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 80
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To Levi and Martha (Hougendobler) Heidler were born eleven children, as follows: Anna, who married Christian K. Shenk, and is now deceased ; William, who married Mary Bart, and lives in Cor- delia ; Henry. of San Diego, Cal. ; Barbara ; Harriet. wife of Henry Brenneman, a veterinary surgeon of Mt. Joy ; Cyrus, proprietor of a bakery at Mountville, Pa. : Sarah, wife of Dr. Charles McAuley, a physician of Petersburg ; Martha, wife of Christian K. Shenk ; Mary who died young: Samuel, who married Adelia Bunn, and is a school teacher of Springfield, Ill .; and Horace, a telegraph operator of Chickies, Lan- caster countv. Levi Heidler retired from active farming in West Hempfield in 1887, after which he lived in Columbia and Cordelia, successively. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was for many years a member of the English Lutheran Church, to which his wife also belongs.
After his marriage Christian K. Shenk operated his father's farm for ten years on the shares. He then engaged in the tobacco business in connection with farming and trucking and is now one of the prominent tobacco merchants of the county. In poli- tics he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. They are prominent in the social life of the township, and most highly esteemed for their many estimable qualities. Christian K. Shenk has proved himself a successful business man, and his keen business judgment integrity and energy have placed him among the foremost citizens of West Hempfield township.
CLOYD R. COLLIER, one of the most reliable engineers on the Pennsylvania Railroad and now re- siding in Columbia, Lancaster county, was born in Mifflintown, Juniata Co., Pa., March 23, 1845. son of James and Margaret (Tyson) Collier, who had a family of nine children, namely : Cloyd R .; Elizabeth J., wife of William A. Partner, a farmer
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of Mifflintown : Alice A., married to George Kelley, a railroad engineer of the same place : Lucian W., Loran McG., and John MI., deceased: Harvey F., a brakeman : Charles, of Columbia : and William A., of Harrisburg. The father died at the age of fifty- three years, and the mother in 1800. at the age of seventy-three, the former in the faith of the Bap- tist Church, and the latter in that of the Lutheran.
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Cloyd R. Collier was reared on a farm, but at the age of sixteen years he left home to become a de- fender of the integrity of his country's flag. He en- listed for three years or during the war. in August. 1862, in Co. F, 16th P. V. C., under J. Robinson, who went out as captain and returned as colonel. During his service he took part in some of the severest battles that occurred in the Army of the Potomac, and in skirmishes innumerable. He was mustered out at Richmond, Va .. and honorably dis- charged at Harrisburg. Ang. 23. 1865.
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Mr. Collier, on reaching home. was employed as a laborer on the tracks of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Co. until 1867. then went to Gettysburg. where he farmed until 18;1. He then returned to Lan- caster and resumed work in the furnaces. He con- tinued to be thus employed until 1874. when he be- gan as fireman with the Railroad Company, and in 1882 was promoted to engineer.
ยท On July 2, 1868, in Chickies, Lancaster county, Mr. Collier was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Lochard, who was born in Newtown. Pa., a daughter of John and Margaret ( Hammonds ) Lochard; she died March 25. 1899, at the age of forty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Lochard were the parents of the following children : Margaret J., wife of George W. Humble, engineer at Columbia ; James W., who died young : Cloyd R., boilermaker for the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., at Columbia, and married to Katherine Hougentogles : John F., a brakeman at home: Saloma C., wife of John L ... Madden, a machinist at Columbia ; and Alice F. and Charles C., at home.
John Lochard, the father of Mrs. Collier, is a retired stationary engine manufacturer, and was born in March, 1824. He lost his wife March 4. 1888, she being sixty-four years of age at the time she died, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lochard nine children in the following order: Saloma, wife of Joshua Collier, a lumberman of Marysville. Pa .; Sarah A., the deceased wife of Cloyd R. Collier ; Emma F., married to J. K. Snyder. a street-car con- ductor in Philadelphia; John B .. of Columbia : Samuel, in the West; Anna M., Maggie J., and Ulysses G., deceased ; and Clara B., wife of George White, a tinsmith in Columbia.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Sarah A. Collier were John C. and Anna ( Conklin) Lochard. of Newtown, where the grandfather was engaged in farming, and also conducted a temperance hotel ; the maternal grandparents came from Chester coun- ty to Lancaster county, where grandfather Han-
monds also conducted a hotel. and here he and wife passed the remainder of their days.
Cloud R. Collier is one of the most trustworthy engineers in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Co., and with the children that now form the home circle is in the enjoyment of the highest es- teem of all his neighbors. They are consistent mem- hers of the English Lutheran Church, and Mr. Col- lier is a member of the B. of L. F., the Relief, and the K. O. T. M. In politics he is a Democrat.
LEMUEL CHEW EBY. the popular and suc- cessful local representative of the American School Furniture Co., of New York, is a conspicuous and welcome figure in this community. He comes from a prominent and long-lived family, his great-grand- father having died at the age of eighty-three years ; his grandfather at eighty-four : his father at cighty- one ; his mother at eighty-four. The line of ancestry is a lengthy one. The paternal great-grandfather and grandfather bore the name of John.
John Fby, the grandfather, lived in Brickerville, Lancaster county, and the father, Christian Ehy, was a fruit-grower of Conestoga Center. Mary Eby, the mother of Lemuel C., was a daughter of John Kendig, a well-known hotel keeper of Conestoga Center. To Christian and Mary Eby were born six children, three of whom are living. Lemuel C., of Lan- caster: I. H .. of Philadelphia : and Elmina. the widow of Allus Groff, of Philadelphia.
Lemuel C. Eby was born in Concstoga Center, Sept. 2, 1843, and was educated in the district schools until he reached the age of cleven years. In 1854 he came to Lancaster to take a position as a newspaper carrier, and was then employed in the book store of his uncle, the late Elias Barr. He remained seven years, in the book store of Folin Bears' Sons when he took a position with the American School Furni- ture Co., of New York. where he soon became a very successful traveling salesman. There is not a school probably in Lancaster county that does not possess some article which it has bought from this gifted and energetic representative of the great firm. In the spring of 1000 he placed 600 chairs in the Lancaster Court House. and in October of the same year he secured the contract to supply 1000 opera chairs for the main auditorium of the Y. M. C. A.
Lemuel C. Eby was married, in 1868, to Miss Mary, a daughter of the late David B. Hostetter, one of the most respected citizens of Lancaster. Dy this marriage he became the father of two children : Ed- ward G., who is now at the head of the notion de- partment of the New York Store of this city : and David Charles, who is at the head of the shoe depart- ment of T. R. Foster's Department Store.
Mr. Eby was elected by the Republicans of the Sixthi ward to a seat in the common branch in the i city council, but was obliged to resign, after serving two terms, on account of the fact that his headquar- ters are now in Philadelphia, and he is able to spend only Saturday and Sunday with his family in their
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elegant and new home on East Chestnut street. From boyhood he has been a member of the First Methodist Church, and was at one time a member of the board of trustees of the Church, but his absence from Lancaster during the week compelled him to retire from the Board ; for seven years he was super- intendent of the Sunday School. Mr. Eby is a mem- ber of the Knight Templar degree of the Masonic Fraternity. As a representative of a great business house he has won hosts of friends by his genial man- ners, unfailing courtesy and honorable methods. Liberal in his views and acts, and indcfatigable in his efforts to promote the interests of his house, all who know him wish him success in an unmeasured degree.
WILLIAM H. GUTHRIE. a leading contract- ing painter and decorator, Lancaster, with place of business at No. 38 West Walnut street, comes of a long-lived rugged Scotch ancestry, some of whom were among the carly settlers of Pennsylvania.
Joseph Guthrie, grandfather of William H., came to America from Scotland, settling in Chester county. Pa., where he founded the now thriving wil- lagre of Guthriesville. becoming prominent in all the affairs of the locality, and first postmaster of the village. From Chester county he removed to Franklin county, and here passed the rest of his days. Of his family three are yet living, viz. : William D., in Chambersburg. Pa., aged eighty- three years; and two daughters aged, respectively, eighty and eighty-two, one residing in Chambers- burg, the other in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Allen Guthrie, father of William H., was for many years the leading house painter in Lancaster. coming to the city in 1848. after having followed the business in Chester and Franklin counties. He married Miss Mary A. Garrett, a native of Chester county, born of Scottish ancestry, and seven children were the result of their union, five of whom are vet living. The father passed away Feb. 17, 1893, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and no man in the city died more deeply lamented. The mother was called from earth in ISS2, mourned by a wide circle of rela- tions and friends. They were active and consistent members of the Methodist Church, and interested in everything looking to the uplifting of their fellow creatures.
William H. Guthrie was born near Guthries- ville, East Brandywine township, Chester Co., Pa., and was a small boy when the family moved into the city of Lancaster. Here his earlier education was secured. and for a time he attended Franklin and Marshall College. In 1864 he commenced an apprenticeship at the trade of machinist in the Nor- ris Locomotive Works, now known as the Pennsyl- vania Iron Works; but after three years he aband- oned this line and took up the painting and decorat- ing business, under his father's excellent tuition. In 1882 his father admitted him into partnership, under the firm name of Guthrie & Son, which continued
until 1892, since when William H. has conducted the business alone. That he has made a success goes without saying, and the many fine residences and public buiklings he has painted and decorated tes- tify to his skill. Among the latter may be mentioned the Duke Street MI. E. Church, the "Hotel Lan- caster," and the Folmer & Clogg umbrella factory, all in Lancaster : the Industrial School and Soldiers Orphan School, at Scotland, Franklin county ; the new Chester County Insane Asylum, besides many other buildings, while, year after year, he and his expert painters, grainers and decorators are kept busy nearly the whole time at the ancestral home of the Grubb family at Mount Hope, Lancaster county. In March. 1901. Mr. Guthrie had the con- tract for painting a large building in Coatesville. Chester county, which was among the lesser con- tracts he had secured for the spring work of that year.
In April. 1882, William H. Guthrie married Miss Mary S. Etter. daughter of Josiah Etter, a prominent farmer of Franklin county, Pa., and four children have blessed this union: Mary (a grad- uate of the Girls' High School, Lancaster, class of 1900), Rosweil, Helen, and Allen Herschell. Mir. and Mrs. Guthrie are members of Grace Lutheran Church, of which he is serving as vestryman.
Socially Mr. Guthrie is a member of the Odd Fellows, being a past officer in Herschel Lodge. No. 123, and its representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He also belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, including Harrisburg Consistory 32nd de- grec. A Republican in politics, he was elected on that ticket to the city council, and has served in same with his well-known zeal and ability. He enjoys a wide and influential social and political connection, while personally, no man stands higher in the com- munity than William H. Guthrie.
ADAM WISMAN. Among the prominent, suc- cessful and self-made men of Marietta is Adam Wis- man, one of the well-established business citizens who is held in high esteem. His business is that of tin- smith, plumber and jobber, and on account of his re- liability he has a large patronage which is steadily on the increase.
The birth of Adam Wisman occurred in Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, Oct. 27, 1846. His parents. Adam and Anna M. (Erhardt) Wisman, came to. America in 1847 and settled at York, Pa., where the mother died in the same year; she was born in 1799. The bereaved husband continued to live in York, and remained there as a laborer until his sec- ond marriage. He wedded Catherine Dysert, making a comfortable home in York until his death in 1882, when seventy-nine years old. During life he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. The children of the first marriage were: George, who died in Baltimore, Md., in 1897 : Barbara, who mar- ried Henry Bernstock. a plumber of Wrightsville : and Adam, of this sketch. The children of the second
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marriage were: Lewis, of York; Mary, who mar- ried Andy J. Nickey, of Illinois, where she died ; John, who was killed on the railroad in ISSI; and William.
The home life of Adam Wisman was not a happy one for the little lad, after the death of his mother, and at the tender age of eight years he ran away, securing work with a kind farmer who lived four miles from the city of York. There he remained for two years, and then went back to the city, entering in the employ of Capt. John Hay, with whom he re- mained until 1859, and then acted as an errand boy for six months or until the opening of the Civil war. Among the striplings who enlisted Nov. 25, 1861, in Co. B, 3rd. Md. V. I., was Adam Wisman, but he was soon discharged on account of being too light for the service. Nothing daunted, the brave boy en- listed then in Co. I, 130th P. V. I., as a drummer boy, although it was his intention to carry a gun in- stead of a drum. and he efficiently served through nine months, re-enlisting in Co. B, 13th P. V. C., under Capt. H. H. Gregg, and served with gallantry until November, 1865, taking part in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and other great battles, and was in thirty-two engage- ments, but did not escape unharmed. His first wound was received from a gun shot, on the field of Chan- cellorsville, again a gunshot at Charles City Cross Roads, and a third wound was from a sabre on nose and chin, at Sycamore Church, where he was obliged to escape from the enemy in his underwear, as he was on his way to take a message to Gen. Grant. Mr. Wisman displayed his courage and endurance by never entering a hospital for care, but submitted to the rude and bungling assistance which the members of his company gave him.
After his return from the war Mr. Wisman en- tered as an apprentice in a shop some three miles from York, and received $40 for that year, and then went to York and worked for D. D. Dowdell for three years, under instruction. He then passed nine months in the Pennsylvania railroad shops, going from there to Goldsboro, Pa., where he opened up a tinsmith and plumbing business. This did not prove a good location, and he returned to York and worked there and in Wrightsville, at his trade, also doing some work in Lancaster, until 1874, when he came to Marietta and engaged for one year as a workman with Sterritt & Spangler, this association lasting for twelve years. In 1886 Mr. Wisman opened up a business of his own and since that time has done the principal business in tinsmithing annd plumbing in this town.
On Jan. 26, 1868, in the village of Dillsburg, York county, Mr. Wisman was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Ziegler, and the children of this union are : Harry, who married Susan Starr ; Lotta, who mar- ried John H. Smith, and lives in Marietta ; Sarah J., deceased; Walter, who married Elizabeth Weston- hoeffer, and resides in Marietta; Laura, at home; Mamie, who married Joseph C. Kline, of Klinesville,
this county; George: Maud: Area; Horace; and James. Anna and William, deceased.
Mrs. Sarah J. ( Ziegler) Wisman is a native of York, Pa .. born in 1847, a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte ( Danner) Ziegler. The former was a man of prominence, a saddier by trade, and the treasurer of. York county for three terms. His death oc- curred in January, 1867, at the age of fifty-eight, and that of his widow, in 1872, at the age of fifty- two. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler were: James B., an attorney in York ; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Jonas Neice; Jacob, deceased : Emma, who married James D. Mundorff, postmaster at Mount Holly Springs, Pa. : Sarah J. ; Samuel, de- ceased; Laura, who married William H. Lewellyn, of Marietta: Catherine, who married J. Krurg, of Hanover : Edward; and Daniel, of Hanover.
Mr. Wisman has taken a prominent part in Demo- cratic politics in the county and city, and has been a member of the council for two years, his sensible and sound advice being of great value in civic affairs. His fraternal connections are with the G. A. R .; the I. O. O. F., Encampment No. 176; the Red Men, and he is president of the Pioneer Fire Co., an or- ganization of much merit. The religious connection of the family is with the M. E. Church. Mr. Wis- man is a man of large charities and generous im- pulses.
ISAAC HERR, an industrious carpenter in the township of West Lampeter, was born in the com- munity where his life has passed since May 29, 1837, a son of Abraham and Anna (Stoner) Herr, and a grandson of Joseph Herr.
Joseph Herr was a native of Pequea township, and in his time an extensive farmer. His last years were spent in West Lampeter township. He was a man of fine character, of great liberality and broad charity. He married Miss Maria Forrey, by whom he had the following children : Abraham, the father of Isaac; Martin, a hotel keeper ; Joseph, an under- taker and a carpenter at Willowstreet; David, who followed farming in Pequea and in Leacock town- ships, and died in the last named township ; Barbara, who married Isaac Houser; Maria, who became the wife of John Harnish ; and Anna, who married John Stoner.
Abraham Herr, the father of Isaac, was born Dec. 19, 1803, and he mastered the milling trade when a young man. After his marriage he located at the mill now known as Pugh's mill, between Lan- caster and Hollinger, which he operated as long as his wife lived, when he took up farming and to- bacco handling, going into cigar making on a small scale. On Jan. 26, 1832, he married Anna Stoner, who was born Feb. 9, 1806, and died Nov. 30, 1838, Abraham Herr died Feb. 18, 1885. Four of their children grew to maturity: Fannie, who married John K. Bender: Anna, who married George Lea- man; Abraham S., living in Leacock township; and Isaac. The father of these children was a member
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of the Mennonite Church, and a man of character and standing in the community.
Isaac Herr learned the cabinet-making trifle with his uncle Joseph at Willowstreet, beginning at the early age of fifteen years. On the completion of his apprenticeship he attended school a year, and then resumed his trade as a journeyman. After his mar- riage in November, 1860, he began operations for himself, and the following year he bought a half acre of land, where he erected a shop and a small house in which to live. As time passed and his family in- creased, his means grew larger, and from time to time his home was improved, increased and modernized. the shop having been moved to make room to meet the needs of the larger residence. Here Mr. Herr and his wife have lived for forty years, and reared a good family in peace and tranquility. Mr. Herr gives his attention to undertaking and carpenter work. In the years that have passed he has laid to rest many of the prominent people of this commun- ity, and his sympathizing spirit and kind heart, to- gether with his unquestioned integrity and indus- trious ways have won him the confidence and es- teem of the community. His sons, Abraham L. and Benjamin L., are now associated in business with him, under the firm name of Isaac Herr & Sons.
Mr. Herr was married Nov. 29, 1860, to Miss Mary H., who was born in East Lampeter township, April 28, 1837, a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Heller) Leaman. This union has been blessed by a numerous family, of whom two are deceased : Barbara I ... , Jan. 30, 1862, is a seamstress, giving special attention to the making of burial robes, and for the past twenty years she has been a blessing to the community for her sympathetic services in the laying-out of the dead ; Annie L., born Aug. 26, 1863, died Sept. 10, 1864: Lizzie L., born April 6, 1865. is the wife of Martin S. Zimmerman, of East Lamp- eter township; Hettie L., born June 7, 1866, is the wife of Frank S. Lefever, of West Lampeter town- ship ; Abraham L., born Aug. 29, 1867, married Miss Amanda Herr, and has his home in West Lampeter township, where he is engaged as carpenter and is also associated with his father in the undertaking business, being a graduate of the Philadelphia School of Embalming; Mary Ann, born June 18, 1870, is at home; Isaac L., born Aug. 22, 1871, graduated from the State Normal School at Millersville, class of 1895, lives at home, and is a teacher in the county schools, having begun the work in 1893, and he is also the township assessor ; Samuel L., born Feb. 17, 1873, is a farmer at home : Emma L., born July 6, 1875, married Abraham D. Metzler, and lives in East Lampeter ; George L., born Nov. 13, 1877, graduated at the State Normal School at Millersville in 1898, and has been a teacher in the public schools since 1898 ; an infant daughter, born Nov. 7, 1878. died un- named; Benjamin L .. born Jan. 29, 1882, was a student at the Millersville State Normal, and in 1901 was graduated from the Renouard School for Em-
balmers, is also associated with his father in the undertaking business.
Isaac Herr owns a fine farm of forty acres, on which he makes his home. Beginning his career with no capital save his strong heart and ready hand he accumulated with the assistance of his wife and the help of his children, a good property, and is classed among the well-to-do people of the county. The fa- ther, mother and all the children belong to the Men- nonite Church.
SAMUEL- SPRECHER. This gentleman was prominently identified with the industrial and civil life of Lancaster for a number of years prior to his clecease in ISSS. He was a civil engineer of note, having during his life time been connected with some of the largest enterprises in this part of the State, and being also identified with the Pennsylvania Rail- road in the laying out of a good many of its feeders. He died from a severe attack of pneumonia, Oct. 15, ISS8, in Denison, Iowa, while on his way to Cali- fornia for the benefit of his health.
Samuel Sprecher was a native of Lancaster, where he was born Nov. 5. 1850, son of Lewis and Lavina (Baer) Sprecher. The Sprechers are one of the old- est and most prominent families in Lancaster coun- ty, the name having been a landmark in Lancaster on account of the old "Sprecher House," which for long years was the chief hostelry of the city. This was built by Lewis Sprecher, who was also the owner of the "Leopard Hotel," and a large amount of other city property. The old "Sprecher House" still stands on Duke street, and is still the property of the Sprecher family. The parents of Mr. Sprecher were leading citizens in the public and social life of Lancaster during their life time, and were identi- fied with the Trinity Lutheran Church, of which they were active members. The following children besides Samuel were born to them: Jonathan, deceased at the age of thirty-five; Amanda, the wife of Enos Sheaffer. a farmer living in Leacock township ; Sol -. omon ; Elizabeth; and Mary A., who died young. For further matter concerning the early history of the Sprecher family, the reader is referred to the sketch of George Sprecher.
Samuel Sprecher was reared amid the refining influences of a Christian home, and his early educa- tion was received in the private schools of his native town. He later entered Tuscarora Academy, where he was prepared for Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., from which institution he graduated in the course of civil engineering in the year 1874. For several years thereafter he was in the employ of the large contracting firm of Keller & Reilly in Lancaster. He then opened an office for himself, which he conducted until he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road. One of his early more important enterprises was the running of the boundary line between Ches- ter and Lancaster counties. It was in the year 1878 that he was first in the employ of the Pennsylvania
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