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 6
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In 1894 Rev. Mr. Meister was elected a men- ber of the board of school directors of Lancaster, and soon made his influence felt as he did in the church, having served on the Visiting, Night School and School Laws committees. Rev. Meister is a prominent Mason, and is a member of the Linnean Society, of Lancaster.
With all his labors of debt raising and church expansion in his parish Rev. Mr. Meister has found time to do a large amount of literary work. He is the publisher of St. Stephen's Church Messenger, and of a monthly magazine called the Family Friend. Clear and concise in his utterances, grace- ful in diction, and endowed with fine powers of ora- tory, Mr. Meister is exceedingly popular as a min-
2. mettere
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ister, lecturer and pulpit orator. His illustrated lec- tures on "Ben Hur" and on "The Great National Tragedy and Death of President William McKin- ley" won popular favor to a marked degree. No church in Lancaster holds more closely the affec- tions of the community. Mr. Meister is an indefatig- able worker, and his work is far-reaching. Great in- deed have been his labors in the city, and hosts of friends and admirers express ardent hope that he may long be spared to enjoy the fruits of his ef- forts.
GEORGE LEFEVER. Prominently identified with the farming and dairy interests of Lancaster county, and more particularly with those of Eden township, is George Lefever.
Mr. Lefever was born in this county, in West Lampeter township, Sept. 15, 1839, and his parents were George and Christianna (Forry) Lefever, both of whom were born in this county, the former in January, 1803, and the latter in 1805. George Le- fever, the father, was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Meck) Lefever, both of whom were born in Lan- caster county, although their ancestry was French Huguenot. Grandfather Jacob Lefever was a son of Isaac Lefever, the founder of the American branch of the family and a Revolutionary hero. A family of seven children was left by Jacob Lefever, and George was the eldest of the children ; the others were as follows: (2) Jacob, who moved in his youth to Wayne county, Ohio, and there reared a family ; (3) Elizabeth, married to Daniel Lefever, who settled in Quarryville and died there, leaving a family of four children; Catherine, who married Daniel D. Hess, of Quarryville; Lydia, deccased wife of Ben- jamin Witmer; Samuel, deceased; and Anna, wife of Henry Lefever, of West Drumore; (4) Philip, who was born in Lampeter township, married, and at death left these children,-Adam, who is a resident of Sterling, Ill .: Emma, the widow of Jacob Mow- rer, deceased; John, who lives in West Lampeter township : Edmund, also a resident of West Lam- peter ; and Elizabeth, who married Samuel Shultz, of Nebraska; (5) Katie, who died unmarried; (6) Samuel, who is one of the esteemed residents of this county, having reached the age of eighty-four years ; (7) Lydia, deceased, who married John Houser, of West Lampeter township.
George Lefever (1) after his father's death set- tled on the original family homestead, this property being left him by his father. His life was a quiet, uneventful one, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and he lived there until his death, in 1886, his wife hav- ing died two years previously. Both were worthy and consistent members of the Old Mennonite Church, were upright, Christian people, and prac- ticed in their daily walk and conversation the prin- ciples they professed.
Mr. Lefever in his early days was a pronounced Whig, but later embraced the principles of the Re- publican party, and was always interested in its suc-
cess. Nine of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lefever grew to maturity, of whom George was the fifth. Jacob, who was the eldest, was born in the old home in Lampeter in 1825, is unmarried, and resides in the old homestead. Katie, born in 1828, was the wife of Martin Cassel, of Lampeter ; she left no fam- ily at her death. Susan, born at the old home, in 1830, was the wife of Henry Hess, of St. Louis, Missouri, and left at her decease three daughters: Susanna, who is now Mrs. Smith, of St. Louis; Mary; and Christiana. Mary A., born in 1833, is unmarried and resides on the old homestead. Lydia, born in 1840, is the widow of George Fralick, of Strasburg, and she now resides at the old home- stead, her one son, Jacob, being a resident of Dixon, Ill. Samuel, born in 1843, married Miss Sarah Rhinchart for his first wife, who left at her death these children: Mary, who is the wife of Jacob Dagen; Emma, who resides at home; and Lydia, who is the wife of Mr. Goss, of Conestoga township. The second marriage of Samuel Lefever was to Emma Lefever; their home is in Pequea township, and the two children born of this union are Jacob and Samuel. The eighth survivor was Christian, who was born in 1847 and who married Miss Mat- tie Rhinehart : they reside on his farm near Stras- burg, and their children are: John: Jacob: Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Mr. Stauffer, of this coun- ty; and Christian, Jr. Henry, who was born in 1850, married Miss Salinda Charles and they set- tled near the old homestead, in Lampeter township : their four children are George, Katie, Harry and Lottie.
George Lefever, of this biography, was the fifth in order of birth in his parents' family; he was reared on the old farm and obtained his edtication in the district schools of the township. While still a youth he demonstrated his loyalty to his country by offering his life in her defense, enlisting in Co. G, 122nd P. V. I., under Capt. Neff, of Lancaster county, and being sent to the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Lefever participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war, took part in the struggle at Fredericksburg, was with Gen. Burnside when misfortune overtook that division of the army, later was at Chancellorsville, and was one of the escort which accompanied the brave Major-General Whip- ple to his last resting place after his soldier's death at Chancellorsville.
After the close of the war Mr. Lefever returned to his home, engaged in farming, literally turning his sword into a pruning hook, and became just as good a farmer as he had been soldier. In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Weaver, the estimable and amiable daughter of Isaac and Mary Weaver, this family being one of the old and leading ones of the county. Mrs. Lefever was born in Strasburg township, in 1840, and was educated in the common schools in her district.
After marriage Mr. Lefever purchased the David . Eckman farm, near Quarryville, and on this valu-
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able property he has continued ever since. His im- provements are all modern and substantial, consist- ing of a fine residence, commodious barns and out- buildings, the whole presenting a most attractive and inviting appearance, and in this pleasant home hospitality reigns supreme. To Mr. Lefever and his wife eleven children have been born, and all of these testify to fine constitutions given them by their parents, together with gifts of mind and character. Phares Sherman, born in 1864, moved to Sterling, Ill., when a young man and there married Miss Liz- zie Fry, formerly of this county; they reside on a farm near that city, their children being Noalı and Ruth. Elmer E., born in July, 1865, also located in Sterling, where he married Miss Ida Andrews, and is there conducting a grocery and bakery business ; their three daughters are Anna, May and Hazel. Leander L., born in 1868, married Miss Fannie Ebersole, of Franklin county, Pa., and they reside in Prairieville, Ill., on his fine farm, with their five chil- dren, Minnie, George, Mary E., Leroy and a baby. Thaddeus S., born in November, 1870, married Miss Maggie Detweiler, of Bucks county, and they reside on his farm near Sterling, Ill., their two children being Ella and a baby. Mary E., born in August, 1869, is the wife of Howard S. Knox, and they now reside in Paradise township; their five children are Minnie F., Elizabeth, Herbert, George and Reba. Minnie L., born in January, 1872, married Harry Bair, a merchant of New Providence township, and their one son is John M. George M., born in May, 1873, married Miss Barbara Groff, of Quarryville, and they reside in Sterling, Ill., they have three children,-Bertha, Martha and a baby. Jacob G., born in January, 1875, during his early manhood spent four years in the State of Illinois and the Dakotas, but in 1899 returned to Lancaster county and assists his father in the management of the home farm. Annie L., born in August, 1875, married Frank Beane, of Lancaster county, a telegraph op- erator on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and has had two children,-George and Paul. Harry M., born in January, 1878, is single and resides in Sterling, Ill. ; and Samuel B., born in September, IS79, is also a resident of Illinois.
Politically Mr. Lefever, of this sketch, has al- ways been identified with the Republican party, but has refused every official position except that con- nected with the board of Education, for five years being a very efficient member. The religious con- nection of the family is with the Baptist Church, in which he and his wife are held in the highest es- teem, attending and supporting the church in Cole- rain township.
Mr. Lefever is a very prominent member of the Bireley Post, No. 511, G. A. R., of Quarryville, and he was a delegate to the Gettysburg Encampment of June, 1901. It is most interesting and edifying to trace the successful career of such a man, and to note the sure rewards that come to repay honesty, industry and close and unremitting attention to
duty. Mr. Lefever started out in life with limited means and left his early opportunities in order to serve his country, but he has reared a large family in comfort, educating them so that they in turn have become worthy and respected citizens ; and he still stands before his old friends of a life-time as one of the straightforward, honest and upright mem- bers of the community, whose life has been estimable in every particular. His charities have been many, and there are few of his neighbors who have not re- ceived some mark of kindness at his hands. Duty has been with him a watchword, whether on the field of battle or in the quieter walks of life.
CHARLES HAYS, one of the leading and in- fluential citizens of White Rock, Little Britain town- ship, Lancaster Co., Pa., was born Jan. 16, 1830, a son of John and Margaret (Clendenin) Hays, of Little Britain township.
John Hays was born in Ireland, and was brought to America when six years of age, by his parents, John and Catherine Hays, and the family settled in Little Britain township one hundred years ago. John Hays, Jr., father of Charles Hays, had two brothers, William and Charles. The marriage of Jolın Hays Jr., occurred in 1814, and nine children were the result of this union Catherine, born June IO 1815; Mary, Sept. 21, 1817: William, Jan. 2, 1820; John, Feb. 28, 1822; Wallace, June 2, 1824; Jemima, June 12, 1827; Charles, Jan. 16, 1830; James, July 27, 1832 ; Margaret, Feb. 22, 1836, all of whom are now deceased, except Charles, and Mar- garet, now of Britain township. John Hays Jr., the father of this family, was one of the leaders in the Democratic party, and an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church.
The early life of Mr. Hays was spent upon his father's farm and he received his education in the district schools, with one ycar at Lebanon Acad- emy. Starting out as a poor boy, he gradually worked his way up the ladder of fortune and is now the owner of a fine farm of 135 acres, upon which is a comfortable frame residence and all neccessary buildings. After an active life, Mr. Hays in now retired and is enjoying a well earned rest.
On Dec. 3, 1874, Mr. Hays married Miss Lavinia Pennell, of Britain township, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Brown) Pennell, of Britain township, who are numbered among the leading settlers of this locality (see sketch of John J. Pennell elsewhere). Mrs. Hays was one in a family of nine children : Elizabeth, now the widow of John P. Hays, of Ox- ford. Pa .; Mary Ann, widow of James Patterson, of Illinois; William, a retired farmer of Little Britain township; Rebecca, deceased ; Margaret, deceased ; Lavinia ; John J., a thrifty farmer of Little Britain township (see his sketch elsewhere) ; Amanda and James, deceased. The grandparents of Mrs. Hays, William and Elizabeth Pennell, came from Dela- ware county, Pa., to this township about 1775.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
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Hays; Katharine Elizabeth, Mary C. and John C. Katharine Elizabeth and Mary C. were graduated from the Westchester Normal and are successful teachers in Lancaster county. John C., the youngest in the family, in charge of the home farm, received his education in the West Nottingham Academy of Maryland.
In politics, Mr. Havs is a staunch Democrat, and faithfully served his constituents as school director for many years. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Lodge No. 353 of Oxford, Pa., and he and his family are mem- bers of the Union Presbyterian Church of Colerain township. The unqualified success which has at- tended his efforts is due to his ability, thrift and un- tiring industry, for he never neglected an opportun- ity to advance his own interests, when such an op- portunity was an honorable one ; while his upright manner of doing business, has gained for him the respect of his neighbors, as well as of all with whom he had dealings.
JOSEPH WACKER, a retired citizen of Lan- caster, has been a resident of that city for half a cen- tury, and no man stands higher in the estimation of his fellow men, either for personal character or for business integrity. He is a native of Germany, born Dec. 23, 1830, in Wurtemberg, where his parents, Michael and Mary Wacker, were also born, and where they passed their entire lives. The father and mother both died in 1874. Michael Wacker was a farmer, and followed that occupation throughout life. Besides Joseph but one of the family survives, Joanna, Mrs. Ountrup, of Philadelphia.
Joseph Wacker received a good education in his native land, attending the public schools until he was fourteen years old, after which he served an ap- prenticeship to the baker's trade, which he learned thoroughly. He followed his trade as a journey- man in Germany until 1849, on Aug. 14th of that year embarking for the United States. On the day after his arrival in New York he obtained work at his trade, but about six months afterward he was taken sick, and was advised by his physician to give up the baking business. He proceeded to Philadel- phia, but not finding suitable employment, deter- mined to journey to Lancaster, and he walked all the way, covering the entire distance, sixty-eight miles, in one day.( Though a perfect stranger in the city, he immediately commenced the search for em- ployment, and was fortunate enough to find work within a few days, engaging with Jacob Bossler, who conducted a farm about four miles from town. After two years in this employ he changed to the Flinn farm, where he remained one year, and the next summer he worked in a brickyard. In the win- ter of 1852 he was employed in Whitlinger's brew- ery, in Lancaster, where he remained two years, and the following year he was in the Springer bottling works. He and a Mr. Kiehl then purchased this business, which they conducted in partnership for
ten years, under the firm name of Kiehl & Wacker. At the expiration of this period Mr. Wacker dis- posed of his interest to his partner and bought the Whitlinger brewery, situated on West King street, which he sold, however, a year later. After living retired for a year, Mr. Wacker began the brewery business on West King street again, and continued there for two years, when he exchanged his house and brewery on West King street for the "County Hotel," which he conducted two years. He then purchased the Eagle brewery from Jacob Sprenger, and carried on the business until 18So, in which year he turned it over to his sons Charles and Joseph, who are still running it. Mr. Wacker has since lived retired, enjoying the rest he so well deserves and the competence he won by persistent and well- directed energy during his active years.
On April 22, 1855, in Lancaster, Mr. Wacker was married to Mary Dettlinger, also a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and six children have blessed their union, viz .: Charles V., Joseph, Frank, Anthony, William and Mary. The family are Catholics, and Mr. Wacker and his wife attend St. Joseph's Church.
DAVID E. MAYER. The Mayer family in Lancaster county, Pa., to which David E. Mayer belonged, was established many years ago, by grand- father Christian Mayer, an honest, industrious blacksmith, who followed his trade through life, and amassed a competency for old age. He married one of the modest young maidens of the Reformed Mennonite faith, Mary Miller, by name, belonging to a family of substance in the neighborhood, and they reared a family of seven children: Isaac, the father of David E. ; Jacob ; John ; David ; Nathaniel ; Leah, who married Abraham Herr; Hettie, who ·married John Hildebrand.
Isaac Mayer was born in West Lampeter town- ship and learned the tanning business, but this vo- cation seemed injurious to his health and he later began farming, becoming a prominent man in the neighborhood, and serving many years on the school board. He married Mary Hoover, a daughter of David Hoover, of Strasburg township, and three children were born to them: David E .; Isaac H., a physician of Willowstreet ; and Christian, the eldest, who died in infancy. Both parents were worthy members of the Old Mennonite Church.
David E. Mayer was born in West Lampeter township, Aug. 4, 1838, a son of Isaac and Mary (Hoover) Mayer, was reared on the farm and re- ceived his education in the public schools, in which he ever after took a deep interest. David remained at home with his parents until the death of his father, in 1871, when it became more than ever necessary for him to stay and he took charge at this time of the homestead and his mother's affairs, en- gaging extensively in farming, and also in trucking, the proximity to large cities making this a very re- munerative line of agriculture.
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Intelligent from his youth, and fond of reading and of mingling with his fellow-citizens, David E. Mayer early became recognized as somewhat of a leader in the public affairs of his locality. A pro- nounced Republican, he also became the representa- tive of the party in many ways. After serving effi- ciently on the election board, he was made supervisor and faithfully performed the duties of that office for seven years and was then made a member of the school board, which he as conscientiously served for the long term of eighteen years. In March, 1894, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, this honor coming to him unsolicited; at the expiration of the term he was elected to the position, being subsequently re-elected, and in this position he continued to manage the affairs of Lancaster county with economy and good judgment until his death.
David E. Mayer married April 29, 1897, Mary A. Shaub, a daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Wade) Shaub, a most estimable lady, and a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. In 1900 their comfortable residence was refitted and is one of the most desir- able modern homes in Strasburg. David! E. Mayer was one of the representative citizens and possessed in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He died Sept. 12, 1901, and was laid to rest with his people in the Old Mennon- ite cemetery at the church west of Strasburg.
ELI B. POWL, one of the prosperous citizens of Lancaster, where he is engaged in the livery business, was born near Neffsville, April 2, 1854, a son of Isaac and Barbara (Buckwalter) Powl, both natives of Lancaster county.
Isaac Powl was a farmer by occupation in early life, but in 1864 he moved to Lancaster, and there at first operated a hotel. While he was successful - in his new work, it did not prove congenial to his tastes and he sold out, and engaged in the livery business, beginning on a small scale and gradually increasing until he was the proprietor of one of the best stables in the county. In 1866 he built the stable and located where his son is now engaged. He continued to take an active part in business until October, 1884, when he sold out to his son, and retired. His death occurred in April, 1885. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a Mennonite. His wife, Barbara (Buckwalter) was the daughter of a farmer, and previous to her mar- riage with Mr. Powl, had been married to Mr. Leman. By her last marriage she became the mother of two children, of whom Eli B. is the elder.
Eli B. Powl was reared and educated in Lan- caster. Always a companion and associate of his father, he gradually grew into the business, and when his father began to step aside he assumed full control, practically being manager for the last ten years of the latter's life. His livery stable is 60x96 feet in size and three stories high, and is provided
with an electric elevator. It is located at No. 14 East Walnut street, and his residence is next door. Everything about his establishment is first-class, and he is able to supply at least thirty handsome rigs, fifteen hacks and three hearses-a most credi- table showing.
In August, 1878, Mr. Powl was united in mar- riage with Miss Alice C. Henry, who was born in Lancaster, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Henry. Two children have come to brighten their home, Isaac Benjamin and Theodore Franklin. Socially Mr. Powl belongs to the I. O. O. F., being a charter member of Herschel Lodge, and he also belongs to the Knights of Malta. He and his family belong to the M. E. church. In his political views he follows in the footsteps of his father, and is an earnest worker in the ranks of the Republican party.
JOHN N. EBY, a retired farmer of Leacock township, was born Oct. 7, 1841, on the old Eby homestead, which was acquired from Jeremiah Job in 1767.
The Eby family has a history in Lancaster county that begins with the coming of Theodorus Eby from Switzerland, in 1715, and his settlement in Earl township, Lancaster county, where he built a mill on Mill Creek, and engaged in the milling and farming business the rest of his life. Theodorus Eby was the great-great-great-grandfather of John N., whose name appears above. Jacob Eby was his son, and Abraham Eby, his son, was the great- grandfather of John N. Ebv. Abraham Eby was born in 1735 and died Jan. 8, 1815. John Eby, the grandfather of John N., was born Sept. 7, 1758, and died Nov. 2, 1842. He married Fannie Bare, who was born in Upper Leacock township, and died in April, 1842, at the age of eighty years, lacking nine days. They were the parents of Abraham, Cath- crine, Barbara, Elizabeth, Mary and John, the father of John N. All the progenitors of John N. were buried in the private cemetery on the Ebv home- stead, with the exception of Theodorus and Jacob. John N. Eby is planning to erect a monument in the Eby cemetery, a memorial stone weighing about eight tons, and having cut on it the Eby descent from Theodorus down to the present day.
John Eby, the father of John N., was born Dec. 20, 1800, in Upper Leacock township; he married Elizabeth Neff, who was born in East Lampeter township, Dec. 24, 1815, and died Feb. 15. 1894. His death occurred Jan. 27, 1864. Born to this union were the following : Reuben N., who married Louisa Wenger, had a family of six children and died in 1881 ; John N .; Aaron N., a retired farmer of Bareville, now residing in Lancaster, and married to Elmina Graybill, by whom he has had three chil- dren.
The maternal grandparents of John N. Eby were Martin and Leah (Eby) Neff, farming people of Soudersburg, Pennsylvania.
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Eli B. Soul
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John N. Eby was married in Leacock township, June 2, 1898, to Miss Clara F. Sanders, and one child, Jay Victor, has come to bless their union.
Mrs. Clara F. (Sanders) Eby was born in Slack- water, Lancaster county, and is a daughter of Julius and Catherine (Smith) Sanders. Her father was born in Saxony, Germany, and her mother in Lancaster county. He came to this country at the age of eighteen years, and served three years in the Union Army during the war of the Rebel- lion. His trade was that of a cabinet maker, and he became very expert in the making of organs and in other labors requiring mechanical skill of a high or- der. When he died, May 1, 1897, he was sixty-two years old. His widow, who is living in Lancaster, Pa., has had the following children: William, who is a resident of Lancaster, Pa. ; Morris, who lives in Cochranville, Pa .; Elizabeth, who lives at Kissel Hill, Pa., married to Samuel Dubbs; Clara, Mrs. Eby ; Lula, living in Philadelphia; Bertha, living at Kissel Hill; Walter, deceased.
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