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 63
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On Jan. 4, 1837, Samuel Slokom married Mary Walker, who was born April 6. 1806, in Sadsbury township, daughter of Isaac and Deborah Walker, and they had four children who grew to maturity, Susan, Dora D., Isaac W. and Mary R. Susan is the wife of Thomas J. Houston. Dora D. married William H. Sproul, and they have two children, Samuel E. and William C. Isaac W. is mentioned below. Mary R. is the wife of James Sproul. and they have three children, Dora, Anna and Mary. Mrs. Mary Slokom died in 1892, and she and her husband are buried in the old cemetery of the So- ciety of Friends, in Sadsbury township. Both were Friends in religious connection, Mr. Slokom join- ing the Society in 1844.
Isaac W. Slokom was born June 26. : 841, in Sadsbury township, and attended the district schools until he was eight years of age, after which he went to school in Christiana. He was also a student in
the Christiana high school and at the Millersvi. . Academy, from which he was graduated in 1862. Following this he read law for a year with Jude Livingston, and on leaving his office entered tha Chester Valley Bank. as teller, remaining the" until he entered the army for service in the Che war, in 1853. He was clerk at Gen. Sheridan', headquarters to the close of the Rebellion, and after his return home served one year as deputy count"
Mr. Slokom was the first burgess of Christiana borough, resigning that office after three years' ser- vice. He served another year after the death of his successor in that incumbency, but resigned again, and he has steadfastly refused all offers of official honors since, though it is not saying too much to assert that he could have any office in the gift of his fellow townsmen. He is popular in the Repub- lican party, and popular in his locality irrespective of party, and the nomination to such high position as representative in Congress has been urged upon him, but he has so far resisted all the efforts of his friends and enthusiastic townsmen to get him to assume public duties. His business affairs occupy a large share of his time, and though he began life under very favorable circumstances he has made good use of all his talents, has worked as industri- ously as any man in his community, and has man- aged his affairs so ably as to materially increase his 1 heritage. His property holdings in Christiana and Sadsbury township are extensive, and well looked after. Mr. Slokom needs no higher praise than the simple statement that he is a worthy successor to his father, whose standing in Lancaster county, both as a business man and as a citizen generally, is too well known to need remark bere.
In February, 1867. Mr. Slokom was married, in Winchester. Va., to Laura V. Shyrock. and two chil- dren came to this union. Samuel and Charles S .. both of whom are in the Christiana National Bank, the
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
former as cashier, the latter as teller. Samuel mar- ried Anna Gibney, of Chester county, Pa., and they have two children. Samuel and Virginia. Charies is unmarried, and lives with his parents. Mrs. Slokom was born in Newtown, Frederick Co., Va., daughter of Col. Charles E. and Martha Shyrock, ! who still live in that State. Col. Shyrock was a large land owner before the Civil war, which all but broke down his fortunes. and he was a prominent inan in his section during his active years. He
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served as a colonel in the Confederate army during the Civil war. Mrs. Slokom's paternal great-grand- father was a colonel under Washington during the Revolution, and her maternal great-grandfather was also an officer under that leader in the same struggle. i
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Mr. Slokom is a member of the Society of Friends, to which his wife and sons also belong.
JOSEPH K. BRENEMAN, a well-known farin- er of Manor township, residing two and a half miles south of Millersville, where he owns fifty-three acres of what was formerly known as the old Stehman farm, was born Sept. 30, 1845, on the Breneman ! homestead, of which full mention is made in the : Breneman Family sketch, to be found elsewhere.
Joseph K. Breneman was reared to farming on the parental homestead, southeast of Creswell, and was educated in the common schools of his district. At the age of twenty-five years he started in busi- ness for himself by cultivating the home place for two years, and he then moved upon Reuben Garber's farm, where he conducted general farming for twen- ty years. In 18)t. Joseph K. purchased his present home, and in 1892 took possession, making many valuable improvements and now owning one of the best farms of its dimensions in the township, if not the county.
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In 1869 Joseph KS. Breneman first married Mary Eshleman, daughter of Martin Eshleman, and to this marriage were born four children, viz : Elizabeti and Annie, deceased ; Christian, at home : and Ella, wife of John Hoover, of Manor township. Mrs. Mary (Eshleman) Breneman passed away in ISSo, and in 1882 Joseph K. Breneman married Miss Fan- nie M. Neff, daughter of Jacob Neff, and this union has been blessed with three children. namely : Emma and Phares, deceased : and Amanda, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Breneman are Mennonites in religion, and are classed among the county's most worthy citi- zens.
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JACOB C. KREITER, a progressive farmer of Warwick township, residing one mile from Lititz, comes of a family which has long been prominent among the agricultural citizens of Lancaster county.
Christian Kreiter, his grandfather, was born Jan. 3, 1789, and lived and died in Lancaster county, pass- ing away Jan. 1, 1874. He was a farmer for the greater part of his life, but at one time was inter- ested in a brewery at Lititz. He belonged to the Old Whig party and served as a school director for some
time. He married Catharine Behmer, and they be- came the parents of one child, Solomon, who was the father of our subject.
Solomon Kreiter was born April 16, 1827, near where our subject now resides. He, too, was a farmer, and followed that calling until his death, which occurred May 8, 1863. He was baptized in the Moravian Church. but eventually joined the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kreiter married Maria Grossman, and they were the parents of eight chil- dren. two of whom died in childhood; Jacob C. is our subject : John S. is a physician in Akron, Pa. : James E. died in 1885 : David H. and Henry D. are twins, the former living in Fairland, the latter in Ephrata. this county : and Martha M. is the wife of Levi H. Wissler. ...
Jacob C. Kreiter was born May 20. 1849, in Warwick township, on the farm of which he now owns a part, and where he resides. His father died when he was a mere lad of fourteen years, and he re- mained at home with his mother until he was twenty- three years old, receiving his education in the com- mon schools of the county, with one term in the State Normal at Millersville, and two in the Lititz Acad- emy. He then began life for himself at farming on the place adjoining the one whereon he now lives. He purchased his home place in 1879, and is one of the respected! citizens of Lancaster county, broad- gauged, public-spirited and fully alive to all the needs of his community. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he has held the office of assessor since 18DI.
On Nov. 14. 1872. Mr. Kreiter wedded Miss Mary A. Brunner, who was born Dec. 12, 1853, daughter of Peter and Susan Brunner. To this union came one child that died in infancy.
DAVID W. KURTZ (deceased). Reverence for the memory of departed loved ones is an in- stinctive attribute of human nature, and it is often intensified with the lapse of time: A: the conten- plative mind in its hours of solitary retrospection throws back the portals of memory on their resting hinges, and peers into the caverns where lurk the recollections of former relations, friends and associ- ates. a brighter and more hallowed light seems to enshroud the objects of the mental vision and to give to them a coloring before unnoticed, or at least but dimly seen, and through which new characteristics, so to speak, become perceptible and add to the mic !- ancholy interest felt for the departed loved one, un- availing though that interest may be; practically such. however, are the conditions that pervade the recollection of the late David W. Kurtz.
David W. Kurtz was born Feb. 5, 1830, on the farm still occupied by his widow and surviving child in Salisbury township, and died on the same farm in October. 1884. his remains being interred in the United Evangelica! Church cemetery. His parents, Christian and Anna ( Weaver) Kurtz, were also na- tives of Lancaster county, where Christian was all
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
his life a farmer, and where his remains after death were buried in a private cemetery beside those of his wife, both having been devout members of the Mennonite Church. They were the parents of seven children, born in the following order, but all now de- ceased. including the youngest, Davil W .. himself. To-wit: Maria, who was married to Moses Sharp: Susannah, married to Moses Ebv: Jonathan, who married Prudence Good ; Elizabeth, married to Peter ' Eb :: Joseph, who died in young manhood : Lydia, who was married to Christopher Cible : and David W., whose name is mentioned above.
In January. 1853. David W. Kurtz was married at the parsonage in Salisbury-the ceremony being performed by the late Rey. John Wallace --- to Miss Maria Hurst, a most amiable young lady, who was born June 5, 1820, in Leacock township, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Varnes ) Hurst. To this union were born two children, namely: Harry H., : who married Sallie Hamilton, had two children, Gur (deceased) and Alta M., and is now living re- tired with his mother. Mrs. David W. Kurtz: : Laura E., who married Luther Mentzer. a farmer in Salisbury township, and has had five children. i viz: Herbert, Helen ( deceased), Luella, Ruth and Guy.
! Henry Hurst, father of Mrs. David W. Kurtz, was a native of Leacock township, was a farmer by vocation, and a prominent and well-known citizen. His death occurred Jen. 5. 1856, at the age of sixty- two years and ten months, and that of his wife in June, 1848, when forty-two years old -- the latter ; being of Cerman parentage. The remains of this honored couple were buried in a private cemetery in Leacock township, the mother having been a pious and consistent member of the German Re- formed Church. while the father, although not a member, was a constant attendant at the same. and a liberal contributor to its support. To the marriage of Henry and Mary ( Varnes ) Hurst) there were born seven children in the following order: Mar- : tin, who died young: John, who married Julia Dor- sey, and lived to be seventy-two: Hannah, who was : married to David Brisben, and died at twenty-eight : Henry, who died young; Maria, now Mrs. David WV. Kurtz; Rebecca and Susan, who died young. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Kurtz were John and Annie Hurst, of whom more may be learned by reference to the biographical sketch of M. S. Hurst, of Leacock township.
The late David W. Kurtz was all his life a farmer, and passed his entire life on the 133-acre homestead on which his birth took place, and which came to him by inheritance. While his wife was and is an earnest member of the United Evangelical Church, Mr. Kurtz- could never be induced to join. but he was, nevertheless, a sincere Christian and a constant attendant at the services of the congrega- tion. He freely contributed financially toward the maintenance of this, as well as other religious bod- ies, and to the very deserving work of charity that
was brought to his notice. In promoting works de. signed for the convenience, comfort and happir .... of the public he was ever foremost, often taking il: initiative in such measures and aiding them prom. .. ly with his capital. He was also prompt and re- , able in all business transactions, and was quiet and domestic in his home relations. He possessel a handsome competence, which has passed into !!!. hands of his widow, who is making such use of i: as she feels would have pleased her late husband. Mr. Kurtz was a truly beloved and honored citizen. whose acquaintance extended all over the townshin and into the adjacent country, where his pleasant ways and cheerful countenance are still cherished ::: the memory of his former associates.
M. G. SCHAEFFER, a prominent member of the Lancaster Bar. is a son of Martin Schaeffer, of Bareville, whose sketch and ancestry will be found elsewhere among these annals.
Mr. Schaeffer was born in Earl township Juis 30, 1868, and after studying in the schools of the district, went to Muhlenberg College, from which he was graduated in 1800. After his graduation, " he entered the law office of the late Judge Brubaker. and was admitted to practice in the courts of Lan- caster county, in November, 1893. Two years later he was admitted to the Supreme Court, and now practices in that court as well as the local courts, the Superior Court. and the United States District Court. During the three years' term of office of District Attorney W. T. Brown, Mr. Schaeffer acted as assistant district attorney, proving a most pains- taking, efficient and popular official. An ardent Re- publican, he has been a local campaign orator since 18g1, doing most effective service for his party's cause. He was slated by the Republican State Cen- tral Committee for State campaigning. but never took up the work, preferring the local field.
On May 6, 1805, Mr. Schaeffer was married to Miss Anna M. Light, daughter of Bishop H. E. Light, of Mountville. a well-known clergyman of the German Baptist Brethren. Two children have been born of this union: Elizabeth Dorothy and Anna Martha. Mr. Schaeffer's law offices are at No. 13, North Duke street, and his home is at No. 137 East James street, in the city of Lancaster. As one of the younger members of the Lancaster Bar, Mr. Schaeffer has been very successful. enjoying the absolute confidence of a large clientage, and we be- i speak for him continued success, and a constantly increasing practice in his chosen profession, as the well merited fruits of industry and close attention to business.
JACOB EABY. The general farming inter- ests of Salisbury township. Lancaster county, have a fitting representative in the person of Jacob Eaby, an ex-soldier who although in but the prime of life has attained prominence in the pursuit of agricul- ture and has secured for himself a competency. He
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
was born May 18, 1846, in Intercourse, Leacock township, a son of Moses and Susannah ( Kurtz) Eaby, the former of whom had been a merchant in that village for forty years.
Jacob Eaby passed his boyhood days in aiding his father in his business and in attending school antil a little over seventeen years old. when, seeing that the slavery propagandists of the South were de- termined to disrupt the Union rather than see their ret institution perish for want of new territory in which to nourish it, he enlisted, March 24. 1864, for three years, as a defender of the integrity of the States, provided the war was not sooner brought to a close. He was assigned to Co. C. Lient. Cyrus L. Eckert. 70th P. V. I., and although he had a part in several skirmishes did not have an opportunity of being engaged in a regular battle, and was honorably discharged, unhurt, at Alexandria. Va .. July 12, 1865, about three months after the close of the war.
On returning from the army Mr. Eaby re-entered his father's store, where he remained three years ; he then went to Kansas and entered 160 acres of land which, four months later, nie abandoned. He then returned to his old home in Leacock township, Lan- caster county, worked three years among the farm- ers, added to his savings and purchased his present home of fifty acres. At Lancaster, Oct. 10, 1871, Mir. Eaby married Miss Lucic E. Murt, the accom- plished daughter of Isaac and Anna (Glouner) Murr, of East Earl township, but her own birth took place in Leacock township March 31. 1854. Isaac Murr was a blacksmith by trade, was greatly re- spected in his community during his long and use- ful life, and died March 27, 1898, at the age of sev- enty-two years : his wife died in 1865, when she was but forty-two years old. The remains of both were interred in Roland's Church cemetery, in Earl town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Murr were born five chil- dren, namely: Lucie E., now Mrs. Eaby; Joseph, a blacksmith, in Leacock township; Maria, wife of Harry Grover, a milk dealer at Long Branch, N. J .; Anna, wife of Newton Hoar ; and Ida. married to Henry Hoar, a blacksmith at Intercourse. Lan- caster county. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. . Eaby was Jacob Murr, a farmer of Lancaster coun- ty, and the maternal grandparents were Jacob and Anna Glouner, natives of Lancaster county, Pa., and Germany, respectively.
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To the marriage of Jacob and Lucie E. (Murr) Eaby have been born a family of thirteen children, all with the exception of Isaac W. still living, viz: Moses, a farmer in South Hermitage. Salis- bury township. married to Anna Avers, who has borne him four children; Cora, wife of Frederick Heim, of Lancaster, is the mother of one child ; Miss Cecelia M. lives in Philadelphia ; Anna M. married J. Willis Martin, a jeweler, and is living in Savan- nah, Ga .; Miss Mary E. resides in Philadelphia ; Isaac W. died young ; David K. lives in Lancaster ; Gracie M .; Jason K. and A. Amanda are twins;
Susan C .; and Samuel S. and Nellie B. are twins. The six last named are all at home.
Mr. Eaby is an up-to-date agriculturist. and al- though his farm comprises but fifty acres it is one of the best tilled and most productive in the town- ship of Salisbury. He thoroughly understands his calling and has always been industrious and thrifty. He is a genial, good-natured gentleman and counts his friends by the score, who all hold him in the high- est esteem and admire him for his personal merit and his upright walk through life. In politics Mr. Eaby is a Republican.
JACOB C. SEITZ comes of an old Lancaster county family, his grandfather, John Seitz, with his wife. Annie Garber, having settled in Manor town- ship in early days. John Seitz was a hard working farmer : he was the father of one son. named Jacob G., who in turn was the father of Jacob C. John had three brothers. Michael, Jacob and Henry.
Jacob G. Seitz was born in 1814, and died in 1802. He cultivated a farm of three hundred acres. but ceased active work several years before his deatlı. He was a man of progressive ideas, stimu- lated by native shrewdness and close observation, and was noted for his enlightened public spirit. No well-matured scheme for the general welfare was ever stibmitted to him without commanding his hearty approval and liberal support. in early life he was an Oll Line Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party he affiliated with that or- ganization. His fellow citizens attested their con- fidence in his ability and integrity by elevating him to various positions of honor and trust. In educa- tional and sociological matters he cherished a deep interest. He served as prison inspector and as a member of the school board, and after the passage of the new State school law officially aided in carry- ing ir into execution. He was a man of means, and for many years was a director in the First National Bank of Columbia. He married Barbara Charles, who died in her forty-first year. She was the mother of nine children: Anna. John. Jacob C .. Charles, Amos, Barbara, Elizabeth, Christian and Heury. The two last named died in early child- hood. Anna married Henry W. Mann, of Manor. John is a resident of Mountville, as are also Charles and Barbara and Amos, none of whom are married. Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob R. Myers. of Manor township.
Jacob C. Seitz was born in Manor Oct. 30. 1836. .At the age of twenty-three years he began farming on his own land, and is today one of Lancaster coun- ty's most successful agriculturists, owning 123 acres of choice, highly cultivated land, within a mile of Mountville. Like his father, he is a man of broad, advanced views on all questions of public import, and like him he has made his influence felt in the community at large. For nine years he served upon the school board, and he succeeded his father in the directorate of the First National Bank of Columbia.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Genial and generous, with a heart lenient toward the failing of others, he is deserve lly popular, number- ing his friends by scores. He is an enthusiastic sportsman with both rod and gun, and his home is filled with trophies of his prowess. He is an expert taxidermist, and has himself mounted his specimens with his own hands. He is no less dextrous in wood- carving, and he exhibits to his friends numerous specimens of his skill in the form of walking sticks, embellished with figures symbolic of the achieve- ments of the sportsman in field and stream, executed .with a boldness and delicacy which might well awaken envy in the breast of a professional artist.
Mr. Seitz has been twice married. His first wife was Lucy Ann. a daughter of Joseph Stoner, to whom he was united in 1857. The issue of this mar- riage was two sons, Joseph and Clayton, both of whom are Manor township farmers. On Sept. 30. ; a great number of the commodious and convenient 1866, Mr. Seitz was married to Elizabeth. a daugh- ter of Benjamin K. Lehman: her mother. before marriage, was Elizabeth Newcomer. One daughter has been born to them : Mary E. L., who graduated from the State Normal School. at Millersville in 1800. and lives with her parents. Her first actual experience as a teacher was during the winter of 1890-1000. Mrs. Seitz is a member of the Mennon- . ite Church.
BENJAMIN W. HERSHEY, who entered into rest Feb. 3, 1002, aged forty-nine years, four months and twenty-two days, was a contractor and builder of Landisville, Pa., and was one of the leading citi- zens of Lancaster county. He was born on a farm in West Hempfield township, this county, Sept. II, 1852, son of John N. and Mary (Witmever) Her- shey, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county.
John Hershey. Sr., his grandfather. married Mary Nolt, and they reared a large family. Mr. Hershey was not an industrious farmer, preferring the pleasures of hunting and kindred sports, but hav- ing inherited a large fortune, it was not a necessity for him to till the soil.
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John N. Hershey. son of John. Sr., and father of Benjamin W., was born on the farm near Silver Springs. in West Hempfield township, where he re- mained for twenty-one years. removing then to the Hoffman Hershey farm in West Hempfield town- ship, where he lived six years. He then came to his farm of eighteen acres in East Hempfield town- ship, within one mile of the village of Landisville, and here he lived until his death, in 1883, at the age of sixty-five years, his birth having been in 1818. John Hershey was married to Mary Witmever. and she still resides in the village of Landisville. Thev had a family of thirteen children, and Benjamin W. was the third in order of birth.
Benjamin W. Hershey acquired his education in the public schools, and remained at home until the age of twenty-three years, beginning then a trade in which he afterward attained such marked success.
For two years after finishing his apprenticeship . the carpenter trade he worked as a journeyman. an. then, at his father's request, returned home, remti. . what was known as the John Hess farm. This . operated in connection with his trade, and by I ::. industry and energy became the owner of consider- able property, and reared a family of seven childa. in comfort. giving them educational advantages, ar at his death he was considered one of the substanti! citizens of the county.
Mr. Hershey owned his residence tract near Landisville, and also a valuable buffdling lot in Rohr- erstown. He assisted in the erection of many of the most substantial and imposing buildings in the bear- tiful city of Lancaster, his work being seen in the Western Market house, also in Rohrerstown: the Mennonite Church and the school building. whis
barns which make Lancaster county known to the tourist as a prosperous agricultural section were erected by his skill and mechanical knowledge. M -. Hershey was one of the examples of capable indus- try who are always found where prosperity reigns. for when the winter settled down, and both farming and carpenter work were at a stand-still. he assisted his farmer neighbors in their butchering. this being a very important branch of agricultural industry. Few men in this locality displayed more energy or industry than did Mr. Hershey, and few men were more thoroughily esteemed. Mr. Hershey was a de- voted and consistent member of the German Baptist Church, and in 1899 he was ordained a deacon. an honor which was well deserved. as he was a sincere and conscientious man.
On Dec. 5. 1878. Mr. Hershey was married to Miss Umma Dietrich, and a family of seven chi !- dren were born to this union : Dora, who is a teacher in the public schools: Milton, a brakeman : Samuel. a clerk in a store : Franklin. Emma. Mary and John. at home. Mrs. Hershey was born on the old Andrew Kauffman farm near Landisville Dec. 17, 1860, a daughter of Samuel H. and Mary i Stew- art) Dietrich, the former of whom is still surviving at the age of seventy-six years. in Bamford. the mother having died Jan. 12, 1898, at the age of sixty- six years, two months and twenty-six days. She was a most worthy member of the German Baptist Church. a devoted mother, excellent wife and kind neighbor. Mr. Dietrich is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
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