Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 73

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers
Number of Pages: 1186

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 73

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JACOB H. ENGLE (deceased), was born in Rapho township, June 14, 1850, and came to the farm where his family now reside March 27, 1800. and there he died March 13, 1900. His remains rest in the cemetery connected with the Cross Roads Meeting House in East Donegal township.

Rev. Henry and Fannie ( Hoover) Engle. his parents, were of East Donegal township, and moved to the present Engle homestead in 1860. There the father lived retired for forty years. a successful and prominent farmer, and for about fifty years an active and influential minister of the Brethren in Christ. When he died Jan. 12. 1806. he was aged eighty-eight years, two months and six days. His wife died in ISSt, and they were buried in the ceme- tery connected with the Cross Roads Meeting House in East Donegal township. Rev. Henry and Fannie Engle had the following children : Noah HL., a farm - er in Abilene, Kans. : Mary H. died in ISot. unmar- ried : Michael H. is a retired farmer in Elizabethtown, Pa. : Sarah H. lives in Maytown, the widow of Chris- tian Hershey; Ann HI. is unmarried, and has her home in Mt. Joy ; Eli H. is a farmer in Mt. Foy : John H., who is engaged in the butcher business at Mt. Joy : and Jacob H.

Jacob H. Engle was married in January, 1871. in Rapho township, to Harriet Missemer, by whom he had the following family: Norman M. a farm foreman at Woodland. Cal .. and as ver immarried : Dr. Howard M., of San Francisco: Walter M .. at

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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY

home: Joseph MI., deceased; Henry J .. at home : Robert M., deceased: Fanny G., M. Lena. Dertha M. and Bruce Q. C., all at home.

Mrs. Harriet Engle was born in Rapho township. a daughter of Jacob and Magdelina ( Gantz ) Misse- mer. They were both born and reared in Lancaster county. Jacob Missemer followed the milling bu-i- ness until his death in 1883, at the age of sixty-six; his widow died in 1890, at the age of sixty-seven. Their remains rest in the burving ground of the Cross Roads Meeting House in East Donegal town- ship. They were members of the Lutheran Church. Their children were: Susan, who married Rev. David Wohlgemuth, now a retired farmer and a Dunkard preacher at Florin : Elizabeth, wife of Ja- cob Gruber, a farmer in Rapho township: Kate. widow of Henry G. Snyder, with her home in Mt. Joy : Henry, who died in infancy ; Sarah, who mar- ried Henry Martin, a farmer in East Donegal town- ship; Mattie, who married David Brant, of Mt. Jov township ; Anna, wife of Samuel Witmer, of Rapho township; Jacob, Henry, David, Adam. William. Joseph and Frederick, who all died in infancy : Har- riet, Mrs. Engle : Louise, who married Dr. W. B. Thome. of Mt. Joy township, whose sketch may be found on another page : and Mary, who married Ed- ward Boyd. of Manheim.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Engle were Jacob and Lena ( Hoeman) Missemer, who were born in Berks county. Pa., and came to Lancaster county in an early day. Jacob Missemer married. for his second wife, a Miss Kraybill, of Lancaster county.

Jacob H. Engle, who was a farmer all his life. remained at home with his parents until his mar- riage, when he removed to a farm in Chiques Creek. where he remained twenty-seven years. His next move was to the farm where his family is now liv- ing. Mr. Engle was in his life time a man of char- acter and standing in the community, where his in- dustry, integrity, and simple and unaffected manli- ness commanded ready recognition, and won a host

Mr. Linton returned home and worked on his fa- ther's farm until his marriage, Feb. 24, 1870. to Miss Fannie Boohar, a daughter of Jacob and Angeline (Mercer) Bonhar. Mrs. Fannie Linton was born in November. 1848, and when she was still young ber parents moved into the city of Lancaster, where their ! children might be educated. Mr. Boohar was a mil- ler. and worked at his trade in different mills in the county until ISor, when he moved to the Puserville Mills, where he was employed until ISzt. when he died. His widow survived until 1891. Of their fam- Hlv of seven children. six are living: Handford died of friends. For three years he was a school director. . in Christiana ; Ross W., born in Chester county, lives For many years he followed tobacco buying, and met with much success. Connected with no church. he was a man of fine character and absolute integrity, much beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. His legacy to his children was, above all. a good name and a spotless reputation.

ROBERT C. LINTON, an elderly farmer in Colerain township, was born in East Drumore town- ship, in September, 1844. a son of Alexander and Margaret (Glackin) Linton.

Alexander Linton was born in Ireland, and his wife, who was a daughter of John Glackin. in Dru- more, Lancaster county. After his marriage Mr. Linton settled on a wild wooded farm in East Dru- more township, which is now owned by his son, James, and good buildings and thorough cultivation have made this one of the fine farm homes of that

section. Here Alexander Linton died in 1865. an; his widow in 1899. They were members of the Pre- byterian and Catholic churches. Mr. Linton was - stanch Democrat, and a Union man during the war. Of their family of six sons and two daughters, Son: are living : Mary and Rachel died young : John and Augustus died in early manhood: Sylvester. the eldest living son, married Eliza Linton, of Lancas .... county, and they now reside on his farm adjoining the old homestead, and have a family of four chi- dren: John, Mary, ( who married Benjamin Drau:' :- er. of Bart township), Augustus and Anna : James, who is now living on the old homestead, where he was born, is still single: Jasper, born at the East Drumore home, went to Iowa, when a young ana. where he married and settled (he is the father of three sons) ; and Robert C.

Robert C. Linton was born and reared on the old! home, attended the district school after the usual farmer fashion of the time. working on the place des- ing the summer season, and attending school in the winter. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Co. G. 1st Battalion, P. V. I., at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, where the command was drilled and pre- pared for service. They did duty at Chambersburg, and were then marched to Hagerstown, Md .. where they went into camp until assigned to special duty at Philadelphia, being set to guarding deserters and drafted men in that city. They were mustered out in Harrisburg. Jan. 4, 1804.

in Christiana: Walter E., born in Chester county. married and resides in Philadelphia ; Henrietta mar- ried Thomas Carpenter ( deceased), of Philadelphia. and they had one daughter, May ; Josephine married Joseph Barkley, of Chester county ; Adaline married Bayard Stott, and lives in Philadelphia ; and Fannie married Mir. Linton.

Mr. and Mrs. Linton settled on the old Linton homestead, where they lived for seven years. In 1870 he bought the Dr. Dare farm in Colerain town- ship. where he has since erected a large bank barn, wagon sheds and other outbuildings, improving the house, also, and making the place one of the most desirable homes of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Linton have come seven children : Lina, born in De- cember, 1870, married Walter Scott, of Bart town- ship, and they live in Strasburg township : they have no family. Oliver J., born in 1872, married Miss

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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY

Sadie Eckman, of Quarryville, and lives in Chris- tiana ; they have one son, Claude C. Margaret, born in August. 1873, died Dec. 6, 1902. Ada N .. born in July, 1877, married Harry Groff, of Georgetown, and had one son, Uhler, who died Oct. 17, 1901. Ed- gar A., born in August, 1879, is single, and at home. J. Clyde was born in May, ISSI. Robert G. was born in August, 1884.

Mr. Linton has always taken an independent po- sition in politics. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Church. They are well-off, highly re- spected and have always been closely identified with the best interests of East Drumore and Colerain townships. The farm shows a thrift characteristic of the Linton family.

WILLIAM O. MARSHALL. one of the best known and most popular men in Lancaster, is one of the oldest surviving members of a family that has long been associated with the city's business inter- ests. For many years he was associated with his fa- ther in the shoe trade in Centre square, and, after his father's death, conducted the business himself, but he is now living retired-that is, retired from ac- tive business pursuits, although he is kept well occu- pied in looking after his private interests, as well as the interests of the church, of which lie is so de- voted a member. Mr. Marshall was born in Phila- delphia Oct. 12, 1840, son of Mr. and Airs. James Marshall. His grandfather Marshall, with two of his brothers, came to Lancaster at an early day.

James Marshall was a shoemaker. Ile married and located in Philadelphia, in which city he worked at his trade until 1844, when he returned to Lancas- ter and became a manufacturer and retailer. In 1865, his son, William O., became a partner, the firmn name being J. Marshall & Son. James Marshall, now deceased, but who lived to advanced age, was an active member of St. John's Free Episcopal Church for many years. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Okeson, was a native of Lancaster, a daughter of John Okeson, who came from England. The mother died at the age of seventy years, leaving a family of six children, three of whom are living : William O., George A. and Lizzie C.

William O. Marshall obtained a good common school education, and at the age of thirteen was ap- prenticed to learn the printer's trade. He served five years, and then became foreman in the composing room of the Evening Express, which position he hield for two years, at the end of which time he entered Franklin and Marshall College. He remained in college three years, until the close of the Sophomore year. This was during the war of the Rebellion, and he enlisted in the Union army. After the war he took up his trade on the Express and other journals.

In 1868 Mr. Marshall wedded Miss Mary Rich- ards, daughter of the late Luther Richards, of Lan- caster, who was one of the founders of the Eramin- er and Herald, and was prominent not only as a journalist, but as a Republican, that party having

elected him to some of the most important positions in the gift of the county. By his marriage with Miss Richards, Mr. Marshall became the father of two children: Elizabeth R., a graduate of the high school, who married fohn S. Thackeray, of Philadel- phia ; and Charles L .. also a graduate of the high school, and business college, and now bookkeeper for the extensive clothing house of S. M. Mvers & Com- pany. Charles L. Marshall married Aliss MI. Lou- ise Stamm, daughter of Frederick Stamm. the inven- tor, whose interesting sketch will be found else- where. He is a Mason, being senior warden of Blue Lodge. No. 43, and he belongs to the chapter, coun- cil and commandery.

William (). Marshall is a Republican in politics. and served two years in the common council from the Third ward. In 1877, he was elected a member of the school board, and two years later he moved into the Fifth ward, and was re-elected .. In 1879 he was miadie treasurer of the school board, and held that position for more than twenty years. He was also the receiver of school tax for many years. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Com- mandery, and has held all of the chairs, and was at one time Deputy District Grand High Priest. In re- ligious connection lie is a member of St. John's Free Episcopal Church, and has been one of the vestry- men for an ordinary life time.

PETER O. ELSER, one of the representative citizens of Clay township, was born March IS, 1851, in this township, a son of Samuel and Catherine El- ser, both deceased.

Peter Elser, the great-grandfather of Peter O. Elser, was born in 1760, and he left a son, also Pe- ter, the grandfather from whom our subject takes his name. Grandfather Elser was a farmer in Eliza- beth township, and was twice married. Two sons, Tohin and George, were born to the first union, and one son, Samuel, and four daughters, by the second marriage, these being: Catherine, Rebecca, Sarah and Elizabeth. Samuel Elser was born in IS12, and died May , 4, 1879. He married in Clay township, and had a family of ten children, as follows: Miss Mary Ann; Rebecca, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Solomon> Eberly, of Clay township ; Catherine and Susan, twins, the latter of whom died at the age of fifty- two years, the former the wife of William Ramig; Peter O .; Hannah, the wife of Henry Mellinger, a resident of Brickerville, Pa .: Fannie, the wife of Zocher Fory, of Clay township : John, a resident of Harrisburg ; and Adeline, deceased.

Peter O. Elser was reared on the farm, and was educated in the public schools. Although he has engaged in farming to some degree all his life, he has also had other important lines of business. He learned the carpenter's trade, and for several years worked as a mill carpenter. All of his ventures in a business line have prospered, as he possesses the

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proper qualifications to insure success. Mr. Elser is one of the leading Democrats in his township, and has most efficiently filled a number of the local offices. He has been a delegate to State conventions a num- ber of times, and is an effective party worker. Mr. Elser has performed the duties of supervisor and school director with credit to himself and to the sat- istaction of the tax payers in his township.

On Nov. 26, 1871, Mr. Elser was united in mar- riage to Miss Maggie Weit, daughter of Henry Weit. of Clay township, and two children were born to this union: Lillie. the wife of J. W. Gerbert. of Clay township : and Samuel W .. living unmarried. at home, the carrier of the U. S. mail between Eph- rata. Clay and Hopeland. Mr. Elser and family are highly esteemed in Clay township. He is known as one of the reliable and honored citizens who truly represent this important portion of Lancaster county.

FRANK SHILLOTT. deceased. Germany has given to America many of her most estimable and prominent, citizens. Biographical records in the United States present many examples of young men from the Fatherland who to better their conditions have come strangers to a strange land, and. with no advantages, have by the mere force of their native talents won success and a prominent place among the people of their adopted land. Prominent among these must be mentioned the late Frank Shillott. He was never a shirk. The eminence he attained was the result of honest and untiring effort, and he was a most highly esteemed resident of Columbia, where he livel retired from active business duties. He was born in Rheinpfalz. Germany, June 21. 1827, son of Frank and Victoria ( Glauveau) Shillott. na- tives of Germany of French extraction, and grandson of John Shillatt. a native of France.

Frank Shillott, who was a butcher and drover by trade, came to America in 1842, and settled in New Orleans. La., but within a year he fell a victim to fever and died at the age of forty-one years. His widow, Mrs. Victoria ( Glauveau) Shillott. emi- grated to America in 1853, the year after her son Frank had crossed the ocean. She settled at Colum- bia, Pa .. and died of cholera in 1854, aged fifty-three years. The family of Frank and Victoria Shillott

consisted of the following children : Victoria, widow of Joseph Keln, of Columbia: Charles, who died at Columbia : Frank, whose name opens this sketch; Katie, who married Michael Thomas, and died at Columbia : John. a butcher at Marietta. Lan- caster county, now deceased : and Thesbia. widow of Peter Dersch. a blacksmith.

Frank Shillott, at the age of ten years, entered his father's butcher shop in Germany. In 1849 he entered the German army, but after three years' ser- vice, having tired of military life. he ran away. Com- ing to New York friendiess and alone. he secured employment in a bitcher shop in that city, and three months later came to Columbia, Pa., accepting for a time whatever enmployment he could secure. Then

for three years he worked at the butcher busines. for Harry Minnich, after which he embarked in tl business for himself, continuing thus most succes .. fully for seventeen years. Mr. Shillott then conditet- ed a general store at Columbia for three years, at the end of which time he withdrew to a farm, and in addition to agricultural pursuits he also follows ! butchering fer fourteen years. He subsequent !. lived in retirement, enjoying the leisure which he had so well earned, until his death, which occurred June 5. 1902. Mr. Shillott was one of the organizers of the Central National Bank of Columbia, of which he served as a director from the beginning until his deceasc. He was highly esteemed in the locality where he had passed the greater part of his usefui life.

In February, 1855. Mr. Shillott married Cath- erine Schroeder, who was born in Baiern, Germany in April, 1825, daughter of Andrew and Barbara ( Schwantz) Schroeder. of Marksteinhock, Germany. and granddaughter of Andrew Schroeder. Her ia- ther, who was a brickmaker, died in 182! : Barbara. his wife, lived until 1810. Their children were: John, who died at Baltimore, Md. : Barbara. die- ceased: George John, who came to America and has not since been heard from : and Catherine, widow of Frank Shillott. Airs. Shillott came to America in 1851. and settled at Columbia. To Mr. and Mrs. Shillxt were born four children, namely: Caro- line. of Newark, N. J., is the widow of H. G. Snyder : she has two children, Katharine M. and Florence ?. Franklin, proprietor of a hotel at Columbia. married Katie Ament, and has eight children, Martin, Eliza- Leth. Cecilia. Charles, Stella. William, Edward and Regina. Catharine M. widow of John W. Swartz. a prominent butcher of Columbia, has one child. Lillian Marie. Charles died in Denver, Colo .. Aug. 28, 1001.

Mr. Shiffott was a member of Trinity Catholic Church. In politics he was always a Democrat. By his many sterling qualities and industrious applica- tion to business he gained a goodly competence, and was a representative citizen and a typical self-made man. His increased means, however, were not foi- lowed by ostentatious display. He retained the plain, simple manners of his early years, and held the es- teem and regard of all who knew him.

JEREMIAH H. WITMEYER, one of the well- known and highly respected citizens of Penryn. Pa .. now engaged in the milling business, is a worthy dc- scendant from an honorable Lancaster county fan- ily

David Witmeyer. his great-grandfather. came to America from Germany and settled in Lancaster county at a very early day. His son. David (2). the grandfather of J. H .. was born in this county Jan. 31. ISoo, and he combined the trades of watchmaker and carpenter, working principally at the latter trade. His death was on April ;. 1851. His wife was Eliz- abeth Hummer, and they had a family of eight chi !-

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700

dren : John, who died young : David, who was the father of j. H., of this sketch ; Jacob ; Aaron, a watch- maker in Indiana: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Shaf- fer, of Shafferstown; Priscilla, the wife of Jacob Shve; Catherine, the wife of Samuel Plasterer ; and Anna, who died at the age of twenty years.

David Witmeyer (3), was born .April 13, 1832, and in early life he learned the trade of watchmaker and followed the same through life. On Oct. II, 1855, he was married to Susannah Hummer, and his death took place on July 28, 1861. Their chil- dren were three in number, the two survivors being Jeremiah H., of this sketch ; and Henry H., the suc- cessful merchant of Penryn.

Jeremiah H. Witmever was born in Penn town- ship Dec. 24, 1859. He was but one and one-half years old when his father died, and he remained with his mother until he neared twenty. His education was obtained in the district schools of the township. Later he learned the cigarmaking trade with his brother, continuing to work at it for over five years, becoming then associated with his brother in the mer- cantile business in Penryn. Here he remained until 1900, since which time he has been occupied in mill- ing and farming. In 1894 he purchased the mill property at White Oak, and has since resided there. Mr. Witmeyer is a consistent member of the German Baptist Church, and is one of the leading citizens of his neighborhood. His friends are numerous and he is known to be a man of the highest integrity as well as a citizen of public-spirit.

The marriage of Mr. Witmeyer was to Miss Liz- zie Arndt, who was a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Arndt, and to this union were born ten children : Lillie A., Emma A., Susan A., Mary A., Aaron A., Lottie A., Annie A. and Bessie A., and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Witmeyer have these bright young people with them yet, ail receiving the best of educational advantages. Few families in this locality are more highly esteemed.

JOHN S. KREITER, M. D. Prominently iden- tified with the interests of Akron borough where he is known and most highly esteemed, is Dr. John S. Kreiter, who was born near Lititz, Pa., Nov. 25, 1852, and for many years has been the faithful and successful physician in the majority of the old fam- ilies of this part of the county.

Christian Kreiter. his grandfather. was a prosper- ous farmer who was located near Lititz, and near this place Dr. Kreiter was born and reared, a son of Sol- omon and Maria (Grossman) Kreiter.

- - Solomon Kreiter was born in April, 1827, and died on May 8, 1863, at the early age of thirty-six. In November, 1847, he married Maria Grossman, and to this union eight children were born: Jacob, the present assessor of Warwick township, resides at I.ititz : Catherine, born in 1851. died in childhood : Join S. : James E., born in 1856. died in 1884 ; David . Henry and Henry David, twins, born in 1858, are thrif'v farmers of Lancaster county ; Martha mar- : 21, 1895.

ried L. H. Weisler, of Clay township ; and Solomon, Jr., died in infancy.

Dr. Kreiter was reared on a farm and passed his boyhood there, attending the common schools. Lititz Academy and later the Normal Schools at Miliers- ville and Indiana, Pa. In 1879 he began the study of medicine, under Dr. J. C. Brobst, graduating from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York city in 1882, the same year locating at Akron, where he has since practiced his profession with success.

On Oct. 15, 1885, Dr. Kreiter was married to Miss Carrie L. Zentmver, of Lititz, daughter of Ben- jamin and Caroline (Sands) Zenumyer, and to this union have been born two sons and three daughters : Irene A., born Dec. 28, 1886; John E., born Nov. 6, 1888, died Jan. 20, 1889 ; Robert Ellsworth. born Jan. 22, 1890; Maud Victoria, born Nov. 22, 192; and Josephine Alberta, born July II, 1901.

In his political belief the Doctor is an ardent Re- publican and has taken a great interest in public af- fairs. Socially he is connected with the Lancaster City and County Medical Society, also with the State Medical Society, and is an efficient member of the board of health of Akron. Always interested in ed- ucational matters, he las frequently served as school director, and at all times gives his time and means to measures which promise good to the community. During the years of his residence in Akron, he has not only built up a fine practice by his skill, but he has gained the confidence and esteem of the whole lo- cality by his display of the characteristics of a trite citizen.

ELLA M. WINTER, of No. 14 South Queen street. is the only representative in Lancaster. bear- ing the family name of one of the oldest and best known families of Lancaster county. Her ancestors settled in this county carly in 1700, and they have lived for generation after generation in Providence township. Her great-grandfather was a very ex- tensive land owner of Providence, and possessed. 25 the time of his death, eight fine farms, bequeathing one to each of tiis eight children. Miss Winter's grandfather. Christopher Winter, and her father, Silas Winter, were both born on the old homestead. There, too. Miss Ella was born, as were most of her brothers and sisters. Her mother was Miss Cather- ine Marks, daughter of Nicholas Marks, a store- keeper, potter and farmer of West Willow. Ten children were born to Silas and Catherine Winter, of whom seven are living. as follows : Miss Ella M .. of South Queen street : Mary A., wife of Martin Le- fevre, a farmer of Chestnut Level; Augustus, a farmer of East Drummore: John F., of Pittsburg; Catherine, wife of Martin K. Reese. a milk dealer of Lancaster: Laura, wife of J. Albert Rockey, a traveling salesman of .Atglen; and Walter H., a farmer of East Drumore. Silas Winter died in this city June 27, 1900, having retired six years before his death, and his wife entered into rest on March

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Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 73

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers Number of Pages: 1186

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers
Number of Pages: 1186