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 91
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
EDGAR FILLMORE FULTON, merchant and postmaster at McSparran, Lancaster county, is a well-known and leading citizen. He was born in Cecil county, Md., May 4, 1856, a son of Minshell and Harriet Cecilia (Osborn) Fulton, natives of Harford county, Maryland.
John Fulton, his grandfather, was born in Lan- caster county and removed to Cecil county, Md., where he built the homestead where Edgar F., the subject of this sketch, was born and reared. The family is related to the great Robert Fulton, inventor of steamboats, and is of English origin. John Ful- ton, the grandfather, was the father of six children : Benjamin; Rachel, who is the wife of Theodore Marshall, resides in Cecil county, at the age of eighty-
one years ; Cyrus and Mary, who died at about the ages of fourteen and sixteen years, respectively, ; Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Brown, of Cecil county : and Minshell, who was born in Cecil county, Md .. in 1823, and died in 1897.
Minshell Fulton was the father of a family of four children : John, who is a farmer of Fulton town- ship : Edgar F., of this sketch ; and William M. and Joseph, both residents of Cecil county.
Edgar F. Fulton was married to Miss Hannah L. Reynolds, of Fulton township. Jan. 24. 1884. They have no children. Her sister Sarah is the wife of William Bicknell, of Fulton township.
Mr. Fulton was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools of Cecil county. After moving to Pennsylvania, he began, at the age of seventeen years to clerk in a country store in Kirk's Mills, Lancaster county. He remained there for three years, and then went back to Cecil county to engage in general merchandising for himself. He returned to Pennsylvania, and remained in Little Britain for four years, when he again moved, find- ing a home in McSparran, where he continues to reside. Mr. Fulton started out in life without a dol- lar, but by hard work and strict economy has accumu- lated a fair competency. He owns a good store property and stock of general merchandise, has a nice farm of ninety acres near MeSparran, with first class improvements. In fact he is a leading business man of his neighborhood, and is regarded as a leader in the business and social circles of the entire section. He is a director and stockholder in the Oxford Na- tional Bank, at Oxford, Chester county, besides hav- ing other interests.
EPHRAIM HULL SHAUB, assistant highway commissioner of Lancaster, is one of the best known men of that city. His grandfather, Christian Shaub, was a veteran in the service of the Pennsylvania Railway Company, having had charge of the station at Leaman Place for many years. His death oc- curred in Lancaster, in which city he had lived re- tired for a long period.
Jacob H. Shaub, father of Ephraim H., is now living retired in Lancaster. He, too, served many years in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, a great part of the time as a conductor. He married Hetty Ann Hull, who was a daughter of the late Jacob Hull, a pump manufacturer of Strasburg. Her mother was Lydia Potts, a member of the large and influential family of that name in southern Lancaster county. Two of her uncles were in the Pennsyl- vania railroad service also for a great many years, and one of them received a gold watch from the road for making a phenomenal run upon one occa- sion.
Children as follows were born to Jacob H. Shaub and his wife: Two who have passed away ; Harry, who is chief engineer of the fire department of Lewistown, occupying also a responsible position with the Standard Steel Company of that place ; A.
844
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
A., who is connected with the Harrisburg Silk Mill; Lydia, who is the wife of William Keller, of Lan- caster, a retired soldier, who served thirty-one years in the United States army, and was then retired as ordnance sergeant on two-thirds pay. the only in- stance of this kind in Lancaster county ; Ella. wife of George Kauffman : Anna C .. a teacher in the pub- lic schools of Lancaster ; and Ephraim H. In No- vember, 1901. the parents celebrated the fifty-first anniversary of their marriage, an event which created wide interest among their large circle of friends.
Ephraim Hull Shaub was born in Conestoga Center. Jan. 20, 1854. and was educated in the pub- lic schools of Lancaster. His first employment was in one of the cotton mills in the city, where he re- mained for a period of five years, becoming then an apprentice in the printing business with Pearsol & Geist, and remaining in the employ of Mr. Geist for being mutually pleasant and profitable. On April I, 1901. Mr. Shaub was made assistant highway commissioner of Lancaster, which position he fills with fidelity and ability.
almost thirty-one years continuously, the connection : to his business, and carefully guards the welfare of
Mr. Shaub was married to Miss Susan B. Imhoff. a daughter of the late Jacob Imhoff, a distiller of Petersburg, and two children were born to this union : Leila M .. at home ; and Esther M .. at school. The family residence is a most comfortable one at No. 25 West James street, Lancaster. where both Mr. Shaub and his estimable wife delight to dis- pense hospitality.
i
Fraternally Mr. Shaub belongs to the Order of American Mechanics and the Knights of Pythias. He is a generous supporter of Grace Lutheran Church. The family is well and favorably known throughout Lancaster, and personally, socially and politically. Ephraim H. Shaub is esteemed by his fel- low-citizens.
C. S. ROWE, one of the well-known and re- spected citizens of Providence township. and the owner and operator of an excellent farm, was born in West Lampeter township. Oct. 8. 1854. son of John B. and Ann (Shaub) Rowe, both natives of Lancaster county.
John B. Rowe, the father of C. S., was born in 1826, married, in 1852. Ann Shaub, who was born in 1831, and they had a family of six children. viz. : C. S., our subject : Jolin M. of Drumore township : and Misses Emma L., Mary, Amanda, and Franklin. all of Eden township. John B. Rowe was a farmer all his life, and he was a son of Adam Rowe, also a na- tive of Providence township, who had these chil- dren : Henry, John, Jacob, Elizabeth, Ann. Samuel and Adam.
C. S. Rowe passed his boyhood days on the farm and in attendance upon the public schools. He has always been known as an energetic and industrious : man, and is now reckoned among the best farmers of Providence township. He is a Republican in his :
political sentiments, and takes a deep interest in educational matters, serving for some time as one of the efficient directors of his township.
On Nov. 7. 1878. Mr. Rowe was married to Miss Harriet I.vne. daughter of Simon and Ann ( Res,- ler ) Lyne, of Strasburg township, and this union has been blessed with three children, namely : Annie MI .. born March 24, 1880 : Daisy A., born May 29, 1882: and Myrtle E .. born March 25, 1802. Mrs. Rowe was born June 8, 1853, the others of her family be- ing as follows : Alfred. deceased : John, a farmer of Drumore township: Susan, the wife of Wesley C. Shirk, a carpenter of Providence township : Emma, deceased; Martha, the wife of Aaron Conckle, of Providence township; and George, of East Drumore township.
AIr. Rowe and family are held in high esteem in Providence township. He is notably honest and upright in his dealings with others, attends closely his wife and children, living up to the high standard of Christian citizenship.
DAVID K. PATTON. general farmer and ex-horse dealer, of Cambridge. Salisbury township. and one of its prominent and substantial citizens, was born in Salisbury township April 19, 1855. son of Samuel and Anna ( Mearing) Patton, of Salis- bury and East Earl townships, respectively.
Samuel Patton was born in 1822, and was a car- ·penter by trade, but also followed farming and con- tinued engaged in the latter occupation until his retirement from activity, in 1882. Through his active life he was much interested in public and edu- cational matters, serving four years as school di- rector, and he now resides on his farm in East Earl township. The children born to Samuel and Anna ( Mearing) Patton were as follows : Newton C., who is a coach manufacturer at Sherman, Texas ; Emma, who married Adam Sullenberger, resides in Salisbury township : David K., the subject of this sketch : Lizzie. deceased, the wife of Taylor Dair : Lydia, who married John Groff. a farmer near Des Moines, Iowa : Anna, who married Jacob Showal- ter, a farmer of New Holland : Cora, who married Addison Wanner, a farmer of Chester county, Pa .: and Miss Amanda and Miss Mary. at home.
The early life of David K. Patton was spent in farm work, and in attendance on the district schools of his locality. He remained at home until his marriage. In 1874 he began to learn the carpenter trade, with Josiah Hummel, in East Earl township, and followed this trade at various intervals for some six years, when he rented a farm of Levi Bard in West Earl township. This farm Mr. Patton re- tained for fifteen years, when he came to his present property. While living in West Earl township Mr. Patton dealt extensively in horses, and he is a very good judge of cattle and stock of all kinds. was very prominent in township affairs, was school director and deacon in the Reformed Church. In
:
.
845
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
politics Mr. Patton is a Republican, and one of the most intelligent and well-read men of this locality. His interest in educational matters has always been deep, and he has given his children every possible advantage, his eldest daughter being afforded a col- legiate education.
On Nov. 21, 1881, Mr. Patton was married to Emma A. Hahn, and the children born to this union were : Miss Mable B .; Mary A. H., who died young ; Park H., who died young ; Alma A., Pierce H. and Harold H., all at home.
Mrs. Emma A. (Halın) Patton was born in Hinkletown, Pa., in 1854, daughter of Chambers and Eliza (Carpenter) Hahn, of Hinkletown and Earl township, respectively. By trade Mr. Hahn was a carpenter who lived in retirement during the latter years of his life, his death occurring Feb. 6, 1901, at the age of seventy-three years. His burial was in the Bergstrasse Church cemetery, in Ephrata township. The mother of Mrs. Patton died in 1875, at the age of fifty-two years. She was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church, her husband be- ing connected with the Reformed Church. Their children were as follows : Frances, who married Elias Killean, of Reamstown ; Harvey, who is a car- penter, contractor and builder at Ephrata ; Emma A., who is Mrs .. Patton ; Alice and Missouri, twins, . the former the wife of Rolandus Buck, and the lat- ter the wife of Henry Miller, in the cigar business in Lancaster ; Roberta, who married John Brubaker, of Earl township; Jacob, a prominent contractor in La Grange, Ill .; Elmer, an equally prominent con- tractor, in Cleveland, Ohio; Horace. deceased, also a skilled builder and contractor ; and Hester, who died young. The paternal grandparents were Dan- iel and Frances ( Shirk) Hahn, of Lancaster coun- ty, and those on the maternal side were Michael and Julia ( Kline) Carpenter, also of Lancaster county, all of these names being associated with old and prominent families.
FRANK S. GROFF, one of the younger mem- bers of the Lancaster Bar, is a well-known figure in the city of Lancaster. He is a descendant of Hans Groff, who settled near Groffdale, in West Earl township, Lancaster Co., Pa., where Christian Groff, the grandfather of Mr. Groff, was born.
Christian Groff married Susan, daughter of Valentine Ranck, who was one of the numerous family of that name living in Lancaster county. They had six children, Mary, Daniel, Jacob, Sam- uel, Christian and Isaac, of whom Mary is now the only survivor. She is the widow of James H. Rob- inson, and resides in Honey Brook township, Ches- ter Co., Pa. The Groffs and Rancks were members of the Mennonite Church.
Daniel Groff was born June 12, 1816, in Honey Brook township, Chester Co., Pa., near Cambridge, and there spent his entire life. He married Rach- ael Edwards, daughter of David and Rachael Mc- Kinley Edwards, respected farming people of the
same township. Eight children were born to them, to wit: David McKinley Groff is superintendent of the wheel department of the Columbia Wagon Company, and resides in Lancaster city ; he married Emma McCowan. Mary F. Groff (deceased) was married to George M. Robinson, of White Horse. Salisbury township, Lancaster Co., Pa. S. Lavinia Groff is the wife of Owen Guiney, a farmer of Honey Brook township, Chester Co., Pa. James H. Groff is a cattle dealer of Rapho township. Lan- caster Co., Pa; he married Annie Myers. Frank S. Groff is mentioned below. R. Josephine Groff is the wife of William Martin, of Parkersburg, Chester Co., Pa., who is in the service of the Penn- sylvania railroad. Daniel Clarence Groff is a farm- er near Haddonfield, N. J. ; he married Katie Wan- ner. Jacob Brinton Groff is a farmer of Honey Brook township, Chester Co., Pa .; he married Annie Guiney. Daniel Groff, the father of this family, was a miller by trade, but of later years took up the occupation of farming. He died Jan. 9, 1891. The mother, who survives, makes her home for the greater part of the time with her daughter, Mrs. Guiney.
Frank S. Groff, whose name introduces this sketch, was born Aug. 13, 1861, at the old homestead in Honey Brook township, Chester Co., Pa., and re- ceived his education in the schools of Cambridge and Honey Brook. He afterward studied under private teachers, and when seventeen years of age became a teacher in the public schools, teaching eleven years in all, six years in Salisbury, two years in East Earl, two years in Earl and one year in Lea- cock townships, Lancaster Co., Pa. While a resi- dent of Salisbury township he served two years as tax collector and nine years as a justice of the peace, being first commissioned in May, ISSO. On Nov. 15, 1889, he registered as a law student in the office of Brown & Hensel, and after two years of assiduous study passed the final examination and was admitted to practice in the courts of Lancaster county, Nov. 20, 1891. During the time he served as justice of the peace he transacted a great deal of civil and criminal business, and gained a practical insight of the law as practiced in justice courts. He resigned the office of justice of the peace in ISOS, before the expiration of his last term, and located in Lancaster city, where he has devoted his time to the practice of law. He has been admitted to prac- tice in the Superior and Supreme courts of Pennsyl- vania and enjoys a lucrative practice. He is a mem- her of the Library Association and the Lancaster County Bar Association.
In 1898, in a triangular contest for District At- torney in the Republican nomination, viz .: W. T. Brown, Frank S. Groff and Thomas Whitson, Mr. Brown received the nomination and was elected. Mr. Groff polled 8,180 votes, the largest vote ever received by a defeated candidate in a triangular contest for that office. During the canvass he formed a wide acquaintance among the voters of
846
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
the county, and in the spring of 1901 he was nomi- nated for the office of District Attorney by the Re- publican party of the county without opposition, and was elected in November, 1901, taking charge of the office in January, 1902. Mr. Groff is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, and during the Presidential and gubernatorial cam- paigns he actively engages in the work of teaching the principles of his party from the stump.
Mr. Groff married Miss Ida R. Bowers. a daugh- ter of Levi and Lydia Bowers, of Salisbury town- ship, Lancaster Co., Pa., in 18Sr. Two children have been born to them: (I) Lowell E. Groff, born Jan. 9, 1882, attended Franklin and Marshall Academy for two years, and prepared to enter the college of that name, but instead left the academy and went on board the school ship "Saratoga." from which he graduated in October. 1900. He is now in the employ of the New York Telephone Com- pany, of New York City. (2) Ira P. Groff, who was born Ang. 10. 1886, is a student of the Lancas- ter City High School.
GEORGE B. MCGINNESS. now residing in Frederick City, Md., was a respected citizen of Columbia, where he was born May 25. 1862, and where he has spent the greater part of his life, hon- ored by all who know him because of his many sterling qualities of mind and heart. He is a son of John J. McGinness and his wife, Sarah Adair.
John J. McGinness was a canal boatman, and was so highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen that for seventeen years he held the office of constable. discharging its duties with a courage. fidelity and intelligence which won for him unstinted praise. He died in May, 1875, shortly before completing his forty-ninth year. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1869. Both were earnest Christians ; he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, while she was of the Lutheran faith. They were the parents of seven children, George B. being the fourth. John J., the eldest, as well as Grant and Sadie, the two youngest, are deceased. Al- fonso, the oldest living son, is a carpenter, living in Denver, Colo. Irene, the first born daughter, mar- ried Page Brown, who successfully conducts a laundry at Seattle, Wash. Anna is the widow of the late Frank Butzer, of Millersville.
The marriage of George B. McGinness took place on Nov. 28. 1889. at Frederick City. Md., his bride being Miss Kate Jacobs, the eldest daughter of Emanuel and Louisa ( Morgan) Jacobs. both of whom are yet living in Frederick. Mr. Jacobs was born July II, 1845, and is a huckster. His wife came into the world Dec. 26, 1844. Both are mem-
bers of the United Brethren Church. The younger brothers and sisters of Mrs. McGinness were Clara, John H., Ella M., Charles. Grover C. and Marshall. Clara is the widow of William J. Sturquel, of Balti- more, in which city John H. also has a home. Ella M. is Mrs. Robert Rippeon, of Frederick. The
younger children, with exception of Marshall, who died in childhood, live with their parents, neither of them being married. To Mr. and Mrs. McGinness four children have been born : Sarah L., Anna E., John A. and Clara M.
WILLIAM SPRENGER BARNHOLT, head of the firm of W. S. Barnholt & Co., correspondents of J. B. Fleshman & Co., commission and stock jobbers of Philadelphia, is one of the best known and most popular young men of Lancaster. He was born May 15, 1873, son of Edward Barnholt, who has been for many years past the leading de- tective of the city. In the fall of 1000 he purchased the "Mountville Hotel," of which he took charge the following spring. Edward Barnhoit married Emma Winters, daughter of Cyrus Winters. a prominent merchant tailor of Lancaster, and they have had eight children: William S., Cyrus W. and Adam. all three of whom have learnel the art of telegraphy, and have followed it at times : John S .; Hay Brown : Mabel ; Emma ; and Helen.
William Sprenger Barnholt was educated in the common schools of Lancaster. Leaving school at the age of fifteen, he spent some time in Fraim's Lock Works, and then in Brown & Hensel's law offices, finally entering the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company as a messenger boy. There he remained until he was twenty-one years old, becoming a thorough master of the art and science of telegraphy. For four years he was with the Postal Telegraph Company, serving as manager the last two years, and then returned to the Western Union, to take the position of manager. which he held until 1808. That year he resigned. and he and his brother. Cyrus, became the correspondents of J. B. Fleshman & Co., opening an office at No. 43 North Queen street. After two years of unusual success they removed to the magnificent quarters they now occupy, in the new Woolworth building, on the corner of North Queen and Grant streets.
Mr. Barnholt and Miss Maud Binkley were mar- ried Oct. 17. 1894. Mrs. Barnholt is a daughter of John L. Binkley, and belongs to one of the old families of Lancaster. They have become the par- ents of two children : Mary, who died in infancy, $ and Lewis. a bright little fellow of five years. Mr. Barnholt is as popular socially as he is in business circles, and has a host of friends. He belongs to the Young Republican Club, the Elks. the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the fraternal Order of Eagles. Both himself and his wife are associated with Grace Lutheran Church. A natural wit. a good singer and of a most genial nature, Mr. Barnholt is much sought socially, and his presence anywhere is a signal for good fellowship and enjoy- ment.
FRANKLIN M. HEISTAND. a retired farmer of Rapho township, was born in Mt. Joy township July 13, 1855, son of Christian J. and
847
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Elizabeth ( Moore) Heistand, of East Hempfield and Penn townships.
Christian Heistand, the father, who was born Nov. 24. 1821, died in Florin, Pa., Dec. 9, 1896, and is buried in the cemetery in Mt. Joy. He was a farmer during his early life, but for twenty years prior to his death was engaged in the milling busi- ness. For a number of years he was a director in the Union National Bank of Mt. Joy. His widow, who was born June 21, 1822. now resides in Florin. There were born to their union the following chil- dren: Daniel, a miller, residing on the family place in Mt. Joy township ; Amos, a farmer of West Donegal township ; Simon, deceased ; John, a farmer of East Hempfield township; Franklin M., subject of this sketch; Harriet, wife of Samuel Myers, a farmer of Lebanon county ; and Emanuel, who died in youth. Mr. Heistand's paternal grandparents were Christian and Catherine ( Heistand) Heistand, of Lancaster county. The grandfather was during his lifetime a distiller of large means, being a director of a bank, holder of turnpike stock, and was a man of prominence in his district. He retired in the lat- ter days of his life. Mr. Heistand's grandfather on his mother's side was named Michael Moore.
On Sept. 29, 1878, Franklin M. Heistand was married to Miss Barbara Shelley, of Rapho town- ship. The following children have been born to this marriage: Elizabeth S., wife of Samuel G. Nohrenhold, who lives on the oid Heistand home- stead; and Emma S., Anna S., Fanny S., Amanda S. and Barbara S., all of whom reside at home with their parents. Mrs. Barbara (Shelley) Heistand was born Jan. IT, 1858, in Rapho township, daugh- ter of Benjamin B. and Eliza (Shaub) Shelley.
Mr. Heistand lived with his parents until the time of his marriage. He received his education in the schools of the county, and was employed dur- ing a greater part of his time at work on the farm. After marrying he sought employment at various places for two years, after which he took a farm on shares for three years. He then bought his present farm and has prospered finely ever since. He re- tired from active duties in the spring of 1901, and since that time has taken life easily. The family are members of the Brethren in Christ Church, and are also prominent in the social circles of the town- ship. Mr. Heistand is a man of more than the aver- age ability, and has taken a prominent part in the economic affairs of his district. He is well regard- ed by the whole community.
JOHN MICHAEL SNYDER (deceased) was for many years a well-known citizen of Lancaster, and was the genial and popular host of several of the leading hotels of that city. His birth occurred in 1851, in Germany, and his death took place Dec. 22, 1889, in Lancaster, where he was interred. His parents were George M. and Anna M. (Snyder) Snyder, natives of Baden, Germany, who came to Lancaster in November, 1851. The father's busi-
ness was that of a tobacco grower. He died May 5, ISSS, at the age of sixty-seven years, his wife sur- viving until Feb. 8, 1891, when she was also sixty- seven years old. They were buried in the Lancaster cemetery. Their children were as follows : John Michael; Martin, a hotel-keeper at Middletown, Pa .: Lawrence, deceased; J. Adam, a hotel-keeper in Lancaster ; David, a cigar manufacturer at New- ark. N. J .; and Mary, wife of John McGinnis, of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania.
On Jan. 31, 1875, John Michael Snyder was mar- ried, in Lancaster, to Mary Getz, who was born in IS52. in Lancaster. a daughter of George F. and Magdeiina ( Herzog) Getz, both natives of Ger- many. The Gerz family is well known in Lancaster, as both parents came there in vouth, prior to their marriage. Mr. Getz carried on a baker business. and was also a drover. In 1865 he removed his family to Lima, Ohio, where he died in 1870. The mother still resides on her farm near Lima. She was born July 16, 1832. Both were consistent mem- bers of the German Reformed Church. Ther be- came the parents of the following named children: Jacob C., who was killed in a gold mine in Colorado; George F., who died in infancy ; George F. (2), who resides with his mother on her farm; John W., who resides in Los Angeles, Cal., and operates a green- house: Julius B., who served in the Spanish war ; and Mary, who married Mr. Snyder.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.