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 64
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But little is known of the ancestors of John Wengert, except that they came from Germany many years ago and settled on the farm now owned by Christian Wengert, which was purchased from the government, accord- ing to the statement of grandfather Martin Wengert, and which has never been out of the family since its purchase. Martin Wengert lived and died on this farm, on which he had been born, and his children were: Martin. Mary and Jacob. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and died in that faith. His daughter Mary married Joseph Light, and had a family of five children, and Jacob. the third of the family of Martin, remained unmarried to the time of his death, which occurred on the home farm. Mar- tin, the oldest, and second of the name, was the father of our subject. His birth occurred on the home farm, of which he afterward became the owner. He married Nancy Herr, and they lived together on a farm nearly half a 37
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century, and then moved to the farm now owned by the estate of their son Amos, and there died, both in the faith of the Evangelical Church. He was a stanch Republican, and reared his sons in that faith. His family was as follows: John, deceased; Mary, deceased; Samuel; Henry, deceased ; Sarah; John; Fanny; Nancy; Christian; Elizabeth; Abraham; Amos, de- ceased; and Amanda. Martin Wengert and his wife are interred in Mt. Nebo cemetery, near . Avon, Lebanon county.
EDWARD GEBHARD, who died April 12, 1899. at the age of eighty- three years, was both an honorable and pioneer citizen of Lebanon. He was a hatter by trade, but for thirty-five years was one of the leading butch- ers of Lebanon. He was born in Lebanon county November 15. 1815, and was the son of George Gebhard, who was a farmer and one of the early settlers of the county.
Edward Gebhard was raised in Lebanon, received his education in the common schools, and after learning the trade of a hatter remained in that business until 1852. From that time until 1885. when he retired. he was a butcher. In 1837 he married Mary Louser. of Lebanon city. They had eleven children : Miss Maria, who is living in Lebanon: Susan, the wife of John Embick, of Lebanon; Sarah. the wife of Solomon Stine, of Lebanon ; Eliza. the wife of Otimus Wilhelm, of Wilmington, Del .: Edward G., de- ceased : Henry L .: Emma, the wife of Henry Fortna, of Lebanon : Kather- ine, the wife of William Swope, of Lebanon : the others died young.
Mr. Gebhard was a stanch Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He was strictly a self-made man, starting out in life a poor boy, but by hard work and economy he had accumulated at the time of his death considerable wealth. He owned quite a number of good houses and lots. He wa's a man whole-hearted, a splendid and leading citizen, a kind husband and a loving father. His wife died ten years before he did, and his eldest daughter, Maria R., lived with him until his death. She resides in her cosy home at No. 5161/2 Chestnut street.
JACOB SMITH, one of the revered and honored citizens and retired farmers of Myerstown, Pa., was born in South Lebanon township, Novein- ber 10. 1835. a son of Peter and Margaret (Thomas) Smith. deceased, natives of Lebanon county. Peter Smith, a farmer, born in 1810, died about 1874. During a long and useful life, he was a stanch Democrat, and always lived honorably and industriously. About 1830. he was married to Mar- garet Thomas, and they had nine children: Ephraim, a farmer of South
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Jackson township; Rosa, who married Philip Weitmer, now deceased; Henry, deceased; Jacob; Aaron, a farmer of Jackson township; Cyrus, a carpenter of Heidelberg township; Solomon, of Cornwall township; John, of Heidel- berg township: and Phronia, who married Isaac Phillips, a drover.
Jacob Smith was reared on the home farm, and educated in the common schools, remaining with his parents until twenty years of age, when he removed to Heidelberg township, and later to Jackson township, owning a fine farm of 103 acres, in the latter, located one mile south of Myerstown. The place is in a fine state of cultivation, supplied with an excellent house, barn and other buildings, and he also owns a pleasant home in Myerstown, where he now makes his place of residence. On November 3. 1866, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Caroline Krause, of Jackson township, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah (Binkley) Krause, of Lebanon county. The Bink- ley family is well and favorably known in Lancaster county. Mrs. Smith was born November 4. 1838, and died September 9. 1902, having been one of a family of eight children. all of whom are now deceased except Samuel Krause, of Myerstown, and Pollie, wife of Michael Moore, of Myerstown. Pa. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Alfred, in the creamery business in Jackson township: Jacob, of Myerstown: Maggie. wife of Ira Uhrich; Elizabeth, wife of H. M. Muth; George, of Jackson township; Harvey, a farmer on the old home farm; John, out West; and Pollie, wife of Jonathan Layser, of Jackson township.
In politics Mr. Smith has always been a stanch Democrat, and while supporting the principles of his party upon all occasions, he has never aspired to office. He is a consistent member of the Schaefferstown Reformed Church, as was his most excellent wife, who died peacefully in that faith. During his long and useful life, Mr. Smith has made and retained many friends, and his good deeds, many of which are not known of the world. serve to endear him to the people of his community.
DAVID LIGHT, one of the old and highly respected citizens of Leb- anon, was born December 12. 1836. in North Lebanon township, and comes of honorable old Lebanon county stock. his paternal line going as far back as his great-grandfather. John Light, and on the maternal side to Christian Knoll, who was a well-known farmer of North Annville township.
The parents of Mr. Light were David and Maria (Knoll) Light. the former of whom was a son of Martin Light. and was born in 1804. in South Annville township. The mother was born in North Annville township. in 1803. and died in 1888, surviving her husband fifteen years. The children
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born to David and Maria (Knoll) Light were as follows: Levi, who resides in New Jersey; Israel, Lydia, Aseph and Annie, deceased; David, who is a resident of Lebanon; Cyrus, deceased; and Maria, who is the wife of Will- iam Bomberger, of Maryland.
David Light, of Lebanon, was reared on his father's farm, where he continued to reside, attending school and assisting in agricultural work, until he was eighteen years of age. His tastes, however, were in another direc- tion, and he soon after attaining his eighteenth year, went to Lebanon and entered upon an apprenticeship to the coach-making trade. His three years were almost completed, when, in the fall of 1862, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company H., Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, with which noted regiment he served until the close of the war. His bat- tery did valiant service at the battle of Gettysburg, and Mr. Light was one of the fortunate survivors of that day of carnage, when so many of his companions fell to rise no more. His honorable discharge was on July 16, 1865, and he returned to his home in Lebanon county.
Mr. Light resumed his former occupation of coach-making for a time and then went to car building for the Lebanon Manufacturing Company. For some years, in partnership with his brother, he carried on a coach-mak- ing business in this city, and has always been regarded as one of the success- ful and reliable business men of Lebanon. Mr. Light is a man of ample means, is a stockholder in the Farmers' Bank, and owns much valuable real estate in the Second and Fourth wards of the city.
In 1866 Mr. Light was married to Miss Annie Hunsicker, daughter of Jacob, and sister to John, Hunsicker, prominent citizens of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Light are members of the United Evangelical Church, and are among the most highly esteemed residents of the city of Lebanon.
DAVID B. BUCK. This worthy and representative citizen of the Sixth ward of Lebanon. a Republican whose genial qualities have added greatly to his popularity, is also a leading spirit in the business circles of the city. his location being at the corner of North Tenth and Church streets. on the site of the old Buck homestead.
Mr. Buck was born in Hanover township, Lebanon county, July 15. 1867. His father. Elias Buck, was born in the old homestead in East Hanover township in 1839, and died in 1888. He was the son of David Buck, who still survives, and is the oldest citizen now living in East Hanover township, having been born in the vicinity of Hoernerstown, Dauphin county, Pa., in about 1810. His father died when he was seven years old.
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He was in his youth a clerk in a store, and then learned the trade of a tanner from his guardian, David Cassel, one of the old tanners of Dauphin county. David Buck was married in his native county and then came to East Hanover township, where he established a tannery, which was in operation for many years. The building is known as the Buck tannery, and still stands, one of the oldest landmarks in the county. David Buck married Sarah Horst, who was born in the same locality as her husband, and died in 1856. To them the following children were born: Elias, who is deceased; Uriah, who resides in East Hanover township; Rebecca, deceased; Barbara, wife of Jacob Platt, of East Hanover township; Lucetta, wife of John G. Himmelbarger, of Ann- ville; and Emma, Mrs. Frank Himmelbarger, of Cleona.
Elias Buck succeeded his father in the tannery, and operated the same until his death, after which it was abandoned. He served as a musician in Company E. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment, P. V. I., during the Civil war. Elias Buck married Sarah A. Bomgardener, who was born in East Hanover township in 1842, daughter of Thomas Bomgardener, now deceased, who was a native of Lebanon county. The following children were born to this union : David B .; Emma A., wife of Charlie Crum, of Lebanon ; Sallie, Mrs. Mason J. Albert, of Lebanon : Irvin, of Annville; Harry, of Leb- anon ; Katie; and John, who is deceased.
David B. Buck was reared on the old Buck homestead. He worked in the tannery and attended the public school in his youth, remaining at home until 1890, when he came to Lebanon. Here for three years he was employed in the mills of E. Strickler's Sons, and in 1894 he engaged in the retail gro- cery business at his present stand, where he has since contintted. He is an active member of the Lebanon Board of Trade.
Mr. Buck has always taken an active part in local politics, and is a stanch Republican. He has served three full terms in the common council of Leb- anon, representing the Sixth ward, and was first elected in 1896. He served during the term of 1896-97 on the committee on Highways and the Special Water Committee; he was re-elected in 1898, and during the ensuing term served on the committee on Finance and Railways. Again being re-elected, he served during the term of 1900 on the committee on Finance and Law, and on the Ordinance committee. In a fraternal way Mr. Buck is affiliated with the Acme Lodge, No. 427, Knights of Pythias, is a prominent member of the Knights of Malta, and is one of the leading figures in the Sons of Vet- erans' organization.
Mr. Buck was married January 16, 1890, to Miss Lizzie Hess, a native of Grantsville. Dauphin Co., Pa., and daughter of Benjamin Hess, and they
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have had two children; Annie, born in 1891, and Lavina, born in 1899. Mr. Buck and his family are active and devout members of the Salem United Brethren Church. They are highly esteemed members of the social circles of Lebanon, and merit the respect in which they are universally held.
JOHN M. KRALL, a leading merchant and much esteemed citizen of Schaefferstown, was born June 27, 1851, a son of Cyrus M. and Susanna (Steinmetz) Krall, a grandson of John Krall, a great-grandson of Christian Krall (born in 1758), a great-great-grandson of Henry Krall ( born in 1735), who was a son of Mathias Krall, who was born in 1690. at Basle, Switzerland, and was the founder of the family in America. Mathias Krall landed at Philadelphia in the fall of 1720. Few can so clearly trace their ancestry as can Mr. Krall, and all along the line we find successful farmers and prosper- ous merchants, all of them honorable men of excellent repute.
John Krall, the grandfather, was born in 1799, and was one of the early merchants of Schaefferstown. His father was a Federalist, and John was one of the organizers of the Whig party in Lebanon county, taking the same interest as did his son Cyrus, years later, in his work for the Republican party. Cyrus M. Krall was born in 1823, and died in 1890. He became the leading merchant of the town, and was one of the founders and a director of the Valley National Bank of Lebanon. For eighty-four years the three gen- erations had conducted a general store in Schaefferstown. In the Reformed Church Cyrus Krall held all the various offices. He was noted for being a man who strictly upheld the laws, who assisted in public improvements, who educated his children and provided for their welfare and in every way per- formed his duty to the best of his ability. The Kralls have not been noted for their numerous descendants. The children of the great-grandfather were : John, Henry, Christian, Philip and Barbara. In the next generation, the chil- dren of John were: Cyrus M., Franklin M., John M., Winfield S., Mary, Catherine and Sarah. The children of Cyrus M. and Susanna (Steinmetz) Krall were: Clara M .: John M .: Annie D., wife of Theodore Gibson, of Richmond, Ky. ; Laura V., of Kentucky; and Charles S., of New York City.
Mrs. Susanna (Steinmetz) Krall was born November 27. 1827. and now resides with her daughter Mrs. Gibson. She was a daughter of John and Mary ( Withers) Steinmetz, who came from Ephrata township, Lancaster county. John and Mary Steinmetz had these children: Jeremiah; Rebecca, wife of Daniel Brendle: Katherine, wife of Henry Lesher, of Reamstown: Susanna : Rev. John W .. of Reading, pastor of the Third Reformed Church. John Steinmetz was a son of Carl and Mary (Bower) Steinmetz, who resided at
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Valley Forge in the winter of 1777, and it is a family tradition that during this time, on one occasion, he gave a glass of milk to General Washington.
John M. Krall was reared in Schaefferstown, and attended the public schools and academy, and later Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, where he graduated. Upon his return he entered upon a mercantile career, at the old stand where both father and grandfather had been so long engaged, and he continued until 1900, at which time he retired. Mr. Krall married Ella K. Ely, of Lebanon, and four children were born to this union, as fol- lows: Raymond, deceased : Miss Clara S., a college graduate, a talented elo- cutionist and a fine musician; Clyta N. ; and Cyrus M., who is a. traveling salesman. In politics Mr. Krall is a Republican, but has never accepted office. In religion he is a member of the Reformed Church. Like his forefathers, Mr. Krall is a man who possesses the esteem of his fellow-citizens. In busi- ness he has been just, in the community he has always assisted in worthy enterprises and contributed to the relief of the poor, and he has offered hos- pitality to his friends and has lived a private life of exemplary character.
DAVID HENRY MEYER, one of the leading citizens of Annville, and proprietor of the Bedford Dairy, one of the finest dairies in Lebanon county, was born on the old Meyer homestead, about one mile east from Annville. April 1, 1868, son of John Henry and Rebecca ( Albert) Meyer, both of whom were born in Lebanon county. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools, and also the Lebanon Valley College. When he was eight- een years of age, he began farming on the old homestead, and has continued to operate the place ever since. Some years ago he embarked in the dairy business, in which he has been so successful that he has now one of the prize dairies of the county, the products of the Bedford Dairy meeting with immediate sale wherever known. Mr. Meyer is also connected with a suc- cessful enterprise of this section known as the Bedford Ice Company.
Mr. Meyer was married December 4, 1890, to Mary B. Snavely, who was born May 19, 1868, at Westmont Station (Tunnel Hill), on the Phila- delphia & Reading Railroad, in Lebanon county, and two children have been born to this union, namely: Elizabeth May, born May II, 1892; and Allen Jay, born November 13, 1894.
The following are the brothers and sisters of Mr. Meyer: Clara, born October 5, 1861, married W. G. Heilman ; Morris A., born April 10, 1863 ; Sally K., born June 30, 1871, married D. H. Snavely; and Eugene, born March 14, 1876.
Mrs. Meyer's parents had children as follows: Henry C., born Novem-
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ber 14, 1844; John S., born October 18, 1846; Sarah, born October I, 1856, married B. F. Seltzer, of Lebanon; Elizabeth, born October 22, 1860, died March 2, 1870; George W., born May 18, 1863; and Mary B., born May 19, 1868.
In the spring of 1892, Mr. Meyer moved into Annville, purchasing a handsome residence on College Common, fronting the Lebanon Valley Col- lege. Mr. Meyer is one of the energetic and substantial men of this place, and is esteemed for his business ability and for his upright and manly character.
REV. I. CALVIN FISHER, pastor of St. Mark's Reformed Church. of Lebanon, Pa., was born October 16, 1867. in Marion township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Bennville and Eliza ( Miller ) Fisher.
The Fisher family was established in Berks county by John Fisher, the great-grandfather of Rev. Mr. Fisher, who was a native of Wurtemberg. Germany, in the seventeenth century, and has been honorably perpetuated in the same locality ever since. Bennville Fisher was a son of John Fisher (2), and both were born in Berne township, Berks county, the former on January 27, 1835. The mother of Rev. Mr. Fisher was a daughter of Isaac Miller, a native of Tulpehocken township, Berks county, where she was born June 13. 1811, and died October 29, 1890.
Rev. Mr. Fisher was an only child, and he passed a happy boyhood on the farm with his parents. He was afforded excellent educational advantages and after a good foundation acquired in the common schools, in the summer of 1882 he became a student in the Oley Academy, at Oley, Pa .. which was then under the able administration of Rev. D. E. Schoedler, who is now pas- tor of the Grace Reformed Church, Allentown, Pa. On June 2. 1883, he was confirmed by the late Charles H. Leinbach. D. D., and thus became a member of Trinity. Tulpehocken Reformed Church. During portions of the years 1882-84. Mr. Fisher taught school in Berks county. His preparation for col- lege was made under private tutors and those connected with Kutztown Nor- mal School, Kutztown, Pa., and Palatinate College, the latter now Albright Collegiate Institute, of Myerstown, Pa. During the spring term of 1886, he entered Ursinus College, at Collegeville, Pa., and graduated from the same June 27. 1889, with the degree of \. B. In the fall of 1889. Rev. Fisher entered the Theological Department of Ursinus College, and was graduated from that institution May 6, 1891. Previously, in the fall of 1890, he had been unanimously elected to the pastorate of the East Vincent-Pikeland charge, at Spring City. Chester county, which position he accepted imme- diately upon the completion of his studies. His installation and ordination
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took place on Thursday evening, June 11, 1891, in the East Vincent Reformed Church, by Rev. Dr. J. H. Sechler, assisted by Revs. Jerome B. Henry and Francis C. Yost.
On November 1, 1892, Rev. Fisher was called to the pastorate of St. . Mark's Church at Lebanon, and entered at once upon the duties of this charge. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater, in June, 1893. Under Rev. Fisher's guidance St. Mark's has prospered to a most satisfactory degree. When he took charge the membership numbered 215 souls, while at present it reaches 700, with a Sunday School of 1,050. The church edifice, on the corner of North Eighth and Mifflin streets, is one of the finest churches in Lebanon, its corner stone having been laid July 5, 1900, and its dedication occurring June 16, 1901. The chapel was dedicated November 4. 1900. This represents great administrative ability and business judgment on the part of Mr. Fisher, as well as spiritual strength and pastoral influence.
Rev. Fisher is president of the board of trustees of his classis. In 1892- 93-96-98-1901, he was a delegate to the Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church of the United States, and in 1902 was a delegate to the General Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States. For a time he was president of the classis of Lebanon, and treasurer of the same.
On November 4, 1891, Rev. Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Eva H. Kehl. born July 4, 1808, in Boyertown, daughter of William D. Kehl, and one daughter has blessed this union, Ada Marguerite, born Sep- tember 18, 1892.
ELI ZINN, one of the leading and representative citizens of Lebanon county, residing in North Cornwall township, was born in the old homestead, August 24, 1860, and was there reared to young manhood, attending the public schools, until he was married, in 1885.
After his marriage Mr. Zinn located on his farm of 110 acres, three miles south of Lebanon city. Here for a number of years Mr. Zinn carried on farming, but is now engaged in dealing in a small way in a superior grade of horses. His farm is well supplied with a good frame house and excellent outbuildings, and the farm is kept in most satisfactory condition. On Feb- ruary 5, 1885, he married Miss Clara Messner, who was born in East Earl township, Lancaster county, a daughter of Solomon and Susan (Colderer) Messner, of Lancaster county. Mr. and Mrs. Zinn have one child, John Her- man. They are members of the Reformed Church, and are among the count- ty's most worthy and respected citizens.
The prosperity of Lebanon county lies in the hands of just such men of
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prominence and weight as Mr. Zinn, and it may be safely trusted with them. He is a man of broad and liberal views, and gives his earnest support to all measures tending towards the betterment of the general prosperity of his township and county.
D. H. WARNER, M. D., is one of the successful physicians of Lebanon, Pa. He was born at Prescott, Lebanon county, September 13, 1862, a son of Henry and Sarah Warner, of Lebanon county. The Doctor's father is de- ceased. He was a farmer and the father of two children: D. H., the subject of this sketch ; and Thomas, a postal clerk at Lebanon. Henry Warner was a son of David Warner, also a farmer, who was the son of a Henry Warner, who was one of the early settlers of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania.
Dr. D. H. Warner lived his boyhood days in Prescott, Pa., received his education in the common schools, and then attended the Palatinate College. Later he taught school for three years. In 1883 he took up the study of medicine, and graduated from the Medical College of New York City in the spring of 1886. He took a post graduate course in 1888. After traveling for some time he came to Lebanon, Pa., and began the practice of medicine in 1893, and has followed the same up to the present time with success. During the smallpox epidemic in Lebanon he took quite an active part. In the fall of 1901 and the spring of 1902, he served as special county physician devoting his whole time to this work. He has served as a member of the Lebanon City board of health for five years. He is a stanch Republican, and is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church of the City of Lebanon. He is a member of the State Medical Society.
In 1900 Dr. Warner married Miss May Fortna, of Lebanon county, Pa. Their home has been blessed with one child, a daughter. The Doctor is a self-made man; he started out in life a poor boy, and has been compelled to fight the battle single handed. He attributes his success to close attention to his practice, and to honesty and integrity in his profession.
JOHN M. MOORE, a retired citizen of Millcreek township, now resid- ing on the family homestead a quarter of a mile south of Millbach. has achieved success both as an agriculturist and as a watchmaker. For over sixty years he has followed his trade, proving himself during this time one of the most proficient artisans in his line in the vicinity. Patience and con- scientious habits of work were inherited from a long line of good Dutch ancestors.
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