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 60
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Joseph E. Kalbach was born on the old Kalbach homestead in Millcreek township, February 17, 1838. In the public schools of his neighborhood he procured a thorough rudimentary education, which he has since extensively supplemented by reading and observation. Giving considerable time as a youth to the practical work of the farm, upon reaching manhood he continued to engage in agriculture for some time. A taste for business, however, later decided him to move to Womelsdorf, and open a general store. Prospering in his enterprise he continued there for about two years, and then, with keen business foresight, perceiving a better opening in the hard lumber business, he disposed of his store, and in 1860, put into operation a portable sawmill. Wise financial management and skill in handling his men, soon established the business on a solid foundation. Encouraged by the results he later started other mills of the same sort in different sections, which he also managed with much success. These he has at different times moved from place to place, and keeping them in steady operation has carried on an exceedingly extensive business, covering a large area. Berks, Lebanon, Dauphin, Chester, Lan- caster, Schuylkill, Perry and Snyder counties have all been fields for his activities, and he still has several mills in operation, furnishing employment to a great many men. His lumber is of the best grades and has found markets far and near, everywhere commanding good prices. He has made excep- tionally well out of his enterprises, and in addition to his business interests, owns two valuable farms, his residence property, and the old Kalbach home- stead, which contains one hundred acres, and is considered one of the finest farms in Lebanon county.
In 1874 Mr. Kalbach married Lucy Matthew, whose paternal ancestors
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were among the pioneers of Millcreek township, and whose parents were William and Charlotte (Hibbert) Matthew, of Newmanstown. To Mr. and Mrs. Kalbach have been born three children: Nora J., who married George Balsley, and Catherine A., who married LeRoy Valentine, both men being prominent cigar manufacturers of Womelsdorf; Joseph E., who is in partnership with his father in the hard lumber business, and married to Mabel Long, daughter of Rev. John Long, of Marion township, Berks county (they have one son Joseph).
Mr. Kalbach ranks among the foremost men of his section in the pro- motion of local industries. He is enterprising and cautious, and yet not afraid of making new ventures. Giving employment to a great many men his industries have been of inestimable value to his section of the country. In the local affairs of the township he has always evinced a keen interest, but at the same time has been averse to office seeking. Through the merited esteem of his fellow citizens he has been chosen judge of election and tax collector, performing the duties of his office with marked fidelity. In politics he is independent, esteeming principle more than party. The Reformed Church of Newmanstown counts him among its most substantial members.
WILL H. ERB, one of the well known citizens of Palmyra, and pro- prietor of the Palmyra planing mill and lumber yard, was born on the farm now owned by Christ. Gingrich, near Lawn, in South Londonderry town- ship, Lebanon county, November 27, 1865, son of Isaac and Barbara (Burk- holder) Erb. The father was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1837. and his wife was born back of Campbelltown, Lebanon county. The parents removed to Hockersville, Dauphin county, in 1874. and later located in Paxton township, the same county, thence moving to Swatara Station, where they now reside. The father was engaged in the cattle business for years, and his last enterprise was in the grain line, he being a large dealer in coal, grain and feed. Earlier in life, lie also was quite extensively engaged in merchandising. The children born to these parents were: John, deceased; Will H .; Minnie, who married David Kreider, of Palmyra ; Allen, deceased, who married Mary Mark; Naomi, who married George Runkle, of Harris- burg; Lena, who married Isaac Dontrich, of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county ; Robert, of Philadelphia; Annie, who married Harry Kreider, of Palmyra; Violet, unmarried; Ella, deceased; and Elmer, deceased.
Will H. Erb received a most excellent education in the common schools, the Lebanon Valley College and Pierson's Business College, Philadelphia. In 1885 he paid a visit of three months to Kansas, and after his return, he
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entered into partnership with his father at Swatara Station, in a coal, grain and feed business. On May 1, 1888, he located in Palmyra, and leased the Kreider lumber yard. In 1889, he commenced operating the planing mill built by W. L. Kreider, and has continued conducting these two in con- nection with other enterprises in which he, from time to time, has been interested. In 1901 he erected a well equipped mill for himself, and still conducts it very successfully. In 1889 he erected a shirt factory, and was successfully engaged in operating it, when he disposed of this property to A. G. Stauffer. After this, being somewhat exhausted by his extensive busi- ness operations, he went to the State of Washington, where he pleasantly spent three months, and then returned to Palmyra. In 1895, he purchased the plant of the Palmyra Shoe Manufacturing Company, but after three months, he found the demands were too heavy upon his time, and he sold his interests, and decided to devote his entire attention to his lumber yard and planing mill. At intervals during his business life, he has operated a portable sawmill in various parts of Lebanon county. In his religious con- victions, he is a member of the German Baptist Church, and contributes very liberally towards its support.
Will H. Erb was married to Ann G. Gish, born in East Donegal town- ship, Lancaster county, daughter of Henry M. Gish. Four children were born of this marriage, one of whom died in infancy. Those who survive are, Hilda, Ruth and Christian.
HARVEY THOMAS HAUER, a leading architect and well-known citizen of Lebanon, Pa., was born October 13, 1863, in Lebanon, son of Samuel Hauer, who was a native of Fredericksburg, Pa., and died in 1881. Mr. Hauer was educated in the public schools and graduated with credit from the Lebanon high school, soon afterward becoming a student of archi- tecture in the office of F. C. Euston, a well-known architect of the city. Mr. Hauer remained with Mr. Euston for some three years, and then em- barked in business in the same line for himself, continuing work in his pro- fession until 1892. Desiring to perfect himself still further in his line, he then entered the University of Pennsylvania, and took a special architectural course, and later spent time in various offices in Philadelphia, taking prac- tical design and structural work. In 1897 he returned to Lebanon, and since that time has here followed his profesison with marked success. His work has been varied in character, and he has not confined his activities to this city, having furnished plans for many buildings in Philadelphia and other localities. Specimens of his taste and skill in Lebanon are seen in the
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high school, Garfield, Washington, Franklin and other school buildings, the Central Market House, and a great number of the best private residences and business buildings, in the city. While all of his work is complete in detail and adaptability, he has made somewhat of a specialty of school and mercantile buildings, and fine and elaborate residences. His taste and abil- ity, which have been strengthened by study, observation and experience, have brought him into contact with the most critical of the public.
Mr. Hauer is a member of Camp No. 254, Patriotic Order Sons of America ; Patmos Commandery, Knights of Malta; and of the following clubs : T Square Club, of Philadelphia : Architects' Alumni of the U. of P .; Architectural League of America; and the Columbia Photographic Society of Philadelphia. In 1898 he furnished the plans for the erection of a plant for the Liquified Acetylene Supply Company. at Lawn, Pa., and perfected the machinery and system, and brought the liquefaction and storage of Acetylene under pressure down to a practical commercial basis. Mr. Hauer is recognized as an authority on the above subject, having by invitation prepared and read several valuable papers on the same.
In 1887 Mr. Hauer was married to Ellen Weltmer, daughter of Ulrich Weltmer, of Lebanon, and they have surviving three children, namely : Ethel D., Theodore M. and Marie C.
NATHANIEL L. KALBACH, dealer in coal, lumber and grain, at Richland Station, is one of the solid business men of the place. For seven- teen years he has been conducting a flourishing industry there, and as an interested stockholder in the Tulpehocken Distillery, and proprietor of a sawmill he has had additional experience. He was born about a mile west of Newmanstown, on the old Kalbach homestead, in Millcreek township, October 4, 1835, and is a son of Joseph R. and Mary (Lamb) Kalbach. Mr. Kalbach's paternal great-grandfather came from Germany, and became a pioneer of Berks county. Among his children was a son named John, who is mentioned below.
John Kalbach, grandfather of Nathaniel, also took a strong hand in developing the resources of Berks county. Upon reaching manhood he mar- ried Rosanna Ruth, and they had eight children, all of whom are now de- ceased : John, Isaac, Adam: Joseph R., who is mentioned below: Rebecca, Catherine, Mary and Elizabeth. After his marriage Mr. Kalbach settled upon a farm in Berks county, where he engaged in agriculture very suc- cessfully for some years. Later he moved to Millcreek township, Lebanon county, where he secured a farm, which is now owned by his grandson,
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Joseph E. Kalbach. A hard worker and skillful manager, he prospered in his enterprise, and made a good home for himself and family. He was a strong, energetic man, and commanded the respect of all who knew him.
Joseph R. Kalbach, father of Nathaniel L., also achieved success as an agriculturist, and assisted materially in developing the resources of Mill- creek township. He was born in North Heidelberg township, Berks county, November 19, 1808, and received the usual rearing of farmers' boys of his day, including plenty of practical training in agriculture, and thorough dis- cipline to habits of self-reliance, and wise disposal of time. About 1834 he married Mary Lamb, who was born in North Heidelberg township, Berks county, in 1816, and of this union there were four children who grew to maturity : Nathaniel L .; Joseph E., of Millcreek township; Dr. John G., a prominent physician of Reading, where he died; and A. M., who lives in Lancaster City. About 1836, shortly after his marriage, Mr. Kalbach moved from Berks to Lebanon county, where, in Millcreek township, he purchased a farm of his parents, and engaged in agriculture. He improved the place, cleared up new areas of it, and in time had as attractive a farm as any in the vicinity. Applying both practical and progressive methods to his work, he met with excellent results, and was considered one of the very successful farmers of the county. Continuing to prosper hie carried on his industry for about fifty years. His death occurred December 15. 1890. Mr. Kalbach's well-directed efforts won him a foremost place among agricultur- ists of his section, and in local affairs his word carried weight. He was a man of marked integrity, and a consistent member of the Reformed Lutheran Church. Politically he affiliated with the Democrats.
Nathaniel L. Kalbach started in life under favorable circumstances, being reared on a well regulated farm, where leisure was afforded him for the cultivation of the mind. In the log school house of Millbach he procured his early education, evincing a strong intellectual bent, and a taste for study. Later he attended Womelsdorf Academy, where he cultivated the higher branches of study, and was prepared for practical business life. He started life for himself as a farmer, applying himself sedulously to his work for several years. Later, in partnership with his brother Joseph E., he engaged in the hard wod lumber business, running a sawmill for some time. Turning out reliable goods and keeping prices within range of cus- tomers, they worked up a large business, which they conducted together for some time. In 1886 Mr. Kalbach, deciding to leave the manufacture of lumber to his brother, went to Richland and opened an establishment for the sale of that article. He also put in a supply of coal and grain. and has
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since been dealing in the three articles. From year to year his trade has increased, and he is now doing a large business. In 1886 he also became interested in the old Tulpehocken distillery, from which he has derived a considerable income. He has been square in his dealings, practical in his business methods, and has made well out of his ventures. In addition to his other property he owns the old homestead in Tulpehocken township, Berks county, which was transferred to Henry Kalbach in 1808, and has since remained in the family. He also owns considerable stock in the Rich- land Water works, and is now director of the company.
On October 1, 1865, Mr. Kalbach married A. Miller, daughter of George and Catherine (Gerhart ) Miller, of Heidelberg township. She was a noble woman, and a sympathetic helpmeet; her death occurred Octo- ber 15, 1901, and on May 28, 1903, Mr. Kalbach married Catherine Brown, of Mount Aetna.
Mr. Kalbach's achievements and straightforward business methods have won him the confidence and respect of the community. Fraternally he affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 307, and the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 145, both of Womelsdorf, having joined the latter in 1855; the Jr. O. U. A. M .; and the P. O. S. of A., both of Schaefferstown; and the G. A. R., Capt. Tice Post, MIverstown. He is a man of some military experience, having served as a volunteer in the emergency corps, in 1863. at the battle. of Gettysburg. Though disinclined to office seeking, through the merited esteem of his fellow citizens, he has served as county auditor; township auditor ; and school director, performing the duties of his various offices with marked fidelity and efficiency. Politically he is a strong Demo- crat; and in religious sentiment, a Reformed Lutheran, being a consistent member of that church in Schaefferstown.
JAMES FRANCIS McGOVERN. a native son of Lebanon and for twenty years one of the leading business men of the city, where he conducts a large furniture store at Nos. 525-527 North Ninth street, was born February 19. 1859, and is a son of Patrick Charles and Bridget (Murray) McGovern, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Patrick C. Mc- Govern was in business for a number of years in New York City, and in 1850 located in Lebanon, where he died in 1861, at the age of forty-two years. His wife died in 1891, at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters. namely: Catherine, who married Michael Tierney, of Lebanon, and died in 1885, leaving four children; Michael T., an employe of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, with residence 35
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in Philadelphia ; Charles S., who has charge of the east end of the Lebanon Yards of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad; Alice, who married William Troy, Jr., of Lebanon; Mary, residing in Philadelphia; and James Francis.
James F. McGovern passed his boyhood days in the Fifth ward of Leba- non, and was educated in the parochial and public schools of that city. In the latter part of his school days he learned telegraphy, and on July 2, 1876, he took a position in the office of the R. W. Coleman heirs, at Cornwall, at that time under the management of A. Wilhelm, which position he held for about a year. He then resigned to enter the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway as telegrapher, taking a position as assistant manager in the super- intendent's office at Perkiomen Junction. After a few months in this position he was promoted to the managership, and after a year and a half he was transferred to the general superintendent's office at Reading, as manager, a very responsible position for one of his years to hold. While performing the duties of this latter office, an event occurred which changed the whole current of Mr. McGovern's life. On September 13, 1881, he contracted marriage with Miss Rebecca Bowman, daughter of Joseph Bowman, a prominent furni- ture dealer of Lebanon, doing business at Nos. 525-527 North Ninth street. At the earnest solicitation of his father-in-law, Mr. McGovern, on August 22, 1882, secured his transfer to the managership of the Lebanon office, with the express view of later entering upon a business career in connection with his father-in-law. He continued to hold this position, however, until March 16, 1888, when a partnership was formed in connection with Joseph Bowman and Jared Allwein, under the firm name of Joseph Bowman Com- pany. Mr. Bowman died in 1891, and Mr. Allwein in 1893, and Mr. McGov- ern succeeded to the entire business, and has continued since as the sole proprietor under the name of J. F. McGovern. Mr. McGovern carries one of the largest stocks of furniture in the city. He has three floors 42 x 190 feet, as well as a large lumber yard, storage houses, stables, etc. He manu- factures every piece of upholstered furniture which goes out of his sales- rooms, a feature of which no other establishment in the city can boast, and he has a very large trade extending over the city and neighboring counties. He also does a very successful business in the undertaking line, being fully equipped with all the latest appliances in this branch of the business.
Mr. McGovern enters enthusiastically into the social and fraternal life of the city. He is a past regent of that excellent organization, the Gretna Council, No. 914, Royal Arcanum, and is at the present time district deputy of the district. He is past exalted ruler of the B. P. O. E .. No. 631. and is president of St. Patrick's Benevolent Society. He is State orator of the
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P. C. B. L. and treasurer of the A. O. H. He also belongs to the exclusive Steitz Club, and to the Lebanon Cycle Club. In church affiliations Mr. McGovern and his family are devout communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. McGovern were born eleven children, but six of whom are living. Those deceased are Joseph, Robert, Sarah, Raymond and Ruth; those living are Alice H., Mary L., Frank J., James J., Esther R. and Richard C.
ABRAHAM GINGRICH STAUFFER. one of the leading citizens of Palmyra, proprietor of the Diamond Shirt Company, and late of the Diamond Printing Company, which latter he sold in May, 1903, was born in Conewago township, near Bachmanville, Dauphin Co., Pa., August 15, 1862, a son of John Stauffer, an extended sketch of whom is to be found elsewhere in this volume.
The boyhood days of Mr. Stauffer were spent upon the farm in Dauphin county, where he received a common school education. In about 1884, he began operating the home farm, continuing for three years, when he disposed of his property, but continued his agricultural life on a smaller farm for three years more. At this time he disposed of his farming interests and located in Middletown, Pa., forming a co-partnership under the title of the American Tube and Iron Company. Two years later, he purchased the old home farm, and until 1894 re-engaged in farming, but in that year sold the stock and rented the farm on the share plan for two years. This not proving entirely satisfactory, he re-stocked the farm and operated it himself for the next four years. In April, 1895, he located in Palmyra, while continuing his farming interests, and in 1900 traded his farm property for other holdings in Pal- myra, including the Diamond Shirt factory and plant, as well as other im- proved property. Subsequently he purchased the printing plant, and in 1901 he founded another shirt factory, at Pottstown, Pa., which he owns and operates in connection with the Palmyra plant under the same name. The Palmyra plant gives employment to about seventy-five people and has a capacity of 500 dozen weekly. The Pottstown plant employs about 120 peo- ple, and has a weekly capacity of 800 dozen. He employed some twelve people in the printing office which establishment he devoted principally to commercial work, although Mr. Stauffer founded and published the Palmyra Record, a weekly paper. After its inception in 1899, this journal met with a warm reception, and Mr. Stauffer's readers appreciated his efforts in their behalf.
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Mr. Stauffer and Miss Elizabeth Shelley Etter were united in marriage, and the following children have been born to them: Oscar Allen, Velma Mabel, LeRoy Etter and Verna Irene. Mrs. Stauffer was born in Cone- wago township, Dauphin Co., Pa., daughter of Daniel and Mary (Shelley) Etter, the former of whom is now deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer are very prominent members of the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Stauf- fer is a member of the board of trustees, and they are regarded as leading representatives of the best interests of Palmyra. In politics he is a Re- publican.
CHRISTIAN C. GINGRICH, one of the prominent citizens and cattle- men of Lawn, South Londonderry township, Lebanon Co., Pa., was born on the Gingrich homestead December 25, 1866, a son of Christian Gingrich.
Mr. Gingrich was reared and educated on the old homestead now owned and occupied by a brother, H. B. Gingrich, remaining at that home until he was thirteen years of age, when his father removed to Kelley's Corner (Upper Lawn), taking him with the family. After finishing a course at the common schools he attended Palmyra Academy, and later, in 1883, attended the Normal School at Annville. In the winter of 1883-84 he taught school at the Chestnut Hill school, near Campbelltown. After his marriage, in 1888, he managed for a year, the farm of his mother-in-law, which was lo- cated one mile south of Lawn, in Londonderry township, and then he began dealing in live stock, at first on a small scale. Increasing the field of his operations from year to year, in 1892, with his brother, H. B., he established the Lawn Stock Yards, which are now in a most gratifying and flourishing condition, reflecting great credit upon the promoters of this project. In July, 1903, Mr. Gingrich, with other prominent business men, organized the Valley Trust Company, of Palmyra, Pa., with a capital of $125,000, our subject being a charter member, as well as holding one of the important offices of the institution; they opened for business October I, following.
On February 18, 1888, Mr. Gingrich was married to Minnie Risser, born June 13, 1869, daughter of Christian N. and Catherine ( Hoffer) Risser. Two children have come to this union : Almeda, born July 14, 1889, and C. Risser, born October 12, 1891. Mr. Gingrich is an active and prominent Republican, being one of the leaders of the party in his township, and always renders val- uable service during the local campaigns, his influence being very powerful, and his advice sought and acted upon. Both he and his charming wife are important factors in the social life of their locality, where they have many friends, all of whom unite in praise of their excellent traits of character and
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hospitable spirit, the doors of their pleasant home being always ajar, not only to those in their own rank in life, but also to the ones less fortunate, to whom true charity is always shown.
FRANKLIN MOCK, one of the prosperous farmers of Mount Aetna, Pa., who resides upon a fine farm in Jackson township, two miles north of Myerstown, was born in Heidelberg township May 2, 1852, a son of Samuel and Martha (Burkey ) Mock, of Heidelberg township, who are now deceased. The father of Samuel was Adam Mock, a farmer of Heidelberg, who was supposed to have come from Germany, and who had a family of seven chil- dren : Mary, Rebecca, Susannah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Katherine and Samuel, all of whom grew to maturity.
Samuel Mock was born in 1807, and died in 1876, while his wife was born in 1813 and died in 1865. They were the parents of eleven children : Adam, deceased; Jacob, of Missouri ; John H., of Millbach, Millcreek town- ship: Franklin: Mary, wife of Frederick Iba, of western Missouri; Malinda, who married John Smith, now deceased; Leali, married to Aaron T. Smith, a Lebanon county farmer; Sara, unmarried; Rebecca, widow of Henry Crouse; Henrietta, who married Nathan Youngst, of Lebanon City; and Amanda, who married Samuel Ulrich, of Lebanon City. In politics Samuel Mock was a Democrat, and supported the principles of his party upon every occasion. His religious doctrines led him to unite with the Lutheran Church, and he is remembered as one of the hard-working, honorable citizens of the county, noted for his sober, temperate habits and kind and charitable dispo- sition.
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