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 31
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Isaac Weigley, father of Jolin J., won a good place for himself in life as an agriculturist and an artisan. Born in Millcreek township. in 1813, he there received careful training in habits of industry and self reliance. By assisting his father on the farm he early became familiar with practical methods of agriculture; and as a further equipment for life he learned pump-making. Upon reaching manhood he married Elizabeth Zeiler, who was born in Mill- creek township, and was a descendant of an old family, who settled in the same township, between 1704 and 1715. By this union there were seven children : Melinda; Cathryn; Francis, who enlisted in the Civil war, and died in the service; John J., who is mentioned below; and Wayne, Jacob and William. After his marriage Mr. Weigley settled upon a farm in Millcreek township, and there engaged very successfully in agriculture. Hard work and wise management transformed the wild tracts into well-cultivated fields. yielding abundant harvests, and continuing to prosper he made a comfortable home for himself and family. In addition to his farming he worked at his trade as a pump-maker, and being proficient in his line, secured all the work he could possibly attend to, thus materially increasing his income. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-five, and died in 1898. Mr. Weigley was a wise business manager, and a thorough, conscientious workman. His well- directed efforts and his high moral character won him the respect of the com- munity. As a Democrat in politics his word carried weight in local affairs. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church.
John J. Weigley inherited his father's taste for rural pursuits, and his skill in managing affairs. On the home farm in Millcreek township he received the ordinary rearing of boys of his locality, early evincing traits of self-reliance and competency. He procured his education in the public schools of his vicinity, receiving thorough drill in the rudiments, which he has later supplemented by extensive reading and contact with the world. Both envir- onment and education decided him upon reaching manhood to make farming the business of his life. About 1868 Mr. Weigley married Maria Kilmer, of Marion township, Berks county, who was born in 1851, daughter of Israel and Lavina ( Botdorff) Kilmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Weigley have been born seven children: Ira F., a cigar manufacturer, of Richland: Mary L., who married Eugene Eck, of Shamrock, Berks county, and resides in Richland : Harry, a carpenter and machinist of Richland; Dawson K., a clerk with the Geib Mercantile Co., of Richland; Robert I., a teacher in Millcreek township. who resides at home; Ray W. ; and Kathryn E., who is living at home.
After his marriage Mr. Weigley settled upon a neat little forty-acre farm in the suburbs of Richland, where he now resides. Giving his time largely to
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the cultivation of this place, he has thoroughly developed its resources. He has put the buildings in excellent condition, equipped the place with all neces- sary machinery, and now has a most attractive and productive farm. He has made well out of his industry, and owns a fine residence and four acres of valuable land in the village of Richland. Mr. Weigley has achieved his suc- cess by directing his forces in one main line, preferring to perfect one thing rather than to half do many. He is honest in business, temperate in habits. and kind in his family. The Reformed Church of Tulpehocken counts him among its most worthy members. As a strong Democrat he has always evinced a keen interest in public affairs.
Israel Kilmer, father of Mrs. Weigley, is a descendant of an old family of Berks county. He married Lavina Botdorff, who also comes of a pioneer family of Berks county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer were born six children : Emma, Maria. Levi. Rebecca, Martha and Isaac.
HARRY DIETZ, superintendent of the Tulpehocken Stone Quarries. of South Jackson township, in the little village of Millardsville, and an hon- ored and respected citizen of Myerstown, was born January 16, 1849, in York county. Pa., a son of Eli and Susan ( Hale) Dietz.
Eli Dietz was a son of Henry Dietz, also a native of York county, and was of German extraction. Henry Dietz was the father of a numerous family, their names being thus recorded: Samuel, Emanuel, Philip, Eli, Elizabeth. Sarah, Susan, Mary and Elinor. All of them have passed away except Philip and Susan.
Eli Dietz, the father of Harry, was born January 4, 1823, in York county, and died in 1896. In 1845 he married Susan Hale, who was born in 1818, and died in 1882. They were the parents of a large family, the six who grew to maturity being: Katherine, deceased; Harry; John, a farmer in Cumberland county : Ellen, deceased, who was the wife of William Bricker : Miss Mary, with her brother in Cumberland county; and Samuel. a farmer of the same county. The earlier members of the family were farmers, but Eli Dietz was a carpenter by trade, and an honest, industrious, self-respecting man, devoted to his family and the support of the Mennonite Church. In politics he was a Democrat.
Harry Dietz, the well-known citizen of Myerstown, removed with his parents to Cumberland county when a child of four years, and was reared and educated there. In young manhood he was occupied with various enter- prises, after marriage beginning to farm in York county, but within two years he had established an excellent blacksmithing business in the same
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locality, and conducted same for twelve years. In 1890 he came to Lebanon county and embarked in stone quarrying with Jacob B. Millard, at the Tulpe- hocken Quarries, where he has been the very efficient manager and superin- tendent ever since. Mr. Dietz and his son John L. have since engaged in the quarry business under the name of Harry Dietz & Son, having dissolved the connection with the before mentioned Jacob B. Millard, with whom they started in the business. The quarries are very valuable, and the work under Mr. Dietz's superintendence has resulted in the placing on the market of some of the finest stone found in the county. In manner pleasant yet firm, Mr. Dietz is on very amicable relations with his employes, and has no difficulty in adjusting little differences such as always will occur where a large body of men are at work, to the satisfaction of all without loss to the business.
Prior to his marriage Mr. Dietz was engaged at work in Harrisburg for a time, but, as noted, for a number of years he lias resided in Lebanon county and Jackson township. On August 10, 1876, he was married to Rachel E. Millard, daughter of Jacob and Anna Millard, of York county. She was the youngest of a family of four surviving children, the others being : Andrew B., of Cumberland county ; Webster, of York county; Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Millard, of York Haven, Pa.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dietz: J. Eby, deceased; J. Lerue, engaged with his father at Millardsville; W. G .. a machinist of Myers- town; and Anna M., who died in childhood.
In politics Mr. Dietz, like his father, has always zealously supported the Democratic party. Since 1897 he has been a very useful member of the school board and an interested, public-spirited citizen. His religious connec- tion is with the Winebrennerian Church. Mr. Dietz started out in life much handicapped by limited means, but he has always been active and industrious, and now has the satisfaction of occupying a responsible position in business and of enjoying the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.
ADAM GRITTINGER, late one of Lebanon county's most prominent men, having been active in the affairs of the county for upwards of half a century, was a native of the county, born in Londonderry township, January 1, 1800, a son of John Grittinger and his wife Jean Nichols, the former of German descent, and the latter of Irish. His educational advantages were limited, consisting only of a few years in the common schools of the county, which at that early period were poor, indeed. While a lad he was apprenticed to a carpenter, but his ambition to secure knowledge and advance himself in life, prompted him to continue his studies at every opportunity, and it was in
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reading all books which came within reach that his leisure hours were spent As he grew up, he became a school teacher, and as such was employed in Hummelstown.
On July 12, 1829, Mr. Grittinger was married to Elizabeth Snively. eldest daughter of John and Catharine Snively of Shady Grove. Franklin county, Pa. Of the large family of children born to them, there survive but two, Catharine J. (wife of John K. Funck ) and HENRY C., both residing in Lebanon. The wife and mother died March 19, 1857.
Mr. Grittinger located in Lebanon about 1830 and for the following two years was engaged in mercantile business, after which he returned to teaching. During the year 1836-37 he was employed as an assistant engineer in the location and construction of the State canal intended to connect the head- waters of the Allegheny and Susquehanna rivers. Subsequently he became a conveyancer and surveyor, and so continued until his death, secur- ing a large business and gaining a very high reputation in his pro- fession, and was considered to have had few equals in that line. In about 1838 he was elected clerk of the Orphan's Court of Lebanon county, and in 1847-48, he represented the county in the State Legislature. He held the position of county surveyor several terms, was chief burgess of the borough of Lebanon in 1863-64, and was prominently identified with the public schools of the town. His death occurred September 16, 1874. Mr. Grittinger was a man of high integrity, sterling qualities of head and heart, and was greatly respected by the entire community.
JOHN B. STOHLER, of Heidelberg township, blacksmith and manu- facturer of edge tools, with business located about two miles southwest of Schaefferstown, was born July 15, 1841, near Elizabeth Furnace, Clay town- ship, Lancaster county, a son of John and Sarah ( Beamesderfer) Stohler.
The Stohler family probably came from the Palatinate, Germany, to America prior to the time of the Revolution. John Stohler, the grandfather. was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a native of Lancaster county. He was the father of sons and daughters, namely, by his first wife : John, Henry, George, Polly and Catherine; and by his second wife, Lydia, Susan and William. Catherine died unmarried. but Polly became the wife of Isaac Good.
John Stohler (2), father of John B., was born October 13. 1814, in Lebanon county. and died January 6, 1894. aged seventy-nine years. His marriage to Sarah Beamesderfer resulted in the birth of four children. namely : Sarah, Mary, John B. and Andrew, all of whom have passed away
18
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except John B. By trade Mr. Stohler was a blacksmith. In politics he was a Republican. In religion he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was well known in his locality for his industrious habits, and the business he established in 1842, coming from Elizabeth Furnace, is still carried on by his son at the same place
John B. Stohler was two years of age when his parents settled in Heidel- berg township, and he grew up in the knowledge of his trade under his father's instruction. He attended the local schools and received a common education. He began working in the blacksmith shop at the age of ten, operating the bellows, and he had a box placed in front of the anvil on which he stood, with sledge in hand, to help his father forge the iron as it was brought from the fire. The first horse that he shod was brought to the shop by J. H. Wise, now judge of the courts of Dauphin county, Pa. In 1861 he went to Stephenson county, Ill., and in 1862 left and accompanied Frank Tarbox, a freighter. as one of his teamsters. He drove a team of mules from Freeport, 111., to Boulder City and Denver. Colo., loaded with agricultural implements. It took fifty-two days to make this trip. He stayed at Boulder City and Denver during the summer, working at blacksmithing and in November returned to Freeport, Ill., working for some time in a reaper fac- tory. In 1863 he left for Rockford, Ill., and entered Mannes' Machine shop. From Rockford. Ill., he went to Indianapolis, Ind., and worked in Sinker's machine shop, and then worked his way around to his old home. Mr. Stohler is known as a skilled workman and his neighbors have reason to feel gratified that after trying other localities, he finally chose his old home as his permanent place of residence.
Mr. Stohler is especially skilled in the art of making edge tools by hand, and while he makes all kinds, his specialty is the "Home-made Stohler axe," for which the demand has ever been greater than the supply, regardless of the fact the cost is more than double that of factory made axes. The wood cut- ters, carpenters and farmers for miles around use these tools, all of which are made and tempered in charcoal fire, Mr. Stohler burning his own char- coal. He is gifted in being able to detect any possible flaw in the steel, and has an instinctive knowledge of tempering that as yet has never failed him. People frequently come some distance to see him, and have him fashion tools of their own designing. Nor is his skill wholly confined to tool making. as he is an able blacksmith, and a mason-doing most of the mason work in building his shop. barn and houses-and besides is something of a carpenter and plasterer, to the extent of doing his own work. He has even made some of his furniture. He has been in business for thirty-seven years, has built
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up a very prosperous trade, has accumulated property, and is looked upon as one of the substantial men of the township as well as one of the most highly esteemed.
In 1869 Mr. Stohler married Amanda Werner, daughter of Beneville and Laura (Beekey ) Werner, and three children were born to this union, as follows : John N., a graduate of the Millersville State Normal School, is a teacher in Heidelberg township; Estella M. is the wife of Evan Kurtz, of Heidelberg township; and Sallie L. is the wife of Lucian L. Zimmerman, a farmer of Millcreek township. In politics Mr. Stohler has been a life-long Republican. In religious connection he is a Lutheran and has been deacon and trustee in the Schaefferstown Church. Mrs. Stohler belongs to an old county family, and was born July 28, 1841, the other members of the family being : Malinda: Emanuel; Sarah; Isaac. of Myerstown; and Catherine, wife of Reuben Miller, of Cornwall township.
EDMUND DISSINGER. a prominent citizen and representative business man of Bismarck, Lebanon county, who has been identified with the inter- ests of this town since 1881, was born September 25, 1856, in Heidelberg township, Lebanon county, a son of Jacob and Mary (Newman) Dissinger.
Jacob Dissinger and his wife were both born in Millcreek township. The former learned the blacksmith trade and followed it through life with suc- cess, working first at the "Halfway House" in North Lebanon township. and later at Reistville, where he died at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Dissinger was one of the most respected men of his community, and for many years was a deacon in the Lutheran Church. He was well known as a skilled workman, and this reputation his son, Edmund, has sustained. 1 family of ten children was born to Jacob Dissinger and his wife, as follows: Jacob and Jonathan both died in childhood; Emma, a twin of Jacob. married James Steinmetz, and resides at Schaefferstown; Amelia married Frank Ice- man, of Iowa: Mary Ann married F. P. Lauser, of Palmyra: Edmund and Isabel. twins, the latter the wife of Alfred Witmer, of Reistville: Thomas H., a wheelwright, of Reistville; and George and David. twins, the former of these being a blacksmith at Reistville, and the latter a merchant at Sport- ing Hill, Lancaster county.
Edmund Dissinger attended the public schools and as a boy played around his father's forge, and when old enough learned the business, and worked for his father for eight years. Locating then at West Myerstown. he worked there for one year, and then, on March 17, 18SI, established him- self at Bismarck, where he has continued ever since. There is very little
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about a general blacksmith business that Mr. Dissinger does not under- stand, and his trade is large, the community relying on his skill, for he is an excellent mechanic. Through his industry Mr. Dissinger has accumulated a competency, and owns his shop and two dwellings, both valuable properties. Mr. Dissinger is a man of public spirit and intelligence, and he served very acceptably on the school board for three years.
In 1879 Edmund Dissinger was married to Miss Malinda A. Witmer, born July 21, 1856, at Bismarck, daughter of Henry and Ann (Feese) Witmer, and a family of six children was born to this union, namely: Sadie is at home; David, who is engaged in business with his father, married Vergie Leliman; Katie Ann is deceased; and Clara, Ada and Edmund. For a considerable period Mr. Dissinger has been an active member of the Re- formed Church. He is one of the town's reliable men. His paternal grand- father, George Dissinger, was a noted veterinary surgeon in Heidelberg township, and the maternal grandfather, David Newman, of Millcreek town- ship, was one of the best carpet weavers of that vicinity.
JACOB B. KARCH. In the death of this man, November 20, 1897, the city of Lebanon lost one of its most substantial citizens, and the Valley National Bank one of the most efficient men who ever filled the position of cashier. He was reared to a business life, as his father, Joseph Karch, had been for years a prominent Lebanon banker. The elder Mr. Karch made Lebanon his home for a long period. During the early part of his career he engaged in the mercantile business, but later he became cashier of the Valley National Bank, which position he filled with much credit to him- self. Mr. Karch married Amelia Heichold, and they had two children : Jacob B., who is mentioned below: and Maria, who married Rev. A. R. Bartholomew, of the Reformed Church.
Jacob B. Karch was born in the city of Lebanon, February 2. 1851, and there grew to manhood, receiving his early education in the schools of that place. Intellectually ambitious, he was later sent to Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., and finally. as a preparation for his future career, he attended the Eastman Business College of Poughkeepsie. N. Y., graduating with honor. Clearly competent to fill a responsible posi- tion, he now entered the Valley National Bank, of which his father was then cashier, and began work as a bookkeeper and assistant cashier. This place he filled very acceptably for ten years. On September 17, 1872. Mr. Karch married Mary A. Plummer, of Chesapeake City, Md., a most admir- able woman, who has won for herself hosts of friends in Lebanon. Since
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her husband's death she has lived in retirement at her new and pleasant residence on Cumberland street. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Karch: Joseph P., an engineer at Pittsburg, Pa., who married May Wales, of Hornerstown, N. J .; Mary C., who died young; and Martha T., who married John J. Mack, a wholesale grocer of Lebanon, and has one child, Josephine E.
Mr. Karch, upon the death of his father, became cashier of the Valley National Bank, and, winning the entire confidence of stockholders and de- positors, retained this position throughout the rest of his life. altogether thirty years. Mr. Karch's business dealings were always marked by clear- headedness and the strictest honesty. Possessed of many winning traits, he always gained the good-will and respect of clerks and assistants. Fra- ternally he stood high, and affiliated with the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.
JACOB FORNEY, one of the leading and prominent farmers of Corn- wall township, Lebanon county, was born on the farm where he is still living, April 14, 1850, a son of John and Sallie ( Bachman) Forney.
John Forney was born on the homestead farm, where he resided during his life, which terminated in 1854, while he was still a young man. His widow was left with one child, Jacob. John Forney was a farmer by occu- pation, and a son of John Forney, Sr. Sallie Forney married again, her second husband being Henry Gingrich, now also deceased, by whom she had four children. Mrs. Gingrich is still living at the age of seventy-eight years, a most remarkable lady, deeply beloved by her children and all who know her.
Jacob Forney was reared upon the home farm and in South Annville township. being educated in the public schools. After his marriage, he be- gan farming on the old homestead, which he owns, consisting of 140 acres of rich, well improved land, on which he carries on general farming. This prop- erty is very valuable, and has been in the possession of the family for nearly one hundred years.
On November 23, 1871, Mr. Forney married Miss Mary Shenk, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mary (Henry) Shenk, born in Dauphin county, near Palmyra, Lebanon county, April 2, 1853, and two children have been born to this union : John B. and Harry S., both at home. Mr. Forney is one of the public-spirited men of the county. In political matters, he is a stanch Repub- lican, and has served most acceptably on the school board. During the many years he has been connected with the best interests of this county, Mr. Forney has proven himself a worthy, honorable, upright man, and has always kept
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himself well posted on current affairs, so that he can converse intelligently and agreeably upon many matters.
AUGUSTUS STONER SMITH, M. D., one of the well known physicians of Lebanon county, Pa., and prothonotary of Lebanon county, was born in Bethel township, Berks county, adjoining Bethel township, Lebanon county, February 28, 1840, a son of Martin Smith.
Martin Smith was born in Dauphin county, now Lebanon County, Pa., in 1794, and died in Millersburg, Pa., in 1855, aged sixty-one years and two months. The mother of Dr. Smith was Elizabeth Stoner, who was born in East Hanover, Lebanon Co., Pa., in 1806, and died in 1886, aged eighty years and one day. The paternal grandfather was Peter Smith, born in Dauphin county, Pa., now Lebanon, and his wife was Barbara Moyer. The maternal grandfather, was Jacob Stoner, a native of West Hanover township. Dauphin county, and his wife was Elizabeth. The father of Dr. Smith learned the trade of shoemaking, and followed it for a number of years, but later in life was a farmer.
Dr. Smith was born and reared on the farm until he was between five and six years of age, when he was taken by his parents to Millersburg, and there attended the common schools. Later he took a course at Myerstown Academy, in Lebanon county, and still later had the advantage of several terms at Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College. After graduation, Dr. Smith began to earn his own living as a clerk in the general store of Fredrick Harner, at Millersburg, and subsequently began the study of medicine in that village with the late Dr. Daniel L. Batdorf.
In 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F. One Hundred and Sixty- seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being mustered into service, November 12, 1862, and was honorably discharged with the regiment, August 12, 1863. He was transferred from the ranks to the position of hos- pital steward, which he held at the time of his discharge. The One Hundred and Sixty-seventh regiment was composed of Berks county men, with the following officers : Charles A. Knoder, colonel; Joseph DePuy Davis, lieu- tenant; Gustavus A. Worth, major. Soon after organization, the regiment was ordered to Suffolk, Va., to the Department of the James, under General Dix. Later it was attached to the Army of the Potomac, First Brigade, First Division, First Corps, and with this army participated in the pursuit of Lee to beyond the Rappahannock, where, its term of service being about to expire, it was relieved at the front and ordered to Reading, Pa., and on August 12, 1863, it was mustered out. After the war Dr. Smith located at
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Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, and was engaged in a general practice until 1892, when he came to Lebanon, and continued at his profession, since which time he has built up a very satisfactory practice, which is constantly increasing. In 1900 Dr. Smith was elected to the office of prothonotory of Lebanon county, on the Republican ticket, for the term of three years, taking that office in January, 1901.
Dr. Smith was married, in 1876, to Mary Jane Walker of Jonestown, Lebanon county, Pa., and to their marriage two children have been born : Martin Walker, assistant prothonotary; and Elizabeth May. Socially, Dr. Smith is a member of the G. A. R. and the P. O. S. of A. His religious con- nections are with St. Mark's Reformed Church, of which he is a generous supporter and active member. Dr. Smith stands high in the confidence of the general public, as well as with his brother physicians, and is a public- spirited man, taking a deep interest in local affairs, and lending his influence toward the betterment of existing conditions. Both he and his family are popular socially, and are justly regarded as among the leading people of Lebanon.
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