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 35
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In 1868 Mr. Spang became a partner with John H. Bressler in the hardware business in Lebanon, and proved as successful a merchant as he was faithful as a soldier. All progressive movements in Lebanon received support from Mr. Spang according to their merits. From the beginning he was active in founding and building up the fire department, and in August, 1865, became a member of Union Fire Company, No. I, and it was through his untiring efforts that the present efficient steam engine was purchased. Mr. Spang was the first chief engineer of the department, being elected as
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such at the reorganization of the department in 1873, three delegates from each company joining in convention, he being a delegate from the Union company. His first appointment was for a period of three months, but later he was elected for a term of two years. For over thirty years he acted as president of the Union Fire Company, holding that position at the time of his death.
In political activity Mr. Spang took a keen delight, faithfully serving the Democratic party and stanchly upholding its principles. Influential in its ranks, he was proffered many testimonials of esteem and confidence. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Democratic convention, and supported Samuel J. Tilden for president. In 1880 he was again a delegate and gave his support to that brave soldier and courtly gentleman, Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock. In local matters he was zealous in support of his party, and was true to his political friends. When Dr. Gloninger was a candidate for, Congress, he received the assistance of Mr. Spang, who served as president of the organization known as the "Boys in Blue." In 1883 he was elected county commissioner of Lebanon county, a wise and satisfactory choice which his administration proved, and at the end of his first term, he was re-elected. Many needed reforms were inaugurated and one of the most important improvements in the county was brought about, the remodeling of the county almshouse and the erection of a hospital at that institution. During his term of office the annex to the court house and the new county jail were erected.
In fact, to recount the public services of Mr. Spang is to recall the lead- ing events in the city's career. Although the city was Republican, his personal attributes were so highly esteemed that he was elected city treasurer in 1893. In 1896 his election took place as the first president of the Fireman's Relief Association, for a term of four years, and in 1898 he was deemed the most suitable citizen to become president of the Fireman's committee to make arrangements for the State Firemen's convention, which was held in Lebanon in October of that year. In 1900 he was the unanimous choice of his Demo- cratic friends for the State Senate, and received a very large vote. For years he served as treasurer of the Democratic city committee. Mr. Spang was one of the organizers of the Lebanon Manufacturing Company, of which corporation he was treasurer and a director. Fisher Hall, well known to old residents of Lebanon, was built by Peter Fisher, and Mr. Spang became first its manager and then its owner, and in 1898 he remodeled it and renamed the building the Academy of Music. In fraternal life he was a Knight Templar
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Mason, and also belonged to the Odd Fellows, the United Workmen and the Lebanon Club, the latter a purely social organization.
Mr. Spang was married to Miss Emma L. Focht, daughter of William Focht, deceased, and three children were born to this union, namely: George T., Amelia E. and Marguerite L.
GEORGE T. SPANG, son of the late George H. and Emma L. ( Focht) Spang, was born January 14, 1874, in Lebanon. Securing a good common school education he then entered Shortridge Medina College and later Muhlen- berg College, graduating from the latter institution with the degree of B. A. in the class of 1896. Mr. Spang then begau the study of law in the office of Ehrdman & Diefendorfer, of Allentown, Pa., and later entered the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1899. For two years Mr. Spang practiced law in the office of Francis G. Lewis, in Allentown, but upon the death of his father he returned to Lebanon to take charge of his estate and is now engaged in the practice of his pro- fession there, also managing the Academy of Music.
On November 14, 1901, Mr. Spang was married to Miss Mamie Ziegen- fus, daughter of Charles Ziegenfus, of Allentown. Mr. Spang is a young man of marked ability and is popular in business, professional and social circles. He has membership in the Union Fire Company, and the Lebanon Cycle Club. Fraternally he is a Mason, and also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (of which he is treasurer), and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
HARRY L. CORL, member of the well known and successful firm of Corl & Manderbach, general merchants of Myerstown, Pa., and one of the honorable citizens of that locality, was born in Myerstown, March 1, 1845, a son of Joseph and Catherine (Lindermuth) Corl.
Daniel Corl, grandfather of Harry I .. Corl, was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of Lebanon City, a man widely esteemed. He was the father of the following children: Lieut. Joseph, John, William, Abraham, Fianna (widow of Jolin Whitmeyer), and Eliza ( widow of William Kinter). The Corl family is numbered among the early settlers of Lebanon county, and all of its members are highly respected. Of the above family, Joseph, the father of H. L. Corl, was born in Lancaster City, in 1820, and died in Myerstown in 1897. By trade he was also a blacksmith, and became one of the leading men of Myerstown, wealthy and influential, and for forty years worked at his trade in the city of his adoption. He married Catherine Linder- muth, a native of Berks county, about 1840, and three children were born
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of this union : Emma, who married William Seltzer, a miller, of Myerstown ; Harry L .; Katherine, who married M. H. Manderbach, of the firm of Corl & Manderbach.
Harry L. Corl was a small child when brought by his parents to Myers- town, and received his education in the township schools, and learned the trade of blacksmith, being the third generation of the Corl family in this line of trade, and covering a period of one hundred years, but when he grew to manhood, he did not like the calling, and so accepted a clerkship with Donges & Weirick, general merchants of Myerstown, but later went to Reading, where he filled a clerkship in a store in that city. Returning to Myerstown, he entered the employ of Donges Bros., and in 1879, he and his brother-in-law purchased the business of Augustus Stoner & Son, forming the firm of Corl & Manderbach, general merchants, at the present site, where the establishment has since been conducted. During the twenty-four years they have been in the business, the partners have built up their business to very satisfactory proportions, and now enjoy a most excellent trade among the leading people of the city and surrounding district, and they have the best store and carry the finest line of goods of any concern in Myerstown.
Mr. Corl was married, in 1888, to Miss Celia Kline, of Myerstown, at daughter of Daniel Kline, one of the old settlers of Marion township, Berks county. No children have been born of this marriage. Mrs. Corl is one of a family of four children, now living: John, of Robinson, Pa .; Peter S., a farmer, of Myerstown; William K., and Mrs. Corl. Mr. Corl is a stanchi member of the Republican party, although he does not desire office. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in which they take an active part. Fraternally, he is connected with the I. O. O. F., No. 149, and the P. O. S. of A., Camp No. 64, Myerstown, and is one of the honorable and successful business men of Pennsylvania, whose faithful devotion to his work, and sober, temperate habits have made him what he is.
HENRY SMITH WEISS (deceased) was for many years one of the leading business citizens of South Lebanon township. He was born June 20. 1833, in this township, where he later accumulated a competence and bore so honored a part in public affairs, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Smith ) Weiss. His education in the common schools was supplemented by a busi- ness course at Poughkeepsie, New York.
When about twenty-eight years old Mr. Weiss left the farm, the limited opportunities there not offering sufficient chance for development of his busi- ness ability, and, in partnership with Joseph Light and David T. Werner.
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embarked in a grain and coal business at Avon, a fine business point, the building of the railroad at this time offering facilities, in addition to those offered by the canal. This firm prospered exceedingly, shipping large quan- tities of grain. Later this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Light retaining the old stand, and Messrs. Weiss and Werner erecting a new elevator south of the railroad, the same now being operated by the young firm of Weiss & Groh, its members being Charles Z. Weiss and John H. Groh.
The firm of Werner & Weiss continued until 1892, when, on the death of Mr. Werner, the firm of Weiss, Groh & Co., was formed, Henry S. Weiss being the senior partner. In 1888 the old firm had added lumber to its business, which was as successfully handled as the other commodities.
In every sense of the word, Henry Smith Weiss was a good citizen. During the Civil war, although engrossed in business cares, he loyally enlisted on two different occasions, in defense of his country, serving with the rank of sergeant in the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Politi- cally he was identified with the Republican party, although no seeker after office. Although Mr. Weiss never lost his interest in farming, he was es- sentially a man of business, keen, quick, of good judgment, and capable of exercising that foresight which makes the success of trade. He was one of the directors of the Peoples National Bank, for a time owned and operated the Moyer Mill in North Cornwall township, and was connected with the Orchid Milling Company, of Pottsville. His ownership of real estate was large, and while he was a liberal contributor to public and private charities. he was able to leave a competency to his family. The lamented death of Mr. Weiss took place November 20, 1897.
On June 2, 1866, Mr. Weiss was married to Miss Rosa Royer, born February 29. 1844, daughter of Seth Royer, of Millbach. She died August 8, 1892, preceding by six years the death of her oldest son. George L. Weiss, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weiss, was born in February. 1867, and died in February, 1898. His education had been pursued in the Lebanon High School and the Myerstown College, from which institution he entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated and located in practice at Lebanon. His career at college had been so brilliant and his prospects for a useful life were so promising that his early death was the saddest of blows, not only to his family but to the staff of the Lebanon Hospital, of which he was a mem- ber. He married Miss Laura Miles, by whom he was survived, with one son, Harry F. The other members of the family were: Jenettie S., a resident of Lebanon : Charles Z., born October 11, 1870: Samuel R., who
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is engaged in gold mining in the Klondike; Harry F., who died October 24. 1892, aged seventeen years; Alfred S., a graduate of the Medico-Chi- rurgical College, Philadelphia, and now located in practice at Lebanon: and Miss Fannie B., of Lebanon.
CHIARLES Z. WEISS was liberally educated like the other members of his father's family, and early became associated with the latter in business. As stated above he is still interested in this line, and he is also a director of the Peoples National Bank of Lebanon. Politically he is one of the very active Republicans of the county, and is the chairman of that very important political body, the County Republican committee, having previously served as its treasurer. Mr. Weiss is a leader in public movements and promictes to the best of his ability those enterprises which promise to benefit his city. His residence is in South Lebanon township on his father's old home, and he also manages his own farm in North Lebanon township.
Mr. Weiss was married on January 1, 1900, to Miss Cora Erb, daugh- ter of Edwin and Annie (Horst) Erb, and three children have been born to this union, namely : Henry S., Pauline E. and Harold E.
MORRIS B. GERBERICH, M. D., a well-known physician and public- spirited citizen of Lebanon, was born in Union township, Lebanon county, during the early days of the Civil war, on July 5, 1861. His parents were Daniel U. and Catherine (Boeshore) Gerberich, both natives of Lebanon county. [Mention of the ancestral family of Dr. Gerberich will be found elsewhere. ]
Dr. Gerberich attended the common schools of Lebanon county and then entered Myerstown College, later graduating from the State Normal School at Lockhaven, in 1884. During his attendance at the latter institution he began teaching during the winter seasons, and followed that profession for a period of six years, his proficiency being such that he obtained a permanent State certificate.
When he decided upon a medical career the young man found in his brother, Dr. Daniel P. Gerberich, of Lebanon, a wise assistant and careful instructor, and after proper preparation in his office took a course of lectures in Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, and graduated at that great institution in the class of 1887. Dr. Gerberich began practice at Annville, in Lebanon county, and remained there until his removal to Lebanon, in 1900. Since that date Dr. Gerberich has been numbered among the successful prac- titioners of the city, and has added medical reputation to a name which already had become most highly esteemed by the profession and public in
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M. B. Gerberich. M.A.
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Lebanon through his brother, Dr. Daniel P. He is a member of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and he has been appointed as medical examiner, of Lebanon, by a number of life insurance companies.
Dr. Gerberich has taken a great interest in public matters since locating in Lebanon, and that his usefulness to the city has been appreciated was demonstrated by his election as a member of the common council, from the Fourth ward, in 1898, and emphasized by his re-election in 1900, and again in 1902. In April, 1902, he was elected president of the council, and re-elected in 1903. While in the city council he was appointed and served on some of the leading standing committees, being two years on the finance committee, and two years on the city property committee, when the present spacious and beautiful city hall was remodeled, and refurnished and fitted out throughout, this work being under the direction and supervision of the city property committee.
On April 2, 1889, Dr. Gerberich was married to Miss Amanda Wolf, daughter of Herman Wolf, of Lebanon county, and three daughters have blessed this union, namely: Pearl S., Grace H. and Mattie C. Dr. Gerberich is a member of the P. O. S. of A. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church. Since his removal to Lebanon he has continuously been assistant teacher of the Bible class of the Sunday School of his church, and in July, 1903. he was elected by the congregation as elder to the church council. As a physician he stands high in the public esteem, while as a citizen he is placed among the most progressive and useful members of the community.
JOHN H. OLWINE, one of the thrifty and successful farmers of Jack- son township, residing on the line of North Lebanon, Jackson and Bethel townships, was born on the old Samuel Olwine farm in Jackson township, January 7, 1847.
The parents of Mr. Olwine were John and Barbara ( Harnish) Olwine. the former of whom was born in 1821, a son of Samuel Olwine, whose father was one of the Hessian prisoners captured by Gen. Washington's army in 1776. Samuel Olwine, the grandfather of John H., was the father of five children, viz: Jonathan, Mary, Elizabeth, Katherine and John.
John Olwine married Barbara Harnish. and died January 15. 1881. the father of five children : Amanda. the wife of John Behney: John H .; Susan, deceased; Sarah, the wife of H. D. Hoffman, of Lebanon ; and Daniel, a farmer of Jackson township. In politics Mr. Olwine was actively identified
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with the Democratic party. His religious membership was in the Lutheran Church.
John H. Olwine was born and reared and has made his home in Jack- son township. His education was obtained in the public schools, and after completing the course and attaining his majority, he started out for himself as a farmer, being entirely without means, possessing, however, good habits, courage and untiring industry. In any case these attributes and possessions contribute to success, and in the case of Mr. Olwine have made him the owner of a fine ninety-eight-acre farm, well improved and under fine cultivation, it being one of the most productive in the neighborhood. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as school director, assistant assessor and inspector of elections. He has always taken an active part in church work, and has served both as deacon and elder in the Reformed Church at Mt. Zion.
In 1869 Mr. Olwine was married to Amelia S. Schaumm, one of a family of four children born to Jacob and Mary ( Peifer) Schaumm, one of the prominent old families of the locality, the other children being: Michael ; Clara, wife of Nathaniel Allwine, and Miss Rebecca. The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Olwine are: Lillie M., wife of William Manbeck, a farmer of Jackson township: William M., educated at Palatinate College at Myerstown and Kutztown Normal School in Berks county, now teacher in the Myerstown Secondary School: Clayton E., educated as above. a book- keeper at Newark, N. J .; John C., a bookkeeper also located at Newark : and Jennie S., Robert J., and Harry Isaac, at home. Mr. Olwine has given his children every educational advantage in his power and has reared chil- dren who reflect credit upon their parents and locality. He is most highly respected in every way, a good citizen, friendly neighbor, devoted husband. careful and judicious father.
ANDREW B. GLONINGER, M. D., a physician and surgeon of Leb- anon, Pa., was born in Lebanon, June 14. 1861. His father the late Dr. Cyrus Dorsey Gloninger, and Dr. John W. Gloninger, his grandfather. were two of the most prominent physicians who ever practiced in Lebanon. The subject of this sketch graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with the class of 1880. having previously prepared for college in the public schools. He received his medical diploma from the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, graduating with the class of 1883.
Dr. Cyrus Dorsey Gloninger, father of Dr. A. B. Gloninger, was born in Lebanon, Pa., March 13, 1824, the eldest son of Dr. John W. Gloninger and
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Mary Ann Hassinger. He attended the Lebanon Academy and graduated from Marshall College, then at Mercersburg, in 1843. He studied medicine with his father, and graduated from the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania in 1846. The two following years he pursued his medical studies in the medical universities and hospitals of Europe. Return- ing home, he entered upon the general practice and soon acquired a marked reputation for ability and skill in every department of his profession, espe- cially in the treatment of the eye. Aside from the science of medicine his literary studies were extensive. He was especially well-informed in all that relates to the collateral sciences, and his knowledge of sacred and profane his- tory, strengthened by travel and observation, made him an agreeable and en- tertaining companion. He was a frequent and valuable contributor to various journals and periodicals. As a public man he was very prominent and was twice, 1866 and 1870, the Democratic candidate for Congress, but was de- feated. He was one of the founders of the Lebanon Manufacturing Com- pany, and was president of the Lebanon National Bank. He was an active and zealous member of the St. John's Reformed Church, for which he did much work and gave valuable support. He was charitable, and his private charities were numerous.
Dr. Gloninger married Julia A. Beaumont, who was born in Wilkes- barre, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughter of the late Hon. Andrew Beaumont, a native of Connecticut, where his ancestors settled in 1635, who migrated to Luzerne county, Pa., when he was seventeen years of age, and became a brilliant lawyer, served in both branches of the State Legislature and was twice elected for Congress; he married Julia Colt.
Dr. John W. Gloninger, the grandfather of Dr. A. B. Gloninger, was born in Lebanon, Pa., September 23, 1798, son of John Gloninger and Cath- arine Orth. His early educational training was under a famous pedagogue. one Mr. McMullen. Afterward he was sent to a select school at Harrisburg, and then to Baltimore, where he completed his academic education. In 1815 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. King. Early in the year of 1817 he went to Philadelphia, and became a private pupil of Prof. Dorsey, and at the same time attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and Block- ley hospital. In 1818 he went to New York City, entered the office of Prof. Hosack as a student, and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. graduating in April, 1819. He remained in New York pursuing his studies in the hospitals until the following year, when he returned to Lebanon, and began the practice of his profession. For thirty years he main- tained the position of leading physician. In 1817 he was elected a member of
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the Philadelphia Medical Society, in 1823 a member of the Pittsburg Medical Society, and in 1826 was elected a Fellow of the University of New York. In 1828 the Jefferson Medical College conferred upon him the degree of M. D. In 1838 he was elected honorary member of the New York State Medical Society. In 1841 the University of Maryland conferred upon him the hon- orary degree of M. D., the University of Pennsylvania granting him the same honor in 1848. He was trustee of Marshall College, and was one of the founders and a trustee of Lebanon Academy. He took a deep interest in the Reformed Church, and gave freely and liberally to all church enterprises. In 1841 he was elected president of the Lebanon Bank, which position he held until 1867, when he declined a re-election. He was married twice, first to Mary Ann Hassinger in 1820, and second to Catherine Arndt, in 1847. Dr. Gloninger died March 10, 1874.
The great-grandfather of Dr. A. B. Gloninger was Col. John Gloninger, who was born in Lebanon township, then in Lancaster county, September 19, 1758, son of Philip and Ann Barbara Gloninger. His ancestors were of German origin, and settled first along the Chickies creek in Lancaster county, and then removed to Lebanon township, and were among the earliest settlers in that locality. He received most of his educational instruction from the pastor of the Reformed Church. He served in the Revolutionary war, first as a subaltern and then in the command of the Second Battalion of Mili- tia of Lancaster county as Lieutenant Colonel. He served as a representa- tive in the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1790, resigning as such to accept a seat in the State Senate, from which he also later resigned. He was appointed by Governor Mifflin, a warm personal friend, an associate judge of Dauphin county, but subsequently resigned from this position. Upon the erection of Lebanon county in 1813, he was commissioned as associate justice of that county, and filled that position for many years. He married Catharine Orth, daughter of Adam and Catharine (Kaucher) Orth. His death occurred January 22, 1836.
FREDERICK CARPENTER, the genial host of the "Franklin Hotel" at Schaefferstown, was born September 11, 1862, in Cornwall township, Leb- anon county, a son of Reuben and Catherine (Bostwick) Carpenter.
Reuben Carpenter was by occupation a furnaceman and farmer, and he was a son of Reuben Carpenter. He was born in Lancaster county about 1815, and died in 1897. By his marriage with Catherine Bostwick, who was born in Lancaster county in 1819, and died in 1900, he became the father of these children: Harry, of Bismarck, Lebanon county; Mary,
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wife of Frederick Lininger, of Cornwall township; John, deceased; Simon of Bismarck; Rebecca, wife of Isaac Zellers, of Rexmont; Daniel, a resident of Harrisburg; Emma, wife of Charles McMinn, of Bismarck; Reuben, of Rexmont ; William, deceased; and Frederick. Mr. Carpenter was a very zeal- ous Republican, and it was a proud day for him when, accompanied by his seven sons, he cast his vote for that great statesman, James G. Blaine, for president. Mr. Carpenter was a man of remarkable physical endurance, and has been known frequently to work for eighteen hours a day at the old charcoal furnace in Cornwall township. In religious belief, he believed in the faith of the Reformed Church.
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