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 42
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Upon reaching manhood Mr. Bennetch married Leah Becker, and of this union there were three children: J. Henry; Mary, who married John Seibert, and resided in Reading (he is now deceased) ; and Jacob, who is now a merchant in Iona. Mr. Bennetch was a man of great energy and marked force of character, and by his practical business methods, and well-directed industry won the respect of all who knew him. He was thoroughly honest, possessed a keen sense of justice, and in fact, he was a man of an irreproach- able character.
J. Henry Bennetch early felt the necessity of shouldering life's respon- sibilities. He was but one year old when taken by his parents from Lan- caster county to Millcreek township, Lebanon county, and but six when, in Jackson township, he lost his father. Returning with his mother to Mill- creek township, he there in the home of Samuel and Michael Becker, cousins of his mother, grew to manhood. In the public schools of his vicinity he
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procured a good practical education, displaying an alertness of intellect, and an eagerness to grasp information, which have characterized him through life. By assisting in the work on the Becker farm, he became well trained to agriculture, and upon reaching manhood, decided to follow that occupa- tion for his life-work. On December 27, 1860, when about twenty-one years old, he married Mary Becker, daughter of John and Caroline (Stump) Becker, who are mentioned below. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennetch have been born six children, two of whom have grown to maturity: John, who is now engaged in farming in Millcreek township; Morris, who is living in the West.
After the death of his first wife Mr. Bennetch married her cousin, a daughter of Michael Becker, whose farm of thirty-five acres he purchased and on which he now resides within three-fourths of a mile of Millbach.
Mr. Bennetch has, from time to time, branched out extensively in gen- eral agriculture, and has made large land purchases. The old John Becker homestead, settled in 1734, now in his possession, numbers 203 well- improved acres ; his productive Bucher farm, 109 acres; the Seibert place, near the village of Sheridan, 153 acres ; and the home place thirty-five acres, totaling 500 acres in Millcreek township. He also owns 360 acres of land in Cocalico township, Lancaster county, and additional timber tracts, in Mill- creek and Heidelberg townships, making him one of the most extensive land- owners in this vicinity. He has utilized his farms in his stock business to a great extent, and has some most excellent barns for sheltering horses. He has made a specialty of the care of these animals, and for the past ten or fifteen years has wintered hundreds of horses for the Barnum and Bailey shows.
Mr. Bennetch possesses a remarkable capacity for directing affairs, and all his enterprises have been conducted on a large scale. His knowledge of business is profound, and his ability to apply it to the practical work of life rare. His achievements and his force of character have made him a leader in his township, and as a Democrat in politics, his word carries weight in local affairs. He has been a consistent member of the Schaefferstown Lutheran Church for about thirty-three years, and as such, his dealings with his fel- lowmen have always been directed by strong Christian principles.
John Becker, father of Mrs. Mary Bennetch, was a thrifty agriculturist of Millcreek township for many years. He married Caroline Stump about 1833, and they became the parents of these children : Willoughby. a prom- inent retired agriculturist of Millcreek township: John Adam, of South Jackson township; Mary, who became Mrs. Bennetch; Elizabeth, who mar- ried J. M. Zimmerman, a prominent farmer of Millcreek township; Emma,
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who married Aaron Bollinger, both now deceased; Amanda, the widow of George Seibert; Agnes J., who married Levi R. Bollinger, of Richmond; Thomas L., a prominent surveyor and conveyancer, Millbach; and Ida, deceased.
ABNER WILLIAM SHULTZ, M. D., one of the leading repre- sentatives of the medical profession of Lebanon county, Pa., and coroner of Lebanon county since January, 1901, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., July 16, 1846, a son of William and Leah (Keller) Shultz, natives of Leb- anon and Dauphin counties, respectively. The family of Shultz has long been identified with the best interests of the State, the founder of it in Amer- ica coming from Germany at an early date, and locating at Newmanstown. The various representatives of this family have engaged in various callings, although there have been more agriculturists and mechanics, and all have been a credit to their name and locality.
The grandfather, William Shultz, a mason by trade, resided in New- manstown and lived to an advanced age. He married Hannah Heffelfinger.
William Shultz (2), the father of our subject, was also a mason, but died when a young man in Dauphin county, where he had spent his wedded life. After his death, his widow married Jacob Schaeffer, and died at Mid- dletown, Dauphin Co., Pa. Dr. Shultz was one of two children born to his parents, the other being Mary, who married Penrose Frank, of Erie, Penn- sylvania.
Dr. Abner William Shultz was reared in Dauphin county, and educated in Village Green Seminary, Delaware Co., Pa., and the academy at Pal- myra. Later he took a business course at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Having always had an inclination toward the medical profession, he began the study of that science with his uncle, Dr. D. C. Keller, at Union Deposit, Dauphin county. In 1865, he entered Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1869, and he then entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1870. After graduating, he located at Belleview, now Bellegrove, and remained for eighteen months, when he re- moved to Jonestown, Lebanon Co., Pa., and for fourteen years was engaged in active practice. His uncle's place becoming vacant. Dr. Shultz returned to Union Deposit and remained until 1894, when he settled in Lebanon city, and was successful there, but in 1901 he retired to his country seat, near Jonestown, which is one of the finest country residences in Lebanon county. This beautiful home, supplied with all modern conveniences and comforts is known as Fairview farm. Dr Shultz is a director in the Lebanon Stove
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Works, and is a successful business man as well as skillful physician. While always taking an active interest in political affairs, he has never consented to hold office with the exception of his present trust. For twenty years he was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Company E, Eighth Regiment, entering as a private, and being commissioned assistant surgeon, and later aid on General Gobin's staff. Dr. Shultz is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, Widell Chapter, No. 157, and Hermit Commandery, No. 24.
On May 12, 1874, Dr. Shultz married Miss Mary Reinoehl, of Lebanon, daughter of Judge Reinoehl. Dr. and Mrs. Shultz have an adopted daugh- ter, Mary K., who resides with them. Both are consistent members of the United Brethren Church, of which they are liberal supporters, and they are very important factors in the social life of their locality.
HENRY B. GINGRICH, one of the leading citizens of South London- derry township and senior member of the firm of Henry B. Gingrich & Bro., leading cattle dealers of Lebanon county, was born May 8, 1856, on the old Gingrich homestead farm, about one mile north of the village of Lawn, and which is his present home. His father, Christian Gingrich, is one of the prominent citizens of Lebanon county, of whom extended mention will be found elsewhere.
Henry B. Gingrich attended the public schools and the old Palmyra Academy, finishing his schooling at Lititz Academy in Lancaster county. After marriage he engaged in farmning on the home farm which he still continues. Since 1892 his main interests have been centered in the great enterprise then established, the Lawn Stock Yards, which, as noted below, have developed into one of the leading industries of the county.
In 1878 Mr. Gingrich was united in marriage with Miss Marion Red- secker, born at Aberdeen, Lancaster county, one of the daughters of George and Anna (Clendennin) Redsecker. The children born to this union were : George R., C. E., Robert C., Rose M., Walter E., Edna G. and Ira James, deceased.
For years Mr. Gingrich has been prominent both in agricultural and public affairs in his township and has served as school director and for the past seven years has been treasurer of the South Londonderry school board. On August 6, 1901, he was appointed postmaster at Lawn. The business career of Mr. Gingrich has been unusually successful, owing to the close attention he gives to his affairs, and his upright methods, the latter winning him the confidence of the public.
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LAWN STOCK YARDS. The Lawn Stock Yards, situated at Lawn, South Londonderry township, Lebanon county, were established in 1892 by Messrs. Henry B. and Christian C. Gingrich and H. S. Stauffer. This is the largest and most important cattle enterprise in Lebanon county. At the beginning, the yards had a capacity for handling, under shed, six car loads of cattle, per week, and from July to January of the first year, 132 car loads were handled, sales being made to feeders and butchers. On January I, 1897, the Gingrich brothers purchased Mr. Stauffer's interest, and the firm name was changed from Gingrich & Stauffer to that of H. B. Gingrich & Bro. Since that time the business has been constantly on the increase, improvements have been made and capacity increased until, in 1901, the firm sold from July I, to Feb. 1, 1902, 161 car loads of feeders' and butchers' cattle, the business having increased from about $200,000 in 1892 to about $400,000, in 1902, with every indication of much greater growth in the future. The Lawn Yards have the reputation of handling the finest cattle in Lebanon county and prices are realized in accordance. One shipment to New York City, for which they paid seven and one-half cents, they realized eight and one-half cents in New York. During the blizzard of 1899, the yards shipped cattle by Adams Express Company, on foot to eastern markets, the cattle being gathered in the morning and delivered in Phila- delphia the same day. Regular shipments are made to Philadelphia, Jersey City, Pottsville and other cities.
JOHN H. CILLEY is one of the well known citizens of Lebanon, Pa., a leading contractor, builder and shoe merchant of that city. He was born in Londonderry township, Lebanon county, Pa., March 10, 1845. He is the son of Nicholas Cilley, who was a native of Dauphin county, Pa., and a son of James Cilley, the latter a native of Scotland, and an early settler of Dauphin county. The mother of our subject was Sarah Nye, who was born in Lebanon county, the daughter of Michael Nye. He also was a native of Pennsylvania; the Nyes were from Germany. The father of our subject died in 1874, in his sixty-second year, and the mother died in 1887, in her eighty-seventh year. She had five children, our subject being the only one now living. Catherine, deceased, became the wife of John Farnwalt; Amanda, deceased, married Jacob Sheetz; John Henry: and two other chil- dren who died in infancy. The father returned to Lebanon in 1872, and lived there the remainder of his life.
John H. Cilley was reared near the old Colebrook Furnace, in South Annville township, to which place his parents moved when he was about two
John H. Poilley
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and a half years old. He attended the public schools during the winters. receiving a common school education. In the spring of 1862 he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, but in the following August he entered Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. While with his regiment he saw much service, being in the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps. It was his brigade which crossed at Fredericksburg in open boats, December 11, 1862, and drove the Rebel sharp-shooters out of Fredericksburg. so that the pontoon bridge could be laid. His regiment in fighting two days lost 272 killed and wounded. Mr. Cilley also was in the Chancellorsville ranks, under General Hooker. The first of his service was in defence of Washington. In May, 1863, he was dis- charged from the service by reason of the expiration of his term of enlist- ment, and the following month (June) he reenlisted in Company F, Forty- eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Militia (emergency). He was mustered out of the Forty-eighth Regiment in July, 1863, and in August he took up his work of learning the carpenter's trade. He finished his apprenticeship in 1866, and after working as a juror for seventeen days he began carpentering for himself in South Annville township. He lived there until 1869, during which time he studied geometry, mensuration and trigonometry, being his own teacher, devoting the evenings to study, after he had completed his day's work at his trade, and in this way supplementing the lack in his earlier edu- cation. In 1869 he located in Lebanon, and until 1875 he was engaged in geometrical stair building for the firm of Gasset & Light. In 1875 he became a partner of George Gasset, under the firm name of Gasset & Cilley, engaging in the general contracting business, during which period they erected the Orphans' Home at Womelsdorf, Zion's Lutheran Church at Annville, the M. E. Church at Cornwall, Lebanon Hook and Ladder Company's house, Seltzer's store building on the corner of Ninth and Willow streets, Lantz's building on Eiglith street, and William C. Freeman's mansion and fine stable at Cornwall.
In 1883 Mr. Gasset retired from the firm, and Mr. Cilley formed a partnership with D. W. Miller in the lumber, planing mill, and general con- tracting business under the firm name of Cilley & Miller. In 1889 he with- drew from the firm, and went into the contracting business for himself, erecting the Lebanon high school building, the Independent District School building on the corner of Maple and Seventh streets, and he has continued in the business for himself since that time. In 1892 he was appointed a member of a committee chosen by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua to draw up suitable plans for an auditorium on the grounds at Mt. Gretna, Pa. By the above
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committee he was appointed one of a sub-committee of two, the other member an architect, to whom were delegated the perfecting of a plan. And when the two plans were submitted those of Mr. Cilley were adopted. The building, which has a polygon shape, rests on posts which are set in a circle. The first auditorium erected on this plan has a clear space of one hundred feet and has the appearance of a huge umbrella. A severe test of the building was given in 1894. When a heavy snow fell on the roof of the building to a depth of twenty-eight inches, which by actual weight amounted to sixty-seven tons; the roof was not injured in the least, while by the same snow-fall, on neigh- boring buildings, many were wrecked. This plan of building was original with Mr. Cilley. It attracted great attention and interested architects, engineers and builders. The first building being destroyed by fire, was by him rebuilt, and since then he has erected five of these auditoriums and has a contract for another. The one he erected at Mountain Lake Park in 1900 for the Mountain Chautauqua in Western Maryland, has a seating capacity of 5.000, and its diameter is 172 feet, with a stage capacity of 450 people, and it covers one-half acre of ground.
In 1889 Mr. Cilley engaged in the retail shoe business in Lebanon, under the firm name of Bomgardner & Cilley, at No. 16 North Ninth street. This firm continued until 1901, when Mr. Bomgardner retired and the firm became that of Cilley & Bennetch, the latter becoming the junior member. Mr. Cilley is also interested in the North Lebanon shoe factory, being a director of this firm. He is a member of the board of directors of the Lebanon Market House Company, on Eighth street. He is a member of the Merchants association of Lebanon and represented the local association at the State convention. In 1895 he became associated with the Lebanon Match Company: later they were reorganized and he was made its president. Still later they sold out to the Diamond Match Company for $125,000. Mr. Cilley served two terms from the Second ward in the Lebanon city council, being elected first in 1896, and re-elected in 1898. He was a member of the common branch of which he was president. He is at present one of the city assessors. He is a Repub- lican in political sentiment. He is a member of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., No. 42, of which he is past commander. He and his wife are members of the First Reformed Church of which congregation he is a trustee. He is a writer of some note for the local papers.
Mr. Cilley was married September 28. 1866, to Mary Ann Mckinney, who was born in Cornwall township, Lebanon county, April 24. 1840, the daughter of Edward and Salome (Greglow) Mckinney. Mr. and Mrs.
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Cilley have no children of their own, but they have reared one girl, taken when but fifteen months old, and a boy who was eight years old when taken into the family.
JOSEPH M. PAINTER, a highly respected and substantial business man of Myerstown, and member and general manager of the firm of Joseph Painter & Sons, was born in Bernville, Berks county, Pa., Oct. 5, 1856, son of Joseph and Magdalena (Loose) Painter.
The history of the Painter family is traced back to Jacob Painter, who emigrated to America from England and settled near Warrick's Furnace, in Chester county. All of this good man's descendants have followed his trade-that of molder and foundryman-and made the name one of im portance in the Keystone State. One of the sons of Jacob, the emigrant, was also Jacob, who was born in Chester county, Pa., became a molder by trade, and was a most excellent man. He was the father of ten children: Joseph. of the firm of Joseph Painter & Sons; Jacob, deceased; Thomas, deceased : Robert, deceased; Valentine, of Leesport, Pa .; Daniel, of Steelton, Pa .; Pris- cilla; Barbara; Mary, deceased; and Eliza, deceased.
Joseph Painter, father of Joseph M., was born December 4, 1822, and now resides in Myerstown, but his wife is deceased. She was a very excellent lady, and her loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her. He became the father of ten children : John L., of Lebanon ; Jacob H., book- keeper of Joseph Painter & Sons; Joseph M., general manager of Joseph Painter & Sons; George W., of Reading; Stephen G., of Beverly, Kans. ; Samuel G., out West; Anna C., married to Milton Godey, of Reading ; Mary, married to John Spangler, of Norristown, Pa .; Lizzie E. married to George W. Pieffer, of Norristown; and Matilda, married to John Shoemaker, of Kansas City, Mo. Joseph Painter was an iron foundryman and molder, and ran a foundry in Berks county, Pa., but later removed to Myerstown, and has made that city his home for many years. It was about 1848 that he first set- tled in Lebanon county, where he worked in a foundry, but later returned to Berks county, having originally worked in the county of his birthplace. After his return to Berks county, about 1850, he started a foundry at Bernville, and for some years conducted it, but returned to Myerstown, and established the foundry now conducted under the caption of Joseph Painter & Sons, which is one of the best known in the entire county.
Joseph M. Painter was brought by his parents to Myerstown when a child, and grew to manhood in the city where he has since made his home. His education was received in the public schools of this place, and when thir-
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teen years of age he commenced to learn his trade of molder in his father's foundry. All of his active life, some thirty years, has been since spent in the foundry, and his success has been attained by hard work and careful and conscientious attention to business. Every detail of the business is thoroughly understood by him, and he is justly regarded as one of the leading men in his line in the county. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Fraternally he is a member of the A. O. U. W., of Lebanon.
Joseph M. Painter was married to Miss Catherine Dundore of Myers- town, a daughter of A. T. Dundore, of Myerstown. Two children have been born of this union: Matilda J. and Margaret M., both graduates of music in Albright College, and most charming young ladies, important factors in the social life and the work of their church. In politics Mr. Painter has always supported the principles of the Republican party, but his time has been too occupied for him to take an active part in local affairs, although he can always be counted upon to forward any measure calculated to prove beneficial to the general welfare of the city and its people.
The family history of Mrs. Painter is as follows: John Dundore, the first to settle in America, came from the Rhine Province, Germany, although he was of French parentage, emigrating about 1760. His son, John (2), was a farmer and prominent man, who had a son, Samuel. Samuel was a farmer of Berks county, Pa., who married Catherine Tobias, and their son, Aaron T., was the father of Mrs. Painter. Aaron T. was born in Berks county, Novem- ber 21, 1837, and now resides in Myerstown. He married Matilda Gruber, who died in 1857, and Mrs. Painter is their only child, having been born in Berks county, but reared and educated in Myerstown. Mrs. Painter is a lady highly respected for her charming qualities, and is much beloved in her home circle and among her friends.
ZACHARIAS A. BOWMAN, postmaster of Annville, and also a well- known educator, was born December 22, 1865, about two miles southwest of this place in South Annville township, a grandson of Samuel Bowman and Henry Detweiler, and a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Detweiler) Bowman. Samuel Bowman, the father, was born at Campbelltown, Pa., where he still resides, engaged in farming. The mother was born some two miles from Annville, and died when Zacharias was about ten years of age.
Zacharias A. Bowman was reared in South Annville township, and was educated in the public schools. At the age of eighteen years he began teach- ing school and followed this profession in his native township for fifteen years, four of these in the country, and eleven in Annville, becoming promi-
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nent in the profession and highly valued by the public. During the summer seasons, Mr. Bowman taught in the Annville Normal School. In September, 1900, he was appointed postmaster and took charge of the office September 4tlı of that year, resigning his position as instructor, in order to give his entire time to the duties of his office. His management of the Annville office has met with general approval.
In 1887 Mr. Bowman was married to Ellen Flickinger, born in South Annville, daughter of Samuel Flickinger, and the children born to this union are : Annie, Harry, Samuel and Elizabeth. The religious connection of the family is with the Reformed Church. Mr. Bowman is fraternally connected with the P. O. S. of A. ; Junior O. U. A. M. ; and K. of P. Mr. Bowman has the confidence and good will of the community, and he is regarded with the esteem which an exemplary and useful life has justified.
C. N. SEIDLE has, during his thirty-three years of residence in Lebanon, been connected with three of the prominent manufactories,-the Seventh Street Foundry and Machine Shops, the Lebanon Boiler Works and the Standard Boiler Works, of the last of which he has been sole pro- prietor for the last eighteen years.
Mr. Seidle comes of a family of manufacturers. His grandfather, Nicholas Seidle, was one of the leading iron forge men of the State. He settled in Berks county at an early date, and there engaged in the manu- facture of iron goods for many years. By his marriage there were nine children, eight daughters, and one son, Nicholas.
Nicholas Seidle, father of C. N .. was also an iron manufacturer, con- ducting the business with much success during his early manhood. He resided in Berks county, where he was engaged for some time. An energetic man, he made a success of whatever he undertook, but, unfortunately, died in the prime of his manhood. By his marriage there were two children : Henry G., a retired farmer of Berks county ; and C. N.
C. N. Seidle was born in Berks county, June 7, 1844, and on a farm there spent the early years of his life. As a boy he attended the common schools. and, evincing a keen interest in his studies, at the age of thirteen he was sent to an academy near home. Later he took a course in the Coatesville Academy of Chester county, Pa., and finally in the Eastman Business College at Pough - keepsie, N. Y., where he graduated with much credit. He worked as a book- keeper for a short time with the Blandon Rolling Mills, and then, in 1869. came to Lebanon, and with C. P. Shirk, purchased the old Seventh Street Foundry. So successful were they at this business that in three years they
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