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 36
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John Byers, noted above, married Mary John- ston in 1833 and settled on the farm of her father, Jacob Johnston. in Pequca township, where he re- mained until 1848, when he moved to his own farm in the same township. Still later he bought a farm in Lampeter township. where he died Jan. 5, 1856, his widow passing to her reward in May. 1877. Both himself and his wife were members of the Mennon- ite Church. Mr. Byers was one of the old line Whigs, and became a Republican on the organization of that party. They had a family of eleven chil- Jren, six of whom are now living: Barbara,
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born in 1834, who married Samuel Minnie, both de- ceased (four of their children are living) ; Hen- ry Byers, who died in Lampeter, unmarried ; Jacob J., our subject; Mary A., born in Feb- ruary, ISjo, widow of Peter Sithert. with three children, John, Benjamin and Lizzie; Sarah, born in March, 1842, who married Henry Barr, of Fe- quea township, and is the mother of six children ; Michael, who died in childhood; john, who died in Sterling, Ili., leaving two children: David, born in March, 1848, who married Miss Margaret Hoover, . and is engaged in farming near Sterling, Ill., where ; they have a family of six children; Anna, born in September, 1850, who married John Huber and re- sides in Lampeter township, where they have one son, Elmer ; Benjamin, born July 9, 18:3, a butcher, who married Lillie Eshlenian and lives in Lampeter township, where they have three children ; Amaziah. born Feb. 21, 1856, who died when a young man.
Jacob J. Byers was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and secured his education in the local schools. His father died when he was eighteen years old, and he began for himself as a hired man among the neighboring farmers. He continued at this occupation for five years. For a time he was working at the carpenter trade. and then enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Com- pany E, 79th P. V. I., in the Western Army, under the command of General Sherman. In the batties of Chattanooga and Perryville he bore himself well, and was then attached to the Pioneer Corps, with which he was connected for eighteen months, fight- ing, as well as building pontoon bridges and sharing in other dangerous labors. In the fierce and bloody battle of Stone River he was a participant, as he was in other battles of Sherman's campaigns in the fall of 1863, and he fought at Chickamauga. He re-enlisted in February, 1864, and remained in the army until its brilliant achievements became a mat- ter of history, and the grand review at Washington cieciared to the world that the war had ended. Mr. Byers fought at Buzzard Roost and Kenesaw Moun- tain. Three times was he wounded, at Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and at Benton. Mr. Byers was in the hospital in North Carolina, and survived his wounds, escaping from the hospital to join his com- mand and share the glory of Pennsylvania Avenue on the second day of the grand review.
Mr. Byers was married in 1866 to Miss Lizzie Meck, who was born in Lampeter township in 1843, a daughter of Tolin and Elizabeth Meck. Her fa- ther is still living on the home of his great-grandfa- ther, Nicholas Meck, who was a Revolutionary soi- dier.
Mr. and Mrs. Byers were farming people in Lampeter township until 1875. when they removed to a farm he had bought in East Drumore town- ship. There Mr. Evers built a barn Iro feet long, remodelled the house and made many improvements. Mr. Bvers now owns 500 acres of land, on which are seven sets of farm buildings, all but one occupied
by his family. The nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Byers are all living : (1) Anna E., born in Novem- ber, 1868, who married Clayton Alexander, has one son. Jacob, and occupies one of the farm homes re- ferred to above; (2) Jolin M., born in January. 1870, and married to Susan Groff, of East Drumore. where he lives on a farm: (3) Henry S., born in I8;1, who married Emma Yost, resides in Pequca township and is the father of four children, Lizzi .. Harry, Benjamin and Sue : (4) Jacob, born in Ang- ust, 1872, who married Lizzie Groff, lives in Last Drumore township and has three children, Stella. David and Wanie: (5) Amos N .. born in March. 1874, who married Miss Nancy Waltman, and re- sides on his father's home farm, his only son being Kov; (6) Martin, born in August, 1875. who mar- ried Miss Sarah Lefever, has one daughter, Emma E .. and resides at the home of his father ; (7) Enos. born in March, 1879, unmarried; (8) Uriah S., born in February, 1881, unmarried ; (9) Noah M., born in March, 1880.
Mr. Byers bought his present home in 1806. It is a mile south of Quarryville, and there he has been living a retired life. Always a Republican, for nine years he held the office of auditor in East Drumore township. Mr. and Mrs. Byers are members of the Old Mennonite Church at Mechanics Grove.
CHARLES G. SCHUBERTH, proprietor cf the Lancaster Steam Laundry, has one of the finest plants of the kind in Pennsylvania. He is the pion- eer of the steam laundry business in Lancaster, hay- ing established his present place in July, 1886. and enjoys a fine patronage. employing four delivery wagons in Lancaster and six in Philadelphia, in which city he has a heavy custom.
Mr. Schuberth comes from fine German stock on both sides. His father's uncle, Henry Schuberth, was honored by the Emperor of Russia, and his maternal grandfather, William Kahler, was decor- ated with the Iron Cross by the Emperor of Germany for distinguished military services. Most of Mr. Schuberth's relatives in Europe are professional men-teachers and ministers of the Lutheran faith.
William Schuberth, father of Charles G., was born in 1814 in Berlin, Germany, and lived in his na- tive country until he reached middle age. He re- ceived a thorough education, becoming especially well known as a scholar in the Latin, Greek and Ger- man languages, and was engaged as professor in a college at Guben, Germany, for a number of years. During his young manhood he gave the regular ser- vice as a soldier. In the early fifties he brought his family to America. the voyage occupying thirteen weeks, and located first in the western part of Pennsylvania, remaining there some four years. They then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the family home was for some years, and Mr. Schuberth spent his latter years with his children, dying in 1900 at New Brighton, Pa. He returned to the father-
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:ndl twice, during the sixties. After coming to America he was engaged at cabinet-making. Mr. schuberth was an accomplished performer on both the violin and piano, and took great deliglit in music. Ile was a member of and active worker in the M. E. t !urch. In Germany Mr. Schuberth married Kath- trine Kahler, who was born in 1820, in Hamburg, and their family consisted of nine children, four sons-all born in Germany and five daughters-all Hrn in America : William is one of the leading con- :: actors of Cincinnati, Ohio, and makes his honie at Wyoming, that State. Henry C. is a tobacco dealer at Miamisburg, Ohio. August C. is in the cigar business at Falmouth, Ky. Charles G. is mentioned !elow. Three of the daughters died in infancy. Emma is Mrs. Burns. May is the wife of John F. Snider. The mother died in 1877. She was one of a large family, and her brothers were all professional men, either teachers or ministers.
Charles G. Schuberth was born June 13, 1851, i :: Hamburg, Germany, and was a mere child when he came with the family to this country. His educa- tional advantages were such as the common schools "forded. He remained with his parents until he was fifteen years old, in I86; going to Cincinnati, where he learned the carpenter's trade with his brother. following same three years. In IS70 he engaged in the tobacco business with another brother. continu- ing in that line some sixteen years. In November. 1872, he came to Lancaster, Pa., where he has ever since made his home, remaining in the tobacco bus- iness until 1886, when he bought the business to which he now devotes his principal attention, and which had been established one year. The laundry is located at No. 14616 East King street. Under his able management the concern has grown until he now has fifty-three employes on his pay-roll and there is no indication that the limit has been reached, by any means. His energy and strict attention to the increasing demands on his plant have not only brought him success and substantial rewards, but have won him the favorable notice of business men in Lancaster generally, among whom he occupies high standing. He is ever on the elert for possible and practical improvements, keeping fully abreast of the times, and may always be depended upon to have the best in his line, for he is a progressive man in every respect. He is a prominent member of the Lancaster Board of Trade.
In 1876 Mr. Schuberth married Miss Clara B. Arnold, daughter of the late Thomas Arnold, the pioneer slating contractor of Lancaster, and up to the time of his death a prominent citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Schuberth have had three children: William died at the age of four. Paul was killed by an elect- ric accident Nov. 8, 1900, at the age of nineteen ; he had been employed by the Westinghouse Company in an important position, having forty men under his control. Karl Arnold, the youngest, is a grad- uate of Franklin and Marshall Academy, and now
occupies the position of manager of his father's ex- lensive business.
Fraternally Mr. Schuberth is a member of the : Roval Arcanum. He is a director of the Lancaster General Hospital, though he takes little active inter- est in outside affairs. In religious connection he is a member of Grace Lutheran Church, for eighteen vears was one of its vestrymen, and for six years its treasurer. He is deeply interested in the welfare of the Y. M. C. A. in Lancaster, of which he is a member, and tock a prominent part in the erection of their fine building in the city. The hammer used to tear off the first board of the house which form- erly occupied the site was sold at public auction and Mir. Schuberth bought it, paying the sum of $108.
CHRISTIAN H. KENDIG. The ties that bind the native-born sons of Lancaster county to the place of their birth seem to be peculiarly strong, for, while from other counties a large proportion of the young men drift westward, here there are many who pre- fer to cling to the associations of youth. Legion is the name of those who have spent long and useful years in the locality where they were born. Mr. Kendig was one of those to whom the love of home and native soil appealed with especial strength. Born on a farm in East Lampeter township, Lancaster county, Dec. 22, 1829, reared to agricultural pur- suits. a farmer by training and by choice. fellow- ing the occupation through all of his life, he finally entered into rest Jan. 4, 1886, and from his old home- stead was taken to the Mennonite cemetery in Stras- burg township, where his body was interred in the midst of scenes long loved by him.
John G. Kendig, father of Christian H. Kendiig, was a son of Henry and Maria (Groff) Kendig, farmers of Strasburg township, Lancaster county. The occupation to which he was reared he selected for his life calling; after the marriage of his son. Christian H., he retired from active labor. but con- tinued to live at the old homestead until his death, July 31, 1876, at seventy years of age. He was laid to rest in the Mennonite cemetery at Strasburg, by the side of his wife, Susan, who had passed away in August, 1865, at the age of fifty-seven years. From childhood both had been earnest members of the Mennonite Church, and in its doctrines they care- fully trained their children, Christian H., Mary A .. Henry, Susan and John. None of them are now liv- ing except Susan, who is unmarried and makes her home in Lancaster. Mrs. Susan Kendig was a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Lefever) Hartman, and grew to womanhood upon the home farm in this county.
When ready to establish a home of his own Chris- tian H. Kendig was united in marriage with Anna Witmer, the ceremony being solemnized in Lan- caster Oct. 25, 1855. Four children were born of their union, viz .: Witmer T., of Lancaster : David H., of Reading, Pa. ; Susan E. and Anna M., who re-
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side with their mother in Lancaster, the family hav- ing in 1802 removed to that city from the old home- stead farm. Having been reared in the Mennonite faith. Mrs. Kendig retains membership in that de- nomination, and is a sincere exponent of its doctrines of self-sacrifice and kindliness. Her children at- tend the Reformed Church and are active in various of its societies.
The ancestry of Mrs. Kendig is traced back to Benjamin Witmer, a native of Switzerland, who in 1716 sought the larger possibilities of America, set- tling in Lancaster county. Three years later his son, John, was born in this county, of which he re- mained a lifelong resident. By the marriage of John Witmer to Frances Roland a son was born whom they named Benjamin : this son became a farmer and married a Miss Brubaker, of an old family in the county. Next in line of descent was another Ben- jamin Witmer, a farmer of East Lampeter town- ship ; by his marriage to Esther Buckwalter a son, David, was born. Like his ancestors, he never cared to remove from his native county, preferring to cling to the associations dear to him from his earliest recollections. Nor did he seek a new and strange calling, but continved to till the soil of the home- stead acres. At the time of his death, Jan. 9. 1876. he was seventy-five years of age. His wife, who was Anna Rutt, died in 1868, aged sixty-nine years. Both were interred in Mellinger's cemetery con- nected with the Mennonite Church, of which de- nomination they were conscientious members. In their family were the following-named sons and daughters: Abraham R., of Mountville, Pa. : Eliz- abeth, deceased; Hettie, of East Lampeter town- ship; Anna, Mrs. Kendig, of Lancaster ; David and Jacob, farmers of East Lampeter township: Bar- bara. Mrs. Christ Frev, deceased ; Mary, Mrs. Eman- uel Herr, deceased; Benjamin and Joshua, who are also deceased.
Though a considerable period has elapsed since the death of Mr. Kendig, he is not forgotten by those to whom the associations of a lifetime had en- cleared him. His memory is still green in the hearts of family and friends. Among his ok! associates it is often called to mind that he contributed gener- ously to the maintenance of his church, the Mennon- ite, as well as to the expansion of its missionary movements ; nor has it been forgotten that for many years he served faithfully and well as school direc- tor, often leaving his farm to do some work in con- nection with promoting the welfare of the schools. Indeed, as citizen, husband. father and friend. his life was exemplary and his example worthy of emu- dation.
GEORGE S. LAMBORN. The Lamborn fam- ily of Lancaster county, Pa., has not only been one of responsibility and respectability in this locality for many generations. but it is one of the oldest. also, tracing an ancestral line far back in the past. reach- ing even a date as ancient as A. D. 871 English
history has inany records of members of this famil: who became conspicuous in various circles of life. during the years that intervened between the date mentioned and 1659, in which year occurred the birth of the direct ancestor of George S. Lamborn, of Lan- caster county.
Josiah Lamborn was born in Easthamstead, Berkshire. England, in 1659, ten years after the be- heading of the great English king, Charles I. The marriage of Josialı Lamborn to his wife Ann re- sulted in the birth of six children: Thomas, Ma- riah, Robert. John, William and Sarah. Josiah Lamborn died Dec. 12, 1749, and his wife passed away Aug. 11, 1722.
Robert Lamborn, son of Josiah, was born in 1697, and according to the records, his parents were of the Episcopal faith. At the age of seventeen years he formed an attachment for the daughter of Francis Swayne, of Berkshire, England, but this youthful intimacy was discouraged by the parents on both sides, and in order to separate the young people the Swayne family resolved on so stringent a measure as emigration to America, which was ac- complished in ITII. When young Robert learned of the shattering of liis hopes he was stricken with sorrow, as the location of the Swayne family in the great and unknown land beyond the sea was totally unknown to him. Had Robert been of faint heart this pretty but authentic romance might have been closed then, but he evidently possessed many of those attributes which, both earlier and later, brought prominence and success to his kindred. With a firm resolve to find the lady of his affections Robert bade farewell to his family and also set sail for America, safely reaching these shores in 1713. After visiting various locations of English people in Pennsylvania, the most of whom had settled near Philadelphia, it was in the city of Brotherly Love that the weary swain met with a reward of his search. It must be remembered that at that date the present beautiful city covered much less extent, and thus it was not so wonderful a happening for Robert to meet his desired father-in-law on the street. It is not recorded why the latter greeted the young man kindly and invited him to be his guest, but it is quite possible that in the perseverance of the wood he recognized a stability that augured well for the future.
The home of Francis Swayne was in Chester county, and Mr. Swayne and his willing visitor made the trip on horseback, taking turns at riding. It was the kind father who reached the farm first, and with a consideration which was doubtless appreci- ated he sent his daughter, Sarah, out to meet the guest. Love found its way, in those far off days as successfully as now, and doubtless Mr. Swayne thought that the young man had won his bride, for all parental objections seem to have been removed, and the marriage of Robert Lamborn and Sarah Swayne was celebrated, by Friends ceremony, Sept. 5, 1722.
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Evidently Robert Lamborn found the farming : fands in this locality to his liking, for he remained here all his life, dying on the land he had brought to a high state of cultivation Nov. 22, 1775, and he was laid away in the burying ground at London Grove, in Chester county. His association with the indians, who still roamed over a portion of the State, seems to have been amicable, as there is an interest- mng family record of an occasion upon which an Indian besought Robert to accompany him to a cer- tain locality where was situated some of the best land in the country. This spot, which Robert found fair, indeed, was the site of the present city of Lan- caster. However, it at that time was too far from any means of transportation to make it a desirable home in which to raise produce for market, and Mr. Lamborn was obliged to give up the idea of locat- ing so far from Philadelphia. It was on the site of the present Center Square monument that Rob- ert Lamborn mounted the stump of an old tree and. after viewing the goodly heritage. the beautiful pros- pect, he involuntarily exclaimed, "this would be such a beautiful spot upon which to found a city." his thought having been realized by the upbuilding of the city of Lancaster, in which his descendants have been so well known. His friendly relations with the Redmen have given color to many a pretty story, well authenticated. After a day's hunt for veni- son they would often come to his house and sleep on the kitchen floor, with their feet to the old-fashi- ioned log fire place. When "Lobert." as they called him, would awaken them in the morning they would quietly and peaceably leave the house, first telling him where he could find a deer shot the day before : occasionally they would carry the game to him. The children born to Robert and his wife Sarah were: Robert (2), William, Ann, Elizabeth, Francis, John, Thomas, Josiah and Sarah.
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Robert Lamborn (2), son of Robert, was born June 3, 1723, and died Dec. 8, 1781. By Friends ceremony he was married to Ann ( Morris) Bourne Sept. 19, 1746: she died June 6, 1790. By trade he was a blacksmith, and he followed this industry near · London Grove, or Lamborntown, his burial taking place there also. By nature he was a kind and char- itable man, of whom his neighbors cherished pleas- ant recollections. The children born to Robert (2) and Ann Lamborn were: Jesse. Susanna, Robert, Thomas, Mary, John. Joseph, Sarah, David, Ann, George, Lydia (who died in infancy ) and Lydia (2). All of these were born in Chester county, and all were united in marriage by the simple and beautiful formula of the Society of Friends.
George Lamborn, son of Robert (2), was born near Chadds Ford, Chester county, Dec. 23, 1768, and died Sept. 19. 1856. His first marriage was Feb. 12, 1790, to Martha Marshall and his second inarriage was March 14. 1806, to Mary Smedley, who died on Jan. 10, 1857. By occupation he was both farmer and blacksmith, following his trade in
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the vicinity of his birth until 1806, when he moved to Lancaster county, buying at that time a farm near Wentz's Mill, in Martic township. In the estima- tion of his neighbors he was a prosperous man, and that he was kind-hearted may be inferred when it is stated that a signing of a note in order to relieve a friend irom financial difficulties resulted in his own ruination, making it necessary for him to resume his laborious trade again. Removing after this disas- ter to Drumore township, he located near Friends Drumore Particular Meeting, and there continued for a time in the blacksmith business, but in 1828 he emigrated to Jefferson county, Ohio, and rented a farm near Steubenville. Nine years later he re- moved to Knox county, Ohio, where he bought a farm. upon which he remained until the time of his cieath, his burial being in Millwood cemetery, in the .same county. While George Lamborn was still a young man and living at Chadds Ford, he acci- dentally discovered a vein of fine anthracite coal, while on a hunting tour. On account of the parsi- I mony of the owner of the land upon which it was found the vein was never worked, the exact loca- tion of the find being at present known only to two persons, George S. Lamborn, of Liberty Square, Lancaster county, and his cousin, Harvey Baker, of Pittsburg, the former of whom owns the original draft. The children born to the first marriage of George Lamborn were: Lewis, Benjamin, Thomas, Ann, Marshall and Lydia, all of whom were mar- ried by the Friends' ceremony. The children of the second marriage were: Smedley; Susanna ; John ; Esther ; Robert : Mary ; Philena ; Jacob ; Lind- ley : and Martha. Changes came into this family, some of the meinbers marrying into other religious societies, the result being that Smedley, the direct ancestor of George S. Lamborn, was the only one who adhered to the simple ceremony of the Friends, which had united his ancestors.
Smedley Lamborn, son of George and Mary Lamborn, was born in Chester county Jan. 6, 1807, and died Sept. 26, 1851. On Dec. 22. 1830, he was united in wedlock to Margarett Bolton, who was born Aug. 26, ISIO, a daughter of Isaac and Eliza- beth Bolton : she died on Nov. 21, 1855. Her par- ents were formerly residents of Bucks county, Pa., where he carried on a business of chair and spin- ning wheel maker, engaging in farming after locat- ing in Lancaster county. Smedley Lamborn was a man of excellent morals and religious habits of thought, being also a man of liberal ideas and one much interested in all reform movements. As an ardent anti-slavery man he took an interested part in the workings of the Underground Railroad, and was as active in the cause of temperance. By trade he was a blacksmith, having been a pupil of Edward Green, but at the age of twenty-three years he bought the farm in Martic township on which his son George now resides. After his marriage he opened up a smithy on his farm near Wentz's Mill,
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and there, with excellent machinery adapted to his purpose, he did a good business.
It was in that place that George S. Lamborn, of Lancaster county, was born, and it is recalled in his mind by several incidents of early childhood, they probably being the very carliest events impressed upon his mind, and particularly interesting on that account. Mr. Lamborn recalls an occasion when his beloved mother tenderly put him to sleep in his little bed, and then started to the mill in order to get some flour. On her return she was surprised to mect her little son on the road, coming to meet her. What took place then Mr. Lamborn does not recall, but it was of enough importance to fix the incident upon his memory. He also recalls a visit which he made to the smithy and return home through the dark night, in the arms of one of the apprentices, the change from the glow of the forge to the blackness of the outside world probably accounting for the im- press made upon the childish imagination.
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