Biographical annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent men and representative citizens and of the early settled families, Part 20

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 20

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BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 171

were: Agnes, the wife of Edward Garrett, of Richmond, Pa .; Rosa, the wife of Harvey Berger, of Lebanon; and John, also of Lebanon. Mr. Geb- hard is a Republican, and he and his family are members of the Salem Lutheran Church of Lebanon. He has been a member of the city council from the First ward, and was county recorder from 1896 to 1900. He has always taken an active part in politics. He is a member of the K. of P. No. 427, and has passed all the chairs. He is one of the successful business men of his city and owns several good houses and lots in Lebanon. He has just erected, a three story building at No. 710 Chestnut street, where he conducts a first- class butcher business, the first floor being a store room, and the other two floors being divided into smaller rooms. He and his family are among the honored and esteemed residents of Lebanon.

JOHN HENRY THOMAS, one of the well-known citizens of Ann- ville, Lebanon county, secretary of the Annville Fire Insurance Company, was born April 24, 1847, in North Annville, son of Adam and Catherine (Shenk) Thomas, the former of whom is a son of Jacob and Christiana (Ensminger) Thomas, the former a well known tailor of Lebanon, Pa., and subsequently a farmer of South Annville township. Adam Thomas was born in Lebanon, Pa., November 23, 1815, and died in Annville, May 19, 1857. The mother of John H. Thomas was born October 4, 1826, and died in Annville January 8, 1901, a daughter of Christian and Anna (Longenecker) Shenk, and a granddaughter of Jacob and Barbara (Brandt) Longenecker. Christian Shenk was a tanner and farmer of North Annville. The children born to Adam Thomas and wife were as follows: John Henry ; Jacob, born October 17, 1848, a resident of Hummelstown, Dauphin county; Adam, born May 5, 1850, a resident of Harrisburg: Annie Mary, who died in infancy : Rosa Anna, born June 3, 1854, died November 13, 1882 ; and Chris- tian, born May 26, 1857, died September 12, 1898. The parents had allied themselves with the Reformed Church. Mr. Thomas was engaged in the butchering business in Annville, where he was known and much respected, and where he fraternized with the order of Odd Fellows.

John Henry Thomas was reared in Annville, and after the death of his father, spent three summers working on a farm, attending school during the winters, and then spent seventeen months as a clerk for C. H. Steinmetz, of Annville, but his guardian then desired him to become a student at the Ann- ville Academy. Completing his academic course, Mr. Thomas supplemented it with a commercial course, and then learned the trade of house painting, which occupation he followed for five years. It was at this date that Mr. Thomas

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began serious preparation for a profession in which he later became so emi- nently successful. Attending night schools, he taught during the daytime and during vacations attended the Normal classes, so fitting himself as an educator that his services were retained continuously in South Annville township for seventeen years, two years in the country and the remainder in town. In 1884 he was elected clerk of the Orphans' Court of Lebanon county, for a term of three years, on the Republican ticket, and later accepted the position of secretary of the Annville Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with which prosperous organization he is yet connected. Mr. Thomas is also a notary public.

On February 15, 1902, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage with Miss Clara S. Stroh, who was born in South Annville, daughter of Michael and Sybilla (Spang) Stroh, of Annville. Fraternally he is connected with Wash- ington Camp, No. 87, P. O. S. A .; and with Mt. Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, F. & A. M. In Annville and vicinity where his life has been passed. Mr. Thomas enjoys universal esteem, being known for his admirable qualities of head and heart. A success as a teacher. he has also capably filled the various other positions with which he has been connected.

JOHN D. CHRISTIAN, who died October 13, 1875. was for many years an honored citizen of Lebanon. He was born July 19, 1820, a son of John and Margaret Christian of Reading, Pa., who were the parents of three children : Henry, deceased, who lived in Philadelphia, and was one of the leading and well known railroad men of his day; Edward, deceased, who was a farmer living near Reading, Pa .; and John D.

John D. Christian was reared on the farm near Reading, Pa., and received his education in the public schools. He was married December 24, 1848, to Miss Mary Ann Goodhart, who was born September 7, 1829, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Newkirk) Goodhart, of Exeter town- ship, Berks Co., Pa. They had the following named children: William G., of Lebanon, who married Adda E. Christ: Amanda P., who is the wife of Samuel Shirk, of Lebanon; and Emma H., the wife of Luther F. Hanck. an attorney of Lebanon. Mrs. Christian was one of a family of ten children, named as follows: Mary Ann, widow of our subject: John N., of Berks county ; Reuben, deceased; Henrietta, of Reading; Amelia, deceased : Lovesia, deceased; Catherine, the widow of Isaac Boyer, of Reading; Louisa. the wife of Daniel Heehn, of Mt. Penn; Elizabeth, the widow of Josiah Ruth; and William F., of Exeter, Berks Co., Pa. John D. Christian was a Protestant, and was very liberal in his religious views. He was a stanch

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Democrat of the old school, and took an active part in politics. He was a Mason of good standing, and was also a member of the I. O. O. F. He started out in life a very poor boy, received his schooling in the local schools, and worked himself up to be the general supervisor of the Reading Road, which position he held for many years before his death, and at the time of his death had been with the company for forty years. He was a man with natural business qualities, a sound mind, and one that stood high in the esteem of his fellow men. He gave employment to many hundreds of men, and was well liked by all. He was kind-hearted and in sympathy with the poor, and was a kind husband, and much devoted to his children.

JEROME KLOPP, member of the well known grain, coal and lumber firm of A. C. Klopp's Sons, and one of the substantial business men of Sheri- dan, was born Dec. 20, 1843, on a farm in Marion township, Berks county, son of A. C. and Sarah (Loose) Klopp, deceased, natives of Berks county, Pa., where the father was born January 27, 1820, and his wife in 1823, in Myers- town, Lebanon Co., Pa., while his death occurred February 10, 1901.

A. C. Klopp was the son of John Adam Klopp, a native of Berks county, a farmer and the son of German parents, who were among the early settlers of that county. John Adam Klopp was the father of the following children : Samuel, Benneville, Adam C., Eli, Jonathan, Benjamin, John, Sarah and Eliza. Sarah married John Conrad, and Eliza married John Sheetz, and all are now deceased. The father of our subject was a farmer in early life, but later became a lumber and coal dealer at Stouchsburg, Berks Co., Pa., and Sheridan, Lebanon county. Politically he was a stanch Republican, and a leading member of the Reformed Church, serving as elder, deacon and trustee of the latter. He married Miss Sarah Loose, of Lebanon county, in IS42, a daughter of John and Magdalena (Fisher) Loose, also of Lebanon county, old and highly respected residents of that locality. Five children were born to these parents, three of whom grew to maturity : Jerome; A. C., of the firm of A. C. Klopp's Sons; and Rebecca P. Mr. Klopp was one of the leading business men of Berks and Lebanon counties, and a man widely known throughout the State.

Jerome Klopp was reared in Lebanon county, on his father's farm in Jackson township, and attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and later had the advantage of a course at the Stouchsburg and Myerstown academies. After completing his education he taught school for three years, and then settled on a farm where he remained eight years. At this time a partnership with his father and brother was offered him, and he entered the

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firm of A. C. Klopp & Sons at Stouchsburg, in 1876, and later made his home at Sheridan, where a branch was established. Upon the death of the father, the style was changed to A. C. Klopp's Sons, which firm is one of the leaders in the grain, coal and lumber line in Lebanon county. Fraternally Mr. Klopp is a member of the K. of P. lodge of Myerstown, in which he is very popular, and also of the Golden Rule lodge of Good Fellows of Stouchs- burg.

Mr. Klopp was married December 25, 1866, to Eliza Katharine Groh, daughter of Josiah and Mary (Loose) Groli, of Berks county, prominent people of that locality. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Groh: Katie, who married our subject; Samuel H., who married Susan Huyert, of Marion township, Berks Co., Pa .; Amelia, married to Adam Huyert of Host, Berks Co., Pa .; and Alice, who married George Hain, of Jackson township, a farmer. The following family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Klopp: Henry I., of West Borough, Mass., a physician of the State Hospital, who married Bessie L. Stump; Charles G., a clerk of Philadelphia, who married Mary A. Smith ; Minnie O., at home, a graduate of Albright, class of 1899, a talented young lady ; and Anna M., the youngest, deceased. Mr. Klopp is a stanch Republican, although not an office seeker, while taking a very active interest in local affairs. For a number of years he has been a leading member of the Reformed Church, in which he has been deacon and secretary. Mr. Klopp and his family have long been important factors in the social life of Sheridan, as he is in commercial circles, and all are highly esteemed by all who know them.

MAURICE F. HIGH. There are few men in Pennsylvania who possess a more thorough knowledge of the nut and bolt manufacturing busi- ness than Maurice F. High, assistant superintendent of the American Iron & Steel Company, formerly the Pennsylvania Bolt & Nut Company. For thirty years he has been gathering information regarding his chosen line of activity, having started from the bottom, and worked his way through every department of the works. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and was born in Berks county, December 10. 1853, in which county his great-grandfather settled in the very early days, after emigrating from Switzerland. His par- ents were Jeremiah and Henrietta (Bartlett) High, and his grandfather was Jacob High, a well known farmer of Berks county. Jeremiah High became the father of nine children, among whom were: Mary, the widow of William Ganster, of Berks county; John, of Reading: Catherine, wife of James Parker, of Reading : Maurice F. ; Elmira; Sarah ; Rebecka; and Calvin.

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When two years of age Maurice F. High was taken by his parents to Reading, Pa., where he was educated in the public schools. The family resources seem not to have been sufficient for the maintenance of all the chil- dren, and the youthful Maurice began to be self-supporting when eleven years of age. For about two years he filled the position of office boy for Dr. Brown, a dentist of Reading, after which he entered the employ of J. H. Sternberg, a nut and bolt manufacturer. His first work in trying to learn the business was as a nut burrer, and he remained with the concern for about ten years, making steady progress in the various departments, and at the end became a nut and bolt maker. He was fortunate in being selected by the firm to go to San Francisco with three nut machines built by the Sternberg firm, and on the Pacific slope he was employed for six years by the Pacific Rolling Mill Company. Upon returning to Lebanon in 1882, he became identified with the Pennsylvania Nut & Bolt Company, as foreman, and was thus employed until the company became known as the American Iron & Steel Company, when he became assistant superintendent. His position is a responsible one, and represents years of application, and an honest endeavor to place himself at the head of the captains of this particularly useful industry.

In 1883 Mr. High was united in marriage to his first wife, Alice Moore, sister of Charles A. Moore, a fruit and fish merchant of Lebanon, and daughter of William and Elizabeth Moore, of Lebanon. Mrs. High, who died in 1891, was the mother of three living children, Elizabeth, Frederick S. and Elmira. On October 10, 1900, Mr. High married Minnie G. Thomas, of Lebanon county. a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Yingst) Thomas, also of Lebanon county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were : Mary, Alice, Cora, Sallie, Adancia, and Minnie L. Mr. High is a Republi- can in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fratern- ally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 121, and the Order of Elks, No. 631, of Lebanon. Himself and wife are well and favorably known in Lebanon, where they have many friends, and enjoy an enviable popularity.

CLAYTON P. SAYLOR, a prominent citizen and carriage manu- facturer of Annville, proprietor of the extensive carriage works of J. L. Saylor & Son, and a director in the Lebanon County Trust Company, of Lebanon, was born in Annville, August 2, 1860. Peter Saylor, the great- grandfather, who was an early settler of Swatara township, Lebanon county, married Elizabeth Miller, and they had issue as follows : John, David, Jacob,

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Samuel and four daughters. Of these children, John Saylor, the grandfather, was born March 22, 1804, in Swatara township. He married Sarah Lerch, who was born in 1807, and they had children as follows: John L., Daniel, Elizabeth, Adam, David L., Elias and William.

John L. Saylor, the father, was born February 7, 1834, in Swatara township, and attended the public schools. He learned carriage-making, engaging in the business in Annville, in 1866, which he conducted on a large scale-by himself, until 1882, when he admitted as a partner his son, C. P. Saylor. In 1897 he retired from active life, the business of J. L. Saylor & Son passing to the son. On August 25, 1857, John L. Saylor married Ellen J, Freylinghausen, of Jonestown, Pa., and to them were born children as follows: Laura E., Clayton P., George Mc., Anna M., Olivia G., Ellen J., Sally, Mabel W., Bryon C., Clyde J. and Roger E.

Clayton P. Saylor was reared in Annville, and attended the public schools, later spending two years at the Lebanon Valley College. At the age of twenty-one years he entered his father's carriage works, and became a partner in 1882, and, as noted above, succeeded in 1897 to the business, which he has successfully carried on to the present time. Mr. Saylor manu- factures "anything on springs," and also does general repairing, his trade coming from Lebanon, Harrisburg and other neighboring cities, as well as the vicinity. Mr. Saylor was one of the organizers of the Bedford Ice Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer and was also one of the organizers of the Lebanon County Trust Company, of which he is a director. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.

THEODORE P. FRANTZ is an honored representative of one of Leba- non county's oldest and most honored families, and he established the furni- ture business now carried on by his son in the city of Lebanon during the 'forties.

The family of which Mr. Frantz is a member was first represented in Lebanon in the person of Daniel Frantz, who was a native of Berks county, Pa., born August 18, 1792, and died in Lebanon December 12, 1839. He was a son of Daniel and Maria Frantz, and the family were residing at Reading at the time of his death. Daniel Frantz was but a young man when he came to Lebanon, and he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he was for many years a familiar figure in the city. He married November 8, 1821, Elizabeth Greenawalt, who was born in Lebanon in 1795, and whose death occurred August 4, 1856. She was the daughter of Capt. John Philip Greenawalt, who was born in Lebanon county, then a part of Lancaster,

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was one of the leading farmers of his section throughout his lifetime, and a man whom tradition records as being possessed of many noble attributes. His title of captain was received from his having been the leader of a com- pany during the war for Independence. His father was Philip Lawrence Greenawalt. a native of Germany, who came to this country early in the eighteenth century, and settled in Lancaster county, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life. He also was a prominent figure in the Revolutionary struggle, having held the rank of colonel in the American army, his com- mission bearing date of July 1, 1776, issued by the authority of the "Supreme Executive Council of the Commonalty of Pennsylvania." He was colonel of the First Battalion of militia of Lancaster county. He was, as will be sup- posed, a very loyal supporter of the cause, and besides giving his own services to the government, expended a large sum of money in providing for the troops. This sum, which at that time represented many times its present value, exceeded $35,000, which he expended for clothing and food for his men and horses. Congress reimbursed him for this expenditure, but in the worthless currency of the time, which was never redeemed. Thus the colonel lost the full amount. The records of such deeds should receive careful attention from the hands of the historian, as the inside history of the great struggle for independence proves without a doubt that the cause would have been lost had it not been for such self-sacrificing patriots. Such men as Robert Morris and Col. Greenawalt not only made it possible to carry on the fight at the critical time when fighting was necessary, but by their uncomplaining and generous conduct after the war made it possible for the government to strug- gle along through the dark period immediately subsequent. Had those who advanced funds been so disposed they could have so harassed the government that the fruits of victory might have been swallowed up in financial ruin. A copy of the document which constituted the commission of Col. Greena- walt, together with some of the Continental money, is in the possession of Theodore P. Frantz, of Lebanon, who prizes it as a sacred reminder that his ancestor was not found wanting in patriotic spirit in the "days that tried men's souls." The home of Col. Greenawalt was within the city limits of what is now Lebanon, but which during his time was in Lancaster county.

Capt. John Philip Greenawalt married Catherine Shaffner, who was born in Lebanon, daughter of the keeper of the "Buck House," which was for many years a landmark in Lebanon. It stood opposite the court house, now the "Central Hotel," on the corner of Eighth and Cumberland streets, and at its old watering trough a very pretty little scene occurred, in which the great Washington and Catherine Shaffner were the chief actors. It showed the

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kindness of heart of the maiden and the gracious magnanimity of the griz- zled man of war. It was in the fall of the year, when Washington was on his way to Valley Forge, his route being through Lebanon. Tired and thirsty he drew rein at the trough, and sat in deep meditation while the horse was drinking. Suddenly the stillness was broken by a soft voice at his elbow, and turning, he met the courtesy of little Catherine Shaffner, who held up to him a sparkling glass of wine. Bowing graciously, the General quaffed it off, and then removing one of the cockades from his hat, handed it to her with warm words of thanks for her kindness. This memento of the occasion remained in the possession of the family for many years, but was finally mis- laid and lost.

To Daniel and Elizabeth (Greenawalt) Frantz came the following named children : Uriah (deceased). Catherine Elizabeth (deceased), Theodore Philip, Lydia G., Daniel, Edmond and Charles S., all of whom were born in Lebanon. In 1862 Charles S. enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Greenawalt, and saw service at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and in other engagements.

Theodore P. Frantz, born February 25, 1828, was reared in Lebanon, where he received a good common school education. As he approached man- hood he was apprenticed to the cabinetmaker's trade in Philadelphia, in 1844, and in 1847 set up a shop for himself in Lebanon. From this time on until 1878 he was engaged continuously at the furniture business, retiring then in favor of his son, Daniel A., who had assumed control. During the war Mr. Frantz served in the construction corps of the Union army for fifteen months, building bridges in Virginia, Tennessee and other Southern States. Later he served as a member of Capt. Ulrich's company of emergency troops. He has always been notably public-spirited. and has been especially interested in the fire department of his native place, being now the oldest active fireman in the State of Pennsylvania. The Perseverance Fire Company of Lebanon, to which he belongs, was organized in 1848, and he is the last survivor of those who took part in its organization. He was the company's first treas- urer, was chief for one year, has been president and is now vice-president, and he has often gone as delegate to the firemen's State conventions. Though seventy-five years of age Mr. Frantz is always among the first to rally at the tap of the bell.

Socially Mr. Frantz has been quite prominent in the Masonic fraternity. belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery and Mystic Shrine. and he has been active in all these bodies. For twenty-three years he served as tyler in the various lodges, and he has attended several State conclaves,

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and the national conclaves held at Baltimore, Washington, Denver and Boston. He also affiliates with the Sons of America. Mr. Frantz is a Democrat in political sentiment, but he takes no active interest in party affairs.

On October 10, 1848, Theodore P. Frantz was married to Susan C. Gutelius, who was born in Lebanon November 4. 1828, daughter of John P. Gutelius, a native of Lancaster county. Mr. Gutelius was a hatter, and followed his trade for a number of years in Lebanon, then removing to Bluff- ton, Ind., where he died. He married Mariah' Arndt, a native of Lebanon, where she died before his removal to the west, the mother of two daughters, Susan C. and Margaret. To Theodore P. Frantz and his wife were born the following children: Catherine E., deceased; John G., deceased; Gertrude ; Maria; Daniel A., who is mentioned elsewhere; Lily, deceased; William T., in the furnishing business in Lebanon : Jacob Arndt, a salesman in Lebanon; Charles, who is in the men's furnishing business in Lebanon ; and Edwin, a salesman. Mr. and Mrs. Frantz are members of St. John's Reformed church, of which he was treasurer for ten years, and has been a trustee for fifteen years.

REV. ISAAC H. ALBRIGHT, PH. D., was born in Cumberind county, Pa., April 9, 1853. His parents were Michael and Fannie ( Hints- berger) Albright, who were of German descent. They had three sons and one daughter, Isaac H. being the eldest child. Until nineteen years old the subject of this sketch worked on the farm, studying at the public and preparatory schools and teaching school for one term before he entered col- lege. In 1872 he matriculated at the Lebanon Valley College, Annville. Pa., and graduated at the head of his class in 1876, receiving the degree of A. B. He continued his studies under private instructors for several years, devoting much time to the German and Hebrew languages and completed his master course in 1879, receiving at that time the degree of A. M. He entered college with the intention of subsequently pursuing a medical course. but becoming a Christian early in his college course he changed his plans and entered the ministry of the United Brethren in Christ, in 1876. In his young manhood he married Miss Kate Uhler, of Derry Church. Pa., a daughter of George and Mary Uhler. They have five children : John W., Mary Bertha, George H., William O. and Isaac H.

Rev. Albright's first charge was Manheim, Pa .. where he remained three years. His next appointment was Florin, Pa., where he also preached for three years. He then was assigned to Mt. Wolf, Pa., in which place he resided three years. From there he went to the First Church of York, Pa.

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He carried on a most successful pastorate in that place for five years, during which time he built the Third Church, which church Jacob Allison paid for. He also erected the Fourth Church in the eastern part of the same city. These are now flourishing congregations.

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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 20

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