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 67
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Abraham H. Meckley is a Democrat in politics,
REUBEN SHAUBACH, one of the representa- tive young men of Strasburg township, resides upon his farm one mile north of Martinsville. this county. He was born in West Lampeter township, Dec. 31, 1853, son of Andrew Shaubach, and he was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools. Until he was thirty years old he remained assisting his father, but after marriage located in the village of Refton on a farm of 139 acres, which he rented for two years, and he then removed to the desirable place where he has since lived, and which, since it has come into his possession. has been transformed into one of the finest in this locality. The farm owned by Mr. Shaubach comprises fifty acres and upon it he
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has made many improvements, erecting all of the buildings except the residence; and he has shown himself to be one of the progressive farmers who, by industry and good judgment, become the substantial men of the future. In 1898, Mr. Shaubach, in asso- ciation with his brother Martin, purchased a farm of I12 acres in Providence township, and this is in charge of Martin Shaubach.
On Nov. 15, 1883, Reuben Shaubach was united in marriage with Miss Susan Barge, daughter of Witmer J. Barge, who was born in Strasburg town- ship Dec. 25, 1849. Three children have been born to this union, Annie B., born May 6, 1885, and two sons who died at birth. The whole family are val- ued and consistent members of the Old Mennonite ! Church, and none are more highly respected in this neighborhood.
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FRANK R. FOLMER, who conducts a thriving butcher business in Columbia, is a native of Lebanon county, Pa., born Nov. 4, 1858.
John Folmer, his father, was the only son of John Folmer, Sr. Both were coachmakers by occupation. John Folmer died in 1861, in his twenty-sixth year. He married Miss Angeline Gerhart, who was third in the family of five children born to Henry H. and Sabina (Carl) Gerhart. namely: Cornelius C., a Union veteran of the Civil war, lives in Lebanon ; John. who also served in the Civil war, is deceased ; Milton, a resident of Lebanon, also served in the Union army during that conflict ; and Sarah married Isaac Docker, and both are now deceased. Henry H. Gerhart made his home in Lebanon county, and he died in Lebanon in 1847, in his thirty-sixth year. His widow made her home with her daughter An- geline during her latter years, and died in Columbia in 1882, in her sixty-sixth year. Both were members of the Reformed Church. To John and Angeline Folmer were born three children, of whom the eldest, Phillip H., is a vardmaster in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., at Columbia ; he married Bridget Welsh. Frank R., whose name opens this sketch. is mentioned below. John, the youngest, died in childhood. In May, 1864, Mrs. Folmer became the wife of Hugh Donnelly, who is mentioned else- where, and by that union had two children: Mary E., now the wife of Gordon W. Blakesley, a grocer of Lansing, Mich .; and Alex. C., who died in child- hood.
Frank R. Folmer received his education in the public schools, and was but ten years old when he commenced work, being employed three summers in a brickvard. He then learned the butcher business, with C. W. Minich, with whom he continued four- teen years, at the end of that time embarking in busi- ness on his own account. He has been engaged thus up to the present time, with uninterrupted success, and has met with substantial reward, which he justly deserves. Mr. Folmer owns some valuable property, and, as a result of industry and good business meth- ods, is now comfortably situated. In IS85 our sub-
ject was married, in Columbia, to Miss Alice M. Rupp, a native of Cumberland county, Pa. They have no children. Mr. Folmer is a Republican in politics, and fraternally unites with the I. O. O. F. In religious connection he is identified with the M. E. Church.
Daniel Rupp, father of Mrs. Folmer, was born in Cumberland county, Pa., son of George Rupp, a na- tive of Germany, who came to tliis country and set- tled in that county, remaining there until his death. Daniel Rupp was a carriage maker by occupation. On May 27, 1855, in Mechanicsburg, Pa., he married Elizabeth Moler, who was born Oct. 8, 1836, also a native of Cumberland county, where her parents, Samuel and Rachel ( Miller) Moler, passed all their lives. Mrs. Rupp now makes her home in York. Pa. She is an Adventist in religious belief. Mr. Rupp died Jan. 13, 1886, in Shiremanstown, Pa., aged fifty- four years. To this union were born children as fol- lows: Samuel ; Laura and Sarah E., both of whom died young : Benjamin H., of Lancaster ; Alice MI., Mrs. Folmer : Barbara A., Mrs. Charles H. Hock, of Columbia : Abraham L., Jennie E. and Emma G., all of whom died young ; Lillian R .. wife of Amos H. Groff, of Columbia ; Maggie I., wife of Harry Cor- nish, of York, Pa. ; Daniel E. and Idella D., both of whom died young; and Mirvin S., a resident of York, Pennsylvania.
MENNO MARTIN FRY. Among thie promi- nent and representative citizens of Lancaster is Menno Martin Fry, who is not only the leading busi- ness man in his line in that city but is also one of the largest dealers in leaf tobacco in the State.
Mr. Fry was born at Millport, Warwick town- ship. Sept. 3. 1854. After finishing his course in the public schools of his district he entered the State Normal school at Millersville, and so well did he im- prove his opportunities that he was accepted as a teacher at the age of sixteen years, and followed that profession through four terms. He then began the manufacture of cigars at Rothsville, and continued in that business for three years, removing at that time. to Lititz, enlarging his scope by add- ing leaf tobacco to his trade. Here he remained for the succeeding twelve years. Mr. Fry de- sired still larger fields of operation, and then removed to Lancaster, where in partnership with his brother. Phares W. Fry, he began trading in leaf tobacco. under the firm name of M. M. Fry & Bro. Their first location was on Market street, but the business increased to such a degree that a change was soon necessitated, and the fine warehouse at the southeast corner of Grant and Christian streets was built for their use. After four years of partner- ship the brothers dissolved the connection, and for a time each conducted business in the same warehouse, but it was not long before the quarters again became too contracted, this resulting in Phares Fry with- drawing to another warehouse and Menno Martin employing all of this building for his own use. How-
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ever, by July, 1900, Mr. Fry found it necessary to i Miss Sarah E., daughter of Joseph Y. Colby, at one secure a still larger building, and he completed ar- time prominently identified with the cotton mill in- dustry in Lancaster. One child has blessed this union, Maude, now the wife of James Wesley Har- vey, a lawyer of Baltimore. rangements by which he secured the Steinmetz building, at the northwest corner of Grant and Christian streets, the most complete tobacco ware- house in this section, if not. indeedl. in the whole State. This building is six stories in height and has a storage capacity of 7,000 cases of tobacco. In addi- tion to these buildings, Mr. Fry has a large ware- house at Landisville, in this county. His business is one of large proportions, consisting in selling in large quantities to the jobbers and to all of the important cigar manufacturers in the United States.
In politics Mr. Trout is a stalwart Republican, and for years has been recognized as a leader in the ranks of the party. For nearly a dozen continuous years he represented the Fifth ward of Lancaster in : the city council, and for three terms served as pres- ident of the Common branch ; but these incumben- cies he had to resign in order to take the office of clerk of the court of Quarter Sessions, to which he was elected in November, 1899, entering upon his duties Jan. 1, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Trout are identified with the First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster. Socially he is have been born to them. In social circles both are i a member of Lamberton Lodge. No. 476. F. & A. M. A whole-souled, generous man, with a friendly nod and a pleasant word for everybody, faithful in his friendship and open and manly in his political or oth- er differences with men. Harry L. Trout is personally one of the strongest men in the community in which he lives.
Mr. Fry was married to Miss Anna Hess, the accomplished daughter of the late Capt. Hess, of Safe Harbor, who fell in battle during the Civil war, a brave young martyr to his country. No children prominent, and generous hospitality is shown in the elegant home at No. 624 West Chestnut street, Lan- caster. Although an ardent Republican, Mr. Frv has never taken any very active part in politics, his large business interests requiring his close attention. For : a number of years he has been a leading member of the First M. E. Church, where for six years he served as trustee, and where he is a liberal contributor to all benevolent and charitable enterprises. He is widely known and is esteemed as a man of integrity and high business principle.
HARRY LIGHTNER TROUT, proprietor of the leading book bindery in Lancaster, and the pres- ent clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions, is a native of that city, born Oct. 28, IS53.
Mr. Trout is connected with one of the oldest and best known families in this locality, and his father, Adam Trout, is well remembered by many of the older citizens as a genial, popular man. He married Salome Lefever, who died in 1857.
Harry L. Trout received a liberal education at the public schools of Lancaster, completing his studies at the age of fifteen years. In ISto he went to Philadelphia, for three years was there engaged in the queensware business, and then returning to Lan- caster commenced a four years' apprenticeship to the trade of bookbinder, by diligence and application thoroughly mastering all the details of the business. In ISSI he commenced for his own account in the city, his first bindery being in Centre square, whence, his business having rapidly increased, he removed to more commodious quarters on North Christian street, in rear of the New Era building. and at a considerable pecuniary outlay equipped his estab- lishment with the very latest and best appliances for efficiently carrying on a first class bindery. Mr. Trout soon established a reputation as an expert and! reliable bookbinder, and he does much of the finest work for the county offices, besides enjoying patron- age from all over the State, and from even far distant localities.
On Sept. 2, 1875, Harry L. Trout was married to
ELI L. NISSLEY, a noted packer of leaf to- bacco, and very successful dealer in this line of farm produce, was born on the paternal homestead in the township of Alt. Jov. Lancaster county, July II, 1862, a son of Christ H. and Barbara (Lindesmith) Nissley.
Christ H. Nissley was born on the family home- stead where the Nissleys had long lived, and he died in Florin, Pa .. Sept. 12, 1894. He had operated the old Graybill mills for years, but in 1880 sold out to Levi R. Nissley, and moved to Florin. In his day he was an experienced miller and farmer, and engaged along both lines in Mt. Joy township for many years. In local and county affairs Mr. Nissley had long held ; a prominent position. From 1866 to 1860 he was county commissioner, county auditor for three terms, prison inspector for two terms, and school director of Mt. Toy for many years. Mrs. Barbara (Lindesmith) Nissley was born in West Donegal township, and died Jan. 12, 1899, at the age of seventy-four years, and was buried in the cemetery connected with the Graybills church. Mr. and Mrs. Nissley were the parents of the following family: Martin, who died in infancy ; Mary L .. who married J. G. Hershey, a farmer in the township of East Donegal ( mentioned more fully elsewhere) ; Amanda L., who married 1 Henry Meckly, of Mt. Joy township; Christ L., a retired farmer ; Jacob, who died at the age of four- teen years : Elizabeth N., who married I .. R. Nissley, of East Donegal township, where he is engaged in milling ; and Eli L.
The paternal grandparents of Eli L. Nissley were Martin and Elizabeth (Hershey) Nissley. the former born on the old Nissley homestead in Mt. Joy town- ship. Martin Nissley was a miller on the old home- stead, and operated a mill of his own construction.
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His death occurred after he had reached his sixty- ninth year. Mrs. Elizabeth Nissley died in 1830 at the untimely age of thirty years, and was buried in the burying ground at Gravbills. They had the fol- . lowing family: Nancy (who is living a widow in Dauphin county, Pa.). Fanny. Barbara. Maria, Katie, Christ H. and Martin. i married. soon after emigrating to the United States ; and locating in Pequea township, Lancaster county. Here he purchased a large tract of land which was situated north of Baumgardner Station, and on this property was built what is known as the Byers Church, the Byers family contributing a tract for that purpose. John Byers came upon this land as a pi- The maternal grandparents of Eli L. Nissley were Jacob D. and Barbara ( Zeigler) Lindesmith. of 1 West Donegal. Mr. Lindesmith was a prominent and successful farmer, and at the time of his death was worth more than $100.000. The long life that . was given him measured more than eighty years. and his wife lived four years longer. Both were buried oneer, being one of the first settlers, finding the local- ity nnimproved, and when viewing the extraordinary change that has been made, one can not but admire and comment upon the zeal, intelligence and energy that has so successfully made of this region one of the best improved in the county. John Byers lived to advanced age in spite of the exacting life of the in Bosiers burying ground in West Donegal. Their . pioneer, and was noted for his progressive spirit and . force of character, rearing a large and excellent fam- ily, many of whom located in the West, and have es- tablished family branches there.
children were: Martin. deceased ; Martha, deceased wife of John Engle ; Fanny, who married John Eren- ner, and is deceased : Betsy, deceased, who married John B. Meyers : Barbara. twin of Betsy : Leider T., deceased ; and Mary, who married Jacob W. Nissley.
On Sept. 27, 1883. Eli L. Nissley was married in | he came to West Lampeter and located on a farm the township of East Hempfield. Lancaster county, to Lizzie R. Shenk, by whom he became the father of the following children: Henry Roy, Eli Tav, - Christ Lloyd and Walter S. Mrs. Lizzie R. Nissley was born in Hempfield township, Sept. 20. 1862. only daughter of Henry K. and Mary ( Rhodes) Shenk, who were born in Manheim and Manor townships. respectively. Henry K. Shenk is now living in East Hempfield the honored life that belongs to a farmer who has worked hard all his years and seeks rest and peace at the close of his days. Mrs. Shenk died in 1893, at the age of sixty years, and was buried in the Lutheran Church Cemetery at Maytown.
Eli L. Nissley was reared on the home farm, where he remained with his parents until he was fourteen years of age, and then accompanied them in their removal to MIt. Joy township and to Graybills, spending three years at each location. When he was seventeen years of age he came to Florin, and six years later became engaged in the leaf tobacco busi- ness, which has continued his occupation to the pres- ent time and in which he is remarkably successful.
Mr. Nissley is a Republican, and has taken a leading position in the community. In 1901 he was elected a school director for a three years' term. In 1890 he was made a director of the First National Bank of Marietta, and his business judgment, always good, is making itself felt throughout the county. Mr. Nissley is a pushing and energetic character. bound to make progress, and is widely known as an enterprising and thoroughly reliable man.
BENJAMIN F. BYERS. The ancestors of the Byers family, in Lancaster county, came from a country which has given the world some notable men. and whose people. the country over, are considered among the best of American citizens.
John Bvers, his grandfather, was a native of Germany, and in that country he was reared and there 1
John Byers (2), son of the pioneer, was born in 1807. and died in 1852, having been reared on the homestead in Pequea township. After his marriage about one mile south-east of Willowstreet, where he bought and operated over 100 acres, and there pur- sued agricultural activities all his life with excellent results. He was highly esteemed, being made super- visor and for a long time serving as school director.
John Byers ( 2) married Kate Johnston. daughter of Abraham Johnston, of Pequea township, who died in 1879 at the age of sixty-three. They had a fam- ily of ten children : Barbara married Samuel Min- ney, of West Lampeter township ; Henry died at the age of forty-four, unmarried; Jacob is a farmer of Quarryville, Lancaster county ; Mary is the widow of Peter Sicor; Sarah is the wife of Henry Barr, of Pequea township : John died at the age of twenty- cight, leaving a wife and two children ; David is a resident of Whiteside county, Ill. ; Annie is the wife of John Huber, of Willowstreet; Benjamin F .; and Amaziah died in childhood.
Benjamin F. Byers was born July 16, 1853. and was reared on the home farm, attending the public school of his district, until the age of twelve. At this carly age he started from home with the intention of taking care of himself, engaging in farm work by the month, and thus he continued until he was twenty- five. At this time he saw a favorable opening in the butchering business, at Lampeter, and since that time has been engaged in that line, very successfully, being both a wholesale and retail merchant. Mr. Byers has the best of facilities for his work, having erecte .! a large slaughter house, and supplying the Lancaster City markets, as well as the country trade. Being a live business man, his future success is assured, the public having learned to repose confidence in his integrity. As a stanch Republican, he has filled a number of the local offices in the gift of the party, serving efficiently under all circumstances.
Benjamin Byers was married in 1886. to Eliza- beth Eshleman. a daughter of Christian Eshleman of West Lampeter township, and three children have
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been born of this union : Willis, Myrtle and Harold. This is one of the representative families of the town- ship, and by his energy and industry, Mr. Byers has place his business in a front rank in this part of Lan- caster county.
WILLIAM B. DETWILER. Prominent in the realty business, in Mt. Jov, Pa., and one of the most progressive and enterprising business men, is Will- jam B. Detwiler, a native of Rapho township, where he was born in 1851, a son of Joseph and Anna Det- wiler. The name is one well known in financial and business circles, carrying with it the suggestion of uprightness of character, combined with sound busi- ness ability.
Mr. Detwiler remained with his parents until his marriage, and then engaged in farming on the old homestead in Rapho township, successfully operating a large farm, for fourteen years. Since that time, his residence has been in Mt. Joy, the varied and in- creasing interests of his father, requiring his as- sistance in their management. Aside from the vast amount of work entailed in successfully managing his father's estate, he is also engaged in the real es- tate business, for which he has shown great capacity.
The marriage of William B. Detwiler occurred in Conoy township, when Emma Hoffman, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Rhodes) Hoffman, . of Manor township, became his bride. They now reside in Conoy township. where Mr. Hoffman is one of the most extensive farmers and tobacco merchants in that locality. They are pious and worthy people. members of the River Brethren and the Church of God, and are the parents of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler have four children .- Parthenia A., who married Dr. B. F. Wright, a dentist of Harris- burg : Joseph H., Jr. ; Mabel ; and Beulah.
For the past six years. Mr. Detwiler has been a member of the city council, and is one of the lead- ing politicians in this section.
JAY BACHMAN. The Bachman family, of Lancaster county, possesses an old and honorable an- cestry, its members having been identified with the advancement of the county since as early as 1746, when its founder in the United States located in West Lampeter township. His son, Jacob, became the grandfather of Jay Bachman, the immediate subject of this biography.
quiet, well-ordered citizens and worthy of their name. To Jacob Bachman and wife were born: Maria, born in 1815, married William Parker and re- moved to Illinois, where she died. May 13. 1854; Susan, born in 1816, died single : John, born in ISIS, died Sept. 15, 1894: Anna, born in 1820, married David Longenecker and removed to Maryland, where she still survives, a widow since Feb. 5. 1889; Jacob, born in 1825. married Elizabeth Eshleman, re- sided in Strasburg township, and died March 8, 1888; Fannie, born in 1827, married John Jameson, and in 1855 removed to Quincy, Ills .. where she died in 1893; Benjamin F., born in 1829, removed to Cali- fornia when a young man, and spent his life in that State: and Elizabeth, born in 1832, died in infancy.
John Bachman, son of Jacob and father of Jay Bachman, was born in West Lampeter township, and when a small boy accompanied his parents in their removal to Strasburg, when location was made upon the fine farm now occupied by Jay Bachman. Here John Bachman was reared and sent to the pub- lic schools. later being given educational advantages in both select schools and an academy. About the time of his legal majority he purchased a farm in Ohio, which he cleared and worked for a period, remaining until his father's death called him home, when he returned to the homestead, and with his brother Jacob undertook the management of the estate. Until his marriage this arrangement con- tinued, at which time he took full control and made it his home.
For many years John Bachman resided in the old homestead, engaged in farming, but when his son Jay had reached manhood he turned the farm over to him and retired from active life, remaining in the old place, however, until his days ended. For a long period John Bachman was one of the prominent. as well as one of the most substantial men of the locality, a man of more than ordinary intelligence and superior education. His services were frequently required in the settlement of estates, on account of the known probity of his character. He was one of the original directors in the Strasburg Bank, so continuing for many years.
On May 11, 1869, John Bachman was married to Lizzie B. Rohrer, daughter of Christian and Maria (Buckwalter) Rohrer, who was born Sept. 29, 1844. Four children were born to this union : Minnie, born Feb. 13, 1870, married Morris Bach- man, of Pittsburg, Pa .; Jay, born Oct. 21, 1871, re- sides on the old homestead ; Ed, born Dec. 10, 1874, died April 16, 1876; and Park, born Nov. 12, 1879, was a student of mechanical engineering at the Western University, at Pittsburg.
Jacob Bachman was born April 25, 1782, and died May 10. 1849, and on March 31. 1814. married Barbara Eshleman, who died at the age of seventy- eight years, eight months and three days. Jacob Bachman was a farmer, but possessed a natural aptitude for working in wood, and the family still Jay Bachman, who is one of the most progressive young farmers of Strasburg township, and a son of John and Lizzie ( Rohrer) Bachman, was reared on the farm he now occupies and which he is improving with modern buildings and stocking it with high- grade stock and cattle. His education was acquired possesses some valued examples of his cabinet work. Both were members of the Old Mennonite Church, and both were of quiet, domestic habits of life. Un- der their roof grew up a large and intelligent family, ; many members of it having made homes for them- selves in other States, everywhere being known as . in the excellent public schools of Lancaster county,
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which he has supplemented with reading and scien- tific studies in relation to his agricultural and stock interests. The Bachman homestead farm contains 108 acres of some of the most valuable land in Strasburg township, located three miles southwest of Strasburg, and is one of the oldest, although the stanch old buildings, almost a century old, give no such impression. Mr. Bachman has remodeled and modernized them and put them into proper condition to accommodate his growing operations. In connec- tion with his farming industries, he also conducts one of the best and largest dairies in the vicinity, the butter from which commands the highest market price and is in much demand.
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