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 75
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Mr. Broome is a contributor to the support of the United Brethren church, although not a member. He belongs to the K. O. T. M., and G. A. R., and is a Mason of high degree. In politics he is a Republican, and as a citizen is honored and respected wherever known.
SIMEON W. SWISHER, Esq., a much re- spected and retired farmer of Colerain township, was born in the home where he still lives, Sept II, 1835, son of Uriah and Eliza (Couiter) Swisher, born in Colerain and Bart townships, the father in 1802, and the mother in 1801.
John Swisher, grandfather of Simeon W., was born in Colerain township in 1762, and his wife, Rachel Woodrow. in 1769. They were married in 1789, and settled on the farm which is now owned by our subject, and there Mr. Swisher died in 1840, and his wife passed away in 1851, aged eighty-two years. They had a family of eight children, of whom all the sons except John settled in Colerain township: (1) John married Rebecca McConnell, and settled in Cecil county, Md., where he lived and died: his family are also all deceased. (2) Simeon Swisher, born in 1792, married Elizabeth Pennington, and lived on a farm in Colerain township, until his death in 1859. (3) Henry. (4) Jeremiah Swisher, born in 1796, married Mary Pennington, and located on the farm now owned by his son, Samuel, and later in his life : he bought property in Kirkwood, where he lived until his death, leaving a family, three of whom are living: Samuel, a farmer in Colerain township; Eliza, who married Hiram McClelland, and has her home in Ohio; and Hannah, the wife of Hiram Pierce, of Kansas. (5) Martha Swisher, who was born in 1799, died unmarried in 1818. (6) Uriah
was the father of Simeon W. Swisher. (7) Ellen Swisher, born in 1807, married John Coulter, and settled in Bart township, where they both died, leav- ing two children : John, who lives on the old home- stead ; and Rachel, who married John Homshier, a merchant in Bartville. (8) Eliza Swisher, born in 1809, married Henry Keylor, and both are deceased ; they left a family as follows: Rachel, who mar- ried Charles Rynear, of Bart township; Martha, who married Joseph Clark, of Chester county ; Bet- sy, who married! Robert A. Ferguson; John J., a resident of Mechanicsburg; and Jacob, a farmer in Bart township.
Uriah Swisher was reared at the old home where he received a good education in the subscrip- tion schools, there being no free school system at that time. Remaining on his father's farm all his life, he took care of his parents in their old age, and displayed qualities of a high order. The farm was deeded to him. He was married in September, IS24, to Eliza Coulter, the daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Caughey) Coulter. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Coulter were as follows: John, Jr., mar- ried Ellen Swisher, and died in Bart township: Mariah became the wife of Matthew Scott, removed to Iowa many years ago, and is deceased; Martha died unmarried : Hugh married Anna Ross, of Ches- ter county, who moved to Iowa, where he died : and Samuel married a Miss Caughey, and moved to Ohio, where he died. Uriah Swisher died in February, 1871, and his widow, Jan. 4, 1893. They were worthy and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, which they supported many years. In politics he was a Democrat, and was one of the first members of the school board after the establishment of the free school system in Pennsylvania. In the county conventions of his party his face was familiar, and he was a leading politician of his day. Several local positions were filled by him, including that of town- ship treasurer, and he was much respected in the community in which he lived. To Uriah Swisher and his good wife were born the following: Jolin H., born in 1825, died in 1844; Marshall E., born in 1827. died the following year; Jeremiah F., born in 1829, died in 1844; William M., born in 1832, died in 1843 : Martha A., born in 1839, died in 1844; 3 and Simeon W.
Simeon W. Swisher was reared on the farm and was given such educational advantages as the times afforded. In 1850 he entered the store of Thomas Ferguson, at Bartville, where he proved himself a capable and reliable clerk. Four years later he en- tered the employ of Graham & Wilkinson, at George- town, but did not long remain there, going back to the old homestead where he took charge of the farm in his father's declining years. In 1857 he was mar- ried to Anna L. Pennington, of Chester county, daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Starr) Penning- ton. Mrs. Swisher was born at Coatesville. Chester county, Aug. 12, 1836, and was reared to young womanhcod in a Quaker family. Her people had
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always been prominent in the Friends' Association. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher settled on the old homestead, where have been born six generations. The modern | improvements on this farm are the result of the labors of both the present and late owners of the place, and it is regarded as one of the most desir- able pieces of property in Colerain township.
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Mrs. Anna L. ( Pennington) Swisher died Aug. 18, 1900. She was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Her husband and a family of six children survive : (1) Mary E., born in 1858. received her education in the county union high school, and is at home with her father. (2) Leonora, born in September, 1850. received a classical education, and married Lewis Ferguson, of Colerain township, where they reside on his farm, with their two children, Thomas W., and Charles L. (3) R. Luella, born in September, ISór, was educated in the Millersville Normal School. and for ten years was a successful teacher in the schools of Lancaster and Chester counties : she is now the wife of Dr. E. Hogg, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and has three children, Marian R., Edwin, and Orion. (4) Clem- ent P., born in July. 1863, died in childhood. (5) Charles P., born in October. 1864, was given an education in the home school and in the high school at Union and at Pennington (N. J.) Semin- ary. In young manhood, he engaged in farming the horne place with his father, and for the last twelve years has taken its management in his own hands. He was married in March, 1890. to Maud L. Patterson, the daughter of T. L. and Elizabeth Patterson, representatives of old and prominent fam- ilies in Little Britain township. For three years they lived on a part of his father's home. and later moved into the present home of the family, where his wife died Nov. 27, 1895. leaving two children, Harold P., born in 1891; and Mary A., born in 1894. Mr. Swisher has remained at the home of his father, and is now engaged as manager and treasurer of the Southern Telephone and Telegraph Co., of which he is a stockholder and a leading spirit in its con- struction. He is a young man of fine business ability, and is a devoted church man, being an elder in the Union Presbyterian Church, and superintendent of the Sunday school. (6) Anna A .. born in January, 1867, was educated in the Westchester Normal. and the Fernwood Ladies Seminary, and was a success- ful teacher for some seven years: she is now the widow of Howard P. Harvey, of Pomeroy. Chester county, who on the night of Nov. 22, 1901. was shot by an unknown hand, his body being found the following morning. (7) Minnie B., born March, IS73, was educated at the high school, and at the Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, and is at home, un- married.
Simeon W. Swisher is a Democrat, and has long taken an active part in politics. For over twenty years he has held the office of justice of the peace. as well as other positions, such as school director and treasurer of the township. He has often been
a delegate to county conventions. Mr. Swisher and his family are connected with the Presbyterian Church. He is a charter member of Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., at Christiana ( with which his son also affiliates), and was also a charter member of Lodge No. 544 I. O. O. F. He is the second oldest past master of the Christiana Masons now living. For twenty-seven years Mir. Swisher has been president of the Southern Mutual Insurance Fire Co., and for forty-seven years has been an auctioneer in Lan- caster county, where he is one of the leading and popular citizens, much esteemed for his solid and substantial character.
FREDERICK HOEFEL (deceased) was for many years a prominent business man of Lancaster county, where he left many evidences of his ability in the shape of buildings of his construction.
Mr. Hoefel was born July 22. 1847. in Wurtem !- berg. Germany, son of Christian and Magdalena ( Wagner) Hoefel, who passed all their lives in the Fatherland. The father was a cooper by occupation. Frederick was one of a family of five children, nante- lv: George, who is in the coopering business in Wurtemberg, Germany: Michael, who died in Wur- temberg; Frederick; Magdalena, whose husband is engineer on a railroad in Germany ; and Christian, a carpenter of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Frederick Hoefel was reared and educated in his native land, and there learned the trade of cabinet- maker. At the age of nineteen years he came to the New World, locating at once in Lancaster, Pa., where he entered the employ of Philip Dinkleberg, con- tractor and builder. After four years' work with that gentleman, he in 1873 commenced business on his own account, and was actively engaged thus until his death. In all he erected some five hundred houses in Lancaster City, among which we may mention the Maennerchor Hall, a square of buildings on Lime street, another on Frederick street, and a full square on New street from Duke to North Queen, besides many others. All testify to his skill and thorough- ness, which brought him so large a patronage. Hon- esty and integrity were his marked characteristics, and when Mr. Hoefel undertook a piece of work it was a guarantee that it would be well done. He gave his entire attention to his business, and though' often solicited to accept office by his fellow citizens invariably refused. He acquired a well-deserved competence, and though a comparatively young man at the time of his demise, which occurred April 16, 1890, at the home in Lancaster now occupied by his widow, had gained a substantial position in his adopt- ed home. He is buried in Lancaster cemetery. So- cially Mr. Hoefel was a member of the Maenner- chor and the Schiller Verein, and in religious con- nection he united with Zion Lutheran Church. in which he was an active worker. His political sup- port was given to the Democratic party.
On May 4. 1871, Mr. Hoefel was married, in Lan- caster, Pa., to Elizabeth Hoffman, a native of Hes-
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sen-Darmstadt. Germany, and children as follows blessed this union: Elizabeth is the wife of W. T. Killinger, who is in the stone business in Lancaster. Frederick is a tinsmith in Pottsville. Pa. George is a carpenter in Lancaster. Lena is the wife of Clifford Funk, a grocer in Lancaster. Harry is deceased. Christian, who was a telegraph operator, died May 30. 1902, at the age of twenty-one years ; he was accidentally killed while on an outing with his club. William, Mary and Philip are at home with their mother.
George and Catherine (Hoerr) Hoffman, par- ents of Mrs. Hoefel, were natives of Germany, and passed all their lives in that country. The father was a coach builder by occupation. They had chil- dren as follows : William. deceased, who was a coachmaker in Germany: George, who is a school | teacher in Germany: Philip, deceased, who was a resident of Lancaster: and Elizabeth, widow of Frederick Hoefel.
JOSIAH BEYER, a retired farmer of Bart township, Lancaster county, was born in Colerain township. April 15. 1830. son of David and Mary (McElwain) Beyer.
The Beyer family came originally from Germany. Daniel Beyer, the grandfather of Josiah, was born in Montgomery county. Pa. He was a millwright by trade. and pursued that work in a number of mills in Lancaster county, and was the owner of a farm in Colerain township (which is still in the family), where he died. He married Rebecca Woodward, also a native ci Montgomery county. The Wood- wards were of Welsh origin. To Daniel and Re- becca Deyer were born: One child that died in infancy, before their removal from Montgomery county ; Henry, who lived and died in Colerain town- ship: Andrew. a resident of Colerain township, where he lived and died : Daniel, born in Colerain township, where he married, lived and died : Rebecca, who married John McElvain, a farmer of Colerain township, where one of their children vet lives ; Rob- ert. of Colerain, who married a Miss Johnston, and had a family, two of whom are still living-Mrs. William Jacks. of Colerain, and Mrs. Joseph Car- heart. of New Jersey: David, father of Josiah ; and Thomas, born in Colerain, who spent his life in his native town, and died leaving a widow and five chil- dren, of whom one son, W. F., is a noted lawyer of Lancaster.
David Beyer, father of Josiah, was born in Colerain township Dec. 26, 1803, and engaged in farmning there. For some years he was also engaged in cutting wood for the iron company, to be used for charcoal. In 1832 he purchased the farm now owned by his son. and two years later moved upon it, erect- ing a house and barn, as well as making other sub- stantial improvements : he devoted the rest of his life to its tillage, and died there in July, 1865. He married Mary McElwain, who was born in 1797, daughter of Patrick and Mary McElwain, who were
born in Ireland and London, England. respectively, and who located in Colerain township soon after the close of the Revolution. Mr. MeElwain crossed in the ship "Faithful Steward." He came to this coun- try to escape military service in the British army, and with others had been obliged to remain in hiding in his native country in order to escape fighting against the American Colonies in the Revolution. Mrs. Beyer died in 1874. Both she and Mr. Beyer were members of the Middle Octoraro Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Democrat. To David Bever and his wife were born the following named children : Rebecca, born in Colerain township, mar- ried Milton Keyler, a highly respected citizen of this county. whose sketch appears elsewhere ; Mary, mar- ried William McElwain, and both are now deceased ; David. born in 1838. lived to be eighteen years of age, when he was called to the Promised Land; and Josiah is mentioned presently.
Josiah Bever was reare i to manhood at the pres- ent home of himself and family, and secured his edu- cation very largely by attendance at the winter schools while he was growing to manhood. He con- tinued to remain at home throughout the lifetime of his parents. In December. 1860. he was married to 1 Aliss Hannah, daughter of Henry and Julia ( Baugh- man ) Heidelbaugh, prominent and respected farm- i ing people of Bart township, the former born there Dec. 6. 1802, and the latter in 1804. Of the eight children of Henry and Julia Heidelbaugh, two are living. George, Peter, Elizabeth, Mary A., John and Margaret being deccased : Susan is the wife of Sam- uel Keen, of Bart township; and Hannah is Mrs. Beyer.
Mr. and Mrs. Beyer went to live on the old Beyer homestead after their marriage, and there they have remained to the present time. He has made his in- fluence felt in the community, as a good citizen, a successful business man, and a thoroughly competent farmer. In the past forty years he has greatly im- proved the old place, and converted what was always a gond farm into one of the best in the county. Four children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bever : (I) Laura, born in June. 1862, was į reared and educated at home, receiving her instruc- tion at the local schools, and proving one of the bright and capable young women of the day. She married Edward H. Johnston, of Chester county, and they live on her father's farm in Sadsbury township : they have one daughter, Lillian May. (2) David H .. born in November. 1863. married Anna E. Shimp, and they have their home on one of his father's farms in Bart township : they have two sons, David S. and Ralph S. (3) John D .. born in 1866, lives at home. He belongs to the Middle Octoraro Presby- terian Church, of which he is one of the elders. (4) Anna M., born in 1872, was given a collegiate educa- tion, and is a fine musician and instructor in the art of music. She is now the wife of Amos Pickle, and they have their home near Cochranville, Chester county. Josiah Beyer and his family are all mem-
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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
bers of the Middle Octoraro Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for more than thirty years. In politics he has been a Democrat. Tie is a kind and pleasant Christian gentleman, and a thor- oughly competent and reliable agriculturist.
JOHN N. LEHMAN. The family of Lehman is one of the oldest and most deservedly esteemed in Lancaster county.
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Joseph Lehman. the great-grandfather of John N. Lehman, was a farmer of West Lampeter town- ship. He was a Mennonite in faith, and a man held in reverence for his many virtues, dying at an ad- vanced age. He was the father of five sons and tiro daughters: John. Joseph, George, Samuel, Abra- ham, Elizabeth and Charlotte. All the sons were farmers, and Charlotte married a Mr. Bruneman, who was also a farmer.
John Lehman, the grandfather of John N., was born in East Lampeter. Nov. 2, 1782, and died Dec. 2, 1870, having reached the advanced age of eighty- eight years. His wife, Elizabeth Kreider, was born July 7, 1780. and entered into rest April 21, 1857. Their three sons were named Joseph. Tohu and Ben- jamin K., of whom Joseph was born Aug. 22, .812. and died in 1899, aged eighty-seven years : and John. was born June 15, 1814. and died in 1807.
Benjamin K. Lehman. the father of the gentie- man whose life forms the subject of this biography, was born Nov. 8, 1817. in West Lampeter town- ship. He was an infant of some eighteen months when the family removed to Manor. where his father was for some years a farmer in a small way. He lived at home until he had passed his twenty-fifth birthday, when he secured a farm for himself, and made a home for his parents until their death. His filial devotion was in consonance with his character. : which was at once gentle and robust. tender vet firm. He continued to cultivate the farm until 1874, when he gave up active physical labor, and removed to his present home, two miles south of Mountville. At the age of forty-five he entered the Mennonite ministry, and in this field of Christian effort he has ever since been an carnest, zenlouis, self denving laborer. The Habacker and Masonville churches have been the chief objects of his pastoral care. he conducting services in these places on alternate Sun- days. His influence in the community has been potent for good. and it is not surprising that men admire his devotion and seek to follow in his footsteps. In 1840 he pledged his marital troth to Elizabeth Newcomer. She was born April 25. 1818, daugh- ter of John Newcomer and his wife, Elizabeth Eshle- man. She entered into rest eternal in her seventy- fifth year.
To the Rev. Benjamin K. Lehman and his wife were born ten children: Elizabeth. John N., Anna, Amos, Benjamin, Leah. Daniel. Catherine, Sarah and Frum. Elizabeth, born Dec. 3. 1811, married Jacob C. Seitz, of Manor township. John N., the subject of the present sketch, was born Oct. 9, 1843,
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and a somewhat extended account of his life and work may be found in the succeeding paragraphs. Anna, born in 1845, is the widow of Abraham Shel- lenberger, of West Hempfield. Amos, born April 14, 1847, is a Manor township farmer. Benjamin, born May 4, 1849, is a resident of Philadelphia. Leah died in infancy. Daniel, born Oct. 12. 1852, : is a Mennonite minister and stationed at Millers- ville. Catherine, born Nov. 24. 1855. is the widow of Cyrus Neff. Sarah, born Sept. 18, 1857, is now Mrs. Peter Krevbill, of West Donegal. Emma (Mrs. Henry Haverstick), was born July 11, 1860, and died in July, 1887.
John N. Lehman. as has been said, was born Oct. 9, 1843. The first thirty years of his life were spent unon the homestead farm, and it was while living there that on Oct. 15, 1868, he was married to Emily S. Mann, whose parents were Bernard and Mary Ann (Staner) Mann, of Manor township. where she herself was born Aug. 1, 1845. Six years after his marriage Mr. Lehman purchased the prop- erty known as the Berger farm, comprising seventy- five acres, and there he and his wife took up their home. There, too, they remained for twenty years. the energy, sound sense and probitv of our subject rendering his success a certainty in both general farming and market gardening. In 1894 he sur- rendered the management of this property to his son, and retired to his present home, which is sit- nated two miles south of Mountville. There he owns a plot of five acres, in the cultivation, improvement and beautifying of which he takes great pleasure. He has enlarged. renovated and practically remodeled the house standing on the land when he purchased it, and has erected barns and outbuildings of a sub- stantial character and ornate appearance, rendering his place one of the most attractive in that section of Lancaster county. He has been an investor in various enterprises. Among them are the Mount - ville National Bank, the Columbia Store Works, and the Mountville Manufacturing Co. 'He is thor- . oughly well informed on public affairs, and takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to public interests, and calculated to promote the general wel- fare. In religious matters, also he feels a vital con- cern, both he and Mrs. Lehman being active. devout and consistent members of the United Brethren Church. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons-Harvey M. and Cyrus. The younger died while a youth of seventeen years. Harvey M. Leh- man manages his father's farm; he married Miss Florence Sherrick, and has had three children, of whom two. Carrie S. and John S. are living. Mr. and Mrs. John N. Lehman have also taken to their home and hearts a little one named Amanda C. Schultz, to whom they have given parental love and care since her babyhood.
HENRY WOLF. For the past thirty-six years Henry Wolf has been identified with the business interests of Lancaster, winning the esteem and con-
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ficence of his fellow-citizens. He is one of the most highly respected German-American residents of this city, and was born in Baden, Germany. June 3. 1845. son of Henry and Philipena ( Gaberdie! ) Wolf.
Henry Wolf, the father. came from Germany to America in 185t, settling with his family in Lan- caster, Pa., where he engaged in the manufacture of rope. but his career was stopped by his death about six months later. in April, 1832. at the age of forty years. His wife was born in ISIo. and died in 1893. Both parents of our subject were most worthy members of the Lutheran Church, and their remains lie in the Old German Lutheran and Lan- caster cemeteries. The mother's second marriage was to Christian Hug. but no children were born to that union.
Henry Wolf, subject of this sketch, was one of three children born to his parents, and the only one who survived infancy. He accompanied his father and mother to Lancaster, in 1851. and was educated in the German schools. He began to learn the cab- inetmaking trade with Anthony Iski. of this city, remaining with him two and one-half years. In January, 1863, he entered the army and worked as a wheelwright for the Government. at Falmouth, Va., for four months. On his return he was again emploved by Mr. Iski for a few months. prior to going to Philadelphia, where he followed his trade a short time, later doing carpenter work in Wash- ington City, in this way seeing considerable of the country, and at the same time gaining valuable ex- perience in his trade. Upon his return to Lancaster, Mr. Wolf worked at his trade for a short time, but then accepted a Government offer and returned for ten months to Washington. When he again took up work in Lancaster. it was for himself, opening up a business in cabinetmaking and furniture deal- ing, also undertaking. continuing until June, 1809, when he retired from the last named line. and in No- vember. 1901, gave up business activity, deem- ing it time to take the rest his long years of industry had so well earned.
Although deeply engrossed in his business. Mr. Wolf has always found time to perform the duties of a good citizen. Politically he is a Democrat. For one year he was a very efficient member of the common council, and for two years belonged to the select council. His interest in educational matters has been shown by a membership of ten years on the school board. He has been liberal minded and pub- lic-spirited and possesses in a high degree the re- spect of the community. Mr. Wolf has been prom- inent in fraternal circles, being a Commandery and Chapter Mason, while in the order of Odd Fellows he was a representative of the order to the Grand Lodge for twenty years, and was trustee also for niany years. In the order of Knights of Pythias he has also been very active. and has passed all the chairs with the exception of the Seven Wise Men. Ile belongs to Zion Church.
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