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 49
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Dr. Christian B. Strohm, father of Dr. J. M., a leading physician of his section, was born in Fredericksburg in 1812, and there grew to manhood. In some of the best schools in his vicinity he gained his early education, and, evincing a decided taste for medicine, was later put to the study of that profes- sion. With rare ability he mastered the work, and later took up his practice in Lebanon, Berks and Lancaster counties. During his young manhood he mar- ried Catherine Krebs (who is now deceased), and they had five children : Catherine, who married John Conrad, of Schoeneck, Lancaster county (he is now deceased ) ; Clara, deceased; Mary, who married John Meek, a machinist and superintendent of the Carpenter Steel Works, of Reading (they manufac- tured the projectiles that Dewey shot while at Manila) ; Permilla; and Dr. J. M., who is mentioned below.
After marriage Dr. Strohm settled at Mt. Etna, Berks county, where he followed his profession with much success. Later he practiced for some years in Myerstown, Lebanon county, and subsequently in Lancaster county. In 1874 he settled at Robesonia, Berks county, where, working up a lucrative practice, he continued for a long time. He was a thoroughly efficient practi- tioner, and his careful diagnosis of cases as well as conscientious devotion to his patients, won him a leading place among physicians of his vicinity. He lived to the advanced age of seventy-eight, dying in 1890. Dr. Strohm was a man of marked cultivation, and a great student all his life, one who kept thor- oughly abreast of the latest discoveries in the medical world. His success was largely due to his amazing power of concentrating his forces upon his one line of work.
Dr. J. M. Strohm started life with an inherited taste for medicine, and an environment favorable to its highest development. In the public schools of Lebanon, Lancaster and Berks counties he procured his early education, and was about sixteen years old when his parents settled in Robesonia. While there he made daily trips to Myerstown, where, in Palatinate College, he cultivated the higher branches. Ambitious to make a way for himself, at an early age he began teaching, and soon winning a reputation for himself. continued in that line for five years, earning the means to further his educational pursuits. In 1879 he entered the Medical Department of the University of New York City, where after three years of close application to his work he graduated, March 8, 18SI. Thoroughly equipped for his life work, in 1882 he opened an office in Fredericksburg, and began practice. His unfailing diagnosis of cases, and his ready cures, won him the confidence of the community from the start, and he soon had a large practice. His popularity increased and spread into the sur- rounding country. In fact, so large has been the demand for his services that he
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has continued his labors in the same place uninterruptedly from the start, and now has the entire field to himself, other physicians having found it hardly worth their while to cope with him. He has carried on a large general prac- tice, not specializing, but being equally strong in all lines. In addition to looking after his large patronage, he has found time to keep up his medical studies, and makes a point of being in touch with all the latest movements. He belongs to the Allopathic school. He is remarkably skillful in bringing to bear the latest medical discoveries in his own work, and he is considered a thor- oughly progressive physician as well as a hard-working one. A wise business man as well as a successful professional one, he is now one of the solidly pros- perous men of the township.
On May 14, 1881, Dr. Strohm married Miss Catherine Yingst, of Rich- land, and they have had two children: Lloyd E., who is now in his junior year in Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster; and Charles L., who is living at home. Dr. Strohm is a genial, social man, whose large-hearted sym- pathy makes friends for him at every step in life. He is honored by the rich and the poor. In business, professional and political spheres, he is, in fact, a thoroughly good fellow, and one who is most highly respected and esteemed in all walks of life.
Henry Yingst, grandfather of Mrs. Strohm, was a farmer of Jackson township, who married and had two children: Ephraim, who is mentioned below; and Catherine, who married Henry Spangler, of Lebanon county (he is now deceased).
Ephraim Yingst, father of Mrs. Strohm, born in 1835, settled in Rich- land, Lebanon county, and there became a prominent grain dealer, and suc- cessful business man. He married Mary Bollinger, and they had five children : Uriah, now a resident of Myerstown, Pa .; Cyrus and Adeline, who are now deceased ; Catherine (Mrs. Strohm), who is mentioned above; and Alice, who married Simon Illig, of Richland, and is now deceased. Mr. Yingst belonged to the German Baptist Church in Richland. He died in 1887, and his wife passed away at the age of forty-nine years.
FRANK B. BOESHORE, the ex-sheriff of Lebanon county. Pa., and a leading farmer of East Hanover township, was born on a farm in East Han- over township, near Grantville, December 4, 1844. He is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Behney) Boeshore, both of whom were born on adjoining farms in Bethel township, Lebanon county. Children born to the parents were as fol- lows: Samuel, who died in the summer of 1892; Sarah, deceased, who mar- ried (first) Michael Core and (second) A. Bordelmay; Thomas, deceased ;
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William; Josiah, a farmer in the Monroe Valley; John, deceased; David, de- ceased ; Benjamin, deceased; Frank B .; Levi, deceased; and Molly, married to Edward Core, of Lebanon. The father of these children was born in 1805, and died in 1881 ; the mother was born in 1805, and died in 1860, she being just one day older than her husband. Both were members of the Lutheran Church.
Frank B. Boeshore was reared on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to live with his brother Thomas, in Union town- ship, where he remained two years. He then went to the farm of Thomas P. Gerberich, in East Hanover township. This was in 1863, during which year he was out with the Home Guards for seven weeks. He continued with Mr. Gerberich for three years as a hired man, after which he went to the farm of his brother-in-law, Michael Core, in Monroe Valley, where he remained one year, returning then to Mr. Gerberich, for whom he put in three years more. The next four years were spent with William Boeshore, and he then began auction- eering, selling at all kinds of sales, continuing in this line to the present day, as well as conducting his farm. About twenty-five years ago he conducted the "Uhrich Hotel" at Harpers, making quite a success of the venture. In 1881 Mr. Boeshore was elected sheriff of Lebanon county, taking that office Janu- ary 1, 1882, and serving for one full term of three years. Since then he has served as township auditor of East Hanover township, and in both offices he discharged the duties pertaining thereto with credit to himself and to the sat- isfaction of his constituents. For twenty years he has made his home with his friend. William Gerberich and family. Mr. Boeshore is one of the substantial citizens of East Hanover township and owns a fine farm of 158 acres. For a number of years he has been a member of the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM GERBERICH, ex-prothonotary of Lebanon county and a well-known farmer of East Hanover township, was born January 14, 1841, in West Hanover township, Dauphin Co., Pa., a son of Adam and Margaret (Title) Gerberich. The father was born in what is now East Hanover township. Lebanon county, in 1801, and died in 1871. The mother was born in 1806, in Union township, Lebanon county, and also died in 1871. The paternal grand- father was John Adam Gerberich, and the maternal grandfather was Jacob Title. The children born to John Adam Gerberich and wife were: Adam, George, Henry, Catherine, Barbara, William and John. The parents resided all their lives in East Hanover township, where the father followed farming. and also worked at his trade of wheelwright. The children born to Adam and Margaret Gerberich were: an infant that died unnamed; Elias, who died about
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1860; David, who died in 1902, aged seventy-three years; John T., who died in 1889; Adam A., who died at the age of sixty-six years; Andrew T., who died in 1901 ; Sarah, who married George Waldemer, and is deceased; Daniel T., who died in 1898; William, and Elizabeth, who married M. Weltmer.
William Gerberich was reared on the old farm in East Hanover township, and attended the common schools. After two years of work at the carpenter trade he began to farm, and has ever since been engaged in the same occupation. Mr. Gerberich has had other interests, however, and for nine years he was proprietor of the "Uhrich Hotel" at Harpers, which he left in 1890, moving then to his present farm. This is situated on the Swatara river, near Harpers, and was formerly the property of John Henry Uhrich. It con- tains 125 acres of fine land, on which is situated a large brick residence. In 1888 Mr. Gerberich was made prothonotary of Lebanon county, and per- formed the duties of that office with the greatest efficiency for a term of three years. He has filled various other county and township offices, has been super- visor, tax-collector and for three years was township auditor.
Mr. Gerberich married Rosanna Gerberich, who was born January 20, 1847, in Union township, Lebanon county, daughter of Henry and Mary (Uhrich.) Gerberich, and the children born to this union were: William, who married Jessie Perkie; Sadia A., who married John G. Zeigler; and Miss R. Gertrude. All the members of Mr. Gerberich's family are communicants of the Lutheran Church.
SAMUEL E. FOX (deceased) was for many years known among the successful business men of Lebanon, Pa., and his memory is cherished among many associates as well as warm personal friends. He was born October 21, 1841, on a farm in Londonderry township, Lebanon county, son of Levi and Mary (Epler ) Fox.
The family of Fox was founded in America by Balzar Fox, who came from Germany, and his son Adam came to Lebanon county, when Lebanon was then a portion of Lancaster. Levi Fox, son of Adam, was born on the same farm as Samuel E. (which farm is now owned by the latter's widow), and here the latter spent his boyhood days, but later removed to Bismarck, Lebanon county, and took charge of the store of Samuel Eby. After remain- ing for some time at Bismarck, Mr. Fox located at Hamlin, the same county, and went into business for himself, but soon disposed of this enterprise and en- tered the store of Levi Landesmilch, in the capacity of manager, where he re- mained about one year. In 1875 Mr. Fox again embarked in business on his own account, this time locating at Cornwall, Lebanon county, and for many
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years he was most successfully engaged. In connection with his business in 1887, Mr. Fox opened a store at North Lebanon, under the firm name of Fox & Blouch, and later, Fox & Smith. Two years afterward he closed out his business interests at Cornwall, and the same year, 1889, opened a store at Rex- mont, Lebanon county, under the firm name of Fox & Klett, taking no active part, however, in the management of affairs, either here or at North Lebanon, but retaining his interest in both establishments until his death, which occurred April 12, 1899, in Lebanon.
Mr. Fox was married, in 1868, to Helen I. Gerhardt, daughter of Rev. William Gerhardt, D. D., of the Lutheran Church, now of Martinsburg, W. Va. Mr. Gerhardt was educated at Gettysburg, Pa., and for several years filled pulpits in Lebanon and Lancaster counties. While residing in the latter coun- ty, Mrs. Fox was born. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fox was born one child: Ida Milla, who married Harry S. Smith, and has one child, Chester Fox. Mrs. Fox is a member of the Salem Lutheran Church of Lebanon, and is one of the managers of the Good Samaritan Hospital.
Mr. Fox was not only a successful business man, making his enterprises yield him excellent profits, but he knew how to invest his earnings and left a large estate. The beautiful residence on Cumberland street, where. his last days were spent, is one of the finest in Lebanon, and here his family now reside. Mr. Fox was a public-spirited man, who conducted his private and business affairs upon a broad and liberal basis, and made many friends. Not only was his name to be found upon all subscription lists for aiding the needy, but many were those who benefited by his generosity of whom the world knew nothing. In his religious inclinations, he was a member of Salem Lutheran Church, and was prominent in its good works. In fraternal matters, Mr. Fox was a member of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the Knights Templars. In politics he was a Republican.
SAMUEL GEIB. On December 14, 1896, the village of Richland lost by death a man who had probably as much to do in promoting local indus- tries, and in establishing good schools and equitable laws, as any other per- son who ever made his home in that place. As a merchant, teacher, and a man active in public affairs. Samuel Geib identified himself with the inter- ests of Richland for about twenty-eight years. During this period he kept a vigilant eye out for the public welfare, which his breadth of intellect enabled him readily to discern, and with great force of character he always stood firm by his convictions.
Mr. Geib came of a family of sterling worth, representatives of whom
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have resided in Lebanon county since the earliest days. Abraham Geib, father of Samuel, was born in Lebanon county, and there passed many years of his life. Upon reaching manhood he married and had nine children : Samuel, Henry, John, Christian, William. Elias, Daniel, Katherine and Martha. After marriage Mr. Geib took up his residence upon a farm in Lebanon county, and devoted himself to agriculture. With untiring energy he thoroughly cultivated large areas of land, which produced sea- sonable and abundant crops; he kept his buildings in good repair, and proved himself in every respect a competent and thrifty farmer. Mr. Geib pos- sessed a character worthy of emulation. He was firm, frank, honest and forceful, and a power for good in his community. The German Baptist Church counted him among its most faithful members, and in that faith he reared his children. As a stanch Republican he was influential in local politics.
Samuel Geib reaped some of the fruits of his father's well-directed efforts. Born in Cornwall, Lebanon county, August 10, 1831, he was reared on a well-regulated farm, and attended the district schools. At the age of fourteen he began to learn the tailor's trade, and continued to follow it until he was nineteen, when he entered Myerstown Academy, and there completed his education. A large fund of knowledge and a taste for impart- ing it to others decided him upon reaching manhood to engage in teaching. and in the Schaefferstown public schools he followed that profession for many years, making a marked success of his work, and proving a source of great inspiration to the youths under his charge. About 1868 he was offered a position in the public schools of Richland, and moving there, he continued his professional work for some time. The evident need of a good general store in the place decided him in 1871, to give up teaching and engage in the mercantile business. His neat little shop with a moderate supply of salable articles at once attracted attention, and he received a stead- ily increasing patronage. Continuing to prosper, he, from time to time, enlarged his stock of goods, as well as his accommodations, and finally conducted the business on a large scale. His square dealings won him the confidence of the public, and his store was long considered one of the most reliable of its kind in the vicinity. He conducted it up to the time of his death, and the business has since been continued by his son and his widow.
On October 18, 1874. Mr. Geib married Mary Royer, who is still living in Richland, where as a noble Christian woman she has many friends. By this union there were two children: Ida R., who married Isaac King. of Richland, and has one son, Samuel; and Harvey S., a young man of sterling
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business qualifications, who is now clerking in the store left by his father.
Mr. Geib was a man both capable and willing to shoulder life's full responsibilities. While in Schaefferstown, in addition to teaching he long acted as justice of the peace, performing his duties with marked fidelity and thoroughness. In the business world the place made vacant by his death has hardly been filled in Richland. In his home he was always kind and considerate, and had the highest welfare of his family thoroughly at heart. His generosity and his many social attributes made him a splendid neighbor and citizen. He was a firm believer in the doctrines of the German Baptist Church, of which his wife has long been an active member. Politically he affiliated with the Democrats.
The American branch of the Royer family, of which Mrs. Geib is a member, springs from Sebastian Royer, who came from either Switzerland or Germany about 1715 or 1718, and settled in Lancaster county, Pa. Jacob Royer (I) a direct descendant of Sebastian, and the grandfather of Mrs. Geib, was born in Lebanon county and there spent many years of his life.
Jacob Royer (2), father of Mrs. Geib, married Pollie Hostetter, and they had ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, but only three of whom are now living: Mary, Mrs. Geib; Susan, who married Dr. Zim- merman, and resides in the city of Lebanon; and Leah, the wife of John Kurtz, a resident of Illinois.
GEORGE UMBENHEN, of Myerstown, Jackson township, enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest surviving educators in Lebanon county. He was born June 10, 1833, in Heidelberg township, a son of John and Rebecca (Shark) Umbenhen, both deceased.
Jacob Umbenhen, his grandfather, probably was born in Germany, and settled in Lebanon county on a farm near Schaefferstown in early days. His six children were named: John, Susanna, Sophia, Katherine, Henry and Adam, all deceased. His son John was reared on the farm where he was born in 1786, and died in 1848. About 1815 he was married to Rebecca Shark, and they were the parents of twelve children, namely: John, Jacob, Susanna, Henry. Samuel, Peter, Sophia, George, Katherine, and others who died young. The mother of this family was born in 1796, and died in 1845, a daughter of Jacob Shark, an old and prominent farmer of Heidelberg township. Mr. Umbenhen was an Old Line Whig, and both he and wife were worthy members of the Lutheran Church.
George Umbenhen was born on the old home in Heidelberg township and was reared there until the age of five years when he accompanied his parents
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to Jackson township, remaining on the farm until the death of his mother three years later. Then he and father came to Myerstown, where the father died within two years. The youth was but twelve years of age, when thus doubly bereft, and he was adopted into the family of Michael Uhrich, where he was educated, and where he remained until he was twenty-six years of age. With quick intelligence and alert understanding, he combined an ambitious spirit, and when he had finished the common school course he passed through the academic department of the Myerstown Academy and attended at Palmyra, beginning his professional work when twenty-one. This proved most con- genial, and through a period of time covering forty-seven years, his faithful services were given to his native county, and with the exception of one year, to Jackson township. He had charge of the Myerstown Grammar School for twenty-eight years. During this long time many pleasant associations were formed and it is with a just measure of pride that Mr. Umbenhen can look out into the busy walks of life, and see his pupils so capably filling high and hon- orable positions.
On August 18, 1860, Mr. Umbenhen was united in marriage with Sarah Uhrich, daughter of the late Henry Uhrich, and three children were born to this union, namely: John H., a minister of the Lutheran Church of Pottsville, Pa., who married a daughter of George W. Donges, late of Myerstown ; Sallie Rebecca, the wife of Samuel Kreitzer, of Lebanon county; and Annie Kath- erine, still at home. In his younger days he took an active interest in the Republican party to which he has always belonged, but not to the extent of accepting public office. In addition to his literary attainments, Mr. Umbenhen has great musical ability, and officiated as organist of the Reformed Church for eight years, also performing the same office for the Tulpehocken Reformed Church for twenty-one years. He has been a member of the Lutheran Church forty-one years. In fraternal life he joined the order of Odd Fellows many years since. Both he and wife are among the most highly esteemed residents of Myerstown. He is universally known, as there are few families in this locality who have not through some member, come within his teaching, and on whom his upright character has not had an influence.
JOHN HERR. Few citizens of South Jackson township, Lebanon county, are more thoroughly or justly esteemed in every relation of life than is John Herr, the well-known elder of the German Baptist Church in Myerstown, and a retired farmer who still occupies his fine large farm, one mile south of Myerstown.
The Herr family of Pennsylvania all originated in Switzerland, located
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in Lancester and Lebanon counties, Pa., at a very early day, and now have representatives all over the Union. Elder Herr was born February 10, 1848, on the farm he now owns, a son of Jacob and Sarah ( Pfautz) Herr, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, November 18, 1819, and died at his home in South Jackson township, March 5, 1896. His wife was born December 21, 1824, and still survives at the age of seventy-eight years. Jacob Herr was a son of the well-known Henry Herr, of Lancaster county. The family has been an agricultural one from its earliest days, and also a deeply religious one. The children born of the marriage of Jacob and Sarah (Pfautz) Herr (which occurred in 1845), were three in number, viz: John : Katherine, the wife of Daniel Geib, of the eastern shore of Maryland; and Elizabeth, the wife of Rev. Alfred Gingrich, of the Ger- man Baptist Church, of Lebanon. Jacob Herr came to this farm in young manhood, and through life was one of the honorable and prominent citizens of South Jackson township, serving as school director and in other local offices. In politics he was a Republican and always a supporter of law and order. His excellent life and character exerted a beneficial influence on all about him.
All of the early life of Elder Herr was spent on the farm, and he was afforded good educational opportunities. After completing the public school course he attended the Myerstown Academy and later the Millersville State Normal School. The subsequent five years were spent mainly in teaching school, his fields of activity in this profession being in Jackson township. Lancaster county and in Stephenson county, Ill., while taking a trip through the West. His intelligence thus became quickened and his mind broadened. and to-day he is not only one of the most intelligent leaders in his religious body, but in his township. Upon his return home, Mr. Herr was united in mar- riage, May 13, 1869, with Miss Annie Zug, the eldest of three children born to Abraham and Lydia (Wolf) Zug, of Millcreek township, the others being. Lydia, the wife of Jacob Brubaker, of South Lebanon township; and Isaac, a prominent horse dealer of Millcreek. This is one of the old established families of the county, also of Swiss origin. The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Herr are: Henry, born August 5, 1871, resides at home; Ada. born Feb- ruary 18, 1874, is the wife of Prof. Frank L. Reber, of Myerstown ; Lizzie, born March 5, 1879, is at home; Jacob, born August 20, 1883, is a clerk in the main office of the Lackawanna Steel and Iron Works, at Lebanon, Pa .; John, born March 2, 1887, is attending the Myerstown High school : and three have passed away.
After marriage Mr. Herr settled on the old home place and engaged in
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farming. His religious rearing had been such as to make him deeply inter- ested in the German Baptist Church, and on July 4, 1869, he became a mem- ber of the brethren and was chosen as minister May 18, 1871 ; was advanced to the second degree April 3, 1875, and became a full member of the Eldership of the Church on December 20, 1897. Since that time he has taken all the responsibilities and has enjoyed all the privileges attend- ant upon this office, becoming well and widely known for his example as well as precept in the Christian ministry. His scholarship and intelli- gence place him on a high plane among his brethren, while his estimable characteristics and noble attributes have won for him the highest measures of affection and esteem in his community. During his ministry three hun- dred and twenty-five adults have been baptized in his home church by trine immersion. He has united three hundred and twenty in the holy bonds of matrimony, and has officiated at three hundred and sixty-five funerals. \t the present time (1903) he has charge of two church districts-the Tulpe- hocken, with a membership of about three hundred, and the Maidencreek, (Berks county), with a membership of fifty -- and he is chairman of the Home Mission Board of Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and eastern shore of Maryland, comprising forty-one churches. For several years he has been one of the trustees of The Home for the Homeless, at Manheim, Pa. His life is a busy one in the Master's cause, and he spares neither of his time, nor of his means, nor of his strength if he can do good in the work for which he is so eminently fitted.
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