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 58
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John B. Rauch, left fatherless at the early age of ten, went to live with his elder sisters, who gave him careful nurture. In the public schools of his neighborhood he obtained his education, which was sufficiently thorough and practical to enable him to transact with success any line of business. Decid-
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ing at an early date to take his chance in life as a merchant, when starting out he went to Annville, Pa., and secured a position as clerk. A short test proved he had made a wise choice, and he retained his position for a long time, giving excellent satisfaction.
In his early manhood, while still working at Annville, Mr. Rauch mar- ried Sarah Zimmerman, of South Lebanon township, who proved a faithful helpmeet for a number of years. This wife dying, he married, July 16, 1867, for his second wife, Sarah Hensicker, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Groah) Hensicker, of Lebanon. By the first union there was one son, Charles, who is now a merchant in Lebanon. By the second marriage there were five children: Catherine married Harry J. Miller, of Reading, Pa. ; Helen married E. O. Burtner, of Dauphin county, Pa .; Jacob is a poultry and butter dealer in Philadelphia, Pa .; Sarah lives at home; the other child died in childhood.
About 1857 Mr. Rauch, deciding to go into business by himself, moved to Lebanon, purchased the favorable lot at the corner of Tenth and Cumber- land streets, and erected a store building, where he began dealing in general merchandise. In a short time he commenced making large and paying trans- actions. Having thus early secured a firm hold in the community, he main- tained this business with eminent success throughout the rest of his life. Each succeeding year brought in larger and larger profits, and these, with wise business foresight, he always invested where they would yield the largest dividends. Having large interests in the Farmers National Bank of Leb -. anon, he served as its president and director for a number of years. He also acted as secretary and director of the Lebanon Manufacturing Works, and was engaged in various other enterprises.
As a Republican Mr. Rauch always evinced a keen interest in politics and public affairs generally, and besides attending to his various lines of busi- ness found time to serve his community as county registrar for a number of years. As a man of great integrity and generosity, he was one of the most liberal supporters of the Trinity United Brethren Church. He was abstemi- ous in his habits, kind in his family, helpful to the needy, and won the lasting friendship and esteem of a host of Lebanon's citizens.
ABNER ISETT HARTMAN, one of the leading citizens of South Londonderry township, engaged in a general warehouse business at Cole- brook, as the senior member of the firm of Hartman & Garrett, was born at Cornwall, Lebanon county, July 24, 1867.
The parents of Mr. Hartman were Samuel W. and Caroline (Kennedy)
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Hartman, the former of whom was born December 25, 1840, at Schaeffers- town, Heidelberg township. Lebanon county, and came to Cornwall in young manhood, starting in a humble position in the mines and working himself up into the position of foreman. For eighteen years he occupied this responsible position on what was known as the Big Hill, meeting with many adventures and miraculously escaping injury until the time of his death, December 14, 1883, caused by being caught under the fall of a piece of ore, weighing about seven tons. Mr. Hartman was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and was esteemed in the community for his industry and integrity. His fa- ther, George Hartman, was a farmer of Heidelberg township, who married into the Blottenberger family, and was the father of a large family, his three surviving daughters being: Mary, Mrs. Becker; Sarah, Mrs. Enck; and Caroline, Mrs. Devan Gettle; and these sons : Donald, Samuel W. and George, deceased; and Daniel and Israel, surviving.
On the maternal side, the grandparents were William H. and Ann (Donley) Kennedy, the former of whom was one of the early mountain teachers, a mine worker and also a local preacher in the Methodist Church. Mr. Kennedy was a most highly esteemed citizen, and was the father of these children : John, who left Cornwall some thirty years ago, is a resident of Arizona; James ; Charles W. was killed at Philadelphia, in the summer of 1902, by the explosion of a carboy of nitroglycerine, while making a storage battery experiment; George; Frank is a telegraph operator; Elizabeth is deceased ; Mary became Mrs. Ward, and is deceased; Caroline, born in 1842, is the mother of Mr. Hartman, and resides at Bismarck, Lebanon county ; Miss Susan; and Mira is the wife of Joseph Ferry of Lebanon.
Abner I. Hartman was reared at Cornwall and because one of the bright students in the public school, being one of the three selected by Rob- ert Coleman and placed in 1882 in the office at Cornwall to be taught tele- graphy. Mr. Hartman quickly acquired the technical knowledge, and after the death of his father, he went to work as a telegrapher on the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad, at various stations. For two years he was weighmaster at Cornwall, and was also one of the clerks in the superintendent's office, con- tinuing with the road until June, 1901. At the date of his resignation, he was the oldest employe on the road in point of service, from the president on down, his position at this time being that of station agent at Colebrook, a place he had capably filled for sixteen years.
In June, 1901, the firm of Hartman & Garrett was formed for conducting a general warehouse business, their commodious building with dimensions of 40x50 feet, with three floors, enabling them to satisfactorily handle grain,
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feed, lumber and coal. Mr. Hartman has demonstrated his ability as a busi- ness man, and he enjoys a large trade. His long connection with the road and the public brought him a wide acquaintance and many firm friends.
In 1886, at Cornwall, Mr. Hartman married Margaret Youts, born Jan- uary 1, 1870, daughter of William and Mary Youts, of Cornwall. The four children born to this union are: Florence Ethel, Nellie Madeline, Russell Edward and Hazel Norene. The religious connection of Mr. Hartman and family is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he belongs to Camp No. 254, P. O. S. of A., and Lamberton Lodge, No. 708, of Harris- burg.
JOHN H. WILHELM, a very important factor in the business life of the flourishing town of Myerstown, and its leading hardware merchant, as well as a successful manufacturer of buggies and wagons, was born in South Lebanon township, November 2, 1858, a son of Tobias and Veronica (Light) Wilhelm, farmers of Lebanon county, born in the city of Lebanon, in 1824, and now residing at Iona, Lebanon county, retired from active life.
The father of Tobias Wilhelm was born in Germany, coming to America when still a young man, and had two children: Tobias and Katherine, now a widow, residing at Lebanon City. The marriage of Tobias Wilhelm occurred about 1848, his bride being the daughter of Joseph Light, of South Lebanon township, who came of one of the oldest families of Lebanon coun- ty. This marriage was blessed with the following family: Rosanna married Josiah Grumbine, of South Lebanon township; Clara married Benjamin Smith, and is now deceased; Joseph, a farmer of South Lebanon township, is also a minister of the German Baptist Church; Amelia married Amos Snyder, a farmer of Iona, Pa .; Araminta married Reuben Zug, a farmer of Lebanon county; John H .; Lizzie, widow of Joshua Fernsler; Katherine, married Levi Spayd, a carpenter of Cherryvale, Kans .: Lena, married John Bomberger, a farmer of South Lebanon township.
John H. Wilhelm was reared upon his father's farm, but received a most excellent education in the public schools of his locality, near Lebanon City, then at Palatinate College, Myerstown and at the Millersville State Normal School. Following his course at the latter institution, Mr. Wilhelm became one of the popular teachers of Lebanon county, and so continued for four- teen years. At that time occurred his marriage, and he then embarked in the butchering business and dealt largely in cattle at Myerstown, but at the ex- piration of two years entered another line and dealt in implements. To this he added the handling of hardware, and now is also a manufacturer of buggies
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and wagons, meeting with unqualified success in all lines, and enjoying the distinction of being the leading hardware merchant and implement dealer in Lebanon county. While a stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Wilhelm has never had time or inclination to hold office, although he did consent to act as school director, believing it the duty of every man to advance the cause of higher education. In religious matters, his convictions make of him a Prot- estant.
At the age of thirty years, March 27, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella R. Eberly, of Myerstown, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Reinoehil) Eberly, of Denver, Lancaster county, and she was one of four children : Lizzie, deceased; Anna, unmarried, of Denver, Pa .; Ella R. (Mrs. Wilhelm) ; Mary, unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Eberly reside in Denver, and are among the honored and highly respected people of that locality, both belonging to old and well-known families of Lancaster county. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm were as follows: Winnie and Irwin I., deceased; and Earl E., born in August, 1897; and Harry E., born in Feb- ruary, 1899, bright little ones, and the pride of their parents' hearts. Mr. Wilhelm has met with success not on account of outside assistance, or because of particularly fortunate opportunities, but simply through his own, untiring and persistent efforts. No work has been too hard, no obstacle too difficult for him to overcome, and as a result, he has an established position among the leading business men of Lebanon county, and has accumulated property which insures comfort and ease to his family, and continued prosperity and success in his enterprises.
SAMUEL HAAK. Pennsylvania has been peculiarly fortunate in the unusual large army of efficient educators she has enlisted from the ranks of her gifted sons. Lebanon county has contributed her full quota, and among those who have distinguished themselves by their scholarly attain- ments and their unwearying devotion to their work, may be mentioned Sam- uel Haak, principal of the Myerstown high school. He was born in Jackson township, one mile east of Myerstown, on the Dauphin and Berks turnpike. April 15, 1853, son of Michael and Maria (Noecker) Haak.
Jonathan Haak, grandfather of Samuel, was one of the early settlers in Lebanon county. His entire life was passed in agricultural pursuits, and he became one of the prominent and successful men of that section. Of strict morality and unwavering integrity himself, he reared his large family of sons and daughters to be worthy bearers of his honored name, and to be citizens of whom their town and State might well be proud.
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Michael Haak, son of Jonathan and father of Samuel, was born on the paternal homestead in Jackson township in 1815, and died in the same town- ship January 6, 1884. He was ever active in public affairs, and was one of the workers in the Republican party, but never desired to hold any public office. As a member of the United Brethren Church, he conscientiously fol- lowed its teachings, carrying his religion into the affairs of the workaday world. He held various offices in the church and gave liberally of his time and means to the furtherance of any good cause. He was generous and kind- hearted, and many unfortunate sufferers were aided through his ready charity. In his youth Michael Haak wedded Maria Noecker, who was born in 1820, and died in 1891. Five children blessed this union : Isaac B .; Mary A., who married Alfred G. Ream, of North Jackson township; Sarah, who married A. B. Landis, and is now deceased; Samuel; and John A., a farmer in North Jackson township.
Samuel Haak was reared upon the farm, and early became accustomed to the many duties that fall to the lot of a farmer's son. His early educa- tion he acquired in the district schools, and in Myerstown Academy, later attending Palatinate (now Albright) College at Myerstown. His natural tastes led him to a professional life, and at the age of nineteen he entered the school room as a teacher. His own enthusiastic love of study inspired his pupils, and for six years he taught school, winning a high reputation for efficiency. At the end of that time he entered the Cumberland Valley Nor- mal school, where for four terms he manifested a degree of scholarship that called forth the willing praise of his instructors. He graduated with honors in 1879. A high position won and maintained among one's lifelong acquain- tances reflects far more honor than a similar place among strangers. Prof. Haak had so ordered his life that he had had from the beginning a warm place in the hearts of his old friends and neighbors, and when he left the Normal school, it was to return to his old home in Myerstown. In 1881 he began teaching in the Secondary department of the Myerstown schools. where for four years he added to the laurels already won as a teacher. Thor- ough himself, he demands thoroughness in his pupils, and his patience and kindliness have helped many a poor backward student to understand and in the end to overcome great difficulties. In 1885 he was chosen principal of the high school, and has rounded out seventeen years in that honorable and responsible position. Under his careful tuition many brilliant men and women have prepared for their battles in life, and they remember his interest in them and their work with affectionate regard.
On December 5. 1891, Prof. Haak was married to Ella C. Wolf, one of
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the two children of William and Catherine ( Ream) Wolf, of Myerstown, prominent people of this city. Their other child, a son, James Wolf, resides in Myerstown. No children have been born to Prof. and Mrs. Haak. In 1870 Prof. Haak became a member of the United Brethren Church, and he has not been content to be a member in name only, but he has endeavored to do his part in the active work of the church. For over thirty years he has been one of the faithful teachers in the Sunday-school. In political views he is a Republican, but is without time or inclination for political pre- ferment. . He is a man of wide reading, and he keeps well informed on all the current topics of the time. In his professional life Prof. Haak fulfills the highest ideals as an instructor, never being content with mere teaching, but striving ever to the best intellectual development of the individual, and he has often succeeded where many have failed. His teachers and pupils all hold him in the greatest degree of respect and esteem, and endeavor to emulate the high example set by one who in every relation of life has proved himself an upright, honorable Christian gentleman.
HENRY C. SNAVELY, whose interest in agriculture does not begin and end with the cultivation of his ancestral acres, but which has prompted him to give his best energies to secure legislation protective to the farmer, and to promote advanced methods to obtain the highest and best results for labor expended, was born in North Lebanon township, Lebanon county, No- vember 14, 1844, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Brandt) Snavely.
The Snavely family originated in Switzerland, where the name was spelled Schnebeli. The founder of the American branch of the family crossed the sea in 1735, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania. He was accom- panied by his five-year-old son, John Ulrich, who became the great-grand- father of Henry C. Snavely. In the latter part of the Eighteenth century and the early part of the Nineteenth, John Ulrich Snavely purchased about five hundred acres of land two and one-half miles west of Lebanon, part of which is still in the possession of his descendants, eighty-seven acres belonging to our subject.
Henry C. Snavely was reared on the home farm and early became familiar with the arduous labors connected with the practical cultivation of the soil. He attended the common schools and for three terms engaged in teaching, but with that exception his whole life has been spent in agricultural pursuits. His fine farm is in a fine state of cultivation, and is largely devoted to fine fruits.
As early as 1873 Mr. Snavely became connected with the Patrons of
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Husbandry, and from that time has been active in promoting the welfare of the farmer. He belongs to the Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union of Pennsylvania, and served as its president for several years. A number of times he was elected a delegate to the national body, of which he was one of the vice-presidents. For upward of twenty years he was a member of the State Horticultural Society, of which for three years he was the president, and four years the chairman of the general fruit committee. For some time he was Lebanon County's representative on the State Board of Agriculture, and conducted the Farmers' Institutes held in the county. He is keenly interested in giving new methods and machinery careful tests, and he keeps fully abreast of every advance made. In consequence of his careful study of his calling, he has been most successful and the products of the Snavely farm are far above the average in quality; and the yield in quantity as well, be- tokens the farmer who gives his land its needed rest and nourishment.
On August 13, 1867, Mr. Snavely was united in marriage with Susan Heilman, daughter of George G. and Christina Heilman. Of the children born to this union two sons and five daughters survive, namely : Marcellus Heil- man, George Joseph, Eleanor Mary, Virginia Elizabeth, Edith Emma, Sarah Alice and Julia Ada. Mr. Snavely's interest in educational matters did not cease with his change from the teacher's profession to agricultural pursuits, . but he has continued to take an active part in the advancement of the public schools and the improvement in the methods of teaching. For a number of terms he served most efficiently as school director. He is highly esteemed throughout the county, and his willingness to help by word and deed has won him many warm friends. The comfortable home of the family is the abode of happiness and hospitality.
ADAM LOOSE, a prominent and successful shoe merchant. and one of the leading citizens of Myerstown, Pa., was born August 1, 1834, a son of John and Magdalena (Fisher) Loose, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania.
Jacob Loose, grandfather of Adam, was a farmer and tanner, and was an old settler of Berks county, Pa. By his wife, Rabecca Bucks, he had eleven children : Samuel, John, Jacob, Daniel. Conrad, Jonathan, Gabrial, William, Benjamin, Kathrine and Elizabeth.
John Loose. father of Adam, was born May II, 1795, and died May 6, 1861. For more than forty years he was one of the leading and solid business men and tanners of Myerstown. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and in religious matters, was connected with the Reformed Church. He married Magdalena Fisher, who was born June 24. 1797. and died June 3. 1858.
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Their family consisted of nine children: John; Henry; Thomas; Adam; Mary, married to Agustus Behiney ; Catherine, who married Samuel Kauffman ; Sarah, who married Adam C. Klopp; Pollie, who married Thomas Dieffen- bach; and Rebecca, who married Levi Steiner. All are now deceased except Adam, Pollie and Rebecca.
Adam Loose was reared in Myerstown and received his education in the public schools. At the age of thirteen years, he began to learn the tailor's trade, which he followed for some years, when he embarked in the tannery business with John and Henry Loose. After two years of this association Mr. Loose sold his interest and turned his attention to butchering, and con- chicted an establishment along this line for three years. During the Civil war he volunteered under Capt. John H. Bassler, in the One Hundred and Forty- ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known as the Bucktail Regiment. In the three days' battle of Gettysburg he was wounded, and soon after was discharged, having served his country honorably and bravely.
Returning to Myerstown, Mr. Loose again embarked in the butchering business in which he continued for some time, when he purchased a farm, and for twenty-one years conducted it most successfully. At the expiration of that period, he returned to Myerstown, and went into the produce and fruit business, and later handled family groceries for about eleven years. His store was recognized as thoroughly up-to-date. In 1901 he started his present shoe business on Main street, where he conducts the leading shoe business of Myerstown, and has built up a desirable trade among the best people of the town.
In 1854 Mr. Loose was married to Miss Susan K. Steiner, daughter of Christian Steiner, of Myerstown. Four children were born of this marriage: Michael, Leonard C., Thomas and Annie. Mrs. Loose died about 1873, and in 1875 he married Miss Mary Segner, and one son was born of this second marriage, John A., now assisting his father. The political affiliations of Mr. Loose are with the Republican party, and he has served most ably as register of wills for Lebanon county. In religious matters he is a consistent member of the Reformed Church. The entire family occupy a high position socially, and Mr. Loose is highly esteemed for his many excellent traits of character. Honorable in all his dealings, he has firmly established himself in the confi- dence of the community, and he is a man whose word is as good as his bond.
ISAAC KEGERREIS, one of the leading citizens of Richiland, Leb- anon county, Pa., the second son of Christian Kegerreis, was born in West Cocalico township, Lancaster county, March 10, 1840.
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Jacob Kegerreis, the grandfather, settled in West Cocalico township, Lancaster county, in his youth, where Christian Kegerreis, the father of the subject of this sketch was born September 17, 1808. At the age of twenty- seven years Christian Kegerreis married Catherine, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Werntz) Kurtz, by whom he had six children: Martin married Catherine Fishburn, of Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa .; Sarah is un- married; Isaac; Susan married Samuel Wenger, deceased, late of East Han- over township, Dauphin county ; Elizabeth died single at the age of twenty- five years; and Mary married Daniel Kulp, of Manheim, Lancaster county. Mrs. Catherine (Kurtz) Kegerreis, died in 1846, and subsequently Christian Kegerreis married Catherine, daughter of John and Mary ( Hoffman) Brun- ner, by whom he also had six children : Catherine died when grown; Maria died when young; Abraham married Mary A. Zieber. from near Bellevue, Ohio: Rachel and Rebecca are single; and Amanda married Frank Hos- tetter, of Landis Valley, Lancaster county. All of his children were born within four miles of his birthplace, and in 1855 he moved to Derry township. Dauphin county, Pa. He was quite a successful farmer and a man of strong character. Educated above the average farmer in those days he taught school for some time, and was a man of great influence. He did a great deal of scrivening and was often called a bush lawyer. In politics he was a Democrat. In his younger days he was a member of the Reformed Church, but later, after moving to Dauphin county, he became affiliated with the New Mennonite Church, of which he remained a faithful member until he died, aged ninety-one years.
Isaac Kegerreis attended the local schools, such as they were, in West Cocalico township. until he was about eleven years old, when, in order that he become conversant with the English language, he was sent to the south- ern part of Lancaster county to two English speaking farmers, one winter to Mr. Graybill, near New Holland, and two winters to Mr. Zook, near Intercourse, and there went to school, and fed and cared for the live stock for his board. Subsequently in Dauphin county, the new home of his father, he clerked in the general merchandise store of Squire Samuel Henry, at Derry Church, and for Christian Bowman of Campbelltown. He afterward attended school at White Hall, a few miles west of Harrisburg, and took a course at the Millersville Normal school. Equipped now with a fair educa- tion, young Isaac taught school for several terms, and in the spring of 1863, went west, and clerked for John Larwell, in a general store of Londonville, Ohio, later going to Chicago, where he was employed in a large mercantile establishment, until requested by his father to return home and assist him on
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