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 38
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Mr. Kreider's great business success must be regarded as but the just result of clear-headed judgment and business foresight, combined with executive ability of an unusual order. Aside from this Mr. Kreider is an honest, upright man, whose reliability and integrity are far beyond question. and he has not only gained, but has held. the respect and esteem of business associates, employes and personal friends.
REV. JOHN MITCHEL PAGE. rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Lebanon, comes of the Colonial Virginia family of that name, but was born in what is now the borough of Bronx, in the city of New York. son of Roger Jones Page, and a grandson of Rev. Charles Page, of Amherst, Virginia.
Roger Jones Page was born in Louisville, Ky., and was prominent at the Bar of that State. He died in 1889. The mother of the Rev. Mr. Page was Mary Mitchel, daughter of John Mitchel. leader of the Irish-National party
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in 1848, and subsequently a journalist in New York City. Mrs. Page makes her home with her son at the Rectory.
The boyhood days of Rev. John Mitchel Page were spent in Kentucky, but he later returned to New York and entered Columbia College, where he was graduated in the class of 1887. For three years he pursued the study of architecture, then his chosen profession, and was for a time on the staff of the Municipal Bureau of Buildings, in New York City. Through his active interest in the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, of which he was one of the Na- tional Council, Mr. Page was drawn into the work of the Church, and in the autumn of 1891 he laid aside his architectural work in order to prepare for the priesthood. Entering the General Seminary in New York City, he pur- sued a three years' course, and was made Deacon on Trinity Sunday, 1894, and was ordained to the priesthood on Septuagesima Sunday, 1895. As a Seminarian Rev. Mr. Page was one of the staff of St. Andrew's, Harlem. His first regular charge was the curacy of St. John's, Boston Highlands, from which position he was called to be vicar of the Chapel of the Heavenly Rest, New York City. During the summer of 1896 he acted as rector of St. Paul's Church, at St. Paul, Minn., taking the place of his old friend, Rev. John Wright, during his absence in Europe. It was during his residence in St. Paul that he was called to the temporary charge of St. Luke's at Leb- anon. This was in the fall of the above year, and in November following, he was tendered the rectorship of St. Luke's; it was accepted by him on the strength of a petition presented to the vestry, by a large majority of the parishioners. Mr. Page has been conducting the work of the parish, together with its missions at West Lebanon and Colebrook, along the normal lines, and under his administration, the work has continued to increase. The enlarging work of the parish demands more accommodation than can be sup- plied by the church and Rectory, consequently some members of the parish have erected a Parish House, adjoining the church edifice, and fronting on Sixth street. Rev. Mr. Page serves as Warden of the Church Home at Jones- town, for four years was chairman of the committee of Education of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, and in 1898 he was one of the speakers at the National Church Congress, held at Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
During his rectorship Mr. Page has had many distinguished clergymen of New York and other points to visit St. Luke's. He is a man of scholarly training and dignified bearing, devoted to his calling, and happy in the assur- ance that his efforts are appreciated by his parishioners and that he enjoys their confidence and support.
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CYRUS M. CHRIST, one of the leading and representative business men of Lebanon county, and proprietor of the hotel at Bismarck, known as the "Cornwall House," was born in Lancaster county, on the Elizabeth Farin. September 23. 1855, son of William and Mary (Marks) Christ.
Cyrus M. Christ was only fourteen years of age when the family removed to Coatesville, Chester Co., Pa., and after three years the young fellow started out in life for himself, settling at Cornwall, Lebanon county, where, until 1897, he spent the greater portion of his time working in the ore banks and furnace, with remarkable success. At this time he took charge of the "Corn- wall House," at Bismarck, and has since continued in this line with very satisfactory results. Possessing a social and genial manner, Mr. Christ is eminently fitted for his business, and enjoys a large patronage. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and has acceptably filled the offices of collector and assessor of Cornwall township. Mr. Christ is also a member of Camp 70, P. O. S. A., Bismarck.
In 1875, Mr. Christ was married to Miss Emma Snyder, of Cornwall, daughter of John and Susan (Gushard) Snyder. Six children have been born to them: Sallie, wife of Samuel Menser, a grocer of Lebanon city, and the mother of two children, Dorothy and an infant daughter ; Harry, at home, who married Stella Smith, and has one child, Hilda; Charlie, who married Miss Rachael Carpenter, and resides in Bismarck; Mamie; Margie and Frank. Mrs. Christ is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, in which she takes an active part, and the entire family are important factors in the social life of Bismarck.
HENRY WARREN SIEGRIST. One of the prominent young citizens of Lebanon, Pa., is Henry Warren Siegrist, treasurer of the Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad Company, who was born in that city. May 26, 1869.
The great-great-grandfather of Mr. Siegrist was John Lorenzo Siegrist, who was the first American ancestor of the family. He sailed from Rotter- dam, Holland, on the ship "Eastern Branch," Capt. James Nevin, in the year 1753, and qualified in Pennsylvania. October 3. 1753. His birthi occurred in 1731, and his death in Lebanon county, in 1825. His wife, Magdalena Null, was born in 1751, and died in 1806. Their children were: John, Jacob, Magdalena. Maria, Anna Maria, Christiana, Rebecca and Solo- mon. John Lorenzo Siegrist settled on a farm in what is now South Ann- ville township, one-half mile from the village of Annville.
Solomon Siegrist was born in Lebanon county, near Annville, in 1771. eldest child of John Lorenzo, and died in 1824. The issue from his marriage
22
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with Christiana Yetter was as follows: Henry, John, William, Daniel, Samuel, Elizabeth, Molly, Catherine, Rebecca and Saliie.
Henry Siegrist, the eldest son of Solomon, was born on the farm in South Annville township, March 16, 1800, and died August 13, 1874. For many years he was a farmer and an extensive dealer in cattle. In later years he removed to Lebanon, and spent many years there as the proprietor . of the "Eagle Hotel." Henry Siegrist married Hannah M. Carmany, bort November 1, ISO1, and died February 6, 1886. Their children were the fol- lowing: Caroline, who married Isaac Hoffer, the first mayor of Lebanon. and both are now deceased; John H., who married Molly F. Farrow, of St. Louis, Mo., where she resides: David C., who married Lina Bowman, and resides at St. Louis, Mo .: Louisa. who married Henry T. Hoffman, both deceased; Priscilla, who married Henry T. Hoffman, both deceased ; Rebecca, Jacob and Barbara, all died unmarried; and Aaron F., the father of Henry Warren.
Aaron F. Siegrist. the youngest son of Henry, was born on the old homestead near Annville, January 29. 1845, and died October 26, 1899. He succeeded his father as proprietor of the "Eagle Hotel," and in 1882 became freight and ticket agent for the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad, at Lebanon, which position he held until the time of his death. Mr. Siegrist became a prominent man in local affairs, served as a member of the borough council, and was also on the school board of the city. Mr. Siegrist was past officer of all the Masonic bodies of Lebanon. In 1868 he married Emma L. Zimmerman, who was born in Lebanon, January 19, 1846, a daughter of Henry Zimmerman, an old and prominent citizen of Lebanon, and a lead- ing contractor and builder of that city for a long period. The only child of Henry and Emma Siegrist was Henry Warren.
Henry Warren Siegrist was reared in Lebanon, and attended the city schools, graduating with credit from the high school in June. 1885. In the following month he entered the general office of the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad, at Lebanon, as office boy, but was soon promoted, and from March to September, 1886, was occupying a position as clerk in the general office of the road: from September, 1886, to March, 1892, was accounting clerk ; from March, 1892. to January, 1897, was chief clerk: and then was made treasurer of the road. a position which he still holds.
Mr. Siegrist is prominent in business, church and social circles in Lebanon; is a past officer of the different Masonic bodies of the city: is treasurer of the Y. M. C. A. ; a member of the Pennsylvania Society. Sons of the Revolution : and the Pennsylvania German Society; and is identified
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with other social organizations. From 1883 to 1895 he was organist and choirmaster of Salem Lutheran Church, and since 1895. has filled that posi- tion at Zion Lutheran Church.
On April 29, 1896, Mr. Siegrist was united in marriage with Margaret Grayson Valentine, daughter of Rev. Milton Valentine, D. D., LL. D., presi- dent of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, of Gettysburg, Pa., the latter being one of the oldest as well as most distinguished Lutheran ministers and scholars in this country, and who married Margaret Grayson Galt, of an old and prominent Maryland family.
HENRY CLAY DEANER, one of the representative men of Annville, and one who enjoys in highest degree the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen, was born at Keedysville, Washington Co., Md., November 13. 1854, a son of Jonas S. and Ann Maria ( Baker) Deaner. The father was born in the same county, in 1824, and his wife was born in the same locality and year. The paternal grandfather was Samuel Deaner, also a native of Washington county, Md. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Baker, was a native of Germany. The ancestors on both sides were among the early set- tlers of Maryland.
Jonas S. Deaner served in the war with Mexico, and upon his return he resumed his occupation of school teaching, although later in life he became a farmer. During his lifetime, he served for three or four years as county commissioner of Washington county. Md., and was a worthy and highly esteemed man. The mother still survives, and her mother lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight years, seven months and twenty-nine days, retaining her faculties to the last. The children born to Jonas S. Deaner and his wife were: Arbelin, who died young; Eugenia, married to Daniel M. Neikerk, of Washington county, Md .; Henry Clay; Webster, who died young : Fannie May, married to Daniel D. Keedy, of Rohrersville, Washing- ton County, Maryland.
Henry Clay Deaner attended the public schools and completed a classi- cal course at the Lebanon Valley Coliege in 1879. During 1879-80, he taught in a select school at Hagerstown, Md .. and from 1880 to 1885 was professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the Lebanon Valley College. and from 1885 to 1897 was professor of Latin and Astronomy. Since that time he has been extensively engaged in the horticultural business, growing peaches, pears and plums in an orchard of 100 acres in the peach belt of Maryland. However, he has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and is now a school director of South Annville township.
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On June 21, 1882, Prof. Deaner married Ella J. Rigler, of Annville. Pa. One child was born to this union, but it died in infancy. Prof. Deaner is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is a pioneer of the Chau- tauqua movement in Pennsylvania, and has been a member of the board of directors for many years. He has a cottage at the Chautauqua, Mt. Gretna, Pa. Prof. Deaner is a man of high culture, marked ability and extensive reading, a fine conversationalist and a gentleman whose erudition is profound.
GEORGE H. STEINER, a thrifty and successful farmer of Jackson township, residing on a pleasant and finely cultivated farm one and one-half miles northwest of Myerstown, Pa., was born October 26, 1852, a son of Levi and Rebecca (Loose) Steiner. A full account of the Steiner and Loose families will be found elsewhere.
Levi Steiner, the father of George H., is a retired farmer of Myerstown, and one of the esteemed citizens of that community, and during his active life was one of the successful farmers of Jackson township. Levi Steiner is the son of Christian Steiner. also a farmer and native of Jackson township, and probably the son of Michael Steiner, recorded as one of the very early settlers of this locality, who founded the Steiner homestead, still in the family. Christian Steiner became the father of two children: Levi; and Susan, now deceased, who married Adam Loose. Levi Steiner married Rebecca Loose, of Jackson township, and three children were born of this marriage : George H .; Jonathan; and Magdalina married Monroe Haak, of Myerstown. Levi Steiner and his most estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Myerstown, and have many friends in that city.
George H. Steiner was reared upon his father's farm, receiving a most excellent education, first in the common schools, then at the Myerstown Academy, and still later at what is now Albright College of Myerstown. After completing his education. Mr. Steiner decided to follow an agricultural life, and now owns and occupies a finely cultivated form of eighty-four, acres, known as the Uhrich farm, where he and his wife make a pleasant home and extend a warm hospitality to a large circle of friends. On May II. 1875. he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Uhrich, the only child of John and Priscilla (Swartz) Uhrich, of Jackson township, and early settlers of Lebanon county, a full sketch of whom appears in the life of Valentine D. Uhrich to be found elsewhere. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Steiner has been blessed with four children : Rebecca P. is unmarried : Caroline M .. graduated at Albrighit College in 1900, and is now the wife of Aug. Grove, of Bluffton, Ind .; Uhrich L. attended Albright College, and January
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8, 1903, married Sallie M. Schoener; and Anna Magdalina graduated from Myerstown high school in 1903. Thoroughly believing in giving his children a good education, Mr. Steiner has spared no pains or expense in equipping them for the battle of life. In politics Mr. Steiner is a stanch Republican, and takes an active part in local affairs. For three years he served as school director, and during his occupancy of that office, the Myerstown high school was erected. the success of the undertaking being largely due to his ability and intelligent foresight. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has long been an elder and deacon. The Steiner family occupy an important place in the social life of the community, and all enjoy in an unbounded degree the esteem of all who know them.
REV. P. C. CROLL. A man of ripe scholarship and marked executive ability, whose life has been consecrated to the cause of the Master and to the uplifting of men, there is particular propriety in here directing attention to the life history of the pastor of the Lutheran Church of Lebanon. He has devoted himself without ceasing to the interest of humanity, and to the fur- therance of all good works. His reputation is not restricted, and his power and influence in his holy office have been exerted in a spirit of deepest human sympathy and tender solicitude. There has not been denied him the full harvest, nor the aftermath whose garnering shall bring him the full reward in the words of commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" His wide acquaintance in the State, and his prominence as an author of religious literature will make his history one of peculiar interest to the readers of this volume.
Rev. Mr. Croll is at the present time pastor of the Seventh Street Luth- eran Church, of Lebanon, which in the few years of his pastorate he has made one of the leading church organizations of the city. He was born October 2, 1852, near Kutztown, Pa., and is the sixth son of John and Catherine Croll. He was reared amid the quiet and peaceful scenes of rural life, on a small farm in Lehigh county, and where he was grounded in the elementary branches in the district school. Leaving the farm at sixteen, he matriculated at the Keystone State Normal School, alternating his studies with teaching three winter terms. In 1873 he entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, from which he was graduated with honor in 1876. Having felt the prompt- ings of Divine inspiration towards the ministry, he at this time enrolled as a student in the Theological Seminary of the same place, and after a course of three years was ordained to the ministry of the Lutheran Church.
Rev. Mr. Croll's first pastorate was at Womelsdorf, the active work of
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which he took up immediately on his graduation. This large country parish he served successfully until December, 1882, when he was called to the pastor- ate of St. Matthew's English Lutheran Church at Schuylkill Haven. In the following ten years he there established that reputation for indefatigable and tireless work which is his distinguishing characteristic. Under his guiding hand the parish grew to large proportions, erected a beautiful new church edifice, and made many other marked improvements. The field at Lebanon offering a wider scope for his talents, Rev. Mr. Croll on October 1, 1892, accepted a call from the Seventh Street Lutheran Church, and has since that time devoted himself to its service. Here he has met with the most flattering success, and has built up one of the largest church organizations and Sunday Schools in the city. A heavy debt has been liquidated, and many improve- ments made to the church property. In the ecclesiastical life of his denomin- ation Rev. Mr. Croll is a prominent figure, having been honored with many of the important offices in the Synod. He has thrice represented it in the General Synod, has traveled extensively in his country, and is one of the best known divines of his church.
But it is not alone to his active life in ministerial work that Rev. Mr. Croll owes his prominence. He early became a prolific and facile writer on religious subjects, and is looked upon in this line as a trenchant and powerful exponent of the truth. Besides hundreds of articles in such leading papers as the Lutheran Observer, New York Voice, Christian Work, New York Independ- ent, Homiletical Review, Lutheran Quarterly and Historical Register, his honored name will be found appended to the following as author: "Essay on Scott's Marmion," "Jesus and Hillel" ( Elevir Library series). "Jewish Artisan Life" (Fatherland Books), three chapters in "Koestlin's Life of Luther" (Translations), "Tributes to Luther" (a quarto centennial volume). "Alli, or Blessed are the Merciful" (Fatherland series), "Ancient and His- torical Landmarks in the Lebanon Valley," an illustrated work, and the text of "Lebanon County in Art." a large folio. A beautiful little brochure, called "In Memoriam," in memory of a favorite deceased daughter, is one of the most touching of the products of Rev. Croll's pen. His last work is called "Bible-Quiz," a booklet of practical questions and answers on the sacred book.
In the field of periodical literature Rev. Mr. Croll has been quite active also. He is the founder and editor of the Pennsylvania German, a magazine of high rank, and much sought after by the class for whom it is published. He was editor for three years of the St. Matthew's Lutheran Herald, a parish paper. Another line of work in which he has taken a helpful interest is the Lebanon County Historical Society, of which he was one of the founders, and
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before which he has read several helpful papers and original poems. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania German Society. For six years he was a member of the board of directors of the Loysville Orphans' Home.
Rev. Mr. Croll is a pulpit orator of much power. He is called on fre- quently to officiate in other pulpits, and in 1900 was honored by being invited to deliver the Alumni address at his Alma Mater, a duty which he performed with much satisfaction to his fellow alumni.
The domestic life of our honored subject has been most felicitous, the lady whom he chose as a life-companion and helpmeet having proved an invaluable aid in his different ministerial fields. Her maiden name was Sallie A. Greiss, daughter of Philip and Catharine Greiss, and their marriage took place in Alburtis, Pa., the place of her residence, March 11, 1880. She has become the mother of a bright and interesting family, whose names are as follows : Edward Everett, born January 15, 1881 ; Rose Wentworth, born April 28, 1883, now deceased; Herbert Greiss, born February 1I, 1886; Philip Raymond, born November 29, 1887, now deceased; Annie Katharine, born April 17, 1889; Paul Revere, born January 1, 1892; Alden Theodore, born January 12, 1894; and Hilda Marion, born August 31, 1895.
JOHN K. FUNCK is a member of one of the oldest families of Lebanon county, and has himself been for the past fifty years prominently identified with the business interests of the city of Lebanon. He is a man who merits the highest respect of his associates, and is most worthy of representation in this volume.
John K. Funck was born in Lebanon county, on his father's farm near the city. September 3, 1836. His great-grandfather was Martin Funck, who settled in Lebanon county, then a part of Lancaster, just west of the city of Lebanon. He died in December, 1796, leaving children as follows : Martin. Jr .; Ann, who married Henry Fox; Barbara, who married Henry Neave; Mary, who became Mrs. George Gloninger ; Magdalena, who married Henry Light, Jr .; Christina, Mrs. Christian Oberholtz; and Elizabeth, who married John Hauer.
Martin Funck, Jr., grandfather of John K., was born November 29, 1766. On March 4. 1792, he married Barbara Longenecker, and to them came the following children: Barbara, born in 1795; Martin. 1797: Elizabeth, 1799: Jacob, 1801; Elizabeth (2). 1802; John, 1805; and Maria and Ann, twins, ISII.
Jacob Funck, father of John K., was born April 16, 1801, on the old Funck homestead west of Lebanon. He was a worthy member of the agri-
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cultural class throughout his lifetime, and died in 1880. He was twice married, the first marriage taking place March 3, 1825, when he was joined to Sallie Bowman. She died in January, 1830, aged twenty-nine years, three months and sixteen days. Her children were: Josiah, born in December, 1825, who died July 17, 1896; and Levi, born in December, 1827, who died January 30, 1838. The second marriage of Mr. Funck took place December 31, 1830, which he married Mary Kreider, who became the mother of Sarah, born November 29, 1831 : Jacob, October 14, 1834; John K., September 3, 1836; Mary. May 28, 1838; Barbara, March 28, 1840; Adam, April 29, 1843 ; and Lydia, April 27, 1847.
John K. Funck was born on the date given above and attended the com- mon schools and later the Lebanon Academy. After leaving school he taught until the close of the school year of 1856, when he engaged in the dry goods business continuing in that line until 1879, when he retired from the business on account of ill health. In 1883 he entered into the millinery busi- ness, but retired from that line in 1893 to accept the treasurership of the Lebanon Boiler, Foundry & Machine Company. In 1895 he accepted the superintendency of the American Safety Head Match Company, since which time he has been engaged in settling up estates.
During the Civil war Mr. Funck was a member of the Emergency Troops, serving in the company commanded by his brother, Josiah. In his younger days he served a term as councilman from the Third ward of the city, and in February, 1902, 'he was again elected to that body from the Second ward, and is now serving in that position with much acceptance. He affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of Sedgwick Post, No. 42. He is also a member of Castle No. 497, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and holds the honorable position of State Representative of that society.
On September 6, 1859, Mr. Funck married Catherine Jane Grittinger, a member of one of the leading old pioneer families of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Funck are worthy members of Zion Lutheran Church, and are ranked among Lebanon's most solid and substantial citizens.
HENRY L. ARNOLD. Of the many prominent business men of Lebanon there are few, if any, more widely known or more sincerely respected for square dealings and honesty than Henry L. Arnold. He was born in North Lebanon, Pa., December 5, 1828, and is one of the many hundreds of Arnolds in this country, most of whom have descended from seven brothers, who settled in different parts of the American colonies prior to the Revolution.
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