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 40
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Capt. Bassler was born February 6, 1834, on the farm now owned by Davilla Swope, near Myerstown, a son of Henry and Barbara (Unger) Bassler, the former of whom was born in the old Bassler homestead Decem- ber 10, 1797, and died in Myerstown, January 16, 1851, after a successful agricultural life. His parents were Simon and Catherine (Houtz) Bassler, of Jackson township, the former of whom was a son of Simon Bassler, who was born in 1734, and died in 1802. This Simon Bassler was a son of Henry Bassler, who was born in Basel, Switzerland, and who was the emi- grant to America in 1707, settling in Rhinebeck, N. Y., on the Hudson river, whence he moved into the Schoharie Valley, New York. Later he and his neighbors found that their farms were claimed by the proprietors of large tracts of land known as "Manor Lands," and that it was difficult to secure title to them. They had heard of the liberal terms offered by William Penn to settlers in Pennsylvania, and resolved to brave the dangers and hardships of a long journey through an unexplored country, inhabited only by Indians, for the sake of securing free homes. They crossed the wilderness to the upper waters of the Susquehanna, constructed a raft on which they floated down the river, and after many days reached the mouth of the Swatara. They followed up that creek to the Quittapahilla, and, traveling up that stream, some of the party located on its headwaters, while the rest, including Henry Bassler, crossed the divide and selected homes on the upper course of the Tulpehocken. This was in 1723. He took up a tract of land in the vicinity of Myerstown, and purchased it as soon as it was surveyed, in 1734. the same year of the birth of his son, Simon, who settled on the farm which is still the property of his descendants. Henry Bassler, the father of Capt. John. married Barbara Unger, who was born January 1, 1799, daughter of Valentine and Catherine (Felty) Unger, of what is now Bethel township. Lebanon county, and they had the following children born to them: Sarah Ann. Maria Elizabeth, Susannah, Anna M., John H., Rebecca L., William D. and Amanda C. The survivors of this family are Anna M., Rebecca L ... William D. (of Philadelphia) and John H.
John H. Bassler was reared on the farm on which he was born, and obtained his education in the subscription schools, the Myerstown Academy, and, later, the Millersville State Normal School. At the age of eighteen years he was qualified to teach school, and this profession he followed with
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eminent success for seven years, becoming the principal of the Myerstown Academy, in which position he remained three years. Then came the dark days of the Civil war, following the Union reverses near Richmond in the summer of 1862, and, however tender the ties of family, or pleasant and lucrative his profession, he felt that his services were needed at the front. Within eight days he raised a full company of volunteers, incorporated as Company C of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, which became notably known as the Second Bucktail regiment, his company taking a very prominent part in the later campaigns. Capt. Bassler saw much hard service and was severely wounded at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, lying within the Confederate lines, and was practically a prisoner until the retreat of the enemy, and was not carried off the field until the evening of July 5th. This wound necessitated an honorable discharge and a long convalescence. As soon as he was again able to take up business he engaged in contracting and car building at Myerstown, but his old feeling of patriotism conquered as soon as he found himself able to return to the service of his country, and on September 28, 1864, he tendered his services to President Lincoln. and was placed in command of Company H. Tenth Regiment. Veteran Reserve Corps, and later, January 19, 1865, was transferred to and appointed Captain of Company B. Twelfth Veteran Reserves. On November 30th, of the same year, his loyalty and services were recognized by the Government by his appointment as assistant superintendent of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, with headquarters at Lumberton, N. C. On February 13. 1866, he was finally mustered out of the service at his own request, and returned to Pennsylvania, locating in Schuylkill county in 1867. There Capt. Bassler was chosen principal of the Pine Grove public schools, which position he resigned one year later in order to accept a position on the Lebanon & Fremont branch of the Lebanon Valley Railroad, as station agent at Tower City, Pa .; five years later he gave this position up in order to embark in a mercantile business at the same place. However, on account of his wife's delicate health. he decided to make a trip to California, locating at Riverside in 1877. His care proved of no avail. as her death occurred there October 31. of that year. Capt. Bassler then went to Oakland. Cal .. and engaged in carpenter work on the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1880 he returned to his old home in Myerstown, and here he has remained in familiar localities ever since, interested in local enterprises, notably the cream- ery business and the Myerstown Enterprise, a first-class village newspaper. During the last years he has assumed no new business cares, living somewhat retired. His literary talents were valued during his editorship of the above-
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named journal, from 1894 to 1896, the paper being the property of himself and George D. Coover.
On October 2, 1859, Capt. Bassler was married to Miss Sarah Brobst, a daughter of Valentine and Mary (Miller) Brobst, of Berks county, and this marriage was blessed with the following named children: Horace, born March 8, 1861, died in Oakland, Cal., August 12, 1879; Laura, born in Washington, D. C., November 17, 1865, is now a resident of New York. City; Robert, born in Tower City in 1873, died in 1874; Ralph, born June 23, 1875, is a resident of Chicago, and connected with the Chicago American. The second marriage of Captain Bassler was on December 14, 1880, to Miss Amanda Mosser, of Myerstown, daughter of Daniel and Magdalena (Holstein) Mosser, of an old family of Jackson township. One son, Harvey, came to this union, born April 21, 1883; he is now a student at Albright College, Myerstown.
In politics Capt. Bassler has always been a Republican. Reared a mem -. ber of the Reformed Church, he later became a convert to the truths of spiritualism. He is one of the valued members of Capt. William Tice Post, No. 471, G. A. R., of Myerstown, belonging to that army of esteemed citi- zens which is yearly growing less, to whom our fair land owes a deep debt of gratitude. His long service in the army was honorable in the highest degree, and had no call to arms intervened he would probably have been one of the leading educators of his State. In his advancing years he is surrounded by warm and sincere friends, and enjoys the esteem of the whole community. The Captain was never involved in any case at court, not even as a witness, except in 1883, when one night he wounded two burglars, and capturing one of them, had him lodged in the Lebanon jail. As a matter of good citizenship it was necessary to prosecute this criminal, who was sentenced to four years in the penitentiary.
GEORGE H. REINOEHL. The well-directed career of George H. Reinoehl was interwoven with many of the most stable enterprises of Lebanon, and he represented a type of men who have ever been regarded as the bulwarks of the communities in which they settled. For more than a hundred years different members of the family have been among the foremost promoters of large accomplishments in this county, the first to come from Europe and settle here, the paternal great-grandfather, George, setting an example of industry, frugality and sound business sense, carefully maintained by his descendants. His son, George, the paternal grandfather, was a farmer on a large scale in Lebanon county, as was also Samuel, his son, and the father
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of George H. Samuel eventually embarked upon an extensive lumber busi- ness, and in this line of activity acquired a reputation as one of the sub- stantial business men of his locality. Through his marriage with Mary Uhler, he raised a large family of children, among whom were: Adolphus, deceased; Tobias; George H., born March 18, 1835: John: Samuel; Mi- chael : Lena : Catherine; Mary : and Rosa.
Educationally, George H. Reinoehl was favored with average training, his foundation at the public schools being supplemented by life-long reading, study and practical observation. For many years he was one of the leading hardware merchants of Lebanon city, and he was also a director and vice- president in the Valley National Bank, the Lebanon Gas Company, and many other enterprises equally important to the growth of the city. His sound business judgment was appreciated in the various avenues in which it was exerted, and he bore an enviable reputation for wise conservatism and far sighted discrimination. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church, of which he was treasurer, trustee and a leader in the Sunday School for about thirty years. Fraternally he was connected with the Odd Fellows. Kind of heart, generous, charitable in his judgment, appreciative of the gifts and goodness in others, he made and retained hosts of friends, to whom his death, March 23, 1898, at the age of sixty-three years, was a sore afflic- tion.
On July 29, 1855, Mr. Reinoehl married Mary A. Krause, a daughter of John and Catherine (Derr) Krause, of Lebanon. Their union was blessed with the following children: Catherine, the wife of Jacob G. Schropp, of the Lebanon Daily News; Dr. John K., killed recently by a runaway horse ; Frank H., cashier of the Valley National Bank; Helena, the wife of G. Malilon Pott, and living in Allentown, Pa .; Evelyn M., the wife of Dr. Fred. Gates, of Lebanon ; and George S., manager of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company of Lancaster city. Mrs. Reinoehl is spending the evening of her life in her pleasant home on Chestnut street, where gather her many friends and well wishers, by all of whom she is greatly beloved and honored.
JOHN ZINN, one of the leading and prominent men of Cornwall township, Lebanon county, was born December 21, 1854, in the house which is now his home, and where he is so well and favorably known. The boyhood days of Mr. Zinn were spent upon the farm, and he received a good common school education in the neighborhood schools. Remaining at home until the death of his father, he took charge of the homestead of 158 acres, well im- proved, and furnished with excellent buildings. This property is considered
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one of the finest in Lebanon county, and on it he carries on general farming making a complete success of all he undertakes.
In 1896, Mr. Zinn was married to Miss Hannah Hoke, daughter of David Hoke, and one child has been born of this union : George Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Zinn are members of the Reformed Church, in which they take a very active part. Mr. Zinn and his family have always occupied prominent places among the leading men of this portion of the State, and they can always be counted upon to support all measures tending toward the advance- ment of their community.
JOHN. M. ALLWEIN, traveling salesman for the American School Furniture Company, of New York, and a resident of Lebanon, was born in North Lebanon township, December 15, 1850, a son of William and Mary (Mars) Allwein, of German and English descent, respectively. William Allwein was a plasterer by trade, and was born in June, 1813, his death occurring in 1888. His father, Philip, devoted his active life to farming and blacksmithing, and reared a large family of whom Edward, Elijah, Henry, Adam, Sarah, Isabella and Rebecca are living; while John, Samuel, Joseph, William, Elizabeth, Polly, Catherine and Mary are deceased. Philip Allwein was one of the very early settlers of Lebanon county, and his little blacksmith shop was one of the busiest centers for miles around.
William Allwein was a farmer as well as plasterer, and his property was always under a high state of cultivation, and yielded profitable harvests. He was a life-long Democrat, and a member of the Catholic Church. As his name implies, he was of German descent, and inherited the personal charac- teristics which have enabled Germany to impress itself upon the map of the world. To himself and wife, Mary, were born eleven children, of whom the following attained maturity : Henry, deceased; Maria, also deceased; Frank M., a plasterer of Lebanon; Isaac, a resident of Lebanon and a grocer by occupation ; Amelia, living on the home farm in North Lebanon township; Nathaniel, also a plasterer by trade; John M .; Polly, the wife of Aaron Witmer, of Lebanon city; and Aaron, living on the home place. Mrs. Allwein was born in 1814 in the city of Lancaster and died March 4, 1901.
Although a farmer lad, and compelled at times to labor long and faithfully, John M. Allwein managed to secure a fair education, finishing in the State normal schools at Lebanon and Millersville, Pa. For twelve years he was engaged in teaching in the schools of Lebanon county, after which he came to Lebanon city in 1880, and clerked for some time. As a traveling salesman he was first identified with the Keystone Furniture Company, of
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Philadelphia, and afterward with the United States School Furniture Com- pany of Chicago. In 1891 he became connected with the American School Furniture Company of New York City, for which he is still traveling. In the meantime he has established a reputation for executive and business ability of a high order, which has been duly recognized by his fellow townsmen on various occasions, and in various ways. His business interests are centered in some of the most important commercial concerns of the town, including the Lebanon County Trust Company, of which he is secretary, and a stock holder : he is a stockholder in both the Lebanon National and the Farmers National banks; a stock holder in the Mutual Benefit Building & Loan Asso- ciation; and a director in the Mechanics Building & Loan Association. Mr. Allwein is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
On May 13, 1880, Mr. Allwein married Mary A. Steckbeck, born in Lebanon county April 29, 1855, a daughter of David and Mary (Arnold) Steckbeck, parents also of three other children: Priscilla, the wife of Henry Arnold, of Lebanon city; Moses, a resident of Avon; and Aaron, a farmer of North Lebanon township. The father of Mrs. Allwein was one of the best and most prominent farmers of Lebanon county, and came from an old and honored family.
LUTHER FRANKLIN HOUCK. Having been for many years en- gaged in the practice of the law in Lebanon, twelve years of which time was served most acceptably as county solicitor, Luther Franklin Houck is well and favorably known all over the county, and is generally conceded to be one of the best lawyers practicing before the courts of the county.
Luther Franklin Houck is a native of Palmyra, Pa., where he was born January 29, 1844. He received his primary education in the public schools of his native village and Lebanon, which was supplemented by courses at a private academy at Palmyra conducted by that noted educator, Peter B Wetmor. A. M., and by advanced work in the Lebanon Academy. His first connection with professional life was as a teacher, the schools in the city of Lebanon having been the forum of action for a period of some twelve years. During the latter part of this experience he took up the study of the law under Grant Weidman, now deceased, spending his vacations in his office. He was admitted to the Bar April 14, 1879. In 1875 he had been elected justice of the peace, an office which he held for five and a half years.
In November, 1880, Mr. Houck received the nomination of his party for District Attorney and in the election which followed was chosen to that office. Entering the office in January following. he performed its duties
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most capably for three years. His service in this office was so acceptable as to secure him the appointment as county solicitor, and for the next twelve years he looked after the legal interests of the county, in connection with his general practice, having been reappointed different times. He has since been in practice as a private member of the Bar, and has always held a lead- ing position, his knowledge of legal jurisprudence being broad and conpre- hensive. For several years he was a member of the examining committee of the Lebanon County Bar, in which he succeeded in upholding the high standard always maintained by that body. He is also a member of the Lebanon County Law Library committee.
Fraternally Mr. Houck is a worthy member of the I. O. H., and the A. O. U. W. In religious life he affiliates with the Lutherans, being a member of the Zion's Lutheran Church.
On June 19, 1879, Mr. Houck was married to Emma H. Christian, of Lebanon, who was born in Reading in 1856, daughter of John and Mary A. (Goodheart ) Christian, the former of whom is deceased. The parents of Mrs. Houck came originally from Berks county, Pa. This marriage has been blessed by two children: John Christian, born April 28, 1880; and Mary Amelia, October 6, 1882. John C. graduated at Ursinus College, in Montgomery county, and is now studying law in his father's office.
JOHN H. SHUGAR (deceased) was one of the old and well-known citizens, and for many years a leading merchant of Lebanon. He was born in that city, on West Cumberland Street, June 1, 1839, son of Baltzer Shugar. a native of Lancaster county, who died when his son was about nine years old. His wife was Anna Bender, who was born near Jonestown, Lebanon county.
Thrown upon his own resources, John H. Shugar at the age of nine years was obliged to provide for his own support, and his first work was carting on the old canal which was then being constructed. This made it necessary for him to go to Womelsdorf, Berks county. During the Civil war he was employed by the government in buying horses for the United States army. After the close of the war he engaged in the grocery business in Lebanon, his location being on the north side of Cumberland street, near Seventh, and his was the first exclusive grocery business in Lebanon. It expanded and developed, and Mr. Shugar became the first wholesale grocer in the city. He continued to prosper, and at one time owned all the real estate from Cumberland and Seventh streets to the alley on Seventh. including his grocery store No. 625. In 1886 he erected the Shugar building
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on the corner of Cumberland and Seventh streets, a commodious three-story building in which is included the residence fronting on Seventh street. Mr. Shugar was a most worthy man in every way, and in his death the city lost a citizen of unimpeachable integrity. His provident husbanding of means enabled him to accumulate, and his excellent business sense taught him how to invest. In his church relations he was a Lutheran, and in fraternal life an Odd Fellow.
On August 16, 1863, Mr. Shugar was united in marriage with Catharine Ulrich, daughter of David Uhrich, who was born at what is now Avon. Lebanon county, December 3. 1808, son of Christian Uhrich, also a native of Lebanon county. David Uhrich married Catherine Dubbs, born in Lebanon, May 5, 1814, daughter of John Dubbs, also a native of Lebanon. The death of John H. Shugar occurred October 9. 1898, his wife and eleven children surviving, the latter being as follows . Catharine, wife of Harry Andrews, of Lebanon : John Lincoln, in the grocery business in Lebanon : William Grant, also in the grocery business in that city ; Florence A. : Sarah E. ; Harry B., a veterinary surgeon in Lebanon; George D .; Helen L .; Franklin U .; Charles L .; and Ruth E. All of this interesting, prominent and highly respected family belong to the Lutheran Church, with the exception of George, who ยท belongs to the Episcopal Church. The name of Mr. Shugar is honorably perpetuated in his estimable family. In politics he was a Republican, but he was no politician, and never sought office.
ADAM G. LERCH, one of the representative citizens of North Lebanon township and a resident of Ebenezer, was born June 24, 1858, in North Annville township, Lebanon county, a son of Adam F. and Christiana (Gingrich) Lerch.
The Lerch family has long been one of substance and influential connec- tions, being connected by marriage with many old pioneer families of this section. Christopher Lerch, the great-grandfather, emigrated from Ger- many in young manhood, came to Lebanon county, and locating at Bunker Hill, in Swatara township, engaged in farming, and at his death owned a large estate, and left his family well provided for.
John Lerch, the grandfather of Adam G., was born in Swatara township and lived on a small farm, following his trade of carpenter and undertaker. In the latter line he was one of the earliest in this locality. For many years he was prominent in the Reformed Church. John Lerch married Polly Fox, and a brief record of their family of six sons and three daughters is as follows: (1) Adam F. is mentioned below. (2) Benjamin Lerch was ?
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tailor by trade moved to Jefferson county, served almost three years as a brave soldier during the Civil war and lost his life at the battle of the Wilderness, leaving a widow and two children. (3) Emanuel moved in young manhood to Logansport, Ind., where he followed farming and carpentering, served in the Civil war, married a Miss Sayler and had three children, John, Clinton and Angeline, who all live at Logansport; he died in 1877. (4) William moved West in young manhood. (5) John is a farmer at Earlton, Kans., where he took up a homestead and is very pros- perous; he married Elmira Thayer, of Lebanon county, and has two daughters, Izora and Emma. (6) Simon is the father of John H. Lerch, a merchant at West Lebanon. (7) Eve married Henry Bean, and after some years of farming near Earlton, Kans., removed to Parsons ; they had children- John, Abraham (deceased), Solomon, Nathaniel (deceased). Emma, Lizzie, Alice and Ellen (deceased). (8) Polly married Adam Bender, of Lebanon, where she died. By her first marriage with a Mr. Baltz, she had two children, Simon and Kate; and by her marriage with Mr. Bender, two daughters, Sarah and Polly. (9) Mary married William Baltz, of Swatara township, and had one child, Maria.
Adam F. Lerch, the father of Adam G., was born and reared in Swatara township, learning the business of his father and with a Mr. School of Jones- town. After marriage he purchased a small place in North Annville town- ship, and lived there until 1877, when he bought a large farm in East Hanover township, during the next seven years permitting his sons to operate the farm while he still continued at his trade. He then sold that property and bought at Ebenezer, in North Lebanon township, and on this farm of sixty acres he spent his last years, dying April 4, 1899, having lived sixty- eight years, six months and twenty-one days. Mr. Lerch was considered one of the leading men of the county, and was widely and favorably known. After settling at Ebenezer, he laid out a number of town lots, building also about half of the houses in the village. Both he and wife were worthy members of the United Brethren Church. His estimable widow still survives, at the age of seventy years, and is a beloved member of the family of her son, Adam G. She is a daughter of John and Barbara (Miller) Gingrich, of North Annville township. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lerch were both sons, Adam G. and Jacob G. The latter died in 1891, at the age of twenty-six years, a carpenter by trade, and left a widow and one child, Carrie.
Adam G. Lerch was reared in North Annville township, and was edu- cated in the public schools. He spent one year under his father learning the
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carpenter's trade, but his natural inclinations led him to adopt farming, and, since he was nineteen years old, he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Lerch is one of the best farmers in the township and one of the large landholders, and is interested in some of the leading financial institutions of the county, being a stock holder in some of the local banks. Not only is Mr. Lerch one of the men of large means in his locality, but he is public-spirited and enterprising, and is always identified with public movements for the benefit of the neighborhood.
In 1878 Mr. Lerch was married to Miss Mollie G. Shenk, who was born near Grandville, Dauphin county, but was reared near Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, a daughter of Amos and Lydia (Seltzer) Shenk. Two children have been born to this marriage, namely : Nora L., a student at the Lebanon Business College; and Christie, a young lady at home. The family belong to the United Brethren Church of Ebenezer, and are numbered among the best citizens of Lebanon county.
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