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 18
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In 1855 Mr. Fegan was married to Miss Lucetta Shiffler, born January 28, 1832, daughter of George and Catherine (Sherk) Shiffler, a native of Lancaster county, near Ephrata, the family moving to near Palmyra, Dauphin county, when she was about sixteen years of age. Mr. Fegan and his estimable wife had a family of eleven children born to them, as follows: John, a farmer, is one of the school directors of North Lebanon township; Mary, who is the widow of Amos Boltz, resides in Annville, and has one son, Walter F .; Frank, a carpenter, married Leah Poorman and they have one son, Lloyd, and reside at Cleona ; Simon, who is a farmer on his father's ninety-acre farm, married Tacie Marks, and they have two children, Mark and Mary: and Harry, who is a teacher in the public schools, resides at home. Six children died in early childhood. This worthy and prominent family belongs to the Reformed Church at Annville.
1. REILY BUCHER, M. D., an old and well-known physician of Leba- non county, who has been located in the city of Lebanon since 1876. becoming one of her most esteemed citizens, was born August 22, 1832, in Schaeffers- town, this county, a descendant of a long line of eminent physicians.
Dr. Benedict Bucher, the great-grandfather of Dr. Bucher, of Lebanon, with his brother, Hannes Bucher, came to America about 1750, from the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, and with many others of their countrymen, settled in Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pa. Dr. Benedict Bucher. the grandfather of Dr. I. Reily, perpetuated his father's name and fame, and was born August 7, 1759, in Cocalico township, Lancaster county, and studied
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his profession under his father. About 1780 he located in Lebanon town- ship, Lancaster county, which is now Cornwall township, Lebanon county, and there practiced his profession, became prominent in local affairs, and on account of eminent ability and superior education, was called upon to fill many public offices. His death occurred May 1, 1830; his wife, Susanna Mohler, born January 29, 1764, died September 1, 1827.
Dr. Christian Bucher, son of Dr. Benedict (2), was born in Cornwall township, Lebanon county, April 16, 1796, and died December 22, 1860. His marriage was to Mary Valentine, and they reared these children: Dr. Samuel, who located at Cedarville, Ill., where he died; Susan, who married Henry Houck, of Lebanon ; Dr. Alfred; Mary Ann, who married Frank H. Goshert, of Lebanon ; and Dr. Isaac Reily, of Lebanon.
Dr. Bucher was educated in the common schools of Schaefferstown, and during the winter of 1850-51 he attended the Strasburg Academy in Lan- caster county. In 1852 he made a trip to Minnesota, which was then a Terri- tory, but soon after went to his brother Samuel, who had removed to Cedar- ville, Ill., and was there engaged in the practice of medicine. Accepting a position as clerk in a store at Buena Vista, Ill., a village near Cedarville, he remained for a short time, but evidently inherited instincts and tastes urged him to enter the professional world. and he became a student of medicine under his brother, Dr. Bucher, at Cedarville. During the summer of 1853 he engaged in clerking in a wholesale and retail store at Peru, Ill., but in the following winter resumed his studies at Cedarville. In the spring of 1854 he took a walking trip through the State of Iowa, working his way by the performance of small jobs as he went along, and in the fall of the same year returned to his birthplace, and continued his medical studies under his eminent father. The winters of 1856 and 1857 were spent in attendance upon lectures at the Pennsylvania Medical College, and he was there graduated in the latter year. Upon his return home he took charge of his father's practice, and continued to reside at Schaefferstown until 1876, when he removed to Lebanon, where he has ever since remained, becoming both pro- fessionally and personally a most valued citizen.
On October 2, 1860, Dr. Bucher was married to Mary E. Heister, who was born May 2, 1835, in the residence now occupied by Dr. Bucher, and died in 1897. To this union eight children were born, the survivors being : Dr. John C., of Lebanon; Dr. Heister, of Reading, who married Vara Kal- bach, and has one daughter, Mary Elizabeth; and May and Paul, twins, born in 1876. In his sons he sees his name and profession honorably perpetuated.
Dr. Bucher has, in every sense of the word, been a successful physician,
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being a man of large sympathy, calm discrimination and much tact and personal magnetism, and this, combined with the experience of many years and devotion to his profession, has enabled him to not only amass worldly possessions, but also to gain his fellow-citizens' confidence and esteem. Ad- mirably fitted to represent his profession, he has been highly honored by the various bodies, and in 1897 was called upon to become the president of the Lehigh Valley Medical Society. Much credit is due his efforts in the organization of the Lebanon County Medical Society, one of the representa- tive bodies of the State. Since 1884 he has been a member of the American Medical Association, and with ability and dignity he has represented the same at the conventions held in Cincinnati, Ohio; Nashville, Tenn .; Denver, Colo .; Nebraska : Baltimore, Md .; Washington, D. C .: and Atlantic City, N. J. His fraternal association is with the Masons, Mt. Lebanon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Chapter and Commandery, of which latter he was treasurer. The Doctor's political connection is with the Democratic party. He has served as a member of the Lebanon city school board, and also on the board of health.
HENRY HOUCK, one of the most honored citizens of Lebanon, was born March 6, 1836, in Palmyra, Lebanon county, Pa., son of Samuel and Rosanna (Jontz) Houck, the former of whom was born in 1808, and died in 1875.
The early education of Henry Houck was obtained in the common schools and at the Annville Academy. and he also attended one term at Arcadia Institute at Orwigsburg, and later, while engaged in teaching. took lessons in Greek and Latin from tutors. Franklin and Marshall College gave him the degree of A. M., and Pennsylvania College that of Litt. D. At the age of sixteen he began teaching, and has been identified with educational work ever since, being at present deputy superintendent of education for the State of Pennsylvania, to which honorable position he was appointed in 1869. Mr. Houck has served as county superintendent of Lebanon county, as recording clerk of the school department of the State, and has been deeply interested in every educational movement.
On April 10, 1856. Henry Houck was married to Susan Margaret Bucher, daughter of Dr. Christian Bucher, and the following named chil- dren were born to this union : Harvey Bucher, Mary Valentine. Rosa Jontz. Elizabeth Heister, Paul Winters, Alfred Rhodes and Susan Margaret.
ALFRED R. HOUCK, postmaster of Lebanon, and a prominent and repre- sentative citizen of that place, was born January 29. 1868. in the brick resi-
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dence on the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, Lebanon, where his father still resides. He received his education in the public schools and the high school of Lebanon, and also took a special course at the Annville Normal school. In 1884 he entered the Weimer Machine shops. in Lebanon, and served an apprenticeship of three years, following this with a three years' course in the draft room and mechanical engineering department of the same establishment. For the succeeding six years he worked in the mechanical engineering department of the same shops, and in 1897 took a position as mechanical engineer in the Lackawanna Tron & Steel Works, at Scranton, Pa. In 1898 Mr. Houck entered the United States Revenue Service as chief stamp deputy, or cashier, in the department at Lancaster, and filled the position for two years and nine months, resigning to accept the position of postmaster, to which he had been appointed February 1, 1901. Socially Mr. Houck is a member of the Elks.
JOHN KLEISER, one of the well-known citizens of Lebanon, and member of the board of county commissioners, was born May 30, 1837, on the corner of Tenth and Chestnut streets, in that city.
Ignatius Kleiser, his grandfather, was born in Germany, and came to Lebanon at a very early day. He carried on a meat business in a building on the corner of Tenth and Cumberland streets, for many years, and owned the hotel located on the corner of Tenth and Cumberland streets, which, in its time, was one of the popular public houses of Lebanon. His son Joseph, the father of John, was born in Lebanon, and was a prosperous butcher there. He married Rosanna Zimmerman. who was also born in Lebanon, daughter of John and Elizabeth Zimmerman. Joseph Kleiser died in 1866, his wife surviving until 1899, to her eighty-fourth year. Four children were born to them : Cyrus, who is the proprietor of the "American House," in Lebanon ; Ignatius and Jeremiah, deceased; and John.
John Kleiser was reared in Lebanon and attended the common schools of that city. Later he served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, and for a number of years worked as a journeyman for the late Joseph Bowman, making the greater number of the fine shoes which were a feature of that merchant's trade. In 1861 Mr. Kleiser enlisted for Civil war service, enter- ing Company E, 127th Regiment, P. V. I., under Capt. Greenawalt, and . served through his term of nine months. After the close of the war lie engaged in railroading. and for sixteen years was employed on the old Corn- wall railroad, beginning as front brakeman and working his way up to the position of conductor, in which capacity he served eight of the sixteen years.
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In 1880 Mr. Kleiser embarked in the boot, shoe, trunk and satchel business, opening a store at No. 28 South Ninth street, in Lebanon, and has continued to prosper in that line ever since. He is a business man of integrity and has a large patronage.
In 1860 Mr. Kleiser was married to Julia A. Albright, the only child of Louis Albright, an early and well-known citizen of Lebanon, and to this union the following children have been born: Annie M., who married J. Shindel Krause, of Lebanon ; Grant E., of Lebanon ; Elizabeth M., who mar- ried Elmer E. Hauer, of Lebanon ; and Joseph A., of Lebanon.
Mr. Kleiser has been a prominent citizen of Lebanon county for many years, and has a wide circle of acquaintances and a host of warm friends. He has been a lifelong member of the Republican party, and in 1899 was honored by his party and fellow citizens by election to the important and. responsible position of member of the board of county commissioners for Lebanon county, for a term of three years, which position lie is now filling with credit to himself and satisfaction to the county. Mr. Kleiser is a mem- ber of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., and of Mohegan Lodge, No. 288, I. O. O. F. His religious connection is with the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church.
DANIEL S. MOORE, who died on his well-improved farm April 19, 1901, was one of the largest land owners and most prominent agriculturists in Millcreek township, and his loss was felt in many circles.
Mr. Moore was a member of one of the pioneer families of Lebanon county, and was of good Dutch extraction, John George Moore, the first American representative of the line, coming from Holland about 1720. After a short residence in Schoharie county, N. Y., he located in Lebanon county, Pa., where about 1730 he took out a patent of land in Millcreek township. This he cleared and improved, making a good farm for himself.
John Moore, son of John George, and grandfather of Daniel S., was reared in Millcreek township, and there upon reaching manhood engaged in agriculture. He was a man of thrift and energy, and thoroughly prosperous. In the public affairs of the day he took an ardent interest, and in politics he was a strong Jefferson Democrat.
Michael Moore, son of John, and father of Daniel S., devoted his long and active life to the steady, conscientious pursuit of agriculture. Upon his father's farm he received thorough preparation for his life work. About 1835 Mr. Moore married Mary Strickler, and they had two children: Ed- ward S. and Daniel S. After his marriage Mr. Moore settled upon a farm
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about half a mile southeast of Millbach, where he engaged in agriculture very successfully for many years. He improved the place, put the buildings in good condition, and in other respects added to the value of the property. Making an unqualified success of his work here, he purchased other farms in the vicinity, which he also managed with good results. In all his ventures he prospered, and in time became one of the largest land owners in Mill- creek township. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, and his wife, who is still living, is now eighty-seven. Mr. Moore possesses a large capacity for directing affairs, wherein lay his success as an agriculturist. In many walks of life he was influential, and the Reformed Church counted him among its most substantial members. Politically he was a strong Democrat.
Daniel S. Moore was decidedly a product of good wholesome farm life. Born on the old Moore homestead, just out of Millbach, April 26, 1843, he there early shouldered life's responsibilities, receiving careful training in habits of industry and self-reliance. In the public schools of his vicinity he gained a practical rudimentary education, displaying much natural ability at grasping information. Both inclination and environment, however, decided him upon reaching manhood to engage in agriculture. and securing a farm in Millcreek township he there followed his pursuit for many years. A good practical manager, not afraid of work, he had large and profitable crops from the start, and encouraged by his success he later purchased other farms in the township, which he managed with equal profit. He greatly improved all his property, and was long known as one of the wealthy farmers and large land- owners of the township. At the time of his death he owned there three well- improved farms to divide among his heirs.
On May 18, 1897, Mr. Moore married Lizzie Sanders, of Schaeffers- town, who now resides upon one of the attractive Moore farms in Millcreek township, which she is managing with much success. By this marriage there was one daughter, Frances May, who was born April 22, 1900.
Mr. Moore as one of the most capable men in his locality. To each task he gave the full strength of his manhood, making a thorough success of each undertaking. He kept himself well informed upon the latest movements in agriculture and evinced rare judgment in detecting those of practical value. Like his predecessors, he was a strong Democrat in politics. Both he and his wife belonged to the Reformed Church of Millbach, and he served as deacon there for many years.
SAMUEL SANDERS, father of Mrs. Moore, comes of one of the old and highly respected families of Lebanon county, his grandfather Sanders having come hither from Germany in the early days. John Jacob Sanders, father
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of Samuel, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., and there passed many years of his active and useful life. Samuel Sanders married Susannah Layser, and they had six children: John S., now a resident of Schaefferstown; James, who lives in Sterling, Ill .; Lizzie (Mrs. Moore), who is mentioned above; Sallie, who married Aaron Bowman, of Millcreek township; Mary, now deceased; and Malinda, who has never married. Mr. Sanders, the father, now in his seventy-first year, is living in retirement in North Lebanon.
JACOB WESTENBERGER. one of the representative and progres- sive farmers of Cornwall township, Lebanon county, was born Marchi 9, 1852, in Cornwall township, a son of Joseph and Veronica (Hostetter) Westenberger, who removed to South Annville township when he was a child but one year of age.
Mr. Westenberger grew to maturity in South Annville township, and attended the local schools, acquiring a good education. At the age of twenty-two years he began to farm for himself, locating on a tract of seventy- three acres, near by, where he remained for eight years, removing then to a larger farm, containing 123 acres, in the same township, where he also remained eight years. Then he removed to the farm which he now occupies, purchasing the same, which contains almost ninety acres of some of the finest land in this part of Lebanon county. It is particularly well located also, within three miles of the southern limits of the city of Lebanon. Thus he and his family enjoy all the benefits and privileges of both country and city life. Mr. Westenberger carries on a general line of farming, employing modern methods and improved machinery, being a man of practical ideas and pro- gressive and intelligent activity.
While not an active politician, Mr. Westenberger affiliates with the Republican party, and is ready to put his shoulder to the wheel to assist all enterprises which his judgment convinces him will benefit his community. The township has had no more careful judge of elections, nor more capable member of its school board.
In 1873 Mr. Westenberger was married to Mary A. Black, born in North Lebanon township, a daughter of Hugh and Leah (Boyer) Black, and their two sons, John H. and Albert, both remain in the pleasant old home, the latter having married Miss Gertie Treist, of Cornwall township. Since 1893 Mr. Westenberger has been a zealous member of the United Brethren Church, and in 1895 he was licensed to preach, officiating as min- ister at various stations both in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. He is the
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class leader of the Rockerty Church, and has done much to assist in the upbuilding of this congregation. Both he and his wife are esteemed and beloved by all who know them, and are true Christian people.
ISRAEL W. GROH, who entered into rest December 20, 1895, was born June 19, 1834, in Heidelberg township, near Schaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa., a son of Michael and Susanna ( Moyer) Groh.
Michael Groh was the father of five children as follows: John M., who married Lizzie Macilli, and settled in Breathedsville, Md .; Sarah M., who married John M. Hill, and located at Sheridan, Pa. ; Israel W .; Susanna H., who married Frank Iba, and settled in Schaefferstown; and Michael, who died in infancy. The father belonged to the German Reformed Church at Schaefferstown, which he served as a deacon, and in which he otherwise took an active and leading part.
Israel W. Groh was brought up on a farm, receiving his preliminary education in the winter terms of the country schools, such as they were. His summers were spent at work upon the home farm. His thirst for knowl- edge was not satisfied with the little that home schools offered him, and at sixteen he went to Maryland to learn English. Having overcome this great- est obstacle to his rapid advancement he returned to Pennsylvania and entered Mt. Joy Academy, later attending the State Normal school at Mil- lersville (at that time a subscription school). At each place he distinguished himself for his scholarship, and when he left the school room as a pupil it was only to re-enter it as a teacher. He also served successfully as a leader of singing classes. After his marriage, in 1861, he returned to the farm. In 1875 he purchased the David Zug mill, and in the following year took pos- session of it, and from that time until his death conducted it with unvarying success. At his death he left considerable property, which descended to his son, Calvin E., who manages it with the same care and ability evinced by his father.
In 1861 Mr. Groh was married to Sabina E. Eberly, and two sons were born of this union: Calvin E., born August 30, 1862; and Harvey, born October 26, 1867, died in infancy. The widowed mother lives at the mill with her son.
In politics Mr. Groh was a stanch Republican. In his religious faith he was a Spiritualist, but believed implicitly in the wisdom and love of the Creator, but he denied the divinity of Christ. He was a man of much intel- lectual vigor, and of great force and simplicity of character. In his con- victions he was firm, but ever tolerant of the opinions of others. In every
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relation of life he practiced the strictest integrity; and his direct and even judgment made his counsel much sought by his associates. He enjoyed a very extensive acquaintance, and had the universal confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
THOMAS EVANS. Among the prominent citizens of Lebanon, Pa., is Thomas Evans, who for twenty years has been closely identified with the iron interests of the Lebanon Valley, and who, though now retired fromn active business, continues his identification with the manufacture of iron as a director in the American Iron and Steel Company.
John B. Evans, his father, was a native of England, and emigrated to America in about 1842. After two years of residence in New York City, he went, about 1844, as far west as Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was joined by his family in the following year. Mr. Evans was a worker in iron. The wife and mother died when our subject was but a boy.
Thomas Evans went to school and passed his boyhood days in Cincinnati. About 1850 he worked in a rolling mill in St. Louis, Mo., and, after two years there, went on a visit to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he learned the trade of roll turner in a rolling mill, remaining for some time in that city. Returning to Cincinnati in April, 1858, he remained there working at his trade until 1859, when he went to Shelby, Ala., there building the first rolling mill ever erected in that State, which mill was put in operation in May, 1860. Mr. Evans operated the plant until the John Brown raid, at that time finding it expedient to return North. In the fall of 1860 he again went South, this time to Ettawa, Ga., where, as superintendent, he took charge of the Ettawa Iron Works, and remained there until May 15, 1861, and again the war sent him North. In the following August, Mr. Evans went to Newport, Ky., to the Swift Iron & Steel Works, where he got up rolls and machinery especially constructed for the manufacture of iron for the protection of the Mississippi river gun boats, being built for the Federal government. During that winter he took charge as manager of the entire plant of the Swift Iron & Steel Works, and manufactured iron for the United States monitors, built at Cincinnati. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the Federal army, and was made captain of Company C, Forty-first Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and served as such for three months. He then returned to the management of the Swift mill, where he continued until 1868. in which year he returned to Cincinnati. In that city he organized a company which was known as the Evans, Clifton Company, and built the Vulcan Rolling Mili and Tube Works, which he operated until December, 1878. and he then again took charge of the Swift
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Works in Newport, Ky. He remained there until 1880, when he came to Pennsylvania, and took charge of the E. & G. Brooks Iron Company, at Birdsborough. In August, 1882, he broke ground in Lebanon for the erection of the works of the Lebanon Iron Company, and in May, of the following year, began the manufacture of iron as the general manager of the above company, in which he was a large owner. and he so continued until the con- pany was merged into the American Iron and Steel Manufacturing Com- pany, in February, 1901, becoming a director in the latter organization.
Mr. Evans has been active in the manufacture of iron since his location in Lebanon, and he was president of the Lebanon Chain Works, which enter- prise, by his genius and knowledge of iron and steel, was made a most suc- cessful venture. He was a director in the Lebanon Electric Street Railway, a director in the Electric Light Company, and is at present a director in the American Ice and Coal Company, of Harrisburg.
Mr. Evans is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Newport, Ky .; Olive Branch Chapter, of the same; and is a member of Reading Commandery, K. T., and of Reading Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
In December, 1872, Mr. Evans was married to Fannie R. Robson, a member of one of the prominent old Kentucky families, whose father was for many years a leading business man of Cincinnati.
MICHAEL M. MOORE, of Millbach, a retired agriculturist and dealer in cattle, horses and mules, carried on his industries in that place for about fifty years. His keen business judgment and his integrity of character have won him the confidence of the community, and he has been influential in the public affairs of Lebanon county.
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