USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > Biographical annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent men and representative citizens and of the early settled families > Part 17
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On November 15, 1879, Mr. Hibshman was united in marriage with Miss Anna Bollinger, of Millcreek township, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Royer) Bollinger, deceased. Three children were born to this mar- riage : Paul; Samuel and Verda, at home. Mrs. Hibshman is one of a family of five children born to her parents: Aaron, deceased; Levi S., a
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prominent farmer and deacon in the German Baptist Church; Amanda, married to H. M. Muth, of Myerstown, Pa. ; Mariah, wife of Israel Wenger; and Mrs. Hibshman. Mr. Hibshman was one of the highly esteemed people of Heidelberg township, and had many friends throughout the county, where his excellent qualities were known and appreciated, and his death, which occurred August 10, 1903, was sincerely mourned. Mrs. Hibshman was a devoted companion of her husband, and is greatly beloved for her many womanly qualities.
JAMES KALBACH, a prominent citizen of Myerstown, of ample means and large business interests, is well known through the State of Penn- sylvania in connection with his milling and lumbering enterprises. For the past thirty-five years he has been actively engaged in these industries, and is one of the largest lumber dealers in his part of the State.
Mr. Kalbach is of German extraction, the founders of his family here having come from Germany in 1775. Mr. Kalbach was born June 13, 1841, in Heidelberg township, Berks county, a son of Adam and Katherine (Aulthouse) Kalbach, the former of whom was born in 1809 in Berks county, was a prominent farmer in that county, and died in 1880. He was a son of Adam Kalbach, who came from Germany with his father when but six years of age, married, and became the father of the following chil- dren : Isaac, Adam. John, William, Jacob and Joseph. Of this family. Isaac was a drover, Jacob and William were distillers, and Joseph and Adam were farmers-all industrious men of business ability.
In 1890 Adam Kalbach married Katherine Aulthouse, and their children were: Sarah, deceased; Harrison, of Lebanon; Isaac, deceased; Katherine. the wife of Jared Prossman, deceased: Levi, of Bernville, Berks county ; James ; William of Robesonia, Berks county ; Amelia, the wife of H. Filbert. deceased ; and Mandon, deceased. It is a rather remarkable fact that all of these sons engaged in the lumber business. Adam Kalbach was one of the leading and wealthy residents of Berks county for his day, and was a large land owner, possessing at one time 600 acres of land. After the Mexican war he was captain of a company of Home Guards. His political adherence was given to the Democratic party.
James Kalbach was reared to young manhood on the farm, and was educated in the district schools. For nine years he followed farming, but gradually drifted into the more congenial life of a lumberman, and his great success in that line testifies to his fitness for it. For twenty years he was connected with the lumber firm of Harrison & Kalbach & Bros., of Lebanon.
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In 1884 he located in Myerstown, at which time he purchased the handsome brick residence on South Railroad street which has since been the family home. Mr. Kalbach thoroughly understands the lumbering business in all its practical details, and for the past thirty-five years has devoted his atten- tion closely to it, a statement which may well be credited when it is stated that in some years he has spent 265 days in the timber at work.
In 1861 Mr. Kalbach was married to Miss Sarah Derr, who was one of a family of seven children born to John and Mary (Kline) Derr, of Berks county, their surviving children being: John Derr, of Bernville; William, of Berks county ; Adam, of Schaefferstown; Isaac, of the same place ; Levi, deceased ; Mrs. Kalbach, and Mrs. Kaufman, deceased. This is one of the old German families of Berks county.
A family of nine children was born to Mr. Kalbach and his wife, eight of these growing to maturity, as follows: D. C., of the firm of James Kal- bach & Sons; Morgan, a merchant of North Heidelberg township, Berks county ; James A., who is a practicing dentist at No. 2053 North 7th St., Philadelphia; Edward, formerly a brilliant young attorney with George W. Wagner, of Reading, now deceased; Elmer, representative at Norristown of the firm of James Kalbach & Sons; Emma, wife of Charles O. Mennick, a teacher and farmer of North Heidelberg township; Sarah Jane, wife of Dr. J. M. Collins, a veterinary surgeon of Myerstown; and Miss Cora, at home. Mary died in childhood.
Mr. Kalbach is a man of business, well equipped with energy, health and ability, and has taken a leading position in his line of activity in the State. He is a stanch Democrat, but he has never sought or been willing to accept political office. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Reformed Church, serving as deacon and elder. In North Heidelberg township he was one of the school directors for a period, and has always given his influence to the advancement of educational opportunities. He is a man devoted to 'his home and family, and in every respect a first-class, representative citizen.
JOHN WALTER, M. D., who is one of the leading physicians of Lebanon, Pa., widely known through the county, and prominent in city affairs, was born near Lickdale, Union township, Lebanon county, August 9, 1858.
Several generations of the Walter family have been born in Lebanon county, John Walter, the great-grandfather of Dr. Walter, being a resident of North Lebanon township, where his son, John (2), was born. Daniel
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Walter, son of John (2), and father of Dr. Walter, was born in 1824, in Union township, followed farming and milling through life, and died in 1880. He married Elizabeth Good, who was born in Reading, Pa., in 1819, daughter of Peter Good, of Berks county, and died in 1899. The children born to Daniel and Elizabeth Walter were: Henry G., a citizen of Lebanon; Dr. William G., deceased; Adam, a citizen of Lebanon; Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; and John.
Like many another professional man. Dr. John Walter was born and reared on a farm, learning in early life many practical lessons which have always been of benefit. His parents believed in education, and he was sent · to the public schools until he was prepared to teach. He taught school in the winters, and attended in the spring until 1885, when he entered the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, at Shippensburg, where he graduated in 1886. Had he chosen teaching as his life work, he would doubtless have been one of the leading educators of the county. His inclina- tions, however, led him in the direction of medicine, and in the office of the late Dr. V. H. Allwine, of Lebanon, which he entered in 1886, he prepared for entrance into Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in the class of 1889. Very soon after he began a practice which has been actively pursued for fifteen years, becoming each year more absorbing and more satisfactory.
In 1890 Dr. Walter received an appointment as a member of the board of health, serving in the same position, with great efficiency, for a period of nine years, during the last five of which he was president of the board. In 1893 he was appointed a member of the United States Pension Board, and he has served in the position of president of it ever since. Dr. Walter is a devoted member of his profession, and a representative member of the Lebanon County Medical Society and of the Pennsylvania State Medical Association, being chairman of the latter. He has taken a deep interest in the Lebanon Nursing School, and is one of the attending physicians at the Good Samaritan Hospital of Lebanon. Aside from his medical connections, which are all of the most honorable character, he is also a member of the Rescue Hose Company, and has been president of this fire department com- pany for seven years. His fraternal associations are with the I. O. O. F., the P. O. S. of A., the A. O. U. W., the Knights of Malta, and the Brotherhood.
In 1891 Dr. Walter was married to Nellie A. Waller, of Smethport, Pa., daughter of Edwin F. Waller, and two sons have been born of this
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union : John Allen, born February 27, 1894; and Daniel E., born August 29, 1896.
Politically the Doctor comes of good old Lebanon county Democratic stock, and as a pastime and recreation from his medical duties, he figures quite prominently in politics, and has become one of the leaders of his party, at present serving his fourth term as chairman of the Democratic county committee, to which he was elected April 2, 1900. His word is as good as his bond, and his faithfulness to a pledge once given is never deviated from; knowing this, his party stands by him with a fealty that cannot be questioned. It is an easy matter to lead in a majority county, but to stead- fastly put up a bold front and "hold the fort" for a minority, requires match- less skill, keen discernment, and the faculty of sizing men up at their true worth. He has shown consummate ability as a leader, as has been fully attested on many a stubbornly contested battlefield with his opponents. The Doctor is genial in his social walks, is a man of warm impulses, and his friendship is something worth possessing. As a public spirited citizen, he stands the peer of any man, ever ready to respond to any call calculated to advance materially the interests of the city.
GEORGE WILSON ELLIS. one of the most prominent citizens of Jonestown, and a man known all over Lebanon county, was born in Jones- town April 11, 1850, son of Henry M. and Eliza (Horn) Ellis. The father was born in Pottstown, Pa., in 1819, and died in October, 1898. The mother was born in Womelsdorf. Berks county, Pa., in 1824, and died in July, 1900.
The paternal grandfather Ellis, a native of England. emigrated to America at an early date, and settled in the neighborhood of Trenton, N. J., removing thence to Pottstown, where he worked at his trade of shoemaker. His children were: Henry M., father of George Wilson; Nathaniel, chief burgess of Phoenixville, Pa .. who also held the office of United States marshal under Cleveland's administration; and Daniel, who lost his life during the Civil war, while a private in a Pennsylvania regiment.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. Ellis was John Horn, a native of New Jersey, and his father was a native of Ireland, who emigrated and settled in New Jersey prior to the Revolution. Great-grandfather Horn married a Hayne, whose two brothers, Frederick and Isaac Hayne. served as soldiers in the Revolutionary war. They later owned the large double farm whereon now stands the Chronic Insane Hospital at Wernersville, Pa., and conducted a blacksmith shop, distillery and wheelwright shop. Washington Horn, son of John, and uncle of George W. Ellis, served in Company A,
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Ninety-third P. V. I., was promoted from the ranks to captain of Company A, and died soon after the close of the war from wounds and exposure dur- ing his service.
Henry M. Ellis, the' father of our subject, learned the carpenter's trade from a man named Coonley, in Union township, Lebanon county, he having come to Lebanon county from Montgomery county, Pa., when a young man. He helped to lay the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad from Reading to Philadelphia, and worked at his trade in Jonestown for over fifty years. In 1873 he was elected county commissioner, and he held various offices in the borough of Jonestown. His sympathies were with the Republican party. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, for many years being treasurer, and hield that office when the present church building was erected in Jonestown. He held a commission in the Pennsylvania National Guard under Gov. Schultze. He was a rugged man physically and mentally, and impressed his individuality upon the community. The children born to Henry M. Ellis and wife were as follows: Mary died in 1867, aged twenty-four years; Rebecca married Samuel Trafford, and died in 1896, aged forty-eight years; George W. is mentioned below: Victoria married W. H. Bomgardner, of Reading, Pa .; Lizzie M. married Capt. Jerome \V. Henry, a captain of the 127th P. V. I., who later re-enlisted, and was wounded on the battlefield of Fredericksburg. from which wound he later died; Laura married Harvey Hoverter; Henry died in 1888, aged twenty-one years.
George Wilson Ellis was reared in Jonestown, attending the common schools and the Swatara Institute (later Heilman's Hall, now the Orphans' Home), of Jonestown. When in his seventeenth year he began to learn the trade of blacksmith with Isaac Miller, with whom he spent over two years. He next worked for Light Bros., at their forge in North Annville township ( Newmarket Forge), as blacksmith and carpenter, for two years. He then worked in Light's rolling-mill, Lebanon, where he had charge of a sheet mill for five years, spending altogether seven years with Light Bros. In 1877 he returned to Jonestown and engaged in blacksmithing for himself, at which he has since continued. For five years he was in partnership with Mr. Miller, with whom he learned the trade.
Mr. Ellis was married to Annie Mary Light, sister to the father of Samuel E. Light, of Lebanon. She was born at Newmarket Forge in 1855. daughter of Jacob Light, who was a pioneer ironmaster of Lebanon county, and the first owner of Newmarket Forge. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are: Warren, born December 27, 1874, who studied at Muhlenberg
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College, took a four-years course at Mt. Airy Seminary in theology, was ordained a Lutheran minister, established the Broad Street (Philadelphia) Mission, where he preached two years, and is at present taking a philosophic course at the University of Pennsylvania; Charles, a jeweler by trade, who died October 19, 1901, aged twenty-four years: Ray G., who was educated at the common and normal schools and is a teacher at the present time; Herbert, a student in Fredericksburg; Fred R .; Miriam; and Anna.
Mr. Ellis has been prominent in public matters and politics for many years. For thirteen years he served as a councilman of Jonestown borough, and in 1895 served as chief burgess. In the same year he was elected to represent Lebanon county in the Pennsylvania Legislature, receiving the largest vote cast at that election, and leading the Republican ticket. In 1897 he was re-elected to the same office, again leading his ticket, with an increase in majority over that which he received in 1895.
Fraternally Mr. Ellis has been a member of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, F. & A. M., since 1880, and of the Commandery since 1885. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has served as superintendent of the Sunday school for the past fifteen years.
WILLIAM VAN DE SANDE was born in Germany, near Frankfurt-am- Main, May 2, 1827. His father, Dr. D. F. G. Van de Sande, was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and came to the United States in 1838, locating at Fort Plain, N. Y. Later he went to Boston, where he continued to follow his profession, that of doctor of medicine. He died in that city. He was the father of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, William being the eldest, and of the others are named Elizabeth; Daniel, a celebrated musician of Chicago, Ill .; Lewis, of Boston, Mass .; John (deceased), who was a major in the war of the Rebellion; George (deceased), who was a graduate of West Point, served in the Rebellion, and was captain of Lincoln's gnard ; Mimmie. widow of Homer Locke; Mary, who is unmarried; and Louisa, wife of Benjamin Mann, of Washington, D. C.
William van de Sande was educated in Germany and at Fort Plain (N. Y.) College. At the age of sixteen he went to New York and secured a position in the custom house. Later he learned the watchmaker's trade. In 1849 he went to Philadelphia, where he was employed by James E. Cald- well & Co., and where he remained three years. Returning to New York City in 1852, he went into business, entering the co-partnership of a large importing house, which imported watches, diamonds and jewelry. He con- tinned in that firm until 1861, during which time he did all the traveling,
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spending all the winter seasons in the Southern States, South America, Cuba, Mexico and California. In 1861 he separated from the firm, and returned to his native land, where he was employed as a civil engineer until 1865, when he returned to America. Soon after his return to this country he located in Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pa., and bought an interest in a forge of the firm of Mitchell & Weiley. Three years later he bought out Mitchell, and changed the plant from a forge to a rolling-mill; again he converted it into a puddling plant, which he conducted with marked suc- cess. In 18841 he sold out his entire interest to Jacob Capp, and has since lived in retirement, having amassed a small fortune in the iron business.
Mr. van de Sande was married to Miss Sarah M. Dunot, of Philadel- phia, Pa., a daughter of Miller Dunot, of Wilmington, Del. This marriage has been blessed with children as follows: Elizabeth, Mimmie and William, all residing with their parents in Lebanon. Mr. van de Sande is an inde- pendent politician, and in religion is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In fact, he was educated for the ministry, but never followed it up. He is now seventy-six years of age, possesses a sound mind and a retentive memory, and is a man well-read, and with considerable literary ability and taste. He has written several stories and some poetry. He has never cared for politics, and has always desired to live a quiet, modest life. Mr. Van de Sande is to-day one of the most honored citizens of Lebanon, a man with a clear head, a lucid mind, and a generous heart for all. He is well liked by all who know him, and is now living retired, having spent his active days in a manner worthy of his ancestry. He attributes his success to honesty and close attention to business, and all agree, who are acquainted with him, that he is one of Lebanon's most successful business men.
GEORGE M. STRACK, one of the honorable citizens and substantial retired farmers of Jackson township, is a native of that township, born October 31, 1829, near Strack's Dam, son of Christian and Catherine ( Moyer) Strack, natives of Heidelberg township, the latter a daughter of Michael Moyer.
Christian Strack was born in 1792 and died at the age of ninety-one years, in 1884, and was a son of Henry Strack, a farmer in Heidelberg town- ship, who was born in Switzerland. Henry was one of the early settlers of Lebanon county, and at one time owned the land upon which now stands the village of Reistville; he married twice, and was the father of eighteen children.
Christian Strack was a leading member of the Tulpehocken church;
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indeed, he took a prominent place in almost every circle, being one of the best farmers of the county, and for many years a Justice of the Peace. As a scrivener, surveyor and conveyancer his services we're constantly in demand, and his writing appeared in the recorder's office on many of the legal papers during many years of his useful life. As an administrator of estates, his integrity was such that no single act of his was ever disputed. Like a good citizen, he took an intelligent interest at all times in public affairs, and always supported the Republican party. Mr. Strack was the father of eight children, as follows: Louise, Michael, Christian, Jacob, George M., Rebecca, John and Henry, all now deceased except George M.
George M. Strack grew up on the farm and attended the subscription schools, educational opportunities being meager at that time in his locality. Public education, with all its privileges, was not then dreamed of. His time was employed in farm work, and at the age of twenty-two years he married Miss Sarah Anna Diehl, born April 27, 1831, in Jackson township, daughter of Philip and Eva Diehl, farming people of that township. Two children were born of this union: J. A. D., born June 4. 1863, married Sarah A. Krick, and died June 4. 1902, leaving seven children, Franklin. Edwin. Albert. Harry, Annie, James and Sarah; and Sarah Anna, married John H. Hibshman, and they reside on the old farm with Mr. Strack. The mother died February 22, 1893, a consistent member of the Zion Lutheran Church, and a woman of many amiable traits of character.
Mr. Strack, who has reached the advanced age of seventy-four years, and is in perfect health, is spending the evening of life in his comfortable home in a residence erected in 1783, at peace with the world, and honored and respected by all who know him. His large farm is situated about four miles northwest of Myerstown, this property containing sixty-two acres, while he owns four more farms, aggregating 516 acres of the valuable land of Lebanon county. He has always been one of the liberal-minded men of the community, and of such unquestioned integrity that he has been called upon to fill many responsible positions. For the past forty years he has been one of the active Republicans of this section, was director of the poor from 1877 to 1880, and has been urged for other offices by his party on many occasions, and has been the efficient township auditor several terms. Since 1866 he has been a director of the Annville Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His connection with Kimmerling church began in 1855, and for thirty-eight years he has served as secretary, and has been elder and deacon, and since 1870 one of the trustees.
Christian Strack is still remembered on account of his estimable char-
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acter, and his son, George M., worthily fills his place. He is becoming one of the venerable citizens of Jackson township, and counts his friends by the hundred, a testimonial to an exemplary life and a genial, kind, neighborly disposition. Many of the large estates of this locality have passed through his hands as administrator, his duties being performed with fidelity and scrupulous honesty.
JOHN W. FEGAN. The fine farm which was the pleasant home of John W. Fegan, one of the leading and highly respected citizens of Lebanon county, now living retired in Annville, is one which was among the first cultivated tracts in North Lebanon township, its settlement being at a time when the young city of Lancaster was the nearest market place, and wheat growers were obliged to carry their bags of grain thither on horseback, dispos- ing of the cereal for sixty-two cents a bushel.
John W. Fegan was born March 31, 1829, at Annville, Lebanon county, son of Daniel and Magdalina (Killinger) Fegan, the former of whom was born in England, and came as a boy, with his parents, to America. They located in Franklin county, Pa., and there Daniel grew to maturity, coming then to Lebanon county. He served in the war of 1812. At Annville he married Magdalina Killinger, daughter of John Killinger, and settled in that place, becoming a prominent man in the county. While filling the office of sheriff of the county, he resided at Lebanon. He was a hatter by trade, and followed this business at Annville for ten years, engaging then in farming and continuing to rent land for this purpose until within ten years of his death. His prudence and industry resulted in the accumulation of a competency. In political life he was prominent, and capably served in local offices, was assessor of his township, and was elected by the Republican party three years sheriff of the county. His reputation was that of being one of the honorable and progressive citizens of his time and locality. Both he and wife were consistent members of the Reformed Church. They had thirteen children born to them, eleven of these growing to maturity, as follows: Eliza, deceased, wife of Samuel Benson; Susannalı, deceased, wife of Moses Gruber; Fannie, deceased, wife of John Nowlen ; Rosannah, deceased, wife of Ephraim Bergner ; Polly, deceased, wife of Elias Yorty; George, a carpenter and mechanic, who died in Iowa; John W .; Peter, who died unmarried at the home of John W. ; Daniel, a retired carpenter and farmer at Annville ; and Henry H. and Joseph K., twins, the former a farmer of Campbelltown, Lon- donderry township, and the latter a carpenter at South Annville.
John W. Fegan was reared at Annville and received the best education
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afforded at the time in the public schools. At the age of twenty years he selected blacksmithing as his choice of a trade, and became an apprentice under Isaac Shiffler at Mt. Pleasant, South Annville township, and after becoming a skilled workman, followed the business for seven years for him- self at Annville. Then he purchased a small tract of eighteen acres of land in South Annville township. two years later selling it and purchasing 100 acres in the same township, where he operated for four years, and then sold that and bought his present farm. Here Mr. Fegan has 120 acres of the finest kind of land, which owes its development and improvement to him. His long years of industry have proved very fruitful, and he is now known among the substantial men of his township, and one who has been a very important factor in its agricultural development. He has retired from active work, and resides in a comfortable home in Annville. Mr. Fegan is highly esteemed in financial as well as other circles, and is one of the stockholders in the Farmers' National Bank of Lebanon.
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