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 64
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GEORGE L. BUCKWALTER. Prominent among the leading citizens of East Lampeter town- ship is George L. Buckwalter, a popular and pro- gressive member of an old and honored family of the county. Although now living a retired life, he formerly was well and favorably known through this locality as a successful stockdealer, and an excellent man of business.
George L. Buckwalter was born on the farm of which he is the present owner, located in East Lam-
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peter township, on the Williamstown pike road, lo- cally known as the old Philadelphia road. His par- ents were Martin and Ann (Lefever) Buckwalter, the former of whom was a son of John Buckwalter, Sr., and a brother of John Fr., and Eliza. One daughter of John Buckwalter, Sr., Susanna, de- ceased. married first Hugh Moore, and later became the wife of Tobias Leaman, who now lives retired at Millersville, with his son's widow ; and Elizabeth married Abram Leaman.
Benjamin R. Witmer was born in East Lampeter township in 1838, and during a life that reached to 1888 he devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, be- The original title. in the Buckwalter family, to the lands now owned by George L., was held by grandfather John Buckwalter, who improved the property with out-buildings, and who also erected two stone dwellings, facing from opposite sides of the road, this location being formerly of some note, being famous under the name of "Running Pump Hotel," and the first proprietor of this comfortable hostelry was John Buckwalter, Sr., and at his death he was succeeded by his son, John. coming one of the most successful farmers of this locality. His well-tilled fields and excellent improve- ments testify to his thrift and good management. His most estimable wife was Mary Kreider, and ten children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy, the others attaining maturity and becoming some of the most highly esteemed residents of this part of Lancaster county. These are: Annie K., the wife of Elias Myer: John K., the farmer on the old homestead: MARY K .; Amos K., a farmer of The children of Martin and Ann Buckwalter were : Maria. the widow of Christian Rohrer ; Susan, deceased wife of Isaac Bushong : Sarah. the wife of Henry Leaman: Eliza, deceased wife of East Lampeter township; Benjamin K. a farmer also of East Lampeter township : David K., a farm- er of Leacock township : Daniel G .. a farmer of Lan- caster township; and Esther K., at home. Both David Lefever: Annie: and George L. The par- ; parents were worthy members of the Old Mennon- ents of this family were buried in the old Mellinger ite Church, and no family in the township is held in higher esteem. burying ground. They were good and consistent members of the German Reformed Church.
George L. Buckwalter grew to manhood on the farm, with only common school advantages, and he has been a very successful agriculturist and has been identified with much of the progress of East Lamp- eter township. Politically he is a stanch Republi- can. In 1874 he wedded Eliza E. Esbenshade, whose death occurred in 1878. For his second wife he married Miss Fanny Herr, fifth child of John and Fanny (Kreider) Herr, both of whom were of the Reformed Mennonite faith. They now rest in the old Longenecker cemetery.
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Buckwalter were: Christian K. died unmarried in 1855, at the age of twenty-two: Abraham K. married Serena Diller, and died in 1806. at the age of sixty-two years ; Anna, who died March 21, 1886, aged forty- eight years, was the wife of Franklin Bowman, and left one daughter, Annetta H., a charming and ac- complished woman : Amos K. married Lizzie Kohr, daughter of John Kohr, and has one son, John K .; and Sue A. married Dr. B. F. Herr, of Millersville, and has one daughter, Fannie M.
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WITMER. The name of Witmer has long been known and respected in Lancaster county. David Witmer passed a long and useful life there, leaving behind him the record of an exemplary life, as a minister in the Old Mennonite Church, as an ex- cellent and industrious farmer, kind neighbor and devoted care-taker of his family. For a number of years he officiated at the Mellinger meeting house, well known in his locality. He married Annic Rutt, and they became the parents of eleven children, all
but two of these reaching maturity: Jacob, a re- tired farmer, lives in East Lampeter township ; Abram was a farmer and tobacco dealer: David : Hettie is unmarried : Annie is the widow of Chris- tian Kendig : Mary, deceased, was the wife of Eman- ual Herr: Elizabeth died unmarried: Barbara, de- ceased. the wife of Christian Frey : and Benjamin R.
AMOS A. WEAVER, one of the progressive and substantial farmer-citizens of Lancaster county, who owns and occupies the old family homestead in Strasburg township, was born March 9. 1852, a sch of Henry K. and Christianna ( Hoover ) Weaver.
Henry K. Weaver was born Sept. 7, 1823, in Juniata county, Pa. His father died when he was a small boy, and soon after this affliction the mother with four of her children moved into Lancaster coun- ty. After some residence in Providence township the mother married Tobias Kreider, and the chil- dren of her first marriage became scattered. These were: George: Samuel, who married the daughter of Simon Groff : Catherine ; and Henry K., the fa- ther of the subject of this sketch. A man by the name of Yordy took Henry K. as an apprentice on his farm, and there he was reared and later learned the tailoring trade, with John Raub, in Martinsville, working at this for some eight years. and gave it up" in order to give his attention to farming, which had always been a favorite occupation. In 1878 he bought a farm of seventy-nine acres of fine, valuable land, located three miles south of the borough of Strasburg, and here he spent the remainder of his clays, his death occurring March 15, 1891. Through : life he had been a consistent member of the Reformed Mennonite Church. On Oct. 16. 1845, he was mar- ried to Christianna Hoover. a daughter of Abraham Hoover, who was born in Strasburg township Oct. 1, 1822, and died Aug. 1, 1883, the mother of eleven children : Mary Emma. born in July. 1846. resides on the old homestead: Gideon, born in September, 1848, died in 1852; Ada, born in January, IS50, mar-
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ried John E. Lantz. of Strasburg township: Amos A .. born in March. 1852; Hettie, born in November, 1853. married Jacob Weaver, a machinist : Barbara, born in October. 1855. resides with her brother, on the old homestead: Milo H., born in September, 1857, is a farmer and stockraiser of Strasburg town- ship: Catherine Amanda, born in November, 1850, died in February, 18;8; John F., born in November, 1861. a miller by trade, resides in Providence town- ship : Samuel Albert, born in April. 1863. is a resi- lent of Easton, Md .. where he manages a creamery ; and Enos George, born in February. 1857, died in July. ISSO.
Amos A. Weaver, who resides upon the old homestead. has devoted the greater part of his life to farming interests. although he learned the black- smith trade, when younger. ITis line has been gen- eral farming, and since taking charge of the old place he has added land until he now owns ninety-two acres, and this he has improved until he possesses one of the best properties in the neighborhood. Both He and his sisters are devoted and consistent mem- bers of the Reformed Mennonite Church, where they are valued for their Christian life and char- acter. The family is one of the most highly re- spected in Strasburg township.
ALBERT ROSENSTEIN, the senior member of the well-known business corporation known as the Lancaster Silver Plate Company, manufacturers of umbrella, parasol and cane mounts and fine natural sticks, with a New York office at No. So Franklin street, is one of the leading and substantial citizens of Lancaster.
Albert Rosenstein was born in Lancaster Tune 29, 1851, a son of Levi and Caroline ( Strauss) Ros- To Mr. and Mrs. Rosenstein have been born three children, namely : Edwin I .. who is in his father's employ: Florence, who married Isadore enstein. the former a native of . Hanover. Prussia. and the latter of the vicinity of Frankfort. Both came to Philadelphia in 1850. where they met and . Rosenthal, Esq .. an attorney of Lancaster : and Miss were married, and later located in Lancaster. where Helene, at home. Mr. Rosenstein is of a social tem- perament, genial and affable, and is identified with the following fraternities: K. of P .. I. O. O. F .. I. O. B. B., Roval Arch. In politics he supports the Re- publican party. His religious membership is with the Temple Shairry Shomaim. Mr. Rosenstein engaged in the grocery business for a period of forty years. living retired thereafter until his death, which occurred in February. ISoy. His burial took place in Lancaster. Mr. Rosenstein was one of those careful. quiet, conservative business men, whose excellent methods and untiring industry Mr. Rosenstein lives a busy life .. looking care- fully after his business interests, as befits one with so large a capital at stake. while his civic pride and social obligations also command much of his time and attention. In every way he ranks with the lead- ing citizens of Lancaster. invariably bring them success. His widow. now aged seventy-five years, is an esteemed resident of Lancaster. The children born to these most estima- : ble people are among the most respected residents of Lancaster county : Albert is one of the propri- etors of the Lancaster Silver Plate Company : Ros- alie married M. H. Marx: Miss Hattie conducts a millinery establishment in Lancaster: Morris is a cigar manufacturer of Lancaster; Emma married Isadore Goldberg, a cigar manufacturer and jobber. of Coatesvile. Pa. : Isaac represents the Silver Plate Company in New York.
Albert Rosenstein was educated in the public , duties, leaving behind him a memory that will long schools of Lancaster, attending up to the age of thir- teen years, when he went to New York City, and
there entered the employ of J. Rosenthal & Co .. im- porters of fancy goods, with which firm he contin- ued until he was twenty years of age. Then he re- turned to Lancaster to engage in business for him- self. embarking first in a wholesale notion business, buit soon changing to merchant tailoring, in which for five years he was a leader in Lancaster. MIr. Rosenstein attracted the very best and most critical custom of the city, and conducted the business until the present company was organized. when he sold his former establishment to Robert Pierce.
In I88 ;. with a force of thirty hands, Mr. Rosen- stein, in partnership with M. W. Fraim, organized the Lancaster Silver Plate Company, which has gradually increase in magnitude until employment is now given to 250 hands, and a New York office is necessary to handle the constantly increasing trade. which extends all over the United States and Europe. In 1894 occurred the death of Mr. Fraim, and Mr. Rosenstein continued alone until ISos, when he sold a half interest to H. Z. Rhoads, who is the other member of the present firm. Theirs is the largest umbrella, parasol and cane mounting establishinent in the world, and they not only sell but purchase choice goods and raw materials in every land.
In February, 18-5. Mr. Rosenstein was united in marriage with Hannah Rosenthal, who was born in Philadelphia, a daughter of Jacob and Lena ( Et- tinger) Rosenthal. natives of Germany who came to America in 1823, and engaged in the manufacture of clothing in Philadelphia. Mr. Rosenthal becom- ing one of the largest manufacturers of his day. He died in 1887, aged seventy years : he had been retired from business for some time. His widow survived until 1892, dying at the age of sixty-eight.
EZRA PFAUTZ. When death removed Ezra Pfautz, at the early age of twenty-four years, there passed out of life one of the most honorable and es- teemed citizens of Warwick township. Lancaster county, a quiet, just and unassuming man, who lived : a most estimable life in the discharge of his daily be tenderly cherished.
Ezra Pfautz was a son of John and Mary (Roy-
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Albert Rosenstein
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
er) Pfautz, of Warwick township, the former one of the most prominent men of Lancaster county, and the latter connected with one of the old and honored families, both paternal and maternal names being known among the carliest settlers.
John Pfautz, the grandfather, was of German origin, and became one of the wealthiest farmers of Lancaster county. He reared a most estimable fam- ily of children, these being : Daniel, Mary, Joel. John, Ephraim, Lydia, Leah and Annie, all of them being consistent members of the German Baptist Church, and all of them having now passed out of life.
John Pfautz (2), son of John and father of Ezra, : was the father of four children: Elias, Joseph and Ezra, deceased; and John Jr., who lives in Elston- ville, Manheim township, where he is a thrifty farmer.
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Ezra Pfautz was born May 10, 1845, and died Jan. 21, IS70, in the flower of his youth, leaving be- hind him a devoted wife. Susanna ( Rupp) Plautz, whom he had married Nov. 7. 1867, and an infant daughter, Matilda, born March 25. 1869, she being now the representative of the sixth generation of the name in America.
Thirteen years ago Mrs. Plautz and her daugh- ter removed to Ephrata, buying at that time the valui- able property located at No. 32 West Main street, ; i June 1, 1897, and by his genial disposition, business abilities and accommodating disposition he has made
where they established themselves in handsome a host of friends since his accession to the postmas- style. They are regarded as not only among the most substantial, but the most highly respected, arnong the residents of the borough. They are highly valued and consistent members of the Ger- man Reformed Church, at Ephrata, giving liberally to its support, and are interested in its benevolent and charitable enterprises.
During life Ezra Piautz was an honest. indus- trious and God-fearing man. a kind husband and father, and one of the best of neighbors and most excellent of citizens. Such men are an honor to a neighborhood, and at their death are deeply deplored.
PRESTON E. HANNUM, who is postmaster at Christiana, where he has been engaged for many years as a cattle dealer, was born in Aston township, Delaware Co .. Fa., Sept. 27. 1851. a son of William and Anna (Evre) Hannum. both natives of Dela- ware county.
William Hannum was a son of Aaron and Sarah (Mercer) Hannum. farming people of Delaware county. He. too, was in his earlier life a farmer, but became a miller when he was about forty years old, making milling his occupation for the rest of his active life. He died in August. ISS4, at the age of sixty-three. His widow, whose maiden name was Anna Eyre. survived until 1000, when she too passed away. at the ripe age of seventy-three years. Will- iam Hannum held various township offices, was jus- tice of the peace, and school director. and in his time a very active and public-spirited citizen. Both he and his wife were members of the Friends Associa- tion. To them were born the following children :
Sally, who married Hayes Clark, a farmer of Chester county, Pa. ; Preston E., whose name appears at the opening of this article : Belle W., a teacher in Bucks county ; Rebecca E., who married George Hoopes, a farmer in Chester county ; Harriet W., who married J. Edson Shallcross, a resident of Coatesville. Pa .; Frank M., in the lumber business at Christiana; Walter, in Chester county ; and George WV., with: our subject.
On April IS. 18;8, Preston E. Hannum was mar- ried, in Atglen, Chester Co., Pa., to Lottie E. Philips, by whom he has had the following children : John P. ; Sarah and Anna, who are dead ; William ; and Caro- line D. Mrs. Lottie E. ( Philips) Hannum was born in Atglen, a daughter of John M. and Sarah ( Tones)
Philips, both natives of Chester county. Her ia- ther, who was a farmer, died in Chester county, and her mother. born July 28, 18to, died July 19, 1902.
Mr. Hannumi remained on his father's farm until he was thirteen years old, when he entered the mill. and learned the milling trade under the parental care and direction. He was engaged in the opera- tion of the mill until 1884, when he sold it, and turn- ing his attention to the cattle business, soon built up a very good trade. He was appointed postmaster
tership. Mr. Hannun has been school director for thirteen years, and clerk of the borough since its incorporation. For the past ten years he has been on the County committee. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in religion a member of the Baptist Church. His standing in the community in every way is beyond question, and he is numbered among the leading citizens of Christiana.
JACOB PICKEL, one of the successful and rep- resentative farmers and dairymen of Sadsbury town- ship, was born in Bart township, this county. Sept. I. ISI5, son of Leonard and Mary E. (Miller) Pickel, natives of Bart and Pequea townships.
Leonard Pickel was a man well and favorably known in this county, and was equally at home in the trades of farmer, cooper, carpenter and horse dealer. His business connections were extensive, and it was while he was attending to some large transaction in Ogden, Utah, in 1881, that he died, at the age of sixty-five years. The mother survived until Sept. 2, 1895, dying at the age of seventy-two years. For many years Leonard Pickel was a prominent min in Lancaster county, was poor director and county commissioner for some years. The children born to Leonard Pickel and wife were: Ross M., who clied at the age of sixty years : Ephraim, who is a farmer and carpenter. in Paradise township; Jacob; Samuel G., a farmer of Sadsbury township : Ellis. a grocery merchant of Lancaster : Saminh, deceased, who married James Martin : Elizabeth E., who mar- ried Jonathan Hoke. of Illinois : and Flora, who mar- ried Ray Reed, a bookkeeper, in Lancaster.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Until his marriage Jacob Pickel remained with his parents, assisting his father in his various lines of business. The seventeen months succeeding his marriage were employed in the smelting furnace in Paradise township, and then he accepted the man- agement of a farm of 218 acres, in Salisbury town- ship, for Joseph Warton, and continued with him, as his reliable and efficient superintendent, for a period : 1 of thirty years. In 1809 he moved to his present well-cultivated and valuable farm, purchasing the same from Samuel Fogle. Here Mr. Pickel has : made many valuable improvements, and now owns !
one of the best farms in this locality.
In February, 1800. in the Presbyterian parson- age, in Bart township, Jacob Pickel married Mary E. Smith, and the children born to this union are: Esther M., who graduated from Millersville State Normal School in 1892. married William P. Hoar, a lumber merchant of California : Leonard C., who married Cora Wise, daughter of Jacob Wise, has one child, and is a farmer in Chester county: Mary F., who married William Virtue, a farmer of Sads- bury township, has two children: Leeta M .. is a music teacher. at home : and Emma R. is at home.
Nirs. Pickel was born in Paradise township July 6, 1848, a daughter of Stewart and Mary A. (Worth) Smith, both of Chester county. Shortly after their marriage they settled in Paradise town- ! ship, where they became farmers, and there he died in 1885, at the age of seventy-six years, her death also being in April. 1885. at the age of sixty-four years. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, and both were buried in the cemetery at Octoraro. Their children were : Susannah, the widow of Jesse Pickel, of Chester county: Hester, the widow of Lewis Pickel, of Sadsbury township; Emma, who married Miller Mendenhall. of Bart township : Rob- ert, of Sadsbury township: Miller, deceased; Phoebe, who married Aaron Harnish. of Chester county : Joseph, of Philadelphia : and Mary E., Mirs. Jacob Pickel.
Mr. Pickel is a leading member of the M. E. Church in this locality, and has long been promi- nently identified with the Republican party. His upright dealing and kind neighborliness have made him many friends in the township, and he is much respected.
DAVID HUBER. In its farming community is found the bone and sinew of a State's prosperity. Questionable is it if any other profession is so well represented in the legislative bodies of the State. and her prominence in the Union is ganged not by her population, but by the value of her agricultural prod- ucts. In Lancaster county are located a number of old and wealthy agricultural families who have for many years done worthy service in placing their sec- tion favorably before the country, and among these is the Huber family, well and favorably known all through the county.
Henry Huber, the grandfather of David Huber,
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of whom this biography is written, was reared on Beaver Creek, south of Strasburg, where he owned and operated a large property. He spent his whole life there. engaged in its improvement. His wife was Ann Herr, a granddaughter of Rev. Christian Herr, who came from Switzerland in I700. with his father. Ilans Herr. Henry and Aun ( Herr) Huber had a family of nine children : Henry, John; David. Christian, Jacob. Abraham. Fannie (who married John Rush), Am tho married Jacob Herr), and Maria ( who died single). The mother of this fam- ily lived a long and eventful life. her birth taking place far back in the 18th century, and her experi . ences being those of early pioneer days. For seventy years she was a devout member of the Mennonite Church, and was noted for her Christian piety. At the age of ninety-two she passed away, leaving be- hind her an example worthy to be emulated by her descendants.
Henry Huber. the chlest child of this family, was born near Strasburg in 1773. and his death occurred in 1849. Early in his business life he engaged in teaning, his route being between Wilmington and Philadelphia to other points of more or less dis- ance, as at that time the most of the transportation had to be accomplished in this way, but previous to his marriage he located on a farm in Lampeter town- ship, consisting of 120 acres, which belonged to his mother. There he made many valuaide improve- ments in the way of tences, planting of orchards, draining and the erection of commodious and suita- ble buildings, and as this property later came into his possession, he remained upon it until his removal to the fine estate now owned by David Huber, this location taking place in 1822. This fine property was originally owned by Hans Herr. and descended in line to the son. Rev. Christian Herr, and ever since has been in the family, with the exception of a few vears, when it was owned by the Withers family. The father of David Huber purchased and restored it to the family. Henry Huber lived upon this place until the time of his decease. a quiet, domestic man, at peace with his neighbors, and a worthy member of the Mennonite Church.
Henry Huber married Veronica Buckwalter, of near Muddy Creek, Lancaster county, and her life extended over seventy-six years, filled with good deeds. She was also a consistent member of the Mennonite Church. Eight children were born to this worthy couple: Mary, deceased. married Da- | vid Hess, a deacon in the Mennonite Church ; Susan, deceased, married Peter Huber : Christian became an extensive farmer on the place in West Lampeter township, on which his father had settled, and is now deccased: Ann, deceased, married Nathaniel Harnish : Fannie. deceased, married Jonathan, Stauffer: Elizabeth. deceased, married first john Harnish, and second. Adam Gochnauer ; Martha, deceased. married Samuel Burkholder ; and David.
David Huber was born Sept. 4, 1822, and was reared on the farm which he now occupies, receiving
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
his education in the public schools of his locality. As his father was the owner of large properties, young Huber found sufficient work to engage his atten- tion as soon as he had finished his school days, and in the course of time came into possession of the home farm of seventy-five acres, which he has managed, since proving himself to be one of the successful ag- riculturists of the county. In connection with this estate. David Huber also owns other valuable prop- erty, both in this county and in some of the Western States. A man of recognized probity, he has been entrusted with the management of many estates and has administered them with judgment and justice. By the rectitude of his life he has won the confidence and esteem of all, being called upon to identify him- self with some of the most important public interests of the place. For many years he was a business leader, for twenty years was a director in the Lan- caster County Bank, in which he is also a stockholder, and was one of the promoters of the Southern Market House.
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