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 47
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John A. Bachman was reared on the home farm and attended the com- mon schools and also the Annville Academy for two terms. From the time of his father's death, he remained on the farm with his mother. He has one hundred acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. In 1872 he embarked in a new venture. He converted the mill buildings into a pulver- izing plant, and installed a turbine movement for motive power, together with rock crushers necessary to reduce solid rock into an impalpable state of finish. The enterprise was unique, as there is no record of a similar ven- ture in all this section of the country. Close application, constant experi- menting and grim determination won for Mr. Bachman great success, in opening new channels for the consumption of lime rock, which he now ships in car load lots over a greater part of the United States, especially along the Gulf of Mexico. It is used by flint glass, soap, and soda water manufac- turers, and more recently by cotton oil houses. In connection with the farm and pulverizing plant, Mr. Bachman operates a calcined lime department. having erected a modern kiln of large capacity, and preparing lime chiefly for varnish makers and chemists in New York City, and throughout Long and Staten Islands. He also manufactured harness, but his building proved too small, and the harness machinery has been moved to Lebanon.
In 1871. at the age of twenty-three, Mr. Bachman was married to Madeline Ditzler, who was born in Womelsdorf, Berks county, May 13. 1855. a daughter of Rev. J. M. and Matilda ( Porr) Ditzler, the former now a minister of the Lutheran Church at Dover, York county. The children
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born to Mr. and Mrs. Bachman were: Martin Luther, who married Sallie Zinn, daughter of George and Maria Zinn, is an agricultural implement and phosphate dealer at Zinn's Mill, North Cornwall township; George Washing- ton, Jacob Cleveland, Rosa Elizabeth, John Valentine, Eugene Clarence, infant unnamed, and Raymond Edward, all died in infancy; Virginia Mi- nerva; Paul Theodore; and Harold Benjamin. Mr. Bachman has 100 acres of land. The farm buildings on it were erected by his grandfather, the original mill buildings by Abraham Raiguel.
A. S. RUMMEL, general manager of the Acme Industrial Works, of Myerstown, Pa., manufacturers of shirts, and one of the leading and influ- ential men of that locality, was born in Jackson township, August 15, 1850, a son of Henry and Sarah ( Spayde) Rummel, of Lebanon county.
George Rummel, grandfather of A. S. Rummel, was born in Scotland of Scotch-Irish origin, and came to America about one hundred years ago, settling in Washington county, Md. He was the father of seven children : George, Samuel, Henry, Jacob, Benjamin, Martha and Katherine, all de- ceased except George and Samuel, now residing at New Hagerstown, Md. Henry Rummel, of the above family, was born about 1827, and died Octo- ber 12, 1880, and for many years was superintendent of the iron ore mines of Jackson township. His only child was Aaron S. Rummel, of Myerstown. During life he always supported the principles of the Republican party, and was a consistent member of the Reformed Church.
Aaron S. Rummel was reared in Jackson township, and the public schools of his district gave him his early education, which he finished at the Myerstown Academy. About 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Yeiser, daughter of Capt. Peter Yeiser, of Newmanstown, Millcreek township, Lebanon county. One son has been born of this marriage, H. P. Rummel, who is engaged with his father in the Acme Industrial Works, and married Sallie E. Maurer, of Myerstown, by whom he has four children: Annie Lavina, Liberati P., Edith V. and May V.
Henry Rummel came to Myerstown in 1870, and was proprietor of the "Swan Hotel" for one year, assisted by his son Aaron S., after which the lat- ter was engaged by Jacob Bahney, as buyer of horses in the West. He then opened a slaughter house, which he operated for a number of years, after which he was engaged as superintendent of the ore mines for the E. & G. Brook Iron Company, of Buckborough. After the operation of the mines ceased, he went to the car shop, where he spent four years, and then was engaged as superintendent of Jacob Bahney's Fluxing Stone Quarries. In
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1892, he established a shirt factory in Myerstown, continuing in this line, and enlarging his plant and fields of operation. His factory in Myerstown was burned on March 1, 1902, but he immediately set to work, and by June of the same year, had the plant fully rebuilt, and in better condition than ever. In addition to his factories, Mr. Rummel owns a comfortable and pleasant brick residence, and one tenement building, and has accumulated his wealth through his own exertions and by the practice of economy and good business management. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and takes an active part in local politics, and has served very acceptably on election boards and as county committeeman. In religion he is a member of the Reformed Church, and is its active supporter. In the order of O. U. A. M. he is deservedly popular. Mrs. Rummel is a member of a family of five children, three of whom are now living: Mrs. Rummel; Cyrus, of New- manstown; and Edward, of the some town. The Yeiser family are all well and favorably known in that locality, its founders being among the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Rummel, with their son and his fam- ily, are among the prominent and solid people of Myerstown, and very im- portant factors in the social life of the place.
JOSEPH E. LIGHT. There are a number of members of the Light family in Lebanon, all of more or less close relationship, descended from one of the oldest and most honorable families of the county. The gentleman here referred to is one of the substantial citizens of the Seventh ward of Lebanon, and a man who has done much in his short career to advance the interests of his native city. He was born November 18, 1860, in the old Light home in the Seventh ward, known to all the older residents, a son of Daniel and Barbara (Shalley) Light.
Daniel Light was born in the same house as his son, in 1817, and he died May 10, 1865, after a life of active usefulness in the community. By avocation he was a farmer, but he also did considerable teaming and freight- ing for the furnaces in the county. Mrs. Barbara (Shalley) Light was born in 1829, and died in 1892.
Joseph E. Light passed the earlier part of his manhood on a farm. In 1878 he, in connection with his brother Daniel, built a coal yard and several brick yards, all of which proved successful and paying ventures. Since that time he has used his capital in the promotion of many of the leading public enterprises of the city, among which may be mentioned the Lebanon Street Railway, the Lebanon Chain Works, the East Lebanon Rolling Mill, and the Lebanon County Water Company. He is at the present time a director in
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the Rolling Mill Company and the Chain Works, but has disposed of his interests in the other organizations, and at the present time is not actively employed, living a rather retired life.
Mr. Light has been called upon by his fellow citizens at different times to use his splendid executive ability for the public service, and has taken a more or less active part in the municipal life of the city. In the year in which the form of the municipal government of Lebanon was changed from that of borough to city government, Mr. Light became the candidate of the Democratic party for a seat in the city council. He received a very hand- some vote, and served the following two years, but declined to be a candi- date for re-election. In 1900 he attended the Democratic National Conven- tion at Kansas City, and witnessed the nomination of that peerless orator, William Jennings Bryan, for the Presidency. Socially Mr. Light is a pop- ular member of the P. O. S. of A., and in matters of religious moment he affiliates with the Reformed Church.
Ella S. Paine, daughter of John Paine, of Lebanon, became the wife of Mr. Light in 1881, and they have had six interesting children born to them, three of whom are now living : Barbara E., Daniel P. and Ade- laide L.
EDWARD Z. WALBORN. Among the many substantial farmers of Jackson township, Edward Z. Walborn takes a prominent position, both as an agriculturist and as the owner of the Myerstown Roller Mills, and an extensive brick manufacturer, and also as one of the reliable and honorable citizens.
The birth of Mr. Walborn took place November 27, 18.45, in Bethel township, Berks county, and he was a son of Peter D. and Lydia (Zeller) WValborn, both of whom were natives of Lebanon county. Peter D. Wal- born was born August 26, 1813, in Lebanon county, at the home of his father Leonard Walborn, a farmer of Heidelberg township, and he died at his own farm, March 19, 1886. The founder of the family was the great-grand- father, who came to Pennsylvania prior to the Revolution. The children of Leonard Walborn were: John, Andrew, Leonard, Peter D., Daniel, Esther and Betsey, all of whom have passed away. The mother of Edward Z. Walborn was a native of Bethel township, born December 30, 1812, and died August 20, 1874. The children born to Peter D. and Lydia Walborn were three in number : Isabella, who is the wife of M. K. Frantz, a mer- chant of Myerstown; Noah P., a prominent farmer living in North Jackson township; and Edward Z. The Zeller family was an old and prominent
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one of Berks county. Peter D. Walborn and wife were married January 18, 1835, and spent a long life together, being among the most respected residents of their community, members of high standing in the Lutheran Church. In politics Peter Walborn always supported the Democratic party.
Edward Z. Walborn grew up on his father's farm and obtained his edu- cation in the public schools. When he reached manhood he was employed by his father until he was twenty-eight years of age. at that time going into the business of lime manufacturing and stone quarrying. This business Mr. Walborn successfully followed for twenty-five years, later adding to his industries the manufacture of brick, continuing the latter business at Myers- town until the present date. In 1883 Mr. Walborn built the Myerstown Roller Mills, one of the leading industries of the locality. His business tact was shown when he bought a farm which was much run down. and by fertilizing brought it up to being one of the very best farms in the town- ship. Mr. Walborn is a man who is practical and understands how to use his knowledge to good purpose. He has been industrious and honest through his whole business career, and this fact explains much of his success. For a long period he has been ranked with the substantial men of his township. and his possessions have all been fairly earned. In politics Mr. Walborn is identified with the Democratic party, but he has never been willing to accept any of the local offices, finding enough in his various business enterprises to engage all his time.
On September 3, 1893, Mr. Walborn was married to Miss Mary E. Kritzer, daughter of Henry and Eliza (Kurtz) Kritzer, of Myerstown. Mrs. Walborn is a most estimable and amiable lady who has a wide circle of friends. The beautiful family home on East Main street is surrounded with evidences of taste and thrift, and a generous hospitality reigns there. They have had no children. Mr. and Mrs. Walborn are most congenial. and are both respected and beloved in their community. Both are consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Walborn stands as a man of relia- bility and business enterprise, one of the most honorable citizens of Myers- town.
JOHN H. BLACK. One of the substantial farmers and representative citizens who have done so much to make North Lebanon township the well cultivated and valuable farming district that it is, is John H. Black. a men- ber of one of the old settled families of this county.
Mr. Black was born July 7, 1851. in North Lebanon township, a son of Hugh and Leah (Boyer) Black, both of whom are natives of Lebanon
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county, the former born in what is now North Cornwall township, in 1824, his death occurring March 4, 1902. His life was spent in Cornwall, South Annville and North Lebanon townships, his death taking place in the latter township at the home of his son, John H. The mother passed away in 1890, leaving two children : John H. and Mary Ann, the latter the wife of Jacob Westenberger, of Cornwall township.
John H. Black grew to manhood on the farm and attended the common schools of his locality, at the age of seventeen beginning to be instructed in the carpenter's trade by John Westenberger. At the age of twenty-one he had become skilled in the craft, and made a trip to Ohio, where he remained almost two years, working at the same. and then came back. as his father needed his assistance on the farm. On December 31. 1883, he married and began to work again at his trade, which he continued to follow until 1892. In this year he located on his present fine farm. At that time the place needed improving and a great change has been made since Mr. Black took charge of it. Here he owns ninety-four acres, which with its fine improvements is one of the best farms of the township. Thrift and prosperity reign here as Mr. Black is a progressive as well as a practical farmer and understands how to keep all parts of his estate up to its highest pitch of productiveness. He is now ( 1903) making arrangements to retire in the spring.
In politics Mr. Black belongs to a Democratic family, and is identi- fied with that party. For four years he served with credit on the school board, and he is liberal and public-spirited in the matters of township improve- ment.
Mr. Black selected as his wife, Miss Kate Bohr, born in East Hanover. Lebanon county, daughter of Elias and Magdalena (Daub) Bohr, and two children were born to this marriage: Matthew B., a student at the Normal School at Westchester; and Hugh E .. at home. Both Mr. Black and wife are consistent members of the Lutheran Church. For many years Mr. Black has been justly considered one of his county's solid men, and is a stockholder in the Lebanon National Bank. He is a man of principle, upright and hon- est. and he enjoys a high measure of public esteem.
CYRUS F. STRICKLER. One of the familiar names in the business world of Lebanon for three-quarters of a century has been the one held by the gentleman here mentioned, whose father was for nearly a half century proprietor of a flourmill on the site of the large establishment now operated by his sons under the firm name of A. Strickler's Sons, and of which Cyrus F. is the senior member. He is also interested in the financial institutions of
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the city, being a director and first vice-president of the Lebanon County Trust Company. Mr. Strickler was born in Lebanon, April 18, 1854.
Abraham Strickler, his father, was born in Heidelberg township, Lebanon county, October 14, 1827, and the grandfather, Peter, was also a native of the county. The great-grandfather, George Strickler, was the original American ancestor, he having been a native of the little republic of Switzerland, and in young manhood emigrated to the land destined soon to become the largest republic in the world. He located in Heidelberg town- ship, where he became a prominent and useful citizen, and where he now lies buried. The mother of Cyrus F. Strickler was Clementine Graybill Forney. She was born in Neffsville, Lancaster county, December 24, 1831. daughter of William and Catherine (Graybill) Forney. Her grandfather's name was John Forney, a native also of Lancaster county, and where the family of that name have been prominent citizens for generations. The maternal grandmother of Mr. Strickler was Elizabeth Garret, a native of Heidelberg township. The Strickler family have been connected with the milling interests of the county for a period dating back to the time of great- grandfather, George Strickler, who set up a flourmill in Jackson township. Lebanon county, in the first years of the eighteenth century. This mill was an old style water power gristmill, and for many decades met the primitive wants of the inhabitants in that line. The grandfather, Peter. continued the business there until 1835, when he purchased property and built a mill on Quittapahilla creek, on Ninth street. This mill was rebuilt in 1858, and was in operation until the death of Mr. Strickler in 1865. His son Abraham, the father of the members of the present firm, and his brother Edward, were partners with their father Peter until 1865. For the following two years Abraham operated a mill in North Cornwall township. but in 1867 he returned to Lebanon, where he erected the mill on North Seventh street now owned by the sons Cyrus F. and William H. Here he continued in active business until his death, which occurred November 21, 1883. Abraham Strickler was a man of great business activity, possessed of a keen judgment and tireless disposition for work. He was highly respected in the community, and his life was most helpful in its varied activities. He was a member of the Luth- eran Church, of which he was a very liberal supporter. His widow survives. being the mother of Cyrus F., Catherine M. (wife of A. B. Carmany of Lebanon), William H., Laura C. (now deceased, who married John H. Killinger, president of the M. H. Treadwell Manufacturing Company, of Lebanon ), Serena C. (who became Mrs. Lewis I. Parker, and lives in Balti- more) and Abraham G. (a leading dentist at Paterson, New Jersey).
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Cyrus F. Strickler has passed his entire lifetime in his native city. In his youth he was given an excellent education in the public schools of Lebanon, which was further supplemented by a course in the commercial department of the Lebanon Valley College at Annville, and from which institution he graduated with honors before he reached his fifteenth year. While attending school he had taken charge of his father's books at the mill, and now gave his entire time to the position of bookkeeper and manager. This he continued until the year 1882, when, together with his brother William H., he effected a lease of the mill, and forming the firm of A. Strickler's Sons, operated same until 1885. In that year they purchased the property from the other heirs, and have since operated it. These mills are known as the Eureka Flouring Mills, are equipped with splendid steam power, and have a daily capacity of two hundred barrels, easily making them the leading mills in Lebanon county. Mr. Strickler is a well known authority on milling and is now president of the Pennsylvania Millers' State Association.
Mr. Strickler has become one of the solid and substantial moneyed men of the city, and in 1902 became one of a number of gentlemen who organ- ized the Lebanon County Trust Company, a financial institution which bids fair to become a power in the business circles of the city. Of this company he is a director and was elected to the position of first vice-president. Mr. Strickler is a prominent and active worker in the Zion Lutheran Church, and since 1893 has been a member of the board of trustees, of which he was for seven years secretary, and since 1901 has been its honored treasurer. He believes in the principles of fraternal organization, and is a member of the Heptasophs, and of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, F. & A. M.
Marriage was entered into by Mr. Strickler April 20, 1877, Miss Annie M., daughter of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Mellinger) Garber, becoming his wife on that date. Mrs. Strickler is a native of Lancaster county, where she was born September 14, 1854. Two children have been born of this union : Marguerite G., January 17, 1880; and Guy Forney, January 1, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler are popular members of Lebanon society, and are held in the highest esteem in the most exclusive circles.
ALFRED GATES was born in Colebrook, Lebanon county, September 24, 1840, son of John Gates, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and Mary (Matter) Gates, who was born in Annville, Lebanon county.
The ancestors of Mr. Gates are of English-German descent. The father came to Lebanon county during his young days, and was married at or near Fontana. He was an iron worker and was employed at the fur-
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naces. His death occurred in November, 1884, when he was seventy-three years of age. The mother died in 1888, at the age of sixty-nine. There were sixteen children, six of whom are living: John, a blacksmith of Lebanon; Alfred, subject of this sketch; Cyrus, James and George, deceased; William (one of twins) ; Charles deceased; Mary; Lydia, Katie, Michael, Darius, Jacob and Samuel, all deceased; Franklin, a resident of Dunbar, Pa .; and Elizabeth, wife of John Bayless, of Philadelphia.
Alfred Gates has lived in Lebanon since 1846, his parents removing here that year. His education was received in the common schools of Lebanon, where he attended until he was ten years of age, when he went to work in a brickyard. When fourteen years of age he was given employment in the furnaces, where he stayed until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Daniel Weaver to learn the blacksmith trade. In 1866 he joined his brother John, in blacksmithing in Schuylkill county, but two years later he returned to Lebanon, and opened a shop, where he is at present located. In 1872 he erected the pleasant home where he now resides on the site of the old school- house where he studied and played in his boyhood days.
Mr. Gates has taken a very active part in the public life of his city, and has acquired a reputation in the manipulation of affairs very savory, indeed. He served one term in the select and two in the common council from the Fourth ward, and was president of the council one term during the old regime, when the town was yet under borough government. He was city assessor for a period of three years, and represented the Fourth ward three years on the City Water Board. Mr. Gates has business interests other than his blacksmithing, being a stockholder in the Reading Stove Works.
In the fraternities Mr. Gates stops at Masonry, but has been much in- terested in that noble order. He has been a member of the order since 1890, when he was made a Blue Lodge Mason, Mt. Lebanon No. 226. He then passed successively into Weidel Chapter, No. 197, R. A. M .; Lebanon Coun- cil, No. 27, R. S. E. and S. M. M .; and Hermit Commandery, No. 24.
September 27, 1860, marks the date of the beginning of the family life of Mr. Gates, Ellen Posey on that date joining fortunes with him. Mrs. Gates is a native of Dauphin county, Pa., where she was born October 24, 1842, the daughter of Jesse Posey. Her father was born near Valley Forge, the son of Micajah Posey, who was also a native of the same vicinity. This member of the family served valiantly during the Revolutionary War as an enlisted soldier. Grandmother Rachael Posey was rather a remarkable char- acter, living to be one hundred and two years and eleven months old. Her father was intimately acquainted with the great Washington, he having fed
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the horses and men of the Continental Army while they were passing through that terrible winter at Valley Forge, and for which Washington personally saw to it that he received a just remuneration. She remembered distinctly of helping her mother prepare bread and butter for the soldiers as they passed their house to the battle of Brandywine. She was the mother of ten children, the grandmother of eighty-one, the great-grandmother of one hundred and nineteen, the great-great-grandmother of thirty-three, and five of the next generation.
To Alfred Gates and wife have been born six children, namely: John is a stove plate molder in the Reading Stove Works: William married Ida Shirk, of Cornwall, and is engaged with his father in the shop; Nathan, fore- man of the Reading Stove Works, married Susan Pike, of Reading; Alfred, a practicing physician, married Evelyn Reinoehl, of Lebanon ; Elizabeth and Mary Ellen, reside at home.
A man of strong character, upright and honest, fighting the battle of life bravely and with vigor, Alfred Gates deserves the esteem in which he is held in Lebanon.
HENRY B. HORST, one of the citizens of South Lebanon township, and the owner and proprietor of Horst Mill, located two miles east of Rex- mont, belongs to one of the old families of Lebanon county, and he is the owner of the property which has been in the family for four generations.
Peter Horst, the great-grandfather of Henry B., was the original owner of this land, which then amounted to about 100 acres and contained a mill, which was later destroyed by fire. In 1836, upon the same site, the present mill was erected. Formerly a sawmill was also in operation here.
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