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 26
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On November 24, 1863. Hiram L. Erb was married to Celinda Becker. a daughter of William and Lucy (Spayd) Becker, of Mill Creek township. Three children blessed this union, two of whom reached maturity : Laura,
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widow of Rev. C. J. F. Miller, a prominent minister of the United Brethren Church, who was born in 1860, and who died November 7, 1899, leaving eight children, Edgar L., Clio D., Lois E., Victor H., Earl Raymond, Guy Ralph, Erickson Colon and Vivian E .; Linnie, widow of Rev. A. L. Shan- non, a well known minister of the United Brethren Church, who was born in 1864, died December 13, 1900, leaving six children, Helen E., Florence L., Carl E., Paul E., Mary A. and Minerva E.
The Becker and Spayd families, from which Mrs. Hiram L. Erb is descended, were among the early settlers of Lebanon county. John Becker came from Germany to Lebanon county. Pa., about 1735 or 1740, and his son, George, was one of the pioneers of Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon county. William Becker, son of George and father of Mrs. Hiram L. Erb, was born in 1816, became one of the leading farmers of his township, and died October 29, 1879. William Becker married Lucy Spayd, and of the three children born of this union, Mrs. Erb alone lived to mature years.
Mrs. Hiram L. Erb is now making her home in Richland, Lebanon county. She is a kind and Christian woman, whose gentle spirit has en- deared her to all who come within the circle of her acquaintance.
CHARLES MICHAEL BOWMAN, editor and founder of the Leb- anon T'alley Standard and the Lebanon Daily Times, as well as one of the leading literary lights of this city, was born October 21, 1847, in Lebanon, Pa., descending from one of the oldest and best known families in this section of the State, his ancestors having located there from their native land, Swit- zerland. The family has followed agricultural pursuits for many generations, and has always been prominent in both business and private life. His father, Joseph Bowman, was a successful shoe merchant and served at one time as sheriff of the county. The grandfather was a large land owner in Lebanon county, and was a man who enjoyed the respect and esteem of the community.
Charles M. Bowman was educated in the public schools of Lebanon, and at the age of sixteen years, he began an apprenticeship at the printer's trade, serving under Col. T. T. Worth, editor of the Courier, and became a practical printer. understanding the trade in all its details. In 1871, he established the Lebanon Valley Standard (weekly). and in 1876 he founded the Lebanon Daily Times, both of which he still controls. These papers have enjoyed from the start a fair measure of prosperity, and have always been alive to the best interests of this section. Under Mr. Bowman's able management and editorial charge, they have wielded and continue to wield an important in- fluence in the community. Besides conducting the business and editorial
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O.M. Brown
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force of the above mentioned publications, Mr. Bowman has been for many years actively interested in manufacturing enterprises, in the coal trade, and also in various inventions of his own conception. He organized the Electric Light and Power Company ; three large manufacturing plants in Lebanon, and in other connections he has displayed extensive executive ability and force of character. As an inventor in various lines he has gained a considerable reputation, his inventions bearing the stamp of genius and skill, and being protected by patents the world over. Mr. Bowman's position as an editor and publisher has precluded his holding public office, although he has often been urged to accept. Through his newspapers, he has rendered important service to the Republican party organization, and has gained a reputation as a brilliant and trustworthy editor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the I. O. O. F., the P. O. S. of A., and the Order of Heptasophs.
On March 26, 1872, Mr. Bowman married Eliza R. Rise, youngest daughter of Adam Rise, president of the Valley National Bank of Lebanon. The children born of this union are: A. Rise, Matilda R. and Roy M.
HENRY HAAK is among the prominent, wealthy and most highly esteemed citizens of Lebanon county, and, for almost a half century, was a very important factor in the business life not only of his own county, but also of other localities. He is a member of one of the old and honorable families of Jackson township. Since April, 1903, he has retired from active business, owing to ill health.
The Haak family is of German extraction, its founder in this part of Pennsylvania, in the person of the great-grandfather of Henry Haak, of Myerstown, having come hither from Germany. His son Jonathan was one of the early settlers of Jackson township, where he engaged extensively in agriculture, and there reared a family of seven children, namely : Henry (the father of the present Henry), Jonathan and Michael, and four daughters.
Henry Haak, the father, was born in 1812, in Jackson township, and married Sarah Bassler, who bore him the following children: Adam, de- ceased; Jerome: Sarah, a widow; Henry, our subject; Katherine; Maria, widow of Percival Tice; Thomas, deceased; and Aaron, of Missouri. Henry Haak was one of the excellent farmers of Jackson township, and one of the leading and representative citizens. His political convictions made him a zealous Republican, but he was no office seeker. He reared his family to in- dustry and respectability.
Henry Haak, of Myerstown, the proprietor of the well-known Prescott and Stouchsburg creameries, and the manager of a large and important grain
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business in Myerstown, was born on a farm in Jackson township, one mile south of Myerstown, May 12, 1836. His schooling was obtained in his locality, and until he was eighteen years of age he assisted on the home farm. Starting out then to make his own way in the world, be began as a day laborer in a sawmill, and a year later went to work on the old Union Canal. As he had been industrious and prudent with his earnings, by the time he was of age he possessed enough money with which to begin a grain business at Myerstown, in association with others, the firm beginning as Bassler, Coover & Co. After three years of great success, a re-adjustment of the business took place, and the firm name was changed to Coover & Haak, and one year later Mr. Haak had become the head of the firm, the title then being Haak & Himmelberger. This firm took up a milling business and a short time after, Mr. Haak engaged under his own name in a grain business in Myerstown. Mr. Haak soon saw the opportunities presented by a wider field of activity and freeing himself of business claims at Myerstown, went to Prescott, Lebanon county, and there, after erecting a large warehouse, went into a general grain and feed business, adding coal and salt, conducting it with such ability that it was prosperous from the very start. In 1884 he established the first creamery in Lebanon county, its success being so assured hat in 1892 he established a branch at Stouchsburg. Berks Co., Pa., both of these enterprises being still conducted with increasing prosperity 'and still managed with the business foresight and ability which have so characterized Mr. Haak from young manhood. In 1898 he built the Princely & Emperor Shirt Factory in Lebanon, which he still owns, renting it. Mr. Haak owns valuable ranch in Kansas, one and one-quarter sections of land near Wash- ngton, which he purchased in 1877, and conducted a stock farm there for six years. His other possessions are large and valuable, including four ine farms in Lebanon county, properties both at Prescott and Myerstown, And the beautiful and picturesque Lake Tulpehocken, a sheet of water well stocked with game fish, one of the most valuable properties in the county. It is not so remarkable that an honorable, upright, exemplary man should be the fortunate owner of this large wealth, but it presents another aspect when it is remembered that it has been accumulated from the earnings of a lad in the humble position of a sawmill laborer. Any one who has won his way from early limited environment, can well understand the self-denial and the steady perseverance it has required. To-day Mr. Haak is one of the wealthy ind influential men of Lebanon county, but he is much more, a first class citizen, å public-spirited and generous lover of his community, and a pro- moter of all the moral and educational enterprises which his judgment de-
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cides will prove beneficial to Jackson township. His political sympathy has identified him with the Republican party.
On February 28, 1865, Mr. Haak was married to Miss Priscilla C. Spangler, daughter of Levi and Leah (Tice) Spangler, who were married December 17, 1840. Levi Spangler was born in 1817, a son of Christian Spangler, a well known farmer of Jackson township and a direct descendant of Michael Spangler, who came to Lebanon county from Germany in 1737, purchasing land in Jackson township among its first settlers. Mrs. Spangler was a daughter of the noted Capt. Tice, of Civil war fame. They had nine children born to them, namely: Priscilla C .; Lucinda, Mrs. Dr. Grim, of Lawrence county, Pa .; Ira, of lowa; Malinda, widow of Harry James ; Jerome and Levi, both of Iowa; Albert, deceased; Monroe, of Iowa; and Emma, of Myerstown. One son, H. S., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Haak in 1867.
Mr. Haak is liberal in his religious views, supporting all moral measures, as noted above, and contributing to the spread of religious truth, irrespective of creed. His wife is a member of the Reformed Church, and they are most highly esteemed in Myerstown for their many most estimable characteristics.
SAMUEL RIEGEL, teacher. The people of Lebanon county have always been interested in their school system, and have demanded a high standard of excellence in their teachers. The result is that many schools are served by men who have been retained for years in the same position. The gentleman named above has been a teacher in Lebanon for four decades, with the exception of four years passed in the schools of the county. He has been principal of Fairview school since the adoption of the present school law. While Mr. Riegel is widely known in educational circles, he is equally well known in the field of vocal music, having been conductor of music classes throughout the counties of Lebanon, Berks, Lancaster and Dauphin almost continuously since his young manhood.
Prof. Riegel was born in the city of Lebanon in the old McConnell homestead, at No. 119 South Ninth street, September 4. 1845, son of Abra- ham and Mary (McConnell) Riegel. On the paternal side he is in the fifthi generation from Adam Riegel, who landed in America August 13, 1750, and through his paternal grandmother is in the sixth generation in descent from Johannes Light (originally Licht), the first settler of the Light family in Lebanon county. Johannes Light immigrated to this country in 1719. Samuel Riegel's mother was a native of Palmyra, where her birth occurred
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June 17, 1825. She was the daughter of Jacob McConnell, born in Lebanon, opposite the McConnell homestead, January 17, 1790, and died November 24, 1868. Through her Prof. Riegel is a descendant of Casper Snavely (originally Schnebeli), who emigrated to America from Canton Zurich, Switzerland, in 1736.
Prof. Samuel Riegel was nurtured in a refined home, and passed the period of his youth and young manhood in the pleasures and duties which come to the average village boy. His preliminary training was gained in the public schools, and was supplemented by more advanced work in the Leb- anon Normal classes, he having decided to make teaching his lifework. He received his first certificate to teach August 16, 1862. His first work was in the primary school in Fredericksburg. After a term the following year. in Cornwall township he had attained such proficiency as to attract the atten- tion of the school committee of Lebanon, and was invited to join their teach- ing force. He subsequently taught two terms in the country, but has been identified with the schools of Lebanon for practically forty years. When Prof. Riegel entered the Lebanon school it was ungraded, and he has seen its development to its present efficient status, coming up through the grades by promotion until he reached the principalship. He was one of the first principals appointed under the school law of 1893, being given the principal- ship of Fairview. Prof. Riegel is an all-round school man, and deserves the popularity with which he is regarded in Lebanon.
The school duties of Prof. Riegel have only absorbed a part of his atten- tion. Possessed of a fine voice, and early developing a love for music, he began to be a most popular leader as the years went by. and was in demand constantly in Lebanon and adjoining counties. As an incident showing this popularity it is related that the community of Richland waited three years for him rather than lose the opportunity of securing his services, and for eighteen years following he taught music in that locality. Prof. Riegel organized his first class in 1862, and taught music continuously thereafter until 1895. On June 6, 1885, there was held a rather extraordinary gather- ing which amounted to an outpouring. in the Tulpehocken Reformed Church, two miles east of Myerstown, consisting of those who had come under the instruction of Prof. Riegel during the past years. Six hundred badged mem- bers. formed the chorus, led by our subject, and the audience of three thousand people was also largely made up of his former pupils.
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Prof. Riegel still retains his interest in the subject of music, but is not so active, as was his wont in years gone by. He assisted in the organization of the Lebanon Choral Society, in which he retains his membership. He
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served as choirmaster of the First Reformed Church for a period of fifteen years. A deservedly popular member of society, he is a citizen highly es- teemed by all.
WILLIAM T. ATKINS, one of the editors and proprietors of the Lebanon Courier, was born in Lebanon, Pa., September 23. 1865, son of the late William and Frances ( Hean) Atkins. After attending the public schools of Lebanon until he was thirteen years of age, Mr. Atkins began and served an apprenticeship of four years, after which he secured a position in the office of the State printer at Harrisburg, where he remained during one session of the State Legislature (1886), and then returned to the Courier office at Lebanon. In 1889, in company with Messrs. Light & Rodearmel, he purchased the Courier from Messrs. Worth & Reinoehl. In 1898 Mr. Atkins and Mr. Rodearmel purchased the interest of Mr. Light, and they now run the leading weekly paper of Lebanon county. Mr. Atkins is a meni- ber of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Chapter, Commandery, Consistory and Mystic Shrine.
JOHN REINOEHL RODEARMEL, one of the editors and proprietors of the Lebanon Courier, was born in Lebanon. September 1, 1862, son of the late John and Mary (Reinoehl) Rodearmel. The father was born in Palmyra, Lebanon county, and was for twenty-five years a bookkeeper for the lumber firm of Reinoehl & Meily, later the Reinoehl Lumber Company. In his early days he was a school teacher, and for years was a clerk in the Quarter- master's Department at Philadelphia.
John R. Rodearmel graduated from the Lebanon public schools in June, 1879, and the same summer began apprenticeship to the printer's trade, in the office of the Lebanon Courier, and in 1889 became a member of the firn!, becoming a co-partner, in 1898, with William T. Atkins. Mr. Rodearmel is a member of all the Masonic bodies. Both the partners are men of exten- sive reading and wide experience.
HENRY J. SHOLLY. ex-county commissioner of Lebanon county and one of its leading and representative citizens, comes from one of the old agricultural families of this portion of old Lebanon, which his own public spirit and practical ideas have assisted to make prominent.
Henry J. Sholly was born August 22. 1840, in North Lebanon town- ship, a son of Balser and Mary ( Henning) Sholly, the former of whom was born in Swatara township and the latter in North Annville township. Bal- ser Sholly was one of the good and upright citizens of the county ; he fol-
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lowed an agricultural life in North Lebanon township, and died at the age of fifty-two years, his widow surviving him a long period, dying at the age of seventy-two. They were consistent members of Kimberling's Reformed Church. Eleven children were born to them, and nine of these attained maturity. those beside Henry J. being: John, now deceased, was a general utility man and lived in Swatara township; Catherine died the wife of Levi Eichenberger; Elizabeth died the wife of Joseph Briger; Peter, deceased. was a farmer and also a cigar-maker: Barbara died the wife of Daniel Light; Susan died the wife of William Eberhart; Sarah died unmarried ; and Balser, a farmer, was accidentally killed by a freight train while cross- ing the tracks, in South Bend, Indiana.
Henry J. Sholly was reared on the farm in North Lebanon town- ship, and secured his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty- two years he started out to battle with life on his own responsibility, engag- ing in farming, as that was the vocation for which he had been trained. For twenty-three years he cultivated a rented farm in North Lebanon town- ship, and then purchased his present most desirable farm, comprising IIG acres, delightfully located two miles northeast of the city of Lebanon. Mr. Sholly has taken a deep interest in agricultural matters and has developed his farm to an unusual state of productiveness. His commodious buildings are all of substantial structure, while his residence is one of comfort and convenience.
Henry J. Sholly is one of the practical, self-made men of the township. broad-gauged and progressive, and is one who stands ever ready to advocate measures that will benefit the community. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, and he has filled a number of the local offices in its gift. with credit to himself and his constituents. His interest in the public schools has been shown by nine years of service as school director, and he was elected assessor for three terms, in a Republican township. In 1893 he was elected a county commissioner, and ably served during a period when it was necessary to make many improvements and also to reduce the public debt. There is probably no local office that Henry J. Sholly could not secure if he so desired, so great is his personal popularity. He has shown that he has held the public welfare on a par with his own, and is known as an honorable and trustworthy man. Fraternally he is connected with the P. O. S. of A .. No. 65. Golden Eagle, No. 314. Valley Commandery No. 5. and Kittating. No. 85.
On September 5. 1862. Henry J. Sholly was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kreider. born in Cornwall township, daughter of Abraham
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and Mary (Riddle) Kreider, and a family of eight children was born to this union, namely : Alice is the wife of Dawson L. Light, of North Lebanon township; Emma married Thomas Bamberger, and she and her son were killed by the electric car in Independent District, Lebanon; Ida is the wife of Frank Blauch, of North Lebanon township; Elmer E. married Sallie Thomas, and they reside in North Lebanon township. he assisting his father on the farm; Miss Clare L. ; Henry Jennings is deceased : Katie is the wife of Harry W. Geesey, of Lebanon; and one died unnamed. The religious connection of the family is with Kimmerling's Reformed Church. The fam - ily is prominent socially in the township.
MILTON B. FRETZ, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Pal- myra, Lebanon Co .. Pa., and a man widely known for his great ability and deep erudition, was born September 28, 1855. in Bucks county, Pa., a son of Jonathan and Mary ( Bleim) Fretz. The father was born in Bucks coun- ty and the mother in Northampton county, Pa., and the former died in August, 1901, aged eighty-seven years, while his wife passed away in Novem ber, 1898, aged sixty-five years. The grandfather was John Fretz, a native of Berks county, Pa. The maternal grandfather was Rev. Christian Bleim, a Mennonite preacher.
Dr. Fretz was reared upon his father's farm until he was fourteen years of age. His early education was obtained in the various institutions of Bucks county, and in his eighteenth year he entered the Millersville State Normal School, and after finishing his course there taught three terms. Having always had an ambition to become a physician, he began the study of medicine with Dr. John A. Laros, of Coopersburg, Lehigh Co., Pa .. and graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1873. Following this he began the practice of his profession in Mont gomery county. In 1884 he took a post-graduate course in the Philadel- phia Polyclinic. In 1885 he located in Palmyra, where he has since remained. building up a large and lucrative practice which is constantly increasing Dr. Fretz is a man of wide experience, and a physician of keen insight and unusual ability. Keeping thoroughly abreast of the times, he is well fitted to cope with disease, and is one of the most successful physicians in the treat- ment of his cases in the county. In 1886 Dr. Fretz opened a drug store at Palmyra, which he still conducts in connection with his practice, and is very successful with it, as he is in his profession. The children of Dr. Fretz are as follows : Dr. Howard G., who, having read medicine with his father. graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.
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1900, is now resident surgeon of Girard College, Philadelphia; Carrie, who graduated in literature and music from Irvin College, Mechanicsburg, Pa., in 1899, and from the Musical Conservatory of the Philadelphia Musical Academy, in Philadelphia, May 13, 1903, is now a teacher of music, and a most accomplished young lady.
SAMUEL SHENK HORST (deceased), for many years a respected and useful citizen of Lebanon, was for over twenty years a prominent busi- ness man of that city. First as a merchant, later as a manufacturer, he assisted materially in the upbuilding of the industries of the place, and his usefulness and success were entirely the result of his own thrift and energy.
Mr. Horst was born in South Annville township, Lebanon county, March 5, 1845, and came of an agricultural people of this section. Both his grandfather, Peter Horst, and his father, Joseph Horst, were prominent farm- ers of Lebanon county. Joseph Horst married Barbara Shenk, and the sub- ject of this sketch was the youngest of ten children.
Samuel S. Horst spent the first ten years of his life on the home farm, thence moving to Lebanon, where he soon met with a severe loss in the death of his father. Being quite young, however, he was sent to the public schools, afterward to the Millersville Normal School, and gained a thorough and practical education. Early shouldering the active responsibilities of life, he taught school in the country districts for a number of years, and then entered a store as a clerk, where he discharged his duties with faithfulness and ability. On May 24, 1877, he married Clara L. Light, and by this union there has been one son, Andrew L., who is a graduate of Harvard College, and is now a resident of Chicago.
Samuel S. Horst, in partnership with his father-in-law, Andrew Light, conducted a general store in Lebanon, and during six years carried on a highly prosperous business. Later he began the manufacture of lime. Suc- ceeding in producing a fine article, he was enabled to find ready sale for it, and from year to year added to his business. For fully fifteen years he was engaged in this line, in 1892 selling out to J. B. Millard, after which he lived a retired life, until his death on May 10. 1903. He was mourned as a good citizen, and as a man whose example was well worthy of emulation.
Mr. Horst always evinced a keen interest in the public affairs of his city. As a Republican he exerted an influence in politics. In religious sentiment his views were those of the United Brethren. His interest in religious educa- tion was shown by his support of a native scholar in the African mission of the United Brethren Church.
Samuel & Horch
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SAMUEL PHILIP HEILMAN, Heilman Dale, Lebanon county, Pa., son of John and Catharine ( Heilman) Heilman, cousins, grandson of John Henry Heilman, was born December 4. 1842, at Heilman Dale. Veit, the an- cestor of the family, lived in 1305, during an era when men had but a single name and were often distinguished from each other by the name of their occu- pation attached to their single name. Thus Veit was a distinguished physician. and was styled 'Veit, the Heilman," and through usage the definitive word became the family or surname. Veit, the Heilman, and many of his de- scendants, were members of the German order of nobles, had their family coat of arms, and occupied many places of trust and honor as generals, feudal lords, and church dignitaries. Their home and achievements were in the Rhine country. One of the descendants was a partner of Gutenberg, the inventor of printing, while another, Ludwig Heilman, in 1512, wrote a cele- brated hymn in triumph of the Reformation.
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