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 57
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Henry S. Hershey was born on a farm, and re- mained there with his parents until thirteen years old, when he went to Pittsburg and resided with an uncle and attended school until 1843. He returned to his native township in 1845, and followed milling until 1848, when he went West, passing the time in Illinois and Missouri until 1853. Returning home. he followed his trade until 1863. when he removed to Center county, Pa., and there followed lumbering for a year and a half. He next went to Columbia,
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N. S. Hershey
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where he held an official position with the Susque- hanna Rolling Mill Company from 1864 until 1868. and then operated the Chickies Rolling Mill three years, after which he engaged in coach building until 1886.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Hershey served two terms as justice of the peace while engaged in coach- making, his last term expiring in 1896, and also served as borough councilman of Columbia several terms. In Iso; he was appointed to his present posi- tion, and in August. 1900, moved to his present home.
Henry S. Hershey was married, in Columbia, Oct. 4, 1855, to Miss Margaret S. Cox, and this mar- riage has been blessed with the following named children : Alice, wife of William B. Stephenson. a civil engineer in Tacoma, Wash .: Margaret, who died when fifteen years old: Mary E .. widow of Frank H. Steacy, who was a chemist of prominence in Columbia : Anna B., who is unmarried, and lives with her father : Bertha, who died at the age of eight years : and Henry B .. an electrical engineer, a gradu- ate of the Lehigh University, and a resident of New York City.
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Mrs. Margaret S. (Cox) Hershey was horn in Lancaster. Pa., and died in Columbia in June. 1896, aged fifty-nine years : her remains were interred in Mount Bethel cemetery. She was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Cox. of the State of Delaware. both of whom died in Columbia. Pa., where the fa- ther had been engaged in the coal business, and had also carried on the manufacture of stages and coaches in Lancaster.
Henry S. Hershey is a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is a Republican. He has traveled nearly all over the United States, and has made friends wherever he has been. He is still healthy and strong, and remarkably active for his age, and no man in the township commands more profound respect than that which is freely shown to him.
JACOB L. RANCK. Among the prominent farmer-citizens of Strasburg township, Lancaster county, is Jacob L. Ranck. who was born on his fa- ther's homestead, in Paradise township May 27. IS12. a son of Jacob and Susan (Leaman) Ranck. both of whom are deceased, the father in 1876, pass- ing away at the age of sixty-five, the mother surviv- ing until 1883.
Jacob Ranck. the father of Jacob L., was a son of Jacob and Annie ( Stuck) Ranck and was reared in Paradise township, under the watchful and care- ful eye of his mother. who was early left a widow. and was a woman of very superior attainments and great force of character. When an older brother took charge of the farm. Jacob remained for eight years on the home farm, and then began farming opera- tions for himself, conducting an estate consisting of Iso acres, where he lived for some two years previ- ous to his marriage, his sisters keeping house for him. It was remarked of Jacob Ranck that he al-
ways had an object in view and steadily worked toward it, and in this way he succeeded where many men would have failed. His life was a quiet one. as he loved his home and was domestic in his tastes. die- voted to the interests of his family and friends. At the time of his decease he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had done his full duty toward his children, giving each one a farm which he had earned for them. Both he and wife were members of the Old Mennonite Church' and none were more truly worthy of the esteem of their neighbors. Tie five children born to these good people were: Ben- jamin, a resident of Paradise township : John K., who was a farmer and a minister : Jacob L. : Annie. deceased. who was the wife of Bishop Abraham B. Herr, of New Danville: and Amos L., who resides on the old homestead, in Paradise township.
Jacob L. Ranck was reared on the old farm and was educated in the public schools, growing to stur- dy manhood, alternating school with work on the farm. At the age of twenty-four he began opera- tions on his own account on the farm his father had purchased for him, in Strasburg township, located about one mile northeast of Strasburg. When Jacob I .. took charge of the place, it was sadly in need of improvement, as it had been much neglected, but in a very short time things put on a quite different ap- pearance and it now ranks with the best in the county. For some thirty-two years he resided on this place, becoming one of the leading farmers and. following the example of his father, has provided farms in Strasburg township. for his three children. A stockholder and director in the Strasburg Na- tional Bank, he is reckoned one of the solid and sub- stantial men of the county, and for ten years has been a member of the school board, always taking a dlecp interest in educational matters. In 1898 he erected a fine modern residence near Strasburg- one of the best houses in the neighborhood.
On Oct. 31. 1865, Jacob L. Ranck was married to Hettie Herr. daughter of Rev. Amos and Elizabeth ( Rohrer) Herr, born in West Lampeter township, Tune IT. 1841. and the children born of this union were: a son that died in infancy: Elizabeth, who died at the age of twelve : Amanda, who died at the age of ten : Amos, who died at the age of twenty months: Reuben, who died at the age of thirteen months: Milton H., born June 2. 1877, a tobacco packer in Strasburg, who lives at home: Anna N .. born June 28, 1880, living at home; and S. Etta. horn April 5. 1883. The family are all members of the Old Mennonite Church, with which their ances- tors and connections have been so closely allied, and are among the most esteemed of the congregation in Strasburg, where Mir. Ranck is one of the trus- tees.
MAHLON B. KENT, whose long and credita- ble career as a hardware merchant at Christiana abundantly deserves the well earned rest he is now taking, was born in West Fallowfield, Chester Co.,
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Pa., Nov. 1.4. 1841, son of Daniel and Sarah (Bro- sius ) Kent, natives of East and West Fallowfield townships, respectively.
Daniel Kent, who was a farmer, died in 1881, at the age of seventy-nine. proving himself a thorough- ly competent and successful business man, and skilled in agricultural industry. He married Sarah Bro- sius, daughter of Henry and Mary ( Roberts ) Brosius, farming people of Chester county. She survived until 1804. dying at the age of eighty-six. They were members of the Religious Society of Friends. Their children were as follows: Mary B., who married, first. Caleb M. Brosius, second, Harry Perry, and third, Elihu M. Clark, is now de- ceased ; Anna E .. deceased, married Isaac D. Shoe- maker : Agnes T., deceased. married J. Calvin Bick- ing: Henry B. married Fane W. Bailey. of Cam- bridge. Chester county; Ruthama married H. K. Cooper, of Chester county : William L. G. married. first, Elizabeth Shoemaker, and second, Anna E. Lofland : Mahlon B. ; and Thomas E. and Sally A. both died young.
The paternal grandparents of Mahlon B. Kent were Daniel, Sr., and Esther ( Hawley) Kent. Daniel Kent, Sr., was born in Limerick, Ireland, and came to this country in his twentieth year. on the brigan- tine "Asia." He bound himself by indenture, dated May 21, 1785, in the stim of fro, tos. to the mas- ter, John Johnson, to pay for his passage. On his arrival in Philadelphia the indenture was signed over to Joseph Hawley in consideration of £14, 10S. paid by him. The young emigrant faithfully served his time, and afterward married Esther Hawley, a daughter of his benefactor. He engaged in farming in Chester county, though by trade a cutler, and at- tained considerable prominence in his new home, serving as justice of the peace for many years.
Mahlon B. Kent was twice married. In 1867. in Philadelphia, he wedded Maranda Brosius, who be- came the mother of one child, Wilfred M., who died at the age of four months and twenty days. Mrs. Kent was born in Colerain township. Lancaster county, in February. 1842, and died Tune 12, 1872. She was a sister of the Hon. Marriott Brosius, whose sketch appears elsewhere. On Nov. 14. 1874, in Chester county, Mr. Kent married for his second wife Anna Roberts Walton, who was born in West Fallowfield township. Chester county. in 1835, a daughter of Isaac and Mary ( Walton) Walton, the former a successful farmer of that locality.
Mahlon B. Kent was reared on a farm, and there he remained until 1873. The following year he se- cured a position as Indian Agent, and was stationed at the government reservation in Richardson county, Neh. For seven years he well and faithfully ful- filled the arduous duties of this place. when he en- gaged in the hardware business at White Cloud, Kans .. continuing same for five years. Following his stay at White Cloud. he was in the coal and lum- ber business for two years at Hockessin, Del., but this business did not prove congenial, and he came to
Christiana in 1893, to find a home, which he has maintained to the present time. For six years Mr. Kent has held a position in the borough council, for four years acting as president of that body. In re- ligion he is a member of the Friends' Association, and in politics he is a Republican.
JOHN E. HERSHEY, a representative farmer in Lancaster city, belongs to one of the most highly respected agricultura! families of this county.
John Hershey, his grandfather, lived and died near Bareville. this county, where his farm was one of the best cultivated and most productive. Through life a consistent member of the Oll Mennonite Church, he lived a quiet, unostentatious life, devoted to his work, his religious duties and his family. His children were: Eliza, deceased, who was the wife of Everheart Weaver: Maria, who was the wife of John Landis: Annie, who was the wife of Peter Brown ; Lydia, who was the wife of Samuel Groff : Andrew, who was a farmer near Bareville ; Samuel, the father of John E. : and Jacob, who was a farm- er and miller. near Leaman, this county.
Samuel Hershey was born on the old homestead, about 1863, and was devoted to the tillage of the soil during his long and useful life, which closed in 1873. In politics he was a Republican and held the office of school director a number of years. His religious connection was with the Old Mennonite Church. He was thrice married. His first wife, Nancy Groff, died leaving no children. By his sec- ond wife, Elizabeth Eby, five children were born, of whom the eldest died in infancy; Eby ( deceased) was a farmer of Strasburg township : John E. is our subject : Mary is unmarried; and Milton E. is a farmer of Lancaster township. After the death of his second wife. Mr. Hershey was married to Fanny Lintner. who still survives. The children of this union are : Lintner, a farmer, residing with his mother: Aldus, a farmer of Lancaster township; Willis, of Lancaster township ; and Ella, who resides at home.
John E. Hershey was born on the home farm, ad- joining the place where he now resides, in February, 1816. His education was acquired in the public schools, and he remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, beginning then his own career by taking charge of a farmi adjoining, upon which he remained for three years, when he moved to his present location. Here Mr. Hershey has expended time. energy and labor, the result be- ing one of the best eighty-acre tracts in this locality. Its value is enhanced on account of its location being partly within the city limits of Lancaster. This land originally belonged to his father, and was purchased from the latter's estate. Mr. Hershey has most com- fortable and appropriate buildings, both for resi- dence and for dairving, having been in the latter bitsiness for thirty-two years. During the past fif- teen years he has been fattening horses for New York dealers.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Mr. Hershey was married to Annie Bausman, and six children were born to this union: Marv, at home; Clayton, who died at the age of five years ; Albert, who died at the age of three years; Edith, at home : Laura, who died at the age of nine years ; and Florence, who died at the age of seven years. Mr. Hershey is one of the most respected and sub- stantial residents of the township, is well known through the city of Lancaster, and is a thoroughly representative citizen. His political support is given to the Republican party.
JACOB ZERCHIER, a general farmer and a man of much character and standing in Mt. Joy, was born in Pequea township, Lancaster county, Dec. 25, 1840, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth ( Johnson) Zercher, of Lancaster county. His grandparents were also natives and residents of Lancaster county.
Andrew Zercher died in Conestoga township in 1889 at the age of seventy-eight years, and was bur- ied in the cemetery connected with the Pequea Meet- ing House, in the township of that name. In his younger days he was a wagon maker, and from 1845 to 1866 he was engaged in farming. His last years were spent in retirement. Mrs. Elizabeth Zercher. who is still living in Conestoga township, was born in February, 1809. They were the parents of the following children: John J., who died at the age of thirty-two years ; Benjamin, who died at the age of eighteen years: Jacob : and Elizabeth, who mar- ried Christ. B. Miller, a farmer of Conestoga.
Jacob Zercher was married in November. 1866, in West Hempfield township, to Lizzie S. Hostet- ter, and born to this union were: Ezra H., a farm- er in East Donegal, who married Lizzie Hertzler; Lizzie, the wife of Jacob N. Hershey, who is in the creamery business in East Berlin, Pa. ; Mary, mar- ried to Ezra H. Engle, a farmer ; Fanny, who mar- ried Abigner Martin, a farmer of West Donegal; Andrew, at home: Anna. who died young ; Naomi, who is at home unmarried : Jacob, deceased, twin to Naomi ; and Martha and Ira J., at home.
Mrs. Lizzie (Hostetter) Zercher was born in West Hempfield township March 15, 1844. daughter of Rev. Jacob and Anna ( Stauffer) Hostetter. na- tives of West Hempfield and Donegal townships, both of whom died in West Hempfield. Her father was a farmer and died in December, IS88, at the age of ninety years : her mother died the same year at the age of eighty-two years. Both were members of the River Brethren Church, and were buried in the Cross Roads Church Cemetery in Donegal town- ship. The father was a bishop in his church for many years, and was a consecrated and devoted Christian. The following children were born to them: Abraham, a retired farmer in Rapho town- ship ; Catherine, who married Martin Musser, a retired farmer in West Hempfield : jacob. now a re- tired farmer in West Hempfield : Martna, who mar- ried! Michael Grove, a retired farmer in west Hemp- field : Christian, a retired farmer living on the old
homestead in the township of Rapho; Mary, de- ceased wife of Eli Lindemuth; Anna, who is the widow of Abraham Engle, and is living in Donegal township : Susan, who married Benjamin Zeigler, a farmer in Providence, Lancaster county ; and Lizzie.
Jacob Zercher remained with his parents unti! 1867, when he began farming for himself, leasing; land of his father, paying his rent with a share of the produce. This he continued for six years, when he took charge of his present farm of two hundred acres. Here he has done well, both in general farm- ing, and in the specialties of horse and cattle breed- ing to which he gives close attention. Mr. Zercher is a member of the Church of the River Brethren. and is regarded as one of the solid and reliable men- bers of that communion. An energetic and progres- sive citizen, he has won a good place in life, and holds the confidence and respect of the community to a marked degree.
AMOS K. HIERR. a retired farmer. and one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of Lan- caster, was born Nov. 15, 1839. a son of John and Fanny ( Greider) Herr, the former a native of Stras- burg township, and the latter of West Lampeter township, both of this county.
John Herr was engaged in farming until 1880, when he retired. removing to Lancaster, and oc- cupied himself with cultivating some fifteen acres, all of which land was in excellent condition. His death occurred Oct. 11, 1894, when he was eighty- six years, ten months and twenty-two days old, and his wife died Ang. 26, 1878, aged seventy-eight years, one month and fourteen days. Both are bur- ied in Longnecker Cemetery, and they were prom- inent in the Mennonite Church. The family born to them was as follows: Christian, who died Dec. 6. 1855, aged twenty-two years, one month and four days : Abraham K., who died Nov. 7, 1896, aged six- ty-one years, seven months and twenty-one days ; Anna, who died Feb. 21, 1886, aged forty-eight years and seven months, and who was the wife of Franklin Bowman : Amos K .; Fanny, who married George L. Buckwalder, a retired farmer of E. Lampeter township; and Susan, who married B. F. Herr, of Millersville, Pa., a prominent merchant and ex-physician. The paternal grandfather was Martin Herr, a prominent farmer of Lancaster coun- ty; he married Susannah Buckwalder.
The boyhood days of Amos K. Herr were spent upon a farm, and when he attained manhood's estate. he engaged in farming for himself, and also mant- factured bricks at Strasburg, Pa., in 1876. becoming a partner of Jacob Lahir in the latter calling. This partnership continued seven years, when it was dis- solved and for five years Mr. Herr continued the manufacture alone, then sold his interests, and in 1891 retired to Lancaster, where he has since resided, enjoying the fruits of his years of labor.
On Feb. 2. 1870, in Lancaster, Mr. Herr was married to Elizabeth Kohr, born Nov. 17, 1839, in
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Conestoga township, daughter of Bishop John Kohr. Sr .. of Manheim township. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Herr. John K., a machinist, who resides at home. For forty years Mr. Herr has been a member of the New Mennonite Church. and is a man of sterling integrity and uprightness of pur- pose, who enjoys the good will and confidence of the community in which he makes his home.
SAMUEL S. HIGH (deceased) belonged to that class of business men who leave an impress upon their day and generation, through the integrity of their denlings and the uprightness of their lives. At his death the city of Lancaster parted with one of her most useful and progressive citizens. Mr. High belonged to Lancaster county by parentage and birth, the latter taking place Nov. 28, 1830. in East Earl township. His parents were Jacob and Susan ( Hoffman) High.
The early rearing of Mr. High was on a farm, and his education was obtained in the country schools. While still a young man he was engaged in storekeeping with his brother. ex-Sheriff John H. High. at Spring Grove. for a period of eight years. Moving then to Ephrata he embarked in a mercantile business. continuing at this point until i8:2, when he came to Lancaster. Here Mr. High entered into a partnership with Isaac Stirk, the firm name being, i Stitk & High, and the business was feated on the | present site of the large new store of Watt & Shand. This was called China Half. and a very large and prosperous business was carried on here, the firm gaining friends and patrons for many miles in the vicinity of Lancaster. In IS ;; Mr. Stirk retired and Mr. High took into partnership J. Charles Martin. his sten-son, and the firm style was changed to 1 High & Martin, and the business was located at No. 15 East King street.
The first marriage of Mr. High was to Harriet Geist, a native of Earl township, who died without issue. His second marriage was to Mrs. Catherine ( Kinzer) Martin. By her first husband. John J. Martin, Mrs. High has two children, viz. : Laura, who married Landis Levan, a miller. in Lancaster township, and they have five children; and J. Charles, a retired merchant of Lancaster. who has one child. Mrs. High was born in East Earl town- ship, daughter of Amos S. and Maria L. ( Himes) Kinzer. of Lancaster. MIr. Martin was a farmer in East Earl township, where he died in 1852. aged twenty-seven years, and was buried in the Weaver- land cemetery in that township.
Mr. High was a thorough and practical business man and was relied upon for his excellent judgment and keen insight. His prosperity was won through industry and honorable methods, and when he died, the community lost a valued citizen. His progres- sive character was shown in his connection with some of the leading enterprises of the city. He was interested in the Electric Lighting Co. and the Street Railway Co., and also the Steam Radiator
Co., of Lancaster, and was secretary of the Poplar Bluffs Lumber & Mig. Co., of Missouri Although he had so many business interests, he never forgot his religious duties and was an active worker in St. John's Lutheran Church, trustee in the same, and was chairman of the building committee. At various times he was trustee and elder, and for many years, superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was a man who lived up to his principles and thus won the sincere esteem of all who knew him.
ABRAHAM E. STAUFFER, a general fariner and highly respected resident of Silver Spring, in West Hempfield township, was born in Chickies. that township, Sept. fr. 1833, son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Eshleman) Stauffer, both of whom lived and died in West Hermfield township.
Henry Stauffer was a farmer by vocation and was quite a prominent and influential citizen, and for some years served his fellow townsmen as school director and supervisor. His death occurred in 1800. when eighty-three years ofl; that of his first wife had taken place much earlier-in 1849, when forty- two years of age. To the marriage of Henry and Elizabeth ( Eshleman) Stauffer were born the foi- lowing named children : Anna, widow of Jacob | Risser, of Maytown: Hettie, wife of Jacob Dowers. of Downersville : Elizabeth, who died young ; Abra- ham B. : Jacob, a farmer in West Hempfield town- ship; Barbara. deceased wife of Michael Schindle; Mary, the wife of John Fridy, a farmer of West Hempfield township : and Miss Susannon, deceased. Some time after the demise of his first wife. Henry Stauffer married Barbara Harnich, and to this union were born two children, both of whom died young. The paternal grandparents of Abraham E. Stanf- fer were natives of Lancaster county, and were farm- ing people, and the same may be stated of the ma- ternal grandparents.
Abraham E. Stauffer assisted on the home farm until he had attained his majority, then rented the home place for three years, and carried on agricul- ture on his own account. At the termination of this period, Henry Stauffer deeded the farm to his son Abraham. on the sole condition that the latter was to pay the former a limited sum annually during life. Two years later Abraham traded the old place for his present farm of forty-seven acres.
In October, 1851. Abraham E. Stauffer was joined in matrimony at Black Horse, this county, with Miss Adaline B. Hoffman, who was born in East Hempfield township in October, 1836. a daugh- ter of John and Catherine ( Ballmer) Hoffman, of Lancaster county. To this marriage have been born five children. viz: Mary A., who married Andrew G. Shirk, a railroad flagman in Columbia, and has one daughter, Adaline S. ; Miama H .. who married Adam D). Heidlauf, of West Hempfich, and has a son, Phares S. : Hiram H., of Manor township, who married Frances Garber, and has two children. Clar- ence G. and Anna May; Catharine UL .. who married
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Aram Lenhard, a farmer of West Hempfield, and bas a daughter Saloma S. ; and Milton H., unmar- ried, and living at home.
Abraham E. Stauffer has ever been a hard-work- ing farmer and an upright man, whose course through life has been of that even tenor as to gain the respect unsought. of the entire community in which he has passed so many years of his useful life. In politics he is a Republican.
MARIS D. WEAVER. Among the energetic and successful business men, long and well-known in Lampeter, is Maris B. Weaver, a member of the old established family of that name, of whom this record has had much to say.
Maris B. Weaver was born in Conestoga town- ship, Jan. 8. 18.18, son of Simon R., and a grandson of Samuel, Weaver, both old residents of the county.
Simon R. Weaver was born on the farm near Lampeter, which is now the property of Henry Shaub. and there he was reared and learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed some ten years. his place of business being at Conestoga Center, but he later engaged in farming for a number of years, returning to his trade, previous to his deccase, which occurred at the age of forty-six. He married Het- .tie Eachman, daughter of John Bachman, of Pequca township, and to them were born : Maris B. ; Annic. who married T. L. Stafford, of Colerain township : John B., a resident of Cordonville ; Emma ( de- ceased), who married William Sterling, a resident of Gap; Charies, of Leacock township; S. W., of Paradise township ; Effie, who married Samuel Hart- ing, of Germantown, Pa .: Frank B., of Paradise township : and Jennie, who married Philip Hotten- stein, of Lancaster.
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