Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 30

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers
Number of Pages: 1186

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 30

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Jacob H. Ziegler. the subject of this biography. was born on the old homestead Jan. 6, 1857, a son of john and Barbara ( Hertzler) Ziegler. The former moved to Elizabethtown, Pa., in the spring of 1887, where he built a comfortable home and there died, in November, 1894. at the age of sixty-six years. During life he had been a prominent and influential man, for many years a director in the First National Bank, of Marietta and was a consistent and valued member of the Dunkard Church.

Jacob H. Ziegler was reared on the homestead and educated in the best schools of the neighborhood. remaining at home until his legal majority, when he engaged in farming in Conoy township, remaining there for four years. Returning to East Donegal, he continued in agricultural operations until 1897, when he removed into Rowenna, having purchased the Conoy Township Creamery, in 1895. This busi- ness was established in 1885, by a stock company, y and although, for some years it prospered, negli- gence had permitted it to run down, and in 1895 it was sold at public sale, Mr. Ziegler being the pur- chaser. His judgment told him that if properly handled, the business could be made a very paying one, and he has proven the truth of his belief.

The marriage of Jacob H. Ziegler occurred Dec. 17, 1878, in Pequea township, to Miss Barbara Hess, and to this union were born: John H., who operates the milk station for his father, in Harris- burg ; Mary ; Ivah ; Barbara ; Alice, deceased : Jacob ; and Arthur. Mrs. Ziegler was born on the old homestead of her parents, May 25, 1858, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann ( Herr) Hess: the father

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was a farmer of prominence and wealth, and was the treasurer of the New Danville and Lancaster Turn- pike from the time it was proposed until his death. and he was one of its principal promoters. He was interested in all progressive movements in his sec- tion and was instrumental in the building of the United Zion Church, of which he was a member. His life ended in 188. at the age of seventy years. his wife having passed away in 1879, and both of them were buried in the. Pequea Church cemetery. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hess were: Martin H., residing on the old homestead ; Barbara : Henry, a farmer of Conestoga township: Mary, who mar- ried John W. Eshleman, of Reading, Pa. : Jacob. a farmer of Lampeter : Fanny, who married Aaron B. Hess, the superintendent of the Chemical works in Lancaster : and Susan, who married Martin Rutt, of West Donegal. Mr. Ziegler lost his first wife. and was married again, on May IT. 1898, to Ella M. daughter of T. O. and Emma Fradeneck, of Bethle- hem, Pennsylvania.

In politics, Mr. Ziegler votes independently. Without doubt, he is one of the most intelligent men of the township and is interested in every measure looking toward the development of his section. For six years he served as school director, and owns one of the most complete private libraries in Lancaster county. He well represents the best class of citizens of this part of the State.

DANIEL D. HERR is the ellest living repre- sentative of the male branch of the fifth generation of a family whose name has ever commanded re- spect throughout Lancaster county. He himself is a man of active brain and rare business ability, but of this more will be told in a subsequent paragraph. The old homestead in Lancaster township, near Mil- lersville, has remained in the possession of the family for more than a century, and it was there that our subject was born Feb. 28. 1845.

His father, David S. Herr, whose mother's name was Anna Shenk, was born in the same house, June 14, 1816. He began farming for himself on a small parcel of land in Leacock township, purchased for him by his father. There he lived for four years, : when he purchased-from the estate of his uncle, Christian Herr-the farm which is at present owned : by his son, Daniel D., where the latter conducts the Fairview Nurseries. From 1843 until 1866 David S. Herr remained in this location. and in the latter year he removed to the house which is now occupied by his son John. He is now in his eighty-eighth year, but is still active and vigorous. While not able to do the day's work of fifty years ago, his inborn aversion to idleness renders it easy for him to find some out-door occupation, suited to his vers and strength. On Oct. 6. 1840, he married Elizabeth Dentlinger, who was born Feb. 13, 1823, and died Aug. 12, 1867. The issue of this union was one daughter and three sons. Fannie, the eldest of the family, was born Dec. 12, 1841 ; she married John L.

Gamber, of Manor township, and is now a widow. Daniel D., was the second child and eldest son. David D., was born Oct. 27. 1848, and is a retired farmer, of Hempfield township. John D .. the youngest of the family, was born May 20. 1852: he. too. is a farmer, and is also a tobacco dealer.

Daniel D. Herr, the subiect of this necessarily brief sketch, is best known to the commercial world as the proprietor and manager of the Fairview Nurseries, to which reference has been already made. His farm. on which they are located, lies two miles west of the city of Lancaster. It embraces 134 acres, of which forty are devoted to uses indi- cated. He commenced general farming in 1806. but some inborn predilection inclined him toward frui: growing, and he read with avidity as well as shrewd insight and a retentive memory, all the literature bearing on that topic on which he could lay his hands. As a result, when in 1876 he started on his "new departure." it was with a mind theoretically well equipped. His beginning was modest. vet he succeeded from the first, and to-day he carries stock of the highest class, and finds a ready market in every quarter of the United States. Besides the farm on which his nurseries stand, he owns three others, in Manor, Fulton and Manheim townships. vet the care of his large and constantly growing bus- iness absorbs all his personal attention. He is also a large stockholder in various industrial and finan- cial enterprises, among them the Manor Township Fire Insurance Co., and the Farmers' Fencing . 1,s- sociation. As was the faith of his ancestors, so is his; he is an earnest member of the Mennonite Church. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He takes a deep interest in public affairs, and is ever ready to aid any well matured project promising the promotion of the general welfare. He takes espec- ial interest in education, and has been a member ot the school board for fifteen years.

On Nov. 27, 1866. Daniel D. Herr married Ade- line Harnish, who was born Aug. 18, 1848. a daugh- ter of Michael S. Harnish, of Manor. Their union has been blessed with four daughters: Fannie. An- nic, Elizabeth and Emma. The youngest is unmar- ried and lives at home with her parents. Fannic married Isaac Neff : Annie is the wife of William: R. Rutt, of East Hempfield township : and Elizabeth is Mrs. A. E. Binkley, of Manheim.

FRANK GERBER PENNELL, the efficient and popular postmaster of Mt. Joy, Pa., is also onc of the city's prominent business men, and a highly esteemed citizen.

Mr. Pennell was born July 31, 1840. in Warwick township, near Rothsville, a son of Thomas Wilson and Christiann ( Gerber) Pennell. the former of whom was a native of Chester county, and the latter of Lancaster. In 1830, the father, Thomas W. Pen; nell, came to Lancaster county and settled in War- wick township, where he followed milling and pump-making, and in 1888 came to Mt. Joy, in order

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to pass his last years with his son. Since 1852 his residence had been in Marietta, where he was well known and where he died in Isoo, and many ofl friends remembered him with esteem and lamented his death, although he had far outlived the age allotted by the Psalmist. His wife diel in !843. at the early age of twenty seven years. Although -he had been reared in the Presbyterian Church. she became connected later with the Lutheran Church. The two children of this marriage were Frank and a little sister, Mary, who died at the age of four vears.

The second marriage of Thomas Wilson Pen- nell was to Catherine Bear, who died in 1804. at the age of seventy-five. The children born of this union were: Amanda, who married S. N. Ens- wiler, a machinist of Marietta: Sarah, who mar- ried Samuel Fisher, of Columbia. Pa. : and John, of Mt. Joy, who is associated with Frank G. Pennell in the carriage and wagon-making business in Mit. Toy.

The paternal grandparents of Frank G. Penne !! were Hon. Benjamin and Jane ( Wilson ) Pennell, of Chester county, who were leading members in the Presbyterian Church in that locality. They came to Lancaster county and located in Lancaster in 1830, and Mr. Pennell soon took a prominent part in public affairs. His trade was that of wool varder, but his appointment to the office of justice of the peace in Warwick township had absorbed much of his tine. During 1841-3 he was a mem- ber of the Legislature, and his last days were spent in teaching school. as he was a man of superior at- tainments. His death was in Lancaster, in 1864. at the age of eighty, his wife having passed away in October, 1860, at the age of eighty-four. The maternal grandparents passed their lives in Lan- caster, where Jacob Gerber was long held in respect.

When Frank Gerber Pennell was three years old his young mother passed away and he was taken to the home of his grandfather Pennell, who at that time was teaching school. Under the watchful care of his grandfather he was well instructed, and

he remained with him until 1847. when his father married again, and Frank returned home. At the age of twelve, however, he entered the cotton mills in Lancaster, where he worked for the following four years and served an apprenticeship, covering three years, as a silver plater. His choice of work. however, was found in .Mt. Joy. in a wagon and carriage-making shop, where he put in practice his knowledge of nickle plating.

About this time came the outbreak of the Civil war, and among those who quickly answered the call for troops was Frank G, Penrell, who con- nected himself with the U. S. Marines and was in continual service for four years. Until the fall of Vicksburg he served in the Mississippi squadron and then was sent to the Atlantic squadron, but later was transferred to the Pacific squadron, and was honorably discharged at Mare Island, Cal. He re-

turned home, where he found his old! situation awaiting him, and there Mr. Pennell remained until legt. when he purchased his present place of busi- ness. where he conducts wagon and carriage-mak- ing in the most modern style of manufacture.

Although closely attending to his regular busi- ness, Mr. Pennell has found time to take much in- terest in the affairs of his city, and for three years served as clerk of the council : a justice of the peace for four years, he conducted the business pertaining to that office with efficiency, but resigned in the mid- die of his last term. In 1873 Gov. Hartranft ap- pointed him a notary public and he continued to serve in that capacity until July, ISgo, when he was made postmaster of Mt. Jov, by President McKin- lev. An ardent and active Republican, he has done valiant work for his party and takes an important position in its deliberations.

On Feb. 16. 1868, Frank G. Pennell and Char- lotte Smaling were united in matrimony, and the children born to this marriage are: Thomas, who : died in infancy: Emma, a young lady. at home : Catherine, who died in infancy: Frank, who is as- sociated with his father in business ; and Alberta, a young lady, at home. Mrs. Charlotte (Smaling) Pennell was born in Mt. Jov, May 6, 1840. a daugh- ter of George and Catharine Smaling. of Lancaster county, the former of whom was a wagon maker of Nc. Joy.

Since the age of twenty-one Mr. Pennell has been connected with the I. O. O. F .. and also be- longs to the other social orders of Red Men, K. of P., and of the G. A. R., of Mt. Tov. As a pub- Fc official he has given universal satisfaction, and is regarded as something of a leader, being a man of high character, who has proven his loyalty to both friends and party.

IKE FRANCE, whose careful study and prac- tical experience in the line of insurance make him one of the best informed men on that subject in the State, was born at Heckmondwike. Yorkshire. Eng- land, in February. 1853, son of Mark France, an agricultural laborer.

The lad attended school until he was seven years old. when he was employed in a brickyard carrying bricks, and from that time to the age of thirteen he served as a stable and errand boy on the farm where hi- father was employed. He was then apprenticed to learn the currier's trade, so continuing until he was twenty-one. When he was nineteen. his father died. Continuing at his trade until he was twenty- three, Mr. France was compelled to seek a change of occupation on account of failing health. Enter- ing the services of the Prudential Life Insurance Co., of London, he became a field agent in the Hud- dersfield District ( Yorkshire) and devoted some years to the thorough canvass of his native town and surrounding villages. While employed there he was engaged among two hundred insurance agents to come to this country by the Metropolitan Life In-

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surance Co., of New York City, and to introduce the system of Industrial Life Insurance amongst the working classes of the American people. Arriving in New York, July 26, 1880, he was sent as assistant superintendent to Lowell, Mass., thence to Haver- hill, Mass., and Manchester, N. H., and finally to Boston, working in that end of the State for eight years. For three years he was superintendent in West Philadelphia, and was then called to Worces- ter, Mass., where after three years as superintend- ent in that district he was transferred back to Phila- delphia, where he met with a severe trolley car acci- cent while performing his duties, and this necessi- tated rest for about a year. When again able to re- sume work, he was sent to a smaller field of labor, spending a year in the Hudson. N. Y., district ; and on Feb. 2, 1897, he came to Lancaster as superin- tendent for his company and which had not as. vet had a satisfactory business from this city. MIr. France studied the local conditions, and determined to win a business for his company that would be in every way satisfactory. His earnest work wrought a great change. Instead of three assistant superin- tendents he had five. instead of fifteen agents he had twenty-nine; instead of collecting weekly $894.04. he had in (April, 1901) $1.483.40, in the same terri- tory, in weekly collections, and on which, had been collected $2.929 of advance collections in premiums not then due from members. The intermediate poli- cies -- never less than $500, and as high as the appli- cunt cares to go-were increased to $70.500 in tour years, with a goodly number of Sto,ooo policies out- standing. Mr. France made a most admirable re- cord in the four years he was the Metropolitan's su- perintendent here. In April, poor, after a period of long continued sickness, and three months short of completing twenty-one years' service, he was placed on the retired list by the company he had so long re- presented, and was given a most liberal pension as a reward for faithful service.

In religious faith Mr. France is a Wesleyan, and in fraternal relations a Mason, and a member of the Commercial Traveling Men's Association. While as thorough an American as though he had been born here, he never forgets nor belittles the glorious coun- try from which he sprang, and is a typical English- American. In the eastern suburbs of Lancaster he has invested in a beautiful home, and he has made himself honored and respected in this, the city of his adoption.

SAMUEL STONEROAD, a retired farmer of New Providence, is one of the leading men of Provi- dence township, and its. largest taxpayer. Mr. Stoneroad was born Feb. 2, 1828, in Lancaster coun- ty, son of Thomas Stoneroad, who was accidentally killed while engaged in digging a well.

Thomas Stoneroad, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the early settlers of Lancaster coun- ty, of German parentage, and during his life was considered one of the best millwrights in his lo-

calitv. His son Thomas was born in 1790, became a millwright also and engaged in farming. He had seven children, four of whom grew to maturity namely: John. Henry, Susan and Samuel, but a !! of them have passed away with the exception of Samuel.

Samuel Stoneroad was only seven years old when his father met with his tragic death, and soon after this event his mother also died. His educa- tion was very meagre, and was obtained with great difficulty, consisting of interrupted attendance dur- ing the winter seasons in the public schools of his locality, and from an early age he was obliged to care for himself. That he possessed unusual ability must be acknowledged, for from that unfavorable beginning Mr. Stoneroad worked as a farmer, saved his money, and now in advanced years is one of the most substantial men of that part of the coun- ty, owning two of the best farms in Providence township, one containing ninety-six acres and the other seventy-two acres, and paying a larger tax than any other citizen.

On Feb. 10, 1848, Mr. Stoneroad was married to Miss Annie Mower, daughter of George Mower. of Strasburg township, and two children were born to this union, namely: Thomas, born in 18.10, who died at the age of seven years: and Franklin, born the year previously, who is the farmer for his father. He married Miss Emma Winters, and they have one son, Samuel, and one daughter. Anna. Mrs. Samuel Stoneroad died in 1882.

Mr. Stoneroad has always adhered to the prin- ciples of the Republican party. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Mennonite Church, and he is highly respected in his commun- ity for his honest and upright character.

JOHN R. BITNER, who passed away Aug. 20. 1897, was for an ordinary life time one of the most conspicuous figures in Lancaster, no man there being more prominent in banking and business circles. He was born in Lancaster Aug. 7. 1826. a son of Abra- han Bitner.

Abraham Bitner, whose ancestors were of Ger- man origin and among the early settlers of Pennsyl- vania, was born in 1791 in York county. By trado he was a carpenter. but he was a chairmaker and flour merchant in Lancaster most of his active busi- ness life. Religiously he was a member of and of- ficially connected with the German Reformed Church of the city. He married Elizabeth Porter ( 1790- 1856), also a member of the same church. Their children who reached manhood and womanbood were: Anna R .. wife of George Dietrich ; Jacob; Sarah W .; John R .: Charles Au- gustus ; Abraham; Benjamin F., of Trenton, N. J., who died Dec. 13, 1902: David P .: and Mary M. All have passed away except Abra- ham, of Lancaster.

John R. Bitner received his early education in the schools of Lancaster, and at the age of thirteen bc-

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gan learning the trade of cabinetmaking, at which he continued until 1846. For one year following : Bank of Lancaster, of which he was chosen presi- he was in the employ of the State railroad. In : dent. 1847, in company with his brother. C. A. Bitner ' On April 26, 1852, Mr. Bitner married Fianna. : daughter of David Wiedler, a farmer of Lancaster county, and they had the following children: Jacob S. : Lillie W., Mrs. J. C. Martin, who died June 30. 1 ISSI: William H. : D. Edwin ; Anna M. : Abraham : Alfred F .; and Helen O. Mr. Bitner passed away universally beloved and most deeply regretted ; hut it is a source of satisfaction to his friends that his son, Abraham, now occupying a responsible posi- tion in the Fulton National Bank of Lancaster, should be so closely connected with a financial in- stitution of which his father was one of the organ- izers, and, at the time of his death, the honored head. trading as John R. Bitner & Bro. ), he purchased a few cars and established a fast freight line between Lancaster and Philadelphia, the cars being run on the State railroad, and subsequently on the Penn- sylvania railroad tracks. Their business increas- ing, additional cars were placed on the road from time to time, until they were the owners of some thirty cars, which they ran in transporting and for- warding merchandise over the railroads of this and other States. They were the leading firm in their line in this section of the State. and did a thriving business from 1857 until the dissolution of the part- nership, in 1874. In the year 1848 they had also be- come engaged, in connection with their freighting business, in grain operations, and in shipping grain to different points in the East, which afterward de- veloped into a prosperous trade. In 1854, with others, they were interested in building the Eden Paper Mills, and had large interests in the same. In 1855 they built a steam flouring-mill in Lancaster. which had a capacity of 150 barrels per day, and which they continued to operate until 1863. when, owing to the large demands made for sup- plies to the Union army, and a consequent need of storage room, they took down the mill to make room for an extensive warehouse on the same site.

John R. Bitner & Bro. were large contractors for the Government during the war, furnishing supplies to the army, and their transactions were so satis- factory that at the close of the conflict the Govern- ment applied to them for supplies for the old army stock until it could be disposed of. In 1865 they were members of the company that built the Fulton cotton mill, but they disposed of their interest in it four years later ; they were also members of the con- pany that built, the same year, the Printers' paper mills at Binkley's Bridge ( which were burned in November, 1882), in which John R. Eitner retained a large interest for years. The firm of John R. Bit- ner & Bro. continued their freighting business until 1874, when Mr. Bitner purchased his brother's in- terest, continued it alone until (882. and sold out the business to the Pennsylvania Railway Company.

. .

Mr. Bitner was one of the original founders of the noted summer resort Ocean Beach. on the New Jersey coast ; a director in the New Egypt. Farming- dale & Long Branch railroad, of New Jersey. for some time: and in 1865, in company with others, founded a forwarding and commission house at No. 811 Market street, Philadelphia, in which he retained a partnership until 1870. He was a member of both branches of the Lancaster city council for several terms; served for three years as prison inspector for Lancaster county; as director of the Lancaster County National Bank some seven years ; as director of the Quarryville railroad ; and in February, 1882,

was one of the organizers of the Fulton National

HENRY E. MILLER. The family of Mr. Mil- ler is an old and honored one in Lancaster county. His grandfather, who was also named Ilenrv, was one of three brothers who settled near Salunga about the time of the war of the Revolution. He was a large land owner, successful farmer, and a member of the Old Mennonite Church. He lived to be nearly seventy years old. and at his death en- joved the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity. He married a Miss Shenk, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers in the valley of the Chickies, near Salunga. He pre-empted and patented several large tracts of land, and built two mills upon the stream named. One of these is still known as the Shenk Mill, the other as the Garber Mill. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Miller six children were born. The eldest, John, was the father of Henry E., who is now the head of this branch of the Miller family. He was born Oct. 15, 1707, and died Sept. 23, 1850, a farmer and a man of influence. He was long a . member of the school board, and served for many Years as supervisor. He was a Whig in politics. i and like his father, a Mennonite in religious faitit. On March 22. 1825, he married Elizabeth Erb. She was born Nov. 9, 1804, and died Aug. 20. 186 ?. They were the parents of eleven children : Emanuel, born Jan. II, 1826, who died in infancy; Daniel, born May 22, 1827, who died Oct. 23. 1805, at Elizabethtown. Pa., where he had been first a farmer and then for many years an innkeeper: Susanna. born Feb. 10, 1820, the wife of David Weaver, of Manheim : Henry E .: John E., born Aug. 22, 1833. who learned the trade of a tailor and is a cutter at Portsmouth, Ohio; Andrew, born April 8, 1836, who died at the age of one month: Elizabeth, born April 20, 1837, who died Feb. 16, 1830; Joseph E .. a farmer of Columbia, Lancaster county, born Sept. 5. 1840; Reuben E., born Oct. 14, 1842, a day la- borer at Salunga: Catherine, born Oct. 21, 18.14. the wife of Levi B. Zug, a farmer living near Lititz : Elizabeth, the youngest child, born Feb. 7, 1847, who died Aug. 22, 1863.

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Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 30

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers Number of Pages: 1186

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers
Number of Pages: 1186