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 53
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Andrew Tanger, the father of John G. Tanger, was born in Willowstreet, and remained there until his death, this sad event taking place when he was about twenty-nine years of age. During the time he lived there, he conducted a hotel in the village. His family is an old one in Cumberland county, many of its members being distinguished in public affairs. Andrew Tanger married Catherine Gall. a daughter of Martin and Catherine (Groff) Gall. of Willow- street, and she survived until 1875. By her mar- riage with Andrew Tanger, Mrs. Tanger became the mother of five children: Ann, who married Samuel Rowe, of Drumore township; Catherine, who is the widow of David Donichy, and lives at Christiana ; Andrew, of Strasburg; John, who died an infant : and John G., of this biography. Mrs. Tanger mar- ried for her second husband. David Mowery, of Strasburg township, and was the mother of five more children : Amamla, who married Jacob Hostetter. of Strasburg township ; Mary, who is the widow of Christian Groff, of Providence township: Sarah. who died early in life : Martin. a merchant in Phila- vielphia : and David, a resident of Hawkesville, in Eden township.
John G. Tanger was born June 11, 1836, and was reared to farm life. obtaining but limito! school opportunities. At the age of eleven years he began to work with the neighboring farmers for his clothes and board, and at the age of fifteen he was thrown completely upon his own resources. Understanding farm work better than anything else, he continued in this line, working by the month, or season, at differ-
Frederick Stoner
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nt places, making three trips thus through the West, bit in 1874 he returned to Strasburg township, and purchased the valuable farm which he now occupies. At present this farm is one that would command a very high price if piaced upon the market, as Mr. Tanger has put time, strength and money into the many permanent improvements which he has made, resulting in the excellent conditions which exist.
On Nov. 27, 1873, John G. Tanger was married to Mary A. Huber, a daughter of Michael L. and Mary ( Baer) Huber, who was born in Lancaster township in November, 1845. Two children have heen born of this union: Landis, born March to, r$75, who received his education in the Millersville State Normal school, graduating in the class of 1898, and in the normal course in 19oo, has been a teacher in the public schools for the past six years. and has been principal of the Millersburg (Dauphin Co.) High school since September, 1900 ; and Jacob, born Oct. 6, 1880, graduated from the Millersville State Normal school in 1902. and is also engaged in teaching. Both Mr. Tanger and his estimable wife are valued members of the Old Mennonite Church, and possess the esteem of all with whom they are acquainted, in public or private life.
GEORGE F. BAKER. Among the prominent and successful farmers, loyal citizens and representa- tive business men of Lancaster county, is George F. Baker, of Sadsbury township, a worthy member of one of the leading families of Chester county. He was born at Doe Run, Chester county. Feb. 7, 1839, son of Jehu and Martha (MeHarg) Baker.
The Baker family originally came from England. The great-grandparents of George F. were Aaron and Saralı ( Hayes) Baker, well known members of the Society of Friends in Chester county.
John Baker, son of Aaron, lived and died in West Mariborough township, Chester county, his death oc- carring there Nov. 13, 1812, at the early age of thirty years. His widow, Mary McNeil, was born in 1779, a daughter of William and Mary (Daily) McNeil, of Chester county, and of English and Irish extraction. She died in May, 1870, the mother of the following children: Sarah, born Feb. 20, ISO5, married Reuben Miller, and died in April, IS;8: Aaron, born Oct. 22, 1807, married Alice Leonard. and died in January, 1888; and Jehu, the father of George F.
Jehu Baker, son of Jolin and father of George F., was born in West Marlborough township. Chester county, June 18, 1800, and died in Sadsbury town- ship. Lancaster county, Jan. 18, 1881.
In Colerain township, on May 22, 1834. by Rev. Andrew Murphy, a Methodist clergyman, Jehu Ba- Fer was married to Martha MeHarg, and the chil- dren born to this union were: John, who was one of the gallant soldiers of the Civil war, a member of the First Pa .. Reserves, gave up his young life to his country, at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; Louise, who resides on the old homestead;
George F. is mentioned below : and Mary R., the youngest, married Elwood P. Pownall, a farmer of Christiana, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Martha ( MeHarg) Baker was born at Doe Run, Chester county, March 22, ISTO: she died Feb. 21, 1883, and was laid to rest by the side of her hus- band in Mount Pleasant cemetery. in Sadsbury township. She was a daughter of William and Han- nah (Conner) MeHarg. of County Derry, Ireland, the former of whom came to America alone in 1793. when eighteen years of age and later his future wife came across the Atlantic with her parents. Mr. Mellarg became employed in an iron foundry, and lied in 1838, at the age of sixty-five years. his wife dying in 1820, at the age of forty-three years. The children born to William MeHarg and wife were: John; Mary, who married George Fritz: Nancy, who married David Irvin : James, who married Mar- garet Rogers, of Oxford. Chester county: Margaret and Rebecca, twins, the former of whom married Levi Baker, and the latter died unmarried, at the age of seventy-four ; Martha, who became Mrs. Jehu Baker; Sarah, who married Jacob Bryan ; William, who married Hope Pettit. of Reading. Pa. ; Hannah. who became the widow of Daniel Tucker, of Phila- delphia ; and Hiram, who died young. All of this family have passed away with the exception of Han- nah Tucker, who resides in Philadelphia in her eighty-eighth year.
Jchu Baker was engaged in farming all his life, growing up under the care of his grandfather Mc- Neil, as his own father died when he was but three years old. When he was about eighteen, in com- pany with his brother Aaron, he took charge of the old homestead farm which had been in the family for many years, and the brothers operated the farm to- gether until the marriage of Jehu, at which time he sold his interest to Aaron, and in 183.4, purchased a farm on Doe Run, in Chester county. There he re- mained until April, 1839. and in 1843 came to the present farm which his son now occupies. Jelui Baker was a most estimable man, honest and upright in all his dealings. His progenitors were Friends and he adhered to the principles of that denomina- tion, but was not a member of the society. In poli- tics he adhered to the principles of the Republican party. His influence was ever given in favor of educational and moral movements, and no man in his neighborhood better represented the leading and best citizens of the county. The beautiful old home- stead is the property of George F. Baker and his sis- ter, Louise, is well managed and is considered one of the most valuable estates in the township.
One of the first and loval patriots to answer to the call of his country. in those days of wild alarm and dire distress when Rebellion lifted its head, was George F. Baker, who enlisted on June 10. 1861, and saw service under General Mcclellan in the great Peninsular campaign, and was wounded in an engagement in front of Richmond. Later he was among the brave and gallant soldiers at South
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Mountain and Antietam, and received an honorable discharge. After the close of the war, Mr. Baker returned to his home in Lancaster county and cn- gaged in farming. He also began to teach school, continuing for twenty terms, and finally resigned his position in 18SI. In 1889 he came to his present fine farm, adjacent to the old homestead, although in ISSS be had become interested in the conduct of a general store at Andrews Bridge, in Colerain town- ship, continuing here until 1801. Mr. Baker has been one of the progressive, energetic and intelligent men of this locality, and has taken a deep interest in the management of the schools, serving as a direc- tor for twenty-seven years. In politics he belongs to the Republican party, and has been township asses- sor, efficiently filling the duties of the office.
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Mr. Baker was married, first, in 1864. Nancy f. Thurston becoming his wife. The children born to this union were: John A., a park guard at Willow Grove, Y'a., married Eva J. Todd, and has two chil- dren, William R. and George R. : William .A. died in 1890: Martha L., who married Il. K. Givin. a farmer of Sadsbury township, has two children, Thurston L. and Jean Gertrude: and Hannah G., a teacher, resides with her aunt Louise, on the old homestead. Mrs. Baker was born in Ontario and died in 1880 at the age of forty-two years. She was a daughter of Hiram and Catherine ( Boughner) Thurston, of Ontario.
In March, 1892. Mr. Baker was married to his present wife, Mrs. Amanda Althouse, who manages the affairs of his household with much regard for his comfort. She was born in Chester county. Pa., in 1858, a daughter of Isaac and Levina ( Pennegar) Allbright, of Lancaster county. Mr. Allbright was the manager of the well-known "Red Lion Hotel," in Sadsbury township for some twenty years, giv- ing this hostelry up about one year prior to his death, in 1888, at the age of sixty-eight years ; he was su- pervisor of the township at that time. Mrs. All- . bright survived until 1899. dying at the age of sev- enty-three. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Allbright were: William, a farmer of Chester coun- ty; Benjamin. deceased ; Newton, a farmer of this township; Amanda, who is Mrs. Baker : Elizabeth, who married George Graham, of this township ; and Jennie, who married Fred. Arnold, a carpenter, in Lancaster.
The first marriage of Mrs. Baker was to John Allen, Jr., and the children born to this marriage were: Mary, who married William Dinkelberg, a railroad carpenter, of Philadelphia : and Elizabeth, who married Ira Dorsey, of Lenover, Pa. The sec- ond marriage of Mrs. Baker was to David Althouse, and the children born to this union were: Charles G., at home; Herman G., of Parkesburg, Pa .: A. Wesley, a farmer of Atglen, Pa .; and Amy E., at home. Mr. Althouse was born in Eden township, a son of Woodward and Mary ( Harsh) Althouse, of Lancaster county, and died at the age of thirty- seven years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker are prominent men :- bers of the Methodist Church, and are highly e- teemed in this locality for their generous hospitalit .. and many estimable qualities. Few families are bet- ter known or more justly belong to the representa- tive people of Lancaster county.
JOHN WILSON (deceased). Whether lons life wins success in agricultural pursuits, or wheth .: the days of the prosperous farmer are natura !!.. lengthened, instances have been common where types of highest physical manhood and types of that sterling character essential to good farming have united in the same individual. A splendid instance of this combination was afforded in the life of John Wilson, one of the oldest and best known residents of Drumore township. He lived to the age of nine years, and he ranked. among the most highly re- spected and most prominent farmers of that town- ship.
James Wilson, his father, was a sturdy, inflien- tial farmer of York county, Pa., who attained the ripe old age of ninety-two years. His wife. a Miss Hutchinson, of Chester county, Pa., lived to the age of seventy-nine years.
John Wilson was born in Fawn township. York county, in 1700. He was reared in his native county, and under the capable and inspiring direction of his father he acquired an inclination and skill for farm- ing. In 1820 he married Miss Charlotte Watt. a native of Chester county, daughter of John and Margaret (Mucully) Watt, natives of Chester and Lancaster counties, respectively. John Watt bore arms for the Colonial cause during the Revolution- ary struggle, and afterward settled down to the pur- suits of farming. He died about 1816.
John Wilson, in 1824, removed with his young wife to Lancaster county, there to establish amidst new surroundings his future home. He purchased 156 acres of land in Drumore township and devoted his energies to their cultivation. His success was far above the average. He became one of the pros- perous and prominent men of the county. With a taste for his vocation, he sought no preferment be- vond : and his political career, aside from the interest which he ever took in political and social affairs of the community was limited to the casting of iss ballot. Himself and wife were earnest and active members of the United Presbyterian church. The death of his beloved helpmeet which occurred ::: May, 1874. after a half century of wedded life. was a serious blow. and from that time he retired from the active management of his properties, and enjoyed the peace and rest of retirement from routine work which he had so richly won in his long and success- ful career. He survived his wife twelve years, pass- ing away July 4, 1886, aged ninety years. Both are buried in Chestnut Level cemetery, where a beautiful! shaft marks their resting place. Their lives had shone with the graces and noble attributes of true Christianity and their loss, even in the mellowness
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
of old age, brought a shock to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who had been helped and in- spired by their righteousness and many kindnesses of disposition. Two children were born to John and Charlotte Wilson : James M., a retired farmer of Coreyville ; and John David, now a resident of Lan- caster.
JOHN DAVID WILSON, the younger of these two children, was born Aug. 11, 1825, and he remained on the farm until thirty years of age, then removed to the city of Lancaster, where he devoted himself to business and politics, becoming one of the active and prominent factors in the life of the city. III health had marked his boyhood and youth and his education was received chiefly in the neighboring schools. His mercantile career began in Drumorc- his native township-where for four years he con- ducted a general store, thence in the fall of 1860 he removed to Lancaster. Later he entered the sher- iff's office. For eleven years he was deputy sheriff. and for seventeen years was connected with court house work. He has engaged profitably in various business enterprises, and in 18;9 retired from ac- tive work. Mr. Wilson is a member of the United Presbyterian church. He has traveled extensively, possesses a broad culture, a keen business ability, and he ranks high among the prosperous and influ- ential men of the city.
HIESTAND. The Hiestand family of East Hempfield township descends from John, or Johan- nes Hiestand, who prior to 1800 located on a tract of timber land just northeast of Salunga, of which tract the present Hiestand homestead or farm is a part-the original tract having been divided into four farms. A farmer himself, he passed all his days in the active pursuit of agriculture until he retired. John Hiestand was three times married, but of the first two wives nothing is now known, except the fact that by one or both of them there were six chil- dren born. viz. : John, Christopher, Abraham, Susan, Barbara and Maria. By his third and last wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Good, there were born seven children, who were named as follows : Jacob. Mary, Magdalene, Sarah, Catherine. Henry and Benjamin, of whom Henry is the only survivor. and who now occupies the old farm and homestead established by John. the pioneer, and by him improved with its present substantial buildings. The barn. which was destroyed by fire not long since, bore the date of 1801, while the dwelling, which is still stand- ing, bears the date of 1804.
Jacob Hiestand, eldest born of the seven chil- dren of John and Catherine (Good) Hiestand, was born on this farm in 1814, and first confined his la- bor to the cultivation of the place, but later engaged in the coal and lumber business at Salunga. but did not entirely relinquish the supervision of his farm. which he cultivated by hired help. Jacob Hiestand was one of the most public spirited and progressive men of the county, and was a trustee in the Mennon-
ite church. He married Elizabeth Stehman, who was born in 1820, and died in IN61. the mother of ten children : John ; Henry S., of whom mention is made in the sketch of Simon HI. Hiestand : Catherine, deceased wife of Christian Swarr: Elizabeth, de- ceased wife of Amos Lehman : Sarah, wife of Daniel Kready, of Manor township; Barbara, married to Abraham Harnish : Mary, How Mrs. Christian Mus- sleman : Susan, deceased wife of Christian Swartley; Annie, wife of Phares Mussleman ; and Fannie, who died unmarried.
Henry S. Hiestand, son of Jacob. received a sound common school education, and at twenty-six years of age began farming on his own account on lais present farm of Ito acres, and continued the calling until 1899, when he retired. His marriage to Miss Fanny Herr took place Nov. IT, 1870; she was born in 1810. and was a daughter of Christian and Mary ( Hostetter) Herr, both of whom are now deceased.
SIMON II. HIESTAND. a thriving young gen- eral merchant, postmaster and agent for the Viams Express Co. and for the Penn Township Mutual Fire Insurance Association, at Salunga, Larcaster coun- ty, was born in East Hempfield township, June 22. 1873, son of Henry S. and Fanny H. ( Herr) Hie- stand, natives of East Hempfield and Rapho town- ships, respectively.
Henry S. Hiestand, father of Simon H .. was born in 1853, was reared a farmer and is now living retired on the old homestead in East Hempfield township. Mrs. Fanny H. Hiestand passed away in 1801, at the age of forty-one years, a member of the Mennonite Church, and was buried in Landis- ville, this county. The children born to Henry S. Hiestand and wife were seven in number, and were named as follows: Amos H., farming on the old homestead: Simon H., whose name opens this sketch ; Anna H., Albert, Lizzie, Fanny and Henry, Jr., all at home.
Simon H. Hiestand lived on the home farm until seventeen years old. meanwhile receiving the usual district school education, and then entered the Lan- caster Business College, from which he was gradu- ated in due course, and he then entered the branch house of Wanamaker & Brown at Harrisburg, in order to become acquainted with the business, and after traveling two years for the same firm, he, on Jan. 1, 1895, opened his present store at Salunga.
On March 26, 1895, Simon H. Hiestand married, in East Lampeter township, Miss Bertha M. Den- linger, who has borne him two children : Victor D., deceased ; and Verne E. Mrs. Bertha MI. (Denlin- ger) Hiestand was born in East Lampeter township, a daughter of David and Susan ( Myers) Denlinger, the father being a retired farmer and residing in Salunga.
Simon H. Hiestand is a Republican in politics, and his first public office was that of school director. to which he was appointed for a year, but proved to
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be so efficient as to be elected for the three years following. On Nov. 14, 1900, he was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley, and is still sat- isfactorily discharging the duties of that office. This young merchant has already made his mark in the business world, and by his fair and liberal dealing has secured the confidence and good will of the gen- eral public of Salunga and surrounding country. The Union Trust Co. was organized in January, 1902, and was opened for business the following March, with an authorized capital of $300.000. Of this company Mr. Hiestand was elected a director. Socially Mr. and Mrs. Hiestand enjoy a very desir- able position, being greatly esteemed by the leading people of Salunga. They are both consistent men- bers of the Mennonite Church.
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T. R. MISSENER. editor and publisher of the Mount Joy Star and News, and also the editor and publisher of the Steelton Advocate and Verdict, is a son of George and Elizabeth Missener, both of whom are now deceased. He was born on the banks of the Little Chiques Creek, in Mount Joy township, March 24, 1851. Mr. Missener's ancestors originally came from Switzerland about two hundred years ago. His grandfather was a justice of the peace for many years. His father, a miller and farmer, died almost half a century ago.
Mr. Missener spent the first twenty-five years of his life on the farm where he was born. There he received the education which the country schools afforded at that time, and the important practical training, which industrious employment in farming gave him. At the age of seventeen he was granted a teacher's certificate, by the county superintendent, and he taught school in his native township three terms. When he was twenty-one years of age he was elected a justice of the peace for five years, at the expiration of which he was elected for a second term. During that time he carried on an extensive business as a surveyor. In 1875 our subject engaged in the newspaper and printing business, which he has followed ever since. At that time he established the Milton Grove Netes. In 1878 he purchased the Mount Joy Star and News, and consolidated the two papers, under the title of the Mount Joy Star and News, which paper he published for ten years, en- larging and improving it, and making it a power in that section. For a number of years it was the larg- est of the eighteen newspapers in the county, outside of Lancaster city. Mr. Missener conducted a news- paper syndicate for a number of years, during which time he edited and published the Florin Independent, the Bainbridge Banner, Sporting Hill Messenger, Salunga Siftings, Landisville Figil. In 1888 he pur- chased the Steelton Advocate, which he has been publishing ever since. At the present time he is is- suing only a weekly edition, but for some time prior to the hard times of 1893 he published the Daily Ad- vocate. In 1892 Mr. Missener associated his son, George W., in business with him. The junior mem-
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ber of the firm was only fifteen years of age at the: time, and was the youngest editor and newsna. publisher in the United States. In 1808 our subi .... purchased the Steelton F'erdict, which he consolid .... ed under the title of .Idrocate and Verdict. Mr. Mi -- sener believes in training his sons to practical bus- ness, and at an early age, in fact while yet in their teens, all his sons, George. Garfield. John and Ben- jamin, were associated with him. In 1853 Mr. Mis sener again purchased the Mount Joy Star and Now. which he had sold six years before. Since that tinte he is publishing the Steelton Advocate and D'erdic. as well the Mount Joy Star and News, but bych offices and papers are as distinct and separate as though they belonged to different proprietors. In this feature of his business he is demonstrating. by practical operation, the advantage of having more than one newspaper and printing office under one management. This plan has been carried out ver: successfully in many branches of business, but ha i not before been attempted in the publication of com- try newspapers. The result is so eminently success- ful that he is considering the addition of another newspaper and printing office to his list.
Mr. Missener has always taken a prominent part in politics, but though frequently urged to run for office has never done so, except in the case of local positions, for which he has never been defeated. His newspapers have wiekled much important influence in shaping and controlling local politics. While he had his hands so full of work at home, he has not failed to look abroad. He has made for himself a notable record as a traveler, having been to Canada three times and across the continent twice, going as far West as the Pacific ocean, and South to the Gulf of Mexico.
In March, 1877, Mr. Missener was married to Miss Fannie R. Weaver, by whom he has had nine children. His two eldest sons, George and Garfield. are printers in New York City. His sons John and Benjamin are associated with him in his newspaper and printing business. His daughters. Mary and Bertha, and his youngest son. Edgar. are also at home. Daniel and Kathryn joined the silent ma- jority in their infancy.
CLINTON HIMES. Historical association; cluster about the home and the home-life of this in- fluential and well-known resident of Salisbury town- ship. ITis home, known as Ivy mansion. was built one hundred years ago, and was, before the railroadi era, the old stage coach house and postoffice. Here Gen. Lafayette, while on his way to Lancaster in the year 1825, tarried a few hours and received pub- lic entertainment. Ivy mansion was then a center of commerce and travel, past which and through which the current of human events flowed cose- lessly.
Mr. Himes was born in Leacock township May 9. 1831, son of Rees C. and Sarah ( Eckert) Himes. and grandson of Thomas and Catherine (Clem-
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