Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 77

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 77

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On Jan. 9. 1873. Edward J. Knox was married. in Sadsbury township, to Frances A. Williams, a daughter of Zachariah B. and Hannah ' ( Dolby) Williams. He and his wife belong to the Bellevue Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected for their many good qualities. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has proved himself a good and upright citizen.

HENRY B. BUCH, an enterprising and pros- perous coachmaker in Lititz, was born Oct. 23. 1835. at Kissilhill, Lancaster Co , Pa .. and is a son of Jacob and Maria (Brubaker) Buch. also natives of Lancaster county. Jacob Buch was born at Kissil- hill in 1810, was a blacksmith and coachmaker, was a Democrat in politics, and died in 1877 : his widow is now eighty-six years old. Their children were: Henry B., whose name opens this article: Jonathan B., deceased ; Sarah, wife of Joseph R. Bollinger. of Lititz; Jacob A., in the lumber business in Reading,

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Pa .; and Franklin B., manager of the Keystone Knitting Mill, but a coachmaker by trade.

Henry B. Buch was reared at Kissilhill, was edu- cated in the common schools and at an academy in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county. He first learned the blacksmith's trade under his father, and then woodwork and painting under Isaac Hollinger. At the age of twenty-two years he married and started in business at Kissilhill, and for twenty-four years did an extensive business, employing a large num- ber of hands. In 1879 he came to Lititz, and for a time was connected in business with his son-in-law, and later with the Grosh Carriage Co. In 1890 he started in business on a small scale, on his own ac- count, and now does quite an extensive business in coach manufacturing and in repairing.

· On May 12, 1857. Mr. Buch married Miss Cath- erine L. Stehman, a daughter of Christian and Cath- erine Stehman, and to this union have been born five children, of whom two only reached the years of ma- turity, viz. : Elizabeth Ida, wife of Joseph B. Wiss- ler, a farmer in Clay township ; and Ellen, married to John M. Amer, manager of Barney McGran's farms, at Lancaster. Mr. Buch is a member of the Evangelical Church. In politics he is a stanch Demo- crat, and is very popular with his party and with the public, as is evidenced by the fact that he has been twice elected a burgess-a body which stands four Republicans to one Democrat. He has also been a member of the Democratic county committee, and has often been sent as a delegate to Democratic conventions. He is a useful and public-spirited citi- zen, and is ever ready to lend a helping hand in pro- moting the prosperity of his borough and township.

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GEORGE H. ROATH, patternmaker and gen- eral machinist for the Marietta Casting Co., and re- siding in East Donegal township, West Marietta borough, was born in this township Sept. 26, 1850, son of Hon. E. D. and Susan W. (Hipple) Roath, of whom a full biography is given on another page in this work.

George H. Roath lived on a farm from 1860 until 1865, then located in Marietta and worked at various occupations until 1868, when he entered a coach- maker's shop and there worked two and a half years. He was next employed by his father, who was con- ducting a machine shop in partnership with a Mr. Stibgen, learned the trade, and became an expert mechanic, but in 1873 the father sold out his interest. George H. then went to Middletown, Pa., for a few months, and thence to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he worked in a steam-engine foundry a few months longer. Owing to the panic in the fall of 1873. he thought it prudent to return to Marietta, Pa., where he worked at coachmaking until 1874, then as a ma- chinist until 1875. In 1876 Mr. Roath and Henry Stoner leased a foundry in Drumore township and operated it until 1878, when Mr. Roath returned to Marietta, and for two and a half years conducted a machine shop for R. J. Clark & Co. His next em-

ployment was on the road as engineer for the Ameri- can Steam & Heating Co. From 1884 until 1889 Mr. Roath worked in a sash and door factory, and then accepted his present position with the Marietta Casting Co., giving the greatest possible satisfaction. as he is a natural-born mechanic, and can make al- most anything that can be made from iron or wood.

In June, 1887, Mr. Roath married, in Marietta, Maria Fisher, and to this marriage came one child, who died young. Mrs. Maria ( Fisher ) Roath was born near Birmingham, England, daughter of Edwin and Louisa ( Marrifield) Fisher. Edwin Fisher, who is now living in retirement in East Donegal township. was born in Smethwick, Staffordshire, England, July 2. 1818, son of Joseph and Mary ( Johnson, Fisher, the former of whom served seven years in the British army, participating in the war in the Spanish penin- sula, the battle of Waterloo, and on his discharge was decorated with four bars by the Government. To Joseph and Mary Fisher were born: Edwin, father of Airs. Roath : Eliza, Salina, Mary, Matilda. Han- nah and Sarah, all of whom were married and all de- ceased, save Edwin. Joseph Fisher died in England in 1855, and his wife in 1871, at the age of seventy- two years. Of the children, Edwin, Salina and Mary came to America.

To the marriage of Edwin and Louisa ( Marri- field) Fisher were born the following children : Sarah A., who was married to Joseph Mason, but ; both of whom are now deceased; Joseph, a machin- ist in Marietta; and Maria. now Mrs. George H. Roath. Mrs. Louisa ( Marrifield) Fisher, daughter of Isaac and Ann Marrifield, died in 1876, at the age of seventy-six years, and her mortal remains were in- terred in Marietta. Edwin Fisher was a glassblower in England, and came to America in 1872 with the intention of becoming a farmer, but changed his mind after arrival. He settled in Marietta and worked in the hollow-ware works until 1888, when he retired, and now, with George H. Roath and wife, has his pleasant home in the city of his adoption.

Mr. and Mrs. Roath are members of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, and Mr. Roath is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Red Men and the Knights of Malta. In politics lie is a Republican, and socially the family are universally respected.

AMOS F. HERR, one of the old and honored citizens of West Lampeter township, was born on the old homestead that lies adjacent to the Longe- necker Church (which in fact occupies a part of the farm), May 18, 1818, a son of Francis and Fannie ( Neff) Herr, natives of West Lampeter and Stras- burg townships, respectively. The grandfather of Amos F. also bore the name of Francis Herr.

Francis Herr. the father of Amos F., was born in West Lampeter township, and there passed his life following the occupation of farming. and pos- sessing such fine business qualifications that he was often called upon to settle estates. In local politics he was much interested, and took a forward position

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in the community. For many years he was a di- rector in the Farmers' National Bank at Lancaster. Several farms in the two townships belonged to him, and he ranked among the successful men of his day. . When he died he was sixty-nine, and his wife lived to be eighty. She belonged to the Reformed Men- nonite Church, and was the mother of the following children: Cyrus N., Franklin J., Amos F., Eliza- : beth, Anna, Fannie, Charlotte and Amanda.

Amos F. Herr was reared on the farm of his birth and educated in the common schools. Remain- ing at home until his marriage in 1848, he then lo- cated on the property where he still makes his home. It belonged to his father, and comprises 122 acres along the Strasburg pike, at the Longenecker Church. This is one of the most desirable and attractive homes of Lancaster county, and the residence, which was erected in ISIo by John Longenecker, has been great- ly remodelled since it came into his possession. He also owns fifty-six acres in Martic township, and a six-acre tract of timber land in Drumore township. His attention has been given to farming, and by his industry and integrity he has won the warm regard of a wide circle of friends.

On Oct. 22, 1848, Amos F. Herr was married to Anna Frantz, who was born in East Lampeter township in 1828, a daughter of Christian and Eliza- beth ( Miller) Frantz. The following family has blessed this union: Homer A. is a mechanical en- gineer in Philadelphia; Francis C., a physician in Ottawa, Kans., graduated from the University of Pennsylvania ; Willis C. is a traveling salesman for the Keystone Manufacturing Co., of York, and has his home in Strasburg; Harry N. is a civil engineer in Lancaster, and a graduate of Lehigh University ; Ida E. is the wife of Amos R. Frantz, of York, Pa .; Mary F. is unmarried and lives at home ; Anna A. is the wife of A. Lincoln Moyer, of the Conestoga Banl:, of Lancaster; Edith C., the wife of J. Elmer Frantz, of Waynesboro, Pa. : and Lottie L. is unmar- ried and at home.

Amos F. Herr and his wife early became mem- bers of the Reformed Mennonite Church, and their industrious and useful lives have placed them among the most respected people of the county.

LEVI S. RHOADS. Among the prominent and successful farmers of Eden township is Levi S. Rhoads, a highly respected citizen of Lancaster county. He was born in Manor township, this coun- ty, June II. 1835, son of George and Elizabeth (Sweigert) Rhoads, both of Neffsville, this county, and both born in ISO1. John Rhoads, the grand- father of Levi S., was also a native of Lancaster county, but of Canadian parentage. His family con- sisted of four sons,-Jacob, John. Henry and George. The three elder brothers moved to Ohio, in whichi state they all married and established homes.

George Rhoads learned the trade of blacksmith when a young man, and followed same for twenty- five years. He became a citizen of prominence in

the community, and was known as Capt. Rhoads. be- ing the commander of a company of State Militia. He was very prosperous in the pursuit of his trade, but finally bought a farm in Manor township, on which he settled, some years thereafter moving to East Donegal township, near Marietta. There he purchased a large farm upon which he resided until the time of his death, in 1859. Following his decease his widow sold the farm and removed to West Done- gal township, later to Maytown, where her death took place in 1879.

A family of seven children was born to George and Elizabeth Rhoads, as follows: Abram S., born in this county, died in Maytown at the age of seventy- seven years. ten months, eleven days, unmarried : Fannie (deceased) was the wife of George Litz, of Manor township (they left no family) ; Elizabeth married Benjamin Hoffman, has a family, and resides near Bainbridge: Mary (deceased) was the wife of Henry Shenk, of East Donegal township, and leis one daughter, Elizabeth, who is the wife of Eli Niss- ley, of Maytown; Levi S. is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch; Susan. born in 1837, married Christian Brandt, of Maytown, where they reside ( they have no family ) : George, born in 1840, married Annie Groff, of Maytown, and they reside in Maytown : they have one son, George S., now a young man, who resides at home.

Levi S. Rhoads was reared on the home farm. and was educated in the local district schools and in Mari- etta. Commencing before the death of his father, and until his marriage, he engaged in farming on the home place. He and his wife settled first rear Co- lumbia, where for two years he cultivated a farm. Then he removed to Mountville, where he bought a large farm, upon which he resided for seven years, at the end of that time selling the place advantage- ously, and removing his family into the village of Mountville. One year later he took charge of a farm in Conov township, continuing there for two years, and then returned to Mountville.

In ISSt Mr. Rhoads purchased the well-known Jacob Bushong farin, in Eden township, which con- sists of 143 acres of finely cultivated, fertile land. It is by far one of the best farms in that part of the county, and Mr. Rhoads has spared neither labor nor money in its improvement.

In 1864 Levi S. Rhoads and Miss Frances Herr. of Lancaster, were united in marriage. She was the estimable daughter of Abram H. and Maria Herr. prominent old settlers of the county, and was born in Salunga, West Hempfield township, Jan. 24, 1845, received exceptional educational advantages. and is a lady of education and culture. She is a member of the Old Mennonite Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads ten children have been born. as follows: Mary, born in this county Jan. 21, 1866, married A. B. Collom, a machinist of Philadelphia, where they reside; they have no children. Abram H., born July 25, 1867, mar- ried Miss Mary Herr, a native of Drumore town-

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Levi 18 Rhoads

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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY

ship, who was a daughter of Benjamin Herr, and they reside on a farm in Eden township : they have three children. Irwin, Jerome and Mary E. Benja- min F., born July 19, 1869, married Miss Jessie Mc- Clure, of this county, and they reside in Eden town- ship, where they purchased the Harding Gilbert farm and are farming people : they have three children, Abram T., Francis M. and Margaret I. Levi H., born Jan. 13. 1871, married Miss Katie Groff, daugh- ter of John Groff, a prominent citizen of this county, and he purchased a farm in Eden township: their two children are Edith E. and John L. Lillie F., born Oct. 9. 1873, married Benjamin F. Yunginger, a resident of near Martinsville, and they now live on his farm in Strasburg township ; their three children are Jav R., Marion R. and Francis M. Emma S., born March 31, 1876, was educated in the home schools and is a talented and cultivated lady, living at home. Charles H., born .August 21, 1880, is un- married, and is the very capable manager of his fa- ther's farm: he stands high in the public esteem. Bertha M., born May 7, 1883, was educated in the home schools, and also in Quarryville high schools, and is a very talented and cultured young lady, an 21, 1885, died Sept. 5, 1889. George S., born July 16, 1887, resides at home. This domestic circle has been invaded but once by Death, and is one of the most closely bound and most highly esteemed fam- ilies of Lancaster county.

Andrew F. Shrom was born Feb. 17, 1845, and received but a limited schooling, as he was reared among the Amish. When he was eighteen he struck out in the world for himself. For a time he worked on a farm, and then learned the trade of a brick and stone mason. When he had accomplished this. he began a contracting and building business, in which he has achieved a large success. In the county he has had many large and important contracts, and has employed many men. His work has stood the clos- est inspection, among his most important construc- tions being the Ephrata school building, the ware- ornament to the home circle. Elsie O., born June ! house, the United Brethren Church, and George W. Kinzer's residence at New Holland. He is not only deeply interested in his business, but is a broad- minded and public-spirited citizen. In politics he has filled the offices of assessor and justice of the peace, holding this last position eleven years. At In politics Mr. Rhoads has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has most efficiently served as school director for a period of three years. The daughters are members of the Old Mennonite Church, and the unmarried ones manage the home, in which comfort and simplicity reign. first he was appointed justice of the peace, and has been re-elected three times. It is a rare compliment to liis judicial spirit that none of his decisions have been reversed on appeal to the higher courts. In the Civil war he servel during its closing scenes in the Union army, enlisting Feb. 20, 1865, in Co. 1, 195th P. V. I., being mustered out Jan. 31. 1866. Much of the time from 1862 he had been out with the forces as a teamster. His patriotic spirit was profound, and he would have been in the ranks before, but was deemed ineligible.

Mr. Rhoads has always been interested in ad- vancing the agricultural interests of his section, has kept thoroughly posted on modern methods, and has not hesitated to make use of them when his judgment assured him of their value. His fine farm is a testi- monial to the soundness of his views and methods.

ANDREW F. SHROM, justice of the peace at Vogansville, is one of the representative men of Lancaster county, and a son of Frederick Shrom, who is now deceased.

Frederick Shrom was a native of Bavaria, where he spent his earlier years, and served in the Bavarian army. Soon after his discharge from the army, he came to this country, and made his home in Leacock township, Lancaster county, where he entered the employ of Rev. Henry Lantz, a farmer, and a min- ister of the Amish Church. With that gentleman he made his home until his marriage, when he located in the neighborhood, and worked for the neighbor- ing farmers some years. In 1855 he moved to Illi- nois, and bought a tract of thirty-six acres near De- catur. The land was covered with timber, and Mr. Shrom set himself to clearing it and making a home for his family, but he died the same year, at the early

age of forty-eight. Coming of Scotch-Irish ances- try, he was in religion a Catholic. Anna Frank. his wife, was a daughter of Jacob Frank, and her ances- tors, the Franks and Shaeffers were old settlers and honored residents of Lancaster county. She is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two. After the death of Frederick Shrom, his widow brought her four children back to Lancaster county. They were Andrew F. : John F., a mechanic of Reading ; Fred- erick, a blacksmith of Lancaster ; and Susan, who is unmarried. and lives with her mother. Three chil- dren of this worthy couple died in infancy.

In 1868 Mr. Shrom was married to Miss Lydia Garra, who was born in Earl township, a daughter of David H. and Lucy ( Shaffer) Garra. Five chil- dren blessed this union: David G., a farmer, mar- ried Miss Emma Sensenig, and is the father of three children, Ruth, Blanch and Amos ; Anna, the wife of Jacob Fritz, of Reading, Pa., has two children. Ja- cob and Andrew; Lilly wife of Augustus Lescher, of Reamstown, Pa .; Edgar W. is a teacher in the county schools : and Mabel is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Shrom are members of the Reformed Church, he tak- ing an active part in the church work, and while in New Holland served as deacon and elder. The eld- est son is a member of the Evangelical Association. All the family stand high in the community.

LEWIS FRANKLIN SIEGLER, M. D., whose cozy home and offices are at No. 115 South Queen street, is a familiar figure in Lancaster, where his I entire life has been passed.

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Ludwig Siegler, his father, came from Gruorn (Oberampt Urach), Wurtemberg, Germany. in 1851, and settled in York county, removing to Lan- caster the following year. Here, for years, he op- erated an establishment for the manufacture of bone dust, knife and fork handles, etc., and in 1873 em- barked in the hotel business, from which he retired in 1888. He entered into rest March 27, 1894, aged seventy-five years and one week. His widow, who in her maidenhood was Regina Hollinger, was also a na- tive of Wurtemberg, Germany. She died Sept. 25, 1901, aged seventy-seven years and seven months. Thirteen children were born to this couple, but only three are now living, namely : Matthias C., a cigar maker, and at one time an efficient member of the police force of Lancaster; Rosie, wife of John Ripple, superintendent for Siegler Bros., cigar man- ufacturers ; and Dr. Lewis Franklin.

Lewis Franklin Siegler was born in Lancaster Sept. 8, 1866, and, after receiving a good education in the public schools of the city, read medicine with the late Dr. Henry Carpenter, one of Lancaster's most prominent physicians. He was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1886, and immediately after graduation, he began the practice of his profession in Lancaster-first in an office in East King street, later in East Orange street, and finally in South Lime street, where he bought a home. In 1891 Dr. Siegler removed to Reinhold's Station, this county, where he practiced medicine and sur- gery until 1898, at which time he returned to Lan- caster, and, abandoning the practice of his profes- sion, became the general agent for Lancaster, Dauph- in and Lebanon counties of the American Relief As- sociation, an organization which not only pays a benefit at death, but which pays a weekly amount in case of sickness or accident. This system of insur- ance is so admirable that it commends itself to all in- telligent people, and Dr. Siegler is so able and ef- fective in his furthering of its interests, that his name appears monthly on the "roll of honor" in the month- ly publication issued by the association, no man's name appearing on that roll unless he has written twenty applications during the month. The Asso- ciation had received 23,543 applications up to Dec. I, 1902, and had paid $80.536.38 in benefits up to that date-a most remarkable showing. So con- spicuous have been the Doctor's services that he was elected a director of the Association in 1899, and re- elected in 1900, 1901 and 1902.

Dr. Siegler has been twice married. His first wife, Ellen Lutz, of Ohio, died May 12, 1898. On Oct. 20, 1899, the Doctor married Margaret L. Mil- ler, of Bridgewater, Va., and three children have been born of this union: Lewis F., Jr., born in 1900; Anna Marguerite, who passed away Aug. 30, 1901, aged ten weeks; and Reinhold Richard, born Sept. 30, 1902. During Dr. Siegler's active practice in Lancaster, he served two years as health com- missioner, and two terms as physician to the Lancas- ter county prison. Politically he is a stanch Republi-

can and active in party work. In religious belief, 2 Lutheran, he is affiliated with Trinity Church. White practicing his profession he was a member of the Lancaster City and County Medical Societies, and of the State Medical Association of Pennsylvania, to which latter organization he was one time sent as a delegate from the local society. Dr. Siegler has ai- ways been active and enterprising, and so positive in his convictions that there is never an uncertainty as to his position.

MICHAEL HARNISH (deceased) was in his life time one of the well-known residents of West Lampeter township, where he was born Jan. 7, 1798. and where he died in September, ISSI.

Jacob Harnish, his father, was a farmer of West Lampeter township, and cultivated his father's farm as long as he lived, dying at the age of fifty-two years, his father surviving him four years. Jacob Harnish left a family of six children : Michael. whose name introduces this article; Jacob, who moved to Cumberland county, Pa., where he died ; John, who moved to Ohio, where he died ; Emanuel. who moved to Cumberland county, where he died : Elizabeth, who married Samuel Hershey, of Mt. Joy township; and Mrs. Coyler, who moved to Ohio. Jacob Harnish and his wife were members of the Reformed Mennonite Church.

Michael Harnish was reared and spent his life in West Lampeter township, where he owned the old homestead farm of 118 acres, which at present belongs to George Lampeter. He also owned a farm of eighty-two acres, which is now owned by David Kendig, a son-in-law. A timber lot of six acres, which belonged to him, is now the property of Ben- jamin Harnish.

Michael Harnish was an industrious and honora- ble man, who possessed the confidence of the people to a very unusual degree. Susanna Hess, who be- came his wife, died in 1883, at the age of eighty-five years. To this union were born: Catherine mar- ried Benjamin L. Denlinger, who preceded her to the grave : Ann married Henry Zindt, of East Lan- peter township, and is now dead; Benjamin ; Mary, the wife of Amos Weaver, of East Lampeter town- ship, is now deceased ; Susanna is the wife of David Kendig, of West Lampeter township: Michael Is now living in Lancaster ; and Jacob is also a resident of Lancaster. The parents of these children be- longed to the Reformed Mennonite Church.

BENJAMIN HARNISH was born Dec. 14, 1828, and was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common school. When he was twenty-two he began farming operations on his own account, cultivating his father's place for a year, and then went into the country north of Lancaster, where he remained four years: Returning to West Lampeter township, he again engaged in the cultivation of his father's farm, and continued with him some five years. At the expiration of that time he bought a farm of seventy-seven acres from his father-in-law,

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Martin Harnish, in East Lampeter township, and there for more than twenty years he made his home, and it is now owned by his son, Elam. In 1882 Ben- jamin Harnish moved to the farm he has since occu- pied in West I.ampeter township, containing twenty acres at the time it passed into his possession. Since buying it he has added seventeen acres to it, and greatly improved it. Adjoining this he owns a tract of fifty acres, and both of these are being conducted by his son, Michael, an expert young farmer. while Mr. Harnish himself has lived retired since 1890. He also owns sixty-two acres in East Lampeter town- ship, which his son, John A., manages and cultivates. Mr. Harnish has ever been a leading farmer, and his integrity and industry have won for him a large cir- cle of friends.

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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 77

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