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 63
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In addition to his other interests. Mr. Landis purchased what was known as the Martin Early farm, on the east of Palmyra, and platted it. Later his subdivision was included in the city. and now comprises the finest and most desirable residence portion of Palmyra. This enterprise not only benefited the town, but Mr. Landis himself profited by his enterprise and farsightedness. In addition to other property, Mr. Landis owns two farms, one of 175 acres and the other of 124 acres, situated just west of Palmyra, in Dauphin county, and half a dozen residences in Palmyra. He is a director in the Palmyra Bank, and has continued in that position since its organization, and is most deservedly considered as one of the city's most enterprising and substantial, as well as public-spirited, men.
Jacob Landis was married to Lucetta Ulrich, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Miller) Ulrich, born June 10. 1840. on a farm near Palmyra, through which property passes the Lebanon and Dauphin county line. The children born of this union were: Lizzie, who married C. F. Zimmerman. postmaster of Palmyra: Morris D., who married Nellie Weltmer : David U .. who married Mary A., daughter of George B. Brunner.
JOHN H. LOUSER, one of the well known and prominent members of the Lebanon Bar, was born in Lebanon, and is a son of the late William Louser.
The first of this family to come to Lebanon county was John Louser. the great-grandfather of John H., born in 1762, died in 1813. He married Christina Miller, who was born in 1765, and died in 1813. and both are buried at Schaefferstown. Among their children was a son named Jacob. born in 1791 and died in 1867. who became the grandfather of John H. His wife, Mary McConnell, was born in 1791, and died in 1867. They had the following children : George: Jacob, who never married; Henry: John. who
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never married; William, father of John H .; Susan, who married Jacob C. Hauer, now deceased; Rebecca, who married Adam Rise, of Lebanon; Mar- garet, who married Edward Gebhart; and Catherine, unmarried, who is the only one of the family yet living.
Jacob Louser, the grandfather, established the family in Lebanon, and in 1852, in company with his brother, Michael, founded the general mer- cantile store on the corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets, to which business his five sons succeeded, under the firm name of J. Louser & Bros. This house is still in existence, being conducted under the same style by two of the founder's grandsons.
William Louser, father of John H., was born in Lebanon in 1833, and died December 4, 1900. His education was obtained in the public schools, and after finishing his school days he became a clerk in his father's store. Later he became a partner in the business, and still later was one of the five sons who formed the firm. Being a business man, he gave his time to his house to the exclusion of politics or kindred matters, and was a director in the Lebanon National Bank, and he erected four fine brick residences on South Ninth street, near Chestnut, and also a handsome business block. In addition to these interests he owned a fine farm in North Cornwall township.
William Louser married Emma Shugar (daughter of the late Baltzer Shugar), who was born in Lebanon and died in 1879. Children as follows were born to this union : Susan S. married Prof. David T. Werner, of Avon. this county, now engaged in the Lebanon high school, and has two children, William L. and Sarah: John H. is mentioned below : Edward T. died in 1892. while a student at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., and in memory of him his father gave a thousand-dollar scholarship to the college. William Louser married for his second wife, Susan Thomas, who died leaving no children, and his third wife was Mrs. Rebecca Meyer, of Annville, a widow, who survives him. There were no children by this union.
John H. Louser graduated from the Lebanon high school in 1892; later attended Muhlenberg College one year, and then entered Princeton University (N. J.), where he was graduated in the class of 1896. after which he entered upon the study of law in the office of ex-Judge Frank E. Meily, of Lebanon. He was admitted to the Lebanon County Bar in 1898, to practice in the Superior Court in 1899, and the Supreme Court in 1902.
Mr. Louser is a member of the Steitz Club, the leading social club of Lebanon, of the B. P. O. E., and of the Lebanon Athletic Association, of which he was president in 1896. being a warm friend of athletics. Few young attorneys have a brighter future than has Mr. Louser, who has already
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firmly established himself in the confidence of the people of Lebanon, and socially he is very popular. Possessing. in marked degree, the keen judg- ment and foresight necessary to success in his profession, Mr. Louser is also an eloquent speaker, presenting his case logically and clearly, and all of his work shows careful, conscientious study and exhaustive research. He is a member of the board of directors of the Lebanon National Bank. In religion he affiliates with the Salem Lutheran Church.
LEVI STINER. Among the residents of Myerstown are a number of substantial, retired farmers, who, although still comparatively young men, have accumulated large means through years of self-denial and hard work. and have decided to spend their declining days in the social environment of village life, within reach of old friends and near to the old church in which they have so long worshipped. None among this number is more highly esteemed by all who know him than is Levi Stiner, who with his estimable wife resides in his comfortable home on Railroad street.
Mr. Stiner comes of good old stock, his ancestors bringing from Ger- many their habits of thrift and industry which have resulted in so many of their descendants becoming men of means and property. The birth of Mr. Stiner took place July 29. 1830. in Jackson township : he is a son of Christian and Anna (Focht) Stiner, who were among the honorable residents of the township during long and useful lives. Christian Stiner was a son of Michael, who was an old settler in Jackson township, a farmer and son of German parents. The seven children born to Michael Stiner were: John, Christian, Jonathan, Polly, Rebecca. Elizabeth and Sarah. The four children born to Christian were: Levi, Aaron, Michael and Susan, all of these having passed away except Levi. Christian Stiner was ever a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, was a good farmer, and a man of honor and integrity.
Levi Stiner was reared in Jackson township, and was early taught to be honest, frugal and industrious. His inclinations made him a farmer as his forefathers had been, and from a very small beginning he accumulated until now he is one of the substantial men of his township, owning in addi- tion to his farm of 100 acres, a comfortable home in Myerstown, where he has lived in retirement for several years.
On August 25. 1851, Mr. Stiner was united in marriage to Rebecca Loose, one of nine children born to John and Magdalena (Fisher) Loose, the former of whom was born in 1795 in Berks county, and died in 1861. The Loose family have been ranked with the most thrifty and prominent of both Berks and Lebanon counties for the past 150 years. About 1822 John
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Loose came to Myerstown and established what was known as the old Loose tannery. The father of John Loose was George Loose, who had children as follows: Conrad. Gabriel, William, John, Benjamin, Jonathan, Joseph and Sarah, all of whom have passed away. The children of John and Mag- dalena Loose were: John: Henry: Thomas; Adam, a shoe merchant of Myerstown ; Mary, the wife of Augustus Behney ; Catherine, the wife of Sam- uel Kauffman : Sarah, the wife of Adam C. Klopp; Polly, the wife of Thomas Deffenbaugh ; and Rebecca, who is still spared to her husband, Mr. Stiner. after fifty-two years of happy wedded life. But three members of this large family still survive, Adam, Polly and Rebecca. A family of four children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Stiner, three of these growing to maturity, namely : George H., a prominent farmer of North Jackson township; Jonathan L .. also a farmer ; and Maggie, the wife of Maurice Hook, a farmer of North Jackson township.
Mr. Stiner has always been identified with the Republican party. He is an intelligent and reliable citizen. has for six years served the township as school director, and exerted his influence for the advancement of edu- cational facilities. Mrs. Stiner was reared in the Reformed Church, but all the Stiners have been connected with the Lutheran Church. As the result of a temperate, industrious and estimable life, Mr. Stiner may be an example to others who are starting out on their careers, for he has won not only large means but a high position in the regard of all who know him.
EDWIN BELL MARSHALL. M. D., one of the leading physicians of Annville, who is also prison physician for Lebanon county, is a native of this town, born here January 18. 1853, and comes of a family of physicians, his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, having been noted in the profes- sion, practicing at Annville.
Joseph B. Marshall, M. D., the father of Dr. Edwin B., was born in 1826, in Annville, read medicine with his father, graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1850, and practiced in Annville until his death in 1859. The grandfather was Dr. John K. Mar- shall, who gained his preparatory medical education with his father, grad- uated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1820, and was the leading physician in Annville until his death in 1849. The great-grandfather of the present Dr. Marshall was Dr. David B. Marshall, who was born in Berks county. Pa .. and located in Annville about 1780, and there practiced medicine until his death. His old residence, on Main street. in the center of the town, still stands and is occupied. Both of his two sons
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became physicians, Dr. Jacob removing to Reading, Pa., where he practiced for many years and became the father of John and Philip Marshall, both physicians, and the grandfather of Dr. John Marshall, who occupies the chair of Chemistry and is dean of the faculty of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. John K. Marshall, grandfather of Dr. Ed- win Marshall, married Elizabeth Belim, who was born in Annville, and they had four sons and three daughters. The eldest son. David B., graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1844, and was, for years, the leading physician of the city of Lebanon.
Dr. Joseph B. Marshall, the father of Dr. Edwin, married Elizabeth K. Read, who was born in Philadelphia, and who still survives, in her seventy- fifth year. Two children were born to this union, Dr. Edwin and brother, Restore Carter Marshall, who for twenty years has held a responsible position in the freight department of the Pennsylvania railroad at Philadelphia, be- ing chief clerk. Dr. Edwin B. Marshall was reared in Annville, and there attended the public schools, and later the schools in Philadelphia, whither the mother took her sons after the death of the father. Dr. Edwin passed through the high school in Philadelphia, and then spent two years at Lafayette Col- lege, going thence to the Medical Department of the University of Pennsyl- vania. In 1879 he began the practice of medicine, as physician for the Meilys, owners of Union Forge, Lebanon county, and in 1882, located in Annville, where he has since practiced in the lead of the medical profession. In 1899 he was appointed prison physician of the county, and is examining surgeon for the Equitable Life Insurance Company. Dr. Marshall belongs to the order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of America.
In 1880, Dr. Marshall was married to Margaret Ely, who was born in Lebanon, daughter of Hon. Anthony Ely, who served in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Marshall, namely: Elizabeth. Jessie R. and Edward.
WILLIAM H. SPAHN is an honored citizen of the city of Lebanon. He was born June 4, 1856, son of William and Elizabeth Spahn, of Lebanon county.
John Spahn, grandfather of William H., was one of the first wheel- wrights on the old Coleman estate many years ago. He and his wife Eliza- beth had the following children : William, the father of William H. : Eman- uel ; Charles : Henry; Susan ; Mariah : and Sarah. All are deceased, except Susan, who is living in Camden, New Jersey.
William Spahn, the father of William H., was born in Cornwall, Leb-
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anon county, November 7, 1822, and died July 3, 1881. He was married March 19, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Fernsler, who was a daughter of Fred- erick Fernsler, of South Lebanon township. They had four children : Louvina, died young; Mary Elizabeth, born May 17, 1846, is deceased ; John F., born October 14, 1847, died in Louisville, Ky., with cholera, while a soldier in the regular army; and William H., who is the youngest. The father was a stanch Democrat and a believer in the Protestant faith. He was a wheelwright by trade, and the owner of a large shop during the days of the construction of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad and Union canal. In later life he was a farmer and implement dealer.
William H. Spahn lived in Lebanon until 1876. He received his educa- tion in that city, and learned the carpenter's trade while a young man. In 1876 he went to Philadelphia, Pa., and took charge of a dining room for his uncle, Henry Spahn, remaining there about one year, during which time he acquired the knowledge of soapmaking. He returned to Lebanon August I, 1877. and started the manufacture of soap with a capital of $35. But he soon found out that he could not make a living at that business, so during the day he worked as a carpenter, and manufactured soap at night. He con- tinued thus for two years, when he added to his business hay and straw, making soap and buying and selling hay and straw for about ten years; he made considerable money in that line.
On December 23, 1880, Mr. Spahn married Miss Sally A. Phillips, of Reading, Pa., who was a daughter of John M. and Junnifer Phillips, na- tives of England. Their union was blessed with three children : Bessie Eliza- beth, who is quite an accomplished young lady of Lebanon; Harry W., of New York City and Paul P., of Lebanon. Mr. Spahn's first wife died Jan- uary 16, 1898, and he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Emma S. Leininger, the widow of James M. Leininger who conducted a grocery at the corner of Tenth and Lehman streets, in Lebanon, which Mrs. Spahn still owns. This marriage has been blessed with one son, Jolin E. Mrs. Leininger's daughter Jennie May, aged twelve, lives with them. Mr. Spahn is a Democrat, but generally independent in voting. Socially he is a member of the Sons of America, Camp No. 65. In religion he is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Spahn is a self-made man. He was reared in Lebanon, received his education in the public schools of that city and started out in life a poor boy. He now owns several houses and lots in Lebanon, and has established a profitable business, and he is a director in the Homestead Building & Loan Association of Lebanon, and a member of the Lebanon Valley Fair Associa- tion. He has acted as guardian for several children. Our subject and
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family are among the honorable citizens of Lebanon, and he is one of the well known business men of that city.
Mr. Spahn's first wife was a very devout member of the Lutheran Church, and was the organizer of the Sweet Brier Society, whose object is to help the sick of the church. Since her death the work has been continued under the supervision of her daughter Bessie Elizabeth, who is very devoted to the work.
HENRY PEIFFER, one of the prosperous and energetic citizens of Myerstown, Pa., and one of the city's public-spirited men, was born in Berks county, Pa., August 22, 1854, son of William and Margaret (Tice) Peiffer, of Berks county, the latter living retired in Marion township. He was the son of Henry Peiffer, a farmer and drover of Berks county, and the father of seven children : John: William; and five now deceased. William was born in Berks county. April 15, 1830, and his wife, Margaret Tice, whom he married in 1852, was born in 1832, and died January 9, 1888. The chil- dren born of their marriage were two in number: Andrew, who died when young ; and Henry. William Peiffer is a stanch Democrat, and always sup- ports the candidates of that party. In religious matters, he is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and is justly regarded as one of the leading men of his county, while his family is an old and honorable one in Berks.
Henry Peiffer was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the public schools and the Stouchsburg Academy of Berks county. At the age of nineteen, he left the farm and went to Mount Etna, where he clerked in the store of J. H. Bordner for three years, when he was married, and settled upon a farm, remaining there seven years. In 1880 he commenced to deal in mules and horses, and in 1888, located in Myerstown, and has since met with remarkable success, having bought and sold many carloads of fine Kentucky and western horses. Some years ago he purchased the celebrated Jacob Bahney Stables. In 1893, he erected a beautiful home, one of the finest in Myerstown. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Peiffer is proprietor of the well known Myerstown Sales Stables, and for some years has handled annually about $50,000 worth of horses and mules.
On September 25, 1875. Mr. Peiffer was married to Miss Mariah S. Wilhelm, daughter of Joseph and Levina (Winter) Wilhelm, members of old and highly esteemed Berks county families. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peiffer. Mrs. Peiffer is one of two children, her sister Amelia being the wife of Adamn Bahney. Joseph Wilhelm was born in Berks county in 1826, and died January 24, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Peiffer are con-
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sistent members of the Reformed Church of Horst. Berks county. Like his father before him, Mr. Peiffer is a stanch Democrat, and takes an active part in local affairs. The success which has attended Mr. Peiffer is the result of honorable methods intelligently directed, and persistent, hard work. Both he and his wife are very highly regarded in Myerstown, and are important factors in the social life of that community.
TOBIAS K. KREIDER. Few families in Lebanon county are better of more favorably known for good citizenship, reliability and honest industry than the Kreider family, to which belongs Tobias K. Kreider, one of the good farmers and successful dairymen of North Cornwall township.
Mr. Kreider was born December 14, 1842, on the old homestead in North Lebanon township, a son of Tobias and Maria ( Kreider) Kreider, and he secured his education in the common schools. Until the time of his own marriage he remained assisting his father, but then purchased a farm of 118 acres located four miles southwest of the city of Lebanon. This farm he operated for six years, selling it then and purchasing his present most desirable property. This is a farm of twenty-seven acres in extent. favorably located for his dairy business, being just south of the city. Mr. Kreider has found it profitable to cultivate well a small farm and to engage in the milk business, his route in Lebanon bringing very satisfactory returns, owing to his close attention and careful management.
In 1866 Mr. Kreider was married to Miss Celesa Kreider, daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Long) Kreider, a native of North Lebanon township. The five children born to this union are: Adam, unmarried and at home ; Calvin, a surveyor, who lives with his family in Lebanon ; Harry, a molder. living in Missouri; and Elmer and Eva M., at home. The religious connec- tion of the family is with the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Kreider is one of the trustees. He is one of the intelligent and public-spirited citizens of his township, and the family is reckoned among the most highly respected residents of this part of Lebanon county. The children have been given school advantages and are all worthy and estimable people.
EDWIN S. SWOPE, a well known citizen of Campbelltown, Lebanon Co., Pa., and manager of the Campbelltown Creamery Company, was born at Prescott. Jackson township. Lebanon county, May 1. 1867, a son of Peter and Sarah O. ( Spayd) Swope. The father was born at Avon, South Lebanon township, Lebanon county, May 12, 1847, and died September 24, 1867, aged twenty years, four months and twelve days. He was a son of
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Peter Swope, who resided on a farm near Avon. The mother was born at Prescott, Lebanon county, August 18, 1849, a daughter of Daniel K. Spayd, and died in 1881. Her mother was a daughter of Jacob Bomberger. Two sons were born to Peter and Sarah O. (Spayd) Swope: Clement (born January 13, 1866, died April 29, 1866) and Edwin S. The mother later married Samuel B. Kreider, of North Annville township, and Edwin S. was reared by his stepfather.
Edwin S. Swope attended the public schools, and began work in a creamery at Heilmandale when he was fifteen years of age. In the fall of 1885, he went to Kansas, intending to secure employment in a creamery. In the fall of 1889 he returned to Lebanon county, and spent a year with his parents. On October 1, 1891, he entered the employ of E. Dissinger, of Campbelltown, and a year later purchased the creamery, which he operated alone until 1899, when he sold it, and he has since managed the business for the owners, Eby & Moyer. He is an expert practical butter maker. one of the leading ones in Lebanon county. At the Dairymen's Union meeting held in York, Pa., December 4-5, 1901, he took first prize for butter made in Penn- sylvania. Mr. Swope is a member of the Dairymen's Union and the National Buttermakers' Association, and contributes articles to the New York Produce . and American Creamery, periodicals. The latter journal published his por- trait in a recent number, in connection with those of thirty-five other expert buttermakers of the United States.
Mr. Swope married Grace, daughter of Sheriff Coppenhaver, of Lebanon county, and their children are: Harry Coppenhaver, Daniel Coppenhaver, Charles Edwin and Emma Carolyn.
JOHN WENGERT. It is not always necessary to go to the ranks of college graduates and city-bred men to find successes in business life, for many who have climbed the ladder of fame and fortune, obtained their edu- cation in the district schools. In the successful business life of John Wen- gert may be found a notable proof of this fact. Born in East Hanover township, Lebanon Co., Pa., September II, 1841. he had but little chance to develop his mind, but unlimited opportunity to develop his muscles. His father and grandfather before him had been agriculturists. and his father decided that John should follow in their footsteps. At sixteen years of age, he commenced on his own account as a farm laborer in the employ of his brother Samuel. Two years later. when but eighteen, he became manager of the home farm, in partnership with his brother Henry. their unmarried sister Mary acting as housekeeper. After two years more on the home farm,
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he decided to branch out for himself, and rented the farm now owned by the estate of his brother Amos, with his sister Fanny as housekeeper, and for three years he continued successfully. On September 13, 1863, he mar- ried Susanna Schneader, daughter of Isaiah Schneader. The children born to this union were: William Albert, who married Susanna Ulrich, and had two children, Esther, and one who died in infancy; Lizzie Elenora, who married Sherman Albert, and has three children, John Walter, Clarence and Catherine. After thirty-three years of happy wedded life, Mrs. Wengert died in November, 1896, and her remains rest in Mt. Nebo cemetery.
On December 3, 1897, Mr. Wengert was married to Emma L. Shelby, daughter of Jolin and Elizabeth Shelby, born December 2, 1869. To this marriage came one child, Alice Sarah, now deceased.
Mr. Wengert has followed farming many years and has made his life work a success. His pleasant home is located one mile west of the borough of Jonestown, and was bought by him in 1882. He owns 200 acres of highly cultivated land in East Hanover and Union townships, and the "Race Horse Hotel." For some time he has been dealing in phosphates and farm imple- ments, and has met with success in these, as in other lines, for the same honorable business methods which brought satisfactory results before, are still pursued. On his 200 acres he has four sets of farm buildings, all kept in the excellent condition characteristic of Lebanon county farms. Mr. Wen- gert is a member of the Evangelical Church, and for many years has been one of its leading supporters. His political faith makes him a stanch Repub- lican, and he has cast his vote for every Republican nominee for President since Abraham Lincoln, but is not an office seeker and does not desire politi- cal preferment.
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