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 33
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his right to choose his own career in life, he returned to Lebanon and again set about studying law. A little practice proved he had ability, and he continued the profession throughout the rest of his life. He was an untiring student, and whatever cause he espoused he worked at it through all its intricate details. Sparing no effort to increase his stock of knowledge, he won clients and friends, and soon had a reputation for legal lore extending beyond his county. In arguing a case "his legal discrimination was acute and his analysis of law and fact clear, strong and convincing," and he always secured a strong hold upon the confidence of the court and jury. For forty years he practiced his profession, and during that time was looked upon as a leader, though the Lebanon Bar comprised men of most excellent repute. Only once was his work interrupted. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, Ninety- third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, becoming captain of his company, and served in the Virginia campaign.
On April 3, 1846, Mr. Derr married Caroline Hildebrand, who was born March 22, 1826, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Brubaker) Hildebrand, of Lancaster county. Two children were born of this union : Francis, who died young; and Cyrus G., a prominent lawyer of Reading, Pa., who married Virginia Weidman, of Lebanon, and has one daughter, Caroline R., now the wife of John M. Archer, of Reading, Pennsylvania.
At the time of his death Mr. Derr was the oldest member of the Lebanon Bar, being about seventy. He was, however, well preserved, having been a strong man both physically and intellectually all his life. A man of the highest integrity, he looked upon his profession as a means of doing good. It has been said of him: "Humane and sincere, he always leaned to the side of the weak and friendless. He always espoused the cause of the masses, and labored faithfully and earnestly for everything that tended to elevate the character and better the conditions of his fellow men." During his career he was solicited to become judge, but declined the honor. He was a Christian, and a member of the St. John's Reformed church, and he was a liberal con- tributor to the Widow's Home, and all charitable institutions. As a Republi- can he wielded a strong influence in politics, but for himself was never am- bitious for public positions.
SAMUEL E. LIGHT. The metamorphosis of the country during the past half century due to the rapid development of the iron industry has been most marked in Lebanon county. Prior to the great Civil War the county was dotted over with small rural communities, whose sleepy contentment was but the reflection of their individual members. The wand of the iron magician
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has changed all this. He fitted the ploughshare of the farmer with a sub- soiler that ran deep into the bowels of the earth, and threw to the surface the material of which not only it was made, but thousands of other useful articles, which, in the making, have transformed these rural communities into busy municipalities. In all this development, the family which is represented by the gentleman here mentioned has taken an exceedingly active and prominent part. A number of its different members have been leading figures in the development of the iron industry in Lebanon county, but none possibly have been more active than Samuel E. Light. Mr. Light is at the present time president of the Lebanon Iron & Steel Company. He was born at New Market Forge between Annville and Palmyra, Lebanon county, August 31, 1854. With his parents he removed, in 1867, to the village of Lebanon, where he continued his attendance at the public schools. At the age of fifteen he left school and entered the office of the Lebanon Rolling Mills, which at that time were owned by his father, in the capacity of an errand boy. He applied himself closely to his duties, and was promoted from one branch of the service to another, until, in 1874, he became head bookkeeper of the mills, and two years later was promoted from that position to the night superin- tendent's place. From 1876 to 1879 he acted in the capacity of chief clerk, and in the latter year became sole owner of the mill. He conducted these mills until 1888, when he sold out his interest to the Lebanon Rolling Mill Company, which took out articles of incorporation, and he became its presi- dent. This institution in 1902 was absorbed by the Lebanon Iron & Steel Company, of which Mr. Light was chosen president.
The public life of Mr. Light has been helpful to the community in which he has lived. In 1880 he was elected a member of the borough council of Lebanon from the Third ward, and served in that body with acceptance for the two following years. He has always been stanchly Republican, and has been a tower of strength in the local contests, and very helpful in the larger State and national contests. In 1900 he represented his congressional district at the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia, and had the pleasure of assisting in the nomination of Mr. Mckinley for President and Mr. Roose- velt for Vice-President. During the same year he was appointed commis- sioner from Pennsylvania to the Paris Exposition, a position in which his fine judgment and executive ability were exceedingly helpful.
Mr. Light is a worthy member of the Mount Lebanon Lodge, F. & A. M., also the Knights Templar Commandery and the Elks. Marriage was entered into by Mr. Light in 1880, he having been joined in that year to Miss
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Laura, daughter of the late William Bresslin, editor of the Lebanon Advertiser.
Touching somewhat upon family history, the father of Mr. Light, Henry Light, was born on a farm in North Annville township, Lebanon county, October 10, 1831. At the age of eighteen years he went to New Market Forge, Lebanon county, a point situated five miles from Annville, and three from Falmyra, and which was owned by his father. Jacob Light. This gentleman was born in Lebanon county in 1800, and died in 1868. Samuel Light, the great-grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county. He came to Lebanon county at a very early date, and bought what is now the Henry Heilman farm at the tollgate, just west from Lebanon. When a young man, Henry Light, together with his brothers, Cyrus and John, rented from their father the New Market Forge, which they operated for a number of years, buying the property from the estate after their father's death. In 1867 Mr. Light came to Lebanon, but retained his interest in New Market Forge until 1870, when the furnace passed out of the family. When Mr. Light came to Lebanon in 1867, he established the Lebanon Rolling Mills, his brothers being interested with him. He retained his interest in the enter- prise until his death in 1892. In 1853 he married Louisa C. Early, who was born March 25. 1834, at Palmyra, this county, the daughter of John and Mary M. (Snively ) Early. John Early was born near Palmyra, this county, in 1806, and was a merchant and iron maker, but in later life a farmer: he lied in 1899. His father was William Early, a native of Pennsylvania, born between Palmyra and Campbelltown. Mary M. Snively was born near Shady Grove, Franklin county, Pa., in 1812, and died in 1879. To Henry Light and wife children were born as follows: Samuel E .; Louis S., a resident of Florida : Mary, who married William Bresslin, of Lebanon, and died in 1891. leaving a son and daughter; Lizzie A., married to John Roberts, of Lebanon ; Abraham, an iron maker of Lebanon: Leander, a machinist of Lebanon; William Light, a machinist of Lebanon ; and Lillian, a graduated nurse.
ALFRED G. REAM takes a prominent place among the leading farmers and substantial and representative citizens of Jackson township, where he owns a fine, well-improved farm, within one and one-half miles of Myers- town.
Mr. Ream was born July 30, 1850, at Schaefferstown, a son of Peter and Rebecca ( Garrad) Ream, the former of whom was an honest. indus- trious citizen, a wagonmaker by trade, who resided and carried on his business at Schaefferstown. His family consisted of twelve children. the seven sur-
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vivors being: Sophia; Katherine; Martha, widow of Henry Missimer, of Lebanon; Jeremiah, a wagonmaker of Schaefferstown; Peter, a shoemaker of Schaefferstown; William, of Sacramento, Cal .; and Alfred G. Mr. Ream was a Republican in politics. In religion he belonged to the Schaefferstown Lutheran Church.
Alfred G. Ream was reared and educated in Schaefferstown, and in young manhood learned the tinsmith's trade under Harry Artz, of Myerstown, fol- lowing the same for some years. About 1874 he began farming on the prop- erty he now owns and occupies, this being a part of the old Haak homestead. In the same year he was married to Miss Mary Haak, daughter of Michael and Mary (Noecker) Haak, who had a family of five children, viz .: Isaac B., of Myerstown; Samuel, also of Myerstown; Jonathan, a farmer on the old homestead; Sallie, the wife of A. B. Landis, now deceased; and Mary, Mrs. Ream. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ream: Jennie M., who is the wife of Harry Dundore, of Lebanon; and Sarah S., who is the wife of Harry Zinn, of Myerstown. Both of these daughters were educated in the Palatinate College, and are intelligent and accomplished ladies, and both were successful teachers before marriage.
Mr. Ream is a zealous Republican, but has never accepted any office except that of director of the poor for the county. He has been one of the industrious and upright men of his locality, one whose support could always be counted upon for any needed reforms or improvements or for any chari- table or benevolent enterprises. His home is the abode of genial hospitality. Mr. Ream is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. In his neighborhood he has many friends, and his business affairs have always been adjusted without any recourse to law. He is one of Jackson township's best citizens.
ABRAHAM KREIDER, one of the directors of the Lebanon National Bank, and a prosperous retired farmer of Lebanon, was born in Cornwall (then South Lebanon) township, Lebanon Co., Pa., April 30, 1834, son of Moses and Katherine ( Kreider) Kreider.
The Kreider family originated in Germany, whence representatives came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania, in what was then Lancaster county, but is now Lebanon county: All of the various members of this large and representative family were farmers. The parents of Abraham Kreider were second cousins, and his father, Moses Kreider, was born in 1805. upon a farm near Snitz Creek, being the son of John Kreider, who was also born on the home farm. His mother, Katherine Kreider, was born in 1811, on the
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home farm, daughter of Abraham Kreider, a son of Martin Kreider, a Men- nonite minister. To Moses Kreider and his wife eight children were born, five sons and three daughters, of whom four sons and one daughter survive.
Abraham Kreider was reared upon his father's farm, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools of his district, and remained at home until 1875, when he removed to a farm he had purchased, on the Colebrook road, about one mile south from Lebanon, and there continued to pursue agricultural pursuits until 1886, when he located in Lebanon. There he has since lived, residing at No. 223 South Ninth street, in the Second ward, his pleasant home belonging to him. In addition to this valuable piece of property Mr. Kreider owns a fine farm which is located in North and South Lebanon townships, and upon which his wife was born. In 1875 he became a stockholder in the Lebanon National Bank, and ten years later was elected to the board of directors of that institution, and he also owns bonds of the Cornwall & Leb- anon Railway Company.
Mr. Kreider was married in 1858 to Elizabeth Hoffman, who was born in 1840, daughter of Michael Hoffman; she died April 14, 1888, aged forty- seven years. On June 5, 1890, he was married to Lydia Hoffman, her sister. In political matters Mr. Kreider is a Republican, and he gives his support to all measures he deems best for the welfare of the community. In his religious affiliations he is a member of the First Reformed Church, while Mrs. Kreider is a member of the Salem Lutheran Church.
JACOB W. GROVE (deceased). The late Jacob W. Grove was one of the prosperous business men of Fredericksburg, Pa., who was born in Bethel township, one half-mile south of Fredericksburg, on a farm, in April, 1817, and died at his fine home in Fredericksburg, April 27, 1886, being a son of John and Elizabeth (Wenner) Grove, of Bethel township, now deceased.
The Grove family was established in Lancaster county in 1824, the emigrant ancestor being a native of Zurich, Switzerland, who came to Amer- ica in 1724. His son, Peter Grove, was born June 13, 1724, just prior to the emigration of the family, and he died in 1803. His wife, Veronica (Groli) Grove, died January 25, 1773, and they had these children: Maria, born December 14, 1756, died August 27, 1824; Veronica, born July 5, 1759, died August 27, 1824: Anna Barbara, born September 14, 1860, died July 30, 1836; Jacob, born October 9, 1761, died May 17, 1842: Peter, born May 5, 1764, died April 1, 1847; and John, born April 22, 1768, died May 26, 1835. while his wife, Elizabeth (Wenner) Grove, was born February 14, 1785, and
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died January 2, 1847. They had these children: John Peter, born June 27. 1814, died June 8, 1864; John born August 29, 1815, died January 6, 1876: Jacob W .: Anna Barbara, born January 10, 1819, died December 24. 1897: M. J., born May 20, 1821, died November 9, 1877: Elizabeth, born March 23. 1823, died September 4. 1882; and Elias, born February 3, 1825, died February 5, 1890.
Jacob W. Grove was reared on the old homestead in Bethel township. and received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood, and in Washington City. Finishing his school course, he returned to the old home and took up farming and milling with his brother Elias, and they met with marked success. At the time of his death he was one of the wealthy men of his locality, owning four fine farms, and valuable mill property and con- siderable real estate in Fredericksburg. While a life-long Republican, he never aspired to public office. In religion he was a Mennonite, and lived out his faith in honest dealing with all mankind, and never willingly wronged a single person. Such a man could not help but gain not only esteem, but also affection, and at his death the community lost one of its best citizens.
On May 5, 1861, Jacob W. Grove was united in marriage to Miss Paul- ine Hautz, of Bethel township, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Strow ) Hantz, of the same locality, now deceased, prominent farmers, and the par- ents of five children: Catherine, who married Michael Grove, deceased, of Fredericksburg; Elizabeth, who married Martin Pudy; Mary, who married John Faber, deceased ; Sabine; and Mrs. Grove. Jacob Hautz was the son of John Hautz, a leading farmer of Bethel township. Mrs. Grove was born in 1838, and is a lady of great strength of character and many virtues. She is now living in her beautiful home in Fredericksburg, surrounded by the com- forts and luxuries of life, she having built this home soon after the death of her husband, and it is considered one of the finest in this locality. Mrs. Grove is an active member of the Church of God, of Fredericksburg, and she is never so happy as when attending to some of the duties connected with her religious life. Her charities are numerous, although many know nothing of them, for she does good not to be seen of men, and her name is held in loving reverence by a large circle of friends.
A. H. BOWER. one of the leading and honored citizens of Lebanon, is a slater and contractor of that city, born in the city of Elberfeld, on the Rhine, Prussia, July 31. 1839, a son of William L. and Susan J. Bower. who lived in Elberfeld for many years. Both William L. and his father were also slaters by trade. William L. Bower was the father of seven chil-
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dren : William H., of New Jersey; Julia. deceased: Amelia. deceased : Berthe, deceased; Augustine, deceased: Richard O., who lives in Wilming- ton, Del. : and A. H., of Lebanon.
A. H. Bower came to America when only thirteen years old. He re ceived his education in the Lutheran schools of his native land, and came to this country with his father and brothers and sisters, his mother having died in the old country when he was seven years old. His father continued his trade of slating in this country until he died in Philadelphia. His son. A. H., followed his trade of slating in different parts of Pennsylvania. On August 26, 1859, he was married to Sarah Schott, who was born in 1840. a daughter of Peter and Magdalena ( Moore) Schott. They had the fol- lowing named children : Benjamin F., who died at the age of thirty-five : Clara, who is at home, and is the widow of Charles Fisher; Emma MI .. deceased ; Grant E., deceased ; A. R., of Lebanon, who is assisting his father. in the slate business, and who married Miss Catherine Snyder, of Lebanon : and one child that died in infancy.
Mr. Bower came to Lebanon in 1856. He was the first man to intro- duce slating for roofing in Lebanon. At that time there were no railroads in this part of the country. He has con acted for and rooted many of the best houses in this section of the State. He put the roof on the State capitol of Pennsylvania, and many of the finest and best buildings of Lebanon city. He started out in life a poor boy and has made a great deal of money, but has also suffered many losses. He is one of the honorable and free-hearted citizens of Lebanon, a man good and kind to all. He is a stanch Republi- can, and is at present a member of the city council of the First ward. He is one of the leading members of the Zion Lutheran Church of Lebanon. in which he has served as deacon and elder. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 288: the B. U. (H. F.) C. of A., Circle No. 25, of Lebanon city : and also a member of the Union fire company of that city, and one of the pioneers of the Fire Department and Aid Society. He is a director for the Commercial Fire Insurance Company, of Lebanon ; and is president of the Lebanon Live Stock Insurance Company. He is a man known for his honesty and integrity and sincerity, and is true to his convictions. His daughter, Clara J. Fisher, and granddaughter. Martha May Fisher, reside with him at his home at No. 123 South Fifth street, Lebanon.
CHRISTIAN GROH. deceased, one of the highly respected and hon- orable citizens of North Lebanon township. Lebanon county, was a son of 'Abraham Groh, and he was born in 1814. Being reared to farm life and edit-
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cated in the neighborhood schools, he finally became the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres, and later, about 1860-61, purchased another farm of fifty-five acres situated in Jackson township, Lebanon county, where he lived the remainder of his life, and died, when seventy-nine years of age. He was regarded as one of the substantial men of the community. His wife was Rebecca Immel, daughter of Leonard Immel, and was born in Jackson town- ship. Christian Groh and wife had six children: John H .; Mary A., deceased. married William B. Light; Rebecca married U. R. Reinhold, of Canton, Ohio; William L., of Lancaster county, is manager for the Free- man estate in Lancaster county; George A. lives in Jackson township, Lebanon county; Emma J. married John S. Kreider, of Lebanon. Mr. and Mrs. Groh were consistent members of the United Brethren Church.
JOHN H. GROH was born February 22, 1837, and he remained upon his father's farm, receiving an excellent education in the public schools. About the age of twenty years, he removed to the Halfway House, between Myers- town and Lebanon, where he conducted a general store, and operated for ten years. His next venture was in a farming line for two years, when he located in Avon, entering the employ of William B. Light in the lumber business. After two and one-half years in this line, Mr. Groh entered the employ of Werner & Weiss, grain, coal and lumber merchants. He con- tinued in this connection until the death of Mr. Werner, when he was taken into the firm, and the style became Weiss, Grohl & Co. This was continued until the death of Mr. Weiss, when Charles Z. Weiss and Mr. Groh formed the partnership of Weiss & Groh, which still exists. The success of the house is largely due to the efforts of Mr. Groh, who has given to it his entire time and attention, and has himself become one of the substantial men of the county. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he and his entire family stand very high among the leading people of Lebanon county, where they have been known for so many generations.
JOHN C. DEPPEN, one of the prominent men of Myerstown, after a life of hard work is now enjoying in retirement from the cares of active business the fruits of industry. He was born in Bethel township, Berks county, January 8. 1840, a son of Gabriel B. and Katherine (Killmer) Deppen, both natives of Berks county.
The great-great-grandfather was of French birth, who came to Amer- ica at a very early day in the settlement of the country, but nothing further is known of him than that he was a most excellent man. One of his grand- sons, Henry Deppen, grandfather of John C., was a farmer of Berks county,
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and the youngest son of a large family of children. Gabriel B. was his only son. In 1837, he was married to Katherine Killiner, a daughter of Jonathan Killmer, and to this union three children were born: John C .; Miss A. Elizabeth, of Myerstown; and Caroline C., wife of William A. Fisher, of Myerstown. Gabriel B. Deppen was born in Berks county in 1816, and died in Lebanon county in 1889; his wife was born in Berks county, in 1814, and died in 1891. He moved to Lebanon county in 1842, and lived to become one of its leading and representative citizens. For thirty-four years lie was station agent at Myerstown, and at one time Associate Judge of Lebanon county for five years. In politics, he was a strong Republican, and took an active interest in local matters. In his religious opinions, Mr. Deppen was independent, and lived a life which showed forth the gentle, noble qualities of the man, and his Christian charity for all. His family loved him, while among his many friends, he was held in highest esteem.
John C. Deppen was reared in Myerstown, and educated in the Myers- town Academy, Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., and had a short term in the State Normal School, Millersville, Pa. Leaving school he learned tele- graphing and became employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as clerk and operator, serving seven years as telegraph operator at Harrisburg, Pa., and seven years as clerk and operator at Myerstown, and twenty-two years as station agent at Sheridan and Myerstown, Pa., resigning on account of ill health after being in the service of that railroad company for thirty-six years. In accepting his resignation the superintend- ent in a letter expressed his appreciation of a long and faithful service to the company.
Mr. Deppen was married to Miss Elmira Hoffman, of Lebanon, Pa., a daughter of David Hoffman. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Deppen, four of whom lived to maturity: May C .; Edith R .; Ella S .; and A. Gertrude, who married Charles E. Fisher, and is now deceased. Mr. Deppen is a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to public office. Like his father, he is not a member of any church, but adheres to a high moral standard, and assists any movements he believes to be for the best interests of the community. Working his way up from small beginnings, Mr. Deppen may well feel gratified with the results accomplished. No man stands better in the community, and his wife and children are very important factors in the social life of Myerstown. The success which has attended the efforts of all is merited. Fraternally, Mr. Deppen is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the I. O. O. F., and is very popular in both organizations.
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JOHN L. WENGER, one of the leading citizens of Swatara township. residing on his homestead adjoining the town of Jonestown. Lebanon county. where for several generations his family have made their home, was born April 8, 1841. a son of Jacob Wenger.
Hans Wenger. the great-great-grandfather, emigrated to America Sep- tember 16, 1748, from either Switzerland or Germany, in the ship "Paliena." John Brown, master, which sailed from Rotterdam. He brought with him his family, which consisted of five sons, two of whom are known to have been Stephen and Christian. Hans located in Lebanon county and pur- chased the property now owned by our subject, which had been bought from the Penns by a man named Shirrock, now spelled Shirk, in 1740. and there he passed the remainder of his life. His son, John, succeeded him. and he in turn was succeeded by Jacob, the grandfather of John L., born in 1778, who lived to the age of seventy-nine years, and was a farmer by occupation, but one of the most progressive men of that locality. He served as county commissioner and took an active part in local affairs. The maiden name of his wife was Barbara Wolf, born in 1775. They had a family as follows: Susannah, married to Mr. Zollenberger, of Franklin county, Pa. : John, a minister in River Brethren Church: Barbara: Jacob, father of our subject: Samuel; Elizabeth, married to George Light, a Mennonite min- ister ; Levi: Christian, who became a minister of the River Brethren Church. but later entered the ministry of the United Zion's Children.
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