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 81
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Railroad, and for the next five years he was busted in the laying out of branch lines. In the year 1883 he became superintendent of Robert H. Coleman's Conowingo Ore Mines, which position he held until they suspended work in 1881. He remained in the employ of Robert H. Coleman until his death. He was, during this latter period, interested in convert- ing the mountain wilderness of Alt. Gretna, then the property of Mr. Coleman and since famous as a sum- mer resort, into one of the most beautiful summer residence places in the State. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Sprecher was taken down with pneumonia, and par- tially recovering, a trip to California was advised by his physician. from which he returned much im- proved. In 1888 he again started for California to remain permanently. But he was not able to make the trip in his weakened condition, and he died as stated. Mr. Sprecher was a leading member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, and in political life voted the Republican ticket, although he took but little part in politics.
In 1875 Mr. Sprecher was married near Landis- ville on the present site of Bamfordville, Lancaster county, to Miss Lottie S. Buch, who bore him two children, and who still survives him: Lewis B .. a shoe merchant of Lancaster: and Clav, mechanical engineer of Pittsburg. Pa. The mother of these chil- dren was born at Neifsville, Lancaster Co .. Pa., daughter of Benjamin and Anna ( Grube) Buch. Benjamin Buch was for long years connected with the cattle industry of Lancaster county, being a drover of large property. He died in the home now occupied by his daughter Aug. 22, 1899, at the age of seventy-three years, and now lies buried in Wood- ward Cemetery. He lived in Lancaster from 1869. His wife still survives, living in the home of her daughter; she was born Feb. 28, 1835, and is still hale and hearty, with the exception of some little rheumatic afflictions. She became the mother of Lottie S., Mrs. Sprecher; Ada MI., deceased; and Harvey M., now residing in the West. The Buch family were also pioneers of Lancaster county. Peter and Mary (Leib) Buch, the parents of Benjamin, 1
were born and reared in Lancaster County. On the maternal side the grandparents. David and Mar- tha (Stoner) Grube. were also natives of this county. Mrs. Sprecher and her mother are ladies of many gentle traits of character, and are much esteemed in the more exclusive circles of Lancaster, where they have passed a great part of their lifetime.
HON. DAVID W. GRAYBILL, one of the lead- ing citizens and most influential men of Lancaster county, well known in both public and private life, and identified with some of its most important in- dustries, is pleasantly located in the village of East Petersburg, where he manages a large tobacco busi- ness, of which he has made a great industry, which gives employment to a large force of men, and has opened up commercial relations with many other sec- tions, much to the advantage of his locality.
David W. Graybill was born in East Peters- burg, Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 10, 1853, and there he has resided all his life, with the exception of two advantageous years spent in study at the State Nor- mal School at Millersville. His preparatory edu- cation was received in the public schools of his town. and after his return to his home from Millersville he engaged in business for some time prior to his mar- riage, in 1880, following which he set up a domestic hearth of his own and more extensively engaged in the tobacco business. Mr. Graybill has been a very active dealer in his line, and his progressive spirit has been of the greatest advantage to his locality, giving an impetus to other lines of trade. The years 1899 and 1900 were particularly prosperous, and Mr. Graybill found employment in his great warehouses for a force of 140 men. He has warehouses in both East Petersburg and Rolirerstown, three at the former place, and one at the latter, which was built in the fall of 1809.
Aside from his private interests, which are many and varied, for he is a keen, practical man, educated and alive to all that promises to conduce to prosper- ity, Mr. Graybill has always been animated by high ideals of business and civic life, and has probably done more than any other one citizen toward the per- manent upbuilding of East Petersburg. His own residence is the most desirable in the village, and the creditable enterprise lately shown by the other citi- zens may, in a measure, be attributed to his example.
Mr. Graybill was one of the promoters of, and is also a stockholder and a director in, the Farmers' Creamery Company, of East Petersburg, and has taken a prominent position in the organization from the first. Politically he has been a strong man in the Republican ranks, taking an active part in ail party matters, and was twice made a delegate to the State convention, first in 1883, and later in 1898. For some eighteen years he has served as a justice of the peace, having been elected to that position four different times. In 1879 he was made a notary, but resigned this office in order to accept the former one. which he also resigned in June, 1900, in order to accept the nomination from the Republican party for the State Legislature. During his service in the Legislature, in 1901-02, he served on the committees on Railroads, Senatorial and Representation Appor- tionment. Counties and Townships, and others. The bill known as Centralization of Public Schools re- ceived his hearty co-operation, and was passed large- lv through his efforts, and it was in favor of this bill that he made his maiden speech. He firmly opposed the bill for the removal of the State Capitol. He has received the nomination for a second term in the Legislature, by nearly 5,000 majority, at a primary election held March 15. 1902. For three years Mr. Graybill most efficiently served as township assessor in East Hempfield township, and for the fifth time he has had the honor of being chosen chairman of the Republican County Committee, an honor never be- fore conferred, in his district, upon the same indi-
D. Gray bill
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vidual twice in succession. Mir. Graybill throws him- self heartily into whatever he undertakes, and, where his judgment and sagacity sanction it, knows no such word as fail.
Fraternally Mr. Graybill is as prominent as he is in both public and private life, being identified with Lancaster Lodge. No. 43, F. & A. M., and also Lan- caster Lodge of Perfection ; is a past grand of Selah Lodge, No. 65 ;. I. O. O. F., of Manheim ; also a member of Meridian Sun Commandery, No. 99, Knights of Malta: Lancaster Castle, No. 126, Knights of the Mystic Chain : Red Rose Co., No. 20, Military Branch of Knights of the Mystic Chain, serving as assistant inspector general of the State, with the rank of brigadier general ; past regent of i Conestoga Council. No. 463, Royal Arcanum, and past councillor of the Loval Addition : he is also a
Mr. Kaufhold's maternal grandparents were George and Anna (Stegar) Geisler. They emi- member of the Annual .Annuity of the Mystic Circle, , grated from Germany to America in 1848, and set- : and was the first representative of this lodge to the grand lodge; and is consul commander of Cherry Camp, No. 83. Woodmen of the World. These many connections have made him better known through various parts of the State than almost any other citi- zen of his vicinity, and he is everywhere regarded as a high-minded, honorable man in whatever capacity he may be found.
1
David W. Graybill was married April 27, 1880, to Miss S. Alice Martin, a daughter of William K. and Susan C. (Getz) Martin, residents of East Hempfield township. To this union have been born three interesting children, all sons, Guy M., Reid M. and David W.
The religious connection of the family has been with Trinity Reformed Church, to which Mr. Gray- bill has been a most generous contributor, and in which both he and his estimable wife are highly val- ued for their many excellent traits of character. Mr. Graybill possesses the esteem of his neighbors, and is looked upon in the county as one of the progressive and honorable citizens who are, by sound business sense and individual application, the men who build up and prove of most value in any community.
JOSEPH G. KAUFHOLD, a grocer and one of Columbia's prominent business men and influen- tial citizens, was born in that town Aug. 27, 1856, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Geislar) Kaufhold.
Jacob Kaufhold was born in Prussia, and his wife in Bavaria. The latter emigrated to this coun- try in IS48, and Mr. Kaufhold's feet first touched American soil two years later. They were married in Columbia, where he was employed in a blast fur- nace. Jacob Kaufhold died in ISSI, aged sixty, and his widow still survives. her home being in Colum- bia. She was born July 12. 1836. Jacob Kaufhold and his wife were the parents of nine children. The eldest, Sarah, is the widow of L. Bitner, of Colum- bia; Anna married Edward Pordahl, of Lebanon : John, the third child and eldest son, is a resident of Columbia ; George J. is in the monument business in Columbia; Bartholomew and William have both
seen service as United States soldiers, the former having done duty in Cuba, and the latter being at present stationed in the Philippines : Margerie, the youngest daughter. is at home and unmarried. Jo- seph Kaufhold's paternal grandparents were Joseph and Helen ( Mockenruts) Kaufhold, of Germany. The former died in 1846, in his sixty-seventh year, and the latter in IS31, aged forty. Their children were Conrad, Lawrence, Duridale, Jacob and Joseph ( second). The grandfather married a second time, after the death of his first wife. His second wife was Catherine Artleb, and the issue of the mar- riage was two children : John, who died in the Fatherland; and Bartholomew, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
tled in Havre de Grace, Md. At that time they were youth and maiden, and no word of troth had passed between them. Two years thereafter they were united in marriage, and removed to Columbia, D'a. He worked in an iron furnace, and died in 1891, after reaching the ripe age of four score years. His wife died in Iso7, aged eighty-six. Their chil- dren were four in number. Mr. Kaufhold's mother, Catherine, being the el lest. The others, all of whom are deceased, were Sarah. Margaret aik! John. Sarah married Martin Eppley, and died in May, 1900. John died in 1899, and Margaret in childhood.
In October, 1886, MIr. Kaufhold was married to Miss Elizabeth Hagel, at Columbia. The issue ot the union has been four sons and eight daughters : Clara, Mary, Frank, Bartholomew, Anna S., Beau- tie, Gertrude, Margaret, Charles, Sabina, Joseph and Lucy. Gertrude and Joseph are both deceased, as is also Charles, who was Margaret's twin brother.
Mrs. Kaufhold was born at Chestnut Hill May 12, 1860, daughter of Peter Hagel and his wife, Sabina Spangler. Both her parents were Bavarians, and were married in the country of their birth, and both are now deceased. They emigrated to Amer- ica in 1850, and, coming to Lancaster county, settled at Chestnut Hill. He was a farmer, but also a miner as well. Mr. Hagel lived to the age of sixty-ning and died Jan. 25, 1881. His wife passed from life April 1, 1895, having reached the same age as her husband at the time of his demise. They were both Catholics, and sleep in the cemetery at Columbia. Mrs. Kaufhold was the sixth of seven children born to this union. Joseph and May, the two eldest, are both deceased; Mary is the wife of Anthony Seebower, a furniture dealer of Columbia; Anna is deceased ; and Catherine, who is unmarried, makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Kaufhold.
Joseph G. Kaufhold faced the world in early life. That he has struggled successfully against its temptations and won the battle of life, alone and un- aided, is chiefly due to his indomitable pluck, his tireless energy, and his unassailable probity. At
51
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the early age of twelve years he began working in a grocery store. For two years he followed this toil, being able to attend school for only six mouths. From 1871 to 1883 he found employment in a roll- ing mill. Industry, sobriety, patience and integrity enabled him to embark in the grocery business then on his own account. The same sterling character- istics have won for him a steady, uninterrupted suc- cess. He believes in the faith of his ancestors, and is a devout and practical Catholic. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of St. Joseph's So- ciety, and of the P. C. B. L.
ALBERT M. HERR. wholesale florist and car- nation specialist. located at Rider avenue and Elm street, Lancaster, is one of the prominent business citizens of the city.
Henry Herr, the grandfather of Albert M. Herr. was both a merchant and miller in Strasburg town- ship, retiring from activity in 1861, and dying in 1894, at the age of eighty-one years. He married ( first) Mary Rohrer, who died in March, 1838, at the early age of twenty-four years, leaving two chil- dren, Susannah. who is the wife of Daniel Musser, a prominent retired farmer : and Daniel K., the fa- ther of Albert M. The second marriage of Henry Herr was to Fanny Herr, widow of Samuel Herr. and his third marriage was to Charlotte, daughter of Francis Herr. The paternal great-grandparents of our subject were Martin and Susan ( Buck- walter) Herr, farming people of Strasburg town- ship, of Swiss ancestry.
Daniel K. Herr, son of Henry and Mary ( Roh- rer ) Herr and father of Albert M., was born in New Danville, Pequea township, Dec. 2, 1837. Prior to his thirty-seventh year he engaged in milling in Strasburg township. and then began gardening, which business he followed for three years, the busi- ness developing into market-gardening and finally into that of florist. Mr. Herr being for twenty years one of the best-known and most successful whole- sale florists in this part of the county. For the past four years he has made his home in Lancaster, but prior to that lived in Lancaster township. Mr. Herr has a large business for which he has most excellent accommodations, comprising four hot houses with dimensions of 100x18 feet, and with some 8000 feet of glass. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Lancaster. In December. 1859, Mr. Herr was mar- ried in Lancaster township, to Miss Susan Musser, born in West Lampeter township, daughter of Dr. Martin Musser. who died March 3, 1870, at the age of thirty-five years, and was buried in Longenecker cemetery, in Lampeter township. The one child born to this union was Albert M., of this sketch.
Albert M. Herr was born July 19, 1862, in Stras- burg township, and resided there with his father uin- til his fourteenth year, accompanying him then to Lancaster. He became interested in his father's business, first assisting him and then thoroughly
learning the same, and in 1881 began the business for himself. Mr. Herr's greenhouses cover an acre of ground, and he has 60,000 square feet of glass. his first building being done in 1888. At varios, times since he has made additions, and has intro. duced all of the latest improvements in floriculture. and his carnations and other specialties have gained for him a wide and deserved notoriety.
Mr. Herr is prominently identified with all of the Masonic bodies in Lancaster, and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine in Reading : is a member of the B. P. O. E .. being one of the original fifteen mem- bers in Lancaster, and serving as secretary of the lodge for five years. He belongs to a number of horticultural societies, is secretary of the American Carnation Society, and is treasurer of the Florist Hail Association. In politics he is a Republican. Few men are better or more favorably known to the trade than is Mr. Herr, the deep interest he has taken in his line having enabled him to advance the science of floriculture very much.
On Feb. 24, 1897, Mr. Herr was united in mar- riage, in Philadelphia, to Miss Elizabeth Irwin, born in Sadsbury township, Chester county, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Clendenen) Irwin. the former of whom is a railroad carpenter. residing with his family in Philadelphia. One son. Daniel Irwin, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herr. The family is held in high esteem in Lancaster.
CONRAD Z. HESS, one of the intelligent. pro- gressive agriculturalists of Pequea township, was born there. Nov. 5, 1856. He comes from a family of Lancaster county whose members have always commanded the highest respect. being a great- grandson of Michael Hess. The last named bought a farm of 115 acres for five shillings -- the place now occupied by the father of our subiect.
Abraham Hess, the grandfather. was born in Pequea township, and there passed his entire life. He married Elizabeth Musser. and to this union three sons were born, one dying in infancy : Benjamin died at the age of eighteen months: and Abraham MI. is the father of our subject. He was born in Pequea township in 1829, was educated in the com- mon schools of the county. and began life for him- self when twenty years of age. taking up farming which he has always followed. In the fall of 1850 he married Elizabeth Hess, and one son was born to them, Emanuel, who died in infancy. The mother died in the fall of 1851. and Mr. Hess afterward married Auna Zigler, of East Donegal township, by whom he had seven children: Conrad Z. : Ben- jamin, of Fulton township: Abram, of East Done- gal township: Noah Z .; Ezra. deceased : Ezli, who died in infancy : and Mattie, wife of Paris Engle, of Columbia. Pa. Mrs. Anna (Zigler) Hess died in July. 1868. Abraham M. Hess then married Bar- bara Herr, who became the mother of four children : Annie, wife of Graybill Mann, of Manor township : Enos, of State College, Pa .; Barbara, who died in
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infancy : and Lizzie, who is at home. Mr. Hess is . it he supplies a want that has long been felt in this a member of the Dunkard Church, better known as community. the River Brethren Church, and he has been a dea- con in same for a number of years. He has settled : up a number of estates, and has been guardian for several families, a fact which testifies forcibly to the estimate placed upon his character and ability by those who know him well.
Our subject lived at home with his father until he was twenty-one years of agre, meantime receiving his education in the common schools of the county. He then went to live with his uncle on a farm in East Donegal township for two years, returning home again for one year, after which he went to Quarryville, and engaged in raising tobacco for one . year. He then purchased a farm of his father, in Quarryville, and conducted same for nine years, at the end of that time coming back to his old home and taking charge of his father's farm. Here he has remained to the present time.
Mr. Hess represents the Agricultural Insurance Co., of Lititz. He has proved himself in the man- agement of his fine property, an able business man, and he is regarded by all who know him as a valt- able citizen, one who works for the good of the com - munity, as well as for his own advancement in life.
On Jan. 19, 1882, Mr. Hess married Ada Sue . Keen, daughter of David Keen, of Eden township, and they are the parents of eleven living children and have lost two by death. Those living are: Anna Martha, Abraham Musser, Alice May. Ada Mary, David Avery, Martha Ann, Emma Rhoda. Ruth Lizzie, John Zigler, Beulah Viola, and Verna Pauline, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hess bodhi belong to the Dunkard Church, known also as the River Brethren in Christ.
CHARLES EDGAR SHREINER, a well- known native citizen of Lancaster was born Oct. I. 1863, son of the late Charles F. and Eleanor (Cox) | in West Earl township. He married Maria Rupp, Shreiner, more extended mention of the family be- ing found in another part of this volume. Charles F. Shreiner passed away in July, 1865, and his widow, who was a native of New Jersey, in 1883. The children of their marriage were nine in number, the survivors being: William M., who is a printer in Sioux City, Iowa ; Sallie A., and Charles Edgar. the well-known advertising man.
Charles Edgar Shreiner was given an excellent common-school education in Lancaster, and then spent five years in the grocery establishment of the late George Wiant, and the succeeding eight years in the service of the Pennsylvania railroad, in Phil- adelphia. Returning to Lancaster in 1893, he or- ganized the Shreiner Advertising Co., with offices at No. 43 East Marion street, near the post-office. Although this company makes a specialty of out- door advertising. it also engages in the business in other lines, much of its work commanding attention and admiration. That it has proved such a success is due to the energy and ability of its founder, and in
In August, 1887, Mr. Shreiner was married to Miss Alice A. Hale. a daughter of John Hale. who is now a retired contracting carpenter, of George- town. Mass. Mrs. Shreiner came of distinguished ancestry, one of her forefathers being a Spofford, and belongs to the same family as A. R. Spofford, so long the librarian of the Washington Library. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shreiner are: Helen Spofford, Sallie Agnes, Carl Hale and Anna Frances.
Fraternally Mr. Shreiner is connected with the Knights of Malta, while politically he is an ardent and active Republican. His religious rearing was in the Moravian faith, but Mrs. Shreiner is a Con- gregationalist, her ancestors long having been prom- inent members of that body, in New England. Few young men have made better business showings in the same time than Mr. Shreiner, his pleasant per- sonality winning him friends, while his upright methods, and the excellent work turned out by his company, have gained him the confidence of even a critical public. It is no small matter to control a trade in which so large a city as Philadelphia at- tracts on account of its proximity. This Mr. Shreiner has been able to do, and his prosperity re- flects not only credit upon him, but also upon the public spirit of the community.
JOHN RUPP BURKHOLDER, a wholesale grain dealer in the Northern National Bank Build- ing, Lancaster, and at one time manager of the broker business of his father-in-law. Hon. A. H. Summy, belongs to a family long and favorably known in Lancaster county. His grandfather was Jonas Burkholder, who lived and died in the eastern part of this county.
Isaac Burkholder, father of John R., died in 1882, daughter of Samuel Rupp, a well-known farmer of West Earl township, and they had fourteen chil- dren, thirteen of whom are living at the present writing ; Samuel R., a farmer in Kansas: Joseph R., a horse dealer in Manheim township; Jonas R., a traveling salesman from Lancaster; Isaac R., a traveling salesman in Ohio; John R., our subject ; Elizabeth R., wife of Wayne Carpenter, a farmer of Warwick township : Maria, wife of Frank Stauf- fer, a farmer of West Earl township ; Susan, wife of Amos Dillman. a carriage builder at Farmersville ; Annie, wife of J. Musser, a farmer of Lititz : Bar- bara, wife of J. M. Sheaffer. a merchant of Eph- rata : Hattie, wife of B. Hoover, a fariner of New Holland ; Emma, wife of Diller Sheaffer, a farmer of Bird-in-Hand; and Sarah, at home with her parents.
John Rupp Burkholder was born in West Earl township Jan. 25, 1856, and was educated in the public schools of the home district. Leaving schovĂ when sixteen years of age, he entered his father's
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flour mill, where he remained until ISSo. For a period of about twelve years following he was en- gaged in the milling business in different mills along the Conestoga. In 1892 he came to Lancaster, and entered into a partnership with H. K. Keller, in the wholesale grain business, trading under the firm name of H. K. Keller & Co. In 1895 this part- nership was dissolved, and Mir. Burkholder opened an office in the Northern National Bank Building. where he has since continued his grain business. In 1901 Mr. Summy bought out the broker busi- ness, which had been established on the second floor of the Northern National Bank Building, and Mr. Burkholder became his manager, conducting the broker business in connection with his grain offices. The broking is done through J. B. Flesh- man & Co., of Philadelphia, with whom direct tele- graphic communication is had. Genial and clever in his intercourse with the public, Mr. Burkholder has built up a handsome shipping trade, and is well and favorably known.
Mr. Burkholler was married, in 1883, to Miss Annie Summy, a daughter of Hon. A. H. Summy, whose history appears elsewhere. To this union has come one child, Guy Summy, born in 1886, who is now a pupil of the Boys' High School, Lancaster. Mr. Burkholder is of Mennonite descent. Politically he is a Republican, as are all the members of his family.
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