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 56
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Abraham S. Groh was reared on the farm in Heidelberg township. and was educated in the public schools. He began his business career as clerk in a local store, and in 1855 established a business of his own, which has prospered for forty-seven years. Mr. Groh is one of the oldest merchants in Lebanon county, but he is much more; he is a man of the strictest integ- rity, one who is willing to promote all enterprises for the benefit of his com- munity, a good neighbor, a faithful friend, and a man whose personal hon- esty and reliability give character to his locality.
In 1861 he married Eliza Miller, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Gerhart) Miller, who came from old families of the county. In his home has been reared a nephew, John C. Groh, a son of his brother Leonard Groh. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Groh is liberal- minded in religious matters, contributing to all churches and upholding their moral influences. His inclinations are in the direction of the Reformed Church. Mr. Groh is one of the substantial men of the township, owning fine and improved farming lands, a handsome residence, and his store prop- erty. He carries as large a stock of merchandise as any store in Heidelberg.
J. ADAM BECKER, one of the leading and representative men of Lebanon county, living in South Lebanon township, was born in Millcreek township, this county, March 23. 1845, a son of John and Caroline (Stump) Becker.
J. Adam Becker was reared upon the farm and educated in the public
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schools of the neighborhood, remaining at home until he was twenty-five, when he married, and then returned to operate his father's property on his own account for eight years. At that time he located in South Lebanon township, engaging as a laborer, but later handled sewing machines and farm implements for some five years, making several changes of residence. At one time his headquarters were at Myerstown, and again at Hebron, but in 1880 he returned to South Lebanon township, where he settled on his present well-cultivated farm of thirty-one acres, just east of Avon, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits, also handles phosphates, and deals in hides, and in all his interests is alive to the best good of the community, and is a valuable and prosperous citizen. Mr. Becker is a 'stockholder of the Lebanon National Bank, and is identified with some of the best interests of the community.
On September 20, 1869, Mr. Becker was married to Miss Rebecca Magdaline Shaak, daughter of John and Eva (Six) Shaak, one of the old and prominent families of the county. Mrs. Becker was born December 14, 1844, and is a lady of education and culture. Their only child, Irwin At- wood Becker, was educated in the public schools and at Myerstown College. from which he was graduated in the class of 1892, after which he entered the drug establishment of Joseph L. Lenberger, where he learned the drug trade in all its details, and attended and was graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. After this he took a course of chemistry in the same college, and was chosen from a class of thirteen. After his graduation from the chemistry course, he remained in Philadelphia for a time, working at his profession, but shortly after removed to Chicago, in 1898, passed the neces- sary examinations, and is now occupying the very important and responsible position of head pharmacist in the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, taking a deep interest in his work, especially in microscopical analysis. During all of the years Dr. Becker has pursued his studies he has been encouraged by his parents, who have given him every advantage, and his future is a very bright one, he having builded well upon a sound foundation, and is still a close student. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have long been consistent members of the Reformed Church, and their son was brought up in a Christian home, surrounded by good examples, and he himself is connected with the same religious body.
ABRAHAM STEINMETZ BRENDLE, attorney-at-law, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Schaefferstown, Lebanon county, was born in that place June 12, 1854. He is a son of Daniel and Rebecca (Stein-
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metz ) Brendle. The Steinmetz and Brendle families are prominent through Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
Abraham Brendle (born November 15, 1791, died May 8, 1854), grand- father of the subject of this sketch, belonged to an old Berks county family. He was born November 15, 1791, and came to Lebanon county from Lan- caster county, when a lad. He married Elizabeth Dissinger, who was born November 20, 1802, and died March 8, 1883. They had a family of four children : Mary, wife of William Lindemuth, of Berks county; Daniel, father of Abraham S .; Susan, wife of Francis Ritter, of Berks county; and Cath- arine, who died in girlhood.
Daniel Brendle, father of A. S., was born April 18, 1826, and married Rebecca Steinmetz, born December 16, 1819, who died September 19, 1901. She was a daughter of John Steinmetz, who was born November 19, 1791, and died November 26, 1879, a son of Carl and Margaret (Beaver) Stein- metz, the former of whom came from Germany to America in 1774. Daniel Brendle still survives, a prominent retired farmer, near Schaefferstown. The five children born to him and his wife were as follows: Catharine, born July 31, 1845, married Benjamin M. Loose (born December 19, 1839, died March 17, 1891), and died in 1897; John S., born March 18, 1852, died July 20, 1897; Abraham S., is our subject; Thomas S., born February 3, 1857, lives in Schaefferstown; and Stella V., born July 7, 1859, died September 27, 1871. The father of this family owns two of the fine farms in this vicinity, which he acquired through his own industry. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. For the last sixty years he has been a leading member of the Reformed Church, and has served as elder and as superintendent of the Sunday School for many years. He is held in universal esteem.
Abraham Steinmetz Brendle was reared on his father's farm in the vicinity of Schaefferstown. He attended the public schools of his native village, up to his seventeenth year, and then entered Palatinate College at Myerstown. After two years' study there he. in the fall of 1875. entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster and graduated in the summer of 1877, with the degree of A. B. Returning to Lebanon county, he taught two terms in the public schools at Schaefferstown and in 1879 began the study of law under Gen. J. P. S. Gobin. In 1882 he was admitted to the Bar of Lebanon county, and located at Schaefferstown, where he has ever since continued to reside and practice. Mr. Brendle has shown his ability in the legal profession, and he must also be regarded as a very valuable member of the literary world, in his native State particularly. His "History of Schaefferstown" is authentic and interesting, and displays no little talent for
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historical work. He has written much floating literature, both prose and poetry, which may sometime be gathered and preserved in permanent form. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater in 1880. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and gives it liberal support.
On August 31, 1882, Mr. Brendle was married to Miss Mary A. Seibert, of Schaefferstown, daughter of George and Magdalena (Miller) Seibert, and granddaughter of Francis Seibert, the ceremony being performed by Rev. A. J. Bachman, at the bride's home. Mrs. Mary A. Brendle was born in Heidel- berg township, Lebanon county, Pa., January 20, 1854, attended the public schools of the district, the Schaefferstown Academy, Mrs. Emily P. Miller's select school and Palatinate College. She is a descendant of the Millers, Trautmans, Mauses, Zwalleys and Mischlers, all early settlers in the neigh- borhood.
Fraternally Mr. Brendle is a member of the P. O. S. of A., Washington Camp, No. 256, of Schaefferstown, and was appointed district president in 1893 of the eastern district of Lebanon county. Mr. Brendle is a very pop- ular member of the legal, social and political circles in Lebanon county. In the interests of his party he engaged in campaign speaking all over the county in 1880 and 1884, his oratorical powers making him a very effective speaker. He is of genial manner and most pleasing personality, and im- presses the visitor as a man of intellect, ability and humor.
Among Mr. Brendle's paternal ancestors were Casper Schweitzer, M. D., who came to this country in the ship "Mercury," in 1735, being then twenty years old; and George Dissinger, who came to this country from Gershweiler, ir. Saarbruecken, on the ship "Snow Squirrel," in 1761, aged fourteen years. The latter, for his second wife, married Catharine Schweitzer. a daughter of the above named Casper; they became the parents of two children,-Daniel and Elizabeth, the latter being the grandmother of subject. George Dis- singer was an American soldier in the Revolutionary war.
JACOB H. PAINTER, general manager and bookkeeper for the well- known firm of Joseph Painter & Sons, foundrymen, and also a member of this firin, is one of the reliable and solid business men of Myerstown, Lebanon county.
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 importance in the
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Keystone State. One of the sons of Jacob, the emigrant, was also Jacob, and he was a molder by trade, who was born in Chester county, Pa., and a most excellent man. He was the father of ten children, as follows : Joseph, father of Jacob H .; Jacob, deceased; Thomas, deceased; Robert, deceased; Valen- tine, of Leesport, Pa .; David, of Steelton, Pa .; Priscilla; Barbara ; Mary, deceased; and Eliza.
Joseph Painter, father of Jacob H., was born December 4, 1822, and now resides in Myerstown, but his wife is deceased. He became the father of ten children : John L., of Lebanon; Jacob H. and Joseph M., of Myerstown, members of the firm of Joseph Painter & Sons; George W., of Reading ; Stephen G., of Beverly, Kans .; Samuel G., out West; Anna C., married to Milton Gockley, of Reading; Mary, married to John Spangler of Norris- town, Pa .; Lizzie E., married to George W. Pieffer, of Norristown; and Matilda, married to John Shoemaker, of Kansas City, Kans. Joseph Painter was an iron foundryman and molder, and operated a foundry in Berks county, Pa., but later removed to Myerstown, and has made this city his home for many years. It was about 1848 that he first settled 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, Pa., and for some years con- ducted it, but returned to Myerstown, and established the foundry now con- ducted under the caption of Joseph Painter & Sons, which is one of the best known in the entire county. The mother of his children was Magdalena Loose, a most estimable lady, whose untimely loss is deeply felt by her entire family, and a wide circle of friends whom her many virtues attached to her.
Jacob H. Painter was born in Reading, Pa., February 22, 1847, and spent his boyhood days at Bernville, Berks county, where he attended the public schools, and began to learn the trade of molder and foundryman at the age of fourteen years, and has followed the same for forty years, meeting with gratifying success. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he was one of the volunteers in Company K, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. McKindley, of Mauchchunk, Pa., going out in 1864, and serving with the Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Grant until the close of the war, and participating in the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond. In the fall of 1865 he received an honorable discharge and returned to Myerstown, to resume his peaceful occupation of molder and foundryman.
The first wife of Mr. Painter was Miss Fannie Spangler, of Myerstown, and there was no issue of this union. Mr. Painter was married to his second wife, Miss Rebecca M. Rise, of Lebanon, Pa., a daughter of Henry Rice, and
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she bore him seven children, three of whom are now living: Joseph L .; Mary M., married to Tildon J. Frantz, of Myerstown; and Fannie L., at home. The present Mrs. Painter was Mrs. Agnes C. Huber, of Myerstown, and there have been no children born to this marriage. In politics Mr. Painter is a stanch Republican, but has never desired office. Being a self-made man, his success is all the more creditable, and the entire family play a very important part in the commercial and social life of Myerstown.
SAMUEL HERR. Lebanon county has a just reputation for excellent farms and fine cattle and stock, as well as for some of the best citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, honest, industrious, intelligent and law-abiding. Such an one is found in Samuel Herr, of North Annville township, who was born January 25, 1836, on his father's farm in South Annville township.
The parents of Mr. Herr were Christian and Elizabeth (Shenk) Herr, both members of prominent old families, the former a native of South Ann- ville township, and the latter of Schaefferstown. The children born to these parents were: Joseph, who is deceased; Christian, a resident of Fair- land; Abraham, a carpenter at Lebanon : Samuel, of North Annville; Nancy, widow of Reuben Reist, living near Fontana; Frances, who became the wife of Elias Brubaker (both are deceased) ; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Moses Brubaker (both are deceased) ; Mary, wife of John Flickinger, of Lebanon; Molly, who married Elias Brubaker (both are deceased) ; Miss Barbara M .; and Lydia, deceased wife of Jonas Snyder.
Samuel Herr was about seven years old when his father died, and three years later his mother bought a small farm of eleven acres from Joseph Schoff, this tract being now included in the farm of Mr. Herr, as he moved onto the place with his mother, and has always lived there, adding to the original place until he now has at that point fifty-five acres. In 1880 he built his handsome and comfortable frame residence, and he erected his sub- stantial stone barn in 1874. Other properties owned by Mr. Herr are a tract of fifteen acres of mountain timber land, and an excellent farm of 135 acres in South Lebanon township. In addition to farming Mr. Herr is engaged as a veterinary surgeon, a profession in which he has been most successful for the past thirty-five years.
On June 5, 1865, Mr. Herr married Louisa Breitenstein, born June 28. 1840, daughter of Rev. John and Elizabeth (Miller) Breitenstein, the former of whom was an Evangelical preacher, a most highly esteemed man. Three children were born to Rev. Mr. Breitenstein and his wife, namely: Miss Rebecca; Joshua, who died unmarried: and Louisa, Mrs. Herr. The chil-
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dren of Mr. Herr and estimable wife were as follows: John Adam, born December 5, 1867, in South Lebanon township, married Alice, daughter of Samuel Kettering, of North Annville township, born July 5, 1868, and they have children-Samuel Adamı, David Henry, Isaiah, Mary, Alice, and Elizabeth (who died in infancy). Christian, born May 8, 1873, died in infancy. Grant Moses, born June 24, 1874, married Pearl Behny, born September 17, 1882, in East Hanover township, a daughter of George Adam and Amanda (Mease) Behny, of East Hanover township.
Mr. Herr is one of the political leaders in his township, is identified with the Republican party, and has been supervisor and, for three years, auditor. His religious connection is with the United Brethren Church, to which he is a liberal contributor.
JEREMIAH B. LIGHT is one of the old and honored residents of North Cornwall township, one who has taken a prominent part in its farm- ing interests, and whose liberality has promoted the usefulness of the Ger- man Baptist Brethren Church.
Mr. Light was born September 27, 1828, in South Lebanon township, a son of Joseph E. and Catherine (Bamberger) Light, the former of whoni was born in the old homestead at the Quittapahilla, a son of Jacob Light. Grandfather Light was a prominent farmer, a man of large frame and robust health, and was a leading member of the Old Mennonite Church. His wife's maiden name was Ellenberger. They had a family of seven children, namely : John, Samuel. Jacob, Joseph E., Elizabeth (the wife of David Zel- ler), Nancy (the wife of Thomas Light) and Veronica (who died unmar- ried).
Joseph E. Light, the father, was a farmer in South Lebanon township all his life, dying there at the age of sixty-cight years. He was a man of exemplary life, a member of the United Brethren Church. His marriage was to Catherine Bamberger, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Smith) Bamberger, born in South Lebanon township, and they became the parents of twelve children, namely : Maria, who married George Strahn ; Veronica, who married Tobias Wilhelm; Levi, who died single; Jeremiah B .; Henry, who died unmarried; Jefferson, who died in Lebanon : Rosannah, who mar- ried Henry Zinn, of Myerstown; William, who made his home in Iowa, and died there; Seth, who resides at Avon; Joseph, a prominent minister in the German Baptist Church, who resides in Seneca county, Ohio; Uriah, now deceased, who was a farmer in South Lebanon county; and Catherine, who married Samuel Stahler.
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Jeremiah B. Light grew up on his father's farm, and attended the dis- trict school until he was thirteen years of age, when he was employed by his uncle on his farm and earned his first wages. At the age of nineteen Mr. Light started work in Shenck's mill, to learn the business, later work- ing at Baughman's mill, following this business for five years. He then began to farm, operating first one of the farms of his father-in-law, in North Cornwall township, and remaining there nine years. Mr. Light then moved to the farm now occupied by his son Joseph, the same adjoining the one where he now resides. For a number of years Mr. Light cultivated that place, but in 1877 he purchased the Kreider farm, of 105 acres, and still owns ninety acres of this fine property. Mr. Light has been one of the extensive land owners of the county, and has long been regarded as one of its substantial men. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Lebanon, and one of the worthy public-spirited citizens.
In 1852 Mr. Light was married to Elizabeth E. Kreider, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Ellenberger ) Kreider. born October 23, 1833. A family of four children was born to this union, as follows: Joseph, a farmer of North Cornwall township: Daniel, a veterinary surgeon, located at Pal- myra; Mary, wife of Michael B. Graybill, of Londonderry township; and Jeremiah K., superintendent of the city schools of Belleville, Ill. This fam- ily reflects great credit not only upon the parents, but also on the township of their birth. Both Mr. Light and his wife are consistent members of the German Baptist Brethren Church. To this religious body Mr. Light has been a liberal contributor. He is a leading man in Lebanon county and enjoys the esteem of all who are privileged to have his acquaintance.
JOHN KILLMOYER, during the latter years of his life foreman of the Lebanon Furnaces, was for many years an integral part of the business life of the city, and acquired an enviable reputation for thrift, sobriety, and all round good citizenship. He was born in Germany, March I. 1831, a son of George Killmoyer, who had also three other children : Charles; Barbara, and William, all of New York City. George Killmoyer died in New York City when his son, John, was seven years of age.
At the age of twelve years John Killmoyer removed from New York City with his brother, Charles, who had in the meantime secured a position as furnaceman with the Colebrook Furnaces. Soon after settling in Lebanon he secured work with the North Lebanon Furnace Company, and so indus- triously did he apply himself that he was promoted after a few years to the position of foreman, which he retained up to the time of his death. Although
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he had scarcely a dollar to his name when he arrived in this town, he managed to possess in later life ten houses and lots in West Lebanon, in the vicinity of the furnaces. He was a stanch Democrat, but never held office of any kind, preferring to devote all of his time to his work in the furnaces. To his credit also was a courageous service in the war of the Rebellion, in which he was a volunteer, and participated in the Virginia campaign. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Mystic Chain, and in religion was a devoted Luth- eran. His life was such that his integrity was never brought into question, nor was his untiring industry, or his unselfish interest in wife, children, and friends.
In Lebanon City, March 16, 1862, Mr. Killmoyer married Leah Trostle, a daughter of George and Mary (Oley) Trostle. To Mr. and Mrs. Kill- moyer were born the following children : Catherine, the wife of Levi Spotts; Laura, deceased ; George, a blacksmith of Lebanon ; Dirvin, deceased; Walter A., a machinist of Lebanon; Virginia, twin to Walter, and wife of Amos Zimmerman; John; Paul; Charles; Mabel; Leah; and Robert. Other chil- dren died in infancy. Mr. Killmoyer took a great deal of interest in educa- tional matters, and served for some years on the school board.
A. S. BOMBERGER. Among the enterprising and progressive busi- ness men of Heidelberg township, Lebanon county, residing two miles south of Schaefferstown, same county, on the Manheim and Schaefferstown road, is A. S. Bomberger, a wealthy distiller, who was born in South Lebanon township, November 8, 1837, a son of John and Elizabeth (Shenk) Bom- berger, both of whom are deceased. John Bomberger was a farmer of South Lebanon township, born June 28, 1803, and died in 1889. His father, also named John, lived and died in Lebanon township, and his father came from Germany.
John Bomberger, the grandfather, was the father of the following chil- dren : Henry, Joseph, Jacob, Samuel, Daniel, Katherine and John. Kath- erine, the only daughter, married Joseph Shenk. The children born to the father of our subject were as follows: John, deceased; Christian, of South Lebanon; Israel, of Schaefferstown; A. S .; and Catherine, deceased, who married Isaac Gingrich. In both his political and religious opinions John Bomberger was independent, voting and worshiping according to the dic- tates of his conscience.
A. S. Bomberger was reared upon the farm and attended the schools in the home neighborhood. He then devoted a short period to farm life, when he purchased the old Kratzer still house, and began to make a first-class grade
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of rye whiskey; he still follows that business with marked success. Thor- oughly understanding every detail, he is enabled to place upon the market a superior grade of goods at prices which are extremely low.
In 1867, Mr. Bomberger was married to Miss Catherine Horst, of South Lebanon township, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Schaeffer) Horst, prominent people of their locality. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bomberger : Horst H., a partner with his father in the dis- tillery, married Miss Mollie Keener, and they have two sons, Leon and Paul; Samuel H. is also with his father.
Mrs. Bomberger was one of a family of ten children : Elizabeth, who mar- ried Abraham Bitner, of Lancaster; Joseph, deceased; Henry, deceased; Sarah, the widow of Michael Kreider, of Lebanon county; Veronica, who married Jacob Bucher; Catherine, wife of Mr. Bomberger, born in 1841; John; Nancy; Samuel, and Elias. The grandfather, Peter Horst, lived at Horst Mills, which place was named for him, and this family is an old and honored one in the community.
Mr. Bomberger is a stanch Republican in politics, and liberal in his relig- ious views, believing that honesty of purpose and fairness of dealing are the fundamental principles of all religions. He is a man well liked, a good cit- izen, a kind and generous neighbor, whose charities are many and sympathies broad, and is well worthy the confidence he inspires.
SAMUEL F. ENGLE. The prosperous town of Palmyra, Lebanon county, numbers among its business citizens many upright, honorable men of much ability, and one of these is Samuel F. Engle, whose general store has grown, through his enterprise, from a very modest beginning, to be the largest establishment of its kind in Lebanon county outside of the city of Lebanon. Mr. Engle was born February 23, 1858, at Hummelstown, Dauphin county, a son of Jacob Engle, and a grandson of Daniel and Maria (Landis) Engle.
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