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 97
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B. Frank Musser was married to Nora Yohn, in 1885, and this marriage has been favored with one child. Mary D. Mrs. Nora Musser was born in Mountville, a daughter of Edward and Mary . ( Baker) Yohn.
WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER LILLER. Among the prominent citizens of Lancaster, par- ticularly conspicuous on account of his official posi- tion as Adjutant General of the Spanish-American War Veterans of the United States, is William Christopher Liller, the able editor of The United States Volunteer, the official organ of that associa- tion. Aside from official duties, Mr. Liller is a keen and successful man of business. and with abil- ity fills the offices of president and general manager of the Liller Manufacturing Company, and at the same time holds a controlling interest in the Volun- teer Publishing Company, an incorporation organ- ized in Delaware.
Christopher Liller, the grandfather of William C., married a sister of Frank Pfeiffer, who for many years was Lancaster's most prominent slater. Mrs. Liller is now deccased, but Mr. Liller is still an esteemed resident of the city.
The parents of William C. Liller were George C. and Anna ( Lippold) Liller, the former a well- known manufacturer of toilet articles, and the latter a sister of Charles Lippold, the efficient school tax collector. A family of seven children was born to George C. Liller and his wife: Lottie, who is the wife of George Krantz, of Lancaster ; George, who is a soldier in the United States army. stationed at Fort Russell, Wyo .; Henry, Annie, Frederick and Herbert, at school ; and William C.
William Christopher Liller was born in Lancas- ter Sept. 8, 1878, and after receiving a partial edu- cation in the public schools of the city attended the University of Tennessee for a time. He then en- tered the office of Col. H. Frank Eshleman, one of the leading members of the Bar, as a student at law. Mr. Liller was connected with the Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, on which he gained his first knowledge of newspaper work.
So little time has elapsed since our Nation was aroused over the issues of the Spanish-American war that it is only necessary to refer to the thrilling uprising among the youth of the land. ready, will- ing and anxious to offer their lives for their country, and to make a personal application, in the case of Mr. Liller. With loyal enthusiasm he put aside his books and the certainty of success in his chosen ca-
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reer, and enlisted for service in the 6th United States Cavalry on May 15. 1898, faithfully serving through the Santiago campaign, in the 5th and the 4th Army Corps, until the peace protocol had been signed, when he received an honorable discharge from the army, his papers having the endorsement which reads "service honest and faithful," which 'his children will preserve with care among their dearest records. While a trooper in the famous 6th Cavalry this young soldier was appointed troop clerk, his many excellent qualities and sterling attributes being recognized. and winning him pro- motion and the esteem of his superior officers.
Upon his return to civil life Mr. Liller at once set about the organization of the Spanish-American war veterans into a National association similar in intent and purpose to the Grand Army of the Re- public, and how well he has succeeded, acting co- jointly with other comrades, finds daily illustration in the rapidly swelling ranks of this large and al- ready powerful organization, of which he has the honor to be adjutant general, and acting quarter- master general.
In taking the initiative in forming this new Grand Army Mr. Liller had with him the patriotic sentiment of the country, and he soon interested a number of prominent men in the project, these in- cluding such reliable and upright officers as Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Gen. I. P. S. Gobin and Gen. Fitz- hugh Lee. It required a man of exceptional ability to bring about the solidity of this organization, and that Mr. Miller possessed the necessary attributes is evidenced by its present condition, although he has found it necessary to give time, money and per- sonal attention to it.
During the annual national convention Mr. Lil- ler won many personal friends and admirers, his youth and enthusiasm inspiring all to renewed ef- fort for the success of this laudable enterprise. There are now some 500 camps of Spanish-Ameri- can War Veterans, scattered through every State and Territory, including our colonial acquisitions, Col. A. L. Hawkins Camp, of Lancaster, having over 125 members on its honorable roll, including such distinguished men as Capt. Hobson of "Merri- mac" fame.
Although the life of a soldier leaves little time for outside work, Mr. Liller kept up his newspaper connection to the extent of contributing some of the most able and succinct war articles published at that time, many of them being so pertinent and interesting that they found their way into the city press, in New York and Philadelphia. His present enterprise is an outgrowth of the organization which it represents, and no more able editor could be found than Mr. Liller. His pen is that of a ready writer, and he has had the satisfaction of noting that a number of his editorial articles have ap- peared, with approval, in the columns of leading papers in various sections. While the duties of the association are exacting, he is able also to attend
to his personal business interests with ability, his position as President of the Volunteer Publishing Company and the affairs of the Liller Manufactur- ing Company giving him no time to take any active part in politics. However, he finds time for active membership in the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba, Order of the American Eagle, United States Volunteer Association (National secretary), Military Order of Foreign Wars. American Flag Association, and Army and Navy Union.
Mr. Liller was married April 2, 1900, to Miss Alice May Kreider, daughter of Jacob Kreider, a retired citizen of Lancaster, and into their happy home have come twin sons. Richard Coryell and Eugene Montgomery, who have the best chance in the world'of being trained into loyal and patriotic citizens of a country which their father so proudly served.
WILLIAM HOPKINS, prominently known in the business circles of East Drumore township. where he was born May 23, 1855, son of James MI. and Harriet L. (Webb) Hopkins, has made a place for himself among the successful men of Lancaster county.
James Hopkins, his grandfather, was in his time a prominent lawyer in Lancaster. He became the father of four sons and one daughter, and two of the sons, Washington and George, following in the footsteps of their distinguished father, were bril- liant members of the legal profession. Anna, the only daughter, married Newton Lightner. also a lawyer. William was a farmer in East Drumore township.
James M. Hopkins, son of James, and father of William. was born in Lancaster March 19, 18II, and lived in East Drumore township, where for many years he carried on the Conaway furnaces, founded by his father, becoming one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of his section of the county. His death occurred in January, 1896. when he was in his eighty-sixth year. His wife, who was born in ISto at Pine Grove Forge, this county, passed to her reward in 1900. They were the par- ents of twelve children, seven of whom are living: (1) Elizabeth O. married James Alexander. a$ lawyer of Lancaster, and both are deceased. They had four children. Howard, Percy, Mary (who married George S. Washington, of Philadelphia) and James H. (2) Washington W., born in 1838. lives in Port Deposit. By his first wife, Harriet Rogers, he had three children-Louisa, who died young: Edward, a resident of Philadelphia; and Herbert, who died young. By his second marriage to May Loag, were born two children, Christian and Marion. Mr. Hopkins practiced law in Lan- caster many years. (3) Laura is the widow of Samuel H. Rutter, of Pottstown, Pa., and lives in Lancaster. (1) Henry C., born in East Drumore. is a real-estate dealer in Lancaster. He married Miss Annie Naumbee, by whom he has four living
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children. Henry. Annie L., Elizabeth Isabell and Ralph. Elizabeth died young. (5) Louisa died in young womanhood. (6) Robert C. is a banker at Port Deposit. Md. He married Miss Mary Rowland, a daughter of Dr. Rowland, of Cecil county, Md., and four of their children are liv- ing, Louisa (the wife of John Matthews), Francis, Mary and Ross. (7) Anna died at the old home in her early womanhood. (8) James was a soldier in the Civil war, and died in hospital. (9) Harriet married Clinton Deaver, of Dayton, Ohio, where he is a college professor. They have four children, Walter, Richard, Mary and Catherine. (10) New- ton died at the home of his parents in 1876. (II) Emma married Harry Gardner, and lives in Lan- caster. They have one daughter, Harriet L. (12) William is mentioned below.
William Hopkins received his education in the public schools of Lancaster county and at Cham- bersburg. For twenty-five years he was manager of his father's extensive interests. looking after his grist mill, farms, etc. In December, 1882, he mar- ried Miss Mary C., daughter of William and Martha (Rutter) Brooke, and sister of Major Gen. John R. Brooke, now of Governors Island, New York har- bor. Both the Rutters and Brookes were prominent in Montgomery county. William Brooke was born near Pottstown, where he was known as Major Brooke, and died at his home in that city in 1873, after an active and useful life. His widow passed to her reward in 1879, leaving one son, the Major General, and two daughters: Caroline, who is the wife of Samuel S. Campbell, and Mary C., Mrs. Hopkins, who was born in Montgomery county, and obtained her education in the Pottstown schools. She is a scholarly lady, of many charms, and enjoys many friends.
After his marriage Mr. Hopkins located on his father's farm in East Drumore, where he has re- sidled to the present time, and made a creditable rep- utation for himself in agricultural and commercial circles. He owns a large herd of Jersey cattle, which he devotes to his own creamery.
All the members of the Hopkins family are stanch Republicans. William Hopkins has been school director for several years. Both himself and wife belong to the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, where he is one of the elders.
JAMES G. McSPARRAN. Among the lead- ing citizens of the southern part of Lancaster county, is James G. McSparran, a retired farmer of Fairfield. Drumore township, who is one of the wealthy, intelligent and traveled residents of this section.
Mr. MeSparran was born Dec. 19, 1843, in Drumore township, a son of the late John and Isabel (Mccullough) McSparran, and a grandson of James McSparran, one of the influential farmers of this part of the county, where he took part in public affairs, and reared a numerous family, eleven of
his fifteen children living to maturity, these being : James and Isabel, twins; Grizzell; Eliza: John; Eleanor; Fleming; Thomas; William; Rachel and Margaret. Grandfather McSparran was of sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came to Lancaster county among the early settlers, purchasing the farm which is still in the possession of the family, being now the property of Thomas McSparran, whose sketch appears in another part of this volume.
John McSparran, the father of James G. Mc- Sparran. was born April 28, 1808. and died May 25. 1885. On Jan. 9. 1840, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Isabel Mccullough, who was born Nov. 23, 1815, and died Aug. 29, 1845. a daughter of William Mccullough. She also claimed among her ancestors natives of both Ireland and Scot- land. The only surviving child of this union was James G., who is the subject of this sketch. John MeSparran was an active and ardent Democrat all his life, and was identified with political and re- ligious matters for many years, being considered justly one of the leading citizens of Lancaster county. His rearing had been in the Presbyterian Church, and he never departed from its teachings, living a most estimable life.
James G. McSparran was reared as a farmer boy, and has never lost his deep interest in agricul- tural matters, for many years operating one of the finest farms in this part of the county. His primary education was conducted in the common schools of Drumore township, and later he became an apt pupil of the Chestnut Level Academy, but to his great love of reading and his extended travels must be attributed in great measure the intellectual at- tainments which make of him one of the most in- telligent and thoroughly educated men of this com- munity. His advantages have been manifold, and he has utilized them all.
The only child of his parents to reach maturity, our subject inherited their considerable property, improving and adorning it, adding other land to his possessions, as years went by, until at present Mr. McSparran is reckoned one of the most sub- stantial men of the township. His farm land in- clndes two valuable properties in Drumore town- ship, and one in Providence township, located near Quarryville. The home farm is situated in Dru- more township, near Fairfield, and here is found an ideal country home, surrounded as it is with fine buildings, and supplied with all of the modern ap- pliances and conveniences which add not only to the comfort, but also to the health. of its occupants. Mr. McSparran also owns a valuable store property in Chestnut Level. and in addition to this he pos- sesses personal property aggregating a large amount. He is one of the original stockholders, and is a director of the Union Trust Co., of Lancaster.
On Dec. 20, 1864, James G. McSparran was married to Miss Sarah M. Collins, of Colerain township, who was born on Nov. 13, 1843, a daugh-
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ter of Thomas C. and Grace ( Mccullough) Collins, of Colerain township. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins were born seven children, as follows: James, a prominent farmer of Colerain township : Hugh M., also a well-known farmer of Coleram township: Mary. deceased : Grace, a resident of Drumore township; Cornelius, deceased: Thomas; and Sarah M., who is the wife of Mr. MeSparran. She has, also, the following half brothers and half sisters : Ross C., a resident of Quarryville : Emma G., who is the wife of William Anderson, of Ohio: and Bertha T., who is a teacher in a college at Tar- lio. Missouri. .
The children who came to bless the marriage of Mr. MeSparran and his estimable wife were: Isa- bella May, born Aug. 12. 1867, was married Jan. 23. 1001. 1o Charles A. McSparran, secretary and chief bookkeeper in Metcalf's Malleable From Co. in Erie, Pa. ; Thomas C., born Nov. 13, 1869. died Sept. 27. 1875: Chella Grace, born Sept. 23, US;I. resides at home; John A., born Oct. 22. 1873. a very brilliant young man and fine scholar, is an A. B. graduate of Lafayette College, Pa .; and James ()., the youngest, was born March 1, 1877, and resides in Philadelphia.
Perhaps no man in this section has kept up more with public interest and progress, outside of pro- . fessional or political life, than has Mr. McSparran. for he is a man of wide and extended reading and is a reflective thinker. Although one of the most active members of the Democratic party. loyal to its candidates and principles, he is no office seeker. consenting only to serve in the capacity of school director, having ever had a deep interest in educa- tional matters. His own children have been afforded every possible advantage. Mr. MeSparran is a leading member of the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, in which he has long been an elder, and is the interested and efficient Sunday school super- intendent. In 1800 Mr. McSparran took a trip through Palestine and the Holy Land, going about two-thirds around the world. fitting himself very thoroughly as a teacher in his beloved Sunday school, where he is most highly appreciated. The past year has been enjoyed by himself and wife in an extended trip through California, the journey homeward being heightened in pleasure by a visit to the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo. In every relation of life Mr. McSparran has borne him- self in a manly, upright, conscientious manner, and well deserves the high encomiums lavished upon him by his neighbors who have known him through so many years.
HENRY CLAY SHENCK, dealer in second- hand furniture and antiques, located opposite Fulton Opera House, on North Prince street, Lancaster, is a son of the venerable Henry S. Shenck, a sketch of whose life and ancestry appears elsewhere.
Henry Clay Shenck was born at Chickies (where his father then kept hotel), Oct. 24, 1843. He was
educated in the public schools of Lancaster, and left the Boys' High School shortly before the graduation of his class to enter the army, enlisting April 20. 1861, in the Jackson Rifles of Lancaster, when the first call for 75.000 men for three months was made. in the war of the Rebellion. This company became a part of the ist P. V. I. Having been honoran :.. discharged July 27, 1861. by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment. young Shenck re-enlisted. Sept. 16, 1861. this time with the zoth P. V. I., for three years, but was discharged Sept. 3, 1862, at Nashville, by general orders. Next we find him veteranizing. March 24, 1864. for a term of three years, this time with the oth Pa. Vet. Vol. Cal., to which his brother. A. F. Shenck, belonged, and in which he himself became a corporal. While a mem- ber of Company K. 79th Regiment, he was detached tor a time as a musician, but after having been mus- tered out as a musician, in 1862, re-entered the ser- vice as a private. Between his second and third en- listments he served, during the Morgan raid, in the Ohio militia. From the time he became Corporal Shenck, in the oth P. V. V. C .. in March, 1864, to the close of the war, it is safe to say that he was en- gaged in fully one hundred battles and skirmishes, including the siege of Savannah, and other memora- ble military movements and engagements. The war ended. he was discharged at Lexington, N. C., July 18. 1865, and went to Ohio, following his trade, that of a wheelwright, in that State, until 1875, when he returned to the East, spending seven years in West- chester in the same business. Returning to Lan- caster, he became turnkey at the station house, hav- ing been appointed to that position by the late D. P. Rosenmiller, then mayor of Lancaster.
In 1886 Mr. Shenck opened the pioneer business in second-hand furniture in the city, starting in the building on North Prince street, where he is still lo- cated, and which belonged to the estate of the late Hon. Anthony E. Roberts. ex-member of Congress from this District. Later he purchased the building, as well as the adjoining property on the south, which he occupies as a dwelling. The property used for business purposes has a frontage of seventy-two feet on Prince street. is four stories high, and has seven- teen rooms, every one of which is filled with second- hand furniture, much of it antique and therefore very valuable. In fact, Mr. Shenck makes a specialty of antiques, shipping these goods to New York. Illinois, Georgia, California-all over the country. Indeed, so extensive had the business become at the date of this writing (1901) that its originator and owner was preparing plans for an addition of two more floors, and the erection of an electric elevator. his purpose being to conduct a great storage as well as furniture business.
On July 26. 1877. Mr. Shenck was married to Eliza J. Boozer, daughter of Harry Boozer, of West- chester, and to this union came three children, one of whom died in infancy. The survivors are Helen. who is at home; and Henry Sheldon, of the class
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M. b. Schenck
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of 1904, Boys' High School. Mr. Shenck is a mem- ber of Post No. 31, G. A. R., of Chester county. Politically he is a Republican, as are all the members of his family ; but the only political preferments he ever received were his appointment as turnkey of the city station house. under Mayor Rosenmiller, and his appointment as alderman of the First ward, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Alderman Gandaker. This appointment was made by Gov. Hastings, and Mr. Shenck served for at least seven months. Although exercising not a little political influence in his district, as well as in city and county affairs generally. Mr. Shenck attends strictly to busi- ness, and no better evidence of this is needed than is found in the success which has attended him.
JOHN JACKSON. Lancaster county is noted for its successful farmers, and among those who be- long to that class is John Jackson, of Little Britain township. who was born Dec. 4. 1854. son of Rob- ert and Eliza (Irwin) Jackson.
Robert Jackson was born in Ireland in 1828, and died in April, 1808. His wife, who was also born in ISZS, died in 1893. They came to America while young, and were the parents of eight chil- dren. seven of whom grew to maturity: Annie Margaret. wife of Dr. J. S. McNutt, a physician of Philadelphia, Pa .: John: Andrew A., a farmer of Little Britain township (mentioned elsewhere ) : Robert, a farmer of Little Britain township : Joseph. a farmer of Little Britain township ( mentioned else- where) ; Mary, wife of Fred Gregg, a farmer of Drumore township : and Ella, wife of George Pol- lock, a merchant of Philadelphia, Pa., the young- est of the family now living. Robert Jackson, the father of this family, was a Democrat in politics. He was a man who earned the esteem of his neigh- bors and labored hard to rear his family well.
John Jackson was reared upon the farm. and at- tended the district schools. While still a boy he commenced to work his way in life, and he now has one of the best cultivated farms in Lancaster county, consisting of 150 acres of excellent farm- ing land. on which he has a comfortable residence and commodious barn-the pride of the surround- ing country. His outbuildings are in excellent condition, and in addition to general farming Mr. Jackson is an extensive dealer in stock, being very successful in all bis enterprises.
On Feb. 25, 1880, Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Alice M. Jenkins, a daughter of Isaac and Eliza Jenkins, of Little Britain township. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins had a family of five children : Re- becca. unmarried, of Oak Hill, Pa .; Evan S., de- ceased: Jacob F., of Fulton township; George P., of Oak Hill: and Alice M., Mrs. Jackson. Elijah Jenkins, Mrs. Jackson's grandfather, was one of the early settlers of Lancaster county.
The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson: Laura E., Annie L., Walter R., Mary R. and John E., all at home. They are
a happy, contented home circle, undisturbed as yet by death. Mrs. Jackson and the family attend the Presbyterian Church of Little Britain. In politics Mr. Jackson, like his father before him, is a stanch Democrat. In all the relations of life he has proven himself a worthy, good man, a kind-hearted neigh- bor, and the respect in which he is held by those who know him is well deserved.
P. HARRY WOHLSEN, one of the well- known young men of Lancaster, was born in that city Oct. 29, 1875, and is a son of William Wohlsen, one of its well-known business men of high stand- ing.
Peter Wohlsen, grandfather of P. Harry. was born in 1824 in Hanover, Germany, and grew to manhood on a farm in that country. He learned the trade of bricklayer, which he followed. and after coming to America, in 1884, he worked with his son William until 1896, since which time he has lived retired. He married Catherine Oelrich, also a native of Hanover, who died in 1895, at the age of seventy-one. She is buried in Zion Lutheran cemetery. Peter and Catherine Wohlsen had chil- dren as follows : William, father of P. Harry; Peter N., who is a contractor and builder of Lan- caster ; Herman F., also a contractor and builder of Lancaster; and Anna, wife of Henry Elsen, of Lancaster.
William Wohlsen was born Dec. 24. 18447. in Hanover, Germany, passed his youth on his father's farm, and when seventeen years of age began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Germany until his emigration to America, in 1870. On coming to this country he immediately settled in Lancaster, and for a year worked as a contractor and builder, in ISør purchasing a small planing- mill. He has continued in that business to the present day, enlarging his mill from a one-horse- power concern to one of the largest and best patron- ized establishments in Lancaster county, giving em- ployment to fifty hands. Meantime Mr. Wohlsen had continued to carry on contracting and building, but he gave up this branch of business in order to give the greater part of his time and attention to his mill interests. Of late he has had another de- mand on his time, the management of the affairs of the Union Trust Company, organized Oct. 17, 1901, and opened for business March 17, 1902. The com- pany has an authorized capital of $300.000, and a paid capital of $150,000. Mr. Wohlsen is presi- dent of the concern, with D. F. Buchmiller as vice- president : S. Z. Evans, secretary and treasurer ; and John M. Groff, solicitor.
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