Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 87

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 87

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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY

sociation,-now known as the United Evangelical Church.

On Sept. 5, 1876, Samuel F. Frey was united in marriage with Miss Anna H. Longnecker, eldest daughter of Rev. John B. Longnecker, of the Old Brethren in Zion, now located in Florin, this county. Five children blessed this union: Samuel L., who was educated in Albright College, and now, fully equipped for business, is his father's partner, and is adding a strong progressive spirit to the firm; Anna and Myra, both students at Albright College; and Cora and Wilbur, at home. Politically Mr. Frey is a Republican. The success that has attended his ef- forts has been richly merited, and his industry, in- : tegrity and perseverance make him an example well worthy of emulation.

JACOB K. HERR. who entered into rest July 17, 1902, was a son of Jacob Herr, who, in his life- time, was one of the representative men of West Lampeter township, Lancaster county, and who was born in Manor township, this county.

Jacob K. Herr resided on the farm his father purchased in 1869, some years before his death. It contains seventy-six acres, lying just south of Hollinger, and is one of the choice and model farms of Lancaster county, attracting attention by its neat condition and thorongli cultivation. Before his death Jacob Herr put up a fine barn, and his son also made many valuable improvements.

Jacob K. Herr took a lively interest in the gen- eral welfare of his community, and was always re- sponsive to any proposition that affected the public good, being ever ready to assist in any enterprise that looked to the advancement of his section. At his death he was aged fifty-one years, eleven months and twenty-two days.

Jacob K. Herr was married, Feb. 20. 1896, to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Zercher. Mrs. Herr was born in West Lampeter township.

WILLIAM J. BELL, who since 1885 has been one of the efficient and trusted conductors on the great Pennsylvania railroad, is a native of Colum- bia, born Jan. 4, 1853. His parents were William and Mary ( Welsh) Bell. natives of Ireland, from which country they came when young. William Bell was a carpenter by trade, and would undoubt- edly have accumulated means, but he fell a victim to the cholera in July, 1854, when but forty years

of age. William was bereft of his mother in No- vember of the same year. They left a family of six children, only two of whom vet survive, James (a mechanic of Harrisburg) and William J. The others were : Anna, who married Michael Baum- berger: Maggie, who married Jonas Leas; and Thomas and Mary, who died in infancy.

Bereft of both parents, William J. Bell, when a child, was taken by his kind aunt, Ellen Supplee, to her home in Montgomery county, Pa., where he grew up engaged in healthful exercise on a farm

until he was sixteen years old. At that date he went to Philadelphia, and served an apprenticeship at the painter's trade, which he followed until 1877, when he came to Columbia and was employed by the Pennsylvania railroad as a brakeman until 1882; he then served as flagman until 1885, when he re- ceived his promotion to conductor. Mr. Bell gained this position by proving his reliability, and receives, as he deserves, the confidence of his employers and the respect of the community.

Mr. Bell was married, April 22, 1879, in Colum- bia, to Miss Sally Adams, and to this union have been born seven children, the two youngest, John and Emil. passing out of life while young ; the others are : William, who is a member of Company C, 4th Militia ; Margie : Frederick ; Harry ; and Sarah. Mrs. Bell was born in 1862, daughter of John M. Adams, and a sister of Frederick Adams, of Co- lumbia.

Politically Mr. Bell is connected with the Re- publican party, and socially with the orders of Rail- way Conductors and the P. R. Relief. He has long been associated with St. John's Lutheran Church.

SAMUEL SNYDER ( deceased) was a reliable and progressive fariner in Leacock township, Lan- caster county. He was born in Harristown. Para- disc township. March 26, 1844, and died on the farm where his widow and sons are now living, Dec. 18, 1SOS. His remains rest in the cemetery connected with Christ Church in Leacock town- ship.

Samuel Snyder was a son of Aaron and Hannah (Fenninger) Snyder, his father being a native of Germany, and his mother of Paradise township. The father died in 1864, at the age of sixty-one ; and the mother in 1879, at the age of sixty-one. They were members of Christ Church, and were buried in the cemetery of that church. Their children were as follows : Sarah, who died at the age of forty-eight unmarried ; Elizabeth, widow of John Slaymaker, and living at Gap, Pa .; Joanna, widow of Adam Groff, and residing in Lancaster ; Jane, who lives unmarried in Lancaster, as does her sister, Rebecca : and Hannah, who married J. P. Herman, of Gordonville. Pennsylvania.

Samuel Snyder was married Jan. 7, 1874, to Anna MI. Slack. of Leacock township. To them have come the following children: Elizabeth pre- pared herself for teaching by taking a course at the Millersville State Normal, and has now taught very successfully in the home schools for eight years : Anna R. died when a year old; John S. and J. Aaron, both single, operate the home place for the heirs of their father's estate. Mrs. Anna M. (Slack) Snyder was born in Leacock township, and is a sister of H. Slack.

Samuel Snyder came to the present farm home of his family in 1890, removing from Paradise township, where he had held the position of super- visor two years. He and his wife were members

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of Christ Church, in Leacock township, where he had held the position of warden, and was a vestry- man. In his politics he was a Democrat. In his earlier life lie was a cabinet maker, but in 1870 turned to farming, spending the rest of his life in that vocation. Very successful in all his under- takings, he became quite well-to-do, and reared a family whose useful lives and high character do credit to his watchful care.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STAUFFER, in- surance man, who is the district special agent of the great Northwestern Life Insurance Company, and also manager of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Coatesville, is one of the best-known and most successful men in his line in Lancaster county. Although still a young man, he has so thoroughly grasped the details of the insurance bus- iness that he has become an example to others who have spent a lifetime in the same.

Mr. Stauffer was born in Manor township March 30, 1861, son of Jacob and Maria K. (For- rey) Stauffer, both of whom were born in Manor township, in which are located the old family home- steads of both the Stauffer and the Forrey families. The father died in 1896 in Washington borough, after a retirement of one and one-half years, at the · age of sixty-seven, and was laid away in the old Mennonite cemetery at the Habecker Meeting House. His active years had been spent as a farmer and drover. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a man who won the respect of the entire community. The mother, who was born in 1830, re- sides in Washington. The children of this union were as follows: John J., who died in infancy, as did also Daniel; Emma, who married Joseph K. Shultz, of Washington ; Benjamin Franklin ; Albert F., who is a farmer of Washington ; Elizabeth, who married Martin Strickler ; Harry F., deceased ; Mil- ton F., who is professor of the short-hand depart- ment in Temple College, Philadelphia ; Isaiah, who died in infancy ; and Kate F., who resides with her mother. The older generation was represented by John Stauffer, who married a Charles, both coming of old families of Manor township.

Until the age of seventeen Benjamin Franklin Stauffer remained upon the farm where he had been born and reared, and then became a student in the State Normal School at Millersville, and, being un- usually studious, he was able at the age of eighteen to accept a position as teacher in the public schools of Lancaster county. Until 1883 he alternated teaching and attendance at the Normal, where, in that year, he was graduated. His success in in- surance lines has been very gratifying, and since 1898, when the business of the Mutual Fire In- surance Company was placed in his hands, he has found little time to look after other interests. Since assuming control of the latter business in this lo- cality he has placed nearly $2,000.000 in risks.

Although not a politician in the usual meaning

of the term. Mr. Stauffer is a Republican and al- ways does a citizen's duty. His connection with the Lutheran Church has lasted through many years. On July 5, 1893, Mr. Stauffer was married to Miss 3. Grace Jackson, and two daughters have been born to this union, Kathryn M. and Sara MI. Mrs. Stauffer was born in Columbia in February, 1873. daughter of Newton and Sarah (Albright) Jackson, of Pequea and West Hempfield townships, respectively, now residents of Columbia, Mr. Jack- son being a foreman in the roundhouse of the Penn- sylvania railroad. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were: John W., of Columbia ; Will- ian K., who is a clerk in the Custom House in Phila- delphia ; and M. Grace, Mrs. Stauffer.

MRS. ANNA B. WITHERS. The name of the most estimable lady of whom this short biog- raphy is given, carries with it through Eden town- ship the weight of public confidence and high es- teem. Her high Christian character, her devotion to her church, and her numberless charities and acts of neighborly kindness have made her not only be- loved by her immediate family, but most kindly and affectionately regarded through the whole com- munity.

Anna B. Withers was born in I.ampeter town- ship, this county, Nov. 26, 1824, the estimable daughter of John and Fannie ( Erb) Bireley, an old and leading family of this county. John Bireley, the father of Mrs. Withers, married into the promi- nent Erb family, Miss Fannie Erb belonging to one of the best known families of the county. After marriage they settled in Leacock township, on a farm, remaining there until his death, and his widow also died there, the children, besides Mrs. Withers, being as follows : Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of William Good, of Lancaster county ; Leah was the wife of William Good, deceased, of Leacock township ; Jolin became a brave soldier and served his country through the Civil war, later mar- ried Leah Yoder, of this county, and they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in which city he died, leaving a widow and children; Susan, who was born in this county, is the wife of Reuben Clampson, who is a resident of Ohio, and they have a family; Fannie, born in this county, is the deceased wife of Thomas Wright, and lived in Eden township at the date of her death, when she left two children, Jeremiah and Annie; and Mary, now deceased, married David Graham, of this county, and her death left nine chil- dren motherless, namely: David, George, Will- iam, Samuel, John, Joseph, Leah (the wife of John MsGriggan, deceased), Lizzie (widow of Amos Shisley) and Mary (wife of George Struble, of this county ).

Mrs. Withers grew up in her pleasant country home with her brothers and sisters, and was edu- cated in the public schools of her neighborhood. In February, 1849, she was united in marriage to Abraham Herr, of this county, and they settled on

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the present home farm, in Eden township, where the father of Mr. Herr had started in life himself. Three years later Mr. Herr died, and his bereaved widow was left with one son, Abraham B., who died in childhood. The second marriage of Mrs. With- ers occurred in 1850, when she was united to Augustus Withers, a prominent and wealthy busi- ness man of Lancaster county, who was the founder of the Mount Eden furnaces. Following their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Withers settled on the present farm, and here Mr. Withers engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, Oct. 25, 1868. Again was this estimable lady bereaved, but four children re- mained as her comfort and stay. These were : John B., born in October, 1860, married Miss Sallie Hall, and they reside in Hanover, York county, where he is successfully engaged in conducting a hotel, and has one son, Howard: Thomas A., born in this home, in November, 1861, married Miss Liz- zie Hall, who was a sister to the wife of his brother, and their residence is in Lancaster City, where he is manager of the County Bending Works, and his sev- en living children are Jessie, Charles, Bertha, Mable, Jennie, Hazel and Grace ; Mary H., born Dec. 17, 1862, and grew to womanhood in the old home. be- ing well educated in the public schools, and in 1880 she was married to Joseph S. Groff, of Colerain township ; and Howard H., born Oct. 2, 1865, is still unmarried, and follows railroading.

Joseph S. Groff was a son of John and Ellen Groff, the family being long a prominent one in Lancaster county. He and his family now reside at the Withers home. where they have the care and management of Mrs. Withers' farm. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Groff are: John A., born in May, 1881, married Anna Strimbel, of Eden township, and they reside in Quarryville, where he is engaged as a barber, and they have one son, How- ard; Eva B., born in August, 1884, is a student in Weidler's Business College, Lancaster City; Earl, born in October, 1888, is also a student ; and Clyde, born Oct. 1, 1890.

Augustus Withers was born in Lancaster coun- ty Sept. 12, 1807. a son of John and Hannah (Hen- derson) Withers, who at an early date came from Germany and settled in Lancaster county. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter, these being : Augustus ; John, deceased, who was associated with his brother in the founding of the great industry of this township, known as the Eden furnaces, his death occurring in Virginia ; William, who died in Lancaster county; Thomas, who died in the city of Williamsport, in this State; and Han- nah, who died unmarried.

Mr. Withers was educated for a professional life, starting out upon what promised to be a successful medical career, but failing health made it necessary for him to give up the practice of medicine and turn his attention to other lines. As a business man he became very successful, and the flourishing indus- try of which he was was the founder lives as a rec-

ord and testimonial to his energy and sagacity. In politics Mr. Withers was long one of the leading Republicans of this section, and was active in the interests of his party. His devotion to the Episco- pal Church was a marked feature of his life, and there he was highly valued as a most worthy and consistent Christian.

Mrs. Withers and her family are equally de- voted to the Lutheran Church, in which she has been active through many years, and where she is a liberal supporter of charitable enterprises and mis- sion work. Perhaps no individual in the township has more personal friends than this very lovable and estimable lady.

WILLIAM MABLE. who died in Columbia at the comparatively early age of fifty-four. was an Englishman by birth, having first opened his eyes in Northumberland, England, May 28, 1830. His father was christened john. and his mother's maid- en name was Isabella Hendry. John Mable was a tenant farmer, and a stanch Calvinist. Several of his children settled in County Antrim, Ireland. and the history of the family is full of interest.

To John and Isabella Mable were boru seven children, of whom William was the third in the order of birth. Margaret, the eldest daughter, married Alexander Henderson, and died in Eng- land. Thomas is a farmer in Ireland. Isabella died in Ireland, unmarried. Mary married Thomas Moore, and also passed from life in the Emer- ald Isle. The two younger sons. John and George, both emigrated to this country. The first named is a mechanic living in Columbia. and the other a mer- chant residing in Marictta.

William Mable passed his early years in farm- ing in both England and Ireland. In 1869. then a young man of thirty years. he crossed the ocean. finding his way to Wisconsin. where he found em- ployment on a farm. At the expiration of four years he returned to Ireland to claim his promised bride, Margaret Miller. They were married Jan. 7, 1873, and crossed the water together. to seek a common fortune in a strange land. They settled in Columbia, and young William. then strong and sturdy, went to work in an iron furnace. Two years later failing health compelled him to quit active work, and he continued an invalid until the time of his death.

His widow, Margaret ( Miller) Mable, is still living. Some seven years before her husband's death, in 1886, she opened a grocery store in Co- Jumbia, in the conduct of which (her youngest son, John, acting as manager) she has been fairly suc- cessful. She has but one other child, a daughter, Margaret, who is unmarried and resides at home. but is now visiting relatives abroad. Mrs. Mlable was born in County Antrim. Ireland. May 25. 1844. Her paternal grandparents were James and Rachel ( Bowman) Miller, of Scotland. James was a farmer, and died in County Antrim, Ireland. Her

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mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Service, was a daughter of William Service and Margaret Stewart. Her father died in January, 1892, after completing his eighty-second year. Her mother survived him until April. Igoo, when she. too, fell asleep, after attaining the extraordinary age of ninety-one years. Her grandfather. William Ser- vice, died of old age. in his ninety-ninth year. She is the third child of a large family, the others being named William, Rachel, James. Samuel, John and Robert. William is a merchant in Ballymena, Ire- land. Rachel is the widow of William Moore, of Belfast. James and Samuel are farmers in County Antrim, Ireland. John is the manager of a quarry in County Down. Robert, who was at one time a merchant at Antrim, is deceased.

AMOS BOWMAN. Among the worthy and representative citizens of Lancaster county is Amos Bowman, who lives a retired life on his fine farm of sixty acres, situated one mile cast of Lampeter, in West Lampeter township. He was born in Provi- dence township Sept. 25. 1849, a son of Rev. Henry and Mary ( Baer) Bowman.

Rev. Henry Bowman was but twenty-eight years of age when he was chosen a minister of the Reformed Mennonite Church, and from that time until his death faithfully officiated in the capacity of minister and bishop. He was thrice married ; his first wife, Elizabeth Weaver, hore him one son, Tacob. By his second wife. Susannah Weaver, he became the father of the following children: Eliz- abeth, wife of Henry Trout; Annie and John, de- ceased ; Esther ( Hettie), deccased wife of Christian Kreidler ; and Henry, deceased. For his third wife Rev. Bowman married Mrs. Mary ( Daer) Brenne- man, widow of Jacob Brenneman. Two sons blessed this union, Frank and Amos.

Amos Bowman was reared in Providence town- ship, and was educated in the public schools. When he was twenty-eight years of age he engaged in farming operations in East Lampeter township, where he remained for one year, and then in 1868 purchased his present farm of Abraham Herr. Many valuable and permanent improvements have been made to this farm, and now all its surround- ings testify to the thrift and excellent management of its owner. For many years he was well-known in the affairs of the township, but since 1870 has not taken an active part in either farming or public matters, enjoying the ease of ample means.

In 1867 Amos Bowman married Barbara Weav- er, a daughter of Joseph and Esther (Stehman) Weaver, the former of whom was a minister of the Reformed Mennonite Church. No children have been born to Amos Bowman and wife, but they gave parental care and affection to two little sisters, Emma and Catherine Sloat, whom they reared to maturity, and who now have homes of their own, Emma having married Rohrer Snavely, of New Danville ; and Catherine, G. H. Shirtz, of Lancaster.

Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are most hospitable people, and none in the county possess the esteem of their neighbors in a higher degree. They are both ac- tive workers in the Reformed Mennonite church.

Rev. Joseph Weaver. father of Mrs. Bowman, was born on the old Weaver homestead in West Lampeter township, and is a direct descendant of the founder of the family who settled in this country in I711. Rev. Joseph Weaver was born April 5, 1-92, and for many years was a devoted and valued minister of the Reformed Mennonite Church in Lancaster county. Early in life he was a farmer. but later devoted his entire time to ministerial work and to the upbuilding of the Church. His was a beautiful Christian character. and all who came within his influence were benefited. He married first, Barbara Baer, and their children were: Isaac. Ephraim. Jacob and Eliza. all deceased : and Mary and Susannah. living. For his second wife Rev. Weaver wedded Esther Stehman, a daughter of John Stehman. of Strasburg township, and two children were born of this marriage: Barbara A .: and Annie E., who is the wife of John S. Kurtz, of Lancaster City.

LEVI MOHLER. Among the substantial re- tired agriculturists of Lancaster county, no one is better or more favorably known than Levi Mohler, who owns and occupies the old homestead which was established by the founder of the American branch of the family five generations ago.

Ludwig Mohler, the Swiss ancestor of the Moh- ler family, came to the United States as early as 1730, and here founded a family which has given many manly sons and blooming daughters to the State of Pennsylvania, their descendants having settled throughout this and many of the neighbor- ing States.

John Mohler, the father of Levi Mohler, was born in 1786, and about 1814 married Salome Gline. and they reared nine children : Amanda, born in 1816, married Harry Keller; Cyrus, born in 1819; John, born in 1820: Frederick, born in IS23 : Levi, born in 1824: Reuben, born in 1826; Saloma, born in 1828; Isaac, born in 1830; and Samuel, born in 1835

Levi Mohler, the subiect of this biography, was born Oct. 25. 1824, and has had a busy although a quiet life. Pursuing farming exclusively, he has become possessed of large means, owning two of the finest farms in Lancaster county, one of these containing one hundred acres, and the other sev- enty-two acres, both of these being finely improved. In 1852 he was married to Miss Magdalena Bitzer. the estimable daughter of John and Elizabeth (Royer) Bitzer, and to this union five children were born: Elizabeth, born in 1852, married Nathan Fahnestock; Solomon, born in 1855, died in child- hood; Louisa, born in 1857, died in girlhood : Fianna, born in 1850, married William J. Echart. of Berks county, Pa .: and John, born Feb. 1, 1862.

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John Mohler married Jane Dinger, of Lebanon county, Pa., and manages the home place for his father, his family of children bearing these names : Lizzie, Alice, Levi, Urias, Ida, Emma, Hiram and Allen.

In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, and has long been a prominent member of the Ger- man Baptist Church. His declining years are spent in peace and contentment, esteemed and respected by the community, and he well represents the law abiding, upright citizens of which Lancaster county has cause to feel proud.

GEORGE BOWMAN BRESSLER, alderman of the Fifth ward. Lancaster, bears the name of a noted Methodist divine, and belongs to an old and influential family in his part of the State. He is the fourth George in the family since its settlement in America.

George Bressler, his grandfather, was born at Strasburg, this county, son of a native-born Ger- man who came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. George Bressler was a farmer, and a man of character and standing.

C. H. Bressler, father of George B., of Lan- caster, was born in Mill Hall, Clinton county, Pa. After receiving a thorough elementary education he determined to take up the study of medicine and surgery, for that purpose entering the office of the late Dr. Washington L. Atlee; the late Dr. Henry Mellinger was also a student under Dr. Atlec at the same time. C. H. Bressler was graduated from Jefferson Medical College with the degree of Al. D., and from 1839 to 1849 practiced medicine in Lancaster. Finally becoming associated with the late Dr. Ely Parry, one of Lancaster's most noted dentists ( father of Dr. H. B. Parry, the East King street druggist), and becoming himself proficient in dentistry, Dr. Bressler took up that branch in connection with surgery, removed to Center county, and in 1854 to York county, where he built up a very extensive practice in both lines. Dr. Bressler was an ardent Republican politically, and at one time was a candidate for Congressional honors, and later appeared on the State Republican ticket as a candidate for Congressman at large. In 1866 he was commissioned by Gov. Curtin sheriff of York county, to fill a vacancy. A devout Methodist, few stood higher in the estimation of his associates in the Church than did this zealous Christian gentle- man.

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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 87

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