Biographical annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent men and representative citizens and of the early settled families, Part 23

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 23

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During the Civil war Mr. Miller served as a corporal of Company A. Eleventh Pennsylvania Militia. He served in the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1877 and in 1878, was in the Lebanon Council for two terms when the borough government existed, and was president of the last council before the form of government was changed to that of the city, he being largely instrumental in bringing about that change. Our subject has also shown a deep and helpful interest in educational matters, having been a member of the school board for a number of years. In religious affiliations he was an active member of Zion's Lutheran Church, covering a period of forty- three years, and was treasurer of the congregation for twenty-seven years of that time. He also served a long period as superintendent of the Sunday School. Our subject now worships in Old Salem Lutheran Church, where he has charge of the home department and visitors' class in the Sunday School. Fraternally he affiliates with the A. O. U. W. In his political senti- ments he is a Republican.

Mr. Miller was married, August 17, 1855, to Rosanna, daughter of George and Catherine Early. This lady is a native of East Hanover, Dauphin Co., Pa., where she was born March 17, 1834. She has borne her husband the following children : Luther Henry, deceased in 1900, at the age of thirty- two years ; Mary Alice, at home; Charles Augustus, who died when thirteen months old; Emma Elizabeth, married to John K. Royal, city treasurer of Harrisburg, Pa., who has two children, John D. and Elizabeth: Lincoln

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Early, a dentist at Wrightsville, Pa., who married Lulu Slike, and has one daughter, Margaret ; and Rosa Jane, who became Mrs. W. H. Clark, of Lebanon, Pa., and has one daughter, Kathryn.

ELIAS H. HARTZ, one of the well-known citizens of Palmyra, was born August 6, 1843, on a farm in South Annville township. Lebanon county, son of John and Catherine ( Hershey) Hartz. The father was born in 1800, in Hanover township, and died in 1882, a son of John Hartz, an old resident of Dauphin county. The mother was also born in Dauphin county, a daughter of John Hershey, and both parents lie at rest in the cemetery at Gravel Hill. The children born to John Hartz and wife were these: Levi, born July 2. 1826, died August 6, 1903 ; Jeremiah, born September 20, 1831, lives in North Annville township; Mary, born August 25, 1833, married Peter Keath, of Manheim, Pa .; Josiah, born October 9, 1835, resides in North Londonderry township; John, born November 1, 1837, resides in Annville; Samuel, born September 19, 1839, died about ten years ago ; Elias H .; Cyrus, born Septem- ber 20, 1844, resides in Palmyra: Catherine, born October 29, 1845, married Adam Detweiler, of North Londonderry township; and Lydia, born December 28, 1847, resides at Palmyra.

John Hartz, father of Elias H., removed from Dauphin county to South Annville, Lebanon county, and later to Gravel Hill, near Palmyra, where the mother died. Mr. Hartz was a farmer all his life, and he was one of the earnest and active members of the United Brethren Church. In politics he was identified with the Republican party.

Elias H. Hartz was reared on the farm in South Annville township, and obtained his education in the public schools. He followed the profession of teaching for a period of fourteen years in Annville and Londonderry town- ships, and about 1868 or 1870 came to Londonderry township. In 1874 he began farming on Gravel Hill, but two years later removed to Dauphin county, where he followed farming five years. Mr. Hartz afterwards bought sixteen acres of well improved land at Gravel Hill, where he followed general farming for one year. In 1883 he bought his present farm in Palmyra, consisting of forty-seven acres, which was formerly the property of Samuel Brehm.

In January, 1874, Mr. Hartz was married to Sallie Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Julia (Grannas) Felterolf, both of whom were natives of the Lehigh Valley, and to whom were born the following children: Maria, who married Cornelius Fox, of East Hanover ; Tillman, who lives in Ohio; Samuel, who lives on the old homestead; Eliza B., who married Henry Ricker, of Gravel Hill; Susanna Ann, who married Harrison Shiffler, of Missouri ; Sallie

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Rebecca, who became Mrs. Hartz; and Peter A., who resides in Columbia county, Pennsylvania.

A family of five children has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartz, namely: Minnie N., born October 28, 1874. married Dr. U. G. Risser, of Campbell- town: Irena May died at the age of six years; Harvey E., born January 6, 1879. graduated from the Cumberland Valley Normal School, from Franklin and Marshall College, in June, 1901, taught in the Lebanon High School one term, and is now engaged in the study of law at the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor; Sannie A., born December 24, 1881, is a teacher ; and Roger B. was born September 27, 1888. The religious connection of this family is with the United Brethren Church. Mr. Hartz is a prominent member of the Re- publican party in his community, and belongs to the county central committee. The family is one of the most highly cultured in Palmyra, and is prominent in both social and religious circles.

WEIDMAN. For over a century the individual members of this family have gone in and out before the people of Lebanon county, the early members, as well as those of later date, having been men of probity, who lived upright lives in the community. Beginning with Capt. John Weidman, of Revolutionary fame, it has furnished Lebanon county not a few of her leading citizens, in both commercial and professional walks of life.

Probably the first of the family to come to America was Christopher Weidman, who was a native of Switzerland. He settled in Warwick town- ship, Lancaster county, Pa. The Capt. John referred to above was one of his sons, born in the aforesaid township. June 4, 1756. He received a good edit- cation, and was brought up to commercial pursuits in Philadelphia. At the outbreak of the war for Independence he became an officer in one of the associated battalions, and when Congress directed the organization of the German regiment he was commissioned an ensign, July 12. 1776. His pro- motion to first lieutenant bears date of May 14, 1777. His war record includes active service at the battle of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Germantown, Monmouth and Newtown. He was with Gen. Sullivan on the memorable campaign which that noted Indian fighter made against the Indians in New York in 1779. during which year he was adjutant of the regi- ment. His retirement from the service bears date of January 1, 1781. He was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati. A brave and gallant officer, he was among the distinguished men of the German regiment who not only acquitted themselves nobly upon the battlefield, but who bore the fatigue and privations of the terrible winter of 1778 at Valley Forge. At the close

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of the war Capt. Weidman resumed commercial life in Philadelphia, but later returned to the neighborhood of his birthplace and kept a store. Having been well educated he also did surveying in the neighborhood. The year 1800 marks his coming to Lebanon county, where he purchased the Union Forge estate, and conducted the same successfully for many years. He was a man of fine judgment, his gifts being utilized as one of the Associate Judges of that day, he serving from 1821 to 1830. After a long and highly honorable career he passed to rest in Lebanon, June 6, 1830. Capt. John Weidman married Catherine Mason, of Philadelphia, May 1, 1786. Catherine was born February 16, 1763, and died in Lebanon, October 8, 1794. She became the mother of Elizabeth, Jacob Barge, John and Maria.

Jacob Barge Weidman was born in the city of Philadelphia May 12. 1789. He was reared in a home where love of country was taught both by precept and example, these virtues being instilled into his young mind as he listened to the stories of daring and adventure participated in by his noble father during the Revolutionary days. He was given a splendid education for those days, first at the Latin school of James Rose, in Harrisburg, and then at Dickinson College, from which institution he graduated with honor. He took up the study of law with Samuel Laird, of Harrisburg, a noted lawyer of that city, and was admitted to the Dauphin county Bar in August. 1813. He at once settled in Lebanon, where the Bar of the county had just been organized, its roll containing names which have since attained world-wide fame-James Hopkins, Thomas Elder, George Fisher, George H. Porter and James Buchanan being among the number. Jacob B. Weidman imme- diately took front rank in this galaxy of legal lights, and for forty years was regarded as one of the best lawyers in eastern Pennsylvania. He followed his profession almost slavishly, stepping aside but seldom to participate in the activities of political life, though well qualified for any position to which he might have aspired. The single exception was in 1837, when he was pre- vailed upon to accept a seat in the Pennsylvania State Constitutional Conven- tion, and where the high character of his services contributed much toward the splendid result of the sittings of that notable body. He died at a ripe age, in the zenith of an honorable career, March 5. 1857. Jacob B. Weidman married (first) Mary Murray, of Harrisburg, daughter of William Murray ; (second) Mary Eliza Morris, of Philadelphia ; and lastly Elizabeth C. Mur- ray, of Harrisburg. There were two children born to the first marriage, John and Sarah.

John Weidman, eldest son of Jacob B. and Mary (Murray) Weidman, was born August 25, 1815, at Lebanon. He was educated at the Lebanon

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Rebecca, who became Mrs. Hartz; and Peter A., who resides in Columbia county, Pennsylvania.

A family of five children has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartz, namely : Minnie N., born October 28. 1874, married Dr. U. G. Risser, of Campbell- town; Irena May died at the age of six years; Harvey E., born January 6, 1879. graduated from the Cumberland Valley Normal School, from Franklin and Marshall College, in June, 1901. taught in the Lebanon High School one term, and is now engaged in the study of law at the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor; Sannie A., born December 24, 1881. is a teacher ; and Roger B. was born September 27. 1888. The religious connection of this family is with the United Brethren Church. Mr. Hartz is a prominent member of the Re- publican party in his community, and belongs to the county central committee. The family is one of the most highly cultured in Palmyra, and is prominent in both social and religious circles.

Probably the first of the family to come to America was Christopher Weidman, who was a native of Switzerland. He settled in Warwick town- ship, Lancaster county, Pa. The Capt. John referred to above was one of his sons, born in the aforesaid township. June 4. 1756. He received a good edu- cation, and was brought up to commercial pursuits in Philadelphia. At the outbreak of the war for Independence he became an officer in one of the associated battalions, and when Congress directed the organization of the German regiment he was commissioned an ensign. July 12. 1776. His pro- motion to first lieutenant bears date of May 14. 1777. His war record includes active service at the battle of Long Island. White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Germantown, Monmouth and Newtown. He was with Gen. Sullivan on the memorable campaign which that noted Indian fighter made against the Indians in New York in 1779. during which year he was adjutant of the regi- ment. His retirement from the service bears date of January 1, 1781. He was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati. A brave and gallant officer, he was among the distinguished men of the German regiment who not only acquitted themselves nobly upon the battlefield, but who bore the fatigue and privations of the terrible winter of 1778 at Valley Forge. At the close

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Jacob Barge Weidman was born in the city of Philadelphia May 12. 1789. He was reared in a home where love of country was taught both by precept and example, these virtues being instilled into his young mind as he listened to the stories of daring and adventure participated in by his noble father during the Revolutionary days. He was given a splendid education for those days, first at the Latin school of James Rose, in Harrisburg, and then at Dickinson College, from which institution he graduated with honor. He took up the study of law with Samuel Laird, of Harrisburg, a noted lawyer of that city, and was admitted to the Dauphin county Bar in August. 1813. He at once settled in Lebanon, where the Bar of the county had just been organized, its roll containing names which have since attained world-wide fame-James Hopkins, Thomas Elder, George Fisher, George H. Porter and James Buchanan being among the number. Jacob B. Weidman imme- diately took front rank in this galaxy of legal lights, and for forty years was regarded as one of the best lawyers in eastern Pennsylvania. He followed his profession almost slavishly, stepping aside but seldom to participate in the activities of political life, though well qualified for any position to which he might have aspired. The single exception was in 1837, when he was pre- vailed upon to accept a seat in the Pennsylvania State Constitutional Conven- tion, and where the high character of his services contributed much toward the splendid result of the sittings of that notable body. He died at a ripe age, in the zenith of an honorable career. March 5. 1857. Jacob B. Weidman married (first) Mary Murray, of Harrisburg, daughter of William Murray: '(second) Mary Eliza Morris, of Philadelphia ; and lastly Elizabeth C. Mur- ray, of Harrisburg. There were two children born to the first marriage, John and Sarah.

John Weidman, eldest son of Jacob B. and Mary (Murray) Weidman, was born August 25, 1815, at Lebanon. He was educated at the Lebanon

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Academy, and at Dickinson and Princeton Colleges, studied medicine with Dr. John B. Mish, and graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. However, he concluded to study law, which he pursued under the direction of his father, was admitted to the Lebanon county Bar in 1842, and practiced his profession in Lebanon. He was elected district attorney of Lebanon county in 1859, serving one term. In ante-war times he was a brigadier general of the militia, and when the Civil war came he entered the army as captain of Company F, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving until his impaired health compelled him to resign. He returned home, but never recovered, and died April 23, 1863. He married, in 1838, Emma Roberts Grant, of Melrose. N. J., and they had the following children : Grant, John, Martha, Jacob Barge, Sarah Ann, Emma R., Mary Virginia, James B., and Elizabeth Cook.

GRANT WEIDMAN, eldest son of John and Emma R. (Grant) Weidman, was born at Melrose, near Trenton, N. J., September 8, 1839. His early years were spent at his father's home in Lebanon, Pa., and when quite young he entered a boarding school. From a preparatory school in Lititz, Pa., and schools in Bristol and Lawrenceville, N. J., he passed with a high degree of scholarship into Princeton University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1859. He inherited the love of study which had characterized his father's and grandfather's careers, and with natural industry had applied him- self assiduously during his entire school life. Electing to enter the legal profession, he entered his father's office as a student, and there, under that able jurist's wise guidance, prepared for admission to the Bar, and, on August 23, 1861, became a fully licensed member of the Lebanon county Bar. Unlike many young lawyers, he did not seek a home among strangers to begin his practice, but remained in Lebanon, and ever made it his home. His legal work covered all branches, and he was equally at home, as well as equally busy, in all courts. However, he avoided criminal cases whenever he could, having a dislike for that class of work. His studies did not end with his first brief, but he kept continually at his books, and, though a wide general reader, he usually chose those works that bore upon his beloved profession, and that would widen his already erudite knowledge of the law. His reputation for integrity among his fellow practitioners was of the highest, and he was held in great respect for his marvelous ability to see at once the true facts in a case. and to have at his fingers' ends the exact references that best applied. This saved many a tiresome and long-drawn out case, and often won for him the gratitude of both sides.

When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the State militia, and was

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second lieutenant of Company A, Eleventh Regiment, in 1862. He after- ward served as major of the One Hundred and Seventy-third Pennsylvania Volunteers. In his political faith Mr. Weidman was a Democrat, and was always active in the work of his party.

He was a member of the National Convention, 1880, that nominated Winfield S. Hancock for President. He filled the office of district attorney, and gave efficient service as a member of the school board; and he was once the nominee of his party for Congress, but as he was a Democrat, in an over- whelming Republican district, he met with defeat.

Fraternally Mr. Weidman was a Mason, belonging to all the bodies of that order, from the Blue Lodge through and including the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine, and he had held all the offices. In 1874 he held the office of Grand Commander of the Knights Templars of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the State Society of the Cincinnati, and was its treasurer ; and he also belonged to the Loyal Legion.

In spite of the engrossing nature of his profession and his devotion to it, Mr. Weidman found time to take an active interest in the financial and manu- facturing world, and at the time of his death was president of the Lebanon National Bank, the largest institution of its kind in the county. He was a director in a number of manufacturing and industrial corporations, and was a manager of the Good Samaritan Hospital.

On September 7. 1864, at Harrisburg, Pa., Grant Weidman was united in marriage with M. Elizabeth Henry. This union was blessed with children as follows: John, deceased; Grant ; Mary Henry, who married Thomas T. Lineaweaver, of Lebanon: Ethel Roberts; Sarah Elizabeth and Edward Ingleton and Christian Henry, both deceased. Like his father and grandfather Mr. Weidman was a Lutheran, and was always interested in the church and its work, and was a trustee for many years. He was a man of kind and genial disposition, who made and retained many friends, and he delighted to welcome them into his own home. In society he was very popular, his bright, sprightly conversation gathering around him, wherever he went, a group of admiring listeners, and when thoroughly aroused by a discussion his eloquence and his wit held his hearers' rapt attention. The mere mention that Mr. Weidman would address the jury would fill the court room, not only with those inter- ested in the trial in question, but with those who enjoyed his unusual forensic ability. As a reasoner he was always logical, and his command of English made him a clear and decisive speaker, who never failed to express his full and exact meaning. His kindly nature made him generous to a fault, and he

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gave freely of his services to those in need, and was charitable of his means to the unfortunate. In his home he found his rest and happiness, and was devoted to his family. His death occurred November 11, 1895.

JOHN H. BROWN, one of the representative farmers of Jackson town- ship, occupying a fine farm which has been in the family for a number of years, conveniently situated between Lebanon and Myerstown, belongs to a family established in this part of Lebanon county in 1840.

John H. Brown was born November 20, 1853, on this old family home- stead, a son of Aaron and Elmira (Shott) Brown, the former of whom was born about 1831, near Womelsdorf, Berks county, and died at the age of sixty-five years. His father was Samuel Brown, who was the son of John Brown, the latter being one of the early settlers of Berks county. The family has always been identified with agricultural interests, and is not as numerous as many in this locality, two children only being born to Samuel Brown, the grandfather of John H., namely : Lavina and Aaron.

Aaron Brown married Elmira Shott, of Cornwall township. In 1840 he came to Jackson township and purchased the farm now occupied by his son, which is located near the line of Heidelberg and South Lebanon townships, three miles southwest of Myerstown, and five miles from Lebanon, thus insuring fine markets. Here his three children were born, viz .: John H .: Frank T., a farmer in Jackson township; and Annie, the wife of Joseph Dohner, a South Lebanon township farmer. Although a consistent member of the Republican party, Mr. Brown never antagonized members of the oppo- site belief, and he held many of the local offices to the satisfaction of all con- cerned. For a number of years he was a leading member of the Reformed Church, and worthily held the position of elder and deacon. His wife passed away at the age of sixty years. They were among the most respected residents of the township.

John H. Brown was reared on the farm in Jackson township, and attended first the public schools and later the Palatinate (now Albright) College. at Myerstown. After two years spent in teaching school he settled down to farming, the fertile acres of the old homestead offering great inducements and encouragement, although since then Mr. Brown has added much to the productiveness and value of the place. It contains sixty-five acres, and is known as one of the best farms of the locality.

Soon after locating on the farm, on May 18, 1878, Mr. Brown married Miss Catherine Binner, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Iceman) Binner, of South Lebanon township, both deceased. The five children born to this

BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 205

marriage are : Miles N., Paul A., Nora K., Raymond H. and Arthur A., all bright, intelligent, wide-awake, well-informed young Americans. In politics Mr. Brown is identified with the Republican party, but he has no political ambition. He is known throughout the township as one of the reliable citizens, a man of moral character and sterling integrity.

JOHN S. RISSER, a prominent farmer of South Londonderry township, Lebanon county, residing at Lawn, is a representative member of one of the oldest families in that part of Pennsylvania.

The first of the Risser family to leave Germany and sail for the United States were Ulrich and Jacob Risser, brothers, who came over in the ship . "Adventurer," John Doris, master, from Rotterdam. They landed at Phila- delphia and qualified October 2, 1727. Other members of the family followed. Johannes (John) came over in the ship "Queen Elizabeth," Alexander Hope, master, from Rotterdam, and qualified September 16, 1738. Peter, another brother, came in the ship "Robert and Alice," Walter Goodman, master, and qualified September 3, 1739, and still another brother, Philip, came in the ship "Loyal Judith," Edward Pointer, master, from Rotterdam, last from Deal, and he qualified September 3, 1739.

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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 23

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