigadier General. United States Army. Mrs. Louisa Hood died in St. Louis, May 31. 1875. at the age of thirty years. She was the mother of the following chil- dren : Thomas S. : Anita and Sarah, who both died young. General Hood was a second time married. Frances A. Skinner becoming his wife. To this union came the following children: Charles, de- . censed: Marion, who is making her home with her mother : and Evangeline, who is also at home.
The father of General Hood was Thomas Hood. a lawyer by profession and born in Somerset. Perry Co .. Ohio. For many years he held a position at Washington as judge of claims. He had previ- ously served as Judge of County Court at Madison. Wis .. and as Senator in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Thomas S. Hood was married April 17. 1001, in Lancaster county, to Catherine Kinzer, a daugli- ter of the late W. W. Kinzer, whose biography may be found on another page. A daughter, Dorothy. was born July 3. 1002, at New Holland.
Mr. Hood was reared in the various forts where his father was stationed. and when old enough he- gan his education in Miami University. Oxford. Ohio, and finished at Central High School, Phila- delphia, which institution he left in 1887 to take a
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position with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Devon, Pa., from which he was later removed to Coatesville, to take a place as a clerk in the freight office. He came to New Holland, July 5, 1892, to take the po- sition as freight and passenger agent, where he dis- played abilities of a high order, and was regarded as one of the best men in the service of the com- pany. On Aug. 1, 1902, Mr. Hood was further promoted to represent the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the important position of freight agent in the famous iron manufacturing town of Coates- ville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania.
JACOB J. LAMPARTER. The name of Lam- parter in Lancaster was originally connected with the pioneer glue industry of the town, an enterprise still controlled and managed by members of this substantial German-American family. Other ave- nues of activity have latterly been invaded by those bearing the name, chief among these being Jacob J. Lamparter, retired glue manufacturer, and at pres- ent a large land owner, engaged in the real-estate and building business. He was born in the an- cestral home in Wurtemberg, Germany, a son of Everhart and Elizabeth (Helt) Lamparter, natives of the same German principality.
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Everhart Lamparter came to America in 1853, and located in Lancaster, where he started the gitte business, to which he devoted the rest of his life. From a comparatively small beginning he increased the capacity of his manufactory to meet the demand created by his excellent commodity, and thus came to rank among the commercial adjuncts of his lo- cality. He died in 1869, at the age of sixty-one years, and was survived by his wife until 1898, she dying at the age of eighty-eight years: they are buried in Woodward Hill cemetery. They were the parents of the following named children: George, who is engaged in manufacturing glue at the old factory : Jacob J .: Lizette, unmarried and living in Washington, D. C .; Amelia, who died at the age of fifty years : Pauline, unmarried and living in Lan- caster : Judith, widow of Eugene Bauer, of Lancas- ter; Everhart, one of the managers of his father's glue business ; Henry, deceased ; and Sabina, Mrs. Mertz, deceased.
Jacob J. Lamparter was eleven years of age when the family came to America, and the greater part of his training and education was therefore on Ameri- can lines. As there were so many children in the family he was obliged to shift for himself, and ow- ing to the limitations of the factory he sought em- ployment elsewhere. At the age of twenty he en- tered the factory, and remained for nearly thirty- seven years, or until the death of his mother, in 1898, since which time he has bought and sold prop- erty, and accomplished considerable building in
different parts of the city. He is the owner of ten pieces of property, and is a very successful and wide- awake business man.
By his marriage to Margaretta Arnold Mr. Lamparter became connected with a French and German family, the parents of Mrs. Lamparter being John and Margaret ( Eppinger) Arnold, the former, formerly a brewer of Lancaster, now die- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lamparter have had children as follows: Harry, who served as a soldier in the Philippines; Everhart, a coach trimmer of Lan- caster (married to Gertrude Weidle ) : Reinholdt. a Mr. Hood belongs to the Masonic fraternity, blacksmith of Easton, Pa .; Walter, who died at the and is a member of the Knights Templar Command- ; age of twenty-three years; Dorothea; Amelia : ery, No. 43, of Lancaster. In his politics he is a Re- publican.
: Judith; Charles; and Jacob, the five last mentioned living at home. Mr. Lamparter is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Seven Wise Men. In politics he is a Republican. He is prominent in the community, and is recognized as one of its most en- terprising, up-to-date and resourceful citizens.
CHRISTIAN GOOD REESE, who is engaged in the brick making business and in the handling of ice in Elizabethtown, is one of the leading brick men of this section, putting on the market yearly more than a million brick, largely used in building and in sewer construction. He was born in Elizabethtown Sept. 10, 1868, a son of Samson D. Reese, whose biography is presented elsewhere.
Christian G. Reese was reared in his native com- munity, and May 12. 1898. was married in Balti- inore, Md., to Miss Bertha F. Weirs, by whom he has had two children, Mand W., and Marian M.
Mrs. Bertha F. Reese was born near Baltimore, July 25. 1874, a daughter of Henry and Amanda J. Weirs. Her parents were born in Maryland, where they were married, and they were engaged in farm- ing. Her father, who died in 1896, was seventy- two years old. For many years he was a justice of the peace, and was very successful in all his enter- prises. Her mother, who was born in 1836, is now living in Baltimore. She was the mother of the following children: William, a train despatcher. at Baltimore ; John, of Sparrows Point. Md. ; Thomas. a telegraph operator at Sherwood. Md. : Alfred. de- ceased ; Laura, who married C. W. Shipley. Jr .. an engineer on the N. C. Railroad, with a home at Baiti- more ; and Bertha F., wife of Mr. Reese.
Christian G. Reese remained at home with his parents until he reached the age of twenty years. when he took a position as a bookkeeper with the Miller Fifth Wheel Manufacturing Co., at Eliza- bethtown, which he held for two years, and then en- barked upon his present business career. The brick vard which he is now operating, he purchased from J. C. Keener, and in its management he has attained a very large success, making a name and a standing for himself that bespeaks his integrity, ability and business sense.
Mr. Reese is a member of A. O. K. M. C .. and belongs to the Reformed Church. In his politics he
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is a Republican, and for the past four years has been a member of the board of health. Mr. Reese pre- pared for that business career in which he has been so successful by taking a full commercial course in the Byrant & Stratton Business College at Buffalo. N. Y., where he went at the age of fifteen years, and from which he was graduated with a high standing. He is one of the leading men of his home town, and is justly regarded as one of the representative citi- zens of this county.
WILLIAM C. GRUBE, secretary and director of the poor of Lancaster county, was born at Blue Ball, this county, Oct. 10. 1872, son of Martin H. Grube, a prominent citizen of Lancaster countv. The children born to Martin H. Grube were Will- iam C. and a brother now residing at New Holland, an extensive sketch of whom appears elsewhere ..
William C. Grube was reared in the county of his birth, attending the common schools of his dis- trict, and later had the advantage of a course at Peck's Business College, and also went to Valen- tine's Shorthand & Telegraphic School. from which he was graduated in 1893. He accepted his present position March 27th of the same year. since which time he has faithfully and satisfactorily performed his duties, with credit to himself.
On Nov. 14, 180, Mr. Grube was married. in Blue Ball, to Miss Clara Kurtz, and two children have been born to this union: Helen M. and J. Franklin. Mrs. Grube was born at Blue Ball, Pa .. Oct. 19, 1872, daughter of John G. and Anna ( Mus- ser) Kurtz. John G. Kurtz is a prominent farmer of East Earl township, Lancaster county, and was graduated from the Normal School at Millersville. In politics he is a Republican, and has held several local offices. Both he and his most estimable wife are earnest members of the Mennonite Church.
Mr. Grube is a member of the F. & A. M., being a Knight Templar, and also holds membership in the B. P. O. E., of which he is esquire. He and Mrs. Grube are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which they are very active, and of which they are liberal supporters. In political matters Mr. Grube is a strong Republican, and is very prominent in local affairs. He is one of the leading young men of the city, enterprising, thrifty, ready to grasp every opportunity offered, not only for the furtherment of his private affairs, but also those calculated to prove beneficial to the city and county, and in his position he has been of great service to the authorities, his judgment and discrimination being exercised to produce the best results to all parties.
MAHLON ERB. One of the well-known as well as most highly esteemed citizens of Mount Nebo, Lancaster county, is Mahlon Erb, a retired farmer of Martic township, who with his estimable wife lives in ease and plenty in this pleasant village, after a life of prudent industry. He was born in Conestoga township, this county, Dec. 13, 1848, son
. of John and Maria ( Whitmer) Erb, both natives of Lancaster county, the former of whom was born in West Lampeter township Aug. 25, ISI4, and died Dec. 31, 1891.
Jacob Erb, grandfather of Mahlon, was the founder of the Erb family in Lancaster county. The children of Jacob Erb were: Jacob, Rudolph, John, Samuel, Joseph, David, Rachel, Susan, all of whom lived lives of probity and respectability and many of them left numerous descendants.
John Erb was married Aug. 13, 18440, to Maria Whitmer. Their children, twelve in number, were: Susan, who resides on the home place; Amaziah, deceased : Annie E., deceased; John, deccased ; Malilon : Amanda, deceased ; Henry, a merchant in Mount Nebo, Pa .; Mary Jane, who resides on the home place ; Emantiel, deceased ; Clayton, the farmer on the home estate ; Frank, a miller in Martic town- ship; and William W., a successful young farmer of this locality.
Mahlon Erb grew up on the farm, and has always been devoted to an agricultural life. As soon as he had finished his education in the public schools he chose forming as his vocation and has indus- triously followed the same through many years. Ou March 26, 1868, Mahlon Erb was united in mar- riage to Miss Enuna Achison, who was a daughter of Cunningham and Anna ( Markley) Achison, her birth occurring in Drumore township May 27, 1848. To this marriage have been born five children: Annie, who is the wife of Amos Patton, of Colum- bia; Oscar, a farmer of Conestoga township, who married Elvina Buekwalter ; Mahlon C., farming on the home farm, who married Mary Railing: Rob- crt. who married Letitia Mclaughlin, and is farm- ing at Mount Nebo; and Alma, at home.
Mahlon Erb owns a well-cultivated and im- proved farm of ninety-three acres, and also a smaller farm with comfortable buildings. To younger hands he has resigned the cares of active life. Both he and wife are consistent members of the New Mennonite Church, and throughout the community they are held in high esteem.
ISAAC N. HILDEBRAND conducts one' of the largest butchering businesses in Lancaster > county, and. though yet a young man, ranks high in commercial circles. He is a grandson of Jacob Hil- debrand, who lived and died in Strasburg, this county, but little is known of him by his grandson except that he was quite a politician and held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years.
Jacob Hildebrand. the father of Isaac N., was born in West Lampeter township about 1844, and passed his early life in his native place, receiving his education in the local schools. In 1861 he ran away from home and enlisted in Co. K. roth P. V. I. He married Miss Fannie Harmon, daughter of Samuel Harmon, of Willowstreet. and they became the par- ents of seven children : Susan, wife of David Good. of Quarryville; William, of Lampeter township;
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Isaac N .; Lillie and John, both of whom died in childhood; Miss Mary, who lives at home ; and Ja- cob, at home.
Isaac N. Hildebrand was born in Willowstreet April 3, 1871, and lived at home with his parents until he was about twenty-two years of age, in the meantime receiving his education in the common schools of the county. On March 18, 1894. he mar- ried Miss Lizzie Hoffman, of Hanover. York Co .. Pa., and then began life for himself, engaging in the butcher business, which he had learned from his father. He has been very successful, and has built up a thriving business, which has become one of the largest in Lancaster county, and he is regarded by all who have had dealings with him as one of the substantial men of his community. Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand have had one child, a daughter, who died in infancy.
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