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 84
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Mr. and Mrs. Foreman have seven children : Walter, at home; Henry, a hat finisher at Reading, who served in the Spanish-American war for eight months, being in the front in Porto Rico, and mus- tered out a corporal (he married Miss Agnes Ober) ; Bessie, at home; Mary, a seamstress at Philadelphia ; John, at home ; Rachael, a student at the Reading Hospital Training School ; and James, at home. The Foremans are all Methodists, and Mr. Foreman is a trustee of the Church. The good lives of the various members of this notable family well entitle them to honorable mention in this book of men who have done things, and who have lived for the good of their kind in Lancaster county.
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PHILIP D. REA. Among the leading and prosperous farmers of Drumore township is Philip D. Rea, a son of the late William and Sarah Ann (Drancker) Rea, of Sadsbury township.
William Rea, the father, was born March 5, 18TI, while his wife was born in 1819 ; he died Oct. 14, 1881, and she passed away Nov. 8, 1899. Will- iam Rea was a son of James Rea. and James Rea had the following family: William; Henry; Eben ; Jefferson ; Robert ; Louisa ; Eliza ; Mary ; and Han- nah. The great-grandfather, also James Rea, was born on board ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, while his parents were on their way to America, and he was of Scotch-Irish descent.
William Rea was a farmer by calling and the father of the following family: Amor, a farmer of Bart township : Mary, the wife of Samuel Fogle, of Christiana ; Miss Hannah, on the old homestead ; Philip D., of Drumore; Adam T., unmarried and residing on the home farm in Sadsbury ; Miss Sarah, a teacher in the Lancaster county schools ; Elizabeth, wife of Gilbert Smith, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Miss Emma, at home; James, of New York City, a teacher in a business college and the youngest of the family. The father was a stone mason and bridge builder by trade, and helped to build the old Georgia Central railroad bridge that was destroyed by Sherman's army on their march to the sea.
Philip, D. Rea was married, on Feb. 11, 1876, to Miss Eliza McGowen, a daughter of John and Catherine (Nott) McGowen, of Sadsbury township, and they were also of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Rea have had the following children : Catherine, wife of Charles Evans, of East Drumore township; E. Noble; and Hiram M.
Philip D. Rea was educated in the common schools of his township, and at the Academy of Christiana. He early began life for himself, and he now owns one of the best farms in southern Lan-
caster county. In politics he is a Republican, and throughout the neighborhood he is highly respected and esteemed as a good citizen and obliging neigh- bor, and as a man worthy the confidence of his fel- low townsmen.
WILLIAM KAHL. The wealth of encourage- ment emitted from the life of William Kahl, former brick manufacturer of Lancaster, is perhaps the greatest legacy left by this intrepid and remarkably successful man. His life story moves with steady and unswerving persistency from the unwilling bound-child of tender years to his marriage with fifty cents in his pocket, and on through a splendid soldier service in the Union ranks, to the possession, at the time of his death in 1888, not only of an hon- ored and influential name, but of eighteen houses in Lancaster, besides one of the largest, best equipped, and best paying brick manufactories in the county.
A native of Marietta, Pa., Mir. Kahl was born in 1821, and was third in the order of birth of the chil- dren of Frederick S. and Elizabeth ( Boas) Kahl. also born in Lancaster county, Pa. Of the other children of the family, Henry is deceased ; John was for years the partner of his brother William, but is now deceased; Mary married John Kuhns, a tobacconist, and is deceased; and Lavinia became the second wife of Mr. Kuhns, and is also deceased.
When very young William Kahl was bound out to service, but was dissatisfied and ran away. He finally brought up in a comb factory, where he re- mained for several years, and in 1847 entered the brick yard owned by Jacob Shirk, in time advancing to the position of manager. During the severai years thus employed he gained a fair knowledge of the business which was to stand him in such excell- ent stead in later life, and in 1855 started a like busi- ness for himself with his brother, John, as a partner. He purchased the site of the present home of his widow, one block extending from Lemon to James streets, Mary and Pine streets having since been- opened through it, and there he built his kilns and general appurtenances, his brother having a half share in the whole. During the war the brother managed the business, and upon the return of Will- iam from service, he purchased his brother's inter- est, and continued until the brick possibilities of the land were completely exhausted. He therefore pur- chased another tract of ground, and erected larger and more modern · manufacturing appliances, and for the remainder of his life made brick by steam power. and in increasing quantities. In the mean- time the land comprising the site of the former plant was undergoing a change from a manufactur- ing center to one of the residence parts of the town, for Mr. Kahl erected many houses thereon, and in fact was responsible for the upbuilding of the great- er part of the northwestern portion of the town. He furnished brick for many of the prominent build- ings in Lancaster, and the quality of his product was as superior as skill and long experience could
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produce. At the time of his death he had an order for a million brick, which order was necessarily can- celled.
No more gallant and enthusiastic soldier left growing and responsible interests to shoulder arms in a just cause than Mr. Kahl. In 186t he enlisted in Co. E. 79th P. V. I., and served until his discharge at the end of three years, Oct. 3. 1864. After a short visit to his home he re-enlisted March 1, 1865. in Co. A, 87th Regulars, was attached to the Ist Brigade, and discharged after the Grand Review up Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, June 25, 1865. He saw much of the terrible and. grewsome side of warfare. and participated in most of the his- torically interesting battles. Among other adven- tures he was wounded by gun shot in the calf of his leg, and his eyes were weakened by sap from the cedar trees. Thrice captured, the third time he escaped with no clothes on, and swimming the river. succeeded in joining his regiment. He was pro- moted to the position of wagon master.
On July 19, 1846, in Lititz, Pa .. Mr. Kahl mar- ried Anna E. Edgerley, a native of Lancaster, and sister of Capt. Edward Edgerley. Mrs. Kahl, who died Jan. 17, 1002, at the age of eighty years. was the mother of six children, viz: Fred S., deceased : William E., deceased: Jacob, deceased; Sarah L .: Gideon S .. of Lancaster; and Charles, deceased. Mr. Kahl was identified with the I. O. O. F., the K. P., and Post No. 405, G. A. R., and he was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. He was a man of large heart, and practical generosity, and the nobility and usefulness of his life appealed to all with whom he came in contact. His death occurred just one day previous to the forty-second anniversary of his mar- riage.
HENRY E. MUSSER, M. D. For four gen- erations the name of. Musser has been identified with the history of the successful practice of medi- cine in Lancaster county. According to the best authenticated reports, the first of the family to set- tle within that shrievalty was Dr. Benjamin Musser. who took up his home in Manor township about the middle of the eighteenth century. Details as to his career are wanting, but the fact that he was twice married is well established. His first wife was a Miss Nicely, and seven children were born of this union. After her death he married Maria Souders. the issue of their marriage being three sons and two daughters: Benjamin, Jacob, Martin, Martha and Lizzie. Dr. Benjamin Musser was the great-grand- father of Dr. Henry E., and Martin (his second son) was the grandfather. Mention of the latter is made in the succeeding paragraph, but a brief reference to collateral genealogical lines is of inter- est. Jacob, the eldest son of the second marriage of Dr. Benjamin Musser, was born Jan. 8, 1771 ; he married a daughter of John and Catherine Nissley, and died March 4, 1840. Benjamin, born Aug. 5. 1799, died March 7, 1824 ; he married a daughter of
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Christian and Barbara Kendig. Martha and Liz- zie married John and Abram Hess, respectively.
Following down the direct genealogical line of Dr. Henry E. Musser, the historian finds it neces- sary to pursue the fortunes of Martin, the third son of Benjamin, and the direct antecedent, in the third generation, of this successful and popular physi- cian. Martin Musser was born March 5. 1793. He read medicine under the enlightened, kindly tute- lage of his father, and at the age of twenty-two be- gan the practice of his profession. To his duties he brought both skill and patience; yet the life of a country practitioner, with all the care and toil inci- dent to it in those ( comparatively) early days, was not to his liking. He followed the life for twenty years and then resolved to seek a more quiet mode of existence. Accordingly, in 1835, he purchased a farm, on which he passed his remaining years, dying Aug. 9. 1849. His wife's maiden name was Ann Hostetter. and his children were nine in number, named Jacob, Benjamin, Henry, Martin. Daniel, Martha. Susan. Anna and Emma. All the sons. with the exception of Daniel, followed family tradi- tion. and treading in ancestral footsteps, became students of the divine art of healing. The home of Jacob was in Smoketown, where he built up a large and successful practice, and where he died : there. too. he married Martha Herr. Beniamin practiced in Strasburg township, and died there : he was three times married : first to Letita Neff : second to Naomi Herr: and third to Catherine Buckwalter. Henry was the father of Dr. Henry E. Musser. Martin ( the fourth son of Martin, Sr. ) practiced medicine successfully in Cumberland county, but died in early manhood. Daniel is the husband of Susan Herr. and is leading a retired life at Lancaster. Pa. Martha married John F. Herr. and both she and her husband are deceased. Susan (deceased) be- came the wife of Daniel Herr. Anna married The- odore Herr. of Denver, Colorado, and died in the West. Her younger sister, Emma, is the wife of Theodore Herr.
Henry Musser, third son of Dr. Martin, and father of Dr. Henry E., was born in Lancaster county Oct. 5. 1822. He supplemented a good rudi- mentary education by a more or less desultory study of medicine, but never entered upon its practice. Instead, he became a successful farmer and was always a man of broad. progressive ideas. As a citizen he was public-spirited, with an eye ever open to the general good ; while as an individual he closed neither his ear, his heart nor his purse strings to a tale of distress. His fellow citizens appreciating his character, regarded him highly, recognizing not only his moral worth but his natural aptitude for solving sociological and educational problems, as well. For three years he served as clerk of the court of Quarter Sessions ( 1868-71). He also served for several years as director of the poor, and no public man or private citizen in Strasburg town- · ship has proved himself a more ardent or better en-
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lightened champion of public education than he. He married Elizabeth. daughter of Henry Brenne- man. Two sons were born to them. Milton B. and Henry E. Both studied medicine, the elder receiv- ing his diploma from Jefferson Medical College in 1868. and at once beginning practice in Philadel- phia. His success was pronounced from the first ; indeed. phenomenal for so young a man ; but it was cut short by his death, which occurred in 1888. He married Caroline S. Swain.
Dr. Henry E. Musser was born Feb. 17, 1852. He enjoyed exceptionally good educational advan- tages, physical, intellectual and moral. His father, by both precept and example, instilled sound princi- ples into his youthful mind. while the free untram- meled life of the farm aided not a little in developing to perfection a constitution which was naturally ro- bust. He studied at Jefferson Medical College, and graduated from that institution in 1875. His first five years of professional life were passed in Center- ville, Lancaster county, and in 18So he removed to Smoketown, which has been his home for the past twenty years. Here he has built up a large and lucrative practice. being heid in high repute, not less for his many virtues as a man, than for his recog- nized skill as a physician.
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On Nov. 24. 1875. Dr. Musser married Myra, .a daughter of John Musselman, of East Lampeter Three sons have been born to them. The eldest. Charles Milton. is in the employ of the People's Trust Co., at Lancaster : while the second, Guy Musselman, is a graduate of the Philadelphia Col- lege of Pharmacy; and the youngest, Parke N., is in the Custom House at Philadelphia. Dr. Musser is a member of Lancaster Lodge, No. 252, A. O. U. W., and of the Masonic fraternity.
JULIUS PAUL, SIEBOLD, the successful East End florist of Lancaster, is a conspicuous ex- ample of a self-made man. Born in Mansfield, Germany, he came to. this country in 1877, landing on these shores with little other capital than energy. honesty and an ambition to succeed. At fourteen he commenced to learn locksmithing, and later be- came an expert machinist, studying that trade in Berlin. But not liking it, he came to America in May, 1877, and after working on a dairy farm in New York State for a time, came to Lancaster, in October, 1877. Although he had never before worked on a farm, he filled the bill as though born to the business. After paying 'two visits to the West and one to the Southwest, he concluded to lo- cate permanently in Lancaster, and in May, 1888, he and his wife settled in that city.
After working for a local florist from 1889 to 1894. Mr. Siehold began business for himself in gardening and floriculture on East Orange street, where his growing trade soon took on such dimen- sions that he was presently compelled to seek other quarters. He then found another location on East Chestnut, where it terminates in the Groffstown
road. There he leased three acres, erected two large hothouses, and, making many other improvements, soon won the reputation of being the most pro- gressive and foremost gardener of the city. Assist- ed by his wife, whose industry, intelligence and courtesy have contributed much to the business, he has built up a trade of great proportions, and com- mands a patronage from the very best people of the city. The Siebolds are successful growers of fine flowers and vegetables of every kind. and for years past their celery has been the standard of the market. They have celery on sale as late as May Ist, an achievement accomplished by no other gardener. Their celery sales are enormous, as they also have the choice of the product of Mrs. Siebold's uncle in Tioga county, who grows over 400 acres each year, and of a cousin in Chester county, who has 200 acres of this and other choice products, operating at the same time over seventy hothouses. During the winter of 1901 Mr. Siebold grew celery under glass, as well as tomatoes and other vegetables, making a great hit on the early spring market. Mr. Siebold has telephone connections, has stands in all the leading markets of the city, and no man, there or elsewhere, is more industrious and hardworking. In the fall of 1902 Mr. Siebold threw two hot- houses into one, increased the length, and created one of the finest up-to-date hothouses in the interior of the State, this being in perfect keeping with the liberal and progressive work of Mr. and Mrs. Sie- bold in their chosen business-a business which they have reduced to a fine art, as can be attested by the hosts of people in this community who enjoy the products of their skilled labor. During the sum- mer of 1900 they cultivated a dozen of the choicest and most beautiful flower beds in Woodward Hill cemetery ever seen in Lancaster.
Mr. Siebold was married, in 1885. to Miss Anna Theresa Mueller, a daughter of Charles Mueller, who passed away in his native Germany. Mr. Mueller lived for years in Carola, Mo., where his daughter, Anna Theresa, finished her education, which had been begun in Germany. She attended the Poplar Bluff high school, and secured an ex- cellent education, to which her conversation and writing bear testimony. Her father returned to Germany because he could not sell his property there without a great sacrifice, and in November, 1901, entered into rest.
Mr. and Mrs. Julius P. Siebold are members of the Lutheran Church of the Advent. Mrs. Siebold being actively associated with the Ladies' Sewing Circle, and being a teacher in the main Sunday- school, while Mr. Siebold is a member of the church council and also treasurer.
The father of Julius P. Siebold was a master mechanic, and had his own works at Mansfeld. when only twenty-one years old, employing twenty skilled workmen. He was later employed in Berlin. and worked for a time in the service of the Russian Gov- ernment at Odessa, where he received a special gift
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of 500 roubles and a diploma from Czar Alexander for his magnificent work in superintending the erec- tion of docks, etc. His father. Carl Sieboldi, was a soldier under Napoleon the Great, and took part in the disastrous retreat from Moscow.
GEORGE KURTZ, a retired farmer of Provi- dence township, is one of the most highly respected German-American citizens of his locality. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, April 23, 1824, son of John M. Kurtz, now deceased.
Jolin M. Kurtz, the father, was also born in Wit- tenberg, and spent his whole life in Germany. He was the father of six children, these being: Rosena, Dora, Andrew, Barbara, Margaret and George, the latter being the only survivor of the family and the only one who ever came to America.
George Kurtz has had some unusual occurrences in his career since settling in America. He landed in New York on Nov. 4, 185 !. and went directly to Philadelphia, thence to Lancaster. However, lie soon went to one of the southern States and was re- siding in the South at the outbreak of the Civil war. This resulted in his conscription into the Confed- erate army, and he was forced to participate in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. Finally he escaped to the North, but it was with the loss of his five years' earnings. After remaining a time in Philadelphia, he went to Lancaster county, where, in 1867, he bought his farm of fifty-six acres of land in Providence township, and by great industry and frugality has accomplished much. Mr. Kurtz has been a hard-working man for many years, and has earned the comfort which he is now able to enjoy.
On March 24, 1864, Mr. Kurtz was married in Lancaster county to Miss Amelia E. Vollrath, born in 1833, in Germany, and a family of five children has been born to this union, as follows: Edward, who follows the carpenter trade in Philadelphia; Miss Mary, of Atlantic City, N. J .; Emma M., a resident of Lancaster; Bertha, who also resides in Lancaster ; and Charles, who operates the home farm since his father has given up active labor, the farm being well-improved and productive.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz are valued members of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Kurtz is a Republican. The whole family enjoys the respect of the community, while Mr. Kurtz is noted for his honesty, his truthfulness and his many acts of kind- ness and charity.
WILLIAM B. THOME, M. D., the leading physician in Milton Grove, Mt. Joy township, and one of the most highly respected and useful citizens of that section, was born Feb. 18, 1854, in Lebanon county, Pa., near Lawn, a son of Dr. Joseph S. and Sarah (Brown) Thome.
Dr. Joseph S. Thome was a native of. Lancaster county, born in Manheim, and died in Mastersonville Jan. 8, 1890, aged sixty-nine years. In his younger days he assisted his father in surveying and as a
scrivener, later becoming a physician and makinz his home in Lawn, Lebanon county, for a period of forty years, returning to Lancaster county six years prior to his death. He was laid away in Milton Grove cemetery. Both he and wife were long members of the Lutheran Church. She was born in Lebanon . county in 1824, and now resides with her son Win- iam B. They were the parents of four children. namely: John, who is an iron worker in Lebanon : Margaret, who died young ; William B. ; and May, who died at the age of two years.
William B. Thome was afforded excellent edu- cational opportunities by a farsighted and intelligent father. He made his home with his parents until IS76, when he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. After his marriage he settledl for practice in Mastersonville, this county, remaining there for ten years, at the end of which period he came to Milton Grove, where he has remained ever since, becoming a leading citizen. Dr. Thome is widely known, and his practice is not confined to his immediate locality, his skill being in requisition over a wide extent of territory. In politics, like his father, Dr. Thome is a Democrat, but he has no political aspirations, and did not even seek the office of school director, to which he was elected. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, although his duties interfere with a very regular attendance.
On June 13. IS76, in Lancaster, Dr. Thome was married to Miss Louisa G. Missimer, and to this union were born two sons, Winfield M. and Arthur T., both of whom are attending Baltimore Medical College. Winfield M. was married, in 1902, to Miss Gertrude G. Engle, daughter of Simon H. and Mary (Graybil!) Engie, of Conoy . township, Lancaster county. Mrs. Thome was born in Rapho township, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Gantz) Missimer, of Lancaster county. Mr. Missimer was a miller by trade, and operated what was known as the Heistand mill, on the Chiques creek, for many years, following the example of his father. Esquire Jacob Missimer, who built the mill and operated it a very considerable time. Jacob Missimer was a prominent man, and served his district as school director for a long period. He died at the age of seventy years, in 1888, his widow dying in 1892. at the same age. They were buried in the Cross Roads River Brethren Church cemetery, in East Donegal township, although they were members of the Lutheran Church. Their chil- dren were: Susan G. married Rev. David Wolge- muth, a River Brethren minister : Martha G. married David Brandt, a farmer of Mt. Joy township ; Sarah G. married Henry B. Martin, a farmer of East Done- gal township : Catherine G. is the widow of Henry N. Snyder, of MIt. Joy township ; Anna G. married Samuel G. Witmer, a farmer and trucker of Rapho township ; Mary G. married Edward B. Boyd, a mer- chant of Manheim: Louisa G. is the wife of Dr. Thome : Elizabeth G. married Jacob Gruber, a farmer of Rapho township : and Harriet G. is the widow of Jacob Engle, of East Hempfield township.
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ABRAHAM H. HERR, one of the representa- tive men of Lancaster county, was born on the farm 1 he owns and occupies, Oct. 5. 1855, a son of Chris- tian and Susanna ( Hess) Herr. Reared on the home farm, and educated in the public schools, he remained at home with his parents, taking charge of the farm about two years before his father's death. The parents lived with him until their death, his fa- ther dying in 1883, and his mother in October, 1900.
Mr. Herr gives his attention to farming and dairying, keeping some eighteen head of cattle, and for seven years ran a milk route in Lancaster. At the present time he does no retail business. His farm which consists of 112 acres, is classed among the better places of the county. It has been con- siderably improved since it came into the possession of Mr. Herr, and is thoroughly cultivated. Mr. Herr is a public-spirited citizen, and is deeply interested in all propositions that affect the public good. He has never sought nor accepted public station, though frequently asked by his friends to take certain town offices. His home is under the charge of his sister Elizabeth, who with him is deeply interested in Sun- day-school work. All the members of this numerous and widely scattered family are among the most orderly and industrious in the community, where their good character, integrity and honor have made them many friends.
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CHRISTIAN HERR (deceased), in his life time one of the more prominent citizens of Lancaster county, was born March 25, 1807, a son of Joseph and Mariah ( Frower) Herr, both of Pequea town- ship. Christian Herr was born in Pequea township, where he was reared to farm life. He was married Nov. 30, 1839, to Susanna Hess, and located on the farm near Hollinger, where his son, Abraham, is now found. There he devoted his life to farming, and there died June 29, 1883. In his earlier man- hood he was engaged in the milling business at what is now known as the Pugh Mills, being associated with his brother, Abraham. At one time he took much interest in the culture of silk worms, erecting a building for that purpose, and growing his own silk. but did not keep at it long, as the conditions were unfavorable to its success. The later years of his life were entirely devoted to farming, and he was well and favorably known throughout the county.
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