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 57
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Jacob Engle, the great-grandfather of Samuel F. Engle, was born in 1753. on the sea, while his parents were on their way from Switzerland. They landed in America, rich only in their children, their goods, shipped on another vessel, having been lost in the passage.
Daniel Engle was born May 28, 1788, at Marietta, Lancaster county, and died February 8, 1881 ; his wife, Maria, was born February 25, 1795, and died December 29, 1825. The second wife of Daniel Engle was Leah Sellers, born December 18, 1790, died January 12, 1862. The children of Daniel and Maria Engle were : Jacob, born December 8, 1814, was the father
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of Samuel F .; Barbara, born February 12, 1816, died July 23, 1855 (she married Samuel Brehm, of Hummelstown) ; Veronica, born April 2, 1817, died April 18, 1823; Daniel, born September 15, 1818, died December 25, 1834; Maria, born December 25, 1819, died March 17, 1860 (she married Joseph Hershey) ; Esther, born August 6, 1821, died October 17, 1821 ; and Christian, born March 8, 1823, died August 28, 1825.
Grandfather Daniel Engle came to Dauphin county when about twenty- two years of age, and settled on a farm near Hummelstown which became the Engle homestead, and the fine old place still remains a possession of the family. He engaged in farming and owned a fine property. Daniel Engle was one of the fine men of his time, upright and righteous, and was one of the founders of the River Brethren Church, in which, beginning in a humble position in the service, he was made a minister, and was long one of the leading bishops. His ministerial work ended only with advanced age and impaired health.
Jacob Engle succeeded to the old homestead, and he, too, became a minister, and rose to the eminence of a bishop in the River Brethren Church, succeeding his venerated father, and remaining in that position until his- death, which occurred August 20, 1868. Jacob Engle married Elizabeth Shuh, who was born October 13, 1815, in Dauphin county, a daughter of Benjamin Shuh, and died December 17, 1880. The children of this marriage were as follows : Daniel, born August 19, 1837; Jacob, July 20, 1839; Esther, October 10, 1841 (died March 1, 1845) ; Mary, March 2, 1843 (died July 24, 1857) ; John S., October 10, 1844; Leah, April 14, 1847; Levi, October 10, 1850 (died November 11, 1861) ; Benjamin H., April 12, 1853; and Samuel F., February 23, 1858.
Samuel F. Engle was born on the old homestead, and was reared near Hummelstown, where he attended school, later entering the State Normal school at Millersville, where he graduated in 1878. For the three succeeding years he engaged in teaching, and then removed to a farm near Palmyra, the property being known as the old Etter farm, and he operated same from 1881 to 1890. Mr. Engle then removed to Palmyra and engaged in merchan- dising, beginning with a stock of about $5,000 in value, which has been increased gradually, year by year, until it now amounts to $25,000. Mr. Engle is well located for business, occupying a floor space of 6.468 square feet, exclusive of his warehouse facilities, his stock including dry goods, notions, hats, shoes, ready-made clothing, hardware, stoves, tinware, etc., in fact, almost everything in demand, his establishment being, as stated, the largest in the county outside of Lebanon city. Mr. Engle was one of the
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organizers of the Palmyra Hosiery Mill, of which he is half owner, in part- nership with John A. Balsbaugh, his brother-in-law. This important in- dustry was organized in April, 1900, for the manufacture of men's half hose, with a capacity of 300 dozen daily. Another leading industry testifying to the business acumen of Mr. Engle was the organization of the Palmyra Shoe Company, of which he was secretary and treasurer until the selling of the plant. He was one of the organizers and was first president of The Valley Trust Company of Palmyra, opened September 15. 1903. with a capital of $125,000. For a long period Mr. Engle has been prominent in the United Brethren Church, and has served as a trustee and a member of the building committee. He has been superintendent of the Sunday School for the past eighteen years, in fact, ever since its organization, in which he was a most effective worker, and he has seen the attendance grow from fifty to four hundred.
On November 9, 1882, Mr. Engle was united in marriage with Aggie A. Balsbaugh, who was born July 8 1862, in Hummelstown, daughter of Christian and Caroline ( Brightbill) Balsbaugh, the former of whom was born February 22, 1834. near Hummelstown, and the latter March 23. 1839. Children as follows have come to Mr. and Mrs. Engle: Christian Roscoe, born January 24, 1884. who died January 27. 1884: John Raymond, born March 13, 1885 ; Ralph Landis, born June 6, 1886; Elsie May. July 17, 1887, who died September 15. 1887: Jacob Clyde, born March 18. 1889, who died August 23, 1889: Benjamin Roy, born August 15, 1891, who died August 30. 1892; Ruth Elizabeth, born May 14. 1895: Allen Balsbaugh, born July 10. 1898: and Harold Glen, born May 25. 1902.
Mr. Engle is one of the leading citizens of Palmyra, a man of enterprise and honorable business methods. In every relation of life, as citizen, mer- chant, neighbor, parent and husband, he is held in the highest esteem. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
FRANK F. HOUCK, proprietor of the l'olks-Zeitung, of Lebanon. was born on a farm in what is now North Cornwall township, Lebanon county, October 16, 1842. His father was Samuel Houck, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa .. in 1804, and died in 1872. The paternal grand- father was George Houck, born in Lancaster county, in December. 1738, and died in January, 1819. The mother of Mr. Houck was Lydia Bentz. born in Lancaster county, in 1812. and died in 1882, a daughter of Jacob Bentz. The parents of Frank F. Houck removed to Lebanon county a short time after their marriage, and they had the following children : Matilda, who mar-
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ried Louis Ruth, of Reading: George B .; Sarah, married to Charles Brother- line, of Lebanon; Jacob, of Lebanon county; Adam, of Lebanon county : Susan, married to H. B. Snavely, of Lebanon county ; Frank F .; Samuel, deceased ; Alfred, of Lebanon.
Frank F. Houck was reared upon the farm, receiving his education in the common schools of his neighborhood and Annville College, remaining at home until eighteen years of age. At that time he commenced teaching school and for six years was engaged in that calling in Heidelberg township and three in Cornwall township, Lebanon county. The following eighteen years, he farmed and conducted most successfully a large dairy business. On May 9, 1885. Mr. Houck purchased the Volks-Zeitung, which newspaper he has conducted ever since. Mr. Houck has served ten different terms as auditor of North Cornwall township, and justice of the peace for four years. He was one of the organizers of the People's National Bank of Lebanon, and is a member of the board of Directors of the same; also a director in the Eighth Street Market House Company. In religious matters he is a con- sistent member of the Lutheran Church. For many years, he has been a stanch Republican, and supported the candidates of that party. He was elected a State delegate to the last State convention which convened at Har- risburg, May 27, 1903.
Mr. Houck married Catherine, daughter of Moses Kreider, one of the early farmers of Cornwall township, Lebanon county. The following chil- dren have been born of this union: Ida; Morris; Robert: Lydia, who mar- ried Samuel Ferrisler of South Lebanon township; Frank. The entire family are well and favorably known in Lebanon county, and all are important factors in the social and business life of the several communities in which they make their homes.
JACOB F. OBERHOLTZER, who died in Fredericksburg. Febru- ary 11, 1896, aged sixty-one years, eleven months and four days, was for years one of the foremost agriculturists of Lebanon county. He was not only an authority in his line, but in a practical way reaped the results of his well-directed efforts. possessing at the time of his death seven splendid farms. besides much valuable real estate in Fredericksburg and vicinity. His skill in farm management was undoubtedly partly an inherent gift, his ancestors for some generations having followed that pursuit.
His great-grandfather Oberholtzer was one of the pioneers of this sec- tion. having come from Germany in early Colonial days. Christian Ober- holtzer, grandfather of Jacob F., was born February 24. 1766, and settled
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in Bethel township, Lebanon county, and there assisted in the development of the resources of that section. Possessed of keen business judgment and a large capacity for work, he reaped good returns for his labors, and became a prosperous and influential citizen. He died March 23, 1834, aged sixty- eight years, one month and one day. His wife, Christiana, was born Decem- ber 15, 1768, and died March 26, 1854, aged eighty-five years, three months and eleven days.
Henry Oberholtzer, son of Christian and father of Jacob F., was born June 1, 1808, and made his money in the field of farm labor. Reared in Bethel township, upon reaching manhood he settled upon a farm, and began developing its resources. He cleared new tracts, and put large areas under cultivation, from which he reaped abundant and seasonable crops, which commanded the highest market prices. With untiring energy he thoroughly subdued nature's crudeness, kept his farm in excellent repair, especially the buildings, and won a foremost place for himself among his fellow agri- culturists. He continued his pursuit throughout his active life, and became in time thoroughly prosperous. In 1831 he married Esther Fox, of Lan- caster county, who was born November 15, 1811. By this union there was one child, Jacob F. Mrs. Oberholtzer died February 27, 1896, aged eighty- four years, three months and twelve days, after sixty-four years passed on the old homestead. Her death was due to old age, and grief over the death of her only son. The funeral services, held March 5, 1896, were conducted by Elders Joseph Nissley and Charles White. The text was from Rev. II, part of the roth verse. The interment took place in Grove's cemetery. Martin Fox, father of Mrs. Oberholtzer, was born March 9. 1786. in Lan- caster county, and died March 10, 1842, aged fifty-six years and one day; Anna, his wife, was born September 19, 1785, and died November 1, IS55. aged seventy years, one month and twelve days.
Henry Oberholtzer possessed those sterling traits of character-dogged persistence, untiring energy, wise forethought and perfect poise-which achieve success for a man in almost any walk of life. He was the manifes- tation of careful Christian training, and was long a worthy and highly esteemed supporter of the German Baptist Church, but not a confirmed mem- ber. He died January 1I, 1884. aged seventy-five years, seven months and ten days.
Jacob F. Oberholtzer fell heir to a goodly heritage of brains and the proper amount of energy to make up a well balanced character. Born March 7, 1834, he was reared on his father's farm, and in the district schools of the neighborhood procured thorough drill in the rudiments, which he later
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supplemented at the Moravian Academy at Lititz, Pa., and with reading and observation, being a close student of men and affairs all his life. While a youth he performed the usual home duties that fall to the lot of the average farm boy, taking a keen interest in his work and evincing marked capability in that line. Naturally upon starting life for himself he continued that work. and after some time settled upon a farm in Bethel township. This he improved, put under extensive cultivation, and thoroughly developed its resources. Later, branching out to some extent, he bought other farms. Quick to perceive a good bargain, and always ready to clutch one, he made wise purchases and in time became the largest landowner in the county. Five splendid, well-improved farms lay near him in Bethel township, and two more were located in Swatara township. Thoroughly cultivating these, and adding to their value by many improvements, he realized a large inter- est upon his investment, and was considered one of the most substantial men of the township. He also invested in valuable real estate in Fredericks- burg, and owned a handsome residence property there. His homestead. which he left to his wife, is one of the most attractive farms in the township, comprises one hundred and thirty acres, has handsome well-kept-up build- ings, and is equipped with everything necessary for comfort and conven- ience. Besides his real estate he invested a large amount in bonds, stocks and mortgages.
On December 30, 1865, Mr. Oberholtzer married Rebecca Weller, of Bethel township, a noble woman, who since the death of her husband, has lived a somewhat retired life in Fredericksburg, giving herself devotedly to the interest of her children. She is large hearted and ever evinces a sym- pathetic interest in all good works. The United Brethren Church of Freder- icksburg counts her among its most faithful members. To Mr. and Mrs. Oberholtzer were born ten children: Catherine C., who was married De- cember 4, 1886, to Rev. Daniel S. Wengert, of Jonestown; Emma Lizzie, who was married January 28, 1890, to J. Grant Berkley, of South Lebanon township; Henry, who was carrying on the family homestead in Bethel township, but now lives in Myerstown; Jacob, who is engaged in farming in the same township, but lives at Lebanon; Daisy R., who was married November II, 1893, to David Wengert, of Jonestown, and lives in Ann- ville: Annie May, who was married to H. Dawson Bordner June 19, 1897 ; Ellen L., who died at the age of twenty years; Martin M., deceased at the age of seventeen years; and Maggie Ester and Adam William, living at home with their mother.
Mr. Oberholtzer was a born farmer, who entertained the highest ideals
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of his vocation ; and achieved success by his untiring devotion to his industry. Domestic in taste, he always manifested an affectionate interest in his home and family. To the needy he was kind, to his neighbors friendly, and help- ful, and throughout the county he was considered a most valuable, public spirited citizen. For square dealing and integrity of character he won the esteem of all who knew him. The German Baptist Church considered him one of its most substantial supporters. Politically he affiliated with the Republican party. Mr. Oberholtzer's death was a severe blow to his family. Early in life his health had been feeble, but in his last years he was strong and well, until within a few days of the end, when he was stricken with pneumonia, and in spite of the skillful efforts of able physicians, death conquered his brave spirit, and he entered into rest. The funeral services were conducted by Elder Charles White and Revs. I. Hay and Christian Wenger. The text was taken from Hebrews xiii, 14.
John Weller, father of Mrs. Oberholtzer, was descended from one of the highly respected pioneer families of Lebanon county. He married Bar- bara Light, and they had four children: Joseph, now a resident of Mid- dletown; J. H., of Myerstown, Jackson township; Mariah, who is now deceased ; and Rebecca (Mrs. Oberholtzer). The parents of these resided in Bethel township, where they were prominent citizens. Both belonged to the United Brethren Church.
GEORGE W. GARRETT, one of the old and highly respected citizens of Bismarck, Lebanon county, was born December 25, 1832, in Cornwall township, a son of Jonathan and Rebecca (Moyer) Garrett, and grandson of Jonathan Garrett, who was of German ancestry. The latter was one of those men of grand physique and superb strength who could pick up a barrel and drink from the bung-hole. At the time this feat was a great test of strength, and there were but few able to perform it. Grandfather Garrett made his home in Lebanon, working as a laborer in both Lebanon and Lancaster coun- ties, and died at Safe Harbor, in the latter county, leaving children : Jona- than, Peter, Henry, Isaac, John, and several daughters.
Jonathan Garrett (2), father of George W., spent his life in Lebanon county. He was an industrious, hard-working man, and was employed at the ore banks in Cornwall township. His wife, Rebecca (Moyer), survived him many years, his death occurring at the age of forty-five, and she living to the age of seventy. Their children were the following : George W .; James, deceased; Sarah, wife of John Leonard, of South Cornwall township; Eliza- beth, deceased, wife of Henry Nagle; Simon, foreman of the Lebanon City
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Rolling Mills; John, a blacksmith in Cornwall; Harriet and Mary Ann, both deceased; and Levi, an engineer in Cornwall.
George W. Garrett was reared in Cornwall township and began work on the ore banks when but a lad, working also among the neighboring farmers and at the Cornwall furnace. At the latter place hie gradually became more and more useful, until he was made engineer, a position he retained for forty-five years, being in the employ of the Colemans. In 1898, after such a long and faithful service, Mr. Garrett partially retired, practically giving up active labor, only engineering as suits his convenience. He is a practical machinist, and assisted in the erection of one of the furnaces, and has lived to see this business in its full tide of prosperity and to realize that much of its efficiency has been due to his careful and reliable work. His employers have had no more faithful workman than George W. Garrett, and they have given him many evidences of their appreciation. He has been a frugal man, and now owns several very valuable pieces of property in Bismarck, all of which he has improved. Mr. Garrett has always been identified with the Demo- cratic party, but has never aspired to hold office. His genial, pleasant tem- perament makes friends for him, while his exemplary life retains them.
In 1855 Mr. Garrett was married to Elizabeth Kennedy, daughter of William Kennedy, who died in 1892. Mrs. Garrett died leaving three chil- dren, namely : Annie is the wife of Dr. George W. Harpel of Mt. Carmel. Pa., and has one daughter, Bessie E .; William H., a painter and paper- hanger in Hummelstown, married Annie Bender, and they have one child, Myrtle; Ella is the wife of Urias Garrett, of Danville, Ill. The second mar- riage of Mr. Garrett took place March 4, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, daughter of Job and Elizabeth Baldwin, of English ancestry. Mrs. Garrett died March 17, 1903. She was a consistent member of the M. E. Church. The family is held in high esteem in Cornwall township, where Mr. Garrett has been known all his life.
ADAM B. SCHROPP, one of the leading newspaper men of Lebanon, and manager and part owner of the Daily News and Semi-Weekly News, was born in Lebanon, Pa., December 2, 1855, a son of the late Rev. Henry Schropp, who was a minister of the United Brethren Church for many years, filling the position of Presiding Elder for a number of terms. Rev. Henry Schropp was born in Schuylkill county. Pa., and died in Lebanon in the year 1900. The faithful wife and mother, Priscilla Christ, was also born in Schuylkill county, and died in Lebanon in the year 1901.
Adam B. Schropp received only a common-school education in the public
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schools of Lebanon, and in 1870 began an apprenticeship to the printer's trade, under John Young, editor of the Pennsylvanier. Following this he worked at his trade in New York State, Philadelphia, Allentown, Harris- burg and other cities, but returned to Lebanon in 1875, and worked at his trade in that city for a short time. Then for a period of three years he was connected with a dry-goods store, as a clerk. For the next twelve years, he was a traveling salesman for Coyle, McCandlish & Co., wholesale grocers, of Philadelphia.
In May, 1892, he became connected with the Daily News, as part owner and manager. The Daily News, which was founded in 1872 by the Smith Brothers, was the first daily paper in Lebanon. In 1875 the founders sold the plant to Messrs. Reinhard & Sharp. In May, 1892, the plant was pur- chased by the late Joseph H. Light, Adam B. Schropp and Jacob G. Schropp.
In 1902 Mr. Schropp was nominated by the Republican party as treas- urer for Lebanon county, and was elected by a handsome majority at the fall election.
In 1877 Mr. Schropp was married to Sallie A., daughter of the late John H. Yingst. Mrs. Schropp attended the excellent schools of Lebanon, the Lebanon Valley College, and a ladies' seminary in Chester county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schropp, as follows : Daisy P., Ray J., Harry G. (now deceased) and Ruth A.
JOHN A. BALSBAUGH, one of the proprietors of the Palmyra Hos- iery Company, was born on the old Balsbaugh homestead, close to Hummels- town, Dauphin Co., Pa., April 8, 1869. He is a son of Christian and Caroline (Brightbill) Balsbaugh, the former of whom was born on the old home- stead February 12, 1834. The mother was born near the Brightbill meeting house, in South Annville township, Lebanon county, March 29, 1839.
John Balsbaugh, the paternal grandfather, was born on the old Bals- baugh homestead, son of George Balsbaugh, the first settler of the name in that location, who took up land in 1799, and cultivated the present home- stead. This fine property is still in the family although divided up, and a part now belongs to John A. Balsbaugh. The children of John Balsbaugh, who grew to maturity, were as follows: Christian; Jeremiah, of Dauphin county ; John L., of Lebanon county; Mary Ann, deceased; Caroline, Mrs. George Grove, of Hummelstown : and Uriah, of Hummelstown. To the par- ents of John A., Christian and Caroline Balsbaugh, the following children were born : Clara married Martin Witmer, of Bismarck; Mary died in infancy : Aggie married S. F. Engle; Sallie married Frank Hartz, of Palmyra; Katie
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is deceased; John A. is mentioned below; Carry is deceased. During his active life the father followed farming, but is now living retired in Hummels- town. For two terms he served as school director of his district, and he has taken an active part in school matters. Religiously he has been for a number of years, a consistent member of the United Brethren Church.
John A. Balsbaugh was reared on the old homestead, and received his excellent education at the common schools and the Lebanon Valley College. After leaving college, in 1886, he accepted a position as clerk in a store in Hockersville, Pa., and remained there for two and one-half years, when he returned to the old homestead, and remained with his father two years. From that time until 1900 he operated the farm himself, and in the spring of 1901 he removed to Palmyra. Entering into partnership with his brother-in- law, S. F. Engle, they established the Palmyra Hosiery Mill, of which plant Mr. Balsbaugh now has charge, and which, under his most able management, has become one of the important industries of Palmyra.
On October 30, 1890, Mr. Balsbaugh married Mary Hershey, who was born near Hockersville, Dauphin county, September 24. 1869, daughter of Levi and Susan (Moyer) Hershey, the former of whom is now deceased. the following children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Balsbaugh : Erma May, born January 24, 1892, who died October 17, 1893; Christian H., born Feb- ruary 23, 1893; Lloyd W., born March 20, 1895; Caroline E., born Feb- ruary 2, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Balsbaugh are active and liberal members of the United Brethren Church, and are very prominent in the church and social circles of Palmyra. In politics he is identified with the Republican party ; he served nine years as school director, entering upon the duties of that office when twenty-one years of age.
JOHN B. RAUCH (deceased) was for over thirty years one of the leading business men of Lebanon. As a merchant, a bank official, a stock- holder in several large manufacturing concerns, and as a man keenly inter- ested in public affairs, he was especially prominent. His attainments deserve particular mention as being the result of his own efforts entirely. Born December 3, 1832, he was the son of Peter Rauch, a native of Lebanon county, who for a number of years followed farming in this section with fairly good success. He died in 1842, leaving several children.
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