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 54
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In January, 1869, Mr. Tice was married (first) to Susan Groch, daughter of the late Leonard Groch, and the one daughter of this union, Annie, is the wife of Charles Blithe, of Myerstown. In 1877 Mr. Tice lost his wife. In 1878 he was married (second) to Matilda Mease, born February 13, 1849, one of a large family born to Daniel and Elizabeth (Keller) Mease, the others being: Amanda, the wife of George R. Behney, of Lebanon; Dr. J. H., a dentist of Lebanon ; Daniel, deceased; Abraham, deceased : Jacob W., of Lebanon; Lydia, the wife of Dr. B. H. Leslie, of Lawrence. Kans .; Daisy, the wife of J. G. Gerbrich, of Lebanon; Alice, the wife of Joseph Hoke, of Lebanon; and the others died in infancy.
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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tice has been blessed with two children, Mabel V. and Rebecca E. In politics Mr. Tice is identified with the Repub- lican party, and is prominent in the Capt. William Tice Post, No. 471. G. A. R., of Myerstown, and he is also connected with Lodge No. 358. I. O. O. F., of Myerstown, and Encampment, No. 149. With his wife he belongs to the Reformed Church. Mr. Tice started out in life with small means, but with plenty of courage and perseverance. Not only has he a fine business in Myerstown, but he is also a man who is respected and esteemed by all who know him.
AARON W. MOSSER, who for a period of twenty-seven years has been the efficient express agent at Myerstown, Pa., is one of the well-known and popular citizens. He was born Nov. 14, 1829, a son of John and Sallie (Shitz) Mosser, natives of Lebanon county.
The Mosser family is one of the old established ones of Lebanon county, having been founded here as early as 1740, its numerous representatives being among the leading citizens of this locality. Michael Mosser, the grandfather of Aaron W., was a very substantial farmer and prominent man in this portion of the county. His family comprised a number of daughters and two sons, John and Daniel.
John Mosser, the father of Aaron W., also followed an agricultural life in which he was eminently successful and was also well known as a stanch supporter of the Republican party, one of the first school directors of Jackson township, and a consistent member of the Reformed Church. The children born to John and Sallie Mosser were: Maria, the widow of Leonard Kapp; Sarah, deceased, the wife of Edward Wolborn, deceased; Aaron W., of Myerstown ; Rebecca, the widow of John Keener; and Lavina, deceased wife of Edward Winder.
Aaron W. Mosser was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of Myerstown and the Myerstown Academy. After complet- ing the prescribed course, he returned to the farm and followed farming until he was about thirty years of age, leaving it to learn the carpenter's trade at which he worked for some five years, and then was associated for two years with the Hooper Iron and Burr Works, at Reading. About 1874, Mr. Mosser accepted the position of express agent for the Reading Railroad Express at Myerstown, and later he became the agent for the Adams Express Company, and the United States Express Company, in which position he has not only sat- isfied the business public, but the great companies which he has so faithfully served for twenty-seven years.
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Mr. Mosser was married in 1852, to Miss Maria Groh, of Myerstown, a daughter of Henry and Maria Groh, of this county. A family of five children was born to this union, namely : John Henry, deceased; William P., a mer- chant of Myerstown, a member of the well-known firm of Mosser & Tice; Abraham L., a telegraph operator at Reading, Pa .; Miss Jane E., of Myers- town; and Annie M., the wife of T. Killmer, of Reading. In politics Mr. Mosser has always been identified with the Republican party, and in fraternal life, with the Knights of Pythias. For many years he has been a leading mem- ber of the Reformed Church, in which his venerable father was so long prom- inent and useful, and he has served both as deacon and trustee.
Mr. Mosser has accumulated ample means and attributes his rise from a position of early straitened circumstances to his temperate habits and close attention to business, by which he won the confidence of both the public and his employers. In the city which has been his home for so many years he is numbered with its honest, upright, influential and substantial citizens.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WARD, one of the leading merchant tailors of Lebanon, and a prominent citizen of the Fourth ward, is a native of Leb- anon county, having been born at Annville, August 18, 1858. His father, John Ward, was also born in Annville, December 31, 1819, a son of John Ward, Sr., who was in turn a native of the same village, a son of Patrick Ward, who was born in Dublin, Ireland. His location in Lebanon county was at an early day, before its separation from Lancaster county.
John Ward, the grandfather, was a merchant tailor, Benjamin Franklin making the third generation in the same line of business in the Ward family. John Ward, the father of Benjamin F. Ward, died December 24, 1882. His wife, Leah Fishburn, who was born at Hockersville, Dauphin county, in 1831, passed away December 27, 1873, aged forty-two years, one month and three days. Their union was blessed with children as follows: John, deceased ; Daniel B., a resident of Washington, D. C .; Benjamin F., of Lebanon; Maria C., of High Point, N. C .; and Allen F., of Lebanon. The father of these chil- dren carried on a merchant tailoring business in Annville for a period of forty years. For fifty years he was a member of the I. O. O. F. order. His relig- ious connection was with St. Paul's old Lutheran Church.
Benjamin F. Ward, of Lebanon, was reared in Annville, and there attended school until old enough to begin learning his father's trade. After finishing to his father's satisfaction, he was employed by the latter for a time, and then went to Harrisburg, soon returning however, to Annville. Later he accepted a position with Levi Meyers, in Lebanon, continuing with him three
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and one-half years at his place of business on Seventh street, and then, in 1885, opened up an establishment of his own, in a small frame building which stood on the site of the present Krause hardware store, on South Eighth street. His next location was in the Courier building, on South Eighth street, where he remained for about ten years, and then came to his present commodious quarters at No. 15, South Eighth street, in 1898. Mr. Ward is a member of of Odd Fellows, and the P. O. S. A. His religious connection is with Zion's Lutheran Church of Lebanon. In December, 1898, Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Annie C. Dininger, of Lebanon, a daughter of Michael Din- inger. Mr. Ward is known as a man of taste and as one who is thoroughly posted on all subjects connected with his business, his constantly increasing patronage testifying to his skill and ability.
CHRISTIAN GINGRICH, SR., one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of South Londonderry township, Lebanon county, 110W residing at Lawn, was born on the old Gingrich farm, on the Horseshoe Pike, in South Annville township, February 9, 1832, son of Joseph Gingrich.
Joseph Gingrich was born December 12, 1788, also on the old Gingrich homestead in South Annville township, he being a son of Christian Gingrich. born in South Annville township, who was the first owner of the homestead in this family, now possessed by John Henry Gingrich. Joseph Gingrich was twice married, both his wives having the same maiden name, although not related. His first wife was Elizabeth Meyer, born June 10, 1793. To this mar- riage children were born as follows: Henry, born February 19, 1814, who became the father of John Henry Gingrich; Anna, born March 10, 1816: Feronica, born March 6, 1818, became the mother of Rudolph Behm, of Pal- myra ; Joseph, born May 5, 1820; Elizabeth, born August 17. 1822; Felix, born July 6, 1825. The second wife of Joseph Gingrich was Judith Meyer. who was born October 28, 1793, and died March 17, 1863. By this marriage the children were as follows: Joseph, born May, 4, 1830, married Catherine Laudermilch : Christian, born February 9, 1832: Lydia, born April 10, 1834. is unmarried, and makes her home with our subject.
Christian Gingrich, Sr., was reared upon the home farm, attending the common schools of the neighborhood. He remained with his father until 1856, when he removed to a farm one mile from Hummelstown, Dauphin county, where he spent nine years, operating his farm. In 1865 he returned to Lebanon county, and settled on a farm which he bought, at Upper Lawn, South Londonderry township, and there has continued to make his home. This fine farm comprises 197 acres, and he also owns a tract of 149
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acres adjoining this farm, and a fine farm of 217 acres near Colebrook, the same township. Mr. Gingrich has spent his life as a farmer, and until 1865, was also an extensive drover and dealer in cattle. In addition to these interests, he was for many years a director in the Elizabethtown (Lancaster county) National Bank.
On December 21, 1854, Mr. Gingrich was married to Susannah Boch- man, born May 23, 1834, a daughter of Peter and Rosanna (Boehn) Boch- man, on the old Peter Bochman farm in South Annville township, Lebanon county, situated on the Colebrook road, and near the Horseshoe Pike. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gingrich were as follows: Henry B., born May 8, 1856, who married Marion Resecker, of Dauphin county, and has six children; Rosanna, born May 31, 1858, who married E. E. Risser, justice of the peace in South Londonderry township (she has no children) ; Alice E., born January 11, 1861, married Frank Foltz, a stock dealer of Camp- belltown, and has several children; Christian C., born December 25, 1866, For several years he has served as school director, and always takes an active interest in matters pertaining to the education of the young. Mr. Gingrich is one of the best known men of his township, and has almost as many friends in Lancaster and Dauphin counties as he has in Lebanon. He is quite active in local politics as a member of the Republican party, and has been auditor of his town.
FRANKLIN T. MILLER, a retired carpenter and contractor of the city of Lebanon, is one of the esteemed residents of that place. He was born in Lebanon November 2, 1834, son of John and Mary (Steager) Miller. of Lebanon county, and grandson of Peter Steager, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
John Miller was a boatman on the old Union canal for many years. He was the father of seven children : Daniel, residing at Upper Sandusky, Ohio: John H., deceased: Mary, deceased; George, deceased: Peter. deceased : Hannah, the widow of Jonathan Hurley, of Lebanon ; and Franklin T. The father was a member of the Reformed Church. He was a Democrat in politics.
Franklin T. Miller, was reared in the city of Lebanon, received his edu- cation in the city schools, and learned the carpenter's trade while a young man. He followed that occupation until the call for troops in 1861. when he became a private in Company A. Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. under Capt. William M. Derr, and Col. J. M. McCarter. He served in the Army of the Potomac, and was engaged in the following named
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Franklin J. Miller
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battles : Williamsburg, Va., Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Chan- tilly, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mary's Heights, Salem Heights (where he received a wound in the neck, causing total disability of the right shoulder and arm), the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor (1864). On October 20, 1864, he received an honorable discharge, leaving the army with the rank of corporal. After the war he returned to Lebanon. Later he ac- cepted a position as foreman on the Union canal, and occupied that position for eight years, after which he was in the employment of Fox & Embich, as foreman in the planing-mill. He remained with them for eighteen years, when he was compelled to retire on account of a serious wound he inflicted in his left hand. His right arm was disabled in the war.
On February 17, 1856, Franklin T. Miller married Miss Sarah E. Uhrich, of Lebanon, daughter of David and Catherine (Dubbs) Uhrich. This marriage has been blessed with three children: (1) George A. works in the planing-mills. (2) David U. works in Reading. He married Mary Ault, and has one child, Eva. (3) Laura is the wife of William I. Embick, of Reading, and has two children, Frank M. and Leona Estella. Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican, and a member of the Reformed Church of Lebanon. He is a member of Post No. 42, G. A. R., of Lebanon, of which he is chap- lain and past commander. He started out in life a poor boy, but has man- aged to secure much of this world's goods.
Mrs. Miller was one of a family of eight children : William Henry, de- ceased ; Sarah E., the wife of our subject, born December 2, 1837; David P .: Hannah, deceased; Catherine, widow of John Shugar; John, deceased; George F .; and Mary Alice, the widow of David F. Wise, of Lebanon.
CALVIN D. KRUM is one of the well-known, substantial and repre- sentative citizens of North Annville township, and resides on his well-im- proved farm in Belle Grove. Mr. Krum is a native of Lebanon county, born December 15, 1866, in East Hanover township, son of John Henry and Kate (Deininger) Krum.
John Henry Krum was born in East Hanover township, below Mt. Nebo, a son of Henry Krum, who was born December 15, 1816, in Perry county, Pa., and died in November, 1895. Henry Klum was but a small boy when his father died, and he learned the milling trade at Kramer's mill in Dauphin county, coming later to East Hanover township, Lebanon county, where he engaged in farming until his death. Henry Krum married Rebecca Walter, born in 1822, in East Hanover township, and died in 1882, a daughter of Henry Walter, one of the early settlers of the township. The
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children of Henry Krum and wife were: Wesley, who married Lizzie Early; John Henry, twin of Wesley; Milton, who died unmarried; Harrison, de- ceased; Caroline, deceased wife of Levi Shuler; Rebecca, who married Abra- ham Stein; and Lizzie, who married Aaron Shuey. The children of Henry Walter and wife were: Josiah; Rebecca; Mrs. John Roland; Mrs. Strome; and Mrs. George Behney. The mother of Calvin D. Krum was Kate, daughter of Michael and Market (Schantz) Deininger, and was born in 1840, in Lon- donderry township, the former of whom was born near Palmyra, and died in 1869, aged about seventy-one years.
John Henry Krum has been engaged in farming all his life on the farm purchased by his father from Jacob Robuck, which is now owned by John H. Krum, who also owns the adjoining farm of forty-seven acres, making him the possessor of 202 acres of very valuable Lebanon county land. Mr. Krum has long been one of the prominent men of the township, has served as school director and as supervisor, and is considered one of the most reliable and upright men of his neighborhood. Mrs. Krum is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, a most estimable Christian woman. The children born to John Henry Krum and wife were : Calvin D .; Walter S., who married Emma Beam, of Bunker Hill, Lebanon county, and has one child Mizpha B .; Maggie M., who married Irvin Cassell, of Dauphin county, and had a son Earl who died in childhood; Harry S., who married Emma Buck, daughter of Elias Buck, of East Hanover township and has a daughter Esther C .; Charles, who married Jennie Hetrich, daughter of Moses Hetrich, of Dauphin county, and has a son, Ralph H .; Lizzie M., who died in childhood; and Miss Stella Kate.
Calvin D. Krum passed his boyhood like many others, attending the public schools and assisting in the farming operations, until he was twenty- two, when he came to North Annville township. Here he married and then took charge of the old Henry Frank farm which he later purchased, and which he has continued to make his home ever since. In addition to this farm of forty acres, he owns also an excellent tract of eighty-one acres of fine farming land, which was formerly the property of John Kroll. Mr. Krum is a practical, wide-awake farmer and thoroughly understands the bus- iness in all its details. He has been very successful in his operations, and takes his place in the front rank of Lebanon county agriculturists.
In 1888 Mr. Krum was married to Lizzie F. Frank, born June 5. 1863. in North Annville township, near Belle Grove, daughter of Henry M. and Catharine S. (Fishburn) Frank, the former of whom was born on the old Frank farm, a son of Henry Frank (born August 22, 1797, died April 22,
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1871), who was one of the earliest settlers of Belle Grove township. Henry Frank married Lydia Mark (born December 19, 1804, died April 4, 1875), and their children were : Henry M .; and Elizabeth, the wife of Isaac Struben- haur. The children of Henry M. Frank and wife were: Lizzie F., the wife of Mr. Krum; and Benjamin, who died at the age of two years. The children of Calvin D. Krum and wife are : Violet C., Henry F., Charles M. and Eliza- beth S. This family is a leading one in the United Brethren Church.
Mr. Krum has been a factor in public affairs in his neighborhood, serving most efficiently for two terms as school director of North Annville township, declining another election. In politics he is an active member of the Republican party. Both the Franks and Marks are prominent old families.
JONAS H. W. STAGER, a prominent resident of South Lebanon township, Lebanon county, is a worthy representative of one of the old and honorable families of Pennsylvania. The founder of the Stager family in America was named John Adam Stager, an honest burgher of Saxe-Weimar. Germany, who came hither prior to 1747, this claim being substantiated by old deeds from the British Crown, bearing that date. John Adam Stager paid into the treasury of King George III. the sum of five pounds, English money, for which he received a grant of 500 acres of land, then located in Lancaster county, but now included in Lebanon county, lying in what is now named South Lebanon township. North, about two miles east of the city of Lebanon. Of this original tract, the family still owns 250 acres.
John Adam Stager had settled in this new country in order to better his condition, and his course in life showed that his every effort was made to not only provide for his immediate family, but to also assist in the develop- ment of the country, advance its progress and aid in its betterment. Al- though a British subject, his son Frederick was a true Colonial, and he fought for freedom during the long struggle and enjoyed the final victory. That he was a man of mind and reliability is shown by the frequent calls made upon him for official service and private duty, and a long and busy life was his.
Frederick Stager was born August 28, 1760, and died February 18. 1824. On January 25. 1785, he was married to Elizabeth Yiengst, by Rev. W. Stocy, and December 27, 1785, a son was born, who was given the name Henry, and was baptized January 8, 1786, but who died the next day. The birth of other children followed: Henry. born October 2, 1787, was baptized October 14th, and became the grandfather of J. H. W. Stager, of
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Avon; Adam, born December 6, 1789; Elizabeth, born December 10, 1791 ; Catherine, born January 7, 1794, was baptized February 2d; Frederick, born January 29, 1796, was baptized February 14th; Regina, born March 28, 1798, was baptized May 31st; and John, born February 4, 1800, was baptized March 19th. All of the foregoing children were baptized by Rev. Stocy, and those following by Rev. Heister: Samuel, born May 20, 1802, was baptized July Ist; Hannah, born October 19, 1804; Margaret, born December 15, 1806, was baptized January 28th; Anna Mary, born November 11, 1808, was baptized November 13th; Christina, born Jan- uary 8, 1812; and Wilhelm, born May 23, 1814, was baptized June 14th.
Henry Stager, son of Frederick, died at the age of thirty-three years. His marriage, to a Miss Six, resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Jacob, who lived and died, unmarried, in this county, a very successful farmer and a strong supporter of the Democratic party; Jonas, born April 21, 1811, died November 29, 1889, at the age of seventy-eight years, seven months and eight days; and Catherine, born in 1813, died in 1852, the wife of Henry Werner, leaving two children, one of whom died in infancy, and the other was Henry, who died at Canton, Ohio, at the age of eighteen years.
Jonas Stager was reared on the old homestead and there spent his life, becoming one of the prominent and influential men of his community. After his marriage he began farming for himself on a part of the old home- stead, becoming the owner of 194 acres, in two farnis, and he personally operated 100 acres. In the course of years he became a wealthy man, and for years was a director and stockholder in the Lebanon National Bank. In politics he was a very influential member of the Democratic party, and for a long period was zealous in support of its principles, never seeking office but frequently having it forced upon him. His legal knowledge and his reliable character made him very often a member of both grand and petit juries. In religious life he was a very devoted member of the Reformed Church, and it was his daily practice to instill into the minds of his family, principles of uprightness and Christian living, his example being still stronger than his precepts. He married Elizabeth Werner, born October 3, 1811, in South Lebanon township, a daughter of Jacob Werner, and died in 1883. But two children were born to this union, namely: Jacob W., who is a prom- inent farmer of South Lebanon township; and Jonas H. W.
Jonas H. W. Stager was born December 4, 1841, and was reared on the farm. He acquired his education in the common schools and the Academy, laying thus a foundation for later extensive reading, deep thinking and close observation. In 1864 he began farming operations for himself, and
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no farmer in the locality has more reason to feel gratified with his success. Mr. Stager owns 106 acres of the old original homestead.
On October 20, 1863, Mr. Stager was married to Miss Veronica Smith, born April 9, 1840, in Cornwall township, a daughter of William and Veronica (Bowman) Smith, and eight children have been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Stager have suffered many sad bereavements, but two of this family still surviving, viz .: William F., a farmer on the homestead, who married Clara M. Behny, and has children, Bertha, Jonas, Willian, George and Esther M .; and John W., a retired broker, who operated in Lebanon for ten years, but now resides on the old homestead. He is a man of unusual ability, a graduate of the Lebanon city schools, in 1889, a telegraph operator and successful financier. He married Emma Fenstenacher, and they have two children, Edith Veronica and Luke. With the exception of a bright lad of twelve years, named Jonas, all of the other children of Mr. and Mrs. Stager, died in childhood. In politics Mr. Stager is a Prohibitionist, but has never sought public office.
Both Mr. Stager and wife are consistent members of the United Breth- ren Church, in which he is a class leader, and in which he has been elected a number of times as a delegate to the yearly conference, officiating as such in 1902. His support of the church has always been liberal. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and also of the Junior O. U. A. M. In every relation of life Mr. Stager is a man to be honored and respected, and he may be justly regarded as a representative member of the best class of Lebanon county citizens.
JACOB NISSLEY, a prosperous agriculturist of Millcreek township, has for years been one of the most prominent men of the German Baptist Brethren Church of Tulpehocken District, in which he is now serving as elder. He is a man who lives his religion, and in his home, in his business, and in all intercourse with his fellow men shows hiniself worthy of his high position. He was born at Annville, Lebanon county, in 1843, son of Peter and Susan (Lfautz) Nissley.
Mr. Nissley's paternal great-grandfather was among the early settlers of Lancaster county. Henry Nissley, his grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, and there resided for many years. He assisted materially in the development of the resources of his section, and was a man of influence and of strong moral character. He was the father of eight children: Peter (who is mentioned below), Henry, John, Samuel, Isaac, Elizabeth, Annie. and Catherine.
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