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 25
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Mrs. Seibert comes of one of the old pioneer families of the township. Jacob Becker, the first American representative of the family, came from Germany prior to 1734, and settled in Lebanon county. That same year he received from John, Thomas and Richard Penn a tract of land in Mill- creek township. By his marriage there were two sons-John and George.
John Becker was a prosperous farmer and influential citizen of Mill- creek township. He had eight children-Michael, John Adam, Catherine, Elizabeth, Barbara, Anna, Amelia and Margaret.
John Adam Becker, grandfather of Mrs. Seibert, was born and reared
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in Millcreek township. Accustomed from his earliest years to farm work, upon reaching manhood he settled upon a farm in Millcreek township and engaged in that occupation. He was thoroughly successful in his work and made a good home for himself and family, and was one of the most highly respected citizens of the township. By his marriage there were three chil- dren-John, Michael and Sarah. who married Captain Tice, a prominent officer in the Civil War.
John Becker, father of Mrs. Seibert. was another thrifty agriculturist of Millcreek township. Born in 1813, in a good home, he grew to manhood, receiving careful training in habits of industry and self-reliance. Upon reaching manhood he settled upon a farm in Millcreek township, and en- gaged in agriculture. He cultivated the place extensively, improved it in many respects, and made an excellent home for himself and family, possessing in time one of the most prosperous and attractive farms in the township. He passed the greater part of his active life upon this farm, and there, in 1884, died.
About 1833 Mr. Becker married Caroline Stump, daughter of Leonard Stump, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Becker were born ten children: Mary, deceased, was the wife of J. Henry Bennetch: Amanda is Mrs. Seibert : Willoughby, de- ceased, was a prominent farmer of Millcreek township; John Adam, married to Rebecca Shaak, was a prominent farmer of South Jackson township ; Lizzie married Monroe Zimmerman, of Millcreek township; Emma married Aaron Bollinger, and both are deceased: Agnes J. married Levi Bollinger ; Thomas L. is a prominent citizen of Millcreek township; Ida died in child- hood; and Monroe is deceased. The father of this family was a leader in the public affairs of the township and at different times held various local offices. In politics hie affiliated with the Democrats, and in religious views he was independent. As a large stockholder in the Lebanon National Bank. he acted as director for twenty-five years, or until the time of his death.
WILLIAM S. RISE is one of the successful and honored business men of the city of Lebanon. He was born in Lebanon, Pa., September 30, 1859, a son of John and Barbara Rise.
John Rise was a tinsmith, and the son of Adam Rise, a hatter by trade, who was one of the old settlers of Lebanon. John Rise was the father of nine children, three of whom are now living, Charles, William S., and Anna, al! residing in Lebanon. John Rise was a gallant soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and belonged to the Ninety-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun-
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teer Infantry, which served during the entire war, and rendered distinguished services in behalf of the Union.
Mrs. William S. Rise was the only child of Henry Gingrich, who was born October 7, 1833, and died July 27, 1897. Henry Gingrich was a son of Lewis and Margaret Gingrich, who were old settlers of Lebanon county. On May 26, 1859, Henry Gingrich married Miss Catherine Bordner who was born June 21, 1835, a daughter of Daniel and Maria (Tobias) Bordner. These families were among the old settlers of Lebanon county.
William S. Rise has been the father of four children : Catherine, Mar- garet, William and Henry, the last named having joined the silent majority.
Mr. Rise is a self made man. He was educated in the public schools of Lebanon, and started out in life without a dollar, but by hard work and good management he has accumulated a small fortune. He is at present one of the leading tinners and contractors in the city of Lebanon, conducting his business at No. 105 South Ninth street. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, and in 1894 was honored with a seat in select council of the city.
Mr. Rise is a Protestant in religious belief. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 280; and is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- ica Camp No. 254; and likewise of the Improved Order of Red Men, all of Lebanon. He is one of the progressive and substantial citizens of Lebanon, and in his domestic life is honored as a kind and loving father.
HON. E. BENJAMIN BIERMAN, ex-president of the Lebanon Val- ley College, and member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, from Leb- anon county, was born December 1, 1839, near the city of Reading, Berks county, Pa. He is the eldest son of Benjamin and Anna Bertram Bierman, the latter of whom was a daughter of Capt. William Bertram. His ancestors on both sides came from Westphalia, Prussia, emigrating to America soon after the Revolutionary war, the Biermans locating near the birthplace of the subject of this sketch, in Berks county, and the Bertrams in northern Lan- caster county. The paternal ancestors were noted for mechanical ingenuity, while on the maternal side there is a long line of teachers.
Benjamin Bierman, the father, was born in Rockland township. Berks county, April 2, 1819, son of John Bierman, who was born in Friedensburg, same county, in 1782, a son of Jacob Bierman, who came from Prussia and settled down to farming in that county. John Bierman, the grandfather of E. Benjamin Bierman, married Rebecca Weil, a native of Bucks county, Pa. Benjamin Bierman, son of John and the father of E. Benjamin, was a cabinet maker and wood turner, and successfully carried on business for many years
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near Hamburg. He died December 27, 1894, and is buried with his wife in St. Michael's Church cemetery, four miles west of the above named town. He was a man well informed on general topics, and a warm friend of eduica- tion. During his early life he was active in public affairs, frequently repre- senting the Republican party in conventions, and on several occasions was honored with a place on its ticket. In his church relations he was constant and faithful. His wife, Anna Bertram, was born in Bern township, Berks county, February 1, 1815, and died February 6, 1893. Her father, Capt. William Bertram, was born January 29, 1791, in Lancaster county, son of Peter Caspar Bertram, a native of Prussia, who emigrated to America and landed at Philadelphia October 3, 1790, and was the first of the Bertrams in the New World. From Philadelphia he went to Warwick township, Lan- caster county, now Brickerville, where he took charge of the parochial schools of the Lutheran Church, being teacher, organist and assistant to the minister. who, at that time, was the father of John Andrew Schultz, later Governor of Pennsylvania. After serving in the capacity mentioned for several years Mr. Bertram took charge of a church in Berks county known as the Dunkel's Church, and there he died in 1842. He was a man of fine education, and an excellent penman, and a well preserved diary which he kept for many years is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch.
The Bertrams in Prussia were generally teachers, the line being easily · traced back to 1640. Capt. William Bertram taught school for many years during the winter seasons, following carpentering and contracting during the summers in Berks county, where his death occurred August 23, 1864. The mother of E. Benjamin Bierman was trained under her father's watchful care, and her literary ability was encouraged. Her knowledge of the litera- ture of her time was very extensive, and she was especially well versed in the Bible. Her memory was remarkable, and she could quote religious hymns learned in early life, and the Scriptures, with perfect accuracy, in advanced years. The four children born to Benjamin and Anna Bertram Bierman were: E. Benjamin ; William H., deceased ; George F., a minister in the United Brethren Church ; and Kate A., married to James M. Boyer, of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
When E. Benjamin Bierman was ten years old he was enrolled as a pupil in a subscription school in charge of John R. Wagner, near St. Michael's Lutheran and Reformed Union Church, in Upper Bern township. Beiks county, near which place his parents were then living. He entered upon school work earnestly, and at the end of four months had won a place in the highest class in the school. During the summer months of 1850 he pursued
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his studies privately, and in the following winter returned to the school room, and for the succeeding four months easily held his position in the class, although many of his fellow students were twice his age. During the sum- mers of 1851 and 1852, he assisted in farm work and also applied himself to study, and during the succeeding winter, under the instruction of John S. Guldin, an experienced teacher, stood at the head of every class of which he was a member, and, although young, was frequently called to assist his teacher in school work. During the summer of 1853 he was employed as clerk and bookkeeper in a store at Shartlesville, owned by his former teacher, John R. Wagner, and near the close of the year he attended a school near his home for one month. After some private instruction in Latin, natural philosophy and astronomy, taken while clerking in a store, at Hamburg, Berks county, during the winter months of 1854, he entered the Lehigh County High School, at Emaus, on December 6, 1855, and there pursued his studies with so much interest, enthusiasm and success that he was soon promoted to be assistant teacher; and when, in the following spring, his principal accepted a simliar place in the Juniata County Normal school, Mr. Bierman was offered and accepted the position of assistant, and thus spent the spring, summer and fall of that year. In the fall of 1856 he returned to his home in Berks county, and, at the solicitation of the board of directors, took charge as teacher of one of the public schools near his old home, which he taught during the win- ter months of 1856-57-58-59 and 1860-61, continuing in the profession for thirty years. In the spring of 1857 he entered the Reading ( Pa.) Classical Academy, a school of high grade and excellent repute, where under the tuition of Prof. James S. Lee, A. M., and Rev. William A. Good. A. M., he spent the greater part of four years teaching during the winter months, and studying the rest of the year in preparation for the junior year in college, studying the ancient and modern languages, including Latin, Greek, French and German; the literature of these languages; also higher mathematics, general history and physics. The last two years of his connection with this school he was an assistant teacher.
After his marriage in 1862, Mr. Bierman took charge of a school in Tremont, Schuylkill county, but after two years' successful work there he was by unanimous vote called to the principalship of the Hamburg public high school, in his native county, which position he filled for three successive years to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
In 1867 Prof. Bierman assisted in the organization of the Lebanon Valley College, located at Annville, was elected professor of mathematics and astronomy, and was closely identified with its general management for many
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 219
years, from 1890 until 1897 being its honored president. In 1867 he received the degree of A. M., from Lafayette College, and in 1892 that of Ph. D., front Ursinus College. As a teacher he ranks high. In 1858 he was awarded the Teacher's County Professional Certificate, and in 1868 the State Teacher's diploma. While active in the profession he was prominent in County and State Teachers' Associations, and in the College Association of the Middle States and Maryland ; from 1878 until 1880, he was secretary of the Depart- ment of Higher Instruction of the National Teachers' Association. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania German Society ; the Lebanon County Historical Society ; the Pennsylvania Historical Society ; the various Masonic bodies ; and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. He has been a member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ since 1868, and has for years been prominnent in her church councils, annual conferences and general Sun- day School and educational work.
In the fall of 1882 Prof. Bierman moved to Philadelphia where he remained eight years, during which time he industriously availed himself of many of that noted city's educational advantages, and from 1883 to 1887. was teacher of languages and general literature in the North Broad Street Seminary.
In politics he has always been a stanch Republican, and was active in the campaigns of 1860, 1872 and 1880, and the latter year he was a delegate from Lebanon county to the Republican State Convention, and during the same year a member of the State Central committee. After an interesting and exciting campaign in 1900, he was nominated and elected a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and in 1902 was re-elected by a largely increased majority, to the same honorable position, in which he has distin- guished himself and reflected great credit upon his county. Among his asso- ciates in the legislature he is known as a working member, and ranks as a most careful and conscientious legislator.
On August 23. 1862, Prof. Bierman was married to Miss Anna M. Isett. a daughter of Dr. Benjamin F. Isett, who was born February 1, 1842, in Berks county, Pa., where for many years her father was a practicing physician. Dr. Isett was born January 29, 1807, in Montgomery county, Pa., and died in October, 1869. During the thirties he attended lectures in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Isett mar- ried Lavinia Christman, who was born in Berks county, Pa. The ancestors of Mrs. Bierman were Jacob and Frederick Isett, who came from Rotterdam, Holland, to America. landing at Philadelphia September II, 1732, and set- tling near that city, Frederick becoming the great-grandfather of Mrs. Bier-
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.
man. They left Rotterdam with their parents, but the father died on board the ship during the voyage, and his body lies buried at sea.
Mrs. Bierman was educated at the Pennsylvania Female College, at Collegeville, now a part of the Ursinus College, and taught school during her younger days. She is now prominent in United Brethren Church and mis- sionary work, and is also active in several charitable societies. The high esteem in which this family is justly held is because of intrinsic worth, and it represents the best and highest type of citizenship, exerting an influence which educates and refines the circles with which it comes in touch. The beautiful home of Dr. and Mrs. Bierman, in Annville, is one of genial hos- pitality, exemplifying the ideal of American social life.
JOHN L. BALSBAUGH was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa .. October 30, 1846. His ancestry originated in Germany, their home hav- ing been in the beautiful valley of the Palatinate, along the brook Pfahls, hence the name Balsbaugh, originally Pfahlsbach. His father, John Balsbaugh, was born on the old homestead near Swatara Station, Derry township, in 1808. He had two brothers, Abraham and George, and one sister, Elizabeth, wife of Rev. George Landis. John Balsbaugh married Catharine Landis, who was born in 1810, daughter of Christian and Catharine (Bowers) Landis. To this union were born these children : Mary, Abraham and Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Sarah, who died at the age of eight; Susanna, who was blind, and who died at the age of forty-four; Christian, who married Caroline Bright- bill, and resides at Hummelstown; Jeremiah, who married Sarah Hocker, and resides at Hummelstown; John L., who married Catharine Berst ; Caroline, wife of ex-County Treasurer George H. Grove, of Hummelstown; and Uriah, a banker at Hummelstown.
John Balsbaugh, the father. was a man of prominence in business, as well as active in farming interests in his native community. He, with two other men, founded the Union Deposit Furnaces. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and in religious affairs a loyal adherent of the United Brethren in Christ.
John L. Balsbaugh, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Derry township, Dauphin county, attending the public schools during the winter months and working on the farm during the sun- mer. On October 1, 1867, he was united in marriage with Catharine, daugh- ter of David and Susan (Landis) Berst. In 1868 he located in South Ann- ville township, Lebanon county, and seven years later he purchased the farm of 173 acres, on which he resided, it being the central farm of the township.
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In 1887 he purchased the Hartz farmi, which originally was a part of the farm, making his holdings 216 acres. In 1894 he removed to the Hartz farm, on which he had erected a fine, substantial country home-the barn built in 1888 and the house in 1893. In addition to his farming interests he is a director of the Mt. Joy Mutual Fire Insurance Company, as also of the Ann- ville National Bank. He served several terms as school director and assisted in the erection of three school houses-Garfield, Mt. Pleasant and Detweiler's -in 1880. The homestead place is noted as being the birthplace of Col. John Motter, late of Harrisburg, who was quite conspicuous among cavalry men during the Civil War.
Rev. Jonathan Heister performed the ceremony uniting in wedlock John L. Balsbaugh and Catharine Berst, to which union were born seven children- Clara, born September 12, 1868, is at home; Lizzie, born October 17, 1870, married Simon K. Behm, a farmer of the same township; Landis B., born April 17, 1871, who resides on the homestead farm, married Cora Risser and has four children-Ada, Iva, Edith and Homer; Katie died May 13, 1875, aged one year, one month and ten days; Susan J., born June 4, 1876, is at home; Mary L., born January 8, 1883, is at home; and Carrie M. died Febru- ary 13, 1888, aged three years, five months and twenty-six days.
Catharine (Berst) Balsbaugh was also of German parentage. Peter Berst (originally Byrsch) was born in Germany in 1716, and on coming to America he settled in Dauphin county, Pa., on what is known as the old Berst farm of 300 acres, on which the noted Hummelstown brownstone quar- ries are now located.
John Berst, son of Peter, born in 1762, died February II, 1832, was a minister of the gospel in the German Baptist church. He had two sons, one of whom went to Darke county, Ohio, and located there ; and John, Jr.
John Berst, Jr., son of John. was born in 1792 and died May 26, 1832. He remained on the homestead farm. On November 30, 1818, he married Catharine Longenecker, and had one son, David, born in 1822.
David Berst, son of John, Jr., died October 18. 1895. He was married to Susan Landis, of Derry township, born August 8, 1821, and died June 7, 1871. They had issue as follows: (1) Catharine, born August 15, 1847; married John L. Balsbaugh. (2) Mary, born September 25. 1849, married Abraham Hollinger, and they now reside in Wayne county, Ill. They have three children-Lizzie, who married Rev. Christian Gruber : David, and John. (3) John L. was born October 22, 1851. (4) Lizzie died at the age of two years. (5) Lovina died January 1, 1870, aged seven years. The other three children died in infancy. For his second wife David Berst married, January
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I. 1874, Caroline Biever, born September 2, 1841, and dieed October 15, 1879. To this second marriage was born one daughter, Susan Ellen, Decem- ber 16, 1874, who at the age of fourteen went to Illinois, and subsequently married Levi Gruber, and she died February 19, 1902, leaving twin sons, Ray . and Carl, both now deceased. After his second marriage David Berst resided on the Dr. Coover farm, beyond Harrisburg, but later relinquished house- keeping to make his home with his children, and while on a visit to his daugh- ters in Illinois he took sick and died. His remains are buried near Fairfield. Wayne county, Illinois.
HIRAM L. ERB (deceased), for many years a leading merchant of Clay township, Lancaster county, and one of the public-spirited and progres- sive citizens of the town, was a member of a family long prominent in the annals of Lancaster county.
Jacob Erb, the great-great-grandfather of Hiram L .. was brought from Switzerland to America by his parents in 1728. He was but four years of age at that time, so that practically his entire life was passed in the New World. They located near Hammer Creek, in Warwick township. About 1782 Jacob removed to Clay township. where he purchased several hundred acres of land, with mill privileges, and he made his home there for the re- mainder of his life. Besides a mill at Clay village, he operated another farther 11p Middle Creek, and he also cleared and improved large portions of his extensive estate. Until the outbreak of the war of the Revolution he was a believer in the Mennonite faith, but the principle of non-resistance taught by that society was in too great opposition to his patriotic spirit. and he with- drew his membership to support the provisionary government. He became a man of prominence in public affairs, and represented his district in the State Legislature. He died in 1810. when he was past eighty years of age. His wife was a Miss Johns, and their family consisted of two sons and several daughters. Of the sons, John is mentioned below ; and Christian lived on the homestead in Warwick, where some of his descendants are still to be found.
John Erb, son of Jacob, was for three years in the service of his country during the Revolution, acting as teamster. He was but sixteen at the time he entered the service, and after the close of the war he resided at Clay. where he operated both the mills belonging to his father, and also looked after the cultivation of the home farni. He was prominent in all public affairs, was the founder of the school at Clay. and took an active interest in religious affairs. John Erb married Judith Hull, and their. children were: Jacob ; John : David; Isaac; Samuel ; Joseph ; Molly, who married Abraham Erb and
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moved to Canada; Elizabeth, who married Michael Shepler; Nancy, who married Abraham Bear; and Catharine, who married Joseph Weidman.
John Erb, son of John, was born November 3. 1786, and passed his life in Clay, engaged in farming and milling, and in keeping a public house. He belonged to the Old Line Whig party, and at one time served as county com- missioner. He married Barbara Bergelbach, and his children were: Hiram; John B .; Henry B. ; and Priscilla Cecilia, who married George W. Steinmetz. John Erb died in 1862, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
Hiram Erb, son of John and father of Hiram L., was born at the upper mill in Clay township April 11, 1810. The common schools afforded him his educational advantages, and at the age of nineteen he succeeded to the milling business established by his great-grandfather, for forty years successfully following that line. Some 150 acres of the old home tract belonged to him. and he met with abundant success in farming it. In 1869. in partnership with his son, Hiram L., he established a general store at Richland, Lebanon county, but in 1875 the business was removed to Clay, where prosperity awaited the enterprising proprietors. President Taylor appointed Mr. Erb postmaster, and he efficiently discharged the duties of that office for four years. He was originally a Republican, and an intimate acquaintance of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, one of the party's founders, but in 1872 his admira- tion for Horace Greeley carried him into the Democratic ranks, after which he voted independent of party affiliations. Mr. Erb served as school director for three years, and always supported educational and religious movements. On May 16, 1839, he married Catharine Lane, widow of John S. Bear. One child, Hiram L .. blessed this union. Catharine Lane Erb died in 1886, at the age of seventy-six years. Hiram Erb died in 1892. aged eighty-two years.
Hiram L. Erb was born November 24. 1840, and he entered into rest January 27, 1900. Like his father before him. he was trained to farming and milling, but on account of ill health entered the mercantile world, in part- nership with his father. in 1869, under the firm name of Hiram Erb & Son. His political faith was like that of his father, and he served the Democratic party as a member of the county committee. He also served on the school board. In his religious connection lie was a member of the United Brethren Church. Kind hearted and liberal, his charity was often the means of helping a weary fellow traveler to rest and comfort. He was a man of many friends, and his genial social nature made his home a favorite meeting place.
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