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 69
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John L. Denlinger was born in East Lampeter township in 1821, and he began farming in early life, continuing same until his death, which occurred in J886. He married Miss Elizabeth Harnish. and they were the parents of seven children : Mary A., wife of Cyrus Weaver : Naomi, who died in infancy ; Elam H., of Lancaster City ; Frank, who died in his twen- ty-first year: Jacob, who died aged thirty-seven years : Frecland L., our subject ; and Miss Lizzie F., unmarried, of Lancaster City.
Freeland L. Denlinger was educated in the public schools, and lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began life for himself, farm-
ing one year on the farm of Mrs. Elizabeth Fralish. Then his father died, and he inherited the home farm. on which he now resides, and where he has continue ! farming ever since. He takes a deep interest in tlie general welfare of the community in which he re- sides.
On Nov. 21, 1885, Mr. Denlinger wedded Miss Amanda Fralish, daughter of David and Elizabeth Fralish, and to this union have been born two chil- dren, J. Cletus, Nov. 27, 1887 ; and Miriam E., March 27, 1804.
DANIEL H. DENLINGER. The Denlinger family is of Swiss extraction, but has long been dom- iciled in Lancaster county. Daniel H. Denlinger was born in Leacock township May 23, 1855, son of Daniel and Margaret ( Hershey ) Denlinger, natives, respectively, of Paradise and Salisbury townships.
Daniel Denlinger, the father, was a prominent and sticcessful farmer. In his carly manhood he was a miller, operating in Salisbury township what is now known as Hunsecker's mill. During the last fifteen years of his life he lived retired from active farm labors. He died in 1884, aged sixty-nine years, and is buried in Hershey's Mennonite cemetery. His widow, the mother of Daniel H., survives and is a resident of Leacock township.
Daniel H. Denlinger remained on the home farm until his marriage in Leacock township, in October, 1878, to Miss Anna M. Kreider, who was born in that township in ISGo, and who died July 19, 1882, aged twenty-two years, leaving two children, Anna E., who married Landis O. Brackbill, of Gap, Lan- caster county ; and John K., who lives at Coatesville, Pa. For his second wife, Daniel H. Denlinger mar- ried, Jan. 30, 1881, Fanny K. Landis, who was born in East Hempfield township, May 9, 1858, daughter of Rev. John B. and Anna ( Kreider) Landis, of East Lampeter township, and granddaughter of Abraham and Elizabeth ( Brenneman) Landis, of Lancaster county, and of Jacob Kreider, of Lancaster county.
Rev. John B. Landis has been a Mennonite minis- ter for the past fifty-two years. He was born March IO, 18to, and retired from active farming in 1871. He is a man of prominence and unusual mental vigor. His wife died in 1880, aged sixty years and twenty- four days, and is buried in East Petersburg Mennon- ite cemetery. To Rev. John B. and Anna ( Kreider) Landis were born children as follows: Elizabeth, who married Israel F. Root, and is now deceased ; Mariah, widow of Martin P. Swarr. of East Hemp- field township: Anna, wife of Christ F. Charles, a farmer of Rapho township ; Catherine, wife of Ben- jamin F. Charles, a farmer of East Hempfield town- ship : Hettio, wife of John M. Denlinger, a farmer of Manor township : Fanny K., wife of Daniel H. Den- linger, subject of this sketch ; and Jacob A., of Los Angeles, California.
To Daniel H. and Fanny K. (Landis) Denlinger have been born five children, namely: Lillie L.,
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Daniel L., Fanny M., Margaret R. and Jacob L., all at home.
Following his marriage in 1878, Mr. Denlinger settled upon his farm of 115 acres in Salisbury town- ship, which he still occupies. He is a successful and progressive farmer and one of the prominent citizens of the township. For ten years he served as school director, and in various ways has demonstrated his enterprise and public spirit. In politics he is a Re- publican, and in religious affiliation himself and wife are active members of the Mennonite Church.
AMOS H. HOFFMAN. Had the biographer the time and space it would be most interesting to compare the appearance of the land and the surround- ing conditions of life, with those of the present, when, many years ago, Christian Hoffman, the founder of the Hoffman family in Lancaster county, established here a saddlery business, upon the large farm of which he became the owner. It was during his youth that he located in East Hempfield township, and this locality has the honor of having been the home of a real inventor, the teamster whip, which he first invented and then manufactured in large numbers, being a successful article, and one which found ready sale, as at that time the volume of business in the way of transportation, was done along the highway, by teamsters. His religious connection was with the Lutheran Church, and for that time and locality, he was rated a very substantial man. His marriage uni- ted him to Magdalena Geczy, and they reared these children: Henry; Christian; John; Susan; Eman- uel; Levi; Magdalena, who married Michael Goch- nauer ; and Annie, who married A. Harlacher.
Henry Hoffman, who purchased the home prop- erty, lying one mile east of Landisville, was born and reared on the place, his birth occurring in 1813, and his death, in 1894. Farming was his chief occupa- tion, in connection with the saddlery, succeeding to this business after his father's death. He did much to improve the land, as at the time he took charge of the property, much of the native forest still remained. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat, and although he took an active part in the deliberations of his party, he never consented to hold office. He was a member of the Mennonite Church. His inter- ment took place on the old homestead burying ground, where his parents long had slept. His wife, Elizabeth Hiestand, was born in 1824, a daughter of Christian Hiestand, of Landisville; she died in 1896, the mother of the following children: Chris- tian, a farmer and produce dealer, of East Hempfield ; Annie, the wife of Benjamin Nolt, a prominent mil- ler and drover, of this township ; Levi, who died un- married, at the age of thirty-five ; Maggie, deceased wife of Jonas E. Witmer ; Lillie, deceased, who mar- ried F. I .. Nissley ; Harry, who was connected with the establishment of Hager Bros., and died in Lan- caster, leaving a widow and one child; John, de- ceased ; and Amos H.
Amos H. Hoffman, who resides on the old home-
stead, was born Feb. 21, 1867, and was reared on this pleasant old farm, receiving his preparatory ed- tication in the common schools, later becoming a student at the State Normal school at Westchester, immediately after entering the profession of teacher, satisfactorily pursuing that for six sessions. About this time he received an appointment as U. S. store- keeper and gauger, and served in that capacity in the Ninth Revenue district for four years, resigning the position, however, to take charge of the homestead farm he had purchased in 1895, since which time he has engaged in farming rather extensively.
Mr. Hoffman has been an active member of the Democratic party, has served on the County commit- tee and has been a frequent delegate to Democratic county and State conventions.
On Dec. 20, 1896, Mr. Hoffman married Les- tella M. Foust, a daughter of William Foust, a well- known distiller, of York county, and to this marriage two children, Ruth and William have been born. The Hoffman family is one of the most highly respected in the county, and Amos H. Hoffman is a worthy rep- resentative of it.
BENJAMIN BARR, a paper-hanger and water- color decorator, of Lancaster, was born Feb. 2. 1872. on his father's farm, in Pequea township. He served his apprenticeship with J. B. Martin, beginning in August, 1888, and he has remained with the same employer ever since, having taken up the work as a master workman on the completion of his apprentice- ship service.
In April, 1897, Mr. Barr married Miss Sue Dief- enbach, who was born in Erie, Pa., a daughter of John Diefenbach, a railroad engineer who was killed while on duty in Kentucky, in 1885. Mr. Barr pur- chased his present home, No. 212 South Ann street, three months after his marriage-a substantial in- dication of his industry and thrift. His political affil- iations are Republican, and his social with the Knights of Pythias, and his fine qualities are appre- ciated at home and afar.
Jolin Barr, now deceased, the father of Benjamin, was a farmer. He was born in Pequea Nov. 10. 1813, and died there on his farm, Feb. 13, 1884, and his remains are buried in the cemetery in Pequea. He was married in Lancaster in 1860 to Elizabeth Good, and the following is a list of their children in addition to Benjamin, above mentioned : Maurice, who died at the age of four years ; John, living with his mother : Aaron, who died at the age of nine; Maurice (2), now an engineer living in St. Lonis. Mo .: Lizzie, now of Steelton, Pa., and the wife of Frank Loy, by whom she has two children; and Abraham, now at home with his mother. Mr. Barr, the father of this family, was brought up to farming and tanning, under his own father, who in 1841, re- tired in his favor, the successor then being twenty- eight years of age. Thenceforward until his death he continued both industries, a period of over forty years, and achieved a competency for his family.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
leaving it prominent in the community, prosperous and comfortable. He was always a liberal supporter of the church, but not a member, and he could never be induced to accept political office. His widow sold the farm and tannery, and moved to Lancaster in April, ISSS. She was born in February, 1837, in Martic township, daughter of John and Fannie ( Mil- ler) Good. Her father was a farmer who died in 1884, at the age of eighty-two; her mother having preceded him in 1881, aged seventy-five. Both were members of the Old Mennonite Church, and both are buried in the Byrland Church cemetery at Pequea. Their children besides Elizabeth, were as follows : Barbara married Abram Harnish, and both are de- ceased ; Jonas is now deceased : Miss Fanny, of Lan- caster ; Susan. now Mrs. Benjamin Martin. of Lan- caster ; Miss Mary, of Lancaster; and Leah, now Mrs. Samuel Rissel, wife of a retired farmer of Lancaster. Mrs. John Barr's grandparents were Jacob and Barbara ( Shenck ) Good, farmers of Lan- caster.
Benjamin Barr's grandfather was also Benjamin Barr ; his grandmother, Barbara ( Miller) Barr; and they were both of Lancaster county. We have al- ready told that this Benjamin Barr passed his farm- ing and tanning business on to his son John, and re- tired in 1841. He was a man of prominence in the community, and was well-to-do. He and his wife were both members of the Mennonite Church. Their sons and daughters were: John. already mentioned ; Fanny, who died unmarried at the age of seventy- three; Eliza, deceased wife of Benjamin Snavely; and Benjamin, a farmer of Landisville, this county.
HENRY RESSLER. For many years the mill- ing interests of one section of Lancaster county, have been efficiently looked after by members of the Ress- ler family, and that name is known far and wide for excellent and satisfactory work. Henry Ressler, the owner and operator of one of the most complete and best conducted mills in this part of the county, in- herited from his father a great faculty for, and un- derstanding of. the business, and he is regarded as an authority on the subject.
Henry Ressler was born in Upper Leacock town- ship, Jan. 9, 1870, son of William and Mary ( Mar- tin) Ressler, the former of whom was a native of Berks county and was born in 1819. When he first decided to leave home, in order to learn a trade, Will- iam Ressler chose that of shoemaking and became apprenticed to a local cobbler, but later resigned the position to an older brother and went to learn the milling business with David Ressler, at what is now known as Rupp's mill, on Conestoga creek, a short time later entering the employ of David Binkley, at Binkley's Bridge, and! thus formed a friendship which lasted through the life of Mr. Binkley and had much to do with the shaping of some years of Mr. Ress- ler's career. After finishing his apprenticeship with this employer, he became his chief miller and re- mained with him for nine years.
About this time occurred the marriage of Williar; Ressler and following this event, he rented the mi !! which is now known as Zook's mill, on Cocalico creek, and this he operated for two years, and then engaged with Isaac Rohrer, in the management of what is now called Snaveley's mill, but before he had become thoroughly identified with the business here. David Binkley died, and in his will he requested that Mr. Ressler return and take charge of his mill proper- ty, to conduct until his youngest son had reached his majority. Some dissatisfaction arose, owing to a mis- understanding between Mr. Ressler and the eldest son of Mr. Binkley, and after seven years the former gave up the mill. Not long, however, could he remain out of his favorite business, and soon after this, he leased Frey's mill, on Lititz creek, this now being known as Kafroth's mill, where he remained for two years. Shortly before the expiration of his lease a desirable mill property near Lancaster came into the market. and of this Mr. Ressler became the owner, paying for this $20.000.50, but he never operated this mill, selling it. at the same figure, on the day of purchase, and on the same day, bought another mill property. in Upper Leacock townshp, for which he paid $20,000, and this is now known as the Ressler mill. Not being able to gain immediate possession of the property. he pursued farming for the following year. He died in 1802. His children were: Joel. of whom nothing is known: Jacob K., the owner and operator of the Ressler mill, who mar- ried. Dec. et, 18St, Annie M. Groff, a daughter of Levi Groff. at one time a well-known distiller and large land owner : Dora I. : Lizzie, who married W. S. Reidenbaugh, of Lancaster ; J. Light, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and now a prac- ticing physician of Bird-in-Hand : Henry ; and Mary. wife of Samuel Herr, residing at Bird-in-Hand.
Henry Ressler lived upon the farm until he at- lained his majority, and his first business venture. when he was between nineteen and twenty-two years of age, was in the auctioneer business, and he became well and favorably known through the township in that capacity. However, the milling instinct was but dormant, for, in 189t. he began operations in the family business, in that year purchasing what is known as the Seldomridge mill. which he success- fully operated from April. 1805. to November of the same year, at which time he sold it to C. E. Scidom- ridge, who is the present owner. The following year Mr. Ressler passed quietly in Ephrata, but in the spring of 1896, he leased his present mill property. known as the Bushong mill. located on Mill creek. and on Oct. 1, 1809, became its owner. Here Mir. Ressler has an excellent grist and custom business and also here manufactures lumber. This desirable property includes thirty-five acres of fine land, and a commodious two-story brick residence.
On Dec. 22. 1896, Mr. Ressler wedded Miss Emma E. Ranck. a daughter of Rev. David W. Ranck. of West Earl township, and to this union one daughter, Emma E .. was born, but Mr. Ressler was
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
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bereaved by the death of his wife, Oct. 8. 1898. As a business man and practical miller, Mr. Ressler has gained the confidence of the community, and is ope of the reliable and substantial citizens of East Lam- Peter township. In politics he is a Republican, and in February, 1902, he was elected township auditor. succeeding Dr. A. N. Miller, who had held the office for thirty years.
B. FRANK WALTER. the enterprising pro- prietor of a popular establishment at Christiana that is devoted to the sale of coal, lumber, fertilizers, and other goods in demand by the farming community. was born in Sadsbury township. Jan. 14. 1856, son of George H. and Hannah ( Brown ) Walter, natives of Chester county.
. In 1854 George H. Walter came to Lancaster county, and located in Sadsbury township. In early Hie he was a merchant in Russellville, but after ar- riving in Lancaster county he devoted himself to farming. He became prominent in local affairs, and served as school director and as supervisor. Both he and his wife died in Sadsbury township in 1889, he at the age of eighty-one, and she at seventy-five. and they sleep in Bart Cemetery. Mrs. Walter was a member of the Society of Friends. They had the following family: Brinton. a resident of Christiana. is engaged in business in Parkesburg : Jesse died in the army; Lwdlia married William L. Jackson. a farm of Christiana : Mary married Francis Whitson. who is living retired in Christiana: Georgianna is deceased; Louisa married Dr. L. W. Pownall, of Altoona ; and B. Frank.
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The paternal grandparents of B. Frank Walter were Brinton and Mary Walter, of whom the former was a farmer and a hotel man in Chester county, near Avondale, and he died in 1818, at the age of fifty years. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Wal- ter were Thomas and Hannah Brown, farming people of Chester county, who have entered into rest.
B. Frank Walter was married in 1883, in Ches- ter county. to Sarah Linvill, by whom he has had the following family: Laura L., Maurice and Margaret. Mrs. Walter was born in Bart township, Lancaster county, in 1860, daughter of Sylvester D. and Saralı Walker Linvill. Sylvester D. Linvill was a school teacher in his carly life, and later a farmer.
Mr. Walter lived with his parents until the age of twenty. when he engaged as assistant to his broth- er Brinton in the business, and so continued until 1892, in which year he purchased his brother's bus- iness, both wholesale and retail. Mr. Walter was elected borough councilman, and in February, 1001, was chosen president of the council. In his political views he is a Republican. In religion he is a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and he lives an upright and consistent life.
JOSEPH BARR McCASKEY. D. D. S .. the oldest and most prominent practitioner of dentistry in Lancaster, whose commodious and comfortable
office is located at No. II Fast King street, over the First National Bank, is one of the best-known men in lancaster city and county.
William McCaskey, father of the Doctor, owned and conducted a farm in Leacock township, this county, and in early manhood married Miss Marga- ret Fiersol. who belonged to a well-known family of Compass, this county, near the Chester county line. To their union the following named children were born: J. P., Ph. D., the veteran principal of the Boys' High school, of Lancaster; Joseph B .. of this biography ; Kate, who is the wife of James H. Mar- shall, ex-postmaster, and now assistant postmaster. of Lancaster ; Col/ William S., of the United States army, who enteredthe volunteer service at the age of seventeen years, distinguished himself during the war of the Rebellion, and since that time achiev- ing lasting fame as a soldier ; Cyrus D., in the Bal- timore & Ohio Railroad service : Maggie ( deceased ) . who was the wife of Wellington Spoon. a passenger conductor on the Reading railroad ; and J. Newton, a dentist, now following his profession in Harris- burg.
Joseph B. McCaskey was born on his father's farm in Leacock township, this county, in 1839. passed his early boyhood days there and in 18.13 came to Lancaster. Here.he was educated in the public schools, finishing in the Boys' High School. and then began the study of dentistry, in 1854, bis preceptor being Dr. William Whiteside, a soldier of the Civil war, who ranked high in his profession. About 1861 Dr. McCaskey went to Hanover. York county, practicing dentistry there for three years, at the end of which time he returned to Lancaster and opened up the office where he has remained ever since. Here he has enjoyed one of the largest and most substantial dental practices ever known in the county, and all these years has been a close student. never being satisfied with what he has already accomplished in his pro- fession, bat ever striving after the mastery of the latest scientific methods and discoveries. No man has ever lived in the city who has enjoyed so high a reputation in his business, and he was the pioneer in introducing to people the idea that it is better to save than to remove teeth. His crown and bridge work is unexcelled, and his patrons are numbered among the best and most prominent people in the city and county.
In 1857 Dr. McCaskey married Miss Fannie Con- nell. a daughter of the late Mark Connell, of Me- chanicsburg. this county, who was a prominent farmer and live stock dealer. This union was blessed with three children : Harry and Joseph B .. Jr .. boch of whom are dentists, the latter being associated with his father: and Clothilda, at home. The family residence has been at No. 320 North Duke street for twenty-seven years.
Dr. McCaskey comes of strong ancestry, being of Scotch-Irish stock of the Presbyterian faith, no- ted for their tenacity of purpose and their will
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power, as well as their ability. Many of these traits have come down to him, and he has been called upon to occasionally make use of them. If the Doctor confesses to a fad it is for horses and tests of their speed, and many times has he been urged to act as judge of such trials, but he has refused. As an owner of many fine animals, and fond of many sports, he has done much toward elevating the amusements in his community, but he is not a sporting man, and only looks to racing as a mere agreeable pastime. The main business of his life still continues to be, as it has been in the past, the successful practice of dentistry.
HARRY S. BEATES, one of the prosperous young farmers of East Donegal township, was born in West Donegal township March 4. 1872, a son of William Christopher and Barbara Anna ( Myers) Beates, both of whom belonged to old Lancaster county families.
Samuel Deates, his grandfather, was a son of Rev. William and Anna Af. ( Herst) Beates, of Phil- adelphia, who moved to Lancaster county, where Mr. Beates ministered in the Lutheran Church. Samuel Beates had once been a drug merchant in Philadel- phia, and later engaged in the mercantile business in' | Lancaster, but he lived a retired life thirty years prior to his death, his last three years being spent in East Donegal township. Hle died in East Donegal township in June, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven. He married (first) Elizabeth Brenner, a daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Crider) Brenner, the former of whom was a farmer and hotel keeper in Lancaster. She died when her son. William Christo- pher, was but eighteen months old. Both Samuel Beates and his wife were buried in Woodward Hill cemetery, Lancaster.
William Christopher Beates was born in Lancas- ter Sept. 9, 1847, and after the death of his young mother was taken to the home of his grandfather Beates, where he remained for thirteen years, and then went to work on a farm near Londonderry. in Dauphin county, where he continued for five years. By this time he was prepared to purchase a farm, and this he operated for the following five years, and then changed his residence to Lancaster county, and farmed in East Donegal township for twenty years. In 1894 he retired from active life and now resides in Marietta. In politics Mr. Beates voted with the Republican party, and in religious matters he is an active member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is a trustee. In December, 1869. Mr. Beates was married to Barbara Ann Myers, and two children have been born to this union: Harry S., of this sketch; and Sarah. who married John D. Orth, a meat merchant of Marietta. Mrs. Beates was born in Dauphin county, Pa., July 30, 1844. a daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Coble) Myers, of Lancaster coun- ty, but both died in Dauphin county, just over the line of separation, the father in 1890, aged eighty- six, the mother in 1848, aged thirty-five, and both
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were buried at Conewago, Lancaster county. The :: had lived irreproachable lives, consistent member: of the United Brethren and Dunkard Churches. Their children were: Christian, a resident of Run- ning Pump, in this county; Eli, deceased ; Barbara : David, a carpenter, in Elizabethtown : Catherine, who died young : and Sarah, the wife of Harry Shoap, a farmer of Dauphin county. Henry Myers marrici second, Maria Zimmerman, who bore him two chil- dren: Simon. a machinist of Elizabethtown; and Ellen M .. who married Ephraim D. Shenk, a farmer of Dauphin county.
Harry S. Beates was brought by his parents to the East Donegal farm when he was but two years old, and that was his home for many years. Farming was his chief occupation, and he has always been re- garded as one of the most promising and progressive among the younger agriculturists of this section.
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