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 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
George Spannuth was born November 17, 1800, in Jackson township,
1
1
1
-------------- - -- !
:
4 1 í i
----- - - -- --------------- ! 1
559
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
and in 1823 married Mary Weber, of Bethel township, to whom were born seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely : Andrew, J. Henry, Emanuel, Mary, George and John, all deceased except J. Henry. The latter was born in Jackson township in 1826, and was there reared and schooled, subscription schools being then the only ones in his neighborhood. In young manhood he learned both the mason and carpenter trades which he followed for some time, but later devoted his attention to farming. In 1874 he estab- lished what is known as Spannuth's store, in Jackson township, and success- fully conducted it until 1893, when he retired from activity, being succeeded by his son. Mr. Spannuth is one of the much respected men of the neighbor- hood, his business career having been one of integrity. In Zion Lutheran Church he has long been a leading member, and has filled the offices of trus- tee, deacon and elder. In earlier years he served as supervisor, school director and auditor under the Republican party. On August 13, 1846, Mr. Span- nuth was married to Miss Lavina Blecker, born October 3, 1825, who still survives. She was a daughter of Michael Blecker, one of the early settlers in Lebanon county. Three children were born to this marriage, as follows : Emeline, wife of Adam Fisher of Lebanon county; Aaron G .; and Ezra H., a salesman in Philadelphia.
Aaron G. Spannuth was born October 10, 1852, in Jackson township, and grew up on the farm and around the store, attending the public schools. Until he succeeded to the business, he assisted his father in the store which he now ably conducts, and has been long one of Jackson township's active and leading citizens. For six years he has served as school director and uses his influence to advance the cause of education. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican and usually is very active in campaign work.
In 1885 Mr. Spannuth was married to Miss Kate A. Kelchner, and the four children born to this union are: Harry P., Dora E., George J. and Jacob G., the latter being twins, born May 15, 1900. The religious connection of this family is with the Lutheran Church of Myerstown, where Mr. Spannuth has served as trustee, deacon and elder. Mr. Spannuth is highly esteemed in his community and has a wide circle of friends.
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BRECHT, M. D. One of the prominent and leading citizens of Bismarck. Cornwall township, as well as a physician and surgeon of unusual ability, is Dr. Brecht, who is so well and favorably known all over Lebanon county.
Dr. Brecht was born August 28, 1859. in McSherrystown, Adams Co., Pa., a son of Samuel S. and Mary Ann (Baker) Brecht, natives of Berks
560
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
and Lancaster counties. This is one of the old families of the Keystone State, and one which has been remarkably represented in the medical profession. The grandfather of Dr. Brecht was the noted Dr. Samuel Brecht, who for so many years stood at the head of the profession; he was born in Lebanon county and in early life learned a trade, but when but twenty-two years of age, followed a natural inclination and turned his attention to medicine. He was one of the early graduates at the old Pennsylvania College of Medicine, and went to Ohio to begin his practice. Later he returned to his native State, settled at McSherrystown, but later moved to Oregon, in Lancaster county, and there died at the age of seventy years. Dr. Brecht was a man of pro- gressive ideas and was well informed on all general topics and a thoroughly qualified physician and surgeon. He married Polly Smith, and they reared several daughters, the only son being Samuel S.
Samuel S. Brecht was born in 1831 and studied medicine with his father, graduating from the University at Philadelphia. Dr. Brecht is now a leading physician of Lancaster county and resides at Manheim. His mar- riage was to Mary Ann Baker, and the three children born to this union were : Milton J., who is well known to the public as the Lancaster county superintendent of schools; Samuel A .; and Morris W., who was a druggist in New York City, where he died at about the age of thirty-four years. Dr. Samuel has long been a member of the Lutheran Church.
Dr. Samuel Augustus Brecht, the second of his father's able sons, was brought to Lancaster county in infancy and was reared there, attending the public schools and later taking a course in the Millersville Normal school. Inheriting taste and ability for the medical profession, he was carefully trained under his very competent father, and entered the Medical University of New York City, in 1881, graduating in 1884. Dr. Brecht then took a post- graduate course in hydropathy and microscopy, and for four months prac- ticed with his father. Then he located in Bismarck, Lebanon county, and has built up a lucrative practice which extends all over the county. By nature, inheritance and study, Dr. Brecht is a physician, and his skill and thorough- ness are supplemented with a knowledge of modern methods and discoveries. He belongs to the various medical societies and contributes frequently to their literature.
On May 26, 1885, Dr. Brecht was married to Miss Alice Anna Bowman, daughter of Cyrus E. Bowman, of Bismarck. She is a consistent member of the Reformed Church, where Dr. Brecht is an attendant when not engaged in professional duty. Both Dr. and Mrs. Brecht are prominent in social life, and are very much esteemed in Bismarck.
----- ! 1 1
i
1
:
1
i ! i
-
------------------ i 1 i 1 1 i
-------- -- -- f 1
-
561
!
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
CHRISTIAN G. BEHM, one of the well-known citizens of Annville, was born on a farm in South Annville township, Lebanon county, two miles south of the village, February 27, 1856, son of Christian and Fanny (Ging- rich) Behm, both of whom were natives of Lebanon county. The father died in 1858, and the mother in 1899. The two sons born to these parents were: Rudolph, who is a prominent citizen of Palmyra; and Christian G., who is one of the substantial men of Annville township.
Mr. Behm was reared on the farm, and acquired his education in the public schools of South Annville township. After the death of his father, he remained with his mother on the farm until 1893. when he removed to Ann- ville, where he is an estimable citizen. His holdings of real estate are large and very valuable. much of his property being highly improved, and he also owns stocks and securities, his prosperity entitling him to a leading position among the solid men of Lebanon county. Mr. Behm is very highly esteemed in Annville, and has many warm personal friends.
ISAAC A. KALBACH, the son of Adam and Catharine (Althouse) Kalbach, of North Heidelberg township, Berks county, Pa., became a resi- dent of Lebanon in 1871, where, as an honorable and conservative citizen, he won the esteem of the community. He was a member of the First Re- formed Church of Lebanon : in politics, a stanch Democrat, and in business for twenty-five years, a member of the firm of H. Kalbach & Brothers. Mr. Kalbach's first wife was Mary. the daughter of Peter Umbenhauer, of Penn township, Berks county, Pa. His second wife was Sarah, the daughter of Jacob Staudt, of North Heidelberg township, Berks county, Pa. Mr. Kal- bach died September 16, 1893. His surviving children are: Mrs. Kate (Kalbach) Euston, Sarah R. Kalbach, Mrs. Howard C. Shirk, Thomas E. Kalbach, of Lebanon, and Mrs. Hiester Bucher, of Reading, Pennsylvania.
THOMAS J. SCHAEFFER. deceased. Among the representative business men who played an important part in the commercial development of Schaefferstown. Pa., Thomas J. Schaeffer occupied a leading position, not only by reason of the fact that the city took its name from his ancestors, but also on account of his personal activity and acumen, which readily made him a figure of prominence for many years. He was born August 14, 1857, a son of the late Dr. Samuel Schaeffer and his wife, Elizabeth ( Witmyer), and his death occurred September 8, 1899.
Dr. Schaeffer was a son of Henry Schaeffer, a direct descendant of old Alexander Schaeffer, who built the first log hut in Schaefferstown, and for
36
562
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
whom the city is named. Dr. Samuel Schaeffer had four children : Thomas J .; Charles, of Indiana ; John, of Lebanon city, a tailor by trade; and Lizzie S., who married John Mock, of Schaefferstown. The early life of Dr. Schaeffer was spent in Lancaster county, Pa., whence he removed to Leba- non county, settling in Schaefferstown, where he died, leaving behind him an honored name and the record of a useful and upright life.
Thomas J. Schaeffer was reared in the place of his birth, where he received his education in the public schools. After his father's death, while still a young man, he went to Plymouth, Ind., where he worked in a drug store, and also followed the printer's trade. After some time spent in Indiana, he returned to Schaefferstown and taught school. After several years spent in this way, he learned the trade of cigar maker under John Backenstose, of Schaefferstown, and after following it for a time, in 1886, he started his own factory, and continued it until his death in 1899, at which time he had one of the largest establishments of its kind in the city, he giving employment to fifty men. His product met with a ready sale, and his busi- ness was in a very flourishing condition.
Thomas J. Schaeffer was married to Miss Emma S. Backenstose, a daughter of his former employer, in 1882, and one son. Harry B., was born to this union. The latter is a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, and is a very promising young man and a general favorite. Mrs. Schaeffer's mother was Susan Ream, a member of a good Lebanon county family, and she was one of a family of seven children: Annie married Harrison Eberley, of Womelsdorf. Berks Co., Pa .; Hiram and Henry are deceased ; Jonathan is a cigar manufacturer of Schaefferstown: Mary A. and Caroline are deceased: and Mrs. Schaeffer. The grandfather. John Backenstose, was also a native of Schaefferstown, and the family is an old one in this com- munity. Mr. Schaeffer was a stanch Republican, and took a deep interest in public affairs, although he would not accept office. During his life he proved himself worthy of the high esteem in which he was held, and in his death the locality lost one of its representative men. Mrs. Schaeffer is a lady of exceptional qualities, beloved by her friends and neighbors, and one upon whom full reliance may always be placed.
JACOB S. HORST. one of the well-known men of South Lebanon township. Lebanon county, was born near Schaefferstown, August 19. 1842. a son of Peter and Anna ( Schaeffer) Horst, prominent people of this locality.
Jacob S. Horst was reared in South Lebanon township, where he re- mained working upon a farm and attending the public schools of his district.
1
1 i
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 563
When he married, he located in Heidelberg township, near Reistville, engag- ing in farming, but after a short stay, returned to the home farm, where he resides to-day, near Horst's Mill, six miles southeast of Lebanon City. This farm is a fine property of ninety-eight acres, on which are good improvements. the buildings having been erected in 1842 by Henry Thomas. Here Mr. Horst has followed farming, meeting with marked success.
On May 16, 1872, Mr. Horst was married to Sarah Brubaker, daughter of Isaac and Eliza ( Bucher ) Brubaker, the latter of whom was the daugh- ter of Benedict Bucher, while Isaac Brubaker was the son of Christian Brubaker. Mrs. Horst was born in South Lebanon township, September 9,4 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Horst have one child, Alice Elizabeth, wife of Christian Allen Krall, of South Lebanon township, a farmer, and they have two children, Alice Elizabeth and Benjamin. Mr. Horst is one of the public- spirited men of South Lebanon township, and he has served very acceptably as school director. In religious faith he is a member of the Mennonite Church, while his wife is a member of the German Baptist Brethren Church. Mr. Horst is highly respected in the community in which he resides, and he is justly regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of Lebanon county.
JOHN G. ZIMMERMAN. The police department of Lebanon is presided over by a gentleman whose high character for bravery and fidelity to duty has long been recognized, and who unites many sterling qualities of citizenship. John G. Zimmerman is a native of Lebanon county, born No- vember 2, 1866, at Jonestown, and is a son of George G. Zimmerman, who was born April 14, 1832, in East Hanover township, Lebanon county. Grandfather Zimmerman was also a native of this county.
George G. Zimmerman was for a number of years in the employ of the Reading Railroad Company, and was a valued assistant in the building of the Pine Grove & Tremont branch of the Philadelphia & Reading road, and subsequently foreman of one of the construction gangs on that road. In his later years he was elected clerk of the Orphans' court of Lebanon county. in which office he served acceptably for, a period of three years. Retiring from active life, he died in Lebanon May 19, 1896. He was a man of strong friendships and united many noble traits of character. In religious affiliations he was a member of the old Zion's Lutheran Church of Jonestown. During the Civil war he served in the Pennsylvania Volunteers from Septem- ber 2, 1863. to May 31. 1865.
On December 10, 1854. Mr. Zimmerman was married, in Lebanon county, to Louisa Backenstoes, who was born in East Hanover, September
564
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
25, 1835, and they had a large family of children, the first two born in East Hanover, the others at Jonestown, viz .: Marion Jacob, born November 13, 1855; Ellen E., August 14, 1857 (died at Jonestown, February 2, 1859) ; Alice Lydia, January 25, 1859; Mary A., March 21, 1861 (died at Jones- town October 12, 1863) ; Elmer E., November 7, 1862; George Grant, December 21, 1864; John G., November 2, 1866; Amos C., August 4, 1868; William S., November 24, 1869; Maggie L., April 4, 1871; Maria M., De- cember 14, 1872; Sarah A., August 16, 1874; Amanda M., December 16, 1875; Martha E., October 5, 1878.
Chief Zimmerman passed the period of his boyhood and youth in attend- ance on the public schools of Jonestown. At fifteen he came to Lebanon and entered the grocery store of E. M. Woomer, with whom he remained for a period of six years. He then changed his occupation to that of an operator in the iron mills until he was appointed a policeman by Mayor John A. Weymer. In this position he served with such acceptance as a patrolman that he was promoted to that of house sergeant, and served as such until October, 1900. In that year he received the appointment of chief from the hands of Mayor C. G. Gerhart. Mr. Zimmerman is a wide-awake, alert officer, and the enforcement of law in the city of Lebanon under his hand is being carried out with great satisfaction to the citizens in general. Mr. Zimmerman is a popular member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and in religion is an adherent of the Trinity United Brethren Church.
On February 3. 1886, Mr. Zimmerman married Miss Abbie Nora Glick, who was born at Mount Zion November 6, 1868, and they have had four children, born in Lebanon, as follows: Carrie May, August 6, 1887: Agnes Louisa, March 15. 1889; John Delbert, December 23. 1896; Charles, April 23, 1898.
DAWSON L. LIGHT, one of the representative citizens of North Lebanon township, Lebanon county, was born October 3, 1862, in Swatara township. a son of Martin and Susannah (Stickbeck) Light.
Martin Light was born about 1820, and died in 1882, aged sixty-two years, while his wife is still living, aged eighty years. Martin was the son of John and Catherine (Funk) Light, and was born and reared on the farm now occupied by Dawson L. Light, two miles northeast of Lebanon City, in North Lebanon township. Here on the old Light homestead, the father, Martin, died. By trade he was a miller, and followed it nearly all his life. In religious affiliations he was a member of the Reformed Church. He and his wife had the following children : Eliza, wife of Jacob Hauck; Mary, wife-
---------
-- - -- -
565
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
of Adam L. Krieder; Dawson L .; Grant, a resident of DeKalb county, Ill .; Maggie, deceased.
Dawson L. Light was reared on the family homestead, and was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. When twenty years of age he took charge of the homestead, and has made farming his life occupation, now owning seventy acres of excellent land, well improved. Mr. Light is one of the progressive men of the county, active in the work of the Republican party, and has served acceptably as township auditor for nine years, and is now in his second term as school director, while for a number of years he has been a member of the Republican County Central Committee.
On February 18, 1882, Mr. Light was married to Alice M. Sholly, who was born April 14, 1862, a daughter of Henry J. and Elizabeth ( Kreider) Sholly. These children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Light: Henry ; Frank ; Martin ; Nora; George and Elizabeth. The family are all members of the Reformed Church. By his energy, enterprise and public spirit, Mr. Light has won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, both in his public and private life, and the honors which have been bestowed upon him in the past are but a pleasant augury of the future.
BENJAMIN F. PATSCHKE, general manager of the Lebanon Grani- tine Wall Plaster Company, was born in that city August 10, 1861, a son of George and Mary Patschke, and brother of William Patschke, a brick manu- facturer of Lebanon.
George Patschke was born in Baden, Germany, in 1815, and died in Lebanon in 1890. He was a prominent member of the community of Lebanon, where, after emigrating from Germany in 1852, he engaged for many years in the rope manufacturing business. Twice married, his first union resulted in five children, and his second in twelve-seventeen in all. Of the first children, William only survives; and of those born to the second marriage, ten are still living ; John F .; Julius: Levi; Amelia, the wife of A. C. Craw- ford, a merchant of Lebanon; Earhart; Benjamin F .; Wesley; Sarah : Anna ; and Luther.
The youth of Benjamin F. Patschke was practically uneventful, but his father's success permitted of fair advantages of which he was not slow to avail himself. When grown to manhood he engaged in the mercantile. busi- ness in Lebanon, and was thus employed for about nine years, when he embarked in the lime and paving business, continuing for twelve years. In 1894 he organized the Granitine Wall Plaster, Company, and has since been its superintendent and manager. He is identified with various social and
566
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
business organizations of Lebanon, including the Sons of America and the Modern Woodmen. Although a Republican from a political standpoint, he is exceedingly liberal as regards office holders, and considers their fitness over and above party lines. He is a member of the Seventh Street Lutheran Church and has served in the capacity of deacon and trustee for many years. Education has no stancher friend, and his work for the past eight years as a member of the school board has been prolific of many changes of an advan- tageous nature.
The pleasant home of Mr. Patschke is presided over by his wife, who was formerly Miss Rebecca Beaver, of Annville. Pa., and to whom he was married December 13, 1884. Mrs. Patschke is a daughter of William and Rebecca (Ulrich ) Beaver, who are the parents of a large family. the others .
being : John ; Samuel : George: Frank; Sallie: Annie, the wife of Sylvester Badenheim; and Lavinia. To Mr. and Mrs. Patschke has been born one daughter, Violet E. Mr. Patschke is honored and respected for his fine personal characteristics, his public-spiritedness, and his superior business ability.
PHILIP B. FERNSLER. a leading veterinarian of Lebanon, Pa., is one of the honorable citizens of that city. He was born in South Lebanon township. Lebanon county, June 7. 1849, a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Bomberger) Fernsler. His father was a farmer, and was the son of Fred- erick Fernsler, who was born in 1765, and died in 1842; he was a saddler by trade and later a farmer. He was a native of Lebanon county and a son of Philip Fernsler, who was born in 1734, and died in 1808. He was the son of John Philip Fernsler, who was born in Wurtemberg. Germany. in 1704. and came to America in 1728. He was the son of Frederick and Barbara Fern- sler, natives of Germany, and supposed to have been among the first settlers of this part of Pennsylvania.
Philip Fernsler, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1809, and died in 1870: had ten children, six of whom grew to maturity : Maria, the wife of Samuel Riegert, is deceased; Malinda is the widow of John F. Bomberger: Eliza is the wife of Benjamin Krall: Catherine is the widow of Peter Phillippy. all of Lebanon county : Adam is a farmer, residing on the old homestead; and Philip B., of Lebanon.
Philip B. Fernsler was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools, Lebanon high school, and the Lebanon Valley College. at Annville, Pa. He tanght school in his native township for three years. Graduating at the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1874. he
-- - ------ --
- --
567
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
returned to Lebanon and took up his profession. in which he is still engaged, and throughout his career has met with eminent success.
On January 5, 1878, Philip B. Fernsler married Miss Emma S. Uhrich, a daughter of George and Susanna (Shindel) Uhrich, of Lebanon county, born September 13, 1856. They have one son. Dr. Frank U., a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, and of the Veterinary Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and now a practicing veterinarian at Lebanon.
Dr. Fernsler is a consistent member of Salem Lutheran Church of Lebanon. He is a director in the Homestead Building and Loan Association. In the family of George and Susanna Uhrich were twelve children, eight of whom are living, namely: John H., of Lebanon; George V .; Jemima : William E., of Myerstown: Samuel S., of Lebanon: Philip A., of Millers- ville, Pa .: Emma S., the wife of our subject ; and Catharine A., the wife of John Pearson, of Myerstown, Pennsylvania.
Both the Fernsler and Uhrich families are among the old, honorable, honest and thrifty families of Lebanon county.
JACOB LANDIS, one of Palmyra's most prominent citizens, and head of the Landis Shoe Manufacturing Company, was born in Derry township. Dauphin Co., Pa., August 19, 1842. a son of John and Susan ( Kreider) Landis, natives of Dauphin county and North Cornwall township, Lebanon county, respectively, and John was a son of Henry Landis, a native of Dauphin county, who married a Miss Light. The children born to John and Susan Landis were as follows: Mary, married to Hiram Landis: John K., married to Elizabeth Keim; Jacob: Joseph; and Susan, married to Abra- ham Shenk.
Jacob Landis was reared upon a farm in Dauphin county, and late in the sixties embarked in a butchering business in his native county, continuing in this line very successfully for about ten years, when he engaged in buying and selling cattle. This occupation called him all over the country, to Pitts- burg. Buffalo, and many other large cities. In 1882 Mr. Landis located in Palmyra, and engaged in a grain and warehouse business with his son, Morris D .. continuing in this line for ten years, during a portion of which time he was also employed in his old calling of butchering. Mr. Landis was one of the original stockholders of the first shoe manufacturing establishment in Palmyra, organized in 1886, as the Palmyra Boot & Shoe Factory, and the second largest holder of stock. The enterprise proved a failure, and he lost his investment. This plant was operated by several parties, always proving unremunerative, until 1895. when Mr. Landis, undaunted by the failure of
568
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
others, purchased the business and began conducting it under the title of the J. Landis' Sons Shoe Company, his two sons, Morris D. and David U., being associated with him. When they assumed charge the output was between fifty and one hundred pairs of shoes daily, and employment was given to twenty-five people. Under the new management, the business was gradually increased until the present output is 500 pairs per day, with a capacity of 1,000, and ninety people are employed. The company manufacture ladies'. misses', children's, boys', youths' and little gents' shoes-welts, Mckays and Oxfords. Their market extends throughout Pennsylvania and the West and South. The factory is a very large one, the building being four stories in height, and covers a floor space of 14.720 square feet.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.