Biographical annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent men and representative citizens and of the early settled families, Part 19

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 946

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 19

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Mr. Moore was born December 18, 1832, on the old family homestead near Millbach, and comes of a fine old Pennsylvania-Dutch family. His great-grandfather, John George Moore, the first representative of the family in America, came from Holland some time between 1720 and 1730, and first settled in Schoharie county, N. Y. Prior to 1730 he moved to Millcreek township, Lebanon Co., Pa., and there secured from John, Thomas and Richard Penn a tract of wild land. He cleared it, erected good buildings, and improved it in other respects, making in time a good home for himself, where he passed many fruitful years of his life. He was the father of four children : John (who is mentioned below), Elizabeth. Catherine and Rebecca. Mr. Moore was a strong, energetic man, and as a pioneer of Lebanon county was influential in establishing a good government, and in developing the resources of the section.

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John Moore, son of John George, and grandfather of Michael M., was a resident of Millcreek township for many years, and was there reared to farm work. Upon reaching manhood he married Elizabeth Moyer, and their nine children were: John, Monroe, Michael, George, Jonathan (who is mentioned below), Henry, Philip, Mary and Eve. The father of these children engaged in agricultural work in Millcreek township, and carried on a successful industry for many years, as a wise business manager receiving good financial returns for his labor. He took an intelligent interest in the public affairs of his day, and in politics was a strong Jeffersonian Democrat.

Jonathan Moore, father of Michael M., was, like his predecessors, a prosperous agriculturist of Millbach. In a well regulated home he received careful rearing, and in the public schools of his neighborhood a good prac- tical education. Both environment and inclination led him upon reaching manhood to engage in agriculture, and he early purchased an attractive farm within a quarter of a mile of Millbach, where he settled and continued his pursuit. About 1830 he erected on this place some fine new buildings, which are now in the possession of his son. John M. Other improvements followed, and he in time had one of the most valuable farms in the county. Meeting with success, he continued in that line for the most part throughout his business life. He was practical, progressive and thorough in his work, and stood high among thie agriculturists of his section, where he was quite influ- ential. About 1820 Mr. Moore married Katherine Miller, and of this union there were three children: John M., a retired farmer and watchmaker of Millbach; Michael M., who is mentioned below; and Elizabeth, who died in childhood.

Mr. Moore possessed all those sterling traits of character that go into the making of a strong, vigorous man-a large capacity for work, high ideals, and the energy that goes out to attain them. In public affairs he always evinced a keen interest, and in politics affiliated with the Democrats. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and a substantial member of the Reformed Church.

Michael M. Moore passed his early life in a comfortable, well-ordered home in Millcreek township, and in the steady performance of rural pur- suits received thorough training for life's activities. In the public schools of his vicinity he gained a good rudimentary education, and there developed habits of industry and alertness of much value to him in later life. On December 7, 1851, Mr. Moore married Henrietta Weigley, who was born in April, 1828, in Jackson township, daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Miller) Weigley, pioneer settlers of that township, who had a family of ten children,

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all now deceased. Mrs. Moore, who was a devoted wife and mother, died April 21, 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born three children : Miller Adam, a blacksmith of Millbach; Jonathan W., who is a dealer in coal at Sheridan; and Andrew P., a cigar manufacturer of Richland. Of these, Jonathan W. and Andrew P. are mentioned below. Miller A. Moore was born October 21, 1852, and married Emma C. Smith, daughter of Dr. Seth K. Smith, of Newmanstown, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania.

After his marriage Mr. Moore settled in Millbach and engaged in farmi- ing. Wise management and patient industry crowned his efforts with suc- cess, and he continued in that line for many years. About 1855, in addition to his other business, he began to speculate in cattle, horses and mules, giving the latter his chief attention. A perfect knowledge of thoroughbreds enabled him to detect at a glance a good animal, and he seldom made a mistake in a purchase. Perfectly fair in his dealings with others, he soon worked up a large trade, which steadily increased from year to year, and, deriving a good income from the business, he continued it for over forty years, over all the eastern part of Pennsylvania, closing out in 1896, when he retired from active work. He has prospered in all his undertakings in life, and now, in his seventy-first year, is availing himself of well-earned leisure.

Mr. Moore is a man of marked integrity, and possesses a quiet dignity that commands the respect of even casual observers. He is absolutely honest, abstemious in his habits, generous in business, and sympathetic toward the unfortunate. The Reformed Church of Millbach counts him among its influ- ential members, and for over forty years he has faithfully served as treasurer. His wife was also an esteemed member of that church for many years. Throughout his long life he has always evinced an ardent interest in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of the community. Politically he is a strong Democrat.

JONATHAN W. MOORE, dealer in coal at Sheridan, Lebanon county, is one of the leading business men of Millcreek township. He was born March 15, 1855, at Millbach, that township, and remained there until the age of sixteen years, during which time he had gained an excellent com- mon-school education under Hiram L. Illig. Then he entered Albright Col- lege, at Myerstown, where he remained for two years, and then began as a clerk in the store of Allen Weigley, at Myerstown. Here Mr. Moore remained about twelve months, and then took a short trip to Virginia, after which he returned to his home and resumed clerking. this time in the store

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of J. A. Weigley, at Richland, remaining in this capacity for eighteen months. In June, 1873, he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, as assistant agent at Sheridan, Pa., and filled the duties of that position for five years, during which period he was appointed agent pro tem. at Sheridan, serving three months. He was next appointed station and express agent and telegraph operator at Sellersville, Bucks county, con- tinuing there two years. He was then transferred to Wernersville, Berks county, as station agent and telegraph operator, and Atlantic steamship line agent, filling this position for two years. Mr. Moore then returned to Sheri- dan, and became station and express agent and telegraph operator, a position he most efficiently filled for eleven years. One year, from July 13, 1888, to July 13, 1889, in connection with the Philadelphia & Reading agency, Mr. Moore was bonded for $20,000 by the City Trust Safe Deposit & Surety Company, of Philadelphia, in a pig iron transaction between his employers and William M. Kaufman & Co. This position he filled with credit. In 1892, after twenty years of service with the company, he resigned and embarked in a coal business at Sheridan, where he has been successfully engaged ever since.

Since May 1, 1903, Mr. Moore, besides attending to his coal business, has been connected with the Pennsylvania Furnace Company, of Sheridan, Pa., and has full charge of all their properties, viz. : two blast furnaces, twenty-five tenement houses and a farm.

In 1882 Mr. Moore was married by Rev. Charles H. Leinbach, to Mary R. Kaufman, daughter of Z. M. Kaufman, who was at one time one of the leading men in Lebanon county, manager of the Sheridan Furnace, and mem- ber of the firm of William Kaufman & Co., manufacturers of pig iron. This company, through its industries, built up the village of Sheridan, and owned almost all of the property. The Kaufmans were long regarded among the important manufacturers of the State. Two children, Elsi K., and Lulu, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, the last named dying in childhood. Mrs. Moore belonged to a family of five children. the other members being : John K., of Reading; Sallie, wife of Henry Mellen, a hotel-keeper of Sheridan; Katherine, the postmistress of Sheridan; and Clara, deceased.

In politics Mr. Moore is identified with the Republican party, but he has never accepted public office. In November, 1895, he served six weeks as juryman in the United States Courts (Eastern district), Philadelphia, Pa. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Chandler Lodge, No. 227, of Reading, Chapter No. 152, De Molay Commandery, No. 9,

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Knights Templar. He is a member of the Tulpehocken Reformed Church (of which Rev. Charles H. Leinbach is pastor ). and is one of the honorable, reliable and much respected citizens of his locality.

ANDREW P. MOORE, a well known cigar manufacturer at Richland Station, whose handsome residence stands at the corner of Railroad and Main streets, has been engaged in his line for seventeen years, and is now con- sidered one of the solid business men of the place. Dealing in only first- grade articles, his establishment is considered thoroughly reliable, and does the largest business of any similar factory in its section of the country.

Mr. Moore was born at Millbach, August 30, 1858. Reared in Millbach, he there early entered the public schools, where his alertness of intellect and studious habits at once manifested themselves. Ambitious for a higher edu- cation, he later attended the Palatinate College, now known as Albright College, at Myerstown, finishing his work there about 1880, and also attend- ing the Millersville State Normal School. Thus it may be seen that he spared himself neither time, hard work nor money in preparing for life's activities. Facing the stern problems of life, he decided to engage in business, and going to Richland, Pa., he entered the establishment of Klopp & Kegerreis, and began learning the business of cigarmaking. Strict attention to business and a well trained intellect enabled him in a short time to master the details of his work, and he afterward continued there for several years. Then, in 1886, he opened a cigar factory of his own in Richland. Thorough knowledge of the work, and sound business judgment, enabled him to make a success of the industry from the start. Manufacturing good articles, he had little if any difficulty in securing a place for them on the market, and he soon worked up a large trade. From year to year he has enlarged the business, and he is now employing thirty hands in his factory. His cigars are of the best five and ten cent brands, and win a reputation for excellence wherever they are sold. The industry has long yielded a large income, and Mr. Moore is now considered one of the solid business men of Richland. Besides the factory he owns one of the finest residences in the city.

Mr. Moore is one of the most intelligent and progressive men of Rich- land. He has traveled extensively, across the country and through many of the States of the Union. With the topics of the day he is thoroughly con- versant, and as a stanch Republican he takes an active interest in politics. Reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, he is now a leading member of same at Millbach. He is a man of abstemious habits, and possesses to a marked degree the other family traits-energy, honesty and sound judgment.

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In 1879 Mr. Moore married Fannie Frank, and they have one child, Gertrude F. William Frank, Sr., father of Mrs. Moore, comes of an old and honorable family of North Annville township, and he is still a resident of Richland. He had a family of five children : Adaline, now a resident of Myerstown; D. R., who resides in Richland: Fannie, Mrs. Moore; William; and Lizzie.

DANIEL WEAVER, a successful business man of Avondale, Lebanon county, and a member of one of the well known families of that locality, was born at Millbach, Millcreek township, this county, May 30. 1861, son of John and Susannah (Shower) Weaver, who were born and reared in Leb- anon and Berks counties, respectively.

By calling the father was a farmer, and he became one of the successful men of his township. The following children were born to himself and wife: John, a farmer of Lebanon county: Henry, a mechanic, of Reading, Pa .; Samuel, an engineer at Avondale; Sarah, unmarried; Elizabeth, who married Eli Furistim: Mary, deceased, who married Samuel Gibble; and Daniel. John Weaver, the father, was a son of John Weaver, a blacksmith, located between Myerstown and Richland.

Daniel Weaver was the eldest son in the above family, and was reared in Millcreek township. At the age of twenty-four years he began farming on seventy acres of land in Lancaster county, where he remained eight years. At the expiration of this time he went to Millbach and rented a farm, but later removed to South Annville township and farmed in that locality for two years. His next home was West Myerstown, where he remained three years, engaged in conducting a butcher shop and market, and at the end of that time began the manufacture of the famous bologna sausage. His efforts in this direction were commenced on a small scale, by the purchase of about 200 pounds of beef, which he smoked in the garret with the fire contained in an iron kettle. From this primitive beginning has grown a business of great magnitude, the plant now comprising twenty-six large smokehouses and a large drying house, its capacity being fifty tons. In conjunction with this plant there is a large icehouse and cold storage equip- ment, and the factory has a fifty-horse-power boiler. two steam engines and a gasoline engine; a dynamo for making the electric light used in the estab- lishment and for pumping power : a steam stuffer of 100 pounds force, and a No. 66 grinder. The daily product of the factory averages about six tons. and employment is given to fifteen people outside of the family. This estab- lishment has been built up through the efforts of Mr. Weaver since 1897.

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In addition to this plant proper Mr. Weaver has erected six good frame houses, and has a little village of his own about him, which is known as Avondale. He also owns a farm of thirty-five acres, surrounding the plant ; a farm of 170 acres in Dauphin county, Pa., which is well improved; a small property of fifteen acres at West Myerstown; a farm of eighty-three acres east of Avondale, in North Lebanon township; and a small property near his plant. In 1900 he established a branch plant at Rochester, N. Y., for the purpose of manufacturing bologna sausage. In addition to these many interests, Mr. Weaver owns a steam crusher, with which he crushes stone for the city of Lebanon. Although he started out in life a poor man, through good management, industry and thrift he has accumulated a handsome for- tune, and is one of the substantial men of Lebanon county. The inside busi - ness of the establishment is attended to by his son, John S. Weaver. Our subject is treasurer of the Weaverstown Water Company, which was organ- ized January 29, 1903, with a capital of $10,000, to furnish water from a spring on Mr. Weaver's farm, having a capacity of 138 gallons per minute, to Avon, Hebron and East Lebanon. Mr. Weaver has been the main factor in the organization of this company.

On March 24, 1881, Mr. Weaver was married to Sarah Smith, who was born near Iona, in South Lebanon township, October 23, 1862. They have had children as follows: John S., Jacob, Henry, Caroline, Leslie, Paul, Mary, Nathan, Martin, Sarah, Daniel (deceased) and Emma. The parents are members of the German Baptist Bretliren Church, in which they take an active part. Mr. Weaver is a Republican in politics. He possesses won- derful executive ability, and his success has been accomplished through legitimate means, and his trade is built upon the sound foundation of merit and integrity.

DAVID F. RANK. farmer of Union township, Lebanon county, was born in Jonestown, Lebanon Co., Pa., November 7, 1844, a son of David and Mary M. (Seltzer) Rank.

The earliest record of the Rank family shows that John Rank married a Mrs. Furnesler, and their children were: Thomas, Elizabeth. Maria, David, Amos and John.

David Rank, father of David F., was born in Jonestown, where he grew to manhood, and first engaged in the mercantile business. He subsequently became a lumber and coal merchant, and so continued until his retirement in 1861 or 1862, after which he gave his attention to his banking interests until his death, which took place July 20, 1875. He was a director in the Lebanon

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National Bank. David Rank married Miss Mary M. Seltzer, a native of Jonestown, and the daughter of Michael and Sarah (Schaeffer) Seltzer. To this union three children were born: Emily, Michael and David F.

David F. Rank was reared in Jonestown, where he attended the public schools, and he later went to Nazareth Hall, in Northampton county, where he remained for three years. The succeeding eighteen months he spent at Gettysburg preparatory school, and in 1863 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-sixth P. V. I., and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. After his discharge he entered Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1867. Following this Mr. Rank entered the law office of John Linn, of New York City, was admitted to the Bar of New York in 1869, and continued in active practice until 1890. In that year he located in Jonestown, but for the past thirteen years he has made his home upon his farm, one and one-half miles north of the village. In politics Mr. Rank has always been a Democrat, but not an office seeker, although in the fall of 1902 he was elected county commissioner for Lebanon county by a flattering majority of 3,200, and has very acceptably served in that capacity.

Mr. Rank was married to Miss May Groat, a daughter of Frederick J. and Mary Groat, of New York City, on April 6, 1875. Seven children have been born to this union : David A., who is deceased; Frederick; Mary Juanita, deceased ; Thomas J .; Alma C .; Natalie P .; and Michael Seltzer. Mr. Rank is one of the representative men of his township, a power in local politics, and very progressive, thoroughly alive to the best interests of the community. and a general favorite.

DANIEL P. GERBERICH. M. D., a well known and successful phy- sician of Lebanon county, was born October 1, 1855, in East Hanover town- ship, Lebanon county, son of Daniel U. and Catherine (Boeshore) Gerberich.

The Gerberich family is of German extraction, Andrew Gerberich, the great-great-grandfather of Dr. Gerberich, having been a native of Western Germany. From there he came to the United States in 1727, and located in Lancaster county, Pa. Henry Gerberich, son of Andrew, was also a farmer in Pennsylvania, and lived to the age of eighty-three. The family has for generations shown remarkable vigor, the great-grandfather living to the age of ninety-two, while a number of the other members of the family have long survived the Psalmist's limit.

Daniel U. Gerberich, father of Dr. Gerberich, was born in East Hanover township. Lebanon county, and passed his life there engaged in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years. The

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mother of Dr. Gerberich was born in Union township, Lebanon county, daughter of Thomas Boesliore, who was a direct descendant of an old Hugue- not family, which was driven at the time of the edict from France into Ger- many, and later found a quiet home in America. Mrs. Gerberich died in 1896, at the age of sixty-four years. A family of twelve children came to Daniel U. Gerberich and his wife, of whom seven survive: Alfred, who graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, was a successful teacher and a physician of standing in Annville, Lebanon county, at the time of his death, when he was twenty-three years of age. Daniel Philip is the subject of this biography. Morris B. graduated from the Lockhaven Normal School, and later from Hahnemann Medical College, in Philadelphia, is now a physician and public official of Lebanon, serving his second term as president of the city council. Grant was principal of the high school at South Annville, and is now superintendent of the public schools of Johnsonburg, Pa. Edward and Francis are both farmers in Union township. Harvey, who was a clerk in Lebanon, is taking a course in medi- cine in the Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. Kate married Harvey Loser, a merchant in Annville.

Daniel Philip Gerberich belongs to a family which is noted for its edu- cational attainments. His early schooling was obtained in his own neigh- borhood, and when but sixteen years old he became a teacher, following the profession for eight years, all in Lebanon county but one year, when he was engaged in Schuylkill county. He spent eighteen weeks at Palatinate College, Myerstown, and supplemented every educational advantage with private study, gaining in this way a permanent State certificate. Dr. Ger- berich spent his younger years, when not engaged in teaching, at farm work. Under the late Dr. William Grumbine, of Annville, le read medicine, and took one course in old school practice, later entering Hahnemann Medical College, in Philadelphia, graduating March 12, 1881. After three years in practice at Myerstown, Dr. Gerberich moved to Lebanon, since which time his energies have been fully employed in caring for a large aud constantly in- creasing practice.

Dr. Gerberich is well known as an instructor, and has served as medical preceptor for eighteen students, his preparation being so thorough and careful that the standing of his pupils at College has reflected great credit upon him. For three years he served the county as coroner's physician, and he is valued as a consulting physician for a number of institutions. Dr. Ger- berich belongs to the State Homeopathic Medical Society. Fraternally le

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belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Mystic Shrine, and is a past officer in the various bodies.

On April 6, 1882, Dr. Gerberich was united in marriage with Miss Susan L. Hinterleiter, a native of Berks county, Pa., and one son has come to this union. Guy Asher, born May 25, 1883, who is a graduate of the Lebanon high school, and has entered Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadelphia, preparing for the medicai profession. Dr. Gerberich and family are mem- bers of the Salem Lutheran church. He is a Republican, but no politician, though he has been twice elected delegate to State conventions. The Doctor has been quite an extensive traveler. having visited every State and Territory in the Union, but three, besides Cuba, the Bermuda Islands, Mexico and Canada.

HENRY L. GEBHARD is a resident and thrifty merchant of Lebanon, Pa .. where he was born March 3, 1850, a son of Edward and Mary (Louser) Gebhard. deceased.

Edward Gebhard was born in 18:5. a son of George Gebhard, a farmer and one of the old settlers of Lebanon county, and he died April 12, 1899. His trade was that of a hatter, but he also was one of the leading butchers of Lebanon for thirty-five years. To Edward and Mary (Louser) Gebhard were born eleven children: Miss Maria, of Lebanon; Susan, the wife of John Embrick, of Lebanon; Sarah, the wife of Solomon Stine, of Lebanon; Eliza, the wife of Otimus Wilhelm, of Wilmington, Del .; Edward G., a butcher, who died at Cornwall, Pa., November 6. 1901; Henry L .; Emma, who became the wife of Henry Fortner of Lebanon; Katherine, the wife of William Swape, of Lebanon; the other children died when young. Edward Gebhard started out in life a poor boy but he became one of the leading citizens of Lebanon, and when he died he owned about thirty houses and lots in that city. He was a stanch Republican, and a true Christian citizen.

Henry L. Gebhard was reared in Lebanon and received his education in the city schools. As a boy he learned the butcher's business in his father's shop. On December 17, 1875, he was married to Miss Katherine D. Linder- muth, of Lebanon county, who was born in 1855, a daughter of Samuel and Katherine Lindermuth. This marriage has been blessed with eleven children, seven of whom are living: William L., who now works with his father in the shop; Charles E., a teller in the Lebanon National Bank: Harry G., a butcher working with his father; Lillian T .; Catherine M .; Maria B .; and J. Allen, who is the youngest ; the rest died in infancy. Mrs. Gebhard was the second in her father's family of children. Her brothers and sisters

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Biographical annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent men and representative citizens and of the early settled families, Part 19

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 946

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 946