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 30
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The proprietors of this industry are both men of mechanical ability, as well as of business acunten. They embarked in the enterprise under the great- est difficulties, with practically no capital and no demand, entering a field seemingly already full, and with no trade connections or business reputations in their proposed line. Sales were hard to make and frequently during the first year, after a ten-hour day of hard manual labor, the two proprietors would take a team and drive about the country half the night, negotiating
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sales. The business is managed from the home office entirely, no traveling agents being employed. Indomitable energy, and faith in themselves and their enterprise, carried them through, and success finally came to them. Both partners are men of the most unquestioned integrity, and their personal stand- ing is with the most prominent citizens of Lebanon.
GRANT L. MILLER, one of the enterprising young business men of Lebanon, at the present time the popular manager of the Miller Organ Com- pany's music store, is a son of A. H. Miller, a member of the above company, and was born in Lebanon November 5, 1868. He was educated in the schools of his native city, from which he graduated in 1886, and at once entered upon a business life, becoming an attache of the Miller Organ Company, in their factory, where he remained until 1892. By that time he had secured such a knowledge of the business, and had shown to his superiors such good execu- tive ability, that he was given the managership of their large music store, one of the most extensive in that line in the State. In this he has not disappointed his employers, and is conducting the store with the greatest success, his genial personality being a large factor in his popularity.
Mr. Miller is a leading figure in the social and religious life of the city, and is found in every movement which has for its object the betterment of society. He is a member of that popular organization for men, the Steitz Club, and of the St. Mark's Reformed Church.
Mr. Miller was happily married April 25, 1899. to Miss C. A. Baker, one of Lebanon's most accomplished young ladies, the daughter of Adolphus Baker, deceased, for long years a prominent citizen of the city. The union has been blessed with a sturdy little son, Grant L., Jr., born February 27, 1902.
AARON H. STEINER. Perhaps few residents of North Jackson town- ship, Lebanon county, are better known in his locality than is Aaron H. Steiner, who conducts a fine farm three miles north of Myerstown, and oper- ates the old Steiner mill, which was established by his father for the accom- modation of the countryside, and which is still a recognized necessity.
Mr. Steiner was born December 31, 1853, in North Jackson township, a son of Moses and Lucy (Spannuth) Steiner, the former of whom was long a farmer and miller in North Jackson township. He was born in 1829, a son of John Steiner (2), grandson of John, and great-grandson of Chris- tian, the ancestry leading back to Germany. Christian Steiner came to Penn-
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sylvania prior to the Revolutionary war, and founded a sturdy, honest, reliable and industrious family which has been honorably continued ever since. The children of John Steiner (2) were three in number, namely : Rebecca, who married John Miller; Franklin, long deceased; and Moses, who became the father of Aaron H.
About 1849 Moses Steiner married Lucy Spannuth, and five children were born to this union, as follows: Rebecca, the wife of Aaron Spitler, of Bethel township, who has conducted a general mercantile business at Greenville, Pa., for about thirty years: Aaron H. : Albert, a farmer of North Jackson township; Elizabeth, the wife of P. P. Batdorf. of Myerstown; and Susan, the wife of Franklin Albert, of Myerstown. The parents of this family were consistent members of the Lutheran Church. The father died in 1896. When only eighteen years of age. before the public schools were organized, he opened a subscription school in a building which still stands, near Aaron Steiner's residence. After the public schools were organized he was a teacher in same successfully for a number of years.
Aaron H. Steiner was reared on the home farm, which he now owns and occupies, and obtained his education in the country schools. With his father he learned the principles of both farming and milling, and has put them both to such practical use that he is now one of the substantial as well as prominent men of his locality. His well cultivated farm of forty acres, with its excellent improvements, testifies to his excellence in agricul- ture, while the old mill, built fifty years ago. under his capable operation gives most excellent satisfaction to its numerous patrons. The politics of the Steiner family have always been Democratic in tenor, and Mr. Steiner is a leading worker in his vicinity and has held a number of the local offices. For three years he was the efficient township auditor. has been judge of elections, and is now a useful member of the school board. For many years he has been deacon and elder in the Lutheran Church at Myerstown, and is a man whose integrity is above reproach.
On January 4. 1873. Mr. Steiner was married to Miss Amanda Brown, daughter of William and Priscilla ( Price) Brown, who are deceased, and a member of an old and honored family of Bethel township. Mrs. Steiner is one of a family of six children, namely: John, of Spring City. Mont- gomery Co .. Pa. ; Amanda. Mrs. Steiner: Emma. the wife of William Edris, of Reading: Morris, of Reading: Susan, wife of John Heninger. of Berks county : and Elizabeth, wife of Harry Miller. of Reading. The Brown family is a very highly estimated one in Lebanon county.
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A family of five children has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steiner, as fol- lows: Harvey, who is clerk in a store at Lebanon, was married in 1899 to Miss Emma Walborn, daughter of Noah Walborn, of North Jackson . Jennie, Annie (who is a school teacher in Jackson township), Miles (who is a school teacher in Jackson township), and Wayne ,are all at home. Mr. Steiner has given his children educational advantages, and they and the parents are among the most esteemed residents of the neighborhood.
DAVID REBSTOCK, senior member of the firm of Rebstock & Benja- min, proprietors of the Lebanon Steam Laundry, was born March 23, 1858, in the Fourth ward, Lebanon, a son of Francis and Catherine ( Walters) Reb- stock, the former of whom was born in Germany, and the latter in Lebanon county.
Francis Rebstock, the father, was born in 1830, in Wurtemberg. Ger- many, and came to the United States in 1851. After spending some time in New York City and State he came to Lebanon, and died here in 1870. His marriage was to Catherine Walters, who was born at Jonestown, Lebanon county, a daughter of Andrew Walters, a native of the United States, of German ancestry. Two children were born to these parents, David and Elizabeth. The latter, born in Lebanon, was educated in the public schools. graduated from the high school, and is engaged in teaching in Lebanon. During the years from 1861 to 1865 the family resided in Buffalo. New York.
David Rebstock attended the public schools of Lebanon and entered the high school, but the death of his father threw responsibilities upon him which made it necessary for him to leave his books and assist in the main- tenance of the family. When but twelve years of age he became an employe of the "Eagle Hotel." in Lebanon, and continued his service there for three years, beginning then an apprenticeship to the plumbing business. One year later the firm with which he was connected failed, and thus disarranged his plans. Mr. Rebstock then took charge of the "Eagle" restaurant, in the basement of the "Eagle Hotel," and managed that enterprise for six years. His next business venture was in the transportation line; buying out an okl business he engaged in the transfer of passengers and baggage, and success- fully continued same for nineteen years, selling in 1902.
In 1889. in partnership with G. S. Bowman, Mr. Rebstock established the Lebanon Steam Laundry, but this business association lasted only three months. Mr. Bowman was succeeded by C. E. Rauch. and six years later Mr. Rebstock bought the latter's interest and took his foreman. Frederick G. Haddon, into partnership. On January 7. 1902. Mr. Haddon sold his
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interest to D. H. Benjamin, and the firm style now is Rebstock & Benjamin. They do general laundry work, and make a specialty of shirt work for New York shirt manufacturers. During the winter months 170 people are em- ployed, and in the summers 218 are needed, and on account of expanding business and better accommodations the number may be increased to 300. This one of the largest stock laundries in the country, the work being of the best kind, and every modern device being employed for the satisfaction of patrons.
Mr. Rebstock was one of the organizers of the North Lebanon Shoe Factory and is a director in that concern, and is also vice-president of the Shamokin & Mt. Carmel Street Railway Company, in the coal regions near Sunbury, Pa. Mr. Rebstock is a director of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, in which he is much interested, and belongs to the Royal Arcanum, P. O. S. of A. and A. O. U. W. His political affiliation is with the Demo- cratic party, and he is serving his third term as a member of the select coun- cil of Lebanon, representing the Third ward.
In 1889 Mr. Rebstock was married to Emma C. Dietzler, daughter of Rev. J. M. Dietzler, of Annville, Pa., pastor of the New Lutheran Church of that place. Mrs. Rebstock was born at Bernville, Berks Co., Pa., March 17, 1858, and is a lady of education and pleasing presence. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rebstock: Allen E., Charles A., David, Beatrice and Adelaide, twins, James E. and Catherine.
Mr. Rebstock is a member of the Moravian Church of Lebanon, of which he has been a trustee for eighteen years, and has been the efficient superintendent of the Sunday-school for fourteen years.
LIGHT. For a number of years the name of Light has represented in Lebanon county a high standard of citizenship, its representatives taking a conspicuous position in the political, business and religious affairs of South Lebanon township.
Nimrod Light, the present popular postmaster at Avon, Lebanon county, and also a prominent dealer in grain, coal and feed. a member of the well-known firm of Light Brothers, was born March 5, 1851, in Avon, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Horst) Light. Joseph Light was a son of Joseph and Catherine (Light) Light, old residents, and was born in 1824 in South Lebanon township. He died in 1879, one of the most prominent men of his locality. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the schools of his vicinity, and early developed a fine business instinct which led him into mer- cantile pursuits. In association with his brother-in-law, Henry Horst, he
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 265
embarked in a mercantile business at Avon, which he later removed to Ann- ville and carried on there until 1855. Mr. Light was appointed postmaster when the office was established at Avon, and then embarked in a grain and coal business, taking as partners David Werner and Henry Smith Weiss. A few years later these partners retired, and after a time alone Mr. Light admitted to partnership John Swope. This connection continued until 1873, when these partners were bought out by their sons, Nimrod Light and John A. Swope. Mr. Light then gave his whole atten- tion to his official duties as postmaster and associate judge, filling both those honorable offices until his death. He was one of the active and influential Republicans of his district and little was done in his county without his knowledge and approval. For years he was one of the magistrates of North Lebanon township; was treasurer of the Almshouse; was one of the most useful and intelligent members of the Board of Education; and as agent attended to the railroad business at Avon, from the establishment of the station there. No less active was Mr. Light in advancing the interests of his religious body, the United Brethren Church being indebted to him for much of its financial prosperity, his long service as one of its trustees being most effective. Mr. Light was a man universally respected. To his marriage with Sarah Horst came eleven children, namely: Joseph H., deceased, formerly the editor of the Daily News; Nimrod; Miss Amelia; Noah, of the firm of Light Brothers; Barbara, the wife of Rev. S. S. Daugherty, of Lititz ; Stephen A .; Miss Sadie; Mary Ellen and Lizzie, both deceased; Annie, the wife of Daniel Weidman, of Lititz; and Asaph, deceased. The mother survived the father twenty-one years, dying in 1900, at the age of seventy- two.
NIMROD LIGHT, who is so well and favorably known to the citizens of Avon, was educated in the public schools, and as noted. in 1874, in associa- tion with John A. Swope, succeeded to the prosperous grain, coal and feed business managed by their fathers, the new firm being Light & Swope, which continued until 1889, when occurred the death of Mr. Swope. Mr. Liglit then admitted to partnership his brother Noah, and the firm style became Light Brothers. The attention of the members of this firm is given to this business and also to the cultivation of a fine tract of eighteen acres. Mr. Light is a Republican, and he succeeded to the office of postmaster at the time of his father's decease, filling the same to the complete satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Light has taken a deep interest in educational matters, and has given useful service as school director.
In 1873 Mr. Light was married to Miss Melissa Light, born in 1853, in
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South Lebanon township, a daughter of Felix H. and Sarah (Henry) Light. A family of seven children has been born to Nimrod Light and wife, as follows: Charles H., who follows the trade of miller, married Kate Gass; Minnie married William Saltzer, of Lebanon, and they have two children. Miriam and Bessie; Herbert is deceased; Bennett, Bessie, Nancy and Horace are all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Light are very prominent members of the United Brethren Church, Mr. Light being one of the trustees and a fre- quent delegate to the church conventions. Like his father, he has devoted time and means to the furthering of the work of the Avon church, and not only in it, but in the community, is most highly regarded. He shows his inter- est in his community by his ready and liberal assistance in all the movements which his judgment assures him will benefit the town, and by his exemplary life sets an example of a high standard of citizenship.
STEPHEN A. LIGHT, another member of the Light family who is most favorably known in Lebanon county, was born in 1861, in North Lebanon township, the sixth child of Joseph and Sarah (Horst) Light. He com- pleted the common school course, and then entered the Lebanon Valley Col- lege, leaving there to engage in teaching. After four terms of teaching he became associated with his brothers in the grain and feed business, this con- nection dating from 1890. Since 1895. however, he has added other interests. starting in a small way his textile works under the name of the Avon Knitting Mills, an industry which has through his energy and ability, been developed into a thriving and expanding business. In 1897 he found it advis- able to adınit a partner, T. G. Spangler becoming a member of the firmi, and at the same time a slight change was made in the firm business style, which is now the Avon Knitting Company. In 1900 it was incorporated with the following officers : Samuel L. Light, president; T. G. Spangler, secretary; Stephen A. Light, treasurer ; and Prof. E. Benjamin Bierman, vice-president. After the incorporation the plant was enlarged, and now gives employment to 100 persons, although the business was started with less than twenty-five. The output, mainly skirts and underwear, is of such uniform excellence that a ready market is already found in almost every State in the Union. The energy of Mr. Light keeps everything moving, and his influence is felt in every department of the great business.
In 1900 Mr. Light was united in marriage with Miss Ella Krall, and they have one daughter, Helen. In politics Mr. Light is a stanch Republican. Like his father and older brothers, he is active in the United Brethren Church. His business and personal standing is high, and he worthily repre- sents an honorable Lebanon county name.
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JOSEPH ASBURY SOWERS, president of The Report Publishing Company, of Lebanon, Pa., owning and conducting The Evening Report newspaper, daily except Sunday, and The Semi-Weekly Report, both influen- ential and prosperous journals of the famed Lebanon Valley, and one of the largest and most progressive job, book and general printing establishments in interior Pennsylvania, was born March 3. 1858, in Lebanon, his parents being John and Catharine ( Uhler ) Sowers.
He received a good rudimentary education, and learned the printer's trade in his native town, working at the same in Philadelphia and later in the middle West. In 1877 he located in Hamburg, Iowa, and, two years later, married Miss Mary E. Alberson of that place. In 1879, with M. J. Stauffer. he founded the Sidney ( lowa) Democrat. He was also associated at one time with the Shenandoah (Iowa) Reporter, as business manager. In 1882 he returned to Lebanon, where, with his brother, Edwin U. Sowers, he founded the business which has in the past twenty-one years developed into the large interests of The Report Publishing Company.
The history of this enterprise is unique. In 1882 the Sowers brothers established a job printing office on the third floor of the Raber building, the first floor being occupied by Levi Laudermilch, dry-goods merchant. The job printing firm was known under the style of Sowers & Bro. until 1890, at which time The Report Publishing Company (limited) was formed, and The Report newspaper established. In 1900 the above partnership was dis- continued and the company was incorporated with J. A. Sowers as president ; E. U. Sowers, secretary and treasurer, and the following directors: J. P. S. Gobin, James Lord, J. L. Lemberger and Ira M. Rutter. This same board of officers and directors continues, with the addition to the directors of Silas S. Herr. The growth of the concern. beginning with the establishment of the small jobbing plant in the room on the third floor of a building on Cum- berland street, to its present large and commodious buildings, fronting on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, between Ninth and Tenth streets, has been marvelous. Before the erection of the present buildings, a handsome stone front structure was erected on North Ninth street, near Cumberland, but this soon proved inadequate. Then followed the present three-story brick building, 40 x 120 feet, to which an addition was made subsequently, of 50 x 80 feet, with a frontage of one-half a block. The plant consists of five cylinder presses, three jobbers, five linotype machines, with a complete pamphlet bindery, three folding machines, two wire stitchers, power paper cutter, all of which is in addition to the other accessories of a complete job and newspaper plant. All machinery is driven by electricity, each machine
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having its own separate power. The company make a specialty of church and Sunday School work, and are handling over twenty regular publications for Philadelphia and New York concerns, besides numerous periodicals and pamphlets.
Mr. Sowers has an interesting family of three sons and two daughters. He is a leading member and officer of Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of deep political convictions, but independent in thought and action. His influence is always felt for good men in public office and for measures regarded economically sound as gauged by the scien- tific trend of the age, regardless of partisan traditions and sentiments. He is a thorough business man, his personal and practical knowledge of details being considered remarkable. It is a noted fact in the Report establishment, that he can, upon an instant's notice, take the place, in the company's plant, of any employe, however high or however low his position, and whether in the mechanical or other departments. A strict disciplinarian and a man of iron will, his personality is yet modified by a warm heart and a generous nature, endearing him to all who come in contact with him, yet abating in no degree the uniform respect accorded him. Like more notable figures in the history of American publication interests and journalism, Mr. Sowers, in the way of recreation, takes deep interest in out-door, horticultural and agricul- tural pursuits, both theoretically and practically, his pleasant suburban home to the east of Lebanon affording him opportunities in this direction.
EDWIN UHLER SOWERS, secretary and treasurer of The Report Publishing Company, Lebanon, Pa., of which extended mention is made in the foregoing, was born in Lebanon, September 1, 1864. His father, John Sowers, a native of Franklin county, Pa., was born in 1795, and married Catharine Uhler, of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania.
Edwin U. Sowers was reared in Lebanon, receiving his education in the public schools. After finishing his scholastic course he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Pennsylvanier, a newspaper owned by John Young, and the English and general job printing department of which was in charge of Joseph H. Light, well known in publication circles. The appren- ticeship of the subject of this sketch was interrupted by ill health, but he finally completed his novitiate in the office of the Lebanon Advertiser, a widely known journal of its day, and, at the time referred to, owned by William M. Breslin. Subsequently, Mr. Sowers was engaged in the notion and men's furnishing store of Simon G. Boltz, and in 1882 embarked with his brother,
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Joseph A. Sowers, in the printing business, since developed into the concerns of The Report Publishing Company.
In 1885 Mr. Sowers married Martha E. Herr, the accomplished daugli- ter of Christian Herr, deceased, of Lancaster county, Pa. They have two bright sons, one of whom is nearly grown. Their delightful home is located in Berwyn Park, one of the fashionable residential sections of Lebanon, in which city Mr. and Mrs. Sowers are important social and religious factors.
Mr. Sowers is a member of Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church and is superintendent of the Sunday School, one of the largest and most active in Lebanon.
In politics Mr. Sowers is in no sense a partisan. He is a supporter of high ideals in public life, wherever found, and a worker for good govern- ment irrespective of party lines. He stands for sound business methods in local governmental matters, uninfluenced by economic dogmas affecting national concerns. He has a capacity for affairs, and a pleasant personality which adds to his effectiveness as a business man, coming in contact with others. He has artistic and literary tastes which make themselves felt in various departments of the newspapers owned by his company. He has the love of exactness which characterizes the successful business man, but this does not dull his personal generosity. He is devoted to his calling, his home, his church and his native city of Lebanon.
JOHN J. WEIGLEY, whose attractive farm stands in the suburbs of Richmond, just north of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, is one of the successful agriculturists of his township. He has made his money in the continuous pursuit of one main industry, and besides his fine farm, now owns valuable property in the village. He was born February 12, 1842, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Zeller) Weigley.
Mr. Weigley's family is of English extraction, and his great-grandfather Weigley came from England, and was among the early settlers of Millcreek township, where for years he was an influential citizen. Jacob Weigley. grandfather of John J., received the ordinary rearing of pioneer boys of his day. Upon reaching manhood he settled upon a farm in Millcreek township. and engaged in agriculture. He was thrifty and industrious, and made a good home for himself and family. By his marriage there were ten children : Mary, Isaac, Charles, William, Allen, Oliver, John, Lucy, Caroline and Hen- rietta, all deceased except Caroline. The father of this family was a strong, capable pioneer, and assisted materially in developing the resources of his section. He was public spirited and influential in local affairs.
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